Samsung mimics Apple and cancels the Plus model, Google reveals the date of the new Pixel 10 phones, a new copper orange color for the iPhone 17 Pro, sky blue is exclusive to the iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone 17 will have the A19 chip, a new CEO replaces Tim Cook, and other exciting news on the sidelines...
Some iPhone models banned in the US due to trade secret theft
Certain iPhone 15, iPhone 16, and iPhone 17 models could face a ban in the United States following a preliminary ruling by the U.S. International Trade Commission, which found that Chinese manufacturer BOE used Samsung's OLED display technology without permission. This ruling could ban the import of BOE displays into the US and halt sales of phones that feature them. Currently, some iPhones use BOE displays, and if the ban is upheld, Apple will need to switch display suppliers for these models in the US market, such as relying on Samsung or LG. A final ruling will be issued in November 2025, and the U.S. president will decide within 60 days whether to approve it.
Titanium frame for iPhone 17 Air only, while other models return to aluminum
According to analyst Jeff Pu, the upcoming iPhone 17 Air will feature a titanium frame, while the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max models will use aluminum frames. This means the iPhone 17 Air will be the only new model with a titanium frame, a stronger material than aluminum, which could help protect its thin and light design. Aluminum, on the other hand, is lighter, so the choice of titanium may seem odd for a phone focused on thinness. Other reports suggest Apple may use a combination of titanium and aluminum. This change is surprising, especially since the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max models use titanium, while the new Pro models revert to aluminum. Apple is expected to reveal more at the iPhone 17 launch event in September.
Apple Watch features for detecting sleep apnea and heart health reach new countries
The sleep apnea detection feature, available on the latest Apple Watch models, is now available in additional countries in Europe, Asia, South America, and more. This feature uses the watch's sensors to monitor apnea during sleep, which could indicate a health condition. The feature is now available in countries such as Argentina, Australia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and others, and works on Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Series 2 Ultra in more than 150 countries. The watch must be worn for several nights to obtain an initial reading, and the data appears in the Health app on iPhone. Apple has also expanded heart monitoring features, such as ECG and irregular heartbeat notifications, to countries such as Argentina and Serbia to help users detect conditions such as atrial fibrillation or irregular heartbeats. These features are available in more than 150 countries, and the availability list can be found on Apple's website.
AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Test and Assist features expand to new countries
Apple announced the availability of the Hearing Test and Hearing Assist features on AirPods Pro 2 in several new countries in Europe, Asia, and South America, including Argentina, Ecuador, Indonesia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and others. The hearing test can be performed using AirPods Pro 2 connected to an iPhone or iPad running iOS 18.1 or iPadOS 18.1 or later. The test plays sounds at different frequencies—500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, and 4 kHz—in each ear, and the user is asked to tap the screen when they hear the sound. The results indicate the level of hearing loss: from 25 decibels or less (no significant loss) to more than 80 decibels (profound hearing loss). If the test shows mild to moderate hearing loss, the Hearing Assist feature can be activated in supported countries, such as Cyprus, Palestine, and Serbia, to optimize the sound to suit the user's needs. These features are now available in more than 150 countries, and the full list can be found on Apple's website.
The iPhone 17 will support 25W wireless charging with external chargers.
The upcoming iPhone 17 models are expected to support up to 25W wireless charging using third-party MagSafe chargers, thanks to their compatibility with the new Qi 2.2 charging standard. Currently, iPhones with MagSafe support the Qi 2 standard, which offers 15W charging with third-party chargers, while up to 25W is available with Apple's official 30W charger. The new Qi 2.2 standard, which has appeared in Taiwanese certification documents, supports 25W charging, with improved charging efficiency and magnetic alignment accuracy, and is also backward compatible with older chargers. Companies like Ugreen have announced Qi 2.2-compatible products, such as the MagFlow power bank, which will launch in the US, Europe, and Southeast Asia soon. More compatible chargers are expected to launch closer to the iPhone 17 launch in September.
A foldable iPhone with a “wrinkle-free” screen design is coming soon.
According to Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Samsung will offer “crease-free” displays for its long-awaited foldable iPhone. To achieve a crease-free internal display, the phone will use a metal panel to help distribute the stress caused by folding the screen, and these panels will be supplied primarily by Fine M-Tec. Unlike the Samsung Z Fold 7, which has a pronounced crease in the middle of the display, Samsung appears to have developed a custom solution for Apple to ensure a “crease-free” design. Reports indicate that the phone will feature a high-quality hinge that makes the crease nearly invisible. Mass production is expected to begin in the second half of 2026, with a 7.8-inch internal display, a 5.5-inch external display, two rear cameras, a front-facing camera, and a fingerprint power button instead of Face ID. The phone will be 4.5mm thick when unfolded and between 9 and 9.5mm thick when folded, slightly thicker than Samsung’s latest flagship.
New CEO to replace Tim Cook
A research firm suggests that Apple replace its CEO, Tim Cook, with someone who focuses on product development, rather than logistics, because Apple is lagging behind competitors like Microsoft and Meta in offering compelling artificial intelligence features. Apple's shares have fallen 16% this year, while those of its rivals have surged. Despite Cook's remarkable success since taking the helm, with Apple's stock rising more than 1400%, some believe the company needs a major overhaul to keep pace. However, Apple's board of directors remains strongly supportive of Cook, and there is currently no clear successor, making it unlikely that he will be replaced soon. Cook may also assume the role of chairman in the future, further strengthening his influence.
The iPhone 17 will feature the A19 chip, according to new rumors.
According to analyst Jeff Pu, the base iPhone 17 will be powered by the A19 chip, not the A18 as previously predicted. The iPhone 17 Air is also expected to feature the A19 chip, while the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max models will feature the A19 Pro chip. However, there are conflicting rumors, with another source claiming the iPhone 17 Air will feature the A19 Pro chip but with a five-core GPU, while the Pro models will feature a six-core GPU. Everyone now agrees that the base model will feature the A19 chip. The iPhone 17 series will be officially unveiled in two months.
The "Sky Blue" color may be exclusive to the iPhone 17 Air instead of the Pro.
New leaks indicate that Apple intends to introduce the new "Sky Blue" color, recently seen on MacBook Air models, on the iPhone 17 Air. Previous speculation indicated that the color would be available on the Pro models, but it appears that Apple has decided to limit it to the Air model only. However, the Pro models may receive a dark blue color, and Apple may also re-introduce the "Titanium Blue" color it previously used on the iPhone 15 Pro. The current iPhone 16 Pro colors are titanium sand, natural, white, and black. The iPhone 17 Air may also be available in black, silver, and gold.
New orange color rumored for iPhone 17 Pro models
According to leaks from Sony Dickson, the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max models may feature a new copper-like orange color, a color Apple has never used before on its phones. Dickson shared images of the alleged rear camera lens covers for these models, which include five colors: black, gray, silver, navy, and orange. The black, gray, and silver colors match the current iPhone 16 Pro colors.
Google to unveil new Pixel 10 phones on August 20
Google has announced the date of its upcoming event to unveil the Pixel 10 series, scheduled for Wednesday, August 20, just weeks before Apple announces the iPhone 17 series. The new lineup will include four devices: the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL, in addition to the foldable Pixel 10 Pro Fold. While the foldable phone may not be as light and thin as the Samsung Z Fold 7, it could surpass it in water and dust resistance, with an IP68 rating.
The new series will feature the latest 5nm Tensor G3 processor from TSMC, which is expected to offer improved performance than the previous generation. The overall design of the Pixel 10 will remain largely unchanged, but the display and battery will be improved, along with new AI-powered photo editing features. These devices will directly compete with the iPhone 17 series, although Apple has yet to launch a foldable phone and is not expected to do so until next year.
Miscellaneous news
◉ The European Union is abandoning a plan to tax large tech companies like Apple, which was intended to force them to pay more on their profits in Europe. Instead, the bloc is proposing new taxes on tobacco, older electronics, and large corporations. This decision was made to facilitate trade negotiations with the US, and details of the new budget will be announced soon.
◉ According to new leaks, Samsung may follow Apple's lead and remove the Plus model from its iPhone lineup next year, replacing it with an ultra-thin Edge model, similar to Apple's plan with the iPhone 17. Apple will replace the Plus model with the slim iPhone 17 Air, bringing the lineup to the iPhone 17, 17 Air, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max. Samsung's lineup currently includes the S25, S25+, S25 Edge, and S25 Ultra, but rumors suggest it could become the S26, S26 Edge, and S26 Ultra. The S25+ and S25 Edge models are similar in size and specs, but the Edge features a titanium frame and a thinner design (5.8mm), while the iPhone 17 Air could be even thinner (5.5mm).
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