After months of leaks and speculation, Apple is set to announce its fourth-generation iPhone SE later this week. The new version of Apple’s budget iPhone will feature several innovative updates, including the addition of an OLED display and Face ID—two firsts for the iPhone SE series.
One of the most significant changes in the iPhone SE 4 is the inclusion of Apple’s first-ever in-house 5G modem, which will be manufactured by TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company). This marks a major shift in strategy, as Apple has traditionally relied on external chipmakers like Intel and Qualcomm for 5G modems.
This move is part of Apple’s broader goal to become more self-reliant in terms of hardware components, reducing its dependence on external suppliers and bringing more components in-house. However, industry reports indicate that Apple’s first-generation modem may not be as powerful or efficient as Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X75.
A report from South Korea has shed light on the performance differences between Apple's in-house modem and Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon X75. According to the report:
This means the iPhone SE 4 could offer slower data speeds compared to the iPhone 16 series, which will feature Qualcomm’s more advanced modem.
The iPhone SE 4 will serve as a testing ground for Apple’s self-developed modem, and it is expected to feature some important characteristics, such as Dual SIM Dual Standby and deep integration with Apple-designed processors. These features will likely help improve battery life and overall system efficiency, despite the modem’s lower performance compared to Qualcomm’s offerings.
Apple is working hard to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into its voice assistant, Siri, but it seems the tech giant is lagging behind schedule, according to Mark Gurman, a well-known reporter for Bloomberg. In his Power On newsletter, Gurman shared details about the engineering challenges Apple is facing with Siri’s AI upgrade.
Originally, Apple had planned for the major Siri upgrade to roll out with iOS 18.4, which was supposed to be released in April. However, due to ongoing technical issues and inconsistent smart features, the release date has now been pushed to May, likely with the iOS 18.5 update.
Gurman revealed that Apple Intelligence, the company’s broader initiative to enhance Siri with AI, has been released in stages. However, significant features are still missing from key global markets, including Continental Europe and China.
The new Siri features are expected to be a game changer for Apple, as the company aims to compete with leading AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Meta's Llama. Some key features include:
Despite these ambitious goals, Apple is encountering significant internal struggles to meet deadlines, which may delay some features further. It’s even been suggested that certain features planned for iOS 19 might not roll out until 2026.
Apple aims to sustain its competitive edge amidst the rapid advancements made by OpenAI, Google, and Meta. These competitors have already gained significant momentum with their AI-powered tools, and Apple must accelerate its efforts to catch up. Delays in development and implementation indicate that the company is encountering obstacles that could delay its broader ambitions.
The Apple Intelligence initiative is expected to elevate Siri from a basic voice assistant to a more capable AI tool, but the company’s ability to meet deadlines and deliver on its promises will be key to its success in this rapidly changing space.
Graphics card prices have once again skyrocketed, and Nvidia’s RTX 5070 Ti is no exception. With high demand, low supply, and a complex global trade landscape, the RTX 5070 Ti is already being sold at inflated prices, leaving gamers and enthusiasts grappling with the aftermath of the pandemic-era pricing surge.
The GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, which Nvidia had initially recommended at a $750 USD base price, is now seeing price tags far higher. Gigabyte’s Aorus RTX 5070 Ti Master has appeared at €1,399, almost double the recommended price after currency conversion. Other cards, such as those from Asus, Inno3D, and PNY, are also marked up by as much as 92% in some cases.
For example, MicroCenter lists RTX 5070 Ti models starting at $1,009.99, a 35% markup. These inflated prices are becoming the norm, making it clear that the industry’s pricing issues are far from over.
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Several factors contribute to the high cost of the RTX 5070 Ti:
No Nvidia Founder’s Edition:Unlike the RTX 5080 or RTX 5090, the RTX 5070 Ti won’t come with a Founder’s Edition (Nvidia's own reference model). This lack of a baseline has left OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) to fill the gap with customized versions, often featuring beefed-up coolers, overclocking, and additional RGB lighting — all of which contribute to the higher price.
Customization Premiums:As Nvidia’s board partners customize the base design of the card, premium features (like custom coolers or slight performance boosts) are added. While this leads to higher prices, the actual performance boost may be minimal compared to the base model, making these custom cards somewhat overpriced for the increase in performance they provide.
Global Supply Chain Issues:The global supply chain crisis, combined with an AI boom and the pandemic’s long-lasting effects, has led to manufacturing bottlenecks and low yields for Nvidia’s new tech. These challenges have further contributed to limited availability, pushing prices higher.
Scarcity and Scalpers:As demand for GPUs surges, scalpers and resellers have jumped into the market, artificially inflating prices. With pent-up demand from gamers and tech enthusiasts who have been waiting two years for Nvidia’s new generation of GPUs, many are willing to pay the extra cost just to get their hands on the latest tech.
Although some listings are spotted near MSRP, such as $750 for certain base models, they’re bound to be in extremely short supply. Expect them to be scooped up quickly upon release on February 20th. Custom versions, on the other hand, will likely be more abundant, though they too will sell out fast.
For the uninitiated, custom models often include added features such as enhanced cooling systems, custom fan designs, or slight overclocking for better performance. However, these upgrades generally result in a higher price for minimal gains.
For those who are hoping for a deal on launch day, the news isn’t good. The highest markup seen so far for the RTX 5070 Ti sits at an eye-watering 60% over the recommended price. This is for mild overclocked models like the Gigabyte Aorus Master, which offers just a small performance boost compared to the standard version, without any major cooling upgrades or premium features.
A combination of factors such as limited supply, a competitive market, and global economic challenges (including trade wars and inflation) means that prices may continue to climb for the foreseeable future.
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Unfortunately, it’s not a great time to upgrade your graphics card unless you’re willing to pay well above the recommended price. With no Nvidia Founder’s Edition to benchmark against, it’s up to consumers to decide if the premium features on custom cards justify the inflated prices.
In the meantime, hope for AMD to offer a competitive price tag on their graphics cards, particularly in the xx70/xx70+ tier. However, don’t expect a drastic price cut, as Nvidia is selling out every card they manufacture, giving them no incentive to lower their prices.
Apple is gearing up for an exciting launch event, as CEO Tim Cook teased a big reveal coming Wednesday, February 19. In a brief social media post, Cook promised that the world would “meet the newest member of the family,” with the hashtag #AppleLaunch accompanying a cryptic animated video featuring the iconic Apple logo within a circle.
While the post raises more questions than it answers, industry experts, particularly Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, believe that the iPhone SE may be the star of this upcoming announcement. According to Gurman’s earlier reports, the new iPhone SE is expected to feature some impressive upgrades, including an A18 chip, a larger 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID, USB-C, and Apple Intelligence support, among others. This would represent a significant leap from previous SE models, especially in terms of design and performance.
However, the mystery doesn’t end with the iPhone SE. Rumors suggest that Apple could also have several other products lined up for a launch in the coming weeks, such as a new MacBook Air, iPad Air, and potentially an entry-level iPad. Additionally, products like a new AirTag and an all-new smart home hub are expected to hit the market this year.
For now, Cook’s post feels more like a teaser than an official event invite. This suggests that Apple may opt for a quieter announcement strategy, possibly releasing details via press releases on the Apple Newsroom website or through YouTube videos, similar to the approach taken for the October announcements of the new iMac, Mac mini, and MacBook Pro models equipped with M4 chips. The true nature of Apple’s plans will unfold in the next few days, but one thing is certain—February 19th is set to be an exciting day for tech enthusiasts.
Apple is working on a 27-inch mini-LED display, which could launch as soon as late 2025, according to display analyst Ross Young. The new screen is expected to be an upgraded version of the Studio Display, which debuted in 2022 with a 5K LED panel. A shift to mini-LED technology would bring noticeable improvements in brightness, contrast, and color accuracy.
Young reports that the display will use mini-LEDs from Epistar, with LG Display supplying the panels. This aligns with previous speculation about Apple’s interest in mini-LED technology for external monitors.
In 2023, Young initially claimed Apple had been working on a Studio Display Pro with ProMotion, but later reported that the project had been canceled. However, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has consistently maintained that Apple is planning to release a new 27-inch display in 2025.
Apple already uses mini-LED panels in its MacBook Pro lineup, which features over 10,000 mini-LEDs for deeper blacks, improved shadow detail, and enhanced highlights. Compared to traditional LED displays, mini-LED offers better brightness, higher contrast ratios, and superior color performance.
While Young suggests a late 2025 launch, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has also confirmed Apple’s work on a 27-inch mini-LED display but believes it could arrive in 2026 instead.
Whether the display launches in 2025 or 2026, the shift to mini-LED technology suggests Apple is aiming for higher-end professional-grade monitors, possibly with ProMotion support and other advanced display features.
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