Taking the plunge and giving your child a handset? Here’s all you need to know – from the best models to the tariffs and networks (and how to use parental controls) As the schools go back, pressure mounts on parents to give their children their first phone. If you’ve decided the time has come, there are many options to choose from, whether it’s a smartphone, a basic handset, or an upgrade to something newer. From the handset to the mobile service that goes with it, and from key parental controls to how well the phone fits with the devices you already use, here are some of the things you should know before taking the plunge – including which models are the best. Continue reading...

Apple is about to launch a ChatGPT-powered version of Siri as part of a suite of AI features in iOS 18. Will this change the way you use your phone – and how does it affect your privacy? Artificial intelligence (AI) is coming to your iPhone soon and, according to Apple, it’s going to transform the way you use your device. Launching under the brand name “Apple Intelligence” the iPhone maker’s AI tools include a turbocharged version of its voice assistant, Siri, backed by a partnership with ChatGPT owner OpenAI. Apple isn’t the first smartphone maker to launch AI. The technology is already available on smartphones including Google’s latest Pixel and Samsung’s Galaxy range. Continue reading...

Development of ChatGPT and its ilk will plateau, just like it did for smartphones, and then what are we left with? More ho-hum consumer tech I bought an iPhone 15 the other day to replace my five-year-old iPhone 11. The phone is powered by the new A17 Pro chip and has a terabyte of data storage and accordingly was eye-wateringly expensive. I had, of course, finely honed rationales for splashing out on such a scale. I’ve always had a policy of writing only about kit that I buy with my own money (no freebies from tech companies), for example. The fancy A17 processor is needed to run the new “AI” stuff that Apple is promising to launch soon; the phone has a significantly better camera than my old handset had – which matters (to me) because my Substack blog goes out three times a week and I provide a new photograph for each edition; and, finally, a friend whose ancient iPhone is on its last legs might appreciate an iPhone 11 in good nick. But these are rationalisations rather than solid justifications. The truth is that my old iPhone was fine for the job. Sure, it would need a new battery in time, but apart from that it had years more life in it. And if you take a cold, detached look at the evolution of the iPhone product line, what you see from the 2010 iPhone 4 onwards is really just a sequence of steady incremental improvements. What was so special about that model? Mostly this: it had a front-facing camera, which opened up the world of selfies, video chat, social media and all the other accoutrements of our networked world. But from then on, it was just incremental changes and price rises all the way. Continue reading...

Looking for a new iPhone, or a good deal on a refurbished handset? Our expert has assessed and rated the current crop of Apple smartphones The best iPhone may be the one you already own. There is generally no need to buy a fresh phone just because new models have been released, as hardware updates have broadly become iterative, adding small bits to an already accomplished package rather than reinventing the wheel. But if you do want to replace it, either buying new or refurbished, here are the best of the current crop of Apple smartphones. Note: Apple is expected to release new models in September, which means it might be worth waiting to buy a new iPhone if you can. Full review: iPhone 15 Pro review: the best smaller phone gets better Continue reading...

The US government filed a sprawling antitrust case against Apple, alleging that the tech giant has illegally prevented competition by restricting access to its software and hardware. 'Apple has maintained its power not because of its superiority, but because of its unlawful exclusionary behavior,' said US attorney general Merrick Garland * US accuses Apple of ‘broad, sustained, and illegal’ smartphone monopoly Continue reading...

USB-C, a faster chip, improved 48MP camera and dynamic island reach Apple’s regular smartphone line The iPhone 15 continues Apple’s slow trickling down of features previously reserved for its top Pro-line phones to other models. But even with the new dynamic island, improved camera, a faster chip and USB-C, the standard iPhone can’t escape seeming just a little bit boring. The regular iPhone for 2023 gets a £50 price cut in the UK costing £799 (€949/$799/A$1,499), although other regions aren’t so lucky. That makes it about £200 cheaper than the similarly sized iPhone 15 Pro, with a plus-sized version also available for about £100 more. Continue reading...