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New iOS 18 features that Android phones have for years!
Apple iOS 18 will be the biggest upgrade for iPhone users in years. As always, Apple managed to take all the credit for changes it made in the iOS 18, but many of the new features have been available in Android phones for years.
iOS 18 is going to be a big upgrade for Apple iPhone users. However, the features are not so innovative as Android users have had most of them for years. Let’s have a look at the most notable ones!
Homescreen personalization
iOS 18 will enable homescreen customization on iPhone, which was not possible till v17. While Android vendors continued to make homescreen and lockscreen heavily personalizable, Apple realized it too late.
Static app grid is gone, and app icon movement is no longer limited. The iOS 18 also introduces custom color palettes that turn app icons into different shades – a similar approach to Android’s Material You.
Feature-packed Gallery
Android’s Google Photos and Galaxy’s Samsung Gallery are equipped with advanced editing features. Taking inspiration, Apple also made some fruitful changes to its Photos app to uplevel user experience.
iOS 18 improves the search system of Photos app, allowing users to search for details in photos, including numbers, places, and other identifiers. Magic/Object Eraser is also added in the Photos app to remove unwanted objects.
On-device AI
Google introduced Pixel 8 Pro as the first on-device AI-powered smartphone. Later, Samsung launched the Galaxy S24, S24 Plus and S24 Ultra – all are equipped with Gemini Nano AI innovation.
Apple unveiled Apple Intelligence, which is arriving on iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max with iOS 18. The company partnered with OpenAI to fuel ChatGPT in products ranging in iPhone, as well as iPad and Mac lineups.
RCS
Google has been criticizing Apple over the lack of RCS messaging in the iMessage app. The iPhone maker was forced by the European Union to adopt RCS messaging innovation, which is debuting with the iOS 18 upgrade.
The integration of RCS tech will allow users to see delivery and read receipts, theoretically typing indicators, and much richer images. Notably, RCS has been available in Android’s Google Messages for several years.
Emoji generator
iOS 18 has a powerful emoji generator functionality, which is better than Android’s emoji kitchen. It lets users generate bespoke emojis with AI in the style of Apple’s existing library of emojis.
Android has an Emoji Kitchen feature, which allows you to create unique stickers. However, the power of artificial intelligence gives an edge to Apple’s version of emoji creator functionality.
Samsung is rushing to secure its $6.4 billion subsidies under the US CHIPS Act. After Intel and TSMC, the Biden-led outgoing government finalized subsidies for a US-based firm, Micron.
On December 10, the US Department of Commerce announced that it would provide Micron with $6.165 billion in subsidies, the same amount as stated in the preliminary PMT signed in April.
Micron plans to use these subsidies to build semiconductor plants in New York and Idaho.
Samsung had agreed to invest $44 billion and receive $6.4 billion in subsidies. Meanwhile, Samsung and SK Hynix remain the only major companies yet to finalize their subsidy agreements.
Reports say South Korea’s Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are in final negotiations with the US government to secure subsidies under the CHIPS and Science Act before Trump takes office.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo previously stated that the goal is to allocate all subsidies before the end of this administration.
During his election campaigns, Donald Trump criticized the CHIPS subsidies introduced by Joe Biden. As Trump’s presidency nears, there’s a risk of cancellation of subsidies and increased tariffs.
Samsung plans to use the subsidy to build a semiconductor plant in Taylor, Texas. This foundry plant is expected to begin producing 2nm and 4nm products in 2026.
The foundry plant Samsung is building in the US relies heavily on securing customers. Given the current situation, it might not be easy to proceed with the investment as planned.
There is a possibility that the subsidies might decrease slightly from the one initially offered to Samsung. Intel has also agreed to receive $600 million less in subsidies than initially planned.
Via – Reuters
Samsung will hold this year’s second Global Strategy Meeting next week. Samsung is reportedly gathering executives to plan the Galaxy S25 series strategy for 2025 as well as risk management to seamlessly function all activities.
According to Chosun, Samsung may hold a Global Strategy Meeting from December 17 to 19, where plans for the Galaxy S25 series and risk management are said to be discussed.
The institutional sector for Samsung’s DX Division will hold a global strategy meeting on the 17th and 18th, while the institutional sector for the DS Division will meet on the 19th.
This isn’t a surprise meeting Samsung is preparing for, but it takes place every June and December. The timeline for these meetings aligns with the prior flagship launch to prepare a strategy.
Samsung will be gathering top global executives to share issues by business and regional categories. The meeting will discuss next year’s business goals and sales strategies for the upcoming flagships.
Han Jong-hee, head of the DX institutional sector (Vice Chairman), and Jeon Young-hyun, head of the DS institutional sector (Vice Chairman), are expected to lead the meetings.
Jay Y. Lee, Samsung Elec’s boss and chairman of the board, is unlikely to attend the meetings in person but will receive reports on business strategies later.
South Korea has recently witnessed a sudden martial law implication and quick revocation. It puts a sharp burden on Korean manufacturers as the currency is weakening over the USD.
Samsung will launch Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra early next year. The prices of these devices may be hiked due to increased exchange rates, resulting in additional material costs.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is recognized as the Smartphone of the Year at the NAG Awards 2024. The company’s flagship smartphone has scored this achievement given the best in gaming and hardware in South Africa.
NAG recognized the incredible performance, versatility, and innovation of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which left a significant mark in 2024 in both gaming and content creation—ultimately making it Smartphone of the Year.
While the S24 Ultra secured the number one spot, Samsung had another device also making a great showing in the top five with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 coming in at fourth place.
Earlier this year, Samsung launched the Galaxy S24 Ultra smartphone. The device unleashed new mobile experiences with Galaxy AI, paving the way for a new era.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is undoubtedly a magnificent smartphone, which gives users everything they need to create content, manage NAG editorial, and play mobile games at 120fps.
“Congratulations on a well-deserved NAG Mobile Device of the Year 2024 award. The S24 Ultra is a phenomenal gaming device that we use daily for our gaming fix in the NAG office. Additionally, we have shot many of the NAG videos this year using the S24 Ultra. It is that good,” Len Nery, Publisher at NAG magazine.
Galaxy S24 Ultra wins Smartphone of the Year at NAG 2024 | Source: Samsung
With its exceptional performance, stunning display, and powerful Galaxy AI features and capabilities, Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra has cemented its status as one of the leading mobile devices globally and South African market.
“We are honoured to receive the Smartphone of the Year award for the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. It’s a testament to our commitment to delivering high-performance devices that elevate user experience. We knew at the beginning of 2024 that the Galaxy S24 Ultra was going to be a game-changer for creators, gamers, and professionals alike with its AI-driven features, and we’re thrilled to see its success acknowledged by the NAG community,” Kgomotso Mosiane, Head of Marketing for Mobile eXperience at Samsung Electronics.