Samsung stayed on top of Europe’s smartphone market in 2025, but Apple was the one that really moved the needle.

Fresh data from Omdia shows Europe shipped 134.2 million smartphones last year. That’s down just 1% from 2024, not a dramatic drop, but it signals demand is still soft. Between tighter consumer spending and regulatory shifts like mandatory USB-C and eco-design requirements, the market never really found strong momentum.

Even so, the big names tightened their grip. Samsung and Apple together accounted for 62% of all shipments in the region.

Samsung held the No. 1 spot with 46.6 million units shipped, translating to a 35% market share — up slightly from 34% a year earlier. Growth was modest, roughly 200,000 additional units year-over-year, but the company managed to steady things after a slow start. Things picked up later in the year, helped by aggressive pricing on the Galaxy A16 and particularly strong demand for the Galaxy A56, which reportedly ended up as Europe’s best-selling smartphone overall in 2025.

Apple, meanwhile, had the stronger growth story.

Apple shipped 36.9 million iPhones in Europe, up 6% year-over-year, reaching a record 27% market share in the region. Much of that came from steady upgrade cycles and strong demand for the iPhone 16 series. The iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro Max performed well at the high end.

Xiaomi remained in third place with 21.8 million shipments and a 16% share, though volumes dipped slightly. Motorola followed with 7.7 million units (6% share), down 5% year-over-year. Honor broke into the top five with 3.8 million units and a 3% share, showing noticeable momentum toward the end of the year.

Overall, the market looks increasingly split. Premium devices continued to drive growth, while the budget segment stayed under pressure. Samsung leaned on its mid-range strength, Apple capitalized on premium upgrades, and both extended their lead.

Europe accounted for 10.8% of global smartphone shipments in 2025. Not the largest region, but still an important one.

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(Source: Omdia)

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Trying to squeeze every last bit of performance out of high-end GPUs is nothing new. But in the case of the RTX 5090, one ambitious modding attempt ended in a very expensive lesson.

In a recent YouTube video titled “I Killed My 5090…”, the creator behind Frame Chasers walked viewers through what started as a bold experiment on a Gigabyte RTX 5090 Aorus Master, and ended with a completely dead card.

The idea, at least on paper, made sense. Some Gigabyte variants include an unpopulated pad on the PCB for a second 12V-2×6 (16-pin) power connector. It’s there for alternative board designs, including versions that use dual connectors. Seeing that unused pad, Frame Chasers decided to take things further by soldering in a second power connector.

That wasn’t the only modification. He also performed a shunt resistor mod, a well-known (and risky) tweak that effectively bypasses NVidia’s built-in power limits. The goal was simple: let the GPU draw far more power than stock settings allow.

At first, it appeared to work. The system booted, benchmarks ran, and the card seemed stable under load. For a moment, it looked like the mod had paid off.

Then things went very wrong.

The card didn’t fail during a benchmark run or stress test. Instead, it died while idling. According to the video, two large holes were burned straight through the PCB, and at least one capacitor was knocked off the board from extreme heat.

Frame Chasers believes the failure came down to a dangerous combination of factors. The shunt mod reportedly increased baseline power draw, meaning the GPU was pulling more wattage even at idle. On top of that, the fans weren’t spinning despite rising temperatures. The card was also set to “performance mode” in the NVidia Control Panel, which keeps clocks elevated instead of allowing the GPU to downclock at idle.

The GPU die and VRAM chips themselves may still be intact. The catastrophic damage seems localized to the PCB and surrounding power components.

For enthusiasts, extreme overclocking can be thrilling. There’s always the temptation to push just a little further. But this incident is a stark reminder that modern GPUs operate within tightly controlled power and thermal envelopes for a reason.

(Source | Via)

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But just ahead of the official reveal, a fresh leak has already outlined what could be some pretty attractive pre-order incentives for the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra in Europe.

According to reliable French leaker billbil-kun, posting via Dealabs, Samsung is preparing a mix of storage upgrades and trade-in bonuses that could save buyers as much as €350 in the Eurozone, assuming everything stacks the way it’s expected to.

Pricing reportedly starts at €999 for the base Galaxy S26 with 256GB of storage. Interestingly, Samsung appears to be moving away from the 128GB entry model seen on the Galaxy S25, making 256GB the new starting point. Pre-orders are expected to open right after Unpacked wraps up, with shipping beginning around March 11.

One of the headline offers is a free storage upgrade. Buyers who pre-order a 256GB model may receive the 512GB version at no extra cost, a perk that typically represents a €200 to €300 value, depending on the device. Similar “double storage” promotions have been popular in past Galaxy launches, and it looks like Samsung may be leaning on that strategy again in Europe (including France, and possibly the UK).

Trade-in bonuses are also part of the package. Leaks suggest an extra €100 in trade-in credit for those pre-ordering the Galaxy S26 or S26+, and €150 for the Galaxy S26 Ultra. When combined with the storage upgrade, that could push total savings into the €300–€350 range for certain configurations.

In practical terms, that means a 512GB Galaxy S26 could effectively land closer to €899 in some scenarios, depending on the device you trade in. For buyers eyeing the top-end 1TB Galaxy S26 Ultra, there’s also talk of an additional €200 pre-order discount, which would stack on top of the other incentives.

All of this fits Samsung’s broader strategy. Offering storage bumps and boosted trade-in credits is a relatively low-friction way to drive early orders without officially lowering retail prices.

It’s also worth noting that incentives vary by region. In the US, for example, early reservation offers have included smaller credits and larger trade-in ceilings instead. Europe, on the other hand, seems to be getting the more straightforward storage-upgrade approach this time around.

(Source)

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Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series is just hours away from going official at the February 25 Unpacked event, but thanks to mandatory EU energy labels, we already have some confirmed details.

The information comes from official European certification listings. These labels are required for devices sold in the EU and include rated (minimum guaranteed) battery capacities, advertised “typical” capacities, standardized battery endurance results, and even durability metrics.

Starting with the base model, the Galaxy S26 gets a rated 4,175 mAh battery, marketed as 4,300 mAh typical. That’s a modest bump over the Galaxy S25’s roughly 4,000 mAh cell. In the EU’s standardized mixed-use test, it’s rated for 51 hours on a single charge. That suggests Samsung has managed at least incremental gains in efficiency, not just raw capacity.

The Galaxy S26+ sticks with a rated 4,755 mAh battery (advertised as 4,900 mAh typical). Endurance is listed at 55 hours, which either matches or very slightly improves on its predecessor.

Then there’s the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which continues Samsung’s now very long 5,000 mAh tradition. The rated capacity sits at 4,855 mAh, marketed as 5,000 mAh typical, unchanged for six straight generations. It also achieves 55 hours in the EU test.

Beyond battery size and endurance, the EU labels reveal some additional details. All three models score Class A for energy efficiency and drop resistance, carry IP68 dust and water protection, and receive a Class C repairability rating.

The labels indicate 80% capacity retention after 1,200 full charge cycles, which is a noticeable drop from the 2,000-cycle figure associated with the S25 series. That’s roughly a 40% reduction on paper.

All of this lines up fairly well with previous leaks. The standard S26 finally gets a capacity bump, while the Plus and Ultra models lean more on efficiency than larger cells. Whether that’s due to EU transport regulations around battery shipping thresholds, internal space constraints, or Samsung’s design priorities isn’t fully clear — but the strategy is consistent.

We now have concrete figures for capacity, endurance, and durability before the official reveal even begins. The real test, of course, will be hands-on reviews and real-world usage.

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(Source)

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A new leak out of China suggests the upcoming OnePlus 16 could feature bezels measuring under 1mm on all sides. Some measurements even point to around 0.8mm. If that number holds, it would be an incremental but noticeable improvement over the OnePlus 15, which already had impressively slim 1.15mm borders.

On paper, shaving off a few tenths of a millimeter doesn’t sound dramatic. But visually, it can make a difference. Ultra-thin symmetrical bezels tend to create that “all display” look that makes content feel more immersive, especially when you’re watching videos or gaming in landscape.

The latest leak mostly focuses on the bezels, so full display specs are still unclear. That said, earlier rumors have mentioned a flat 1.5K LTPO OLED panel, possibly sourced from BOE again. There’s also talk of refresh rates going as high as 240Hz.

Whether 240Hz actually makes it to the final retail unit is another question. Manufacturers often test higher refresh panels, but power consumption and real-world benefit usually dictate the final number. Even so, anything above 165Hz would keep the OnePlus 16 firmly in “high-refresh flagship” territory.

Interestingly, OnePlus is reportedly avoiding more gaming-specific additions like shoulder triggers or built-in cooling fans. The direction seems clear: keep the design clean and premium rather than turning it into a niche gaming device.

Then there’s the battery rumor. Reports point to a massive 9,000mAh “Glacier” battery using silicon-carbon technology. Silicon-carbon cells are known for higher energy density, so it’s not impossible. Still, until more concrete details surface, that figure is worth treating cautiously. It would be a major leap.

As expected, the OnePlus 16 should run Qualcomm’s next-generation flagship chip. That would bring predictable year-on-year improvements in performance and power efficiency.

Camera rumors suggest a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP ultrawide, and possibly a 200MP periscope telephoto. If accurate, that telephoto setup would be one of the more aggressive upgrades, especially for users who prioritize zoom performance.

As always, though, early leaks are best taken as a direction — not a guarantee.

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(Sources: 1, 2)

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Apple’s next wave of iPhones may bring an interesting split in design philosophy: bold on the Pro side, restrained on the foldable.

In his February 22 edition of the Power On, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman shared new details about the color options currently being tested for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro lineup, as well as Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone.

A new red for the Pro models?

According to Gurman’s supply-chain sources, Apple is experimenting with a “deep red” finish for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. If it makes it to production, it would be the first time a Pro model has launched in red.

This isn’t expected to be a bright red finish. Instead, the tone is described as darker, closer to burgundy or wine. Earlier rumors mentioning brown or purplish shades may have been referencing variations of this same concept.

Apple has occasionally used bold colors to differentiate Pro models in recent years. Last year’s standout Pro color reportedly performed well in some markets, and it wouldn’t be surprising if Apple continues leaning into distinctive flagship hues.

That said, nothing is final. Color testing happens months ahead of launch, and some finishes never make it past internal prototypes.

Foldable stays conservative

On the other end of the spectrum is Apple’s first foldable iPhone, often referred to as the iPhone Fold. Gurman suggests Apple is planning to keep things simple for its debut foldable. Instead of experimenting with bold finishes, the company is said to be focusing on classic tones like black, dark gray, and silver or white.

For now, the picture forming is fairly clear: the Pro models may take a bit of a design risk with a darker red option, while the foldable plays it safe for its first outing. If accurate, it would be a small but telling glimpse into how Apple is positioning its next-generation hardware.

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(Source: Bloomberg)

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Apple’s ultra-thin iPhone Air was already designed to stand out, but one modder has taken it in a completely different direction, by making the back transparent and adding something Apple deliberately left out: a physical SIM slot.

The project was documented by YouTuber Linzin Tech. In a 22-minute video, he walks through the process of turning the standard iPhone Air into a clear-backed, SIM-enabled custom build.

The first step involved removing the opaque coating from the rear glass panel. Using a laser process, the modders carefully stripped away the paint layer without damaging key components underneath, particularly the MagSafe coil, which sits just beneath the glass.

Once the coating was removed, the result was a fully transparent back, revealing the battery, logic board layout, shielding, and internal connectors. The Apple logo remains visible, but now it floats above exposed hardware rather than a solid color finish.

Adding what Apple removed

The bigger challenge came next: installing a nano-SIM tray into a phone designed to rely entirely on eSIM.

To make room, the team milled a cutout into the bottom frame of the device. That modification required removing the original Taptic Engine, Apple’s large and finely tuned haptic motor, because there simply wasn’t enough internal space to accommodate both it and a SIM tray.

In its place, a smaller third-party vibration motor was installed. The SIM reader itself was wired in through board-level microsoldering, and according to the video, the modified phone successfully connects to mobile networks using a physical SIM card. It’s a significant hardware alteration, especially considering how tightly packed ultra-thin smartphones are.

As impressive as the mod looks, it wasn’t without consequences. Removing thermal pads during the laser process reportedly affected heat dissipation, leading to faster throttling under sustained load. The structural modifications also eliminated the phone’s IP68 water and dust resistance. And, of course, any warranty coverage was gone the moment the frame was cut open.

For most users, the trade-offs wouldn’t make sense. But for hardware enthusiasts, it’s a fascinating reminder that even the most closed-off designs can still be opened up.

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(Source)

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The Xiaomi Electric Scooter 6 Ultra has been officially teased ahead of the company’s February 28 launch event in Barcelona. It appears on Xiaomi’s global website as part of the Xiaomi Launch February 2026, confirming that a full reveal is just days away.

The Ultra will sit above the rest of the Electric Scooter 6 lineup, which already includes the standard 6, 6 Lite, 6 Pro, and 6 Max. While Xiaomi hasn’t published the complete spec sheet yet, early listings and retailer pages give a fairly clear idea of what to expect.

More power, longer range

According to those listings, the Scooter 6 Ultra uses a 500W motor with a peak output of up to 1,200W. That should translate into stronger acceleration compared to the 6 Max, along with improved climbing ability.

Top speed is still capped at 25 km/h in most regions to comply with local regulations, but torque figures of around 45 Nm suggest it’s built to feel punchier off the line.

Battery capacity is said to be 585Wh, which could deliver up to 75 km of range under ideal conditions. Real-world numbers will likely vary depending on rider weight, terrain, and speed, but it positions the Ultra as the longest-range model in the current series.

The Ultra seems to lean slightly more toward durability than its siblings. It reportedly includes front and rear suspension, 12-inch tubeless all-terrain tires, and dual disc brakes paired with E-ABS for added stopping control.

There’s also an IPX6 water resistance rating, suggesting it should handle light rain without issue. A 3-inch TFT display shows ride data like speed and battery level.

The trade-off for all that hardware is weight. At roughly 33.7 kg, this is not a lightweight commuter scooter. It’s closer to a heavy-duty urban machine than something you’d casually carry up a flight of stairs.

Pricing and launch timing

Early reports suggest a price around €799.99, which would place it at the premium end of Xiaomi’s scooter lineup. That’s a noticeable step up from lower-tier models, but the Ultra clearly targets riders who want more range and stronger performance.

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(Source)

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