TSMC is turning into a victim of its own success as the world's preferred chip foundry, leaving its heretofore prized customers such as Apple in a bind of sorts as they suddenly find themselves crowded out by AI hyperscalers. In its frustration, Apple is now reportedly exploring the possibility of dividing up its silicon load between Samsung, Intel, and TSMC rather than remaining largely TSMC-exclusive. Apple is looking for contingencies by tentatively probing Intel and Samsung as additional vectors for manufacturing its custom chips According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple has already held "early-stage talks" with Intel for using its […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apple-quietly-courts-intel-and-samsung-for-its-most-critical-chips-as-tsmcs-advanced-nodes-remain-choked-under-ai-demand/

When market distortions become so extreme that the underlying economics stop making sense, retreat is the only recourse. And, this is exactly what Morgan Stanley is now betting on in relation to Apple's ongoing bid for uncontested market share supremacy via a combination of price freezes and strategic hoarding of memory resources. Morgan Stanley believes Apple will not be able to sell the upcoming iPhone 18 variants at the same prices as those of their equivalent iPhone 17 counterparts Apple's emergent strategy to freeze the prices of its products amid the ongoing memory-driven turmoil first became evident when it refused […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apple-held-the-line-on-macbook-pricing-while-microsoft-hiked-surface-prices-but-the-iphone-18-is-where-the-streak-reportedly-breaks/

StarTech.com has introduced a new USB4 docking station designed to simplify connectivity across multiple platforms. Announced on April 30, 2026, the Driverless Dual 4K USB4 Docking Station (208N-USB4-DOCK) works seamlessly with macOS, Windows, and Linux devices. It is positioned as an industry-first solution that enables native dual-display support on MacBooks without requiring drivers or additional software, making it especially useful for mixed-device environments.

Key Innovation

The standout feature of this dock is its ability to support dual displays on MacBooks through USB4 without any drivers. This addresses a long-standing limitation where Mac users often needed expensive Thunderbolt docks for multi-display setups. The dock delivers near Thunderbolt-level performance and is compatible with newer MacBook models, including M3, M4, and M5 devices, ensuring broader usability for professionals.

Performance and Connectivity

The dock uses a single USB-C connection with 40Gbps bandwidth and supports up to 100W Power Delivery for charging. It includes a range of ports such as multiple USB-A and USB-C ports, a 2.5Gb Ethernet port, and dual DisplayPort 1.4 outputs. It can drive up to two displays simultaneously, supporting up to 6K resolution at 60Hz in dual mode or 8K at 60Hz for a single display. High refresh rate support like 4K at 144Hz is also available on compatible systems.

Enterprise-Focused Design

Built with enterprise use in mind, the dock eliminates the need for software installation, reducing deployment time and support issues. It also includes a screw-locking USB-C cable that helps prevent accidental disconnections, making it suitable for shared workspaces and IT-managed environments.

Availability and Pricing

The docking station is priced at $143.99 and is available through major retail and distribution channels. It offers a cost-effective and streamlined alternative to traditional docking solutions, especially for organizations managing diverse device ecosystems.

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(via)

The post StarTech Launches World’s First Driverless USB4 Dock for Mac Dual Displays appeared first on Gizmochina.

In an era of unprecedented memory-led chaos in the global smartphone sphere, Apple lobbed nothing short of a bombshell during its earnings call this week, declaring that TSMC's advanced node capacity - not memory - was the main bottleneck for its products. Think about this. As per conservative estimates, Apple's iPhones are all set to consume 2.4 exabytes of memory this year! And yet, the Cupertino tech giant declares it is not memory-constrained, while seemingly capping the prices of its products. This declaration is nothing short of a gauntlet for Chinese OEMs: Apple is coming after your market share! Apple's […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apple-quietly-scoops-up-any-available-lpddr5-supply-while-freezing-iphone-prices-pushing-chinese-oems-to-kill-their-ultra-flagships/

Apple observes stringent quality control measures so that its premium products not only stand the test of time regarding durability but also minimize hardware failures caused by manufacturing defects. Unfortunately, when you’re dealing with millions of units being shipped in a calendar year, there’s always a chance that an owner ends up with an ‘odd one out’ and, sadly, an M5 MacBook Pro that was only two days old was completely dead when a spark formed due to the machine’s hinge movement. The M5 MacBook Pro’s failure will definitely be an interesting case for Apple’s engineering team, but a YouTuber has […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/m5-macbook-pro-hinge-movement-causes-spark-resulting-in-failure/

The standard iPhone is typically the default choice for most buyers, offering a balance of new features and approachability. However, if recent supply chain reports are accurate, the base iPhone 18 might represent a shift in how Apple handles its non-Pro lineup.

Between a rumored change in the release schedule and a few specific hardware compromises, the standard iPhone 18 is shaping up to be an interesting, if slightly segmented, device.

Here is a look at what the rumors currently suggest for the base iPhone 18, and what it means for anyone planning to upgrade.

Updated Launch Timeline

For years, consumers have expected a new lineup of iPhones every September. But Apple is reportedly adjusting its strategy for the iPhone 18 cycle. Instead of releasing all four models at once in the fall of 2026, the company is expected to focus its September event entirely on the higher-end devices: the iPhone 18 Pro, the Pro Max, and a rumored foldable model.

If you are waiting for the standard iPhone 18 or the more affordable iPhone 18e, reports indicate you will need to wait until the spring of 2027. Industry analysts suggest this split is largely driven by supply chain costs, particularly the rising price of memory. By spacing out the launches, Apple can prioritize its higher-margin Pro models first.

Shift in Display Priorities

The iPhone 18 is expected to keep the 6.3-inch display size and the 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate introduced with the iPhone 17. However, the underlying technology might take a slight step back compared to the Pro models.

According to supply chain leaks, the base iPhone 18 will use Samsung’s M12+ OLED material, which is an iterative version of the panel used in the iPhone 14 Pro. Meanwhile, the iPhone 18 Pro models will move on to the newer M16 material.

The primary difference here isn’t necessarily how the screen looks, but rather how efficiently it operates. Older OLED panels require more power to achieve the same brightness levels. While the iPhone 18 will benefit from Apple’s highly efficient new 2nm A20 chip, some of those battery life improvements might be offset by the older display technology.

There are rumors that all three iPhone 18 models will feature a smaller Dynamic Island cutout. However, conflicting reports suggest it may be limited to the Pro models.

12GB RAM Standard Across All Models

Perhaps the best upgrade coming to the base iPhone 18 is its memory. Apple is reportedly standardizing 12GB of RAM across the entire iPhone 18 lineup, a notable increase from the 8GB found in previous base models.

The reasoning behind this is straightforward: on-device artificial intelligence. Apple Intelligence features, particularly the anticipated iOS 27 Siri upgrades powered by new language models, require significant memory to run smoothly without relying on cloud processing.

By giving the base iPhone 18 enough RAM to handle these tasks, Apple is ensuring the device will remain capable and responsive for years to come.

Cameras and Cost-Cutting Measures

On the camera front, the standard iPhone 18 is expected to retain a dual 48-megapixel rear setup (main and ultrawide), skipping the variable aperture lens rumored for the Pro models. However, the front-facing camera is slated for a welcome upgrade to 24MP, which should improve the clarity of selfies and video calls.

To keep production costs manageable, Apple might also simplify the Camera Control button. Current rumors suggest the company could remove the capacitive touch layer, relying solely on pressure sensors to register inputs.

It is a minor change that most users may not even notice, but it highlights Apple’s effort to maintain the phone’s expected $799 starting price amid rising component costs.

The Overall Picture

Apple is drawing a clearer line between its standard and Pro models. The base iPhone 18 seems designed to be a practical, capable device focused on delivering Apple’s latest software and AI features, rather than pushing the boundaries of hardware.

If you don’t mind waiting until the spring of 2027, the inclusion of 12GB of RAM and the new A20 chip should make it a reliable choice, even if it misses out on the most advanced display technology.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

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The post iPhone 18: Everything We Know So Far appeared first on Gizmochina.

The iPhone 20 will switch to a design that Apple has never attempted before, involving a quad-curved display that, when combined with the company’s Liquid Glass UI, introduces a seamless visual appearance that offers an illusion of a bezel-less form factor. As expected, developing this display is no easy feat, which is why only one manufacturer is taking on this responsibility. However, an exclusive OLED deal could make things expensive for Apple as it will require a premium that’s being paid to the supplier. Also, if things weren’t bad enough, Apple CEO Tim Cook has warned that its DRAM stockpile is […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apple-iphone-20-could-be-ludicrously-expensive-due-to-dram-and-oled-deal/

Just a day after warning about Mac Studio and Mac mini supply remaining constrained for a number of months ahead, Apple has apparently discontinued the base Mac mini globally, as advanced node capacity and memory price inflation emerge as potent bottlenecks. Apple discontinues the base Mac mini as TSMC's advanced node capacity and the ongoing memory inflation begin to bite The base variant of the Apple Mac mini, which sported the M4 chip, 16GB RAM, 256GB of storage, and a retail price of $599, has now been pulled from the configurator in the US and other key global markets. Do […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/apple-discontinues-the-256gb-mac-mini-just-a-day-after-warning-of-a-memory-apocalypse/

Cook warned that Apple is facing supply-chain headwinds from RAMageddon that could impact its business.

Apple said it will be supply-constrained on Mac mini, Studio, and Neo in the next quarter, too.

Apple lost its bid to pause court-ordered App Store payment changes, keeping external purchase links in place as its case with Epic heads toward the Supreme Court.

Apple’s two-decade iPhone milestone could coincide with a notable shift in display engineering. Supply chain inputs indicate that the 20th anniversary Apple iPhone may adopt a custom OLED panel developed by Samsung, built around a pol-less architecture and a four-sided curved display.

Samsung-Apple display relationship has remained steady since the first OLED iPhone. Now, Weibo leaker DCS claims that Apple and Samsung are collaborating on the development of a pol-less four-sided curved display for the 20th anniversary iPhone.

A four-sided curve pushes the screen-to-body ratio closer to a true edge-to-edge finish. It is something Apple has approached incrementally over several generations.

The reported move to a polariser-free OLED points to Color Filter on Encapsulation, or COE integration, a method Samsung has been refining for its own premium panels.

By eliminating the traditional polariser layer, the stack becomes thinner and allows more emitted light to pass through. The result is improved brightness at a lower power envelope, a balance.

For Apple, the anniversary iPhone is an opportunity to reset expectations. Edge gestures become more fluid when the transition from frame to display is less abrupt.

From a strategic standpoint, the shift underscores Samsung Display’s continued role at the high end of the OLED supply chain.

The post Samsung making four-sided curved display for Apple iPhone appeared first on Sammy Fans.

Don’t be surprised if you see the Galaxy S28 Pro and/or Ultra launching with a curved display, as Apple is reportedly exploring this radical redesign for the iPhone 20.

According to Weibo leaker DigitalChatStation, Apple plans to use a quad-curved display in the iPhone 20 next year, and Samsung might consider bringing it to the Galaxy S28 Pro or Ultra, just an assumption.

Apple surprised the industry with the 10th anniversary iPhone, and the next shock is being planned for the 20th anniversary model. iPhone 18 Pro is coming this year, and Apple will bring iPhone 20 in 2027, skipping iPhone 19.

The Cupertino giant is collaborating with the Korean company to develop a four-sided micro-curved display panel. The idea is currently in an early phase, and we may see a shift too, as the tentative launch is more than a year away.

Apple plans to bring a bezel-less design to the iPhone 20. The company has actively trimmed the thickness of bezels, but the next year’s model may completely eliminate that letdown by featuring quad-curved display tech.

Additionally, the iPhone’s screen may ditch the legacy polarizer layer for a pol-less design. This technological shift could offer extended brightness. Besides, the thickness of the screen will be reduced, and efficiency will improve.

Samsung is accused of blindly copying Apple in recent years. Removal of the charging adapter, adoption, and elimination of titanium frame are recent examples. The display redesign may also be explored for the following Galaxy model.

The post Samsung may revive curved display phones if iPhone 20 does appeared first on Sammy Fans.

Galaxy S26 helped Samsung retain its smartphone share, with Apple entering the top five in India for the first time in Q1 2026.

India’s smartphone market had a rough start to 2026. Shipments dropped 5% year on year to 30.9 million units in the first quarter, according to Omdia.

vivo held the top spot for a seventh straight quarter, shipping 6.3 million units for 20% market share. Samsung came in second at 5.1 million units and 16% share, with the Galaxy S26 arriving late in the quarter and giving the numbers a jolt.

OPPO, excluding realme and OnePlus, grabbed third place with 4.7 million units and 15% share, making it the fastest-growing vendor in the top five. Xiaomi and Apple rounded out the rankings at 3.8 million and 2.9 million units, respectively.

This is the first time Apple has cracked India’s top five in the first quarter. For a market where the vast majority of volumes still live below INR 20,000, Apple’s placing fifth isn’t a curiosity.

Samsung’s performance here tells a familiar story.

The Galaxy S26 landed toward the end of Q1, meaning its full weight doesn’t really show up in these figures. The mid-range A-series got refreshed; entry-level workhorses like the A07 and A17 kept the volumes honest.

Sanyam Chaurasia, Principal Analyst at Omdia, framed it as a phased approach, where Samsung deliberately avoided blanket price hikes to protect channel absorption and demand momentum.

Omdia is forecasting double-digit shipment declines for India across the full year. Entry-level devices are already seeing price increases of 18 to 20% as memory inflation forces a hard reset of the economics.

The post Samsung gains traction with Galaxy S26, Apple marks first top-five entry in India appeared first on Sammy Fans.

Apple wants internal documents from Samsung to help fight its antitrust case, but the US DOJ just made that a lot harder.

Earlier this month Apple asked a US court for permission to pull documents directly from Samsung Electronics. Apple wants to show that users can jump freely between iPhone and Android, that the so-called walled garden isn’t actually trapping anyone.

US DOJ fired back (via 9to5Mac) in a new court filing, and the core complaint isn’t really about Samsung. The US regulator pointed out that Apple has known for months just how central Samsung’s data is to this case.

Here’s where it gets awkward for Apple: the process required to obtain documents from a foreign company runs through the Hague Convention, a slow-moving international legal mechanism that nobody confuses with fast.

There’s a real chance the Samsung data arrives after the discovery phase has already closed. The DOJ is essentially saying Apple knew all this and stalled anyway.

The DOJ explicitly told the court not to extend deadlines or push the trial back just because Apple is scrambling for evidence. The DOJ’s position is narrower: keep the schedule, don’t let Apple turn a late evidence request into a delay tactic.

Samsung sits at the center of a case it didn’t ask to be in, watching Apple and the US government argue over whether its internal data can arrive on time to save Cupertino from itself.

The irony is that Apple needs Samsung to prove it doesn’t need anyone.

The post Apple wants Samsung data for its case, but US regulators raise concerns appeared first on Sammy Fans.