Tech info

‘Predator: Hunting Grounds’ is coming to PS5 and Xbox Series later this year; more updates and Predators are on the way!

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'Predator Hunting Grounds' is coming to PS5 and Xbox Series later this year; more updates and Predators are on the way! (2)

Predator: Hunting Grounds Set for Major Updates in 2024 and 2025: PS5 and Xbox Series Release, New Predators, and More!

Predator: Hunting Grounds, which debuted on the PlayStation 4 and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, is expected to hit the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series next. To add to the news, IllFonic, the original creator, is now the publisher of the asymmetrical multiplayer game, which will get big feature upgrades in 2024 and 2025.

'Predator Hunting Grounds' is coming to PS5 and Xbox Series later this year; more updates and Predators are on the way! (1)
‘Predator Hunting Grounds’ is coming to PS5 and Xbox Series later this year; more updates and Predators are on the way! 

According to the press statement, IllFonic will deliver two big updates in 2024. The April 2.49 update for the current PS4 and PC versions improves player mobility, Predator and Fireteam weapon balancing, UX, and other features. More information about the Xbox and PS5 versions will be available later this year, as well as new Predators in 2025.

“This game has a strong, enthusiastic player base and a vocal community that wants to see the game updated and supported,” says Charles Brungardt, CEO of IllFonic. “Now that IllFonic is releasing games, we decided we needed to bring Predator: Hunting Grounds back. “We knew we had to get back to the helicopter!”

The breakdown for Predator: Hunting Grounds goes as follows:

  • Patch 2.49 will be available in April 2024 for the presently published PS4 and PC Steam/Epic versions of Predator: Hunting Grounds. The primary focus is on player movement, Fireteam weapon overhaul and balancing, Predator weapon balance, and UX/playability enhancements. More details will be included in the team’s patch notes.
  • Xbox Series and PS5 to be released in late 2024 This version focuses on next-generation operating on Unreal 4.27, Vivox, and Wwise, with both a Standard Edition and a Digital Deluxe Edition available.
  • Winter 2024: New Predators.
  • Spring 2025: More New Predators

IllFonic is also working on Killer Klowns From Outer Space: The Game, which will be released on June 4 for the Xbox Series, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam.

F-Zero Maximum Velocity Races on the Game Boy Advance – Nintendo Switch Online Library

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F Zero Maximum Velocity Races on the Game Boy Advance Nintendo Switch Online Library

This week, the Game Boy Advance – Nintendo Switch Online collection expands with another classic: F-Zero Maximum Velocity.

F-Zero Maximum Velocity will be available on Nintendo Switch on March 29 to anybody with a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership.

F-Zero Maximum Velocity was the Game Boy Advance’s launch game in 2001, developed by NDcube and released by Nintendo. It takes place 25 years after F-Zero, in another F-Zero Grand Prix, and lacks characters such as Captain Falcon, Samurai Goroh, Pico, and Dr. Stewart.

F-Zero Maximum Velocity Nintendo Switch Screenshots

F Zero Maximum Velocity Races on the Game Boy Advance Nintendo Switch Online Library (2)
F Zero Maximum Velocity Races on the Game Boy Advance Nintendo Switch Online Library (2)
F Zero Maximum Velocity Races on the Game Boy Advance Nintendo Switch Online Library (1)
F Zero Maximum Velocity Races on the Game Boy Advance Nintendo Switch Online Library (1)

Here is the official blurb from Nintendo:

The F-Zero Grand Prix is the only sport with enough thrills, spills, and disaster potential to keep a whole galaxy on edge. F-Zero Maximum Velocity, set 25 years after the first game, features a new generation of racers employing plasma-powered machines and strategic vehicle-to-vehicle bumping to stay ahead of the competition and survive.

Climb the Grand Prix standings to unlock tracks and cars as you race across 20 distinct courses with four difficulty levels to prove you have what it takes to be one of the galaxy’s most elite racers.

Meanwhile, on February 28, Nintendo releases a new update for F-ZERO 99, a multiplayer racing available on the eShop to anybody with a paid Nintendo Switch Online subscription. The upgrade allows you to compete in the new Mirror Grand Prix, Mirror Tracks for Knight League, and Classic Mini Prix. In addition, you may use Steer Assist to assist your vehicle around twists and obstructions, as well as polish your abilities in an enhanced Practice Mode. Timed Challenges provide in-game incentives for a short period, Recommended Challenges suggest what to do next, and Achievements have been introduced. Nintendo has announced that Mirror Tracks for King League and Queen League will be available in the future.

F-Zero Maximum Velocity joins two of the top RPGs on the Game Boy Advance, Golden Sun and Golden Sun: The Lost Age, which were added to Nintendo Switch Online in January. Other Game Boy Advance titles available through the service include Mario Kart: Super Circuit, The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, and Metroid Fusion.

It’s Official: iQoo 12 Anniversary Edition Will Launch in India Soon

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It's Official iQoo 12 Anniversary Edition Will Launch in India Soon (2)

Unveiling the iQoo 12: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Now Available in India!

Utilizing Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, the iQoo 12 was introduced in India.

It's Official iQoo 12 Anniversary Edition Will Launch in India Soon (1)
It’s Official iQoo 12 Anniversary Edition Will Launch in India Soon 

 

Just a few weeks after its original showing in China, iQoo 12 made its debut in India in December 2023. The phone sports a 5,000mAh battery with support for cable fast charging and is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 CPU. The phone has a quad-HD AMOLED display and is powered by the Android 14 user interface. It comes with two RAM and storage variants and a triple rear camera set with a periscope camera. It has now been confirmed by iQoo that a special Anniversary Edition of the iQoo 12 will shortly be released.

Nipun Marya, CEO of iQoo India, announced the imminent India launch of the iQoo 12 Anniversary Edition model in a post on X (previously Twitter). In an open letter linked to the article, the business executive claimed that this is the first Anniversary Edition phone that iQoo would release in the nation. It will signal the end of the firm’s four-year adventure in India.

Neither the company nor the executive have verified any more information on the iQoo 12 Anniversary Edition. We don’t know how it will differ from the country’s current iQoo 12 offering. The color and/or finish of the rear panel, like with many special edition phones, might vary. It is rumored that the forthcoming edition would come in a red colorway, similar to the Burning Way model that was released in China. However, as nothing official is known, readers should take this suggestion with a grain of salt.

iQoo 12 is available in China in a third Burning Way (translated from Chinese) hue.

The iQoo 12 was released in India featuring a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC and a specialized Q1 processor to increase gaming performance, coupled with up to 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 4.0 internal storage. It runs Android 14-based FuntouchOS 14 and has a 6.78-inch 144Hz quad-HD LTPO AMOLED display. The phone is powered by a 5,000mAh battery that supports 120W FlashCharge.

For optics, the iQoo 12 sports a triple rear camera unit with a 50-megapixel main sensor, another 50-megapixel sensor combined with an ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 64-megapixel periscope telephoto shooter with 3x optical zoom. The front camera has a 16-megapixel sensor. The iQoo 12 is available in Alpha and Legend hues and is priced in India at Rs. 52,999 for the 12GB + 256GB version and Rs. 57,999 for the 16GB + 512GB edition.

Amazon Contributes An Additional $2.75 Billion to Anthropic, an AI startup

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Amazon Contributes An Additional $2.75 Billion to Anthropic, an AI startup (2)

Anthropic has also committed to using computer chips that are specifically designed for Amazon and to power part of its operations using data centers provided by Amazon Web Services.

Amazon Contributes An Additional $2.75 Billion to Anthropic, an AI startup (1)
Amazon Contributes An Additional $2.75 Billion to Anthropic, an AI startup

Amazon Boosts Anthropic with $2.75 Billion Investment, Solidifying AI Collaboration

Amazon.com Inc. has announced that it is expanding its collaboration with Anthropic by investing an extra $2.75 billion, finalizing a pact struck last year to support the artificial intelligence business. With this injection, Amazon has now invested $4 billion in Anthropic, a reputable provider of AI tools that can produce text and analysis, after first making an announcement in September. Amazon was entitled to offer the extra money as part of that agreement in the form of a convertible note, so long as it made the contribution before the end of March.

Anthropic has committed to using Amazon’s specially designed computer chips and data centers run by Amazon Web Services to power a portion of its operations as part of the partnership. The San Francisco-based company Anthropic has also promised to use chips from Google, another close collaborator of Alphabet Inc.

Anthropic has partnerships with several major digital businesses, such as Google, which participated in a $450 million funding round headed by Spark Capital in May of last year. Anthropic collaborates with both Google and Amazon Web Services for cloud computing.

Former OpenAI staff members Daniela Amodei and her brother Dario, who acts as the company’s CEO, founded Anthropic in 2021. Ever since, the business has raised billions of dollars in investment and grown to be one of OpenAI’s most competitive rivals. Businesses make up the majority of its clientele, which includes trip guide publisher Lonely Planet and search engine DuckDuckGo.

The business, which sells Claude the chatbot, has placed a strong emphasis on creating AI properly and securely. It unveiled updated software for the chatbot at the beginning of March, promising it would be more adept at following complex commands and less likely to make stuff up.

With rapid technological advancements driving an investment frenzy, Silicon Valley businesses are increasingly focusing on chatbots that can simulate human speech. The use of chatbots is by no means novel. However, Claude and rival bots are powered by a more potent instrument called a big language model, which is trained on vast portions of the internet to produce content, like a poem or an answer to a query. These tools are an example of generative AI, which is the use of systems that take input, like a text prompt, and utilize it to produce new material.

 

See Price and Offers for the Poco C61 With MediaTek Helio G36 SoC When It Goes on Sale in India

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See Price and Offers for the Poco C61 With MediaTek Helio G36 SoC When It Goes on Sale in India

The Poco C61’s user interface is based on Android 14.

Poco C61
Poco C61

The Poco C61 made its debut earlier this week in India. It has a twin back camera unit, an HD+ LCD display, a 5,000mAh battery, and an octa-core MediaTek Helio CPU. The phone’s back camera module features a Radiant Ring design, which was allegedly influenced by high-end timepieces. There are three color options, two RAM and storage combinations, and one handset available. The low-cost phone is currently on sale in the nation and comes with an out-of-the-box UI based on Android 14.

Poco C61 cost, availability, and promotions in India

Flipkart is the retailer where you can buy the Poco C61. The 4GB + 64GB model costs Rs. 6,999, while the 6GB + 128GB variation costs Rs. 7,999. In a press release, Poco stated that these costs include a customer offer voucher worth Rs. 500 for the first day of the sale. The phone will cost Rs. 7,499 for the base model and Rs. 8,499 for the premium model after the first-day sale. Three color options are available for the phone: Mystical Green, Ethereal Blue, and Diamond Dust Black.

Additionally, there could be a 5% cashback incentive for customers using their Flipkart Axis Bank Card. An ICICI Bank Debit Card EMI option, which starts at Rs. 629 per month, is another option available to buyers.

Poco C61 features and specifications

The 6.71-inch HD+ (1,650 x 720 pixel) LCD screen on the Poco C61 has Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection, a refresh rate of 90Hz, and a touch sampling rate of 180Hz. With up to 128GB of eMMC 5.1 internal storage and up to 6GB of LPDDR4x RAM, it is driven by a MediaTek Helio G36 SoC. The phone comes with a UI built on top of Android 14.

The Poco C61 has an 8-megapixel main sensor with an f/1.2 aperture on the front and an unidentified secondary sensor with AI support on the rear. At the front is a 5-megapixel sensor with an f/2.2 aperture. An LED flash unit is also included with the back camera unit.

A 5,000mAh battery that supports 10W cable charging powers the Poco C61. It has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for further security. In addition, the phone has USB Type-C, Bluetooth 5.4, GPS, Wi-Fi, 4G, dual SIM, and Bluetooth. It weights 193g and is 168.4 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm in dimension.

 

Nocturne Ear 3 TWS Earphones Could Be Released Soon After the Firm Releases a Teaser for New Product

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Nocturne Ear 3 TWS Earphones Could Be Released Soon After the Firm Releases a Teaser for New Product (2)

Rumors Start to Surface: Nothing Ear 3 TWS Earphones May Be Released

March 2022 saw the debut of Nothing Ear 2.

Nocturne Ear 3 TWS Earphones Could Be Released Soon After the Firm Releases a Teaser for New Product
Nocturne Ear 3 TWS Earphones Could Be Released Soon After the Firm Releases a Teaser for New Product

Nothing Ear 3 could be released shortly. Although the product and debut date are still unknown, the UK-based firm recently released a teaser on social media that suggested the release of a new product. Presumably, it will be the Nothing Ear 3. In 2021, Nothing introduced the Nothing Ear 1, their first true wireless stereo (TWS) earphones. In 2022, the Nothing Ear 2 was revealed. It is anticipated that the translucent design of the Nothing Ear 3 earbuds would not change from its predecessors.

On Wednesday, the UK-based business teased a video on X. A frog is shown jumping over a black insect in the teaser. The Nothing Ear 2’s mascot was a black bug. The next generation of wireless earbuds may be on the way, according to the teaser. The frog may serve as the Ear 3’s mascot.

Since November of last year, there have been rumors about the Nothing Ear 3. Prior rumors stated that they will officially launch in January 2024.

Nothing began operations in July 2021 with the release of the transparent Ear 1 true wireless stereo (TWS) earphones, which retailed for Rs. 5,999. The Nothing Ear 2 is the replacement for the high-end active noise cancellation (ANC) earphones that were released in March 2022.

It is anticipated that the Nothing Ear 3 will offer significant improvements over the Ear 2 earphones. In India, the latter are priced at Rs. 9,999.

Each earpiece of the Nothing Ear 2 is equipped with three AI-backed microphones and has an 11.6mm bespoke driver. They claim to be able to reduce background noise by up to 40dB with their active noise cancellation feature. The earbuds support LHDC 5.0, AAC, and SBC Bluetooth codecs and are equipped with Bluetooth 5.3 connection.

The housing is built to IP55 standards, however the earpieces only have an IP54 grade for dust and water protection. Each Nothing Ear 2 earpiece has a 33mAh battery, while the charging case has a 485mAh battery.

Elon Musk Reveals Free Access to X Premium and X Premium+, but There’s a Catch

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Elon Musk Reveals Free Access to X Premium and X Premium+, but There's a Catch (1)

The move was made in response to a research that showed the microblogging site, which was having trouble retaining customers, was losing users.

Elon Musk Introduces Free Access to Premium Features on X for Select Users

Elon Musk Reveals Free Access to X Premium and X Premium+, but There's a Catch (2)
Elon Musk Reveals Free Access to X Premium and X Premium+, but There’s a Catch

 

Elon Musk has revealed that certain users on the microblogging network X (formerly known as Twitter) would now have access to features from X Premium and X Premium+, the premium membership, for free. But not every X user will be qualified, as the CEO of the business said on Thursday. On X, premium membership options offer users access to premium features including Grok, an AI chatbot developed by Musk’s business xAI. They also lessen the amount of adverts displayed on the timeline.

Musk said on X that all accounts with “over 2,500 verified subscriber followers” will be able to access services that require an X Premium membership. If you subscribe through the website, the monthly cost of an X Premium subscription in India is Rs. 650, and the yearly subscription is Rs. 6,800.

The CEO of the platform also said that users would have access to services that are presently only accessible with an X Premium+ membership, which costs Rs. 1,300 per month (if you sign up using the web interface) or Rs. 13,600 for a year, if they have more than 5,000 verified subscriber followers. Using the Android and iOS applications to sign up results in significantly increased membership costs for all four platforms.

Musk gave no explanation for allowing chosen users to access X Premium and X Premium+ capabilities, although the move follows a survey that said fewer people were using the microblogging site, which was having trouble retaining customers. The site has denied these allegations.

This implies that in order to use these features—which also include a blue verification check mark and the option to monetarily support their posts—you will require 2,500 followers who have purchased a Premium or Premium+ membership. Premium subscribers see less advertising from X, whereas Premium+ subscribers see none at all.

Features like lengthier video upload limits, character limits, background video playback, video downloads, and access to the Grok AI chatbot are all included in both membership packages. Subscribers with Premium+ access may also publish articles. Users can conceal likes and subscriptions and alter the mobile app’s design with the help of subscriptions.

Velar, Powered by Bitcoin, Will Launch Native Token Through ByBit, Praising India for Rapid Tech Adoption

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Velar, Powered by Bitcoin, Will Launch Native Token Through ByBit, Praising India for Rapid Tech Adoption

Through an initial DEX offering, the Velar token will be available for trade on ByBit as of April 3.

Understanding Bitcoin’s Potential: Velar Token Launches on ByBit, Pioneering DeFi Innovations

Velar, Powered by Bitcoin, Will Launch Native Token Through ByBit, Praising India for Rapid Tech Adoption
Velar, Powered by Bitcoin, Will Launch Native Token Through ByBit, Praising India for Rapid Tech Adoption

The Velar liquidity protocol, which is powered by Bitcoin, has announced the release of its native cryptocurrency of the same name. The coin is being introduced to the trading market by ByBit, which is billed as the world’s second-biggest cryptocurrency exchange after Binance. Now that a token based on the Bitcoin project is listed on an exchange as well-known as ByBit, the team of Indian engineers behind this project asserts that the launch marks a turning point for the Bitcoin ecosystem.

Through an initial DEX offering, the Velar token will be available for trade on ByBit as of April 3. The startup wants to draw attention to the Bitcoin blockchain’s potential in the field of decentralized finance (DeFi). The company thinks there might be additional use cases and higher returns for BTC’s developer and investor communities if activity on the blockchain expands.

The co-founder and CEO of this project, Mithil Thakore, gave an explanation of why the team decided to launch Velar on the Bitcoin blockchain rather than one of the other, more affordable and energy-efficient blockchains, in an interview with Gadgets360. Due to its proof-of-work concept, Bitcoin is frequently criticized for requiring a lot of energy.

It was important to select the strongest, safest, and most reliable blockchain while deciding to construct Velar on top of Bitcoin. With its superior security, vast network, and more than $1 trillion in latent wealth just waiting to be released, the asset is unrivaled, according to Thakore. “Although other blockchains may present more cost-effectiveness or increased efficiency, none can match the history of Bitcoin as the most established and reliable blockchain.”

Velar intends to release a native trading platform for Bitcoin in the next days. Users can trade with 20 times their capital holdings on this platform in the hopes of earning higher profits. It is noteworthy that there may be a risk to investors’ funds while doing this type of trading. The company anticipates a promising future for its web3 business in India.

India offers a great opportunity due to its quick adoption of digital money and rising interest in cryptocurrencies. Velar’s cutting-edge Bitcoin DeFi solutions thrive in the nation thanks to its tech-savvy populace and vibrant development community, setting the company up for significant expansion in one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, according to Thakore.

The Velor team is one of the few investigating the applications of the Bitcoin blockchain. It has extended an invitation to other Web3 developers to explore the Bitcoin ecosystem.

“Being a strong, safe platform, Bitcoin necessitates a careful comprehension of its advantages and disadvantages. We want developers to jump in with the intention of innovating within the special constraints of Bitcoin. The CEO of the firm said, “We offer our support and guidance to those looking to build and explore. We are eager to empower builders to contribute to this evolving ecosystem.”

Expected Features of the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro: 1.5K 8T LTPO Display, 100W Fast Charging, and More

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Expected Features of the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro 1.5K 8T LTPO Display, 100W Fast Charging, and More (2)

OnePlus Ace 3 Pro is said to launch in Q3 featuring a 1.5K LTPO display and a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC.

Expected Features of the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro 1.5K 8T LTPO Display, 100W Fast Charging, and More (1)
Expected Features of the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro 1.5K 8T LTPO Display, 100W Fast Charging, and More 

There are rumors that the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro will launch in the third quarter of this year.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC was the heart of the OnePlus Ace 3, which was released in January of this year. It appears that the firm is currently concentrating on the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro. The main features of the new Ace series smartphone have been reported by a Chinese source ahead of any formal confirmation. The third quarter of 2024 is when it’s expected to become official. A Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC is anticipated to be used in the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro. It could have a 1.5K resolution 8T LTPO display.

The details of the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro have been released on Weibo by Tipster Digital Chat Station (translated from Chinese). The forthcoming phone will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, according to the source. The phone is allegedly going to have an 8T LTPO curved screen with 1.5K resolution, according to the source. It is reported to have a glass construction and a metal central frame.

The third quarter of this year is reportedly when the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro will officially launch. It is reported to include a 50-megapixel main camera and allow 100W rapid charging.

OnePlus is also said to be developing a new smartphone powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 SoC. According to rumors, it will be out in the fourth quarter. It is anticipated that it will have an ultrasonic fingerprint reader. This could represent the rumored OnePlus 13.

The OnePlus Ace 2 Pro from last year will be replaced by the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro. The latter was introduced in China on August 29, 23. The base model, which came with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, cost CNY 2,999, or around Rs. 34,600.

The 6.74-inch full-HD+ (1,240×2,772 pixel) curved AMOLED display on OnePlus’s Ace 2 Pro features a refresh rate of 120Hz. The phone also has a 16-megapixel selfie camera, a triple back camera arrangement with a 50-megapixel Sony IMX890 sensor, and a 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC. A 5,000mAh battery that supports 150W SuperVOOC charging is housed within.

 

Report: BOE Will Produce the OLED Screen for the iPhone SE 4 Rather Than Samsung

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Report BOE Will Produce the OLED Screen for the iPhone SE 4 Rather Than Samsung (2)

It has been reported that Samsung withdrew from the competition to manufacture screens for the iPhone SE 4 because of problems with cost.

BOE Develops as Front-Runner for iPhone SE 4 OLED Screen Supply Amidst Vendor Negotiations

Report BOE Will Produce the OLED Screen for the iPhone SE 4 Rather Than Samsung (1)
Report BOE Will Produce the OLED Screen for the iPhone SE 4 Rather Than Samsung

 

A rumor claims that the OLED screen of Apple’s fourth generation “Special Edition” smartphone, the iPhone SE 4, would probably come from a Chinese company. Three vendors were apparently involved in negotiations with the iPhone manufacturer over the price of the display for the impending midrange smartphone; one of them is alleged to have pulled out over the display’s cost. Since the current iPhone SE model was released in 2022, Apple has not yet disclosed any information on future plans to create a new model.

The Chinese electronic component company BOE (Jingdongfang), according to a ZDNet Korea story (in Korean) citing industry sources, has secured the contract to produce the OLED screen for the rumored iPhone SE 4. According to the source, Apple was soliciting bids for the iPhone SE (2022) replacement from three suppliers: Samsung, BOE, and Tianma.

The report states that BOE is probably going to supply most of the iPhone SE 4’s screens after Samsung withdrew from the competition due to concerns about its viability for business. The Chinese businesses requested $30 (approximately Rs. 2,500) per display unit, while Samsung Display allegedly proposed a price of $35 to $40 (about Rs. 2,900 to Rs. 3,300) for each unit. It is predicted that the iPhone SE 4 would have a design akin to the iPhone 14 and enable Face ID.

Apple allegedly made a far lower offer of $25, or around Rs. 2,100, which is what prompted Samsung to call off the negotiations in the middle of March. The insider informed the outlet that because of the reduced cost concerns, the South Korean tech company was not particularly interested in making the screens for the midrange phone right once.

Out of the two Chinese suppliers, BOE seems to be the only company that can make display units for the iPhone SE 4, and they are apparently prepared to deliver the part for Apple’s less expensive smartphone. In the meanwhile, Tianma has failed to match Apple’s technological specifications for the iPhone SE 4’s display, which is expected to launch in 2025.