Apple adopted ProMotion displays with 120Hz refresh rate for their Pro series iPhones with the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max. While the feature has been restricted to Pro models for years now, next year could finally be the one when Apple may pack 120Hz OLED displays in iPhone 17 base models.

According to leaker Digital Chat Station on Weibo, the base models of the iPhone 17 series, which should likely include both the iPhone 17 and 17 Plus, are expected to feature a high refresh rate display. Display analyst Ross Young further corroborated the rumour by also claiming that the non-pro models could offer a 120Hz display. In other words, Apple may equip the same 120Hz OLED displays in iPhone 17 base models as it does in the Pro models.

This would eliminate the discrepancy between the displays of Pro and standard iPhones, beginning with iPhone 17 series. It would also mean that even the base model iPhones in iPhone 17 series will have support for Always-on display which Apple introduced in iPhone 14 Pro series. The current display technology used in standard iPhones, which is LTPS, doesn’t support the Always-on display feature due to which the base iPhones do not have it.

The display has been a pain point for base models iPhones for years now, where users have been demanding Apple for 120Hz OLED displays as even the cheapest Android devices come with the same. Apple seems to be finally working on that feedback and address the issue in 2025.

Aside from the four iPhone 17 models, there also seems to be an iPhone 17 Slim and it is unclear what kind of display this device will have. In other related news to iPhone 17 series, it is said that Apple has reserved all of TSMC’s 2nm capacity for the next-gen A-series processors, however, because the new process technology has low production yields, the SoC will only be featured in the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max at launch. 

According to a new report, Samsung will reportedly offer free Gemini Advanced to Galaxy S25 series buyers. This would resemble what Google did with the Pixel 9 Pro series. Gemini Advanced would give you access to Google’s best AI models on your smartphone to experience.

The report comes from Android Authority, where the publication did an APK teardown of the latest Google app, v15.52.37 beta, and found strings suggesting that the company may offer free Gemini Advanced to Galaxy S25 series buyers. However, note that it would be offered on a trial basis and not permanently.

The report notes that Google could offer various tiers of Gemini Advanced subscriptions. All of the strings have a Samsung reference, and it spotted further clues aligning these strings to the Galaxy S25 series. The three trial durations mentioned in the strings correspond to the different models in the Galaxy S25 series.

Read More: Samsung Galaxy S25 Series: What Upgrades to Expect Over Galaxy S24 Series?

In other words, the Galaxy S25 could get three months of Gemini Advanced for free, the Galaxy S25 Plus could get six months, and the Galaxy S25 Ultra could get a year’s worth of Gemini Advanced subscription for free. Both Google and Samsung haven’t mentioned the offer, and we’ll have to wait until the devices officially launch for further details.

In the case of Google, the company offered a free 1-year Google Advanced subscription only to Pixel 9 Pro series buyers, while vanilla Pixel 9 buyers got nothing.

The Galaxy S25 series is seemingly launching on January 22, 2025. As usual, the Galaxy S25 series will consist of three models: the Galaxy S25, the Galaxy S25+ and the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Out of these, the Ultra model is expected to bring some upgrades over the Galaxy S24 Ultra. This includes a revamped design with rounded corners, a flat frame, and thicker camera rings on the back, just like the Galaxy Z Fold 6. According to the leaked renders, the camera placement, S-Pen slot, port, speakers, and button positioning remain identical to the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Apple’s iOS has always been crowned as one of the most secure mobile operating systems out there, especially compared to Android. For this reason (amongst others), most organisations use iPhones as enterprise devices instead of Android. A report claims that iOS devices are more vulnerable to phishing and web content threats than Android. Here’s what the study reveals about the situation and other details about phishing attacks.

A report by Lookout has observed an interesting trend: iOS devices are more vulnerable to phishing and web content threats than Android devices. The report says that whether your IT and security teams have to oversee 100 mobile devices or 10,000, they want to minimize the number of variations they have to deal with, due to which iOS remains their default choice. That is also why it is more prevalent in enterprises than Android.

It notes that there are more than two times the number of iOS devices across the Lookout customer base than Android devices. The report claims that 19% of enterprise iOS devices were exposed to at least one mobile phishing attack in each of the first three quarters of 2024, compared to 10.9% of enterprise Android devices.

It is important to note that mobile phishing, smishing, and executive impersonation attacks don’t rely on certain operating systems to carry out their malicious intent like malware does. Every device is vulnerable to this threat vector – putting every employee’s identity, password, and multi-factor authentication at risk. iOS devices are more vulnerable to phishing and web content threats than Android likely because there are a hugher volume of iOS devices being used as enterprise phones.

Read More: Samsung Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24 Ultra Enterprise Edition Smartphones Launched in India: Check Details

Trends Amongst Enterprise Phishing Attacks

Enterprises are facing a surge in phishing attacks aimed at stealing sensitive credentials. Compared to the previous quarter, Lookout observed a 17% rise in these attacks. Cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated, employing tactics like social engineering and well-disguised phishing pages to trick users.

The number of malicious apps detected has jumped by a worrying 32%. These apps often pose as legitimate tools or games, but they pack hidden malware that can steal data, spy on users, or even take control of devices. The report also sheds light on the top vulnerabilities found in mobile browsers and apps. Two stand out in particular:

• Heap-Based Buffer Overflows: These vulnerabilities can be exploited to corrupt memory and crash apps, or even allow attackers to execute malicious code.
• Type Confusion Bugs: These flaws can allow attackers to execute arbitrary code, potentially taking complete control of a device.

Every mobile device has a web browser, and the most common vulnerabilities that Lookout observes tend to be in the various engines and components of these browsers. Most commonly, a successful exploit of these vulnerabilities could grant the attacker the ability to remotely execute code on the device. They are also typically exploited via a maliciously crafted webpage, which could be delivered via one of the many Messaging apps that mobile users have installed.

All of the vulnerabilities Lookout mentioned affect Chromium-based browsers. Chromium is an open-source project that Google maintains and develops, but is used broadly across browsers including Microsoft Edge, Opera, and more. The company also noted five most common mobile App vulnerabilities outside of Browser vulnerabilities. These included:

EvilVideo (Telegram)

EvilVideo is associated with a zero-day vulnerability in the Telegram app for Android. Attackers exploit it to deliver CypherRAT, which is built on the commodity spyware tool SpyNote. 

GalaxyStore-MultiCVE-2023-21433-21434 (Samsung Galaxy Store)

These two vulnerabilities exist in the Galaxy store app and allow attackers to arbitrarily install apps from the Galaxy Store as well as execute JavaScript by launching a web page. 

Samsung-CVE-2021-25337 (Samsung TTS)

A vulnerability due to improper access control in clipboard service in Samsung mobile devices allows untrusted applications to read or write certain local files.

Authy-CVE-2024-39891 (Authy)

A vulnerability in the Twilio Authy API on both iOS and Android that allowed attackers to access phone number registration information for various online services. 

TikTok-CVE-2022-28799 (TikTok)

A vulnerability in TikTok on Android that allows account takeover. An attacker could achieve this by sending a crafted URL that forces TikTok to load an attacker-controlled website.

Security misconfigurations are a ticking time bomb for mobile users. These flaws leave your device and your precious data exposed to a wide range of attacks, both known and unknown. Imagine your personal information, financial details, and private conversations falling into the wrong hands – that’s the risk you face with a misconfigured device. Lookout figured out that these were the top device misconfigurations:

Out of Date OS (31.1%)

Out of date operating system (OS) versions, especially on iOS devices, can leave a device and the data on it vulnerable to known and unknown exploits.

Out of date ASPL (12.3%)

Android Security Patch Levels (ASPLs) are released by Google to patch new and known vulnerabilities in Android apps, Android OS, and even hardware components.

No device lock (18.8%)

Locking a mobile device is a basic form of securing it. Some users might disable the device lock to make it easier to open their device, which is a security risk.

Unencrypted (4.5%)

This implies that the device doesn’t have a password, pin, biometric recognition, or pattern authentication enabled. 

Redmi 14C 5G India launch is all set to take place on January 6 and ahead of the event, the brand has confirmed the device’s design as well as its display specifications. The device looks identical to the 4G model that was launched in global markets earlier in August this year.

Redmi 14C 5G India Launch Details

Redmi confirmed the design of the 14C 5G via its website, suggesting it will be made available in three colours, including purple, a gradient of blue and silver, and a black model. These colours are dubbed Midnight Black, Dreamy Purple, and Starry Blue for the Redmi 14C 4G model. The device seems to have dual rear cameras housed inside a circular model.

As for the specifications, the device will have a 6.88-inch HD+ 120Hz display which is identical to the 4G model. It will also be TÜV Rheinland certified. While the company didn’t confirm any other specifications, leaks suggest it will pack the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 processor, paired with up to 8GB RAM and up to 256GB storage.

The handset may run on Android 14-based HyperOS out of the box. There could be a 5160mAh battery with 18W Fast charging support. On the rear, the phone sports a dual camera setup, and it comprises a 50MP primary lens with an f/1.8 Aperture and an AI secondary lens. For selfies, a 5MP f/2.2 front-facing camera may be included.

Additionally, connectivity options should include support for Bluetooth v5.4, Dual SIM, Wi-Fi 5, GPS, FM Radio, a USB-C port, and a 3.5mm Headphone jack. It will also get a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for security and may have a splash-resistant body.

Going by the specifications, the device may launch with a sub-Rs 10,000 price tag. However, keep in mind that this is a speculative figure based on Redmi’s past pricing trends while the official pricing will be revealed on January 6, 2025.

OnePlus Open arrived last year and the brand went silent when it came to foldables in 2024. However, it could return to the foldable market with the OnePlus Open 2 next year. Ahead of the launch, we now have leaks regarding the OnePlus Open 2 design and what it could pack under the hood.

The report from Smartprix shares the renders of the foldable, showcasing the OnePlus Open 2 design, along with some of the expected specifications of the handset as well. The renders show that the OnePlus Open 2 design would be highly similar to that of the original Open but with a few changes, such as the quad-curved back glass panel.

While the device retains the huge circular camera module, the sensor placement has been refreshed. It also looks similar to that of the Find X8 Pro, which was also recently launched. The Hasselblad logo is at the bottom centre while the flashlight remains at the top left corner of the panel. Because the renders have been made based on a prototype, it is possible that some design changes might make their way into the final product.

When unfolded, the OnePlus Open 2 design closely resembles its predecessor, the Open. However, it is reportedly larger overall and notably thinner, with a folded thickness of under 10mm, positioning it as one of the slimmest foldable devices on the market.

Read More: OnePlus Ace 5 Series Launched in China: Expect Similar Specs from OnePlus 13R

OnePlus Open 2: Leaked Specifications

The report says the Open 2 will feature a 8-inch, 120Hz, 2K LTPO main display, compared to the slightly smaller 7.82-inch 2K LTPO main display on the Open. The outer panel on the Open 2 is said to measure 6.4-inch diagonally, compared to the 6.31-inch on the predecessor. The device will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, coupled with up to 16GB RAM and up to 1TB of internal storage.

The camera system on the back will comprise of triple 50MP sensors, while front cameras will remain similar to the Open with 32MP sensor on the outer panel and the 20MP sensor on the inside.

The OnePlus Open 2 is rumoured to bring several notable upgrades over its predecessor. These include an improved IPX8 water resistance rating compared to Open’s IPX4, a larger 5,900mAh battery bumped up from 4,800mAh on the Open, 50W wireless charging which wasn’t available in the Open, and faster 80W wired charging compared to 67W in the Open. The device is also expected to run the latest OxygenOS 15, based on Android 15.

According to reports, the OnePlus Open 2 is set to debut in China in early 2025, with a global launch anticipated later in Q1 2025. It may be available in two colour options, including a classic black variant.

Oppo Find series will be given two major launches each year according to the brand. The new launch strategy has likely been formed to meet the changing needs of the market and keep up with the launches from the competitors. Here’s what you should know about the new development.

An Oppo executive has shed light on the company’s launch strategy for its flagship Find series through a post on Weibo. According to Zhou Yibao of Oppo (via Gizmochina), the Find series will have two major launch events each year—one in the spring and another in the autumn. This year, the brand launched the Find X8 series during the autumn timeframe.

During the Spring timeline next year, the company is expected to debut the Find X8 Ultra, Find X8S, and the Find X8 Mini in the Oppo Find series. The Find X5 foldable smartphone will launch before them, according to the same Oppo executive. It’s unclear when the device would launch but one can expect it during second half of next year according to leaks online.

Read More: Oppo Find X8 Review: Was it Able to Find a Place for Itself?

Furthermore, the leaks suggest that the Find X8 Ultra will sport a 6.82-inch “2K” OLED screen made by BOE, which features quad-curves with even bezels across all four sides. The main camera will be a 1-inch type, and the device also gets two periscope telephoto cameras on the back.

As for the Find X8 Mini, not a lot of details are known about the device, but Oppo’s strategy is looking highly similar to Vivo’s at this point, who also launched the Vivo X200 Pro mini. The device will be powered by the unannounced MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ Processor according to reports online. The Find X8 and the Find X8 Pro draw power from the Dimensity 9400 chipset.