Your weekly look at the world of smartphones and mobile technology, this is the Phone Buzz on Friday 9th April 2021.

Apple Headlines

• It looks like the iPhone 13 family is comfortably back on schedule not just for an early September launch, but possibly all of the key devices on sale by the end of the month (Forbes).
• Meanwhile the iPhone SE is expected to pick up a third iteration during 2022, retaining the 4.7 inch screen but potentially adding 5G (Digit),
• More scam apps are being reported in the App Store, with FkuckType developer Kosta Elefherious highlighting the case of ‘Privacy Assitant: StringVPN’, which appears to be earning over $1 million dollars a month (MacRumors).
• This week saw a Tim Cook being interviewed by Kara Fisher for The New York Times’ ‘Sway’ podcast. It’s wide-ranging, covering topics such as privacy, Epic Games, the clash of opinions with Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, and more (New York Times).
• Estimating battery life left in any electronic device has become a fine art. We’ve got countless tools to look back at historical data, and work out the moment of ‘dead’. A new patent shows Apple working on AI and predictive technology to make this more user friendly (Apple Insider).
• Apple’s current 27-inch iMac is set to be replaced this year with an Apple Silicon variant. That may not be the only upgrade it gets, with noted comentator l0vetodream suggesting a larger screen model is on its way (9to5Mac).
• Apple continues to promote and strengthen its approach to maintaining user privacy by suggesting two advertising performance measuring applications (SKAdNetwork and Private Click Measurement) that comply with Apple’s app rules on the subject (MacRumors)
• Apple is opening up its ‘Find My’ geolocation service to third parties. While there’s no formal announcement, the launch of an app to aid certification of accessories under the program is just the sort of toll its partners would need for such a program (TechCrunch).

Android Headlines

• Samsung has launched five new Galaxy A handsets in the USA. The handsets have seen earlier launches in other territories,, with most of the attention going on the A52 5G (XDA Developers).
• HMD Global has launched six new Nokia handsets this week, ranging from $60 to $350 price points. The handsets also bring a new numbering system, essentially launching the next generation of Nokia handsets (Forbes).
• Mobile gamers have something new this week, with the launch of Nubia Red Magic 6 gaming phone. With active fans, a 165 Hz screen, air triggers, and software customisations in its Game Space mode (Cnet).
• Huawei’s third generation foldable phone, the Mate X2, has been reviewed by the team at XDA Developers. The big change is the hinge direction. The Mate X2 now folds inwards to protect the close screen, rather than the outwards mode which created a wraparound screen in previous models (GSM Arena).
• Google’s latest software update to the Pixel 5 has brought the device’s performance, especially in the graphics front, into line with other SnapDragon 765G equipped phones (Ars Technica).
• Google’s reliance on Qualcomm’s chips will certainly have been a consideration for Project Whitechapel to develop its own system on chip for phones and laptops. The Pixel 6, due later this year, looks to be the first smartphone that will use the new silicon (9to5Google).

And Finally…

• LG has confirmed what many were expecting. The South Korean manufacturer is exiting the smartphone business, citing a need to focus on other areas such as electric vehicle components, smart homes, and artificial intelligence (LG Pressroom).

Ewan Spence

Ewan is the editor at Phone Buzz News. For over 30 years he has been covering the worlds of media and technology, from the early days of the first smartphone through to their essential role in today's society.