According to Google, 75% of users say their devices make them more productive at work – whether it be a tablet or smartphone. It’s not surprising that entrepreneurs and executives alike have adopted the use of devices with aplomb – it allows for a remarkable degree of responsiveness and agility in business – providing an even bigger edge over competitors.

With that being said, not just any smartphone will do when it comes to becoming an effective business tool. HONOR, a brand that is determined to close the gap in the competitive market, has spent the last two years hard at work to produce a tablet-like smartphone that is not only visually stunning but can also address the needs of the avid business person with the HONOR Magic V2 – the world’s thinnest and lightest inward foldable device.

Enhance your business productivity with the HONOR Magic V2

Four essential features have been identified when it comes to making a smartphone the ideal business partner, and how the HONOR Magic V2 successfully integrated these capabilities to provide the ultimate executive essential:

Productivity First
The majority of smartphones currently on the market were not developed to support productivity, they were designed for enhanced communication and entertainment. Business professionals look for a smart device that will enable them to work more efficiently.

One key advantage of the HONOR Magic V2 is its multitasking capabilities. This foldable device can run several apps simultaneously – very similar to a computer or laptop. Thanks to a larger tablet-like screen, those working on a deadline can open their email on one side while drafting a report on the other side of the screen – which assists in maintaining focus and increasing productivity.

Long-Lasting Battery
When it comes to using a smartphone for business needs, there will come times when people don’t have access to a charger or outlet during long work days. In situations like this, a flimsy battery might result in missing an important meeting or deadline – a device with a battery that can last longer than a 15-hour workday is essential.

The HONOR Magic V2 houses a 5000mAh HONOR Silicon-Carbon Dual Battery which offers a high-capacity battery in a slim, foldable design. An essential hardware feature, the upgraded battery promises an even longer lifespan, about 19 hours of consistent use on a single charge, which is especially beneficial for business professionals. Made to last throughout the day without compromise, the battery caters to the needs of individuals with dynamic, business-orientated lifestyles.

Top-Notch Security
Possibly one of the most important features – if business-critical data gets leaked – it could be the financial end for a business. Choosing a device that has been built for security means business-sensitive data is always safeguarded.

Knowing the difference between personal and private use – HONOR has developed a new feature called Parallel Space. Users will be able to create separate profiles – each providing individualised and secure storage for confidential documents and assets – an ideal addition when using the device for both work and personal use.

Device Syncing
Every business owner, entrepreneur or executive is most likely to switch between a smartphone, laptop and desktop throughout the day. The tendency to make use of multiple devices means that a smartphone should be able to sync information between devices without interrupting the workflow.

The HONOR Magic V2 comes equipped with HONOR Connect – a feature that allows the user to automatically connect multiple devices in one ecosystem. Information and files can flow between devices seamlessly – providing a more convenient and efficient workspace for the professional user.

HONOR has developed a device that not only offers a sleek, durable design that can withstand almost any situation – but also acts as the perfect business partner for any executive.

Experience the Magic of the HONOR Magic V2 – available in Black with a special vegan leather back at selected network providers. The recommended retail price for the device is R39,999.

Special Editions are back, baby

iPhone SE 4 rumored specifications:
– Size and weight: 148.5 x 71.2 x 7.8mm, 166g
– Appearance: 7000 series aluminium alloy, right-angled frame, front and rear glass (no Ceramic Shield). Front looks like iPhone 13, with Face ID support; back looks like Xr, with one camera.

— Nguyen Phi Hung (@negativeonehero) April 7, 2024

According to a leaker by the name of @negativeonehero on X.com, a prominent Apple tipster, spotted first by NotebookCheck, the next iteration under the Special Edition umbrella may have had all its specs aired out more than a year out from the expected launch date. There’s no word yet on pricing, though it’s expected to follow in the footsteps of the $430 (R8,000) launch price attached to the SE 3 in 2022.

Read More: Exploring the walled garden: First-time iPhone setup tips

For a budget phone, the SE 4’s specs appear to be surprisingly competent. On its front is a 60Hz 6.1in LTPS OLED display and includes Face ID unlock features lacking in the SE 3. Inside is 6GB of LPDDR5 RAM, Wi-Fi 6 capabilities and an A16 Bionic chip powering it all. Battery life seems to have taken a beating to fit all that in, reportedly featuring a 3,279mAh battery with 20W wired charging and 12W wireless.

All that, covered in a layer of 7000 series aluminium alloy that’ll supposedly make the whole affair look like an iPhone 13 from the front and the iPhone XR from the back.

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You might have thought the ‘dumbphone’ was dead and buried, but you couldn’t be more wrong. Just the other day we spent time reviewing Nokia’s 2660 Flip — a phone that deals in megabytes rather than gigabytes when it comes to RAM. And that 0.3MP camera? Lovely.

Music to our ears

It’s worth mentioning that these aren’t exactly ‘new’. They’re rehashed classic Nokia devices. The Nokia 6310 (2024) for instance, is riding the coattails of the model from 2021 (which itself is derived from the original Nokia 6310 from 2001), though Nokia’s thrown in a larger 1,450mAh battery and a USB-C port. See, Apple? It’s not that hard.

Everything else… has been kept the same. It still sports a 2.8in QVGA display, 8MB of internal storage, dual SIM-slot, and a 0.3MP camera on the rear end we saw during the re-release in 2021. There’s even a 3.5mm audio jack — something plenty of today’s smartphones can’t brag about.

Nokia’s 5310 (2024) is yet another refresh, being the third iteration in the 5310 family. Modelled after the 2020 refresh, the 5310 first came to power in 2007 as an “XpressMusic” phone. Don’t worry. We had to look it up too. As for the specs of the 2024 model, it packs a larger 1,450mAh battery, a larger 2.8in QVGA display, and a Unisoc 6531F chipset. Oh, and the USB-C charging hole is also new. Everything else…

Read More: Random Access Memories (2003) – Nokia N-Gage

And finally, we have the Nokia 230 (2024). Being the youngest of the bunch, having only released in 2015, it was only entitled to the bare necessities to turn this into a usable phone for 2024. That means the same 1,450 mAh battery upgrade and USB-C port on the bottom. It’s got Bluetooth 5.0 too thanks to the Unisoc 6531F CPU. The 2MP camera, 8/16MB of RAM and storage, and 2.8in QVGA display remain untouched.

At the time of writing, Nokia is yet to officially announce prices, nor a strategy to launch these locally in SA. We’re not worried about that last bit — Nokia’s a fan of South Africa and always has been. No, what concerns us most is that these devices are 2G capable and only 2G capable — which is reportedly getting the boot come 2027. Whether that’ll actually happen is a different story altogether.

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There’s just one problem. Like the shinobi-clad Neo GT 3, Redmi is reserving the right to purchase one of these glorious devices for residents in the company’s homeland; China. Unless you’ve got an in with someone in China, we’ll have to make do with gaping at the thing from afar.

Yer a smartphone, Harry

Round the back of the Turbo 3 is where you’ll find most of the Harry Potter branding that knocks this phone up in price. The livery puts the Hogwarts crest front and centre, with a wand found up around the camera’s real estate. And, just in case any buyers forgot why they purchased the phone in the first place, Redmi’s stuck some handy Harry Potter branding down the bottom end.

Xiaomi didn’t just slap a skin on their phone and call it a day, though. The box it arrives in is equally Harry Potter-fied, with a special edition phone charger and case — with a few other accessories to complete the set. The same goes for the Redmi Pad Pro, which dons a simpler Hogwarts crest right in the middle, but arrives with a protective case that’ll turn the thing into a massive 12.1in-sized Hogwarts admission letter.

Read More: Xiaomi TV Box S (2nd-gen) review – It’s what’s on the inside that counts

Should you get your hands on either of these, you’ll nett some decent specs. The Turbo 3 is not only rocking Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor, but also 16GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and a 6.67in OLED screen.  The Pad Pro’s largest feat is the 10,000mAh battery lodged in its innards. We suppose you could make a case for the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 SoC powering the whole Hogwarts letter, too. Must be how it keeps going even on weekends.

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Xiaomi’s trio of smartphones not only weave together some of the best cameras in the game with absolutely stunning displays, but their excellent price points place the Redmi Note 13 Series comfortably in the race for Mid-Range Smartphone of the Year.

Whether you’re after a bonkers 200MP camera that’ll have you zooming in on your favourite football players from way up in the crowd, or a battery that just won’t quit (even when Eskom does), there’s something for everybody in Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 13 Series.

Going Pro on a budget

Xiaomi’s got plenty to brag about where the Note 13 Pro and Note 13 Pro+ 5G are concerned. Both devices are championing a long list of firsts in Redmi Note Series history, such as curved, 120hz AMOLED displays which ultimately offer a more immersive viewing experience.

It’s also the first time the Note 13 Series is sporting an IP68 rating and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection, essentially making both devices near-indestructible. All that, while also rocking the brightest and clearest displays and a Note Series-first with an under-display fingerprint sensor. What more could you ask for?

A whole lot, actually. These are the first devices in the Note Series to have a processor built using a 4nm manufacturing process, which leads to improved performance, enhanced efficiency and altogether better heat dissipation. Incidentally, the Note 13 Pro+ has MediaTek’s Dimensity-7200 Ultra chip inside, while its younger sibling uses Qualcomm’s Helio G-99 Ultra processor.

A good processor isn’t much use without an equally capable amount of RAM in the trunk. Both the Redmi Note 13 Pro and Note 13 Pro+ are no slouch in this regard, with both models turning up with more than enough RAM at 12GB and plenty of storage with 512GB.

What’s better than 120W and 67W charging on the Note 13 Pro+ and Note 13 Pro respectively? Not much. But there’s a case to be made for what’s arguably the star of the show: the massive 200MP main camera sensor that comes kitted out with amazing 2x and 4x zoom levels, perfect for capturing those moments that are a little too… far out.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+ arrives in two shades – Midnight Black and Moonlight White. The Redmi Note 13 Pro shares the Midnight Black colourway and introduces the Forest Green hue into the mix.

Keeping it simple

If you’re all about getting the most bang for your buck, Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 13 should be at the top of your list. Not only does it share many of its Pro-named siblings’ best features, but it’s also carving a name for itself with one of the best cameras on the market at this price point.

We’re of course talking about the 108MP main sensor that the Redmi Note 13 is donning, which is regularly considered the pinnacle of other smartphone brands’ camera tech. That enormous 108MP sensor is just one of three, joined by just as capable 8MP ultrawide and 2MP macro sensors. Don’t forget about the gorgeous 16MP front-facer embedded in the 6.67in, 120hz AMOLED display.

Hidden under that display is more than enough power to keep you satisfied, with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

It may only have 33W fast-charging as the more budget-friendly model – the same as what you’d find in some industry-leading flagships – but arrives with a 5,000mAh battery that can be found not just here, but across the entire Note 13 Series.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 makes a case for being the most stylish of the lot, arriving in two shades: Midnight Black and Ice Blue.

You can pick up your Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 today for only R7,799. Or you could take things one step further with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro, selling for R10,999. But if you’re after the best things in life, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+ can be yours from R16,499.

7,197 unique devices were recorded performing a collective 285,839 speed tests on the MyBroadband speed test platform all over South Africa from 1 January 2024 to 31 March 2024 to arrive at these findings. These speed tests, together with drive tests carried out in cities, towns and on the country’s main roads provide the basis for MyBroadband Insights’ findings and offer real-world performance metrics of South Africa’s mobile network operators.

MTN risks running out of award shelf space

With average download and upload speeds of 82.48Mbps and 24.03Mbps respectively, an average network latency of 24ms, and a Network Quality Score of 9.66 out of 10, MTN takes the cake for best overall mobile network in the country.

More specifically, the operator recorded wins as the best mobile network in most of the country’s major metropolitan areas, including Cape Town, eThekwini, Ekurhuleni, Tshwane, and Nelson Mandela Bay but lost to Vodacom as the best network in Johannesburg.

Vodacom wasn’t far behind first place with average download and upload speeds of 77.45Mbps and 14.74Mbps, an average latency of 30ms, and a Network Quality Score of 8.14 out of 10. MyBroadband Insights’ report notes that average network performance for LTE and 5G networks are calculated separately and that Vodacom’s 5G network ranked better than MTN’s. This could explain Vodacom’s standout victory in Johannesburg.

Read More: Rain is hiking prices at the beginning of June 2024

The network performance of Cell C, Telkom, and Rain was also recorded and, unsurprisingly, they didn’t do as well. Cell C and Telkom obtained average download speeds of 39.32Mbps and 30.49Mbps respectively with Rain only managing an average of 19.41Mbps.

While these results may or may not be surprising to you, it’s worth keeping in mind that they are only from the first three months of the year. There’s still another nine whole months for these five mobile network operators to battle it out for South African network dominance in 2024.

But why stop there? 2025 could hold the big break Cell C has presumably been waiting for and 2026 could hold big gains for Telkom. With hundreds of thousands more speed tests to run, it will never be finally decided who is the best mobile network operator. There’s still everything to play for and forever to play it in.

The folks over at 9to5Mac have noted a change in Apple’s App Store guidelines. One difference is that streaming apps can now direct users outside the company’s ecosystem, the result of a recent EU ruling. In the EU, of course. But there’s one other change — retro game emulators will finally be allowed on the platform.

Retro pirates?

Emulators on iOS are not a new phenomenon. Having them officially available is. Previously, if users wanted to fire up old copies of games that no longer have working hardware, they’d have to side-load apps or jailbreak their iPhones. Apple has confirmed to developers that this no longer has to be the case. Retro (and other) emulators can now be developed and released on the App Store, with a caveat or two.

The company says in its guidelines that developers are “…responsible for all such software offered in your app, including ensuring that such software complies with these Guidelines and all applicable laws.” In other words, actually offering the software (commonly called ROMs) could prove a bit tricky.

It leaves the door open for someone like Sega or Nintendo to release their retro catalogues in emulator format, as if that hasn’t been done to pieces already, but make it impossible for any other offering to support simple downloads. Any apps that sneak past Apple’s front door will likely find themselves being very specific that the software is ‘designed only to play personal backups of legally owned titles for [insert defunct platform here]’. How any retro games get there after the download is something nobody will be able to effectively police.

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We’re hopeful Huawei’s got its head back on straight for the Nova 12 line-up, consisting of the Nova 12i, Nova 12 SE, and the “soon-to-be-released” Nova 12s. No ‘Pro’ model has been mentioned just yet, but don’t expect that to be the case forever. Until then, we’re stuck with Huawei’s batch of mid-rangers, which brings with them a massively improved camera array and a fresh coat of paint. That’s about it.

Mid-range Nova glory

That doesn’t mean the specs and prices aren’t worth your attention, especially if you’re hanging onto older hardware. Only those users who are still rocking something from the Nova 11 catalogue won’t find much value in an upgrade, considering the recycled Snapdragon 680 processor, 5,000mAh battery, 40W charging, and a somehow even smaller display, clocking in at 6.7in.

If you are new to the Nova series, that’s not a shabby bunch of specs. Throw in the gargantuan 108MP sensor affixed to both the 12i and 12 SE, and you’ve got yourself a decent little smartphone.

Let’s talk specifics. The cheaper of the two, the Nova 12i, will set you back R7,000 in Huawei’s store, while the SE will cost an extra R1,500. Going the cheaper route will net you a 6.7in IPS LCD display capable of a 90Hz refresh rate, while the more expensive model comes kitted with a 6.67in OLED display, also hitting that 90Hz spec.

Read More: Huawei Matebook D16 (2024) review – One step forward, one step back

There’s no disparity between the two when it comes to hardware, however. Both feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 680 processor in their innards, with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage to accompany it. It’s the same processor you’d find in last year’s Nova 11i, and as such, means that 5G is once again absent. Huawei reckons the debut of EMUI 14 — the phone’s OS — will be enough to counter that.

Huawei’s clearly blown most of the budget getting those camera specs up to 2024’s standards. We’ve already mentioned the 108MP main sensor found on both devices, but that’s where the similarities end. The Nova 12i is the simpler of the two, donning a 2MP depth sensor and 8MP front-facer. The 12 SE features a 32MP selfie cam, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro sensor.

Keep your eye out for a full review from Stuff. 

The digital age has brought so many advantages, such as convenience and efficiency, but in the same breath, it has also raised many concerns around the protection of personal information. From social media accounts to online payments to even a simple Google search, every interaction creates a digital footprint that can potentially be exploited.

According to a piece by Broadband Search, the four main privacy concerns are data breaches, information commodification, pervasive surveillance by companies and government agencies, and erosion of anonymity.

HONOR, a leading smart device brand and advocate for generative AI technology, has actively monitored the privacy conversation, taking special care to understand the concerns of society. Knowing that privacy is a basic right, HONOR has made privacy protection a prerequisite for all its products and services.

From conceptualisation to the final product, privacy considerations are embedded into every R&D step to provide HONOR users autonomous control over their personal information, while building and maintaining their trust.

But the question that might be on everyone’s mind is, how?

Keeping your privacy private

HONOR takes their users’ personal data and privacy very seriously by adhering to established industry security standards and the POPIA Act.

The personal information collected is very minimal and relevant in relation to the purposes in which they are processed – this includes full name, cell number, email address and HONOR ID information. This information is retained by the brand for a minimum period as permitted by law.

All personal information on the HONOR Magic V2 is safeguarded with encryption technology to ensure confidentiality of data transmission and storage.

AI Privacy Call 3.0: protect information from unwanted ears

When it comes to redefining the engineering of smartphones, HONOR is at the forefront of its competitors in terms of AI features that focus on privacy.

Upgrading this specific feature from the device’s predecessor, AI Privacy Call 3.0 lets users take important phone calls in public without worrying about others listening in to the conversation.

The HONOR Magic V2 intelligently adapts the call volume to a decibel that is exclusive to the person who received the call – minimising call sound leakage without compromising on the crystal-clear quality.

So, whether it’s an important business call or a potential job interview at work, the Magic V2 guarantees no one else will be privy to the information shared.

Parallel Space: creating exclusive privacy

More often than not, people use their smartphones for both personal and work endeavours – this often leads to an opening for hackers to gain access to work-related documents and confidential files from a person’s personal device.

Creating a lack of privacy – HONOR has developed a new AI feature that works to help users keep their work and private apps and files separate – Parallel Space.

This feature allows users to create an independent space outside of the existing phone space. Built to be much more private and secure, Parallel Space can be used simultaneously with the main space of the Magic V2.

This feature is ideal for storing important, sensitive information and personal or work apps – users can even migrate files from the main space to the Parallel Space. This feature also allows users to run the same app, such as WhatsApp, on both spaces.

If Parallel Space is no longer needed, it can be wiped out completely to further protect the user’s privacy.

A discreet security chip for your safety

A major concern that plagues most people are, “how safe are my passwords and banking information on my device?”

Designed for safety of all sensitive information, HONOR has developed a discreet security chip, which is embedded in the HONOR Magic V2, to provide an added layer of protection for all hardware-level protection and key passwords stored on the device.

Experience the Magic of the HONOR Magic V2, now available for purchase at selected retailers. The device comprises a Black finish with a special vegan leather back, retailing for the recommended purchase price of R39,999.

For more information, please visit HONOR at https://www.hihonor.com/za/phones/honor-magic-v2/

It’s not just that you’ll have a Redmi Note 13, Note 13 Pro, and Note 13 Pro+ to look forward to. Each of these handsets has its own special appeal to suit various sorts of users. ‘Something for everybody’ is sometimes a true statement.

Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5 G

The main thing you need to know about this handset, the headliner of the upcoming Redmi  Note 13 series launch, is that it’s the successor to Stuff’s Mid-Range Smartphone of the Year for 2023. Will it secure the same spot for the brand at the end of 2024? That’s a waiting game but you don’t have to wait to get your hands on the absolutely mahoosive 200MP main camera sensor with baked-in optical image stabilisation.

It’s not all about the camera, though that is a definite perk. The Redmi  Note 13 Pro+5G also charges up with an excellent 120Hz AMOLED display, powered in the back by a speedy 4nm processor, 12GB of system memory, and 512GB of storage. The 5,000mAh battery with the company’s 120W Hypercharge charging technology and an IP68 protection rating are just the cherry on top of this Sundae of Awesomeness.

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G will arrive on SA’s shores in two shades – Midnight Black and Moonlight White.

Redmi Note 13 Pro

Just a step down the ladder is the Note 13 Pro, a strong competitor with its larger sibling in terms of camera tech thanks to its inclusion of the gigantic 200MP main sensor. There’s also a stunning AMOLED and plenty of power behind the screen, with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage to look forward to.

The battery charging tech steps back to a still-speedy 67W but retains that 5,000mAh battery capacity. An IP54 rating means your device stays protected in most situations and there’s an in-screen fingerprint sensor to keep your phone’s contents safe as well.

The Note 13 Pro will feature two colourways at launch – Midnight Black and Forest Green.

Redmi Note 13

It wasn’t so long ago that the pinnacle of smartphone camera tech was a 108MP sensor. It’s still no slouch, as Redmi’s Note 13 Proves. The huge main sensor is part of a three-camera array, capable of displaying its wares on the excellent 120Hz AMOLED display. The panel, as with the Note 13’s bigger brothers, features ultra-thin bezels and there’s 33W fast charging as part of the 5,000mAh battery.

The Redmi Note 13 will be available in Midnight Black and Ice Blue following the 10 April South African launch. Stay tuned for more details on this trio of excellent handsets as it becomes available for our local market. Buckle up, it’s going to be an awesome one.