iQOO has revealed that its upcoming Neo 10 smartphone will be launching in India in two colors. One of the two colors was the one we had already seen. Called Inferno Red, the phone has a two-tone finish with a white and red colorway. Inferno Red • Titanium Chrome The second color that was shown […]
Read MoreLes ventes d’Apple Watch manquent de souffle et tirent la jambe, note Counterpoint qui y voit le résultat d’une certaine stagnation de la gamme. Le lancement des Apple Watch de 2024 n’a pas laissé de souvenir impérissable. Certes les Series 10 se sont amincies d’une manière bien visible et avec l’Ultra 2 quelques nouveautés logicielles sont apparues. Mais […]
Read MoreOWC kicked off a new Spring sale this week, offering solid discounts on a variety of USB-C docks, memory cards, external drives and enclosures, and Mac accessories. Some of these deals won’t be applied until you add the items to your cart, at which time an automatic coupon will be applied to your order. Note: […]
Read MoreOppo will launch the Reno14 series soon, as we saw the first images and learned the key specs last month. Now, popular leakster evleaks posted more images, revealing the series will have a refreshed camera design with two shooters on the back, an LED flash, and a flat screen with a punch hole for the […]
Read MoreChez Microsoft, voici les deux nouveaux membres de la famille Surface, avec une tablette hybride Surface Pro 12 et un Surface Laptop 13. Animés par Windows 11, les deux modèles sont légèrement plus petits et plus légers que leurs aînés. Futura a évalué leur intérêt.
Read MoreApple’s global smartwatch shipments declined by 19% year-over-year in 2024, marking the company’s second consecutive annual drop and the fifth straight quarter of falling sales, according to new data from Counterpoint Research.
According to Counterpoint’s Global Smartwatch Shipment Tracker for the fourth quarter of 2024, Apple experienced shipment declines in all major regions except India. The most significant drop occurred in North America, which accounts for more than half of Apple Watch shipments globally.
The report identifies multiple contributing factors behind the sustained downturn. Chief among them is the absence of a new Apple Watch SE model, which has historically served as Apple’s most popular smartwatch in terms of volume during post-launch periods. The last SE model came out in the third quarter of 2022 and its continued absence throughout 2024 is cited as a key driver of weakened shipment growth.
The Apple Watch Series 10 was released in 2024, offering “fewer substantial upgrades” over its predecessor, which reduced consumer incentive to upgrade. The model was affected by ongoing legal issues in the United States, where Apple was required to remove the blood oxygen sensor feature from affected units due to patent litigation.
The lack of an Apple Watch Ultra 3 model in 2024 is also a contributing factor. The Apple Watch Ultra line had previously accounted for over 10% of Apple Watch shipments globally, but its share dropped to under 8% in the fourth quarter of 2024 in the absence of a new model. Counterpoint noted that this decline contributed measurably to Apple’s overall shipment losses in the advanced smartwatch category, where Apple’s market share fell by 8% points year-over-year.
Despite the contraction in shipments, Apple continues to dominate the advanced smartwatch segment by unit volume. However, the recent declines mark a reversal from earlier years of growth. According to previous Counterpoint data, Apple Watch shipments increased by 27% in 2021. In 2022, growth stalled and the company reported zero percent year-over-year change. This was followed by a 10% decline in 2023, which nearly doubled in scale in 2024.
The downturn coincides with stronger performance from rival smartwatch manufacturers. While Apple’s global shipments contracted, all other major vendors in the advanced smartwatch category saw year-over-year growth, according to the report.
Rumors suggest that Apple is preparing to release a third-generation Apple Watch SE with a revamped design and potentially a lower price point, an Apple Watch Series 11 with new health monitoring capabilities and 5G connectivity, and an Apple Watch Ultra 3 with satellite connectivity. The new models should launch in the fall, likely alongside the iPhone 17 lineup.
This article, "Apple Watch Sales Falling Continuously Amid Lack of New Models" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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Read MoreAlors que Nintendo et Microsoft annoncent des hausses tarifaires pour leurs jeux AAA, Electronic Arts prend ses distances avec cette stratégie Cet article EA ne prévoit pas d’augmenter le prix de ses jeux, malgré la tendance du marché a été publié en premier par GinjFo.
Read MoreA new rumor from noted Samsung tipster Ice Universe claims that Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold7 will claim the title of the thinnest foldable phone once it launches later this year. According to the new post on X, Galaxy Z Fold7 will measure 8.9mm in its folded state and a staggering 3.9mm once unfolded. To put […]
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Electronic Arts l’a confirmé : le prochain volet de la franchise Battlefield sortira d’ici mars 2026. D’ici là une présentation public est attendue cet été.
Cet article Le prochain Battlefield sortira d’ici mars 2026, annonce officielle prévue cet été a été publié en premier par GinjFo.
Read MoreWhen it comes to the MagSafe power bank marketplace, it’s largely a sea of sameness. Not this one. Kuxiu’s S2 stands apart with its semi-solid state battery technology that promises enhanced safety and longevity, albeit at a steeper price than conventional alternatives.
The Kuxiu S2 is a sleek, compact Qi2 unit with a premium construction that has four key components: a magnetic wireless charging area on top, a power button on the side, a USB-C input/output port (braided USB-C cable included), and LED indicator lights that display battery level. The aluminum alloy frame is paired with matte Corning Gorilla Glass panels, and the pack feels like it can take a whack – though it’s not impervious to cosmetic scratches, as a couple of weeks’ reviewing attest.
At just 143g (5.04oz) and measuring 106 × 69.5 × 10mm (4.17 × 2.74 × 0.39in), it’s impressively portable and lighter than an iPhone 16. That said, when attached to my iPhone 16 Pro, the battery extends slightly beyond the phone’s bottom edge, creating a minor asymmetry that likely isn’t an issue when paired with the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The cameras remain unobstructed, at least.
The S2 has a handy LED indicator system, with four lights showing battery levels: 4 LEDs (>75%), 3 LEDs (>50%), 2 LEDs (>25%), and 1 LED (>10%). When battery drops below 10%, a single LED flashes. There’s also a special LED pattern – four lights flickering like a running light – that indicates Small Current Mode is active (more on that below).
In a departure from traditional lithium-ion alternatives, the S2’s headline feature is its semi-solid state battery technology. This design eliminates leakage, explosion, and combustion risks. Kuxiu claims the battery can survive nail penetration tests without catching fire or exploding – and based on the company’s own dramatic demonstration videos, it continues to function even after such extreme damage.
Despite some confusion on the labeling (which reads “Li Polymer Battery”), Kuxiu confirmed that the S2 does indeed use semi-solid state technology. The solid electrolyte inside can be made from various materials, including polymers – making both claims technically accurate.
The 5,000mAh capacity power bank supports both 15W wireless charging for the iPhone 12 through iPhone 16 series and wired charging at up to 20W via USB-C. The USB-C input specs show it accepts 5V⎓3A/9V⎓2.2A for charging itself.
The manual recommends a first-use procedure: discharging the power bank completely until it shuts off (0%) before fully charging to 100%, preferably with a PD fast charger for optimal speed.
There are three main charging modes: wireless charging (with MagSafe activation), wired charging for other smartphones, and a dedicated Small Current Charging mode. This special mode is activated by double-clicking the power button, and is designed specifically for low-power devices like earbuds and smartwatches that might not draw enough power to keep the bank from auto-shutting off. I had no problems drawing power to charge AirPods Pro via MagSafe and Apple Watch via the charging port.
In my testing with an iPhone 16 Pro, the fully charged S2 brought my completely drained phone to 97% before depleting – slightly less than Kuxiu’s claim of “approximately 1.2 full charges.” The 16 N52 magnets provide a reassuringly strong connection that maintains its grip even when slipped into a loose pocket or bag. If your iPhone has a non-MagSafe case though, the bank is eventually going to slip off.
One particularly impressive aspect is the thermal management. Some slim power banks can become alarmingly hot during discharge (especially at low charge levels), but the S2 remained noticeably cooler in my experience.
Here’s where the semi-solid state technology really shines. While the S2’s $79.99 price tag is approximately 60% higher than comparable liquid-based power banks from companies like Anker or EcoFlow, the longevity benefits are substantial. Kuxiu claims the S2 will maintain 80% of its original capacity after 1,000 charging cycles, compared to just 300-500 cycles for traditional power banks. That’s potentially double or triple the useful lifespan.
The efficiency is equally impressive. A full discharge offers 18-19Wh capacity power output, which is excellent after accounting for conversion losses. Looking long-term, this efficiency combined with extended cycle life makes the premium price more palatable.
The Kuxiu S2 feels like a genuine step forward in power bank technology. The $79.99 price tag initially stings, but when you consider the potential for double or triple the lifespan of conventional alternatives, along with enhanced safety and premium materials, the value proposition becomes clearer. For those who frequently rely on portable power, the investment should pay dividends over time.
What’s missing? A kickstand would be nice. Some users might also miss the iOS widget integration that was available in Kuxiu’s previous S1 model. Due to Qi2 certification requirements, the S2 doesn’t offer the satisfying iOS integration that Apple’s own MagSafe battery pack provided – no special animation on the lock screen or appearance in the battery widget. Don’t get me wrong, it works flawlessly. It just doesn’t feel as “Apple-like” as some might prefer. But these are minor quibbles against what appears to be a genuinely innovative product. If safety and longevity matter more to you than saving a few dollars upfront, the Kuxiu S2 deserves consideration.
The Kuxiu S2 Qi2 5000mAh MagSafe Solid-State Power Bank is available in black or natural titanium colors for $79.99 from Kuxiu’s website and authorized resellers.
This article, "Review: Kuxiu S2 Power Bank – Semi-Solid State Tech Promises Longer Life, Better Safety" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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