Technology

• A former Microsoft Game Studios executive producer has released a video discussing the future of Xbox
• She discussed the reveal of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, and recent focus on the Xbox Play Anywhere initiative
• She suggested that "Xbox has no desire or literally can't ship hardware anymore"

Former Microsoft Game Studios executive producer Laura Fryer has discussed the future of the Xbox brand on her YouTube channel and argued that Xbox hardware is effectively "dead".

She described the recent reveal of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X as unsurprising, saying that it's "much easier to slap an Xbox sticker on an existing piece of hardware and call it a day."

Fryer predicted that the upcoming handheld will be hampered by some of the wider issues currently facing the Xbox brand, including a lack of compelling exclusive experiences: "Xbox doesn't do exclusives anymore. Even if Xbox delivers a crazy great game 'Xbox Anywhere' means that I can play that game on any platform."

Many Xbox first-party titles also seem to suffer from protracted development cycles. There were several notable absences from the recent Xbox Games Showcase, such as State of Decay 3, which was originally announced five years ago, Fable, and the Perfect Dark remake.

In her eyes, the lack of exclusive experiences and years between major releases leaves consumers without a compelling reason to consider the Asus ROG Xbox Ally or Xbox Ally X over alternatives like the Steam Deck OLED or building your own PC.

She went on to suggest that the handheld and current focus on the 'Xbox Play Anywhere' initiative is part of "a slow exit from the hardware business completely" and that the end goal appears to be driving players towards Xbox Game Pass.

"As one of the founding members of the Xbox team, I'm not pleased with where things are today," she concluded. "From my perspective, it looks like Xbox has no desire or literally can't ship hardware anymore."

Looking at the current trajectory of Xbox, it's hard not to disagree. Sales of the Xbox Series X and Series S have been trailing behind the Xbox One for some time, so it's clear that Microsoft will need to drastically shift its strategy in order to continue growing its gaming division.

In my eyes, the acquisition of Activision Blizzard suggests a shift towards generating revenue through multi-platform software sales rather than truly competing in the console space. This lines up with Xbox boss Phil Spencer's professed desire to release more Xbox games on other platforms.

This will likely mean less of a focus on dedicated hardware from Microsoft itself, with third-party manufacturers like Asus (and recently Meta with the Limited Edition Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition) catering to the remaining demand for Xbox products with licensed hardware instead.

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The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 could be one of the best-selling foldable phones of 2025 going by past form, as Samsung’s foldable flip phones combine a compact form factor with a more reasonable price than its Z Fold line, making them a popular choice. So will this trend continue into 2025?

Well, nothing about the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 has been confirmed just yet, but it sure is starting to leak. So below, you’ll find all the news, leaks, and rumors we’ve heard about this foldable contender so far.

We’ll also update this article whenever any new rumors emerge, so make sure to check back soon if you want to stay informed. And if you want to know what we're hoping for from the Z Flip 7 too, check out five things we want from the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7.

Latest news

A massive specs leak suggests the Galaxy Z Flip 7 could have some serious upgrades.View Deal

Cut to the chase

• What is it? The next clamshell foldable from Samsung
• When is it out? Probably July 9
• How much will it cost? Likely upwards of $1,099.99 / £1,049 / AU$1,799

Look out for it in July

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

• Expected to launch on July 9
• Could cost the same as last year

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 release date will probably be July 9, as the next Samsung Galaxy Unpacked is then.

Samsung hasn't specifically said that we'll see the Z Flip 7 there, but it seems very likely, as the previous two models had July announcements, and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 also shipped in July.

That said, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 shipped in August of its release year, and the Z Flip 4 wasn’t even announced until August. Still, if not July then we’ll probably see the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 in August.

As far as release date rumors go, @PandaFlashPro has claimed that mass production of Samsung’s upcoming foldables started in May, which probably works for a July or August announcement. We've also heard the same mass production claim from another source, so this is looking likely.

Plus, July 9 has also been rumored for the Galaxy Z Flip 7's launch.

And sources have also spotted both a Galaxy Z Flip 7 codename (specifically ‘B7’) and a Galaxy Z Flip 7 model number (SM-F751), as well as a certification, which at the very least suggests that this phone is in the works.

However, a leak suggests the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 won't actually ship until August.

As for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 price, we’ve heard that the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 might have the same starting price as the Galaxy Z Flip 6, and this is a claim we've now heard multiple times. That would mean a starting price of $1,099.99 / £1,049 / AU$1,799.

That said, leaker Roland Quandt claims the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 will actually cost around 100 euros (roughly $115 / £85 / AU$180) less than its predecessor.

It might also come with a free Google AI Pro subscription, so you could get more than just the phone for your money.

Can you trust these rumors?

It seems almost certain that the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 will be announced on July 9, since Samsung's next big phone event is then.

And since multiple sources have pointed to no change in price, that much is looking fairly likely.

Bigger screens and a better hinge

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 (Image credit: Future / Axel Metz)

• The Galaxy Z Flip 7 might have bigger screens than its predecessor
• It could also have a better hinge mechanism
• And it might be slimmer and lighter

We don’t have to rely purely on rumors when it comes to the design of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7, as Samsung itself has said during an earnings call (via @Jukanlosreve) that this year “we will release new foldable products with improved form factors, durability,” so while the Z Flip 7 wasn’t named, it’s likely one of the devices the company is referring to.

Since then, Samsung has said that its upcoming Galaxy Z models will be thinner, lighter, and more durable then their predecessors. Samsung's post is primarily talking about the Galaxy Z Fold line, so there's slight uncertainty over whether it refers to the Z Flip series too, but the wording suggests it probably is.

Beyond that, we’ve heard that the Galaxy Z Flip 7 might have bigger screens than its predecessor, with a source claiming the foldable display will be 6.85 inches (up from 6.7 inches), and the cover screen will be around 4 inches (up from 3.4 inches). We've heard that 4-inch claim a second time now too, and animation files spotted by Android Authority also point to a bigger secondary screen, as does a leaked photo of Galaxy Z Flip 7 cover screen glass.

Elsewhere, we've similarly heard that the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 might have a 6.9-inch foldable screen and a 4.1-inch cover screen, with both having a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 2,600 nits.

They also claim that it will be 13.7mm thick when folded and 6.5mm thick when unfolded, making it slimmer than its predecessor, and that it will weigh 188g.

Also on the design front, leaker @PandaFlashPro claims that the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7’s hinge mechanism will be more smooth and durable, that the button placement will be the same as last year, and that the Galaxy Z Flip 7 will have a smaller display crease than its predecessor.

(Image credit: Android Headlines / OnLeaks)

And perhaps most excitingly of all, we've seen renders (one of which you can see above) showing a full-width cover screen on the Galaxy Z Flip 7.

Additional Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 renders have since leaked, and these line up with other leaks, as well as showing the phone in Blue Shadow and Jet Black colors.

Speaking of Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 colors, Samsung itself has accidentally listed four shades, specifically Jet Black, Blue Shadow, Coral Red, and Green Mint, with the last of those being exclusive to Samsung's online store.

That matches earlier leaks which stated that the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 might be sold in a Coral Red shade, while another Galaxy Z Flip 7 colors leak had pointed to black, blue, and Coral Red shades.

Can you trust these rumors?

So far, the design leaks all only come from one source each, so we’d take them with a dose of skepticism. Though the claims of larger screens come from a source with a good track record, so that much may well be true.

If nothing else though, Samsung’s own comments strongly suggest we’ll see some changes to the design.

Copying the cameras

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

• The cameras might not get an upgrade
• That would mean a 50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, and 10MP selfie camera

According to one Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 camera leak this phone will have exactly the same cameras as the Z Flip 6. That would mean a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide one, and a 10MP front-facing one. Sadly, we've heard the same Z Flip 7 camera specs leaked by a second source now too.

These specs would be rather disappointing, so we hope that subsequent camera leaks will disagree with this.

Still, if nothing else the software will probably be improved, and we’d expect to see new AI photography tools too. Indeed, one more recent leak points to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 having a new version of Samsung's ProVisual Engine, which will use AI to improve photos and videos.

Can you trust these rumors?

As we’ve only heard camera claims from a couple of sources so far, we’d take them with a pinch of salt. That said, it’s believable that Samsung wouldn’t improve the cameras, especially as the Samsung Galaxy S25’s cameras weren’t upgraded from the Samsung Galaxy S24’s.

An Exynos chipset and no change to RAM

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

• Likely to use an Exynos 2500 chipset
• May match its predecessor's RAM and storage

There’s potentially bad news when it comes to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7’s specs, as according to multiple rumors, it will have an Exynos 2500 chipset, with SamMobile even claiming to have 'confirmed' as much.

That’s set to be Samsung’s most powerful in-house smartphone chipset of 2025, and is almost certainly going to outperform the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 used by the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6. But based on past form it probably won’t quite be a match for the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which is used by the Samsung Galaxy S25 series, and is what we were hoping would power the Galaxy Z Flip 7.

Indeed, an early Galaxy Z Flip 7 benchmark with the Exynos 2500 shows worryingly low scores.

There's still some hope for the Snapdragon 8 Elite though, as another source claims there are prototypes of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 with both chipsets.

This rumor is given more weight as Korean-language website The Bell reported there's been lower than expected yields of Samsung’s Exynos 2500 chip, which is why we saw the Galaxy S25 range get a Snapdragon chipset across all the phones and regions. And this situation is expected to continue for the Galaxy Z Flip 7, meaning it'll likely get Snapdragon 8 Elite tuned for Galaxy use.

Indeed, most recently we've heard from one source that the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 will use a Snapdragon 8 Elite.

And for software, Samsung has confirmed that the Galaxy Z Flip 7 will launch with Android 16. There will likely be improvements to the phone's AI too, as Samsung will reportedly focus on AI features at its launch.

Beyond that, we’ve elsewhere heard that the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 could have 12GB of RAM, and a choice of 256GB or 512GB of storage – specs which are identical to the current model.

On the other hand, another source has pointed to 8GB or 12GB of RAM, plus 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of storage for the Galaxy Z Flip 7. Though we're skeptical that Samsung would offer lower RAM configurations than you can get the Z Flip 6 in.

And leaker @PandaFlashPro has posted on X, saying that the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 will have a bigger vapor chamber than the Z Flip 6, which could help it keep cool and therefore avoid throttling.

That might also aid the battery life, as might the use of a "highly efficient" display, though as yet we haven’t heard anything about the phone’s battery. For reference though, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 has a 4,000mAh battery, so we’d expect the Z Flip 7’s would be at least that size.

A more recent tip has the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 slated to get a 4,300mAh battery, which is a boost up from 4,000mAh in the Galaxy Z Flip 6. We've heard that 4,300mAh claim multiple times now too, from numerous sources, and even seen 4,300mAh mentioned in a certification. Add in a improved chip and display efficiency and we could be looking at a very solid battery life for the Flip 7.

Can you trust these rumors?

Some of these specs have only been stated by one source, so we’d take them with a pinch of salt for now, though there’s nothing unbelievable here.

Hopefully though Samsung will either equip the phone with a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset or give it more than 12GB of RAM – or both. But that’s just our hope, not a prediction.

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With the Samsung Galaxy S25 series now here we’re looking ahead to Samsung’s next big smartphone launch, which in all likelihood will consist of the brand's 2025 foldables.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 could be the most high-end of these, though there are also reports of a tri-fold model in the works, which might have it beat. Either way though, the Z Fold 7 is likely to be an impressive phone.

We don’t know anything for sure about it yet, but leaks and rumors have revealed some possible specs, features, and other details, so you’ll find all of that below. And we've also written an article focused on the five things we most want from the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.

We've also got an article covering whether you should wait for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.

Latest news

A massive Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 specs leak points to some serious upgrades.View Deal

Cut to the chase

• What is it? The next big-screen Samsung foldable
• When is it out? Likely landing on July 9
• How much will it cost? Likely upwards of $1,899.99 / £1,799 / AU$2,749

Likely landing in July

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

• Samsung is holding a big event on July 9
• The price is reportedly unchanged from last year

We're almost certainly the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 release date will be July 9, as Samsung has confirmed that its next Galaxy Unpacked event will be then.

But even before that announcement we were leaning towards that date, due to a combination of leaks, educated guesses, and past form.

Samsung hasn't confirmed that the Z Fold 7 will be in attendance, but it looks very likely, and we can confidently say that this phone is in the works at the very least, especially as multiple sources have come across codenames and model numbers for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.

Plus, leaker @PandaFlashPro claims that mass production of the phone has started as of May, which would likely work for a July launch. A second source had also claimed that the Z Fold 7 would begin mass production in May, so that's promising.

In fact, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 has even now been certified, suggesting that it's coming soon.

However, while it will probably be announced on July 9, one source suggests the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 won't ship until sometime in August.

As for the price, according to one source the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 will cost the same amount as its predecessor. That Galaxy Z Fold 7 price claim is something we've now heard multiple times. That would mean a starting price of $1,899.99 / £1,799 / AU$2,749.

However, we've elsewhere heard that the Z Fold 7 could cost €100 (roughly $115 / £85 / AU$180) more. Plus, there might be a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Ultra, and that would almost certainly be more expensive.

Regardless of the price though, you might at least get more than just the phone for your money, with one leak suggesting the Z Fold 7 will come with a Google AI Pro subscription.

But for a deeper dive into possible pricing, give our Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 price predictions guide a read.

Can you trust these rumors?

Samsung has now all but confirmed that it will unveil the Galaxy Z Fold 7 on July 9.

We’d take the price rumors above with a pinch of salt, since so far each of them only comes from one source. But given that the pricing of the Samsung Galaxy S25 series was for the most part identical to that of the S24, there’s a good chance prices will stay the same here too.

A bigger screen and a slimmer build

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

• Reports suggest the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 will have bigger screens than the Z Fold 6
• It will be slimmer and lighter
• The crease could be smaller this year too

During an earnings call (via @Jukanlosreve), Samsung itself said that its upcoming foldable phones would have “improved form factors, durability”, so we can probably expect some changes to the design and build of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.

At MWC 2025, Samsung Display showed off a ceaseless foldable display, which hits at tech the Galaxy Z Fold 7 could adopt to remove, or at least go someway in removing, the display crease currently seen in the Fold 6.

From other tips and some render images courtesy of tipster OnLeaks, who has a solid track record of accuracy, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 looks to be a decent bit slimmer than it's predecessor, measuring 4.5mm thick when unfolded compared to the Fold 6's 5.36mm; a millimeter makes a difference with foldable phones.

(Image credit: @OnLeaks / Android Headlines)

The renders also tip a larger display, with the main display hitting 8.2 inches, up from 7.6 inches, with the cover display reaching 6.5 inches, a tad bigger than the 6.3 inches on the Fold 6.

A leaked Galaxy Z Fold 7 dummy unit also points to it being 4.5mm thick when unfolded, while other leaked renders point to the Z Fold 7 having a punch-hole camera in the main screen, rather than an under-display camera.

Another image has also been shared, as you can see below, this time just showing the back of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. This is the first actual photo we've seen of the phone, and it lines up with leaked renders.

(Image credit: Setsuna Digital)

We’ve also heard that Samsung is considering not putting a digitizer on the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s screen, which might allow the phone to be around 1.5mm thinner, but would also mean the S Pen would likely be thicker and require a battery (and therefore need charging), as without a digitizer in the display, the stylus would instead have to generate an electric current to interact with the screen.

This claim about a lack of digitizer and a redesigned S Pen is something we've now heard from another source too, so it could well be correct.

Yet another source has now said this too, adding that as a result the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 will be under 10mm thick when folded, making it the slimmest Z Fold model yet. However, the S Pen could get an unspecified "downgrade" as a result.

More specifically, we've heard that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 could be as slim as 8.2mm thick when folded.

That said, another claim slightly differs from those above, with one source saying the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 will be 3.9mm thick when unfolded and 8.9mm thick when folded. That source has since added that the full unfolded dimensions will apparently be 158.4 x 143.1 x 3.9mm, and that the Z Fold 7's bezels will be just 1.0mm thick (down from 1.9mm on the Galaxy Z Fold 6).

And we've heard yet another set of possible Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 dimensions, with another source claiming it will be 8.9mm thick when folded, 4.2mm thick when unfolded, and 215g.

Regardless of exact dimensions though, we know the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will be slimmer than its predecessor, as Samsung has confirmed as much, while also saying it will be lighter and more durable.

Also on the design front, leaker @PandaFlashPro has claimed that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 will have a smaller display crease than its predecessor, and a more smooth and durable hinge mechanism.

We've also heard from another source that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 could have a smaller display crease, and they echo leaks above in saying that it could be just 4.5mm thick too, and have a larger 8-inch main and 6.5-inch cover screen. Interestingly, they also say that it could have better water and dust resistance than the Z Fold 6.

There has been slight disagreement on whether the main screen will be 8 inches or 8.2 inches, but a recent leak suggests the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 will have the same size 8-inch panel as the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition, but that thanks to smaller bezels the usable area will be around 8.2 inches, which could explain the disagreements.

And elsewhere we've heard that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 could have a titanium backplate, making it lighter and more durable, and that it might have "all-new" glass for the screen.

For colors, Samsung itself has accidentally listed four Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 colors on its Irish website. Specifically, Jet Black, Blue Shadow, Silver Shadow, and Green Mint, the last of which is listed as an online store exclusive.

Multiple other sources meanwhile have mentioned Coral Red, so perhaps that will be offered too.

Can you trust these rumors?

Until we’ve seen more renders of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 we’d take any design claims with a pinch of salt. But with Samsung itself saying that at least some of its foldables will be in for a change, there’s a good chance the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will be among them.

There’s also a fair chance the claims of larger screens are accurate, since multiple sources have said as much.

A big 200MP upgrade

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

• The Galaxy Z Fold 7 could have a new 200MP main camera
• The under-display camera might be improved, or absent
• There's no news yet on the other cameras

So far the main Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 camera claim we’ve heard is that it will have the same 200MP main camera as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition, which would be quite an upgrade on the 50MP main camera of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6.

This rumor was given more heft by another that claims the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will get the 200MP main camera from the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Given the high price of the Fold phones, it's arguably high time they got given the same powerful main camera as their S-series Ultra counterparts.

Another source has also said the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 will have a 200MP camera, and added that the under-display camera will be improved too. That said, another leak suggests the Z Fold 7 won't have an under-display camera at all.

More recently we've heard this 200MP claim again, but with the addition that the Galaxy Z Fold 7's other two rear cameras won't be upgraded, meaning a 12MP ultra-wide and a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom.

However, there might be behind the scenes improvements to all the cameras, with one leak saying the Z Fold 7 will have a new version of Samsung's ProVisual Engine, improving both photos and videos.

Can you trust these rumors?

Since multiple sources have pointed to a 200MP camera, that much is looking likely, but we'd take the other camera spec leaks with a pinch of salt for now.

An Elite chipset

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

• Likely to use a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset
• Could have 12GB of RAM, just like the current model

We're heard quite a lot about the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 specs. According to multiple sources, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 will use a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, which is what we’d expect since that’s what the Samsung Galaxy S25 series uses. If it does, then it should be significantly more powerful than the Galaxy Z Fold 6, which uses a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

One of the same sources though says to expect 12GB of RAM and a choice of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB of storage, all of which are the same specs as the current model.

Another source has similarly said to expect a faster chipset than the Z Fold 6, and both they and @PandaFlashPro have pointed to a bigger vapor chamber (which could help with sustained performance) and better speakers.

And another leak agrees with previous leaks that the Z Fold 7 will have a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and a larger vapor chamber.

A Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 benchmark also mentions much of the above, including a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and 12GB of RAM.

That said, we've elsewhere heard that there could be both 12GB and 16GB versions of the Z Fold 7, paired with 256GB, 512GB or 1TB of storage.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 will also have new software, with the company confirming that it will launch with One UI 8 (Samsung's take on Android 16). It's likely that AI improvements will be a big focus too, with Samsung reportedly set to talk a lot about AI at the Z Fold 7's announcement.

Sadly, what the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 might not have is a bigger battery, with multiple sources claiming the Z Fold 7's battery is the same size as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6's, which would make it 4,400mAh.

That's now looking more likely, as a certification also points to a 4,400mAh battery. However, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7's battery life might still be improved through the use of a highly efficient display. And another source points to new battery and charging tech being used, which could also help, or mean it supports faster charging than the 25W of its predecessor.

We've also heard that much like the Galaxy S25, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 might support Qi2 charging, but not offer a magnetic connection.

Can you trust these rumors?

We’d be very surprised if the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 didn’t use a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, since that’s the next model on from the chipset used by the Z Fold 6, and since it’s also used by the Galaxy S25 series.

The storage and vapor chamber claims also sound believable, and sadly so does the claim that it will stick with 12GB of RAM, since even the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra only has that much in most regions.

And Samsung often doesn't increase battery sizes, so the claim that this aspect won't be changing is believable too.

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• A detailed specs leak includes the possible dimensions and weight of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7
• It also includes screen, battery, camera, and chipset details
• If this is correct, then these phones could be substantial upgrades

Just yesterday we saw some unofficial renders showing how thin the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 might be, and now a leaker has revealed the phone's possible dimensions.

Setsuna Digital (via Phone Arena) claims that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 will be 8.9mm thick when folded and just 4.2mm thick when unfolded – that would be down from 12.1mm and 5.6mm on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 meanwhile is apparently 13.7mm thick when folded and 6.5mm thick when unfolded, so this could be a chunkier device, but that would still make it slimmer than the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, which is 14.9mm and 6.9mm when folded and unfolded respectively.

This source additionally claims that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 will weigh 215g (down from 239g), and that it will have an 8-inch foldable screen and a 6.5-inch cover screen, both of which would be slightly bigger than its predecessor's.

It’s also said to have a 200MP main camera (up from 50MP on the Z Fold 6), a 10MP front camera, an “enhanced armor aluminum frame”, and a glass-ceramic back panel, while the chipset is apparently a “Snapdragon 8”, which presumably means a Snapdragon 8 Elite – the same chipset as you’ll find in the Samsung Galaxy S25 series.

From the Fold to the Flip

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

As for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7, it's said to weigh 188g, which would actually make it marginally heavier than its 187g predecessor. It also apparently has a 6.9-inch foldable screen and a 4.1-inch cover screen, both of which would be bigger than on the current model, with the cover screen in particular growing a lot from the 3.4-inch Z Fold 6 one.

Both screens are said to have a 120Hz refresh rate, which would be an upgrade for the cover screen, and apparently the bezel around the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7’s screen is 1.25mm.

This source also claims that both screens have a maximum brightness of 2,600 nits, which again would be an upgrade for the cover screen but not for the main display, and that the battery is 4,300mAh, up from 4,000mAh on the current model.

If this leak is accurate, both of these phones could be in for some pretty impressive upgrades, and as we’ve heard many of these details before it’s likely that much of this is accurate, especially as this leaker has a good track record.

That said, some details conflict slightly with things we’ve heard before – in particular, there doesn’t seem to be any agreement among leakers on the exact dimensions of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.

We should find out how accurate this leak is soon though, as the next Samsung Galaxy Unpacked is on July 9, and we’ll almost certainly see both phones unveiled at the event.

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• Lyon has confirmed plans to pull the plug on some Microsoft software
• European and open source software are the preferred alternatives
• Other European cities are making similar moves

France's third-largest city, Lyon, is the latest European city to have ditched Microsoft Office in favor of open-source software alternatives.

It's a move which is gaining traction across Europe, as countries look to reduce their dependence on American software amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, while simultaneously boosting sovereignty.

At the same time, ditching Microsoft will enable Lyon to extend the lifespan of its hardware to reduce its environmental impact, with open source software less likely to impose end-of-life dates such as the upcoming Windows 10 deprecation in October 2025.

Lyon switches away from Microsoft

In an online memo, Lyon's office explained it would be transitioning away from Microsoft software towards OnlyOffice, developed by a group of Latvian developers, as well as Linux and PostgreSQL.

As part of the move, Territoire Numérique Ouvert is also being adopted as an alternative for video conferencing and office automation.

It's believed that the Lyon government employs around 10,000 individuals, making this a colossal shift that could require large amounts of retraining and upskilling. Munich previously attempted a similar switch, but later reversed the move due to compatibility issues and user dissatisfaction.

Still, with EU-US tensions at an all-time high, the movement is gaining traction once more.

Germany's Schleswig-Holstein recently announced plans to end contracts for Microsoft software including Teams, with neighbouring Danish cities Copenhagen and Aarhus also reportedly exploring options.

Microsoft counts enough customers in its order books for it not to have to worry about losing Lyon, with the move instead marking a symbolic shift. However, if more European cities begin to turn their backs on Microsoft, the American tech giant could begin to see financial impacts.

TechRadar Pro has asked Microsoft for thoughts on the ongoing European trend, but we did not receive an immediate response.

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• Businesses are still saving money by paying freelancers over employees
• Policies must be revised to "support this new way of working"

Freelancers are now able to earn more thanks to AI, according to research from Fiverr comparing UK-based freelancers with business decision-makers in Britain.

The data claims one in five UK business leaders also relies on freelancers to fill AI kills gaps, with two in five (38%) businesses actively seeking workers with AI expertise.

Despite the productivity gains freelancers are seeing from artificial intelligence, many (44%) are charging more for AI-driven work, boosting their income while simultaneously reducing their workloads.

Freelancers are unlocking more money with AI

More than half of the freelancers surveyed said they wouldn't be able to work without AI – many can now save several hours per week on their work, with some boasting that they're saving two full working days every week.

More than two in five say they're able to set their own hours, with around three-quarters also setting their own rates. Nearly as many (70%) claim to be earning more than they were in full-time roles as a result.

ChatGPT was found to be the most popular tool (70%), with Google (38%), Gemini (33%) and Microsoft Copilot (24%) also widely used.

Despite the considerable boosts, a significant proportion of freelancers (36%) expressed concerns that AI could eventually automate parts of their role.

Fiverr also explored the shift away from traditional workers, revealing that most businesses (87%) plan to hire freelancers up to 10 times in the next six months. Two in five UK businesses claim to be using more freelancers in 2025 than ever before, with companies saving on average £33,000 per month by favoring freelancers over in-house employees.

However, with the added flexibility come increased financial complications – more than half (55%) stated that current tax laws deter businesses from hiring freelancers, and only two in five (39%) freelancers feel supported by the government.

Reduced worker protections and rights have also caused freelancers to have to consider diversifying their income – 70% now have more than two.

Looking ahead, there's a clear need for some readjustments to be made to accommodate the shifting worker patterns.

Fiverr UK Country Manager Michele Tropeano summarized: "Portfolio careers are moving mainstream and becoming the backbone of the UK workforce."

"To truly harness this potential, we need modern policies and systems that support this new way of working, not hold it back."

You might also like

• Check out the best freelance websites
• Struggling to put pen to paper? These are the best AI writers
• AI usage for workers is skyrocketing – and its actually doing everything it promised

When it comes to backups, IT leaders often only focus on data recovery, but in today’s cyber threat landscape, simply having a backup isn’t enough. It is also critical to ensure that backups go along with proactive planning, with protection strategies to ensure the organization can quickly respond to issues and restore data in the event of an incident.

Ransomware attacks, insider threats, and platform over-utilization can cripple IT environments before a backup is even needed. Often, the damage is already done by the time data loss or system failures are detected.

That’s why modern enterprises need more than just data backup. They need cyber-resilient storage, meaning their data security is proactive and self-defending, thanks to AI analysis taking place in the background.

AI-powered backup & storage: The new standard for cyber-resilience

A backup and storage solution that works in conjunction with AI doesn’t just protect data - it predicts, alerts, and responds to threats before they escalate. Instead of simply reacting after an attack or failure, an AI-powered system can detect anomalies in real time and spot suspicious activity before ransomware encrypts files.

Additionally, it lets you monitor platform utilization, preventing performance slowdowns due to storage overuse, high user activity, or degraded hardware. You get proactive security alerts, identifying vulnerabilities (such as CVEs, misconfigurations and unauthorized access attempts) before they are exploited.

And lastly, it ensures compliance and audit readiness, tracking backup integrity, storage trends, and policy violations with automated reporting.

The end result is faster threat response, minimized downtime, and a smarter, more resilient backup strategy.

Anomaly detection: Catching threats before they strike

Ransomware doesn’t strike instantly, but instead, it moves silently, encrypting files over time. In these situations, traditional backup solutions only help after an attack.

However, with AI-powered anomaly detection, you can monitor for unusual storage access patterns or anomalous actions (such as the sudden encryption of multiple files). You can detect repeated, unauthorized or irregular access attempts before data exfiltration occurs.

So following this new intelligence, you can alert IT teams to irregular user behaviors that indicate insider threats. With AI-powered alerting, you can stop ransomware before it spreads, ensuring backup systems aren’t just recovery tools, but active defense layers.

How intelligent storage utilization prevents performance bottlenecks

Data storage isn’t infinite, yet many enterprises don’t have any real-time visibility into utilization issues. AI-driven monitoring can detect a number of critical performance bottlenecks. This includes when storage is nearing capacity before it impacts applications.

It highlights performance tiers that slow critical workloads. And it will notify you of sudden spikes in storage consumption that might indicate runaway processes or security breaches.

With storage analytics, IT teams can optimize resources proactively, avoiding downtime caused by storage exhaustion or performance degradation.

Security alerting: closing the gap on vulnerabilities

Backup data is a prime target for attackers - yet many storage environments lack real-time security intelligence. AI-powered storage protection can identify misconfigurations that expose backup data to unauthorized access, as well as alerting about known security vulnerabilities (CVEs) before they can be exploited. It will also flag suspicious user behavior, such as unusual restore requests or mass deletions.

AI-powered security alerting closes gaps in backup security, ensuring storage remains resilient against both external and internal threats.

Automated compliance & policy enforcement

Data compliance isn’t just about having backups - it’s about ensuring they meet retention, encryption, and audit requirements. AI-driven policy enforcement ensures that data retention policies align with GDPR, HIPAA, and industry regulations.

Additionally, it ensures backup integrity is continuously verified to prevent silent corruption, and that automated reporting can provide auditors with real-time insights into storage security and compliance.

It means enterprises can avoid costly fines and compliance violations by ensuring their backups meet regulatory mandates without manual intervention.

Cyber-resilience in action: AI and backup mean a smarter future

A truly cyber-resilient storage solution doesn’t just store data - it monitors, protects, and alerts IT teams to potential issues before they become disasters.

With AI-powered backup and storage intelligence, enterprises can detect ransomware before encryption spreads. It helps them optimize storage performance before over utilization slows systems. It means they can identify security risks before backups are compromised, as well as compliance reporting before auditors come knocking.

This is the future of cyber-resilient storage—and it’s the backup strategy that enterprises need to prioritize. AI-powered cyber-resilience is a way to level up, not merely back up your data storage.

While traditional backup is reactive, AI-powered backup is proactive. Enterprises need storage that doesn’t just save data but instead, defends it. The best backup is the one that stops disasters before they happen. AI-powered analytics means your backup strategy is built for resilience rather than just recovery.

We list the best malware removal .

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

We are living through one of the most significant shifts in retail point-of-sale (POS) technology since the introduction of the chip-and-PIN terminal.

After years of relying on rubber-buttoned, specialist PEDs (PIN Entry Devices) from manufacturers like Ingenico and Verifone, the retail sector is now embracing generic Android devices that accept payments using downloadable software.

This shift is more than a change in hardware—it’s a full-blown operating system revolution. But as Android becomes increasingly embedded in our in-store shopping experiences, a bigger question looms: are we handing over control of this multi-billion-dollar ecosystem to a single platform? Is Android now the new kingmaker in retail POS?

From Proprietary Hardware to Programmable Platforms

Until recently, the POS hardware market was tightly controlled. Devices ran customized versions of Linux, and software applications were typically monolithic, expensive to build, and hard to update. Developing or modifying software on these systems required specialist engineering skills, long certification cycles, and intimate knowledge of closed systems.

Innovation under this model was stifled. Only the boldest players attempted to build their own apps for PEDs—and many failed. As a result, the pace of progress in in-store payment gateways lagged behind online and mobile commerce, where new features and updates could be deployed instantly.

That legacy model is now crumbling. Android, originally developed for smartphones, is increasingly used to power POS devices that are more flexible, easier to develop for, and significantly cheaper to deploy. This has paved the way for a new era of programmable retail terminals that run on open platforms and offer the same agility as app-based ecosystems.

The Rise of Android POS

Over the past 18 months, we’ve seen a surge in software-only payment services from major fintech players. Stripe introduced its Stripe Reader S700, which not only processes payments but also runs custom business apps, giving merchants the ability to fully customize the checkout experience. Revolut has also launched its own Android-based retail POS terminal designed for high-speed environments.

This shift is being driven by Android’s flexibility. The OS runs on everything from ruggedized tablets used in queue-busting or pay-at-table scenarios to consumer-grade phones used by mobile merchants. Android has already displaced Windows-based till systems in many cafes, bars, and restaurants due to its lower cost and broader developer base.

This transformation isn’t limited to startups or small merchants. Large-scale retailers and payment providers are building their own custom apps using Android, allowing them to tailor checkout flows to their exact operational needs. At the same time, the smallest merchants—like plumbers or stallholders—can now download a basic Android app to accept payments on their personal phones, with no extra hardware required.

Projections suggest this is only the beginning. The global Android POS market was valued at $7 billion in 2024 and is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 29.4%, reaching over $71 billion by 2033. The low licensing costs, massive developer pool, and ability to create customized hardware configurations all make Android the preferred choice over Apple or Windows alternatives in the retail world.

Specialist SaaS providers like Toast are already bundling Android devices with vertical-specific software tailored to restaurants, and other niche segments. As Android continues to expand its footprint, its influence on the hardware ecosystem is undeniable.

But Who Really Holds the Power?

Despite Android’s rapid ascent, the notion that it is becoming the “kingmaker” in POS is flawed. In reality, merchants aren’t choosing operating systems—they’re choosing the SaaS platforms that best meet their business needs. These platforms, not the OS, will ultimately determine which hardware gets deployed, how app stores are curated, and how secure the payment environment is.

Android simply enables more flexibility. It gives SaaS providers the tools to innovate—whether by enabling tap-to-pay on a handheld device or deploying self-checkout kiosks in fast food restaurants. The OS is the enabler, but the strategic control lies with the platform operators.

What we are witnessing is the fragmentation of the POS landscape into a marketplace of thousands of SaaS providers, each making their own decisions about hardware, app design, and consumer experience. These platforms vary not just by country or language, but by sector. A fast-fashion retailer and a sports store may both sell clothes, but the software they use to manage inventory, payments, and loyalty programs can be vastly different.

This market diversity means that no single OS—Android included—can dictate how the retail world functions. The analogy to Nokia’s decline is striking. Just as Android and Apple reshaped the smartphone industry by empowering app developers and creating open ecosystems, they are now unlocking similar creativity and value in physical retail.

What follows could be a renaissance in the in-store experience. With open systems and software-based interfaces, retailers are no longer tied to generic, inflexible terminals. They can experiment, personalize, and streamline—making checkout faster, more intuitive, and more aligned to their brand.

Android Is the Platform, Not the Power

Android is clearly becoming the operating system of choice for the next generation of POS devices. Its versatility, affordability, and openness make it a natural successor to the locked-down Linux boxes of the past. But that doesn’t mean Android is the new kingmaker.

The real power will lie with the SaaS platforms that orchestrate the entire merchant experience—from inventory and customer engagement to payments and reporting. These platforms are the new center of gravity in retail, and they will continue to shape how we shop in-store.

So yes, Android may well be the plumbing of the new POS world—but it’s the platforms that will design the taps.

We list the best POS system for restaurants and bars. We've also listed the best pizza restaurant POS system.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Many companies, including some of the UK’s largest banks, major retailers, and government departments, are still grappling with the fallout from legacy software. Compatibility issues and security risks tied to aging platforms remain widespread. This familiar pattern means migration projects are often postponed until the last minute, increasing the risk of costly disruptions and avoidable security vulnerabilities.

Microsoft’s decision to end support for Microsoft Teams Classic on 1st July is more than just a routine update deadline; it represents a critical juncture for enterprise IT teams. For many organizations, this is a firm cutoff with serious operational and security implications.

Stopgap measures bring their own challenges

The impact of these delays is already evident. Many enterprises are paying for Extended Security Updates (ESUs) to buy extra time, while others are accelerating hardware refresh cycles, replacing laptops and desktops earlier than planned just to keep pace. Yet these stopgap measures bring their own challenges. Rushed rollouts often trigger user frustration, operational hiccups, and technical setbacks, complicating what should be a straightforward upgrade.

Security concerns are particularly acute. Recent breaches at major UK retailers such as Marks & Spencer and the Co-op were directly linked to weaknesses in legacy systems. These incidents underline a stark reality that running unsupported software is a liability that can have serious consequences for both security and reputation.

Windows 10 complications

The October deadline for Windows 10 support compounds the challenge. While Microsoft will continue offering paid ESUs for Windows 10, these only provide a temporary patch rather than a long-term solution. Organizations relying on extended support risk developing a false sense of security. Without a full platform upgrade, vulnerabilities pile up, documentation becomes obsolete, and the loss of staff familiar with legacy systems makes future migrations more complex and expensive.

For IT teams facing the double challenge of migrating both Teams and Windows 10 within months, the situation is stressful. Budgets are tight, resources limited, and the window to complete a compliant and smooth transition is rapidly closing.

Often, delaying migration comes down to competing priorities, constrained budgets, and a lack of clear understanding about how legacy systems interact with current business processes. Legacy environments are typically poorly documented, and over time, institutional knowledge is lost as experienced staff leave. This makes migration projects time-consuming and costly, not only in terms of software upgrades but also in mapping the impact on security and compliance.

Postponing these migrations carries hidden costs too. Every month that passes increases the risk of security breaches, operational failures, and regulatory penalties. Delaying upgrades becomes an increasingly risky gamble.

Successfully navigating this challenge

Successfully navigating this challenge demands urgent action and careful planning. One lesson from past migrations is clear in that scheduling rollouts thoughtfully and having robust rollback alternatives in place are crucial to minimize disruption. The old adage “plan for success but prepare for failure” rings especially true here. Working closely with users throughout the process helps manage expectations and surface issues early on.

Another key priority is capturing institutional knowledge before critical staff move on. Documenting legacy configurations, workflows, and vendor agreements is vital to maintain continuity and enable effective troubleshooting during migration. Testing compatibility thoroughly in controlled environments is also crucial to spot potential problems before they affect users. Planning phased rollouts with clear fallback procedures helps manage risk and keeps disruptions to a minimum.

At the same time, clear communication and user training can’t be overlooked. Engaging with end users early reduces resistance and confusion, helping teams adapt smoothly to the new platform without unnecessary setbacks.

End of support

The end of Teams Classic support should serve as a clear warning that last-minute fixes and reliance on extended support aren’t sustainable. In an era where digital transformation and cyber threats are accelerating, organizations need to take control of their technology lifecycles. Early, comprehensive planning combined with cross-team collaboration is the only way to ensure timely migration while maintaining security and operational stability.

Those organizations that act now will not only meet critical deadlines but will also reduce risks and build resilience for the future. For those that continue to delay, the risks of costly disruptions, breaches, and compliance failures will only grow.

With time running out on both Teams Classic and Windows 10 support, the path forward requires decisive, well-coordinated action to safeguard security and prepare organizations for the challenges ahead.

We've compiled a list of the best patch management software.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for June 30.

Here are hints -- and the answer -- for today's Wordle for June 30, No. 1,472.

Here are hints -- and answers -- for the NYT Strands puzzle for June 30, No. 484.

Here are some hints -- and the answers -- for the NYT Connections puzzle for June 30, #750.

Here are hints -- and the answers -- for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for June 30, No. 280.

I wouldn't call myself a flashy person, but when it comes to smart lighting, I'm prepared to go all-out. In my home, I'm using everything from standing lamps like Philips Hue's Signe gradient lamp and TV backlight to the Govee Table Lamp 2 to give my home lighting some pizzazz.

Until recently, my setup included my beloved Nanoleaf black hexagon wall panels, which served both as traditional and immersive smart lighting when hooked up to my PC via the Nanoleaf Desktop app, in addition to the remote controls afforded by the mobile app. Unfortunately, my new digs don't afford me the wallspace for these, so I was excited to see if Nanoleaf's latest gaming release, the Pegboard Desk Dock, would suitably fill the RGB-shaped void in my life.

Would that it were so simple.

I didn't peg you as a quitter

I'm in the throes of reviewing Nanoleaf's Pegboard Desk Dock, so this is far from a final verdict, but my early impressions tell a cautionary tale for all immersive lighting enthusiasts. This 3-in-1 smart light and desktop combo is an awesome concept; smartly designed, arriving with four hooks each, which can be arranged on the Pegboard to hold your gaming controllers, handheld PCs, and headsets. If you'd rather just have the Pegboard as a display piece, you can easily pull it out of the base and turn it around to show the rear light panel.

For me, this was a dream product. I'm always looking for ways to optimize my desk space, especially since I downsized when moving home, and I love Nanoleaf's wider range of smart lights.

So, after eagerly unboxing and setting up my new lights, I was eager to see my new setup in all its glory. Just watching the lights cycle through the colors of the rainbow before I'd even paired them with Nanoleaf's software was exciting enough.

Unlike many of Nanoleaf's other products, however, the Pegboard can't be added to the Nanoleaf mobile app; it works exclusively within the Nanoleaf Desktop app, and that's where my first problem came in.

While the lights' basic settings worked just fine when unpaired, as soon as I connected them to the app and tried to change their color output, they ceased to function, flashing on and off sporadically, rejecting any peripherals I plugged into the base and intermittently appearing as "Unreachable" within the Nanoleaf app.

I'd thought it was perhaps because they needed more power, so I plugged in my power supply; no joy. The software also offers little troubleshooting for the problem, and with everything running smoothly until the point I tried to pair them, I've come up short trying to fix them myself. I've yet to contact Nanoleaf about the issue, which I'll surely do before I give my final verdict, and I'm more than certain that a resolution exists; however, my experience paints a broader picture of immersive smart home lighting challenges.

(Image credit: Future)Bigger fish to fry

I don't relish bemoaning the woeful state of smart home interoperability once again. The simple fact is, it's everyone's biggest problem, and that's not exclusive to smart lighting for the home; any smart home brand taking the walled garden approach, of which there are many, earns my ire in the age of Matter compatibility.

Gaming lights, in particular, suffer. On my gaming laptop, I've got a plethora of RGB and smart light controlling apps; Logitech G Hub, HyperX NGENUITY, Corsair iCUE, Razer Chroma, and Nanoleaf being the ones I used for this setup.

Now, some of these play nice with each other; namely, Nanoleaf links up to both Corsair iCUE and Razer Chroma, but that still leaves half of my peripherals setup disconnected. You're also at the mercy of software updates, which, especially if you use a hub app with multiple platforms connected to it, can make or break your setup.

There's also the non-small issue of the software itself. Running these background apps, especially if you aren't able to whittle them down by integrating different platforms, can use a fair bit of CPU and RAM. Especially if you're playing on a more lightweight machine, that can end up being pretty detrimental for high-stakes gaming.

Not all hope is lost when it comes to immersive smart lighting, though. Software like SignalRGB and OpenRGB goes a long way to mitigate compatibility problems, even if these are far from perfect. Still, things are heading in the right direction, just at a glacial pace – and if smart light makers want to light up the lives of gamers the world over, that will need to change to keep up with the sophisticated interfaces and experiences we're used to from our tech.

Even when it comes to immersive lighting for the TV, you can bet things are never simple. Screen extending lighting is increasingly popular, yet your options these days are limited; splurge on a pricey Philips Ambilight TV, opt for the still-pricey Hue light strip and sync box (which requires HDMI input and thus won't work with cable TV or built-in Smart TV software) or opt for a product like Nanoleaf 4D or Govee Ambient TV backlight, which points a camera at your screen to detect the action, will invariably have some small input lag.

My best advice? Stick with as many products from one light maker as possible, and for PC gaming, that will, in all likelihood, be a peripherals manufacturer with more focus on the RGB than the smart lighting of it all.

Want to start your own smart lighting setup? Shop my favorites below!

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• More Nothing Headphone 1 details emerge
• The headphones could offer extended battery life
• We may see the product launch during July

We know that a new Nothing Headphone 1 audio product is on the way, because Nothing has told us so, but as yet we don't have too much official information about these over-ear headphones – though a fresh leak may have just plugged that particular knowledge gap.

According to tipster Yogesh Brar and Android Headlines, the Nothing Headphone 1 (yes, headphone in the singular) is going to weigh in at 329 grams. That compares to 254 grams for the Sony WH-1000XM6, and 385 grams for the Apple AirPods Max.

The headphones are tipped to come with 40 mm dynamic drivers, manufactured in partnership with high-end British audio company KEF (a detail previously teased by Nothing itself). Adaptive bass enhancement and spatial audio are apparently included.

These leaked details suggest the Nothing Headphone 1 will come with adaptive noise cancelling (ANC) technology, challenging our best noise cancelling headphones list with up to 42 dB in volume and with a 2000 Hz frequency range.

Battery boost

Nothing Headphone 1 looks and feels premium..Plenty of buttons, plush cushioning, & nifty carry case...like the color matching as well.Can be a hit if they manage to price it under Rs 20k..Want to see a quick hands-on??June 28, 2025

There are also a lot of battery details here. The headphones are said to pack a battery with a 1,040 mAh capacity – that's difficult to compare with other products, because most devices in this category list battery life rather than battery capacity.

Using the AAC codec, the Nothing Headphone 1 will apparently be good for 80 hours of playback with ANC off, and 35 hours with ANC on, both of which are impressive figures compared to the competition. We'll have to see if they hold up in testing.

A 5-minute charge is going to be enough for 5 hours of playback with ANC off and 2.4 hours of playback with ANC on, according to the leak – so even if you can only charge them for a little while before you head out, they should last.

All of which makes us more excited to actually see and try out these headphones. It seems very likely they'll launch alongside the Nothing Phone 3, which is definitely arriving sometime in July, and may indeed show up on the first day of the month.

You might also like

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• Colorful Smart 900 mini PC delivers AI-driven performance with 16-core Ryzen processor
• Another Strix Halo device from a smaller brand while Dell, Asus, MSI remain absent
• It's built for creators needing fast graphics, SD card access, and a good range of ports

The Ryzen AI Max+ 395 is AMD’s flagship AI APU, offering strong performance for creative tasks, AI workloads, and gaming. A number of PC makers have already built mobile workstations around it, and the lesser-known Colorful is the latest to join the list with its new Smart 900.

This mini PC combines high-end specs with a bold, industrial design that wouldn’t seem out of place in Alienware’s lineup, and makes you wonder why Dell (and Asus and MSI for that matter) still haven’t yet released anything built around AMD's powerful new chip.

Developed on Zen 5 architecture, the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 ‘Strix Halo’ APU is a 16-core chip with 32 threads and a turbo clock up to 5.1GHz. It features a 50 TOPS NPU for AI tasks and Radeon 8060S graphics with RDNA 3.5 architecture.

It even has a SD 4.0 card slot

The GPU includes 40 compute units, offering competitive power for creative tasks, 3D workloads, and machine learning.

The Smart 900 supports LPDDR5 memory at 8000MHz (we’d imagine up to 128GB, but nothing has been confirmed) and includes two PCIe 4.0 SSD slots. That combination means fast read-write speeds and strong multitasking, making it a solid choice for editing, modeling, and running local inference.

For creators and media professionals, it includes a rare bonus - an SD 4.0 card slot on the front panel, allowing for quick media transfers without needing an adapter.

On the front, users get two USB 3.2 ports, one USB 4.0 Type-C, and the SD slot. On the rear are additional USB 2.0 and 3.2 ports, another USB 4.0 Type-C, HDMI 2.1, and DisplayPort 1.4.

Bluetooth support covers versions 4.2 through 5.2, and networking includes Wi-Fi 7 and 2.5Gbps Ethernet.

The case itself uses anodized aluminum and has a 4-liter footprint. It should fit nicely in professional or home environments without appearing basic or bulky, and the design makes it look like a massive exclamation point - and what's not to love about that?

There's no word on pricing or even a concrete release date yet, but we do know it will be available globally upon launch - so stay tuned for more details hopefully coming soon.

You may also like

• Check out our list of the best workstations for any budget
• And these are the best business laptops you can buy right now
• Minisforum's NAS packs a Ryzen AI HX 370, up to 96GB RAM and 154TB storage

Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, June 29 (game #1252).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1253) - hint #1 - VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 5*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1253) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 0.

Quordle today (game #1253) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1253) - hint #4 - starting letters (1)Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 2.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1253) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• I

• I

• T

• C

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1253) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1253, are…

• INGOT
• INFER
• TAPIR
• CLUED

A rare outing for all five vowels on a day on which I was gifted a couple of words – CLUED and INGOT – after my starter words came up trumps.

However, I made the wrong decision with INFER, thinking that there would be a double letter and guessing INNER instead.

Despite missing out on a clean run, I'm pretty pleased that I remembered TAPIR – the wonderful pig-like creature with a prehensile snout.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Daily Sequence today (game #1253) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1253, are…

• DEMON
• CLICK
• AUGUR
• RUPEE

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1252, Sunday, 29 June: MIRTH, APTLY, SCRUB, SMACK
• Quordle #1251, Saturday, 28 June: AWOKE, SMOKY, DEVIL, SWING
• Quordle #1250, Friday, 27 June: SPEAK, EAGLE, AVERT, SUING
• Quordle #1249, Thursday, 26 June: SLUMP, REBUS, GUAVA, MONEY
• Quordle #1248, Wednesday, 25 June: SOGGY, CLASH, MODEM, SQUAD
• Quordle #1247, Tuesday, 24 June: QUALM, SQUIB, AXIAL, FLACK
• Quordle #1246, Monday, 23 June: PIXEL, FJORD, STEAL, EXIST
• Quordle #1245, Sunday, 22 June: WREST, CRAZE, PAPAL, SCION
• Quordle #1244, Saturday, 21 June: BUDDY, GROUT, BEGIN, MADAM
• Quordle #1243, Friday, 20 June: BRAID, DULLY, HASTE, LURID
• Quordle #1242, Thursday, 19 June: BRUSH, ISLET, FRUIT, PRIVY
• Quordle #1241, Wednesday, 18 June: MEDIA, SHARK, GUPPY, MOURN
• Quordle #1240, Tuesday, 17 June: LEAPT, PRISM, ADMIN, WHINE
• Quordle #1239, Monday, 16 June: RETRY, SCALD, DINGO, FEIGN
• Quordle #1238, Sunday, 15 June: SHOCK, STEIN, BROIL, COVEN
• Quordle #1237, Saturday, 14 June: STICK, FERRY, THESE, IONIC
• Quordle #1236, Friday, 13 June: REPEL, LARGE, SNIDE, CARRY
• Quordle #1235, Thursday, 12 June: SCANT, BATCH, UNDER, PARSE
• Quordle #1234, Wednesday, 11 June: CRAVE, ROOST, ANGLE, FLOOD
• Quordle #1233, Tuesday, 10 June: DECRY, CHEEK, FILET, EASEL

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, June 29 (game #749).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #750) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• AIRPLANE
• HIGHWAY
• ROLLER COASTER
• BRIDGE
• VELVET
• CROWN
• NFL PLAYER
• CIRCUS
• WHIRLWIND
• DRIVE
• HOT TUB NOZZLE
• FILLING
• BLACK
• VENEER
• SOAP OPERA
• PEAKS

NYT Connections today (game #750) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Orthodontics
• GREEN: Life is a cabaret
• BLUE: Partial film names
• PURPLE: Also a gang member in West Side Story

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #750) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: DENTAL ADDITIONS 
• GREEN: METAPHORS FOR A DRAMATIC AND CHAOTIC EVENT 
• BLUE: SECOND WORDS IN DAVID LYNCH TITLES 
• PURPLE: WHAT "JET" MIGHT REFER TO 

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #750) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #750, are…

• YELLOW: DENTAL ADDITIONS BRIDGE, CROWN, FILLING, VENEER
• GREEN: METAPHORS FOR A DRAMATIC AND CHAOTIC EVENT CIRCUS, ROLLER COASTER, SOAP OPERA, WHIRLWIND
• BLUE: SECOND WORDS IN DAVID LYNCH TITLES DRIVE, HIGHWAY, PEAKS, VELVET
• PURPLE: WHAT "JET" MIGHT REFER TO AIRPLANE, BLACK, HOT TUB NOZZLE, NFL PLAYER

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

Having spent a small fortune on all the DENTAL ADDITIONS here I really should have got the yellow group more quickly.

Instead, my eyes were drawn to the words PEAKS and VELVET – which will always be associated with Twin [Peaks] and Blue [Velvet], two of the works by the late and very great David Lynch.

For the record, the other films included in SECOND WORDS IN DAVID LYNCH TITLES are Mullholland DRIVE and Lost HIGHWAY. 

METAPHORS FOR A DRAMATIC AND CHAOTIC EVENT was an equally easy spot. Just as well, as I would have struggled for hours to find the link between an NFL PLAYER and a HOT TUB NOZZLE. Congratulations if you did.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Sunday, June 29, game #749)

• YELLOW: ICE CREAM TREATS FLOAT, SHAKE, SPLIT, SUNDAE
• GREEN: FLINCH BOLT, JERK, JUMP, STARTLE
• BLUE: DANCE MOVES CABBAGE PATCH, FLOSS, MOONWALK, ROBOT
• PURPLE: SEEN IN THE AFTERMATH OF A RAINSTORM EARTHWORM, MUD, MUSHROOM, PUDDLE

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.