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The summer home of ousted leader Bashar al-Assad was once off-limits to ordinary Syrians. Now people are lining up to visit and wandering around the rooms — which are empty after being looted.

(Image credit: Ayman Oghanna for NPR)

Only four teams remain in the hunt for the Super Bowl — the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders — but there are plenty of narratives to go around.

(Image credit: Richard Heathcote)

• Scientists at US Department of Energy explore concept of an "Exocortex"
• It is pitched as an extension of the scientist's brain with a word-based HCI
• It is uncharted territory as one member of the team puts it

AI is already a big part of our lives, shaping healthcare, transportation, education, customer service, retail, and creative industries, to give just a few examples.

Researchers at the US Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory are currently exploring the concept of a science "exocortex," the integration of artificial intelligence with human cognitive capabilities, viewed as an extension of the scientist's brain.

The idea is to increase the cognitive abilities of researchers by providing a bridge between the human mind and a network of AI agents.

It will require a community

Kevin Yager, Electronic Nanomaterials Group leader at the Center for Functional Nanomaterials (CFN), detailed the idea in Digital Discovery. The proposed exocortex is certainly ambitious in its scope, aiming to streamline specific research tasks through a swarm of inter-communicating agents.

Each AI agent would specialize in particular tasks - be it handling scientific literature, orchestrating experiments, or data synthesis - and their collective behavior could offer a synergy that significantly extends the cognitive reach of human scientists.

The exocortex could also aid scientific inspiration and imagination by leaning into hallucinations.

As Yager explains, "Although hallucinations are generally undesirable, their existence is intrinsic, and there is a tradeoff between hallucinations and creativity. In other words, some amount of hallucination is desirable to enhance creativity and communication. More broadly, evaluations of LLM creativity suggest that they can generate outputs that are non-trivially novel and useful to humans."

This vision is not without its challenges, naturally enough, and will require further advancements in AI, particularly in terms of reliability and efficiency across highly technical domains.

Yager says, “Research is required to determine how best to exploit LLMs to generate agentic modules that can perform tasks autonomously (over short timescales) by iterating on a problem.”

The development of a seamless word-based human-computer interface (HCI) will also be needed to make these interactions feel like natural extensions of the human thought process.

While still in a speculative stage, the concept of an exocortex feels like a natural evolution for AI.

As Yager says, “Interaction between a swarm of AI agents - each responsible for intelligently mediating access to a suite of research capabilities - and a human researcher should lead to the emergence of enhanced human capabilities. By expanding the researcher's intelligence into the exocortex, the researcher can accomplish more, as they are able to intuitively and seamlessly weave myriad physical, computational, and cognitive systems into their intellectual work.”

In an article on Tech Xplore, written by some of his colleagues, Yager issues a call to arms, stating: "We're entering unchartered territory with tremendous potential benefits for nanoscience and beyond. But no one person can do it alone. We need a community."

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Once the bargain alternative to pricey cable and satellite packages, the streaming landscape continues to grow in size – and cost. While some of the best streaming services continue to hike their prices, we’ve got your back, giving you the latest scoop on which service you can expect to pay more for in future.

Read below to find out which streamers are charging more in 2025 so far. And while it may seem like keeping up with your favorite shows is getting increasingly costly, you could always check out the best free streaming services out there, which will offer you a wealth of content for nada. Make sure to also check the best streaming deals in 2025 to save on your next subscription bill.

The biggest streamer to announce things were getting pricier in 2025 was Netflix. The streaming giant announced on January 22 that it was raising prices, with the company stating: “As we continue to invest in programming and deliver more value for our members, we will occasionally ask our members to pay a little more so that we can re-invest to further improve Netflix.” It should be noted, at time of writing, the price increases only apply to subscribers in Argentina, Portugal and North America.

This means that in the US, the standard ad-supported plan will now cost subscribers $7.99, $1 more than it did previously. Standard without ads is up a buck and a half, now costing $17.99 while the premium tier is now $24.99, a $2 increase. If the price increase has you debating whether to keep the service, our list of the best Netflix movies and best Netflix shows might help your decision.

The other streamer already increasing its prices this year is Discovery Plus, with things set to get a little bit more expensive for US subscribers. The hike went into effect on January 7 for news subscribers, with Discovery saying it would renew at the new rates for existing customers “on your first billing date on or after February 7, 2025.”

Discovery Plus currently offers two tiers, both of which have increased by $1, with the ad-supported plan now $5.99, while it’s $9.99 to go ad-free. Of course, most of Discovery Plus’ content can also be accessed through Warner Bros. Discovery’s flagship streamer Max – which is due to receive a global rollout in 2025 – and with plenty of new content arriving on Max in February, consumers may begin wondering whether to keep the stand alone streamer at all.

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OK, cool, now finish The Winds of Winter.

There's a wide range of speeds, price and bundles when it comes to internet service providers in Los Angeles. Here are the best as chosen by our CNET experts.

Galentine's Day is the perfect time to show your besties just how much you appreciate their friendship. Make your friends feel extra special with a few thoughtful gifts curated toward their interests.

Enable these three anti-theft features on your Android phone right now. They’ll keep your sensitive info private if attackers steal your device while it’s unlocked.

Canon EOS R1: two-minute review

The Canon EOS R1 follows design conventions passed down from professional high-speed DSLR cameras, such as the EOS 1D X Mark III, in that it also features a built-in vertical grip and high-capacity batteries for extended shooting times, complete with seriously impressive high-speed shooting capabilities. If you want a no holds barred camera for sports and wildlife photography, this is the speediest Canon camera on offer.

Its flagship features, functionality and performance excel for the rigors of pro press photography – the few that might actually be able to afford the EOS R1's eye-watering price tag will consequently be equipped for demanding jobs with one of the best Canon cameras currently available.

(Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)

The camera sports a 24.2MP full-frame BSI stacked CMOS sensor and can capture photos at up to an incredible 40fps, plus 6K raw video at up to 60fps. There's also a slew of useful features including the ability to capture bursts of JPEGs while shooting Full HD video, but we'll cover those in more detail later.

Autofocus is fast and accurate with up to 4,368 AF points depending on the AF mode selected, and the in-body image stabilization (IBIS) is amazing and highly effective, so you can rest assured you have a camera that works for you. The biggest issue with the EOS R1 is the cost, which will put it out of the reach of many photographers, and it's certainly more camera than any enthusiast could ever need.

Canon EOS R1: price and release date

• Expensive at $6,299 / £6,999 / AU$10,499
• Body only with no kit options
• Available now

The EOS R1 was announced in July 2024 and is available now with a body-only price of $6,299 / £6,999 / AU$10,499. This is, of course, expensive, and will put the camera out of the reach of even many professional photographers. This is a similar price, however, to the EOS 1D X Mark III – the quickest DSLR ever made – so with inflation that's pretty impressive.

As a camera designed for professional photographers, some of whom will inevitably be EOS 1D X Mark III owners, the EOS R1 works incredibly well with adapted EF DSLR lenses. For professionals with plenty of expensive EF L-series glass, this softens the financial blow because they can be confident that they won't have to upgrade all of their glass to RF lenses all at once.

Naturally, using native lenses will be preferable to most photographers, but the ability to only need to do this as and when the natural upgrade cycle completes is incredibly useful. Even professionals, who spend more on photo kit than the average enthusiast will appreciate this.

• Price score: 3.5/5

Canon EOS R1: specs Canon EOS R1: design and handling

• Built-in vertical grip mirrors the camera's regular control layout
• Versatile articulating LCD screen
• Generously large viewfinder is easy to use

In terms of the overall design, the EOS R1 looks every inch a professional camera thanks to its built-in vertical grip for horizontal and vertical shooting. There are dual CF Express Type B card slots on one side of the camera, while on the other you'll find the physical ports which include USB-C, Ethernet, HDMI, mic, headphones and PC sync for flash. The EOS R1 also offers Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity.

Surprisingly, the EOS R1 isn't overly cumbersome despite its large and hefty size – that's 6.2 x 5.88 x 3.43in / 157.6 x 149.5 x 87.3mm with a weight of 2.7lbs / 1,115g, including a battery and memory card (but no lens), which is largely thanks to the well-contoured vertical and horizontal grips, plus the new camera coating that provides a secure grip. The camera also balances well with both smaller lenses and larger telephotos. Overall build quality is excellent as you'd expect for a professional camera.

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One of the immediate differences you notice when compared to mid-range cameras such as the EOS R6 Mark II, and even the EOS R5 Mark II, is the sheer number of direct access controls on offer. The AF-ON button serves a dual purpose in that it offers two programmable functions with the sensor in the center allowing you to use swipe actions with your thumb to move around zoomed images or to adjust autofocus, for example – it's a slick design feature.

Having many direct access controls is standard for high-end professional cameras like the EOS R1, because you don't want to otherwise be scrolling through menus to find and make adjustments when in fast-paced shooting environments. Also, many controls are duplicated on the vertical grip so you can enjoy the same level of convenience and comfort when shooting in both formats.

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On the rear, you'll find the 2.1m-dot 3.2-inch articulating touchscreen which is useful because it can be positioned in many ways. But it's the generously large, almost cinema-like, 9.44m-dot viewfinder that truly caught my eye. Not only is the viewfinder window large, but so too is the immersive EVF screen itself.

The EOS R1's menu system is intuitive and easy to navigate, but like most cameras these days there are so many options available, including button customization, and so it'll take some time to full familiarize and set up the camera for your shooting needs. Some features do require you to delve into the menu to switch them on or off, despite all of the direct access controls, but this approach is standard for all cameras.

• Design score: 5/5

Canon EOS R1: features and performance

• Dual processors deliver Canon's best-ever speed, including 40fps continuous shooting
• Advanced autofocus with dedicated sports modes and face recognition

The EOS R1 features a new high-speed 24.2MP full-frame BSI stacked CMOS sensor that reduces rolling shutter at the expense of a slight reduction in dynamic range. This reduction certainly wasn't noticed shooting a range of subjects during testing.

The sensor is powered by dual processors: the DIGIC X and the DIGIC Accelerator. These processors allow for large volumes of data, fast image capture, fast AF and produce excellent image quality, as well as facilitating the Deep Learning technologies for in-camera image upscaling and noise reduction.

The EOS R1 is packed with so many features that it's impossible to cover them all, but there are undoubtedly some that stand out from the crowd. The EOS R1 is a camera designed for speed and can capture raw files at up to 40fps with the electronic shutter enabled, or 12fps with the mechanical shutter active. The mechanical shutter extends to 1/8000 sec while the electronic shutter pushes further to a lightning-fast 1/64,000 sec.

(Image credit: James Abbott)

Autofocus is incredible; it's fast, accurate and intelligent in maintaining the EOS R1's focus on speed. During testing when photographing seals on a beach, the subject detection worked flawlessly to identify eyes and faces with near-perfect accuracy, even though obstacles were sometimes present in the frame.

The AF system uses Canon's Dual Pixel Intelligent AF where subjects are accurately tracked, while Canon says it's able to identify faces and bodies. There's also subject detection, which works incredibly well, while cross-type AF makes focusing more precise and effective, even in low light and low contrast situations.

(Image credit: James Abbott)

There's also a new Action Priority mode that according to Canon recognizes movements in basketball, soccer and volleyball while tracking the ball and switching between subjects as the action unfolds. I didn't personally have the opportunity to test Action Priority, but TechRadar's Cameras Editor Tim Coleman did during the camera launch, and the sentiment is that Action priority has game-changing potential for sports photographers.

Then there's eye-control AF, which, as the name suggests, tracks the movement of your eye and where you're looking in the viewfinder as a guide to position the active AF point(s). Eye-control AF has to be configured via the camera menu. Again, Tim Coleman has written a dedicated feature about Eye-control AF.

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Before the basketball game started, I took a portrait of this player and selected him as the player for the EOS R1 to prioritize as the primary subject to focus on. (Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)Image 2 of 3

After doing this, the hit rate of sharply focused photos on the player was virtually perfect. (Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)Image 3 of 3

The EOS R1 is able to do this subject priority trick for up to 10 faces. (Image credit: Future | Tim Coleman)

Another interesting and useful feature is pre-continuous shooting which, when enabled, allows the camera to buffer 20 frames while the shutter button is halfway depressed. When you fully release the shutter button, the buffered frames are also captured to provide a greater hit rate in fast-paced situations when your reactions might not be up to speed.

20 frames equates to half a second of pre-capture when shooting at the maximum frame rate. This is great, of course, but isn’t a feature you'd want to use all of the time because of the sheer number of frames you'd be capturing and needing to edit.

• Features and performance score: 5/5

Canon EOS R1: image and video quality

• Excellent high ISO handling
• AI-powered upscale and noise reduction
• Up to 6K Raw video

EOS R1 images are beautifully sharp, which can in part be attributed to the new low-pass filter that reduces moire and false color alongside maintaining sharp detail. Image quality is excellent with raw files naturally providing the greatest degree of flexibility. JPEGs are also fantastic out of camera which will undoubtedly appeal to press photographers delivering images directly to picture agencies.

JPEG color profiles can be tweaked with custom profiles so photographers can adjust settings such as brightness and contrast. The Standard profile provides great results but images can be further improved using levels to adjust the black and white points in Photoshop. Colors are pleasing and Canon has long been well respected for its color science, so there are no complaints here.

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A feature within the camera is AI-powered upscaling and noise reduction. These are frustratingly only available for JPEGs and the former increases file sizes 4x to 96MP. Fine details are preserved while color and contrast are maintained, but it's a shame that this functionality isn’t available for raw files. Adobe users, however, can take advantage of Super Resolution to increase raw files by the same factor.

Noise reduction certainly works but the closer you get to the maximum ISO within the camera's standard range, the less effective the results are.

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100% crop of the AI upscaled photo to show detail (Image credit: James Abbott)

Video is a major component of the EOS R1 too, with the ability to capture 6K 12-bit raw video in-camera, up to 60fps. 2K and Full HD video can be captured at up to 240fps, while 4K is available up to 120fps. Canon C-Log flat color profiles are also available alongside the ability to capture proxy video to one memory card, with full-resolution files recorded to the other.

This is all just the tip of the iceberg but gives you an idea of what the EOS R1 is capable of. Plus, a video feature that could be useful for hybrid press photographers is the ability to capture Full HD video and 17MP JPEGs at 10fps at the same time when the Dual Shooting function is switched on.

• Image and video quality score: 5/5

Canon EOS R1: testing scorecard Should I buy the Canon EOS R1? Buy it if...

You're a pro sports, wildlife or press photographer
The EOS R1 is aimed squarely at sports, wildlife and press photography, with features and functionality that make image capture and delivery in these situations highly efficient.

You need fast continuous shooting
If a maximum frame rate of 40fps will enhance your photography, alongside pre-capture buffering of 20 frames, the EOS R1 will help you to capture the decisive moment and then some.

You'd like exceptional autofocus
The autofocus system employed by the EOS R1 is excellent and sets a new bar for AF technology when it comes to capturing sharp images of fast-moving subjects in complex situations.

Don't buy it if...

You need a higher resolution
Despite in-camera JPEG upscaling to increase resolution by 400%, the EOS R1's true resolution is 24.2MP, and there are plenty of alternatives that produce higher resolution raw files and excellent image quality.

You don’t require speed
Not all photographers require the level of speed on offer here, such as landscape and portrait photographers. The EOS R1 is also heavy and bulky for landscape photography with more suitable cameras available.

You're not a professional
Of course, anyone with deep pockets can buy the EOS R1, but unless you’re a professional working in specific areas of photography, it's much more camera than you will ever need it to be.

Canon EOS R1: also consider Nikon Z9

The Nikon Z9 is a few years old now but it continues to match flagship cameras from competitors thanks to impressive performance, speed and its 45.7MP sensor. It only uses an electronic shutter, but to fully experience the EOS R1's speed of capture this is the shutter type you have to use in any case.

Read our in-depth Nikon Z9 review

Canon EOS R5 Mark II

The Canon EOS R5 Mark II was launched alongside the EOS R1 and offers many of the same features and functionality in a smaller and less expensive body. What's more, the control layout is similar and the EOS R5 Mark II offers a higher resolution 45MP BSI stacked sensor.

Read our in-depth Canon EOS R5 Mark II

Sony A9 III

Believe it or not, the Canon EOS R1 isn't the out and out fastest camera around – that award goes to the Sony A9 III, a flagship camera for sports that we called 'the high-speed camera to beat'. A true design innovation, the A9 III is the first camera of its kind with a global shutter which, among other things, realizes burst shooting speeds up to 120fps, plus extremely fast shutter and flash sync speeds. It's also Sony's best designed camera yet, though you'll want the optional grip to bulk it out like the EOS R1 when using telephoto lenses.

Read our in-depth Sony A9 III review

How I tested the Canon EOS R1

(Image credit: James Abbott)

• I had the EOS R1 for a couple of weeks, along with three Canon lenses
• I captured a range of subjects, from wildlife to landscapes
• I tested Canon's in-camera Deep Learning features such as upscaling

I mainly tested the Canon EOS R1 for shooting wildlife, but also to capture landscape and night photography, and I had three Canon lenses to choose, including the RF 85mm F1.2L USM and RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM. It might not be the obvious choice for landscape photography, given it is heavy and bulky, but I gave it a go none the lens and it performs exceptionally well in this situation too.

I tested as many features and functions as possible were tested, with my main focus being the speed of the camera's autofocus and continuous burst shooting. It was also important to familiarize myself with the control layout so the camera could be used as if it were my own.

I also tested Canon's in-camera 'Deep Learning' features in order to provide a thorough overview of the camera in terms of professional image capture.

First reviewed January 2025

One of my main complaints concerning Nvidia's RTX 4000-series of graphics isn’t, surprisingly enough, the massive wattage (though that is a legitimate concern) but the pricing. For the past couple of generations, Nvidia has been massively hiking up the cost of its cards, especially its best graphics cards like the RTX 4080. But it's mid-range offerings haven't been spared either. It’s become particularly noticeable with the absence of budget-minded cards to offset this phenomenon.

When rumors for the RTX 50-series began to accelerate, buyers rightfully worried that prices would face a far steeper climb while offering a performance return that didn’t reflect the increase. However, the 50-series received its full announcement at CES 2025 and we now know that the MSRP is shockingly affordable.

The flagship Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090, widely thought to be a Titan due to its incredible specs, is priced at $1,999 / £1,999 / AU$4,039 — while steep, it’s not too far off from the original $1,599 price tag of the RTX 4090. This is especially promising since the rumors all pointed to a price nearly double what it ended up being.

Then there’s the RTX 5080, which is $999 / £939 / AU$2,019, and the RTX 5070 and 5070 Ti with respective retail prices of $549 / £549 / AU$1,509, and $749 / £749 / AU$1,109. The 5080 is $200 cheaper than the RTX 4080 was at launch, and will hopefully have a solid increase in performance to boot.

Most impressively, Nvidia claims that the RTX 5070 will offer comparable performance to the RTX 4090's native performance with some help from DLSS 4, but at around a third of the initial MSRP, while the RTX 5070 Ti will come in at just $150 more with even better performance.

This is also incredibly promising since it is a generational decrease in price, as the RTX 4070 Ti initially retailed for $799, and the RTX 4070 launched at $599.

AMD has been fumbling hard lately

(Image credit: AMD / TechPowerup)

I’ve long complained about how graphics cards need to be made more affordable, and how Intel has been stepping in the right direction with its Intel Arc Battlemage series. Now it feels like Nvidia is finally doing the same, capping overall price increases while lowering the cost of its mid-range offerings somewhat to remain accessible.

This, unfortunately, is in direct opposite of AMD’s current approach. AMD has been known for years as being the more affordable option for cards, balancing solid performance with more competitive price tags. However, some troublesome new reports suggest that the upcoming RDNA 4 cards may miss the mark in terms of pricing.

The RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 don’t currently have official prices (though apparently will be ‘competitive’ with Nvidia), and it’s been officially confirmed that it won’t launch until at least March 2025. This puts Team Red on the back foot as Team Green’s RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5070 will be launching in February 2025 with a healthy MSRP. By the time AMD releases their GPUs, everyone might already have bought new Nvidia cards, or may just opt for the more premium Nvidia offerings if AMD's prices are too close to its competitors.

Even worse, new reports indicate that the RX 7400 and 7300, which would have been new aggressively budget-friendly RDNA 3 options, have been axed in favor of fully supporting RDNA 4. If this turns out to be true, then Team Red is giving up a serious advantage in the market.

Right now, we’re looking at a potentially major upset in terms of better budget options for graphics cards. Nvidia has been at least responsive to complaints about price inflation, while AMD seems rather lost on the GPU front.

It’s a shame too, as it would be more beneficial to consumers to have two giants on an even playing field in order to keep prices low.

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• Nvidia releases stats that prove DLSS and Frame Generation are here to stay - sorry, angry gamers

Protect your home and save money at the same time. This list of budget home security systems will help you do both the right way.

You might assume that tech-savvy people are the most open to using AI, but research suggests it's actually those who are least familiar with it.

NPR's Scott Simon shares the story of the Pasadena Jewish Temper and Center, which burned from the Eaton fire. A mural was concealed behind one of the walls.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Temps soar in Brazil's summer (from December to March). Low-income favelas would benefit from green roofs but there are two problems: Cost. And a typical design that's too heavy for a favela home.

(Image credit: Ian Cheibub for NPR)

Work was underway to remove hundreds of trees blocking roads and railway lines in the wake of the system, named Storm Éowyn by weather authorities.

(Image credit: Brian Lawless)

Spectrum is the best internet provider in Spartanburg. If it isn't available in your area, consider these options.

If your special someone's love language is cooking, you'll want to find them a Valentine's Day gift that reflects their kitchen skills but isn't a boring old pan. To help you out, we've handpicked 28 food-related presents that are unique and useful (and some that are even delicious).

Many residents in Altadena, Calif., evacuated not knowing it would be the last time they would see their homes standing. Their decisions about what possessions to take were rushed — or not made at all.

(Image credit: Ryan Kellman)

• The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is again rumored to use the Exynos 2500
• Samsung's own silicon was missing from the Galaxy S25
• Using the CPU might mean cheaper prices for the foldable

With the Samsung Galaxy S25 launch out of the way, the next Samsung phone launches we can turn our attention to are for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 – and a key spec for the latter handset just leaked out.

According to long-time tipster @Jukanlosreve, Samsung will go with its very own Exynos 2500 processor for the Galaxy Z Flip 7, a processor that isn't being used in any of the Galaxy S25 handsets unveiled a few days ago.

This is something we've heard before, adding extra credibility to the rumor. The tipster lays out the full specifications of the chipset too, including a 10-core cluster, and it looks like an impressive piece of silicon on paper.

As you'll see from our Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review, the 2024 version of the phone came fitted with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset from Qualcomm – and all the Galaxy S25 models are running on Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processors.

Exynos vs the rest

Exynos 2500 specifications for the Z Flip 73.3GHz ARM Cortex-X925 1core2.75GHz ARM Cortex-A725 2core2.36GHz ARM Cortex-A725 5core1.8GHz ARM Cortex-A520 2coreL3 Cache 16MB 9.6Gbps 16bit Quad-Channel LPDDR5X Memory UFS4.x STORAGE 1.3GHz Samsung Xclipse 950 GPU (AMD…January 25, 2025

Samsung has long used a mix of its own Exynos processors and those designed and made by third-party manufacturers in its smartphones, and there's always speculation ahead of every new Samsung handset about which CPUs will get picked.

Generally speaking, the Exynos processors are thought to be a little less powerful than the alternatives – though not so much to make a huge difference to the user experience. They're also cheaper for Samsung to make, which can mean less expensive phones.

The rumor is that Samsung has been struggling to mass produce the Exynos 2500 in sufficient quantities, which may explain why it didn't appear in the Galaxy S25 (some Samsung Galaxy S24 models used the Exynos 2400 chipset).

There haven't been too many leaks and rumors around the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 yet, but bigger screens could be on the way, and it seems likely that we're also going to get a less expensive Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 SE.

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Nikon’s latest midrange full-frame mirrorless camera offers pro-level features without the pro price.