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• Available in massive 8TB and 16TB capacities, T-CREATE EXPERT P32 is designed for creators
• USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C, 1,800MB/s speeds, broad compatibility
• Portable unibody design, patented cooling, launches Q4 2024

From ultra-high-resolution videos to expansive photo libraries and complex project files, the sheer volume of data content creators generate can quickly overwhelm smaller drives.

For professionals, the need for high-capacity, fast, and reliable storage can be vital - and to address this need, T-CREATE, the creator-focused brand from memory provider Team Group, has announced the EXPERT P32 Desktop External SSD.

Available in 8TB and 16TB sizes, the 16TB model features two 8TB SSDs rather than a single large drive, although the total capacity is still the largest available for an external SSD.

Transfer speeds of up to 1,800MB/s

If you're wondering how much data a drive of that size can hold, T-CREATE says the 16TB storage is enough for up to 672 minutes (nearly 10.5 hours) of uncompressed 4K 120fps N-RAW video, or 335,544 RAW format photos at 50 MB each.

Constructed from aluminum alloy using 4-axis CNC cutting, the device features a durable unibody design. Functional in design rather than fancy, it promises transfer speeds of up to 1,800MB/s (or up to 1,700MB/s for the 8TB model).

It uses a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C interface, ensuring compatibility with USB Type-C and Thunderbolt devices. A patented graphene heat dissipation pad is included to maintain cooling performance during intensive use. The SSD operates at temperatures between 5˚C and 55˚C and supports storage temperatures ranging from -20˚C to 50˚C.

Weighing 261g, the EXPERT P32 measures 110 x 65 x 26mm, so it's easily portable. The package includes a USB Type-C to Type-C cable, a DC power cable, and international plug adapters for global use. It is formatted with exFAT for compatibility across Windows, macOS, and Linux. The SSD comes with a three-year warranty, providing reliable support for creators. It is set to debut globally in Q4 2024, although pricing details have yet to be announced.

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The White Lotus season 3: key information

- Filming has officially wrapped
- No official release date revealed yet, though it's et to return sometime in 2025
- First footage teased in a 'new on Max in 2025' trailer
- Cast member from season 1 is slated to return
- All-new cast members confirmed
- Creator Mike White keeping plot under wraps
- Max CEO Casey Bloys has hinted there'll be a fourth season

The White Lotus season 3 will welcome a whole host of new guests (and returning customers in its ravenous fanbase) sometime next year. Despite the luxury hotel brand being plagued by – spoilers! – multiple murders, it appears socialites are still willing to visit the opulent resorts.

Following the success of the award-winning Max anthology series' first two installments, there’s been quite the hiatus since The White Lotus season 2 debuted in 2022.

Still, while there’s no sign yet of a release date, there’s rousing news to share on season 3’s cast, likely plot, and the hit series' future. You'll need to book in for a stay (or, rather, read through this guide) to learn more, though. Full spoilers follow for The White Lotus seasons 1 and 2.

The White Lotus season 3 release date prediction

A post shared by Walton Goggins (@waltongogginsbonafide)

A photo posted by on

The White Lotus season 3 doesn't have a launch date yet. However, the show was renewed for another outing in 2022. Since then, it's been hit with various delays, including last year's Hollywood, but now we know it'll be with us sometime in 2025.

In August, Walton Goggins – one of season 3's ensemble – took to Instagram (see above) to confirm that filming has officially wrapped. Unlike season 2, the turnaround from filming to release will be a little longer, so we’d imagine The White Lotus will return in early to mid-2025. Pressed for a month, we predict we'll all be enjoying a bit of winter sun (in the northern hemisphere, anyway) when it arrives, with a January or February launch likely.

Even better news, Max subscribers will get a "longer, bigger, crazier" season 3 of The White Lotus, with showrunner Like White also telling Entertainment Weekly (EW) it'll be a "supersized" installment. With season 1 lasting six episodes and season 2 running for seven episodes, we’d be surprised if The White Lotus season 3 didn't comprise at least eight episodes. White's tease indicates it may be even longer than that, though.

The White Lotus season 3 trailer: is there one?

New luxuries await you in Thailand. Season 3 of the @HBO Original Series #TheWhiteLotus is coming soon to Max. pic.twitter.com/6f25m4MI5fAugust 5, 2024

There isn't an official trailer for The White Lotus season 3. But, in November, a 'new on Max in 2025' teaser dropped first-look clips at season 3 alongside many other highly anticipated shows.

That footage followed a six-second teaser (see the X/Twitter post above) showing off season 3's new Thai resort, which opened with season 1's spa worker, Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) arriving at the luxury hotel's lobby. There were also quick glimpses at its new cast, including Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, and Patrick Schwarzenegger. A final shot of Posey lounging by the pool with Leslie Bibb and Michelle Monaghan is also briefly seen before the words "What happens in Thailand, stays in Thailand" appear on the screen.

The White Lotus season 3 confirmed cast

Belinda is the only returning cast member of The White Lotus season 3 (Image credit: Max)

Spoilers follow for The White Lotus season 1.

Here’s the confirmed cast for The White Lotus season 3, including a returning star from season 1 and the many new faces who'll be checking in this time around:

• Natasha Rothwell as Belinda Lindsey
• Jason Isaacs as TBC
• Carrie Coon as TBC
• Patrick Schwarzenegger as TBC
• Aimee Lou Wood as TBC
• Scott Glenn as TBC
• Walton Goggins as TBC
• Leslie Bibb as TBC
• Michelle Monaghan as TBC
• Parker Posey as TBC
• Lalisa 'Lisa' Manobal as TBC
• Dom Hertakul as TBC
• Tayme Thapthimthong as TBC
• Sarah Catherine Hook as TBC
• Sam Nivola as TBC
• Nicholas Duvernay as TBC
• Francesca Corney as TBC
• Arna Fedaravičius as TBC
• Christian Friedel as TBC
• Morgana O’Reilly as TBC
• Lek Patravadi as TBC
• Shalini Peiris as TBC
• Julian Kostov as TBC

As confirmed in the season 3 teaser, season 1’s unfortunate spa worker Belinda is back for more dealings with the satirical series' new elitist characters.

After meeting with Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge) in Hawaii and pitching her business plan, it appeared that Tanya might invest some of her wealth to support Belinda's dream. Clearly, though, she didn’t, hence Belinda having to get her old job back, albeit at a different resort. When it comes to her return in season 3, Natasha Rothwell told Variety: “Everyone needs to buckle up, because it’s going to get real!”

Aside from Belinda’s character, the other confirmed cast’s roles are unknown. If previous seasons are anything to go by, they'll stay that way until just before this season airs, too. While Tanya was the only character to reprise her role in season 2, we know from that season's tumultuous finale because – well, let's get into it...

The White Lotus season 3 story speculation

First it was Hawaii, then it was Sicily, and now it's now Thailand for The White Lotus season 3 (Image credit: Max)

Full spoilers follow for The White Lotus seasons 1 and 2.

As has been the case with the previous seasons of The White Lotus, creator Mike White is keeping schtum about this season's plot. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter (THR), though, he revealed season 3 will be a “satirical and funny look at death and Eastern religion and spirituality. It feels like it could be a rich tapestry to do another round at White Lotus.”

In another interview with THR, White spoke about whether season 3 would start the way the other two seasons had – with a dead body: “I don’t think it needs to always be a body. There are so many ways that we want to reinvent the show each year. Like, what is this show, other than people? A fresh mystery, people maybe expect that. But I don’t feel constrained by expectation. It’s fun.”

Award-winning Jennifer Coolidge met a dramatic end in season 2 (Image credit: Max)

There are a few things we know for certain about The White Lotus season 3. For starters, it's based at another luxury resort property – this time in Thailand – and Belinda will have a major role to play.

There's also a little bit of news about the new characters. Last year, a list of 13 roles that White was casting for, included nine series regulars. As reported by Deadline, the roles “ranged in ages between 18-80s – with a patriarch, a corporate executive, an actress, a couple of mothers, a misfit, and a yogi among the bunch.” Who from the confirmed cast will play each role, and what those roles will mean, remain strictly under wraps.

Will we see the return of Greg in The White Lotus season 3? (Image credit: Max)

Considering each season has a whole new cast, there's not much point looking to the previous seasons for clues. Although, when it comes to Jennifer Coolidge, she may hope that the husband of her character Tanya – named Greg – returns in some capacity so she can get indirect revenge for his murderous plot to steal her fortune. Speaking with Variety, Coolidge said: "My hope for Jon [Gries] is that he's not finished with Greg. I hope there's some comeuppance for evil Greg. I think he should, I don't know, end up in a meat-grinding machine."

Will The White Lotus return after season 3?

What picturesque location could The White Lotus open its doors in next? (Image credit: Max)

With the success of the anthology series, we’d be really surprised if The White Lotus ends after three seasons. Thankfully, it sounds like HBO boss Casey Bloys is onboard for more installments.

Speaking with Variety about future plans for the show, he said: "I know Mike has a lot of ideas for where it could go. We’re lucky to be in business with him. And we have actors who now really, really want to be on the show because it’s a great opportunity and it’s great writing. So, I think as long as he wants to do it, we’ll go along for the ride. He’s really built a very interesting model to go from different parts of the world and have a rotating cast."

That's not quite a confirmation about a fourth entry, but it's certainly a positive putlook for Bloys to have. After all, there are so many different locations The White Lotus could head for next and, with new multifaceted characters that we'd no doubt love to hate, the scope of this series could be vast.

So, what could future seasons look like? Speaking to THR, White was asked whether he’d be open to revisiting Greg’s character in the future, to which he said: "It would be easy to just be a full-on anthology, but I think it’s more fun to have little threads through the show. If the show goes on for a couple of seasons, it would be fun to have an all-star season". An all-star season? Sign us up.

For more Max-focused coverage, read our guides on the best Max shows, best Max movies, The Last of Us season 2, and Peacemaker season 2.

• New study trained AI models on answers given in a two-hour interview
• AI could replicate participants’ responses with 85% accuracy
• Agents could be used instead of humans in future research studies

You might think your personality is unique, but all it takes is a two-hour interview for an AI model to create a virtual replica with your attitudes and behaviors. That’s according to a new paper published by researchers from Stanford and Google DeepMind.

What are simulation agents?

(Image credit: Getty Images / Mikkelwilliam)

Simulation agents are described by the paper as generative AI models that can accurately simulate a person's behavior 'across a range of social, political, or informational contexts'.

In the study, 1,052 participants were asked to complete a two-hour interview which covered a wide range of topics, from their personal life story to their views on contemporary social issues. Their responses were recorded and the script was used to train generative AI models – or “simulation agents” – for each individual.

To test how well these agents could mimic their human counterparts, both were asked to complete a set of tasks, including personality tests and games. Participants were then asked to replicate their own answers a fortnight later. Remarkably, the AI agents were able to simulate answers with 85% accuracy compared to the human participants.

What’s more, the simulation agents were similarly effective when asked to predict personality traits across five social science experiments.

While your personality might seem like an intangible or unquantifiable thing, this research shows that it's possible to distill your value structure from a relatively small amount of information, by capturing qualitative responses to a fixed set of questions. Fed this data, AI models can convincingly imitate your personality – at least, in a controlled, test-based setting. And that could make deepfakes even more dangerous.

Double agent

(Image credit: Getty Images / Vesalainen)

The research was led by Joon Sung Park, a Stanford PhD student. The idea behind creating these simulation agents is to give social science researchers more freedom when conducting studies. By creating digital replicas which behave like the real people they’re based on, scientists can run studies without the expense of bringing in thousands of human participants every time.

You can have a bunch of small ‘yous’ running around and actually making the decisions that you would have made.

Joon Sung Park, Stanford PhD student

They may also be able to run experiments which would be unethical to conduct with real human participants. Speaking to MIT Technology Review, John Horton, an associate professor of information technologies at the MIT Sloan School of Management, said that the paper demonstrates a way you can “use real humans to generate personas which can then be used programmatically/in-simulation in ways you could not with real humans.”

Whether study participants are morally comfortable with this is one thing. More concerning for many people will be the potential for simulation agents to become something more nefarious in the future. In that same MIT Technology Review story, Park predicted that one day “you can have a bunch of small ‘yous’ running around and actually making the decisions that you would have made.”

For many, this will set dystopian alarm bells ringing. The idea of digital replicas opens up a realm of security, privacy and identity theft concerns. It doesn’t take a stretch of the imagination to foresee a world where scammers – who are already using AI to imitate the voices of loved-ones – could build personality deepfakes to imitate people online.

This is particularly concerning when you consider that the AI simulation agents were created in the study using just two hours of interview data. This is much less than the amount of information currently required by companies such as Tavus, which create digital twins based on a trove of user data.

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Manba One: one-minute review

(Image credit: Future)

The Manba One is a wireless controller with an inbuilt screen for accessing the various tweaks available to tailor the gaming experience to your preferences.

Its design mimics the Xbox Wireless Controller, although the white variant features a removable transparent front cover that reveals some of the inner workings – which, along with the RGB lighting on either side, helps to make the Manba One more distinctive.

However, the relatively short grips caused me some discomfort, mainly due to the sharp angle at which they tail off towards the triggers. Those with smaller hands may be fine (although mine aren’t even that big), but I prefer the grip designs of popular controllers, such as the aforementioned Xbox controller and PlayStation’s DualSense.

The overall build quality is good: the face buttons are more akin to mouse clicks, but pleasingly tactile all the same, while the D-pad is more damped and operates smoothly. However, the rear 'M' buttons are too small and thin to be convenient, and all too easy to mispress. The bumpers are also a little awkward to reach given their thickness, and the triggers are quite short and less indented than those on some of the best PC controllers.

Worst of all, though, is that the left stick – on my unit at least – can stick in an elevated position, in turn causing it to get stuck in certain directions when using it, which is a serious problem. Thankfully, this issue was resolved easily by pressing the stick back into place, but it’s a design fault that needs to be addressed, if indeed it affects all units.

Since there’s no software for the Manba One, all adjustments are made via its onboard display, and thankfully the interface is clear and easy to use. From here, you can rebind buttons, activate turbo mode, and assign the four remappable M buttons to a series of button presses. You can also adjust trigger travel, as well as the deadzone and curve for the joysticks. Four profile slots are available to save your configurations, including one dedicated to Switch controls.

In practice, the Manba One performs well, on both PC and the Nintendo Switch. The buttons are snappy and easy to use, although the triggers don’t offer the most feedback, since their travel is quite short. However, the ability to lock the travel is a welcome addition, and proves very useful for shooters when you want to perform quick taps.

The joysticks are also precise and smooth, and the curve options do make a difference. I found that the High Performance curve, for instance, was especially useful for racing games, as it allowed for both precise micro-adjustments and full-lock steering quickly.

Given its asking price, the Manba One represents good value considering its features and performance. The official Xbox Wireless Controller is cheaper, but barebones in comparison, and it doesn’t even come with a rechargeable battery. If you’re after similar levels of customization, then you’ll usually have to part with a lot more cash. The Manba One, therefore, is a worthy choice for those after a precise, tweakable controller.

Manba One review: Price and availability

• $69.99 (about £54 / AU$105)
• Available now in Black and White colorways
• Good price compared to the competition

The Manba One costs $69.99 (about £54 / AU$105) and is available now. It comes in two colorways, black and white, the latter of which features a transparent front cover. The joysticks are replaceable, with a taller pair included in the box. Also included is a dock for wireless charging.

It’s more expensive than the Xbox Wireless Controller, one of the best PC controllers around and a popular choice for many PC players, but not by much. It has more features than this pad, including a built-in display, four programmable rear buttons, and numerous other tweaks and customizations. However, unlike the Xbox Wireless Controller, the Manba One has no 3.5mm headphone jack.

Compared to more feature-laden controllers, the Manba One looks like a veritable bargain. The Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra, for example – our pick as the best PC controller for those with cash to splash – is considerably more expensive. However, this gamepad is more advanced, featuring mechanical buttons and the headset audio control.

The Manba One matches it for joystick hardware, though, as both pads use Hall effect technology – but the thumbsticks themselves can’t be switched out on the Stealth Ultra, as they can on the Manba One. Also, as mentioned in our Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra review, we weren’t fans of its companion software.

Manba One review: specs

(Image credit: Future) Manba One review: design and features

• Inbuilt screen
• Snappy, tactile buttons
• Some comfort issues

The Manba One adopts a rather classic controller design, with a similar shape and layout to Xbox controllers, but with a slightly more angular, aggressive appearance. There’s also some customizable RGB lighting on the sides to liven up proceedings, as well as some subtle gray accents on the white variant.

This colorway also features a transparent front cover, letting you see the exoskeleton lurking beneath, which fades to silver towards the bottom. The rear of the pad is lightly textured on the grips, but there’s no additional padding as some of the best PC controllers and best Xbox controllers feature.

The grips themselves are also quite short and curve abruptly towards the triggers. As a result, I didn’t find the Manba One as comfortable to hold as more popular controllers, such as the Xbox controller and PlayStation’s DualSense. However, those with smaller hands may have no issue.

Compared to those other controllers, the face buttons on the Manba One are less damped as well, feeling and sounding more like mouse buttons, but satisfying to use nonetheless. The D-pad, though, feels more cushioned and is smooth to operate. The sticks are average in size and feature a soft rubber material on top, offering just enough grip. A taller pair of sticks are included in the box and are easy to replace.

The triggers are another point of departure for the Manba One. They’re quite short with shallow indentations, and offer less travel and resistance than you might expect. However, the stroke lock is a clever addition, as it reduces travel considerably to allow for rapid firing.

Another welcome feature is their dotted texture, which does help with grip. This can also be found on the bumpers, although it’s a shame these are bulky with an awkward shape, as it makes them uncomfortable to use for long periods. Thankfully, the same can’t be said about the home buttons: these are positioned right at the bottom of the controller, below the D-pad and right analog stick. This keeps them out of the way, yet they’re still easy to access when needed.

The build quality of the Manba One is hard to fault – in most places. The screen is prone to micro-scratches all too easily, but more worrying is an issue I experienced on my test unit: the left analog stick managed to get stuck in a raised position, and in this state, it would in turn catch in certain directions when operating it – a cardinal sin for any joystick. Thankfully, this was a one-off problem, and simply pushing the stick back down into its original, intended seat was enough to prevent it reoccurring. However, it’s still a fault worth noting.

The included charging station matches the simple yet sleek design of the controller itself, into which the Manba One fits like a glove. It also features a compartment underneath to store the sizable Bluetooth dongle.

There’s no external software app for the Manba One on either PC or mobile: every adjustment and tweak is made via a menu displayed on its screen. There are options to rebind buttons and toggle turbo mode, as well as assign the four back M buttons to a series of up to 20 buttons in a row.

You can also adjust the deadzone for the analog sticks, as well the curve. There are four options to choose from on this front, ranging from a default, linear curve to a High Performance option, which Manba claims is ideal for racing and shooting games.

There are four profile slots to store your setups, including one dedicated to Switch controls, but unfortunately, you can’t rename them. There are also tools for testing buttons and calibrating the joysticks, triggers, and motion control (for the gyroscope when playing certain Switch games). You can set the vibration strength too, with four levels to choose from, or turn it off completely.

(Image credit: Future) Manba One review: performance

• Snappy and responsive
• Useful adjustments
• Triggers lack feel

Gaming with the Manba One is mostly an enjoyable experience. The sticks offer smooth and precise movements, while the buttons are responsive and tactile. However, the triggers fail to offer the best feedback, as their travel is too short to offer the kind of finely graded control you want from analog inputs. The underneath M buttons are also hard to use in the heat of the moment, given their small size and awkward position; you can’t use a more flat-fingered approach, as you can with a more traditional, paddle-like designs.

Personally, I’ve always preferred D-pads with separate buttons for each direction, rather than the integrated design on the Manba One, as I find they give me more control and precision in games where such inputs are crucial. I needn’t have worried, though. When playing Tekken 8, for instance, where D-pad inputs are complex, I had little issue hitting the directions I wanted to hit. That circular shape also helps to roll seamlessly between multiple directions, yet each is still easy to actuate individually without accidentally triggering adjacent directions, which can happen on D-pads with a singular component.

The various tweaks available on the Manba One also made a difference. Using the High Performance curve for racing games, for instance, was a marked improvement. When playing Assetto Corsa, it offered much better car control, as I could make minute steering corrections and drastic changes of direction equally well, depending on how far I moved the stick.

This same curve is also recommended for shooters, although I found that the default, linear curve offered less sensitive and more precise looking and aiming. The locks on the back that shorten the trigger length also work for enabling rapid shooting.

One of the great advantages of the display is the ability to adjust settings on the fly. Accessing the menu mid-game works well for the most part, although having to hold the home button for three seconds to activate it is a little inconvenient; I wish it were a little quicker.

It’s a shame also that the M buttons can’t be programmed as modifiers; to toggle the curve of the analog sticks, for instance, which would be useful for situations requiring momentary decreases in sensitivity, such as aiming, acting like a sniper button on a mouse. I found the M buttons all too easy to trigger too, especially when using the D-pad or face buttons intensely, as I naturally tightened my grip on the back of the controller.

In addition to PC, I also used the Manba One with a Nintendo Switch, connecting via Bluetooth without needing the included dongle. Like the best Nintendo Switch controllers, connecting the Manba One to the console is easy, and it worked flawlessly.

The battery life of the Manba One is claimed to be about 10 hours or more, and this was roughly in line with what I experienced, although it was hard to get an accurate measurement of battery levels, since no percentage is given on the inbuilt screen. Charging via the included dock takes about four and a half hours according to Manba, and again this proved relatively accurate.

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Manba One? Buy it if...

You want solid performance
The buttons are mostly great to use, and the Hall effect joysticks offer precise movements and different curves to choose from.

You want tweakable inputs
There are plenty of adjustments you can make on the Manba One, plus the display means you can make them on the fly.

Don't buy it if...

You want the most comfortable pad
Personally, I found the contours of the Manba One didn’t fit my hand as neatly as I would’ve liked, and the rear M buttons can get in the way.

You want console play
Although it’s compatible with the Switch, PS5 and Xbox gaming are out of the picture here.

Also consider...

If the Manba One isn't doing it for you, here's a couple of other controllers we recommend

Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller
As the best PC controller and best Xbox controller, the official Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller is hard to beat for unadulterated gaming. There’s no fancy features to be found here, but it nails the basics: it’s comfortable, practical, versatile and performs very well. It’s also reasonably priced, although a few missteps, such as no rechargeable battery as standard, go against it.

Read our Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller review

Victrix Pro BFG
If you want modularity, then the Victrix Pro BFG is hard to beat. Not only is it compatible with PC, it’s also one of the best PS5 controllers you can buy, thanks to its multiple face buttons, joystick, and D-pad upgrades – including a module designed for fighting games. There’s four reprogrammable back paddles as well. It will set you back, though.

Read our Victrix Pro BFG review

How I tested the Manba One

• Tested for several days
• Played a variety of genres on PC and Switch
• 25+ years gaming experience

I tested the Manba One for several days. During that time, I used it to play a variety of titles, including shooters, racing simulators and fighting games, in order to test every aspect of the controller. These included Black Mesa, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater - Master Collection Version, Assetto Corsa, and Tekken 8. I tested the Manba One on PCs – both Windows 10 and 11 – and the Nintendo Switch.

I also made sure to use and tweak every available feature and setting on the Manba One via the built-in display. I also tried out the included replaceable joysticks and the wireless charging dock.

I have been gaming for over 25 years across numerous platforms, all the way from the NES and other Nintendo consoles to most generations of PlayStation and PC. During that time I have used a number of controllers, from official devices to third-party ones. I’ve also tested many other gaming peripherals, including mice and keyboards.

• Read more about how we test
• First reviewed November 2024

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• The S25 Slim camera may be "stronger" than the standard S25
• There's still a lot of uncertainty around this model
• The standard Galaxy S25 may not get any significant camera upgrades

As rumors around the Samsung Galaxy S25 have increased in number, we've started to hear reports of an additional 'Slim' model in the pipeline – and this particular handset could be set for a major camera boost, according to a new leak.

Well-known tipster @UniverseIce says the Galaxy S25 Slim (as we'll call it for now) is going to have a camera setup that's "stronger than S25". That should add to its appeal, beyond being thinner and lighter than a regular Samsung Galaxy flagship phone.

In the same leak there's a reference to the Vivo X200 Pro mini, which has apparently been something of an inspiration for Samsung. That 6.31-inch Vivo phone is fitted with a big triple-lens 50MP+50MP+50MP rear camera around the back.

As our Samsung Galaxy S24 review will tell you, that handset has a triple-lens 50MP+10MP+12MP with 3x optical zoom capabilities. Based on previous rumors, the Galaxy S25 isn't going to be much of an improvement in the camera department.

Camera specs

The difference between Samsung Galaxy Slim and iPhone Slim models is that Samsung wants to make the camera stronger, stronger than S25, and more similar to the idea of vivo X200 Pro mini, not just thin and light.November 23, 2024

This isn't the first time we've heard that the Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim would offer a top-tier camera: the camera on this upcoming phone has previously been described as being on an "ultra" level – possibly a reference to the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Our Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review goes into detail in terms of the rear camera setup on that phone: a quad-lens 200MP+10MP+50MP+12MP with a 5x optical zoom feature. Perhaps the 2025 Slim model will offer something similar.

The tipster behind this latest leak compares Samsung's approach to Apple's with the iPhone 17 Slim (or iPhone 17 Air) – with the rumored iPhone model, the focus is said to be on the thinner form factor, rather than any significant spec upgrades.

There has been talk that the Galaxy S25 Slim is just the Galaxy S25 FE – the successor to the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE – with a different name. However, a major camera upgrade would make this a more powerful (and expensive) proposition.

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Want to game remotely with your PlayStation 5 when you're away from home? Setting it up is easier than you may think.

This feature can ensure the person you're texting isn't a scammer — or worse.

• AI voice-clone scams are on the rise, according to security experts
• Voice-enabled AI models can be used to imitate loved ones
• Experts recommend agreeing a safe phrase with friends and family

The next spam call you receive might not be a real person – and your ear won’t be able to tell the difference. Scammers are using voice-enabled AI models to automate their fraudulent schemes, tricking individuals by imitating real human callers, including family members.

What are AI voice scams?

Scam calls aren't new, but AI-powered ones are a new dangerous breed. They use generative AI to imitate not just authorities or celebrities, but friends and family.

The arrival of AI models trained on human voices has unlocked a new realm of risk when it comes to phone scams. These tools, such as OpenAI’s voice API, support real-time conversation between a human and the AI model. With a small amount of code, these models can be programmed to execute phone scams automatically, encouraging victims to disclose sensitive information.

So how can you stay safe? What makes the threat so problematic is not just how easily and cheaply it can be deployed, but how convincing AI voices have become.

OpenAI faced backlash for its Sky voice option earlier this year, which sounded spookily like Scarlett Johansson, while Sir David Attenborough has described himself as “profoundly disturbed” by an AI voice clone which was indistinguishable from his real speech.

(Image credit: Getty Images / d3sign)

Just a few seconds of audio is enough to simulate the voice of a loved-one. This could easily be sourced form a video shared on social media.

Even tools designed to beat scammers demonstrate how blurred the lines have become. UK network O2 recently launched Daisy, an AI grandma designed to trap phone scammers in a time-wasting conversation, which they believe is with a real senior citizen. It’s a clever use of the technology, but also one that shows just how well AI can simulate human interactions.

Disturbingly, fraudsters can train AI voices based on very small audio samples. According to F-Secure, a cybersecurity firm, just a few seconds of audio is enough to simulate the voice of a loved-one. This could easily be sourced form a video shared on social media.

How AI voice-cloning scams work

The basic concept of a voice-clone scam is similar to standard phone scams: cybercriminals impersonate someone to gain the victim’s trust, then create a sense of urgency which encourages them to disclose sensitive information or transfer money to the fraudster.

The difference with voice-clone scams are two-fold. Firstly, the criminals can automate the process with code, allowing them to target more people, more quickly and for less money. Secondly, they are able to imitate not just authorities and celebrities, but people known directly to you.

All that’s required is an audio sample, which is usually taken from a video online. This is then analyzed by the AI model and imitated, allowing it to be used in deceptive interactions. One increasingly common technique is for the AI model to imitate a family member requesting money in an emergency.

The technology can also be used to simulate voices of high-profile individuals to manipulate victims. Scammers recently used an AI voice clone of Queensland Premier, Steven Miles, to try an execute an investment con.

How to stay safe from AI voice scams

According to Starling Bank, a digital lender, 28% of UK adults say they have been targeted by AI voice-clone scams, yet only 30% are confident that they’d know how to recognize one. That’s why Starling launched its Safe Phrases campaign, which encourages friends and family to agree a secret phrase which they can use to confirm each other’s identity – and that's a wise tactic.

TL;DR How to stay safe

(Image credit: Getty Images / Ronstick)

1. Agree a safe phrase with friends and family
2. Ask the caller to confirm some recent private information
3. Listen for uneven stresses on words or emotionless talk
4. Hang up and call the person back
5. Be wary of unusual requests, like requests for bank details

Even without a pre-agreed safe phrase, you can use a similar tactic if you’re ever in doubt as to the veracity of a caller’s identity. AI voice clones can imitate a person’s speech pattern, but they won’t necessarily have access to private information. Asking the caller to confirm something that only they would know, such as information shared in the last conversation you had, is one step closer to certainty.

Trust your ear as well. While AI voice clones are very convincing, they aren’t 100% accurate. Listen for tell-tale signs such as uneven stresses on certain words, emotionless expression or slurring.

Scammers have the ability to mask the number they’re calling from and may even appear to be calling from your friend’s number. If you’re ever in doubt, the safest thing you can do is hang up and call the person back on the usual number you have for them.

Voice-clone scams also rely on the same tactics as traditional phone scams. These tactics aim to apply emotional pressure and create a sense of urgency, to force you into taking an action your otherwise wouldn’t. Be alert to these and be wary of unusual requests, especially when it relates to making a money transfer.

The same red flags apply to callers claiming to be from your bank or another authority. It pays to be familiar with the procedures used by your bank when contacting you. Starling, for example, has a call status indicator in its app, which can you check at any time to see if the bank is genuinely calling you.

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