Pixel 9 Pro Cheaper to Produce Than iPhone 16 Pro

A new report reveals that the Pixel 9 Pro is significantly cheaper to produce than the iPhone 16 Pro, with the bill of materials (BOM) for the Pixel 9 Pro estimated at $406, 11% lower than last year’s Pixel 8 Pro. In contrast, the iPhone 16 Pro’s BOM is $568, a 6% increase from its predecessor. The iPhone 16 Pro’s most expensive components include a $135 chipset, a $110 display, and $91 camera parts, while the Pixel 9 Pro’s SoC costs $80, display $75, and camera components $61. Despite the production cost differences, both devices are priced starting at $999.

CONTENTS:

• Apple launches live election tracking.
• Apple offers live election updates.
• Apple integrates ChatGPT with limitations.
• Early Black Friday phone discounts available.
• Apple plans $10M factory investment.
• iPhone 16 sees 8% growth.
• iPhone SE 4 with major upgrades.
• iPhone to get BatteryIntelligence feature.
• Pixel 9 Pro cheaper to produce.

Pixel 9 Pro Cheaper to Produce Than iPhone 16 Pro

Apple launches live election tracking

Pixel 9 Pro Cheaper to Produce Than iPhone 16 Pro Apple has launched a new feature in its News app to help iPhone and iPad users stay informed about the 2024 US election results. A widget now provides live updates on results, candidate news, and significant developments, which can be accessed directly from the home screen. Announced on November 5, the feature is designed to offer quick access to real-time election information as events unfold.

Available for users on iOS 17 and newer, the widget automatically updates with breaking news, state-level trends, and key battleground states’ results. Users can customize the widget’s size and placement for easy access. The feature is being gradually rolled out across the US throughout Election Day.

To enable live election tracking, users can open the Apple News app and tap the “Follow the 2024 election live” banner found either at the top of the page or in the “Top Stories” section. If not visible, it can also be accessed via the “Election 2024” menu. Tapping the banner activates live updates, and users can disable it at any time by tapping again.

Live Activities will be available on both iPhone and iPad lock screens, with Dynamic Island-equipped iPhones offering enhanced displays for election updates. Apple Watch users can also access live election tracking through their widget view. This feature, which was also used for caucus results earlier this year, is designed to provide real-time information during the 2024 election. However, it remains unclear how long Apple News will continue offering these live updates, especially if results are delayed. The success of this feature could impact Apple’s future use of live updates in the News app.

Apple offers live election updates

Pixel 9 Pro Cheaper to Produce Than iPhone 16 Pro  Apple is offering live election updates on iPhone and iPad lock screens as the US begins voting for the next president. Starting late Tuesday (US time), Apple News will feature a Live Activity tracking the election results, including a large interactive widget on the lock screen and continuous updates on the Dynamic Island for users with newer iPhones. The Dynamic Island will display the electoral count for candidates like Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris, as well as Senate and House race results.

To access these updates, iPhone users must open the Apple News app and tap on the “Follow the 2024 election live” banner. Live Activities will appear on the lock screens of iPhones and iPads, but only devices with Dynamic Island will offer the enhanced UI. Apple Watch users can also view Live Activity data in the widget view.

Originally designed to leverage the Dynamic Island, Live Activities present live, real-time information. With over 82 million voters already casting ballots in early voting, the feature will help users stay informed about the ongoing election process. The winner needs at least 270 of the 538 electoral votes to secure the presidency. If Kamala Harris wins, she would make history as the first woman, and the first African American, Asian American, and Indian American to become president. If Donald Trump prevails, he would become the second US president to lose a re-election bid and later win on a third attempt, following Grover Cleveland.

Apple integrates ChatGPT with limitations

Pixel 9 Pro Cheaper to Produce Than iPhone 16 Pro  With the introduction of Apple Intelligence for iPhone and Mac, Apple is making its first public steps into generative AI. While only a limited selection of AI apps are currently available, a significant update is expected in December when ChatGPT will be integrated into iOS and macOS. This marks a notable shift for Apple, which has traditionally focused on controlling user experience and personal data. Bringing ChatGPT to its platform highlights Apple’s ambition to engage with the generative AI community, but it also places the company behind its competitors in terms of AI technology.

However, the integration of ChatGPT into Apple Intelligence comes with hidden costs for users. In the second beta version of iOS 18.2, which is set for release in December, a daily usage limit for ChatGPT is displayed in the settings. Users will also have the option to upgrade to the paid ChatGPT Plus plan or revert to an older AI model. Existing ChatGPT Plus subscribers can log in on their iPhones, while new users can opt for the ChatGPT Plus upgrade, priced at $19.99 per month. It remains to be seen whether Apple will take its usual 30% commission on this subscription fee.

While OpenAI has long offered tiered pricing for ChatGPT, Apple’s move contrasts with the approaches of Google and Samsung, both of which provide free AI tools to their users. Apple is leaning toward a freemium model, though it’s worth noting that both Google and Samsung have indicated that their AI services could become paid in the future.

Apple’s cautious approach to generative AI stands in contrast to the marketing around Apple Intelligence. Despite the delayed availability of the feature, it has been heavily promoted as part of the new iPhone 16 launch, with mobile networks in the UK even having to adjust their marketing to reflect the delay.

As generative AI reshapes the consumer experience across platforms, Apple’s entry into the space with a transactional cost could impact the adoption of Apple Intelligence, especially when compared to the subsidized AI offerings on Android and Windows. How this affects consumer uptake will be an important metric in the coming months.

Early Black Friday phone discounts available

Pixel 9 Pro Cheaper to Produce Than iPhone 16 Pro  The phone market has had an exciting year, and now that all the major releases are out, they’re being offered at discounted prices ahead of Black Friday. While many expect the best deals to come on Black Friday itself, some early sales are offering even better discounts.

If you’re eyeing high-end models like the iPhone 16 Pro Max or the Galaxy S24 Ultra, you’ll find early Black Friday deals on these flagship phones as well. I’m constantly checking prices to bring you the best offers available right now.

If you’re not in the market for a top-tier device, don’t worry! Budget-friendly phones like the Pixel 8a and iPhone SE are also getting discounts in the pre-Black Friday sales. Additionally, for those interested in foldable phones, options like the Motorola Razr Plus 2024 and Galaxy Z Fold 6 are seeing significant price reductions, making them more affordable.

I’ve checked deals from major wireless carriers like Verizon, AT&T, Mint Mobile, and T-Mobile, as well as retailers including Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon to bring you the best early Black Friday phone discounts.

Apple plans $10M factory investment

Pixel 9 Pro Cheaper to Produce Than iPhone 16 Pro  Last week, Apple faced a setback when its iPhone 16 and Apple Watch 10 series were banned from sale in Indonesia due to unmet investment commitments. These commitments require companies to include 40% local content to operate in the country.

In a new development, Bloomberg News reports that Apple plans to invest $10 million in a new factory in Bandung. This investment will be made in partnership with Apple’s local supplier, Yageo Corporation. The new facility will focus on manufacturing accessories and components for Apple devices.

iPhone 16 sees 8% growth

Pixel 9 Pro Cheaper to Produce Than iPhone 16 Pro  Sales of the Apple iPhone 16 in its first month since launch have shown an 8% year-on-year (Y-o-Y) growth compared to the iPhone 15, according to preliminary estimates from Counterpoint Research. The new series became available on September 20, with pre-bookings starting on September 13.

This growth has been driven primarily by the high-end iPhone 16 Pro series (Pro and Pro Max), which were initially imported but are now being assembled in India by Foxconn.

Tarun Pathak, Research Director at Counterpoint, noted that the preliminary data indicates an 8% Y-o-Y growth for the iPhone 16 series.

iPhone SE 4 with major upgrades

Pixel 9 Pro Cheaper to Produce Than iPhone 16 Pro  The iPhone SE 4 is expected to launch in early 2025 with major upgrades over the iPhone SE 3, which debuted in 2022. Production of the new budget-friendly iPhone is anticipated to begin by the end of 2024, with a possible launch window in March or April 2025, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Initial production could reach around 8.6 million units in the first quarter.

The iPhone SE 4 is rumored to feature a modern design, resembling the iPhone 14, with a full-screen OLED display and slim bezels, replacing the thick bezels and Touch ID home button of previous models. It is expected to sport a 6.1-inch OLED display, a major upgrade from the SE 3’s 4.7-inch LCD screen.

Under the hood, the SE 4 will likely be powered by Apple’s A18 series chip, the same one used in the iPhone 16 series, offering flagship-level performance. It will also come with 8GB of RAM, double the current model, to support Apple Intelligence and ensure smooth multitasking.

For photography, the SE 4 is expected to feature a 48-megapixel rear camera, a significant upgrade from the 12-megapixel camera on the SE 3, along with a 12-megapixel front camera for better selfies. The SE 4 is also rumored to include a larger 3,279mAh battery, compared to the SE 3’s 2,018mAh, with 20W charging speeds and potential MagSafe support. In line with EU regulations, USB-C charging will likely be included. Additional upgrades include Wi-Fi 6 and an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.

Pricing is expected to start between $499 and $549 in the U.S., a slight increase from the SE 3’s $429 price tag. In India, the price may start around Rs 45,000. Despite the price hike, the SE 4 is still positioned as an affordable option compared to Apple’s flagship models, making it a strong contender for those entering the Apple ecosystem or upgrading from older models.

iPhone to get BatteryIntelligence feature

Pixel 9 Pro Cheaper to Produce Than iPhone 16 Pro  A new feature called “BatteryIntelligence” spotted in the second iOS 18.2 beta suggests that the iPhone will soon show an estimated charging time. This feature, which could notify users about how long it will take to fully charge the device, is something that Android phones already offer and has become increasingly useful with the variety of chargers, cables, and charging protocols available. However, the “BatteryIntelligence” feature is still under development, so it may take some time before it’s officially available, according to 9to5Mac.

In addition to this, newer iPhones already include some battery health features. For instance, the iPhone 15 and later models have an optimized charging setting that charges the battery up to 80% to preserve its lifespan. There’s also a new option to view the battery’s cycle count.

Pixel 9 Pro cheaper to produce

Pixel 9 Pro Cheaper to Produce Than iPhone 16 Pro  A new report from Japan reveals the estimated bill of materials (BOM) for Google’s Pixel 9 Pro and Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro, which outlines the cost of the parts used to make the smartphones (excluding research and development and marketing expenses). According to the report, the Pixel 9 Pro is significantly cheaper to produce, with a BOM of $406, compared to the iPhone 16 Pro’s BOM of $568.

The Pixel 9 Pro’s BOM is 11% lower than the previous year’s Pixel 8 Pro, though this drop could be due to the smaller size of the Pixel 9 Pro, which features a smaller screen and battery. In contrast, the iPhone 16 Pro’s BOM is 6% higher than its predecessor. Notably, the iPhone 16 Pro’s chipset costs $135, the display is $110, and the camera components amount to $91, while the Pixel 9 Pro’s SoC is $80, the display costs $75, and the camera components total $61.

Both the Pixel 9 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro start at $999, despite the difference in manufacturing costs.