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Elon Musk says xAI will have 50 million 'H100 equivalent' Nvidia GPUs by 2030 — but at what cost?

TechRadar News - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 17:08
  • Elon Musk plans AI compute equal to 50 million H100 GPUs within just five years
  • xAI’s training target equals 50 ExaFLOPS, but that doesn’t mean 50 million literal GPUs
  • Achieving 50 ExaFLOPS with H100s would demand energy equal to 35 nuclear power stations

Elon Musk has shared a bold new milestone for xAI, which is to deploy the equivalent of 50 million H100 class GPUs by 2030.

Framed as a measure of AI training performance, the claim refers to compute capacity, not literal unit count.

Still, even with ongoing advances in AI accelerator hardware, this goal implies extraordinary infrastructure commitments, especially in power and capital.

A massive leap in compute scale, with fewer GPUs than it sounds

In a post on X, Musk stated, "the xAI goal is 50 million in units of H100 equivalent AI compute (but much better power efficiency) online within 5 years."

Each Nvidia H100 AI GPU can deliver around 1,000 TFLOPS in FP16 or BF16, common formats for AI training - and reaching 50 ExaFLOPS using that baseline would theoretically require 50 million H100s.

Although newer architectures such as Blackwell and Rubin dramatically improve performance per chip.

According to performance projections, only about 650,000 GPUs using the future Feynman Ultra architecture may be required to hit the target.

The company has already begun scaling aggressively, and its current Colossus 1 cluster is powered by 200,000 Hopper based H100 and H200 GPUs, plus 30,000 Blackwell based GB200 chips.

A new cluster, Colossus 2, is scheduled to come online soon with over 1 million GPU units, combining 550,000 GB200 and GB300 nodes.

This puts xAI among the most rapid adopters of cutting edge AI writer and model training technologies.

The company probably chose the H100 over the newer H200 because the former remains a well understood reference point in the AI community, widely benchmarked and used in major deployments.

Its consistent FP16 and BF16 throughput makes it a clear unit of measure for longer term planning.

But perhaps the most pressing issue is energy. A 50 ExaFLOPS AI cluster powered by H100 GPUs would require 35GW, enough for 35 nuclear power plants.

Even using the most efficient projected GPUs, such as Feynman Ultra, a 50 ExaFLOPS cluster could require up to 4.685GW of power.

That is more than triple the power usage of xAI’s upcoming Colossus 2. Even with advances in efficiency, scaling energy supply remains a key uncertainty.

In addition, the cost will also be an issue. Based on current pricing, a single Nvidia H100 costs upwards of $25,000.

Using 650,000 next gen GPUs instead could still amount to tens of billions of dollars in hardware alone, not counting interconnect, cooling, facilities, and energy infrastructure.

Ultimately, Musk’s plan for xAI is technically plausible but financially and logistically daunting.

Via TomsHardware

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Best Shark Vacuums of 2025: We Tested Every Model to Find the Top Performers

CNET News - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 17:00
Since we started testing the category in 2019, Shark has earned several spots on our list of the best cordless vacuums. It offers a variety of vacuums with strong suction, long battery life and impressive warranty periods. Here are the best Shark vacuums we've tested.
Categories: Technology

Best Sleep Headphones of 2025: Tested for Quality Rest by CNET Experts

CNET News - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 16:00
Ready to fall sound asleep? From wireless earbuds to comfortable headbands, here are the best headphones for sleeping.
Categories: Technology

Eizo launches 24-inch portable monitor that consumes only 6W — here's why I believe they could replace mainstream computer screens

TechRadar News - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 15:37
  • Eizo FlexScan FLT-S uses just 6 watts of power, making it far more efficient than most office monitors
  • Certified as the world’s first Class A monitor under Europe’s updated energy standards
  • Connects using just one cable through docking stations, keeping desks clear and clutter-free

Eizo has announced the FlexScan FLT-S, a 23.8 inch full HD monitor that brings energy efficiency, portability, and a clean design into a single display.

Though marketed as a business monitor, its combination of low power draw, simplified setup, and flexible use makes it a compelling alternative to many traditional desktop monitors.

This device is currently available in Japan for 59,950 yen (approx. $406), and it is sold as a made to order product, which suggests that it targets professionals.

Some reasons why this device can replace mainstream systems

At just 6 watts during typical use, the FLT-S offers energy savings far beyond what most standard monitors can match.

Eizo says this makes it the world’s first monitor to earn a Class A energy label under the EU’s 2019/2013 regulation, which reflects its power consumption and efficient internal design.

In office environments with multiple displays running for 8 or more hours a day, this reduction in power use could translate into noticeably lower electricity bills.

It is not just good for sustainability, it is a practical financial benefit, especially at scale.

Compared to larger or older screens that often consume three or four times as much power, the FLT-S shifts the baseline for what users should expect in efficiency.

Another major advantage of the FLT-S is its minimal setup with single cable operation via USB-C or similar docks.

In most workspaces, it can be plugged into a docking station, reducing cable clutter and simplifying desk layouts, which supports a cleaner and more manageable working environment.

Unlike the earlier FlexScan FLT model, which came with a clamping arm, the FLT-S includes a small desk stand that can be placed anywhere without installation, making it suitable for open offices, temporary desks, or situations where mounting is impractical.

It supports tidy, low maintenance setups, which is now expected in modern business environments.

Also, with its lightweight build, simple stand, and plug and play nature, it can be moved around more easily, whether it is a quick desk change or being taken home for hybrid work.

Users do not need to unmount or disassemble anything, just pick it up, take it home, and plug it in.

This mobility places it alongside the best portable monitor options, but with better performance and a full desktop size.

It also means businesses do not have to issue separate screens for home and office. One unit does both jobs well.

Via mynavi

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Your Next Yelp Reviews May Include an AI Video – With a Catch

CNET News - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 15:07
Restaurant rating hub Yelp is now using AI videos to sum up restaurant reviews, but you may want to be careful what you post.
Categories: Technology

Today's NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for July 31, #311

CNET News - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 15:00
Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for July 31, No. 311.
Categories: Technology

Today's Wordle Hints, Answer and Help for July 31, #1503

CNET News - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 15:00
Here are hints and the answer for today's Wordle for July 31, No. 1,503.
Categories: Technology

Today's NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for July 31, #781

CNET News - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 15:00
Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for July 31, #781.
Categories: Technology

Today's NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for July 31 #515

CNET News - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 15:00
Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for July 31 No. 515.
Categories: Technology

Tim Cook will face some big questions during Apple's Earnings Report Call – here's why the answers matter to you

TechRadar News - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 14:53

Apple quarterly earnings reports are not usually fodder for consumer interest. It's a lot of sales numbers and explanations about why the falling dollar, rising yen, or China headwinds are impacting sales and earnings results.

Without the benefit of product introductions, it can be a snoozefest, but this time should be different, and mostly because of Apple's not-so-great year.

Put simply, Apple has a lot of explaining to do. So while Apple CFO Kevan Parekh and CEO Tim Cook will spend the first half of the earnings call that is set for Thursday, July 31 at 5PM ET (2PM PT / 10PM BST), droning through profits, operating expenses, capital, and even stock splits, it's the open call with analysts that should be most illuminating, important, and, possibly, even entertaining part of the event.

Analysts should be quizzing Cook and company on these juicy topics:

AI and Apple Intelligence

As I noted above, Apple has fallen far behind in the all-important AI race, and promises that the updated Siri will show up "in the coming year" are less than comforting, especially since that might be next year.

Analysts will rightly demand specifics. And while I do not expect Cook to get pinned down, he might offer some assurance that a Siri that can compete with, say, Gemini or ChatGPT, will arrive by the end of this year, as opposed to slipping into 2026.

I would love to see analysts press Cook on Apple's overall AI strategy, one that I believe is flawed for being too cautious. The competition is flying down AI Highway with abandon, and with Superintelligence or General Artificial Intelligence on the horizon, Apple cannot afford to take the slow approach. Any more delays and Apple will lose more than just this AI race.

New Products

During every earnings call, analysts make desperate attempts to get Cook to mention upcoming products. He never does, but Cook will talk vaguely about "the best lineup ever" of upcoming technologies. His enthusiasm can often speak volumes about what to expect and if any of it will move the needle.

(Image credit: Shutterstock ID 1870904317)Vision Pro pump up

Even though Vision Pro fails to dazzle on the sales side, it remains the most powerful and perhaps the best consumer technology Apple has ever produced. I expect Cook to highlight consumer and enterprise interest, as well as recent content successes, such as the Bono Documentary.

It's the analysts' job, though, to press Cook here and see if they can get him to admit that Vision Pro will never be a consumer product, at least not at its current price.

AR embrace (iGlasses, anyone?)

A good segue here would be a return for Cook to mentions of an AR future. Apple's wearable game cannot remain confined to watches and earbuds, not when Meta is making hay with all those Meta Smart Glasses from Ray-Ban and Oakley.

If we only consider AR glasses, Apple still has some time since Google, Samsung, and Meta are all still trying to figure out how to make high-quality lenses that do not need the bulk of larger frames to support them.

Could analysts goad Cook into mentioning future "iGlasses"?

Airy or bendy phone possibilities

Most people expect Apple to deliver its thinnest iPhone ever this September in the form of an iPhone 17 Air. Cook will not name this product, but he could mention "new form factors," which could be referring to the thinner Air and, maybe, a folding iPhone.

In both areas, though, Apple is behind Samsung, which now has the best and thinnest foldable design in the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and an admirably thin, if uninspiring, Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge.

Analysts will want at least a hint that Apple has an answer for all this.

Tariffs and US-based manufacturing

Cook will not want to talk about US-based manufacturing, tariffs, or the guy who calls him a friend, President Trump. But analysts will ask and press for projections on how tariffs might impact iPhone and other Apple gadget pricing.

Here, I expect Cook to offer at least some color, if not concrete projections. He'll talk again about how Apple is prepared for supply chain fluctuations, which include component pricing pressure. He will assure everyone that Apple has a plan for this uncertain future.

Cook might remind people about how Apple has already diversified manufacturing so that it's not all in China and point to the $500 billion investment in the US, which most recently has included manufacturing training programs for upcoming businesspeople and their businesses.

I don't know if that will satisfy everyone, especially not Trump, who has consistently demanded that Apple build the iPhone in the US.

At least Cook will get to tout the sea changes coming to all of Apple's major platforms and the impact of Liquid Glass on, for instance, the iPhone. iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS 26 are big updates and ones that, whether or not people love them, do promise to change how they use these platforms.

Overall, this could be one very exciting and even contentious earnings report, and I'll have my popcorn ready.

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Best WordPress Hosting for Smooth Website Operation in 2025

CNET News - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 14:23
We compared prices, features, performance and customer support of the top WordPress hosting services to help you make the right decision for your website.
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The Best Anime on Netflix You Can Watch Right Now

CNET News - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 14:15
Get into these titles on Netflix.
Categories: Technology

Finally, something fresh: Apple could be bringing some punchy color to the iPhone 17 Pro

TechRadar News - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 13:00
  • Claimed iPhone 17 dummy units tip a punchy orange color for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max
  • The iPhone 17 Air is tipped to have a nice sand-colored option, alongside blue, back, and white options
  • The standard iPhone 17 is expected to sport black, white, light blue, and pastel pink color options

Dummy units of the rumored iPhone 17 range have given us a good idea of what colors to expect from Apple's next-generation phones, and if they come to fruition, could see the iPhone Pro lineup get a dose of punchy color.

This comes from Apple-centric tipster Sony Dickson, who posted a selection of iPhone 17 dummy units in a mix of colors, which we're led to believe come from insider information.

While the iPhone 17 features a fetching pink pastel-like hue, and the rumored iPhone 17 Air comes in a pleasant sand-ish color, the standout is an iPhone 17 Pro dummy unit in a bright orange hue.

First look at iPhone 17 color dummies, The new orange really stands out this year — definitely a bold addition. Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/M0gB6NSglIJuly 29, 2025

If this information turns out to be accurate it could mark a mild direction change for Apple, in that previously the Pro iPhones have tended to use somewhat muted colors: the Desert Titanium model of the iPhone 16 Pro Max was probably about as bold as the flagship phones go, with the rest of the iPhone 16 Pro lineup leaning on more basic shades such as white, black, and grey.

So the addition of orange could give the iPhone Pro a shot in the arm when it comes to punchy colors. From the dummy units, the orange has a candy-like hue with a form of pastel flatness to it; the latter would be in keeping with the style of recent Pro iPhones.

Complementary colors

With the caveat that these images are far from official and there's no clear indication of where these dummy units have come from, I feel the colors on offer across the proposed iPhone 17 range work nicely.

They have the usual black and white options to appease people who like muted phones, with a dark blue shade potentially making a comeback for the iPhone 17 Pro models.

The light blue and pink options for the iPhone 17 offer a pop of freshness without being too oversaturated. While the light blue and light yellow/sand colors for the iPhone 17 Air look like they could work nicely on a slimmed-down iPhone.

For the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max, I reckon the tipped colors work well for the new rectangular rear camera array; sort of emphasising it, yet also helping it blend into the rear of the phone at the same time... if that makes a jot of sense.

Of course, I'm still not entirely convinced this much-rumored camera design change will happen, as I can't see how it would benefit the iPhone 17 Pro's camera performance; Apple tends not to just change its phone designs for pure aesthetics alone.

Unless adopting this rectangular camera array is a means to better package components, and thus leading to a slimmer iPhone Pro. But this is just educated speculation on my side.

With Apple very likely to launch new iPhones in September, when it usually holds a phone-centric Apple event, we really don't have much longer to wait before we hear about new iPhones.

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Major new malware strain targets crypto users via malicious ads - here's what we know, and how to stay safe

TechRadar News - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 12:23
  • Check Point finds thousands of ads promoting fake crypto apps
  • The apps come with an infostealer malware targeting users
  • The infostealer can bypass most antivirus protections

Cryptocurrency users are being targeted by a highly sophisticated, widespread cybercriminal campaign with the goal of deploying malware capable of grabbing exchange and wallet information, essentially robbing the people of their tokens, experts from Check Point have warned.

Apparently active since March 2024, what makes this campaign, dubbed JSCEAL by the researchers, unique is the use of compiled JavaScript files (JSC), which allows the malware to remain hidden from most traditional antivirus solutions.

The criminals created fake cryptocurrency exchange and wallet apps, which come with an infostealer. They also created websites to host these apps, and managed to purchase thousands of advertisements on the internet to promote the scam. Check Point says that just in the European Union (EU), 35,000 malicious ads were served between January and June 2025.

JSCEAL malware

“The use of Facebook’s Ad Library enabled us to estimate the campaign’s reach, while in a very conservative approach we can estimate the total reach of the malvertising campaign at 3.5 million users within the EU alone, and likely above 10 million users worldwide,” the researchers explained.

People who fall for the scam download an MSI installer which triggers “a sequence of profiling scripts” that gather critical system information. These scripts also use PowerShell commands to collect and exfiltrate data, in preparation of the final payload deployment.

This final payload is the JSCEAL malware, which steals crypto-related data such as credentials and private keys. The payload is executed through Node.js, it was said.

What makes this malware particularly dangerous is the use of compiled JavaScript files.

“The JSCEAL campaign uses compiled V8 JavaScript (JSC) files, a lesser-known feature of Google’s V8 engine that enables code obfuscation and evasion of static analysis,” the researchers added.

“This innovative technique allows attackers to bypass detection systems, making it extremely challenging to detect the malicious code until it executes. JSCEAL is notable for its scale, technical complexity, and persistence, having evolved significantly since its discovery.”

Even today, many versions of the malware remain undetected by common security tools.

Anyone concerned their data may be under threat should ensure their antivirus protections are up to date - we've rounded up the best free antivirus software around - and for those who prefer using Apple technology, also the best Mac antivirus software.

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TikTok Introduces New Parental Controls, Fact-Checking and AI Moderation Features

CNET News - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 12:22
TikTok wants parents to know when their kids are posting videos and what kind of content they're watching.
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The all-new Pebble watches just got a new name and release date – here’s how to get one

TechRadar News - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 12:20
  • The founder of Pebble smartwatches has reacquired the Pebble name
  • Upcoming watches from his Core Devices firm will be renamed
  • The first new Pebble watch is now expected to launch in August

If you miss the old days of Pebble watches, you’re in luck, as the smartwatch brand that began it all is making an unexpected comeback. That means it might not be long before you can slap a Pebble watch on your wrist like it’s 2015 all over again.

Pebble was originally founded by Eric Migicovsky, who now runs Core Devices, which succeeded Pebble when it shut down in 2016. Although Migicovsky previously revealed that he was working on two new watches that were based on the open-source PebbleOS operating system, they were to be made under the Core Devices brand name. Now, that’s all changed.

Writing on his blog, Migicovsky explained that he had been able to reacquire the Pebble trademark, which will now be incorporated into upcoming products. And it seems that the company is not wasting time, as its Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2 smartwatches have both been renamed to Pebble 2 Duo and Pebble Time 2, respectively.

Neither are ready for launch yet, though, with the former shipping out to beta users and the latter undergoing engineering verification testing (EVT). But for anyone excited by the Pebble brand, the name change alone will be enough to get the heart racing.

Shipping in August

(Image credit: Core Devices)

Want to get your hands on one of these rebranded watches? You can pre-order both from Core Devices’ rePebble website. The devices are still using the old “Core” names, and presumably this will be updated shortly. The Pebble 2 Duo is available for $149, while the Core Time 2 can be ordered for $225.

In his blog post, Migicovsky wrote that his company hopes to start shipping the Pebble 2 Duo by the end of August (a delay from its original July estimate). The hold-up is due to testing of an improved waterproofing rating, while a speaker has also been added that needs to be waterproofed as well.

There’s one additional hitch with ordering: tariffs. Migicovsky says you’ll be charged about $10 per Pebble 2 Duo if you’re ordering from the US. Non-US orders won’t be affected by tariffs, as the devices are shipped out from Hong Kong.

Migicovsky has also been testing the Pebble 2 Duo’s Bluetooth range (in a “super unscientific” manner, he concedes), and says it hits roughly 140 meters in open-air surroundings. On a street with buildings, the range is slightly longer.

The blog post also mentioned a handful of updates to the Pebble Time 2. Among them, Migicovsky said the design had been made “a bit sleeker,” although he didn’t share any specifics. Since the watch is in the EVT stage of manufacturing, it’s a little too early to start thinking about shipping dates.

Still, with the Pebble name making a comeback almost a decade after it stopped being sold, fans of the smartwatch will undoubtedly be excited for further news. We’ll be keeping an eye out for more in the meantime.

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What You Should Know About Jack Dorsey's New Messaging App Bitchat

CNET News - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 12:17
Don't expect to start chatting with many people if you download the app now.
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Miss the Nintendo DS? The world's first dual-screen Android handheld just landed to bring that spark back

TechRadar News - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 12:01
  • Ayaneo announced the Pocket DS, a new Android handheld gaming device
  • It claims the device is the 'world's first' dual-screen Android handheld
  • It will utilize Qualcomm's Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 processor for powerful gaming performance

The handheld gaming space is continuously growing each year with new devices from the likes of Nintendo plus contenders in the PC department, such as Asus, Lenovo, and MSI. However, there's an outlier in the Android and PC market that appears to be taking strong inspiration from the Nintendo DS with one of its upcoming devices.

Announced on Ayaneo's website is the brand-new Ayaneo Pocket DS, which claims to be the 'world's first' dual-screen Android handheld gaming device and is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 processor. Pricing details are set to be announced in August.

The Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 processor is built to provide high-power performance on handheld devices as an 8-core CPU packed with an Adreno A32 GPU – and it's worth noting that Qualcomm's processors often excel at power efficiency.

This comes shortly after Ayaneo announced another dual-screen handheld, the Ayaneo Flip 1S DS, which also takes after the Nintendo DS dual-screen design, but for PC gamers using Windows. Both of these devices will utilize a 7-inch OLED main screen, but the newly-announced Pocket DS will have a 165Hz refresh rate over the Flip 1S DS's 144Hz.

While the Pocket DS isn't a handheld gaming PC, it utilizes a "PC-Class Turbo Cooling System", designed to keep the dual-screen handheld cool while under heavy load. Ayaneo also built its own handheld management software, which will allow users to quickly change power settings on the fly thanks to the 5-inch LCD secondary screen – and also serves as a great tool for multitaskers.

It's doubtful that Nintendo will revisit its dual-screen design any time soon, especially after the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, so it looks like Ayaneo is the one to rely on in this space.

Analysis: I'll take a dual-screen device over an 8-inch handheld any day

(Image credit: Ayaneo)

Just to be clear, I'm fully locked in on Ayaneo and its potential success with these dual-screen handhelds – specifically the Ayaneo Flip 1S DS, using one of AMD's most powerful APUs.

I've been in the market for a handheld that has an 8-inch screen with a powerful processor at a reasonable price; I thought the Lenovo Legion Go S (Ryzen Z1 Extreme) would be the answer, but it's hardly available, and it's too expensive at $729.99 (around £549 / AU$1,130).

With the Ayaneo Flip 1S DS, pricing is reasonable for what it offers (above $900 for most configurations) as this is a popular portable design, and it's using an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, which easily outperforms the likes of the Ryzen Z1 Extreme. Fortunately, since the Ayaneo Pocket DS is built for Android gaming, I don't expect it to be as expensive.

Again, I doubt I'll go all-out to spend that much on a handheld device that I only use when I'm away from my desk. However, if I had to choose and I was already contemplating buying an MSI Claw 8 AI+, MSI Claw A8, or ROG Xbox Ally X, I would have to include the Flip 1S DS in the conversation too.

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The iPhone 17 Pro’s new rumored 8x zoom sounds incredibly cool – but honestly not that useful

TechRadar News - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 11:49

The latest iPhone 17 Pro rumors point to Apple’s premium flagship handset getting a new telephoto camera with 8x optical zoom, up from 5x zoom on the iPhone 16 Pro.

What’s more, this new camera is tipped to make use of moving components that could allow for continuous optical zoom between an as-yet unknown range of focal lengths. That’s rarely-seen technology, usually reserved for phones that are specifically designed for photography like the Sony Xperia 1 VI, and the idea of such niche tech coming to one of the world's most popular phones is properly exciting.

So why aren't I jumping for joy?

On paper, I should be. Most flagship phones – and some particularly well-specced mid-range handsets like the Oppo Reno 13 Pro – come with a telephoto camera, offering optical zoom through the addition of a specialized lens and sensor.

However, in order to create a continuous zoom between different lenses, phones typically use digital zoom to close the distance between their various lenses. For example, a phone with a main camera at 1x zoom and a telephoto camera at 3x optical zoom will digitally zoom the main camera to achieve 2x zoom.

If those aforementioned iPhone 17 Pro rumors hold true, the new telephoto camera will add even more reach and flexibility to what is already one of the best camera phones.

It could also explain the new camera housing that many rumors and leaks predict the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max to launch with. We previously thought that this design change was a purely aesthetic choice, but this Pixel-style camera bar could, in fact, house a periscope lens or other tech to support the new zoom camera.

With that all said, I can’t help but wonder whether I’d actually use this (admittedly very cool) new feature. Once the excitement around the iPhone 17 Pro’s possible 8x zoom camera settles, will it still be worth using?

Three times is the charm

The iPhone 15 Pro is seemingly the last iPhone to ship with a 3x telephoto camera (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

I'm a maximalist when it comes to tech – I like to have the best specs possible, and for a long time, I found myself pining after the 5x or even 10x telephoto lenses fitted to some of the best camera phones. I specifically remember feeling amazed when the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra launched with a 10x optical zoom camera.

But to be honest, it’s rare that I find myself zooming in that much – apparently I’m not the only one, either, as Samsung scaled down its long-range zoom camera from 10x to 5x with the release of the Galaxy S24 Ultra. As I mentioned before, unless you’re zooming into or beyond the 10x mark, a 10x zoom camera will be of no use.

If you ask me, the sweet spot is actually a 3x telephoto camera, like the one the iPhone 15 Pro had before it was upped to 5x on the iPhone 16 Pro.

The Oppo Find X8 Pro comes with a 3x telephoto camera and a 6x telephoto camera, making it a flexible and powerful camera phone (Image credit: Future / Jamie Richards)

It’s not that I don’t see the point in longer zoom lenses. In fact, last year, I wrote that the Oppo Find X8 Pro’s 6x zoom camera had opened up new possibilities when it comes to mobile photography. It's just that 3x strikes a better balance between reach and everyday usefulness; a 3x zoom lens brings details forward without feeling cramped, and the smaller lens distortion is ideal for more natural portraits.

I’m not the only 3x zoom fan in the TechRadar office, either – last year, Phones Editor Axel Metz wrote that the iPhone 15 Pro’s 3x telephoto camera was his go-to for natural and more professional-looking social media pics, like those below.

Image 1 of 5

3x zoom on the iPhone 15 Pro (Image credit: Future / Axel Metz)Image 2 of 5

3x zoom on the iPhone 15 Pro (Image credit: Future / Axel Metz)Image 3 of 5

3x zoom on the iPhone 15 Pro (Image credit: Future / Axel Metz)Image 4 of 5

3x zoom on the iPhone 15 Pro (Image credit: Future / Axel Metz)Image 5 of 5

3x zoom on the iPhone 15 Pro (Image credit: Future / Axel Metz)

An 8x zoom camera – or even better, a lens that continuously zooms from, say, 5x to 8x – would be a win for certain users: concertgoers, nature photographers, maybe even portrait photographers who don’t mind standing pretty far away.

But without an intermediate telephoto lens to bridge the long gap between 1x and 8x, for me, this won’t be a selling point.

Even the Galaxy S21 Ultra switched to a 3x camera before you got to the full 10x zoom, and while the iPhone’s digital zoom is excellent, there’d surely be a noticeable loss of quality at zoom levels that don't activate the new camera. I'd be reluctant to give up my 3x lens without some kind of software magic to get around that.

We're expecting the iPhone 17 series to be revealed in September 2025, so we hopefully won't have to wait long to see what Apple's cooking up.

What do you think about this rumor? Would an 8x telephoto camera be a boost to the iPhone, or has tech gone too far? Let us know in the comments below.

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AI glasses will become your primary computing devices according to Mark Zuckerberg as he ushers in the era of personal superintelligence

TechRadar News - Wed, 07/30/2025 - 11:12
  • Zuckerberg believes that "developing superintelligence is now in sight"
  • He believes that AI glasses will become our dominant personal computing device
  • The next 10 years will be pivitol to the development of personal superintelligence

In a letter that resembles one of Sam Altman’s long rambling blog posts, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg describes his vision of the future where there is personal superintelligence for everyone, and there’s not a single reference to the Metaverse in it.

Zuckerberg also delivered the letter in a monologue form via his Instagram account .

Titled “Personal Superintelligence”, the 600+ word article sees Zuckerberg attempt to stamp his ownership onto superintelligence. “Developing superintelligence”, he confidently says, “is now in sight.”

In words that eerily echo exactly what the CEO of OpenAI has recently said, Zuckerberg proclaims, “I am extremely optimistic that superintelligence will help humanity accelerate our pace of progress. But perhaps even more important is that superintelligence has the potential to begin a new era of personal empowerment where people will have greater agency to improve the world in the directions they choose.”

A post shared by Mark Zuckerberg (@zuck)

A photo posted by on

Personal superintelligence

According to Zuckerberg, everyone having their own accessible superintelligence will “help you achieve your goals, create what you want to see in the world, experience any adventure, be a better friend to those you care about, and grow to become the person you aspire to be.”

In a nod to the Ray-Ban and Oakley Meta AI Glasses that the company is so proud of, Zuckerberg says: “Personal devices like glasses that understand our context because they can see what we see, hear what we hear, and interact with us throughout the day will become our primary computing devices.”

Personally, I find this a bit hard to accept based on the current evidence. While I haven't had the pleasure of using Meta's AI glasses yet, I have used AI devices like the Rabbit R1, which require voice commands to do everything, and it's a slow and awkward way to use AI compared to quickly typing a prompt or opening apps on a screen.

On exactly when we can expect this new era of personal superintelligence to kick in, Zuckerberg still seems to be hedging his bets a little: “The rest of this decade seems likely to be the decisive period for determining the path this technology will take, and whether superintelligence will be a tool for personal empowerment or a force focused on replacing large swaths of society.”

Could devices like these Ray-Ban Meta AI Glasses become the dominant personal computer device? (Image credit: Meta / Ray-Ban)A force for good or evil

This battle between AI being used for good or evil seems to be a theme that is playing on CEO’s minds lately. For example, Sam Altman recently couldn’t seem to decide if he was scared of the power of ChatGPT 5 or in awe of it.

While predicting the imminent dawn of superintelligence seems to be the favorite pastime of tech CEOs at the moment, it seems that the technology is building towards a tipping point where superintelligence becomes a reality. Let's just hope that the movies got it wrong about what happens next.

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