China and Russia are positioning themselves as major forces vying for control over these vital lithium deposits through strategic diplomacy and deal-making
Smartphones
Latest in Smartphones
AI powered smartphones
In pictures: Smartphone showdown: South Korea’s Samsung outsells Apple by 743 million units in a decade
Global smartphone shipments hit a whopping 14 billion in the past decade
AI powered smartphones
MWC Barcelona 2024: AI-powered smartphones are the future, says HONOR MEA region CEO
Global technology brand HONOR used MWC Barcelona 2024 to highlight its vision for the future of AI-powered smartphones and devices
5G
HONOR debuts new Magic6 Pro smartphone
The global technology brand announces the launch of its new smartphone with cutting-edge camera and display technologies
5G
HONOR introduces the thinnest, lightest foldable device in the Middle East
The global brand’s latest foldable brings the form factor down to the same size and weight as a normal phone but with all of the benefits associated with a folding device
digital detox
Gen Z call for ‘dumb’ phones to limit screen time: Report
The trend of Gen Z being obsessed with such phones began when various celebrities took to social media explaining the need to reclaim their mental health
Apple
New Foxconn unit in India: Karnataka govt approves $968 mn investment
Foxxconn, a global supplier to iPhone maker Apple, has reportedly won an order to make AirPods and plans to build a facility in India to manufacture the wireless earphones
Gadgets
Gartner predicts worldwide device shipments to decline 4% in 2023
Mobile phone shipment will be down to the 2009 level; PCs to lead the fall, down 7% after a 16% decline in 2022
Apple
India’s iPhone exports cross $1bn mark in Dec 2022
Apple, through its three contract manufacturers – Foxconn Hon Hai, Pegatron and Wistron – is producing and exporting iPhone 12, 13, 14 and 14+ models from India
Apple
First-ever iPhone was sold 15 years after launch for over $39,000
The unopened 8GB smartphone was sold in an auction, factory sealed and with intact labels
Apple
Apple dropping plans to increase iPhone 14 production amidst muted response
Slowdown in China, fears of recession and war in Ukraine cited as some of the factors; However, demand is stronger for premium-priced iPhone 14 than entry-level ones
digital financial services
Why smartphones are key to unlocking financial inclusion in Middle East and Africa
Mobile money services are connecting millions of unbanked and underbanked populations in the region to digital financial services
Camera
Why smartphones, influencers and YouTubers can fuel a global love of pictures
Rather than killing off the camera business, President and CEO of Canon Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Yuichi Ishizuka, says the future has never been brighter for the imaging industry
International Data Corporation
Gulf’s mobile phone market grows to nearly $21bn after Q4 rebound
Overall mobile phone market of the Gulf region experiences quarter-on-quarter growth of 8.2% amid Covid recovery
Noticeboard
OPPO’s most innovative camera smartphones and first-ever ‘all-5G’ Reno5 series launches in the UAE
As the region leapfrogs into 5G commercialisation, the Reno5 series establishes itself as the photography expert in any scenario with AI-powered features
Huawei
Smartphone giant Huawei to open largest store outside China in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Minister of Investment hails agreement, says Huawei is one of most valued and long-standing digital partners
Android devices
Video: Why Samsung and Motorola are bringing back foldable phones
Folding phones are back. Samsung has the infamous Galaxy Fold and new Galaxy Z Flip, Motorola has its retro Razr, and there are plenty of other phones on the market. But what is so great about folding phones that these companies feel the need to bring back this form factor? CNBC’s Todd Haselton, YouTuber Zack Nelson and analyst Patrick Moorhead weigh in on this new take on a classic design.