Another AI assistant for the iPhone? This one is unique.

      Bryan M. Wolfe / Digital Trends

      Did we truly require another AI assistant on the iPhone? Maybe not, but a new one has arrived. Le Chat, created by Mistral, is a French AI assistant that was previously accessible only online. It has now been introduced on the App Store and Google Play Store. Once hailed as Europe’s significant hope for AI, Le Chat utilizes Mistral’s native language models, including Mistral Large and Pixtral Large. Consequently, the app competes with other AI chatbots like OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

      Mistral Large and Pixtral Large are advanced AI models, yet they differ significantly in their functionalities. Mistral Large is a robust large language model (LLM) tailored for text-based tasks. It is proficient at generating creative content, translating languages, composing various types of creative works, and delivering informative responses to inquiries.

      Conversely, Pixtral Large is a state-of-the-art multimodal language model that can comprehend and reason with both textual and visual data. It merges a text decoder with a vision encoder, enabling it to process and analyze images alongside text. This allows Pixtral Large to excel in tasks like document analysis, chart interpretation, and understanding natural images, surpassing the text-only capabilities of Mistral Large.

      As TechCrunch describes, Le Chat is recognized for its ability to respond at a speed of up to 1,000 words per second. It also claims to offer superior image generation and enhanced privacy compared to competing products.

      Le Chat features natural language conversations, real-time internet searches, and document analysis. It combines pre-existing knowledge with current web searches, journalistic content, and social media insights to offer a wide array of information sources. With its intuitive interface and practical functionalities, Le Chat aims to help users navigate the complexities of everyday life and work.

      With the mobile launch of Le Chat, Mistral has also introduced a new subscription plan, Le Chat Pro, priced at $14.99 per month. This plan provides unlimited access to Mistral’s most powerful model and web browsing functionalities. Additionally, subscribers can send unlimited messages daily, enjoy extended access to news, upload files without restrictions, and utilize other enhanced features.

      AI chatbots currently rank among the most popular apps in the App Store. ChatGPT, the newly launched DeepSeek, and Google Gemini are all within the top 10. It will be intriguing to see if Le Chat garners interest among iPhone and Android users.

      Bryan M. Wolfe is an experienced technology writer with over a decade of expertise. He covers mobile topics.

      Nothing’s next phone may take cues from top iPhone features

      In its usual style, Nothing has been rather unclear with its teasers regarding the forthcoming Nothing Phone 3a, and a recent rumor suggests it might incorporate one of the best features from the iPhone. So far, Nothing has only confirmed the Phone 3a is forthcoming, with more details expected at its conference on March 4, and the latest teaser adds to the intrigue.

      The shared image shows a button located on the side of the phone below the power button. For context, Nothing has consistently placed its power button and volume controls on opposite sides of the device. Unless there's a major design shift for the Nothing Phone 3a, the image indicates a new button is set to debut with this release, leading many fans to speculate that it could be a dedicated camera shutter button.

      There’s a clear winner in our Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max camera test

      Would it be appropriate if we didn’t compare the latest Samsung Galaxy S series against the most recent iPhone in a camera test? We don’t think so, which is why we've taken photos with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max to determine which has the superior camera.

      Camera specifications: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (left) and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      The Galaxy S25 Ultra features the same 200-megapixel main camera, 50MP telephoto lens for 5x optical zoom, and a 10MP telephoto lens for 3x optical zoom as the Galaxy S24 Ultra. The newest addition, aside from the upgraded processor and software, is a 50MP wide-angle camera. Samsung has collaborated with Qualcomm on a specialized Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor and has integrated extensive AI functionalities in the camera to enhance results.

      Apple moves closer to a pivotal decision on foldable iPhone

      We are approaching the time when Apple is anticipated to unveil the iPhone SE 4. Later this year, the iPhone 17 is set to debut, which should introduce an “iPhone Air” for the first time. Recent leaks suggest news about an even more significant new iPhone.

      According to a source tied to Apple’s supply chain, the company is nearing a decision regarding a key supplier for