Notorious for being an "Apple copycat," this company presents a clever smartphone battery enhancement that Apple should emulate.

      Xiaomi’s battery upgrade initiative is precisely what aging iPhones require

      Xiaomi has frequently been accused of drawing inspiration from Apple, but now the tables should turn. The company has broadened its paid battery upgrade service in China to include the Xiaomi 13, Xiaomi 13 Pro, and Xiaomi 13 Ultra.

      In contrast to a conventional battery replacement, where a company merely exchanges the old cells for new ones of the same capacity, Xiaomi is providing larger batteries that enhance the longevity of older devices.

      Wait… a battery upgrade years after its release?

      According to Xiaomi President Lu Weibing's updates on Weibo, the standard Xiaomi 13 can upgrade from a 4,500mAh battery to a 4,850mAh version. The Xiaomi 13 Pro sees a notable increase, moving from 4,820mAh to 5,361mAh, while the Xiaomi 13 Ultra goes from 5,000mAh to 5,500mAh. Although these upgrades aren't as significant as those seen in the latest flagship models, they still represent a meaningful enhancement for devices that are nearly four years old.

      And it’s reasonably priced.

      The service is available for 189 Yuan (approximately $27), which covers labor costs as well. Xiaomi also cautions that availability may be restricted, so this program isn’t widely accessible globally yet. Still, the concept is commendable. Phone manufacturers are increasingly advocating for extended software support and longer ownership periods. An official battery upgrade with higher capacity aligns perfectly with this vision. It not only refreshes your battery life but enhances it—similar to how an OTA update improves software.

      Apple should take notes

      Apple already provides battery replacements for older iPhones, which is positive. However, Xiaomi’s method is more intriguing because it transforms a repair into an upgrade. Picture taking an older iPhone for repairs and receiving an official higher-capacity battery designed by Apple, optimized through iOS, and supported officially. This would make battery replacement feel more enticing than merely restoring the phone to its original battery capacity.

      Vikhyaat Vivek is a technology journalist and reviewer with seven years of experience focusing on consumer hardware.

      Apple pays $250 million to reimburse iPhone users due to Siri's inadequacies

      Apple's overdue Siri upgrade is now more than just an embarrassing setback for artificial intelligence; it has resulted in a significant settlement for the company. Apple has agreed to pay $250 million to settle a class-action lawsuit that accused it of misleading US iPhone buyers regarding the AI-enhanced Siri features introduced as part of Apple Intelligence.

      According to the Financial Times, the lawsuit revolves around Apple’s commitment to providing a more personalized Siri, which was first showcased at WWDC 2024 and promoted alongside the latest iPhones.

      Android adopts a new framework to prevent dubious apps from causing problems

      Android security is receiving an additional layer of accountability aimed at issues that digital signatures cannot resolve. Google has announced that it is extending Binary Transparency across the Android ecosystem. Starting with the development of Google apps for Android and Mainline modules, the company will log official releases in a public append-only ledger, enhancing verification of whether the software on a device is the exact version Google intended to distribute.

      Why digital signatures are no longer sufficient

      I tested the Xiaomi 17 Ultra’s camera and doubt I’ll ever revert to an iPhone

      In a landscape where innovation seems stagnant, the so-called "Apple copycat" is setting a remarkable standard for others.

      In the realm of flagship smartphones, the term "Ultra" has begun to lose its significance. All brands use it, but few deliver something that genuinely feels ultra. Take the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, for example. While it's a decent phone, it's hardly exciting. This reflects a broader issue in the US market where many compelling Android flagships simply don’t make their way here. Meanwhile, manufacturers like Vivo, Oppo, and Honor are subtly pushing smartphone cameras closer to professional camera territory than ever. Enter the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. After using it for a couple of weeks, it's evident that this is not just a phone with a great camera—it's a camera that happens to function as a phone. In truth, it resembles a modern revival of the Samsung Galaxy Camera.