Apple

The iPhone 16, almost a year later

Apple’s innovations with the 16 series overall this year boil down to a new button, some AI features, and a faster chip. There are a few other enhancements, but the three mentioned are the most important selling features for me. And since these also came to both the Pro and the standard 16 series, I’m

Published 2 weeks ago in
The iPhone 16, almost a year later

Apple’s innovations with the 16 series overall this year boil down to a new button, some AI features, and a faster chip. There are a few other enhancements, but the three mentioned are the most important selling features for me. And since these also came to both the Pro and the standard 16 series, I’m falling in love with the regular 16 much more than I expected.

Over the years, I’ve used every iPhone type except for the older iPhone 12/13 minis. I’ve mainly stuck with standard-sized Pro phones over the years for that extra zoom lens, but with the power of computational photography, I’ve found this less of a necessity since Apple started using its Fusion Camera tech. There’s no doubt the dedicated lens is better, but the iPhone 16’s 5x zoom can provide pretty darn good results.

After the iPhone event last year, I decided to mainly use the iPhone 16 Pro Max since the review unit I was provided came in the stunning Desert colour, but also because it’s technically the best iPhone on paper. However, after spending more time with a basic iPhone 16, I can say that the larger and heavier Pro Max isn’t for everyone, and it actually might not even be for me.

Even with the Titanium frame, the Pro Max is large, and all the extra screen, battery, and camera power amount to lots of weight resting on your pinky. On paper, the 227g Pro Max doesn’t seem significantly heavier than the 170-gram iPhone 16, but after holding both for weeks, I can say for sure that most of the time I’m a lot more comfortable using the smaller phone. It’s easier to reach around with my thumb and doesn’t put as much pressure on my pinky. This all sounds dumb, but after using the heavier phone, I could feel its impact on my pinky. Is it a big deal? No, but it was something that was weighing on my mind (and pinky) a lot. Even as I write this, I’ve had both phones in hand and every time I use the Pro Max for a prolonged time, I feel it.

When it comes down to it, I like using the regular iPhone every day simply because it’s more convenient to hold. I know that seems crazy considering how many things really separate the two phones, but most of the time, I’m using my phone to search the web, browse social media, or watch YouTube, and

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Apple

Samsung taking market share from Apple in U.S. as foldable phones gain momentum

Samsung introduced two folding phones in July that are garnering praise on social media and putting pressure on Apple to deliver new types of iPhones…

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Samsung taking market share from Apple in U.S. as foldable phones gain momentum

Samsung introduced two folding phones in July that are garnering praise on social media and putting pressure on Apple to deliver new types of iPhones…
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South Africans can now buy Apple, Alphabet shares as digital tokens on Luno

From early August, Luno, a cryptocurrency and digital investment platform, will allow its users in South Africa to invest in tokenised stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), making global equities like Apple and Alphabet accessible for as little as R20 ($1.13). The move positions Luno as a multi-asset investment platform and marks what it says is

Published 1 month ago in
South Africans can now buy Apple, Alphabet shares as digital tokens on Luno

From early August, Luno, a cryptocurrency and digital investment platform, will allow its users in South Africa to invest in tokenised stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), making global equities like Apple and Alphabet accessible for as little as R20 ($1.13). The move positions Luno as a multi-asset investment platform and marks what it says is a first-of-its-kind offering in South Africa’s fast-evolving financial landscape.

Tokenised stocks are digital representations of real shares, backed 1:1 by actual securities. By enabling access via rands, Luno is removing longstanding barriers such as currency conversion costs, high fees, and trading-hour restrictions for retail investors in emerging markets.

“Until now, access to global financial markets has been locked behind red tape and legacy systems,” said Christo de Wit, Luno’s country manager for South Africa. “With tokenised stocks, we are offering South African investors easy access to global investments any time of the day or night.”

The platform will support over 60 U.S. companies and market indices, including Apple, Alphabet, NVIDIA, and the S&P 500. These tokenised products are made available through partnerships with infrastructure providers like Kraken’s xStocks and Backed Finance, which Luno says will ensure regulatory compliance, secure custody, and alignment with global financial standards.

How Luno tokenised stocks work

Customers can start investing with as little as R20 ($1.13), even in companies like Apple and Google. Instead of paying nearly R4,000 ($226) for a full Apple share, they can buy just a piece. These tokens are digital versions of real stocks, and customers trade them through blockchain. 

“This represents a fundamental shift in how we think about investing,” explained de Wit. “We are not just digitising old processes, we are reimagining what is possible when you combine improved technology with investor needs.”

Launched in 2013, Luno has grown to become one of Africa’s leading crypto exchanges, but now it’s adding tokenised stocks and ETFs. South Africa remains one of the continent’s most active crypto markets. Over 5 million South Africans are estimated to own crypto, with digital asset ownership expected to grow by nearly 8% annually through 2031.

Luno competes with platforms like VALR, Binance, AltcoinTrader, and wealthtech apps like EasyEquities and Satrix that focus mainly on traditional stocks and ETFs. 

Still, the expansion into tokenised equities could bring Luno under closer scrutiny. As digital tokens backed by real-world financial instruments, these offerings may fall within capital market regulations, including investor protection and transparency requirements. South Africa’s Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) is already in the process of licencing crypto asset providers and building a clearer framework for digital securities.

Mark your calendars! Moonshot by TechCabal is back in Lagos on October 15–16! Join Africa’s top founders, creatives & tech leaders for 2 days of keynotes, mixers & future-forward ideas. Early bird tickets now 20% off—don’t snooze! moonshot.techcabal.com

Sakhile Dube Associate Reporter

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Crypto summer on 1xBet: iPhone 16 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, Apple Watch Ultra 2 and other gadgets in the draw

Updated 18 July 2025 at 10:54 IST The rapid pace of cryptocurrency adoption has a significant impact on our daily lives. While in 2010, paying for two pizzas with bitcoins was a meme within the geek community, today you can use digital coins in online stores like Gucci, Balenciaga, and Shopify, as well as deposit

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Crypto summer on 1xBet: iPhone 16 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, Apple Watch Ultra 2 and other gadgets in the draw

Updated 18 July 2025 at 10:54 IST The rapid pace of cryptocurrency adoption has a significant impact on our daily lives. While in 2010, paying for two pizzas with bitcoins was a meme within the geek community, today you can use digital coins in online stores like Gucci, Balenciaga, and Shopify, as well as deposit
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House Republicans block Democratic maneuver to force release of Epstein files

House Republicans on Monday night voted against attaching a Democratic amendment to landmark cryptocurrency legislation that would force the Justice Department to release the Jeffrey Epstein files.Why it matters: It’s the outcome Democrats anticipated, and one they plan to gleefully cite as President Trump continues to grapple with the MAGA fallout over the DOJ’s handling

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House Republicans block Democratic maneuver to force release of Epstein files

House Republicans on Monday night voted against attaching a Democratic amendment to landmark cryptocurrency legislation that would force the Justice Department to release the Jeffrey Epstein files.Why it matters: It’s the outcome Democrats anticipated, and one they plan to gleefully cite as President Trump continues to grapple with the MAGA fallout over the DOJ’s handling of the documents.”The question with Epstein is: Whose side are you on?” Rep…
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