Apple TV+ will be available for free streaming from January 4 to January 5, 2025, giving viewers a chance to explore its critically acclaimed library of movies and series at no cost. Known for its emphasis on high-quality, original content, Apple TV+ has gained recognition for its limited but excellent catalog. This weekend provides a perfect opportunity for new viewers to experience the platform's standout films and shows. Here are the top five movies and series you should binge-watch, with details about their release dates, genres, casts, and compelling plots.
Ted Lasso
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Sports
Cast: Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein, Juno Temple
Ted Lasso follows the story of an optimistic American football coach, played by Jason Sudeikis, who is hired to manage a struggling English soccer team despite having no experience with the sport. What begins as a cynical ploy by the team's owner soon transforms into a heartwarming tale of perseverance, friendship, and personal growth. The show is celebrated for its sharp humor, heartfelt moments, and lovable characters. Over three seasons, Ted Lasso explores themes of mental health, teamwork, and resilience, making it a must-watch feel-good series for viewers of all ages.
Severance
Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller
Cast: Adam Scott, Patricia Clarkson, John Turturro, Christopher Walken
Severance is a mind-bending thriller that imagines a world where employees at Lumon Industries undergo a procedure to separate their work and personal memories. Adam Scott plays Mark, a team leader who begins to question the ethics of the procedure as strange events unfold. The show masterfully blends corporate satire with psychological suspense, creating an unsettling yet captivating atmosphere. With its high production value and stellar cast, Severance has been hailed as one of the most innovative shows of recent years.
Greyhound
Genre: War, Action, Drama
Cast: Tom Hanks, Stephen Graham, Rob Morgan, Elisabeth Shue
Greyhound is an intense World War II drama following U.S. Navy Captain Ernest Krause (Tom Hanks) as he leads a convoy of Allied ships across the Atlantic, facing relentless attacks by German U-boats. The film offers a gripping portrayal of naval warfare, emphasizing strategy, courage, and leadership under pressure. With tight pacing and breathtaking visuals, Greyhound immerses viewers in the harrowing realities of wartime decision-making. Based on true events, the movie has been praised for its authenticity and Hanks' compelling performance.
For All Mankind
Genre: Sci-Fi, Alternate History
Cast: Joel Kinnaman, Michael Dorman, Sarah Jones, Shantel VanSanten
What if the Soviet Union had landed on the moon before the United States? This alternate history series explores a world where the space race never ended. For All Mankind reimagines key historical moments, focusing on the astronauts, engineers, and their families as they navigate personal and professional challenges. The series delves into themes of ambition, sacrifice, and technological innovation, offering a fascinating blend of drama and speculative fiction. With four seasons available, this epic tale provides plenty of material for a weekend binge.
Shrinking
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Cast: Jason Segel, Harrison Ford, Jessica Williams
Shrinking is a heartfelt comedy-drama about a grieving therapist, Jimmy (Jason Segel), who starts breaking professional boundaries by giving brutally honest advice to his patients. Harrison Ford co-stars as his mentor, bringing humor and wisdom to the narrative. The series explores themes of loss, healing, and human connection, offering both laughs and poignant moments. Its relatable characters and witty dialogue make it a standout series.
This free weekend on Apple TV+ offers a unique opportunity to dive into the platform's top-tier content. With a mix of heartwarming dramas, thrilling series, and action-packed movies, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Don't miss the chance to explore these cinematic and storytelling gems!
Frogs around the world are being severely impacted by the chytrid fungus, which has led to population declines in over 500 species and the presumed extinction of approximately 90 species. This invasive pathogen is disrupting ecosystems and causing significant biodiversity loss. Innovative methods to combat this threat have emerged, focusing on providing frogs with heated environments to resist infection. This approach, which is both affordable and adaptable, has shown promise in addressing the devastating effects of chytrid on amphibian populations.
Fighting the Fungus with Heat
According to a study published in Nature, chytrid infections intensify in colder months. Researchers have developed "frog saunas," small heated structures that allow amphibians to elevate their body temperature, helping them fight off the infection. The fungus, unable to survive high temperatures, can be eliminated when frogs spend time in these saunas. In experiments conducted in both controlled and outdoor environments, infected frogs that used these heated enclosures were found to clear the infection significantly faster than those kept in colder conditions.
Natural Immunity and Resistance
As reported by The Conversation, frogs cured through heat treatment developed increased resistance to future chytrid infections. Laboratory trials demonstrated that frogs previously exposed to controlled heating were far less likely to succumb to reinfections. When implemented in outdoor trials, frogs instinctively utilised the saunas to elevate their body temperatures, effectively reducing infection rates and mortality.
Broader Applications of Frog Saunas
The initiative, being deployed at Sydney Olympic Park, focuses on preserving one of the largest populations of green and golden bell frogs. The structures, made with easily sourced materials, offer a practical solution for conservationists and the public alike. Efforts are underway to expand the use of saunas to protect other endangered species.
Conservationists encourage individuals to contribute by building backyard saunas or participating in citizen science projects, which can help track and protect local frog populations. With widespread adoption, this approach may play a crucial role in reducing the chytrid fungus's impact on global amphibian biodiversity.
OnePlus 13R will launch in India and in select global markets on January 7 alongside the OnePlus 13. The phone is said to be a rebrand of the OnePlus Ace 5, which was introduced in China alongside a Pro variant on December 26. The company had previously confirmed several features of the upcoming handset and revealed the phone's design and colour options as well. However, ahead of the launch, new renders of the OnePlus 13R showing its complete design have leaked online.
OnePlus 13R Leaked Design Renders
The OnePlus 13R is confirmed to be offered in Astral Trail and Nebula Noir colour options. In promotional images, the smartphone appears with a large, circular camera module at the top left of the rear panel. It holds three sensors alongside an LED flash unit. The leaked renders shared by X user Arsène Lupin (@MysteryLupin) show the design of the upcoming handset in more detail.
The front of the OnePlus 13R displays a screen with thin, uniform bezels and a hole-punch slot at the top. The right edge holds the volume rocker and the power button, while the left edge has an alert slider. The top edge appears with an IR sensor, while the bottom edge holds the USB Type-C port, a SIM card slot, the speaker grille and the mic.
OnePlus 13R Specifications
The OnePlus 13R is confirmed to be powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. It will support AI-backed photo editing and note-taking features. The phone will house a 6,000mAh battery and will be available for purchase in India via Amazon.
Similar to the OnePlus Ace 5, the OnePlus 13R may sport a 6.78-inch full-HD+ display with up to 120Hz refresh rate and up to 1,600 nits global peak brightness. The phone could get a 50-megapixel triple rear camera unit alongside an 8-megapixel secondary and a 2-megapixel macro sensor. The front camera will likely hold a 16-megapixel sensor.
Notably, the OnePlus Ace 5 carries a 6,400mAh battery with support for 80W wired fast charging and an IP65-rated build against dust and water ingress. It is equipped with an in-display fingerprint sensor for security.
Apple TV+ will be free for streaming during the first weekend of January 2025, the company announced on Monday. The streaming service from the Cupertino-based technology giant will offer a weekend promotion with free streaming of Apple Original films and shows without any subscription required. This limited-period scheme comes ahead of the release of popular Apple Original content such as Severance Season 2, Mythic Quest, and Prime Target — all of which premiere in January, 2025.
Apple TV+ Free Streaming
According to Apple, users can streaming Apple Originals between January 4 and January 5 without requiring any subscription. They can simply open the Apple TV+ app which comes pre-installed on Apple devices and start watching content. For two days, they can get access to Apple Originals such as award-winning series, compelling dramas, groundbreaking documentaries, kids' entertainment, comedies, and more. This includes The Morning Show, Ted Lasso, Severance, Dark Matter, and For All Mankind.
Apple TV+ is also available on other supported platforms such as a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or a smart TV, and watch films and shows for free.
Notably, Apple TV+ is offered free for three months on the purchase of any new Apple device. Monthly subscribers can also get a seven-day trial of the streaming service before enrolling in the subscription, which starts at Rs. 99 per month. It is also included in the Apple One plan costing Rs. 195 per month, that also gives access to 200GB of iCloud data, Apple Arcade, and Apple Music.
Additionally, Apple Music Student Plan comes with a free subscription to Apple TV+.
Apple Subscription With Airtel
Airtel subscribers can enjoy Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions with select prepaid and postpaid plans in India. It comes bundled with premium Airtel WiFi and Postpaid plans. Meanwhile, mobile users will be able to enjoy a subscription to Apple Music, which is the Cupertino-based tech giant's audio-streaming service, with Airtel's own Wynk Premium subscription.
This year was supposed to be a slow year for games, a gap year for major releases before 2025 brought out the big guns. But in hindsight, 2024 has been a bountiful year for video games, with some standout titles on all platforms. From Helldivers 2 and Palworld becoming multiplayer phenomenons, to Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree and Black Myth: Wukong lighting up the action-RPG category, past 12 months have seen excellent launches across genres.
It's been a great year for indie games, too. Balatro, a poker-inspired roguelike deckbuilder developer by a single person, was nominated for Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2024. There were some excellent remakes of older games, as well. Silent Hill 2 and Persona 3 Reload brought back classic games in a contemporary package. There were many great games this year, and since 2024 is winding down, it's time to pick our favourites.
It's also worth noting that there were several acclaimed titles that we didn't get to play this year and are hence not part of this list. These include games like Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Metaphor: ReFantazio and more. Our list consists of our favourite picks from the games we did play in 2024. So here are our best video games of 2024 across all platforms (in alphabetical order):
Astro Bot
Sony didn't have any major first-party launches this year, but a few surprise exclusives helped tide the PlayStation parent over during the period. The best of them all came from the most unexpected place. Team Asobi's Astro Bot, a sequel to free-to-play PS5 title Astro's Playroom, arrived like a splash of colour on a dull page. The Nintendo-style family-friendly 3D platformer stands distinct from other PlayStation exclusives in both the way it looks and plays. You play as Astro, the cute robot mascot for PlayStation, faring across the galaxy with his bot buddies, before Nebulax intercepts your PS5-shaped spaceship. The ship crash lands on a strange planet and the bots are scattered and lost across several galaxies.
You're then tasked with collecting all your friends and repairing your ship by finding the missing parts, as you explore over 80 vibrant levels across multiple galaxies. There's easter eggs to be found, special VIP bots to be collected and hidden planets to be discovered. Astro Bot is brimming with PlayStation memorabilia, essentially acting as a museum for the brand and its journey through the ages.
Aside from being a fun collectathon, Astro Bot features colouful levels, each with a distinct theme and flavour. There is a planet made out of confections, another that's designed as a construction site, and one that's a tropical beach paradise. Moving around in these levels using Astro's modest move set is fun and responsive, especially with the excellent haptic feedback on the DualSense controller. The gameplay doesn't feature the depth of some of the other games on this list, but a wide variety of inventive abilities adds freshness to each planet.
With its candy-coloured visuals, creative level design and fun-focussed gameplay, Astro Bot stood out in a year full of excellent action-adventure games, winning four trophies at The Game Awards 2024, including Game of the Year.
Developed by one person, Billy Blasso, Animal Well is an atmospheric Metroidvania platformer that emphasises exploration. There are no tutorials or hints that guide the player through the expanding maze and there is no combat. Players are instead encouraged to be curious and engage with the game's challenges creatively.
Animal Well puts the spotlight on its puzzles as each section of the map requires inventive thinking to progress through. The labyrinthine levels are full of eerie animals that sometimes help the player and other times stand in their way. The game can be disorienting at first, with multiple branching paths and no clear way through. Early sections of the game can feel like you are stumbling around in the dark with arms outstretched, trying to feel your way through. But then your eyes get accustomed to the darkness, and you begin to see the path forward.
While you can stick to the golden path in your playthrough and rush through the main objectives, inquisitive players will find hidden areas and increasingly complex puzzles. Gear items found during the playthrough also become key to unlocking the maze. And beyond its rewarding platforming and puzzle solving, Animal Well's dreamlike visuals and pixel art style bring a surreal, immersive experience that you couldn't find in any other game released in 2024.
Animal Well's intricate maze is full of animals and spirits Photo Credit: Shared Memory
Balatro
At this point, there's little to be said about Balatro that hasn't already been said. The indie roguelike deckbuilder, also developed by a single person who goes by the psuedonym LocalThunk, became the year's breakout hit on every platform. The game has sold over 3.5 million copies and it's easy to see why. Balatro is deceptively simple, increasingly complex and ridiculously addictive. The goal of the game is to play the best poker hands to defeat blinds — Small, Big and Boss blinds, that escalate difficulty by introducing new challenges.
Each blind includes several rounds of playing your hands until you run out of them or hit the target score. You also get access to special cards that come with buffs to tilt the round in your favour by twisting the rules. As the name would suggest, Joker cards are all-important in Balatro. They come with unique effects that alter rules and consequently can help you hit the score.
Balatro received five nominations at The Game Awards 2024, including Game of the Year. It ended up winning Best Independent Game, Best Debut Indie Game, and Best Mobile Game categories. It's available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and mobile platforms, and via Apple Arcade subscription. But be warned, downloading Balatro on your phone comes with a risk of getting addicted to its loop.
Balatro is available on PC, Mac, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and mobile platforms Photo Credit: LocalThunk
Helldivers 2
Who knew shooting some bugs with your friends could be this fun? Helldivers 2 arrived in a saturated multiplayer market, with new live service games struggling to hold on to players. But with its frenetic PvE action, its distinct humour, and excellent visuals, Helldivers 2 has managed to stand out in a field full of imitations and iterations. In Arrowhead Games' third-person shooter, you're recruited as mindless soldier for the fascistic government of Super Earth and thrown into an endless war against Terminids and Automatons. Your aim as a foot soldier for the empire is to listen to orders, kill the targets, and die in service of Super Earth. But instead of playing the militaristic intent and jingoism straight, the game is dripping with biting satire, paying homage to Starship Troopers. Helldivers 2 is constantly making fun of its own premise, bringing a sense of comedic self-awareness that lends itself to the exaggerated objectives.
There's no PvP element to Helldivers 2, and so its PvE battleground lends itself perfectly to collaborative and rallying online matches, even if you're playing with strangers. The action itself is quite epic. You land on overrun outposts on far-flung planets to find them crawling with giant bugs. While you take out the scurrying insects and blow up their nests, you also must complete a set of objectives to gain maximum rewards before you fly out.
To aid your extermination efforts, you get some of the most explosive weapons you'll see in video games. While your start out with standard assault weapons and can call in special weaponry later through your stratagems, your biggest arsenal are the orbital strikes. These strikes are capable of levelling everything that's in front you in over-the-top fashion and serve as blockbuster moments in fast-paced matches.
Prince of Persia is a beloved and storied franchise that had been dormant for a while before Ubisoft Montpellier, makers of the excellent Rayman games, decided to give the series a new direction. The Lost Crown reinvents Prince of Persia as a Metroidvania action-platformer with intense boss fights, intricate level design and tons of puzzles. In The Lost Crown, you play as Sargon, a member of The Immortals, tasked with rescuing the prince, who has been kidnapped and taken to Mount Qaf.
The mountain becomes the maze where the game's branching levels rest. As you explore different parts of Mount Qaf, you meet its residents and villains, you discover its hidden secrets and find buried treasures. Along your way, you take on threats in the form of your environment and the enemies that stand in your path. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown features some of the hardest platforming sections in a game this year that demand precision and patience from players.
And its dynamic combat, that emphasises parrying incoming strikes and hitting back during the right window, keeps escalating the difficulty on a steady curve. The Lost Crown, thus, feels challenging, but never unfair. There are some sections that could end up grinding you down, but the developers ensured these areas remain optional. There have been a few excellent Metroidvanias in the past few years and The Lost Crown borrows bright ideas from each of them but ultimately presents an adventure that remains distinctly Prince of Persia.
We've talked about platformers, deckbuilders, action titles and shooters. Senua's Saga: Hellblade II is an action-adventure game, but it's also uncompromisingly focussed on a cinematic vision. The game can only be played in a wide-screen aspect ratio, it features beautiful, near photo-realistic visuals and it is powered by a central performance that can rival some of the best ones in films this year.
As a video game, Senua's Saga isn't offering a lot; It can be finished in about six hours and its gameplay systems are purposely shallow. But the game packs an unsparing amount of detail and care into its narrative and visual presentation, resulting in an immersive experience like no other in the medium in 2024. From its binaural audio that attempts to capture Senua's psychosis in an authentic way to its industry leading facial animations, Senua's Saga is a technical powerhouse.
The game utilises Unreal Engine 5 to present natural landscapes that are evocative. Walking through desolate and jagged hills and Norse ruins helps sell a sense of isolation, reflecting Senua's state. And her determined march forward is reflected in the game's strictly linear levels. There are action-adventure titles that tell an affecting story while bringing a deeper gameplay experience, where players get to define their time with the game in their own ways. But Senua's Saga: Hellblade II aims to create a singular experience that obsessively adheres to the developer's intensions. And that is an admirable approach in a medium that's ever ready to bend to the will of the player.
HMD Pulse Pro officially becomes the first Nokia smartphone to receive the Android 15 software update, according to a report. The handset was launched in April and is powered by an octa-core Unisoc T606 processor, running on Android 14. However, the latest software update for the HMD Pulse Pro reportedly brings Android 15 features such as a performance boost, adaptive battery improvements, privacy and security upgrades, and an advanced notification control system.
HMD Pulse Pro's Android 15 Update: What's New
According to a NokiaMob report (via PhoneArena), the HMD Pulse Pro's Android 15 update has the version 2.370 and is approximately 3.12GB in size. The changelog suggests that it may offer optimised system performance including faster app launch speeds, reduced lag, and improved battery life management.
Further, the handset is also reported to be getting a smarter power management system, which is said to learn the usage patterns and allocate resources accordingly to extend the battery life. Following the Android 15 update, the HMD Pulse Pro could benefit from a more advanced notification control system. As per the report, it improves focus and reduces distractions by giving users control over which apps and events can send alerts.
Other changes of the update reportedly include stronger app permissions, automatic permission resets, and enhanced data encryption. Another inclusion is Google'sAndroid security patch for December.
In addition to the HMD Pulse Pro, several other handsets from the Finnish smartphone maker are reported to receive the update. The list of the HMD devices which could get an upgrade to Android 15 is as follows:
Samsung Galaxy S25 series is rumoured to be launched in January 2025 and the Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to be the top-of-the-line handset in the series. As per a recent report, the flagship handset will come with support for seamless software updates, leveraging Android's A/B over-the-air (OTA) update system. This is said to allow the user to continue using the purported Galaxy S25 Ultra even when the update is being installed without any downtime.
Seamless Software Updates on Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
In a report, Android Authority claimed to see some leaked files of the purported Galaxy S25 Ultra through which, they can confirm that it will support Android's A/B OTA update system. While the internal files were related to the top-of-the-line smartphone in the series, the publication speculates that it also applies to the Galaxy S25 and the Galaxy S25 Plus — the other two handsets in Samsung's flagship smartphone series.
This revelation corroborates previous claims by tipster @chunvn8888, who first claimed about the purported Samsung Galaxy S25 series supporting seamless software updates in November.
On Android, the A/B update system works via two separate partitions on the system storage. Once triggered, the update's installation begins on the inactive ‘B' partition while the smartphone's system retains its functionality running on the ‘A' partition. It is claimed to have multiple benefits. For starters, it enables users to keep using their device during the software update process, with the only downtime being when it reboots into the updated disk partition. Even if the update fails or the handset encounters an error, it reboots into the old partition or OS, reducing the chances of it falling into an inactive state which is commonly referred to as ‘bricking'. Users can then choose to reattempt the software update install.
The report also suggests that the purported Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra with the model number SM-S938 will be equipped with Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, which is the flagship mobile SoC in the market.
The world of foldable phones was once reserved for those willing to spend a significant amount, but that's no longer the case. Last year, Motorola and Tecno were among the first to introduce affordable clamshell foldable phones in India, and this year, Infinix has joined the fray. In October, Infinix launched its first foldable phone in the country – the Zero Flip. The phone is priced at Rs. 49,999 and offers standout features such as a large cover screen, the largest battery in the segment, and more.
But does the price and the large cover screen make the Zero Flip a strong contender in the affordable foldable flip phone market, especially against Motorola's offerings? Does it stack up in terms of features? How does it perform in everyday use? I spent the last few weeks on the phone to find out, and here's my take.
Infinix Zero Flip Design: Premium
Dimensions (Unfolded) - 170.4 x 73.4 x 7.6 mm
Dimensions (Folded) - 87.5 x 73.4 x 16 mm
Weight - 195g
Colours - Blossom Glow, Rock Black
Despite its affordable price tag (for a clamshell foldable), the Infinix Zero Flip is well-designed. It's got flat sides, rounded corners, and curved edges. The bottom rear panel is made from glass and features a distinct texture on both colour options.
The phone is available in two colour options, and we got the Black Rock variant
We got the Black Rock variant, which features a sand-like finish, resistant to fingerprints and smudges. The back panel is protected by Gorilla Glass 7. The phone feels solid in hand, both when folded and unfolded, and gives off a premium look.
The bottom rear panel has a matte finish
When folded, you'll notice that the hinge cover has a pattern with the Infinix logo. The hinge seems durable and is rated to last 4,00,000 folds. However, the phone doesn't come with any IP rating, so I'd recommend not using the phone in the rain. It's also not possible to open the phone with one hand as the sides are flat. The hinge has a hover range of 30 to 150 degrees, and you can use it at any angle, as there is no spring mechanism to force the phone to open or shut.
The hinge is claimed to have survived 400,000 folds
The volume and power buttons are placed on the top right frame, with the power button doubling as a fingerprint scanner. The scanner worked well during the review, with only a couple of failed attempts to register my finger.
The Zero Flip has no visible gap when folded
The bottom houses the USB Type-C port, a loudspeaker, a SIM tray slot, and a microphone. You'll find another microphone at the top.
The SIM card tray has a rubber gasket, but the phone has no IP rating
When open, the inner display has decently sized bezels all around. You also get a slit flash for selfies on the top next to the earpiece.
The inner screen protector loves smudges and dust
The display crease is similar to what we've seen on the Motorola Razr 50 lineup and the Galaxy Z Flip 6.
Infinix Zero Flip Display: Flexible inside, Big outside
Main display - 6.9-inch flexible LTPO OLED, 120Hz, full-HD+ resolution
Protection - Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (Cover screen)
Both panels on the Infinix Zero Flip are quite good in terms of specifications. The cover screen is one of the largest among flip phones in this price bracket. The 3.64-inch AMOLED panel on the outside offers 1,100 nits of peak brightness, which is plenty for indoor use, and is somewhat readable under bright sunlight.
The cover screen isn't super eligible under direct sunlight
The screen gets an always-on display and is protected with Gorilla Glass Victus 2. In my few weeks with the phone, the outer screen managed to keep scratches away. You don't get a lot of customisation options for the cover screen. You can change the wallpapers, place some interactive pets, and access certain quick settings.
You can open and use several apps on the Cover screen
There's no way to add widgets, which is a bummer. The screen has cutouts for the dual cameras and LED flash. To read about the outer screen's usability, head to the Software section.
Moving on to the inner flexible screen, you get a 6.9-inch LTPO panel that supports up to 120Hz refresh rate but has 1,400 nits of peak brightness, which is good enough for indoor and outdoor use. As for refresh rate, you can choose between 60, 90, 120, and auto modes. The colour output is good, and you get two modes – Bright-coloured and Original.
The inner screen gets plenty bright outdoors
The screen offers a tall 22:9 aspect ratio, which means that there are going to be thick black bars when streaming 16:9 or 4:3 content. There's no official HDR rating, but you get Widevine L1 support, meaning you can stream Netflix content in full HD resolution. The screen also comes with the usual protective coating, which I found to be more prone to smudging than usual.
Infinix Zero Flip Software: Needs improvement
OS - Android 14
UI - XOS 14.5
Latest security patch - October 2024
The phone is claimed to get two years of Android updates and three years of security patches, but that only sounds good on paper as the Zero Flip runs Android 14 out of the box. That means you'll only get up to Android 16. The phone doesn't have a lot of bloatware, but you'll find several pre-installed apps and XOS Family apps as it runs the XOS UI.
The phone gets 2 years of Android OS update support
Infinix claims that you can run over 100+ apps on the cover display. Yes, you can use a lot of apps on the cover screen. However, using the cover screen to watch videos is not something you should do. Using apps like Chrome or WhatsApp is also possible, but typing is cumbersome as you get a tiny keyboard.
You should avoid watching videos on the cover screen
The apps open vertically and don't cover the entire screen, as the area above the vertically stacked cameras only shows the time and certain notifications.
As this is foldable, you get features that use the bendy form factor. A Flex-Still mode is enabled when the phone is folded to a certain angle. In this mode, the top and bottom halves of the display show different things. This works across apps like Camera, Gallery, and others. In the Camera app, the top part of the inner screen shows the viewfinder, whereas the bottom shows the controls.
Infinix Zero Flip Performance: Is sometimes a hothead
CPU - MediaTek Dimensity 8020
RAM - 8GB LPDDR4X
Storage - 512GB UFS 3.1
The 6nm Dimensity 8020 SoC inside the Zero Flip is quite capable of performing regular tasks and gaming. It's not a powerful chipset, but it runs smoothly on day-to-day tasks, UI animations, and multitasking. Compared to the Motorola Razr 50, the Dimensity performed better in most of the synthetic benchmarks that I ran on the phone.
Benchmark
Infinix Zero Flip
Motorola Razr 50
Geekbench 6 Single
755
902
Geekbench 6 Multi
2534
2,675
AnTuTu v10
805,272
647,833
PCMark Work 3.0
16,412
12,932
3DM Slingshot Extreme OpenGL
Maxed Out
5,037
3DM Slingshot
5,586
5,762
3DM Wild Life
4,370
3,142
3DM Wild Life Unlimited
4,324
3,152
GFXBench T-Rex
60
91
GFXBench Manhattan 3.1
59
47
GFXBench Car Chase
39
26
I did notice the phone heating up, especially around the external camera area, when running a few resource-intensive tasks or using the camera. Running apps on the cover screen also makes the device hot, but only around the cameras, which is quite strange.
BGMI ran exceptionally well with Very High graphics settings
As for gaming, the Zero Flip did a good job. I played BGMI and Real Racing 3 on the phone with ease. The phone also features a game mode, which lets you boost the performance. While the games ran smoothly, I did again find the phone getting hot towards the top edge of the cover screen.
The Infinix Zero Flip offers a hybrid stereo speaker setup, with the earpiece acting as the second speaker. The phone does get quite loud and provides a bit of bass as well. However, I did notice some crackling at max volume. When it comes to microphone and earpiece performance, everything was good.
Alright, it's camera time. The phone offers a dual camera setup on the cover screen and a selfie camera on the inner display. All three sensors offer 50-megapixel resolution and autofocus. The primary sensor is a Samsung ISOCELL GN5 unit, the ultrawide is a Hynix Hi5022, and the selfie camera uses a Samsung ISOCELL JN1 sensor.
You get dual 50-megapixel cameras on the Zero Flip
The camera app automatically switches to the DV mode when you open the hinge to around 90 degrees. You can also use the external cameras to take selfies. The app is easy to use, and all main camera modes are available upfront. A Vlog mode, a Super Night mode, and several others are available under More. You can also easily connect your GoPro to the phone via the GoPro Quik app, and there's also a toggle in the Camera app. You get plenty of beauty effects as well.
Talking about picture quality, the main camera takes good photos in daylight conditions with plenty of details, a wide dynamic range, and slightly saturated colours. You will notice some sharpening in the images, though, which isn't necessarily bad. Even the 2x zoom shots are decent in daylight conditions but have fewer details and are generally softer.
Daylight photo samples from the 50-megapixel wide camera [Tap to Expand]
The ultrawide camera also works well in daylight conditions with good detail and sharpness. The colours are slightly different from the primary camera, but the dynamic range is good.
50-megapixel ultrawide camera samples [Tap to expand]
The primary camera holds up well in low-light conditions, with photos offering decent details and dynamic range. However, you'll find plenty of noise, especially if shooting indoors. A Super Night mode is also available, but I didn't notice any major differences when using this mode apart from better shadows. 2x photos in low-light aren't great and have a muddy appearance to them.
Low-light photos from the main camera at 1x [Tap to expand]
The Ultrawide also doesn't perform well in low-light. Its images are less detailed, soft, and noisy.
Moving on to the selfie camera, which gets its own slit flash, does a good job in daylight conditions. However, it's just better to use the outer camera for selfies, which produces much better results.
As for the video performance, the Zero Flip can shoot at 4K 30fps from the outer cameras, but the internal selfie can also do 4K 60fps. However, neither modes support the stabilisation, which is only available in 1080p 30fps. The video output from the main camera is quite good in daylight conditions with pretty accurate colour output and dynamic range, but you'll find some noise and artefacts around the edges.
Low-light video performance of the primary camera is also not bad, but there needs to be plenty of lighting for the video to have good details. The ultrawide camera records slightly softer and less detailed video, which dips in low-light scenarios.
Infinix Zero Flip Battery: It's large
Capacity - 4,720mAh
Charging speed - 70W
Charger - 70W included in box
The Infinix Zero Flip comes with a battery that's much larger than that of more expensive phones, such as the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and the Motorola Razr 50. I expected the battery to last much longer than the Razr 50, which, in our review, managed around 25 hours in the HD video loop test. However, the Zero Flip only managed to last about 15h 30m. This is with the refresh rate set to 120Hz and brightness at 50 percent with Airplane mode enabled.
The phone comes with a 70W fast charger in the box
Outside our test, the phone did manage to last a full day of regular usage, with about 20 percent of the battery left at the end. To top up the battery, Infinix provides a 70W charger in the box. In my tests, I was able to charge the phone from 0 to 100 percent in about 55 mins and about 60 percent in 30 mins.
Infinix Zero Flip Verdict
The verdict is simple. You can't buy a better flip phone at this price that offers the same amount of features. The Infinix Zero Flip provides a large, mostly usable cover screen, good cameras, a large battery that easily lasts a day, and decent performance. If you don't mind the trade-offs, the Zero Flip is an affordable flex.
The closest competitor is the Motorola Razr 50 (Review), which is slightly more expensive, has a smaller battery, a less powerful chipset, and similar camera performance. Then there's the newly launched Tecno Phantom V Flip 2, which is cheaper but comes with a bunch of downgrades. I would like to also include the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 (Review), which offers better performance, an IP rating, and better hardware, but at almost twice the price.
Solar activity is expected to maintain elevated levels throughout 2025, marking a significant phase in Solar Cycle 25. As this cycle continues to progress, heightened solar phenomena, including solar flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), and geomagnetic storms, are anticipated to impact various sectors. While no total solar eclipses will occur during the year, partial eclipses are scheduled for March and September, visible in regions like North America, Europe, and New Zealand. The increased activity of the sun has already brought dramatic events, with significant implications for the year ahead.
Insights into Solar Cycle 25
According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the sun is currently in the solar maximum period of its 11-year cycle. This phase, characterised by high sunspot counts, typically sees a rise in solar flares and Earth-directed CMEs. While the exact peak of Solar Cycle 25 has not yet been determined, recent records indicate that this cycle has already surpassed the peak activity of Solar Cycle 24, which occurred in 2014. Scientists have highlighted that the rolling average of sunspot numbers is closely monitored to confirm when the peak has occurred, with smoothed data often lagging behind by several months.
Projected Events and Impacts in 2025
Reports suggest that even if the peak of Solar Cycle 25 has already been reached, the extended period of solar maximum activity is expected to persist. Large-scale geomagnetic storms, similar to those witnessed in 2024, could disrupt satellite-based services and power grids. In May 2024, an extreme geomagnetic storm disrupted navigation systems, reportedly causing substantial losses in agriculture. Similar occurrences in the coming year could pose risks to industries reliant on technology.
Potential for Aurora Sightings
With ongoing high solar activity, opportunities for widespread aurora displays are likely. As historical patterns suggest stronger flares often occur during the declining phase of a solar cycle, scientists remain vigilant for potential large-scale events before the cycle concludes. Observations from missions like ESA'sSolar Orbiter continue to provide critical insights into these solar phenomena.
After a theatrical run, ‘The Sabarmati Report', starring Vikrant Massey, is reported to premiere on an OTT platform. The film, inspired by the events surrounding the 2002 Godhra train burning incident, was initially released in cinemas on November 15. Directed by Dheeraj Sarna and produced under Balaji Motion Pictures, the movie has been widely discussed for its bold take on one of India's most debated tragedies. It is expected to draw considerable viewership online following its cinematic acclaim.
When and Where to Watch The Sabarmati Report
According to reports, the film is slated for an early January release on ZEE5. Fans eagerly await this launch, which will allow a broader audience to engage with the narrative. The movie's theatrical release had garnered attention for its tax-free status in certain states, further fuelling public interest in its streaming debut.
Official Trailer and Plot of The Sabarmati Report
The trailer of ‘The Sabarmati Report' offers a glimpse into the tense and dramatic recounting of the Godhra train burning incident. The plot centres on the events of February 27, 2002, delving into the lives of the individuals aboard the ill-fated Sabarmati Express. Written by Avinash and Arjun, the storyline combines historical facts with compelling character arcs to provide a nuanced perspective on the tragedy.
Cast and Crew of The Sabarmati Report
Vikrant Massey plays a pivotal role alongside Riddhi Dogra and Raashi Khanna. Initially directed by Ranjan Chandel, the project saw Dheeraj Sarna take over mid-production. Produced by Ektaa Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor, along with Vikir Films Production and Vipin Agnihotri Films, the movie boasts a strong creative team dedicated to its storytelling.
Reception of The Sabarmati Report
The film holds a 6.6 IMDb rating, reflecting mixed-to-positive audience feedback. Its theatrical performance was poor, but its critical reception highlighted the film's ambitious approach to retelling a sensitive event. The upcoming OTT release is likely to attract further attention and spark discussions around its portrayal of historical events.
