They can intercept user credentials while providing real-time context that helps attackers convince victims to approve MFA challenges during phone calls..
The post Okta Uncovers Custom Phishing Kits Built for Vishing Callers appeared first on TechRepublic.
They can intercept user credentials while providing real-time context that helps attackers convince victims to approve MFA challenges during phone calls..
The post Okta Uncovers Custom Phishing Kits Built for Vishing Callers appeared first on TechRepublic.
Blue Origin confirmed Thursday that the next launch of its New Glenn rocket will carry a large communications satellite into low-Earth orbit for AST SpaceMobile.
The rocket will launch the next-generation Block 2 BlueBird satellite "no earlier than late February" from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
However, the update from Blue Origin appears to have buried the real news toward the end: "The mission follows the successful NG-2 mission, which included the landing of the 'Never Tell Me The Odds' booster. The same booster is being refurbished to power NG-3," the company said.
© AST SpaceMobile
Snap settled before jury selection in a landmark social media addiction case, while Meta, ByteDance, and YouTube still face trial over “addictive design.”
The post Social Media Addiction Lawsuit Moves Forward After Snap Reaches Settlement appeared first on TechRepublic.
Snap settled before jury selection in a landmark social media addiction case, while Meta, ByteDance, and YouTube still face trial over “addictive design.”
The post Social Media Addiction Lawsuit Moves Forward After Snap Reaches Settlement appeared first on TechRepublic.
"If we can find them then so can Meta: they simply choose not to look," says UK’s Gambling Commission.
The post UK Watchdog Flags Meta for Hosting Ads Linked to Illegal Gambling appeared first on TechRepublic.
"If we can find them then so can Meta: they simply choose not to look," says UK’s Gambling Commission.
The post UK Watchdog Flags Meta for Hosting Ads Linked to Illegal Gambling appeared first on TechRepublic.
The TikTok moderators are suing after layoffs hit just before a union vote, prompting tribunal action.
The post TikTok Faces Legal Action in UK as Dismissed Staff Allege ‘Union Busting’ appeared first on TechRepublic.
The TikTok moderators are suing after layoffs hit just before a union vote, prompting tribunal action.
The post TikTok Faces Legal Action in UK as Dismissed Staff Allege ‘Union Busting’ appeared first on TechRepublic.
Apple also did well as it led the fourth quarter with a 22% share, according to Counterpoint Research’s Market Monitor Tracker.
The post Huawei Retains China’s Top Smartphone Market Spot in 2025 appeared first on TechRepublic.
Apple also did well as it led the fourth quarter with a 22% share, according to Counterpoint Research’s Market Monitor Tracker.
The post Huawei Retains China’s Top Smartphone Market Spot in 2025 appeared first on TechRepublic.
TikTok, and other major platforms popular with young people, are coming under increasing pressure to better identify and remove accounts.
The post TikTok to Roll Out Stronger Age Verification Across the EU appeared first on TechRepublic.
Gone are the days in which you needed to spend a fortune to get a good smartphone. In 2026, features once exclusive to high-end smartphones – big batteries, multi-camera arrays, high refresh rate OLED displays and more – have made their way down to more affordable models. Yes, you’ll still need to buy a flagship smartphone to get the best camera or fastest processor, but you don't have to make nearly as many compromises as you once did if you have a strict budget to adhere to when you go shopping for your next smartphone. If you have less than $600 to spend, let us help you figure out what features to prioritize when trying to find the best midrange smartphone.
While the term frequently appears in articles and videos, there isn’t an agreed-upon definition for “midrange” beyond a phone that isn’t a flagship or an entry-level option. Most of our recommendations cost between $400 and $600 — any less and you should expect significant compromises. If you have more to spend, you might as well consider flagships like the Apple iPhone 17 and the Samsung Galaxy S25 if you want the best smartphone experience. Devices like Pixel phones often sit in this price range too, offering some of the best value for Android buyers.
Buying a new device can be intimidating, but a few questions can help guide you through the process. First: what platform do you want to use? If the answer is iOS, that narrows your options down to exactly one phone. (Thankfully, it’s great.) And if you’re an Android fan, there’s no shortage of compelling options. Both platforms have their strengths, so you shouldn’t rule either out.
Of course, also consider how much you’re comfortable spending. Even increasing your budget by $100 more can get you a dramatically better product. Moreover, manufacturers tend to support their more expensive devices for longer with software updates and security updates, so it’s worth buying something toward the top limit of what you can afford.
Having an idea of your priorities will help inform your budget. Do you want a long battery life or fast charging? Do you value speedy performance above all else? Or would you like the best possible cameras with high megapixel counts? While they continue to improve every year, even the best midrange smartphones still demand some compromises, and knowing what’s important to you will make choosing one easier.
Every year, the line between midrange and flagship phones blurs as more upmarket features and functions trickle down to more affordable models. When Engadget first published this guide in 2020, it was tricky to find a $500 phone with waterproofing and 5G. In 2026, the biggest thing you might miss out on is wireless charging – and even then, that’s becoming less true.
One thing your new phone probably won’t come with is a power adapter; many companies have stopped including chargers with all of their smartphones. Performance has improved in recent years, but can still be hit or miss as most midrange phones use slower processors that can struggle with multitasking. Thankfully, their camera systems have improved dramatically, and you can typically expect at least a dual-lens system on most midrange smartphones below $600 with decent camera quality, selfie performance and software support to keep things running smoothly for years to come..
Support varies by brand, but most midrange phones receive around three to five years of software and security updates. Apple tends to support iPhones longer while companies like Google and Samsung now promise several years of Android and security patches for their midrange models. Budget-focused brands might offer less so it’s worth checking the update policy before you buy.
Yes, many midrange phones handle gaming well, especially popular titles like Fortnite, Genshin Impact and Call of Duty Mobile. They usually include capable processors, though you won’t always get the smoothest performance in the most demanding mobile games or at max settings. If you play casually or stick to less graphically intensive titles a midrange phone will feel more than adequate.
Georgie Peru contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/best-midrange-smartphone-183006463.html?src=rss©
© Engadget
TikTok, and other major platforms popular with young people, are coming under increasing pressure to better identify and remove accounts.
The post TikTok to Roll Out Stronger Age Verification Across the EU appeared first on TechRepublic.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and 10 other Democratic members of Congress today urged the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Trump Mobile's broken promises related to Trump phone delivery dates and claims that it is "made in the USA."
The request isn't likely to get very far. Trump declared early in his second term that independent agencies like the FTC may no longer operate independently from the White House, and FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson has backed Trump's claim of authority over historically independent agencies. The Supreme Court appears likely to approve Trump's firing of an FTC Democrat, giving him expanded power over the agency.
The letter, led by Warren and other lawmakers, was sent to Ferguson. "We write today regarding questions about false advertising and deceptive practices by Trump Mobile, and to seek information on how the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) intends to address any potential violations of consumer protection law given the inherent conflicts of interest presented by the company’s relationship to President Donald Trump," the letter said.
© Getty Images | Joe Raedle
Leaks suggest Google’s Pixel 10a could hit shelves in February, with a familiar Pixel 9a-style design, new colors, and modest spec updates ahead.
The post Pixel 10a Leak Hints at February Release, New ‘Berry’ Color appeared first on TechRepublic.
Leaks suggest Google’s Pixel 10a could hit shelves in February, with a familiar Pixel 9a-style design, new colors, and modest spec updates ahead.
The post Pixel 10a Leak Hints at February Release, New ‘Berry’ Color appeared first on TechRepublic.
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