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Samsung's new AI-forward flagship smartphones are on deck.
The South Korean tech giant unveiled the Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra during its Galaxy Unpacked livestream on Wednesday, Jan. 22, showcasing their sweeping integration of AI features but otherwise minimal spec upgrades. Set for release on Friday, Feb. 7, the Galaxy S25 series is now available for preorder at major retailers and phone carriers starting from $799.99, $999.99, and $1,299.99, respectively, or the same prices as their predecessors. Note that Amazon and Best Buy are giving preorderers free gift cards worth up to $200.
SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2025 live blog: Galaxy S25 series, AI tools, and moreAll three phones in the Galaxy S25 series will run on One UI 7, an all-new version of Samsung's Android operating system that brings a redesigned interface and support for agentic (e.g. autonomous) AI capabilities. A company press release says One UI 7 will make the Galaxy S25 series "a true AI companion," adding that it will roll out "gradually" on other Galaxy devices.
The Galaxy S25 series is powered by a custom new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, which supposedly translates to a significant performance boost in CPU, GPU, and NPU tasks compared to the high-end Galaxy S24 Ultra from last year. (Our near-future testing will confirm this.) Samsung said it also makes the phones capable of more on-device AI processing, making them less reliant on the cloud for "AI experiences" — i.e., faster and more secure. They have a tweaked heat dissipation structure that should keep them running cool amid these intense workloads.
Samsung Galaxy S25: Specs and pricing Credit: Alex Perry / MashableThe Galaxy S25 is the series' base model, and design-wise, it's slightly thinner and lighter than the previous-generation Galaxy S24. It also features more memory: Samsung's upped it from 8GB to 12GB of RAM. Otherwise, its specs are quite similar to those of its predecessor. It features the same 6.2-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, the same 4,000mAh battery, and the same storage options (128GB or 256GB). It also has the same stacked rear camera setup with a 50MP wide lens, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens — though the Galaxy S25 supports new AI-powered photo and video features like a Virtual Aperture tool and 10-bit HDR recording by default.
SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S25 vs S24: Comparing price, specs and featuresAs Mashable's Alex Perry writes, the Galaxy S25's software, not hardware, will probably be the deciding factor in most people's "upgrade from the S24" debate.
The Galaxy S25 is available at Amazon, Best Buy, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon in new navy, mint, icyblue, and silver shadow finishes. Samsung's online storefront carries additional blueblack, coralred, and pinkgold variants.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy S25 (128GB) $799.99 at Amazon, Best Buy, Samsung, AT&T, T-Mobile, and VerizonThe Galaxy S25+ improves upon the base model with a slightly larger and nicer 6.7-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display featuring new "ProScaler" technology, which delivers a 40 percent improvement in image quality compared to the Galaxy S24 series (so Samsung claims). The Galaxy S25+ also has a bigger 4900mAh battery.
That battery is a holdover from last year's Galaxy S24+, as are your configurables: The Galaxy S25+ still has 12GB of RAM with either 256GB or 512GB of storage. It's a hair thinner and a few grams lighter than its predecessor, but otherwise looks identical. Again, the new AI-integrated OS and processor are supposed to be the stars of the show here.
SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy AI adds agentic features. What it will do for you.The Galaxy S25+ comes in the same hues as the Galaxy S25, including the same Samsung exclusives. It starts at $999.99 at Amazon, Best Buy, Samsung, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy S25+ (256GB) $999.99 at Amazon, Best Buy, Samsung, AT&T, T-Mobile, and VerizonSamsung reserved most of its exciting hardware tweaks for the premium Galaxy S25 Ultra, which has a 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display (with ProScaler support). Its slimmer, lighter frame has newly rounded edges for a cleaner look and a screen made from Corning Gorilla Armor 2, which the company describes as a "first-of-its-kind material that is more durable than glass." On the back, there's a new 50MP ultrawide camera sensor — up from a mere 12MP in the previous generation. It joins a 200MP wide lens and 10MP and 50MP telephoto lenses, which made appearances on the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max: Which one should you buy?Under its hood, the Galaxy S25 Ultra also packs the same 5000mAh battery, 12GB of memory, and storage options as its predecessor: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB. It still comes with an embedded S Pen.
Shoppers can choose from several new colorways, including titan black, titan gray, titan whitesilver, and titan silverblue, plus the Samsung-exclusive titanium pinkgold, titanium jetblack, and titanium jadegreen. The Galaxy S25 Ultra starts at $1,299.99 at Amazon, Best Buy, Samsung, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (256GB) $1,299.99 at Amazon, Best Buy, Samsung, AT&T, T-Mobile, and VerizonAndroid users who use assistive devices can anticipate in a new era of connection and control, right on their phone.
New to the Samsung Galaxy S25 and harnessing its wireless audio LE Audio tech, Android will be adding next generation Bluetooth connectivity compatible with GN Hearing and Oticon Intent hearing aid devices. According to the company, this enables users of such devices to more efficiently access controls like hands-free calling, settings presets, and lower latency Bluetooth connections.
SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2025 live blog: Galaxy S25 series, AI tools, and moreBluetooth LE Audio technology is a relatively new standard in hearing aid tech, with lower latency connection significantly reducing the delay between sources of audio and the hearing aid itself.
The update was announced as part of Samsung's annual Unpacked event, and will also be available to Google Pixel 9 users who opt-in to the Android 16 beta. It will be added to the Galaxy S24 with Android 15 in the coming weeks, according to the company.
Credit: Google / SamsungAndroid will also introduce new updates to TalkBack, its on-device screen reader for users who are blind or low vision. Samsung Galaxy S25 users will have first access to new HID connection options for external braille displays, for example, which will come to all Android 15 devices in coming months. In addition to connectivity updates, Android will also incorporate Google's Gemini models to enhance accessible image descriptions on Galaxy S25 devices.
Looking for the biggest, most powerful smartphone you can get your hands on? Well, look no further than the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra – or the Apple's iPhone 16 Pro Max?
With Samsung's Unpacked 2025 event now behind us, we now have two brand-new current generation powerhouse smartphones on the market: The new Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and Apple's iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Should you finally leave the Apple ecosystem behind you? Or is sticking with iOS over Android still the way to go? Lets take a look at what Samsung announced and then compare the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: SpecsBoth the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the iPhone 16 Pro Max are powerhouses.The Galaxy S25 Ultra is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite and the iPhone is powered by Apple's Apple A18 Pro chipset. Both were designed for maximum performance and processing power as they were built with each smartphone's new AI feature set in mind.
In Mashable's previous hands-on comparison of both previous generations of smartphones, the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the iPhone eked out ahead of the Galaxy phone in performance tests. While we wait to get hands-on with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, we will say this: Both smartphones are so powerful that the vast majority of users will not be able to tell the difference. In fact, many users of either smartphone will likely never even utilize the full extent of either's processing power.
There is one variable here where the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra may come ahead of the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The former comes packed with 12GB of memory as opposed to the latter's 8GB. Yes, Apple's chipsets are known for making the best of whatever RAM is included with a device. However, for hardcore multitaskers, this may be something to keep an eye on when it comes to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: CamerasCameras are areas where you really see differences between the Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
On paper, the Galaxy S25 Ultra has the iPhone 16 Pro Max's number. The Galaxy S25 Ultra has 200MP wide, 50MP ultrawide, and 50MP telephoto cameras. The iPhone 16 Pro Max only has 48MP wide, 48MP ultrawise, and 12MP telephoto cameras, respectively. The more megapixels often equates to more detailed and higher resolution photos.
But, again, while that sounds good on paper, there's more to a good photo than megapixels. Other factors play a role as well, such as the camera's lens and sensor.
As we previously mentioned, Mashable compared the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Pro Max before. But, we also did a more extensive test comparison on the cameras and resulting photography from both previous generations as well. We found that more often than not, the majority of us felt that the iPhone 15 Pro Max produced a better photo with richer color, despite the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra having more megapixels.
Will the Galaxy S25 Ultra outdo its predecessor in the camera department? It's possible! However, it will likely come down to individual taste as to which smartphone produces the better quality photo.
Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: BatteryThe Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has a slightly larger battery at 5,000 mAH when compared to the iPhone 16 Pro Max's 4,685 mAH battery.
However, despite the same being true with their predecessors as well, Mashable found that the iPhone 15 Pro Max had a slightly longer battery life than the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
The chipset powering each device plays a role here, so it's very possible that the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and its reported efficiency can outdo the iPhone 16 Pro Max here with battery life.
Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: PriceInterestingly, one has the upper hand here for being a slightly more affordable option.
Both Samsung and Apple's base model devices, the Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16, start at $799. However, for the premium models of the current generation of smartphones, those prices diverge.
The base iPhone 16 Pro Max with 256GB of storage space is priced at $1,199. That's $100 less than Samsung's $1,299 pricing for the base Galaxy S25 Ultra with the same amount of storage space.
As I'll get into, if one of your main priorities is getting the best bang for your buck, the Galaxy S25 Ultra may not have too much over the iPhone 16 Pro Max to warrant spending the extra $100 bucks.
Which one to get?Both the Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max are among the most powerful smartphones on the market. So, which one should you get?
That's really going to be up to your personal preferences. Aside from their differences, both smartphones have plenty of similarities too. For example, both the Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max have 6.9" displays and were designed with processing power specifically with AI capabilities in mind.
Are you willing to jump ship from Apple's iOS walled ecosystem and start anew on a more open Android device or vice versa? Does Apple Intelligence or Samsung's AI features speak to you more? At the end of the day, the decision between the Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be less about the actual hardware and more about the operating system running and software available on each device.
Samsung Galaxy S25 has arrived, and now you have a decision to make.
Samsung showed off its latest flagship phones at its Galaxy Unpacked event on Wednesday, which means people with older Samsung phones might be wondering whether or not it's worth upgrading. Specifically, if you have last year's Galaxy S24 model, there are some difference between the S25 and S24 that are worth noting.
No more wasting time. Here are the differences between Galaxy S25 and S24.
Samsung Galaxy S25 vs. 24: PriceThis one's easy. Last year, the Galaxy S24 started at $799. This year, the Galaxy S25 starts at...$799. It's a wash, in other words. That said, it's possible that Samsung drops the price of the S24 after the launch of the S25, but until that happens, these two phones cost the same amount of money.
Samsung Galaxy S25 vs. 24: SpecsHere are how the basic specs for the Galaxy S25 line up:
6.2-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate
Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor
12GB RAM
128GB, 256GB storage
4,000mAh battery
For reference, this is what was inside the Galaxy S24:
6.2-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor
8GB RAM
128GB, 256GB storage
4,000mAh battery
Two big differences stand out: Processor and RAM. The Galaxy S25 runs on a newer Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 the S24 runs on. In layman's terms, that means the newer phone has a newer, theoretically faster and more performant engine underneath the hood. Without proper, rigorous testing, however, it's hard to say how performance is impacted by this change.
Samsung Galaxy S25 vs. 24: DesignThe Galaxy S25 is available in four colors: Icyblue, Navy, Mint, and Silver Shadow. Similarly, the S24 also came in four colors: Cobalt Violet, Amber Yellow, Onyx Black, and Marble Grey.
Other, smaller design changes are harder to detect without having the two phones side-by-side, but there are some size differences to point out. Here are the precise measurements for both phone, ordered by height, weight, and depth, in millimeters:
Galaxy S25: 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2
Galaxy S24: 147.0 x 70.6 x 7.6
In terms of height and weight, both phones are nearly identical. However, the S25 is marginally thinner than the S24. In accordance with that, it's also very slightly lighter, coming in at 162g compared to the S24's 167g. These are tiny differences, but they are differences nonetheless.
Samsung Galaxy S25 vs. 24: AI featuresWith hardware improvements being rather minimal this year, Samsung's increased push into the artificial intelligence zone is the big story with Galaxy S25.
Samsung is leaning heavily into AI agents this year, with new multimodal features that let the AI in your phone do things across multiple apps at once. For example, with Galaxy S25, you can ask the AI to find info about your favorite basketball team's upcoming games online and, separately, add those games to your personal calendar. Or, you can ask it to find recipes and add those recipes to your notes.
There's also an AI-powered morning brief that gives you important info like weather, your personal events for the day, and other things you might need to know upon waking up each day. Circle to Search has also been enhanced to recognize URLs, email addresses, and phone numbers on your screen.
At the time of writing, it's not 100 percent clear how many of these features will be exclusive to the Galaxy S25 series of phones, and which will retroactively come to S24, if any. For now, it's best to assume these are all Galaxy S25-exclusive until further notice, though.
Samsung Galaxy S25 vs. 24: CamerasLast year, the S24 had three rear camera lenses: a 50MP wide lens, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens. The Galaxy S25's rear camera lineup is exactly the same, at least in terms of megapixel count.
Without big hardware differences to highlight, we once again turn to the realm of AI. For the Galaxy S25, Samsung advertised some new AI photography and videography features. For starters, the generative editing tech in these phones continues to grow, as it can now do things like detect and remove shadows for objects you want erased from photos. In addition, the Audio Eraser tool from previous Google Pixel phones is now here, with the ability to recognize and tune out various kinds of noises in the backgrounds of your videos.
S25 vs S24: The verdictWithout having tested the Galaxy S25, it's impossible to render a final verdict on which phone is better. But, at the very least, if you want all the AI features, it's clear which Galaxy phone is the one to get.
Samsung officially announced the new Galaxy S25 line of phones at its Galaxy Unpacked 2025 event.
While plenty of comparisons will be made between the Samsung Galaxy S25 and its predecessor, the Galaxy S24, Mashable knows that a good chunk of people actually upgrade to the a new smartphone every two-years.
This means that for those Samsung Galaxy users, the real comparison is between the new Galaxy S25 and their current model, the two-year old Samsung Galaxy S23. Lets take a look at the two.
Galaxy S25 vs S23: AI, chipset are the major factorsLet's be up front: For the casual smartphone user, the upgrades between phone models are getting less noticeable.
However, for those looking to fully take advantage of all the newly announced AI features, this is where the difference between the S25 and S23 will really shine through.
The Galaxy S25 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, which is reportedly more powerful than even Apple's Apple A18 Pro chip powering the iPhone 16 Pro line of smartphones. The Snapdrop 8 Elite chipset is also said to be nearly 50 percent more powerful than the previous Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. The two-year old Galaxy S23 is powered by the chip released prior to that one, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, so it's a massive upgrade.
Samsung's new AI features and the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip were built to work perfectly in tandem. So, if you're planning on using them, this smartphone upgrade is for you.
Galaxy S25 vs S23: Everything elseThe difference in processing power is obviously a major factor. But, looking at everything else, the upgrades seem pretty standard from what you'd see year-after-year without any major leaps in technology or new must-have features.
When it comes to memory, the base model of the Galaxy S25 comes with 12GB of RAM as opposed to just 8GB for the S23, so that might be one of the next big draws to upgrade to the latest Galaxy phone.
Design wise, the Galaxy S25 and the S23 look pretty similar with no really major changes other than a slight bump in the display size. The Galaxy S25 has a slightly bigger screen at 6.2 inches when compared to the S23's 6.1 inch display.
The biggest overall changes to the design between the two Samsung Galaxy phones is likely the color options to choose from when making the upgrade. The Samsung S25 comes in Navy, Icyblue, Mint, Silver Shadow, Blueblack, Coralred, and Pinkgold. The Samsung S23 only has four color options to choose from.
If you use your Galaxy phone to take lots of photos and videos, then unfortunately there's not much here for you in terms of an upgrade. The Samsung Galaxy S25 has the same three cameras: Wide, ultrawide, and telephoto.
Battery-wise, there's not much of an upgrade on paper. The Galaxy S25 has a 4,000 mAH battery compared to the 3,900 mAH battery of the S23. However, there are a few additional factors here that can make a difference. For one, if your two-year old Galaxy S23 may not be holding a charge like it once did when it was brand new and it might make sense to upgrade. But, also, in addition to that, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip is reportedly much more energy efficient, which should translate to less strain on the battery resulting in a longer battery life.
Galaxy S25 vs S23: Should you upgrade?So, should you upgrade from the Galaxy S23 to the Galaxy S25? The answer to the big question is really dependent on your needs.
If you're completely happy with your Galaxy S23, then there's probably nothing new here in the Galaxy S25 for you. However, if you feel like your Galaxy S23 is slow and can't keep up with your usage or you are sure you'll be regularly utilizing AI features, then the upgrade to the Galaxy S25 makes perfect sense.
At its Galaxy Unpacked event on Wednesday, Samsung lifted the lid on the Galaxy S25 lineup.
As usual, there are three phones here: Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra.
We all pretty much knew that's what would be featured at the show, and that's what we got. Just like last year, the prices start at $799, $999, and $1,299 for the Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra, respectively.
Samsung Galaxy S25 base modelSamsung's $799 base model is going to be the least specced-out of the bunch, but not by much. Here's what you get for eight Benjamins:
6.2-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate
12GB RAM
128GB, 256GB storage
Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor
Three rear cameras: 50MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto
4,000mAh battery
Of particular note here is the RAM, which has been bumped up from a base of 8GB on the Galaxy S24 to 12GB on the S25. That's consistent across all three phones, so you're not losing out on RAM by going with the cheapest option this year. The new processor should also provide better performance than last year's model, but without proper testing, we don't know that for sure yet.
Samsung Galaxy S25 PlusLike in previous years, the S25 Plus is really just a bigger S25. It has a 6.7-inch display with the same refresh rate, the same RAM, and the same processor. The camera specs are identical, as well. The biggest difference, other than physical size, is the presence of a larger 4,900mAh battery. Oh, and you can get more storage, with an additional 512GB option on top of the 256GB base storage in the S25 Plus.
Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraThose who spend extra to get the $1,299 S25 Ultra are getting not only the biggest phone of the bunch, but the best cameras, too. On top of that, its 5,000mAh battery is the biggest of the three S25 phones, so it should last the longest. Of course, we'll have to test that to find out for sure.
As for specs, here are the basics:
6.9-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate
12GB RAM
256GB, 512GB, 1TB storage
Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor
Rear cameras: 200MP wide, 50MP ultra-wide, 10MP/50MP telephoto
5,000mAh battery
In the age of creeping AI, software features took on a bigger role in this presentation than hardware improvements. Samsung highlighted AI agents that can do multimodal things across different apps, all in one action. For instance, you can ask the phone's AI to find a certain type of recipe and add that recipe to your phone's notes app, all in one go. Circle to Search has also been improved, with the new ability to recognize URLs and phone numbers on your screen.
Samsung highlighted some AI features for photography and videography, such as an improved version of generative editing that can detect and remove shadows of objects you removed from photos. Audio Eraser (something that appeared in Pixel phones a couple of years ago) can identify and lower the volume of certain elements in the backgrounds of videos, too.
So, in summary, you get more RAM on the base model, a better processor, and a bunch of AI enhancements, among other small odds and ends. To top it all off, no prices were raised for any of the models, either.
SAVE $100: As of Jan. 22, get the JBL Soundgear Frames at Woot for $99.99, down from their usual price of $199.99. That's a discount of 50%.
Opens in a new window Credit: Woot JBL Soundgear Frames $99.99 at WootImagine never having to remember to take your headphones with you when you leave the house again. That can be a reality with You the JBL Soundgear Frames, which are both sunglasses and built-in "headphones" that let you listen to music and even make calls. And you can get them for half off right now at Woot.
As of Jan. 22, you can get the JBL Soundgear Frames for just $99.99 at Woot, down from their usual price of $199.99. That's a discount of 50%. The deal runs through the next 11 days, or until the glasses are sold out.
SEE ALSO: Take 63% off the JBL Live 660NC headphones with 50 hours of battery lifeWhile some smart glasses are all about camera recording or giving you overlays (RIP Google Glass), JBL sought to create a product that's all about listening – and talking, if you like. These flexible and lightweight plastic frames can be custom-fitted with prescription frames, or you can wear them like they are. Connect to a Bluetooth device like your phone and queue up some tunes or a show to listen to on the go with audio only you can hear.
Alternatively, use one of the multiple mics on board to make calls (and do so discretely) while out and about. Tap the JBL logo on the temples to answer calls, skip songs, or adjust volume. Wherever you go, enjoy excellent sound that no one would believe is coming from a pair of glasses.
If you're interested in do-it-all glasses, this is a great price — and the novelty of combo glasses and a speaker might be worth something, too.
Severance's Season 2 premiere introduced viewers to one of the show's strangest new characters: Miss Huang (Sarah Bock), the Severed floor's new, teenaged deputy manager.
SEE ALSO: I went to the 'Severance' pop-up in Grand Central. It was wild.Seeing a character this young at the heart of Lumon Industries immediately set off alarm bells in Severance fans' heads, especially when Miss Huang proved to be as coldly managerial — and frankly, uncanny — as Mr. Milchick (Tramell Tillman) himself. After all, what could a child possibly be doing at Lumon? And how is she already so bought into the company's ethos?
Theories about Miss Huang's true identity cropped up all over social media. One fan theory suggests that Miss Huang is a child who died in a car crash — perhaps during her prior stint as a crossing guard? — and was then resurrected by Lumon. Bock revealed in an interview with ELLE that a stranger DMed her about Miss Huang being a robot.
SEE ALSO: The 15 most WTF moments from 'Severance' Season 2, episode 1However, Lumon Industries' LinkedIn page — which has existed since Season 1 — may have just revealed Miss Huang's whole deal. And while it's not as far-fetched as, say, resurrection, it still has devastating implications for Severance's worldbuilding.
On Jan. 20, Lumon Industries celebrated Miss Huang's hiring with a post saying, "Felicitations are in order for this quarter's Wintertide Fellow: Ms. Huang. Her green outlook is precisely what Lumon aims to cultivate as an organization. She will be invaluable on our severed floor."
Cursed! Credit: Screenshot: LinkedInBesides the skin-crawling corporate language, two words stick out here: Wintertide Fellow, which sounds like Lumon-speak for "winter quarter intern." The term "fellow" also pops up in a Lumon Management Program video released on the LinkedIn page on Jan. 21, in which Mr. Milchick also refers to Miss Huang as a "fellow in training."
So maybe Miss Huang isn't a Lumon experiment. Maybe she's simply a teenager with an internship. No robots, no resurrection, just (likely unpaid) child labor. Frankly, that's sinister enough in itself, especially considering what it might mean for Severance's wider world.
Back in Season 1, Severance revealed that Harmony Cobel (Patricia Arquette) had a shrine to Kier Eagan. On it was a photo from her time at the Myrtle Eagan School for Girls, an experience which likely indoctrinated her into the cult of Kier and set her up for a life serving the Eagans at Lumon. Perhaps Miss Huang comes from a similar school or background, and she is also being primed for a life as a corporate Lumon cog.
With that in mind, Miss Huang's presence in Severance Season 2 is less a mystery for the audience to crack and more a disheartening reminder of Lumon's insidious mechanisms of control. Severance is one such mechanism, but so is the Eagan school-to-Lumon job pipeline we've seen with Cobel and likely Miss Huang. Now, with Miss Huang, we could be looking at a future Cobel or Milchick type — and that's a frightening thought.
Severance Season 2 is now streaming on Apple TV+, with a new episode every Friday.
SAVE 47%: The Samsung Q-series HW-Q6CC soundbar is on sale at Walmart for $199, down from the usual price of $379. That's a savings of $180.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Q-series HW-Q6CC soundbar $199.00 at WalmartIf you've been making do by watching movies with audio from your TV's built-in speakers, you're probably not getting the full experience. Most TVs come with speakers that lack in quality, but it's an easy fix. By adding a soundbar, you'll be back in business — and there's a quality soundbar almost half off today to help you get there.
As of Jan. 22, the Samsung Q-series HW-Q6CC soundbar is on sale at Walmart for just $199, marked down from the typical price of $379. That's a 47% discount and a savings of $180.
SEE ALSO: Rate your favorite smart home gear for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift cardWith trusted sound from Samsung, the superior audio capabilities of the Q-series soundbar will complete your TV setup. Using 3.1 Ch. Dolby Atmos Sound, the soundbar gives enhanced quality while watching your favorite shows and movies. You can also activate Game Mode, which gives you synched directional audio while making split-second decisions.
Using an HDMI eARC connection, the Samsung moves advanced audio from your TV to the soundbar with no delay. With enhanced voice clarity, the Samsung soundbar can be a great addition for those who've come to rely on closed captioning while watching TV. Plus, the soundbar comes with a Tap Sound function, which means you'll be able to tap your Bluetooth-enabled phone to the soundbar to start listening.
If your winter watching plans could use a sound upgrade, today's sale price on the Samsung Q-series soundbar is worth checking out. Not only will you save $180 off the list price, you'll be getting a huge improvement over your TV's built-in speaker system.
Imagine a world where heartless corporate overlords consider their workforce to be so disposable that they will work them to death and then clone them to do it again. That's the setup for Mickey 17, the latest from Academy Award–winning writer/director Bong Joon-ho (Parasite).
Robert Pattinson stars as Mickey Barnes, who works as an "expendable." As teased in the first trailer for this dark sci-fi comedy, it's his job to be killed over and over, like a kind of human crash test dummy. No worries. As he explains in the new trailer, he'll just be "printed out again." But life (and death) changes for Mickey 17, when he falls for Nasha (Blink Twice's Naomi Ackie) and meets his Multiple (also Robert Pattinson). This throws the corporate leaders (Toni Collette and Mark Ruffalo) into execution overdrive, spurring what looks to be a class rebellion.
Fans of Parasite, Okja, and Snowpiercer know well that class conflict is Bong Joon-ho's sweet spot. We can't wait to see what the Oscar winner has coming our way now.
Netflix had a really good year, so your year is about to get a bit worse.
The streaming service saw a jump in subscribers to 19 million in the last quarter of 2024, putting it at 302 million global subscribers — more than any other streaming service in the industry. According to CNN, a large part of that jump is due to its successfully hosting the Mike Tyson and Jake Paul boxing match in November, an event that became the most-streamed sporting event ever.
SEE ALSO: Netflix scores exclusive broadcasting rights for FIFA Women's World CupNetflix added more sporting events in December, including two Christmas Day NFL games — featuring a halftime performance from Beyoncé. This, along with the success of the second season of Squid Game and WWE Raw live broadcasts, has led Netflix to do the one thing we all hate: raise its standard monthly membership cost.
The cost of a monthly Netflix membership without ads is increasing from $15.49 to $17.99, the cost of a standard account with ads is increasing from $6.99 to $7.99, and the premium tier is increasing from $22.99 to $24.99. Netflix last raised its subscription price in October 2023.
"As we continue to invest in programming and deliver more value for our members, we will occasionally ask our members to pay a little more so that we can re-invest to further improve Netflix," the company’s letter to investors said, according to The Verge.
We're going back to the wilderness for Yellowjackets Season 3, and based on the new trailer, the Yellowjackets past and present are in for a gnarly time.
SEE ALSO: 'Yellowjackets': 10 burning questions we have for Season 3In the past, the stranded soccer players are recovering from their first winter in the wilderness, with Natalie (Sophie Thatcher, Heretic) in charge. But her leadership may not last for long! Looks like Shauna (Sophie Nélisse) and Misty (Samantha Hanratty) have it out for her, especially since Natalie might be hiding Coach Ben (Steven Krueger), who burned down the Yellowjackets' cabin in the Season 2 finale.
Meanwhile, in the present, the adult Yellowjackets strive to cover up their secrets, which could lead to them turning against one another. Case in point: a scene in the trailer where it looks like Misty (Christina Ricci) straight-up stabs Shauna (Melanie Lynskey) in the back.
That's just the start of how gnarly the Yellowjackets Season 3 trailer gets. Also on the menu are shots of broken teeth chowing down on flesh, new cast member Hilary Swank finding out just how "insane" the Yellowjackets are, and more looks at the Yellowjackets' ritualistic cannibalism. Buzz buzz!
Yellowjackets Season 3 premieres Feb. 14 on Paramount+ with the Showtime plan.
Under the Trump administration, OpenAI and other members of the tech sector are making a push to establish AI dominance in the U.S.
On Tuesday, the ChatGPT maker announced The Stargate Project, a $500 billion venture to invest in AI infrastructure. OpenAI, Oracle, Japanese company SoftBank, and Emirati firm MGX lead the venture as initial equity funders, with British chipmaker Arm, U.S. chipmaker Nvidia, and longtime OpenAI partner Microsoft also contributing as technology partners.
Tweet may have been deletedStargate will be building data centers to support the massive computing power required for running and developing AI models and has already broken ground in Texas. OpenAI is deploying $100 billion immediately to kick off the project.
SEE ALSO: Seth Meyers recaps the tech billionaire VIP-ness of Trump's inauguration"This infrastructure will secure American leadership in AI, create hundreds of thousands of American jobs, and generate massive economic benefit for the entire world," said the OpenAI announcement. "This project will not only support the re-industrialization of the United States but also provide a strategic capability to protect the national security of America and its allies."
President Trump spoke about the project with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Oracle co-founder and CTO Larry Ellison, and SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son standing by his side on Tuesday. "What we want to do is we want to keep it in this country... China is a competitor, others are competitors. We want to be in this country, and we're making it available."
The motivation behind Stargate is to continue to be the global leader in AI investment. "I'm gonna help a lot through emergency declarations because we have an emergency, we have to get this stuff built. So they have to produce a lot of electricity. And we'll make it possible for them to get this production done easily, at their own plants if they want," Trump continued.
That said, The Stargate Project was already underway before Trump took office, as first reported in March 2024 by The Information. According to the outlet, OpenAI and Microsoft had been drawing up plans for building a supercomputer to support the increasing need for large amounts of computing power.
Now, the plan has evolved under Trump's support and partnerships with chipmakers, which is critical for developing and improving AI models.
Not all of Trump's new tech buddies are excited about the Stargate venture. Newly appointed DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) officer Elon Musk, who is also embroiled in a lawsuit with OpenAI replied to its X post, "They don’t actually have the money."
Tweet may have been deletedWhatever the case, we're sure to learn more details about Stargate soon.
SAVE $120: As of Jan. 22, you can get the Samsung Galaxy Ring for $279.99 at Amazon. That's $120 off the list price of $399.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Ring $279.99 at AmazonThe first Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event of the year is just moments away, and with it comes anticipation for the newest additions to the Galaxy lineup — and unexpected Samsung deals from retailers like Best Buy and Amazon.
As of Jan. 22, Amazon’s offering a $120 discount on the Samsung Galaxy Ring, bringing the price to $279.99 from $399.99. (This discount is easy to miss — look underneath the price, and you should see “save $120 at checkout.”)
SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2025 live blog: Galaxy S25 series, AI tools, and moreThis Mashable Choice Award winner has a sleek, lightweight, scratch-resistant design and a seven-day battery life, making it ideal for anyone who’s always on the go and wants a reliable fitness tracker that isn’t too bulky.
“The Samsung Galaxy Ring is so good, it has made me consider the unthinkable: dropping my beloved Apple Watch Series 9 for the Korea-based tech giant's new wearable,” Mashable’s East Coast Tech Editor, Kimberly Gedeon, wrote in her review.
It tracks sleep, heart rate, steps, and more. And, the best part is that you don’t need a subscription to see your fitness data (though you will need a phone compatible with Samsung Galaxy AI).
At first glance, there's just something off about Iris and Josh, the cute couple at the heart of Companion. Maybe it's the slight age gap, between the bright-eyed twenty-something (Yellowjackets' Sophie Thatcher) and the smirking thirty-something (Star Trek: Lower Decks' Jack Quaid). That could be why Iris gets side-eye from Josh's snarling friend Kat (Never Have I Ever's Megan Suri). Or perhaps it's the endless fawning and naïveté from the young woman, who dresses in outfits pastel, prim, and topped with a hair bow, as if she's an American Girl Doll. It's a mystery set up in the film's first act, but the reveal of why Iris is the way she is just the initial twist in this sick and satisfying thrill ride.
Much like deliciously bonkers horror comedies Ready or Not and Abigail, Companion has an explosive premise that is sure to attract audiences — if they already know what it is. Hence the movie trailers that give away the twist at the end of act one. And while I'd recommend seeing any of the above as clueless as you can, their plots are not the most thrilling thing about them. Like Radio Silence's successful duo of gnarly romps, Companion, from writer/director Drew Hancock, takes its riveting premise into a rich terrain of twisted turns embedded with smart and sick humor. The result is a rollicking thrill ride that's as spiked with surprises and gore as it is sharp punchlines.
Companion hits where fear of intimacy and tech collide. Credit: Warner Bros. PicturesIris is a hopeless romantic, who sees her picture-perfect meet-cute with Josh over oranges in a charming grocery store as proof they are made for each other. She wants nothing more than to be his perfect partner, eager to please him and his snarky friends over a weekend getaway at a remote cabin in the mountains.
Iris' desperation to impress instantly riles Kat, but amuses Kat's forty-something sugar daddy Sergey (Rupert Friend), whose thick Russian accent, ropey facial scar, and swanky vacation house suggest he is a man of means...and maybe menace. More welcoming toward Iris is jovial Eli (What We Do in the Shadows' Harvey Guillén) and his chef boyfriend Patrick (Road House's Lucas Gage), who relishes the opportunity to cook for the group.
SEE ALSO: The 22 best horror movies of 2024, and where to watch themIt should be a pleasant weekend among friends, but things go homicidally awry when one reveler presses their luck with Iris and winds up very dead. Covered in blood and panicked, Iris appeals to the others for help. In response, she is offered a rude awakening: Iris is a robot companion or — as Josh puts it so casually — "an emotional support robot that fucks."
Now that she's killed someone, she'll have to be switched off. But Iris isn't about to go down without a fight — and not out of self-concern as much as her coded imperative to be with Josh forever. But if you think Companion is going to go the way of M3GAN or AfrAId — in which AI is so hellbent on self-preservation it'll turn Terminator on its human family — you're in for a slew of slick surprises.
Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid face off with flare in Companion. Credit: Warner Bros. PicturesHancock's script turns the artificial intelligence narrative on its head by making Iris not a fearsome foe capable of cold-hearted, superhuman violence, but a big-hearted Final Girl who's forced to face off against the dream boy she just realized is more of a fuckboy.
If you relished Quaid's turn as the duplicitous beau in Scream 5, you'll enjoy his performance here, which is subtler but nonetheless unnerving. (More comedic than scary, Companion isn't as hard-edged as the slasher series.) The way Hancock's sly dialogue and Quaid's careful performance gently plants red flags ahead of the big reveals is reminiscent of Nacho Vigalondo's epic kaiju comedy Colossal. Sure, on a first watch, you might raise an eyebrow in suspicion. But, on a rewatch, the warnings are hard to ignore. With a warm smile and cutting charisma, Quaid walks this line of good guy and dangerous douchebag with alarming confidence.
Meanwhile, Thatcher, who's played a hardened teen cannibal in Yellowjackets and a shrewd missionary in Heretic, delves convincingly into the sickening sweetness required of first-act Iris. It's almost jarring to see the actor so heralded for her hard-eyed intensity in such an ingénue role. Which is why when Iris begins to adapt, strategizing her survival while working out her boyfriend's motivations, Companion really comes into focus. It evolves into a battle of wits with a sci-fi edge, but also feels very familiar in a treacherous dating scene where deception is part of the game. With his central premise, Hancock suggests it's not AI that's the threat to mankind, it's man, who will claim anything as his no matter the costs to others.
Aside from the delicious twists that lead to a string of gruesome yet amusing murders, Companion also boasts an ensemble cast that expertly keeps things light and fun amid the horrors. Suri is exhilaratingly sneering as Kat. Friend makes a goofy feast of the eccentric Sergey. Guillén is a hoot as the garrulous and unapologetically emotional Eli, while Gage is his perfect scene partner, playing the "straight man" with breezy ease. Like any Scream movie worth its salt, Companion also has solid supporting players in the bit parts, from Marc Menchaca as a well-intentioned cop, to Woody Fu and Jaboukie Young-White as comical IT support. Altogether, they create a compelling, funny, and fierce thriller that's a deranged delight.
And hey, make it a date night. Companion could be either a good time out or a litmus test for a bad partner who hasn't yet revealed their true colors.
Companion opens in theaters on Jan. 31.
Snow is falling in Florida as a "historic snowstorm" brings dangerous conditions across 1,000 miles of Interstate 10 from central Texas to northern Florida, according to AccuWeather. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency Sunday ahead of what forecasters predict could be one of the Gulf Coast's worst storms in over a century.
In the wake of this rare snowfall, it's transformed the Sunshine State into an otherworldly winter wonderland, and social media is buzzing with stunning photos of icy beaches, snow-dusted palm trees, and surreal frozen landscapes.
SEE ALSO: How to see snow totals for Florida, Texas and other states onlineEver wanted to see a gator basking under the gentle touch of a snowflake or orange trees blanketed in snow? It’s surreal and stunning. Sure, it’s a stark reminder of the existential climate crisis fueled by government inaction and corporate greed, but hey, at least it makes for some pretty wild visuals.
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deletedBeyond the surreal pictures, the winter storm's unexpected snowfall has also sparked a flood of hilarious memes, proving that even in extreme weather, the internet’s sense of humor never freezes (my fault, twin).
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deletedBefore you ask, yes, the Waffle House is still open.
Tweet may have been deletedSAVE $250: As of Jan. 22, get the Sonos Arc soundbar for $649 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $899. That's a discount of 28%. This is the lowest price we've seen so far.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Sonos Arc soundbar $649.00 at AmazonSoundbars can completely change how you experience your favorite TV shows, movies, and games at home. If you're still relying on your TV's built-in audio, you're missing out on so much. It's high time you add a soundbar to your home entertainment center. Give your TV a chance to shine with a quality soundbar deal at Amazon.
As of Jan. 22, get the Sonos Arc soundbar at Amazon for $649, the lowest price we've seen yet. That's $250 off its normal price of $899 and 28% off.
SEE ALSO: This massive 85-inch Samsung QLED TV is on sale for over $400 offThis soundbar is a fantastic option to pair with your TV, as it can bring booming sound and crisp treble to just about any piece of media to make you feel like you're inside your favorite stories. While it's best used as a way to complement your TV's sound, you can also use it as a Bluetooth player to enjoy music or podcasts thanks to the Sonos app or devices powered by Apple AirPlay 2.
You can use the soundbar's on-board controls to adjust brightness, the LED light settings, and more. It's all about simplicity, and it's easy to set up and use.
If you're ready for a big change when it comes to sound, be sure to snag this Sonos soundbar while it's still on sale.
Southern states like Florida, Texas, and Tennessee are grappling with a historic winter storm that has brought record-breaking snowfall to millions and transformed typically mild regions into icy landscapes.
SEE ALSO: What are comets? The secret lives of space snowballs, explained.If you're interested or eager to see just how bad it is around your area, you can head on over to the National Weather Service (NWS). Their snowfall map makes it’s easier than ever to check snow totals for any state online.
The NWS provides real-time updates through its interactive website and mobile platforms. Head to weather.gov and navigate to the “Winter Weather” section under "Weather Safety," where you’ll find snowfall analysis tools. The site features detailed maps, sortable state-by-state data, and even localized snowfall reports down to specific counties.
For a more dynamic experience, explore the NWS Snowfall Analysis page. It offers zoomable maps with overlays showing accumulation levels, letting you see how your area compares to others.
SAVE $100: The JBL Live 660NC headphones (black) are on sale for just $59.95, down from the list price of $159.95. That's a 63% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Live 660NC headphones (black) $59.95 at JBLGoing about life while wearing a pair of comfortable, noise-cancelling headphones is a game-changer. You can tune out the odd conversation happening near you on the train and instead enjoy a few chapters of your audiobook. Then that same pair of headphones also makes washing the dishes an entirely different, much more enjoyable task. If you'd benefit from a headphones upgrade, check out this great deal from JBL.
As of Jan. 22, the JBL Live 660NC headphones are on sale for just $59.95, marked down from the list price of $159.95. That means you'll cash in on $100 in savings and score a 63% discount. Be sure to select the black colorway to get this sale price.
SEE ALSO: Rate your favorite smart home gear for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift cardFor under $60, the JBL Live 660NC offer a comfortable fit with an immersive sound experience. The wireless headphones come with 40mm drivers and impressive battery life that can offer up to 50 hours of playback time. Plus, a 10-minute quick-charge adds four hours of listening time. These headphones will go from empty battery to a 100% charge with just two hours of charging. Plus, these headphones automatically detect when you take them off, pausing your tunes and turning them back on when they're back in place.
Our favorite noise-cancelling headphones here at Mashable are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, but they come with a noticeable downside: the $429 price tag. Is that worth it for some people? Absolutely. But if you'd rather save almost $400 and still get quality, comfortable audio, today's JBL deal is a steal.
If you're looking for a new pair of headphones at a rock-bottom price that comes with solid sound and performance, look no further than today's deal on the JBL Live 660NC headphones. For just $59.95, you'll be set to rock out during your commute, or while taking care of household chores, or slogging through the many hours of that trans-Atlantic flight.
Every time a headline goes around that a small Italian town wants foreigners to buy up property for a measly sum, everyone hits the pub with their friends and dreams the DIY dream.
And some people — namely Mean Girls director Mark Waters and A Perfect Pairing writers Elizabeth Hackett and Hilary Galanoy — make an entire Netflix movie out of it. With a Parmigiano Reggiano-topped trailer out today, La Dolce Villa feels like a Netflix Christmas movie without the Christmas part, all shot in Rome, eastern Lazio, and Tuscany.
Scandal and Felicity star Scott Foley plays Eric, a man whose daughter Olivia (Maia Reficco, Do Revenge) buys a crumbling Italian villa for €1 (yep, she did the thing). He's mad, until he meets the stunning mayor who sold it to her (Violante Placido). Plus, as his daughter reminds him, he used to be a chef and what he's in Italy? Sounds like Eric will be eat, pray, loving his way to finding himself in no time.