Apple is rolling out a new in-store tool that scans unopened iPhone packaging and runs device diagnostics. The feature is intended to deter theft and prevent returned phones from becoming unsellable inventory.

Chosun Ilbo reports Samsung Electronics’ mobile application processor Exynos 2700 outscored Qualcomm’s latest flagship in internal performance tests and is expected to be used in the Galaxy S27 series next year. In tests run on a Xiaomi 18 Pro Max, Exynos 2700 posted about 13,000 multi‑core on Geekbench 6.5 versus roughly 11,000 for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme (Gen 6), ~20% higher; it led by about 15% on Geekbench 7.0. Compared with the Snapdragon 8 Elite (Gen 6) in the Xiaomi 18 Pro, Exynos was reported to be 44% and 36% higher across two benchmark runs.

Naha prosecutors on Oct. 25 indicted U.S. Marine Corps service member Devon Ballard on robbery and murder charges, alleging he killed a local woman in a Naha hotel and stole her belongings. The indictment says Ballard strangled the woman with a telephone handset cord on Oct. 3 and took her backpack; Okinawa prefectural police arrested him on Oct. 4.