Handsets Stories

Asian Stories

Handsets stories

Southeast Asia smartphone value rises as shipments stall

Samsung keeps Southeast Asia lead as Apple jumps to third, but rising memory costs and a shift to pricier phones lift revenue above shipments.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Tue, 17th Mar 2026

Global Stories

Handsets stories

Supply Chain

GSMA adds Closing the Loop recycling service to portfolio

Mobile operators now have a packaged way to link handset sales with recycling, as GSMA Industry Services broadens its sustainability tools.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • This month

Software-as-a-Service

Google Cloud launches device platform for app testing

The pay-per-minute service could cut testing costs for teams that need to check apps across many handset types and screen sizes.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • This month

Robotics

GSMA adds AI, 6G, and satellite zones to MWC Shanghai

Broader partnerships on AI, satellite links and 6G are now on offer as the event widens beyond handsets and networks.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Mon, 18th May 2026

Unified Communications

eSIM use surges as travellers favour digital connectivity

More travellers are avoiding roaming fees by activating eSIMs before departure, with half now using them for overseas trips, Ubigi said.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Wed, 13th May 2026

Supply Chain

GSMA fund backs mobile climate & circularity startups

GSMA launches grants of GBP £100,000 to GBP £200,000 for mobile startups driving clean energy, circular devices and climate action worldwide.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Tue, 24th Feb 2026

Unified Communications

Spirent launches Landslide E20 OTA for real handset lab testing

Spirent unveils Landslide E20 OTA, an automated platform for real handset testing across 4G, 5G, and Wi-Fi in controlled lab settings.

By Catherine Knowles • 3 min read • Thu, 26th Jun 2025

Internet of Things

Huawei announces royalty rates for patent license programs

The company announced royalty rates for its handsets, Wi-Fi, and IoT patent license programs, aimed at balancing innovation and adoption.

By Gaurav Sharma • 3 min read • Wed, 26th Jul 2023

Unified Communications

Trade up your mobile with Vodafone Trade-In

Vodafone New Zealand launches Trade-In, rewarding Kiwis with up to NZD $450 for old mobiles, which can be spent on new handsets or accessories.

By Staff Writer • 2 min read • Thu, 18th Apr 2013

Partner Programmes

NZ's Rakon strikes deal with Huawei

Auckland-based company has agreed a deal with Huawei Technologies, stretching five years and quadrupling sales.

By Staff Writer • 1 min read • Mon, 20th Aug 2012

Orcon

New Kid on the Block

Orcon, best known for its calling and internet services, recently entered the overcrowded mobile market with a 'no contract' approach to owning handsets.

By Staff Writer • 4 min read • Wed, 1st Sep 2010

Stories from Other Regions

Handsets stories

5G & Beyond

Motorola launches seven smartphones in New Zealand

Buyers in New Zealand gain a wider choice of Motorola handsets, with seven new models spanning entry-level 5G phones to a NZD $3,499 foldable.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last month

5G & Beyond

Ai+ Smartphone starts Nova 2 Pro & Neo sales in India

The phones enter India's crowded affordable 5G market, with prices from INR ₹12,999 as Ai+ seeks first-time buyers and upgraders.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Tue, 30th Jun 2026

Unified Communications

8x8 launches retail nationwide for shared store devices

Retailers could cut missed calls and IT overhead as shared devices let the nearest shop-floor worker answer across shifts.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Wed, 22nd Apr 2026

Unified Communications

Virgin Media O2 pays GBP £6.6m to recycle 85,500 devices

Virgin Media O2 paid GBP £6.6m to customers for 85,500 unwanted devices in 2025, highlighting e-waste risks and data security fears.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Thu, 19th Mar 2026

Customer Experience

EE & Samsung offer free AI masterclasses with perks

EE and Samsung launch free AI masterclasses at Westfield White City, with Galaxy AI demos and a GBP £100 voucher for attendees.

By Kaleah Salmon • 4 min read • Wed, 18th Mar 2026

Network Infrastructure

Virgin Media O2 rolls out free 5G+ upgrade across UK

Virgin Media O2 switches millions to faster 5G+ at no extra cost, as its standalone network goes live in over 700 UK towns and cities.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Thu, 12th Mar 2026

Customer Experience

Ur.co.uk unveils urBusiness, reshaping refurbished handset market

Ur.co.uk launches urBusiness, a game-changing venture in the refurbished handset market, ensuring quality, reliability, and sustainability for B2B customers.

By Catherine Knowles • 3 min read • Fri, 20th Sep 2024