Trump’s new tariffs might make your next phone more expensive

Technology is everywhere, from our phones to TVs, and it all starts with tiny chips made of silicon. But making these chips isn’t easy, and right now, one major company in Taiwan is in the spotlight because of new U.S. tariffs.
What’s Happening?
President Donald Trump has announced plans for tariffs as high as 100% on chips coming from Taiwan. He made these comments at a recent conference in Miami, stating, “In the very near future, we’re going to be placing tariffs on foreign production of computer chips, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals to bring these jobs back to America.” He pointed out that companies have moved their production to Taiwan.
Who Does This Affect?
This mainly targets Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which makes most of the world’s advanced chips. They produce chips for big names like Apple, Google, and Nvidia. If these tariffs go through, it could mean higher prices for many tech gadgets.
What Does This Mean for Consumers?
For those who love gadgets, this could mean pricier phones. Tech expert Marques Brownlee explained that the chip is often the most costly part of a smartphone. A 100% tariff could increase a $500 phone’s price to $700, which is a 40% jump. This would affect all devices using Taiwanese chips.
Why Is This Happening?
The idea is to encourage companies to produce chips in the U.S. instead of Taiwan. While the U.S. has companies like Intel, they’re not as advanced as TSMC. TSMC does have a plant in Arizona, but it produces far fewer chips compared to its factories in Taiwan.
Can the U.S. Compete?
Yes, but it would take a lot of money and time. To match TSMC’s output, the U.S. would need to build many new factories. Each factory costs billions, takes years to build, and needs thousands of workers. Not to mention, there would be huge demands for materials like concrete and steel.
What’s the Response from Taiwan?
Taiwan has pointed out that their relationship with the U.S. in tech is beneficial for both countries – the U.S. designs, and Taiwan makes the chips. However, with the current political climate, these tariffs could become reality any day, impacting both economies and technology prices around the world.
Really interesting video – @Nothing asked me for the specs of my 2025 Dream Phone, then they broke down roughly what the bill of materials would actually cost
– 6000mah battery: $13
– 6.1″ 120Hz 1440p LTPO AMOLED: $35
– S24 Ultra back cams, Pixel 9 selfie cam: $80
– 1TB UFS 4.0,… pic.twitter.com/V2weq6zhQ3— Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) January 26, 2025
Android
Android 16 adds small but useful changes to status bar and terminal features

Google is working on Android 16, and while big changes are still under wraps, some small updates have already been noticed. These tweaks may not seem major, but they can improve how users interact with their devices.
One of the changes spotted in the Android 16 Developer Preview is the return of the status bar clock to the left side of the screen. This layout used to be common before Android 9, but later Android versions placed the clock on the right. Now, with the new preview, the clock moves back to the left, which could make room for more icons and make the status bar easier to read—especially on phones with notches or punch-hole cameras. However, this change might not be final, as Android is still being tested.
Another interesting update is in the Android terminal tool. A new feature allows users to resize disk partitions without needing a full system reboot. This could be very helpful for developers and advanced users who need to change storage settings quickly. Instead of restarting the device, the system now supports live resizing in many cases, which saves time and effort.
Overall, Android 16 is shaping up with some practical improvements that focus on convenience and better user experience, even in the smaller details.
YouTube Music adds new feature to keep song volume steady

YouTube Music is rolling out a new feature called “Stable volume” to make your listening experience better. This option helps keep the sound level the same across all songs, so you won’t have to turn the volume up or down when switching tracks.
Sometimes, songs are louder or softer depending on how they were made. This new feature fixes that by adjusting each track so that all music plays at a similar volume. It’s especially useful when you’re using headphones or listening in the car.
You can find this option in the YouTube Music app by going to Settings > Playback & restrictions, where you’ll see a switch for “Stable volume.” It works for both free and Premium users, and it’s now appearing on Android devices (version 7.07 or later). iOS support may come soon, but it’s not available yet.
This is a welcome update, as many streaming apps like Spotify and Apple Music already have similar volume balancing tools. It helps make playlists and albums sound smoother and more enjoyable without constant volume changes.
So far, the feature is being released in stages, so you might not see it right away, but it should show up soon for everyone.
Android
Android 16 beta adds battery health info, Pixel Fold gets better at detecting opens and closes

Google has released the Android 16 Beta 1 update for Pixel phones, and it brings some helpful new features. One of the key additions is battery health information, which is now available in the settings. Pixel users can now see the battery’s manufacturing date, charge cycles, and overall health score. This can help people understand how well their battery is holding up over time. While this feature is currently hidden under developer options, it might be fully added in a future update.
At the same time, Google is also working to improve the Pixel Fold. With Android 16 Beta 1, there’s a new system that better detects when the phone is opened or closed. This new method uses the hinge angle to more accurately understand the device’s position. Unlike older systems that could be affected by software bugs or slow response times, this new one seems to be more reliable and faster.
These changes are important for people who use foldable phones like the Pixel Fold, as better hinge detection can lead to smoother app transitions and fewer bugs. And for all Pixel users, having detailed battery info can help with managing phone performance and deciding when it’s time for a battery replacement.
Overall, Android 16 Beta 1 focuses on giving users more control and smoother experiences, especially for those with foldables.
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