The Weekly Tech Report: Volume 2

Welcome, and thanks for stopping by.

This is the second instalment of a new weekly series where we break down the biggest stories in tech, what they mean for us here in Zimbabwe, and share tips and tricks to make your digital life a little easier.

From the latest shiny devices to apps you should try and money-saving hacks, we’ve got you covered, every single week. So, let’s get right to it.

NEW DEVICES: The Week’s Latest Gadgets

This week brings another fresh batch of gadgets to consider, from budget-friendly smartphones to a new tablet contender. We’ve got devices from Honor, vivo, and OnePlus making headlines, alongside some exciting local offerings.

New Releases & Announcements

• Honor X7d 4G: Announced on August 25th and expected to hit shelves in September, the Honor X7d 4G looks like it will be a good option for those looking for affordable phones. It’s expected to pack a decent battery for all-day use and a capable camera system.

• vivo T4 Pro: Dropped on August 26th, the vivo T4 Pro aims to offer a premium experience without breaking the bank, at about $430 or so. With a vibrant display and a focus on performance, this device looks to be a solid midranger. Keep an eye out for its camera capabilities, which vivo often prioritises.

• vivo V60: This device, announced on August 12th and available since August 19th, is almost identical to the T4 Pro above and costs about the same as well. It was just made for different markets. They both borrow heavily from the design of the rumoured iPhone 17. Beyond the looks, expect a solid performance package from vivo.

• OnePlus Pad Lite: Released on August 14th, the OnePlus Pad Lite joins the surprisingly competitive tablet market. As the “Lite” in the name suggests, it promises a more accessible entry point to the OnePlus world, focusing on essential features for entertainment and productivity without the higher price tag of its premium competitors. This could be a great option for students or anyone needing a secondary screen for media consumption, or for the kids, to shut them up.

• Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro+: Xiaomi doesn’t disappoint with the Redmi Note 15 Pro+. As always with the “Pro+” designation, expect a beefed-up camera, faster charging, and a more powerful processor than its siblings. 

Upcoming: Confirmed & Rumoured

The rumours never stop coming, and a few exciting phones are expected soon:

• Samsung Galaxy M07: Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy M07 soon. The M-series is known for its massive batteries, so expect this to be another device focused on extreme longevity, perfect for users who need their phone to last all day.
• Samsung Galaxy Event: Samsung is preparing another Galaxy event soon. They say we will see another member of the S25 family, which will likely be the Galaxy S25 FE (Fan Edition), offering flagship-tier features at a more accessible price. We might also get a sneak peek at new Galaxy Tabs.
• Oppo Find X9+: The rumoured Find X9+ is expected to bring cool camera tech, ultra-fast charging, and a premium design, and should compete in the flagship space.

Featured Devices: Now on Techzim

Sometimes, the best new device is the one you can get your hands on right now, with a local warranty and support. This week, we’re shining a light on two fantastic options from Tecno, both available through Techzim. These devices not only offer great value but also have designs that are similar to flagship trends. 

You can call it inspiration, you can call it shameless copying, it doesn’t matter. Whether you like Apple’s designs or prefer Samsung’s style, Tecno has you covered.

• Tecno Spark 40: If you’re looking for a device that’s ahead of the design curve, beating the iPhone to its own design, the Tecno Spark 40 is a great pick. Just look at that camera module. However, beyond looks, the Spark 40 offers reliable performance and a decent camera for everyday use. A fantastic choice for those who want flagship looks without the flagship price tag.

You can buy it here.

• Tecno Spark 40 Pro: Stepping up from its sibling, the Tecno Spark 40 Pro takes design inspiration from the Samsung Galaxy S25 instead. If you aren’t bothered by borrowed looks, it is one of the most impressive budget-friendly mid-ranger smartphones of 2025.

You can buy it here.

SOFTWARE NEWS: Your Apps Balloon in Size, Clear Their Caches

Your Phone’s Storage Is Not Okay, and iOS Is the Bigger Culprit

Just when you thought deleting old memes and blurry screenshots would free up space, here comes a report that says, “Nice try.” Turns out, the apps themselves are greedy, and if you’re on iOS, they are squatters.

SafetyDetectives dropped an interesting analysis of the top 50 apps on Android and iOS, and the results are wild. iOS apps are nearly twice the size of their Android counterparts at download, and some balloon like they’ve been fed sadza and beans at a Mission School.

Let’s talk numbers.

	iOS Apps	Android Apps
Average Download Size	359 MB	176 MB
Average Growth After Use	+474 MB	+722 MB
Total Storage for Top 50 Apps	~17.5 GB	~6.4 GB

So yes, that’s why your 128 GB phone still fills up quickly.

Why Is iOS So Heavy?

Apple likes bundling everything up front. Language packs, fonts, high-res assets, whether you need them or not. It’s like buying a car and getting snow tyres in Harare. Android, on the other hand, uses modular installs. You get what you need, when you need it.

Also, Apple’s App Store rules mean developers can’t trim fat as easily. So apps come bloated, and stay bloated.

App Examples That Will Shock You

WhatsApp is more or less what you would like to see; it only shows a slight bump: 114 MB on iOS vs. 109 MB on Android.

After You Start Using Them, It Gets Worse

Apps don’t just sit quietly. They cache, they download, they expand like a Zim government department’s budget.

Android:

• Netflix: 52 MB → 4.1 GB
• SHEIN: 61 MB → 2.4 GB
• TikTok: 462 MB → 2.3 GB

iOS:

• Instagram: 428 MB → 4 GB
• CapCut: 1 GB → 3.8 GB
• TikTok: 559 MB → 1.7 GB

Some iOS apps shrink after use (Uber, Canva), which is cool, but most just grow.

So What?

If you’re on iOS, know this: every app you download arrives with its full luggage. Language packs, fonts, assets, it’s all there, whether you need it or not. So before you hit “Get,” ask yourself: do I really need this app, or am I just bored, looking for a way to utilise my about-to-expire bundle?

• Think about initial downloads, especially if you’re on a slow connection or a 64 GB device. That’s you, iPhone 6 gang.
• Trust iOS’s data management, but don’t get lazy. Some apps shrink after use, but it’s still wise to check your storage settings now and then.
• Prioritise what you keep. That Journal app you opened once in January? It’s probably still hogging space.

Android users, you’ve got it easier at first; apps are leaner thanks to modular installs. But don’t celebrate yet.

• Enjoy the lighter downloads, but remember:
• Apps grow fast. Netflix, SHEIN, and TikTok all start small and end up eating gigs. Clear your cache regularly, and if there’s a lite version, use it.
• Modularity is your friend, and your phone’s already doing the smart work behind the scenes.

For everyone, iOS or Android, the real villain is cached data. It’s like that drawer full of broken charging cables and used batteries you say you’ll organise one day.

• Clear your cache for heavy-use apps like Instagram, TikTok, and Netflix.
• Review your app usage. If you haven’t opened it in months, it’s not essential; it’s sentimental. Delete it.

In a country where data is expensive and cloud backups are not an option for most, managing your app storage isn’t optional; it’s strategy. You have to balance what you need with what your apps think you need.

PROBLEM SOLVER: Somehow, Your 128GB Phone is Full

Your Phone Says “Storage Full” But You Deleted Everything, Here’s Why

In the Software News section, we talked about how apps carry a lot more “luggage” than you realise, and why regularly checking your storage isn’t optional. But what if you’ve already deleted photos, videos, even a few apps, and your phone still insists it’s full?

That’s because the real culprits are hidden files that your storage settings don’t always show you. Here’s where they hide, and how to reclaim your gigs:

1. Clear the Invisible Cache

Apps like Instagram, TikTok, Netflix, and WhatsApp quietly stash away gigabytes of “temporary” files.

• Android: Go to Settings → Storage → Apps → pick an app → Clear Cache.
• iPhone: iOS doesn’t let you clear caches directly, but you can Offload Apps via Settings → General → iPhone Storage. This removes the app but keeps your data intact. So if you reinstall it later, it picks up right where you left off.

Quick note: Clearing the cache doesn’t delete your personal data, your chats, photos, and logins stay safe. All you lose are temporary files; the app will rebuild as you use it again. Worst case? The app might take a second longer to load the first time.

2. Clean Out Downloads

That random APK, meme, or PDF from last year is still sitting there?

• Android: Open My Files or Files by Google → Downloads → delete what you don’t need.
• iPhone: Open Files → On My iPhone → Downloads and do the same.
  

3. Deal With Leftover App Data

Uninstalling an app doesn’t always mean it’s gone. On Android, use Files by Google → Clean Up → Junk Files to sweep up leftovers. On iPhone, it works differently: when you delete an app, iOS removes almost everything tied to it. 

Pro Tip:

WhatsApp is a silent storage killer. Go to Settings → Storage and Data → Manage Storage and clear out old forwarded memes, voice notes, and giant videos. You’ll thank yourself later.

A quick sweep of the three spots above can free up hundreds of megabytes, sometimes even gigabytes, without touching your important photos or chats. 

APP OF THE WEEK: Blip

For years, ShareIt has been the go-to for moving files in Zimbabwe. It works, but it’s bloated, full of ads, and slow. Blip comes in lean, clean, and cross-platform, perfect if you’re tired of wrestling with ShareIt, especially iPhone ↔ Windows users.

How It Works

• On the same Wi‑Fi network → files fly locally, no internet needed.
• On different networks → Blip sends your files securely through the internet.
  

Important: Blip doesn’t work over a phone hotspot. If you’re offline and don’t have a Wi‑Fi router, you’ll need a different trick.

Offline Sharing Tips

• Android → Windows: Quick Share (Nearby Share) handles offline transfers via Bluetooth, Wi‑Fi Direct, or hotspot. No internet needed if devices are close.
• iPhone → Windows: AirDrop won’t work. Your best bet is a USB cable + Apple Devices app for direct transfers.

Why I Love Blip

• No ads, no bloat — just fast, clean file sharing.
• Cross-platform — iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux soon.
• Unlimited file size — send videos, folders, even massive projects.
  

Bottom line: Blip isn’t perfect offline, but if you have access to Wi‑Fi, even without internet, it’s the cleanest, fastest, cross-platform file-sharing app around. For truly offline transfers, pair it with Quick Share, USB tools, or Zapya, depending on your devices.

BLAST FROM THE PAST: Apples and Serpents

The First Mobile Game Ever (and Why Snake Became a Legend)

Mobile gaming didn’t start with Candy Crush. The first mobile game ever is generally credited to Tetris on the Hagenuk MT-2000 in 1994, a simple puzzle game running on an early mobile phone.

It was groundbreaking, but the MT-2000 wasn’t widely available, so very few people actually played it in daily life on their phones. You needed Game Boys and those Brick Games that some of us could only afford to play Tetris.

Enter Snake, launched on the Nokia 6110 in 1997. It wasn’t the first mobile game, but it was pre-installed on millions of phones worldwide, making it the first game most people actually played casually, right in their pockets.

Addictive, easy to pick up, and challenging, Snake became a huge hit, and I’m sure, like me, you also played the game at some point.

From dodging walls and eating Apples to growing your line endlessly, Snake was about patience, strategy, and just fun gaming on a tiny screen.

And yes, the snake eats an apple. Snakes in real life don’t actually eat apples, but the round, simple fruit made a perfect, visually clear “food” for a tiny screen. Some have also noticed the parallel with the Biblical story of the serpent and the apple, even if that story doesn’t literally say the fruit was an apple.

Today, phones run games with console-quality graphics, but Snake remains a reminder that simple ideas often leave the biggest mark. I guess the likes of Candy Crush learnt the lesson well.

Final Thoughts

That’s it for this week’s roundup. From bloated apps to clever file-sharing tricks, and a trip down mobile gaming memory lane, we hope you’ve picked up a tip or two to make your digital life smoother. Stay tuned, next week, we’ll dive into more gadgets, apps, and stories that matter to tech users here in Zimbabwe.