SALTZMAN: Is the new iPhone worth it?

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Those who want an iPhone but can’t afford one have three options – buy an older model, search for a “previously enjoyed” (i.e. second-hand) iPhone, or opt for an Android device instead.

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But Apple has just introduced another option.

The entry-level iPhone 16e (from $899) is a couple of hundred dollars lower than the least expensive iPhone 16 ($1129) or iPhone 16 Pro (from $1449).

While not a “fire sale” by any stretch, many will no doubt welcome this lower price – especially given the impressive hardware.

After spending a week with iPhone 16e, I can attest you really do get a lot of bang for the buck. This includes a 6.1-inch durable OLED display (great for watching videos and playing games because of the enhanced contrast); a zippy A18 chip, which is the same processor found in pricier iPhone 16 models; a customizable “Action” button on the left side you can program as a quick shortcut to something; and perhaps most importantly, a battery that keeps going and going.

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The iPhone 16e gets up to 26 hours of video playback between charges. This is significant.

The latest iPhone is missing a couple of things, though, such as only one camera on the back (no ultrawide lens), no MagSafe magnetic charging, and no ultra-wideband chip for super precise tracking (for finding AirTags and such). And while it has an impressive screen, it’s not as bright as iPhone 16 and has a 60Hz refresh rate – instead of the 90Hz or 120Hz on most Android phones today for much smoother scrolling and content playback.

While I wish the price was even lower, iPhone 16e is a great buy for what you get. Those on an older iPhone – like an iPhone 11 or 12 – will certainly appreciate the upgrade.

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Pro tip: be sure to trade in your old iPhone to put the cash towards the new model as it can really shave down the cost.

Watch out for new scams

March, if you didn’t know, is Fraud Prevention Month, a good time (as any) to remind Canadians about the relentless scammers lurking in cyberspace, looking to part you and your money.

Last year alone, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reports there were almost 35,000 victims of fraud in the country, with a total loss of $638 million.

Even scarier, that only includes those who reported it.

AI is helping these scammers write more professional-looking messages (with fewer spelling and grammatical mistakes) as well as create “deepfake” attacks that digitally impersonate a familiar voice or face.

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The good news is that Baby Boomers – the most targeted group – are wising up.

A recent survey from Ipsos and HomeEquity Bank, which focuses exclusively on Canadians aged 55 and older, found that nearly 7 in 10 (68%) of older Canadians are aware of the misuse of AI by scammers, debunking the myth that this generation lacks digital awareness.

“AI is making tactics more personal and sophisticated,” says Yvonne Ziomecki-Fisher, chief customer, brand and advice officer at HomeEquity Bank, “but because this demographic is historically targeted more frequently than younger generations, it has sparked a shift.”

Older Canadians are now “showcasing their resilience and adaptability in the face of these challenges,” Ziomecki-Fisher adds.

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Regardless of your age, here are a few ways to ensure you don’t fall victim to a scam:

– Know that reputable businesses or government agencies (like the CRA) will never call, text or email and tell you to urgently confirm your personal information. When in doubt, contact the organization with contact info you already have for them (like a phone number on the back of your bank card) to ask if it was them (I can almost guarantee it was not). Don’t call any number provided in the message itself, as it’s fake. And never click on suspicious attachments or links.

– Even if the message looks or sounds like it’s your friend or family member, always validate it is who they say they are by asking something only they would know or tell them you’ll get back to them (and then call a number you already have for them). AI scams can be convincing, so take the time to doublecheck the source. Do your due diligence. Your “Spidey sense” should be tingling if they’re asking for money.

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– For all the tech you use, remember to have a long and strong password for all your accounts, and never use the same password for all your online activity. Even if it’s a great password, if a site or app is breached and you use the same password for multiple accounts, now the crooks have access to everything. Free password manager apps are a good idea, such as Dashlane, NordPass, RoboForm, LastPass, and 1Password.

– For online banking and shopping apps, opt for “multi-factor authentication,” which not only requires your password to log in, but also a one-time code sent to your mobile device that also needs to be typed in to prove it’s you.

– Avoid logging into public Wi-Fi hotspots, as they’re unencrypted networks, making it vulnerable to cybercriminals with the right tools. Instead, use your smartphone’s data plan to log online (prices have dropped over the years). If you must use a public hotspot, don’t do things like online banking, and use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) app to remain private and anonymous when online.

– Be sure to have reputable “antimalware” installed on all your devices that can identify, quarantine, delete and report any suspicious activity.

– Set up automatic updates on all your tech, including your operating system, browser, plug-ins and other software. You only need to do this once. Back up your important files weekly or biweekly.

Following these simple steps will go a long way. As the proverb goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

– Marc Saltzman is the host of the Tech It Out podcast and the author of the book, Apple Vision Pro For Dummies (Wiley)

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