The average smartphone user has 60 to 90 apps, using only ~10 daily and ~30 monthly. As a result, 60% to 70% of apps sit unused in the background, collecting personal data. New analysis by Surfshark revealed that bloatware begins with a brand-new phone, as manufacturers load a substantial number of pre-installed apps onto their devices before they reach the user. Samsung leads with 88 preloaded user-facing apps, followed by Google with 71, Xiaomi with 61, and Apple’s iPhone with 50. Interestingly, some of them include third-party apps like Facebook or Instagram that are privacy-invasive, especially when they are never used and just sit in the background.
“Data collection practices by popular applications, particularly social media platforms and chatbots, raise privacy concerns. While certain data points are necessary for basic operational functionality, entities may harvest information for targeted advertising or may even share it with undisclosed third parties. As a result, users are highly recommended to audit installed applications, review permissions, and remove or disable unused apps. Even never-used applications can gather personal data and link to your device,” explains Tomas Stamulis, Chief Security Officer at Surfshark.
Analysis shows that Samsung smartphones come preloaded with apps from Samsung, Google, mobile carriers, and third-party partners. In Bayton’s database of voluntarily synced Samsung smartphones, 88 user-facing apps were logged as preloaded, and 57% of those were marked by the Universal Debloater Alliance Next Generation project as safe to remove and not affecting the phone’s functionality. For example, the iPhone comes with up to 50 built-in apps, all developed by Apple, and EU users can remove up to 98% of them, compared to 88% in other countries.
35 out of 88 pre-installed Samsung apps are available on Google Play, collecting an average of 13 data types per app. This includes location-category data — such as approximate location (14 apps), precise location (12 apps), and physical addresses (11 apps) — among many other types of information.
Facebook and Instagram collect the most data among Samsung pre-installed apps, with each gathering 37 of 38 data types — accounting for 97% of the 38 data types listed on Google Play. Other third-party apps make the list too, including Netflix, Microsoft OneDrive, and Link to Windows, which collect 12, 15, and 6 data types, respectively.
In contrast, an evaluation of 47 of 50 pre-installed iOS apps available on the App Store collects an average of 8 data types. This includes location-category data, such as approximate location (19 apps), precise location (8 apps), or physical addresses (5 apps). It also includes behavioral data, user-generated content, and sensitive information.
Stamulis adds that linking your data to a single ecosystem may be convenient, but those seeking a more privacy-focused approach can minimize data collection by using third-party apps.
“Relying entirely on pre-installed applications can affect your privacy, as apps don’t always protect user data as you might expect. Shifting to third-party alternatives that are privacy-focused can help minimize data collection, limit overall exposure, and reduce unwanted targeted ads. It can also mitigate the risks associated with potential data breaches as your personal data is not stored in a single database.”
Google phones offer the least flexibility for removing pre-installed apps
Bayton’s database shows 71 preloaded user-facing apps on Google smartphones, with 38% identified as safe to remove by the Universal Debloater Alliance Next Generation project. The 40 apps on Google Play disclose an average of 13 data types collected per app, including physical addresses (15 apps), approximate location (14 apps), and precise location (11 apps).
Meanwhile, Xiaomi smartphones have 61 preloaded user-facing apps, with 57% marked safe to remove. There are 33 apps that can be found on Google Play and collect an average of 16 data types, including physical addresses (17 apps), approximate location (15 apps), and precise location (11 apps).
On both Google and Xiaomi smartphones, Google Gemini and the Google app are the most data-hungry, each collecting 29 of 38 data types. However, both manufacturers include apps that claim to collect no data: on Google devices, these include Password Manager, Pixel Screenshots, and Pixel Studio, and on Xiaomi devices – Weather, File Manager, and Mi Browser.
Nikon is Developing Nine Cinema Lenses in the NIKKOR Z Cinema T1.9 VV Series
Posted in Commentary with tags Nikon on September 8, 2026 by itnerdNikon Canada Inc. is pleased to announce the development of the NIKKOR Z CINEMA T1.9 VV series of cinema lenses, designed for the cinema, high-end productions, and creators, aiming to provide them with high-quality solutions. The series will comprise nine lenses, including the NIKKOR Z CINEMA 50mm T1.9 VV.
The NIKKOR Z CINEMA T1.9 VV series will further enrich the visual expression of the NIKKOR Z CINEMA line through a new design philosophy that delivers both the rendering performance required by the cinema industry and the practicality needed in professional production environments. In addition, this will be the first NIKKOR lens series to feature an image circle large enough to cover the V-RAPTOR [X] VV sensor*, which is larger than a full frame sensor. The lenses will also feature a highly precise autofocus mechanism to support creators’ workflows.
Nikon will continue to contribute to the development of imaging culture that includes the field of cinema, with the hope of expanding possibilities for imaging expression. Filmmakers and content creators can expect great things from the new synergy between Nikon and RED.
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