Mobile News 24 Hours

Last updated: September 1, 2026, 6:26 AM ET

Smartphones

Indian handset maker Lava has entered the UK market with the Agni 4N, promising a premium experience at an accessible price. One Plus's next flagship is expected in October, and a tipster claims the OnePlus 16 will feature a 200MP main sensor and a 50MP periscope zoom. Meanwhile, the Honor Magic9 Pro could become the first Android phone with a square selfie sensor when it launches in September. Redmi is already working on the K100 successor after the K100 Pro series debuted in China, with early leaks pointing to a 10,000mAh battery. Oppo's Find X10 series is rumored for a September China launch, with global availability by late October and specs including an 8,000mAh battery and 200MP cameras. HMD is preparing the Asha 305 Pro, a slightly upgraded version of the Asha 305 that launched in July. The vivo T5 5G will debut in India later this week with a 50MP main camera and 32MP front shooter confirmed. An alleged photo and hands-on video of the vivo X500 Pro Max reveal a massive camera island that could dwarf even the X300 Ultra's imposing setup.

Mobile Launches

Poco is making the F9 Pro and F9 Ultra official today via an online event scheduled for 8 PM Beijing Time. Ahead of that, the F9 Ultra's EPREL label has leaked, promising up to 80 hours of battery life but warning of worse drop resistance than its predecessor. Poco has also revealed more specs for the X8 and X8 Power ahead of their September 4 launch in India. Samsung has released a budget-friendly Galaxy Book 6 laptop at $799, making its premium line more accessible. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra has surfaced on Geekbench 7 with the expected Dimensity 9500 chipset. Huawei has confirmed the MatePad Pro 2026 will go global this Wednesday, September 2. A new Indian company is building an Android-powered Arc X1 handheld gaming console with an open design approach, and has announced a partnership with Qualcomm.

Cameras & Imaging

Samsung is reportedly considering removing the dual zoom cameras from the Galaxy S27 Ultra, replacing the 3x and 5x lenses with a single new 4x zoom sensor. The Galaxy S27 Ultra's new telephoto camera has been detailed in a fresh rumor, suggesting the phone would have three rear cameras instead of four. Honor has been experimenting with a gimbal camera inside a phone, and our hands-on with the Honor Robot Phone shows promising stabilization results. Pixel 11 Pro users are reporting audio static issues when recording videos with Video Boost enabled, marring the launch experience.

Audio & Entertainment

JBL has introduced the Cove series of Wi-Fi speakers for whole-home audio, marking a major departure for the brand. Roland's latest digital piano comes with built-in Wi-Fi that integrates with a teaching app for an improved learning experience. Sony is adding free ad-supported TV channels to the PS5 in the US starting today. A PlayStation State of Play double bill is set for September 3, with Final Fantasy 7 revelations expected. For audio enthusiasts wondering about subwoofer placement, the physical setup can be the difference between immersive bass and bass that seems localized.

Streaming & Hardware

Google has raised prices on the TV Streamer and Nest cameras effective today, making older hardware up to $50 pricier. The Google TV Streamer now costs $150, a 50 percent increase from its previous $100 price point. Starlink's new Mini X kit comes with an extra router, but getting your main satellite dish positioned properly is more important than the additional hardware. The Slate Truck is an affordable EV because you have to "bring your own tech" — meaning you supply your own battery and motor components.

Software & Platforms

Android 17 QPR2 Beta 4 is shaping up to be Google's best beta yet, bringing a smoother Pixel experience, bug fixes, and boosted scam protection. Instagram is getting crystal clear about AI-generated content with a reworked label that users must adhere to or face consequences. The app will also demote AI-generated influencers who don't clearly label their accounts, though it isn't cracking down on other kinds of AI slop. Chat GPT, Reddit, and Roblox are set to face the EU's strictest platform rules under new regulations.

Legal & Industry

Apple has added more allegations to its trade secrets lawsuit against OpenAI, claiming a laptop proves a former employee accessed and used proprietary files for the AI company. The FTC and 22 states have sued Amazon for "secretly" overcharging advertisers since 2019, with the lawsuit stating the company's "deception continues to this day." Kalshi has issued its first-ever lifetime ban to George Santos, saying the ex-congressman didn't fully cooperate with its investigation into alleged insider trading. Phil Schiller is reportedly stepping down as Apple's App Store and product event chief, though he'll remain an Apple Fellow focusing on "unspecified initiatives."

Gaming & Retro

Nintendo's Game Cube was a flop at release despite having some things going for it, and it now has a cult following. Modders have installed Windows NT 4.0 on the 25-year-old console, finding new purpose for old tech. The original Nintendo Switch should continue working even once hardware sales stop and new games aren't made for it anymore, though the console is winding down.

Reviews & Buying Guides

The Redmi Note 17 Pro Max has the best battery life of any phone with its 9,210mAh battery lasting two and a half days between charges, but considerable downgrades in other areas make it hard to recommend. Garmin's Cirqa band is fine but utterly inessential, lacking the software and AI insights to be a true Whoop rival. If you're considering the Galaxy Z Fold, here are 5 phones to buy instead — Samsung's foldable isn't your only option. Trying to decide which Google Pixel 11 model to buy? We compared all three models to help you choose. Switching from Windows to Mac has a learning curve with downsides worth considering before making the jump.

How-To & Tips

Wondering how to secure your Android phone? The right settings can protect you from malicious apps, scam calls, and privacy invasions. If you lose your phone, you can disable your digital wallet to be safe, even though lock screen protection already secures it. Adding and removing cards from Apple Wallet is easy, and your cards don't have to stick around once you're done using them. You can also turn your iPhone into a Bluetooth controller for PC gaming if your controller is broken or you need an extra. If you use Android Auto, there's a feature that keeps spam calls away while you drive. Bluetooth volume acting unpredictably? Here's how to disable absolute Bluetooth volume on Android as a troubleshooting step. Several Garmin watches offer a built-in LED flashlight, but even other brands likely have a decent smartwatch flashlight feature that's surprisingly useful. There are good reasons to look for a laptop with two charging ports next time you upgrade. Does turning off Bluetooth actually make Wi-Fi better? We explain the interference dynamics.