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Last updated: September 12, 2026, 6:17 AM ET

iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo Launch

Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max pre-orders opened this Saturday, and as is typical for premium Apple hardware, neither model is seeing early discounts — the listing serves mainly as a price reference point against rivals. The bigger story is Apple's first foldable, the iPhone Duo, which has finally become a reality after months of leaks, though it does not resolve the crease, durability, and app-scaling problems that have dogged the category. Apple's own storefront went live ahead of the official September 12 pre-order date, and the company has published full US carrier offers for both the Pro lineup and the Duo. A footnote in the iPhone 18 Pro press release revealed that Apple is extending free satellite features for an additional year on older compatible iPhones. Reviewers comparing the new flagship against Google's hardware found more AI and better cameras but few reasons for users to switch ecosystems. the natural next step would be smaller and larger foldables — an iPhone Flip and an iPad Fold — following the path Samsung and ASUS already walked. Android loyalists, meanwhile, have been urged to steal five features from the iPhone Duo and iPhone 18 Pro rather than dismiss the launch outright.

Android Hardware and Leaks

Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra is available at T-Mobile for just $5.56 per month when buyers add a line on the Experience More or Experience Beyond plans — a headline saving of $1,100. In China, vivo will unveil the X500 series on September 21, and the company has now shown all color options for the X500 Pro Max ahead of that event. One Plus may skip India entirely with its next flagship: a tipster on X claims the OnePlus 16 will not launch there, with the One Plus 16R taking its place as the brand's flagship in the country. Samsung's budget tier is filling out as well — the Galaxy A08 appeared in a UAE retailer listing complete with specs and official images, following its August appearance in the Google Play Console and Anatel certification in Brazil. Poco's X8 Power, which packs a massive 10,000mAh battery, is now on sale in India after its global unveiling earlier this month. On the tablet side, Galaxy Tab S12 pricing rumors point to hikes of up to $200, which would make Samsung's next slates notably more expensive than their predecessors.

Wearables and Audio

Honor has confirmed that the Watch 6 Pro will join the Watch, Watch 6 Plus, and Watch 6 Plus Motorcycle Edition on September 28, with a Weibo teaser revealing the design. Google's smartwatch lineup gets a direct comparison in a Pixel Watch 5 vs. Pixel Watch 4 breakdown aimed at buyers on the fence. The Garmin Venu 3S, worn daily by one reviewer who credits it with transforming a running aversion, has hit a record-low price after a 36% discount at Amazon. In audio, Fairphone's second-generation true wireless earbuds have leaked in green and black, roughly a year and a half after the original Fairbuds arrived in April 2024. Samsung's open-ear clip-on earbuds have surfaced again in official-looking renders ahead of a likely Galaxy Buds On launch. Nothing may be preparing a Headphone 1 Pro as soon as September, with rumors pointing to a premium feel and a $399 price. Bose's second-generation Quiet Comfort Headphones earned praise for ultra-level features and design tweaks, while Noble's FoKus Amadeus were judged better than the Bose QC Ultra Gen II in a head-to-head listen. Samsung's tracker line also leaked: renders of the Galaxy SmartTag 3 show a redesign that critics say may not actually be an improvement.

Software, Platforms, and Industry

Roblox has confirmed that players will be able to play in-browser and offline in the near future, with both modes targeted by 2027. On the foldable productivity front, the Galaxy Z Fold 8's wide display shines for multitasking, and Samsung's new software features are central to getting the most out of it. Lenovo's Googlebook 15 looks decidedly premium in a new leak, reportedly pairing a high-resolution, high-refresh display with an Intel Core Ultra 5 chip. Meta's next mixed reality device is coming into focus: new images offer a detailed look at Project Phoenix, which represents a new form factor for the company. Acer is reviving a nostalgic name, but Packard Bell's return at IFA 2026 comes with a catch — no US launch. In a somber note for VR fans, Moss developer Polyarc has shut down; the studio produced some of the earliest hits for the PSVR and Oculus Quest.