Mobile News 24 Hours

Last updated: May 26, 2026, 8:41 PM ET

Space & Defense

SpaceX jacked up Starlink prices for the Pentagon, reportedly pressuring the defense department into paying more for satellite internet access just as the company prepared to bring Starlink Wi-Fi to American Airlines flights. The Pentagon deal follows a broader commercial push that includes in-flight connectivity for select American Airlines routes. Meanwhile, NASA laid out plans for up to three lunar missions before the end of 2026, with each mission carrying payloads to test equipment from Blue Origin and Astrolab ahead of crewed Artemis missions. That work gained momentum after the FAA cleared Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket for its fourth flight following a completed investigation, giving the company room to accelerate development of its own lunar lander hardware.

Samsung & Memory Pricing

Rising memory costs are forcing Samsung to raise smartphone prices after months of absorbing chip price shocks through internal optimizations. The shift signals that the component squeeze is finally reaching consumers, with Galaxy devices expected to carry higher MSRPs in the second half of the year. On the software side, Samsung rolled out One UI 8.5 globally for the Z Fold5 and Z Flip5, though early adopters reported that video features disappeared from the update, prompting complaints across Reddit and Twitter. The Galaxy S26 FE surfaced in third-party cases with an Exynos 2500 SoC and 8GB of RAM, suggesting Samsung is keeping the mid-cycle refresh on track despite component headwinds. Separately, Samsung pushed its Galaxy phones closer to all-in-one identity devices by adding CLEAR-powered digital IDs to Samsung Wallet, making Galaxy handsets usable as TSA-approved digital passports.

Gaming & Streaming

Sony abruptly shut down Destruction AllStars, pulling the multiplayer title that launched as a PS5 launch window exclusive, a move that caught the community off guard. The closure underscores the financial risk of live-service games that fail to retain players. On a brighter note for subscribers, June's PlayStation Plus lineup adds Xbox's Grounded to the Game Catalog for Extra and Premium tiers, while Spotify expanded its audiobook library with long-form articles from Rolling Stone, Variety, Billboard, WIRED, and Pitchfork, giving subscribers narrated journalism alongside traditional podcasts.

Chinese OEMs Under Pressure

Xiaomi shipped 33.8 million smartphones in Q1 2026, a 19.2% drop from the same quarter a year earlier, even as the company pushed average selling prices higher to offset component costs. The slump reflects a broader slowdown across China's mid-tier market as sky-high RAM and display costs squeeze margins. Xiaomi is not alone: the company confirmed a 10,000mAh battery for the Honor Win Turbo ahead of its May 29 launch in China, while the vivo X500 Pro is tipped to bring a major camera overhaul to compete in the premium segment. Budget-focused brands are also moving: Lava announced the Shark 2 with a 120Hz display and 6,000 mAh battery, Infinix unveiled the Hot 70 with thermo paint and a 6,000 mAh cell, and vivo teased the S60 with full specs ahead of its May 29 unveiling. Honor unveiled the Pad 20 with a 12.1-inch display and 10,100mAh battery alongside its 600-series phones, while the Honor 600e quietly launched with a Dimensity 7100 and 6,520 mAh battery.

Google, Fitbit & Antitrust

Google filed an appeal against a 2024 antitrust ruling that found it guilty of maintaining an illegal search monopoly, arguing that its top placement reflects "hard work" rather than anti-competitive behavior. The appeal adds to an ongoing regulatory battle that could reshape how search results appear in the U.S. market. On the wearable front, Google launched the Fitbit Air as a screenless fitness tracker priced to compete with Whoop, positioning it as an AI-era health device that sacrifices a display for all-day wearability. Reviewers praised the hardware and software but noted a missing firmware update was causing bugs for early users, with Google promising to accelerate the rollout.

Deals & Accessories

AT&T offered the Motorola Razr Plus 2026 for under $5 per month with no trade-in required, a pricing strategy that makes the $1,000 foldable accessible to budget-conscious buyers. The aggressive subsidy comes even as last year's Razr Ultra dropped $600 in clearance, raising questions about whether Motorola can sustain premium pricing on its flip phone line. In accessories, Torras released World Cup-themed cases for Portugal fans, and Asus announced the VM441 all-in-one PC as the first to run a Snapdragon X processor, targeting the Indian market with a sleek white design.

Automotive & Premium Tech

The Ferrari Luce will feature Samsung OLED displays with punch-hole and stacked designs, marking a high-profile integration of mobile display technology into a Jony Ive-designed grand tourer. Meanwhile, GoPro's Mission 1 Pro impressed reviewers with a 1-inch sensor capable of 8K 60 fps and 4K 240 fps, though its premium price limits its addressable market. Prediction markets faced regulatory headwinds as Spain blocked Polymarket and Kalshi while investigating the platforms, a move that mirrors scattered state-level efforts in the U.S. without federal action.