Mobile News 24 Hours

Last updated: June 13, 2026, 11:38 AM ET

Smartphone Launches & Rumors

OPPO is reportedly developing a wide-format foldable device, entering the expanding market segment dominated by Samsung and Huawei. The Chinese manufacturer joins an increasingly crowded field where Huawei unveiled HarmonyOS 7 at its developer conference, featuring Apple-inspired Liquid Glass UI effects and enhanced AI capabilities. Meanwhile, Honor certified its X7e Plus 5G variant, adding 5G connectivity to the budget-friendly X7e line that launched earlier this month. On the North American front, Motorola's Edge (2026) model went on sale in the US and Canada, featuring a 6.3-inch OLED display powered by Media Tek's Dimensity 7450 processor and priced at $600 unlocked.

Software Updates & Platform Changes

Samsung rolled out One UI 8.5 stable to Galaxy F15 users, marking a significant upgrade from the device's original One UI 6 software that shipped with the 2024 launch. The update requires approximately 2.5GB of storage and includes firmware version E156BXXUADZE7. In the privacy-focused space, Murena released /e/OS 4 with streamlined one-tap functionality for users seeking to minimize Google service dependencies. Telegram expanded its wearable presence, launching a native Wear OS application that supports full chat functionality and voice messages, following its recent Apple Watch release.

Audio & Accessories Market

Apple's Air Pods gained new functionality through hidden camera remote capabilities, allowing users to trigger iPhone shutter controls without touching their device. Nothing appears to be expanding its budget audio lineup with rumored Ear 3a earbuds, continuing the company's strategy of offering lower-cost alternatives to flagship models. The brand simultaneously debuted phones and audio products at Best Buy across hundreds of US locations, emphasizing its retail expansion strategy.

Price Cuts & Consumer Deals

For the third consecutive week, Xiaomi discounted its 17T and 17T Pro models, with the flagship Xiaomi 17 and 17 Ultra variants also receiving price reductions as competition intensifies in the premium Android segment. Amazon kicked off Prime Day smartwatch promotions more than a week early, offering up to 50% discounts on Garmin Fenix, Venu, and Forerunner models amid aggressive pre-holiday pricing strategies.

Legal & Regulatory Developments

State attorneys general launched investigations into OpenAI's operations, requesting documentation about the company's activities as regulatory scrutiny of artificial intelligence firms continues mounting. The Department of Justice approved Paramount Skydance's acquisition of Warner Bros., consolidating media control under the Ellison family and raising concerns across film, television, and news industries about market concentration. In the hardware sector, DJI and Insta360 engaged in patent litigation over vlogging camera technologies, with both companies filing lawsuits and counter-suits amid competitive pressures in the creator market.

App Updates & Features

Strava enhanced its mapping capabilities with improved styles and route saving features launching later this summer, alongside off-route alert functionality designed to meet athletes "where they are." These updates come as fitness tracking applications compete for user engagement through advanced navigation tools and safety features.

Tech Curiosities & Science

Parker Solar Probe completed another solar flyby this week, continuing NASA's mission to study the sun's corona and solar wind acceleration. In consumer technology oddities, purple USB ports remain rare in the US market despite their technical advantages for high-power charging applications, primarily found in European and Asian markets. A KPMG AI benefits report was found containing hallucinations after investigation, highlighting ongoing challenges with AI-generated content in professional consulting work. Meanwhile, indie game releases this week included titles ranging from NBA streetball simulations to survival games featuring sentient guitars, showcasing the diversity of experimental mobile gaming. Robinhood experienced technical disruptions during SpaceX IPO processing, leaving some users unable to access their accounts as demand surged for the private market offering.