Mobile News 24 Hours

Last updated: June 26, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

Mobile Hardware & Pricing

Apple announced price hikes across its Mac lineup, iPads, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro, and Home Pods. While the increases are global, India has seen particularly steep jumps compared to other regions, impacting consumers there more significantly. This move comes as Apple continues to integrate new technologies and potentially faces rising component costs, as suggested by the general trend of increasing computer component prices. In a contrasting consumer-focused move, Google is cutting Play Store fees for developers, reducing its commission from 30% to 10% for the first $1 million in earnings. This adjustment follows legal challenges and will take effect on June 30th, allowing developers to also utilize third-party billing systems in the US, UK, and Europe starting June 30.

Meanwhile, OnePlus has launched the Nord Buds 4 in India, offering them as a more budget-friendly alternative to the Pro model. These new earbuds feature active noise cancellation (ANC) and boast up to 54 hours of battery life. On the budget smartphone front, Nothing has revealed the design of its Phone (4b), a device expected to launch on July 7th. Key specifications are beginning to surface, with the phone potentially packing a 5,400mAh battery as tipped yesterday. Samsung has also updated its budget offerings, with the Galaxy A27 5G arriving with thinner bezels and a punch-hole camera, though it comes with a modest $50 price increase over its predecessor, despite a stronger chipset as noted by Engadget. For those seeking older tech, the Trump Mobile T1 Phone appears to be finally available for purchase after a year on pre-order.

Deals & Discounts

Prime Day has brought significant discounts across various tech categories. The Fire TV Stick 4K is available for just $17, its best-selling model seeing a substantial price cut. For e-readers, Amazon's latest Kindle is under $100, and another highly-rated e-reader is priced below $160 at its lowest ever. In the audio space, Sony's Bluetooth turntable is $150 off, and the Marshall Stanmore III home speaker also sees a discount. Travel essentials are also heavily featured, with Anker products extensively on sale, including a 45W charger with a built-in display now priced under $30 for Prime Day. Portable power solutions are also discounted, with Baseus Picogo power banks and other travel-friendly options seeing price drops.

Mobile gaming enthusiasts can find deals on retro gaming consoles and controllers, with discounts up to 38%. The Viture Luma smart glasses, touted as the only Switch 2-compatible option, are also on sale for Prime Day. Smartwatch deals abound, with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 reduced by 38%, and the budget-friendly CMF Watch 3 Pro available for $61. Google's Pixel Watch 4 and Amazfit models are also part of the fitness smartwatch sales during Prime Day. In the smartphone market, Samsung Galaxy S26 and S26+ models are on sale in the UK, with the S26 Ultra receiving a notable 29% discount during Prime Day. Google's Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL are also discounted for Amazon's sale. Even the Apple iPhone Air is available at 28% off in the UK.

Software & Services

YouTube Shorts has removed its dislike count and introduced a clear screen mode, aiming to improve the creator and viewer experience. In a move that might surprise many, Microsoft has quietly extended Windows 10 support for an additional year, indicating a slower-than-anticipated adoption of Windows. Meanwhile, Notion Mail is shutting down, marking the end of the productivity app's foray into email services. In the realm of AI, OpenAI will initially release ChatGPT 5.6 to government-approved customers, a departure from a fully public rollout. For Elon Musk's X platform, the most popular Grok feature is NSFW content, accounting for over half of the AI chatbot's traffic.

Industry & Manufacturing

Spain will require mobile carriers to maintain network functionality for at least four hours during power outages, a new regulation aimed at ensuring communication continuity. In the semiconductor sector, IBM has announced the creation of the world's first sub-1 nanometer chip, a significant development in miniaturization. However, the industry also faces rising costs, with Xbox prices increasing again partly due to Microsoft's role in driving up component expenses. Apple may be skipping its M6 Pro and Max chips, reportedly planning to jump directly to the M7 processor. In a significant shift for game development, Sony has announced major layoffs at Bungie, impacting teams working on Destiny and Marathon, with studio head Justin Truman stepping down. Russia has allegedly used a forensics platform, despite having its access revoked, to hack an activist's phone.

Emerging Tech & Gadgets

Nothing has officially revealed the design of its upcoming Phone (4b), showcasing a "unibody" aesthetic that suggests a simpler design approach. The device is slated for a July 7th launch as teased previously. Oppo has unveiled its Reno16 F and Reno16 FS models, featuring a 50MP ultrawide selfie camera and an AI Snap Key, with global versions offering some spec changes from their Chinese counterparts as detailed by GSMArena. Oppo also introduced its first semi-in-ear buds, the Enco Air5s, alongside the more traditional Enco Air5. For those concerned about overheating, several phone coolers are available to combat thermal throttling. Wearable AC devices, such as Torras' Coolify, are also seeing discounts, making them more accessible for beating the summer heat.