Mobile News 24 Hours

Last updated: July 25, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

New Samsung Foldables and Smartwatches Arrive

Samsung has begun taking pre-orders for its latest foldable phones and smartwatches, including the Galaxy Z Fold, Fold 8 Ultra, and Flip 8. The company also introduced the Galaxy Watch, with EU listings suggesting shorter battery lifespans for the new Z Fold, Fold 8 Ultra, and Z Flip models due to the adoption of silicon-carbon batteries. In a comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra goes head-to-head with Motorola's Razr Fold, evaluating the book-style foldable market. Further leaks hint at new camera and battery technology for the upcoming Galaxy S27 series, with rumors suggesting upgrades for the S27, S27 Plus, S27 Pro, and S27 Ultra models. Samsung also briefly opened a pop-up pub in London following its Unpacked launch event for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series.

Smartphone Market Shifts and Rumors

Honor's upcoming Power 3 smartphone may have aimed too high with its potential 11,000 to 12,000 mAh battery capacity. Meanwhile, a Samsung Galaxy F70 Pro has popped up on Geekbench, revealing key specifications for the potential Pro model following the F70e's February unveiling. A new rumor suggests that the Xiaomi 18 Pro will receive a global launch, a change from last year's China-only release for the Xiaomi 17 Pro and Pro Max. In a significant market shift, Nothing might be the next company to exit multiple global markets, potentially following One Plus's recent withdrawal from North America and Europe.

Tech Companies Navigate Data Centers and Energy

Meta has withdrawn from a renewable energy initiative, reportedly increasing its reliance on natural gas for its data centers, having committed to 10 natural gas plants since last year. In related news, over 200 companies have signed onto Trump's non-binding Ratepayer Protection Pledge, aiming to protect consumers from data center price rises.

Streaming and Gaming Updates

Roku is increasing prices across its hardware range, a move attributed to industry-wide memory shortages. Prime Video's "Blade Runner 2099" series, starring Michelle Yeoh and Hunter Schafer, will premiere on November 25th with eight episodes. Amazon Luna is adding a new Batman game next week, "Batman: Caped Crusader - Chronicles," which ties into the second season of Prime Video's animated show.

AI and Software Developments

Anthropic's latest model, Opus, is said to nearly match its top-performing model at half the price. Midjourney is acquiring the horoscope app Co-Star, with Co-Star CEO Banu Guler also joining Midjourney as Chief Design Officer. Google Play announced "The Auction" event at SDCC, allowing comic book fans to redeem rewards both on-site and online via the Play Store app. Google is also introducing "Selfie Video" as an alternate account sign-in method for users who are locked out. Google Photos is now powering a Video Remix feature, utilizing Gemini Omni technology.

Hardware and Display News

Boox is teasing the incredibly tiny Picco e-reader, featuring a 3.97-inch monochrome e-paper display. The Anbernic RG SP is presented as an awesome update to the Game Boy Advance SP, offering modern features. A new Lola x Miffy digital camera has been released, notable for its cute design and included themed wrist charm. For those considering a budget gaming laptop, the Alienware 15 is reviewed as a welcome option amidst rising tech prices, though its display could be improved.

Gaming Network and Software Issues

PlayStation Network experienced a massive outage, preventing players from logging in, playing online, or purchasing games from the PlayStation Store. In software updates, Fitbit Air's newest update focuses on invisible bug fixes and reliability, with a vague changelog leaving users uncertain about specific improvements. Honor has opened the early access program for Magic OS 11 on the Magic V6 in China, which originally launched with Magic OS 10 based on Android 16. LG has agreed to stop showing McAfee pop-up spam ads on its monitors, following user complaints and pressure from Microsoft.

Deeper Dives into Tech and Standards

Understanding the difference between IMAX and IMAX 70mm formats can dramatically impact the theater viewing experience. A discussion on phone waterproofing highlights why IP68 ratings can be misleading, advising caution before submerging devices in water. An analysis of EV batteries suggests they may last much longer than initially predicted, with modern batteries outperforming expectations. The question of which old cables are worth keeping is addressed, encouraging users to declutter their drawers and retain only essential items.

Space and Entertainment Announcements

SpaceX's 13th Starship flight test has launched, carrying 20 V3 Starlink satellites for its payload. The trailer and release date for "Avatar: Seven Havens" have been released, with the post-apocalyptic story set after the events of "The Legend of Korra".

Regulatory and Political Developments

Trump has threatened the EU with new tariffs in response to the European Commission's fine against Google for violating the Digital Markets Act with its search ranking and anti-steering practices.