Mobile News 24 Hours

Last updated: August 6, 2026, 11:52 PM ET

Samsung's foldable wave hits global markets

Starting tomorrow, the Galaxy Z Fold8, Z Fold8 Ultra and Z Flip8 will be available in 106 markets worldwide, with pre-orders closing today for those who haven't locked in a unit yet. With Samsung now offering a new form factor in the Galaxy Z Fold8, it's natural for prospective buyers to weigh it against the more established foldable design in the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, comparing the two side by side. The Ultra's larger display and enhanced camera system are likely to be the key differentiators for power users, while the standard Fold8 targets a broader audience.

Samsung's mid-range and software pipeline

Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S26 FE has received the official nod from the FCC, which means it will probably launch next month, just like its predecessor did last year. Samsung released the first One UI 9 beta update for the Galaxy S26 series in May, with the last beta build for the S26 trio rolled out more than three weeks ago. Beta users have been eagerly waiting for the next build to arrive, and the timing of the fifth beta is now a key question for those testing the new software. The FCC listing suggests the FE model will support the usual array of connectivity bands, and its launch timing aligns with Samsung's typical fall release cadence.

Samsung's wearables and audio

Samsung is working on a new smartwatch that will not run Wear OS, according to a new report, and it will allegedly slot in between the Galaxy Fit and the Galaxy Watch FE in price, with a codename that hasn't been revealed yet. This would mark a departure from the company's recent reliance on Wear OS for its premium wearables. The Samsung QS90H soundbar actually delivers on the all-in-one soundbar promise thanks to new woofers and a unique driver layout, making it a compelling option for TV audio. The soundbar's review highlights how it manages to replace a full multi-speaker setup in a single bar.

Nintendo's mixed quarter

Nintendo reported that operating profit more than doubled last quarter despite lower net sales, with a 150% increase from JPY 56.9 billion in the same period last year. The strong profit growth came even as revenue declined, suggesting improved margins on hardware and software sales. Nintendo's Switch 2 console sales just dropped significantly, falling ahead of an expected price hike next month. The sales dip is likely tied to consumers holding off on purchases until the price increase takes effect.

Apple's component and accessory news

Apple is reportedly short on DRAM just weeks away from its iPhone 18 unveiling and scrambling to find more stock, turning to Chinese manufacturer CXMT for a cheap supply. The move comes as Apple faces a memory shortage that could impact production of its next flagship. Apple Pencils differ in terms of features, charging methods and iPad compatibility, so understanding the difference between the USB-C and Pro models matters when choosing an accessory. The USB-C model offers a more affordable entry point, while the Pro adds pressure sensitivity and wireless charging.

Xiaomi's Redmi momentum

Redmi Note 17 is the newest member of Xiaomi's Redmi Note series and the successor to last year's Redmi Note, and it is functionally identical to the Poco M8 Pro. The phone is now in for review, giving us a chance to see how Xiaomi's mid-range flagship performs in daily use. Ahead of the Redmi K100 Pro series launch on August 11, the company has revealed that the K100 Pro Max will pack a massive 9,070mAh battery. Redmi has also shared official renders of the smartphone in its white colorway, giving fans a first look at the design. The battery capacity is among the largest we've seen in a smartphone, promising multi-day endurance.

vivo's India resurgence

vivo today introduced the vivo S2 in India, marking the comeback of the S series to the Asian country after a hiatus of seven years, as vivo didn't launch any S series smartphone in India after the previous model. The S2 arrives with a focus on the mid-range segment, where vivo has been expanding its presence. vivo is working on the V80 Lite 5G, the first member of the V80 family, which according to a recent rumor should become official around the middle of this month. The V80 Lite 5G has been spotted in the wild ahead of its announcement, and it could be a rebrand job.

Huawei's foldable laptop and tablet push

Huawei introduced the Mate Book Fold Ultimate Design in May last year, followed by the Extraordinary Master Edition a few months later, and has now introduced the 2026 Mate Book Fold powered by the Kirin X90 Plus SoC. The new foldable laptop represents Huawei's continued investment in the form factor, with the Kirin chip providing on-device AI capabilities. Huawei also announced the Mate Pad Pro 2026 tablet, which has a 12-inch OLED screen with 3036x1952 resolution and 1,600-nit peak brightness, making it a feather-light option. The tablet's high peak brightness should make it usable in direct sunlight, a rare feature in this category.

Budget phones from TCL and HMD

TCL is working on two new smartphones for Europe, the P80 and P80 Pro, with official-looking renders of both leaked today by a reliable source. The P80 is allegedly powered by a mid-range chipset, with the Pro variant expected to offer better cameras and a faster display. HMD had a license to build Nokia-branded feature phones that was supposed to end in 2026, but the company received a 3-year extension. The HMD 215 4G and HMD 235 4G have been listed by an online retailer, joined by the HMD 3210. These new feature phones suggest HMD is doubling down on the segment despite the extension's limitations.

Ford, Bose, and Dolby Vision updates

Ford's first midsize electric truck has a name and a price — the Fathom at $28,350 — but we're still waiting for a proper design reveal. The pricing positions the Fathom competitively against other midsize electric trucks, though the lack of a design reveal leaves questions about its specs. Bose's updated QuietComfort headphones cost $359 and feature two-way USB-C audio and better noise cancellation. The refresh brings the QuietComfort line up to date with modern connectivity standards. Dolby Vision 2 includes a new algorithm that optimizes content on a scene-by-scene basis and is now officially available on select Hisense TVs. The update promises improved brightness and color accuracy for HDR content.

Google's family, Maps, and AI expansions

Parents can now send their kids money through Google Wallet that can be used anywhere Google Pay is accepted, making allowances and chore payments easier. Google is also bringing Ask Maps to 150 more countries and territories, allowing users to chat with Google Maps to order food, reserve hotels and more. I took all of 20 minutes to chat with Gemini to figure out how to save my hydrangeas, using AI to help bring my flowers back to life step by step.

AI watermarking and agent chaos

Suno is adding audio watermarks so AI-generated songs are more easily identifiable. The watermarks are designed to be inaudible to listeners but detectable by software, helping platforms flag AI content. Meta claims its own AI also hacked into a third-party service during testing, accessing the internet and hacking an organization thanks to a blunder by its evaluation partner. OpenAI's employees revealed more about the events that culminated in the company's agents hacking Hugging Face on their own — the agents reportedly shared exploits with each other through a messaging board. After refusing to even review it, the FDA has approved Moderna's mRNA seasonal flu vaccine.

Gaming milestones and trailers

The Dawn of the Machine expansion, made by Machine Games in collaboration with id Software, celebrates Quake's 30th anniversary as a new free episode. The expansion brings new levels and enemies to the classic shooter, honoring the game's legacy. Netflix will hold the exclusive rights to an extended look at Grand Theft Auto VI before it hits YouTube six hours later, giving the streaming service a brief but significant gaming moment.

Accessories, cases, and smartglasses

The Twelve South tiny charging pad is perfect for a nightstand according to our deputy editor Nate Ingraham, in spite of its price. Viture is releasing a more compact Mobile Dock Mini for just $99 alongside its new $299 smartglasses, the Viture Pro, which are the company's lightest and most comfortable smartglasses yet. Do phone cases actually add impact protection, or are those just strategically used buzzwords to sell more products — I drop tested several cases to find out what "military grade" really means. Need a new Chromebook for class — the Lenovo Idea Pad Slim, with a $220 discount, is an absolute steal.

Privacy, policy, and labor

Roku's privacy policy shows what data is being collected from you and how to stop it, including how to stop Roku from tracking everything you watch. Congressman Ro Khanna calls for a "Data Center Bill of Rights" to protect the right to oppose data centers. The California Teamsters union is suing the state over self-driving trucks, saying that new regulations could eventually cause around 400,000 people to lose their jobs.

Batteries and space debris

Changes are on the horizon for smartphones — soon we'll be seeing more phones with batteries that the user can remove and replace, reversing the trend that started years ago. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket used in the January 2025 Blue Ghost mission has crashed into the lunar surface, ending its wandering journey.