Mobile News 24 Hours

Last updated: August 8, 2026, 2:49 PM ET

New Devices and Upgrades

Motorola has expanded its tablet lineup with the Moto Pad 70, a third member of the series featuring a 12.1-inch 90Hz display, 5G connectivity, and a 10,200mAh battery. The company is also preparing to launch the Edge 70 Neo, with leaked renders showing four color options and a 200MP camera. Sony appears to be revisiting its iconic WH-1000X line by re-releasing the WH-1000XM4 as a new model, though pricing details remain unclear. Over at Google, the company published a Pixel Watch teaser that pokes fun at competitors’ designs ahead of an August 12 event expected to launch the Pixel 11 family and Pixel Watch.

Real-World Testing and Comparisons

Samsung’s foldable flagship impressed one reviewer after two weeks with the Galaxy Z Fold 8, who praised its pocketable feel and wider screen. A separate camera shootout comparing the Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra against Motorola’s foldables involved over 1,000 photos, with surprising results. On the chip front, Motorola’s smaller Razr Ultra 2026 uses an Elite processor while the larger Razr Fold has a base chip, and a head-to-head test examined which performs better. Meanwhile, a tester put four top smartwatches — including the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro — through a Spartan race and sleep tracking to find the ultimate fitness companion. For drivers, a breakdown of wired versus wireless CarPlay highlighted the trade-offs between reliability and convenience. And in the AI assistant arena, a comparison of Claude and ChatGPT found that one falls short in response quality and user experience.

Software, Features, and Health

X is retiring its old revenue-sharing model and replacing it with an original content rewards program after September 7. Samsung Wallet now allows users to share items via Quick Share, expanding its utility for passes and boarding documents. A guide to USB-C port capabilities explains its data transfer and accessory support beyond charging. Apple Watch owners can take advantage of a hidden ECG feature that monitors heart rhythm, with instructions on how to enable it. For those using retro handheld game consoles, there are smart tips to boost battery life that go beyond simple screen dimming.

Gaming and VR

A new VR mod brings Mario Kart 64 to first-person, though it may induce motion sickness. This week’s notable indie releases include Big Walk, ReStory: Chill Electronics Repairs, and Pigeon: A Love Story, offering fresh experiences for curious gamers. The fitness app Supernatural has relaunched after leaving Meta, and its head of fitness discussed plans for the VR exercise platform’s future.

Industry and Market Moves

SK Hynix has announced plans to invest over $38 billion in new DRAM and NAND fabs, signaling continued semiconductor demand that could affect upcoming phone launches. Samsung India has increased prices on entry-level Galaxy A, F, and M-series models due to rising component costs. For shoppers, discounts are currently available on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, iPhone 17 Pro, and Xiaomi 17 Ultra among other devices. Meanwhile, One Plus is exiting Europe and North America and has begun offering a free AIRVOOC 50W magnetic wireless charger in the UK, Germany, Spain, and France as a parting gesture.