Mobile News 24 Hours

Last updated: August 10, 2026, 5:50 PM ET

Smartphones

The Minimal Phone 2 swaps its E Ink display for a 90Hz AMOLED panel while retaining a tactile QWERTY keyboard and 5G connectivity in a sleeker aluminum body. Leaked images show the Fairphone 6+ in Cobalt Blue, packing 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage — a step up from the original. Samsung is boosting Galaxy Z Fold8 production by 1 million units after stronger-than-expected demand for the wide foldable. A carrier leak reveals the Pixel 11 Pro XL in matte black with a larger camera housing and a new “HiLight” flash ahead of launch. Google’s Pixel 11 is coming soon, but the Pixel 10 remains in stores; advice leans toward waiting for the newer model unless a deal appears. A guide to what a $100 smartphone gets you in 2026 notes you’ll need to hunt for older models or carrier deals. Lava announced the Lava Smart 4 with specs straight out of 2016. Meanwhile, the Moto G Max heads to India on August 14 with a Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 and a 7,000mAh battery. Xiaomi launched the Redmi 17 4G and 5G with matching designs. iQOO confirmed the Neo11 Ultra and Z11s will debut next week in China, with design and specs now public.

Wearables

The Google Pixel Watch 5 will arrive in a Stephen Curry edition, expected to be announced in two days and launch on August 20. T-Mobile is offering a free Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 when you sign up for a watch plan and pay $20 per month. Apple’s AirTags carry an IP67 rating, surviving submersion in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes.

Apps & Digital Services

New York City Mayor Mamdani backed the Delivery Protection Act, which Amazon opposes for restricting contractor use in last-mile delivery. YouTube doubled its monetization requirements for new creators, now demanding 2,000 watch hours or 20 million Shorts views to qualify for ad revenue. Valve warned that European Steam hardware customers likely had personal data compromised in a breach. The Aptoide Games alternative store is now available on the Google Play Store. Google Play also added Venmo payments for purchases.

Accessories & Connectivity

The difference between MagSafe and Qi2 charging comes down to standards: Qi2 is universal while Mag Safe is Apple’s proprietary implementation. Understanding Bluetooth vs. Wi-Fi vs. 2.4G wireless involves trade-offs in range, interference, and power. To pair a Roku remote, press the pairing button inside the battery compartment. Before discarding old USB drives, you should securely wipe or destroy them because simple file deletion offers little protection.

Gaming & Tablets

The REDMAGIC Astra 2 gaming tablet, which uses liquid cooling from the REDMAGIC 11 Pro, goes on sale August 26 with early access and a discount available a day earlier.

Reviews & Durability

Jerry Rig Everything’s Galaxy Z Fold8 durability test subjected the foldable to sand, blades, and Zack’s torture. The Dell XPS 13 (2026) is thin and light, but reviewers advise opting for 16GB of RAM over the base 8GB configuration.