Mobile News 24 Hours

Last updated: August 10, 2026, 8:50 PM ET

New Smartphone Releases

Xiaomi has officially launched the Redmi 17 5G and 4G models, offering identical designs but different connectivity. The Moto G Max is heading to India with a Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 chipset and a massive 7,000mAh battery. iQOO has confirmed the launch of the Neo11 Ultra and Z11s in China next week, revealing official renders. Meanwhile, the Minimal Phone 2 ditches E Ink for a 90Hz AMOLED display while keeping its tactile QWERTY keyboard and adding 5G. For budget buyers, the Lava Smart 4 arrives with specs that feel like a throwback to 2016. On the tablet front, the REDMAGIC Astra 2 goes on sale August 26, with early access discounts available the day before.

Upcoming Devices & Rumors

A Trend Force report estimates the iPhone 18 Pro BOM cost will rise by as much as 40% due to the global memory chip shortage. Leaked images show the Fairphone 6+ in Cobalt Blue with 12GB of RAM and 256GB storage. Samsung is reportedly increasing the Galaxy Z Fold8 production target by 1 million units this year after stronger-than-expected demand. In durability news, the Fold8 survived Jerry Rig Everything’s sand, blade, and bend tests. A carrier leak has revealed the Pixel 11 Pro XL in matte black with a larger camera housing and a new “HiLight” flash. As for buying advice, should you wait for the Google Pixel 11 or grab the Pixel 10 now? The answer depends on your budget and patience.

Carriers & Connectivity

A Verizon outage in Southern California was caused by vandals cutting multiple fiber cables, disrupting mobile and internet services for hours. In New York City, Mayor Adams announced support for the Delivery Protection Act, which would stop companies like Amazon from using contractors for last-mile delivery. The city is also pushing back against Amazon’s opposition to the measure.

Wearables

The Google Pixel Watch 5 Stephen Curry edition is expected to launch on August 20, with a special Curry-themed design. Meanwhile, T-Mobile is offering a free Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 when you sign up for a watch plan and pay $20 per month for 24 months — the preorder period may be over, but the deal is still available.

Guides & Tips

Wondering what a $100 smartphone gets you in 2026? You’ll have to get creative — think carrier deals and older refurbished models. If you’re deciding between charging standards, our guide explains the differences between MagSafe and Qi2 (magnets are the same, but compatibility varies). Similarly, the key differences between Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and 2.4G wireless devices are explained clearly. Need to pair a Roku remote? Follow the step-by-step process for both a physical remote and the mobile app. And before throwing out old USB drives, you should securely wipe them to prevent data recovery.

Apps & Digital Marketplaces

YouTube has doubled its monetization requirements for new creators — now you need 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours (or 10 million Shorts views) to qualify for a cut of ad revenue. A competitor to Google’s own store, Aptoide Games, is now available in the Play Store itself. Additionally, Google Play now accepts Venmo payments, letting you use your Venmo balance or linked accounts for purchases.

Security & Privacy

Valve has warned that data from European Steam hardware customers was “likely compromised” in a breach, urging users to be vigilant. For general data hygiene, our guide covers how to securely wipe old USB drives — mere deletion offers little protection.

Laptops & Tablets

The Dell XPS 13 (2026) arrives as a thin, light MacBook alternative, but our review notes that most buyers should spring for the 16GB RAM configuration. The REDMAGIC Astra 2 gaming tablet launches soon with liquid cooling technology — see the deal section above for early access.

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New Smartphone Releases

(revised): Xiaomi has officially launched the Redmi 17 5G and 4G models, offering identical designs but different connectivity. The Moto G Max is heading to India with a Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 chipset and a massive 7,000mAh battery. iQOO has confirmed the launch of the Neo11 Ultra and Z11s in China next week, revealing official renders. Meanwhile, the Minimal Phone 2 ditches E Ink for a 90Hz AMOLED display while keeping its tactile QWERTY keyboard and adding 5G. For budget buyers, the Lava Smart 4 arrives with specs that feel like a throwback to 2016.

Laptops & Tablets

(revised): The Dell XPS 13 (2026) arrives as a thin, light MacBook alternative, but our review notes that most buyers should spring for the 16GB RAM configuration. The REDMAGIC Astra 2 gaming tablet goes on sale August 26 — it brings liquid cooling to the tablet form factor, and early access with a discount is available a day earlier.

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