Mobile News 24 Hours

Last updated: August 11, 2026, 5:52 PM ET

Pixel 11 and Smartphone Launches

The Google Pixel 11 series launches officially tomorrow at Made by Google, but a new leak claims the base model will feature a 10.8MP telephoto camera and drop the RGB notification LED. You can watch the event live starting August 12. Meanwhile, Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 17 line continues to expand: a hands-on review of the Redmi Note 17 5G notes a trimmed battery, and leaked details of the Redmi Note 17 Pro Max promise a new chipset, a 9,210mAh battery, and 100W fast charging. Over at iQOO, the Indian Z11’s battery and display have been detailed ahead of its August 20 launch, and a tipster claims the iQOO 16T will sport a 200MP camera and a liquid-air cooling system. For Samsung fans, full specs of the Galaxy S26 FE have leaked, while the Xiaomi 18 Pro and Pro Max were reportedly tested in five colors with a fiberglass back. A separate leak outlines the Xiaomi and Redmi India launch roadmap for the rest of the year.

Wearables and Health Tech

Meta is rolling out neural handwriting for Ray-Ban Display in Early Access, adding a cool new input method. The FDA cleared a major Samsung Galaxy Buds feature that helps users monitor their hearing health. Abbott is partnering with Google Health for AI-powered glucose monitoring. Samsung’s One UI 9 Watch beta is close, with the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic among the first to receive it. A comparison between the Garmin Cirqa and Fitbit Air asks whether the Cirqa is worth $100 more. The Motorola Moto Watch (2026) looks decent but is hampered by limited software, according to a review.

Software, Updates, and Accessories

Motorola’s Android 17 rollout is underway for over 50 phones, bringing a refreshed Hello UI. If you’re wondering how to connect Bluetooth headphones to PS5, there are workarounds since the console lacks direct support. Similarly, you can fix stick drift on PS5 and Xbox controllers with a good cleaning. For Mac users, the question of whether a MacBook can run multiple external monitors — most current models support at least two. Bumble now lets either person send the first message after matching, ending its women-first rule. Spotify is introducing AI Persona labels to alert listeners when an artist isn’t real, addressing the surge in AI-generated music.

Streaming, Security, and Legal

Disney+ will become the global streaming home of Formula E, expanding its sports portfolio. On the security front, a Zoom screen-sharing bug allowed attackers to fully take over other devices on a call. England and Wales have banned Meta Glasses from courtrooms over camera concerns. A flight tracking service is suing Kalshi for using its data without authorization. Thirteen authors are facing backlash for participating in a 2022 Google AI study. OpenAI is giving Daybreak partners access to a more powerful cybersecurity model through a new two-tier program.

Deals, Comparisons, and Tips

Amazon’s Back to School sale features incredible Android deals — I’ve rounded up over 20 top discounts. The XGIMI Horizon Ultra projector received a near-perfect score and now has an additional $300 discount with an exclusive code. I tested Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds in three noisy places to see which cancels the most noise. State laws about wearing headphones while driving vary widely — make sure you know what’s legal. A feature looks back at how the iPhone has changed in the last five years, blending evolution with familiar elements.

Industry Trends and Costs

The global smartphone market dropped 7% in Q2 compared to last year, driven by rising memory prices, with FDM CCS Insight forecasting a 12% decline for 2026. A Trend Force report estimates the iPhone 18 Pro BOM cost could be up 40% due to ongoing memory shortages. A Verizon outage in Southern California was caused by vandals cutting fiber cables, disrupting mobile and internet services.