Mobile News 24 Hours

Last updated: August 12, 2026, 5:54 AM ET

Pixel 11 Series

Google is gearing up for its Made by Google event tomorrow, and the Pixel 11 family is already generating buzz. The company has been sending out discount codes for the Pixel 11 via email, an unusual pre-order tactic. A last-minute leak revealed new renders of the Pixel, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold, offering a clear look at the design ahead of the official unveiling. Another rumor claims the base Pixel 11 will feature a 10.8MP telephoto camera but will lack an RGB notification LED. The event will also likely showcase the Pixel Watch, and you can watch the announcement live right here.

Upcoming Smartphones

vivo's X500 series is expected to launch next month, with a new leak from Digital Chat Station detailing the design, screen sizes, and SoC for the X500, X500 Pro, and X500 Pro Max. Meanwhile, Xiaomi has announced the Redmi K100 Pro and K100 Pro Max in China, boasting impressive specs and several key differences between the two models. The Fairphone 6+ is also on the horizon, with a leak showing an upgraded Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset and more RAM. And an alleged iPhone Ultra screen protector has surfaced online, hinting at Apple’s first foldable, expected in September with a design similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8.

Redmi Note 17 and iQOO Devices

A hands-on review of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 17 5G reveals a trimmed battery and refined specs. Leaked details of the Redmi Note 17 Pro Max promise a new chipset, a massive 9,210mAh battery, and 100W fast charging. Over at iQOO, the iQOO Z11 for India will be powered by the Dimensity 7500 Turbo SoC, with battery and display details confirmed ahead of its August 20 launch. Looking further ahead, the iQOO 16T is tipped to feature a 200MP camera and a liquid-air cooling system, according to tipster Smart Pi.

Software Updates and OS News

Samsung has reportedly begun development of One UI 9.5 for the Galaxy S26 series, even as users await the stable release of One UI. Meanwhile, Motorola is rolling out Android 17 to over 50 phones, bringing a refreshed Hello UI with new AI features and customization. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is among the first to get the One UI 9 Watch beta, which has appeared on test servers.

Wearables and Audio

Huawei introduced the Watch GT 7 and Watch GT 7 Pro in China, offering up to 21 days of battery life with modest upgrades over previous models. In fitness trackers, a comparison of the Garmin Cirqa versus Fitbit Air asks whether Garmin’s new option is worth $100 more. The Motorola Moto Watch (2026) looks appealing but suffers from limited software. On the audio side, the Sonos Ace Ultra over-ear headphones have appeared in an FCC filing, hinting at a September launch. The FDA has cleared a feature for Samsung Galaxy Buds to help users monitor hearing health, while a guide explains how to connect Bluetooth headphones to your PS5 and another covers wearing headphones while driving state laws.

Tablets and Batteries

Lenovo is fully unveiling its next gaming tablet on August 25, announcing an impressive AnTuTu score of 4,585,844 for the Y700. Honor’s massive 12,000 mAh battery for the Power3 is now reportedly in trial production, though earlier rumors suggested a smaller capacity.

AI, Watermarking, and Social Platforms

Claude now watermarks text to indicate AI-generated content, making it easier for consumers to identify online content. Spotify has introduced AI Persona labels to alert listeners if an artist is not real, addressing the flood of AI-generated music. Bumble has changed its messaging rules so that either person can send the first message after matching, following a teaser in May. And government workers can officially waste time scrolling TikTok again, as the ban on government devices was lifted.

Security, Legal, and Health

A Zoom screen-sharing bug allowed attackers to fully take over other devices on a call, raising serious security concerns. A flight tracking service is suing Kalshi for using its data without authorization. In health tech, Abbott has partnered with Google Health for AI-powered glucose monitoring. Thirteen authors face backlash for participation in a 2022 Google AI study.

Gaming, Entertainment, and Accessories

Nintendo may launch a Zelda-themed Switch 2 for the 40th anniversary, with leaked hardware and accessories hinting at a collector-friendly option later this year. Disney+ will become the new global streaming home of Formula E racing. Meta is rolling out neural handwriting in Early Access for Ray-Ban Display users. England and Wales have banned Meta Glasses from courtrooms, treating them like cameras. A guide explains how to fix stick drift on PS5 and Xbox controllers. The XGIMI Horizon Ultra 4K projector has a $300 discount with an exclusive code. Amazon’s Back to School sale features top Android tech deals. And a retrospective looks at how the iPhone has changed in the last five years.