Mobile News 24 Hours

Last updated: August 13, 2026, 3:02 PM ET

Honor Robot Phone & Magic9 Series

Honor's Robot Phone has officially launched in China, surprising consumers with its hybrid design that blends a smartphone with a motorized gimbal. The device features an Agile Gimbal for automatic camera tracking and a partnership with ARRI for Cinematic Imaging. A hands-on review describes it as an intriguing combination that works surprisingly well, though not flawless. Alongside the Robot Phone, Honor teased the Magic9 series during the keynote, confirming a launch in September—a month earlier than expected.

Google Pixel 11 Lineup & Preorder Deals

The Google Pixel 11 series has arrived, and Verizon is offering what is being called the best preorder deal on the flagship phones. Meanwhile, Google's own event drew criticism; one opinion piece argues the company should have taken a page from Rockstar's GTA 6 playbook instead of delivering an awkward show hosted by Trevor Noah. For protection, a roundup of Pixel 11 Pro XL cases and a guide for Pixel 11 and 11 Pro cases are now available, with the two models sharing compatible cases.

Wearables & Carrier Deals

T-Mobile is offering $300 off the Pixel Watch 5 preorder with a new line on its Watch Plan Plus 2.0, effectively bringing the price to the cost of a monthly latte with no trade-in required. Separately, Google has confirmed the Fitbit Air, its screen-less fitness tracker, will launch in India this October, following its earlier unveiling.

Xiaomi Hyper OS 4

Xiaomi has unveiled HyperOS 4 with a new glass-like UI, customization options, and expanded AI features. The update is expected to roll out as a beta, continuing the company's strategy of decoupling Hyper OS releases from Android version updates.

Tecno Pova 8 Pro

The Tecno Pova 8 Pro is now official, featuring an Alive Matrix Display, a dedicated P1 Graphic Chip, and support for 144FPS gaming. It is powered by the Dimensity 7400 Ultimate SoC and offers up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.

Sony Xperia 1 VIII

Sony has reported that Xperia 1 VIII sales are strong, with executives calling the micro SD slot and 3.5mm headphone jack “integral” to the device’s identity. The comments came in an interview with Japanese publication ITmedia Mobile.

Samsung Galaxy S27 & Variable Aperture

Samsung’s Galaxy S27 series reportedly will not adopt a variable aperture camera—a feature previously rumored for the S27 Ultra and often associated with upcoming iPhone models. The decision suggests Samsung is choosing a different path for its future flagship cameras.

Other Android Phones & Updates

Realme P4s Lite has been certified for sale in India, expanding the brand's already large P4 family. Motorola Signature is now receiving its Android 17 update, a 5.75GB download. Poco F9 Pro and F9 Ultra battery details have leaked, hinting at imminent successors to the F8 series. And a new rumor from a tipster on X suggests Apple will raise iPhone prices by $100 across existing and upcoming models.

Streaming & Audio

Apple has added around 20 classic movies to Apple TV, including The Martian, E.T., and Zodiac. Spotify has partnered with indie publisher Kobalt to integrate AI-powered creative tools into a forthcoming paid add-on for generating covers and remixes. DJI Mic Mini 2S review highlights its high-quality audio and new internal 32-bit float recording, making it a pro-level tiny mic.

Apps, Storage & Settings

If your Google One plan is running out of space, you can save storage on Android by changing a single setting before paying for more. Twitch now lets users opt out of having their streams used for AI training—though critics note the feature was not made opt-in by default.

Gaming & Emulation

A new GameCube emulator called Gecko is challenging the long-dominant Dolphin, offering an alternative for party gaming. A rare two-player Computer Space arcade machine is up for auction as part of a retro tech sale focused on Steve Jobs and the computer revolution.

Design & Culture

Instagram’s new logo has drawn widespread mockery online, with users roasting the design.

Photo Editing

An upscaling guide explains easy methods to enhance photo resolution without requiring complex software.

Surveillance & Privacy

CBP officers have been misusing surveillance tech, allegedly abusing databases that pull from license plate readers and facial recognition. A German nonprofit has filed a criminal complaint over Meta smart glasses privacy, reviving concerns about discreet recording. Meanwhile, Meta is donating 15,000 Ray-Ban Meta glasses to an Irish charity supporting blind and visually impaired individuals.

Space & Travel

Virgin Galactic has delayed the first commercial flight of its new spaceship to 2027, pushing back its space tourism timeline.