Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: May 17, 2026, 2:37 PM ET

Foldable Phones

Motorola's Razr Fold generated strong pre-order demand ahead of its retail launch, with reviewers highlighting its class-leading camera system capable of extreme zoom detail. However, a new poll suggests the $1,400 price is a major hurdle, with readers demanding more software update commitments. The device supports Qi2 wireless charging, a first for the company's foldables, while its smaller sibling, the Razr 2026, lacks native Qi2 support. A clever accessory turns the Razr Fold into a laptop when paired with smart glasses, leveraging its desktop mode. Meanwhile, Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold6 and Flip6 began receiving One UI 8.5 in the US, and the Galaxy S24 series saw the same update, enhancing multitasking capabilities.

AI Integration & Platform Updates

Google detailed Gemini Intelligence, an on-device AI suite initially rolling out to a select few Android flagships, promising multistep automation. This precedes its I/O showcase, where Android 17 and XR glasses are expected. In a separate move, Google's dialer will soon support VoIP calls directly from the native app, streamlining communication. Google Password Manager appears to gain passkey import/export, bolstering its cross-platform security. On the hardware front, Google explained reduced free storage for some new Gmail accounts, tying the 5GB limit to phone number verification for abuse prevention.

Competitive Dynamics & Pricing

Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra is on sale for $890, a significant discount on a three-month-old model, as the company promotes AI tools that streamline everyday tasks like message writing and note organization. The 77-inch S90C OLED TV saw a $1,300 price cut at Best Buy, bringing it to $3,500. Motorola's Edge 70 reached 50% off, selling for €400, while the company's Razr 2026 series opened for pre-order. Google's Pixel 9 is seeing its biggest price drop yet, and Apple is offering AirPods Pro 3 free with a new Apple Card sign-up, a bold incentive.

Accessories & Peripherals

A novel Mac app called Cats Lock prevents keyboard chaos from pet interference. Rolling Square's Edge Pro Core mounts phones/tablets to screens via an ultra-thin magnetic plate. Meta's Ray-Ban Stories glasses gained air gesture typing, enhancing their utility. Bose's Lifestyle Ultra Speaker offers versatile home audio but with noted caveats. Sony's WF-1000XM6 and Samsung's Galaxy Buds 4 Pro square off in a feature and sound comparison. Garmin's upcoming screenless wearable could cost $509, positioning it as a premium Whoop rival.

Security, Privacy & Infrastructure

Apple's next Siri update will offer auto-deleting chat options, allowing users to set conversations to delete after 30 days, one year, or never. Google's AI deepfake detection tool is now available to creators 18+. Security researchers, aided by Anthropic's Mythos, claimed a mac OS breach, prompting a serious response from Apple. Verizon joined Anthropic's Project Glasswing to test the Claude Mythos model for identifying complex vulnerabilities. The UK tax authority is turning to AI for fraud detection, with human oversight retained.

Gaming & Entertainment

Analogue's latest system update lets players save anywhere, eliminating frustration between save points. The original Doom soundtrack was inducted into the Library of Congress, alongside Beyoncé and Taylor Swift hits. Netflix plans to increase ads in its app to boost revenue and wants to use generative AI for animated shorts. Lego 2K Drive will be delisted on May 19, though servers remain live for another year. Moss and its sequel are coming to consoles in a bundled release this summer.

Component & Industry Moves

Samsung's next flagship chipset, the Exynos 2700, is reportedly ditching WLP tech for a new packaging design. A future Samsung device will use Media Tek's Dimensity 9500, per code found in its AI Core app. The Galaxy M47 appeared on Geekbench, revealing its chipset. Tecno's Pova 8 Pro had its specs confirmed via certification. Oppo's Find X9s price in India leaked again, showing an increase to INR 70,000. Realme announced its return to Finland on May 18 with three devices. vivo's X500 series is tipped for 7,000mAh batteries, while the X300 Ultra was used by filmmaker Sam Kolder for a short film project.

Software Ecosystem & User Experience

Microsoft's Windows 11 Insiders can now resize the Start menu and test repositioning the taskbar. One UI 9's Now Brief may prioritize missed alerts, ensuring critical notifications get seen. Quick Share is gaining QR code sharing for iPhones, easing cross-ecosystem file transfers. YouTube's AI deepfake tool is rolling out to eligible creators. The Nest app experienced an outage, though the status page showed no issues. A "Home Display" was spotted in Google's code, hinting at future hardware.

Space, Science & Other Tech

NASA's Psyche spacecraft received a Mars gravity assist en route to its asteroid namesake, which may hold clues about Earth's core. Perseverance rover checked in from Mars with a new selfie. The environmental impact of satellite launches is mounting. xAI introduced a coding agent, Grok Build, in early beta for Super Grok Heavy subscribers. California lawmakers are working on a bill to preserve online game access, with input from the Stop Killing Games group. Summer Games Done Quick returns in July, and Marathon's future includes new PvE modes. DJI's Osmo Pocket 4P was unveiled for indie filmmakers at Cannes. A pair of upcoming Xbox controllers leaked with images and specs. VW's ID.Buzz returns for 2027 with a camping-focused Tourer trim. The HDMI ARC port's function was explained in a technical breakdown.