Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: June 22, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

Mobile Devices & Wearables

Tecno unveiled the Camon Slim, a new addition to its Slim series, featuring a sleek 6.39mm profile that aims for enhanced style. The device shares some specifications with its Pova Slim and Spark Slim counterparts but carves out its own identity. In the wearable space, Ultrahuman is holding its annual Prime Day sale, with exclusive promo codes offering deeper discounts than those available on Amazon. This sale also coincides with the launch of the Ultrahuman M2 Live platform, a new metabolic health system for continuous glucose monitoring, expanding the company's offerings beyond its well-known smart rings.

The Oura Ring 5 has arrived, boasting a slimmer and more refined design than its predecessor, along with significant improvements in automatic activity detection. This upgrade aims to reduce the need for manual logging of workouts and daily movements. For Android users, a long-awaited feature is finally here: the Oura Ring now includes a "Locate" function, mirroring an iPhone capability that helps users find misplaced rings. This addition brings peace of mind, particularly for those prone to losing their devices.

OnePlus is reportedly developing a new compact flagship, signaling a potential shift in its strategy, with current indications suggesting the 15T model may not see a release in India, following a similar pattern to the 13T's launch as the 13s. Meanwhile, Motorola's Edge 70 series is set to expand with the emergence of leaked renders for the Edge 70 Max, hinting at a new addition to an already diverse lineup. The company has also increased the storage options for the Edge 70 Fusion, offering a new variant with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage.

Honor has officially launched the X80 Pro Max in China, a device distinguished by its massive 11,000 mAh battery, the largest seen in a mainstream smartphone to date. This focus on battery capacity underscores a growing trend in the market. Separately, RedMagic is preparing to launch its next gaming tablet, which will feature water cooling technology, a significant addition for mobile gaming performance.

Nothing is teasing a new product under the "(b)" branding, following confirmation that its budget brand CMF will not release a new phone this year. This teaser, alongside the company's Community Review program, suggests a potential new direction or product category for Nothing. The brand's CMF division will not offer a follow-up to the Phone Pro 2 this year.

Software & AI

Android 17 is introducing substantial upgrades for wireless earbuds, including support for the LHDC v5 codec, which promises improved audio quality. However, the rollout has been met with trouble for some Pixel users, who are experiencing touchscreen issues, and loss of 5G connectivity, prompting caution against immediate updates. Despite these early challenges, Android 17 is also enhancing the user experience with improved Pixel home screen customization and a more engaging multitasking interface through its "Bubbles" feature. Some users are finding it a significant boost for their social media workflows with the introduction of "Screen Reactions".

Instagram's TV app is now available on Samsung TVs in the US, expanding its reach to a broader audience six months after its initial launch on Amazon Fire TV devices. This move signifies a greater integration of social media platforms into the living room entertainment experience. In the AI development sphere, film studio A24 has secured $75 million in funding from Google to develop artificial intelligence tools specifically for movie production, potentially revolutionizing aspects of filmmaking.

OpenAI has reached an agreement with Getty Images that will permit the use of Getty's extensive image library within Chat GPT and for AI-powered search results. This partnership addresses the growing demand for vast, ethically sourced datasets for training AI models. Meanwhile, the political and thematic RPG "Signet City" is set to launch, drawing inspiration from diverse sources including horror manga and a musical by Sting, indicating a trend towards more unconventional and narrative-driven gaming experiences.

Gaming & Computing

Valve's Steam Machine will start at $1,049 for a configuration with 512GB of storage, notably excluding a controller from the base price. This positions the device in the premium segment of the PC gaming market. The gaming industry continues to see new releases, with Steam Next Fest offering demos of various indie games, including a Virtual Boy-inspired shooter. This event serves as a platform for emerging developers to gain exposure.

Epic Games is undertaking a "ground-up rebuild" of its launcher, aiming for a performance improvement that is reportedly five times faster. This overhaul, dubbed Launcher V2, will undergo a private beta phase before its public release, signaling a significant effort to enhance user experience and efficiency for PC gamers. The question of preferred gaming hardware remains relevant, with a recent poll indicating ongoing debate about whether smartphones, tablets, PCs, or consoles are the primary gaming devices.

Automotive & Transportation

A fatal accident occurred in Katy, Texas, when a Tesla operating with its automated driving assistance system engaged crashed into a home, resulting in one fatality. This incident raises further questions about the safety and reliability of advanced driver-assistance systems. In a different sector of transportation, Chinese-style EV battery swap stations are slated for rollout across Europe, with Octopus and CATL collaborating to establish a network for heavy trucks, potentially transforming logistics and reducing charging downtime.

Automakers are reportedly planning to discontinue support for Android Auto starting in 2026, despite its popularity among consumers. This decision suggests a potential shift in platform strategies within the automotive industry, possibly towards proprietary or alternative solutions.

Retail & Deals

Best Buy has launched a major anti-Prime Day sale event called Tech Fest, featuring numerous deals on Android devices that aim to rival Amazon's offerings. This aggressive promotional strategy highlights the competitive nature of online retail during major shopping periods. Early Prime Day deals are already appearing, with significant price reductions on Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra, S25 Ultra, and other models like the Poco F8 Ultra and X8 Pro Max. These promotions are available through Amazon Germany, though a Prime subscription is required.

Samsung's latest Galaxy Z foldable phones are currently discounted, with the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7 seeing price drops ahead of the expected release of their next-generation counterparts. Several other Samsung devices are also available at reduced prices. Additionally, deals on the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE have reappeared, alongside price reductions for the One Plus 15 and 15R, and select Nothing phones, further intensifying the pre-Prime Day sales environment.

Other

NASA's Perseverance rover has now traveled the distance of a marathon on Mars, achieving this milestone in just five years. The space agency is also testing a new prototype rover, named Ernest, designed for faster traversal and improved obstacle climbing capabilities. In a separate space mission, NASA's Swift Boost mission is scheduled to launch later this month with the objective of rescuing a falling telescope.

Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot has died in a plane crash that occurred near the western coast of France on June 19. This tragic event marks the loss of a significant figure in the video game industry. Meanwhile, Amazon is offering early Prime Day deals on Kindle devices, including options to customize screensaver displays by removing lock screen ads and toggling book covers.