Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: June 22, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

Smartphones & Mobile Devices

The Indian smartphone market is set to welcome a new player as Fire-Boltt prepares to expand into smartphone manufacturing. This move marks a significant diversification for the wearables company. Meanwhile, ongoing rumors suggest the iPhone 18 Pro will feature a long-awaited main camera upgrade, with a prolific Weibo tipster claiming the enhancement is "confirmed." Further bolstering Apple's future lineup, a new supply chain report indicates the iPhone Ultra will launch as scheduled, quashing earlier speculation of a delay.

In the budget segment, Tecno has introduced the Camon Slim, a stylish device with a remarkably slender 6.39mm profile. Motorola is also expanding its Edge 70 series, with leaked renders pointing to a new Motorola Edge 70 Max model, and has increased storage options for the Edge 70 Fusion to 512GB. Honor has officially launched the X80 Pro Max in China, boasting the brand's largest smartphone battery to date at 11,000 mAh. One Plus is reportedly working on a new compact flagship, with a tipster suggesting the OnePlus 15T successor will not be India-bound. Infinix is preparing to launch a special edition of its Note 60 Pro 5G in India, a Pininfarina Limited Edition designed by the famed Italian automotive styling house.

Wearables & Smartwatches

Samsung's next-generation smartwatches, the Galaxy Watch9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, are rumored to feature new band designs, updated watch faces, and other enhancements. A separate report suggests Samsung may be skipping the Galaxy Watch 9 Classic in favor of a redesigned Ultra 2 with thinner bezels and a boxier aesthetic. Meta is reportedly offering a premium fit with its Ray-Ban Meta Optics lineup, though at a higher price point. In a philanthropic initiative, Meta also announced plans to donate Ray-Ban AI smart glasses to legally blind veterans.

The Ultrahuman Ring Air is currently on sale, with exclusive promo codes available that can be stacked with existing discounts. Oura Ring 5 has been released, offering a slimmer design and improved automatic activity detection compared to its predecessor. Additionally, Oura Ring users on Android can now benefit from a new Locate feature, addressing a long-standing gap in functionality compared to iOS users. Consumer Cellular has launched Speak Easy, a new brand tailored for individuals over 75, offering two specialized phones.

Software & Operating Systems

Apple's latest beta, iOS 27 beta 2, is now available, with a focus on further Siri enhancements. A user poll indicated that iOS 27 is met with a lukewarm reception, with users finding it "okay" rather than exceptionally exciting. Google's Android 17 update is bringing significant improvements to wireless audio, including support for the LHDC v5 codec. This codec was quietly added to Pixel phones with the update, though not officially detailed in Google's release notes. Some Pixel users are experiencing touchscreen issues after installing Android 17, prompting caution regarding immediate updates. Further issues have been reported, with some users experiencing a loss of 5G connectivity post-update. Despite these problems, Android 17 is also enhancing multitasking capabilities on Pixel devices with its new Bubbles feature, and offers improved home screen customization tools that can simplify app layouts. Google's latest OS version also includes a feature called Screen Reactions, designed to streamline social media workflows.

AI & Emerging Technologies

Meta is reportedly pausing an employee tracking program after it inadvertently exposed sensitive data across the company, adding to concerns surrounding its AI training initiatives. OpenAI has entered into a significant partnership with Samsung Electronics, with the chip manufacturer supplying AI chips to OpenAI. Beyond chip supply, the collaboration includes a broader deal between the two tech giants. In the creative sector, A24 is securing $75 million in Google funding to develop AI tools specifically for movie production. OpenAI has also reached an agreement with Getty Images to integrate Getty's content library into ChatGPT and AI search functionalities.

Gaming & Entertainment

Red Magic is preparing to launch its latest gaming tablet, the Gaming Tablet 5 Pro, featuring upgraded cooling systems. Teaser images have been released, and the company has confirmed a June launch date for the device. Valve's upcoming Steam Machine will carry a considerable price tag, starting at $1,049 for a 512GB model, and notably excluding a controller. The gaming market is experiencing a shift, with a poll asking users about their preferred gaming platform: smartphone, tablet, PC, or console.

Deals & Retail

Retailers are offering significant discounts outside of Amazon's Prime Day event. Walmart is featuring deals on tech, including an early offer on the Meta Quest 3S. Best Buy has launched its own massive "Tech Fest" sale, presenting over 25 Android deals to compete with Amazon. Early Prime Day promotions are already underway, with price cuts available on various Samsung devices, including the Galaxy S26 Ultra and S25 Ultra, as well as other models like the Poco F8 Ultra and X8 Pro Max. Discounts are also being applied to Samsung's current-generation foldables, the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7, as new models are anticipated. Additionally, deals can be found on the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE, One Plus 15 and 15R, and Nothing phones.

Automotive & Transportation

A tragic incident occurred in Katy, Texas, where a Tesla operating with its automated driving assistance system engaged crashed into a home, resulting in one fatality. In Europe, Octopus and CATL are planning to deploy a network of battery swap stations for heavy trucks, adopting a model popular in China. Automakers are reportedly moving away from Android Auto in 2026, a decision that comes despite its popularity among car buyers.

Other Notable Tech & Industry News

Meta has paused an employee tracking program after sensitive data was exposed, impacting its AI training endeavors as employee tracking is paused. Samsung's privacy-enhancing "Privacy Display" technology, initially tested for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, may soon be available on the smaller Galaxy S27 Pro. This feature is also rumored for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S27 Pro. Instagram's TV app has expanded its availability to Samsung TVs in the US, following its earlier launch on Amazon Fire TV devices. NASA's Perseverance rover has achieved a significant milestone, traveling the distance of a marathon on Mars in just five years. The agency is also testing a new prototype rover, Ernest, designed for faster driving and improved obstacle climbing. NASA's Swift Boost mission is scheduled to launch later this month to rescue a falling space telescope. The game "Signet City," an RPG, is noted for its unconventional and political themes. Valve's Steam Machine will launch at a high price point, starting at $1,049 without a controller. Epic Games is undertaking a "ground-up rebuild" of its launcher, aiming for a fivefold increase in speed with its upcoming Launcher V2. Ubisoft's co-founder, Claude Guillemot, died in a plane crash on June 19th.