Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: June 23, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

Mobile Devices & Wearables

Prime Day deals are driving significant price drops on a range of smartphones and wearables. Google's Pixel 10 Pro XL, boasting improved cameras and AI features, is available with a substantial $315 discount, potentially luring iPhone users to Android. The Nothing Phone 4a Pro, a popular TikTok choice, also hit its lowest price ever with a generous $90 reduction, while the Pixel 10a is being highlighted as a rare good phone deal amidst a sea of less appealing offers. Samsung's flagship Galaxy Tab S11 is seeing a significant $265 price cut, positioning it as a compelling alternative to laptops for $535. In the foldable market, a rain-resistant Pixel foldable received a massive $400 discount, and Samsung's current Galaxy Z Fold7 and Flip7 models are also available at reduced prices ahead of anticipated new releases.

Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Watch9 and Watch Ultra 2 have been the subject of multiple leaks, revealing new band designs, colors, and watch faces, with the Ultra 2 potentially featuring thinner bezels and a boxier design. The company is also reportedly developing a "Privacy Display" feature, initially seen on the Galaxy S26 Ultra and possibly coming to the Galaxy S27 Pro, a rumor also extended to the anticipated Xiaomi 18 Pro. In wearables, Samsung's best smartwatch is available for $200 off during Prime Day, while Garmin watches are seeing discounts of up to 50% on models like the Epix and Venu.

AI & Software

AI continues its integration across various platforms. OpenAI has launched "Patch the Planet," a new initiative under its Daybreak cybersecurity program designed to assist open-source projects in combating bugs. In a significant enterprise move, OpenAI has also signed one of its largest deals with Samsung Electronics, positioning Samsung as an AI chip supplier and expanding their partnership beyond semiconductor manufacturing, while also agreeing to feature Getty's image library in ChatGPT. Meta is reportedly exploring the prediction market space, with Mark Zuckerberg directing the company to build its own platform. The company is also launching three new AI glasses models, including one in partnership with Kylie Jenner, priced at $299.

Superhuman has acquired AI authenticity service GPTZero, a move noted as somewhat unusual for a company focused on AI writing assistance. Anthropic has introduced "@Claude for Slack," indicating a shift in how AI assistants are integrated into collaborative workflows taking on Slackbot's role. Oracle has cited AI as a reason for its significant workforce reduction, with 21,000 employees laid off over the past year. Google is enhancing its Pixel phones with "Audio Memory" in development, a feature that would allow devices to listen for and remember important conversations.

Gaming & VR

The virtual reality and gaming hardware markets are seeing promotional activity and new hardware developments. Meta Quest gamers can take advantage of a significant gift card discount during Prime Day, described as a "money duplication glitch." Additional deals include 15% off the Meta Quest 3S and deals on headstraps for the Quest 3 and Quest 3S, with bundles offering included extras. For VR enthusiasts, accessory kits for the Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S are available, aiming for the "peak VR experience" with nine essential products.

In handheld gaming, MSI has partnered with Intel to release the Claw 8 EX AI+, a device positioned as a potentially powerful handheld gaming PC. Valve's Steam Machine has finally gone on sale, with the 512GB version priced at $1,049 and the 2TB version at $1,349, notable for being without a controller. Red Magic is preparing to launch its next gaming tablet, the Gaming Tablet 5 Pro, which will feature upgraded cooling and a new design. Netflix is expanding its interactive content with a new horror game that utilizes a smartphone for enhanced immersion.

Storage & Connectivity

Storage solutions are seeing price adjustments, with SSDs offering some relief from general tech price increases. Prime Day deals are providing discounts on portable SSDs and NVMe drives. UGREEN has launched a new 8GB NAS, the DXP4800 GT, featuring dual 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports and extensible software, available at a 20% discount. A higher-end UGREEN NAS, the DXP4800 Pro, is also at an all-time low price for Prime Day, targeting users looking to build media libraries. Samsung has announced its next-generation UFS 5.0 storage, aiming to deliver twice the performance of UFS 4.1 and potentially appearing in upcoming phones by Q4.

In connectivity, discussions around HDMI standards continue, with advice suggesting that the latest HDMI 2.0 vs 2.1 upgrades are likely unnecessary for basic streaming. The cost of Thunderbolt 4 and 5 cables is attributed to the complex technology packed within their USB-C-like exteriors, as detailed in a new report explaining why these cables are expensive.

Smart Home & Displays

Smart home and display technologies are seeing varied developments and promotions. A smart family calendar application, Cozyla's Calendar+, is available with a 20% Prime Day discount, aimed at simplifying activity management for busy households. Xreal's wearable TV smart glasses are being offered at a discounted price for Prime Day, making immersive home theater experiences more accessible. Amazon's Alexa+ AI chatbot is expanding its availability, with plans to launch in India and offer Hindi language support. Instagram's TV app is broadening its reach, now available on Samsung TVs in the US, following its prior expansion to Google TV devices.

Consumer Cellular has launched Speak Easy, a new brand targeting individuals over 75 with two specialized phone models. In display technology, Honor is developing a "Privacy Display" feature for its upcoming flagships, with rumors suggesting Samsung Display may offer this technology to competitors, potentially appearing on Samsung's own Galaxy S27 Pro.

Other Notable Developments

Tech accessories and niche products are also featuring in recent news and promotions. Anker power banks with display and retractable USB-C cables are recommended for travelers at a discounted price. Sony's ULT Field 1 Bluetooth speaker is available for under $80, described as a favorite summer purchase, while the premium Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are on sale for $198. E-reader deals are also prominent, with Kindle devices like the Paperwhite and Scribe seeing discounts of up to 45%.

In a move within the automotive sector, Tesla vehicles with automated driving systems have been involved in crashes, including one that resulted in a fatality in Texas when a vehicle crashed into a home. The supercomputer landscape sees China reclaiming the top spot, utilizing CPUs rather than GPUs for its leading systems as detailed in the latest ranking.