Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: June 26, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Mobile Device Launches & Updates

Samsung's upcoming foldable lineup, including the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8, is rumored for a July 22 launch, with the Fold 8 Ultra reportedly receiving a screen upgrade. Ahead of this, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is available for over $500 off, dropping to $1,470. Samsung has also detailed its Galaxy A27 5G, featuring a more interesting screen and a stronger chipset with a $50 price increase. The Galaxy S27 Pro has appeared in an important database, suggesting Samsung's fourth model is becoming more concrete. Meanwhile, the Redmi Note 17 and Note 17 Pro are expected in July, with the Redmi K90 Ultra also set to launch next week, boasting an 8,550mAh battery. Nothing has officially revealed the design of its budget Phone 4b, slated for a July 7 release.

Oppo is expanding its Reno16 series globally with the Reno16 and Reno16 Pro, featuring some spec changes from their Chinese counterparts. The brand also introduced the Reno16 F and Reno16 FS, with the latter boasting a 50MP ultrawide selfie camera and an AI Snap Key. In the budget segment, the Lava Smart 4 Plus has been unveiled as an affordable 4G-only option.

Smartphones & Wearables

Apple's product pricing has seen significant increases, with Macs, iPads, and other hardware becoming more expensive, particularly in India. Rumors suggest Apple is developing a smart ring, potentially called the iRing or Apple Ring. Further down the line, the iPhone Ultra 2 is reportedly confirmed, while the iPhone Air 3 might be in jeopardy. Mass production of the iPhone Ultra is expected to begin soon, despite some conflicting reports about its release window.

Google's Play Store is set to lower developer fees to 10% for the first $1 million in earnings and allow third-party billing starting June 30, a move stemming from its legal battles. The company has also rolled out a standalone Google Finance app for Android, with an iOS version pending.

Wearable technology is seeing new developments and deals. Samsung's Galaxy Watch 8 is available at a significant discount for Prime Day, with over $130 off and a 38% price reduction. The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 has also seen new renders emerge. Google's Pixel Watch 4 is at its lowest price ever during Prime Day, with Spigen bands also heavily discounted. The CMF Watch 3 Pro is available for $61, positioning it as a budget-friendly option. Smart rings are also gaining traction, with the Oura Ring 4 seeing up to 51% off for Prime Day. However, no smartwatch can currently diagnose sleep apnea, though some can track related signs.

Gaming & Entertainment

Grand Theft Auto VI will launch on June 25th with a price tag of $80, with pre-orders opening at midnight. The physical edition has been described as "overpriced DRM in a box". To prepare for the game, deals on 4K TVs and ambient RGB lighting are available.

Gaming hardware is also seeing price adjustments. Xbox prices are increasing, with Microsoft citing rising component costs. The company is also testing longer gamertags. For handheld gaming, the Retroid Pocket Nova is available for $229 and capable of playing games up to the Game Cube and PS2 era. Prime Day is offering discounts on various retro gaming consoles and controllers.

YouTube has updated its Shorts platform, removing dislike counts and adding a clear screen mode. The platform has also settled an early test case regarding social media's harm to children.

AI & Tech Industry

California has launched a tracker for AI-related job losses, an initiative by Governor Gavin Newsom to monitor the impact of artificial intelligence on employment. OpenAI has released an upgrade for its free Chat GPT model, GPT-5.5, which reportedly improves context understanding. However, ChatGPT 5.6 will initially be available only to government-approved customers. The US government is reportedly urging Meta to share its AI models for review due to growing security concerns. Meta has also unveiled its new Meta Glasses in partnership with Essilor Luxottica, featuring AI capabilities and available in three frame styles.

IBM claims to have created the world's first sub-1 nanometer chip, a significant advancement in semiconductor technology. OpenAI and Broadcom have collaborated on Jalapeño, their first AI chip. In a different sector, Amazon's autonomous vehicle company, Zoox, has introduced its new robotaxi, designed for large-scale production. Faraday Future, after selling vehicles, is now pitching a lineup of robots.

Other Notable News

NASA's TESS spacecraft has discovered two 'super puffy' giant planets with the density of cotton candy within a single system. Microsoft has extended Windows 10 support by another year, acknowledging user preference for the older operating system. In the realm of personal finance, Google Finance is now available as a standalone Android app. Spain is implementing new rules requiring mobile carriers to keep networks operational for at least four hours during power outages.