Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: June 26, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Mobile Devices & Smartphones

One Plus is gearing up to launch its first N-series smartphone, the OnePlus N6, in India next week. Ahead of its debut, the company confirmed the device will feature a substantial 8,000mAh battery. Leaks also suggest the N6 may buck the trend of omitting chargers and cases from budget phone boxes, potentially including both to offer added value. Meanwhile, the nubia Air Pro has been spotted online, hinting at a potential successor to last year's nubia Air with a notable 108MP camera and an ultra-slim.99mm body. Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S27 Pro has also appeared in an important database, fueling speculation about Samsung's fourth model in the S27 lineup. Additionally, the Galaxy A27 5G has been launched, offering a modest design update over the A26 with thinner bezels and a punch-hole camera, alongside a slight performance boost and a stronger chipset, though it sees a $50 price increase.

Samsung's foldable lineup is also seeing activity, with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 available at over $500 off, potentially ahead of the Galaxy Z Fold 8's expected arrival. Rumors suggest the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra may receive a screen upgrade and that the Fold 8 series, including the Fold, Fold 8 Ultra, and Flip, could be unveiled on July 22 in London. The chipset for the US variant of the Galaxy Z Flip 8 has been confirmed, following its FCC certification. In other smartphone news, the entry-level Nothing Phone (4b) is set for a July 7 launch, with its design now officially revealed, showcasing a "unibody" aesthetic and dual rear cameras. Key specs for the Phone (4b) have also been tipped, including a potential 5,400mAh battery.

Oppo's Reno16 series is seeing a global rollout with some hardware adjustments. The Oppo Reno16 and Reno16 Pro are now available internationally, featuring different chipsets than their Chinese counterparts. The Oppo Reno16 is also launching in India next week, accompanied by a new Reno16c model. The brand also unveiled the Reno16 F and Reno16 FS with a 50MP ultrawide selfie camera and an AI Snap Key. The Lava Smart 4 Plus has been unveiled as an affordable 4G-only option. In a more niche release, the Trump Mobile T1 Phone appears to finally be available for purchase after a period of pre-orders.

Wearables & Fitness Tech

Deals on fitness-focused wearables continue, with the Fitbit Ace LTE reaching an all-time low price, making it a compelling option for children before the back-to-school season. Garmin's Forerunner 970 is also on sale, positioning it as a strong contender for marathon training. The smartwatch market is seeing significant discounts during Prime Day, with offerings like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 available for over $130 off, noted for its stylish design and low profile. The Google Pixel Watch 4 has hit its lowest price ever, making it an attractive upgrade option. Budget-conscious buyers can find the CMF Watch 3 Pro for just $61, described as a budget smartwatch that doesn't look the part. Apple's smartwatch lineup is also discounted, with the Apple Watch Series 11 on sale in both GPS and cellular trims. For those interested in smart rings, the Oura Ring 4 is available with up to a 51% discount. Lumysi is attempting to offer a more discreet fitness tracker by embedding activity tracking capabilities into a bracelet, aiming for a classier alternative to traditional wearables. Smartwatches are also being highlighted for their potential health tracking capabilities; while no device can diagnose sleep apnea, some can monitor signs that may indicate the condition.

Gaming & Retro Tech

Retro gaming enthusiasts have several deals to consider. The R36MAX Retro Handheld is available for $40, down from its original $100 price. Prime Day is also offering discounts of up to 38% on various retro gaming consoles and controllers. The Retroid Pocket Nova is noted as a capable handheld for games up to the Game Cube and PS2 era, priced at $229. For PC gamers, 8Bit Do has released the Arcade Controller Pro, a refined option for fighting game enthusiasts. Xbox is testing support for longer gamertags, allowing up to 15 characters, which could enhance player identity options.

Displays & Home Entertainment

The market for home entertainment displays is seeing significant Prime Day promotions. Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K is available for $17, a substantial discount on the best-selling streaming stick. For those preparing for Grand Theft Auto, several display deals are present. Samsung's OLED TVs are offered with discounts up to $1,300, providing a premium viewing experience for the upcoming game. Additionally, ambient RGB lights for TVs are available to enhance the gaming atmosphere. A 300-inch projector from Valerion is also on sale, aiming to bring a home theater experience for major sporting events like the World Cup.

Tablets & E-readers

Amazon's Prime Day sale includes notable discounts on e-readers and tablets. The latest Kindle model is available for under $100, described as a great option for summer reading. Another e-reader, highly praised for its size, is available for under $160. The Huion Note E Android tablet, complete with a stylus and case, is $74 off, offering an alternative to Kindle devices with unrestricted Android 15. TCL NXTPAPER tablets are also part of Prime Day sales, with most models available for under $200. Amazon's Fire brand devices are seeing discounts of up to 55%. Apple's iPad Air (2025) is also discounted on Amazon UK.

Laptops & Computing

Prime Day is offering significant savings on Chromebooks from various manufacturers, including Lenovo and ASUS. Apple's MacBook Air M4 and MacBook Neo are also seeing discounts on Amazon UK, alongside the iPad Air (2025). Microsoft is extending support for Windows 10 by an additional year, allowing users to continue with the older operating system, likely due to user preference over Windows 11. The rising cost of computer components is prompting a shift towards a "make do and mend" approach in the industry.

AI & Software

OpenAI has released an upgrade for the free version of Chat GPT, which is said to improve its contextual understanding. The company is also planning to initially release Chat GPT 5.6 exclusively to government-approved customers. A new report indicates that NSFW uses account for a significant portion of traffic on Elon Musk's Grok platform. IBM has announced the creation of what it claims is the world's first sub-1 nanometer chip. Google is making its Play Store more accessible to developers by lowering fees and allowing third-party billing, a move influenced by a court ruling against Epic Games. Google Finance is now available as a standalone Android application, with an iOS version planned. California has launched a tracker to monitor AI-related job losses within the state. Meta is reportedly facing requests from the US government to share its AI models for review amid growing security concerns. A Florida Republican has denied claims that AI was used to draft legislation, stating that Claude was only utilized for spelling and grammar checks.

Infrastructure & Industry

Solar storms pose a risk to technological infrastructure, potentially causing widespread outages. Spain is implementing new regulations requiring mobile networks to remain operational for at least four hours during power outages. Volkswagen is reportedly planning significant job cuts, with estimates suggesting up to 100,000 positions could be eliminated. Sony has announced major layoffs at its game development studio Bungie, affecting various teams, including those working on Destiny and Marathon. Faraday Future, after selling a number of cars, is now also promoting a lineup of robots, including humanoid and quadruped models. Amazon's Zoox has unveiled its latest robotaxi model, designed for large-scale production. In the automotive sector, Polestar may be restricted from selling its vehicles in the US next year, despite moving some production to the country. Honda is reportedly considering reviving the Element nameplate as an affordable hybrid SUV in 2029. Tesla faces a wrongful death lawsuit following a fatal crash in Texas.

Other Tech News

YouTube Shorts is receiving a significant update with a new full-screen viewing mode and other features, including the removal of dislike counts and the option to double playback speed. Apple is reportedly developing a smart ring, speculated to be named "iRing". The company has also begun mass production of the iPhone Ultra, despite some conflicting reports about its release window. Apple has implemented global price hikes across its product lines, including Macs and iPads, with India experiencing particularly steep increases. Apple may also be skipping the M6 Pro and Max chips in favor of directly releasing the M7. Microsoft is quietly extending support for Windows 10 by another year, indicating a continued user base for the older OS. Wireless charging is noted as being significantly less efficient than wired charging, despite its convenience. The European Space Agency's Euclid telescope has captured images of the Milky Way's center.