Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: June 27, 2026, 2:31 AM ET

Mobile AI & Processing

OpenAI launched a limited preview of its GPT-5.6 model to select partners, featuring both its most powerful and affordable variants to date. The company also rolled out an upgrade to the free Chat GPT model, enhancing its contextual understanding. Meanwhile, Anthropic received U.S. government approval to redeploy its Mythos cybersecurity AI model, restoring access for specific organizations. California has launched a tracker for AI-related job losses, aiming to monitor the impact of artificial intelligence on employment within the state.

Smartphone Launches & Rumors

OnePlus revealed new details about its upcoming N6 smartphone, confirming an 8,000mAh battery and no charger in the box, a move that bucked the trend for budget devices. The company also teased the N6's design, highlighting a "unibody" aesthetic for its entry-level Phone 4b, scheduled for a July 7 launch as teased. In parallel, Oppo announced the global rollout of its Reno16 series, including the Reno16 F and Reno16 FS, featuring 50MP ultrawide selfie cameras and an AI Snap Key. The Oppo Reno16 and Reno16 Pro arrived internationally with some spec adjustments from their Chinese counterparts. The nubia Air Pro has also appeared online, hinting at a 108MP camera and a slim 5.99mm body.

Foldables & Premium Devices

Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 is now available for over $500 off its original price, ahead of the anticipated Galaxy Z Fold 8 launch. Rumors suggest the Fold, Fold 8 Ultra, and Flip 8 could be unveiled on July 22 in London at an event. The Honor Magic V6 and vivo X Fold 6 were recognized at the GLOMO Asia Awards during Mobile World Congress Shanghai. The vivo X Fold6 itself launched with a 200MP main camera and a 7,000mAh battery. A database listing for the Samsung Galaxy S27 Pro has surfaced, alongside the S27+ and S27 Ultra, adding to speculation.

Mid-Range & Budget Phones

The Samsung Galaxy A27 5G launched in the US for $349.99, priced higher than the Galaxy A37, featuring a stronger chipset and thinner bezels with a punch-hole camera. This launch follows reports of a mild upgrade and a $50 price hike. Lava has unveiled the Smart 4 Plus, an affordable 4G-only smartphone with a 6.75-inch display and a 5,000mAh battery. The Nothing Phone (4b) is set to launch on July 7, with key specs including a 5,400mAh battery and dual rear cameras as revealed.

Audio & Wearables

Oppo's latest Enco Air5 and Air5s have arrived, with the Air5s being Oppo's first "semi-in-ear" buds, featuring a plastic design without rubber tips for a potentially more comfortable fit as detailed. Pixel Buds 2a are now available for under $100, and the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are on sale for $160 during Prime Day. The Beats Solo 4 are currently half off, offering 50-hour battery life for under $100 in a deal. Powerbeats Pro 2 are priced at $180 for Amazon Prime Day, a $70 discount for workout enthusiasts. One Plus has also launched the Nord Buds 4 in India, promising up to 54 hours of battery life and ANC. Bang & Olufsen's Beoplay Elevens are available at a 30% discount for Prime Day.

Apple is reportedly developing a smart ring, speculated to be called iRing or Apple Ring. The Oura Ring 4 is available with a significant discount that effectively includes up to three years of membership. Samsung's Galaxy Watch 8 is on sale for 38% off, and the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic also sees a substantial discount for Father's Day. The CMF Watch 3 Pro is available for $61 during Prime Day. Google's first Fitbit Air update is rolling out, aiming to address early issues.

Computing & Tablets

Apple has begun selling refurbished MacBook Neo models, bringing prices back to their pre-hike levels. The company also hiked prices on most of its hardware, including Macs, Mac Books, and iPads, with India experiencing even steeper increases than other regions. In contrast, a Samsung tablet deal offers a remedy at less than half the price of the new 11-inch iPad Air. The Galaxy Tab A11 Plus is available at nearly 50% off for Prime Day. Red Magic is preparing to unveil its Gaming Tablet 5 Pro, which will feature a PC emulator and liquid cooling ahead of its June 30 launch.

Apple is reportedly planning to skip the M6 Pro and Max chips in favor of accelerating the M7 series, focusing on AI enhancements. This strategy shift was also reported. IBM has announced the creation of the world's first sub-1 nanometer chip. Qualcomm's upcoming Snapdragon 8 series roadmap reveals new 3nm chips, including the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and Gen 6 Pro.

Gaming & Entertainment

Microsoft has increased Xbox prices for the third time this year, a move that follows a previous price hike and comes amid rising component costs driving up prices. Xbox is also testing support for longer gamertags, up to 15 characters in length. Grand Theft Auto 6 is set for release on June 25, with the physical edition priced at $80 as confirmed. Several deals are available on 4K TVs and ambient RGB lights to enhance the gaming experience. Retro gaming enthusiasts can find deals on controllers and mobile consoles during Prime Day. The R36MAX Retro Handheld is available for $40, down from $100 during the sale. Retroid's Pocket Nova, capable of handling Game Cube and PS2 era games, is priced at $229 at launch.

YouTube has introduced a full-screen mode for Shorts, along with other new features, and has also removed dislikes from the platform. Netflix is testing profile-specific email logins, raising concerns about account sharing tightening.

Deals & Discounts

Amazon's Prime Day sale has featured numerous deals across various product categories. Significant discounts are available on Samsung Galaxy S26 models, including the S26 Ultra, which saw a record-breaking 29% discount making it compelling. Google Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL are also on sale in the US, with the Pixel 10 Pro dropping to its lowest price ever under $700. The iPhone Air is available at 28% off on Amazon UK.

Amazon Fire TV Stick deals include the 4K model for as low as $17 on Prime Day. Kindle e-readers are also heavily discounted, with some models available for under $100 as part of the sale. Smart home devices like the Google Nest Wi-Fi Pro are available at 57% off before the sale ends, and the Amazon Echo Studio smart speaker is 20% off for a limited time.

Anker's travel essentials, including power banks and chargers, are on sale with 11 items discounted. The Anker Mag Go 15W Qi2 Wireless Charger Stand is 20% off until the deal ends, and a 45W charger with a built-in display is available for under $30 as a tech gift. Travel-focused power banks are also significantly reduced for the summer.

Legal & Regulatory

Samsung is facing a lawsuit from patent troll Tau Ceti Ventures LLC. The company also plans to charge for Smart Things API access. Google has lowered Play Store fees for developers, reducing its cut to 10% for the first $1 million in revenue, and will allow third-party billing starting June 30 in the US, UK, and Europe as a result of a court ruling. Spain will require carriers to keep mobile networks operational for at least four hours during power outages under new rules. Australia's social media ban has shown limited effectiveness due to self-declared age verification.

Other Developments

Apple's price hikes have affected a wide range of products, with Macs, Mac Books, and iPads becoming more expensive. These increases are part of a global trend by the company to raise prices. In contrast, Commodore has dropped the price of its retro phone by $100 ahead of preorders, and the Callback 8020 flip phone also saw a $100 price reduction for pre-orders. Total Wireless will now cover Western Union transfer fees for its customers. NASA's TESS spacecraft has discovered two 'cotton candy' planets in a single system as part of its mission.