Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: July 2, 2026, 11:36 AM ET

Mobile & Telecom News

T-Mobile continues its aggressive customer retention strategy by phasing out older plans and migrating users to pricier, newer offerings. This move, impacting loyal customers, follows recent reports of the carrier offering a $60 Umbro jersey as a perk, a move some subscribers found unappealing. The company is also nearing the shutdown of its 2G network, scheduled for August 3, making it the last US carrier to do so. Concurrently, Verizon is offering numerous phone deals for July, aiming to attract new subscribers and incentivize trade-ins.

Smartphone Launches & Updates

Motorola is set to unveil the Moto G77 Power on July 8, following the earlier launch of the Moto G77. In India, Oppo has debuted the Reno16 and Reno16c, with a focus on the Indian market and a replacement for the Pro model. Samsung's upcoming device strategy appears to involve a shift, as the Galaxy A18 will reportedly skip Exynos chips for both its 4G and 5G variants, opting for Media Tek and other suppliers. Meanwhile, Redmi has confirmed the Note 17 series launch for July in China.

Samsung continues to tease its next generation of foldables, with rumors intensifying around the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Flip8. Dummy units and case leaks have surfaced, offering glimpses of the devices' design and features, including a wider aspect ratio for the Fold8 models. Samsung is strongly hinting at a July 22 launch event in London for these devices. The company is also reportedly planning for the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, with leaks pointing to a brighter display and larger battery for the Ultra.

Further leaks suggest Samsung's Galaxy S27 will not use BOE panels, opting for its own display technology despite potential cost savings from Chinese suppliers. The Galaxy A27 is now available in India and has been reviewed, noting design changes like a punch-hole notch. In software, One UI 9 testing has begun for the Galaxy A25.

Other manufacturers are also preparing new devices. Nothing is launching the Phone (4b) on July 7, with an RCB Edition planned. Motorola's Edge 70 Max has received certification for 25W wireless charging, potentially offering a charging feature that rivals Apple and Google. The Commodore Callback 8020 flip phone is now available for pre-order at a reduced price of $399.

Semiconductor & Manufacturing Advances

Samsung is pushing the boundaries of chip manufacturing, detailing its upcoming 2nm nodes and future 1.4nm plans for 2029. In contrast, Apple faces supply chain challenges, with sensitive supplier details emerging, potentially impacting the iPhone 18 series. Reports indicate Apple will use two modems in the iPhone 18 Pro.

AI & Software Developments

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence continues to outpace regulatory efforts, with a UN report stating policymakers. OpenAI is reportedly exploring the idea of leading AI companies giving the US government a stake in their businesses. Meanwhile, Anthropic has received approval to Mythos and Fable AI and has released its Sonnet 5 model, designed to be more efficient for enterprise tasks that drive up costs Sonnet 5 model is better at tasks.

Meta is integrating AI more deeply into its ecosystem. Its AI glasses are gaining in-depth golf integration with partners like 18Birdies and Arccos, and the popular Discord app is now. However, Meta is also paywalling a smart glasses feature previously available for free, limiting Conversation Focus to three hours per month.

Google is leveraging AI across its services. The Gemini app for mac OS now includes the Spark agentic AI assistant, and Gmail's Live AI feature is entering beta, allowing natural language searches. Google's Notebook LM is also being updated to generate video summaries of research documents.

Gaming & Entertainment

The gaming industry is seeing shifts towards digital-only formats. Following Grand Theft Auto VI's digital-only release, Sony plans to cease physical disc production for PlayStation games in 2028. Xbox is reportedly exploring ways to digitize existing disc-based games, potentially preserving physical media collections. In a move that has sparked controversy, Xbox layoffs may include closing Arkane Studios and canceling the Blade game.

Capcom has pushed up the release to avoid a crowded fall release schedule. The "messy saga" surrounding Subnautica 2 has concluded with the CEO's departure. The animated Super Mario Galaxy Movie.

Market & Business News

T-Mobile is retiring its KickBack program, forcing customers onto newer, potentially more expensive plans. Amazon will pay $2.25 related to its compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Getty Images has canceled its $3.7 billion merger with Shutterstock due to regulatory restrictions in the UK.

Other Notable Developments

X is enhancing its live video capabilities with new creator payouts and a streaming command center. WhatsApp is rolling out its username feature, allowing users to communicate without sharing phone numbers, with reservations beginning this week. Apple is reportedly planning a entry-level MacBook Pro next, with rumors of a touchscreen model also circulating MacBook Ultra rumors.