Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: July 3, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Mobile Device & Carrier Updates

T-Mobile is shutting down its 2G network on August 3, making it the last major US carrier to retire the aging technology. The carrier is also phasing out older plans, potentially increasing costs for some customers as it moves them to newer, more expensive options, and has discontinued its KickBack program. In a separate promotion, T-Mobile is offering the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE for $99 with the addition of a qualified tablet line. Meanwhile, AT&T is expanding its Build-A-Plan offering to include home internet services, allowing customers to customize bundles.

One Plus continues to face market challenges, with devices now out of stock in an unspecified market amid a significant restructuring. The brand's integration with Oppo is becoming more pronounced, as the official OnePlus website in Germany is now advertising Oppo products, including smartphones, tablets, watches, and earbuds. The Nothing Phone (1) has reached the end of its software support, a common lifecycle milestone for devices. However, Nothing has also officially revealed the design of a special RCB Edition of its upcoming Phone (4b) in partnership with the Royal Challengers Bangalore cricket team.

Smartphone & Wearable Leaks and Launches

Samsung is rumored to bring its integrated Privacy Display feature to all Galaxy S27 models, enhancing screen security. The Galaxy S27 Pro and Ultra variants are also expected to receive an upgraded selfie camera. Detailed specifications for a wider variant of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 have leaked, alongside case designs for the upcoming Fold8, Fold8 Ultra, and Flip8 models ahead of their expected July 22 unveiling. Samsung has also resurrected a $350 discount on the unlocked Galaxy S26 Ultra for the Fourth of July weekend. In wearables, leaks reveal new bands for the upcoming Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, and Samsung has confirmed the Galaxy Ring 2 will arrive in early 2027 with improved battery life.

Motorola is preparing to launch the Moto G77 Power on July 8 and has released a new Global Connect eSIM app in select South American markets in partnership with Gigs. The company may also introduce a new charging feature on its next phone that could precede Samsung's implementation. HMD Global continues its focus on feature phones with four new Nokia models — the Nokia 200 4G, 210 4G, 215 4G 2nd Edition, and 235 4G 2nd Edition — which include an on-device AI assistant.

iQOO has launched the Z11i in China, featuring a 6,500mAh battery and a Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 SoC, and also quietly introduced the iQOO Pad 5c tablet with a 12.1-inch display and 10,000mAh battery in its Pad 5 lineup. Oppo's upcoming Find X10 Ultra has had details about its main telephoto camera leaked, while the Oppo Reno16 and Reno16c have debuted in India. The Honor Magic V6 has expanded its availability to the UK and is now on sale in Europe starting at €1,700 with introductory perks.

Gaming & Entertainment Tech

Valve's Steam Deck continues to be a topic of discussion, with the Engadget Podcast considering the necessity of the Steam Machine. Xbox is reportedly exploring methods to digitize disc-based games for preservation in an increasingly digital market. Sony, meanwhile, is repurposing its PlayStation disc factory into a plant for optical microlenses, having already invested $34 million. The animated Super Mario movie is set to launch onto Peacock on July 30, following its billion-dollar box office performance as the second animated Mario film.

RedMagic has debuted its Astra 2 gaming tablet in China, with global availability expected in July. Lenovo is also teasing a new 5G-equipped Legion gaming tablet, the Y700 Unlimited, with a release date to be announced. The California legislative effort to preserve online games has failed to pass committee for this session. In a separate development, Capcom has moved up the release date for "Onimusha: Way of the Sword" to avoid the crowded fall release schedule ahead of Grand Theft Auto.

AI, Software & Services

Meta reportedly building its own cloud business, potentially competing directly with Amazon and Google. The company has also released an app for making generative AI games and announced significant golf integration and hands-free capabilities for its AI glasses through partnerships with 18Birdies and Arccos. Discord has now landed on the Meta Quest App Store, bringing familiar communication features to VR.

Google's Notebook LM has been upgraded to use its AI for generating 60-second video summaries of research documents, a move that suggests the company believes users are too "lazy" to read their own notes. Users of Google Home Speakers and other smart home products are reporting incredibly slow response times. Pixel users have also experienced issues with incoming calls not alerting them, a problem that may stem from Google's phone app. In other Google news, Android 17 QPR1 Beta 6 has been released for Pixel devices, indicating platform stability as the full quarterly update approaches.

Cloudflare will filter out that serve AI companies, aiming to give websites more control over how their content is utilized. A United Nations report indicates that policymakers are struggling to keep pace, highlighting the need for better safeguards. Separately, Microsoft is undertaking another round of layoffs, planning to cut approximately 2.5% of its workforce. Meta-owned WhatsApp has responded to an order from the Indian government to pause the planned rollout, which allows users to communicate without sharing phone numbers. Instagram's Edits app has gained new features, including support for bilingual captions, which can automatically translate text.

Connectivity & Infrastructure

Amazon is preparing to deploy its Leo satellite broadband service, having accumulated enough satellites for launch, though its constellation remains small compared to SpaceX's Starlink. Qualcomm has announced its Snapdragon Summit will take place in September, with anticipation high for the next flagship Snapdragon chip. Visa, Mastercard, and Coinbase have launched a new global stablecoin venture.

Market & Business Briefs

Microsoft's profit shifting practices designed to reduce its European tax bill have been detailed in a new compliance report. Amazon has agreed to pay $2.25 million to settle an FTC identity theft case, stemming from alleged failures to meet Fair Credit Reporting Act requirements under its retail operations. Donald Trump's financial disclosures reveal significant investments in tech stocks, made on the same day he announced his AI Action Plan demonstrating his affinity for the sector. Threads is experiencing a surge of fake Mr. Beast promotions, which are part of a massive cryptocurrency scam network.

Consumer Electronics & Deals

Best Buy's Fourth of July sale features over 25 deals relevant to Android users, including a 50% discount on Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds. Fujifilm has released special waterproof and black-and-white editions of its retro QuickSnap instant cameras. Commodore's Callback 8020 is available with a day-one discount until the end of June 30. Samsung's Messages app will cease functioning on most Galaxy phones this month as it is being retired.

The Punkt. MC03, a Swiss-designed smartphone with a German-built OS, is now available for purchase following its pre-order period. The Xreal ROG R1 smart glasses are noted for their high price but deliver a compelling alternative to traditional monitors as the company's most advanced wearable display. Samsung is reportedly considering bringing its Privacy Display feature to all Galaxy S27 models to enhance user privacy.

Other Notable Developments

Future Hyundai Kia vehicles may utilize Far-UVC technology to eliminate odors, potentially negating the need for air fresheners. The attempt to revive the 3DO gaming console has officially failed after the involved developer withdrew its pledge, citing a lack of rights.