Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: July 4, 2026, 2:31 AM ET

Mobile Chip Manufacturing & AI Partnerships

Samsung may manufacture custom AI chips for Anthropic, according to early-stage negotiations reported by The Information. This potential deal would see the Korean tech giant producing specialized semiconductors for the AI safety company, signaling a growing trend of hardware manufacturers engaging directly with AI firms to meet escalating demand for AI-specific processing power. Meanwhile, Qualcomm's next-gen chips are slated for an official unveiling at its Snapdragon Summit from September 22-24, with the Xiaomi 18 series rumored to be the first to launch with the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen. Separately, Microsoft plans to cut 2.5% of its workforce, continuing a pattern of layoffs that saw a larger reduction in July 2025.

Smartphone Launches & Updates

The smartphone market is seeing a flurry of activity and anticipation. iPhone 18 Pro rumors suggest an imminent fall launch, potentially alongside a foldable iPhone Ultra. In parallel, Nothing has announced the end of software support for its original Phone, marking the conclusion of the device that started the company's journey. Oppo's Reno16 series has received a review, and both the Reno16 and Reno16c have debuted in India, with the Indian release notably omitting the Pro model in favor of a "but" variant. The Redmi Note 17 series is confirmed for a July launch in China, following earlier suggestions of a debut this month. The Redmi 17 5G has also received certifications, detailing its RAM, storage, and battery specifications.

Samsung is preparing to test One UI, based on Android, for the Galaxy A25, following the stable Android 16-based One UI 8.5 update. The company is also reportedly planning to equip all Galaxy S27 models with its built-in Privacy Display feature for enhanced screen security, and the Galaxy S27 Pro and Ultra may receive a new selfie camera. Samsung is also rumored to be preparing a wider variant of its Galaxy Z Fold, with detailed specifications leaking for the premium device. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 itself is expected to see a price increase. Meanwhile, HMD is launching four new Nokia feature phones with on-device AI assistance: the Nokia 200 4G, 210 4G, 215 4G 2nd Edition, and 235 4G 2nd Edition. The Motorola Moto G77 Power is set to be unveiled on July 8, according to a Flipkart promo page.

Wearables & Smart Devices

Samsung is removing the Vascular Load feature from its smartwatches in the US with the rollout of Samsung Health version 7.0 and One UI 9 Watch in late July. The feature will be replaced by a blood pressure "trends" option. New leaks of Samsung's Galaxy Glasses offer a detailed look at the device, including touch controls and integration with the Galaxy ecosystem. Xreal's ROG R1 smart glasses are noted for their high price but deliver a compelling wearable monitor experience. Apple has reportedly suspended development of the rumored Air Pods Ultra, which were expected to feature cameras for Siri functionality and follow the Ultra naming scheme. The Fitbit Air is being evaluated for its automatic activity detection capabilities.

Carrier & Network Updates

T-Mobile is shutting down its 2G network in August, requiring customers to transition to newer devices. The carrier is also phasing out its Kick Back program, moving customers to potentially more expensive plans amid other customer service issues. T-Mobile is also offering a deal for a Samsung tablet for $99 to those who add a qualified tablet line before the offer expires. Verizon is promoting its "best offer ever" for Mint Mobile, with wireless plans available for $15 per month for a limited time with no apparent catch. AT&T is expanding its Build-A-Plan program to include home internet services following its wireless plan success.

Software & Services

Google's Home Speaker and other smart home products are experiencing significantly slow response times. Pixel users are reporting issues with not receiving calls, with the problem potentially stemming from Google's phone app affecting incoming call alerts. Google has released Beta 6 for Android 17 QPR1 for Pixel devices, indicating a stable platform as the quarterly update approaches its full release. WhatsApp is facing scrutiny in India regarding its planned rollout of a username feature, which would allow users to communicate without sharing phone numbers as the feature is set to roll out later this year. Instagram Edits has gained support for bilingual captions and new templates, enhancing its capabilities as a Cap Cut competitor. WhatsApp's username feature rollout is also being paused following an order from the Indian government for further review.

Gaming & Entertainment

Xbox reportedly testing a method to digitize disc-based games, potentially preserving physical media in an increasingly digital market. Valve's Steam Machine is under discussion on the Engadget Podcast, alongside Sony's plans to cease PlayStation disc production in 2028 after investing $34 million to repurpose its European disc factory for optical microlenses. The speedrunning marathon Summer Games Done Quick 2026 is scheduled to begin on July 5 and can be watched online. Capcom has moved up the release date for Onimusha: Way of the Sword to avoid the crowded pre-GTA 6 release calendar later year. A fan attempt to revive the 3DO console has reportedly failed due to a lack of necessary rights after a brief announcement.

Artificial Intelligence & Cloud

Cloudflare will begin filtering web crawlers that serve AI companies, aiming to give website owners more control over how their content is utilized. A United Nations report indicates that policymakers are struggling to keep pace with the rapid development of AI, stating that while AI is neutral, better safeguards are needed. Meta released app for creating generative AI games, though it may not be available in the US. Meta is also reportedly building its own cloud business, which would position it as a competitor to Amazon and Google in server infrastructure. Meta's AI Glasses are also integrating deeply with golf applications like 18Birdies and Arccos, offering hands-free capabilities for golfers.

Other Tech News

Amazon's satellite broadband competitor to Starlink is nearing deployment, with enough Amazon Leo satellites now ready for service initiation, though its constellation remains small compared to SpaceX's offering. The company is also refreshing its Fire HD 10 tablet with an additional gigabyte of RAM in a competitive market. Tesla has begun taking orders for the Model Y Long Wheelbase in the US and Puerto Rico, with pricing starting at $62,000 for the six-seat configuration for the American market. Motorola has launched its Global Connect eSIM app in several South American countries, with plans for wider availability. Lenovo is teasing a new Legion gaming tablet with 5G connectivity, expected to be called the Y700 Unlimited following the Y700 Gen 5. The Space Shuttle Endeavour is set to go on public display later this year at the California Science Center after years in Los Angeles. X is making a renewed push for live video content by introducing new creator payout structures and a live streaming command center.