Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: July 5, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

Mobile & Wearable Tech

WhatsApp began testing a green dot indicator for online contacts on iOS, mirroring a feature previously rolled out to Android. This development follows Meta's ongoing efforts to refine user presence indicators across its messaging platforms. Meanwhile, Samsung is removing the Vascular Load feature from its smartwatches in the U.S. with the rollout of Samsung Health version 7.0 and One UI 9 Watch in late July, shifting focus to blood pressure "trends" as blood pressure monitoring becomes the primary preventative care metric.

In the realm of smart rings, the Oura Ring 5 earned praise for its compact design without sacrificing features, setting a benchmark for competitors. Wearable technology, in general, is increasingly being explored for its potential in early illness detection, with smartwatches adept at identifying deviations from an individual's baseline health patterns that could warrant medical attention as outlined by experts.

Smartphone Releases & Deals

Samsung continues to offer deals on its devices, with the Galaxy S26 Ultra receiving in India, bringing its price down from the initial INR139,999 on Samsung's official website. Further deals include the Galaxy A57 A37 sale, alongside discounted pricing for the Galaxy Z Flip7 FE and Moto Razr 2026. Separately, the Redmi Note 17 series has been confirmed for a July launch in China, aiming to build on the success of its predecessors.

The Vivo X300 series is set to expand with the upcoming vivo X300e, tipped for a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 SoC and a substantial battery. In a move that signals the end of an era, Nothing has officially ended support for its first phone, the Phone, with its final software update. The upcoming Nothing Phone (4b) will feature a special RCB Edition, with its design officially revealed in partnership with the Royal Challengers.

Upcoming Flagships & Spec Leaks

Details continue to emerge for future flagship devices. The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to launch later this year, potentially alongside a foldable iPhone Ultra. Apple is also preparing to bring its new Siri AI capabilities to select iPhone models this fall, though some older devices will be excluded.

Samsung's Galaxy S27 lineup is rumored to feature a new selfie camera for the Galaxy S27 Pro, and the entire S27 family may incorporate Samsung's built-in Privacy Display feature, first seen on the Galaxy S26 Ultra for enhanced user privacy. Leaks surrounding the Oppo Find X10 Ultra detail its main telephoto camera, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is rumored to see a price increase.

Mobile OS & Software Updates

Samsung is actively developing its next generation of software, with One UI 9 now in testing for more devices, built on Android. This follows the stable rollout of Android 16-based One UI 8.5 for the Galaxy A26. In a move that consolidates software branches, OxygenOS and Realme UI may merge into Color OS, continuing a trend that began with One Plus and Oppo.

Google has released Beta 6 for Android 17 QPR1 for Pixel users, indicating that the quarterly platform update is nearing its final release. However, some Pixel users are experiencing issues with incoming calls not being alerted, a problem potentially linked to Google's Phone app.

Gaming & Entertainment Tech

The Redmi 17 5G has received SIRIM certification in Malaysia, revealing its RAM/storage options and battery capacity. Lenovo is teasing a new Legion gaming tablet 5G, a successor to the Y700 (Gen . In the realm of gaming hardware, Valve's pricey Steam Machine was discussed on the Engadget Podcast, alongside Sony's decision to discontinue PlayStation disc manufacturing in 2028. Sony is repurposing its European disc factory for optical microlens production.

AI & Emerging Technologies

Meta released app for creating generative AI games, though its availability is currently limited. Cloudflare is implementing measures to filter web crawlers serving, aiming to give website owners more control over how their content is utilized for AI training. Midjourney is reportedly seeking court orders for Hollywood studios like Disney and Warner Bros. to disclose their AI usage.

Samsung is reportedly in early discussions with Anthropic to manufacture custom AI chips for the AI company. On the consumer front, the new Google Home Speaker is powered by Gemini and has been praised for its sound quality, though some users are reporting incredibly slow response times from the device and other Google smart home products. Apple's upcoming Air Pods are rumored to feature cameras for Siri, but development of the AirPods Ultra has reportedly been suspended.

Connectivity & Infrastructure

T-Mobile is preparing to shut down its 2G network in August, requiring customers with compatible devices to transition to newer models. Amazon's satellite internet service, Leo, is nearing deployment, with enough satellites ready to launch, though its constellation remains significantly smaller than SpaceX's Starlink. AT&T is expanding its customizable "Build-A-Plan" program to include home internet services.

Automotive & Robotics

Tesla has expanded its robotaxi service to a small section of Miami, with Orlando and Tampa slated for future expansion. Separately, a Tesla driver is facing manslaughter charges in connection with a fatal Texas crash, an incident also under investigation by the NHTSA as the investigation continues. Tesla is also bringing its Model Y Long Wheelbase to the U.S. market, with a starting price of $62,000 for the six-seat configuration.

Science & Space

NASA has successfully launched a mission to rescue the Swift observatory, making contact with the robotic spacecraft designed for the salvage operation. The Space Shuttle Endeavour is set to go on public display later this year at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, its new permanent home since 2012 following its relocation. A 10-year sky survey has commenced, aiming to capture a comprehensive view of the cosmos as part of ongoing astronomical research.

Business & Policy

Microsoft's mandatory compliance reports reveal the company's strategies for shifting profits across European nations to minimize its tax liabilities. In a move to offer more control over content usage for AI, Cloudflare will filter web crawlers that serve AI companies. Threads is experiencing a surge of spam related to fake MrBeast promotions, which are reportedly part of a larger cryptocurrency scam network.

Miscellaneous Tech

Wi-Fi standards continue to cause confusion, with reports indicating that some router brands may be misleading consumers with their Wi-Fi 7 labeling. The final software update for the Nothing Phone 1 has been released, marking the end of support for the company's inaugural device. Motorola has launched a new app, Global Connect, for eSIM management in several Latin American countries to facilitate international connectivity. X is making a renewed effort to boost live video content by introducing new creator payouts and a live streaming command center.