Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: July 6, 2026, 8:33 AM ET

Smartphone Launches & Rumors

The smartphone market is gearing up for a busy period with several flagship series and rumored devices surfacing. The vivo V80 series is reportedly set to launch next month, with early leaks detailing key specifications for one of its models. Simultaneously, the Redmi Note 17 series is expected to debut later this month, with four variants—Note, Pro, and 17 Pro Max—leaked along with images. Further leaks reveal that the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max will feature significant battery specifications, ahead of its expected September launch in China. The Xiaomi 18 series is also tipped to be the first to feature the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chip.

In other hardware news, the Huawei Pura 90 series has confirmed its global launch date for July 14, following its initial China release in April, with an event scheduled in Kuala Lumpur. Apple's highly anticipated foldable iPhone, the 'Ultra,' may face limited initial supply upon its rumored September launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, with reports suggesting it might not be available for pre-order initially Kuo: iPhone Ultra may. Development of the AirPods Ultra, rumored to include cameras for Siri, has reportedly been suspended by Apple.

New Entrants & Discontinued Lines

The foldable phone market continues to expand, with the Honor Magic V6 now available in Europe, albeit at a premium price point, though a discount is available until the end of the month. Meanwhile, Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 8 is rumored to see a price increase, a move not entirely unexpected given recent product trends. On the other end of the spectrum, Nothing has officially announced the end of software support for its first device, the Phone.

Software Updates & Features

Samsung is actively rolling out new software, with One UI 9 now in testing for more devices, indicating development for Android. This follows the stable release of Android 16-based One UI 8.5 for the Galaxy A26. WhatsApp has begun testing a green dot indicator on iOS to show when a contact is online, a feature previously rolled out to Android. T-Mobile is preparing to shut down its 2G network in August, requiring customers with older devices to upgrade.

Audio & Display Technologies

Smart home audio is seeing significant updates, with the 2026 Google Home Speaker offering a new surround sound option when paired with a Google TV Streamer. The speaker's AI capabilities, powered by Gemini, are a major focus, but its audio performance is also proving to be a key draw I kept it for the sound. In display news, XGIMI's Horizon 20 Max 4K projector remains available at its lowest price post-Prime Day, noted for its brightness and optical zoom features. Meanwhile, the debate around Wi-Fi standards continues, with router brands potentially misleading consumers regarding Wi-Fi 7 capabilities.

Wearables & Health Tech

Wearable technology is increasingly leveraging AI for health monitoring. The Oura Ring 5 is being praised for its compact design without sacrificing features, while smartwatches are being explored for their potential to detect early signs illness by identifying deviations from a user's normal physiological patterns. Samsung is, however, removing its Vascular Load feature from smartwatches in the US, set to occur with the rollout of Samsung Health version 7.0 and One UI 9 Watch in late July Samsung removes Vascular Load.

Deals & Pricing

Despite the end of Prime Day, several smartphone deals remain active. Amazon is offering discounts on the entire Google Pixel 10 lineup, excluding the Pixel 10 Pro. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and S26 models are seeing further price reductions, with the S26 Ultra also receiving a limited-time discount in India at INR139,999 Galaxy S26 Ultra discount. The Xiaomi 17T 17T Pro have received their first price cuts, and the Galaxy A57 A37 are on sale, alongside discounts for the Galaxy Z Flip7 FE and Moto Razr 2026. A T-Mobile promotion offers the Galaxy Tab S10 FE for $99 with a qualified tablet line.

Industry & Legal Matters

In legal news, Alibaba received a reprieve from a Pentagon ban related to its placement on a Chinese military list. In the realm of AI and entertainment, Midjourney is requesting that Hollywood studios like Disney and Warner Bros. demonstrate their use of AI in court. Sony has stated it will continue to produce physical game discs for titles released before 2028, after which releases will be digital-only. The 3D television trend, once hyped, ultimately failed due to user annoyance and a lack of compelling content.

Automotive & Technology

Tesla is expanding its robotaxi service to a small section of Miami, with plans for future expansion into Orlando and Tampa. However, the company is also facing legal scrutiny, with a Tesla driver charged manslaughter following a fatal crash in Texas. In a separate technological development, a consumer review highlighted the Homture Magic Frame for its AI-powered ability to animate still photos, creating a "moving portrait" effect reminiscent of Harry Potter.

Space & Science

NASA has launched a mission to rescue falling Swift observatory. Elsewhere, a 10-year sky survey has begun filming what is described as a "cosmic movie," alongside other science news including "cyborg cockroaches go for a dive" Cosmic movie cyborg cockroaches. The Space Shuttle Endeavour is preparing for its public display in a new home at the California Science Center later this year Space Shuttle Endeavour display.