Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: July 10, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

Mobile Device Launches and Leaks

Apple's rumored iPhone Ultra could feature a significantly larger battery capacity, with leaks suggesting a dual-battery setup intended for a foldable device, possibly indicating a new form factor for the iPhone. Meanwhile, Samsung is reportedly preparing for the launch of its Galaxy Tab S12+ and Tab S12 Ultra tablets, potentially alongside the Galaxy S26 FE in early September. The Galaxy Z Flip 8 might signal the end of Samsung's compact foldable line, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is expected to receive a major silicon upgrade with a custom Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip and may borrow camera features from the S26 Ultra. Samsung has opened reservations for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8 series, alongside new Galaxy Watches, for a July 22nd Unpacked event in London.

Several budget and mid-range Android phones are also seeing updates and leaks. The Redmi Note 17 series is slated for launch soon, with details emerging about its 7-inch OLED display and battery capacity. The Redmi Note 17 Pro will feature Gorilla Glass Victus and a monster 9,000mAh battery with a five-year replacement guarantee. The vivo T5 Lite, boasting a 6,500mAh battery, is set to debut in India next week. The Moto G77 Power has been unveiled in India with a 7,000mAh battery and a 120Hz LCD. The HMD Skyline 2 has seen its specs and images leak, suggesting a successor to the current model is in development.

In China, the Xiaomi 18 Pro is expected to launch in September with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chip. Oppo's Find N7, the successor to the Find N6, is reportedly in development for a Q1 2027 release. Huawei is teasing new devices, including the Mate Pad Air and Free Clip 2 S, ahead of a global launch event for the Pura 90s series, which will feature gradient backs. The company is also working on a smaller MatePad Pro Max.

Wearables and Smart Devices

Smart glasses are seeing continued development and consumer response. Meta's smart glasses are facing backlash online, influencing how people use them, and the company is implementing mandatory updates to disable cameras if the privacy light is tampered with, addressing privacy concerns, says will. X by Xreal offers an affordable smart display glasses option with a modular design and eye-friendly micro-OLED panels. Xreal's a01+ AR glasses are now available for $299, targeting gamers and movie watchers. Memo Mind's camera-free One smart glasses are available and offer built-in waveguides for notifications and AI features. New York has banned smart glasses in all state courthouses.

In the smartwatch segment, the Honor Watch 6 Plus has a new Motorcycle Edition aimed at enthusiasts. Wear OS 7 is now available for eligible Pixel Watch models, bringing new features to the smartwatch. However, the Pixel Watch 5 might come with a higher price tag than expected.

Other smart devices include DuRoBo's Moodi, a wireless page-turner accessory for e-readers, and Rollme's Air Cam, open-ear headphones with a built-in 8MP camera. Samsung may be working on "Galaxy Buds On," rumored clip-on earbuds.

Automotive and Connectivity

Verizon will provide 5G connectivity services for new BMW vehicles in the US. Volkswagen is planning a significant reduction in its model lineup and factory footprint, following reports of job threats. In a different approach to sustainability, Volkswagen is employing 100 sheep at a solar farm in Poland. Waymo is expanding its fully autonomous operations to four additional cities, including San Diego, Las Vegas, Tampa, and Denver, without human supervisors. The NHTSA has identified a pattern of driverless autonomous vehicles interfering with first responders and is demanding solutions from AV manufacturers.

AI and Software Updates

OpenAI is moving its browser strategy into the Chat GPT app, indicating it's not abandoning the browser market. The company has also received permission to roll out GPT-5.6 to the public. Google is updating its health platform on Android to bring important health stats to the main tab. Gemini's reliability in Google Home has improved, making it a better assistant for tasks like monitoring the FIFA World Cup. Google Photos is rolling out "Video Remix," which uses AI to reimagine video content. Google is also working on automatic backups to Windows PCs for Android devices, though this feature will exclude Samsung devices.

Microsoft's AI initiatives have led to a 25 percent increase in its carbon emissions in 2025, impacting its goal to be carbon negative by 2030. Microsoft Teams' new "Workspace Check-in" feature is raising questions about employee location tracking. Microsoft has reportedly canceled the sequel to its game Avowed, with developer Obsidian focusing on a Fallout game. Amazon is reportedly developing a more powerful, agentic Alexa assistant codenamed "Moonraker" to handle multi-step tasks.

Other Notable News

Netflix is once again offering free trials, with durations varying from 7 to 30 days depending on the user. Disney is reportedly considering a free, ad-supported tier for its streaming service. Mint Mobile continues to offer deals on wireless plans and Samsung Galaxy S26 devices, including a significant discount on the S26 and its Unlimited plan. Amazon is discounting the entire Samsung Galaxy S26 lineup again.

Samsung is reportedly developing an AI accelerator chip for PCs, codenamed Gaia, using a 4nm process. NVIDIA has launched "GeForce Trading Cards" celebrating moments in PC gaming history. Sony has released the IER-M500 in-ear monitors for professionals, priced at $120. The Alienware 34 QD-OLED gaming monitor offers improved brightness and text clarity. A Lego Hubble Telescope set, consisting of 1,252 pieces, will go on sale August 1st for $140. The FTC's proposed "Click-to-Cancel" rule has been revived in New York City Mamdani announces new Click-to-Cancel rule for New York City