Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: July 11, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

Foldables and AR/VR Gear See New Releases and Leaks

Samsung's Galaxy XR headset is now available in the UK, following its earlier launches in Korea and the US. The device is being sold through Samsung’s online store. Meanwhile, whispers about Apple's future devices suggest an iPhone Ultra with a significant battery capacity, possibly hinting at a foldable design. Competition in the smart glasses market is heating up with Xreal launching its $299 a01+ AR glasses, designed for gamers and movie enthusiasts seeking a portable big-screen experience. Xreal's X by Xreal smart glasses are also receiving praise for their affordable price point and modular design. Memo Mind's camera-free One smart glasses are now on the market, offering notifications and AI features. Meta is also updating its smart glasses, with a mandatory software update that will disable the camera if the privacy light is tampered with, a move aimed at addressing user concerns. New York smart glasses in all 1,240 state, county, city, town, and village courts, a significant regulatory step.

Smartphones and Tablets Get Spec Updates and New Models

The Tecno Camon 50 Ultra, initially unveiled in March, is launching in India on July 17, targeting creators and storytellers. Lenovo has teased its Legion Y700 Ultimate gaming tablet, with a full announcement expected in August, and it will feature 5G support. Samsung's Galaxy Tab S12+ and S12 Ultra are anticipated to launch alongside the Galaxy S26 FE, possibly in early September. The upcoming Huawei Mate Book Fold successor is reportedly a mild refresh planned for the latter half of the year. Xiaomi is preparing to launch the Xiaomi 18 Pro, likely featuring Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chip, alongside the Xiaomi 18 and 18 Pro Max in September. The Redmi Note 17 series is slated for a July 14th launch, with the Pro model confirmed to feature Gorilla Glass Victus. The Redmi Note 17 Pro is also teased with a massive 9,000mAh battery and a five-year replacement guarantee. The HMD Skyline 2 has had its images and specs leaked, suggesting a successor is still in development. The vivo T5 Lite, boasting a 6,500mAh battery, is set to debut in India next week. The iQOO Z11 Lite 5G will also launch in India soon. The nubia is preparing to launch what it claims is the world's first AI agent smartphone this month. Samsung's Galaxy M67 has appeared on Geekbench with an older Exynos chip.

AI, Streaming, and Connectivity Services Evolve

Meta has deactivated its Muse Image feature, which allowed users to generate AI images of public Instagram accounts, following a backlash. The company is also facing scrutiny over how it uses Instagram photos for AI training, with options to opt-out now available. Google is enhancing its AI offerings, with Gemini becoming more reliable in Google Home and the company planning disclosures for AI-generated ads. Microsoft's AI ambitions have led to a 25 percent increase in carbon emissions in 2025, impacting its carbon-negative goals. Amazon is reportedly working on a more capable AI assistant, codenamed 'Moonraker,' to handle multi-step tasks. Netflix is once again offering free trials, varying in length from 7 to 30 days. Disney is reportedly considering a free, ad-supported tier for its streaming service. Verizon will provide 5G connectivity for new BMW vehicles in the US through a partnership with KDDI.

Wearables and Gaming Hardware See Updates

The Honor Watch 6 Plus is getting a Motorcycle Edition aimed at racing enthusiasts. Retroid Pocket 5 and Flip 2 handhelds and will cost $10 more after July 14. NVIDIA has announced "GeForce Trading Cards" featuring notable moments in PC gaming history. Valve's Steam Machine is considered a dated product, with its current price not justified. Wear OS 7 has been released, bringing new features to eligible Pixel Watch models. The Pixel Watch 5 may come with a higher price tag, according to recent leaks.

Other Notable Tech News

Samsung is reportedly developing an AI accelerator chip for PCs, codenamed Gaia, using a 4nm process. The company has also opened reservations for its upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8 series, with the Fold 8 expected to feature a custom Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip and potentially borrow camera features from the S26 Ultra. Worries about a pricier Galaxy S27 may have driven a surge in Galaxy S26 sales in South Korea. Volkswagen is streamlining its vehicle lineup and factory footprint, while also employing sheep at a solar farm in Poland. The NHTSA has identified a "pattern of driverless AVs" interfering with first responders and is demanding solutions from autonomous vehicle manufacturers. Waymo plans to operate fully autonomously in four additional cities without human supervisors. Apple's foldable iPhone, potentially named the iPhone Fold, remains a subject of numerous rumors. The TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro budget phone, noted for reducing eye strain, is currently available at a Prime Day price. Sony has launched new $120 in-ear monitors for professionals. The Lego Hubble Telescope set, featuring 1,252 pieces, will go on sale August 1.