Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: July 11, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

Samsung's Latest Deals and Data Practices

Samsung's Galaxy S26 series is currently available at discounted prices, with the S26 Ultra dipping below $1,000. This promotion may be a response to potential consumer concerns about the higher cost of the upcoming Galaxy S27 line. Meanwhile, Samsung Health users are being asked to consent to their health data being used for AI training and modeling, with non-consenting users facing data deletion. In other Samsung news, the Galaxy XR headset has launched in the UK after initial releases in Korea and the US. The Galaxy Tab S12 Plus was also seen in a leaked live image, suggesting a familiar design for the upcoming tablet. Samsung's Gallery app will soon lose its sync capabilities with Microsoft OneDrive. Additionally, Samsung is reportedly developing an AI accelerator chip for PCs, codenamed Gaia, using a 4nm process.

New Mobile Devices and Leaks

The Lava Virat V1's design, colors, and launch date have been revealed, with the Indian manufacturer partnering with Flipkart for its release. The Tecno Camon 50 Ultra, first unveiled in March, is set to launch in India on July 17, targeting creators and photographers. The vivo T5 Lite, featuring a 6,500mAh battery, will debut in India next week. The iQOO Z11 Lite 5G's India launch date has also been confirmed. In Europe, the Honor Watch 6 Plus Motorcycle Edition has been unveiled, aimed at bike and racing enthusiasts. The HMD Skyline 2 has also seen its images and specs leak, suggesting a successor is in development. The HMD Arc 2 has been announced with an updated chipset, though significant upgrades are not apparent.

Foldable Phone Developments

Samsung's attention is reportedly shifting towards the launch of new Galaxy Z foldables, with pre-reservations already open. The Galaxy Z Flip 8 might be the last iteration of Samsung's smaller foldable line. A teaser from Samsung, featuring Spider-Man, strongly suggests the wider Galaxy Z Fold 8 is coming soon. This Fold 8 is expected to receive a significant silicon upgrade, featuring a custom Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip. Leaks also indicate the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra may incorporate camera features from the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The Oppo Find N7, the successor to the Find N6, is reportedly in development for a Q1 2027 release.

AI and Data Privacy Concerns

Phoebe Gates' AI shopping app, Phia, is reportedly facing scrutiny for allegedly claiming unearned affiliate sales through fake clicks. Meta has deactivated its Muse Image capability, which allowed the creation of AI deepfakes of public Instagram accounts. Meta is also automatically opting all public accounts into its Muse Image AI, prompting users to actively block their Instagram pictures from being used for AI training. Microsoft's AI drive has contributed to a 25 percent increase in its carbon emissions in 2025, impacting its carbon-negative goals. OpenAI's head of safety is reportedly leaving the company as part of a reorganization, with the safety role being absorbed into an executive overseeing both research and safety teams. OpenAI's browser functionality is not dead but has been integrated into the ChatGPT app. Google is aiming to implement disclosures for AI-generated ads, which will be automatically noted in its My Ad Center if its AI tools are used.

Gaming and Entertainment Tech

The Steam Machine has received a review roundup, and users can now more easily determine game compatibility on its store page. NVIDIA has launched "GeForce Trading Cards" that commemorate significant moments in GeForce PC gaming history. Lenovo has shown the Legion Y700 gaming tablet in a video, with a full announcement expected in August. Retroid Pocket 5 and Flip 2 handhelds are receiving spec bumps and will cost $10 more after July 14. The Palworld 1.0 and Tiny Bookshop are among the new indie games available on mobile this week.

Displays and Audio Innovations

Eclipsa Video is emerging as a new video format, offering an alternative to Dolby Vision and HDR10. The TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro, a budget-friendly phone with eye-strain reducing display technology, is back to a Prime Day price. Moto Buds 2 Plus earbuds can reportedly sound better after adjusting a few settings, even with Sound by Bose audio and ANC features. Sony has launched new $120 in-ear monitors, the IER-M500, designed for professional use and comfort during stage performances.

Smart Glasses and Wearables

New York has become the first US state to ban smart glasses in all its courthouses, affecting 1,240 court locations. Meta's smart glasses are facing backlash, influencing how and if people use them. X by Xreal offers affordable smart display glasses with a modular design and micro-OLED panels. Xreal's $299 a01+ AR glasses are now available for purchase, targeting gamers and movie watchers. The Memo Mind One, a camera-free smart glasses option, offers notifications via waveguides and AI features.

E-readers and Computing

DuRoBo's Moodi, a wireless page-turner for e-readers, aims to compete with Boox's existing accessories. The Pocket Mage is an E Ink digital assistant with a QWERTY keyboard and dual screens. Big Me's Hibreak Dual 2 is set to launch soon, offering both an E Ink display and a color LCD. The HP Omni Book Ultra 14 is reviewed as HP's best ultraportable in years, despite a high price for fully loaded models. Huawei is reportedly working on a successor to its Mate Book Fold, expected in the latter half of the year.

Other Mobile and Tech News

Bluesky has officially appointed Toni Schneider as its CEO, following Jay Graber's departure. Game Stop is reportedly marking up Pokémon cards by over 300 percent, raising questions about pricing. Stub Hub's CEO is reportedly investing millions into the ticket-scalping market on his own platform. A proposed FTC protection, the "Click-to-Cancel" rule, has been revived in New York City. Verizon will provide 5G connectivity for new BMW vehicles in the US through a partnership with KDDI. The FCC has granted approval for a sun-reflecting space mirror project, despite criticism from astronomers. Metal balls from space are appearing on Australian beaches, though aliens are not believed to be involved. A Lego Hubble Telescope set, featuring 1,252 pieces, will go on sale on August 1. Sony's RX10 V superzoom camera has arrived with a new design and 4K 120p video capabilities. NVIDIA has also launched trading cards celebrating "GeForce PC gaming's great moments". The Alienware 34 QD-OLED monitor is reviewed as a display for Samsung's latest technology, offering improved brightness and text handling. The Slate EV trucks are getting a Crayola crayon color option through a partnership. Volkswagen plans to significantly reduce its model lineup and factory footprint, following reports of potential job losses. Microsoft Teams' new "Workspace Check-in" feature is raising questions about employee location tracking. The NHTSA has identified a pattern of driverless autonomous vehicles interfering with first responders and is seeking solutions from AV makers.