Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: July 12, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

New Phones Launch and Leak

Nothing officially launched the Phone (4b), a more affordable device that retains core Nothing specifications, including a simplified Glyph Bar, a 6.77-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, and a 5,200mAh battery. Motorola is set to unveil the Edge 70 Max on July 15, with Flipkart revealing more details about the device's battery. Indian manufacturer Lava announced its Virat V1 smartphone series, with the first device in the series launching soon. Tecno's Camon 50 Ultra, first unveiled in March, will launch in India on July 17, targeting creators and photographers. Meanwhile, the vivo T5 Lite, featuring a 6,500mAh battery, is scheduled to debut in India next week. The HMD Skyline 2 has had its images and specifications leaked, suggesting a successor is in development.

Samsung's Foldable and Budget Lines

Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra is available for under $1,000, with the Galaxy S26 and S26+ also on sale. Reports suggest that concerns over a pricier Galaxy S27 may have driven a surge in Galaxy S26 sales in South Korea. Samsung's attention is shifting towards its new Galaxy Z foldables, with pre-reservations open. The Galaxy Z Flip 8 might be the final iteration of Samsung's small foldable line. A teaser from Samsung, featuring Spider-Man, strongly hints at a wider Galaxy Z Fold 8. Leaks indicate the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra could incorporate camera features from the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The Galaxy Tab S12 Plus has appeared in a leaked live image, with the Tab S12 Plus and Tab S12 Ultra expected alongside the Galaxy S26 FE in September. Samsung's Galaxy XR headset is now available in the UK, following earlier launches in Korea and the US.

AI and Data Usage

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. Meta has disabled the Muse Image feature that allowed users to generate AI images of any public Instagram account. A new rule in New York City, Click-to-Cancel, aims to revive an abandoned FTC protection for consumers. Google's AI-generated ads will hopefully soon include disclosures in its My Ad Center. Microsoft's AI initiatives have contributed to a 25% increase in its carbon emissions in 2025, impacting its goal to be carbon negative by 2030. OpenAI's head of safety is reportedly leaving as part of a company reorganization, with the role being combined with research leadership. OpenAI's browser functionality has moved to the Chat GPT app, indicating a shift in strategy rather than abandonment.

Premium and Budget Devices

The TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro, a budget-friendly phone with eye-strain reducing display technology, has returned to a Prime Day price. The HP Omni Book Ultra 14 is being reviewed as HP's best ultraportable in years, though fully loaded models are expensive. X by Xreal offers affordable smart glasses with a modular design and micro-OLED panels. Xreal's $299 a01+ AR glasses are now available for purchase, targeting gamers and movie enthusiasts Xreal's a01+. The Honor Watch 6 Plus has a new Motorcycle Edition, aimed at bike and racing enthusiasts.

Gaming and Entertainment

Lenovo has showcased its Legion Y700 Ultimate gaming tablet in a video, with a full announcement expected in August. NVIDIA has launched "GeForce Trading Cards" featuring moments from the history of GeForce PC gaming. Palworld 1.0 and Tiny Bookshop are among the new indie games highlighted this week. Retroid Pocket 5 and Flip 2 are receiving spec bumps and will cost $10 more after July 14. Sony has released its IER-M500 in-ear monitors for professionals, designed for comfort during stage use.

Mobile Services and Software

Mint Mobile is offering deals, including 50% off wireless plans and discounts on the Samsung Galaxy S26. Mint Mobile has also restocked the Galaxy S26, offering $500 off the phone and 50% off a year of its unlimited plan. Some Samsung Gallery users will soon be unable to sync with Microsoft OneDrive. Netflix is once again offering free trials, with durations varying from 7 to 30 days. Disney might be planning a free tier for Disney+, in addition to its ad-supported plan. Google Health is rolling out an update on Android that brings health stats to its main tab and focuses on naps. Gemini's reliability has improved in Google Home, with the AI assistant becoming more responsive Gemini reliability.

Other Tech News

Motorola's Moto Buds 2 Plus can sound better with a few setting tweaks, according to one reviewer. Verizon will provide 5G connectivity for new BMW vehicles in the US through a partnership with KDDI. A proposed FTC protection for consumers, the Click-to-Cancel rule, has been revived in New York City. The Galaxy Tab S12 Plus looks familiar in a leaked live image, raising questions about its design direction. Volkswagen plans to significantly reduce its model lineup and factory footprint Volkswagen shrinking. Microsoft's Teams application has rolled out a "Workspace Check-in" feature that could track employee locations. The FCC has approved a sun-reflecting space mirror project despite criticism from astronomers. Metal balls of unknown origin have been found on Australian beaches.

Displays and E-Readers

The Alienware 34 QD-OLED gaming monitor is brighter than previous models and handles text more effectively. Big Me's Hibreak Dual 2 is an upcoming device that combines an E Ink display with a color LCD. The Pocket Mage is an E Ink digital assistant with a QWERTY keyboard and dual screens.