Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: July 12, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

New Phones and Deals

The Nothing Phone (4b) is officially available for pre-order, featuring a simplified Glyph Bar, a 6.77-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, and a 5,200mAh battery. Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17e are seeing price cuts this week. Meanwhile, Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra is available for under $1,000, with the Galaxy S26 and S26+ also on sale. Worries about a pricier Galaxy S27 may have boosted S26 sales in South Korea. Mint Mobile is offering deals on wireless plans, including 50% off a year of service and $500 off the Galaxy S26. Motorola will unveil the Edge 70 Max on July 15, with Flipkart revealing design details and the processor. The Tecno Camon 50 Ultra, first unveiled in March, will launch in India on July 17. India's Lava has announced the Virat V1 smartphone series, partnering with Flipkart for its release. The vivo T5 Lite, with a 6,500mAh battery, is set to debut in India next week. The HMD Skyline 2's images and specifications have leaked, suggesting it's still in development.

Foldables and Tablets

Samsung's Galaxy Tab S12 Plus has appeared in a live image, with the Tab S12 Plus and Ultra expected to launch alongside the Galaxy S26 FE in September. The Galaxy Z Flip 8 might be the last iteration of Samsung's smaller foldable phone. Samsung's teaser for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 suggests a wider design. The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is rumored to adopt camera features from the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Oppo's Find N7 successor is reportedly in development for a Q1 2027 release, with battery capacity details leaking. Apple's rumored iPhone Ultra or iPhone Fold battery capacity has also surfaced, with certifications for two batteries suggesting a foldable device. Huawei is working on a successor to its Mate Book Fold laptop, expected in the latter half of the year. Lenovo has released a video showcasing the Legion Y700 Ultimate gaming tablet with 5G support.

Wearables and Audio

The Honor Watch 6 Plus has a new Motorcycle Edition aimed at bike enthusiasts. Sony has launched $120 in-ear monitors, the IER-M500, designed for stage use. Motorola's Moto Buds 2 Plus, featuring Sound by Bose audio and ANC, can be improved with simple setting adjustments.

AI and Software

Samsung Health users are being asked to consent to their health data being used for AI training, with non-consenting users facing data deletion. Meta has deactivated its Muse Image feature, which allowed the creation of AI deepfakes of public Instagram accounts. OpenAI's head of safety is reportedly leaving as part of a company reorganization, with the role to be combined with research leadership. OpenAI's browser function has moved to the Chat GPT app as part of a strategy shift. Google aims to introduce disclosures for AI-generated ads in its My Ad Center. Microsoft's AI drive contributed to a 25% increase in its carbon emissions in 2025, impacting its carbon-negative goals. Microsoft Teams' new "Workspace Check-in" feature is reportedly tracking employee locations. Phoebe Gates' AI shopping app, Phia, is reportedly claiming unearned affiliate sales through fake clicks.

Displays and Connectivity

Eclipsa Video is a new format emerging in the display technology space, aiming to compete with 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. DuRoBo has introduced the Moodi, a wireless page-turner for e-readers that offers a clicking mechanism for extended reading sessions. Big Me's Hibreak Dual 2 is coming soon, featuring an E Ink display and a color LCD. The Pocket Mage is an E Ink digital assistant with a QWERTY keyboard and dual screens. Verizon will provide 5G connectivity for new BMW vehicles in the US through a partnership with KDDI. Router placement and antenna positioning are important for optimizing home Wi-Fi coverage.

Gaming and Accessories

NVIDIA has announced "GeForce Trading Cards" celebrating moments in PC gaming history. Game Stop is reportedly marking up Pokémon cards by over 300 percent. Retroid Pocket 5 and Flip 2 handhelds are receiving spec bumps, with a $10 price increase after July 14. Steam has made it easier to check game compatibility for its Steam Machine You just have.

Miscellaneous

Bluesky has appointed Toni Schneider as its official CEO. The Meta Glasses are seeing backlash that is altering how users wear them. Samsung's Galaxy XR headset is now available in the UK after launching in Korea and the US. Samsung Gallery's sync with Microsoft One Drive will soon cease. A new "Click-to-Cancel" rule is being introduced in New York City, reviving a proposed FTC protection. Netflix is once again offering free trials, varying in length from 7 to 30 days. Disney may be planning a free tier for its streaming service. Stub Hub CEO Eric Baker is reportedly investing millions into the ticket-scalping market on his own platform. A sun-reflecting space mirror project has received FCC approval despite criticism from astronomers. Metal balls from space have been found on Australian beaches. The Playdate is being used to help Big Ben keep accurate time. A person has published a DIY tutorial for photographing Jupiter with a Game Boy Camera and a large telescope. The HP Omni Book Ultra 14 is being reviewed as HP's best ultraportable in years. Volkswagen plans to significantly reduce its model lineup and factory footprint. 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 watchers.