Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: July 12, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

New Smartphones and Leaks

Xiaomi phones are allowed to sell in the US but are rarely found there due to various market factors. Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17e are on sale this week, while the Nothing Phone (4b) is available for pre-order. The Nothing Phone (4b) features 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 its design and chipset confirmed. Indian retailer Flipkart has revealed further details about the device. Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra, with the S26 and S26+ also on sale. Concerns about a pricier Galaxy S27 may have driven a surge in S26 sales for Samsung in South Korea.

The Tecno Camon 50 Ultra, unveiled in March, will launch in India on July 17, marketed towards creators. The vivo T5 Lite, featuring a 6,500mAh battery, is scheduled to debut in India next week. Lava has announced its Virat V1 smartphone will launch soon in partnership with Flipkart. The HMD Skyline 2 has had its images and specifications leaked, suggesting it is still in development. The Redmi Note 17 series is nearing its China launch, with details confirming a 7-inch OLED display and battery capacity.

Foldables and Tablets

Samsung's attention is shifting towards new Galaxy Z foldables, with pre-reservations open. The Galaxy Tab S12 Plus has appeared in a leaked live image, with two models, the Tab S12 Plus and Tab S12 Ultra, expected to launch alongside the Galaxy S26 FE. The Galaxy Z Flip 8 could be Samsung's final iteration of its smaller foldable phone. A new teaser from Samsung suggests the Galaxy Z Fold 8 will be wider. The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is rumored to inherit camera features from the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Lenovo has showcased the Legion Y700 Ultimate gaming tablet in a video, with a full announcement expected in August. Huawei is working on a successor to its Mate Book Fold, expected to be a mild refresh. The Oppo Find N7's battery capacity has leaked, with a projected release in Q1 2027.

Wearables and Accessories

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

AI, Health, and Services

Samsung Health users are being asked to consent to their health data being used for AI training, with non-consent leading to data deletion. Meta has deactivated a feature that allowed AI image generation 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. OpenAI's browser functionality has been integrated into the Chat GPT app. Google Health is rolling out a significant update on Android, bringing key health stats to the main tab and improving nap tracking. Phoebe Gates' AI shopping app, Phia, is reportedly being investigated for claiming unearned affiliate sales through fake clicks. Microsoft's AI initiatives have contributed to a 25 percent increase in its carbon emissions in 2025, impacting its goal of being carbon negative by 2030. Google is expected to implement disclosures for AI-generated ads soon, noting their use in "My Ad Center."

Connectivity and Infrastructure

Verizon will provide 5G connectivity services for new BMW vehicles in the US. The correct positioning of router antennas depends on home layout to optimize coverage. Samsung Gallery will soon lose its sync capability with Microsoft One Drive.

Other Tech News

NVIDIA has launched "GeForce Trading Cards" featuring notable moments in GeForce PC gaming history. The FCC has approved a controversial sun-reflecting space mirror project. Metal balls from space have been found on Australian beaches, though not attributed to extraterrestrial activity. Bluesky has appointed Toni Schneider as its official CEO. The Meta Glasses are facing backlash, influencing user adoption. Game Stop is reportedly marking up Pokémon cards by over 300 percent. Stub Hub's CEO is reportedly investing in the ticket-scalping market on his own platform. Netflix is reintroducing free trials, varying in length. Disney may be planning a free tier for Disney+.

Gaming and Displays

The Steam Machine now has a way to easily check game compatibility on its store page. Palworld 1.0 and Tiny Bookshop are among new indie games available on mobile. Retroid Pocket 5 and Flip 2 handhelds will receive a spec bump and a $10 price increase after July 14. A person has published a DIY tutorial for photographing Jupiter with a Game Boy Camera and a large telescope. The TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro, an affordable phone with eye-strain-reducing display technology, is back to a Prime Day price.

New Formats and Devices

Eclipsa Video is a new format emerging that offers an alternative to Dolby Vision and HDR10. 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. The Pocket Mage is an E Ink digital assistant with a QWERTY keyboard and dual screens. Big Me's Hibreak Dual, featuring an E Ink display and a color LCD, is set to launch soon.