Mobile News 3 Days

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

Smartphone Launches and Rumors

Nothing has officially launched its new Phone (4b), featuring a simplified Glyph Bar, a 6.77-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, and a 5,200mAh battery, aiming for a more budget-friendly market. Motorola is set to unveil the Edge 70 Max on July 15, with its design and chipset confirmed, and further details emerging from Indian retailer Flipkart. The Tecno Camon 50 Ultra, first revealed in March, is scheduled for its India debut on July 17, targeting creators and photographers. Meanwhile, the vivo T5 Lite, boasting a 6,500mAh battery, is also slated for an Indian debut next week.

Samsung's Galaxy Smart Tag 3 is rumored to be released in September, potentially alongside the S26 FE, with hopes of an improved network performance. The Galaxy S26 series has seen a significant sales surge in South Korea, possibly due to consumer concerns about the upcoming Galaxy S27 models. 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 early September. Xiaomi phones are permitted for sale in the US but are rarely sold there for undisclosed reasons.

Deals and Discounts

This week, deals include Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17e receiving price cuts, while the new Nothing Phone (4b) is available for pre-order. Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra is available for under $1,000, with the Galaxy S26 and S26+ also on sale. Mint Mobile is offering significant discounts, including 50% off wireless plans and deals on the Galaxy S26. Mint Mobile has also restocked the Samsung Galaxy S26, offering $500 off the phone and 50% off a year of its Unlimited plan.

Gaming and Entertainment

An Xbox gamer successfully won a lawsuit against Microsoft, resulting in the restoration of their account and digital library, with Microsoft also ordered to pay approximately $400 in damages. The high cost and rarity of Game Cube games in retro stores are being explored, highlighting their elusive nature. NVIDIA has introduced "GeForce Trading Cards" that highlight notable moments in GeForce PC gaming history. New indie games worth checking out include Palworld 1.0 and Tiny Bookshop on mobile.

AI and Technology Trends

The debate around AI Appreciation Day continues, with one perspective suggesting the best way to celebrate is by not engaging with it. Phoebe Gates' AI shopping app, Phia, is reportedly under scrutiny for allegedly claiming unearned affiliate sales through fake clicks. OpenAI's head of safety is reportedly departing as part of a company reorganization, with the role to be combined with research leadership. Meta has deactivated its "Muse Image" feature, which allowed users to generate AI images of public Instagram accounts. OpenAI's browser strategy has shifted, with its functionality now integrated into the ChatGPT app. Microsoft's AI initiatives have led to a 25% increase in its carbon emissions in 2025, impacting its goal to be carbon negative by 2030.

Samsung Health users are being asked to consent to the use of their health data for AI training and modeling, with data deletion as a consequence of refusal. The new Eclipsa Video format is being introduced, offering an alternative to Dolby Vision and HDR10. Meta's smart glasses are facing backlash, influencing how and if users wear them.

Hardware and Accessories

Samsung's Galaxy XR headset has finally launched in the UK after previously being available in Korea and the US. Lenovo has showcased the Legion Y700 Ultimate gaming tablet in a video, with a full announcement expected in August. The Moto Buds 2 Plus earbuds reportedly sound better after adjusting five specific settings, despite featuring Sound by Bose audio and ANC. The Honor Watch 6 Plus has received a Motorcycle Edition, collaborating with a professional Chinese racer.

DuRoBo has introduced the Moodi, a wireless page-turner for e-readers that aims to compete with Boox's accessories. Xreal's a01+ AR glasses, priced at $299, are now available and designed for gamers and movie enthusiasts seeking a large portable screen. X by Xreal is being recognized as an affordable smart display glasses option with a modular design and micro-OLED panels.

Mobile and Networking

The TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro, an innovative budget phone designed to reduce eye strain, has returned to a Prime Day price point. The Redmi Note 17 series is expected to feature a 7-inch OLED display, with further details on battery capacity and screen size revealed. Proper router antenna positioning is crucial for optimal home coverage. USB port selection for mice and keyboards should prioritize the most demanding devices for best performance.

Other Tech News

Summer Games Done Quick, an annual speedrunning marathon, successfully raised over $2 million for Doctors Without Borders. The Pentagon has released a new batch of UFO files, while China's Tianwen-2 mission has reached its asteroid target. Game Stop is reportedly marking up Pokémon cards by over 300%, leading to questions about fair pricing. Stub Hub CEO Eric Baker is reportedly investing millions into the ticket-scalping market on his own platform. The FCC has approved a controversial sun-reflecting space mirror project proposed by Reflect Orbital. Metal balls from space have been found on Australian beaches, though aliens are not suspected as the cause.

Netflix is once again offering free trials, with durations varying from 7 to 30 days depending on the user and location. Disney is reportedly considering a free tier for Disney+, in addition to its existing ad-supported plan. Bluesky has officially appointed Toni Schneider as its CEO. Microsoft Teams' new "Workspace Check-in" feature, which tracks employee locations, has raised questions about its implementation. Volkswagen plans a significant reduction in its model lineup and factory footprint.

Samsung Gallery's sync functionality with Microsoft One Drive will soon be discontinued. A new rule in New York City, dubbed "Click-to-Cancel," aims to simplify the cancellation process for services. HP's Omni Book Ultra is being reviewed as a strong contender for a premium Windows ultraportable, despite a high price for fully loaded models.