Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: July 17, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

Mobile Devices and Accessories

Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 8 series is rumored to receive a significant battery life boost, according to EU ratings. However, the company may discontinue its free storage upgrade perk for the Galaxy Z Fold, Fold 8 Ultra, and Flip 8 models. Pre-orders for the Caviar-themed Lionel Messi Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra are already available for $13,130, a week before its official unveiling Messi-themed phone. Meanwhile, leaked renders suggest a potential price hike for the Galaxy Z Flip 8 without any hardware upgrades, opting for a cheaper Exynos chip. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra has also appeared in new renders, with confirmed specs.

Apple's iPhone 18 Pro may feature a variable aperture camera, following a hack that exposed internal company files. In other smartphone news, the global Redmi Note 17 Pro's memory options have been revealed. Lava has rescheduled the launch of its Virat V1 and Virat V1 5G smartphones to July 24. Tecno has launched the Camon 50 Ultra in India for INR 39,999. The vivo T5 Lite has officially launched in India with a Dimensity 6300 SoC and a 6,500mAh battery. The iQOO Z11 Lite, set to launch on July 24, will be priced under INR 20,000 in India and will feature a 6,500mAh battery with 44W charging. Oppo is preparing to launch the standard K15 next week, boasting an 8,000mAh battery and an in-built cooling fan. The Poco M8 Power is reportedly on its way as a rebranded Redmi device.

Motorola's Edge 70 Max, featuring Qi2.2 and a large battery, has been unveiled. However, the company's software update policy for the device has drawn criticism. The global version of the Redmagic Astra 2 gaming tablet is now available. Infinix has revealed the specs for its upcoming Xpad 30 Pro tablet through a retailer listing. The 12.2-inch Asus Pad is confirmed to launch in India on August 6.

Emerging Technologies and Software

Google is expanding its Connected Apps experience in AI Mode to include AI-assisted grocery shopping and playlist creation through integrations with Instacart and YouTube Music. The company is also preparing a redesign for the Android Auto media player, potentially shrinking the album art to improve usability. Wireless Android Auto utilizes both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to function. Google is also building anti-tampering protections into Android XR from the outset to foster trust in smart glasses.

Apple has quietly incorporated a significant change for Car Play with iOS, announced shortly after a similar update for Android Auto CarPlay change. The iOS 27 public beta is available, with the Siri AI feature described as practical but plain. Signal is testing the ability to add an Android phone or tablet as a secondary device, simplifying multi-device usage.

Gaming and Entertainment

Bethesda has outlined future plans for the Fallout franchise, including a new game from Obsidian and remasters of Fallout 3 and New Vegas. Microsoft is facing accusations of unfair labor practices from video game unions in the US and Canada, with charges filed against Xbox for alleged bad faith bargaining. The PlayStation Flex Strike wireless fight stick has been delayed with no new release date FlexStrike delayed.

Netflix has released a VHS-quality version of Stranger Things' first season and may follow with more seasons if viewership is high. The streaming service has also indicated that it has already used AI in approximately 300 titles this year AI in titles. The Oversight Board has raised concerns that leading AI models might be restricting free expression.

Industry and Cloud News

A bug within AWS caused some customers' bills to spike dramatically, with Amazon stating that displayed billing estimates did not reflect actual usage. The European Union has made exemptions to its removable battery rule for smartwatches, fitness trackers, and earbuds, with the broader legislation taking effect in February 2027. Elon Musk has acquired a gas turbine company, likely for direct power supply to Space XAI's data centers.

Smart Home and Appliances

Pinwheel's Home series introduces a modern landline phone experience for children, focusing on screen-free communication. Samsung's Freestyle+ projector is now available for $1,200, capable of projecting on uneven surfaces. Most smart appliances collect data, and users can investigate what information their devices track. Coca-Cola's dairy company, fairlife, has been impacted by a ransomware attack, leading to a halt in US operations fairlife ransomware.

Wearables and Health Tech

Vital Signals is introducing a ring capable of continuous blood pressure monitoring, aiming to change how individuals manage hypertension and cardiac conditions. Withings' new ultra-premium scale, priced at $600, offers clinical-grade monitoring and is now on sale.

Legal and Regulatory

San Francisco attorneys have requested that Apple and Google take action against "nudify" apps, sending cease-and-desist letters concerning 13 applications on their respective stores. The UK's communications regulator, Ofcom, is investigating TikTok's child safety measures to ensure adequate protection against harmful content. Three publishers are pursuing legal action against Google over alleged AI copyright infringement related to training materials. Former Meta employees are suing the company, alleging the use of biased AI systems during layoffs.

Other Tech News

Amazon is offering significant discounts on UGREEN NAS servers. Tesla is selling a $225 balance bike for toddlers. Xreal's XBX a01+ AR glasses are available for $299 and are described as astoundingly bright and lightweight. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating a fatal crash where NTSB investigators confirmed the Tesla driver overrode the Full Self-Driving system. The FCC plans to dismantle local TV station ownership rules, potentially leading to broadcast TV monopolies. Hinge users can now enlist friends to provide endorsements for their profiles Hinge endorsements.

AI and Software Updates

Netflix has stated that it has utilized AI in roughly 300 titles this year, with expectations of continued use. Suno has integrated its generative AI music capabilities into iMessage Suno iMessage. A hacker reportedly accessed Suno's source code detailing how the company scraped millions of songs, though Suno claims no sensitive personal information was compromised. Google's AI features have been found to pose "unacceptable risks" to children according to a recent study. Viaim's Rec Dot AI earbuds are designed to record meetings and provide AI-driven insights and transcriptions.

Storage and Connectivity

Verizon Fios has upgraded its fastest plan to 5Gbps, more than doubling its previous top speed. Starlink's new V5 residential dish is smaller and more energy-efficient, though it does not increase data speeds.

Audio and Visual

The Muse 300 is a desktop DAC with a custom OS and distinctive design, offering sound quality that belies its price. XGIMI's Elfin Flip 4K is an ultra-portable laser projector praised for its sharp video quality and price. Marshall's latest mid-range headphones, the Milton ANC, have a notable drawback despite their haptic bass and quiet ANC Marshall headphones. Skullcandy's Crusher 1080 headphones combine Bose audio with enhanced bass and ANC.

Smartphones and Operating Systems

Nothing has emerged as one of India's fastest-growing smartphone brands, despite a 10% decline in the overall Indian smartphone market during the second quarter Nothing's growth. Realme India has confirmed that its future devices will launch with Color OS 17 as it ceases operations in China, merging Realme UI with Oppo's ColorOS. Xiaomi has surprisingly rolled out the stable Android 17 update ahead of its competitors, though it's based on Hyper OS 3.0 without new features. Android 17 QPR1 Beta 7 has been released, addressing long-standing issues reported by Pixel users.

Cloud Gaming and Services

Nvidia GeForce Now is now available in India, offering free, Performance, and Ultimate tiers.

Gaming Hardware

Valve appears to be discontinuing self-repair parts for the LCD Steam Deck at iFixit, including OEM batteries.

Data and Privacy

Samsung has provided clarification regarding the use of Samsung Health data for AI training, offering users the option to consent or decline.

Market Trends and Deals

The Google Pixel Watch 4 has returned to its Prime Day price, weeks before the Made by Google 2026 event. Deals on Google Pixel 10 devices are available, including discounts and free phone offers Pixel