Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: July 18, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

Smartphone Updates and New Releases

Motorola has issued a statement clarifying its software update policy for the Edge 70 Max, following confusion surrounding its support for the device. The company's policy has become increasingly difficult to track, with the Edge 70 Max serving as a prime example of this issue. Meanwhile, Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Z Fold 8 series appear to offer only minor camera upgrades, according to leaked specifications. Despite the lack of hardware improvements, the Galaxy Z Flip 8 may see a significant price hike and a cheaper Exynos chip. Samsung is also reportedly considering removing its free storage upgrade perk for future foldable devices. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 series, however, is expected to receive a considerable battery life boost, according to EU ratings. A special edition Messi-themed Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is already available for purchase from Caviar, priced at $13,130, ahead of Samsung's official reveal.

In other smartphone news, One Plus has teased a new model in its N6 series, the One Plus N6x, signaling an expansion of the lineup shortly after the N6's release. The vanilla Poco X8 might still be on the horizon, as suggested by Hyper OS source code, despite earlier beliefs of its cancellation. Global memory options for the Redmi Note 17 Pro have been revealed, and a teardown video of the device has surfaced, offering a look at its internal components. The Redmi 17 4G has also had its renders and specifications leaked, detailing its design and color options.

Lava has of its Virat V1 and Virat V1 5G smartphones to July 24, following an announcement of a partnership with Flipkart. The Tecno Camon 50 Ultra has officially launched in India, priced at INR39,999 and available exclusively through Amazon.in launched India. The iQOO Z11 Lite is set to launch on July 24 in India with a price point under INR20,000. The Oppo K15 is also slated for release next week, featuring an 8,000mAh battery and an in-built cooling fan, according to its listing on Oppo's official online store. The vivo T5 Lite has gone official in India, powered by a Dimensity 6300 SoC and boasting a 6,500mAh battery.

Tablets, Laptops, and Accessories

Redmagic's Astra 2 gaming tablet is now available, building upon last year's model with liquid cooling, an OLED panel, and a slightly larger battery. The 12.2-inch Asus Pad is confirmed to be launching in India on August 6. Lenovo's Idea Pad Flex 3i Chromebook is currently available at a 40% discount on Amazon, offering a durable touchscreen experience for both tablet and laptop use. Infinix is also working on a new tablet, the Xpad 30 Pro, with its specifications prematurely appearing on a Belarusian retailer's website.

In the realm of audio and wearables, Hasselblad's Phocus Mobile app has finally arrived on Android, years after its initial iOS release. Marshall's Milton ANC headphones have been reviewed, with the haptic bass and quiet ANC noted, though a significant drawback was identified. Skullcandy's Crusher 1080 headphones are also reviewed, blending Bose audio with haptic bass and ANC. Sonos has introduced quality-of-life updates to its mobile app, including tab navigation and speaker sorting. The Wii M Sound is presented as a compelling smart speaker alternative, offering superior sound quality and connectivity compared to offerings from Google, Amazon, and Sonos.

Vital Signals has developed a ring capable of continuous blood pressure monitoring, aiming to revolutionize hypertension management. Withings' new ultra-premium bathroom scale, promising clinical-grade monitoring, is now on sale for $600.

Tech Industry and Software

Google is set to on Android starting next week. The company is also expanding its Connected Apps feature in AI Mode to include AI-assisted grocery shopping and playlist creation, with Instacart and YouTube Music joining the service. Google's XR product lead has emphasized the importance of trust in AR glasses for public adoption, with anti-tampering protections being built into Android XR from the outset. Google Health app on Android has received an update that simplifies nutrition logging, introducing "custom foods" and other enhancements.

Apple's streaming box, the Apple TV 4K, is now significantly more expensive than comparable alternatives, prompting consideration of Fire TV or Roku devices. Apple is also rumored to be working on a variable aperture camera for the iPhone 18 Pro, following a ransomware attack on an Indian partner that exposed internal company files. iOS 27's public beta is available, featuring a practical but plain Siri AI. A significant change for Car Play is reportedly hidden within iOS, announced shortly after Google's similar update for Android Auto.

Amazon's cloud service, AWS, experienced a bug that caused some customer bills to spike to billions of dollars, though Amazon stated these displayed estimates did not reflect actual usage. Amazon is also offering a $300 discount on the Google Pixel 10 Pro ahead of the Pixel 11 launch. The Google Pixel 11 Pro XL and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are being compared, highlighting their distinct strengths. Google has opened enrollment for Pixel Care Plus for the Pixel 10 and 9 devices, with a limited time frame. The Pixel Watch 4 has returned to its Prime Day price on Amazon. Xiaomi has surprisingly rolled out a stable Android 17 update ahead of its competitors, though it is based on Hyper OS 3.0 and lacks new features. Android 17 QPR1 Beta 7 has been released, addressing several issues that have affected Pixel users for months.

The EU has made exemptions to its removable battery rule for smartwatches, fitness trackers, and earbuds, with the legislation set to take effect in February 2027. In a controversial move, the EU has also defanged a key pillar of its climate policy, potentially allowing for increased pollution.

Gaming, Entertainment, and AI

Bethesda has for the Fallout franchise, with Obsidian working on a new game and remasters of Fallout 3 and New Vegas on the way. Microsoft is facing accusations of unfair labor practices from US and Canadian video game unions, with charges filed regarding bad-faith bargaining at Xbox.

Netflix is utilizing AI in roughly 300 titles this year, and this trend is expected to continue. The streaming service has also released a VHS-quality version of Stranger Things' first season, with potential for more seasons to follow if viewership is high. The God of War show on Prime Video will reshoot episodes due to an injury sustained by lead actor Ryan Hurst.

The Oversight Board has raised concerns that leading AI models may be restricting free expression and is seeking to expand its