Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: July 19, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

New Smartphone Launches and Rumors

Samsung is gearing up for its Galaxy Unpacked event on July 22nd in London, where the company is expected to unveil the Z Fold 8 Ultra, Z Fold, and Z Flip 8. Boy band BTS member J-Hope has already teased the Galaxy Z Fold 8 ahead of its official reveal. Camera and battery specifications for the Z Flip 8 and Z Fold 8 series appear to be a minor upgrade. Meanwhile, China's Xiaomi has officially launched the Redmi Note 17 and Redmi Note 17 Pro, with the Note 17 boasting an impressive 8,000 mAh battery, while the Pro model offers even more. Global memory options for the Redmi Note 17 Pro have also been revealed. The Xiaomi Mix Fold 5 has been spotted running Hyper OS, suggesting an imminent release, possibly in August 2026.

In other smartphone news, the Motorola Edge 70 Max is generating interest with its substantial battery and Qi2.2 support. Motorola has since issued an official statement to clarify its confusing software update policy for the device. The Google Pixel 11 series is slated for an August 12th launch, with invites already sent out in India. Ahead of this, Amazon is offering significant discounts, slashing $300 off the Google Pixel 10 Pro. Leaked specifications for the Google Pixel 11a hint at a potentially strong offering in the "a-series" lineup. Google might be reusing the design for the Pixel 11 but is promising an "extra glow".

One Plus's exit from Europe and North America leaves a gap in the US smartphone market, particularly for those who favored their devices. Despite this, Nothing is experiencing rapid growth in India, becoming one of the fastest-growing smartphone brands there. However, a recent poll indicates that the Nothing Phone (4b) may need a price reduction to succeed. Tecno is also making waves with its Pova 8 5G, which features a large battery and unique AI capabilities, resembling a "Nothing impersonation" in a good way.

New models from other manufacturers are also on the horizon. The Oppo K15 is set to launch next week with an 8,000mAh battery and an integrated cooling fan. The iQOO Z11 Lite will launch on July 24th in India, priced under INR20,000. Lava's Virat V1 and Virat V1 5G have had their specs revealed, with a launch rescheduled to July 24th in India. The Vivo X500 Ultra is rumored for an early 2027 global release, with vivo reportedly considering three 200MP sensors for its telephoto lens.

Tablets, Accessories, and Other Tech

Samsung's Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra appears to have changed little from its predecessors, based on leaked renderings that don't address many user concerns. In contrast, the Redmagic Astra 2 gaming tablet has been improved, featuring liquid cooling and a slightly larger battery. Asus is bringing its new 12.2-inch tablet to India on August 6th. On the accessory front, deals are available for UGREEN NAS servers, including a significant discount on what's described as the "best starter NAS".

For those looking for audio solutions, dd HiFi's new entry-level IEMs, the Iris and Skyfall, are being praised as "ridiculously good" budget options. Open-ear earbuds are also seeing significant price drops, with one model reaching its lowest price ever on Amazon. Tesla is also entering a new market segment with a $225 balance bike for toddlers.

In the realm of smart home and appliances, many devices collect data, and users can find out what information theirs tracks. Verizon Fios has boosted its fastest home internet plan to 5Gbps. Infrared technology continues to be the standard for most TV remotes, despite the existence of Bluetooth, due to several underlying reasons.

Software, Security, and AI

Android users can increase their typing speed by utilizing an often-overlooked feature on their keyboards. Signal is testing a new feature that will allow Android phones or tablets to be used as secondary devices. A bug in AWS reportedly caused some customer bills to spike dramatically, displaying billing estimates that did not reflect actual usage. OpenAI will begin notifying parents if their teenage users have been removed from Chat GPT for policy violations, such as those involving violence.

In terms of AI, Claude's Reflect dashboard offers break reminders to help users know when to "touch grass". Android lockscreen bypass vulnerabilities have been discovered, allowing Gemini to send SMS messages without proper verification. France is intensifying restrictions on access to Polymarket, with its gambling authority ordering ISPs to block the prediction market's website.

Gaming, Media, and Photography

Obsidian is developing a new Fallout game, and remasters of Fallout 3 and New Vegas are also in development, amidst news of Xbox cuts. Indie games such as "Moss in 2D" and AI-run "utopias" are highlighted in a guide to new releases. The Kodak EC35 is a new, beginner-friendly 35mm film camera available for $35 and comes in seven colors.

Other Notable News

NASA has released a time-lapse video of the Psyche spacecraft's view as it passed Mars on its journey to explore an asteroid. The Apple Watch's water lock feature automatically activates during swimming to prevent accidental inputs. The Apple TV 4K has seen a price increase, prompting questions about whether it's still worth buying compared to alternatives like Fire TV or Roku. Tesla is also offering a balance bike for toddlers, signaling a move into a new product category. Coca-Cola's dairy company, fairlife, has been impacted by a ransomware attack, halting US operations.