Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: July 23, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

Samsung Dominates Foldable Market and Expands Wearable Support

Samsung has officially unveiled its new foldable lineup, with the now available for review. The company is pushing the boundaries with new designs, including a potential return to the S Pen for the Fold 9 according to rumors, though the Z Fold8 itself in favor of AI-driven features. The new foldables boast significant battery upgrades, utilizing silicon-carbon battery technology for the first time, and come in a variety of colors to suit different tastes and the Fold8 Ultra models. T-Mobile is offering aggressive preorder deals, with the and the Z Flip 8 for just $100 with specific offers. The Galaxy Z Flip 8 also faces competition from the Motorola Razr Ultra in a head-to-head comparison. Samsung is also enhancing its wearable offerings, with the receiving five major Wear OS upgrades, an increase from previous models. Preorders for the Galaxy Watch 9 are being incentivized with a $50 Amazon gift card for early adopters. The company is also venturing into health tech with the Galaxy Ring, which has received FDA clearance for sleep apnea detection a significant health feature. Samsung is also doubling down on AI, with Gemini updates integrated into its foldables and glasses announced at Unpacked, and is launching a new AI-powered health assistant in beta. Furthermore, Samsung has established a new Robotics eXperience (RX) division, signaling a broader push into robotics.

Smartphone Launches and Spec Leaks Hint at Future Releases

The smartphone market continues to see a flurry of activity, with Honor set to showcase its Robot Phone alongside partner Arri at an upcoming imaging technology event on July 28. Honor's Magic V6 has also been positioned against Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra in a direct comparison. Meanwhile, leaks continue to surface for upcoming devices, including the nubia Navi X Ultra with key specifications now tipped. The vivo S2 is expected to launch in India on August 6, with design and key specs also leaking as a successor to the S1. One Plus has revealed design and color options for its upcoming N6x smartphone, following the initial N6 launch. Google's Pixel 11 lineup is nearing its launch, with leaked renders revealing all available color options, and the Google Pixel Watch 5 is also anticipated to launch on August 12, appearing visually identical to its predecessor based on leaks. Qualcomm is reportedly working on a new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 SoC to be launched later this year. The Xiaomi Mix Fold, global Redmi Note, and Redmi Note 17 Pro Max have all received certification, with the Redmi Note 17 series also tipped for an India launch. Other devices with leaked specs include the iQOO 16T.

AI Integration, Layoffs, and Industry Shifts Shape the Tech Landscape

Artificial intelligence continues to be a major talking point, with Meta's pro-AI ad campaign drawing scrutiny for its lack of specific AI details in its messaging. In response to evolving business landscapes, Patreon is undergoing significant layoffs, cutting 20 percent of its staff, and Uber is laying off 10 percent of its customer service team to leverage AI for operational efficiency. Google is making strides in accessibility, with a potential new sign language feature in development for Gboard to aid users, and has also made significant improvements to Chrome on Android, reducing scroll stutters by nearly 50 percent. The US is also investing in AI research, outlining a $5 billion Genesis Mission to boost science with interdisciplinary efforts. Meanwhile, Sony continues its legal actions against AI music generators, filing another lawsuit against Udio as the only major label without a deal. On the consumer side, Claude's voice mode has received an update to improve its reliability for users.

Gaming and Entertainment See New Offerings and Industry Consolidation

The gaming and entertainment sectors are seeing new developments, with Universal securing rights for film adaptations of 10 Atari games to build an Atari Cinematic Universe. Xbox is exploring new avenues for cloud gaming, testing a free, ad-supported streaming service, and is also bringing original Xbox console games to PC with achievement support for a nostalgic experience. PlayStation Plus is set to lose several titles in August, including Dead Island 2 among others. Amazon is expanding its entertainment offerings by integrating Luna game streaming into the Prime Video app, and is also developing a Robocop TV show with a greenlit pilot. In the music space, Qobuz has overhauled its music player, adding real-time lyrics to enhance its user experience. On the hardware front, Lego continues its collaborations with Nintendo, unveiling a playable Donkey Kong arcade machine for fans, and a new X-Files Lego set featuring Mulder, Scully, and an alien is set to launch in August for $200.

Wearables and Health Tech Focus on Data and New Form Factors

The wearable technology market is seeing innovation in both established and emerging players. Ultrahuman has released a massive Emerald update for its app, introducing the Ultra Sphere "decision engine" as a key feature for total health and fitness improvements in its history. Garmin has launched the CIRQA, a screenless fitness band that offers all-day assistance without a subscription requirement a notable feature. The health tracking capabilities of wearables are expanding, with the Samsung Galaxy Ring poised to offer FDA-cleared sleep apnea detection a significant medical advancement. In other health tech news, scientists have developed a handheld device that can measure when the body is burning fat by identifying acetone levels in breath indicating ketosis.

Smart Glasses Continue to Evolve Amidst Privacy Concerns and New Features

Smart glasses are seeing continued development, though privacy concerns persist. Meta is now banning users who create "creepy content" with its smart glasses, cracking down on harassment and recording. Halliday is attempting to rebound from a poorly received first-generation model with its G2 smart glasses, which utilize AI to provide live insights during meetings. These glasses aim to fix meetings before they go off the rails. Samsung has also provided a hands-on look at its upcoming AI smart glasses, acknowledging and aiming to address public opinion of the technology.

Consumer Electronics and Infrastructure Updates

In consumer electronics, there's a focus on improving existing technologies and addressing infrastructure challenges. Google has been quietly rebuilding Chrome on Android for years, resulting in a nearly 50 percent smoother experience. For home theater enthusiasts, a guide explains surround sound speaker channel numbers to help with system building. In terms of infrastructure, the UK will legalize plug-in solar panels on August 27 a significant step for renewable energy. Notably, there isn't a single consumer Wi-Fi router that is 100 percent American-made according to a recent report. The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive is also highlighted, explaining the meaning of the trash can with an X icon found on electronics as an official marking.