Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: July 24, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

Mobile Devices and Wearables Get Major Updates

Samsung is set to launch its new Galaxy S27 series, with rumors suggesting significant upgrades to cameras and battery technology. The company is reportedly testing a new main camera sensor for the Galaxy S27 and S27 Plus, while the S27 Pro and S27 Ultra are also expected to see enhancements. In the foldable space, Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 series is introducing silicon-carbon batteries for the first time, a move that could lead to longer lifespans. T-Mobile and AT&T are offering deals on the new foldables, with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 available for free and the Z Fold 8 Ultra for $200. Meanwhile, Honor's Magic V6 is being compared to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, with Honor also opening an early access program for its Magic OS 11 on the Magic V6. Xiaomi's 18 Pro is also rumored to receive a global launch this year, a departure from previous models that were limited to China.

Samsung's smartwatch lineup is also seeing advancements, with the Galaxy Watch 10 expected to bring a slightly bigger battery and improved speed. The Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2 will receive expanded software support, with five major Wear OS upgrades compared to four on previous models. The Galaxy Ring has also received FDA clearance for sleep apnea detection, a significant health feature. On the budget front, the iQOO Z11 Lite has debuted in India with a 6,500mAh battery and a Dimensity 6300 SoC. Lava has also launched its Virat V1 and Virat V1 5G smartphones in India with price tags under ₹15,000. Boox is teasing the incredibly tiny Picco ereader, featuring a 3.97-inch monochrome e-paper display.

Gaming, Entertainment, and Software Developments

PlayStation Network experienced a significant outage, preventing users from logging in, playing online, or purchasing games. Amazon Luna is expanding its offerings with a new Batman game, "Batman: Caped Crusader - Chronicles," which ties into the Prime Video animated series. Luna is also integrating into the Prime Video app on Fire TV devices in the US and UK. Xbox is testing a free, ad-supported cloud gaming service, adopting a model similar to GeForce Now. Additionally, Xbox is bringing games from its original console to PC, complete with achievement support.

In streaming news, "Blade Runner 2099" on Prime Video will premiere on November 25th, starring Michelle Yeoh and Hunter Schafer; "Avatar: Seven Havens" is set to release on October 9th, continuing the post-apocalyptic story after "The Legend of Korra". Peacock has achieved profitability, attributed to the World Cup and "Love Island". Hulu will begin streaming "Nirvanna the Band the Show and Movie" on July 24th. Qobuz has updated its music player with real-time lyrics, enhancing its appeal as a Spotify alternative.

Google Play is hosting "The Auction" event at SDCC, offering rewards that can be redeemed on-site or online through the Play Store app; Google Photos is now featuring a "Video Remix" tool powered by Gemini, allowing users to reimagine their videos. Google is also expanding access to its Gemini Spark agentic AI assistant. Google's Chrome on Android has seen significant performance improvements, with scroll stutters reduced by 48% since 2023 through behind-the-scenes engineering.

Industry Shifts and Tech Policy

Meta has withdrawn from a renewable energy initiative, increasing its reliance on natural gas for data centers, committing to 10 natural gas plants since last year. The Trump administration reports that over 200 companies have signed its non-binding Ratepayer Protection Pledge to protect consumers from data center price hikes. In response to the European Commission finding Google's search ranking and anti-steering practices violated the Digital Markets Act, Trump has threatened the EU with new tariffs. Meta is also launching a storefront platform through Facebook Marketplace with a new app called Seller, aiming to professionalize the marketplace. Instagram is now banning users who create "creepy content" with Meta glasses, cracking down on harassment and recording.

The EU has given antitrust approval to the Saudi-led $55 billion takeover of EA, moving the deal closer to completion. The EU has also granted Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery the go-ahead, provided Paramount ceases its distribution business with Universal in Europe. Bethesda is facing accusations of breaking Canadian labor laws with its Montreal layoffs, continuing the fallout from recent Xbox layoffs. Uber has laid off 10 percent of its customer service team, opting to utilize AI in its place.

Emerging Technologies and Consumer Electronics

SpaceX conducted its 13th Starship flight test, carrying 20 V3 Starlink satellites. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is anticipated to crash into the moon in August, after drifting in space for over a year. Scientists have developed a handheld device capable of measuring when the body is burning fat by analyzing acetone levels in breath to determine ketosis. EV batteries are reportedly outperforming initial predictions for longevity. Colorado is exploring new methods for recycling EV batteries, addressing a growing end-of-life disposal challenge.

Midjourney is acquiring the horoscope app Co-Star, with Co-Star CEO Banu Guler joining as Chief Design Officer. Anthropic's Opus 5 model is now nearly matching its top-performing model at half the price. Sony has unveiled its FX5 cinema camera, featuring open gate and RAW 5K recording capabilities. The Anbernic RG SP is presented as a modern update to the Game Boy Advance SP. A new Lola x Miffy digital camera has been released, notable for its design and included wrist charm.

Miscellaneous Tech News

Nothing may be exiting multiple global markets, potentially following One Plus's lead in withdrawing from North America and Europe. LG has agreed to stop displaying McAfee spam ads following pressure from Microsoft and user outcry. Google's "Selfie Video" feature offers an alternative sign-in method for accounts by using a video of the user's face. Users are advised to be cautious about disabling Google Play Protect, understanding the risks associated with the security feature. It's noted that no consumer Wi-Fi router is entirely manufactured in the USA. GoPro's Wireless Mic System offers audio upgrades but comes with some fixable flaws.

The difference between IMAX and IMAX 70mm formats significantly impacts the cinema viewing experience. Universal has secured film adaptation rights for 10 Atari games, hinting at a potential Atari Cinematic Universe. Steam has introduced updates to its gifting and wishlist features, allowing users to gift games without a Steam account and categorize wishlists. The US is launching the $5 billion Genesis Mission to advance science through AI, with contributions from several federal agencies. Poinpy, a mobile game that was previously unavailable, is now free on Android and iPhone.