Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: July 26, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Smartwatch and Wearable Updates

Samsung has launched the Galaxy Watch Ultra2, an upgraded wearable following its skip of a Watch Ultra in 2025. The company also unveiled its next generation of foldables, including the Galaxy Z Fold8, Z Fold8 Ultra, and Z Flip8, which are now available for pre-order. These new foldables incorporate silicon-carbon batteries for the first time, though EU listings indicate a shorter lifespan for the Z Fold8 Ultra compared to its predecessors. In other wearable news, the Apple Watch calorie tracker relies on estimations rather than precise measurements due to data limitations. Samsung has also expanded software support for the Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2 to five major Wear OS upgrades, a notable increase from previous models.

Smartphone Releases and Rumors

vivo is set to unveil the X300 E on July 27 in China, with its design and processor already confirmed. The Motorola Edge 70 Max shows promise, particularly with its 6.83-inch LTPO OLED display boasting a 144Hz refresh rate, though a price cut could significantly boost its appeal. Google has confirmed that price increases are expected for the upcoming Pixel 11 lineup. Meanwhile, Qualcomm is reportedly planning to raise processor prices by the end of the summer, potentially impacting the cost of various Android devices. Honor has opened early access for its Magic OS 11 on the Magic V6 in China, and the company is also teasing the Honor Robot Phone with partner Arri for an upcoming imaging technology launch event. The iQOO Z11 Lite has debuted in India with a 6,500mAh battery and Dimensity 6300 SoC. Lava has launched the Virat V1 and Virat V1 5G in India with price tags under $155. The Oppo K15 has been quietly unveiled in China, featuring an active-cooling fan and an 8,000mAh battery. Xiaomi is rumored to be planning a global launch for the Xiaomi 18 Pro this year, a departure from its previous China-only releases.

Mobile and App Updates

Meta has walked back limits on its smart glasses' "Conversation Focus" feature for the time being, stating it's still exploring options. Instagram is now banning users who create "creepy content" with Meta glasses, cracking down on harassment and unauthorized recording. Google is expanding access to its Gemini Spark and has updated Gemini's conversational memory to refine automations. Google Photos is also leveraging Gemini Omni for a "Video Remix" feature, allowing users to create video edits. YouTube has introduced new tools to simplify the creation of custom thumbnails for both short-form and long-form videos. The Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max is highlighted for its. Qobuz has overhauled its music player, adding real-time lyrics to enhance the user experience.

Industry Trends and Business Moves

The EU is investigating TikTok for allegedly failing to adequately protect minors, with potential fines reaching up to six percent of its annual revenue. Meta is also facing scrutiny as it relies more on natural gas for its data centers, having pulled out of a renewable energy initiative and committed to ten natural gas plants since last year. Trump has threatened the EU with new tariffs in response to a fine levied against Google for violating the Digital Markets Act concerning search ranking and anti-steering practices. More than 200 companies have signed Trump's "pledge" to protect consumers from data. Amazon is being sued by Warner Bros. Discovery for allegedly poaching HBO employees and inducing them to. The EU has granted antitrust approval for the Saudi-led $55 billion takeover of EA, though the deal is not yet finalized. Midjourney is acquiring the horoscope app Co-Star, with Co-Star CEO Banu Guler joining Midjourney as Chief Design Officer.

Gaming and Entertainment

PlayStation Network experienced a significant outage, preventing players from logging in, playing online, or making purchases from the PlayStation Store. Amazon Luna is set to receive a new Batman game, "Batman: Caped Crusader - Chronicles," which ties into the second season of the Prime. Universal has secured the rights for film adaptations of 10 Atari games, potentially leading to an "Atari Cinematic Universe". "God of War Laufey" is scheduled for release on PS5 on. "Prime Video's Blade Runner 2099" has a trailer and a release date of November 25, starring Michelle Yeoh. "Avatar: Seven Havens" also has a trailer and a release date of October 9, set after the events of "The Legend of Korra". Xbox is testing free, ad-supported cloud gaming, adopting a model similar to GeForce Now.

Hardware and Technology Insights

The MacBook Air operates without a fan due to the efficient performance. Roku is increasing prices across its hardware range, reportedly due to industry-wide memory shortages. Information regarding the Samsung Galaxy S27 series suggests upgrades to cameras and batteries could make the lineup. Anbernic has released the RG SP, a modern take on the Game Boy Advance SP. The Lola x Miffy digital camera is noted for its cute design and comes with a. Boox is teasing the incredibly tiny Picco e-reader with a 3.97-inch monochrome e-paper display. Scientists have developed a handheld device for measuring ketosis by analyzing acetone levels in breath.

Consumer Advice and Tech Tips

Users should be aware that smartphone waterproofing ratings like IP68 can be misleading, and caution is advised around water. When decluttering, consider which old cables are truly worth keeping. For those looking to increase Android storage without a micro SD card, cloud storage is not the. Airplane mode can speed up phone charging, but there are more effective methods for a quick boost. Understanding the "20 percent rule" for solar panels can lead to long-term cost savings by incorporating extra capacity into the system. LG has agreed to stop displaying McAfee spam ads following user complaints and pressure from Microsoft.