Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: July 28, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

Smartphones and Foldables Take Center Stage

Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 is reportedly seeing a surge in popularity following its pre-orders exceeding expectations. Reviews have lauded the device, with one stating "wider really is better" for media consumption as a miniature tablet. For those looking for a more budget-friendly foldable, AT&T is offering the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 for just $5.56 per month with a new line and trade-in as part of a special deal. Samsung's rumored 2027 Tri Fold could finally aim for mainstream accessibility.

Several new smartphone models and leaks have emerged. The Google Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro may arrive with a lower price point than their predecessors, despite a Google executive confirming upcoming price hikes for the Pixel lineup. Honor has detailed camera features for its "Robot Phone," emphasizing cinematography-level capabilities with its AiMAGE image engine. The Honor X7e Plus has officially launched, featuring an SD 4 Gen 4 and a substantial 8,100mAh battery as an upgrade over its predecessor. The iQOO Z11 is slated for an Indian launch in August, reportedly featuring a different processor and a 3D curved display according to a new report. Redmi is set to launch its Note 17 series in India on August 6, with global pricing for the Note 17 and Note 17 Pro also leaking. Oppo has confirmed the A7 Pro Max, boasting its largest battery ever at 10,000 mAh. The Poco M8 Power is scheduled to debut next week with an 8,000mAh battery as indicated by Hyper OS firmware. The Huawei nova 16 SE is rumored to be launching with a massive 8,500mAh battery as part of the nova 16 lineup. vivo has introduced the T5e in India, a budget-friendly phone with a 5,500mAh battery and a 90Hz display. The vivo S2 has also been teased with a "flagship inspired design" and "power-packed performance".

In other mobile news, the HMD Asha 305 has debuted in the Philippines as a "lite smartphone" with a removable battery, offering an upgrade from feature phones while running a version of Android. Apple's Home Hub smart speaker with a display is reportedly coming this year, potentially as early as October according to a Bloomberg report. Nothing has denied reports that it plans to exit 12 global markets, calling the claims "fake news". The One Plus 16 is anticipated to offer significant upgrades, but its availability might be limited globally.

Wearables and Accessories See Updates and New Entrants

Samsung's AI smart glasses, unveiled at its Unpacked event, will be priced at a "reasonable level" while remaining in the premium segment as hinted by Samsung. T-Mobile is offering the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 for free with a new line and the Watch Plan Plus as part of a promotional deal. A new rumor suggests Nothing's first company-branded smartwatch is slated for a September launch. Google's Pixel Watch could soon feature a new function that automatically unlocks the watch when a paired Pixel phone is unlocked. The Apple Watch SE 3 is notably cheaper due to the absence of certain features found in other models making it a budget option. For those seeking customization, a free design tool is available for Samsung Galaxy Watch users to create their own watch faces.

In audio and accessories, the HBO Max app has added shorts. A "60-60 rule" is recommended for Air Pods to protect hearing as a general guideline. Swimming headphones are distinct from regular headphones due to their design for water use. Best Buy's Back to School sale includes significant Android deals. Nanoleaf's new monitor stand, the Smart LED Monitor Stand, is available for $169.99 brightening desk. Nike's Hyperslides are designed to heat and vibrate feet to aid post-workout recovery.

Tech Industry Developments and Gaming

AI continues to be a major focus, with employees from major companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google petitioning the US government for regulation. Chat GPT is now refusing requests to write in the style of famous authors. Hugging Face is reportedly experiencing issues with AI models generating adult deepfakes according to researchers. A new report suggests Apple may unveil its first smart glasses in June 2027 with commercial availability later that year.

In the gaming world, Sega's Dreamcast retro console is still receiving new games 25 years after its discontinuation. Xbox experienced a major outage that affected users' ability to play disc-based games prompting an explanation from the company. A new open-world Far Cry game is reportedly in development after an extraction shooter was canceled.

Services, Software, and Other Tech News

The CW's live sports programming will be available on ESPN starting August 4 as part of a new agreement. YouTube Premium subscribers will receive ad-supported Peacock at no additional cost early next year as a bundled offering. Google Play services updates are improving Wallet, Wear OS, Play Games, and app discovery. Meta AI is now available for direct messages across all Threads users. Amazon aims to deploy 5,105 satellites for its direct-to-mobile service.

In automotive tech, a former Tesla manager claims Full Self-Driving cars were "rolling hazards" and accuses the company of overextending safety operators for its robotaxis according to a new lawsuit. Lyft and Baidu have begun testing robotaxis in London in partnership with Freenow.

Other news includes the settlement of a cyberstalking case brought by a journalist couple against eBay and its former executives resulting in compensation for the Steiners. Double Fine has laid off approximately one-third of its staff impacting its workforce. The Trump administration is exempting data centers from pollution laws intended to prevent acid rain. Spotify experienced another significant outage. The EBO Max, an AI-powered family robot, is noted for its ability to learn and adapt over time with positive reception from pets. Motorola has launched the Indigenous Collections app for language and cultural preservation. A report indicates that Apple is internally testing One UI, based on Android, for several Galaxy devices, though the beta has only been released for the Galaxy S26 line as Samsung prepares for future updates.