Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: August 4, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

Foldable Phones and New Flagships

Samsung's Galaxy Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra are now available in stores, with pre-order deals still offering significant trade-in discounts. T-Mobile is even offering the Galaxy Z Fold 8 for free with eligible trade-ins and new lines, though this deal ends this week. Despite the new releases, some are finding the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra's upgrades to be insufficient for its "ultra" designation, with its new processor, brighter screens, and chassis tweaks not being significant enough. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra also faces stiff competition from the previous-generation Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, which excels in certain areas. In terms of market reception, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 has garnered significant excitement, but its high price point remains a deterrent for many consumers. Samsung is also offering no-cost EMI financing for the Galaxy Z Fold, Z Fold 8 Ultra, and Z Flip 8 in India, allowing customers to spread payments over up to 18 months without interest. Select variants of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series are also on sale alongside Samsung's latest smartwatches.

Google Pixel 11 series is anticipated to be a major focus at the upcoming Made by Google 2026 event, with expectations including new Pixel 11 models and the Pixel Watch. Marketing materials for the Google Pixel 11 Pro have leaked, showcasing a design similar to its predecessors. In a surprising move, Amazon is offering a 15% discount on the Google Pixel 10a, bringing the affordable smartphone's price down to $424 for a limited time. Google has also reportedly killed an unreleased AI app, continuing its tendency to discontinue services.

Motorola is teasing the launch of the Edge 70 neo in an unusual manner, adding to its existing lineup which includes the Edge, Edge 70 Max, Edge 70 Pro, Edge 70 Fusion, and Ultra models. Oppo has officially unveiled the A7 Pro Max, which boasts Oppo's largest battery to date with a 10,000 mAh capacity. The company has also detailed the A7 Pro Max's camera setup and showcased its rugged build. Further leaks suggest the Oppo Find X10 Ultra is undergoing testing with two options for its 10x optical zoom telephoto camera. Oppo's F35 is rumored to be heading to India, potentially alongside the Find X9s Pro.

Xiaomi's budget 17 4G has gone on sale in Europe before its official announcement, with a store listing appearing ahead of its expected release. Poco has launched the Poco M8 Power, featuring a 120Hz screen, a Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 SoC, and a substantial 8,000 mAh battery. Redmi K100 Pro is set to feature a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 V SoC, with more design and key specification details emerging. Indian handset Lava is also preparing for its UK debut with the upcoming Agni 4N smartphone. Fire-Boltt is set to expand into the smartphone business in India, with its first smartphone launch date revealed by Flipkart.

Audio and Wearable Tech

CMF has announced its first pair of open-ear earbuds, priced at under $100. Sony has introduced a new Olive Gray color option for its flagship WH-1000XM6 noise-cancelling headphones. When selecting new headphones, it's important to look for Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, a feature that is still missing from some modern devices. For those seeking the best bass, certain adjustments can improve audio quality on existing headphones, potentially avoiding the need for new purchases. wireless earbuds market is highly saturated, but CMF's new offering provides a budget-friendly option.

Smartwatches and smart rings offer different approaches to health tracking, and understanding their distinctions is key when choosing a wearable device. Anbernic RG SP, a modern remake of the Game Boy Advance SP, will be available starting August 5th, with early bird pricing beginning at $65.

Gaming and Entertainment

Xbox is celebrating its 25th anniversary by offering free dynamic themes and avatars to players. Microsoft is reportedly developing emulators to enable the playing of older Xbox 360 games on PCs and the upcoming Xbox Helix. Xbox's latest quarterly report indicated a decline in hardware sales by 13% and a 10% decrease in content and services revenue compared to the same period last year. The long-running science fiction series "Babylon 5" is now available for free on YouTube, with episodes being released sequentially. A Nintendo Direct presentation for "Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave" is scheduled to begin at 10 AM ET/7 AM PT today.

Software and Services

Google Health now supports two-way health data syncing with Apple Health, allowing users to import data from Health Kit-connected devices. Gemini Spark gained Chrome web-browsing capabilities, enabling it to handle web errands using logged-in accounts and saved passwords. Spotify has reached a milestone of 300 million Premium subscribers, which is three times the number of Apple Music subscribers. Perplexity successfully overturned Amazon's injunction against its AI shopping bot, resolving a dispute that began in November 2025. The European Union has enacted new rules regarding AI transparency, which are now enforceable across the bloc. Samsung is banning smart TV apps that could expose users' internet connections to risk.

Hardware and Device Usage

Texas Governor ordered an audit of new data centers within the state, recognizing the significant power consumption of over 400 gigawatts. The state of Texas currently hosts more than 500 data centers. USB ports in cars are typically not powerful enough to charge laptops, and alternative charging solutions are recommended. It is advisable not to place phones in refrigerators, as condensation can damage electronics. Using a phone while it is charging can affect its battery life, and there are common myths and truths surrounding this practice.

Windows 11 Home users generally do not need to upgrade to the Pro version of the operating system. ex FAT is recommended as the preferred file system format for cross-platform usage. Chromebooks can applications beyond those available on the Google Play Store through sideloading Android APKs. USB-C becomes the standard, it is time to evaluate and discard outdated USB adapters. A useful app allows users to easily transform their phone into a PC mouse.

Miscellaneous Tech News

The Department of Justice has extracted $3.2 million from OpenAI concerning allegations of hiring discrimination. Amazon developing an animated series based on "Warhammer 40,000," with Henry Cavill attached to the project. MS Paint has demonstrated its capability to run the classic game Doom. New Samsung will support HDR10+ Advanced streaming on Prime Video starting this month, featuring enhanced brightness and intelligent motion smoothing. If you wish to cancel your PlayStation Plus subscription, the process is straightforward. The expected lifespan of a PlayStation 5 console and Sony's continued support after the PS6 release are points of consideration. For the best viewing experience of the 2026 solar eclipse, travel to Spain or Iceland is recommended. An internet connection is crucial for Roku devices to stream content, and troubleshooting Wi-Fi connectivity without a remote is possible.