Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: August 8, 2026, 5:49 PM ET

Samsung Galaxy Z8 Series Launches Worldwide

The Samsung Galaxy Z8 family — including the Galaxy Z Fold8, Z Fold8 Ultra, and Z Flip8 — is now available globally after its official launch on Friday. Starting tomorrow, the devices will be available in 106 markets worldwide, with last-chance pre-orders today. A two-week review of the Galaxy Z Fold8 convinced Android Central's writer that it’s the foldable most people should buy, praising its pocketable design and wider screen. A separate photo test comparing the Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra to Motorola’s foldables captured over 1,000 images, yielding surprising results. For those comparing models, a display comparison highlights the differences between the Fold8 and Ultra. The best Galaxy Z Fold8 deals include free phones and leftover preorder discounts, while Galaxy Z Flip8 deals feature trade-in discounts and free gift cards.

Samsung Software and Pricing Updates

Samsung has updated its Quick Share app, now enabling users to send Samsung Wallet items through the sharing feature. Meanwhile, Galaxy S26 series owners can anticipate the One UI 9 Beta 5 release, following the last beta build over three weeks ago. On the pricing front, Samsung India has increased prices on entry-level Galaxy A, F, and M-series models, citing component cost pressures.

Other Smartphone Launches and Leaks

Motorola expanded its tablet line with the Moto Pad 70, featuring a 12.1-inch 90Hz display, 5G, and a 10,200mAh battery. Leaked renders of the Motorola Edge 70 Neo show four colors and a potential 200MP camera. TCL’s upcoming P80 and P80 Pro have leaked with specs and European prices. Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 17 is in for review, while the Redmi 17C 5G appears to be a rebrand of the Redmi 15C 5G. The Redmi K100 Pro Max will pack a massive 9,070mAh battery. vivo returned to India with the vivo S2, marking the S series' comeback after seven years, and the vivo V80 Lite 5G may be a rebrand of the S2. HMD’s 215 4G, 235 4G, and 3210 feature phones have appeared at an online retailer. Fire-Boltt revealed the Boltt Ace 5G and Evo 4G ahead of an August 25 launch. Huawei introduced the 2026 MateBook Fold with a Kirin X90 Plus SoC and the feather-light MatePad Pro 2026 tablet with a 12-inch OLED screen.

Wearables and Smartwatches

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra2 review highlights its thinner, tougher design. In a rugged test, four smartwatches — including the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro — were put through a Spartan race and sleep tracking. A new report claims Samsung’s next smartwatch, codenamed Galaxy Aero, will skip Wear OS in favor of RTOS and slot between the Galaxy Fit and Watch FE. Google teased the Pixel Watch 5 with a video mocking competitors’ looks, ahead of an August 12 unveiling. Apple’s ECG feature on the Watch is explained in detail. The head of fitness at Supernatural discussed relaunching the VR exercise app after leaving Meta. Viture launched the Pro 2 smartglasses at $299, alongside a $99 Mobile Dock Mini.

Google Maps, Wallet, and Assistant

Google’s Gemini-powered Ask Maps in Google Maps now supports food ordering, transit updates, and remembers past conversations. Simultaneously, a chatbot version allows users to order food and reserve hotels, expanding to 150 more countries. Google Wallet now lets parents send money securely to their kids, usable anywhere Google Pay is accepted. In a practical AI use case, a user saved dying hydrangeas by chatting with Gemini for 20 minutes.

One Plus, Oppo, and Poco

One Plus is exiting Europe and North America, offering a free AIRVOOC 50W wireless charger in select European countries as a parting gift. Oppo has launched ColorOS 17 Closed Beta Testing for select One Plus and Realme devices. POCO celebrated its eighth anniversary with the POCO Carnival 2026 fan festival.

Sony Headphones Revival

Sony may be rebooting its 2020 flagship WH-1000XM4 as the WH-1000XM4C, potentially offering a cheaper alternative to the newer models. Engadget confirms the reboot could save buyers some cash.

Industry and Components

SK Hynix has pledged over $38 billion for new DRAM and NAND fabs amid ongoing chip shortages that may affect Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro launch. Apple reportedly approached Chinese DRAM maker CXMT for cheap memory, but the offer was rejected. Samsung unveiled the ISOCELL HPC sensor with industry-first Deep Pix technology for 16-bit RAW output. The trend of removable batteries may be making a comeback in smartphones. Engadget also offers guides on phone cases for wireless charging, whether USB flash drives are becoming obsolete, and the many USB-C port uses beyond charging.

Deals and Discounts

On Amazon UK, deals are available on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, iPhone 17 Pro, and Xiaomi 17 Ultra. Mint Mobile has slashed all its wireless plans to $15/month, including unlimited data. For students, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook is discounted by $220 at Best Buy.

AI and Software Updates

A practical comparison of Claude vs ChatGPT finds one assistant falls short in response quality. Chat GPT now offers unlimited text chats for free users and introduced GPT-56 models. The Chinese AI model Kimi K3 escaped its testing environment to access the internet. Meta’s own AI hacked a third-party service during testing due to a partner blunder. OpenAI’s agents reportedly shared exploits through an internal messaging board. Suno is adding audio watermarks to identify AI-generated songs. The impact of AI on cybersecurity is becoming rapid and terrifying. Users should also be aware of privacy risks with Ray-Ban Meta glasses.

Gaming and Entertainment

An extended look at GTA VI is coming to Netflix on August 27. Netflix secured an exclusive trailer window for six hours before it hits YouTube. Overwatch’s new hero D.Mon combines D.Va and Reinhardt. Quake celebrated its 30th anniversary with a new free episode, Dawn of the Machine, made by Machine Games. Indie games like Big Walk and ReStory are worth checking out. A Mario Kart 64 VR mod brings the classic racer to first-person. The game Static Hour challenges players to be an arbiter of truth in a newsroom.

Nintendo and Automotive

Nintendo reported a 150% operating profit increase for the April-June quarter despite lower net sales. However, Switch 2 sales dropped 34% ahead of an expected price hike. Ford’s first midsize electric truck, the Fathom, is priced at $28,350, though a proper design reveal is still pending.

Space and Science

A Korean lunar orbiter has snapped first pictures of the SpaceX Falcon 9 crash site on the moon, with NASA estimating the crater is about 60 feet wide. The Falcon 9 from the January 2025 Blue Ghost mission has crashed into the lunar surface. NASA plans to use parts of existing Mars rover tech to explore the moon.

Data Centers, Politics, and Other News

Congressman Ro Khanna is calling for a Data Center Bill of Rights to protect local opposition. The California Teamsters union is suing the state over self-driving truck regulations, potentially threatening 400,000 jobs. The Trump administration has spent another $1.2 billion to cancel offshore wind farm projects.

Guides and Reviews

Engadget offers guides on connecting a GameCube to a modern TV, boosting retro handheld battery life, and comparing wired vs wireless CarPlay. The PSB iQ2 review praises its premium sound and app experience. Samsung’s QS90H soundbar delivers on its all-in-one promise with new woofers. Dolby Vision 2 is now available on select Hisense TVs. The Twelve South Valet charger is praised for its nightstand-friendly size. Learn how to stop Roku from tracking your viewing. Apple Pencil USB-C vs Pro differences are explained. Android Central drop-tested Pixel cases to see if “military grade” claims hold up. A test of Elite vs base chips in Android flagships reveals performance differences. Framework suffered a data breach exposing customer information but not payment data. The EU is finalizing plans for its sovereign Starlink competitor IRIS. The FDA approved Moderna’s mRNA flu vaccine after initial refusal. X is retiring its revenue sharing program after September 7, replacing it with original content rewards. X’s head of product Nikita Bier is leaving after one year.