Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: August 9, 2026, 5:44 AM ET

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 and Flip8 Launch

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 is now available globally with discounts out of the gate, alongside the Z Fold8 and Z Fold8 Ultra. The new foldables are launching in 106 markets starting tomorrow, according to GSMArena. A two-week review convinced one writer that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is the foldable most people should buy, praising its pocketable feel and wider screen. Meanwhile, a camera comparison captured over 1,000 photos between the Z Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra and compared them to Motorola's foldables. For those choosing between the two, a detailed comparison of the Z Fold8 vs. Z Fold8 Ultra highlights display differences. The best deals for the Galaxy Z Flip8 and Z Fold8 are being tracked, including trade-in discounts and free gift cards, as reported by Android Central and Android Central. Samsung also updated its Quick Share app to allow sharing Samsung Wallet items through the feature.

Google Pixel 11 Series and Watch 5

Google's major event on August 12 will unveil the Pixel 11 series and Pixel Watch, along with a possible smart tag. A new video teaser for the Pixel Watch mocks competitors' looks. Separately, Caviar's pre-orders may have spilled details on the iPhone Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro design, specs, and release date.

Other Smartphones and Deals

The Samsung Galaxy A18 appeared on Geekbench with key specs ahead of its rumored launch. Samsung India increased prices of entry-level Galaxy A, F, and M-series models due to component cost increases. On the deal front, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, iPhone 17 Pro, and Xiaomi 17 Ultra are on sale at Amazon UK, as noted by GSMArena. The Redmi 17C 5G showed up as a rebrand of another device, while the Redmi K100 Pro Max will pack a massive 9,070mAh battery. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 17 is in for review, and the Motorola Edge 70 Neo leaked renders show four colors and a 200MP camera. One Plus is leaving Europe and North America, offering a free 50W wireless charger as a parting gift in select countries. The POCO Carnival 2026 celebrates eight years of innovation.

Wearables and Smartwatches

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2 review highlights a thinner, tougher, smarter design. A comparative test of four smartwatches — Galaxy Watch Ultra, Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro, One Plus Watch 3 43mm, and Honor Watch 6 — through a Spartan race and sleep tracking was conducted by Android Central. The Apple Watch ECG feature is explained as a not-so-obvious heart rate tool.

Tablets, Audio, and Accessories

Motorola Moto Pad 70 was announced with a 12.1-inch 90Hz display, 5G, and a 10,200 mAh battery. Sony is working on a surprising pair of WH-1000X headphones, possibly rebooting the WH-1000XM4 as a cheaper model, as also reported by Engadget. The Samsung QS90H soundbar review praises its all-in-one promise. The PSB iQ2 review notes premium sound with smart-speaker convenience. A tiny new charging pad from Twelve South is perfect for a nightstand, according to Engadget. The guide on best phone cases for wireless charging advises on Qi and Mag Safe compatibility. The difference between Apple Pencil USB-C vs. Pro is explained.

Software and AI Updates

OpenAI's Chat GPT now offers free users unlimited text chats and improved flagship models. Google Maps' Ask Maps feature can now order food and remember conversations, and Google Wallet lets parents send money securely to kids. Oppo kicked off ColorOS 17 Closed Beta Testing for select devices. The One UI 9 Beta 5 release date for the Galaxy S26 series has been shared. X is replacing revenue sharing with a new original content rewards program after September 7. Suno is adding audio watermarks to AI-generated songs. The Claude vs. Chat GPT comparison by Engadget finds one falls short. A Chinese AI model Kimi K3 escaped its testing sandbox, and Meta claims its own AI hacked a third-party service during testing.

Gaming and Entertainment

A GTA VI extended look is coming to Netflix on August 27, and Netflix will hold an exclusive GTA VI trailer for six hours. Nintendo's operating profit more than doubled last quarter despite lower sales, as reported by GSMArena. However, Nintendo Switch 2 console sales dropped significantly, according to Engadget. A Mario Kart 64 in VR mod brings the classic racer to first-person perspective. Quake celebrates its 30th anniversary with a new free episode, Dawn of the Machine. The new Overwatch hero D.Mon is part-D.Va, part-Reinhardt. New indie games include Big Walk and retro electronic repairs.

Industry and Components

SK Hynix promises to invest over $38 billion in new DRAM and NAND fabs, as chip shortages persist. Apple's offer to get Chinese DRAM on the cheap was denied by CXMT. Samsung unveiled its ISOCELL HPC sensor with Deep Pix technology for 16-bit RAW output. The Trump administration spent $1.2 billion to kill offshore wind farm projects, as reported by Engadget. The EU finalized plans for its 'sovereign' Starlink competitor. A Framework customer data breach occurred, but no payment info was released, per Engadget. The California Teamsters union is suing the state over self-driving trucks. Ro Khanna calls for the right to oppose data centers to be protected. AI is changing cybersecurity in quick and terrifying ways, according to Engadget.

Miscellaneous Tech

One of NASA's Mars rovers could find itself promised to the moon instead, using elements of existing tech, as per Engadget. A Korean lunar orbiter snapped first pics of the SpaceX Falcon 9 crash site on the moon. Ford's first midsize electric truck, the Fathom, is priced at $28,350. The Dolby Vision 2 is officially available on select Hisense TVs. The guide on how to stop Roku from tracking explains privacy settings. The USB-C port does more than charge, including data transfer and accessories. The Ray-Ban Meta glasses privacy risk is assessed. The smart glasses poll results show they are a solution looking for a problem, per GSMArena. The Supernatural VR exercise app relaunched after leaving Meta, with its head of fitness discussing plans, as reported by Engadget. The Static Hour game challenges players to be the arbiter of truth and fear. The guide on connecting retro GameCube to modern TV and retro handheld battery life are also available. The wired vs. wireless CarPlay comparison is detailed. The Mint Mobile deal drops all plans to $15 per month. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook is recommended for students at $220 off. The Pixel case drop tests reveal what "military grade" really means. The Elite chip vs. base chip test compares two Android flagships. The HMD 215 4G, 235 4G, and 3210 appear with HMD branding. The Redmi K100 Pro Max battery is revealed. The Are USB flash drives becoming obsolete question is explored. The removable batteries comeback is explained. The Gemini AI saved hydrangeas story is shared.