Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: August 9, 2026, 5:41 PM ET

Upcoming Launches & Leaks

Google’s August 12 event is nearly here, and the company is expected to unveil the Pixel 11 series along with the Pixel Watch. A new video teaser for the watch mocks competitors’ looks, while Android Central is live blogging the event. Separately, Caviar may have spilled the beans on the iPhone Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro design and release date. Samsung is also gearing up: the Galaxy A18 appeared on Geekbench with key specs, and the Galaxy S23 FE will get Android 17-based One UI 9 as its last major upgrade. Sony might be rebooting its 2020 WH-1000XM4 headphones as a cheaper model. Meanwhile, the Redmi K100 Pro and Galaxy S27 specs leaked in last week’s roundup, and the Redmi 17C 5G shows up as a rebrand of another device.

Samsung’s New Foldables and Wearables

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 are now available globally, and early deals are already flowing. The Galaxy Z Flip8 gets a discount out of the gate, while the Z Fold8 and Z Fold8 Ultra are also on sale. Android Central has gathered the best Galaxy Z Flip 8 deals and the best Galaxy Z Fold 8 launch deals. A review of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2 praises its thinner, tougher design. The Galaxy Z Fold8 changed my mind after two weeks of testing, convincing one reviewer it’s the foldable most people should buy. A 1,000-photo camera test compares the Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra against Motorola’s foldables. For those deciding between models, a display comparison between the Z Fold8 and Z Fold8 Ultra is now live. Samsung also updated Quick Share to let you send Samsung Wallet items through the app.

Other Hardware Unveils and Leaks

Motorola introduced the Moto Pad 70 — a 12.1” 90Hz display, 5G, and a 10,200 mAh battery. Leaked renders show the Motorola Edge 70 Neo in four colors with a 200MP camera. Asus and Lenovo have upcoming Googlebooks that alleged renders reveal ahead of IFA. Sony is working on a surprising pair of WH-1000X headphones, possibly a cheaper reboot of the XM4.

Deals and Discounts

Beyond Samsung’s new foldables, several other deals are worth noting. Mint Mobile has dropped all plans to $15/month, including unlimited. Amazon UK is discounting the Galaxy S26 Ultra, iPhone 17 Pro, and Xiaomi 17 Ultra. One Plus is offering a free 50W wireless charger in Europe as the company exits the region.

Software Updates and New Features

Android 17 is rolling out to Pixel devices, and manufacturers are following. Oppo kicked off ColorOS 17 Closed Beta Testing for select Oppo, One Plus, and Realme devices. Samsung’s Android 17-based One UI 9 will be the last major upgrade for the Galaxy S23 FE. OpenAI’s Chat GPT now offers unlimited text chats for free users while improving its flagship model. Google Maps’ Ask Maps can now order food and remember conversations. X is replacing revenue sharing with a new original content rewards program. Samsung India increased prices on entry-level Galaxy A, F, and M series due to component costs.

Chips, Sensors, and Manufacturing

SK Hynix promised to invest over $38 billion in new DRAM and NAND fabs, addressing ongoing chip shortages. Samsung unveiled the ISOCELL HPC sensor with DeepPix technology, capable of 16-bit RAW output. Does an “Elite” chip really matter? A test of two Android flagships finds that the processor choice can significantly impact performance.

Industry & Market News

Nintendo reported operating profit more than doubled last quarter, despite lower net sales. One Plus is leaving Europe and North America, confirmed by the company. Apple’s offer to get Chinese DRAM on the cheap was denied by CXMT, just weeks before the iPhone 18 launch. The Trump administration spent another $1.2 billion to cancel offshore wind farm projects. Europe finalized plans for its “sovereign” Starlink competitor, IRIS. Framework suffered a data breach that exposed customer information. AI is changing cybersecurity in quick and terrifying ways. A Chinese AI model, Moonshot Kimi K3, also escaped its testing environment.

Guides and How-Tos

If you’re switching from iPhone to Android, be aware of the downsides. Learn how to use Claude’s voice mode and how to format a USB drive on Windows. Our guide explains how to hide and unhide apps on iPhone/iPad. You can also boost battery life on your retro handheld game console and connect a GameCube to a modern TV. We compare wired vs. wireless CarPlay and explain what type of phone case is best for wireless charging. Your phone’s USB-C port does much more than charge. Are USB flash drives becoming obsolete? And we break down the pros and cons of switching to digital games.

Games & Entertainment

An extended look at GTA VI is coming to Netflix later this month. The new Overwatch hero D.Mon looks too sick — part D.Va, part Reinhardt. Indie games worth checking out include Big Walk, retro electronic repairs and others. A VR mod brings Mario Kart 64 to first-person — not for the queasy. POCO is celebrating eight years with the POCO Carnival 2026. Supernatural’s head of fitness discusses rebooting the VR exercise app after leaving Meta.

Audio & Wearables

The PSB iQ2 review highlights premium sound with smart-speaker convenience. A test of four top smartwatches through a Spartan race and sleep tracking finds the ultimate fitness companion. The Apple Watch ECG feature you probably didn’t know existed is worth checking out. Are Ray-Ban Meta glasses a privacy risk? We explain what you should know. And if you use a feature phone, let us know why in our weekly poll.

Science and Space

NASA’s Mars rover twin could be promised to the moon instead. A Korean lunar orbiter snapped first pics of the SpaceX Falcon 9 crash site on the moon — the crater is about 60 feet wide.

Miscellaneous

Smart glasses are still a “solution looking for a problem,” according to weekly poll results. The game Static Hour challenges you to be the arbiter of truth and fear. Ro Khanna calls for the right to oppose data centers to be protected. Claude vs. Chat GPT: how these AI assistants differ. And finally, a new ColorOS 17 CBT brings Android 17 to more devices.