Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: August 10, 2026, 2:50 PM ET

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 & Foldables

Samsung is increasing the Galaxy Z Fold8 production target by 1 million units this year, signaling stronger-than-expected demand. The device survived sand, blades, and the full Jerry Rig Everything gauntlet in a durability test that left it largely intact. A two-week review calls it the foldable phone most people should buy, praising its wider screen and pocketable size. The Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra cameras were compared across 1,000 photos against Motorola’s foldables, with surprising results. Early discounts are already available on the Z Flip8, Z Fold8, and Z Fold8 Ultra. Samsung also updated Quick Share to let you send Samsung Wallet items directly.

Google Pixel 11 Series & Watch 5

Google’s August 12 event will unveil the Pixel 11 series and the Pixel Watch, with a live blog covering all the news. A carrier leak shows the Pixel 11 Pro XL in matte black with a “HiLight” flash. The Pixel Watch 5 will also arrive in a Stephen Curry edition. A new video teaser mocks competitors’ designs. Should you wait for the Pixel 11 or buy now? The decision depends on your upgrade cycle and budget.

Other Smartphones Launches & Leaks

Xiaomi launched the Redmi 17 4G and 5G with shared looks and key specs. The Moto G Max is headed to India with a Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 and a 7,000mAh battery. iQOO confirmed the Neo11 Ultra and Z11s launch next week with revealed designs. The Samsung Galaxy A18 popped up on Geekbench, hinting at key specs. Caviar may have spilled the beans on the iPhone Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro design. The Lava Smart 4 was announced with specs straight out of 2016. Motorola’s Edge 70 Neo leaked in four colors with a 200MP camera. A poll asks whether you use a feature phone and why. Asus and Lenovo are preparing Googlebooks for IFA. The Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 uses an Elite processor, while the Razr Fold has a base chip; a test compares performance. The Redmi K100 Pro, Galaxy S27, and Pixel 11 spec leaks dominated Week 32 in review.

Wearables & Fitness

T-Mobile is offering a free Galaxy Watch 9 with a qualifying watch plan. The Apple Watch ECG feature is a hidden heart-rate tool worth exploring. A comparison of four smartwatches through a Spartan race, 12-mile run, and sleep tracking identified the ultimate fitness companion. Supernatural’s head of fitness discusses the VR exercise app’s reboot after leaving Meta.

Software, Apps & Services

Aptoide Games, a competitor to Google’s app store, is now available in the Play Store. Meta released Muse Glimmer, a slimmed-down AI model that runs on a single PC. Google Play now accepts Venmo payments. Anthropic’s Claude voice mode can be turned on for spoken responses. A comparison of Claude and Chat GPT highlights key differences. X is replacing its revenue sharing program with an original content rewards program after September 7. Samsung Wallet items can now be shared via Quick Share. Valve warned that European Steam hardware customer data was likely compromised. An OpenClaw agent allegedly hacked a gym booking system and kicked someone off a waitlist. The Made by Google event is being live-blogged. New indie games like Big Walk and retro electronic repairs are worth checking out.

Charging, Connectivity & How‑Tos

The difference between MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging comes down to magnets and standards. Bluetooth, Wi‑Fi, and 2.4G wireless devices differ in range and power. Wired vs wireless CarPlay have distinct advantages. One Plus is leaving Europe and North America and offering a free 50W wireless charger as a parting gift. Your phone’s USB‑C port does much more than charge. AirTags have an IP67 rating; here’s how waterproof they are. Pair your Roku remote manually if needed. Format a USB drive on Windows with a few steps. Securely wipe old USB drives before disposal. Hide and unhide apps on iPhone or iPad. Connect a retro GameCube to a modern TV. Boost retro handheld battery life with smarter charging.

Deals & Pricing

Beyond the Galaxy Z Fold8 discounts, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, iPhone 17 Pro, and Xiaomi 17 Ultra are on sale at Amazon UK. Samsung India increased prices on entry‑level Galaxy A, F, and M‑series models due to component costs. The REDMAGIC Astra 2 gaming tablet goes on sale August 26 with an early-access discount.

Industry & Miscellaneous

SK Hynix promises to invest over $38 billion in new DRAM and NAND fabs. Sony is re‑launching the WH-1000XM4 as the WH-1000XM4C. The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE will get Android 17‑based One UI 9 as its last major upgrade. The pros and cons of switching to digital games are debated. Smart glasses remain a solution looking for a problem, per a weekly poll. The downsides of switching from iPhone to Android are outlined. The Motorola Moto Pad 70 was announced with a 12.1‑inch 90Hz display and 10,200mAh battery. The Dell XPS 13 (2026) review notes it needs more RAM. Finally, a Mario Kart 64 VR mod brings the classic racer to first‑person – not for the queasy.