Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: August 10, 2026, 5:49 PM ET

Smartphones

The Google Pixel 11 series is set to debut alongside the Pixel Watch 5 at a major event on August 12, with leaks revealing a Pixel 11 Pro XL in matte black featuring a "HiLight" flash system. Android Central's latest advice asks whether to wait for the Pixel 11 or buy the Pixel 10 now, while a separate roundup details everything we know about the Pixel 11 series and Watch 5. A broader specs leak also covers the Redmi K100 Pro, Galaxy S27, and Pixel 11 in Week 32's review.

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 has won over reviewers with its pocketable design and wide screen, and the company is reportedly increasing Galaxy Z Fold8 production by 1 million units due to stronger-than-expected demand. The foldable survived a durability test from Jerry Rig Everything involving sand and blades. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Flip8 is already seeing discounts out of the gate alongside deals on the Z Fold8 and Z Fold8 Ultra.

Xiaomi has officially launched the Redmi 17 4G and 5G, sharing identical designs and key specs. The Moto G Max is headed to India with a Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 and a massive 7,000mAh battery. iQOO has confirmed the Neo11 Ultra and Z11s launch next week, revealing the design and key specs. Samsung Galaxy A18 appeared on Geekbench with its chipset and memory details. The Fairphone 6+ leaked in Cobalt Blue with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage.

The Minimal Phone 2 swaps its E Ink display for a 90Hz AMOLED panel while retaining a tactile QWERTY keyboard and adding 5G in a sleeker aluminum body. Lava Smart 4 launched with specs reminiscent of 2016. A Caviar pre-order listing may have leaked the iPhone Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro designs and release date. One Plus is leaving Europe and North America, offering a free 50W wireless charger as a farewell gift in select countries. The downsides of switching from iPhone to Android are explored in a new guide.

Wearables

The Google Pixel Watch 5 teaser mocks competitors' looks ahead of the August 12 unveiling. A special Stephen Curry edition of the Pixel Watch 5 is expected to launch on August 20. T-Mobile is offering a free Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 when you add a watch plan. Sony is reportedly working on a WH-1000XM4C headphone relaunch of the popular model. The Apple Watch ECG feature is not as well-known as it should be.

Tablets & Laptops

The REDMAGIC Astra 2 gaming tablet goes on sale August 26, with an early-access discount available one day prior. Motorola Moto Pad 70 brings a 12.1-inch 90Hz display, 5G, and a 10,200mAh battery. The Dell XPS 13 (2026) review praises its thin design but warns that most people should get the 16GB RAM model. Renders of Asus and Lenovo Googlebooks show upcoming Chrome OS laptops expected at IFA.

Apps & Software

YouTube is doubling monetization requirements for new creators, now needing twice the watch hours or Shorts views. Google Play now accepts Venmo payments for purchases. An alternative app store, Aptoide Games, is now available inside the Google Play Store itself. Valve warns that European Steam hardware customers had data "likely compromised" in a breach. X is replacing revenue sharing with an original content rewards program after September 7. Android 17-based One UI 9 will be the last major upgrade for the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE. A new comparison breaks down Claude vs ChatGPT differences, and there's a guide on using Claude's voice mode.

Deals & Industry

Samsung India has hiked entry-level Galaxy prices on A, F and M-series models due to component cost increases. SK Hynix promises to invest $38 billion in new DRAM and NAND fabs. A weekly deals roundup highlights Galaxy S26 Ultra, iPhone 17 Pro, and Xiaomi 17 Ultra discounts on Amazon UK. NYC Mayor Mamdani is backing the Delivery Protection Act, which Amazon opposes, to ban the use of contractors for last-mile delivery. The pros and cons of digital games are examined as production of physical discs declines. Poll results show smart glasses are considered a solution looking for a problem, and a feature phone revival poll asks whether the trend is genuine.

Guides & How-Tos

Learn how to securely wipe old USB drives before disposal, and how to format a USB drive on Windows. Understand the difference between MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging. Pair your Roku remote manually or use the mobile app. Check AirTag water resistance — IP67 rated but not invincible. Hide and unhide iPhone apps for privacy. Get the best battery life from retro handheld consoles. Connect a GameCube to a modern TV. Compare wired vs. wireless CarPlay. Learn what USB-C can do beyond charging. Understand differences between Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and 2.4G wireless. And for budget hunters, what a $100 smartphone gets you in 2026.

Gaming & VR

A Mario Kart 64 VR mod brings the classic racer to first-person — not for the queasy. The head of fitness at Supernatural discusses rebooting the VR exercise app after leaving Meta. New indie games worth checking out include Big Walk, retro electronic repairs, and Pigeon: A Love Story. An Elite chip vs. base chip test pits two Motorola foldables against each other to see if the processor really matters. Leaked renders of the Motorola Edge 70 Neo show four colors and a 200MP camera.