Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: August 10, 2026, 8:48 PM ET

Major Events

Google is set to unveil its Pixel 11 series and Pixel Watch 5 on August 12, with Android Central live blogging the event. A carrier leak has already revealed the Pixel 11 Pro XL in matte black with a larger camera housing and a new “HiLight” flash. Google also published a video teaser that mocks its competitors’ looks. A separate report details what to expect from the Pixel 11 and Watch 5. Meanwhile, a leaked Stephen Curry edition of the Pixel Watch 5 is expected to launch shortly. For those debating whether to wait, a guide weighs buying now versus waiting for the Pixel 11.

Samsung

The Galaxy Z Fold8 has been praised as a compelling foldable with a wider screen and pocketable design. Samsung is increasing production targets by 1 million units due to strong demand. The phone also survived Jerry Rig Everything’s durability test involving sand and blades. Discounts are available on the Galaxy Z Flip8 and Z Fold8 out of the gate. The Galaxy S23 FE will get Android 17–based One UI 9 as its last major upgrade. The Galaxy A18 has appeared on Geekbench with key specs. In India, Samsung has increased prices of entry-level Galaxy A, F, and M-series models. T-Mobile is offering a free Galaxy Watch 9 with a qualifying watch plan.

Apple

The iPhone 18 Pro Bill of Materials cost is estimated to be up by 40% due to memory chip shortages. A Caviar leak may have spilled details on the iPhone Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro design, specs, and release date. The iPhone 17 Pro is currently on sale alongside other flagships. Apple's Watch has a not-so-obvious heart rate feature — an ECG function that users may not realize exists.

Other Phones

The Minimal Phone 2 trades E Ink for a 90Hz AMOLED display while keeping its tactile QWERTY keyboard and 5G specs. Leaked images show the Fairphone 6+ in Cobalt Blue with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. Xiaomi launched the Redmi 17 5G and 4G with identical looks and key specs. iQOO confirmed the launch of the Neo11 Ultra and Z11s next week in China. The Lava Smart 4 has been announced with specs that sound straight out of 2016. The Moto G Max is coming to India with a Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 and a 7,000mAh battery. Leaks also reveal specs for the Redmi K100 Pro, Galaxy S27, and Pixel 11 in a weekly roundup. One Plus is saying goodbye to Europe with a free 50W wireless charger offer.

Tablets & Wearables

The REDMAGIC Astra 2 gaming tablet goes on sale August 26, with early access and discounts available. Motorola announced the Moto Pad 70, featuring a 12.1‑inch 90Hz display, 5G, and a 10,200mAh battery. Supernatural's head of fitness discussed relaunching the VR exercise app after leaving Meta.

Connectivity & Accessories

A detailed comparison explains the differences between MagSafe and Qi wireless charging. Your phone's USB-C port does a lot more than charge — it enables data transfer and accessory connections. The distinctions between Bluetooth, Wi‑Fi, and 2.4G wireless devices are explained. Wired vs. wireless CarPlay shapes up with pros and cons for each. A guide shows how to pair your Roku remote, and another explains the water resistance of AirTags. Security tips cover how to securely wipe USB drives before disposal, and how to format a USB drive on Windows.

Apps & Services

YouTube is making it harder for new creators to qualify for ad revenue — watch hours or Shorts views must double. An Android app store competitor, Aptoide Games, is now available in the Play Store. Google Play now accepts Venmo payments for purchases. X is replacing its revenue sharing with a new original content rewards program. The differences between Claude and ChatGPT AI assistants are broken down, and a guide explains how to use Claude's voice mode.

Security & Outages

Verizon experienced an outage in Southern California after vandals cut fiber cables, disrupting mobile and internet services. Valve warned that data of European Steam hardware customers was likely compromised.

Gaming

A mod brings Mario Kart 64 to VR — not recommended for the queasy. New indie games worth checking out include Big Walk, ReStory, and Pigeon. The pros and cons of the switch to digital games are examined. Tips explain how to connect a retro GameCube to a modern TV and how to get the best battery life from retro handheld consoles.

Guides & Analysis

A guide covers how to hide and unhide apps on iPhone/iPad. The downsides of switching from iPhone to Android are outlined. A weekly poll asks whether readers use a feature phone and why. Smart glasses remain a solution looking for a problem according to poll results. What a $100 smartphone gets you in 2026 is explored in a budget guide. The Dell XPS 13 (2026) review calls it a MacBook Neo alternative that needs more RAM. Renders of upcoming Asus and Lenovo Googlebooks have surfaced ahead of IFA. Sony is reportedly working on a WH-1000XM4C revival of the popular headphones.