Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: August 10, 2026, 11:47 PM ET

Pixel 11 Series and Watch 5

Google’s August 12 event is nearly upon us, and anticipation is high for the Pixel 11 series. A carrier leak has revealed the Pixel 11 Pro XL in a matte black finish with a larger camera housing and a new “HiLight” flash, as detailed in these leaked images. For those wondering whether to buy now or hold out, here’s what to consider before the launch. Alongside the phones, the Google Pixel Watch 5 is expected, including a Stephen Curry edition that adds a unique flair. Android Central is live blogging the event and all the news leading up to it.

Samsung Galaxy Foldables, Watches, and More

Samsung’s foldable momentum is strong: the Galaxy Z Fold8 has proven so popular that the company is increasing its production target by 1 million units. In a durability test from Jerry Rig Everything, the Z Fold8 braved sand and blades. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 review calls it the foldable most people should buy, praising its pocketable design. On the software side, the Galaxy S23 FE will receive One UI 9 based on Android 17 as its last major upgrade. The upcoming Galaxy A18 has appeared on Geekbench, revealing key specs like an octa-core chipset. Meanwhile, Samsung India has increased prices on entry-level Galaxy A, F, and M models due to component cost hikes.

iPhone Rumors and Reports

Apple’s next-generation flagships are already generating leaks. The iPhone 18 Pro Max’s battery capacity is said to be 5,425 mAh, a significant jump. A Trend Force report estimates that the iPhone 18 Pro’s bill of materials has increased by up to 40% due to memory chip shortages. Luxury retailer Caviar may have spilled details on the iPhone Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro design, specs, and release date through pre-order listings.

Other Phones and Tablets

Several devices are hitting the market or being updated. The Minimal Phone 2 swaps its E Ink screen for a 90Hz AMOLED while keeping a tactile QWERTY keyboard. Leaked images show the Fairphone 6+ in Cobalt Blue with 12GB of RAM and 256GB storage. Lava has announced the Smart 4, a budget device with specs that feel straight out of 2016. The REDMAGIC Astra 2 gaming tablet, which features a liquid cooling system, goes on sale August 26 with early access discounts. Motorola is bringing the Moto G Max to India with a Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 and a 7,000mAh battery. Xiaomi launched the Redmi 17 4G and 5G with identical designs. iQOO confirmed the launch of the Neo11 Ultra and Z11s in China next week, revealing their design. The Moto Pad 70 offers a 12.1-inch 90Hz display, 5G, and a 10,200 mAh battery. A weekly recap also brought specs for the Redmi K100 Pro, Galaxy S27, and Pixel 11.

Apps & Services

The Google Play Store now hosts a competitor: the Aptoide Games app is available for download in the US following Google’s legal defeat. Another report says Aptoide Games is now listed in the Play Store. Meanwhile, YouTube is making it harder for new creators to start earning ad revenue by doubling the watch hours and Shorts views requirements. Google Play now also accepts Venmo payments for purchases.

Industry News

Verizon suffered a major outage in Southern California after vandals cut multiple fiber cables, disrupting mobile and internet services. New York City Mayor Mamdani announced support for the Delivery Protection Act, which Amazon is fighting. Valve warned that data of European Steam hardware customers was likely compromised. One Plus is leaving Europe and North America, offering a free 50W wireless charger as a parting gift in select regions. X is replacing its revenue-sharing program with a new original content rewards program that starts after September 7.

Audio & Accessories

Sony is working on a surprising reissue of its WH-1000X headphones: the WH-1000XM4C will essentially be the popular XM4 model with a new name and price.

Gaming & VR

The shift to digital games is accelerating, and an article weighs the pros and cons of the transition. Retro gaming enthusiasts can connect their Game Cube to a modern TV with a single adapter. To get the best battery life from retro handhelds, these tips help. A mod brings Mario Kart 64 to VR — not for the queasy. Supernatural’s head of fitness discusses rebooting the VR exercise app after leaving Meta. Several new indie games worth checking out include Big Walk and retro electronic repairs.

Connectivity and Hardware Guides

Understanding the differences between Mag Safe and Qi2 wireless charging is simpler than you think — magnets work the same. Similarly, the distinctions between Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and 2.4G wireless devices are explained in this comparison. Air Tags have an IP67 rating, but here’s what you should know about their water resistance. Wired vs wireless Car Play each have advantages — here’s which is better to use. Your phone’s USB-C port does a lot more than charge, and these uses include data transfer and accessory connections. The Apple Watch has an ECG feature you may not know about — here’s how to use it.

Software and Security Guides

Before throwing out old USB drives, you should securely wipe or destroy them because deleting files offers little protection. If you need to pair a Roku remote, the steps are straightforward — this guide covers it. Claude’s voice mode is available — here’s how to use it. Formatting a USB drive on Windows is easy — follow these instructions. You may want to hide apps on your iPhone or iPad — this guide shows how. If you’re considering switching from iPhone to Android, be aware of the downsides. Finally, a practical breakdown compares Claude and Chat GPT, highlighting where one falls short.

Deals & Promotions

T-Mobile is offering a free Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 if you follow these steps with a watch plan. The Galaxy Z Flip8 already has discounts, and the Z Fold8 and Z Fold8 Ultra are also on sale. Amazon UK has deals on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, iPhone 17 Pro, and Xiaomi 17 Ultra.

Opinion & Analysis

What does a $100 smartphone get you in 2026? This article offers creative advice. The weekly poll asks whether you use a feature phone and why — results suggest genuine pushback against all-in-one devices. Another poll indicates that smart glasses are a “solution looking for a problem,” with low adoption rates.

Computing

The Dell XPS 13 (2026) is a thin, light MacBook Neo alternative, but most people should shell out for 16GB of RAM. Asus and Lenovo are preparing upcoming Googlebooks, and renders show what these laptops might look like ahead of IFA.