Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: August 11, 2026, 11:57 AM ET

Pixel 11 & Google Hardware

Google’s Made by Google 2026 event is set for August 12, and the company is expected to unveil the Pixel 11 series alongside the Pixel Watch. A new teaser video from Google already shows off the Pixel 11 Pro, while 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. The Pixel Watch 5 will also come in a Stephen Curry edition. For those considering an upgrade, a guide compares whether to wait for the new Pixel 11 or buy the Pixel 10 now, and Android Central is live‑blogging the launch event with all the news. A comprehensive preview summarizes everything we know about the Pixel 11 series and Watch 5 ahead of announcement.

Samsung Galaxy Ecosystem

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 has proven more popular than expected, with reports that the company is boosting its production target by one million units. The device faced Jerry Rig Everything’s durability test, surviving sand, blades and more. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Flip8 is already seeing discounts out of the gate, and T‑Mobile is offering a free Galaxy Watch 9 with a qualifying plan. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is among the first devices to get the One UI 9 Watch beta. On the phone side, the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE’s full specs have leaked, detailing what changes and what stays the same, while the Galaxy S23 FE will receive Android 17‑based One UI 9 as its last major upgrade. A Samsung Galaxy A18 has also appeared on Geekbench with key specs, and the FDA‑approved hearing aid feature for Galaxy Buds is coming later this year alongside a hearing test.

Xiaomi, Redmi & iQOO Launches

Xiaomi has officially launched the Redmi 17 4G and 5G models, sharing identical looks and key specs. A hands‑on review of the Redmi Note 17 5G highlights the battery and trimmed specs, while leaked details of the Redmi Note 17 Pro Max promise a new chipset, 210mAh battery, and 100W charging. The upcoming Xiaomi 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max are rumored to come in black, white, pink, blue, and red with a fiberglass back. For India, a leaked roadmap outlines the Xiaomi and Redmi launch schedule for the rest of the year. iQOO is busy too: the iQOO Z11 for India will feature a Dimensity 7500 Turbo SoC and a large battery, the iQOO 16T is tipped to sport a 200MP camera and liquid‑air cooling, and the iQOO Neo11 Ultra and Z11s will launch next week with their designs revealed. A separate week‑in‑review roundup also leaks specs for the Redmi K100 Pro, Galaxy S27, and Pixel 11. The REDMAGIC Astra 2 gaming tablet, featuring liquid cooling, goes on sale August 26; early buyers can get it a day early with a discount.

Other Smartphones & Devices

Lava is making its UK debut with the Agni 4N, while also announcing the Lava Smart 4 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. Fairphone has leaked the Fairphone 6+ in Cobalt Blue with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. The Minimal Phone 2 trades its E Ink display for a 90Hz AMOLED while keeping its QWERTY keyboard and soul. A question about what a $100 smartphone gets you in 2026 is answered with creative options. The Dell XPS 13 (2026) is reviewed as a MacBook Neo alternative that needs more RAM. Asus and Lenovo are reportedly working on Googlebooks, with alleged renders showing what they might look like ahead of IFA. Caviar may have spilled the beans on the iPhone Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro design, specs, and release date. A Trend Force report estimates that the iPhone 18 Pro BOM cost could be up 40%. The global smartphone market dropped 7% in Q2 due to rising memory prices.

Wearables & Audio

The Garmin Cirqa and Fitbit Air are compared head‑to‑head on price, features, and best fit. The Motorola Moto Watch (2026) review warns that looks can be deceiving due to limited software. A detailed test pitted the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) against Sony’s WF-1000XM6 to see which cancels more noise in three loud environments. The Sony WF‑1000XM6 are also mentioned in the context of active noise cancellation. Meanwhile, the Google Pixel Watch 5 will have a Stephen Curry edition, and Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 9 is available free at T‑Mobile. A weekly poll reveals that smart glasses are considered a solution looking for a problem, with low adoption. For those interested in retro gaming, a guide explains how to get the best battery life from a retro handheld console.

Services, Apps & Software

Spotify will add AI Persona labels to alert listeners when an artist isn’t real, addressing the onslaught of AI‑generated music. Bumble is changing its messaging policy so that either person can send the first message. YouTube is doubling its monetization requirements for new creators, making it harder to start getting a cut of ad revenue. Valve warned that European Steam hardware customers’ data was likely compromised. Google Play now accepts Venmo payments. Anthropic’s Claude chatbot has a voice mode that users can use. A discussion covers the pros and cons of switching from iPhone to Android, and a weekly poll asks whether readers use a feature phone. The debate over digital vs. physical gaming continues as more companies move to stop producing discs and cartridges.

Connectivity, Accessories & How‑Tos

Verizon suffered a major outage in Southern California after vandals cut fiber cables, disrupting mobile and internet services. The PS5 does not directly support Bluetooth audio, but a guide explains how to connect Bluetooth headphones. Also covered: the differences between MagSafe and Qi wireless charging, and a broader comparison of Bluetooth, Wi‑Fi and 2.4G wireless devices. Air Tags have an IP67 rating explaining their water resistance. For retro gamers, a guide shows how to connect a GameCube to a modern TV. Wired vs. wireless CarPlay is compared for advantages and disadvantages. Security tips include how to securely wipe or destroy old USB drives and how to format a USB drive on Windows. Roku remote pairings are explained, as is how to hide and unhide apps on iPhone or iPad. One Plus is leaving Europe and offering a free 50W wireless charger as a parting gift.

Deals & Discounts

The XGIMI Horizon Ultra 4K projector, which earned a near‑perfect score, now has an additional $300 off with an exclusive code. Amazon’s Back to School sale includes incredible deals on Android tech, with a guide to the top 20+ discounts. T‑Mobile’s offer for a free Galaxy Watch 9 is still available even after preorders ended. The Galaxy Z Fold8 and Flip8 are also on sale with early discounts. REDMAGIC’s Astra 2 gaming tablet offers early access with a discount. All these deals are time‑sensitive.