Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: August 11, 2026, 5:50 PM ET

Pixel 11 Series Launch

Google’s Made by Google 2026 event is set to unveil the Pixel 11 lineup, with most details already leaked. A new rumor claims the base Pixel 11 will feature a 10.8MP telephoto camera but will lack an RGB notification LED. The higher-end Pixel 11 Pro XL has appeared in a carrier leak showing a matte black finish, a larger camera housing, and a new “HiLight” flash. You can watch the announcement live as it happens. A comprehensive specs leak also covers the Redmi K100 Pro and Galaxy S27. Google is also expected to unveil the Pixel Watch 5, which will come in a Stephen Curry edition. If you’re deciding whether to upgrade, our guide breaks down whether to wait for the Pixel 11 or buy the Pixel 10 now. Android Central is live blogging the event and all the news leading up to it.

Samsung’s Foldable and Wearable Push

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 is exceeding expectations, with the company reportedly boosting production by 1 million units this year. The device has already faced Jerry Rig Everything’s durability test, surviving sand, blades, and Zack. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Flip8 is already seeing discounts, and deals on the Z Fold8 and Z Fold8 Ultra are available. On the wearable front, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is among the first to receive the One UI 9 Watch beta, which has appeared on test servers. T-Mobile is offering a free Galaxy Watch 9 with a qualifying plan. Leaks also detail the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE, revealing key changes and what stays the same. The Galaxy A18 has appeared on Geekbench with key specs. Additionally, Android 17-based One UI 9 will be the last major upgrade for the Galaxy S23 FE.

Xiaomi and Redmi Lineup Expands

Xiaomi has officially launched the Redmi 17 4G and Redmi 17 5G, sharing identical looks and key specs. A hands-on review of the Redmi Note 17 5G notes a trimmed battery. Leaked details of the Redmi Note 17 Pro Max promise a new chipset, a 9,210mAh battery, and 100W fast charging. The Xiaomi 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max colors and back material have leaked, showing black, white, pink, blue, and red options with fiberglass backs. The India launch roadmap for Xiaomi and Redmi devices has also leaked. The Redmi K100 Pro and K100 Pro Max were revealed ahead of their August 11 launch.

iQOO and Other Android Contenders

iQOO will introduce the Z11 in India on August 20, powered by the Dimensity 7500 Turbo SoC. The company has also confirmed the launch date of the Neo11 Ultra and Z11s in China, revealing their design and key specs. A tipster claims the iQOO 16T will feature a 200MP camera and a liquid-air cooling system. The Fairphone 6+ has leaked in Cobalt Blue with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. Lava announced the Smart 4 with specs that sound straight out of 2016. The Minimal Phone 2 trades E Ink for a 90Hz AMOLED display while keeping its tactile QWERTY keyboard. The Moto G Max is coming to India with a Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 and a 7,000mAh battery.

Motorola’s Latest Moves

Motorola’s Android 17 rollout is underway for 50+ phones, bringing a refreshed Hello UI with new AI features. The Moto Watch (2026) review finds that looks can be deceiving, with limited software holding it back. The Moto G Max will debut in India on August 14.

Wearables and Audio

The FDA has cleared a Samsung Galaxy Buds feature to help users monitor their hearing health. A comparison of the Garmin Cirqa vs Fitbit Air asks whether Garmin’s new option is worth $100 more. I took the best Bose and Sony earbuds to three noisy places to test which cancel out the most noise. Meta is rolling out neural handwriting for Ray-Ban Display in Early Access.

Apps, Services, and Policy

FlightAware is suing Kalshi for using its data without authorization. England and Wales have banned Meta Glasses from courtrooms. NYC Mayor Mamdani announced support for the Delivery Protection Act, which Amazon is fighting. Spotify is issuing AI Persona labels to alert listeners if an artist isn’t real. Bumble now lets either person send the first message after matching. YouTube is doubling monetization requirements for new creators. Google Play now accepts Venmo payments. Valve warns that European Steam hardware customers likely had data compromised. A Zoom screen-sharing bug let people fully take over other devices on a call. Abbott is partnering with Google Health for AI-powered glucose monitoring. Disney+ will become the new global streaming home of Formula E. OpenAI gives Daybreak partners access to a more powerful cybersecurity model.

Tips and Accessories

Before throwing out old USB drives, securely wipe or destroy them. Learn how to pair your Roku remote and use the mobile app. Find out how waterproof AirTags are with their IP67 rating. Hide and unhide apps on your iPhone or iPad. The difference between MagSafe and Qi wireless charging explained. Understand the differences between Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and 2.4G wireless devices. Use Claude’s voice mode with this quick guide. Format a USB drive on Windows. Consider the downsides of switching from iPhone to Android. The pros and cons of switching to digital games. A weekly poll asks if you use a feature phone. Results show smart glasses are a solution looking for a problem. Fix stick drift on PS5 and Xbox controllers. Can you wear headphones while driving? It depends on the state. Connect Bluetooth headphones to your PS5. Can a MacBook run multiple external monitors? It depends. The iPhone has changed in the last five years through gradual evolution. What does a $100 smartphone get you in 2026? Here’s what to do.

Market Trends and Industry

Global smartphone shipments dropped 7% in Q2 due to rising memory prices, with FDM forecasting a 12% decline for the year. The iPhone 18 Pro BOM cost is estimated to be up by 40%, partly due to memory chip shortages. Caviar may have leaked the iPhone Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro design, specs, and release date. The REDMAGIC Astra 2 gaming tablet goes on sale August 26, with early access discounts available. Asus and Lenovo are preparing Googlebooks for IFA, with renders appearing. The XGIMI Horizon Ultra projector received a massive discount with an exclusive code. Amazon’s Back to School sale features incredible deals on Android tech. The Dell XPS 13 (2026) review notes it needs more RAM. Authors face backlash for participation in a 2022 Google AI study. Verizon’s latest outage in Southern California was caused by vandals cutting fiber cables.