Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: August 12, 2026, 2:47 AM ET

Google Pixel 11 Series

Google’s Made by Google 2026 event is set for August 12, and a last-minute leak has offered new renders depicting the Pixel, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold ahead of the official unveiling. The base model is rumored to feature a 10.8MP telephoto camera and will notably lack an RGB notification LED. A carrier leak also surfaced showing the Pixel 11 Pro XL in matte black with a larger camera housing and a new “HiLight” flash. You can watch the announcement live as Google reveals the lineup alongside the Pixel Watch. For those deciding whether to upgrade, a guide explores if you should wait for the Pixel 11 or buy the current model. The Pixel Watch 5 will also come in a Stephen Curry edition, and Android Central is live blogging the entire event.

Samsung Galaxy and Foldables

Samsung has reportedly begun One UI 9.5 development for the Galaxy S26 series, while users still await the stable release of One UI. The Galaxy S26 FE specs have fully leaked, detailing what will change and what stays the same. On the foldable front, Samsung is increasing the Galaxy Z Fold8 production target by 1 million units after strong demand, and the device has survived a JerryRigEverything durability test involving sand and blades. The Galaxy S23 FE will get Android 17 (One UI 9) as its final major upgrade. Meanwhile, the One UI 9 Watch beta is appearing on test servers for the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic. T-Mobile is offering a free Galaxy Watch 9 with a qualifying watch plan, and the Galaxy Z Flip8 and Z Fold8 are already seeing discounts out of the gate.

Xiaomi and Redmi

Xiaomi unveiled the Redmi K100 Pro and K100 Pro Max in China, equipped with impressive specs and key differences. The company also launched the Redmi 17 4G and 5G, and a hands-on review of the Redmi Note 17 5G is now available. Leaks suggest the Redmi Note 17 Pro Max will feature a new chipset, a 9,210mAh battery, and 100W fast charging. Upcoming flagships from Xiaomi are also leaking, with the Xiaomi 18 Pro expected in black, white, pink, blue, and red with a fiberglass back. A tipster has revealed the Xiaomi and Redmi India launch roadmap for the rest of the year. Finally, a weekly recap rounds up the Redmi K100 Pro, Galaxy S27, and Pixel 11 specs leaks.

Other Smartphone News

The vivo X500 series — including the X500, X500 Pro, and X500 Pro Max — has leaked with design details and screen sizes ahead of an expected launch next month. Leaked images show the Fairphone 6+ in Cobalt Blue, and the device is also tipped to get an upgraded chipset for higher performance. An alleged iPhone Ultra screen protector has surfaced online, hinting at Apple’s first foldable. The iPhone 18 Pro BOM cost is estimated to be up by 40% due to memory chip shortages. The iQOO Z11 is headed to India with Dimensity 7500 Turbo and AI features, while the iQOO 16T is tipped to sport a 200MP camera and liquid-air cooling. iQOO has also confirmed the launch date of the Neo11 Ultra and Z11s in China. The Minimal Phone 2 trades E Ink for a 90Hz AMOLED display while keeping its tactile QWERTY keyboard. 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 7,000mAh battery. The Motorola Moto Watch (2026) review notes that looks can be deceiving. The REDMAGIC Astra 2 gaming tablet goes on sale August 26 with early access and a discount. Leaked renders show what Asus and Lenovo Googlebooks might look like ahead of IFA. Finally, a Zelda-themed Switch 2 leak suggests Nintendo’s next collector’s hit is coming.

Wearables and Audio

Sonos could launch the Ace Ultra over-ear headphones at its September event, as shown in an FCC filing. Meta is rolling out neural handwriting in Early Access for Ray-Ban Display users. The FDA has cleared a Samsung Galaxy Buds feature to help users monitor hearing health. England and Wales have banned Meta Glasses from courtrooms. State laws around driving with headphones vary, so it’s important to know the rules. A guide explains how to connect Bluetooth headphones to a PS5. A comparison pits the Garmin Cirqa against the Fitbit Air to see which fitness tracker offers better value. Another test took the best Bose and Sony earbuds to noisy places to compare noise cancellation. And a guide explains AirTag water resistance and what to expect if they get wet.

Software and AI

Claude now watermarks text to indicate AI generation, aiming for EU compliance. Motorola’s Android 17 update is rolling out to 50+ phones with a refreshed Hello UI. Spotify is issuing AI Persona labels to alert listeners if an artist isn’t real. OpenAI is expanding its Daybreak cybersecurity model with two access tiers. YouTube is doubling monetization requirements for new creators, requiring twice the watch hours or Shorts views. Google Play now accepts Venmo payments. A guide explains how to use Claude’s voice mode. Tips are available for hiding and unhiding apps on iPhone. A feature outlines the downsides of switching from iPhone to Android.

Industry and Legal News

Government workers can officially waste time on TikTok again after the ban on government devices was lifted. A flight tracking service is suing Kalshi for using its data without authorization. A Zoom screen-sharing bug allowed attackers to fully take over other devices on a call. Abbott has partnered with Google Health for AI-powered glucose monitoring. Thirteen authors are facing backlash for a 2022 Google AI study. Disney+ will be the new global streaming home of Formula E racing. Bumble now lets either person send the first message after matching. Verizon’s latest outage in Southern California was caused by vandals cutting fiber cables. NYC Mayor Mamdani has announced support for the Delivery Protection Act to limit contractor use. Valve warns that data of European Steam hardware customers was likely compromised.

Deals, Guides, and Features

Amazon’s Back to School sale is live with incredible Android tech deals, and the XGIMI Horizon Ultra 4K projector has a massive discount with an exclusive code. For budget buyers, a guide explores what a $100 smartphone gets you in 2026. Several how-to articles were published: how to fix stick drift on PS5 and Xbox controllers, how to securely wipe old USB drives, the differences between Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and 2.4G, how to format a USB drive on Windows, and how to pair a Roku remote. A guide explains the differences between MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging. A feature asks whether switching to digital games is a bad thing. A weekly poll asks readers if they use a feature phone. Another article looks at how the iPhone has changed over the last five years. Finally, a guide explains whether a MacBook can run multiple external monitors and which models support what.