Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: August 12, 2026, 5:52 AM ET

Google Pixel 11 Launch Event

Google is set to unveil the Pixel 11 family at its Made by Google event tomorrow, but a last-minute leak has already revealed new renders of the Pixel, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold. The Pixel 11 Pro XL appears in a matte black finish with a larger camera housing and a new "HiLight" LED flash. A separate leak indicates the base Pixel 11 will feature a 10.8MP telephoto camera but will lack an RGB notification LED. Google is also sending out email discount codes for the Pixel 11 ahead of the announcement. Alongside the phones, the Pixel Watch 5 is expected to launch, with a special Stephen Curry edition also in the works. Android Central is live blogging the entire event and all the news leading up to it. For those on the fence, a detailed guide helps you decide whether to wait for the Pixel 11 or buy the Pixel 10 now.

Xiaomi and Redmi Announcements

Xiaomi unveiled the Redmi K100 Pro and K100 Pro Max in China, featuring a redesigned camera island, a 6.59-inch 185Hz display, and Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. The company also launched the Redmi 17 5G and Redmi 17 4G, which share identical looks but differ in connectivity. 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. Meanwhile, rumors about the Xiaomi 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max reveal color options including black, white, pink, blue, and red, with a fiberglass back. The India launch roadmap for Xiaomi and Redmi devices has also leaked, indicating the Redmi 17 series will launch in India soon. The REDMAGIC Astra 2 gaming tablet goes on sale August 26, with early access and a discount available. Under the iQOO brand, the iQOO Z11 India variant details include a Dimensity 7500 Turbo SoC and a confirmed price segment. The iQOO Neo11 Ultra and Z11s will launch next week with their design revealed. A tipster also claimed the iQOO 16T will sport a 200MP camera and a liquid-air cooling system. The Moto G Max is heading to India with a Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 and a 7,000mAh battery.

Samsung Developments

Samsung has reportedly begun One UI 9.5 development for the Galaxy S26 series while users still await a stable One UI 9 release. Full specs of the Galaxy S26 FE have leaked, detailing what will change and what will stay the same. The Galaxy Z Fold8 has proven so successful that Samsung is increasing its production target by 1 million units. The foldable also underwent a durability test by Jerry Rig Everything, facing sand, blades, and more. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is among the first to get the One UI 9 Watch beta on test servers. T-Mobile is offering a free Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 with a watch plan and $20+ trade-in. The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE will receive Android 17-based One UI 9 as its last major upgrade. Leaks also mention the Galaxy S27 in the Week 32 in review roundup.

Other Smartphones and Tablets

Lenovo fully unveiled its next gaming tablet Y700 on August 25, boasting an impressive AnTuTu score of 4,585,844. A 12,000 mAh battery from Honor is reportedly in trial production, likely for the upcoming Power3. Huawei introduced the Watch GT 7 and GT 7 Pro with up to 21-day battery life in China. The vivo X500 series design, screen sizes, and SoC details have leaked ahead of an expected launch next month. The Fairphone 6+ will feature an upgraded Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset and up to 12GB of RAM, with leaked images showing a Cobalt Blue variant. An alleged iPhone Ultra screen protector has surfaced online, hinting at Apple's first foldable design similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8. The iPhone 18 Pro BOM cost is estimated to be up by 40% due to the memory chip shortage. The Minimal Phone 2 trades its E Ink display for a 90Hz AMOLED, keeping its tactile QWERTY keyboard and adding 5G. The Lava Smart 4 was announced with specs that sound straight out of 2016. Asus and Lenovo are preparing Googlebooks for IFA, with leaked renders showing their designs. The Moto Watch (2026) review concludes that looks can be deceiving due to limited software. The Garmin Cirqa vs Fitbit Air comparison shows the Garmin option is $100 more. A weekly poll asks if you use a feature phone and why.

Wearables and Audio

In addition to the Pixel Watch, the Samsung Galaxy Buds received FDA clearance for a hearing aid feature that helps users monitor and understand their hearing health. The Sonos Ace Ultra over-ear headphones have appeared in an FCC filing, hinting at a launch at Sonos' September event. A head-to-head test pits Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds against Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds to see which cancels more noise.

Apps and Services

Anthropic's Claude now watermarks text to indicate AI generation, complying with EU regulations. Thirteen authors face backlash for participating in a 2022 Google AI study. Bumble now lets either person send the first message after matching, ending its women-first policy. Spotify introduces AI Persona labels to alert listeners if an artist is not real. OpenAI expands its Daybreak program with a higher tier giving access to an advanced cybersecurity model. YouTube is doubling monetization requirements for new creators, requiring twice the watch hours or Shorts views to qualify for ad revenue. Google Play now accepts Venmo payments for purchases. A flight tracking service is suing Kalshi over unauthorized data use. A Zoom screen-sharing bug allowed remote code execution and full takeover of devices. Abbott partners with Google Health for AI-powered glucose monitoring. Meta is rolling out neural handwriting in Early Access for Ray-Ban Display users. England and Wales have banned Meta Glasses from courtrooms. Valve warns that data of European Steam hardware customers was "likely compromised". Disney+ becomes the global streaming home of Formula E racing. Government workers can officially waste time scrolling TikTok again after the ban on government devices was lifted.

Industry and Miscellaneous

Global smartphone shipments dropped by 7% in Q2 due to rising memory prices, with a 12% decline forecast for the year. Verizon experienced a major outage in Southern California after vandals cut multiple fiber cables. NYC Mayor Mamdani announced support for the Delivery Protection Act, which Amazon is fighting. A leaked Zelda Switch 2 could be Nintendo's next collector hit, with 40th anniversary hardware and accessories hinting at a launch later this year. Motorola's Android 17 rollout is underway for 50+ phones, bringing Hello UI with new AI features. The XGIMI Horizon Ultra 4K projector received a massive discount with an exclusive code. The Dell XPS 13 (2026) review notes it's a MacBook Neo alternative that needs more RAM. A guide explains how to connect Bluetooth headphones to PS5. The Amazon Back to School sale offers deals on Android tech. A poll asks whether you would switch from iPhone to Android, highlighting the downsides. The pros and cons of the switch to digital games are examined. A guide explains the differences between MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging.