Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: August 12, 2026, 8:59 AM ET

Google Pixel 11 Series Launch

Google is gearing up for its Made by Google 2026 event on August 12, where the Pixel 11 series is expected to go official. Last-minute leaks have revealed new renders of the Pixel, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold, showcasing their designs ahead of the announcement. The base Pixel 11 is rumored to feature a 10.8MP telephoto camera, but interestingly, it will reportedly lack an RGB notification LED. A carrier leak also showed off the Pro XL in a matte black finish with a new "HiLight" flash, suggesting a refined camera housing. Google has been sending discount codes via email to potential buyers, and you can watch the announcement live. For those wondering whether to wait or buy now, a thorough analysis of the Pixel 11 versus the current Pixel 10 is available. The latest live updates from the event are also being covered in real-time, along with comprehensive news from Android Central. A separate live blog is running on GSMArena, covering all the new devices and Android 17 news.

Xiaomi & Redmi Launches

Xiaomi has officially announced its newest K-series flagships in China. The Redmi K100 Pro and K100 Pro Max are equipped with impressive specs, including a redesigned camera island and high-refresh-rate displays. The company also launched the Redmi 17 5G and Redmi 17 4G, which share identical designs but differ in connectivity. A hands-on review of the Redmi Note 17 5G is now available, detailing its trimmed battery and specs. Leaks regarding the upcoming Redmi Note 17 Pro Max promise a new chipset, a bigger battery, and faster charging. For the Indian market, a leaked launch roadmap for Xiaomi and Redmi devices has surfaced. Meanwhile, the company is testing colors and back materials for the Xiaomi 18 Pro and Xiaomi 18 Pro Max, which may feature a fiberglass back.

Honor, Realme, and iQOO Updates

Honor has launched the "Robot Phone" in China, which features a 200MP titanium gimbal camera. Separately, the company is reportedly in "trial production" of a massive 12,000 mAh battery, possibly for its upcoming Power3 device. Realme unveiled the Realme 16x, which is powered by a Dimensity 6300 SoC and packs a 7,000 mAh battery with 45W charging support. iQOO has confirmed the Indian iQOO Z11 will feature a Dimensity 7500 Turbo SoC and detailed its battery and display. The company also confirmed the launch date for the Neo11 Ultra and Z11s in China, revealing their designs. A tipster has suggested that the iQOO 16T will sport a 200MP camera and feature a liquid-air cooling system.

Vivo, Samsung, and Apple Leaks

A substantial leak from Digital Chat Station has detailed the design, screen sizes, and SoCs for the upcoming vivo X500, X500 Pro, and X500 Pro Max. Samsung has reportedly begun development of One UI 9.5 for the Galaxy S26 series, even as users await the stable One UI 9 release. The full specs for the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE have leaked, revealing what will change and what will stay the same. In a surprising development, an unreleased Xbox Elite Controller 3 may have been sold early to an unsuspecting buyer. Apple’s iOS 27 beta code has confirmed six upcoming iPhone models, while an alleged screen protector for the foldable iPhone Ultra has surfaced online. The bill of materials (BOM) cost for the iPhone 18 Pro is estimated to be up by 40%, according to a Trend Force report.

Smartwatch and Wearable News

Huawei introduced the Watch GT 7 and Watch GT 7 Pro in China, boasting up to 21 days of battery life. The Google Pixel Watch 5 is expected to launch soon and will come in a special Stephen Curry edition. The FDA has cleared a new feature for Samsung Galaxy Buds to help users monitor their hearing health. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic has been spotted on test servers for the One UI 9 Watch beta, suggesting the update is close. A T-Mobile deal will give customers a free Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 when they sign up for a watch plan. In comparison reviews, the Garmin Cirqa versus Fitbit Air has been analyzed to see if the former is worth the extra cost. A review of the Motorola Moto Watch (2026) finds that its looks can be deceiving, citing limited software.

Audio, Gaming, and Accessories

A new pair of Sonos headphones, the Ace Ultra, has shown up in an FCC filing, hinting at a September launch. A hands-on comparison test reveals that the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) beat the Sony WF-1000XM6 in active noise cancellation across three noisy environments. Lenovo has revealed the impressive AnTuTu score for its upcoming Y700 gaming tablet, which scores over 4.5 million points. The REDMAGIC Astra 2 gaming tablet goes on sale August 26, but early buyers can get it a day early with a discount. A leaked Zelda Switch 2 console could be Nintendo’s next collector hit for the 40th anniversary. Samsung has increased its production target for the Galaxy Z Fold8 by 1 million units due to higher-than-expected demand. The device has also been put through a durability test by Jerry Rig Everything, facing sand, blades, and heat.

AI, Apps, and Platform Updates

Claude now watermarks AI-generated text, following the trend of AI image watermarking for EU compliance. Spotify will apply “AI Persona” labels to alert listeners when an artist isn’t real, addressing the influx of AI-generated music. OpenAI has expanded its Daybreak program, giving partners access to a more powerful cybersecurity model. Bumble has changed its messaging rules so that either person can send the first message after matching. YouTube is making it harder for new creators to get a cut of ad revenue by doubling the required watch hours or Shorts views. Google Play now accepts Venmo payments for purchases. An early access feature for Meta’s Neural Band now supports neural handwriting for the Ray-Ban Display.

Industry and Market Trends

A report from FDM CCS Insight indicates that the global smartphone market dropped by 7% in Q2 compared to last year, largely due to rising memory prices. Disney+ will become the new global streaming home for Formula E racing. Abbott has partnered with Google Health for AI-powered glucose monitoring. The NYC Mayor has announced support for the Delivery Protection Act, which Amazon is fighting. Verizon suffered an outage in Southern California after vandals cut multiple fiber cables. Valve warned that data of European Steam hardware customers was likely compromised. A flight tracking service is suing Kalshi for using its data without authorization. A serious Zoom screen-sharing bug allowed malicious users to take over other devices on a call. The TikTok ban on government devices has been officially lifted. Authors are facing backlash for their participation in a 2022 Google AI study. England and Wales have banned Meta Glasses from courtrooms.

Android Updates and Other Notable Releases

Motorola’s Android 17 rollout is underway for over 50 phones, bringing a refreshed Hello UI. The Moto G Max is headed to India with a Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 and a 7,000mAh battery. The Minimal Phone 2 trades its E Ink screen for a 90Hz AMOLED display while keeping its tactile QWERTY keyboard. The Fairphone 6+ will feature an upgraded Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset, and leaked images show it in Cobalt Blue. A new Dell XPS 13 (2026) review praises its design but recommends shelling out for 16GB of RAM. Asus and Lenovo are preparing new Googlebooks for IFA, with alleged renders surfacing. The XGIMI Horizon Ultra projector has received a massive $300 discount with an exclusive code. The Galaxy S23 FE will receive Android 17 as its last major OS upgrade. The Lava Smart 4 has been announced with specs that sound straight out of 2016. A comprehensive roundup of the week’s biggest leaks covers the Redmi K100 Pro, Galaxy S27, and Pixel.

Guides and How-Tos

For those dealing with hardware issues, a guide on how to fix stick drift on PS5 and Xbox controllers is available. You can learn how to connect Bluetooth headphones to your PS5. There’s also a guide on how to pair your Roku remote and use the mobile app. Security-conscious users should read about how to securely wipe old USB drives before disposal. We also explain the key differences between MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging. Other guides cover how to hide apps on your iPhone, how to use Claude’s voice mode, and how to format a USB drive on Windows. A detailed comparison explains the differences between Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and 2.4G wireless devices. We also answer how waterproof AirTags are, and explore the downsides of switching from iPhone to Android. A retrospective looks at how the iPhone has changed in the last five years, and an analysis asks if you can wear headphones while driving. The pros and cons of the switch to digital games are weighed, and we explain what a $100 smartphone gets you in 2026. Finally, a guide on how a MacBook can run multiple external monitors clarifies which models support them.