Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: August 12, 2026, 11:59 AM ET

Mobile News: Pixel 11 Launch, Xiaomi Redmi K100 Pro, and More

Google Pixel 11 Launch

This week’s biggest mobile event is Google's Made by Google 2026 showcase, where the Pixel 11 series is expected to debut. A last-minute leak has revealed purported pricing for the Pixel, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold in India, alongside new renders showing the devices from all angles. Google is also sending out discount codes via email, so checking your Gmail inbox might pay off. For full coverage, Engadget is liveblogging the event. You can also watch the live stream directly on GSM Arena. A separate rumor claims the base Pixel 11 will feature a 10.8MP telephoto camera and will not include an RGB notification LED. Meanwhile, a carrier leak has given us an early look at the Pixel 11 Pro XL in matte black, revealing a larger camera housing and a new "HiLight" flash. If you're on the fence about upgrading, here's what to consider before buying a Pixel 10 now or waiting for the new model. Alongside the phones, the Google Pixel Watch 5 is expected to launch with a Stephen Curry edition also in the works, and it will likely be unveiled on August 20, though the announcement event is just two days away.

Samsung Galaxy Ecosystem

Samsung continues to refine its Galaxy lineup, and the company has released a new ringtone based on Chopin's Nocturne for One UI 9, coinciding with the Galaxy Z Fold8 launch. Development of One UI 9.5 has reportedly begun for the Galaxy S26 series, even as users await the stable One UI 9 release. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic has appeared on test servers with the One UI 9 Watch beta, suggesting a public beta is imminent. In audio, the FDA cleared a major Samsung Galaxy Buds feature to help users monitor hearing health. On the foldable front, Samsung is increasing the Galaxy Z Fold8 production target by 1 million units due to strong demand. The device also survived the JerryRigEverything durability test with sand and blades. Leaked specs for the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE show what will change and what stays the same. A Week 32 roundup also mentions Galaxy S27 leaks.

Xiaomi and Redmi Dominance

Xiaomi has been prolific, and the Redmi K100 Pro and K100 Pro Max have been officially announced in China, featuring impressive specs and key differences between the two. Meanwhile, the Redmi Note 17 5G hands-on review highlights a trimmed battery but solid overall performance. A leak of the Redmi Note 17 Pro Max promises a new chipset, a larger battery, and faster charging. In addition, the Redmi 17 4G and 5G models have gone official, sharing identical designs. Xiaomi is also preparing the Xiaomi 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, with leaked colors and a fiberglass back material. A leaked roadmap reveals the India launch schedule for Xiaomi and Redmi devices for the rest of the year. The Realme 16x arrived with a Dimensity 6300 SoC, a 144Hz screen, and a massive 7,000 mAh battery.

Other Chinese OEMs and Brands

Honor has launched the Robot Phone in China, featuring a 200MP titanium gimbal camera. The company also reportedly has a 12,000 mAh battery in trial production for a future device. Lenovo previewed its next gaming tablet, the Y700, with a stunning AnTuTu score of 4,585,844, and a rumor reveals battery capacity. The vivo X500 series — including the X500, X500 Pro, and X500 Pro Max — has leaked with screen sizes and SoC details. iQOO is preparing the Z11 for India with a Dimensity 7500 Turbo SoC. The iQOO 16T is tipped to feature a 200MP camera and a liquid-air cooling system. The iQOO Neo11 Ultra and Z11s will launch next week with revealed designs. Fairphone is updating its modular phone: the Fairphone 6+ will feature a Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset. Leaked images show a Cobalt Blue color variant. The Moto G Max is coming to India with a Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 and a 7,000 mAh battery. The Motorola Moto Watch (2026) review finds looks can be deceiving. Motorola's Android 17 rollout begins with over 50 phones. Huawei introduced the Watch GT 7 and GT 7 Pro with up to 21-day battery life. The Minimal Phone 2 trades E Ink for a 90Hz AMOLED display while keeping its QWERTY keyboard and soul. The Lava Smart 4 is announced with specs that sound straight out of 2016.

Apple iPhone and Watch

iOS 27 code has confirmed that Apple is working on six upcoming iPhones, likely including the iPhone Ultra. A screen protector for the rumored iPhone Ultra has surfaced online, hinting at a foldable design. The iPhone 18 Pro BOM cost is estimated to be up 40% due to memory chip shortages, which could affect availability. A retrospective looks at how the iPhone has changed over the last five years. We also have a guide on AirTag water resistance.

Gaming and Accessories

An unreleased Xbox Elite Controller 3 may have ended up in an unsuspecting buyer's hands, months after leaked images. Nintendo fans might be excited about a leaked Zelda Switch 2 40th anniversary console with matching accessories. For those dealing with stick drift, here's how to fix stick drift on PS5 and Xbox controllers. And if you want to connect Bluetooth headphones to your PS5, there are workarounds. The REDMAGIC Astra 2 gaming tablet goes on sale August 26, but early access with a discount is available a day early.

Audio and Wearables

Sonos may launch the Ace Ultra over-ear headphones at its September event, according to an FCC filing. A full comparison of the Garmin Cirqa versus Fitbit Air fitness trackers helps decide which is worth the extra $100. We also put Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) and Sony WF-1000XM6 through three noise-canceling tests. The Insta360 X6 review highlights a 360 camera that balances ease-of-use with pro features like i-Log and 10-bit color.

Apps, Services, and Software

Claude now watermarks text to indicate AI generation, helping consumers spot synthetic content. Spotify is introducing AI Persona labels to alert listeners if an artist isn't real, amid an onslaught of AI-generated music. YouTube is doubling monetization requirements for new creators, making it harder to start earning ad revenue. Bumble now lets either person send the first message after matching, ending the women-message-first rule. Google Play has added Venmo payments as an option. OpenAI is giving Daybreak partners access to a more advanced cybersecurity model. Abbott is partnering with Google Health for AI-powered glucose monitoring. Meta is rolling out neural handwriting for Ray-Ban Display in Early Access. Disney+ will become the global streaming home of Formula E racing. England and Wales have banned Meta Glasses from courtrooms. Government workers can officially waste time scrolling TikTok again, as the ban on government devices has been lifted. NYC Mayor Mamdani announced support for the Delivery Protection Act, which Amazon is fighting.

Security, Privacy, and Bugs

A Zoom screen-sharing bug allowed people to fully take over other devices on a call. 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. Verizon's latest outage saw mobile and internet services disrupted in Southern California after vandals cut fiber cables.

Tips and How-Tos

For iPhone users, here's how to clear the cache to improve performance. Before throwing out old USB drives, securely wipe or destroy them — deletion alone is not enough. Learn the difference between MagSafe and Qi wireless charging. You can also see how Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and 2.4G wireless devices differ. Need to format a USB drive on Windows? Here's how. Also learn how to pair your Roku remote and the legalities of wearing headphones while driving by state.

Market and Industry

Global smartphone shipments dropped 7% in Q2 due to rising memory prices, and a 12% decline is forecast for the year. The Dell XPS 13 (2026) review notes it needs more RAM. A look at what a $100 smartphone gets you in 2026 finds you have to get creative. Asus and Lenovo are preparing Googlebooks for IFA, with renders leaked. Amazon's Back to School sale has incredible Android deals — see the top 20+ discounts. The XGIMI Horizon Ultra projector has a massive discount with an exclusive code.

Finally, a Week 32 in review recaps major leaks and launches. Authors faced backlash for participation in a 2022 Google AI study.