Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: August 13, 2026, 2:59 PM ET

Google Pixel 11 Launch Event

Google’s Made by Google 2026 event unveiled the Pixel 11 series, Pixel Watch, and more. The Pixel 11 features a Tensor G6 chip and faster wireless charging, while the Pro models saw a $100 price increase but less RAM than last year. Camera upgrades include Instant Night Sight and larger sensors. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold costs $1,900 and retains Qi2 wireless charging at 25W. Google also introduced Health Guardian for monitoring blood pressure and insulin resistance. A Pixel Tag with UWB precision joins the Find Hub network. Sharing between Pixels gets easier with Tap to Share. The event itself was panned for its awkward presentation; Google should have gone the GTA 6 route instead of the “Trevor Noah cringe fest.”

Hands-on impressions note that the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is largely unchanged from its predecessor. The Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL bring new sensors and a “hi-light” indicator. The Pixel 11 Pro XL leaks showed its design before launch. A last-minute rumor claims the base Pixel 11 has a 10.8MP telephoto but no RGB LED. Preorder deals are hot: Verizon offers the Pixel 11 Pro with trade-in, while T-Mobile gives the base Pixel 11 for free with no trade-in. Google is also sending out discount codes via email. The Pixel 11 vs Galaxy S26 Ultra comparison is already on. For cases, check the best Pixel 11 Pro XL cases and best Pixel 11/11 Pro cases. Need help choosing a color? Guides cover the Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro Fold. Charging details: Pixel 11 Pro Fold supports Qi2 25W, and the Pixel 11 gets faster wireless charging. The Pixel Watch 5 focuses on health, GPS, and AI; T-Mobile offers it for $5.55/month. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 gain Dynamic ANC and Live Translate.

Honor Robot Phone and Magic9

Honor surprised China with its Robot Phone, featuring an Agile Gimbal, automatic camera tracking, and an ARRI Cinematic Imaging partnership. A hands-on calls it a phone-gimbal hybrid that works surprisingly well. Separately, Honor teased the Magic9 series, confirming a September launch. Honor is also reportedly in “trial production” of a 12,000 mAh battery for the Power3.

Samsung Galaxy Ecosystem

Samsung’s Galaxy S27 series reportedly won’t copy Apple’s variable aperture feature. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 has an IP48 rating. One UI 9 Beta 5 is rolling out, with rumors of One UI 9.5. Samsung released a new Chopin-based ringtone for One UI. The Galaxy S26 FE specs leaked in full. Samsung’s Galaxy Buds received FDA clearance for a hearing aid feature. The Galaxy Tab S12+ and Ultra got Bluetooth certification. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic appeared on One UI 9 Watch beta servers.

Xiaomi and Redmi Announcements

Xiaomi unveiled HyperOS 4 with a glass look and AI features. The Redmi K100 Pro and Pro Max launched in China with impressive specs. The Redmi Note 17 5G got a hands-on review. Leaks detail the Redmi Note 17 Pro Max with a new chipset and 9,210 mAh battery. The Xiaomi 18 Pro and Pro Max colors and back material leak. Xiaomi and Redmi’s India launch roadmap leaks.

Other Phones and Devices

The Tecno Pova 8 Pro official with Alive Matrix Display and 144FPS gaming. Realme 16x launched with a 7,000 mAh battery. Realme P4s Lite certified for India. Poco F9 Pro and F9 Ultra battery details leak. vivo X500 series design and specs leak. The Fairphone 6+ will get a Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 upgrade; leaked images show Cobalt Blue. iQOO Z11 India details revealed with Dimensity 7500 Turbo. iQOO 16T tipped for a 200MP camera and liquid-air cooling. The Motorola Signature receives Android 17 update. The Minimal Phone 2 swaps E Ink for an OLED display.

Wearables

Huawei introduced the Watch GT 7 and GT 7 Pro with up to 21-day battery life. The Garmin Cirqa versus Fitbit Air comparison highlights pricing and features. The Motorola Moto Watch (2026) review says looks are deceiving. Google’s Fitbit Air launches in India this October.

Audio

The DJI Mic Mini 2S review praises 32-bit float recording. Bose vs Sony earbuds noise cancellation tested.

Apps and Services

Instagram’s new logo gets roasted by users. Spotify partners with Kobalt for AI-powered covers and remixes, and starts labeling AI artists “AI Persona.” ChatGPT’s free tier now allows unlimited texts. Bumble lets either person message first. You can now stop Twitch from training AI on your streams. Google storage can be saved by changing one Android setting.

Gaming and Misc

The Xbox Elite Controller 3 may have ended up in a buyer’s hands early. A leaked Zelda Switch 2 could be Nintendo’s next collector hit. Lenovo’s Y700 gaming tablet posts an impressive AnTuTu score. Classic movies like The Martian arrive on Apple TV. The GameCube emulator Gecko challenges Dolphin. Sony says the Xperia 1 VIII sales are strong, calling the micro SD slot and headphone jack “integral.” Verizon’s outage in Southern California was caused by vandalism. Smartphone shipments dropped 7% in Q2 due to rising memory prices. The iPhone 18 Pro BOM cost is estimated to be up 40%. Apple may hike iPhone prices by $100. Meta is giving 15,000 AI glasses to blind people in Ireland. A German nonprofit files criminal complaint over Meta smart glasses privacy. England and Wales ban Meta Glasses from courtrooms. CBP officers misusing surveillance tech. Virgin Galactic postpones commercial flights to 2027. Amazon severs ties with Lost Ark and Throne and Liberty. FlightAware sues Kalshi over data use. Abbott partners with Google Health for AI glucose monitoring. Authors face backlash for 2022 Google AI study. NYC Mayor supports Delivery Protection Act. A rare two-player Computer Space arcade machine is up for auction. TikTok ban on government devices lifted. Meta’s Neural Band gets neural handwriting for Ray-Ban Display. XGIMI Horizon Ultra projector gets a massive discount. Amazon Back to School sale has Android deals. OpenAI gives Daybreak partners access to stronger cybersecurity model. How to upscale photos, clear iPhone cache, use digital wallets, connect Bluetooth headphones to PS5, fix stick drift, and understand HDMI splitters vs switches are all covered. Ghost of Yōtei Complete Edition arrives October 1. Motorola’s Android 17 rollout begins for 50+ phones.