Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: August 13, 2026, 6:03 PM ET

Google Pixel 11 Series Launch

Google officially unveiled the Pixel 11 series at its Made by Google 2026 event, introducing the Pixel, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold. The base Pixel 11 arrives with the new Tensor G6 chip and faster charging speeds. A last-minute leak revealed new renders of the devices ahead of the event. Google is also sending out discount codes via email for early buyers. The company promises 7 years of spare parts availability for the Pixel 11 lineup.

Key camera upgrades include Instant Night Sight and larger sensors, while a leak claimed the base model features a 10.8MP telephoto camera but lacks an RGB notification LED. The event itself was criticized as a cringe fest hosted by Trevor Noah, though the hardware and AI features like Gemini and the camera system stole the show. A silicon-carbon battery could be in the cards for a future Pixel.

Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL

The Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL feature a "business in the front, party in the back" design with new camera sensors and Hi-Light indicator lights. However, these models come with less RAM despite $100 price increases compared to last year. A comparison pits the Pixel 11 Pro against the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Both models support Qi2 wireless charging, and a guide helps you choose the best Pixel 11 color and Pixel 11 Pro cases.

Pixel 11 Pro Fold

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is priced at $1,900 and retains similar hardware to its predecessor but adds faster Qi2 wireless charging. A hands-on found the foldable impressive but couldn't stop comparing it to Samsung. It goes head-to-head with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra in a detailed comparison. The foldable's charging speed analysis shows wired charging unchanged but wireless improvements. A color guide helps buyers choose between Olive and Obsidian.

Pixel Watch 5 and Pixel Buds Pro 2

Google also launched the Pixel Watch 5 with health, GPS, and AI upgrades, including a new Health Guardian feature that monitors blood pressure and insulin resistance as an early warning system for diabetes. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 get improved Active Noise Cancellation, Dynamic ANC, Gemini controls, and Live Translate. A new Tap to Share feature simplifies file sharing between Pixel phones. The Pixel Tag brings UWB precision tracking to Google’s Find Hub network.

Pixel Carriers and Deals

Carriers are offering strong preorder deals. Verizon has the best Pixel 11 Pro preorder deal, while T-Mobile is giving away the Pixel 11 or Pixel 11 Pro for free with no trade-in required. T-Mobile also offers the Pixel Watch 5 for just $5.55/month on Watch Plan Plus 2.0. Best Pixel 11 Pro XL cases are also available.

Apple iPhone News

Multiple reports indicate Apple will skip launching the iPhone 18 this year, delaying it to 2027. A new rumor claims Apple will raise prices on all current and upcoming iPhones by $100. The iPhone 18 Pro's bill of materials is estimated to be up by 38-40% due to memory chip shortages. A look back at how the iPhone changed over the last five years shows gradual evolution.

Samsung Galaxy Ecosystem

Samsung is rolling out One UI 9 Beta 5 to Galaxy S26 testers, with rumors of a One UI 9.5 update. The Galaxy S27 series reportedly won't copy Apple's variable aperture feature. A full spec leak reveals the Galaxy S26 FE with key changes. The Galaxy Tab S12+ and Tab S12 Ultra are a step closer to launch after Bluetooth certification. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is waterproof with an IP48 rating. Samsung also released a new Chopin-based ringtone for One UI. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is among the first to get the One UI 9 Watch beta. The FDA cleared a Galaxy Buds hearing health feature.

Honor and Xiaomi

Honor launched the Robot Phone in China with an Agile Gimbal, ARRI partnership, and automatic camera tracking. A hands-on calls it a fun hybrid of phone and gimbal. Honor also teased the Magic9 series for a September launch. A 12,000 mAh battery is in trial production for a future Honor phone.

Xiaomi unveiled HyperOS 4 with a glass look and more AI features. The Redmi K100 Pro and K100 Pro Max were announced with impressive specs. The Redmi Note 17 5G hands-on review is available, and a Redmi Note 17 Pro Max leak promises a new chipset, 210 mAh battery, and 100W charging. The Xiaomi 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max colors and fiberglass back material leaked. A India launch roadmap for Xiaomi and Redmi devices leaked.

Other Android Brands

Tecno Pova 8 Pro debuted with an Alive Matrix Display, P1 Graphic Chip, and 144FPS gaming. Realme 16x launched with a 7,000 mAh battery and 144Hz screen. Realme P4s Lite is certified for India launch. Motorola Signature receives Android 17 update, and Motorola's Android 17 rollout covers 50+ phones. iQOO Z11 details for India include Dimensity 7500 Turbo and AI features. iQOO 16T tipped to feature a 200MP camera and liquid-air cooling. vivo X500 series design and screen sizes leaked. Poco F9 Pro and F9 Ultra battery details leaked. Sony Xperia 1 VIII sales are strong, and Sony calls the micro SD slot and 3.5mm jack integral. Fairphone 6+ will feature an upgraded Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset.

Wearables and Fitness Trackers

Fitbit Air launches in India this October as a screen-less fitness tracker. A comparison of Garmin Cirqa vs Fitbit Air shows a $100 price difference. Huawei Watch GT 7 and GT 7 Pro bring up to 21-day battery life. The Moto Watch (2026) review warns that looks can be deceiving due to limited software. Lenovo's Y700 gaming tablet boasts an impressive AnTuTu score of 4,585,844.

Apps, Services, and AI

Spotify partners with Kobalt for AI-powered covers and remixes, and also starts labeling AI artists and removing them from recommendations. ChatGPT's free tier now allows unlimited texts as of August 2026. Twitch lets you stop AI training on your streams. Bumble now lets either person message first. The Instagram logo redesign is being roasted. Meta donates 15,000 Ray-Ban Meta glasses to blind people in Ireland. The Meta Neural Band gets neural handwriting for Ray-Ban Display. OpenAI expands Daybreak cybersecurity access. Abbott partners with Google Health for AI-powered glucose monitoring. Authors face backlash for participation in a 2022 Google AI study.

Gaming and Accessories

The Xbox Elite Controller 3 may have been sold early on a marketplace. Ghost of Yōtei Complete Edition arrives October 1 with a new story arc. A two-player Computer Space arcade machine is up for auction. Amazon severs ties with MMOs Lost Ark and Throne and Liberty. A Zelda Switch 2 leak hints at a collector-friendly launch. The Gecko emulator challenges Dolphin as a top Game Cube emulator.

Audio and Accessories

The DJI Mic Mini 2S review highlights pro audio with 32-bit float recording. Bose vs Sony earbuds ANC test shows which cancels more noise. The Insta360 X6 review covers 360-degree cameras for creators. XGIMI Horizon Ultra projector gets a $300 discount with exclusive code.

Tips and How-Tos

Learn how to clear the cache on your iPhone, fix stick drift on controllers, and upscale photos. Understand the difference between HDMI splitter vs switch and the pros and cons of digital wallets. Check if you can wear headphones while driving depends on state laws. Learn if a MacBook can run multiple external monitors.

Industry and Other News

Global smartphone shipments dropped 7% in Q2 due to rising memory prices, with a forecast 12% decline for the year. Namecheap went down after a data center cooling failure. Verizon suffered an outage in Southern California due to vandalized fiber cables. The US government will allow private companies to carry out cyberattacks on its behalf. CBP officers are misusing surveillance tech. Meta smart glasses face a privacy complaint from a German nonprofit, and England and Wales ban them from courtrooms. The TikTok ban on government devices is lifted. FlightAware sues Kalshi over unauthorized data use. Virgin Galactic delays its new spaceship's first commercial flight to 2027. Apple TV adds classic movies like The Martian and E.T. Spotify alternatives are listed for those fed up with the platform. The Amazon Back to School sale has incredible Android tech deals.