Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: August 14, 2026, 5:34 AM ET

Pixel 11 Series and Accessories Launch

Google has officially unveiled its new Pixel 11 series, including the Pixel, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. The Pixel 11 and its Pro variants are powered by the new Tensor G6 chip and feature upgraded cameras with Instant Night Sight and larger sensors. Despite price increases of approximately $100, the Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL will have less RAM than their predecessors. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold supports faster Qi2 wireless charging, and Google is promising 7 years of spare parts availability for the Pixel 11 lineup. Google also introduced the Pixel Watch 5, focusing on health, GPS, and AI features. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 received updates including Dynamic ANC and improved Live Translate. Customers can find various cases for the Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro models. T-Mobile is offering free Pixel 11 phones with certain preorder deals. Google is also sending out discount codes via email for the Pixel. The Pixel Tag, a new accessory, enhances Google’s Find Hub network with UWB precision.

New Smartphone Releases and Leaks

Several new smartphones have been announced or detailed. The iQOO Neo11 Ultra and Z11s will feature specific chipsets, with their designs and battery specs already revealed ahead of their August 18 launch in China. The Poco F9 Pro and F9 Ultra have been heavily leaked, revealing renders, specs, and prices, with further leaks detailing their battery capacities. The Fairphone 6+ is rumored to launch on August 18 with a price around €685 and will feature an upgraded chipset. The Tecno Pova 8 Pro has been officially unveiled, boasting an Alive Matrix Display and a P1 Graphic Chip for 144FPS gaming. The Realme 16x has launched with a Dimensity 6300 SoC, a 144Hz screen, and a substantial 7,000 mAh battery. The Redmi K100 Pro and K100 Pro Max have been announced in China with impressive specifications. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 17 5G has received a hands-on review, and leaks suggest the Redmi Note 17 Pro Max will feature a new chipset, a larger battery, and faster charging. The vivo X500 series design details, screen sizes, and SoC information have also leaked.

Apple and App Store Developments

Apple has been involved in ongoing legal disputes with Epic Games regarding the App Store, proposing a 5-to-15 percent cut from external App Store payments. A new report suggests that the rumored iPhone Ultra may be confined to the US and China markets at its launch. The iPhone X has been added to Apple's obsolete products list. Apple has also issued warnings to users targeted by mercenary spyware attacks. Meanwhile, nearly 20 classic movies, including "The Martian," "E.T.," and "Zodiac," are now available to stream on Apple TV. There are also reports that Apple might be skipping the launch of the iPhone 18 this year, with a potential delay to 2027.

AI and Software Updates

Google has released Gemini 3.7 Flash, its latest model designed for coding and agents. Microsoft's AI mascot, Mico, has been demoted from Copilot Voice. Xiaomi has unveiled HyperOS 4 with a new UI design and AI features. Samsung is rolling out the One UI 9 Beta 5 for its Galaxy S26 testers, with rumors circulating about One UI 9.5. Motorola has begun rolling out the Android 17 update to its Signature smartphone, with more Motorola devices set to receive the update. OpenAI is expanding its Daybreak program, offering partners access to a more powerful cybersecurity model. Twitch is offering users a way to stop AI training on their streams. Spotify is now labeling and removing AI artists from its recommendations, and has partnered with Kobalt for AI-powered covers and remixes. Authors are facing backlash for their participation in a 2022 Google AI study. Meta is rolling out neural handwriting for its Ray-Ban Display through an early access program.

Industry News and Other Tech

President Trump has imposed tariffs of up to 100 percent on sensitive drones for national security reasons. The US smartphone market contracted by 5% in Q2, with budget devices being the hardest hit, according to Counterpoint Research. Namecheap is currently experiencing an outage due to a data center cooling failure. A St. Louis PBS station is suing a data center provider to recover a 70-year archive, highlighting the risks of cloud storage vendors going out of business. Netflix has shut down the studio Night School, despite praising its recent game's performance. X is testing a new tool that will allow users to see if their posts have been "shadowbanned." A rare, two-player Computer Space arcade machine is up for auction. The Nintendo Switch 2 may receive a Zelda-themed makeover for its 40th anniversary. Virgin Galactic has postponed the first commercial flight of its new spaceship to 2027. The U.S. government will now allow private companies to conduct cyberattacks on its behalf. The ban on TikTok on government devices has been lifted. Honor has teased its Magic9 series, confirming a September launch. The Honor Robot Phone has been launched in China, featuring an Agile Gimbal and an ARRI partnership. Meta is donating 15,000 AI glasses to support people with sight loss in Ireland. A German nonprofit has filed a criminal complaint regarding the privacy of Meta smart glasses. England and Wales have banned Meta Glasses from courtrooms. The U.S. government plans to allow private companies to carry out cyberattacks on its behalf.