Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: August 14, 2026, 11:36 AM ET

Smartphones and Devices

The US smartphone market saw a contraction in Q2, with budget devices bearing the brunt of the decline, according to a report from Counterpoint Research. Meanwhile, Motorola has launched the Moto G Max in India with a distinct set of specifications compared to its Brazilian counterpart. The Tecno Pova 8 Pro has also been officially unveiled, boasting an Alive Matrix Display and support for 144FPS gaming. In leaks, the vivo Y31T is rumored to be launching in India soon, with its back image and specifications now available. The Poco F9 Pro and Poco F9 Ultra have also seen extensive leaks, detailing their battery capacities, renders, and specifications. Further leaks suggest that the iQOO Neo11 Ultra and Z11s will be powered by specific chipsets, ahead of their August 18 launch in China. The Fairphone 6+ is rumored to launch on August 18 with a price around €685 and an upgraded chipset for enhanced performance. Xiaomi has unveiled HyperOS 4, featuring a new glass look, UI customizations, and more AI capabilities.

Google Pixel Lineup

Google has officially launched the Pixel 11 series, including the Pixel, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. The Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL models, despite price increases of approximately $100, will reportedly feature less RAM than their predecessors. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is priced at $1,900 and offers faster Qi2 wireless charging at 25W, though its wired charging speeds remain the same as the previous generation. The Tensor G6 chip, powering the Pixel 11 series, is confirmed to be a 3nm chip, not a 2nm one. Google promises 7 years of spare parts availability for the new Pixel 11 lineup. The Pixel Watch 5 also made its debut, with a focus on health, GPS, and AI features. Additionally, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 have been updated with Dynamic ANC and improved Live Translate capabilities. Google is also enhancing file sharing between Pixel phones with a new "Tap to Share" feature. The Pixel Tag, utilizing UWB and the Find Hub network, is set to offer advanced tracking capabilities. The Pixel 11 cameras boast upgrades such as Instant Night Sight and larger sensors, while the base Pixel 11 is rumored to feature a 108MP telephoto camera but lack an RGB notification LED. T-Mobile is offering significant preorder deals for the Pixel 11 lineup, with some offers providing the phones for free without a trade-in. Discounts of up to $150 are also being offered through Google Play Points.

AI and Software

Meta has introduced a refreshed wordmark for Instagram, marking the first change in over a decade. Google has launched Gemini 3.7 Flash, described as its most intelligent workhorse model yet for coding and agents. Tecno's Pova AI Buds Pro are set to feature AI recording and call summarization. Apple is reportedly nearing the launch of its China-specific Apple Intelligence model, having partnered with Alibaba. DeepSeek has announced a significant price increase for its V4 models, which will reportedly quadruple in cost. Microsoft's AI mascot, Mico, has been demoted from its role in Copilot Voice. Spotify is now labeling AI artists and removing them from recommendations, introducing a new "AI Persona" label. Additionally, Spotify is partnering with Kobalt for AI-powered covers and remixes, with a forthcoming paid add-on for AI creative tools. Meta is also donating 15,000 Ray-Ban Meta glasses to an Irish charity for the visually impaired, and has rolled out neural handwriting in Early Access for Ray-Ban Display users. On the other hand, authors are facing backlash for their participation in a 2022 Google AI study.

Other Tech News

Google TV Freeplay has added over 10,000 free on-demand movies and 300 live channels, offering a substantial amount of content without a subscription. A remarkable feat has been achieved where a Nubia Z70 Ultra was transformed into a cooled desktop PC capable of running Linux and The Witcher. Apple has added the iPhone X to its obsolete products list and has also reportedly begun sending out warnings to users targeted by mercenary spyware attacks. In a significant policy shift, the US government will now allow private companies to carry out cyberattacks on its behalf. The hosting provider Namecheap is currently experiencing an outage due to a data center cooling failure. Separately, a St. Louis PBS station is suing a data center provider to recover a 70-year archive, highlighting the risks associated with cloud storage vendor failures. Netflix has shut down the studio Night School, despite having recently praised its performance. X is testing a new tool that will allow users to see if their posts have been "shadowbanned." President Trump has imposed tariffs of up to 100 percent on heavy and "sensitive" drones, citing national security concerns. In gaming news, the unreleased Xbox Elite Controller 3 may have surfaced in the hands of an unsuspecting buyer. Nintendo may be preparing a Zelda Switch 2 console for its 40th anniversary.

Wearables and Accessories

Samsung's Galaxy Watch9 has received a review, detailing its specifications and battery upgrades. The FDA has cleared a significant feature for Samsung Galaxy Buds that will assist users in monitoring and understanding their hearing health. Huawei has introduced the Watch GT 7 and GT 7 Pro in China, offering up to 21 days of battery life.

Mobile Industry and Market Trends

Apple is reportedly planning to increase the prices of all existing iPhone models, as well as upcoming ones, by $100. Reports suggest that Apple may skip the launch of the iPhone 18 series this year, with a potential delay to 2027. The foldable iPhone Ultra is rumored to be a market-exclusive at launch, possibly limited to the US and China. Samsung's Galaxy S27 series is reportedly not planning to adopt a variable aperture camera feature that is rumored for upcoming iPhones. Sony has reported strong sales for the Xperia 1 VIII, emphasizing the importance of the micro SD slot and 3.5mm jack. In a move that could impact app developers, Apple is proposing to take a 5-to-15 percent cut from external App Store payments. A German nonprofit has filed a criminal complaint against Meta regarding the privacy concerns associated with its smart glasses. England and Wales have banned Meta Glasses from courtrooms.

Gaming and Entertainment

Netflix has shut down the Oxenfree studio, Night School, shortly after praising its "really solid numbers." Amazon is exiting the MMO publishing space, handing off Lost Ark and Throne and Liberty to other publishers. A rare two-player Computer Space arcade machine is up for auction as part of a collection focused on Steve Jobs and the early computer revolution. The best Game Cube emulator, Dolphin, now faces competition from a newcomer called Gecko. Ghost of Yōtei Complete Edition is set to arrive on October 1 with a new story arc.