Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: August 15, 2026, 5:39 PM ET

Smartphones and Mobile Devices

The iQOO Buds TWS earphones are set to launch on August 20th, coinciding with the release of the iQOO Z11 in India. This launch event will also feature the unveiling of the iQOO Buds' design. Meanwhile, the iQOO Neo11 Ultra's full specifications have leaked, indicating an imminent launch with the Dimensity 9500M chipset. Poco is also teasing a new addition to its M8 family, the Poco M8x 5G, and has shown a glimpse of its rear design. Huawei is gearing up for a September launch of its new non-folding, wide-screen phone, following the success of the Pura X. The Poco F9 Pro and Poco F9 Ultra have also seen a significant leak, revealing renders, specifications, and pricing. Motorola has launched the Moto G Max in India, which differs from the Brazilian version. The Fairphone 6+ is rumored to launch around August 18th, with a potential price of €685.

The Samsung Galaxy S27 series reportedly will not include a variable aperture feature, a move that might have been influenced by Apple's rumored plans. Sony's Xperia 1 VIII is seeing strong sales, with the company emphasizing the importance of the micro SD slot and 3.5mm headphone jack. The Tecno Pova 8 Pro has been officially unveiled, boasting an Alive Matrix Display, P1 Graphic Chip, and 144FPS gaming support. The Tecno Pova AI Buds Pro are also set to offer AI recording and call summarization features. Honor has teased its upcoming Magic9 series, confirming a September launch, which is earlier than expected. The Realme P4s Lite has received certification for its launch in India.

Google's Pixel 11 series has been launched, with pre-order deals offering opportunities to acquire the Pixel 11 Pro for free. Verizon is presenting what is described as the best Pixel 11 Pro preorder deal, though the specifics are still being analyzed. Google is also reportedly hiding Pixel 11 discounts within its Play Points program, with potential savings of up to $150 on select models. Screen protector options for the Google Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro are shared due to their identical screen sizes, and specific protectors for the larger Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold have also been identified. Google has committed to providing 7 years of spare parts availability for the entire Pixel 11 lineup. The Tensor G6 chip within the Pixel 11 series is confirmed to be a 3nm chip, not the previously rumored 2nm.

The Honor Robot Phone, a hybrid device combining phone and gimbal functionalities, has been unveiled. While not perfect, it presents an intriguing concept. A Google Pixel with a silicon-carbon battery is reportedly being considered. The Nubia Z70 Ultra has been demonstrated to function as a desktop PC running Linux and capable of playing The Witcher, highlighting the growing power of smartphone chips.

Wearables and Accessories

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 has received a review, detailing its specifications and battery upgrades. A comparison between the Google Pixel Watch 5 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 suggests one is a better option for most users. T-Mobile is offering a promotion that allows customers to get the Pixel Watch 5 for the price of a monthly latte, without requiring a trade-in.

Apple Watch battery replacement costs vary, and users will need to determine if it's a worthwhile investment for their specific model. The new DJI Mic Mini 2S offers enhanced audio quality and ease of use, now featuring 32-bit float recording for professional applications. Tecno's Pova AI Buds Pro are slated to include AI recording and call summarization capabilities.

Software and AI

Google is introducing extensive new customization options to Android 17, with the latest beta update for eligible Pixel devices bringing these enhancements alongside bug fixes. Xiaomi has unveiled HyperOS 4, featuring a new glass-like interface, UI customizations, and enhanced AI features. The Android 17 update is rolling out to the Motorola Signature, a substantial 5.75GB download.

Google has made it possible for users to remove visible watermarks from images generated by its Gemini AI model, though the invisible Synth ID watermark will remain. Google removes watermark from Gemini images. DeepSeek has announced a significant price increase for its V4 AI models, which are set to quadruple in cost. DeepSeek's AI models will cost four times more. Meta is donating 15,000 Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses to a charity in Ireland supporting individuals with sight loss. Meta is giving away AI glasses to visually impaired people. LG and Nvidia are collaborating on AI-powered robots and hardware for self-driving cars, formalizing their partnership with a memorandum of understanding. Twitch is testing a tool that will allow users to check if their posts have been "shadowbanned," a move that comes as the company open-sources more of its ranking algorithm. A U.S. judge has stated that the Google Play Store is not doing enough to help users discover rival app stores.

Other Tech and Industry News

The price of RAM is currently experiencing a significant increase, with questions arising about when these prices might stabilize. Stripe is reportedly in discussions to buy PayPal, with negotiations underway for a new price after a previous offer was not accepted. Namecheap is down due to a data center cooling failure. The U.S. government is reportedly preparing to allow private companies to conduct cyberattacks on its behalf. Virgin Galactic has postponed the first commercial flight of its new spaceship to 2027.

The world's oldest telecommunications company continues to evolve and remains a significant player in the industry. If your internet is slow, resetting your ASUS router might be a solution. Xbox offers refunds for certain games and apps, but specific conditions apply. A rare, two-player Computer Space arcade machine is up for auction, part of a collection focused on the early days of computing and figures like Steve Jobs.

Media and Entertainment

Disney has announced an anime series based on Kingdom Hearts, which will feature a new storyline and will be available on Disney+. Classic movies such as The Martian, E.T., and Zodiac are now available for streaming on Apple TV. Google TV Freeplay has added over 10,000 free on-demand movies and 300 live channels, offering a substantial amount of content without subscription fees. Netflix has closed down Oxenfree studio Night School, despite recent praise for its game's performance.

A roundup of new indie games includes titles inspired by the '90s, alongside animal-themed games. The Dolphin emulator, long the most popular for Game Cube emulation, now faces competition from a new emulator called Gecko. Spotify has partnered with Kobalt to integrate AI capabilities for cover songs and remixes into its AI platform.

Consumer Advice and Reviews

When considering expensive earbuds, the value proposition often lies in the advanced features and sound quality they offer. A review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 has been published, along with a teardown analysis that highlights its repairability falls short. The Kia EV3 is set to launch in the US with a starting price under $31,000, making it the most affordable EV in Kia's lineup.

Understanding the different types of USB ports and their capabilities can be confusing, but knowing the trident symbol can help identify them. There is a notable difference between USB4 and USB-C, with USB4 offering enhanced capabilities. A guide on how to reset your ASUS router is available for troubleshooting slow internet speeds. Tips are also available for optimizing MacBook battery life by adjusting specific settings. Information on how to request an Xbox refund, including the applicable conditions, is provided. Users can now convert or upscale photos using various methods to improve their visual quality.

Legal and Regulatory

France's highest court has overturned a ban on social media use for children under, prompting the government to revise the proposed legislation. France's top court strikes down social media ban for children. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers have been found to be misusing surveillance technology, including databases that access license plate readers and facial recognition data. CBP officers misuse surveillance tech. Dash cam laws vary by state, and drivers should be aware of the regulations in the areas they travel through.

Gaming

A review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and Dell XPS 13 have been included in Engadget's recap of recent reviews. The Google Pixel 11 event has drawn criticism for its presentation style, with suggestions that a different approach, similar to Rockstar's GTA 6 launch, could have been more effective. Google Pixel 11 event criticism.