Mobile News 3 Days

Last updated: August 15, 2026, 11:48 PM ET

Mobile Launches & Rumors

The iQOO 16 is rumored to launch in September with a higher refresh-rate display than its predecessor, according to tipster Digital Chat Station. Meanwhile, iQOO will unveil the iQOO Buds TWS earphones alongside the Z11 in India on August 20. The iQOO Neo11 Ultra specs have leaked ahead of its imminent launch, confirming the Dimensity 9500M chipset. Poco has teased the M8x 5G, showing a glimpse of the device's back panel. Huawei is reportedly working on a non-folding wide-screen phone with a 16:10 aspect ratio, expected to launch in September. The Motorola Moto G Max has launched in India with different specs than the Brazilian variant. The Poco F9 Pro and F9 Ultra have leaked with images, specs, and prices. The Fairphone 6+ is rumored to launch on August 18 at around €685. The vivo Y31T image and specs have leaked, with a launch expected soon in India. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro has emerged in an AnTuTu benchmark run ahead of its expected unveiling. Honor has teased the Magic9 series, confirming a September launch.

Android Updates & Software

Google has dropped the Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 update to eligible Pixel devices, adding new customization options to quick settings. Xiaomi has unveiled HyperOS 4 with a new glass UI and AI features. Samsung's One UI 9.5 leaks suggest a glass UI with shiny edges and depth effects. Google now allows users to remove Gemini's watermark from AI-generated images. The company also promises 7 years of spare parts availability for the Pixel 11 lineup. A Google Pixel with a silicon-carbon battery is reportedly in development. The Tensor G6 inside the Pixel 11 is reportedly a 3nm chip, not 2nm as previously believed. Google is hiding a Pixel 11 discount in Play Points, offering up to $150 off select models. Verizon is offering the best Pixel 11 Pro preorder deal. There are 4 ways to get the Pixel 11 Pro free through various preorder promotions.

Smartwatches & Wearables

The Google Pixel Watch 5 competes with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 in a close race. T-Mobile's preorder deal gives you the Pixel Watch 5 for $555/month with Watch Plan Plus 2.0. Samsung's Galaxy Watch9 review covers specs and battery upgrades. The Fitbit Air will launch in India this October as a screen-less fitness tracker. Sony reports strong Xperia 1 VIII sales, calling the micro SD slot and 3.5mm jack integral. Meta is giving away 15,000 AI glasses to blind and visually impaired people in Ireland.

Audio & Accessories

Tecno has unveiled the Pova 8 Pro with an Alive Matrix Display and 144FPS gaming support. The Tecno Pova AI Buds Pro bring AI recording and call summarization features. DJI's Mic Mini 2S offers high-quality audio with 32-bit float recording. The question of expensive earbuds and whether they're worth the premium price is explored. Honor's new Robot Phone is a gimbal-smartphone hybrid that surprisingly works well.

Tech Industry News

Stripe is reportedly in talks to buy PayPal after a previous deal fell through. DeepSeek's AI model prices are set to quadruple for its V4 models. Netflix has shut down Night School studio weeks after praising its "really solid numbers." Mico, Microsoft's AI mascot, has been demoted from Copilot Voice. Namecheap is down after a data center cooling failure. Virgin Galactic has postponed its spaceship commercial flight to 2027. CBP officers are misusing surveillance tech according to reports. The US government will now allow private companies to conduct cyberattacks on its behalf.

Mobile Tips & How-Tos

Bluetooth codecs affect audio quality, and knowing which offers the best is important. Apple Watch battery replacement costs and whether it's worth it are explored. ASUS router resets can help with slow internet issues. Xbox refunds are available for some games and apps with stipulations. USB port types and the trident symbol are explained. USB4 vs USB-C differences are detailed. Hybrid battery failures and what to do are discussed. RAM prices remain high due to AI-driven shortages. Dash cam laws vary by state. MacBook battery life can be extended with certain settings. Google storage can be saved by changing one Android setting. Photo upscaling methods are explored.

Entertainment & Streaming

The Mandalorian and Grogu will hit Disney+ on September 2. A Kingdom Hearts anime is coming to Disney+. 10,000 free movies are available on Google's Freeplay. Classic movies like The Martian and E.T. are now on Apple TV. Indie games worth checking out are featured. Spotify alternatives can ease your conscience. Spotify's AI platform partners with Kobalt for covers and remixes. The GameCube emulator Gecko challenges Dolphin's dominance.

Telecom & Connectivity

France's top court struck down a social media ban for children under. Instagram's new wordmark is the first update in over 10 years. Instagram's new logo is getting roasted online. X's shadowban checker tool is being tested. The world's oldest telecom company is examined today. Waymo receives permission for rides in Sacramento and San Diego.

Mobile Reviews & Buying Guides

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 has 4 reasons to buy and 4 to skip. Engadget's review recap covers Samsung, Dell, and more. The Galaxy Z Fold8 teardown shows repairability falls short. Best Pixel 11 screen protectors are reviewed. Best Pixel 11 Pro Fold screen protectors are compiled. Best Pixel 11 Pro XL cases are reviewed. T-Mobile's sale offers cheap devices for Back to School 2026. Apple's spyware warnings target users of mercenary attacks. Samsung's Galaxy S27 reportedly won't copy an upcoming iPhone feature. Google's Pixel event was criticized as a cringe fest. LG and Nvidia forge an AI robot and auto hardware pact. Google Play Store is criticized by a US judge for not surfacing rival app stores.