Mobile News 8 Hours

Last updated: May 21, 2026, 11:45 AM ET

Mobile Device Launches

The Xiaomi 17 Max arrives with impressive specs, featuring a 200MP main camera and an 8,000 mAh Si-C battery as the latest addition to the Xiaomi 17 series. In India, Oppo has launched the Find X9 series, with the X9 Ultra becoming the company's first Ultra smartphone in the country. Meanwhile, HMD has officially launched the Vibe 2 5G in India, featuring a 6.75-inch screen and a 6,000mAh battery as the successor to the previous Vibe model.

Foldable Phones

Motorola's Razr lineup sees two new entries with different value propositions. The Razr 2026 maintains its position as the best budget flip phone, though it's not quite the deal it was last year, with enough upgrades to justify its continued value leadership. In contrast, the Razr Ultra 2026 faces criticism after testing, with a reviewer finding one major problem that makes it difficult to recommend at its $1,500 price point.

Android XR & Smart Glasses

Xreal and Google have collaborated on Project Aura, cramming a full VR headset into a pair of smart glasses that represents what Android XR was designed for, showcased at Google I/O. Meanwhile, Google may have teased the Pixel 11 during the event, with users buzzing about potential hints at the next-generation smartphone after the company's I/O 2026 conference.

Wearables & Tablets

Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 receives a $50 discount in Best Buy's Memorial Day sale, positioning the 2024 release as a more affordable option despite being relatively new. Samsung has released One UI 8.5 stable updates for the Galaxy Tab S11 and S11 Ultra, making them the first tablets to receive the upgraded software system while also expanding the One UI 8.5 rollout for the S23 series to more regions.

Tech Industry Shifts

Tesla has launched Full Self-Driving in China after years of regulatory delays, making the country one of the locations where the advanced driving assistance system is available. The US government has invested $2 billion in quantum computing companies including one linked to the Trump family, taking equity stakes in the emerging technology sector. Meanwhile, Meta has reportedly laid off 8,000 employees, representing about 10% of its total staff as the company pivots toward AI.

AI & Social Platforms

Google's new AI features capitalize on voice dictation trends, aiming to leverage the popularity of voice commands and the desire to delegate thinking to artificial intelligence. In response to regulatory pressure, Meta, Snap, and Roblox have committed to stronger anti-grooming measures following Ofcom's urging to protect users on social networks. Anthropic is approaching its first profitable quarter, potentially reaching profitability for the first time since its founding in 2021.