Mobile News 8 Hours

Last updated: June 23, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

Mobile Devices & Wearables

Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Watch9 and Watch Ultra 2 appear in new renders, detailing their design and features ahead of an expected summer release. The company is also rumored to be preparing for a July 22 Unpacked event in London, where it will likely unveil the Galaxy Z Fold8, Fold8 Ultra, and Flip8 series of foldable smartphones alongside new wearables. Samsung's Display division is reportedly planning to offer its Privacy Display technology, first seen on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, to competitors starting next year. Meanwhile, Samsung's UFS 5.0 storage is slated for Q4 production, promising significant speed boosts for AI capabilities on future phones.

Nothing has officially teased its upcoming Phone 4b with a sketch, hinting at a July reveal, while the Nothing Phone 4a Pro is currently available at its lowest price ever, discounted by $90 as an alternative to iPhones. The vivo X Fold6 is set to launch in China on June 26, with pre-orders already open and rumors suggesting a price increase over its predecessor. Google's Pixel lineup is also seeing significant Prime Day discounts, with up to 25% off the Pixel 10 series and Pixel Watch, offering savings up to $300.

Tablets & Laptops

Samsung's Galaxy Tab S11 is available for $535, a $265 reduction from its typical price, positioning it as a more affordable alternative to traditional laptops. Amazon's Prime Day sale is also impacting storage prices, with discounts on portable SSDs and NVMe drives offering some relief from recent price hikes.

VR & AR Hardware

For virtual reality enthusiasts, Meta Quest 3S deals are available, including a 15% discount with added extras, while essential accessory kits are recommended for an optimal Quest 3 or 3S experience. Xreal's wearable smart glasses are also part of Prime Day promotions, bringing immersive home theater experiences within budget, with specific models seeing discounts below $240.

E-readers & Audio

Amazon's Prime Day is offering significant price cuts on Kindle devices, with savings of up to 45% on models like the Paperwhite and Scribe. Those looking for audio upgrades can find deals on headphones and earbuds starting at $33, including Sony's WH-1000XM5 at $198. The Wii M Pro Plus, described as a successor to Chromecast Audio, is available at a new low price.

Software & Services

Apple's iOS 27 beta 2 has introduced new features, including "Write with Siri" and inline reply support for RCS messages ahead of its wider release. In productivity, Anthropic's Claude is now available for Slack, potentially replacing Slackbot functionalities. Netflix is experimenting with deeper immersion in its new horror game by utilizing players' smartphones. Meta is reportedly exploring the prediction market space, with Mark Zuckerberg directing the development of its own platform.

Connectivity & Standards

The cost of Thunderbolt 4 and 5 cables stems from their complex internal components, despite their similar appearance to USB-C. For home entertainment, the need to upgrade to the latest HDMI 2.0 or 2.1 standards for basic streaming remains questionable, as older versions suffice for most users.