Mobile News 8 Hours

Last updated: June 25, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

Mobile Devices & Sales

Amazon's Prime Day sale continues to drive significant discounts on a range of mobile devices, with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra receiving a 29% price cut, bringing its cost down to a more compelling level. Other Samsung flagships, including the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra, are also on sale in the U.S., with a 256GB S26 Ultra previously listed at $950. In the UK, deals extend to the Samsung Galaxy S26 and Xiaomi, both featuring 6.3-inch displays. Apple's offerings are also discounted, with the iPhone Air available at 28% off in the UK, though this model is noted for its thin design and lighter weight. The Google Finance app is now available as a standalone Android application, with an iOS version planned.

New Hardware & Rumors

Apple's future chip roadmap may see a significant shift, with reports suggesting the company will skip the M6 Pro and Max chips in favor of the M7. Meanwhile, speculation surrounds the next iPhone generation, with the iPhone Ultra 2 reportedly confirmed, while the existence of an "iPhone Air 3" is uncertain. Samsung is also preparing its next lineup, with the Galaxy S27 Pro, S27+, and S27 Ultra having surfaced in the IMEI database. In the budget segment, Samsung has launched the Galaxy A27 5G, featuring a modest chipset upgrade and a $50 price increase, with its screen identified as its most interesting feature. Nothing has offered a glimpse of its upcoming Phone 4b with a "unibody" aesthetic.

Accessories & Peripherals

Prime Day is also a boon for tech accessories, particularly for travelers. Anker's best travel charging products are on sale, including a 45W charger with a built-in display for under $30. For those concerned about device temperature, a selection of phone coolers are available to combat thermal throttling. Gamers can also find deals, with retro gaming consoles and controllers up to 38% off, and ambient RGB lights for TVs are available to enhance the experience of upcoming titles like GTA 6. VR users can find a 20% discount on an AMVR face pad for the Quest 3.

Smartwatches & E-Readers

Smartwatch deals are prominent during Prime Day, with the Samsung Galaxy Watch, praised for its design and sleep tracking, available at 38% off. For budget-conscious buyers, the CMF Watch 3 Pro is on sale for $61. On the reading front, a favorite e-reader is available for under $160 during Prime Day, noted for its ideal size.

Industry & Regulatory News

Spain has implemented new regulations requiring mobile carriers to maintain network connectivity for at least four hours during power outages. In the automotive sector, Polestar may face restrictions on selling its vehicles in the U.S. next year despite moving some production stateside. The gaming industry is experiencing shifts, with Sony announcing significant layoffs at Bungie, impacting teams working on titles like Destiny and Marathon.

Component Costs & Pricing

Rising component costs are impacting hardware prices, with Xbox prices increasing again, partly due to Microsoft's influence on the market. This trend also affects other electronics, as computer component prices continue to escalate. Apple has also increased prices across most of its hardware lineup. In a notable development, IBM has announced the creation of the world's first sub-1 nanometer chip.

Other Mobile & Tech News

Notion Mail is shutting down. For handheld gaming enthusiasts, the Retroid Pocket Nova offers 4:3 aspect ratio gaming capable of handling titles up to the Game Cube and PS2 era for $229. A review of the Sony A7R VI camera highlights a significant speed boost thanks to its new 67MP stacked sensor. Russia has allegedly used a forensics platform to hack an activist's phone, despite access being cut off. For media consumption, a tip suggests users might be plugging their Fire TV Stick into the sub-optimal HDMI port.