Mobile News 8 Hours

Last updated: August 6, 2026, 8:31 AM ET

Smartphone Launches and Updates

Xiaomi has launched the Redmi Note 17 in India, featuring a substantial 8000mAh battery and the Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 processor. This new model represents an upgrade in battery capacity and display size compared to its predecessor, the Redmi Note. vivo has also made a significant return to the Indian market with the unveiling of the vivo S2, marking the S series' comeback after a seven-year absence. Additionally, vivo is preparing to launch the V80 Lite 5G, which is expected to be part of the V80 family and may be a rebranded device. TCL is reportedly working on new smartphones, with official renders and specifications for the TCL P80 and P80 Pro leaking ahead of their European launch.

Samsung's Next Steps in Wearables and Software

Samsung is allegedly developing a new smartwatch that will not operate on Wear OS. This upcoming device is expected to be positioned between the Galaxy Fit and the Galaxy Watch FE in terms of pricing. Meanwhile, Samsung's Galaxy S26 series is nearing the release of its fifth beta update for One UI. initial One UI 9 beta for the S26 trio was rolled out in May, and the latest beta build was released over three weeks ago, with users anticipating further refinements.

Tech Industry Developments