Mobile News 8 Hours

Last updated: August 11, 2026, 12:00 PM ET

Smartphones

Google has scheduled its Google Pixel 11 series announcement for August 12, alongside the Pixel Watch. Ahead of that, the company teases the Pixel 11 Pro in a new video. Separately, details have emerged on several upcoming devices. A hands-on review of the Redmi Note 17 5G is now available. Leaked specs for the Redmi Note 17 Pro Max promise a new chipset, a 9210mAh battery, and 100W fast charging. iQOO is preparing the iQOO Z11 for India with a Dimensity 7500 Turbo SoC and detailed battery and display specs. A tipster claims the iQOO 16T will feature a 200MP camera and a liquid-air cooling system. Indian manufacturer Lava has revealed the official look of the Lava Agni 4N ahead of its UK launch. Finally, a leak from Digital Chat Station indicates the Xiaomi 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max will come in five colors with a fiberglass back material.

Wearables

Samsung's Galaxy Watch 8 Classic has appeared on test servers with the One UI 9 Watch beta, suggesting a release is near. In a comparison of value fitness trackers, the Garmin Cirqa versus Fitbit Air shows the Garmin costs $100 more but offers more robust features. Meanwhile, the Motorola Moto Watch (2026) review warns that its looks are deceiving due to limited software.

Audio & Accessories

The PS5 doesn't support Bluetooth audio directly, but a guide explains how to connect Bluetooth headphones via workarounds. Samsung has announced an FDA-cleared hearing aid feature for Galaxy Buds, arriving later this year alongside a hearing test. In other audio news, a steep discount is available on the XGIMI Horizon Ultra projector — use code "300SAVE" to save an additional $300, bringing the near-perfect 4K projector down to $849.

Deals & Promotions

Amazon's Back to School sale is live, featuring over 20 top discounts on Android tech including phones, tablets, and earbuds. The aforementioned XGIMI projector deal (covered above) is also a highlight of this back-to-school season.

Apps & Services

Bumble has updated its messaging rules so either person can send the first message after matching, a change teased in May. Spotify is introducing AI Persona labels to alert listeners if an artist is not real, addressing the influx of AI-generated music. NASA has updated Voyager 2 with a software update to extend the 1977 probe’s lifespan. Finally, OpenAI is giving Daybreak partners access to a more powerful cybersecurity model through a new two-tier program.