Mobile News 8 Hours

Last updated: August 13, 2026, 8:52 PM ET

Smartphones & Market

The US smartphone market contracted by 5% year-over-year in Q2, with budget devices hit hardest amid a lingering memory chip crisis. Meanwhile, Apple is again reported to skip launching the iPhone 18 this year, with a new report citing suppliers that claim the series and iPhone Ultra will be delayed until 2027. On the hardware front, a Google Pixel with a silicon-carbon battery is reportedly in development, though it remains unclear which generation will adopt the technology.

Hardware & Repairability

The Galaxy Z Fold8 failed to impress in a recent teardown, with iFixit awarding it a repairability score of just 3/10 due to glued components and fragile display assembly. In contrast, Google has promised 7 years of spare parts availability for the Pixel 11 lineup, a significant commitment to longevity. Over at Honor, the company surprised China with Honor's Robot Phone, a hybrid that combines a smartphone with an Agile Gimbal and ARRI Cinematic Imaging. Early hands-on impressions describe the device as an intriguing combination that somehow works surprisingly well.

Deals & Carriers

Verizon is already offering some of the best preorder deals on the Google Pixel 11 Pro, though the fine print requires a qualifying trade-in and a premium unlimited plan. The carrier is competing aggressively against AT&T and T-Mobile for early adopters of the new Pixel flagship.

Apps & Design

Instagram has rolled out a redesigned logo, and the internet is roasting it — you can use this space to roast the new Instagram logo yourself. The gradient shift and simplified camera icon have drawn comparisons to other generic app icons, sparking a swift backlash among users.