iPhone 18 Pro leaks, Redmi K90 Ultra arrives, Week 27 in review

We’re officially in the second half of 2026, and that means we’re inching closer to Apple’s fall launch, where we’re expecting the foldable iPhone Ultra alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max. This week brought more clarity to the battery capacity of the latter, which will reportedly feature a 5,235 mAh cell for the physical SIM version and an even larger 5,425 mAh capacity on the eSIM variant. iPhone 18 Pro Max's exact battery capacity leaks It will be the biggest battery ever put in a Pro Max...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/iphone_18_pro_leaks_redmi_k90_ultra_arrives_week_27_in_review-news-73570.php

Samsung removes Vascular Load from its smartwatches in the US

Samsung is removing the Vascular Load feature from its smartwatches in the US. It will be gone when Samsung Health version 7.0 and One UI 9 Watch roll out "in late July". The Galaxy Watch9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, which are rumored to be unveiled on July 22, will come with One UI 9 Watch pre-installed. The older devices should then be updated gradually. Once Vascular Load is deactivated, the data won't appear in Samsung Health, but you can download it at any time by going to More options > Settings > Download personal data. Samsung is replacing Vascular Load with a new feature...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_removes_vascular_load_from_its_smartwatches_in_the_us-news-73571.php

Apple has reportedly suspended the development of the AirPods Ultra

For quite a while now we’ve been hearing rumors about an upcoming pair of AirPods that will have cameras for Siri - these were even rumored to be part of Apple's newfound Ultra naming scheme, so they'd go by AirPods Ultra. Now, however, a tipster over on X claims that Apple has suspended the development of these earbuds, which, according to the most recent rumor, were supposed to be coming in late 2027. AirPods Pro 3 Even if their development is suspended right now, they could still make that time frame - it probably won't take long for development to be finalized if Apple decides...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_has_reportedly_suspended_the_development_of_the_airpods_ultra-news-73567.php

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, Fold8 Ultra, Flip8, Watch9, Watch Ultra 2 prices leak

Samsung is widely expected to unveil the Galaxy Z Fold8, Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Flip8, Galaxy Watch9, and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 at an Unpacked event taking place in London on July 22. Ahead of that, today we have leaked European prices for the entire lineup. Spoiler alert: they're higher than last year. The Fold8 Ultra, which is the successor to the Fold7, will start at €2,199, €100 more than the Fold7. That's for 256GB of storage. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra leaked image If you want 512GB, you'll have to pay €2,399, which is €180 more than for the Fold7. For the 1TB...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_z_fold8_fold8_ultra_flip8_watch9_watch_ultra_2_prices_leak-news-73569.php

Amazon's Starlink competitor is almost ready

Amazon has been building up its own Low Earth Orbit satellite constellation for a while now, even calling it Amazon Leo (Low Earth Orbit, get it?). This is inevitably going to compete with SpaceX's Starlink, which is currently the largest satellite constellation. Today, Amazon's VP in charge of Leo, Chris Weber, has just announced that over 390 Leo satellites have been deployed already, which is apparently enough "to support continuous service across initial latitudes". He further states that the company has already completed "enough launches for initial service this year", strongly...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/amazons_starlink_competitor_is_almost_ready-news-73548.php

AT&T expands Build-A-Plan to include home internet

Back in May, AT&T launched Build-A-Plan, a new way to customize your wireless plan's perks and pricing. It seems to have been a success, as the company is now expanding the program to include home internet as well. The expansion is taking place on July 7. Starting on that day, if you use Build-A-Plan you will be able to add home internet to your plan as well - either AT&T Fiber if it’s available in your area, or, if it’s not, AT&T Internet Air, which basically gives you fixed internet access by using AT&T's mobile network. If you use Build-A-Plan and want the cheapest possible...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/at_t_expands_buildaplan_to_include_home_internet-news-73533.php

Foldable iPhone Ultra production target reportedly climbs to 10 million units

The foldable iPhone, rumored to be called the iPhone Ultra, is expected to debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series this September. Ahead of its anticipated launch, a new report claims Apple has placed a production order for around 10 million units. According to a Nikkei Asia report citing sources familiar with the matter, Apple has asked its suppliers to manufacture around 10 million foldable iPhones in 2026. Notably, earlier reports suggested that the company was targeting an initial production run of 7 to 8 million units. The report claims that Apple has asked suppliers to...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/report_apple_orders_10_million_foldable_iphone_ultra_units-news-73543.php

Samsung Galaxy Glasses emerge in new leaked video

We’ve already seen leaked renders and additional details about Samsung’s Galaxy Glasses. We now have our best look yet thanks to an official-looking video shared by the folks over at SamMobile. The 27-second clip goes over the key design elements of the Galaxy Glasses, including their square lenses and touch-sensitive area on the right temple. We can also spot an LED indicator on the right and a camera on the other side. The video also showcases their power button which will be placed on the right temple. While we don’t get additional details, this is one of our best looks yet...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_glasses_emerge_in_new_leaked_video-news-73545.php

OnePlus is now pushing Oppo smartphones, tablets, watches, and earbuds

OnePlus' slow transformation from independent brand to an Oppo sub-brand continues unabated. The latest example comes from Germany, where the official OnePlus website is now advertising Oppo products. Scroll down a bit once you land on the site, and you will see this - an ad pointing you to "a curated selection of Oppo accessories and IoT products". If you click on that you're taken to this page, where OnePlus says it's "put together a selection of Oppo products equipped with the latest hardware and powerful software you know and are familiar with", "all designed to give you...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_is_now_selling_oppo_smartphones_tablets_watches_and_earbuds-news-73532.php

Sony to permanently stop physical disc production for PlayStation in 2028

Following Rockstar's announcement that Grand Theft Auto VI will be a digital-only release, Sony has come forth with an even more ambitious plan to kill physical media forever. The company has announced that starting January 2028, production of physical disc games for new games will be ending for all games releasing on the PlayStation platforms. In simpler terms, every game launching on PlayStation consoles after January 2028 will only be available digitally through the PlayStation Store or as a PlayStation Store code through other retailers. This applies to new games only, and not for...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/sony_to_permanently_stop_physical_disc_production_for_playstation_in_2028-news-73531.php

American Express members can now use rewards points with Apple Pay

If you are an American Express cardholder, you can now finally use your Membership Rewards points when you check out with Apple Pay for online purchases. You can redeem your points directly within the Apple Pay secure checkout experience online, without needing to leave checkout, open another app, or complete additional redemption steps. You just shop online or in apps on your iPhone or iPad as usual, select Apple Pay at checkout, then choose an eligible American Express card, select Use Rewards and enter the amount of points you want to use to cover all or part of your purchase....

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/american_express_members_can_now_use_rewards_points_with_apple_pay-news-73530.php

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will have a complicated modem situation

Apple will be using two modems in the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, according to new revelations from leaked schematics and documents that were stolen from Apple supplier Tata in a cyberattack. In the US, the company will keep using a Qualcomm modem, and the reason seems to be all about the fact that it supports mmWave 5G, whereas Apple's self-developed modems still don't. On the other hand, iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models sold elsewhere will be using Apple's own C2 modem. Currently, the iPhone 17e and iPhone Air use Apple modems, while the iPhone 17, iPhone 17...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/iphone_18_pro_and_pro_max_will_have_a_complicated_modem_situation-news-73529.php

Commodore Callback 8020 goes on pre-order for a lower price

Commodore announced its $499 Callback 8020 flip phone a couple of weeks ago, and apparently people didn't like the price. So now the device has gone up for pre-order as promised, but it starts at $399. That's some magic trick - making the product 20% cheaper before even launching it. Part of this is explained by the fact that the $399 price includes "eco-validated" RAM and storage, which means they're "remanufactured", aka reused, aka recycled, whatever you want to call it. If you want your RAM and storage to be new, you need to pay an extra $50 and then you're up to $449. Anyway,...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/commodore_callback_8020_goes_on_preorder_for_a_lower_price-news-73512.php

Samsung ultimately refuses BOE panels for the Galaxy S27, new report says

Last month we heard that Samsung was in talks with China’s BOE for the supply of OLED panels for the upcoming Galaxy S27, and BOE's displays were allegedly $5 cheaper than what Samsung Display could supply. So it seemed pretty inevitable that BOE would get the deal and the vanilla S27 would ship with the Chinese panels. Well, not so fast. A plot twist has emerged today. Apparently Samsung has decided not to go with the BOE displays after all, and so Samsung Display was chosen to supply the OLED panels for the Galaxy S27. While a clear reason for this decision is not known, there's...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_ultimately_refuses_boe_panels_for_the_galaxy_s27_new_report_says-news-73513.php

Samsung confirms the Galaxy Ring 2

Samsung launched the Galaxy Ring in 2024, and so you may have been wondering where its successor is. Back in May we heard that the Galaxy Ring 2 would arrive in early 2027 with improved battery life, comfort, and sensor accuracy. Now a new report says Samsung itself has confirmed that the Galaxy Ring 2 is in development, through the voice of Dr. Hon Pak, the company's head of the Digital Health team. The original Samsung Galaxy Ring He strongly hinted at upcoming iPhone pairing support, while confirming that the next Galaxy Ring will have longer battery life and upgraded health...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_confirms_the_galaxy_ring_2-news-73508.php

Motorola Edge 70 Max gets certified with Qi2 25W wireless charging

Motorola is expected to expand its Edge 70 lineup soon with the Edge 70 Max, and while the brand hasn't revealed when it will unveil the smartphone, the Edge 70 Max has been certified by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), taking it a step closer to launch. The WPC listing also reveals that the Motorola Edge 70 Max, bearing model code XT2611, will support Qi2 25W magnetic wireless charging. It has Qi ID 26944, Qi version 2.2.1, and MPP25 power profile. Motorola Edge 70 Max gets Qi2 25W certified by WPC MPP25 means the Edge 70 Max has built-in magnets for wireless charging up to...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_edge_70_max_wpc_qi2_25w_certified-news-73507.php

Comcast is spinning off NBCUniversal and Sky

Comcast is spinning off NBCUniversal and Sky into a new company. The split will leave Comcast with the cable, wireless, and business services, while the new company will handle the Universal theme parks, film and TV studios, NBC, Peacock, and Sky. This move practically undoes the 2011 acquisition of NBCUniversal by Comcast. So after 15 years of consolidation, it's now time for some de-consolidation. Interestingly, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts will remain "actively involved" in leading both companies after the split. Roberts, whose father Ralph founded the company in 1963, controls...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/comcast_is_spinning_off_nbcuniversal_and_sky-news-73496.php

BT and Verizon agree to combine their international enterprise operations

Verizon and BT Group have announced plans to combine their international enterprise fixed-line operations into a new joint venture. The move is expected to close in 2027, subject to regulatory approval. BT and Verizon say the new company will be "designed for a cloud-first world in the age of AI", whatever that means. It will be a 50-50 joint venture, and will serve over 3,000 multinational organizations in more than 180 countries. Verizon will pay BT an equalization amount of $625 million to guarantee even voting rights. Combining BT and Verizon’s international enterprise...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/bt_and_verizon_agree_to_combine_their_international_enterprise_operations-news-73495.php

T-Mobile is retiring old plans and forcing people onto its newest ones

T-Mobile's doing some spring cleaning this summer. The company has decided to phase out some older plans and move the customers using them to its newest plans. The old plans that are affected are the oldest ones still in use by T-Mobile customers, and some of them are 15 years old. According to T-Mobile, this will involve price hikes, but the average hike is apparently only going to be $4 per line. Customers on the very old plans will be contacted directly by T-Mobile via email with two weeks' notice before the change takes place on their next billing cycle in mid-July. Here's the...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/tmobile_is_retiring_old_plans_and_forcing_people_onto_its_newest_ones-news-73494.php

RedMagic Gaming Tablet 5 Pro confirmed for global markets as Astra 2

RedMagic's Gaming Tablet 5 Pro is set to launch in China tomorrow, and the company has now confirmed that the tablet will be making its way to global markets. As expected, it will launch internationally under the RedMagic Astra 2 branding. While RedMagic has yet to announce a global launch date, the Astra 2 is expected to retain the same specifications as its Chinese counterpart. The Gaming Tablet 5 Pro is confirmed to feature a 9.06-inch OLED display with a 2.4K resolution and a 185Hz refresh rate. It will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset and equipped with a...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/redmagic_gaming_tablet_5_pro_confirmed_for_global_markets_as_astra_2-news-73484.php

iPhone 18 Pro series, foldable iPhone likely to debut on September 8

A new report suggests Apple could hold its next iPhone launch event in the second week of September. The company's first foldable iPhone, rumored to be called the iPhone Ultra, is expected to debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. The information comes from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who says Apple is expected to follow its usual launch schedule and unveil the new iPhone lineup on the first Tuesday or Wednesday after Labor Day. iPhone Ultra, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone 18 Pro dummy units. (Credit - @VadimYuryev) Based on that timeline, Gurman believes that Apple...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/iphone_18_pro_series_foldable_iphone_likely_to_debut_on_september_8-news-73483.php

Weekly poll: would you buy the Oppo Reno16? What about the Oppo Reno16 Pro?

Oppo unveiled the Reno16 series this week – this includes the vanilla and Pro models as well as the Reno16 F and FS versions. Let’s focus on the first pair – do you like what the Reno16 and Reno16 Pro have to offer? And have you seen how much they cost? Oppo Reno 16 and Reno 16 Pro We will need to re-calibrate our idea of how much a mid-range phone costs. The Oppo Reno16 starts at €900 for an 8/512GB phone, though you can get a €100 discount if you order before the end of July. The phone is powered by a Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 and a 6,700mAh battery with 80W fast charging (55W if...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/weekly_poll_would_you_buy_the_oppo_reno16_what_about_the_oppo_reno16_pro-news-73462.php

Weekly poll results: most people game on their phone, many use tablets too

Last week, we asked you what device you use for gaming. And since we’re a smartphone-focused site, we’re not surprised to see that the smartphone option emerged as the top result. A few of these rankings are a little surprising, though. We were expecting either PC or Console to claim the #2 spot – instead tablets won out. A lot of people use old tablets as Netflix and Facebook devices, but those are too old to run modern games – certainly not the more demanding titles. But as it turns out, many have tablets powerful enough to run the games that they play. PC came in as a close #3 –...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/weekly_poll_results_most_people_game_on_their_phone_many_use_tablets_too-news-73460.php

Samsung starts working on One UI 9 for the Galaxy A24 4G after releasing stable One UI 8.5 update

Samsung released the Android 16-based One UI 8.5 stable update for the Galaxy A24 4G a few days ago, and now we learn it has started testing the Android 17-based One UI 9 for this smartphone. The One UI 9 build for the Galaxy A24 4G spotted on Samsung's server has firmware version A245FXXUCGZF4, but we don't know when Samsung will release the One UI 9 beta or stable update for the smartphone. In fact, the only smartphones that have received the One UI 9 beta so far are the Galaxy S26 series smartphones, even though Samsung is working on One UI 9 for multiple Galaxy devices. While...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_a24_4g_one_ui_9_development-news-73480.php

Google Wallet can now track your packages

While probably not the most obvious or sensible integration out there, it does sound like a pretty nifty one. Also, we are pretty certain that this is not the first time Google has experimented with package tracking. If memory serves right, the now-retired Google Now (or rather transformed into Google Discover feed) used to offer the very same thing. Anyway, the idea is simple – Google scans your Gmail inbox and automatically recognizes digital receipts and tracking numbers, then simply uses those to provide parcel tracking info as part of the Google Wallet interface. The UI places...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/google_wallet_can_now_track_your_packages-news-73476.php

Foldable gaming mode is coming with Android 17

Frankly, we don’t see gaming-specific features come to the Android core all too often. Recently, ex-journalist and now Google employee Mishaal Rahman offered up a surprisingly detailed preview of a great new feature coming to Android 17. It is called Foldable gaming mode, and what it does is basically spawn a highly customizable virtual controller on the bottom half of your unfolded foldable device, with the actual game playing on the top half. For now, it’s just a 50/50 split, which you can’t adjust, but that could come in the future. The virtual joystick emulates controller...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/foldable_gaming_mode_is_coming_with_android_17-news-73482.php

Deals: Prime Day shopping is over, here are the best Galaxy S26 and Pixel 10 series deals

The four days of Amazon Prime Day shopping ended this Friday – so, let’s look at what the prices are like now. We’ve picked out the Samsung Galaxy S26 flagships plus a couple of Galaxy mid-rangers as well as the non-folding phones of the Google Pixel 10 lineup. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra still starts at under $1,000. However, that buys you 256GB of storage. You can upgrade to 512GB, but this year this is a $200 upgrade. As usual, we’ll point you to our comparison articles against the Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max. ...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/deals_prime_day_shopping_is_over_here_are_the_best_galaxy_s26_and_pixel_10_series_deals-news-73465.php