Xiaomi is now rolling out the stable Android 17 update to the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and Xiaomi 17. I just got the update on both phones today, and there's no telling when other Xiaomi phones will make the switch — my Xiaomi 17T Pro is still on Android 16.

Xiaomi has struggled to deliver platform updates on time in the last two years, so this is a refreshing change of pace. It's almost as if someone at Xiaomi read my post on Android 17 updates and decided to take action. As it stands, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and Xiaomi 17 are the only phones outside of Google Pixels to have made the switch to Android 17.

There's just one problem: I don't see anything new with the update. Although the phones are now on Android 17, they're still based on HyperOS 3.0.332, so I don't see any changes to the interface or new feature additions. It's possible we will get those with HyperOS 4.0, so if you're looking to delve into all the new stuff that Google introduced with Android 17 on your Xiaomi phone, you will have to wait until Xiaomi updates its skin.

Interestingly, Android 17 isn't mentioned in the 9.6GB update changelog; it just lists the usual stability tweaks and June 2026 security update. While I didn't see any changes in the UI or features, the only difference is that the interface has slightly better fluidity.

Outside of that, it's virtually identical to the Android 16-based version of the interface. That's by design; Xiaomi largely ignores Google's platform-related changes, instead focusing on its own interface and features as a point of differentiation. While that was a positive in the past, Xiaomi's interface is in need of an overhaul, and I was counting on the brand to do so with Android 17 and HyperOS 4.0 — leaks pointed to an iOS-esque Liquid Glass design that looks much more modern. It looks like I'll just have to wait a little longer.

The Pixel 10 is one of our favorite smartphones of 2025, but now that we approach the Pixel 11 launch, I'm taking a speculative look at both phones to determine whether it's worth upgrading from the Pixel 10. Or at least which phone you should consider buying.

For now, we don't have any official information on the Pixel 11, aside from rumors and leaks. Fortunately, there have been plenty of both, allowing us to paint a pretty good picture of what to expect. And having reviewed the Pixel 10 myself, I'm more than interested to see what upgrades Google is bringing to its successor.

Google Pixel 11 vs. Pixel 10: More of the same design with one illuminating mystery

From the leaks we've seen, the Pixel 11 won't look much different from the Pixel 10. The dimensions are supposedly very similar, although the Pixel 11 may be a hair thinner. The Pixel 10 is already pretty thick, so we welcome any way Google can reduce that, especially given the battery bump.

More noticeable design changes may appear on the rear. The camera visor appears to have removed the aluminum bit housing the camera flash on the Pixel 10. Instead, the entire housing appears to be covered in glass for a more uniform look.

There's also the matter of this mysterious Pixel Glow. We're not entirely sure what this is, but based on Google's Pixel 11 teaser on the Google Store, it appears to be part of the LED flash unit within the camera bar, serving as a colorful indicator light (not a light bar as previous rumors suggested). This could be an indicator for notifications or AI interactions, similar to what we expect with the upcoming Googlebooks.

There's also a chance this won't be available on the base model, but I have my fingers crossed!

On the front, the display won't change much either. It will likely remain a 6.3-inch OLED panel, and Google may improve display brightness, as companies usually do with each generation. With any luck, Google could include some of the accessibility features introduced with the Pixel 10 Pro, but we won't hold our breath.

Google Pixel 11 vs. Pixel 10: Rumored specs point to some important changes

The biggest changes to the Pixel 11 will mostly be under the hood. The phone is expected to be powered by the Tensor G6, likely a 2nm chipset built by TSMC, which should make it more efficient. I didn't have many problems with the Pixel 10's performance, but any improvements here are welcome.

One benefit of the Tensor G6 may be a new MediaTek-built modem. This could mean we'll see marked improvements in connectivity, which users often complain about on Pixel phones with Samsung modems.

Interestingly, the Pixel 11 may come with an outdated GPU, so you probably won't count on it for heavy gaming. Fortunately, compatibility should improve, especially after the Pixel 10 initially lacked updated GPU drivers, which made games look a little wonky.

Unfortunately, there probably won't be much in the way of battery gains, but I didn't have any issues with battery life on the Pixel 10. I hope Google improves charging speeds from the Pixel 10's 30W wired and 15W Qi2 wireless, but I won't hold my breath.

One thing I'm excited to see with the Pixel 11 is the new base storage. These days, 128GB just doesn't cut it for a flagship, so I'm happy to see that 256GB may become the new standard. Unfortunately, this may come with a higher price tag for the base Pixel 11, with rumors pointing to a $100 increase to $899.

Google Pixel 11 vs. Pixel 10: How will the Pixel 11 enhance the software and AI experience?

One good thing about Pixels is that the software experience will be pretty much the same across models. The Pixel 10 adopts Material 3 Expressive, so it's very colorful and full of fun shapes. I actually enjoyed the Pixel software experience for the first time with Android 16, thanks to improvements like the customizable Quick Settings menu and the notification organizer.

That extends to the AI experience, which has been enhanced with the Tensor G5 chip. Google introduced some neat new AI features, like Camera Coach and automation that lets Gemini place orders for rideshares and food deliveries on your behalf. And with features like Gemini Live, the Pixel 10 is the full package.

The Pixel 11 will no doubt improve upon the software and AI experience, especially with Gemini Intelligence set to arrive this summer. The Pixel 10 will likely receive many of these features as part of the upgraded AI experience, but a new chipset could bring exclusive capabilities to the Pixel 11.

For now, we don't know what features the Pixel 11 will launch with aside from the potential Pixel Glow light array. It's expected to launch with Android 17 out of the box, and since we're still waiting on some previously announced features to arrive, there's a good chance they'll come with the Pixel 11.

Google Pixel 11 vs. Pixel 10: Welcome camera improvements in tow

Last year's Pixel 10 featured a 48MP primary camera "downgrade," although it still took great photos. Thanks to the addition of a third 5x telephoto sensor, zoom photos were excellent. For the Pixel 11, rumors suggest Google is returning to a 50MP primary sensor, which could improve noise reduction and low-light performance.

Overall, we could see minor improvements in image quality compared to the Pixel 10. However, I would like to see the Pixel 11 receive the same camera features as the Pro models, since the Pixel 10 missed out on a few.

Google Pixel 11 vs. Pixel 10: So should you upgrade?

If you already have the Pixel 10, I expect there will be little reason to upgrade to the Pixel 11. The Tensor G5 is a very capable chipset and will likely support most of the new features coming to the Pixel 11. And even so, I doubt any new features will be enough to convince many to swap their device.

Plus, with seven years of OS upgrades and security patches, the Pixel 10 still has a lot of life left in it.

Still, the Pixel 11 may be a good phone to consider for anyone who doesn't own a Pixel 10. That is, if you can handle the rumored base price increase (which will likely include double the storage, mind you). Perhaps if you're coming from a Pixel 9 or earlier, the Pixel 11 could be worth the upgrade, especially if it means you're getting a third camera lens.

What you need to know

• Rumors claim that Samsung might not offer its free storage upgrade for its upcoming Galaxy foldables.
• This was offered to customers who pre-ordered devices, helping them to upgrade from a 256GB model to the 512GB model for free.
• A report claims that Samsung might have customers pay half the cost to upgrade to higher storage, and soaring memory prices might be the reason.

Future Samsung Galaxy customers might have a sour future ahead of them. Reports claim the company might not offer one of its sweetest upgrades.

The report surfaced from Chosun (Korean), which cites "industry sources" in stating Samsung might remove its free storage upgrade offering (via Android Authority). This upgrade was reserved for customers who pre-ordered an upcoming Galaxy device. Think Galaxy S25, S26, or Samsung's upcoming foldables, which is what this rumor is focused on. The Korean publication claims that Samsung might remove its free storage upgrade for all pre-ordered Galaxy Z Flip 8s and Fold 8s.

This storage upgrade would double what you previously selected. If you wanted to grab a 256GB Flip, Samsung would give you the 512GB version at no extra cost. However, the company might replace this free offer by pushing half of the storage upgrade cost onto you, the consumer.

We'll have to wait and see how prices shake out for U.S. customers once the foldables are fully released (if this is true). Chosun's sources reportedly highlight the only culprit anyone's pointing fingers at nowadays: soaring memory prices. That's where things get interesting.

Can't have nice things

We're already stir-crazy over price hikes. There were a few rumors that said the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra could cost $2,099 in the U.S. For reference, that's $100 more than the Fold 7. The Fold 8, which might be the wide foldable we've been hearing about, could start at $1,899. Prices are all over the place, but the ongoing situation with AI taking up all the memory is real.

A research report was published earlier this week, citing another drop in the global smartphone market. For Q2 2026, the phone market fell by 4%, and Omdia places the blame squarely on soaring memory prices. It adds that the market might not recover in 2026, and the holiday season, which typically brings a surge, might not happen. In Q1, the U.S. phone market fell by 3%, so things have been bleak this year.

That's not the only issue. These soaring memory prices might also claim budget phones as collateral. Researchers suspect that the budget phone market might fall by 22% as companies struggle to find a way to make a profit off such devices. We're a week away from knowing for sure if Samsung's free storage upgrade is gone or not. Samsung confirmed Galaxy Unpacked will take place in London, U.K., on July 22 at 9 am ET.

What you need to know

• Google announces that it's running an open enrollment period for its Pixel Care Plus program for customers with a Pixel 9 or 10 device.
• Users who skipped out on this plan before can get it now; however, users have from July 14 to August 2 before this "limited-time" chance is gone.
• Pixel Care Plus gives customers $0 screen and battery repairs, unlimited accidental damage protection, and more.

Like everything in tech, device makers often provide protection plans that consumers can pay for. Google's version is typically offered within a narrow window, but it's now available to everyone who skipped it at checkout.

Open enrollment arrives for Pixel Care Plus this week. Google announced the open period in a Keyword post. The company states that from July 14 to August 2, consumers who purchased a Pixel 9 series (including Pixel 9a) or Pixel 10 series phone (including Pixel 10a) qualify for a "limited-time opportunity." Consumers with one of these models can add Pixel Care Plus protection to cover any damage.

Google states consumers enrolling in Pixel Care Plus through this open period will be awarded "$0 screen and battery repairs, unlimited accidental damage protection, and optional loss and theft coverage." However, while this is open to quite a decent cast of phones, Google says that not everyone qualifies.

It's great if you have a Pixel 9 or 10 series phone, but Google needs to ensure that you're a U.S. customer and that your device "is in good working condition." In layman's terms, your Pixel 9 or 10 needs to be "fully functioning and free from cracks, mechanical defects or liquid damage." If your device checks out, you're good to go.

Google directs users to the My Pixel app or its online store to add Pixel Care Plus protection.

Another chance

Pixel Care Plus was first announced last summer, shortly after the Pixel 10 series launched. The plan replaced Google's old Preferred Care and Fi Device Protection for U.S. customers. With Pixel Care Plus, consumers receive $0 screen/battery repairs and post-warranty malfunction claims, priority support, and a few more goodies. As previously stated, customers usually have a limited window to grab a protection plan for their new device.

This window of opportunity typically lasts 60 days from the phone's purchase. Google made sure to highlight last summer that Care Plus customers were eligible for free "upgraded shipping" during repairs. Priority Support is another perk. Customers can speak to Google's experts about any issues. Preferred Care and Fi Device Protection in the U.S. were migrated from those older plans to Google's updated offerings.

Android Central's Take

This a mini-event that's pretty good to capture. To break things down, Google offers monthly coverage for a Pixel 10 Pro XL at $13, $239 for two-year protection. Having protection for a device you use every day for calls, scrolling, gaming, what-have-you, isn't a bad idea. But not everyone splurges on that sort of thing amidst the assortment of other bills we have to pay. But, hey, here's a chance if you've ever felt like you should've gotten it at checkout.

What you need to know

• Spotify announced that it's removing the Premium lock on Managed Account, making them free for all parents to create for kids under 13.
• Managed Accounts are a music-only experience, meaning kids' profiles will be private, non-discoverable in search, and parents can filter out explicit content and more.
• Kids will have access to popular playlists like Discover Weekly, Daylist, and Made for You.

Managed Accounts with parental controls are a good way for parents to get their kids into Spotify, but it was locked to Premium. Spotify's changing that this week, and it might be a huge win for parents.

Spotify announced this morning (July 15) that it's making Managed Accounts free for all parents on Spotify globally. It doesn't matter which Spotify plan you're on. Spotify says parents can "create a free Managed Account for their child in the U.S., UK, Australia, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, with many more countries either already live or following soon." It teases Canada, New Zealand, and multiple European countries are coming soon.

Setting up a Managed Account is fairly simple. Parents can open Spotify > (side menu) Add Account > Create a Managed Account. Ads will be present if you're on a free account; however, Spotify says these will offer "helpful information about how to get the most out of the app."

Managed Accounts are focused on kids under 13. The experience is purely music-based, providing access to Spotify's music library and playlists (including playlist creation). Since a Managed Account is music-only, Spotify says its videos and Canvas content are turned off by default.

A few music discovery playlists that users have on Spotify are available for Managed Accounts. Kids can receive their own Discover Weekly, Made for You mixes, and Daylist. It's worth mentioning that while these playlists lean on the kids' taste in music, they will also adhere to the settings their parents have chosen. Spotify Wrapped is a huge year-end celebration of your listening habits, and kids will get one, too.

Safety in mind

Spotify has become a little more social over the years. Managed Accounts take a step back from those features. The company states Managed Accounts will not have access to messages and cannot upload custom profile pictures. What's more, a Managed Account is immediately made private and cannot be discovered via search.

Parents will have a dashboard of parental controls for their child's account. Users can filter out certain content they'd rather keep their kids away from, such as explicit music. Parents will also find settings to "manually manage the playback of specific artists or songs." If parents need to change anything, they can easily return to their parental dashboard for a Managed Account and alter its settings.

Android Central's Take

This is management made easy for parents. I've got a few family members that I know would've loved this a few years earlier. Better late than never, right? I think that these Managed Accounts should've always been free. It's not a bad thing to have had free for parents, as I'm sure many let their child use their account. There are still parents that will continue to do so, but at least there's the option to give them their own "account."

Just yesterday, I was putting together a guide to the best Google Pixel 10 deals on the web, and I remember being disappointed that Mint Mobile wasn't running any kind of promotion on the flagship phones. Fortunately, my prayers were answered overnight, as the T-Mobile-owned wireless carrier is now running one of the best Pixel 10 promotions I've ever seen.

For a limited time, if you bundle the purchase of the Pixel 10 with one year of the Unlimited plan, Mint will give you $650 off the phone AND 50% off the wireless. That means you're getting a full 12 months of unlimited talk, text, and data alongside a powerful Android phone for a single payment of $329 (or $28/month if you use affirm). It's as simple as that.

There's a bit of urgency here, however. With the arrival of the Google Pixel 11 series slated for August 12th, Mint Mobile can't have that many Pixel 10 phones left in stock. In other words, once this deal sells out, it's gone for good. Don't wait too long if you're interested.

This Pixel 10 deal sounds too good to be true

The Google Pixel 10 is a sophisticated flagship phone with a lovely OLED 120Hz display, endlessly versatile and fun-to-use camera tech, and an upgraded battery with lightning-fast charging. The Google Tensor G5 chipset will handle just about any task you throw at it, while the seven guaranteed software updates ensure that your phone will feel cutting-edge for many years to come.

So what's the catch?

If you're looking for a new wireless carrier, there are honestly very few drawbacks with this deal. Unlike some carrier deals, which involve so many eligibility requirements that it hardly feels worth it, with Mint Mobile's deals, what you see is what you get.

Sure, you have to pay for some wireless to get the discounted phone, but it shakes out to only $15 per month for one of our favorite unlimited plans around. You get talk, text, and data on T-Mobile's vast network, in addition to a mobile hotspot and free calls to Mexico, Canada, and the UK.

And come on, think about how nice it would be to drop a single payment today and not think about your phone bill again until mid-2027.

I will note that this Google Pixel 10 deal is exclusive to new Mint Mobile customers, and the carrier only has the 128GB configuration of the phone left in stock. If you need lots of bells and whistles with your phone plan, you might want to look elsewhere. But if you simply want some reliable wireless and a great new phone for as cheap as possible, this Google Pixel 10 promotion is worth jumping on ASAP.

I attend a lot of product briefings and meetings, and that's particularly true now as we're once again heading into phone silly season. Normally, I just attend the briefing, take notes, and write up any salient points. If I'm conducting an interview — like the one about Arm's neural gaming tech — I usually record the audio and transcribe manually. That's what takes the most amount of time, and in the last six months, I used an AI-assisted solution: Viaim's RecDot earbuds.

Now, there's no shortage of AI-assisted audio-to-text transcribing services available, and you can do it on your phone as well; this is one of the things I use the most on my Pixel 10 Pro XL. Viaim is one of many brands that are positioning AI-based products to do this automatically. I used Plaud Note in the past to do something similar, but I like the idea of the Viaim RecDot better as it isn't another thing I have to carry.

The versatility of having earbuds that record calls and meetings and automatically transcribe audio is a big deal, and it made a noticeable difference in my daily use. My favorite feature is Instant Summaries, which provides insights and key takeaways from hours-long meetings; this saved me a decent chunk of time.

A pretty cool addition is FlashRecord, a feature that records conversations up to four hours locally on the buds without needing your phone. You can also record when you're not wearing the buds by pressing a button on the case. There's also an AI-assisted translation feature, and it provides real-time translations. The RecDot did a decent job with Hindi to English translations, but it didn't hold up anywhere as well with Telugu (my native language) to English. That said, the buds have the ability to translate between 78 languages, and that's a cool use case if you're traveling abroad.

The RecDot earbuds are available for $199, and while that's quite a lot of cash, you are getting decent earbuds even outside of the AI features. The buds have a standard design with a lengthy stalk, and they don't really stand out. They have a glossy coat and the shell nuzzles into the ear comfortably, and I didn't see any fatigue even with extended use. At 4.8g, each bud is light enough that you won't even notice it.

There are other niceties; the RecDot gets IP55 dust and water resistance, and sound quality from the 11mm dynamic driver is much better than I imagined; it's not going to overthrow Bose or Sony, but it's clear that Viaim paid attention to the audio tuning. You get a boosted low-end that makes listening to most modern music that much more enjoyable, and while there isn't much extension to the treble, the overall tonal characteristics are decent. You get Qi charging, Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, and the buds connect to two devices at once.

There's pretty good noise isolation too, and the RecDot did a reasonable job tuning out ambient sounds in my immediate vicinity. Again, while they weren't as effective as my Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 earbuds, they're good enough that I wouldn't mind using the buds while working at a cafe. You don't get AptX codecs, but there's LHDC, which made a difference while using with my Find X9 Ultra and X9 Pro.

The Viaim app is what you'll be using to generate summaries and transcribe audio, and it's decent enough. I had issues where it crashed while using it on the Find X9 Ultra, but I didn't run into problems on the iPhone 17 Pro, so that's what I used predominantly with the buds. The UI itself is easy to navigate, and you get all the notes and transcribed text easily accessible.

On the whole, Viaim did a good job with the RecDot, and if you attend a lot of meetings and need an easy way to transcribe and summarize key takeaways, these earbuds are a great option.

What you need to know

• Samsung is taking aim at the foldable crease with its Galaxy Z Fold 8, promising a dramatically slimmer, tougher, and nearly crease-free display.
• Flex Titanium replaces carbon fiber beneath the screen with a titanium support layer that's lighter, stronger, and better suited for ultra-thin foldables.
• Early hands-on impressions back up Samsung's claims, with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 reportedly feeling thinner while maintaining a premium build.

For seven years, across seven generations of devices, owners of foldable phones have been contending with the same glaring compromise: the inescapable display crease. You either got used to ignoring the physical trench down the middle of your screen or you skipped foldables entirely.

But the hardware landscape is transforming. There is a lot of talk about Apple entering the market with a foldable iPhone Ultra, and Samsung is directly answering the threat with the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 8. The firm claims to have completely re-engineered the flexible screen to be almost crease-free, far more robust, and considerably thinner.

Samsung has announced Flex Titanium, a new display structure that replaces the support layer of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) used in previous Galaxy Z Fold models with a titanium-based plate. Samsung says the material is lighter, stronger, and more suitable for ultra-thin foldables, as it can hold its shape while taking less space.

Thinner without compromise

The company’s announcement is in sync with hands-on impressions from Tom's Guide’s Mark Spoonauer, who had a chance to get an early look at what Samsung says is the new display of the Galaxy Z Fold 8. The screen is significantly thinner but still retains the premium feel of a foldable, the outlet (sister publication of Android Central) reports.

The change is not simply swapping out one material for another. Traditionally, CFRP under the display is used to provide reinforcement for the flexible screen of foldable OLED panels. Titanium offers the same structural support but allows a thinner overall panel, helping manufacturers to squeeze precious millimeters from ever-thinner devices, per Samsung. The company also combined the new support layer with a new OLED process, which is designed to improve flexibility and durability, two areas that have defined the evolution of foldables since the original Galaxy Fold.

Samsung’s announcement comes amidst ongoing rumors surrounding Apple’s much-anticipated foldable iPhone, with Samsung Display expected to be a major supplier of foldable OLED panels.

Android Central's Take

Personally, I’m all for anything that makes foldables thinner and tougher, because that’s what people actually notice after the novelty wears off. Titanium sounds impressive, but Samsung still has to prove this is more than just another flashy material name. If Flex Titanium means a phone that’s easier to carry, survives daily wear better, and doesn’t come with compromises, users win. Otherwise, I don't think buyers are going to care what metal is hiding under the display.

WiiM has consistently delivered great products over the last two years, and while it started out with amps, it is branching out into home audio, and that's exciting. The WiiM Amp Ultra sits at the center of my home theater system, and it does a great job paired to my Wharfedale Linton. I use the WiiM Pro Plus daily, and it continues to be the ideal way to connect older stereo gear to the internet. Similarly, the WiiM Sub Pro is an interesting addition that ties in really well with existing stereo systems if you need to add a subwoofer.

Then there's the WiiM Sound. I've been using it for the last six months, and it has proven to be the perfect smart speaker. It sounds much better than the Nest Audio, the stereo sound is much more detailed than the Sonos Era 100, and its connectivity is unmatched. There are plenty of other features that I'll get into below, but if you need a great-sounding stereo speaker with Google Assistant and Alexa integration, this is the one I'd get in 2026. And coming in at $299, it doesn't cost much more than the equivalent Sonos while giving you so much more.

While convenience is always high up on the list when considering a smart speaker, I care about sound quality above all else, and the WiiM Sound does well in this area. The speaker has a 4-inch woofer alongside two 1-inch silk-dome tweeters, and it delivers 100W of sound with plenty of detail. I would've liked a bit more rumble to the bass, but it is tightly controlled, and the mids are clean, with vocals shining through. Audio quality is better than what you get with Amazon, Google, and Sonos in this category.

Where the Sound truly stands out is the connectivity. It has Google Cast, Spotify Connect, DLNA, Tidal Connect, and Roon Ready integration. Additionally, you can easily connect it existing multi-room audio systems if you use Google Cast or Alexa.

You can get two units and create a true stereo pair, and if you need a 2.1 system that has much better bass, you can connect it to the $449 WiiM Sub Pro like I did. Rounding out the connectivity, you get Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.3, 3.5mm aux in, and Ethernet, so there isn't much missing anything in this area.

This flexibility is a key selling point of WiiM products in general, and with the brand rolling out a soundbar — dubbed the WiiM Bar — soon, you can use the Sound as a rear surround or center channel in a home theater configuration. The Sound has 24-bit/192 kHz playback, and combined with Roon integration, you get the easiest way to stream your local music library — that's how I've been using it in the last six months.

The WiiM Sound connects via the WiiM Home app, and it has a modern interface with an exhaustive amount of customizability. It does a great job bringing together all of your media streaming platforms, and it's just a joy to use. Setting it up takes just a matter of minutes, and if you don't like the way it sounds, you can easily tweak the EQ.

Design is another area where WiiM is doing the right things; the Sound has a modern aesthetic that resembles the HomePod 2, but it includes a 1.8-inch panel up front that lets you control the speaker without pulling out your phone. I use it as a clock, but you can customize it to show album art, and you can change the settings. There's also a top portion with playback controls.

There's a $229 WiiM Sound Lite as well, and the only difference is that it doesn't have the front panel, and you don't get the Bluetooth WiiM Voice Remote 2 Lite. If you're looking to maximize value, the Sound Lite is the one I'd buy.

I have a half-dozen WiiM products at this point, and a big reason why I use the brand's audio gear is because of the connectivity and easy configurability. Value also plays a big part, and while the Sound costs $299, you're getting a feature-set that far exceeds what other products deliver in this category. If anything, the only feature omission is AirPlay; this was an issue on the Amp Ultra as well.

Outside of that, the WiiM Sound does everything I want in a smart speaker. It looks great, connects to every music platform and digital assistant I use, has decent sound, and is highly configurable. If you're looking to get a new Cast-enabled speaker or want something to extend your multi-room audio setup, the WiiM Sound should be your go-to choice.

What you need to know

• Google is said to be testing a redesigned Android Auto media card that prioritizes playback controls over oversized album art.
• The new layout adds quick-access buttons like Like, Shuffle, and Repeat, depending on the media app you're using.
• The expanded controls appear to be limited to vehicles with larger infotainment displays, leaving smaller screens with a simplified layout.

Google seems to be rolling out a major usability upgrade to the media player in Android Auto’s dashboard interface, swapping out the oversized album art for quicker access to playback controls.

Android Authority spotted the new media card in an APK teardown, which replaces the current layout with a more compact presentation. The card prominently displays the album art, with track information positioned below it. The background is still a blurred version of the album art, but the biggest difference is a larger set of playback controls.

In addition to the standard play/pause and track skip buttons, Android Auto could also show app-specific shortcuts such as Like, Shuffle, and Repeat. The exact controls appear to differ depending on which media app you’re using, so podcast players and other audio apps may show different actions.

That’s a welcome change from the current design, which can require opening the full app just to access commonly used features.

But there's another catch. Android Authority’s teardown suggests that not all cars will display the expanded controls. It appears that a larger display on the head unit has room for these additional buttons, while smaller screens might revert to a simpler design.

The company recently added swipeable media cards and has been slowly rolling out interface changes it announced at Google I/O 2026, such as the new Immersive Navigation experience in Google Maps. This potential change looks like it’s a logical addition to the overall experience.

For the time being, the new media player remains hidden within recent Android Auto builds, and there’s no official release date. As with many Google experiments, there’s no guarantee it will ship in its current form. That said, if this interface makes it to stable users, it could make controlling music in the car noticeably faster with fewer taps and less time hunting for the buttons you use most.

What you need to know

• Samsung teased what consumers can expect from the Galaxy Watch 8 a week before Galaxy Unpacked.
• The device is positioned as a health-first, always-on gateway for users, delivering heart insights, "all-new internal components, and enhanced battery."
• Samsung confirmed its Galaxy Unpacked will take place on July 22 in London, U.K., at 9 am ET/6 am PT.

Galaxy Unpacked is a little over a week away, and Samsung is starting to step up its teasers. The company's come forward with what consumers can expect from the Galaxy Watch 9.

In a blog post, Samsung neatly packaged what we can find from its next-gen "AI-powered health companion." Again, the company is trying to nail home how AI can become "meaningfully integrated into everyday life." Samsung wants to offer true support with the Galaxy Watch 9's AI, turning it into a health-first, always-on gateway. Such a gateway would open up new insights into your heart health.

Samsung's first teaser video opens with an electrocardiogram, beginning at a resting heart rate before quickening. The post highlights aspects of the watch we're familiar with: constant background activity and detailed insights. However, Samsung adds that the Galaxy Watch 9 has received "all-new internal components and enhanced battery life," as well as "increased accuracy" for its metrics.

While this will likely benefit its heart analytics, Samsung teases its Activity stats, too. The Galaxy Watch 9 will continue to track the user's rest, movement, and sleep with enhanced "AI-driven insights" for better real-time understanding. The final teaser is a tiny font blurb about the Galaxy Watch 9 before a magnifying glass slides into place over "All-new inside."

The folks at 9to5Google enhanced the image and found a couple of worthy highlights: a titanium build, a "personal health coach," and Gemini raise-to-talk, likely along the same lines as the Pixel Watch.

All will be revealed soon

We've known that Samsung had a few updates up its sleeve for the Galaxy Watch 9 after its Health app updated. The company announced that the Galaxy Watch 9 will come equipped with Vitals, a feature that combines five key metrics: heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, skin temperature, and blood oxygen. Vitals is also going to improve the daily energy score users receive by comparing it to their baseline to highlight changes.

Heart Health Score is another emerging feature for the Health app. This will observe a user's sleep, stress, activity, and body composition data to identify negative impacts.

All we have left to do is wait another week for Galaxy Unpacked. Samsung confirmed that its event will take place on July 22 in London, U.K., at 9 am ET/6 am PT. Reservations have also begun for the company's next wave of watches and foldables.

Android Central's Take

Focusing on health has been Samsung's M.O. with its smartwatches for a while now. I remember one of my colleagues' reviews of the Galaxy Watch 8, and he enjoyed it for the most part. One area that he felt could've been better was its battery life, and I'd have to agree with him. The good news is Samsung teased that the Watch 9 has better battery life. The thing is: how much better?

What you need to know

• Samsung has reportedly started rolling out One UI 9 Beta 4 (Android 17) to the Galaxy S26 series overseas.
• The beta carries a ~1.25GB download with mostly bug fixes ahead of a hopeful launch for current and past-gen devices.
• Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked is coming up next week (July 22), and the company is expected to debut new foldables and watches.

Android 17's been out for a few weeks now, and Samsung is continuing to work on its version for Galaxy phones.

Earlier this morning (July 14), SamMobile spotted the Korean OEM rolling out the next version of its Android 17 beta. One UI 9 Beta 4 is rolling out for the Galaxy S26 series; however, the publication reports it's only been spotted in India. The patch is ~1.25GB and carries the July 2026 security update for the S26 series. So far, it seems that Samsung is more focused on fixing a handful of problems its current flagship series has experienced.

One issue affects the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Samsung states it's rolling out a fix for the Privacy Display routine. While this routine is running, the changelog states it would "not operate normally" when users turn it on/off in the Quick Panel or Settings. Another issue hampered Galaxy S26 gamers.

It says that the navigation bar would disappear under "certain conditions" while gaming. This should be fixed, alongside a Bluetooth problem. Samsung says a problem crippling its "Bluetooth audio media volume" when connecting to a vehicle should be solved in Beta 4.

The following fixes are also included:

• Fixed an issue where timer notification numbers are cut off or the Ul is unstable in Live notification
• Improved Ul performance issues that occur when opening and closing the Quick Panel
• Improved an issue where the clock size appears abnormal when rotating the lock screen horizontally/vertically

One UI 9 launch soon?

Samsung has been consistent with its beta, rolling updates for it at a near-monthly cadence. Mid-June is when we got Beta 3, which was also over a gigabyte in size. The patch was available early in several overseas regions, similar to what we've got with Beta 4. However, that should begin to change. Nevertheless, Beta 3 brought several fixes, such as a solution to a rebooting issue that plagued the S26 series during video streaming.

A focus accuracy at 30x zoom was included, as well as a white screen during calls.

Samsung's next wave of products is on the way, and there's a chance One UI 9 is on the horizon, too. We're expecting the usual suspects: the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Fold 8. There's also been hype around a Wide Fold 8, which we could see during this summer's Unpacked, alongside Samsung's new smartwatches.

The Google Pixel 10 series includes three flagship phones — the base model Pixel 10, the Pixel 10 Pro, and the large Pixel 10 Pro XL. Regardless of which device you choose, there are plenty of deals that could make these AI-boosted Android phones dirt cheap (or even free) if you play your cards right, and I've dropped a selection of this month's best offers below.

The deals on display for July 2026 range from simple no-strings discounts to incredible trade-in opportunities and carrier promotions. Didn't find anything today? Check back later to see what's new: with the launch of the Pixel 11 lineup just around the corner, deals on last year's model are certain to get even more impressive in the coming weeks. So what are we waiting for? Let's jump right in.

Quick links

• Google Pixel 10 review: ★★★☆
• Google Pixel 10 Pro, XL review: ★★★☆
• T-Mobile: FREE Pixel 10 Pro; up to $1,000 off Pixel 10 Pro XL
• Verizon: Pixel 10 Pro XL from $5 per month; trade-in savings
• Mint Mobile: $650 off the Google Pixel 10, 50% off wireless
• AT&T: FREE Pixel 10 phones with eligible trade-in, new line
• Amazon: up to $300 off the Pixel 10 series
• Best Buy: up to $300 off the Pixel 10 series
• Boost Mobile: up to $700 off with eligible unlimited plan

Google Pixel 10 deals

Google Pixel 10 Pro deals

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL deals

FAQ

When does the Google Pixel 11 come out?

Although we don't know much for certain, recent leaks and rumors about the Google Pixel 11 series have left very little to the imagination. That said, Google has officially announced that the next Made by Google event will be held on August 12th at 6pm EST, which means we're likely to get our first look at the Pixel 11 lineup on that date.

How much does the Google Pixel 10 cost?

The Google Pixel 10 starts at $799 for the 128GB version, while the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL start at $999 (128GB) and $1,199 (256GB), respectively. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the base model Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro both kept the same starting price as their Pixel 9 counterparts, which feels somewhat unusual in a time of widespread price increases on tech. The Pixel 10 Pro XL, on the other hand, did receive a $100 price hike while removing the 128GB storage option.

If you want something affordable, it's also worth mentioning that the Google Pixel 10a is an option for budget-minded consumers, retailing for just $499. There's also the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, which is a premium foldable phone that starts at a hefty $1,799.

Which Google Pixel 10 should I buy?

It depends on what you're looking for in a smartphone. All three devices in the flagship lineup will give you ultra-efficient performance with powerful cameras and a bunch of fun AI features, but that doesn't mean that all three of the devices are made equal.

Starting at $799, the Google Pixel 10 will give you the perfect entry-level experience, with a 6.3-inch OLED display, 12GB of RAM, and a long-lasting 4,970mAh battery. If you need a bit more power, you can upgrade to the Pixel 10 Pro and receive 16GB of RAM, better camera tech, and up to 1TB of storage. The Pixel 10 Pro XL is very similar to the standard Pixel 10 Pro, you just get a larger 6.8-inch Super Actua OLED display with a considerable boost in battery size.

No matter which Google Pixel 10 model you choose, all three devices boast the Tensor G5 chipset with a ton of AI-boosted software features and seven years of software support guaranteed. Check the table below for some more granular info on the flagship series.

What you need to know

• Google Images celebrates 25 years, and it's rolling out a new "immersive, browseable gallery" in July.
• Users will find a gallery in Images that updates in real-time based on their interests, with an added option to save content into "Collections."
• AI Overviews receives Nano Banana, meaning users can ask the AI to generate images based on their prompt.

This week marks 25 years of Google Images, a part of the company's search experience that's often overlooked. That's changing with a complete redesign that updates in real-time.

Today (July 14), Google is celebrating 25 years of its image search experience with an update that's going to change the game. The company is starting to roll out a complete redesign of Images, calling it a "brand new browseable home." In a way, Google Images looks inspired by Keep or the Photos app. Users will find images spread out, almost like a collage. Google says this "dynamic, immersive gallery" will still display results from across the web.

However, it will also "update in real-time, intelligently tailored to your unique interests." Google Images features a series of tabs right above its results. These tabs go beyond hopping between other Google-related results. Users will find "Saves and For You" tabs. The first influences the rest: users can save photos they find on Google Images to a "Collection" and name it.

Your Collections will appear beside the For You, so you can "jump back in and continue exploring based on what inspires you." This redesign for Google Images will roll out over the next few weeks for English desktop users in the U.S. Users are encouraged to sign in to their Google Account once it arrives.

The second update brings AI Overviews into the mix. Google says this update is for users who "have a highly specific vision where an image doesn’t yet exist." Google's Nano Banana brings its image generation capabilities directly into AI Overviews. Text prompts telling the AI to "create a visual" or "help me visualize" will produce "high-quality, custom visuals." The top of your AI Overview will show the generated photo, along with a few ways to tell the bot to tweak it.

Moreover, Google Images will appear beneath it with a few real-world examples that fit your prompt to help.

25 years of Image Search

Since this is a birthday bash, Google is walking back 25 years, back to where its image search started. The company recalled an update in 2001 after Jennifer Lopez's captivating green Versace dress stunned the world a year prior. Google said, "People didn’t just want to read about the dress — they wanted to see it. So in July 2001, we launched Google Images, making it possible for the first time to search and instantly explore visual content from across the web."

Eight years later, in 2009, Similar Images debuted. Web searches can often turn up results that you're not interested in. With "find similar images," users could ensure they got the results they wanted (i.e., bow and arrows, not a hair bow). Circle to Search in 2024 was a major milestone for Google after Lens took over in 2018 (then multi-search for Lens in 2022). Now, in 2026, Google has relied on its "intelligent search box" to help carry user queries for text-based and image searches.

Android Central's Take

I don't use Google Images that often. It's been like that for years. I use it occasionally for looking up cities in different countries, or for snapshots of movies. Google's trying to change that. This update makes Google Images a better assistant for inspiration or ideas if you're going to travel. The real-time updating aspect is another important aspect of this new sentiment that looks pretty good. Here's to another 25, Google Images.

What you need to know

• Google accidentally listed the entire Pixel 11 series on Amazon a month early, revealing pricing, specs, and colors.
• Prices are rising by $100 across the board, with the base Pixel 11 now starting at $899 with 256GB of storage.
• Google is hit by the memory crisis, with base Pro and Pro XL variants dropping to 12GB of RAM instead of 16GB.
• The Pixel 11 Pro Fold starts at $1,899 but drops to a smaller 4,750mAh battery, down from last year's 5,000mAh.

Ahead of the Google Pixel 11 series launch next month, a massive leak on Amazon has revealed almost everything you might want to know about the upcoming Pixel phones.

Google has officially confirmed that it's launching "next generation of Pixel devices," Which is expected to be the Pixel 11 series, on August 12 at 6:00 PM ET in New York. Surprisingly, there haven't been many leaks about the lineup so far. Sure, we've seen renders and a few smaller leaks here and there, but not much concrete information. Well, that was the case until now.

A new leak from Android Authority has revealed pretty much everything about the Pixel 11 series, including US pricing, storage options, specifications, and more.

According to the publication, the Pixel 11 series will once again consist of four models: the base Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. The listings were accidentally published by Google on Amazon, though the company has since taken them down.

In the official listing, you can see the new colors of the Pixel phones as well as the suggested pricing. It appears the Pixel 11 series will now start at $899 for the base variant with 256GB of storage. There seems to be no 128GB model this year, meaning Google is bumping the base storage to 256GB, though the starting price is also rising by $100.

• See our guide to the best Google Pixel 10 deals of July 2026

According to the listing, the Pixel 11 will be available in four colors: Frost, Pistachio, Hibiscus, and Obsidian. There may also be a 512GB variant priced at $1,019 (via Droid-Life). Other specs for the base Pixel 11 include a 6.3-inch OLED display with up to 120Hz refresh rate, a sub-5,000mAh battery, and a 13-MP front camera.

Moving on to the Pixel 11 Pro, it also looks set to rise by $100. That means the Pixel 11 Pro will start at $1,099 for the base 256GB variant in the U.S. The 512GB variant may come in at around $1,219, while the 1TB variant will reportedly cost $1,449.

Similar to the base Pixel 11, the Pixel 11 Pro is expected to come with a 6.3-inch display and up to 120Hz refresh rate. The battery will be slightly smaller than the base variant at 4,850mAh, though it will reportedly offer up to 120x digital zoom.

However, according to another report, Google appears to be hit by the memory crisis this year too. The base 256GB model will reportedly come with just 12GB of RAM, while the higher 512GB and 1TB storage variants will retain 16GB. That's a change from last year, where all Pixel 10 Pro variants came with 16GB of RAM across the board.

Moving on to the Pixel 11 Pro XL, pricing will reportedly start at $1,299 for the base 256GB variant, while the 512GB and 1TB variants will cost $1,419 and $1,649, respectively. Just like the Pixel 11 Pro, there's a RAM split here too, with the base variant offering 12GB and the higher storage variants offering 16GB.

In terms of specs, the Pixel 11 Pro XL is expected to feature a 6.8-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a slightly smaller battery than last year, at 5,115mAh. There's also support for Wi-Fi 6E (no Wi-Fi 7 just yet,) along with Bluetooth 6.0.

Finally, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold looks set for a price increase this year, as with every other foldable out there. The 256GB variant will reportedly cost $1,899, while the 512GB variant will come in at $2,019.

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold's specs include a 6.5-inch OLED cover display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 4,750mAh battery, and folded dimensions of 6.11 x 5.92 x 0.4 inches. One thing worth noting is that the battery is actually shrinking compared to last year. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold featured a 5,000mAh battery, while the Pixel 11 Pro Fold drops slightly to 4,750mAh.

So there you have it. This is pretty much the biggest Pixel leak we've ever seen, with Google accidentally listing the phones on Amazon almost a full month ahead of launch.

Although it's no surprise that prices are going up this time around, especially with component and memory pricing climbing across the entire tech industry.

What you need to know

• Opera says its monthly active users on Android grew 66% in the UK and 40% in the US year over year in Q2.
• Opera credits its growth to features Chrome lacks out of the box, like a free VPN, ad blocker, and built-in AI tools.
• The company says its European momentum has continued following the EU's Digital Markets Act, boosting both new users and retention.

Chrome may come preinstalled on almost every Android phone, but Opera says more users are actively choosing its browser instead.

Google has been working hard to add more and more features to Chrome on Android. We recently saw Chrome rolling out Gemini features to more countries, but it seems that still isn't enough to keep everyone on board. As it turns out, more and more users are switching to, or at least trying, third-party browsers, including Opera.

In its latest report, Opera says a growing number of users are making the move to its browser. According to the company, monthly active users of Opera on Android grew 66% in the U.K. and 40% in the U.S. year over year in the second quarter this year, suggesting that plenty of people are looking beyond the default browser on their phones.

More people are ditching Chrome than you'd think

The company says this isn't limited to the U.S. and U.K. either. Opera reports that its momentum across Europe has continued following the European Union's Digital Markets Act. It also notes that this isn't just about acquiring new users, but retaining them too, thanks to the kind of features Opera offers on Android.

The company credits its growth to features Chrome doesn't offer out of the box, including a free unlimited VPN, a built-in ad blocker, AI tools, and more.

Opera also says recent additions, like a dedicated football hub on its Android browser, have made it easier for users to check World Cup stats and details, which is bringing even more people to its browser.

Android Central's Take

I'm still firmly a Chrome-first user on my Pixel 10 Pro, but I've been giving Opera a shot over the past few months, and it's become my go-to second browser, if you will. Do you use different browsers for different tasks on your Android phone? Let us know in the comments below.

What you need to know

• Samsung Health's new AI consent comes with a major catch: Opt out of AI training, and you could lose cloud syncing and Samsung account backups for your health data.
• Samsung wants access to a wide range of sensitive information, including sleep, activity, nutrition, medical records, medications, body measurements, and menstrual cycle data to improve its AI models.
• Declining consent doesn't just disable AI features. Samsung warns it will stop syncing your health data and may delete previously backed-up records unless it's legally required to retain them.

Samsung is quietly rolling out a new AI consent prompt in Samsung Health, but its approach to user choice is already raising eyebrows. The company doesn't just offer users a choice to opt in or out of AI training; it ties the choice to cloud syncing, so if you opt out, you could lose Samsung account backups of your health data.

The folks at How-To Geek report seeing a new notice labeled "Consent to the Use of Health Data for AI Training and Modelling." According to the notice, Samsung requires permission to use a broad spectrum of health data to improve its AI models and health algorithms. That includes activity metrics like steps, sleep, nutrition, and body measurements; medication details; medical records; and menstrual cycle tracking data. Samsung also says some of this data may be reviewed by humans during AI training.

The controversial part isn’t Samsung asking for consent; it’s what happens if you don’t. If you disable the AI training option, you’ll get a warning that Samsung Health will no longer sync data to your Samsung account.

The notice also says that any health data that has been synced previously will be deleted, unless Samsung is legally required to keep it. That is, you can only get cloud backup in exchange for helping train Samsung’s AI.

The company seems to be promoting the collected info as fuel for smarter health features, saying the data will help improve health analysis algorithms and AI-powered experiences inside Samsung Health.

Privacy advocates and users are unlikely to object to AI improvements alone. The bigger problem is that a core feature — keeping your health history in sync across devices — now depends on an unrelated decision about consent. If you just want your fitness records backed up – without being part of the AI development process – Samsung’s current implementation doesn’t offer much room for compromise.

Android Central's Take

I’m all for AI getting smarter if it actually helps deliver better health insights, more accurate wellness recommendations, or earlier warnings about possible problems. Those are benefits to which most of us can relate. But the choice between contributing sensitive health data or keeping cloud backups seems an unnecessary trade-off. Consent only exists when it's freely given, not when one of your app's core features is held hostage.

What you need to know

• Gemini in Chrome is expanding to the UK, bringing Google's AI-powered browsing assistant to more desktop users.
• The AI works directly inside Chrome, letting you summarize long articles, compare information across tabs, and complete tasks without switching apps.
• Smarter AI features are coming , including conversation memory for personalized responses and Nano Banana 2-powered image editing from simple text prompts.

Google is expanding the reach of Gemini in Chrome, with its AI-powered browsing assistant now beginning to roll out to desktop users in the UK, a significant expansion for a feature that has been limited to fewer markets thus far.

So what do you get? This isn’t some dumb chatbot tacked onto your browser. Google says Gemini in Chrome is your own personal assistant, integrated deeply into your day-to-day workflow. It’s designed to quickly summarize super dense articles or compare specs across multiple shopping tabs without you having to change screens.

Google is also tightly tying the experience into its own ecosystem. You can schedule meetings through Google Calendar, look up locations in Maps, draft emails in Gmail, and even ask questions about YouTube videos without leaving the page.

Persistent context is another addition. Gemini in Chrome can remember information from earlier conversations so it can offer more tailored responses as you move forward. Google is also adding Nano Banana 2 capabilities to the experience, allowing users to transform images found on the web with a simple text prompt, rather than having to go to a separate AI image editor.

Of course, the deeper access that an AI assistant has to your browsing also raises security questions. Google says it’s built in safeguards for the experience, including protections against known prompt injection attacks and confirmation prompts before Gemini performs sensitive actions.

Android Central's Take

It makes a lot more sense to keep AI inside the browser than to jump between tabs, apps, and chatbots. If Gemini can reliably summarize pages, compare information and deal with quick tasks without slowing me down, that’s a real productivity win for users. That said, Google still has to demonstrate that this is more than just a flashy AI demo. Browsers are cluttered enough, and the last thing anyone needs is an assistant popping up everywhere just because it can.

I always enjoyed using Marshall's Bluetooth speakers; I bought a Stanmore 11 years ago, and it's still going strong. The Emberton III is my go-to choice for portability, and its small design combined with great sound and water-resistant chassis makes it ideal for use anywhere.

And then there's the Bromley 450. I've been using the portable Bluetooth speaker for just over a month now, and it is a powerhouse: it weighs 24lb, has two woofer units and four audio drivers that produce a 360-degree sound, comes with Auracast, and has RCA as well as XLR connectors that lets you easily start a karaoke party.

Basically, the Bromley 450 has everything you need to get a party started, and it is more powerful than most home-focused Bluetooth speakers I used, including the likes of the Stanmore. There's a price attached to all of this: the Bromley 450 costs $746 on Amazon as of writing. There are plenty of other speakers like the $279 Tribit StormBox Blast 2 (which I like a lot), but the Bromley 450 is in an entirely different league altogether.

There's also the small matter of the design; the Bromley 450 looks like an old-school Marshall amp, and that alone makes it worthy of consideration. Instead of a regular review, I'm going to highlight four things I liked the most about the Bromley 450, so let's dive in.

The Bromley 450 is the loudest Bluetooth speaker I used yet

The sheer size of the Bromley 450 has allowed Marshall to slot in a total of six driver units, and this leads to wall-rattling sound. This is designed to be a party speaker, and it absolutely nails the brief; even with the volume at 50%, the sound is loud enough to fill a decent-sized room, and crank it any higher than 80%, and you'll have the neighbors at your door.

It's not just the loudness either — the Bromley 450 sounds pretty great in its own right. The speaker has two 90W woofer units alongside four 55W drivers and two passive radiators, and you get a classic Marshall sound: engaging low-end with a lot of energy, clean mids that make guitar riffs stand out, and a soaring treble.

The orientation of the drivers means you get 360-degree sound, and it makes a big difference, particularly if you're looking for a party speaker.

Of course, like most Marshall speakers, you have full control over the tonality of the sound. There are physical controls to adjust the volume, bass, and treble, and the app allows you granular control over the equalizer.

Lastly, you can daisy-chain two Bromley 450 units; the speaker has aux in and out, and this makes it easier to connect two units to double the sound.

It connects to just about everything

The Bromley 450 has the best connectivity of any portable Bluetooth speaker around — it connects to just about everything. It uses Bluetooth 5.3 and Auracast, and it connects to two devices at once. I didn't see any issues with range in my testing, and it maintained a steady signal even at 30ft.

Where it stands out is the inputs; you get 3.5mm aux in and out, USB-C, RCA, and the ability to connect two instruments via XLR. You can easily hook up an XLR mic as well, and it's this versatility that makes it stand out. I predominantly tested the Bromley 450 with Bluetooth — I paired it with my Find X9 Ultra and Vivo X300 Ultra — but I also used it with RCA by plugging in my WiiM Pro Plus, and connected it to my Teenage Engineering OP-1 field synthesizer via 3.5mm.

Oh, and you can easily charge your phone with the speaker — the USB-C port charges at up to 15W. While it isn't as fast as a dedicated power bank, it's still nifty to have, and I like that Marshall included the feature.

This speaker is built for all-nighters — and it charges your phone

Marshall did all the right things when it comes to battery tech. The Bromley 450 uses an LiFePO4 battery that has better longevity than the standard lithium-ion batteries in most speakers.

The best part about the battery is that it is removable, and this gives the Bromley 450 a definite edge over other Bluetooth speakers. You can basically switch out the battery should it degrade down the line, and honestly, it's refreshing to see a manufacturer provide this in 2026. The battery itself doubles as a power bank, and it has USB-C.

It also makes charging effortless; I only had to charge the speaker once, and in that instance, I just took out the battery and connected it to a 100W USB PD charger. The Bromley 450 comes with a standard AC connector, but I found it much easier to just take out the battery and use USB-C instead. It takes over three hours to fully charge the battery, but there's fast charging that gives you six hours of music playback with just a 20-minute charge.

And when it comes to battery life, the Bromley 450 easily lasted over 40 hours with the volume set to 50%. This is a speaker that just doesn't quit, and it can easily handle all-night parties.

It has an iconic design that grabs attention

A big selling point of Marshall products is the classic design, and the Bromley 450 is its best showing yet. It has a domineering presence that immediately stands out, and the Marshall logo with the grille are all reminiscent of the brand's vintage amps.

Build quality is excellent, the edges are reinforced, and it gets IP55 dust and water resistance, making it ideal for pool parties. There's a carrying handle on the left that makes it easy to lug the Bromley 450 around, but there's no getting around the fact that this is an absolute unit.

I also like the physical controls; you get knobs to adjust the volume, bass, treble, a delightful power button, toggle to switch between connection modes, and knobs to adjust the volume of connected instruments, and add effects. It's just plain cool, and there's built-in lighting as well, with three effects. The lighting isn't distracting, and it makes the Bromley 450 that much more enjoyable to use.

Overall, the Bromley 450 is an absolute beast of a Bluetooth speaker. It gets louder than anything else I used in this category, it has the best design, connectivity, and battery life. You are paying quite a lot, but after a month of use, I can say with some confidence that it's worth it.

What you need to know

• OnePlus' future in the West looks increasingly uncertain, with a new report claiming OPPO will announce the brand's exit from Europe and the US this week.
• The latest report builds on months of warning signs, including shrinking operations, executive departures, and earlier claims that OnePlus was scaling back its global presence.
• OnePlus has denied similar rumors before, but the steady stream of reports continues to fuel doubts about the company's long-term strategy outside China.

The uncertainty around OnePlus just refuses to die. After months of rumors about shutdowns, executives leaving, and reports of shrinking global ambitions, a new report says the brand is about to make its biggest move yet, and it might not be good news for fans in Europe or the US.

A new Bloomberg report states OnePlus is getting ready to shut down its operations in the US and Europe as part of a larger restructuring led by parent company OPPO. The exit from both markets could begin as early as this week, the report said. Bloomberg cites OPPO’s attempts to streamline its smartphone business after failing to gain traction in key markets such as the US, Europe, and India.

Realme, another OPPO-owned brand, is also expected to leave the Chinese market, according to Bloomberg. OnePlus will reportedly continue operations in China before finally shutting down operations in other regions, such as India, sometime in 2027. Neither OPPO nor OnePlus responded to the report.

Earlier, German outlet WinFuture reported that parent company OPPO would announce this week that OnePlus would stop operating in Europe and the US. If that sounds familiar, it's because the warning signs have been building up. Earlier this month, Android Authority reported that OnePlus seemed to be getting ready to exit the US, with evidence pointing to a retreat from another major international market.

That was not long after reports surfaced that the company was already reducing its footprint in Europe, sparking speculation that OnePlus was shifting almost all of its focus to China.

The writing was on the wall

This latest claim also fits in with OnePlus' increasingly complicated year. The company had strongly denied reports of a shutdown in January following reports that OPPO was restructuring its smartphone business. More recently, OnePlus confirmed the departure of a top executive who publicly dismissed those earlier claims, adding more uncertainty to the company’s long-term plans.

The rumored withdrawal comes amid a host of challenges. Poor sales of smartphones, geopolitical pressure on Chinese phone makers in the US, and Apple’s lawsuit against OPPO for trade secrets are cited by Bloomberg. OPPO is said to focus more on Central Europe going forward, while it is said to rely on Realme to cover Nordic countries where the latter’s products gained stronger traction.

For existing OnePlus owners, the reported withdrawal wouldn't necessarily mean their phones stop working. Existing OnePlus devices are expected to continue to receive promised software updates and after-sales service during a transition period, but new product launches, retail sales, and local marketing activities are expected to end.

But until OPPO confirms it, nothing is official. The company has denied similar reports in the past. Nevertheless, if this announcement does come, it would mark the end of OnePlus as a meaningful competitor in the West after more than a decade of challenging Samsung, Google, and Apple with flagship specs at aggressive prices.

Android Central's Take

I hope this report isn’t true. It would be a shame if OnePlus drops out of Western markets, whether or not you own one of its phones. Competition keeps brands honest, drives innovation, and gives buyers more than just the same handful of flagship options year after year. If OnePlus is really pulling back, Samsung, Google, and Apple won’t really be crying about one less competitor to worry about. And if the company is wrong about these reports again, it may also want to consider changing its communication strategy, because if rumors of your departure are front page news every few months, clearly something is not working.

What you need to know

• Omdia's latest research report states Q2 2026 brought a 4% decline in the global smartphone market, and the memory crisis is getting all the blame.
• Samsung and Apple saw a 2% and 4% increase, respectively, while all others trend downward.
• Omdia's researchers suspect that the phone market will continue to decline even into the busier holiday season later this year.
• Budget phones are also expected to take a major hit with an expected 22% drop in market share.

Research data for the second quarter is in, and while the market has dipped, there are two shining stars.

Today (July 13), Omdia shared its data regarding how the smartphone market has performed in Q2 2026. According to its research, the phone market dipped by 4% year-on-year, and Omdia is pointing a finger at the ongoing memory shortage for this drop. Its analysis states, "The current dynamic has created severe market polarization, reflecting stark differences in vendors’ mitigation strategies which vary according to their priorities, scale, price-band focus, and core audience demographics."

Despite this decline, Omdia says Samsung and Apple have gained ground, and the former is in first place. Samsung reportedly held 22% of the market share, a 2% increase compared to Q2 2025. The post states this is likely thanks to its "resilient demand" and the delayed launch of the Galaxy S26 series. Coming in second place is Apple with 20% market share (4% increase). However, Omdia raises two key points: Q2 is typically a slow period for Apple, but the company has raised prices for its other devices.

There are questions about whether or not this could impact its iPhones later this year. While Samsung and Apple are the only two companies to see an increase in volume in Q2, Runar Bjorhovde, principal analyst at Omdia, says this might not last. Bjorhovde states, "We anticipate the sharpest volume declines to hit in the upcoming two quarters, where normal seasonal demand peaks – driven by new launches, holidays and shopping festivals—collide with constrained memory chip supply."

It's also not the memory shortage that's putting more stress on companies. Bjorhovde says "semiconductor bottlenecks, such as within foundries," are also causing cost issues.

Searching for better times

The phone market hasn't had the best of years. A Q1 2026 report saw the U.S. market drop by 3% YoY. It was said that while the memory shortage and storage costs were significant culprits, so were "restrained carrier upgrades." Samsung and Apple were highlighted earlier this year, as well. Samsung, while dropping 5% YoY, still led the Android charge with 24% of the market. On the other hand, Apple dropped 3%, but held a 60% majority.

The surprise in Q1 was Motorola. While everyone else struggled, Motorola saw an 18% growth earlier this year.

A recent research report published by Omdia says times aren't looking good for budget phones. Devices placed more affordably might be the hardest hit, thanks to the pressure companies are feeling from rising memory costs. The budget phone market could plummet by 22%. This is a sour future for phones priced under $400. With that, Omdia speculates that devices priced at $400 or higher could be where companies turn next.

The reason has to do with materials. Omdia states that higher-priced phones typically offer more leeway in what a company can swap out to lower costs.

Android Central's Take

Prices are everything in the market. No one wants to burn a hole in their pocket. This is an issue Omdia brought up in its research. Le Xuan Chiew, a research manager at Omdia, said that memory prices might decline early in 2027, but there's a chance consumers won't see market prices anywhere near 2025 levels. We've seen how consumers' worries have caused them to buy phones now, not later. I can only hope that things get better.

External storage devices just keep getting more expensive, which is why every discount is worth considering nowadays, no matter how small. Fortunately, Amazon has just dropped a bunch of storage discounts that aren't small, even if they're not quite to pre-2026 standards. 

Whether you want a sturdy Samsung SSD, an all-in-one NAS server, or a compact flash drive to throw into your pocket, there is no shortage of storage discounts to check out at Amazon today. 

Indeed, these prices can still be a bummer if you're accustomed to how things were before the current RAM crisis, but if you need more storage for your tech today, this is about as good as it gets. In fact, since prices are continuing to go up for these devices, unless you want to wait another year (at least) to upgrade your storage, I'd jump on these deals while you can.  

• See the full list of deals at Amazon

Fight the global memory shortage with these Back to School storage deals

Why are storage devices so expensive right now?

Storage devices (such as SSDs, HDDs, and DRAM) are getting more expensive because of a global memory shortage caused primarily by the rise of AI data centers. The rapid growth of AI technology has led to a huge demand for memory products, which means there's less supply for consumers. Some devices have seen price increases of 200% or more, so it's important to take advantage of deals whenever you can. 

When will the memory shortage end?

No one knows for sure, although most projections have stated that the global RAM shortage will last through 2027 at minimum. Our sister site Tom's Hardware has even reported that the memory crisis will be "even worse" in 2027 than it is this year. In other words, if you need to invest in an external storage device, I'd do it sooner rather than later. 

What you need to know

• Hisense has started teasing a 6.1-inch hybrid E Ink phone with a detachable LCD, called the A10.
• A separate report claims Hisense might sell the LCD separately, meaning users would need to buy the accessory for the A10.
• This is giving BigMe some early competition and its Hibreak Dual 2 hasn't released yet.

A new trend's getting started in the world of pocketable e-readers. Hisense has started teasing a hybrid phone that's giving BigMe's next iteration a run for its money.

Hisense says it wants in on the unique e-reader, E Ink market. The company has started teasing the A10: a 6.1-inch E Ink device (via Gizmochina). This phone reportedly utilizes a 4nm 8-core Qualcomm chip, alongside Android 16. The "hybrid" nature of the phone comes into play with its magnetically atachable/detachable" LCD secondary screen.

This display sits right beneath its horizontal camera bar. The idea, which is a sentiment we've heard from another company, is to give consumers versatility. The Hisense A10's E Ink display will be (primarily) reserved for reading and writing, while the LCD brings a more traditional phone experience. It's full color, so users can open apps that are far more enjoyable on this type of screen, rather than an E Ink, paper-like display.

Interestingly, NotebookCheck cites a tipster who claims this detachable LCD might not ship with the Hisense A10. If true, then we might have to prepare for an attachable screen accessory. A separate purchase users can grab if they desire. Hisense has started teasing the A10 in China, and it's been listed with a CNY 3,999 (~$590) starting price.

Competition is good

This device will seem familiar if you caught BigMe's Hibreak Dual 2 teasers last week. BigMe finds itself in an interesting spot with the Dual 2. Its first iteration was fine, but if you were to ask my colleague Nicholas Sutrich, he'd tell you that it left a lot to be desired. The Hibreak Dual 2 looks like a step in the right direction. BigMe states this phone will feature a 6.1-inch color/BW E-Ink display and a 5-inch LCD.

Users can find this LCD on the back of the phone. BigMe said on Reddit that the goal was to "create a phone that gives you both a comfortable E Ink screen for reading/writing and a smooth LCD for everything else. No more carrying two devices." Versatility is the name of the game for BigMe and Hisense.

Users have their concerns about this device from BigMe. The company has been active on Reddit, listening to user feedback and making an effort to get it right.

What you need to know

• Meta has been pushed to remove Muse Image's capabilities in its AI chatbot on Instagram following user unrest.
• The AI could snag images of people from public Instagram accounts, turning them into unknown creations based on another user's prompt.
• Meta grappled with another privacy concern on its smart glasses, as an update now disables the camera if the privacy light is tampered with.

Meta announced the next step for its "people first" AI era last week, but it didn't sit well with users who saw its intentions for Instagram.

Meta came forward with a statement about its Muse Image AI after extreme user backlash hit the company. Reuters reports that Meta is now "discontinuing" the feature. According to the publication, Meta said, "We've ​heard the feedback that this feature missed the mark, so ⁠it's no longer available," when referring to Muse Image on Instagram. The company adds that it intended to deliver "a useful creative tool" and to give users "control" over their public imagery.

It's this last part—the user's "control"—that's caused an uproar in its own right. This feature quickly arrived on Instagram last week, but users were opted in for their public content to be used by others, prompting Muse Image in Meta AI. This was done without the knowledge of many, and when they found it, word quickly spread on social media to disable it.

Reuters quotes SAG-AFTRA, the union for actors and more, who said, "Anything other than a clear and conspicuous opt-in for these types of uses of Instagram users' images ​is unacceptable..." The union then highlighted the dangers of "nonconsensual digital ​replicas" as anyone can prompt Muse Image in Meta AI to take someone's photo and turn them into... anything.

What's unclear now is how Meta will proceed with Muse Image. The feature is gone from Instagram, but whether we could see it return in a different, perhaps, more acceptable capacity, isn't clear.

A lack of privacy

There's one thing to have an AI image generator that "creates" something based on the user's prompt. But users have been quick to tell Meta that the alternative, using real people's photos, is a line they're not willing to cross with it. Muse Image was launched last week and was quickly positioned as an image generator built on Muse Spark—new AI for a new era. One aspect that Meta kept pushing was that Muse Image can be "rooted" in your social circles.

This meant that people chatting with Meta AI on Instagram could @-mention their friend (or anyone with a public profile) and tell it to make something. It's not necessarily that the person consented to their photos being used. It's more that, well, their profile is public (or they haven't opted out), so Muse Image can snag it.

This wasn't the only privacy concern Meta had to deal with. Last week, the company rolled out a mandatory update that disabled its smart glasses' camera if the privacy light was tampered with. This update was the result of continued misuse of smart glasses technology, as the public detested "this creepy behavior."

Android Central's Take

I'd say I'm surprised. But I'm not. Right off the bat, the feature seemed strange. This is a big feature to opt everyone into. Most people didn't even realize it was there, or Muse Image's capabilities. Now that they do, it hasn't sat well with them. It's a privacy issue. It's the feeling you get knowing that someone can take your photo and make you look how they want. It's unsettling, and now Meta knows it.

The upcoming Google Pixel 11 series may be dominating the headlines, but with back to school season upon us, you may not want to wait any longer to buy that new smartphone. 

Last year's Google Pixel 10 Pro continues to reign as one of the best Android phones on the market today, and now you can get one for FREE by adding a new line with an eligible data plan at Verizon. 

The carrier's Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, and Unlimited Ultimate plans will all earn you the full $999.99 in savings over 36 months, making this one of the best Verizon deals I've seen all year. No trade-in required!

Although many new phone releases feel somewhat iterative these days, Google bucked that trend by making the Pixel 10 Pro a significant upgrade from its predecessor. Straight out of the box, the phone boasts a lovely and compact 6.3-inch pOLED display — the same size as the base model Pixel 10 — while under the hood you get a hefty 16GB of RAM, outstanding performance from the Tensor G5 processor, and seven years of guaranteed OS and security upgrades.

The Pixel 10 Pro also comes packed with the latest exclusive AI-boosted software features from Gemini, including Voice Translate for Calls (a godsend when traveling), Magic Cue, Edit with Ask Photos, and more. Moreover, you get all of the features we've come to expect from Pixel phones, like excellent haptics and versatile camera tech, plus you get to enjoy some new additions like Pixelsnap Qi2 support.

All things said and done, if you're a Verizon user (or willing to switch), this is an excellent Google Pixel 10 Pro deal that comes with surprisingly little fine print attached. Sure, buying an unlocked device may be more straightforward, but if you need a new wireless plan any way, why not give Verizon a shot and get an incredible Android phone out of the deal?? 

Modern displays are truly amazing. The paper-thin, flexible OLEDs in the latest TVs and smartphones are not only amazingly thin but also sport unparalleled color accuracy, astounding contrast, buttery-smooth refresh rates, and brightness like no one could have imagined until now. But among all these specs, something keeps getting forgotten: our eye health.

Staring at blindingly bright screens for hours a day is, unsurprisingly, causing massive discomfort for an ever-growing percentage of the populace. Experts once thought that a blanket "screen time" metric could help reduce the pain, but it turns out that there's a lot more to what makes displays painful to look at. Thankfully, a few companies are actively working to fix those problems.

Chief among them is BOE Technology Group, whose displays power many of the world's most popular phones, and has been the world's leading display manufacturer since 2023. I write tons of display reviews every year for Android Central, and BOE's displays are always the most eye-friendly displays from any major brand.

The company took its most recent innovations to SID Display Week in Los Angeles, and I couldn't help but be impressed by its ever-growing focus on making displays that not only look good but also feel good to look at. BOE broke it down into four categories that I'll analyze today: spectrum optimization, depolarization, anti-glare, and flicker.

What's in a spectrum?

The light spectrum isn't something we think much about in our daily lives, unless we're shopping for light bulbs or toying around with night mode display features on our phones. Our eyes were built to absorb the full spectrum of light from natural sources, but, unsurprisingly, the artificial light from most displays is anything but natural-looking.

Most OLEDs and LCDs follow a similar pattern. Since they use red, blue, and green subpixels, a graph of the light spectrum emitted by these displays shows steep peaks in each of these three colors, while the rest of the spectrum is left out.

It's usually possible to go into display settings and tweak the color output a bit (usually described as a warmer or cooler temperature), but this doesn't spread the colors across the spectrum; it just alters the height of the red, green, and blue peaks.

Looking at the graph above, you can see that the natural light graph (which represents sunlight filtered through cloud cover) shows a fairly even distribution across all colors in the spectrum. Some colors are slightly more intense than others, but none are "missing" from the graph.

Meanwhile, most LCD and OLED displays have pronounced valleys and steep peaks, which inherently cause some degree of eye strain due to the missing colors. Some LED bulbs and LED backlights on e-readers can produce quite a bit more color than LCD or OLED, but you'll often find parts of the spectrum missing entirely in the outermost sections.

BOE's next-generation display technology uses what it calls Beneficial Natural Light (BNL) to fill that color spectrum far more than existing technologies, and it does so across several different display types, too. On the show floor, BOE presented this across LCD, OLED, and micro-OLED displays, adopting the best features of each technology while leveraging the advantages of a more natural color spectrum.

Flicker, the headache machine

For several years now, I've written about how display flickering is causing debilitating pain in an increasing percentage of the population. While some companies refuse to provide solutions for customers facing these problems, BOE has done a superb job of introducing new displays with lower flicker rates since then.

At the show, BOE focused on three solutions that help solve the flicker problem: DC dimming, 4320Hz PWM dimming, and ultra-high refresh rates. Phones like the Honor Magic 8 Pro use BOE Displays with DC dimming at medium to high brightness, then switch to 3840Hz or 4320Hz PWM dimming at low brightness to strike an excellent balance between image quality and eye care.

BOE is taking that one step further by creating new displays that operate at 1000Hz refresh rates at full 1080p resolution (pictured above). This particular display uses Oxide TFTs with a 1ms response time to create the smoothest experience you've ever seen. This was only shown off on a 24.5-inch monitor, but I'm hoping to see this kind of tech make its way to mobile d

Kill the glare

Boe is a bit behind on this one, as companies like TCL and Samsung have been utilizing anti-glare layers on their phones for a few years. TCL's next-generation NXTPAPER display is launching later in 2026 and will be the world's first OLED display with an anti-reflective layer. Samsung has been using an anti-glare layer on its flagship Ultra series since 2024 (pictured above), but it cuts glare rather than preventing reflections entirely.

The first BOE OLED I used with an anti-glare layer is on the Honor Magic V6, a phone that launched in June and sports an anti-glare layer similar to that of the Galaxy S Ultra series. The tech BOE showed off at the SID show looked identical to this, so while I'm not expecting anything new from the company compared to what's on the Magic V6, it likely means we'll start seeing more phones with this important feature.

Anti-glare is about more than just cutting annoying reflections. It also enhances colors and black levels, helps prevent eye strain, and keeps your phone from emitting peak brightness as often (since it doesn't have to fight against reflective light).

Depolarized light

Circular polarizers have become more commonplace in modern mobile displays because they help prevent the annoying blackout that occurs when viewing linearly polarized content through polarized sunglasses. In other words, you can use your phone in portrait and landscape while wearing polarized glasses, so long as it uses a circular polarizer. Plus, circularly polarized displays are brighter than linearly polarized ones in the same situation.

Surprisingly, circular polarizers are good for more than just outdoor or in-car phone visibility. They also help scatter light in a way that's more natural and less direct than an LCD or OLED might otherwise be, helping lutein levels to remain higher than with linearly polarized displays.

Studies show that higher lutein levels improve eye performance, so your display (and everything else) continues to look good with prolonged use, while contrast and clarity can diminish over time as lutein levels decline.

Just the tip of the iceberg

If you want to see more of what BOE is working on, the display tour video above is the most comprehensive I could find from SID Display Week 2026. It goes over a ton of additional products and concepts the company is working on — like a true creaseless foldable display, transparent OLEDs, ultra-wide-gamut TVs, etc — but it's telling that BOE has such a large section devoted to eye health.

To my knowledge, only TCL shows such strong commitment to eye health with its NXTPAPER products (and beyond), while companies like Samsung never even mention eye health when announcing new products. I often get completely ignored by Samsung when I ask questions about color spectrum output, display flicker improvements, and similar topics, and my eyes (and the feedback from many people online) tell me that eye health simply isn't a concern for the company.

As we add more and more displays to our lives — whether that's the phone in our hand or the multitude of signs and advertisements in public spaces — eye health is becoming an increasingly important topic for display companies to focus on, and I'm glad to see that significant work is being put into ensuring the long-term health of the people who look at them.

Many retailers will regularly offer decent Motorola deals, and this next entry is a perfect option for anyone who is currently in the market. This 2025 Motorola Edge is currently just $400 at Best Buy, marking $150 in savings on last year's best Motorola phone.

The Edge is just steps behind the 2026 release, still offering Motorola's well-liked, anti-slip vegan leather backing, a good suite of cameras, and a solid battery life and charging speeds. As with any of even the best Motorola phones, the Edge going to come with some amount of bloatware. But if that isn't a dealbreaker for you, this deal might be one worth considering.

✅Recommended if: you like having a phone with a sleek design that feels luxurious and is easy to hold with one hand; you're looking for a phone that comes with a good range of camera lenses and high-quality photo- and video-taking capabilities; you value having a long battery life when it comes to phones, and you also prefer a fast-charging device.

❌Skip this deal if: you're looking for industry-leading performance and you have the budget to upgrade; you prefer phones with a long-term software update promises and you'd rather consider a device from another manufacturer; you don't want to have to purchase fast-charging hardware separately to unlock your device's best capabilities

In our 2025 Motorola Edge review, we were quick to point out some of the phone's many strengths that can be found across the Moto lineup: high-powered charging and battery life, cameras, and an excellent design with the vegan leather anti-slip back.

What's especially likable about the Edge series is its compact 6.3-inch form factor, which also doesn't compromise on picture quality. It features a pOLED, 120Hz refresh rate display, with an impressive 5,200 nits of peak brightness, all housed in a comfy, easy-to-hold device.

Perhaps the biggest downsides of this phone are Motorola's software promise of just two years, and the company's bloaty approach to OS systems. Still, at just $400, those issues might be worth putting up with, especially when considering the device's many strengths.

What you need to know

• Google is rolling out AI labels for ads across Search, YouTube, and Discover to make AI-generated or AI-edited advertising more transparent.
• The new "Created or edited with AI" disclosure appears in My Ad Center under the new "How this ad was made" section, with the rollout happening globally.
• Ads made with Google's AI tools are labeled automatically, while advertisers using third-party AI tools must disclose AI use themselves.

Google is finally adding another layer of transparency to AI-generated advertising, giving people a better idea of when the ads they're seeing were created or edited with artificial intelligence.

The company announced in a blog post that ads across Google Search, YouTube, and Discover will now feature a new disclosure in My Ad Center that says “Created or edited with AI.”

To see it, tap the three-dot menu or info icon on an ad and go to the new “How this ad was made” section, which explains whether AI was used to create the ad. Google says the rollout is happening worldwide.

The labels work differently depending on how the ad was created. If advertisers use Google’s own generative AI tools, the disclosure will be automatically added by the company.

However, if they use third-party AI tools, they are expected to self-report by manually applying the label. In some markets those disclosures might even show up directly on the ad, rather than tucked away in the information panel.

Google says the update aims to help users better understand the content they’re seeing and give advertisers clear tools to meet evolving transparency standards.

The company has already made disclosures mandatory for digitally altered political ads and has broadened technologies such as SynthID and C2PA to help improve AI content identification. The broader rollout takes these transparency efforts beyond election ads and into everyday commercial campaigns.

That said, the system isn't foolproof. Only content created with Google’s AI products is automatically labeled; everything else is up to advertisers being honest about their use of AI. That leaves room for bad actors to slip through unless Google develops stronger detection methods down the road.

Phone grips and stands are a dime a dozen, and making your mark in the industry at the level of brands like PopSockets is challenging.

Enter AULUMU. This award-winning Chinese brand aims to "reimagine urban tech accessories" with its futuristic, almost cyberpunk aesthetic. The brand launched its innovative G09 Infinite 360° Magnetic Stand in January 2026, followed by a see-through version, the G09 Ghost Transparent Infinite 360° Magnetic Stand, in May 2026.

I have been testing the G09 Infinite 360° Magnetic Stand for a month, and it is a breath of fresh air, something truly innovative in the phone accessories segment.

Puzzling at first, genius once you figure it out

AULUMU sent me the Ghost Transparent version of the G09 stand in Yellow. This version costs $39.98 and comes in Yellow, Orange, Translucent White, and Translucent Gray. Meanwhile, the regular opaque variant costs $45.98 and comes in Black and Silver.

AULUMU includes an adhesive magnetic adapter ring in the box, as well as a very helpful manual with easy-to-follow diagrams. Without the manual, I was very lost and couldn't make head or tail of the stand.

The AULUMU G09 Infinite 360° Magnetic Stand is a 3-axis magnetic stand with dual-sided magnetic attachments. These two main sides slide open on a tight hinge, so depending on the angle you set the stand at, it stays put. It's confusing when described with words, but the pictures provide much-needed context.

Twist it, turn it, bend it, fold it

The AULUMU G09 stand can be contorted into countless angles. Since it's a magnetic accessory, you can rotate it on the back of the phone too. The N52 magnets embedded within the stand are very strong.

This makes for a highly adjustable phone stand that weighs only 39g (35g for the opaque variant) and isn't too bulky. Whether in portrait mode or landscape mode, you can find an angle that works for you. Here are some of the many configurations I tried out.

It also has a removable silicone finger strap, so you don't have to take the AULUMU G09 Infinite 360° Magnetic Stand off. It can stay at the back of your phone, replacing your PopSocket or whatever grip you've been using.

You can easily use the stand with a MagSafe or Qi2 magnetic case on your phone, though that will naturally thicken up your smartphone setup.

Stacks on stacks

One of the many advantages of the double-sided magnets is that you can stack magnetic accessories on top of the G09 stand. So if you really prefer a grip with a popping top, you could just add it to the AULUMU G09 Infinite 360° Magnetic Stand.

You can take this even further by using the double-sided magnetic arm or attachment to stick your phone to a metal surface.

And because of the circular shape on both sides of the stand, you can literally hang your phone from the handles or knobs, too. This configuration makes the G09 stand look like a pair of handcuffs, but it works, so I won't knock it.

The AULUMU G09 stand innovates in a meaningful way and is definitely worth the buy

AULUMU might be writing up a steep bill, but the G09 Ghost Transparent Infinite 360° Magnetic Stand definitely feels worth the $40. It combines so many functions into one, so I think it really offers fantastic value for money.

The G09 stand takes some time to figure out, though, so you'll have to keep the instruction manual with you the first few days. But once you get used to it, it's really good fun to use.

I think the only real question here is whether you should get the costlier opaque version of the G09 Infinite 360° Magnetic Stand. At 35g, it's only 4g lighter than the Ghost Transparent variant. Is that worth $6 more? Personally, I don't think so. Besides, the see-through design comes in more exciting colorways anyway.

What you need to know

• A new leak gives us a clear look at the Pine green Pixel 11 Pro Fold, similar to last year's Pixel 10 Pro Fold shade.
• The camera module is slightly redesigned, with edge-to-edge sensor pills and the flash now integrated inside the island.
• There's no sign of the rumored Pixel Glow LED in the render, though a hidden sensor in the module can't be ruled out.

We're just about a month away from the official reveal of the Google Pixel 11 series. And now, ahead of the launch, a new leak has given us a clear look at the green color of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, along with its slightly redesigned camera module.

Google has confirmed that it'll reveal its new generation of Pixel devices on August 12th at 6:00 PM ET in New York. Unlike past Pixel launches, there have been noticeably fewer leaks about the Pixel 11 series this time around (though no major upgrades are expected anyway). Still, a new leak from Mystic Leaks on Telegram has given us a clear look at the Pixel 11 Pro Fold.

The leak shows off the Pine variant of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, which looks similar to the green shade Google released with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold last year. This color is also expected to be available on the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL.

The overall design, according to the leak, stays mostly the same. It's really just the camera island that looks slightly different this time. Compared to before, the pills housing the camera sensors now (mostly) stretch edge-to-edge across the module. The flash, which used to sit on the outside, now appears to be integrated within the module itself.

The camera module also looks a little squarer this time, compared to the slightly more rectangular shape before. You can also spot a faint golden hue on the 'G' logo on the back. Otherwise, the phone looks largely similar to last year's model.

One disappointing thing, though, is that there's no sign of the Pixel Glow LED in this render. Google is reportedly integrating Pixel Glow across its portfolio.

We first saw it on the Google Home Speaker earlier this year, and it was also featured as part of a Googlebook showcase earlier this year. But this Pixel 11 Pro Fold doesn't show anything of the sort. It's possible there's a hidden light sensor within the camera module itself, but we can't say for sure.

Either way, everything will be confirmed at Google's upcoming showcase, since we're only about a month out from the Pixel 11 Pro Fold's release.

In the meantime, if you're after a great deal on a foldable, the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is currently down by nearly 20% on Amazon, making it one of the best foldable deals right now. That's especially worth considering given that prices for this year's upcoming foldables are expected to climb north of $2,000.

What you need to know

• Pixel 11 Pro Fold FCC filing points to a major modem shake-up, with Google expected to replace Samsung's Exynos modem with MediaTek's M90.
• Tensor G6 could complete Google's break from Samsung, following Tensor G5's reported move to TSMC for chip manufacturing.
• MediaTek's M90 brings meaningful upgrades, including up to 12Gbps 5G speeds, satellite connectivity, dual active 5G SIM support, and AI-powered power efficiency.

Google’s long-term partnership with Samsung for Pixel modem hardware might be ending, and a new regulatory filing indicates that change is coming sooner rather than later.

A new FCC filing for the upcoming Pixel 11 Pro Fold seems to confirm that Google is ready to switch to a MediaTek modem and replace Samsung’s Exynos solution, as spotted by Android Authority. The filing corroborates earlier reports that the Tensor G6 platform will be paired with the company's M90 5G modem, instead of using Samsung's modem technology.

Google has been heavily reliant on Samsung for chip design and modem components since the original Tensor chip debuted in the Pixel 6 series. Although Tensor G5 is reported to have moved to TSMC for manufacturing, Google is still using a Samsung modem. The one for a clean break seems to be Tensor G6.

For Pixel users, the modem swap might matter more than benchmark numbers. Samsung's modems have been among the more common complaints on recent Pixel phones, with users citing inconsistent cellular reception, increased battery drain, and less reliable signal strength compared to other flagship devices. A more recent modem could fix those long-term pain points.

On paper, MediaTek’s M90 modem has some promising upgrades. It supports download speeds of up to 12Gbps, satellite connectivity, dual active 5G SIM support, and AI-powered power management that promises to improve efficiency without compromising performance. With the rumored Tensor G6 shift to TSMC's 2nm manufacturing process, the Pixel 11 lineup could deliver meaningful gains in battery life, thermal performance, and overall connectivity rather than just the raw processing power.

If the leaks are true, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold could be the company's first foldable to come with a MediaTek modem, and that points to a wider change for the entire Pixel 11 lineup.

Android Central's Take

I think this is one of the smartest hardware decisions Google could make. Pixel phones have always had great cameras and some genuinely helpful AI features, but modem performance has been a frustrating Achilles heel for years. If the move to MediaTek finally solves the connectivity and battery problems, most users will probably not care whose logo is on the modem — they will be happy with a Pixel that has a better signal and lasts longer.

Last year's Pixel 10 Pro Fold didn't really have many new features; other than better water resistance, Tensor G5, and a bigger battery, it was identical to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. With other brands rolling out noticeable upgrades — including Samsung with the thinner Galaxy Z Fold 7 — the Pixel 10 Pro Fold felt like a tame release.

That's why I'm excited to see what Google has in store with the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. The latest leaks suggest the upcoming foldable will get new cameras — a long-overdue upgrade — alongside a new Tensor G6 platform built on a 2nm node, brighter OLED panels inside and out, and design tweaks. This might finally be the year where Google takes the fight to Samsung and Vivo, and I can't wait.

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold vs. Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Pricing and availability

Google has confirmed that it will showcase the Pixel 11 on August 12. Like last year, we should get four models: the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. I don't see any changes to Google's release strategy this year, so these models should be up for pre-order as soon as the launch event ends, with general sales starting before the end of August.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold retailed at $1,799 for the 256GB model, but with rising memory and storage costs, it's a given that the Pixel 11 Pro Fold will be at least $100 costlier, bringing it up to $1,899. We'll need to wait until the launch event to know what the foldable actually costs, but considering trends across the industry, it's almost guaranteed that you'll need to pay more to get your hands on Google's upcoming phones.

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold vs. Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Design

Leaks point to Google tweaking the design of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold a little bit to make the rear camera island a little more distinctive, but other than that, the device looks similar to its predecessor. This is a good thing; Google has a distinct design aesthetic, and that isn't changing in 2026.

The one thing I'd like to see is a lighter foldable. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold weighs 258g, a full 43g heavier than the Galaxy Z Fold 7, and that difference in heft is immediately noticeable. The added bulk and weight makes the Pixel 10 Pro Fold a little cumbersome at times, and this is something that Google needs to address this year.

Another thing that Google needs to consider is the size; most foldables are now under 4.5mm unfolded and 9mm when folded, and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold needs to be able to measure up in this category. A thinner and lighter foldable would go a long way in making the Pixel 11 Pro Fold stand out against its predecessors, and this is a key requirement in 2026.

A new feature coming to this year's Pixels is Pixel Glow, an LED notification light that's located on the rear camera island. This is something Nothing uses to great effect on its phones, and I can't wait to see how Google leverages it.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold has one of the best OLED panels on any foldable, and while the Pixel 11 Pro Fold isn't set to change the size of the panels, it may get brighter. That's a positive move, and I like that Google isn't changing the size; the inner 8.0-inch panel is the ideal size to multitask, and the outer 6.4-inch panel has adequate real estate.

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold vs. Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Specs

The headlining change with the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is the Tensor G6 platform. Google's phones haven't really stood up to their Qualcomm and MediaTek rivals in the past, but that could finally be changing. I'm not going to suggest that the Tensor G6 will be as fast as the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, but it shouldn't be as hobbled as the G5 and G4 when it comes to gaming.

A big part of that has to do with the node switch to 2nm, which inherently delivers better efficiency. Google is also said to be using new cores, and that should bring the Tensor G6 up to scratch, and I'm crossing my fingers that it holds up a lot better in gaming — this is an area where Google just hasn't done enough in the past.

The other big change is around cameras; the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is said to get a new main camera, which should allow the foldable to take better photos. This is something that Google needed to address last year on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, but I'm glad the brand is making amends in 2026; with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 incoming and the Vivo X Fold 6 slated to launch globally, Google needs to do much better with the cameras on the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. I want to see a better 3x lens as well, but the leaks point to just the main camera getting a new sensor, so it looks like the rest of the modules will be similar to last year.

Then there's the battery; leaks have pointed to a smaller 4,800mAh battery this year, but we will need to wait until the launch event to see if that's legitimate. A smaller battery is the easiest way to shave weight and thickness, but the obvious downside is that the phone doesn't last as long.

It is feasible that Google is counting on the efficiency gains of the Tensor G6 to offset the smaller battery. I would much prefer to see a bigger battery, and if every other brand is able to deliver at least a 5,000mAh battery in a foldable that's under 10mm and 220g, I don't see why Google couldn't do it.

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold vs. Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Which should you buy?

With the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, Google needs to deliver a thinner and lighter foldable with better cameras. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold should bring decent upgrades this year, and the move to the Tensor G6 could resolve long-standing issues. Then again, this is all conjecture — we'll need to wait until August 12 to know what the Pixel 11 Pro Fold actually brings to the table.

In spite of the average cameras and the weight, I enjoyed using the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. The software is a real joy, and Android 17 made the foldable even better. If you don't need the best cameras and are okay with a heavier foldable, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is a great choice — and you don't have to pay anywhere as much.

What you need to know

• Galaxy SmartTag 3 may launch in September alongside the Galaxy S26 FE.
• Reliable tipster Roland Quandt leaked the release window on Bluesky, though actual hardware specs and design details remain completely under wraps.
• SmartTag 2 is due for an upgrade, with its Bluetooth 5.3 hardware and SmartThings Find network now trailing Apple's Find My ecosystem.

Samsung might finally be preparing to refresh one of its most forgotten Galaxy accessories. The Galaxy SmartTag 3 could be released as early as September, according to a new leak, finally ending a wait of nearly three years since the SmartTag 2 arrived in 2023.

The rumor comes from well-known leaker Roland Quandt, who shared on Bluesky that the SmartTag 3 is coming soon with the Galaxy S26 FE. If that timeline holds up, Samsung would likely announce both devices together at its expected September launch event for the Fan Edition phone. That’s all we know so far. The design and hardware of the tracker are still a mystery.

Even with so few details, there's plenty of room for Samsung to improve its item tracker. The existing SmartTag 2 still runs on Bluetooth 5.3 and is only compatible with Samsung’s own SmartThings Find ecosystem. That network has expanded over the years but still lags behind Apple’s Find My network in the sheer number of devices helping to find lost items.

A third-generation SmartTag could be the right time for Samsung to modernize the experience. An upgrade to a newer Bluetooth standard seems like an obvious step, and there are hopes the company could also expand the reach and effectiveness of SmartThings Find. Smarter crowdsourced tracking could help the SmartTag line become more competitive against the leading Bluetooth trackers like Apple’s AirTag and Google’s Find Hub-compatible trackers.

But for now, it's all based on a single leak, and Samsung has not confirmed the product exists. If the report is on the money, September may bring not only another Fan Edition phone but also Samsung’s first new Bluetooth tracker in years. The big question is whether the SmartTag 3 will simply play catch-up or give Galaxy users a compelling reason to stay in Samsung’s ecosystem.

Android Central's Take

If this rumor is true, Samsung has a real chance to make the SmartTag lineup relevant. A spec bump alone won’t cut it in 2026, especially when rivals have been busy improving their tracking networks and user experience for the last few years. I’d like to see Samsung spend more time making SmartThings Find actually reliable when it matters. A tracker is only as good as the network behind it.

One of the best things about tablets and foldable phones is the taskbar at the bottom of the folding screen, which houses your most-used apps. But did you know you can have something just like it on regular non-folding phones?

Whenever I set up a new Samsung or Motorola phone, this is the first thing I enable and customize, and it is probably my most-used Android feature. In fact, the side panel — Sidebar, Edge Panel, or whatever you want to call it — is a very common Android feature available across various OEMs, although it's still surprisingly missing from Pixel smartphones.

An app taskbar you can access from anywhere

The side panel on Android phones acts as a sort of taskbar on non-folding phones. When activated, it hides on the side of your display, identifiable by a small bar. When you swipe inwards on the bar, you get access to a customizable set of apps, as well as some recently opened apps and/or (in Samsung's case), a dedicated set of AI apps.

What's great about this is that it's accessible from nearly every screen. If you're already in an app, you can open the side panel to access another frequently used app in an instant or your full app drawer.

It's also a good option for multitasking. Frankly, I find that activating split screen mode can be a pain, but with the side panel, you can drag an app to one side of the screen or open it in freeform over another open app.

Samsung also offers a set of additional side panels you can activate that are more than just apps. You can access your clipboard, favorite contacts, weather, navigation tools, and more. The side panel can essentially become a one-stop shop if you use it right.

How to enable the side panel on a Galaxy phone

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Tap Display.

3. Toggle on Edge panels and tap the option to enter the Edge Panels menu.

4. Tap Panels and select the panels you want to add.

5. Tap Edit under the Apps panel, then tap the apps you want to add to the panel. Do the same with the People panel if you wish to add it.

6. Optional: Tap the three-dot icon in the top right corner and toggle on split screen, Galaxy AI, Show recent apps, and Show app names.

7. On the Edge panels menu, tap Handle.

8. Choose the position of the screen you want the handle to be on, the color, transparency, size, and width.

9. Hold and drag the handle to your preferred position so it's easy to access.

Download Good Lock for even more goodies

Now, you can swipe from the bar on nearly any screen to access your favorite and most-used apps or functions! But if you want to customize your panel even more, you can do so by Installing Samsung's Good Lock app from the Play Store or Galaxy Store. Once downloaded, scroll through the plugins and install the Home Up module.

Once installed, open Home Up and toggle on Edge panel. Here, you will find additional settings you can apply to the panel, such as the ability to integrate multiple types of panels into a single panel so you can access apps, contacts, and shortcuts, the ability to scroll through the recent apps section, and an expanded view that adds columns of apps.

One user on Android 17 has demonstrated that the upcoming One UI 9 update will enable even more customization for the Edge Panel. An update to the Home Up module will let users add backgrounds and colors, change the corner radius, and even adjust the blur effect.

Keep in mind that Samsung has not yet officially released Android 17/One UI 9, so unless you're on the beta, you'll have to wait a bit longer for this functionality.

Pixel is missing out

As I noted, it's not just Samsung that has a side panel for easy access to apps. It's also available on Motorola phones. You can access it by navigating to Settings > Gestures > Sidebar, then toggle the feature on. Then, tap the Settings icon to add apps, tools, and contacts to the bar. It basically combines three of Samsung's panels into one.

For OnePlus, the feature is buried in a less obvious spot. Navigate to Settings > Accessibility & convenience > Smart Sidebar, then toggle the feature on. There, you can edit its position, functions, and more. Then open the Sidebar and tap Edit to add and change the apps you want.

I wish I could tell you how to enable this feature on Pixel smartphones, but for some reason, Google refuses to add it to the Pixel lineup. There are a number of things I don't like about the Pixel UI, but the fact that Google won't give me an app sidebar is one of the main reasons I don't like using it. There are third-party apps that can add similar functionality, such as Panels, but I would rather use a built-in feature that doesn't have a paywall.

The closest the Pixel comes is the new App Bubbles, which lets you easily multitask across multiple apps with floating bubbles, but it's not really comparable to having a dedicated sidebar. With any luck, Google will add this in future OS updates or Pixel Drops.

Motorola's latest midrange earbuds, the Moto Buds 2 Plus, aim to deliver high-quality sound at an affordable $150 price point. Compared to the regular Moto Buds 2, the Plus version adds Sound by Bose tuning, featuring 11mm dynamic drivers and 6mm micro-planar magnetic drivers. In other words, the Moto Buds 2 Plus have the hardware chops to sound as good as any of its competitors at this price point.

To realize the Moto Buds 2 Plus's potential, you'll need to tweak your software to match your listening preferences. Spatial audio is enabled out of the box, but extras like hi-res audio, gaming mode, and equalizers aren't on by default. I adjusted these settings on the Moto Buds 2 Plus, and it improved everything from sound and call quality to the multi-device connections. Here's how you can, too.

Enable hi-res audio mode

Bluetooth is often the audio-quality bottleneck for wireless headphones and earbuds. Still, there are ways to improve your sound quality without a cable within the constraints of Bluetooth. As such, the Moto Buds 2 Plus support Bluetooth 6 and the LHDC audio codec. LHDC stands for Low-Latency High-Definition Audio Codec, and it promises wireless playback at up to 1,000kbps.

By switching on the Moto Buds 2 Plus' high-resolution audio mode, you can enjoy the 24-bit/96kHz max quality offered by the LHDC codec. To do so, open the Moto Buds app, tap Sound, then press the toggle next to Hi-Res Mode. Tap Continue to start hearing music through your Moto Buds 2 Plus at the highest possible quality.

Switch on gaming mode for low latency

LDHC is the saving grace of the Moto 2 Buds Plus, and the hi-res audio isn't the only thing it offers. This codec also supports low-latency audio, which is ideal for gaming. Motorola's Gaming mode is designed to minimize latency to improve your gameplay, prioritizing responsiveness over almost everything else. However, it doesn't turn on automatically — you need to switch it on every time you want to use it.

To find it, open the Moto Buds app and tap Sound. Then switch the toggle next to Gaming mode to the on position. Remember that this low-latency audio mode automatically turns off when your earbuds disconnect from your device. Additionally, you can't use hi-res audio and gaming mode simultaneously. It's one or the other.

Play with the EQ to personalize your sound

There's one more setting in the Sound page of the Moto Buds 2 Plus settings worth paying attention to: the equalizer. Motorola offers a customizable 10-band EQ that lets you fine-tune your earbuds' sound to your liking. If you like more bass, go for that. If you prefer a more subtle bass and brighter highs, bump up the treble. You can find the EQ on the Sound page, and tapping Equalizer opens the interface.

There are four ready-to-go presets to choose from: Brilliant Treble, Bass Boost, Vocal Boost, and Flat. Or, you can build a Custom preset of your own. Simply grab the slider for one of the 10 bands and drag it up or down to adjust the gain for a specific frequency range. This gives your Moto Buds 2 Plus a personal sound you won't get any other way.

Activate Crystal Talk for clearer calling

If you plan to use your Moto Buds 2 Plus for calling, it's worth enabling the Crystal Talk feature. The toggle for this one is right on the homepage of the Moto Buds app, and flipping it on enables AI-powered noise cancellation for your calls. It amplifies your voice while blocking out unwanted environmental sounds, like wind. If you make calls in noisy environments, this setting is for you.

Share your audio with Dual connection

For those switching between devices often, the Moto Buds 2 Plus support connecting to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. At least one of those devices has to be an Android phone, and you can set up Dual connection in the Moto Buds app. Flip the toggle next to Dual connection in the Moto Buds app on your primary Bluetooth device. Then, hold down the button on the Moto Buds 2 Plus case to enter pairing mode.

Pair your earbuds to a second device, and the Moto Buds 2 Plus will automatically juggle the connections between both devices. The earbuds will automatically play and pause audio and switch between devices based on priority. If you're listening to music on your laptop and a call comes through on your phone, the Moto Buds 2 Plus will switch to your earbuds to help you take the call.

It's a convenient feature that helps you use multiple devices at once, saving you the hassle of pairing and unpairing manually.

At $150, the Moto Buds 2 Plus make a compelling case for being your next pair of midrange earbuds. They pack impressive software features for the price, all of which are found in the Moto Buds app. After you make the Moto Buds 2 Plus your own with settings and equalizers, you'll notice the difference in quality.

What you need to know

• A leak claims a certification database in South Korea reportedly highlights the Galaxy Tab S12 Plus in a live image.
• The photo shows off the tablet's display, which looks incredibly similar to the Tab S11 with its large bezels.
• Other rumors claim the Tab S12 Ultra's battery won't change from the S11 Ultra, alongside a leaked animation that removes its camera notch in favor of a punch-hole camera.

Another wave of Samsung Galaxy tablets is expected later in 2026. A report has surfaced, stating that one model has achieved an important certification.

SammyGuru reports that the Galaxy Tab S12 Plus has appeared for certification in the Safety Korea database. Through this listing, the publication discovered what could be our first early glimpse at the tablet's design. Safety Korea only highlights the front of the (assumed) Galaxy Tab S12 Plus, which looks awfully similar to the Tab S11. The tablet features a rounded-corner design, like the past-gen series.

However, what we're not seeing is a change to its display design. More specifically, it's bezels. The leaked photo shows the Tab S12 Plus with some rather thick bezels on its four sides. The selfie camera is also "housed within the bezel," per SammyGuru.

This is good news—the reported Safety Korea appearance, not the bezels. As the post notes, its appearance likely indicates that the Galaxy Tab S12 Plus, and its S12 Ultra sibling, are on schedule for a later 2026 reveal. We're expecting this tablet series to debut around September, similar to the S11 series. The publication taps 91Mobiles, as the folks over there discovered the series' alleged model numbers in the BIS database in India (another key certification hurdle crossed).

The rumor tab

We've had varying Galaxy Tab S12 series rumors, most of which have come within the past month. A pair of tablets is suspected this year; however, the Ultra's battery could leave much to be desired. It was rumored that the Tab S12 Ultra might grab the same 11,600mAh battery as the S11 Ultra. What's more, Samsung could treat it to the same 45W charging capabilities.

In terms of design, the S12 Ultra could see a 14.6-inch display (same as the S11 Ultra), Android 17, and more later this year. The display was brought up again for Samsung's Galaxy Tab future, as a One UI 9 test software animation showed off a device without the ugly selfie camera. Instead of the camera notch, the animation teased a tablet with a punch-hole camera. This sounds like a dream, but it's unclear if (or when) Samsung would debut a Galaxy Tab like this.

What you need to know

• Reports claim that the Galaxy S26 series has been shattering Samsung's sales expectations, as the company holds "Appreciation Events" and more.
• Sales for the Galaxy S26 have risen by "three times" the amount in recent history, and it's likely consumer fear over a pricier Galaxy S27 that's cultivated this boost.
• Samsung reported a major boost in Galaxy S26 popularity and production earlier this year, but with soaring DRAM and NAND prices, cost

We're caught at a midway point between the Galaxy S26 series and the upcoming Galaxy S27 series. These series are reportedly influencing one another, as fears mount over higher prices for Samsung's next wave.

Late this week, ETNews (Korean) reported that Samsung is experiencing another surge in Galaxy S26 sales (via SamMobile). The publication's sources claim that Samsung observed significant sales performance domestically and globally in June. What's more, the company reportedly held an "Appreciation Festival" for consumers. If a Galaxy S26 series device were purchased, consumers would receive a 20% refund "in Digital Onnuri Gift Certificates."

Another contributing factor is Samsung's website, alongside various "open markets," which have seen sales "three times" higher than before. As a result, Samsung is boosting its Galaxy S26 production to 1.5 million units over the previously planned 1 million units for July. A report by EInfoMax adds that domestic Galaxy S26 sales have surpassed 3 million units for Samsung in 117 days, shattering Galaxy S25 records (via GSMArena).

With everything going on with the phone market, it's been alleged that this growing demand for the Galaxy S26 is due to pricier Galaxy S27 concerns. The memory shortage is (of course) a primary contributor to these worries.

A changing market

The Galaxy S26 series' popularity was discussed a few times, leading to a production boost reported back in April. The spring saw Samsung boost its Galaxy S26 Ultra production by 200,000 units (1.5 mil total in April) and its base S26 model by 500,000 units. The Plus model was pulled back soon. Samsung knocked off roughly 100,000 units as the other two phones were more sought after.

We're not entirely sure what's going on with the Galaxy S27, but some rumors said it could be kept mild to avoid ridiculous pricing. Certain upgrades were allegedly being put on the back burner, such as the series' display and cameras. It's still early, and things can change. Soaring memory prices are affecting everyone. Companies are struggling to find ways to keep their profits without suffering a loss.

Recent research by Omdia suggests budget phones could take a hit, thanks to high DRAM and NAND prices. The market could see far fewer budget phones, as higher-priced devices give companies more leeway to make cost-conscious changes.

Android Central's Take

The Galaxy S26 series is a popular series for Samsung, coming off the back of the popular Galaxy S25. It goes without saying that the S26 Ultra is leading the charge by a mile, too. But the shift I'm seeing in how people are buying is a tell of the times. If the price of a phone is "more acceptable" right now, and we risk seeing those disappear in the future, why not buy now? Why not buy right now and see where the market takes us later? At least, right now, we're not "suffering" as much. This is all subjective, as we all have our limits on what we'd like to pay.

What you need to know

• DuRoBo announced the Moodi: a wireless page-turner that is compatible with a "wide range" of e-readers, tablets, and phones.
• DuRoBo says the Moodi is designed to reduce the strain users experience when reading with a device over longer periods.
• The Moodi offers a selection of swappable emoji caps with deliver a gentle, satisfying clicking experience in the palm of your hand.
• The Moodi is available on Amazon U.S. for $30.99.

There are accessories of all kinds in the tech world, and DuRoBo is bringing competition to a surprising device.

DuRoBo shared details about the launch of Moodi: a wireless, Bluetooth page-turning remote that uses cute (swappable) emoji caps. DuRoBo is the company behind the Krono ePaper Focus Hub. This remote is said to "make long reading sessions more comfortable and more enjoyable." Usually, users are holding their device, using their thumb or finger to turn the page.

DuRoBo says its Moodi is designed to "reduce the strain" typically experienced during longer reading sessions. With its small form, the Moodi offers a "soft, springy" and satisfying rebound when pressing its buttons. The Moodi offers three modes: Reading, Multimedia, and Browsing. For Reading, consumers can hold the Moodi in one hand and enjoy the gentle, tactile button presses to turn the page.

The Multimedia Mode brings easy play, pause, or track-skipping controls for audiobooks, music, and podcasts. The Browsing option is centered around browsing posts online.

With a 90mAh battery inside the ergonomic frame, the Moodi can reportedly last "for weeks" on a single charge. Additionally, its built-in lanyard helps keep it comfortably (and safely) around your wrist for maximum chill potential. What's more, the swappable emoji caps are a highlight for the Moodi, giving consumers options such as "meh, cheeky, drowsy, hype, vibin’ and goofy."

DuRoBo's Moodi is available on Amazon for $30.99 in the U.S. The company adds that the Moodi is compatible with a "wide range" of e-readers, tablets, and smartphones.

Reading should be chill

What's interesting is that when my colleague Nicholas Sutrich brought this up, he also mentioned that Boox has a similar product. You might know Boox better for its pocketable e-readers; however, it also has a small, tappable page-turner. Boox's version is called Tappy, and takes on a different shape than what DuRoBo is doing with Moodi. Either way, it's intriguing to see competition enter a device like this.

DuRoBo showed off its Krono during CES 2026, and it was arguably the event's most interesting e-reader. According to Sutrich, the Krono is off to a good start with a minimalistic, phone-sized e-reader vibe going on. DuRoBo also made the experience much simpler than others, but Sutrich said, "I'd also like to see some more options for the existing functions."

Android Central's Take

As I said at the top of the article, this wireless page-turning device might be weird in a good way. I can almost imagine the satisfying click feeling DuRoBo is going for. If you're a PC gamer or know someone who is, and they have a fancy-looking keyboard, ask them why. I can almost guarantee that it's because of the sound. A mechanical keyboard that sounds good is like half the reason why I have the keyboard I do. Also, what DuRoBo is doing with this small page-turner sounds like maximum chill reading time.

If you're looking to save money on your phone bill, Mint Mobile is one of the best options around — particularly if you also need a new phone. That being said, the carrier has been running out of stock on a lot of devices lately, so I've done the work of gathering the best Mint Mobile deals today so you don't have to go searching.

This T-Mobile-owned wireless carrier is all about providing great service in bulk, with savings that increase the more you buy. Mint also offers bundle opportunities that can get you new devices for dirt cheap, as long as you don't mind paying in advance. Keep reading for all of my top picks from Mint Mobile this month, and don't forget to check back later to see what's new: I update this list on a regular basis.

The best Mint Mobile deals of July 2026

• MVNO deals: Mint Mobile | Visible | Boost | Tello | Cricket

Mint Mobile FAQ

How does Mint Mobile work?

Mint Mobile offers a straightforward buy-in-bulk plan system that lets you purchase wireless in 3, 6, and 12-month increments of time. There are four data plans to choose from: 5GB, 15GB, 20GB, and Unlimited, all of which give you coverage on T-Mobile's vast 5G network, along with a free mobile hotspot, unlimited talk and text, and coverage in Mexico, Canada, and the UK.

How much does Mint Mobile cost?

Mint Mobile's wireless plans start at $15 per month, but since you have to pay for a minimum of three months of coverage, you're looking at an upfront payment of at least $45. That can make things a bit confusing when you're first introduced to Mint's pricing model, but as long as you're comfortable buying phone service in bulk, the potential wireless savings could be immense. Just imagine dropping a single payment of $180 and not worrying about your phone bill again until 2027. Sounds pretty good, right?

Who owns Mint Mobile?

Although Mint Mobile used to be partly owned by actor Ryan Reynolds, the prepaid carrier is now fully owned and operated by T-Mobile. This allows Mint to give you the Big Three carrier experience without charging the Big Three carrier price, and since Mint Mobile is no longer an independent company, network de-prioritization from T-Mo is much less common.

Wondering how Mint Mobile compares with other prepaid wireless carriers? Witness the battle of the MVNOs with our Mint Mobile vs. Boost Mobile or Mint Mobile vs. Metro by T-Mobile to see which alternative carrier is right for you.

Let's face it: many of us stare at bright screens for a large portion of the day, so it's no wonder folks are trying to find a way to reduce the eye strain from their devices. Nowadays, you might expect an eye-friendly smartphone to cost an arm and a leg, but there's one budget phone that's completely breaking the mold.

Currently 15% off at Amazon, the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro is an innovative budget phone with a customizable paper-like display, IP68 build, and solid performance that could rival any midrange device from Samsung or Google. This discount knocks the price of the phone down to only $279.99, which is the same record low we saw during the big Prime Day sale last month. No trade-in required, no strings attached: just good old-fashioned savings on an already-affordable device. 

The TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro boasts a generous 6.9-inch 120Hz display with a textured matte finish, plus you get an efficient MediaTek chip with 8GB of RAM, expandable storage up to 2TB (using microSD), and an IP68 water-and-dust resistance rating, which is a rarity in this price range. 

But again, the main selling point with the NXTPAPER 70 Pro is its display. The phone somehow lands between an LCD and E Ink finish, delivering a visual experience that's smooth, customizable, and easy on the eyes. The device lets you choose between four display modes so you can select the best settings for any light, while the 120Hz refresh rate ensures that images always look butter-smooth. 

For an Android phone under $400, the NXTPAPER 70 performs quite well in most situations, even if the haptics and software features aren't that impressive on their own. Considering the growing number of users that are affected by PWM sensitivity nowadays, it's amazing that we have an eye-friendly phone that performs great without breaking the bank. This record discount from Amazon is simply the cherry on top. 

Mint Mobile offers some of my favorite Android phone deals on the web, but when these promotions go out of stock, they're usually gone for good. Fortunately, that's not the case with the Samsung Galaxy S26, as the prepaid carrier just brought back one of my favorite deals of 2026 thus far.

Purchase the Samsung Galaxy S26 with one year of the Unlimited plan and Mint Mobile will give you $500 off the phone AND 50% off the wireless. That means you're getting a powerful 2026 flagship phone and a full 12 months of T-Mobile-powered wireless service for only $580 upfront (or $49 per month using affirm). The deal gets even better when you trade in, as Mint Mobile will give you up to $400 of additional savings depending on the age and condition of the device.

In fact, the entire S26 lineup is included to the deal, which means you can save $500 (and get the discounted wireless) on the Galaxy S26 Plus and Galaxy S26 Ultra if you need a more powerful phone.

Mint Mobile just resurrected one of my favorite Galaxy S26 deals of all time

I've been covering Samsung Galaxy S26 deals on a regular basis since the phone first debuted in March, and Mint's offer continues to impress as one of the best on the web. It's really all about the simplicity for me. Unlike most carrier deals, which force you to process a trade-in or sign up for some expensive data plan to receive the savings, all you need to do is hit the Add to Cart button to receive the phone and wireless bundle.

Activation just takes a few minutes, and again, it'll only cost you $580 out the door to get a new phone AND cover your phone bill until 2027. Considering that the Galaxy S26 usually retails for $900 on its own, it's a pretty remarkable opportunity.

Sure, if you prefer the simplicity of unlocked phones or you don't want to commit to a full year of Mint, then this deal isn't for you. But if you hate paying your phone bill and you want a great deal on a great Samsung phone, grab this Mint Mobile offer before it really disappears.

There's no doubt that people buying electronics in 2026 will face sticker shock. Consoles, phones, and components are substantially more expensive than they were even a year ago, and the pain in the wallet isn't ending any time soon. That is, of course, unless you're in the market for a new pair of smart display glasses.

X by Xreal (XBX) is a new offering from the world's biggest wearable display manufacturer, and at just $299, it's ironically the antithesis of the $849 Xreal Asus ROG R1 glasses I just reviewed. These are smaller, lighter, and more eye-friendly than anything in the segment to date, and they offer a compelling reason to choose XBX over another more expensive pair of smart display glasses this year.

Smart display glasses like XBX are designed to plug into an existing device and give you a giant, brilliant virtual display to ease neck pain and make portable gaming or productivity the best it can be. These won't work with a Switch 2 since that requires a special adapter (that's not compatible with XBX yet), but essentially anything else that outputs video via a USB-C connection should be plug-and-play with these

X by Xreal: Price, availability, and specs

X by Xreal ships in an impressively unique rocket-ship package and includes a hardshell fabric carrying case, a rather loud-looking yellow USB-C cable, three sets of nose pad sizes, and a microfiber cleaning cloth, all for just $299 at xreal.com, Amazon, Best Buy, B&H, and Micro Center.

More than just cheaper glasses

The obvious reason to choose X by Xreal (XBX) this year is the price. At $299, these directly compete with the RayNeo Air 4s Pro, and RayNeo has historically dominated this price category. Xreal isn't just delivering lighter frames (14g lighter!), but it's also introducing smooth follow spatial tracking for the first time ever in this price category, as well as an impressive modular frame design.

The weight difference alone is reason enough to choose XBX, and the interchangeable frames are more than just the cherry on top. Xreal shipped me a completely different-looking frame that fully replaces the standard Ray-Ban-style look with a smaller, dark-tinted visor style, and that's just one of many styles Xreal offers.

To sweeten the deal, Xreal has provided MakerWorld 3D printing params so the community can create quite literally anything it wants. The frames even pop off by hand, no tools required, and while I was worried I was going to break them on my first few attempts, my Xreal rep reassured me that I'd seriously have to manhandle the glasses to break them.

XBX also includes the springiest temple arms to date. These new hinges bend back up to 20 degrees, offering substantial comfort across multiple head sizes. The same three different sizes and shapes of nose pads included with more expensive Xreal glasses are included here, as well, and work wonders for different nose shapes and sizes.

And what good are all these comfort features if the display is just going to give you a headache? As a wearable display, XBX uses the most comfortable micro-OLED panels on the market. These panels are made by SeeYa, the same company that supplies RayNeo's panels, and while they look similar on paper, they offer substantial advantages over all other smart glasses displays to date. Yes, even over Sony panels.

To begin, they use 3840Hz PWM dimming at all brightness levels and during both 60Hz and 120Hz refresh rates. RayNeo Air 4s Pro uses only 3840Hz PWM dimming at 60Hz and switches to roughly half that rate at 120Hz. They also output 1600 nits of brightness, enough to overcome the lack of electrochromic dimming on the lenses.

XBX are also using SeeYa's (and the industry's) first native 10-bit micro-OLED panels. That means you can enjoy 8-bit and 10-bit content without using temporal dithering, another tactic that can cause debilitating headaches for some people.

In addition, Xreal's real-time SDR-to-HDR conversion on XBX looks absolutely stellar and adds a notable amount of contrast and dynamic range to all the content I tested it on. I particularly enjoyed this while playing 007 First Light on my Steam Deck, which looked even better than on my TV thanks to the HDR conversion.

On top of all that, XBX offers the first smooth-follow spatial tracking mode on any pair of sub-$400 glasses, a monumental innovation that keeps the display jitter-free, even during airline turbulence. The downside is that, since this isn't powered by Xreal's X1 chip, you can only use smooth follow with the SDR/8-bit display mode. HDR and 10-bit modes are only available with 0DoF tracking, so you'll have to choose between image quality and stability, depending on the situation.

The display sits at a 4m focal length, so I didn't need prescription reading glasses to view it comfortably. Xreal is also boasting its TÜV Rheinland 5-Star comfort rating, including 415-455nm blue-light-blocking material on the displays, plus three different color modes for enhanced comfort.

My one complaint about the hardware is that the speakers aren't particularly loud. They're just fine when playing my Steam Deck at home or watching a YouTube video at my desk, but there's no chance you'll be able to hear things well in any public spaces. Best stick to wearing earbuds for that.

All display and audio options are easily adjusted via the OSD menu, accessed by pressing the X button on the underside of the right temple arm. This menu is quite basic compared to Xreal One or Xreal ROG glasses, but that makes sense given the reduced feature set of this more affordable pair.

All in all, this is the best pair of smart glasses you can buy in 2026 simply because of the incredible value they bring. Xreal offers more features in its more expensive glasses, which I also love a lot, but this is the first time I feel like I can confidently recommend a pair of $299 glasses and that the person buying them won't have to accept some kind of deep concession.

Just as with Xreal One's release in early 2025, X by Xreal is redefining an entire product category by offering better hardware, better software, and features you wouldn't expect to get at this price. If you're on the fence about smart glasses this year, don't bother spending more. Just get XBX.

What you need to know

• The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is expected to cost $2,099 in the US, which is $100 more than last year's Galaxy Z Fold 7.
• The wider Galaxy Z Fold 8, tipped to take on the iPhone Ultra, is rumored to start at $1,899 for the 256GB base model.
• A Reddit user claims a Samsung store in South Korea is already displaying the Galaxy Z Fold 8 ahead of its official reveal.
• Samsung has confirmed its next Unpacked event for July 22 in London, where the Z Fold 8 series will finally go official.

As if there was nothing left for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 series to leak, we now have images showcasing the official device a week ahead of launch, along with rumored pricing.

We're only about a week away from the official debut of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 series. The company has already confirmed its Unpacked event for July 22 in London. But ahead of the launch, we've already heard about European pricing for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series, and now U.S. pricing has leaked as well.

As reported by Korean outlet SE Daily, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 series will be priced above $2,000 in the U.S. According to the outlet, the standard Galaxy Z Fold 7 successor, reportedly to be called the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, will "likely" be priced at $2,099.

The wider Galaxy Z Fold 8, said to compete with the upcoming foldable iPhone Ultra, will sit at $1,899.

Samsung seems to have spoiled its own launch

It's worth noting that these prices are for the base 256GB variant, with higher storage options likely costing more. For comparison, last year's Galaxy Z Fold 7 started at $2,000, meaning its direct successor will be $100 more expensive.

The most interesting bit, though, is that Samsung has allegedly already pulled the trigger and started showcasing the wider Galaxy Z Fold 8 on retail displays in Korea.

A Reddit user claims a Samsung store in South Korea has already put the Galaxy Z Fold 8 out on display. The user says a Samsung store employee "confirmed" the device on display was indeed the Z Fold 8, and they even managed to sneak in a photo of it.

The retail unit doesn't mention the Galaxy Z Fold 8 name anywhere, but it lines up pretty closely with what's leaked so far.

This might be the first time Samsung has showcased a device ahead of its official reveal, and it's interesting to see that the company's new form factor is real and arriving soon.

What you need to know

• A leaker claims the Galaxy Z Flip 8 could be Samsung's last small folding product.
• Samsung's July 22 Unpacked event in London will bring the Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra, and the Z Flip 8.
• The new passport-style Z Fold 8 could eventually replace the flip-style form factor in Samsung's lineup.
• Rising component costs and Apple's foldable iPhone may be pushing Samsung away from flip-style phones.

If you're a fan of Samsung's flip-style foldable lineup, we may have some bad news for you, as the next Galaxy Z Flip might be the last flip phone Samsung ever releases.

Samsung is set to launch its new foldable phones later this month at the Galaxy Unpacked event in London. The company is rumored to introduce two new Galaxy Z Fold 8 series phones, including a wider form factor device for the first time. Alongside those, Samsung is also expected to release the Galaxy Z Flip 8 as usual.

However, it seems the next Galaxy Z Flip could be the last one the company ever makes.

Popular tipster Ice Universe shared on X that the Galaxy Z Flip 8 is likely to be Samsung's last small folding product. That suggests we may be nearing the end of the small flip-style foldable from Samsung.

It's worth noting, though, that the tipster doesn't explicitly say it'll be the last Galaxy Z Flip. Instead, they refer to it as the last small folding product.

Samsung is entering a new era with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series, launching a passport-style form factor for the first time. That form factor will be less tall and much wider than previous Galaxy Z Fold products, so it's possible it ends up replacing the Galaxy Z Flip series going forward. Of course, it's far too early to say for certain.

Either way, this is sad news for anyone who's been a fan of the Galaxy Z Flip or flip-style foldables in general.

There's no denying that making these phones is becoming increasingly expensive. We recently saw Motorola raise prices across this year's Razr lineup as well.

And with Apple entering the foldable market with a passport-like form factor of its own, it's possible that this ends up being the only foldable form factor that survives, with Samsung wanting to compete head-on.

Regardless, it's disappointing for flip-style foldable users. Plenty of people still genuinely prefer the flip form factor, even with book-style foldables dominating the market. If this turns out to be true, it really will be the end of an era.

What you need to know

• Samsung has confirmed its next Unpacked event for July 22 in London, where the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series will debut.
• A new Spider-Man: Brand New Day teaser hints at a "brand new shape," pointing to the wider Galaxy Z Fold 8 form factor.
• A second teaser shows Spider-Man catching what appears to be the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, though few details are shown.

Samsung is all set to announce its new foldables soon, with a reportedly wider form factor launching for the first time. And the company isn't leaving anything to guesswork in its new teaser, released in collaboration with Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Samsung took to Instagram, X, and other social media platforms to drop new teasers for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series. The company has confirmed that its next Unpacked event takes place on July 22 in London, where it's expected to launch the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, new Flip phones, and new Galaxy watches.

One of the teasers features a Spider-Man postcard with the text "A brand new shape is coming," with the top half tearing off to reveal the new Spider-Man movie logo and details. The teaser ends with the line "A brand new shape for a brand new day," clearly hinting at the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and its wider form factor.

For those unaware, Samsung is reportedly launching two Galaxy Z Fold 8 phones this time around, with the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 set to take on Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone. It'll reportedly have a shorter but wider form factor, almost like a passport, meaning it'll feel like a true mini tablet when unfolded. This poster teaser seems to be pointing at exactly that.

Another teaser posted on Instagram shows Spider-Man catching a foldable phone, which appears to be the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. Not much else is revealed beyond the collaboration itself, but it's interesting to see Samsung partnering with Spider-Man for the new Z Fold series.

Thankfully, we won't have to wait long for the full picture. Samsung's launch event is just about a week away, where we'll be getting all the details about these upcoming foldable phones.

What you need to know

• Google Health app is rolling out an update this week on Android and iOS that brings a massive selection of metrics to the Today tab from the Health tab.
• Main sleep session stats will now include naps (20 mins or more), alongside fixes for swimming data.
• The previous Google Health app update returned Hourly Activity to the app and kicked off Nap Recording for users.

Wearables can help users keep tabs on their health, but sometimes, our focus is narrow. Google's rolling out an update that delivers more stats for better customization.

Google Health posted its patch notes for an early July update for v5.03 on Android and iOS. The Today tab is receiving a major selection of metric tiles that users can begin sifting through once the update arrives. Google says users can add tiles for "heart rate variability, breathing rate, oxygen saturation (SpO2), resting heart rate, skin temperature variation, blood glucose, mindful days, mindful minutes, resilience, protein intake, fat intake, carbohydrate intake, and your friend leaderboard.

The point of this is convenience. Google reminds users that every new metric tile for the Today tab is also available in the app's Health tab. Adding them to the former only serves to give users a glanceable spotlight into the metrics that matter and to track goals, milestones, etc.

In a similar vein, Google Health is fixing an issue for swimmers seeing incorrect "distances and units" during exercises. Sleep tracking welcomes naps taken. Google says, "Naps (>20 mins) will now count toward your 24-hour total sleep duration." Users can find this statistic in the Sleep tab, which will display trends for their main sleep session.

While naps find their way into your Total Sleep Tracking, the app's Today tab will only display your main sleep session data. The update wraps up with a fix for elevation discrepancies with Strava.

Getting iOS caught up

With v5.03 of Google Health, the company says iOS devices are catching up to a few features Android received in June. In that patch, Google returned Hourly Activity to the app. What's more, Android users saw customization tools to "re-order Key Metrics." This gave users the ability to long-press and drag their stats anywhere they wanted to. In short, it was a reorganization update.

Naps were the other side of this patch. Google delivered Nap Recording capabilities in its Health app, which is why we're seeing this key update in July. Google said naps would be highlighted in a separate tab in the user's Daily Sleep Score. These updates, including food search, are now arriving on iOS with everything else in this July patch.

What you need to know

• BigMe posted a teaser on Kickstarter for the Hibreak Dual 2, a phone with a 6.1-inch color/BW E-Ink display and a 5-inch LCD.
• The company was also active on Reddit, stating its goal with the Hibreak Dual 2 is to create a device that gets users away from carrying two devices.
• The Hibreak Dual launched in April, and while the device had the right idea in mind, it fell flat in other areas.

BigMe's returning with news about a successor to its dual-screen device, which is probably going to happen sooner than any of us imagined.

BigMe's Kickstarter page teased the Hibreak Dual 2, the "world's first 80FPS Large Dual-Screen E-Ink Smartphone." The company's tagline for the device slips in an interesting "unmatched power" statement, too. This device is reportedly "launching soon." Official launch dates have yet to be posted. However, BigMe states the Hibreak Dual 2 will feature a 6.1-inch color/BW E-Ink display and a 5-inch LCD.

This phone will arrive with Android 16, Stylus support, and MediaTek's Dimensity 8300 SoC. It adds that the phone's upcoming RAM storage variants will include 12/256GB and 16/512GB. BigMe published more details about the Hibreak Dual 2 on its store, stating it features a 50MP main camera and a 5MP selfie lens. NFC capabilities were highlighted, as well as facial recognition for phone security.

As BigMe stirs interest, a company team member went on Reddit to capture early user comments and feedback. BigMe acknowledges that, while there is interest, there is likely concern. BigMe states its goal with the Hibreak Dual 2 is to "create a phone that gives you both a comfortable E Ink screen for reading/writing and a smooth LCD for everything else. No more carrying two devices."

However, many users on Reddit voiced concerns over the phone's software and bloatware. BigMe has been active in the thread's comments, jotting down notes on user concerns.

Are these the right moves?

Hi everyone, I’m from the Bigme team. We’re bringing the Hibreak Dual 2 to Kickstarter soon, and we’d love to hear your honest thoughts. from r/Bigme

A dual-screen phone sounds cool, but its practicality was called into question. Android Central's Nicholas Sutrich covered the Hibreak Dual when it launched in April. That model, similar to what's been teased for its successor, features an E Ink display alongside an LCD. The goal is to give users options with their device, instead of walking around with two devices, as BigMe has also stated.

An E Ink display provides "superior readability" and is much more "eye-friendly," per Sutrich. The original features a 42Hz refresh rate for its E Ink display, which was the fastest on the market. This is nowhere as quick as other displays, but it's good for the E Ink sector, and now BigMe says it's taking that up a notch with the Dual 2. We're still waiting to hear more about this phone. One thing is certain: the Hibreak Dual 2 needs to do more than the original.

Sutrich didn't feel that BigMe did all that it could with the first model; however, this early glimpse at the Dual 2 seems like it's taken the steps it needs to for a much better experience.

Android Central's Take

This most certainly is an interesting device. I'd be lying if I said I didn't agree with the concerns people have on Reddit. Also, many users tried to sway BigMe in a different direction. Urging the brand to focus on devices that separate the experience, rather than melding them into one.

What you need to know

• Google posted the patch notes for an early July update that's rolling out better reliability, improved sports interactions, and visual refreshes for Gemini.
• The Home app gives better light control for two Walmart onn products, while also delivering "Suggested Automations" for users.
• In June, Google brought Pet Memory to users, improving how their smart home products perceive their pets walking around their home with personalized alerts.

Google's streak of smart home patches continues in July with key updates for the Home app and Gemini.

Gemini for Home is still in early access; however, that's not stopping Google from rolling out better assistance and conversational capabilities this week. Google announced improved visual layouts for weather forecasts and general knowledge answers from Gemini on smart displays. What's more, sports lovers are getting "more accurate and up-to-date" answers.

With the FIFA World Cup still going on, entering the quarterfinals round today (July 9), users receiving the patch can ask Gemini about schedules, team standings, and more. The other Gemini-centric update concerns "Continued Conversations." Google says it's making its AI "more reliable" with its responses to your follow-up questions and rapid-fire commands.

Outside of the AI scope, the Google Home is rolling out an important update for user automations. With v4.20, users are getting "Suggested Automations." We've heard about automation suggestions a few times in the past. Users will soon find "ready-made automations tailored to real-life tasks like home security, morning routines, or energy savings." Google states these suggestions can be found at the top of your Automations tab or below your scheduled automations.

A light button arrives in the app for onn Outdoor Camera Plug-in and onn Floodlight Camera Hardwired devices. While in camera view, users can toggle the light on and off for these devices. Additionally, older Nest cameras are receiving improvements to the setup process.

• We've resolved a problem that could cause your camera live stream to fail to refresh or resume after unlocking your mobile device
• We've optimized the camera live view to prevent slow performance during extended viewing sessions
• We've corrected the status display of smart door locks to ensure they are never shown with incorrect offline icons
• We've corrected an issue where the Face Match setup flow could abruptly exit during brief network interruptions
• We've resolved a fan control flickering issue when manually toggling your thermostat fan on and off
• We've resolved a crash that could occur when rotating your screen while organizing your favorite tiles
• We've resolved a visual issue where offline doorbell camera previews showed an unintended black border on Google TV

Reliable AI

Continued Conversations was a significant update for Gemini earlier this year. The purpose was to give Gemini better memory for conversations that haven't concluded. Users can converse with the AI, and it will keep its mic open for a few extra seconds in case there's more to add. The original update brought the core of this feature, and now Google is making the AI more reliable in this space.

In June, Pet Memory arrived for user smart home cameras. With Ask Home, users can ensure the AI knows their pet's name and type. Alerts that come through will be more accurate in this sense, as Google Home will say "Bandit is in the living room," instead of "dog is walking."

Android Central's Take

Anytime I see anything remotely related to sports, it has my attention. Beyond that, Gemini's reliability has been called into question before, and it's nice to see Google working on that. If Gemini is slow or causing you to repeat what you've said, that'd just cause headaches. No one wants that.

Call off the search: I've tracked down the best Garmin deals of July 2026 so you don't have to go searching. Sure, the offers in this guide aren't as good as the discounts we saw during Prime Day last month, but there are a few price drops that might surprise you. These include major discounts on the Vivoactive 5, Forerunner, and beyond.

Garmin has been producing some of the world's best fitness watches for years, with a bounty of options for every budget and skill level under the sun. These picks range from rugged wearables with military-grade durability to stylish devices that could easily be mistaken for a traditional smartwatch. Keep reading for all of my favorite discounts available right now, and don't forget to check back later to see what's new: I'll be updating this guide with new Garmin deals on a regular basis.

• Looking for more? Check out our guide to the best Garmin watches that money can buy.

What is the best Garmin watch to buy?

We consider the Venu 4 to be the best overall Garmin watch, largely because it has something for everyone without costing an exorbitant amount of cash. You get all of the latest health and fitness tracking technology, of course, but there's also support for voice commands, a built-in flashlight, an AMOLED display, and dual-band GPS. The Garmin Venu 4 also features a more smartwatch-esque design, which is nice for users who prefer something discreet over a bulky fitness watch.

That being said, despite its versatility, the Venu 4 is not necessarily the most powerful or feature-packed watch by Garmin. If you can afford it, the Garmin Fenix 8 is the best model for serious athletes, boasting fantastic battery life with an ultra-durable build and a comprehensive suite of accurate health and fitness tracking features.

• Smartwatch deals: Best Buy | Walmart | Amazon | Samsung | Dell

With memory prices going up all across the board, there has been some concern that the budget smartphone industry might be in danger. Fortunately, wireless carriers seem to be largely unaffected (for now), which means you can still find some amazing cheap Android phone deals if you know where to look. For instance, Verizon will give you the Google Pixel 10a for 100% free when you add a line with any of its standard unlimited plans. The carrier is even waiving the activation fee if you're a new customer (a $40 savings).

Sure, it's not unusual for the Big Three carrier to give away its phones for free, but most Verizon deals require a sign-up on one of the more expensive unlimited plans to enjoy the full savings. With this deal, the Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, AND Unlimited Ultimate plans are all eligible, making this offer a pretty inviting opportunity for new and existing Verizon users alike. 

The Google Pixel 10a is one of the best cheap Android phones we've ever used, coming complete with a gorgeous 6.3-inch pOLED display, large 5,100mAh battery with fast charging capabilities, and seven years of OS and security upgrades guaranteed. 

The phone's Tensor G4 chipset still punches well above its weight class (despite being last-gen), while the camera tech and onboard AI features make the overall experience of using the Pixel 10a almost indistinguishable from that of a modern flagship. 

There are still some issues, of course. Like I already mentioned, the phone wasn't a huge upgrade from its predecessor, and the lack of Qi2 support and limited AI software could make the Pixel 10a feel a bit dated if you're particularly stringent about that kind of thing.

Still, for 500 bucks, the Google Pixel 10a offers one of the best value propositions around, and a Verizon deal that makes the phone completely free seems like a no-brainer in this day and age.