Mobile Devices

When we first heard about a foldable iPhone, we thought we might finally get a screen that could repair itself after a scratch. Instead, Apple's first foldable iPhone, widely expected to cost more than $2,000, could also bring its priciest repair bill yet.

According to a Forbes report, Ricky Panesar, founder of repair specialist iCorrect.co.uk, estimates that replacing the device's inner foldable screen could cost around £850, or roughly $1,155. "I think we're going to see the most expensive repair prices from Apple of any handheld device we've seen in the past," Panesar said.

For comparison, an inner-screen replacement on the Galaxy Z Fold 8, which includes Samsung's newer crease-reducing Flex Titanium technology, currently costs £594, while the Z Fold 7 costs £569. Panesar expects Apple's version to land considerably higher than both.

Xiaomi has officially unveiled the XRing O3, its latest in-house flagship processor. Built on TSMC's 3nm N3P node, it is positioned as the world's first smartphone SoC to support next-generation LPDDR6 RAM. The chip packs 24 billion transistors, up from 19 billion on last year's XRing O1. Much of that extra silicon goes toward a larger 16MB SLC cache and a redesigned CPU.

The CPU now uses an all-big-core design, ditching efficiency cores entirely. It combines two ARM C1-Ultra cores running at up to 4.35GHz with four C1-Premium cores at 3.68GHz and four C1-Pro cores at 3.15GHz. Xiaomi claims Geekbench 6.5 scores of 3,945 single-core and 15,221 multi-core, representing 31% and 61% gains over the O1. That multi-core result reportedly even edges out Apple's M4 desktop chip, while the chip also scored more than 5.2 million in AnTuTu V11.

Graphics get a major upgrade too. The O3 uses a 16-core Mali-G2 Ultra NX GPU with dedicated neural cores for frame generation and upscaling. These features run directly within the GPU's cache hierarchy instead of sending data back and forth to system memory. Xiaomi claims this delivers 85% higher graphics performance, 182% better ray tracing, and 64% lower power consumption compared with the O1.

Samsung appears to be preparing its biggest design shift in years for the Galaxy S27 series, according to a wave of leaks. The changes reportedly centre on the Galaxy S27 Ultra. Samsung is said to be moving away from its long-running vertical, individually cut camera lens layout in favour of a raised horizontal camera plateau that spans the width of the device. The new design would closely resemble the approach Apple introduced with the iPhone 17 Pro lineup.

Leaked CAD renders show two large circular lenses grouped on the left side, alongside a separate pill-shaped section that appears to house a third lens and the LED flash. The setup suggests Samsung could be dropping the Ultra's secondary telephoto lens this generation in favour of an upgraded 50MP 5x periscope module. If true, that would trim the rear camera array from four sensors down to three.

Notably, this same camera bar design was previously rumoured for the cancelled Galaxy S26 Edge, suggesting Samsung may be reviving an existing design rather than starting from scratch. Beyond aesthetics, the raised camera module could also bring some practical benefits.

Google has announced and launched a wide range of new hardware, led by the new Pixel 11 Series that includes the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, and Pixel 11 Pro XL. With annual releases being the norm for Google's Pixel lineup, the big hardware upgrades with the new Pixel 11 Series include camera improvements and the new Google Tensor G6 chip, which runs the company's latest Gemini Nano model. The company notes that the Pixel 11 Series was designed for Gemini Intelligence and the new camera experience.

One brand-new feature available on the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL is called HiLight. This is something that we haven't seen before, and it uses the flashlight's LED to minimize having to pick up and look at your phone. Basically, it's an RGB LED that doubles as a notification beacon, letting you know whether you've got a new email, someone specific is calling, or a new message. The color-coded HiLight is also integrated with Gemini to let you know when it's "listening, thinking, or responding."

The physical design looks familiar to previous generation Pixel phones, but there are some notable upgrades. One of which is an overhauled camera bar, whose thickness on the baseline Pixel 11 has been reduced by 40%. Outside of new colorways, another major upgrade for the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL comes with their displays. Google notes that they feature the company's "brightest-ever Super Actua display," with an impressive peak brightness of 3,600 nits.

Qualcomm has confirmed it will raise prices across its product lineup starting September 1, CEO Cristiano Amon announced during the company's fiscal Q3 2026 earnings call. The move makes Qualcomm the latest hardware company to raise prices as soaring memory costs and AI-driven demand continue to push component prices higher across the industry.

"Cost went up, prices are going to go up," Amon told CNBC. The exact size of the increase has not been disclosed, although Bloomberg reports that the hikes are expected to be in the double-digit percentage range. Qualcomm framed the decision as a broad-based supply chain response during the earnings call, saying, "The semiconductor industry is experiencing a broad-based increase in input costs, across wafer fabrication, assembly, test, advanced packaging, memory and other materials."

While Qualcomm cited rising costs across the entire manufacturing stack, Amon was more direct about memory being the primary near-term driver. "Consumer preference within the premium category is changing towards a preference to the lower end of the premium, as well as to last year's phone, because of the memory price increases," Amon said. Qualcomm's response is to protect its margins by passing those costs downstream rather than absorbing them.

Apple is preparing to announce a new way for consumers to get the company's products into their hands, as Bloomberg reporter and renowned Apple insider Mark Gurman has shared prices for what Apple is planning to offer.

Gurman reported last week that Apple is preparing to announce "Apple Upgrade," a new leasing program designed to make its hardware more accessible to a wider range of people by dramatically lowering the cost of entry to select Apple hardware.

Apple will be partnering with Klarna to provide the service, and it will offer consumers leases on iPhones, Apple Watches, Macs, and iPads for 36 months. At the end of the agreed-upon term, Apple will let users choose if they wish to keep the device and pay off any remainder, return it to the company, or upgrade to a newer model.

The foldable iPhone is no longer a mystery (kind of), and if the leaks and rumors are anything to go by, Apple's upcoming device will look eerily similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 8. Based on leaked case models and rumored specs, Apple's first foldable is shaping up to be a direct competitor to Samsung's latest flagship, but with some differentiating factors worth knowing about.

The most immediate takeaway? Price. According to the Apple Hub, the rumored foldable iPhone could cost around $600 more than the Galaxy Z Fold 8 for what appear to be nearly identical specifications. However, it should be noted that the specifications in the above image aren't confirmed by Apple, and various rumors have been floating around citing different specifications, such as the latest being that the iPhone Fold will have] a 7.8-inch inner screen versus the previously rumored 7.6-inch.

However, what does line up is the 5.5-inch outer display, along with various other specifications, such as the titanium frame, Touch ID, 4.5mm unfolded thickness, camera hole punch-out, battery capacity, and RAM (on the base model). Both are expected to pack high-end processors and have very premium build materials. However, Samsung's foldable lineup has been iterating for years, while Apple will be entering into the space for the very first time.

Apple is preparing a new way for people to access its pedigree of devices, as a new report from Bloomberg reporter and renowned Apple insider Mark Gurman has revealed the "Apple Upgrade" service, a new leasing program designed to make its hardware more accessible to a wider range of people.

Partnering with Klarna, Apple's new program will allow users to lease iPhones and Apple Watches for 24 months, and Macs and iPads for 36 months. At the end of the term, users can choose to keep the device, pay off the remainder, return it to the company, or upgrade to a newer model. The service is structured like any other subscription, and aims to shift device ownership from a one-time purchase to a recurring, more manageable expense, which translates to Apple having more of its products in more people's hands.

Apple's upcoming service comes at a time when the company recently increased its hardware prices across its lineup, excluding the iPhone. With the leasing option, the company is trying to maintain demand among users who might otherwise delay or skip an upgrade, or see the price increase as the breaking point for an upgrade they otherwise would have purchased if it were the original or a lower price. The partnership with Klarna also signals Apple's willingness to experiment with new financial models to stay competitive in a tightening consumer market.

Apple already has a packed hardware lineup expected this fall, headlined by the debut of its first foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 series, as well as new Apple Watch and Mac models. Now, Apple fans may have another upgrade to look forward to, with Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reporting that the company is preparing to launch a new iPad mini with an OLED display as early as October.

It would be the most significant refresh the iPad mini has received since its full redesign in 2021, and the first time Apple brings OLED technology to its smallest tablet. OLED means richer colours, higher contrast, and true blacks compared to the LCD display on the current model.

The new iPad mini, codenamed J510, is said to feature an 8.4-inch LTPS panel with hybrid OLED, a slight increase in size over the current 8.3-inch screen. However, one thing it will not get is ProMotion, with other leaks suggesting the display will remain at a fixed 60Hz refresh rate. On the chip side, the new model is rumoured to run either an A19 Pro or A20, a significant jump from the A17 Pro in the current generation.

Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 series will use a new foldable display technology that will finally fix the crease visibility. The company is calling it "Flex Titanium", a new display technology for its next generation of foldable devices, ahead of Galaxy Unpacked on July 22. Samsung says the tech is the culmination of everything that the company has learned over seven generations of foldables.

Flex Titanium is built around two titanium-based components to improve strength, flexibility, and slimness. The first component is a titanium-alloy film that sits beneath the OLED panel. Samsung says it offers 20 times greater mechanical stiffness than the polymer films used in previous designs while measuring less than 30% the thickness of a human hair.

The second component is a titanium plate positioned below the film, which eliminates air gaps between the display module and its adhesive using what Samsung describes as advanced hole-processing technology. Micro-patterned holes in the plate's folding section allow it to remain sufficiently flexible for repeated folding while providing more stable support when the device is open.

Hisense just dropped a phone that feels like a throwback, but with a modern twist, and while it is admittedly not for the general consumer, the A10 looks like it will be thoroughly enjoyed by those who wish to distance themselves from technology but don't want to sever their connection entirely.

The Hisense A10 is an E Ink smartphone with a detachable color LCD screen that you can snap on and off at will, with reports citing an insider who said the detachable magnetic screen might not be included with the phone and will be sold separately. It's a novel approach to the screen, and certainly a bold design choice.

The A10's main display is a 6.13-inch E Ink panel, which offers the low-power, glare-free benefits that make e-readers so appealing. But the real highlight is the magnetic color LCD on the back, which can be used for video, apps, and anything that requires color and motion. The two screens communicate, though Hisense hasn't explained how. I suppose if the color screen is sold separately, it would mean the A10 has modular phone add-ons.

The PocketMage is a modern reimagining of the classic PDA, a unique handheld device that blends E Ink and OLED displays with a tactile QWERTY keyboard, but all within an adorable form factor.

Developed by Talisman Design, the PocketMage features a 3.1-inch E Ink display paired with a compact OLED strip above a physical keyboard. This dual-display setup allows for low-power note-taking on the E Ink side while enabling faster interaction with the OLED, and a splash of modern technological shine. The device runs on a proprietary operating system, described as "wizard-themed", making it certainly a unique offering in a space predominantly dominated by smartphones.

The resurgence of PDA-like devices taps into a growing appetite for minimalist computing, a growing reaction to the overstimulation of smartphones, and the general transition to a more digitized daily life. The trend of reducing technology has popped up in numerous forms, such as barebones smartphones like the Nothing Phone, or apps designed to reduce screentime by locking users out of social apps.

Apple's iPhone 18 Pro Max is on track to cost significantly more to build than the current iPhone 17 Pro Max, with component costs expected to rise by nearly $300. Counterpoint Research has published a detailed breakdown of the next iPhone's bill of materials, highlighting a sharp increase in key parts, and the cause of the price increase is the demand from AI companies.

NAND and DRAM price hikes are the primary cost drivers. Counterpoint notes that the costs for these memory components alone could nearly equal the total bill of materials of the current model. Both NAND and DRAM industries are currently in a crisis as demand cannot keep up with supply, and current supply is being directed toward the AI industry, driving up the cost of the components.

Another factor contributing to the expected price increase is the new 2nm SoC and advanced packaging. Display and other parts are expected to see cost reductions, but camera costs will rise due to the new variable-aperture Main camera.

Samsung has officially confirmed that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 will be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. The confirmation comes via a Weibo post that teased a "brand-new form factor" for what is expected to be a new trio of foldables.

The Samsung announcement aligns with earlier reports that the new generation of foldables will be adopting Qualcomm's latest chipset. Alongside the Fold 8, Samsung will also unveil the Z Fold 8 Ultra and Z Flip 8 at its Galaxy Unpacked event on July 22 in London. The company has already begun teasing the event across multiple platforms, including Instagram and Weibo, with content that strongly suggests the Fold 8 is getting the top-tier Qualcomm chip.

This move signals a continued seemingly exponential partnership between Samsung and Qualcomm, with the chipset maker now exclusively powering Samsung's mainstream foldables in both the US and Chinese markets. While the Fold 8 Ultra is also expected to use the same processor, the Flip 8 instead reportedly uses Samsung's own Exynos 2600 chipset.

Apple's rumored foldable iPhone is now in full mass production and appears to be on track for a September 2026 launch, according to multiple reports citing sources who spoke with individuals working on the supply chain.

The device, widely referred to as the iPhone Ultra or iPhone Fold, has passed key production hurdles and is moving toward large-scale assembly.

Chinese outlet Cailian Press and others confirm that Apple has locked the design and is working with Foxconn to scale up production, including a hiring push to meet demand. Despite earlier reports of hinge and yield issues, sources say these have been largely resolved, with the foldable iPhone expected to debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models later this year.

Elon Musk is reportedly working on a secretive new AI-powered device from SpaceX, and the way it differentiates itself from current smartphones is already raising more questions than it answers.

According to a recent Wall Street Journal report, SpaceX has been demoing a sleek, iPhone-like handheld device to investors, featuring a proprietary operating system and AI capabilities powered by Musk's xAI division.

The device, described as "slimmer than an iPhone," was reportedly shown ahead of the company's extremely successful IPO. The leak has already sparked speculation about SpaceX's foray into consumer hardware, following Musk's previous comments denying that SpaceX is developing a smartphone.

The iPhone may have played a major role in the decline of U.S. fertility rates since 2007, according to a new study. A research paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research suggests the device accounted for up to 52% of the drop in births between 2007 and 2011.

The study used Apple's early exclusivity with telecommunications carrier AT&T to examine iPhone-specific data, and compared birth rates in regions with higher AT&T adoption to those with higher Verizon adoption. The researchers found a strong correlation between rising iPhone ownership and declining birth rates, particularly among teens and young adults. However, the paper also notes that older generations had correlating declining birth rates in line with iPhone adoption within those demographics.

Furthermore, the study noted a shift in social behavior as being one of the causes of declining birth rates, pointing to reduced in-person social time and increased pornography consumption due to smartphone adoption. The researchers acknowledge that the iPhone is not the sole cause of the fertility decline, as there are many factors at play, with a main one being that as individuals begin to earn more or become more educated, they tend to have fewer children.

Nothing has confirmed that the successor to its CMF Phone 2 Pro will not be launching this year, with the company pointing directly at skyrocketing memory prices as the reason. Nothing co-founder Akis Evangelidis broke the news on X.

"We were working on a successor but with memory prices where they are right now, we can't build a phone that feels like a genuine step forward at a price that makes sense for CMF. As a result, we've decided not to launch a new CMF phone this year."

To put the price impact in perspective, the CMF Phone 2 Pro launched in the US in 2025 at $279, with the base model starting at around Rs. 18,999, roughly $200, in India. Evangelidis said that launching the exact same hardware today would push the price to somewhere between $318 and $370, before accounting for any actual hardware upgrades a true successor would need.

Although tablets have evolved over time with more advanced processors, improved displays, and lighter form factors, the overall functionality hasn't really changed. And really, you could boil the options down to two categories: Apple's iPad devices running iOS and everything else running Android. However, Lenovo's new surprisingly affordable Tab Plus Gen 2 tablet is different from anything else we've seen because it's a tablet and portable Bluetooth speaker in one.

Partnering with the audio experts at JBL, the Tab Plus Gen 2 includes an integrated JBL 9-unit Pro speaker system with Dolby Atmos support, a nine-speaker system that's essentially a portable Bluetooth speaker mounted to the back of the tablet. And the Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 features a dedicated Bluetooth speaker mode so it can function as a standalone speaker in addition to being a 12.1-inch tablet.

And to support the dual nature of the device and using the speaker for watching movies, streaming shows, or listening to music, the Tab Plus Gen 2 features an integrated 360-degree kickstand that can support multiple portrait and landscape orientations. And you get a custom carrying sleeve for portability and transport.

Commodore is launching a retro flip phone which very definitely isn't a smartphone, but isn't a dumb phone either - it strikes a balance between old and new.

Or as Commodore puts it, the Callback 8020 (as spotted by Tom's Hardware) is the "not dumb dumbphone", a mobile which doesn't have a touchscreen - it really is a traditional flip-open handset - and dispenses with a browser, while completely doing away with social media.

Installing those apps (and other email or work-related software) is blocked on this device, and doom-scrolling is a thing of the past here. ("Less scroll, more soul" is another soundbite that's aired, and Commodore's marketing department has plenty of these - they're pretty catchy, too).