What you need to know

• Snap revealed its upcoming SPECS smart glasses in full this midweek, stating they are available for pre-order for $2,196 in the U.S. ahead of a late fall launch.
• SPECS browser lets users stream content from HBO Max and YouTube, as well as music from Spotify and educational content.
• The glasses offer in-display real-time translation with subtitles and directions while walking in big cities, with Tripadvisor for finding food and landmarks.
• The Snap SPECS are preparing to launch in the U.S., U.K., and France.

Snap's new smart glasses, SPECS, are finally here. For the time being, pre-orders are open, but Snap is getting candid about everything in its human-centric computing glasses.

Snap announced an "all-new experience" coming to the growing world of smart glasses with SPECS. These glasses are reportedly "built around how you interact with the world, and the AI-native operating system is designed to help you get things done through natural interactions using your hands and voice." To get us going, Snap says SPECS are designed for work and play—and we're starting with play.

The SPECS browser lets users stream content from YouTube, HBO Max, and more on a virtual 115-inch display, placed roughly 10 ft away. Thanks to an HBO Max partnership, Snap says it's bringing the world of Harry Potter to SPECS in time for the HBO Original Series Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, premiering on Christmas. Elsewhere, work with the NBA and WNBA will bring "interactive basketball experiences" to SPECS users.

Watching sports or shows and movies isn't all the SPECS is good for. Snap says you can also listen to your favorite tunes with Spotify. Additionally, learning is made easier with an "interactive recreation" of the Apollo 11 moon mission.

For your day-to-day, Snap says SPECS offers several AR experiences. With "Translation," you'll find real-time, in-display subtitles (supports 60 languages). "Navigation" provides similar assistance, and Tripadvisor helps users find places to eat, landmarks, and more. The Shopify Catalog is another feature that brings 3D products right into your vision, placeable in the space around you.

"Connected Lens" is a feature that lets two SPECS users "share digital experiences in the same physical space." What's more, since Snap is the parent company of Snapchat, you'll find an experience that fits the smart glasses space. Privacy is another aspect that Snap states it takes seriously. It says its glasses do not record the world around you, nor do they constantly capture and save audio.

There's even more to unpack about the Snap SPECS. For now, you can pre-order the glasses for $2,195 with a $200 refundable deposit at SPECS.com. Shipping is expected to begin later this fall in the U.S., the U.K., and France.

However, if you're feeling hesitant, you can look forward to a trip to Los Angeles on October 1 and visit SPECS First Look at Westfield Century City. Hands-on demos and a meet-and-greet with the SPECS team will await you there. Snap adds that the SPECS glasses have been equipped with a new Charging Case with Cellular. Sold separately, this provides "four additional charges and offers cellular connectivity through participating wireless carriers."

To get this done in the U.S., Snap partnered with Verizon for a Connected Case bundle at $2,395. It adds, "Verizon will offer eligible customers financing options, including a 36 month payment plan. Connected Wearable data plans are available from $10/month for Verizon customers and from $20/month for non-Verizon customers."

AI that anticipates

AI is a feature that ties the Snap SPECS together. According to the post, SPECS Intelligence is an "anticipatory" AI platform that "builds an understanding of your goals, priorities, relationships, and routines from the apps and tools you choose." The point of SPECS Intelligence is not only to help you reach your goals, but to know and be proactive about your assistance.

Snap states that this AI platform was built to "anticipate when help would be useful and surface relevant information and actions at the right moment." This would replace the need for users to constantly have to prompt the AI to do something or fetch something. This platform is useful with your connected data and the physical world. Snap states SPECS Intelligence can bring "relevant information" directly into view while outside.

SPECS Intelligence will work with iPhone, Mac, and, of course, the glasses. Beginning today (Sept. 16), users can download the iOS SPECS app and try SPECS Intelligence. There is also a waitlist that you can join for the AI platform within the app "for invitation-only early access to the fuller SPECS Intelligence experience on Mac."

What you need to know

• Meta is reportedly developing Luna smart glasses without a camera, with a launch possible as soon as next month.
• Luna will reportedly feature six microphones, six speakers, and a dedicated button for quickly accessing Meta AI.
• Meta is also developing Phoenix AR glasses with virtual workspaces and movie screens, reportedly coming in 2027.

Meta is reportedly preparing to enter a slightly different category of the smart glasses market with a new pair that doesn't have any cameras.

Smart glasses have faced plenty of scrutiny over the past few months, and privacy has always been one of the biggest concerns surrounding models with built-in cameras. Meta has taken several steps recently to prevent users from tampering with the capture LED and secretly recording people, but the privacy concerns and perception around camera-equipped smart glasses still remain.

Now, it looks like Meta is preparing an alternative for people who want smart glasses without the camera. According to a report from The Information, Meta is developing a new pair of camera-free smart glasses and could begin shipping them as soon as next month.

The new model will reportedly be called Luna and could be unveiled at the Connect developer conference next week. The glasses are expected to be available in two designs, called Clubmaster and Burbank.

While Luna won't have a camera, it will still pack plenty of hardware for accessing Meta AI. The glasses will reportedly feature six microphones and six speakers aimed at the user's ears. This will allow users to talk directly with Meta's AI chatbot without pulling out their phone.

The glasses are also expected to retain a dedicated button on the side for quick access to Meta AI.

Removing the camera will reportedly allow Meta to slim down Luna considerably. The new model is expected to look and feel much closer to a conventional pair of glasses, which could make them more appealing to people who don't necessarily want the bulk or privacy concerns that come with camera-equipped smart glasses.

Luna isn't the only new pair of glasses Meta is reportedly working on, though. The company is also developing its own augmented reality glasses, reportedly called Phoenix.

Meta is reportedly preparing a major demo of Phoenix that could show us a different way of video calling. The glasses will reportedly be capable of displaying virtual workspaces and large virtual movie screens. Phoenix is still further away, though, with the AR glasses currently expected to arrive sometime in 2027.

Two years ago, I had the privilege of going hands-on with Meta Orion glasses. It was the first time I'd used a pair of AR glasses that didn't feel like a massively compromised experience, and while they weren't quite ready for prime time, I knew a proper consumer version wasn't far off.

Sure enough, Meta debuted Ray-Ban Display glasses at last year's Meta Connect show in September. They're not quite the full vision Orion showed me was possible, but they made the right concessions to deliver good-looking frames at a good price.

Now, a year later, I'm asking the question: have they been worth it, and should you buy them, or should you wait for the next big release?

What can Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses do?

Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses retail for $799 and are available at stores like Best Buy, where you can stop in and try a pair on. These support a narrow prescription range, so be sure to get your prescription filled when you order, since the lenses can't be easily swapped out after ordering.

Ray-Ban Display glasses feature a display in the right lens only to reduce weight and battery use. This is a full-color display and doesn't have the warping or light bleed found in similar glasses like Even Realities G2 or MemoMind One. The sophisticated lenses and displays are a hallmark of Meta's glasses and a major difference from the competition.

I spoke with Lumus, the manufacturer of the waveguide displays Meta uses, to better understand how the tech works. In a nutshell, these full-color optics are built for privacy and clarity. People cannot see your display, even if they put their face right up to the outside of your glasses.

Meta's software is also substantially more robust and mature than any other smart glasses platform I've used to date. It integrates directly with popular fitness services like Garmin and Strava, and supports all of Meta's apps and services, like WhatsApp and Instagram.

Viewing Instagram feeds on the display is novel, though it's a bit visually tiring since the display is in only one lens. You'll never have an issue seeing things since the display gets so bright (yes, even in direct sunlight), but the monocular vision can be very jarring for some tasks.

Reading messages, navigating, checking notifications, and controlling music are all perfect examples of how this hardware shines. Even taking pictures with the built-in viewfinder feels like a major step-up from Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 glasses, which have no display and can only give you audio feedback.

Like those glasses, Ray-Ban Display also has built-in microphones and speakers and can do everything those can do (plus more). The camera quality is excellent, and you can even zoom in using the camera viewfinder, which isn't something supported on non-display Meta AI glasses.

Updates and apps make all the difference

When Meta launched Ray-Ban Display last year, it very much felt like a beta product. The glasses had tons of promise, but the vision clearly wasn't complete. It didn't even ship with the handwriting recognition feature that Mark Zuckerberg proudly showed off on stage at last year's Connect.

One year later, Display not only has that and every other promised feature, but it also sports some fresh features Meta didn't initially show off. My favorite feature addition so far is app support, but this comes with a big caveat. Apps all require smartphone connectivity to work, and you'll need to add them through a beta UI panel on the Meta AI app on your phone.

The easiest way to find them is the Meta Glasses Apps website, which gives you a QR code you can scan with your phone to get it quickly added to your glasses app list.

The problem with the current crop of apps is that only 26 are available. Clearly, Meta is having just as hard a time convincing developers to make content for these glasses as it did convincing the same developers to make 2D apps for its Quest headsets.

And that's really the core problem with Meta Ray-Ban Display Glasses. While Meta has proven itself time and time again to deliver incredible support and regular updates to its excellent hardware products, the company continues to have a difficult time courting developers for its ecosystems.

The band is still the best (and worst) part

Meta's Neural Band, which is required to interact with most of Ray-Ban Display's UI, is truly brilliant. The band is vitally important to the experience because you can interact with the glasses without pointing or holding your hand in the air. Keep your hands in your pockets, if you like, or just leave them in your lap. It's effortless and brilliant.

The degree of control it delivers over the floating glasses UI is astounding, and the haptic feedback you receive with each interaction is paramount to making the glasses feel like a more authentic experience. It's essentially the touchscreen of the smart glasses world.

The band is ultra-responsive and never misses a beat. You interact with the glasses' UI through gestures the band picks up, understanding the nuances of muscle movement and electrical signals. The first time you respond to a message by writing with your fingers or adjust music volume by turning an invisible nob is going to blow your mind.

I'm someone who dislikes wearing watches all day because they irritate my wrist, especially when I'm writing, but Meta's comfortable cloth construction feels different.

However, the worst part about needing the Neural Band is that you have to remember to charge it. Battery life is slightly longer than the glasses, but you'll still need to charge it once per day.

Like most smartwatches, this one uses a bespoke charger that doesn't work with anything else. That also means that if you lose the charger (like I did), you won't be able to use your glasses until you find the charger or buy a new one.

Should you buy it?

The short answer is no; most people should not buy these glasses. While they represent a big step up in capability compared to standard Meta AI glasses, there simply aren't enough reasons for the average person to spend twice the amount of money (or more) on them versus a pair without a display.

I love what Meta built here and think it's a great template for upcoming smart glasses that will inevitably be lighter, have thinner frames, better battery life, and more functionality. For now, though, these are an amazing tech toy that's perfect for

Foldable phones are clearly having a moment, and if you're gearing up to buy your first-ever clamshell device, there's one T-Mobile deal that you simply must know about. Add a line with the Experience Beyond plan and the carrier will hook you up with enough promo credits to make the excellent Motorola Razr Plus (2026) completely free! That's like getting $1,100 back over 36 months, no trade-in required.

Even if you don't want to sign up for T-Mobile's top-tier Experience Beyond plan, the carrier is guaranteeing $600 off with 'most plans' on its website, plus there are some trade-in opportunities available if you'd rather go that route. The Motorola Razr Plus (2026) is one of the best foldable phones I've ever used, and now you can get your own for free with very little hassle. Why wait for the iPhone Duo when Motorola already has a tried-and-tested device like this?

• See my guide to the best T-Mobile deals of September 2026

✅ Recommended if: you want a balanced flip phone with a sleek, sophisticated design, snappy performance, and impressive camera tech; you're a heavy data user looking for a new phone plan.

❌ Skip this deal if: you're looking for a cheap phone plan; you can afford the Motorola Razr Ultra (2026); you're interested in a book-style foldable phone like the Razr Fold, Z Fold 8, or iPhone Duo.

Motorola has been making flip phones for years, and while it didn't release a book-style foldable until May 2026, the success of the company's long-running Razr series proves that no other OEM understands the folding hinge quite like Moto. The Razr Plus (2026) is a culmination of everything Motorola has learned from producing these devices, boasting a durable titanium-reinforced hinge, two stunning AMOLED displays, and a larger battery than ever before.

The phone also boasts a solid Snapdragon processor, 12GB of RAM, and five years of software updates guaranteed. True, it's not as powerful as the Motorola Razr Ultra (2026), but if you've ever used the Razr Plus (2024) or Razr Plus (2025), you'll recognize the 2026 version as a true refinement of everything that made past generations so great. At a starting retail price of $1,099.99, Razr Plus (2026) is also cheaper than both the Razr Ultra (2026) and Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 8.

The Experience Beyond plan, for its part, comes with unlimited talk, text, and premium data on T-Mobile's vast 5G network, plus you get a ton of international benefits and an unlimited mobile hotspot. The unlimited plan even comes with early device upgrades and free streaming subscriptions to Hulu and Netflix. Experience Beyond starts at $105/month for a single line, although you can make the monthly cost significantly cheaper by adding multiple lines and using AutoPay/paperless billing.

What you need to know

• Boox launched three new ePaper tablets today (Sept 16), starting with the 10.3-inch HD color ePaper Note Air6 C.
• The company is also expanding its Note series with the 8.5-inch Note Mini C and its next Palma, the Palma 3 with a redesigned premium frame.
• The Note Air6 C is available now for $579, while the Mini C and Palma 3 are "coming soon," those will start at $579 and $339, respectively.

Onyx Boox launched a trio of ePaper tablets today (Sept. 16), just in time for the chillier months. Each tablet features a built-in front light, capable of reading in any situation.

This morning, Boox detailed its press release for the Note Air6 C, Palma 3, and the Note Mini C. Reading and writing are the hallmarks of these tablets, and we're beginning with the Boox Note Air6 C. "Available now," the Note Air6 C continues what Boox states is its "most popular series." Consumers will find a 10.3-inch HD color ePaper display with a 4nm octa-core processor and "Dual Tone" to adjust the screen's warm and cooler tones for a softer eye experience.

The tactile writing experience is something Boox reiterates as a positive note from many Air C-series consumers. The Air6 C delivers that with a native Notes app with Outline, Tag, and Search tools. This Notes app features a "Dual Note" feature, letting consumers open two separate notes "horizontally or vertically." What's more, Boox states the tablet fully supports Android 16 and the Google Play Store.

Reading is another major highlight for Boox tablets. The post states it delivers a "40% reduction in page turn speed compared to its predecessor," thanks to its BSR technology. Additionally, the tablet offers 6GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and includes the Boox Pen3 stylus.

The Boox Note Air6 C is available today for $579. The tablet will become available on Amazon soon.

On the other hand, we have two more ePaper tablets that are "launching soon." The first is another addition to the Boox Note series: the Note Mini C.

This smaller, 8.5-inch color ePaper display reportedly balances "portability and readability." Boox spoke highly of its one-handed use in its overview of the tablet. With the smaller size, Boox says it has kept its PDF legibility intact for users. The included InkSight Magnetic Active Stylus has been redesigned with a side button and a stronger magnetic connection.

Boox made sure to provide the Note Mini C with the same front-light treatment. It states the tablet features "Dual-Tone" adjustable warm and cool tones. This should provide an easy-on-the-eye experience, especially when using the device for prolonged periods.

BSR technology assists the Mini C's lag-free scrolling for documents and websites. Android 16 and access to the Play Store are included as well. Once the Mini C arrives, consumers can utilize its 6/64GB configuration and 3,150mAh battery.

Boox states the Note Mini C will "launch soon" for $579 in the U.S., with Amazon availability to follow.

The Palma series gets another

If we're talking portability and the one-handed experience, it's hard not to mention Boox's Palma series. Luckily for consumers, the Palma 3 was announced this morning.

The Palma 3 features a 6.1-inch ePaper display. Boox adds that it's improved the screen with "deeper blacks and higher contrast." However, the Palma 3's redesigned frame is also earning attention. According to the post, Boox integrated "fine stationary" tactility. It replaced the plastic body with anodized aluminum to emulate a more premium feel. The fiber-glass back panel reinforces that ambition of a premium ePaper tablet.

The Palma 3 also features the "Dual Tone" front light tech for warm and cooler tones, alongside an Ambient Light Sensor. Boox says this sensor will adjust the device's brightness depending on your surroundings. Similar to the other two devices launched today, the Palma 3 features Android 16 and Google Play Store support.

Other specs include 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The 3,950mAh battery is said to provide "days of deep reading" on a single charge.

The Boox Palma 3 will launch soon for $339.

Amazon has confirmed that its next Prime Big Deal Days sale event will occur on October 6th and 7th, but you don't need to wait to score an incredible Google Pixel phone deal. For a limited time, the retailer is slashing $200 off the unlocked Google Pixel 10 Pro, knocking the price of the last-gen flagship down to just $799. That makes it $100 cheaper than the base model Google Pixel 11 and $300 cheaper than the new Pixel 11 Pro!

Some folks may be hesitant to purchase a last-gen smartphone, even at a discount, but I can confidently say that the Google Pixel 10 Pro still holds its own against the best Android phones on the market. That said, there are a few drawbacks that you should consider before taking the leap. Is this Pixel 10 Pro deal right for you? Let's break it down.

• Prime Big Deal Days returns Oct 6-7: see the 20+ best early deals available now

The Pixel 10 Pro boasts a gorgeous 6.3-inch pOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, while under the hood you get 16GB of RAM, an efficient Tensor G5 chipset, and all of the versatile AI-boosted camera tech that Google is known for. The phone also got a boost to its battery life compared to its predecessor, plus you'll enjoy faster charging speeds with Qi2 magnetic charging support.

So what's the catch? Well, with Big Deal Days and Black Friday just around the corner, there's a good chance that the price of the Pixel 10 Pro will dip even further in the coming weeks. That said, there's an equally good chance that the Pixel 10 Pro will completely sell out before that time.

If you've been interested in this particular phone for a while, I'd take your chances and place the order today. The Pixel 10 Pro is a great device, after all, and the six remaining software updates ensure that the phone won't feel obsolete any time soon. If, on the other hand, you're simply looking for a great Pixel phone and you're in no hurry to make a purchase, it might be worth waiting a bit to see what the fall sale season has in store for the Pixel 11 lineup.

What you need to know

• Samsung has started the stable One UI 9 update for the Galaxy S26 series, beginning in South Korea before expanding to other markets.
• One UI 9 brings features like My FanCam and more customizable Now Brief cards to the Galaxy S26 lineup.
• Samsung released seven beta builds over nearly five months, giving it time to fix bugs and refine the software.

Samsung has officially started the One UI 9 update rollout for the Galaxy S26 series, nearly five months after the company kicked off beta testing in May. The stable update for the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra began rolling out in South Korea on September 16 and is now being released in other regions as well.

The test drive of the software wasn’t exactly a quick preview. Samsung released seven beta versions before moving to the finished release, allowing it to have several rounds of feedback and bug fixes to go through. The September security patch is, as expected, included with the stable release.

One UI 9 also includes some Galaxy AI features that first appeared on Samsung’s latest foldables. For example, one is the My FanCam feature, which can keep a chosen person in focus while automatically reframing video for different aspect ratios, while Now Brief gets customizable cards and expanded security and privacy information.

Samsung is also adding Now Nudge for more contextual suggestions and improvements to Interpreter, Document Scan, Voice Recorder summaries, and device care. Security Brief can find and surface warnings around malware, unknown apps, and unnecessary permissions, and on-device AI is able to identify potential privacy risks.

What’s interesting is how One UI 9 is moving away from a singular headline feature and is instead becoming more about tying Samsung’s AI, camera, and security tools into everyday tasks. That could make the update feel more substantial in daily use than the visual changes alone would suggest.

Samsung says One UI 9 will be available to more Galaxy phones and tablets, so international users should keep an eye on Settings > Software update > Download and install as the rollout expands to other markets.

What you need to know

• Samsung's OneDrive Gallery integration is ending soon, but Google Photos appears ready to take its place.
• A new Gallery Cloud Sync service has appeared on the Galaxy Store with support for backing up to Google Photos.
• Samsung hasn't announced the Google Photos integration yet, but it could start rolling out within weeks.

Samsung has started laying the groundwork for what appears to be the replacement for its outgoing OneDrive integration, and unsurprisingly, it's Google Photos.

Earlier this year, Samsung announced that users would no longer be able to use OneDrive to back up photos and videos directly through the Samsung Gallery app. Until now, Galaxy users have been able to automatically sync their Gallery photos and videos with OneDrive without needing to use another app or service.

However, that partnership is coming to an end later this month. And now, Samsung appears to be preparing its replacement with none other than Google Photos.

X user Sandeep Adap has spotted a new Samsung service called "Gallery Cloud Sync" on the Galaxy Store, which appears to be designed to take over from the existing Gallery OneDrive Sync integration. The app listing says Gallery Cloud Sync will safely back up your memories, including photos and videos, to "Google Cloud" so you can access them across your devices.

The mention of Google Cloud might sound slightly confusing, but it appears Samsung is actually referring to Google Photos here.

User That Josh Guy on X was able to preview the upcoming functionality, which isn't live just yet, and found that Samsung Gallery will offer an option to sync directly with Google. The Gallery settings will reportedly show your available Google storage, let you choose which albums to sync, and offer controls to sync over Wi-Fi or while roaming.

This could be a big change if you currently rely on OneDrive for Samsung Gallery backups, since you'll likely need to switch to Google Photos. That said, the overall experience should remain pretty similar, with the sync controls still built directly into the Gallery app.

The OneDrive sync option has already started disappearing from Samsung Gallery for some users and is expected to be discontinued completely later this month. Thankfully, Samsung's upcoming Google Photos integration looks like it could be an even more natural replacement.

Samsung hasn't officially announced Galaxy Cloud Sync or started rolling out the Google Photos integration just yet. But with OneDrive support ending soon, we expect the new option to become available sometime later this month or in early October.

If you need a headset to use at work, Bose's QuietComfort Ultra Gen II and the Sony WH-1000XM6 are undoubtedly good choices. I prefer the Bose because of its comfort and sound quality, and it is the headset I use while traveling.

But I found out recently that there is a better choice: Jabra's Evolve3 85. It is positioned as a work headset, but it does so much more; I used it for the better part of three months now, and I'm convinced that it is better than what Bose and Sony have to offer. Coming in at $475, it is on the higher end of the scale, but it has meaningful advantages over its immediate rivals.

Let's start with the design. The Evolve3 85 is the lightest headset in its category at 220g, and I immediately noticed the difference. Bose and Sony's headsets are at least 30g heavier, and switching between the QC Ultra Gen II and the Evolve3 85, it's clear that Jabra nailed the comfort. The lightweight design ensures you get a fit that doesn't lead to any fatigue even with all-day use.

The ear cushions have a breathable design, and that extends to the headband as well. Build quality is great, and while it is light, you never get a feeling that it is flimsy — it's built to last. Another positive is the case; the headset folds flat and fits snugly into the bundled case, which is significantly smaller than what you get with Bose and Sony. This is a big deal in and of itself, as the Evolve3 85 doesn't take up anywhere as much room in your bag.

I also like the connectivity on offer. The Evolve3 85 uses Bluetooth 5.3, and I didn't see any issues pairing the headset with my Pixel 11 Pro XL, Find X9 Ultra, X9 Pro, Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, iPhone 17 Pro, or the iPad Pro M4. It has Fast Pair, so it's about as easy to connect it to an Android device. There's also USB-C and 3.5mm connectivity if you want to plug the headset in, and my favorite inclusion is a USB-C receiver that lets me use the headset with my Windows machine.

I don't like using Bluetooth with Windows; my Gigabyte motherboard has a Bluetooth modem that's built clearly as an afterthought, because it is flaky at the best of times. As such, the convenience of being able to use a receiver to connect the headset with Windows is just great, and I like that Jabra went with USB-C. You also get USB-C and 3.5mm cables in the box, and I like the attention to detail that the brand lavished when it comes to connectivity.

Connectivity is a big part of what makes a work-related headset stand out, and the Evolve3 85 excels in this area. Oh, and you can easily change the battery itself, should you need to down the line. I like tech that's built to last, and given that batteries tend to degrade over time, they're usually the biggest point of failure in a headset, so it's good to see Jabra addressing the issue.

There are other niceties as well; Jabra's ClearVoice does a good job tuning out ambient noises when you're talking, and it holds up astonishingly well. I use NVIDIA Broadcast to do the same, but ClearVoice is a good enough alternative. On that note, it has dedicated ANC as well, and it does an effective job blocking sounds in your surroundings if you're in a meeting or outdoors. The headset pairs with whichever digital assistant you use on your phone, and there are physical controls.

Sound quality is pretty good, too. Honestly, given how much Jabra positioned this as a work headset, I didn't think it would sound as good as its rivals, but the 32mm drivers do a great job. You get a detailed sound with plenty of bass, clean mids, and a tight treble. It's obviously built for meetings, but the headset is just as effective at extended music listening sessions. In fact, the only problem is that you don't get AptX codecs — it is limited to SBC and AAC.

Another thing Jabra does well is charging tech; the Evolve3 85 includes wireless charging, and I didn't realize just how convenient this is until I used the headset — I now want all of my Bluetooth headsets to have this as standard. There's fast charging too, with a 5-minute charge delivering five hours of power. The headset lasts well over 23 hours of meetings, with regular music listening at 60 hours — double that of Bose and Sony. Basically, you'll only need to charge it once a week even if you use it all day.

You get six mics in total, and they use MEMS solid-state tech, delivering better fidelity and low distortion. I attended dozens of meetings with the Evolve3 85 over Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams, and the headset did a brilliant job.

While the Evolve3 85 is targeted as a work headset, it is just as great to listen to music or podcasts, and the lightweight design combined with all the extra features gives it a unique advantage you just don't see in this category.

What you need to know

• Meta One subscription plans were announced for individual, AI power users, creators, and businesses.
• Each plan is tailored for what that specific user might need, such as an enhanced profile for creators/businesses, highlighting their website, locations, and more.
• Meta One subscriptions plans are available today (Sept. 15), beginning at $14.99 for creators/businesses and $7.99 for the Core plan (individual users).

We knew it was coming ever since Meta's original announcement back in May. Today (Sept. 15), Meta's latest subscription plans for its slew of apps are here.

In the company's press release, it states the Meta One subscription plans intend to "bring more value to the apps and experiences billions of people already use..." Meta One features plans intended for individuals, AI power users, creators, and businesses. The level of "expression" will depend on which subscription plan works best for you.

Meta builds on past announcements with the Core and Premium plans. It states these plans will bring more "compute-intensive AI capabilities." The Core and Premium plans are focused on assisting users with more "creative freedom" while using its AI services. More media generation is possible with Meta AI through the Core and Premium plans, as well as the availability of in-app AI features, like Restyle (on Instagram).

Here's the breakdown of the Core and Premium plans for individual and AI power users:

• Core ($7.99/mo): Restyle more Stories on Instagram, use voice effects and creative tools more often, and generate more images and videos with Meta AI. Plus, express yourself in more ways with our individual app features (Instagram Plus, WhatsApp Plus, Facebook Plus)
• Premium ($19.99/mo): Everything in Core, with the most room to create content with Meta AI and across our family of apps

Users starting their small businesses, or even creators looking to grow, might opt for one of Meta One's other four plans.

The company says its creator and business plans place the tools users will need to grow and expand their reach directly in-app. These features include professional tools and AI that's integrated with your account. Meta says this removes the necessity of creating an entirely new account to manage your business.

These plans will also provide users with an "enhanced profile." This profile will place everything important to your business or creator scope front and center. Your website and location (business locations) were mentioned. However, Meta One will send follow invitations to people who interact with your content and feature a "bold follow button" on your Reels.

Meta One's subscription plans for businesses and creators begin at $14.99 a month. While you'll receive a verified badge, a verified business channel on WhatsApp, and impersonation protection, Meta One adds access to the Meta Business Agent. This agent is available through WhatsApp and is available 24/7. You can check the remaining plans' details in the gallery above.

Meta's app subscriptions

We knew "Meta One" was coming since May. At that time, the company revealed a slew of app subscriptions for Facebook Plus, Instagram Plus, and WhatsApp Plus. Naomi Gleit, Meta's head of product, detailed everything we needed to know, stating that these plans would give users more ways to "express and connect." WhatsApp Plus is the cheapest option at $2.99. Facebook and Instagram users would have to cough up a dollar more at $3.99 for Plus additions.

For Instagram Plus, more vibrant and expressive animations were highlighted early on. These animations would play when liking someone's Story, such as "Super Heart." Subscribers could also "spotlight" a Story once a week to reach for extra views.

What you need to know

• Google's September Pixel Drop is live, hitting Pixel phones, tablets, and watches with home screen upgrades, fraud protections, and new watch gestures.
• Pixel VIPs gets a proper home-screen upgrade: one-tap calls and texts, notification badges for unread or urgent messages, and a floating nav bar to swipe between contacts.
• Scam Detection now covers more languages and regions for chat notifications, and Gboard flags suspicious messages as you type.

Google today rolled out its September Pixel Drop, which includes a new batch of updates for Pixel phones, tablets, and smartwatches. The latest release brings updated home screen tools, improved fraud protections, new smartwatch gestures, and a spellbinding audio partnership to tie it all together.

Google has been working on its VIP contact concept for some time, but this update makes it really useful. The tech giant is giving the feature a new home-screen experience, letting you call or text your favorite contacts with a single tap. New notification badges indicate unread messages or urgent messages, and a floating navigation bar lets you swipe between VIP profiles without having to dig through menus.

The update works on Pixel 6 and newer phones worldwide, provided the required Contacts and Pixel VIPs app versions are installed.

Scam Detection is also expanding to more languages and regions for chat notifications, and Gboard can now flag suspicious messages from supported chat apps directly as you type. Availability varies by country and language, so this isn’t a universal rollout just yet.

Pixel Watch gets a smaller but useful upgrade. Raise to Talk gets enhancements on Pixel Watch 4 and newer. On Pixel Watch 3 and newer, you can launch and scroll through the notification tray with a one-handed pinch gesture.

There’s also a much less serious addition: Harry Potter Audiobook Packs can change a Pixel’s wallpaper, icons, and sounds, and eligible users will receive a two-month Audible trial. The packs are good through December 31.

It's no secret that Mint Mobile is one of my favorite MVNO carriers operating today, but did you know that the T-Mobile-owned provider is also home to a ton of great phone deals?

Sure, you'll need to bundle the purchase of the device with some wireless to see any real savings, but you can save up to $500 on some of the year's best Android phones if you play your cards right. And with wireless plans starting at just $15 per month, Mint Mobile's buy-in-bulk promotions present some of the best money-saving opportunities around.

If you don't mind the idea of paying for some wireless service in bulk, keep reading for the best Mint Mobile deals of September 2026. Didn't find anything today? Check back later: I update this list on a regular basis.

The best Mint Mobile deals of September 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.

What you need to know

• Xiaomi started teasing its 18 Pro series on Weibo this week with a teaser clip that gives us our best look at its rear display.
• Xiaomi teased enhancements for the screen, though it did not go into details.
• Recent rumors allege the company could upgrade the rear display from 2.1 inches to 4 inches, as well as "increased brightness."

After the Xiaomi 17 Pro series' positive reception, the Chinese OEM is looking to rekindle those same flames. It's started teasing the 18 Pro series on social media, and it's looking even more magical.

This week on Weibo, Xiaomi officially teased its upcoming 18 Pro series with a short teaser video focused on one feature: the rear display (via GSMArena). The clip gives us our best look at the 18 Pro's rear display. A multi-colored gradient animation swims around its edges. The teaser confirms that the device will feature two lenses within the rear display; however, there's a third right below. This keeps things similar to what Xiaomi did last year with the 17 Pro.

We can also spot a couple of buttons on the phone's right side (your left when viewing the image below). The opposite side also features a button, which is a key difference between the 17 Pro and the 18 Pro.

While exciting, Xiaomi teases more, stating, "The all-new Xiaomi 18 Pro series features a brand-new, versatile back screen." This is what we're focusing on since we know how popular the Xiaomi 17 Pro series was for the company. People enjoyed the secondary screen, but how Xiaomi intends to upgrade it is still unclear.

With its official teasers going up, the launch probably isn't too far.

Captivating displays

As we mentioned before, the Xiaomi 17 Pro series was incredibly popular for the company. Barely a month after the devices debuted, Xiaomi publicly stated that the rear displays would continue in the next series. It was reported that the 17 series shattered "first-sale" records within minutes after going live. Lu Weibing, Xiaomi's president, said the 2.1-inch rear display on the 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max made the difference.

A "positive surge" in the market gave Xiaomi all it needed to keep this trend going. For a moment, we'll have to talk about the rear display. Rumors claim Xiaomi is not only keeping the display (as Xiaomi's president said), but it'll upgrade it, too. Supposedly, the new display will measure 4 inches, up from 2.1 inches on the 17 Pro series. Reports also say the Chinese OEM could improve the rear display's brightness, along with "privacy protections."

That final bit gets us thinking about a Privacy Display similar to Samsung's.

Android Central's Take

Xiaomi's last phones were pretty cool. It takes that simple LED dot or whatever and turns it into a screen. It's been done in a different way in the past, but seeing it now is a little refreshing. And, clearly, it worked out well for Xiaomi that it's willing to continue. More teasers are likely to follow this one before the 18 series launches.

Get those holiday shopping lists ready: Amazon has announced that its Big Deal Days sale (otherwise known as 'October Prime Day') will be held on October 6th and 7th. That means we're just weeks away from shopping Amazon's Black Friday deals early, and all you'll need is a Prime membership.

That said, if you're not a Prime member or you simply don't want to wait, you'll be pleased to learn that Amazon has dropped a ton of tech deals ahead of the sale, giving you a chance to save big on everything from smartphones and laptops to noise-cancelling headphones.

The retailer is already carving $75 off the unlocked Google Pixel 10a, for instance, or you can score a whopping 36% off the popular Garmin Venu 3S smartwatch if you place your order today.

The best part is that most of the deals below don't require a Prime membership, although if you were interested in shopping Prime Day deals when Big Deal Days kicks off next month, it's worth mentioning that Amazon is offering a 30-day free trial. This will let you enjoy all of the exclusive deals (in addition to regular subscription benefits) without paying a cent.

• Big Deal Days returns October 6-7: see the full list of early deals

Phones

Wearables

Tablets and Chromebooks

Headphones

Smart TVs and streaming

It was when I started running out of storage boxes that I realized I may have too many GaN chargers. I joke that if you casually throw a GaN charger in my home, you're bound to hit another one. Anyway, I have dozens of these things lying around, and having tested just about every major charger released in the last three years, I know what a good charger needs to offer.

So when I got started with the BMX GaNsta 140W (as puns go, the name gets an 8/10), it was clear that the charger ticked a lot of the right boxes. It has three USB-C ports, a USB-A port, foldable blade pins with EU, UK, and AU converters that make it easy to travel with, and 140W power over USB PD 3.1.

Oh, and it gets an LCD panel that shows real-time charging details out of each port, which is a must-have in a GaN charger in 2026. The GaNsta costs $89 as of writing, which is $10 pricier than Anker's charger, and $30 more than the last-gen 160W UGREEN Nexode Pro, both of which also have LCD screens.

The GaNsta is a little smaller than other 4-port chargers, but not enough that you'd notice the difference. Build quality is decent, and I didn't see any issues in the two months I used it. I tested the charger with my Find X9 Ultra, Pixel 11 Pro XL, iPhone 17 Pro, iPad Pro M4, and a dozen or so accessories — including 160W power banks — and it turned out to be reliable in day-to-day use.

I like that each port's power output is clearly labeled, and it takes a lot of the guesswork out of figuring out which port to use. The USB-C1 and C2 ports individually go up to 140W over the USB PD 3.1 protocol, and I tested this using a standalone power meter (Power-Z KM003C). I also like that the area around the ports has a slotted design to prevent scratches; this is a thoughtful design choice that makes a difference.

The LCD screen is the real star of the show. It shows real-time charging details, power going out of each port, and heat levels. The latter isn't quite as useful as you don't normally see thermal issues on a 140W charger, but it's there. And as AI needs to be shoehorned into every product these days, this thermal management feature is assisted by AI (however that works). Anyway, what you need to know is that even with all ports in use, the GaNsta doesn't have any issues with overheating.

You also get emoticons on the panel, and you can easily cycle through the various menus via the button at the bottom.

With four ports available, you get the ability to charge four devices at once. Of course, the total power budget is limited when all ports are in use, and with the GaNsta, you get 125W cumulatively: 65W + 45W + 7.5W + 7.5W. I would've liked to see 65W on both the C1 and C2 ports — like the latest Nexode Pro 160W charger — but that isn't the case.

That said, if you're just going to leave four devices to charge overnight, the GaNsta 140W does a decent enough job. The inclusion of a USB-C to USB-C cable along with travel plugs is a good move, and the size of the charger means you can easily throw it into a travel bag. What I'm not too sure about is the pricing; it is costlier than its rivals, and if you're willing to shell out $89, the new Nexode Pro 160W is a better deal at $99 as it has a retractable cable. If you don't need the built-in cable and like the travel-related accessories, the GaNsta 140W is a good choice.

What you need to know

• A mysterious Google-made wearable has appeared at the FCC with clues suggesting it could run Wear OS.
• The device reportedly skips Wi-Fi and relies on Bluetooth LE, suggesting it may be a fitness tracker.
• GPS support and a metal frame are also listed, while ADB testing suggests some form of Wear OS software.
• The device could sit between the Fitbit Air and Pixel Watch, potentially filling the gap left by Fitbit Charge.

A mysterious new Wear OS fitness tracker has been spotted at the FCC, and there are a few clues suggesting it could be an upcoming Google Pixel or Fitbit-branded device.

Google has been enjoying success with both the Pixel Watch lineup and the recently launched Fitbit Air, and it looks like the company could be preparing to expand its fitness tracking lineup even further. As spotted by 9to5Google, a mysterious new Google-made device has now appeared in an FCC listing.

The device, described as a "Wireless Device," carries the model number G8BL6 and is manufactured by Goertek, a company that has previously manufactured several generations of Pixel Buds.

Interestingly, the FCC listing suggests there's no Wi-Fi connectivity onboard. Instead, the device appears to rely entirely on Bluetooth LE. There are also clues suggesting the device could run some form of Wear OS, as the EUT operation test setup specifically mentions ADB testing.

In terms of other connectivity, the mysterious device reportedly supports GPS or GNSS and features a metal frame that will also act as its antenna.

The lack of Wi-Fi is particularly interesting, since most traditional Wear OS smartwatches have supported Wi-Fi. That could suggest we're looking at a different type of wearable altogether, potentially a more traditional fitness tracker rather than another Pixel Watch.

And there might already be another clue. During the Pixel 11 launch, Google briefly showed an unannounced fitness tracker with a small display in one of its teasers, and there's a chance this FCC listing could be related to that device.

If so, the new wearable could potentially sit somewhere between the Fitbit Air and Google's more expensive Pixel Watch lineup. It's also worth remembering that Fitbit hasn't updated its Charge lineup since 2023, so this device could fit quite nicely into that missing middle ground.

OPPO is all set to unveil its 2027 flagship, and the brand has confirmed that the Find X9 Pro Max will be powered by MediaTek's latest 2nm Dimensity 9600 Pro platform. It was a good bet that the phone would be powered by MediaTek silicon considering the last two models featured Dimensity platforms, and it's good to see OPPO continuing that collaboration into 2027.

Also, OPPO confirmed that the Find X10 Pro Max will debut globally, which is welcome news if you're interested in a new phone. While the X9, X9 Pro, and X9 Ultra launched outside China, continued availability of OPPO's flagships in western markets was always in doubt, so I'm glad the brand is clarifying global availability of its next-gen phone well ahead of time.

The Dimensity 9600 Pro is interesting in a lot of ways. It is built on TSMC’s 2nm N2P node, and it brings huge upgrades in just about every area. OPPO is touting a single-core uptick of 17% over the Dimensity 9500-powered Find X9 Pro, which is just ridiculous.

The 9600 Pro once again utilizes the all-big-core configuration, and it comes with two 4.55GHz Arm C2-Ultra cores alongside three C2 Pro cores at 4.3GHz, and another three C2 Pro cores at up to 3.1GHz. Cumulatively, they have 61% better energy efficiency, and the G2-Ultra NX GPU has ray tracing and utilizes Arm's new neural engine tech and is 27% faster while consuming 24% less power. And when it comes to on-device AI, the Dimensity 9600 Pro is 51% faster than its predecessor.

Clearly, there's no shortage of power on offer, and that is good news, as the Find X10 Pro Max is touted to have a trio of 200MP cameras. There's also the Laminar Flow Engine, and OPPO says it worked closely with MediaTek to tweak the "underlying rendering architecture and coordinating it more closely with system scheduling, the technology achieves a better balance between ultra-smooth system responsiveness and low power consumption"

I used OPPO's phones the longest this year, and a lot of that has to do with the groundbreaking cameras on the Find X9 Ultra and X9 Pro. There's also the small matter of the software, and ColorOS 16 has a clean design with great fluidity and customizability, and there's no doubt that the Find X9 Ultra is one of my favorite phones of 2026. I'm excited to see what the X10 Pro Max brings to the table, and it doesn't look like we will have to wait too long to see the device in action.

What you need to know

• Steam Frame starts at $1,059 for 256GB, while the 1TB model jumps to $1,299.
• Android games are supported, giving the headset access to existing Android APKs without requiring completely separate ports.
• Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 + 16GB RAM powers the headset, with SteamOS handling native games and compatibility layers.

Valve has finally put a price tag on the Steam Frame, its new wireless VR headset that aims to blur the line between a standalone gaming device and a PC accessory. The catch? It won’t be as simple as clicking “buy” to get one.

The Steam Frame starts at $1,059 for 256GB, with the 1TB model costing $1,299. Each headset has tracked controllers, and Valve is bundling Half-Life: Alyx with the device, the company announced. It can play supported games locally or stream more demanding titles from a PC.

It’ll also support Android games, with developers using the same Android APKs they already use to bring mobile titles to the Meta Quest. This could give the Frame access to a much larger game library without developers needing to build entirely separate versions for Valve’s headset.

The Frame also supports wireless PC streaming with the 6GHz dongle that Valve bundles in.

Under the hood, the Frame is packed with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and 16GB of RAM, with native software and compatibility layers handled by SteamOS.

The storage options are also worth a closer look. You can upgrade from 256GB to 1TB for $240, but the Frame also has a microSD slot. So if your main game stream is from a PC, there may be little reason to pay extra for the bigger model.

Valve had originally said it wanted the Steam Frame to cost less than the $999 Index, but the final starting price puts it $60 above that benchmark. Rising memory and component costs have complicated the pricing strategy of Valve’s hardware, as seen with the Steam Machine.

Availability will also be controlled by a reservation system, with sign-ups running until September 17 and purchase invitations starting September 18.

The Steam Frame is clearly not aimed at the budget VR crowd at $1,059. Valve is betting its Steam library, Android support, wireless PC streaming, and standalone abilities will justify the premium.

What you need to know

• MediaTek's Dimensity 9600 Pro is the company's first 2nm flagship chipset, promising better performance and efficiency.
• The new 2+3+3 All Big Core CPU delivers up to 17% faster single-core performance while using significantly less power.
• MediaTek's upgraded NPU supports on-device AI models with up to 30 billion parameters while improving AI power efficiency.

MediaTek has officially taken the wraps off its latest flagship smartphone chipset, called the Dimensity 9600 Pro. And it's the company's first flagship chip built on a 2nm process.

The new flagship smartphone season is almost upon us, and chipset makers have started unveiling their next generation of processors. Qualcomm is set to announce its next flagship Snapdragon chipsets later this month, but MediaTek has beaten it to the punch by unveiling its first 2nm chipset.

Called the Dimensity 9600 Pro, MediaTek says its new chipset combines flagship performance and power efficiency with advanced agentic AI experiences. The chip features a 2+3+3 All Big Core CPU design, which MediaTek says delivers an impressive 61% reduction in multi-core power consumption.

The architecture consists of two C2 Ultra cores clocked at up to 4.55GHz, three C2 Pro cores running at up to 4.35GHz, and another three C2 Pro cores clocked at up to 3.1GHz. MediaTek says single-core performance has improved by up to 17%, while multi-core performance is up to 15% higher than the previous generation, all while consuming less power.

Of course, there's also a big focus on agentic AI experiences. MediaTek says the chipset's new dual-NPU architecture and Agentic AI Engine are designed to power the next generation of on-device AI. Its second-generation Super Efficient NPU reportedly reduces AI power consumption by up to 40%, while delivering 51% higher LLM prefill performance and 55% higher token generation per watt.

The Dimensity 9600 Pro can also support AI models with up to 30 billion parameters directly on the device, which should allow more complex AI tasks to run without constantly relying on the cloud.

There's also a larger 34.5MB cache, alongside support for LPDDR6 memory and UFS 5.0 storage for the first time. MediaTek says its new Scheduling Engine can intelligently allocate computing power and memory resources between hardware and software, allowing multiple apps to continue running smoothly in the background while using fewer resources.

Gaming is getting a significant upgrade as well. The new G2-Ultra NX GPU delivers up to 27% higher peak performance while consuming 24% less power. MediaTek says the GPU can deliver what it calls console-grade gaming on-device at up to 185fps.

For cameras, there's a new Imagiq 1290 ISP, which MediaTek says will enable more advanced computational photography and content creation features on upcoming smartphones.

There aren't any smartphones powered by the Dimensity 9600 Pro just yet, but we shouldn't have to wait long before the first devices arrive. Apple's 2nm A20 Pro has already launched inside the iPhone 18 Pro series, while Qualcomm is expected to reveal its answer at Snapdragon Summit later this month.

What you need to know

• Meta’s Project Phoenix is finally coming into focus after more than a year of rumors about a lightweight, high-end mixed-reality headset.
• Phoenix looks more like smart glasses than a traditional VR headset, using nose pads and temple-mounted sensors.
• An external compute puck appears to be part of the design.

Whispers about Meta working on a lightweight, high-end mixed reality headset codenamed Project Phoenix have floated around the tech sphere for over a year. Now, we finally get our first real look at what Mark Zuckerberg's hardware team has been cooking up, and it seems Meta accidentally left the key under the mat.

The images were revealed through Meta’s HorizonOS Prescription Lens package, which first appeared in August as a mostly blank system package, as noticed by UploadVR. An update in September showed detailed pictures of how prescription lens inserts attach to the Phoenix and how users scan a QR code to set them up.

Interestingly, the hardware looks less like a traditional VR headset and more like chunky glasses. Phoenix uses nose pads instead of the bulky face interface of the Quest 3 and other XR headsets, with sensors along the temples. There’s also a cable coming from the left temple, seemingly confirming previous reports that Phoenix will use an external compute puck.

It's a design that could change the way people think about wearing a mixed reality headset. If you’ve been using more traditional XR headsets, you’ll probably find it comforting to realize potential benefits here, like less weight on your face, but the compromise moves elsewhere: you’ll need to deal with a separate computing unit and a cable.

For Meta, the greater challenge might be getting that extra hardware to feel invisible enough that Phoenix still feels like something you can casually wear, rather than another device you have to gear up for.

There's another interesting clue here. The leaked setup stuff seems to be based on prescription inserts and controller-free interaction.

Meta hasn’t officially announced Phoenix yet, but Meta Connect 2026 starts September 23 and has a session dedicated to controller-free interaction on its agenda. If Phoenix shows up there, we might finally learn whether Meta’s push toward lighter mixed reality headsets is a real shift in headset design, or just a clever way to move the weight somewhere else.

Huawei knows a thing or ten about making a great smartwatch, and the Watch Ultimate 2 is still one of my favorite smartwatches. After releasing the Watch Fit 5 Pro a few months ago, Huawei has now introduced the Watch GT 7 Pro, and it is now available in the U.K. for £379 ($511), and as is the case with every new launch, there are decent launch incentives that bring the cost down to £329 ($443), and the brand is bundling the Huawei Scale 3 along with Huawei Care+ as free gifts when you buy the smartwatch.

The Watch GT 7 Pro has a lot of great features, but I'm starting with the one I like the most: battery life. While the Pixel Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 9 manage to last just over two days between charges, the Watch GT 7 Pro delivers a week of usage before you'll need to charge it. This is with heavy use involving daily exercise monitoring, always-on panel, and 24/7 health monitoring.

This is the main reason why I continue to wear Huawei smartwatches, and not having to worry about charging the watch every other day is just plain refreshing. You can make the GT 7 Pro last longer by not using the always-on mode, and in that situation, you get around 10 days of battery life.

At the outset, the GT 7 Pro doesn't look too different to last year's GT 6 Pro, and that's a good thing. Just like Samsung and Google's smartwatches, Huawei has a clearly-defined visual aesthetic, and it makes sense to continue the same design language across generations.

You still get a design that stands out quite a bit, and the new color choices give the GT 7 Pro an added dash of vibrancy; I'm using the yellow model, and it looks pretty great. It looks quite sporty, but you can switch out the bands if you need to wear it with a dress shirt.

The GT 7 Pro is sold in a single variant with a 46mm case, and while it is a little heavier at 55g (the Pixel Watch 5 is 37g), I actually like the heft as it makes the smartwatch feel like a regular watch. The build quality is among the best in this category, and the titanium alloy chassis with a ceramic bezel gives the GT 7 Pro a level of elegance that's missing with its immediate rivals. Huawei retained the rotating crown, and it is a good way to navigate the interface and scroll through unread notifications.

The band is much better this time as well; Huawei calls it EasyCross, and the band essentially tucks underneath, and it looks cleaner. The quality of the fluoroelastomer band itself is great, and I didn't see any problems in this area in the two weeks I used the Watch GT 7 Pro.

You get a 1.47-inch AMOLED panel with decent pixel density, and it gets bright — I had no issues viewing the contents on the screen under harsh sunlight. There's 5ATM along with IP69 water resistance, the GT 7 Pro is dive-ready up to 40 meters, and you get dual-band GPS as well as NFC.

Coming to health monitoring, Huawei has all the requisite sensors to monitor heart rate and blood oxygen levels, and it gets ECG, A-fib analysis, emotional wellbeing, and sleep tracking. What I like is that there's now a readiness score that takes all the disparate health metrics and gives you an overall score, similar to what Google does.

The GT 7 Pro has extensive fitness monitoring as well, with Huawei focusing on skiing and cycling this generation. Now, I don't do those activities (there's a distinct dearth of snow in India), but I wore the smartwatch to the gym, and it did a good job with HRV monitoring in HIIT workouts and treadmill runs.

As the smartwatch is running a lightweight RTOS, you don't get the ability to install apps. While this is an issue with other smartwatches, Huawei does a great job delivering most of the things you need, and I particularly like the mini-workouts that are new this year. The idea is that instead of an extensive workout session, you can do small workouts right at your desk, with these targeting 10 key body parts with 30 guided workouts available. Oh, and the panda animations are adorable.

There are no problems in day-to-day use; the GT 7 Pro mirrored notifications to my wrist, and I was able to take calls as well. You get a good selection of watch faces, and Huawei Health pairs with Android as well as iPhones. There's no Google Wallet, but Huawei collaborated with Curve Pay to bring NFC payments to select western markets. This is a good move, and while I wasn't able to test it out (it needs a card issued in these countries), it is a viable alternative to Google Wallet.

Overall, Huawei did all the right things with the Watch GT 7 Pro. It may not have a brand-new design, but the new colors are quite good, and you get a lot of software-focused additions that make a difference. Of course, the battery life continues to be the star of the show, and if you want a full-fledged smartwatch with standout battery life and all the extras, the Watch GT 7 Pro is a great choice.

What you need to know

• Amazon has announced that Big Deal Days will be held on October 6th and 7th, 2026.
• This 'October Prime Day' event will showcase deals on Android phones, smartwatches, laptops, and more.
• The vast majority of deals during Big Deal Days will be exclusive to Prime members.

It's official: Amazon has confirmed that its 2026 Big Deal Days sale event will be held on October 6th and 7th this year, which means we're just a few weeks away from seeing some of the best deals of the year.

While it's not as big as the official Prime Day in July, Amazon's Big Deal Days event is generally seen as the beginning of fall sale season, giving shoppers an early look at what to expect when the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales go live in November.

Whether you're trying to get your holiday shopping done early or simply pick up a new Android phone, Big Deal Days is a great way to beat the Black Friday crowds and score discounts on every type of product imaginable.

• See the top 20+ best early Prime Day deals available now

Prime members can expect to find great deals on everything from smart TVs and tablets to groceries and kitchen appliances. Considering the growing prices on tech this year, you can also expect a lot of interest in the latest Android phones, storage devices, and laptops.

The newest foldable phones from Samsung, Apple, and Motorola might see some hefty discounts as part of the sale, for instance, while I also expect the Google Pixel 11 series to score a serious price drop for the very first time.

It's also worth mentioning that retailers like Best Buy and Walmart are sure to launch rival sales at the same time as Amazon Big Deal Days, so don't forget to shop around before you commit to one deal. Naturally, we'll be covering all of the best deals on Android devices so you don't have to go looking.

Android Central's take

If you're a Prime member, Amazon's Prime Day events are always worth checking out. This is especially true if you're on the hunt for a new smartphone, as nearly every major release we've seen this year has come with some sort of price increase. Now's your chance to offset that price hike and beat the Black Friday crowds.

Just make sure you're a Prime member (or willing to join) if you're not already. The retailer offers a convenient 30-day free trial that lets you enjoy the full benefits of the sale, so consider signing up for that if you don't want to deal with yet another subscription.

What you need to know

• Googlebook pre-orders will officially open on September 21 at 9 a.m. ET, Google has confirmed.
• The first Googlebooks are expected from brands including Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, and Lenovo.
• Googlebooks will focus heavily on Gemini, with features like Magic Pointer and AI-generated custom widgets.

Google has revealed that you'll finally be able to pre-order the first Googlebooks starting next week.

At The Android Show earlier this year, Google had its "one more thing" moment when it teased its next category of premium laptops called Googlebooks. Google says these are a new category of laptops built for the "intelligence system" era, but at the time, the company didn't reveal much about the devices or when you'd actually be able to buy one.

Now, Google has started emailing users confirming that Googlebook pre-orders will open on September 21 at 9 a.m. ET. The company hasn't revealed exactly which models will be available to pre-order next week, but we're expecting devices from Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and other partners. It's also unclear when the first Googlebooks will actually start shipping.

Google has also set up a new website that currently shows the Googlebook branding, a few teasers, and the September 21 pre-order date.

The company is highlighting some of the key Googlebook features on the page as well, with a heavy focus on Gemini. One of those is Magic Pointer, which lets you access Gemini directly through the pointer on your Googlebook. You'll also be able to create your own widgets simply by describing what you want.

Google is also positioning Googlebooks as the perfect companion for Android phones. Users will be able to open apps from their Android phone directly on a Googlebook, as well as access files stored on their phone from the laptop.

Googlebooks will be the first laptops built on Google's new Android-based technology stack rather than ChromeOS. Interestingly, Google still hasn't revealed the official marketing name for the operating system that will power Googlebooks, but we expect to learn much more as pre-orders open.

It'll also be interesting to see how Googlebooks fare in an increasingly crowded laptop market, especially with new RTX Spark-powered laptops on the way and RAM prices continuing to rise.

What you need to know

• Samsung introduces the Galaxy S26 series to its Certified Re-Newed program.
• The S26 Ultra starts at $1,099 (a ~$200 price drop), while the S26 and S26 Plus start at $759 and $929.
• The company highlights that buyers can grab Samsung Care Plus protection with Loss and Theft during checkout for unlimited battery repairs and free screen replacements.

If you're looking to save some money, Samsung announced that its latest Galaxy S26 series is now available in its Certified Re-Newed program.

Today (Sept. 14), Samsung announced that its Certified Re-Newed program has welcomed the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra. You can view this program as Samsung's refurbished phone line. As always, the company says its "Certified Re-Newed devices offer a like-new phone experience." It has taken in Galaxy S26 devices and equipped them with new (genuine) parts and a "brand-new battery."

A Certified Re-Newed Galaxy S26 Ultra starts at $1,099. This is roughly a $200 price drop from the standard, new flagship starting price (256GB). When it comes to the S26 and S26 Plus, the program shifts these prices to $759 and $929, respectively.

Samsung says you can only purchase these devices from the Certified Re-Newed program at its main store. The post states consumers can trade in their current phone for a Certified Re-Newed phone and receive "up to $720" in credit. You should check the specifics of this during purchase.

What's more, Samsung says if you are purchasing a Certified Re-Newed Galaxy S26 device, you can add Samsung Care Plus (with Loss and Theft) protection. This protection plan features unlimited battery repairs and free screen replacements.

• See our guide to the best Samsung Galaxy S26 deals of September 2026

Refurbished Galaxy S26

We're a couple of months early, but Samsung brought the Galaxy S25 series into the Re-Newed program last November. The price drops were fairly similar to what we're seeing this year for the S26 series. Costs dropped anywhere from $150 to $260. The model and configuration (RAM/storage) made the difference here. The "cheapest" option last year was the Galaxy S25 with 256GB of storage for $709.

Joining the Galaxy S25 was the Galaxy Z Fold 6, as well as the Galaxy S25 Edge and the Flip 6.

At the time of writing this post (around 3:15 pm ET), the devices are not listed on Samsung's storefront. That should change. If you're interested, check back later today or perhaps later this week. You shouldn't fret about the refurbished tag; you'll still receive all of Samsung's newest features. Now Nudge and Now Brief were highlighted, and if you're getting the Galaxy S26 Ultra, you'll find the Privacy Display.

Internally, the Galaxy S26 series features Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset.

What you need to know

• Rumors claim we might have a Galaxy Z TriFold 2 in 2027, as Samsung is supposedly moving ahead with development.
• The TriFold 2 could feature a "more durable," thinner, and lighter design with a price tag similar to the original model ($2,800).
• It's worth remembering the struggles Samsung encountered with the first TriFold (component prices/prices in general) and that it was a "limited release."
• The TriFold lasted for three months before Samsung pulled the plug.

It's been almost a year since Samsung debuted its Galaxy Z TriFold. Rumors say there's a sequel on the way next year.

Over the weekend, tipster Lanzuk on Naver stated Samsung is already working on a Galaxy Z TriFold 2 (via 9to5Google). One thing the tipster mentions is the phone's price. Samsung could face issues; however, they claim this supposed TriFold 2 could be priced "similarly" to the original—around $2,899. When it comes to upgrades, Samsung is supposedly looking at three areas.

This alleged TriFold 2 could debut as a thinner, lighter, and "more durable" phone. Looking at what Samsung did with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 (and 8), reducing the thickness of that phone, this rumor strikes a chord. What's more, the idea of a "more durable" TriFold likely concerns its hinge/display for longevity.

Right now, these rumors suggest Samsung is sticking to its "original schedule" of releasing this "TriFold 2" in 2027. Additionally, rumors say Samsung might reveal a "slideable" phone, too. If it's what we presume it is, Samsung has shown off concepts of this type of phone several times over the past few years.

How the TriFold did

It's interesting to hear this rumor. We all remember Huawei's Mate XT surprise. It beat Samsung to the world of tri-fold phones. It's even more interesting since Samsung effectively stopped selling the Galaxy Z TriFold after three months...

Maybe this wasn't so surprising. Samsung always positioned the Galaxy Z TriFold as a "limited release." These rumors about a TriFold sequel mention something Samsung struggled with before: components. Developing the Galaxy Z TriFold was already incredibly strenuous due to high manufacturing and rising component costs. If Samsung is considering a TriFold 2, in the current climate, that might be difficult (on our wallets).

Nevertheless, it remains to be seen how Samsung would treat a TriFold 2. Another limited release might seem strange, but we'll have to see. The Galaxy Z TriFold debuted with a huge, tablet-like 10-inch internal display and a 6.5-inch cover.

What you need to know

• Overseas rumors claim Samsung's Galaxy S26 series could see a ~$100/149,000 KRW price increase.
• Samsung is reportedly grappling with various issues impacting the phone market (RAM/memory).
• This increase has been rumored for Korean consumers; however, Samsung's official statement says nothing is set in stone yet as rumors say this could all happen in October.

Prices are soaring all over the place, whether it's phones or gaming consoles. A recent rumor from overseas says Samsung's latest flagship phones might be next on the list.

A report by Hans Economy (Korean) claims Samsung is mulling over a potential price increase for the Galaxy S26 series (via SamMobile). According to the publication's sources, Samsung is now facing "difficulties" with "maintaining its existing pricing structure." The post alludes to the current stress placed on the phone industry: RAM and memory prices. With that in mind, Samsung is supposedly increasing its Galaxy S26 series prices by ~$100 (USD)/~149,000 KRW.

If this happens, it would push the Galaxy S26 to a ~$999 starting price, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra to ~$1,400. The post claims a mobile carrier started informing consumers about an impending price hike for the Galaxy S26 series. Here's the thing: nothing is confirmed. In fact, Samsung provided an official comment to Hans Economy about these rumors.

The company states that while it has been "internally reviewing" the idea of "adjusting" prices, "nothing has been finalized as of now" (machine-translated).

There's more to consider with these rumors. On one hand, it was suggested that Samsung could hike S26 prices in October for Korean consumers if its internal review finds success. However, it's unclear how widespread this hike could be—meaning it's not clear if the U.S. would see it, too.

Prices are soaring

Let's not kid ourselves, Samsung (technically) already raised prices for the Galaxy S26. It was around the time the series debuted earlier this year. Compared to the S25 and S25 Plus, the S26 and S26 Plus cost roughly $100 more. The S26 Ultra's price remains the same compared to its past-gen counterpart. However, despite the price hikes to the first two models, Samsung's phones still performed well.

Specifically, the Galaxy S26 Ultra performed the best. According to early analytics, the Galaxy S26 Ultra achieved 71% of sales in the first three weeks. This year's Ultra has a lot going on, like the Privacy Display, so that might've helped.

And since we're talking about Samsung price hikes, it's hard not to bring up the horrendous streak it went on in the U.S. in April. Someone needs to save our wallets, because Samsung's Galaxy tablets were hit hardest. The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra (1TB) jumped by $280 earlier this year to $1,899.

Android Central's Take

Price hikes are becoming quite the unsettling "norm." Looking at devices in a smart way has never mattered more. We might love to chase after "what's new," but when it starts hitting your wallet, you'll reconsider. Not everyone's in that sort of position where they can chase after every new phone or what-have-you. To be honest, it is that majority that gives companies pause. If they drop out, that's when they're in trouble.

The fall sale season is quickly approaching, but you don't need to wait for Black Friday to score some exceptional smartphone deals. Case in point: for a limited time, Amazon is slashing 15% off the Google Pixel 10a, which was already my favorite cheap Android phone on the market.

The deal drops the price of the unlocked Pixel 10a down to just $424, no trade-in required. That said, if you do have an old or broken device lying around, Amazon is offering up to $420 (in the form of a gift card) when you process a trade. What's the point of Black Friday when the Google Pixel deals are already this good?

Typically priced around $499 for the 128GB configuration, the Google Pixel 10a is a midrange phone that punches well above its weight class. Straight out of the box, the Pixel 10a boasts a stunning 6.3-inch 120Hz pOLED display with IP68 durability and 3,000 nits of brightness, while under the hood you get Android 16, 8GB of RAM, and a 5,100mAh battery that's actually larger than what's found inside the base model Pixel 10.

At 183 grams, the Pixel 10a is also lighter than its flagship counterpart, while both phones share many of the same camera tech and software features. The Google Pixel 10a even comes with seven years of OS and security upgrades, which is a rarity for devices in this price category.

Of course, no phone is perfect. The Pixel 10a surprised us all by utilizing the last-gen Google Tensor G4 chipset instead of the newer G5, plus you don't get Qi2 charging support or as many AI features as you would with a flagship Pixel. It's also worth mentioning that, with Black Friday just around the corner, we might see some Pixel deals that drop the price of the Pixel 10a even further in the coming weeks.

With all of that being said, if you just want a great phone at a great price today, the Google Pixel 10a might be the midrange masterpiece that you're searching for. The phone is already worth a look at full price, but this Amazon discount is simply the cherry on top.

Readers on the hunt for a great smartwatch deal can call off the search, as Amazon just slashed 27% off the 41mm Google Pixel Watch 4 (LTE). That's a record-smashing discount on one of the best wearables that we've ever tested, dropping the watch down to just $329.99 for a limited time.

This deal follows last month's launch of the new Pixel Watch 5, a somewhat redundant device that doesn't dramatically upgrade any of the features that made the Google Pixel Watch 4 so iconic. After all, there's a reason why last year's model is still holding a top spot in our guide to the best Android smartwatches that money can buy.

A new release from Google also means that discounts on the last-gen wearable are becoming more common, although even I have to admit I'm surprised to see a record-breaking discount this soon. Why wait for Black Friday? The first great Pixel deal of the season is already here.

Currently 27% off at Amazon, the Google Pixel Watch 4 boasts a stunning domed display with 3,000 nits of brightness, plus you get smooth Wear OS performance out of the box, 32GB of onboard storage, and a ton of accurate health and fitness tracking features. The 41mm watch also lasts up to two days on a single charge, while its fast charging capabilities can get your battery back up to 50% in as little as 15 minutes.

But what about the new Google Pixel Watch 5? Well, the watches look pretty much identical at first glance, but you are getting 50% more RAM and twice the storage by going with the newer model. You also get a slight uptick in GPS accuracy. The problem is that, aside from the storage boost, most users won't notice much of a difference between the two models on a day-to-day basis.

If both watches were at full price, sure, I'd recommend dropping the additional 50 bucks to get the new Pixel Watch 5. But with this Amazon discount, the 41mm Google Pixel Watch 4 with LTE is a whopping $170 cheaper than its 2026 counterpart. The small upgrades from the Pixel Watch 5 simply don't justify the higher price tag, making last year's model a much smarter buy while this discount is active.

What you need to know

• LG denies its smart TVs secretly record or transmit your conversations, calling recent coverage misleading.
• The firestorm started with a lengthy Gamers Nexus video alleging LG TVs capture audio while idle or offline, plus device, IP, location, and nearby Wi-Fi data.
• LG's defense rests on one distinction: listening for a wake word isn't the same as recording you. Audio without the wake word gets discarded locally, never sent to LG servers.

Recent reports that LG smart TVs can secretly record people in their homes have put the company's privacy practices under a microscope. LG is now pushing back hard, stating its TVs do not continuously record or transmit users’ conversations and that some of the recent coverage has misrepresented how its privacy features really work.

The dispute follows a lengthy Gamers Nexus video on YouTube that raised concerns about LG TVs capturing audio while idle or disconnected from the internet, as well as collecting information about networked devices, IP addresses, locations, and nearby Wi-Fi networks.

LG’s explanation hinges on the distinction between listening for a wake word and recording conversations. On supported TVs with hands-free voice control enabled, the microphone can supposedly listen locally for a wake word even when the TV is in standby. LG says audio that does not include the recognized wake word is discarded immediately and not sent to its servers. Real speech-to-text processing only starts when voice recognition is enabled.

There is also Automatic Content Recognition, or ACR, that identifies what is playing so that LG can offer services related to viewing and audience analysis. ACR uses audio fingerprinting rather than screenshots or video recordings, is optional, and requires user consent, LG says. It can also be turned off in the settings of the TV.

Does LG's wording leave wiggle room? Perhaps. Saying TVs don't "continuously" record isn't the same as saying they never do. The company’s documentation is unusually explicit, however, about things like session limits, local processing, and what happens when you decline optional agreements. You can still use streaming apps, live TV, and HDMI devices without turning on any data-driven services.

This controversy comes after a separate dispute over LG monitors, where some models were found to be installing the LG Monitor App Installer on Windows PCs and displaying pop-ups for promotional content, including McAfee ads. Microsoft intervened, and LG agreed to disable the McAfee promotion.

The latest controversy highlights the fine line between helpful smart features and invasive data harvesting. LG claims its hardware isn’t part of some hidden surveillance network, but it’s unlikely privacy advocates and hardware reviewers won’t be monitoring future webOS updates.

What you need to know

• The iQOO 16 is set to debut as the first smartphone with a 2K resolution OLED display running at a 165Hz refresh rate.
• Co-developed with Samsung Display on a dedicated production line, the panel marks the Android debut of Samsung's latest M16 luminescent material and LEAD 2.0 architecture.
• The screen reaches 2,800 nits global peak brightness (10,000 nits local peak), features 508 PPI, and delivers sub-pixel-level calibration for color accuracy.

Rumor has it that the iQOO 16 will be released soon, and iQOO has now confirmed one of the upgrades that could make this gaming-focused flagship stand out from the crowd. The next phone from the company is said to be the first to sport a 2K OLED panel with a 165Hz refresh rate from Samsung, which iQOO is calling a smartphone first.

The announcement also confirms earlier reports that the iQOO 16 would sport Samsung’s newer M16 OLED technology. The company says the phone will be the first Android smartphone to use the material, along with its new 2K LEAD 2.0 technology.

For context, we saw the original LEAD OLED panel debut with the iQOO 15. LEAD 2.0 has been developed in partnership with Samsung, built on a dedicated production line just for iQOO’s flagship.

The two companies also designed a custom high-refresh-rate display IC and a dedicated production line for the phone.

The panel is rated at 2,800 nits for global brightness and 10,000 nits for local brightness. It also offers 508 ppi, wide P3 color coverage, DC dimming, and better brightness and color uniformity than the iQOO 15. iQOO also claims sub-pixel-level calibration leads to extremely tight color accuracy.

There is also a less obvious upgrade here: Samsung recently said the new display uses roughly 31 percent less power at 150 nits than a similarly sized 1.5K panel. That’s particularly useful, as improving both resolution and refresh rate often comes with a battery cost.

The target is clearly gaming. The display features 500Hz multi-touch sampling and 5,000Hz instantaneous sampling rate, while iQOO’s Q-Flex technology focuses on reducing input lag. There’s also 3,300Hz PWM dimming and many eye-comfort features.

The iQOO 16 is expected to launch in China sometime near the end of September. If the rest of the hardware is up to the mark as this display, the top gaming flagships out there will have a serious new competitor on their hands.

What you need to know

• SwiftKey beta is rolling out a new AI voice typing mode similar to Google's Rambler feature on the Pixel 11 series.
• The feature cleans up and formats your speech automatically, although it doesn't show a live transcription while you speak.
• SwiftKey's AI voice typing works completely offline after downloading an AI model that's around 163MB on Android.
• Unlike Google's Rambler, SwiftKey's AI voice typing isn't Pixel-exclusive and can work across other Android smartphones.

SwiftKey, the popular keyboard app acquired by Microsoft more than a decade ago, has started rolling out a new AI-powered voice typing feature in beta.

With the launch of the Pixel 11 series, Google introduced a feature that improved on the Pixel's already excellent voice typing. Called Rambler, the feature lets you speak more naturally while automatically removing filler words like "um" and "ah," cleaning up corrections, and properly formatting the final text.

Now, SwiftKey is bringing a similar feature to its keyboard app, and unlike Rambler, it can work on pretty much any Android phone.

The latest SwiftKey beta for Android, version 9.13.16.4, introduces a new "AI voice" typing mode. When you tap the microphone icon, SwiftKey now shows the new AI voice option alongside a quick explanation of how it works.

Similar to Rambler on the Pixel 11 series, you can simply start speaking naturally while SwiftKey listens to you and displays a waveform on the screen. Once you're done, the AI processes what you've said and turns it into properly formatted text.

Before you can use the feature, though, SwiftKey asks you to download an AI voice model. On my Galaxy Z Fold 8, the download was around 163MB. Similar to Rambler, you also don't get a live preview of the transcription while you're speaking. Instead, the finished text appears once the AI has processed everything. The best part, however, is that the feature works completely offline.

I tested AI voice typing on my Galaxy Z Fold 8 with both Wi-Fi and mobile data switched off, and SwiftKey was still able to process and transcribe my speech without any issues. This isn't possible right now with Gboard's Rambler, which does require an internet connection to work.

There are some limitations compared to Google's Rambler, though. SwiftKey's implementation currently doesn't let you do things like change the tone, format the text further, or automatically insert emojis through voice commands.

That said, the SwiftKey Beta app can be installed on any Android phone, unlike the Rambler feature, which is exclusive to the Pixel 11 series, for now. So if you've been wanting to try Pixel 11-like AI voice typing without buying Google's latest phone, this might be one of the easiest ways to get something similar.

If you want to try it yourself, you can download the latest SwiftKey beta from the Google Play Store.

What you need to know

• A reliable tipster says the rumored 50MP 4x telephoto with a large 1/1.9-inch sensor may not make it to the Galaxy S27 Ultra.
• The upcoming phone is said to retain a 5x periscope with a smaller 1/2.52-inch sensor.
• Samsung may ditch the dedicated 3x telephoto camera entirely, leaving the 5x periscope as its sole zoom hardware.

Samsung’s Galaxy S27 Ultra is reportedly getting a major zoom rethink after recent rumors suggested a 50MP 4x telephoto with a much larger 1/1.9-inch sensor. The supposed plan was to swap out the familiar 3x and 5x cameras for a single, larger sensor that could handle more of the zoom range.

Now that upgrade seems a lot less certain. Ice Universe claims on X that the Galaxy S27 Ultra will instead feature a 5x periscope camera with a 1/2.52-inch sensor, which would be pretty much the same sensor size as the one used by recent Ultra models. The competing 4x rumor was described as false, suggesting Samsung could remove the 3x camera while leaving the 5x unit as its only dedicated telephoto.

Samsung has a practical reason for going the safer route. The 5x module is already compatible with the company’s existing camera strategy, but a switch to a new 4x system would mean spending more on sensor development, optics, tuning, and production. If the difference isn’t dramatic enough, it may make more financial sense to stick with proven hardware.

Plus, native 5x optical reach means you'll still get sharp long-range detail at 10x and above with high-resolution sensor cropping, something a 4x lens can have a hard time with when pushed to high magnification.

But that doesn’t mean the 4x idea was for nothing. A 1/1.9-inch sensor would be much larger than the 1/2.52-inch 5x component, possibly allowing for cleaner zoom shots, enhanced low-light performance, improved dynamic range, and stronger portraits.

For now, the safer bet is one 5x telephoto with the 200MP main camera for lower zoom levels. Samsung has time to change course before launch, and with multiple S27 Ultra prototypes reportedly under evaluation, the final camera setup may not be set in stone yet.

The real test for Samsung will be whether its image processing can compensate for not having a bigger sensor if it sticks with the old 5x hardware. Otherwise, axing the 3x camera could be viewed as Samsung simply cutting the spec sheet.

The Pixel 11 isn't notably different to its predecessor, and it doesn't even get new cameras — unlike the Pro models. That's annoying to say the least, but to its credit, Google added a decent number of software and camera features.

The one I like the most is Magic Capture; it makes taking photos of fast-moving subjects effortless, and it isn't gated to the Pro models — the standard Pixel 11 gets it too.

What is Magic Capture on the Pixel 11?

Magic Capture is a dedicated camera mode on the Pixel 11. It starts taking a video when you hit the shutter button, and then uses on-device AI models to analyze the frames and find the best still photo. That image is then turned into a high-resolution HDR photo.

Basically, the feature is designed to make it easy to take photos of fast-moving objects. If you have kids that are constantly on the move, the mode ensures you get images that aren't blurry. It genuinely makes a big difference, and having used it extensively on my Pixel 11 Pro XL, I'm glad that the feature is just as usable on the standard Pixel 11 as well.

You get a set of images when using Magic Capture, and the video that's shot is also available if you need it. The video itself isn't shot in 4K, so you don't quite get the best definition if that's what you're after — the goal with the mode is to deliver HDR photos of the best moments in the video. All of it is done on-device, and it doesn't take much time either.

How to use Magic Capture on the Pixel 11

Google needlessly made the viewfinder controls convoluted to use, and instead of having a Video mode like every other brand, it clubbed it into a toggle in the Photo mode. Magic Capture adds to that, with the mode available as another toggle within the Photo mode. This is how to access it:

1. Launch the Camera on your Pixel 11.
2. Choose Photo.
3. In the bottom row, choose the left-most toggle to enable Magic Capture.

I prefer the cameras on the Pixel 11 Pro XL (obviously), but it's good to see the Pixel 11 getting all the new software features. Also, while the camera modules haven't changed this year on the Pixel 11, the phone takes better photos thanks to tweaks to Google's camera algorithms. Then there are features like Camera Looks that go a long way in changing the look and feel of the photos.

There's a lot to like in the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, and although Samsung didn't make too many changes this year, the bigger 5,000mAh silicon battery means the foldable lasts considerably longer than its predecessor.

Thankfully, there's an easy way to boost the battery life even more. Samsung offers performance profiles within One UI, and I switched over to the Light mode, netting me a decent uptick in battery life. So let's take a look at what the mode has to offer, and why you should consider using it.

Standard vs. Light profiles: Is there a difference?

By default, all Samsung phones run the Standard profile out of the box, but there's a Light mode that's designed to prioritize battery life and thermal efficiency. These performance profiles are located in the Device care section, and you can easily switch between the two as needed.

Unlike Energy Saver mode, the Light profile doesn't actually make a difference in regular daily use. You still get 120Hz refresh and similar levels of fluidity when navigating the UI or browsing. What is does instead is reduce the clock frequencies of the processor, so it isn't using as much power all the time. This is absolutely fine on a high-end foldable, as Qualcomm's latest-gen silicon has plenty of power to spare.

As I said, I didn't see any difference after switching to the Light profile, and the device continued to be lag-free even while multitasking. Notably, the profile is only active in regular use; if you launch a game, it uses Game Booster (which is another thing entirely), so you don't need to limit the hardware if you play games regularly.

There's a clear benefit to using the Light profile. I got close to an additional hour of usage (not SOT) over the course of a day, and it meant I didn't need to plug in the phone until the end of the day. It particularly makes a difference with outdoor use, as the profile does a good job balancing thermals.

How to enable the Light profile

Switching between the Standard and Light modes is as easy as it gets. This is how to do it:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Navigate to Device care.
3. Select Performance profile.
4. Choose Light.

That's all there is to it. The best part about this is that the feature is available on all Samsung devices, so if you're using an older Galaxy phone and need it to last a little longer, you should give it a try.

Apple iPhone Duo vs. Xiaomi 18 Fold: Design and display

I like the design of wide foldables as they’re much easier to hold and use than traditional book-style devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and Pixel 11 Pro Fold. The iPhone Duo looks interesting thanks to the 5.4-inch outer panel, and it unfolds to a 7.6-inch inner panel. The Xiaomi 18 Fold has similarly-sized displays as well, but when it comes to resolution, the iPhone Duo comes out ahead.

That said, the biggest issue with the iPhone Duo is the weight; at 254g, it is the heaviest of any 2026 foldable, and the Xiaomi 18 Fold is 35g lighter. Now, to give you some context, it is 5g heavier than the iPhone 18 Pro Max, but the point stands that it is a hefty device. Obviously, we’ll need to see how that makes a difference in daily use; weight distribution matters a lot on a foldable, and I’ll share findings once I used the Duo.

What I like is that the Duo gets IP68 dust and water resistance. It is the only foldable other Google’s Pixel 11 Pro Fold and 10 Pro Fold to have this feature, and it will make a genuine difference in regular use. The 18 Fold has IP58 and IP59 ingress protection, and it should do a good enough job in outdoor use.

Also, the design itself is exquisite on the Duo, and the blue color looks stunning. Something you don’t see (but will make a difference) is the inner panel. The iPhone Duo uses layers of ultra-thin glass sandwiched over the panels, and it should give it much better resilience against deformation — which is an issue with most foldables. Xiaomi, to its credit, delivered what is arguably the best-looking wide foldable in the 18 Fold, and the svelte design along with the bright red hue is brilliant.

Apple iPhone Duo vs. Xiaomi 18 Fold: Hardware

What’s notable about the internals is that both foldables use custom silicon. The iPhone Duo uses the latest A20 Pro, and the 2nm platform has much better power than last year, and it should deliver meaningful upgrades on the battery side of things. Xiaomi is using the Xring 03 silicon with the 18 Fold, and I’m excited to get my hands so I can test it — it’s not often we get a new player that can beat Qualcomm at its own game.

Xiaomi also has a distinct advantage with the battery, and the 18 Fold has a 6,000mAh battery that easily lasts over a day. the iPhone Duo should last a day as well, but this is something I’ll need to test. The 18 Fold has 67W USB PD charging tech, but what I like is that the iPhone Duo has 25W MagSafe, making it that much more convenient to use. Annoyingly, Xiaomi doesn’t have built-in magnets, so you can’t just use a Qi 2.2 charger with the device.

The iPhone Duo has two 48MP cameras — a main camera and wide-angle lens — but you don’t get a telephoto lens. This is annoying, as the tele lens is the one I use the most. That’s why it’s refreshing to see Xiaomi providing the lens on the 18 Fold; its foldable has a 200MP main camera, 50MP tele lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 50MP wide-angle lens. Just having a tele lens gives the device a huge advantage, and Xiaomi is the only brand doing so on a wide foldable.

Apple iPhone Duo vs. Xiaomi 18 Fold: Software

Where the iPhone Duo has a sizable lead is the software; it’s clear that iOS 27 has plenty of custom features to maximize the real estate on the foldable. What’s great to see is that the toggles and the taskbar are oriented on the right, and while it’s a small thing, it makes a difference in usability.

The main problem with the Xiaomi 18 Fold is that it is limited to China, so you have to use the Chinese iteration of the brand’s skin. There are issues with push notifications, aggressive memory management, and there’s no Play Store or Google services out of the box. If you're an enthusiast and have used Chinese software previously, you can wrangle the 18 Fold to work the way you want (I plan on doing that), but it is a hassle.

Apple iPhone Duo vs. Xiaomi 18 Fold: Which should you buy?

I’ll make this easy: if you like the look of a wide foldable, you should get the iPhone Duo. Although the Xiaomi 18 Fold has arguably better internals, the software is not ideal, and I wouldn’t recommend getting it as a result. Xiaomi needs to do a better job bringing its foldables to global regions, because the 18 Fold deserves a wide rollout.

Of course, the iPhone Duo is costlier than any other iPhone, but not by too much than the latest Pro models. There's no doubt that the 18 Fold gives you a better overall value (as these things go), but with Xiaomi choosing not to launch the foldable globally, this is a moot point.

What you need to know

• Rumors now say Nothing is getting closer to a new audio product launch dubbed the "Headphone 1 Pro" late in September.
• The device could enter a more premium aesthetic for consumers with a $399 price tag, 60 hours battery life, improved ANC, and a triple audio driver setup.
• The original Headphone 1 were pretty good, and could've arguably been one of the best (if not the best) audio product of 2025.

Nothing's first over-ear headphones made a splash when they debuted. Now, rumors suggest the company wants to make even more noise with a "Pro" model.

Late this week, a post by Dealabs suggests Nothing is developing a "Headphone 1 Pro" model, and a launch could be closer than we think (via 9to5Google). As with any device, especially one marked by "Pro," design changes/improvements are possible. The publication claims the Pro headphones could feature "aluminum and glass" on their body. The idea could be to not only separate the Pro from the base model, but also to solidify a "premium" aesthetic, as the post notes.

White and black colorways are supposedly likely once this (allegedly) hits the market around September 29, 2026. However, rumors claim Nothing plans to make the Pro tag matter with a triple audio driver. Improved bass, sharper audio precision, and improved treble were mentioned.

Whispers allege real-time "adaptive" ANC that could outshine the original's. Battery life is another highlight. The Pro model could offer 60 hours of playback time. What's not clear is whether this is with ANC active or not. The original model could run for 35 hours with ANC on and 80 hours with it off. If this higher number concerns the former, that could be a huge boon to consumers.

There's nothing official, but rumors claim the Headphone 1 Pro could run consumers $399 in the U.S.

The original model was good

If you take a quick step back to when the Headphone 1 launched, Nothing stuck them with a $299 price tag in the U.S. The Pro model would ask for ~$100 more, if we're to believe these early rumors. Anyway, Nothing wanted to make a bold statement with these headphones. The device brought back real, physical buttons, rollers, and paddles that make the experience more manageable.

There were pieces of aluminum that accented the Headphone 1. The Pro version could take that up a bit, and with more glass, too. In our experience, the Headphone 1 was a good piece of hardware. In fact, it was arguably one of the best audio products of 2025. Considering the positioning of the controls, the Headphone 1 made it easy to control our music. What's more, since these buttons are physical, we avoided those accidental song skips or pauses.

Nothing equipped the Headphone 1 with "a custom 40mm driver with sound tuned by KEF" that sounded "amazing," per Android Central's Harish Jonnalagadda.

What you need to know

• Galaxy SmartTag 3 rumors continue, suggesting Samsung could redesign the little tracker into a squircle shape, like the Galaxy Watch 8 and 9.
• The tracker is reportedly arriving in white and black; however, Samsung has removed the built-in loop, meaning consumers may have to shell out more cash for a case with a loop.
• Recent rumors suggested the SmartTag 3 could debut with the Galaxy S26 FE, but that never happened as the phone showed up solo late last month.

Samsung's next smart tracker has been long overdue—three years, to be exact. Rumors continue in September, suggesting a reworked design is in the cards.

Alleged renderings obtained by SammyGuru claim Samsung has redesigned the Galaxy SmartTag 3 with a familiar shape (via 9to5Google). The publication mentions this, too: the SmartTag 3 might take on a squircle shape, similar to the Galaxy Watch 8 and 9 series. A thicker, colored outer portion encases a silver (metallic) center. Rumors add that the SmartTag 3 could arrive in white and black. The latter trades in a silvery metallic center for a black, almost brushed metal aesthetic.

The post highlights a few expectations, such as (improved) Bluetooth and UWB (ultra-wideband), like its previous model. What's more, the "NFC-based Lost Mode" is also suspected to continue in this next generation. The tracker's battery specifications are still unknown, but here's hoping that the SmartTag 3's longevity hasn't taken a hit.

There's no dodging the elephant in the room. While the SmartTag 3 appears to take on a squircle shape, the alleged renderings highlight that it's missing a built-in mounting solution. According to the publication, consumers might have to shell out extra cash for a "separate case with an attachment loop."

As far as pricing is concerned, the publication cites alleged "retailer listings." The SmartTag 3 could stay ~$30 in the U.S.; however, consumers in Europe might see a slight price increase of a few bucks (or... euros).

This change is certainly a choice

We've been playing around and tracking with the Galaxy SmartTag 2 since 2023. What's interesting is that the tracker also reworked its design from the original tag. It brought in a wider attachment loop. Consumers could get a case for it that would provide another loop (more of a keyring-style). But rumors from July finally got us thinking about a SmartTag 3 after three years.

A tipster on social media claimed the next tag could debut sometime in September, alongside the Galaxy S26 FE. That didn't end up happening. The S26 FE debuted late in August. So there's a chance we're looking at a solo launch for the SmartTag 3, or perhaps something closer to the Galaxy Tab S12 debut this year.

TL;DR: Forget the iPhone 18 Pro, you can score $1,100 off the Galaxy S26 Ultra when you add a line with an eligible unlimited plan at T-Mobile deal.

Apple unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro earlier this week, and for folks who are tempted to try it out: I get it. Even as a representative of Android Central, I have to admit that the 18 Pro is going to give the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra a run for its money when we start ranking the best smartphones of 2026.

The iPhone 18 Pro utilizes a new A20 Pro chip that might match the performance of the Galaxy S26 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor (time will tell), plus the Apple device boasts a larger battery and the ability to shoot video with Dolby Vision support. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is considerably lighter than the iPhone, and you get unique features like Privacy ID and an embedded S Pen stylus.

• See my guide to the best T-Mobile deals of September 2026

It's a close race, and it's one of those debates that will probably be raging for many months to come. While the tech sites sort it out, there's probably only one factor that really matters to you: whether or not you can get a good deal.

Preorder offers for the iPhone 18 Pro don't go on sale until September 12th, but if you're interested in the Galaxy S26 Ultra, you can save a whopping $1,100 right now by adding a line with the Experience More or Experience Beyond plans at T-Mobile. That drops the price of the premium flagship down to just $5.56 per month for 36 months, no trade-in required!

Both of the unlimited plans included in the T-Mobile promotion give you unlimited talk, text, and premium data on the carrier's vast 5G network, a high-speed mobile hotspot, and a ton of international benefits. Going with the more-expensive Experience Beyond plan also gets you free Hulu and Netflix streaming, plus access to the same deals that are usually exclusive to new customers.

The Experience More and Experience Beyond plans start at $90 and $100 per month for a single line, respectively, but you can drop that price down considerably by adding multiple lines and using AutoPay. Adding four lines of the Experience More plan, for instance, will drop the price down to $42.50 per month for each line ($170 total).

The fact is, both the Galaxy S26 Ultra and the iPhone 18 Pro are excellent smartphones with prohibitively expensive price tags. Regardless of the device you choose, you're going to want a good deal, and this Galaxy S26 promo from T-Mobile is one of the best on the web today.

TL;DR: the hybrid-style Garmin Venu 3S just scored a 36% discount that drops the fitness watch to its lowest price ever recorded at Amazon.

About a year ago, I decided it was finally time to try jogging again. I had hated the activity since I was a kid, but something about the simplicity of hitting the trail with nothing more than some earbuds, good running shoes, and a fitness watch suddenly appealed to me one day.

The problem is that I didn't have a fitness watch at the time, and all of the best Garmin watches seemed too bulky and rugged-looking for my (admittedly) skinny wrists. Fortunately, that's when I came across the Garmin Venu 3S.

This wearable takes the hardware of the excellent Venu 3 and packs it into a sleek, discreet wearable that could easily pass inspection as a traditional Android smartwatch. I paid around $350 for it last year (insert crying face emoji), but now Amazon is slashing a record-smashing 36% off the watch, knocking the price down to just $288.

The Garmin Venu 3S took my fitness regimen to the next level, and now it's selling at a record low price

The Venu 3S comes packed full of the detailed metrics you'd expect in a Garmin watch, such as heart rate monitoring, ECG, and Pulse Ox, plus you get useful features like Body Battery and Sleep Score. And for once, you're getting a fitness watch that's actually comfortable enough to sleep in.

The Garmin Venu 3S also comes with GPS tracking, 8GB of storage for music files, and over 30 pre-installed activity modes, which means I can take it on hikes and bike rides without skipping a beat. Battery life isn't exactly groundbreaking, but the Venu 3S does last a solid week or so before it needs a recharge (with GPS activated).

Is it the best Garmin watch ever built? No, that title probably belongs to the pricey Fenix 9. But is it a reliable fitness watch that's perfect for this (very) casual athlete? Absolutely, and if you've been on the fence about the Venu 3S, this record-smashing 36% discount should encourage you to take the leap like I did.

There's extensive choice if you want to get a pair of decent earbuds. Bose, Sennheiser, and Sony continue to be heavy-hitters in this category (I use my Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen II while traveling), and phone brands also a good job with their earbuds — Google's Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro deliver a vibrant sound with plenty of useful features.

But if you want the best sound quality, you'll need to turn your attention to Noble Audio. The boutique brand is known for its IEMs, and it has ventured into wireless earbuds in recent years. I've heard plenty of great things about the brand, so I was excited to get my hands on the FoKus Amadeus. Retailing for $320 on Amazon, the Amadeus is in the similar price bracket as the Bose QC Ultra Gen II and Sony WF-1000XM6, but what you're getting here is markedly different.

For starters, the design of the FoKus Amadeus is unlike any other earbuds around. Mainstream brands play it pretty safe with their designs, and they're not meant to stand out — that isn't the case here. With a bright red design and a custom shell that's bigger than most earbuds, these are guaranteed to grab attention.

Like the Amadeus name, the red design is an homage to Mozart’s signature tailcoat, says Noble. Build quality is great, and while the size of the shell means the earbuds jut out, I didn't see any issues with comfort. Each bud weighs 7g, and that's in line with other products in this category. The only omission is ingress protection, so I wouldn't suggest using these at the gym. Just like the buds, the case itself is bigger, but the square design makes it easy to take anywhere.

Coming to connectivity, the Amadeus gets Bluetooth 5.4 via Qualcomm’s QCC3091 modem, and there's SBC, AAC, LDAC, and AptX Adaptive. The buds connect to two devices at once, and I had no problems pairing with my Pixel 11 Pro XL, Find X9 Ultra, and iPad Pro M4. There's good ANC as well, and the buds did a great job tuning out the ambient sounds in my surroundings.

Obviously, sound quality is where the Amadeus excels. The sound signature from the 8.3mm dynamic driver is tuned towards musicality, and you get a good bass rumble with clean mids and a nice treble extension. These are particularly great with vocals, and the soundstage is significantly wider than any other earbuds in this category. There's a level of dynamism to the sound that you just don't get with Bose or Sony, and that ultimately makes the Amadeus enjoyable even in extended listening sessions.

Another thing I like is the sheer level of customizability to the sound. Noble uses Audiodo to tune the sound of the Amadeus to your individual preferences. This is done by a listening test that lasts up to three minutes, and then you get a custom EQ that's tailored to your ears. The tech works exceedingly well, and it makes a big difference to the sound. In addition to Audiodo, you get a 10-band EQ and custom modes that let you tweak the sound profile to a granular degree.

Then there's the app; the Noble FoKus app has to be the best of any buds I used. You get a minimal interface without any overt styling (looking at you, Sennheiser), but there's an extensive amount of customizability when it comes to adjusting the sound.

I got good battery life as well. The Amadeus lasted close to eight hours between charges, and each bud has a 65mAh battery. The case provides an additional 2.5 times charge via a 500mAh battery, so you get just around 40 hours before you'll need to plug in the case. There is fast charging that gives you two hours of music with a 10-minute charge, and a full charge takes just over 90 minutes.

I know that's $320 is at the higher end of the scale when it comes to earbuds, and to its credit, Noble Audio didn't omit anything in the FoKus Amadeus. The design stands out quite a bit, but the earbuds are comfortable to wear, and the sound quality is outstanding; if you've used Bose's QC Ultra or any of Sony's earbuds, you will see an immediate difference when switching to these — I did.

Whether you've just joined the foldable revolution or you've been a long-time foldable phone user, you're probably already aware of how amazing it is to have a mini tablet that folds and fits easily in your pocket. That feels more true than ever since the Galaxy Z Fold 8 came along.

But did you know that your Galaxy Z Fold 8 isn't just a massive canvas for one big app? Samsung makes it easy to run more than one app on your screen at once, and a handful of nifty new multitasking features on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 line further enhance what was already one of the best multitasking experiences in the business.

Whether you want to juggle two apps more efficiently, use a 3-way split screen, or run even more apps at once, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is a great way to get things done without a laptop or another larger device.

The taskbar is the key

When you open your Galaxy Z Fold 8, you've probably seen that little floating taskbar appear at the bottom of the screen. By default, this taskbar isn't meant to stick around for long, but one setting changes that.

By pinning the taskbar, you can effortlessly open multiple apps at once, or quickly juggle between apps faster than you can by constantly going back to the home screen. Here's how to supercharge the taskbar:

1. Unfold the phone to use the larger inner display.

2. Open the Settings app.

3. Scroll down and tap Display.

4. Scroll down and tap Taskbar.

5. Tap Taskbar style.

6. Select Stay on screen.

Now, the taskbar will always be visible on the inner display. You can tap any app icon to open that app, but the real magic happens when you press and hold an icon, then drag it around the screen. This lets you easily launch multiple apps at a time and split them any way you want.

Splitting the action

Samsung launched two new multitasking features with the Galaxy Z Fold 8, including 3-way split screen and a new way to juggle between layouts. To get started, choose three apps you want to run side by side. For this example, I'm using YouTube, Chrome, and Google Docs.

1. Unfold the phone to use the larger inner display.

2. Open any app of your choosing. I started with Chrome.

3. Press and hold another app's icon, then drag it to any side of the screen. You'll see indicators to snap the app to a specific area on the screen.

4. Choose another app from the taskbar. If you don't see the app you want, tap the app drawer button on the left side and choose it from there.

5. Drag this new app to a third section of the screen. Your Galaxy Z Fold 8 will show indicators for where you can drop the app.

Now that you have three apps running at once, you can play around with the layout. Most commonly, this means three apps run side by side, but Samsung offers many layout options. Personally, I think three apps side-by-side makes them a bit too small to be useful, and that's where we'll start.

To enlarge an app, grab any separation bar by the "handle" — the part with the dots — and drag it outward. When running three apps at once, this will enlarge one app while leaving the others at the default size.

Here's the coolest part about this setup: when you've got multiple larger apps running at once, the others will hang "off to the side." That lets you run nearly full-screen apps and quickly switch between them by just tapping the app that's off to the side.

But if you want all the apps on one screen and don't want them all vertical, tap any of the "handles" — remember, that's the part of the separator line with the dots — then tap the grid icon that appears. Your apps will now be separated into one half-sized app alongside two quarter-sized apps.

Tapping the handle also brings up additional options. You can easily swap apps between frames by tapping the handle between those two apps, then tapping the "swap" arrow icon. Additionally, you can tap the other grid icon to swap the location of the grid. That lets you move quarter-sized apps from the left to the side half of the screen, and vice versa.

You can even hover an app by dragging the app icon to the center of the screen, letting you run four or more apps at once, similar to a desktop OS. Which layout is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

Many years and even more rumors later, Apple's first foldable phone is finally official. The iPhone Duo is the company's first stab at a folding phone, and it's not the only new phone Apple launched at its annual September event. We got our first look at the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, too. In a major change of pace, Apple didn't announce the base-model iPhone 18, but there are plenty of new features and improvements to speak of.

Apple stole its fair share of features from Android, but the pendulum swings both ways. There are a handful of features I'd love my favorite Android phones to steal from the iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone 18 Pro Max. There are even more features Apple included on its new iPhones that are available as niche offerings on Android, but aren't ubiquitous. Here's to hoping these five iPhone features are onboard your next Android phone.

The iPhone Duo's foldable nano-texture display

Apple didn't launch its first foldable, the iPhone Duo, without a crease. It still has one down the middle of the folding display, just like all the Android foldables that came before it. However, it used a clever trick to minimize the crease's visibility during normal use. The folding display is covered by a matte, nano-texture surface. This reduces glare, reflections, fingerprints, and yes, it makes the crease more difficult to spot.

While some foldables have anti-reflective inner display coatings, such as the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, none of them have a matte finish. This is new for the iPhone Duo, and it solves a few major pain points of using glossy plastic foldable display coverings. For one, it'll be easier to see in broad daylight and won't pick up those nasty fingerprints. It's also strong enough to support the Apple Pencil. Most importantly, it hides the crease in normal viewing conditions, since light reflections are really what makes the crease appear pronounced.

I've used Apple's nano-texture finish on other products before, like the iPad Pro, and I'm excited to see it on the iPhone Duo. I'd love to see a matte display covering on future Android foldables, too.

Under-display camera

Android phones pioneered the under-display camera (UDC), but then they abandoned it. Samsung had a UDC on the Galaxy Z Fold 3 through Galaxy Z Fold 6, and it helped make the main screen feel more immersive. Now, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra have a hole-punch camera smack dab in the top middle of the right half of the phone. It gets in the way of your content, especially if you decide to rotate the device.

Motorola and Google do a better job with their hole-punch cameras, sticking them in the top-right corner, where they're less intrusive. However, I wish Samsung never removed the UDC from the Galaxy Z Fold lineup, and hope that the iPhone Duo's UDC will spark a revival of the trend. Apple's new UDC can handle 1080p video recording at 30FPS or 60FPS, making it good enough for video calls, which is what the front-facing camera on the folding display will primarily be used for.

At the same time, the UDC is hidden just enough to make the iPhone Duo's folding display feel complete no matter the orientation. That's important for a wide foldable like the iPhone Duo or Galaxy Z Fold 8, because they work just as well in portrait as landscape when unfolded.

Variable aperture

There's another iPhone feature that could revival an old Android one, and this time, it's on the iPhone 18 Pro. The two "Pro" phones have a variable aperture primary shooter that can move from f/1.8 to f/4.0, depending on the situation. Apple did this by adding six laser-cut blades to the 48MP main camera that move to transition between different apertures.

It's controllable by the user thanks to the new Pro controls in the Camera app. The iPhone 18 Pro's main camera supports manual adjustments to lens aperture, shutter speed, and white balance. There's also a histogram that shows exposure levels to help you refine the shot. The hardware is the interesting part, though, as variable aperture allows one camera to do the work of multiple specialized lenses.

Once people get their hands on the iPhone 18 Pro's variable aperture, it might spark an Android revival. However, we wanted Android to steal the iPhone 17's square CenterStage camera last year, and that hasn't happened yet.

iPhone Handoff

Apple is working with carriers to add an iPhone Handoff feature, and while it's not strictly exclusive to the iPhone Duo or iPhone 18 Pro, it's certainly worth mentioning. The feature lets you use a single phone line with two iPhones at once. A primary eSIM profile is loaded onto one device, and a secondary eSIM profile is loaded onto a companion device. The phone you're using will automatically connect to your carrier's network automatically.

It's a great way to use two iPhones at once. The timing isn't a coincidence — iPhone Handoff lets you use your phone like with an iPhone Duo and a "regular" iPhone simultaneously. I'd love to have something similar on Android. I could keep a primary eSIM on a Galaxy S26 and a secondary eSIM on a Galaxy Z Fold 8, all using the same phone line.

For now, it's limited to T-Mobile in the U.S., and it won't come free with your plan. There'll be an extra fee, similar to adding an LTE smartwatch to your line.

iOS 27 foldable animations

Finally, there's the software. I admit, after seeing Apple's iOS and iPadOS missteps over the past few years, I had my doubts about the iPhone Duo's software. Apple proved me wrong. There are a ton of software tweaks that make me, and others on the Android Central team, more excited to try it than any other foldable. For me, it starts with the dock. Using the extra vertical space on the right side of the iPhone Duo for launching apps and key controls is genius.

The animations are even better. When you open up an iPhone Duo, the cover screen blurs and dissolves into the main screen. It's an intuitive experience that makes the folding transition feel like a transformation rather than a friction point.

Apple did steal some Android foldable favorites for the Duo, like Flex mode, Split view, and Made You Look (called Kid Cue on the iPhone Duo). However, it definitely jazzed the software up, and Android could stand to borrow some of the animations and design features.

Honorable mentions: IP68, Qi2, pen support, and vapor chamber

There are a collection of iPhone Duo features that are available scattered across different Android foldables, but are not found on one device.

Motorola's Razr Fold has an active stylus that works on both the cover screen and foldable display, like the iPhone Duo. Google's Pixel 11 Pro Fold has the same Qi2 and IP68 support as the iPhone Duo, and also has a vapor chamber for its chip, but lacks pen input. Honor's Magic V6 has a higher IP69 rating, but lacks Qi2 and a vapor chamber.

You get the idea. If I picked and chose my favorite features from the best Android foldables, I could build an iPhone Duo competitor. But that Android device — one with IP68, Qi2, stylus support, a vapor chamber, a UDC, and a nano-texture display — does not exist yet. That's why the iPhone Duo feels like a complete foldable package for fans, and it's exactly what Android phone makers should copy.

You've certainly heard this one before: on the surface, the Google Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Watch 5 look identical. They've got the same beautiful domed glass design, use the same fast-charging solution, and sport the latest version of Google's Wear OS platform. But under the hood (or glass, I suppose), things are quite different.

The Pixel Watch 5 features 50% more RAM and 2x storage, a faster processor, more accurate GPS tracking, and on-device Gemini Nano. For just $30 more, it's a surprisingly good spec bump that's a worthwhile upgrade for anyone coming from an older Pixel Watch (or something else, entirely).

Of course, at this point, you could probably find a Pixel Watch 4 for much less, and that would be a great purchase, especially if we're talking something like $100 less than the Pixel Watch 5. Let's explore what these differences mean and if the newer Watch 5 is the best choice for you.

Google Pixel Watch 5 vs. Pixel Watch 4: Design, hardware, and specs

As you can see from the image above, both watches look identical. They've got the exact same dimensions and weight, use the same glass dome, have the same water and dust resistance, diving specs, and even all the same sensors. It's even got the same 3,000-nit display.

The Pixel Watch 5 has a 2% larger battery than the Pixel Watch 4, which helps give it the same battery life as the Pixel Watch 4, even though the Watch 5 has a chipset that's 20% faster. The Pixel Watch 5 also ships with 3GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, while the Watch 4 only has 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage.

The extra 1GB doesn't sound like much, but it enables Gemini Nano to function properly, and the extra storage means you can download more music and podcasts for listening while you work out.

Both models feature Google's superb haptic engine, the lovely rotating crown, a super shiny, bubbly exterior, support for all the same wristbands, and the same great connection capabilities.

Google Pixel Watch 5 vs. Pixel Watch 4: Software and AI

There's no meaningful difference between the features on these watches, but there are a few things to note. Google's new Health Guardian is supported back to the Pixel Watch 3, so you can buy an even older (and cheaper) Pixel Watch if insulin resistance and blood pressure trends are your main reason for looking at new hardware. You can even sideload Pixel Watch 5 watch faces onto a Pixel Watch 4, if you want.

The real difference lies in Gemini capability and software support. The Pixel Watch 4 will get OS updates through October 2028, while the Watch 5 is supported through October 2029. That extra year of support will likely include new Gemini-based features, too, since the Pixel Watch 5 has 50% more RAM.

And speaking of Gemini, the Watch 5 supports onboard Gemini Nano, so all those simple commands (like starting a timer, controlling workouts or music with your voice, toggling settings) are all instant, while the Pixel Watch 4 needs an internet connection to get the job done. That may not matter most of the time, but it will make a difference if you're out on a run and don't have your phone (or an LTE connection) with you.

Google Pixel Watch 5 vs. Pixel Watch 4: Health and workout tracking

Google announced a ton of great new health features alongside the Pixel Watch 5, and the good news is that all of those features are headed to the Pixel Watch 4. The new insulin resistance and blood pressure trends features are all here.

The only real difference lies in Google's new enhanced GPS tracking on the Pixel Watch 5, which further improves accuracy from the already excellent dual-band tracking on the Pixel Watch 4. This will come in handy if you navigate Google Maps a lot on your watch, especially in a city, but might not be a big deal otherwise.

Google Pixel Watch 5 vs. Pixel Watch 4: Which should you buy?

At retail price, it makes more sense to buy a Pixel Watch 5. For just $30 more, you're getting double the RAM, a faster processor, proper on-device Gemini capability, and an extra year of software support. That's a no-brainer choice.

If you can find the Pixel Watch 4 for at least $100 less, however, the tide changes a bit. It's still a less capable watch, but most people won't care about the fancy new features if they can save a ton of money in the process. Just remember that the Pixel Watch 4 only has two more years of software support left (ending in October 2028) if you're worried about that.

What you need to know

• A report from an overseas publication claims that the prices for the Galaxy Tab S12 Plus and Ultra might go up this year.
• It's suggested that the prices for Samsung's next tablets have shot up by ~€200, and there's a chance the U.S. could see a similar trend.
• Recent Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra rumors suggested there could be a 16/1TB variant; however, the current rumors do away with that theory, and the ongoing memory issues could be the cause (much like the higher pricing

Rumors continue late this week about Samsung's next tablets. Whether it's to be expected or not, it's been alleged that a price hike is on the way.

A WinFuture report highlighted allegations about the Galaxy Tab S12 series' price. The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra will reportedly feature two storage configurations for each variant (Wi-Fi and 5G). The publication cites its "retail sources" in stating the Tab S12 Ultra could cost €1,539 and €1,739 for its 12/256GB and 12/512GB versions. When it comes to the 5G variant of this tablet, rumors claim €1,689 and €1,889 price tags.

On the other hand, there's the Galaxy Tab S12 Plus. The publication claims it will feature the same storage configs as the Ultra. Its prices are rumored to be €1,299 and €1,499. As usual, Samsung will rework the pricing to "better suit" the region; however, we still might be in for a price hike in the U.S.

WinFuture mentions that the alleged prices in Europe are roughly €200 higher than the Tab S11 series. There's a chance Samsung could raise the cost of its next tablets similarly in the U.S. and other regions. For context, the Tab S11 is $699, while the Tab S11 Ultra is $949. If we're to see similar hikes, we might see a Tab S12 Plus closer to $900, while an Ultra could just cross $1,100. But, as always, this is speculative for now.

The trail continues

Galaxy Tab S12 series leaks have been sporadic this year. These rumors have continued to claim that Samsung is opting for two models: a Plus and an Ultra. The Tab S12 Ultra had its details leaked in July, suggesting a tablet that's largely similar to its S11 counterpart. A similar thin build, camera notch, and a 14.6-inch display were mentioned. What's more, the Ultra model could feature an 11,600mAh battery.

One thing has changed with these rumors. The publication today (Sept 10) did not mention a 16/1TB configuration for the Ultra. Previous rumors suggested it could reach these attractive heights; however, we know the ongoing RAM situation that's affecting all of tech. That could be a major cause for the no-show, as well as these purported price hikes.

When the Galaxy Tab S12 Plus' "live images" surfaced, that model also looked pretty much the same. The device was spotted with rather thick bezels around its display.

Android Central's Take

I'd imagine the U.S. market would follow suit if these price hike rumors are to be believed. If anything, I'd say a $100 to $200 increase is in the cards. We are expecting these tablets to appear any week now. We've crossed into September, and that's usually when we start expecting the next tablets from Samsung.

When Dbrand told me it was launching a new minimalist case sub-brand, I was immediately interested. I've loved the company's products for years, and they often come out with new and interesting design ideas, but MNML immediately felt different from Dbrand's usual vibes.

It's such a departure from the company's usual designs that you won't even find the name Dbrand on the case. It's just MNML on the corner, and there's no support for Dbrand skins or any of the usual snarky flair most of us are used to.

You'll also find the prices to be much more minimalist than Dbrand's usual afair. At just $39, these are a bit more palatable than the $50 Ghost cases or the $60+ Grip cases, and they come in four simple colors. The burgundy is my favorite of the four, although I think it looks terrible on an orange iPhone. Better stick to black or tan for a bolder color like that.

Dbrand sent me cases for the Pixel 11 Pro and the iPhone Pro Max 17/18 (since they're the same phone anyway). The "sandstone" texture on these isn't at all like OnePlus's sandstone phones or cases — meaning they're textured but not rough like sandstone usually is — which gives it a nice grip without sanding your fingerprints off by accident.

I also love the clicky covered buttons on the case. It's got all the port cutouts you'd hope to find on a case, plus a perfectly sized lip around the front glass to protect it. I didn't have trouble using gestures with these cases, unlike some rugged cases that have too large a lip and usually get in the way.

These also aren't minimalist in the way Thinborne cases are. They're not super rugged like Dbrand's Tank cases are, but they still add a little bit of bulk to the phone. They're cushy and a few millimeters thin, but they weigh around 40-50g, depending on the phone, which is roughly twice the weight of an aramid fiber case (like Thinborne).

The bright side to the extra "bulk" is that these are more drop-resistant than aramid fiber cases. I purposefully dropped the Pixel 11 Pro on the concrete from about 3ft up a few times to see what would happen. The phone looked untouched, and the MNML case just had a few minor dings on the corners.

Seems to me that these will generally hold up nicely to wear and tear over the life of your phone, making them a great option to grab the next time you're in a Best Buy (so long as you don't care about Dbrand skins).

Dbrand makes MNML cases for 24 phone models across Apple, Samsung, and Google Pixel phone lines. That MNML sub-brand also includes a handful of MagSafe accessories, like a kickstand wallet, slim wallet, and an AirPods case (I guess that's a thing?).

What you need to know

• Samsung is reportedly working on Galaxy Buds On, a new pair of open-ear earbuds with a clip-on design.
• Leaked renders show two rounded sections connected by a silicone loop, with black and white color options expected.
• Galaxy Buds On could offer Auto Volume, head gestures for controls, and automatic pausing when you fall asleep.

It looks like Samsung is cooking up a pair of open-ear Galaxy Buds, and they could launch fairly soon.

While the best wireless earbuds still offer features like ANC and superior sound quality, open-ear earbuds have suddenly started taking over. We recently checked out the Huawei FreeClip 2, which we called one of the most comfortable open-ear earbuds we've tried, and now it looks like Samsung is preparing to challenge the throne.

As reported by SammyGuru, Samsung appears to be working on a pair of open-ear earbuds called the Galaxy Buds On. The publication has shared what appear to be product renders of the device, giving us an early look at the earbuds.

According to the leak, the Galaxy Buds On will feature a fairly standard open-ear design, with two rounded sections connected by a flexible silicone loop. One side will presumably sit closer to the user's ear, while the flatter section will remain on the outside and likely provide an area for touch controls and gestures.

The leaked renders show the Galaxy Buds On in black, although a white color option also appears to be in the works.

The publication was also able to extract illustrations showing how the Galaxy Buds On will clip around the user's ears. The report claims the earbuds will feature Auto Volume, which will automatically adjust the volume depending on your surroundings, alongside head gestures like nodding and shaking.

Another interesting feature will reportedly detect when the wearer has fallen asleep and automatically pause whatever is playing.

There's still no word on exactly when Samsung plans to launch the Galaxy Buds On. However, the company now has several products rumored to be waiting in the pipeline, including the long-awaited Galaxy Glasses and Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra, so we could be hearing much more about Samsung's upcoming hardware fairly soon.

I've been using UGREEN's Nexode Pro chargers while traveling for well over two years now. These charges don't take up much room thanks to GaN tech, and they have all the ports I need. The latest iteration of the product — the UGREEN Nexode Pro 160W Charger with Retractable Cable — adds a retractable cable, built-in panel, and foldable pins, and while it is a little bigger than its predecessor, it the new features provide much better convenience in daily use.

The Nexode Pro 160W charger is now available for $99 on Amazon, and I think that's a reasonable price when you look at everything on offer. I the Nexode Pro 160W for the better part of three months, and I'm outlining three reasons why it is now my go-to GaN charger.

The built-in LCD panel takes guesswork out of charging

While the Nexode Pro 160W isn't the only charger to come with a built-in LCD screen, it makes a big difference in my usage. I connected a lot of accessories and phones to the charger in the last three months, and knowing just how long it takes to fully charge these devices takes all the guesswork out of charging.

The screen also shows real-time charging speeds, including wattage, voltage, and which charging protocol is being used. This is particularly useful for me, as I tend to use phones like the Find X9 Ultra and Vivo X300 Ultra that use their own charging standards. Thankfully, these phones rely on USB PD at up to 50W, and that's what I ended up using. The screen rotates based on the orientation of the charger, which is a nice addition.

The retractable cable is an added bonus

Retractable cables in charging products became a thing around two years ago, and since then, I didn't use a power bank that didn't have it. They're just so useful, and I'm excited to see brands adding these cables to chargers. The retractable cable on the Nexode Pro 160W goes up to 140W, and is ideal for charging phones, notebooks, and power banks.

The cable has four preset lengths, and goes up to 70cm with a full extension. The USB-C connector has a built-in magnet that ensures the cable is attached to the GaN charger when not in use, and after three months of extensive use, I didn't see any issues with the retractable motor.

It has all the ports I need

With three USB-C ports (including the retractable cable) and a USB-A connector, the Nexode Pro 160W has all the ports I need in daily use. The USB-C1 and retractable ports go up to 140W over the USB PD 3.1 protocol, the USB-C2 port hits 100W, and the USB-A port goes up to 22.5W, which is ideal to use with accessories.

It has a total power budget of 160W when using all three USB-C ports — 65W + 65W + 30W — and it's a decent choice if you're like me and need to charge several devices at once. I also like that the plug is foldable; that's the case with U.S.-style blade plugs anyway, but I'm using the EU model, and it's just easier to have a plug that folds — it makes the Nexode Pro 160W just that little bit better as a travel charger.

Overall, the Nexode Pro 160W has all the features I need in a GaN charger, and the build quality combined with the extras make it a good choice if you need a new charger to use at home or on the road.

What you need to know

• Google has officially removed the Pixel Tablet from its online store after listing it as out of stock.
• The Pixel Tablet has also disappeared from major retailers including Amazon and Best Buy.
• Google reportedly canceled plans for second- and third-generation Pixel Tablets due to sales and profitability concerns.
• Existing Pixel Tablet owners will continue receiving software updates until mid-2028 despite the lineup's end.

The Pixel Tablet is finally dead. Like, properly dead dead.

Google launched the Pixel Tablet back in 2023 as a hybrid device that could work as both a traditional Android tablet and a smart home display when placed on its charging dock. At $499, the Pixel Tablet offered a pretty interesting combination on paper, but reactions to the device were mixed after launch.

Google reportedly had plans for a second-generation Pixel Tablet in 2025 and even a third-generation model in 2027. But amid poor sales and profitability concerns, the company reportedly pulled the plug on those plans back in 2024. Despite that, the original Pixel Tablet remained available through the Google Store and retailers for quite some time. Until now.

As spotted by Jetstream, Google has officially removed the Pixel Tablet from the Google Store. The tablet was listed as "out of stock" until a few days ago, but the product page has now been removed altogether, effectively confirming that Google is done selling the device. The Pixel Tablet has also disappeared from retailers, including Amazon and Best Buy.

That means there's now no official way to buy a new Pixel Tablet. You may still be able to find remaining stock through smaller online retailers or pick one up from a reseller, but Google's own inventory is officially gone.

The good news for existing Pixel Tablet owners is that software support isn't ending anytime soon. Google is expected to continue supporting the device with updates until mid-2028. But unless Google decides to resurrect its tablet ambitions again, there won't be another Pixel Tablet waiting to replace it.

The Pixel Tablet was an interesting idea. Having one device that could work as both an Android tablet and a smart home display made plenty of sense, especially inside Google's ecosystem. Unfortunately, the idea never really took off.

So, RIP Pixel Tablet. This time, it looks like it's actually over.

What you need to know

• Rumors claim Samsung is developing a new pair of smart glasses, and has tapped Samsung Display for an in-lens color display.
• The glasses would allegedly focus on displaying "text, notifications, icons, and more" on an extremely thin panel.
• Samsung has its Intelligent Eyewear, which is supposedly coming out this fall, but those are mostly voice-focused with Google's Gemini and a camera.

Samsung has barely dipped a toe into the world of smart glasses, and there's already a rumor that it wants to go bigger next time.

This report from The Elec (Korean) claims Samsung might've started developing smart glasses with a color display (via 9to5Google). The publication cites its "industry sources" in saying Samsung has tapped Samsung Display to "create microdisplays" for a future pair of AI smart glasses. These rumors claim Samsung has a lot on its plate to prepare this product.

Specifically, the post claims Samsung has a "technical challenge" to overcome: its FOV (field of view). The company is purportedly chasing a wide FOV for these glasses to accommodate the information users would see. What's more, Samsung is leaning on its Display side to create "ultra-small panels" of ~0.2 inches or smaller for the lenses. Samsung is allegedly focusing on displaying "text, notifications, icons, and navigation arrows" (machine-translated).

It's still incredibly early to know for sure how Samsung's first color display smart glasses will arrive. However, the publication suggests the glasses could see a launch in the second half of 2027 or "early" in 2028.

Got lenses?

We can't help but think about the Ray-Ban Display glasses from Meta. In fact, that's probably the kind of competition Samsung wants to get itself involved in. These glasses also feature the neural band. It makes it easier to control the display and content on your lenses with hand gestures. There's plenty of time still to see how Samsung manages this.

Right now, we have (kind of) Samsung's "Intelligent Eyewear." These glasses are in partnership with Google, alongside designs from Warby Parker and Gentle Monster. These are Samsung's first smart glasses, but they lean more on the user's voice. Users can communicate with Gemini for navigation, order pickups, and photos. The glasses feature a camera and a microphone to get all of this done. Google reiterated its Samsung partnership during this summer's Unpacked.

These glasses aren't out yet. During the original announcement this past spring, Samsung said we shouldn't expect to see them until "later this fall."

What you need to know

• It's been reported that Samsung has cut support for the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic.
• The watches have reached the end of their five-year software support cycle and will no longer receive any updates from Samsung.
• The Galaxy Watch 4 series made headlines years ago since Samsung swapped its in-house Tizen OS for Wear OS 3; however, there was a lot we weren't satisfied with.

Samsung's made a change this week regarding currently supported devices, and two old smartwatches are no longer on the list.

Samsung amended its Security Updates page, and it no longer lists the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic (via Android Police). The company's smartwatches receive "Quarterly" security patches, and that's where the change resides. According to Samsung, the Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic have reached the end of their update lifecycles.

As it stands, Samsung's "oldest" supported watches are the Galaxy Watch 5 (40mm, 44mm) and the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. Users with a Galaxy Watch 4 series device have reached the end of their allotted five years of updates. It also makes sense that Samsung is writing in this change now, in September. The watches' final update rolled out early in August.

That update was pretty minimal, which you'd expect for a device so old. Samsung only rolled out the essential fixes to ensure your Galaxy Watch 4/4 Classic would remain protected against malicious attacks, but that's it.

They've been cut

There's a lot we can sit here and talk about concerning the Galaxy Watch 4 and 4 Classic. But we don't have that kind of time. One of the main highlights was Samsung's software change for the Watch 4. The device launched with Google's Wear OS, not the brand's in-house wearable OS, Tizen. In fact, Samsung co-developed Wear OS 3 for its Galaxy watches.

However, despite some of the "good" Samsung did with the watch, there was a lot we weren't happy with. The UI on the watches mirrored Tizen quite closely, despite being Wear OS 3. What's more, the Galaxy Watch 4 and 4 Classic were missing some classic Wear OS features. That was a strange pill to swallow, considering you'd find those features readily available on a TicWatch.

Fast-forward to 2026, and you'll find Samsung's latest Galaxy Watch 9 series. Samsung is using Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear Elite (a great move). The company has also continued to enhance the available health features on the watch, as well, for your heart health and more.