What you need to know

• Lumus is expanding its partnership with Quanta this week, which brings a licensing agreement between the two companies for next-gen waveguides.
• Lumus states Quanta will manufacture its next-gen waveguides: the Z-30 2.0, A-Lens 30 (30-degree FOV), and A-Lens 50 (50-degree FOV).
• The company was at CES 2026 where it stated it's future for waveguides for AR glasses will be "thinner, lighter, and easier to produce."

This morning (Sept 1), Lumus, a developer of waveguides for several big-name brands, announced a major partnership expansion.

In a press release, Lumus announced that it has expanded its partnership with Quanta Computing. This expansion sees the two companies reaching a licensing agreement "to manufacture three new geometric waveguides for AR glasses." The post states Lumus is developing three new waveguides: the Z-30 2.0, A-Lens 30 (30-degree FOV), and A-Lens 50 (50-degree FOV).

Thanks to the new licensing agreement, Quanta will handle manufacturing. What we can expect from the Z-30 2.0 is a 30-degree FOV "in a thinner, lighter optical engine." Lumus adds that its latest technology increases the display's brightness, alongside direct prescription lens bonding. The two new A-Lens waveguides (30 and 50) are Lumus' "lower-cost" production solutions.

The next-gen A-Lens waveguides are reportedly cutting down the weight and thickness by 50%. However, Lumus states it maintained its image quality and efficiency with this upgrade. This is an ongoing trend that Lumus is trying to introduce into this advancing world of AR glasses. Trimming down waveguide weight and thickness is key, but so is image quality, brightness, and cost.

Earlier today, Lumus' CEO, Ari Grobman, said, "Our relationship with Quanta has always been built around solving the practical challenges of bringing advanced AR optics into mass production. This agreement allows us to bring our next generation of lower-cost waveguides into manufacturing with a partner that understands both the technology and the production requirements behind it."

Here comes the future, and Lumus is leading it

As mentioned before, Lumus creates waveguides for several brands, even for Meta and its Ray-Ban Display Glasses. Earlier this year, Meta announced that it was doubling the production of its Ray-Ban glasses to meet demand. This was something Lumus echoed in its press release this morning. The demand for smart glasses continues to rise, but there's room for improvement. Its work to reduce the weight and thickness of its waveguides for AR glasses is one such upgrade.

Additionally, the lower-production-cost A-Lenses are designed to help bring more products to consumers. We'll have to see how things pan out going forward.

On a related note, Lumus was at CES 2026. This major tech event is where the company first stated what its plans were for the future of AR glasses. Lumus said, "That's the future for us—making these waveguides thinner, lighter, and easier to produce." Its announcement today further echoes that sentiment.

Google has been steadily improving its Messages app over the years, especially since the advent of RCS. We've been seeing some fun features arriving in the app, such as Voice Moods and Selfie GIFs. However, until now, customizing your chat look has been limited to just changing the color of your chat bubbles, and even that was pretty limited.

Now, Google has introduced new chat themes, which can fully transform your conversations. It lets you pick from a selection of photos (or you can upload your own) as a background and even changes the color of chat bubbles to match.

It's actually a pretty fantastic upgrade to the Google Messages experience that makes it feel much more fun, although I do think it went a step further. I'll walk you through changing your chat theme in Google Messages and explain why I want a little more.

How to change your chat theme in Google Messages

1. Open a message. Tap the three dots in the top right corner of your chat.

2. In the overflow menu, tap Chat theme.

3. Select from among the provided themes or tap Choose a photo to upload an image from your gallery.

4. Select a photo from within a theme or within your gallery. Tap Next.

5. Choose a color combination in the Colors row or stick with the automatic selection. You can preview your theme and colors in the image above.

6. Tap Apply to save your theme to the chat.

Enjoy your new chat theme!

Chat themes are fun, but...

Chat themes are something I've been wanting in Google Messages for some time. On the one hand, I like the relative simplicity of the app, but on the other hand, it can feel quite monotonous with the simple black or white background. Changing chat bubble colors were a nice way to break up some of that monotony, but they were limited to just nine color options and none of them were particularly good.

Chat themes is a great step forward, and in some ways, makes Google Messages feel as fun as Backgrounds on Apple Messages. However, there are a few things I think Google could have implemented to make this a much more full-featured experience.

It feels like a missed opportunity that Google didn't implement Nano Banana in any way whatsoever. Gemini is already integrated into Google Messages, letting you chat with the AI or remix images shared in a chat. I would have loved to see an option to generate a background on-device with Nano, similar to how iPhones let you describe or edit preloaded backgrounds with Apple Intelligence.

I also think Google could take chat themes a step further by having them sync across devices. Right now, when using Chat themes, you'll notice at the top of the page that "only you will see these changes." That means once you apply a theme, it will show up for you but not for the recipient.

On the one hand, I get it, because your friend may pick a theme that you find annoying, inappropriate, or just don't like. However, even Apple Messages syncs backgrounds for both users across iPhones, and some apps like Instagram and Facebook Messenger also sync chat backgrounds (though with a limited selection), which has led to some fun surprises and "fights" over which one to keep.

As one friend puts it, it would be fun swapping a background "and seeing how long it takes someone to notice." Perhaps Google can add a toggle that lets the person changing it sync their background choice across devices, while letting the recipient either keep it or select their own without syncing it back.

Finally, I've noticed a weird bug that freezes the Google Messages app when I tap a theme but don't apply it, then exit back to the chat. Fully exiting the Google Messages app will bring things back to normal. My colleague, Nick Sutrich, has also noticed this, though it doesn't seem to occur for everyone; a friend hasn't experienced this behavior.

I do notice, however, that when he swipes back, he's met with a dialog asking if he wants to leave the page without saving the changes. That only appears for me when I opt to reset the background to default and try to exit without saving. It's a relatively small bug that Google can hopefully fix soon.

What you need to know

• Google Messages gets two standout updates, including Custom Chat themes and Google Keep integration as part of the September Android Drop.
• You can tap the plus button to add a Keep note, letting everyone view, edit, and contribute without leaving the conversation.
• Personalize individual chats using curated wallpaper collections (like Animals, Landscapes, or Space) or your own gallery photos.

Google's September Android Drop is here, and while there’s a lot to go over, two features for Google Messages are stealing the spotlight: custom chat themes and seamless Google Keep integration.

Beginning today, you will be able to bring a Keep note directly into a Google Messages conversation by tapping the plus button. This lets everyone in the chat view, edit, and add to shared notes, whether you're building a grocery list or planning a vacation.

The idea appears to be to turn your Messages conversations into the place where plans are actually made. This might be particularly handy for group chats, where information can get lost in the flood of messages.

Google is also rolling out Chat theme, which lets you set different backgrounds and color treatments for individual conversations. Google has curated collections of wallpapers to choose from — including Animals, Landscapes, Space, and more — or you can upload your own photo from your gallery.

Google recommends everything from a latte theme for a coffee buddy to a beach photo for a vacation group chat. Messages automatically matches the chat bubble colors. This is much more than the simple “Change colors” option we saw back in 2024. It’s rolling out now in Google Messages.

Remember, these customizations are just for you, so that beach photo you set for the vacation chat isn’t going to show up on anyone else’s phone.

Google actually announced these custom backgrounds and themes a few days ago, in a post to the Google Messages Community, so the September Android Drop is another confirmation that the feature is coming.

Expect to see both features become more prominent as Google pushes the September Android Drop to supported devices.

What you need to know

• Gemini can now remember where you left important items, even without a tracker.
• You can tell Gemini where you stashed an item or snap a quick photo, and it logs the detail directly to Find Hub.
• Then, ask Gemini where your item is later, or view all saved locations in Find Hub's new memory tab.

Google’s September Android Drop is introducing a handy upgrade to Find Hub that allows Gemini to remember where you left important items, even if those items don’t have a tracker attached.

With the latest change, you can tell Gemini where you put an item instead of using a Bluetooth tracker to find it later. For example, you could say, “Hey Google, remember in Find Hub that I put my passport in my bedroom drawer” and optionally attach a photo for additional context.

Gemini then saves that information in a dedicated “remembered items” tab in Find Hub so you can easily get back to it again by just asking where it is.

This feature plugs a hole in Google’s current tracking setup. While Find Hub is ideal for tagged belongings, there are plenty of things you routinely misplace — such as passports, spare keys, documents, or other small essentials — that aren’t worth attaching a tracker to. This new feature essentially provides a lightweight memory layer for those items.

The feature will be rolled out to Android 16 and newer devices in countries where Gemini and Find Hub are supported. Google says it will be available soon.

This is just one part of the September Android Drop, which also includes enhancements such as Motion Assist to help alleviate motion sickness and new upgrades to Google Messages.

However, for those of us who spend far too much time looking for lost items, this new Gemini feature may be the most impactful update of them all.

What you need to know

• For September's Android Drop, Google is introducing "Motion Assist," a feature to help users suffering from motion sickness while using their phone in a vehicle.
• On the Accessibility front, Gemini Live can help users find items or read fine print with "Guided Vision," delivering audio descriptions to guide users.
• Google states Motion Assist will rollout on Android 17 devices, while Guided Vision prepares a debut on Android 9 and newer.

It's September, and right on time is Google with the latest Android Drop. This month, the company is focusing on the accessibility and comfort of Android with two major updates.

Google's press release details a laundry list of new features for September; however, we're focusing on two items: Motion Sickness and Guided Vision. If you've ever tried using your phone while riding shotgun in a car, you might've put it down. Motion Sickness could affect anyone, but Google is rolling out "Motion Assist" this month to help. According to Google, Motion Assist "adds a subtle bubble overlay to your screen that moves with the vehicle."

The post states these bubbles will bridge the gap between "what your eyes see and the movement of your ride." Users can start it via the Quick Settings tile, or they can set it to automatically turn on when you're in a moving vehicle. These moving bubbles will appear on the sides of your phone to help reduce motion sickness. The automatic option states Motion Assist will activate if it detects the user in a car, bus, or train.

What's more, users will find a few customization options to make Motion Assist theirs.

A point to Accessibility

Google states Motion Assist will roll out on phones running Android 17.

The second major update is Guided Vision. The post states this feature relies on Gemini Live, meaning users will have to share their camera with the AI. After sharing, Gemini Live will provide audio descriptions of what's in front of you. Google says the AI can help with "reading fine print on a food label, ordering from a menu in a low-lit restaurant, or locating household objects." In one example, Gemini Live guides a user to a seasoning they're looking for on a shelf.

If the subject leaves your frame, Gemini Live will guide you back so it can help you appropriately.

Guided Vision is rolling out "soon" to phones running Android 9 or newer where Gemini is available. Once it arrives, users can add Guided Vision to their Accessibility shortcuts or launch it via the TalkBack menu.

Android Central's Take

I will always prefer updates like this over some "new thing" for AI. While one of these features relies on Google's AI, this is the direction I like seeing it go. A direction where it's incredibly helpful to people who may have trouble seeing or what have you. Tech should make life easier. We've got enough to worry about as it is.

You don't have to wait for Black Friday to score some incredible deals on Android tech. Best Buy's Labor Day sale just went live, showcasing some of the year's best deals on everything from smartphones and tablets to headphones and kitchen appliances. It's one of the retailer's biggest annual shopping events, and unlike Prime Day, you don't have to be a member to enjoy the savings. Simply smash that Add to Cart button and the savings are yours.

• Best Buy's Labor Day sale is LIVE: see the full list of deals

That being said, there are a lot of tech deals to sort through, so I've done the work of picking out the best discounts for Android users so you don't have to waste your time scrolling through endless pages of stuff you don't care about. I've even organized my top recommendations into their respective product categories so it's easy to find what you're searching for. Keep reading for my TOP 20+ picks, and don't forget to check back later to see what's new: I'll keep adding new deals to this list until the sale wraps up on September 7th.

Phones

Wearables

Tablets and Chromebooks

Headphones and earbuds

For the past week, I've been spending the bulk of my gaming sessions using the Razer Prio, a new pocket-sized mobile controller from the iconic brand. I'm extremely picky about my mobile controllers and rarely ever like smaller ones. The GameSir Galileo G8 is my favorite to date, and that thing is a hefty chonk.

But the Razer Prio has convinced me that smaller can be better when it's done right. I've complained about Razer's smaller controllers in the past — the Kishi V2 was particularly annoying to me because of the Switch-like joysticks — but Razer has defied my expectations by creating a tiny controller that not only feels good to use but also fits perfectly in my pocket.

And while the controller looks similar to a Nintendo Switch-style one when connected to a phone, its unique design lets it fold down to half the size, protecting the buttons and joysticks in a very Game Boy or Nintendo DS way. Here's what you need to know about Razer's new $99 controller.

Nailing the basics

Going into this review, I was skeptical. I'm extremely particular about joysticks on controllers, and Razer didn't have the best track record there in my experience. Not only are the Prio's joysticks impressive in their own right, but they're downright miraculous considering what the competition pulled off at this size.

They felt every bit as good running around in The Witcher 3 Remastered (on GeForce Now) as they did catching victory royales in Fortnite. I've never used a controller of this size that worked this well for this many genres, especially shooters. Small, short joysticks usually mean poor precision, but Razer did something different here, and it shows.

The company says these are "contactless" capacitive sensors. I can't recall ever using a controller with this style before, but I've been quite happy with the feel. Razer ensures that these are drift-free, which is always great to hear.

All the buttons feel great, and this uses a real D-Pad with separate directions, not one of those weird circular ones I hate. Despite their diminutive size, the face buttons are all easy to press and feel good. They're extremely quiet and barely make any noise, even when button mashing.

The bumpers on the top of each side are simple, standard buttons, while the triggers are analog and have a surprising amount of travel. This gives you more precision in games where that sort of thing matters (racing games, for example).

You'll also find standard start, menu, home, and Razer Nexus buttons for launching Razer's app. This app acts as a launcher for all your games and supports PC streaming via Razer's software. You can also customize many aspects of the controller, although my pre-release review unit didn't have this functionality enabled yet.

And what good is a travel controller if it takes up a ton of room in your bag? I've faced this issue with my other favorite controllers and had to go without them before, but that'll never happen again, thanks to the Prio. This thing fits very comfortably in a pocket and is about the size of a standard wallet.

Plus, it weighs next to nothing in your hand compared to other controllers. My favorite controller, the GameSir G8 Galileo, weighs 252g. The Razer Prio is just 101g. Yeah, it's a huge difference. I've got moderate-sized hands, but this controller still felt comfortable to use for a long time without cramping. Folks with large hands might not have such a positive experience, though.

The Prio's unique rubber band swivel at the back ensures a nice, tight fit around your phone without adding weight. Again, I was skeptical of this design going into the review, but it proved me wrong. It also helps that Razer ships this with three different sizes and shapes of rubber pads in the box for wider phone support.

If you're a gamer who never takes the case off your phone to play, don't worry, because this controller will definitely work with your existing case. I tested this with a Dbrand Tank case on a Pixel 10 Pro since it's the thickest case I have, and it fit right in once I removed the Prio's rubber pads.

The design's downside is that it doesn't support phones with particularly large camera islands (like the Honor Magic 8 Pro), and book-style foldables (like the Galaxy Z Fold 8) won't fit when the phone is folded closed. The main culprit here is the interlocking tabs that keep the case locked when closed, but get in the way of large camera islands or thicker phones.

Since this controller is USB-C, it doesn't need to be charged or paired; just plug it in and game. You don't even need the Razer app if you don't want it! The downside is that there's no passthrough charging support and no way to even add in a MagSafe battery, so make sure you charge before you play.

All in all, this is a very impressive travel controller that will stay in my travel bag for the foreseeable future.

Last year's POCO F8 Ultra was one of my favorite phones. It had a delightful denim-based design, powerful internals, great cameras, standout battery, and didn't cost anywhere as much as its rivals. Basically, POCO delivered one of the best value flagships of the year with the device.

In 2026, the brand is continuing that trend with the F9 Ultra and F9 Pro. The F9 Ultra isn't too different to its predecessor, and that is unquestionably a good thing. There is a bigger 8,050mAh battery that lasts two days with ease, a new 200MP main camera, and a model with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, which is what I'm using.

The F9 Ultra is coming to 25 countries globally, including the U.K., Germany, Spain, Italy, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Mexico, and the UAE. Annoyingly, it isn't launching in India, and I don't quite understand why that's the case — POCO has a strong userbase in the country, and the device should do well considering its intended audience.

Let's start with what it costs. The F9 Ultra comes with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and it costs the equivalent of $799, with an early-bird deal of $729. It is costlier in the west, retailing for €1,099 ($1,273), but the launch price of €829 ($961) makes it that much more accessible. Then there's the 16GB/512GB model that costs $949 ($799 at launch), and €1,199 ($1,389) (€899 ($1,042) at launch). The 16GB/1TB model is $1,199 in Asian markets with a deal price of $1,059, and it comes out to €1,399 ($1,621) in the west, with the deal lowering it to €1,199 ($1,389).

The F9 Pro, on the other hand, costs $699 for the 12GB/256GB edition, and $769 for the 12GB/512GB model. Obviously, you're still paying a lot of cash towards either phone, but it isn't anywhere as much as a regular flagship.

Having used the F9 Ultra for a week, it's evident that POCO once again managed to deliver a standout phone. I'm a little annoyed that it didn't retain the denim finish — it made the phone so distinctive — but the Dark Cherry model is equally good-looking this year, and the design is eerily similar to what the iPhone 18 Pro is touted to look like based on the leaks. I'm guessing that's intentional, and whatever the reason, the F9 Ultra looks great.

It is on the heavier side at 235g, but weight distribution is ideal, and the matte texture makes the phone a delight to use. The camera island is wide — similar to the iPhone 17 Pro — and it doesn't lead to any wobble when using on a desk, which is a definite positive. You get IP68 dust and water resistance, an ultrasonic sensor that's fast to authenticate and is located in the right position (thankfully), and Xiaomi's interesting offline mode that lets you make calls with another Xiaomi phone without a cell signal (up to two kilometers).

There's a dedicated Bose woofer (like last year), and onboard audio is the best of any phone today. It gets loud and detailed, and honestly, POCO deserves a lot of credit for nailing the 2.1 audio configuration on a phone. Oh, and there's a ring encircling the Bose woofer, and it lights up — similar to HiLight on the Pixel 11 Pro Fold — and it is handy if you want to view notifications while the phone is face-down.

The 6.9-inch AMOLED panel is unchanged to last year, and you get the same WildBoost engine that makes gaming a little smoother. The difference isn't big enough that I'd suggest getting this over something like the Redmagic 11 Pro, but it is better than most mainstream phones. The panel itself is bright and has good colors, and it does a good job with HDR content.

Because of the accelerated launch window (the phone is launching 10 months after its predecessor), there isn't a change of silicon, and that's absolutely fine by me — the 8 Elite Gen 5 is still the best that Qualcomm has to offer. It tends to overheat while gaming, but not quite to the same extent as the F8 Ultra, so that is good to see.

Another positive is the silicon-carbon battery tech. The phone gets a huge 8,050mAh battery with a decent 16% silicon-carbon content in the anode, and it easily lasts two days even with heavy use. There's 100W charging as well, and the phone takes less than an hour to fully charge the battery.

I also like the camera on the F9 Ultra; there's a new 200MP main camera that takes great photos in just about any situation. The wide-angle lens is average, and the phone in general doesn't do that good a job with videos. That said, the 5x tele lens is pretty decent.

The biggest annoyance with the F9 Ultra is the software. The phone runs Android 16 out of the box, and I don't understand why it doesn't have Android 17. POCO has to do better in this area, and the software in general is in need of an overhaul. Of course, that's reliant on Xiaomi, and with the brand dragging its heels, it may be a while before you see any positive momentum on the software front. On that subject, the phone will get four Android updates, which is on the lower end of the scale.

All things considered, POCO has another winner in the F9 Ultra — the phone has reliable internals and cameras, standout battery life, and looks great. The software is annoying, but that's the case with every Xiaomi phone until the brand rolls out its long-overdue redesign, and for what it's worth, I prefer using POCO phones to Xiaomi or Redmi models in this category now. If you need a value flagship in 2026, the F9 Ultra is now one of the best choices.

What you need to know

• The Google TV Streamer has jumped from $100 to $150 at the Google Store and Best Buy.
• Retailers including Amazon may still have older stock at the original price, but supplies could disappear quickly.
• The Nest lineup also gets across-the-board markups, with all five Nest cameras and doorbells seeing price increases of $20 to $50.

If you've been holding off on picking up Google’s smart home hardware, your hesitation just got a lot more expensive. The tech giant has quietly increased prices across its streaming and security hardware lineup.

The Google TV Streamer arrived in 2024 for $100, replacing Chromecast as Google’s flagship streaming box. It was also pretty easy to find below that price, with holiday discounts knocking a few bucks off. Now, Google has quietly bumped up the device’s price by $50 to $150, as spotted by 9to5Google.

The new price is already appearing at Google Store and Best Buy, though some retailers are still selling remaining stock for $100. For example, not all listings have been refreshed by Amazon yet. If you are fast enough, you may be able to pick up older stock at launch prices before it is cycled out.

Google mentions increased component costs, with the Streamer’s 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage making memory costs a likely factor behind the increase. Other recent Google hardware has already been under the same broader cost pressures.

The Nest lineup is taking a hit, too. Google has increased the price of all five of its currently available cameras and doorbells by $20 to $50. The battery-powered Nest Cam is now $200, up from $180, while the second-generation wired Nest Cam Outdoor jumps from $150 to $200.

The third-generation wired Nest Cam Indoor rises to $130 from $100. Both the wired and battery Nest Doorbells now cost $200, up from $180.

Interestingly, the Nest Cam with Floodlight bundle is still priced at $280, and the Nest Hub, thermostats, and the new Google Home Speaker remain unchanged for now.

These changes went into effect August 31, Google says, and with component costs still a big part of hardware pricing, it may be a lot harder to find these older launch prices.

What you need to know

• Android 17 QPR2 has officially hit Platform Stability with Beta 4, meaning APIs are locked and the update is in its final stretch focused entirely on system polish and bug fixes.
• Google fixed several Pixel pain points, including overheating, unexpected reboots, gesture navigation, battery-limit charging, Recents, Bluetooth audio, and screen-recording issues.
• Hardware support gets attention, too, with fixes for USB-C XR mirroring, 3D smart-glasses displays, and low-light Face Unlock.

Google’s Android 17 QPR2 beta cycle is moving into its final stretch. Beta 1 was released on July 20, with Beta 2 following on 3 August and Beta 3 only 11 days later. Now, Beta 4 has arrived with a long list of fixes, and more importantly, Android 17 QPR2 has reached Platform Stability.

That milestone means Google has locked the API surface for the release, giving developers a much more stable target for testing apps ahead of the update reaching users more broadly. QPR2 is a pretty small SDK update that has no planned behavior changes, so this build is much more about polish, stability, and fixing things that could make a Pixel frustrating to use.

Critical bug fixes

And there are a lot of things to fix. As per the changelog, Beta 4 resolves a bug in thermal management that could cause overheating and reboots. Another solution is for the 80% battery limit feature that takes way too long to finish charging the last 2%. Google has also fixed broken gesture navigation and a transparent status bar that could appear after full-screen video with specific display-cutout settings enabled.

You'll see that polish in everyday Pixel features as well. The search in the app drawer may stop accepting text input. Bluetooth call audio may be routed incorrectly through the phone speaker. The Recents screen may freeze or visually clip app cards. Google also fixed a bug with screen-recording audio that could cause microphones to be unavailable to apps such as Gboard and Gemini until a reboot.

There’s some interesting hardware cleanup, too. Beta 4 brings back screen mirroring for USB-C XR glasses and fixes blank screens in 3D mode for connected smart glasses. It also solved Face Unlock issues in low-light conditions that would take users straight to a PIN.

Android 17 QPR2 is also beefing up the protection against call-forwarding scams by limiting some USSD-based forwarding commands and requiring confirmation when users manually dial them.

Positive user feedback

Reddit users who own Pixels are giving surprisingly positive early feedback. One Pixel 9a owner called Beta 4 the most stable QPR2 build yet, with the lag gone and performance noticeably improved. Another Pixel 8 owner said that the phone now feels "fast."

Beta 4 isn’t perfect, though. Some testers complained about oversized text and a lower display resolution after installing the update, though one user said a reboot fixed everything. At least one tester also states that a Bluetooth routing issue for incoming calls has persisted across all four QPR2 betas, with them having to manually select the Bluetooth audio source.

Beta 4 is rolling out to a wide range of Pixel phones and tablets, with Pixel 11 support listed as “coming soon” for now. Some early beta testers on Reddit said a download of about 671MB on a Pixel 9 Pro XL, with a few rollout quirks and some confusion on the update screen.

If you're already a Pixel owner and are enrolled in the beta, you'll get the update over the air. Just know that if you leave the program after installing Beta 4, it can wipe your data.

What you need to know

• Instagram is changing its "AI creator" label to "AI-generated profile" to give users better clarity over whether or not the content (and person) they're viewing is real.
• The platform states there will be restrictions and limits imposed on profiles that do not adhere to this label.
• Instagram already has its AI Info option, which lets users know if something on the platform was made with AI, such as photos and videos.

Instagram is tightening the screws around AI content on its platform this week. Specifically, the app is bringing more clarity for users when a profile is deemed to be nothing but AI.

This morning (Aug 31), Instagram announced that it is changing its "AI creator" label to "AI-generated profile." It states this change was made to "make it more clear to people when a profile features an AI-generated person rather than a human." Here's the thing: if someone is running an AI-generated account, meaning the person users see isn't real, they will face limits. Instagram says these limits will be imposed on their accounts' reach, meaning their views and interactions will suffer.

These "unlabeled accounts" can make things right by adding the new AI-generated profile label to their account. Additionally, they can appeal the decision if there was a mistake.

Instagram has made these decisions due to user feedback. It states users "don’t like seeing a profile that seems human, only to find out later that the person featured is AI-generated." If something was made with AI, users want to know flat out, not after the fact. If a profile/account has always used the "AI creator" label, nothing necessarily changes. The "AI-generated profile" label will simply continue. However, the post states that if a user utilizes AI tools as part of their "creative process," the AI-generated profile label doesn't apply.

Instagram says this change is a part of an ongoing process. Things may continue to change over time.

Changes continue for Instagram

AI has arrived on Instagram in a myriad of ways over the past few years. On one hand, we have warning labels that the content you're viewing was made by AI, such as photos. Then, we have Instagram's mistakes, where users have seen the app mistakenly call their friends AI in a messaging glitch. Regardless, it's safe to assume that more AI-related features for transparency will continue. The post acknowledges that generative AI tools spread, but users want to know if what they're seeing is real or fantasy.

On the flip side, Meta was involved in a $16 billion settlement over the addictive nature of its social media platforms: Facebook and Instagram. This settlement focuses on younger users, as the case highlighted a "nationwide mental health crisis" that's been "fueled" by these addictive apps. As a result, Meta will need to roll out changes for younger user accounts to help cut down their exposure.

Such changes will involve daily usage limits, age restrictions for content, and more.

Android Central's Take

It feels like you're always on guard online now. Not that you weren't before, but it's for a different reason today. Now you're wondering, "was... was this made by a computer and not a person?" "Is this person real?" It's kind of weird. It almost feels like we're walking into a sci-fi story where the AI starts learning and evolving and taking over. No? I watch too many movies, I know.

What you need to know

• Google Pixel 11 Pro users on Reddit have started voicing problems with the device's recording capabilities when Video Boost is active.
• A report states statis bursts every "five seconds" emerge in recordings when this enhancement feature is active, completely ruining the end-product.
• A Google support team member has responded, curious to learn more; however, users have discovered an at-home fix for this problem.

It's the end of August, and we're all unpacking our Pixel 11 phones, but some users say there's already an issue. Reports highlight a video enhancement feature that's working in reverse.

Over the past week, reports on the Pixel Phones subreddit have emerged, highlighting a problem with Video Boost on the Pixel 11 Pro (via 9to5Google). The original poster (OP) said that after recording, they noticed "static bursts" in the audio "every five seconds." The report specifies that this has only occurred with videos recorded with Video Boost enabled.

The OP followed up with a better example, showing how egregious these static bursts are every few seconds. Users entered the thread. Some say they've encountered the same problem when Video Boost is active. Another questioned the OP, wondering about their video quality. The user was recording in FHD at 6fps, not 4K. However, another recording at 4K displayed signs of these disruptive static bursts.

Users lamented the problem, stating it's disheartening to have such a problem on top of the phone's price. The OP considered returning their device, but they stuck with it and reportedly found a fix. They say, "I went in and cleared the cache on the camera app and turned off zoom audio. No static on the videos tonight." One user found no issues at 30fps, but toggling 60fps on and off seemed to help.

Interestingly, Google is aware of the problem—or at least, the issues users have voiced. A member of the Google product support team for Pixels responded, inquiring for more information.

Video Boost is designed to help users record better videos. It works by submitting your recording to Google's Cloud services to "enhance it" before returning to your phone. When Google first introduced this for the Pixel 8 Pro, it seemed like a straightforward process. However, there appears to be some disconnect between the Pixel 11 Pro and Video Boost's original purpose. With Google chiming in, hopefully it'll look into a more permanent solution that doesn't involve extra steps from users.

These early issues are frustrating, as they're souring an otherwise well-received Pixel 11 launch. While Google has integrated some useful hardware upgrades, the company's also raised the bar significantly for Pixel AI. Of course, these are optional tools, so the final judgement is up to the end-user.

What you need to know

• The Galaxy S27 Ultra could replace its 3x and 5x telephoto cameras with a single new 4x f/1.9 zoom camera.
• The rumored 4x telephoto camera would match the native optical zoom of the iPhone 17 Pro.
• Leaked CAD renders appear to show room for only one telephoto camera alongside the Galaxy S27 Ultra's main sensors.

A new leak may have revealed the new zoom camera Samsung is planning for the Galaxy S27 Ultra.

The Galaxy S27 Ultra is finally starting to take shape. We recently saw CAD renders of the Galaxy S27 Ultra that revealed a redesigned camera module with an iPhone 17 Pro-like horizontal camera plateau. Another leak also suggested that Samsung might finally increase the battery capacity on its upcoming flagship.

Now, the same leaker who claimed Samsung is working on self-healing display glass for the Galaxy S27 Ultra has shared on X that the phone could feature a new 4x telephoto camera with an f/1.9 aperture.

Until now, Samsung has used two different zoom cameras on its recent Ultra flagships, traditionally offering a combination of 3x and 5x telephoto lenses. But with the Galaxy S27 Ultra, it looks like Samsung could be changing that strategy.

The company will reportedly switch to a single telephoto camera offering 4x optical zoom. Interestingly, that's also the zoom level Apple offers on the iPhone 17 Pro.

The recently leaked CAD renders also appear to leave room for only one telephoto camera inside the pill-shaped module next to the two main cameras on the horizontal camera plateau, so that could be where this new 4x camera sits.

The leaker hasn't revealed the megapixel count or any other specifications of the new sensor just yet. But with the Galaxy S27 Ultra still around six months away, we expect to learn much more about the camera setup as we get closer to launch.

Of course, there's still plenty of time for Samsung to change things before the hardware is finalized. But between the redesigned camera module, rumored larger battery, self-healing display glass, and now this new 4x telephoto camera, we're finally starting to get a clearer picture of the direction Samsung could be taking with the Galaxy S27 Ultra

The memory crisis is affecting the mid-range phone category to a noticeable extent in 2026, and that is evident with the launch of the Redmi Note 17 Pro Max. Previous models in the series stood out for delivering the best hardware and value, but that hasn't been the case for the last two years at least.

While the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ had a great design and 200MP camera, it debuted with outdated software and shortsighted moves like missing 4K60 video. The Redmi Note 15 Pro+ had similar issues, and it cost even more while offering less in the way of features.

Annoyingly, the Redmi Note 17 Pro Max is even worse. Xiaomi is distracting buyers by adding a huge 9,210mAh silicon-carbon battery that ostensibly lasts up to three days, but there's no getting around the fact that this phone is slower, doesn't have as much memory, and isn't as good in daily use as its predecessor. The Note 17 Pro Max costs $499 at launch, and honestly, your money is better spent on just about any other phone.

Look, there are areas where the Redmi Note 17 Pro Max is better than other phones, particularly with battery life. Thanks to a 9,210mAh silicon-carbon battery, the phone lasts two and a half days with medium use, and even with heavy usage, you can get it to last two entire days. And when you need to charge it, there's 100W USB PD 3.0, so it takes just an hour to get to a full charge. Battery life is unquestionably the best feature on this phone, and Xiaomi even sells a model with a 10,000mAh battery (if the 9,210mAh unit isn't adequate).

I like that the phone doesn't feel like a brick; it has a flat design and is good to hold and use, and it has similar dimensions as the Galaxy S26 Ultra, if a bit chunkier and 14g heavier. That said, it isn't unwieldy to use in the least, and Xiaomi deserves credit for the design. Also, the Note 17 Pro Max has better durability thanks to a new polycarbonate mid-frame, and it gets IP68 and IP69K ingress protection — like the best Android phones. But in classic Xiaomi fashion, IP69K isn't available on all global models.

The Cloud Blush color looks good too. It has an iridescent pattern that subtly shifts as light reflects the body, and it adds a bit of elegance to the phone. The 6.83-inch OLED has good colors out of the box, and it gets bright in daily use. While a few Xiaomi phones had issues with HDR content, that thankfully isn't an issue here, and the 120Hz panel on the Note 17 Pro Max is pretty good overall. It doesn't get quite as bright as the 15 Pro+ when using both phones side-by-side, but I didn't notice any issues in outdoor use.

Okay, that's it for the positives. Xiaomi made a lot of changes to the hardware this time around, starting with the use of silicon. Last year's model came with a Snapdragon 7s Gen 4, so it is annoying to see Xiaomi move to the Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 with the Note 17 Pro Max. What's particularly insidious is that this chipset still uses the A78 and A55 cores, which are positively ancient at this point.

To give you some context, last year's model has the newish A720 and A520 cores, so the Note 17 Pro Max is a clear downgrade — and it shows in everyday use. There is noticeable lag when you're multitasking, and high-end gaming is an exercise in futility. Device manufacturers have made plenty of positive strides in bringing decent hardware to mid-range phones, but Xiaomi reversed all of that with the Note 17 Pro Max.

The Note 17 Pro Max starts with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.2 storage, and that is just not good enough in 2026. It is yet another area where this year's phone is a downgrade. On that subject, the 50MP main camera is decent if you take photos, but it once again misses out on 4K60 video — at this point, it's clear that Xiaomi doesn't want to offer this feature. It isn't quite as good in low-light situations, and the cameras overall don't hold a candle to the Pixel 10a.

Then there's the software. The Note 17 Pro Max runs Android 16 out of the box, and I just don't get it. Google released the stable Android 17 build 74 days before Xiaomi introduced the Note 17 Pro Max, so it isn't like the brand had enough time to pre-install the latest version of Android. This is once again a choice, as it means Xiaomi doesn't need to deliver quite as many platform updates.

Yes, the Redmi Note 17 Pro Max has the best battery life of any phone I used in 2026, and it looks and feels good to hold and use. The OLED panel is vibrant, and the main camera is decent enough in this category. However, the downgraded hardware combined with 8GB of RAM and annoying bloat-ridden software means there isn't much of a reason to buy this phone — the Note 15 Pro+ is still a better choice in every area other than battery life. If you're looking to get a mid-ranger in 2026 and need something made by Xiaomi, my recommendation is the POCO X8 Pro.

Google finally upgraded the base storage with the Pixel 11 series, among other notable upgrades and modifications. One thing remains constant, though, and that's the number of models launched. There's the basic Pixel 11, the more advanced but petite Pixel 11 Pro, and the larger-than-life Pixel 11 Pro XL.

Upgrades like increased internal memory, a faster processor, and the fancy HiLight in its RGB glory come at a cost; the Pixel 11 series starts at $100 more than the Pixel 10 series. The spike in RAM prices may also be to blame, but it doesn't matter who the culprit is. You're here to decide which of the three Pixel 11 models deserves your money the most.

So, how do you decide which Google Pixel 11 model you should buy? Each phone has something to offer and caters to a particular kind of user. Let's compare all three devices and come to a conclusion.

At a glance

The base Pixel 11

The baby Pixel 11 is the entry point to Google's 2026 flagship series. Following the across-the-board price increases, it sells for $899 with 256GB of storage and $1,019 for the 512GB variant. Both memory options come with 12GB of RAM. Unlike the Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL, the Pixel 11 has different colorways.

The Pixel 11 supports faster 25W wireless charging than the Pixel 10. Other changes include the new Tensor G6 chipset, all the latest Gemini features, and some camera upgrades, though you still get the lowest-resolution cameras in the Pixel 11 family and no HiLight RGB light. Notably, the Pixel 11 has a slightly larger 4,985mAh battery compared to the Pixel 11 Pro's 4,850mAh.

For the price that you pay, the year-over-year upgrades aren't significant enough, making it really hard to recommend the base Pixel 11. It just doesn't make sense. You're better off purchasing the last-gen Pixel 10 at a much lower price, or adding $200 to score the Pixel 11 Pro.

The new and improved Pixel 11 Pro

The Pixel 11 Pro retails at $1,099 for the 12GB/256GB variant. Meanwhile, the 512GB and 1TB variants bump the RAM to 16GB, priced at $1,219 and $1,449, respectively. The 11 Pro shares the same charging specs as the base Pixel 11, but for some reason it has a smaller battery than the Pixel 10 Pro and the Pixel 11.

The HiLight adds a glowing dot to your Pixel 11 Pro, so you can get more info about your notifications without picking up your phone. It has the same Tensor G6 chipset and advanced Gemini features as the rest of the Pixel 11 family.

The Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL are nearly identical in every way except for size, battery capacity, and charging speeds. This is a rare instance where you truly get two different size options for the exact same flagship phone, including identical colorways. You get the same cameras on both phones, which is a huge bonus if you want a small phone that doesn't compromise on camera quality.

Choosing between the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL comes down to size preference, then. If you're not keen on carrying a 6.8-inch device that is an ounce heavier than the petite Pro model, there's no need to upgrade to the larger, more expensive Pro XL. You might get a smaller battery, but the smaller display should consume less power than the Pixel 11 Pro XL, which should average out the uptime to some extent. Overall, this is the ideal Pixel 11 model for most people, as it delivers the most value for money.

The specs-maxxing Pixel 11 Pro XL

Google stuffed the Pixel 11 Pro XL with features like a turkey stuffed with fillings on Thanksgiving, making it the most feature-rich model in the Pixel 11 series. Like the rest, the Pro XL starts at $100 more. The base memory variant costs $1,299 for 256GB of storage and a lower 12GB of RAM than the last-gen Pixel 10 Pro XL. The other two variants come with 16GB of RAM and are priced at $1,419 for 512GB and $1,649 for 1TB of storage.

The Pixel 11 Pro XL is equipped with all the latest features you would expect: the advanced Tensor G6 chipset with the Titan M3 security chip, Gemini's latest capabilities such as Rambler and Magic Capture, and the HiLight notification LED. The cameras have also been upgraded, elevating what was already a brilliant photography and videography experience.

Google pulled all the stops with this one, giving it the largest battery and fastest charging speed of the Pixel 11 trio. The big screen does make this the heaviest Pixel 11, though, and it has a smaller battery compared to the older Pixel 10 Pro XL. If you want the biggest, most powerful Pixel 11, this is the model to get.

What about the Pixel 11 Pro?

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is technically part of the Pixel 11 family, but it sort of exists in its own sphere. However, if you're interested in foldables and curious about the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, we've got you covered in a separate article that discusses whether you should buy one. Just be prepared to pay a pretty penny if you do!

Samsung's book-style foldables have historically featured squarish (1:1) aspect ratios for their main displays, but the Galaxy Z Fold 8 changes that. It's a wider foldable with a 7.6-inch folding display that uses a 4:3 aspect ratio. As a result, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is better for widescreen video and mobile games, such as modern TV shows, movies, and game titles you're likely to play on an Android foldable. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 makes a handful of compromises to get there, so it's not for everyone.

Luckily, the Android foldable market is ripe with options — and Apple is said to be gearing up to launch a wide "iPhone Ultra" foldable as well. For now, there are five Android phones I'd consider instead of the Galaxy Z Fold 8. Whether you're looking for great displays, long battery life, sharp cameras, or maximum durability, there's something for everyone here.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 is fun to use, but it isn't the flagship foldable of 2026. That would be the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, which is a pricey pick at $2,100. This phone uses the same Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset and runs the same One UI 9 software. However, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra offers enough upgrades to be your top alternative to the Galaxy Z Fold 8.

The nearly square folding display is better for multitasking, but it's also larger, with an 8-inch folding AMOLED screen. The cover screen is bigger, too, at 6.5 inches, and its aspect ratio makes the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra feel like a traditional smartphone.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is almost a millimeter thinner and is crazy light, weighing only 215 grams. Somehow, Samsung managed to cram a 5,000mAh silicon-carbon battery in this slim chassis — larger than the one in the regular Galaxy Z Fold 8.

Plus, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra includes a triple-camera system on the rear, headlined by a 200MP primary shooter. The ultrawide camera is upgraded to a 50MP sensor this year, and the system is rounded out with a 10MP telephoto. All these spec bumps combine to make the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra a more well-rounded foldable than the Galaxy Z Fold 8, as long as you can live without the wide form factor.

Motorola Razr Fold

If battery life is your main priority, there's no better choice than the Motorola Razr Fold. It runs on a 6,000mAh silicon-carbon battery that charges at blazing 80W wired charging speeds and 50W wireless charging, as long as you use a proprietary charger. The Razr Fold has the largest foldable battery you'll find in the U.S., and it's still only 9.89mm thick. It is on the heavier side, but Motorola makes up for that with stylish vegan leather materials and a premium look.

The Razr Fold uses an 8.1-inch folding display that's larger than every other foldable on this list. It's also really bright at up to 6,200 nits. What's interesting is that the Razr Fold's 6.6-inch cover screen has a 165Hz refresh rate, making it more responsive than the Galaxy Z Fold 8.

Another perk of Motorola's first book-style foldable is its camera system, which we even compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series. Every rear camera lens, from the primary shooter to the ultrawide and telephoto, uses a 50MP sensor. This gives you plenty of versatility, whereas the Galaxy Z Fold 8's ultrawide camera is low-resolution and lacks a telephoto.

The Razr Fold's base Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chip might give you pause, but it shouldn't. Even without an "Elite" processor, the Razr Fold performs as it should.

Google Pixel Fold

Samsung is trying to start a new foldable trend with the Galaxy Z Fold 8. Apple might introduce a wide foldable of its own with the iPhone Ultra, but until then, there's only one widescreen alternative to the Galaxy Z Fold 8: the original Google Pixel Fold. Released in 2023, the Pixel Fold has a 7.6-inch folding display with a wide 6:5 aspect ratio that feels similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 8.

If you're set on trying a widescreen foldable, the Pixel Fold is the only real alternative. The Tensor G2 chipset is showing its age, but the Pixel Fold's other core specs still hold up in 2026. You get a 4,821mAh battery, a triple-camera system, and a 5.8-inch cover screen. The phone is still fully supported with Android updates. You can run Android 17 on it today, and it's guaranteed to get at least Android 18.

What makes the Pixel Fold truly appealing is the price. If you can find it in new or refurbished condition, it'll be around $500 or less. On the secondhand market, it's not hard to find a Pixel Fold for $300 or less. That's a steal for a foldable, even one that's a few years old. It might be worth your while to track down an original Pixel Fold to get a Galaxy Z Fold 8 competitor with a wide-folding display at a low price.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8

Part of the appeal of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is its compact form factor when closed. Though it's a little wide, the Galaxy Z Fold 8's 5.5-inch cover screen is much more compact than modern Android phones. If you're intrigued by the smaller footprint, the Galaxy Z Flip 8 might be worth a look. As a flip phone, it's certainly a different experience than the Galaxy Z Fold 8, but it comes with practical benefits of its own.

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is lighter than the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and measures only 85.7 tall when shut, making it disappear in your pocket. Plus, it has the same Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset, meaning you can expect similar performance across the two phones.

Samsung kept the same 4,300mAh battery in the Galaxy Z Flip 8, but it charges fairly fast at 25W via cable. That gets you about 55% of the battery in exchange for a 30-minute charge. The phone has a 6.9-inch display when unfolded, putting it in the Galaxy S26 Plus and Galaxy S26 Ultra territory. The 4.1-inch cover screen is usable, and the software is slowly getting better.

At $1,200, the Galaxy Z Flip 8 is about $700 cheaper than the Galaxy Z Fold 8. It might not be exactly what you had in mind when you started searching for a new foldable, but flip phones are fun, functional, and more affordable.

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold

Google's Pixel 11 Pro Fold does two things better than any other foldable sold in the U.S.: durability and wireless charging. It's still the only foldable to be completely dustproof thanks to IP68 certification, meaning you don't have to worry about dust or sand working their way into your folding display assembly or hinge and causing trouble.

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold also has Qi2 magnets inside. This allows you to connect the Pixel 11 Pro Fold to Qi2, MagSafe, or Pixelsnap chargers and accessories without needing a third-party case. This time, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold isn't overtly thick because of its internal magnets. The foldable measures 10.1mm thick, which is respectable. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is thinner, but doesn't have internal magnets.

Google has a few more tricks up its sleeve, like the Pixel 11 Pro Fold's HiLight feature, a colorful LED on the back flash that glows when you receive a call from a favorite contact or start chatting with Gemini. It's a bit gimmicky, but it makes the Pixel 11 Pro Fold unique. This is one of many Pixel-exclusive features on the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, such as Magic Capture and Camera Looks.

If you value IP68 and Qi2 as foldable features, you should choose the latest Google foldable over the Galaxy Z Fold 8.

Take your pick

If none of these foldables catch your eye, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 may indeed be the best option for your needs. Otherwise, consider traditional flagships, like the Google Pixel 11 Pro XL and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. While they don't have the large folding displays of the other phones on this list, these models are just as capable and cost hundreds of dollars less.

I admit I was a little disappointed to learn that the Pixel Watch 5 is powered by essentially a boosted version of the same chip from the previous Pixel Watch, rather than the new Snapdragon Wear Elite, which is positioned as a premium smartwatch chip for on-device AI and more.

However, after reviewing the Galaxy Watch 9 and testing the Pixel Watch 5 for two weeks, I realized that Google may have made the right choice by skipping the Wear Elite. As a result, the Pixel Watch 5 delivers smooth performance, supports new AI features, and maintains good battery life. Unfortunately, the one feature I was looking forward to isn't here yet.

The same charm

Aesthetically, the Pixel Watch 5 is no different from the Pixel Watch 4, with a sleek design that still feels fresh yet is also starting to get a little old. The domed glass screen is gorgeous, and the display is bright at 3,000 nits, although I still don’t really care for its shape, as it slightly warps content towards the center.

Otherwise, Wear OS 7 looks fantastic, and the UI is incredibly fluid thanks to Material 3 Expressive. Icons seem to shrink and expand as you scroll, and there’s a pleasant bounce to animations.

I like some of the new watch faces like Weave, although I tried creating my own watch face using AI, with… interesting results. It feels more like a way to theme a new watch face than to create a whole new style of watch face from scratch, which is fine but less compelling than I thought it would be.

I do wish that Google would take after Samsung when it comes to widgets. The current iteration looks great and is better at providing glanceable information, but freely stacking widgets on One UI Watch adds a layer of personal touch I would love to see here.

Don't touch me

Gestures are much more prevalent in Wear OS 7. In fact, it constantly feels like the Pixel Watch 5 doesn’t want me touching its screen. As I go through my day, I receive a notification and pinch my fingers twice to open the notification panel, then again to scroll through my notifications, all without touching my display. I then twist my wrist to dismiss the panel.

As I take a stroll through the neighborhood, I let my music and Google Maps guide me to my destination. I pinch my fingers again to open At a Glance, which shows my current Google Maps route, then pinch to swap between the route view and directions. Similarly, in media controls, I pinch my fingers to skip or pause/play the current song on YouTube Music, which you can thankfully customize.

Throughout my day, I raise the Pixel Watch 5 to my face to view the time or a notification, and notice a bright sliver of blue at the bottom of the display, signaling Gemini is ready to listen for any commands or queries. It's good at knowing when to either fade away or pick up what I’m saying, in case I want to check my Google Health stats, ask it a question about my schedule, or check on a package I’m expecting.

Gemini also gives me the occasional proactive prompts in my notifications to do things like set a reminder. And Gemini even works offline in a limited capacity, which is handy if you don’t have an LTE-enabled watch.

It’s surprisingly intuitive and works quite well, but make sure you set your wrist orientation correctly so the watch can better detect your gestures.

Health and fitness are... almost there

The Pixel Watch hasn’t been my favorite smartwatch for fitness, but the Watch 5 promises to be better in a few areas, even if I haven’t experienced all of them yet. I recently ran a 5K race and tracked the run using the Pixel Watch and two other wearables. For some reason, the Pixel Watch didn’t record my GPS data, but it did accurately record my run distance and later recorded my route on a long walk I took.

The Pixel also beat the Galaxy Watch 9 in a step test and more closely matched the Garmin Cirqa in heart rate data across several workouts.

There have been some updates to the workout screens, but unfortunately the new live-guided training sessions aren’t available yet. As someone who frequently works out, I’ve been looking forward to this feature the most. However, when it does arrive, I will do a separate deep dive into how it works and how it compares to Garmin’s workout tracking.

Google also claims sleep tracking has improved, and I’m inclined to believe it. The Pixel Watch 5 even picks up on moments when I'm particularly restless, though there was only one instance when it didn't track my sleep. I wonder if I was too restless that night, as I do recall waking up quite a bit.

Unfortunately, newer health features such as Insulin Resilience and Blood Pressure Trends are also unavailable at the time of writing, which is kind of a bummer.

Should you buy the Pixel Watch 5?

The Pixel Watch 5 is a great smartwatch, and one I could easily recommend over the cheaper Galaxy Watch 9 for one major reason: battery life. I easily get two days of battery life while tracking sleep and workouts, and occasionally spamming Gemini.

That said, I can’t recommend it over the Pixel Watch 4. The watches are too similar, and the Watch 5 is leaning on the promise of features that haven’t yet arrived at the time this review is written. That said, some of these features may not make it to the Watch 4 at all, so you'll have to decide if you want to take that chance.

Google’s Pixel smartphones have never been the strongest in terms of raw power or customization, but they represent something of a consumer-friendly, accessible option for those who want an easy Android experience. The Pixel 11 is the latest representation of Google’s software and hardware coming together to showcase how far Android has come and how useful AI can be, even if we love to hate it.

I’ve been using the Pixel 11 for a few weeks now, and it feels like Google is navigating an interesting intersection between AI and social media, one that companies like Samsung are also starting to hone in on. The result is a phone that feels fresh, fun, and functional while remaining one of the best flagship options for your wallet.

It’s the small things

At first glance, the Pixel 11 looks and feels as small and pocketable as the Pixel 10. Unfortunately, the Pixel 11 is still quite thick at 8.6mm, making it chonkier than even the Galaxy S26 Ultra. It’s also pretty hefty, weighing closer to the S26 Ultra than the base S26.

On the plus side, Google made some small but welcome changes to both the design and some of the internals, which I think sort of make up for its hefty design.

For example, the camera housing doesn’t protrude nearly as much as the Pixel 10, so it lies flatter on a table than its predecessor, despite having roughly the same camera sensors. The battery is also slightly larger, although Google probably should have opted for denser silicon-carbon batteries, which likely could have helped shave off some thickness. Still, battery life hasn’t been a problem for me, and I generally get a full day of use before needing to plug in.

Fortunately, charging got a bit of a boost. The Pixel 11 still features 30W wired charging, which isn’t the fastest on the block, and I definitely find myself waiting longer than I’d like for it to charge.

Extreme Charging can help with this, although only somewhat. The hidden feature pauses apps in the background to keep the phone cooler for longer and allows for higher sustained charging speeds. Thus, I did see a 10% boost after 30 minutes of charging, bringing the phone from 0 to 50%.

Wireless charging is also much better, with seemingly stronger Qi2 magnets and faster 25W speeds, making it nearly as useful as wired charging.

The Pixel 11 gets social

AI has been Google’s main focus with the Pixel lineup, but social media is also becoming more important, as seen in the latest Android 17 features like the built-in Creator Suite and Screen Reactions. In fact, two of my favorite new Pixel 11 features are at opposite ends of social media, with one that aims to give me the perfect photos to post while another prompts me to step back from scrolling.

Magic Capture is a new built-in Camera feature that sits just to the left of Photo mode. With it, you tap the shutter button and start recording a video, while AI works in the background to automatically find the best moments and save images. This essentially automates the manual still-capture feature already available in Video mode, letting you focus on capturing the moment.

I used the feature at a party, and despite the challenging lighting, Magic Capture highlighted some great social media-worthy moments of my friends. I was also able to capture some cute images of harbor seals swimming in a waterway.

On the other hand, I know that Instagram is my biggest weakness and the main source of my procrastination. That’s why I actually appreciate what Pause Point is doing. This Digital Wellbeing feature activates when I open apps I find distracting, giving me a moment to breathe and reflect on whether I really need to open that app right now.

I enabled it specifically for Instagram, so that each time I try to open the app, it cycles through several options, prompting me to take a moment to breathe, think about what really matters to me, set a timer for the app, state how I feel while opening the app, or try another less distracting app instead.

When it’s done, I can continue to the app, but I often find myself not opening Instagram, mostly because of the friction of having to complete a task first. It’s surprisingly effective.

There’s AI too

You can find Gemini everywhere on the Pixel 11 if that’s what you want, and it actually feels more helpful than anything. When I wake up, Daily Brief pulls from my connected accounts and apps like Calendar and Gmail, keeping me abreast of upcoming events and things I need to remember.

Gemini Intelligence also makes it easy to do things like order Uber Eats just by using my voice, and it helps when I least expect it. For example, a friend of mine texted me to ask if I was busy this weekend. Before I could respond, Gemini prompted me to check my calendar, which revealed I was planning to go to a festival.

In another message, a friend asked what my team name is for an upcoming 5K I'm planning to run. Gemini suggested a previous team name I used during my last 5K, which just so happens to be the name I'm using for this new run.

It all happened without leaving Google Messages, which is the kind of frictionless AI interaction that I can appreciate.

Rambler is also surprisingly useful, and it picks up the nuances of speech quite well, adding the appropriate punctuation and even quotation marks when it detects that I'm quoting something. It also separates my text into paragraphs at the right moments, and I haven't had to correct it once.

This is all powered by the Tensor G6, which prioritizes AI performance over anything else. Day-to-day use is fine, although don’t expect the Pixel 11 to be a gaming powerhouse. It also doesn’t sport the same vapor chamber as the Pixel 11 Pro, so it does get quite warm when gaming.

What about the cameras?

The Pixel 11 has the same camera layout as its predecessor, so there’s not much difference here. Compared to the Pixel 10, images from the Pixel 11 are largely the same but tend to lean toward the warm side, resulting in somewhat more vibrant images.

This is also the case when compared to the Pixel 11 Pro, which takes cooler photos. However, the Pro also benefits from slightly better imaging capabilities, and images at any zoom level tend to have more detail than on the Pixel 11.

Should you buy the Pixel 11?

The Pixel 11 costs $100 more than its predecessor, and while $899 isn’t cheap, you’re now getting double the base storage, faster charging, and the latest Tensor chip. Sure, it misses out on things like HiLight, which would have been really great to have, and there are still no Pro Camera features. However, you get most of the AI features, the same base 12GB of RAM as the Pixel 11 Pro, and the same charging specs, but for much less.

If you can go without those Pro features, the Pixel 11 feels like the one to buy.

Last year's Pixel 10 Pro Fold debuted a few surprising firsts for a foldable. It was the first foldable with IP68 water and dust resistance, and the first with Qi2 magnets inside. And while those were certainly cool, the thick and heavy build was a bit off-putting, and the cameras were more than a little disappointing.

This year, Google is slimming everything down, dropping the weight, and upgrading plenty more. While the cameras aren't quite as good as those on the non-folding Pixel 11 Pro models, the rest of the experience is solid and offers a more compelling package than those phones, with better multitasking.

The price increase isn't as offensive as the rest of the Pixel 11 Pro series. While it's $100 more than the Pixel 10 Pro Fold's launch price, it retains 16GB of RAM, the same storage capacity, and offers better overall specs — not just a better processor. That's a solid upgrade, but increased competition in the space makes this a harder decision than ever.

Pixel favorites you'll love

The best part of choosing the foldable Pixel 11 is that you don't have to miss out on any of the best Pixel 11 features. It's got Pixel Satellite SOS, Pixel VPN, and the Pixelsnap Qi2/MagSafe magnets built in, all of which are some of the best reasons to get a Pixel.

It also comes with a handful of really excellent Pixel Fold-exclusive features, such as additional options in the camera viewfinder. If you've got kids, you're going to love Made You Look, a feature that uses the front display (while the phone is unfolded) to show silly animations, so you can get a perfect picture of your kids grinning, not sulking.

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is also the best at multitasking in the Pixel family (though it's not as good as the Motorola Razr Fold). That's not just because of the large inner display, which feels like a small tablet, but also because of features like the pinnable taskbar, 90:10 split, and the new dock, which lets you easily manage floating app windows as if it were a laptop.

And all my favorite new Pixel 11 features are here too, including Live Translate for Video, Rambler (the Gboard voice-to-text upgrade everyone is raving about), Creator Suite, and Magic Capture (which I detail below).

Some genuinely good upgrades this year

Google also improved quite a few things between the Pixel 10 Pro Fold and the 11. Both displays are now LTPO OLEDs with the same 3600 nit brightness levels as the other Pixel 11 Pro models. That's a big step up from last year, when the Pixel 10 Pro Fold used the base Pixel 10's dimmer LTPS display.

I genuinely love the size and aspect ratio of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold when compared to other tall book-style foldables, but the sides are too flat for their own good. This makes it harder to open than it should be; something you don't want on a folding phone!

The phone is nearly 1mm thinner this year, but the back half is thinner than the front. It looks really weird if you compare them, but a thin case (from a brand like Thinborne or Pitaka) mostly fixes the issue.

At the least, Tensor G6 delivers some truly solid new AI features. My favorite new feature (that's Pixel 11-exclusive) is Magic Capture, a camera mode that automatically saves photos while recording video.

It's a perfect use of AI to capture wonderful moments you might otherwise miss, and it means you get great photos and video every time you use it.

For this review, I compared the cameras on the Pixel 11 Pro Fold with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, Motorola Razr Fold, and Honor Magic V6. I found the main camera was fine enough, but dynamic range isn't the best, and the lovely texture detail from the Pixel 11 Pro/XL's cameras isn't here, so fine detail is softer than I'd like.

Likewise, the improvements to the portrait mode on the Pixel 11 Pro/XL don't appear to be present on this phone, as the cutouts around the subject are quite messy, similar to the Pixel 9 and 10 series.

The ultrawide camera is also decent but took an easy third place among the four foldables I tested. Details are soft and edge warping is pretty bad, but it has nice exposure that verges slightly on the darker side.

Telephoto camera processing is a little more raw than the competition, and I can see people liking this a lot. It creates a more "lens-like" appearance at the expense of detail, but that more natural look is a good one. Zoom maxes out at 30x while Honor and Razr go much further, but you may not care much.

Front-facing camera resolution is excellent, but dynamic range can be an issue. Like the main camera, the portrait mode is messier than the non-folding Pixel 11 Pro models, leaving annoying artifacts around the edges of subjects.

But many of the same old problems

Unfortunately, while there are a ton of improvements this year, many of the same old Pixel problems still exist on this phone. Tensor G6 might be 15% faster than G5, for instance, but it's still around 30% slower than rivals. That gap widens even further to around 50% slower in gaming, which is further worsened by the lack of support for newer Vulkan features, meaning several games will disable advanced graphics settings on this phone.

The PWM dimming rate on this phone is still abysmal compared to any non-Samsung foldable (meaning Motorola, Honor, Xiaomi, Vivo, etc.), making it impossible to use for anyone who is flicker-sensitive. Charging speed is also quite slow. Even the new Extreme Charging feature doesn't save it. And the only way you're getting Google's promised "30+ hour battery life" is if you barely use it during that time.

Lastly, I've found that HiLight and Gemini Proactive Assistance — two of the Hallmark Pixel 11 features — aren't very useful for me. I rarely saw Proactive Assistance give me any help, and HiLight feels mostly like a waste of space on the back since you can't customize it at all. The LED just illuminates for calls and texts, or when talking to Gemini. Definitely a disappointment.

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is definitely a good phone, but in a year with rising prices, increased competition, and eroded trust after plenty of bad software updates, it's tough to recommend unless you really love a specific feature like Magic Capture or the new Creator Studio tools.

What you need to know

• The latest One UI 9 beta brings the Galaxy Z Fold 8's marquee My FanCam tool to the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra.
• My FanCam lets you crop and reframe pre-recorded Gallery videos to lock focus on specific people for social media, though it doesn't work on pets or animals.
• The update also adds customizable routine cards, real-time security risk alerts, and smarter contextual task suggestions.

The latest One UI 9 beta update for the Galaxy S26 series is here, and it's finally bringing some of the best AI tricks from the Galaxy Z Fold 8 to Samsung's flagship slab phones. Starting today, beta program participants can download an update packed full of features that puts the new My FanCam front and center.

If you’ve ever filmed a fantastic video, only to realize that your subject wasn’t perfectly framed, My FanCam is the tool for you. This AI-powered tool lives inside the Gallery app and can take any video you have, track a person you select, and automatically reframe the footage to keep them in the middle. It is ideal for social media creators and can crop the video to various aspect ratios for platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and more.

There’s a catch: My FanCam is made for tracking people, not pets or other animals. If the feature has trouble finding someone, you can scrub through the video to a frame where the person is easier to find. The feature also requires a Samsung account, and Samsung does not guarantee it will work on every clip.

Additionally, Samsung is improving the Now Brief experience beyond my FanCam. This personalization hub now offers customizable cards pulling together useful insights based on your routines, interests, and daily needs.

It's also getting a security boost, with new cards surfacing potential risks and suggesting actions you can take to protect your device. The Now Nudge feature is also getting smarter, with more contextual suggestions to help you complete everyday tasks more efficiently. And as a bonus, this update finally lets you declutter your home screen by removing the dedicated Google Search bar.

The Galaxy S26 FE will ship with My FanCam out of the box and will arrive with One UI 9 on September 4. This beta rollout means the core S26 lineup won’t be left behind before that happens.

The update is limited to a handful of markets for now, and there’s no word on when it will be rolled out broadly. If you’re on the beta, keep an eye on your notifications and be ready for a roughly 1.28GB download.

What you need to know

• Google Health is rolling out v5.07 to Android and iOS users late this week, bringing a major update to manual workout logging.
• Users can now "add or adjust" their metrics much easier, and any changes will appear in their post-workout summaries much quicker.
• Other updates this week include trail run and incline data in "Running Distance" totals, a fix for Maps in the Health app, and more.

Google Health is rolling out one more update late in August that's just what the doctor ordered for fitness users.

The company detailed v5.07 in a community post for the Google Health app this morning (Aug 28). This update is rolling out for Android and iOS users late this week, bringing three important "Activity and Fitness" updates. These improvements concern the Health app's manual workout logging capabilities. Google says users can now "add and adjust more metrics when logging an exercise manually." Any edits made should now appear more quickly in your workout summary.

What's more, Google Health now lets users add more metrics and workout information when switching from pool swimming to an open swim exercise.

If you're taking things outside, the patch notes state the maps experience has been upgraded. Users should experience faster loading times and "smoother rendering." The patch also solves a bug where some users wouldn't see a map after finishing a run or a long walk. Similarly, the patch this week brings trail runs and incline runs into your "Running Distance" totals.

For weight trackers, Google highlights its work in bringing more clarity to trends. Users should be able to notice changes more easily in the weight graph. Lastly, a connection problem between Health Connect and certain Android phones has been fixed.

Consistency is key

The consistent Google Health updates continue, even into the final days of August. The last major patch that turned heads was the app's Nutrition Logging patch. This arrived in v5.04, in which Google introduced "custom foods." The purpose was to give users a personal touch behind how they log the meals they've eaten. Users can now "create, edit, and delete" their nutrition logs with more freedom. However, while useful, Google Health added another feature: Quick Logging.

The company designed this to be an alternative to the traditional Nutrition Logging approach. Users don't have to search or add the specific name of what they've consumed. Instead, all they're required to add is the meal's calories and macronutrients. Google also added Naps in the Today tab and a Cycle Health update, making it easier for users to track long-term trends.

What you need to know

• Leaks on social media suggest that Xiaomi is working on a "smart privacy display" feature, similar to Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra.
• This feature would stop prying eyes from viewing your screen from angles; however, it could also alert the user about another person's gaze.
• An automatic function, dubbed "page privacy display" in the leak, states Xiaomi's version would automatically protect your payments, texts, logins, and more.

Following Samsung's Privacy Display for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, rumors said Xiaomi was looking to do the same. A glimpse at how this could work surfaced on social media, claiming Xiaomi is going the "smart" privacy display route.

To end the week, Polish tipster Kacper posted what's been alleged as Xiaomi's upcoming "smart privacy display" on X (via GSMArena). This page is likely tucked into the software's settings page with the following description: "screen visibility is reduced. Your device will alert you when another person's gaze is detected." The "reduced" visibility concerns others peeking at your screen from the side. However, Xiaomi is preparing a little more.

The tipster claims Xiaomi is working on a group or "scenario" feature for its smart privacy display. With this, users can group multiple apps or notifications under the privacy display's protection. If users don't go this route, the tipster suggests Xiaomi will automatically turn on its protections for "specific sensitive pages." A screenshot highlights "page privacy display."

This would turn the feature on in a case-by-case situation. If you're texting, digitally paying, or logging into an account, the privacy display would activate. It appears that users would need to enable this feature.

Taking inspiration

Rumors that Xiaomi might pursue a privacy display like Samsung's started in February. Funnily enough, these rumors surfaced just before Galaxy Unpacked, where the Galaxy S26 Ultra and co. were revealed. A tipster alleged a privacy display similar to Samsung's was being "tested domestically." Xiaomi and Honor were two major companies that might've started chasing this new tech. A few months later, in May, Xiaomi's interest came to the forefront.

It was stated that HyperOS 4.0, Xiaomi's software skin for Android 17, could introduce its privacy display. This could be revealed in October, which might also coincide with its next phone series: the Xiaomi 18, as GSMArena also notes. These phones (18 Pro, 18 Pro Max) are expected to continue that magic back display that was clearly popular for the company.

Android Central's Take

Early rumors said Xiaomi was going to make its version "like" Samsung's, and the rumors now clearly show the angle it's trying to take. Imagine using your phone and seeing a notification that someone is trying to peek at your screen. It's already weird as it is, but if Xiaomi's version goes off without a hitch, it could help. I'm eager to see how this works. What I really need is Xiaomi's live demo, which probably won't happen until October, unless we get teasers beforehand.

What you need to know

• Meta's latest smart glasses update stops video recording if someone covers the capture LED after filming begins.
• The update closes a loophole that previously allowed users to start recording first and then cover the LED afterward.
• Meta says several businesses offering capture LED tampering services have already shut down following its changes.

Meta has started rolling out another update for its AI glasses that closes yet another loophole that allowed users to record discreetly while keeping the capture LED covered.

Earlier this year, Meta took several major steps to address privacy concerns surrounding its smart glasses. The company rolled out a mandatory update for its Ray-Ban Meta, Oakley Meta, and Meta AI glasses that prevented the camera from recording if the capture LED had been tampered with or covered.

Meta said the change was designed to make sure people around the wearer can clearly tell whenever the glasses are capturing photos or videos.

Now, the company is rolling out another update that closes a loophole in that system. Meta VP Alex Himel shared on Threads that the new update will stop video recording if someone covers the capture LED after recording has already started.

Until now, users could apparently get around Meta's protection by starting a recording while the LED was visible and then covering it afterward. With the latest update, doing that will automatically stop the recording.

Himel added that Meta will continue rolling out updates like this to make sure the capture LED can "reliably alert bystanders" whenever photos or videos are being captured and saved to someone's gallery.

Meta also claims that its efforts against LED tampering are already having a deterrent effect. According to the company, several businesses that previously offered services to disable or cover the capture LED on Meta's smart glasses have already shut down.

In fact, the company has also launched an awareness campaign explaining what the capture LED actually means. With AI glasses quickly becoming a much bigger product category, Meta says not everyone is familiar with the light or knows when someone is recording. The company now seems to be heavily marketing these new privacy protections in an effort to build back some of that trust.

In addition to these changes, Meta says it has removed accounts from its platforms that engaged in this behavior, alongside posts that provided instructions or advertised services for tampering with the capture LED.

Honestly, it's pretty sad that things have reached this point. In my opinion, protections against something as obvious as covering the recording light should have been built into these glasses from the beginning. But nonetheless, Meta is finally closing these loopholes, and hopefully, it makes discreet recording with its smart glasses much harder going forward.

What you need to know

• Viture has collaborated with S-Game, the developer studio behind Phantom Blade Zero, for the "Phantom Beast" XR glasses that combine Chinese wuxia with "kungfupunk" designs.
• The collector's edition offers a selection of collectibles for consumers, such as a map in the shape of a scroll.
• Consumers can pre-order the Phantom Beast XR glasses for $599 ahead of its October 29 launch.

Viture announced its collaboration with S-Game, the gaming studio behind Phantom Blade Zero. Together, the two have made a version of the Phantom Beast XR glasses that live up to the sharp edge the game breathes life into.

This collaboration marks the first time Viture has collaborated with a Chinese gaming studio; however, it's the second collab overall, following the Cyberpunk 2077 Luma Cyber. Consumers can pre-order the Viture x Phantom Blade Zero: Phantom Beast XR glasses for $599 at viture.com or the IGN Store. The glasses will launch on October 29. Consumers will find a pair of red and black XR lenses, embodying a traditional Chinese wuxia and punk fantasy aesthetic.

Viture says the XR glasses feature "exclusive artwork, engravings, and iconography pulled from the game’s blade-forward visual identity..." All of this is laid on top of Viture's regular Beast product. The lenses' temples are another talking point. Viture says they were modeled after the Soul's blade, frozen mid-draw. What's more, there's a neck lanyard with traditional wuxia patterning and martial arts-inspired pads.

If you're pre-ordering, the collector's package you'll receive is packed full of goodies. Viture says the packaging doubles as a shelf display. Not only is it covered in artwork, but the game's character, Soul, is present, as he readies his blade. Viture and S-Game are also including "a 12.5cm Mó Sanguine blade replica, a game-art card brick, a sticker sheet, and a lens cloth" in the collector's box.

If you pre-order (or purchase) your glasses before November 5, you will receive a collectible map in the form of a scroll.

The carrying case for the Phantom Beast is shaped like a scabbard. The press release states the "triangular metal drawer wrapped in textured black leather, it opens the way the game’s blades do — sliding, not flipping." The inside of the case is crimson, and its texture mirrors that of a blade in sunlight.

A screen that immerses you

As previously stated, the Phantom Beast is essentially a special version laid on top of Viture's natural Beast XR glasses. With that in mind, consumers will experience Sony Micro-OLED panels on a 174” (at 4m) virtual screen. Its refresh rate is rather smooth at 120Hz. The display is paired with VisionPair 3DoF spatial tracking and HARMAN AudioEFX spatial sound. Another key difference is the OSD menu. Viture says it's been reskinned to fit Phantom Blade Zero's in-game UI.

Once you unpack it, you can customize your viewing with five different modes, including a 32:9 panoramic aspect ratio designed for PC gaming, per Viture. Moreover, the Phantom Beast offers USB-C connectivity for "plug-and-play" support for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Steam Deck. If you're looking to play Phantom Blade Zero, Viture and S-Game had this to say:

"Phantom Blade Zero players on PlayStation need VITURE’s Pro Mobile Dock, which extends support to PS5, PS4, Switch, Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, as well as other HDMI devices; players can also connect Phantom Beast to Switch and Switch 2 with the Mobile Dock Mini. VITURE is the only XR glasses manufacturer with Switch 2 support."

What you need to know

• Rakuten Kobo is bringing its e-readers to stores for the first time, and it's doing so with 500 Best Buy shops across the U.S.
• Consumers can shop the Kobo Clara Colour, Clara BW, Libra Colour, Kobo Stylus 2, and Kobo Remote.
• Online availability for these Rakuten Kobo products remains on kobo.com, Staples, Target, and more.

If you've ever wanted to physically shop Rakuten Kobo products, you're getting your wish. Today (Aug 27), Rakuten unveiled its newest partnership with a major retailer across the U.S.

A press release states Rakuten Kobo e-reader products are heading to 500 Best Buy stores across the U.S. This will be the first time that consumers can shop in stores for Rakuten Kobo products. Previously, as the company highlights in its post, consumers could only shop online for these e-readers.

To complement the retailer expansion, Rakuten Kobo's CEO, Michael Tamblyn, said, "Many readers want to be able to pick up a device, see the screen, and feel it in their hands before they commit. With Kobo eReaders now available at Best Buy, more American customers can do just that."

Coming to Best Buy stores will be the Rakuten Kobo Clara Colour and Kobo Clara BW. Both devices are "compact and waterproof." What's more, consumers can shop the expansive Kobo Libra Colour. Rounding out Rakuten Kobo's retail expansion are the Kobo Stylus 2 and the Kobo Remote accessories. While it's nice to actually see and envision how these tablets would look in your hands in a cozy chair, Rakuten Kobo says there's more to experience.

After purchasing, the post states each e-reader provides access to the Kobo Store and Kobo Plus. The former lets you shop for new books to read, while the latter is a subscription service. Kobo Plus offers a selection of packages with "support for a wide range of eBook formats, and an industry-leading experience for borrowing eBooks directly from local public libraries with Libby and OverDrive."

More e-readers hit Best Buy

We covered Rakuten Kobo's launch of the Libra Colour and Clara Colour. These tablets feature E Ink's Kaledio 3 module screens with stronger processing and improved battery capacities. The Libra Colour, which is what consumers can find in-store at Best Buy, features a 7-inch display, 32GB of storage, and full support for the Kobo Stylus 2. Another highlight of the Libra Colour is its ergonomic design.

Rakuten Kobo worked on its form factor with comfort in mind for longer reading sessions. If you enjoy reading a physical book, the Libra Colour might give you those same vibes—it's just digital.

For all consumers interested in Rakuten Kobo e-readers, or those curious if their store has any, you can check on Best Buy today. If you prefer the online route, Rakuten Kobo says you can still find its e-readers on kobo.com, Staples, Target, and more.

What you need to know

• Samsung launched the Galaxy S26 FE with a 6.7-inch display, and One UI 9 (Android 17), beating the rest of the Galaxy S26 series to the newest software.
• While the display remains the same to the S25 FE, the battery is also similar, arriving at 4,900mAh with 45W wired charging.
• The S26 FE features a 50MP main lens, and Samsung equipped it with the flagship series' Nightography and My FanCam from its latest foldables.
• Consumers can find the Galaxy S26 FE for $699 starting on September 3 at "select carriers" before a wider market debut on September 4.

This morning (Aug 27), Samsung fully unveiled the Galaxy S26 FE, and this slightly more affordable phone is bringing the latest software before its flagship siblings.

In a press release, Samsung states the Galaxy S26 FE runs One UI 9 (Android 17) out of the box before the flagship S26 series. According to Samsung, One UI 9 brings more "intuitive" Galaxy AI features. Consumers will recognize several features, such as Google's Circle to Search, Samsung's Now Nudge, and Now Brief. Now Nudge suggests actions you can take above your keyboard. Now Brief is more personalized, displaying quick weather insights or wellness insights daily.

Something you can immerse your eyeballs in is the S26 FE's 6.7-inch AMOLED display, like its predecessor. Samsung states the screen can reach a maximum 120Hz refresh rate. Internally, the phone is equipped with the company's Exynos 2500 SoC. This was Samsung's 2025 chip that debuted a month before its foldables. It said it upgraded the chip with "powerful" AI capabilities and CPU performance.

What's also remained the same between the S26 FE and the S25 FE is the battery. The latest model offers a 4,900mAh cell with 45W wired charging and 15W wireless charging.

Samsung carved out space for the Galaxy S26 FE's camera features. The device offers the following rear cameras: a 50MP main lens, 12MP ultra-wide camera, and an 8MP telephoto. The selfie lens arrives at 12MP.

Consumers will find Super Steady and the flagship series' Nightography available for the S26 FE. The former helps capture fast-moving subjects so everything looks smooth in playback. Nightography is Samsung's night mode for capturing "clear shots in low light." One camera feature the S26 FE has received that Samsung's latest foldables have is "My FanCam."

Imagine going to a concert and wanting to capture your favorite member fully without any distraction. Samsung says My FanCam can focus on a singular subject, "intelligently reframing video as the scene moves, so users can turn dynamic moments into social-ready content with less manual editing." Photo Assist helps freshen up your images after the fact, while Gemini Omni lets users create quick photos based on content in their Gallery.

If you're considering the Galaxy S26 FE, Samsung says it has committed to seven years of software updates (security patches, too). What if you're switching from iOS to Android? Samsung highlights the upgrades to Smart Switch, which makes it easier for users to swap from an iPhone to a Galaxy S26 FE by scanning a QR code. Users can wirelessly transfer their files over Wi-Fi, including passwords, passkeys, call history, and more.

Samsung Care is an option for consumers when purchasing the device, as well as a 6-month free trial of Google AI Pro.

The Galaxy S26 FE will be available on September 3 for "select carriers." On September 4, consumers can find it at samsung.com, carriers, and retailers across the U.S. for $699. The S26 FE can be found in Pistachio, Blueberry, and Graphite with the following RAM/storage options: 8/126GB and 8/256GB.

TL;DR: Sign up for T-Mobile's Essentials 4 Line offer and you'll get four Galaxy S26 phones and four lines for only $25/month per line.

It's not unusual to find T-Mobile deals that could land you a free phone, but more often than not, these offers require a trade-in or expensive data plan before you see any real savings. Fortunately, that's not the case with T-Mo's latest offer.

For a limited time, if you add four lines with the Essentials 4 Line offer, you'll get four Samsung Galaxy S26 phones for FREE, while the wireless coverage will be dropped to only $25 per month for each line. That's four 2026 Samsung phones with unlimited coverage for the whole family, and it'll only set you back 100 bucks per month. Sounds pretty good, if you ask me.

The Galaxy S26 may not be the most eye-catching device on the planet, but don't judge the book by its cover. The Samsung flagship is all power under the hood, with a powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, 12GB of RAM, and all of the latest AI-boosted software features. The phone also sports IP68 water-and-dust resistance, while the butter-smooth 6.3-inch FHD+ AMOLED display is simply a joy to behold.

T-Mobile's Essentials plan is no slouch, either. Although it lacks some of the premium perks included in the carrier's more expensive phone plans, you still get unlimited talk, text, and data on T-Mo's vast network, in addition to 50GB of premium data for each device every single month.

Sure, this T-Mobile deal isn't for everyone, but if you were searching for a good way to get your four-person family set up with some new devices in 2026, it's going to be pretty tough to beat.

What you need to know

• The Fitbit Air now comes in a Pokémon Sleep Special Edition with a Sleeping Pikachu strap.
• The special edition tracker keeps its lightweight design, week-long battery, 50-meter water resistance, optical heart-rate sensor, and skin-temperature monitoring.
• Overnight sleep and naps sync automatically with Pokémon Sleep through Health Connect on Android or Apple Health on iOS.
• Sleep Score boosts Snorlax’s Strength to create “Drowsy Power,” with higher scores unlocking rarer Pokémon sleep styles.

The Fitbit Air made its quiet debut earlier this year as Google's lightest wearable yet, but today it’s getting a colorful makeover that will make it much harder to ignore. Google has announced the Fitbit Air Special Edition Pokémon Sleep that turns your morning grogginess into in-game gains.

If you’ve been MIA since the Air landed in early 2026, here’s the TL;DR: It's the screen-free tracker that weighs just 12 grams total. As Derrek Lee put it in his review for Android Central, this thing is forgettable in the best way. You put it on and forget it’s there, which is the whole point if you’re trying to get some quality sleep. The week-long battery is a lovely touch as well.

The Pokémon Sleep edition retains all the things that make the Air so good — the 50-meter water resistance, the optical heart rate sensor, and the skin temperature monitoring — but swaps out the strap for one with a sleeping Pikachu.

What’s interesting about this slight makeover is what happens when you plug your Fitbit Air into the Pokémon Sleep app. Your overnight sleep and daytime naps are auto-synced through Health Connect on Android or Apple Health on iOS, importing your sleep duration stats straight into the game.

When you wake up, Pokémon with sleep types similar to yours gather around Snorlax, and your Sleep Score multiplies Snorlax's Strength to generate "Drowsy Power." The higher that number, the rarer the sleep styles you'll discover.

Under the hood is Google Health’s sleep tracking, which now uses machine learning algorithms that are 15% more accurate at picking up sleep stages, naps, and those pesky overnight interruptions. With every purchase, you get a three-month trial to Google Health Premium, which gives you access to the AI-powered Health Coach that analyzes your trends and offers personalized tips.

Preorders for the Fitbit Air Special Edition Pokémon Sleep start today at the Google Store and Target, with shipping beginning September 15. It's limited to the U.S. and Japan, so if you’ve been waiting for a reason to finally track your sleep, your Pikachu-themed excuse just arrived.

What you need to know

• The Galaxy S27 is expected to retain almost the same design and dimensions as the current Galaxy S26.
• The Galaxy S27 Pro could share the Galaxy S27 Ultra's new iPhone-like horizontal camera plateau design.
• Leaked renders suggest the smaller Galaxy S27 Pro won't feature an S Pen slot, unlike the Galaxy S27 Ultra.

Following the Galaxy S27 Ultra renders leak, we're now finally starting to see the base Galaxy S27 and Galaxy S27 Pro as well.

Over the past few days, we've seen several leaks surrounding the Galaxy S27 Ultra's new design. Samsung appears to be moving away from its familiar vertical camera layout in favor of an iPhone-like horizontal camera plateau, with two prominent camera lenses on the left and a vertical pill-shaped module next to them.

From everything we've seen so far, it's hard not to notice the inspiration from Apple's iPhone 17 Pro lineup.

And now, we're starting to get a look at the Galaxy S27 and Galaxy S27 Pro as well.

Renders of the base Galaxy S27 were shared by OnLeaks in collaboration with Android Headlines, and unfortunately, it looks like Samsung isn't changing much from the Galaxy S26.

The phone still features three vertically arranged cameras inside a raised camera island in the top-left corner, with an overall design that looks extremely similar to its predecessor. Even the dimensions are reportedly more or less identical. This seemingly confirms that Samsung is keeping its new design exclusive to the more expensive models.

And that theory has gained even more weight thanks to a separate Galaxy S27 Pro leak from Ice Universe on X. The leaker shared outline renders comparing the Galaxy S27 Ultra and Galaxy S27 Pro, showing that the two phones will reportedly share a very similar design.

That isn't entirely surprising, since the Galaxy S27 Pro is expected to share several design elements and specifications with the Ultra. However, the renders also appear to confirm one major difference: the smaller Pro model won't come with an S Pen.

There's no S Pen slot visible on the Galaxy S27 Pro, and Samsung will also reportedly reposition the speaker grille and microphone on the smaller model.

In a separate post, Ice Universe also claimed that the Galaxy S27 Ultra will feature a more rounded frame than the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which should make the larger phone feel more natural and comfortable in the hand.

Overall, these Galaxy S27 and Galaxy S27 Pro leaks seem to clear up one major question about Samsung's 2027 lineup. The new horizontal camera design will apparently remain exclusive to the Galaxy S27 Pro and Ultra, while the regular Galaxy S27 and Galaxy S27 Plus will stick with Samsung's more familiar design.

What you need to know

• Samsung is reportedly rolling out its August 2026 security update late this month, including an important fix.
• Users on X highlight a Samsung official's notice online, stating a fix for the Galaxy S26 Ultra's red screen or "red stain" issue is in this update.
• Galaxy S26 Ultra users overseas noticed this problem when the device is at maximum brightness, often resulting in a red band or stain across their screen.

No, you didn't miss it. Samsung is just now rolling out its August security update for stable Galaxy S26 users, and with it comes a long-awaited bug fix.

Late this week, SamMobile spotted the August 2026 security update rolling out for Galaxy S26 users overseas. The update is reportedly rolling out for users in South Korea first, which is typical for Samsung. Users on its Korean community forum pointed this development out, posting a screenshot of the patch hitting their S26. The publication highlights a hefty number of fixes involved in this August patch, but we're putting that on hold.

SamMobile and Tarun Vats on X state this patch will likely hold the long-awaited fix for the red screen or red tint issue that's plagued the Galaxy S26 Ultra. A Samsung official has started informing Korean users that a fix is now rolling out.

As for what the security patch fixes, Samsung's changelog states it's rolling out seven "Critical" and 30 "High" level fixes. Among them, the notes state there's a fix that could let malicious attackers "cause device inoperability" on a Galaxy device. Several fixes for the Samsung Contacts app are rolling out, alongside a fix to stop hackers from accessing a Galaxy phone's SIM card. Once again, Google has not listed its extensive changelog for Framework fixes and more on the Android Security Bulletin.

Fixing some struggles

It was in July that reports about a red screen/red stain on the Galaxy S26 Ultra surfaced. Users in Korea noticed this issue when the phone produced bright colors or when at maximum brightness. The area of redness varied. Some users noticed it appeared vertically on their S26 Ultra, while others reported wide strips across the display. What was a bummer was Samsung's investigation.

According to its discovery, the S26 Ultra's "new technology" was to blame. The only "new tech" to hit the Ultra this year, especially its display, was the Privacy Display. This tech is purely software, which is why we needed a patch to fix it. The good thing is that it seems that this issue should be fixed as of this week (keep your eyes out for the patch).

But the Privacy Display, while useful and incredibly attractive, isn't all rainbows and sunshine. After the device launched, a report quickly surfaced, stating the Galaxy S26 Ultra's screen isn't as bright because of the Privacy Display. Compared to the S25 Ultra, the S26 Ultra is noticeably darker.

Google Pixel 11 Pro vs. Pixel 9 Pro: Design and display

It wasn't until I dug out the Pixel 9 Pro that I realized just how little has changed with Google's phones in the last two years. The Pixel 9 Pro has nearly identical dimensions to the Pixel 11 Pro, and while the latter is 5g heavier, that isn't immediately noticeable.

In fact, other than the new design around the camera bar, there isn't an easy way to distinguish both phones — they're that similar. This is a good thing, as it solidifies Google's visual identity and ensures models are consistent between generations.

To give you a little bit of contrast, there aren't any design similarities between last year's Find X8 Ultra and the 2026 Find X9 Ultra; they could be made by different brands. While a constantly-changing design is interesting in its own way — I have no idea what the Find X10 will look like — that isn't an issue with Pixels; Google clearly has its design language dialed in, and it isn't going to change that anytime soon.

Anyway, the Pixel 11 Pro is a standout small flagship, and the Pixel 9 Pro is the same. I like the smaller design, and while I inevitably gravitate to larger phones, there's no denying that there's an audience that wants a smaller device with high-end internals, and other than the 6.3-inch panel size and smaller battery, the Pro devices are unchanged from their Pro XL siblings.

The 6.3-inch OLED panel is great in its own right; both phones have good color vibrancy and class-leading brightness figures. The only difference is that the 11 Pro gets brighter in outdoor use, but other than that, they're identical. Also, both devices get IP68 dust and water resistance, and they're built to last.

Google Pixel 11 Pro vs. Pixel 9 Pro: Hardware and cameras

The Tensor G6 powering the Pixel 11 Pro is faster and does a better job overall, but it's still not set up for any intensive gaming, and at this point, it's clear that it just isn't a priority for Google. That said, it is reliable in everyday use, and the device itself has good fluidity. The same is true on the Pixel 9 Pro as well, and I still don't see any issues with the device in regular tasks.

Similarly, battery life is about the same, but the 11 Pro gets Qi 2.2 integration, going up to 25W — the 9 Pro is limited to standard 12W Qi charging. Connectivity is the same on both devices, and while the 11 Pro is using a new modem, I don't see much of a difference in daily use.

The Pixel 11 Pro has a new camera, and it takes slightly better photos and videos. But like previous years, the best features are software-related: Camera Looks lets you change the tonality of the photos to a significant degree, and I like the feature quite a bit. There's also Magic Capture, which automatically takes the best photo while shooting a video, and it makes a lot of sense if you have kids that are constantly moving.

Google Pixel 11 Pro vs. Pixel 9 Pro: Which should you buy?

There is a lot to like in the Pixel 11 Pro, and the new software features go a long way in differentiating the phone. That said, Google is likely to bring most of these to older Pixels — including the Pixel 9 Pro — so you're not really missing out on much there.

Other than that, I don't see many differences to the Pixel 9 Pro. It's still a fabulous phone two years after its launch, and if you're using the device, there's no reason to get the Pixel 11 Pro.

What you need to know

• Motorola has detailed the new features coming to its phones with the upcoming Android 17 software update.
• Android 17 will bring stackable widgets, themed icons, Live Updates, and AI-powered notification summaries.
• More than 50 Motorola phones are confirmed to receive Android 17, including recent Razr and Edge models.

We finally know what features Motorola is bringing to its phones with the Android 17 update.

Now that Google has rolled out Android 17 for Pixel phones, more brands are starting to detail their own updates. We recently saw Nothing showcase Nothing OS 5.0 based on Android 17, and now Motorola has revealed some of the features coming to its devices.

As detailed on Motorola India's support page, the Android 17 update will bring changes to the home screen and notifications, alongside several new security features. One of the biggest additions is stackable widgets, which will let users combine multiple widgets into a single block on the home screen. Users will also be able to use themed icons and hide labels from Quick Settings tiles.

In terms of notifications, Motorola is finally adding support for Live Updates, alongside notification summaries that can condense longer notifications into a single sentence for quicker reading.

Motorola also says eligible devices will use machine learning models to identify low-priority notifications and bundle them into a separate quiet section under silent notifications.

You can check out Motorola's full Android 17 changelog below:

Home screen and quick settings improvements

Stackable widgets

You can now stack widgets, combining multiple widgets into a single block on your home screen. Instead of taking up several grids on your home screen for your weather, calendar, battery and music player, stack them and swipe the stack to switch between them.

Themed icons

You can now use an icon theme that coordinates with your overall theme. Touch & hold a blank space on your Home screen, then tap Home settings > Themed icons.

Hide quick setting labels when using Classic style

If you're using Classic style for quick settings, you can now hide labels on the settings tiles. Hiding them frees up screen space if you already recognise the icons.

Improved notifications

Live updates

Live updates let apps to display real-time, ongoing data. Instead of sending multiple notifications, an app can now continuously update a single live snippet in your status bar or notifications. You can turn these on or off.

Notification summaries

You can now peek at your notifications for a one-sentence summary of a lengthy group chat or a rapid-fire thread from messaging apps (like WhatsApp or Messages).

Organised notifications

Your phone now organises your notifications to separate your personal messages from clutter and automated alerts. It uses machine learning to screen lower-priority notifications and bundles them into separate, quiet folders under the Silent section of your notifications.

New settings

Enhanced HDR brightness control

When you view HDR content – like an Ultra HDR photo in Google Photos, a HDR video on YouTube or an HDR feed on Instagram – your phone's display automatically sets brightness to its highest limits to make the highlights pop.

You can now limit this brightness to a more comfortable level by adjusting the intensity of Enhanced HDR brightness or turning it off to force HDR photos and videos to play at a normal brightness level.

New sharing features in Connected devices

There are two new ways to share in Settings > Connected devices:

To share a photo or file with one other person, use Tap to Share by placing your phones together. To share with a reusable group, use Quick Drop to send photos or files to friends or a team simultaneously.

Other improvements

Android system upgrades add more than new features. Using the latest Android update provides other improvements such as:

Enhanced security and protection to defend against evolving threats like malware, phishing and data breaches.

App compatibility with newer apps, which often require the latest Android version to function correctly.

Performance improvements that optimise your phone's operating system for smoother performance, better stability and, in some cases, longer battery life.

Bug fixes and stability enhancements to resolve known issues and improve overall reliability and stability

There are a few other changes coming as well. As highlighted in a report by FoneArena, Motorola's Android 17 update will bring improvements to cross-platform Quick Share, although that still doesn't include AirDrop compatibility with iPhones. You can also expect features like Audio Sharing, a refreshed Quick Settings panel, and improved HDR brightness management.

Motorola has already confirmed that Android 17 will roll out to more than 50 devices, including several recent Razr and Edge models. You can check out the full list of Motorola phones getting Android 17 right here.

What you need to know

• Counterpoint Research published its report concerning the top 10 best-selling phones globally for Q2, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra surprised the results.
• The Galaxy S26 Ultra, a premium phone, topped the charts for Android, marking the first time such a device has done so.
• While Samsung and Apple dominated the top 10 in Q2 2026, Apple's iPhone 17 was number one.

Research data is taking a look back at individual phone performance for Q2 2026. The discovery? A premium phone topped Android's charts for the very first time.

This week, Counterpoint Research published its research into the global best-selling phones for Q2 2026, and one device was a surprise (via 9to5Google). The Galaxy S26 Ultra turned heads this past quarter, as the device claimed the top spot in the best-selling Android phone sector. Counterpoint cites its senior analyst, Harshit Rastogi, who said the S26 Ultra's performance "marks the first time an ultra-premium Android device has led Android sales in a June quarter."

Rastogi highlighted the Ultra phone's Q2 performance over Q1 2026. Considering Samsung's first Galaxy Unpacked this year, sales "shifted more into Q2." What's more, research shows that the S26 Ultra not only outperformed the S25 Ultra, but it also accounted for "more than half of the series' sales" this year. While this is a first for Android, Samsung isn't at the top of the global best-selling phone list in Q2.

That belongs to Apple's iPhone 17. The iPhone 17 Pro Max followed up in second, then it's the 17 Pro. The Galaxy S26 Ultra sits in fourth place, with the more expected Android leader, the Galaxy A07 (a mid-range phone), in fifth. Compared to this time last year, Apple and Samsung dominate the top 10 best-selling phones. In Q2 2025, Xiaomi snuck into the eighth spot, but not this time.

Counterpoint adds that Apple and Samsung total 26% of the global smartphone sales, a 2% increase YoY.

A downward trend

Samsung and Apple's positive Q2 2026 was highlighted in another research report published by Omdia in July. It noted a 2% and 4% increase, respectively, for the companies. Omdia reported that the global smartphone market dipped 4% in Q2, placing the blame on the memory crisis. The current outlook on the smartphone market isn't a pleasant one. According to Omdia's projections, the market may continue to drop into Q3, then Q4.

This would be significant, considering the holiday season is when the market tends to rise. In its report, Runar Bjorhovde, principal analyst at Omdia, said the "sharpest volume decline" is expected in the two upcoming quarters. "Contrained memory chip" supply and the issues that accompany it could sour a time when there are multiple device launches, festivities, and sales.

What you need to know

• Meta has reportedly reached a $16 billion settlement with 29 states involving claims that its social media platforms "harmed young users."
• Not only have Facebook and Instagram reportedly "fueled" a nationwide mental health crisis, but the addictive nature does not help.
• Following the settlement, Meta will need to roll out changes to its platforms to reduce the addictive nature for younger users with usage limits and more.

Lawsuits have been filed against Meta in several states over the past few months over how its social media platform addict children. Another has been settled, pushing Meta to shell out over $16 billion.

A major settlement such as this isn't the only thing Meta is forced to do. Following coverage by Reuters, Meta will also need to make sweeping changes to how younger audiences interact with its platforms. For context, this $16.68 billion settlement involved claims from 29 states. Each state claimed that Meta's social media platforms (Facebook and Instagram) "harmed young users."

Specifically, these platforms reportedly "fueled a nationwide youth mental health crisis." Meta has continued to disagree with these allegations. Regardless, to reduce the "addictive nature" of its platforms for younger users, Meta will restrict nighttime use of Facebook and Instagram. Meta will also beef up its defenses to keep kids away from "age-restricted" content, while introducing a new daily usage limit.

The addictive or potentially mentally harmful sides of social media were the highlights behind these claims. However, Reuters mentions another side of these claims that also makes up this $16 billion settlement: child privacy. According to the post, the 29 states claim Meta "violated the federal Children's Online Privacy Protection Act" by collecting data from kids without consent.

What's more, Meta allegedly used this data to train its AI systems. It should only be a matter of time before we see the result of this settlement hit Facebook and Instagram for youth accounts.

A prevoius case

This has been a long-standing issue for Meta over the past few months. In March, we highlighted CNBC's coverage of a Los Angeles case involving YouTube and Meta's "negligence." The trial concerned Kaley (otherwise known as K.G.M.), a young woman who said she had become "addicted" to social media as a child. According to K.G.M., this addiction led to severe mental health issues as she got older. K.G.M. is now 20 years old.

In their argument, K.G.M. said the "infinite scrolling" aspect of social media is where the addiction begins. Additionally, the case in Los Angeles highlighted the influx of notifications one would receive from these platforms, which didn't help. Meta disagreed with the claims, as it's done in the recent settlement involving 29 states. The company also leaned on K.G.M.'s therapists to say that none of these claims were "the cause" of her mental health issues.

While Google provided a modicum of upgrades with the rest of the Pixel 11 models this year — the Pixel 11 Pro, 11 Pro XL, and 11 Pro Fold have new camera modules, brighter OLED panels, and faster charging — the standard Pixel 11 is basically unchanged to its predecessor.

So, I'll make this easy: don't buy the Pixel 11 if you're using a phone that's less than two years old. Most of the new features revolve around the software, and those will trickle down to older models anyway, so you're not getting a whole lot that's new with the Pixel 11.

Yes, the new Tensor G6 is a little faster, but it is still hobbled when it comes to gaming, and in my usage, I didn't see much of a difference between the Pixel 11 and Pixel 10. There is better fluidity on the Pixel 11, but that alone doesn't justify an upgrade. Annoyingly, you still don't get decent thermal management on the device — that is limited to the Pro models.

I like the Hibiscus color that Google introduced this year, and the Pistachio model is similarly vibrant. The overall design hasn't changed, but the camera bar looks a little cleaner this year, and it is a little better to hold. On that note, I like the size of the Pixel 11; the 6.3-inch OLED panel gives you enough real estate, but it's much better to use one-handed.

The base Pixel 11 now comes with 256GB of storage, but you're paying $899 — $100 more than last year — so it evens out. There isn't a whole lot new with the battery either. The Pixel 11 has a slightly bigger 4,985mAh battery, and it uses the same 30W USB PD charging tech. There's 25W Qi 2.2 integration this time, and this is a decent benefit to using modern Pixels — you don't need to use a case to charge the phone with a Qi 2.2 charger.

It has the same trio of cameras as last year, including a 48MP main camera, 13MP wide-angle, and 10.3MP tele lens with 5x optical zoom and OIS, and it takes slightly better photos thanks to a new ISP and tuning changes, it isn't a huge difference to the Pixel 10. Google's new Camera Looks feature gives you greater control in customizing the look and feel of the resultant photos, and I like it quite a lot.

The Pixel 11 only makes sense if you're using an older phone and want to upgrade this year, or if you have a carrier deal that gets you the phone without paying an additional fee. Outside of that, I don't see a need to buy the device.

If anything, the Pixel 10a is a better choice if you just need a phone that nails the basics, and you don't necessarily want a dedicated tele lens. There's a reason the Pixel A series sells a lot more than the numbered devices; you're getting a lot of the same features at roughly half the price, and there's no way to beat that kind of value.

Google's 2026 phone lineup is here, but if you were hoping to snag the best Pixel 11 deals, you better act fast. From now through August 27th at 11:59pm PST, Amazon will give you a free $100 gift card when you buy the base model Google Pixel 11 on its website. Go with the Pixel 11 Pro instead and your gift card balance will increase to $200. No trade-in required, no strings attached!

We've seen a lot of Pixel 11 deals since the phones were unveiled earlier this month, but few offers have been this straightforward. The only tricky part now is grabbing the deal before it expires. Once this free gift card promotion ends, it's gone for good. 

It's your last chance to get a free Amazon gift card with the purchase of a Google Pixel 11

• See the top deals available at Amazon today

Unlike some smartphone releases, the Google Pixel 11 is more about careful refinement than dramatic transformation. The device takes the stellar foundation of last year's Google Pixel 10 and adds a new Tensor G6 chipset for faster performance, twice the base storage, and an upgraded camera system. You also get faster charging and Android 17 straight out of the carton.

The 2026 flagship also keeps a lot of the specs that make Google Pixel phones so desirable, from the AI-boosted camera tech to the seven years of guaranteed OS and security upgrades. 

Indeed, this offer from Amazon may not be as flashy as the many carrier deals and trade-in opportunities that are floating around right now, but if you value simplicity, here is an easy way to get a powerful Pixel device and some free spending money without all of the pesky fine print. 

Once upon a time, Pixels pioneered fast charging standards, shipping with 18W chargers in the box, leaving most other smartphone companies in the dust. But over the years, as phone charging standards have evolved, Pixels have remained alongside Samsung and Apple phones as the slowest-charging smartphones on the market.

The Pixel 11 series charges noticeably more slowly out of the box than the Pixel 10, even with the same charger, but a hidden setting fixes the issue if you meet certain conditions. It's called Extreme Charging, and it's the first time we've seen Google directly address this problem with a unique, non-hardware-based solution.

All four Pixel 11 models support Extreme Charging, although not every model uses it as effectively. During our testing, only the Pixel 11 Pro XL truly benefits from the setting, while the other Pixel 11 Pro phones show a much smaller difference in charging time. Here's how to use it to help alleviate battery anxiety if your phone suddenly runs low on battery.

What is Extreme Charging?

Extreme Charging is a new Pixel 11 family feature that enables the fastest charging that Google's hardware supports. In addition to charging at the highest supported wattage, Extreme Charging pauses many apps while charging.

This ensures that your Pixel isn't getting extra hot while charging (since charging and running lots of apps at once can have that effect) and also means your phone can charge much faster.

Extreme Charging needs to be enabled every time you plug the phone in and when it's below 50%, but once enabled, it's a 1-tap action. To get the most out of Extreme Charging, ensure you're using one of the best fast chargers, preferably at least a 45W model with 21V PPS. You can also use Google's official charger to ensure full compatibility.

How fast is Extreme Charging?

For most Pixel 11 models, Extreme charging makes little to no difference. I have all three Pixel 11 Pro models in my possession and have drained each to 0%. I then plugged them into a supported 45W Anker charger (like this one) and tapped the Extreme Charging button to enable it (more on how to find it below).

I then set a 15-minute timer and recorded the charging percentage at the end of the timer. After a second 15-minute timer, I recorded that charging percentage. This test is identical to our in-house battery-charging test used for all smartphone reviews. Android Central's Derrek Lee also performed the same test with his Pixel 11 and the 67W Dual Port charger.

The results were fascinating, but it's clear that the Pixel 11 Pro XL is the only Pro model that genuinely benefits from Extreme Charging. The other models see a small boost after 15 minutes, and a larger difference is noticeable after 30 minutes, so there is some benefit to Extreme Charging for the rest of the Pixel 11 models, but nothing compared to the Pro XL.

How to enable Extreme Charging on a Pixel 11

Extreme Charging is only available on Pixel 11 phones when your phone's battery is under 50%. Once your battery is low enough, plug it into a compatible 30W, 45W, or even faster charger, then follow these steps:

1. When your phone's battery is under 50%, plug it into at least a 30W charger.

2. Open system settings by tapping the Settings icon in your app drawer, or swiping down on the status bar twice, then tapping the gear icon at the bottom of the screen.

3. Scroll down to and tap Battery & charging.

4. Scroll down and tap Extreme Charging Mode.

5. Tap the button to turn on Extreme Charging.

You must enable Extreme Charging every time you want to use the feature, but don't worry. You don't have to go through all that nonsense again. Once you enable the option in system settings, a handy shortcut appears on your lock screen whenever your phone is plugged into a charger and the battery is under 50%.

1. When your phone's battery is under 50%, plug it into at least a 30W charger.

2. On the lock screen, tap the Use Extreme Charging button at the bottom of the screen.

Additionally, you could enable the Extreme Charging tile in Quick Settings by following these steps:

1. Swipe down on the status bar twice. That's the area at the top of the screen with the clock and battery/connection icons.

2. Tap the pencil icon below the grid of quick toggle buttons to open the edit menu.

3. Scroll down to Extreme Charging and tap the plus button next to it to add it to the Quick Toggles collection.

4. Scroll back up and resize the Extreme Charging button to your liking.

This gives you multiple ways to enable Extreme Charging the next time you plug it in, making it easy to get the fastest charging possible on your Pixel 11 Pro XL.

It has been a year of iterative updates for book-style foldables (as my Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra review points out), and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is no different. Google went with a slightly thinner design and shaved 19g from the weight, but it did so by decreasing the battery size. Then there's the price: the Pixel 11 Pro Fold starts at $1,899, a $100 increase over its predecessor.

There are some upgrades though. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is powered by the new Tensor G6, it is faster in daily use, and the foldable finally has a new main camera; in my limited testing, it took better photos in just about every scenario.

Ultimately, does the Pixel 11 Pro Fold do enough to justify an upgrade? I think so. I used the Pixel 10 Pro Fold extensively over the course of the last year, and the 11 Pro Fold addresses several pain points. It's easier to hold and use, takes better photos, has better durability, and while I was initially worried about the smaller battery, the phone managed to last just as long as the 10 Pro Fold, so this hasn't proven to be a problem.

I'm highlighting the things that stood out in my week-long usage of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. This should give you a better indication as to what you're getting with Google's latest foldable, and whether it's worthy of an upgrade.

Intelligent software

While Google's claims of delivering an Intelligent OS are nebulous at best, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold comes with plenty of new software tricks that make a difference. Gemini Intelligence has a suite of decent features, and Rambler is my favorite — it takes your dictation and polishes it into structured text, and it made me want to actually use voice dictation.

Bubbles multitasking is great, and the floating windows mode provides greater flexibility when using the inner panel. The UI in general is clean and uncluttered, and I like the customizability of the quick tiles, ability to tweak colors throughout the interface, and all the unique software extras that come as standard on Pixels, like Now Playing. Another thing Google got right is the fluidity; the 11 Pro Fold feels better than its predecessor when using both next to one another.

Better durability

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is heavier than other foldables, but the upside is that it is built to last. With an IP68 rating, you're getting a device that's guaranteed to withstand dust and water ingress, and that is a big deal.

Notably, the 11 Pro Fold is the only foldable in the U.S. that delivers this guarantee — the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and Moto Razr Fold get IP48, and while they do a good job against water, they don't prevent dust from getting into the hinge.

I know just how well IP68 resistance holds up in real-world use, and there's no doubt that the added durability absolutely makes a difference when using it at the beach or near the pool.

It's magnetic

Battery life is in line with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, even though the 11 Pro Fold has a smaller 4,800mAh battery. Annoyingly, you get the smallest battery of any book-style foldable, and I really want Google to do better in this area.

The 11 Pro Fold lasts an entire day with medium use, but I had to plug in the foldable by the evening on most days. Thankfully, this is where the built-in Qi 2.2 tech makes a big difference. The 11 Pro Fold has 25W Qi 2.2 charging, and as the magnets are integrated into the chassis, you don't need any accessories to use a Qi 2.2 charger or power bank — unlike the Galaxy Z Fold 8.

Bright spots

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold gets brighter than previous generations, and the inner and outer OLED panels are among the best you'll find in this category. There are no issues with either screen when it comes to brightness or color vibrancy, and the slightly wider 6.5-inch cover panel is a delight.

The only problem with the inner screen is that there's no anti-reflective coating, so you will notice glare while using it outdoors. This is something the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra does a lot better, and Google needs to go the same route next year.

Usable cameras

In my opinion, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold doesn't do much to justify the Pro moniker when it comes to the cameras. Vivo's X Fold 5 and the OPPO Find N6 are still my go-to choices if you need a foldable with great cameras, but these aren't available in the U.S.

The 10 Pro Fold measures favorably against the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and Moto Razr Fold, but it's annoying that Google chose to limit its latest camera tech — like Instant Night Sight and 120x zoom — to the Pixel 11 Pro and 11 Pro XL. The way I see it, the 11 Pro Fold is the costliest device in Google's portfolio, so it should get the best cameras, but that's clearly not the case.

Ultimately, deciding to get the Pixel 11 Pro Fold comes down to preference. I like it better than the Z Fold 8 Ultra and Razr Fold because of the software and durability, but there's no doubting that they are faster, last longer, and lighter. The 11 Pro Fold may not be the best foldable if you go by the numbers, but it is the one that I enjoy using the most.

What you need to know

• Nothing OS 5.0 is here and combines a redesigned interface, deeper customization, smoother performance, and upgraded Essential AI tools.
• Transparent widgets, wallpaper-adaptive icon colors, the new Geist typeface, and refreshed system icons give Nothing OS a more cohesive look.
• Nothing OS 5.0 Open Beta begins for the Phone (3), with a stable release expected in mid-October and more devices joining the beta later.

Nothing is giving its software a substantial refresh with Nothing OS 5.0, a major update built on Android 17. The latest software zeroes in on everyday interactions, blending a redesigned visual system with more customization, smoother performance, and more powerful Essential AI tools.

The update is all about giving you more control and a smoother experience. The home screen gets a brand new theme with transparent widgets and a search bar that adds some depth, while app icons can now pull subtle color tints from your wallpaper to match your vibe.

There’s a new system typeface, Geist, which is cleaner and easier to scan, and refreshed icons across the status bar, Settings, Camera, and Gallery. The Gallery also includes new options for sorting and filtering to help you organize photos.

You also get more ways to make the phone yours. The lock screen has two new clock faces: the whimsical “Gooey” and the hardware-inspired "Micrographics." Please note the Micrographics clockface and the new home screen theme are still in development and will not be available in the Open Beta yet — they will be part of the general release starting October.

The Glyph Interface now comes in an app, so all the features and sounds are in one place. There is also a new Glyph Timer widget and the Away Time widget that helps you monitor your digital habits by telling you how long you've been away from your phone.

Nothing is also doubling down on its Essential AI tools. Essential Voice is faster, real-time transcriptions are better, and with the Ear (3), you can record audio directly from the Super Mic on the case. Smart Collections can suggest and organize content for you automatically. And for a fun twist, you can now create Essential Apps right on your phone; just tell it what you want in plain language and it’ll build it for you.

Since it runs on Android 17, you get the latest features of the platform as well. That includes the capability to split out the notifications and Quick Settings panels and an enhanced Quick Share that works across iOS and Android via QR code. The update also brings new privacy indicators, expanded dark theme support, and a redesigned Recents menu.

The Nothing OS 5.0 Open Beta program starts today for the Phone (3), with a stable release expected in mid-October. Other devices will be included in the beta program later.

Android 17 is still fresh, and Nothing is already rolling out its first major Android 17 update to Nothing Phone 3 customers who enroll in the open beta. I got to try out the beta update ahead of the public launch, so you know what to expect as your Nothing Phone 3 downloads it. Head to Nothing's official website to sign up.

Nothing OS 5 focuses on five pillars: design, personalization, performance, Essential AI tools, and, of course, Android 17. Both the lock screen and home screens get a visual refresh with (you guessed it) a new frosted glass look. This look is optional, and I had to enable it specifically after the update, but it adds yet another style to Nothing's repertoire of customizable styles in its OS.

This also includes a new system-wide font, more lock screen customization (including a better depth effect, new clock faces, widgets, etc.), wallpaper-adaptive colors, and finally a way to batch edit things on your home screen. I particularly enjoyed the new "Away Time" widget, which shows how much of the day you didn't spend on your phone via a fun visual timeline.

Quick Settings can now be split, if you prefer that sort of thing, giving you full-screen notifications or Quick Toggles, with a convenient left/right swipe to move between them. Speaking of convenience, Glyph Timers can be started right from the new home or lock screen widget, which I find pretty handy.

Bluetooth controls have also been simplified, with additional controls added to the pop-up in Quick Toggles, so you don't have to hop into settings just to perform basic Bluetooth tasks.

Essential Apps finally has a proper app that ships on Nothing OS 5, so you can vibe code your next favorite widget straight from your phone without having to use a computer. Likewise, the Glyph interface now has its own app that lets you quickly jump into Glyph customization (and Glyph Toys!).

One of my absolute favorite new additions is the new AI privacy indicator, which adds a new yellow icon in the top-right of the status bar any time AI is processing data. This should more readily help identify when your data is leaving your phone to be processed in a data center, and it works perfectly in conjunction with the AI usage graph.

Essential Voice got a nice speed boost in this release, with substantially faster voice processing once you're done (it's pretty close to instant now). Nothing says you're supposed to see results in real-time as you speak, but I didn't see that in my pre-beta release. This build was missing just a few things, so it's possible this one wasn't quite ready yet.

And I can't forget the new Essential Key customization, which lets you enable an accidental-press feature, switch the functions between translate and transcribe, or disable it altogether. That first one helps cut down the number of accidental button presses to zero, which is a godsend.

You'll also find a number of new options for Essential Space, including Smart Collections (to group together relevant content), plus a new Model Context Protocol that lets compatible AI platforms access data from your personal Essential Space.

All of this is in addition to the normal Android 17 upgrades like the updated 3D emoji, iOS-to-Android QuickShare upgrades, and more, plus performance and animation upgrades. The new homescreen design and Micrographics clock face won't be rolling out until the Nothing OS 5 general release in October, but you can test everything else out on your Nothing Phone 3 right now by enrolling in the beta.

There hasn't been much in the way of innovation when it comes to MicroSD cards, but the standard continues to be dominant in cameras, handheld consoles, and just about any accessory that needs external storage.

I have a dozen or so MicroSD cards in active use across security cameras, action cameras, digital music players, hobbyist SBCs like the Pi 4 and Pi 5, and two handheld consoles. Most of these are the usual A2 class cards ranging from 64GB to 512GB, but I wanted something with higher storage to use with my DJI Osmo Pocket 4P and Pocket 4.

That's where Lexar comes into the picture. The Silver Plus range of MicroSD cards debuted at the end of April 2026, and what immediately caught my attention was the storage sizes. Available from 128GB all the way to 2TB (the model I'm testing), this isn't your average MicroSD card. I used Lexar's SO-DIMM memory modules and internal SSDs in the past, so I was interested in taking a look at the 2TB MicroSD card.

After three months of usage involving dozens of hours of 4K footage shot via the Osmo Pocket 4P and hundreds of photos taken with the OM-D E-M1 Mark III, it's clear that the Silver Plus is a standout MicroSD card. The 2TB model I'm using retails for well over $500, but the 1TB model is available for $239, and I think it is the sweet spot if you're looking to extend storage of your camera or handheld console. There's also a much more modest 128GB variant that costs $49, and the 256GB model is $74.

The Silver Plus is a V30 card, which means you're guaranteed to get at least 30MB/s sustained writes when shooting videos. You also get U3, which is 30MB/s minimum writes, A2, and a UHS-I interface. This is all standard stuff these days, but where the Silver Plus goes above and beyond is the ruggedness: it is IPX7 water-resistant, shockproof, x-ray-proof, magnetic-proof, and resistant to vibrations. Basically, it is built to handle any scenario, and you get a limited lifetime warranty.

Where the 2TB Silver Plus truly shines is video footage. I used it to shoot 4K120 and 8K30 footage, and it didn't prove a bottleneck while storing footage to the device. It is great to use with a drone or handheld gimbal camera like the Osmo Pocket 4P, and I got close to the touted 255MB/s reads and 189MB/s writes while testing it on Windows.

It's great that MicroSD cards can now store up to 2TB of storage. I remember it wasn't too long ago that I was excited about the debut of 128GB MicroSD cards (I got my hands on a few of these at a Best Buy shortly after they launched), and to have 2TB of storage on MicroSD is pretty cool.

While SD cards don't get quite as fast as external SSDs, they're much more portable, and if you're a professional who shoots photos and videos outdoors or want the best MicroSD card to use with your camera or handheld console, the Silver Plus is an easy recommendation.

What you need to know

• Samsung is reportedly rolling out One UI 9 Beta 6 to enrolled Galaxy S26 users in South Korea, India, the U.K., Germany, and Poland.
• The update is just under 1GB, and features a small selection of fixes for display errors and Expert RAW.
• Funnily enough, One UI 9.5 rumors have surfaced online, despite One UI 9 still not available for stable users.

It's been almost two weeks since the last One UI 9 beta, and now a sixth edition is rolling out to enrolled Galaxy S26 users. All we're wondering about is a stable launch.

Earlier this morning (Aug 25), Samsung started rolling out One UI 9 Beta 6 to enrolled Galaxy S26 series users (via SamMobile). Samsung is only fixing a handful of problems its devices have experienced, but users will still have to download an 851MB file. According to its patch notes, Beta 6 is fixing a "display error" with the Now Brief widget. Similarly, the notes highlight another pair of display errors being fixed: one for the Home Screen and another for the camera widget.

What's more, the changelog details a fix for an issue where "images are saved differently at specific focal lengths when shooting with Expert RAW 24MP."

On X, tipster Tarun Vats states One UI 9 Beta 6 is rolling out in South Korea, India, the U.K., Germany, and Poland. Any enrolled testers in the U.S. should begin seeing it as the week progresses. Vats states Beta 6 lacks any new features for Galaxy S26 users. It seems like, once again, Galaxy S26 users are treated to a beta full of bug fixes and nothing new.

The one thing many are waiting on is a stable launch of One UI 9, and there's still no telling when that could be.

Still a One UI 9 waiting room

A couple of weeks ago, Samsung rolled out One UI 9 Beta 5 to Galaxy S26 users. This patch was larger, rolling in at 1.1GB. However, it consisted mostly of bug fixes (and there was a long list of them). Beta 5 also included the August 2026 security update, so that was a welcome addition to testers. While another beta was fine, what shone brighter earlier this month were One U 9.5 rumors. A tipster on social media claimed that a test build for One UI 9.5 for the Galaxy S26 was discovered.

Additional rumors quickly surfaced, as Samsung could chase a familiar UI redesign for its next major release. Samsung's One UI could take after Apple's Liquid Glass for "visual depth" across multiple elements. Taking after Apple seems to be the running trend for Samsung as of late. What's more, App Lock was reported for One UI 9.5, meaning users could lock apps behind biometrics, a password, and more.

What you need to know

• GrapheneOS announced in a Mastodon thread that it is planning to roll out its software on regular, next-gen Motorola phones in 2027.
• The company says a lot of work is being done on its end and Motorola's to ensure this happens next year.
• GrapheneOS states it also plans to support Moto's next-gen foldables (Razr Fold, Razr Ultra) after it hits slab phones.
• Motorola announced a partnership with GrapheneOS during MWC 2026 to bring a more secure, private OS to consumers.

GrapheneOS is an Android alternative that is much more security/privacy-focused. For this reason, many have awaited updates from GrapheneOS about Motorola phones, which it has now provided.

This week, GrapheneOS posted a lengthy thread on Mastodon about its partnership with Motorola and when those consumers can find its software (via GSMArena). According to its thread, GrapheneOS expects to have everything ready for Motorola's phone launches in 2027. A few moving parts need to align for this to work properly. GrapheneOS states that Motorola is "doing a large portion of the work" to port its software onto its phones.

It's been stated that this privacy-focused version of Android should arrive on "non-folding devices" first, per its partnership with Motorola. However, GrapheneOS says it's working to bring the experience to foldables, such as future Razr Folds and Razr Ultras. What's more, the thread highlights Qualcomm's upcoming Snapdragon chips. These SoCs have "more mature support for MTE" (memory tagging) and "secure element support."

This should help GrapheneOS arrive smoothly on Motorola's phones next year. The company responded to a comment, clarifying that future iterations of the Moto Signature, Razr Fold, and Razr Ultra should support GrapheneOS. The post says "current generation Motorola devices don't meet our requirements." So anyone looking forward to the software should keep their eye on 2027 reveals.

The thread quickly mentions that GrapheneOS support is headed to Google's Pixel 11 series, too.

A more secure phone

It's been a few months since we've had this conversation about Motorola and GrapheneOS. During MWC 2026, the House of Moto Indigo announcement was shored up by an exciting GrapheneOS partnership reveal. The partnership would involve Motorola's "security expertise, real‑world user insights, and Lenovo’s ThinkShield solutions." The prime focus here is user security/privacy, and Motorola stated that it was beginning a joint research project with GrapheneOS for this reason.

The company teased that more information would become available in the future, which we're seeing now via a Mastodon thread. This is a huge development from Motorola that will likely put a spotlight on it moving into 2027.

Android tablet deals are hardly uncommon, but a historic discount on one of the industry's best writing tablets? Now that's a cause for celebration. 

For a limited time, Amazon and Best Buy alike are slashing $100 off the reMarkable Paper Pro, a versatile (and pricey) e ink tablet with a full color display, ultra-thin build, and outstanding battery life straight out of the box.

This discount drops the price of the reMarkable Paper Pro down to $679, which is actually the lowest price ever recorded for the tablet. If you need something a little smaller, it's worth mentioning that the portable 7.3-inch reMarkable Paper Pro Move is also $100 off for a limited time. Which writing tablet is right for you? Let's take a closer look. 

reMarkable tablets are productivity machines specifically built to help you get work done with minimal distractions. There are no social media apps here, no ads, and no notifications — just peak performance in an elegant and efficient package. 

Deals on these writing tablets are notoriously rare, so if you've had your eye on the reMarkable Paper Pro or Paper Pro Move for a while, don't wait too long to make your move. 

What you need to know

• New Galaxy S27 Ultra renders show Samsung moving away from its familiar vertical camera design.
• The Galaxy S27 Ultra could feature a horizontal camera plateau that looks similar to the iPhone 17 Pro.
• Samsung is expected to finally add native Qi2 magnets, enabling MagSafe-compatible accessories without a case.
• The redesign could also make room for a larger battery, while Samsung may finally ditch the old 10MP 3x camera.

Newly leaked renders of the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra have now given us our best look yet at what the device could look like in real life.

It was recently reported that Samsung is cooking up a major redesign for the Galaxy S27 Ultra next year. The leak suggested Samsung is planning to move away from the vertical camera layout we've seen for years in favor of a horizontal camera plateau, similar to the iPhone 17 Pro series.

And now, new renders from OnLeaks in collaboration with Android Headlines give us a much better look at that design.

As you can see in the renders, Samsung is indeed moving away from its familiar vertical camera layout. Instead, the Galaxy S27 Ultra features a large horizontal camera plateau across the back, with two prominent camera lenses on the left and a vertical pill-shaped section next to them housing the remaining sensors and LED flash.

And honestly, it's pretty hard to look at these renders and not see the similarities with Apple's latest iPhones. The Galaxy S27 Ultra definitely seems to take some design inspiration from the iPhone 17 Pro lineup.

Alongside the renders, the publication has also shared the alleged dimensions of the device, which reportedly measure around 163.76 x 78.25 x 7.97mm. That's pretty close to the Galaxy S26 Ultra, so despite the major camera redesign, the overall size of the phone shouldn't change dramatically. The report also suggests Samsung may finally ditch the aging 10MP 3x telephoto camera.

One benefit of the new design could be native Qi2 support. The Galaxy S27 Ultra's new design should allow Samsung to finally integrate the Qi2 Magnetic Power Profile directly into the phone, meaning you'll be able to attach Qi2 and MagSafe accessories without needing a magnetic case.

That said, it remains to be seen whether Samsung actually takes advantage of the extra space and adds native Qi2 support this time around. The redesigned internals could also reportedly give Samsung more room for a larger battery, although we don't have concrete details about the capacity just yet.

What do you think of the Galaxy S27 Ultra's new look now that we've seen these renders? Do you like the redesign, or does it look a little too much like an iPhone? Let us know in the comments.

Mint Mobile has finally announced its Google Pixel 11 deals, and they're no joke. Whether you want the base model Pixel 11 or the gargantuan Pixel 11 XL, you can save a ton of cash when you sign up for Mint, especially if you bundle the phone with some wireless service in bulk.

Pair the purchase of the base model Pixel 11 with one year of the Unlimited plan, for instance, and you'll get $275 off the phone AND 50% off the wireless. In other words, you're getting a full 12 months of T-Mobile-powered mobile coverage and a brand new flagship phone for just $804 (or $67 per month when you use affirm). Considering that the retail cost of the Google Pixel 11 starts at $899, you're essentially getting a full year of unlimited talk, text, and data for free with the purchase of the phone.

I'd argue that the base model device offers the best value here, but there are similar deals available for the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL. Regardless of the Google phone you choose, if you were looking to get a new phone and a new wireless plan in one fell swoop, Mint Mobile's offers are unmatched.

Mint Mobile is an approachable MVNO carrier owned and operated by T-Mobile. It utilizes a unique buy-in-bulk plan system that lets you purchase wireless in 3, 6, and 12-month increments of time. The annual Unlimited plan, which is easily the best value, gives you 12 months of unlimited talk, text, and data on T-Mo's vast 5G network, plus you'll get a free mobile hotspot and calls to Mexico, Canada, and the UK at no additional cost.

Sure, you miss out on some of the premium perks offered by more-expensive unlimited plans, but if you just want cheap and straightforward wireless coverage, Mint Mobile is one of the best providers around.

The Pixel 11 deals described here are only available for new customers, but if you've been looking for a good time to switch phone plans, this might be it.

More Google Pixel 11 deals at Mint Mobile

Which Google Pixel 11 should I choose?

It depends on what you want in a smartphone. The base model Google Pixel 11 takes the stellar foundation of its predecessor, the Pixel 10, and adds a new processor, faster wireless charging, and an upgraded camera system. You also get Android 17 straight out of the box, in addition to the standard features you'd expect in a Pixel phone, such as a vibrant AMOLED display and seven years of OS/security upgrades guaranteed.

Going with the Google Pixel 11 Pro gets you all of the above alongside an upgraded camera system, brighter display, and the new HiLight LED light array around the camera bump. Do you prefer larger phones? The Pixel 11 Pro XL adds a 6.8-inch AMOLED display and a larger battery than the rest of the flagship lineup.

What you need to know

• The Garmin Fenix 9's AMOLED screen is twice as bright as the Fenix 8, with sapphire glass, leakproof buttons, and 40-meter dive resistance.
• The Fenix 9 Pro features Garmin’s first titanium Fenix case, which uses nano-molding to combine metal and plastic, reducing thickness while keeping the watch lightweight.
• Navigation is noticeably faster: 50% more RAM and a new map engine make map panning up to 30% faster, while 64GB storage doubles map capacity and holds up to 7,000 songs.

Garmin is giving its flagship adventure watch a serious refresh with the Fenix 9 and Fenix 9 Pro, building on the Fenix 8 with brighter displays, faster maps, new training insights, and a more capable phone-free experience. The Fenix 9's AMOLED panel is twice as bright as its predecessor, and Garmin has included a scratch-resistant sapphire lens, leakproof buttons, and 40-meter dive resistance.

The bigger technical jump comes from what Garmin changed underneath. The Fenix 9 has 50% more RAM than the Fenix 8 and a new map engine that makes panning up to 30% faster. A new perspective view adds more map detail at different distances, and 64GB of storage gives you double the map capacity and room for up to 7,000 songs.

Garmin is also expanding its rucking tools, with support for changing pack weight mid-activity, GORUCK workouts, and targets based on up to 100kg of carried weight.

When it comes to training, the new stamina zones and a stamina curve allow you to track how endurance improves with fitness and training history, providing more information on pacing for athletes. With compatible equipment, indoor rowers also get VO2 Max and power-curve insights.

And then there’s the Fenix 9 Pro. The watch is the first to feature Garmin’s titanium Fenix case, made using nano-molding technology that combines metal and plastic at the molecular scale. Garmin says the approach keeps the watch lightweight while reducing its overall thickness.

On the software side, both watches introduce Garmin Epic to group multi-day workouts into single shareable stories.

The Pro’s AMOLED models go up to 3,000 nits, and the 51mm model uses a 1.5-inch display without a bigger case. Selected models also have solar charging like most fan-favorite Garmin watches, a green flashlight mode, and inReach connectivity for calls, messaging, LiveTrack, location sharing, weather updates, and SOS assistance.

The Fenix 9 starts at $1,000 and the Fenix 9 Pro at $1,100. Both are available in 43mm, 47mm, and 51mm sizes, with battery life up to 29 days for the Fenix 9 and 31 days for the largest AMOLED Pro. Solar versions can last 57 days.

What you need to know

• Qualcomm's next-generation Oryon CPU will reach clock speeds of up to a whopping 5GHz.
• The new Oryon CPU uses a fully custom design, giving Qualcomm greater control over performance and efficiency.
• Qualcomm's new FlexCache lets CPU cores dynamically share cache, helping improve gaming and multitasking performance.
• Qualcomm is expected to unveil two new Snapdragon 8 Elite chipsets at its Snapdragon Summit in September.

Ahead of the Snapdragon Summit next month, Qualcomm has shared more details about its next-generation Oryon CPU, sharing that it will be capable of reaching a whopping 5GHz clock speed.

Smartphone chipsets have become ridiculously powerful over the past few years. Apple continues to push its A-series chips forward, while Qualcomm's Snapdragon flagships have steadily brought desktop-level performance to Android phones.

Of course, we can't say the same about everyone (looking at you, Tensor G6). Now, Qualcomm looks ready to push things even further with its next-generation Oryon CPU.

Qualcomm hasn't revealed its full next-generation Snapdragon platform just yet, but says the new Oryon CPU uses a fully custom design, with the company controlling everything from the microarchitecture to the entire CPU subsystem. According to Qualcomm, that level of control is one of the reasons it can push clock speeds all the way up to 5GHz.

But Qualcomm says higher clock speeds aren't the only reason for the performance gains. The company is also focusing heavily on IPC (instructions per clock), which determines how much work the CPU can complete per clock cycle. Improvements here should translate into better performance across everyday tasks, from opening apps and browsing the web to more demanding workloads.

Qualcomm has also introduced Oryon FlexCache, a new cache architecture that allows different CPU cores to access the same dynamically allocated cache pool. Instead of assigning a fixed amount of cache to individual cores, FlexCache allows the Prime cores to access the entire available pool whenever a workload needs it.

The company says this should particularly help with workloads that constantly move between different CPU cores. In gaming, for example, better access to local cache could help stabilize frame rates and reduce stutters, while the same architecture should also help with heavier multitasking.

Qualcomm still hasn't revealed the complete details of its next Snapdragon flagship platform. The company has already teased that we'll see two Snapdragon 8 Elite chips at Snapdragon Summit 2026, though, so we should learn much more about both chipsets soon.

Snapdragon Summit 2026 is scheduled to take place from September 22 through September 24 in Hawaii.

It took me a while to like the Pixel 10 Pro Fold; I didn't like that Google basically retained the same feature-set as the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and just added a bigger battery and IP68 ingress protection. At 258g, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is one of the heaviest foldables — only my Huawei Mate XT is heavier, and that's basically a tablet that folds down to a phone.

The heft notwithstanding, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold has other issues: the cameras are underwhelming compared to the Vivo X Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, battery life is average, and cellular connectivity isn't quite as stable as I'd like. But having used the foldable on and off for the better part of a year now, I will say that it is much better to use than its specs would suggest, and the software continues to be among the best around.

Software matters

Google's software is why I used the Pixel 10 Pro Fold instead of other foldables. I like the bright colors and customizability that's available in Material You, and Google does a great job with the interface in general, delivering a clean UI without any clutter. And with the 10 Pro Fold, Google optimized the software a little better, and there's better fluidity than in previous generations, which makes a noticeable difference when navigating the interface.

Magic Cue is one of my favorite additions, and I like that it pulls up any contextual detail without me having to dig for it. Whether that's sharing waybill details when calling DHL about recent deliveries or surfacing reservation details, it is genuinely useful. Google does a good job bringing most Gemini features to other phones, but there are a few exclusive to Pixels, like Magic Cue.

The software has gotten better with Android 17, and Bubbles multitasking is easily my favorite feature. It's annoying that it won't be coming to other phones, but the floating windows mode makes it easy to maximize the real estate of the 8-inch inner panel, and I use it constantly. Other foldables do a great job with multitasking in general — ColorOS' Open Canvas is the gold standard — and while Google should have stolen the feature, it's good to see some progress in this area.

Shining bright

I also like the size of the cover screen; the 6.4-inch panel is slightly wider than its predecessor, and it's the ideal size. While Google had its share of screen-related issues in the past, I didn't see any problems with the outer or inner panels in the year I used the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Both panels are among the brightest in the category, and they have good color vibrancy.

After a year of unfolds, the crease hasn't deformed, and the hinge articulation is just as smooth as the day I set up the device. A lot of that has to do with IP68 dust and water resistance. While I didn't submerge the foldable in water, dust ingress is a constant problem on these devices, and thankfully, I didn't have to worry about that in the slightest.

Not quite point-and-click

With plenty of tuning updates over the course of the year, the cameras on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold still don't pass muster. It has been a regular source of frustration with the foldable, and in a year where other brands made huge strides in this area — the X Fold 5 and Find N6 have outstanding cameras — the 10 Pro Fold is distinctly second-best.

I carry two phones, and for most of the last 12 months, the secondary phone was the iPhone 17 Pro, so I had an alternative whenever I needed to take photos. That doesn't make it any less annoying that a $1,799 foldable can't take reliable photos or videos.

Rounding out

The 10 Pro Fold is heavy enough as it is, so I didn't bother with a case. The foldable took its share of tumbles, but it is unscathed. There are some scratches that have accumulated over the course of the year, but on the whole, the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection did its job. If anything, I don't put a case on any phone that has Victus 2, and it's proven to be reliable — at least in the way I use my devices.

While I didn't think much of the design, the rounded corners definitely make a difference. They make holding the 10 Pro Fold a little easier, and there's enough thickness at the sides to open the inner screen. This is an issue on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Z Fold 8 Ultra, and not just because they're thinner — the X Fold 5 and Find N6 are just as easy to unlock as the 10 Pro Fold. I'm chalking it up to the way Samsung designs its foldables.

I'll admit that the Pixel 10 Pro Fold doesn't have the best internals. It's continually annoying that Google prioritizes other areas like the TPU instead of CPU and GPU performance, and this means the Tensor G5 isn't suited for playing demanding games.

That said, it held up a lot better than I imagined. While I test visually-intensive games as part of a review, I don't play high-end games on my phone all that much, and the ones I actually play the most — Balatro, Ball x Pit, and CloverPit — run without any issues. There is some overheating with gaming sessions lasting over an hour, but that's the case with every foldable, and not unique to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

Another bugbear is connectivity. The Exynos modem that Google went with isn't as good at maintaining a signal, so I frequently saw cellular connectivity issues while at home.

The single biggest annoyance with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold proved to be the cameras. Other than that, the foldable was better than I imagined. Thankfully, I didn't run into many software bugs; outside of Magic Cue getting disabled by an update, I didn't notice any problems. I know that's an outlier considering the thousands of messages on Google's troubleshooting pages, but it hasn't been much of an issue in my usage.

While I enjoyed using the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, I wouldn't necessarily recommend the foldable. There isn't a single feature that truly stands out, and while that's not a bad thing, it doesn't make for an exciting phone.

Look, I generally prefer Google's software and don't mind some of the annoyances that come along the way, but it may not be what you're looking for in a device that costs over $1,700 — particularly when there are better all-round choices available.

If you're a Pixel fan and are considering a foldable, I'd suggest getting the 11 Pro Fold; I'm switching to it now, and it addresses a lot of the 10 Pro Fold's issues around imaging. And if you don't have a brand allegiance and just want to try out a book-style foldable, the Moto Razr Fold continues to be fabulous.

What you need to know

• Samsung and Corning are reportedly developing self-healing display glass for the upcoming Galaxy S27 Ultra.
• The new Gorilla Armor could recover from everyday micro-scratches instead of focusing purely on scratch resistance.
• Self-healing tech isn't entirely new, but the Galaxy S27 Ultra could bring it to a flagship phone's front display.
• The Galaxy S27 Ultra is also rumored to feature a major redesign with an iPhone 17 Pro-like horizontal camera plateau.

Rumors and leaks surrounding the Samsung Galaxy S27 series are starting to pick up, and the latest one claims Samsung could be working on a self-healing display for the Galaxy S27 Ultra.

Samsung already introduced a major display upgrade with the Galaxy S26 Ultra, adding its Privacy Display technology that prevents people around you from easily seeing what's on your screen. With the Galaxy S27 Ultra, though, Samsung could be preparing another major upgrade, this time allowing the display to recover from minor scratches on its own.

According to leaker Schrödinger on X, Samsung and Corning are reportedly working on a new self-healing surface for the next generation of Gorilla Armor. The goal, according to the post, is to create a display that can recover from a certain level of everyday micro-scratches over time.

Instead of simply making the glass harder and more scratch-resistant, Samsung and Corning could take a different approach. According to the leak, the surface itself may be slightly softer than the tempered glass we're used to, but would gain the ability to recover from smaller scratches on its own.

If the technology works as intended, Samsung could essentially move Gorilla Armor from focusing purely on scratch resistance to scratch recovery.

The leaker doesn't reveal much more about how the technology works or how far along Samsung and Corning are in its development. However, the feature is explicitly said to be intended for the Galaxy S27 Ultra, meaning we could potentially see it debut within the next six months.

This wouldn't be the first time we've seen self-healing technology on a smartphone. More than a decade ago, LG introduced the LG G Flex 2 with a self-healing back panel that could recover from smaller scratches. But we haven't really seen the idea make its way to the front display of a mainstream flagship, which could make Samsung's implementation particularly interesting.

There have been a few other Galaxy S27 Ultra leaks recently as well, including one suggesting a major redesign that looks eerily similar to Apple's iPhone 17 Pro lineup. Samsung could reportedly ditch its familiar vertical camera arrangement for a horizontal camera plateau stretching across the back, with two large camera lenses on the left and a pill-shaped module next to them.

Of course, nothing is set in stone just yet. The Galaxy S27 Ultra is still months away, and plenty could change before launch. But with leaks now starting to pick up, we're finally getting a better idea of what Samsung might have planned for its next flagship.