Apple has finally sent out invitations for its next hardware event, titled "Surprise and shine," set for Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. PT at the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park.

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This year's keynote carries extra weight beyond the usual hardware reveal as it will be John Ternus' first Apple product event as CEO, following Tim Cook's planned exit from the top job. Ternus is set to take over on Sept. 1, and given his background in running hardware engineering, some reports suggest Apple's industrial design group is being pulled closer to the center of decision-making under his leadership.

For the hardware itself, all signs point to a narrower lineup than usual, with the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max all expected to headline, alongside Apple's first foldable phone, widely rumored to be called the iPhone Ultra. Missing the event, however, will likely be the standard iPhone 18, 18e, and next-gen iPhone Air, which are reportedly being pushed to a spring 2027 event instead. New Apple Watches are also expected to make an appearance.

Here's everything we know heading into the keynote.

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max

Per Mashable's ongoing iPhone 18 coverage, Apple is expected to keep this launch focused on its Pro model iPhones.

In terms of design, the Pro models aren't expected to stray far from last year's look. In Mashable's rumors thread, leaks suggest a couple of tweaks rather than a full overhaul, including a smaller Dynamic Island cutout and a more unified, single-tone back glass in place of last year's two-tone finish.

Color-wise, Apple will mix up this year's finishes to include a silver, dark gray, light blue, and a new shade called "dark cherry."

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Under the hood, the Pro models are expected to move to Apple's A20 and A20 Pro chips, paired with a new C2 modem that could bring 5G satellite support and an N2 chip aimed at improving WiFi and AirDrop reliability. Korean outlet The Bell has also reported that Apple plans to standardize RAM across the Pro lineup at 12GB, doing away with the base-versus-Pro memory split that's defined recent generations. Battery life should get a boost too, with capacity expected to land around 5,000mAh, which will appear the norm for the lineup.

The "biggest" change is within the camera. Several rumors have called the changes among the most significant camera hardware upgrades in the iPhone's history, due in part to a larger telephoto aperture and the introduction of variable aperture. That said, leaker Ice Universe has suggested the variable-aperture system might be exclusive to the Pro Max, leaving the standard Pro without it.

The Pro Max is also rumored to be very slightly larger and heavier than its predecessor, a tradeoff tied to fitting in a bigger battery.

iPhone Ultra

A hypothetical rendering of the iPhone Ultra. Credit: Mashable / Zain bin Awais

The event's biggest wildcard is Apple's first foldable phone, widely expected to be called the iPhone Ultra (previously referred to in our reporting as the iPhone Fold). In our rumors guide on the Ultra, we noted that while Apple hasn't confirmed the device, code references in the iOS 27 beta, including strings tied to fold angles and screen states, plus macOS 27 features for resizing iPhone-mirroring windows, have made its existence something of an open secret.

Early testers cited by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reportedly liked the device's hinge quality and more iPad-like interface, though they were less impressed by the missing telephoto camera.

Expected specs, based on analyst and supply-chain reporting:

• A book-style design with a roughly 7.8-inch inner OLED display and a 5.5-inch outer display

• Touch ID rather than Face ID

• Four cameras total — two rear, one inner, one front-facing — though without a telephoto lens

• A liquid-metal hinge intended to improve durability

• A price above $2,000, with some estimates around $2,399

• A battery of at least 5,088mAh

Analysts, leakers, and even Gurman have been going back and forth for weeks about when the Ultra will actually release. Some reports say that the Ultra will be announced but won't hit shelves later, similar to the iPhone X. Others, like Gurman, have pushed back on this.

Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4

Rounding out the hardware slate are reports that the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 are also expected in September, likely with new health and fitness features and fresh color and band options rather than a major redesign this cycle.

It'll be a more substantial overhaul that may include a return to ceramic cases. Apple is also exploring a screen-free model for the minimalist wearable market, targeting late 2026 or 2027, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

How to watch the iPhone 18 event

Apple's event kicks off Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET at the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple Park, with a livestream on Apple's website and YouTube channel for those not attending in person.

Mashable will be there on the ground, so look out for our coverage and hands-on impressions once the keynote wraps.

At this point, the foldable iPhone is the biggest open secret in Silicon Valley. Apple kept a tight lid on its first-ever foldable phone right up until dropping the iOS 27 developer beta, which includes some direct and indirect references to the iPhone Ultra (also rumored to be called the iPhone Fold, iPhone Ultra Fold, or something else entirely).

Early adopters already love foldables — and they have plenty of options — but Apple's been notably absent from the genre. However, don't count Apple out. The company has a history of showing up late to the party and then absolutely cornering the market, as it did with AirPods and iPhones.

So, as we await official details, here's everything we know about the first foldable iPhone, including the latest rumors, specifications, release date, and pricing.

When will the iPhone Ultra be released?

Apple holds an annual September iPhone launch event, and we fully expect the iPhone Ultra to be announced at this upcoming event.

We think the iPhone Ultra will arrive on store shelves in fall 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. Numerous rumors pointed to this over the last year. However, while Apple traditionally releases all of its new iPhones in September, the Ultra might not be ready right away.

A tech analyst named Tim Long recently claimed that shipments of the iPhone Ultra will begin in December of this year, not September, though Bloomberg's Mark Gurman threw cold water on this rumor. And Gurman seems to have a crystal ball looking right into Apple headquarters these days.

Reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the iPhone Ultra might follow the trajectory of the iPhone X, which was announced in September 2017 but took about a month and a half to actually hit the market.

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And most recently, a report out of Australia (via the Chinese supply chain) claimed that the iPhone Ultra will be available right after launch in the U.S., but might get rolled out to other markets a bit later.

Given the ongoing global memory shortage, last-minute delays are always possible, so we'll have to wait and see.

What's the iOS 27 beta telling us about the iPhone Ultra?

The iPhone Ultra isn't (yet) an official device. We do know a lot about it, but mostly via rumors, whispers, and reports coming out of Apple's supply chain.

But now, with the first iOS 27 developer beta, we have some actual clues about the iPhone Ultra's existence. Software researcher M1Astra dug through the code (via Bloomberg) and found code that determines whether a device is folded or unfolded. Strings like “mechanicalAngleDegrees” and “angleDegrees" point to Apple fine-tuning the experience depending on how widely a foldable device is open. Researcher Sam Henri Gold found similar clues in the code.

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That's not all. Certain widgets, such as Music, News, and Weather, can now be configured to take up the majority of the iPhone's display. That split-view doesn't make a ton of sense on a regular iPhone (you'd probably just want to have one app open instead), but on an iPhone Ultra, such a widget could occupy one side of the display while you do something else on the other.

Apple seems to be preparing developers to handle a larger variety of form factors. Credit: Apple

Then, at WWDC 2026, Apple's Senior VP of Software Engineering, Craig Federighi, pointed out a developer-specific feature called the Device Hub, which allows developers to simulate their apps in different screen configurations.

Finally, Macworld found references in the code suggesting a device that has both the Dynamic Island and a Touch ID; such a device does not exist today, but the iPhone Ultra is rumored to have both.

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What will the iPhone Ultra specs look like?

What would you want to see in a foldable iPhone design? Let us know in the comments. Credit: Zain bin Awais / Mashable

The iPhone Ultra remains a mystery to some extent, of course, but we do have a very rough idea of what it could offer. Based on all the rumors and leaks, the iPhone Ultra will have a wider design than the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Galaxy Z Fold 7, and the impressive Motorola Fold.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman predicts that the foldable iPhone will be a book-style foldable with four cameras — two on the back, one on the inside, and one front selfie camera. Gurman also predicted it would use Touch ID like the iPad Air and Pro, even though iPhones typically use Face ID. All the recent leaks back up Gurman's reporting.

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In fact, the smartphone market is already adapting to the expected size of the iPhone Ultra. Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8, which launched in July, is exactly that: A wider-than-usual foldable that looks like a proper tablet when unfolded. Huawei was the first to market with a wide foldable, though the Pura X Max is only available overseas.

The iPhone Ultra specs could look something like this:

• Displays: 7.8-inch inner OLED display, 5.5-inch outer OLED display

• Thickness: 9.5mm unfolded, 4.5mm when folded

• Security: Touch ID

• Processor: A20 processor

• Cameras: Dual rear cameras (48MP), dual inner/outer front cameras

• Price: $2,399

• Battery: At least 5,088 mAh

We've seen several reports claiming that Apple has invested heavily in the iPhone Ultra's display and hinge. It should be very durable, thin, and without a visible crease. Samsung Display is reportedly producing the OLED displays for the iPhone Ultra, as Samsung's got the best flexible display tech in the game. There's a reason Samsung released the Galaxy TriFold while the world is still waiting on the first foldable iPhone.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported earlier this year that the iPhone Ultra would have a 7.8-inch inner display, a 5.5-inch outer display, and measure in at just 9 to 9.5mm of thickness. We heard another rumor in September 2025, which claimed the iPhone Ultra would look like two iPhone Airs put together, with a similar thickness of 5.6mm. Why the discrepancy between the two reports? It could be the difference between the device's thickness when folded and unfolded.

There's also talk about Apple using innovative tech to make the iPhone Ultra lighter and more durable than most foldables. These rumors include a report that the company is using liquid metal for the phone's hinge, which should improve durability.

In a recent update, Gurman claimed that some early testers were pleased with how the Ultra performed, in particular with its look and feel, as well as the quality of its hinge. The camera, which doesn't have a telephoto unit, left something to be desired, the report said. Gurman's report confirms a lot of these rumored specs, and he reports that early testers also liked the more iPad-like UX and homescreen layout on the Ultra.

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What will the foldable iPhone be called?

Up until recently, most of the tech world has simply called the unannounced device the "iPhone Fold" or "iPhone Ultra." However, since it's not a confirmed product yet, it's very possible that the phone will have a different name at launch.

With reports piling in, and most of them pointing to the "Ultra" name, we're going to use that until Apple officially tells us what the phone is called.

How much will the iPhone Ultra cost, and will people buy it?

The iPhone Ultra is likely to be expensive. An early estimate from research analyst Arthur Liao suggested the price tag for the Ultra — gulp — could come in around $2,399. That's in line with expectations in a new report from International Data Corporation (IDC). Last year, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the iPhone Ultra is likely to retail between $2,000 and $2,500; recently, Kuo narrowed that down to $2,300 — $2,500.

Despite the sizable cost (the flagship Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is priced at $1,999.99), sales expectations remain high. The IDC report estimated Apple would siphon one-third of the spending in the foldable market in 2026.

"But the real game-changer for the category comes at year-end when Apple enters the foldable space, projected to capture over 22% unit share and a staggering 34% of the foldables market value in its first year, thanks to an expected average price point of $2,400,” read the report.

In March, Mark Gurman claimed that Apple could classify the iPhone Ultra as an "Ultra" product (no surprise there), putting it in a higher price tier than other devices in its portfolio alongside other high-end machines like the Apple Watch Ultra. If the phone ends up costing at least $2,000 as expected, this would make sense.

The latest iPhone Ultra leaks

In December 2025, we saw lots of alleged iPhone Ultra renders circulating on social media, which all share a similar design. We'd take these with a grain of salt, of course.

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In February, a leaker known as Instant Digital posted some alleged renders of the iPhone to the Chinese social media site Weibo. Like most leaks, especially the ones pertaining to Apple, we can't confirm their authenticity. However, they line up with earlier reports of the overall look of the phone.

More recently, Apple leaker Sonny Dickson shared another potential iPhone Ultra render in March 2026.

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Dickson shared more purported dummy units of the iPhone Ultra in April, giving those renders a bit more physicality than they had before.

April was fairly bounteous in terms of iPhone Ultra leaks. Aside from Dickson's dummy units, YouTuber Vincent Zhong got his hands on the newly released (in Asia) Huawei Pura X Max Wide. This Chinese phone was one of the first real "wide foldables" to hit the market. It matches the overall design of iPhone Ultra leaks, and its screen dimensions are almost exactly the same as the alleged dimensions of the Ultra.

While the iPhone Ultra will almost certainly look different from Huawei's device, Zhong's hands-on video gives us a decent idea of what to expect from the iPhone Ultra as a physical object in your hands.

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We've also gotten some interesting dummy photos from tech leaker Majin Bu on X. In these photos, the dummy units look very similar to what we've seen in other recent leaks. In other words, it looks like a shorter, more book-style foldable than previous foldables. It looks like it'll also support MagSafe cases.

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In June, a leaker on Weibo known as Ice Universe claimed to have the ultimate prize, a photo of the actual iPhone Ultra in white, though we believe the device in the photo is merely a dummy unit.

What about the cameras and battery?

Instant Digital makes some interesting claims. Most notably, the report says the iPhone Ultra will have the largest-ever iPhone battery. (For reference, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is estimated to have a roughly 5,088 mAh battery.)

"The volume buttons are not on the left side," reads a translation of the post. "Instead, they are placed directly on the top of the right-side frame (similar to the volume button layout on the top of the iPad mini). This may take some getting used to for users’ typical phone habits."

The post also stated, "The rear dual camera + right-side microphone + flash are arranged horizontally. The camera module appears to be fully black and does not match the body color. Currently, the only confirmed color is white, but it is expected that Apple will launch two color options."

Other sources have confirmed the iPhone Ultra's dual-camera configuration, consisting of a regular and an ultra-wide camera.

What else do we know about the iPhone Ultra?

Beyond physical design, another recent report suggested you'll be able to run multiple apps side-by-side when the phone is unfolded, sort of like multitasking on iPadOS 26. However, by all accounts, this device will run iOS, not iPadOS, so you won't exactly get a full iPad experience from the iPhone Ultra. (Apps that are designed to run natively in iPadOS, for example, would not be compatible.)

Finally, even though the iPhone Ultra is still in the realm of fantasy, there are already rumors about a follow-up, clamshell-style foldable from Apple, potentially called the iPhone Flip. That one probably isn't coming until next year at the earliest, though.

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The full lineup of free phones at T-Mobile:

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Apple iPhone 17

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Google Pixel 11

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Getting a new phone usually means paying for it, one way or another. But right now, T-Mobile is handing out some of the biggest names in the mobile game — the iPhone 17, Galaxy Z Fold 8, Pixel 11, Razr, and more — for free. Tax and a $35 connection fee still apply at signup.

And you don't necessarily need a trade-in to get there — most of these deals just require a new line, or a new line plus porting in your number from another carrier.

The catch is that "free" means the cost is paid off through monthly bill credits over 24 to 36 months. As long as you stick around for the whole term, you'll never pay for the device itself. Switch carriers or downgrade early, and the remaining balance becomes due right away.

Our favorite free phone deal at T-Mobile

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Credit: Apple

iPhone 17 Pro

Free with a new line and port-in on an Experience Beyond plan — no trade-in required. Up to 36 monthly bill credits cover the full cost, plus tax and a $35 device connection charge apply at signup.

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Why we like it

What makes the iPhone 17 Pro deal stand out is how many paths there are to finding real value:

• New line + port-in on Experience Beyond: Free, no trade-in needed, no strings beyond the plan itself

• New line + port-in on Experience Beyond w/ 55+, Military, or First Responder Savings: Up to $900 off, no trade-in needed — built for people already on a discounted plan tier

• New line + port-in on Experience More or Experience Beyond: Up to $830 off, no trade-in needed — the pick if you're not on a savings plan but still want a big chunk covered

• New line + port-in on Experience Beyond or Experience More w/ 55+, Military, First Responder, or Student Perks Savings: Up to $630 off, no trade-in needed

• Switching carriers with a port-in and new line on Experience Beyond: An extra $100 back via prepaid Mastercard (allow eight weeks after submission), stackable on top of your device discount

Bottom line: whatever your current T-Mobile setup looks like, there's almost certainly a version of this deal that gets you to $0 or close enough.

It's rare to see this many flagship phones from so many different brands — Apple, Samsung, Google, and Motorola — all free on the same carrier at the same time. If any of these phones have been on your radar, this is about as good a moment as you're likely to get to make the jump for free.

TL;DR: A refurbished, unlocked 128GB iPhone SE is on sale for $104.99 (reg. $359), giving you Touch ID, wireless charging, and a compact 4.7-inch display.

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Credit: Apple

Apple iPhone SE 2nd Gen 2020 (Refurbished)

$104.99
$359 Save $254.01

 

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Remember when iPhones fit in your hand and had a button you could actually press? This refurbished 2020 iPhone SE does, while still packing an A13 Bionic chip, wireless charging, and current iOS support. For a limited time, you can grab one for only $104.99 (reg. $359).

This unlocked iPhone SE is an affordable option for anyone who wants a simpler iPhone, a backup device, or a first phone without flagship pricing.

Under the hood, it runs on Apple’s A13 Bionic chip, which still handles everyday jobs like messaging, browsing, streaming, social media, and casual gaming. The 4.7-inch Retina HD display is noticeably smaller than today’s giant-phone norm, which is a feature, not a flaw, if you miss being able to use your phone comfortably with one hand.

You also get a 12MP rear camera with Portrait mode and 4K video recording, plus a 7MP front camera for selfies and FaceTime. Qi wireless charging is supported, as is fast charging with compatible hardware, and the phone includes both a physical Nano-SIM slot and eSIM support.

Because it’s carrier-unlocked, you’re free to choose from compatible networks. And yes, Touch ID is still here to unlock the phone and approve purchases without pointing the screen at your face.

This is a Grade B refurbished model from 2020, so light scratches, scuffs, or dents are possible, and you’re getting 4G LTE rather than 5G. It does come with a charging cable, wall adapter, and a third-party 30-day parts-and-labor warranty.

Formerly $359, this refurbished iPhone SE is now only $104.99.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

When Apple announced price hikes across many of its product lines earlier this summer, there was one product that was noticeably absent: the iPhone.

But, just like it did with the MacBook and iPad, it appears that Apple will soon be raising prices on the iPhone, too. It looks like the tech giant was just waiting to adjust prices until the new iPhone 18 lineup is announced, which will almost certainly happen at the company's annual September event.

According to Bloomberg Apple expert Mark Gurman, the source of virtually all news about unreleased Apple products, the company is currently preparing for iPhone price hikes. Just how high will prices go? That's what Apple is still deciding, Gurman reports.

iPhone prices could increase by $100 or more

An iPhone price hike has seemed inevitable for months. The ongoing global memory shortage has significantly raised manufacturing costs, and the tech world has seen waves of price increases on smartphones and laptops.

As Gurman points out, Apple raised the price of its non-smartphone products by varying amounts. The iPad Air went up by $150. The MacBook Air price was raised by $200. The Mac Studio saw a whopping $500 price increase. Apple may feel that iPhone users are locked into the iOS ecosystem and that it can raise prices a significant amount without losing customers.

However, at the same time, Apple does have to compete with other companies' devices. Samsung and Google only raised the prices of their new Galaxy and Pixel line of smartphones by about $100 each (foldable phones have typically seen much larger price increases). Apple may feel like they need to either match that or stay within that general price range. That would see a base model iPhone 18 Pro priced at around $1,199 at launch.

In addition, Gurman says that Apple may feel like it could compete with higher price hikes than its competitors thanks to the company's new Upgrade program. Apple Upgrade is essentially a leasing model in which Apple users can pay a recurring monthly fee for a device and then easily swap the device in for an upgrade when a new model comes out. If the iPhone gets more expensive, those users who may have previously been priced out after a price hike can instead just opt to lease the device in the Apple Upgrade program.

All of our questions about the foldable iPhone Ultra and price increases will likely be answered in just a few weeks at Apple's big September event.

Unfortunately, iPhone price increases now seem inevitable.

We are now just weeks away from Apple's big September iPhone launch event, where we expect the new iPhone 18 lineup to be announced, along with the company's first foldable iPhone.

Now, the lucky people who acted as early testers for the foldable iPhone, which is rumored to be called the iPhone Ultra, have shared their experiences with Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. And according to Gurman, it seems like Apple will have a big hit on its hands. However, it does seem like early reviewers have a couple of specific complaints with the device.

The iPhone Ultra is a hit among testers

Over the weekend, Bloomberg's Apple insider Mark Gurman shared that he has spoken with individuals who have actually used the iPhone Ultra. After hearing what they had to say, Gurman says he "couldn't be more excited" for the foldable device.

According to Gurman, iPhone Ultra testers love that the device is pocket-sized, something our phone reviewers also love about foldable phones. When the iPhone Ultra is opened, the inner display is reportedly just slightly smaller than an iPad mini, making the small size of the foldable device quite impressive. Gurman says that testers also liked the iPad-esque UX, made possible by that flexible internal display.

It also seems like all that work Apple put into perfecting the foldable device's hinge paid off. Gurman reports that the "feel and durability of the advanced hinge mechanism" has received high praise.

Gurman specifically mentions the iPhone Ultra excelling as a camera viewfinder as well.

iPhone Ultra is missing two big things

However, according to the testers that Gurman spoke to, there are two major features that are missing with the iPhone Ultra.

Crucially, as we've seen in leaked renders, the iPhone Ultra only has two rear cameras. That means there is no telephoto lens, which has become standard on most premium phones. This has been rumored for a while, but Gurman is now reporting that testers were disappointed with the camera array.

As Gurman points out, the iPhone Ultra will likely cost $2,000 at least, and "the Venn diagram of people willing to spend top dollar on an early-adopter product and those who appreciate advanced camera capabilities — including deeper zoom — is probably pretty close to a circle." Current iPhone Pro users who are looking to upgrade might view the loss of one of their camera lenses as a downgrade and choose to buy the new (and almost certainly less expensive) iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max instead of the iPhone Ultra.

In our recent reviews of Samsung's new foldables, the camera arrays were one of our chief complaints. Both the smaller Galaxy Z Flip 8 and the larger Z Fold 8 (which matches the rumored shape and specs of the iPhone Ultra) had disappointing cameras compared to Pro and Ultra devices from Samsung, Google, and Apple.

The second big omission is that the iPhone Ultra lacks Face ID. Gurman confirms a long-time rumor that the phone uses Touch ID to authenticate users, reportedly disappointing users who have gotten used to Apple's Face ID feature.

These omitted features, along with anything else missing from the iPhone Ultra, will likely be added to future models. After all, this is Apple's first foldable phone, but most likely it won't be the last.

Google's Gemini app for the iPhone can be a powerful partner in your day-to-day life, answering questions quickly and helping with almost anything. It's like having a personal assistant in your pocket. In this video, CNET's Stephen Beacham walks through every feature and setting of Google's Gemini App. 

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Best overall phone plan for families

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Every family with more than two phones knows the drill: someone's always maxing out data, somebody forgot to add the new line, and the bill never quite matches what the website promised. Picking the right plan can save real money — but with every carrier claiming to have the "best" deal, it's hard to know which one actually delivers.

We compared plans across carriers to find the ones that are worth your money. T-Mobile's Experience More 2.0 stood out as the strongest all-around pick, with truly unlimited data and a built-in Netflix bundle, while Boost's Unlimited+ is the one to grab if you want no contract and the lowest per-line price as you add more family members.

Here's the full breakdown.

Best overall phone plan for families

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T-Mobile Experience More 2.0

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Why we like it

For families that go through data fast, Experience More 2.0 is the sweet spot. At $140 per month for three lines (with the free third-line promo), you get truly unlimited premium data instead of a capped allowance, plus a real entertainment bundle — Netflix Standard with Ads — and Apple TV is just $3 per month. With 4K streaming, a locked-in five-year rate, and 60GB of hotspot data on top, this plan does a lot more than keep everyone connected.

The travel perks push it further: a full year of AAA membership, unlimited data in Canada and Mexico, and coverage in over 215 countries make it a strong pick for families who travel. You're also getting Scam Shield Premium and upgrade eligibility every three years at new-customer pricing. It costs more than Essentials, but if your family's leaning on streaming and hotspot data daily, Experience More earns the upgrade.

Best basic plan for families who don't need extras

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Verizon Unlimited Welcome

Unlimited talk, text, and 5G data with no frills — Verizon's most affordable line starting at $27.50/month with AutoPay.

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Why we like it

If your family just needs a reliable line, Unlimited Welcome is Verizon's answer to a truly no-frills plan. At $27.50 per month per line for four new lines with Auto Pay, it's the cheapest way onto Verizon's network, with unlimited talk, text, and data plus 5G access — no data caps to worry about, even if speeds can dip during heavy network traffic. For a family stacking up several lines, that starting price adds up to real savings compared to Verizon's pricier tiers.

Just know what you're giving up: no mobile hotspot, no international data or calling perks beyond Mexico and Canada, and streaming tops out at 480p SD, so it's not the plan for a household of binge-watchers.

Best no-contract plan for bigger families

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Credit: Boost mobile

Boost Unlimited+

Unlimited talk, text and data with no contract — Boost's family plan drops to $36.67/month per line the more lines you add.

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Why we like it

Boost's Unlimited+ plan is the value pick for bigger families. Add three lines and the per-line price drops to $36.67 per month with AutoPay — unlimited talk, text, and 40GB of premium data included, with no contract locking you in. You can cancel anytime as long as you're not financing a device, which isn't something you'll find with most carriers' standard plans.

It also comes with some surprisingly solid extras for the price — mobile hotspot, global talk and text to over 100 countries, and up to $300 in device savings if you need a new phone. Speeds do drop to 512kbps after you burn through 40GB of premium data, so heavy streamers in the family might feel the pinch toward the end of the billing cycle. But for families prioritizing savings and flexibility over top-tier perks, Unlimited+ delivers a lot of value per dollar.

The new iOS 27 Shortcuts make it easy to program your own iPhone tricks with natural language. Bridget Carey explains how she used it to wean her from compulsively opening social media and getting lost in scrolling. You might find it better than other apps that limit screen time (and it’s certainly cheaper than using a Brick).

Google just launched a bunch of new Pixel phones, coincidentally at the same time that Pixel devices are getting an interesting new keyboard feature.

According to 9to5Google, Gboard beta users are starting to get access to a feature that lets them manually adjust the size of emojis. In case you don't know, Gboard is the default keyboard on Pixel phones and some other Android devices. It's also available as a standalone app you can install on other phones, including iPhones.

Anyway, when the feature rolls out to everyone at an indeterminate point in the future, users will be able to go to Settings, then Preferences, then Appearance to find an emoji size slider underneath the already-existing font size slider. It seems like it does exactly what you'd think: Emojis will scale up and down depending on what you choose, making them easier on the eyes for users who might need that.

And maybe you'll be able to enjoy this feature on your brand new Pixel 11 Pro Fold soon.

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At a glance:

• Release date: We're expecting the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max to arrive in fall 2026, but rumor has it the iPhone 18 may not arrive until early 2027.

• Colors: Possible leaks point to four main color options for the Pro models this year: light blue, silver, dark gray, and dark cherry.

• Key upgrades: Besides iOS 27 and the Siri AI beta, we're expecting bigger batteries, camera improvements (including variable aperture for the main camera), and possibly a smaller Dynamic Island.

• Pricing: Most new phones are arriving with price increases, and we think a starting price increase is very likely for the new iPhone 18 lineup, sadly.

Apple's flagship smartphone hasn't taken a year off from its updates since 2007, and barring a massive surprise, 2026 won't be different — but there will be a twist.

The Cupertino-based tech giant is widely expected to launch a new lineup of iPhones later this year, including the iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, and the rumored iPhone Ultra, the company's first-ever foldable. The regular iPhone 18, the 18e, and the new iPhone Air are likely to arrive early next year.

We asked you to predict what Apple will do next. See the results and find out how to get a shot at winning an Apple Watch!

As we await the iPhone 18 — and its updated operating system, iOS 27 — rumors continue to trickle out. The pace of leaks on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, in particular, is likely to increase after a massive hack exposed thousands of Apple's internal documents, reportedly including iPhone 18 Pro suppliers and tests.

We won't see any of the new Apple phones in the wild for a couple more months, but we can bring you all of the latest iPhone 18 rumors and the most likely updates in one place.

iPhone 18 lineup pricing

If you're in the market for a new iPhone, you should circle September in your calendar. That's when Apple typically holds its big iPhone launch event, and there's no reason to believe Apple will change that for the iPhone 18. The first week of September is most likely, probably Wednesday, Sept. 9, to give attendees enough time to travel after Labor Day (Sept. 7).

Expect to see new Apple CEO John Ternus take the stage, as his term of office officially begins Sept. 1. What he'll be introducing, alas, may put more of a dent in your wallet.

Thanks to the ongoing RAM shortage caused by the AI industry (also known as RAMageddon), tons of smartphones, laptops, and gaming consoles are seeing huge price hikes. Experts who've spoken to Mashable say that trend isn't going to stop anytime soon.

As the world's number-one smartphone maker, Apple has advantages over its rivals, but a price increase is very likely. Apple recently raised prices on a variety of its products, and outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook even took the unusual step of preparing us for a pricier iPhone.

"Price increases are unavoidable," Cook told the Wall Street Journal in a June interview. The Journal quoted an analysis showing that the memory chip components in the iPhone 18 Pro will cost Apple $150 more than those in the iPhone 17 Pro.

So should you expect the phones to cost just $150 more than their predecessors (check the iPhone 17 prices for reference)? You wish. There's the pesky fact that Apple is a for-profit company, and the iPhone is the #1 smartphone in the world for a reason, even though it's already pricier than Samsung's.

How much of an increase will Apple fans bear? We may be about to find out, but the Journal estimated the iPhone 18 Pro at $1,399 ($300 more than last year). Apple analysts are coming to similar conclusions; one research note seen by 9to5Mac predicted $250 to $300 price increases.

iPhone 18, 18 Pro, and 18 Ultra launch dates

The iPhone 18 Pro Max smartphones at last year's iPhone launch event. Credit: CNET

Barring a huge turn under Ternus, Apple will release the iPhone 18 Pro, the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the foldable iPhone Ultra in early September. Apple's first foldable iPhone is the biggest headline here, but the Pro models will also bring numerous improvements.

The iPhone 18, however, alongside the cheaper iPhone 18e, and the next-gen iPhone Air, are rumored to come next year, likely in March 2027.

iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Pro design

Again, Apple has not released any official teasers or other imagery for the iPhone 18 lineup yet, so anything reported to date could be wrong. Still, from the sum total of all reports, it sounds like Apple isn't really reinventing the wheel, design-wise. But Ternus, a hardware guy, is reportedly bringing the company's industrial design group into the center of the Apple fold.

Looking further into the future, the iPhone 20 is said to bring big changes, including a curved waterfall display.

Per our friends at CNET (Mashable and CNET are both owned by Ziff Davis), the display sizes will be roughly the same as last year:

• iPhone 18: 6.3 inches

• iPhone 18 Pro: 6.3 inches

• iPhone 18 Pro Max: 6.9 inches

In August, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman shared on X that popular phone case maker Otterbox is already selling iPhone 18 Pro cases, even though the phone hasn't been announced yet. This is noteworthy because the case's packaging indicates that both the 17 Pro and 18 Pro fit in the same case, suggesting the two phones are about the same size, as CNET suggested.

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However, the display quality might be a little different this year. Prominent leaker Instant Digital shared on Chinese social media that Apple's brightness demands are unusually high this year, so it would be reasonable to expect much brighter displays than in previous years.

Some iPhone 18 models could also have a smaller camera bump compared to previous models. There are reports of a slightly redesigned Dynamic Island on the screen itself, with the pill-shaped notification hub potentially being made smaller in the iPhone 18 Pro models. One alleged leaked image purports to show an iPhone 18 Pro with a downsized Dynamic Island cutout.

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iPhone 18: rumored hardware features

So we know the software the iPhone 18 will run: iOS 27, introduced at WWDC 2026. Time to start talking about some of the internal hardware changes Apple is reportedly making to the iPhone 18 lineup.

For starters, it sounds like the lineup will have a standardized 12GB RAM count across the board. In previous years, the Pro models had 12GB of RAM, while the base model had only 8GB. According to Korean outlet The Bell, Apple will be upgrading the base model to the Pro models in that regard. It's also widely expected that Apple will adopt new A20 and A20 Pro chips for the base and Pro models, respectively.

It's also expected that the new iPhones will have a new C2 modem for improved cellular connectivity, and they may also have 5G satellite support. Also reported: a new N2 chip for better WiFi performance.

As for the battery, leaker Digital Chat Station on Weibo reported that the batteries will finally be upgraded to 5,000mAh, which would be a big improvement over the iPhone 17 Pro. This year, 5,000mAh has become the new standard for flagship phones, including in Samsung's new Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

Instant Digital posted in a separate Weibo leak that the back glass of the iPhone 18 Pro has been altered, resulting in a new unified look, as opposed to the two-tone look of the iPhone 17 Pro. Whether that change will affect durability (or if it's just an aesthetic difference) remains to be seen. Other possible upgrades include an improved LTPO+ display, Apple's new C2 modem, 5G via satellite connectivity, and the improved N2 chip, which should improve hotspot and AirDrop reliability.

The most colorful iPhone 18 Pro rumors

Courtesy of leakers, we may already know the iPhone 18 Pro colors. If that's the case, the must-see equivalent of the iPhone 17's unforgettable "cosmic orange" shade is said to be a wine-like "dark cherry," which we'd expect to sell like hot... cherry pies?

Based on numerous leaks, the most likely color lineup for the iPhone 18 Pro will be silver, dark gray, light blue, and the aforementioned "dark cherry."

Sadly, we think fans of black iPhones are out of luck, though the rumored dark gray color looks black in supposed dummy units shared by leakers like Sonny Dickson.

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What about the iPhone 18 Pro Max?

Several reports out of China say that because the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a much larger battery, it may be a bit of a chunky boy.

We're not talking about a huge increase in weight and width: a quarter of a millimeter in thickness and 7 grams more, respectively. Still, every gram counts on the heftiest iPhone model you can get — so iPhone 17 Pro Max upgraders may want to check that their pocket linings can bear the bulk of a larger iPhone 18 Pro Max.

The iPhone 17 Pro has helped Apple break sales records in 2026. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

iPhone 18 camera rumors

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, a source of many spot-on iPhone reports, says the iPhone 18 Pro, in particular, will have "some of the biggest camera hardware upgrades in the lineup's history."

Why? First, the telephoto camera has a larger aperture. But more important is the variable aperture.

First reported by Digital Chat Station on Weibo, variable aperture is a huge deal. It would let the iPhone 18 Pro camera capture varying amounts of light in different situations — potentially leading to a huge leap in photo quality if you know what you're doing.

For instance, the bokeh effect famously associated with portrait mode on iPhones would be possible in-camera rather than through software processing, resulting in more natural and generally better-looking shots.

While all of that sounds great, leaker Ice Universe poured some water on the fire by claiming that variable aperture would be exclusive to the iPhone 18 Pro Max. This is the first indication, as far as we can tell, that the regular Pro won't have a variable aperture. That would certainly be disappointing to people who want the feature but don't want a gigantic phone, but perhaps the Pro Max's size gives it an advantage in terms of including the technology.

Also, perhaps Ice Universe is wrong. We'll find out soon.

What about Siri AI?

Of course, one of the first things many users will want to know about the iPhone 18 when they get their hands on one: what is the new, revamped, AI-upgraded Siri experience like?

If you're feeling adventurous, you can try it yourself by installing the iOS 27 beta.

The new features include Siri becoming an actual chatbot with its own app. It can also understand what's on your screen and help you write, create images, and edit photos.

For an overview, check out our guides to iOS 27 and Siri AI's top features.

The new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 is an interesting phone in a time when most phones are aggressively boring.

Flip it open in front of someone for the first time, and they will inevitably ask questions about it or ask if they can hold it.

When the pink colorway first appeared on the Galaxy Unpacked livestream, the Mashable group chat blew up — and we're a bunch of phone snobs with most of our feet firmly planted in Apple-land.

But the Z Flip 8 is more than a pretty face. While the new $1,199.99 price tag is definitely a big pain point, it's an easy recommendation unless you need Ultra or Pro-level cameras for creative or professional reasons. And if you do, you'll be paying a lot more for the iPhone 17 Pro Max, Pixel 11 Pro Fold, Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, or Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra anyway.

Galaxy Z Flip 8: By the numbers

Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

This phone has mostly iterative upgrades over last year's Galaxy Z Flip 7, and despite rumors to the contrary, it does have a new Snapdragon chipset.

• Inner display: 6.9-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate

• Outer display: 4.1-inch HD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate

• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset

• Colors: Pink, cream, graphite, mint

• Unfolded dimensions: 166.9 x 75.4 x 6.1 mm

• Folded dimensions: 85.7 x 75.4 x 13.1 mm

• Weight: 180 grams

• RAM: 12GB

• Storage: 256GB, 512GB

• Battery: 4,300mAh

• Cameras: 50MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP selfie camera

Galaxy Z Flip 8 review: Design

Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

The new Samsung flip phone is lighter and thinner than its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Flip 7. It still has ultra-thin bezels, and while it's not quite as thin as the excellent Galaxy Z Fold 8 (or the Z Fold 8 Ultra), Samsung did shave off 0.6mm.

When unfolded, it feels nice and light in your hand, and even when it's folded, it slips right into your pocket like a flip phone should. I'm one of the few phone reviewers who has hated the trend of bigger and bigger phones, which is why I held onto my iPhone SE as long as I could. I love the way phones like the Z Flip 8 and the Motorola Razr Ultra feel in my pocket compared with iPhone or the oversized Galaxy S26 Ultra.

For the Galaxy Z 8 series, Samsung also added flex titanium hardware, which results in a more durable hinge and less visible crease. The phone certainly feels solid, and the crease on the flexible display really does disappear.

Credit: René Ramos / CNET Group

Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

The phone also won me over with its charming good looks. This is a smartphone with good vibes. I love the pink color (which is more of a purple-pink than a bubblegum or millennial pink), and I really like the white color as well.

For a lot of reasons, I think this would be the ideal phone for a young person or college student, or as a starter phone for a cool teen, if your parents love you enough to splurge on a $1,199.99 device.

Galaxy Z Flip 8 review: Performance

Credit: René Ramos / CNET Group

Last year, we complained about the Z Flip 7's Exynos processor, but this year, Samsung opted for the same Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset found in the Z Fold 8 Ultra. When we ran the Geekbench 7 benchmarking test, the phone received a single-core score of 2,658 and a multi-core score of 7,157.

That single-core score is actually a little higher than the Z Fold 8, though the Z Fold 8 had a higher multi-core score of 9,919. Its scores are also significantly higher than those of the Motorola Razr Ultra, the flagship entry in the Razr lineup this year.

What this means is that the phone can handle basic AI processes on the device without breaking a sweat, and you can run tons of apps at the same time without slowing it down. The processor is also critical for photo processing, which is one of the few pain points with this phone. I found the color and light balance to be much better on the Z Fold 8, but the Z Flip 8 actually performed better with digital zoom (we'll come back to this in the camera test section).

Samsung also redesigned the outer display experience from the ground up, and it's now easier to access apps and widgets when the phone is closed (though not all apps will work on the front display).

Galaxy Z Flip 8: Setup, migration, and software

Setting up the Z Flip 8 was incredibly easy. Assuming you already have another Galaxy device, you can quickly transfer the contents. You do have to scroll through and accept a lot of terms of service and other screens when you first boot up the phone, which was annoying. Samsung was also keen to stress that it has made it as simple as possible to migrate from iOS to Android, and overall, the phone has better compatibility with Apple devices.

Crucially for me, Samsung has introduced Quick Share, an AirDrop-like feature that lets you quickly and wirelessly send photos, videos, and other files to nearby devices, including Apple devices. I was able to select all of the photos and videos I took for this review and send them to my MacBook Pro work laptop in seconds.

Like last year, the phone is also equipped with a fingerprint sensor.

Setting up the phone Credit: Screenshot by Timothy Werth

Credit: Screenshot by Timothy Werth

Galaxy Z Flip 8: The cameras are just OK

There's a simple reason that the Z Flip 8 couldn't be my everyday phone: the cameras.

The Z Flip 8 has a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP selfie camera. By comparison, I got good results with the larger Z Fold 8, which has dual 50MP cameras. The Z Flip 8's cameras suffer in comparison, especially for a phone that costs over $1,000.

Samsung redesigned the outer display experience for the Z Flip 8. Credit: René Ramos / CNET Group

If you're a professional who depends on high-quality pictures and videos (like, say, a tech journalist), this phone won't meet your needs. Likewise, even if creators love the design of this phone, it won't suit their video needs the way the iPhone 17 Pro Max would, for example.

However, for the vast majority of people, I think the cameras are good enough. Hence, why I think this phone makes sense for young people, or folks who prefer a small phone that disappears in their pocket.

The results of my camera test

Ultimately, I found that the Z Flip 8 sometimes oversaturated my photos, as you can see in this New York City park scene. The sky wasn't quite so blue that day, I'm afraid.

Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

I also found that in bright sunlight, some of the photos looked a little overexposed. The highlights were too bright in some cases, giving the photos a glossy sheen.

Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

Strangely, the digital zoom on the Z Flip 8 seemed to work better than on the Z Fold 8, for reasons I don't understand. Both phones lack a telephoto lens for high-quality zoom shots. Still, it worked well enough, and better than expected in some cases.

Left: Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

Right: Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

However, I did get great results with selfies, so long as I didn't rely on the front-facing 10MP selfie camera. One of the coolest features of the Z Flip 8 is that you can see a live video of the camera preview when the phone is folded, letting you line up the perfect selfie. This is so handy that I don't think you ever need to use the inner 10MP selfie camera, and I don't know why it's included at all. The drop-off in photo quality is very apparent.

Left: A selfie taken with the main camera. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

Right: Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

Fortunately, Portrait mode works well, so long as you're using the main cameras.

Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

A full suite of AI features

If you're an AI user, there's a lot to love about the Galaxy Z Flip 8. Thanks to the Snapdragon processor, you can get a lot accomplished on device.

With the Z 8 series, users get access to Gemini LM, which is a great perk. On top of that, you can get free six months of Google AI Pro, unlocking a ton more AI features (just be sure to cancel after six months if you don't want to be charged!).

However, the only AI feature I really find myself using on these devices are the AI photo editing tools, which work very well.

The AI eraser can help you eliminate unwanted pimples, photobombers, or other details from your shots. The tool easily erased a tote bag strap from one of my selfies, and eliminated people in the background of photos I took at a dog park.

Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

You can also have more fun with your photos, by adding fantastical details. Crucially, when you edit photos with AI, an AI content watermark is added automatically to your photo (in addition to a digital watermark), which I very much appreciate.

Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

Is the Galaxy Z Flip 8 worth it?

While this isn't the right phone for me, I'm a big fan of foldable smartphones, and I had a lot of fun testing this phone. If you don't need a 200MP camera or 8K video recording (and who does, really?), then this phone will suit your needs just fine.

I do resent the $100 price increase for the new generation of Samsung foldables, but the global memory crisis has driven up prices on almost everything this year. If you can take advantage of trade-in offers from your mobile carrier, that should help offset the cost.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8

$1,199.99 at Amazon

 

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TL;DR: T-Mobile is offering the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 when you trade in an eligible device on a qualifying Experience Beyond plan, with credits paid out over 36 months.

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Credit: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8

Claim by trading in an eligible device on the Experience Beyond plan.

Get Deal

Samsung's summer Unpacked event didn't hold back. Alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 8, the company introduced a wider, more productivity-focused Z Fold 8 Ultra, the pocket-sized Z Flip 8, an updated set of Galaxy Watches, and its first-ever pair of smart glasses built around Gemini AI — a full Unpacked lineup with something for every kind of Samsung fan.

The Z Fold 8 has garnered a lot of attention, and T-Mobile is backing it with one of its best offers of the year: the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is yours with an eligible trade-in on the Experience Beyond plan, no matter what condition your old phone is in.

Here's how to qualify for the deal:

Trade in an eligible device and add a line on the Experience Beyond plan, and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 (256GB, normally $1,899.99) is paid off through up to 36 monthly bill credits. There's also a $35 device connection charge, plus applicable taxes and fees, so it's not entirely cost-free, but the device itself is covered.

If Experience Beyond isn't the plan for you, T-Mobile has scaled-down versions of the same offer:

• Experience More, with trade-in: up to $1,100 off

• Most other plans, with trade-in: up to $500 off

• Simple Choice plans, with trade-in: up to $250 off

All of these pay out the same way, as monthly bill credits over up to 36 months rather than an instant discount, so the savings only fully materialize if you stay on the plan for the full term.

There's also a separate switcher incentive: trade in your phone, activate a new line, and port your number over from another carrier, and T-Mobile will send up to $800 via a prepaid Mastercard — on top of whatever device discount you already qualify for.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is available in cream, lavender, and graphite, and you can upgrade from the base 256GB to 512GB for more storage.

Last year, the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold was technically in competition with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, but in reality, it was no contest. Google's phone was just too bulky to really be a true peer of Samsung's excellent foldable.

This year, while one might arrive at the same ultimate conclusion, it is more of a real competition. The $1,899 Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold is a clear, marked improvement over its predecessor, thanks largely to a remarkably thinner and lighter form factor. While there are some software improvements to chew on, the fact that the new Pixel foldable is so much more comfortable in the hands than the 2025 model is enough to make it feel more on par with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

Even so, a noticeable price increase year-over-year and Samsung's continued excellence in the space still mean that you're probably better off with a Z Fold. But the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is a very nice phone in its own right, and there are some good reasons to get one if you're in the market for a premium foldable.

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold review: A $400 price increase hits hard

It's a lot thinner this time. Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

Speaking of price increases, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold launched at $1,499, and the 11 Pro Fold is launching at $1,899. There are noteworthy improvements from one device to the next, as I'll cover extensively in the rest of this review, but not to the tune of an extra $400. You can blame RAMageddon and the rapid spread of AI data centers for that.

Still, even with a valid economic justification, a price hike is a price hike. It's not good, and I don't want to normalize that sort of thing, no matter how normal it is in 2026.

Easily the biggest change Google made between the Pixel 10 Pro Fold and this model is in the physical design of the device itself. Last year's Pixel foldable was notably thicker and bulkier than the Z Fold 7, to the point where I couldn't earnestly recommend it to anyone, even though it was a perfectly OK device in its own right. Google trimmed the Pixel 11 Pro Fold down substantially, bringing it down to 10.1mm of thickness when folded and 5.0mm when unfolded.

That's compared to 10.8mm and 5.2mm last year, respectively. Google also pared the weight down from around 258g to 239g. All of that is to say that the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is significantly better from an ergonomic and design standpoint than its predecessor. As soon as I picked it up for the first time, I was immediately impressed by how much more svelte it is. The only problem is that the Z Fold 8 Ultra is an even tinier 4.1mm when unfolded, so Samsung still wins in that regard.

Still, Google is closing the gap.

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold: Design, specs, and price

Boring colors this year. Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

The new Pixel 11 Pro Fold also only comes in two very drab and boring colors: Olive and Obsidian. Blegh. Here are the rest of the basic specs for the device:

• Exterior display: 6.5-inches with 1080x2342 resolution, 1-120Hz refresh rate, and 3,600 nits peak brightness

• Interior display: 8-inches with 2076x2152 resolution, 1-120Hz refresh rate, and 3,600 nits peak brightness

• Processor: Google Tensor G6

• RAM: 16GB

• Storage: 256/512GB, 1TB

• Battery: 4,806mAh

• Rear cameras: 48MP wide, 10.5MP ultra-wide, 10.8MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom

• Selfie cameras: 10MP outer and inner cameras

We'll get to camera and battery changes shortly, but one upgrade worth mentioning here is that both displays have seen their peak brightness rise from 3,000 nits on Pixel 10 Pro Fold to 3,600 nits on this device. When you're using the foldable outdoors on a sunny day, the brightness is definitely noticeable. In general, the displays look great, but to my eyes they don't look all that different from last year's model outside of the brightness change.

I will say, though, that the crease in the inner display is fairly visible. It's not a big deal, but Samsung wins that competition this year.

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold: Performance

As usual, Google has included a new in-house Tensor processor with the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. The Tensor G6 chip makes everyday activities, from web browsing to photography and social media, extremely breezy. I have absolutely zero complaints about the performance profile here, though I should mention that I didn't really have any last year, either. It'd be a big story if a nearly $2,000 phone didn't perform well.

Unfortunately, the Geekbench 7 benchmarking software that we use to put a number on performance does not have Pixel 11 Pro Fold support just yet. Take my word for it, though: Performance is fine on this phone.

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold: AI features and HiLight

That little white circle is where HiLight happens. Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

As always, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is fully Gemini-powered out of the box. It comes with six months of the Google AI Pro subscription and otherwise has some contextual Gemini-based actions that can occur, usually within the realm of text messages. For example, if someone texts you about a lunch date, Gemini might surface a little visual card with information about the restaurant in question sourced from the internet.

This sort of thing isn't terribly new or exciting (it's also somewhat difficult to test), but I suppose it can help save a little bit of time here and there. The most standout new AI feature actually involves photography. It's called Magic Capture, and the way it works is that you open the Camera app, swipe to a new Magic Capture tab the same way you would swipe between the photo and video modes, and start filming anything that's moving or otherwise dynamic and difficult to capture in still image form.

After you're done filming, the phone will take a few seconds to process a sort of "ideal" photographic still from the video you just took. It can also optionally crop and unblur these photos without your input. Fast-moving animals like New York's lovely pigeons or dogs at a dog park made for decent test subjects; even with the maximum zoom distance of 4x and twitchy, unpredictable subjects, the stills actually came out looking pretty nice.

This came from a video. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

So was this. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

I am broadly speaking not a fan of the AI creep that's been happening with smartphones in recent years. That said, Magic Capture is genuinely pretty neat and I could see it being very useful for people with kids and/or pets.

One other aspect worth talking about is HiLight, the only real new hardware feature in the Pixel 11 Pro series. It's a little multi-colored light that lives in the rear camera bar, and it lights up either when Gemini is active or when someone calls you. Those are the only two use cases right now. It's neat that you can set custom colors for different contacts, but I really don't understand why Google prioritized phone calls over text messages for HiLight at launch.

As it is, HiLight doesn't add much to the experience.. Maybe it'll get better over time.

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold: Battery life

As with all devices that Mashable reviews, I tested the Pixel 11 Pro Fold's battery life by looping an HD video on its display until the phone died.

Google rates the Pixel 11 Pro Fold as having more than 24 hours of battery life, but using our testing method, I was only able to get about 24 hours of juice out of the phone's battery, which is smaller than the Pixel 10 Pro Fold's cell. I'm certain you could wring a bit more life out of it by sticking to normal everyday activities like scrolling social media, so this isn't a big deal. It's also about the same result I got out of the Z Fold 8 Ultra, so even though I like Samsung's device a bit more, it doesn't outright win on battery life.

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold: Cameras

Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

I mentioned earlier that there are arguments to be made for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold over the Z Fold 8 Ultra. The biggest one is definitely the cameras.

That's interesting because Samsung's rear camera array wins heavily on megapixel counts. You only get a 48MP main shooter here, versus a 200MP lens on the Z Fold 8 Ultra. Megapixels usually don't tell the full story, though, and whatever Google is doing behind the scenes with the Pixel 11 Pro Fold's software produces much better-looking shots in certain conditions.

As an example, both phones can digital zoom up to 30x. On the Z Fold 8 Ultra, everything taken at that zoom level looks terrible. It's a bunch of AI-corrected mush that no one should ever substitute for a real photo. On the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, though, 30x zoom images are fairly clear and nice-looking.

1x zoom. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

30x zoom. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

The ultra-wide lens also produces vibrant, colorful shots.

Only a month or two before the leaves start falling. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Macro photography is always nice to have, as well.

Macro-licious. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

And portrait mode does what you want it to do.

Sorry, I don't like including my own selfies in these reviews. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Between all of that and the usefulness of Magic Capture, I would probably recommend the Pixel 11 Pro Fold over the Z Fold 8 Ultra purely on the merits of its cameras. However, you'd be better off getting a traditional flagship phone like a Pixel 11 Pro if photography is really your passion.

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold: My final verdict

Google has made great strides towards catching up with Samsung in the tablet-style foldable space in the past 12 months.

Simply put, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is a massive improvement over the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, if only because it's a lot more comfortable to hold. It's still not anywhere near as thin as Samsung's Z Fold 8 Ultra, but it's hard to imagine anything on the market topping that soon.

Even so, its performance is rock solid. I actually think it's better at taking photos than the Z Fold 8 Ultra, and it's generally a very nice phone to use. Maybe next year Google can win the fight.

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold (Obsidian)

$1,899 at T-Mobile

 

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Google has some new phones coming out, and we've been busy testing them all. Let's talk about them.

As part of its annual Made by Google event earlier this month, Google lifted the veil off the entire Pixel 11 series. While we don't quite have full reviews ready for each phone just yet, we wanted to share our first impressions of the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, and Pixel 11 Pro XL. (You can read our full review of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold.)

In general, this is another year of incremental improvements for the Pixel family, but there are some noteworthy changes to talk about. Let's dig in.

The base Pixel 11 camera bar is much thinner

Slimmed down. Credit: Rene Ramos / Mashable

One thing that becomes very apparent right away when putting your hands on the base model Pixel 11 is that its physical profile has been trimmed down to an extent. However, Google didn't do that by changing the phone's dimensions; those are exactly the same as last year.

So, what did Google do to achieve a thinner silhouette (while shaving 0.3 oz off the weight) for its cheapest Pixel 11? It noticeably reduced the size of the camera bar this time around. It's not quite the same as what Google did to the Pixel 10a, which basically doesn't have a camera bar at all, allowing the phone to lie completely flat on a table. But the end result is close enough, as this is, as far as I can tell, the thinnest camera bar Google has put on a Pixel in a long, long time.

It's barely noticeable when viewed from the side, and the phone is close enough to being flat on any given surface that it's functionally pretty similar to the Pixel 10a in design. You can also basically make the phone completely flat on its backside by putting a case on the Pixel 11.

This isn't a monumental change or anything, and it only applies to the base model, but still, it's pretty nice.

HiLight is a swing and a miss so far

It's not much to look at. Credit: Rene Ramos / Mashable

With the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Samsung introduced a major hardware upgrade: Privacy Display. Unfortunately, Google's big hardware innovation is pretty underwhelming.

We're talking about HiLight, a small, multi-colored light module that lives in the camera bar of the Pro models. Yes, you read that right: Base Pixel 11 phones can't use HiLight.

You might think, based on that fact, that HiLight is some highly advanced technological feat. Based on early impressions, that's not really the case. HiLight can pretty much do two things at the moment: light up when Gemini is active, or light up when someone calls you on the phone. The idea is to notify you that things are happening when you have the phone flipped face down, but I feel pretty strongly that Google should have prioritized text messages instead of phone calls for the initial HiLight rollout.

If HiLight worked with texts (and I expect that it will eventually), it would at least be pretty neat that you can set custom colors for different contacts. But as it is, in a world where I pretty much only get phone calls from people who are trying to drain my bank account, it's not particularly useful.

And again, it really should be available on all four Pixel 11 phones.

Magic Capture is a pleasant surprise

The Google Pixel 11 series. Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

In terms of software additions, the most impressive one I've seen in my time with the Pixel 11 series has been Magic Capture. This, fortunately, is available on all four Pixel 11 devices, and it's worth trying once you have your new phone all set up and ready to go.

Magic Capture is available as a new mode in the Camera app; just choose it from the same little section where you'd choose either photo or video mode and you're good to go. The way it works is that you film anything you want, ideally an object or living thing in motion, and Magic Capture will automatically process the video and choose several still frames from it that would work as standalone photos.

Kinda neat! Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Pigeons are cool. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

This processing happens on-device and works without a cellular or internet connection, which is great. There's also an option to let Magic Capture automatically crop and unblur these images. In practice, I found Magic Capture surprisingly capable of picking out neat still frames from videos. I filmed a train speeding by me and it found a frame where I'm clearly visible as a reflection in the train's window, which I thought was pretty cool. I was also able to catch a pigeon mid-take-off.

Magic Capture seems eminently useful for things like filming sports or other dynamic events full of moving subjects. Even as an AI skeptic (to put it mildly), this is one AI feature I actually sort of dig.

TL;DR: The new Motorola Razr+ is available for free with T-Mobile. To qualify for this promotion, simply activate a new line on an Experience Beyond plan.

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Credit: Motorola

Motorola Razr+

Free when you activate a new line on an Experience Beyond plan.

Shop Now

It has been an exceptionally busy few weeks in the world of mobiles. First, we had Samsung Unpacked, where we got announcements on the latest foldables, smartwatches, and even smart glasses. Then, before we had the chance to catch our breathe, Google dropped its own range of new devices.

It's easy to forget that Motorola launched some of the most impressive foldables on the market just a few months ago. These smartphones aren't outdated. They are still leading the way.

And better yet, you can get the new Motorola Razr+ for free right now with T-Mobile. To claim, simply activate a new line on its Experience Beyond plan. The total cost is covered via 36 monthly bill credits. If you cancel or switch carriers before the two-year mark, you’ll owe the remaining balance on the phone’s full retail price.

The key point here is that no trade-in is required for this limited-time promotion. You will need to pay taxes and a one-time $35 connection charge, but that's a small price to pay for a "damn fine phone."

Score the new Motorola Razr+ for free with T-Mobile.

Samsung might borrow a good Apple feature soon.

And you might not even need new hardware to use it. Leaker Fahad Ali Javed (via AndroidAuthority) posted screenshots of the upcoming One UI 9.5 update, which included several new features for Samsung devices. Perhaps the most noteworthy one, though, is the seeming addition of app mirroring. This feature allows iPhone users to receive notifications and otherwise control their phones using a linked Mac computer.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Javed's post suggests that this will be possible soon between a Samsung phone and a linked laptop, as long as you're logged into the same Samsung account on both devices. Any iPhone/MacBook owner can tell you this is a great, time-saving feature that people in other device ecosystems should want.

Less significantly, it also looks like One UI 9.5 might bring over the horizontal app bar found on Samsung foldable phones, complete with an always-visible search bar. That works well on phones with bigger displays, but it remains to be seen how it will adapt to regular phones.

Regardless, app mirroring would be a very nice feature for Samsung owners.

Google's Pixel 11 lineup brings Magic Capture, Instant Night Sight, and one genuinely surprising choice: the cheapest and priciest models share a main camera. We tried Magic Capture ourselves and asked Google why the Fold's camera is different.

Best phone plans for seniors:

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Best overall phone plan for seniors

T-Mobile Experience More 2.0

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T-Mobile Essentials Choice 55 2.0

$30/line/month with AutoPay (save $5/line per month)

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$10/month for new customers (save $15/month)

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Best low-cost unlimited plan for seniors

Mint Mobile 55+ Unlimited Plan

$15/month (save $15/month)

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Phone bills shouldn't get more confusing as you get older — but most carriers make it feel that way.

Some carriers offer real, age-restricted pricing built specifically for people aged 55 and up, complete with perks like built-in scam-call protection. T-Mobile, AT&T, and a handful of carriers all run age-restricted phone plans that undercut their standard pricing — sometimes by a lot.

Some of these plans are best if you just want a straightforward, low-cost phone line. Others bundle in-home internet, extra data, or streaming perks for people who need more than the basics.

Here's what's actually worth switching to:

Best overall phone plan for seniors

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Credit: T-Mobile

T-Mobile Experience More 2.0

Unlimited data, 4K streaming, and Scam Shield Premium — starting at $100/month for two lines with AutoPay.

Get Deal

Why we like it

With the T-Mobile Experience More 2.0, two lines run $100 per month with AutoPay, and instead of a 50GB data cap, you get unlimited premium data, with streaming capped at 4K UHD rather than getting stuck at standard definition. You also get 60GB of high-speed hotspot data, Netflix Standard included, and Scam Shield Premium built in for call protection.

So if you watch a lot of video on your phone or don't want to think about data limits, this plan takes that worry off the table. It's T-Mobile's way of giving seniors the "normal" unlimited plan experience, minus the full price tag.

Best phone and internet combo for seniors

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Credit: AT&T

AT&T 55+

Two unlimited lines plus home internet for $99/month, with ActiveArmor scam protection built in.

Get Deal

Why we like it

AT&T's 55+ plan earns its spot by doing something none of the other plans on this list do: bundling two unlimited wireless lines with home internet for a flat $99 per month. If you're already paying for both separately, that's easy savings in one bill. It also comes with AT&T ActiveArmor built in to screen out spam and scam calls, and Fiber customers get automatic internet backup, so a home outage doesn't cut you off from the outside world.

It's a great fit for anyone ready to simplify their bills and consolidate services under one carrier. The one extra step is that signup happens over the phone rather than online, since AT&T verifies age and applies the discount directly — a quick call, and you're set.

Best no-contract plan for seniors

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Credit: Boost Mobile

Boost Mobile Senior Savings

Unlimited talk, text, and data for $25/month — locked in for life, no contract required.

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Why we like it

Boost's pitch is refreshingly simple: $25 per month, unlimited talk, text, and data, and that price is locked in for good — no surprise hikes, no fine print about rates jumping after a year. New customers even get a head start at $10/month for the first three months before it settles into the standard rate.

With 30GB of high-speed data included before speeds slow down, it's plenty for most day-to-day use without needing to think too hard about it. It's also flexible — no contract means you can leave anytime, and you're free to add family members of any age to the account. Simple, affordable, and built to stay that way.

Samsung seemed all set to bring back a cool camera feature on the Galaxy S27 line, but it seems like those plans have been scuttled.

Korean outlet ETNews (per 9to5google) reported that Samsung has opted against reintroducing variable aperture to the Galaxy S27 series, set to launch early next year. Rumors and reports had indicated that Samsung wanted to bring the tech back after it had briefly been part of the Galaxy series in the S9 and S10 days, but it sounds like that's not going to happen now because of manufacturing costs and the burden of a thicker camera bump.

For those who aren't into photography, variable aperture would let the phone's camera physically change shape to bring in more or less light depending on the situation at hand, like a real camera. Samsung had included this in its phones for a couple of years starting around 2018, but opted for a software solution in more recent devices. We've been hearing that Apple is planning to add the feature to the upcoming iPhone 18, so Samsung probably wanted to add it to the S27 for competition's sake.

Unfortunately, for the time being, it seems like that won't happen.

The original "notch" iPhone is now officially obsolete.

On Thursday, Apple added the iPhone X to its list of obsolete products. Originally launched in 2017, the iPhone X was the first iPhone to feature a "notch" on top of its display, ushering in the era of modern iPhones that are nearly bezel-less on all sides, aside from a camera/sensor cutout on top.

Being on the obsolete list means that the product is no longer eligible for hardware service at Apple Stores or the company's Authorized Service Providers. Being nearly nine years old, the iPhone X doesn't get the new versions of iOS either, so if you still use one, it's probably (definitely) time to move on and get a new phone.

In addition to the iPhone X, Apple also added the 2018 15-inch MacBook Pro to the obsolete list. That machine still rocked an Intel processor; Apple introduced the first MacBook Pro with its own silicon (the M1 chip) in 2020 and hasn't looked back since.

There's some symbolism in the iPhone X going obsolete in 2026, the year when Apple is likely to usher in another radically different phone, the foldable iPhone Ultra. There are also rumors that Apple plans an iPhone 20 Pro with an all-glass, no-notch design for 2027, which could be the beginning of the end of iPhones with camera cutouts in their displays.

TL;DR: Casetify's Henri Matisse x Casetify "Jazz & Cut-Outs" collection launches worldwide on Aug. 13, with prices ranging from £33 to £755.

Henri Matisse's work is instantly recognizable — bold colors and shapes that feel alive.

Late in life, illness left Matisse bed- or wheelchair-bound, unable to paint like before. So he picked up the scissors, cutting shapes from painted paper and arranging them into compositions by hand — what he called "painting with scissors."

Casetify's new collection draws straight from that story. The "Jazz & Cut-Outs" collection draws on Matisse's Jazz series, a body of work centered on rhythm, movement, and improvisation that mirrors the syncopated feel of jazz music itself.

Credit: Casetify

Here's a closer look at the artwork featured across the collection:

• Icarus, plate VIII (1947): A falling silhouette against a star-filled sky, blending myth with visual tension.

• Nu Bleu II (1952): A single, bold blue shape defining the human figure through negative space.

• La Gerbe (1953): A radiating burst of colorful leaves, pure and vibrant.

• Les Codomas (1947): Sharp, syncopated shapes inspired by soaring trapeze performers.

• Le Cirque (The Circus) (1947): A vivid, movement-heavy nod to the big top.

• The Horse, the Rider and the Clown (1947): Overlapping shapes simulating fast-paced spectacle and travel.

• The Clown - Plate I (1947): The Jazz series' opening piece, mixing sharp framing with floating abstract elements.

• The Heart Smitten by Love (1949): A bold red heart wrapped in blue script, made for the journal Verve.

Credit: Casetify

The lineup covers a wide range of accessories, including Casetify's signature Bounce phone cases, MagSafe cardholders, laptop sleeves, watch bands, and iPad cases, as well as pieces from the Casetify Travel line, such as expandable suitcases.

The Henri Matisse x Casetify collection launches worldwide on Aug. 13, with prices ranging from £33 to £755. It'll be available online, through the Casetify Co-Lab app (already live in the App Store), and at Casetify Studio locations globally.

Andrew Lanxon takes Google's Pixel 11 Pro XL on a street photography test walk through Paris to test its new camera features, including customizable Camera Looks, Magic Capture and 120x Super Res Zoom. Watch as he puts the Tensor G6-powered camera to the test and breaks down whether Google's heavy AI image processing enhances or over-edits your photos.

CNET Senior Technology Reporter, Abrar Al-Heeti, gets a first look at the new Gemini intelligence features coming to the Google Pixel 11. In this video, we test out five upcoming capabilities designed to make finding and sharing information easier.

Top Google Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro preorder offers:

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the google store

Google Pixel 11 (256GB) + free $100 store credit or $130 Pixel Watch 5 discount

$399 (save up to $500 with a trade-in)

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Amazon

Google Pixel 11 (256GB) + free $100 gift card

$899

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Google Pixel 11 (256GB) + free $100 gift card

$899

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T-Mobile

Google Pixel 11 (256GB)

Free with trade-in on select plans (via monthly bill credits)

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The google store

Google Pixel 11 Pro (256GB) + free $200 store credit or $250 Pixel Watch 5 discount

$499 (save up to $600 with a trade-in)

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Smartphone release season is in full swing, and Google's the latest to drop its newest mobile devices. The tech giant announced the Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro phones on Aug. 12 ahead of its annual Made By Google event.

The Google Pixel 11 starts at $899. It's set for release on Aug. 20 and available for preorder through the Google Store, where you can save up to $500 with a trade-in. If you purchase it there anytime before Aug. 28, you'll also get a bonus $100 in Google Store credit or $130 off the new Pixel Watch 5 — your choice.

Alternatively, you can preorder the Pixel 11 through Amazon or Best Buy for a free $100 gift card. It's also available through major carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile; the latter is giving it away for free (via monthly bill credits) with a trade-in on select plans.

While the Pixel 11 technically costs $100 more than last year's $799 Pixel 10, Google upped the starting storage on the latest generation to 256GB, and the 256GB Pixel 10 costs — you guessed it — $899. So it's not really a price bump.

The Pixel 11 Pro, on the other hand, gets a proper $100 price bump over the Pixel 10 Pro: It starts at $1,099. By preordering it directly through the Google Store ahead of its Aug. 20 launch, you'll save up to $600 with a trade-in and earn a free $200 bonus credit or $250 Pixel Watch 5 discount. At Amazon and Best Buy, the Pixel 11 Pro comes with a free $200 gift card. Meanwhile, you can get it for free through T-Mobile and AT&T with a trade-in and an eligible data plan.

Alongside these phones, Google also announced the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, the Pixel 11 Pro XL, and the Pixel Watch 5.

Google Pixel 11: Where to preorder

Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

The Pixel 11 isn't a huge upgrade over last year's Pixel 10, which didn't bring much new to the table. Minor upgrades for the Pixel 11 include a thinner camera bar, no 128GB model, and a new 512GB model, as well as AI features like Magic Capture. It's the only new Pixel phone that doesn't come with HiLight (but more on that when we get to the Pixel 11 Pro).

• Display: 6.3-inch display with 1080x2424 resolution and 60-120Hz refresh rate

• Processor: Google Tensor G6 processor

• Storage: 256/512GB

• Memory: 12GB

• Battery: 4,985mAh

• Rear cameras: 48MP wide, 13MP ultrawide, 10.8MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom

• Front camera: 10.5MP

The Pixel 11 comes in four colorways: Frost, pistachio, hibiscus, and obsidian.

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Credit: Google

Google Pixel 11 (256GB)

$899 at the Google Store

Save up to $500 with a trade-in; earn a $100 store credit or a $130 Pixel Watch 5 discount.

Pre-order Here

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Credit: Google / Amazon

Google Pixel 11 (256GB)

$899 at Amazon

Get a free $100 gift card.

Pre-order Here

Google Pixel 11 Pro: Where to preorder

Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

The Google Pixel 11 Pro comes packed with notable changes over the previous gen. Google's done away with the 128GB storage option, starting at 256GB instead. The lowest-storage model now comes with 12GB of RAM (compared to the 16 GB found on older Pros), but the rest of the line features higher memory. Brightness also gets a boost from 3,300 nits to 3,600 nits.

Most notable, however, is the addition of HiLight, a feature available only on the Pro and Fold Pixel models. HiLight is a customizable, multi-colored light on the rear camera bar that can visually signify notifications from messages to calls to Gemini activation, with the option to set certain colors for certain actions.

The remaining spec breakdown for the Pixel 11 Pro is as follows:

• Display: 6.3-inch display with 1280x2856 resolution and 1-120Hz refresh rate

• Processor: Google Tensor G6

• Storage: 256/512GB/1TB

• Memory: 12/16GB RAM

• Battery: 4,850mAh battery

• Rear cameras: 50MP wide, 48MP ultra-wide, 48MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom

• Front camera: 42MP

The smartphone will be available in four colors: Canyon, obsidian, fog, and olive.

Opens in a new window

Credit: Google

Google Pixel 11 Pro (256GB)

$1,099 at the Google Store

Save up to $600 with a trade-in; earn a $200 store credit or a $250 Pixel Watch 5 discount.

Pre-order Here

Opens in a new window

Credit: Google / Amazon

Google Pixel 11 Pro (256GB)

$1,099 at Amazon

Get a free $200 gift card.

Pre-order Here

FREE GIFT CARD WITH PURCHASE: As of August 12, get a Google Pixel 11 smartphone at Best Buy and get a free Best Buy gift card with purchase, up to $350.

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Credit: Best Buy

Google Pixel 11 + Free Best Buy Gift Card

 

Get Deal

The Google Pixel 11 smartphone line is coming, and there are multiple choices to pick up if you're ready to lock one in. If you're going to preorder one of the devices anyway, however, you may as well save some extra money while you're at it. Though the phones won't be here officially until next week, you've got some time to lock one in for yourself right now if you're ready. Head to Best Buy and you'll even get a gift card with purchase to sweeten the deal.

As of August 12, get a Google Pixel 11 smartphone at Best Buy and get a free Best Buy gift card with purchase, up to $350. Choose the Pixel 11 Pro Fold and you'll get a $350 gift card with your purchase, while the Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL will net you a $200 gift card. The Pixel 11 will get a $100 gift card with purchase. You can't lose, no matter which phone you go with, as this extra cash to spend at Best Buy can go toward accessories or just another shopping trip when you go back.

The gift card will be delivered digitally via email after you pick up your new phone in-store or have it delivered to your home. You'll need to make sure you confirm your email address to receive it, so be on the lookout for that as you must respond within 60 days to receive the promotional item.

It's a great time to go ahead and choose your new Pixel phone at Best Buy and get a little something back for your time. Several retailers are doing something similar with other Pixel phones and products, so you can choose your own adventure here. All colors and styles are eligible. All you need to do is pick which phone you want to go with and you're good to go. Just be sure to do so before the phones release.

TL;DR: The Google Store is offering up to $1,000 back on the Pixel 11 series via trade-in, plus bundled discounts on the Pixel Watch 5, Pixel Buds, and Nest devices.

If you're a Google fan (honestly, even if you're not, these phones are gorg and you should def take a look), Google is offering special offers across its entire lineup right now. You can score bundle deals, trade-in offers, store credits, carrier discounts, free subscription perks, and more directly through the Google Store.

There are a ton of promos going on right now, so I broke it down into digestible chunks based on what you need.

Pixel 11 phone deals

• Pixel 11 Pro Fold: Get up to $1,000 back with an eligible trade-in. Plus, get a free Google Pixel Watch 5 (41mm WiFi) or $350 in Google Store credit.

• Pixel 11 Pro / Pro XL: Get up to $600 back with an eligible trade-in. Plus, choose between $250 off the new Pixel Watch 5 or a $200 Google Store credit for your next purchase.

• Pixel 11 (standard): Get up to $500 back with an eligible trade-in, plus $130 off the Pixel Watch 5 or a $100 Google Store credit.

• Carrier savings (Google Fi Wireless): Switch or join Google Fi to get the Pixel 11 Pro or standard Pixel 11 "on us" (via bill credits), plus $10/month off your phone plan for two years.

Pixel Watch and wearables deals

• Pixel Watch 5: Get up to $400 back with an eligible watch trade-in.

• Free LTE data: Buy any Pixel Watch 5 (LTE) and get two years of smartwatch data included via Google Fi Wireless without changing your current phone carrier.

• Fitbit discounts: Save $50 on the Fitbit Sense 2 ($199.95), $40 on the Fitbit Charge 6 ($119.95), $40 on the Versa 4 ($159.95), or $20 on the Inspire 3 ($79.95).

Pixel Buds and audio savings

• Pixel Buds Pro 2: On sale for $189 (down from $229).

• Pixel Buds 2a: On sale for $99 (down from $129).

Smart home and streaming perks

• Google TV Streamer (4K): Get three months of YouTube Premium on us or save up to $120 over your first six months of YouTube TV.

• Nest Wifi Pro (1-pack): On sale for $149.99 (down from $199.99).

• Nest Cams and doorbells: Get one month of Google Home Premium on us when you purchase a 2nd Gen Outdoor Nest Cam, 3rd Gen Indoor Nest Cam, or 3rd Gen Wired Nest Doorbell.

In an era of software innovations, Google has one neat hardware trick in the Pixel 11 lineup. It's a shame it's not part of the whole lineup, though.

Google lifted the veil off the Pixel 11 series on Wednesday morning as part of its Made by Google event. Between anxiety around price increases and intrigue surrounding new AI features, one new hardware addition stood out: the HiLight feature. Available on the Pixel 11 Pro and Pro Fold devices, this is a new notification system that communicates things to the user when the phone is turned on its face.

I got to briefly try out HiLight at a press event before the announcement, and came away thinking it had potential. Unfortunately, some of that potential is being squandered by device exclusivity, for now.

Google Pixel 11 Pro HiLight hands-on: A cool feature that should be in every Pixel 11 phone

It's on the Fold, too. Credit: Rene Ramos / Mashable

I feel a primer is in order, given that HiLight is a brand-new Pixel 11 feature. In short, it's a small circular light module that sits in the rear camera bar of the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro Fold. At first, it doesn't look like anything fancy, but it's hiding a neat secret.

Put simply, HiLight will light up in different colors to notify the phone's owner that something is happening on the phone while the device lies face down. If you're locked in at work and don't want to be distracted, but you still want to know if you're getting an important phone call, HiLight will do the trick.

HiLight is, in fact, mostly used for phone calls at this time, as far as I can tell. You can go into your contacts and assign custom light colors to individual people. I don't have a full list of colors in front of me at this time, but there were no more than six or seven options. However, as someone who is mildly color deficient, I very much appreciated it when an on-site Google rep informed me that the colors were chosen to avoid confusion for people like me. The ones I saw all looked pretty distinct, though every color-deficient person's eyes work differently.

If only every Pixel 11 had this. Credit: Rene Ramos / Mashable

Strangely, HiLight does not seem to work with text messages at this point. I was told that new functionality will come in the future, though. The only other use case I was shown for HiLight was that it will light up in a rainbow pattern when Gemini is in use.

Smartphone enthusiasts will immediately recognize this as being inspired by Nothing's hardware design over the years. That company has been making phones with light patterns on the rear side for years, for this same purpose. However, those tend to be bigger, more gaudy, and more feature-rich than HiLight is so far. I appreciate how visually modest HiLight is, though the functionality seems a bit thin at launch.

All of that is fine and good, but one thing I don't understand at this juncture is why HiLight isn't available on the base Pixel 11 phone. The same circular object is still present in the camera bar (presumably a camera flash module), but it doesn't light up for notifications as it does on Pro devices. I think HiLight is cool, but it would make a much bigger impression if every Pixel 11 owner could use it.

Considering the base Pixel 11 is closer than ever to a Pro experience thanks to the recent addition of a telephoto lens, maybe Google felt the need to distinguish the two models a little bit more this year. That said, I hope the Pixel 12 rectifies this.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters or get Mashable push alerts today.

The best Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold preorder deals:

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the google store

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold (256GB) + free Pixel Watch 5

$899 (save up to $1,000 with a trade-in)

Pre-Order Here

---

amazon

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold (256GB) + free Pixel Watch 5 or $350 gift card

$1,899

Pre-Order Here

---

best buy

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold (256GB) + free $350 gift card

$1,899

Pre-Order Here

---

T-Mobile

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold (256GB)

$1,399 (save up to $500 with a trade-in on eligible plans)

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The first foldable iPhone is due later this year, but while we all wait for that, Google just announced its latest foldable Android on Wednesday ahead of its annual Made by Google hardware event.

Meet the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, starting at $1,899 and now available for preorder ahead of its Aug. 20 launch. Buying it directly through the Google Store nets you up to $1,000 in trade-in savings and a free 41mm Pixel Watch 5 (through Aug. 27). Preorders placed through Amazon come with your choice of a free Pixel Watch 5 or a free $350 gift card. At Best Buy, it just comes with a free $350 gift card.

Among major carriers, T-Mobile is offering the best Pixel 11 Pro Fold deal with up to $500 off (via monthly bill credits) if you trade in an older device on select plans.

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold marks a small price increase from its predecessor. It's $100 more expensive than last year's Pixel 10 Pro Fold, which started at $1,799.

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is just one of several Pixel devices announced today, with a lineup including the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, and 11 Pro XL, Pixel Watch 5, and Pixel Tag.

A render of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold leaked in early July, showcasing a possible new colorway (that we can now confirm as olive) and a downsized camera bar. Google's also officially teased out the foldable itself, though we didn't get much info beyond a peek at the design.

With the phone's release, we now know that the Pixel 11 Pro Fold comes with a Google Tensor G6 chip, a more powerful processor than the previous generation, enabling a more seamless AI experience.

Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

As for the build itself, Google claims this phone is 10 percent lighter than the Pixel 10 Fold, which is a welcome change — Mashable's Alex Perry found the older foldable to be on the bulkier side in his review. The phone also features a more durable design, with an IP68 water and dust resistance rating, a new hinge, and scratch-resistant glass.

Like the Pixel 11 Pro, it'll feature a new multi-colored light on the camera bar called HiLight, designed to offer visual cues for notifications while the phone is placed face down. Unlike the Pixel 11 Pro, it features a rear 10.5 MP ultrawide (compared to the Pro's better 13MP ultrawide camera). A full list of specs can be found below:

• Display: 6.1-inch by 3-inch display

• Interior display: 6.1 inches by 5.9 inches

• Processor: Google Tensor G6 processor

• Storage: 256/512GB/1TB

• Memory: 16GB RAM

• Battery: 4806 mAh

• Rear cameras: 48MP wide, 10.5MP ultrawide, 10.8MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom

• Front camera: 10MP

• Inner camera: 10 MP

Grab the Pixel 11 Pro Fold in obsidian or olive.

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Credit: Google / Amazon

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold (256GB) + free Pixel Watch 5 or $350 gift card

$1,899 at Amazon

 

Pre-order Here

SAVE $35: As of August 12, get the Google Pixelsnap Charger with Stand for $34.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $69.99. That's a discount of 50%.

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Google Pixelsnap Charger with Stand

$34.99 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $35.00

 

Get Deal

Whether you're planning to buy or you already have a Google Pixel phone, you need a charger to go with it. And while you could feasibly use any USB-C charger to get the job done, having a bespoke accessory from Google to handle the same thing is a good idea as well. This deal can help you get ready for your new phone or soup up the charging experience for the one you're already using.

As of August 12, get the Google Pixelsnap Charger with Stand for $34.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $69.99. That's $35 off and a discount of 50%.

This wireless charger is a sleek docking option for your phone. It supports Qi2 wireless charging, and you can set your phone down on it upright to juice it back up, or detach the charger from the stand to take it wherever you go.

You can use it to get your phone back up to 100% charge easily and quickly, and you don't have to worry about your device falling off or slipping away and not powering up. The device is magnetic, so your phone will just snap into place as it charges, with speeds up to 25W.

You can use your phone while it's sitting on the charging stand as well, so you don't have to necessarily wait for it to be finished charging. That's especially handy if you have business to take care of, but your phone is dead. This is a great charger to have on hand, whether you leave it home or take it with you, so grab it while it's still on sale at such a significant price cut.

Google has officially unveiled the Pixel 11 Pro Fold during Made By Google on Wednesday, positioning it as the standout entry in a refreshed Pixel 11 lineup that also includes the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, and Pixel 11 Pro XL.

According to Google, the company built the new foldable to be "open for anything," touting a thinner, lighter design alongside meaningful jumps in display brightness, camera performance, and processing power. Google says the Pro Fold is about 1 millimeter thinner and nearly 10 percent lighter than its predecessor, and claims it's three times more durable.

Credit: Google

The device carries an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, according to the company, and features a new hinge, a composite back, and scratch-resistant glass. For the first time, Google says the Pro Fold's outer display uses the company's Super Actua screen technology, which it says makes both the 6.5-inch external panel and the 8-inch internal display 20 percent brighter than the previous generation.

In terms of performance, Google says the Pro Fold runs on its custom Tensor G6 chip, delivering up to 50 percent more TPU compute power and up to 20 percent greater power efficiency compared to the prior generation, and is paired with 16GB of RAM. The company says the battery lasts more than 24 hours on a charge, with wired charging reaching 50 percent in about 30 minutes and wireless charging up to 20 percent faster than before, enabled by Google's Pixelsnap magnetic system.

Camera upgrades include a new 48-megapixel main sensor that Google says captures 56 percent more light than its predecessor, along with a telephoto lens supporting 30x Super Zoom. Google is also highlighting features unique to the Fold's design, including a "Rear Camera Selfie" mode that lets users shoot high-resolution self-portraits using the main rear camera while framing themselves on the outer screen, and a "Dual Screen Preview" option that lets subjects see themselves as a photo is composed.

The Pro Fold arrives alongside broader software updates that Google is rolling out across the Pixel 11 series, centered on its Gemini Intelligence assistant. Google says Gemini can now handle routine tasks like booking rides or placing orders in the background, and in the U.S., can place phone calls on a user's behalf while offering a live transcript of the conversation.

The company is also introducing sign language-to-text translation via the Pixel Camera, aimed at helping deaf and hard-of-hearing users communicate more naturally with non-signers.

Buyers who purchase the Pro Fold or other Pro models will also get six months of Google's AI Pro subscription plan at no cost, according to the company, a bundle Google values at $119.94 that includes expanded Gemini usage limits, 5TB of cloud storage, and Google Health Premium.

In an age when annual phone upgrades seem increasingly iterative, Google has brought at least one interesting new hardware feature to the table with the Pixel 11 Pro.

Announced as part of its Made by Google event on Wednesday, the Pixel 11 Pro builds on the Pixel 10 Pro from a year ago by upgrading a few key components and adding a new element to the camera bar called HiLight. Before we get to that, though, let's talk price.

The Pixel 11 Pro starts at $1,099, which is $100 higher than the starting price for the Pixel 10 Pro. An important bit of context, though, is that the 10 Pro's $999 model had 128GB of storage, which is not available on the 11 Pro.

Google Pixel 11 Pro: Colors and specs

Nice metal curves. Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

Pixel 11 Pro comes in four colors: Canyon, Obsidian, Fog, and Olive. Here are the specs:

• Display: 6.3-inch display with 1280x2856 resolution and 1-120Hz refresh rate

• Processor: Google Tensor G6

• Storage: 256/512GB/1TB

• Memory: 12/16GB RAM

• Battery: 4,850mAh battery

• Rear cameras: 50MP wide, 48MP ultra-wide, 48MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom

• Front camera: 42MP

There are some meaningful changes to discuss here. First, Google upped the peak brightness from 3,300 nits to 3,600 nits, so it should be easier to use outdoors. Beyond that, the removal of a 128GB storage option also coincides with the addition of a 12GB RAM option. Before this, Pixel Pro devices only came with 16GB RAM. It seems that 16GB RAM is tied to higher storage options this year, with 12GB being associated with the 256GB storage variant.

The new Tensor G6 processor should improve performance and unlock new AI features like Magic Capture, which will seemingly find "perfect" frames in your videos to turn into images, with automatic cropping and unblurring when necessary.

Google Pixel 11 Pro: Introducing HiLight

There it is. Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

All of that is within the realm of expectations for a new Pixel Pro device, but HiLight is not.

This new feature, which rumors had called "Pixel Glow" before the unveiling on Wednesday, is a small multicolored light that lives in the camera bar on Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel Fold devices. Sorry, the base model is excluded here. HiLight will light up and change colors when you have your phone turned over to notify you if someone in your contacts is calling, or to signify that Gemini is being used. You can go into your contacts and even set custom colors for different people, if you'd like.

We'll have full reviews for these new Pixel phones in the near future, so watch this space for further analysis of things like HiLight.

Google's next round of Pixel phones is finally here.

As part of its Made by Google event on Wednesday, Google announced the new Pixel 11 lineup. There are also Pro models and a foldable device, but let's focus on the regular Pixel 11 for now. The base model this year starts at $899, which is $100 more than last year, but there's a caveat: The starting storage is now 256GB instead of 128GB. Last year's Pixel 10 was also $899 for 256GB of storage, so it's only technically a price increase.

Google Pixel 11: Colors and specs

Very thin indeed. Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

Pixel 11 also comes in four colors: Frost, Pistachio, Hibiscus, and Obsidian. Here are the basic specs for the device:

• Display: 6.3-inch display with 1080x2424 resolution and 60-120Hz refresh rate

• Processor: Google Tensor G6 processor

• Storage: 256/512GB

• Memory: 12GB

• Battery: 4,985mAh

• Rear cameras: 48MP wide, 13MP ultrawide, 10.8MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom

• Front camera: 10.5MP

Google didn't revolutionize the base Pixel model for 2026. This is a very incremental upgrade over last year, but there are some noteworthy changes. For instance, the camera bar is about 40 percent thinner, so the phone appears almost fully flat with a case on. Unfortunately, that camera bar does not include HiLight, a new hardware feature exclusive to the Pro devices that uses multicolored lights to convey notifications when the phone is lying face down.

As for other changes, we already covered the exclusion of a 128GB model, but it's also worth mentioning that there's a new 512GB variant of the base model this year. The new Tensor G6 processor delivers faster performance and a few minor new AI features, such as Magic Capture, which automatically captures, crops, and unblurs moments as you film.

Aside from that, though, the Pixel 11 seems very similar to the Pixel 10. We'll have a full review to determine just how much better it is in the near future.

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TL;DR: Waffle's screen-free kids' phones — the Waffle Home ($119) and Waffle Go ($149) — are available to pre-order now and ship in October.

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Credit: Waffle

Waffle Home

$119 at Waffle

 

Pre-order Here

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Credit: Waffle

Waffle Go

$149 at Waffle

 

Pre-order Here

Want your kids to be able to reach you, but not quite ready to hand them a phone that opens the door to social media and the internet? Waffle just opened preorders for two screen-free communication devices built specifically for kids, with shipping starting in October.

Both devices skip apps, social media, and internet browsing entirely, focusing on the one thing a first phone is actually meant for: staying in touch. Parents manage everything through the Waffle Parent Hub app, and setup takes under five minutes.

Waffle Home ($119) reimagines the family landline for kids. It's cordless, so they can walk and talk freely, and it comes with a caller ID display, voice notes, and a satisfying "slam it down" hang-up. WiFi built-in keeps calls connected, and only approved contacts can get through, so there's no risk of strangers or spam calls. It's available in mint, purple, or graphite.

Waffle Go ($149) is built for kids on the move. It's rugged (IP65-rated), runs on Wi-Fi and 4G so it works away from home, and packs a three-day battery life. Parents can also track their kids' location in real-time, and only approved contacts can reach the device.

Both devices are fully refundable until they ship, and preorders are now open at Waffle. Two batches are sold out already. Pre-order the Waffle phone now.

Samsung's Galaxy S26 FE appears set to launch in early September, and a new report from WinFuture, citing a data sheet for the device, lays out a near-complete specification list for the "Fan Edition" handset.

According to the outlet, the phone will arrive in three colorways. There will be a dark gray, a light green, and a light blue, thus continuing the visual language of the rest of the S26 lineup while relying on largely recycled hardware underneath.

WinFuture reports the phone will feature a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 2340 x 1080 resolution, typical brightness around 1200 nits that can climb to roughly 1900 nits at peak, and a refresh rate topping out at 120Hz. Powering the device is Samsung's own Exynos 2500 chipset — the same ten-core processor that debuted in last year's Galaxy Z Flip 7, reportedly clocked up to 3.3GHz — paired with 8GB of RAM and a choice of 128GB or 256GB of storage.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters or get Mashable push alerts today. 

On the camera front, WinFuture's report describes a triple rear setup led by a 50-megapixel main sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and stabilization, alongside an ultra-wide lens and an 8-megapixel telephoto camera offering 3x optical zoom. Up front, the outlet reports a 12-megapixel selfie camera without autofocus. Video capture reportedly tops out at 8K/30 fps, with 4K recording available up to 60 fps.

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The report also details connectivity and durability features, including Bluetooth 5.4, WiFi 6, NFC, dual nano-SIM support with eSIM options, and an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.

Battery capacity is listed at 4,900mAh with 45-watt fast charging, and WinFuture notes the cell is rated for around 1,200 charge cycles and up to 50 hours of typical use. These are figures the outlet says fall a bit short of prior FE models but line up with specs Samsung has used on its recent foldables, suggesting a silicon-carbon battery. The device is also expected to weigh 193 grams and measure 7.4mm thick, running Android 17 with Samsung's One UI on top.

Price-wise, WinFuture cites earlier leaks pointing to a €799 (USD $922) recommended retail price — an increase that, per the outlet's own price-comparison analysis, could make the existing Galaxy S26 Plus the better buy, since it's reportedly already available for around €700 (USD $808) with more storage, a sharper display, and stronger cameras.

Samsung just announced a bunch of fancy new phones, but don't relax just yet. Google has a big product launch just around the corner too, and we're keeping a close eye on the latest Pixel 11 leaks, rumors, and official teasers.

The Android maker has already confirmed that it will announce the next batch of Pixel phones at a Made By Google event on Aug. 12, and it recently announced that comedian Trevor Noah will be hosting, with special guests like Stephen Curry and Alex Cooper. Google has also started dropping teasers on YouTube for the Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro Fold, and Pixel Watch 5. The follow-up to the Pixel 10 lineup will be unveiled in just a few days, so you'd better get prepared in the meantime.

Here is everything we know about the Google Pixel 11 lineup right now.

Google Pixel 11: Release date and price

The first part of this is easy because Google isn't keeping the Pixel 11 launch window a secret. At 6 p.m. ET on Aug. 12 in New York City, Google is holding a Made By Google event where the Pixel 11 lineup will be shown off for the first time, and Mashable will be there reporting live.

Last year's event was hosted by Jimmy Fallon, for some reason, and we expect lots of surprises and celebrity guests at this year's event. You can watch Made By Google live on YouTube, or follow the news as it happens on Mashable. The phones should be on store shelves or in your hands less than a month after that.

As with last year, we expect to see four phones: the base Pixel 11, a Pro and Pro XL model, and a Pro Fold model.

Regarding price, we live in a RAMageddon world, so it sounds like there may be some mild price increases in the works. We don't know the official figures yet, but a recent Amazon leak, as well as some reported specs and prices courtesy of Android Headlines, gave us these figures:

• Google Pixel 11: $899

• Google Pixel 11 Pro: $1,099

• Google Pixel 11 Pro XL: $1,299

• Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold: $1,899

Unfortunately, all of those are increases year over year compared to the Pixel 10. The Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, and Pro XL are all $100 more to start than they were a year ago. Meanwhile, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, if this leak is to be believed, will cost $400 more than the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Ouch.

Google Pixel 11: What's up with Pixel Glow HiLight?

Before we get into detailed (and unconfirmed) specs for each device, there's basically one noteworthy design change that we expect to see across all four devices this year. According to both leaks and the official imagery on Google's own pre-order page, Google is going all-in on something called HiLight with the Pixel 11 series, as reported by 9to5Google.

In terms of design, that means the horizontal camera bar seen on previous Pixel phones will change slightly to accommodate a new multicolored LED light module. This module will use lights of different shades to notify you of things like incoming messages, presumably while your phone is turned over and you don't feel like looking at a screen.

Google actually gave everyone an official sneak peek at HiLight a couple of weeks before the event. In a brief teaser video showing part of the Pixel 11 Pro, you can see a small, multicolored light in the camera bar. While the video is very brief and vague, it's clear from the video that we are looking at HiLight.

Google Pixel 11: Base model rumored specs

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The aforementioned Amazon leak included since-removed store pages for each device in the Pixel 11 family, with colors and specs galore. Let's start with the base Pixel 11, whose color options have been reported under different names but basically come down to black, gray, pink, and green. The Android Headlines report also seems to be the most complete set of specs we've seen yet.

Based on both of these leaks, these could be the specs for the base Pixel 11:

• 6.3-inch OLED display with 2424x1080 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate

• Google Tensor G6 processor

• 12/16GB RAM

• 4,985mAh battery

• 48MP main camera

• 13MP selfie camera

There's a notable cut hiding in the base-model rumors, too: the telephoto lens is reportedly gone, leaving the standard Pixel 11 with only a main and a selfie camera. Battery capacity also dips slightly to 4,985mAh, which is said to bring the phone's weight down a touch, from 204 grams to 197 grams.

None of the above is horribly surprising or all that different from the Pixel 10, either, save for the telephoto lens thing. We'll see if that's actually true soon enough.

Google Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL: Rumored specs

Google is also reportedly planning on two Pro variants, as in previous years. The color options here are reportedly called Olive, Obsidian, Canyon, and Fog. Here is what both Android Headlines had to say about the regular Pixel 11 Pro:

• 6.3-inch OLED display with 2856x1280 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate

• Google Tensor G6 processor

• 12/16GB RAM

• 4,850mAh battery

• 50MP wide

• 48MP ultrawide

• 48MP telephoto

• 42MP selfie camera

And here are the reported specs for Pixel 11 Pro XL. The XL is usually just a bigger, slightly improved version of the Pro:

• 6.8-inch OLED display with 2992x1344 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate

• Google Tensor G6 Processor

• 12/16GB RAM

• 5,115mAh battery

• 50MP wide

• 48MP ultrawide

• 48MP telephoto

• 42MP selfie camera

The main attraction here, at least as it relates to year-over-year changes, is that Google seems to be offering a new 12GB RAM variant of the Pro devices. Prior to this year, they just came with 16GB RAM. Perhaps models with less storage capacity will only come with 12GB this year as a way to save money on the manufacturing end of things.

Finally, we've heard rumors that the previous 100x digital zoom will be upgraded all the way to 120x for the Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL. This would certainly be a big leap, but as AI technology progresses, it's certainly possible.

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold: Rumored specs

Lastly, Google is making another foldable this year, if every leak is to be believed. Here are the reported specs for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, which could have color variants called Obsidian and Olive:

• 6.5-inch outer display

• 8-inch inner display

• Google Tensor G6 processor

• 12/16GB RAM

• 256/512GB/1TB storage

• 4,806mAh battery

• 48MP wide

• 10.5MP ultrawide

• 10.8MP telephoto

• 10MP selfie camera

Remember: Mashable will be reporting live from the Made By Google event, so keep checking back for the latest Pixel 11 news, leaks, and rumors.

At a glance:

• Release date: We're expecting the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max to arrive in fall 2026, but rumor has it the iPhone 18 may not arrive until early 2027.

• Colors: Possible leaks point to four main color options this year for the Pro models: light blue, silver, dark gray, and dark cherry.

• Key upgrades: Besides iOS 27 and the Siri AI beta, we're expecting bigger batteries, camera improvements (including variable aperture for the main camera), and possibly a smaller Dynamic Island.

• Pricing: Most new phones are arriving with price increases, and we think a starting price increase is very likely for the new iPhone 18 lineup, sadly.

Apple's flagship smartphone hasn't taken a year off from its updates since 2007, and barring a massive surprise, 2026 won't be different — but there will be a twist.

The Cupertino-based tech giant is widely expected to launch a new lineup of iPhones later this year, including the iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, and the rumored iPhone Ultra, the company's first-ever foldable. The regular iPhone 18, the 18e, and the new iPhone Air are likely to arrive early next year.

We asked you to predict what Apple will do next. See the results and find out how to get a shot at winning an Apple Watch!

As we await the iPhone 18 — and its updated operating system, iOS 27 — rumors continue to trickle out. The pace of leaks on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max in particular is likely to increase after a massive hack exposed thousands of Apple's internal documents, reportedly including iPhone 18 Pro suppliers and tests.

We won't see any of the new Apple phones in the wild for a couple more months, but we can bring you all of the latest iPhone 18 rumors and the most likely updates in one place.

iPhone 18 lineup pricing

If you're in the market for a new iPhone, you should circle September in your calendar. That's when Apple typically holds its big iPhone launch event, and there's no reason to believe Apple will change that for the iPhone 18. The first week of September is most likely — probably Wednesday September 9, to give attendees enough time to travel after Labor Day (September 7).

Expect to see new Apple CEO John Ternus take the stage, as his term of office officially begins Sept. 1. What he'll be introducing, alas, may put more of a dent in your wallet.

Thanks to the ongoing RAM shortage caused by the AI industry (also known as RAMageddon), tons of smartphones, laptops, and gaming consoles are seeing huge price hikes. Experts who've spoken to Mashable say that trend isn't going to stop anytime soon.

As the world's number one smartphone maker, Apple has some advantages over its rivals, but a price increase is very likely. Apple recently raised prices on a variety of its products, and outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook even took the unusual step of preparing us for a pricier iPhone.

"Price increases are unavoidable," Cook told the Wall Street Journal in a June interview. The Journal quoted an analysis showing that the memory chip components in the iPhone 18 Pro will cost Apple $150 more than those in the iPhone 17 Pro.

So should you expect the phones to cost just $150 more than their predecessors (check the iPhone 17 prices for reference)? You wish. There's the pesky fact that Apple is a for-profit company, and the iPhone is the #1 smartphone in the world for a reason, even though it's already pricier than Samsung's.

How much of an increase will Apple fans bear? We may be about to find out, but the Journal estimated $1,399 for the iPhone 18 Pro ($300 more than last year). Apple analysts are coming to similar conclusions; one research note seen by 9to5Mac predicted $250 to $300 price increases.

iPhone 18, 18 Pro, and 18 Ultra launch dates

The iPhone 18 Pro Max smartphones at last year's iPhone launch event. Credit: CNET

Barring a huge turn under Ternus, Apple will release the iPhone 18 Pro, the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the foldable iPhone Ultra in early September. Apple's first foldable iPhone is the biggest headline here, but the Pro models will bring numerous improvements too.

The iPhone 18, however, alongside the cheaper iPhone 18e, and the next-gen iPhone Air, are rumored to come next year, likely in March 2027.

iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Pro design

Again, Apple has not released any official teasers or other imagery for the iPhone 18 lineup yet, so anything reported to date could be wrong. Still, from the sum total of all reports, it sounds like Apple isn't really reinventing the wheel, design-wise. But Ternus, a hardware guy, is reportedly bringing the company's industrial design group into the center of the Apple fold.

Looking further into the future, the iPhone 20 is said to bring big changes, including a curved waterfall display.

Per our friends at CNET (Mashable and CNET are both owned by Ziff Davis), the display sizes will be roughly the same as last year:

• iPhone 18: 6.3 inches

• iPhone 18 Pro: 6.3 inches

• iPhone 18 Pro Max: 6.9 inches

However, the display quality might be a little different this year. Prominent leaker Instant Digital shared on Chinese social media that Apple's brightness demands are unusually high this year, so it would be reasonable to expect much brighter displays than in previous years.

Some iPhone 18 models could also have a smaller camera bump compared to previous models. There are reports of a slightly redesigned Dynamic Island on the screen itself, with the pill-shaped notification hub potentially being made smaller in the iPhone 18 Pro models. One alleged leaked image purports to show an iPhone 18 Pro with a downsized Dynamic Island cutout.

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iPhone 18: rumored hardware features

So we know the software the iPhone 18 will run: iOS 27, introduced at WWDC 2026. Time to start talking about some of the internal hardware changes Apple is reportedly making to the iPhone 18 lineup.

For starters, it sounds like the lineup will have a standardized 12GB RAM count across the board. In previous years, the Pro models had 12GB of RAM, while the base model had only 8GB. According to Korean outlet The Bell, Apple will be upgrading the base model so that it matches the Pro models in that regard. It's also widely expected that Apple will adopt new A20 and A20 Pro chips for the base and Pro models, respectively.

It's also expected that the new iPhones will have a new C2 modem for improved cellular connectivity, and they may also have 5G satellite support. Also reported: a new N2 chip for better WiFi performance.

As for the battery, leaker Digital Chat Station on Weibo reported that the batteries will finally be upgraded to 5,000mAh, which would be a big improvement over the iPhone 17 Pro. This year, 5,000mAh has become the new standard for flagship phones, including in Samsung's new Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

Instant Digital posted in a separate Weibo leak that the back glass of the iPhone 18 Pro has been altered, resulting in a new unified look, as opposed to the two-tone look of the iPhone 17 Pro. Whether that change will affect durability (or if it's just an aesthetic difference) remains to be seen. Other possible upgrades include an improved LTPO+ display, Apple's new C2 modem, 5G via satellite connectivity, and the improved N2 chip, which should improve hotspot and AirDrop reliability.

The most colorful iPhone 18 Pro rumors

Courtesy of leakers, we may already know the iPhone 18 Pro colors. If that's the case, the must-see equivalent of the iPhone 17's unforgettable "cosmic orange" shade is said to be a wine-like "dark cherry," which we'd expect to sell like hot... cherry pies?

Based on numerous leaks, the most likely color lineup for the iPhone 18 Pro will be silver, dark gray, light blue, and the aforementioned "dark cherry."

Sadly, we think fans of black iPhones are out of luck, though the rumored dark gray color looks black in supposed dummy units shared by leakers like Sonny Dickson.

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What about the iPhone 18 Pro Max?

Several reports out of China say that because the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a much larger battery, it may be a bit of a chunky boy as a result.

We're not talking about a huge increase in weight and width: a quarter of a millimeter in thickness and 7 grams more, respectively. Still, every gram counts on the heftiest iPhone model you can get — so iPhone 17 Pro Max upgraders may want to check that their pocket linings can bear the bulk of a larger iPhone 18 Pro Max.

The iPhone 17 Pro has helped Apple break sales records in 2026. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

iPhone 18 camera rumors

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, a source of many spot-on iPhone reports, says the iPhone 18 Pro, in particular, will have "some of the biggest camera hardware upgrades in the lineup's history."

Why? First, the telephoto camera has a larger aperture. But more important is the variable aperture.

First reported by Digital Chat Station on Weibo, variable aperture is a huge deal. It would let the iPhone 18 Pro camera capture different amounts of light for different situations — potentially leading to a huge leap in photo quality, if you know what you're doing.

For instance, the bokeh effect famously associated with portrait mode on iPhones would be possible in-camera rather than through software processing, resulting in more natural and generally better-looking shots.

What about Siri AI?

Of course, one of the first things many users will want to know about the iPhone 18 when they get their hands on one: what is the new, revamped, AI-upgraded Siri experience like?

If you're feeling adventurous, you can try it yourself by installing the iOS 27 beta.

The new features include Siri becoming an actual chatbot with its own app. It's also able to understand what's on your screen, and it can help you write, create images, and edit photos.

For an overview, check out our guides to iOS 27 and Siri AI's top features.

At a glance:

Key specs: The Z Fold 8 weighs just 201 grams and is just 4.5 mm thick when unfolded; the 7.7-inch inner AMOLED display is huge, bright, and virtually glare-free.

Its biggest flaw: The dual 50MP wide and 50MP ultrawide cameras are fine, but not elite. Professionals and creators used to 200MP main cameras or iPhone 17 Pro Max video will notice a difference.

Price: The $1,899.99 price isn't unreasonable amidst the global memory crisis, but it still hurts.

Our 50-word review: This stylish foldable is so much fun to use, and there's nothing else like it. The spacious inner screen looks fantastic and is great for videos and gaming, yet the phone still folds up and slips into your pocket like a flip phone from 2010. The Gemini-backed AI features make photo editing a breeze, too.

Galaxy Z Fold 8: In-depth review

Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is the new passport-style foldable smartphone from Samsung that officially launched today. And as much as Samsung might wish that it wasn't living in the iPhone's shadow here in the United States, we have to acknowledge the elephant in the room. The wider design of the Z Fold 8 matches the rumored shape of the iPhone Ultra, the biggest open secret in Silicon Valley. If Apple does indeed reveal its first folding phone in September, it will be going head-to-head with the Z Fold 8 (and to a lesser extent the Z Fold 8 Ultra), which has a more familiar design and an Ultra-level camera array.

I'll do my best not to mention Apple again in this review, because the Z Fold 8 is a damn fine phone that stands on its own.

Starting with last year's generation of foldables, I've been telling everyone that these devices are finally ready for primetime. And if the Galaxy Z series' record-breaking preorders are any indication, consumers are ready, too.

So, is the Galaxy Z Fold 8 worth it's $1,899.99 price tag? Overall, I had a great experience with this phone, which is only really hampered by one flaw: The camera array is just fine. Without a doubt, it's the best foldable I've tested yet.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 review: By the numbers

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 fits much more comfortably in your pocket than most smartphones. Credit: René Ramos / CNET Group

This phone is remarkably thin, yet Samsung packed some impressive hardware into its svelte frame:

• Inner display: 7.6-inch inner and 5.5-inch outer AMOLED displays with 120Hz refresh rate

• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset

• Colors: Lavender, cream, graphite, and pistachio

• Dimensions: 123.9 x 161.4 x 4.5 mm unfolded / 1123.9 x 81.9 x 9.7 mm unfolded

• Weight: 201 grams

• RAM: 12GB to 16GB RAM

• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage

• Battery: 4,800mAh battery

• Charging: 45W wired, 20W wireless

• Cameras: 50MP wide, 50MP ultrawide, 10MP selfie camera

Galaxy Z Fold 8 introduces an awesome new form factor

Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

The 7.7-inch inner display is far and away the Z Fold 8's best feature. I've never used a phone with this large a screen, and you immediately appreciate the difference in a variety of ways. The larger size results in a much more comfortable feel in your hand, and the keyboard is designed for you to use both thumbs, making typing faster, more accurate, and easier.

When unfolded, this is definitely a phone designed for two-handed use, but you can also leave it unfolded and operate it one-handed using the external display. I actually found myself using the phone while folded quite a bit, and you can easily use the camera, messages, phone, and other apps without opening it. One important note: The Z Fold 8 doesn't support Flex Mode, meaning you can't leave it half-opened on your desk in an L or A shape.

Overall, it feels more like a small tablet than a big phone.

Credit: René Ramos / CNET Group

Both displays offer up to 120 Hz refresh rates and a peak brightness of 3,000 nits. Combined with Samsung's glare-free display tech, I never had trouble using the phone in direct sunlight. And if you're worried about a visible crease, don't be. The crease is virtually invisible while using the phone, and Samsung introduced new Flex Titanium hardware to make the hinge more durable.

You can just do so much more with the larger screen, which looks incredible. I generally avoid streaming TV shows and movies on my phone, but not with the Z Fold 8. Likewise, while I've never been a huge fan of mobile gaming, the mobile version of Mario Kart looks and plays awesome here.

Mobile gamers will definitely appreciate the Z Fold 8. Credit: Nintendo / Screenshot by Timothy Werth

Credit: Nintendo / Screenshot by Timothy Werth

There is a small, annoying cutout in the screen for the 10MP selfie camera, and I wouldn't be surprised if it gets eliminated in the future. The 10MP selfie camera is pretty low-quality anyway, and I expect it will either disappear under the screen or be cut in future versions of the phone. (Keep scrolling to see the results of my camera test.)

The large size does have some drawbacks. Accessing the fingerprint sensor to unlock the phone can be tricky depending on how you hold it, and you can't easily open or close it with one hand, which is annoying.

I have to note one other complaint: The phone still has the characteristic wobble of all smartphones with a camera bar, and as my colleague Abrar Al-Heti at CNET aptly demonstrated, wireless charging is a pain without magnets. (Disclosure: Mashable and CNET are both owned by the same parent company, Ziff Davis.)

Galaxy Z Fold 8 review: Strong performance and a versatile user experience

Credit: René Ramos / CNET Group

Under the hood, the Z Fold 8 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset. Think of this mobile chipset as the phone's engine. The chip offers powerful performance, and on the Geekbench 7 benchmark test, the phone earned a single-core score of 2,375 and a multi-core score of 6,766. The single-core score is double that of the Motorola Razr Ultra (the multi-core scores were nearly identical).

What you need to know is that the phone quickly supports on-device AI processes and never slows down while multitasking. When shooting 4K and high-resolution video, the phone did get noticeably warm, and the thin design compromises heat dissipation. However, it never got so hot that it was painful to hold, like older GoPros sometimes did.

The wide display and chipset also support seamless multitasking. As with the new iPad experience (and other foldables), you can have multiple apps open side by side. You can also have floating app windows and resize the edges on the display.

So, if you want to leave Spotify open while you read a book in the Kindle app, you can do that. If you're using a web browser, you can keep the Gemini app open and ask questions as you browse.

Credit: Screenshot by Timothy Werth

I did find some very minor bugs in the windowing and multitasking. The Kindle app had an awkward white bar at the top of the screen, and you could resize apps until they were too small to use. On top of that, not all apps will travel seamlessly between the inner and outer display. Ideally, when you close the phone, the app you're using should continue to run on the smaller outer display, but this doesn't always work.

The amazing disappearing Spotify. Credit: Screenshot by Timothy Werth

Credit: Screenshot by Timothy Werth

But most of the time, the phone just works. And once you get used to the larger screen, it will be hard to go back.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 camera review: What's better than mid but worse than elite?

Credit: René Ramos / CNET Group

A few years ago, we would have been wowed by the cameras on this trendy little smartphone. Today, not so much.

The cameras aren't bad, but if you're used to the iPhone 17 Pro Max or the Galaxy S25 or S26 Ultra, the difference is noticeable. As a reminder, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 has three cameras:

• 50MP wide lens

• 50MP ultra-wide lens

• 10MP selfie camera

The dual 50MP main shooters are... fine. The selfie camera is pretty crap, unfortunately. I found myself awkwardly flipping the phone around to use the main cameras when taking selfies.

I went around New York City testing the various cameras, and I'll let my pictures do the talking here.

The Z Fold 8's cameras and processor capture good photos, even when there's a lot of detail and movement. While the Z Flip 8 sometimes overexposed or oversaturated photos, I found that the Z Fold 8 handled highlights and shadows much better.

Please note: All of the photos I took with the Z Fold 8 are untouched (except for slight cropping), though some of the photos have been compressed during the export process.

Madison Square Park in New York City. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

Magic hour at the dog park. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

Portrait mode is fine, and I found I got the best selfies with the main camera, not the 10MP selfie camera. Accomplishing this is a bit awkward, however.

Portrait mode is fine. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

A selfie taken with the main camera Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

Unfortunately, I found the selfie camera to be a bit trash, and I'm too vain to get any use out of it. The dropoff in photo quality is very apparent, which isn't unusual, of course.

As for the zoom, I found that it worked surprisingly well, though not as well as you'd get with an actual telephoto lens.

Left: Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

Right: The 2X and 4X zoom work very well, but the photo looks grainy beyond that. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

Left: Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

Right: Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

Most of the time, I found myself shooting at the 2x zoom, which I found worked really well indoors and out.

Weirdly, I found that the digital zoom worked better on the Z Flip 8, the Z Fold 8's littler, flippier sibling. Go figure.

Left: The 10x digital zoom on the Z Fold 8. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

Right: The 10x digital zoom on the Z Flip 8 works better. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

A well-rounded AI feature set, especially for photo editing

The best AI feature on the Galaxy Z Fold 8? It comes with a free six-month subscription to Google AI Pro, letting you experiment with a lot of Google's best AI features. (Just set a reminder so you don't forget to cancel the subscription, or else you'll be charged $19.99 in seven months.)

Thanks to Samsung's close relationship with Google, you also get the support of Gemini, which generates a daily briefing of updates and news for your review, the "Now Brief." Your device will also automatically suggest actions across apps, such as making a calendar invite after a friend texts about dinner plans.

However, the main AI feature I find myself using on Galaxy phones is the build-in photo editing suite, which is very impressive. I praised these AI features in my review of the Galaxy S26 Ultra, and they're just as useful here. In fact, they may actually be better, because the larger screen makes it easier to see the photos you're editing.

You can quickly and easily erase photo bombers, enhance focus, and make other simple edits. I find these features generally work well, and the text prompting in particular is useful.

Left: You can easily remove photo bombers from photos with the Eraser tool. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

Right: The finished result Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

You can also have more fun with your photos if you so choose. I also appreciate that a digital watermark is added to AI-edited photos.

Left: Describe the edits you want in plain text. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

Right: Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

Quick Share to Apple devices is a game-changer

One of the biggest barriers to ditching my iPhone for good? As a tech journalist, I often need to move photos, videos, and other files from one device to another. Without AirDrop, it's a huge pain to switch from an Android smartphone to my work MacBook Pro.

Quick Share appears in the lower left of the share screen. Credit: Screenshot by Timothy Werth

However, with the Z Fold 8 running Android 17 and One UI 9, the new Quick Share feature is a godsend. This allows you to quickly and wirelessly send files to nearby devices, including Apple devices. Samsung is working hard to make it easier to switch from iOS to Android, and this feature could be the one that gets me.

Is the Galaxy Z Fold 8 worth it?

As much as I love this phone, I know that $1,899.99 is a really big ask. It's no coincidence that Samsung introduced a new Galaxy credit card to help users finance their devices.

So, here's what I'd say: If you can take advantage of a good trade-in or carrier offer at T-Mobile or Verizon, I think this phone is absolutely worth the upgrade, especially if you love phones that fit in your pocket. If you've been sitting on the foldable fence these last few years, the Z Fold 8 is a phone that makes it easy to get down.

Phones have been getting pretty boring in the past few years, and the Z Fold 8 finally makes phones fun again. And, I'll be honest: showing off this phone to your friends and family will make you feel pretty cool.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8

$1,899.99 at Samsung

 

See It at Samsung See It at T-Mobile See It at AT&T Wireless

Last year, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 was the best foldable I'd ever tested, thanks to an extremely sleek form factor that made it by far the most comfortable phone in the category to actually hold in your hands. This year's follow-up has a new name, but it's broadly the same phone, for better and worse.

Meet the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, a re-branded follow-up to the Z Fold 7. Confusingly, there is also a phone called the Z Fold 8, but it's a totally different device. Regardless of that, Samsung's newest and most premium flagship foldable checks most of the boxes you would want it to check: It's still very comfortable in the hands, the displays are bright and vivid, and the battery has gotten a sizable boost over last year.

But, sadly, that's about it. Aside from all of that and a modest camera upgrade, you're paying $2,099 (a $100 price increase year-over-year) for a phone that's very similar to its predecessor. The Z Fold 8 Ultra might be a great get for anyone who doesn't already have a foldable, but Z Fold 7 owners can likely wait until the next big revision to upgrade.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Design and specs

It's a tiny bit thinner. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Starting with the phone's physical design, Samsung has not reinvented the wheel in 2026.

That might read as disappointing, but last year was such a big sea change for the Fold series that it's fine for this year's phone to carry that torch forward. There really wasn't much that needed changing. Samsung did shave one tenth of a millimeter off the total thickness, bringing it down to 4.1mm instead of 4.2mm on the Z Fold 7, but the two devices otherwise look, feel, and weigh the same.

As for colors, your options this year are fairly boring: Cream, Graphite, Violet Shadow, and Green Shadow. The last one is an online exclusive on Samsung's store.

Here are the rest of the relevant specs for the Z Fold 8 Ultra:

• Inner display: 8-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate

• Outer display: 6.5-inches AMOLED display 120Hz refresh rate

• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset

• Unfolded dimensions: 158.4 x 143.2 x 4.1 mm

• Folded dimensions: 158.4 x 72.8 x 8.9 mm

• RAM: 12GB to 16GB RAM

• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage

• Battery: 5,000mAh battery

Compared to the Z Fold 7, most of those specs are roughly the same. The displays haven't changed much, but that's fine because they were already great. One important change Samsung did make was to up the max brightness from 2,600 nits to 3,000 nits, making the Z Fold 8 Ultra a little bit more accommodating in bright outdoor conditions. I wouldn't say that was a problem on the Z Fold 7, but it is a little bit improved here.

Samsung also packed a newer Snapdragon chip in the Z Fold 8 Ultra, which has become customary for annual phone releases on this end of the price spectrum. Perhaps the biggest upgrade is the new 5,000mAh battery, up from 4,400mAh on the Z Fold 7. We'll get into specific later, but rest assured, the new battery is much better.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Performance

The outer display is great. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Speaking of the new chip, performance on the Z Fold 8 Ultra is rock solid. Everything loads and opens smoothly and quickly, and I never noticed an egregious amount of overheating despite the phone's thin frame. I won't say this is a big improvement over the Z Fold 7, as that phone also had great performance, but the good news is that it certainly didn't get worse.

Using the Geekbench 7 benchmarking software, the Z Fold 8 Ultra registered a single-core score of 3,097 and a multi-score score of 10,277. Those figures are, indeed, higher than what the Z Fold 7 registered, so there is more power under the hood this year.

These new Snapdragon chips also enable the use of Samsung's proprietary AI features, as well as Gemini, but as far as I can tell, the AI experience here is largely the same as on other Samsung flagships like the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

Existing features like Now Brief (a daily personalizes summary of weather and other info you might like) and Now Nudge (which reads your screen to surface relevant information when you need it) are here, but they're a little hard to test out fully during a brief review period because they need time to learn more about you.

And so is the inner one. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Still, I will say I like that you can make custom cards for things like a weather forecast in Now Brief. I was able to create a weather card with only the information I would want, like a seven-day forecast with precipitation and humidity measurements, merely by asking the phone to do that. However, I would note that a good weather app would show you these things already without any intervention by AI.

One intriguing feature I was not able to properly test was My FanCam. This is a feature for shooting videos that will lock the frame around a human subject you've chosen to highlight, you know, like a fancam. This is extraordinarily difficult to test if you don't have kids or are afraid of filming strangers in public, though, so I can't give a real verdict on it just yet. If I have one gripe, it's that it doesn't seem to work with animals at all.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Battery life

As much as I loved the Z Fold 7, battery life was its biggest downfall, by a wide margin. The 4,400mAh cell inside that thing simply wasn't good enough for a $2,000 phone. Using our normal battery testing methods (which involve playing an HD video on the display until the phone dies), I was only able to get about 20 hours of juice out of the Z Fold 7, which is well below average for a flagship phone.

Good thing Samsung fixed that. The 5,000mAh cell here gets the job done, producing about 24 hours of battery life using the same testing method. That's still not spectacular for a phone of this price, but average is better than below-average.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Cameras

One thing I feel the need to establish right away is that you really shouldn't buy a foldable phone if you want the best of the best in terms of mobile camera tech. Anyone who is serious about photography should probably go for something a bit more conventional. That said, the Z Fold 8 Ultra's camera array is totally fine.

The 200MP main shooter from last year remains, as does the 10MP telephoto lens, but Samsung upgraded the ultra-wide lens from 12MP to 50MP this year. I have to be honest: I don't know if this actually makes a huge difference in photo quality, though it does make a difference in photo file size. Still, ultra-wide photos taken at 50MP do look quite nice.

Ultra-wide photos do look pretty good. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Macro photography is also still adept at capturing little details on tiny objects.

The amount of outdoor plants in Brooklyn makes my job easy sometimes. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

You'd think the telephoto lens (which has 3x optical zoom) would produce quality zoomed in shots. If you keep the zoom level at around 10x or lower, things do tend to look OK.

At around 10x zoom, you can still get decent-looking shots. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

But if you go beyond that, the phone's software starts filling in the blanks and things can get very ugly, very fast. I don't even know why 30x zoom exists on this device when every 30x photo I took looked like this.

Gross! Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

But, aside from that, shots taken with less extreme parameters still usually come out looking colorful and pretty.

Shout out to New York's graffiti artists. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

And I'll leave you with a portrait shot of the sign outside my favorite bar.

This place has a cat. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: The verdict

I think the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra would probably still be my foldable of choice, if money weren't an object. The thin chassis, gorgeous displays, and newly improved battery go a long way towards making it a very good phone. Its cameras are also the best among the new Samsung foldables.

The only problem here is that almost all of that (aside from the battery) was also present a year ago. Sometimes I wonder if we still need to do annual updates for phones, and this is one of those times. Especially with the $100 price hike.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8

$1,899.99 at Samsung

 

See It at Samsung See It at T-Mobile See It at AT&T Wireless

UPDATE: Aug. 19, 2026, 11:19 a.m. EDT We've updated this review to award the Z Fold 8 Ultra a Mashable Selects award. We've also added the results of the Geekbench 7 benchmarking test.

Samsung's newest batch of foldable phones doesn't officially launch until Aug. 7, but they're evidently doing quite well for themselves already.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Flip 8, and Z Fold 8 Ultra are breaking the company's pre-order records for foldables, according to data that Samsung shared with Mashable. Samsung confirmed that pre-orders in the United States are outpacing the previous Z series record by 30 percent, with the Z Fold 8 (the newest member of the lineup) accounting for nearly half of all pre-orders.

The numbers suggest that foldable phones could finally be ready to break through to the mainstream. Interestingly, the Z Fold 8 is the wider design that matches the rumored shape of the unconfirmed iPhone Ultra Fold. With the apparent success of the Z Fold 8 and Apple set to join the market with a similar device, the smartphone market could soon get a major shakeup.

Samsung also noted that three times as many Flip users are switching to the larger Fold phones than in previous generations. Considering the nearly $1,900 price tag for the Fold 8 and the $2,100 price of the Z Fold 8 Ultra, that's significant. (Yes, the prices are high, but hey, that's true of everything in tech right now.)

This trend appears to be consistent outside of the US, too.

South Korean customers pre-ordered 1.44 million units over a seven-day period prior to launch, while SamMobile reported that pre-orders are higher than ever in Europe, too. People are clearly vibing with what Samsung is doing.

It's quite the development for the foldable phone market, which first emerged less than a decade ago. Early versions of these phones were expensive, sometimes gimmicky, and featured extremely visible creases in the displays. However, in recent years, foldables have gotten a lot better, and early adopters have identified lots of use cases for folding displays that go beyond gimmicks. Despite this, foldables have mostly remained a niche product.

You have two more days to pre-order the new Galaxy Z Series, which will be officially released in the US on Friday.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8

$1,899.99 at Samsung

 

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra

$2,099.99 at Amazon

 

See It at Amazon See It at Samsung See It at T-Mobile

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8

$1,199.99 at Amazon

 

See It at Amazon See It at Samsung See It at T-Mobile

Google is about to announce new Android flagship phones. And if you'd like to know what they're launching ahead of time, we've gathered all of our reporting on the upcoming phone into one place. With one week left before the Made By Google launch event on Aug. 12, new Pixel 11 Pro leaks are coming in fast.

This year, as with last year, we expect four new phones:

• Pixel 11

• Pixel 11 Pro

• Pixel 11 Pro XL

• Pixel 11 Pro Fold

Let's focus on the Pixel 11 Pro for now, as it's going to be the more premium model. What does Google have up its sleeve this year with the Pro-grade Pixel phone?

We asked you to predict what Apple will do next. See the results and find out how to get a shot at winning an Apple Watch!

Google Pixel 11 Pro: Release date, price, and that Amazon leak

As previously stated, Google is going to officially unveil all of these phones at an event in New York City on Aug. 12. Mashable will be attending the launch event — Jimmy Fallon hosted last year's event, you may remember — and we'll be reporting live. Presumably, as with past years, the phones will be on store shelves and in customers' hands just a couple of weeks afterward.

Thanks to RAMageddon, everyone is bracing for price increases with every major tech product, and rightfully so. Google has not yet told us the prices of these phones, but a recent and fairly extensive Amazon leak that seemed legitimate enough pointed to a $1,099 starting price for the Pixel 11 Pro. That would be a $100 price increase over the Pixel 10 Pro. Meanwhile, the Pixel 11 Pro XL (the XL model is usually basically the same phone, but bigger) is said to start at $1,299, another $100 price hike year-over-year.

Android Headlines also leaked what it claims are the full specs and price points for the Pixel 11 series. That report corroborates the $1,099 price for the Pixel 11 Pro and the $1,299 price for the Pro XL.

Speaking of that Amazon leak: 9to5Google spotted draft Amazon listings for the Pixel 11 lineup, revealing a lot of early details:

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

The listings could include placeholder information, but the overall gist looks legit.

What is Pixel Glow HiLight?

We don't expect any massive design changes this year. Google has helped keep expectations low by actually posting a short video that shows the phone, weeks before the Aug. 12 event.

One thing that stood out, however, is the presence of a small, colored light in the camera bar that wasn't there on the Pixel 10 Pro. This is rumored to be part of a new "Pixel Glow" system that will use colored lights to convey basic phone notifications while the Pixel is lying down on its face. If you want to know that someone texted you even though you're focusing on something else and would rather not look at the screen, that's what this is for.

Recently, 9to5Google reported that this glow indicator will actually be called "HiLight." The rainbow-hued LED panel features prominently in teasers so far, and we'll have all the details soon.

Google Pixel 11 Pro: Design and colors

Ultimately, the short teaser video doesn't show much, but it does reveal one more fact: The Pixel 11 Pro's basic design hasn't changed much from last year. It still has a horizontal, oval-shaped camera bar on the back, and is still otherwise a normal-looking smartphone.

As for colors, leaks suggest the options this year will be:

• Olive

• Obsidian

• Canyon

• Fog

Those don't sound like the most vibrant colors in the world, but that sort of thing has become par for the course for "Pro" smartphones in recent years. If the Amazon leak spotted by 9to5Google proves true, the Pixel 11 will have more interesting color options, at least.

Google Pixel 11 Pro: Rumored specs

Based on the Amazon listings, the Android Headlines report, and another leak on Telegram from an account called MysticLeaks, here is the best data we have about the Pixel 11 Pro's specs prior to the unveiling:

• 6.3-inch OLED display with 2856x1280 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate

• 3,600 nits peak brightness

• Google Tensor G6 processor

• 12/16GB RAM

• 256GB/512GB storage

• 1TB storage on Pixel 11 Pro XL

• 4,850mAh battery

The only real differences between the regular Pro and the XL, as far as leaks are concerned, are the display and battery size. Those same sources suggest a 6.9-inch display and a 5,115mAh battery on the XL, but everything else should be the same. That's how Google has done it in the past, too.

Believe it or not, those specs actually contain at least one notable downgrade from the Pixel 10 Pro. Previously, Pixel Pro devices only came with 16GB RAM. So if Google is offering a 12GB variant, that would be a somewhat significant change. It's possible and perhaps even likely that the 12GB models will be tied to lower amounts of storage.

If you want 16GB of RAM, you may need to shell out for a 512GB or 1TB model (only available on Pro XL) this year.

Google Pixel 11 Pro: What about the cameras?

Last but not least, the Pixel Pro phones always have better camera specs than the base models. It's one of the main reasons to get the Pro, even though Google did start including a telephoto lens on the base model recently.

Last year, the Pixel 10 Pro had a 50MP main lens, with matching 48MP ultra-wide and telephoto lenses. According to Android Headlines, the megapixel counts this year are the same. However, lately we've heard rumors of a new 120x digital zoom feature, but that remains unconfirmed.

Speaking of downgrades, though, the big Amazon leak suggested the Pixel 10 Pro will have a 13MP selfie camera, while the Android Headlines report claims 42MP. After the 48MP front camera on the Pixel 10 Pro, that would be an unpleasant surprise. We'll see if that actually pans out, or if these leaks are wrong.

Mashable will be reporting live from the Made By Google event on Aug. 12. So check back then for all confirmed Pixel 11 Pro details and news.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

TL;DR: The GoCable 8-in-1 EDC packs 100W fast charging, multiple connectors, data transfer, and handy everyday tools into one compact keychain — and it’s just $29.99 (reg. $49.99) for a limited time.

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Credit: GoCable

GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable

$29.99
$49.99 Save $20.00

 

Get Deal

There are tech gadgets that people wind up living in a junk drawer for months — and then there are the ones that quickly earn a permanent spot in someone’s daily routine. The GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable falls squarely into the second category. It’s the kind of practical, tech-forward surprise that makes people say, “Wait … this does that too?”

At first glance, GoCable looks like a sleek little keyring accessory. But once you start using it, it quickly proves it’s more than just a charging cable.

Designed as an everyday carry essential, it combines ultra-fast charging with genuinely useful built-in tools, all wrapped in a compact, tangle-free design that clips neatly onto a bag, belt loop, or keychain.

With 100W charging capabilities (when paired with a compatible power source), GoCable can power everything from phones and tablets to laptops, drones, and cameras.

Universal connectors mean you’re covered whether you’re using USB-C or Apple’s Lightning — no more digging through tangled cords or carrying three different cables just in case.

What makes it especially satisfying, though, are the thoughtful extras. An LED power display shows your real-time charging status. The magnetic wrap keeps things neat and frustration-free. There’s even a built-in bottle opener and a safe-proof cutter for impromptu moments like opening a package on the fly or cracking a drink at a picnic.

The GoCable makes an ideal asset for travelers, creators, commuters, and anyone who lives even slightly tethered to their devices.

Priced at $29.99 (reg. $49.99) for a limited time, the GoCable is an everyday gadget that feels both smart and genuinely helpful — grab it while stock lasts.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

Apple's new device-leasing program has a strange (on the surface) rule attached to it.

Last week, Apple launched Apple Upgrade, a new Klarna-backed program that allows customers to lease new iPhones, MacBooks, and other devices for a small-ish monthly payment, rather than spending more than $1,000 up front. However, folks quickly noticed something in the fine print: You'll need an account with AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile to lease an iPhone.

Our big Guessing Game is back! Enter for a chance to win an Apple Watch.

So, while the phones are technically unlocked, you can only activate them with one of the big three mobile carriers.

Cybersecurity analyst John Gruber looked into this and, on his website, Daring Fireball, gave a couple of big reasons as to why that might be the case.

For starters, it's a way to prevent fraud. According to Gruber, the three big carriers do enough risk assessment before letting anyone open an account that Apple can be fairly sure you're not leasing an iPhone for nefarious purposes. Beyond that, though, a former Apple employee wrote into Gruber's site to explain that Apple signs big-money deals with the carriers for prominent placement and other things like this rule. We can't verify the former employee's claims, but the report is interesting.

"Every year, the Carrier Teams at Apple negotiate a deal/program (hundreds of millions of dollars) with each of those Big 3," the reader wrote. "In return for those dollars, Apple will make concessions exactly like this (or similar.)"

Regardless, if you want to lease an iPhone through the Apple Upgrade program, you can't do it with an account on a smaller carrier.

Samsung just announced a bunch of fancy new phones, but don't relax just yet. Google has a big product launch just around the corner too, and we're keeping a close eye on the latest Pixel 11 leaks, rumors, and official teasers.

The Android maker has already confirmed that it will announce the next batch of Pixel phones in August. That means we have just a matter of weeks until the follow-up to the Pixel 10 lineup is unveiled, so you'd better get prepared in the meantime. Here is everything we know about the Google Pixel 11 right now.

Google Pixel 11: Release date and price

The first part of this is easy because Google isn't keeping the Pixel 11 launch window a secret. At 6 p.m. ET on Aug. 12 in New York City, Google is holding a Made By Google event where the Pixel 11 lineup will be shown off for the first time, and Mashable will be there reporting live.

Last year's event was hosted by Jimmy Fallon, for some reason, so you never know what to expect this time. You can watch Made By Google live on YouTube, or follow the news as it happens on Mashable. The phones should be on store shelves or in your hands less than a month after that.

As with last year, we expect to see four phones: the base Pixel 11, a Pro and Pro XL model, and a Pro Fold model.

Regarding price, we live in a RAMageddon world, so it sounds like there may be some mild price increases in the works. We don't know the official figures yet, but a recent Amazon leak (which we will return to throughout this piece because, holy mackerel, what a leak!) gave us these figures:

• Google Pixel 11: $899

• Google Pixel 11 Pro: $1,099

• Google Pixel 11 Pro XL: $1,299

• Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold: $1,899

Unfortunately, all of those are increases year over year compared to the Pixel 10. The Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, and Pro XL are all $100 more to start than they were a year ago. Meanwhile, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, if this leak is to be believed, will cost $400 more than the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Ouch.

Google Pixel 11: What's up with Pixel Glow?

Before we get into detailed (and unconfirmed) specs for each device, there's basically one noteworthy design change that we expect to see across all four devices this year. According to both leaks and some imagery on Google's own pre-order page, Google is going all-in on something called Pixel Glow with the Pixel 11 series.

In terms of design, that means the horizontal camera bar seen on previous Pixel phones will change a little bit to accommodate a new multi-colored light module. This module will use lights of different shades to notify you of things like incoming messages, presumably while your phone is turned over and you don't feel like looking at a screen.

Google actually gave everyone an official sneak peek at Pixel Glow a couple of weeks before the event. In a brief teaser video that shows part of a Pixel 11 Pro, you can see a small, multi-colored light in the camera bar. While the video is very brief and vague, it's clear from the video that we are looking at Pixel Glow.

Google Pixel 11: Base model rumored specs

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The aforementioned Amazon leak included since-removed store pages for each device in the Pixel 11 family, with colors and specs galore. Let's start with the base Pixel 11, whose array of color options has been reported with different names, but basically comes out to black, gray, pink, and green. Another leaker called MysticLeaks posted a bunch of alleged specs on Telegram.

Based on both of these leaks, these could be the specs for the base Pixel 11:

• 6.3-inch OLED display with 2856x1280 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate

• Google Tensor G6 processor

• 8/12GB RAM

• 4,985mAh battery

• 50MP main camera

• 13MP selfie camera

It's worth noting that there are some small discrepancies between what Amazon posted and what MysticLeaks reported for all of these devices, especially regarding display resolution and battery size. When in doubt, this article is going by what was posted on Amazon.

The display, battery, and selfie camera specs all come from the Amazon leak, while the Tensor G6 chip would make sense as the natural follow-up to the Tensor G5 chip in last year's Pixel flagships. At the time of publication, there don't seem to be any credible leaks regarding the other camera specs for the base Pixel 11, aside from what's listed above.

None of the above is horribly surprising or all that different from the Pixel 10, either. All signs are pointing to a pretty incremental upgrade cycle in 2026, Pixel Glow aside.

Google Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL: Rumored specs

Google is also reportedly planning on two Pro variants, as in previous years. The color options here are reportedly called Olive, Obsidian, Canyon, and Fog. Here is what both Amazon and MysticLeaks had to say about the regular Pixel 11 Pro:

• 6.3-inch OLED display with 2856x1280 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate

• Google Tensor G6 processor

• 12/16GB RAM

• 4,850mAh battery

• 13MP selfie camera

And here are the reported specs for Pixel 11 Pro XL. The XL is usually just a bigger, slightly improved version of the Pro:

• 6.8-inch OLED display with 2992x1344 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate

• Google Tensor G6 Processor

• 12/16GB RAM

• 5,115mAh battery

• 13MP selfie camera

The main attraction here, at least as it relates to year-over-year changes, is that Google seems to be offering a new 12GB RAM variant of the Pro devices. Prior to this year, they just came with 16GB RAM. Perhaps models with less storage capacity will only come with 12GB this year as a way to save money on the manufacturing end of things.

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold: Rumored specs

Google isn't folding from the competition. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Lastly, Google is making another foldable this year, if every leak is to be believed. Here are the reported specs for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, which could have color variants called Obsidian and Olive:

• 6.5-inch outer display

• Google Tensor G6 processor

• 4,750mAh battery

• 13MP selfie camera

This is the one we know the least about, sadly. Given Samsung's recent excellence in the foldable field and the rumored price increase for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, it's going to have to do a lot to impress in a crowded market. We'll find out together on Aug. 12.

Remember: Mashable will be reporting live from the Made By Google event, so keep checking back for the latest Pixel 11 news, leaks, and rumors.

Google is about to announce new Android flagship phones. And if you'd like to know what they're launching ahead of time, we've gathered all the reporting on it in one story.

The Pixel 11 lineup launch is all set for Aug. 12. This year, as with last year, we expect four new phones:

• Pixel 11

• Pixel 11 Pro

• Pixel 11 Pro XL

• Pixel 11 Pro Fold

Let's focus on the Pixel 11 Pro for now, as it's going to be the more premium model. What does Google have up its sleeve this year with the Pro-grade Pixel phone?

We asked you to predict what Apple will do next. See the results and find out how to get a shot at winning an Apple Watch!

Google Pixel 11 Pro: Release date, price, and that Amazon leak

As previously stated, Google is going to officially unveil all of these phones at an event in New York City on Aug. 12. Mashable will be attending the launch event — Jimmy Fallon hosted last year's event, you may remember — and we'll be reporting live. Presumably, as with past years, the phones will be on store shelves and in customers' hands just a couple of weeks afterward.

Thanks to RAMageddon, everyone is bracing for price increases with every major tech product, and rightfully so. Google has not yet told us the prices of these phones, but a recent and fairly extensive Amazon leak that seemed legitimate enough pointed to a $1,099 starting price for the Pixel 11 Pro. That would be a $100 price increase over the Pixel 10 Pro. Meanwhile, the Pixel 11 Pro XL (the XL model is usually basically the same phone, but bigger) is said to start at $1,299, another $100 price hike year-over-year.

Android Headlines also leaked what it claims are the full specs and price points for the Pixel 11 series. That report corroborates the $1,099 price for the Pixel 11 Pro and the $1,299 price for the Pro XL.

Speaking of that Amazon leak: 9to5Google spotted draft Amazon listings for the Pixel 11 lineup, revealing a lot of early details:

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The listings could include placeholder information, but the overall gist looks legit.

What is Pixel Glow?

We don't expect any massive design changes this year. Google has helped keep expectations low by actually posting a short video that shows the phone, weeks before the Aug. 12 event.

One thing that stood out, however, is the presence of a small, colored light in the camera bar that wasn't there on the Pixel 10 Pro. This is rumored to be part of a new "Pixel Glow" system that will use colored lights to convey basic phone notifications while the Pixel is lying down on its face. If you want to know that someone texted you even though you're focusing on something else and would rather not look at the screen, that's what this is for.

Google Pixel 11 Pro: Design and colors

Ultimately, the short teaser video doesn't show much, but it does reveal one more fact: The Pixel 11 Pro's basic design hasn't changed much from last year. It still has a horizontal, oval-shaped camera bar on the back, and is still otherwise a normal-looking smartphone.

As for colors, leaks suggest the options this year will be:

• Olive

• Obsidian

• Canyon

• Fog

Those don't sound like the most vibrant colors in the world, but that sort of thing has become par for the course for "Pro" smartphones in recent years. If the Amazon leak spotted by 9to5Google proves true, the Pixel 11 will have more interesting color options, at least.

Google Pixel 11 Pro: Rumored specs

Based on the Amazon listings, the Android Headlines report, and another leak on Telegram from an account called MysticLeaks, here is the best data we have about the Pixel 11 Pro's specs prior to the unveiling:

• 6.3-inch OLED display with 2856x1280 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate

• 3,600 nits peak brightness

• Google Tensor G6 processor

• 12/16GB RAM

• 256GB/512GB storage

• 1TB storage on Pixel 11 Pro XL

• 4,850mAh battery

The only real differences between the regular Pro and the XL, as far as leaks are concerned, are the display and battery size. Those same sources suggest a 6.9-inch display and a 5,115mAh battery on the XL, but everything else should be the same. That's how Google has done it in the past, too.

Believe it or not, those specs actually contain at least one notable downgrade from the Pixel 10 Pro. Previously, Pixel Pro devices only came with 16GB RAM. So if Google is offering a 12GB variant, that would be a somewhat significant change. It's possible and perhaps even likely that the 12GB models will be tied to lower amounts of storage.

If you want 16GB of RAM, you may need to shell out for a 512GB or 1TB model (only available on Pro XL) this year.

Google Pixel 11 Pro: What about the cameras?

Last but not least, the Pixel Pro phones always have better camera specs than the base models. It's one of the main reasons to get the Pro, even though Google did start including a telephoto lens on the base model recently.

Last year, the Pixel 10 Pro had a 50MP main lens, with matching 48MP ultra-wide and telephoto lenses. According to Android Headlines, the megapixel counts this year are the same.

Speaking of downgrades, though, the big Amazon leak suggested the Pixel 10 Pro will have a 13MP selfie camera, while the Android Headlines report claims 42MP. After the 48MP front camera on the Pixel 10 Pro, that would be an unpleasant surprise. We'll see if that actually pans out, or if these leaks are wrong.

Mashable will be reporting live from the Made By Google event on Aug. 12. So check back then for all confirmed Pixel 11 Pro details and news.

Updated on July 31 at 7:15 p.m. ET — T-Mobile has confirmed to Mashable that some users who spoke with customer service regarding the outage have since received a credit. A company spokesperson provided a statement:

"We understand our service is critical to the lives and businesses of our customers, and we deeply regret the difficulties some customers experienced earlier this week. We restored service as quickly as possible, addressed and resolved the technical challenges, and remain committed to providing the reliable experience our customers expect from us."

If your T-Mobile service was disrupted on Monday, you may be able to get some compensation for your troubles.

Multiple outlets, including KTLA in Los Angeles, have reported that some T-Mobile customers have been able to get at least $20 off their next bill because of the outage. One Reddit user said they were able to save as much as $80 (spread out over multiple billing cycles) by telling customer service that they missed out on a work opportunity because of the outage.

Generally, it seems that these credits are not automatic, and you may have to personally contact T-Mobile customer service to be compensated for your troubles.

After a major Verizon mobile outage in January, Verizon offered all affected customers a $20 credit.

Millions of T-Mobile users found their phones stuck in SOS mode on Monday afternoon, which led to plenty of criticism of the brand on social media. T-Mobile did acknowledge and apologize for the outage, though it has not explained what happened.

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Mashable contacted T-Mobile repeatedly to ask about the outage and its causes, but so far, the company has been silent. The most recent post at the T-Mobile news page is the company's Q2 2026 earnings report, in which the company saw growing revenue and profits, with total revenue for the quarter of $22.7 billion.

If you have a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or S25 Ultra, maybe keep an eye on your battery.

Owners of those two older Ultra devices are complaining on places like Reddit and Samsung's own forums (as spotted by Android Headlines) about significant battery issues following a recent security update released in July. According to some S24 and S25 Ultra owners, the update caused substantial battery drain; one user reported going from 85 percent to 5 percent in just two hours of screen time.

As one user wrote, "My s24 ultra battery is draining very fast after July 26 update even heating like cook top. Why this happening?" Other users cited problems with WhatsApp in particular.

Additionally, some users have noted their phones running hotter than usual and even charging more slowly than they should. Samsung has not officially commented on the matter yet. Mashable reached out to Samsung about the user complaints and will update this article if we hear anything back.

This sort of issue happens every now and then, but usually it's just one issue arising on some devices after an update. This time, it's seemingly three separate (but possibly related) problems that users say only materialized after what should have been a minor security patch. If the issues are related to the recent July update, then hopefully Samsung is able to figure out the problem and fix it promptly.

Presumably, Apple will release the iPhone 18 in September. That's all fine and good, but let's look even further into the future.

Believe it or not, there are already credible reports and leaks floating around about a potential 20th anniversary "iPhone 20" arriving in fall 2027. (If the rumor mill is correct, Apple will skip the iPhone 19, and this wouldn't be the first time Apple has gotten creative with numbering.) The iPhone 20 would commemorate the 20th anniversary of the original model, which was released on June 29, 2007.

To mark 20 years of the iPhone, Apple is reportedly prepping a big redesign that makes use of curved glass and a waterfall display. If true, this would be one of the biggest shakeups to the iPhone in years.

So, here is everything we know about the iPhone 20.

iPhone 20: When will it come out?

First things first, the release date. Apple always launches its flagship iPhone models in September of every year, and there's currently no reason to believe that's going to change soon.

In other words, it's widely expected that this phone will be announced and will subsequently launch in September of 2027. The 20th anniversary iPhone is also the perfect opportunity for Apple to do some weird, fun stuff with its signature device.

iPhone 20: What will it look like?

This is the big point of interest regarding the iPhone 20. In 2025, there were multiple credible reports that the iPhone 20 model would undergo a major redesign that uses significantly more glass than the typical phone.

More recently, Bloomberg and The Information both reported in May of this year that it will have an all-glass, edge-to-edge display. That means curved glass wrapping around the edges of the device, and perhaps more importantly, a seeming lack of a notch or Dynamic Island cutout for the selfie camera. The Dynamic Island has proven divisive, and it will be interesting to see if Apple can deliver on the promise of a true edge-to-edge display.

We've seen wrap-around and waterfall displays on other devices like TVs, but a more sculptural, curved glass iPhone would definitely stand out in the mobile market.

In June, Bloomberg also reported that there will be two iPhone 20 models launched in 2027, likely in the Pro category, and that they will measure in at around 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches. Those are pretty similar figures to what's expected from the iPhone 18.

iPhone 20: New buttons!

Lastly, for now, leaker Instant Digital posted on Weibo late last year that Apple is working on "solid-state" (in other words, non-moving and non-mechanical) buttons for the iPhone 20. The unique feature here would be haptic feedback for power, volume control, and camera control. I could see this being somewhat controversial, like when Apple got rid of the home button, but we'll have to wait and see.

Samsung's smart glasses still haven't made their long-awaited debut, but the company just gave us a few more crumbs of info about them.

Per The Korea Times, Samsung executive Choi Jae-in offered some mildly illuminating remarks about the upcoming "Galaxy Glasses" during a press conference after Galaxy Unpacked earlier this month. Namely, he said Samsung's status as a maker of smartphones and other smart devices could give its glasses a leg up over competitors like Meta, which doesn't produce other compatible hardware.

“Running artificial intelligence (AI) effectively requires significant computing power, but packing all the necessary chips into a pair of glasses makes it difficult to deliver a lightweight and comfortable experience that smart glasses should provide," Choi said, per The Korea Times. "As the first major smartphone brand to enter the smart glasses market, we have a lot of things to offer (to the market).”

In other words, the fact that Samsung's glasses will interface directly with a Samsung phone could, in theory, make them more capable than Meta's.

The other point Choi made that's worth mentioning here concerns the price of the glasses that firms like Warby Parker and Gentle Monster are designing. According to Choi, you can expect a "reasonable" price point, but one that will still "initially be positioned in the premium range." Meta's glasses start at $299, so maybe set your expectations around there.

Samsung's glasses are reportedly coming this fall. We'll have plenty of coverage when that happens.

A heart-shaped Samsung phone is going viral online, with video of the device racking up thousands of likes and shares on both X and Instagram. Don't get too excited about it, though. The video is AI-generated, and the phone doesn't exist.

Video of a Samsung-branded, heart-shaped phone has been spreading on social media, depicting a person pulling protective plastic off the device inside a store. While many savvy social media users quickly deduced that the phone was an AI-generated fake, a few wondered if it was real or expressed excitement to buy it.

Unfortunately for lovers of whimsy, the heart phone is most definitely not real. The clip was originally posted to Instagram by @tanu_mobile, an account filled with AI-generated clips of fantastical tech products, and has accumulated 49.2 million views at time of writing. In addition to posting the fake heart-shaped Samsung phone, @tanu_mobile has also posted other AI-generated heart-shaped phones with Apple and Vivo branding within the last few days. 

Though none of these videos explicitly disclose that they were made with AI, the descriptions for some do say that the phones are "fanmade." @tanu_mobile also acknowledged that a previous video of a Samsung-branded heart phone which they'd posted weeks ago was AI generated. The use of generative AI is particularly clear in the video of the heart-shaped Vivo phone, in which a woman's clothes suddenly morph into an entirely different outfit.

The currently viral Samsung heart phone video has a few tells as well. Specifically, the Samsung signage in the reflection on the phone is misspelled, and its app names are garbled. Some of the app icons are giveaways too, as the device appears to have iOS' Phone, Notes, and Calendar apps installed. Samsung uses the Android operating system, so does not use these specific Apple apps.

Samsung has gotten slightly more creative with its phones' form factor recently with the new Galaxy Z Fold 8, a foldable with a shorter body than is typical of modern smartphones. Even so, there have been no reports that it's venturing into more novel shapes such as hearts at present.

While the Samsung heart phone may not exist, the video is a good reminder to be sceptical when scrolling, especially considering the prevalence of AI-generated videos. Question unusual and exciting new products before being swept up in the hype — particularly if there weren't even any rumours about them before they showed up on your For You feed.

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In case you haven't heard, T-Mobile's mobile network appeared to go down for a lot of users on Monday afternoon.

Users in the United States reported a widespread outage, with mobile service in particular being disrupted, and some users reported they were stuck in "SOS mode," which can happen if service is interrupted. As usual, customers took to social media apps like X and Reddit to vent their frustrations, sometimes directly at T-Mobile itself.

On X, one user reported being stranded and unable to order a Lyft home (though, apparently, still able to post to X), while another said they were seeing a long line at their local T-Mobile store. Over on Reddit, a post about the outage has already collected more than 5,500 comments, with users trading rumors about the possible cause and potential fixes.

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As a reminder: The person running a brand's social media help line typically can't fix the outage.

As of this writing, "T-Mobile" was trending on X, and search terms such as "Is t mobile down" and "t mobile outage" were trending on Google Search.

Mashable reached out to T-Mobile with questions about the outage, which the brand still hasn't acknowledged. We'll update this story if we receive more information.

This is a developing story...

SAVE $18: As of July 27, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 Flipsuit Phone Case is down to $41.99 at Amazon. That's a 30% discount off its $59.99 list price — timed right after the Z Flip 8's launch at Samsung's latest Unpacked event.

Opens in a new window

Credit: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 Flipsuit Phone Case

$41.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $18

 

Get Deal

Samsung's new Galaxy Z Flip 8 officially launched at Unpacked in London on July 22, coming in 13% thinner than last year's Z Flip 7. If you're planning to grab one (or pre-ordered it the moment it dropped), this Flipsuit case deal is a good one to pair with it: right now it's $41.99 at Amazon, a 30% discount off its usual $59.99.

This case is one of those rare accessories that does more than just protect your phone. Double-tap the cover screen to activate FlexWindow, letting you play Brick Breaker from the outside of your phone — no need to flip it open; just tilt it side to side to control the paddle.

The bigger draw is the interchangeable LED Flipsuit Card. Insert it, and you get LED lights on the case that match visuals and animations, so it's a lot more fun than a plain case. There's also a photo frame card option, letting you display one of your own photos on the FlexWindow when your phone's closed.

Grab the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 Flipsuit Phone Case on Amazon — your Flip 8 deserves better than a bare back.

TL;DR: Starting July 26, get 15% off two or more items during Casetify's Back-To-School Sale using promo code BTS26.

Opens in a new window

Credit: Casetify

Casetify Back-To-School Sale

Get 15% off two or more items using promo code BTS26

Shop Now

I live life on the edge, which is to say I don't even have insurance on my phone. Instead, I put all my faith (and my device's safety) into a good case and a glass screen protector. If you're sending kids back to school, you probably want that same level of protection for their devices, especially since buying a reliable case is a whole lot cheaper than replacing a shattered screen or buying them a brand-new phone.

To help stretch the life of the devices you already own, Casetify is launching a back-to-school promotion. Starting July 26 and running through August 9, you can get 15% off two or more items by using the promo code BTS26 at checkout. (The only catch is that your cart has to include at least one phone case to get the discount.) If you want to save a little extra, checking out through the Casetify app will get you an additional 5% off.

If you prefer to buy things in person, Casetify is available in 343 Target stores nationwide right now, so you can just grab a case while you check off the rest of your school supply list. Just keep in mind that the BTS26 promo code is strictly for online and app orders.

SAVE $1,100: At T-Mobile, get $1,100 off a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra when you activate a line on an Experience More or Beyond Plan. Pre-order now before it arrives on Aug. 7.

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Credit: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Fold8 Ultra

$999.99 at T-Mobile
$2,099.99 Save $1,100.00

 

Pre-order Here

This week, Samsung dropped a whole new line-up of redesigned foldables. The new collection includes the Galaxy Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra. The Fold8 Ultra is the most expensive of the bunch but also the most advanced. However, T-Mobile is providing a rare savings opportunity.

As of July 26, all the new Samsung Galaxy foldable phones are available for preorder before they arrive on Aug. 7. At T-Mobile, they're offering $1,100 off the Samsung Galaxy Fold 8 Ultra when you activate a line on an Experience More or Beyond Plan. That's over half the price of the phone, bringing it down to $999.99.

T-Mobile's Experience More plan is the carrier's most popular, at $140 per month with unlimited premium data. For an upgraded experience, go with the Beyond plan, which includes everything in the More Plan plus T-Satellite service.

The Samsung Galaxy Fold8 is a premium smartphone. It has a 6.5-inch AMOLED cover display, which opens into an 8-inch screen. The hinge is undetectable for a flat, high-definition experience right in your pocket. It takes content creation to a new level with the new My FanCam feature which reframes video to follow the action.

Pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Fold8 Ultra at T-Mobile and save $1,100 when you activate an Experience More or Beyond plan.

Where to pre-order the new Samsung Galaxy phones:

---

Samsung

Galaxy Z Flip 8

$1,199.99 at Samsung

Pre-Order Here

---

Amazon

Galaxy Z Flip 8

$1,199.99 at Amazon (get a $200 Amazon gift card)

Pre-Order Here

---

T-Mobile

Galaxy Z Flip 8

$1,199.99 at T-Mobile (save up to $1,100 when you add a new line)

Pre-Order Here

---

Amazon

Galaxy Z Fold 8

$1,899.99 at Amazon (get a $350 Amazon gift card)

Pre-Order Here

---

Samsung

Galaxy Z Fold 8

$1,899.99 at Samsung

Pre-Order Here

---

T-Mobile

Galaxy Z Fold 8

$1,899.99 at T-Mobile (get it for $0 with eligible trade-in)

Pre-Order Here

---

AT&T

Galaxy Z Fold 8

$1,899.99 at AT&T (get it for $0 with eligible trade-in)

Pre-Order Here

---

Samsung

Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

$2,099.99 at Samsung

Pre-Order Here

---

Amazon

Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

$2,099.99 at Amazon (get a $350 Amazon gift card)

Pre-Order Here

---

T-Mobile

Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

$2,099.99 at T-Mobile (save up to $1,100 when you add a new line)

Pre-Order Here

New Samsung phones are here. At Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2026, three new phones were announced: the Galaxy Z Flip 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8, and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. The new phones are successors to the Z Flip 7 and Z Fold 7, so if you're ready for a new phone, get ready to pre-order these devices.

We've been anticipating the new models for weeks, vetting rumors of what's to come with the latest foldables. Now that we're here, we can finally confirm exactly which models are available and just how much each will cost.

Galaxy Z Flip 8, Z Fold 8, and Z Fold 8 Ultra pricing breakdown

Here's the pricing breakdown:

• Galaxy Z Flip 8 (pink, graphite, cream, mint) — starting at $1,199

• Galaxy Z Fold 8 (lavender, graphite, cream, pistachio) — starting at $1,899.99

• Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra (violet shadow, graphite, cream, green shadow) — starting at $2,099.99

Both the Z Flip 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra are $100 more than last year's models; no surprise in the face of the global memory crisis. All of the new models are up for pre-order as of July 22 and will be available Aug. 7.

If you've previously owned the Z Flip and Fold series, the successive models are slightly different. So here's what you need to know about the new Samsung smartphones.

About the Galaxy Z Flip 8

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is the successor to the Z Flip 7. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is the successor to the Z Flip 7. It folds down into a pocket-sized square, flipping open to a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED display. The display is phenomenal and extremely impressive; the crease of the phone is indistinguishable when flipped open. It comes with a dual-lens camera with up to 10x zoom and 4K video at 60 fps. It has 12GB of RAM (more than some computers) and either 256GB or 512GB of storage space.

The Z Flip 8 comes in four different colors: pink, graphite, cream, and mint (online only). It starts at $1,199.99.

Galaxy Z Flip 8

$1,199.99 at Amazon

 

Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Samsung Pre-order Here at T-Mobile

About the Galaxy Z Fold 8

The dimensions of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 are suspiciously close to the leaked foldable iPhone. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

Apple has yet to release a foldable iPhone, but Samsung has already come out with a phone destined to compete. Rumors were floating about this model, with some thinking it would be called the Galaxy Z Fold Wide. Now we know it's actually the Galaxy Z Fold 8, a new model with a fullscreen ratio of 4:3.

It's a midrange option between the Z Flip 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra, with a 5.5-inch folded screen and a 7.6-inch full-size screen. Like the Flip, it has a dual lens camera, but is able to film in up to 8K at 30 fps. You can go for models with 12GB of RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of storage, or a model with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.

The Z Fold 8 starts at $1,899.99. It comes in lavender, graphite, cream, and pistachio (online only).

Galaxy Z Fold 8

$1,899.99 at Samsung

 

Pre-order Here at Samsung Pre-order Here at T-Mobile Pre-order Here at AT&T Wireless

About the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

The successor to the Z Fold 7 is the Z Fold 8 Ultra. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

If you've previously seen or used the Z Fold 7, its successor is the new Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. It's the largest phone among all of Samsung's foldables with a 6.5-inch cover screen and an 8-inch full screen. It's the only foldable with a three-lens camera, letting you film in up to 8K with 3x optical and 30x space zoom.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra comes in violet shadow, graphite, cream, and green shadow (online only). It starts at $2,099.99.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

$2,099.99 at Amazon

 

Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Samsung Pre-order Here at T-Mobile

Where to preorder the new Samsung Galaxy phones

---

Samsung

Galaxy Z Flip 8

$1,199.99 at Samsung

Pre-Order Here

---

Amazon

Galaxy Z Flip 8

$1,199.99 at Amazon (get a $200 Amazon gift card)

Pre-Order Here

---

T-Mobile

Galaxy Z Flip 8

$1,199.99 at T-Mobile (save up to $1,100 when you add a new line)

Pre-Order Here

---

Amazon

Galaxy Z Fold 8

$1,899.99 at Amazon (get a $350 Amazon gift card)

Pre-Order Here

---

Samsung

Galaxy Z Fold 8

$1,899.99 at Samsung

Pre-Order Here

---

T-Mobile

Galaxy Z Fold 8

$1,899.99 at T-Mobile (get it for $0 with eligible trade-in)

Pre-Order Here

---

AT&T

Galaxy Z Fold 8

$1,899.99 at AT&T (get it for $0 with eligible trade-in)

Pre-Order Here

---

Samsung

Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

$2,099.99 at Samsung

Pre-Order Here

---

Amazon

Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

$2,099.99 at Amazon (get a $350 Amazon gift card)

Pre-Order Here

---

T-Mobile

Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

$2,099.99 at T-Mobile (save up to $1,100 when you add a new line)

Pre-Order Here

New Samsung phones are here. At Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2026, three new phones were announced: the Galaxy Z Flip 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8, and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. The new phones are successors to the Z Flip 7 and Z Fold 7, so if you're ready for a new phone, get ready to preorder these devices.

We've been anticipating the new models for weeks, vetting rumors of what's to come with the latest foldables. Now that we're here, we can finally confirm exactly which models are available and just how much each will cost.

Galaxy Z Flip 8, Z Fold 8, and Z Fold 8 Ultra pricing breakdown

Here's the pricing breakdown:

• Galaxy Z Flip 8 (pink, graphite, cream, mint) — starting at $1,199

• Galaxy Z Fold 8 (lavender, graphite, cream, pistachio) — starting at $1,899.99

• Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra (violet shadow, graphite, cream, green shadow) — starting at $2,099.99

Both the Z Flip 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra are $100 more than last year's models; no surprise in the face of the global memory crisis. All of the new models are up for preorder as of July 22 and will be available Aug. 7.

If you've previously owned the Z Flip and Fold series, the successive models are slightly different. So here's what you need to know about the new Samsung smartphones.

About the Galaxy Z Flip 8

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is the successor to the Z Flip 7. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is the successor to the Z Flip 7. It folds down into a pocket-sized square, flipping open to a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED display. The display is phenomenal and extremely impressive, the crease of the phone indistinguishable when flipped open. It comes with a dual lens camera with up to 10x zoom and 4K video, filming at 60 fps. It has 12GB of RAM (more than some computers) and either 256GB or 512GB of storage space.

The Z Flip 8 comes in four different colors: pink, graphite, cream, and mint (online only). It starts at $1,199.99.

Galaxy Z Flip 8

$1,199.99 at Amazon

 

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About the Galaxy Z Fold 8

The dimensions of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 are suspiciously close to the leaked foldable iPhone. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

Apple has yet to release a foldable iPhone, but Samsung has already come out with a phone destined to compete. Rumors were floating about this model, with some thinking it would be called the Galaxy Z Fold Wide. Now we know it's actually the Galaxy Z Fold 8, a new model with a fullscreen ratio of 4:3.

It's a midrange option between the Z Flip 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra, with a 5.5-inch folded screen and a 7.6-inch full-size screen. Like the Flip, it has a dual lens camera, but is able to film in up to 8K at 30 fps. You can go for models with 12GB of RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of storage, or a model with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.

The Z Fold 8 starts at $1,899.99. It comes in lavender, graphite, cream, and pistachio (online only).

Galaxy Z Fold 8

$1,899.99 at Samsung

 

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About the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

The successor to the Z Fold 7 is the Z Fold 8 Ultra. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

If you've previously seen or used the Z Fold 7, its successor is the new Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. It's the largest phone among all of Samsung's foldables with a 6.5-inch cover screen and an 8-inch full screen. It's the only foldable with a three-lens camera, letting you film in up to 8K with 3x optical and 30x space zoom.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra comes in violet shadow, graphite, cream, and green shadow (online only). It starts at $2,099.99.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

$2,099.99 at Amazon

 

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GET A FREE $200 GIFT CARD: Pre-order the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 for $1,199.99 at Amazon by August 6 and get a $200 gift card for free.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 Unlocked Cell Phone + $200 Gift Card, 256GB Graphite

$1,199.99 at Amazon

 

Pre-order Here at Amazon

Getting a new phone is almost never cheap. But if you're already planning to upgrade to Samsung's latest flip phone, you might as well get paid to do it.

Right now, if you pre-order the 256GB Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 in Graphite at Amazon for $1,199.99, they'll throw in a $200 Amazon gift card. You just have to place your order by August 6 (its official release date is August 7).

The Z Flip 8 features a 6.7-inch main screen and a 4.1-inch cover screen (which Samsung calls the FlexWindow). It lets you check notifications and send messages without opening your phone. As for the cameras, you get a 50MP wide lens and a 12MP ultrawide lens on the back, plus a 10MP front camera. Thanks to the folding design, you can set it down half-open on a table to take hands-free photos or shoot Super Steady video — no tripod required.

Considering a $200 gift card basically covers your screen protectors, a durable case, and a few other things in your cart, this is a pretty good pre-order bonus.

This week, Samsung announced a new addition to its foldable family, the Galaxy Z Fold 8, and so far, it looks like a very impressive device. It should be very competitive with Apple's still-unannounced iPhone Fold Ultra, which is rumored to have a similar design.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 finally made its big debut at Galaxy Unpacked, meaning all eyes are now on Apple's inevitable-feeling folding iPhone announcement in September. We've gone hands-on with the Z Fold 8 and can confirm it's pretty neat, to the point where we're wondering if Apple can keep up in a couple of months. Here are some of the best features the Z Fold 8 comes with that Apple will need to work hard to top.

Comprehensive creator tools

Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

Samsung has gone hard on courting creators in recent years, and the Z Fold 8 is no different.

Specifically, the Z Fold 8 comes with something called "My Fan Cam," which uses AI to track a particular subject in a horizontal video and automatically crop a vertical clip for ready-made social clips. Between that and all the fun camera tricks you can do with the average foldable, people will probably get up to some fun nonsense once this phone is in the public's hands. On top of that, Galaxy AI and Gemini already offer a ton of great photo editing tools for creators.

To be fair, the Z Fold 8 doesn't have the most powerful cameras in the world, so any software-level assistance is going to be massive for creators.

Gemini out of the box

Speaking of Gemini and AI, Apple has been behind the curve in the department for a few years now.

However, the Z Fold 8 (and other new Samsung devices) has access to Gemini right out of the box thanks to a partnership between Google and Samsung. The conversational AI chatbot can help you perform tasks across apps, and it's a lot more advanced than what Apple offers on any of its devices right now. It should be noted, though, that Siri AI looms large over this discussion. It could, theoretically, get Apple up to speed once it launches in September.

As an added perk, the Z Fold 8 comes with six free months of Google AI Pro, giving users access to a bunch of premium creative tools and lots of cloud storage without having to pay anything...for six months. Galaxy users also get free access to the popular Gemini Notebook tool (formerly NotebookLM), which comes pre-installed on the Z Fold 8.

It's real, real thin

Seriously, it's tiny. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Samsung has recently mastered the art of creating ultra-thin, lightweight foldables, and the Z Fold 8 is no different. It measures in at 9.7 mm of thickness when folded and a mere 4.5 mm when unfolded. It also weighs just 201 grams. We don't yet know the physical dimensions of the iPhone Ultra, but Apple is going to have a tough time beating that.

The crease is invisible

Lastly, Samsung is using a new proprietary display technology for its latest foldables called Flex Titanium. Using titanium (duh), Samsung has been able to create more durable hinges and creases that are more or less invisible to the naked eye, at least when the phone is brand new. The verdict is still out on this new tech, but Samsung has a good track record in this regard.

Of course, Samsung Display is also making the flexible screens for the iPhone Ultra Fold, so the folding iPhone could match Samsung for the most part.

Powerful performance

Finally, the Z Fold 8 is built for multitasking and supports power users. It comes with 12GB to 16GB of RAM and the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset. Apple has powerful processors of its own, and the iPhone Ultra certainly won't be a slouch in this department. However, it's a steep hill to climb, and Samsung has far more experience optimizing the foldable experience for multitasking.

One last note: Samsung has the experience

Don't forget, as excited as we are for the first foldable from Apple, Samsung has been making excellent foldables for many years. Apple could nail this form factor on the first try, but both Motorola and Samsung have had to spend years working out kinks to get these devices right.

Telecommunication analytics company Ookla has released its U.S. Speedtest Connectivity Report for the first half of 2026, evaluating how internet service providers have performed thus far. T-Mobile came out on top, sweeping the mobile category, while AT&T Fiber and Verizon both picked up awards for fixed internet.

Ookla's report crowned T-Mobile the best mobile network and best 5G network in the U.S. overall, with a median download speed of 275.55 Mbps (or 314.38 Mbps on 5G). According to Ookla's analysis, T-Mobile offered the fastest mobile speeds across 47 U.S. states from January to June this year. The exceptions were North Dakota and Vermont, who had no winners, and Alaska, where GCI came out on top for mobile speeds.

T-Mobile also received the highest experience scores across mobile and specifically 5G networks, including when specifically used for gaming or streaming video, and was found to be the most consistent network as well. Coverage is the only category where T-Mobile didn't come in first, with Verizon and AT&T taking the top two spots instead.

Even so, T-Mobile was the clear winner of the mobile category. While Ookla's rankings primarily focus on performance and don't take pricing or value into account, T-Mobile also had the highest consumer sentiment rating. Speedtest users gave T-Mobile an average of 3.77 out of five stars, while Verizon and AT&T scored 3.25 and 3.09 respectively. 

Credit: Ookla

Meanwhile, the fixed internet category belonged to AT&T Fiber. Ookla crowned AT&T Fiber the best internet service provider, with its median download speed of 374.75 Mbps making it the fastest fixed network. It was also the most consistent, and received the highest star ratings from consumers with an average of 3.63 out of five. 

Verizon did offer the best fixed gaming experience, which Ookla determined by evaluating and scoring factors such as latency, upload and download speeds, and jitter. Even so, Verizon's gaming score was just over one point ahead of AT&T Fiber.

Credit: Ookla

While these scores look at the U.S. as a whole, the report further breaks down median speeds and latency by state and city. Kansas had the fastest median mobile speed at 242.56, with T-Mobile the fastest provider in the state. For fixed internet, Connecticut had the fastest median download speed at 344.24 Mbps, its fastest provider being Frontier Fiber.

Ookla's report uses data gathered by the company's Speedtest service. Speedtest allows users to quickly check their internet's speed, measuring their download and upload rate as well as their ping. While it isn't clear how many U.S. Speedtest users' data contributed to this report, Ookla stated in its methodology that it receives hundreds of millions of results from across the globe every day.

The iPhone 18 is about to launch, along with the final version of its operating system, iOS 27, most likely in September. But a new report says it may arrive with a feature that lets Apple, and third-party lenders, remotely deactivate phones if customers fall behind on payments.

With the iOS 27 beta now widely available, 9to5Mac found code that would let Apple place delinquent iPhones in "Restricted Mode." This would limit users to a short list of widgets and apps, including the App Store, Clock, Settings, Wallet, and Passwords, according to the report.

In theory, 9to5Mac says the system could work like this: Authorized financing partners who lease iPhones to customers get to perform regular status checks to see if the contract is still valid. If a customer falls behind, Restricted Mode would be activated.

The feature is "unequivocally present" in the iOS 27 beta, according to 9to5Mac — and a future update to iOS 26 could bring this feature to older iPhones as well.

The era of internet-connected "smart" devices has had plenty of benefits for consumers, but as consumer advocates have long warned, it also allows brands to remotely turn off devices.

Why might Apple be testing a tool like this right now? Let's dive in.

Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

If you've bought any new tech products recently, you've probably noticed: New devices are getting really expensive. Just this month Apple raised prices on a variety of its products. iPhone prices haven't risen just yet, but Tim Cook has prepared the ground for an "unavoidable" iPhone price hike.

Thanks to the ongoing global memory chip crisis known as RAMageddon, new phones now require a serious investment. The new foldable phones released by Samsung this week were preceded by a new Galaxy credit card program.

Apple is believed to be readying a new leasing program of its own. Bloomberg's Apple oracle, Mark Gurman, says Apple will launch the "Apple Upgrade" leasing program later this month.

Gurman calls it "one of the biggest-ever changes to how the company sells" new devices — and says Apple Upgrade will be part of a partnership with the online lender Klarna, giving buyers a lease-to-buy option. iPhone customers who qualify could make monthly payments over two years.

The code discovered by 9to5Mac also reportedly includes another type of locking mechanism called "Partner Finance Lock," which would stop users from trying to resell a financed device.

Clearly, Apple and Klarna can't let customers who miss payments continue to use leased iPhones indefinitely. But it's also an uncomfortable reminder of how much control Big Tech has over our devices.

Mashable reached out to Apple for comment about Restricted Mode; we'll update this story if this famously taciturn tech giant provides new information.

Apple just launched the public iOS 27 beta 2, mostly centered around small quality-of-life updates.

The iOS 27 beta 2, which should be identical to the fourth developer beta released earlier this week, isn't as momentous as the first beta was. That one brought over the bulk of iOS 27's new features, including the Siri AI beta experience, while the second beta seems more focused on making everything the first beta introduced work a little better.

Still, there are some new things to try. If you want to check them out, read our guide for how to install public betas first. As always, make sure you create a fresh device backup ahead of time.

Keep your Apple TV library stocked with fresh downloads

If you love Apple TV shows like Widow's Bay, and you find yourself away from reliable internet access regularly (in other words, you travel a lot), there's a new option in the Apple TV app to enable automatic downloads. This will, as its name suggests, automatically download the next two episodes in any show in your "Continue Watching" queue, and then delete them when you're finished watching.

This might take up some space in your device storage, so keep that in mind, but it'll also ensure you have something to watch when the airplane WiFi isn't working.

New and enhanced Siri voices

Siri AI is the headliner for all of iOS 27, and the new public beta added a couple of things to try out with regards to voices.

Specifically, you can now mess with the Pace and Expressivity sliders for two American-accented Siri voices to give you an idea of how much customization each voice will have once Siri AI is fully baked and iOS 27 is really out. If you want to do this with other Siri voices, you'll have to wait, and the sliders are apparently shown as "coming soon" for every other option.

Speaking of other options, the new update apparently adds some new voices and kinds of English accents to try out. You won't be able to customize those yet, but they might be worth experimenting with anyway.

Increased AirPods control in Control Center

Lastly, as far as new additions go, Apple made a small but meaningful change to Control Center. If you own a pair of AirPods Pro and use the Adaptive Audio feature, you can access the slider to adjust how much outside audio the AirPods allow in within Control Center now. This isn't massive, obviously, but it will save time since you won't have to go into the AirPods settings menu anymore.

As a bonus, try Siri AI

The new iOS 27 public beta 2 doesn't introduce any major changes to Siri AI beyond what we've seen before, but as a general reminder, the enhanced version of Siri is available to try in the iOS 27 beta, as long as you have an iPhone 15 Pro or newer.

Once you have the iOS 27 beta installed, what you'll need to do is ensure Apple Intelligence is turned on in your Settings menu. After that, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings

2. Tap Siri

3. Tap "Try the new Siri (beta)"

This will put you on a waitlist to try Siri AI. No, you won't be able to try it right away, but it shouldn't take more than five to 10 days at the absolute maximum to get approved.

After months of rumors and leaks, Samsung finally told us everything we wanted to know about its new marquee foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra was officially announced during a Galaxy Unpacked showcase in London, where the company also debuted two more foldable phones and two new Galaxy smartwatches. In a twist to its usual naming convention, the Z Fold 8 Ultra is the successor to last year's excellent Z Fold 7. That means it's a new book-style foldable with some hardware and software improvements over the Z Fold 7. (The newly announced Z Fold 8 is an entirely new model with a wider body.)

Pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra + $350 gift card

$2,099.99 at Amazon

Pre-Order Here

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

$2,099.99 at Samsung

Pre-Order Here

In keeping with the Ultra name, and the general state of the tech industry, the Z Fold 8 Ultra is also the most expensive of the new foldables announced on Wednesday. It starts at a staggering $2,099.99, a $100 price increase over the Z Fold 7. Mashable got the chance to demo the new foldable smartphones ahead of their release, and we can finally share all the details and our first impressions.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: By the numbers

An Ultra display. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

This year, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra rumors and leaks were pretty spot on. As expected, the new device features a new Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset (the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy), an improved battery, upgraded cameras, and some new AI features. Remarkably, it's even thinner than last year's model.

The specifications for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra:

• Inner display: 8-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate

• Outer display: 6.5-inches AMOLED display 120Hz refresh rate

• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset

• Colors: Violet shadow, graphite, cream, green shadow

• Unfolded dimensions: 158.4 x 143.2 x 4.1 mm

• Folded dimensions: 158.4 x 72.8 x 8.9 mm

• RAM: 12GB to 16GB RAM

• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage

• Battery: 5,000mAh battery

• Charging: 45W wired, 20W wireless

• Cameras: 200MP wide, 50MP ultrawide, 10MP selfie camera

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: The key upgrades

Yep, still thin. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

The Z Fold 8 Ultra is not a huge upgrade over the Z Fold 7 in terms of hardware, but there are some enhancements worth covering.

First, Samsung managed to shave an additional millimeter off the thickness of the device, and it's a mere 4.1 mm when unfolded, though it weighs the same as last year's Z Fold 7.

The most noteworthy upgrade is probably the updated battery. Last year, the Z Fold 7 had a measly 4,400mAh cell, and the phone's mediocre battery life was really the one and only big knock we had against it. A new 5,000mAh battery is on the high side for most flagship smartphones, so hopefully the Z Fold 8 Ultra can hold a charge longer than its predecessor.

Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

Another big upgrade worth mentioning: the new 50MP ultrawide camera lens, up from just 12MP a year ago. We haven't had enough time to properly test this out yet, so we can't say if it's really a noticeable improvement or not. But it's basically the only other number on the spec sheet that's substantially bigger than it was a year ago. This brings the phone a lot closer to matching the Galaxy S26 Ultra's pro-level camera array. The Z Fold 8 Ultra can also shoot 8K video, so it's capable of supporting most creators' and professionals' workflow.

Finally, Samsung did make one big display change: the introduction of Flex Titanium, a new technology that allows for nearly invisible creases on foldable displays and a more durable hinge. Mashable got to get hands-on with the new Samsung devices, and we can confirm the crease is basically nonexistent now. That would've been unthinkable five years ago.

Our first impressions: An impressive — and expensive — new king of the hill

Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

As of July 22, this is the most advanced foldable phone in the world. Not only that, but it probably still will be when Apple eventually announces its highly anticipated iPhone Fold Ultra in September. The foldable iPhone will be smaller and have fewer cameras (we think), which means the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra will comfortably outrun it in key areas.

Samsung has also added some new AI and software features into the mix. Two that we're particularly excited about: My Fan Cam and Cine LUTs. My Fan Cam is an AI editing tool that uses Galaxy AI to automatically make vertical video edits from horizontal videos. In the example Samsung showed, it could even isolate the performance of a single dancer in a group performance. Cine LUTs give video makers four preset LUTs that give videos a more professional, cinematic appearance. We're excited to test them both out, and we'll have a full review of the new Galaxy foldables in the weeks ahead.

There's really just one problem with this phone that's immediately apparent to us: the price tag. The $2,099.99 price is going to be a tough sell for a lot of shoppers, and there's no way around it. The fact that Samsung launched a new Galaxy credit card to help people finance the phone doesn't bode well.

Where to buy the new Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

The new smartphone is available for pre-order today, starting at $2,099.99 for 12GB RAM and 256GB of storage. The phone will be available starting Aug. 7.

Of course, you can pre-order the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra from Samsung, but you can also check out the best Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra launch offers from mobile carriers like T-Mobile and Verizon, where you can save up to $1,100 if you meet certain terms and conditions. Finally, you can get a $350 e-gift card if you purchase the phone from Amazon.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

$2,099.99 at Amazon

 

Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Samsung Pre-order Here at T-Mobile

Samsung's latest foldable phones both pack the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, and both cost $100 more than last year's models. We went hands-on to see what else has changed.

With a fresh, passport-sized design, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 is optimized for both horizontal and vertical media. It’s also incredibly fun to use. 

Samsung set up a gym, a kitchen and a darkened test room to show off the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra, Z Flip 8 and Watch Ultra 2. Here's everything we got our hands on.

After months of buildup, Samsung finally unveiled its newest, most interesting foldable device — the Galaxy Z Fold 8.

At a Galaxy Unpacked event in London, the Korean tech company announced three new foldable phones: the Galaxy Z Flip 8, the Galaxy Z Fold 8, and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. However, it's the Z Fold 8 that might be the biggest draw, for two reasons. First, the Z Fold 8 is an entirely new device and form factor. Second, it looks well-placed to compete head-to-head with the still-unannounced iPhone Ultra Fold, which we think will be revealed in September. We expect Apple's first foldable to have a shorter, wider form factor, just like the Z Fold 8.

Mashable got the chance to try the new Galaxy foldables ahead of the launch event, but before we get into the details, we have one point of clarification. Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 is not really a successor to the Z Fold 7 from a year ago, as you might expect. If you want that, check out the new Z Fold 8 Ultra.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8

$1,899.99 at Samsung

 

Pre-order Here at Samsung Pre-order Here at T-Mobile Pre-order Here at AT&T Wireless

The all-new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is available for pre-order today and starts at $1,899.99. The base model has 12GB of memory and 256GB of storage. It's available in four colors — lavender, cream, graphite, and pistachio — and will be widely available starting Aug. 7.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 specs

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 has a sizable inner display. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

The new Galaxy Z Fold 8 foldable smartphone has a 4:3 aspect ratio, which is an ideal size whether in landscape or portrait orientation. The inner display has enough extra real estate for multi-tasking and entertainment. And if you're worried about a crease in the middle of the display, don't be. We got up close with the device, and the crease fully disappears when the display is activated.

These are the key specs to know:

• Inner display: 7.6-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate

• Outer display: 5.5-inches AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate

• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset

• Colors: Lavender, cream, graphite, and pistachio

• Unfolded dimensions: 123.9 x 161.4 x 4.5 mm

• Folded dimensions: 1123.9 x 81.9 x 9.7 mm

• Weight: 201 grams

• RAM: 12GB to 16GB RAM

• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage

• Battery: 4,800mAh battery

• Charging: 45W wired, 20W wireless

• Cameras: 50MP wide, 50MP ultrawide, 10MP selfie cameras

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 key features

Samsung's latest foldables are ultra-thin. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

As stated above, the main distinguishing factor of the new Z Fold 8 is its wider 4:3 proportions compared to the Z Fold 8 Ultra. If the latter is a book-style foldable, the former can almost be called a tablet-style foldable, instead. We think the wide screen will serve even better for reading books or multitasking with several apps open at once.

Also, at 201g, Samsung is really emphasizing how light the device is. The company is calling it the "world's lightest fold ever."

And while the device may be light, it's no lightweight. Samsung's newest foldable features Flex Titanium technology, which makes the Galaxy Z Fold 8 more durable. Speaking of durability, it also boasts  Samsung's advantage hinge technology, Armor Flexhinge.

The Z Fold 8 feels like a solid middle point between the premium Z Fold 8 Ultra and the comparatively affordable Z Flip 8. All three phones use the same chip, but the Z Fold 8's 4,800mAh battery is smaller than that of the Z Fold 8 Ultra. However, the Z Fold 8 does have an option for 16GB RAM and 1TB of storage, similar to the Ultra.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 debuts at the London Galaxy Unpacked event. Credit: Shannon Connellan / Mashable

Where the Ultra will feel distinctly more premium than the Z Fold 8 is in the camera array. The Ultra comes with a 200MP main shooter, while the Fold 8's is only 50MP. The former also has a telephoto lens, while the latter does not. Its relatively meager camera specs are closer to those of the Z Flip 8, meaning it's probably best for social media shots, not professional photography. However, Samsung says the Fold 8 can still shoot 8K video at 30 frames per second.

Speaking of social media, Samsung showed off a brand new feature called My Fancam. This feature can automatically track a person in a video with the help of AI and crop to the desired video dimensions of their choice to create tailor-made clips for social media.

All eyes are on Apple now. We can't wait to directly compare the Z Fold 8 to whatever Apple is cooking up. Hopefully, all will be revealed in September.

Where to buy the Galaxy Z Fold 8

You can purchase the new Galaxy Z Fold 8 at Samsung, Amazon, and other mobile retailers. If you're looking for the best pre-order launch offers, check out the new offers from mobile carriers like Verizon and T-Mobile as well.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8

$1,899.99 at Samsung

 

Pre-order Here at Samsung Pre-order Here at T-Mobile Pre-order Here at AT&T Wireless

Update, July 22, 10:50 AM EST: Now that Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2026 has wrapped, here's everything announced at the event. For all the details, check out our Galaxy Unpacked Live Blog.

Samsung is set to capture the tech world's attention next week when it hosts its next big mobile launch event.

The Korean tech giant is hosting a Galaxy Unpacked event in London on July 22, and Mashable will be there, reporting live on all of the big announcements. We're fully expecting to see at least five new devices from Samsung, including the latest batch of flagship foldable phones. As per usual with Samsung, these devices haven't been leaking so much as flooding.

So, as we prepare for the big show, here's everything we know (and everything we think we know) about the Galaxy Unpacked 2026 event.

When is the next Galaxy Unpacked?

The next Galaxy Unpacked Event takes place on Wednesday, July 22 in London. The livestream will begin promptly at 9 a.m. ET. We expect all the new devices to be available for pre-order immediately after the event.

Mashable will be attending the event and hosting a live blog, so check back next week to unpack all of the day's news with us.

Three new foldables are arriving, including the Z Flip 8, Z Fold 8, and Z Fold 8 Ultra.

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Samsung's new foldable phones typically debut during a summer Galaxy Unpacked event, and Samsung recently confirmed that it will be announcing new details about its next-gen foldables on July 22.

We don't have official confirmation on which devices will be announced, but all reports indicate that three new foldable phones will arrive at Galaxy Unpacked 2026:

• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 (previously known as the Z Fold Wide)

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

This is where things get a little confusing. You'd think the Z Fold 8 Ultra would be the new addition to the lineup, but recent reports indicate that the Z Fold 8 is actually a new device this year. Rumors for months have pointed to Samsung releasing a wider foldable this year, and it sounds like that phone will take the Z Fold 8 name, while a true successor to the Z Fold 7 will be called Z Fold 8 Ultra.

The new phones will probably arrive with price increases

Again, we don't have any official details, but it's very likely the successors to the Z Flip 7 and Z Fold 7 will indeed cost more. Most early reports and leaks indicate a price increase of $100, which is in line with the price increases we've seen from Motorola. The global memory crisis has led to price hikes for laptops, smartphones, gaming consoles, and virtually every product that requires memory, and Samsung probably won't be the exception.

Recently, South Korean outlet SEDaily reported that the starting price of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra will be $2,099, a $100 price increase over the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The same outlet reported the new Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide model will start at $1,899.99. Finally, according to leaker Lanzuk (as reported by PhoneArena), the new Galaxy Z Flip 8 will likely have a starting price of $1,199, or $100 more than its predecessor.

TL;DR: Thanks to RAMageddon, do not be surprised to see year-over-year price increases for all of the new devices.

A new Z Fold 8 to compete with the iPhone Ultra Fold

Rumors indicate that the new Z Fold 8 will potentially have a 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.8-inch inner display when unfolded. With a 4:3 aspect ratio, it will be a book-style foldable. These dimensions are very similar to the rumored design of the still-unannounced foldable iPhone, suggesting Samsung wants to introduce this third foldable as a direct competitor to Apple's upcoming device. It's the latest salvo in the ongoing Apple iPhone vs. Samsung Galaxy battle for smartphone dominance.

The Z Fold 8's rumored specs, via PhoneArena:

• Processor: Snapdragon Elite 8 Gen 5 for Galaxy

• RAM: 12GB

• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB

• Main display: 7.6 inches

• Cover Display: 5.5 inches

• Cameras: 50MP primary lens, 50MP ultra-wide lens, 10MP selfie lens

The new flagship: Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 (pictured here) was surprisingly thin and lightweight. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

As mentioned above, we think the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra will actually be a successor to last year's Z Fold 7, which we enjoyed testing. This new foldable should have a new chip and a stronger 200MP main camera on the back. Samsung is also said to have done some work to make the crease on the folding display less visible this year. Finally, a Korean news report indicated the Z Fold 8 will be slightly lighter than the Fold 7, which was already impressively thin and lightweight.

At this point, pretty much all of the specs for the upcoming devices have leaked. So, while none of these details are official, we think the Z Fold 8 Ultra will have the following specs, via PhoneArena:

• Processor: Snapdragon Elite 8 Gen 5 for Galaxy

• RAM: 12GB or 16GB

• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB

• Main display: 8 inches

• Cover display: 6.5 inches

• Cameras: 200MP wide, 50MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto

This week, Samsung revealed that its new foldables (which it didn't mention by name, unfortunately) will feature a new Flex Titanium technology. In short, a titanium-alloy film and a titanium plate will better support the phones' flexible display, creating a more durable device and a less noticeable crease. Samsung said more details will be revealed on July 22.

The new Z Flip 8 will look very familiar

Last year's Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 on display. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

If the rumored specs for the new Galaxy Z Flip 8 are correct, this year's flip phone-style foldable will look a lot like the Z Flip 7, but with a better processor and a less visible crease.

Until recently, the rumor mill indicated that the Z Flip 8 would get a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. However, leaker WinFuture (as reported by 9to5Google) claimed that instead, the flip phone will get a new Samsung Exynos 2600 processor.

And here are the rumored specs:

• Processor: Samsung Exynos 2600 or Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

• RAM: 12GB

• Main Display: 6.9 inches

• Cover Display: 4.1 inches

• Storage: 256GB or 512GB

• Cameras: 50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP selfie

New Galaxy Watches are also on the way

Samsung usually uses this summer event to showcase its latest smartwatch advancements, and 2026 looks no different. This year, we expect to see two new Samsung watches:

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 9

• Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2

It's generally accepted that both of these watches will see fairly incremental changes from before. There will surely be new health-tracking features, and some small design changes, with the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 in particular said to incorporate classic numbers on the watch face, a thinner bezel, and better side buttons. Most importantly, for some, it sounds like Samsung is skipping out on a new Galaxy Watch Classic this year. You'll get a base model and a premium model, and that's it, as far as anyone can tell.

Finally, don't forget that Samsung is all-in on artificial intelligence, so we expect major upgrades to the Samsung Health app and the watches' overall health-tracking features.

Could we see Galaxy Glasses make their big debut?

The upcoming Galaxy smart glasses as designed by Gentle Monster (left) and Warby Parker (right). Credit: Samsung

Lastly, Samsung's long-awaited smart glasses could also make their debut at Unpacked in July. Most likely called Galaxy Glasses, we expect these specs to work similarly to the ones Meta has been releasing for a few years now. We saw a preview of these specs at Google's recently developers' conference, and we know Samsung is working with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster on the designs.

These smart glasses will not include any augmented reality or heads-up display features, focusing instead on on-board cameras and a built-in AI assistant, courtesy of Google Gemini, to provide information about what you're seeing, should you ask. We expect the first generation of these glasses to arrive in 2026, and we're holding out hope that the glasses will get a shoutout or even a proper introduction at the London Galaxy Unpacked event on July 22.

It should be a pretty packed showcase, so stay tuned for all of our coverage as we get closer to Galaxy Unpacked.

Remember: Mashable will be attending the live keynote in London, and we'll have a live blog with real-time updates on all the day's news. Don't miss it!

Samsung held its highly anticipated Galaxy Unpacked event in London on Wednesday morning.

The showcase featured three new foldable phones and two new smartwatches, plus more. Spider-Man even made an appearance. Here's everything you need to know from the latest Galaxy Unpacked livestream, plus a first look at the devices.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 is the cheapest and most fashionable new foldable

Cute little guy. Credit: Rene Ramos/Mashable

The most affordable foldable Samsung's new lineup is also undeniably the cutest. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 is a fairly straightforward successor to last year's Z Flip 8; it's still a clamshell-style foldable with a small 4.1-inch outer display that mostly exists for checking notifications, and a bigger 6.9-inch inner display where you'll do most of your serious business. It starts at $1,199. The color options are pink, cream, graphite, and mint.

Most of the changes from last year are fairly modest. The new Z Flip is about 12 percent smaller than the Z Flip 7 was, and 8g lighter. All three of these new foldables feature Flex Titanium technology, which is intended to make the folding hinges both more durable and less visible to the naked eye.

Samsung kept most of the core specs, like RAM, storage, battery size, and camera megapixel counts the same this year. Perhaps the biggest improvement is the presence of a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset, the same as the other two new foldables. The Z Flip 7 ran on a comparatively weaker Exynos chip, so you can expect better performance and maybe even more efficient battery usage out of the Z Flip 8.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is not actually a follow-up to Z Fold 7

Widely anticipated. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Pre-event rumors had us a little confused about Samsung's device naming scheme this year, but all has been clarified as of Wednesday. Yes, there is a device called the Galaxy Z Fold 8. No, it is not a true successor to the Z Fold 7. Instead, it's a brand new device, and it starts at $1,899. It comes in lavender, cream, graphite, and pistachio colors.

This device sits at a midway point between the Z Flip 8 and the new Z Fold 8 Ultra (more on that in a bit) in terms of price and specs. It has a 5.5-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch inner display with a 4:3 aspect ratio, thought to be analogous to that of the upcoming iPhone Fold. At 201g, Samsung is calling it the "world's lightest Fold." With a 4,800mAh battery, it promises 26 hours of video playback on a single charge.

Camera-wise, it's closer to the Flip, with only two rear lenses rather than three. That means no telephoto lens, unfortunately. The 50MP main and 50MP ultra-wide lenses should allow for decent social media photos.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 UItra is the most premium device of the bunch

Still my favorite one. Credit: Samsung

Remember how I said the Z Fold 8 does not actually exist as a sequel to the Z Fold 7? That's because the Z Fold 8 Ultra does, instead. Yes, Samsung gave an old name to a new phone and a new name to an old phone this year. Don't worry about it. The new one starts at $2,099, and its color options are violet shadow, green shadow, cream, and graphite.

Despite the new moniker, the Z Fold 8 Ultra is arguably the most similar to its predecessor. It's still a very light, thin phone, but its dimensions are almost identical to those of the Z Fold 7. RAM and storage counts haven't changed, but one major thing has: the battery size. Samsung went all the way up from 4,400mAh to 5,000mAh, the biggest battery in any Samsung foldable to date. The company is promising 27 hours of battery life, which would be a big improvement over last year.

Lastly, it has a new 50MP ultra-wide lens, up from 12MP a year ago. That's on top of the 200MP main lens and 10MP telephoto lens it already had. This will easily be the best camera array on any of these phones.

Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch 2 Ultra have plenty of AI health tracking features

That's an expensive watch. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Moving on from phones, Samsung also spent some time talking about the latest additions to its smartwatch portfolio. Meet the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2.

The former comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes, and starts at $379. The latter, meanwhile, is 47mm and starts at a staggering $699. Both, of course, come with way too many band options and colors to write down in one place, but rest assured you can customize the look about as much as you want.

As usual, most of the upgrades this year deal with exercise and health tracking. The Ultra 2, in particular, has a lot of tracking features for outdoors activities. Trail Run will track elevation and terrain impact for hikes, Nutrition Alert will give you hydration advice in conjunction with the existing Sweat Loss feature, and an upcoming Diving app will offer detailed dive tracking because this phone is waterproof enough to actually go on dives with you.

Both phones will also benefit from a cornucopia of new AI health guidance features. A new Vitals feature will track deviations in your basic vitals, while the devices can also offer personalized insights regarding disruptions to sleep, daily cardio load, and loud noise alerts to protect your hearing.

As for hardware, the upgrades are more modest, but the Ultra 2 comes with an exceptionally bright 5,000 nits of peak brightness, making it great for outdoor use. Both Watch 9 models have larger batteries than before, and the Ultra 2 has a very big (by watch standards) 800mAh cell inside it. The Ultra 2 is definitely the one to get if you're all about endurance.

More info about upcoming Samsung smart glasses

Those look like glasses, alright. Credit: Screenshot: Samsung

Last but not least, Samsung gave us a little bit of information about its upcoming Galaxy Glasses effort, with a short on-stage presentation that confirmed some rumors from ahead of the event. The upcoming smart glasses, which were previously announced, will be designed in collaboration with brands like Warby Parker and Gentle Monster, with at least four designs to come. They'll run on the new Android XR platform and will launch this fall, but we don't know how much they'll cost yet.

The glasses don't contain displays, but have speakers, microphones, and cameras on them, similar to other competitors. You can use it to talk to Gemini hands-free while connected to an Android phone or Wear OS watch. Battery life is supposedly around nine hours, with an additional seven charges in the charging case. It seems like we'll have to wait a little bit to hear more, though.

TL;DR: Samsung is opening The Fold Inn, a limited-time Galaxy Fold-inspired pop-up pub in London, on July 24-25. The venue will feature a fold-themed bar, custom drinks inspired by Samsung's latest Galaxy Z devices, and hands-on experiences with the company's newest foldable phones.

If you're in London this month, Samsung wants to treat you to a foldable-inspired pub experience.

The tech giant has announced The Fold Inn, a limited-time pop-up pub in London inspired by its Galaxy Fold lineup. Blending classic British pub culture with Samsung's foldable design language, the immersive space offers visitors a fresh way to experience the company's latest Galaxy Z devices.

What is The Fold Inn?

The Fold Inn isn't just a themed bar — it's part product showcase, part pub experience.

Credit: Samsung

At the center of the venue is a fold-inspired bar that takes its design cues from Samsung's Galaxy Fold devices. Visitors can also order from a custom drinks menu, with each beverage created to reflect the personality and features of Samsung's newest Galaxy Z lineup.

Samsung says the pop-up is meant to showcase the next generation of its foldable phones in a setting that's both unexpected and unmistakably London.

When and where can you visit?

The Fold Inn will be open for two days only:

• Friday, July 24: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. BST

• Saturday, July 25: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. BST

You'll find the pub here:

The Fold Inn
15 Bateman Street
London, W1D 4AQ
UK

Whether you're curious about Samsung's latest foldables or simply looking for one of London's more unusual pop-ups, The Fold Inn promises a pub experience that's anything but ordinary.

The clamshell foldable phone market is a crowded space these days, thanks in part to the efforts of Motorola and Samsung.

Motorola released its Razr Ultra earlier this year, while Samsung is set to reveal the Z Flip 8 at its Galaxy Unpacked event on July 22. We'll do our best to compare and contrast.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Motorola Razr Ultra: Price

The Razr Ultra retails for $1,499. While we don't know the price for the Z Flip 8 yet, the Z Flip 7 launched at $1,099 last year. Given the price-rising RAMageddon in the tech world right now, a price increase of some kind seems likely.

The Z Flip 8 may still come in below $1,499, but you can pretty much guarantee it won't be below $1,099.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Motorola Razr Ultra: Design

The Razr Ultra and Z Flip 8 will almost certainly look pretty similar at a glance. Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

In terms of physical design, both of these phones are very similar. They're both clamshell-style foldables with a small outer display and a larger inner display that you use while unfolded.

The Razr Ultra has a 7-inch inner display and a 4-inch outer display, while leaks indicate the Flip 8's displays will be 6.9-inches and 4.1-inches, respectively, meaning the difference in display size between these two phones is nearly nonexistent.

Size is where Samsung might have an advantage. Here are the dimensions of the Razr Ultra:

• Folded: 88.12 × 73.99 × 15.69 mm

• Unfolded: 171.48 × 73.99 × 7.19 mm

• Weight: 199g

We don't have an official spec sheet for the Z Flip 8 yet, but all reports suggest it will have a similar build to the Z Flip 7, possibly with a small amount of slimming down. Here are the Z Flip 7's dimensions:

• Folded: 85.5 x 75.2 x 13.7 mm

• Unfolded: 166.7 x 75.2 x 6.5 mm

• 188g

In other words, Samsung's phone last year was already smaller and lighter, and Samsung has a habit of making its phones a little smaller every year recently.

There's a good chance the Z Flip 8 will be even smaller than the Z Flip 7, thus also beating the Razr Ultra.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Motorola Razr Ultra: Specs

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Let's start with the specs we know. The Razr Ultra's details:

• Snapdragon 8 Elite mobile platform chipset

• 16GB RAM

• 512GB storage

• 5,000mAh battery

As for the Z Flip 8, rumored specs are as follows:

• Exynos 2600 chipset OR Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

• 12GB RAM

• 256GB/512GB storage

• 4,300mAh battery

Different rumors point to different chipsets in the Z Flip 8, which might come down to which market you buy the phone in. Other than that, the Z Flip 8 looks to possibly have less RAM, smaller starting storage, and a much smaller battery.

The size of a battery cell isn't the only thing that decides how long a battery lasts, so the two could ultimately be comparable — but it's not looking good for Samsung on that front.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Motorola Razr Ultra: Cameras

Razr Ultra can snap some nice pics for your social feeds, at least. Credit: Timothy Werth/Mashable

Clamshell foldables are not the phones to buy if you want the best cameras. They just aren't meant to be used for professional-grade photography the way a regular flagship might be.

The basic camera specs for the Motorola Razr Ultra:

• 50MP wide

• 50MP ultrawide

• 50MP inner camera

And here are the (reported) specs for the Z Flip 8:

• 50MP wide

• 12MP ultrawide

• 10MP inner camera

Judging purely by the numbers, Motorola wins — but it's not that simple. Megapixel counts alone don't tell you how good a camera is, and until we test the Z Flip 8, we can't say for sure whether or not it takes better photos than the Razr Ultra.

While neither of these phones are going to shine on raw camera specs, they are both clamshell foldables — which means you can pull unusual and useful camera stunts such as taking a selfie with the outer camera and see a preview of the results on the exterior display before snapping the photo.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Motorola Razr Ultra: Software features

These phones should provide a somewhat similar experience in terms of software features, given that they are both clamshell foldables that run Android. Both can access some features of apps or look at notifications on the exterior display without opening the phone. Both split the inner display in two so you can look at multiple apps at the same time.

The Razr Ultra has access to a ton of AI features. Gemini, Perplexity, Copilot, and more are supported alongside the built-in Moto AI features. If you want a phone that does a little bit of everything AI, you could do a lot worse than the Razr Ultra.

We also expect the Z Flip 8 to come packed with AI features, similar to the Z Flip 7. Samsung's Galaxy AI suite can help edit photos and videos, use on-screen context to suggest actions to the user, screen phone calls, summarize recordings, and lots more.

New Galaxy AI features are set to be announced at Unpacked later this month.

The new Samsung Galaxy foldables are about to debut July 22 at Galaxy Unpacked. We're excited to stress-test them properly later, but here are my thoughts after playing around with the new Galaxy foldable smartphones ahead of time.

We've already covered the launch of the three new foldables — the Galaxy Z Flip 8, the Galaxy Z Fold 8, and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra — but let's talk about what it's like holding these new phones in your hand.

Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

My first impressions have been very positive, albeit in the absence of testing processor benchmarks, battery rundowns, or photography. But I did have a lot of fun playing around with these foldables, and that's more than I can say about a lot of regular smartphones.

Meet the new Samsung Galaxy foldables

Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable

Here's how to distinguish between the three members of the Galaxy Z 8 lineup.

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is the trendy, flip phone-style device that fits in your pocket, with a $1,199.99 starting price.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is a new, wider 4:3 form factor introduced this year. It has a similar size and design to the highly anticipated iPhone Fold Ultra, Apple's rumored foldable we hope to see unveiled in September.

Finally, the Z Fold 8 Ultra is the true flagship of the bunch, with a camera array that comes closer to matching the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra released in the spring.

The Z Fold 8 is a more mid-range option, with a starting price of $1,899.99, while the Z Fold 8 Ultra has an intimidating $2,199.99 starting price.

When unfolded and powered on, you won't see the crease in the folding display. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable

Bottom line: These phones feel great in your hand. Samsung says the Galaxy Z Flip 8 is the lightest and thinnest flip foldable ever, and I can believe it. Unfolded, all three phones feel razor-thin but not flimsy.

And no, you don't need to be worried about a visible crease in the display. Starting in 2025, the crease has disappeared into the display, and you won't notice it this year either.

Crucially, and this is especially true with the colorful Z Flip 8, these phones feel cool in a way that other smartphones don't. Samsung has been introducing interesting innovations in the mobile space lately (see also: Privacy Display and the Galaxy Z Trifold), and the Flip family is no exception.

They have a slick design with great color options, and if you use these phones out in the real world, people will stop you and ask about them.

Also, there's just something infinitely satisfying about snapping a foldable closed.

Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

Let's talk about the elephant in the room: These phones are pricey.

Thank RAMageddon for higher prices

The ongoing global memory crisis (which, experts say, will get worse before it gets better) has wreaked havoc on the consumer tech world. Everything is getting more expensive. Not only did Samsung eliminate long-standing pre-order deals, but the Z Flip 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra are $100 more expensive than last year's models.

There's no way around it: That sucks. And it makes it harder to justify taking the plunge and buying your first foldable, or switching from an iPhone, even as Samsung makes it easier for iOS users to migrate.

My advice? Take advantage of trade-in offers and pre-order deals from mobile carriers like T-Mobile and Verizon, which have decent deals on the new foldables.

Still, we know from Counterpoint Research data that shoppers in the U.S. and China are buying fewer smartphones this year, and it's hard to blame them.

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra have some key upgrades

Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

Last year, we praised Samsung's foldables for their ultra-thin design and their lightweight feel, and they're noticeably thinner and lighter this year. But there are some important upgrades under the hood as well.

Contrary to rumors that the Z Flip 8 would have an Exynos processor, all three phones are equipped with the same chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy. The Z Fold 8 Ultra also has a true 5,000 mAh battery, and even the smaller Z Fold 8 has a 4,800 mAh power cell. The Folds also offer faster 45W wired charging and 20W wireless charging.

In addition, the Z Fold 8 has a 200MP main camera, necessary for people like me who need to take videos and photos for work. The Ultra's camera array isn't quite up to par with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or iPhone 17 Pro Max, but it's getting close.

Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

Ultimately, I'm excited to put these new phones through their paces — and just wish everything wasn't so expensive in 2026.

After months of rumors and leaks, Samsung finally told us everything we wanted to know about its new marquee foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra was officially announced during a Galaxy Unpacked showcase in London, where the company also debuted two more foldable phones and two new Galaxy smartwatches. In a twist to its usual naming convention, the Z Fold 8 Ultra is the successor to last year's excellent Z Fold 7. That means it's a new book-style foldable with some hardware and software improvements over the Z Fold 7. (The newly announced Z Fold 8 is an entirely new model with a wider body.)

In keeping with the Ultra name, and the general state of the tech industry, the Z Fold 8 Ultra is also the most expensive of the new foldables announced on Wednesday. It starts at a staggering $2,099.99, a $100 price increase over the Z Fold 7. Mashable got the chance to demo the new foldable smartphones ahead of their release, and we can finally share all the details and our first impressions.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: By the numbers

An Ultra display. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

This year, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 rumors and leaks were pretty spot on. As expected, the new device features a new Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset (the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy), an improved battery, and some new AI features. Remarkable, it's even thinner than last year's model.

The specifications for the Galaxy Z Fold 8:

• Inner display: 8-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate

• Outer display: 6.5-inches AMOLED display 120Hz refresh rate

• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset

• Unfolded dimensions: 158.4 x 143.2 x 4.1 mm

• Folded dimensions: 158.4 x 72.8 x 8.9 mm

• RAM: 12GB to 16GB RAM

• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage

• Battery: 5,000mAh battery

• Charging: 45W wired, 20W wireless

• Cameras: 200MP wide, 50MP ultrawide, 10MP selfie camera

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra key upgrades

Yep, still thin. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

The Z Fold 8 Ultra is not a huge upgrade over the Z Fold 7 in terms of hardware, but there are some enhancements worth covering. First, Samsung managed to shave an additional millimeter off the thickness of the device, and it's a mere 4.1mm when unfolded, though it weighs the same as last year's Z Fold 7.

Probably the most noteworthy upgrade here is the updated battery. Last year, the Z Fold 7 had a measly 4,400mAh cell, and the phone's mediocre battery life was really the one and only big knock we had against it. A new 5,000mAh battery is instantly on the higher side of any available smartphone right now, so hopefully the Z Fold 8 Ultra can hold a charge for longer than its predecessor.

Another big upgrade worth mentioning: the new 50MP ultrawide camera lens, up from just 12MP a year ago. We haven't had enough time to properly test this out yet, so we can't say if it's really a noticeable improvement or not. But it's basically the only other number on the spec sheet that's substantially bigger than it was a year ago. This brings the phone a lot closer to matching the Galaxy S26 Ultra's pro-level camera array. The Z Fold 8 Ultra can also shoot 8K video, so it's capable of supporting most creators' and professionals' workflow.

Finally, Samsung did make one big display change: the introduction of Flex Titanium, a new technology that allows for nearly invisible creases on foldable displays and a more durable hinge. Mashable got to get hands-on with the new Samsung devices, and we can confirm the crease is basically nonexistent now. That would've been unthinkable five years ago.

Our first impressions: An impressive — and expensive — new king of the hill

Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

As of July 22, this is the most advanced foldable phone in the world. Not only that, but it probably still will be when Apple eventually announces its highly anticipated iPhone Fold Ultra in September. The foldable iPhone will be smaller and have fewer cameras (we think), which means the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra will comfortably outrun it in key areas.

Samsung has also added some new AI and software features into the mix. Two that we're particularly excited about: My Fan Cam and Cine LUTs. My Fan Cam is an AI editing tool that uses Galaxy AI to automatically make vertical video edits from horizontal videos. In the example Samsung showed, it could even isolate the performance of a single dancer in a group performance. Cine LUTs give video makers four preset LUTs that give videos a more professional, cinematic appearance. We're excited to test them both out, and we'll have a full review of the new Galaxy foldables in the weeks ahead.

There's really just one problem with this phone that's immediately apparent to us: the price tag. The $2,099.99 price is going to be a tough sell for a lot of shoppers, and there's no way around it. The fact that Samsung launched a new Galaxy credit card to help people finance the phone doesn't bode well.

Where to buy the new Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

The new smartphone is available for pre-order today, starting at $2,099.99 for 12GB RAM and 256GB of storage. The phone will be available starting Aug. 7.

You can purchase the phone from Samsung or Amazon, but you can also check out the best Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra launch offers from mobile carriers like T-Mobile and Verizon, where you can save up to $1,100 if you meet certain terms and conditions.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

$2,099.99 at Amazon

 

Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Samsung Pre-order Here at T-Mobile

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Credit: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

$2,099.99 at T-Mobile

Save up to $1,100 with eligible trade-in on Experience More or Experience Beyond plans at T-Mobile.

Get Deal

All eyes were on Samsung's two bigger foldable devices at Unpacked on Wednesday, but the newest in the Galaxy Z Flip line got its moment in the spotlight, too.

Samsung confirmed the long-known existence of the Galaxy Z Flip 8 at an Unpacked event in London, following up on last year's well-liked Z Flip 7 with a device that offers a smaller form factor, but at a higher price. The new Z Flip 8 is just 6.1 mm when unfolded, making it 13 percent thinner than the Z Flip 7. That's all well and good, but unfortunately, like almost everything else in the tech world, it's more expensive than last year's model, too.

The new Galaxy Z Flip 8 is available for preorder today starting at $1,199.99. That's a $100 price bump year-over-year. The new foldable phone will be available on Aug. 7, but we got the chance to try the device ahead of its launch, and we've got all the details you need to know.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8

$1,199.99 at Amazon

 

Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Samsung Pre-order Here at T-Mobile

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 specs

Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable

The Z Flip 8 is noticeably lighter and slimmer in your hand this year, and Samsung says it's the lightest and thinnest flip-style foldable phone ever. Having seen the device up close, we believe it. This year's device weighs a mere 180 grams, or 8 grams lighter than the Z Flip 7.

Here are the basic specs of the new Galaxy Z Flip 8 from Samsung:

• Inner display: 6.9-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate

• Outer display: 4.1-inch HD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate

• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset

• Colors: Pink, cream, graphite, mint

• Unfolded dimensions: 166.9 x 75.4 x 6.1 mm

• Folded dimensions: 85.7 x 75.4 x 13.1 mm

• Weight: 180 grams

• RAM: 12GB

• Storage: 256GB, 512GB

• Battery: 4,300mAh battery

• Cameras: 50MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP selfie camera

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 upgrades: Some things change, some things stay the same

Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

The story of the Z Flip 8 is that while there are some important improvements over the Z Flip 7, the overall hardware of the new device is very similar to that of the old one.

The display sizes, RAM, storage options, and even the battery are all the same, year-over-year. Samsung also didn't do anything to upgrade the cameras, at least not at a megapixel level. As the cheapest of the three foldables, perhaps it's to be expected that Samsung wouldn't go out of its way to provide premium specs in the Z Flip 8, but that also means the phone doesn't seem like a massive improvement over last year's model. It will also be competing with the excellent Motorola Razr Ultra, which does have premium specs.

That's not to say Samsung did nothing, though. It's about 12 percent smaller than the Z Flip 7 and a little lighter, making it even more comfortable in the hands. Perhaps the biggest improvement over the Z Flip 7 is the presence of a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, the same one that powers Samsung's other new foldables. That should offer a performance boost (and maybe a boost to battery life, too) over the Exynos chip that powered the Z Flip 7.

Finally, the new Flex Titanium hardware should provide more durability, as well as a truly invisible crease in the middle of the flexible display.

Our first impressions: A lighter, thinner flip phone

Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

Correction, this isn't just a lighter, thinner flip phone. According to Samsung, it's the lightest and thinnest foldable flip ever. And based on our hands-on demo, we believe it.

The new Galaxy Z Flip 8 feels great in your hand, and it disappears into your pocket like an iPhone never could. Samsung also told us the cover screen user experience has been redesigned from the ground up. In the past, the cover display UX felt like a bit of an afterthought, with limited functionality, but Samsung says that won't be the case this year. In our limited time with the phone, that seems true.

Still, the Galaxy Z Flip 8 is competing against the Motorola Razr Ultra, which has received rave reviews so far this year, including from our own tech editor. Without powerful cameras, it's at a bit of a disadvantage if you're a creator who needs to take photos and videos for work.

That being said, this phone is definitely cool in a way that very few phones are these days. It has a cute design and color options, making it hipper than your average iPhone.

Where to buy the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8

The new smartphone is available for pre-order today, starting at $1,199.99 for 12GB RAM and 256GB of storage. The phone will be available starting Aug. 7.

You can purchase the phone from Samsung or Amazon, but you can also check out the best Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra launch offers from mobile carriers like T-Mobile and Verizon. T-Mobile is even offering the device for $900 off for customers who meet certain conditions.

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Credit: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8

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Apple is likely to join the foldable market this year — but Samsung is gearing up to have a competitor in place before the iPhone Ultra even launches.

Samsung is set to show off its latest wares at a Galaxy Unpacked event in London on July 22, and it's widely expected that the company will announce a third foldable to add onto the Fold and Flip form factors it has already been selling for years now.

This new foldable will reportedly be a shorter, wider device, similar in shape to the still-unannounced iPhone Ultra.

Here's everything you need to know about the wide Samsung foldable before its likely launch later this month.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide: When is it coming?

As previously mentioned, Samsung's next Galaxy Unpacked event is on July 22. The phone will likely not hit shelves that day, but it should be available within a few weeks, if precedent holds.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide: What is it called?

This is where things get confusing. While we expect that the new wide foldable will be called Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, it is not a true successor to the Z Fold 7 (launched in 2025), at least not in terms of design.

There will be a successor to the Z Fold 7 launched alongside the new wide foldable, but it's reportedly called the Z Fold 8 Ultra. Hopefully Samsung will clear up the confusion on why that should be.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide: Design and specs

Samsung hasn't officially announced the Z Fold 8, but we have a decent idea of what to expect based on various leaks over the past several months.

For example, prominent leaker Sonny Dickson posted images on X back in April purporting to show dummy cases for the new batch of foldables.

Two of them look familiar to fans of Samsung phones, but one of them is clearly more squat and more wide than anything the company has made yet. We are pretty sure that's the Z Fold 8.

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There are now official details yet, but leaker Tarun Vats recently posted specs on X. They include:

• 5.5-inch cover display with 120Hz refresh rate

• 7.6-inch inner display with 120Hz refresh rate

• Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset

• 12GB RAM

• 256GB/512GB/1TB storage

• 4,800mAh battery

Based on the dummy units seen above, those display dimensions sound about right. The idea, evidently, is to have a roughly 4:3 aspect ratio in the inner display, which is what Apple is reportedly going to do with its foldable.

This was recently corroborated even more by Android Authority, which found alleged images of the phone in One UI 9 files.

Yeah, that's not a regular Samsung foldable. Credit: Android Authority

As for the other specs offered by Tarun Vats, there are no real surprises here. The RAM and storage counts are pretty normal for what will likely be an expensive phone, while the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset has been used in other recent Samsung devices.

All that should keep the phone performing smoothly. A 4,800mAh battery is also roughly what we would expect from a device like this. Hopefully, it'll be able to keep a charge for at least 24 hours.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide: Cameras

This is one area where it seems like Samsung is making compromises. In the render above from Android Authority, there are only two rear cameras on the Z Fold 8. That's not ideal: the Z Fold 7 had three, and we expect the same of the Z Fold 8 Ultra.

Tarun Vats' specs list suggests they won't be the most powerful lenses in the world, either. A 50MP wide and 50MP ultrawide lens, with two 10MP selfie cameras, may sound impressive — but it's a far cry from the 200MP main lens we got on the Z Fold 7.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide: Price

It's impossible to say what this phone will cost prior to its announcement. RAMageddon is very real, and foldables were already in the neighborhood of $2,000 before memory became impossible to come by.

Do not be shocked if this phone, even with its weaker cameras, is out of your price range.

Samsung's next clamshell foldable is close enough to touch.

Samsung has released a new Galaxy Z Flip phone every year since debuting the line in 2020, and the pattern looks set to continue. The company has scheduled an Unpacked event for July 22, 2026, where the Galaxy Z Flip 8 is expected to launch alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Galaxy Watch 9, and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2.

With the announcement just weeks away, leaks covering the phone's design, colors, and internals have been piling up. Here's a roundup of the most notable ones.

Z Flip 8 Release Date

Samsung has already confirmed the timing: its Unpacked event lands on July 22, 2026. That's where the Z Flip 8 is expected to debut alongside the rest of the summer foldable lineup.

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Z Flip 8 Design

Multiple leaks, including CAD-style renders and official-looking product images obtained by Android Headlines and republished by PhoneArena and Engadget, point to a Z Flip 8 that looks very close to its predecessor. The main internal display, the hole-punch selfie camera, the side-mounted power and volume buttons, and the horizontally arranged rear cameras wrapped by the external cover screen all appear to carry over largely unchanged.

Engadget noted that the biggest recent design leap for the line came last year, when the cover screen grew to wrap edge-to-edge around the main cameras. Sourcing rumors about a redesigned hinge and a lighter chassis, Engadget cautioned that a major hardware overhaul is unlikely this generation, tying that partly to industry-wide memory chip shortages.

PhoneArena's Mariyan Slavov, reviewing the leaked renders, described the design similarities to the Z Flip 7 as unsurprising given earlier CAD leaks, and characterized recent updates to the line as incremental — new chipsets, new AI features, and new colors rather than structural changes.

Z Flip 8 Colors

Leaked renders obtained by Android Headlines show the Galaxy Z Flip 8 in three main colorways. The leak identified them as Cream, Graphite, and Pink, noting that the pink shade is lighter and more pastel than last year's Coral Red option. Engadget's description of the same leaked images referred to the trio as white, gray, and pink.

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PhoneArena also reported that a fourth color, Mint, is expected to return as a Samsung.com-exclusive shade, following the same pattern as the previous generation.

Z Flip 8 Specs

Leaks about the Z Flip 8's internals have been fairly consistent across outlets. Citing rumors, PhoneArena, SamMobile, and Engadget all point to two chipset variants: Samsung's own Exynos 2600 for global markets and Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for the U.S. version — mirroring last year's regional split.

PhoneArena laid out a fuller rumored spec sheet:

• Chipset: Exynos 2600 (2nm) or Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

• RAM: 12GB

• Display: 6.9-inch foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X main panel at 120Hz; 4.1-inch external cover screen, also 120Hz

• Battery: 4,300mAh with 25W wired charging and wireless support

• Storage: 256GB or 512GB

• Cameras: 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP selfie

PhoneArena noted the rear camera setup is expected to be carried over from the previous generation rather than upgraded.

Is this the last Galaxy Z Flip?

Perhaps the most striking rumor doesn't concern hardware at all. SamMobile reported that a second leak, from X account @fireuniverse8, claims the Galaxy Z Flip 8 could be the final phone in the Z Flip line, with Samsung allegedly planning to discontinue the clamshell series to focus on the Galaxy Z Fold family instead.

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SamMobile noted this echoes an earlier, similarly unconfirmed report, and that if accurate, the Z Flip would become the second major Samsung smartphone lineup to be discontinued, after the Galaxy Note series.

It's worth stressing that this claim comes from an unverified social media source, and Samsung has not commented on its product roadmap beyond the July 22 event. PhoneArena's coverage, by contrast, treated the Z Flip 8 as a continuation of an ongoing yearly cadence rather than a farewell entry, while pointing out that market data shows consumers currently favor book-style foldables like the Z Fold over flip phones — a dynamic Engadget's reporting also touched on indirectly when discussing Samsung's marketing push around the Z Fold 8.

Updated on Thursday, July 23 — Samsung has officially announced its new series of Galaxy foldable smartphones. Check out our full coverage of the new Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the Z Fold 8 Ultra.

Last year, I said the ultra-thin Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 was the best foldable we've ever tested. That means the rumored successor device has big shoes to fill.

After months of speculation, Samsung finally confirmed that it will hold a Galaxy Unpacked event in London on July 22, where it will presumably announce its newest batch of foldable devices, among other things. While this means we haven't yet seen the follow-up to the Z Fold 7 in an official capacity, there's been enough reporting online to build a decent profile of the phone before its unveiling.

Here's everything we know about the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra so far.

Latest Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra rumors: Price and release date

As mentioned previously, everyone expects Samsung to show off the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra in London on July 22. That means the phone will most likely launch shortly after that, as per usual. As for its price, last year Samsung charged $1,999 for the Z Fold 7, which was itself a $100 price increase over the previous model.

There haven't been any concrete reports about the price of the new Z Fold just yet, but based on the way things are going in the tech world, thanks to RAMageddon, it might be reasonable to expect an even higher price this year. If we're lucky, it might "only" be another $100 price hike. It's just hard to see it staying the same considering the market conditions right now.

Galaxy Z Fold 8, Fold Wide, or Fold Ultra: Will the name change?

This is where things start getting a little confusing regarding the Z Fold series.

Multiple reports have suggested that the device will be called the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, with the regular Z Fold 8 name going instead to a rumored third foldable that Samsung is allegedly going to announce at the show. More on that in a bit. Given that there have now been multiple official certifications referring to the device as "Z Fold 8 Ultra," we're going to stick with that name for the duration of this article, even though Samsung hasn't confirmed it yet.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Design

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There have been a bevy of leaks all but confirming the existence of the new "Wide Fold" phone, alongside the Z Fold 8 Ultra and the Z Flip 8. Prominent leaker Sonny Dickson, for example, posted photos of some dummy units that very clearly show a new device that looks a lot like the Z Fold 7 next to one that looks like the Z Flip 7, and one that doesn't look like any Samsung foldable we've seen before.

Last year, the Z Fold 7 had a 6.5-inch outer display and an 8-inch unfolded inner display, and all signs point to Samsung maintaining a size profile similar to that for the Z Fold 8. What differentiates it from the "Wide Fold" phone is that the latter would have a smaller 5.4-inch outer display alongside a 7.6-inch inner display with a 4:3 aspect ratio.

You might wonder why Samsung is doing that. Well, that would be because Apple is reportedly working on an iPhone Fold to launch late this year with a wider design than book-style foldables like the Z Fold 7 and Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Thus, Samsung's "Wide Fold" device is clearly gearing up to compete with Apple's handset. There have been leaked images of an iPhone Fold dummy case, and it does look a lot like the wide phone in the earlier Samsung dummy image.

So, expect a head-to-head battle between the Z Fold 8 Wide and the iPhone Fold Ultra later this year.

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The Z Fold 7 was impressive last year because of its incredibly svelte size for a foldable; it measured in at just 8.9mm when folded and merely 4.2mm when unfolded, with a light weight of 215g. We don't yet know how much smaller the Z Fold 8 Ultra will be, if at all, but one Korean news report suggested it could be even lighter, coming in at 200g. That would be very exciting, as the thinness of last year's model was a huge reason it stood (and continues to stand) above most of the competition.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Specs

We don't yet know a lot about what will be inside the Z Fold 8 Ultra, unfortunately. But there is a little bit of info we can chew on for now.

Namely, the same Korean news report with the weight information also suggested Samsung could upgrade the battery cell from 4,400mAh to 5,000mAh. The battery life in the Z Fold 7 was really the only disappointing aspect of the device, so this would be a hugely welcome change. It could work in tandem with a new chipset, most likely a Snapdragon chip like the powerful ones seen in the Galaxy S26 line earlier this year.

That increased battery size might also come with up to 45W charging speeds, which would be lovely. Other than that, we don't know what to expect from the Z Fold 8 Ultra in terms of everyday performance. That said, the Z Fold 7 was quite a nice phone to use, so Samsung doesn't need to fix what isn't broken in that regard.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Cameras

The camera array on the Z Fold 7. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Lastly, an intriguing update from Dutch outlet Galaxy Club suggested that Samsung could somewhat dramatically improve the rear camera array on the Z Fold 8 Ultra. For reference, the Z Fold 7 had a 200MP main shooter to go with a 12MP ultrawide lens and a 10MP telephoto lens.

If this report is to be believed, Samsung is keeping the 200MP lens, but upping the ultrawide lens from 12MP to 50MP, and the telephoto from 10MP to 12MP. It's hard to say without doing any testing how much of an effect that will have, but these new lenses should produce sharper images, at least in theory. You can probably also expect at least a few new AI image editing tricks this year, to go along with better hardware.

The reveal of the Z Fold 8 Ultra is still a couple of weeks away, but at least now we have a basic idea of what to expect from the phone, even if its name is confusing.

Apple's flagship smartphone hasn't taken a year off from its updates since 2007, and barring a massive surprise, 2026 won't be different – but there will be a twist.

The Cupertino-based tech giant is widely expected to launch a new lineup of iPhones later this year, including the iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max and the rumored iPhone Ultra, the company's first-ever foldable. The regular iPhone 18, the 18e, and the new iPhone Air are likely to arrive early next year.

Our big Guessing Game is back! Enter now for a chance to win an Apple Watch.

As we await the iPhone 18 — and its updated operating system, iOS 27 — tidbits of news and rumors continue to trickle out. The pace of leaks on the iPhone 18 Pro in particular is likely to increase after a massive hack exposed thousands of Apple's internal documents, reportedly including iPhone 18 Pro suppliers and tests.

We won't see any of the new Apple phones in the wild for months — but we can bring you the most substantiated and most likely updates in one place.

iPhone 18 lineup pricing

If you're in the market for a new iPhone, you should circle September in your calendar. That has been the month for Apple's big showcase event for a very long time, and there's no reason to believe Apple will change that in 2026.

Expect to see new Apple CEO John Ternus take the stage to introduce it; his term of office officially begins Sept. 1.

What he'll be introducing, alas, may put more of a dent in your wallet. Thanks to the ongoing RAM shortage caused by the AI industry (also known as RAMageddon), tons of smartphones, laptops, and gaming consoles are seeing huge price hikes. Experts who've spoken to Mashable say that trend isn't going to stop anytime soon.

As the world's number one smartphone maker, Apple has some advantages over its rivals, but a price increase is definitely coming. We had hoped otherwise — Apple raised prices on its new MacBooks earlier this year, while also introducing a low-cost $599 laptop that put big pressure on its Windows rivals.

But then outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook took the unusual step of preparing us for a pricier iPhone. "Price increases are unavoidable," Cook told the Wall Street Journal in an interview. The Journal quoted an analysis showing that the memory chip components in the iPhone 18 Pro will cost Apple $150 more than those in the iPhone 17 Pro.

So should you expect the phones to cost just $150 more than their predecessors (see the iPhone 17 prices here)? You wish. There's the pesky fact that Apple is a for-profit company, and the iPhone is the #1 smartphone in the world for a reason, even though it's already pricier than Samsung's.

How much of an increase will Apple fans bear? We may be about to find out, but the Journal estimated $1,299 for the iPhone 18 Pro ($200 more than last year).

iPhone 18, 18 Pro, and 18 Ultra launch dates

Barring a huge turn under Ternus, Apple will release the iPhone 18 Pro, the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the foldable iPhone Ultra in early September. Obviously Apple's first foldable iPhone is the biggest headline here, but the Pro models will bring numerous improvements too.

The iPhone 18, however, alongside the cheaper iPhone 18e, and the next-gen iPhone Air, are rumored to come next year, likely in March 2027.

iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Pro design

Again, Apple has not released any official teasers or other imagery for the iPhone 18 lineup yet, so anything reported to date could be wrong. Still, from the sum total of all reports, it sounds like Apple isn't really reinventing the wheel, design-wise. But Ternus, a hardware guy, is reportedly bringing the company's industrial design group into the center of the Apple fold.

Looking further into the future, the iPhone 20 is said to bring big changes, including a curved waterfall display.

Per our friends at CNET (Mashable and CNET are both owned by Ziff Davis), the display sizes will be roughly the same as last year:

• iPhone 18: 6.3 inches

• iPhone 18 Pro: 6.3 inches

• iPhone 18 Pro Max: 6.9 inches

However, the display quality might be a little different this year. Prominent leaker Instant Digital shared on Chinese social media that Apple's brightness demands are unusually high this year, so it would be reasonable to expect much brighter displays than in previous years.

Some iPhone 18 models could also have a smaller camera bump compared to previous models. There are reports of a slightly redesigned Dynamic Island on the screen itself, with the pill-shaped notification hub potentially being made smaller in the iPhone 18 Pro models. One alleged leaked image purports to show an iPhone 18 Pro with a downsized Dynamic Island cutout.

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Wondering about the iPhone 18 color options? For the iPhone 18 Pro, at least, it seems the color options have already leaked. Previous rumors indicated Apple was experimenting with a "deep red" color for the iPhone 18 Pro, and a new report from MacWorld backs that up. According to their reporting, the color lineup for the iPhone 18 Pro will be silver, gray, light blue, and a color called "dark cherry" — likely the deep red previously reported.

Sadly, we think fans of black iPhones are out of luck again.

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iPhone 18: rumored hardware features

So we know the software the iPhone 18 will run: iOS 27, introduced at WWDC 2026. Time to start talking about some of the internal hardware changes Apple is reportedly making to the iPhone 18 lineup.

For starters, it sounds like the lineup will have a standardized 12GB RAM count across the board. In previous years, the Pro models had 12GB of RAM, while the base model had only 8GB. According to Korean outlet The Bell, Apple will be upgrading the base model so that it matches the Pro models in that regard. It's also widely expected that Apple will adopt new A20 and A20 Pro chips for the base and Pro models, respectively.

It's also expected that the new iPhones will have a new C2 modem for improved cellular connectivity, and they may also have 5G satellite support. Also reported: a new N2 chip for better WiFi performance.

The most colorful iPhone 18 Pro rumors

Courtesy of leakers, we may already know the iPhone 18 Pro colors. If that's the case, the must-see equivalent of the iPhone 17's unforgettable "cosmic orange" shade is said to be a wine-like "dark cherry."

Light blue, silver and black options will also be available, reportedly — but it's the dark cherry we'd expect to sell like hot ... cherry pies?

Also for the iPhone 18 Pro, the current expectation is that Apple will improve the battery size in the premium iPhone 18 models this year.

Leaker Digital Chat Station on Weibo reported that the batteries could exceed 5,000mAh, which would be an improvement over the iPhone 17 Pro.

Instant Digital posted in a separate Weibo leak that the back glass of the iPhone 18 Pro has been altered, resulting in a new unified look, as opposed to the two-tone look of the iPhone 17 Pro. Whether that change will affect durability (or if it's just an aesthetic difference) remains to be seen.

Other differences include Apple's new A20 Pro chip inside, improved LTPO+ display, Apple's new C2 modem, 5G via satellite connectivity, and the improved N2 chip which should improve hotspot and AirDrop reliability.

What about the iPhone 18 Pro Max?

Several reports out of China say the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a much larger battery — and be a bit of a chunky boy as a result.

We're not talking about a huge increase in weight and width: a quarter of a millimeter thickness and 7 grams more respectively. Still, every gram counts on the heftiest iPhone model you can get — so iPhone 17 Pro Max upgraders may want to check that their pocket linings can bear the larger bulk of the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

The iPhone 17 Pro has helped Apple break sales records in 2026. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

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iPhone 18 camera rumors

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, a source of many spot-on iPhone reports, says the iPhone 18 Pro, in particular, will have "some of the biggest camera hardware upgrades in the lineup's history."

Why? First, the telephoto camera has a larger aperture. But more important is the variable aperture.

First reported by Digital Chat Station on Weibo, variable aperture is a huge deal. It would let the iPhone 18 Pro camera capture different amounts of light for different situations — potentially leading to a huge leap in photo quality, if you know what you're doing.

For instance, the bokeh effect famously associated with portrait mode on iPhones would be possible in-camera rather than through software processing, resulting in more natural and generally better-looking shots.

What about AI Siri?

Of course, one of the first things many users will want to know about the iPhone 18 when they get their hands on one: what is the new, revamped, AI-upgraded Siri experience like?

If you're feeling adventurous, you can try it yourself by installing the iOS 27 beta.

The new features include Siri becoming an actual chatbot with its own app. It's also able to understand what's on your screen, and it can help you write, create images, and edit photos.

For an overview of some of the best features Siri AI has to offer, go here. And for the best new features in Apple's iOS 27 public beta, check our roundup here.

Remember Light, the New York-based company that builds super-simple, distraction-free, cheap smartphones?

It's back with a new device; its first-ever flip phone called the Light Flip.

Once again, this is a cheap phone designed to free you from endless scrolling and social media addiction, while still offering the basic tools you need for everyday life. To do this, the company has built an Android-based, minimalistic operating system called LightOS that's mostly textual and displays everything in just two colors. You do get access to music, messages, alarms, and other basic apps, but you don't get to scroll the flashy new TIkTok video; that's what your other phone is for.

The Light Flip is available in six colors: Black, Navy, Red, Pink, Yellow, and Light Gray. Credit: Light Phone

The Light Flip doesn't stray far from the formula, but approaches it with the body of a flip phone. In many ways, it's far more simple than the company's previous phone, the Light Phone III, which has an OLED touchscreen. The Light Flip is basically your flip phone of old, with a plastic body, a numeric, T9 keypad, some function buttons, and a 2.8-inch, non-touch display.

Numeric keypad? That's right, but at least it supports T9 predictive input. Credit: Light Phone

Inside, it's powered by a MediaTek MT8873 chip, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and has a 50-megapixel camera and a (replaceable) 1,800mAh battery. Other amenities include a headphone jack (nice!), a USB-C port, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 5G connectivity.

The camera on the back has a 50-megapixel sensor but takes 12-megapixel images. Credit: Light Phone

The numeric keypad might be a tough sell to folks that are used to touchscreens or at least QWERTY keyboards. Fortunately, the Light Flip does support voice-to-text and audio messaging, too.

The phone is available in six colors: Black, Navy, Red, Pink, Yellow, and Light Gray.

The Light Flip retails for $299 or $39 per month with the Light Service plan. It starts shipping in April 2027.

Thanks to BTS member J-Hope, we now have our first look at Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide in the wild, ahead of the July 22 Galaxy Unpacked event.

According to a report from 9to5Google's Ben Schoon, the singer was filmed using the device during soundcheck footage at a BTS World Tour stop in Paris, with the compiled clips circulating on X. The footage shows J-Hope holding and filming with the device from both front and back angles. The device in the video matches leaked renders of the new wide version of the Galaxy Z Fold 8, which is expected to go head-to-head with the iPhone Ultra Fold later this year.

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The clips show a purple finish, though the phone isn't shown unfolded, leaving its inner display still unseen. Samsung maintains a marketing partnership with BTS, and 9to5Google suggested the phone was likely supplied to J-Hope through that relationship rather than as an intentional early reveal.

The device is widely expected to carry the Galaxy Z Fold 8 name, though as we've noted, the branding may cause confusion. This version reportedly isn't a direct successor to last year's Z Fold 7, with that role instead going to a separate Z Fold 8 Ultra.

In our guide to Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide leaks, the reported specs point to a 5.5-inch external display, 7.6-inch internal display, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, 12GB RAM, and a 4,800mAh battery, alongside a camera setup: 50MP wide, 50MP ultrawide, dual 10MP selfie. This marks a step down from the Z Fold 7's 200MP main sensor.

Samsung is set to formally unveil the device alongside the Z Fold 8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Flip 8, and new smartwatches at the July 22 Galaxy Unpacked event in London.

Mashable will be at Samsung's London event, so check back on Wednesday for our live blog and the latest Galaxy Unpacked news.

Samsung recently confirmed it will share news about its latest foldable phones at the July 22 Galaxy Unpacked event in London, where the tech world expects the company to release three new devices: the Galaxy Z Flip 8, the Galaxy Z Fold 8, and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

However, the Korean tech company hasn't confirmed the existence of these devices, which is why it's so weird to see the unreleased flagship Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra listed for sale online. What's even weirder? The foldable phone listed for sale features football legend Lionel Messi's face emblazoned on the case with 24-karat gold plating, and it carries a $13,130 price tag.

The product first appeared in a July 15 press release in which a company called Caviar announced a new limited-edition "Legends" collection. Caviar makes custom and bespoke designs on iPhones, Samsung Galaxy smartphones, and other gadgets. A promo for the collection states, "The portrait of the Argentine captain is integrated into the back panel of the Samsung Fold 8 folding flagship, whose complex engineering mirrors the multi-faceted genius of Messi’s play."

The Legends collection features a Cristiano Ronaldo-themed iPhone and a Messi-themed Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, and the press release and product listing include pictures of the custom design. Under the "Warranty" section of its site, the company writes, "Caviar guarantees the authenticity and quality of all products purchased through Caviar."

Credit: Caviar

Credit: Caviar

"The launch of this unique collection coincides with the upcoming FIFA World Cup final and the release of the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. The tournament holds special significance as it marks the final World Cup where both of these legendary players will compete," the press release states. "The collection is strictly limited, with only 19 pieces available worldwide."

Typically, Samsung devices leak heavily ahead of their official launches, but Samsung has yet to release any official images of the rumored smartphones. Beyond an announcement about a new Flex Titanium display, Samsung has kept quiet about the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra's release, price, and specifications.

At this time, it's unclear if Caviar based on the design on official photos of the unreleased smartphone, or if the images are purely concepts based on rumored details about the phone. The launch could also be a calculated marketing strategy, piggybacking off Galaxy Unpacked anticipation to promote a little-known design brand.

Mashable reached out to both Samsung and Caviar with questions about the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra product listing on Caviar's website, and we'll update this story if we receive additional information.

Credit: Caviar

Everything is getting more expensive these days, but that doesn't mean you need to spend $1,200 to get a decent smartphone.

Even in the age of RAMageddon, there are solid deals to be found on phones for $700 or less.

Companies like Apple, Samsung, Google, and OnePlus have all released such budget or midrange handsets in the past several months. So if you're in the market for a quality smartphone that won't break the checking account, here's our pick of the best currently available options.

Apple iPhone 17e

It's not the best iPhone, but it's still an iPhone. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Price: $599

Apple's iPhone 17e is one of the more pricey phones on this list — but paying an extra $100 to get the benefits of Apple ecosystem has long been worth the scratch.

For that price, you get a dang good smartphone. It's powered by the A19, one of the newer chips in Apple's portfolio, meaning it can access pretty much all current and near-future Apple Intelligence features while maintaining solid performance. Battery life is similarly good enough for the price.

You will be compromising on camera and display quality if you go with the 17e instead of a pricier model. But if that's less important to you, even a compromise iPhone can stand out amongst this budget-level competition.

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Credit: Apple

Apple iPhone 17e

$599 at Apple

 

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Google Pixel 10a

Maybe the best color lineup of the bunch. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Price: $499

Google's Pixel A-series line has been a mainstay on "best budget smartphone" lists for years. That's thanks to Google's ability to make each release shockingly close in quality to the flagship phone it's based on.

The Pixel 10a doesn't quite reach that level, but it's still a nice device. Google's renowned camera quality is largely intact on the Pixel 10a, to go along with a newly flat backside that can sit totally flush on your desk — something even a flagship Samsung phone, with its camera bulk, can't manage.

Faster wired and wireless charging are also neat additions to the Pixel 10a, as is a brighter display. You won't get the latest and greatest Google Tensor processor or all of Google's AI features — but at $499, there's still plenty of bang to the buck.

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Credit: Google

Google Pixel 10a

$499 at Google

 

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Samsung Galaxy A57 5G

It's not the best phone on this list, but it's still alright. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Price: $549

Samsung's Galaxy A57 5G is probably the least good phone on this list. But if you want to live in the Samsung ecosystem, you could still do a lot worse.

The A57 has some problems. It can have poor WiFi connectivity in awkward network environments. The face ID unlock is too slow. And if you're looking for Galaxy AI features, you won't find many here.

But it's still only $549 and comes with a good display, solid performance, and nice battery life. If you don't need all the fanciest, newest bells and whistles out of a phone, you'll do just fine with an A57 5G.

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Credit: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy A57 5G

$549.99 at Samsung

 

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Nothing Phone 4(a) Pro

Maybe the coolest looking phone here. Credit: Adam Doud/Mashable

Price: $499

Nothing has been one of the most interesting phone manufacturers in the past few years. The British design-centric firm ignores the highest-end features in its affordable phones, focusing instead on style and cool.

The Nothing 4(a) Pro fits in this category. For just $499, you get a huge 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a blazing fast 144Hz refresh rate and a 5,000mAh battery — not to mention a fun LCD "Glyph Matrix" on the rear.

Sure, you're getting a midrange Snapdragon chipset and a maximum of 256GB of storage, but those are acceptable tradeoffs for such a cheap phone. If you'd rather have a great display and great battery life than all the latest AI features, Nothing may be the one you want.

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Credit: Nothing

Nothing Phone 4a Pro

$499 at Nothing

 

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OnePlus 15R

OnePlus is always reliable. Credit: OnePlus

Price: $699

The most expensive phone on our list, the OnePlus 15R almost got lost when it launched in the middle of December last year. Mashable didn't get a chance to review this one — but our colleagues at PCMag did, and they had plenty of kind things to say about it.

$699 is almost out of midrange price territory, but you get plenty of nice things for that price. Gaming is great on this phone, since the OnePlus 15R's 6.8-inch display can go all the way up to a 165Hz refresh rate. It has an impressive enough resolution and maximum brightness. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset is also one of the more powerful ones you'll find in any phone in this price range.

OnePlus cut some corners in terms of cameras and mmWave 5G support — but otherwise, this might be the closest you'll get to a flagship phone at a high-midrange price.

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Credit: OnePlus

OnePlus 15R

$699 at OnePlus

 

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Samsung is set to capture the tech world's attention next week when it hosts its next big mobile launch event.

The Korean tech giant is hosting a Galaxy Unpacked event in London on July 22, and Mashable will be there, reporting live on all of the big announcements. We're fully expecting to see at least five new devices from Samsung, including the latest batch of flagship foldable phones. As per usual with Samsung, these devices haven't been leaking so much as flooding.

So, as we prepare for the big show, here's everything we know (and everything we think we know) about the Galaxy Unpacked 2026 event.

When is the next Galaxy Unpacked?

The next Galaxy Unpacked Event takes place on Wednesday, July 22 in London. The livestream will begin promptly at 9 a.m. ET. We expect all the new devices to be available for pre-order immediately after the event.

Mashable will be attending the event and hosting a live blog, so check back next week to unpack all of the day's news with us.

Three new foldables are arriving, including the Z Flip 8, Z Fold 8, and Z Fold 8 Ultra.

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Samsung's new foldable phones typically debut during a summer Galaxy Unpacked event, and Samsung recently confirmed that it will be announcing new details about its next-gen foldables on July 22.

We don't have official confirmation on which devices will be announced, but all reports indicate that three new foldable phones will arrive at Galaxy Unpacked 2026:

• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 (previously known as the Z Fold Wide)

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

This is where things get a little confusing. You'd think the Z Fold 8 Ultra would be the new addition to the lineup, but recent reports indicate that the Z Fold 8 is actually a new device this year. Rumors for months have pointed to Samsung releasing a wider foldable this year, and it sounds like that phone will take the Z Fold 8 name, while a true successor to the Z Fold 7 will be called Z Fold 8 Ultra.

The new phones will probably arrive with price increases

Again, we don't have any official details, but it's very likely the successors to the Z Flip 7 and Z Fold 7 will indeed cost more. Most early reports and leaks indicate a price increase of $100, which is in line with the price increases we've seen from Motorola. The global memory crisis has led to price hikes for laptops, smartphones, gaming consoles, and virtually every product that requires memory, and Samsung probably won't be the exception.

Recently, South Korean outlet SEDaily reported that the starting price of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra will be $2,099, a $100 price increase over the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The same outlet reported the new Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide model will start at $1,899.99. Finally, according to leaker Lanzuk (as reported by PhoneArena), the new Galaxy Z Flip 8 will likely have a starting price of $1,199, or $100 more than its predecessor.

TL;DR: Thanks to RAMageddon, do not be surprised to see year-over-year price increases for all of the new devices.

A new Z Fold 8 to compete with the iPhone Ultra Fold

Rumors indicate that the new Z Fold 8 will potentially have a 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.8-inch inner display when unfolded. With a 4:3 aspect ratio, it will be a book-style foldable. These dimensions are very similar to the rumored design of the still-unannounced foldable iPhone, suggesting Samsung wants to introduce this third foldable as a direct competitor to Apple's upcoming device. It's the latest salvo in the ongoing Apple iPhone vs. Samsung Galaxy battle for smartphone dominance.

The Z Fold 8's rumored specs, via PhoneArena:

• Processor: Snapdragon Elite 8 Gen 5 for Galaxy

• RAM: 12GB

• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB

• Main display: 7.6 inches

• Cover Display: 5.5 inches

• Cameras: 50MP primary lens, 50MP ultra-wide lens, 10MP selfie lens

The new flagship: Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 (pictured here) was surprisingly thin and lightweight. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

As mentioned above, we think the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra will actually be a successor to last year's Z Fold 7, which we enjoyed testing. This new foldable should have a new chip and a stronger 200MP main camera on the back. Samsung is also said to have done some work to make the crease on the folding display less visible this year. Finally, a Korean news report indicated the Z Fold 8 will be slightly lighter than the Fold 7, which was already impressively thin and lightweight.

At this point, pretty much all of the specs for the upcoming devices have leaked. So, while none of these details are official, we think the Z Fold 8 Ultra will have the following specs, via PhoneArena:

• Processor: Snapdragon Elite 8 Gen 5 for Galaxy

• RAM: 12GB or 16GB

• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB

• Main display: 8 inches

• Cover display: 6.5 inches

• Cameras: 200MP wide, 50MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto

This week, Samsung revealed that its new foldables (which it didn't mention by name, unfortunately) will feature a new Flex Titanium technology. In short, a titanium-alloy film and a titanium plate will better support the phones' flexible display, creating a more durable device and a less noticeable crease. Samsung said more details will be revealed on July 22.

The new Z Flip 8 will look very familiar

Last year's Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 on display. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

If the rumored specs for the new Galaxy Z Flip 8 are correct, this year's flip phone-style foldable will look a lot like the Z Flip 7, but with a better processor and a less visible crease.

Until recently, the rumor mill indicated that the Z Flip 8 would get a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. However, leaker WinFuture (as reported by 9to5Google) claimed that instead, the flip phone will get a new Samsung Exynos 2600 processor.

And here are the rumored specs:

• Processor: Samsung Exynos 2600 or Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

• RAM: 12GB

• Main Display: 6.9 inches

• Cover Display: 4.1 inches

• Storage: 256GB or 512GB

• Cameras: 50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP selfie

New Galaxy Watches are also on the way

Samsung usually uses this summer event to showcase its latest smartwatch advancements, and 2026 looks no different. This year, we expect to see two new Samsung watches:

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 9

• Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2

It's generally accepted that both of these watches will see fairly incremental changes from before. There will surely be new health-tracking features, and some small design changes, with the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 in particular said to incorporate classic numbers on the watch face, a thinner bezel, and better side buttons. Most importantly, for some, it sounds like Samsung is skipping out on a new Galaxy Watch Classic this year. You'll get a base model and a premium model, and that's it, as far as anyone can tell.

Finally, don't forget that Samsung is all-in on artificial intelligence, so we expect major upgrades to the Samsung Health app and the watches' overall health-tracking features.

Could we see Galaxy Glasses make their big debut?

The upcoming Galaxy smart glasses as designed by Gentle Monster (left) and Warby Parker (right). Credit: Samsung

Lastly, Samsung's long-awaited smart glasses could also make their debut at Unpacked in July. Most likely called Galaxy Glasses, we expect these specs to work similarly to the ones Meta has been releasing for a few years now. We saw a preview of these specs at Google's recently developers' conference, and we know Samsung is working with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster on the designs.

These smart glasses will not include any augmented reality or heads-up display features, focusing instead on on-board cameras and a built-in AI assistant, courtesy of Google Gemini, to provide information about what you're seeing, should you ask. We expect the first generation of these glasses to arrive in 2026, and we're holding out hope that the glasses will get a shoutout or even a proper introduction at the London Galaxy Unpacked event on July 22.

It should be a pretty packed showcase, so stay tuned for all of our coverage as we get closer to Galaxy Unpacked.

Remember: Mashable will be attending the live keynote in London, and we'll have a live blog with real-time updates on all the day's news. Don't miss it!

Updated on Thursday, July 16 at 12:30 p.m. ET — OnePlus has confirmed that it will cease operations in the West, according to our colleagues at CNET. That means the OnePlus 15 will be the final OnePlus phone released in the U.S. or Europe. Existing OnePlus devices in those markets will continue to receive software support for as long as was promised at launch, but users will be shifted from Oxygen OS to parent company Oppo's Color OS.

Moving forward, OnePlus will merge operations with its parent company Oppo, which makes consumer electronics and smartphones for the global market.

Keep scrolling for our original story on this news.

We may need to pour one out for OnePlus in the very near future.

German news outlet WinFuture (via PCMag) reports that OnePlus, which has carved out a niche by offering more affordable phones with flagship specs over the years, will soon cease operations in the U.S. and Europe.

The announcement is reportedly expected from Chinese parent company Oppo as soon as this week.

No reason for the cessation of OnePlus has been mentioned. However, messaging around OnePlus, in reporting and in official company statements, has been moving in this direction for months now.

AndroidHeadlines first reported the surprising news back in January, before OnePlus told PCMag back in April it was "evaluating its regional roadmap and product strategy" in North America.

Now it seems that evaluation has concluded.

For Android enthusiasts in the west, this is a real bummer. While the likes of Google and Samsung still produce quality handsets, OnePlus would regularly swoop in and offer phones of a similar quality for under $1,000, with last year's OnePlus 15 being a good example.

Perhaps the brand just never found footing in such a competitive market, and surely RAMageddon didn't help OnePlus's quest to offer semi-affordable devices, but taking away one of the best Android alternatives in the west isn't going to help anybody.

If this is the end, it's been good, OnePlus. Perhaps Oppo can find another way to sell its wares in the U.S. and Europe soon.

It appears that the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 will look very similar to its predecessor. So, if these leaks prove accurate, don't expect any radical changes to the Galaxy Z Flip 7.

We expect Samsung's new foldables to debut on July 22 at a Galaxy Unpacked event in London. Mashable will be attending that event live, so check back to hear about all the announcements.

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 shell design, display, camera, as well as the vast majority of its other specs, are pretty much the same as the generation that came before it, according to new leaks from WinFuture (as reported by 9to5Google).

What is upgraded? The Galaxy Z Flip 8 will have a more powerful processor. 

The upcoming Flip 8 model is powered by the Samsung Exynos 2600 whereas the current generation is powered by the Exynos 2500. While a more powerful processor is always a welcome upgrade, as 9to5Google points out, consumers were hoping for a much more substantive upgrade to a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip for the Flip 8. According to WinFuture, that's not the case.

Other than that, the leaked specs state that the Flip 8 will add 45W wired support for charging and will be 8 grams lighter than its predecessor. However, it does appear to be slightly thicker, also according to the leak.

Not every generation of a device needs to be game-changing. Sometimes these iterative upgrades are a nice draw for new buyers, and existing users can wait until next year's offerings. However, this news can be disappointing for those who were looking to upgrade from the Flip 7 — especially considering the speculation that Samsung may have to raise its prices with the Galaxy Z8 series.

Of course, none of this is official yet. Samsung Galaxy Unpacked will likely make the Flip 8 and its specs official next week, along with a slew of other new mobile products.

Join us as we dive into the world of foldable phones and pontificate about what's on the horizon for Samsung at its upcoming Galaxy Unpacked summer event. CNET's mobile team will be taking your questions live and breaking down Samsung's newest foldable screen tech.

Apple's flagship smartphone hasn't taken a year off from its updates since 2007, and barring a massive surprise, 2026 won't be different – but there will be a twist.

The Cupertino-based tech giant is widely expected to launch a new lineup of iPhones later this year, including the iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max and the rumored iPhone Ultra, the company's first-ever foldable. The regular iPhone 18, the 18e, and the new iPhone Air are likely to arrive early next year.

Our big Guessing Game is back! Enter now for a chance to win an Apple Watch.

As we await the iPhone 18 — and its updated operating system, iOS 27 — tidbits of news and rumors continue to trickle out. The pace of leaks on the iPhone 18 Pro in particular is likely to increase after a massive hack exposed thousands of Apple's internal documents, reportedly including iPhone 18 Pro suppliers and tests.

We won't see any of the new Apple phones in the wild for months — but we can bring you the most substantiated and most likely updates in one place.

iPhone 18 lineup pricing

If you're in the market for a new iPhone, you should circle September in your calendar. That has been the month for Apple's big showcase event for a very long time, and there's no reason to believe Apple will change that in 2026.

Expect to see new Apple CEO John Ternus take the stage to introduce it; his term of office officially begins Sept. 1.

What he'll be introducing, alas, may put more of a dent in your wallet. Thanks to the ongoing RAM shortage caused by the AI industry (also known as RAMageddon), tons of smartphones, laptops, and gaming consoles are seeing huge price hikes. Experts who've spoken to Mashable say that trend isn't going to stop anytime soon.

As the world's number one smartphone maker, Apple has some advantages over its rivals, but a price increase is definitely coming. We had hoped otherwise — Apple raised prices on its new MacBooks earlier this year, while also introducing a low-cost $599 laptop that put big pressure on its Windows rivals.

But then outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook took the unusual step of preparing us for a pricier iPhone. "Price increases are unavoidable," Cook told the Wall Street Journal in an interview. The Journal quoted an analysis showing that the memory chip components in the iPhone 18 Pro will cost Apple $150 more than those in the iPhone 17 Pro.

So should you expect the phones to cost just $150 more than their predecessors (see the iPhone 17 prices here)? You wish. There's the pesky fact that Apple is a for-profit company, and the iPhone is the #1 smartphone in the world for a reason, even though it's already pricier than Samsung's.

How much of an increase will Apple fans bear? We may be about to find out, but the Journal estimated $1,299 for the iPhone 18 Pro ($200 more than last year).

iPhone 18, 18 Pro, and 18 Ultra launch dates

Barring a huge turn under Ternus, Apple will release the iPhone 18 Pro, the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the foldable iPhone Ultra in early September. Obviously Apple's first foldable iPhone is the biggest headline here, but the Pro models will bring numerous improvements too.

The iPhone 18, however, alongside the cheaper iPhone 18e, and the next-gen iPhone Air, are rumored to come next year, likely in March 2027.

iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Pro design

Again, Apple has not released any official teasers or other imagery for the iPhone 18 lineup yet, so anything reported to date could be wrong. Still, from the sum total of all reports, it sounds like Apple isn't really reinventing the wheel, design-wise. But Ternus, a hardware guy, is reportedly bringing the company's industrial design group into the center of the Apple fold.

Looking further into the future, the iPhone 20 is said to bring big changes, including a curved waterfall display.

Per our friends at CNET (Mashable and CNET are both owned by Ziff Davis), the display sizes will be roughly the same as last year:

• iPhone 18: 6.3 inches

• iPhone 18 Pro: 6.3 inches

• iPhone 18 Pro Max: 6.9 inches

However, the display quality might be a little different this year. Prominent leaker Instant Digital shared on Chinese social media that Apple's brightness demands are unusually high this year, so it would be reasonable to expect much brighter displays than in previous years.

Some iPhone 18 models could also have a smaller camera bump compared to previous models. There are reports of a slightly redesigned Dynamic Island on the screen itself, with the pill-shaped notification hub potentially being made smaller in the iPhone 18 Pro models. One alleged leaked image purports to show an iPhone 18 Pro with a downsized Dynamic Island cutout.

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Wondering about the iPhone 18 color options? For the iPhone 18 Pro, at least, it seems the color options have already leaked. Previous rumors indicated Apple was experimenting with a "deep red" color for the iPhone 18 Pro, and a new report from MacWorld backs that up. According to their reporting, the color lineup for the iPhone 18 Pro will be silver, gray, light blue, and a color called "dark cherry" — likely the deep red previously reported.

Sadly, we think fans of black iPhones are out of luck again.

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iPhone 18: rumored hardware features

So we know the software the iPhone 18 will run: iOS 27, introduced at WWDC 2026. Time to start talking about some of the internal hardware changes Apple is reportedly making to the iPhone 18 lineup.

For starters, it sounds like the lineup will have a standardized 12GB RAM count across the board. In previous years, the Pro models had 12GB of RAM, while the base model had only 8GB. According to Korean outlet The Bell, Apple will be upgrading the base model so that it matches the Pro models in that regard. It's also widely expected that Apple will adopt new A20 and A20 Pro chips for the base and Pro models, respectively.

It's also expected that the new iPhones will have a new C2 modem for improved cellular connectivity, and they may also have 5G satellite support. Also reported: a new N2 chip for better WiFi performance.

Latest iPhone 18 Pro rumors

For the iPhone 18 Pro, the current expectation is that Apple will improve the battery size in the premium iPhone 18 models this year.

Leaker Digital Chat Station on Weibo reported that the batteries could exceed 5,000mAh, which would be an improvement over the iPhone 17 Pro.

Instant Digital posted in a separate Weibo leak that the back glass of the iPhone 18 Pro has been altered, resulting in a new unified look, as opposed to the two-tone look of the iPhone 17 Pro. Whether that change will affect durability (or if it's just an aesthetic difference) remains to be seen.

Other differences include Apple's new A20 Pro chip inside, improved LTPO+ display, Apple's new C2 modem, 5G via satellite connectivity, and the improved N2 chip which should improve hotspot and AirDrop reliability.

What about the iPhone 18 Pro Max?

Several reports out of China say the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a much larger battery — and be a bit of a chunky boy as a result.

We're not talking about a huge increase in weight and width: a quarter of a millimeter thickness and 7 grams more respectively. Still, every gram counts on the heftiest iPhone model you can get — so iPhone 17 Pro Max upgraders may want to check that their pocket linings can bear the larger bulk of the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

The iPhone 17 Pro has helped Apple break sales records in 2026. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

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iPhone 18 camera rumors

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, a source of many spot-on iPhone reports, says the iPhone 18 Pro, in particular, will have "some of the biggest camera hardware upgrades in the lineup's history."

Why? First, the telephoto camera has a larger aperture. But more important is the variable aperture.

First reported by Digital Chat Station on Weibo, variable aperture is a huge deal. It would let the iPhone 18 Pro camera capture different amounts of light for different situations — potentially leading to a huge leap in photo quality, if you know what you're doing.

For instance, the bokeh effect famously associated with portrait mode on iPhones would be possible in-camera rather than through software processing, resulting in more natural and generally better-looking shots.

What about AI Siri?

Of course, one of the first things many users will want to know about the iPhone 18 when they get their hands on one: what is the new, revamped, AI-upgraded Siri experience like?

If you're feeling adventurous, you can try it yourself by installing the iOS 27 beta.

The new features include Siri becoming an actual chatbot with its own app. It's also able to understand what's on your screen, and it can help you write, create images, and edit photos.

For an overview of some of the best features Siri AI has to offer, go here. And for the best new features in Apple's iOS 27 public beta, check our roundup here.

The best refurbished phone deals at a glance:

---

Best iPhone deal

Apple iPhone 16 (256GB)

$749.99 (save $30)

Get Deal

---

Best Google Pixel deal

Google Pixel 8 (128GB)

$279.99

Get Deal

---

Best Samsung Galaxy deal

Samsung Galaxy A16 (128GB)

$134.44 (save $45.55)

Get Deal

---

Best Motorola deal

Motorola Moto Razr (256GB)

$237.78 (save $181.01)

Get Deal

If you've been thinking about upgrading your phone, you've probably noticed one thing: it's getting expensive. Between Ramageddon driving up memory costs, Apple raising prices across parts of its lineup, and electronics becoming pricier across the board, buying a brand-new flagship isn't as easy on the wallet as it used to be.

People aren't rushing to buy new phones right now — and higher prices are a big reason why. If you're looking for an upgrade without the sticker shock, a refurbished phone is one of the easiest ways to save.

We've rounded up the best refurbished phone deals available right now, so you can upgrade without paying full price for a brand-new device. However, some of the deals below are sold by trusted third-party retailers on Amazon. We've prioritized offers from sellers with strong ratings and clear return policies.

Best iPhone deal

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Credit: Apple

Apple iPhone 16 (256GB)

$749.99 at Amazon
$779.99 Save $30

 

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Why we like it

The iPhone 16 still feels like a modern flagship without the flagship price. It packs Apple's A18 chip with Apple Intelligence support, a sharp 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, and a capable 48MP main camera that handles everything from everyday snapshots to 4K video. Since it's unlocked, you can use it with virtually any major carrier, and this refurbished model comes with 256GB of storage, giving you plenty of room for apps, photos, and videos. It's an easy pick if you want a recent iPhone experience while saving hundreds compared with buying new.

More refurbished iPhone deals

• Apple iPhone 12 — $194

• Apple iPhone 14 — $299.98

• Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max —$809

Best Google Pixel deal

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Credit: Google

Google Pixel 8 (128GB)

$279.99 at Amazon

 

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Why we like it

The Google Pixel 8 gives you a lot of what people still look for in a modern phone without the usual flagship price. It has a 6.2-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, Google’s Tensor G3 chip, 8GB of RAM, and a dual-camera system with a 50-megapixel main sensor and Google’s photo tools like Magic Eraser and Night Sight. You also get an unlocked phone that works with major carriers, plus Google’s security and Pixel Drop updates.

More refurbished Google Pixel deals

• Google Pixel 7 — $188.77

• Google Pixel 8 — $256.91

Best Samsung Galaxy deal

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Credit: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy A16 (128GB)

$134.44 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $45.55

 

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Why we like it

Not everyone needs a $1,000 phone. The Galaxy A16 5G gives you a bright AMOLED display, dependable all-day battery life, 5G connectivity, and expandable storage for photos, videos, and apps. Add years of software support and a refurbished price, and it's an easy pick for anyone who wants a reliable refurbished Android phone without overspending.

More refurbished Samsung Galaxy deals

• Samsung Galaxy S23+ — $314.99 $449.84 (save $134.85)

• Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra — $419.99

Best Motorola deal

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Credit: Motorola

Motorola Moto Razr (256GB)

$237.78 at Amazon
$418.79 Save $181.01

 

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Why we like it

Foldables are still expensive, which makes buying renewed a much smarter way to try one. The Motorola Razr (2024) gives you a large 6.9-inch OLED display that folds into a compact design, plus a handy 3.6-inch outer screen for checking notifications, replying to messages, and using apps without opening the phone. You also get a solid 50MP camera, all-day battery life, fast wired charging, and wireless charging, making it one of the best-value foldable phones you can buy for hundreds less than new.

More refurbished Motorola deals

• Motorola Moto G Power — $159.99 $275.50 (save $115.51)

• Motorola Moto Razr+ — $394 $599.99 (save $205.99)

It's an open secret in the tech world that Samsung will likely debut the Galaxy Z Flip 8, Z Fold 8, and new Z Fold Wide at its Galaxy Unpacked event in London on July 22.

And on Tuesday, the company confirmed in a press release that its next-gen Galaxy foldable devices will debut soon with a new Flex Titanium display structure. In its announcement, Samsung said the new Flex Titanium technology will provide foldable phones with "enhanced durability and reduced crease visibility."

"The new Flex Titanium technology will debut with Samsung’s next-generation Galaxy foldable devices. Further details will be unveiled at Galaxy Unpacked on July 22," the press release stated. The announcement all but confirms the long-rumored focus of the Galaxy Unpacked event, which lines up with Samsung's previous foldable phone launch timeline.

As the name suggests, Flex Titanium uses titanium components to support bending displays.

Specifically, the new hardware tech employs a titanium-alloy film underneath the OLED panel, as well as a titanium plate underneath the film. Samsung said the titanium film sits "below the OLED panel" and offers "20 times greater mechanical stiffness than plastic films while measuring less than 30% the thickness of a human hair, enabling a slimmer display panel." In Samsun said theaddition, the titanium plate supports "the display module from beneath, eliminating air gaps between the module and adhesive for more stable support when unfolded, while retaining the flexibility needed for repeated folding."

The idea is to make phones that can withstand thousands of folds over multiple years, while providing a quality viewing experience for users who don't want to see a big, ugly crease in the middle of the screen. For what it's worth, in the last couple of years, flagship Samsung foldables have mostly fixed the crease problem already, but we're still excited to see how Samsung can alleviate it further.

It hopefully won't be long before we get a real first look at those devices, as the London Unpacked event is just one week away.

Google's next batch of smartphones may have been leaked pretty thoroughly ahead of time, thanks to Amazon.

Android Authority reported that a bunch of Amazon listings for every upcoming Pixel 11 device went up this week before promptly being taken down. However, folks were able to capture screenshots before the information was removed, and the details revealed the full list of colors, a relatively detailed list of specs, and the pricing for each device.

According to the leaked images, the new Pixel smartphones will arrive with a starting price increase as Google eliminates low-end options, a common move these days. We'll find out the official details on Aug. 12, when the phones are revealed at the Made By Google 2026 keynote.

Our big Guessing Game is back! Enter now for a chance to win.

We'll start with the basic Pixel 11. It reportedly will start at $899, a $100 starting price increase from last year's Pixel 10. It's worth noting that the specs Amazon shared may be placeholder info, as retailers don't always get everything ahead of time. Still, if the specs are accurate, Google is killing the 128GB variant, offering 256GB as the starter option.

Technically, the Pixel 11 with 256GB of storage may cost the same as the equivalent model from 2025. However, by cutting the 128GB version, users will have to pay $100 more for the cheapest model. FWIW, we generally recommend getting phones with at least 256GB of storage anyway.

Here are the specs Amazon shared for the Pixel 11:

• Colors: Obsidian, Frost, Hibiscus, Pistachio

• 6.3-inch OLED display with 2856x1280 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate

• 4,985mAh battery

• 13MP selfie camera

Obviously, there's some missing information there, given that these are leaked specs that were quickly removed from Amazon's storefront. For instance, these store pages seemingly didn't include rear camera specs or processor information.

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As for the Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL, the situation is similar. Only two colors, Canyon and Obsidian, were seen in the screenshotted store pages. Interestingly, it seems like Google will ship a lower-end Pixel 11 Pro with just 12GB of RAM, after putting 16GB in every Pro phone in previous years. Variants of the Pro with more storage will apparently still come with 16GB. You can probably blame RAMageddon for that.

Like the Pixel 11, it seems the starting price for the Pixel 11 Pro will be $1,099, up $100 from last year's Pixel 10 Pro. Meanwhile, the Pro XL will start at $1,299.

Other specs for the Pro and Pro XL include:

• Pro: 6.3-inch display

• Pro: 4,850mAh battery

• Pro and Pro XL: 13MP front camera

• Pro XL: 6.8-inch display

• Pro XL: 5,115mAh battery

Lastly, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold was also included in all of this, and it's facing a much larger potential price increase. Its starting price is reportedly up to $1,899, a $400 increase after the Pixel 10 Pro Fold launched at $1,499 a year ago. (The 256GB version cost $1,799 last year.) Obsidian and Olive are the colors seen in the screenshotted store pages, and it will have at least 256GB and 512GB storage variants. Other listed specs include:

• 6.5-inch outer display

• 4,750mAh battery

• 13MP front camera

As stated previously, these are partial spec lists and could include information that has not yet been finalized. We won't know the full picture until the Aug. 12 Made by Google event. The big story here is that each phone is apparently getting a starting price increase of at least $100, which isn't surprising, but also not particularly good news, either. That's the world we live in now.

Samsung's innovative new display technology might be causing problems on its latest flagship phone.

As originally reported by Korean news outlet Newsway (via Phone Arena), some Samsung Galaxy S26 users online have reported a reddish tint taking over their phone's displays. The S26 Ultra launched earlier this year to very positive reviews (including our own). If the reports are true, that means the defect started popping up within a few months.

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Mashable reached out to Samsung's mobile representatives for comment, and we will update this story if we receive more information. In a statement to Newsway, the company said it is "currently examining the matter internally to confirm the cause."

While nobody knows the true cause or scale of this phenomenon, many online sleuths are pointing to the new Privacy Display hardware feature as a possible culprit.

Our big Guessing Game is back! Enter now for a chance to win.

This new feature, which only exists on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, darkens the screen for people who are standing nearby and viewing the screen from an angle, protecting users' privacy. Given the nature of Privacy Display and the fact that this issue only seems to plague S26 Ultra devices at the moment, it makes sense that the feature is currently the betting favorite for the cause of this alleged problem.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra review unit tested by Mashable hasn't developed this issue.

Fun sidenote: As a person with partially color-deficient eyes, I literally can't see the problem. I guess it's a good thing I don't own an S26 Ultra.

Apple unveiled both the long-awaited Siri AI and a new generation of operating system updates at WWDC 2026 in June. Then, on Monday, Apple officially released the public betas of iOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate, iPadOS 27, watchOS 27, tvOS 27, and visionOS 27.

In addition, Apple has opened up a beta version of Siri AI that lets users try out the new AI-powered virtual assistant.

Our big Guessing Game is back! Enter now for a chance to win.

However, that doesn't mean the iOS 27 beta will automatically unlock access to Siri AI. On top of that, not all iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, and Apple devices will support Apple Intelligence and Siri AI.

So, if you're eager to try Siri AI for yourself, here's everything you need to know about device compatibility, the public betas, and the Siri waitlist, plus the steps you'll need to follow:

Total Time

• 20-25 minutes

What You Need

• A compatible Apple device

Step 1: Make sure your device supports Siri AI

Step 2: Sign up for the Apple beta program and back up your device

Step 3: Make sure Apple Intelligence is turned on for your device

Step 4: Update your device to iOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate, iPadOS 27, watchOS 27, tvOS 27, or visionOS 27

Step 5: Join the Siri AI waitlist

Credit: Mashable

Step 1: Make sure your device supports Siri AI

First, you need to make sure your device will support Siri AI and Apple Intelligence in the first place. iOS 27 and the other new software updates coming this fall will bring changes to Liquid Glass, new Apple Intelligence features, and general improvements. The new AI version of Siri will also work across apps to make your device more capable. (Or, that's the idea, anyway.)

Remember: Some older Apple devices won't support Apple Intelligence and Siri AI. In addition, the full suite of Siri AI features, such as expressive voices, will not be available on some older devices that do support Apple Intelligence. So, make sure you have one of the following devices:

• For iPhone users: iOS 27 and Siri AI will be available on the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16e, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 17e, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and the iPhone Air. Full access to all Siri AI features will only be available on the iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

• For iPad users: iPadOS 27 and Siri AI will be available on iPads with an M1 chip or newer, or the iPad mini with the A17 Pro chip. Full access to all Siri AI features requires an M4 chip and a minimum of 12GB of RAM.

• For Mac users: macOS 27 Golden Gate and Siri AI will be available on Macs with M1 chips and newer. Full access will be available for devices with M3 chips (or newer) and 12GB of RAM.

• For Vision Pro users: Full access to all Siri AI features will be available only on the M5 Vision Pro, but all Vision Pro devices will support visionOS 27 and Siri AI.

Step 2: Sign up for the Apple beta program and back up your device

This step is pretty self-explanatory. If you haven't already, sign up for the Apple beta software program. As always, back up your device before downloading an operating system update or beta software.

Step 3: Make sure Apple Intelligence is activated on your device

Go to Settings on your device, then Apple Intelligence & Siri. Tap "Turn On Apple Intelligence."

Step 4: Update your device to iOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate, iPadOS 27, watchOS 27, tvOS 27, or visionOS 27

To do this, go to Settings, General, and then Software Updates. Under "Beta Updates," select "iOS 27 Public Beta" and update your device.

Step 5: Join the Siri AI waitlist

OK, so you've got the iOS 27 public beta up and running on your device. You're almost there.

Next, go to Settings, Siri, and tap "Try the new Siri (Beta)."

How long until you get approved for the Siri AI waitlist?

Wait times can vary, but in general, users with access to the Apple Developer Program seem to get approved more quickly. The approval process shouldn't take more than five to 10 days, and some users will get approved within 24 hours.

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During the WWDC 2026 keynote, Apple surprised the iPhone world... just not in the way you might think.

In a show full of detailed demonstrations of new features coming to iOS 27, including the new AI-fueled Siri upgrade, one of the biggest surprises involved which iPhones will actually support the new OS update. Rumors ahead of the show indicated that the iPhone 11 lineup would be excluded from software updates this year, effectively forcing obsolescence on anyone who owns an iPhone from that generation.

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Well, the rumor mill had this one dead wrong. And now that the iOS 27 public beta is available to download, users with compatible iPhones can try out the new operating system right away. We should note that if you want to try Siri AI, you'll need to follow some additional steps. After downloading the iOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate, watchOS 27, iPadOS 27, or visionOS 27 beta, go to Settings, Apple Intelligence & Siri, and join the waitlist.

Every iPhone that will support iOS 27

Before we get to the full list, yes, your iPhone 11 model will be able to install iOS 27. Apple made it a point to emphasize this fact during the WWDC keynote. Whether those rumors were flat-out wrong or Apple managed to figure something out at the last-minute, we'll probably never know.

Anyway, here's the full list of phones that will be able to install the iOS 27 public beta (and the official version when it's available this fall):

• iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)

• iPhone 11

• iPhone 11 Pro

• iPhone 11 Pro Max

• iPhone 12 Mini

• iPhone 12

• iPhone 12 Pro

• iPhone 12 Pro Max

• iPhone 13 Mini

• iPhone 13

• iPhone 13 Pro

• iPhone 13 Pro Max

• iPhone 14

• iPhone 14 Plus

• iPhone 14 Pro

• iPhone 14 Pro Max

• iPhone 15

• iPhone 15 Plus

• iPhone 15 Pro

• iPhone 15 Pro Max

• iPhone 16e

• iPhone 16

• iPhone 16 Pro

• iPhone 16 Pro Max

• iPhone 17e

• iPhone 17

• iPhone Air

• iPhone 17 Pro

• iPhone 17 Pro Max