All articles tagged with #smartphones
The iPhone 18 Pro offers significant performance and battery improvements but lacks a revolutionary feature. Priced at $1,199, it features a new A20 Pro chip, a variable aperture camera, and iOS 27 with enhanced AI.
Google released the October Pixel update on October 6, 2026, addressing three specific bugs across supported devices. The patch fixes issues where the virtual keyboard fails to appear in search fields, audio distortion occurs during VoIP calls, and media saves in the wrong orientation. While the update covers most current models, the sensor fix is limited to the Pixel 11 series. This minor release precedes the broader Android 17 QPR3 beta, which targets a stable release in March 2027.
Google's Pixel 11 lineup has reached its lowest prices to date during Amazon's October Prime Day sale, with discounts of up to $300 off. The Pixel 11 Pro XL starts at $999, the Pro at $849, and the base model at $749, effectively erasing the price increases seen at launch.
Amazon’s two-day Prime Big Deal Days event concluded on October 7, 2026, offering significant discounts on flagship smartphones, foldables, and mid-range devices. The sale featured the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra at $980 and the Google Pixel 11 Pro XL at $1,000. Foldable options included the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 at $1,550, while mid-range picks like the Motorola Moto G Stylus dropped to $400. The event marked the first major holiday shopping opportunity of the year.
Google released the October Pixel update on October 6, 2026, for all supported devices from the Pixel 6 to the Pixel 11 series. This minor patch includes three specific bug fixes and marks the final update for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. Separately, Android Central reports that Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1 has launched for testers, previewing 20 major fixes for a stable release expected in March 2027.
Amazon’s October Prime Big Deal Days concluded on October 7, 2026, offering significant discounts on flagship smartphones and wearables. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra saw its largest price drop, falling below $1,000 despite a recent retail price increase. Google’s Pixel 11 Pro also reached a new low, while foldables and mid-range devices from Xiaomi and Motorola offered competitive value. The sale provided relief from broader market price hikes, particularly in memory and display sectors.
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra has reached its lowest price ever, dropping to $1,699.99 for the 256GB model during Amazon's October Prime Day event. This $400 discount applies to both 256GB and 512GB configurations, making the flagship foldable significantly more accessible. The device features an 8.0-inch inner display, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, and a 200MP main camera. While the price remains high, it represents a substantial saving compared to its launch price of $2,099.99. Competing outlets note that the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 is also discounted, though the Ultra remains the premium choice for those seeking top-tier performance and camera capabilities.
Amazon's October Prime Big Deal Days conclude today, offering significant discounts on laptops, tablets, and smart home devices. Key deals include the Microsoft Surface Laptop (2026) at $1,279, the Apple MacBook Air M5 at $1,099, and the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones at $198. While PCMag highlights over 150 vetted deals, ZDNET and CNET emphasize specific value picks like the HP OmniBook Ultra and Dell 16-inch laptops. Non-Prime members can participate, but Prime subscribers receive exclusive offers and free shipping.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max offers faster performance, better battery life, and a variable aperture camera, but the iPhone 17 Pro Max remains a strong value choice with similar core features at a lower price.
The iPhone 18 Pro, launched in September 2026, offers significant upgrades over the 2021 iPhone 13 Pro, including a 2nm A20 Pro chip, variable-aperture camera, and much longer battery life. While the 13 Pro remains capable, the 18 Pro justifies an upgrade for most users due to major improvements in performance, photography, and connectivity.
TCL’s P80 Ultra introduces the first OLED panel with its Nxtpaper matte technology, offering superior contrast and an always-on display. This innovation has increased anticipation for the upcoming iPhone Duo, which is expected to feature a similar matte inner screen.
Samsung has begun rolling out the stable version of One UI 9 to the Galaxy S25 series and Galaxy Z Fold7/Flip7 devices. The update, built on Android 17, introduces significant customization features via the Good Lock suite, including editable Quick Panels and multi-finger gestures. While the S26 series received the update earlier, the S25 and foldable lines are now receiving the stable build, with US users expected to receive it shortly after the initial Korean release.
Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max share the A20 Pro chip and 48MP camera system, but differ primarily in display size and battery life. The Pro Max offers a 6.9-inch screen and 45 hours of video playback, while the Pro features a 6.3-inch screen and 36 hours. Both models support 60W wired charging and 25W wireless charging, with the Pro Max providing a significant endurance boost over the previous generation.
Samsung and Google have raised prices on their budget smartphones, with increases ranging from $30 to $100 in the US, driven by a global RAM shortage. Samsung’s Galaxy A17 5G now costs $270, up from its $200 launch price, while Google’s Pixel 10a has jumped from $499 to $599. These hikes are part of a broader trend affecting the tech industry, with some analysts predicting elevated costs could persist through 2030.
Huawei launched the Mate 90 series in China, featuring the Mate 90 Pro Max and a new modular camera system. The Ruiying Z10 is an add-on camera with a 50-megapixel sensor and 10x optical zoom, priced at 5,999 RMB. The Mate 90 Pro Max supports three active SIM connections and features a 6.9-inch display.