Consumer Electronics 14 September 2025 - 6 February 2026

Motorola Quietly Hikes Moto G Prices by Up to 50% as Memory Crunch Hits Budget Phones
···

Motorola Quietly Hikes Moto G Prices by Up to 50% as Memory Crunch Hits Budget Phones

Motorola has raised U.S. prices for its 2026 Moto G Play, Moto G, and Moto G Power to $249.99, $299.99, and $399.99, up from $179.99, $199.99, and $299.99 at launch. The increases follow sharp rises in memory chip costs, with DRAM contract prices expected to jump over 50% this quarter. Best Buy continued listing the phones at original prices as of Thursday. Similar price hikes appeared in India this week.
April 9, 2026
Samsung Galaxy Ring battery swelling scare returns after user calls it a “ticking time bomb”
··

Samsung Galaxy Ring battery swelling scare returns after user calls it a “ticking time bomb”

A Reddit user reported swelling in a Samsung Galaxy Ring after the device failed to charge, posting photos of the damage. Samsung-focused tech outlets advised users to stop wearing rings with battery issues and contact support. Samsung previously said similar incidents did not indicate a broader safety problem. The company is investigating the latest report.
February 6, 2026
Samsung’s $2,899 Galaxy Z TriFold Sells Out Fast in the U.S. — What It Says About Premium Phones
···

Samsung’s $2,899 Galaxy Z TriFold Sells Out Fast in the U.S. — What It Says About Premium Phones

Samsung’s $2,899 Galaxy Z TriFold phone sold out on its U.S. online store within minutes of its January 30 launch. The company has not disclosed how many units were available or when restocking will occur. The tri-fold device, available only in a 512GB black model, is Samsung’s most expensive foldable to date. No trade-in options were offered at launch.
January 31, 2026
iPhone Air price cut in China sparks buyer anger as Apple leans on Lunar New Year discounts
···

iPhone Air price cut in China sparks buyer anger as Apple leans on Lunar New Year discounts

Apple’s iPhone Air saw discounts up to 2,500 yuan in China, dropping its starting price to 5,499 yuan on Tmall after subsidies, 36Kr reported. The cuts follow weak demand since its October 2025 launch. Apple’s official store maintained original pricing, while some authorized retailers sold out quickly. The iPhone 17 is not included in Apple’s separate Lunar New Year sale running Jan. 24–27.
January 27, 2026
Apple’s new AirTag goes louder and longer-range — and the price stays $29
···

Apple’s new AirTag goes louder and longer-range — and the price stays $29

Apple unveiled a new AirTag with a 50% louder speaker and extended Bluetooth and Precision Finding range, priced at $29. Precision Finding now works on newer Apple Watch models. The tracker supports temporary location sharing with airlines and remains compatible with existing accessories. Online orders opened Monday; retail availability starts later this week.
January 26, 2026
Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold hits U.S. stores for demos — but you still can’t buy it yet
···

Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold hits U.S. stores for demos — but you still can’t buy it yet

Samsung is offering in-store demos of its Galaxy Z TriFold smartphone at select locations in California, New York, Texas, and Minnesota ahead of its U.S. launch. The company has not announced a U.S. release date or price, only stating an “early 2026” window. Demo units highlight the phone’s tri-fold design and Galaxy AI features. The device is already available in South Korea and parts of the Middle East.
January 24, 2026
iPhone 17 Pro Max Gets Cheaper on Apple Store India: ₹5,000 Instant Cashback, Trade‑In Up to ₹64,000 and How to Claim It (Jan 12, 2026)
···

iPhone 17 Pro Max Gets Cheaper on Apple Store India: ₹5,000 Instant Cashback, Trade‑In Up to ₹64,000 and How to Claim It (Jan 12, 2026)

Apple is offering ₹5,000 instant cashback on iPhone 17 Pro Max purchases in India with select American Express, Axis Bank, and ICICI Bank cards. The effective price for the 256GB model drops to ₹1,44,900 before any trade-in, which can provide up to ₹64,000 in additional savings. No Cost EMI options are also available.
January 12, 2026
Best Cheap Android Phones for End of 2025: Top Budget Picks and the Deals Ending Today (Dec. 30, 2025)
··

Best Cheap Android Phones for End of 2025: Top Budget Picks and the Deals Ending Today (Dec. 30, 2025)

Google Pixel 9a leads Android Central’s 2025 budget phone picks, named best overall at around $500. End-of-year discounts on models like the Pixel 8a, Galaxy A36 5G, and Moto G Stylus expire Dec. 30. The market now features flagship-style cameras and long update support at lower prices. New releases are expected to shift the landscape in early 2026.
December 30, 2025
Poco F8 Pro Deal vs Poco F8 Ultra Overheating: What Latest Tests and Today’s Price Drops Mean for Buyers (Dec 29, 2025)
···

Poco F8 Pro Deal vs Poco F8 Ultra Overheating: What Latest Tests and Today’s Price Drops Mean for Buyers (Dec 29, 2025)

Poco F8 Pro and F8 Ultra prices have dropped to £349 and £499 in the UK after year-end discounts. New stress-test data shows the F8 Ultra struggled with sustained gaming performance, raising concerns for gamers. The F8 Pro is seen as a strong value but faces competition at its new price point. Both models launched at much higher prices earlier in the year.
December 29, 2025
Google Pixel Swollen Battery Report: Delhi Service Center Blames Samsung Charger — What We Know and What Pixel Owners Should Do
···

Google Pixel Swollen Battery Report: Delhi Service Center Blames Samsung Charger — What We Know and What Pixel Owners Should Do

A social media post alleges a Google service center in Delhi blamed a Pixel phone’s swollen battery on use of a Samsung charger. The incident has fueled debate over USB-C charger compatibility and warranty support. Google’s official guidance allows third-party USB-C PD chargers, and no official statement has been issued on the reported exchange.
December 22, 2025
Google Confirms Pixel 9 Pro Display Defects: How the New 3‑Year Free Repair & Fold Replacement Programs Work (11 December 2025)
···

Google Confirms Pixel 9 Pro Display Defects: How the New 3‑Year Free Repair & Fold Replacement Programs Work (11 December 2025)

Google has confirmed hardware defects in some Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL phones and launched a global Extended Repair Program offering up to three years of free screen repairs for affected devices. A separate three-year warranty and replacement program covers the Pixel 9 Pro Fold for certain functionality issues. The company acknowledged the problems after months of user complaints about display faults.
December 11, 2025
iPhone Air Resale Value Crashes Nearly 50% in 10 Weeks – What SellCell’s New Data Means for iPhone 17 Owners
···

iPhone Air Resale Value Crashes Nearly 50% in 10 Weeks – What SellCell’s New Data Means for iPhone 17 Owners

The iPhone Air 1TB has lost 47.7% of its value in 10 weeks, the steepest drop for any iPhone since 2022, according to SellCell. Other iPhone 17 models average 34.6% depreciation, with the 17 Pro Max 256GB down just 26.1%. Tech outlets worldwide report the Air’s resale value is falling much faster than the rest of the 2025 lineup.
December 6, 2025
Nothing Phone (3a) Lite Debuts at €249 Amid Bloatware Backlash and Quick Reversal
···

Nothing Phone (3a) Lite Debuts at €249 Amid Bloatware Backlash and Quick Reversal

Nothing launched its budget Phone (3a) Lite at €249, featuring a transparent design and 120 Hz display. Fans criticized the device for pre-installed apps, calling it bloatware and sparking backlash. Nothing responded by promising a software update to allow removal of these apps. The move came days after launch following widespread complaints.
November 6, 2025
You Can Fix Your Own iPhone 17… But Prepare for Sticker Shock
··

You Can Fix Your Own iPhone 17… But Prepare for Sticker Shock

Apple added the iPhone 17 lineup and iPhone Air to its Self-Service Repair program on Oct. 30, 2025. Customers in the US, Canada, UK, and Europe can now order official parts and manuals. DIY repairs offer little to no savings versus in-store service, with a 17-series screen costing $329 either way. The move follows new EU rules requiring Apple to provide parts and instructions for seven years.
November 1, 2025
Nothing Phones Get ‘Bloatware’: Ads on Lock Screen & Instagram Pre-Installed – Fans Are Furious
···

Nothing Phones Get ‘Bloatware’: Ads on Lock Screen & Instagram Pre-Installed – Fans Are Furious

Nothing has launched the Android 16-based OS 4.0 open beta for its Phone (3a) series, introducing a refreshed UI, new camera presets, and the “Lock Glimpse” dynamic lock-screen wallpaper feature. Select midrange models will now ship with pre-installed third-party apps, a first for the company. Nothing says these changes support revenue without raising prices. Fan response is mixed, with some calling the apps “bloatware.”
October 26, 2025
iPhone 17 Frenzy, Foldable Delays & AI Surprises – The Ultimate Mobile Roundup (Sept 18–19, 2025)
···

iPhone 17 Frenzy, Foldable Delays & AI Surprises – The Ultimate Mobile Roundup (Sept 18–19, 2025)

Apple’s iPhone 17 launch drew large crowds in China, with strong demand for the Pro Max model despite a ¥9,999 price tag. Samsung delayed its tri-fold Galaxy phone and XR headset to October, while rolling out the One UI 8 update with new AI features. Chinese brands Realme, Xiaomi, and Huawei unveiled new value phones and wearables. U.S. lawmakers called for probes into Chinese phone data security as EU device lifespan rules take effect in 2025.
September 19, 2025
Mobile Tech Mayhem: iPhone 17 Frenzy, Samsung Surprises & More (Sept 13–14, 2025)
···

Mobile Tech Mayhem: iPhone 17 Frenzy, Samsung Surprises & More (Sept 13–14, 2025)

Apple’s iPhone 17 series broke pre-order records in China, outpacing last year’s launch within minutes, though the ultra-thin iPhone Air remains unavailable there pending eSIM approval. Samsung launched the Galaxy S25 FE at $650 and confirmed the S Pen will stay on the S26 Ultra. Google’s Pixel 9 series drove 105% premium segment growth in H1 2025. Global smartphone production rose 4.8% in Q2, led by Samsung and Apple.
September 14, 2025