Mobile Devices 22 January 2026 - 6 February 2026

iPhone 17e launch date leak points to Feb 19 — MagSafe return and iPad 12 upgrade chatter
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iPhone 17e launch date leak points to Feb 19 — MagSafe return and iPad 12 upgrade chatter

Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 17e, its new entry-level model, on Feb. 19, according to multiple leaks. The device will likely feature MagSafe charging, upgraded connectivity chips, and retain a single rear camera with a notched screen. Reports also indicate the next base iPad may get an A18 chip and 8GB RAM. Apple has not confirmed any launch plans.
February 6, 2026
Redmi’s water-reveal Hindustan Times ad goes viral as Note 15 Pro pushes durability and 200MP camera
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Redmi’s water-reveal Hindustan Times ad goes viral as Note 15 Pro pushes durability and 200MP camera

A Hindustan Times print ad for Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 15 Pro series reveals its price only when splashed with water, using invisible ink. Redmi demonstrated the effect to media before launching the interactive ad in Gurgaon. The Note 15 Pro+ 5G and Note 15 Pro 5G launched in India on Feb. 4, starting at 29,999 rupees. Both feature 200-megapixel cameras, silicon-carbon batteries, and high water-resistance ratings.
February 5, 2026
Google teases Pixel 10a ahead of Feb. 18 pre-orders as leaks point to new colors
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Google teases Pixel 10a ahead of Feb. 18 pre-orders as leaks point to new colors

Google will open pre-orders for the Pixel 10a on Feb. 18, revealing a flush rear camera and a blue-purple color option in its teaser. No pricing or technical specifications have been announced. CEO Sundar Pichai referenced the device during Alphabet’s earnings call, linking it to Google’s AI efforts. A release date for in-store availability remains unconfirmed.
February 5, 2026
iPhone battery dying by afternoon? A 2026 audit points to one Wi‑Fi tweak — plus 4 privacy switches
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iPhone battery dying by afternoon? A 2026 audit points to one Wi‑Fi tweak — plus 4 privacy switches

Restricting Background App Refresh to Wi‑Fi only increased mid-afternoon battery life on an iPhone 15 Pro from about 40% to nearly 60%, according to a week-long user test. Apple says iPhone 15 batteries retain 80% capacity after 1,000 cycles, while iPhone 14 and earlier manage 500. Blocking tracking and disabling analytics also affected battery use, reports show.
February 2, 2026
Are annual iPhone, Galaxy and Pixel upgrades about to end? 2026 puts the phone sequel cycle on notice
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Are annual iPhone, Galaxy and Pixel upgrades about to end? 2026 puts the phone sequel cycle on notice

Memory-chip prices are rising as supply tightens, pushing up smartphone costs and dampening demand, according to industry sources. Major brands now offer up to seven years of software support, letting users keep devices longer. Research firms expect global smartphone sales to fall at least 2% in 2026. Analysts say yearly phone launches now bring only minor changes.
February 2, 2026
Apple’s foldable iPhone buzz: “iPhone Flip” talk and 5,500 mAh battery leak collide
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Apple’s foldable iPhone buzz: “iPhone Flip” talk and 5,500 mAh battery leak collide

Apple is reportedly testing a foldable iPhone with a square, clamshell design and a battery over 5,500 mAh, the largest yet in an iPhone. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says the clamshell concept is not guaranteed to launch. Competing foldables from Samsung and Google face battery life challenges. Details remain unconfirmed as Apple explores both “book” and “flip” styles.
February 2, 2026
2nm chip showdown: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, Dimensity 9600 tipped to hit iPhone 18 month as Samsung foundry role debated
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2nm chip showdown: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, Dimensity 9600 tipped to hit iPhone 18 month as Samsung foundry role debated

Flagship Android phones using Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and MediaTek’s Dimensity 9600 may launch the same month as Apple’s iPhone 18, according to tech reports. Some sources link Samsung’s 2nm process to a custom Qualcomm chip for the Galaxy S27 Ultra, but others say that shift is unlikely this cycle. Foundry capacity and possible DRAM shortages could affect release timing.
February 2, 2026
Apple’s new iPhone privacy switch can blur carrier location tracking — here’s who gets it
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Apple’s new iPhone privacy switch can blur carrier location tracking — here’s who gets it

Apple has added a “Limit Precise Location” setting for select iPhones and iPads, reducing how accurately mobile carriers can track devices. The feature, available with iOS 26.3 or later, works only on certain models and a limited number of carriers, including Boost Mobile in the U.S. The update does not affect emergency calls or app-level permissions.
February 2, 2026
Samsung’s Galaxy A07 5G lands in Malaysia with Gemini AI and a RM699 launch deal
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Samsung’s Galaxy A07 5G lands in Malaysia with Gemini AI and a RM699 launch deal

Samsung launched the Galaxy A07 5G in Malaysia, offering a 6.7-inch 120Hz display, 6,000mAh battery, and Google’s Gemini assistant. The phone is priced at 699 ringgit for the top model and comes with six years of security updates. Launches in India and other Asian markets are set for early February. The device carries an IP54 rating and Knox Vault security.
January 31, 2026
Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold hits U.S. stores for demos — but you still can’t buy it yet
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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
Google Pixel “Take a Message” bug may leak your background audio — Google investigates
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Google Pixel “Take a Message” bug may leak your background audio — Google investigates

Google is investigating reports that its Pixel “Take a Message” feature may transmit users’ background audio to callers after missed calls. Some Reddit users say they heard room noise instead of a voicemail greeting on certain Pixel models. Google confirmed the feature is available on Pixel 4 and newer in the US, UK, Ireland, and Australia. The company says it is actively investigating the issue.
January 23, 2026
Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold hits U.S. Samsung stores for demos — but you still can’t buy it yet
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Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold hits U.S. Samsung stores for demos — but you still can’t buy it yet

Samsung began showcasing its Galaxy Z TriFold phone at seven U.S. stores on Jan. 23, ahead of a wider release set for Q1 2026. The tri-folding device opens to a 10-inch display and will launch in Korea at 3.59 million won ($2,440) on Dec. 12, 2025. U.S. pricing and sale date remain unannounced. The in-store demo is hands-on only, with no sales yet.
January 23, 2026
MakeUseOf Shows How to Turn Your Phone Into a Universal TV Remote With Zero Extra Hardware
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MakeUseOf Shows How to Turn Your Phone Into a Universal TV Remote With Zero Extra Hardware

A MakeUseOf guide released Thursday details how smartphones can control TVs using Wi‑Fi or built-in infrared, without extra hardware. Apple, Roku, and Amazon offer official phone remote apps, but users report ongoing compatibility issues and frequent ads in third-party options. Universal TV Remote App‑IR requires an IR blaster for some functions. Verizon notes both devices must share a network for Wi‑Fi control.
January 23, 2026
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