Mobile News 27 August 2025 - 4 February 2026

Apple is testing a new camera system for the iPhone 18 Pro that could extend optical zoom, according to a Weibo leak cited by MacRumors and 9to5Mac. Reports say the Pro models have reached late-stage sampling for a variable-aperture lens. Another leak suggests the display cutout may shrink by about 35%. Apple has not confirmed the features.

A leaked Xiaomi 17 Air prototype shows a 5.5mm-thick body, 6.59-inch display, and dual rear cameras, according to reports and leaked images circulating January 10–11. The device, which reached the engineering-mould stage before cancellation, also appears to feature wireless charging and a “MASTER” logo, suggesting it was an internal test unit.

Samsung Display briefly showed a crease-less foldable OLED panel at CES 2026 before removing it from its booth. The prototype’s appearance has fueled speculation about Apple’s rumored iPhone Fold, with reports suggesting a fall 2026 launch window and a book-style design. Samsung Display called the panel an R&D concept with no set release plan. Observers described the crease as nearly invisible.

Leaked images circulating Dec. 30 suggest Huawei may add a micro fan inside the Mate 80 GTS’s circular camera ring, repurposing the module as an active cooling system. Multiple outlets call the design speculative and likely AI-generated, but agree the concept aims to prevent chipset throttling during gaming. No official confirmation from Huawei. Reports differ on the fan’s exact placement.

Samsung plans to launch its Galaxy Z TriFold, a tri-folding phone-tablet, globally by late 2025, with debuts in China, South Korea, and the UAE. Patents show two hinges, three panels, and three battery cells totaling over 5,000 mAh. Leaks point to a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, 16 GB RAM, a 10-inch foldable screen, and a 200 MP main camera. Pricing is expected to be high, with limited initial availability.

Google unveiled its Pixel 10 lineup with a new Tensor G5 chip and on-device Gemini AI, plus its first Pixel 10 Pro Fold at $1,799, shipping October 9. Apple’s iPhone 17 sales exceeded forecasts, prompting Morgan Stanley to raise its price target. Samsung will debut a tri-fold phone at the APEC summit in Korea. Xiaomi’s 17 series sold over 1 million units in 48 hours and added a 1TB variant.

Apple’s early iPhone 17 pre-orders are outpacing last year’s model, with production up 25% and the Pro Max version seeing a 60% output jump. Apple released iOS 26 on Sept. 15, featuring a major interface redesign and new on-device AI tools. Samsung began rolling out Android 16 on its Galaxy S25 series the same day. Xiaomi confirmed its 17 Pro series with a rear display launches Sept. 26 in China.

Apple will unveil four iPhone 17 models, two new Apple Watches, and AirPods Pro 3 on September 9, with leaks pointing to brighter displays and a possible $200 price hike for Pro models. Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra specs leaked, showing a 200 MP main camera and Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chip. OnePlus ended its Hasselblad partnership; the OnePlus 15 will use a new in-house imaging engine. Motorola launched three new phones at IFA 2025.

Apple will unveil the iPhone 17 lineup, including the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, at a September 9 event. Samsung set its Unpacked launch for September 4, revealing the Galaxy S25 FE and Tab S11, while also releasing the budget Galaxy A07 4G in Indonesia. Realme showed off concept phones with 15,000 mAh and 10,000 mAh batteries at its China fan festival. IDC forecasts 2025 smartphone shipments to rise 1% to 1.24 billion units, led by Apple.

Apple will unveil the iPhone 17 lineup at its “Awe Dropping” event on Sept. 9, with camera upgrades and a rumored 5.5 mm-thick iPhone 17 Air. Samsung’s Unpacked is set for Sept. 4, teasing new AI tablets and the Galaxy S25 FE. Google launched the Pixel 10 series with a Tensor G5 chip and AI features on Aug. 20. Xiaomi began rolling out HyperOS 3, syncing with iPhones, on Aug. 29.

Apple will unveil the iPhone 17 lineup, including a new “iPhone 17 Air,” at a September 9 event. Huawei will launch its tri-fold Mate XTs phone in China on September 4, priced at about $2,100. Google’s Pixel 10 series focuses on AI features, while Realme teased a phone with a 10,000 mAh battery and cooling fan. Samsung’s Galaxy S25 FE leaked with Exynos 2400 chip and 120 Hz display.