Mobile Phones 10 January 2026 - 4 February 2026

Samsung’s Free One UI 8.5 Upgrade Hits Galaxy S24 Phones As Global Rollout Widens
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Samsung’s Free One UI 8.5 Upgrade Hits Galaxy S24 Phones As Global Rollout Widens

Samsung is pushing out the stable One UI 8.5 update to Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24 Ultra owners in South Korea, marking the latest expansion of a software rollout kicked off earlier this month. According to SamMobile, the firmware—version S92xNKSU5DZOP—lands at over 4GB for those upgrading from the existing stable One UI. This shift is notable—Samsung is putting features that debuted on its latest Galaxy models into some older high-end phones. One UI, the company's Android skin, hits version 8.5 and spreads more Galaxy AI capabilities, tweaks to design, and updated privacy tools across both phones and tablets. Those additions aren’t just for the newest devices anymore.
May 11, 2026
Google Pixel 10a leaks tip Feb. 18 preorders, March 5 release — and a familiar $500 bet
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Google Pixel 10a leaks tip Feb. 18 preorders, March 5 release — and a familiar $500 bet

Google’s upcoming mid-range Pixel 10a might start pre-orders on Feb. 18, with a retail launch set for March 5, a recent tip from Evan Blass suggests. Leaks so far hint at a “boosted” Tensor G4 chip and a bigger battery, while sticking close to the familiar A-series design Google has been using. Why this matters now: Google’s A-series targets the busy $500 segment, where even slight spec changes can tip the balance between upgrading or holding off. Discounts on recent Pixels are squeezing the room the 10a has to claim, raising the chance that Google might be battling against its own phones just as much as Samsung’s Galaxy A lineup.
February 4, 2026
Motorola Razr 70 pops up in UAE TDRA certification database — Razr 70 Ultra listed too
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Motorola Razr 70 pops up in UAE TDRA certification database — Razr 70 Ultra listed too

Dubai, Feb 4, 2026, 14:11 New Motorola flip phones, the Razr 70 and Razr 70 Ultra, have popped up in the UAE’s Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority database. Screenshots shared by a tech site reveal model numbers XT2657-8 and XT2655-1 listed under Lenovo Electronics Technology Co., Ltd. https://www.notebookcheck.net/Motorola-Razr-70-and-Razr-70-Ultra-confirmed-to-receive-global-releases.1218826.0.html
February 4, 2026
Consumer Reports Names 12 Cheap Android Phones Under $500 That Still Score Like Premium
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Consumer Reports Names 12 Cheap Android Phones Under $500 That Still Score Like Premium

Consumer Reports testing data point to a dozen Android phones selling for $500 or less that still scored in the mid-to-high range on its 100-point scale, according to a BGR report published on Feb. 1. The shortlist spans Samsung’s Galaxy S24 FE and S23 FE, Google’s Pixel 7a, Motorola’s Edge+, OnePlus’s Nord N30 5G, and two Nothing models, among others. Why this matters now: phone makers are pushing more “flagship” features into cheaper devices, trying to catch buyers who are stretching upgrade cycles and balking at higher-end pricing. Screens are a big part of that — OLED panels, which tend to deliver deeper blacks, are no longer reserved for top-tier models.
February 2, 2026
Apple’s iPhone 18 Launch Gets Upended: Foldable and Pro Models First, Standard Phone Slips to 2027
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Apple’s iPhone 18 Launch Gets Upended: Foldable and Pro Models First, Standard Phone Slips to 2027

Apple is focusing production and shipments on its top three premium iPhone models for a second-half 2026 release — including its first foldable iPhone — while pushing the standard iPhone 18 launch to the first half of 2027, Nikkei Asia reported Friday, citing four insiders. This move signals a shift in Apple's marketing approach alongside supply-chain challenges, the report noted. Apple didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment, and Reuters has not independently confirmed the story. Apple shaking up its typical annual iPhone release schedule with a staggered rollout would disrupt the usual single launch window that suppliers prepare for. It also highlights how tight supplies—particularly memory chips—are now influencing product timing, not just costs.
January 30, 2026
Nothing Phone 4a spotted in UAE TDRA certification — here’s what it could mean for launch plans
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Nothing Phone 4a spotted in UAE TDRA certification — here’s what it could mean for launch plans

Nothing’s rumored Phone 4a has just passed a certification hurdle in the United Arab Emirates, hinting that the mid-range phone is nearing its debut. Droid Life reports the UAE approval is for model number A069. The UAE’s Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority mandates that numerous radio and telecom devices be registered before they’re allowed for use, sale, or distribution in the country—a step the agency refers to as type approval.
January 27, 2026
iPhone 18 Pro leak twist: Dynamic Island stays as selfie-camera redesign gets walked back
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iPhone 18 Pro leak twist: Dynamic Island stays as selfie-camera redesign gets walked back

Speculation that Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro might drop the Dynamic Island eased this week when a seasoned display analyst confirmed a leak suggesting a smaller, centered cutout replacing the usual top-left selfie camera. The Dynamic Island isn’t simply a black area at the screen’s top. It’s Apple’s software layer that surrounds the front cutout and houses Face ID — the company’s infrared facial recognition tech for unlocking iPhones and authorizing payments.
January 22, 2026
iPhone 18 Pro leak: Under-screen Face ID could shrink the Dynamic Island — and suppliers are lining up
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iPhone 18 Pro leak: Under-screen Face ID could shrink the Dynamic Island — and suppliers are lining up

Apple’s upcoming high-end iPhones are reportedly set to feature under-screen Face ID and a narrower “Dynamic Island” cutout, according to new supply-chain leaks and posts from insiders on Monday. MacRumors highlighted a now-deleted tweet from the X account “ShrimpApplePro” that said the Dynamic Island would be “shorter” and some Face ID components would shift beneath the display. The timing is crucial since Apple’s Pro models usually pack the biggest upgrades and yield higher margins. Display components get finalized long before launch, so even minor tweaks—like a shift or shrink in the cutout—can cascade through panel design, sensor packaging, and supplier arrangements.
January 20, 2026
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leak: Price may hold, but perks could shrink as “Ultraviolet” color tips emerge
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Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leak: Price may hold, but perks could shrink as “Ultraviolet” color tips emerge

Samsung Electronics is mulling a reduction in launch promotions for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, aiming to hold the line on prices even as component costs climb, according to South Korea’s iNews24 on Tuesday. https://www.inews24.com/view/1929548 The pricing debate is urgent as memory costs, a major expense in premium phones, have spiked. This jump comes as suppliers redirect capacity to AI servers, tightening supply and squeezing margins in consumer electronics. Macquarie noted in a report that these supply constraints and higher prices are hitting near-term demand—but it sees the impact as a delay rather than a drop.
January 20, 2026
Realme P4 Power 5G’s 10,001mAh battery heads to India on Jan 29 as price leak surfaces
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Realme P4 Power 5G’s 10,001mAh battery heads to India on Jan 29 as price leak surfaces

Realme, the China-based smartphone brand, revealed it will launch the P4 Power 5G in India on January 29 at noon local time. The highlight: a hefty 10,001mAh battery. The company promises up to 32.5 hours of video playback on one charge. The phone will be available through Flipkart and Realme’s India online store. Battery capacities hitting five digits are a rarity in mainstream smartphones, which typically hover between 4,500mAh and 5,000mAh. Realme, for now, is doubling down on endurance — and it’s hard to miss.
January 20, 2026
Samsung’s One UI 8.5 beta just refreshed Good Lock’s Home Up to reshape your Galaxy home screenSEOUL, Jan 20
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Samsung’s One UI 8.5 beta just refreshed Good Lock’s Home Up to reshape your Galaxy home screenSEOUL, Jan 20

Samsung has begun rolling out a refreshed Home Up module inside its Good Lock customization suite for users on the One UI 8.5 beta, adding new controls for widgets, edge panels and sharing, 9to5Google reported. https://9to5google.com/2026/01/19/one-ui-8-5-home-up-update/ The update lands as Samsung continues testing One UI 8.5 on its Galaxy S25 lineup, with feature tweaks showing up through the Galaxy Store rather than as big system overhauls. In the premium phone market, vendors increasingly fight over software feel — the small, daily frictions.
January 20, 2026
Honor’s Magic8 RSR “last Porsche Design phone”? Here’s what just triggered the talk
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Honor’s Magic8 RSR “last Porsche Design phone”? Here’s what just triggered the talk

ZHUHAI, China, Jan 20, 2026, 20:09 Honor’s latest Magic8 RSR Porsche Design phone might be the final model in their co-branded lineup, according to a report from Chinese tech site IT Home on Tuesday. The outlet referenced a Weibo post by Chen Ligeng, an Honor performance development engineer, who described the device as the “last-generation pinnacle” of the Porsche series.
January 20, 2026
iPhone Fold leak points to Touch ID comeback, September 2026 timing and a $2,400 ceiling
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iPhone Fold leak points to Touch ID comeback, September 2026 timing and a $2,400 ceiling

Apple’s eagerly anticipated iPhone Fold might arrive in September 2026, trading Face ID for the Touch ID fingerprint sensor, according to analyst Jeff Pu’s investor note referenced by Tom’s Guide. The foldable device is expected to feature a 7.8-inch main display, a 5.3-inch cover screen, and could carry a price tag near $2,400. This move would finally place Apple in the foldable arena it’s observed from afar, as Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series and Google’s Pixel Fold have been leading the charge at the premium end. Foldables remain niche, selling modestly, yet their steep price tags help boost profit margins.
January 18, 2026
iPhone 18 leaks tease under-display Face ID and 120Hz screens — plus a possible split launch
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iPhone 18 leaks tease under-display Face ID and 120Hz screens — plus a possible split launch

A fresh iPhone 18 leak claims Apple’s next Pro iPhones could hide Face ID under the display—finally. The same tip keeps the iPhone 18 Pro at around 6.3 inches and the iPhone 18 Pro Max at around 6.9, while the standard iPhone 18 is still expected to keep a Dynamic Island-style cutout. This matters because Face ID isn’t just “a camera.” It’s a full sensor system, and pushing it behind the OLED panel is the kind of change you feel every time you unlock your phone.
January 14, 2026
iQOO 15 Review Roundup (January 11, 2026): Samsung Polarization‑Free OLED, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and iQOO Z11 Turbo Launch Details
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iQOO 15 Review Roundup (January 11, 2026): Samsung Polarization‑Free OLED, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and iQOO Z11 Turbo Launch Details

iQOO is having a busy start to 2026. Fresh coverage over the past few days has put the spotlight on the iQOO 15 as a “flagship-killer” gaming phone, while new reports also outline a major Samsung Display panel upgrade that goes “polarization‑free.” At the same time, iQOO has confirmed the iQOO Z11 Turbo launch date in China, and multiple certification sightings suggest more devices—iQOO 15R, iQOO Z11x 5G, and vivo V70 FE—could be approaching release windows in additional markets. One of the newest January 11 developments comes from a Notebookcheck feature that highlights a design detail many brands have experimented with—but few have nailed in a way that feels useful day-to-day: a colored LED ring around the rear camera module,
January 11, 2026
Motorola Razr Fold vs Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold: CES 2026 Ignites a New Foldable Phone Arms Race
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Motorola Razr Fold vs Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold: CES 2026 Ignites a New Foldable Phone Arms Race

Updated: January 11, 2026 Motorola and Samsung just turned foldables into CES 2026’s biggest smartphone story — and the ripple effects are still building as we head into mid-January. Motorola has finally stepped beyond clamshell “flip” nostalgia with the Motorola Razr Fold, its first book-style foldable built to take on Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold line and Google’s Pixel Fold family. Meanwhile, Samsung is pushing the category in an even bolder direction with the Galaxy Z TriFold, a triple-folding device that stretches into a 10-inch mini-tablet.
January 11, 2026
Xiaomi Redmi K90 Ultra leak hints at a built‑in cooling fan, IP68 protection, and an 8,000mAh+ battery
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Xiaomi Redmi K90 Ultra leak hints at a built‑in cooling fan, IP68 protection, and an 8,000mAh+ battery

January 10, 2026 — A new leak suggests Xiaomi is testing a Redmi performance flagship with a built-in cooling fan—and, unusually, it may still carry full IP68 dust and water resistance. If accurate, it could be one of the most ambitious attempts yet to bring gaming-phone thermal tech into a mainstream “flagship killer” design, while also chasing the next big trend: giant 8,000mAh-class batteries. Multiple outlets are pointing to the same origin: a claim attributed to well-known Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station. The gist is that a Xiaomi sub-brand is testing an engineering prototype powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500, and that prototype reportedly includes a physical internal cooling fan integrated into the camera “deco” / camera island area.
January 10, 2026
iPhone Fold and iPhone Air 2 Rumors Point to Thinner, Brighter CoE OLED Displays — With Galaxy S26 Ultra Potentially Getting It First
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iPhone Fold and iPhone Air 2 Rumors Point to Thinner, Brighter CoE OLED Displays — With Galaxy S26 Ultra Potentially Getting It First

Published: January 10, 2026 A new wave of supply-chain reporting is putting display technology—not cameras or chips—at the center of Apple and Samsung’s next big smartphone moves. The headline idea: Apple’s long-rumored iPhone Fold could debut a next‑gen OLED stack called CoE, and that same tech may later enable a more refined iPhone Air 2—potentially timed for the iPhone’s 20th anniversary year. Meanwhile, Samsung is expected to bring its own version of the tech to mainstream flagships, with the Galaxy S26 Ultra rumored as the first non‑foldable Galaxy to adopt it.
January 10, 2026
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