Oppo is preparing to launch one of the most ambitious smartphone cameras to date, packing in three 200-megapixel sensors.

It will announce the Find X10 fully later in September as flagship phones move into their next chapter, but some details are starting to be revealed – for both the Find X10 and Find X10 Pro Max – with many coming from Oppo itself.

For example, thanks to a series of posts from Oppo's Zhuo Shijie on Weibo, we now know a lot more about what to expect from the cameras.

The big takeaway is that the Oppo Find X10 Pro Max will use three 200-megapixel cameras, developed with Hasselblad. The primary camera will have an f/1.5 aperture, the ultrawide will have an f/2.2 aperture and the telephoto camera – also packing a 200-megapixel sensor – will have an f/2.1 aperture, with CIPA 7.5 stabilisation.

There's also talk of a new colour sensor, offering improved dynamic range. All-in, it should be a photography powerhouse.

Supporting OpenGate capture, videographers will be able use the entire sensor for 4:3 video, and it will be compatible with the Blackmagic Camera app and offer O-Log2 and Dolby Vision capture. While these features will be beyond most normal users, it takes the video options to a new professional level.

All three cameras will support 8K and there's going to be a full range of accessories available, with a real focus on photo and video capture.

The regular Find X10 will have two 200-megapixel cameras with different lenses, the main with f/1.6 and the telephoto with f/2.6, while the rest of the phone will likely be similar.

It's been confirmed that there will be an 8,000mAh battery in both models, while the bezel around the display has shrunk to 0.99mm.

Also, thanks to a leak from Digital Chat Station, we can add the expectation for the Dimensity 9600 Pro – the new 2nm chip from MediaTek – plus 80W wired and 50W wireless charging added to the picture.

In China, the Find X10 is already available for pre-order, and the timing of the launch is likely to coincide with the reveal of that new core hardware. The MediaTek 9600 is expected to be revealed on 15 September, while next-gen Snapdragon hardware is expected on 22 September.

We've previously reported that a new Honor phone will be revealed within the same timeframe, and we'd expect Xiaomi to unveil the Xiaomi 18 Pro as the first device available with the new Snapdragon hardware.

Most of these phones will be launched in China first, but availability for the rest of the world is likely to come from February 2027 onwards.

Apple has extended access to its satellite features, meaning those with an iPhone can continue to enjoy the peace of mind that there will be an emergency connection when you're off the grid.

Apple designed the suite of satellite features for emergency connectivity, originally allowing users an SOS function, but evolving the service to include roadside assistance and messaging.

The service launched in 2022, initially with a two-year trial period, but Apple keeps extending it – including a new extension that was quietly added with the launch of the iPhone 18 Pro.

Sitting at the bottom of the press release for the new phone is a footnote that says: "Apple is extending free access to satellite features for an additional year for existing iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 users."

So that trial seems to be turning into a standard feature, although the fact that Apple is referring to it as an extension leaves it with the option for a paid-for service in the future.

How does Apple's satellite service work?

Apple's iPhone communicates with Globalstar satellites and was one of the first consumer satellite offerings in a smartphone. Of course, satellite calling already existed, and devices like Garmin's InReach were offering satellite communications back in 2011, but Apple generally helped start a new era of satellite connectivity.

That's not quite the end of the story: while satellite connectivity offers limited features right now, there's a bigger push for non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) to expand coverage to areas that don't have traditional masts to provide greater connectivity.

With the adoption of NTNs by traditional mobile carriers, it might be that blanket coverage is more widely available, reducing the need for bespoke SOS functions. Simply put, once satellites are offering 5G themselves, you might never find yourself without mobile signal.

T-Mobile in the US has already partnered with Starlink, while the O2 Satellite service in the UK is available as a Bolt On for £3 a month. It's not a perfect solution: you need line of sight to the sky and there's limited bandwidth, but we're at the start of the move into space connectivity with a lot of development coming over the next five years.

For now, those with an older iPhone can rest assured that the emergency SOS functions are still available and you still don't have to pay for them.

Apple introduced variable aperture as the highlight feature of the new iPhone 18 Pro, underlining that the camera is still a hugely important part of a smartphone. You don't need to tell Honor that though, as it has started teasing its next flagship phone with some new camera features of its own.

Introducing the Magic 9 Pro Max, which is due to be officially launched on 28 September in China, Honor is leaning into its partnership with Arri – a veteran of the cinema industry. Its camera systems were used for films like The Revenant, 1917, Gravity, and more.

The pairing first came to light with the development of Honor's Robot Phone, but it seems that Arri's experience will also benefit the 2027 flagship phone too.

The Honor Magic 9 Pro Max was shown off at the Venice International Film Festival, with Arri branding on the back of the device in the camera array, while it has also been teased on Weibo.

Although the phone physically has adopted the rear segmentation that was ushered in for the iPhone 17 Pro, using a separate rear panel and huge camera island, the layout of the camera's lenses seems to have drawn inspiration from an old Arriflex camera.

The result is a massive round blob of camera sitting next to two other lenses. It's bold, but I have to say I kind of like it. Looking closer, it seems that much of that larger surround is just there to decorate the telephoto.

From the video on Weibo we learn a little more about Honor's accessories for this camera, with what looks like a clip on cover to support a larger telephoto extension – the sort of thing we've seen from Vivo with the X300 Ultra or the Oppo Find X9 Pro.

We know that the Honor Magic 9 Pro Max will have three cameras developed with Arri, and what it looks like. And we also know there will be a fetching green colour. That's about the end of the official information that we currently have.

So let's move onto speculation: the timing of the launch suggests that it will be equipped with Qualcomm's next-gen Snapdragon hardware, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 – or the rumoured "pro" version of the chip that might also appear.

That hardware is expected later in September and typically Chinese brands immediately announce new phones using it straight after launch.

A wider global launch is likely to follow, probably around February 2027.

An additional leak from Digital Chat Station suggests that the Honor Magic 9 Pro Max has an 8,800mAh battery, which is absolutely huge.

Elsewhere, a video of the new phone has also been shared, which appears to be official, showing the design a little more, while there seem to be plenty sharing the design online already, likely part of Honor's teaser campaign.

Included around the lenses of the camera, it's revealed that there's a 200-megapixel cam, with a 1/1.28in type sensor and 3 degrees of OIS, while it also says there will be a 200-megapixel, 1/1.4in sensor with 4 degrees OIS – it's not clear which cameras the details apply to, but it's likely to be the main and the telephoto.

All will be revealed on 28 September, but it looks like the Honor Magic 9 Pro Max is going to be a serious phone. Especially for fans of photography.

Motorola could be the next brand to release a wider folding phone, looking to quickly shift its strategy from flip to fold.

It launched its first book-type folding phone in 2026, the Motorola Razr Fold, having first re-entered the folding phone phone market in 2019 with the rebirth of its iconic Razr line.

While Samsung has led the charge in larger format devices, Motorola has been reluctant to move from flip to fold – and has seen success with its Razr models in some markets, particularly the US.

But as Apple has just announced the iPhone Duo, its £2,000 folding phone, Motorola hasn't missed the chance to point out that it's been in the folding phone game for a long time, and highlight its "next move".

Posting on social channels, the brand has run with the tagline "New in their hands. Iconic in ours", leading with the V3 Razr from 2004, before jumping to the 2019 version and then through iterations of the flip phone until the 2026 Razr Fold.

At that point something interesting happens, because a silhouette of a device appears which is a fold style, but shorter, looking like an obvious tease for Motorola's next folding phone.

With Apple joining the folding phone market, it's likely that everyone in the folding phone segment will adopt the format.

Samsung launched its wider folding phone in July 2026 – the Galaxy Z Fold 8 – while Huawei was there slightly earlier with the Pura X, and Xiaomi is also entering the fray with the Xiaomi 18 Fold.

Motorola, having just made the transition to a larger folding device, doesn't want to be left behind.

Samsung currently dominates the global market for folding phones with a 40% share, according to recent Counterpoint research. Huawei – thanks to its profile in China – took 30% of the share in 2025, Motorola, Honor and Google all had a slice of the pie.

It's expected that Apple's entry into the folding phone market will not only drive a lot of attention to folding phones, but reinforce the advantages of a wider device, rather than the larger-format devices that open with an almost square display.

With expansion expected across the segment, brands will want to make sure they have an iPhone Duo alternative to benefit from the wave of enthusiasm that's likely to come.

It's not clear when Motorola might launch this new phone. Typical launch windows – like Lenovo Innovation World that just took place in Berlin – have passed. It's likely then that Motorola will cast its eye on CES 2027.

In 2026, Motorola showcased the new Signature and Fold models in Las Vegas, before releasing them a few months later.

Although Apple didn't mention it during its iPhone Duo launch presentation, the release date for iOS 27 has been officially revealed.

It appears in the footnotes under the press release for the iPhone 18 Pro, but will be made available for all supported iPhones before that device is made available. It'll be downloadable from next Monday 14 September, in fact.

This includes the new Apple Intelligence features, which will be available for "users with an Apple Intelligence-enabled device set to a supported language". That includes devices in English-speaking countries, plus multiple other regions and languages across Europe and the rest of the world.

The new Siri AI is slightly different. While also available from 14 September, it will launch in beta form for English-language devices only. Apple will then roll out the AI-powered assistant in French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish from October.

Is iPadOS 27 coming too?

It hasn't yet been confirmed, but it is more than likely that iPadOS 27 will also roll out on Monday for iPads, with Apple's other operating systems potentially joining it. Some of them have been known to be staggered in the past though, such as macOS.

As for the new iPhones, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models will be available to pre-order from Saturday 12 September, with an on-sale date of 18 September.

Apple's first foldable iPhone – the iPhone Duo – will follow, with pre-orders opening on 16 October for a 23 October release date.

All of the new iPhones will come with iOS 27, Siri AI and Apple Intelligence pre-installed.

Apple has announced the iPhone Duo at last. Previously dubbed the iPhone Fold or iPhone Ultra in speculation over the last year, it is the company's first foldable smartphone and it's everything we expected and more.

A similar shape and size to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, the iPhone Duo is small and squat but has a 7.6-inch 4:3 OLED display when unfolded. This allows for better viewing of video content and is more like an iPad mini than a traditional book-style folding device.

There are some caveats to the new form factor. It only has two camera units on the rear, without the telephoto lens you'll find on the new iPhone 18 Pro, and it doesn't support Face ID. However, you do get Touch ID on the power button and when open, this is the slimmest iPhone ever made (even thinner than last year's iPhone Air).

Also, you do still get a FaceTime camera behind the inner display, with a small lens in the top right of the front screen too.

The software has been tweaked especially for the device, to seamlessly work across the front display and its unfolded equivalent. There are multitasking capabilities, app swiping to swap between screens and dedicated features that work when the device is partially folded or when set down on a desktop.

The outer screen is 5.4-inches and has the same aspect ratio as the inner version. While the build quality is typically Apple – grade 5 titanium has been used for the frame, with ceramic on the back and front.

We're yet to see the display ourselves, but Apple claims that it has one of the strongest bendable displays in the industry. And it suggests that the crease is almost eliminated.

In terms of the other specs, the Duo runs on the A20 Pro chip, much like the iPhone 18 Pro also just announced. It also includes a vapour chamber to keep the chip cool, as well as a C2 5G modem for cellular reliability.

Battery life is claimed to be up to 22 hours when using both screens simultaneously, while fast charging (through USB-C) allows for 50% charge in just 15 minutes.

There are two cameras on the rear, with the main camera capable of up to 4K 120fps video recording, and the 48-megapixel Fusion ultrawide is the same as on the Pro models. As mentioned though, there is no telephoto here.

It will also run Siri AI and the latest Apple Intelligence, of course. And one extra surprise is that the foldable will be compatible with Apple Pencil post launch. That's a big win for those with the stylus already.

The iPhone Duo will be priced from $1,999 / £1,999 / AU$3,499 for the 256GB model (as previously rumoured) with larger storage options up to 2TB becoming available too. Pre-orders open on 16 October for a 23 October release date.

This is a developing story, and we'll be updating with further details as they emerge.

Apple opened its 9 September event by dropping straight into its unveiling of the iPhone 18 Pro, confirming a few weeks of leaks by showing off two striking new colours for the new phone.

It'll come in burgundy and glacier, the latter being an icy blue, along with the more traditional silver and black options that have been around for years.

In wider design terms, the phone's a clear case of continuity – it looks extremely similar to last year's 17 Pro, with a shelf on the rear again housing that triple camera unit. Those cameras have been given a nice upgrade, though, while the Dynamic Island has also shrunk down to be smaller than ever.

Unsurprisingly, the showcase of the phone was dominated by explanations of how Siri is evolving in its new "Siri AI" iteration. Apple showed how it can interact with apps and services to give you more voice control than before. It also showed a far more expressive and customisable voice model, something that Siri's been crying out for for years.

Of course, that AI upgrade goes hand in hand with a new chipset powering the phone, the A20 Pro. Seeing Apple talk in terms of "compute" requirements does underline how AI lingo is going mainstream, but the details are important here. The chip is built on a 2-nanometer infrastructure, a big step, and has upgraded CPU and GPU performance.

In practice, that'll mean more power in graphically demanding situations like gaming, but also improvements in AI performance in image generation. Hopefully that means Apple's AI editing tools get a little quicker.

Under the hood, we got a look at a new thermal management system that should help the 18 Pro keep cooler and therefore more performant – a whacking great vapour chamber, something that's becoming increasingly popular as a solution in flagship phones.

For the first time, Apple also talked about its battery tech changing, with the "largest increase ever" between two generations of iPhones. It didn't explicitly say this was down to silicon carbon technology, but it might expand on that at some point.

The new 48MP main shooting lens on the iPhone 18 Pro has a new variable aperture control system that should make it a little more customisable and controllable. This is the closest we've seen Apple get to just sticking a traditional camera lens in its phone, and we'll be fascinated to see how it performs. It'll be a great addition for photography nerds, as will newly expanded controls in the Camera app (which might kill some third-party apps overnight).

Of course, we knew that the phones would also get a price hike – and that was confirmed by a new price for the 18 Pro at $1,199 in the US, and the 18 Pro Max at $1,299. In the UK, as was predictable, we're getting a worse deal – the 18 Pro is £1,199, and the Pro Max is £1,299. Those are chunky £100/$100 hikes. Still, pre-orders start on 12 September, with an on-sale date of 18 September.

Today, Wednesday 9 September, marks the date of newly appointed Apple CEO, John Ternus, in delivering the tech giant's Surprise and Shine event.

We've been live-blogging about that all day long ahead of its 18:00 (BST) kick-off time. But Ternus' second-ever 'Tweet' – on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter – was a biggie.

The new CEO only joined X on 1 September, to coincide with his new role, with a simple 'hello' message and nothing more – until now. His second post is far more telling, as it's in animated video form:

I think what we're looking at here is the much-rumoured variable aperture of the incoming iPhone 18 Pro Max – a feature said to be exclusive to this phone alone in this year's line-up.

That's because, look closely, and you'll see the opening to that light source has six sides. In a lens formation that's precisely what a six-blade aperture looks like.

And a six-blade aperture is ideally designed to physically adjust, pushing and pulling the aperture petals to adjust the opening size – and the amount of light let in to expose the sensor.

If you re-watch the animated video's closing moments, you'll see what appears to be that aperture shrinking in size. One of the key reasons for a smaller or wider opening is to control the light and how that will affect an image – a wider opening will deliver more background blur, for example, further exaggerated in a longer focal length.

That's why it's been long rumoured that Apple's Portrait mode was likely to get an upgrade from a variable aperture lens. And this could be the first glimpse we have of just that.

It's not the first time this kind of technology has been deployed in a smartphone. Xiaomi did it with its 14 Ultra handset a couple of years ago – which we described as "a photographers' dream".

Others have already taken to the web to cast other theories, though. "Vision Pro 2?" queries someone in the X thread, among a swathe of memes and AI-generated videos for your amusement.

One thing is clear, though: Apple hasn't – or, moreover, didn't – tease product releases in this way. But this is 'The New Apple', with Ternus at the helm, so could be a hint of more changes in its practice to come.

I've not even mentioned the folding iPhone – whether named as Ultra or Duo is now up for debate – up to this point, so the tease-and-distract method certainly has its own value...

The internet got itself into a tizzy over the past few days, when users started sharing stories about how the screen on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 flexes at the corners.

This all started with fairly innocent questions about whether others found that the corners could be pushed inwards slightly. As is often the case, some pile-in with confused information (one referring it to the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which was a completely different design), while others provided useful information – such as confirming how the glue was applied from the JerryRigEverything teardown.

Reddit went down the same rabbit hole, before Samsung came forward to detail that it's a design feature, not a flaw. That hasn’t stopped the sensationalist reactions on X, with people claiming it's a quality control issue and highlighting that Apple will do better. But that's the internet folks.

According to Samsung, talking to Business Post (via 9to5Google), it's an intentional flexibility designed to protect your device from damage if something does get caught in the corner.

Samsung said in a reply to one user: "When you press the outer corners of the foldable main display on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra, there is a slight indentation. This means that the main display of the foldable product features a cushioning structure applied to the outer corner areas for durability and protection."

The reply goes on: "This is a normal design feature applied to protect the display and enhance durability, and it does not affect the product performance, so please use it with confidence."

That, it seems, is much to the disappointment of many online who thought they had found Samsung's fatal flaw with its popular new device.

While many were suggesting that Apple wouldn't have the same "flaw", we're now only hours away from the launch of the "iPhone Duo", which is the expected name of the folding iPhone.

We're just hoping it's more successful than the Surface Duo that seems to be the inspiration for its name.

We have been writing and discussing Apple's first foldable iPhone for many months – years, even – and it's mainly been called the iPhone Fold or iPhone Ultra in that time. However, it seems that the internet speculation was wrong.

While Apple is almost certainly going to reveal the device later today, the names we've been using have seemingly been incorrect.

According to Bloomberg's resident Apple expert, Mark Gurman – who is generally right about these things – the foldable will be called the iPhone Duo, instead.

This is backed up by fellow trusted leaker, Ice Universe, who posted an "iPhone Duo" teaser on his X feed.

To be honest, the name allegedly chosen doesn't sound like an Apple product. It's more Microsoft, which used a similar name for its own, ill-fated foldables in the early 2020s. But there was also some who suggested that calling the new iPhone "Ultra" would also be misleading.

It's believed that it'll have a lower spec camera unit than the iPhone 18 Pro, with the telephoto lens missing. And it's also thought that it'll cut Face ID from the equation, being that it'll be so slim when unfolded.

Those omissions mean that while you gain a fold-out screen, the new iPhone can hardly be called the best of the best. It'll be different rather than superior.

Someone might want to tell the accounts department that though, as Gurman also suggests that the starting price will be $2,000 (£2,000, if Apple's pricing convention continues as normal).

That's actually less than some reports and leaks have claimed, although it is also said that the 2TB model could rise to as much as $3,000.

Setting the entry point at $2K (rather than the tipped $2.5K) does allow Apple to better compete with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, however. Samsung's similarly-sized starts at $1,899 – just $100 less – so the difference could be forgiven by many.

It'll be more stark in the UK, of course, as Samsung doesn't match prices like-for-like over here – the Galaxy Z Fold 8 starts at £1,699 – and there are discounts at networks already. But it could have been much worse.

We'll find out for sure in just a few hours, when the Apple event kicks off. T3 will be covering all the news live and throughout the day, so stay with us.

Apple's annual iPhone launch event is taking place today, Wednesday 9 September 2026, and you can watch it live right here on T3.

Dubbed "Surprise and Shine", the event will be the first hosted by new CEO John Ternus and should debut the much-talked about iPhone Duo – Apple's first foldable phone. You can watch it live below.

In addition, we should see the launch of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12, Watch Ultra 4, and AirPods 5. There'll be a whole lot about Siri AI too, as it'll arrive with iOS 27 in the coming days.

So, expect a jam-packed show with maybe a surprise or two along the way.

Here are all the details.

When will the Apple iPhone Ultra event start?

Apple will stream its iPhone launch event today, Wednesday 9 September 2026.

As is tradition, it will kick off at 10:00am PDT, local time for Apple's HQ in Cupertino.

Here are the start times for your location:

• US West Coast: 10:00 PDT
• US East Coast: 13:00 EDT
• UK: 18:00 BST
• Central Europe: 19:00 CEST
• India (New Delhi): 22:30 IST
• China (Beijing): 01:00 CST (10 September)
• Japan (Tokyo): 02:00 JST (10 September)
• South Korea (Seoul): 02:00 KST (10 September)
• Australia (Sydney): 03:00 AEDT (10 September)

How to watch the new Apple iPhone launch event

You can watch the event stream live right here (via the video further up this page).

Alternatively, you will be able to watch it on Apple's own website, or through Apple TV devices.

What to expect

The main focus this year will undoubtedly be on Apple's first foldable phone – commonly referred to as the iPhone Ultra, but seemingly arriving as the "iPhone Duo". So much has been written and said about it that it would be a major shock if it didn't appear.

There will also be an iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max announced, although we expect to have to wait until early next year for a new standard iPhone 18 model.

In terms of smartwatches, we understand the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 will be unveiled, along with new AirPods – the AirPods 5, at the very least.

Oh. and there will be plenty about iOS 27 and Siri AI, which will soon be available for existing devices as well as the new ones.

We'll be watching along like everyone else, of course, and covering the whole shebang live. Why don't you join us?

Nothing has put out a call for its Community Review Program, which is where fans of the brand can play their part in testing and reviewing its products.

There's a whole range of stipulations about what you'll have to do, but it's basically a reviews programme where you'll have to share those impressions through your own channels as part of the Nothing community.

It's made perfectly clear that you'll have to agree to an NDA – non disclosure agreement – and you'll be given dates when you can share your thoughts and findings.

For those dreaming of being an influencer, this could be the opportunity: you'll be sent a Nothing device, you get to test it and then you can create the content. For you it's a bit of fun – you'll have to return the phone as it's only a loan – while for Nothing it's a bit of community engagement and free marketing.

Nothing has outlined some specific types of people it's interested in, saying that those interested in 3D animation, graphic design, music and sound products, or product reviews are encouraged to apply.

The announcement is topped by Lanturn, originally appearing on a teaser a few days ago. It's not clear if Lanturn refers to a product or just to the Review Program itself, but the appearance has set speculation running.

Some community members think that it refers to a premium Nothing watch, while others pick up on the symbology and think that it refers to the Glyph interface because of the light. Others see the electric type Pokémon as some sort of battery or charging device.

Nothing has already had a busy year and the company has publicly said that it will have a wider selection of phones in 2027, which could include a new flagship phone, the Nothing Phone (4).

We've had the Nothing Phone (4a) and (4a) Pro, as well as the Nothing Phone (4b) this year – alongside new earbuds.

Rumours persist that there's a Nothing Watch in the making, with previous watches limited to the CMF brand.

While the upcoming launches aren't clear, those selected for the Review Program will get access to devices in advance, for a chance to have a say and directly impact on the direction that Nothing is moving.

With Apple due to host its annual iPhone launch event tomorrow, it comes as no surprise that the rumour mill has gone into overload – especially where the company's first foldable is concerned.

We've seen an official case manufacturer reveal its new, related products early, and now there are reports on iPhone Ultra pricing. But before I continue, I suggest you sit down. And maybe call your bank manager.

An online leaker, EVDownunder, claims to have discovered the pricing details for the iPhone Ultra from a source within Vodafone Australia. As expected, it's a lot higher than many would have hoped.

According to his X post, the 256GB model will cost AU$3,699 at launch, the 512GB version will be AU$4,199, and the 1TB AU$4,699.

In comparison, the iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at AU$2,199 in the country – so the difference is profound.

Using today's exchange rate, the 256GB iPhone Ultra will cost the equivalent of £1,970 / $2,663 if the leaked prices are correct. However, Apple doesn't really work that way. I'd expect it to be around $2,500 in fact, and considering the firm translates its prices like-for-like in the US and UK, you can expect to pay around £2,500.

Step up the storage sizes and it could run anywhere over £3K.

And sadly, for those hoping the leak turns out to be wrong, this matches previous estimations from seasoned analysts and Apple experts. Being an early adopter in Apple world has never come cheap.

It'll really come down to pre-order deals and network price plans, I feel. Or maybe the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is looking more attractive by the day.

We can't be sure until new CEO John Ternus takes to the stage tomorrow. T3 will bring you all the news (and confirmed pricing details) as they're revealed.

We have one more sleep before Father Apple brings some lovely new iPhones and Watches down the chimney, but that hasn't stopped case and accessory manufacturer ESR Tech from revealing its own new lineup early.

It has posted a video clip on its X feed that shows the iPhone Ultra, along with a selection of new cases that it claims will be essential for your new £2K+ foldable.

It has provoked one X user, Pedder, to repost it with the tag: "ESR: What NDA?"

In all honesty, considering just how many leaks, images and videos there are out there now, this is a small drop in the ocean. But considering ESR makes a vast selection of Apple (and Samsung) add-ons, it's a good indication of what to expect from a source that should be in the know.

In all likelihood, the iPhone Ultra in the post is a dummy unit. Indeed, the camera depth on the rear looks wrong in one of the shots – the lenses protrude too much, in my opinion.

However, considering everything else that's been released about Apple's new foldable to date, we can pretty much take it as read that this is near to the real deal.

If you also take a scroll through ESR Tech's other recent X posts, you'll also get a glimpse at the Dark Cherry iPhone 18 Pro Max and a black variant of the iPhone Ultra. The brand will no doubt also have Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 bands and cases available too.

And while Apple might be none too pleased about it, there's no doubt that this helps ramp up the hype even more. Tomorrow's event will be significant enough, being as it'll mark the debut of John Ternus as CEO, but throw the company's first foldable into the mix and it's turning into an unmissable keynote for tech lovers.

Folding phones are big news right now, with one expected to be announced in Cupertino on 9th September. But it’s not the only folding phone being announced. Today Xiaomi has unveiled its new flagship folding device, the Xiaomi 18 Fold, and it might just give Samsung and Apple a run for their money.

I got an exclusive hands-on with the device at the IFA show in Berlin and was seriously impressed. Finished in a bright red (also available in black, white and ceramic), the 18 Fold is passport-sized with a 2:1 ratio and unfolds to reveal a 7.58-inch tablet-like screen, much like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and, as the Apple device is rumoured to.

Measuring 117.8 x 83.6mm folded, it’s slightly shorter and wider than the Samsung and a little thicker, but the differences are negligible. I really liked the roundness of the corners and the fact that you can open it with one hand (at a stretch).

Both the internal and external screens on the Fold 18 are Xiaomi Hyper RGB panels with 4,000 nits peak brightness and an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz. There’s Xiaomi Shield Glass 3.0 on the outer screen and back panel to add strength and drop resistance, while the frame is an aluminium alloy.

The 18 Fold also boasts a Leica triple-camera system with a 200MP main camera and a 50MP periscope camera for a 3x zoom (80mm equivalent) or a sensor crop to allow a 6x (160mm equivalent). The cameras are lined up horizontally across the back of the phone in a chunky bump, similar to rumoured iPhone Fold designs.

Xiaomi’s new folding phone and its tablet, the Xiaomi Pad 9 Pro Max, are both powered by the latest XRING 03 system-on-a-chip (SoC), the company’s second in-house developed chip. This combines a 10-core CPU with a 16-core GPU and supports the latest LPDDR6 RAM. It promises 60% higher performance and 25% lower power consumption than the previous version.

For power, it uses a 6000mAh silicon-carbon battery, though the precise usage time was not revealed. It does support 50W wireless changing though, along with 67W wired.

The HyperOS allows multi-window operation, with both a two-way split on each side of the fold and a three-way split if you really need to see more apps. From my quick play with the phone, not every app allowed this but there are some useful hand gestures to pull the apps into the split-screen view.

What I really like about this phone – as I do the Samsung – is that it offers something in between the larger devices and the smaller flip models. It feels more compact in the hand, yet still offers that giant screen when unfolded, and in a more useful ratio. I also like that the outer screen is fully functional, so for day-to-day tasks you can use the phone folded.

The downside is that while the Xiaomi 18 Fold looks to be hugely appealing, it’s currently only available in China. There’s no word on whether this will come to the UK and Europe in the future, but at this stage I would guess not.

Prices in China for the 18 Fold start from 10999 Yuan, which is around £1200, €1400 or $1650. If this did make it to Europe, I would expect it to be closer to €2000 or £1700, but that would still be competitive.

The iPhone 18 Pro should be announced on 9 September with a design that's expected to be the same as the iPhone 17 Pro. But a new video gives us a closer look at this year's unique colours, even though these aren't real retail units.

The video shows the phone in Dark Cherry and Sky Blue, two new colours that are generally agreed upon for the next-gen iPhone. That's what raises some doubt about this leak – why isn't the third colour shown?

It might be that no one can decide if it's going to be black or silver, so rather than get it wrong, sticking to the most strongly-rumoured colours might seem like a safer bet.

With the iPhone 18 Pro expected to be the same overall design as the iPhone 17 Pro, much of the focus of these devices has been on the colour. We're sure it will have the A20 Pro chip and there could be a variable aperture on the Pro Max model, but from a design point of view it's expected to be much the same.

The phones are said to be dummy units, with the video originally appearing from Lanzuk on Naver, but shared on X.

This isn't an isolated appearance: it appears that some Russian retailers are showing off these dummy units in advance of the announcement. The second video shows them on a table with a sign that translates to "touch the future now".

If nothing else, this gives us a good sense of the general look and feel of the new phones, but as we outlined above, they're basically the same as the previous iPhone model.

Apple is expected to have a bumper launch over in Cupertino, with the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone Ultra, Watch Series 12, Watch Ultra 4 and AirPods 5 all expected to be announced this Wednesday.

If you thought that smartphones were getting a bit samey, you're right. But the Ikko MindOne Pro wants to offer something different with its square body and flip camera.

Rather than packing cameras into the back and front of the phone, it just has one rotating camera that will act as both. It's designed to give you a better selfie experience from the 50-megapixel camera.

Ikko, the company behind the MindOne Pro, pushes this as a card-sized "AI smartphone", looking to shake up the status quo with something a little different.

It's currently on pre-order (for £324) but it found its way onto the test bench of JerryRigEverything, which probably seemed like a good way to promote the new device, seeing as one of the highlights is a sapphire display cover.

There's a 4-inch AMOLED display, the camera has a 50-megapixel Sony sensor and it's all powered by a MediaTek 8781 chip. It runs Android, but a big part of this phone's identity is based around the AI OS that it also offers.

There's the boast of free AI internet, which appears to be just for using the AI functions, while it will support a regular nano SIM or vSIM for regular connectivity. It's an odd arrangement – with testing by Zack Nelson revealing that the AI was so slow it was barely worth using.

It appears that the display cover is indeed sapphire so provides good protection, but that doesn't extend to any other part of the phone. It has an IP54 rating and the camera itself doesn't get the sapphire protection.

The result is a strange little square phone, a bit like using the external screen of a flip phone without the advantage of being able to open it up.

Somewhere, this probably seemed like a good idea, but as many entrepreneurs will discover, the norm usually exists for a reason – because it's the best compromise of all factors.

The MindOne Pro looks interesting – especially as there's a plug-in keyboard which some might enjoy – but it's full of compromise compared to a normal phone. Still, at least someone is innovating in this space – even if the promise of an AI operating system seems to have fallen flat, as it has on so many recent attempts.

The Samsung Galaxy S27 could come with 60W charging, taking speeds higher than anything it has offered before. For many years, Samsung has been conservative with charging speeds.

Fast charging has been championed by the likes of Xiaomi and Oppo, while brands like Apple, Samsung and Google have stuck to slower charging rates over the years.

That's seen recent Samsung phones offering 45W, but that could see a bump to 60W in the Samsung Galaxy S27 Pro and Galaxy S27 Ultra.

The details come from UniverseIce, a reliable source, but this bump in charging speed also matches changes that Samsung has recently made. The move from lithium-ion to silicon-carbon battery tech happened in the latest Galaxy Z devices and looks like it will continue into its flagship 2027 phones too.

Silicon-carbon isn't needed for faster charging: for many years, brands have offered charging up to 120W with lithium-ion, but the advantage that silicon-carbon offers is that the cells are more compact for the same capacity, meaning there's more room for cooling.

Fast charging generates a lot of heat, so dispersal of heat is needed to use higher powers, while heat build-up also leads to faster battery decay. That's likely to have been the reason that Samsung avoided it, so that the battery lasted longer and matched customer expectation.

Indeed, that's something we noted with the launch of the Galaxy Z 8 devices – they’re now rated to 1,200 charging cycles, rather than the 2,000 charging cycles previously supported. That's the cost of moving to silicon-carbon: batteries don't last as long.

However, slower charging speeds give rivals a competitive advantage and as we enter a tough time for smartphone sales, it looks like Samsung is looking for a better balance.

Apple might be better insulated against such competition, as it's much easier for a Samsung user to decide to jump over to a Motorola or Honor phone because the biggest part of the ecosystem is supplied by Google.

So while Apple only supports 40W charging on the iPhone 17 Pro – and rumoured to be 45W on the iPhone 18 Pro – the company may decide that keeping a slower charging speed to preserve battery longevity is more important to retain customers.

Faster charging will be welcomed on Samsung's 2027 phones: it will help close the gap with the competition. The side effects of that change might only be felt in a few years' time when the battery needs replacing because it no longer lasts as long as expected.

Apple’s September event invites are now out in the wild, finally putting an end to speculation and confirming the major keynote will take place this week – on Wednesday 9 September (at 18:00 UK time; 10:00 PDT and 13:00 EDT).

For anyone who hasn’t been following the news – or maybe just missed it amid the flurry of Mac announcements last week – it will be the first time the new CEO, John Ternus, takes to the stage at Apple Park, rather than former CEO Tim Cook.

But the “Surprise and Shine” event has raised one big question: will an iPhone 18 launch this year, or will it all hang on the foldable Ultra model? The rumour opinions differ, so here's a breakdown of what to expect this week:

First folding iPhone

I’m not convinced the “surprise” in the event tag refers to the first folding iPhone, because at this point it’s been so heavily rumoured that it would be more surprising if it wasn’t revealed.

That said, everything about it so far has only been a rumour, so I suppose the surprise could be what Apple’s first foldable iPhone actually brings to the party – and how it stacks up against the competition.

Speculation suggests it will have a similar format to the recently announced (and adorable, might I add) Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 – which features a squarer, wider build than the best folding phones previously.

What colourways will Apple offer in the folding iPhone? What camera capabilities will it offer? Indeed, how intuitive the software will be? Those will all come as potential surprises – and that's what keeps it exciting.

Here’s hoping there’s a hero colour rather than just black and white (the first folding iPhone deserves to be as recognisable as the iPhone 17 Pro was last year).

I also hope Apple has a trick up its sleeve for the folding iPhone that makes the Steve Jobs Theatre react the same way it did when Apple revealed Dynamic Island in 2022. That was actually a surprise – and a good one, too.

No standard iPhone 18?

Another key moment might not be what is revealed, but rather what isn't.

Apple has released a new standard iPhone every year – and in September since 2012 (ignoring "that year" of 2020 anyway) – for the last 19 years. But there’s a good chance this year will be the first time it doesn’t.

Last year, despite the iPhone Pro models featuring a new design, the iPhone 17 stole the show, offering a wide range of upgrades, from an Always On Display to a better ultrawide camera.

If Apple does launch a folding phone, it may not want to overshadow it with a 'cheaper' device. It’s hard to convince people to buy a £/$2,000+ phone when there is another new one at a third of the price.

The iPhone 17e launched in March 2026, just 6 months after the iPhone 17. It’s possible Apple will push the standard iPhone 18 into that launch window instead, allowing the folding iPhone and the iPhone Pro models plenty of time to “shine”.

While this has long been rumoured, it would be a genuine surprise not to see a regular iPhone in its September reveal slot for many years. The general consensus, however, is that the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models will arrive.

First iPhone with a mechanical aperture

The Apple iPhone 18 Pro models will need to pull something pretty special out of the bag to compete with a folding iPhone.

As I mentioned, the iPhone had a redesign last year, so that’s unlikely to happen for a second year in a row, aside from a couple of new colour options, while a bump in speed alone probably won’t be enough to prompt anyone with a 17 Pro to upgrade.

But the Pro has always been about the camera and performance, and there’s speculation that the 'shining light' on the invite could indicate a mechanical aperture for the first time on an iPhone.

That's been rumoured for a couple of years now – though it’s said this feature may only come to the iPhone 18 Pro Max, which would be a shame for those who prefer the smaller Pro model. Who knows, maybe there will be three Pro models.

Following the invite, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggested that the bright light could suggest a variable aperture, adding weight to the idea. If true, it would allow you to manually adjust the aperture, similar to a mirrorless camera, allowing for better control of depth of field.

Gurman also suggested that the blue could indicate a Sky Blue colour for the iPhone 18 Pro, matching the MacBook Air.

What else is expected?

Of course, Apple’s September event is never short of announcements, so while I think the above will be the key moments – "surprises" might be a bit of a stretch – I’d also expect to see more later this year and into next.

An Apple Watch Series 12, an Apple Watch Ultra 4, and updated AirPods 5 are all obvious upgrades.

I don’t think this will be the year for AirPods with built-in cameras, however, and while I think the HomePod with Display could be mentioned as a ‘One More Thing’ moment, I’m not convinced this week's event will see that happen.

Nothing will be known for sure until the event itself, but at least there isn’t too long to wait. I’ll be there to report on the latest, so keep your eyes on T3 for my first impressions and thoughts, direct from Cupertino.

Huawei announced its latest foldable phone in China this morning and it comes with a couple of surprises.

The Huawei Mate XT 2 is a new tri-fold phone, but the brand has opted to change the design from its former model. Rather than a large screen that folds in on itself to create the front display, it now resembles the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold.

That means it has a separate front screen and the main tablet-like display is now better protected. And that's not the only feature "borrowed" from Samsung.

The Mate XT 2 also comes with a privacy display, as featured on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. But this is the first time a hardware level privacy solution has been used on a foldable, says Huawei.

For those who haven't seen Samsung's version of the tech, it can stop snoopers from seeing either the whole of your phone's screen, or even just individual apps, such as a video pop-up. The person sitting directly in front of the display can see it, but not those at an acute viewing angle.

Also new on the Huawei triple-fold phone is a built in stand, to prop it up when watching content on the inner screen.

As for other specs, Huawei has announced that it runs on a Kirin 9050 Pro processor, has an included ECG (electrocardiogram) sensor to read your heart rate, and comes preinstalled with the all-new Harmony OS 7 software.

It's not yet known when (or even whether) the Huawei Mate XT 2 will be available outside China, or how much it costs, but we'll update when we have more information.

A week of foldables

Of course, the Mate XT 2 isn't the only foldable to be launched this week. Apple is fully expected to unveil the iPhone Ultra on Wednesday – its first foldable device.

This will be a single fold phone, but with a similar wider design to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8. That gives a larger iPad mini-like display in the middle.

T3 will be covering the Apple launch event live.

Motorola has expanded the options when it comes to choosing your next folding phone with the introduction of a new special edition handset. This falls into Motorola's "Collections", with the liberal application of Swarovski crystals.

If bling is your thing, then the pairing of Pantone Meteorite colour (that's black to me and you), with the sparkle of Swarovski's crystals, gives this phone a luscious finish.

It's not just flat black either, the back cover has a quilted effect, lending a sort of luxury boudoir vibe to this practical folding phone.

While the lavish look screams "high-end", it's perhaps surprising that this isn't Motorola's top phone. Instead of using the Razr 70 Ultra for this special edition, Motorola has used the slightly more approachable Razr 70.

Let's not discount the impact that Razr has had either: when IDC reported on folding phone dominance in the US earlier in the year, it revealed that Motorola, with its Razr family, had over 50% of the market in the US. In many ways, this is the US's hottest folding phone, beating Samsung at it's own game.

The Razr 70 sits on the MediaTek Dimensity 7450X platform, with a 4800mAh battery, a 6.9-inch folding screen and 3.63-inch cover screen, both offering high brightness. There's an IP48 protection rating, too, in case you get caught in a shower with your sparkly phone.

You might think that this bespoke treatment would leave the Swarovski version inhibitively expensive, but it's only £100 more than normal. That means it will cost you £899.99 from Motorola.com.

If this really isn't your vibe, then Motorola also announced a new Edge model at IFA 2026, the Edge 70 Plus. This is a competitive mid-range device, powered by Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, but offering some attractive features for gamers on a budget.

Firstly, there's an advanced vapour chamber to keep this chip cool and sustain the performance under pressure. Secondly, it supports bypass charging, meaning you can power the phone directly by cable leaving the battery out of the loop.

There's a big 6500mAh battery anyway, but if you don't want to drain it, just plug in your phone when gaming and you won't stress the battery, you'll just have the power to keep that gaming going - and avoid additional thermal issues too.

Doing what Motorola does best, there are four luscious colours, a 6.78-inch display with 144Hz support and 5200 nits, Dolby Atmos speakers, and a 200-megapixel main camera.

That's a lot of phone for £499.99 with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. The new Edge 70 Plus will be available from a range of retailers and will sit alongside the Edge 70 (the thin one), the Signature (Moto's flagship), the Edge 70 Fusion (huge battery), the Edge 70 Max (sub-flagship) and Edge 70 Pro (cheaper sub flagship).

Google could be about to make one of the biggest changes yet to its Pixel Fold line, and it's one you should be able to see every time you open the phone.

The upcoming Pixel 12 Pro Fold is reportedly being lined up for a crease-less folding display, potentially bringing Google's foldable in line with some of the best new foldable phones on the market.

According to a report from The Elec, Google is among the companies working with Samsung Display on next-generation foldable panels using dual ultra-thin glass (UTG) technology. Oppo and Vivo are also reportedly adopting the technology, while it is expected to feature on Apple's first foldable iPhone.

Goodbye, crease?

The visible crease running down the middle of a folding phone's internal display has become one of the biggest compromises of the form factor.

It doesn't necessarily stop a foldable being enjoyable to use, but it's difficult to ignore when light catches it, and you can often feel it when running your finger across the screen.

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold still has that compromise, while rivals have been increasingly aggressive about hiding it. Oppo, Honor and Samsung have all moved towards displays where the crease is considerably less noticeable.

Samsung Display's reported solution uses one UTG layer above the OLED panel and another underneath it, with the latter helping support the display. Samsung itself has previously used a titanium plate beneath the OLED to help achieve a flatter surface, while Oppo has taken a different approach involving liquid 3D printing.

Pixel 12 Pro Fold could be a big upgrade

The Pixel 12 Pro Fold isn't expected until the second half of 2027, with August reportedly a likely launch window given Google's usual Pixel schedule.

That gives Google plenty of time to refine the technology before it reaches us.

And the timing could be important. With Apple's first foldable expected imminently, a genuinely crease-less screen is rapidly becoming a feature we can expect from an expensive folding phone.

For Google, that means the Pixel 12 Pro Fold won't just need to fold. It could finally look like it doesn't.

Apple is preparing to launch the iPhone 18 Pro next week and while the design is expected to be generally the same as the iPhone 17 Pro, there's one detail that hasn't yet been nailed down: the colour options.

The iPhone 18 Pro colours are still a topic for debate. We've already seen leaks for colours such as Dark Cherry (or Burgundy) and Sky Blue, but beyond that, it's not clear whether we're getting a black phone or a silver phone.

Currently, the iPhone 17 Pro comes in the hero Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue and Silver. It might suggest that for a complete change, Apple will offer the iPhone 18 Pro in Black.

As highlighted by 9to5Mac, online leakers do not agree on what the third colour will be. Fixed Focus Digital took to Weibo to share images and supporting the idea of moving to a black phone, although then goes on in the comments to call it "greyish".

But that's not the important part: Fixed Focus Digital distinctly says that "the second from the left is most likely not available" - which refers to the silver device.

But then Sonny Dickson has come forward on X, sharing an image of three SIM trays, including Dark Cherry, Sky Blue and, you guessed it, Silver. Now, bear in mind that Apple dropped the SIM card tray for US models with iPhone 14, so these could be from other global models – but there's no black in sight.

That leaves us not knowing the colour that the iPhone 18 Pro will be available in. The Dark Cherry and Sky Blue seem pretty certain at this point, but we're still debating whether the third phone will be black or silver and we're only 7 days from the launch.

The iPhone 18 Pro might be overshadowed by the folding iPhone that's expected at the event, but we're expecting to see Pro and Pro Max versions with the same design as previously, but powered by the new A20 Pro chip.

We're expecting more capacious batteries and changes to the camera. There could be new hardware in the camera, with rumours of a variable aperture, although whether this is limited to the Pro Max or both the Pro models remains to be seen.

The new phones will run iOS 27, come with Siri AI and likely some new features – although older models will benefit from many of the incoming software changes.

As for the prices, we're braced for an increase in sizes for the new models.

With prices rising across the board, some smartphone shoppers might look to alternative brands for their next flagship phone and Poco, one of the champions of affordable alternatives, might be worth your attention.

But before we get started, the £899 price isn't exactly what we'd call cheap – until you see what you get for your money in the Poco F9 Ultra. How about Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 power, a 185Hz AMOLED display and 100W charging?

Put a 200-megapixel main camera on the rear and Bose sound, with Dolby Atmos, and you've already ticked a lot of boxes.

Fans of the Poco brand – a sub-brand of Xiaomi – will know that this isn't unusual. Poco is known for packing its phones with plenty of specs, designed to challenge premium phones without putting too much strain on the buyer's pocket.

But what about pricing? The Poco F8 Ultra launched at £749 in 2025, so the £899 starting price is something of a bump for the 12GB and 256GB version. That reflects the strain that the smartphone industry is under, with everyone from individual brands to IDC saying that the era of the cheap phone is over.

What you are getting though is an Ultra phone, where many of the rivals will now want to charge you closer to £1,000.

Poco also has a reputation for great gaming devices, thanks to the youthful market that this brand appeals to. There's flagship-grade hardware here in the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, with a graphics boost provided by the VisionBoost D8 chip, which powers that 185fps display performance.

There's a 6.9-inch AMOLED display, with a brightness up to 4500 nits, which challenges most flagship phones like the Pixel 11 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra – but with a peak HDR brightness of 10,000 nits.

There's power and there's display brilliance, but with Bose behind the audio, it's no surprise to find Dolby Atmos support. It's a 2.1 experience, with an independent subwoofer for a richer and more rounded sound experience.

The battery isn't small either: it's a huge 8,050mAh silicon-cabon cell with 100W charging and the claim of 2 days of battery life. Wireless charging at 50W is supported with a compatible HyperCharge charger.

Finally the camera: the 200-megapixel main camera is just the starter, with a 50-megapixel telephoto and 8-megapixel ultrawide. With the focus on performance, it's typically the camera that's the weaker side of Poco phones – along with the software experience.

That's a slight dampener – Poco phones often come with a fair amount of bloat in the HyperOS software, while the four years of Android updates and six years of security updates won't quite compete with Samsung.

At the core of it, even with a price increase, the Poco F9 Ultra still gives you a lot of phone. It's no longer cheap, but in 2026, you might have to pay a little more for this sort of specification.

Steve Jobs famously said "nobody wants a stylus" when revealing the original iPhone in 2027, making a swipe at business-focused devices like the Palm Pilot and Windows-powered PDAs that all came with a stylus.

But it seems that Apple has been testing a Pencil that would work with the iPhone Ultra, its first folding phone, expected to be unveiled at an event next week.

The Apple Pencil is said to be "stubbier" than the version already available for the iPad, and able to magnetically attach to the side of the phone for storage and charging.

However, according to Mark Gurman at Bloomberg - who says he has "zero doubt" that this has been prototyped and tested - doesn't think Apple will release it.

There's a couple of reasons for that, starting with design. Having a Pencil attached to the side of the device is awkward - especially if you're going to be opening and closing and putting it in your pocket, where it will almost certainly detach.

The display surface also has to be considered: folding screens are softer and more prone to marking than traditional glass displays and a stylus could make that worse. Then, of course, we have Steve Jobs saying that nobody wants a stylus, making the point that the interface should be optimised for touch.

Apple won't find itself at a disadvantage here either: Samsung dropped support for the S Pen on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and it wasn't restored for the Galaxy Z Fold 8. That's thought to be because Samsung wanted the device to be thinner and removing the supporting digitising layer made this possible.

So it seems that an Apple Pencil for the iPhone Ultra was considered and then, probably, abandoned. Gurman says that it's "unlikely that Apple will actually launch this accessory".

Apple's September launch looks like it will give us the iPhone 18 Pro alongside the new folding iPhone. Rumours have suggested that Apple will save the regular iPhone 18 for early 2027. What we're really going to be looking for is some exemplary use cases for the new iPhone to make best use of the big display.

The new iPhone will probably be joined by new Apple Watch models, while new AirPods could also make an appearance.

Just last month at Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked summer 2026 event, the Korean giant revealed its latest foldables – including the Z Fold 8, heralding an all-new format for the market.

Those new devices brought with them Samsung's One UI 9 software, adding new features such as My FanCam – used for fixing focus to one individual during video capture.

The feature is ideal for TikTok, Instagram and other social media users who love to upload their videos – as My FanCam can also auto-crop to the social format's preferred aspect ratio.

Now, in a beta software update, the earlier Samsung Galaxy S26 series also gains the My FanCam feature. So if you have a Galaxy S26, S26 Plus or S26 Ultra, then get looking for this latest update.

The One UI 9 beta rollout began today, Friday 28 August, and will introduce further updates beyond the My FanCam addition.

One UI 9 beta will also bring an updated Now Brief experience, condensing useful information into a personal quick-read card on your home screen.

The update is also said to enhance how Now Nudge functions, the service that suggests actions, with smarter and greater contextualised suggestions.

As Samsung has just revealed the Galaxy S26 FE (that's 'Fan Edition'), which also carries One UI 9 and therefore these features, it's only logical that it's bringing the update to its higher-spec flagship S26 models.

It's been a massive year for Samsung so far, with its latest foldables really catching the limelight just last month. Customer interest and pre-orders are well up, year on year, suggesting the Z Fold 8 has got a whole lot right.

And while your S26 model can't fold, its update to One UI 9 beta will bring a little social media bonus for creators that will be appreciated by many.

Pikachu has made a surprise visit to Apple Park, shared by Tim Cook having a great time around some of the iconic locations at Apple's headquarters. But within that, a subtle hint could have been dropped about the greater importances of Pikachu's visit.

Cook neatly outlines the three agenda points for the day: "Introduce the Pokémon team to John, talk gaming, and politely ask Pikachu to stay out of the pond."

Through 30 seconds of fun video, we see that what Tim Cook, John Ternus, Tsunekazu Ishihara and Pikachu get up to, yet Cook says that only two of the three agenda points where accomplished. That suggests that one agenda point is still be addressed.

So let's take a more forensic look at the video. We clearly see Pikachu meeting John Ternus with Pokemon Company CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara, so that's a check. The two obviously bonded quickly, as Ternus throws an affectionate arm around Pikachu as the video comes to a close.

We also distinctly see that Pikachu isn't in the pond. We have a pond-adjacent Pikachu, dancing a little, but there's no evidence of contact with the water - so it's clear that Pikachu didn't enter the pond, so that's also a check.

The rest of the video is mostly Pikachu frolicking around: trying to get an Apple off the tree and failing, with Tim Cook symbolically handing Pikachu the fruit at a later juncture; Pikachu running around the Jony Ive-designed rainbow; Pikachu interrupting a working lunch.

At no point do we witness any conversation about gaming, which is ominously absent from the video, yet clearly outlined as an agenda item. That lapse could point gaming remaining on the agenda and perhaps something that will be carried over to the next meeting, perhaps on 9 September.

Sure, it's a bit of a leap, but it does raise the question of why Apple has publicly shared that it has been visited by the Pokémon Company. There are probably a huge number of visitors of equal stature to Apple Park (no disrespect to the indominable Pikachu) so why this visit, and why now?

It could be a bit of whimsical fun, but Apple isn't a whimsical company. Everything happens with calculated precision and there's no reason why this should be any different. As outlined by 9to5Mac, Apple saw a 4.5% decline in mobile gaming revenue in Q2 2026, while Apple itself has cited "headwinds in mobile gaming" as a factor affecting App Store performance.

So gaming is clearly on the agenda for Apple, but exactly what it is doing with Pokémon is unclear. There's a brief moment of Pokémon Go fun in this video and what if that's something that's still on the agenda for Apple's next big launch?

After all, the biggest problem facing folding phones is what to do with them. Perhaps Apple is lining up some exclusive experiences to support the launch of the iPhone Ultra...

Samsung's future phones are spewing out of the internet for all to see. Following an original set of schematic leaks, we now have renders for Samsung's 2027 flagship phones that make up the Galaxy S27 family.

This started with the Galaxy S27 Ultra. The schematics from that leak showed a markedly different approach for Samsung, abandoning the design language first established with the Galaxy S22 Ultra and moving to something that looks more like the iPhone 17 Pro.

Now with renders from Android Headlines, we have a more substantial set of visuals to digest. That reinforces the copycat design and the camera island - which Samsung had mostly moved away form after S21 Ultra - returns in force across the entire top section of the phone.

We have a set of measurements to add to the picture at 163.76 x 78.25 x 7.97mm, which is barely distinguishable from the current device. One result of the redesign on the rear is that the camera looks diminished.

We'd already heard that Samsung planned to drop one of its telephoto cameras, which accounts for having fewer lenses, but when most "ultra" phones attempt to make the camera look as big as possible, Samsung looks more discreet.

This design isn't limited to the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra either. Thanks to a second set of renders from Android Headlines, we have images for the Samsung Galaxy S27 Pro. This is a new addition to the line-up of Samsung devices and could allow Samsung to offer the Ultra experience but in a slightly cheaper device, which will be welcomed in the current phone-pricing crisis.

The Samsung Galaxy S27 Pro is thought to differentiate itself from the Ultra by dropping support for the S Pen. Samsung's stylus is a hangover from the Galaxy Note series and while loved by some vocal users, it's been taking up space for many people who never use it - and the Pro could solve that problem.

However, the Pro is thought to be smaller, measuring 154.06 x 73.77 x 7.95mm. That sees it equipped with a 6.6-inch display, rather than the 6.9-inch of the Ultra. The camera is expected to be the same - it could be hugely popular.

Finally, there's the regular Galaxy S27. Now this is a phone that feels unloved. According to the images from Android Headlines, it's going to look exactly the same as the Galaxy S26. It's said to keep the 6.3-inch display and basically be exactly the same size.

Why might Samsung keep it the same? For the same reasons Apple does: if the phone is the same, there are minimal development costs and minimal costs involved in changing the machining.

But there's another good reason for keeping the base model the same - for those looking for something new and exciting, they'll be drawn to the more expensive Samsung Galaxy S27 Pro, which could help attract users to a phone at a higher price point.

The design of the UItra (and Pro) is proving controversial and comments on forums like Reddit is generally negative, so this could be a really interesting set of phones for Samsung if these designs are accurate.

We're not expecting the launch of the Galaxy S27 family until February 2027.

The IDC has published a stark report on the state of the smartphone market that is now facing the full impact of the memory crisis. "The cheap smartphone era is not pausing. It is over," the report states.

The smartphone market faces unprecedented pressures as a result of the memory shortage which is coming to bear with full force. That's seen the prices of handsets rising, while lower margin devices - the cheap phones - are no longer viable for manufacturers.

The result is that all phones are getting more expensive, but the volume of sales is dropping, especially at the affordable end of the spectrum and that's particularly affecting those in developing countries. The sub-$100 smartphones, essentially, will cease to exist.

The brunt of the impact, globally, lands on Android, which has dominated the affordable end of the market. Apple fares better, because its more affluent customers can and will absorb the increased costs and continue to buy.

The same is true for premium devices as customers are less affected by the increases in price, so markets like US and UK - with more buying options like long term credit options - should hold up. But the average selling price of a smartphone is expected to increase 27.6% in 2026, with the memory crisis expected to continue into 2028.

There's a small ray of light, which is the bump that Apple's entry into the folding phone segment is expected to cause. The IDC says that folding phones were "about to decline," but now emerge as "the fastest-growing part of the industry".

The advantage that folding phones have is the increased price they come with, so customers are paying more than they would for a traditional phone. It's predicted that we'll see 18% growth in folding phone shipments in 2027.

So what does all this mean? We've already seen devices launching that are more expensive than the models they replace, generally bucking the technology trend where devices get cheaper over time. We've seen the loss of entry-level devices with lower storage (allowing the manufacturer to benefit from an increased selling price), while some brands - like CMF - have openly withdrawn from new phone launches.

Brands that have thrived on cheap devices with frequent replacement - and limited support - will find they are priced out of the market. The "flagship killer" devices might no longer be affordable.

The two largest players in the smartphone market have all the advantages. Samsung and Apple both offer long support for devices (with 7 years of security and software updates) and the inevitability will be that people hold on to phones for longer. It's also expected that more will turn to used devices when they want to upgrade.

"Smaller Android brands anchored in the entry tiers face the hardest stretch in the industry’s history, and some will not clear it," says the IDC report.

Samsung has just revealed its newest Galaxy phone, the S26 FE – those two letters standing for 'Fan Edition', but you'd be forgiven for wondering if it's 'Familiar Edition' this time around – which I got to test out ahead of its worldwide reveal.

The FE version of Samsung's flagship has always targeted bringing a slightly more diluted feature set for a more affordable price tag to the market. It might look akin to 2026's best phone, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, but the FE is further down the pecking order.

Now, call me superficial, but before I get to the nuts and bolts of what the Galaxy S26 FE is all about, let's just take a moment to admire its all-new finish, as pictured, in Blueberry. I think it's the nicest-looking finish I've seen – all bright and punchy and fresh.

Most other brands have gone with more mellow, pastel-like tones this year. From the Google Pixel 11 Pro in Olive, to even Samsung's own foldables from its Unpacked summer 2026 launch opting for a more genteel Lavender or deep green hues. For me, the Blueberry takes it.

Galaxy S26 FE vs S25 FE: What's different?

Despite its 'Fan Edition' name, the S26 FE isn't really one for the upgraders. As you can see from my table of comparisons to last year's model, above, the year-on-year changes are really quite minimal.

Indeed, it's the same design, with the same display, just some marginal adjustments to hardware thanks to a newer Exynos chipset, battery optimisation meaning charging is quicker (70% in just 30 minutes), a new ultra-wide sensor in the cameras, and the latest Samsung software adding some capture features.

How much does the Galaxy S26 FE cost?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE will go on sale on Friday 4 September, available in Blueberry, Pistachio or Graphite finishes – there's no Samsung.com exclusive colourway.

In the UK, pricing starts at £699 for the 128GB storage model. That increases to £799 for 256GB and £949 for 512GB. Whichever capacity you choose, all feature 8GB RAM.

I don't possess other regions' pricing at this stage, but assume similar year-on-year prices for the USA, Europe and Australia.

Speaking of year-on-year, the price has jumped from the respective £649 / £699 / £799 asking price of the S25 FE upon its launch – showing just how pricey storage has become due to this ongoing supply and demand issue.

Design & Display

Blink and you'll miss it: the Galaxy S26 FE looks nigh-on the same as the S25 FE. You could see that as criticism, but it's as much an assertion of its established nature – this is one good-looking phone and it knows it.

Its 6.7-inch panel is of scale – 'the norm' for now, if you like – and plenty bright, resolute and smooth in its playback. It's the same as its predecessor for all intents and purposes, but what more do you really need at this level?

The design is the FE's big win, ultimately. The metal edging and reinforced glass – it's Enhanced Armor Aluminum and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+, respectively – are largely flagship in their nature. It looks refined, but it's a fairly tough handset designed to be used.

Funnily enough one of the lesser features about the S26 FE is an improvement over the S26 Ultra – and that's the cameras. Not the spec of this trio of lenses, not by any means, but the simple fact that it protrudes less. That's a byproduct of its lesser spec, but avoiding that 'desk wobble' when using the phone flat on a desk is a nice bonus.

I spent most of my time exploring the Galaxy S26 FE in its other finish, Pistachio, which is also very of the moment. I'd debate whether it looks truly pistachio in hue, given the blue, perhaps turquoise-esque finish, so I would lean towards Blueberry each and every time.

Performance & Battery

There was a rumour that the S26 FE would adopt the Silicon-Carbon battery type of the most recent Galaxy foldables. Alas, that's not the case, the battery here is the very same 4900mAh lithium-polymer setup of its predecessor.

Now that's not a bad thing: it's an ample capacity with a middleweight processor attached (the Exynos 2500 – noting that's one generation behind Samsung's latest 2600 version) and the charging protocol has been tweaked to be a little faster.

From my experience with previous FE phones, I'd say you can expect a good innings from the S26 version. It'll handle games and apps with ease, too, even if it's not top-tier in terms of current power – but that'll affect very few users, realistically.

The latest One UI 9 software does also bring some extras that no S-series has offered up to this point (although that'll likely change with future updates). The My FanCam, for example, offers auto-cropping of videos for best social application (depending on service choice), while the horizon lock keeps a level and steady video throughout capture.

The cameras might not be as supreme as the best on market, but the FE's push in offering a trio of optics means that you'll get a broad range available at your fingertips. From ultra-wide to the higher-quality main camera, there's even an optical zoom to get closer to the action.

Samsung Galaxy S26 FE: First Impressions

While the Galaxy S26 FE certainly isn't designed for upgraders, those looking for a less pricey entry point to Samsung's S series have a solid, good-looking option here.

No, it's barely any different from last year's equivalent and the price has also increased, but if top-tier cameras are less of a demand for your wants and needs, then this otherwise flagship-in-appearance handset has plenty to offer.

That said, the wider Android market has plenty of alternatives to consider, too. The S26 FE's Blueberry finish might be enough to entice you to buy in an instant, but broader contemplation for this FE model is warranted perhaps more than ever before.

Also Consider

Given the annual price rise, you might be thinking of looking elsewhere for a bargain. Already the pricier S26 Ultra is a little cheaper – closing the gap between the 512GB version of the FE and its entry 256GB model.

Otherwise, looking back might be the best way forward. After all, the S25 FE is barely any different in spec. No, there's no Blueberry finish, but for the cost savings this near-identical handset has obvious appeal.

As a total alternative, yet still within the Android market, take a look at Nothing's Phone 4a Pro, which is finished in metal, has a more considerable zoom camera, but will save you a chunk of spend.

While Samsung's new Galaxy Z Fold 8 is making waves, it appears that it's going to have two rivals very soon. The first, from Apple, has been long rumoured and seen plenty of speculation, but it appears that Xiaomi is also keen to get in on the wider folding phone act.

Xiaomi has traditionally used the Mix name for its folding phones, giving us the likes of the Mix Flip and the Mix Fold in the past. But the next phone is thought to be called the Xiaomi 18 Fold, making the name clearer and more comparable with the competition.

Images said to be of the Xiaomi 18 Fold have been shared on Weibo, giving us a good look at what's said to be an engineering prototype, but looking a lot like the Samsung and Apple alternatives.

The handset - described by the source as "ugly" - appears in a red colour that looks similar to the dark red iPhone 18 Pro colour that previously leaked. There are two views, one showing the rear of the phone with a triple camera and the other showing the top of the phone - including a case on the rear section.

There's little else that we can really draw from these images, but that's not the end of the story for this device. Firstly, the leak has the backing of a major online source UniverseIce, who shared the image on X, confirming that it's Xiaomi's device.

Xiaomi has confirmed that the Xiaomi 18 Fold will be launched in September and that it will be powered by the new Xring O3 chip, which is so far showing impressive performance specs.

That chip was introduced at an event in China recently and while the benchmark scores look higher than any previous smartphone chip, we know that inflated benchmark results are easy to come by and that real-world performance is often very different.

That's especially true in a folding phone where there's less space for cooling - which is true of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy in the Z Fold 8, which quickly gets warm and throttles under load.

The Xiaomi 18 Fold is expected to have a 6000mAh battery, a 200-megapixel main camera and a 7.6-inch internal display.

It's not known exactly when it will launch, but with Xiaomi appearing at IFA 2026 for the first time, there's a chance that it could use the event to give us more details on this new folding phone.

The iPhone Ultra - Apple's first folding phone - may have been leaked from a reliable source online, ahead of the expected launch on 9 September.

Shared by Evan Blass on X, we see the iPhone Ultra (the name of which is still unconfirmed) in three colours, including a predictable white and a dark grey. Then there's a third colour - red - that seems to have drawn a rebuttal from another huge source online.

So what are we looking at? We get to see a folding iPhone, with two cameras on the rear, and a design that seems to match expectations. What wasn't expected, was a red version.

Apple has a long history of red iPhones starting under the (PRODUCT)RED programme with the iPhone 7 and running up to the iPhone 14 in 2022. Red then vanished from the colour palette.

But it might also be the case that there is no red iPhone Ultra. No sooner had Evan Blass shared the images of the red folding iPhone, as Mark Gurman came forward to say it didn't exist, that the whole thing was fake and that the folding iPhone won't come in red or green.

I'm not sure how green snuck into the conversation, but at least we know.

Further, Mark Gurman (who often seems to be the closest to Apple's whispers) says that these images aren't from Apple and they come from Xiaomi instead. Hold on - what just happened here?

Xiaomi, if you haven't heard, is also planning to launch a folding phone, called the Xiaomi 18 Fold and powered by the Xring 03 chip. While the launch was confirmed for September, it could be that Xiaomi reveals this device at IFA in Berlin next week - just to beat Apple to the punch.

And yes, a red version of the Xiaomi 18 Fold (itself thought to be based on the leaked dark red iPhone 18 Pro rumour) has leaked, which might be behind Gurman's insistence that Evan Blass is wrong.

Putting all that to one side, there is a good reason why Apple might consider a red folding phone and that's to gain more traction in China. It has released red phones for China before (stripping off the (PRODUCT)RED branding) as red is a lucky colour in China.

We're deep into the folding phone wars, it seems, and the next couple of weeks will reveal a lot more about where the battlelines lie.

Walking into one of the halls at Gamescom this year was like walking into the 1980s. Exhibiting alongside other retro gaming brands were Atari and Commodore, and I couldn't help but feel a little giddy.

One of my first jobs in journalism was editor of Your Commodore, a magazine dedicated to the Commodore 64, which I stewarded through a rebrand to the gaming title YC. The C64 has always been in my blood.

And so, when YouTuber Christian "Perifrantic" Simpson bought and resurrected the brand, resulting in the C64 Ultimate, I was instantly on board. I have the Starlight edition and am loving reacquainting myself with what made the 80s computer so special in the first place.

But the story doesn't end there. While the company has another edition up its sleeve, in the form of the Commodore 64C Ultimate, and a surprise Cyberpunk 2077 version of the C64 Ultimate, it's opted to do something that even the original brand never managed – it's designed its own phone.

Like the reimagined computers, the Commodore Callback 8020 is a touch of retro with a modern twist. And, as I got to handle all of the variants at Gamescom, I can safely say that there's nothing quite like it out there.

I couldn't really test any of the devices. The software is not final and there were no SIM cards inside that worked on German networks (at the time of my visit), but I did get a feel for the Callback and those on a nostalgia trip are going to be impressed.

For starters, the phone is light yet chunky in the hand and made from good quality plastics. It has a great and secure flip action, while the buttons are reassuringly tangible.

As mentioned, I can't really talk about the software and screens as yet. They are still work in progress, while one of the devices was very much a prototype that didn't turn on. But I suspect the colour options will be popular, from what I've seen so far. I particularly like the gold one myself.

In terms of functionality, the idea behind the Callback 8020 is that it can run "99% of Android apps" but helps you detox from social media networks by blocking them. It'll still work with chat apps, like WhatsApp, but discourages doomscrolling.

There's also a decent camera on board, plus Wi-Fi connectivity, so you'll get some modern features, but all wrapped up in an experience as retro as flares and deely-boppers (younger readers may need to look that one up).

Of course, for me the future of the Commodore brand very much lies in its past – with reissued hardware. And I very much approve of devices like the Commodore 77 with its Cyberpunk-inspired extra RAM and paintwork. But it's also great to see that, even 36+ years on from my stint on Your Commodore, the brand can still pull a surprise or two.

The Commodore Callback 8020 is available to pre-order on the dedicated website now. It's priced from $399 (around £293) during the early orders phase.

Commodore tells me that it'll start to ship "later this year".

Nothing has started the roll-out of its latest update, bringing Android 17 to its phones in the form of Nothing OS 5.0. Along with updates on the Google side, there are a full selection of features for Nothing phone owners to enjoy.

That starts with increased customisation, including the home screen and lock screen. That brings transparent details, while there are colour tints linked to your wallpaper, automatically changing when you pick a new background image.

There's an new clock for the lock screen, as well as micro graphics filled with your essential information, so you can catch-up at a glance. There are also better depth effects for wallpapers.

Editing the home screen is now easier, while there's the introduction of new widgets - Collector and Away Time - the latter tracking the time you're not actually using your phone. The new dedicated Glyph app will help you access all the related settings quickly and in one place.

There's a new font - Geist - while new icons and spacing in the settings should make things clearer, while the status bar gets a little love too with new animations and icons.

The notifications and quick settings have been split into separate panels, a common features of Chinese phones that's now more widely available in Android. If you don't like it, you can stick to the single pane that I've always found more convenient.

Nothing says that OS 5.0 makes its phones smoother and faster, while there are also updates to Essential Voice to make it faster and cleaner while Essential Space gets some tweaks too.

There are changes to the camera, Quick Share, Gallery and more, in what looks like a comprehensive update for Nothing Phone.

When will you get Nothing OS 5.0?

Nothing has confirmed that the open beta for the new software starts on 26 August 2026 with the Nothing Phone (3), its current flagship device. The roll-out is split into two phases, with the open beta slowly opening up for Nothing phone owners, followed by general release of the final software a couple of months later.

The update will start with the Nothing Phone (3) and be available for devices back to Nothing Phone (2a) from 2024. Older devices are no longer supported.

Here's the timeline for the deployment of Nothing OS 5.0:

It can be a little bit challenging to get one's head around Sony's approach to its smartphone business, which seems to continue chugging along, making phones slightly unlike the rest of the market, with a dedicated user base but widespread rumours of slowly shrinking sales.

The Xperia brand is still a decent one in terms of recognition, though, so it perhaps isn't any surprise to see the Xperia 10 VIII unveiled this week. What is more surprising, though, is how Sony's chosen to do it – with just a low-key blog post that's really quite sparse, and basically no fanfare.

Sure, this is just a mid-range phone launch, but it doesn't exactly scream "pride" about its new device.

The phone launches at £549 here in the UK, €599 in Europe, and it isn't currently announced for the US, which is another notch in the belt for those who think Sony's not really trying to be a global smartphone player any more.

What's also eye-catching is the lack of meaningful upgrades over last year's Xperia 10 VII, other than a big bump in the price. In fact, it's got a brighter display, better stereo speakers, and that's just about it when it comes to actual changes. That means there's a lot that's the same, including the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset, and the same 6.1-inch OLED screen at 2340x1080 with a 120Hz refresh rate.

That doesn't necessarily make this a bad phone, but it's certainly as small an upgrade as you're likely to see this year between two generations of the same device. Given that the price has gone up by £150 here in the UK, a major bump on the launch price of the Xperia 10 VII (which has seen price hikes since), that's not the most exciting news.

Sony says the phone will be available to order very soon, in three colours: Frozen White, Frosted Grey and Misty Lilac. That's well and good, but in a world where the mid-range Android market is as competitive as ever, it's a little hard to see where the Xperia 10 VIII really fits. Nothing, Google and Samsung all make cheaper phones with better specs, after all.

Sony's fans might well find some positives about the phone, and power to them if so, but this is looking like one of the more downbeat product launches I can remember seeing recently.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 has been well received, invigorating the folding phone segment with something that feels a little fresher. It's also better suited to large screen use than previous folding phones that were often square.

To keep momentum going, it seems that Samsung is looking to produce a special edition of the phone with a collaboration. That's nothing new, as Samsung has had a number of partners in the past – the most likely for the Z Fold 8 being Thom Browne.

That usually sees a special colourway for the phone, using Thom Browne's signature stripe, with the theme running from the phone's design to the packaging and bespoke wallpapers.

The details come from Lanzuk on the Naver Blog (via Notebookcheck), but the details are scarce, merely saying that Samsung has plans for a special edition. The last special edition with Thom Browne was on the Galaxy Z Fold 5, but it's easy to see why brands would be eager to be involved with the new model.

Why is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 different?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 switched the aspect of the internal display to make for a wider folding phone, which is much better for content. In portrait, it's great for reading, whether that's websites or documents, while in landscape it's better suited to movies and TV thanks to the 4:3 aspect.

Samsung's previous book-style folding phones had an aspect that was closer to 1:1 on the inside – square – so offered no real advantage when moving between landscape and portrait. It just offered a larger screen, without any real application for that space.

The downside of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is that the 5.5-inch external display is a little wide, meaning that it can be hard to navigate if you're trying to reach the far corner, for example, while its shorter stature means that when the keyboard is open there's less space to do anything.

But aside from those minor usability considerations, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 seems to have got off to a strong start with a bump in the pre-orders for the device. That's likely to be what Samsung wants to capitalise on with a special edition.

Increased competition is expected soon, with Apple thought to be launching its own, similarly-shaped folding phone in September, with Xiaomi also expected to launch a wider fold model in the form of the Xiaomi 18 Fold.

Luxury phone customiser Caviar has already revealed its iPhone Ultra models, weeks before Apple's official launch. And it even lets you pre-order your device right now. The only caveat is that you'll need at least $13,840 (just over £10K) in the bank to secure one.

In fact, you'll need considerably more if you want to order the "Liquid Metal" custom iPhone Ultra – it starts at $18,840.

That's for the 256GB model, which Caviar predicts will be launching alongside 512GB and 1TB editions. But don't worry though, you can get yourself a bit of a discount if you order with crypto currency. That pretty much tells you the audience it's aiming at.

The case features bespoke "sculptural lines" to create a sense of "continuous motion", and is made from sterling silver. It is finished with a mirror polish, to give it that added bling.

Caviar has made a name for itself by customising popular smartphones and other tech with premium materials and finishes. And it often reveals its latest products before they've actually launched for real. In this case, it has likely used CAD diagrams and manufacturer specs to create its own dummy units, with the full production models to be built once the device itself is on the market.

There are also iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max variants available on the site, too.

Alongside the Liquid Metal iPhone Ultra, the brand lists special editions in gold, silver, leather and titanium. There's a "Jobs" version as well, with Steve Jobs signature engraved on the rear as a "tribute to the man who defined Apple's identity".

However, if you're not really an Apple kind-of person, but still have a filthy bank balance, there are also heavily customised versions of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 available.

The Scarface and Godfather foldables are plated in 24-karat gold and feature the faces of Al Pacino as Tony Montana, and Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone respectively.

Or you can opt for a Lionel Messi Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra for just over $13K. No, really.

A weekend is a long time in tech leaks and that could be all that was needed for Samsung's forthcoming Galaxy S27 Ultra to go from eager anticipation to absolute derision. Leaked schematic designs for Samsung's next flagship have appeared online – and that's got people talking.

The design first appeared from UniverseIce on X, and shows a radical change for the Galaxy S27 Ultra. Meanwhile, the standard Galaxy S27 looks much like it did before.

The schematics show the Galaxy S27 Ultra moving to a rectangular camera section at the top – like the iPhone 17 Pro – squishing in the cameras, while dropping one of the telephoto lenses, as has long been rumoured.

In addition, a circle on the rear of the phone suggests that these phones will have integrated magnets for charging, although it's unlikely that the design will have circle on the back of the phone.

In successive posts we see an AI-generated version which looks like a cheap knock-off you might find on a market stall, as well as seeing Sonny Dickson – another common leaker – wading in with more information.

Two Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra models tipped

Dickson suggests that Samsung is going to offer the Ultra is two sizes, which might take us back to the existing rumour that there will be a Galaxy S27 Pro as part of a four-device line-up in 2027.

The reaction to these designs has been swift, with comments on Reddit calling the design "atrocious", "fugly" and another saying "it’s like they have no shame". The accusation is levelled that Samsung is copying the iPhone 17 Pro – which also happens to be Apple's most controversial design.

We've already seen the iPhone copied in the Honor 600 Pro, where I called out the contentious design, and that seems to be the general sentiment of this leak too. UniverseIce is known for being a reliable leaker, so there's every chance this will come to pass.

This design, however, hasn't come out of nowhere. It was previously suggested for the Galaxy S26 Edge, a phone that was never launched, as slim but compromised phones haven't found favour with buyers.

The question here is one of balance. Camera bumps notionally give the camera a little more space. That could allow for a larger sensor or more sophisticated lens, while the pursuit of thinner devices continues.

We've been through this cycle before within the last decade, and new battery technology allows for thinner designs without sacrificing battery capacity.

However, slimmer phones are also harder to cool and ultimately, year on year, customers call for better battery life and rarely call for thinner phones.

Samsung's Galaxy S27 family is not expected to launch until February 2027, so we can expect a lot more leaks before we see the final design.

We don't have long now until Apple finally lifts the lid on its first foldable phone. The iPhone Ultra has been rumoured for months (if not years) and is almost certainly going to be the main focus of the company's annual September launch presentation.

We expect that to take place around 9 September (with an on-sale date likely a couple of weeks later), and it's becoming ever more clear that this could be a groundbreaking new direction for the brand.

Indeed, it is reported that several people have seen the foldable already, and are giving it glowing reviews. Bloomberg's resident Apple expert, Mark Gurman, claims to have spoken to them and they've been largely positive.

"People who have tried the Apple model like how it fits in a pocket, the feel and durability of the advanced hinge mechanism, and the new iPad-like app layouts that take advantage of the larger internal display," he writes in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter.

They also waxed lyrical about its use as a "camera viewfinder", but there's a caveat – it also lacks a telephoto lens.

No telephoto on the iPhone Ultra

That could sway those considering upgrading from an iPhone Pro or Pro Max model. The Pro phones will be refreshed at the same time – with the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max expected – and if the photography tech is of particular interest, either might be a better bet.

As Gurman also states, considering the iPhone Ultra is predicted to cost at least $2,000 / £2,000, it could deter those looking for the best hardware, rather than the most innovative.

The similarly sized and shaped Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, which also launch recently, is about $300 / £300 cheaper. And while that too lacks some of the camera features of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, it reflects that in the price.

Still, this is a new category for Apple and will undoubtedly appeal regardless of some omissions. Yes, the cut-back camera could irk some, while the reported lack of Face ID might be lamented too, but the form factor could be more than worth it.

We'll find out for sure in the coming weeks.

The UK's major networks have long sponsored events, venues and stadiums, such as the O2 in London, Wembley Stadium, which partners with EE, and a number of festivals around the country being supported by Vodafone and Three. But regardless of the name over the door (or field), the one thing they really can't promise is stable, fast mobile connections.

So many people attend the biggest football matches, gigs and weekend shenanigans that network access can be tricky, as everyone tries to connect at once. It's much better these days, but can still be frustrating when you want to send a social post about the event but just see it sat unshared.

EE has announced its own solution, however. Fast Lane is a new network feature that is aimed directly at tackling this issue.

The feature assesses events and anticipates when network congestion might be at its worst. It then moves EE customer connections over to a dedicated section of the provider's 5G+ network, to allow for faster, more stable access.

It has previously been trialled at the likes of the BAFTAs, Wembley Stadium, and the Sail GP in Portsmouth. This full rollout though should benefit other locations and events up and down the UK.

"Fast Lane gives our customers access to a dedicated 5G+ lane at the busiest times. Whether they’re live streaming a special moment from a sell-out gig or processing mobile payments and ticketing at a festival, Fast Lane helps keep customers connected even when thousands of people around them are trying to connect at the same time," said the CEO of BT's consumer division, Claire Gillies.

There's just one caveat – Fast Lane is an extra service for customers on a new Full Works Plus pay-monthly plan.

Costing an additional £5 per month over the current Full Works plan (priced at £43 per month), Full Works Plus has all the same bells-and-whistles, including worldwide roaming, unlimited data, and a premium inclusive extra (TNT Sports, Netflix, etc.).

Small businesses taking a new or resigning up to a Full Works business plan with also be able to get Fast Lane access.

It's been quite the year for focusing the lens on folding phones, with the summer Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event revealing the all-new Z Fold 8 device.

Having reviewed that handset, I since moved over to the Z Fold 8 Ultra. Which, as the Ultra name implies, is even more impressive – in some ways, at least – and demands an even taller asking price.

Indeed, using such a phone, which is worth a couple of thousand, is often in the back of my mind. So when Benks sent out its latest protective case for Samsung's 2026 foldables, I was intrigued as to what they'd offer.

I was sent the "Armor Grand Combo" set, which comprises a GlassWarrior screen protector, plus ArmorGrid Air protective case.

Check out the gallery above for the box and what's in the trio of compartments – it's effectively a screen protector plus two-part protective case.

The Magnetic Phone Grip, which is sold and therefore packaged separately, was also included – but you can use that with any number of handsets, not just the Z Fold 8 Ultra.

Benks offers these cases in either Black or Blue, so the colours don't necessarily match the device – I've got the Violet Shadow foldable, which is like a deep purple, and quite different to the black case, as pictured.

I was really drawn to the Benks case as I love the modern camo-like patterning. It looks pretty classy in pictures, although I've found the front case adds such a lip that it's changed how I use my new foldable.

There are positive changes in my use, though, as I'm now more rugged with how I handle the phone – which provides a feeling of relief, knowing this super-pricey handset is shrouded in Kevlar for the ultimate protection.

That magnetic phone grip is also super handy for creating a mobile stand, meaning I can sit the unfolded phone up in its own right, like a private mini cinema when I'm on relevant public transport.

Like the look of it too? Check out the Benks website for more information. The ArmorGrid Pro and ArmorGrid Air cases are also available on Amazon, with the latest best price in the widget below:

If you thought that Samsung was finished for the year, then think again: the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE has been confirmed, with the date set for 27 August.

Samsung, confirming the event on its official newsroom, says that it will "introduce the newest addition to the Galaxy S26 family". That lays any doubts to rest, reinforcing the particular model by saying "purposefully designed to bring the core Galaxy S26 experiences … to those who look for what truly matters most to them"

This has long been the mantra of the Galaxy FE models. FE stands for "fan edition" and the whole premise is to give buyers the core essentials they need, but strip out some of the other flagship features, to make for a slightly cheaper device.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE is expected to do just that, tweaking the design slightly to match the Galaxy S26 models, but offering much the same as it did in the Galaxy S25 FE.

Previous leaks have suggested a change in display supplier, while the specs aren't expected to change much, although it's likely to be powered by the Exynos 2500. It's also said that there will be a move to a silicon-carbon battery, along with 45W charging, although that likely means that the phone won't be rated for as many charging cycles.

Back to the teaser video that Samsung shared, and it appears to show three cups of matcha with the ice cubes conveniently shaped as the Galaxy AI logo. The tray they sit on hints at the design change for the camera.

A hand comes in an picks up the middle cup revealing that there's a Galaxy Event and the date. The video is labelled as being produced by AI, which might leave a bitter taste in the mouth, especially amongst Gen Z matcha fans who are turned off by this sort of AI image generation.

What's interesting is that in the version on X and other social channels, the video is rotated 90 degrees, so it looks like the cameras on the back of the phone. However, with the hand reaching in to remove one of the cameras, it suggests that the Galaxy S26 FE could lose one of its cameras - just like the Galaxy Z Fold 8.

That middle camera is the main 50MP camera, however, and all leaks have so far suggested we're getting the same 50MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide camera and 8MP telephoto camera as the previous model. It seems, perhaps, that this teaser video is just a little confusing.

The Galaxy FE has been a slightly confusing phone, launching cheaper than the Galaxy S flagship while offering many of the same specs. That doesn't appear to be happening with the Galaxy S26 FE: the expected move to Exynos 2500 is older hardware than the Exynos 2600 used in some S26 models, while the price is expected in increase, perhaps hitting €799, an increase of €50 over the previous model.

While the full specifications are unknown, the Galaxy S26 FE could walk a fine line between affordable flagship and costly competitor. You'll be able to watch the reveal live on 27 August.

Back in June at this year’s WWDC event, we first discovered what was in store for the next incarnation of Apple’s operating systems. The upcoming iOS 27, iPadOS 27, WatchOS 27, VisionOS 27 and macOS 27 Golden Gate will all feature the new Siri AI; a reinvented voice assistant with Apple Intelligence.

The new Apple Foundation models that power this new system have been built with Google Gemini but run on-device or via a private cloud. The data is only ever used for requests and never stored; it also can’t be accessed even by Apple.

The foundation models are deeply integrated across the operating systems and cover language, images, voice and text. This means that it can interact with you through every part of the operating system and almost every application.

More than just a voice assistant

Siri now has its own app in iOS 27 and across all of this year's new platforms. This allows you to revisit past conversations you’ve had, pick them up again, and start new ones. You can also still access Siri through the voice prompt of ‘Hey Siri’, by clicking on the Siri floating symbol or by holding down the main button on the top right of your phone.

Siri now has a more conversational interaction and allows you to ask follow-up questions or react to context. So if you’re in your messages, mail or music, you can easily ask questions around what’s in front of you for Siri to answer.

This same technology follows across iPadOS and even MacOS, where you can use the Spotlight tool to engage Siri and even use visual intelligence by selecting an area of the screen to reference.

Better image editing

The advances in Apple Intelligence aren’t limited to just Siri. The photo editing tools are now also powered by AI to deliver more advanced adjustments and generation. Firstly, the clean-up tool can remove larger objects, with more accurate results. There are now three options for the process, with ‘fast’ using on-device processing and ‘high quality’ using private cloud computing. There’s also an ‘auto’ option which will pick the best option depending on your current data connection.

A new ‘extend’ tool allows you to generate content beyond the edges of the photo for when you want to zoom out or change the ratio of the image. Meanwhile, the ‘spatial reframing’ tool lets you virtually adjust the angle that the picture was taken from, keeping the subject in the same place but changing the background. Both of these functions make use of private cloud computing for the full image generation.

These functions don’t just work on newly taken photos; you can apply them to older pictures in your library, even those not taken on an Apple device. The tools are also available directly in the lock screen wallpaper selection, so that you can better adjust your images to fit.

Image Playground gets more real

One area I’m quite excited about is the expansion of Image Playground in iOS 27 and beyond. This contains new generative models to enable it to produce a range of new image styles, including photorealistic images. This is achieved using private cloud computing and images contain IPTC metadata and hidden SynthID watermarks to show it’s been digitally generated.

As before, you can pick from people in your photo library (including multiple people) or from individual photos. The results can be output in different image ratios, such as landscape, portrait or square. While you can’t pick from your labelled pets in your library, you can take an individual picture of your pet and use that as a basis.

Notifications and context

Two new Apple Intelligence features are designed to save you time and help you avoid missing updates. Call context can surface helpful information when you’re on a call or messaging. So confirmation details for a hotel or flight booking can be easily surfaced without searching through past emails, and quick actions from messages can be set as reminders in a single click.

Notify Me is a function within Safari that can be used to stay up to date on changes within your favourite websites. The function can be set to check back monthly, weekly, daily or hourly, and you can ask it to look for things like a price change, a new feature or service or a registration or ticket sale opening. You could even set it to tell you when T3 writes something new about Apple – though expect daily updates!

Premium benefits

All the Apple Intelligence features will be made available to all users when the new versions of the software launch later this year, though initially in a beta form. There will, however, be some limits on the number of operations you can perform each day. Those with iCloud Plus memberships will have higher limits and will therefore be able to perform more AI operations.

This is a similar setup as we’ve seen with Google Gemini and ChatGPT, so it’s no surprise Apple is also adopting it. I also suspect those who will want to use it the most will already have one of the higher iCloud tiers, for all the other benefits it gives, so those hitting that daily limit should be minimal.

Historically, Apple has released its new line of iPhones in early September and this year is likely to be no different. New iPhone 18 models are expected, along with iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max handsets, as well as a possible iPhone Fold.

If you want to try out some of the new iOS 27 features, you can download the public beta on your phone today. Our article shows you exactly how to do it.

Believe it or not, Google has been making Pixel phones for almost a whole decade. The search giant's long-established hardware division has shown significant breakthroughs over the years, especially in computational photography skills for its camera setups.

Google's latest flagship hardware for 2026, however, doesn't break the mould for its now well-established features – such as those great cameras and distinctive design – but goes all-out with an increased focus on its AI agent, Google Gemini.

The Pro models in the Pixel 11 series house a new feature called HiLight, which is an illuminating area in the rear camera bar, designed to act as a visual indicator when you're conversing with Gemini – and not interacting with your phone's screen.

But is this one Google-centric feature enough to truly elevate the Pixel 11 Pro beyond its rivals? With battery tech that hasn't stepped up – something even Samsung has managed in its latest Z Fold 8 – and price rises in all regions except the UK, can Google win enough customers to continue with its Pixel legacy?

Price & Availability

For the UK, Google has bucked the common trend of price increases year on year, as the Pixel 11 Pro's £1,079 starting price is a neat £20 less than the previous 10 Pro model at its release.

That's not the case for other regions, mind, with the USA's $1,099, Australia's $1,849 and Europe's €1,219 starting prices all being more than last year's equivalents.

That pricing is for the base Pixel 11 Pro model with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage – noting that last generation has 16GB minimum, so 'RAMgate' continues to strike in cut-backs here. However, you can pay extra for a 512GB variant with the higher 16GB RAM figure.

Features & What's New?

I've created a quick-glance table, above, to show the most obvious feature differences between the Google Pixel 10 Pro and 11 Pro, bolding out where the key improvements (or indeed, any downgrades) exist.

Visually, the most obvious point of distinction is that the Pixel 11 Pro series makes the rear camera bar completely black, encased in a metallic edging, unlike the exposed flash area of the previous model.

Part of the reason for this, of course, is that new HiLight feature. Pictured above when active, the blue-white glow and motion of the light area is a Pixel 11 Pro (and Pro XL and Pro Fold) exclusive feature – it's not present in the base Pixel 11 model.

The design is otherwise largely the same as the last generation: protective glass sandwiched between an aluminium frame that, as I've long pointed out with Pixel devices, will scuff after little use.

The newer model is the tiniest bit smaller, but I'm talking in decimals rather than anything you'll notice in person, which seems to have affected the battery capacity – as it's noted as being a mite less capacious than its predecessor (in reality the actual capacity is likely the same).

The addition of HiLight and that Google hasn't progressed to a silicon-carbon (Si-C) battery type as yet, compounds the Pro 11's longevity potential though – so do keep that in mind.

Elsewhere, the main differences can't be seen by eye. The cameras get a quiet glow-up, with a new 50MP sensor used for the main camera, plus a larger sensor for the 48MP telephoto zoom. There's no resolution increase, sure, but the size and nature of these new sensors is an improvement.

The display also gets a quiet boost in terms of brightness. Its peak HDR output is even bolder for peak whites, across a panel that's otherwise the same size, resolution and refresh.

Tensor G6, meanwhile, brings more CPU and GPU capability than last year's G5 – but with a lower RAM pairing for the base model (only the 512GB version gets 16GB).

So it's familiar territory, with the main difference being that camera bar's look – and, of course, the HiLight feature contained within that unit.

Design & Display

• Colours: Obsidian (matte), Fog, Canyon, Olive (pictured)
• Glass rear (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminium frame
• 6.3-inch OLED display
  • 1280 x 2856 pixels
  • 1-120Hz variable refresh
  • 2400-3600 nits brightness
  • Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2

While I've long been a fan of the XL model in Google's series, having gotten used to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and its wider-than-usual format, I was pleased to get a slightly smaller phone for this review – not that I'd call the 11 Pro outright 'small', though.

I've been saying it for years, but I'll say it again: I've no doubt this Pixel's design will divide opinion, just as much as any before it. The protruding 'camera bar' design is one reason for that, of course, but I do love that it doesn't rock around when using it flat on a desk, which Samsung's flagships (foldable and otherwise) haven't worked around just yet.

This familiar Pixel design brings the same downsides as I've found with previous handsets for a few generations: the steep edge of the camera bar loves to collect dust and debris; and the metal edging of the unit is prone to scuffs and marks – with mine revealing scratches after just a matter of days (it adds character, I suppose, not that everyone will love that).

My main disappointment with my Pixel 11 Pro review sample? That I didn't get the Canyon (think: peachy-orange) colourway. I've got the Olive, which still looks nice, but it's more sombre than the punchier alternative. I'm yet to see the other handsets, but the black this year – Obsidian, if you want to follow the marketing – is now a matte finish in the Pro models.

The feel of the Pixel 11 Pro remains quality, although during heatwaves (as has been the case in the UK for many weeks) the metal finish doesn't feel ideal, while the thickness of the device is quite chunky when you park it in a protective case (sold separately – I didn't like it enough, so took it off).

One of the Pixel 11 Pro's star characteristics is its display. That's partly down to the quality of the visuals, the natural colours and the abundant brightness, but it's partly down to the software and how Android 17 permits you to arrange icons, adjust scale and sizing better than some other brands.

It's not quite perfect, though, on account of an ongoing choice to use a glossy coating that can't negate reflections as well as some competitors, while the choice for curved display edges can cut into your content – and it's a little annoying when the 'x' to close an in-game ad is teetering on the edge of being visible.

The benefit to a glossy coating, however, is the way in which images look almost more three-dimensional, as if they want to jump out of the panel. And the brightness capability here is so high that reflections can be offset to some degree. I would note that the auto-brightness can be a little keen to dip, instead of always taking advantage of its considerable reach.

Performance & Battery

• 4850mAh battery, 30W wired / 25W wireless charging (magnetic)
• Google Tensor G6 processor, 12GB RAM (16GB in 512GB variant)
• Google AI Pro free for 6 months
• Android 17 software

As said, I really love Google's early access to the latest Android software and the aesthetic options that brings. Android 17 has some visual bugs here and there – app icons flickering, for example – but from the colour palettes to font and scale choices, it's a very neat-looking system. The array of lock screens is wide and varied for this generation, too.

Sadly, Google's ongoing year of bundled AI Pro subscription has been trimmed down to just 6 months included with your purchase. I think that's bad business, as it effectively adds to a user's year-one cost by a big margin. I suspect it's Google's intent to slowly retract such offers until it's no longer a thing – you just pay for AI and Gemini and that's part of life (and likely a big reason that Google continues in its harware endeavours, to promote its bigger plan).

In theory, you'll want that subscription for all the Google Gemini interaction that you'll be doing – especially with that new HiLight feature, right? Right? Well, I've honestly not found it very useful in practice. Yes, it illuminates and sort of wiggles about a bit, but conversationality isn't improved from my perspective, so it feels a little lacking as it stands. I just haven't really used it much – and I'm not sure that'll change.

I've also watched the brand Nothing grow over the years, with similar kinds of visual ideas from its Glyph systems of lights and displays on its phones' rears. They're not always invaluable, but are at least fun – whereas Google's equivalent just feels quite serious. At launch HiLight also feels lacking, with the promise of more features to come, but nothing to write home about just yet.

HiLight also only works when the Pixel 11 Pro is face down. I rarely position it that way on a desk. When actively using the phone, you do get a little circular emblem within the software to make the whole experience more cohesive – but it's still just Gemini at the end of the day, the flashy lights didn't make me warm to it more, as I'd honestly expected.

From a raw performance perspective, the Pixel 11 Pro adds Google's latest and therefore advanced processor to date, the Tensor G6. It's a quality chip, which somehow manages to run fairly cool within this glass and metal design. It gets warm, sure, just not quite to searing levels.

Whether you're loading multiple apps, running some more hardcore games from the Play Store, or switching between the Camera app and everything else, the Pixel 11 Pro performs every bit the pro model (despite its effective RAM reduction). But all of this does affect the battery life a little more than I'd hoped, as it's okay at best – more borderline per day in my given use over the past working week for this review.

It makes sense that Google's auto-brightness preference tends to dim a bit more than I'd like, therefore, in an effort to save the battery. I've been reaching the end of a day with the battery about to die, after 16 hours of use and plenty of screen time. Like I say, that's okay, but only just – especially now even Samsung's foldable can outlast it. Charging could be quicker, too, as 30W wired is behind the flagship norm now.

Cameras

• Triple rear:
  • Main (25mm): 50-megapixel, f/1.7 aperture, OIS
  • Wide (13mm): 48MP, f/1.7 + macro focus
  • Tele (115mm): 48MP, f/2.8, OIS
• Selfie: 42MP, f/2.2, autofocus

But while the battery life and HiLight features have given me moments of muse, flipping into the Pixel 11 Pro's Camera app opens the gates to one of the best experiences in any current Android phone. It's a simple, effective, yet powerful package.

While the core of the Pixel 11 Pro's triple camera offering doesn't appear to have changed much – in that it delivers a 50-megapixel main, 48MP ultra-wide, and 48MP 5x optical zoom – there have been fundamental changes to two of those three sensors.

That sees the Pixel 11 Pro's main camera get an uplift in capability, but it's the telephoto that really gains a bigger advantage – as that sensor is 30% larger than the previous model's was, which helps in light-gathering and overall quality potential. It's Google's best camera setup yet.

And it's just abundantly usable. Having recently had to forego the zoom camera in Samsung's latest foldable, moving into this Pixel has made me realise just how much I miss that zoom option. It's so easy to dive into 5x or a digitally-optimised 10x, with great results all round.

The optical stabilisation is great to help negate handshake, the whole trio of lenses look consistent across the full package, and the Night Sight mode for long-exposure low-light shooting – which you can adjust in Settings as to when/how it activates – is truly brilliant for handheld low-light or night shots beyond what your eyes can even see.

Sometimes the default functionality might not do quite what you want – subject-tracking going awry, or face detection superseding anything else you might want to shoot, as two prime examples – but you can dig into settings to get everything set up in a more personal fashion to suit.

The only other downside is that the system isn't very good at telling you when something isn't quite in focus when in the Macro close-up mode. But get it right and, as you can see in the gallery of images above, the Pixel can deliver delightfully sharp shots.

Google's AI features are also worth a shout out, with well-established Magic Eraser and Magic Editor bringing the magic once again. Whether you need to spot-remove a photobomber, or drag a subject elsewhere within the frame, these staples have now become part of the computational photography expectation. Google pretty much started this – and continues to lead the pack.

What the Pixel 11 Pro gets so right is the completeness and simplicity of its camera package. It's consistent, full of features and modes, and delivers great results across all of its lenses and in majority of conditions. It's ahead of Samsung's offering – which is one of the key reasons to consider spending a little more on this phone than an S26 Ultra.

Google Pixel 11 Pro review: Verdict

While many will see the Pixel 11 Pro models as a source of Gemini joy, I've found the big new feature, HiLight, to be mostly bypassable. It's an interesting first step in creating the ultimate 'AI Agent' phone, though.

For me, however, it's just the majority of everything else about the Pixel 11 Pro that's so on point – and proves that Google's decade-long venture in the Android hardware space still proves its worth.

From the overall design, to the camera suite's upgraded capabilities, and the latest Android 17 software and customisation options, it's the little details where the Pixel 11 Pro wins.

That said, the so-so battery life and reduction in Google AI Pro subscription with purchase (down to 6 months) see this year's flagship held back from a full 5-star score.. The higher price in all regions bar the UK may also cause pause for thought.

Also Consider

Don't care for HiLight feature? Look at the Pixel 10 Pro, which is ultimately a similar package for less money – and, if you're quick, you'll still get the full 12 months of Google AI Pro (for purchases before October 2026, according to the Ts&Cs).

Outside of that option, however, Oppo's Find X9 Pro delivers an arguably even better zoom camera quality, plus undeniably better battery life, albeit all wrapped into a quirkier overall software setup. It'll cost you less right now, too.

Or you can skip Android altogether and slide over to Apple town, where the iPhone 17 Pro is the closest equivalent. That ought to further dip when the iPhone 18 and Ultra is revealed in mid-September.

Honor's Robot Phone almost has dibs on the "most interesting phone" conversation at the moment, despite Samsung's valiant effort with the new shape of the Galaxy Z Fold 8. We simply haven't ever seen anything quite like a handset with a built-in motorised gimbal arm, after all.

After getting to wave at the phone at MWC in Barcelona earlier this year, I finally got to actually go properly hands-on with it in London this week, and there's a big gulf between those two experiences. Actually using the Robot Phone underlines just how much of a fun tool its gimbal is, although it still left me with questions about its long-term viability.

An engineering marvel

At this point, the Robot Phone has been trailed and unveiled so many times that its design is far from a surprise, but finally getting to go up close with it, to actually check it out from every angle, it really is an impressive bit of engineering.

This is a phone that's traditional in most ways, but completely different in one big, obvious element. The phone itself is slightly thicker than most modern flagships, but there's only one reason for that – the gimbal that collapses into its camera unit.

Amusingly, there are regular cameras here, for ultrawide shots and zooming in, but I don't think most people are coming to the Robot phone to use them.

Far more important is that robotic arm, which requires a couple of steps to use. First, you manually swipe open the protective cover that normally keeps the dust off it. Then, in the phone's camera app, you tap a little gimbal icon to activate it, and watch it pop up ready for shooting.

Once it's open, you have a huge range of control options available to you, including a virtual joystick to manually move the camera and direct it. This is responsive and easy to get to grips with, but it also moves the lens quite slowly.

More impressive is the automatic subject-tracking. Double-tapping on an object, building or person in the viewfinder will lock the camera onto it (if the subject-tracking mode is turned on). This will let you move the phone around pretty freely without it letting your subject out of the shot.

It's pretty brilliant, and I tested it on trains, a passing helicopter, and much more, all from a rooftop vantage point. It's clearly going to be ideal for those who'd otherwise pack an extra action camera into their gear pack, albeit it has a few limitations that those cameras don't (more on that later).

The footage I was able to review was really impressive, too, and did a decent job of selling the whole concept, frankly. That said, selling the phone is an interesting topic – it's only confirmed for sale in China at this point, and I can't help but feel it's really unlikely to make it to the UK in this guise.

Kinks to be ironed out

The sheer fact that Honor has managed to get a gimbal onto its phone makes the Robot Phone basically peerless – no other handset can match this one big feature.

That said, that lack of competition makes it hard to judge how good the gimbal is, and it does have clear limitations. One is that its freedom of movement isn't total. Because the camera's on an arm, it can move a lot more freely to the right than it can to the left.

This is hard to describe, but it means that if you lock a subject directly in front of you, then turn the phone to your right, you can keep going for ages before the gimbal reaches its maximum and you lose your subject. Turn to the left, though, and you'll hit that limit way more quickly.

I can see how that sounds like a tiny issue, but I think it's the sort of thing that you'd have to work around basically any time you shoot some dynamic footage, and it isn't a problem that I'm aware of many full-on gimbal cameras having.

If that gimbal does have limitations, then, it's also fair to say that the software experience I tinkered with doesn't feel quite final. It was fairly common to encounter small bugs or features that didn't want to work the first time around.

That's obviously entirely forgivable on a phone that isn't yet shipping, but in China the Robot Phone is now a real consumer product, and I'd be a little irked by some of the kinks in the system if I'd paid for it.

Then again, just like with the first generation of folding phones some years back, this is also very much an early-adopter type of phone, one that you know is doing something unique. It won't be an enormous surprise when it's a little quirky as a result.

I also have real reservations when it comes to durability – I obviously couldn't do any drop-testing with what remains a rare phone, but I'm extremely curious about how the gimbal would fare if you dropped the phone. It's also likely to be a stress point for mechanical failure, and I'd assume that a normal phone would have a far better chance of surviving for a longer span of years.

In some ways, that sums up how I felt about the Robot Phone after finally getting to actually use it. The novelty factor is huge here – that camera is unlike anything else on a phone right now, and it's really fun and rewarding to explore its abilities and limits.

That said, without any firm hints on a US or UK release, and therefore no pricing to contextualise it, it still feels like a bit of a mirage right now, even after having held it. Will this be a flash in the pan, or is there a genuine mainstream lineage of Robot Phone successors to come?

Google is in the process of making changes to sideloading on Android with the aim of improving user security, while maintaining freedom of choice.

That sees verification of developers, apps, additional app stores, as well as a process for installation of apps from unverified developers. The latter, called advanced flow, is designed to maintain the freedoms of experienced users to install whatever they like on their phone.

The changes have come about for a couple of reasons. First, "sideloading" (where an app is installed directly on the device rather than from Google Play) is a route used by hackers and those with malicious aims, like scammers. Second, verifying additional app stores see compliance with the fallout from the Epic Games anti-trust case.

Using a post on Reddit, Google has explained the timeline for the changes and what the sideloading restrictions will mean.

How Android sideloading is changing

While millions of apps have already been verified (through Google Play and some outside Google Play), additional verifications are coming through the Honor App Market, Oppo App Market, Samsung's Galaxy Store, Palm Store, V-Appstore and GetApps.

This step will first happen in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand, before spreading to global coverage in 2027. That will mean that installation of apps from verified developers and app stores will all be covered and shouldn't result in any changes for Android users.

The final step – which is the process that starts today – is the installation process for unverified developers. The aim here is a break the cycle of coercion, so a scammer can't (for example) phone you, say that your bank account is compromised, and tell you to install a remote control app, which they then use to take over your phone.

Instead, the "advanced flow" is a 24-hour process, giving some cooling off time that allows you to reevaluate that installation. It might just be an app that a friend developed that's totally fine, it might be that the break makes you realise you're being scammed.

Anyway, the process for the advanced flow is:

• In Developer Options, select "Apps from unverified developers".
• Toggle on "Allow apps from unverified developers".
• You'll be asked if someone is telling you to do this.
• Restart your phone, which cuts off any remote access or callers.
• Wait 24 hours, then return to "Apps from unverified developers".
• Choose whether to turn the setting on for 7 days or permanently.

These steps include a number of breaks to protect users so they aren't coerced into installing an unverified app on their device. The restart, the 24-hour break and the warning message take steps to highlight that installing an unverified app could be a risky process.

It's a one-time process, however, so if you're regularly installing apps from unverified developers, you don't have to constantly wait. However, if you are doing that (and enjoying one of the freedoms that Android has always been known for) then you're perhaps less likely to fall for a scam where someone else makes you install a malicious app.

The advanced flow will arrive as a gradual roll-out with an additional system service on your phone called Android Developer Verifier, which I found has already updated on my recent Android devices.

The result of Google's changes should mean that it's harder for tricksters to take over your phone, advanced users still have the freedoms they want, while regular users will just be able to get on with using their phone as normal.

The additional protections through the support of third-party app stores should provide the peace of mind that using those app stores is safe.

Samsung has developed a new structure for OLED screens that will boost the quality of folding or curved displays.

The new tech increases the viewing angles for the OLED panel, meaning that brightness can be preserved when not viewing the screen head-on. That's a problem for folding screens or anything that curves, with the edges or areas around the fold traditionally losing brightness.

Samsung says that the brightness in these areas could drop about 60%, meaning the user sees a darker area. Anyone who has used a folding phone will have noticed this around the fold, where the slight ripple in the screen leads to a dimmer area.

The Wide View Display from Samsung Display is said to counter this, with Samsung completely redesigning the material and structure of the OLED. The aim is to ensure that the image quality is consistent, so even if there is a bump or curve in the display, the quality is maintained.

Presented at IMID 2026 in Busan, Korea, the new material was presented in a 7.6-inch size, exhibited on a folding device. There's every chance that this screen technology could make its way to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 9 Ultra in 2027 and also be used by other folding phone manufacturers.

Samsung itself refers to "next-generation form factor products such as foldable, slidable, and rollable displays".

A huge boost to screen quality

Using a wide view display could also improve the quality when a folding phone isn't flat. In the accompanying image showing the technology, the colours also look more vibrant and uniform across the whole screen, rather than just in the section that's 90-degrees to the viewer.

That could also boost the performance of curved displays, which could be more applicable to automotive screens, allowing higher performance when viewed from a wider range of angles by different people in the car.

Samsung's use of wide-angle viewing technologies became a hot topic in 2026 with the release of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra with its Privacy Display. The tech works by limiting the output to narrow angle subpixels, meaning the screen content is only visible to those looking straight at it.

When Privacy Display is switched off, the wider-angle pixels allow viewing from greater angles. That raises the question of whether Privacy Display would work effectively on a folding screen, given that the solution to dimming has been to increase the wide viewing tech in the panel.

The first folding iPhone is expected to launch in September, but there's still a lack of information about what Apple is actually going to present us with. One thing that is becoming clear is that it might be hard to get your hands on one.

We recently reported that reputable analyst Ming Chi Kuo had highlighted that only about 1 million units would be immediately available, suggesting that stock will be in limited supply come launch day.

Now we have a similar message coming from Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo (via 9to5Mac), saying that it will take a couple of months for Apple to ramp up the stock levels to the 10 million units that are thought to be in manufacture.

That might mean that as soon as the folding iPhone goes on sale, it sells out, with long wait times for those putting in orders. That might be because Apple doesn't want to mass produce something with unknown demand – or it might be that because it's a new product, manufacture is taking longer.

The same Weibo leaker says: "While hinge assembly is difficult, the construction of mass production lines has not stopped at all." This suggests that it's not a delay, it's just the way that stock will be made available.

An Apple US exclusive?

Of course, the other side of limiting stock is that demand increases: the iPhone Ultra could become a cult hit because it's so hard to get. There have also been rumours that it might only launch in the US at first and this wouldn't be out of character for Apple: the Vision Pro was US only for five months before seeing wider availability.

Apple often tests the water in the US where its fan base is strongest, before looking to wider markets – and exactly the same thing could happen with the iPhone Ultra.

Elsewhere, the iPhone Ultra name has been called into question. Having initially been referred to as iPhone Fold, many switched to calling it iPhone Ultra. However, Momentary Digital on Weibo suggests that it doesn't fit the "Ultra" naming – and it would better fit the iPhone Fold name.

This shouldn't come as a surprise: it's unlikely that anyone knows Apple's plans, because information is carefully controlled and leaks are rare. Something like a product name often remains unknown until it's announced on stage.

That leaves us a little in the dark. While iPhone 18 Pro with the A20 Pro chip can be reasonably expected, for the new folding phone we're still in the realms of speculation.

Samsung has been taken aback by the overwhelming support for its wider foldable. Launched in July, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 has already proved a "smash hit" and the company is said to have ordered a million more units to be manufactured.

It also bodes well for the iPhone Ultra – Apple's first foldable that will reportedly come in a very similar form factor, and likely with the exact same folding display. We'll find out just how popular that will be too, when it will almost certainly launch early September.

But, it seems, Samsung is not going to wait until then to double down (or, in fact, up) on its own success story. It seems that it's already making plans to release two wider foldable phones next year.

According to trusted leaker Ice Universe, Samsung roadmap for folding devices next year includes another new foldable with a wider display, in addition to a follow-up to the Galaxy Z Fold 8.

Citing his X post as an "ETnews exclusive", the online leaker claims there will be five new Samsung foldables in 2027, although doesn't say whether the new wide model will be a cheaper or more premium device than the Z Fold 8 replacement.

If genuine, we'll be getting the following new phones around this time next year:

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 9
• New wide-format Samsung Galaxy Z Fold model
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 9 Ultra
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 9
• Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold 2

That's a whole lot of new foldable handsets, with pretty much something for every budget.

"Samsung has clearly tasted the benefits of expanding its foldable form factors, and next year it plans to go even further," he posted.

And what about other manufacturers

With Apple soon to announce its own, it is surely just a matter of time before other manufacturers adopt the new form factor too.

Xiaomi is already rumoured to have a wider device in the works, and anyone who has had a play with the Z Fold 8 will understand why.

Unlike conventional book-style foldables, the wider format allows the inner display to provide a wider aspect ratio – more akin to an iPad mini. And while it means the outer screen is more square in shape, video content, games, and all manner of other applications look better on a 4:3 display.

It might take a little getting used to, but our tech editor Mike Lowe believes that it could be the future of foldables full stop: "Much as the Galaxy Z Fold 8's passport-sized form could have proved a floundering move for Samsung, having used this unique Android device for a full working week, I think it's opened new borders," he wrote in his review.

It seems Samsung agrees.