Google Assistant launched way back in 2016, so there is a good chance you've come across it at some point. That might have been on an Android phone, an iPhone, a smart speaker, headphones or even a car through Android Auto. We could go on – the list of devices it's been available on is not insignificant.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. With Gemini on track to replace it – and doing so quickly – the company has confirmed the date Google Assistant will be shuttered on Android phones and smartwatches.

When is Google Assistant shutting down on Android?

Picked up by 9to5Google, an email has been sent to existing Google Assistant users, explaining that the service is “being discontinued” on mobile devices.

It also highlighted, just in case you haven’t been keeping up over the last couple of years, that Gemini is now the assistant experience on Android.

Google detailed in the email that Google Assistant will begin to be removed from devices starting on 4 September 2026, and that will include Android phones, Wear OS smartwatches, headphones and any cars “running Android Auto projected from a user’s mobile device”.

The company did say the process may take a few weeks, so you might have a few days grace. However, it’s time to start saying your goodbyes.

Google added in the email that after its removal, you will no longer be "able to use or switch back to Google Assistant on your phone, tablet, or paired devices”.

It also said: “We are committed to providing a smooth transition and are confident that Gemini will offer you an even more capable and helpful assistant experience."

Let’s hope that’s the case. We really did like Google Assistant.

There are some big changes coming to the iPhone with iOS 27 when it launches later this year. There's Siri AI for starters, which I’ve found surprisingly helpful in my first beta experiences.

However, alongside the more contextualised Siri are updates to native apps, including new icons for Maps and Photos, a slider to increase or decrease the Liquid Glass effect, and new photo editing tools.

What will Captured by Me offer in Photos?

Look a little deeper into the Photos app though, and there are improvements coming here too. Shared albums and slideshows are being tweaked within iOS 27, but as spotted by 9to5Mac, there is also a new Captured by Me feature that effectively acts as a camera roll.

As its name suggests, this feature will present any photos or videos that you yourself have taken on your iPhone. You won’t see any screenshots or photos friends have sent you in this section, nor any other content, so there will be no dog memes or random screenshots you’ve snapped while doomscrolling.

The Captured by Me feature can be found in the Utilities section of the Photos app, and it’s present in the latest iOS 27 beta if you want to try it out for yourself.

There is also an option to filter by Captured by Me in the iOS 27 Photos app. If you tap on the Library tab at the bottom of the Photos app and then the filter icon in the top right (three lines), you will see Captured by Me appear in the list. Tap on that, and you’ll find all the photos and videos you’ve ever taken with your iPhone’s camera.

Apple hasn’t revealed exactly when the final build of iOS 27 will be released, but if previous years are anything to go by, it should be early September, alongside the launch of the new iPhones.

As mentioned though, if you can’t wait that long to try out the Captured by Me feature, you can download the public beta of iOS 27 now.

Samsung has only just revealed its latest folding phones – they're so new they aren’t even on sale yet – but that hasn’t stopped the rumours for its next big devices.

Usually rumours bring good news, whether it’s the leak of a fresh design or a camera upgrade, but the latest speculation surrounding the Galaxy S27 Ultra suggests this flagship phone could see a downgrade instead.

Camera changes incoming for the Galaxy S27 Ultra

According to ETNews (via 9to5Google), the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra could ditch the 3x telephoto camera lens, reducing it to just three lenses on the rear. This would be a first for the Ultra.

The report claims the 50-megapixel 5x telephoto lens would remain, as would the 200-megapixel main camera and 50-megapixel ultrawide camera, but the 3x telephoto could be no more in order to reduce manufacturing costs.

The Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra isn’t due to launch until early 2027, so there is still time for things to change, and there will no doubt be more leaks that appear between now and then. But for now, you may want to grab a Galaxy S26 Ultra if you really want that telephoto.

What else is new?

The other devices that are rumoured to launch alongside the Galaxy S27 Ultra include the Galaxy S27 and Galaxy S27+, as you would expect, as well as the Galaxy S27 Pro.

The Pro model is rumoured to have a 200-megapixel main camera and 50-megapixel ultrawide camera, like the Galaxy S27 Ultra, but it is claimed it will opt for a 10-megapixel 3x telephoto lens – the one that’s being ditched on the Ultra.

Meanwhile, the standard Galaxy S27 and Galaxy S27+ are said to come with a 50-megapixel main camera, 12-megapixel ultrawide camera, and a 10-megapixel telephoto camera.

As mentioned, we are several months away from the release of these devices, so plenty could change. At the moment it’s looking like some interesting changes are coming.

Google will officially unveil its new Pixel 11 phone family and several other devices on 12 August at a Made by Google event, but let's face it, there'll be nothing left to unveil by then.

Not only have we now got a whole swathe of leaked images and information about pretty much everything that'll launch, Google itself is even getting in on the act. It has released a video teaser of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold that reveals the new foldable.

In it, you can see the new pill-shaped camera unit on the rear and little else, to be honest. But it looks extremely clean and could be a straight-forward, folding option for those who aren't ready to adopt Samsung's new Z Fold 8 form factor (or the forthcoming iPhone Ultra).

On top of this, serial online leaker Evan Blass (@evleaks) recently posted a series of what looks to be official marketing images of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. Made available on his new Leakermail Substack, they reveal more about the phone.

Over the last few days, he has also released leaked images of the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, and Pixel 11 Pro XL – the four phones expected to launch on 12 August.

And there are a couple of added extras too – of the Google Pixel Watch 5 and what looks like green versions of the Pixel Buds Pro 2, to match the new green colourway of the 11 Pro Fold.

Also expected to make an appearance during the Made by Google even next week is at least one Googlebook. The new laptop range will replace Chromebook and was announced just prior to Google I/O in May.

We've recently seen a leak of Googlebook devices from Lenovo, which suggests that something will be shown soon – the Made by Google event seems the perfect place.

Back to the phones though and as well as the official teaser, it is understood that pre-orders will open either during or immediately after the event.

Both Google and Best Buy in the US have countdown clocks, with Best Buy's stating that pre-orders start on 12 August. There's every reason to believe that will be the case in the UK and Europe too, maybe globally.

At the end of July, Apple rolled out a new subscription service to help you get your hands on the latest iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple Watch. The catch is that, for now at least, it's a US-only affair.

Called Apple Upgrade, the scheme is essentially a device leasing plan. Rather than paying the full price upfront or spreading the cost through a traditional instalment plan, eligible customers pay a monthly fee to use a device, with the option to swap it for a newer model, buy it outright, or hand it back once the term is up.

The scheme is backed by buy-now-pay-later specialist Klarna and covers Apple's core hardware lineup. It's restricted to the latest models though, and not all of them are available (sorry MacBook Neo).

The iPhone and Apple Watch can be leased over 12 or 24 months, while Mac and iPad are available on 24- or 36-month terms. We assume that's because these devices are more expensive.

How much do devices cost on Apple Upgrade?

Entry pricing starts at $17.99 a month for iPhone, $11.99 for Apple Watch and iPad, and $24.99 for Mac. The exact amount depends on the model you choose and whether an old device is traded in to bring the cost down.

Those old devices can be an Apple device, as you would expect, but you can trade in an Android phone too.

Anyone signing up to Apple Upgrade will need to go through a soft credit check that Apple says won't affect your credit score. You should get approval within minutes, whether applying online or at a physical Apple Store, and there are a couple of perks available within the scheme. These include the ability to earn cashback through Apple Card if you use that for payment.

Notably, the launch spells the end of the road for the older iPhone Upgrade Program and iPhone Payments scheme in the US, both of which are being retired now that Apple Upgrade is live.

Which devices are included in the Apple Upgrade program?

Apple’s Upgrade program includes the latest Apple devices, including the iPhone 17 models, Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3. You can also use it with the MacBook Air (M5) and iPad Pro (M5).

The iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, Apple Watch SE, MacBook Neo, Mac mini, iPad (A16), and Studio Display are not currently available as part of the Apple Upgrade program.

Will Apple Upgrade launch in the UK?

Apple is yet to mention whether it will be bringing the Apple Upgrade leasing scheme to the UK or anywhere else outside the US. The official announcement doesn’t mention international availability, and there's no confirmed timeline for a wider rollout either. Sad times.

There's is some hope, however. Apple's AppleCare One protection bundle launched stateside first before reaching UK, France, Germany and Australia a year later, so hopefully the Apple Upgrade program could follow the same playbook.

For now, UK buyers wanting to spread the cost of a new Apple device will need to stick with existing options, such as 0 per cent finance deals through Apple's retail partners or standard carrier contracts. Apple itself offers the Flexible Finance Account option for now.

We’re a couple of weeks away from Google’s next event, which is set to reveal the next generation of Pixel phones and Pixel Watch, but it looks like there could be another device making its debut, too.

According to a report on 9to5Google, the tech giant might finally be adding a Bluetooth tracker to its portfolio, competing with the likes of the Apple AirTag and Samsung Galaxy Tag.

Until now, Google hasn’t offered its own tracker despite being responsible for the Find Hub network on Android. It works with a number of third-party trackers, including Samsung and Chipolo, but this would be its first dedicated hardware.

What will the Pixel Tag offer?

The Google Pixel Tag has reportedly started to appear in online listings, featuring the model number GA12506. It’s claimed it will come in a “Fog Light” colour, and 9to5Google has managed to obtain an image of the tracker too.

Based on the image, the Pixel Tag will be oblong in shape, similar to the Samsung Galaxy Tag. However, it looks like it doesn’t have a built-in keyhole as Samsung’s model does. That might suggest you will need to buy separate accessories, as you do with the AirTag, to attach it to your keys.

There’s no information on whether the Google Pixel Tag will have a replaceable or rechargeable battery either, nor is it known whether it will use Ultra-Wide Band technology like the Apple AirTag and Samsung Galaxy Tag. Still, one of the online listings picked up by 9to5Google does offer a marketing description to provide some extra detail:

“The Google Pixel Tag smart tracker helps you quickly and reliably locate your lost items using the secure 'Find My Device' network," it says.

"Never waste time searching for your keys, wallet or luggage again."

The listing goes on to describe the Google Pixel Tag as a "compact, lightweight and durable smart tracker that attaches discreetly to your most important items".

There's also a loudspeaker inside, to alert you to its whereabouts when lost.

As this is the first time the Google Pixel Tag has appeared in leaks, it’s not clear whether it will be announced alongside the Pixel 11 phones or released at a later date. With that launch happening on 12 August, though, at least it’s not too long to wait to find out.

The time had finally come; time to move out of my Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and into the supposedly step-up Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. You can see how vastly different they are in the image above.

But from the very moment I finished copying all my apps and data across, handling this new top-tier foldable just felt immediately, well, tiny.

I know that many have criticised Samsung's foldable over the years for being "too narrow". It was marginally rectified in its Galaxy Z Fold 7 of last year – which is of a similar blueprint to this Z Fold 8 Ultra.

Samsung has arguably become a victim of its own success by releasing two broadly different foldables in tandem. The Ultra has been finessed to an undeniable degree – but may become the more niche format in the future.

Change the format

This isn't just "a Samsung thing", mind, as I've made sure to pick up various other handsets around my office (and when you've been reviewing the best phones for as long as I have, there are plenty around).

Oppo Find X9 Pro? Love it. Except, hold up, I can't easily reach the top. It's quite a tall bit of kit, despite being totally "the norm" for a 2026 flagship. I think that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 has effectively rewired my brain in only a matter of days of use.

The story feels the same with any other handset I dare to pick up: Nothing Phone (4a) Pro? It's actually a minuscule amount larger in size than the Oppo. Google Pixel 10 Pro XL? Same deal in terms of height – despite being a mite narrower.

For the first time in a long time, the change in shifting between one handset and another has felt dramatic. That gives me all the more reason to call on Samsung to do yet more with its One UI 9 software though – as the Z Fold 8 would definitely benefit from the option to utilise more app icons per row, among other adjustments unique to the format.

Small beginnings

Phones have changed so much over the years that it's sometimes easy to forget just how much smaller the handsets of yesteryear were. I picked up an iPhone 3G for the first time in years the other day and my first thoughts were: "where is it?"

The days of 3.5-inch phone displays are behind us, though, and I'm fully here to embrace the advancements that have come along the way. The Galaxy Z Fold 8, however, is a signal to an incoming step change.

No, not everyone can afford a foldable. Not everyone even wants a dual-screen phone, for that matter. But when Apple reveals the iPhone Ultra next month, I suspect it'll help "normalise" this new frontier in phone formats.

When I first handled the Galaxy Z Fold 8 I assumed it would be too wide. Now that I've been forced to part ways with it, I'm already missing its currently unique offering. And everything else just feels too narrow and tall – especially the Ultra.

A new flip phone has been unveiled as a way to offer minimalism to your pocket and, hopefully, your life. Light, the company best known for its distraction-free phones, has revealed the Light Flip. This is a modern take on the classic clamshell handset that's designed to be opened only when you actually need it.

Unlike today's foldable smartphones, there's no flexible display or cover screen demanding your attention. Instead, you get a physical keypad, a compact 2.8-inch OLED display and a tiny notification light on the outside.

That minimalist philosophy continues inside. Running the company's custom LightOS software, the phone skips social media, web browsing, app stores and AI assistants entirely.

Instead, you'll find practical tools including calls, texts, navigation, alarms, notes, podcasts, music playback, weather, a hotspot mode and two-factor authentication. The idea is to keep everything genuinely useful and to remove the features that encourage endless scrolling.

Light says the flip phone was created after repeated requests from customers – especially younger people – who wanted a better-built alternative to ageing feature phones without being dragged back into the smartphone ecosystem.

Closing the phone is intended to create a physical signal that you're switching off, rather than simply locking another glowing screen.

Despite its retro appearance, the hardware is actually modern. The Light Flip supports 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C charging, dual SIM via nano SIM and eSIM, a removable 1,800mAh battery and even retains a 3.5mm headphone jack.

There's also a 12-megapixel rear camera, and predictive T9 typing is joined by voice-to-text and audio messaging, to make communication straight forward too.

Available in six colours, the Light Flip is priced at $299 (around £220 / AU$460) and is expected to ship in April 2027.

Whether this becomes the ultimate antidote to smartphone overload remains to be seen. For anyone craving a calmer relationship with technology, this is one of the more refreshing phone launches for 2026.

If you had any doubts about what Google was launching at the Made by Google event, then put them to rest: all the Pixel 11 devices, in all the colours, along with the Watch 5 have leaked.

These images come from a reliable source, Evan Blass on X (via Android Authority) and via the Leakmail substack, so they are pretty much a certainty - although Google has been sharing images of the Pixel 11 already in its teasers and marketing.

While this flood of images exposes these new Google devices in all their glory, just kerb your excitement a little: they look almost identical to the Pixel 10 and Pixel Watch 4.

Starting with the Pixel 11 - that's the entry-level device - Google moved it to a three camera system in 2025, but dropped the spec of the camera system slightly. The camera is important here, because that looks to be the only design change.

Previously, the flash (and temperature sensor on the Pro) was encased in the metal. Now the surface of the camera appears to be one piece of glass, with a little detail sitting in it. As previously revealed by Google, the flash now appears to offer a full range of colours, thought to be the Pixel Glow notification system.

The Pixel 11 is expected to come with 256GB storage in the base model, with a starting price of £879. The colours for this model are reported as Light Sterling, Fuchsia, Midnight Haze and Moss.

For the Pixel 11 Pro, it's much the same, with the colours said to be Dune, Light Fog, Midnight Haze and Pine. All these colours align with previous leaks which came from a listing on Amazon. As before, we're expecting the Pixel 11 Pro (from £1079) to come in an XL size (from £1279) as well.

That's not the end of it, because Google will also be releasing an updated folding phone. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold seems to have a little more tweaking happening around the camera. These images are more of a lifestyle angle on the device, appearing in the Pine colour. The Pro Fold is expected to also come in Midnight as well.

Finally, we come to the Pixel Watch 5. We've previously reported that the Pixel Watch's biggest change is going to be an increase in the RAM, which we expect is to power more AI functions from Gemini.

Here we have the Pixel Watch 5 in what we believe are Natural Silver and Warm Gold, while the images show 41mm and 45mm sizes. The fact that the design isn't changing suggests that the experience will be similar to the Pixel Watch 4.

Some will be disappointed with the lack of change in these devices, but Google seems to be following Apple's lead in keeping the design more consistent. For the phones at least, I think it's a winning strategy as the camera bar on the back makes for a great experience - it's something to grip, it doesn't wobble on the table and I'd expect the performance to be great.

That's one thing we don't yet know - if Google is planning any real hardware changes to its cameras.

Well, would you look at that. Or, as the case is, not look at that. This is the Tecno "Next-Gen Bezelless Concept Phone", which, as its name clearly proclaims, is a handset with no visible bezel.

Indeed, Tecno claims it's the world's first handset with a "0mm bezel" – a phone developed to conquer "the final millimetre". It's all beginning to sound a little bit Star Trek, albeit for phones, isn't it?

Not that this is science fiction. The Next-Gen Bezelless Concept Phone is the real deal – and the Chinese phone-maker will have it on show at the IFA technology show in Berlin this coming September.

That does fall in the month when we're also expecting another major phone launch. Namely Apple's reveal of the iPhone 18 series and, if rumours are accurate, the iPhone Ultra foldable.

Tecno is no stranger to foldable devices either, with its Phantom V Fold 2 expected to spawn a follow-up device for the Indian market in the near future. That's not happened yet, though, with Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 being the one to steal the limelight.

But we digress. Arguably there could be a wider market for a bezel-free phone, with many makers still delivering devices with notable borders. Some argue they deliver practicality, providing an edge to hold; while from an engineering standpoint they offer greater robustness in applying the panel within a design.

Nonetheless, Tecno's Next-Gen Bezelless Concept Phone is here with a clear mission to impress. It required "rethinking from the inside out," using "advanced internal stacking, structural re-engineering, and novel screen packaging techniques," to make it possible.

But will you ever be able to buy one? Not in this concept state, no. But the brand does say that it brings "new possibilities to Tecno's upcoming device generations". Which certainly sounds promising – but as Tecno doesn't sell phones in most regions, chances are you'll never actually be able to buy one.

Still, it's impressive enough to distract from that incoming iPhone launch. And there's more than a minor resemblance between the phones – if you were to eradicate the borders on Apple's device. The 'HiOS' operating system is a great little touch, too.

Technology is under the hammer right now thanks to the rising demands for components being funnelled into booming AI data centres. That's already seen price increases from brands like Samsung and Apple, but those increases are about to be compounded by another factor.

Qualcomm has announced that it will be increasing prices from 1 September, according to CNBC, meaning that the chip that powers your next phone is likely to be more expensive.

The price increase will hit in advance of the announcement of Qualcomm's next-gen Snapdragon hardware, which is expected to deliver big performance gains through move from a 3nm to 2nm process in the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6.

The cause of the pressures is acknowledged in Qualcomm's quarterly statement, reflecting on a "challenging memory and supply environment", something that smartphone makers themselves are struggling with.

That has seen the component costs for manufacturers increasing, which in turn sees higher prices for customers.

The report goes on to outline that chip sales for smartphones are a huge part of Qualcomm's business, although the company has actively been looking at other segments for growth, with announcements such as the partnership with BMW giving another avenue for development.

While that's good for Qualcomm - who says that revenue remains strong - it reflects on the continued pressures that AI has put on consumer electronics.

The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 is expected to be announced at Snapdragon Summit in late September 2026, while MediaTek is expected to announce the Dimensity 9600 around the same time, also moving to a 2nm process.

MediaTek's hardware has traditionally been cheaper than Qualcomm's and smartphone brands might look to alternative suppliers to keep costs down. That could be a boon for MediaTek as well as Samsung's Exynos brand.

One established leaker on X has shared prices for Qualcomm's flagship hardware over the past generations, reflecting the price changes. It's thought that MediaTek could be 25% cheaper, which could see it appearing in many more devices in 2027.

Unfortunately, most consumers look for Snapdragon in their devices, with Qualcomm's chips aligned with the best flagship phones.

Google will be announcing its new Pixel devices on 12 August at a Made by Google event and it looks like two of the Pixels are going to buck the trend and actually be cheaper than the predecessor.

We've heard a lot about the Pixel 11 recently, from Google sharing the Pixel Glow indicator on the back of the phone, through to colours leaking for the new phones.

But thanks to WinFuture's Roland Quandt, we now have another piece of the puzzle. Taking to BlueSky, Quandt shared prices, storage and the battery capacity for three models - and two are cheaper than they were before.

The trend for recent releases has seen a price increase across devices because of increasing component costs. In the recent Samsung Galaxy Z launch, devices typically had a £100 / $100 / €100 increase. That's not the case for Pixel.

Firstly, it seems that 256GB is now the standard, as there are no prices for 128GB models. That makes the Pixel 11 seem inordinately expensive, priced at £879 whereas previously the 128GB model was available for £799. However, the 256GB model of the Pixel 10 was £899, so if these prices are correct, the new model will be £20 cheaper.

The same applies to the Pixel 11 Pro: starting at 256GB it is listed as £1079 compared to £1099 for the Pixel 10 Pro (256GB). Sure, the absence of the 128GB model at £999 makes this phone feel more expensive, but for the given capacity, it's actually cheaper.

The Pixel 11 Pro XL doesn't do so well: at £1279, it's £80 more than the £1199 asked for the 256GB Pixel 10 Pro.

So on one hand, Google is assuaging those who would have previously wanted the cheaper 128GB models, while the Pixel 11 Pro XL - which is probably the model that most people want - is going to be more expensive.

In addition to the prices and confirmation of starting storage, Quandt also shares the battery capacity:

• Pixel 11 - 4985mAh
• Pixel 11 Pro - 4850mAh
• Pixel 11 Pro XL - 5115mAh

These don't appear to be significantly different to previous models. From what we've seen leaked, the new Pixel 11 phones will offer much the same design as their predecessors, with the Tensor G6 expected to boost their performance.

What we don't know is how Gemini will continue to govern the experience of these phones and what camera changes we might see.

Samsung is thought to be shaking its device strategy and that's going to see an increase in the number of premium phones offered, including the reintroduction of the Galaxy Z TriFold.

Samsung's first crack at producing a larger folding phone resulted in limited availability of the three-panel device, selling out almost immediately in the countries that it was offered in, before being discontinued.

While the production numbers were low, it suggests that in some segments there is the appetite for a larger folding device, although how long that would last once the novelty had worn off remains questionable.

According to ETnews, Samsung is moving to a 4+4 strategy that's going to see four devices available in the first half of the year (that's the Galaxy S) and the four devices available in the second half (that's the Galaxy Z).

This runs counter to previous reports we'd heard where Samsung was planning to step away from the Galaxy Z Flip - instead it seems that the company is going to increase the options for buyers.

According to "industry sources", Samsung has approached suppliers and entered the early stages of development for the new folding phone, with a target launch of 2027.

There are some challenges that Samsung will have to deal with, however. Production of the first Galaxy Z TriFold was thought to be expensive and component prices have only increased since that time.

Samsung might be banking on increased supply to bring the costs back to a realistic level, otherwise the second-generation Galaxy Z TriFold could be inhibitively expensive. The first model was $2,899 - and recent folding models typically saw a $100 increase in the price, suggesting it could cost $2,999 if trends continue.

Samsung is banking on growing interest in folding phones, with Apple's launch of the iPhone Ultra in September expected to boost the folding phone segment.

But that's not the only additional model that Samsung is looking at. The 4+4 strategy would also add the Galaxy S27 Pro into the selection, sitting under the Ultra. The addition of a Pro model is a long-running rumour, first thought to replace the Plus, but then appearing to be an additional model.

Previous rumours have suggested it will offer many of the features of the Ultra, but lack support for the S Pen. We're sure that as we move through the latter stages of 2026, we'll hear a lot more about Samsung's future plans.

Honor has been showing off the Robot Phone since it was first revealed in October 2025 and now the company has staged a press conference to talk about the camera. That details the partnership with ARRI, while also fleshing out some of the specifics.

The Robot Phone's unique feature is that is has a camera attached to a gimbal that lives within the device itself. This opens up a full range of features and possibilities that other phones can't manage.

Firstly, it's a really advanced platform for the camera that it contains, and secondly, it allows the camera to behave like an interactive robot. Not only can it track the subject you're recording, but it can follow you around the room and react to what you're doing.

Thanks to ITHome sharing the conference held in China, we now know that the main camera has a 200-megapixel sensor, with a 1/1.28in type sensor, with the lens offering an f/1.6 aperture and a 23mm focal length.

That sensor is large for a smartphone - not quite as large as you'll find in the Xiaomi 15 Ultra or Oppo Find X9 Ultra - but it's still a big sensor with a wide aperture.

There's another 200-megapixel sensor powering the periscope-style telephoto camera, while there's a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera too.

Core to the photography experience is the new Honor Yuguang H1 image signal processing chip, said to be developed in house and promising low noise, real-time RAW image processing and power efficiency.

We'd already had confirmation that Honor was working with ARRI - the German cinematic camera company - and that's going to bring that heritage to video capture, something the Robot Phone is poised to revolutionise.

That's going to include ARRI Log-C encoding and LUT colour grading, along with advanced controls to give Robot Phone owners options to put that gimbal to good use. We've already seen advanced stabilisation and AI-powered subject tracking in action.

But how does this relate to future phones from Honor? It's thought that the camera system will feed into the Honor Magic 9 series. While those devices aren't expected to benefit from the Robot Phone's gimbal, the generation of 100 patents for the technology in the phone - as well as the new ISP chip - should benefit future smartphones from the company.

The Honor Robot Phone will be announced on 12 August in China.

Twelve South, the luxury accessories brand, has just announced that it's bringing its Valet charging tray to the UK and Europe, having already launched it in the US – and that the tray will now come in two different sizes.

The Valet comprises a compact tray that's ideal for dropping your keys or other small items on, whether it's by the entry to your home or on your bedside, but it also features a Qi2 wireless charging puck. This gives your phone a home on the tray, and holds it slightly elevated from the rest as it charges.

Being from Twelve South, you can be pretty confident that the tray will feel exceptionally sturdy and well-made, and it now comes in three colours – black, brown and taupe. Each comes with a detachable frame around its edge to let you choose where the Twelve South logo sits, which is a nice little touch.

The biggest news from Twelve South's point of view, though, is that there are now two versions of the Valet to choose from. The standard version, the one that launched in the US, is now called the original Valet, and it launches at £179.99 and €189.99. It's big enough that your phone sits within the tray while it charges.

The new smaller size is called the compact Valet, and it's a bit cheaper at £129.99 and €139.99, and has a far narrower rectangular shape. This means your phone sort of hangs over the tray while it charges, but it makes the Valet potentially fit onto a much wider range of surfaces.

I should be getting hold of one of those smaller Valets very soon, so I'll know more about whether it justifies what is still a pretty steep price. Twelve South has never been shy about pricing its accessories at luxury levels, but when you have the relatively frequent Apple stamp of approval, that'll happen.

Its chargers are indeed some of the best in the business, after all, so this could be a really choice addition to a nightstand or living room counter. Both sizes should be available to order directly from Twelve South today.

After seven generations of folding phone releases, Samsung did something dramatic with its eighth-gen model – changing the Galaxy Z Fold 8's display aspect ratios so dramatically that it has created an all-new experience and a first for Android phones.

I was dubious initially, because the folded device's almost-passport-sized exterior display looked so squat and wide that I couldn't fathom how it would enhance my experience. Yet here I am, a full working week later of using the Z Fold 8 nonstop, and I'm fully on side with this new format.

That's partly down to it solving one of my criticisms inherent in folding phones (and I've tried pretty much all of them): that I would rarely unfold any, given how 'normal' the exterior display would usually feel in use. The Z Fold 8's addition of a 4:3 aspect ratio panel within has changed that for me.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is no iterative upgrade over the Galaxy Z Fold 7 – for that, you'll need to look to the also-new Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra (here's the two compared) – but a landmark step towards folding phones' wider acceptance and, if rumours are true, a precursor to Apple's expected arrival in this space later this year.

Price & Availability

But with a price tag that remains an obvious hurdle, is wider acceptance ever going to be feasible? You might need to factor in increasing your monthly contract costs to accommodate here.

The Z Fold 8 is up for pre-order now, ahead of its 4 August on-sale date, and retails from £1,699 / $1,899 / AU$2,699 for the 256GB model with 12GB RAM. Only the 1TB storage variant offers 16GB RAM.

That is £/$200 less than the £1,899 / $2,099 Z Fold 8 Ultra (which is AU$2,999 in Australia), so it's not the most expensive foldable in Samsung's line-up or, indeed, in the market overall. But it's still pricier than most typical Android flagships.

What's New?

• Lightest Fold yet, at 201g
• Totally new aspect ratio displays
  • 5.5-inch external, 10:16 ratio
  • 7.6-inch internal, 4:3 ratio
  • Flex Titanium tech
• Samsung's first-ever silicon-carbon battery
  • 4300mAh, 45W charging
• Dual camera system, not triple, without optical zoom
  • 50MP main and 50MP wide

Samsung has been in the folding phones game for longer than any other maker, with a new model arriving annually since 2019. But the Galaxy Z Fold 8, the eighth-generation handset in the range, changes the playbook.

That's clearly visible in the gallery above, where I've photographed the Z Fold 8 next to the Z Fold 8 Ultra – the latter being more in line with the previous Z Fold 7 model that released last year.

This radically different size and shape is also paired with the lowest weight of any Samsung foldable to date, while also marking Samsung's first foray into using a silicon-carbon battery type (Si-C) for greater capacity from this new form.

In opting for a new aspect ratio, however, Samsung has cut back on the cameras – it's a dual rear offering, lacking the optical zoom of the Ultra – which seems a sensible cost-saving move. These lenses do protrude quite dramatically from the rear, though, so the dreaded 'desk wobble' is still a bother.

Displays

• 5.5-inch external AMOLED display, 10:16 aspect ratio
  • Wider and shorter than Z Fold 8 Ultra
  • 3000 nits peak brightness
  • 1264 x 1848 resolution
  • 120Hz refresh
• 7.6-inch internal AMOLED display, 4:3 aspect ratio
  • Flex Titanium Technology for anti-crease
  • Anti-reflective coating finish
  • 1828 x 2584 resolution
  • 120Hz refresh

I've already established that the displays differ from what's come before, but there's plenty going on behind the scenes, too, in what Samsung calls Flex Titanium technology. I interviewed a Samsung exec about how tricky this was to deliver – and it's an interesting read on the challenges faced.

Flex Titanium is designed to further negate the much-maligned 'crease' down the centre of the foldable panel – by using a titanium plate behind the panel to benefit from its rigidity. Getting sheet metal to actually fold, however, took some clever engineering to create a layer thin enough, with micro-etched and laser-cut patterns to enable the folding process.

I found the Z Fold 8 satisfyingly 'snaps' into position when unfolded, the crease barely visible from a front-on viewpoint and only marginally present when viewing at more acute angles. That 'snappy' operation means you can't position this foldable in anything but fully open or closed positions, unlike with the Ultra.

Good work on the crease, but the Z Fold 8 doesn't address one of my other general frustrations with folding phones: fingerprints! Samsung hasn't made further headway into negating how the natural oils prevalent in human skin sit on a folding display's surface. It just looks worse than on any standard glass panel.

The Z Fold 8's folding panel is finished with an anti-reflective coating, though, so it does at least battle sunlight better for an improved viewing experience when outdoors. The bright nature of this panel also helps in cutting through any would-be reflections for clear visuals all of the time, while a 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth, flowing visuals.

The biggest new feature to get used to with the Z Fold 8, however, is this unfolded display's 4:3 aspect ratio. You just don't see that in Android devices. But you do elsewhere: as that's precisely the form of Apple's iPad line. I maintain that this is unusual for an Android device, but as I've learnt over the past working week, I've grown to really enjoy it.

It's better for reading, it's better for some games, and it's certainly better for content consumption. I've actively found myself moving between external and internal panels more than with any folding phone before, which is certainly a positive.

Less positively, however, is that Android, and the apps this system inherently runs, just aren't always designed for on-the-fly aspect ratio adjustment – so when an app is open, and you unfold the device to benefit from it on the larger display, you'll typically have to restart said app.

That's not true of all apps, mind, with Gmail loading your inbox plus selected email in a dual format. WhatsApp is similar, with Chats loaded and the selected conversation opening into the right-hand portion of available space. Samsung's One UI 9 software also permits multiple apps to be open at once.

This multitasking feature needs to be activated, but you can easily swipe with two fingers from the side to create a split-screen view. It's even possible to swipe diagonally from the corner of an open app and redraw its position as a floating window (some apps enforce a fixed aspect ratio). It's actioned well and not fiddly, unlike some competitors' software (Oppo's ColorOS springs to mind).

Hardware & Performance

• Colours: Graphite, Cream, Lavender, Pistachio (Samsung exclusive)
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 'for Galaxy', 12GB RAM
• 4800mAh Si-C battery type, 45W charging
• 256GB / 512GB / 1TB storage options

Samsung did tell me that the Flex Titanium technology actually frees up space in this design, as does the adoption of the new battery technology, so there's 7% more graphite for thermal dissipation in this design compared to the previous-gen Z Fold 7.

That said, in its folded form this phone can run hot – and when the system decides that it's crossed a threshold, I've seen automated screen dimming and likely performance throttling. It has been particularly warm in the UK where I'm testing, however, so such preventative measures are hardly a surprise – and certainly not a deal-breaker in overall performance.

There's no doubting the Z Fold 8's abundant specification, which includes Qualcomm's top-tier 'for Galaxy' overclocked processor. Whether multitasking, as I described above, or playing full-screen games, the experience is fluid and every bit the flagship.

It'll be interesting to see how Samsung evolves its One UI 9 software offering, as there's the promise of 7 years of updates for the latest features and security patches. The software at time of testing is in beta (which might explain the lack of a 5-across app grid), but the more that Samsung can leverage this screen real estate, the better.

I've been pleased with the introduction of that Si-C battery type, too, with its 4800mAh capacity proving good enough to last through a day with ease. No, it's not the highest capacity, per some competitors, but it's more than good enough – I've managed 16-hour days unplugged with 6 hours of screen time and still gone to bed with 15% remaining.

Streaming time might be the most valid figure to consider in relation to this foldable, though. Samsung specifies continuous playback up to 26 hours. If you're using Wi-Fi, with Bluetooth headphones connected and are cranking the display's brightness, however, then I've found an hour of YouTube to cut 9% battery – so more like 11 hours total. That's with no concessions, though, so it's a decent innings.

There is one point to note on this battery type, however, as we reported ahead of the device's on-sale date. While the earlier Z Fold 7 claimed 2000 charge cycles, the Z Fold 8 drops that to 1200 – which is a 40% dip. That suggests the longevity after some years may be challenged.

Cameras

• Dual rear cameras:
  • Main: 50-megapixel
  • Wide: 50MP
• Selfie cameras:
  • Both: 10MP, f/2.2

A phone's cameras tend to be the biggest sign of its flagship status these days. The Z Fold 8 doesn't go quite as far as the Ultra model here, however, dropping any optical zoom lens and relying on tried-and-tested 50-megapixel cameras in wide and ultra-wide forms.

It's the Ultra model, in its altogether different format, that gets the more sophisticated camera setup (including a 200-megapixel main), therefore. But Samsung's well-established photographic prowess is still on fair display in the Z Fold 8 – much as I do miss having a more capable zoom – thanks to decent processing and resolution.

You can certainly crop into images easily, providing a sort of 'zoom equivalent' – the exec interview and on-stage photos in my gallery above, for example, are heavily cropped, yet still retain enough core detail. Even low-light images come out well, much as the processing can leave some subjects looking a little softer as a result.

The suite of Galaxy AI features on board also delivers plenty of tools to manipulate images with ease. These have been established over the last couple of years of Galaxy flagship launches, though on the video front this generation adds My FanCam, which can crop video focus to a specific social platform aspect, as you please.

Verdict

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 – and represents the future of foldables.

The high asking price and limited camera setup don't guarantee overnight success with the masses, mind, and there's scope for both Google's Android and Samsung's One UI software to bring yet more beneficial features to the device's two display formats.

But in terms of practicality, core hardware and raw power, Samsung has delivered a new kind of folding phone experience that feels as fresh and fun as it does mature. I've found the Galaxy Z Fold 8 to transform the foldable experience for the better and set a new bar.

Also Consider

There's nothing directly comparable with the Z Fold 8's aspect ratio, but if you want more camera and more screen – albeit in a taller and narrower form – then the Z Fold 8 Ultra is your most obvious option.

Elsewhere in the market, Honor's competitive pricing with the Magic V6 makes a strong case, despite software quirks. Or for a more 'standard' external display, Google's Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the most obvious pick.

Samsung announced three new folding phones recently, featuring a change to the battery technology. Samsung has embraced silicon-carbon for the first time, following the lead of many smartphone brands. But there's a downside to that battery technology: it doesn't last as long.

The specifications for Samsung's new folding phones show the change clearly, with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 listed as having a minimum battery endurance (in charging cycles) of 1200. The Z Flip 8 is 1200 and the Z Fold 8 Ultra is also 1200.

While we can't compare the Galaxy Z Fold 8 to a previous model, we can check the details for the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Galaxy Z Fold 7, both of which state that their batteries are good for 2000 charging cycles.

In the case of the Galaxy Z Flip 8, the battery capacity remains the same at 4300mAh, but its longevity is reduced because of the move to silicon-carbon battery tech. For the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra there's some benefit, with an increase to 5000mAh over the 4400mAh so this battery will last longer between charges, but again, won't last as many years.

Silicon-carbon battery technology has the advantage of being more energy dense, allowing the manufacturer to get greater capacity within the same physical size. It's the tech that's see phones soar over 5000mAh which seemed to be the ceiling on battery capacity in a practical design.

That's resulted in phones with huge capacity, some over 7000mAh, with very little impact on the phone's design. For Samsung's part, it said that moving to silicon-carbon enabled the 45W charging now offered, but that's not strictly the case: the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra offered 45W charging in 2022, using a regular lithium-ion battery.

The evolution of silicon-carbon use in smartphones has followed a path that tells us a lot: it was first used by the Honor Magic 6 Pro in 2023 and then went on to be widely used by the likes of Xiaomi, OnePlus, Oppo and Motorola, all with the aim of increasing the capacity to extend the endurance of the phone.

These brands have also championed fast charging, while Samsung, Apple and Google have been a little more conservative.

That reluctance to move to silicon-carbon probably comes down to the fact that it doesn't last as long and with Samsung, Apple and Google all offering the longest software support to keep devices going, that doesn’t dovetail with a battery that has a shorter lifespan.

There have been calls for brands to adopt silicon-carbon from some corners of the media, but the true cost is right here in the specs: these phone batteries won't last as many years as they would with traditional lithium-ion.

Apple has been offering its Care+ device insurance around the world for many years, but its AppleCare One subscription plan has only been available in the US... until now.

The plan, which launched in the States a year ago, is now rolling out in the UK, Australia, Germany and France too. It enables owners of multiple Apple devices to cover them all for a single monthly fee.

It includes coverage for drops, accidental damage and even loss or theft, where the devices will be repaired or replaced at no extra cost. And the subscription covers up to three devices for a standard fee of £16.99 per month (in the UK), with additional products able to be added for £4.99 per month extra each.

That provides big savings on purchasing AppleCare+ for each separate device. For example, if you have an iPhone, Apple Watch and iPad, you will save up to £11.48 per month with AppleCare One against each being covered individually.

You can also swap an existing AppleCare+ plan for AppleCare One at any time.

It's also not exclusive to new devices – you can enroll products that are up to four years old, as long as they are eligible. That means they will have to be in a good condition at the time of inclusion, but can have general wear and tear. A diagnostics check may be necessary before they can be added.

Other Apple devices that can be covered include MacBook, HomePod, AirPods, Apple TV, and even an Apple Pencil.

What if I only have one Apple product?

Of course, this level of protection is not necessary if you only own one Apple device, but there's also a new version of AppleCare+ you might be interested in.

Available for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, the plan now includes theft and loss, so you can have your product replaced if stolen or missing.

The plan covers up to two thefts/losses per year, while AppleCare One covers up to three thefts or losses.

You can find out more about AppleCare One on the dedicated website. Those who've recently bought an Apple device or have an existing AppleCare+ subscription can sign up or switch over directly on an iPhone, iPad or Mac.

There's a scene in Steven Spielberg's 1998 classic, Saving Private Ryan, in which Captain John Miller, played by Tom Hanks, is desperately shooting his pistol at a tank in a last-ditch attempt to take it out. It explodes in a seemingly impossible moment.

While a movie analogy isn't typical of mobile phone production, I spoke with BD Yang, Samsung's Deputy Head of Core Component Technology Team about the brand's latest Z Fold 8 folding phone – revealed at Galaxy Unpacked in London.

He confirmed the Z Fold 8 – which introduces Flex Titanium technology, in which the company has been able to create a folding layer of the metal – posed "so many challenges" that it "seemed impossible – so we started internally to call [the project] 'Saving Private Ryan'".

That's a rare piece of human insight from a corporate executive, but one that humanises the struggle in order to improve their products. "We’ve handled countless materials in the past seven generations," Yang said, in reference to Samsung's production of folding devices since back in 2019.

Why titanium?

"This time around we decided that titanium had the best fit for foldable form. Why? It's strong, stable, resistant to permanent deformation under external force – which is why it's used in golf clubs and aerospace applications – and offers improved elastic recovery."

But it wasn't an easy solution to deliver. After all, titanium is a chemical element and metal in its own right. To make it fold repeatedly, in order to provide a more rigid, flatter display and help to negate the crease that so often plagues foldable devices, it needed to be super thin.

"We knew that titanium would be the next level," says Yang. But there were "so many challenges to overcome without compromising; so many roadblocks when we started the project. But in the end we broke through – and are very proud of this achievement".

So just how is it achieved? The titanium layer is topped with a film that's "roughly a third the thickness of a human hair" and created using "ultra processing and heating to make it so thin".

The plate beneath has the "bottom part cut out using wet-etching, with liquid agents used to dissolve little holes – beneficial to provide the flexibility [needed]."

But the "innovation this time around is in the top part – where we create laser-cut holes, which are smaller micro-holes." This allows for a " flatter and more rigid" result where the display flexes down the centre of the device. And that's what lessens the visibility of the crease.

Samsung has literally created folding metal for this generation of foldable, in both the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra. So you can see why it felt like overcoming the impossible – and earned its secret 'Saving Private Ryan' namesake.

Bolstered battery

There's a lot more going on with these new folding phones, though, as I previously reported that they're the first Samsung devices to deploy a silicon-carbon battery (Si-C) technology – long used by competitors and increasingly demanded by would-be customers for its enhanced life.

Samsung has deeply invested research and development into this new technology: "We have continued to observe the demand for silicon-carbon. But Samsung holds ourselves to the highest standard for many qualities, including [battery] stability," said Yang.

The Z Fold 8's increase to a 5000mAh capacity in a slimmer overall design "required more than a new material alone. On the anode side, a thin carbon coating helps stability. On the cathode side, a high-porosity separator [is used] to improve ion mobility.

"This was not just about changing the anode material itself," but a full project to "cover end-to-end components to meet spec and standard. It may look as though it’s only about changing the anode material – but it’s more [than that]", confirmed Yang, unable to share some of the secretive aspects of Samsung's solution.

New display format

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is Samsung's big bet on a new format, though, offering a 16:10 exterior aspect and 4:3 interior – that's unlike anything Android has seen before. It's widely expected to be the format that Apple will use in its iPhone Ultra later this year.

So why now for such a change? "We're able to observe changing use case patterns over seven years – and made the decision by closely monitoring user data and insights. Over time [there's been an] increase in video content consumption, so have introduced an aspect ratio to best fit."

When pressed if Samsung will be selling this AMOLED panel to other companies, without explicitly citing Apple, Yang was reluctant to answer directly: "We're not sure if it's an IP (intellectual property) that can be commoditised – so don’t know whether that will become the future."

Notably, none of Samsung's trio of 2026 foldables feature the Privacy Display feature that rolled out in the Galaxy S26 Ultra at the beginning of this year. That display hardware can switch off certain pixels in real-time to hide notifications or specific apps' visibility to would-be snoopers, creating a black of privacy screen effect.

"We're happy to see the excitement around Privacy Display. Whenever we design and engineer for our devices, we base it on the target market. There are priorities and different considerations. The biggest priority here [in the Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra] was to take durability to the next level."

I've been using a Galaxy Z Fold 8 since the Unpacked summer showcase and it's an impressive piece of kit, with a hinge that feels different to any before it. "You felt that correctly," said Yang.

"The 8 and 8 Ultra have different hinge architectures. The Ultra is to maximise productivity, so the hinge is slimmer. The 8 is about content consumption, so makes the [unfolding] experience more natural and seamless – so we incorporated a hinge that’s smoother and lighter to open."

Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 pre-orders are live now, with the on-sale date expected from 4 August. Making the impossible possible, these new foldables are a great achievement – and Yang's detailed explanations show just how much work has gone on behind the scenes in producing something truly unique in this market.

Google is expanding the number of ways to secure your Google account, adding a surprise addition – selfie videos. The industry as a whole is on a mission to replace passwords and passcodes with a wider range of sign-in methods, so now we have the selfie video.

Face has long been used to unlock phones – with Apple popularising the method with Face ID back in 2017 – but using your face to secure your Google Account makes a lot of sense.

That's because you're not going to write it down on a Post-It note stuck to your monitor, it's not going to be dog's birthday backwards or your mother's first pet name. Instead, it's a multi-faceted biometric.

Google isn't the first to turn to offer face verification for account access, it's popular with banking apps like Revolut. But Google says that you'll be able to use your face to get back into your account if you're ever locked out of it. Google describes it as an optional private backup for your password.

That's a great move, because if you've lost that Post-It note and you have no idea what your password is, you'll probably have your face with you to be able to unlock via the camera on any device.

Of course, there are huge privacy fears here, as this means Google is storing your literal face which provides access to your account. But the tech giant emphasises that it can be deleted at any time and it's only used for signing in.

Security assurances

There will be lots of security to keep it protected and if you're locked out, you'll be tasked with recording another video, with movements to prove that it's live, which will be compared to your face on record.

There's an interesting detail in Google's wording too, with the firm saying: "It’s used only for helping you sign in, unless you opt to share it for additional purposes."

There's no word on what those additional purposes are.

Google already loves faces: it was first to bring facial recognition to the Nest Hello in 2018 – as Familiar Faces – so it could announce who was at the door and it still uses that system in Nest cameras now. It also likes to link Google Photos to faces so it's easy to find people.

But I'm still interested in what "additional purposes" there might be. I'd love to be able to sign in with a video selfie on new devices rather than tapping in my randomised password every time.

On my first attempt to access the new service I was told that selfie video was not available for my account, so it's not exactly clear how this will roll out.

This week saw Samsung's second major Unpacked event of 2026 – and the reveal of its all-new Galaxy Z Fold 8 folding phone.

Not that Samsung is the only producer of the best folding phones, of course, with plenty of competition to keep things interesting.

Honor is one such major competitor, whose latest device, the Magic V6, is now on sale in the UK. It was already available with a discount promotion – but Unpacked has seen Honor make an even more enticing deal.

That marks Honor's full-size foldable as cheaper than either the Galaxy Z Fold 8 or Z Fold 8 Ultra – by at least a couple of hundred Pounds.

While Samsung has moved to silicon-carbon battery tech for its latest releases, Honor is onto its third-generation of this technology, offering a far more capacious battery.

Indeed, the 6660mAh cell in the UK product is almost 40% greater than what you'll find in the Z Fold 8 – and that'll translate to greater longevity.

If you like the sound of that and Honor's Ultra-rivalling phone is the one for you, then you've got until the end of July to jump on this deal.

It's available via Honor's Store only, where you'll need to register for the £600 discount to apply. There's more, too, as 'bundle offers' will add additional goodies at no extra cost.

For the last couple of months, there have been no end of reports on the rumoured iPhone Ultra. We’ve seen everything from dummy leaks to give us an idea of what it could look like, to specification rumours to let us know what we can expect in terms of things like screen sizes.

Most reports of late haven’t focused on whether Apple will launch a folding phone (that much appears to be clear) but on when. And there have been a few about its release date, with claims that could be significantly delayed, slightly delayed, or barely delayed at all.

Will the iPhone Ultra be delayed, or won't it?

Now it seems to be been flipped again. A report on DigiTimes (via 9to5Mac) suggests the delay could be back on.

DigiTimes writes that “Foxconn is now carrying out 'final mass-production adjustments' for the device”, which could lead to "production hurdles".

However, there is nothing in the report to confirm whether those adjustments are routine or an issue. So unfortunately, we are back to things being a little up in the air.

We're choosing to look at this positively though.

Samsung has just announced its latest folding phones, including the Galaxy Z Fold 8 with a new, wider format. It is widely thought this new shape will be showcased on the iPhone Ultra too, offering a squarer phone when folded and an iPad mini-like aspect when unfolded.

So with Samsung having put its marker down, all eyes are now on Apple and what it will bring to the folding phone space. Sure, the phone might release a little later than the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro XL, to give those devices a chance to sell, but we suspect the “final mass-production adjustments” won’t stop us seeing a folding iPhone this year.

If it is indeed on the cards.

Samsung has just updated its Galaxy Z Flip, alongside the new Galaxy Z Fold 8 (the wide model) and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. But in the world of flip phones, Samsung faces a big rival in the form of Motorola and its Razr family.

The Motorola Razr 70 Ultra was announced earlier in the year, and it has something in common with Samsung's phone: neither of these devices changed significantly from the previous generation. On one hand, that might point to smartphone stagnation. On the other hand, it could just be that phones don't need to be updated every year.

With that said, both these phones also increased their prices, something that's a trend in tech right now. With that in back of mind, and having used both of these phones ahead of Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event, just how do they compare – and which one should you buy?

Price

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 has just been announced, with a launch price of £1149 for the 256GB version. Currently, I don't have confirmed pricing for the US or other regions.

It's expected that pre-orders will open immediately, with general sales from 4 August.

The Razr 70 Ultra launched at £1199 in May 2026 and it's still listed at that price, although Motorola is offering free Buds Loop if you order direct. Note that this is for the 512GB version, so technically, it's 'cheaper' than the Galaxy Z Flip 8. Prices have been really stable, with no discounts so far.

In the USA the (differently named, but effectively the same device) Razr Ultra 2026 is priced at $1499, while in Australia it's AU$1999 (albeit for the 256GB model in that instance).

Design

With neither of these phones changing much generation on generation, I could direct you to my comparison of the Z Flip 7 and Razr 70 Ultra – as much is going to be the same. The design of the new Samsung phone is essentially the same as it was before, but it's now only 6.1mm thick and drops to 180g in weight.

It remains more compact than the Razr, which is 7.19mm thick when unfolded and weighs in at 199g. That's close to 20g difference in weight, but it's the overall bulk that separates these phones – and you don't get more screen space on the Motorola as a result of the increased size (but you do get something else as I'll get to below).

The design language is different, too, with Samsung's approach being more industrial. Flat sides meet a flat back, while the Razr 70 Ultra hangs on to some curves. Samsung has made a tiny adjustment in the Flip 8, with a bevelled edge that makes it a little easier to open than the previous model. Motorola, thanks to its slightly more rounded frame, has always been a little easier to flip open.

While Samsung sticks to a glass back on the Galaxy Z Flip 8, this is where the biggest point of difference comes in: Motorola remains committed to using unique colours and materials. The Razr 70 Ultra comes in Pantone Cocoa, which has a wood veneer finish, while the Pantone Orient Blue is an opulent Alcantara.

This lends a completely different feel to these devices. While they principally have a similar folding design, Motorola's Razr has a slightly warmer feel about it. Both will turn heads, but the Razr will draw more questions – and I applaud that.

Much as it was before, this is a choice between industrial precision from Samsung or a slightly more lifestyle look from Motorola. My only concern is that the Razr 70 Ultra comes in just two finishes, at the moment, which is fewer than previous years.

Samsung offers four colours – although one is a Samsung.com exclusive.

Displays

Motorola stole an early lead from Samsung with its cover display: while Samsung was still offering an odd-shaped window on the Galaxy Flip 5, Motorola's Razr wrapped it right around the cameras on the Razr 40 Ultra. That set a new trend, which now sees these two going head-to-head on the cover screen.

The playing field has levelled, with Samsung offering a 4.1-inch screen compared to Motorola's 4.0-incher. That fractional difference in size makes a difference, especially when you consider that Samsung's phone is smaller: the Razr has wider bezels around the edge. Again, Samsung's precision comes through here.

Motorola is known for pushing the display specs, though, and the Razr 70 Ultra has a 3000 nits cover screen with 165Hz refresh rate and high pixel count. Samsung hasn’t confirmed the Z Flip 8 specs at the time of writing, but to me it looked just like the previous version.

That applies to the main display too: the Z Flip 8 has a 6.9-inch internal display, while Motorola is 6.96-inches. Motorola offers 165Hz – although I'm not sure you'll ever use more than 120Hz – while it also has a peak brightness of 5000 nits.

Finally, Samsung's crease is a little less visible than Motorola's. That's about all that separates these displays, although Motorola probably retains the brightness advantage.

But there's one other levelling factor: Motorola's advantage has long been the ability to use apps in full on the cover screen. Samsung is now offering the same on the Z Flip 8, moving on from the widget-based experience that it previously offered. I compared a couple of apps and Samsung might just have the edge now, offering a little more visible app space.

Performance

If you're looking for stagnation, Motorola's decision to stick with the Snapdragon 8 Elite in 2026 (the same as 2025) might cost it: Samsung updates to the Gen 5 version (in the USA; it's Exynos 2600 in some other regions, including the UK).

But before you get too excited, it's not simply a case of 'newer is better': the Snapdragon 8 Elite remains powerful hardware and many prefer to have a Snapdragon in their phone. While I haven't been able to fully test the Galaxy Z Flip 8, previous tests on the Exynos 2600 suggested that it was outperformed by the older Snapdragon hardware in some areas.

But let's keep this in check: this isn't a gaming phone, so absolute performance probably doesn't matter. In that sense, what happens in the battery department is probably more important.

The Motorola Razr 70 Ultra has a 5000mAh battery, while Samsung sticks to 4300mAh. Samsung battery now uses silicon-carbon (Si-C) tech, which is the same as Motorola. Samsung's motivation for moving to Si-C seems to be to support the 45W charging, which is very welcome.

Motorola, meanwhile, offers 68W charging and, let's face it, that's a world apart from Samsung's offering. I found the battery life of the Razr 70 Ultra to be really solid.

Cameras

When the Motorola Razr 70 Ultra launched, all the talk was about the introduction of a 'LOFIC' sensor, the first time the tech had been used in a folding phone. That's designed to strengthen the performance of the main camera – and it's a pretty good performer.

It leads a trio of 50-megapixel cameras, including an ultrawide (that's a little blurry towards the edges) and a front camera (that's pretty inconsistent in my experience). It's a so-so camera experience.

Samsung doesn't appear to have made any changes to its camera in the Z Flip 8, so there's a 50-megapixel main, supported by a 12-megapixel ultrawide and a 10-megapixel selfie camera. Motorola wins on the spec sheet, but I can't really judge which is better until I get to test them both.

There are clever features, like multiple ways to use the external display, the option to use the rear cameras for selfies, as well as clever features like camcorder mode and twist-to-zoom on the Motorola device.

Both lack a telephoto camera, which is the biggest downside at this price point when compared to a regular non-folding phone.

Software and support

This section is worth paying attention to and we'll start with the fact that Samsung offers 7 years of software support for its flagship devices, while Motorola has only promised three OS updates and 5 years of security updates on the Razr 70 Ultra. Whichever way you cut it, Samsung is better in this regard.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 has the benefit of launching on Android 17 (almost the first phone to offer it – the Google Pixel literally updated the week before launch), along with One UI 9. During my time exploring the Z Flip 8, I didn't spot huge changes – except for the cover display features that I've already mentioned.

Samsung with One UI remains one of the best experiences on Android – and that remains the case for the Galaxy Z Flip 8. Motorola, on the other hand ,isn't quite as slick.

The move to Hello UI has seen Motorola introduce a lot of preinstalled apps, while making changes to insert Moto AI in places you might not want it. Most annoying is the attempt to shoehorn a news feed into the apps tray, along with a search function that can draw on Perplexity to give you more waffly answers.

Thankfully you can turn off a lot of these intrusions, but it does take some effort. Samsung instead offers Galaxy AI, which always gets a high billing, but doesn't appear to offer much more than Google's Gemini – which both these phones offer as standard.

The caveat with Samsung's AI is that you have to use the Samsung Keyboard to get it to function – if you choose to use Google Gboard, for example, you basically void the Galaxy AI features.

Which should you buy: Samsung or Motorola?

Samsung has a couple of things stacked in its favour: it has a tighter and more compact design, which is lighter; it offers longer software support; and many will prefer the One UI experience over Motorola's Hello UI. But for the price, you get half the storage.

Motorola offers more unique finishes, with higher spec displays in some areas and a battery that's significantly higher capacity, with much faster charging. Motorola also offers 512GB storage for only a little more cash, so it's also better value for money.

But between all these things, I think it boils down to two factors: pick Samsung if you want the more compact device with a design that's slightly sharper; pick Motorola if you'd rather have longer battery life.

Okay, so it wasn't the best-kept secret in world history – Samsung had been openly teasing the new shape of its Galaxy Z Fold 8 for a couple of weeks. So, even without the many leaks that preceded it, we had a pretty good sense that the main Z Fold phone would be getting a new look.

Still, it's one thing to see leaks and another to get an entire Galaxy Unpacked event to check the phone out, and then the hands-on thoughts of our Tech editor, Mike Lowe. The phone looks like it's making a great impression on people in the first instance, although we'll doubtless get more context in the next few weeks.

I'll admit, though, that I've been a bit of a sceptic. The steep price tag attached to foldables makes them a non-starter for me, and I didn't see why a squatter design would change that. What I didn't expect was one moment in Samsung's presentation when they showed the phone opened up, but not in landscape mode – using a portrait orientation instead.

The photo at the top of this article shows that moment exactly, and that Samsung was using it to underline how the Z Fold 8 could be a great little e-reader alongside all the other more phone-like tools it offers. My surprise? I'm won over, at least moreso than before.

I've tested every Kindle released in the last few years, and I still regularly use the Kindle Paperwhite when I'm travelling, to cut down on the weight of a book (especially if I'm reading something chunky). Still, while I like an e-reader as much as the next reader, I'm mostly doing it for that weight reason.

So, if I had a phone that could be as satisfying to hold and as easy to read with, that would indeed be pretty tempting. There's a lot to wonder about in terms of ergonomics, still, and the biggest question for me would be how reliably I'd be able to read on the Z Fold 8 without worrying about battery life, but the concept it still quite a winning one.

The simple reality is that as long as these foldables stay this expensive, there's no way I'd ever commit to them – at £1,699, I just don't think the Z Fold 8 having a more adaptable aspect ratio is enough to move the needle. Still, this is the first time in a few years that I've even really perked my ears up at all in this area.

I'll be super interested in the folding iPhone we're likely getting later this year, but again will almost certainly never get my hands on one, if the rumoured pricing is to be remotely believed. Perhaps in half a decade, though, when folding phones are even more widespread, and the memory crisis has hopefully abated, I could end up not needing a Kindle at all – one less device is rarely a bad thing.

Today, Samsung used its Unpacked summer 2026 event to reveal a host of new devices – including, most critically of all, the brand new Galaxy Z Fold 8.

While the foldable's naming convention follows suit with its predecessor, the Z Fold 7, the new device is anything but – a 16:10 external aspect ratio, with a 4:3 aspect panel within.

That's an important difference to the typically 'narrow and tall' foldables of recent years, in particular because Android devices have consistently swerved a 4:3 aspect ratio – unlike Apple's iPad, which is precisely that form.

Has Samsung effectively just shown us the iPhone Ultra, expected to be revealed in September of this year? In a way, yes.

How's that the case? Well, Samsung is the producer of AMOLED panels – Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode – and it's largely expected that Apple will be a customer of this new panel.

Therefore this size and scale – 5.5-inches on the exterior at 16:10; 7.6-inches on the internal at 4:3 – is widely expected to be the very format that Apple also brings into the world of foldables.

But Apple has its own ecosystem, of course, with iOS and iPad OS fundamental to iPhone and iPad products – unlike Google's Android system, on which Samsung is based (with its own One UI interface).

That's the area where Apple could really excel in a way that Android hasn't quite presented in foldables as yet. Indeed, Samsung hasn't presented specific differences that the Z Fold 8 can offer compared to its Ultra, for example.

All that said, however, while Samsung may well sell the panel to Apple, it's not selling all of its research and development. And, with eight years of experience under its belt – the first Z Fold launched in 2019 – the South Korean maker has a lot to offer.

Indeed, the Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra both utilise what Samsung is calling Flex Titanium technology. Which is literally a laser-etched micro-thin layer of titanium that sits beneath the panel, ensuring flatness, rigidity and negating the crease more than any product of this type before it. Apple's not going to have that straight out of the gate.

None of this is guaranteed, of course, as it's all speculative. But it makes sense: if Samsung can claim to be first, with Apple doubling down on the new foldable format, then it ought to gather greater momentum. That's a winner for both sides – and all of us, the intended users.

With the Z Fold 8 confirmed to be priced from £1,699 in the UK, however, it remains a pricey piece of kit. Many think Apple's effort will be nearer to the £1,999 mark – which could be too much of a hurdle for many buyers. Guess we'll have to wait and see what comes later this year.

It seems like we've been writing about Samsung's 2026 foldable phones forever, but now they're official. And the range has expanded.

There are three foldables in the lineup this time, with an all-new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, which is wider to allow for a more tablet-like experience when unfolded. We also get a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra with more traditional sizing and a few upgrades, plus a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 for those who'd prefer a smaller device.

The phones will be available from 7 August 2026, but you can pre-order each now to get the best deals and incentives. Different UK networks often offer additional freebies too, so it's worth checking out everything available before making your choice.

That's why we've put together the best deals we've found so far, for each of the new devices. We'll update as and when new offers come in.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 pre-order deals

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is an all-new addition to the manufacturer's foldable phone lineup. It is shorter and wider than previous models, but has a more tablet-like internal display that's better to view videos on.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra pre-order deals

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is the flagship model in this year's range. It is a direct replacement for the Z Fold 7, with a similar form factor. It also sports a few upgrades over the wider Z Fold 8, including the camera.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 pre-order deals

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 replaces the Z Flip 7 as the compact device in the foldable line. It features several key upgrades, not least in battery life and will undoubtedly be a popular choice for those who want pocketability.

We will continue to scour the UK networks and sites for other pre-order deals leading up to the phones arriving in store, so come back often.

Samsung has announced a trio of new phones at its Unpacked 2026 event. And everyone's attention is on one device – the new Galaxy Z Fold 8, the phone that's effectively going to rival the first folding iPhone.

While the Galaxy Z Fold 8 has the advantage of novelty bias, the spectre of the Z Fold 8 Ultra hangs over it – higher-specced, more expensive, and looking just like the previous Z Fold 7 model.

But somewhat under the radar is the Galaxy Z Flip, now in its eighth generation. With wide retro appeal, the Flip has always been popular with a non-tech audience, those who want a style phone that slips more easily into a pocket or bag.

But there's been a rumour that the Z Flip's days could be numbered, as Samsung faces a deficit in its mobile division and focus shifts to larger folding phones. So that's seen everything thrown into the new Z Flip 8, right? Well, not quite.

How do the prices compare?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 starts at £1149 in the UK, with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. It's $1,199 in the USA and AU$1,949 in Australia.

The earlier Galaxy Z Flip 7 launched at £1,049 / $1,099 with a 12/256GB configuration. The price has been as low as £849 / $799 on Amazon over Black Friday and has been regularly on offer since.

Pre-orders for the Flip 8 are open, with an on-sale date expected from 4 August 2026. As per previous years, there will be exclusive colours on Samsung.com, as detailed below. While the core colours change, Mint remains the exclusive:

The Z Flip 8 design is incredibly close to the Galaxy Z Flip 7

Samsung's Z Flip has evolved over the generations, with the Galaxy Z Flip 6 introducing the current industrial design with flattened sides, refined in the Galaxy Z Flip 7 to be a notably slimmer device, while the Z Flip 8 makes it thinner again.

Not much else has changed, but it's now 6.1mm thick when open, compared to 6.5mm, and dropping some 8g of weight – which you'll barely notice, of course.

None of those things are likely to convince you to part with the extra cash, but in evolutionary terms, it's all movement in the right direction.

There's a tiny detail, however, which you might have overlooked – and that's a slight change to the edges of the frame. They are bevelled on the Galaxy Z Flip 8, designed to make it a little easier to open.

The Z Flip 7 was notable for how flush the two halves of the phone were when closed – now there's a couple of additional millimetres in the frame to give you grip when opening. That's the same across all the new Galaxy Z devices for 2026.

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is more powerful, but that might not matter

Turning to the actual hardware, what the Galaxy Z Flip 8 runs on depends on which region you buy the device in.

For the USA, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 'for Galaxy' is what's inside. In the UK, it's Exynos 2600 instead.

While Samsung's latest Exynos launch was exciting for its move to 2-nanometre process, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is more powerful.

There are a couple of things particular to flip phones that mean power isn't as important as it might be elsewhere. Firstly, it's more difficult to cool the hardware in a folding phone where the priority is on remaining slim, so that can limit absolute performance, as it’s more likely to get hot.

Secondly, the display doesn't lend itself to gaming, which is what a lot of people want that power for. The folding display is softer than one topped with a big slab of glass, and intense gaming can damage the display. I know, because I've done it.

So while the newer phone has more power, those choosing the older phone will probably find they don't miss out on much.

The rest of the hardware is mostly the same

The battery stays at 4300mAh, so although it's the same capacity as before, Samsung tells me it's moved to a silicon-carbon cell instead of lithium-polymer. There's also an increase to 45W charging, over the 25W previously. This is a respectable step forward for Samsung and very welcome.

The camera, unfortunately, appears to be much the same, with a 50-megapixel main camera supported by a 12-megapixel ultrawide and a 10-megapixel front camera.

Then you have the 6.9-inch folding display and the 4.1-inch cover display. Samsung didn't have anything to say about the display when introducing the new phones and, while there might be marginal changes, I didn’t spot anything during my time comparing the two devices. They might be brighter, but that's not officially confirmed.

Unlike the Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra, there's no use of Flex Titanium technology here either, which is what enables the bigger foldables to negate the much-maligned 'crease'.

A big software change – which both are likely to get

So that leaves us with a big software change that looks to be ushered in with One UI 9 on Android 17 that the Galaxy Z Flip 8 launches with. Samsung's cover display now offers access to apps, rather than it being a widget-based experience, which makes it a lot more usable.

I opened up YouTube and tested it out with Google Maps – and it seemed to work as I'd expect. It's definitely the missing piece of the software puzzle for this device. However, as Samsung offers a 7-year software update policy on its devices, it's highly likely that the update will come to the older phone too – although Samsung has yet to confirm that.

Elsewhere, I expect the software experience to be the same: it's One UI sprinkled with Galaxy AI. But as Samsung continues to drive home the artificial intelligence message, it's worth remembering that if you choose not to use Samsung's keyboard and switch to Gboard, for example, then most of the AI simply won't function.

Which should you buy: Galaxy Z Flip 8 or Galaxy Z Flip 7?

If you're approaching the Galaxy Z Flip 8 as a style-based purchase, then I'd say it's safe to buy the colour that you want without worrying about the specs. These two devices are so closely related in their hardware, that you really don't lose out on much either way.

It's safe to save yourself the cash and hunt out the cheaper Galaxy Z Flip 7, knowing that you'll still have 6 years of software support. As long as the software update includes the new cover screen app access, then it's the more obvious approach.

There are incremental improvements – a new battery type with faster charging; it's slightly thinner; and it's a little more powerful – that just about cover that increase in price, but much of the experience will be exactly the same as before.

Which, by the way, isn't to denounce the Galaxy Z Flip's accolades. In the world of flip phones, this is a highly accomplished handset, only really rivalled by Motorola, it just happens to be largely familiar rather than revolutionary.

This is Samsung's eighth year making folding phones – but it's a significantly different year to any prior, as the Korean giant has officially revealed not one foldable, but two.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is the 'renamed' flagship, following the same fundamental design and proportions as the previous Z Fold 7, but with some core hardware updates.

The big change for 2026? The introduction of a Galaxy Z Fold 8 – which some are calling the 'Wide', given its form – with an all-new aspect ratio that stands it apart from the Ultra.

So you now have a choice in foldables. But which would be best for you and why? Ahead of Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked summer 2026 showcase I got to see both handsets in person – here's how they differ and my key takeaways.

Price

The Z Fold 8 is priced from £1,699 / $1,899 / AU$2,699, whereas the Z Fold 8 Ultra is from £1,899 / $2,099 / AU$2,999. That's for the 256GB model, with the 512GB or 1TB options costing yet more.

The on-sale date is expected to be 4 August 2026, with pre-order deals available prior. Samsung Store will have exclusive (green-themed) colourways, with the table below detailing what's available:

Display Sizes

The most obvious difference between these two foldables is their sizes, as result of their differing display aspect ratios.

You can see why the Z Fold 8 has been dubbed the 'Wide' already, while the Ultra goes down the tried-and-tested route – with its taller and skinnier external display.

Samsung's take is that the Z Fold 8 is engineered for content consumption above all else. The Ultra, meanwhile, is a little more 'business', yet still good for content if that's your main goal – its internal display has a larger surface area overall.

The aspect ratios are vastly different between the two. The Z Fold 8's 5.5-inch external display almost sounds small by today's standards. It's not, though, it's just wide rather than extending tall across its 16:10 aspect ratio.

The Z Fold 8 Ultra, meanwhile, maintains the 21:9 aspect ratio for its rear display, which has attracted criticism in the past for being too narrow. I've tended to find that gives greater reason to use the unfolded display, though, which is fitting for such a product.

Once opened, the Z Fold 8's 4:3 aspect ratio is an uncommon sight in the world of Android. Not even Android tablets elect for this aspect ratio, with perhaps the OnePlus Pad 2 from 2024 representing the closest (at 7:5).

What is in 4:3, though? Well, an Apple iPad. How Samsung will leverage this much-utilised form to its own advantage we'll have to wait and see. But I suspect that come September this year, we'll have an iPhone Fold/Ultra to compete – and this will be the new 'standard' in foldables. Samsung got there first, though.

The Z Fold 8 Ultra's internal panel is akin to two 6.5-inch displays presented side-by-side, which is great for multi-tasking. The 8-inch measure across the diagonal is as big as it gets, too, just as it was in the previous model.

What has changed significantly for this internal panel, however, is the fundamental hardware beneath, in what Samsung calls Flex Titanium technology. Ingeniously, Samsung has devised a way to laser-etch a titanium plate so that it'll fold, maintaining rigidity and flatness – which is ideal to negate the 'crease' so often maligned in foldables. It's done that best job at that I've ever seen, too.

Now, don't panic, both the Z Fold 8 Ultra and the wider Z Fold 8 get Flex Titanium as part of their build. Their hinges feel different, though, with the wide model 'snapping' into place, whereas the gentler feel of the Ultra can be positioned from flat, through to V-shape, or completely closed.

While I got the perception that the Z Fold 8's display was brighter in my side-by-side viewing (brightness manually pushed to maximum), the core spec reads that they're both the same with a 3,000 nit peak. So there's no compromise in picking one or other – it's literally down to the size, shape and aspect ratio use that will work best for you.

Core Spec

Aside from aspect ratio, then, how does the Ultra justify its more elaborate name? In terms of core spec, the two foldables also aren't dramatically different – as you can see from the table above.

Both use Qualcomm's current flagship chipset, upgraded with 'for Galaxy' designation (meaning it's overclocked for extra power), the same amount of RAM and storage. Neither is S Pen compatible, so no stylus options here.

A major new addition is that, finally, Samsung has ventured from using a lithium-polymer battery to a silicon-carbon type. This means greater density in a smaller footprint and, ultimately, improved longevity.

Both Z Fold 8 and Ultra devices have this Si-C battery type, but the 4,800mAh capacity of the former is bettered in the Ultra, which has a 5,000mAh total capacity. I'd consider that similar, however, in light of the display sizes – one has more pixels to power, after all.

Both handsets split this across two cells rather than one, which is why the 45W charging is faster than it may read – with at least 63% charge in 30 minutes (it's 67% for the Ultra, given how the duo of cells is divided).

Cameras

If anything, therefore, it's the cameras that provide the Ultra with its namesake. That's because it features a trio, including a zoom, just like the previous Z Fold 7 did – indeed, they're exactly the same cameras, with no upgrades for this generation.

The Z Fold 8, meanwhile, drops to a duo of cameras instead, with a pair of 50-megapixel sensors handling the main and ultra-wide offering. Zoom is digital-only, cutting out that more advanced offering from the wider foldable.

This would go some way to explaining the price difference between the pair, of course. Both still awkwardly 'wobble' when placed on a desk, given how the cameras protrude from the rear of each device.

The key, therefore, is whether you want a proper zoom lens. The 50-megapixel versus 200MP is neither here nor there, really, given how processing sees typical output vastly reduced in output size anyway.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide vs Ultra: Verdict

In a nutshell: the all-new Galaxy Z Fold 8 is the wider aspect ratio option designed with content consumption in mind. It ditches a camera in favour of price, with the core hardware otherwise akin to the Z Fold 8 Ultra's outlay.

Why spend the extra for the Ultra instead? If the tall-and-narrow format suits you better – and that bigger interior screen overall – then it's the better match. The Flex Titanium technology does wonders for the crease – but you get that on the wider model, too.

Scrub any thought about the cameras, therefore, and the key difference between these two foldables is very much their aspect ratio. They're markedly different, which marks an exciting new option in this market – and what is quite likely to become the foldable 'norm' this year and beyond.

During the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 launch last summer, I queried Samsung's Minseok Kang, Head of Smartphone Product Planning, about when we might see the company release a phone with new battery technology.

He confirmed that "years of work" had already gone into testing at that stage. But now the wait is finally over – as the all-new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and 8 Ultra each feature a silicon-carbon (Si-C) battery type. That's a first for the Korean giant.

But it's far from a first for the industry, which is why so many have been querying when the mobile-maker would invest in the higher-density battery technology. After all, a key function of Si-C is greater longevity as a result, or the option of utilising less space in a design without compromising.

History lesson

I'm not surprised there's been an extended wait, though. It was almost a decade ago when the launch of the Galaxy Note 7 prompted a recall after risk of fire was identified. Ever since then Samsung has been cautious in pushing ultra-capacity batteries or the fastest-charging technologies.

“When Samsung apply or implements the battery, we consider three key points: one is the size; second is the charging speed; and the third one is safety – the reliability of that battery. We think a little more priority on the reliability is best practice," Kang said to me 12 months ago.

Clearly there's been ample testing time for Samsung's testing processes to be passed for these product lines. While it was initially thought that only the Ultra would feature such a battery, Samsung has confirmed it's that device, plus the all-new Z Fold 8 – which some have dubbed the 'Wide', given its less tall and wider ratio – and Z Flip 8 products.

A glimpse of the future

For future Samsung products I think this marks big potential to see further leaps forward. The Galaxy S27 Ultra is prime for a key update or two come next year – with battery being an area where it's stagnated. Sure, its 5,000mAh cell is perfectly capable, but when Oppo is delivering a 7,500mAh in its Find X9 Pro flagship, it's clear where the market is going.

Samsung can no longer afford to sit behind the pack, depending on its loyal customer base. But the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series is proof that it's put the work in to keep up with the times – and on its own terms. And a safety first approach is no bad thing, even if a bit of patience has been required.

There's a whole lot going on around Samsung's second Galaxy Unpacked event of 2026, with the Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra, Z Flip 8 and Watch Ultra 2 launches the major headlines. Keep your eyes on T3 for more, as we'll be reporting live and direct.

Privacy Display made its headlines at the launch of the Galaxy S26 Ultra and it looks like Samsung is boosting its features in a forthcoming software update.

The clever feature that's exclusive to Samsung's flagship Galaxy S phone works by limiting the light output to narrow pixels, limiting the viewing angle of the display. That means that only those right in front of the screen can see what's on it and those to one side can't.

It appears that Samsung is now going to expand the use of the feature to cover another use case, with Privacy Display working on picture-in-picture video too.

That means that if you're watching something that you want to keep private and you leave the source app, the floating miniature version of that video will remain obscured to those spying on your screen. The rest of the display becomes visible as normal.

Previously, if you left the app, the entire phone would stay in Privacy Display because part of that app was still open.

To get it to work you firstly need app support for picture-in-picture video. That list includes some big hitters like YouTube and Netflix, but it also extends to WhatsApp, Zoom and Google Meet, which is where you might have more sensitive video that you want to keep private.

When these apps are playing video, swiping back to the home screen minimises the video to a floating picture-in-picture window, which will then benefit from being private.

There are a couple of things you'd have to ensure to get this to work: first, you'll have to have selected the individual apps that you want Privacy Display to work on. Second, you'll have to ensure you're not using Privacy Display across the entire screen, in which case it would all be private all the time.

It's an interesting move and if you don't want that person next to you on the train watching your videos, this could potentially be useful.

The feature is reportedly included in beta One UI 9 software, according to 9to5Google, so once the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is out of the way, we're sure this will be heading the S26 Ultra in an update.

Samsung will launch its new range of foldable phones today, with the wider Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 being the much talked about newcomer.

It'll be joined by the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and Z Flip 8 at the Galaxy Unpacked presentation being held in London, and you can watch it all unfold live right here on T3.

We also expect to see two new smartwatches announced on stage during the event, with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 also heavily leaked in recent times.

And who knows, maybe there'll be a surprise or two along the way? Let's hope so.

Here then is everything you need to know about the summer Samsung Galaxy Unpacked, including when it starts, running time and more.

When does the Galaxy Unpacked launch event start?

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked has a kick off time of 2pm BST – that's earlier than usual thanks to the event being held in London for the first time in years.

Here are the start times for your region:

• US West Coast: 06:00 PDT
• US East Coast: 09:00 EDT
• UK: 14:00 BST
• Central Europe: 15:00 CEST
• India: 18:30 IST
• China (Beijing): 21:00 CST
• Japan: 22:00 JST
• South Korea: 22:00 KST
• Australia (Sydney): 23:00 AEST

How to watch Samsung Galaxy Unpacked live

You can watch the entire event live via the video feed higher up this page.

It will also be available on Samsung's website and YouTube.

What to expect

We expect the main presentation to last around an hour, with the main focus being the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8. This is the wider version of its book style foldable, which pre-empts the Apple iPhone Ultra by a few months.

The idea is that while more square-shaped when folded, the handset unfolds into a mini tablet form factor that's better to view videos on in comparison with conventional foldables.

The more traditionally-shaped Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra will also launch. It'll be a direct replacement for the Galaxy Z Fold 7. It will also have a beefier camera system than the new wider model, and maybe a few extra upgrades, too.

Finally, the Flip 8 will be very similar to the Flip 7, we believe. We're just waiting to see what upgrades it might enjoy.

There will be a couple of smartwatches launched too – the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. Both have leaked extensively in recent times.

As for surprises, we might hear a bit more on Samsung's Android XR ambitions. Watch this space.

Samsung will unveil its new foldable phones later today, during its London Galaxy Unpacked event, but just in case you haven't had enough spoilers already here's another.

One of the most talked about upgrades coming with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is its alleged "crease-less" display. And now we have some evidence. An image shared by an online leaker shows the new flagship device against the model it's replacing and the difference is obvious.

Posted by @kro-roe on X, the hands-on photo looks to have been taken in a factory environment or during an official event. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 on the left has a very visible crease down the middle of the open display, while the Fold 8 Ultra does not.

Admittedly, the Fold 7 in the shot might be a well-used device, as the crease can become more pronounced through wear and tear. However, it does seem that Samsung has made a major breakthrough in its screen technology – as it has suggested during the launch build up.

Of course, this might be a bogus image and we're not that familiar with the leaker, so do take it with a pinch of salt. But it does comply with previous rumours and information we've seen over the last few months.

What else is launching during Samsung Galaxy Unpacked?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra will be the flagship model launched today, with an upgraded Z Flip 8 expected too.

For many though, the most exciting new foldable to be announced will be the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 (sans the "Ultra"). This is a brand-new device with a wider, more square external display which unfolds to reveal a screen with a traditional tablet aspect ratio.

It is effectively Samsung's push to get ahead of the iPhone Ultra, which should launch in September. That is expected to have a very similar form factor. Indeed, it might even have the exact same display, as Samsung is likely to be supplying it to Apple as well.

Hopefully, the wider Galaxy Z Fold 8 will also feature the crease-less technology we can see in the latest leak (the iPhone Ultra, too). It will have some cutbacks, we understand, in comparison with the Z Fold 8 Ultra – such as a lower-spec'ed camera – but will still be the main focus of Unpacked.

You can also expect new smartwatches today, in the form of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2.

The second Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event of 2026 has been and gone (and only five months on from the first), with London providing hosting duties for the summer session.

This time it was the turn of Samsung's flagship foldables to take pride of place, with an all-new Z Fold 8 revealed to show off an entirely new format, alongside Z Fold 8 Ultra and Z Flip 8 devices.

All of these new flagship foldables are now available for pre-order, with our Best Pre-Order Page highlighting any deals ahead of the August on-sale date.

T3's Tech Editor, Mike Lowe, was on the ground at the event – and handling The Gadget Show Podcast – to deliver live coverage.

You can see all that in the original blog below, but here are the key headline takeaways you'll most want to read:

The biggest headlines from Unpacked July 2026

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 pre-orders: The best Samsung Z Fold and Flip deals
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 review: First impressions of foldables' big future
• Z Fold 8 'Wide' or Ultra? – I tried both, so you don't have to
• Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 review: 5-star stunner
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 or Flip 7?

Original Live Blog continues below...

It was only five months back that Samsung's first Unpacked showcase of 2026 wrapped, with the Galaxy S26 Ultra and Privacy Display the king of that reveal.

Now the next Unpacked event is upon us, this time with the best foldables set to be centre stage – and T3's tech editor, Mike Lowe, is on the ground at the event to report on all the news.

Samsung's second Unpacked of 2026 runs from 14:00 BST (06:00 PDT, 11:00 EDT) today – Wednesday 22 July. You can watch live, using the embedded YouTube video below, or follow along in the run-up to the event itself as we dissect the rumours.

As ever, in this live blog, we'll be highlighting the most important news related to the new folding handsets – expected to be the 'wide' Galaxy Z Fold 8, updated Z Fold 8 Ultra (with new name appendage), and Z Flip 8 – plus any additional surprises.

This is also the Unpacked where health will be showcased, with Samsung's latest wearables, the Watch Ultra 2 and Watch 9, expected as part of the package. So stay tuned – there'll plenty to see and adsorb, with news, opinions and previews to follow.

Hello from London

Samsung has chosen the UK capital for this year's second Unpacked event, so I'm on home soil ahead of the event kicking off by the Thames.

I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for any billboards or accidental giveaways ahead of the event kicking off at 14:00 BST, should anyone slip up.

Is anything ever secret anymore?

Well, that's a bit of a giveaway, isn't it? BTS' J-Hope is pictured holding the purported 'Wide' Galaxy Z Fold 8, showing off the new-form foldable for all to see. In a fetching purple finish of all things, too.

READ: Hello Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, where have you been all my life?

Given the Korean popstar's ties with Samsung, this seems to be no accident, more a coordinated tease of what the new wider-and-shorter foldable looks like – complete with its duo of cameras.

There's a lot more that Samsung will have to say about the latest Z Fold, though, so this glimpse is just that. It's the displays that we really want to see in action in this new aspect ratio.

The new standard?

Wait, hold up, that's not a Galaxy Z Fold 8. Here's where things are going to get interesting – as it's widely expected that Apple will reveal the 'iPhone Ultra' in September of this year.

Samsung, however, has beaten the Cupertino company to the punch. Sure, it was already several years ahead anyway, but this new format is likely to become the 'new standard' in what consumers expect.

It's believed that Samsung will be providing the AMOLED panel for Apple's foldable, which makes it even more likely that it'll be the very same base solution – hence the dummy render image, above, looking mighty similar.

What does that mean for the tall-and-narrow foldables market? We'll just have to wait and see. Samsung is expected to support both formats, but for how long?

Heavy metal

But here's one key aspect to Samsung's latest foldables that's already officially been released, as we reported last week.

That's all to do with the brand's new sub-structure, which uses a titanium-alloy film directly behind the display panel, replacing a polymer film. Samsung says this offers greater mechanical stiffness – up to 20x – which also means better anti-'crease' properties.

That ought to set the latest Galaxy Z Fold devices apart from the competition, as the crease has blighted foldable devices across all brands for many years now.

The end of the crease?

Samsung, like every other folding phone maker, has rightly been preoccupied in recent years with the crease in the middle of its phones' displays. Minimising that crease makes the internal display nicer to use, so it's a major goal – and leaks suggest this generation of phones could improve things massively.

A new image shared on social media today, ahead of Samsung's launch event, appears to show last year's Galaxy Z Fold 7 next to this year's Z Fold 8 Ultra. The harsh lighting makes it easy to see the crease on the older model, but the newer version next to it looks much smoother.

The angle is flattering, admittedly, and it's not the most scientific of comparisons given we only have the one image, but it's a great sign for those hoping Samsung would be able to keep things nice and flat on its new internal display.

What are we to make of this new shape?

As the leaks we've showcased already today demonstrate, this is a big moment for Samsung – it's not every day that a phone-maker completely redesigns one of its flagships. In a world where a new camera bump dominates headlines in iPhone-land, imagine if Apple completely changed the phone's shape one year: it'd be bedlam.

So, what does this new, squatter shape mean for Samsung? We can only assume that it's done an absolute shedload of market research and focus testing to back up the idea that taller folding phones aren't for everyone.

While we don't have the stats to back that up ourselves, it's worth throwing things way back to the Surface Duo, Microsoft's own bi-fold phone from a few years ago. It went the way of the dodo after a couple of iterations, but reviewers were consistently won over by its size and shape, which looks an awful lot like Samsung's new design.

Some things might not change as much

Of course, while the new size and shape of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is going to draw a lot of attention, we're expecting more than one phone today, and the reality is that the Z Flip 8 will likely be the bigger seller.

The flip-phone is a more common sight on the streets of London, in our experience, and its far lower cost of entry seems to be persuasive alongside its fun and dinky size. It's also highly like that we're going to see far less change between versions on this format.

That doesn't mean there won't be progress, and we'd assume that there will be internal upgrades as well as some display spec bumps, but the design is expected to be largely consistent with what came before – which is no problem, based on our glowing four-star review.

Watch out!

But it's not just about folding phones this Unpacked. As we reported yesterday, there's also expected to be new wearables.

Principally the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 leaked, courtesy of serial leaker Evan Blass, who appears to have acquired official marketing images from a Spanish-language source, as posted on his X feed.

Key to the Ultra 2 is its brighter-than-ever display rated at an apparent 5,000 nits. The battery is also purported to deliver up to 60 hours of runtime, which sounds mega.

More info from Unpacked come 2pm (London time), no doubt, so keep your eyes on the site for more.

Privacy, please?

But back to the phones for a moment. Back when Samsung revealed the Galaxy S26 Ultra, the addition of Privacy Display turned out to be a bit of a controversy.

The feature, which when enabled turns off some pixels to narrow the field of view, makes would-be snoopers unable to see your S26 Ultra's screen. It can even be regionally applied, as to only affect notification areas, for example.

This being Samsung's big feature breakthrough for 2026, surely the latest and priciest Galaxy phones will feature it? But there's not been a peep in the leaks about Privacy Display in the new foldables.

Therefore, we don't anticipate that it will feature – not even for the devices' front displays. That might be for the best in some people's eyes, however, instead leaving the focus on the new titanium sub-structure as the key talking point.

Colour me excited

Pictured above is the Z Fold 7 model, released last year, in its trio of colourways. The Blue Shadow is the standout winner for me.

So what to expect this year for the Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra? Rumour has it that there'll be exclusive new colour options, as it typical of Samsung Store.

A new source suggests those will be rather green in nature, with Pistachio, Green Shadow and Mint the purported exclusive options for the Z Fold 8, Ultra and Flip, respectively.

Those will join the base Cream, Graphite and Lavender options, expected to be available from wider retail sources.

Time for a trek...

Right, it's 12:30 (BST), so my time has come to trundle on over to the Galaxy Unpacked venue in London before the show kicks off.

I'll leave this live blog in the hands of my T3 colleagues to update with any rumours and wonders ahead of the start time – when, Wi-Fi permitting, I'll be live-blogging to my heart's content.

Elvis (well, Mike) is entering the building

We're here and it's packed already! News editor Rik taking over for a little while as Mike finds his way to a seat inside the venue.

I must have covered more than 50 Samsung events in my time as a journalist and they always draw the crowds. But will there be anything extra to see today? I wonder if Samsung might tease something Android XR-related at the end of the show – maybe its first smart glasses with a display or even the Galaxy XR 2.

I hope so, as we know most of the rest of it already.

I'll have a piece of that

And just like that, I'm back in the hot seat. Well, an Unpacked seat! It's bustling inside, with 45 minutes to go before the official kick-off.

Samsung is showing off the social teasers about the assumed Z Fold 8 and Watch Ultra 2 that it put out the other week – albeit on the big screen.

That's clearly going to be the focus of this Unpacked event, I'd wager.

BTS: I Believe That's A Samsung

Samsung is leveraging its BTS tie-in, as ever, with an X (formerly Twitter) post showing off a shadowy glimpse of the Z Fold 8.

It's not actually expected to launch in black, mind, per my previous colourways post – so let's assume it's just heavyweight retouching.

Unless, who knows, it's a special edition BTS version. Surely not?

Pre-order benefits

I was just browsing Samsung.com to see if there are any obvious last-minute giveaways.

Instead, however, the countdown timer confirms there'll be "exclusive pre-order benefits" for those who sign up.

That could well be worth it, therefore, as previous years have seen a free doubling of storage for those who pre-order.

It's not expected that's the exact deal for this year – but Samsung has been tight-lipped on what to expect. Time will tell!

Aye, aye, cap'n AI

Just a thought for a moment about AI, too. Samsung has previously gone to town with Galaxy artificial intelligence feature pushes – but that seems to have quietened somewhat in the run-up to this particular Unpacked.

It seems that, while Galaxy AI will very much continue as it stands, that new features will be minimal. Instead, the focus is clearly going to be on Samsung's all-new foldable in that all-new form factor.

And we're off!

A nice flyover of London to kick off Unpacked with a VT. It's not actually quite so sunny today, but there we go...

TM Roh kicks off proceedings

The big boss and CEO, TM Roh, takes to the stage to kick off Unpacked 2026 – with a little tease of Samsung's new AI Glasses.

Curtain Up

The curtain behind TM Roh opens and we're on to more VT.

But nothing's a secret anymore: I've already seen all of Samsung's 2026 foldables – from Z Fold 8 to Z Fold 8 Ultra to Z Flip 8 – as covered on the site.

Check out the key links below:

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 review: First impressions of the future of foldables
• Z Fold 8 'Wide' or Ultra? – I try both folding phones, so you don't have to
• Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 review: Samsung's best yet
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 or Flip 7 – What's new?

Flex Titanium

Here's the lowdown on the Flex Titanium technology, as presented by Kadesh Beckford, UK Product Manager for Samsung Mobile.

It's literally a thin layer of titanium – which, let's not forget, is a metal – with laser-etched mesh to enable it to fold across the hinge.

As titanium is so robust and rigid, it helps to maintain a flat and sturdy surface that largely negates the central 'crease'.

Better battery

Big news klaxon! Samsung has finally added a silicon-carbon battery to its line-up, meaning greater capacity from the higher density type.

In the Z Fold 8 Ultra that's a larger 5000mAh capacity, with 45W charging being faster than predecessors – and charging to 67% in just 30 minutes.

Snapdragon inside

The partnership between Qualcomm and Samsung continues, with the top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip used here – in its 'for Galaxy' overclocked form.

It's still not yet clear whether this will be the chip in all three devices, however, as the Z Flip 8 is rumoured to feature Samsung's own Exynos hardware instead...

The one we've been waiting for

The all-new Galaxy Z Fold 8 is official, confirming the foldable's new format.

Ideal for playing games that are less "squished" with its 4:3 aspect ratio inside, or flipping it around for 3:4 for some quality reading time.

The Z Fold 8 is upselling its case for content consumption. It, too, uses Flex Titanium technology like the Ultra, to help negate that central crease.

My FanCam

Samsung's new social forward feature, My FanCam, allows you to select subjects in a video and crop to the ideal format for your preferred social platform.

Z Flip 8 – the thinnest yet

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 brings a refresh to the range, boasting that it's the thinnest in the series ever – although only by a whisker.

Like all the other handsets, it comes with Samsung's One UI software over Android 17 – and in the Flip 8 in particular, the cover display can run full.apps, which Samsung had previously limited in earlier devices.

My Spidey senses are tingling

Jacob Batalon, who plays Ned Leeds in the recent Spider-Man movies – including Brand New Day, which is due in cinemas at the end of the month – takes to stage.

Financials

In the US, Samsung is to enter the banking market, offering a card with competitive cashback.

This Unpacked is getting weirder by the minute...

Be healthy

Now it's wearables time! The Galaxy Watch 9 is revealed – certainly not to scale, as it's the size of Big Ben on screen – along with its core Vitals feature, to support heart health.

A new FDA-cleared capability can detect sleep apnea and whether you need further medical assistance to monitor your condition. The Galaxy Ring will also adopt this feature.

Introducing the Ultra 2

At the top of the tree is Samsung's latest Ultra 2 – which we've already reviewed on T3.com.

In short: It's the toughest, most powerful and brightest Galaxy Watch ever.

Closing remarks – surely?

Samsung's COO, Won-joon Choi, takes to the stage. He was appointed Head of Mobile (MX) last year, so is a critical figure for Samsung's phone products.

"Welcome to the family", he says to those joining the Galaxy family for the first time.

"AI is no longer a feature you use from time to time. You can spend less time managing your phone and more time living your life."

"Agentic AI is a new way to use your phone – where you simply say what you want and your phone takes care of the rest. Together with Google, we're building the future."

Rik Osterloh, Google's SVP of Platforms and Devices, is welcomed to stage, talking about Gemini's evolution.

Gemini Notebook will come pre-installed on all of Samsung's new foldable devices. And there's 6 months Google AI Pro subscription included, too.

Beyond the phone

Gemini Intelligence is coming to more than just phones, though.

The Google and Samsung partnership with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker is no secret – but we'll have to wait to learn more in the future.

Oh, there's more

Cristiano Amon, President and CEO of Qualcomm, is here too. Samsung is rolling out all the big guns, eh?

He's bigging up the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 'for Galaxy' that features in some of Samsung's foldables – although it depends where you're based, as the Flip 8 gets Exynos for the UK market.

The all-new Snapdragon Wear platform is also inside the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, of course, which helps aid with its longer battery life and general all-round goodness.

Intelligent Eyewear

More about the AI Glasses. I've already seen them – but Samsung isn't permitted them to be worn or tested in any way at this stage. And touching them doesn't really give much away.

The next generation of Samsung's XR experience is intended to be far more 'all day, every day' than the current Galaxy XR device.

Full collection will be "this Fall" – so we're got to wait until nearer to the end of the year for the bigger picture.

That's a wrap...

So there we have it. From curtain up to curtain down, Galaxy Unpacked summer 2026 is over and out.

There was more on show than expected, with a longer runtime than usual, but it's all about the Z Fold 8's new form factor.

References to a battery health feature deep in the iOS 27 beta code have given a big hint to Apple's future folding phone plans with a reference to "batteries". That pluralisation might seem like nothing, but it could point to the split cell arrangement of batteries in a folding phone.

Apple is thought to be preparing its first folding phone, generally known as the iPhone Ultra. Traditionally, the battery in book-type folding phones is split in two, so there's a cell in each half of the phone to make the best use of space.

That's led MacWorld, which found the code, to believe that this references the iPhone Ultra. The code string discovered says: "The batteries in this iPhone are performing as expected".

This is exciting because no iPhone model currently has multiple batteries, so it's thought that this feature might be to support and monitor the split cells in the iPhone Ultra.

This isn't the first time that references have been made to features that a folding iPhone might offer – previously we saw references to fold state and display numbers in the code.

Apple is expected to launch a 4:3 aspect folding phone, shorter and wider than we've seen from most other manufacturers in the past – more like a folding iPad mini.

The iPhone Ultra is expected to sit at the top of Apple's range price wise, above the iPhone 18 Pro Max that it's expected to launch alongside in September. It's said to have a 7.8-inch internal display and a 5.5-inch cover screen.

As is always the case with Apple, it's hard know what the company is planning until launch day, so there's no shortage of speculation out there.

But to play devil's advocate, there's a further explanation that might apply to the use of the word "batteries". Apple is known being rather conservative with its batteries and charging speeds, but one of the things that enables faster charging is a dual-cell battery.

This splits the battery into two storage cells and it allows for faster charging because there's the potential for better heat management. That also typically allows for higher capacity batteries too.

It could be that the reference to "batteries" is this, with Apple planning to support faster charging speeds on future devices with a dual-cell design.

However, with so much speculation pointing to Apple's entry into the folding phone segment – including brands changing their own folding phones to match Apple's plan – it's highly likely that this is, in fact, pointing towards Apple's iPhone Ultra with a battery in each half of the phone.

Samsung will host its summer Galaxy Unpacked event in London tomorrow, Wednesday 22 July, where it is expected to announce its 2026 foldable phones and a couple of Galaxy Watches. However, one new Galaxy product has been officially revealed early.

The company has launched the Samsung Galaxy Card – a credit card that will offer perks on purchases, including on Samsung devices.

Released in partnership with Barclays and Visa, the Galaxy Card will be available in your Samsung Wallet and as a physical, "premium" metal card with just a black Samsung logo embossed on the front.

It'll give you several "cash rewards" for transactions, including 5% on "eligible purchases" made with Samsung directly, 3% on purchases through your phone's Samsung Wallet, 2% on streaming services, such as Netflix, Disney+ and Spotify, and 1% on all other purchases.

There's also 20% off Samsung VIP Advantage, with 5% cash rewards when purchasing or renewing membership.

Haven't I heard all this before?

Of course, this is all familiar. Apple Card launched almost seven years ago and is still offered in the US. It too comes digitally and with a physical credit card made of metal.

That's operated in partnership with Goldman Sachs and Mastercard, so Samsung's equivalent really is a rival in just about every sense.

The Galaxy Card does share one specific similarity though, it'll only be available in the United States – initially, at least.

Samsung us taking early access applications online for its credit card now, although the general public (in the US) will also be able to apply from tomorrow (22 July).

An introductory offer will give every card holder $200 in cash rewards if $2,000 is spent using the card in the first 90 days of the account opening. That'd take the sting off the price of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 or Z Fold 8 Ultra a little.

It's a good job that Spain won the World Cup, because it gave defender Eric García the perfect platform to show off Honor's unreleased Robot Phone.

Mixed into the celebrations, the Barcelona player was seen filming with Honor's next-gen smartphone, which features a pop-out camera on a gimbal.

That camera, powered by Honor's AI, can respond to what it sees, reacting like a little robot, while also offering a versatile capture platform, a bit like the DJI Osmo Pocket.

This isn't the first time that's we've seen the Robot Phone. No, at Mobile World Congress we got up close and personal with it, but we weren't allowed to touch it. That doesn't seem to be the case for World Cup winner García – and perhaps that's what Argentina's Leandro Paredes was after during their post-match scuffle.

Well, judging by the look on García's face, all that was forgotten as he set about capturing a few moments on the pitch with the new device.

He's seen taking a selfie, filming his teammates still on the pitch while many of the fans seem to have left the stadium.

When you just won the World Cup but you also need to test out the new Honor 'RobotPhone' camera rig. 🥇 from r/Honor

Honor's Robot Phone currently seems to be in its launch phase, having appeared at WAIC 2026 (World Artificial Intelligence Conference) in China, with confirmation that the phone will be launched in August.

It's not clear exactly where the device will be available, but it's available for preorder in China.

Honor has previously reported that it had really focus on reducing the size of the motors for the gimbal, allowing it to be stored in the phone and pop-out when needed. Previously, we've seen it dancing along to music, providing pretty amazing stabilisation, while also offering great object tracking.

But so much of the experience will depend on software and the AI behind the camera that gives it its personality. There's fine line between cute and creepy and I guess Honor will be one of the first to experiment with that.

We don't have many confirmed specs for the phone: a 200-megapixel main camera is expected to be joined by a 50-megapixel ultrawide and a 200-megapixel telephoto.

It's thought to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, with a battery around the 6000mAh mark, and a 6.4-inch screen.

On the pre-order page on Honor's Chinese website, I spotted that Honor is offering free gimbal replacement for the first year to assuage fears. It's rumoured to be very expensive - perhaps you'll have to be a top flight footballer to afford one.

Samsung will host its annual foldable phone launch event this week, with Galaxy Unpacked on Wednesday, but there might be nothing left to announce by then. Nothing that will come as a surprise, anyway.

That's because just about everything is either already known or subject to more leaks than the hull of the Titanic. We fully expect a couple of new Galaxy Watches and a trio of new foldables, including the wider Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8.

Samsung itself has not been shy about its ambitions for the latter, revealing a new, more square-like form factor is coming in online teases. And now we have almost everything else, thanks to serial leaker Evan Blass and a regular Samsung collaborator, J-Hope from BTS.

J-Hope's posts on X (via @smasithick) show him using the new device openly during the band's global tour – currently in Paris.

His hands-on clips are likely staged for Samsung, as we never get to see the new phone open. However, you do get to see the device's shape and, as all the videos are recording using it, what the selfie camera is capable of.

Perhaps more revealing are a mighty bunch of marketing images posted by Blass. He has a renowned history of acquiring press images from a number of companies, including Samsung, ahead of launch. And while he's on a self-imposed "retirement" at present, he clearly couldn't resist sharing the latest.

Appearing on his Leakmail newsletter (via 9to5Google) there are official-looking images of all the foldable phones we expect, including the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and Flip 8, too.

The Ultra is the more conventional book-style foldable, but with a few tech tweaks to justify its new moniker.

The Flip 8 looks very similar to the existing Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7, so arguably the most interesting is the wider device, which unfolds into an iPad mini-like tablet.

The rest of the leaked images reveal some details, but not everything. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, for example, will sport dual 50-megapixel cameras on the rear (wide and ultra-wide). The selfie cam on the front will be 10-megapixel. As will the one on the internal screen.

The Z Fold 8 Ultra ups the ante in that regard. It'll have a similar 50-megapixel ultra-wide, but a 200-megapixel wide and a third lens for the 10-megapixel telephoto cam.

The selfie cams will be the same.

Finally, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 will sport a 50-megapixel wide and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, with a 10-megapixel selfie cam on the "main screen.

All will become more clear this Wednesday, when Galaxy Unpacked starts at 2pm BST in London, but don't be surprised if there are more rumours and leaks in the meantime.

While Andy Warhol's most prolific period was more than 60 years ago, his art looks as fresh and current today as ever. His screen prints and iconic imagery can be found on millions of T-shirts, cushions, walls and album covers, while his style has influenced just about every modern and pop artist since.

It also seems to look good on anything, including cases, covers and bands for tech products. Just take a gander at the new Andy Warhol x Casetify "Factory Collection" – the case manufacturer's second collaboration with The Andy Warhol Foundation.

Four new print collections have been used for iPhone, iPad, Samsung Galaxy and Pixel cases, as well as MagSafe compatible wallets, grip stands, and Apple Watch bands. There are even some designs available on MacBook sleeves.

Our favourite is "Cows", featuring one of Warhol's most mundane yet striking images of the late 60s/early 70s.

There are options in blue/yellow, yellow/red for iPhone models from the 12 to the 17, Samsung Galaxy S22 to S26 series, Z Flip and Fold, and Pixel 9 and 10 Pro Fold.

Alternatively, you can get it for your iPad mini, 10th Gen, Air or Pro, and even in a laptop case form.

"Flowers" is another favourite range, with a print that I'm coincidentally wearing on a Uniqlo T-shirt as I write. There are three styles/colourways available, for most of the same models as mentioned.

"Fragile" is more typographic, showing a repetition of shipping labels, while "Dollar Signs" shows Warhol's predictive sense of irony, as a piece to highlight the commodification of art.

The new collection is available globally from Casetify now, with prices starting at £33. The prints can be found on the manufacturer's Impact and Bounce cases, so there should be something for you depending on your protective needs.

The rumours are true, OnePlus has confirmed that it is pulling out of Europe and the US, marking the end of a brand that shot to fame on the back of viral marketing for the OnePlus One. Sadly, it seemed to struggle to differentiate from parent company Oppo in recent years.

While the brand will continue in regions such as China and India (for now), those with recent phones in the UK, Europe and US might be wondering what will happen next to those devices.

The good news is that some level of support will continue, but the bad is that you'll be prompted to move to ColorOS.

That's to be part of the move to Android 17, so if you have a device with continuing support, you'll be moved away from the OxygenOS that OnePlus was once famous for, and moved over to ColorOS, the Android skin that Oppo uses.

That update will also include continuing security updates and aftersales support. And OnePlus has confirmed that warranties will be respected, including repair services.

The decision is yours

There's an extra twist in this tale: the move to ColorOS will be voluntary and OnePlus says that you'll be able to roll-back to an older version of OxygenOS if you want to.

The news will come as a blow to those who have loyally supported OnePlus, although arguably, there's another brand in town that offers a similar exciting feel – and that's Nothing.

Many will point to the change in OnePlus starting with the departure of Carl Pei, the co-founder alongside Pete Lau. While Lau continued to lead the Oppo and OnePlus brands, Pei left to ultimately found Nothing Tech.

Nothing offers a similar focus on software efficiency, pushing devices that are good value for money, often with respectable core power and with interesting designs. OnePlus devices, however, quickly moved down the path of mirroring Oppo's launches, which perhaps explains waning enthusiasm.

OnePlus hasn't shared a definitive list (it should be devices that still have support remaining), but the list according to a community post should include:

• OnePlus Open
• OnePlus 15
• OnePlus 15R
• OnePlus 13
• OnePlus 13R
• OnePlus 12
• OnePlus 12R
• OnePlus 11
• OnePlus Nord 5
• OnePlus Nord CE 5
• OnePlus Nord 4
• OnePlus Pad 3
• OnePlus Pad 2
• OnePlus Pad Lite
• OnePlus Pad Go 2

It's a sad day for OnePlus fans, especially those who have followed the brand from the start, but with such a change to the feeling of what OnePlus stood for, I suspect many will not be surprised.

It was mere months ago when Nothing unveiled its Phone (4a) product line, so for the Phone (4b) to follow so soon after is somewhat surprising.

But this 'b'-grade phone is designed to pare back some of the fancier elements of the 'a'-grade model, ditching the zoom camera and boosting the battery (even more so for the India variant), while squashing the price.

It might be a shame that the Phone (4b) misses out on that even greater battery capacity for wider markets, but it nonetheless performs relative to its position and, perhaps most importantly of all, just looks and feels great for a phone at this price.

Price & Availability

The Nothing Phone (4b) is up for pre-order now, with a £299 and AU$629 asking price. There's no pre-order for the USA, as this model isn't expected to arrive in the States.

What's New?

With Nothing's focus on making the Phone (4b) more affordable, it's the less premium compared to the Phone (4a). But it hasn't thrown its design and materials ethics to the dogs – both phones still look the part, with distinctive visuals that set them apart.

The key reasons to spend more on a Phone (4a) would be for that zoom camera and sharper display. The Phone (4b) manages to cram in more battery capacity, which, with a lower-grade processor and fewer camera features, should last even longer.

Those are the core differences in summary: spend less and get basic cameras; spend more and get a zoom that no other competitors can realistically offer at this sort of level.

Design & Display

• 164.4 x 78.2 x 8.6mm / 210g
• IP64 dust- and water-resistant
• Colour options: White, Black, Blue
• Under-display optical fingerprint scanner
• 6.77-inch AMOLED, 1080 x 2344 resolution, 120Hz refresh

When pulling the Phone (4b) from its box, aside from the giant SIM tool (which I've written about here), the first thing that struck me about the handset is how nice and smooth it feels. That plastic rear somehow just isn't as 'plastic' as the material would make one assume – it feels more premium than that.

The design jump from Phone (4a) to (4b) model is immediately obvious, too. The newer, cheaper device has one camera fewer, so opts to align its duo of optics to one side rather than a centre island. It looks neater to my eyes, while a full-width transparent island provides some aesthetic appeal.

As with any Nothing handset, the Phone (4b)'s details add a great deal to the overall appeal. Look up close and beneath that transparent slice there's a textured panel, visible screws, and metal detailing that are of themselves the overall design language. That it's white in finish is almost irrelevant, such are the details (much as I'd prefer the blue finish).

The display is a pleasing offering, too, an AMOLED panel with all the resolution and refresh rate you could ask for – just not quite as much brightness as those positioned higher up the ranks (including the (4a)).

My only real 'problem' with the screen is its reflective nature. It's much glossier than other recent Android phones I've been testing, which can be taxing in certain outdoor scenarios in particular. It's not an end-of-times issue, though, more minor bother that you won't notice in isolation.

Pair that with a top brightness that can't deliver sustained or peak output like the best flagships, and it can lack a bit of contrast and pop. But I wouldn't call it 'dim' by any means – and for this price it's perfectly adept. It will automatically dim quite quickly, but it's clever enough to jump the brightness back up to sensible levels when you begin interacting again.

The display is also coated with Dragontail Pro Glass rather than any of the more typical Corning Gorilla Glass variants. In my working week of use I've not damaged the device, but the Japanese-made choice here is, by all accounts, a very capable marque.

Performance & Battery

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 processor
• 8GB RAM / 128/256GB storage variants
• 5200mAh battery (6000mAh in India)
• 33W wired charging, no wireless

The chip inside this handset, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4, paired with just 8GB RAM, can't quite compare with the very top. But much as I might assume the Phone (4b) wouldn't be up to much, it's plenty capable.

There's nothing here that'll restrict you from playing games, for example. I've put in some evening sessions with my go-to, South Park: Phone Destroyer, and the Nothing is unfussed, bar a little warming. It even downloads quicker than many a budget handset.

It's in the some of the tinier details where I've felt the biggest differences, such as the occasional less-than-perfect screen transition or app icon pop-up when loading. I suspect that's down to the RAM portion here, though, as when the display's 120Hz refresh gets into flow everything in smooth sailing.

Battery life is pretty great, too. Not a surprise for a large cell paired with a mid-tier chip by any means. But I put a background streaming test on and the handset, connected to Wi-Fi with the display on, clocked through 16 hours.

Nobody's realistically using a phone with the display on for that long, so for the latter half of my test week – it always takes a couple of days for a phone battery to bed in – I've been getting sterling results. Easily my 16-hour waking day covered with 25% remaining before bedtime.

Charging is so-so, at 33W, and there's no wireless charging. But, hey, what d'ya expect at this price point? That's perfectly fine. There are even battery protection features where slower charging preserves the longevity over time.

Glyph & Software

• Nothing OS 4.1, over Google Android 16
• Glyph Bar illumination strip

Since the off, Nothing's standout feature has been its so-called Glyph setup. With the Phone (1) that was a series of lights that illuminated in patterns. You could even programme them. It was very fun – its usefulness still arguable, though.

Over time, Nothing has progressed its Glyph systems. There's a Glyph Matrix on the Phone (3), for example, which is like a little low-red LCD window. The Phone (4b), meanwhile, continues the more basic Glyph Bar, just like its predecessor, which is a strip light up one side of the rear.

This strip is packed with LEDs, divided into seven squares, with one of those being red. The red will, for example, illuminate when you're recording with the cameras, while the whites are there for notifications – or progress tracking.

It's less of a head-turner than some of the older systems, but then it's perhaps less distracting overall, too, which I prefer. Whether you find huge value in how it interacts with certain apps is going to be 'a you thing', quite honestly. I could take it or leave it – but do enjoy Nothing's unique take.

As for software, it's here where Nothing continues down that design route, its Nothing OS offering a largely stock Google Android experience, but with a full monochrome black-and-white take on icons if you prefer (I don't, as I use Google's five-colour system as an identifier assist).

The software also brings custom widgets and various assists, such as Notification Cooldown, to give you a bit of a break from the barrage of notifications – something other phone-makers, such as Honor, can't seem to provide.

Nothing avoids annoying pre-installed nonsense and the duplicated app store experience of some makers, keeping things feeling clean and easy. It supports three years of full-generation software updates, too, which isn't class-leading, but it means you'll get 3+ years of secure use out of it with the newest features.

When it comes to AI (artificial intelligence), Nothing's move here is with Essential Space. It can be activated using the dedicated key to the left side (when facing the display), keeping it away from your on/off and volume controls successfully (an error with the original Nothing Phone (3a) Pro).

Essential Space is designed to help you store and recall information, or process things such as screenshots, which are then searchable using more paramaters and intelligence. It does a fine enough job – I just don't really ever find myself using it. And with Google Gemini easily accessible, too, that seems to take the cake.

Cameras

• Main: 50-megapixel, f/1.8 aperture, optical stabilisation (OIS)
• Wide: 8MP, f/2.2
• Selfie: 16MP

While you might assume that the Nothing Phone (4b) adopts the same cameras as the (4a), albeit minus the zoom, that's not the case.

The 50-megapixel camera has a smaller sensor, but a slightly 'faster' aperture. The results are fine, but more limited when it comes to lower light – which is no surprise.

The wide-angle, meanwhile, does a pretty good job in delivering results that look as though they're part of the same camera family, so consistency is a success. However, its inevitable soft edges are a downside.

Zoom is taken care of digitally only, which is limited in its sharpness resolve. If you really want a zoom lens then you'll just need to spend more and buy the (4a) Pro, ultimately.

Nothing Phone (4b) review: Verdict

If you're looking for an affordable Android phone without any of the luxury extra features for the sake of saving cash, then Nothing's Phone (4b) delivers a strong case.

It's akin to a Phone (4a) minus the zoom camera, with a slightly larger battery capacity and hardware that's a little less powerful – yet still perfectly capable.

Also Consider

Like the Nothing aesthetic but want a little more? The Phone (4a) isn't actually that much pricier – and adds an all-important 3.5x zoom lens.

The (4a) Pro version is nicer still, thanks to a metal design, but the price does jump up yet again – putting it into quite a different space.

Otherwise, for a flat-back alternative, Google's last-gen Pixel 9a model is a decent price to compare – and takes better pictures overall.

Google has now officially started talking about its Made By Google event, with an official teaser on the Google Store that shows off a brief glimpse at Google's new Pixel phones.

The image shows what we assume in the Pixel 11 Pro with its gold frame and camera surround on the rear which points out a difference in design to the previous device. It also shows off a new feature.

The big difference is that the Pixel 10 Pro isn't glass all the way across the camera bar, only the area surrounding the three lenses is glass, with the LED flash and temperature sensor sitting within a metal surround.

Now the whole thing is glass and where we'd expect to see the flash, we are instead treated to something new – the Pixel Glow array on the back of the phone. There's a colourful glow as it dances through Google's favourite red, green, yellow and blue colours that make up its brand identity.

The existence of Pixel Glow was first spotted in Android 17 beta code in relation to laptops as well as phones. It's thought, like Alexa's blue light or Siri's coloured swirls, that this is going to some sort of interactive notification feature.

Indeed, in the original leak of Pixel Glow, the description said it "uses subtle light and colour on the back of your device to inform you of important activity when it’s face down".

So this appearance in Google's official tease suggests that it's very much part of the plan for the Pixel 11. We're assuming that what Google has done is change the flash from white LEDs into coloured LEDs, so it's dual purpose. There's no sign of the temperature sensor, but I'm not sure anyone will miss that.

Exactly what you'll be able to do with Pixel Glow remains to be seen. It's a much more subtle indicator than something like Nothing's Glyph Matrix, but potentially suffers from the same problem: when you place your phone face down to avoid distraction, it's going to be there to distract you.

LED indicators have long been a hallmark of mobile devices. From the first BlackBerry phones with a red flashing indicator through to the flashing sides of the screen – especially on devices with curved edges – phones always seem to want to tell us that something is happening, even when on silent.

That might make sure you don't miss that important message, but whether it does anything else remains to be seen.

Official-looking images of all the devices expected at Galaxy Unpacked next week have leaked, giving us a good look at the new phones and watches.

The devices are grouped together, posed with hands holding them, providing a really good comparison of the sizes of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and the new more compact folding device that's going to adopt the Galaxy Z Fold 8 name.

In addition to the phones, we also get to see the new Galaxy Watch models on the wrist, also gripping the new phones, although they don't look quite right.

These images come from Android Headlines and they look really detailed, but there's a distinctly unrealistic look to them. The hands look quite cartoony, the textures are really smooth, and the fabrics don't look realistic.

They look a little too clean, so I'd approach them with caution. Although, having seen numerous other leaks for these devices, they look exactly as we'd expect and this is a good opportunity to compare the sizes of those models.

That's not all that this leak contains. There are also images of two colourways that are going to be Samsung.com exclusives, including the Pistachio Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the Mint Z Flip 8.

Samsung always keeps a couple of colours in reserve for those who buy directly from its online store. These colours don't get offered to networks or other retailers.

While buying directly from Samsung might deter some customers, there's often a good deal offered on trade-in, while sometimes there are bundle deals or other offers. It's been said that the pre-order double storage offer is changing for this series, with Samsung instead asking customers to pay 50% of the upgrade cost.

So here we have images for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8, Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra, the Galaxy Watch 9 and the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. All these devices are expected to be revealed on 22 July at the Galaxy Unpacked event in London.

The event was also rumoured to see a new Galaxy Ring, although that hasn't leaked so might not appear – while rumours pointing to the unveiling of the Galaxy Glasses might also be wide of the mark.

There's only a week until we'll have all the official details from the event.

Just last week, a colleague wrote about the incoming Nothing Phone (4b) in a special edition colourway – and the internet lit up with excitement about it. Red is most definitely in.

My pre-release Phone (4b) just arrived on my doorstep for sake of review, and while it's very much not a special edition version – much as I'd want blue or red, I got the white – there was one thing in the box that still stopped me in my tracks.

Behold, the Nothing Phone (4b)'s SIM tool. It is massive. It is unlike anything I've ever seen before. And it is so downright peculiar that I actually kinda love it. Typical SIM tools are too small and dainty, but this one's easy to hold and actually makes sense.

As you can see in my gallery of images, embedded above, there's a USB-C male cable end for approximate comparison. Other phone manufacturers simply don't make SIM tools like this one.

It's perhaps a bit of a spoiler, as the Phone (4a) hasn't gone on general sale as yet – but you can pre-order from £299 on Nothing's Store right now (that's AU$629 in Australia; it's not on sale in the USA).

What else do you get for that low cash outlay? There's a 6.77-inch OLED display, 50-megapixel main camera (and 8MP wide-angle alongside), decent 5200mAh battery capacity, and mid-grade Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 chip.

Increasingly, however, eSIM is being used by more people, bypassing the need for a physical card. Not so in the Phone (4b), however, as it doesn't support eSIM – save for some special regions, where it's a required specification differentiation.

I'm yet to get into my Nothing Phone (4b) review – and it may be some time yet, what with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 series due at Samsung's second Galaxy Unpacked event of the year.

But if you are on the hunt for a cheap Android phone, then Nothing always has that focus in mind. Indeed, the Phone (4b) is even more cost-effective than the earlier Phone (4a), showing there's still major need for mid-tier handsets, not just fancy flagships and foldables.

Samsung's new folding phones will be announced on 22 July, with pre-orders expected to open soon after. However, you might not get the pre-order perk that you were hoping for.

One of the biggest perks that Samsung has offered in the past is its double storage deal. This sees shoppers getting the 512GB model for the price of 256GB, for example. Sadly, that's set to change with the next generation of Galaxy Z devices.

According to Korean outlet Chosun (via 9to5Google), instead of offering a free storage upgrade, Samsung is only going to offer half the usual discount. That means instead of getting the larger storage at no additional cost, customers will be asked to pay 50% of the difference.

This is in response to the component crisis facing the industry at the moment, it's said, as well as declining profits in Samsung's mobile section. That's not only led to increased prices for Samsung's new phones – thought to be about €100 more per model – but the pre-order benefit will be reduced too.

According to the leaked prices we've seen, that might mean that the 512GB Galaxy Z Flip 8 pre-order offer comes in at €1,359 instead of €1,499. While that's only €60 more than the base price, in previous years customers would only pay the €1,299 price for higher storage under the pre-order deal.

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra are expected to be like-for-like replacements of the previous generation, and considering that Samsung offers a seven-year software support promise, that could convince some buyers to opt for older models instead of new.

The model that's going to stand out most this time is the Galaxy Z Fold 8 – the new wider folding phone. As this will introduce a new format, and is expected to be priced lower than the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, it could be the model that defines 2026's sales.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is expected to open with a 4:3 internal display while reducing the cameras by dropping the telephoto lens. It might otherwise offer flagship-level power and seeing as it's going to be cheaper than the Ultra, could be the performance phone of choice.

At the moment it's not known if Samsung will have other pre-order incentives: previously there has been the bundling of accessories in some regions, like Galaxy Buds or Galaxy Watch.

According to the source, Samsung will open pre-orders for the new devices on 28 July, with an in-store date of 7 August.

All will be revealed on 22 July at Galaxy Unpacked.

Samsung will be announcing its new portfolio of folding phones on 22 July and there's going to be a change to the display, to reduce the crease and increase durability. Samsung has outlined a new structure for its foldable displays, called Flex Titanium.

While regular displays pose no problem, folding phones have always drawn attention to the fold because of the visible crease. To boost the performance of the folding section of the screen and reduce it, Samsung has turned to titanium.

In the new structure, there's a titanium-alloy film directly behind the OLED panel, replacing a polymer film. Samsung saye that it offers greater mechanical stiffness – up to 20x. This film is said to be a third of the thickness of a human hair.

Beneath the titanium-alloy film is a titanium plate which is flexible, but Samsung says it allows tighter bonding with the rest of the display, eliminating air gaps, and providing more support for the display when unfolded.

Combined, Samsung claims that it "reduces crease visibility", while the OLED panel itself is said to be more efficient with increased performance. Together, the company believes this will set a new standard for folding displays as it looks to fend off rival suppliers BOE.

One thing worth noting, however, is that while these changes take place under the display, the top of the display will still have a protective layer.

I recently wrote about folding phones and their top layer, which is a plastic film. While this can be removed to reveal the ultra-thin glass that sits beneath it, for most phones this will void the warranty and damage the display.

In the past, that top polymer layer has meant that folding displays typically attract lots of reflections, an area where folding screens can't compete with regular displays.

Samsung to launch a trio of folding phones

Samsung is expected to launch three folding phones. The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is expected to be nigh on identical to the Galaxy Z Flip 7, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is expected to be the same as 2025's Galaxy Z Fold 7.

The device that's going to attract the most attention is the Galaxy Z Fold 8, which is expected to adopt a wider format, opening with a 4:3 display while making some hardware reductions to be more affordable than the "Ultra".

The wider format of folding phone will likely compete with Apple's much-rumoured iPhone Ultra, that's all but certain to arrive in September.

Rumours have also suggested that the Galaxy Z Flip 8 could be the last of that format, although I much prefer the clamshell-style of folding phone for its compact design over the larger book-style devices.

Apple announced iOS 27 during its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in June and with it, several new features that will be coming to compatible iPhones later this year. But you don’t have to wait to try many of those new tricks, the public beta is now available to sign up for and download.

Yes, beta software can be buggy (the idea is that the more people who test and report these glitches, the better the final software should be when it arrives), but if you don’t mind the odd crash or stall, the iOS 27 beta is well worth downloading.

Siri AI is one reason for this – I have been running the developer beta of iOS 27 since WWDC and have been very impressed with what Siri AI has managed to do so far.

It found a restaurant I went to in Barcelona, a recipe my mum sent me in 2023, and told me when I was free for lunch in July. But there are other great features coming with iOS 27 you'll want to try too. Here are three of my favourites.

Clean Up in Photos

Apple released the original Clean Up in 2024, allowing you to remove unwanted objects from the background of photos, like a bin or bench that ruins your shot. It was pretty good, but with iOS 27, it’s much more convincing.

It can remove larger objects and fill in the space more accurately. You can also use it on older images, so if you have a picture from a holiday a couple of months or years ago, with a pesky tourist in the background ruining your otherwise excellent selfie, give it a try and you might be surprised.

Change the way your AirPods sound

AirPods have always sounded pretty decent in my opinion, but the iOS 27 public beta allows you to tweak the way they sound to your preferences.

There is a new Custom EQ setting available with the software, allowing you to fiddle with the mids, highs and lows. The setting will work on AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2.

Automatically change compromised passwords

The iOS 27 public beta has a feature that enables Safari to change any compromised passwords for you automatically. This might not sound like a big deal, but I have 500 compromised passwords apparently, and the main reason I have so many is that I haven’t found the spare time change each one in turn.

This feature is therefore enough of a reason on its own to download the new software, for security reasons if nothing else.

How to get the iOS 27 public beta

To download and install the iOS 27 public beta, head to Apple's public beta website.

Once you're signed up, you’ll need to head to Settings > General > Software Update and then choose the ‌iOS 27‌ Public Beta to install the update.

I do recommend backing up your phone though, so you can switch back to iOS 26 should you want to.

Google's future Pixel 11 phones have spilled out, revealing themselves through both FCC filings as well as a huge retailer leak. With an official announcement scheduled for 12 August, we're left wondering whether Google will have anything left to show.

Starting with the FCC filing, the first reveal we saw was for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, but now six of Google's expected phones appear to be in the FCC listings. This isn't a surprise, but it is great confirmation of what's coming.

The FCC listings, discovered by Droid Life, add to the GZDQ6 number of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold to give us GPQQ7, GUJ0N, G7SWN, GBC0H and G4HCD.

It's thought that GPQQ7 and GUJ0N are Pixel 11 models, G7SWN is the Pixel 11 Pro, while GBC0H and G4HCD are thought to be the Pixel 11 Pro XL. Duplication might refer to different carrier models, some offering 5G mmWave and some not, while the latter models list support for UWB and Thread, while the first two (Pixel 11) do not.

That's enough of model numbers, however, because the huge leak from Amazon is a lot more interesting. This comes from 9to5Google with the discovery of placeholders for three listings that seem to have been published and subsequently retracted.

There are some inconsistencies in the listings, so they are worth approaching with caution. That reveals the Pixel 11 in Sterling, Moss, Fuchsia and Midnight colours, with a 6.3-inch 2424 x 1080 pixel resolution, 256GB storage and 12GB RAM and a price of $899, with the 512GB model at $1,019. There's a 4,985mAh battery.

The Pixel 11 Pro has prices starting at $1,099 for 256GB ranging up to $1,449 for the 1TB model, with a 6.3-inch 2856 x 1280 pixel resolution and 4,850mAh battery. Meanwhile the Pixel 11 Pro XL is said to have a 5,115mAh battery and come in Pine, Midnight, Dune and Light Fog. The XL starts at $1,299 and runs up to $1,649 for 1TB.

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is said to have a 4,750mAh battery and come in Pine and Midnight colours. The prices are said to start from $1,899 and head all the way up to $2,249 for the 1TB model.

Here's a quick summary of those prices:

• Pixel 11 - $899 (256GB), $1,019 (512GB)
• Pixel 11 Pro - $1,099 (256GB), $1,219 (512GB), $1,449 (1TB)
• Pixel 11 Pro XL - $1,299 (256GB), $1,419 (512GB), $1,649 (1TB)
• PIxel 11 Pro Fold - $1,899 (256GB), $2,019 (512GB), $2,249 (1TB)

That gives us a full run of colours for the phone, with attached prices, but as these listings weren't supposed to be live, they need to be taken with a pinch of salt. The details that have been extracted are incomplete and the biggest changes – like the move to Tensor G6 or any changes to the cameras – are not detailed.

We're sure there will be further leaks coming for these phones: there's been a flurry over the last couple of days and there's still about a month to go until launch.

If you can't wait for the new features coming when the iPhone 18 models launch this September, there's good news. You don't have to wait any longer!

Apple has just released its first Public Beta of iOS 27 and if you have an iPhone 11 or newer, you can download it now. Public Betas are available without the usual restrictions of the developer Betas, and can be downloaded from the same menu as regular OS updates.

To try it for yourself, simply go to Settings > General > Software Update, and select the Beta updates option. Once this is selected, you will be able to download the public beta. It is recommended to back up your phone before doing this, and note that not all apps will work correctly at first. So if you need access to certain apps, especially for medical use, it's best not to download a beta.

AI Assistant

The biggest change for iOS 27 is the new Siri AI assistant. This is powered by Apple Intelligence but has been built with Google Gemini, so is expected to offer a similar amount of power to the Google system, while remaining safely within the Apple ecosystem.

Siri AI is designed to better answer your queries with a more conversational approach, understand personal context, control features and commands in apps and access a wider pool of topics on whatever comes to mind.

There's now also a dedicated Siri app, where you can review previously asked questions and pick up the thread again, or keep for reference. you can also adjust how Siri sounds more comprehensively, including pitch, speed, tone and accent.

You can also try the new Siri for yourself by heading to Settings > Siri and select "Try the new Siri (Beta)".

More iOS 27 features

In addition to the Siri AI, iOS 27 introduces new photo editing features, allowing you to reframe your shots after taking them, including using the Extend feature, using AI to expand beyond what you actually have taken. The clean up mode has also been enhanced to provide a more accurate object removal process.

Image Playground now goes beyond creating fun versions of your portraits. You can create high quality images of just about anything you can describe in a range of photo styles, including photo realistic options.

Beyond Siri, the new OS can provide suggestions in the form of quick actions from messages and mail, to do things like add to reminders, create a calendar event or search for a photo. The Call context can also provide relevant information such as confirmation codes and booking references from your email while on a call.

There's also stronger child safety features for parents to keep kids safe, with restrictions on time allowances and schedules, and easy adjustments on the go.

The design has also had a refresh, with updates to the look of Liquid Glass , and the system is designed to work faster, with up to 30% faster app launches, 70% faster photo loading and 80% faster AirDrop transfers.

Compatible devices

• iPhone 17 Pro Max
• iPhone 17 Pro
• iPhone Air
• iPhone 17
• iPhone 17e
• iPhone 16 Pro Max
• iPhone 16 Pro
• iPhone 16 Plus
• iPhone 16
• iPhone 16e
• iPhone 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Plus
• iPhone 15
• iPhone 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 14 Pro
• iPhone 14 Plus
• iPhone 14
• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13
• iPhone 13 mini
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 12 mini
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11
• iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)

Google is planning to update its folding phone with the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, as the company faces renewed competition from Samsung and Apple. With a Made by Google launch event scheduled for 12 August, the new folding phone has made an unsurprising appearance, spilling the details.

I say unsurprising, because one of the leaks for the new folding Pixel comes from it being registered at the FCC. That's a mandatory process devices have to go through before they are sold in the US, with Android Authority spotting the listing.

We're expecting to see the Tensor G6 powering the new phone and one of the details that's revealed in the listing is that there's a new modem in tow, one from MediaTek. That supports an earlier rumour about the switch from previous hardware that used an Exynos modem.

But while listings are useful, nothing is quite as exciting as actual leaks for the device. And this time we see the Pixel 11 Pro Fold in Pine, a nice green colour, which also shows off the slimmer camera array, thanks to Mystic Leaks on Telegram.

That green colour is also expected for the Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro, and I'm all for it.

It's thought that the Pixel 11 Pro Fold will be available with up to a 1TB capacity, with prices seeing around a €100 price bump compared to the Pixel 10 models.

What to expect from the Pixel 11 Pro Fold

The Tensor G6 is expected to sit on a 2nm process with a new Titan security chip. It should bring a big boost to performance and sit at the heart of the new Pro models.

While power is expected to increase, we're also expecting to see a reduction in the bulk of the phone, with a reported 4.8mm thickness unfolded. But the weight is still reported to be quite high at 257g, which is significantly more than Samsung's 215g Galaxy Z Fold 7.

There's said to be a 4,658mAh battery, which isn't a patch on the 6,000mAh battery of the Razr Fold, likely because Google doesn't seem to want to adopt silicon-carbon technology.

As for the displays, we're expecting a 2343 x 1080 pixel outer display and 2160 x 2076 pixel folding display, which is pretty similar to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. The bezels might be reduced a little and are likely to get a brightness bump.

It seems Google is resisting the urge to go wide like its peers with this generation.

Elsewhere, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is expected to continue with cameras from the previous model – while the layout changes slightly, the hardware is expected to be the same.

The new Pixel 11 Pro Fold is expected to be announced on 12 August.

Honor's phone launch cycle seems almost punishing at times. There's a stack of Magic models, which range from the flagship Honor Magic 8 Pro through to the mid-range Honor Magic 8 Lite, not forgetting Honor Magic V6 folding phone.

Then there's this on review, the Honor 600 Pro. What's interesting about this phone is that it's only a hair's width away from being a flagship device. It achieves that by using slightly older flagship hardware, but coming in at an attractive price.

Something is obviously working, with Omdia reporting strong growth for the brand through 2025, although it's still dwarfed by the likes of Samsung. The Honor 600 Pro is, in effect, Honor's Galaxy S FE equivalent, with the aim of delivering a close-to-flagship experience for less cash.

Price & Availability

The Honor 600 Pro is available now with a retail price of £899.99 (12/512GB), but there's a "coupon" offer through Honor's retail channel that brings the price to £699.99. There's also a Molly edition (no, not that kind) with a custom design for the same price.

Honor is also bundling in gifts including a projector or Honor Pad tablet, as well as earbuds or a 100W charger, making its direct store the best place to buy. Otherwise you can buy for less on Amazon for £599, or there's wide availability from other networks if you want to pay monthly.

You won't find the brand in the US or Australia, though, with the international handset being for UK and European markets.

Honor 600 Pro vs 400 Pro: What's new?

• New iPhone-like design
• Reduced front camera
• Higher capacity battery
• Smaller and lighter

The Honor 600 Pro updates the Honor 400 Pro and you can almost see the evolution in the design to make it look like an iPhone 17 Pro, with an extended camera bump on the rear and triangular arrangement of lenses.

The Honor 600 Pro is actually smaller and lighter than the Honor 400 Pro, with a slightly smaller display – but an increased battery capacity. In the process, the wider front camera hole shrinks back to a single lens. The 600 Pro also has a flattened frame, so the design feels a lot more modern.

There's a move from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 to the Snapdragon 8 Elite, so it's a slightly higher grade of hardware, with more powerful graphics handling. The display also jumps from 5000 nits to 8000 nits peak brightness.

It's a meaningful update in many cases, and while much of the camera is the same, there's an upgraded 3.5x telephoto lens on the newer device.

Design & Display

• 6.57-inch AMOLED display
  • 2728 x 1264 pixel resolution
  • 120Hz maximum refresh rate
• Aluminium frame, glass back
  • IP69K protection
  • 195g; 7.8mm thick

Let's deal with the big issue that the Honor 600 Pro has right up: it looks like a copycat iPhone 17 Pro. I'm not being nasty, but when Apple runs with Cosmic Orange as a hero colour and Honor chooses to produce a phone that looks almost the same – with its own vibrant orange colour – it's no accident.

Sadly I didn't get the Orange version for review. Instead I have Golden White, which is a sort of creamy colour. At a glance, people will probably mistake this for an iPhone because of the camera layout on the rear. Perhaps that's the desired effect: you have a phone in your hand that looks like the latest iPhone, but it's two-thirds of the price (and nobody knows it).

This new design addresses one of the things I didn't like about the Honor 400 Pro: the flattened sides feel great and look more modern than the previous version.

Dropping the sensor on the front to move away from the iPhone-like front camera cut-out is great too – although there's still a Dynamic Island-style use of the space around the camera to show things like media playback.

There's an additional button on the side of the Honor 600 Pro, which is a portal into Honor AI – which I'll discuss later. The button can be reprogrammed, but only to AI functions or to launch the camera – it's a missed opportunity in not supporting any app or function you might want.

The display on the Honor 600 Pro is excellent and while the headline brightness is 8000 nits, the high brightness mode reaches 1800 nits. I found this effective on really sunny days to keep screen content visible.

That high peak brightness figure isn't something that you'll be using: the phone supports HDR10+ and I found this content supported on Netflix, but nothing is mastered to 8000 nits, so don't think that you're getting a display that's going to be brighter than rivals in typical use.

The flat panel (with reduced selfie camera cutout) is great for gamers, while there's plenty of detail, with a 120Hz refresh rate to keep things smooth.

There's another minor detail that Honor is boasting about: this phone has the narrowest bezels of any device on the market. That means that more of the screen space is available to use – and that's certainly a positive thing.

Performance & Battery

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite
• 6400mAh battery; 80W wired charging, 50W wireless

The Snapdragon 8 Elite is the hardware that powered many 2025 flagship phones, so that positions the Honor 600 Pro as exactly that – a powerful phone that offers a premium experience on older hardware.

It comes with 12GB RAM and 512GB storage as standard (and that's the only version being offered in the UK). The result is an experience feels every inch flagship, even if it's a notch down the scale. While 2026 flagship phones are more powerful, in day-to-day use, you're unlikely to find any difference.

Everything I threw at the Honor 600 Pro happened at pace, from hitting Call of Duty Mobile hard, through to performing quick photo edits on the move using AI. If you're looking for a flagship experience, you'll find it here.

That's backed up by a huge 6400mAh battery, which offers great stamina. I found it would last well through the day and into the next. It basically delivers a 2-day experience in light use, without the worry of having to charge.

There's 80W wired charging, which beats most big-brand flagship rivals, although it's a step down from the 100W previously offered. That's probably a reflection of the increased capacity of the phone. There's also 50W wireless charging supported, but you'd need a proprietary charger from Honor to get that to work.

Cameras

• Triple rear camera:
  • Main: 200-megapixel, f/1.9 aperture, autofocus (AF), stabilisation (OIS)
  • Telephoto: 50MP, f/2.8, AF, OIS
  • Ultrawide: 12MP, f/2.2
• Front: 50MP, f/2.0

Honor's camera is centred on the 200-megapixel main sensor, clearly positioned to give Samsung a run for its money on the spec sheet.

Naturally, it doesn't capture 200MP images, instead offering 12.6MP images. It has a wider aperture (at f/1.9) than some rivals, meaning it can let more light in for making light work of processing in low light, plus a shallower depth of field for blurred backgrounds when subjects get close to the lens.

It's a 1/1.4in sensor size, which Honor says is optimised for night photography, with enhanced stabilisation to ensure things remain sharp in longer exposures. I found it to capture plenty of detail with nice colours, although in bright conditions it can overexpose a little.

The main camera loves to lighten an image, especially when lighting is a little lower, so indoor shots can lose contrast as the brightness increases and shadows get progressively less dark. That's also a problem with indoor video, where brightening can really change the hues that the camera produces.

I found good consistency of tone between the different lenses, so moving from ultrawide through to the telephoto looks like it came from the same camera.

The ultrawide is reasonable, but it struggles to capture detail towards the edges of the frame – where things look like they've been 'painted', while only the centre looks sharp. That's not such a problem when using it as a macro camera, because subjects close to the lens retain their detail fairly well.

There's a 50-megapixel telephoto camera that comes with Honor's AI-enhanced zoom as an option. Optically, the zoom offers 3.5x (an 80mm equivalent) with a toggle for the AI zoom for anything over 8x. Where previously we've seen this offered at over 30x digital zoom (where the quality really starts to dip) now you can use it on much closer subjects.

The 3.5x is pretty good and the 7x option that's also offered in the viewfinder still gives fairly clear results. But at 7x some details are blurred and shots begin to lose their potency.

The AI enhancement can be fun and for those near-distance shots that reach beyond the optical zoom they can add texture and colour that looks fairly realistic. But bear in mind that it's using generative AI and it's not showing you what you're looking at, it's what it thinks it looks like compared to reference images. That will see textures added to grass or leaves that are hard to argue with, but it quickly starts to look artificial.

When there's less information, a generative AI texture – like a grid – can be clearly seen. At that point, you have to ask yourself what you're trying to achieve with such a long zoom. It's not restoring detail, it's just filling in the spaces with what it thinks looks about right.

The pictures of the boat below were taken at 120x zoom, first just from the lens and the second with AI. Neither are good photos, but bear in mind that from where I was standing (the third photo) these boats were barely visible.

The selfie camera is let down by being fixed focus, so it's not as versatile as many flagship front cameras. Again, I found it overexposed a little and its Beauty Mode is on by default, so be sure to tap that off if you want to look like, well, you.

While talking about taking portraits, the portrait mode on the main camera is a bit of an oddity: it defaults to the telephoto lens and shoots at a slightly different aspect ratio to regular photos, so you might have to recrop if you want everything to match.

A note on AI skills here too: when previewing a photo you'll find yourself in Honor's Gallery by default, which gives easy access to AI editing tools. I'd say these are now clearer than the options in Google Photos, which after much rearranging (for the worse) are now buried in menus.

Software & AI

• Android 16 with Magic OS 10
• 6 years OS and security updates

Honor's software has long been a point of contention: for all the good hardware and attractive prices, the intervention in the software can't be escaped.

Honor has stepped up beyond some rival brands, however, offering 6 years of OS and security updates for this phone – close to the 7 years that Samsung and Google offer.

The phone runs Android 16 with Honor's own Magic OS 10 software making a lot of changes to the stock Android experience. Along the way, a lot of the cohesion of Android gets lost as you're funnelled into an Honor experience instead.

Try as I might, my normal scheduling of Bedtime mode refuses to work in Magic OS, a byproduct of Honor's tinkering. But tinkering is something others do, Samsung included, so it's not an uncommon issue.

Despite opting not to install any of the suggested apps during installation, I also found about 20 apps preinstalled, all of which I've removed; there are a couple of apps remaining that I'm stuck with, but be prepared to do some husbandry to get this phone into a cleaner state.

The flip side is that Magic OS 10 gives a huge amount of customisation and lots of options to make visual changes, which I rather enjoy.

It's also not too heavy with the AI: while there's the AI button, the services within generally stay within and don't constantly try to get involved with what you're doing.

One of the AI services appears to just be a link into Booking.com so you can plan a holiday. It's far from useful and I suspect it's made its way in there through a sponsorship agreement.

I still find it irksome that there's an AI button that I can't repurpose to launch Gemini, or ChatGPT. Instead, you can have Gemini on the power button, but I much prefer to stick to the power menu instead.

While Magic OS 10 needs some taming, it's not as intrusive as Motorola's latest Hello UI or the advertising in Xiaomi's HyperOS. I've had some adverts served to me, mostly when using native apps, again building an argument to avoid them and stick to more widely established alternatives.

Honor 600 Pro review: Verdict

The Honor 600 Pro is a good alternative to a flagship smartphone especially if you're happy to put in a little work to remove a lot of the software bloat.

There's a great display, plenty of power, and solid battery life with fast charging, all for a fraction of the price of a current flagship phone.

But if you're not rushing to get one because it looks like an iPhone, then that's a little sad and all I can say is don’t be put off – as this phone is better than that.

Also consider

At the full price, the OnePlus 15 is more powerful and comes in higher rated, with a software experience that's a little more refined than the Honor 600 Pro.

Equally, the Samsung Galaxy S25 models with discounts offer similar power and software support for around the same listing price.

But the Honor 600 Pro's real rivals come in the form of other brands, like the Xiaomi 15T Pro or Poco X8 Pro, both offering a lot of phone for the money, with some compromises.