A beta build of iOS 27 reveals a feature called iPhone Handoff, spotted by a MacRumors forum member, that lets a primary iPhone and a secondary companion iPhone share a single cellular plan and phone number using dual eSIMs. Unlike existing Continuity tools that rely on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, this setup appears to work at the network level, so the companion device stays connected even if the main iPhone is off. The option is expected to appear under Settings > Cellular once it launches.
Huawei introduced the Nova 16s and Nova 16s Pro at IFA 2026 in Munich, bringing its China-market Nova 16 lineup to international buyers. Both models feature 7,000mAh batteries, ultra-bright OLED screens reaching up to 5,500 nits, and multi-camera setups including a 50MP main sensor and periscope telephoto lens. The Pro variant steps things up with a 200MP camera, LTPO display technology, and more advanced imaging features.
Fairphone has launched the Gen 6 Plus, an Android phone stripped of manufacturer bloat and carrier apps, shipping only with Google-mandated software and a companion tool called My Fairphone. The device also supports an easy switch to /e/OS, an open-source Android fork that removes Google services entirely for users wanting maximum data privacy.
At IFA in Berlin, Xiaomi unveiled a new passport-shaped foldable phone positioned as a rival to Apple's rumored folding iPhone, alongside three Mijia-branded home appliances: a Cryo Fresh refrigerator with air circulation and nano blue light sterilization, a Tri-Drum Washer Dryer Pro claiming 35% better energy efficiency, and a high-power Conditioner Turbo Pro. The launch marks Xiaomi's push to bring its broader Mijia ecosystem brand into European markets, building on smart home products already sold there.
TCL unveiled the P80 Ultra, the first phone to use its OLED version of Nxtpaper technology, which was previewed at MWC earlier this year. The 6.83-inch screen offers flagship-grade specs including 1.5K resolution, 120Hz refresh rate and 3,200 nits brightness, but can switch into a monochromatic 'Max Ink Mode' that mimics an e-reader and extends battery life to up to a week of active use.
According to The Elec, Google is expected to adopt a dual ultra-thin glass (UTG) screen structure for the Pixel 12 Pro Fold's inner display, following a similar approach reportedly used in Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone. OPPO and vivo are also said to be moving toward this same structure for their next foldable devices.
Security researcher Jose Rodriguez found that on some Android phones, WhatsApp's video call feature can let anyone view your entire photo gallery without unlocking the device. The flaw is triggered by answering a video call, opening the effects panel, selecting AI-generated backgrounds, and choosing to edit an existing photo, which opens the gallery directly. Rodriguez says the bug affects OPPO and vivo phones but not Samsung, and has reported it to Meta and Google.
A Pew Research Center survey of nearly 10,000 US adults found that 53% believe they use their smartphones too much, while 36% say their usage is about right. Younger adults reported the highest rates of overuse, with 70% of 18-to-29-year-olds and 64% of those aged 30-49 saying they're on their devices excessively. Separately, Semrush data shows people worldwide spend over four and a half hours daily on their phones, checking them roughly 58 times a day.
The FCC announced plans to build a public scorecard grading wireless, wireline, and VoIP providers on how well they block illegal robocalls. The rating could use numeric scores, letter grades, or risk categories, drawing on call-blocking statistics, complaint data, and enforcement records. The measure would apply to retail voice providers but exclude wholesale-only carriers.
Google briefly published a Play Store listing for an app called Look Up, tied to its upcoming Googlebook laptop platform, before removing all screenshots and details. Some testers managed to sideload the app on Pixel phones running Android 17 even after it was pulled from public listing. The tool lets users highlight text and instantly query it through Search, Maps, and Flights, plus a chatbot box for follow-up questions.
Android Authority published its latest Wallpaper Wednesday collection, offering six reader-submitted images and three staff photos as free downloadable wallpapers for phones, tablets, and PCs. The images are provided in JPG and PNG formats in both landscape and portrait orientations, with full-resolution versions available via a shared Drive link.
Google's My Pixel app, previously called Pixel Tips, has been sending push notifications to owners of older Pixel phones promoting the new Pixel 11 series and Pixel Watch 5, often without users opting in. Android Authority polled over 9,600 readers on whether smartphone advertising has gone too far, and 93.9% said yes.
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