The GrapheneOS Foundation announced it will extend its privacy-focused, open-source operating system beyond Google Pixel devices to Motorola smartphones starting in 2027. Support will begin with standard flagship models before expanding to foldables like the Razr Fold, once next-generation Snapdragon chips meet the necessary hardware security requirements. Current 2026 Motorola devices won't qualify retroactively since they lack certain security hardware.
Leaker Yogesh Brar posted images claiming to show Apple's 20th anniversary iPhone, featuring curved glass front and back, horizontally arranged dual rear cameras, and what looks like a hole-punch selfie camera similar to many Android phones. The renders lack expected details like the Camera Control button and proper volume controls, raising doubts about their authenticity and suggesting AI-generated mockups rather than genuine leaks.
Dutch manufacturer Fairphone is now directly shipping its 6+ smartphone to US consumers, unlocked and compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile networks. Priced at $649, the device emphasizes repairability and ethically sourced materials while delivering performance the reviewer describes as above midrange, though short of true flagship levels.
Xiaomi has detailed its new XRing 03 processor on Weibo, built on a 3nm process and featuring an unannounced Arm G2-Ultra NX GPU with 16 cores and AI-based upscaling. The chip also includes a 10-core CPU with six 'super' and four 'large' cores, no small cores, peaking at 4.35GHz, plus a four-core NPU rated at 200 TOPS. It will debut in the Xiaomi 18 Fold, set to launch next month.
Lenovo published a list of Motorola devices eligible for the Android 17 update, but it left out several recent phones including the Edge 50 series, Edge 60 Neo, Razr 2024, Moto G56 5G, and Moto G75 5G. Oddly, the list also references unreleased models like the Edge 70 Neo and Edge 70 Plus, and contains duplicate entries for the Edge 60.
Google's Android Pulse, a background system app that has existed since at least March, is now appearing as an available update in the Play Store, drawing attention despite most users never knowingly installing it. The app monitors devices for unusual resource consumption, such as apps suddenly draining battery or hogging memory and processing power, and already has more than 10 million downloads.
Xiaomi announced price hikes of up to ¥20,000 (about $137) on several Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO devices in Japan, citing surging memory and component costs. The Xiaomi 17T Pro and multiple POCO X8 Pro and X8 Pro Max configurations see the steepest jumps, some rising nearly 25%, while tablets face smaller increases of ¥2,000 to ¥10,000. The new prices take effect September 1 for Xiaomi and Redmi products and September 4 for POCO models.
The Mecha Comet, a modular handheld Linux computer built by Shoaib Merchant, has secured over $1.19 million from more than 3,300 Kickstarter backers and is now slated to ship in October or November. The device features a 4-inch AMOLED display, dual USB ports, mini HDMI, a SIM tray, hardware kill switches for wifi, microphone and camera, and snap-in open-hardware extensions like a keyboard and gamepad.
USB-C laptop chargers can be safely used to charge phones, and will speed up charging only if the phone supports higher-wattage fast charging via USB Power Delivery. Phones capped at 18-20W input won't charge any faster on a 65W or 100W charger, since the device only draws what it's rated for. Charger safety depends more on certification and build quality than wattage, as counterfeit units can pass dangerous voltage spikes and cheap cables may lack required safety components.
Reports highlight mounting concern among investors about the sustainability of massive AI data-center buildouts, alongside scrutiny of OpenAI's financial position. Analysts point to roughly $3 trillion in AI-related debt that sits off company balance sheets, raising questions about how these commitments are being tracked and financed.
As new smartphone prices climb, more consumers are turning to refurbished and secondhand iPhones and other devices to save money. Experts caution that this booming resale market carries hidden risks, from hardware defects to security vulnerabilities, that buyers need to guard against.
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