GoKawiil
Tech News
Counterpoint Research says Apple placed five models in the world's top 10 best-selling smartphones for Q2 2026, with the base iPhone 17 taking the top spot at 6% of global unit sales. The iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17e, and iPhone 16 also made the list, while Samsung was the only other brand represented with five models including the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
A Korean leaker claims Samsung built several Galaxy S27 Ultra prototypes, including one with a 7,000mAh battery and versions that dropped the S Pen to fit it. Samsung is said to have abandoned that extreme option, instead settling on a 5,700mAh to 6,000mAh target, possibly using silicon-carbon battery technology.
Apple has sent out invitations for a launch event on September 9 at 10am PT, widely expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone alongside new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models. Reports suggest the foldable device, rumored to be called the iPhone Ultra, will use a book-style design similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8. Updated Apple Watches and a refreshed Apple TV 4K may also be announced at the same event.
Samsung has started pushing a software update that resolves the red discoloration issue affecting some Galaxy S26 Ultra displays, according to a notice posted on the Samsung Members app. The fix appears bundled with the August 2026 security update rolling out first in South Korea, and unlike the initial workaround, users won't need to visit a service center to get it.
New CAD renders from OnLeaks and Android Headlines reveal the standard Galaxy S27 in a light purple finish, closely resembling one of the Galaxy Z Fold 8's colors. Unlike the redesigned Galaxy S27 Ultra leaked a day earlier, the base model appears to retain nearly identical dimensions and a 6.3-inch display similar to the Galaxy S26, with only a slight increase in thickness.
Google's Pixel 11 Pro retains the vivid, bright screen praised in its predecessor, but review testing found it throttles and shows overheating and battery-drain warnings when graphics settings are pushed above minimum levels. Google also dropped the 128GB storage tier across the lineup, meaning the cheapest configuration now starts at $1,099 for 256GB, with only 12GB of RAM at that entry level. Google attributed the higher storage and pricing to an AI-driven RAM shortage raising component costs industrywide.
Samsung has begun rolling out its Wear OS 7-based One UI 9 Watch beta to Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic devices, starting in South Korea. The update, roughly 2GB in size, includes a redesigned interface, expanded watch face customization, new safety features, and improved Samsung Health metrics like aerobic load and sleep vitals tracking. Samsung has also streamlined its beta sign-up process, letting users accept terms once for all future beta programs.
Counterpoint Research's Q2 2026 global market share report shows Samsung's $1,300 Galaxy S26 Ultra was the best-selling Android phone worldwide, ranking fourth overall behind three iPhone models. The base Galaxy S26 also made the top-ten list at ninth place, alongside three budget Galaxy A models.
South African retailer Dress Your Tech has jumped the gun by listing about a dozen cases and case-plus-screen-protector bundles for Samsung's unannounced Galaxy S26 FE. The listings include standard and slim silicone options with visible rings for Qi2 magnetic charging, in colors matching previously leaked device finishes plus new pink and transparent variants. Samsung is set to hold a Galaxy Event on August 27, widely expected to unveil the phone.
Samsung's One UI 9 Beta 6 update for Galaxy S26 devices introduces a new 'Touch and hold for AI select' switch under Display > Edge panels settings. Users had complained that lingering too long while swiping out the Edge Panel would accidentally freeze the screen and launch AI Select. The new toggle lets users turn off that long-press behavior while still keeping AI Select accessible as a shortcut icon in the Edge Panel.
New CAD-based renders of the Galaxy S27 Ultra, produced by Android Headlines with leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer, show a colored, detailed model built from leaked case-maker measurements. The design departs sharply from the S26 Ultra's vertical camera stack, replacing it with a large, lopsided camera island, while the phone's overall dimensions (about 163.76 x 78.25 x 7.97mm) remain close to this year's model.
Amazon is selling the 256GB Galaxy S26 Ultra for $961, a 26% cut from its $1,299.99 list price, though the discount currently applies only to the Cobalt Violet color option. The phone has a 4.6-star rating and this is the lowest price seen outside of Prime Day.