Apple's standard iPhone 17 starts at $799, while the Google Pixel 11 and Samsung Galaxy S26 both launch at $899, a $100 gap that has flipped the usual value equation in the flagship smartphone market. Rising RAM and storage costs, plus heavier investment in on-device AI, are cited as reasons behind the higher pricing from Google and Samsung, and rumors suggest Apple may delay the iPhone 18 launch, potentially extending this pricing advantage.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-09
Rising memory chip prices driven by the AI boom are pushing up the cost of new smartphones, even as many flagship models already exceed $1,000. This is prompting consumers who damage their phones to weigh repair costs, often under a few hundred dollars, against the appeal of new features found only in devices like the Pixel 11 and iPhone 17.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-07
A 14-second clip circulating online shows what appears to be dark cherry and blue iPhone 18 Pro models displayed alongside an iPhone 17 Pro Max at what looks like a retail store. Analysts flag several red flags suggesting the footage is staged with dummy units rather than genuine pre-release hardware.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-09-07
Apple hardware is heavily discounted as part of Amazon and Best Buy's Labor Day 2026 sale, with under 24 hours remaining. Deals include AirTag 2 at $20, AirPods Pro 3 at $50 off, AirPods Max 2 at $100 off, a $150 cut on the M5 MacBook Air, record-low pricing on the new M6 Mac mini ahead of shipping, and Amazon lows on iPhone 17 Pro models.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-09-07
A CNET reviewer used an iPhone 17 Pro Max caseless for nearly a year, enduring drops and pocket wear, and found the Cosmic Orange finish largely intact aside from minor chipping and dents. Comparing it to a similarly used iPhone 16 Pro, the newer model's screen showed noticeably fewer scratches, suggesting Apple's Ceramic Shield 2 coating delivers a real durability improvement.
cnet.com
· 2026-09-07
A comparison of the Pixel 11 series against five rival flagship phones shows Google's new Tensor G6 chip trailing significantly in CPU and GPU benchmarks, most notably against Apple's A19 and A19 Pro chips inside the iPhone 17 lineup. The Tensor G6 also falls short on battery efficiency and thermal performance compared to competitors that in some cases cost less than the $1,000-plus Pixel 11.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-07
A reviewer tested Google's $1,099 Pixel 11 Pro against Apple's iPhone 17 Pro across various lighting conditions in Delhi, including well-lit and shadowy scenes at Lodhi Garden. Both phones were tested with default camera processing, with Google's camera brightening shadows more while Apple's rendered more natural tones.
cnet.com
· 2026-09-04
Amazon's 2026 Labor Day sale is now live with steep discounts across Apple products, including AirPods Pro 3 back down to $199, AirTag 2 as low as $20, and Apple Watch SE 3 hitting a $200 all-time low. Renewed iPhone 17 Pro units are discounted up to $290, while the newly launched M6 Mac mini and refurbished M5 MacBook Air configurations also see modest price cuts.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-09-02
Korean outlet Money Today, citing tipster Jukan, claims Samsung plans to sell a Galaxy S27 Ultra variant powered by its in-house Exynos 2700 chip in select markets, alongside a Snapdragon version reserved mainly for the US. This would mark the first time since the Galaxy S22 Ultra that the top-tier Ultra model has shipped with an Exynos processor, with the same dual-chip split reportedly extending to the new Galaxy S27 Pro model.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-02
Razer introduced the Prio, a $100 USB-C mobile game controller that weighs about 101 grams and folds down to roughly wallet size, unlike its bulkier Kishi line. When unfolded, it attaches to large phones such as the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Galaxy S26 Ultra, offering dual thumbsticks, a D-pad, face buttons and shoulder triggers for both iPhone and Android devices.
cnet.com
· 2026-09-01
Razer has released the Prio, a compact USB-C gamepad for iOS and Android phones that folds flat for portability. It fits phones up to seven inches with slim-to-medium cases, includes a D-pad, face buttons, bumpers, triggers and anti-drift analog thumbsticks, and works with cloud gaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming, PS Remote Play and Steam Link. It's available now for $100.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-01
Best Buy's Labor Day sale is offering unlocked iPhone Air models at $150 off, with open-box units discounted up to $359. Meanwhile, Amazon has cut iPhone 17 Pro prices by up to $285, and Apple's refurb store is briefly offering a 16GB/1TB M5 MacBook Air configuration for $240 off before stock likely runs out.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-09-01
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