Xiaomi debuted a new foldable smartphone at IFA in Berlin featuring a passport-style design with a 5.38-inch outer display and a 7.58-inch inner screen. The device uses a custom three-link hinge for durability and marks the first phone to run Xiaomi's own XRing 03 processor. A CNET reporter who got hands-on time praised the build quality and near-invisible crease, though noted stiff competition looms from Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Apple's rumored foldable iPhone.
cnet.com
· 2026-09-07
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
Apple's CarPlay, which mirrors iOS onto compatible car infotainment screens, is designed to reconnect automatically to a paired iPhone every time the driver gets in the vehicle. For those who prefer to skip it occasionally—whether to save battery or just take a break from the interface—there are several settings-based methods to disable that automatic reconnection without fully removing the device pairing.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-07
Apple is expected to debut its long-awaited foldable iPhone, reportedly dubbed the 'iPhone Ultra,' at its September 9 launch event, more than five years after Samsung entered the foldable market. Early testers reportedly describe a premium-feeling device with a 5.5-inch cover screen that unfolds to a 7.8-inch iPad-like display, though it's said to skip a telephoto camera and could cost over $2,000. The event also marks a leadership shift, with John Ternus taking over as CEO from Tim Cook, alongside expected updates to AirPods, HomePods, and the standard iPhone 18 lineup.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-09-07
Contrary to a recent report claiming new hardware chief John Ternus scrapped Apple's foldable Mac/iPad hybrid project, the device concept appears to still be in development, though likely years from release. The analysis suggests Apple's software convergence—like iPhone mirroring and cross-platform apps—has already addressed much of the original rationale for such a device.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-09-07
Apple's upcoming iOS 27 update adds a feature that uses Visual Intelligence and the iPhone camera to scan a restaurant receipt, divide the cost among a group, and send Apple Cash requests to each person. The update also lets Visual Intelligence scan physical passes like boarding tickets or loyalty cards and digitize them directly into Apple Wallet.
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 survey found 55% of US adults say a lower price would push them to upgrade their phone, while 52% cite longer battery life and 38% want more storage. Only 12% said AI features would motivate an upgrade, and just 13% said a new form factor like a foldable would sway them. The findings come ahead of Apple's Sept. 9 event, where the company is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone alongside new iPhone 18 Pro models.
cnet.com
· 2026-09-07
Apple is holding its 'Surprise and Shine' fall event, where the company is expected to reveal its first foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, updated Apple Watches, and new AirPods. Gizmodo is live-covering the announcements as they happen.
gizmodo.com
· 2026-09-07
Apple's September event this Wednesday is expected to introduce three new high-end iPhones: the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a first-ever foldable model dubbed iPhone Ultra priced above $2,000. The base iPhone 18 and an Air successor are reportedly being delayed until early 2027, leaving this year's lineup focused entirely on premium devices.
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