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Tech News
Amazon has cut the price of Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra by 32%, bringing it down to $949.99 for a limited time. The deal represents one of the steepest discounts seen on the flagship phone since its release.
Samsung quietly increased prices on some of its smartphones last week without public explanation. New reporting now points to a likely cause tied to trade tariffs affecting device costs.
Amazon is selling the unlocked Samsung Galaxy A57 5G for $399.99, a $200 cut from its $599.99 list price, marking its lowest price to date and beating the previous year-to-date low of $424.99. The deal requires an Amazon Prime membership, which shoppers can access via a free 30-day trial. The phone features a 6.7-inch 120Hz display, a 50MP main camera, and Samsung's pledge of six years of OS upgrades and security updates.
Counterpoint Research reports that Apple became the top-selling smartphone brand through European carriers in Q2 2026, with its share rising from 33% to 37% year-over-year while Samsung's fell from 39% to 34%. Overall European smartphone sales fell 8%, with carrier sales down 4% versus an 11% drop in the open market; vivo and Motorola also grew carrier sales by 90% and 27% respectively.
Android Authority surveyed 2,252 readers on whether they'd buy the upcoming OnePlus 16 if it were sold in their market. 61% said they'd buy it without question, 32% said it would depend on price, and only 7% said no. OnePlus plans to launch the phone in China this month with wider availability expected in November, after exiting the North American market.
Huawei and Qualcomm have entered into a broad, multi-year patent licensing deal, according to reports. The agreement covers patent rights between the two companies over an extended period, though specific financial terms were not disclosed.
RISION has released the Magic Pro, a compact thermal imaging accessory that plugs into a phone's USB-C port and works with Android or iOS devices through its companion app. The app provides live temperature readouts, screenshot capture, and customization options, and the device ships with a small carry case. An Android Authority reviewer tested it on smartphones during stress tests, noting it required no setup beyond plugging in and opening the app.
Apple's iPhone Duo introduced a redesigned outer display that places navigation and dock controls within thumb's reach while retaining a large viewing area. The design has inspired tech enthusiasts, including a Twitter user named Dylan, to mock up a non-folding 'iPhone Solo' concept using the same outer-screen layout and proportions.
Android Authority writer Robert Triggs describes how dust and lint trapped inside USB-C ports caused loose, angled cable connections and failed fast-charging on his phone and tablet. He says cleaning the ports himself restored normal charging on both devices, avoiding a repair.
An Android Authority reviewer spent two weeks testing the Motorola Edge 70, an ultra-slim smartphone, after initial skepticism about the form factor's trade-offs. The reviewer reports it avoided the compromises seen in Samsung's Galaxy S25 Edge, which launched with a 3,900mAh battery, 25W charging, only two rear cameras lacking a telephoto lens, and a $1,099 price tag.
Counterpoint Research's China Weekly Smartphone Sell-Out Tracker found the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max drove Apple to a 33% share of China's smartphone market in Week 38, making it the top-selling brand. The Pro series saw 12% year-on-year sales growth in its first three days, reversing a 17% decline in overall Chinese smartphone sales since July.
Huawei chairman Richard Yu told Chinese media the company plans moderate price increases, citing roughly $200 in added costs per device from rising memory and component prices that have hurt profitability. The comment came alongside the launch of Huawei's Mate 90 series, including a special edition priced near $2,835 and a detachable 10x optical zoom camera module.