Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 leads record foldable preorders in the US and South Korea as more buyers move from Flip models to the larger Fold lineup before launch.
The post Samsung: New Galaxy Foldables Beat Previous Preorder Record by 30% appeared first on TechRepublic.
A new leak claims Honor’s Robot Phone will feature two 200MP cameras, a motorized gimbal, a 7,060mAh battery, and 120W charging.
The post Honor Robot Phone Specs Leak Ahead of Aug. 12 Debut: What Users Can Expect appeared first on TechRepublic.
Leaked Google Pixel 11 marketing materials suggest a new HiLight notification feature, while a five-minute charging claim raises questions ahead of Google's launch.
The post Google Pixel 11 Leak Reveals ‘HiLight’ Notification Feature, Raises Questions About Charging Claim appeared first on TechRepublic.
Motorola patented a smartwatch that could one day transform into a phone. See how it works, who might use it, and what could keep it from reaching stores.
The post Motorola Patents a Wearable that Could Transform From Watch to Phone appeared first on TechRepublic.
Samsung’s rumored Galaxy S27 Pro may share several premium features with the S27 Ultra, but new leaks suggest clear differences in zoom cameras, display size, S Pen support, batteries, and regional processors.
The post Samsung Galaxy S27 Pro May Not Be the Smaller Ultra Buyers Expect appeared first on TechRepublic.
The idea of merging a smartwatch and a smartphone into a single device has been floating around the industry for years, mostly because the obvious inconvenience is right there: two screens on two separate devices, one tiny and worn on the wrist, the other large and kept in a pocket, each doing essentially half the job the other can’t. The logical question is whether one of those devices could do both jobs depending on the situation.
Motorola’s latest patent, officially registered as US12,693,705 under the title “Pivoting wearable reconfigurable screen,” proposes exactly that. The device starts on the wrist as a conventional smartwatch, its flexible display curved around the band. When more screen real estate is needed, the strap pivots and unfolds, flattening into a short, wide display format that functions as a handheld device. A third configuration folds the bottom quarter into an “L” shape, turning the unit into a self-standing desk display.
Designer: Motorola (via Burnplate, David Kowalski/xeaks7)
The mechanism that makes it possible is the strap itself. Rather than housing a traditional watch face with a fixed display, almost the entire outer surface of the band carries a flexible screen. Worn, it reads like a standard wearable. Removed and unfolded, that same surface becomes the display area of a compact, landscape-oriented device. The pivot point is what separates this from simply being a wrist-wrap phone like earlier concepts.
That distinction matters because Nubia tried the wrist-phone idea back in 2018 with the Alpha, and the result was a fascinating but limited object. The Alpha wrapped a 4.01-inch OLED display around the upper wrist, delivering more screen real estate than any smartwatch before it, but the display stayed wrapped. It curved beautifully, could make calls, take photos, and run apps, but it never transformed into anything. The watch was the watch, full stop.
Nubia Alpha
Motorola’s patent reverses the logic. Rather than making a phone you can wear, it proposes a watch you can unfold. The distinction isn’t purely semantic. A device that starts as a watch and transforms into a handheld is solving a different problem than one that starts as a phone and straps to your wrist. The first carries a reasonable identity in both states; the second always feels like a compromise in one of them.
Nubia Alpha
The Nubia Alpha’s sticking point wasn’t the display, which was genuinely impressive and ahead of its time. It was the software, the battery, and the form factor’s limits in practice. Nubia never took the concept further after the original and a 2020 follow-up. The flexible display remained horizontal and wrist-bound, never taking the step toward becoming a genuinely detachable, self-sufficient screen.
Whether Motorola’s patented concept eventually ships as a real device is a separate question entirely. Patents are filed routinely without becoming products, and this one would require flexible display technology durable enough to handle daily wrist bending and regular unfolding, a battery that fits within strap dimensions, and software that transitions cleanly between modes. None of those are trivial problems.
Still, the direction of thinking has clearly shifted since 2018. Nubia asked what happens when a smartphone lives on your wrist. Motorola is asking what happens when a watch becomes a screen the moment you need one.
The post Motorola’s Patent Isn’t a Phone You Wear, It’s a Watch You Unfold first appeared on Yanko Design.
OnePlus is closing its North American Community on August 16. Learn how to save your posts, photos, guides, and files before they become inaccessible.
The post OnePlus Community Is Ending: What Users Should Save First appeared first on TechRepublic.
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 FE could cost more than its predecessor, raising questions about whether the Fan Edition still offers strong value.
The post Galaxy S26 FE Price Leak Follows Samsung’s Mobile Profit Slide appeared first on TechRepublic.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip8 costs less and has longer support, while Motorola’s Razr Ultra leads on storage, RAM, battery, charging, and cover-screen apps.
The post Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 vs Motorola Razr Ultra: Which Is Right for You? appeared first on TechRepublic.
Higher Qualcomm chip prices could push Android manufacturers to reuse older processors, trim specifications, or sell different hardware configurations across regions.
The post Qualcomm Price Hike Could Deepen Android Hardware Fragmentation appeared first on TechRepublic.
Apple's September 2026 event could bring the iPhone 18 Pro, Apple's first foldable iPhone and new Apple Watches. Here's what the most credible rumors suggest.
The post Apple September Event Predictions: iPhone 18 Pro and Other Rumors Ranked appeared first on TechRepublic.
Ever since Microsoft threw in the towel with Surface Duo, I've been what I call "smartphone homeless." Well, technically that era of my life began with the death of Windows Phone in 2017, flip flopping between different iPhone's and Android's until I found my new forever home with the Surface Duo in 2020.
That new forever home was very short lived. Between 2020 and 2023, I daily drove both the Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2 for the lifetime of those devices. I was happy, content, and excited for where this form factor could lead should Microsoft continue developing it.
Of course, Microsoft didn't feel the same way, and the Surface Duo was put to rest not long after the Surface Duo 2 shipped. I loved the Surface Duo for a myriad of reasons, but the main one was its shape and size. I loved how squat and wide the device was, when being used in single-screen and dual-screen mode.
It was unique and different that it turned heads in public. To this day, I have never had more strangers come up to me in public to ask what phone model I was using. The Surface Duo was a conversation starter, but it wasn't just the novelty that I loved. It was genuinely useful, being easier to type on in single-screen mode compared to slab phone, and better for multitasking when in dual-screen.
So, when Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 8 last week, I was instantly intrigued based on its shape and size alone. It's the first westerly available short but wide smartphone since the Surface Duo, and although it's not dual-screen device with a 360-degree hinge, this is the closest thing to a Surface Duo 3 we're ever going to get.
Taking a look at their specs, it's immediately evident that both share similarities in their sizing. While the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is technically smaller, it's only smaller because the Surface Duo's bezels are so large. If you just compare screen sizes, they are very similar. The Surface Duo's display is 5.6-inches, and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is 5.5 inches.
Both are similar in width when in folded position, which means typing on both feels identical when in use as a smartphone. It also means apps have more room to spread out, with text and images displaying more content across a single line. When opened up, the Surface Duo's dual-displays are overall bigger, but the Galaxy Z Fold 8's aspect ratio is preferred.
Spec | Microsoft Surface Duo | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 |
|---|---|---|
Form Factor | Dual dual-screen displays joined by a 360° physical hinge | Flexible single inner screen with an external cover screen |
Unfolded Dimensions | 145.2 × 186.9 × 4.8 mm | 123.9 × 161.4 × 4.5 mm |
Folded Dimensions | 145.2 × 93.3 × 9.9 mm | 123.9 × 81.9 × 9.7 mm |
Weight | 250 g | 201 g |
Main / Inner Display | 8.1" dual display (3:2 total ratio, 2700 × 1800) split by a physical hinge seam | 7.6" seamless flexible display (4:3 aspect ratio, 1848 × 2448) |
Individual / Cover Display | Two 5.6" screens (4:3 aspect ratio each); no dedicated external cover screen | 5.5" outer cover screen (10:16 aspect ratio, 1248 × 1972) |
Although I could see the similarities on paper, I had to get my hands on a Galaxy Z Fold 8 just to make sure. Luckily for me, I have a Samsung store nearby, so I popped in and checked it out. To say I didn't immediately fall in love would be lying. It felt like home. The short but wide aspect ratio, the almost creaseless folding screen on the inside, and thin bezels all around, it just all comes together so perfectly.
Side by side, it makes the Surface Duo look like a prototype with its thick bezels and gap between the screens. I've always said the Surface Duo is beautiful in its own special way, but I think the Galaxy Z Fold 8 finally dethrones it from a pure aesthetics perspective.
But I could immediately tell that the aspect ratio and size of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 was right. It feels just like a Surface Duo in both folded and unfolded postures, and typing on both doesn't give my thumbs the cramps after a few minutes. Apps feel like they have more room to breath across both, and the entire OS experience is just nicer when the screens are this wide.
The one area that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 still fails to beat the Surface Duo on however is multitasking. Yes, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 can multitask and when set up by the user, it's very powerful. However, the Surface Duo was special because it made multitasking automatic.
You never think about multitasking on Surface Duo. It just happens. The device dynamically adjusts and places apps and popups on either screen where it makes the most sense. I never multitask on normal foldables, but I was running two apps side by side all the time on Surface Duo, because it was automatic.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 still requires you to manually initiate multitasking, which means I rarely if ever do it. On the Surface Duo, if you tap a link in a group chat in one app, it'll open your browser on the other half so that you can still see the group chat in the app you were just using. Galaxy Z Fold 8 doesn't do that.
It would be awesome if Samsung could add an option in OneUI that forces the OS to act more like Surface Duo, where multitasking is automated by the device. Unfortunately, that's not a thing at current, and so multitasking is still something I'm probably not going to do much of on the Galaxy Z Fold 8.
Outside of that minor disappointment, I think the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is a near perfect replacement for my Surface Duo needs. It has better cameras, and it's SO much lighter than the Duo. And although it doesn't support pen, I wasn't much a pen user on the Surface Duo either and so that's not a problem for me.
I will miss the novelty of a 360-degree hinge, and being able to close the Duo so that neither screen is visible was a really nice unique capability that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 obviously doesn't have. But we know at this point that Surface Duo 3 was going to pivot to a single-screen folding design like the one on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 anyway, which is why I think Microsoft was wrong to give up so soon.
With that said, I'm still very excited for the Fold 8, and I hope its the start of a long running trend of short but wide phones. Thank you Microsoft for showing the world that the short but wide aspect ratio works for smartphones. It may have taken a little longer for everyone else to catch on, but the good news is people are finally waking up.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is a spiritual successor to the Surface Duo, featuring a short but wide aspect ratio cover and foldable screen that makes typing and multitasking so much easier than your traditional smartphone slabs.
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Surface Duo and Galaxy Z Fold 8 side by side
Surface Duo and Galaxy Z Fold 8 side by side
Thinking about importing the OnePlus 16? Learn what OnePlus' US and Europe exit means for availability, warranty, software support, and compatibility.
The post OnePlus 16 May Skip the US and Europe: What Buyers Need to Know appeared first on TechRepublic.
Qualcomm will raise processor prices for products shipped after September 1, adding new cost pressure for Android phone makers and future devices.
The post Qualcomm Confirms Snapdragon Price Hike, Android Phones May Cost More appeared first on TechRepublic.
Samsung’s record second-quarter earnings masked losses in its consumer-device businesses, making the Fold8 lineup more important to its Asia mobile strategy.
The post Samsung Earnings Put New Foldables at the Center of Its Asia Strategy appeared first on TechRepublic.
Apple's new Apple Upgrade program lets US customers lease iPhones, Macs, iPads, and Apple Watches. Here's how it works and whether it's better than buying.
The post Apple’s New iPhone Leasing Program: What It Means Before You Upgrade appeared first on TechRepublic.
Google will unveil the Pixel 11 on Aug. 12. Here's what Google has confirmed, what reputable reports suggest, and what remains unknown ahead of launch.
The post Google Pixel 11 Explained: What Google Has Confirmed and What the Rumors Say appeared first on TechRepublic.
OnePlus has confirmed an optional move from OxygenOS to ColorOS 17. Here's what changes, what stays the same, and what existing owners should expect.
The post ColorOS Replacing OxygenOS on OnePlus Phones: What Users Lose appeared first on TechRepublic.
Insta360 built its reputation on cameras that see in every direction at once. It’s literally in their name. The X series made 360-degree capture accessible; the Luna Ultra brought Leica optics to a handheld gimbal. Flying something, though, is a different category of challenge, and the patent images that appeared in July 2026 show the company working through what a foldable drone looks like with Insta360 DNA. The illustrated design at the bottom shows folding arms, a ring-shaped propeller guard, and a dedicated locking mechanism, a form factor that prioritizes the moment of packing away just as much as the moment of takeoff.
DJI’s Neo 2 has the casual drone segment largely to itself in the sub-250g category, with a rigid one-piece frame and a 19-minute flight time that have made it a reliable default for creators who want aerial footage without the complexity of a serious drone setup. Insta360 entering that space would break what has effectively been a two-player market, with Zero Zero Robotics’ HoverAir as the only real alternative. The folding design alone gives Insta360 a structural argument against the Neo 2; a potential 360-degree camera, if it materializes, would give it a creative one. What a wonderful year for foldables, eh? We’re expecting a folding iPhone in September, and Insta360 might give us a folding drone too!
This isn’t just some forum rumor, either. The patent images (from patent file CN223865117U), which started making the rounds on July 16th and were highlighted by outlets like Tech Court, are pretty specific. They show a drone body with the “Insta360” logo stamped on it, with fully folding arms that tuck into the chassis and a distinctive ring-shaped guard protecting the propellers. There’s even a dedicated locking mechanism detailed, which tells you just how seriously they’re taking the whole “fold-and-go” concept. This is a design that screams it was made to be stuffed into a pocket, not carefully placed in a bespoke case.
But here’s the thing: this isn’t Insta360’s first aerial rodeo. Before they decided to put their own name on a drone, they sent in a scout team under the sub-brand Antigravity. The A1 drone they launched was, frankly, a bit of a monster: a sub-249g drone with a wild dual-lens setup that shot 8K 360-degree video and made the drone itself invisible in the footage. It was a spec-sheet beast and a clear shot across DJI’s bow, proving Insta360 had the engineering chops to compete in the sky. It was their way of testing the waters.
Now, it looks like they’re done testing. This new patent is the second, more direct shot. And here’s the kicker: for a company obsessed with 360-degree video, the patent images don’t show a fisheye lens. At all. It’s a huge question mark hanging over the whole project. Are they hiding the tech, or are they planning to launch a drone that, for the first time, doesn’t have their signature feature? If they’re aiming for a rumored sub-$200 price point, leaving the 360 camera on the cutting room floor might be the only way to get there. It’s a move that would be both shocking and, in a weird way, perfectly logical.
You also can’t forget that this is all happening while the two companies are actively suing each other in China. This isn’t friendly competition; it’s a full-blown hardware rivalry. Insta360 came for DJI’s gimbals, tested the drone market with a sub-brand, and is now preparing a direct assault on DJI’s most accessible drone. With a release window expected somewhere between late 2026 and early 2027, we’re not just watching a new product being born. We’re watching the next chapter in a tech soap opera, and it’s about to get very, very interesting.
The post Insta360’s foldable drone patent targets DJI Neo 2 at sub-250g first appeared on Yanko Design.
I've been reviewing Turtle Beach headsets for a long time. The firm has a huge array of products for Xbox and PC gamers, hitting every price point and use case. Many of Turtle Beach's products have easily landed on our best Xbox and PC gaming headsets lists. Where I've personally found Turtle Beach to be most exciting is on the higher-end, where the firm has a tendency to really push the envelope with regards to functionality and value.
The Stealth Pro II absolutely encompasses that. Yes, it isn't cheap, but it comes in at a comparable price to lifestyle Bluetooth headsets that offer far less functionality and features, often with subpar durability and audio.
With the Stealth Pro II, I'm sitting here well and truly asking myself if this headset isn't just a competitor in the gaming space, but also the general everyday lifestyle space. With a subtle and stylish design, obscene amounts of functionality, and absolutely crystalline audio — the Stealth Pro II could be (should be) your next Xbox / PC gaming headset pick.
The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II headset is a monster on paper, boasting an impressive array of features, functions, and premium-end specs.
Here's an overview of what you can expect to get out of the box.
Category | Specification |
|---|---|
Drivers | 60mm Eclipse™ Dual Drivers (separate woofers + tweeters) |
Frequency Response | 10Hz – 40kHz |
Wireless Audio Quality | Hi‑Res 24‑bit / 96kHz over 2.4GHz; LC3plus & LDAC |
Wireless Connectivity | 2.4GHz USB wireless + Bluetooth 5.3 (dual‑audio) |
Active Noise Cancellation | Advanced ANC with four internal mics |
Microphone (Boom) | 9mm floating shock‑mount, unidirectional, flip‑to‑mute, AI noise reduction |
Internal Mics | Integrated beamforming microphones |
Microphone Frequency Response | 100Hz – 16kHz |
Battery System | Dual swappable Li‑Polymer packs, 40 hours each (80h rotation) |
Charging | Transmitter dock + USB‑C cable |
Design & Build | Anodized aluminum frame, chrome accents, soft‑touch surfaces, diamond‑cut controls, dual‑layer memory‑foam cushions with athletic fabric, mesh suspension headband |
Form Factor | Over‑ear |
App Support | Swarm II app with 10‑band EQ, mic tuning, noise gate, presets |
Audio Presets | Bass Boost, Signature Sound, Treble Boost, Vocal Boost |
Compatibility (Xbox / PC Version) | Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Bluetooth mobile devices. Additional USB transmitters for PlayStation / Nintendo sold separately. |
Included Accessories | Hard‑shell case, transmitter dock, USB wireless transmitter, USB‑C cable, two batteries |
Price | £299.99 / $349.99 / €349.99 |
At $349.99, it's not exactly what I'd call cheap, but that seems to have become the standard for headsets that are really pushing the bar when it comes to premium audio and "do everything" specs.
You can swap between two 40-hour batteries, with one permanently charged and ready to go in the transmitter dock. It comes with an additional USB transmitter for PC, with the main charge dock functioning as the radio for Xbox. It also sports Bluetooth 5.3 audio with LDAC, with simultaneous mixing with a USB sound source. It grabs the Hi-Res certification that has become all the rage lately, and boasts a massive speaker upgrade over the previous gen, with dual 60mm drivers and a huge frequency spectrum from 10Hz to 40kHz.
What's it like to actually use, though?
I think this is quite easily Turtle Beach's most attractive headset design. The Stealth Pro of yesteryear was fantastic, but it was still quite bulky in that typical "gamer" way, designed for isolation rather than fashion. Somehow, the 'Beach has managed to thread both needles with a single line here. Absolutely stunning engineering and design here.
The brushed metal speaker plates look great on the outside, and there remains a very subtle Turtle Beach imprint that stays out of the way and won't cramp anyone's style. The speakers are accented with the same metallic trims, and the headband connects with these bending connectors that look very futuristic.
The microphone is simultaneously flip-to-mute and detachable, allowing you to go fully wireless. It has internal microphones as well for taking calls on the go without using the full mic boom.
The tapered cans reduce the visible footprint of the headset, which I feel reduces its visible "bulk" over some of Turtle Beach's previous attempts at a headset like this. And this is without compromising on speaker size or features. The 60mm drivers are a noticeable upgrade over the previous model, with separated tweeters and woofers.
On comfort, this is the only part where I think more attention could've been paid. The headband is made of this odd nylon mesh which, while looking pretty, is actually quite tight and uncomfortable over longer sessions. I imagine it's something one could get used to, but it seems like an odd oversight given how painstaking the rest of the design work is. The mesh is also great at trapping dust and is a bit difficult to clean effectively. Additionally, it doesn't seem to be replaceable ... so if you rip it somehow, you're kind of screwed.
I'm also not a huge fan of the fabric material used on the cushions. While it is comfortable, Turtle Beach's previous materials felt a little smoother on the skin. I am someone who vastly prefers leatherette over fabric, though, so take that as you will.
Where this headset absolutely dominates is audio. This is by a country mile the best-sounding headset Turtle Beach has ever produced. As I write this, I'm listening to Tool at maximum volume and enjoying my very own personal concert in an absolutely vast virtual soundscape with impressive separation, thundering, warm bass, and enjoying distortion-free treble, mids, and highs.
The intros on songs I've been intimately acquainted with for decades come through with details I've not experienced prior. Regardless of what I threw at it, from thundering double bass-peddle metal tracks to haunting electronica, it has been a really really fun time testing this headset out. For music and cinematic delivery, this headset is goosebumps-inducingly good, truly ethereal, regardless of genre. For lifestyle and daily mobile use, it also rocks up with active noise canceling, which is very good too. I put it through its paces with noisy fans and my air filter on maximum settings, and felt myself fully isolated with my Spotify playlist.
But what about gaming?
You can indeed expect a similarly amazing experience in games, too. Rocking up with Overwatch and the review build of Halo Campaign Evolved was as immersive as you might expect. Halo's intro music somehow never fails to enchant, and it's only elevated with a good sound system like these.
Where things get even more impressive, particularly in competitive play, is with Turtle Beach's famed SuperHuman Hearing.
Using the bundled Swarm II app, you can set it to focus either on footsteps or gunshots; there's also a legacy setting for those who prefer the old-school profile. SuperHuman Hearing does negatively impact the "cinematic" feel of games, creating an unnatural soundscape — but that's entirely the point. It's supposed to look for and emphasize sound cues that will give you a tactical advantage. And it does work. Games that are already designed with tactical sound design have always worked well with Turtle Beach's SuperHuman Hearing system, but with this headset it hits another level. If Battlefield 6 or Overwatch were Olympic sports, this headset would probably get you banned for cheating.
Another part of this headset that's utterly impressive is the microphone. It's detachable and sports flip-to-mute capabilities as mentioned, but it also has a miniature shock protector, which I've simply never seen before in a gaming headset.
Above is an audio sample with the headset's AI-powered noise cancellation feature turned on. In the first half, you can hear my voice come through clearly despite having a fan blowing directly on the mic, which is impressive. It sounds a lot better without the fan on, of course, but the clarity is rock solid for gaming comms.
I think I'd even be comfortable dropping my XLR mic and using this headset for actual game streaming, which is not something I find myself saying often these days. Turtle Beach really nailed it across the board when it comes to audio here.
I absolutely adore this headset. The sound is a true pleasure, and it's always a joy when a headset like this delivers so much. It makes the review process fun, as I have an excuse to listen to several albums and play several games as part of my "extensive" testing process ...
I was a bit disappointed with the headband and materials on the earcups. I'm also a bit disappointed that Turtle Beach still can't seem to nail dual-USB sound source mixing, although I admit the requirement for that is pretty niche, and not something 99% of people will actually use. Being able to mix Bluetooth in simultaneously with your Xbox or PC is a nice consolation, though.
Where this headset just shines above all is the sound delivery. The soundscape is incredibly immersive for its category, and the microphone is also a cut above what I'd typically expect from a gaming headset.
At this price point, there aren't really a ton of competitors out there worth considering in this range. I absolutely don't think you'll be disappointed with this if you're a dedicated Xbox and PC gamer who wants a bit of Bluetooth and music capabilities on the side. This is an immaculate "do everything" headset that definitely feels worth the price of admission for me.
The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II is an absolutely stunning headset that sports arguably some of the best audio reproduction I've experienced in such a fully-featured gaming headset.
See at: Amazon
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Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II, headset photographs
Turtle Beach has another banger on its hands.
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