Herasight is a genetic screening company that charges $50,000 to allow hopeful parents to analyze embryos for genetic information like lifespan, height and IQ in life.
Samsung is gearing up for its next big flagship launch, and if history repeats, the Galaxy S26 series should make its debut in January. But this time, the lineup could look a bit different.
We are not just talking about the usual chip, camera, and design upgrades – Samsung might actually shake up the naming scheme and even switch up the models. So, let’s break down everything that’s been floating around about the S26 series.
A shuffle in the lineup: a new Galaxy S26 Pro model and no more Plus?
The standard Galaxy S26 might even get rebranded as the Galaxy S26 Pro, while the only name staying the same is the Galaxy S26 Ultra. In other words, Samsung’s flagship family is about to look a little different on paper, even if not in practice.
Snapdragon for some, Exynos for others
That said, not everyone will see the Exynos in their region. If you’re in the US or South Korea, expect Snapdragon-only again.
60W charging speeds? Finally might happen
Qi2 wireless charging is on the table
Wireless charging is also getting some love. Samsung is reportedly adding Qi2 support – though it’s not clear if it’ll roll out across all models. Right now, leaks suggest the S26 Edge and Ultra will at least get it.
The Edge is rumored to come with built-in magnets for full Qi2 charging, lining it up nicely against the iPhone Air and Pixel 10.
Galaxy S26 Ultra might feature a redesigned S Pen. | Image credit — Ice Universe
The Ultra itself is also said to be getting more rounded corners, so it makes sense for the pen to follow the same style.
Camera upgrades across the board
Camera-wise, we are not looking at a full overhaul, but there are still some upgrades worth noting:
The Galaxy S26 may get a refreshed camera sensor for better image quality, though megapixel counts should stay the same.
The Galaxy S26 Edge could add a 50 MP ultra-wide camera, on top of keeping its 200 MP main sensor.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to switch to a new 200 MP Sony sensor, sized at 1/1.1-inch (up from 1/1.3-inch). It’s a small jump in numbers, but in tiny smartphone camera terms, it’s a meaningful bump.
On top of that, one well-known leaker claims variable aperture could make a comeback in the Ultra.
Design tweaks coming in hot
This is how the next generation Galaxy S26 Edge might look like.
Samsung isn’t reinventing the wheel with the Galaxy S26, but there are a few design changes worth pointing out. For example, the base/Pro model might get a slimmer camera module with a new lens assembly.
But I think the Edge is the one to watch here. It could feature a wide camera island that stretches across the back, much like the latest iPhones and Pixels.
Meanwhile, the Ultra might slim down just a bit, with rumors saying it’ll be about 0.4 mm thinner than the S25 Ultra. Not a huge difference, but it seems the “thinness race” will continue next year, too. Aside from this, it may look pretty much the same as the current model.
A display that could raise the bar
Lastly, let’s talk screens. The S26 Ultra could debut the new M14 OLED panel, which is rumored to be brighter, longer-lasting, and more power-efficient. That means not just prettier visuals, but also better battery life. If true, this could end up being one of the biggest reasons to go Ultra next year.
“Iconic Phones” is coming this Fall!
Rediscover some of the most unique and memorable phones of the last two decades! “Iconic Phones” is a beautifully illustrated book that we’ve been working on for over a year – and it’s coming out in just a couple short month!
“Iconic Phones: Revolution at Your Fingertips” is a must-have coffee table book for every phone lover out there. Covering the stories of more than 20 fan-favorite phones, it takes you on a memorable journey through the technological revolution that shaped our lives. Sign up now to secure an early discount price!
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Capturing, documenting, and distributing knowledge at scale is critical to organizational success with AI. Yet our survey showed only 16% of respondents say their workflows are extremely well-documented. The top barriers to proper documentation are a lack of time, cited by 40% of respondents, and a lack of tools, cited by 30%.
The challenge of integrating new technology with old processes was perfectly illustrated in a recent meeting I had with a Fortune 500 executive. The company is pushing for significant productivity gains with AI, but it still relies on an outdated collaboration tool that was never designed for teamwork. This situation highlights the very challenge our survey uncovered: Powerful AI initiatives can stall if teams lack modern collaboration and documentation tools.
This disconnect shows that AI adoption is about more than just the technology itself. For it to truly succeed enterprise-wide, companies need to provide a unified space for teams to brainstorm, plan, document, and make decisions. The fundamentals of successful technology adoption still hold true: You need the right tools to enable collaboration and documentation for AI to truly make an impact.
Collaboration and change management are hidden blockers to AI implementation
A company’s approach to AI is perceived very differently depending on an employee’s role. While 61% of C-suite executives believe their company’s strategy is well-considered, that number drops to 49% for managers and just 36% for entry-level employees, as our survey found.
Just like with product development, building a successful AI strategy requires a structured approach. Leaders and teams need a collaborative space to come together, brainstorm, prioritize the most promising opportunities, and map out a clear path forward. As many companies have embraced hybrid or distributed work, supporting remote collaboration with digital tools becomes even more important.
We recently used AI to streamline a strategic challenge for our executive team. A product leader used it to generate a comprehensive preparatory memo in a fraction of the typical time, complete with summaries, benchmarks, and recommendations.
Despite this efficiency, the AI-generated document was merely the foundation. We still had to meet to debate the specifics, prioritize actions, assign ownership, and formally document our decisions and next steps.
According to our survey, 23% of respondents reported that collaboration is frequently a bottleneck in complex work. Employees are willing to embrace change, but friction from poor collaboration adds risk and reduces the potential impact of AI.
Released weirdly late in the US after an international announcement all the way back in March, the Galaxy A56 5G was also priced a little too high for its own good, at $499.99 and up.
Luckily (and unsurprisingly), that price point is substantially reduced stateside right now, at least for buyers of an Amazon-exclusive “Awesome Olive” model with 128GB storage. That’s a colorway you can’t even get directly from Samsung, mind you, so you’re clearly looking at a very special offer here.
Samsung Galaxy A56 5G
$75 off (15%)
Unlocked, 128GB Storage, 8GB RAM, Exynos 1580 Processor, 6.7-Inch Super AMOLED Display with 2340 x 1080 Pixel Resolution and 120Hz Refresh Rate Technology, IP67 Water and Dust Resistance, Android 15, 50 + 12 + 5MP Triple Rear-Facing Camera System, 12MP Single Front-Facing Camera, 5,000mAh Battery, 45W Charging Capabilities, Awesome Olive Color, 1-Year Manufacturer Warranty Included
Buy at Amazon
Now, I’m not going to lie to you and claim that the 5G-enabled Galaxy A56 is the cheapest Android mid-ranger available in the US all of a sudden, but Amazon’s latest $75 discount certainly makes Samsung’s 6.7-inch handset with Exynos 1580 processing power a lot more competitive against the likes of Google’s Pixel 9a and the Motorola Edge (2025).
Compared to the newest member of the Motorola Edge family, of course, the Galaxy A56 5G holds a huge advantage in its stellar long-term software support, having no less than six major OS updates guaranteed.
Compared to the Pixel 9a, that advantage disappears, but the screen is much larger, the build quality undeniably superior thanks to a glass back and aluminum frame, the charging speeds higher, the price currently lower… but the cameras not as good and the battery a little smaller.
That’s a big and sharp display… for an affordable Android mid-ranger. | Image Credit — PhoneArena
Our comprehensive Samsung Galaxy A56 5G review a little while ago labeled the overall system performance as “acceptable” and the battery life as surprisingly “decent”, but also the audio quality as “mediocre” and the camera performance as “slightly worse” than that of last year’s Galaxy A55 5G, which paints a very… mixed portrait that badly needed a hefty discount like the one currently offered by Amazon.
Could there be even better deals on the horizon? With Prime Day right around the corner, absolutely, but there are obviously no guarantees, and besides, the promotion available today doesn’t require a membership or anything else of that sort.
“Iconic Phones” is coming this Fall!
Rediscover some of the most unique and memorable phones of the last two decades! “Iconic Phones” is a beautifully illustrated book that we’ve been working on for over a year – and it’s coming out in just a couple short month!
“Iconic Phones: Revolution at Your Fingertips” is a must-have coffee table book for every phone lover out there. Covering the stories of more than 20 fan-favorite phones, it takes you on a memorable journey through the technological revolution that shaped our lives. Sign up now to secure an early discount price!
LEARN MORE AND SIGN UP FOR EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS HERE
Adrian, a mobile technology enthusiast since the Nokia 3310 era, has been a dynamic presence in the tech journalism field, contributing to Android Authority, Digital Trends, and Pocketnow before joining PhoneArena in 2018. His expertise spans across various platforms, with a particular fondness for the diversity of the Android ecosystem. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time parenthood with his work, Adrian’s passion for tech trends, running, and movies keeps him energized. His commitment to mid-range smartphones has led to an eclectic collection of devices, saved from personal bankruptcy by his preference for ‘adequate’ over ‘overpriced’.
The brand new, redesigned iPhone 17 is here, but not without a familiar hiccup. Reports from launch day suggest the darker models are easily scuffed, reviving memories of Apple’s past “Scuffgates.”
A not-so-flawless debut
It’s iPhone launch day, a time of excitement for Apple fans lining up to get their hands on the latest and greatest. This year, however, some of that excitement is being met with disappointment. Reports are flooding in from Apple stores in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and London that display models of the new iPhone 17 are already showing visible damage.
Specifically, we are talking about the deep blue variants of the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, along with the black iPhone Air, are exhibiting scuffs and scratches after just a few hours on display. This is particularly notable because this generation marks a major redesign, returning to an aluminum shell that Apple touted as having a more scratch-resistant finish. The issue quickly became a trending topic on China’s Weibo, with users on X (formerly Twitter) also posting photos of the blemishes.
Is this history repeating itself?
Demo unit iPhone 17 Pro scratches on day 1… (it’s not even 24 hours yet)
Use a case immediately if you don’t wait to experience this kind of issue. I’m very disappointed with the quality here pic.twitter.com/zRjIQrl3zA
For Apple, launch day issues can really tarnish a product’s reputation, and honestly, this isn’t their first rodeo. The situation is eerily similar to the iPhone 5’s “Scuffgate” back in 2012, which also involved easily scratched dark aluminum models. We’ve also seen “Bendgate” with the thin iPhone 6 and antenna issues with the iPhone 4.
In comparison, Samsung also markets the durability of its Galaxy S25 Ultra — using materials like a titanium frame and Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass — but still dealing with similar reports of the paint chipping off in some models. Last year’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 models had similar issues as well, even when the finish was titanium instead of aluminum.
However, while no phone is scratch-proof, when Apple claims that its new phones have a more resistant finish, people pay attention and the claim is immediately put under a microscope. This news matters most to early adopters and anyone with their heart set on the sleek new deep blue or black models. You might have to choose between showing off the new design and keeping it pristine.
Scuffgate 2.0?
Although slightly disappointing, this situation isn’t entirely surprising, as dark, anodized aluminum is notoriously prone to showing scuffs. Still, for those that purchased a darker colored iPhone this year, it’s looking like applying a protective case or maybe even a skin, might be the sensible thing to do.
“Iconic Phones” is coming this Fall!
Rediscover some of the most unique and memorable phones of the last two decades! “Iconic Phones” is a beautifully illustrated book that we’ve been working on for over a year – and it’s coming out in just a couple short month!
“Iconic Phones: Revolution at Your Fingertips” is a must-have coffee table book for every phone lover out there. Covering the stories of more than 20 fan-favorite phones, it takes you on a memorable journey through the technological revolution that shaped our lives. Sign up now to secure an early discount price!
LEARN MORE AND SIGN UP FOR EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS HERE
—Matthew Raine, whose 16-year old son Adam died by suicide after repeatedly sharing his intentions with ChatGPT, gives evidence to a Senate Judiciary subcommittee investigating chatbot dangers, the Washington Post reports.
One more thing
AI is coming for music, too
While large language models that generate text have exploded in the last three years, a different type of AI, based on what are called diffusion models, is having an unprecedented impact on creative domains.
By transforming random noise into coherent patterns, diffusion models can generate new images, videos, or speech, guided by text prompts or other input data. The best ones can create outputs indistinguishable from the work of people
Now these models are marching into a creative field that is arguably more vulnerable to disruption than any other: music. Read the full story.
—James O’Donnell
We can still have nice things
A place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line or skeet ’em at me.)
+ Food, in all shapes and forms, is bigger than ever. So why aren’t we watching cooking shows any more? + Kate Bush’s Hounds of Love turns 40 this year, but still sounds as fresh as ever. + Here’s how to maximize your chances of booking a bargain flight. + Robert Redford, you were one of a kind.
The iPhone Air doesn’t just take on its Samsung nemesis – the Galaxy S25 Edge – it outclasses it in two (or three) crucial ways. Apple made it both slimmer and cheaper, while still packing in its most advanced processor (we’re eager to test the A19 Pro against the Snapdragon 8 Elite). That combination of sleek design and flagship performance gives the new model a real shot at breakout success.
A whole new phone!
Image by Apple
Tim Cook took us by the hand on a magic carpet ride and got us singing “A whole new phone!” In a year when many expected only small, predictable upgrades, this balance of design and power feels like a deliberate push to reignite excitement around the iPhone lineup.
By undercutting Samsung on price and beating it on thinness, Apple has positioned the Air as more than just another mid-tier option. It is being framed as the sleekest iPhone yet, one that challenges the idea that a cheaper phone has to compromise on cutting-edge performance. Those twin advantages could give Apple exactly the spark it needs heading into the most competitive stretch of the smartphone calendar.
Apple introduced the iPhone Air as its slimmest handset ever, measuring just 5.6 millimeters, slightly thinner than Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge at 5.8 millimeters. The pricing also delivers a direct challenge, coming in $100 below Samsung’s launch price: $999 vs $1,099.
Great expectations
Image by Apple
Analysts believe this gives Apple an opening to win over cost-conscious buyers, especially since the Air effectively takes the place of the iPhone Plus, which already made up a steady share of Apple’s shipments. On the inside, it runs the A19 Pro processor, a chip built to handle artificial intelligence tasks, while its titanium frame and ceramic shield glass were highlighted for added durability.
I heard loud claps the moment it [the iPhone Air] was announced.
– Gaurav Chaudhary, a YouTuber known as “Technical Guruji”, for Reuters, September 2025
The reception at Apple’s Cupertino event was unusually lively, with applause breaking out the moment the Air was unveiled. Observers such as tech creators who attended in person described the device as strikingly thin and polished, even after months of leaks hinting at its design.
Yet for all its polish, the iPhone Air comes with trade-offs. The slimmer build means the battery is smaller, and Apple’s assurance of all-day life will need to be proven under real-world conditions. This is a real concern.
There is also the matter of optics: the Air carries only a single rear camera, a step back compared to the dual-camera setup of the regular iPhone 17 and the triple-lens systems on the Pro models.
These decisions make efficiency and software optimization critical, and Apple will be leaning heavily on its custom chip design to convince buyers that performance and longevity have not been sacrificed in the pursuit of thinness.
A potential hit
Even with those questions, many analysts see the iPhone Air as a potential bestseller.
The combination of design novelty and a lower price point could encourage upgrades from long-time iPhone owners, while also helping Apple regain momentum in markets like China, where slimmer phones from local rivals have gained ground.
Commentators noted that the Air feels reminiscent of the original MacBook Air reveal, which set a new standard for portability and engineering. In the same way, this phone could mark a reinvention moment for Apple – and Apple needs such a moment so badly.
“Iconic Phones” is coming this Fall!
Rediscover some of the most unique and memorable phones of the last two decades! “Iconic Phones” is a beautifully illustrated book that we’ve been working on for over a year – and it’s coming out in just a couple short month!
“Iconic Phones: Revolution at Your Fingertips” is a must-have coffee table book for every phone lover out there. Covering the stories of more than 20 fan-favorite phones, it takes you on a memorable journey through the technological revolution that shaped our lives. Sign up now to secure an early discount price!
LEARN MORE AND SIGN UP FOR EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS HERE
Since 2016, when Nike introduced the Vaporfly, a paradigm-shifting shoe that helped athletes run more efficiently (and therefore faster), the elite running world has muddled through a period of soul-searching over the impact of high-tech footwear on the sport.
“Supershoes” —which combine a lightweight, energy-returning foam with a carbon-fiber plate for stiffness—have been behind every broken world record in distances from 5,000 meters to the marathon since 2020.
To some, this is a sign of progress. In much of the world, elite running lacks a widespread following. Record-breaking adds a layer of excitement. And the shoes have benefits beyond the clock: most important, they help minimize wear on the body and enable faster recovery from hard workouts and races.
Still, some argue that they’ve changed the sport too quickly. Read the full story.
—Jonathan W. Rosen
We can still have nice things
A place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line or skeet ’em at me.)
+ Happy birthday to Keanu Reeves, who turns 61 today! Here’s a compilation of his hilariously bad acting in Bram Stroker’s Dracula. + Why do some cats hate water, yet others love it? + If you fancy setting a Guinness World Record, there’s a few still up for grabs. + To mark world coconut day (what do you mean, you forgot?), check out these delicious-looking recipes 🥥
The murmurings of a potential delay for Google’s upcoming Pixel 10 Pro Fold have been met with a surprising level of disappointment from the tech community. While no delay is ever ideal, the collective sigh of impatience suggests that Google has finally hit a sweet spot with its foldable lineup. The very idea that waiting a little longer for this device is a source of frustration is a strong indicator that Google is, indeed, doing something right in a market that is only getting more competitive.
This later release date, if it holds true, puts Google at a strategic disadvantage, especially with Samsung’s recently launched and already popular Galaxy Z Fold 7 making waves. The foldable market is no longer a novelty but a fierce battleground for innovation, and timing is everything. A two month head start for Samsung is a significant challenge for Google to overcome.
What the Pixel 10 Pro Fold will have that its predecessor doesn’t
The anticipation for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is not without merit. Leaks and rumors paint a picture of a device that looks just about the same as its predecessor, but still packing some notable upgrades. The new foldable is expected to feature a larger 6.4 inch external display, offering a more traditional smartphone experience when closed. Internally, the device is said to be powered by Google’s new Tensor G5 chip.
While not considered a huge leap by some, this is actually a crucial development, as the G5 is rumored to be a fully custom design manufactured by TSMC on a 3nm process. This could translate to significant gains in performance and power efficiency, addressing some of the criticisms leveled at previous Tensor generations.
Other rumored upgrades include a larger 5,015 mAh battery, improved thermal management, and the inclusion of Qi2 wireless charging with a new “PixelSnap” magnetic system. These are not just incremental updates but a concerted effort by Google to build a premium, no compromise foldable.
Pixel 10 Pro Fold leaked image and render. | Image credit — Evan Blass
The competition is fierce
However, the competition is not standing still. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 has set a new benchmark for what a foldable can be. It’s lighter and thinner than its predecessor, boasts a powerful 200MP main camera, and is powered by the formidable Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor. Samsung is also leaning heavily into artificial intelligence, with a suite of features optimized for the larger foldable screen. From a hardware perspective, the Z Fold 7 is a tour de force. Google’s Pixel 10 Pro Fold will need to deliver on all its promises to compete effectively.
The broader foldable market is at an interesting inflection point. While still a niche segment, it’s a high growth, high margin area that is attracting more and more consumers. However, barriers to adoption remain. High prices and concerns about durability are the two main reasons why many people are still hesitant to switch to a foldable device.
People still want it, though
For Google to succeed, it needs to not only deliver a compelling product but also convince mainstream consumers that the benefits of a foldable device outweigh the risks. The positive buzz around the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and the disappointment at its potential delay, suggests that Google is on the right track.
From my perspective, the emotional response to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold‘s rumored delay is the most telling sign of Google’s progress. It’s one thing to launch a technically impressive device; it’s another to create a product that people are genuinely excited about. I’ve personally even read comments online to the tune of “I’m almost glad it’s being delayed so I have more time to save up for it.” No joke. If almost feels like the FOMO (fear or missing out) is real and yours truly is guilty of having it.
If Google can capitalize on this anticipation and deliver a device that lives up to the hype, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold could be a turning point for the company in the foldable space. The wait until October may be a little longer than we’d like, but if it results in a more polished and reliable product, it will be well worth it. The foldable race is a marathon, not a sprint, and Google seems to be hitting its stride.
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Let’s be completely honest for a second, Apple has been putting out some very muted colors on its phones for a few years. The company changed that with the Ultramarine on the iPhone 16, and will take it a step further with the iPhone 17: which has a shade of green that puts the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 to shame.A new video — with a dummy unit of the iPhone 17 in the leaked green color — shows off how Apple’s new phone compares to the iPhone 15, which had a muted green like “Teal” on the iPhone 16. The iPhone 15 looked a lot more like a “mint” color, rather than green, but the iPhone 17 will fix that.
iPhone 17 has a much more vibrant green. | Video credit — Majin Bu
Of course, the green iPhone 15 also looked quite pretty, but it also resembled white more than anything else. That’s a trap that both Apple and Samsung have often fallen into multiple times, where they dull a color so much that it’s basically just a slightly different shade of white. Fortunately, the pink and aforementioned Ultramarine color options for the iPhone 16 were much better.
In addition to this much more vibrant green, the iPhone 17 will also be available in purple, which is also much less dull than the purple on the iPhone 14 before. The iPhone 14 Pro also got a “Deep Purple” option that went too far in the opposite direction, and looked much closer to black.
Green iPhone 17 next to the green iPhone 15. | Image credit — Majin Bu
But Apple’s new phones don’t just end at new purple and green options for the base model iPhone 17. The iPhone 17 Pro is getting a new orange color that looks like a fierier version of Desert Titanium. While I’m not particularly a fan of this new color, it’s nice to see the company experimenting with its flagship phones.
Of more interest, at least to me, is the new Liquid Glass iPhone color. This will mostly be a white phone, but it will reflect differently under varying lighting conditions, according to reports. If true, then this will definitely be the most exciting option to come out this year, in my opinion.
