I’m using my phone way less, and it’s making me happier

9to5google.com Jul 25, 2026

I’m using my phone way less, and it’s making me happier

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Jul 25, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Tech journalist admits his smartphone addiction and details a self‑imposed digital detox that has improved his mood and health. After reviewing his Pixel 10 Pro Fold, he discovered an alarming screen‑on time and traced the habit to habitual Twitter scrolling, which intensified after Elon Musk’s takeover. He deleted his Twitter account, then migrated to Threads, Instagram and Bluesky, only to find the same pattern repeat. Frustrated with ineffective Android Digital Wellbeing limits, he locked social apps to a PC browser, making access cumbersome and reducing usage. Months later, he recognized a new dependence on Reddit, prompting another round of restriction. He now replaces phone checks with alternative activities and even avoids taking the device into the bathroom during his daily routine often.

💡 Why It Matters

· Adding friction to app access forces even the most connected users to rethink compulsive scrolling, turning a habit into a conscious choice.
· His shift demonstrates that personal wellbeing can be reclaimed without abandoning essential mobile functions.

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The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is Samsung preparing for battle, but is…

Samsung unveiled its Galaxy Z Fold 8 series at the Unpacked keynote, introducing a new “standard” foldable shape alongside an “Ultra” variant, while also announcing the Flip 8, Watch 9, Watch Ultra 2 and Android 17 updates. The launch arrives as Apple prepares its first foldable iPhone, intensifying competition in a market Samsung has dominated for seven years. Samsung’s branding emphasizes the new form factor as the “right” choice, effectively rewriting its own product hierarchy. Critics note the rapid stagnation of foldable designs after only a few generations and question whether Samsung’s strategy is reactive rather than innovative. Pre‑orders for the Fold 8 are open, and a detailed review is pending.

💡 Apple’s entry could validate foldables for mainstream consumers, forcing Samsung to prove its lead isn’t just legacy advantage.

notebookcheck.net · Jul 25

Vivo X500 Pro to feature square front camera while Vivo X Fold…

Leaked information suggests Vivo’s upcoming X500 series—including the X500, X500 Pro and X500 Pro Max—may sport a 68‑megapixel Sony front‑camera sensor, a significant jump from Apple’s 18‑megapixel octagonal module on the iPhone 17. The rumor, posted on Weibo by Digital Chat Station, follows earlier reports of a 100‑megapixel front sensor in the Oppo Find X10 series and precedes expected September launches. Prototypes have not been confirmed for mass production, leaving specifications subject to change. Samsung’s Galaxy S27 Pro and Ultra are also rumored to receive upgraded front cameras, though the shape of those sensors remains unclear. Meanwhile, Vivo appears to reject the emerging “wide‑foldable” design trend, with the X Fold 7 likely retaining its current form factor despite competitors like Samsung, Xiaomi, Honor and Oppo exploring broader foldable formats.

💡 By pushing front‑camera resolution well beyond Apple’s standard, Vivo aims to redefine selfie quality and set a new benchmark for premium smartphones. Its decision to stick with the existing foldable shape signals a strategic bet on proven design over speculative market shifts.

us.headtopics.com · Jul 25

Google Confirms Price Increases for Pixel 11 Series Due to Memory Crisis

Google confirmed that the upcoming Pixel 11 lineup will see price hikes because of an unprecedented supplier‑driven memory shortage. Vice President of Devices and Services Shakil Barkat told 9to5Google that RAM costs have surged from $2.80 per gigabyte in 2025 to $12 this year, according to Morgan Stanley data, forcing Google to pass the expense to consumers. The company has absorbed the higher component costs for as long as possible but will adjust prices across the Pixel family at its August 12 event. Leaked figures suggest the Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro could start about $100 above their predecessors, with base storage moving from 128 GB to 256 GB and the Pro XL and Pro Fold seeing similar increases. The entry‑level Pro may also drop from 16 GB to 12 GB of RAM as Google seeks to curb component spend.

💡 The price jump underscores how global chip shortages can directly reshape consumer pricing, testing Google’s ability to keep Android devices competitively affordable.

tomsguide.com · Jul 25

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra, and Flip 8 battery…

Samsung’s latest foldables—Galaxy Z Flip 8, Z Fold 8, and Z Fold 8 Ultra—feature silicon‑carbon batteries that boost capacity without adding bulk. In lab tests, the Flip 8 achieved 12 hours 50 minutes on a 4,300 mAh cell, a 3.5 % improvement over the Flip 7, while the Fold 8 ran 12 hours 20 minutes on 8,800 mAh and the Fold 8 Ultra delivered 14 hours 9 minutes on 5,000 mAh. The devices pair these batteries with the power‑efficient Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, aiming for some of the longest‑lasting foldables yet. Motorola’s Razr Ultra still tops the flip segment with 16 hours 20 minutes.

💡 Samsung’s silicon‑carbon approach signals a shift toward lighter, higher‑capacity batteries, potentially redefining endurance expectations for foldable smartphones.

9to5google.com · Jul 25

Google Maps rolling out Immersive Navigation, speedometer in Android Auto to more…

Google Maps is expanding Immersive Navigation and adding a live speedometer to Android Auto for more users. Immersive Navigation, called the biggest Maps update in years, provides richer map visuals and more detailed turn‑by‑turn guidance. After a limited beta release earlier this year, it began appearing for a small fraction of users; recent reports show it now reaches a larger, though still region‑ and device‑dependent, audience. The rollout occurs on the stable app, not just beta builds, marked by the new Gemini icon replacing the Assistant icon in the top‑right corner. At the same time, Android Auto users are receiving a live speedometer that shows real‑time vehicle speed, separate from speed‑limit warnings, delivered via a server‑side update that bypasses beta enrollment.

💡 By delivering richer navigation cues and real‑time speed data without requiring beta enrollment, Google pushes a more advanced, universally accessible driving experience that could set new expectations for in‑car mapping services.

androidcentral.com · Jul 25

New cameras and battery tech could make the Galaxy S27, S27 Plus…

Rumors emerging this week suggest Samsung is testing Sony’s 50‑megapixel sensor for the upcoming Galaxy S27 and S27 Plus, potentially replacing its in‑house ISOCELL units. The leak, traced to Galaxy Club and an unnamed source, indicates the sensor is still in trial phases and may only reach production if tests succeed. Concurrently, tipster Lanzuk on Naver reports that silicon‑carbon battery technology, recently deployed in Samsung’s 2026 foldables, is undergoing application testing for the S27 line, though capacity figures remain unchanged. Samsung’s recent Galaxy Unpacked event highlighted other flagship upgrades, and analysts note the company may expand its S‑series portfolio to include a “Pro” model with advanced camera hardware. These developments hint at a strategic shift in Samsung’s component sourcing and power‑management approach for its next flagship generation.

💡 A Sony sensor could boost Samsung’s photo quality while diversifying its supply chain, and silicon‑carbon batteries promise faster charging and longer life, narrowing the gap with rivals.