The Asus ROG Flow Z13 Gaming Laptop is More Powerful Than the Xbox Ally X and Only a Pound Heavier

ign.com Aug 3, 2026

The Asus ROG Flow Z13 Gaming Laptop is More Powerful Than the Xbox Ally X and Only a Pound Heavier

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Aug 3, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Best Buy is offering a discount on the Asus ROG Flow Z13, a 13.4‑inch 2‑in‑1 gaming laptop that now sells for $2,099.99 with shipping after a $1,000 price cut. The configuration includes an AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor, Radeon 8060S integrated graphics, 64 GB of LPDDR5X‑8000 MHz RAM and a 1 TB SSD, all housed in an aluminum chassis with Gorilla Glass protection. Weighing 2.65 lb, the device is only about one pound heavier than the Xbox Ally X handheld, yet its Radeon 8060S delivers performance comparable to a discrete RTX 5060 mobile GPU and surpasses the Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU found in handhelds. The RAM is soldered, preventing upgrades, but the deal provides double the memory of a test unit for a lower price.

💡 Why It Matters

· It shows a high‑end, tablet‑sized PC can outclass dedicated handhelds, redefining performance expectations for ultra‑portable gaming.

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Yet another price rise: AMD will reportedly raise its graphics card and…

AMD announced a price increase of at least 10 percent on all its graphics cards and memory products, effective from early August, following Nvidia’s earlier hike. The move, revealed by industry analyst Harukaze5719 via PC Gamer, was timed to avoid losing competitiveness amid high demand from AI data centers and existing inventory pressures. AMD’s adjustment mirrors Nvidia’s 20‑30 percent rise, reflecting broader supply constraints that also affect console pricing.

💡 The synchronized price hikes signal a tightening supply chain that could squeeze consumer budgets and accelerate the shift toward higher‑end hardware. This trend may reshape market dynamics, pushing manufacturers to rethink pricing strategies and inventory management.

9to5google.com · Aug 3

OnePlus 15 and more have fully sold out in the US following…

OnePlus officially shut down its U.S. operations, ending new product releases and restocks. The company’s July announcement halted sales in major markets, yet existing devices remained available for a brief period. By early August, the OnePlus 15, 15R, Pad Go 2, Watch 4, and most other models were sold out on OnePlus.com, with only the Buds Pro 3 and Nord Buds 3 Pro still listed. Amazon and Best Buy have largely depleted remaining inventory, marking the brand’s final exit from the U.S. market.

💡 The disappearance of OnePlus from the U.S. shelves signals a shift in the competitive smartphone landscape, leaving consumers and retailers to adjust to the absence of a once‑promising mid‑tier brand.

9to5google.com · Aug 3

Samsung says Galaxy Z Fold 8’s new shape exists because ‘one size…

Samsung’s Executive Vice President Hubert Lee explained the rationale behind the Galaxy Z Fold 8’s new shape, emphasizing that foldables must cater to diverse user needs rather than a single “one‑size‑fits‑all” design. Lee highlighted the Fold 8’s passport‑like form, designed for single‑hand use and quick readability, and noted the company’s expanded Z series to address varying priorities such as productivity and portability. He also discussed the color strategy, with violet and lavender hues for the Fold 8 and pink for the Flip 8, and touched on the Galaxy Watch 9’s “cushion” design and new air‑pocket band technology.

💡 Samsung’s shift signals a strategic pivot toward modular foldable experiences, potentially reshaping consumer expectations and competitive dynamics in the high‑end smartphone market.

ign.com · Aug 3

Bluetti’s Popular AC70 768Wh 1,000W LiFePO4 Power Station With 5 Year Warranty…

Bluetti’s AC70 portable power station, a 768 Wh LiFePO4 unit rated at 1 000 W continuous output, is now listed on the brand’s AliExpress store for $220.43 with a $35 coupon, a price roughly 40 % lower than the $450 Amazon listing. The device ships free from the United States and arrives within one to two weeks, covered by Bluetti’s five‑year warranty. Weighing 22.5 lb, the AC70 offers two 120 V AC outlets (1 000 W each, 2 000 W surge), dual 100 W USB‑C, two 12 W USB‑A and a 12 V/10 A DC port, and can be recharged via AC, solar or hybrid input, reaching 80 % capacity in about 45 minutes. Its LiFePO4 chemistry provides safer operation and longer cycle life than typical NCM cells, and the unit integrates app control for monitoring.

💡 The steep discount puts a high‑capacity, long‑life LiFePO4 backup solution within reach of budget‑conscious consumers, likely spurring wider adoption of safer, portable energy storage for home and outdoor use.

appleinsider.com · Aug 3

Google Health now shares Fitbit workouts with Apple Health

Google Health version 5.05, released Monday, adds two‑way syncing with Apple Health, allowing data from Fitbit devices and other metrics to appear in the iPhone’s Health app without third‑party tools. The update overturns the earlier one‑way limitation that let Google Health import but not export Apple Health data. Users can now share exercise logs, sleep records, vitals, step counts and other Fitbit‑collected information from Google Health to Apple Health. The rollout also introduces Smart Health Links, a feature for sending medical records to providers or family, plus general stability fixes. Google Health, a free iOS app that replaced the Fitbit app in May, remains 542 MB in size, while Fitbit Premium subscriptions continue at $9.99 monthly or $79.99 annually for users.

💡 Closing the data gap lets users consolidate fitness and health metrics in a single dashboard, streamlining personal wellness management.

9to5mac.com · Aug 3

Here’s why Apple Upgrade requires AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon for iPhone

Apple’s Upgrade leasing program mandates that customers connect a newly leased iPhone to AT&T, T‑Mobile, or Verizon at enrollment. A former Apple carrier‑team employee, speaking to John Gruber of Daring Fireball, explained that the clause is a concession tied to “hundreds of millions of dollars” in deals Apple negotiates with those three U.S. carriers. In exchange for the financing support, Apple grants the carriers prominent branding and exclusive placement, while using the requirement to curb fraud that surged when carrier financing began in Apple stores. Although the device must be activated on a Tier 1 carrier, Apple assures users the iPhone remains unlocked and can be switched to any carrier later, subject to that carrier’s terms.

💡 The stipulation reveals how Apple leverages its hardware to lock in lucrative carrier partnerships, turning device leasing into a strategic revenue‑sharing tool.