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Phones, watches, glasses and earbuds: what’s new and what’s worth it.

PhonesOfficial

$229.99: Amazon's new Alexa Tablets replace Fire tablets, with Google Play

Three aluminum tablets with Alexa+ built in can be bought now and ship October 14 in the US, Canada and Mexico.

Why it matters. Amazon's tablets now run the full Google Play Store, so the usual apps work. That was the big gap in older Fire tablets.

In simple words. Amazon has new tablets called Alexa Tablets. They replace the Fire tablets and can use the Google Play app store. Prices start at $229.99, and they ship on October 14.

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Wait: read reviews before ordering; shipping starts October 14.

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Phones🇨🇳 From ChinaConfirmed

CNY 6,499: Honor Magic9 Pro Max launches with an 8,800mAh battery

Honor's new flagship has two 200MP cameras and ARRI video tools. It costs CNY 6,499 in China (about $970), and Honor says the UK and France get it in January.

Why it matters. Honor plans to sell the Magic9 series in the UK and France, so this phone may reach many more readers soon.

In simple words. Honor made a new top phone with a very big battery and two very sharp cameras. You can buy it in China now. Honor says people in the UK and France can buy it in January.

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Watch: an 8,800mAh battery shows how big phone batteries are getting.

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Phones: top picks right now

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Best camera phone
Galaxy S26 Ultra$1,399

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy · 6.9in AMOLED, 120Hz, Privacy Display · 7y updates

GoodBest Android screen and zoom, plus a built-in privacy mode.

Watch outBattery size is unchanged for years; price now $1,399.

Best battery
Redmi K100 Pro$550

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 V Series · 6.59in AMOLED, 185Hz, 4,500 nits peak

GoodFlagship-class chip, 8,580mAh battery and 185Hz screen at a mid-range price.

Watch outLaunched in China; check local versions and prices before buying.

Best under $500
Nothing Phone (4a) Pro$499

Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 · 6.83in AMOLED, 144Hz · 3y updates

GoodStylish mid-range phone with a real zoom camera.

Watch outOnly 3 OS updates promised.

Smartwatches: top picks right now

Compare →
Best for health tracking
Apple Watch Series 12$399

iPhone only · 1 days battery · 32.2g

GoodiPhone owners who want one watch for health, fitness and everyday apps.

Watch outIt needs charging about once a day.

Best for sports and GPS
Garmin Forerunner 970$750

iPhone and Android · 15 days battery · 56g

GoodRunners and triathletes who want deep training tools and about two weeks of battery.

Watch outIt costs more than most watches here, and smart features are simpler than on phone-style watches.

Best value
Xiaomi Smart Band 11$45

iPhone and Android · 21 days battery · 15.58g

GoodAnyone who wants a light, low-cost band with about three weeks of battery.

Watch outIt is a simple band, not a full smartwatch, and it is not sold in the US.

Phones🇨🇳 From ChinaOfficial

Huawei launches the Mate 90 series in China, starting at CNY 5,999

Five Mate 90 models run HarmonyOS 7 on new Kirin chips. The base phone costs CNY 5,999 (about $895) and the Pro Max starts at CNY 9,499.

Why it matters. It shows what Huawei's own chips and software can do in a flagship. For now, only buyers in China can get it.

In simple words. Huawei made a new family of top phones called Mate 90. They use Huawei's own chips and its own phone software. You can buy them in China now, but Huawei has not said they are coming to other countries.

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Watch: it shows how far Huawei's own chips and software have come.

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WearablesReport

Norway proposes a temporary ban on smart glasses in selected public places

The government wants AI glasses banned for now in places like schools, parks, beaches and malls. Parliament still has to approve it.

Why it matters. It is a rare government move against camera glasses. It could set a pattern for other countries as Meta and Google push new models.

In simple words. Norway wants to ban smart glasses with cameras for a while in places like schools, parks, beaches and malls. Parliament still has to say yes. The idea is to give time to study the issue and talk about it.

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Watch: privacy fears around camera glasses are now reaching law.

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WearablesConfirmed

Xreal opens Aura preorders at $1,279, undercutting Meta's VR Glasses by $20

Xreal's Android XR glasses with see-through lenses cost $1,279 for 12GB/256GB. A 16GB/512GB model is $1,499, but only the first 2,000 units ship this year.

Why it matters. It is the first Android XR glasses with a clear lens and a price. It competes head-on with Meta's VR Glasses, but supply looks small at first.

In simple words. Xreal opened preorders for Aura, smart glasses with clear lenses, from $1,279. They are meant to compete with Meta's new glasses. Only 2,000 pairs will be ready this year, so wait for reviews and for orders to open to everyone.

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Watch: it shows where see-through glasses are heading.

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PhonesReport

Some iPhone 18 Pro Burgundy phones are reported to fade in color

Early buyers posted photos on Reddit of Burgundy units turning pale, GSMArena reports. Apple has not commented.

Why it matters. If you are choosing a finish, the reports are worth knowing. They are early and not confirmed by Apple.

In simple words. Some people say their Burgundy iPhone 18 Pro is fading and turning pale. These are early reports, and Apple has not answered yet. If you are choosing a color, you may want to pick another one for now.

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Watch: if you are ordering, consider another color.

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PhonesReport

One UI 9 (Android 17) now rolling out to US Galaxy S25 and Z Fold7/Flip7

Samsung's Android 17 update has started in the US for the Galaxy S25 family, Z Fold7 and Z Flip7.

Why it matters. A major software update is reaching phones bought last year, so you do not need a new phone to get it.

In simple words. Samsung started sending a big free software update to phones people bought last year, like the Galaxy S25 and some foldables. You do not need a new phone to get it. When your phone offers it, update while on Wi-Fi.

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Free upgrade: install it when your phone offers it.

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PhonesReport

Samsung raises US prices of Galaxy A17, A27, A37 and A57

GSMArena reports Samsung's four main A-series phones now cost $30 to $70 more in the US.

Why it matters. Budget phones are getting dearer too, which pushes more buyers toward older models and deals.

In simple words. Samsung raised the US prices of four of its cheaper Galaxy A phones. They now cost between $30 and $70 more. Before you pay the new price, look for store deals.

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Wait: sales on last year's A-series may be better value.

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WearablesConfirmed

DC Rainmaker: Apple Watch Series 12 is worth it for Series 9 or older

The in-depth review praises the new heart sensor and Readiness score. It also finds gaps in workout heart-rate data and single-band GPS.

Why it matters. This is the first big sensor change in years, but reviewers say upgrade value depends on which Watch you own.

In simple words. A detailed review says the new Apple Watch Series 12 is a good upgrade if you have a Series 9 or older. It has a better heart sensor and a new readiness score. If your Watch is newer, you can wait a year.

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Worth a look if your Watch is Series 9 or older.

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PhonesConfirmed

Google raises Pixel 10a price by $100 to $599

The Pixel 10a now starts at $599 in the US Google Store. It launched at $499 in March.

Why it matters. The cheap Pixel is no longer cheap. It now costs about the same as older, faster flagships on sale.

In simple words. Google raised the price of its Pixel 10a phone by $100, to $599. It was meant to be the cheap Pixel. The cause is believed to be rising memory prices, so look for deals before paying full price.

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Wait: it is a fine phone, but not a bargain at $599.

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PhonesConfirmed

Samsung raises Galaxy S26 prices by $100 in the US

Seven months after launch, the Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra each cost $100 more at Samsung.com.

Why it matters. Phones usually get cheaper after launch. These got dearer, and Apple and Google also raised prices this year.

In simple words. Samsung raised the US prices of its Galaxy S26 phones by $100 each, seven months after they came out. Phones usually get cheaper with time, not dearer. Check other stores first, because some still showed the old price.

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Wait: shop around, other stores may keep old prices for now.

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PhonesConfirmed

iPhone 18 Pro costs $100 more; reviewers see small upgrades

The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, up $100. GSMArena rates it 4.4 out of 5 but calls the update modest.

Why it matters. Apple raised prices while the phone changes little. Owners of the 17 Pro have little reason to switch.

In simple words. Apple's new iPhone 18 Pro costs $100 more than last year's and starts at $1,199. Reviewers say it is a good phone but only a small step up. If you already have last year's model, you can skip it.

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Skip: keep your phone unless the battery is worn.

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WearablesOfficial

Meta Ray-Ban Display expands to UK, Canada, Germany, France and Italy

The $799 display glasses go on sale in the UK and Canada now, with Germany, France and Italy on Oct 13. Meta also adds navigation and hologram calls.

Why it matters. Display glasses leave the US for the first time, after supply delays pushed the expansion back from early 2026.

In simple words. Meta's smart glasses with a small screen inside are now sold outside the US for the first time. The UK and Canada can buy them now, and Germany, France and Italy get them on October 13. In the US they cost $799.

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Watch: the glasses are the closest thing to a heads-up phone.

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WearablesOfficial

Meta unveils 100g VR Glasses at $1,299.99, shipping spring 2027

Meta's new tethered VR Glasses use 5K micro-OLED panels and a pocket puck that holds the chip and battery.

Why it matters. It is a lighter, cheaper rival to Apple Vision Pro. But it is six months away and needs a puck.

In simple words. Meta showed light VR glasses that cost $1,299.99. They connect by wire to a small box you keep in your pocket. They go on sale in spring 2027, so there is plenty of time to wait for reviews.

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Watch: it shows VR shrinking toward glasses size.

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