Samsung could soon challenge Apple, Sony, and Bose with its Galaxy Studio headphones

What you need to know

• Samsung is reportedly developing its first Galaxy-branded over-ear headphones, which could launch as Galaxy Studio.
• The leak comes from evowizz, who previously revealed Samsung's Galaxy Buds On before their official launch.
• Samsung hasn't confirmed a launch date, although its rumored November Galaxy Glasses event could be a possibility.

Samsung could soon have a challenger to Apple's AirPods Max and Sony's flagship over-ear headphones, with the company reportedly working on a new pair called Galaxy Studio.

For years, brands like Sony, Apple, Bose, and Sennheiser have dominated the premium over-ear headphone market in the U.S. But it looks like another major brand could be joining the competition very soon. According to a new leak, Samsung is developing its own pair of over-ear headphones to complement the Galaxy Buds lineup, and they could be called Galaxy Studio.

As spotted by 9to5Google, leaker evowizz on X has shared that Samsung's upcoming over-ear headphones will carry the Galaxy Studio branding. Interestingly, this is the same leaker who first revealed details about Samsung's open-ear earbuds, which officially launched earlier this month as the Galaxy Buds On. And now, the leaker has shared the name of Samsung's next audio product as well.

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

There isn't much information about the Galaxy Studio headphones just yet. We don't know what they'll look like, what features they'll offer, or how Samsung plans to position them against premium headphones like the AirPods Max and Sony's WH-1000X series.

There's also no word on when Samsung plans to launch the Galaxy Studio. However, with the name now reportedly surfacing, there's a chance we could start hearing more about the headphones over the coming weeks.

Samsung still has a few major products left to unveil this year. The company is reportedly preparing to launch its first Galaxy Glasses powered by Android XR sometime in November, and it's possible Samsung could use the same event to introduce its new over-ear headphones as well.

Of course, that's just speculation for now, and Samsung hasn't officially confirmed the Galaxy Studio headphones. But it'll be interesting to see what the company comes up with, especially considering how competitive the premium headphone market already is. We'll update this article as more details about the Galaxy Studio emerge.

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The Amazon Alexa Tablet series runs Android, and turns into a 'sanctuary' for Kindle readers

What you need to know

• Amazon announced its Alexa Tablet series, consisting of the Tablet 12 Pro, Tablet 11, and Tablet 8.
• The Alexa Tablet 12 Pro sits at the top with a 12-inch display, quad Dolby Atmos speakers, multitasking capabilities (keyboard, stylus), and vibrant and Nanomatte display variants.
• Amazon states the Tablet 11 and 8 focus on entertainment and reading comfort, respectively.
• The Tablet 12 Pro starts at $499 for its vibrant display and $549 for its Nanomatte display variant—Tablet 11 begins at $329.99; Tablet 8 starts at $229.99.

Amazon announced a new direction for its tablets this morning (Oct. 8), introducing a trio of Android-based Alexa Tablets.

Amazon News revealed the Alexa Tablet line, which consists of the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, Tablet 11, and Tablet 8. For context, the numbers refer to each tablet's display size (and its capabilities). Equipped with a 6.5mm aluminum body, the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro features a 12-inch display (120Hz refresh rate) and a 3:2 aspect ratio. However, Amazon states the 12 Pro offers two display variations: vibrant and Nanomatte.

To achieve this, the company states it partnered with Corning to create a Nanomatte display that retains the sharpness and clarity you'd find on a standard, vibrant screen. The Nanomatte display was "precision-etched" with anti-glare technology to make it easy to use outdoors.

Amazon also hyped up the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro's 4nm 8-core chip, which is reportedly "nearly three times faster processing and nine times faster graphics than any tablet we’ve ever shipped." The post highlights the tablet's following capabilities: graphics-intensive gaming, 4K streaming, quad Dolby Atmos speakers, and up to 16 hours of video playback. What's more, this wouldn't be an "Alexa Tablet" if Alexa were missing. Amazon states the 12 Pro features Alexa Plus in every facet.

Users can call her forward with "Hey Alexa," or they can tap the "Ask Alexa" button. The AI will mimic the assistant you'd find in other products. The AI can help with smart home controls, answer questions, and more. Additionally, On-Screen Intelligence lets users bring Alexa Plus into their activities. You can share your screen with the AI for greater assistance and "more natural" conversations.

(Image credit: Amazon)

Kindle remains close to Amazon's latest tablet series. According to the company, users can "open a book in the Kindle app, and the device transforms into a distraction-free reading sanctuary." To that effect, the Tablet 12 Pro will silence your notifications and reduce its blue light, which will extend its battery life to ~20 hours.

For longer reading sessions, there's a soft paper tone option, as well as "pure grayscale" and "subtle warmth."

Elsewhere, the Amazon Tablet 12 Pro will launch with two accessories: the Tablet Pro Pen and the Tablet Pro Keyboard.

The Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro is available in Graphite with 8/128GB (RAM/storage). Users can pick up the device starting at $499 or $549 for its Nanomatte display variant.

Tablet 11 & 8... and more for kids

(Image credit: Amazon)

The Alexa Tablet 11 and 8 feature the same thin aluminum body as the 12 Pro. However, the former delivers an 11-inch display, while the latter offers an 8-inch screen.

These tablets fulfill a specific purpose. Amazon states the Alexa Tablet 11 focuses more on the cinematic appeal of watching shows, movies, or playing games. This tablet is equipped with a 90Hz refresh rate and a 16:10 cinematic aspect ratio with dual Dolby Atmos speakers. Consumers will find 15 hours of video playback and the same Alexa Plus integration as the Pro model.

The Tablet 11 is available in Graphite, Amethyst, and Matcha with an 8/64GB configuration for $329.99.

The Amazon Alexa Tablet 8 settles for the eReader crowd. With its smaller build, Amazon is pushing its reading comfort and 14 hours of video playback. Consumers will find the Tablet 8 for $229.99 with a 4/64GB configuration. The device is offered in Graphite, Rosette, and Teal.

Amazon kept the announcement going with a round of Kids Tablets. Parents will find an 8.7-inch and an 11-inch tablet inside a kid-proof case. While these tablets are available today (Oct. 8), Amazon says these won't ship in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada until October 14.

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Samsung is reportedly cutting smartphone production as memory costs soar

What you need to know

• Samsung has reportedly asked suppliers to cut Q4 smartphone production by 20% to 30%.
• The cuts could drop Samsung’s total 2026 production from an expected 270 million units down closer to the early 200-million range.
• Skyrocketing smartphone DRAM prices are said to be squeezing margins, forcing Samsung to absorb higher manufacturing expenses or risk alienating buyers with steep price hikes.

Samsung looks set to do something counterintuitive in the smartphone market: make fewer phones rather than continue to make devices that barely make money.

A report from Korean outlet Money Today claims the company has asked suppliers to cut smartphone production by 20% to 30% in the fourth quarter, with rising memory costs making some models harder and harder to sell profitably.

Samsung was previously expected to produce around 270 million smartphones in 2026, but the latest cuts could push that total into the early 200-million range, the report said. Some seasonal slowdown is expected as buyers wait for the next Galaxy S series, but this year's drop is said to be significantly more than expected.

Based on the estimates from TrendForce that are cited in the report, Samsung produced around 240 million smartphones in 2025, which put it on par with Apple as the world’s biggest smartphone maker by volume. This demonstrates the scale that Samsung has been able to hold onto even as competition gets tougher.

The issue apparently has something to do with memory chips. Smartphone DRAM prices have skyrocketed, forcing manufacturers to either raise prices or take a hit on their margins.

That makes a dirty equation for Samsung. Raising phone prices too quickly risks cooling demand, while taking on the higher component costs leaves less cash on every device sold. Making millions more of them doesn’t resolve the problem of a phone making little or no profit.

For consumers it could mean fewer low-margin models, higher prices, and even more focus on Samsung’s premium Galaxy lineup.

Samsung has not officially confirmed the production cuts it is reportedly planning, so the next few months will show if the change is a temporary adjustment or a bigger shift in its smartphone strategy.

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Ultrahuman's Heart Scan for Ring PRO needs only sixty seconds for crucial insights

What you need to know

• Ultrahuman announced that it's rolling out "Heart Scan" in its app for Ring PRO users.
• Heart Scan is a 60 second scan that takes a quick snapshot of how your heart is feeling in that moment.
• Users will also find a downloadable report in the Ultrahuman Dashboard if they are a member.

Ultrahuman gets us through the midweek with an update that's all about your heart, its changes, and how you can stay informed.

A press release announced the arrival of Heart Scan in the app for Ultrahuman Ring PRO users. The company describes it as an "on-demand heart check-in." Ring PRO members can launch a 60-second Heart Scan in the app through the Ultrahuman app. The post states that the FibriCheck software helps make sense of the Heart Scan before the results appear in the Dashboard.

Ultrahuman states, "After each scan, members get a downloadable report with the pulse recording from the session, a tachogram, and a Lorenz plot of beat-to-beat timing. Members can keep the report for their own records."

The purpose of Heart Scan is to keep users informed about their health (the heart says a lot). It states that your heart can change depending on what's going on. Whether you've been working out, relaxing, or winding down from a stressful situation, Heart Scan will illuminate how your heart is feeling in that moment. Ultrahuman reminds us that the Ring PRO tracks your heart's trends: HRV (heart rate variability), resting heart rate, overnight recovery, and more.

Heart Scan is also said to work well with the Cardio Adaptability PowerPlug. This PowerPlug excels at showing how your heart's trends change over time. Heart Scan focuses on the individual moments you call it into. Each has its strengths, but the ultimate goal is to help users build better habits and understand their recovery.

Heart Scan is rolling out today (Oct. 7) in the U.S. for the Ultrahuman Ring PRO. The post states that eligible Ring PRO members can enable free scans from the Ultrahuman Dashboard.

Scan your heart

(Image credit: Ultrahuman)

Before this, Ultrahuman announced a PowerPlug with HealthEx. Available for $4.99/mo or $45.99/yr, the HealthEx PowerPlug brings your official medical records into the app. The service will leverage your medical records from every facility you've received care from in the U.S. After that, your information will be combined with Ultrahuman Ring data.

Think of your biomarkers as well for this. Whenever you schedule another doctor's visit, Ultrahuman says the PowerPlug can generate a "Visit Pack." This package is full of your medical record information and Ring data to make that visit more helpful. The direction Ultrahuman wants to go with its health technology was made evident in September. The company wants to achieve a future where human computing benefits our health.

Ultrahuman has raised $70 million toward this future from investors like Qualcomm Ventures, Labcorp, Alpha Wave, and more. The company wants to create platforms that understand the human body and deliver intel people can take action on.

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Xreal Aura official pricing revealed: Priority Deposit remains active as we look to the holidays

What you need to know

• Xreal revealed its official pricing for the Aura smart glasses, stating the device will begin at $1,279 for its 12/256GB variant.
• The model also features a 16/512GB version for $1,499, and Xreal adds that Founder Priority Pass holders are eligible for a "numbered" Founder's Edition if their purchase is completed before October 17.
• Xreal plans for the Aura to begin shipping before the holidays.

The Xreal Aura smart glasses finally have an official price to go with all the hype and information we've been collecting for months.

This morning (Oct. 7), Xreal announced the official pricing for its (Project) Aura smart glasses. According to the company, the Aura will start at $1,279. This price will be paired with the device's 12/256GB (RAM/storage) configuration. The Xreal Aura is also offered in a 16/512GB variant, which starts at $1,499.

Xreal started a paid reservation program back in June. The company has shared an update for anyone who put in their early deposit. Xreal states consumers who've "made a paid reservation" can complete their purchase to "secure priority fulfillment." This concerns consumers from the U.S., Canada, Japan, and Korea. The paid reservation Xreal refers to concerns the $99 Launch Credit and the $199 Founder Priority Pass holders.

If you're the latter (Founder Priority Pass), you qualify for "an individually numbered Founder's Edition" if you complete your purchase by October 17. Xreal says the Aura is preparing to ship before the holidays. The company encourages interested parties who haven't reserved their Xreal Aura to do so now. It states that the $199 Priority Deposit program is still active.

Maximum Aura

(Image credit: Xreal Global / X)

As we mentioned before, the Xreal Aura reservation program started in June. The early deposit prices were important, but Xreal also revealed some other interesting bits about the device. The company stated the Aura will feature Google's Android XR and Qualcomm's Snapdragon Reality Elite. The glasses are light, weighing in at 95g. Regarding the FOV (field of view), Xreal said the Aura delivers a 70-degree FOV that's "virtually borderless."

Xreal said it focused on making the Aura smart glasses the ideal device for gaming and entertainment. The device will support the Fox Sports app, alongside Amazon MGM Studios' Project Hail Mary: Journey Among the Stars, Fallout: Factions, and other games.

With Android XR, consumers will find the full extent of the Play Store to download mobile and tablet apps. Early news about the device's reservations proved fruitful, as Xreal's CEO, Chi Xu, said reservations surpassed 10,000 units. Two of its reservation packages sold out in the process. What's more, Chi Xu said the device's final price will be "no more than $1,500 before tax."

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The Pixel Buds Pro 2 just got a big free upgrade and a $60 price cut

Google has started rolling out a new update for the Pixel Buds that brings several new features, and at the same time, the company has slashed $60 off the Pixel Buds Pro 2's price.

Last month, Google started rolling out a feature for Pixel Buds that lets users control their earbuds' settings just by asking Gemini. While you could already ask Gemini to do things like change the volume, the new integration goes much deeper, letting you adjust the EQ, enable or disable ANC, and change other Pixel Buds settings using your voice.

Alongside that, Google has now started rolling out another sizable update for the Pixel Buds Pro, Pixel Buds Pro 2, and Pixel Buds 2a. One of the biggest additions for the Pixel Buds Pro 2 is Dynamic Active Noise Cancellation.

Google previously explained that Dynamic ANC automatically adjusts the noise cancellation based on the seal of the earbuds in your ears. So, if the Pixel Buds move slightly and the seal changes, the earbuds can automatically compensate and adjust the ANC accordingly. That feature is now starting to become available on the Pixel Buds Pro 2.

The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are already priced at the lower end of the premium wireless earbuds market, and this Amazon deal shaves another 26% off the sticker price. That brings the Pixel Buds Pro 2 down under $170, which is a stunning price for earbuds that can hang with the best of the best.View Deal

✅ Recommended if: You use a Pixel phone, want strong ANC and Gemini integration, like Google's latest Pixel Buds features, or want premium wireless earbuds for under $200.

❌ Skip this deal if: You don't use Android, want the absolute best battery life, or don't care about Pixel-exclusive features and ecosystem integration.

Google has also added a new tap-to-mute and unmute gesture for calls. So, if you're in an online meeting or taking a phone call, you can simply tap the surface of your Pixel Buds to quickly mute or unmute your microphone.

The Pixel Buds can now automatically pause media playback when you fall asleep as well. This feature requires a paired Pixel Watch to detect when you've fallen asleep, after which your earbuds can pause playback, disable touch gestures, and silence notifications.

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

Enhanced Live Translate is also starting to roll out. You can now leave your phone in your pocket and start translating using a gesture on the earbuds. Google says the Pixel Buds now work more seamlessly with the Google Translate app to make on-the-go translations easier.

To get these features, make sure you're running the latest version of the Pixel Buds app and look for firmware version release_6.144. You can also manually check for the update by heading to More Settings > Firmware > Check for updates.

And if you've been thinking about buying the Pixel Buds Pro 2, this might be a particularly good time. Thanks to the ongoing Amazon sale, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are currently $60 off, dropping from their usual $230 price to just $170.

So, not only are you getting them for considerably less right now, but Google has also made the Pixel Buds Pro 2 noticeably more capable with the latest software update.

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The Xiaomi 18 Ultra would've had insane cameras, but it looks like we'll never get it

What you need to know

• Rumors on X and Weibo (Chinese) claim the Xiaomi 18 Ultra "has been cancelled" and it's likely its price that got it cut.
• A tipster on Weibo suggests the phone would've received a triple 200MP LOFIC camera setup with a display with 1mm bezels.
• The Xiaomi 18 Pro and Pro Max debuted in mid-September with a triple camera array including a 200MP main and periscope sensor.

If you remember, Xiaomi's 17 series had a 17 Ultra; however, its current 18 series hasn't revealed one. Rumors state an "18 Ultra" might never happen, and that its specs would've been beastly.

Tipster Abhishek Yadav on X claims the Xiaomi 18 Ultra "has been cancelled," and it looks like its price was the issue. The social media post then highlights rumors about the phone's alleged specifications from Digital Chat Station on Weibo. DCS claims the phone would've featured a flat display with thin 1mm bezels. However, that's not the biggest thing; Xiaomi's camera technology was. The Xiaomi 18 Ultra might've launched with a triple 200MP setup.

According to the rumors, a 200MP main camera on a 1/1.12-inch LOFIC sensor would've led the way. The other two cameras include a 200MP (1/1.56-inch) ultra-wide and a 200MP (optical zoom) periscope lens.

We started this post by mentioning the phone's price, and DCS gives us insight. The tipster claims the phone might've been priced at 9,999 RMB (~$1,499) to start. Given how steep this is, it seems an executive decision had to be made. Nevertheless, Yadav on X states that an Ultra model phone could return to Xiaomi's lineup for its 19 series.

Strong cameras all around

(Image credit: Xiaomi)

Something is interesting about these 18 Ultra camera rumors. We almost got this exact setup on the Xiaomi 18 Pro and Pro Max. We've seen rumors about these phones for months after the 17 series debuted (and they've been very popular, too). Xiaomi continued to feature its rear displays on the 18 series with a few upgrades. The 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max feature twin 200MP cameras.

The 18 Pro Max contains a 200MP main lens and a 200MP periscope telephoto sensor. You'd find the same thing on the 18 Pro, with the addition of a 50MP ultra-wide camera. So while these two models lack the 200MP ultra-wide camera like the 18 Ultra (allegedly) would've delivered, these phones aren't bad. We spent some time with the Xiaomi 17 Ultra earlier this year, and its cameras were incredible.

Its telephoto camera in particular was a notable highlight, outshining the majority of the competition. If Xiaomi is going to return to the Ultra in 2027, maybe that's for the best.

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