Phone Scoop - Latest News

FCC Announces Upper C-Band Spectrum Auction

Rich Brome — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 19:22:23 GMT

The FCC today announced a major new auction of 160 MHz of "prime mid-band spectrum", ideal for 5G and 6G wireless service. The spectrum on offer covers the Upper C-Band; specifically, 3.98–4.14 GHz. This is adjacent to the Lower C-Band spectrum auctioned off between 2019 and 2023 and deployed in the US for 5G in band 77. This will create one large band spanning 440 megahertz (3.70–4.14 GHz), creating potential new opportunities for faster 5G (and 6G) networks, with greater capacity. Pending a July 22 FCC vote to formally approve auction rules, the auction will take place in 2027. Auction winners must help pay relocation costs for the current users of the spectrum: satellite operators. The auction structure will also help pay the aviation industry for the replacement of older radio altimeters operating in the nearby 4.2–4.4 GHz band, that could be subject to interference from 5G operating in the band being auctioned off. The transition schedule has the new band going live as early as December 2030 for top-75 markets, and in remaining markets as soon as July 2031.

Supreme Court Restricts Geofence Warrants

Rich Brome — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 16:35:37 GMT

The US Supreme Court has ruled that "an individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy in his cell-phone location information." This finding places a higher legal burden on law enforcement agencies seeking "geofence warrants" that ask tech companies for the identities of all people with an active cell phone in a given area, at a certain time. Those agencies must now obtain a full search warrant and show probable cause. The case that prompted the ruling involved a bank robbery in Virginia. The case was cold until police asked Google for cell phone location data that led to a suspect.

WhatsApp Starts Rolling Out Usernames

Rich Brome — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 16:23:47 GMT

The WhatsApp messaging app has started letting people reserve unique usernames. WhatsApp has, until now, exclusively identified users by phone number. The introduction of usernames will let people message each other without revealing their phone number. For now, people can only reserve their chosen username; full implementation of usernames will come later this year. The rollout will be phased gradually. WhatsApp will notify users via the app when usernames are available in their country. A special option for creators, small businesses, and organizations will let them claim their existing Instagram or Facebook username on WhatsApp. (WhatsApp is owned by Meta, which also operates Facebook and Instagram.)

Rocket Lab Buys Iridium

Rich Brome — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 15:36:24 GMT

Space launch provider Rocket Lab has reached a deal to acquire Iridium, one of the larger established providers of global satellite connectivity for mobile devices. This better positions Rocket Lab to compete with SpaceX and its Starlink network. It also follows Amazon's purchase of GlobalStar, one of Iridium's major competitors. Starlink, GlobalStar, and Iridium have all recently introduced new D2D (direct to device) services that let smaller devices such as cell phones connect directly to their satellite networks, providing coverage in cellular "dead zones". Iridium holds licenses for valuable L-band radio spectrum. "Rather than simply continuing the Iridium network, Rocket Lab will build upon it to scale into untapped markets and pioneer new space-based services to the benefit of global customers." The $8 billion deal is expected to be completed in mid-2027.

Comcast to Split with NBCUniversal

Rich Brome — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 15:19:47 GMT

After purchasing the company 15 years ago, Comcast is now reversing course and splitting from NBCUniversal. NBCUniversal will retain television and film studios, and theme parks, while Comcast will retain broadband and wireless platforms, including Xfinity Mobile.

Samsung A27 Shifts to Snapdragon Chip

Rich Brome — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 14:45:22 GMT

Samsung has announced the Galaxy A27 5G affordable phone, replacing the A26. The A2x series is not as popular with US carriers as the A1x and A3x series. Accordingly, Samsung has only announced that the A27 will be available from samsung.com. The A27 makes modest updates, the most notable being a switch from Samsung's own Exynos 1380 processor to Qualcomm's Snapdragon 6 Gen 3. The display is still 6.7-inch AMOLED with 120 Hz refresh, but switches from a notch design to a hole-punch for the front camera. That front camera has also been upgraded, promising "more natural-looking selfies across a variety of lighting conditions." The main camera is 50 megapixel. The wide-angle camera gets a downgrade from 8 megapixel to 5. The water-resistance rating also gets a downgrade from IP67 to IP64. As with the previous model, there are also multiple AI features, 25W fast charging, Samsung's commitment of six generations of OS upgrades plus six years of security updates, and memory specs remain at 6+128 GB. Samsung will start selling the Galaxy A27 5G on July 14, in black, starting at $350.

FCC Auctions 5G Spectrum Licenses for $3.5 Billion

Rich Brome — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 01:03:50 GMT

The FCC has concluded auction 113, selling off 200 abandoned licenses scattered across the country. The licenses are in the AWS-3 band (band 66), an important band for 5G service.

SpeakEasy Launches Phones & Service for 75 and Older Crowd

Rich Brome — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 17:41:24 GMT

Consumer Cellular — a brand that targets the 50+ age bracket — is launching SpeakEasy, a new sub-brand specifically for the 75+ market. SpeakEasy has its own simple offering of just two service plans and two SpeakEasy-branded phones: a basic flip phone and an Android smartphone. The SpeakEasy Flip is based on Consumer Cellular's Iris Easy Flip 2 and is currently on sale for $80 (normally $100). The SpeakEasy Smart is based on the Iris Connect 2 and is currently on sale for $100 (normally $130). Both have simple interfaces with big buttons. The Connect plan offers 500 MB of data for $15/month while the Connect+ plan offers 3 GB of data for $20/month. (Taxes and fees are not included in those prices.) Both plans offer unlimited talk and text. Through the end of the year, SpeakEasy is offering two free months of service and free shipping.

Apple Prepares to Raise Prices Due to Memory Chip Crunch

Rich Brome — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:35:55 GMT

Apple plans to raise prices on many of its products soon, as the price of memory chips soars due to unprecedented demand from new AI data centers. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Apple CEO Tim Cook said "We're doing our best to mitigate the huge increases that are being passed on to us, and we've been trying to shield our customers from the increases, but the situation has become unsustainable." In the phone space, Apple is not alone; Motorola and Samsung have also raised prices in the last year.

Android 17 is Here

Rich Brome — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 19:49:02 GMT

Google has released the final, non-beta version of Android 17. It should be available for most Pixel phones today, and for other phones over the coming weeks.

Commodore Creates New Spin on a "Dumb Phone"

Rich Brome — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 19:45:06 GMT

Commodore's newest product is a 4G flip phone that can run many popular Android apps, but will refuse to run any web browser, social media, email, or "work" apps. The Commodore Callback 8020 will run messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram, as well as music, podcasts, maps, rideshare apps, and of course several Commodore 64 games. It also has a smartphone-grade camera with a 48-megapixel Sony sensor. The OS is based on Sailfish by Jolla, but tweaked to block prohibited apps at a system level. The 3.25-inch display can operate as a touch-screen for third-party apps that require one, but touch is disabled while in apps that can be controlled by just the keypad. It has a MediaTek Helio G81 processor, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage, and a microSD slot for adding up to 256 GB of storage. The phone will be available in five different retro colors and swappable back covers allow further customization. Pre-orders begin June 30 and Commodore expects to make deliveries within six months. The phone will sell for $499 (updated), but those who join the wait-list now will get a $100 discount.

Verizon Launches New Plan and Loyalty Perks

Rich Brome — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 17:48:46 GMT

Verizon has launched a single new service plan that it calls its "Simplicity Plan". For $45/month/line, it includes unlimited premium 5G data, unlimited talk and text, 10GB of premium mobile hotspot data, roaming in Canada and Mexico, and satellite texting. That price is after an auto-pay discount but does not include taxes and fees. For a limited time, new customers can get a "Switcher Discount" that lowers the monthly price to $30/month/line. As with its existing plans, customers can add on "bundles" of other services for small monthly fees, for things like international service or discounted streaming services. Verizon is also eliminating activation and upgrade fees for postpaid customers who opt in to the company's new loyalty program. The loyalty program offers 3% back in "Verizon Dollars" every month, which can be redeemed for devices or accessories, or with partners like Starbucks. Verizon is also introducing a perks program for customers called "Verizon Shine". It offers sweepstakes for exclusive experiences every Monday, and daily "drops" of freebies like a coffee from Starbucks or an Amazon gift card. Examples of sweepstakes prizes include: A VIP trip to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final, VIP concert experiences, and trips to see overseas NFL games.

Mint Mobile Adds More Data to its Plans

Rich Brome — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 16:56:58 GMT

Mint Mobile has upped its 5GB plan to 6GB, its 15GB plan to 17GB, and its 20GB plan to 23GB, all while keeping prices the same. The company also recently doubled its hotspot data allotment from 10GB to 20GB.

AT&T Launches 24-Hour Data Pass for $3, Starting with iPads

Rich Brome — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 16:53:52 GMT

AT&T has launched a new service offering consisting of 24 hours of unlimited data for $3, available to anyone, with no contract or subscription. Initially, it's available only on cellular-equipped Apple iPads, and can be activated directly from the built-in Settings app. You do not need to be an existing AT&T customer; you only need a credit or debit card, and the 24-hour period starts "shortly after purchase". The data is "unlimited" but not "premium" data, meaning "AT&T may temporarily slow data speeds if the network is busy." AT&T plans to expand the offering in the "near future" to "other 5G-enabled devices like Android tablets, smartwatches, laptops, drones, etc." Also in the near future, the company plans to offer "multi-day options such as weekend and week-long passes."

iOS 27 Code References Foldable iPhone

Rich Brome — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 17:41:39 GMT

The tools and materials released to developers yesterday for the forthcoming iOS version 27 include multiple references that strongly suggest the software is designed to support a yet-to-be-announced foldable iPhone. These include specific new values named "foldState", "angleDegrees", and "DeviceDisplayCount". The naming makes sense for some kind of foldable iPhone with a hinge and multiple displays. Such a phone has been rumored to be under development for several years, but never confirmed until now. The iPhone Air laid groundwork for a potential foldable iPhone, as achieving that thin-ness is necessary for a practical foldable (for it to not be too thick when closed). It remains unconfirmed if or when Apple might actually launch a foldable iPhone, but this at least seems to confirm that Apple is working on one and closer to potentially releasing it.

iOS 27 Intros Siri AI

Rich Brome — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 18:35:11 GMT

Apple has announced iOS 27, which includes a wide range of new and refined features. As expected, a major focus is on smarter versions of Apple Intelligence and Siri. Siri is now "Siri AI" and has its own app with a history of conversations. Siri and the Spotlight search tool use a new index of your data and new AI models to provide more relevant results. Siri is also more conversational, answering multi-step prompts with an understanding of context, including what's on your screen at the moment, your messages, and your calendar events. Siri's voice can now be customized by speed and "expressiveness" (on some iPhones). The camera app also gains a new Siri Mode where you can ask questions about anything the camera is pointed at. Parental controls also get an update, with new screen-time controls for specific categories like Entertainment, Games, and Social Media. The Safari web browser also gets a new "Ask to Browse" feature that lets parents approve each new web site a child wants to visit. Automatic blurring of sensitive imagery has been expanded from just nudity to violent and "gory" content as well. Across various Apple apps, more tasks can now be completed with natural language prompts via Apple Intelligence with context awareness. For example, in Shortcuts, automations can be created and tweaked by simply describing what you're like the automation to do, greatly simplifying what could previously be a complex process. Similarly, new events can be added to your calendar with a simple description, with the app automatically looking up and adding details like a business address. Apple has also rewritten its CPU scheduler for better overall performance, particularly on older iPhones. Many apps should now load 30% faster. The OS should also be smarter and smoother when transitioning from a weak Wi-Fi signal to the cellular network. Finally, the Passwords app can now, with one tap, upgrade weak or compromised passwords for you. iOS 27 will work on all iPhones supported by iOS 26, all the way back to the iPhone 11. A beta version for developers will be available today, with a public beta version due in July, and the final version this fall.

FCC Auctioning Off Abandoned Spectrum Licenses in Band 66

Rich Brome — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 18:20:26 GMT

The FCC this week started a new auction for 5G radio spectrum licenses. The licenses cover the AWS band, frequencies where cell phones use 4G and 5G in band 66. There are over 200 specific licenses on offer, scattered across 48 states but covering 100 million consumers, and major markets like New York, Chicago, Boston, Tampa, and Charlotte. These same licenses were first auctioned in 2014, but have since been abandoned for various reasons.

New Android Feature Can Detect Impersonation Scams

Rich Brome — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 21:03:10 GMT

Google has built a new security feature into its Phone app — the default calling app on Android phones — that can detect and warn you about scam calls where someone pretends to be someone you know. Scammers are increasingly using advanced techniques like spoofing phone numbers and using AI to make their voice sound like someone else. When calling from one Android phone to another, a silent, behind-the-scenes, encrypted RCS message confirms that the call is legitimate. But if that message is missing from an incoming call from a known contact, the Phone app silently checks with the phone of that contact. If that phone responds that it's not currently calling you, a scam alert appears. The feature can only work for contacts that also have Android phones. Google is starting to roll out the feature globally this month, starting with Pixel devices. It will be available on Android versions 12 and newer.

2026 Shrinks the moto edge

Rich Brome — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Motorola has repositioned its mid-range moto edge phone somewhat, trimming the size and weight compared to last year's model. The AMOLED display goes from 6.7-inch to 6.3-inch, while keeping its sharp resolution (better than FHD+), 120 Hz refresh, and improving brightness (5,200 nits peak, up from 4,500). Most other specs remain similar, including a MediaTek Dimensity 7400-series processor, 8 GB of RAM, 50 megapixel main camera, dedicated wide and tele cameras, fast charging, wireless charging, and high water resistance. The battery is slightly smaller to match the smaller size: 5,000 mAh, down from 5,200. Storage also takes a hit — 128 GB instead of 256 — possibly due to the ongoing global shortage. It also sees a $50 price bump to $600. The 2026 moto edge launches on June 11 with Verizon and unlocked, with subsequent availability at AT&T, Cricket, Spectrum, and Xfinity.

Redmagic's New Flagship Gaming Phone has 7,500 mAh Battery

Rich Brome — Wed, 27 May 2026 16:41:58 GMT

Redmagic has introduced the Redmagic 11S Pro, its latest flagship phone with high-end specs optimized for mobile gaming. To support extended gaming sessions, it has a massive 7,500 mAh battery with 80W wired and 80W wireless charging (plus reverse charging, wired and wireless). It also has an extensive cooling system to limit throttling during extended sessions, including a large vapor chamber, a liquid cooling system, and a 24,000 RPM mechanical fan. The 6.85" AMOLED display has an under-display camera, 144 Hz refresh, and 3,000 Hz touch sampling. It's powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip with 12 or 16 GB of LPDDR5x RAM, and 256 or 512 GB of UFS 4.1 storage. It has dual 50 megapixel rear cameras (main and wide) and a 16 megapixel front camera. It also has an IPx8 water resistance rating, ultrasonic fingerprint reader, USB 3.2 Gen 2, and NFC. In the US, the phone has decent support for AT&T's 5G and 4G network, but limited support for other networks. The Redmagic 11S Pro will be available unlocked online from Redmagic starting at $849, beginning June 10.