Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra ($1,900) and Z Fold8 offer significant upgrades over the Z Fold7 ($1,350), including larger batteries, faster charging, improved chipsets, and better cameras. The article also compares alternative phones like the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro ($450) and Galaxy A57, noting that the Galaxy S26 FE lacks compelling discounts compared to better-equipped alternatives like the S26+ or cheaper S25 FE.
Tesla delivered its first all-electric Semi trucks after a decade of delays since the 2017 reveal, with a new factory in Reno capable of producing 50,000 trucks annually. The long-range version travels 500+ miles per charge and costs nearly $300,000 before incentives, addressing heavy-truck emissions which account for 16% of total trucking emissions despite being just 1% of vehicles on the road.
Tesla delivered its first all-electric Semi trucks after nearly a decade of delays since the 2017 reveal. The 500-mile-range vehicle costs roughly $300,000 before incentives and is produced at a new Reno factory expected to build up to 50,000 trucks annually. The launch addresses heavy-duty trucking emissions, which account for 16% of transportation emissions despite representing only 1% of vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz secured first rights to ProLogium's Gen4 solid-state battery cells under a joint testing agreement, building on their partnership since 2016. ProLogium is scaling production across facilities in Taiwan and France, with Gen4 cells offering 400 Wh/kg energy density and ultra-fast 6.4-minute charging. Mercedes plans to launch its first solid-state battery-powered vehicle by 2030.
Bentley introduces the Torcal, its first fully electric midsize SUV, featuring an 113 kWh battery delivering over 300 miles of EPA range and 400 kW peak charging for a 10-80% charge in under 20 minutes. With 876 horsepower, 0-60 acceleration in 2.8 seconds, and a Porsche-based platform, the luxury vehicle will launch in the U.S. in early 2028 at a price below the $230,000 Bentayga.
Bentley's first EV, the Torcal mid-size SUV, debuts with 810–876 horsepower, 375-mile range, and striking design that blends classic Bentley styling with modern EV performance. Starting at £165,000, the Torcal positions Bentley as Volkswagen Group's best-positioned luxury brand for the EV transition, offering grand-touring optimization and premium interior appointments.
Bentley has unveiled the Torcal, its most powerful EV to date, featuring 875 bhp, 996 lb-ft of torque, and a 113 kWh battery offering 360 miles of range. The design blends seamlessly into Bentley's existing lineup with signature styling cues, while the battery is engineered to retain 90 percent capacity after 100,000 miles.
Xiaomi launched the Xiaomi 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max in China featuring flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite processors, dual displays with a new privacy screen technology, and large batteries up to 8,500 mAh. Both models include dual 200MP cameras and will receive global releases, with pricing starting at approximately $900 USD.
Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S27 Ultra and S27 Pro smartphones are undergoing regulatory approvals with significantly larger batteries: 5,700mAh for the Ultra model (up from 5,000mAh in the S26 Ultra) and 5,200mAh for the Pro. This marks a notable shift in Samsung's battery strategy toward longer-lasting devices.
Chinese battery maker Sunwoda unveiled a new 15C LFP battery technology that charges from 10-97% state of charge in 9 minutes at room temperature, adding 100 km of range per minute. The system achieves these ultra-fast charging speeds through advanced thermal management and maintains a 10-year or 300,000 km warranty without limiting ultrafast charging cycles. Sunwoda also introduced a broader energy ecosystem integrating solar power, battery storage, and charging infrastructure for partnerships with energy companies.
EV charging involves unavoidable losses as electricity is transmitted and converted from grid AC to battery DC. Testing shows AC Level 1/2 chargers typically lose 14–20 percent of electricity to heat, conversion, and thermal management, while DC fast chargers lose approximately 10 percent. Using dedicated wall-mounted chargers significantly reduces losses compared to household outlets.
Valve released SteamOS 0.3.0 for Steam Frame, significantly improving charging speed from 8W to over 40W, addressing a major complaint about slow battery charging that plagued early reviews. The update also fixed controller tracking, microphone audio issues, and motion smoothing problems while expanding developer compatibility criteria.
Samsung's Galaxy S27 Ultra and S27 Pro are reportedly receiving significant battery upgrades, with the Ultra reaching approximately 5,700mAh (a 14% increase over the S26 Ultra's 5,000mAh) and the Pro reaching around 5,200mAh. Both devices are expected to support 60W wired charging, based on certification listings from China's 3C agency, though Samsung has not officially confirmed these specifications.
Steam Deck received its first SteamOS update featuring substantially faster charging capabilities.