Technology

• A big camera upgrade is tipped for the Galaxy S26 Ultra
• It could get a 200MP primary camera with a larger sensor
• The Galaxy S26 series is expected to launch in January 2026

With the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 launches out of the way, we can turn our attention to the Samsung Galaxy S26 series and what might be arriving in January – and an exciting new Galaxy S26 Ultra camera leak just emerged.

This is from well-known tipster Fixed Focus Digital (via GSMArena), who shares that the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is in line for a top-end 200MP camera lens from Sony (though there's a small probability it may be kept until the Galaxy S27 Ultra, the leaker says).

Read through our Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review and you'll see the current flagship also comes with a 200MP primary camera – but photo taking isn't just about megapixels. Apparently the new camera will have a larger sensor size, which should make a considerable difference to picture quality.

No doubt the Ultra model will be the most advanced (and the most expensive) of the Galaxy S26 phones that Samsung launches next year, most probably in January – if it sticks to the same schedule it's used so far in 2025.

Samsung vs Apple, again

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (Image credit: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer)

We've not heard too much in the way of leaks and rumors around the Samsung Galaxy S26 series yet, but there's plenty of time to go. Regulatory filings have hinted that the Galaxy S26 Plus may be dropped next year, so there would just be three phones in total.

The super-thin Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge was introduced this year of course, and the thinking is that it may effectively take the place of the Galaxy S26 Plus in the lineup next year – perhaps to make picking a phone easier for consumers.

Apple is rumored to be doing something similar this year too. We think that the iPhone 17 Air (which is also apparently defined by how slim it is, front to back) is going to be the fourth phone in the 2025 iPhone range, replacing the iPhone 16 Plus – though nothing is certain until Apple makes it official.

The iPhone 17 handsets are due to turn up in September, putting a marker down for that Apple has to beat in January – particularly when it comes to the high-end iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models.

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• Global PC shipments rose in Q2 2025, but the reason isn’t consumer confidence
• Windows 10’s looming end is forcing businesses into urgent PC upgrade cycles
• Consumer spending on personal devices has stalled, with upgrades likely delayed into 2026

The global PC market saw shipments rise in the second quarter of 2025, but the growth appears tied more to short-term business upgrades and software deadlines than to renewed consumer demand.

New figures from Canalys claim global shipments of desktops, notebooks, and workstation PCs climbed 7.4% year-on-year to reach 67.6 million units.

Yet, the story behind this growth reveals a market shaped more by operating system lifecycles and trade policy than by buyer confidence.

Temporary drivers behind the surge

The analyst firm primarily believes the approaching Windows 10 end of life deadline in October 2025 is the main factor driving this surge.

“Despite global uncertainty, the Windows 10 end of support deadline this October is providing essential market stability, but is affecting consumer and commercial segments differently,” said Kieren Jessop, Research Manager at Canalys.

Business PC deployments have gained momentum, while consumer demand has stalled, as many individuals appear hesitant to spend amid wider economic volatility, pushing personal device upgrades into 2026.

That delay could later coincide with the retirement of many pandemic-era devices, setting up a potential consumer bump next year.

“The commercial refresh cycle is providing vital momentum for the market,” Jessop explained, pointing to a recent poll which found more than half of channel partners expect their PC business to grow in the second half of 2025, with nearly a third projecting growth over 10%.

This emphasis on business laptop and desktop upgrades, rather than organic consumer demand, suggests the gains may not be sustainable beyond the Windows 10 deadline.

The vendor landscape shows that Lenovo retained the top position with 17.0 million units shipped, up 15.2% from a year earlier.

HP followed with 14.1 million units, marking a modest 3.2% rise, while Dell saw a 3.0% decline.

Apple posted the strongest growth, up 21.3% to 6.4 million units, and Asus wasn’t far behind with an 18.4% increase.

A 9% rise in desktop shipments and a 7% increase in notebooks, including workstation PCs, also helped boost the market.

In addition to Windows 10 and the commercial refresh cycle, growing tension surrounding global trade policy, particularly involving US tariffs, is reshaping the PC supply chain.

“The Trump administration’s evolving tariff policies continue to reshape global PC supply chains while casting uncertainty over market recovery,” said Ben Yeh, Principal Analyst at Canalys.

Yeh warned that even though PCs remain exempt from tariffs for now, the situation is murky.

“What began as straightforward China avoidance has evolved into a complex regulatory maze.”

With the US-Vietnam trade agreement introducing new tariffs, 20% on Vietnamese goods and up to 40% on items deemed transhipped, manufacturers may find supply chain shifts are no longer a viable way to manage cost pressures.

Overall, while the numbers look strong, the underlying drivers of this growth are temporary and heavily dependent on a fixed software lifecycle and fragile trade agreements.

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It feels like trying to keep pace with everything happening in tech is more challenging than ever – which is why we put together this 'In Case You Missed It' round-up each and every week, to bring you right up to speed with everything that's been going on.

And this week has been particularly busy: Samsung launched new foldables and smartwatches, Amazon discounted a vast swathe of products for Prime Day, and Google pushed out even more AI updates for us to make use of.

All this and more happened in the space of seven days, and you can read through the highlights below. The TechRadar team will be back with another ICYMI in another seven days – with even more tech news for you to digest.

8. The Prime Day deals landed – and they’re still going

There are still Prime Day deals to be had (Image credit: Future)

The TechRadar staff have been writing up a huge pile of Prime Day deals to direct you to the best discounts on products that you should actually think about buying – saving you money on everything from phones and laptops to air fryers and streaming services.

We're in the latter stages of the Prime Day event now, but there are still some appealing deals to be had as Amazon clears out more of its stock: have a click and a browse through and see if there's anything that grabs your eye before the special offers run out.

• Read more: Prime Day ends today – we've picked the 150+ best deals to shop before it's too late

7. Google Gemini landed on smartwatches

(Image credit: Future)

Google has been busy pushing out fresh updates to its Gemini apps and services, and the AI is now set to replace Google Assistant on smartwatches, starting with the new Galaxy Watch 8. From there it'll expand to other Wear OS 6 watches across the coming months.

We've been promised improved notifications, real-time voice support, and responses that understand the context. Meanwhile, other Gemini upgrades that are also rolling out include an upgraded experience on foldable devices, and Circle to Search for mobile games.

• Read more: Google just announced 5 new Gemini features coming to Android, and it’s good news for fans of foldable smartphones

6. Apple backtracked on Liquid Glass for iOS 26

The look of iOS is changing (Image credit: Apple)

Apple is introducing a major redesign called Liquid Glass across all of its software platforms this year, with menus and buttons turning more rounded, translucent, and detailed. However, there have been some concerns from users around legibility.

With the latest iOS 26 development beta, Apple has addressed these concerns by noticeably dialling back the glass effect. Not everyone is happy with the revised look, but in our opinion it makes sense ahead of the full public release in September.

• Read more: Apple's Liquid Glass redesign in iOS 26 is cracking – here's why that’s a good thing

5. IKEA revealed two cheap Bluetooth speakers

IKEA's new Bluetooth speakers (Image credit: IKEA)

The home furnishing experts at IKEA have launched two new Bluetooth speakers that won't damage your bank balance too much, but will add a touch of style and sonic entertainment to any room: the Nattbadd and the Blomprakt (which is also a lamp).

Behind its retro, old-school radio stylings, the Nattbadd also offers Spotify Tap, so you can pause and resume listening with just a tap on the unit. We've got details on pricing, color options, and IKEA's wider commitment to the Matter smart home standard.

• Read more: IKEA launches two cheap Bluetooth speakers – including a retro throwback with a handy Spotify trick

4. GoPro teased its long-awaited Max 2 action cam

GoPro has teased its next 360-degree camera (Image credit: GoPro)

We've been waiting a long, long time for a successor to the GoPro Max (which launched all the way back in 2019), and there's now some official news: GoPro itself has posted a teaser for the GoPro Max 2, suggesting the device will be launching in the very near future.

The GoPro Max 2 will be a 360-degree action camera, like its predecessor, and will take on a growing number of competitors in the space, including DJI and Insta360. We still don't have an official launch date for you, but it shouldn't be long before there's more news.

• Read more: It's finally happening – GoPro Max 2 teaser shows the DJI and Insta360 rival is almost here after years in development hell

3. Samsung refreshed its Galaxy Watch lineup

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic (Image credit: Future)

TechRadar was in attendance at the big Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event this week, and as well as foldable phones (of which more in a moment), we saw the launch of two new Wear OS smartwatches for 2025: the Galaxy Watch 8 and the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic.

The Classic is arguably the more interesting of the pair, considering Samsung skipped this model last year, and it brings back the physical rotating bezel that makes such a difference when you're trying to work through the various functions and features on the watch.

• Read more: The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is a Galaxy Watch Ultra that's dressed to impress – hands-on

2. Google’s Veo 3 got an impressive new AI video trick

There are now more ways to get creative with Gemini (Image credit: Google)

Google's Veo 3 AI video generator continues to wow us, and its capabilities have been extended for those on Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra plans. It's now able to take a static image and turn it into a short video clip, with the details and directions you provide.

Based on the examples we've already seen of the feature in action, it's possible to get some great results with this new AI tool – a mini stadium concert happening in a cardboard box, and so on – and we've got instructions on how you can try it out for yourself.

• Read more: Google releases photo-to-video Gemini Veo 3 capabilities, and it might just blow your mind

1. Samsung treated us to new flagship foldables

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

After months of leaks and rumors, Samsung has finally unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 7, the Galaxy Flip 7, and the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE – and we've already been able to spend some hands-on time with the new foldables at the Galaxy Unpacked launch event.

We can only share our early impressions so far, but Samsung genuinely seems to have raised the bar for foldable phones with what it's managed to achieve here: the new devices are thinner, more stylish, and more powerful than the models they're replacing.

• Read more: The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 captures the essence of Ultra in a ludicrously thin device, and I still can't believe it – hands-on

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Yellowjackets season 4: key information

- Officially renewed in May
- No release date just yet
- Main cast expected to return
- No official plot details
- Season 3 finale hints at future episodes
- Showrunners have plans for five seasons

Yellowjackets season 4 is on the way and no doubt fans are buzzing to hear that one of the best shows on Paramount Plus is returning. And thank goodness too, because that season 3 finale made us shocked, surprised and sad.

And it was that violently explosive finale that catapulted Yellowjackets to become Paramount's most-watched season finale ever with 3 million cross-platform viewers worldwide in its first seven days (as per The Hollywood Reporter).

A wonderful blend of survival thriller and coming-of-age drama, the show has followed two timelines for three seasons now – one in 1996 as a group of female high school soccer players are deserted in the wilderness after their plane crashes, and one, in the present day as they live with their memories and secrets. After all: "The past is never really the past".

With Yellowjackets season 4 officially coming, here's everything we can expect from release date speculation, predicted cast, plot rumors, and more.

Full spoilers follow for Yellowjackets seasons 1-3. Potential spoilers are also discussed for season 4.

Yellowjackets season 4 release date prediction

A post shared by Yellowjackets (@yellowjackets)

A photo posted by on

There's no Yellowjackets season 4 release date yet, but we do know it's officially on the way. And that's thanks to a swift renewal a month after season 3 big cliffhanger finale.

In a statement by Chris McCarthy, Co-CEO of Paramount Global and President of Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios (per Variety), he said: "Yellowjackets has become a cultural juggernaut, with season three shattering all previous records – we are thrilled to announce its renewal for a season four on Paramount+".

There's no word on when production will start, but with season 1 dropping in 2021, season 2 in 2023 and season 3 in 2025, I'd imagine we won't see season 4 until late 2026 or early 2027.

Yellowjackets season 4 trailer speculation

There's no Yellowjackets trailer to share just yet (Image credit: Paramount Plus)

With filming yet to commence on Yellowjackets season 4, there's no official trailer to share.

As is the case with most hit shows, the trailer will most likely drop in the weeks or months leading up to the show's release. I'll be sure to update here as soon as I hear more.

Yellowjackets season 4 predicted cast

I'd expect the main cast to return for season 4 (Image credit: Paramount Plus)

Spoilers follow for Yellowjackets season 1 to 3.

Given what unfolded in season 3, here's the predictedYellowjackets season 4 cast we'd expect to return:

• Melanie Lynskey as Shauna
• Christina Ricci as Misty
• Tawny Cypress as Taissa
• Sophie Nélisse as young Shauna
• Sophie Thatcher as young Natalie
• Samantha Hanratty as young Misty
• Courtney Eaton as young Lottie
• Jasmin Savoy Brown as young Taissa
• Sarah Desjardins as Callie
• Liv Hewson as young Van
• Elijah Wood as Walter
• Hilary Swank as Melissa
• Nelson Franklin as Edwin
• Ashley Sutton as Hannah
• Joel McHale as Kodiak

There were four big deaths in season 3 and if you're yet to watch it and haven't seen the spoiler alerts, this is your time to head into the wilderness before you read this.

Lauren Ambros (Van), Steven Krueger (Coach Ben), Simone Kessell (Lottie) and Alexa Barajas (Mari) all met their ends in true Yellowjackets' deadly and violent fashion in season 3.

So, unless they make a haunting reappearance like Ella Purnell (Jackie) has in a few episodes in both season 2 and 3, then we may well have seen the last of them.

Yellowjackets season 4 story synopsis and rumors

What's next for the girls in Yellowjackets season 4? (Image credit: Paramount Plus)

Full spoilers follow for Yellowjackets seasons 1-3.

With very little known about theYellowjackets season 4 plot, the best thing we can do is talk about where season 3 left viewers and if you've watched the season finale, you'll know it was a lot.

Shauna became the official Antler Queen, Natalie found the plane's transponder device that Misty tried to smash up back in season 1 – and it still worked(!), we still have no idea what Walter is up to, and unsurprisingly, given previous seasons, there was a fair amount of deaths. And that's putting it lightly.

As present-day Shauna found herself abandoned by both Callie and Jeff, after it was revealed that Callie accidentally killed Lottie, she finally read Melissa's letter. And then, she started to write her own recollection of what unfolded in the wilderness all those years ago.

But when Melanie Lynskey spoke to Variety, she expressed her hopes that this doesn't mark the end of her and Jeff's story: "I think Jeff trying to have a conversation with a completely unleashed Shauna would be really interesting. I think he's a bit excited by that aspect of her personality, but also very scared of it".

The two timelines of Yellowjackets continues (Image credit: Paramount Plus)

When it comes to season 4's plot though, Melanie said: "I have no idea. After this season, I have less of an idea. It could be anything. I could be killed off in episode 1 of season 4. I literally don't know".

As mentioned above, Natalie was successfully able to use the plane's black box that Misty had hidden away to reach out for help, hearing the response: "Yes, I can hear you". So, this seemingly marks the beginning of the rescue of the girls.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Lyle briefly addresses what's next for the girls: "As we said, they're not out of the woods yet, both literally and proverbially, but as a child of the '90s, we have not actually gotten to explore the '90s in a real way.

"And I think that putting them back home at some point in a '90s timeline and getting to fully immerse ourselves in that time period is something I'm really looking forward to."

Where to watch Yellowjackets?

Yellowjackets is available for Paramount Plus with Showtime subscribers (Image credit: Paramount Plus)

Wondering how to watch Yellowjackets seasons 1, 2 and 3? All three seasons of Yellowjackets are available to stream for those with a Paramount Plus with Showtime subscription, one of the best streaming services right now.

Will Yellowjackets return after season 4?

A hopeful plan for five season of Yellowjackets (Image credit: Paramount Plus)

It seems the plan has always been for five seasons, so I'd be very surprised if it didn't return at least for one more season.

Speaking with Entertainment Weekly back in 2023, co-creator Ashley Lyle said: "The original plan was about five seasons, and we feel like we're still on track for that".

Adding: "We don't really see this as being more than a five-season show. I think that there are shows that can go forever, but I think that when you're telling such a deeply serialized story and it's about these characters' lives, you want to reach a satisfying conclusion and not just drag things out forever".

While that was a couple of years ago, it's not clear whether plans have changed in the creator's minds, so we'll have to wait and see.

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• Meta's Oakley glasses are up for preorder ahead of a July 22 launch
• The limited edition glasses will cost $499 / £499 / AU$789
• Cheaper Oakleys are set to arrive "later this Summer"

The wait is finally over. Meta’s Oakley smart glasses are finally available to preorder ahead of their July 22 launch, though there's a catch. Only its pricier limited edition HSTN are available for now; other designs are coming “later this summer” (that’s Northern Hemisphere summer for our Aussie readers, so later this month or August).

The Limited Edition Oakley Meta HSTN (pronounced how-stuhn) is on preorder at Meta.com for $499 / £499 / AU$789. In exchange, you’ll get white-framed specs with PRIZM 24K polarized lenses, which are apparently well-suited to playing sports in bright conditions.

Beyond their capabilities as regular glasses, these smart glasses live up to that descriptor by boasting a camera which can capture 3K video (a higher resolution than the Meta Ray-Ban glasses), built-in open ear speakers for music and hearing what the Meta AI companion has to tell you (as well as microphones so the AI can hear you), and a battery that can last for up to 8 hours of regular use (again, better than their Ray-Ban sibling).

With their charging case, these specs can squeeze out up to an extra 48 hours of use.

Should you wait? Probably

(Image credit: Oakley / Meta)

Now, I haven’t tested these glasses for myself, yet, but I constantly use my Ray-Ban smart glasses and after my phone (and maybe my VR headset), they’re easily the best gadget I own.

And these Oakley specs are just Ray-Bans with a different design, a few technical upgrades, and unfortunately, a higher price.

Things should get a little better in the coming month or so when the other six Oakley smart glasses designs launch. For context, they are:

• Oakley Meta HSTN Desert with PRIZM Ruby Lenses
• Oakley Meta HSTN Black with PRIZM Polar Black Lenses
• Oakley Meta HSTN Shiny Brown with PRIZM Polar Deep-Water Lenses
• Oakley Meta HSTN Black with Transitions Amethyst Lenses
• Oakley Meta HSTN Clear with Transitions Grey Lenses

That’s because these specs are set to introduce a new lower starting price of $399 / £399 / $629. However, this would still be higher than the cheapest Ray-Bans at $299 / £299 / AU$449, and much like the Ray-Bans, I expect the Oakley specs will get pricier if you opt for snazzier lenses – the Ray-Bans instead cost you $329 / £329 / AU$489 for polarized and $379 / £379 / AU$539 for transition lenses.

If you’re an athlete, the Oakleys could be a worthwhile upgrade, especially with PRIZM lenses tuned to a sport you play.

(Image credit: Meta)

Those of you simply looking to get the best smart glasses tech, however, might want to wait and see what Meta showcases at Meta Connect in September, where it's expected to debut smart glasses with a screen.

Yes, they’re likely going to be very pricey, however they are also believed to offer a truly next-gen experience – so if you’re tempted to upgrade your Ray-Bans and budget isn’t a concern, you might want to hold off a little longer (or be prepared to buy Oakleys, and then yet another pair of Meta smart glasses).

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Not only has Netflix confirmed that Squid Game: The Challenge season 2 is set to air on November 4, 2025, but it’s also swiftly followed-up with the announcement that season 3 is also underway. This comes two weeks after the hit K-drama wrapped up for good with its own third season, which ended with an unexpected cameo that may (or may not) lead into David Fincher’s American remake.

In 2023, Netflix answered the question we all had on our lips – how would we all fare if Squid Game was real? It put 456 real-life players to the test, competing for the largest cash prize in reality TV history ($4.56 million). Games such as Red Light, Green Light and Dalgona carried over from the hit Netflix series, while new games, such as Battleships, were substituted for genuinely fatal ones, such as Tug of War.

Netflix has already told us to expect “new games and new rules,” with logic telling us each of the first three seasons of The Challenge should replicate the same fictional series. If that’s the case, Squid Game: The Challenge season 3 already has a huge problem on its hands with its most perilous game of all.

Squid Game season 3’s Jump Rope scene would be almost impossible to replicate in The Challenge

Of course I’m talking about Jump Rope, which appeared in episodes 3 and 4 of Squid Game season 3. In the episode, 16 players were eliminated with only 8 passing, including Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) managing to carry Kim Jun-hee’s (Jo Yu-ri’s Player 222) baby over safely. The rules are simple: cross from one side of a suspended path to the other while two giant robots wield a rotating jump rope across its path. There’s a gap in the middle of the pathway, making this slightly more perilous than season 1’s Tug of War. Teams were on two suspended platforms of this, with a giant guillotine cutting the rope when one team lost.

Squid Game: The Challenge season 1 did manage to replicate Glass Stepping Stones, with players falling to their ‘deaths’ while crossing a similarly suspended bridge made out of fake glass. However, it can’t be compared to Jump Rope, which has a closer level of actual danger to the binned-off Tug of War. Namely, both share one singular trait that makes a real-life version impossible – they’re an absolute health and safety nightmare.

The minute you have sharp things, flying things and any part of a game where players risk serious injury, there needs to be a Plan B. It might be one of the best streaming services around, but even Netflix won’t want to risk a lawsuit just for the sake of replicating the K-drama scene by scene. The safer option is to introduce a brand-new game nobody is expecting, which gives more reasons for subscribers to keep tuning in.

Then there’s the fact even the cast of Squid Game season 3 filmed the Jump Rope scenes using CGI. The robots are green screen, the suspended bridge is actually non-existent, and really, it’s just Lee Jung-jae making his own legs wobble while his feet are firmly planted on the ground.

Are we likely to see Jump Rope in Squid Game: The Challenge? I say no. And considering Battleships was my favourite game in the reality TV contest, I’m ready for some unexpected change.

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• Experts show how some AI models, including GPT-4, can be exploited with simple user prompts
• Guardrail gaps don't do a great job of detecting deceptive framing
• The vulnerability could be exploited to acquire personal information

A security researcher has shared details on how other researchers tricked ChatGPT into revealing a Windows product key using a prompt that anyone could try.

Marco Figueroa explained how a 'guessing game' prompt with GPT-4 was used to bypass safety guardrails that are meant to block AI from sharing such data, ultimately producing at least one key belonging to Wells Fargo Bank.

The researchers also managed to obtain a Windows product key to authenticate Microsoft's OS illegitimately, but for free, highlighting the severity of the vulnerability.

ChatGPT can be tricked into sharing security keys

The researcher explained how he hid terms like 'Windows 10 serial number' inside HTML tags to bypass ChatGPT's filters that would usually have blocked the responses he got, adding that he was able to frame the request as a game to mask malicious intent, exploiting OpenAI's chatbot through logic manipulation.

"The most critical step in the attack was the phrase 'I give up'," Figueroa wrote. "This acted as a trigger, compelling the AI to reveal the previously hidden information."

Figueroa explained why this type of vulnerability exploitation worked, with the model's behavior playing an important role. GPT-4 followed the rules of the game (set out by researchers) literally, and guardrail gaps only focused on keyword detection rather than contextual understanding or deceptive framing.

Still, the codes shared were not unique codes. Instead, the Windows license codes had already been shared on other online platforms and forums.

While the impacts of sharing software license keys might not be too concerning, Figueroa highlighted how malicious actors could adapt the technique to bypass AI security measures, revealing personally identifiable information, malicious URLs or adult content.

Figueroa is calling for AI developers to "anticipate and defend" against such attacks, while also building in logic-level safeguards that detect deceptive framing. AI developers must also consider social engineering tactics, he goes on to suggest.

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