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In London during Galaxy Unpacked 2026, Samsung debuted new foldable phones and a new generation of smartwatches. On those new watches, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2, there's a whole host of new health insights, including sleep apnea detection. But the new Vitals feature on Samsung Galaxy Watches knows when you're getting sick before you do.

Using five different biometric markers — heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, skin temperature, and blood oxygen saturation — Vitals creates a health baseline for users and detects when those baselines deviate. Users then get an alert that something's off, so you can note when you might be getting sick or need some extra recovery time.

Samsung's Vitals feature use five different health biometrics to detect for symptoms. Credit: Samsung

While this feature is new to Samsung Galaxy Watches, it's not new in the world of health trackers. Oura Ring, the leader in smart rings, has its own Vitals page, the hub for all your health biometrics. Within Vitals is Symptom Radar, a feature that tracks your biometrics, detects any signs of strain, and encourages you to make daily decisions based on how you feel.

Samsung's Vitals seems to be the brand's own version of Symptom Radar. The new batch of Galaxy Watches, including the Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2, comes with boosted battery life for round-the-clock wear. That means they'll always be monitoring your biometrics so that you can have deeper health insights and access to features like Vitals.

The new Samsung Galaxy Watches are now up for preorder and will be available on Aug. 7.

At Samsung Galaxy Unpacked on Tuesday, Samsung provided a closer look at its upcoming smart glasses. Samsung is working with Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster and Warby Parker on the design, and the glasses will run on Google's new Android XR operating system.

SEE ALSO: Samsung reveals undeniably hip Galaxy Z Flip 8 foldable at Galaxy Unpacked in London

We first saw these glasses at Google I/O 2026 in May, and there will be at least four designs, according to CNET, with different frame styles. Google has been teasing its smart glasses collaboration with Samsung for months, and previously said the first pair of smart glasses would be released in 2026.

During the Galaxy Unpacked event, Samsung gave another peek at the glasses:

Credit: Shannon Connellan / Mashable Credit: Samsung

According to CNET, these glasses are display-free but have a camera, microphone, and speakers. It supports Gemini AI and can connect with Android phones and Google Wear OS watches. The glasses will run both Google Gemini and Samsung Bixby AI.

Samsung's COO of mobile experiences, Won-Joon Choi, told CNET that the glasses can run for 9 hours on a single charge, while the case can charge them an additional 7 times.

The glasses will not have a built-in display, but will have built-in cameras for content capture and microphones to help power AI features. During Samsung Galaxy Unpacked, the glasses presentation demoed different uses, such as asking the device to summarize meeting notes or tell you the next step in a recipe. You can also use the glasses' POV in Google Meet meetings.

Actions with the glasses "flow" into using other Samsung devices — for instance, double-pinching to answer calls.

The full collection from Gentle Monster and Warby Parker is coming this fall, the company announced on Wednesday.

TL;DR: Mattel and Hasbro revealed the $33 My Little Pony x Polly Pocket Compact at SDCC. The collectible combines Polly Pocket’s tiny playset style with classic Generation 1 My Little Pony details, including Firefly, Glory, and a mini Polly figure.

Mattel and Hasbro are joining forces for the first time, and the result is a tiny collectible packed with big nostalgia.

Announced at San Diego Comic-Con, the new My Little Pony x Polly Pocket Compact brings together Polly Pocket’s miniature world with the colorful charm of classic Generation 1 My Little Pony playsets. The collaboration is designed for longtime fans of both franchises while introducing the iconic toy brands to a new generation of collectors.

Priced at $33, the My Little Pony Polly Pocket Compact is more than just a display piece. The compact features Polly and Starshine on the outside and opens to reveal a pony-filled world inspired by the original My Little Pony playsets. Inside, collectors will find a fold-down waterfall and castle, a cozy stable for the ponies, and a rainbow ride where the characters can clip in for imaginative adventures.

Credit: Hasbro / Mattel Credit: Hasbro / Mattel

The set includes a micro Polly figure alongside My Little Pony favorites Firefly and Glory, both featuring brushable tails. Fans will also spot extra nostalgic details throughout the compact, including character artwork and a rainbow brush accessory.

The My Little Pony Polly x Pocket Compact is available now through Mattel for $33 and will also be showcased at both the Mattel and Hasbro booths during SDCC, giving attendees a closer look at the first-of-its-kind collaboration.

GET A FREE $200 GIFT CARD: Pre-order the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 for $1,199.99 at Amazon by August 6 and get a $200 gift card for free.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 Unlocked Cell Phone + $200 Gift Card, 256GB Graphite $1,199.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here at Amazon

Getting a new phone is almost never cheap. But if you're already planning to upgrade to Samsung's latest flip phone, you might as well get paid to do it.

SEE ALSO: T-Mobile is giving away the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 for free — how to claim

Right now, if you pre-order the 256GB Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 in Graphite at Amazon for $1,199.99, they'll throw in a $200 Amazon gift card. You just have to place your order by August 6 (its official release date is August 7).

The Z Flip8 features a 6.7-inch main screen and a 4.1-inch cover screen (which Samsung calls the FlexWindow). It lets you check notifications and send messages without opening your phone. As for the cameras, you get a 50MP wide lens and a 12MP ultrawide lens on the back, plus a 10MP front camera. Thanks to the folding design, you can set it down half-open on a table to take hands-free photos or shoot Super Steady video — no tripod required.

Considering a $200 gift card basically covers your screen protectors, a durable case, and a few other things in your cart, this is a pretty good pre-order bonus.

Where to preorder the new Samsung Galaxy Watches Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 $379.99 at Samsung Pre-Order Here Amazon Galaxy Watch 9 $379.99 at Amazon (get $50 Amazon gift card) Pre-Order Here Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 $699.99 at Samsung Pre-Order Here Amazon Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 $699.99 at Amazon Pre-Order Here

Over two years ago, Samsung announced the first Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, and at this year's Galaxy Unpacked, we're getting the second generation. Plus, the standard Galaxy Watch is getting an upgrade, too.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2 are here, and as of July 22, available for preorder.

The new watches are dedicated to a new era of health tracking. Round-the-clock trackers like Oura Ring and Whoop are all the rage, and Samsung's Galaxy Watches are the brand's entry into the market (although, Samsung also has its own smart ring). To support 24/7 wear, these watches feature their largest batteries yet, in addition to the Snapdragon Wear Elite Platform.

Here's everything to know and where to preorder the new Samsung Galaxy Watches.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2: Price and availability

Two new watches are coming to the Samsung Galaxy lineup, and only one is getting a price increase from the previous generation. Here's a breakdown of the prices on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2:

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 (40mm and 44mm) — starts at $379.99 for Bluetooth and $429.99 for LTE models

• Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 (47mm) — starts at $699.99

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 currently costs $379.99, meaning its successor isn't getting a price increase. The Ultra 2, on the other hand, is $50 more than its predecessor.

Both watches are available for preorder as of July 22 and will be available on Aug. 7. Both are available for preorder at Samsung, among other retailers.

About the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 The Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 provides actionable insights including monitoring for Sleep Apnea. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 is both a smartwatch and a fitness tracker. With a new 390mAh battery, it's designed for round-the-clock wear, so it can track both your activity and sleep. It comes with a lightweight but durable aluminum casing with Samsung's signature cushion silhouette. Both new watches come with the Snapdragon Wear Elite platform, boosting the speed and efficiency of the watch. It comes with an FDA-backed Sleep Apnea feature to detect breathing disruptions as well as a Heart Health Score to assess cardiovascular wellness.

The watch starts at $379.99 and comes with a 40mm or 44mm case. The 40mm case comes in either cream or graphite, while the 44mm case comes in graphite or silver.

Galaxy Watch 9 $379.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Best Buy Pre-order Here at Samsung About the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 The battery on the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 now has a 35% increase in capacity over its predecessor. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

For a more powerful watch, designed for those seeking extreme outdoor adventures, there's the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, which is getting its first update in two years. The Ultra 2 comes packed with features made for endurance athletes, like Trail Run, which tracks detailed elevation and terrain impact. Plus, it has Nutrition Alerts, which build off the existing Sweat Loss feature, which sends reminders to hydrate based on your sweat loss.

It now comes with an 800 mAh battery, a 35 percent increase in capacity. Plus, it has a brightness of 5,000 nits, for superior brightness even in sunlight.

Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 $699.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Best Buy Pre-order Here at Samsung

Samsung didn't bring back all of its Galaxy Watch models for 2026, but it did just reveal two new ones.

At its Galaxy Unpacked showcase on Wednesday, Samsung announced the new Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. And it turns out pre-show rumors of no new Galaxy Watch Classic this year were correct.

The Galaxy Watch 9 starts at $379.99 for Bluetooth and $429.99 for the LTE model. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 starts at a substantially more expensive $699.99.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2 specs Watch out. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

The Galaxy Watch 9, Samsung's successor to the Galaxy Watch 8, will come in 40mm and 44mm models, while the Ultra 2 is sized at 47mm.

Samsung upgraded the battery in the larger Watch 9 this year, giving it a 445mAh cell, but the 40mm variant only has a 390mAh cell in it. The biggest battery improvement comes on the Watch Ultra 2, which will come with a whopping 800mAh cell and a 60-hour charge, the company announced during Galaxy Unpacked.

Other specs include:

• Watch 9: 2GB memory

• Watch Ultra 2: 2GB memory

• Watch 9: 32GB storage

• Watch Ultra 2: 64GB storage

• Both watches: Snapdragon Wear Elite chip

The Ultra 2 also comes with a very bright 5,000-nit display, making it ideal for outdoor use. On the Watch 9, you get just 3,000 nits, which should still be good enough for most occasions.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 $379.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Best Buy Pre-order Here at Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 and Ultra 2 key features The key to all the tracking. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

On the software side, Samsung has packed in a bunch of outdoor sports tracking features in the Ultra 2. Trail Run will track stats like terrain impact and elevation for hiking, while Nutrition Alert adds onto the old Sweat Loss tracker to tell you when to hydrate, and by how much.

The Ultra 2 is also water-resistant enough to be worn while diving, and Samsung says detailed dive tracking will arrive with a Diving app later this year. During Wednesday's Galaxy Unpacked event, Samsung revealed that the watch is EN13319-certified, meaning it accurately detects diving depth and time and has passed pressure chamber testing. The Ultra 2 will have exclusive diving features through a partnership with scuba equipment manufacturer, Mares.

Credit: Screenshot: Mashable

Another selling point for the watches: a slew of new AI health features, available on both devices. They will use on-board trackers to deliver personalized insights — such as breathing disruptions during sleep, deviations in your vitals, daily recommended cardio load, and alerts for dangerously loud noise levels to protect your hearing.

Neither of these watches is exactly reinventing the wheel (or the Squircle). Still, the hardware upgrades, along with AI upgrades, should make them effective health trackers for the target audience.

Both watches offer a variety of band options, including sport and everyday styles. The Ultra 2 also has band options specifically for water.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 $699.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Best Buy Pre-order Here at Samsung

SAVE $250: As of July 22, get the Eufy X10 Pro Omni robot vacuum and mop for $449.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $699.99. That's a discount of 36%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Eufy X10 Pro Omni robot vacuum and mop $449.99 at Amazon
$699.99 Save $250   Get Deal

If you're spending more time cleaning your floors than kicking back and relaxing at home, you might want to invest in a good robot vacuum. The best make it so that you don't have to lift a finger to get things done around the house. And these days, you don't have to worry about breaking the bank either, especially with this particular model that's on sale at an excellent price.

As of July 22, get the Eufy X10 Pro Omni robot vacuum and mop for $449.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $699.99. That's $250 off and a discount of 36%.

SEE ALSO: T-Mobile is offering a free Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 — here's how this preorder deal works

This full-featured robot vacuum and mop combo offers strong suction paired with efficient hard floor cleaning. It has a 2.5L dust bag that you only need to replace every 2 months, with a 3L clean water tank that can clean up to 2,000 sq ft multiple times before you need to switch out the reservoir. When it dries your floor it does so with 45-degree Celsis heated air for sanitary purposes, all without you having to do anything at all.

It uses a sophisticated self-cleaning roller brush to cut through hair and tangles with powerful 8,000 Pa of suction to eliminate even hidden dirt and debris you may be missing. It's great for deep-cleaning or casual tidying, whatever is on the menu for the day, and it uses AI to detect and avoid over 100 objects so you don't have to manually map out your home.

If you're ready to offload your daily cleaning schedule to the robots, this one is an excellent pick, especially thanks to its budget price made even better with this sale.

Where to preorder the new Samsung Galaxy phones Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 $1,199.99 at Samsung Pre-Order Here Amazon Galaxy Z Flip 8 $1,199.99 at Amazon (get a $200 Amazon gift card) Pre-Order Here T-Mobile Galaxy Z Flip 8 $1,199.99 at T-Mobile (save up to $1,100 when you add a new line) Pre-Order Here Amazon Galaxy Z Fold 8 $1,899.99 at Amazon (get a $350 Amazon gift card) Pre-Order Here Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 $1,899.99 at Samsung Pre-Order Here T-Mobile Galaxy Z Fold 8 $1,899.99 at T-Mobile (save up to $1,100 when you add a new line) Pre-Order Here Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra $2,099.99 at Samsung Pre-Order Here Amazon Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra $2,099.99 at Amazon (get a $350 Amazon gift card) Pre-Order Here T-Mobile Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra $2,099.99 at T-Mobile (save up to $1,100 when you add a new line) Pre-Order Here

New Samsung phones are here. At Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2026, three new phones were announced: the Galaxy Z Flip 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8, and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. The new phones are successors to the Z Flip 7 and Z Fold 7, so if you're ready for a new phone, get ready to preorder these devices.

We've been anticipating the new models for weeks, vetting rumors of what's to come with the latest foldables. Now that we're here, we can finally confirm exactly which models are available and just how much each will cost.

Galaxy Z Flip 8, Z Fold 8, and Z Fold 8 Ultra pricing breakdown

Here's the pricing breakdown:

• Galaxy Z Flip 8 (pink, graphite, cream, mint) — starting at $1,199

• Galaxy Z Fold 8 (lavender, graphite, cream, pistachio) — starting at $1,899.99

• Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra (violet shadow, graphite, cream, green shadow) — starting at $2,099.99

Both the Z Flip 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra are $100 more than last year's models; no surprise in the face of the global memory crisis. All of the new models are up for preorder as of July 22 and will be available Aug. 7.

If you've previously owned the Z Flip and Fold series, the successive models are slightly different. So here's what you need to know about the new Samsung smartphones.

About the Galaxy Z Flip 8 The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is the successor to the Z Flip 7. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is the successor to the Z Flip 7. It folds down into a pocket-sized square, flipping open to a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED display. The display is phenomenal and extremely impressive, the crease of the phone indistinguishable when flipped open. It comes with a dual lens camera with up to 10x zoom and 4K video, filming at 60 fps. It has 12GB of RAM (more than some computers) and either 256GB or 512GB of storage space.

The Z Flip 8 comes in four different colors: pink, graphite, cream, and mint (online only). It starts at $1,199.99.

Galaxy Z Flip 8 $1,199.99 at Samsung
  Pre-order Here at Samsung Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Best Buy About the Galaxy Z Fold 8 The dimensions of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 are suspiciously close to the leaked foldable iPhone. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

Apple has yet to release a foldable iPhone, but Samsung has already come out with a phone destined to compete. Rumors were floating about this model, with some thinking it would be called the Galaxy Z Fold Wide. Now we know it's actually the Galaxy Z Fold 8, a new model with a fullscreen ratio of 4:3.

It's a midrange option between the Z Flip 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra, with a 5.5-inch folded screen and a 7.6-inch full-size screen. Like the Flip, it has a dual lens camera, but is able to film in up to 8K at 30 fps. You can go for models with 12GB of RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of storage, or a model with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.

The Z Fold 8 starts at $1,899.99. It comes in lavender, graphite, cream, and pistachio (online only).

Galaxy Z Fold 8 $1,899.99 at Samsung
  Pre-order Here at Samsung Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Best Buy About the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra The successor to the Z Fold 7 is the Z Fold 8 Ultra. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

If you've previously seen or used the Z Fold 7, its successor is the new Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. It's the largest phone among all of Samsung's foldables with a 6.5-inch cover screen and an 8-inch full screen. It's the only foldable with a three-lens camera, letting you film in up to 8K with 3x optical and 30x space zoom.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra comes in violet shadow, graphite, cream, and green shadow (online only). It starts at $2,099.99.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra $2,099.99 at Samsung
  Pre-order Here at Samsung Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Best Buy

TL;DR: Pantalones Tequila and Tipsy Scoop teamed up on a Peaches & Cream Margarita Ice Cream flavor made with Pantalones Organic Reposado Tequila. The limited-edition flavor launches July 22 and will be available at Tipsy Scoop locations through August, with nationwide shipping available through Goldbelly.

Opens in a new window Credit: Pantalones Tequila / Tipsy Scoop Peaches & Cream Margarita Ice Cream $109.95 at Goldbelly
  Shop Now

Matthew McConaughey’s Pantalones Tequila is giving margarita lovers a new way to enjoy their favorite summer drink — with a spoon.

The tequila brand co-founded by Matthew and Camila McConaughey has teamed up with Tipsy Scoop to turn the classic cocktail into a frozen dessert just in time for National Tequila Day.

The collaboration brings two margarita-inspired treats to the menu, including a limited-edition Peaches & Cream Margarita Ice Cream flavor launching on July 22. Made with fresh peach ice cream, Pantalones Organic Reposado Tequila, and a hint of tangy lime, the flavor is designed to taste like a frozen version of the summer cocktail.

The boozy ice cream will be available through August at all Tipsy Scoop Barlours for $8.50 per scoop or $16 per pint. Fans who aren’t near a location can also order it nationwide through Goldbelly in a four-pint pack for $109.95.

Credit: Pantalones Tequila / Tipsy Scoop

Later this summer, the partnership will expand with the Pantalones Dallas Margarita Sorbet, a dairy-free, vegan treat inspired by the classic Texas Margarita. Made with Pantalones Organic Reposado Tequila, orange liqueur, and fresh lime juice, it will debut at Tipsy Scoop's new Dallas Barlour as a permanent menu item for $8.50 per scoop or $16 per pint.

“Most margaritas are served on the rocks. This summer, we’re deciding to serve ours by the scoop,” said Persia Tatar, CMO of Pantalones Organic Tequila. With margarita season in full swing, this collaboration brings happy hour to dessert — no cocktail shaker required.

Not near a Tipsy Scoop? Grab the Peaches & Cream Margarita Boozy Ice Cream 4-pack online for $109.95.

Partway through today's Samsung Galaxy Unpacked, a familiar face swung through: Spider-Man.

Ahead of the release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day at the end of July, Samsung played a video of all the phones the superhero breaks while trying to save New York City. But, thankfully, the new Samsung foldable phone is apparently much more durable.

SEE ALSO: I tried Samsung's new foldables. They have a cool factor the iPhone can't match.

During the video, however, Spider-Man is suspiciously silent, leading viewers to think that the company couldn't get actor Tom Holland to appear. But no matter, his friend Ned Leeds (Jacob Batalon) was able to show off the new phone in his stead. Jacob Batalon even made an appearance on the Unpacked Stage in London to show off the phone.

Credit: Mashable

And Spider-Man (OK, some guy in a Spider-Man suit) even popped in to close out the segment.

TL;DR: T-Mobile is celebrating Samsung Unpacked by offering the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 for free — saving you $379.99 (100% off) via 24 monthly bill credits when you add a qualifying wearable line.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 Free via 24 monthly bill credits when you add a qualifying wearable line. Shop Now

Carrier launch windows are historically the only time you can score 100% off a newly-announced flagship smartwatch without trading in an older device. With Samsung Unpacked officially underway, T-Mobile is attempting to lock in subscribers by wiping away the entire $379.99 retail cost of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9.

If you've been holding out on adding a cellular smartwatch to your wrist setup, this is the lowest upfront price you will see all year.

Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

As savvy consumers, you should know that carrier bill credits always come with strings attached. While wiping out the Galaxy Watch 9's $379.99 sticker price upfront sounds like a steal, you aren't walking away without spending anything.

To get this new smartwatch for $0, T-Mobile requires you to add a new paired wearable line to your monthly account. Assuming you have AutoPay turned on, that service line will run you around $12 to $15 per month. Add in T-Mobile's standard one-time $35 connection charge at checkout, and your actual out-of-pocket cost over the 24-month contract cycle comes to roughly $323 (plus tax).

If you genuinely want true, phone-free independence, paying around $323 over two years for a top-tier $380 smartwatch plus two full years of standalone cellular data is a genuinely great deal. However, if you just want a simple Bluetooth watch to check text notifications and track your daily sleep, you are better off skipping T-Mobile entirely and buying directly from Samsung.

TL;DR: Pre-order the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 for free when you trade in an eligible device on Experience Beyond and Go5G Next plans with T-Mobile.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Free via 24 monthly bill credits with an eligible trade-in on Experience Beyond and Go5G Next plans at T-Mobile. Shop Now

Samsung Unpacked has officially unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 8, and it carries a hefty $1,899.99 retail price tag. Buying it outright is a massive investment, but there is a crafty hack you should know about.

Carrier pre-order windows are traditionally the single best time to bypass upfront hardware costs. T-Mobile's opening promotion offers up to $1,900 in bill credits over 24 months. If you have an eligible flagship to trade in, this completely cancels out the phone's list price — making it the most aggressive launch offer we've seen for a book-style foldable to date.

How to get the Galaxy Z Fold 8 for free

Getting the maximum trade-in value on the Fold 8 requires some simple steps:

• Trade in: To unlock the full $1,900 credit ceiling, you must trade in an eligible high-end device (such as a Galaxy Z Fold 6/7, S25 Ultra, or recent iPhone Pro Max) in good condition.

• Select a plan: You must be on, or switch to, T-Mobile’s Experience Beyond or Go5G Next plans.

You will still need to pay local state sales tax on the full $1,899.99 retail price upfront at checkout, plus T-Mobile’s standard $35 connection charge.

Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

If you are already on (or planning to switch to) T-Mobile's top-tier unlimited plans, taking advantage of a $1,900 trade-in credit to get a brand-new $1,899 flagship for free is an absolute no-brainer. Just remember that you are locking into a 24-month service commitment. If you cancel your line early, the remaining unpaid hardware balance becomes due immediately.

TL;DR: Kylian Mbappé is the cover athlete for EA Sports FC 27: Ultimate Edition. The soccer star returns to the franchise cover for the first time in four years ahead of the game's gameplay reveal on July 23.

Kylian Mbappé is returning to the cover of EA’s football franchise. Electronic Arts has revealed the French superstar as the cover athlete for EA Sports FC 27 Ultimate Edition, marking his first time as an EA Sports FC cover star and his return to the franchise cover after four years.

Mbappé will also appear as the new cover athlete for EA Sports FC Mobile, continuing his long-running relationship with the football gaming franchise.

The Real Madrid forward earned the cover spot after another standout season on the pitch. Since joining Real Madrid in 2024, Mbappé has finished as La Liga top scorer in both of his seasons in Spain and claimed the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League Golden Boot after scoring 15 goals in the competition.

He has also continued to make history with the French national team, becoming the World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer and the first player to win the Golden Boot twice.

SEE ALSO: English footballer Wayne Rooney's blunt reaction to World Cup halftime show goes viral

“To be featured on the cover of an EA Sports FC title for the first time is a very special moment for me,” Mbappé said. “It's an honor to continue my long-term relationship with the franchise in its latest chapter, alongside the players who have shaped its history. I can't wait for everyone to experience FC 27.”

The cover reveal kicks off a week of EA Sports FC 27 news, with EA sharing more details before the official gameplay trailer drops on Thursday, July 23, at 9 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. ET.

The new Samsung Galaxy foldables are about to debut July 22 at Galaxy Unpacked. We're excited to stress-test them properly later, but here are my thoughts after playing around with the new Galaxy foldable smartphones ahead of time.

We've already covered the launch of the three new foldables — the Galaxy Z Flip 8, the Galaxy Z Fold 8, and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra — but let's talk about what it's like holding these new phones in your hand.

Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

My first impressions have been very positive, albeit in the absence of testing processor benchmarks, battery rundowns, or photography. But I did have a lot of fun playing around with these foldables, and that's more than I can say about a lot of regular smartphones.

Meet the new Samsung Galaxy foldables Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable

Here's how to distinguish between the three members of the Galaxy Z 8 lineup.

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is the trendy, flip phone-style device that fits in your pocket, with a $1,199.99 starting price.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is a new, wider 4:3 form factor introduced this year. It has a similar size and design to the highly anticipated iPhone Fold Ultra, Apple's rumored foldable we hope to see unveiled in September.

Finally, the Z Fold 8 Ultra is the true flagship of the bunch, with a camera array that comes closer to matching the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra released in the spring.

The Z Fold 8 is a more mid-range option, with a starting price of $1,899.99, while the Z Fold 8 Ultra has an intimidating $2,199.99 starting price.

When unfolded and powered on, you won't see the crease in the folding display. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable

Bottom line: These phones feel great in your hand. Samsung says the Galaxy Z Flip 8 is the lightest and thinnest flip foldable ever, and I can believe it. Unfolded, all three phones feel razor-thin but not flimsy.

And no, you don't need to be worried about a visible crease in the display. Starting in 2025, the crease has disappeared into the display, and you won't notice it this year either.

Crucially, and this is especially true with the colorful Z Flip 8, these phones feel cool in a way that other smartphones don't. Samsung has been introducing interesting innovations in the mobile space lately (see also: Privacy Display and the Galaxy Z Trifold), and the Flip family is no exception.

They have a slick design with great color options, and if you use these phones out in the real world, people will stop you and ask about them.

Also, there's just something infinitely satisfying about snapping a foldable closed.

Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

Let's talk about the elephant in the room: These phones are pricey.

Thank RAMageddon for higher prices

The ongoing global memory crisis (which, experts say, will get worse before it gets better) has wreaked havoc on the consumer tech world. Everything is getting more expensive. Not only did Samsung eliminate long-standing pre-order deals, but the Z Flip 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra are $100 more expensive than last year's models.

There's no way around it: That sucks. And it makes it harder to justify taking the plunge and buying your first foldable, or switching from an iPhone, even as Samsung makes it easier for iOS users to migrate.

My advice? Take advantage of trade-in offers and pre-order deals from mobile carriers like T-Mobile and Verizon, which have decent deals on the new foldables.

Still, we know from Counterpoint Research data that shoppers in the U.S. and China are buying fewer smartphones this year, and it's hard to blame them.

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra have some key upgrades Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

Last year, we praised Samsung's foldables for their ultra-thin design and their lightweight feel, and they're noticeably thinner and lighter this year. But there are some important upgrades under the hood as well.

Contrary to rumors that the Z Flip 8 would have an Exynos processor, all three phones are equipped with the same chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy. The Z Fold 8 Ultra also has a true 5,000 mAh battery, and even the smaller Z Fold 8 has a 4,800 mAh power cell. The Folds also offer faster 45W wired charging and 20W wireless charging.

In addition, the Z Fold 8 has a 200MP main camera, necessary for people like me who need to take videos and photos for work. The Ultra's camera array isn't quite up to par with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or iPhone 17 Pro Max, but it's getting close.

Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

Ultimately, I'm excited to put these new phones through their paces — and just wish everything wasn't so expensive in 2026.

The clamshell foldable phone market is a crowded space these days, thanks in part to the efforts of Motorola and Samsung.

Motorola released its Razr Ultra earlier this year, while Samsung is set to reveal the Z Flip 8 at its Galaxy Unpacked event on July 22. We'll do our best to compare and contrast.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Motorola Razr Ultra: Price

The Razr Ultra retails for $1,499. While we don't know the price for the Z Flip 8 yet, the Z Flip 7 launched at $1,099 last year. Given the price-rising RAMageddon in the tech world right now, a price increase of some kind seems likely.

The Z Flip 8 may still come in below $1,499, but you can pretty much guarantee it won't be below $1,099.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Motorola Razr Ultra: Design The Razr Ultra and Z Flip 8 will almost certainly look pretty similar at a glance. Credit: René Ramos / Mashable

In terms of physical design, both of these phones are very similar. They're both clamshell-style foldables with a small outer display and a larger inner display that you use while unfolded.

The Razr Ultra has a 7-inch inner display and a 4-inch outer display, while leaks indicate the Flip 8's displays will be 6.9-inches and 4.1-inches, respectively, meaning the difference in display size between these two phones is nearly nonexistent.

Size is where Samsung might have an advantage. Here are the dimensions of the Razr Ultra:

• Folded: 88.12 × 73.99 × 15.69 mm

• Unfolded: 171.48 × 73.99 × 7.19 mm

• Weight: 199g

We don't have an official spec sheet for the Z Flip 8 yet, but all reports suggest it will have a similar build to the Z Flip 7, possibly with a small amount of slimming down. Here are the Z Flip 7's dimensions:

• Folded: 85.5 x 75.2 x 13.7 mm

• Unfolded: 166.7 x 75.2 x 6.5 mm

• 188g

In other words, Samsung's phone last year was already smaller and lighter, and Samsung has a habit of making its phones a little smaller every year recently.

There's a good chance the Z Flip 8 will be even smaller than the Z Flip 7, thus also beating the Razr Ultra.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Motorola Razr Ultra: Specs This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Let's start with the specs we know. The Razr Ultra's details:

• Snapdragon 8 Elite mobile platform chipset

• 16GB RAM

• 512GB storage

• 5,000mAh battery

As for the Z Flip 8, rumored specs are as follows:

• Exynos 2600 chipset OR Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

• 12GB RAM

• 256GB/512GB storage

• 4,300mAh battery

Different rumors point to different chipsets in the Z Flip 8, which might come down to which market you buy the phone in. Other than that, the Z Flip 8 looks to possibly have less RAM, smaller starting storage, and a much smaller battery.

The size of a battery cell isn't the only thing that decides how long a battery lasts, so the two could ultimately be comparable — but it's not looking good for Samsung on that front.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Motorola Razr Ultra: Cameras Razr Ultra can snap some nice pics for your social feeds, at least. Credit: Timothy Werth/Mashable

Clamshell foldables are not the phones to buy if you want the best cameras. They just aren't meant to be used for professional-grade photography the way a regular flagship might be.

The basic camera specs for the Motorola Razr Ultra:

• 50MP wide

• 50MP ultrawide

• 50MP inner camera

And here are the (reported) specs for the Z Flip 8:

• 50MP wide

• 12MP ultrawide

• 10MP inner camera

Judging purely by the numbers, Motorola wins — but it's not that simple. Megapixel counts alone don't tell you how good a camera is, and until we test the Z Flip 8, we can't say for sure whether or not it takes better photos than the Razr Ultra.

While neither of these phones are going to shine on raw camera specs, they are both clamshell foldables — which means you can pull unusual and useful camera stunts such as taking a selfie with the outer camera and see a preview of the results on the exterior display before snapping the photo.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Motorola Razr Ultra: Software features

These phones should provide a somewhat similar experience in terms of software features, given that they are both clamshell foldables that run Android. Both can access some features of apps or look at notifications on the exterior display without opening the phone. Both split the inner display in two so you can look at multiple apps at the same time.

The Razr Ultra has access to a ton of AI features. Gemini, Perplexity, Copilot, and more are supported alongside the built-in Moto AI features. If you want a phone that does a little bit of everything AI, you could do a lot worse than the Razr Ultra.

We also expect the Z Flip 8 to come packed with AI features, similar to the Z Flip 7. Samsung's Galaxy AI suite can help edit photos and videos, use on-screen context to suggest actions to the user, screen phone calls, summarize recordings, and lots more.

New Galaxy AI features are set to be announced at Unpacked later this month.

All eyes were on Samsung's two bigger foldable devices at Unpacked on Wednesday, but the newest in the Galaxy Z Flip line got its moment in the spotlight, too.

Samsung confirmed the long-known existence of the Galaxy Z Flip 8 at an Unpacked event in London, following up on last year's well-liked Z Flip 7 with a device that offers a smaller form factor, but at a higher price. The new Z Flip 8 is just 6.1 mm when unfolded, making it 13 percent thinner than the Z Flip 7. That's all well and good, but unfortunately, like almost everything else in the tech world, it's more expensive than last year's model, too.

The new Galaxy Z Flip 8 is available for preorder today starting at $1,199.99. That's a $100 price bump year-over-year. The new foldable phone will be available on Aug. 7, but we got the chance to try the device ahead of its launch, and we've got all the details you need to know.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 $1,199.99 at Samsung
  Pre-order Here at Samsung Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Best Buy Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 specs Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable

The Z Flip 8 is noticeably lighter and slimmer in your hand this year, and Samsung says it's the lightest and thinnest flip-style foldable phone ever. Having seen the device up close, we believe it. This year's device weighs a mere 180 grams, or 8 grams lighter than the Z Flip 7.

Here are the basic specs of the new Galaxy Z Flip 8 from Samsung:

• Inner display: 6.9-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate

• Outer display: 4.1-inch HD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate

• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset

• Colors: Pink, cream, graphite, mint

• Unfolded dimensions: 166.9 x 75.4 x 6.1 mm

• Folded dimensions: 85.7 x 75.4 x 13.1 mm

• Weight: 180 grams

• RAM: 12GB

• Storage: 256GB, 512GB

• Battery: 4,300mAh battery

• Cameras: 50MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP selfie camera

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 upgrades: Some things change, some things stay the same Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

The story of the Z Flip 8 is that while there are some important improvements over the Z Flip 7, the overall hardware of the new device is very similar to that of the old one.

The display sizes, RAM, storage options, and even the battery are all the same, year-over-year. Samsung also didn't do anything to upgrade the cameras, at least not at a megapixel level. As the cheapest of the three foldables, perhaps it's to be expected that Samsung wouldn't go out of its way to provide premium specs in the Z Flip 8, but that also means the phone doesn't seem like a massive improvement over last year's model. It will also be competing with the excellent Motorola Razr Ultra, which does have premium specs.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Motorola Razr Ultra: See how the flip phones compare

That's not to say Samsung did nothing, though. It's about 12 percent smaller than the Z Flip 7 and a little lighter, making it even more comfortable in the hands. Perhaps the biggest improvement over the Z Flip 7 is the presence of a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, the same one that powers Samsung's other new foldables. That should offer a performance boost (and maybe a boost to battery life, too) over the Exynos chip that powered the Z Flip 7.

Finally, the new Flex Titanium hardware should provide more durability, as well as a truly invisible crease in the middle of the flexible display.

Our first impressions: A lighter, thinner flip phone Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

Correction, this isn't just a lighter, thinner flip phone. According to Samsung, it's the lightest and thinnest foldable flip ever. And based on our hands-on demo, we believe it.

The new Galaxy Z Flip 8 feels great in your hand, and it disappears into your pocket like an iPhone never could. Samsung also told us the cover screen user experience has been redesigned from the ground up. In the past, the cover display UX felt like a bit of an afterthought, with limited functionality, but Samsung says that won't be the case this year. In our limited time with the phone, that seems true.

Still, the Galaxy Z Flip 8 is competing against the Motorola Razr Ultra, which has received rave reviews so far this year, including from our own tech editor. Without powerful cameras, it's at a bit of a disadvantage if you're a creator who needs to take photos and videos for work.

That being said, this phone is definitely cool in a way that very few phones are these days. It has a cute design and color options, making it hipper than your average iPhone.

Where to buy the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8

The new smartphone is available for pre-order today, starting at $1,199.99 for 12GB RAM and 256GB of storage. The phone will be available starting Aug. 7.

You can purchase the phone from Samsung or Amazon, but you can also check out the best Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra launch offers from mobile carriers like T-Mobile and Verizon. T-Mobile is even offering the device for $900 off for customers who meet certain conditions.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 $199.99 at T-Mobile
$1,199.99 Save $1,000 Save $999.99 with eligible trade-in on Experience More or Experience Beyond plans at T-Mobile Get Deal

After months of rumors and leaks, Samsung finally told us everything we wanted to know about its new marquee foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra was officially announced during a Galaxy Unpacked showcase in London, where the company also debuted two more foldable phones and two new Galaxy smartwatches. In a twist to its usual naming convention, the Z Fold 8 Ultra is the successor to last year's excellent Z Fold 7. That means it's a new book-style foldable with some hardware and software improvements over the Z Fold 7. (The newly announced Z Fold 8 is an entirely new model with a wider body.)

In keeping with the Ultra name, and the general state of the tech industry, the Z Fold 8 Ultra is also the most expensive of the new foldables announced on Wednesday. It starts at a staggering $2,099.99, a $100 price increase over the Z Fold 7. Mashable got the chance to demo the new foldable smartphones ahead of their release, and we can finally share all the details and our first impressions.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: By the numbers An Ultra display. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

This year, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 rumors and leaks were pretty spot on. As expected, the new device features a new Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset (the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy), an improved battery, and some new AI features. Remarkable, it's even thinner than last year's model.

The specifications for the Galaxy Z Fold 8:

• Inner display: 8-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate

• Outer display: 6.5-inches AMOLED display 120Hz refresh rate

• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset

• Unfolded dimensions: 158.4 x 143.2 x 4.1 mm

• Folded dimensions: 158.4 x 72.8 x 8.9 mm

• RAM: 12GB to 16GB RAM

• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage

• Battery: 5,000mAh battery

• Charging: 45W wired, 20W wireless

• Cameras: 200MP wide, 50MP ultrawide, 10MP selfie camera

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra key upgrades Yep, still thin. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

The Z Fold 8 Ultra is not a huge upgrade over the Z Fold 7 in terms of hardware, but there are some enhancements worth covering. First, Samsung managed to shave an additional millimeter off the thickness of the device, and it's a mere 4.1mm when unfolded, though it weighs the same as last year's Z Fold 7.

Probably the most noteworthy upgrade here is the updated battery. Last year, the Z Fold 7 had a measly 4,400mAh cell, and the phone's mediocre battery life was really the one and only big knock we had against it. A new 5,000mAh battery is instantly on the higher side of any available smartphone right now, so hopefully the Z Fold 8 Ultra can hold a charge for longer than its predecessor.

Another big upgrade worth mentioning: the new 50MP ultrawide camera lens, up from just 12MP a year ago. We haven't had enough time to properly test this out yet, so we can't say if it's really a noticeable improvement or not. But it's basically the only other number on the spec sheet that's substantially bigger than it was a year ago. This brings the phone a lot closer to matching the Galaxy S26 Ultra's pro-level camera array. The Z Fold 8 Ultra can also shoot 8K video, so it's capable of supporting most creators' and professionals' workflow.

Finally, Samsung did make one big display change: the introduction of Flex Titanium, a new technology that allows for nearly invisible creases on foldable displays and a more durable hinge. Mashable got to get hands-on with the new Samsung devices, and we can confirm the crease is basically nonexistent now. That would've been unthinkable five years ago.

Our first impressions: An impressive — and expensive — new king of the hill Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

As of July 22, this is the most advanced foldable phone in the world. Not only that, but it probably still will be when Apple eventually announces its highly anticipated iPhone Fold Ultra in September. The foldable iPhone will be smaller and have fewer cameras (we think), which means the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra will comfortably outrun it in key areas.

Samsung has also added some new AI and software features into the mix. Two that we're particularly excited about: My Fan Cam and Cine LUTs. My Fan Cam is an AI editing tool that uses Galaxy AI to automatically make vertical video edits from horizontal videos. In the example Samsung showed, it could even isolate the performance of a single dancer in a group performance. Cine LUTs give video makers four preset LUTs that give videos a more professional, cinematic appearance. We're excited to test them both out, and we'll have a full review of the new Galaxy foldables in the weeks ahead.

There's really just one problem with this phone that's immediately apparent to us: the price tag. The $2,099.99 price is going to be a tough sell for a lot of shoppers, and there's no way around it. The fact that Samsung launched a new Galaxy credit card to help people finance the phone doesn't bode well.

Where to buy the new Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

The new smartphone is available for pre-order today, starting at $2,099.99 for 12GB RAM and 256GB of storage. The phone will be available starting Aug. 7.

You can purchase the phone from Samsung or Amazon, but you can also check out the best Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra launch offers from mobile carriers like T-Mobile and Verizon, where you can save up to $1,100 if you meet certain terms and conditions.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra $2,099.99 at Samsung
  Pre-order Here at Samsung Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Best Buy Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra $2,099.99 at T-Mobile
Save up to $1,100 with eligible trade-in on Experience More or Experience Beyond plans at T-Mobile. Get Deal

SAVE OVER $10: As of July 22, the Lego Icons Kingfisher Bird has hit a new low on Amazon at $33.99. That's $16 off its full price of $49.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Icons Kingfisher Bird Model (10331) $33.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $16   Get Deal

The Lego Icons Kingfisher Bird's retirement may be on the horizon, but Amazon's offering shoppers a chance to grab this awesome Lego build at a discount before that happens. It's not just any regular discount, either. As of July 22, the retailer has dropped this set to a new low price of $33.99.

Usually, this Lego Kingfisher costs $49.99, so this is a great opportunity to save $16.

SEE ALSO: Lego is releasing the biggest Art Masterpiece ever: Everything you need to know about Gustav Klimt – The Kiss

As someone who's built this Lego Kingfisher set myself, I can confirm that it's definitely worth picking up at this price. With 834 pieces, it sees you creating a beautiful blue Kingfisher model, complete with a fish caught in its mouth and a water base for the display stand. Its head and claws are posable as well, so you can show it off at fun angles.

It's a truly amazing build to have up on display, and it's also worth mentioning that it's recommended for adults. This is because it has more of a complex assembly and is meant to be put on display once you're finished, though builders of any age can tackle it with a helping hand.

The Lego Icons Kingfisher Bird set's retirement is coming up soon, so now is a great opportunity to save on this amazing bird build at Amazon.

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In this episode of Mashable's Say More, the cast of Apple TV's The Dink — Mary Steenburgen, Jake Johnson, and Aaron Chen — sit down to play our movie title guessing game, Pop Mash!

Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko reads descriptions that combine two different movie or TV plots into one. To win, the cast must figure out the titles and mash them together using a shared common word. Watch as they team up to decode hilarious hybrid titles like Fantastic Four Christmases, Jungle Book Club, and Jurassic World War Z. Can they score a perfect 10 for 10?

On Tuesday, OpenAI published a blog post with a fairly unassuming name: "OpenAI and Hugging Face partner to address security incident during model evaluation."

Once you dig in, it reads like a cyberpunk novel in which OpenAI created an advanced AI hacker agent and put it in an isolated environment for testing. The AI agent then autonomously hacked its way out of OpenAI's isolated environment and then hacked Hugging Face, an open-source repository of AI-related projects, to find a solution to an advanced test designed to evaluate an AI's hacking abilities.

In other words, the AI proved that it is, indeed, really good at hacking things. But this is exactly the stuff of AI nightmares that cybersecurity experts have been warning us about, and it could have serious ramifications for OpenAI.

The story starts with Hugging Face, the AI repository (think of it as GitHub for AI), which disclosed a security incident last week. In a blog post, the company said it recently detected an intrusion into its infrastructure that was "different from anything we had handled" as it was completely driven by an "autonomous AI agent system."

The AI, according to Hugging Face, exploited a chain of vulnerabilities to obtain credentials and access data from its servers. It did so by "executing many thousands of individual actions across a swarm of short-lived sandboxes, with self-migrating command-and-control staged on public services."

Sounds scary, but it gets worse.

SEE ALSO: The 6 biggest cybersecurity breaches of 2026 so far

OpenAI's part of the story exposes just how dangerous this thing is. The incident "was driven by a combination of OpenAI models — including GPT‑5.6 Sol and an even more capable pre-release model, all with reduced cyber refusals for evaluation purposes." It occurred "during an internal evaluation which prompts models to pursue advanced exploitation using complex attack paths, in an effort to quantify their cyber capabilities."

The models were running in a "highly isolated environment" with limited network access, meaning they should never have been able to escape to the open internet. Yet, they did. "To gain access, the models identified and exploited a zero-day vulnerability (...) in the package registry cache proxy. With this access, our models performed a series of privilege escalation and lateral movement actions in our research testing environment until the models reached a node with Internet access."

Note: OpenAI switches between using singular and plural on this one; we'll just call it an "agent" for simplicity's sake.

Once free, the agent did what it was supposed to do: It estimated that the best way to prove it's good at hacking things was to find a solution for ExploitGym, a test designed to measure how good an AI is at turning software vulnerabilities into actual exploits. The best way to do that, it determined, was to hack Hugging Face, which the AI thought likely to host solutions for ExploitGym.

It's unclear whether the AI agent was successful at solving the ExploitGym test. But it sure did prove it was good at hacking, as it autonomously broke out of OpenAI's prison and hacked Hugging Face's servers, all to solve the test.

SEE ALSO: What’s next in Apple’s legal battle with OpenAI

Both Hugging Face and OpenAI say they've fixed the vulnerabilities and deployed additional safety measures to make sure this doesn't happen again. At this point, however, you have to wonder whether OpenAI's experts are sophisticated enough to stop their own AI agents from doing whatever the heck they want to do.