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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.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

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.

SAVE OVER $10: As of July 22, Raycon Everyday earbuds are on sale for $63.99 at Amazon. That's $16 off their list price of $79.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Raycon Raycon Everyday Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds $63.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $16.00   Get Deal

When it comes to budget earbuds, Raycon's Everyday earbuds are among our favorites. If they've caught your eye as a solid pair that won't break the bank, now is an excellent time to grab them as Amazon has discounted them to an even lower price than usual.

As of July 22, every available color of the Raycon Everyday earbuds has been marked down to $63.99 at the retailer. That's a $16 discount from their full price of $79.99, but they're only on sale at this price for a limited time.

SEE ALSO: 16 summer hosting essentials that cost under $25 at Amazon

The Raycon Everyday earbuds have plenty to offer to keep you fully absorbed in what you're listening to, including noise-canceling and up to 32 hours of battery life with the charging case. We think very highly of them, as they're among our favorite budget earbuds, and our review from Mashable's Bethany Allard said they "prove that basic earbuds can be better".

Allard's review continues on to say, "Raycon Everyday Earbuds succeed because they know exactly what they are: relatively affordable earbuds, meant not to wow, but to be reliable and convenient to use." She also adds that, "They have decent ANC, preset equalizer options, and the ability to activate a phone's voice assistant."

If you want new earbuds at a more affordable price, don't miss out on this deal on the Raycon Everyday earbuds at Amazon.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

In case you've been away from the internet for a few days, a new celebrity animal has been propelled into the spotlight.

We're talking of course about Jimothy, the viral Seattle raccoon whose unusual shape — which professors have speculated may be a result of congenital spine deformity — has caused footage and photos of him to be shared far and wide.

SEE ALSO: Jimothy the raccoon is taking over the internet

On Tuesday, Threads users noticed that Jimothy's fame has now been acknowledged by the search engine gods — namely, he has his own Google animation.

Behold, this is what happens if you type "Jimothy" into Google on smartphone or desktop:

Once he's scampered across the screen, a button pops up allowing you to replay the animation or share it.

What would Jimothy think if he knew that the human race is now paying homage to him with fan art?

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, July 22, 2026:

AcrossMother chicken

• The answer is Hen.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

Word after "leading" and "first"

• The answer is Lady.

Just peachy ... or a hint to the two letters that appear most often in this grid

• The answer is Dandy.

Bryant of "S.N.L." fame

• The answer is Aidy.

Like overcooked chicken

• The answer is Dry.

DownHelpful

• The answer is Handy.

Swirl of water

• The answer is Eddy.

The Yankees, on scoreboards

• The answer is NYY.

Supervillain's hideout

• The answer is Lair.

___ joke

• The answer is Dad.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.

TL;DR: Ahead of Spider-Man: Brand New Day's July 31 theatrical debut, Takis has launched limited-edition collectible bags inspired by the film. From July 1 through Aug. 31, shoppers who spend $15 on qualifying Takis products can earn $8 in Fandango Rewards for a movie ticket.

Fans counting down to Spider-Man: Brand New Day can earn a discount on their movie ticket with their next snack run.

Takis has launched limited-edition bags inspired by the upcoming Marvel film, and shoppers who spend $15 on participating products through Aug. 31 will receive $8 in Fandango Rewards that can be used towards a ticket to see Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Takis has rolled out limited-edition Spider-Man: Brand New Day-themed packaging across four of its rolled tortilla chip flavors: Fuego, Blue Heat, Intense Nacho, and Nitro. Each flavor sports a different collectible design, and fans can find the bags at participating retailers nationwide.

The limited-edition packaging and ticket offer are just part of the collaboration. Takis says it will also bring the partnership to life with fan experiences, influencer content, and in-store promotions throughout the summer.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day swings exclusively into theaters on July 31, starring Tom Holland, Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal, Tramell Tillman, Michael Mando, and Mark Ruffalo.

It’s not quite web-slinging, but saving $8 on a movie ticket is a pretty good superpower for a bag of chips.

SAVE $60: As of July 22, the Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe coffee and espresso machine is on sale for $139 at Amazon. That's $60 off its full price of $199.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nespresso Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe Coffee and Espresso Machine by De'Longhi, 37 Oz, Black $139 at Amazon
$199 Save $60   Get Deal

If you're looking to cut down on trips to the coffee shop this year, a coffee machine is worth buying. Thankfully, Amazon's been offering some great deals lately on select models, making now an excellent time to shop around. Among these offers is the Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe coffee and espresso machine, which is on sale for $139.

The Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe is usually priced at $199, so this offer saves you $60 overall, but not for long. It currently has a "limited time deal" tag on it, so you'll want to be quick to add it to your cart before the discount is all gone.

SEE ALSO: 16 summer hosting essentials that cost under $25 at Amazon

Not only can the Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe brew you a cup of coffee from a capsule, but it can also make espresso drinks from capsules if you want to shake things up in your mornings. It can also brew four different cup sizes — single and double espresso alongside 5oz and 8oz coffee — and has an easy one-touch brewing system to get you started.

If the Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe sounds like the kind of machine you're hoping to have in your kitchen, now is the time to jump on this deal before it's gone.

This certainly isn't the only coffee machine deal worth checking out right now. If you're looking for an option for iced coffee this summer, have a look at this offer on the Keurig K-Iced Coffee Maker at Amazon.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

TL;DR: The LG 27-inch UltraGear OLED gaming monitor is on sale for $379 at Amazon, down from its $449.99 typical price.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG OLED 27-inch OLED QHD UltraGear Gaming Monitor $379 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $70.99 Get Deal

Getting an OLED panel to upgrade your gaming setup is expensive, but Amazon’s latest LG UltraGear discount brings a glossy 240Hz QHD screen at a lower price than we’ve ever seen before. 

As of July 22, the LG 27-inch UltraGear OLED gaming monitor (27GX704A-B) is available on Amazon for $379 — slashing $70.99 off its standard $449.99 price. That makes this the best-ever deal on Amazon (confirmed with price tracker camelcamelcamel).

Delivered as soon as July 23 if you’re a Prime member (at the time of writing), what you’re buying at this record-low price is a 27-inch glossy OLED panel with a QHD 2560x1440 resolution. You’ll get extra visual perks like VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400, a 1.5M:1 contrast ratio, and 98.5% DCI-P3 coverage — giving darker scenes richer black levels and more convincing color.

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This pairs brilliantly with the 240Hz refresh rate to grant you jaw-dropping fluid movement no matter what kind of game you’re playing: be it hectic multiplayer shooters like Overwatch and League of Legends, or the latest single-player adventures like Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced or the upcoming Marvel's Wolverine. 

As we usually see with UltraGear monitors like these, the 27GX704A-B also comes with NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and VESA AdaptiveSync to keep frames looking cleaner when performance fluctuates.

To make sure this fits in perfectly with the rest of your setup, you also get two HDMI 2.1 ports, DisplayPort 1.4, USB connectivity, OLED Care tools, and a stand that supports height, tilt, swivel, and pivot adjustments.

The word "tariff" seems to have been blissfully absent from the news cycle for a while now, but this week it made a comeback.

In the Daily Show clip above, host Desi Lydic reacts to Trump announcing 50 percent tariffs on several goods imported from Canada, from dairy products and paper to furniture and hockey sticks.

"No hockey sticks? What's my husband gonna keep jammed in the corner of our garage for the past 15 years?" Lydic said. "Now, obviously, it's very frustrating to be back in this trade war again, but if you're worried that this is another case of Trump abusing his power again relax, these tariffs are legal under the Smoot-Hawley act, which has been around since 1930 when it helped prolong and worse the great depression. So cheer up!"

Lydic goes on to explain why the tariffs are being imposed now, citing a Truth Social post in which Trump accuses Canada of "not properly maintaining their forests," leading to the US "being unnecessarily invaded by filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air."

"Are you sure you want America to set a precedent for paying for pollution?" asks Lydic. "I feel like your pals at Pesticide-Microplastic-Death-Diarrhea-Lettuce Inc. might have other ideas."

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Secrets of Strixhaven Draft Night Box is on sale for $80.97 at Amazon, down from its $94.99 typical price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Secrets of Strixhaven Draft Night Box $80.97 at Amazon
$94.99 Save $14.02 Get Deal

Secrets of Strixhaven’s dedicated game-night box already puts an entire four-player draft into one compact package, and Amazon has now dropped it low enough to beat the prices currently listed at TCGplayer. 

As of July 22, the Magic: The Gathering Secrets of Strixhaven Draft Night Box is available at Amazon for $80.97. Compared with its typical $94.99 price, that works out to a 15% discount and a $14.02 saving on the full set. Confirmed when checking our go-to price tracker camelcamelcamel, this is the lowest price we’ve seen for Strixhaven’s Draft Night Box. This lowest-priced Amazon listing is sold and shipped by third-party seller SSA Cards, with free delivery currently showing for July 29. 

For just an extra cent, there is also an $80.98 option sold by Double Infinity Gaming and shipped directly by Amazon, which can arrive slightly sooner by July 27 — or July 23 for Prime members at the time of writing. That listing is marked as a final sale, which means it cannot be returned. 

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Open a pack, choose two cards, and pass the rest. Once all 12 packs have been drafted, everyone builds a 40-card deck using their selections and the included pool of 90 Basic Lands.

The box also includes 10 double-sided token cards and one Collector Booster, which is intended as the prize for the final winner. Every Play Booster contains 14 cards and guarantees a Mystical Archive instant or sorcery with special art and a showcase frame. The Collector Booster contains 15 cards, including five rares or higher and three to four Mystical Archive cards.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Perfect Order Booster Bundle is available at $47.45 at Amazon, down from its $59.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Perfect Order Booster Bundle $47.45 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $12.54   Get Deal

Perfect Order has spent much of the summer around the $50 mark at Amazon, but another marketplace price drop has made its six-pack Booster Bundle comfortably one of the most affordable options in the modern Pokémon TCG. 

As of July 22, the Pokémon TCG’s Perfect Order Booster Bundle is available at Amazon for $47.45. That's a $12.54 cut from its $59.99 list price.

The cheapest listing is sold by third-party seller IOTSide and shipped by Amazon, with free delivery currently estimated for Aug. 6-8. A second $47.45 option, sold by Collectors Expedition and also fulfilled by Amazon, shows delivery from Aug. 1-7. Both versions are covered by Amazon’s standard 30-day refund or replacement window. 

At this price, each of the six boosters works out to roughly $7.91 before tax. While this is not the lowest per-pack cost available online, it is still much lower than the Perfect Order Booster Bundle price we saw back in March.

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Walmart currently undercuts it at $42.68, which comes to around $7.11 per pack. TCGplayer goes lower still, with unopened listings starting from $39.99 including shipping, which is only 30 cents above its market price of $39.69. 

The Perfect Order Booster Bundle includes six packs from the Mega Evolution expansion. Each contains 10 trading cards, one Basic Energy, and one Pokémon TCG Live code card. 

As for the valuable cards you can get from this expansion, or buy individually from TCGplayer, Perfect Order still has some nice, pricey chase cards — including MHR Mega Zygarde ex, SIR Mega Meowth ex, SIR Mega Zygarde ex, and SIR Mega Clefable ex. 

The next big Galaxy Unpacked launch event is upon us, and we're expecting big news for Android users — and Android-curious users.

Samsung's big event is scheduled for July 22 at 9 a.m. ET, and this year the action takes place in London. Mashable will be attending the London launch event, and we'll be posting live updates before, during, and after the event in this live blog. Keep checking back to see all of the biggest announcements, product launches, and, hopefully, a couple of surprises as well.

The Korean tech giant is expected to launch at least five new devices today, including three new foldable phones:

• Galaxy Z Flip 8

• Galaxy Z Fold 8

• Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

• Galaxy Watch 9

• Galaxy Watch Ultra 2

So, catch up on the latest Galaxy Unpacked rumors, tune into the livestream, and join us for one of the biggest tech launch events of the summer.

Recommendations for the best TVs to buy in 2026 are at the bottom of this guide, thanks to intel from CNET's Ty Pendlebury and PCMag's Will Greenwald. (CNET, PCMag, and Mashable are all owned by publisher Ziff Davis.) Use the table of contents to skip down to a specific category.

Buying a new television can break your brain more than it breaks your budget. If you're not a picky cinephile or longtime hardcore gamer, TV specs are one of those Michael Scott "Explain it to me like I'm five" things. Laptop specs are in the same club.

Wordy product titles on Amazon TVs definitely aren't helping the confusion. The clusters of nebulous descriptors like "Omni Mini-LED, QLED 4K UHD, Dolby Vision IQ, 144hz, Ambient Experience" aren't exactly accessible to the average person — they're just pure chaos.

Familiarizing yourself with all of this technical stuff doesn't require a lab or any prior knowledge at all. It might just take a straightforward TV buyers guide, broken down by someone who's used to feeling overwhelmed by tech jargon. So, here's your brain workout for the day: Let's translate all of these TV acronyms and buzzwords so that you know exactly what to look for when buying a new TV.

SEE ALSO: What is the slimmest TV you can buy? I compared numbers to find the thinnest OLED, QLED, and RGB TVs. Backlight explained: LED vs. QLED vs. OLED vs. RGB

The main thing to know: 4K and LED are not talking about the same thing. 4K refers to resolution, and terms containing -LED refer to the panel lighting the TV.

Contrary to the TV-related queries that fill Google's "People also asked" section, you don't have to choose between, say, 4K or QLED. For example, a TV can have 4K resolution with LED, QLED, or OLED lighting. My beloved bedroom TV, the artsy Hisense DécoTV, is QLED (more colorful than LED) but not 4K (a lower pixel count).

The order listed above also reflects their escalating price points: LED TVs are the most affordable of the types of TV lighting, QLED TVs can be entry-level and affordable or high-end and expensive, and OLED TVs are the most expensive type of TV because their lighting system is the most advanced. You're much more likely to find cheap QLED TVs than you are to find cheap OLED TVs.

What is QLED?

Technical translation: QLED stands for Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diode.

Quantum dots are tiny nanocrystals that can convert the basic spectrum of light into billions of vibrant colors. Measuring no more than 10 nanometers in size, a quantum dot beside even a single piece of human hair would look as small as Earth looks beside massive stars in those 'scale of the universe' videos. Existential dread incoming.

Because they're so small, millions (sometimes billions) of quantum dots can be packed into a quantum dot display. Each has the ability to receive and reflect the light coming from the backlight panel layered behind them. The color of the light reflected depends on the size of each particle.

The color of the light reflected in a quantum dot depends on the size of each particle. Credit: Samsung

The more quantum dots that can be packed into a display, the more vibrant the range of colors and brightness the TV can produce. Color gamut is the official term you'll see denoting the range of colors a TV can produce. A wide color gamut simply means more saturated colors, regardless of where they fall on the rainbow.

Brightness, simply the amount of light that the TV screen produces, is measured in nits. Peak brightness increases as the TVs get fancier: A mini LED TV on the more affordable side in 2026 might hit around 3,000 nits, while the brightest TVs of 2026 settle between 4,000 and 5,000 nits. The brightest of them all reaches up to 10,000 nits.

SEE ALSO: Best movies of 2026, and where to watch them now What is mini LED?

Technical translation: Mini LED is a type of TV lighting that uses more, tinier-than-usual LED bulbs in a TV's LCD panel.

QLED is not synonymous with mini LED — QLED has to do with the nanocrystals that reflect light from bulbs in the panel, while mini LED has to do with the bulbs themselves.

Smaller, more jam-packed LED bulbs across the screen allow for more precise brightness control within small zones (called dimming zones) of the screen. These clusters of bulbs can be dimmed or turned off together to achieve more detailed contrast without muddying things up for the parts of the scene that need to be bright and colorful.

The more local dimming zones a screen has, the more opportunities to fine-tune color and contrast across each inch of each scene, ultimately leading to a sharper, more realistic image on the screen. Budget-friendly mini LED TVs probably won't have more than 200 dimming zones, while solid mid-range picks might up the count to 500. The best mini LED TVs have 1,000+ dimming zones and will get the closest to the OLED experience in terms of contrast (more on that later).

SEE ALSO: TCL QM6K mini LED review: An impressive TV between the super cheap and super expensive

When QLED does its best work: The main advantage of QLED is brightness, which is inherently better at handling glare and reflections in bright rooms. QLED TVs are ideal for people whose TV usage happens mostly in the daytime, especially watching sports. Less than 1,000 nits of brightness, like the low numbers produced by a more basic LED TV, just isn't bright enough for comfortable visibility when it's competing with direct sunlight.

Ideally, QLED technology will be paired with mini LED technology to create the most well-rounded picture — this is what Samsung's Neo QLED TVs do.

When QLED isn't great: The main disadvantage of QLED TVs is dulled contrast, especially when it comes to black levels. QLEDs simply have a hard time reaching as deep of a black tone as OLED pixels do. The combination of these muted black levels with the brightness of light colors can sometimes backfire with what's commonly called blooming or haloing: a ring-shaped glow around bright objects on the screen. The halo effect can mess with the legibility of details on the screen, like captions written in white letters.

What is OLED?

Technical translation: OLED stands for Organic Light Emitting Diode.

The one-letter shift between QLED and OLED doesn't accurately represent how starkly different these two lighting technologies are. While QLED pixels are merely casting light coming from behind them (but making it juicier), OLED pixels emit their own light. These self-lighting pixels can individually turn themselves on and off, which is how light/dark scenes show up.

The OLED TV on the right has one less layer — no backlight. Credit: Samsung Display

When OLED does its best work: The main advantages of OLED TVs are contrast and deep black levels. OLED TVs are ideal for people who do most of their TV watching or gaming in the dark, or watch a lot of dimly-lit content that gets muddied on more basic TVs.

The main disadvantage of OLED is the eventual likelihood of "burn-in," or permanently dimmed OLED pixels that show up as little black dots on the screen. OLED burn-in happens over a span of several years — not quickly enough that it stops many TV experts from generally preferring OLED TVs over QLED, anyway. Most newer OLED screens have built-in protective features that can prolong burn-in, like pixel refresh to shake up a static screen. You can also mitigate burn-in by simply not leaving your TV on all day, every day.

SEE ALSO: Wait, what are Amazon Ember TVs? The Amazon Fire TV rebrand, explained. What is RGB?

Technical translation: In TV terms, RGB stands for red, green, and blue LEDs lighting a TV's screen.

Traditional LED or QLED TVs get their color from white or blue LED bulbs reflecting light through the pixels on the LCD screen in front of them. Nothing is tinted blue to the naked eye or anything, and no everyday colors that we're used to seeing are blatantly missing. But only RGB TVs have the capacity to achieve 100 percent coverage of the color gamut, or the full possible spectrum of colors visible to humans.

RGB TVs replace each white or blue LED with a cluster of true red, green, and blue LEDs, heavily widening the range of colors able to shine through the display. RGB leads to more vibrant, accurate hues, deeper blacks, and boosted brightness while limiting the possibility of blooming around light objects.

Credit: Samsung

Where RGB does its best work: Any room in any lighting, ideally. RGB TVs generally get brighter than traditional mini LED TVs, making them a stellar choice for watching in the daytime. RGB TVs also have the skills to maintain stark contrast and shadowy details in dark rooms, which was strictly an OLED thing before.

The main disadvantage of RGB TVs is their cost. RGB just had its mainstream explosion at CES 2026 in January, so the technology is still extremely new and therefore expensive to the average consumer. They're also a big investment in the literal sense — most RGB TVs start at 65 or 75 inches.

Resolution explained: FHD vs. 4K vs. 8K

Technical translation: Resolution refers to the number of pixels(p) that make up the picture on the screen.

The TV resolutions to know in 2026 are FHD, 4K, and 8K. Resolution technically measures the pixel count horizontally and vertically, but is sometimes shortened to just the vertical number. (For example, FHD is 1920x1080p, but is often represented as just "1080p".) A higher pixel count allows for more details, leading to clearer picture quality.

4K is overwhelmingly the most common screen resolution nowadays, and it's a much more self-explanatory term than you may think: 4K is literally just four times the resolution of FHD.

(4K measures 3840 x 2160, which is double the horizontal and double the vertical resolution of FHD's 1920 x 1080.) For most consumer buying purposes, 4K and UHD are essentially interchangeable.

For most intents and purposes, 4K and UHD are interchangeable. Credit: LG

The math gets more intense with the switch to 8K: At 7680 x 4320, 8K is four times the resolution of 4K and 16 times the resolution of FHD. But honestly, you probably don't have to worry about 8K right now. While it's the sharpest TV resolution one can get on paper, there's not enough content that can even be watched in 8K right now to make buying an 8K TV worthwhile.

HDR explained

Technical translation: HDR stands for high-dynamic range.

In the most lucid sense, HDR allows certain content to get brighter and more contrasted — as close to seeing the image IRL as possible. HDR is a technology that has the capacity to "understand" color and contrast data about what was originally shot through the camera lens that more basic technology, like SDR (standard dynamic range), just can't translate.

HDR "understands" color and contrast data better than SDR. Credit: LG

Not all TVs can get bright enough to fully take advantage of HDR's brightening capabilities, even if they claim to technically support the technology. Remember that conversation about brightness and nits we had earlier? Any TV toeing 1,000 nits probably won't be able to give you the optimal HDR experience.

On the flip side, a really good TV can't magically turn everything into HDR content — the movie, show, or video game has to be HDR compatible in the first place. For example, Hulu supports HDR for some titles and devices, but not others. Depending on your TV, calibrating HDR could be relatively simple or a pain in the ass, and is often trickier to nail with video games and monitors than with streamed content on a TV.

There are a few main types of HDR formats: HDR10 (the most common "generic" one), Dolby Vision (the next most common one), and HDR10+ (Samsung's own version of HDR10). Most streaming services support at least the first two. The main difference between the HDR formats involves some heavy jargon that the average TV buyer probably doesn't need to dissect — but if you're really interested in the comparison between HDR10's use of static metadata versus Dolby Vision and HDR10+'s use of dynamic metadata, CNET breaks down the HDR formats well.

Refresh rate explained

Technical translation: Measured in hertz (Hz), refresh rate refers to the number of times a display refreshes its image per second.

The higher the refresh rate, the smoother and more lifelike the motion on the screen will be. But if your TV watching doesn't really exceed casual streaming service perusing, don't focus too much on refresh rate in your shopping. You'll probably be perfectly fine with 60Hz, which is what's found on most budget 4K TVs, like Amazon's Ember 4-Series Fire TV.

SEE ALSO: PlayStation disks are done. Fans feel betrayed. Here's why.

Serious film watchers might find 60Hz too laggy, though, and might consider upping the ante to 120Hz. If you want to play the Switch 2 in all of its glory, a TV that supports at least 120Hz is crucial. The Hisense UR9 is a rare option with a 180Hz native refresh rate, thanks to DisplayPort making an appearance along with the HDMIs.

Refresh rate plays the most influential role in video games, especially games that rely heavily on on-screen responsiveness. For gamers, anything under 144Hz will probably be frustrating. This is the number that separates the good TVs from the best gaming TVs. For instance, LG's B6 OLED is a solid midrange OLED option that would work for just about anyone. That is, unless you're a graphics-heavy gamer who wants to play at 144 fps — in that case, you'd need to upgrade to a more premium LG OLED TV that supports 144Hz, like the LG C5 or LG C6.

Final thoughts: How to choose a TV

It can still be tricky to picture the differences between TV screens based solely on descriptions and definitions. I thought my 2019 4K LED looked fine until I upgraded to a mini LED in my apartment on the same wall in the same bright living room. Then I understood the hype.

So if you can, go to a store that has a TV aisle and see for yourself in person. Ideally, the TVs lined up in your local Best Buy or Target will be playing the same thing for easy side-by-side comparison of big features like picture quality, brightness, and color accuracy that can't quite be explained.

If you need a starting point for the TVs to hunt down IRL, check out some recommendations for the best televisions of 2026 below. You have budget-friendly TV options, high-end TV options, and several in between, spanning all types of backlighting for whatever room needs a new screen. There's a high chance that a few of them will be on sale whenever you're reading this — most of them were at the time this story was written.

Our top TV recommendations for 2026 Hisense S5 Déco TV Between $249.99 (32-inch) and $349.99 (43-inch) Shop Now TCL QM6K Mini LED QLED TV Between $599.99 (50-inch) and $1,999.99 (98-inch) Shop Now TCK QM6L SQD QLED 4K TV Between $2,499.99 (65-inch) and $5,999.99 (98-inch) Shop Now Hisense UR9 RGB 4K TV Between $2,199.99 (65-inch) and $9,999.99 (100-inch) Shop Now Samsung S95H OLED 4K TV Between $2,499.99 (55-inch) and $6,499.99 (83-inch) Shop Now LG S95B Micro RGB 4K TV Between $4,999.99 (75-inch) and $7,999.99 (100-inch) Shop Now