Smartphones

Samsung Electronics Japan has announced the launch of its Samsung Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra SIM-free models, featuring powerful hardware, advanced camera capabilities, and intuitive Galaxy AI. Pre-orders start February 26, 2026, with sales beginning March 12, 2026, alongside launch campaigns offering up to JPY 10,000 cashback.

KDDI and Okinawa Cellular are launching a "Google Store Collaboration Campaign" for povo2.0 users, offering 5,000 yen worth of Google Store points with the purchase of eligible Google Pixel 10 series devices. New povo2.0 registrants during the campaign period will also receive data promo codes.

Xiaomi Japan will host "The Image, Leica." Exhibition ~Xiaomi New Product Gallery~ from March 5 to March 8, 2026, at KITTE Marunouchi Atrium. This event offers an exclusive opportunity to experience the new flagship smartphone, "Xiaomi 17 Ultra," which is slated for global announcement on February 28, 2026. The exhibition will feature special displays of photographs taken by renowned photographers using the new device, alongside gallery talks, product experience booths, and a stamp rally.

Anritsu Corporation and MediaTek Inc. have announced the successful validation of MediaTek's AI QoS and AI L4S technologies for optimizing communication quality and minimizing latency. This verification, conducted using Anritsu's MT8000A 5G mobile device tester and MediaTek's T930 5G CPE platform, demonstrates enhanced performance for cloud gaming environments and highlights the technology's importance for future 5G and 6G applications.

CASEPLAY, a leading provider of on-demand tech accessories, announces the launch of a new collection featuring designs inspired by the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles baseball team. This collection includes smartphone cases with team logos and player jersey numbers, available for over 160 smartphone models, alongside a range of other innovative tech accessories, starting from February 20, 2026.

Xiaomi Japan is set to open the "Xiaomi Service Center Akihabara Store" on February 28, 2026, enhancing its after-sales service system. This new facility will provide dedicated repair services for smartphones, tablets, and wearable products, staffed by expertly trained personnel. Beyond repairs, the center will also feature a product exhibition and sales area on the first floor, and a smart living showroom in the basement, aiming to offer a comprehensive brand experience and foster continuous customer engagement.

Samsung has unveiled the latest version of Bixby, upgraded to function as a conversational device agent within One UI 8.5. This update aims to provide users with more intuitive device control and expanded access to real-time information, reducing the time and effort required for daily tasks.

Ninja Labs, a US-based next-generation iPhone case brand, has unveiled its new 'Octo Pouch Phone Case,' now available for pre-order. This innovative case integrates a silicone pouch for stable storage and features a new suction mechanism for secure attachment to various surfaces, building on the success of its predecessor, the 'Flex Pouch Phone Case.'

caseplay, a service offering on-demand printed tech accessories, has announced the release of new slim protection cases featuring the 2026 season uniform designs of J1 League football club FC Tokyo. These cases, available for over 160 smartphone models, embody the club's slogan "Tokyo goes wild" with a fiery 1st (FP) motif and a vivid yellow (GK) design.

Belong, an Itochu Group company, conducted a survey on used smartphone usage, finding that 14.2% of respondents now use a pre-owned device as their main smartphone, marking a 4.6 percentage point increase from 2024. The survey highlights a shift from primarily younger users to broader adoption across all age groups, with a notable 7.2 percentage point rise among 30-year-olds. Key factors driving this trend include the soaring prices of new smartphones and a perception of excessive specifications in the latest models.