What you need to know

• A rumor claims to have discovered early "design illustrations" for a Ballie app from Samsung.
• The illustrations lay out Samsung's supposed plans for an app, showing battery, location, status icons, as well as a "Streaming" button for the robot's built-in camera.
• It's unclear if this means that Samsung hasn't completely abandoned Ballie, as the last report said the company "delayed" Ballie to figure out "its place in the home" and to likely handle that intense price point.

This certainly wasn't on our bingo card. A leak has surfaced online, offering a glimpse of what could be Samsung's companion app UI for its smart home assistant, Ballie.

Earlier today (July 30), SammyGuru posted a series of alleged "UI design sketches" for what would be Samsung Ballie's companion app. The illustrations give us a good look at the app's main screen. Taking up the center is Ballie's circular frame with its battery percentage, location, and an "Error"/"Ready" icon. There's a chance this could be used in scenarios when the device gets stuck, since it rolls around. If everything's all green, users can likely launch Ballie.

There is a hard-to-miss "Streaming" button. Earlier info about Ballie suggested it would feature a camera. There's a chance this app could let users see what Ballie sees in real-time. "Home Monitoring" seems to be quite an important aspect of this app and of Ballie as a smart home assistant. According to the post, the "monitoring" aspect could involve a setup process in which Ballie maps out its routes, maps out your home for navigational purposes.

Taking another look at the initial icons: battery, location, Error/Ready icon, Home Monitoring might play more of a role than we think. This app could give users every ounce of information they need to view their home, understand where Ballie is, and handle any scenarios that might occur.

Oh, Ballie, Ballie

This is quite surprising. The last time we heard anything about Ballie was when a report suggested Samsung delayed it to "find its place in the home." It gave the impression that Samsung was questioning the right place for Ballie within the home. The company reportedly expressed "caution" about the AI companion. Other concerns, such as a potential high price point and whether consumers would truly engage with Ballie or not, ranked high on its list of worries.

Speculation claimed Ballie could cost consumers ~$2,000, and with everything going on in the world, that might've been too steep a price. Samsung hadn't officially said anything about Ballie. This report was in July, and nothing more has come of the little rolling robot. However, if we want to get real, Ballie was first introduced at CES 2020. Samsung was said to have a "human-centric vision" for robots, and Ballie was the start of it. The company said Ballie "understands you, supports you, and reacts to your needs."

Its built-in camera would be its "eye" into your life, your home, and your needs. There was an announcement that saw Google and Samsung working together to bring Gemini into Ballie for enhanced AI support.

What you need to know

• Samsung posted its Q2 2026 earnings, stating it recorded KRW 171.5 trillion in consolidated revenue, a 28% QoQ increase.
• The company's DS division recorded an all-time high thanks to its Memory Business; however, it MX (phone) division marked a decline.
• The smartphone market has been struggling all year, but Samsung has been hanging in there, partly due to its Galaxy S26 series.

It's about that time when earnings calls take place. Samsung is reporting its Q2 performance, and the company has confirmed a loss in its mobile division.

Samsung announced its Q2 2026 earnings, highlighting consolidated revenue of KRW 171.5 trillion (28% QoQ increase) and operating profit of KRW 89.5 trillion. Initially, the report begins well. As a company, Samsung says Q2 delivered "another all-time quarterly high." A majority of this concerns the company's DS (device solutions) division. Of course, we're talking about Samsung's Memory Business, which reportedly set "an all-time high for quarterly revenue and operating profit."

Its DS division posted KRW 127.5 million in revenue (56% QoQ increase). According to the company, "The Memory Business achieved another record-breaking quarter by proactively addressing AI demand despite limited capacity with a primary focus on server products." Samsung expects this trend to continue into the second half of 2026, as the adoption of Agentic AI and AI infrastructures continues.

Where there's a plus, there's a minus, and Samsung's MX (mobile eXperience) division took a hit. Samsung says it saw KRW 33.2 trillion in revenue, marking growth YoY (year-over-year) thanks to the Galaxy S26 series and good sales for its A-series phones. However, operating profits dropped in Q2 "due to increased cost burdens across the industry, such as rising component costs," which can only be attributed to the memory issues.

Seeking Alpha's transcripts of the earnings call see Samsung mention what it's looking forward to in 2026, teasing new devices (via 9to5Google). Samsung says it expects the Galaxy S26 series to retain its "momentum" in the second half with the Galaxy S26 FE launch. What's more, it's looking to "ensure the successful launch of new premium products," such as the Galaxy Tab S12 series later on.

Samsung did mention its Intelligent eyewear smart glasses, stating it's "bringing a new form factor experience for the AI era..." A date wasn't given, but it seems we can still expect it later in the year.

The 2026 trend

It's hard to say we're surprised by Samsung's Q2, especially when we look back at 2026 so far. In Q1, Omdia's research report about the state of the U.S. smartphone market showed a 3% YoY dip. Rising memory and storage costs were attributed to this decline. Samsung was the top OEM; however, it posted a 5% decline in smartphone shipments. Omdia said that this decline was likely kept to a minimum by the Galaxy S26 series. The latest series may have performed well, but Samsung was reportedly in crisis mode in March.

The Galaxy S26 saw record pre-orders, but that didn't help its outlook. It was still estimated that Samsung's smartphone profits would fall in 2026, and we're seeing that here in Q2. This memory crisis is taking a toll on the phone industry as a whole. A Q2 market report showed a 4% global decline. Still, the Galaxy S26 series' "resilient demand" helped Samsung post a 2% increase.

Android Central's Take

This has "become the norm" in the industry. AI is causing a bit of a sitr in more ways than memory and storage issues. Some companies see the light at the end of the tunnel. That things will get better. Others are trying to buckle down and figure out a way to weather the storm. The issue is pricing. I'm sure we can all agree on that. Companies start struggling, and it's often the consumer that gets the worst of it.

What you need to know

• Fresh Pixel 11 Pro Fold renders suggest Google is refining, not redesigning, its next foldable.
• Official-looking renders reveal a new Pine green finish with a light gold frame, matching the Pixel 11 Pro lineup.
• A redesigned camera bar moves the cutouts closer to the edge and reshuffles the autofocus sensor beneath the flash.

Google’s next foldable doesn’t seem to be trying to reinvent itself, though a new leak suggests it’s getting a more polished look ahead of its expected debut next month. Official-looking renders of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold have now been leaked, and they reveal a familiar design with subtle refinements that may make a bigger difference than they appear.

Evan Blass shared images of the upcoming foldable in a new Pine finish via his Leakmail newsletter. This color has been revealed in a previous leak, showing a muted green paired with a light gold frame and Google’s signature “G” logo. The same paint job is also expected to match the Pine option coming to the Pixel 11 Pro and the Pixel 11 Pro XL.

At first glance, the phone looks almost identical to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. That’s not surprising, as Google previously said it plans to refresh Pixel hardware designs every two to three years rather than overhauling them annually. Instead, the company appears to be shifting its focus to enhancing what works well.

The biggest visual difference is the new camera bar. The camera cutouts now stretch closer to the edge instead of being surrounded by extra metal. The camera array has also been shifted, with the autofocus sensor now located under the flash zone, next to the ultrawide and main lenses, but the telephoto lens still sits in the top right corner.

The other thing that jumps out is the much larger camera flash. That's almost as big as one of the camera lenses, sparking new speculation that Google's rumored Pixel Glow notification system could be built into the flash module rather than around the camera bar. Nothing is confirmed yet, but the hardware certainly leaves room for that possibility.

Will a millimeter trim and a stylish coat of dark green paint lure upgrade-wary shoppers? It won't be long before we know. Google is officially pulling back the curtain at its upcoming launch event on August 12.

What you need to know

• Samsung's first open-ear Galaxy Buds may finally be on the way, with a secure ear-hook design aimed at fitness enthusiasts.
• Leaked renders show a major design shift, ditching Samsung's traditional stem and bean-shaped earbuds for a workout-friendly fit.
• Expected features include USB-C charging, water and dust resistance, and possibly active noise cancellation.

Samsung may finally be delivering what fitness lovers have been asking for years: a set of Galaxy Buds built to stay put during workouts. Newly leaked images hint at the company’s first open earbuds, offering our best look yet at what might be Samsung’s take on the rising open-ear trend.

Beats and Shokz, among others, have long ruled the open earbuds segment with secure wraparound ear hooks, but Samsung has stuck with traditional stems and compact bean shapes. Now, fresh graphics discovered by SamMobile reveal a pair of earbuds with a distinctive ear-hook design that wraps around the outer ear. The buds are codenamed "Buds Canal 5."

The overall shape is very similar to products like Anker’s Soundcore workout earbuds or Shokz’s OpenFit buds. This isn’t the first time we’ve heard about Samsung’s open-ear earbuds efforts. Previous leaks have pointed to a clip-on design, under the code name “Galaxy Buds Able,” that will reportedly use bone conduction technology.

However, the latest hardware renders suggest Samsung is considering a different design. These earbuds are closer to traditional open-ear styles that direct sound into your ears while leaving the ear canal open. Users could also expect modern essentials like a USB-C charging case, dust and water resistance, and likely active noise cancellation.

The branding is still a bit of a mystery as well. Earlier leaks suggested that Samsung’s clip-on earbuds could launch as the Galaxy Buds Able, while more recent leaks have indicated the name Galaxy Buds On. Similarly, if the product is released to the public, Samsung may rename the Buds Canal 5.

Regardless of what Samsung ultimately calls them, the model number SM-U600 and repeated software references indicate the earbuds are a real product rather than an abandoned prototype. Multiple reports suggest that the earbuds have faced several delays.

If these leaks are true, Samsung is gearing up to enter a market already packed with the best workout earbuds and headphones.

Android Central's Take

Open-ear designs are smart if you want to be aware of your surroundings while you’re running, riding your bike, or commuting. That said, Samsung can’t afford to be late to the party with a “me too” product. Sony, Shokz, and Bose have already been here for a while, so good sound and a comfortable fit won't be enough on their own. If these are to stand out from the competition, Samsung will have to provide a compelling reason for people to pick them up rather than just a familiar logo on the charging case.

What you need to know

• Galaxy S25 Ultra users on Samsung's Community forums report severe battery drain problems after downloading the July patch under normal use.
• Other S25 Ultra users say their phone is now overheating, alongside this battery drain issue (S24 Ultra users are struggling, too).
• The Galaxy S25 Plus and Ultra experienced a charging issue last February, which Samsung said it could fix with a software patch.

Users aren't having the best time with two of Samsung's past-gen Ultra phones after downloading its current July security update.

Galaxy S24 and S25 Ultra users have created threads on Samsung's Community forum about issues they've experienced following the July update (via NotebookCheck). Users with an S25 Ultra have been hit with a double-whammy, as one report states their device's battery is draining severely while idle. The user says, "I am experiencing a critical and sudden battery drain issue on my Galaxy S25 Ultra that began immediately after installing the July Security Patch update."

The user's screenshot shows their S25 Ultra's battery plummeting from 85% (while asleep) to 5% by midday. To make matters worse, the user states their analytics show their phone is losing roughly 5% to 7% battery per hour without proper use. Curiously, this user didn't mention an overheating issue, something another report did. In conjunction with a severe battery drain, one user says their phone "becomes very hot." Other users have reported similarities with their S25 Ultra; however, the S24 Ultra and the S24 Plus were mentioned.

The publication spotted a Galaxy S24 Ultra thread, highlighting similar battery drain issues S25 Ultra users are experiencing. This report states that they're unable to make it a day with "similar usage." Users have tried to help each other, offering your standard flavor of troubleshooting/at-home fixes. Nothing's worked thus far. Users have reported the required logs and other details to Samsung.

There were charging issues before...

Regarding its battery, the Galaxy S25 series had its issues. The Galaxy S25 Plus and Ultra gave users quite a headache with charging issues. These problems were reportedly encountered with Samsung's cable and adapter. Users on social media said the 45W adapter and 5A cable would either force their device to charge slowly or not charge at all. What's more, these phones would display their charging status even when the cable wasn't plugged in.

Samsung responded to these issues relatively quickly last year. It confirmed that a software patch would fix the issue to the relief of many. Hopefully we're looking at a similar occurrence for users experiencing problems today.

What you need to know

• Google debuts Lyria 3.5, its next-gen AI music generation that takes its musicality, lyrics, and vocal quality up a level in Flow Music.
• Creative control was highlighted as a strong point for Lyria 3.5, as users can control tempo, vocals, drums, and bass, alongside tools for track length.
• Google's Lyria 3.5 is rolling out in Flow Music today (July 29

The middle of the week features another AI model announcement from Google, aiming to advance its music generation capabilities.

This afternoon (July 29), Google's press release highlights its newest AI music generation model, Lyria 3.5. According to the company, this should "deliver higher-quality song generation." A subsequent blog post continued, stating that Lyria 3.5 advances the model's "musicality, lyrics, and vocal quality." Regarding the AI's musicality, Google states users can create more complex sounds that feel more "natural."

Prompt adherence and structural awareness are two key areas Google says it focused on for Lyria 3.5. Of course, the former should help keep the AI on topic and avoid lyrics that have nothing to do with your prompt. Lastly, Lyria 3.5's vocals are said to deliver "more expression," alongside updates to its AI's pronunciation.

All of this is wrapped in Lyria 3.5's updated creative control system. Google states users can control the song's tempo and duration a little more easily than before. Users will find options to alter their AI-generated song's vocals, drums, and bass. Moreover, the length of a track can now range from 30 seconds to three minutes.

Google states its Lyria 3.5 model is rolling out today in Flow Music.

Keep the beat with AI

In February, Google got off to a fast start with the launch of Lyria 3. Its highlights included generating songs up to 30 seconds long based on text prompts or photos. Lyrics, style control, and "more realistic audio" were also detailed in its debut. Some aspects of AI music generation continue with Lyria 3.5. Users should still be able to describe the feeling or vibe of the song they want, such as saying "a goofy R&B jam about a lonely sock."

Shortly after Lyria 3's launch in February, Google said it was preparing to roll it out for Dream Track in YouTube Shorts. Similarly, a few months later, Google Vids welcomed Lyria 3 and Veo 3.1 models. Lyria's involvement was particularly useful for users creating videos and looking for a short 30-second to three-minute-long beat or soundtrack.

What you need to know

• A leaked One UI 9 feature suggests Samsung is working on an "App Screen Zoom" feature for the Galaxy Z Fold 8.
• The feature lets users alter the "screen zoom level for each app" with varying options from "Smallest" to "Largest," with the former displaying even more content.
• Recent reports claim the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is smashing Samsung's pre-order expectations, and some retailers are displaying delayed shipping dates.

It's been a week since Galaxy Unpacked revealed everything from foldables to watches. Samsung's wide Galaxy Z Fold 8 is here, but a tipster claims the company is working on an app option that takes its experience up a level.

This week, tipster Ice Universe on X discussed an "app-level display customization" option that Samsung is reportedly testing for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 in One UI 9 (via 9to5Google). The leak highlights an "App Screen Zoom" feature that might find its way into Samsung Labs, an environment for testing early content. The company's early description says this option lets users "set a separate screen zoom level for each app." In the tipster's report, YouTube is used as an example.

They state, "YouTube normally shows only two rows of video recommendations on the screen." However, this is using the "Small" app zoom-level option (the default). At one point, Ice Universe swaps this to "Smallest." While we instinctually think everything is tiny—thumbnails, text, etc.—the "Smallest" option isn't that bad. By default, YouTube on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 displays two large video thumbnails (long-form content) side by side.

When switched to the "Smallest" option, those thumbnails are slightly reduced to fit three videos in a row. Additionally, the tipster adds, "...it can show three rows of videos at the same time, allowing me to browse more content without constantly scrolling." The leak continues, stating App Screen Zoom offers Smallest, Small, Medium, Large, and Largest levels. Considering this is a leak, and since we don't even have the Galaxy Z Fold 8 yet, we might have to wait a while before this rolls out.

Making it better

How apps respond to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 was an area of concern when it debuted. My colleague Derrek Lee was curious about this, too, and his hands-on quickly abated his worries. In his experience, apps "resize well." When it comes to vertical videos, users might notice the black bars. However, another major plus about the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is its ability to host three apps on its internal screen. This could be boosted by this App Screen Zoom leak, since users can alter the zoom and potentially enhance the amount of content they see when multitasking.

On a related note, reports claim the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is incredibly popular, smashing Samsung's expectations in South Korea. Specific numbers weren't given; however, it was said that the Fold 8 is selling out in online and offline retailers, with some stores showing delayed shipment dates.

Android Central's Take

Am I turning into a foldable enjoyer? I remember how the Fold 7 almost got me to convert from a regular slab phone to that style of device. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is an appealing phone. This device seems to tick some important boxes for app enjoyment. For scrolling and video watching. Apps resize well, which is a plus, and now Samsung is reportedly testing this zoom level feature. That means apps would (ideally) look even better in this wider format.

What you need to know

• The Galaxy S26 FE could launch on September 1, 2026, but a new leak suggests buyers may have to pay significantly more than last year's model.
• Price hikes may hit every storage tier, with the 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB variants reportedly costing €50, €90, and €150 more, respectively.
• Three color options are expected, including Graphite, Aqua Green, and a new deep blue-purple finish.

Samsung's next Fan Edition phone could end up costing more than expected, at least if a new leak from France is accurate. The Galaxy S26 FE has already leaked a few times in terms of its design and hardware, but now we might have the clearest look yet on how Samsung intends to price it, and buyers in search of the cheapest model might be in for an unwelcome surprise.

According to a new report from Dealabs, the Galaxy S26 FE will hit retail shelves on September 1, 2026. The release schedule for that timeline is similar to last year’s, but the price tag on this year’s model may not be familiar to bargain hunters.

According to the report, European buyers in France could face steep price hikes across every storage configuration. The base 128GB Galaxy S26 FE is said to start at €749, or €50 more than its predecessor. Going for the 256GB version will reportedly set you back €809, a €90 increase. If you’re looking to go all-in on local storage, the top-tier 512GB model could cost you €929, a hefty €150 bump.

And while Samsung dropped the 128GB option on the flagship Galaxy S26 series to justify higher base prices, the S26 FE is said to retain 128GB onboard as its base tier. Presumably, the changes are a result of industry-wide component shortages and increasing RAM prices.

Storage is not the only thing coming in for attention. The leak also hints at three colour options: Graphite, Aqua Green, and a mysterious third colour that sounds like a deep blue-purple hybrid.

Previous leaks have indicated that the Galaxy S26 FE will have a design much closer to the flagship Galaxy S26 family than previous Fan Edition models. It’s already been spotted in a Wireless Power Consortium listing, showing Samsung’s reworked raised camera housing, so the budget model shouldn’t look out of place next to its pricier siblings. The phone is also said to be powered by Samsung’s Exynos 2500 chip, although the company has not confirmed the final hardware.

Android Central's Take

If Samsung really is giving buyers something meaningful in return, I don’t mind paying a little more. If these leaked prices are true, Samsung will need to find a way to convince users that the Galaxy S26 FE is more than just an FE in name. Otherwise, it risks making the Galaxy lineup’s once-value pick yet another phone that’s slowly creeping out of “affordable” territory.

What you need to know

• Google Photos removes an annoying extra step by letting you capture a photo and jump straight into AI editing.
• Generative AI tools like Remix and Photo to video are now easier to access, making spontaneous edits much faster.
• The new in-app camera workflow eliminates the need to switch between the camera app and Photos.

Google Photos is cutting out a frustrating detour in its mobile app, making generative AI features like Remix and Photo to video much more convenient for the average user.

The company has unveiled a new camera experience that lets you take a photo and go straight to AI-powered editing tools without first rooting around your gallery.

Until now, feeding a fresh snapshot into Photos’ generative suite required an awkward multi-step dance. If you wanted to turn a quick funny expression into an animated clip or stylized portrait, you had to leave Google Photos, open your phone’s dedicated camera app, take the photo, then reopen Google Photos and hunt through your album to select it. That friction made spontaneous edits feel like too much work.

The updated flow allows you to take a new photo within the app and jump directly into Google Photos’ editing interface, where AI tools are at the ready. That eliminates the usual routine of opening the gallery, finding the photo you just took, and then firing up the editor.

In the year since, the app has transformed from a simple cloud backup tool to an AI-first photo hub featuring things like Magic Editor, Reimagine, Auto Frame, and Ask Photos. The latest shortcut doesn’t add a brand new editing capability, but it takes away some of the friction getting to the tools that already exist.

For those who routinely touch up photos before posting them, the new workflow could save an astonishing amount of time.

Android Central's Take

I personally like this direction because it removes one of those small annoyances that tend to add up over time. If I know I’m going to clean up a photo before sharing it, I’d rather jump straight into editing than hop around the app. That said, Google does seem intent on bringing AI into every nook and cranny of Photos, whether you asked for it or not. This shortcut is genuinely useful, but I’d still rather Google spend those same efforts fixing the core camera and gallery experience instead of assuming every shot needs an AI makeover.

What you need to know

• Samsung Messages no longer works in the U.S., but a new app aims to recreate the familiar One UI messaging experience.
• Messages by OzarksMade supports SMS, MMS, RCS, group chats, and conversation categories.
• You'll still need Google Messages installed since Google's RCS infrastructure isn't open to third-party apps.
• The app is currently in beta, with a public release planned later for a one-time purchase price of $0.99.

Samsung discontinued its Samsung Messages app in the U.S. earlier this month, but a new third-party app aims to bring back the same experience, complete with the familiar One UI design and RCS support.

Earlier this year, Samsung confirmed that Samsung Messages would stop working in the U.S. beginning in July 2026, encouraging users to switch to Google Messages instead. That deadline has now passed, and Galaxy users in the U.S. can no longer send or receive messages through Samsung Messages.

Thankfully, a developer has stepped in to fill the gap.

A new app called Messages by OzarksMade has been built specifically for Samsung users who miss the old Samsung Messages experience.

According to the developer, the goal is to recreate Samsung's messaging app as closely as possible, complete with the familiar One UI design, while also supporting modern RCS messaging and bringing back many of the features Galaxy users have come to expect.

This feels surprisingly close to Samsung Messages

The current beta already supports SMS, MMS, RCS, group chats, group messaging, scheduled messages, and more. It also includes Samsung Messages features like conversation categories. Chat themes are still missing for now, but the developer says they're already planned for the next update.

Since Samsung retired its own messaging app, the company has been directing users towards Google Messages as the default messaging app on Galaxy phones. And while Google Messages has improved significantly over the past few years and now offers many of the same features, it still doesn't completely replicate the Samsung Messages experience. That's exactly the gap this app is trying to fill.

There is one important limitation, though. Because Google doesn't allow third-party apps direct access to its RCS infrastructure, you'll still need Google Messages installed in the background for RCS to work. Even so, you'll continue using Messages by OzarksMade as your primary messaging app.

I haven't had a chance to try the beta myself just yet, but I'll be going hands-on with it very soon. If you're interested, you can already sign up for the beta through the developer's website.

Once development is complete and the app leaves beta, the developer says it will be available for a one-time purchase of $0.99.

What you need to know

• Samsung Find is losing support on older Galaxy devices, meaning phones and tablets running One UI 2.0 (Android 10) or older will no longer receive app updates.
• Existing device tracking, SmartTags, and connected accessories will still work, and you can reinstall the latest compatible version from the Galaxy Store or Google Play.
• Samsung recommends upgrading to a newer version of One UI to keep receiving Samsung Find updates and long-term support.

If you’re hanging on to an older Galaxy phone, Samsung has some bad news: it’s drawing a line in the software sand. Following its decision to drop Samsung Messages, the tech giant is also removing support for updates for the Samsung Find app on any device running One UI 2.0 or older.

A new notice in the app says that Samsung Find is not getting updates on Galaxy phones and tablets running One UI 2.0 or older, which is based on Android 10. That means no new features, no bug fixes, no performance upgrades, and no future compatibility updates for those devices, as spotted by SamMobile.

Well, the good news is that Samsung is not shutting down the service. And if you have an older Galaxy phone, Samsung Find will work just like it does now. Compatible Galaxy devices, SmartTags, earbuds, and other connected products are still available. You can reinstall the app from the Galaxy Store or Google Play if you uninstall it, but you'll only have access to the most recent version compatible with your software.

There are a couple of caveats, though. Samsung says over time the app may not work with older devices and newer Galaxy hardware as it develops. Since unsupported versions won’t get compatibility updates, newer features added for recent Samsung phones may never appear on older phones.

Samsung says the move is intended to deliver a "more stable and high-quality service experience" for users on supported devices. If your Galaxy phone qualifies for a newer version of One UI, the company recommends updating both the firmware and the Samsung Find app so you can continue receiving new features and ongoing support.

Android Central's Take

Honestly, I'm not buying the "stable and high-quality experience" excuse. What Samsung is really telling us is that they’d rather you buy a new phone than keep squeezing an old one. Yes, supporting old-school software is a pain, but let's face it, this is a power play for planned obsolescence under the guise of a service upgrade.

What you need to know

• Rumors on X claim Nothing is working on its first smartwatch with a starting price "under" $300.
• A tipster suggests the watch could feature Nothing's typical DNA (likely in design), but it might only launch in "limited markets."
• Nothing has technically made watches before, but under CMF with the Watch 3 Pro and other predecessors that use RTOS, not WearOS.

Rumors have started on social media about a new Nothing product. The company is allegedly working on its first smartwatch outside of its CMF brand.

Tipster Yogesh Brar on X claims that Nothing is developing its first smartwatch (via GSMArena). There aren't a ton of details we can sink our teeth into, but Brar claims the watch will rock "typical Nothing DNA." This is likely referring to its design. The watch is supposedly eyeing a release in "limited markets" at a starting price that's under $300.

This is a price that would put the watch a bit under others, like the Galaxy Watch 9, which starts at $379. Brar suggests that there's more to come, with alleged details forthcoming. Rumors end by purporting a September launch for this Nothing Watch (or whatever it'll be called). Many users are reacting to this rumor on X, much like we are. A major concern that we've seen mentioned is the watch's software.

Users wonder if the device will sport Google's WearOS software, or if the watch will settle for a proprietary RTOS.

Is this where we're headed?

Smartwatches aren't technically a "new thing" for Nothing. What's been alleged now would be new, as Nothing hasn't released a watch from its main portfolio. Instead, what we've gotten are devices from CMF, its sub-brand that generates devices for affordability. CMF launched the Watch 3 Pro last summer, which offered a few noteworthy upgrades. CMF improved its heart sensor and sports modes, rolling out 131 supported activities.

The watch features a 1.43-inch AMOLED display, 120 customizable watch faces, and dual-band GPS. What's more, CMF states users can get ~13 days out of its battery for "typical use." That'll look more like 10 days with "heavy use." These specs are fine, especially considering the market CMF is in. But what's always stuck out is its software. CMF's Watch 3 Pro doesn't use WearOS; it uses an RTOS. While this hasn't always sat well with people, the device isn't that bad.

CMF's watch lacks depth. Depth that you would receive from a fully connected device running WearOS from Google, Samsung, or Garmin. Considering the rumor, if Nothing is working on a "flagship" watch, there are expectations.

What you need to know

• The Pixel Watch 5 has appeared again ahead of launch, this time inside Google's official Google Health app.
• The listing appeared for setup for one user, suggesting Google has quietly added pairing support.
• The setup screens still use Pixel Watch 4 artwork, likely because Google hasn't updated the images yet

The Google Pixel Watch 5 has surfaced once again ahead of its expected launch next month.

If you remember, the Pixel Watch 5 made headlines earlier this year after a unit was reportedly found on the ocean floor by a scuba diver in St. Martin, giving us our first real-world look at the smartwatch.

Since then, we've seen several more leaks confirming its sizes and expected pricing. Now, with the Pixel 11 series launch just around the corner, the Pixel Watch 5 has shown up in one of Google's own apps.

Another Pixel Watch 5 leak before launch

As spotted by a user on Telegram (via Android Authority), the Pixel Watch 5 appeared briefly towards the top of the device list when pairing a new wearable through the Google Health app. In the screenshot shared, the "Google Pixel Watch 5" is listed above the Fitbit Air in the device selection menu.

Tapping on it even takes the user through the next setup screens, suggesting Google has already added support for the upcoming smartwatch.

That said, the setup process doesn't reveal anything new about the watch's design. The artwork shown in the app is still identical to the Pixel Watch 4, which could simply be a placeholder since the two watches are expected to look very similar. It's also possible that Google just hasn't updated the artwork yet.

Either way, this is another appearance of the Pixel Watch 5 ahead of its expected debut next month. With Google's Pixel 11 launch event now only a couple of weeks away, we're likely to see even more leaks surface.

So far, though, everything points to the Pixel Watch 5 being a fairly iterative upgrade, albeit one that may come with a slightly higher price tag than its predecessor.

What you need to know

• Early reports claim that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is capturing audiences overseas, as pre-orders are shattering expectations.
• The device is seemingly outpacing Samsung's Fold 8 Ultra and Flip 8, as inventory sells out online, forcing shipping delays.
• The Galaxy Z Fold 8 features a 5.4-inch cover display with a 16:10 aspect ratio in a more comfortable and pocketable form factor.

It's been almost a week since Galaxy Unpacked, and almost a week since pre-orders began for its next-gen foldables like the (wide) Galaxy Z Fold 8. Early reports claim this device is seeing popularity that's stunning Samsung.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8's popularity is reportedly shattering Samsung's expectations. Rumors about its performance started appearing on X, courtesy of tipster Ice Universe (via 9to5Google). The tipster alleges that the "pre-order volume" of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 has "far exceeded the Fold 8 Ultra." This information reportedly comes from early numbers out of South Korea. Users in the thread commented, offering their experience.

• See Android Central's guide to the best Galaxy Z Fold 8 preorder deals

One user states that as soon as the pre-order period began in South Korea, "the site crashed, and within less than 30 minutes, the dates got pushed back from August 4 to 28." They added that the device was seemingly sold out (or pushed back due to severe popularity) on Samsung's official website. The Flip 8 and the Fold 8 Ultra are reportedly still on schedule to ship/arrive by August 4.

Similarly, a report by another tipster, Lanzuk, on Naver suggests more of the same. They state sales for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 are "exceeding expectations," reportedly based on a "preliminary tally" of the first round of pre-orders. Online stock is apparently sold out, and many offline channels for procuring the device are backlogged. Users in the comments seemed to agree with the Fold 8's purported popularity.

Don't jump to conclusions

Some people were understandably skeptical about the Galaxy Z Fold 8, like Android Central's Derrek Lee. The Fold 8 is the wide addition to the foldable lineup, which means the Fold 8 Ultra is actually the successor to the Fold 7. These two look pretty much identical; however, the bigger story here is the Galaxy Z Fold 8. Samsung went smaller to go wider. The Fold 8 offers a 5.4-inch cover display with a 16:10 aspect ratio.

In Derrek's experience, the Fold 8 fits very well in the palm of his hand, and its thin profile (9.7mm) makes it quite a pocketable phone. One concern was how apps would react to a phone of this size, but they resize well on the Fold 8. Long-form videos look a bit better on the taller Fold 8 Ultra, due to its size, but if you flip the device sideways, it's all gravy. Multitasking also took a step up, as the Fold 8 can fit three apps side-by-side.

What's also caught our attention is the S Pen, or rather the lack thereof. Neither the Fold 8 nor the Fold 8 Ultra features Samsung's stylus. If you consider how multitasking-heavy these phones are, and how Samsung pushes users to take advantage of it, you'd imagine the stylus would be there. Other tools on the phones probably make the lack of a stylus sting less, so it's not a huge problem.

Android Central's Take

I feel that the main thing consumers will have trouble with is their choice. Which decision will you make? Are you more interested in a taller, "bigger" foldable or something a bit smaller and wider? A more pocketable phone. I like the wide Galaxy Z Fold 8. And this is where things get interesting because I mentioned this during the live blog. We see how popular the Fold 8 is and how the Flip 8 is supposedly sliding back. The Fold 8 seems to nail what consumers are looking for out of a foldable. I'm still curious on specific numbers if these reports are true.

What you need to know

• Honor held an Image Technology event in Hengdian, China today (July 28) where it highlighted the camera tech behind the Robot Phone.
• The phone will feature its in-house AiMAGE imaging engine, alongside a partnership with ARRI to fuel cinematography for "everyday scenarios."
• The Robot Phone will launch on August 12.

Honor is entering a "new era" ahead of its Robot Phone launch. Today (July 28), the company unveiled what its future as an "AI terminal ecosystem company" will look like, beginning with the cinema photography.

In Hengdian, China, Honor held its Image Technology Launch event, where it detailed its mobile technologies and how it intends for professionals to use its "cinema workflow." Honor shared that information with us this morning, highlighting its chip-device-cloud imaging engine, AiMAGE, and a partnership with ARRI.

During the keynote, the company said: "...mobile imaging progress depends on the combined evolution of physical image capture and intelligent processing: optical and sensor capabilities define the foundation of image quality, while AI, algorithms and cloud capabilities amplify what users can create."

This is the driving force behind the AiMAGE chip-device-cloud imaging engine. The chip side of its development is handled by its in-house Transformer-based native AI ISP, which helps "reconstruct the image processing pipeline from the ground up." Since this technology is headed to the Robot Phone, Honor says it's taking full advantage of its titanium alloy three-axis gimbal, "precision" sensing hardware, and more to improve image quality and motion control.

It's almost time

Honor's partnership with ARRI delivers "a more professional color and workflow foundation to the HONOR Robot Phone." Most of this is thanks to ARRI Look, LogC3, and Wide Gamut 3.

The company wanted to nail mobile imaging technology for true, cinematic creative scenarios. At the keynote, Honor says it invited Claudio Miranda to use the Robot Phone's camera to "recreate" a cinematic scene. Regarding the device's performance, cinematographer Wang Boxue said, "What impressed me is not only the image quality, but also how a compact mobile device can enter spaces that traditional camera setups cannot. This gives creators more freedom in camera movement and helps reduce the burden of production while expanding creative possibilities."

These are "long-term" ambitions Honor has set out to accomplish for the Robot Phone's AI and cinematography for "everyday scenarios." Pushing us further will be the device's 200MP main lens, 50MP ultrawide, and a 200MP telephoto sensor (via NotebookCheck). The Robot Phone is preparing to debut on August 12 to "redefine" our mobile devices.

Honor's been slowly but surely giving consumers and others information about the Robot Phone. The device was in Barcelona during MWC 2026, where the Robot Phone was said to debut globally in Q3 2026. The main highlight of this phone is its curious gimbal camera, which observes the world. The camera can automatically track movement using many of the technologies that Honor discussed at its event in China today.

Android Central's Take

When Honor posted that teaser about the Robot Phone months ago, it reminded me of WALL-E. The way it looks around curiously. I can almost hear WALL-E quips and whirrs. The Robot Phone is different. Maybe we need that right now. One feature Honor first teased was that users could flip up the camera, and it would "watch the world" as you move around. The phone might even take pictures or record videos for you. Imagine that.

What you need to know

• Google's latest System update brings Play services v26.29 and Play Store v52.5 with upgrades for Wallet, Wear OS, Play Games, and content discovery.
• Play services' latest version adds new Maps and Wear OS APIs for developers alongside unspecified system bug fixes.
• The Play Store is becoming more engaging, with a smoother Play Games Sidekick dashboard, comic previews in Play Shorts, and smarter travel app recommendations through the updated Engage SDK.

Google’s latest Google System update won’t grab headlines for fancy new tricks, but it does bring a handful of changes that could help make everyday Android use just a little bit smoother. The latest rollout brings Play Store v52.5 and Google Play services v26.29 with content discovery improvements, Play Games and Wallet updates, and Wear OS improvements.

On the Google Play services side, version 26.29 continues the trend of Google pushing new features out of full Android OS updates. Maps APIs for Android Auto, phones, tablets, TVs, Wear OS, and PCs are now available for developers, as are new utilities APIs for Wear OS. Google also managed to slip in bug fixes for system management and diagnostics on phones, but it hasn’t said what those patches are for.

Wallet gets the largest batch of changes. For new users, the update saves a few steps, as Pixel Watch owners can now set up Express Pay directly from the watch. Google is also renaming the “Connected apps” section to “Linked apps” on its platforms, a small change that better reflects how third-party services connect to Google accounts. For Pix users, Gboard now works within messaging apps, and there are new developer tools for digital wallet and payment experiences.

The Play Store’s v52.5 update is more about how you find and interact with content. Google says the Play Games Sidekick dashboard is now more stable and responsive, which leads to a gaming companion experience that’s less likely to experience hiccups. Play Shorts is also branching out beyond apps and games, with the addition of popular comic book previews that you can swipe through before you get to the full story if something catches your eye.

Google is also giving a lift to travel apps. With updates to the content clusters in the Engage SDK, third-party travel apps that are supported can now show your previous searches, helping you to get back to your trip planning.

What you need to know

• Samsung says its Galaxy Glasses will be priced at a "reasonable" premium, likely above the $300 Meta Ray-Bans.
• The glasses are designed to work as an extension of Galaxy phones rather than as a standalone smart device.
• Samsung is adding Galaxy-exclusive features like Watch gesture controls and instant photo syncing to your phone.

Samsung may not have revealed much about its Galaxy Glasses during Galaxy Unpacked in London, but the company has now shared a few more details about what we can expect to pay for its first Android XR smart glasses.

Samsung is gearing up to launch its first pair of Android XR glasses later this year. The company has already confirmed that the glasses are being developed in partnership with eyewear brands like Warby Parker and Gentle Monster. We've even had some hands-on time with the device, but until now, Samsung hadn't said anything about pricing.

Speaking with The Korea Times, Samsung has now shed a little more light on that (via 9to5Google). The company says it plans to price the Galaxy Glasses "at a reasonable level," while still positioning them in the premium segment.

That doesn't give us an exact price, but it does suggest Samsung's glasses could cost a little more than the Meta Ray-Bans, which currently start at $300 in the U.S.

Samsung also believes its biggest advantage isn't just the hardware, but the ecosystem around it. Unlike Meta's smart glasses, which are largely designed as a standalone accessory, Samsung says its glasses are being built by a smartphone company first. The idea is for the Galaxy Glasses to feel like a natural extension of your Galaxy phone, rather than a separate device.

The company has already teased a few of those integrations. For example, you'll be able to control the glasses using gestures on compatible Galaxy Watches, while photos captured on the glasses can instantly appear as notifications on your Galaxy phone for quick viewing and sharing.

Privacy is another area Samsung says it's taking seriously. The company confirmed that the glasses will automatically disable recording if the privacy LED is covered or if the glasses aren't being worn.

That's an interesting move, especially since Meta recently rolled out a mandatory update for its smart glasses that disables the camera if the recording LED appears to have been tampered with.

Samsung still hasn't announced an exact launch date for the Galaxy Glasses, but we at least have a better idea of where they'll sit in the market.

What you need to know

• A new rumor suggests the OnePlus 16 will retain the OnePlus 15's flat display and compact square camera module.
• The launch could slip to October, with the latest leak pushing back earlier expectations of a September debut.
• Flagship hardware is shaping up to be a standout, with rumors pointing to a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro chip, a huge 9,000mAh battery, and a 200MP telephoto camera.

OnePlus may be pulling out of major international markets, but that hasn’t stopped leaks from giving us a clearer picture of its next flagship. New information suggests that the OnePlus 16 won’t be trying to reinvent the company’s design language, but it could still launch with enough hardware upgrades to turn heads, at least for buyers in China.

Reliable leaker Digital Chat Station says the OnePlus 16 will be very similar to the OnePlus 15. The phone is said to retain a flat 6.78-inch display with super-thin bezels and a small square camera island on the back, continuing the design change OnePlus adopted with its current flagship after years of sporting big circular camera modules.

The leak also changes the phone’s launch schedule. Rumors had pointed to a September launch, but the latest information shows OnePlus is now eyeing October.

Unfortunately, with OnePlus throwing in the towel in North America and Europe, the OnePlus 16 is already anticipated to miss both regions.

However, if the hardware rumors are true, OnePlus is going all out. Previous leaks have pointed to Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro processor, a massive 9,000mAh battery, and a 200MP telephoto camera that should offer sharper long-range photos.

Other rumored upgrades include an AI shortcut button, symmetrical dual speakers, sophisticated haptics, and high-end water resistance, making the phone look every bit a premium flagship on paper.

The more interesting question is not whether the OnePlus 16 will be powerful (it almost certainly will be if these leaks hold up). Instead, the question is whether a flagship can still make a splash with most of the world's buyers unable to get it officially. Its biggest drawback could be that even with its impressive specs, the OnePlus 16 might have its work cut out for it.

Android Central's Take

I can’t shake the feeling that OnePlus is building a great flagship for a dying audience. The 9,000mAh battery, flagship silicon, and 200MP telephoto camera are all upgrades that sound like things users would actually notice in their daily use, but they pale in comparison when the phone is unlikely to reach many of the people who want to buy it. OnePlus can’t keep making compelling hardware and slowly shrinking its global footprint if it wants to compete with the biggest Android brands.

What you need to know

• Boox is teasing an upcoming eReader called the Picco, which aims to deliver a comfortable reading experience on an even smaller device.
• The Picco will feature a 3.97-inch display with front light and TF card support.
• Boox says the device will "launch soon" and with an "accessible price point," intending to appeal to a wider range of consumers.

Boox is preparing to introduce a new ePaper device to consumers that's looking to fill a pocket-sized gap.

Boox shared details with Android Central about the Picco, "the ultimate on-the-go eReader." When we hear "pocket-sized," we think about a device that's small and portable, but still delivers that eReader experience we enjoy. The Boox Picco is reportedly going to do just that. According to the company, the Picco features a 3.97-inch monochrome ePaper display with front light support.

Additionally, Boox says it's worked in integrating TF card support, too.

Details state the goal of the Boox Picco is to take the current eReader ecosystem beyond what's already available. The Picco will "offer more flexibility for users, giving them new ways to integrate ePaper technology into their everyday lives." As far as when we can expect this, all Boox has to say is that the Picco will "launch soon."

However, it gave a little teaser about its price, stating the Boox Picco will debut at an "accessible price point," making it more approachable to a wider range of consumers.

In your pocket

In the world of pocket-sized eReaders, Boox has a few, but none are as small as the Picco. Last fall, Boox debuted the Palma 2 Pro and the Note Air5 C, delivering a color upgrade to these devices that already stood tall (short?). These eReaders were given a Kaleido 3 E color Ink display like many other devices on the market. It's worth noting that the Boox Palma 2 Pro features a 6.13-inch display but is still classified as a pocketable, phone-sized eReader.

On the other hand, we have the Boox Go 6 Gen 2, a device with a 6-inch 300 PPI display and an InkSensor Plus Stylus. We called it "tiny" before, but Boox is looking to take things even smaller with the Picco. Variation is what the company is looking for, especially for people who prefer varied experiences. The Go 6 Gen 2 debuted in June with a glare-free screen for daytime or nighttime reading. Boox worked on integrating adjustable front lights, as well, which we've seen highlighted for its upcoming model.

Price was mentioned for the Picco, and this is where things get interesting. The Go 6 Gen 2 debuted with a starting price of $199. Boox has said that it wants the Picco's price to appeal to a wide range of consumers, so it makes us wonder how low this could get.

Android Central's Take

The Boox Picco sounds like a cool device purely from its screen size information. Boox has devices with screen sizes all over. From larger notebook-style devices that are great for handwriting documents to something smaller like the Picco or the Go 6 (Gen 2). I feel like the Picco might make reading—taking a device to read, too—feel effortless.

What you need to know

• "Tuning" was spotted in a leak conerning Google's Gemini Daily Brief, which could bring specified customization tools to users.
• A report claims users can tell the AI what they want to see in their morning digests and what they don't.
• Gemini Spark and Daily Brief were a part of Google's I/O highlights, which turn the AI into a proactive assistant.

Google rolled out "daily brief' for Gemini earlier this past spring, and you couldn't avoid the Samsung Now Brief similarities. The company has reportedly kick-started development for a refreshing change.

Google often runs tests for many features, and Android Authority claims to have discovered its latest for Gemini's daily digest. The publication dove into a recent app version with tipster AssembleDebug, who discovered a "Tune your brief" function for Daily Brief. When tuning, the tipster claims users can open a sub-menu that offers a glimpse into what Gemini rounds up for you, as well as suggestions.

"Important events" and "action items" were a couple of items highlighted by the AI; however, it suggests adding email newsletters, updates from your child's school, and more. Much of this is coming from your connected Gmail and Calendar accounts. Alternatively, users can interact with the textbox for better customization.

AssembleDebug states users can write what they'd like to see more or less of in their Daily Brief from Gemini. By that, it seems that users can get specific, informing the AI of specific senders they'd rather not be updated about constantly every morning. Additionally, if there are emails you just can't miss, you can tell Gemini and "tune it" appropriately. The tipster reminds us that since this was found hidden in Gemini's app code, there's no telling when Google could roll this out (if it makes the cut).

Proactive AI

You might remember Gemini Spark from the days of Google I/O 2026. This is an AI agent for Google's main AI that's eager to become more proactive. Spark features deep integration with the user's Gmail, Docs, Slides, and more, and Gemini's Daily Brief was an extension of this mindset. Personalized morning digests are the main course in the AI's Daily Brief.

Google said, "Daily Brief goes beyond simple summaries by actively organizing and prioritizing information based on your goals, while also suggesting what you should do next." What the tipster found in this "tuning" leak is kind of what Google's feedback options did. Currently, users can thumbs up or down the information provided in their Daily Brief. It's not the best way to tell the AI what you want or don't want. Of course, directly tuning it will provide the best results.

Android Central's Nicholas Sutrich enjoyed his time using it, praising the AI for finally not feeling like a "ChatGPT prompt clone."

What you need to know

• Galaxy S27 Pro and S27 Ultra rumors return after battery specifications allegedly surface online.
• The S27 Ultra is rumored to get a 5,700mAh or 5,800mAh battery upgrade, while the S27 Pro could see a 5,200mAh cell.
• These numbers go against a previous rumor that said Samsung's potential silicon-carbon upgrade might not increase the capacities.

Rumors are surfacing fast and furiously about an upgrade Samsung could give two of its flagship Galaxy S phones next year. If these rumors become reality, Samsung might finally make good on the one thing we've wanted for years.

Earlier this morning (July 27), continuing rumors from last week, GalaxyClub (Dutch) now suggests the specifications for a Galaxy S27 Pro and S27 Ultra battery upgrade have appeared (via SamMobile). The publication alleges that both phones could sport battery capacities above the 5,000mAh threshold. According to the post, the Galaxy S27 Ultra could receive a 5,700mAh or 5,800mAh battery at the next Galaxy Unpacked.

The publication assumes that this could be the result of Samsung dipping more into silicon-carbon battery technology. Nothing's confirmed, but more on that in a moment. The rumors continue, stating the Galaxy S27 Pro might deliver a 5,200mAh battery. There have been several rumors about the S27 Pro, especially since next year (if we're believing the rumors) would be its debut.

One common thread is that the Pro might "mirror" the Ultra in a few ways. This battery upgrade is new, considering we've heard things about its camera. Regarding the latest battery upgrade, this was a rumor that picked up traction from Naver (Korean).

Things have changed

The Galaxy S27's battery was the subject of a rumor last week. A tipster from Naver claimed that Samsung was in the early stages of integrating its silicon-carbon battery tech with the upcoming series. Supposedly, the company had its devices "undergoing application testing." Strangely, the tipster alleged that nothing was confirmed (of course, this is a rumor) and that the cell capacities hadn't increased.

The rumors from GalaxyClub walk back on a portion of this rumor, stating the capacities have increased, and by a noticeable amount, too. The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a 5,000mAh battery. The S26 Ultra does, too. We've been stuck in this realm for a while with Samsung's Ultra model, and an 800mAh increase would be a boon to its battery life, enabling more scrolling, gaming, and video watching. This silicon-carbon angle is even more interesting when you consider Samsung's latest foldables now feature it.

Still, these are rumors, and we should treat them as such (though it is exciting). The other side of that report said the S27 and S27 Pro could swap Samsung's ISOCELL camera sensor for Sony's.

Android Central's Take

It would've been hard to imagine a major upgrade like silicon-carbon batteries without a meaningful capacity increase. The Ultra needs some help. I like the phone, but the battery capacity is lagging behind its competitors. There's no two ways about it. Asking for a 6,000mAh battery might sound like greed, so if a 5,800mAh is what we're looking at, that's fine.

What you need to know

• Smartphone prices are climbing rapidly as rising RAM and chipset costs force Android brands to charge more for new devices.
• Qualcomm's upcoming chipset price hike could push the prices of Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Honor, and other Android phones even higher.
• Buying an Android phone later this year or in 2027 will likely cost more than buying an equivalent model today.

The best time to buy a new smartphone was probably yesterday. Why? Because the next one you buy is almost certainly going to cost more.

It's no secret that smartphone prices have been climbing this year. Samsung has already raised prices across its Galaxy Z8 lineup, while Google's upcoming Pixel 11 series is also expected to launch at higher prices than its predecessor. Much of that has been blamed on the ongoing RAM price crisis that's affecting the entire smartphone industry.

Unfortunately, things don't seem to be getting any better. According to a Bloomberg report, Qualcomm has informed its hardware partners that it will increase chipset prices by a double-digit percentage starting September 1, 2026. The company reportedly told partners that it can no longer absorb the higher manufacturing costs and will instead pass them on.

That, in turn, means smartphone makers will have to pay more for the chipsets that power their devices. And when component costs go up, those increases almost always make their way to consumers.

Since Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips power smartphones from Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Honor, Motorola, and many other Android brands, this isn't just a problem for one company.

It's an industry-wide issue, and chances are the next Android phone you buy in late 2026 or even 2027 will cost more than an equivalent phone would have just a year earlier.

That's exactly why I say the best time to buy a new smartphone was yesterday.

Of course, sales events like Black Friday and the holiday shopping season will still offer some excellent deals. But if list prices continue to climb the way they have, even those discounts may not end up feeling quite as generous as they once did.

What you need to know

• Samsung is reportedly planning a second-generation Galaxy Z TriFold for 2027.
• The next TriFold is expected to keep the same display size, suggesting Samsung is focusing on scaling the product rather than redesigning it.
• Samsung could launch four foldables in 2027 — Galaxy Z Flip 9, Z Fold 9, Z Fold 9 Ultra, and the new TriFold — expanding its premium lineup.

Samsung’s first tri-fold phone wasn’t supposed to be a blockbuster hit, but it seems the company is already planning a much bigger successor. Samsung has reportedly started work on a second-generation Galaxy Z TriFold, with a launch apparently scheduled for 2027, and this time the company may be ready to sell it to far more people.

Korean publication ETNews reports that Samsung has already shared details of the new device with component partners, meaning that development is well underway ahead of launch. While details about the hardware are still scarce, the report indicates that the next TriFold will likely retain the same display size as the current model. The hardware is not that interesting, but the production strategy of Samsung is.

That’s a huge departure from Samsung’s original Galaxy Z TriFold, which was launched as an experimental device in limited quantities and markets. The company treated it more like a technology showcase than a volume seller, making it difficult for most buyers to get their hands on one. If the latest report is to be believed, Samsung now looks confident enough to bring the concept closer to the mainstream by ramping up manufacturing and increasing availability.

The report also claims that Samsung might launch four premium foldables instead of three in the second half of 2027: the Galaxy Z Flip 9, Galaxy Z Fold 9, Galaxy Z Fold 9 Ultra, and the second-gen Galaxy Z TriFold. That would also put to rest recent rumors suggesting that this year's Galaxy Z Flip 8 might be the last of Samsung's clamshell foldables.

Samsung is also said to be expanding the Galaxy S family. Previous reports have suggested that the Galaxy S27 range could include the Galaxy S27, S27 Plus, S27 Pro, and S27 Ultra. If that happens, Samsung would have a “4+4” flagship strategy — four Galaxy S devices in the first half of the year and four foldables in the second half.

It is still early for now. Samsung has made no announcements around any of these plans, and a lot can change before 2027 rolls around.

Android Central's Take

I fully support Samsung's efforts to push the boundaries of foldables, but a tri-fold only matters if most people can actually buy it. A flashy concept with limited production and sky-high pricing doesn't advance the industry. The real upgrade would be if Samsung is finally serious about making its next TriFold more broadly available.

What you need to know

• Google is developing a new "Phone to Watch Unlock" feature that automatically unlocks your Pixel Watch with your Pixel phone.
• The feature works in reverse of today's Watch Unlock, eliminating the need to enter your watch PIN repeatedly.
• Code strings suggest the feature will be exclusive to the Pixel Watch and Pixel phone ecosystem through Connected Services.

Google could finally fix the one thing that's been annoying me about using a passcode on my Pixel Watch.

For quite some time now, Google has offered a feature called Watch Unlock that lets your Pixel Watch unlock your Pixel phone. If your Pixel Watch is already unlocked and on your wrist, your phone automatically unlocks without asking for your passcode. The problem is that it doesn't work the other way around.

Thankfully, that could finally be changing.

As spotted by Android Authority, Google is working on a new feature called Phone to Watch Unlock that would automatically unlock your Pixel Watch whenever you unlock your paired Pixel phone.

Unlike the current implementation, where an unlocked Pixel Watch can unlock your phone, this feature would work in reverse. Once you unlock your Pixel phone, your Pixel Watch will automatically unlock as well. It's something that's been bugging me for a long time, so I'm glad to see Google finally working on a fix.

Unfortunately, it looks like this feature will be exclusive to the Pixel ecosystem. The code strings were discovered in Google's Connected Phone and Watch Services app, suggesting it will only work between Pixel phones and Pixel Watches.

From what it appears, Google will prompt users to enable the feature during setup. You'll first need to enter your current watch PIN as a one-time verification, after which your Pixel Watch will automatically unlock whenever you unlock your Pixel phone.

There's currently no word on when the feature will roll out. However, since it's already been spotted in the app's code, there's a good chance Google is preparing to launch it sooner rather than later.

Android 17's first major Feature Drop is expected next month, so it's possible this feature could arrive as part of that update.

What you need to know

• Google has confirmed Pixel price hikes as the ongoing global RAM shortage continues to push hardware costs higher.
• Recent leaks suggest the entire Pixel 11 lineup could cost $100 more than the current Pixel 10 series.
• Google says it's making Android more RAM-efficient to offset lower memory configurations without hurting performance.

It's the season of price increases. Samsung recently increased prices across its entire Galaxy Z8 lineup compared to the previous generation, and now it looks like Google is about to follow suit.

In an interview with 9to5Google, Google's Vice President of Devices and Services, Shakil Barkat, confirmed that price hikes are coming to Pixel phones. While Barkat didn't go into specifics about what we can expect in terms of pricing, he emphasized that Google's hardware division has been heavily impacted by a "severe, supplier-driven RAM memory crisis."

The executive pointed to Morgan Stanley data showing that the price of 1GB of RAM has jumped from $2.80 in 2025 to $12 this year. Barkat said Google has shielded customers from these supply fluctuations for as long as possible, but that the entire Pixel lineup will now see "adjustments" that will be rolled out dynamically to reflect the reality of the supply chain.

Unfortunately, that includes the upcoming Pixel 11 series.

According to recent leaks, prices across the Pixel 11 lineup are expected to increase by $100. That means the base Pixel 11 could start at $899, up from the Pixel 10's $799 starting price. The Pixel 11 Pro is also expected to start at $1,099, while the Pixel 11 Pro XL is rumored to launch at $1,299.

On top of that, the leaks also suggest Google is reducing the amount of RAM on the base Pro models. While the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL are both expected to start with 256GB of storage, the company is reportedly cutting the RAM from 16GB to 12GB.

The disruption will also impact "in-market Pixel phones," Barkat added, although Google didn't confirm which devices he was referring to. Reports suggest that this could include the Pixel 10a.

The executive also said that Google is working to make Android more RAM-efficient than ever, which will "enable devices to have less RAM while maintaining a great user experience."

Would you still buy the Pixel 11 series if it costs $100 more?

What you need to know

• Google is rolling out several smart home updates, including one for Gemini that expands its "conversational memory" to 15 minutes.
• Gemini Live arrives on first-gen Home Mini and Nest Hub devices, alongside improved Automation guidance and smart lock alerts for removed users.
• Recent updates for Google Home include Pet Memory for Gemini and Suggested Automations.

Google is rolling into the weekend with a few updates to its smart home systems that you should check your devices for.

Gemini for Home's early access is getting a few refinements this week. Google states Gemini Live is now available on first-gen speakers and displays. The patch notes list first-gen Home Mini and Nest Hubs as devices receiving Gemini Live this week. Keep in mind that only Google Home Premium subscribers can access this. On a related note, Gemini's memory is getting stronger.

Google says the AI's "conversational memory" now lasts for 15 minutes. This will be present "across the entire Gemini for Home experience." Users can follow up on something they've previously asked Gemini to do, so long as it's within those 15 minutes. Automations in the Home app will provide clearer "saving guidance." Google explains that the app will inform users if they're trying to save an automation with conditions but no starter.

Improved controls and labels for smart blinds and window coverings in Automations are included, alongside smart lock "security actions disclaimers." If users remove someone's access from their locks, the app will tell you that their passcodes "need to be changed or removed."

A July 2026 update is rolling out for Nest Cameras. This applies to the wired, third-gen Nest Cam Indoor, Nest Cam Outdoor (wired, 2nd-gen), and the Nest Doorbell (wired, third-gen). Additionally, Google now supports more of Walmart's Onn cameras: Outdoor Plug-In and Outdoor Floodlight Hardwired. Bug fixes make up the remainder of these updates, and you can view them in full.

The Home is looking smarter

This conversational memory update for Gemini reminds us of the Continued Conversations patch from April. Asking the AI to do something is common with so many smart devices to control. What can get frustrating is having to repeat yourself to a computer. Continued Conversations aims to solve that. Google said this highly requested feature helps Gemini "remember" what's going on. It helps make the experience seamless, which is another area Google's been working on.

Gemini would keep its mic open for a few extra seconds, in case there's something to add. This memory upgrade takes this concept and expands on it. Even after Gemini closes its mic, you can still follow up, and it'll (hopefully) remember your conversation from two minutes ago. Pet Memory was another recent patch for Gemini that lets users customize how the AI recognizes their fur babies.

Instead of the generic sentences (i.e., "dog is walking in the living room), users can let the AI know the little one's name.

What you need to know

• Rumors claim the Galaxy S27 and S27 Plus are being "tested" with a Sony camera sensor, not Samsung's ISOCELL.
• While this change has been alleged, the sensor might only deliver 50MP to the main lenses for both phones.
• Another rumor claims that Samsung is testing silicon-carbon battery tech for the Galaxy S27 series after delivering it for its 2026 foldables.

Samsung has had an eventful week with Galaxy Unpacked dropping major reveals. Settling back into things, rumors are surfacing about its next flagship phone upgrades.

Rumors have started from a couple of different sources this week. The first stems from Galaxy Club (Dutch), claiming the Galaxy S27 and Galaxy S27 Plus could receive camera tech from a new company (via GSMArena). Samsung typically swaps its in-house Exynos chips for Qualcomm when its phones launch in other markets (markets that aren't Korea or Europe). Now, rumors claim Samsung might forgo its camera sensor, ISOCELL, in favor of Sony's.

The publication cites information from an unnamed source, stating this swap to Sony is being "tested" for the S27 and S27 Plus' main sensor. Early tests show this sensor would arrive as 50MP, and that's only if testing goes well and we see this through to fruition. Galaxy S27 rumors don't end there, as tipster Lanzuk on Naver (Korean) states the phones could get a familiar battery upgrade.

Lanzuk claims silicon-carbon battery tech is currently "undergoing application testing" for Samsung's next phones. While it's easy to get excited early, Lanzuk says there are still a lot of moving parts. For one, the battery capacity has supposedly not increased. However, this could be due to the series' early stages, as "nothing is finalized."

Changes aplenty

Camera rumors haven't been shy about Samsung's S27 series. Specifically, there were reports about the Galaxy S27 Ultra's changes, which say it could sport an ISOCELL HP6 sensor. While this is an "upgrade," the device was still rumored to offer 200MP with this newer sensor. Let's not forget about the alleged "Galaxy S27 Pro." Word has it that Samsung could roll out four Galaxy S series phones next year, with the "Pro" being the new kid on the block.

The S27 Pro could feature cameras closer to the Ultra experience, but with "entirely new sensors" to switch things up. The battery rumor for the S27 series is interesting. We've heard rumors about Samsung potentially "catching up" to its competition with better, bigger batteries. Of course, we're talking about silicon-carbon batteries, but nothing's for certain. What is certain—nice to see, too—is that Samsung's latest foldables rock this new tech.

Android Central's Take

It feels like we're moving into a unique timeline for Samsung. Its foldables have gotten a battery upgrade we've been waiting on. It could've been better—cell capacity, of course. Samsung is still pretty far under its competition. I suppose having silicon-carbon tech is better than not.

What you need to know

• Google Play hosts The Auction at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC), and there are rewards for visitors on-site and online.
• In the Play Store app, Play Points members Gold or higher can claim an exclusive digital case of rewards for a chance to score prizes.
• If you're at SDCC, Google Play encourages users to get their custom tote bag and unique keychain charms at the charms bar.
• The Auction runs from July 23 to July 25, and the final day at 5 pm PT is when the auction gets underway, hosted by Quenlin Blackwell.

SDCC (San Diego Comic Con) is underway, and Google Play is there to take in the sights while also giving away rewards for users on-site and online.

Google announced that it's hosting The Auction at SDCC, and people can snag perks and rewards to celebrate. If you're unable to make it to the San Diego area for the festivities, Google Play Points members can still have fun. Google states that users will find "Digital reward cases." For Gold Plus members, "can unlock an exclusive digital rewards case on Google Play for a special chance to score points boosters and surprise collectibles." Keep in mind, this includes Gold, Platinum, and Diamond Play Points members.

You can find these cases in the You or Perks tab in Play Points. The Special Event—Comic-Con in San Diego case ends on August 10, per the app.

Alternatively, if you're looking for "instant rewards," users can head to the Use tab to redeem "high-demand gear," like the Gen 2 Backbone One | DEATH STRANDING 2 Limited Edition controller.

Everyone who has made the trek to SDCC, Google Play is hosting The Auction. From July 23 to July 25, visitors can "step into an immersive space where tokens earned on-site are your currency." Google highlights a massive gachapon that visitors can spin for rewards. You can use your tokens to redeem a custom tote bag or "uniquely crafted keepsakes" at the venue's keychain charm bar.

Visitors can also score rewards for MARVEL Strike Force and Crunchyroll.

This all converges on a massive auction finale on July 25 at 5 pm PT hosted by Quenlin Blackwell. Visitors can bid on high-value items from an Emerald Gemagotchi Necklace with white diamond buttons on a 14K gold ball chain to a Herman Miller Vantum Gaming Chair. There's still time, and if you're not a Points member yet, get going.

Peep the rewards

Buying in-game items and other items through the Google Play Store helps you rack up points. In turn, these points level you up from Bronze to Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. In September, Google revamped Play Points, introducing new rewards. The inclusion of more prizes was for users in the U.K. Google teamed up with YouTube, Chrome, and developers to curate accessories and clothing options for points holders.

Shortly after, in December, Google Play Points brought the Pixel 10 Pro into the mix with a decent discount. If you had the points, you could get $250 off the Pixel 10 Pro, which knocked it down to $749 on the Google Store. However, the company said some users might've been eligible for an extra $200, knocking it down to $549. This was a promotion Google ran from December 15-27, so if you were there (and interested), it was a joy.

Android Central's Take

I would give my personal take on this, but you already know I'm a big comic book fan (and if you didn't... now you know). SDCC is always a great time. Seeing what's coming up from my favorite games, Marvel comics, and DC comics is a highlight. But please excuse me, I'm getting my rewards on Google Play.

What you need to know

• Google is rolling out Fitbit Air firmware version 253.2, but don't expect new features.
• This update focuses entirely on reliability and minor bug fixes.
• Google advises installing the update during the day or evening, as updating around midnight can temporarily throw off your daily step count.

Google has begun rolling out a new software update for the Fitbit Air. However, this release is solely focused on reliability and not on new features.

The company officially describes the update as containing only “minor bug fixes,” but it does not say what those fixes are. This is the second firmware release for the wearable, following the initial update last month. In its community post, Google says firmware version 253.2 is being rolled out to devices over the next few days.

Before you begin the installation process, Google says to make sure your Fitbit Air is charged or plugged into its charger and has at least 50% battery. You also have to keep the wearable connected to a phone or tablet via Bluetooth and have the latest version of the Google Health app on your device.

It also matters when you install. Google recommends updating your device during the day or in the evening, not at midnight, as updating late at night could make that day’s step count appear inaccurate temporarily.

Installation takes about 10 minutes to complete. First, open the Google Health app with your Fitbit Air nearby and tap Update on the Today tab. You can also tap on Update in the top left corner under Connections and then tap on your device.

Just keep the Google Health app open and keep your Fitbit close to your phone or tablet until the progress bar is complete.

Android Central's Take

I get that Google is finally shipping an update instead of leaving early buyers hanging, but “bug fixes and general improvements” has become one of the most overused phrases in tech. If this update really helps with automatic workout detection, Google should just say so. People don't buy fitness trackers so they can decipher vague changelogs. They buy them because they want reliable health tracking without babysitting it.

What you need to know

• The European Commission issued its first-ever Digital Markets Act fines against Google, totaling €890 million ($1 billion) for anticompetitive practices.
• Search took the biggest hit, with Google fined €460 million for allegedly giving its own services preferential placement over rival platforms.
• Google Play wasn't spared either, as the EU fined the company €430 million for restricting developers from steering users to cheaper payment options outside the Play Store.

Google’s battles with European regulators are far from over. After recently losing its fight against the EU’s record €4.1 billion antitrust fine over Android's market dominance, the European Commission has now issued its first fines against the company under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

The EU announced that it has fined the company €890 million (around $1 billion), saying that Google broke the Digital Markets Act (DMA) by giving its own services an unfair advantage in Search, and limiting how Android developers can reach customers outside the Play Store.

The penalties are divided into two parts. Google was fined €460 million for allegedly favoring its products, including Shopping, Hotels, Transport, and Sports results, over rival services in Google Search. EU regulators said that Google's services were consistently given better placement and richer visual treatment than rival services, making it harder for competitors to get visibility.

The second fine, worth €430 million, was imposed on Google Play. The Commission said Google blocked developers from directing users freely to cheaper offers or alternative payment methods outside the Play Store. Under the DMA, developers should be able to promote those options without facing restrictive conditions, and Google’s steering-related fees were also found to be higher than what regulators consider acceptable.

These are the first fines that Google has received under the DMA, Europe’s landmark law aimed at reigning in the power of the biggest “gatekeepers” in the tech industry. The ruling also orders Google to change its Search ranking practices and its Play Store policy to comply with the law. Failure to take corrective action within 60 days can result in additional penalties based on the company’s global revenue.

Android Central has contacted Google for a statement and will update this article when we hear back. Anyway, the tech giant is expected to appeal the decision but will continue discussing possible compliance measures with regulators.

Android Central's Take

I don’t think most people will lose sleep over Google getting another billion dollar fine, but if these rulings push Google to give developers more freedom and make Search a little fairer, that’s ultimately a win for users. At the same time, I can’t help but notice the pattern here: Google changes its products, regulators object, Google appeals, and the process repeats itself. For years, you’d think we’d be talking about lasting fixes after billion-euro penalties instead of another chapter in the same regulatory saga.

What you need to know

• Google introduces Selfie Video, a new secure sign-in method to log into your account.
• Users will be required to set up a Selfie Video initially, running through Google's guided instructions before it's saved.
• Signing into your account with Selfie Video will compare your new recording with the initial one for verification.

As far as device security goes, or even account security, biometrics are unique. Google wants to advance that by using your face.

Google announced that it's adding a new way for users to sign into their accounts this week. Selfie Video is a method that will join Google's more security-conscious methods for account sign-in. Setting up Selfie Video is fairly straightforward. Google says it will walk you through the head movements you need to make so its software can "capture multiple angles" of your face. The Selfie Video you record initially is the original.

After you're done and you're looking to sign into your account, you can record a "new" Selfie Video. Google says it will compare the current video to your first one to verify you.

There are a few other ways users can sign into their Google Accounts. The company states Selfie Videos are here in case you're locked out. If you've forgotten your password or "don’t have access to your usual phone or computer," Selfie Video could help. Security—personal privacy, really—is an area Google knows is important to users. The announcement highlights the user's control over their video.

Your capture will be saved (and encrypted) on Google's servers "with your consent." Google says your video is saved for sign-in purposes "unless you opt to share it for additional purposes." What's more, users can delete their saved video at any time. It adds that when you call on Selfie Video for verification, Google deploys several layers of defense to protect your account from deep fakes, fake photos, and videos.

If Selfie Videos are your jam, you can get it set up.

Take a selfie

Passkeys are probably the most recognizable "strong" sign-in method that Google Accounts offer users. We've had passkeys as an option for personal accounts since 2023. The idea is to give passwords a nice (quiet) way out. Of course, you can still sign into your account with your password, but Google's kept pushing passkeys. This new security tech is reportedly 40% faster than typing your password. Passkeys were developed with the FIDO Alliance and are used across websites and apps.

Another good reason to rely on a passkey is that it can't be phished or stolen. Plus, you don't have to remember anything (phew!). It's worth remembering that since passkeys are a new security method, they've got their issues.

What you need to know

• Samsung has extended the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 to five major Wear OS upgrades.
• The new watches launch with Wear OS 7 and One UI 9, meaning software support should continue through 2031.
• Samsung likely enabled the longer support thanks to the new 3nm Snapdragon Wear Elite chip.

Samsung has expanded the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2's Wear OS software support to five years.

Samsung announced the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 alongside its new Galaxy Z Fold 8 series at Galaxy Unpacked in London on July 22. While the new foldable phones grabbed most of the attention, Samsung's latest smartwatches also bring some meaningful upgrades, including larger batteries across both models.

But there are even more improvements that Samsung didn't spend much time talking about during the keynote, and one of them is the software update policy.

Samsung has already been one of the best Android smartwatch makers when it comes to software support. Until now, the company promised four major Wear OS upgrades and five years of security updates for its Galaxy Watches.

For comparison, Google currently offers only three years of software updates for the Pixel Watch lineup, so Samsung was already ahead on that front.

With the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, Samsung has taken things a step further. As first spotted by SamMobile, the company has expanded the update policy to five major Wear OS upgrades, while continuing to offer five years of security updates.

That's one additional major OS upgrade over previous Galaxy Watches. It's also worth noting that both watches ship with One UI 9 based on Wear OS 7 out of the box. Assuming Samsung sticks to its promise, these watches should continue receiving major Wear OS updates through 2031, which would presumably take them to Wear OS 12.

Samsung didn't really highlight this during the launch event, but it's likely that the new Snapdragon Wear Elite chipset is one of the reasons behind the extended support. The new chip is built on a 3nm process and is claimed to deliver up to 32% better performance than the previous generation.

For anyone considering a new smartwatch, that's one more reason to look at Samsung's latest lineup. The Galaxy Watch 9 starts at $380 in the U.S., while the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is priced at $700. Both smartwatches will be available starting August 7.

What you need to know

• Following Galaxy Unpacked, all eyes are on Samsung's foldables, and Honor is putting its Magic V6 against the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.
• The company highlights its large 6,660mAh battery using silicon-carbon tech; however, Samsung has adopted this tech, but for a smaller 5,000mAh cell.
• Honor also highlights its device durability despite being quite thin, alongside faster charging speeds, and strong iOS, Mac, and Windows connectivity.

We're still trying to collect ourselves and regroup after Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked yesterday. However, Honor, like all of us, was watching, and it wants to go head-to-head: putting its Magic V6 against the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

Honor has a clear vision it wants to bring into reality with its foldables. In a press release, it told Android Central that "Foldables are evolving rapidly, and we believe side-by-side testing can provide consumers with the clearest picture of what matters..." There's a lot we can get overwhelmed with after Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra; however, one area my colleague Nicholas Sutrich and I are the most interested in is its battery.

Honor's Magic V6 features a 6,660mAh battery with 80W wired and 66W wireless charging capabilities. For comparison, the Fold 8 Ultra from Samsung only offers a 5,000mAh battery, a 600mAh improvement over the Fold 7 (which it succeeds). What's more, Samsung is still playing it "safe" (one could say), offering 45W wired and 20W wireless charging.

The company then highlights the technology it's incorporated into its foldable batteries, as this area is often a "major compromise," per its press release. Honor highlights the use of silicon batteries to solve this common issue.

Another area that Honor's side-by-side comparison stands a hair higher than the Fold 8 Ultra is its display. While the numbers are fairly close, Honor states the Magic V6 boasts a 1.5% "low reflectivity" screen. Moreover, its Pocket AI workstation incorporates seamless iOS, Mac, and Windows connectivity, and "one-tap" share for photos and more on iPhones and Macs.

This or that

While the choice is always up to the consumer on which device suits them, it's not all bad for Samsung. With its Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra, Samsung also uses silicon-carbon battery technology. This technology improves on what we already come to expect from batteries in our phones. Silicon-carbon tech packs more capacity into the same space. In short, you can have a larger cell without a thicker phone (and we know Samsung likes thin phones). The Fold 8 Ultra features a 5,000mAh battery, while the wider Fold 8 offers a 4,800mAh cell.

The good news is the devices are relatively thin. But what's interesting is how long it's taken Samsung to offer a boost to an area that matters. As Sutrich reminded me, Honor's Magic V3 from 2024 had a 5,080mAh battery. Those totals have only grown.

Durability is another area in which Honor highlights its strengths. The Magic V6 is thin, but it rocks durability like no other. Both sides have made great improvements to their hinge technology, so the choice is truly yours.

Android Central's Take

There are other areas where Honor's Magic V6 outperforms the Galaxy Z Fold 8. If you look at its selfie camera, the Magic V6 offers two 20MP lenses, while the Fold 8 settles for dual 10MP. However, the Fold 8's main camera is 200MP. Honor's is 60MP, but it beats its competitor's telephoto with 64MP. You can like both phones. I certainly do. Both foldables stand tall on their own in their own way.

What you need to know

• Ultrahuman announced the Emerald update for its app, which brings a "decision engine," known as UltraSphere.
• UltraSphere can deliver over 60 "Next Best Action" suggestions to users based on their location, weather, profile, and biomarkers (sleep, HRV, recovery, etc.).
• Other updates involve VO2 Max algorithm updates, heart rate accuracy improvements, and enhanced workout detection.
• The Emerald update is rolling out today (July 23) globally.

Ultrahuman pushes its smart rings and users to be better in health and fitness. But the company isn't done, and its major app overhaul today (July 23) is the largest in its history.

The Emerald update is rolling out for the Ultrahuman app late this week. The company highlights "15 new and overhauled features" in this patch, but the star is the "decision engine," UltraSphere. The app sports several UI refinements in this patch. The company states it redesigned its UI for clarity for "health data and to promote better decisions." Users receive light and dark modes, a Jade AI tab, and "timely" information in the Ring tab.

UltraSphere is the centerpiece of the Emerald update and the app's homescreen. Ultrahuman says this is a "decision engine that generates 60+ Next Best Actions, such as boosting energy and alertness, winding down, and promoting more restful, restorative sleep." UltraSphere doesn't do it alone, as the press release states it leverages Jade AI to draw on your markers from sleep, recovery, HRV, cycle phase, and more.

Mohit Kumar, Ultrahuman's CEO, states, "All wearable trackers generate data. Data is empowering, but people do need something more than a number – they want to know what to do." In that spirit, UltraSphere delivers its suggestions based on your location and weather, circadian rhythm, and profile.

If you're a parent or someone working the night shift, UltraSphere would tailor its suggestions to fit that lifestyle. A "Next Best Action" suggestion might include "Get Light," which would tell the user to "Step outside for a few minutes soon after waking. Morning light sets the body clock so users feel alert today and fall asleep more easily."

Your heart and VO2 Max

The Emerald update makes two important changes to the app's tracking and accuracy. Ultrahuman says its Ring runs all of its processes on your device. This was done to keep your insights available without a connection.

The latter focuses on workout analysis and heart-rate accuracy with the Ring Pro and Air. Automatic workout detection and tagging have been improved. Heart rate details take a few steps up in this update, too. The Ultrahuman app also welcomes third-party devices for workout tracking. It highlights many GPS sports watches like the Apple Watch, Garmin, WHOOP, and others.

Ultrahuman is putting its VO2 Max capabilities in the spotlight, boasting a 21% increase in accuracy. The company credits a major algorithm, which has been "validated" against gold-standard CPET lab tests. The Emerald update for the Ultrahuman app is rolling out globally today (July 23). While we've covered a few important updates here, there are several more you'll also find: Sleep Screener, Longevity tab, Connections, Windows, Live View, Today's Activity, Today's Activity, Contextual Content, Goals, and PowerPlugs.

What you need to know

• Google says Chrome on Android now experiences 48% fewer scroll stutters than in 2023.
• The improvements are the result of nearly three years of engineering work.
• Google redesigned several parts of Chrome's rendering pipeline to achieve this.

If you've felt lately that the Chrome app on Android is smoother while scrolling through articles (like this one, even), it's probably because you're using the end result of three years of engineering work behind the scenes at Google.

While Google may be focusing heavily on new AI features, like bringing more Gemini into Chrome, there are also plenty of other improvements the company has been quietly working on for Chrome on Android. Take, for example, that split-second stutter you sometimes notice when scrolling through a webpage before it carries on as normal, which Google internally calls "scroll jank."

In a new engineering blog post, Google says Chrome on Android now experiences 48% fewer janky scrolls than it did back in late 2023.

According to Google, scroll jank happens when Chrome fails to update the page quickly enough to keep up with your finger. Even though the delay may only last a fraction of a second, it's still enough for the human eye to notice, making the whole scrolling experience feel jerky.

The company says that getting rid of those interruptions wasn't as simple as making Chrome faster. Google explains that Chrome's rendering pipeline is far more complex than a typical Android app because the browser spreads work across multiple processes for security and stability. That means there are far more opportunities for tiny delays to build up before a frame finally appears on screen.

To tackle the problem, Google first spent months instrumenting Chrome's rendering pipeline to identify exactly where scroll stutters were occurring.

It then introduced a series of architectural improvements over the following years, including rerouting touch input through a faster path, reducing communication delays between browser processes, and moving more work onto the GPU.

Google also worked alongside Android itself to prioritize the operating system's input threads, helping touch events reach Chrome more consistently, thus helping it produce frames more reliably.

Google went into a lot more depth about exactly how it fixed all this, but I won't bore you with the technical details. In case you've been wondering why Chrome doesn't feel so bad on Android anymore, this is why your feed might feel a little less jumpy than it did a couple of years ago.

What you need to know

• Samsung has opened its application period to consumers looking to grab its first credit card: the Galaxy Card.
• Consumers can get this digitally or physically in a black metal design, thanks to a Barclays U.S. Consumer Bank partnership.
• The Galaxy Card offers a series of cash rewards for consumers, such as 5% cash rewards on eligible purchases made directly with Samsung.

There have been plenty of reveals and announcements at Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked today (July 22), but there's a little more to discuss. The company is entering the credit card world, and you can apply now.

In a press release, Samsung announced the Galaxy Card: the brand's first credit card in the U.S., which delivers "a new way for users to earn cash rewards across everyday purchases and the Galaxy ecosystem." The Galaxy Card is available as a virtual and a premium black metal card. As one would expect, the card is designed to fully support Samsung Wallet. The Galaxy Card was made in partnership with Barclays U.S. Consumer Bank operating on the Visa network.

This partnership is said to help offer "innovative payment options" for Samsung's consumer base.

The company states the Galaxy Card has a $0 annual fee. Rewards are a major aspect of Samsung's first credit card. Consumers will receive 5% cash rewards on eligible purchases made directly with Samsung. What's more, you could receive 20% off Samsung VIP Advantage, as well as 5% cash rewards "when purchasing or renewing a Samsung VIP Advantage membership." The remaining cash rewards are as follows:

• 3% cash rewards on purchases made with Samsung Wallet
• 2% cash rewards on streaming services, like Netflix, Disney Plus, and Spotify
• 1% cash rewards on all other purchases
• $200 cash reward after spending $2,000 in the first 90 days

Galaxy Card and new products

Applications for the Samsung Galaxy Card have opened today (July 22). The company lined up this open period with Galaxy Unpacked, which showed off new smartwatches and foldables.

It's been a while, but Samsung's new credit card was talked about before. Originally, nothing was confirmed. There was a report late last year that said Samsung had approached Barclays to create a card of its own. The alleged name was similar to what was announced, rumored to be the "Samsung Card." Early reports claimed Samsung would offer cashback on its devices and appliances, alongside "digital prepaid accounts."

This had us thinking Samsung was looking to compete against Apple, which has a card it offers consumers. Samsung has continued to refine its payment experience, whether digital or a physical card that we've now received.

What you need to know

• OpenAI is addressing a severe AI security flaw with Hugging Face that occurred during a simple "model evaluation."
• It discovered that GPT‑5.6 Sol and other pre-release models were involved in this incident, relentlessly breaching nodes and exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities until it gained internet access.
• OpenAI states it is committed to partnering and working with Hugging Face and others to solve this problem and roll out protections.

After what appears to be an "unprecedented cyber incident," OpenAI is getting candid about a nasty AI security incident during a "model evaluation."

A recent security incident involving an autonomous AI gave AI Hugging Face quite the scare. Now, OpenAI is discussing what its investigation into the matter uncovered as it partners with Hugging Face to develop protections. OpenAI explains that the incident occurred "during an internal evaluation which prompts models to pursue advanced exploitation using complex attack paths, in an effort to quantify their cyber capabilities."

These tests typically run in a "highly isolated environment," but some AI models broke through. Another unnerving discovery is that the AI models involved in the incident were OpenAI's GPT‑5.6 Sol and other pre-release models.

OpenAI says the models in question became "hyperfocused" on finding a solution for ExploitGym, and it went to "extreme lengths" to discover one. To solve the problem, OpenAI found that the AI would relentlessly pursue a way to access the internet. In doing so, the AI models found and exploited a reported zero-day vulnerability. Once the AI broke its isolation and got access to the internet, it was over.

OpenAI says, "the models inferred that Hugging Face potentially hosted models, datasets, and solutions for ExploitGym." OpenAI gives an example, stating the AI was able to "chain" attack vectors, leveraging stolen credentials and other zero-day vulnerabilities within Hugging Face's servers. The post states that Hugging Face identified the problem and launched quarantine (containment) measures, as well as the reconstruction of its open-source models to stop the problem.

Quite the fright

Hugging Face adds that it also deployed additional guardrails and "stricter admission" controls on its clusters to prevent this issue. The company also stepped up its awareness, so a "high-severity signal pages a responder in minutes, any day of the week." Hugging Face has begun working with a cybersecurity forensic specialist to conduct further investigations.

On OpenAI's side, it's working on stronger controls at an infrastructure configuration level. Partnering with Hugging Face has brought the company into its trusted access program. OpenAI says it is offering Hugging Face its support in this matter. On a related note, Hugging Face has informed its community members about a few potential next steps. Since security is a major concern, it recommends that its community members "rotate any access tokens" and review recent activity on their account.

Hugging Face remains committed to using AI as a defender for online systems. It says, "Defending an online platform now means treating the data and model surface as a first-class attack surface, and using AI on defense to keep pace. We will keep investing there, and keep sharing what we learn."

Android Central's Take

This sounds exactly like a sci-fi movie. I saw people in Hugging Face's comments mention Terminator 3... and that might be what I'm thinking of. My colleague Nicholas Sutrich said this was a "nasty AI incident." He's not wrong. These AI models were able to get free, exploit terrible flaws, and gain internet access. It was after the solution to a problem it was given. It didn't stop. Imagine that danger turned in another direction. Something much more crucial to us.

What you need to know

• Samsung fixes a major Privacy Display annoyance by limiting the privacy effect to the PiP window instead of the entire screen in One UI 9 Beta 4.
• The update allows you to watch PiP videos privately while the rest of the display stays bright and fully visible.
• The update also removes unnecessary dimming and color shifts across the whole display during PiP playback.

One of the biggest differentiators of the Galaxy S26 Ultra is Samsung’s Privacy Display, but it has also been a source of an annoying tradeoff. If you shrunk a video into a picture-in-picture (PiP) window, the privacy effect continued covering the entire display, making everything else on the screen dimmer and harder to see. The latest One UI 9 beta finally turns that on its head.

According to a video shared by reliable leaker Ice Universe, One UI 9 Beta 4 makes Privacy Display much smarter when using PiP apps. The display angle restriction is no longer applied to the entire display but is still restricted to the floating PiP window. Then you can continue watching YouTube videos or another PiP app without showing it to people around you, while using the rest of your phone normally.

This change fixes a real usability bug. Samsung’s Flex Magic Pixel technology is built right into the Galaxy S26 Ultra screen, limiting viewing angles to make the display unreadable from the side. Unlike a traditional privacy screen protector, it can be enabled only for specific apps, notifications, or password entry. The downside is it also dims the brightness and shifts colors while it's active, so having it cover the whole screen during PiP playback felt a bit too limiting.

With the new behavior, only the sensitive content within the PiP window is shielded, and the rest of the interface is displayed at normal viewing angles and brightness. The enhancement is part of One UI 9 Beta 4, which also delivers a variety of bug fixes in preparation for Samsung’s wider One UI 9 release.

Android Central's Take

This appears to be a fix for a problem that should never have existed in the first place. A privacy feature is only useful if it doesn’t get in the way of using your phone, and covering the whole screen just to protect a tiny PiP window always felt like overkill. This change finally allows Privacy Display to work as I would expect it to from day one. Now Samsung just needs to polish the experience, rather than leaving it to beta users to clean up the rough edges of features it proudly marketed as ready for flagships.

What you need to know

• Samsung announced during Galaxy Unpacked that the Galaxy Ring will receive Sleep Apnea detection "this fall."
• The company states that the Galaxy Ring will be the "first and only" smart ring that's available over-the-counter to receive FDA clearance for such detection.
• Samsung first cleared its Sleep Apnea detection for the Galaxy Watch in Korea in 2023 before rolling it out globally (after the FDA gave the go-ahead) in 2025.

Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked is just wrapping up in London, but the company snuck in a surprise: the Galaxy Ring is getting major sleep health clearance.

During the keynote, Samsung was covering its summer releases, and this particular section involved the Galaxy Watch 9. The company's newest "all-day, always-on for health" smartwatch has been cleared by the FDA for Sleep Apnea detection; however, Samsung says so will the Galaxy Ring. The company states, "this fall," its Galaxy Ring will be the "first and only FDA-cleared, over-the-counter ring device for Sleep Apnea risk protection."

As previously mentioned, the Galaxy Watch 9 features Sleep Apnea detection. Samsung revealed everything about the device and its Ultra 2 partner this morning (July 22). The watch's Sleep Apnea detection goes further than letting the user know a disruption took place overnight. According to Samsung, its Sleep Apnea detection features AI algorithms for "deeper insights into breathing disruptions during sleep."

This is an important highlight Samsung discussed during its Unpacked keynote, too.

Huge for the Galaxy Ring

Samsung has been down a long road for Sleep Apnea detection on its wearables. In 2023, the company's Galaxy Watch received approval from South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for Sleep Apnea detection, as well as blood pressure monitoring. Consumers in the U.S., and many of us here at Android Central, were eagerly awaiting (and hoping) for FDA approval, too. We had to wait until February 2024 before the FDA gave the all-clear for Samsung's Galaxy Watch detection.

While approval is all well and good, Sleep Apnea detection didn't hit our devices until 2025. The feature leverages the watch's BioActive sensor to alert the user to potential disruptions. Sleep Apnea is a serious medical condition that Samsung is trying to give users better insight into. If left unchecked, it can cause an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia, and more.

Now that Samsung has worked in more of its AI algorithms, we can likely expect more detailed round-ups once this hits the Galaxy Ring. For now, we have the Galaxy Watch 9 to use and see how it works before the fall.

Android Central's Take

This stunned us during Unpacked. It's not something we were expecting, and I'm sure all eyes are on Samsung's smart ring competitors. Sleep Apnea, as I mentioned already, is a serious medical issue. If left unchecked, like anything else, it can worsen. Health awareness is never a bad thing, and for a device (a smart ring) that's already hard-focused on health, it sounds like a no-brainer.

What you need to know

• Qualcomm now powers Samsung's entire AI ecosystem, expanding beyond foldables into Galaxy smartwatches and upcoming AI smart glasses.
• The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy promises faster on-device AI, stronger gaming performance, smarter cameras, and better power efficiency to Samsung's latest foldables.
• Samsung's first Snapdragon-powered smartwatches debut with the Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2, using Snapdragon Wear Elite for more personalized health tracking and AI experiences.

Samsung’s new Galaxy launch was more than just foldables. Qualcomm also used the occasion to show just how much deeper its partnership with Samsung has become, with Snapdragon chips now powering the company's newest phones, smartwatches, and its upcoming AI-powered smart glasses.

The biggest upgrade is for Samsung’s flagship foldables. Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy powers the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold 8, and, in select markets, the Galaxy Z Flip 8. Qualcomm says the custom chip blends its Oryon CPU, next-gen NPU, and upgraded GPU for faster on-device AI, better gaming performance, smarter camera features, and improved power efficiency.

And the collaboration isn’t limited to smartphones. Samsung’s wearables lineup is also seeing a significant shakeup, with the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 set to be the company’s first smartwatches to run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear Elite platform.

Qualcomm says the platform was built around “Personal AI” that employs advanced sensor fusion to better understand user activity throughout the day, providing more proactive health insights while maintaining strong connectivity and performance.

Perhaps the most interesting expansion is outside of phones and watches. Qualcomm, Samsung, and Google are expanding their Android XR partnership to include intelligent eyewear with the Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 platform. Samsung already unveiled new smart glasses designs with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, with larger collections slated for market later this fall.

Qualcomm says the platform is meant to enable more contextual AI experiences in lightweight glasses as opposed to bulky headsets.

Android Central's Take

If Snapdragon can actually deliver seamless AI across your phone, watch, and future smart glasses, you’ll be greeted with experiences that feel genuinely connected, rather than a bunch of isolated features. That said, we’ve heard enough of these “AI ecosystem” promises before, and not all of them have lived up to the hype. The real test will be Samsung’s ability to make those features useful enough that people actually notice them outside of launch-day demos.

What you need to know

• Samsung quietly abandoned stylus support for both the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra, just like the Z Fold 7.
• The missing S Pen leaves a productivity gap, removing a tool that made handwritten notes, document annotation, and sketching easy on the Fold's large inner display.
• Marketing the Fold 8 Ultra as the ultimate productivity machine while removing the very hardware tool that made previous generations so effective sends mixed signals to users.

Samsung just launched its Galaxy Z Fold 8 series, but one longtime Fold feature is absent. Samsung has quietly ditched S Pen support from the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra (again) after years of marketing the Fold as a productivity-first device, with no mention of stylus support anywhere in its official announcement, spec sheets, or otherwise.

This is despite Samsung doubling down on AI-powered productivity. The new Fold line-up is all about multitasking with Galaxy AI, Gemini Intelligence, split-screen workflows, and larger displays leading the way.

Additionally, the Fold 8 Ultra is billed as the company’s ultimate productivity machine, combining an 8-inch display with a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chip, a 5,000mAh battery, and a 200MP main camera. The standard Fold 8 has a lighter 201g design, a 4,800mAh battery, and dual 50MP cameras but retains the same flagship chipset.

What’s missing is any mention of the S Pen that used to help separate Samsung’s book-style foldables from the competition. In previous iterations of the Fold (except the Z Fold 7), the stylus was a peripheral, giving users a way to handwrite notes, annotate documents, and scribble on the large inner display.

This decision is even more surprising given that the new Fold lineup is designed to help users do more with AI and features like Gemini Notebook, drag-and-drop multitasking, and app automation across more than 40 apps and services supported. Those upgrades double down on the Fold’s productivity focus, but they also make the lack of pen input feel like an even bigger compromise.

Android Central's Take

Samsung seems to be giving off mixed signals here. You can’t market the Fold 8 as the ultimate productivity phone and then quietly take away one of the tools that actually made it feel productive. Sure, AI can summarize meetings and organize notes, but it can’t replace the precision of putting pen to paper. But if Samsung wants Fold users to embrace an AI-first future, it also has to remember that sometimes the smartest feature isn’t AI at all — it’s letting people write things down.

What you need to know

• Google shared details about a few Gemini updates, which coincide with Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked reveals.
• Google reiterates Gemini's presence on Intelligent Eyewear (Samsung collab); however, Galaxy Watch 9 users can raise their wrist to activate the AI, all without saying a word.
• Gemini Notebook is pre-installed on Samsung's new foldables, but Galaxy Z Fold 8 users can take full advantage of their multitasking capabilities, dragging and dropping content from other apps into the AI notebook.

It's Samsung's day, but Google has a few updates to offer users interested in everything revealed at Galaxy Unpacked.

Google shared a press release this morning (July 22), reiterating its recent collaboration with Samsung for Intelligent Eyewear. While the two have joined hands before (primarily for phones), these smart glasses are the next step. Google reminds us that Gemini on Intelligent Eyewear provides helpfulness in a way beyond phones. However, Google's bringing a little more to Samsung's new watch. Intelligent Eyewear is also receiving two new frames following Unpacked, which you can view below.

The Galaxy Watch 9 is receiving a little Gemini update for convenience. Google says users need only "raise their wrist," and the AI will activate. Users don't have to say "Hey Google" or "Hey Gemini." Raising your wrist opens its digital ears for your questions or tasks.

Gemini Intelligence continues its round of Galaxy Unpacked updates, as Google introduced a "task automation" expansion. This feature lets users give Gemini tasks that are rather mundane. Tasks like ordering food or items from your favorite online store. Google states task automation is expanding to more than 40 apps. What's more, this expansion gives Gemini the ability to understand what's on your screen.

If there's an item you've found, you can ask Gemini to find "something similar" on Etsy or another store, and order it for you. Users can track Gemini's progress in completing the task you've given it, as well. Google says this gives users the chance to cut in and correct anything before handing the task back to Gemini. Of course, any transactions fall solely on the user to complete.

With the Galaxy Z Flip 8's launch today, users can begin task automation on its Flex Window by long-pressing the power button.

Unpacking Gemini updates

On-device AI continues to advance with an interest in remaining useful. Google announced that Gemini Notebook (previously NotebookLM) is pre-installed on the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Fold 8. However, it's the larger sibling—the Galaxy Z Fold 8—that lets users take full advantage of the multitasking. Gemini Notebook can hold pages, videos, and more that you've found from other apps while you're searching.

Google highlights that users can have Chrome open on one side of the Fold 8 and Gemini Notebook on the other. This lets you easily drag and drop before handing off itinerary generation to Gemini. There is a chat function available. Users can chat with Gemini, asking questions about sources and more to create "high-quality" slide decks, videos, quizzes, and more.

One more thing: Samsung and Google introduced a new "native migration experience built directly into Android 17." The blog post states this lets users "transfer even more data types from an iPhone wirelessly—without downloading a separate app." Users can transfer photos, videos, contacts, messages, and calendar info. New supported data now includes your Google Account, passwords, Wi-Fi details, and eSIM. Much of this data was mentioned previously by Google's product lead for Android Onboarding and Android Settings, Paul Dunlop, when discussing what Android 17 would change for Android Switch.

Intelligent Eyewear debuted during Google I/O in May. The glasses, with frames from Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, merged style with technology. Users could talk to Gemini for navigational purposes, order pickups, and photo capture. Samsung joined the discussion, stating users could pair Intelligent Eyewear with their phones for hands-free assistance.

Android Central's Take

Task automation was already an eye-catching addition when the Galaxy S26 series debuted. To see it now begin expanding to more apps is another thumbs up from me. I like when AI is useful. It's nice that it continues to walk you through its progress via on-screen notifications (even on your lock screen).

What you need to know

• Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked in London is underway, and the company has revealed the Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2.
• The Galaxy Watch 9 is lighter with a more comfortable fit on the wrist, delivering major health features like Vitals and Heart Health Score.
• The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 continues its rugged focus for users who dive, run, swim, and more with new Trail Run and Diver-focused automatic tracking.
• Samsung has started pre-orders: the Galaxy Watch 9 (40mm, 44mm) starts at $379 for Bluetooth, while the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 begins at $699.

The moment we've been waiting for is here: Samsung's Unpacked revealed its next-gen smartwatches, and this is everything you need to know.

Today (July 22), Samsung held its Galaxy Unpacked event in London, U.K., to discuss what's next for its portfolio. Headlining the event are the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and the Galaxy Watch 9. The latter is where we're beginning this early morning. Samsung stressed during its keynote that the Galaxy Watch 9 is the "ultimate everyday companion." The watch has been upgraded for consumers who take their health seriously and are looking to "build healthy habits."

The Galaxy Watch 9's design sticks close to what we received with the Galaxy Watch 8. The device offers that squircle design: a circular watch face atop a square frame. However, Samsung states the Watch 9 has been equipped with a "lightweight, yet durable chassis." The watch has been refined for a closer fit against your wrist that is intended to feel more natural, enhancing comfort.

Internally, Samsung revealed that the Galaxy Watch 9 features Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear Elite chip. The SoC's major highlights include improvements to the device's speed and efficiency, reducing the lag users might experience when swiping through the watch's UI. It also goes without saying that the Wear Elite SoC will help the Watch 9's 390mAh battery, too.

Unpacking Samsung's health features, the company states the Galaxy Watch 9 features a BioActive sensor, which captures "continuous biometric data about a user’s lifestyle habits to develop a deep understanding of their wellness." Users will find features like Sleep Apnea (FDA clearance-backed), Daily Cardio Score, Fitness Index, and Hearing, helping to protect their ear health.

What's more, Samsung reminds us of Vitals and Heart Health Score. Many might remember these two (the Hearing feature, too) from the Health app's huge update in June. Vitals will "proactively" watch the user's health baseline while they sleep to provide alerts about deviations. The Heart Health Score focuses on your cardiovascular wellness with a simple score that helps users understand if they should "take action."

If you're looking at the Galaxy Watch 9, Samsung says you'll find an assortment of new bands. Consumers can pick from Sports, Misty, and Fabric bands. Each offers a different experience, ranging from the thin, soft all-rounder Sports band to the soft silicone Misty band for a stable, bounce-free fit.

The Galaxy Watch 9 comes in 40mm and 44mm variants, starting at $379 for its Bluetooth model and $429 for its LTE version. Pre-orders begin July 22 before its full market launch on August 7. Samsung Care Plus is available to help protect your watch from damage, but there are extra goodies for consumers. A 60-day trial for Strava and a two-month iFIT free trial are available for the Galaxy Watch 9 after purchase.

Galaxy is going Ultra (2)

The bigger, rugged-oriented Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is finally here. Samsung is calling the Watch Ultra 2 its "most powerful and advanced Galaxy Watch ever." Extreme outdoor shenanigans and users who live for high-performance activities are who the Watch Ultra 2 is designed for. While the device sticks to a familiar squircle design, the company states it has achieved a "thinner, innovative" build. The Watch Ultra 2 is thinner by ~12% compared to the first version. There have also been improvements to make it lighter, too.

Runners and climbers might also benefit from the watch's shock-resistant titanium casing.

Inside, the wearable features Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear Elite SoC and a huge 800mAh battery (a 35% boost over the first version). There are several activities the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 supports, but this update has divers in mind. To aid professional divers, Samsung says the watch is rated IP69K, 10 ATM, and EN13319 certified. The Watch Ultra 2 will track your diving data (depth, time, water temp) from the moment you enter the water.

Samsung has created an Ultra-exclusive Diving app that users can lean on for advanced features. The company states the app will be available later in 2026. For all the landlubbers, Trail Run is a Watch Ultra 2 feature that "tracks detailed elevation, climbing progress, and terrain impact..." Real-time hydration guidance is provided via Nutrition Alert, pairing nicely with Sweat Loss.

Like the Galaxy Watch 9, the Watch Ultra 2 features an assortment of new bands: Marine, PeakForm, and Trail. Samsung Care Plus and the free trials for Strava and iFIT are also available for purchased Galaxy Watch Ultra 2s. Consumers will find the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 for $699 for its 47mm size. You will also be able to choose between Titanium Silver and Titanium Gray colorways.

Pre-orders begin July 22 ahead of a full release on August 7.

What you need to know

• Samsung just unveiled its latest foldable lineup, with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra targeting productivity and the Galaxy Z Flip 8 focusing on AI-powered convenience and self-expression.
• The Fold 8 Ultra packs an 8-inch display, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a 5,000mAh battery, 45W charging, and Samsung's slimmest Fold design yet.
• The Flip 8's redesigned FlexWindow brings Now Brief, Gemini Intelligence, and connected tasks to the cover screen without unfolding the phone.
• Preorders are open now ahead of an August 7 launch, with the Fold 8 Ultra starting at $2,100 and the Flip 8 at $1,200, plus six months of Google AI Pro and 5TB of cloud storage.

Samsung is officially throwing out its mobile playbook by splitting its foldable lineup into two vastly different extremes.

Announced during today’s Galaxy Unpacked event, the new Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra takes the familiar Fold concept and pushes it into flagship territory. It boasts an 8-inch main display within Samsung’s slimmest Fold yet, measuring only 4.1mm when unfolded and weighing 215g.

Under the hood, it packs Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, alongside a 5,000mAh battery, revamped cooling, and a new dual-path 45W charging system to keep performance steady during demanding workloads.

On the optics front, Samsung equips the Fold 8 Ultra with a 200MP main camera that now supports HDR shooting at full resolution, alongside a new 50MP ultrawide sensor. The phone also brings improved Nightography, 8K recording using the APV codec, and Cine LUT support for creators who want more control over color grading right on the device.

The Z Flip 8 is all about that FlexWindow life

Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Flip 8 goes in the opposite direction, making everyday interactions faster. This is Samsung’s slimmest and lightest Flip yet, measuring 6.1mm when unfolded and weighing 180g. The biggest change is the redesigned FlexWindow, which becomes an AI-first interface that can show Now Brief summaries, launch Gemini Intelligence actions, and handle connected tasks without opening the phone.

The Flip 8 also makes a big leap into content creation. You get a 50MP main camera powered by Samsung’s ProVisual Engine, Flex Mode for hands-free shooting, a camcorder grip with zoom rocker controls, Super Steady with a new Horizontal Lock mode, and Flip-exclusive features like FlipShot and Mirror View for easier selfies and quick appearance checks.

Both phones share Samsung's broader AI push, which includes Now Brief, Now Nudge, Gemini Intelligence with support in over 40 apps, and new privacy tools like the AI Assistant Activity dashboard and improved privacy alerts. They’re also debuting with Android 17 and One UI 9.

You can start preordering today, with a launch date of August 7. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra starts at $2,100 with up to 1TB of storage, while the Galaxy Z Flip 8 is priced at $1,200 with 256GB and 512GB configurations. Buyers also receive six months of Google AI Pro and 5TB of cloud storage.

Android Central's Take

I like that Samsung is finally giving its foldables their own identities, rather than making every model feel like a slightly different version of the same phone. If you’re considering an actual tablet or laptop replacement, the Fold 8 Ultra seems like the way to go, but the Flip 8 takes to convenience and AI in a way that feels more useful than gimmicky. That said, Samsung still has to persuade people it’s worth paying these premium prices. AI can help make your phone a little smarter, but it’s not going to magically make a $2,100 foldable feel like a bargain.

What you need to know

• Samsung's new Galaxy Z Fold 8 adopts a wider passport-style design that feels much closer to a compact tablet when unfolded.
• The Galaxy Z Fold 8 shares the same Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip as the Ultra while starting $200 cheaper.
• The standard Fold 8 trades the Ultra's triple cameras and larger battery for a lighter design and wider inner display.

Samsung has just taken the wraps off the Galaxy Z Fold 8 at its Unpacked event in London, and if you've been following the leaks, you already know the twist: this isn't the direct successor to the Galaxy Z Fold 7.

That phone is now called the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. Instead, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 name has been given to something entirely new: a wider, squatter foldable that Samsung has built to go head-to-head with Apple's rumored iPhone Ultra foldable phone.

The wide Galaxy Z Fold 8 ditches the tall, narrow proportions that have defined every Z Fold since 2019. Instead, it unfolds into a 7.6-inch inner display with a 4:3 aspect ratio, making it feel much closer to a compact tablet than a stretched-out phone.

Samsung is positioning this new form factor as the key differentiator. While the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra sticks with the familiar tall cover display and book-style design, the wide Galaxy Z Fold 8 is aimed at people who want a wider, more usable screen for multitasking, split-screen apps, and reading.

It also means you'll see smaller black bars when watching videos with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 unfolded.

Both Fold models are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, so you're not giving up any performance by choosing the wide model over the Ultra. The biggest hardware difference comes down to the battery.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 packs a 4,800mAh battery with 45W wired and 25W wireless charging, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra steps up to a 5,000mAh cell.

The cameras are another key difference. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 features a dual-camera setup consisting of a 50MP primary sensor and a 50MP ultrawide camera, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra gets a more capable triple-camera system. Both the cover and inner selfie cameras on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 are 10MP.

As for pricing, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 sits just below the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, starting at $1,900 in the U.S. for the base model with 256GB of storage. Samsung is also offering 512GB and 1TB storage options.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is available for pre-order now, with general availability beginning on August 7, 2026.

What you need to know

• Samsung's Galaxy Z8 series is the company's first lineup to adopt silicon-carbon battery technology.
• Silicon-carbon batteries pack more capacity into the same space, enabling bigger batteries without thicker phones.
• The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra grows from a 4,400mAh to a 5,000mAh battery while keeping a similar footprint.

Samsung has just introduced the new Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, and Galaxy Z Flip 8. While most of the attention is on the new foldable form factors, there's another major upgrade hiding underneath: silicon-carbon battery technology.

For years, Samsung avoided using silicon-carbon batteries in its smartphones, but the Galaxy Z8 series marks the company's first phones to finally adopt the technology. We've already seen brands like OnePlus, Oppo, Xiaomi, and Honor embrace silicon-carbon batteries over the past few years, and now Samsung is finally onboard.

For those unfamiliar with it, silicon-carbon battery technology allows manufacturers to fit the same amount, or even more, battery capacity into a physically smaller cell. That means larger batteries without making the phone any thicker.

It's the reason phones like the Oppo Find N6, Honor Magic V6, and even older devices like the OnePlus 13 have managed to offer significantly bigger batteries than comparable phones from Samsung, Apple, and Google.

Samsung has finally made the jump with the Galaxy Z8 series. The company hasn't officially confirmed how much silicon is used in these batteries, but it's clearly enough to make a noticeable difference.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, for example, is physically very similar to its predecessor, yet its battery capacity has increased from 4,400mAh to 5,000mAh.

It's also hard not to view Samsung's cautious rollout through the lens of the Galaxy Note 7. The battery fires in 2016 led to a global recall, cost the company billions of dollars, and damaged Samsung's reputation for years.

It's possible Samsung simply wanted more time to validate the technology before bringing it to its own devices, especially foldables. We'll be putting these new batteries through their paces once we spend more time with the phones, but on paper alone, this is arguably the biggest battery upgrade Samsung has made in years.

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked is here! Managing Editor Derrek Lee is in the U.K. for the event and is reporting on all things foldables, watches, and everything else that launched today.

This marks the first time in 14 years that Samsung is back in the U.K. for a big announcement (the last time was the Galaxy S3!), and Samsung is launching tons of new products, including a new Fold that's ready to take the world by storm. Scroll down to see everything announced today!

When and what time is Samsung Unpacked?

The event is today, July 22nd, and it starts at 9am EST (New York time)...in the U.K. the time will be 2pm BST.

What was announced at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked?

• A duo of new Galaxy Z Fold 8 phones has been announced, including a new shorter, wider model that's expected to be the best-selling Galaxy Z Fold to date. Alongside it, Samsung debuted the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, which looks nearly identical to the Z Fold 7, with a taller aspect ratio and three cameras on the back. Likely, this naming change is to line up with Apple's expected iPhone Ultra, the company's first folding phone, which is expected to be announced in September.
• The Galaxy Z Flip 8 brings back Samsung's iconic flip phones, with a slimmer design and upgraded specs.
• Samsung also brought a refresh to its watch line, including the Galaxy Watch 9 and the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. The Watch 9 looks almost identical to the Ultra 2 from many angles, including a circle-within-a-squircle design and big new features.
• Lastly, Samsung debuted its first smart glasses with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster designs. These are powered by Gemini and include cameras on the front and speakers on each arm.

What's the best way to watch Samsung Galaxy Unpacked?

There are three ways to watch Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event live. You can tune in via Samsung's official websites, including Samsung.com and Samsung Newsroom.

Perhaps the easiest way to watch the event is on YouTube. Head to Samsung's official YouTube channel or watch from the link below.

We’re reaching the final countdown! Samsung’s Unpacked event is just hours away, and I’m currently on the ground in London to experience it all in real-time. Be sure to tune in at 9 a.m.ET to watch the event and keep this tab open for our play-by-play and real-time thoughts on Samsung’s new devices and announcements!

I'll send over more pictures from the event, but for now, here's a shot of the event location from last year!!

What am I most excited to see at Unpacked? I’m really curious about the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and its new wide aspect ratio.

I really want to see how apps look on the external display and how it handles multitasking on the internal folding screen, because frankly, I’m not convinced that this is an optimal design for a foldable phone. It feels like Samsung is trying to replicate the Galaxy Z TriFold's internal aspect ratio, but it comes off as an awkward attempt. Idk, I guess we’ll see when it's announced and I get my hands on it.

I'm so excited to be here, and London is looking great! Like I said, we are just a few hours away from the event and there's so much going on. I landed here on Sunday, but we've been in briefings all week.

There are a LOOOOT of exciting things happening and I can't wait to share it all at 9am ET when the event starts!!

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 should take center stage at the event, and it's exciting for a lot of reasons. A shorter and wider foldable makes it easier to consume content, and it looks like Samsung is leaning heavily into this, if leaked marketing is anything to go by. Of course, a smaller foldable is also easier to hold and use, and if you've used a Surface Duo or the Find N2 in the past, you should be excited about the Z Fold 8.

Samsung is seeing increased demand for its foldables, and not just in the U.S. These devices have been around for well over seven years now, and the tech has matured to a point where its mainstream. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 had a lot to do with this, as the thinner and lighter design made it that much more enticing an upgrade if you're using a Galaxy S device.

I love flip phones, so I would’ve loved to see Samsung bring back another better Galaxy Z Flip FE, but it doesn’t look like that’s the case.

To be honest, it makes sense, as book-style foldables have been on the rise and have overtaken flip phones in sales volume. That seems to be why Samsung is set to offer two Fold variants this time around; to hopefully appeal to more people.

Will it work?

One thing Samsung does great is accessories. The company is great at launching a bevy of cases, screen protectors, and bands for its devices, and I expect the same treatment for the foldables and watches. It’s likely there will be a selection of magnetic cases available since we don’t expect any of the devices to feature built-in Qi2 magnets.

We’ll be sure to highlight some of the best ones we find when the devices launch so you can pair your new purchase with some much-needed protection.

I also really hope we get to see more of Samsung’s Android XR glasses. We’ve seen Google's prototypes, and I got to play with Xreal’s display glasses, but I want to get my hands on Samsung’s production glasses. They’re expected to launch this fall, so with any luck, we’ll hear more about them at Unpacked, but they’re probably my most anticipated launch of this year.

And don’t get me wrong, I like Meta’s glasses, but there’s a bit of a disconnect. I also prefer Gemini to Meta AI, so it would be cool to have some stylish glasses that sync with my phone and watch.

And while the Meta glasses have been an amazing addition to my tech bag, and I love the hands-free recording to capture amazing memories while being present with my family and friends...a few jerks have ruined the public image of these glasses for everyone.

So how will Google and Samsung get around the stigma of “pervert glasses” that the AI glasses category now finds itself in? That’s a great question, and Google has only answered part of it so far.

In a recent interview with our sister site Tom’s Guide, Google's XR product management lead, Juston Payne, explained that Google and Samsung are doing everything in their power to create a system of trust around its upcoming AI glasses. That includes LED indicators on the front that illuminate when recording starts, as well as “employing Android permission frameworks to help protect users.”

Meta already employs LED indicators on its AI glasses and recently rolled out a mandatory glasses update that permanently disables the camera if the LED is tampered with. Meta doesn’t have the same level of Android OS-level controls that Google does, though, so we’re thinking the company could allow users to enable automated alerts when a pair of glasses is recording nearby, similar to how Android users can enable warnings when Bluetooth trackers are nearby.

So far, Google and Samsung’s upcoming glasses look to be mostly a carbon copy of what Meta has built over the years, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Like Meta, Google and Samsung are working with fashion brands (Gentle Monster and Warby Parker this time instead of Ray-Ban and Oakley) to make a fashion-forward pair of glasses that also happen to have cool features inside.

And these glasses will be powered by Gemini, not Meta AI, which may make all the difference in the world to a lot of people. Meta AI is used a lot around the world, but lots of people I know prefer Gemini because it integrates so well with Google’s services. I would say that Google is also slightly more trusted than Meta, which is another positive point for what Samsung is expected to show off today.

Whenever a company shows off AI glasses, it always talks about translation features and how great they are. That’s fine and all, but I don’t find myself needing translation features every day, or even every month. In fact, the only time I’ve used the translation features on any glasses I own is when I was reviewing features and seeing how well they work.

But Google’s announced navigation features might be a different story for me entirely! In the Tom’s Guide interview, Google’s XR product management lead, Juston Payne, said, “The audio experience for [navigation] is fantastic,” Payne said. “It uses the camera to localize you, so it knows that you're pointing in the right direction. It can give you contextual navigation to help you get to where you're going without being vague, you know, like ‘turn right there.’”
You can do some of this with Google Maps on your phone, but I don’t care to hold my phone up constantly while walking around. Having this on my glasses would provide yet another hands-free opportunity, letting me get lost in the moment without actually getting lost.

While we expect to see Samsung’s AI glasses, Google seems more comfortable with calling them “intelligent eyewear” rather than “AI glasses.” This is an interesting choice of language because, at least to me, it seems to imply that people are less interested in yet another AI gadget, but are likely still receptive to a cool gadget that looks great in the process.

Whether people will actually use all the nifty Gemini-powered features is another story entirely. I almost never use the AI functions on my Meta or Rokid glasses despite them being a simple voice command away. For the most part, these kinds of glasses are most useful to me as a camera and as a way to get notifications without visual distractions. I’d love to see if Google’s implementation convinces me otherwise.

What about colors for the Galaxy Z Flip 8? Well, rumors claim the flip foldable could debut in Cream, Graphite, Mint, and Pink.

This is an interesting assortment, for sure. If you’re asking me (and, even if you're not, I’m asking me), I really only vibe with Graphite. I can get down with pink, too, if I’m honest. It’s different. It pops.

I’m going to be real: these rumored colors for Samsung’s foldables are passable at best for me. I mean, am I a crazy person if I like vibrant primary colors? Where’s my red Fold 8 or Flip 8? I would absolutely love a red foldable from Samsung. Crimson would be a sick color, too. I’m not saying these colors (if they’re real) are bad. All I’m saying is Samsung could do better (or do different).

There’s a lot that we’re expecting from Samsung’s Unpacked this summer. Personally, I’m most interested in the brand’s smartwatches. The Galaxy Watch 9, seeing how the company is positioning it as an “always-on” device is intriguing. Samsung made efforts to boost its heart health features, then it rolled out for the user’s hearing. Its full presentation will certainly be one that I’ll focus on, for sure.

Going back to the AI glasses...I want to see how well it will play with Samsung’s Galaxy phones should the lenses appear during the keynote. Samsung’s AI has been all over its phones. It wants to be helpful, it wants to help make mundane tasks feel effortless.

So, where do its glasses fit in? How will these glasses do better than the phone when it’s in your pocket? Will it expand what we already have in our hands and put it on our faces?

We are about 15 minutes away from the Big SHOW! What are you most excited about?? Answer the poll above!

And the show is beginning! Samsung is going all-in on this new aspect ratio, with tons of teasers ahead of the start. Get ready!

Samsung is doubling down on what it calls "the importance of AI infrastructure," linking all its products together with Galaxy AI as it says it's bringing the service to 800 million devices by the end of this year. Of course, that begins with new devices like Galaxy Glasses (that's the official name, right?), pictured above.

Time for foldables! Samsung's TM Roh is on stage talking about Samsung's leadership in foldables, saying the company is the global leader in foldables, and this year's new devices will only further that lead.

If you haven't had a chance to read our hands-on with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series, go ahead and do that now! Android Central Managing Editor, Derrek Lee, got to check out the new phones ahead of Unpacked and has tons of photos and info for you to check out.

A suave gentleman with a lovely British accent just took the stage to announce the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, which he says "represents the very best of Samsung Galaxy."

The Fold 8 Ultra looks pretty darn similar to the Z Fold 7, and Samsung says this year's remains the thinnest Galaxy phone ever despite the visual similarities.

The Z Fold 8 Ultra is made thinner thanks to Flex Titanium, a new screen structure that's thinner and stronger than the previous plastic-based flexible glass structure. Samsung also swapped out the hinge with something thinner, lighter, and even stronger, delivering further improvements alongside the expected evolution of the Z Fold series.

I could have done without the AI-generated hamster brainrot, but Samsung's battery announcement is a BIG one. At 5,000mAh, the Z Fold 8 Ultra packs the highest capacity battery ever in a Z Fold phone, with 5% silicon-carbon content. This enables faster charging, and while neither capacity or charging speed are quite matching the company's biggest competition, we VERY MUCH welcome any improvement in this area on Samsung's foldables.

The Z Fold 8 Ultra's upgraded cameras can record 8k video, take "stunning Nightography shots," and features a substantially upgraded ultrawide sensor at 50MP.

Samsung is talking about improved performance on the Z Fold 8 Ultra, including enhanced Galaxy AI performance and even better gaming performance than in the past. That's not just a normal silicon upgrade with a faster processor, it means Galaxy AI is able to intelligently scale things to keep your phone cool and fast over time.

Now Nudge is coming to the Z Fold series! This means proactive buttons that appear alongside your text and favorite apps, giving you instant ways to add new entries to your calendar and open apps side-by-side with context-sensitive suggestions.

And that's the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra! This one starts at a rather painful $2,099 this year, so you'll definitely want to grab those preorder deals once they're available following the show.

And here's the Z Fold 8! It's a new shorter, wider Galaxy Z Fold, and I couldn't be more excited about this new size!

The new aspect ratio on the outer display still works very well with vertical video (surprisingly) thanks to some small borders on the left and right side.

Unfold the Z Fold 8 and you get a lovely 4:3 aspect ratio, which Samsung says is perfect for watching content and reading the comments at the same time.

Gaming is better thanks to the aspect ratio, which gives you a much more hand-friendly size to game on.

Also, WHEN DID PUBG GET A NARUTO EVENT???

Samsung says the new shape is also perfect for reading, as you just rotate the inner display to get a lovely page-shaped design. I'm not sure I want to be reading anything long-term on Samsung's low-PWM displays, but I certainly welcome the new shape change!

Samsung pits this one as the world's lightest Fold (that's book-style folds, if you're wondering), complete with a 4,800mAh battery and the same Flex Titanium tech as the Z Fold 8 Ultra.

A new camera mode will automatically follow someone and frame them perfectly in a vertical format, so you can do less editing and more posting.

And there's the Z Fold 8, a new shorter, wider Fold that's lighter and easier to use than ever. This one starts at $1,899 and will be available from August 7.

Time for the Galaxy Z Flip 8! This one's lighter and slimmer than ever at just 6.1mm unfolded and around 180g.

The real highlight of the new release is the upgraded Flex Window, which is brought about with One UI 9 (that means older Flips get it too). This includes new gestures, full notifications and quick toggles, and more apps that open properly on the cover screen. Just don't expect something that's quite Motorola level without downloading Multistar, though.

The Z Flip 8 ships with Samsung's awesome Horizon Lock feature, so that camcorder recording is smoother than ever.

And here's all the specs for the Z Flip 8! This one starts at $1,199 and launches alongside the Folds on Aug 7. Preorders start TODAY!

Ned from the latest Spider-Man movies took the stage to show off his latest invention, the Spidey Tracker, running side-by-side with camera footage on a Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

The AI-generated brainrot is back! Ignoring the annoying part, Samsung Care+ is being shown off as a big feature for the new Fold and Flip phones, which will be a big deal if Apple ends up launching a folding phone as we expect them to this year.

Samsung is trying to get you to sign up for its new credit card with discounts on preorders for the new phones. I'll pass, but some people in the audience sounded rather enthused.

Galaxy Watch 9 leans further into the circle-within-a-squircle design and brings about a ton of new "proactive care" features powered by Galaxy AI.

The new proactive features constantly monitor heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, skin temperature, and blood oxygen, combining all these things into a new heart health score.

Heart health metrics give you tons of information and, more importantly, ways to help reduce problems when they arise.

Samsung is partnering with iFit to bring custom workouts to your watch, matching these workouts up with its new heart health metrics and existing metrics technologies to give you ways to improve your health at home rather than generic workouts.

Samsung announced that the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Ring will be the first FDA-approved pair to monitor sleep apnea! That's a huge deal and, quite frankly, the first time I've seen a good reason to get a Galaxy Ring.

Time for the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2! It might look similar, but it's got a TON of upgrades over the original Watch Ultra, including a new Snapdragon Elite processor with 32% better performance and a 35% larger battery.

The Watch Ultra 2 is the strongest device Samsung has ever made, with IP69K and 10 ATM ratings, as well as a new dive rating.

Samsung is partnering with Mares to deliver exclusive diving computer features the company says will only be avaialble on the Watch Ultra 2. This exclusivity lasts for the next 2 years and makes the Watch Ultra 2 the smartwatch to get for divers.

The Watch Ultra 2 can detect when you're sweating and make intelligent suggestions to drink more water when you're getting dehydrated. The watch uses a bevy of metrics to do this, and should be a huge deal for athletes and runners.

Here are all the specs for the Galaxy Watch 9! This one starts at $379 for the Bluetooth-only versions and will be available on August 7.

Ready for Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 specs? You're in luck, because they're quite impressive, and the watch is heading to store shelves on August 7 from $699.

Rick Osterloh is taking the stage to talk about Gemini Intelligence, including the new next-gen task automation features. We got to check these out in our hands-on with the Z Fold 8 series.

Task Automation is coming to 40 more apps, which means you can ask Gemini to do something for you instead of spending time doing it yourself. Gemini will open the app in the background and get things done, then alert you when it's finished.

Gemini Intelligence is also coming to Samsung and Google's upcoming smart glasses, which the company calls "Intelligent Eyewear."

Qualcomm has taken the stage, talking about the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor inside Samsung's Z Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra. We've already seen this processor in the S26 series, and now it's headed to Samsung's foldables for the first time.

The Snapdragon Wear Elite in the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 isn't just faster, it also helps the watch deliver more advanced health metrics thanks to faster, better sensors and better Bluetooth connectivity and interoperability.

If you haven't taken a look at our Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2 hands-on yet, now is a great time to do that!

Samsung's Intelligent Eyewear has taken the stage!

We've already known about the Warby Parker and Gentle Monster partnership for about a year now, but it's becoming real now that the glasses are about to launch.

Samsung talked a lot about how these glasses were engineered to be light and comfortable, including flex hinges and light, stylish frames. Things like the power slider also look a lot like Meta's glasses, which is a great thing if you want the features but want to avoid Meta.

Samsung Intelligent Eyewear launches this fall and includes 9 hours of battery life on a single charge, a charging case that'll fully recharge the glasses 7 times, a Snapdragon AR1 chipset inside and, of course, deep connectivity with the Galaxy ecosystem.

We've got a full hands-on with Samsung's Intelligent Eyewear for you to check out, including the charging case, several styles, and all the great features you can expect when they launch this fall.

And while it's probably the least exciting launch of the show, the Galaxy Z Flip 8 is still plenty cool, especially with that new Horizon Lock camcorder upgrade. Check out our full Galaxy Z Flip 8 hands-on here!

And that wraps it up for Samsung's July 2026 Galaxy Unpacked show! What did you think? Were any of the new devices particularly exciting? I'm personally most excited about the Fold 8, as I was a huge fan of the original Pixel Fold's shorter, wider design and got quite annoyed when the company switched to the narrower, taller design a year later. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a bunch of new shorter, wider folds!

Looking to preorder any of the new Folds or Flips? We've got the deals you're looking for! Head to our Galaxy Z Fold 8 deals hub to get all the best preorder deals you'll find on the web, or check out the Galaxy Z Flip 8 deals hub if flip-style phones are more your thing.

One of the most surprising things announced today is the inclusion of silicon-carbon material inside the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra's batteries. Samsung has been notoriously conservative with battery upgrades ever since the Galaxy Note 7, and it was anyone's best guess as to when Samsung would finally include silicon-carbon in its phones.

Now, the Z Fold 8 series only has 5% silicon-carbon content, which sounds like a very small amount, but that turns into a big result when you compare the numbers. The Z Fold 7 has a paltry 4,400mAh battery, which was one of the biggest complaints about the phone, but the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra ramps this up to 5,000mAh without increasing the size or weight of the device. That's all thanks to silicon-carbon, and it's wonderful to see Samsung finally start including it!

While there's a definite gulf in the specs between Samsung's latest watches, both of them look surprisingly similar. This shouldn't come as too much of a surprise, considering this was the case with the Galaxy Watch 8 and the Galaxy Watch Ultra, but I still thought it was a little odd that Samsung didn't offer for at least one different option.

In the past, some companies have offered different styles of watches to help people choose one that better fits their style. With these recent releases, Samsung seems to be leaning more into a rugged style, ignoring customers who might be looking for something a little gentler looking. Oh well, I guess that's what the Pixel Watch is for.

Samsung's upcoming smart glasses seem to be completely avoiding a "proper" product name, and it's driving us a little crazy. Are these Samsung Glasses? Galaxy Glasses? Samsung Google Intelligent Eyewear? Warby Parker and/or Gentle Monster AI Glasses? Intelligent Eyewear seems to be the term Google and Samsung use most often, so that's likely what we're going to see at retail.

Regardless of what they're called, I'm elated with the idea of having Gemini built into a pair of AI glasses. I use my Meta-branded smart glasses all the time as a hands-free camera to capture family memories, as it's just so much better than holding onto a phone and my kids seeing me stare at yet another screen.

They're also great for calls and audio, and given Gemini's deep ties into all the Google services I use daily, I might actually start using the AI-based features more than I do on Meta glasses, which often are still fairly limited because Meta doesn't have the same level of access that Google does.

Rumor has it that this year is the last year Samsung will make a new Z Flip phone. I'm not sure I believe that just yet, but given the weirdness in the tech industry right now (with supplies and prices), I suppose anything is possible. After all, Samsung held just 15% of the global foldable market share in Q2 2026, beating Motorola by just 2%.

Considering Motorola only made flip-style phones until the excellent Razr Fold showed up in May this year, it's clear that Samsung isn't selling as many Flips as it should be. With the new wide Fold reportedly taking over the bulk of the sales and waning interest in Samsung's Flip-style phones, I'll be curious to see if this one turns out to be true.

Either way, we've got some great new cover screen features on this year's Z Flip 8, and the excellent Horizon Lock feature is going to make camcorder mode even more fun than it was before.

• Get a FREE Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 with new line, trade-in at T-Mobile

We’ve seen a lot of Galaxy Z Fold 8 preorder deals come down the pipeline since the phones were unveiled this morning, but few offers will actually get you the premium foldable for free. That said, if you’re a T-Mobile customer (or willing to switch), you can get a free Galaxy Z Fold 8 by trading in an old or broken phone and adding a line with the Experience Beyond or Experience More plan.

Sure, it’s a lot of fine print (and the qualified unlimited plans aren't exactly budget-friendly), but if you need a new wireless plan and you agree to these terms, you’re looking at $1,900 of potential savings. That’s nothing to scoff at!

Of course, T-Mobile isn’t the only company offering preorder deals for the new Galaxy phones. If you don’t want to deal with all of the confusing contracts and eligibility requirements, you can also buy the Galaxy Z Fold 8 or Z Fold Ultra unlocked from Amazon and get a free gift card with a balance of up to $350. With phones this expensive, every penny counts!

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is clearly an eye-catching device, and strange naming decisions aside, it's refreshing that Samsung decided to do something new with this generation rather than churn out nearly-identical devices year after year.

Of course, good-looking devices deserve good-looking protection, so it's worth checking out our guide to the best Galaxy Z Fold 8 cases. The phone's wide design gives you more surface area to work with, after all, so consider it an opportunity to express yourself.

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 40mm (BT): $379.99, plus free $50 gift card at Amazon

The foldable phones may be getting all of the attention, but they're far from the only devices that were announced this morning. The Galaxy Watch 9 is likely to rank among the best Android smartwatches released this year, and Amazon will already give you a free $50 gift card when you preorder one of these wearables from its website.

Just like the other devices that Samsung announced today, the Galaxy Watch 9 will officially hit store shelves on August 7th.

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 256GB: $1,900 FREE with eligible trade-in, qualified line at AT&T

Not one to be outdone by the competition, AT&T has also just launched a deal that could get you a free Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 when you add a line with an eligible unlimited plan and trade in an old or broken phone. That's $1,900 of potential savings!

To be honest, I wish all of these preorder deals didn't involve so much fine print, but with prices on tech going up all across the board, I'll take just about any offer I can get.

If you're sick of all the trade-in opportunities and free gift card deals, you might be wondering when the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series (and everything else announced today) will finally get a good old-fashioned discount.

Well, it might be a while. As the eCommerce Editor of Android Central, I've covered a lot of device launches over the years, and it usually takes a few months before a new Samsung phone gets any real price drop. There's a chance that we'll see some decent discounts when the fall sales arrive in September/October; otherwise, we'll have to wait for Black Friday.

In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled: it's possible that we'll see some good deals on lingering Galaxy Z Fold 7 / Z Flip 7 stock in the coming days.

If anything, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 may be a better choice if it gets a decent discount. Prices of all tech products have increased substantially in recent months, and with the Z Fold 8 Ultra starting at $2,099, it's worth taking a look at last year's devices. Same goes for the Z Flip 7 as well.

As a reminder, the new foldables and smartwatches are going on sale starting August 7. Samsung has unmatched global presence, and the new products are available in every major country. That said, you don't get trade-in deals that are quite as generous as the U.S. in most regions.

Out of all the devices that Samsung unveiled yesterday, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is the one I want to use the most. The wider profile looks interesting, and the fact that it's designed to consume media and read books makes it a great choice for my own use case. At this point, there's no telling if the foldable will gain anywhere close to the same level of mainstream attention as the book-style devices Samsung has been selling, but I want it to do well.

We haven't talked about the software much; all the foldables run One UI 9 based on Android 17 out of the box. Like their predecessors, they will get seven Android OS updates. Samsung isn't changing its interface or adding much in the way of features with One UI 9, but there is a generous smattering of Galaxy AI everywhere. It's clear that Samsung is positioning AI as a key point of differentiation on its devices, and to its credit, it has a strong suite of utilities.

As is the case with the last few iterations of Android, Samsung's One UI 9 looks quite different to Android 17 on a Pixel. This is by design; Samsung has always maintained its own visual identity, and One UI 9 continues that trend. That said, you get most of the latest features Google introduced in Android 17 — other than the Bubbles floating windows mode. That's limited to the Pixel Launcher, but other than the multitasking feature, all the security and privacy features along with all the new changes in Android 17 are also available in One UI 9.

Samsung delivered a strong set of upgrades this year, and it had to do so. With Motorola launching the Razr Fold and Google set to introduce its 2026 foldable next month, Samsung needed to maintain the momentum in this category, and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra are the right products to do so.

It's exciting that Samsung finally used silicon battery tech in its latest foldables. Outside of the Razr Fold, there isn't another foldable in the U.S. that leverages this tech, and it's great to see Samsung making the switch. Of course, the brand didn't put an oversized battery — unlike most Chinese brands — but it still means we get bigger batteries than last year in thinner designs, and that's an overall positive.

What you need to know

• Garmin announced the CIRQA, its take on the screenless fitness band, which delivers a wealth of health and fitness insights without a subscription.
• The CIRQA can track more than 80 activities, while also focusing on women's health, sleep score, HRV, skin temperature, and much more.
• Garmin's store listing says the CIRQA is available for $199; however, consumers can purchase it from its storefront on July 24.

Garmin is getting in on the screenless fitness band trend this week. The company highlights its strong wellness capabilities, and they're all possible without a subscription.

Early this morning (July 21), Garmin announced in a press release that its first screenless fitness band, the CIRQA, is available now for $199. As we've already said, the CIRQA is screenless, and Garmin says it's the device's "inconspicuous design" that helps "minimize distractions while tracking important health and performance metrics." The band will automatically detect and record a multitude of activities.

While the expected metrics will be recorded (steps, calories burned, etc.), Garmin says the CIRQA can track more than 80 activities, such as running, walking, and yoga. What's more, users can "select a favorite activity to track by simply tapping the single side button." Garmin is giving the CIRQA band additional strength to handle "advanced training." The band will help inform users if they should push themselves or take a rest day.

It will provide HRV status, VO2 Max, and more for insights about your training effectiveness. Understanding your recovery time is another aspect of the band's fitness assistance. For users going on runs or long walks, the CIRQA supports GPS when connected to a compatible Android or iPhone.

All about your health

Health monitoring—all-day, especially—is where Garmin takes us next. Important metrics, such as "wrist-based heart rate, Body Battery energy monitoring, Pulse Ox², stress, and skin temperature," are available with the CIRQA. For women's health, Garmin says users will find menstrual cycle and pregnancy tracking. Each provides enhanced insight into period predictions and past ovulation estimates by using skin temperature readings while sleeping.

For all users, sleep data the fitness band has captured provides a detailed look into their sleep stages, sleep score, heart rate variability, respiration, and nap detection. Every captured statistic is available to users to view in the Garmin Connect app.

We mentioned this before, but the health and fitness features the CIRQA can provide are available to consumers without a subscription. Garmin's vice president of consumer sales and marketing, Susan Lyman, said, "Plus, with no subscription required, CIRQA Smart Band helps you stay on top of your health and fitness goals—and makes a thoughtful gift for others who want to do the same."

The CIRQA fitness band has been designed with all-day comfort in mind. Garmin highlights its fabric material and "fun, neutral colors." The band is available in Citron Gray, Mauve, French Gray, Dark Olive, Captain Blue, French Blue, and black. Consumers can wear the CIRQA on their wrist or as an armband.

Once again, Garmin states the CIRQA fitness band is available for $199. Its store listing says consumers can begin purchasing it on July 24.

What you need to know

• Meta has collaborated with Xbox once again, stating it's bringing the "starter edition" Xbox Game Pass into its Horizon Plus subscription for VR gaming.
• The Xbox Game Pass opens up an additional 50 plus library of games, ranging from AAA to indie titles on its Quest headsets.
• The starter edition Xbox Game Pass for Meta Horizon Plus is rolling out today (July 21).

Meta Horizon Plus is a gateway into VR games on the company's Quest headsets. We're always looking to expand our libraries, and Meta's teaming up with Xbox to do so.

This morning (July 21), it was announced that Meta Horizon Plus and Xbox Game Pass are teaming up. Specifically, Meta says the "starter edition" of the Xbox Game Pass will award VR users with "a library of 50+ games." The two companies have included a mix of titles, ranging from popular AAA games to indie titles. The press release says users will find Fallout 4 and Fallout 76 from Bethesda Softworks, Overcooked 2 (chaotic, co-op cooking game) from Ghost Town Games, Deep Rock Galactic, and more.

What's more, Meta says the starter edition of the Xbox Game Pass will deliver 10 hours of cloud gaming "each month." This lets users stream their games, not download. Users can play with others using cloud and PC multiplayer. Don't worry; Meta says there will be an option to "download titles from the library for unlimited play."

Synced progression is another major aspect.

If you've been gaming on your Meta VR headset and have swapped to your Xbox, your game progress (saved data) will remain. This will remain constant if you're gaming on an Xbox, PC, Meta Quest headset, or another supported device. Users have chances to earn additional rewards by playing, too. Xbox Game Pass for the Meta Horizon Plus subscription is rolling out today (July 21).

Meta adds, "Your Meta Horizon+ subscription also comes with exclusive deals to help you fill out your Meta Quest library. It’s all yours for just $59.99 USD per year, or $7.99 USD per month. You can even try Meta Horizon+ for a month on us."

Meta & Xbox: once again

There's more to experience soon. Meta says it's working on a way to let users emulate an Xbox gamepad with its Quest Touch controllers. Users can expect this support to roll out over the next few weeks. However, for the time being, users can play their Xbox games on their Quest headset without a controller, or users can pair their controller with their headset for a "traditional experience."

Meta and Xbox together for the sake of games isn't anything new. If you happened to miss it, the two companies collaborated on a Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition in June 2025. This headset was truly a limited edition device. Meta's storefront sold out of them quickly, and many consumers were faced with Best Buy or scalpers (yikes). The Xbox Edition Quest 3S wasn't much different from the standard model. The packaging is where they're different.

There's the classic green and black color scheme from Xbox, as well as a "special edition preinstalled Elite Strap." Consumers received an Xbox controller included with the purchase, which was already paired with the system. Turning it on and playing is always the way to go, and that's what this offered.

Android Central's Take

The emulation for the Meta Touch controllers is pretty cool. Although, I do enjoy classic controller-style gameplay. I typically play on a PC nowadays, but I've been playing on my console more, too. Playing with a controller, lounging. There's nothing better. Meta bringing the Xbox Game Pass into their Horizon Plus subscription service is also a major win for people who love VR and gaming on a VR device. Xbox Game Pass has a pretty good selection of games. If I had one, I'd definitely do it.

What you need to know

• Halliday G2 uses the company's new Meeting Flow feature to provide real-time prompts and context as conversations happen.
• Meeting Flow helps you stay engaged without reaching for your phone, offering live captions, translations, instant recaps, contextual research, and confidence-rated answers through the glasses.
• The AI spots topic drift, flags unclear decisions, identifies incomplete action items, and generates structured summaries with transcripts after meetings.

Most AI meeting assistants have become pretty good at telling you what already happened. Halliday thinks that is solving the wrong problem and has unveiled the Halliday G2, a new breed of AI smart glasses based on a feature called Meeting Flow, which gives you live prompts and contextual information during a conversation rather than producing notes after everyone’s left the room.

The new glasses are available for pre-order starting today with a $10 deposit, shaving $100 off the expected retail price of $599 before shipments are scheduled for September 2026.

Halliday’s pitch is that the glasses’ Meeting Flow listens to the conversation in real time and presents bite-sized insights directly through the glasses’ waveguide display rather than having users type prompts into an AI chatbot. That includes live captions and translation, instant recaps if you lose track of the discussion, and contextual research that can answer questions without having to explain the whole situation to an AI first. The answers also include confidence ratings, and the full source material is still available in the companion app.

Meeting Flow can spot off-topic conversations, alert you to ambiguous decisions before they become the default, identify commitments missing an owner or due date, and maintain a running checklist of open items so they don’t disappear once everyone says goodbye. When the meeting is over, the companion app will generate a structured summary of the meeting, including confirmed decisions, assigned tasks, open items, and transcripts.

The hardware is just as workplace-oriented. The previous generation’s display has been replaced by binocular waveguide optics powered by dual micro-LED projectors capable of up to 1,600 nits of brightness and 600 x 300 resolution per eye in the Halliday G2. The four-microphone array can pick up voice from a distance of up to two meters, while Halliday is aiming for more than 12 hours of typical battery life and a weight of less than 50 grams.

Importantly, there is no camera, which could make the glasses more acceptable in meetings, secure workplaces, and other privacy-sensitive environments, while also helping reduce weight and extend battery life.

Outside the office, the glasses also let you get notifications, take phone calls, control music, see dashboard cards, translate in real time in over 45 languages, deploy a built-in AI assistant, and access a teleprompter-style Cheatsheet mode for notes and reminders.

Halliday says future updates to Meeting Flow through 2026 will add deeper contextual awareness, enabling AI to better understand ongoing projects, people, and previous conversations.