What you need to know

• Fairphone 4 will no longer receive the Android 14 update, which was initially expected to be coming early this year.
• It will be upgraded to Android 15, and the decision was made due to significant delays and limited capacity in delivering a stable Android 14 update.
• Fairphone also promises more transparent communication and is actively working on bringing Android 15 to Fairphone 4 users, though a specific timeline is not yet available.

Android 15 is on the latest Android phones as well as older models. Meanwhile, Fairphone 4 users are still anticipating the Android 14 update; however, the company seems to have other plans as the device would be upgraded to Android 15.

The company has earlier promised that Fairphone 4, released back in 2023 in Europe, should be getting the Android 14 update early this year. While it didn’t happen, the company released a blog post apologizing to its consumers, explaining the current scenario and the reasons for the delay.

“We know this one has been especially frustrating, and we’re sorry for the long wait times many of you have faced. The truth is, we have been dealing with very limited capacity, which had slowed our response times.”

The company, however, isn’t justifying the cause and is again working on expanding the team with the help of outsiders and aims to bring an even more stable support team and is ensuring real improvements. It starts with Fairphone 4, as the firm assures that it hasn’t abandoned it. With the Android 14 update significantly delayed, the company now wants to shift its focus directly onto the next iteration, Android 15.

“After thoroughly evaluating what it would take to deliver a stable Android 14 update, we’ve made the difficult decision to shift our focus directly to Android 15.”

Fairphone notes that it is “actively working on bringing Android 15” to the Fairphone 4 and will be keeping its users posted on a regular basis. While it is a notable step in the right direction, the company isn’t giving users a fixed timeline on when to expect the Android 15 update on the handset as certain things aren’t yet under its control. For now, true Fairphone enthusiasts should keep their hopes intact as they can expect the company is now dedicated to bringing in the next iteration update as early as possible.

Till then, users are further recommended to get on the forum for all the latest developments from the company, as the team promises to be more present, and users can expect prompt responses and updates.

“Even if it’s just a small check-in or an update that says “still working on it,” we’ll share it. We get it now: silence doesn’t help. We can do better. So that’s what we’re committing to.”

Fairphone 5, on the other hand, released with Android 13 back in 2023 and was promised at least five OS updates and a whopping eight years of software and security updates. It means the device is expected to be running smoothly until 2031.

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What you need to know

• Chromecast with Google TV users have started reporting issues following the company's long-awaited Android 14 update.
• Users report missing audio, remote, and external storage problems alongside some missing settings.
• Google first promised an Android 14 update for the Chromecast with Google TV last year and it's only just started arriving this week.
• This is the final major OS update for the dongle.

More issues arise for Google's products as users begin reporting problems with an older streaming device.

A post by 9to5Google highlights a surge of user reports, stating their Chromecast with Google TV is suffering issues following its (late) Android 14 update. Users on the AndroidTV subreddit started discussing the update — and the problems that have surfaced. One user claims that while their Chromecast "didn't brick" they did encounter one frustrating problem: no sound.

The user says they were forced to restart their device "several times" before they regained audio. What's more, the report adds they're unable to "set up advanced display settings or anything. Settings just vanish while scrolling."

Other users chimed in, stating the Android 14 update for the Chromecast with Google TV caused severe problems with external storage. Another report said the same and that their device "won't recognize" their storage drive. Aside from these problems, one user claims, after updating, their Chromecast remote isn't working as it did previously.

Google has yet to highlight these issues plaguing users following the Chromecast's long-awaited Android 14 update. In the meantime, for those who are affected by any problems, users on Reddit have found one band aid fix: factory resetting the device.

Android 14 update rolling out to Chromecast with Google TV from r/AndroidTV

As the publication reiterates, Chromecast with Google TV users are finally receiving the company's expected Android 14 — almost a year later. A company representative stated the update would be a "significant" update to the device, considering it was still rocking Android 12 until this week. Google made it clear that the Chromecast will not receive one feature: the ability to connect to the Thread border router.

That will remain exclusive to the Google TV Streamer as, if you remember, the Chromecast with Google TV was discontinued last year. With that in mind, this Android 14 update is the final major OS patch users can expect from Google. However, the Chromecast with Google TV HD variant will continue to see security updates through 2017.

The 4K version only lasts until September 2025.

Speaking of the TV Streamer, Google rolled out an update in February that killed its Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD formats. These options weren't accessible by users; however, they were detectable by the Streamer. Meanwhile, the box's very first update let users select their most preferred audio format from the following selection: Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital, or PCM Stereo.

What you need to know

• Amazon's support documents hint that an Android 14-based version of Fire OS may be in the works.
• The company was reportedly planning to ditch Android on Fire TVs, according to a 2023 report.
• There are currently no Fire TV devices that can run Android 14, but some could debut in the future.

Amazon's Fire lineup of products has always had a tricky relationship with Android — many of them use Android as a based, with versions of Amazon Fire OS laid overtop. This means you can, for example, sideload the Google Play Store onto Fire tablets, although it isn't pre-installed. Android also powers Fire OS on Fire TV devices, but a report back in 2023 signaled that Amazon was ditching Android in favor of a new software platform.

More than a year later, there's evidence to suggest that Amazon isn't quite ready to move on from Android for Fire TVs just yet. AFTVnews found a few pieces of developer documentation on official Amazon sites referencing an Android 14-based build for Fire TVs, and it's the first hint we've gotten that Android might live on a little longer on the platform (via 9to5Google).

One support document, titled "Developing for Amazon Fire TV Devices Running Android 14," is all about the upgrade.

"Android 14-based Fire TV is based on API level 34. The following sections explain some of important changes that you should consider when you build apps for Android 14-based Fire TV," the support document explains. "The migration to standard Android components in the following sections will help reduce the risk of compatibility issues and provide ease of maintenance for your app."

Currently, there isn't a Fire OS version based on Android 14 available for current hardware. It's possible that the support document is prepping for new Fire TV hardware with Android 14 at its core, or that it's getting ahead of a future upgrade.

Either way, this is the closest thing we've gotten to an official confirmation that there will be another Fire OS version based on Android 14. According to prior reports, and based on the fact that Amazon's Echo smart displays have seemingly switched over to the new Vega OS, it wasn't a given that Android would live on in Fire OS.

Another support document, titled "Fire OS Overview," lists "(Android Open Source Project) AOSP 14: Based on Android 14 (API level 34)" as an official Fire OS version. This further supports the possibility of Android 14 debuting in a new Fire OS upgrade, or on new Fire TV hardware.

However, this is hardly an official announcement of an Android 14-based Fire OS version, so we'll have to keep an eye on whether this newer version of Android debuts on Fire TVs in the future.

Apple's iPhone 16 lineup is finally official, and it's all set to go against Samsung's Galaxy S24 series and other heavy hitters of the Android world. As has been the case for the past few years, both manufacturers have launched multiple smartphones, but we're going to be focusing specifically on the 'Plus' models, namely the iPhone 16 Plus and the Galaxy S24 Plus.

Comparing Apple iPhone 16 Plus vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus makes perfect sense, as these are two of the best high-end phones available in the market right now. Each offers top-of-the-line hardware specifications, AI-enhanced software features, and a truckload of other goodies. But as stacked as both of these devices are, which one of them is a better value for money? Let's find out.

Apple iPhone 16 Plus vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus: Design and display

Barring a few changes, both the Apple iPhone 16 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus are virtually identical to their respective predecessors. This isn't meant to be a criticism; there's only so many ways you can design a rectangular slab, and these are still two very premium and well-built smartphones. Both feature flat front and back panels (made by Corning), a brushed aluminum frame, as well as an IP68 rating for ingress protection.

The Galaxy S24 Plus has a triple-lens rear camera setup with the lenses arranged vertically, similar to the last-gen model. The iPhone 16 Plus sports a dual-lens camera system with a similar lens arrangement, ditching the diagonal lens layout of the previous-gen model. With the iPhone 16 Plus, you also get the new 'Camera Control' pad, as well as the customizable 'Action Button' that debuted with the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Although both Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus and Apple iPhone 16 Plus have absolutely gorgeous 6.7-inch OLED panels, only the former's display uses LTPO technology for better energy efficiency. The screen on the Galaxy S24 Plus also has a faster 120Hz refresh rate, and its slimmer bezels allow the smartphone to have a slightly smaller physical footprint.

Apple iPhone 16 Plus vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus: Hardware and cameras

To no one's surprise, both smartphones come with the absolute best in terms of hardware. While the iPhone 16 Plus is helmed by Apple's homegrown A18 (3nm) chip and has 8GB of RAM, the Galaxy S24 Plus is driven by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) SoC and packs 12GB of RAM. The former can be had with up to 512GB of internal storage, while the latter is available with up to 1TB of onboard storage.

So, what do these specifications mean? To put it simply, blazing-fast performance. Whether it's multitasking, 4K video recording, or playing resource-heavy titles like Genshin Impact, the iPhone 16 Plus and the Galaxy S24 Plus rank up there with the best Android phones available in the market. These hardware specifications also power the various AI-based features (discussed later) that the two smartphones are packed with.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus and Apple iPhone 16 Plus have all kinds of connectivity and I/O options including multi-band 5G, Bluetooth 5.3, and USB Type-C with DisplayPort functionality.

Coming to cameras, now this is where things are a bit different. The iPhone 16 Plus features a dual-lens rear camera setup with a 48MP main sensor and a 12MP ultrawide module. The main 'Fusion' sensor can capture full-resolution photos or use sensor crop to shoot 2x 'optical-quality' zoom images, whereas the ultrawide module can also capture macro photos.

The Galaxy S24 Plus, on the other hand, comes with a proper triple-lens primary camera system having a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide module, and a 10MP ultrawide unit with 3x optical zoom. Of course, the camera arrays on both of these smartphones are complemented by a wide range of software-based features such as auto HDR, live photos, creative image filters, editing tools, and more.

We already know that the Galaxy S24 Plus is easily one of the best Android camera phones out there, and even though it's probably too early to comment, the iPhone 16 Plus is quite likely to have a comparable camera performance as well. However, there's no denying that among the two, the Galaxy S24 Plus has a more versatile camera setup. No matter how good things like 'Fusion' and 'Camera Control' are, you just can't beat a dedicated telephoto sensor.

Apple iPhone 16 Plus vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus: Software and battery

Running iOS and Android, respectively, the iPhone 16 Plus and the Galaxy S24 Plus are different yet similar when it comes to their software. Sure, these are competing operating systems we're talking about, but both platforms have matured quite a lot, thanks to years of continued development. As far as things like app support, data security, and general user experience are concerned, you can't go wrong with either of the two.

Then there's AI, because it's 2024 and every single gadget needs to have some kind of AI functionality baked into it. Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus and Apple iPhone 16 Plus have their own collections of AI-based tools, clubbed under the monikers Galaxy AI and Apple Intelligence, respectively. These enable things like live translation of calls, summarizing of textual content, and more.

While I still find the majority of these AI-powered features to be a bunch of hogwash, your mileage may vary. However, even if you do like them, it's worth noting that only Galaxy AI is available as of writing this article. If you prefer Apple Intelligence, you'll have to wait until later this year.

Lastly, let's talk about endurance. As noted by Android Central's Derrek Lee in his review, the Galaxy S24 Plus comes with a 4,900mAh battery that can easily keep the phone running for an entire day. When you do need to top it up, there's support for 45W wired charging and 15W wireless charging.

Conversely, the iPhone 16 Plus sports a slightly smaller 4,674mAh battery, but given the energy-efficient hardware, the phone should last quite a while before needing to be juiced up. You get support for 20W wired charging and up to 25W wireless charging with 'MagSafe' as well.

Apple iPhone 16 Plus vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus: Which should you buy?

Apple iPhone 16 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus are both exceptional mobile devices. They offer premium hardware, top-tier software, class-leading cameras, and just about everything else you could possibly want in a modern-day flagship. With iOS finally allowing home screen customization and Android now offering years of platform updates, the operating systems that power these two smartphones have achieved sufficient feature parity as well. So, the question is, which one should you go for?

Here's our take! With a starting price of $899, the iPhone 16 Plus is the ideal choice if you're already comfortable with Apple's ecosystem and want things to stay that way. The phone has industry-leading performance, customizable physical controls, and the build quality is just amazing.

But if you want to switch from iOS to Android, or simply don't care about platforms and just want the most bang for your bucks, then the Galaxy S24 Plus is clearly the overall winner. Sure, it does have a higher starting price of $999, but those extra $100 give you a smartphone with a much better and power-efficient display, twice the storage, and a superior primary camera system.

What you need to know

• A Google representative has shared some exciting details on what's coming to Chromecast with Google TV.
• The streaming device's older 4K and HD models will eventually get Android 14, though some new features available on the Google TV Streamer might be absent.
• While the timeline still needs to be determined, it is a major update from the current Android 12 version.

Google recently stepped up its streaming game with the new Google TV Streamer, replacing Chromecast. But that doesn’t mean the company is ignoring updates for older Chromecast devices.

According to Android Authority, the Chromecast with Google TV will receive the Android 14 update, even though it’s been discontinued. The publication received this affirmation from a Google product manager at the Made by Google event last week, where the new Pixel 9 models, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and the latest Pixel Watch 3 were also showcased.

The latest development comes after the recent launch of Google TV Streamer, which runs Android 14 out of the box, making it the first TV device to do so. However, it's important to note that older Chromecast models won’t get all the new software features available on the TV Streamer.

According to the publication, one feature of the Google TV Streamer that won’t be available on older Chromecast devices, even with the Android 14 update, is the ability to connect to the Thread border router. This tech lets you quickly and securely link smart home devices like locks and motion sensors.

The Android 14 for TV upgrade marks the second major upgrade for Chromecast with Google TV (4K) when it eventually rolls out as it shipped with Android 10 and later got Android 12. 

On the other hand, the HD version launched later and shipped with Android 12. Besides, the 4K model is set to get security updates until September 2025, while the HD model will receive updates until September 2027.

While Android Authority has learned that Chromecast with Google TV will indeed receive the Android 14 update, it’s still unclear when exactly it will arrive. Hopefully, it’ll be sooner rather than later.

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What you need to know

• Motorola quietly added a new support document for “What’s new in Android 14,” signaling the update’s imminent release.
• Razr Plus 2024 and Razr 2024 users have started to see Android 14 appear on their devices, though not all device owners have received the update.
• Android 14 comes to Motorola’s foldables from 2023 about a year after they were first introduced, and just days after the new Razr phones were revealed.

Motorola recently unveiled its next-generation foldables, which are set to launch this month: the Razr Plus 2024 and Razr 2024. Those devices will launch with Android 14, but when Motorola showed them off, the current-gen Razr Plus 2023 and Razr 2023 were still stuck on Android 13. The company is finally changing that, as the Android 14 update is rolling out for some Razr owners about a year after their phones were first released.

Several users have seen the Android 14 update appear on their Razr Plus or Razr phones over the last few days, but it isn’t hitting all devices right now (via 9to5Google). YTechB also noticed that Motorola quietly published a support document explaining what’s new in Android 14 for the Razr 40 Ultra. That’s what the Razr Plus is called outside of North America. 

“Better late than never” is one way to look at Motorola’s slow pace of supporting Android 14 on the Razr Plus and Razr. Another viewpoint might be that the lack of urgency in updating Motorola’s flagship foldable is just another reason why the company’s software support shouldn’t be trusted. Android Central editor Derrek Lee has been using the Razr Plus 2023 as a daily driver for the better part of the last year, and it has been a bit of a mixed bag. Software support, particularly for Android 14 but also for the Gemini app, is a key negative to using the Razr Plus 2023. 

Now that the Android 14 update is rolling out to the 2023 lineup of Motorola foldables, it feels like a wrong has been righted. But at the same time, I’m not sure this excuses Motorola’s poor rollout pace for the upgrade. For reference, the Moto G Stylus 5G 2023 got the Android 14 update before the Razr Plus 2023, and the former phone is a budget device that retailed for $400. What’s the point of paying for premium Motorola phones if those customers aren’t prioritized? 

I finally got the Android 14 update on my RAZR after several months of waiting 🥲🙌🏽 from r/razr

Motorola promises that the Razr Plus 2023 will get three years of full OS upgrades and four years of bi-monthly security patches. The company ticks off the first OS upgrade of that promise with Android 14, and it can still uphold its end of the bargain. However, I’m not sure if this is what Razr owners pictured when they purchased their smartphone. 

Razr phones are already in a weird spot since they were introduced in the summer months, and most of us are already looking ahead to the next Android update. The Razr Plus 2023 and Razr 2023 launched with Android 13, and Android 14 came just a few months later. This same scenario will play out for the Razr Plus 2024 and Razr 2024, which will launch with Android 14 a few months before Android 15 debuts. 

The predicament wouldn’t be as much of a problem if Motorola rolled out Android updates quickly. In fact, despite Samsung launching its foldables after Motorola, this release schedule hasn’t been a problem. It’s only an issue because Motorola takes an insanely long time to roll out Android updates. If I were a prospective Razr Plus 2024 buyer, and I thought Motorola might not give that phone Android 15 until July 2025, it would certainly factor into my purchasing decision. 

At face value, it’s easy to rag on Motorola for not providing efficient, reliable, and extensive software support for its premium smartphones. But it’s never that simple. In its effort to bring Android 14 to its 2023 lineup of folding phones, Motorola made a lot of good choices. For starters, it decided to bring some of the new software features debuting on the Razr Plus 2024 to the current Razr Plus 2023. These features will actually be available on the current models starting now, and that’s before the new models become available for purchase.

The list of new features includes improved cover screen software, new panels, and better fonts. Motorola also added an always-on display and the ability to use the camera’s flash to signify unread notifications. That’s without mentioning all of the base Android 14 features that Google added to the Android Open Source Project version that Motorola’s MyUX is based on.

It’s not a given that companies will bring new software features designed for newer phones to older ones. In fact, Motorola might be better off making features exclusive to the 2024 models to make them a better value or a more appealing upgrade. Of course, the fact that they didn’t do that should be praised. There’s no technical reason why these improvements can’t run on the Razr Plus 2023, and it’s a good thing they’re being ported to that model with Android 14.

This only makes the software situation more complicated. On one hand, Motorola’s slow rollout of Android 14 should be an immediate red flag for people considering buying one of its newer phones. On the other hand, adding Razr Plus 2024 features to Razr Plus 2023 with an update is a consumer-friendly move for which Motorola deserves credit. At the end of the day, buyers need to decide whether Motorola’s updates are worth the wait because speed and longevity aren’t the company’s strengths. 

What you need to know

• Google has debuted the contents of its June Android feature drop, which includes updates for Messages, GBoard, digital car keys, and more.
• Messages are now picking up an edit button, giving users 15 minutes to return to an RCS chat message and correct mistakes.
• Wear OS watches are receiving a Google Home device "favorites" tile and complication for easy management and Paypal for Wallet.

Google is ready to present its upcoming June feature drop, which you might love if you enjoy texting.

According to Google, the June feature drop for Android kicks off with an edit button finally gracing the likes of Messages. If you're texting in an RCS-supported thread, the company states users can long-press a previously sent message to edit it.

After long-pressing, a pencil icon (edit) will appear on the top bar of Messages. Tapping that will restructure the writing field to say "edit message" followed by what you previously wrote beneath it. Users can correct mistakes or add to it and then hit the check mark.

The message will quickly change to reflect your edit. Beside its timestamp will be an "edited" marker.

Users are advised that they'll only have fifteen minutes to go back and edit their message before the option to do so disappears.

The next update is for Google's emoji kitchen. The June drop features "Emoji Sticker Combinations," which will fuse two of your selected emojis for a unique new creation. For example, the company states users can pick the disco ball and headphones, which creates an iridescent-styled emoji sticker.

These combinations can be done through GBoard.

Users with Wear OS devices, like the Pixel Watch or Pixel Watch 2, are receiving an update to manage their "favorite" smart home devices better. A Google Home Favorites tiles and complication will let users view and control their devices with ease. Google states such device functions include unlocking your door, managing the lights, or changing the temperature.

Swiping over to the tile will display the icons for a user's "favorite" smart home device. Tapping one of them will produce the Google Home app and its respective slider or options for use.

Similarly, a new smart home device favorite widget is arriving for phones. The widget is relatively simple, showing users the devices they've chosen as a "favorite" alongside the option to control most of them without needing to open the main Google Home app. Google states this is available for users who've signed up for the app's Public Preview.

Wear OS watches are also picking up the ability to sync a PayPal account to Google Wallet. Of course, with a Wear OS watch, users can seamlessly pay for food or clothes via its NFC capability for a contactless payment process. Now, with PayPal, users have an extra option whenever they don't want to use their cards.

Google states PayPal availability for Google Wallet on Wear OS is arriving for users in the U.S. and Germany.

The June update finishes with a teaser about "instant hotspot," which is "coming soon." The company states users can soon connect their Android tablets or Chromebooks to their phone's hotspot. Moreover, this brings the ability for users to quickly swap a video call to another device by tapping the "Cast" icon.

If you're using a tablet, Google states users can send their Meet call over to that device from their phone without missing a beat.

Lastly, digital car keys through Android are set to arrive for more vehicles. Google announces that "select" MINI models are beginning to receive them. Soon, Mercedez-Benz and Polestar vehicles will pick up Android digital car keys. This feature lets drivers unlock and start their vehicle with their phone, with the ability to share this digital key with family and friends.

What you need to know

• Google is starting to roll out the OTA update for Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2.2 for enrolled Pixel users.
• The patch is light, offering a fix for reports about dropped 5G cell connections and more system stability fixes.
• The company is still working on the sideloading problem users have reported throughout Beta 2.

Google is starting to roll out another iterative update for the Android 14 QPR3 beta, which aims to continue to sort out some issues with the software ahead of the stable release.

The company announced the start of Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2.2 on Reddit with build number AP21.240305.006. The May 2024 security patch is included in this for the following supported devices: Pixel 5a, 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, 8, 8 Pro, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet.

This patch is notably smaller than Beta 2.1, with Google only highlighting two fixes in the latest version.

Enrolled Pixel users are receiving a fix for dropped cellular connections. The company states users have continuously reported such problems despite having a strong connection to a cellular network. Many of the reports were from users with a Pixel 7 on a 5G network from Mint and T-Mobile.

Google ends its patch notes by stating the final fix aims to solve "various other issues that were impacting system stability and connectivity."

Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2.2 now available! from r/android_beta

The current known issues with Beta 2 include an issue with sideloading the software, which has caused some devices to fail to boot properly. Additionally, the At a Glance widget may display the weather for the wrong location.

Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2.2 is rolling out as an OTA (over-the-air) update for all previously mentioned supported Pixels. Google states it may take up to 24 hours before your device picks up the OTA update. If you're curious, you can hop into your Settings > System > System updates to see if your device is ready.

The last update for Beta 2.1 arrived on April 1. The company aimed to correct a host of bugs that plagued Pixel testers soon after installing the original Beta 2. Among the problems, Google corrected Pixel launcher crashes, an inability for the Pixel Tablet to charge with its dock, a Pixel Fold display issue, and more.

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Realme’s front-runner for its latest 12 series is the 12 Pro+ 5G, and it’s easily the most interesting of the lot. While the company is most popularly known for its budget offerings, it does have a few mid-range models with unique features. The big highlight in this one, and why I was waiting to get my hands on it, is a periscope telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom and a maddening 120x of digital zoom. 

This is a longer zoom range than even what Samsung offers on the Galaxy S24 Ultra. While the real-world usefulness of such a high zoom level is debatable, the fact that we have a phone around $400 that packs similar telephoto camera tech as phones above $1,000, is a feat in itself. 

And if you think Realme has had to compromise in other areas in order to sell it at such a low price, you’d be wrong. The 12 Pro Plus 5G packs a flagship-grade main camera, a curved-edge 120Hz AMOLED display, IP65 rating, and a massive battery with very fast charging. So, is there a catch or could this be the best bargain in its segment? Time to find out. 

Realme 12 Pro Plus 5G: Price and availability

The Realme 12 Pro Plus 5G starts at ₹29,999 (around $360) in India, but it’s also available in other markets like Malaysia and Philippines. The base model comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. The higher storage variant with 256GB is priced at ₹31,999 ($383), while the top-variant comes with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage for ₹33,999 ($407). 

Realme tends to have perpetual discounts for the upper tier variants if you buy it from its site, so it makes good sense to aim for either the top or second-top variant. It also has plenty of cashback and banking offers, and is even bundling the Realme Buds 2 Neo TWS earphones with any purchase. 

This top model in the 12 series also has a more exciting choice of colors, compared to the Realme 12 Plus 5G. The Navigator Beige trim that I received looks classy, but I’d much rather have bolder shades like the Submarine Blue or Explorer Red (more like orange, going by the press photos). 

Realme 12 Pro Plus 5G: What I like

If you liked the design language of the 12 Plus 5G, then you’ll certainly love 12 Pro Plus 5G too. In fact, this model feels a bit more premium thanks to a sturdier frame, and curved edges on the back and the display. The faux-leather finish feels great to hold, and it adds to the grip while keeping fingerprints at bay. The circular camera module embodies a luxury watch design, which is a running theme with the 12 series. The Pro model has an added decorative gold ring around the rear camera dial, for a bit of flair. 

The phone feels slim to hold at 8.75mm, and has just the right heft so it doesn’t feel toy-like. The buttons are clicky, speaker grills are placed well so your hands don’t accidentally block them, and you get a dual-SIM slot. There’s no microSD support, so storage is not extendable. The 12 Pro Plus 5G gets a nifty IP65 rating for dust and water resistance. 

The other great thing about the Realme 12 Pro Plus 5G is the display. It’s a large 6.7-inch AMOLED panel with a Full HD+ resolution. It produces rich colors and can get very bright. Viewing content even under direct hard sunlight was not an issue. You get an in-display fingerprint sensor too which is quick, but the face unlock is the quickest way to get to your apps. 

The curved edges on either side of the display gives you the feeling of using a much more expensive phone. The display also gets a 120Hz refresh rate, which scales to 90Hz or 60Hz based on the app or your interaction with the screen. 

The Realme 12 Pro Plus 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, which is peppy and does a good job of handling all your typical social and productivity apps. Multitasking was a breeze on the 12GB model that I tested, and I feel it should be a similar experience on the lower variants too. HDR videos looked good on this display and the stereo speakers provided an engaging experience. 

Battery life is especially good thanks to the 5,000mAh capacity, which easily lasts for about a day and half on medium to heavy workloads. There’s no wireless charging, but wired charging is a quick 67W with the bundled adapter.

One of the main reasons you should consider this phone is for the cameras. The 12 Pro Plus features the 50MP Sony IMX890 sensor for the main camera, which is also found in the OnePlus 12, while the telephoto is the OmniVision OV64B 64MP sensor as seen in the OnePlus Open. Both sensors are optically stabilized and offer superb clarity, colors, and details in both daylight and night time shots.

The primary camera’s wide f/1.8 aperture ensures a creamy bokeh effect in close-up photos, while in low light, the app automatically takes a long-exposure shot. The telephoto or Portrait camera as Realme calls it, is equally impressive. It has a 3x optical zoom, which has good stabilization when you’re framing. Image quality is quite impressive even at 10x magnification. However, there are diminishing returns as you go beyond 20x zoom. At the maximum 120x level, large text on distant objects is just about recognizable but it’s clear that the camera is well beyond its comfort zone.

Video recording maxes out at 4K30 on the Realme 12 Pro Plus. Image quality is quite good during the day and you have the ability to switch between the ultra-wide, primary, and telephoto cameras when recording at 1080p. The primary and tele can shoot at 4K, but you have to choose which sensor you want before you hit record. 

The 32MP selfie camera is equally impressive, capturing sharp and detailed images in daylight and indoor lighting. The post-processing works well in cleaning up noise, and the default skin smoothing filter isn’t too aggressive and produces pleasing portraits. 

Realme 12 Pro Plus 5G: What I don't like

The Realme 12 Pro Plus 5G doesn’t have a macro camera or even a macro shooting mode, which some might miss. Realme could have completed the trifecta by using a more substantial ultrawide camera with autofocus. This would have helped in getting sharper photos as well as enabled macro photography. This is the only rear camera that can’t record at 4K resolution, which I feel was a missed opportunity.

The other area which could have used a better upgrade is the SoC itself. Don’t get me wrong, it works just fine in day-to-day use but it’s not as powerful as some of the others in this segment. Going by benchmark numbers, it put out nearly the same scores or just slightly better numbers than the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 SoC, which sits in Realme’s much cheaper 12 Plus 5G. We  also could have gotten better features like 4K at 60fps video recording on the 12 Pro Plus 5G, had Realme used a more potent processor. 

The last complaint with this phone has been a recurring one on most Realme phones, and that’s the software. Realme UI 5.0 is based on Android 14, and my unit received multiple updates for Android security patches and bug fixes, which is good to see. But there’s no getting around how unnecessary bloated it feels, with tons of needless apps and many first-party ones that bombard you with unsolicited notifications. You can work around this by being careful during setup and not giving permission to certain apps, but it’s still a hassle which we shouldn’t have to deal with. 

Realme 12 Pro Plus 5G: Competition

The Realme 12 Pro Plus’s biggest competitor is the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus. It sits in a similar price range, and boasts of better water resistance, a higher-resolution AMOLED display, and quicker charging. Between the two, I’d still put my money on the 12 Pro Plus 5G simply because of the better auxiliary cameras and due to the fact that it comes with Android 14 out of the box. 

The Vivo V30 is another phone that competes in this segment, featuring an equally eye-catching design as its more expensive sibling, good quality rear cameras, 80W charging, and a more powerful SoC. It does miss out on a telephoto camera though, which is the big highlight of the Realme 12 Pro Plus. 

For those in the U.S., it's still hard to beat the Pixel 7a at its current price. The Pixel 8a is very new, and will eventually replace the 7a as our go-to recommendation once it gets a decent deal. 

Realme 12 Pro Plus 5G: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if…

• You need a versatile telephoto camera with good zoom range 
• You want a stylish mid-range phone  
• You want long-lasting battery life 

You shouldn't buy this if…

•  You want clutter-free user interface 
•  You want strong gaming performance 
•  You need wireless charging  

Realme continues to deliver great value even with its mid-range offerings, and the 12 Pro Plus 5G is a good example. For what it costs, the phone truly excels in the camera department thanks to a strong primary sensor, versatile telephoto camera, and a solid selfie camera. Realme doesn't stop there though, as it delivers an equally premium usage experience thanks to a faux-leather back panel and the luxury-watch inspired rear modules. Performance is also decent, the phone is water and dustproof, and the battery easily lasts more than a day. The vivid curved-edge AMOLED display is excellent for binge-watching on the move.

The typical software hurdles continue to haunt Realme phones, as the interface is too cluttered and bloated with needless apps. The ultrawide camera is also nothing special, when compared to how good the other cameras are. Lastly, there's the processor itself, which would have been perfectly decent on a phone at around $300, but not at this price. If the 12 Pro Plus 5G isn't available where you live, here's a list of great alternatives that should work just as well. 

What you need to know

• Google TV will be gaining Android 14 TV OS with new features.
• The new version promises improvements in performance, sustainability, accessibility, and multitasking.
• Next to the new update, there are new Gen AI recommendations to look forward to.

Google TV users are in for a treat as the search giant has announced that Android 14 is coming to their smart television sets alongside the smartness of Gen AI. 

Through an accompanying blog post, the new Android version for devices like Chromecast with Google TV promises improvements in performance, sustainability, accessibility, and multitasking to help users have a more engaging TV experience. 

The indicated performance improvements promise to bring "a snappier, more responsive TV experience." Google is also adding a handful of energy modes that will help users save power consumption when their TVs are in standby mode. These will primarily comprise of three modes: low energy, optimized energy, and increased energy mode, which are clearly illustrated in the image shared by Google in the announcement post (attached below).

The updates further add new accessibility features such as color correction, enhanced text options, and improved user navigation. These can be turned on or off per user preferences with the help of remote shortcuts. Google TV users with the new software can expect better multitasking as Picture-in-Picture support is coming to all Android 14-supported TVs. 

Google has further shared little guides for developers on incorporating the new features on their apps that will help users take full advantage of the new operating system upgrade. As such, the search giant is also releasing Compose for TV in 1.0.0-beta01 for developers, which helps them build apps in new ways. 

In addition to these improvements, Gen AI will further bring nifty additions to Google TV users to help improve their watching experience. For instance, if a movie or TV show doesn't have a description on the Featured carousel on the home screen on Google TV, it will now showcase AI-generated descriptions (based on the Gemini model) for the movie or TV show and tell users what to watch. 

These AI-generated content descriptions are also more personalized based on users' preferred actor and genre. They can also be seen in users' preferred native language. 

The other highlights include quickly pairing the Google TV to wireless headphones or speakers with a single tap with the help of Fast Pair.

What you need to know

• Google has upgraded its Pixel Tablet's multitasking functionality when using "Alt+tab" on a physical keyboard.
• The function now produces a row of currently open apps at the top of the tablet's UI for easy switching.
• The timing of Google's latest improvement could be related to rumors suggesting a Pixel Tablet relaunch is on the horizon.

It seems that Google has implemented a better way for users to multitask on the Pixel Tablet when using a physical keyboard.

The discovery of an improved "Alt+tab" function on the tablet was picked up by Mishaal Rahman over at Android Authority. Rahman adds that Google has overhauled Alt+tab with a new UI in Android 14 QPR2. When the shortcut is used, a new horizontal row of apps is produced at the top of the tablet's display.

Functionality operates similar to how it does on a Windows PC. Holding "Alt" and tapping "Tab" will produce the row and highlight a recently opened app. Continuously pressing "Tab" will cycle users through the available windows (apps).

Rahman states that the currently selected app is highlighted with a gray border. Additionally, users reaching the end of their available apps using Alt+tab will find a "show more apps" option. It's said to show how many apps extra apps users could have for an area of quick discovery.

Testing shows that the Pixel Tablet's improved Alt+tab bar can only hold six apps at a time.

It's worth noting that Android 13's way of utilizing Alt+tab was not so intuitive or functional. Instead of a convenient row of the most recently used/open apps at the top, the shortcut would produce the "recent screen."

The timing of Google's improved multitasking support for the Pixel Tablet in Android 14 comes at a point when rumors suggest a product relaunch. It's been speculated that Google is gearing up to relaunch the Pixel Tablet without the charging speaker dock a few days before its I/O event. More importantly, this supposed relaunch could finally deliver those long-awaited Pixel Tablet accessories we've been waiting on.

There's a chance that consumers could find a Google-made stylus and keyboard for the device. However, rumors say the accessories will not be bundled, potentially costing folks €100 (roughly $107) each.

In other news, Google rolled out Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2.1 in April. The patch was designed to address a host of tester problems, such as hiccups, crashes, and charging problems.

Google's I/O 2024 event is slated for May 14. Though, rumors suggest its original Tablet relaunch could take occur before it on May 10.

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What you need to know

• Moto G64 is the upcoming budget handset from the company that ships with Android 14 out of the box.
• It promises an Android 15 upgrade accompanied by three years of security updates.
• The Moto G64 5G further equips a 6000mAh battery with 30W charging support.

Motorola is gearing up for a new budget phone launch in the Indian market next week. The company has also started teasing it through its social handles; it is even listed on the Motorola website, and an e-commerce listing reveals all its specs.

The budget entrant from Motorola will launch on April 16 in India, and it will become a successor to the Moto G54 5G. The website listing says the device will feature in three colorways: Mint Green, Pearl Blue, and Ice Lilac. It will further come in two storage variants: 8GB+128GB and 12GB+256GB.

The Moto G64's design is similar to that of its predecessor. It features a 6.5-inch punch-hole display with Full HD+ resolution next to a higher 120Hz refresh rate display. The device measures less than 9mm thick and has an IP52 rating.

The Moto G64, which caters to the budget Android phone segment, is debuting MediaTek’s Dimensity 7025 processor, an octa-core CPU with 2.5GHz clock speeds. Next to the RAM, as mentioned earlier, and storage options, the device additionally supports expandable storage for up to 1TB and virtual RAM up to 24GB. 

The budget handset ships with Android 14 out of the box and comes with an OS upgrade promise to Android 15, accompanied by three years of security updates.

There are dual cameras at the rear, comprising a 50MP primary sensor with OIS next to an 8MP ultra-wide angle lens that simultaneously acts as a macro camera. On the front, there is a 16MP selfie shooter. Lastly, there is a massive 6000mAh battery capacity with support for 30W TurboPower charging.

As mentioned, the Moto G 64 5G is quietly listed on the Motorola website. On April 16, 2024, we’ll learn more about the pricing and availability of the Moto G64 for the Indian region.

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The mid-range or sub-$500 smartphone segment continues to be a bustling one especially in price-sensitive markets like India. Realme has managed to carve a niche for itself here by continually delivering new offerings with improved specs and great designs. The latter aspect has always been the brand's signature recipe for any new smartphone, and that’s still going strong in 2024. 

The Realme 12 series is the latest number offering from the Chinese brand and already, we have about five different models ranging from $150 to about $400. The one on test today is the Realme 12 Plus 5G, which sits somewhere in the middle of the pack and yet, manages to cram some pretty impressive features. 

Realme claims it’s the first in the segment to get a 50MP Sony LYT-600 main camera sensor, along with IP54 water resistance with “Rainwater Smart Touch” treatment for the display, and a 120Hz AMOLED display with incredibly high peak brightness. These features, coupled with a sophisticated design and aggressive pricing makes it a very tempting proposition. It’s time to find out if you should indeed consider it over the competition. 

Realme 12 Plus 5G: Price and availability

The Realme 12 Plus 5G is available in many Southeast Asian countries like India, Malaysia, and the Philippines. I received the Indian retail unit of the top-end variant, priced at Rs. 21,999 ($265), which comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The base variant isn’t much cheaper at Rs. 20,999 ($253) and has the same amount of RAM but 128GB of storage. Needless to say, you should get the 256GB variant directly if you're considering this phone, as it’s the best value for money. 

The 12 Plus 5G comes in two colors, Pioneer green and Navigator beige. The latter is more of a neutral shade and will go well with any attire, but the green variant certainly has its own charm and looks equally striking. 

Realme 12 Plus 5G: What I like

The entire 12 series is built around the same design language in partnership with luxury watch designer Ollivier Savéo. The single, circular rear camera dial, vegan leather back panel, and the diamond-patterned stripe running vertically through the center of the phone are all said to be inspired by luxury watches. The Pro models in the series get more intricate patterns, but for what it costs, I think the Realme 12 Plus looks stylish and unique. The faux leather back also means there’s no worry of cracks if you drop it or ugly fingerprint smudges. 

The phone doesn’t feel too heavy at 190g despite packing a large display and battery. Realme has included a headphone jack for those who still prefer wired audio, and the second slot of the dual-SIM tray can accommodate a microSD card if you need more storage. The Redmi 12 Plus is also IP54-rated for dust and water resistance, which is a big deal in this segment. It’s not waterproof, but it should easily survive a heavy drizzle or light splashes of water. 

The display on the Realme 12 Plus is also very good for its segment. It’s a flat 6.67-inch AMOLED panel with a FHD+ (2,400x1,080) resolution and a dynamic 120Hz refresh rate. The protective glass has 3D-curved edges all around so it’s gentle on your fingers when performing gestures. Color reproduction is vibrant and the screen has a peak brightness of up to 2,000 nits (600 nits typical). 

Thanks to this, content was always easily visible, even under the harsh Mumbai summer heat. The vibrancy of colors can be adjusted in the Settings app, but I found the default Vivid profile to be quite accurate. I also didn’t notice any major color shift when viewing the display off-axis, which is a good sign.

The 12 Plus 5G’s display also gets something called a Rainwater Smart Touch feature. This is supposed to maintain accurate touch response even when water falls on the display and also keeps the in-display fingerprint reader functional with moist fingers. 

This kind of works to an extent, but not always. For instance, the display still registers phantom touches when placed under running water, but once removed, it’s actually usable even with big droplets still on the screen. Using the fingerprint sensor in such conditions was hit or miss, as it worked sometimes but struggled to register otherwise.  

The performance of the Realme 12 Plus 5G has been a smooth affair in the two weeks I’ve been using it. It’s backed by a decently powerful MediaTek Dimensity 7050 SoC, which is a bit more potent than a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 but on par or little behind something like a Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 in benchmarks. 

If you’re a casual mobile gamer like myself, then you’ll enjoy playing games like Asphalt 9: Legends or Call of Duty Mobile (with low to medium graphics) on the 12 Plus. The visuals are great, the framerate is generally solid, and the sound from the stereo speakers will keep you engaged for hours. Some portion of the frame and the rear camera bump get a bit warm after, say, 30 minutes of playing, but never overly hot. The screen has a standard 240Hz touch sampling rate, which I found to be adequate. 

The Realme 12 Plus 5G worked well on the 5G networks here in India. The phone supports a total of nine 5G bands, some of which are also supported by all the major U.S. carriers, which means you can easily use the phone on your travels to the U.S. NFC is not present, but you get Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.

Battery life is quite impressive, too, with the 5,000mAh capacity easily lasting for up to two full days on one charge. Even with a bit of gaming and heavy camera testing, I was still able to go past one full day of use. The 12 Plus 5G can also be charged quickly, thanks to 67W SUPERVOOC fast charging. In practice, you can get a 50 percent charge in just under 20 minutes. The best thing about Realme phones is that the charger comes bundled in the box. 

The primary camera on the Realme 12 Plus 5G is pretty good for the segment. The 50MP Sony LYT-600 sensor is optically stabilized (OIS) and has an aperture of f/1.9. Photos are saved at roughly 12.5MP resolution by default, but you can take a full 50MP photo if you need to. Landscapes and close-up photos generally have good sharpness, vivid colors, and decent details in daylight. The ultrawide also manages some decent shots here under bright sunlight. Low-light shots from the main camera are fairly detailed, autofocus is quick, and you can get away with shooting single-handed in Night mode (with a one-second delay) thanks to OIS.

The large sensor also lets you do a 2x lossless zoom (in-sensor crop). Some interesting shooting modes include Street, which lets you toggle an auto-zoom feature. Once you tap your subject, the app tries to aesthetically frame the shot by zooming in on it. You also get the usual selection of shooting modes like slow-mo, timelapse, etc. The 12 Plus 5G can also shoot videos up to 4K 30fps, but without any stabilization.

Realme 12 Plus 5G: What I didn't like

Apart from the main camera on the 12 Plus 5G, the rest are pretty run-of-the-mill sensors that fail to impress. The rear camera dials make it look like there are four cameras, but one of them is just a dummy to complete the symmetry. The 8-megapixel ultrawide camera fares well in daylight, with minimal barrel distortion, but colors and details are weak compared to the main camera. In low light, Night mode helps maintain a decent exposure, but peek a bit closer, and you'll notice colors and details are simply lacking. 

There’s a 2MP macro camera in the dial, too, but it’s not great and best left unused. Sadly, the 16MP selfie camera isn’t much to shout about either. You can expect passable selfies under good lighting but average ones in low light. There’s a screen flash to assist in low-light shots, but it can only do so much. 

The quality of recorded video is fairly average too from the ultrawide camera. You can only record up to 1080p 30fps with it, but if you begin recording with the main camera at this resolution, there’s no way to switch to the ultrawide mid-shooting. 

My main gripe with the 12 Plus 5G is the bloated nature of Realme UI 5.0 itself. It’s a derivation of Oppo’s ColorOS, which has also received touches of OnePlus' OxygenOS along the way. This version is based on Android 14, and Realme claims that it will get three years of software updates. Unfortunately, there are simply way too many redundant and spammy apps that are preinstalled, and even when you first set up the phone, it feels like someone has been using it for a month.  

You also have to be mindful to skip suggested app installs during initial setup, or else you’ll be saddled with even more apps before you even begin. What makes it worse is the non-stop notifications from some of them that clutter your notification shade. Thankfully, you can minimize this by disabling most of the suggestions within the apps, but it’s still annoying having to deal with it in the first place. 

My other little niggle is with the phone’s always-on display (AOD) feature or the fact that you can’t exactly have it always on. There’s usually an option to enable this, but it’s absent from the 12 Plus 5G. This means the AOD disappears if you place the phone down and only activates again if you get a notification or move it a bit. 

Finally, the 12 Plus 5G is a large phone and while that 190g of total weight is distributed well, the flat nature of the frame is not the most comfortable to hold and use, especially with one hand. The glossy finish of the side rail is also a pain to keep clean and as it attracts dust and fingerprints almost immediately. 

Realme 12 Plus 5G: Competition

As impressive as the features are of the Realme 12 Plus for its segment, there are other players with equally impressive rivals. The Poco X6 5G starts at roughly the same price but offers double the storage, and it even has a 512GB variant with 12GB of RAM for not much more. It packs a more potent Snapdragon SoC and Gorilla Glass Victus, while staying competitive in all other areas with Realme. 

The iQoo Z9 is another recent offering with a feature set similar to the 12 Plus 5G. It, too, features a very capable Sony main camera sensor and a more power-efficient 4nm MediaTek SoC. 

Realme’s own premium models are not too far off, either. By spending a bit more, you can get the Realme 12 Pro 5G, which has a more premium design, curved-edge display, a better chipset, and a portrait camera with 2x optical zoom. There’s also the excellent Nothing Phone 2a which has the unique transparent back with programmable notification lights and superb all-round performance. 

Realme 12 Plus 5G: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if…

•  You want a unique-looking phone without spending a lot   
• You want certified water resistance 
•  You want a vivid display and great battery life  

You shouldn't buy this if…

•  You want a lean version of Android 
•  You want quality selfie and ultrawide cameras 
•  You play a lot of heavy games  

The Realme 12 Plus 5G is a solid budget offering that checks off most of the boxes if you’re shopping in this segment. Design has always been one of Realme’s strong suits, and it’s on full display here. The vegan leather finish and luxury watch-inspired camera dial on the back is sure to turn heads, as it makes it look more expensive than it actually is. It’s also water resistant, supports expandable storage, and has a headphone jack. The performance is decent, the display is bright and punchy, the battery life is great, and the main camera is reliable no matter the time of day. 

A couple of things that you might not like is the annoying fluff in Realme UI. The redundant apps and their tendency to spam you with ads and unsolicited suggestions get annoying very quickly. The secondary cameras could have been a lot better, too, especially in low light. Finally, if you’re in the U.S., then you’re out of luck trying to get this. In fact, Realme hasn’t yet launched the 12 series outside a handful of Southeast Asian countries. Not to worry, as there are plenty of good cheap Android phones that are more easily accessible. 

What you need to know

• Google rolled out its April 2024 security update starting on April 2, following the release of the Pixel Watch's April 2024 update.
• The update includes 28 general security patches for Android and another 25 that are exclusively for Pixel devices. Google believes two vulnerabilities are actively being exploited. 
• There are also bug fixes related to the Pixel Camera app and biometrics included in the April 2024 update. 

Google announced that the April 2024 security update is rolling out as of April 2 in a Pixel community post, so you might start seeing it now on your Pixel device. Other Android phone makers, such as Samsung, released their monthly security patches as early as last week. The April 2024 update for Pixel phones came just after the update for Pixel Watches was released earlier on Tuesday. 

The security update is available for the following Pixel device models with the AP1A.240405.002 build number (and the .A1 version of the build for the Pixel Fold).

The April 2024 update will be available starting today on the Pixel 5a 5G and newer, but it could take a few weeks for it to appear, depending on your device, carrier, and region. 

Google explains that there are eight general Android 14 security patches included in the April 2024 update. Eight of them are dated to the April 1 bulletin, while there are 20 more dated April 5. Google does not provide much information about these vulnerabilities but does attach a severity level to each one. The security flaws in the April 1 and April 5 bulletins have severities ranging from high to critical.

Aside from the security flaws in Android 14, there are 25 patches specifically for Pixel devices. These range from moderate to critical, and Google says that two of them "may be under limited, targeted exploitation." The two flaws have been assigned to CVE codes CVE-2024-29745 and CVE-2024-29748. The first affects the Pixel bootloader, while the second affects Pixel firmware. As of now, this is all we know about these flaws, but you'll want to update your phone ASAP to apply the patches. 

Finally, the April 2024 update includes a few bug fixes for Pixel devices:

• The update fixes an exposure bug that we reported on last month affecting the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.
• The update fixes an issue that caused black halo artifacts to show up in the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro viewfinder when switching from photo to video mode at standard 1x zoom.
• Camera stability is improved when changing zoom levels on the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and Pixel Fold.
• A bug that caused a black screen to show up when unlocking a Pixel 5a (5G) in certain situations has been fixed.

You can check if your Pixel phone has the April 2024 update by navigating to Settings > System > Software update. 

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What you need to know

• Google released Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2 about a month ago, addressing significant bugs, and now Beta 2.1 is out with numerous bug fixes.
• The latest update, AP21.240305.005, including the March 2024 security patch, is available for various supported devices, ranging from the Pixel 5a to the latest Pixel models.
• Notable issues in QPR3 Beta 2.1 include launcher crashes, charging problems, frozen apps, and navigation glitches, although it's not as severe as the initial Beta 2 release.

It's been about a month since Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2 was released, and Google had to tackle some major bugs with that one. It looks like the search giant is still at it because today, Google rolled out Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2.1 with a ton of bug fixes.

Even though we're probably getting QPR3 Beta 3 in a couple of weeks, Google is starting off April with QPR3 Beta 2.1, which comes with another unexpectedly large batch of bug fixes, including the following:

• Fixed an issue that sometimes caused a device's launcher to crash when trying to view recent apps. (Issue #328803294)
• Fixed an issue that sometimes prevented Pixel Tablet devices from charging while connected to the dock. (Issue #299800125)
• Fixed an issue where swiping up from the bottom of the screen didn't always return to the home screen.
• Fixed an issue that caused the layout of notifications on the lock screen to display with additional padding.
• Fixed various issues that were causing frequent "Application not responding" errors for both system and user apps.
• Fixed an issue where swiping down from the top of the screen didn't always show the notification shade.
• Fixed an issue for Pixel Fold devices where sometimes when the device was unfolded, only half of the inner screen displayed content.
• Fixed an issue that sometimes prevented a user's wallpaper settings from being backed up properly.
• Fixed an issue that sometimes stopped the "Quick Tap to start actions" gesture from working.
• Fixed various other issues that were impacting system stability, performance, connectivity, interactivity, and camera.

The latest update (AP21.240305.005), including the March 2024 security patch, is now up for grabs on all supported devices: Pixel 5a, 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, 8, 8 Pro, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet.

A few standout issues to mention are launcher crashes, charging problems, frozen apps, navigation glitches, display issues, and a bunch more. It's not as bad as the mess we had with the original Beta 2 release last month. Still, QPR3 is kind of iffy right now, so you might want to hold off on installing it on your favorite Android phone.

We're still in the dark about whether Google has sorted out the OTA sideloading problem from last month, which caused some devices to end up being bricked until the files were pulled.

Google's stance remains the same, advising testers to just wait for the OTA update to come through; no sideloading is necessary.

If you're already part of the Android 14 Beta program, you'll get the QPR3 Beta 2.1 update automatically via an over-the-air (OTA) download.

What you need to know

• OnePlus is reportedly rolling out Android 14-based OxygenOS 14 updates to older flagships.
• The OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro, alongside the 8T running on T-Mobile, are getting the latest OTA update.
• It brings Android 14, January 5, 2024 security patch, and general bug fixes.

If you are still a OnePlus 9 series or a OnePlus 8T user in the U.S., you may likely see a new OTA update on your device that brings the latest Android 14 version.

Android Authority notes that the company has started rolling out new updates to the OnePlus 9, OnePlus 9 Pro, and the OnePlus 8T in the U.S. These devices on the T-Mobile network will likely receive the OxygenOS 14 update soon, as some users already see the OTA updates.

Per the screenshots shared on Android Authority, the OnePlus 8T running on T-Mobile received the new OxygenOS 14 update with KB2007_14.0.0.300(EX01) version, while the OnePlus 9 received the LE2117_14.0.0.212(EX01) firmware update. Both include the Android 14 update (codenamed Android OS U). Additionally, the update also brings the January 5, 2024 update, along with some general bug fixes.

As per the promise made by the company during the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 9 series launch, the OnePlus 8T, OnePlus 9, and the OnePlus 9 Pro will not be seeing the next Android version after the newest Android 14 update. However, security updates are likely to continue for a few more months.

While the latest Android 14 version is currently seen on T-Mobile, the OnePlus 9 series, and the OnePlus 8T, the unlocked version of these handsets has already received the Android 14-based OxygenOS 14 in previous weeks, notes Android Authority.

Unlike the current lot, the previous OnePlus flagship models were promised limited Android version updates. The OnePlus 11 was promised four Android versions and five security updates, and the most recent OnePlus 12 also followed the same update cycle as the predecessor model. 

Overall, it is encouraging to see OnePlus keeping up to its promise and giving older OnePlus devices a fresh experience with the latest update rollout.

What You Need to Know

• Predictive Back allows users to "preview" their destination when using the back gesture.
• On Gmail, Predictive Back will preview the inbox when attempting to exit an email.
• The feature is also reportedly available on Google Calendar 

Android 14 users can begin experimenting with Predictive Back on Gmail while they wait for the feature to be deployed system-wide. 

As first spotted by 9to5Google, Gmail version 2024.03.03.x allows users to take advantage of the nifty gesture. As it stands, Predictive Back on a system level is behind developer options, and the tech giant has yet to implement it across all of Android 14. Still, it’s a welcomed sight for users who fancy productivity. 

For the uninitiated, Predictive Back is a feature that allows a user to “preview” their destination when using the back gesture on their device. This feature gives a user a chance to decide whether they want to continue and commit to swiping back or returning to their current view. That current view is minimized while the user decides what action they’d like to take. 

As Android’s developer website notes, “predictive back provides a smoother, more intuitive navigation experience while using gesture navigation. It leverages built-in animations to inform users where their actions will take them to reduce unexpected outcomes.” 

Users on Gmail will notice that when using the back gesture and through Predictive Back, their email will shrink into the corner, with the preview being the user’s inbox. As a result, the animation allows the user to commit to whether they’d like to exit the email and return it to their inbox. The Predictive Back feature is also apparently available in Google Calendar its monthly and daily overviews 

It remains to be seen when Predictive Back as a whole will be implemented across Android 14 without the need for developer options. The tech giant has also encouraged developers to work towards enabling it within their own apps, even providing an entire rundown of how to do so.  

What you need to know

• OnePlus is finally rolling out OxygenOS 14, which is based on Android 14, to OnePlus Open users.
• The company made the OxygenOS 14 update available to some users at the end of January, but it was a very limited rollout.
• Now, the OxygenOS 14 update is widely available, and OnePlus Open users can try out new features such as File Dock and Smart cutout.

Android 14 has been available on select devices since October 2023, but the OnePlus Open hasn't widely received the update until now. Starting today, OnePlus is making the OxygenOS 14 operating system — which is based on Android 14 — available to all OnePlus Open owners in the U.S. Now that the OnePlus Open can run the latest version of Android, it remains competitive with other Android foldables in yet another way. 

OnePlus Open owners who check for a software update in their phone's settings app today will find the 2.54GB OxygenOS 14 update waiting for them (via 9to5Google). After updating, Open users will get all the benefits of Android 14, as well as a few OnePlus-exclusive perks. Though it took about five months for OnePlus to make OxygenOS 14 available for the OnePlus Open, the far-reaching release of this update will be appreciated by owners of the company's first folding phone. 

OxygenOS 14 first became available for the OnePlus Open in a limited fashion starting at the very end of January. OnePlus announced the narrow rollout on its community forums, acknowledging that it would be limited to select users in select regions. At the time, the company said that OxygenOS 14 would be "gradually pushed to more users."

It took a few more weeks for that to happen, but it appears OnePlus is finally making OxygenOS 14 widely available to Open users.

Aside from default Android 14 features, the OxygenOS 14 software update also includes the February 2024 security patch for the OnePlus Open. Additionally, it brings a few unique features to the OnePlus Open. 

The big three new tools available in the update are File Dock, Content Extraction, and Smart Cutout. File Dock lets you drag and drop things between different apps and devices. Content Extraction can automatically detect and extract both text and images that are on your display with a single tap. Finally, Smart Cutout is OnePlus' version of subject detection, and it allows users to separate and pull out multiple subjects from a photo, which can then be copied or shared.

Here are all the new features and changes that OxygenOS 14 will bring to the OnePlus Open:

• Adds Aqua Dynamics, a way of interaction with morphing forms that allows you to view up-to-date information at a glance.
• Adds File Dock, where you can drag and drop to transfer content between apps and devices.
• Adds Content Extraction, a feature that can recognize and extract text and images from the screen with one tap.
• Adds Smart Cutout, a feature that can separate multiple subjects in a photo from the background for copying or sharing.
• Improves Shelf by adding more widget recommendations.
• Improves photo and video-related permission management for safer access by apps. 
• Improves system stability, the launch speed of apps and the smoothness of animations.
• Upgrades Aquamorphic Design with a natural, gentle, and clearer color style for a more comfortable color experience.
• Adds Aquamorphic-themed ringtones and revamps the system notification sounds.
• Improves system animations by making them even smoother.
• Adds a carbon tracking AOD that visualizes the carbon emissions you avoid by walking instead of driving. 

OnePlus Open owners should check their settings to see if the Android 14 update is available for their devices, particularly those that live in India and the U.S.

What you need to know

• Google is working on bringing a password-sharing feature to Android users, similar to its development of the same feature for Chrome.
• This would work through its Password Manager and would let users "securely" share their credentials with family or those saved into a group.
• After testing started for Chrome in November, it was clear that users would need to change their credentials if they no longer wished to "share" passwords.

It appears as though Google is working on bringing password sharing to Android devices like Chrome on desktop.

As spotted by TheSpAndroid, the latest Google Play Services version (24.09.12) showed signs of a "password sharing" feature for Google's Password Manager (via Android Authority). The post explains that when this arrives, users will notice a "Share" button. Tapping it will produce a brief message stating, "You can securely share a copy of your password with someone in your family group."

Additionally, it looks like this new Share button will appear within Google's Password Manager when managing those you've saved before.

Digging further showed the manager's upcoming sharing function will only work for passwords and not any saved passkeys.

What remains to be seen is the experience of the user receiving access to a password, as Android Authority notes. As of now, the deep dive can't produce much more, considering the feature is still in development. It's also not clear when Google plans to roll out password sharing in Password Manager on Android.

Google Chrome picked up password sharing through a Canary build test back in November. Most of the UI the company started testing for Chrome last year has remained in this early preview of it for Android. Chrome's test showed that sharing a password would deliver the associated website link, username, password, and any notes the owner had written.

The test also showed the recipient of the shared password must be using Google's Password Manager, as well. However, it was evident that users must change their password for a website through the manager if they'd like to stop "sharing."

For mobile, Google rolled out an update for Pixel users that made it easier to find their saved credentials. Users were finally given a convenient shortcut icon for their Password Manager. Previously, users needed to dive into their system settings to rediscover their list of saved credentials.

What you need to know

• Google Photos is introducing its Android 14 share sheet to a broader range of Pixel phones, offering a better sharing experience.
• This change was initially launched for Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro in October and is now available on all Pixel phones, including the Fold, with Google Photos version 6.71.
• The new share sheet replaces the older custom setup, which had a slower loading time.

Google Photos is rolling out its Android 14 share sheet to more Pixel phones.

Android 14 has added some nifty usability upgrades, and one of them is a revamped default share sheet. Developers can now customize it with their app actions. This change made its debut in October for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Now, it's available for all Pixel phones, including the Pixel Fold, rocking Google Photos version 6.71, as spotted by 9to5Google.

The new share sheet replaces the old custom setup, which tends to take its sweet time to load. As seen in the screenshots below, the Google Photos share option in Android 14 is a game-changer, especially when you compare it to what's going on with non-Pixel Android devices.

You get a snazzy preview that supports multiple images. Right below the preview, you've got options to share via a link, send through the Photos app, toss the image into an album, or create a brand new album. When you scroll up, you'll find the usual direct share targets and app grid.

You can also tap on the pencil icon right on the picture's preview to crop it or make some quick tweaks before sharing. Google made all these custom buttons possible by giving a green light to customization on the default Android share sheet.

When you tap the Modify button on the top-right of the share menu, you can select more photos to send.

While the revamped share sheet has spread its wings to more Pixel devices, it is still a no-show on Pixel Tablets or any other Android devices running Android 14 just yet.

As Android 14 gradually rolls out to top-notch Android phones, more apps are in for the same share sheet treatment.

What you need to know

• A February update for the OnePlus 11 is causing the phone's camera to act erratically.
• Some users report that photos aren't being saved, while others say the camera crashes when they try to take a photo.
• The previous OxygenOS 14 update doesn't seem to be affected.

We've seen our fair share of botched updates from companies this year, and OnePlus looks like its name is getting added to that list with the latest OnePlus 11 update.

The February OnePlus 11 OxygenOS 14 update went out over the weekend, and users on the official OnePlus forums are reporting problems with the phone's camera. Some users report that photos aren't being saved, while others are finding that the camera app crashes after taking two to three pictures at a time.

Our in-house review of the OnePlus 11 unit is on the previous OxygenOS 14 update and doesn't have this issue, meaning something seems to have gone awry in the February patch. Android Central has reached out to OnePlus about the problem, and they told us the problem was being investigated. We will update the article once we have more information.

Customers who have received the update and are experiencing issues are encouraged to file a report with the company to log the issue. More reports will generate a faster response from the development team. OnePlus has been testing OxygenOS 14 for several months now, so it's likely that a new addition in the February update is causing the problem.

OnePlus isn't the only company facing issues with updates recently, though. Back in the Fall, Google Pixel phones suffered a huge storage bug. Yet another critical bug was introduced in the January patch, and the fix is only now rolling out. Likewise, recent Samsung phone updates have been causing problems with Android Auto. For now, it appears that only the OnePlus 11 is affected by this particular camera bug, although we'll update the article if it begins to affect other OnePlus devices.

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Every quarter, Google breathes new life into its Pixel lineup with a Pixel Feature Drop. Each Pixel Feature Drop brings new software features exclusive to Pixel phones, ranging from incredibly useful ones like Gemini Nano-powered AI features to more mundane ones like new wallpapers or expanded language support. Most new features announced with a Feature Drop rollout through app or server-side updates to Google’s apps, but some new features come from the OS itself. Some of these new OS features get called out in Google’s announcements or social media posts, but a lot of them never get a shout-out.

For example, Google touted the new Android 14 webcam feature and Repair Mode in its marketing for the December 2023 Pixel Feature Drop, but it didn’t mention some of the other new features the update added, like the ability to override an app’s aspect ratio, view your phone’s battery health, or set a different live wallpaper on the lock screen and home screen. It’s clear that Google is picking and choosing which features to highlight, but that means you might miss out on the fact that a certain feature you’ve been waiting for has been added unless you stumble upon it yourself.

Well, this post is here to save you the trouble. I’m going to run down every new Android feature that’s coming in Google’s next Pixel Feature Drop, which should happen in March. Apart from the January 2024 Pixel Feature Drop, every Feature Drop coincides with an update to the Android OS that ranges from minor to major. The October 2023 Feature Drop brought Android 14, the current major Android release, while the December 2023 Feature Drop brought Android 14 QPR1, Android 14’s first quarterly platform release. 

The March 2024 Pixel Feature Drop, therefore, should bring Android 14 QPR2, Android 14’s second interim update that’s currently in beta. While the current Beta 3.1 release is near final in terms of functionality, there’s no guarantee that every feature I’ll mention here will be included in the stable Android 14 QPR2 release next month. So keep that in mind as you read about these new features.

Android's Bluetooth tile gets a long-awaited upgrade

No longer will you have to dive into the Settings app to switch between Bluetooth devices. Now, in Android 14 QPR2, tapping the Bluetooth tile in the Quick Settings panel opens a pop-up dialog that lets you toggle the Bluetooth radio or switch between your paired Bluetooth devices. There’s also a “pair new device” button, but tapping that just opens the full Bluetooth settings page.

This is a feature that other Android-based OSes like One UI have had for a long time, so it’s good to see Google add it in Android 14 QPR2. Since this feature is now part of the Android OS codebase, any device maker that uses Android but doesn’t already have this feature will be able to ship it. However, you’ll likely have to wait until Android 15 to see it appear on other devices that don’t already have it due to the (complex) way that the Android OS is distributed.

Updates now install much more quickly

Android’s seamless updates feature brings minimal downtime to the OTA update process since your device does all the patching and optimizing in the background. However, one downside is that it’s notoriously slow, sometimes taking over an hour or more to complete the update. The good news is that Google worked some of its magic and made seamless updates much faster in Android 14 QPR2.

As for how they did that, Android Police founder Artem Russakovskii shared the technical details over on his X profile. The good news is that these improvements will come to any device that uses Android’s modern seamless updates scheme. That said, some popular devices, like the Samsung Galaxy S24 series, don’t support Android’s seamless updates feature.

You can now hide your notifications from screen recordings

Have you ever had to redo a screen recording because a notification popped up that you didn’t want to share with the world? When you start a screen recording in Android 14 QPR2, you now have the option to change from recording the entire screen or recording a single app. Recording the entire screen means everything you see and do will appear in the resulting screen recording, while recording a single app means that only the contents of that app will be recorded.

This partial screen recording feature, like the rest of the features in Android 14 QPR2, should make its way to other Android devices in Android 15.

You can now hide your notifications while mirroring your screen

In a similar vein, Android’s screencasting feature in Android 14 QPR2 now also has the option to cast a single app instead of the entire screen. This means that when you mirror your screen to any Chromecast-compatible display, you can hide any miscellaneous UI elements or, more importantly, your notifications from appearing on the display.

It’s worth noting that although this feature will be available on other devices in Android 15, some OEMs like Samsung disable Android’s screen casting tile in favor of their own solution. Samsung’s screen mirroring service called Smart View, though, has offered the ability to mirror a single app for a while now.

The taskbar finally lets you search through your app list

If you have a lot of apps installed, it can be a pain to scroll through your app list to find the exact one you want to launch. If you know what you want to launch, you can enter its name in the launcher’s search bar to filter your app list, but the search bar is only available on the home page. Well, not anymore, because in Android 14 QPR2, the taskbar’s app drawer now has a search bar!

It's now easier to manage which apps have access to the camera or microphone

Your phone’s microphone and camera are two of its most sensitive sensors because they can be used to record your most private moments. That’s why in Android 12, Google introduced privacy indicators in the status bar that appear whenever an app is using the microphone or camera. The UI that appears when you tap the privacy indicator has now changed in Android 14 QPR2.

Previously, tapping the indicator would open a full-screen page that was basically a mini version of the Safety Center experience Google introduced in Android 13, but it now opens a pop-up dialog. 

This dialog shows you which apps are actively using the microphone or camera, close the app(s) that are using them, manage their access to these sensors, or see recent uses of these sensors.

It's now easier to share your Wi-Fi network with other people

The pop-up dialog that appears when you tap the “Internet” tile in Quick Settings has added a new “Share Wi-Fi” button in Android 14 QPR2. This button, which appears in the bottom left, opens the existing “Share Wi-Fi page,” which shows a QR code that others can scan to join your current network, as well as a button to share the current network’s credentials using Quick Share (formerly Nearby Share).

Miscellaneous changes

• The “weather” lock screen clock now tells you when there’s an upcoming alarm or when Do Not Disturb mode is on
  • One of the more popular lock screen clock styles that Google introduced in Android 14 has gotten a slight tweak in Android 14 QPR2. The “weather” style, as it’s known under the hood, now shows an alarm icon when there’s an upcoming alarm or a DND icon for when Do Not Disturb mode is on.
• The Pixel Launcher now shows app labels in two lines.
  • This one is also pretty self-explanatory: App labels in the Pixel Launcher now take up two lines instead of being truncated.
• The “Restricted” battery optimization mode has disappeared
  • If you like tinkering with battery settings, then you may notice that the “Restricted” battery optimization mode has disappeared in favor of an “allow background usage” toggle. Meanwhile, the other two modes (i.e. “Optimized” and “Unrestricted”) are now in a submenu. I don’t know exactly what this change entails, but it’s likely just to simplify things.
• You can now see the package name for an app in Settings
  • Lastly, here’s a change that power users might appreciate: You can now see the package name for an app at the bottom of its “app info” page. The package name is a unique identifier for an app, as in, no two apps installed on a device can share the same package name.

That’s it for all the new Android features you’ll actually be able to get your hands on in Google’s next Pixel Feature Drop! As always, there are loads more hidden features in Android 14 QPR2 that are still in development, but those won’t go public until the next QPR at the earliest, but more likely, they will be in Android 15.

What you need to know

• Nothing OS 2.5 (Android 14) goes official for Phone (1).
• It is a gradual rollout; not all users will receive the update immediately.
• It brings all the goodies from Android 14 alongside Nothing’s updated tweaks across UI, glyph interface, and more.

Nothing Phone (1) first tasted Anaid 14 with the Open Beta right before Christmas in 2023. A month later, the company announced a stable Nothing OS. 2.5 shipping to the Phone (1).

The corresponding Community post has shared several new features and improvements coming with the latest firmware release alongside Android 14.

The features on the Phone (1) with the update comprise customizations like redesigned home screen and lock screen customization pages, as seen on the Pixel phones. Users can edit wallpapers alongside making customizations to lock screens. The lock screen customizations include shortcuts, which can be set to options like Do Not Disturb, Mute, QR Code scanner, and video camera. 

The latest firmware brings Atmosphere wallpaper — a dynamic wallpaper effect that was earlier seen in Phone (2). Solid colors are added to the wallpaper collection next to the monochrome theme.

The update also includes customizable gestures, such as setting the power button to double-press action and triggering a chosen feature. The famous three-finger swipe gesture for taking screenshots is enabled with the new update. A new screenshot editor and corresponding menu accompany the captured screenshots. Then, a new back gesture arrow that visually matches Nothing’s style is also added with the new update.

The changelog provided in the aforementioned community post includes several other changes to glyph interfaces, quick settings options, and the addition of new widgets. For instance, there is a new pedometer widget to track your daily steps and a media player widget to play/pause and change tracks to the music you are listening to. Moreover, a new dynamic screen time widget showcases your phone’s usage.

Lastly, the new update includes other improvements, such as camera stability enhancements and improvements to overall smoothness and responsiveness within the UI. The improvements can also be seen in system stability and battery life.

Nothing says the latest firmware will follow a staggered rollout, implying not all Phone (1) devices immediately receive the update. The unhurried process allows the company to monitor any issues with the firmware and provide quick fixes before deploying it to a larger audience.

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What you need to know

• Google is issuing a new update for Android 14 QPR2 Beta.
• The update only applies to the Google Pixel 5a and aims to fix a number of problems owners have faced.
• The update is rolling out now and Pixel 5a owners should receive it within the next five days.

Exactly a week after Google issued a "minor" update for users enrolled in the Android 14 Beta, a new update is already rolling out. However, this update is a little exclusive, as it's only coming to owners of the Google Pixel 5a.

As detailed in Google's beta release notes (via the Android Beta Reddit), QPR2 Beta 3.2 (build AP11.231215.010) addresses a number of issues affecting Pixel 5a users. These issues "caused the device to boot slowly and the user interface to lag or freeze," Google says.

According to the release notes, a total of 15 issues are being addressed with the update, many of which seem to stem from the initial Android 14 QPR2 Beta 3 update (build .007), which arrived earlier this month. With any luck, this update should get their phones relatively back to normal working order, although the nature of beta software means you should always expect to encounter bugs.

The Pixel 5a was notably the last Pixel smartphone to launch with a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset before Google switched to Tensor chips with the Pixel 6 series. Google still supports the device and is currently the only non-Tensor Pixel still receiving updates. It's expected to retain support until August 2024, meaning it will likely receive the QPR3 update later this year but not Android 15.

If you have a Pixel 5a, you can update your phone by navigating to Settings > System > System update. According to Google, the update is rolling out now, and Pixel 5a owners should receive it within the next five days.

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What you need to know

• The OnePlus Open has started receiving its OxygenOS 14 (Android 14) update in India but Closed Beta and Open Beta users are first in line.
• The update ushers in "Aqua Dynamics" with morphing forms for viewing notifications, security enhancements, and an Aquamorphic redesign.
• OnePlus previously teased more "foldable-related" features on the way for the Open, which should be present as users begin to install.

OnePlus is finally rolling out its Android 14 software update to its first foldable — but only a select few are eligible to start.

As detailed in a community post, the OnePlus Open is receiving OxygenOS 14 (Android 14) in India as firmware version CPH2551_14.0.0.400 (EX01). The Chinese OEM advises users to have at least 30% battery and 5GB of internal space free before downloading.

The changelog starts by mentioning the addition of "Aqua Dynamics" on the OnePlus Open. It's a new way of interacting with "morphing forms" to see notifications on your phone, similar to OnePlus' Dynamic Island-reminiscent "Fluid Cloud" feature.

OxygenOS 14 also revamps its Aquamorphic design with a more "natural, gentle, and clearer color style" alongside themed ringtones and notification sounds. The company adds the latest software to improve its system's animations for a smoother experience.

A few more key points in the patch notes are as follows:

• Adds File Dock, where you can drag and drop to transfer content between apps and devices.
• Adds Content Extraction, a feature that can recognize and extract text and images from the screen with one tap.
• Adds Smart Cutout, a feature that can separate multiple subjects in a photo from the background for copying or sharing.
• Improves Shelf by adding more widget recommendations.
• Improves photo and video-related permission management for safer access by apps.

Meanwhile, OnePlus aims to boost its system's stability by further improving the speed at which apps launch on the foldable. For "user care," the company states it's included an AOD (always-on display) carbon tracker showing the amount of carbon emissions saved when walking instead of driving.

As previously stated, the OxygenOS 14 (Android 14) update is rolling out now for those in India. However, users who participated in the Closed Beta and Open Beta can get in before it arrives for everyone else in the region. More importantly, the update should start making its rounds to more countries soon after.

The past-gen OnePlus 11 picked up the update in November following a series of betas, and it brought most of what we're seeing the foldable gain today. Moreover, during Android Central's interview with OnePlus, it was stated the company was "working very closely with Google to co-develop foldable-related features."

Most of these features should become apparent once users get their hands on the update.

Elsewhere, the OnePlus Open received its January 2024 security patch, which aimed to solve several display touch problems users have become vocal about.

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Even though 2024 has barely begun, the world of Android has already seen two major product launch events, with both Samsung and OnePlus unveiling their latest smartphone lineups — led by the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the OnePlus 12 respectively — within days of each other. As you'd expect, these two smartphones offer the absolute best in terms of hardware, software, cameras, and just about everything else you could possibly want in a modern Android flagship. That's all well and good, but which one of them deserves your hard-earned money? We compare Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. OnePlus 12 to help you make the best decision.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. OnePlus 12: Design and display

The overall design of both Galaxy S24 Ultra and OnePlus 12 has remained largely unchanged over their respective predecessors, although there are noticeable refinements.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra now comes with a titanium frame that's more durable than the last-gen model's aluminum frame, while also being slightly lighter. The flat back panel, which is secured with Gorilla Glass, sports a smooth satin-like finish and is home to the smartphone's quad-lens rear camera system, with each lens housed in its own ring.

The back panel of OnePlus 12 is also protected by Gorilla Glass, but it slightly curves on both sides to meet with the smartphone's aluminum frame. Similar to the previous-gen model, you get a big circular camera island at the back, housing the smartphone's triple-lens rear camera setup. The entire base of the camera island flows over to one side, blending seamlessly into the frame.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and OnePlus 12 are huge smartphones that are nigh impossible to use with one hand, a fact that becomes even more apparent once you take a look at their displays. The 6.8-inch LTPO AMOLED panels on both smartphones are a sight to behold, featuring HDR10+ support and 120Hz refresh rate. However, there are some differences.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra finally features a fully flat screen, shielded by a layer of Corning Gorilla Armor that offers much improved scratch resistance, while also reducing reflections. The display works flawlessly with the embedded S Pen stylus and can reach a peak brightness of up to 2600 nits.

On the other hand, the OnePlus 12 comes with a slightly curved screen that is guarded by a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The display is backed by 'Aqua Touch' technology that allows touch input to be registered even in the presence of water and can hit an astounding peak brightness of up to 4500 nits.

With OnePlus 12, you get an IP65 rating and two colorways — Flowy Emerald and Silky Black — to choose from. Conversely, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra sports an IP68 rating and is available in seven funky colorways, three of which are online-exclusive.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. OnePlus 12: Hardware and cameras

Considering they're flagship devices, it should come as no surprise that Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and OnePlus 12 are crammed with cutting-edge hardware. Both smartphones are driven by Qualcomm's top-shelf Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 silicon and are offered with multiple configurations. While the Galaxy S24 Ultra features 12GB of RAM and 256B/512GB/1TB of internal storage, the OnePlus 12 sports 12GB/16GB of RAM and 256GB/512GB of onboard storage. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and OnePlus 12 also come with advanced vapor chambers for enhanced thermal efficiency and better passive cooling, and might just be two of the best gaming phones you can get in the market today.

Both smartphones are equally stacked in terms of connectivity options, offering everything from Wi-Fi 7 to multi-band 5G to NFC. There are some device-specific goodies as well, such as wired/wireless DeX support on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and alert slider on the OnePlus 12.

Now let's talk about cameras! Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra packs a truly versatile quad-lens rear camera setup, comprising a 200MP primary sensor, a 50MP periscope telephoto lens (with 5x optical zoom), a 10MP standard telephoto unit (with 3x optical zoom), and a 12MP ultrawide module. OnePlus 12 also comes with a very capable triple-lens rear camera system, including a 50MP primary sensor, a 64MP periscope telephoto lens (with 3x optical zoom), and a 48MP ultrawide module. Of course, the camera arrays on both smartphones are complemented by a plethora of extra features such as Auto HDR, Night Mode, and 8K video capture.

Even if we just go by the numbers, there's no denying that Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and OnePlus 12 are two of the best camera phones of this year. No matter which one you choose, you're going to get some great photos. You'll just have to decide whether you prefer the AI-enhanced (discussed later) photos of Samsung, or the Hasselblad-tuned images of OnePlus.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. OnePlus 12: Software and battery

Both Galaxy S24 Ultra and OnePlus 12 come with the latest and greatest Android 14 out of the box, with each smartphone having its own custom UI overlay baked on top. Whether you prefer Samsung's One UI 6.1 or OnePlus's OxygenOS 14, you get loads of customization options and functionality-enhancing features with each.

That said, One UI 6.1 also includes a whole bunch of AI-powered tools for things like real-time translation of voice calls, generative photo editing, and more. They are all part of Samsung's 'Galaxy AI' software suite that you'll eventually need to pay for. Samsung has also promised seven years of major software and security updates for the S24 lineup, becoming only the second smartphone manufacturer (after Google) to do so.

On the other hand, OxygenOS 14 keeps things simple and doesn't offer any fancy AI-based features, but OnePlus will offer four major software updates and five years of security updates for the OnePlus 12 series.

Battery life is something that depends on a lot of factors, but both smartphones are pretty well-equipped to handle everyday requirements of most users. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has a 5,000mAh battery, with 45W wired charging and 15W wireless charging support. OnePlus 12 sports a slightly bigger 5,400mAh battery, with much faster 80W wired charging and 50W wireless charging support.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. OnePlus 12: Which should you buy?

Loaded to the gills with powerhouse features, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and OnePlus 12 are hands down two of the best Android phones available out there. They both come with top-of-the-line specifications, amazing cameras, and much more. There's no wrong choice here, you just have to decide what exactly do you want in a smartphone, and how much you're willing to pay for it.

Of the two smartphones, the Galaxy S24 Ultra undeniably packs more features. You get a top-tier camera system, AI-powered extras, and the bundled S Pen makes the phone a productivity powerhouse. The new software update policy also means that you'll be able use the Galaxy S24 Ultra for years to come, provided you get a good case to keep it in mint condition. All that's great, but with a starting price of $1300, this smartphone doesn't come cheap.

Then there's the OnePlus 12. It has awesome cameras, superfast charging speeds, and although the curved display can limit the efficiency of screen protectors, it's a gorgeous panel that can be used even when wet. Sure, OnePlus's update policy doesn't quite match up to Samsung's, but it's good enough. However, what's most important to note here is the starting price of $800, which makes the OnePlus 12 an incredible value-for-money smartphone.

Here's our suggestion! If you're on the hunt for a fully-loaded flagship that you plan on using for a long time and money is no object, go ahead and get the Galaxy S24 Ultra. On the contrary, if you just want a well-rounded flagship that can effortlessly handle everyday tasks without costing a fortune, go for the OnePlus 12.

What you need to know

• Google seems to be planning a significant shift in Android, adding Ultra HDR support to the CameraX API for third-party apps.
• Adding Ultra HDR to CameraX will save images in JPEG_R format, displaying HDR images on compatible screens.
• Third-party apps on Android 14 will be able to capture images with higher dynamic range and richer colors.

Google seems to be addressing a long-standing criticism of Android's app and camera quality compared to iOS with a potential integration of Android's Ultra HDR format with the CameraX API.

With the debut of the Google Pixel 8 series, Google also introduced Ultra HDR. This new photo format supposedly squeezes every ounce of goodness out of your HDR-supporting smartphone screen.

In an X post, Mishaal Rahman explains that Ultra HDR images include extra metadata, also known as a gainmap, showcasing a more vivid and extensive color range when viewed on compatible devices and apps.

Rahman discovered that Google is making shooting Ultra HDR photos on any Android app a breeze by adding support in the CameraX API. Those shots will be saved in JPEG_R, not the usual JPEG format.

JPEG_R shows images differently based on whether your screen can handle Ultra HDR or not. This means more phones may support this feature on social media sites without a big software overhaul.

The latest Galaxy S24 series from Samsung was the first to handle Ultra HDR pictures on social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat. The fresh report suggests that this nifty feature might roll out to other Android devices in the near future.

Ultra HDR photography is one of the hottest features introduced in Android 14. This enables your Android devices to snap and flaunt photos with the full spectrum of colors and brightness levels their hardware can handle, all while remaining compatible with JPEG files.

For the uninitiated, CameraX fills the gap between your phone's built-in camera and all third-party camera apps or anything else that uses a camera function. Otherwise, trying to snap photos within your favorite third-party apps could leave you with lackluster quality and a bunch of missing camera perks.

The API provides apps with access to all the cool features the camera system on your device has to offer. So, these upgrades are meant to close the gap between Android and iPhones in your everyday smartphone camera experience.

At the moment, there's no concrete information on when the integration will occur, but when it does, consider it a shiny new tool in developers' belts.

What you need to know

• Android 14 QPR2 Beta 3.1 is a "minor update" packed with fixes that are rolling out to all eligible Pixel devices.
• Google aims to solve several display flickering problems for the Pixel Fold and Tablet while correcting difficulties experienced across its Pixel line.
• There is a known issue with this update that could cause a crash that unexpectedly reboots your Pixel device.

More work needs to be done as Google prepares its content for the upcoming feature drop. According to Android Developers, Android 14 QPR2 Beta 3.1 is now rolling out to the following eligible devices ranging from the Pixel 5a (5G) to the Pixel 8 Pro. Those with a Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet can get in on things, too.

The "minor" update bears build number AP11.231215.009 and 17 fixes on Google's included devices. Several fixes pertain to the Pixel Fold and Tablet's frustrating display problems. Regarding the former, Google aims to solve the Fold's occasional flicker when opening the device.

The foldable's launcher appearing empty if the device was "locked while unfolded and then unlocked after the device was folded" should also be solved.

Similarly, the Pixel Tablet receives a fix for a flickering gray screen that would surface closing certain activities on its display.

Google then details several more fixes, such as the following:

• Fixed an issue that prevented overlays, such as the Game Dashboard, from opening while the device was in landscape mode. (Issue #312516206)
• Fixed an issue where icons sometimes scaled incorrectly when entering picture-in-picture mode while the device was rotated.
• Fixed an issue where the height of the Quick Settings dialog that lists Bluetooth devices sometimes expanded unexpectedly.
• Fixed an issue that sometimes prevented a user from changing device keyboard settings.
• Fixed an issue where icons sometimes scaled incorrectly when entering picture-in-picture mode while the device was rotated.

Meanwhile, another fix involves correcting an unlock error users received when using their fingerprint and the always-on display was active. The Quick Settings panel not adhering to a user's specified display size from the Accessibility settings should also be fixed.

Google states there are some issues still running amok, such as a system connectivity problem that may cause outgoing and incoming calls to fail. There's also a "native crash issue" that might force your device to reboot unexpectedly.

All enrolled devices should begin receiving an over-the-air (OTA) update as we finish off the week. Your device should grab it automatically, but you can manually check by heading into your  Settings > System > System updates.

This minor update builds upon work started during Android 14 QPR2 Beta 3, which rolled out early in January. Google brought in a host of fixes at that time, too, one of which aimed to correct several Bluetooth interruptions and crashes. "Higher than normal" CPU usage was also stated to be corrected in Beta 3.1.

Much of the work is in preparation for Google's upcoming feature drop, slated for March 2024 — if all goes well.

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What you need to know

• Motorola has revealed which phones it plans to update to Android 14.
• The Razr Plus is included in the list, as well as some 2022 models, although midrange phones are limited to 2023 models.
• The company has yet to reveal when it plans to push the Android 14 update to its phones.

Motorola had a fairly impressive 2023 with the launch of some striking phones like the Edge Plus (2023) and Razr Plus, going so far as to offer an improved software update promise with up to three OS upgrades and four years of updates. However, while the company still isn't very communicative or timely when it comes to major OS releases, Motorola just provided some hope regarding the upcoming Android 14 update.

The company has quietly revealed which devices are expected to receive the Android 14 update (via YTECHB). Motorola doesn't seem to have published a list, but the company has stated through its support page that certain phones should get Android 14 "pending partner approval."

Below is a list of devices that are slated to receive the update, per Motorola's support page:

Motorola Razr:

• Motorola Razr Plus/40 Ultra
• Motorola Razr/40
• Motorola Razr 2022

Motorola Edge:

• Motorola Edge (2023)
• Motorola Edge Plus (2023)/Edge 40 Pro
• Motorola Edge 40 Neo
• Motorola Edge 40
• Motorola Edge 30 Ultra
• Motorola Edge Plus (2022)/Edge 30 Pro
• Motorola Edge 30 Neo/Lite
• Motorola Edge 30 Fusion
• Motorola Edge 30
• Motorola Edge (2022)

Lenovo:

• Lenovo ThinkPhone by Motorola

Moto G:

• Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)
• Moto G Stylus (2023)
• Moto G Power 5G (2023)
• Moto G 5G (2023)
• Moto G Play (2023)
• Moto g84 4G
• Moto g54 5G
• Moto g73 5G
• Moto g53 5G
• Moto g23
• Moto g14
• Moto g13

Of course, these are mostly 2023 models, with some exceptions from the higher-end devices from the Razr and Edge families.

However, while confirmation that these phones should get the update at some point is exciting, Motorola has yet to say anything about when we can expect these updates. Other companies, from Samsung to Sony, have rolled out Android 14 to their devices since late 2023, but Motorola has been largely mum on the subject.

That said, the company seems to have quietly kicked things off, with reports claiming that the Moto g53 5G has begun receiving the update and that the g54 is in beta testing. Hopefully, this means that the Android 14 update is well underway, but don't hold your breath for anything imminent.

Meanwhile, the Motorola Razr Plus has received regular updates roughly every two months, which is a good sign that the company is at least doing something. As our most improved Android brand of 2023, we hope that Motorola can improve the timeliness of its major updates.

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What you need to know

• Android 14's latest beta delivers the return of the Bluetooth settings popup menu that users had during the Oreo 8.0 software.
• Tapping "Bluetooth" in the notification panel now opens a submenu full of connected devices, an option to add more, and the toggle to enable/disable it.
• Users can also quickly swap between their Bluetooth devices by tapping on it, so long as it's within connectivity range with your phone.

Google recently added a new pop-up menu for Android beta testers, which is a returning feature you may not remember.

According to Google News on Telegram, Android 14 QPR2 Beta 3 sees the return of the Bluetooth settings popup menu that once was during Oreo 8.0 (via Android Police). Testers can tap the Bluetooth tile in the notification panel to activate a submenu packed with their connected devices.

From there, users can hop into settings for specific devices or add a new device at the bottom of the menu. Unfortunately, the return of the Bluetooth popup menu means we'll no longer be able to activate or deactivate the connectivity with a single tap.

Enabling/disabling can be done by tapping the toggleable option in the popup submenu.

Mishaal Rahman reported early sightings of the menu's return during Beta 2 in December. While most of what was originally stated remains true through Beta 3, Rahman adds users can easily switch between connected devices, as well.

In the submenu list, tapping a different set of connected earbuds will swap audio over to that seamlessly. Your Android phone should be able to do this so long as the device you're attempting to switch to is within Bluetooth range.

Moreover, Google has also returned the old Clock app shortcut when in Quick Settings. Users can quickly jump to their Alarms tab in Google Clock by tapping the time in the left-hand corner of the notification panel. The downside is the company has not done the same shortcut to the battery percentage when tapping on the top right-hand side of the panel.

Google started rolling out Android 14 QPR2 Beta 3 to enrolled Pixel testers yesterday (Jan. 10). The beta held quick a few "top issue" fixes for its line of Pixel phones while another fix arrived to (hopefully) solve the Pixel Fold's strange unlock problem when folded.

Additionally, QPR2 Beta 3 contained a  "make all apps dark" option, which will invert the colors of apps that do not support Dark theme. Google is also working on a taskbar pinning feature that users could use to turn their floating "transient" bar into a "persistent" one at the bottom of their displays.

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What you need to know

• Google starts rolling out Android 14 QPR2 Beta 3 to enrolled testers ranging from the Pixel 5a (5G) to the Pixel 8 Pro, including the Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet.
• The patch aims to solve Bluetooth interruptions, crashes, and some unresponsiveness within the Pixel ecosystem among many more.
• Google is also attempting another fix for the Pixel Fold's unlock problems as users still encounter a black screen when unlocking their device when folded.

The next quarterly feature drop is about two months away, and Google is continuing its test with the Android 14 QPR2 Beta 3. As detailed by Android Developers, Beta 3 is rolling out now to all enrolled testers with a Pixel 5a (5G) up to the Pixel 8 Pro, alongside the Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet.

Those looking for the OTA update will find build number AP11.231215.007 as it becomes available. Users on Reddit state the update is around 337MB on the Pixel 8 Pro.

There are six "top issues" Google aims to solve with its March feature drop, and those fixes are as follows:

• Fixed an issue where SPIR-V sequences of OpShiftLeft followed by OpShiftRight didn't produce the expected results for ARM Vulkan driver versions 43.0 and 44.0. (Issue #314048080)
• Fixed issues that sometimes caused Bluetooth connections to be interrupted for some devices. (Issue #315324137, Issue #317798832)
• Fixed issues that sometimes caused a device to crash or become unresponsive after restarting. (Issue #317282987, Issue #316689583, Issue #316188779)
• Fixed issues that in some rare cases caused devices to reboot while in idle mode. (Issue #316903919, Issue #316557374)
• Fixed an issue that caused live wallpapers to stop animating. (Issue #312869160)
• Fixed an issue that prevented Google Assistant from activating in some cases. (Issue #311934282)

Beta 3 offers a few more fixes, which include one for a problem with multi-fingered gestures that caused them to stop working. Another fix has come in regarding Pixel devices not responding when double-tapped or when the power button was pressed to wake its display. "Higher than normal" CPU usage is also reportedly fixed in Beta 3, as well.

For the Pixel Fold, Google states it has fixed an issue users encountered when unlocking the device, closed, caused the inner display to remain black. The company said it fixed this problem during Beta 2, however, it looks like users were still affected by it.

As usual, Google states that enrolled testers should give the update up to five days before it appears. However, you can manually check to see if you've received it by heading into your Settings > System > System updates.

Mishaal Rahman dove into Beta 3 and discovered Google added a new "make all apps dark" option within Settings > Accessibility > color and motion. Essentially, the toggleable feature "inverts" the colors of apps that do not support a dark theme, so users can have a seamless experience across all installed applications.

Additionally, the Beta's deep dive revealed a new API in the Android OS that lets apps "programmatically" change media output. Rahman explains apps could choose a specific device for audio and another for video if enabled. The in-development app permission shows it would have access to your connected devices and decide which should handle each task.

Lastly, Android 14 QPR2 Beta 3 seemingly holds clues that Google could roll out its taskbar pinning function soon. When toggled, users would go from a "transient" floating taskbar to a "persistent" one nestled at the bottom of your display.

The update is in preparation for the March 2024 feature drop, which is about two months away — so long as there aren't any problems. The December 2023 drop brought in Google's new AI Model Gemini to the Pixel 8 Pro for on-device tasks like summaries and "Smart Reply in Gboard."

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What you need to know

• Sony starts rolling out its Android 14 update for the Xperia 5 V in "batches," meaning everyone will not see it appear at the same time.
• The update brings "Flash Notifications" to users, while also letting them customize the color of their device's flash for such information.
• Other features include an "expanded" Nearby Share with Windows, Find My Device improvements, and more.

Sony is rolling out its Android 14 update to its flagship phone alternative, bringing several new features to its users.

According to Sony, the update is finally arriving on the Xperia 5 V after a couple of recent devices picked it up late last year (via GSMArena). Android 14 is arriving in stages for this device, meaning we won't all see it at the same time. Additionally, the download should be quite large, so be prepared for that.

The company's brief Instagram post explains users upgrading to Android 14 can expect "Flash Notifications." Essentially, users can enable their camera's LED flash or display to illuminate when receiving a notification. This also includes any pre-set alarms, too. Users will find 12 colors to select from when customizing their LED flash notifications.

What's more, Sony's Android 14 changelog glanced over a few more features included with the update. Customizable lock screen shortcuts arrive on the Xperia 5 V, giving users more agency over its information and wallpaper. Shortcuts such as "Do Not Disturb" and "Flashlight" can be placed above the permanent camera and voice assistant icons on the lock screen.

Additionally, users can customize the touch function of the "Do Not Disturb" shortcut, as well.

Android 14 on the Xperia 5 V adds an "expanded" Nearby Share feature. Users can now transfer files, images, and more to their Windows PC without a USB-C cable. If interested, you must download Nearby Share onto your PC before attempting to transfer your data to your computer.

Sony then highlights Android 14's revamped Find My Device app, which lets users quickly relocate their things so long as they are signed into a Google account. From the app, you can remotely lock your device and erase its data. More importantly, users can locate their Android tablets, earbuds, and Wear OS watches, as well.

Android 14 isn't quite a "flashy" OS upgrade, however, it does continue to refine the system with better customization and other tweaks. So, users can expect such upgrades after downloading, aside from Sony's highlighted features.

Sony's Xperia 1 V, with camera upgrades aimed at creators, received its minimalistic Android 14 update back in November. The company improved its bokeh mode and its Video Creator app, which is primarily used to edit recorded videos. Personalization, privacy, and security upgrades were packed into the update, as well.

The company's latest Xperia 10 V followed a few days after in November as the mid-range picked up various features similar to the Xperia 5 V.

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What you need to know

• ASUS started rolling out its Android 14 update for all Zenfone 10 owners, though the software's arrival could take a few days to appear.
• The update revamps several apps present on the Zenfone 10 and also includes a new set of "Photo and Video" permissions for extra security.
• The Taiwanese company remains committed to its small Zenfone series as it refuted rumors in August about its cancellation.

ASUS is bringing its Android 14 to Zenfone 10 owners, packed with a few system-wide improvements.

The Taiwanese company alerted Zenfone 10 owners that the Android 14 update rollout has begun (via YTechB), stating that users should begin seeing firmware version 34.1004.0204.65 at a 1.3GB download size. The post adds those awaiting the update should expect to wait a few days as the server pushes the FOTA notification.

Aside from Android 14, the update also includes a fix that improved speakerphone call echo problems Zenfone 10 owners have experienced.

The update supports a new set of "Photos and Video" permissions and a system photo picker. This is more of a security effort as it lets users control what data apps have access to. Optimizations for Bluetooth headset disconnections, including noise issues, have also rolled in.

Several more additions and changes, according to its changelog, are as follows:

• Revamped Mobile Manager, Contacts, Phone, Emergency Dialer, File Manager, Calculator, Clock, Gallery, Weather, Sound recorder, Settings, Phone Clone, Local backup, Launcher, and so on.
• Support the color and brightness customization of the clock widget on the lock screen.
• Adjusted the display method of battery usage to view app usage in segments.
• Fixed the ASUS customized power menu lacking restart and shutdown options

ASUS warns users that they should back up their data before downloading and installing Android 14. Moreover, certain third-party apps are not yet supported in the new software. Your Zenfone 10 should automatically grab the over-the-air (OTA) update; however, you can manually check to see its availability by heading into Settings > System > System Update.

The update is rolling out in batches, which is why the company states it could take a few days before you see it. Ensure that your Zenfone 10 is rocking the latest firmware version, 33.0220.0220.101, before proceeding.

ASUS launched the Zenfone 10 back in July as its latest entry into the world of small Android phones, with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC to boot. There were rumors in August that ASUS would likely move away from its Zenfone series; however, the company quickly refuted that rumor. The Taiwanese brand remains committed to its small phone series, and we can likely look forward to a 2024 follow-up.

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What you need to know

• Nothing has started Open Beta 1 for Nothing OS 2.5 (Android 14) for the Phone (1).
• The open beta lets Phone (1) testers in on new widgets, new home and lock screen customization, and new gestures.
• The Phone (1) open beta follows swiftly after the Phone (2) gained a stable Nothing OS 2.5 update.

Nothing is feeling festive as it announces the start of the Nothing OS 2.5 (Android 14)  Open Beta 1 for the Phone (1). The company has dubbed this its most "significant" update since the rollout of version 2.0 to owners of its devices. Since the latest v2.5 open beta utilizes Android 14, Phone (1) owners can expect quite a few changes to playtest before everyone sees a stable release.

The software reimagines the customization capabilities of the Phone (1), bringing in a joint home and lock screen page with improved edit wallpaper flow. Nothing has brought in a new "solid color" wallpaper option for users interested in a simple, clean home screen — a monochrome theme enters, as well.

For dynamic wallpapers, the v2.5 open beta includes the Atmosphere wallpaper effect. Enabling this will bring a bit of movement to your once-static background image.

The full changelog continues to inform testers of new gestures and improvements, but a few of those additions are as follows:

• Capture screenshots quickly with a three-finger swipe gesture.
• Customizable double-press power button to quickly access a chosen feature. Just head to Settings > System > Gestures.
• More Lock Screen shortcut options like: Do Not Disturb, Mute, QR code scanner, video camera.
• New screenshot editor and menu, allowing for more advanced editing features and quick deletions.
•  Improved the stability of the camera.
• Improved the experience of Flip to Glyph.

Much of what Phone (1) testers get to experience mirrors what's available on the latest Phone (2). Specifically, the open beta introduces a few new widgets, beginning with the Pedometer. Users can now track their daily steps easily from their home screen and set goals. The Media Player widget displays your current song along with some controls.

Lastly, the Screen Time widget helps users manage how much time they spend looking at their phones.

Nothing explains those interested can get in on the fun by ensuring their device is updated with the latest NOS. After that, download the APK file Nothing provides as the brand explains it's different from the one Phone (2) users had access to. Then, users can navigate to Settings > System > Update to Beta version on their Phone (1) to get started.

Phone (1) and Phone (2) users are having an enjoyable holiday season as the company rolled out a stable Nothing OS 2.5 to the latter device just days prior. That update packed a lot into the Glyph lighting system for the Phone (2), as Nothing sought to integrate Google Calendar into its Glyph Progress and new Glyph Timer support.

The company stated Phone (2) owners will be treated to a "staggered" rollout of the new software as it monitors for stability issues.

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What you need to know

• Users have reported issues using the fingerprint sensor on the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro while running Android 14 QPR2 Beta 2.
• The issues were first reported on Google's IssueTracker on Monday, and a Google employee provided a temporary attempt at a fix later.
• A full patch will be released with the next Android 14 QPR2 Beta 3 update. 

Some users are running into issues with the under-display fingerprint sensor on their Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro devices while testing Android 14 QPR2 Beta 2, as reported by 9to5Google. Trying to use the fingerprint sensor brings up an error message for some users, and the issue has since been acknowledged by Google. 

The issue was posted to Google's IssueTracker this week, with multiple users experiencing the bug on their Pixel 7 series devices. An employee from Google responded to the users, saying that the company couldn't reproduce the issue on their units running version AP11.231117.006.

Google suggested trying to recalibrate the sensor with the under-display fingerprint sensor calibration tool. This software tool is available online and is typically used to recalibrate sensors after a screen replacement, but it requires a computer. Users had mixed results using this method, with some saying the process fixed the issue after multiple restarts. Others said the issue persisted even after recalibrating the sensor.

Users who encountered the issue saw an error message that read "can’t use fingerprint sensor” when trying to use biometric unlock. 

Google spent a few days working on a fix behind the scenes and eventually provided an update on the issue. The company said that a formal solution will be released with Android 14 QPR2 Beta 3 but didn't provide a timeline or release date for that update. For now, the guidance is still to recalibrate the fingerprint sensor. This time, Google says you should restart your phone twice after the calibration finishes.

Since the issue only affects units running pre-release software, most people shouldn't have any issues using the fingerprint sensor on their Pixel 7 series smartphone. However, if you did try out Android 14 QPR2 Beta 2 on your device and are experiencing problems with the fingerprint sensor, this known flaw might be the reason. 

It's the latest in a string of bugs related to the fingerprint sensor on Android 14 QPR2 Beta 2. There's a current, minor issue that causes haptic feedback to be disabled occasionally while using the fingerprint sensor. Other issues caused the fingerprint scanner symbol to show up too quickly while waking the device, or to be dismissed too quickly due to crashes. 

What you need to know

• Android 14 recently gained a new "ROLE_NOTES" string in preparation for its upcoming note-taking features for Android phones and tablets.
• In preparation, a deep dive into Google Keep's latest update showed it will soon have the ability to be set as a "default notes app."
• Doing so will allow users to utilize a new shortcut with Keep in apps and on their device's lock screen.

Google is preparing a few new features for Keep and other note-taking apps in Android 14 that Android devices will benefit from.

Discovered by Google News on Telegram, Android 14 recently added a new "ROLE_NOTES" role for note-taking apps. If an app is assigned as "default," users can quickly hop into their desired application through a new floating UI shortcut.

The latest update for Google Keep prepares the app for when the company rolls this feature out as it can be made a "default note app."

A shortcut for the home screen was discovered after being forced to activate via the developer settings. From what was seen, it will function similarly to the floating shortcut that appears when inside another app on your Android device.

More was uncovered by Mishaal Rahman at Android Authority, regarding a new shortcut being prepared for the lock screen. The app's latest update, version 5.23.482.04, shows signs of a new "Note-taking" shortcut. Any appropriate notes app assigned as "default," such as Keep, will open when interacting with the shortcut.

Once this rolls out, users will find the quick access button alongside other options like Camera, Device controls, Flashlight, and more in their lock screen shortcut settings. Rahman additionally discovered that interacting with the Note-taking shortcut on your lock screen will not require you to unlock your device.

Moreover, there appear to be a few settings regarding notes written on the lock screen. Users can decide if they want Keep to create a blank canvas whenever the shortcut is pressed or if they'd like the app to bring up one they've made previously.

Designating Keep as the default note app will seemingly let users take screenshots of certain apps. Considering certain applications disable the screenshot function for security reasons, Rahman adds Google created a "special API" that will enable screenshots on behalf of Keep. Once taken, users can review the photo and make any adjustments before saving or throwing it away.

On a related note, Keep's latest version shows signs of Google working on stylus support with its new functionality in Android 14. It appears that users with a Pixel Tablet or other Android tablet can press a button on their stylus to activate the Notes app. If in a different application, this will appear as a floating shortcut.

It's likely a fresh note will appear when doing so from the lock screen, but Rahman was unable to get it to function as the feature isn't properly activated.

Considering Keep has received the tools to work with Android 14's coming note-taking features, it feels like we're approaching a stable release. However, it's not entirely clear when we could see the OS' note-taking feature rollout. The shortcuts, when tapped, display an odd "update Keep" message despite both Google News and Rahman running the app's latest version.

Android 14 is here in all of its glory, and with it, there are a bunch of new features and options. One of the most practical new additions to the platform is the ability to customize your lock screen widgets. This isn't exactly new, and we've always wondered why this feature from Android's past was removed in the first place. Nonetheless, it's back now, so we can all rest in peace.

Here's how you can change your lock screen shortcuts on Android 14.

How to change your Lock Screen shortcuts on Android 14

1. Press and hold anywhere on your home screen.

2. Tap Wallpaper & style.

3. Select the Lock screen tab on top.

4. Scroll down and tap Shortcuts.

5. Choose the Left shortcut.

6. Choose the Right shortcut.

And that's pretty much it! The process takes barely a few seconds. You'll probably take the longest amount of time deciding which shortcut to place where. There are only two slots on the lock screen at the moment (unless you have an Xperia phone), so we recommend you place your most used shortcuts there.

To use the shortcuts, simply touch and hold the shortcut icon from your Android phone's lock screen. If it's something like the flashlight, you need to touch and hold the shortcut once more to turn it off after you're done.

Have fun customizing your phone with Android 14

Lock screen shortcuts aren't the only thing that's new with Android 14. There's lots to uncover, customize, and play around with. If you're big on personalization and theming, check out the custom emoji wallpapers under Wallpaper & style. You can create your very own wallpaper with your favorite emojis and color scheme. For your reference, we've got a handy guide that shows you how to create emoji wallpapers on Android.

Pixel owners can take things even further with Cinematic Wallpaper, an Android 14 feature that enables users to convert any image into a dynamic wallpaper for their Google phones. And if you're rocking the Pixel 8 series or the Pixel Fold, you can create generative AI wallpapers that leverage the capabilities of the Tensor G3 chipset and Google's latest AI advancements.

What you need to know

• Google is rolling out Android 14 QPR2 Beta 2 for eligible testers at a near 536MB download size.
• The beta aims to correct some false battery information users discovered, as well as odd biometric crashes.
• There are still some lingering issues with the Pixel Fold's internal display and weather information from the At a Glance widget.

As we progress toward the next quarterly feature drop, Google is bringing its next beta to enrolled users. As detailed by Android Developers, Android 14 QPR2 Beta 2 is rolling out now for the Pixel 5a (5G) up to the Pixel 8 Pro, including the Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet.

All devices a part of the program will begin downloading the OTA update version AP11.231117.006. Users on Reddit report the download is around 536MB on the Pixel Fold and the latest Pixel 8 series.

Google is looking to solve a few "top issues" with Beta 2, and those fixes are as follows:

• Fixed an issue where battery usage information that was reported in system settings was sometimes incorrect. (Issue #312121998)
• Fixed an issue where the fingerprint icon on the lock screen would sometimes display before other information had loaded in always-on display mode. (Issue #311265905)
• Fixed an issue that sometimes caused the biometric prompt to crash, causing it to be dismissed before a user could interact with it.
• Fixed an issue that sometimes caused the Internet Quick Settings tile to indicate that there was no Wi-Fi connection, even when the device was connected to a Wi-Fi network.

As usual, Google is alerting users to some potential problems they may face with the experimental software such as various instabilities. Additionally, you may encounter problems with your battery or performance issues.

Moreover, the company is aware of some pesky lingering problems. Some Pixel Fold devices are suffering from the inner display not turning on if the device is unlocked in its closed state. Another problem is that Google Assistant's At a Glance weather widget displays information for the wrong location. Keep these problems in mind as you re-enter the testing grounds.

Be advised that it may take up to five days before your enrolled device picks up the update. However, you can manually check to see if you have it available by heading into your Settings > System > System updates. If you're not in the beta and would like to be, you can check the eligibility of your device and begin signing up.

Elsewhere, Mishaal Rahman discovered a new addition with Beta 2, as Google introduced an "Internet" panel. At the bottom is a "Share Wi-Fi" button, which lets users easily produce a QR code that others can scan for access to their home internet. Alternatively, you can opt for the "Nearby" option to share your network's credentials with those over Nearby Share.

Additionally, Google has seemingly dropped the "Restricted" battery optimization mode in favor of an "allow background usage" toggle. Opening its sub-menu unearths two specific modes users can choose from: Optimized and Unrestricted for apps to better fine-tune how such applications engage with our devices' battery.

Furthermore, Beta 2 is finally moving utilizing Google's latest Material 3 design language switches within Android settings, per Google News on Telegram. The post adds the company has been slow rolling out this new design form, but the latest beta seems to bring it into full effect as users await its stable release in March 2024.

Android 14 QPR2 Beta 2 comes almost three weeks after Beta 1.1 rolled out. That update came only six days after the initial beta, as it sought to fix several app-related bugs, as well as some system improvements.

Those who have downloaded Beta 2 state it includes Google's December 2023 feature drop for Pixels. The update includes the company's Gemini Nano on-device AI model, several AI camera features, and the long-awaited Watch Unlock for Pixels and the Pixel Watch.

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What you need to know

• OnePlus Nord 3 users in India receive Android 14-based OxygenOS 14 stable builds.
• The latest update includes the Fluid Cloud feature and other useful features.
• The rollout begins for Open and Closed beta OxygenOS testers first.

OnePlus Nord 3 is the latest handset to receive the stable OxygenOS 14 update, based on Android 14. The company has been on a spree of releasing the respective Android 14 builds to its latest and older flagship models recently. The new release is seemingly the first one rolling out to a mid-range OnePlus device.

Like the earlier released builds to various devices like the OnePlus 11, OnePlus 10 Pro, and the OnePlus 10T, this stable release to the OnePlus Nord 3 is also confined to the Indian region. Earlier enrolled Closed Beta and Open Beta versions users are the first ones to get the stable release, while other users will be receiving the update gradually, notes OnePlus in the announcement post.

The stable build rolling out to the OnePlus Nord 3 includes the CPH2491_14.0.0.100(EX01) build number. The changelog is similar to what we have seen on the OnePlus 11 release and the OnePlus 10T builds. The new unique addition to the OxygenOS 14 is the Fluid Cloud feature, a new way to interact with your notifications, essentially mimicking the iPhone 14 series' Dynamic Island.

The other smart enhancements in the new build include a file dock utilized to drag and drop while transferring content between apps and devices. A new Content Extraction feature works similarly to Google Lens, allowing users to recognize and extract text and images from the contents on the screen with one tap. Finally, Smart Cutout is yet another feature debuting with the new build, which lets users separate multiple subjects in a photo to share them as stickers in messaging apps and more, similar to Samsung's Image Clipper.

The full changelog can be viewed through the above community post. Users interested in installing the update should make sure their OnePlus Nord 3 has at least 30% and above battery percentage coupled with a minimum of 5GB storage space.

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What you need to know

• A tipster on X leaked information regarding Samsung's One UI 6.1 update, stating its battery health-focused feature could be renamed to "Battery Protection."
• The name change may also hold new features for users such as "Basic," "Adapt," and "Max."
• The leaker added new wallpaper customization could roll in and AI could play a part in the tools users receive.

Samsung's Android 14 skin is still rolling out on its many Galaxy devices, but that isn't stopping leaks from spilling what One UI 6.1 could contain.

According to Tarun Vats on X, Samsung's One UI 6.1 update could feature improved protection measures for its batteries. Currently available as a "Protect Battery" toggle on Galaxy phones, the company will seemingly rename the function to "Battery Protection" with a few added selections: Basic, Adapt, and Max.

The leak states that "Basic" battery protection stops further charging at 100% but will resume if the device falls to 95%. "Adapt" relies on the user's daily cadence as the device will charge 80% during the night and finish just before you typically wake, similar to what's available on other Android phones.

"Max" battery protection will ensure your device charges no further than 80%. It's not unusual to hear that, for the longevity of your phone's battery, it's best not to let it drop below 20% and only to charge it to about 80%. Samsung seems to be furthering this by giving users a little more control over their device's charging behavior.

Another leak by Vats suggests One UI 6.1 will contain an evolution of "Wallpaper services." The tipster claims "more customization" is on the horizon and starts to speculate AI could play a part, which would make sense after the Galaxy AI announcement. If AI does play a part, perhaps it could echo Google's AI-generated wallpapers on the Pixel 8 series.

Of course, we'll have to wait for any official announcements of such changes — and that may come quite soon. Vats floated the theory the Korean OEM could roll out One UI 6.1 sometime in January. Funnily enough, the Galaxy S24 series is rumored to launch in mid-January.

We've got a bit of time to wait and see what Samsung does. In the meantime, One UI 6 (Android 14) brings in quite a few feature refreshments for its Galaxy ecosystem, such as a redefined Quick Panel, new emojis, and new customization for the lock screen. Additionally, Samsung's refinement-focused Good Lock 6 update is slated to arrive alongside One UI 6. However, its integration of LockStar and Clock Face on the lock screen is primed for a 6.1 update timeframe.

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What you need to know

• OnePlus has announced an Android-14-based OxygenOS 14 build (stable) for the OnePlus 10T.
• It brings the new Fluid Cloud feature to the handset, which is the OnePlus equivalent of Apple's Dynamic Island.
• A similar update is also being rolled out to the OnePlus 11R but without the Fluid Cloud.

OnePlus has started rolling out new stable OxygenOS 14 builds to its high-end value devices, including the OnePlus 10T and the OnePlus 11R. While the 10T came towards the end of 2022, the 11R came early this year alongside the flagship OnePlus 11 for select regions like India.

The company has officially announced the update for the OnePlus 10T in the Indian region; however, it is also said to be rolling out to the OnePlus 11R, notes Android Authority, which also shared the respective builds for both handsets. The OnePlus 10T in India is bearing the CPH2413_14.0.0.202(EX01) firmware version and is being pushed directly to users who are already enrolled in the Close Beta and Open Beta versions of OxygenOS 14, and general users are expected to get the update gradually, notes OnePlus in the community post.

The new changelog of the OnePlus 10T looks identical to what we have noticed in the recent stable builds of the OnePlus 11 and the OnePlus 10 Pro released a while ago. The notable addition is the new Fluid Cloud, a new way of interacting with your OnePlus phone, and the feature mainly mimics Apple iPhone's Dynamic Island. Here's a short video on how it functions:

The OnePlus 11R bears the CPH2487_14.0.0.200(EX01) version, which includes the November 2023 security update, notes Android Authority. The full changelog contains the following changes:

• This update improves system security and fixes an issue that might cause the Home screen wallpaper to stutter.

System

• Integrates the November 2023 Android security patch to enhance system security.
• Improves system stability and performance.
• Extends battery life in some scenarios.
• Fixes an issue that might cause the Home screen wallpaper to stutter after you close an app.
• Fixes a screen flicker issue that might occur when you switch to the main system from the system clone.
• Fixes an issue where your phone might become irresponsive when you enter your password to unlock it after a reboot.
• Fixes an issue where the phone clone process might unexpectedly stop.

Connections

• Fixes an issue that might cause the car display to flicker when you unlock the phone that is connected to your car through Car Connect.

The OnePlus 11R's update showcases the company's take on the mid-range handset as it doesn't include the notable features found in builds for the flagship models. It primarily includes bug fixes, next to system stability, and performance improvements. It is still unclear whether or not OnePlus plans to bring additional OxygenOS 14 features to the 11R.

OnePlus has begun rolling out Android-14-based stable builds to its devices over the past few weeks, which include the OnePlus 11, OnePlus 10 Pro, and now the OnePlus 10T. Meanwhile, the recently announced OnePlus 12, launched early this week, ships with the OxygenOS 14 right out of the box. The handset launched in China and is expected to be released globally in January 2024 in regions including the U.S., U.K., and India.

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What you need to know

• Google's Gemini Nano makes its way to Pixel 8 Pro with "Summarize in Recorder" and "Smart Reply in Gboard."
• Google is releasing the December 2023 feature drop to Pixel devices with new features like Video Boost and other camera updates.
• Pixel Watch owners can now unlock their Pixel smartphones using the smartwatch.

Google has rolled out the most awaited December 2023 feature drop for its Pixel phones, including the Pixel 8 Pro. The search giant has also announced its new advanced AI model Gemini, which comes in three sizes — Ultra, Pro, and Nano. The latter claims to be the "most efficient model" designed for on-device tasks, beginning with the Pixel 8 Pro.

Incorporation of the flexible AI model Gemini Nano on the Pixel 8 Pro brings brand new features to the handset, including "Summarize in Recorder" and "Smart Reply in Gboard." The former, as the name implies, summarizes your recorded conversations on-device, such as interviews and presentations.

Separately, the Recorder app can now transcribe in 28 new languages.

Furthermore, Google is bringing Smart Reply functionality straight to Gboard, allowing it to be utilized in several messaging apps, with WhatsApp among the first to incorporate the feature and more apps likely to follow next year. Thanks to Gemini Nano, the reply suggestions in the app are also generated on-device. The feature on Gboard is currently available in developer preview, and when using the English keyboard for the U.S.

New camera features

In addition to these new Gemini-powered features for the Pixel 8 Pro, several other elements are coming through the December 2023 feature drop for Google's Pixel lineup. That includes the new Video Boost feature announced during the Pixel 8 launch, which helps users adjust color, lighting, stabilization, and graininess after the device's videos are uploaded to the cloud. 

Similarly, Night Sight Video on the Pixel 8 Pro will utilize AI-prowess to reduce noise in videos shot in low-light scenarios. The Night Sight is also coming to time-lapse shots taken in low light on the Pixel 8 series, something we've seen with the latest Pixel Camera update that has already begun rolling out.

Google is also enhancing some existing camera features, with better Portrait light in Google Photos to better balance lighting in images, and an improved Photo Unblur, which now works better with pets.

Pixel Fold is also getting useful camera tools like Dual Screen Preview, which lets the subject preview themselves on the cover screen while the user takes the photo. This is a handy feature that helps the subject better orient themselves while the image is being taken.

The Pixel Fold, alongside the Pixel 6 series and above, will also be able to use their cameras as USB webcams for their computers.

Another significant feature of document scans is the ability to remove smudges, stains, and creases on the scanned documents. Editing the documents only takes a few taps through the Camera app.

Everything else in the December Pixel feature drop

Aside from camera-relates updates, Google is also bringing new features and enhancements to other areas. Google Password Manager can now "identify which of your accounts support passkeys and help you add them with just a few taps."

The company is also rolling out a Repair mode, so Pixel owners can now worry less when they give their devices to a repair or service.

Call Screen gets an upgrade for the Pixel Fold, Pixel 6 series, and above, as the Google Assistant will now suggest contextual replies instead of taking calls alone. The Call Screen feature is also now available on the Pixel Watch for added convenience.

The long-awaited Watch Unlock feature is also arriving for Pixel devices. The Pixel Watch can unlock your Pixel phone when it's nearby, which can come in handy when you cannot access biometrics such as Face unlock.

Clear Calling is now coming to the Pixel Tablet to enhance your voice during calls while reducing background noise. Pixel Tablet is also gaining spatial audio support through its speakers and when paired with Pixel Buds Pro.

Calling features such as Direct My Call and Hold for Me are now available in the U.K. and are also available for businesses, so long as they don't have a toll-free prefix.

As part of the December feature drop, the Clock app will now display weather conditions via a widget or when viewing the World Clock tab in the Clock app, which should help you better plan your day accordingly and can potentially be helpful during travel so you know what to expect.

Lastly, the first-gen Pixel Watch is gaining some Pixel Watch 2 features, such as the ability to sync Do Not Disturb and Bedtime Modes between the watch and smartphone. The first-gen Pixel Watch will also have access to the Adventure and Analog Arcs watch face designs and newer complication styles to better customize your smartwatch.

The aforementioned features and productivity tools, alongside customization, will be rolling out today on Pixel phones, Pixel Tablet and Pixel Watches.

What you need to know

• The OnePlus 10 Pro gains the latest Android 14-based OxygenOS 14.
• The newest release includes the Fluid Cloud feature first introduced in OnePlus 11.
• The two-year-old phone gets all the cool features like the flagship phone.

OnePlus 10 Pro users are in for a treat as they are about to receive the much-awaited stable OxygenOS 14 update, which is based on Android 14.

Some OnePlus 10 Pro users in India started receiving the Android 14 stable this week, and the company later announced the rollout for Indian users. In the community post, OnePlus announced that the stable OxygenOS 14 build is currently being rolled out to OnePlus 10 Pro users in the Indian region. 

The firmware bearing NE2211_14.0.0.202(EX01) version will be first available for OnePlus 10 Pro users who have participated in the closed and open betas of OxygenOS 14.

OnePlus shared the changelog, including the famous Fluid Cloud feature, first seen on the OnePlus 11 in its stable OxygenOS 14 build released recently. It is a new way to interact with notifications, basically mimicking Apple's Dynamic Island functionality found on recent iPhones, like the iPhone 15 Pro. 

Here's the full changelog, per the community post:

Pantanal Service

• Adds Fluid Cloud, a way of interaction with morphing forms that allows you to view up-to-date information at a glance.

Smart efficiency

• Adds File Dock, where you can drag and drop to transfer content between apps and devices.
• Adds Content Extraction, a feature that can recognize and extract text and images from the screen with one tap.
• Adds Smart Cutout, a feature that can separate multiple subjects in a photo from the background for copying or sharing.

Cross-device connectivity

• Improves Shelf by adding more widget recommendations.

Security and privacy

• Improves photo and video-related permission management for safer access by apps.

Performance optimization

• Improves system stability, the launch speed of apps, and the smoothness of animations. 

Aquamorphic Design

• Upgrades Aquamorphic Design with a natural, gentle, and clearer color style for a more comfortable color experience.
• Adds Aquamorphic-themed ringtones and revamps the system notification sounds.
• Improves system animations by making them even smoother.

User Care

• Adds a carbon tracking AOD that visualizes the carbon emissions you avoid by walking instead of driving.

The intriguing aspect of the most recent OnePlus 10 Pro update is how much it resembles the firmware of the company's flagship model, which was released earlier this month. As you can see, the changelog is largely consistent with what we have seen from the OxygenOS 14 stable build on the OnePlus 11 released two weeks ago. To put it mildly, it is impressive that OnePlus hasn't abandoned any cool features on a phone that is about to be two generations old.

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What you need to know

• With Android 14, you'll get a heads-up whenever an app notices that a screenshot has been taken.
• Some apps, like the German shopping app OTTO, have already implemented this feature.
• This is a significant change from previous versions of Android, where apps could only detect screenshots using workarounds.

Android 14 boosts privacy with a nifty feature that notifies you when someone screenshots your chats, and some apps are already catching on.

As spotted by an Android Police reader, the German shopping app OTTO has become one of the first apps to adopt Android 14's screenshot detection feature. So, when you snag a screenshot in the app, a toast message pops up, letting you know they caught you in the act.

Google explains that Android 14 introduced an API intended to make screenshot detection more consistent. This API allows apps to register callbacks for each activity, which means they'll get a heads-up whenever a screenshot is taken while that activity is on the screen.

Just to be clear, the app only knows you took a screenshot, not what was actually on your screen. The nitty-gritty details of what you captured are left for the app developer to figure out.

After getting the heads-up, developers can get creative with what happens next. For example, messaging apps could let people know when someone takes a screenshot of their conversation.

This screenshot detection feature isn't foolproof, though. It only catches screenshots done with the hardware buttons. So, if someone's feeling sneaky, they can still pull off a stealthy screenshot using the "Recents" menu screen, ADB, or a root screenshot app.

For apps that want to be extra cautious about screenshots, there are older APIs that let them completely block the screenshot function.

Apps like Snapchat that let you send disappearing messages have been using screenshot detection for ages to keep their conversations private. Otherwise, screenshots defeat the idea of ephemeral messages.

While these apps have their own ways to catch screenshots, Android 14's built-in screenshot detection feature makes it easier for developers to keep their users' privacy intact; no more workarounds are needed.

At the moment, not all apps have implemented the screenshot detection API yet, but it is expected to become more widely used in the future.

What you need to know

• Android 14 has removed the ability for users to long-press an app to view its notifications.
• Android 13 would let users view at least one notification, with an accompanying counter alerting them to more if there were any.
• Google's latest OS is filled with little changes like this as the company looked to build upon what it did in Android 13 instead of dropping major features.

Google's latest major OS release has dropped an old feature that has some users wishing it was never taken away.

Previously, users could long-press an app on their Android device to see its notifications. With the rollout of Android 14, that feature no longer exists, as spotted by 9to5Google. This viewing method wasn't entirely sound as, if you had more than one notification for the app, the long-press workout would only show one. In the corner would be a counter, alerting you if there were more notifications.

The change is more of a surprise to those who weren't in the beta as opposed to those who were. The change to remove long-press notifications was brought up as an "issue" during Android 14's beta run over the summer.

Unfortunately, a member of Google responded stating that the presumed problem was actually a feature working "as intended."

Google's alteration only leaves App Info, Pause App, and included Widgets as options when long-pressing an app icon. As 9to5 notes, removing the notifications gives these options some breathing room as they're now shown as a full list instead of a merged design.

There have been quite a few of these smaller, refined implementations with Android 14 since Google rolled it out officially back in October. The software itself is essentially building upon the work done previously with Android 13 as the company looks to offer much more customization for a user's lock screen. Other, usability-focused changes arrived in the form of a consistent share menu design when using apps like X, Instagram, and more.

We are looking ahead with Android 14 as Google rolled out QPR1 Beta 2.2 to eligible Pixel owners earlier this month. The patch contained over 30 fixes for Pixels as Google looks to iron things out before its stable December feature drop. But while that's in the oven, Google is moving right ahead with QPR2 Beta 1.1, which is likely looking at a stable release in March 2024.

It was a smaller patch that targeted a couple of pesky bugs while improving the system's stability and performance for Pixel phones.

What you need to know

• Samsung's planned release schedule for One UI 6 was shared through the Samsung Members app in Germany.
• Most devices are slated to get the Android 14 update in November and December of 2023, but releases stretch into February 2024.
• Samsung could send out this schedule through the Samsung Members app in other countries, but it hasn't made its way to the U.S. yet. 

After starting to release the One UI 6 update to the Galaxy S23 FE and the Galaxy Tab S9 series to devices in Europe, Samsung revealed an updated release schedule for its full rollout. The new timeline gives us a rough idea of when more than 50 devices will get the latest software update, which is based on Android 14. 

The latest release schedule was shared with users in Germany through the Samsung Members app and was first spotted by SamMobile.  This isn't the first Android 14 timeline to appear, however. Another schedule was found on Samsung's European community forums earlier this month. However, that timeline was discredited after Samsung quickly removed it from the forums, and a few key dates from the schedule passed with no One UI 6 releases.  

This new schedule is the most thorough we've seen yet, including many more devices than the initial leak. Most importantly, Samsung listed the expected release dates for the One UI 6 rollout by month. The schedule confirms that many Galaxy flagships and folding phones will get updates in November, or already have. Aside from the recent rollout of the update for the Galaxy S23 FE and Tab S9 series, the regular Galaxy S23 series has already received a stable One UI 6 upgrade. 

Most devices on the list will get the Android 14 update before the end of this year, but older products could see a release date stretch into February. These release schedules are fluid, and we've seen Samsung meet and miss these targets in the past. However, the fact that Samsung's latest projections only specify release month gives the company a greater chance of staying on track. 

Here's the full release schedule from Samsung shown to users in Germany:

One UI 6 timeline for Galaxy phones

One UI 6 timeline for Galaxy tablets

Since this release schedule has a high chance of being accurate, look for this timeline to appear in the Samsung Members app in other regions. There is still plenty of time for Samsung to change course and release One UI 6 updates before or after the months listed above for each device. There are also devices set to receive the One UI 6 upgrade that aren't listed in the note sent to Samsung Members in Germany.

But for now, this is the closest thing we have to a timetable for Samsung's Android 14 rollout on Galaxy devices. 

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What you need to know

• Galaxy Tab S9, Galaxy Tab S9 Plus, and the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra owners in Europe are receiving One UI 6 update.
• The Android 14-based update is also rolling out to the Exynos 2200-powered Galaxy S23 FE.
• Samsung began rolling out stable builds to its flagships and foldables last month.

Samsung recently started rolling out Android 14-based One UI 6 stable builds to its Galaxy devices. It began with the Galaxy S23 series in October, followed by Galaxy S22 owners and the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5 users in the U.S. Now, the stable update is further expanding to more devices, including the Galaxy Tab S9 series and the recent Galaxy S23 FE as well.

As noted by SamMobile, Samsung is rolling out the stable One UI 6 to its flagship Galaxy Tab S9 series lineup in the European region. The trio of tablets is receiving the X91xBXXU1BWK6 build, which is a sizable update weighing 2.7GB. The firmware also includes the November 2023 security patch.

After much anticipation, Samsung finally introduced the Galaxy S23 FE after skipping the S22 FE. In the United States, the handset was launched with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor; in other countries, such as India, the Exynos 2200 Galaxy S23 FE was available. 

SamMobile reports that the Exynos variant is the version to receive the Android 14 update first, with the Snapdragon variant expected to receive the stable build soon.

While bringing Google's latest Android 14 to the table, the One UI 6 stable build also comes with a revamped quick settings panel, an improved home screen featuring new widgets, a new emoji design, and several noteworthy enhancements. Along with the new One UI 6 update, Samsung has also announced several AI camera improvements for the Galaxy phones. Additionally, the update involves new camera features and relevant editing tools.

If you own a Galaxy Tab S9, Tab S9 Plus, Tab S9 Ultra, or the latest Galaxy S23 FE, now might be the right time to navigate to your device's Settings > Software update > Download and install.

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What you need to know

• Google dropped another beta for its Android 14 QPR2 release in preparation for the March update.
• The devices include Pixel 5a and above, as well as the Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet.
• The latest release primarily fixes app-related issues on Pixel phones.

Google recently dropped Android 14 QPR2 Beta 1 last week, bringing minor improvements and bug fixes. Now, the search giant has released yet another beta on Tuesday with a couple of other bug fixes. 

The Android 14 QPR2 beta 1.1 is now available for users on the Android Beta for Pixel program on devices including the Pixel 5a, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7a, Pixel 6, Pixel 7, and Pixel 8 series alongside the Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet. 

The Pixel 5a, Pixel 8, and Pixel 8 Pro devices have the version AP11.231020.016; the rest come with the AP11.231020.016.A1 version. The update also carries the November 2023 security patch similar to the earlier released Android 14 QPR2 beta 1.

Per the changelog shared in the release notes, the latest Beta 1.1 includes the following fixes:

• Fixed an issue that sometimes caused some apps to be removed after a system update was installed and then prevented those apps from being installed again. In other cases, affected apps couldn't be installed on a device even if they hadn't been installed previously.
• Fixed other issues that were impacting system stability, performance, and connectivity.

Beta users on aforementioned Pixel devices will have to bear in mind that other known issues from the previous beta release are still ongoing in the new Beta 1.1 release. The eligible devices from the beta program are likely to get the over-the-air (OTA) update of Beta 1.1 from Google this week and can manually check the OTA update by heading to their Pixel's Settings > System > System update.

The previous Android 14 QPR2 Beta 1 release included fixing the package manager, which occasionally crashed while installing some apps. Another fix was for an issue that prevented users from submitting feedback on the Android Beta Feedback App. The previous release also fixed the 5G connectivity issues.

Ahead of the stable QPR1 release, which is likely set for December, QPR2 Beta preps Google's next major quarterly update, which will probably arrive in March.

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Your laptop’s built-in webcam doesn’t hold a candle to the best Android phones out there when it comes to video quality, which is why many people use their Android phone as a webcam for their PC. The only problem with this approach is that it’s not as convenient to set up, which is why most people settle for external webcams that are usually plug-and-play. That’s why we were initially excited to see that Google is bringing native webcam functionality to Pixel phones with an upcoming Android 14 update. However, after actually trying it out for ourselves, our excitement has waned. 

Those of you who are running Android 14 on your Pixel phone might be a bit confused because this native webcam functionality is nowhere to be found. That’s because it’s only included in the Android 14 QPR beta releases right now. The way this feature works under the hood is quite complicated, but all you really need to know is that it turns your Android phone into a standard USB webcam that most PCs running Windows, macOS, or Linux will recognize. All you have to do is connect your phone to your PC via USB, pull down the notifications panel on your phone, open the USB preferences page, and then change the USB mode to “Webcam.” 

You don’t need to tinker with any settings or install any additional software on your phone or PC; your phone will just appear as an “Android Webcam” in video conferencing software like Google Meet or Zoom. Android 14 does offer a preview of the video feed, let you adjust the zoom level, and change which camera lens is used, but you don’t get any of the myriad of controls offered by third-party webcam software like Camo.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with Google keeping Android 14’s webcam feature simple, because most Android phone cameras can handle typical home office lighting scenarios just fine. But there does seem to be something wrong with the way Google set up the feature in the first place, because for some reason, the video quality is substantially worse than what it could be.

For example, here are some screenshots from a Google Meet call where I used Android 14’s webcam feature, Reincute’s Camo app, and the scrcpy tool’s camera mirroring feature on my Pixel 8 Pro. Android 14’s webcam feature doesn’t let you choose the resolution or frame rate, though since it maxes out at 1080p 30fps, I used that resolution and frame rate in Camo and scrcpy.

Just to be sure that neither Google Meet nor my Pixel 8 Pro were the issues here, I also tested my Pixel 6a, Pixel 6 Pro, and Pixel 7 Pro on a separate PC, with different cables, and in Zoom and OBS Studio as well. The results were consistent: Android 14’s webcam feature offered substantially inferior video quality compared to Camo and scrcpy. I recorded a couple of videos locally through OBS Studio and uploaded them to YouTube in case you want to see how dramatic the difference in quality really is.

I would be lying if I said Android 14’s webcam feature is unusable — far from it, in fact. When I used it on my Pixel 6 Pro to record episode 18 of the Android Faithful podcast, none of my co-hosts or audience members complained about my video quality. When I switched to using scrcpy as my webcam in episode 19, however, my co-hosts could definitely tell there was a big boost in quality.

You might think that increasing the webcam quality to 4K30 like I did when I recorded episode 19 of Android Faithful would cause my Pixel 6 Pro to overheat and lose a ton of battery even when plugged in, but that actually wasn’t the case. Before the show, I ran scrcpy’s camera mirroring feature at 4K30 for an hour and noted the battery level and temperature of my Pixel 6 Pro.

After an hour, the battery level only dropped 5%, and the temperature only reached 36°C. When I recorded this data again over the two-hour period that the podcast was recording, the battery level only dropped 6%, and the temperature only reached 37.3°C. The tests I ran were far from scientific and, of course, were dependent on the device I used and the ambient temperature in my recording environment (~23°C). Still, I think I’ve demonstrated that thermal/battery concerns aren’t really at issue here. 

When Google’s own marketing tries to sell the idea that Android 14 will let you use “your epic Android camera” as a “beautiful webcam,” I think it’s fair to have high expectations. I think most people are just so accustomed to mid-tier webcams and video conferencing software compression that the bar has been set so low for what makes a “good” webcam. My $1,000 Pixel 8 Pro shouldn’t just be a good webcam; it should be an amazing one. 

I’m not exactly sure what the issue is with Android 14’s webcam feature, but I would be surprised if it’s something Google can’t fix. It’s not like Camo or scrcpy are doing anything special to improve video quality when using your Android phone as a webcam — they’re using the same API (Camera2) to access the device’s camera, after all. My hope is that Google just chose rather aggressive compression settings so that users on less stable or slower networks won’t face issues during video calls. 

I said earlier that I don’t think there’s anything wrong with Google keeping things simple. Still, I think Google should at least provide an option to use higher-quality settings, perhaps with a warning that these settings could cause the device to overheat or degrade the battery longevity if used for a prolonged period. Because as of right now, I can’t recommend using Android 14’s webcam feature over third-party solutions. 

What you need to know

• The stable One UI 6.0 update for Galaxy S22 is currently rolling out to users in some European regions.
• The stable release is initially available for those who signed up for the beta version, and once it's completed, the update will extend to users still on Android 13.
• One UI 6.0 for Galaxy S22 includes lock screen customization, better permission management, and other new features.

Samsung's One UI 6 rollout is finally here, bringing the goodness of Android 14 to your beloved Galaxy smartphones, and the Galaxy S22 series is the latest batch to be rocking the stable One UI 6 update.

If you're part of the beta squad in Europe for the Samsung Galaxy S22, the One UI 6 final build is now up for grabs (via SamMobile). This lightweight 300MB update also packs the November 2023 security patch to keep your device protected.

However, if you haven't joined the One UI 6 beta on your Galaxy S22, hold your horses; you'll need to chill for a bit longer. Samsung is holding off for a few days to make sure there are no funky bugs causing a ruckus in the stable build.

SamMobile speculates that the big rollout for all you Galaxy S22 users might not kick in until next week, at the earliest. And when it does, the build that beta users in Europe got might not be the same one everyone else gets. Over in India, Samsung's apparently cooking up a newer version of the stable One UI 6 firmware.

As for the other Samsung models waiting on that stable release, don't bet the farm on the company's original timeline. The schedule that Samsung dropped on its community forum is MIA now. It looks like some of those dates it threw out there sailed by without any updates.

Samsung might have gotten a bit mixed up with its One UI 6 update schedule. The previous release schedule stated that some devices, like the Galaxy Z Flip 5, would get the update on November 13, but that hasn't happened yet.

One UI 6 is packed with new features that will make your Samsung device more fun and functional. From updated emoji and a new system font to a redesigned Quick Settings panel, there's something for everyone. Plus, all the latest security and privacy features from Android 14 are thrown in for good measure.

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