Latest from Android Central in Android-16

Apple's rumored iPhone 18 anti-theft feature is already on Android, and you should enable it ASAP

Nicholas Sutrich — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 09:05:00 +0000

You've probably seen the news stories about someone walking along, talking on their phone, when it's suddenly swiped from their hands by a thief on a full-tilt run. Assuming you can quickly access a computer or another device that is signed into your Google account, it's pretty easy to lock the device and track its location, but what happens during that valuable time between the time the phone is swiped and when it's locked? Probably nothing good.

That's why Google invented Android Advanced Protection, a suite of automated tools designed to keep your phone safe no matter whose hands it ends up in. Google began testing this feature with Android 16 beta releases in the Summer of 2025 and released the tools to all Android 16-powered phones early in 2026.

Advanced Protection packs in tons of great features that'll keep you protected every day, from preventing memory bugs and malware, to blocking insecure network connections and websites, and even the aforementioned physical theft prevention. But, if all those things don't matter too much to you, Theft Protection is still one separate feature you'll want to enable ASAP.

What is Android theft protection?

Android theft protection is a component of Google's wider Advanced Protection suite and has deep hooks into Android 16 (and beyond). It was initially a Pixel-exclusive feature, but as with most of these types of features, it made its way to other Android phones before long. The wider Advanced Protection suite covers:

Device safety: Automatically locks when physical theft is detected, the device goes offline, automatically reboots the phone if it's been sitting unlocked for 3 consecutive days, and blocks USB connections when the phone is locked.
Apps: Forces Google Play Protect scanning for all installed apps and blocks installation of apps from unknown sources.
Networks and web: Disables connection to 2G networks (which can be easily spoofed), enables Live Protection for websites, blocks harmful websites and warns against insecure websites, and disables some JavaScript actions to reduce risk.
Spam protection: Enables spam protection in the Google Phone and Google Messages apps, automatically filters spam calls and messages, and blocks suspicious links in messages.

Advanced Protection and theft detection are available on all phones that use the full Google Services Suite. If you bought an Android phone from all the most common companies — Samsung, Google, OnePlus, Motorola, Honor, Nothing, and most other global models — it should be available for you.

Phones that ship with a limited Google services suite, like the Fairphone 6, aren't eligible even though they're running Android 16 or later. This is because they don't allow trackers and other components of the Google Play suite that are needed for these services to function.

How to enable Android theft protection

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Android Theft Protection can be enabled separately from the Advanced Protection suite and is conveniently found in the device lock section of your phone's settings. You'll have to toggle a few options to ensure it's fully working, but it's a quick setup that takes about a minute.

First, you'll want to enable Identity Check, which helps your phone ensure that you are in possession of your phone and not someone else. Each category provides a more secure authentication and should help prevent data theft.

1. Open system settings by tapping the settings icon in your app drawer, or by swiping down on the status bar and tapping the gear icon.

2. Scroll down to and tap Security & privacy.

3. Select Device unlock from the list.

4. Tap on Theft protection.

5. Select Identity check.

6. Click through each of the available sections to complete them.

7. Once all sections are completed, you can tap the toggle next to Use identity check to enable it.

(Image credit: Android Central)

Now that identity check is enabled, you can navigate back to the theft protection section and complete the rest of the steps:

1. Enable both Theft Detection Lock and Offline Device Lock by tapping the toggle next to each entry.

2. Tap on the Remote Lock section.

3. Tap the toggle next to Use remote lock to enable the feature.

4. Navigate back to the theft protection section, then tap on Find & erase your device.

5. When the Find Hub section appears, tap the toggle next to Allow device to be located to enable the feature.

(Image credit: Android Central)

Now that the full theft protection suite is enabled, you can rest assured that your data is safe even if your phone is stolen. In the tragic event of this happening, you can open the Google Find Hub website on any computer, sign in with your Google account, and then select your phone from the list. From there, you can locate your phone, remotely wipe it, and more. Google also makes a dedicated Android app, if that's more convenient.

Upgrading to the full Advanced Protection suite

Theft Protection is a great start to ensuring your phone is secure, but Advanced Protection will provide even greater safety measures for everyday life. The best part is that you don't have to enable a bunch of different settings to get this done. It's a one-and-done setting, and it's quick to find:

1. Open system settings by tapping the settings icon in your app drawer, or by swiping down on the status bar and tapping the gear icon.

2. Scroll down to and tap Security & privacy.

3. Scroll down to the bottom and tap Advanced Protection in the Other settings category.

4. Select the toggle next to Device protection to enable it.

5. When the information dialog appears, tap the Turn On button to enable Advanced Protection.

6. If prompted, tap the restart button to reboot your phone.

(Image credit: Android Central)

The Advanced Protection suite will automatically enable theft protection, if you didn't previously enable it. You actually cannot disable theft protection if the Advanced Protection suite is enabled, ensuring that this key feature can't accidentally be turned off.

What are the downsides?

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Bulking up security always has some downside, but most users likely won't notice anything in their daily phone use. When potential theft is detected, the Android OS will automatically lock your phone to help prevent a thief from accessing your data. If it somehow identifies this erroneously, all you have to do is unlock the phone, which likely isn't any different from your normal phone use.

Google intentionally designed the rest of the Android Advanced Protection suite to be a "low-friction" experience, as well, so the other major features of the platform should also be just as transparent as the anti-theft one.

Some users might find Advanced Protection a little too restrictive, but it largely depends on how you use your phone. If you install all your apps from the Google Play Store, you shouldn't run into any software issues at all. If you're someone like me who occasionally sideloads APKs for development testing, or if you have a specific set of sideloaded apps you normally use, Advanced Protection won't let you run them.

There's always a slight possibility that a proactive feature like this could drain your battery a bit more, but I've never seen evidence of this on my devices. All in all, Advanced Protection with anti-theft detection is a great feature that provides you with substantial security upgrades with nearly zero change in your daily smartphone routines.

3 ways you can use Circle to Search to identify songs on any Android phone

bradypsnyder@gmail.com (Brady Snyder) — Thu, 28 May 2026 10:05:00 +0000

Circle to Search grew to become one of Android's most essential features. Unlike other Google AI tools, Circle to Search isn't held back by system requirements or exclusivity. It's available on basically every Android phone running the latest software. In fact, Circle to Search is also available on iPhones via the Google and Chrome apps. Initially touted as a way to identify and search the content on your Android phone screen by searching it, the Circle to Search tool can now do much more than that.

One of the feature's more underrated capabilities is its ability to recognize music. Similar to third-party apps like Shazam, Circle to Search can identify songs playing in your environment. It can even detect and recognize songs playing directly from your device, or name the song you can only hum with basic chords. Here are the three ways to name that song using Circle to Search you probably haven't tried before.

Recognize songs playing on your device

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

The oval-shaped Circle to Search user interface now includes quite a few functions. As a refresher, touch and hold the navigation bar on your Android phone to surface it. Then, you'll have a search bar, a dictation button, a music note button, and a translation button. You can also tap or circle any area of your screen to search it. For this exercise, we're focusing on that music note.

Tapping the music note button lets you instantly identify songs using Google Search. However, you might not know that Circle to Search can also recognize music playing from your device. If you're hearing a song you don't recognize in a streaming or social app, you can activate Circle to Search and ask it to identify the name of the artist in that track.

Hum a song to identify it

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

More specifically, tapping the music note in Circle to Search surfaces a screen that tells you to Play, sing, or hum a song. That's right — you can sing or hum along to a song that's stuck in your head, and Circle to Search will try to figure out the name and artist. We've all had a song that we can't get out of our minds, yet somehow we can't remember a single thing about it or even just one lyric. This Circle to Search mode is the perfect solution.

Instead of using a Google Search query to try (and probably fail) to describe the song running around in your brain, just sing or hum along to the beat for Circle to Search. It works better than you think. I hummed along to the chords of AC/DC's Highway to Hell and Circle to Search figured out the name in a few seconds.

Recognize songs playing around you

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

Finally, you can still use Circle to Search to simply identify songs playing in your environment. If you hear a song playing in a cafe or restaurant that you like, tap the navigation bar to launch Circle to Search, press the music note, and wait for the magic to happen. It usually only takes a few seconds, and you'll see a Google Search page open with the artist and track name you were looking for.

With the page open, you can read the song's lyrics, play the track on YouTube, or learn more about the artist. It's much simpler than using Gemini or a third-party song recognition service like Shazam. Since only Pixels have access to the fan-favorite Now Playing app, Circle to Search is a great alternative for every Android user.

Circle to Search is one of my favorite Android features due to its versatility. It can use Google Lens to search the web for what's on your screen, scan QR codes and read barcodes, translate languages, and even identify songs. If you're only using Circle to Search for reverse image searches, you're missing out — it's so much more powerful than that.

Google

Pixel 10

Best Google AI phone

If you're all about Google AI features like Circle to Search, the Google Pixel 10 is the phone for you. It's powered by the Tensor G5 chipset and is usually the first to get new Google features with quarterly Pixel Drops. The phone comes with Android 16, and it gets seven years of Android OS upgrades thereafter.

The latest Pixel update tackles Android 16's early stability woes

techkritiko@gmail.com (Jay Bonggolto) — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:04:00 +0000

What you need to know

Google's April 2026 patch stops frustrating crashes for banking and third-party apps across the entire lineup, from the Pixel 6 to the Pixel 10a.
Users of the Pixel 10, Pro, and Pro XL get a dedicated fix to prevent games from crashing during heavy sessions.
Google also fixed the disappearing Quick Search Bar on the home screen and restored the missing Backup menu for older devices like the Pixel Fold and Pixel 8.

The excitement of a new OS release often fades quickly when your favorite app crashes or your settings menu goes missing. If Android 16 has been giving you trouble, Google is offering some relief with the April 2026 security patch for Pixel phones.

Android Central's Take

If anything, this patch feels like Google fixing its own homework after turning it in too early.

While new features usually get all the attention, this update is focused on maintenance. If your Pixel has been unreliable lately, these fixes are meant for you.

This month’s update mainly addresses app stability. Users of nearly every recent Pixel, from the 6 series to the new Pixel 10a, have reported crashes with banking and third-party apps. This patch includes a fix to help prevent those crashes.

Pixel 10a, have reported crashes with banking and third-party apps. This patch includes a fix to help prevent those crashes.

Pixel 10 owners get game crash fixes

If you have the latest Pixel 10, this update brings a fix for gaming performance. Owners of the 10, Pro, and Pro XL have seen some games crash in certain situations, and this patch should help keep your games running smoothly.

Android Central's Take

It is surprising that in 2026 we still have issues like disappearing search bars and banking apps that struggle with system updates. I appreciate the smart features on Pixels, but I would prefer a phone that always displays its settings menu correctly. Google is quick with fixes, but sometimes it feels like users are testing new Android versions for free during the first six months.

The update also addresses some system issues. One fix brings back the quick search bar that has been disappearing from home screens, which should make your phone easier to use.

If you have an older device like the Pixel Fold or Pixel 8, you may have noticed the Backup menu missing from your System settings. Google has put it back where it belongs. Pixel 9 owners also get a stability fix for Quick Share, which has been crashing during file transfers.

Besides bug fixes, the April update includes the required security bulletins to protect your data. As usual, the rollout is happening in phases. Global versions for the Pixel 6 through the 10 Pro Fold are available now, but some carriers and users in Australia may get slightly different build numbers ending in .A1.

Make sure you have a stable Wi-Fi connection before updating. To check for the update, go to Settings, then System, then Software updates. If it is not available yet, it should arrive within the next week.

Google just announced Wear OS 6.1, and it adds a time zone feature I've wanted for years

sanujb6@gmail.com (Sanuj Bhatia) — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 21:49:20 +0000

What you need to know

Wear OS 6.1 adds location-based time zone detection, letting watches update time without a paired phone.
The update is based on Android 16 QPR2 and doesn't bring any major visible UI changes.
Other new features include kids account "graduation" and improved re-authentication without factory reset.

Google today quietly announced Wear OS 6.1, bringing a small but useful location-based time feature that arguably should've arrived much earlier.

Visually, Google hasn't revealed any UI changes with Wear OS 6.1, but it has confirmed that the update is based on Android 16's Quarterly Platform Release (QPR) at API level 36.1. This isn't the latest March Android 16 QPR3 update, but rather the Android 16 QPR2 build from December 2025.

That said, Wear OS 6.1 does bring some new features. One of the key additions, as detailed in Google's Android Developers blog post, is location-based time zone detection. Google says smartwatches running Wear OS 6.1 and above can now automatically set their time zone based on their physical location.

Currently, Wear OS smartwatches rely on their paired Android phone to determine the time zone. With Wear OS 6.1, that changes, as watches can now update their time zone independently. Google notes that this helps keep time accurate when traveling between regions, even without a network connection.

Users will be able to set this feature by heading to Settings > Date & Time > Use location.

(Image credit: Michael Hicks / Android Central)

In addition, Wear OS 6.1 introduces some improvements for kids' accounts. There's a new "Kids graduation" feature, which allows supervised accounts to transition into regular accounts once the user reaches the appropriate age.

Google has also improved re-authentication support. If a user's credentials become invalid, for example, if they change their password, they can now re-verify their Google account directly on the watch or through the companion app, without needing to factory reset the device.

For now, Google hasn't rolled out Wear OS 6.1 to any smartwatches yet. It's expected to arrive first on the Pixel Watch 4 and then expand to older Pixel Watch models in a future update. Samsung is also likely to adopt Wear OS 6.1 for its Galaxy Watch lineup soon. We'll update this as and when the rollout begins.

Android Central's Take

After reading Google's post, I wondered why this wasn't already a thing on Wear OS. It feels so basic, but I'm just glad Google's finally fixing it, especially for anyone who travels frequently.

Xiaomi 17 vs. Xiaomi 17 Ultra: Sibling rivalry

sharmarajat@zoho.com (Rajat Sharma) — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 16:21:27 +0000

Xiaomi 17

Compact all-rounder

The Xiaomi 17 is a premium Android phone that offers top-of-the-line hardware, a versatile primary camera setup, and a huge battery with super-fast charging, all in a form factor comfortable enough for one-handed usage.

Pros

Stunning design and robust build quality
Powerhouse hardware specifications
Big battery with fast wired and wireless charging

Cons

Not available in the United States
No Qi2 support

Xiaomi 17 Ultra

Camera-centric colossus

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is a top-tier Android phone targeted at those who genuinely love shooting photos and videos. It features a one-of-a-kind rear camera system, optional accessories, and a gorgeous, vibrant display.

Pros

Phenomenal camera setup
Superb construction and good ingress protection
Battery endurance is among the best out there

Cons

Pricey, even without optional accessories
Software needs some improvements

If you're planning to purchase a new premium Android phone in 2026 and want something that isn't a Samsung Galaxy or a Google Pixel, you might want to take a gander at Xiaomi's offering(s). The Chinese behemoth recently launched its flagship 17 series in multiple key markets worldwide. The lineup includes two smartphones, the Xiaomi 17 and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, both of which are packed with more features than you can shake a stick at. Gorgeous design? Check. Terrific cameras? Absolutely. The latest in terms of hardware and software? You got it.

But even with all their similarities, Xiaomi's two newest smartphones are quite different, so choosing one over the other isn't as easy as it may seem. So, let's take a comparative look at Xiaomi 17 vs. Xiaomi 17 Ultra and see how these two members of the same family fare against each other.

Xiaomi 17 vs. Xiaomi 17 Ultra: Design and display

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

Compare these two Xiaomi flagships side by side, and the first visual distinction that becomes immediately apparent is their differing physical footprint. While the Xiaomi 17 is a fairly compact device, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is a much more substantial piece of hardware. As you'd expect, the 17 Ultra is also a bit heavier (28g, to be exact) than the 17. Flip the flagships to their business side, and the size difference also translates to the amount of visual real estate you get.

The Xiaomi 17 comes with a 6.3-inch OLED panel (protected by Xiaomi Shield Glass) with a pixel density of around 460ppi, whereas the Xiaomi 17 Ultra packs a 6.9-inch OLED screen (protected by Xiaomi Shield Glass 3.0) with a pixel density of about 416ppi. Surrounded by extremely thin bezels, both displays are amazing to look at and fantastic to interact with, thanks to their 120Hz variable refresh rate, 12-bit color depth, up to 3,500nits of peak brightness, DCI-P3 color space compatibility, and multi-format HDR support.

(Image credit: Xiaomi)

The rear design is where things get quite interesting. The Xiaomi 17 sports an all-glass back panel, with its triple-lens camera setup housed in a color-matched square housing in the top-left corner. On the other hand, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra features a gargantuan circular black camera island that's home to its powerhouse triple-lens camera system, and the housing occupies most of the top half of the fiber-reinforced plastic back panel. It goes without saying that both of these smartphones have top-tier build quality, complete with an aluminum frame, tactile physical buttons, and IP68 certification for dust and water resistance.

Xiaomi 17 vs. Xiaomi 17 Ultra: Specs

Category	Xiaomi 17	Xiaomi 17 Ultra
Dimensions	151.1 x 71.8 x 8.0 mm (5.94 x 2.82 x 0.31 in)	162.9 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm (6.41 x 3.05 x 0.33 in)
Durability & Material(s)	IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, Xiaomi Shield Glass (front), Glass (back), aluminum frame	IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, Xiaomi Shield Glass 3.0 (front), Fiber-reinforced plastic (back), aluminum frame
Weight	191 g	219 g
Display	6.3-inch CrystalRes OLED (1220x2656 pixels resolution), LTPO, 120Hz variable refresh rate, 12-bit color depth, 3,500nits peak brightness	6.9-inch HyperRGB OLED (1200x2608 pixels resolution), LTPO, 120Hz variable refresh rate, 12-bit color depth, 3,500nits peak brightness
Chipset / SoC	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
RAM	12GB LPDDR5X	16GB LPDDR5X
Storage	256GB/512GB UFS 4.1	512GB/1TB UFS 4.1
Sensors	Under-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor, Barometer, Electronic compass, Flicker sensor, Gyroscope, Hall sensor, Laser focus sensor, Proximity sensor	Under-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor, Barometer, Electronic compass, Flicker sensor, Gyroscope, Hall sensor, Laser focus sensor, Proximity sensor
Connectivity & I/O	Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, 5G (mmWave and Sub-6), GPS, NFC, and USB-C 3.2 (with DisplayPort)	Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, 5G (mmWave and Sub-6), GPS, NFC, and USB-C 3.2 (with DisplayPort)
Other Features	IR Blaster, IceLoop cooling system	IR Blaster, Dual-channel IceLoop cooling system
Battery & Charging	6,330mAh Si/C, 100W (wired) and 50W (wireless) charging	6,000mAh Si/C, 90W (wired) and 50W (wireless) charging
Cameras (Rear)	50MP wide-angle, 50MP floating telephoto (2.6x optical zoom), and 50MP ultra-wide \| 8K video recording	50MP wide-angle, 200MP continuous telephoto (3.2x-4.3x optical zoom), and 50MP ultra-wide \| 8K video recording
Camera (Front)	50MP wide-angle \| 4K video recording	50MP wide-angle \| 4K video recording
Camera-related features	Leica filters and photographic styles, RAW mode support, Log video recording	Leica filters and photographic styles, RAW mode support, Log video recording
OS & Software Support	Android 16 (preinstalled) with HyperOS 3 UI overlay, up to six years of OS updates and security patches	Android 16 (preinstalled) with HyperOS 3 UI overlay, up to six years of OS updates and security patches
Color Options	Alpine Pink, Ice Blue, Black, Venture Green	Black, White, Starlit Green

Both flagships are loaded to the gills, with Qualcomm's top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 silicon headlining the spec sheets. Although the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (16GB RAM and 512GB/1TB storage) takes things a bit further compared to the Xiaomi 17 (12GB RAM and 256GB/512GB storage), both phones offer superfast LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage. Needless to say, these two devices can effortlessly handle just about anything you throw at them, and both are capable of holding their own against the best Android phones available out there.

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

You also get all essential connectivity and I/O options on both smartphones, including Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, multi-band 5G, NFC, and USB Type-C 3.2 with DisplayPort functionality. In true Xiaomi fashion, there's even an IR blaster included in the mix.

Xiaomi 17 vs. Xiaomi 17 Ultra: Cameras

(Image credit: Xiaomi)

Both the Xiaomi 17 and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra pack impressive primary camera arrays co-engineered with Leica, continuing the long-standing collaboration between the two brands. The Xiaomi 17 has a triple-lens rear camera system with a 50MP (1/1.31-inch size) primary sensor, a 50MP floating telephoto unit with 2.6x optical zoom, and a 50MP ultrawide module. It's a versatile setup that lets the Xiaomi 17 capture incredible photos and high-resolution videos in all kinds of lighting conditions.

But as incredible as that is, it's the Xiaomi 17 Ultra that really takes things to the next level, with a triple-lens rear camera setup comprising a 50MP (1-inch) primary sensor, a 200MP telephoto unit with 3.2x-4.3x continuous optical zoom, and a 50MP ultrawide module. If all that sounds like some serious camera hardware, it's because it is.

As noted by Android Central's Harish Jonnalagadda in his review, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra captures extraordinary photos packed with detail, even in less-than-ideal lighting. All three lenses work equally well, and Xiaomi has made a lot of improvements to its image processing and color tuning. The same is true for videos, too, with full support for cinematic color profiles and professional video controls.

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

Furthermore, the camera experience on both smartphones is helped by a laundry list of customization tools, Leica-inspired photographic styles, RAW capture support, Log video recording, and a lot more. In summation, the Xiaomi 17 and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra are hands down two of the best Android camera phones you can get in the market right now.

Xiaomi 17 vs. Xiaomi 17 Ultra: Software and battery life

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

Running Android 16 out of the box, the Xiaomi 17 and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra are identical in terms of their overall software experience. You get Xiaomi's HyperOS 3 UI overlaid on top, and it's quite reliable for everyday use.

Although HyperOS 3 is not as feature-laden as some competing UI overlays like One UI (Samsung) and OxygenOS (OnePlus), you still get a bunch of customization options (dynamic wallpapers, 'HyperIsland' alerts) and Xiaomi's own suite of AI-powered utilities, along with Google's AI-based tools like Gemini.

The company has promised up to six years of OS updates and security patches for the two phones, but Xiaomi's track record isn't exactly the best when it comes to software support, so we'll just have to wait and see how things turn out in the real world.

(Image credit: Xiaomi)

Regarding the battery, it's a good thing that Xiaomi (like many other Chinese brands) has also embraced silicon-carbon technology, as both the Xiaomi 17 and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra have pretty sizeable powerpacks. It's also worth noting that the Xiaomi 17 comes with a bigger battery and faster wired charging (6,330mAh with 100W) compared to the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (6,000mAh with 90W), despite the former being the more compact of the two.

That said, you do get equally speedy wireless charging speed (50W) on both smartphones, so neither should have any issues going on a full day (or two) with moderate to heavy use.

Xiaomi 17 vs. Xiaomi 17 Ultra: Which should you go for?

Xiaomi

Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central

While they are very expensive, there's no denying that Xiaomi 17 (starting at around $1,199) and Xiaomi 17 Ultra (starting at about $1,732) are two of the most powerful and feature-laden Android smartphones you can buy in 2026. From top-of-the-line specifications to remarkable camera hardware to blazing-fast charging technology, they tick all the right boxes. You really can't go wrong with either, but (assuming you live in a region where they're available and don't care about the price) which one should you get?

The answer is fairly straightforward. If you want a well-rounded flagship smartphone that's comfortable enough for everyday use, the Xiaomi 17 will serve you quite well. As a matter of fact, the Xiaomi 17 is the sensible choice for most users. On the other hand, if you're someone who takes their photos (and videos) very seriously, getting the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is certainly recommended. It's a somewhat niche smartphone, but the 17 Ultra can (almost) double as a professional-level photo and video camera.

Xiaomi 17

Compact all-rounder

The Xiaomi 17 is aimed for those who want a flagship Android smartphone that ticks all the right boxes. It has incredible build quality, superb cameras, and a big battery that can be completely charged in just a matter of minutes.

Xiaomi 17 Ultra

Camera-centric colossus

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is perfect for those who want a powerful Android smartphone that goes the extra mile when it comes to photos and videos. It has an impressive primary camera system, a vibrant display, and a gorgeous design.

The next Android update may finally undo some of Google's worst decisions

sanujb6@gmail.com (Sanuj Bhatia) — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 10:13:36 +0000

What you need to know

Google's new Android Canary build hints at fixes for long-standing usability issues in the OS.
Separate Wi-Fi and mobile data toggles may return.
A native App Lock feature could let users secure apps without relying on third-party solutions.
Other UI changes like app bubbles, blur effects, and redesigned menus are also in early testing.

Google has released a new Canary build for Android, suggesting the company may finally address some long-standing annoyances in the OS.

Google has moved away from Developer Previews and shifted to a Canary-based release cycle. Now, before testing features with developers and public beta users, Google experiments with new changes through Canary builds. The latest Canary build (2603) introduces several features that could fix some of the more frustrating aspects of Android (via Android Authority).

(Image credit: Android Authority)

One of the biggest changes is the return of separate Wi-Fi and mobile data toggles. Until Android 11, Google offered separate switches for both, but later merged them into a single Internet toggle. That change made it a two-step process to disable Wi-Fi or mobile data. With this Canary build, Google appears to be bringing back the simpler one-step controls.

Android Central's take

Took them long enough. The merged internet toggle was always annoying, and going back to separate controls just feels like the right move.

In addition, Google is testing a new App lock feature, similar to what other Android skins and even iOS offer. This will allow users to lock apps using a PIN, pattern, password, or fingerprint, even on Pixel devices, without relying on third-party apps. The feature can be accessed by long pressing an app icon.

(Image credit: Android Authority)

Google is also working on an app bubbles feature. This lets you open apps in floating windows by long pressing an app icon and selecting the bubble option. These bubbles can be moved around the screen and, when tapped, expand into a floating window similar to picture-in-picture mode. You can dismiss them by dragging them to the bottom or using a dedicated dismiss option.

Android Central's take

These are the kind of features Pixel should've had by default. App lock is long overdue, and bubbles could be genuinely useful if done well.

Alongside these, Google is testing additional UI changes, including more blur effects across the system, a redesigned long press menu for app icons, and updated layouts for screen recording and permission dialogs. The new long press menu separates app shortcuts from system actions like App info, Pause, App lock, and Bubble into distinct sections.

If you want to try these features, keep in mind that Canary builds are not available through standard over-the-air updates. You will need to manually flash them using the Android Flash Tool, and installing these builds may wipe all data on your device.

The Fairphone 6 is getting Android 16 earlier than expected

techkritiko@gmail.com (Jay Bonggolto) — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 11:36:34 +0000

What you need to know

Fairphone has started rolling out Android 16 to the Fairphone 6 today (March 16), beating the typical update timeline most Android brands follow.
New tools like Force Group Notifications and Notification Cooldown bundle alerts and lower sound levels during message bursts, cutting down on notification overload.
Android 16 blocks risky actions, like enabling sideloading or granting sensitive permissions during calls, to help prevent social engineering attacks.
The new Outline Text feature adds a border around system text, improving readability for users who need higher visual contrast.

Most major software updates stick to a familiar pattern, with big tech companies leading the way. But Fairphone, a European company known for its sustainable phones, is surprising everyone by starting the Android 16 rollout for the Fairphone 6 today, March 16.

Android Central's Take

By releasing Android 16 so early, Fairphone is giving its users a smoother, safer phone experience and proving that quick, clean updates are possible for smaller manufacturers.

This is the first Fairphone to support the new operating system. Rather than adding flashy or experimental features, Fairphone says it is focusing on stability and practical, everyday use. The update keeps the interface clean and powerful, with no unnecessary apps or clutter.

If your phone often buzzes with too many notifications, Android 16 offers a helpful fix. The new "Force Group Notifications" setting gathers all alerts from the same app into one group, so you can expand or collapse them with a single tap.

There's also a new "Notification Cooldown" feature that lowers the alert volume if you get a lot of group chat messages at once, helping to reduce distractions.

Security and accessibility get meaningful upgrades

The update also adds new security features. To help prevent social engineering scams, Android 16 on the Fairphone 6 blocks certain actions during phone calls. This means scammers can't trick you into enabling app sideloading or giving sensitive permissions, like Accessibility access, while you're talking.

Android Central's Take

What stands out most to me about this update isn't the features, but the timing. Fairphone has managed to release Android 16 months ahead of most major competitors, even though those companies have far more resources. It's honestly a bit embarrassing for the big brands. If a small, sustainable company can do this, what's stopping everyone else?

For those who need better screen contrast, the new "Outline Text" tool adds a clear border around text to make it easier to read across the system.

There are also some popular quality-of-life improvements. Now, you can set your phone to open Google Wallet right away with a double press of the power button, making it faster to pay or use transit.

You can also choose different measurement systems in the settings. The update even adds seven new emojis from Unicode 16.0.

The Pixel 10 Pro finally solved my biggest privacy concern with this one feature

namerah.saud-fatmi@futurenet.com (Namerah Saud Fatmi) — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 16:57:00 +0000

We all have that one embarrassing app we'd like to hide, personal pictures we want to keep to ourselves, or important documents that should not be easily accessible to anyone who uses our phones. I use a neat little feature to store anything I don't want visible in a secret space on my Pixel 10 Pro, including apps, documents, and other files. Hidden items don't even show up in the phone's search results!

Why would you want to do that, you ask? A password protects your phone, but there are instances when friends, family, or others may access your device. In some countries, airport security officials can check your phone — yes, even personal apps like your social media and gallery.

Let's also not forget that if your phone gets lost or stolen, you don't want a stranger to gain access to highly sensitive data on it, such as a copy of your passport or private images.

Private Space hides secret apps on your phone

(Image credit: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)

The feature is officially called Private Space and has been around since Android 15 first launched. Despite a slightly glitchy start, Google has since ironed out the kinks, and it seems to be working smoothly now. As long as you have a phone that runs Android 15 or higher, you should be able to use this feature. Some non-Pixel phones may not have the feature.

Private Space lets you create a separate space on your Pixel device where you can install apps with another Google account. This lets you keep things like internet browsing history and app history completely separate. Here's how you can set up a Private Space on your Pixel.

How to create a Private Space on your Pixel

1. Open the Settings app on your Pixel phone.

2. Select Security and privacy.

3. Select Private space under the Privacy section.

(Image credit: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)

4. Tap the SET UP button.

5. Create or sign in to a different Google account. You can also use your main Google account, but that defeats the purpose of a hidden digital space as your app history will be logged.

(Image credit: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)

6. Set a lock code for your Private Space. This can be the same as or different from your main device lock.

(Image credit: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)

At this point, your Private Space is ready to use. To start using it, head to your app drawer and scroll to the bottom. This is where you'll notice a locked section labeled 'Private' at the bottom.

Once unlocked, you can click the Add button to install hidden apps or store hidden files in the space. This is also where you can fiddle with the Private Space settings outside the main settings menu.

(Image credit: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)

Now, if you want to hide the Private Space itself, that can also be done. Just click the gear icon in the Private Space or head back to the main settings menu and locate the Private Space settings there.

Look for the Hide private space option and toggle it on.

(Image credit: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)

After that, the Private Space won't appear at the bottom of your app drawer anymore. You'll have to search for the keywords "Private Space" in your phone's search bar for it to appear.

Be sure to select a suitable setting for your Private Space's automatic lock settings. You can choose one of three options, choosing to lock the Private Space:

Every time device locks
5 minutes after screen timeout
Only after device restarts

If you don't set your device to automatically lock your Private Space, it won't be hidden until you have locked it.

A Private Space is like a second user profile on your phone

(Image credit: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)

Having a Private Space is like having a second profile on your Android phone. As long as you sign in to a different Google account for your Private Space, you don't have to worry about any usage history appearing in your phone's main Google account history.

Google automatically adds a few apps to your Private Space once you've set it up. This includes the Play Store and other Google apps, such as Chrome, Photos, Contacts, Camera, Files, Passwords, and even Gemini. You can add apps to this secret space via the Play Store, but unfortunately, apps installed from other sources cannot be added.

Note that if you move files to the Private Space, they are removed from their original location.

If you hide the Private Space, I highly recommend setting it to lock automatically whenever the device locks — just in case you forget to lock it.

Google Pixel 10 Pro

All the best features

Be first in line to receive Android updates for the next seven years with the Pixel 10 Pro. The Pro model may be small, but it is certainly not meek. It packs upper-tier flagship features into a petite body. The cameras are world class, the UI is drool-worthy, and Pixelsnap brings native magnetic Qi2 to you.

Android 17 Beta 1 brings two small but useful Pixel Launcher UI changes

sanujb6@gmail.com (Sanuj Bhatia) — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 09:00:00 +0000

What you need to know

Android 17 beta 1 includes a few subtle UI changes.
The home screen search bar now has a slimmer design and is now customizable, letting users swap AI Mode for tools like Gemini Live or Translate.
Users can finally remove the At a Glance widget from the Pixel home screen.
Minor UI tweaks include a refreshed brightness icon in Quick Settings and clearer volume panel settings access.

While Android 17 may not look drastically different from Android 16 at first glance, Google has quietly introduced two small UI tweaks to the Pixel Launcher.

After some initial confusion, Google finally rolled out Android 17 beta 1 February 13, 2026. The update focuses primarily on larger changes, such as improving the large-screen experience and boosting performance. However, it also includes a few subtle UI changes within the Pixel Launcher.

The most noticeable change centers around the home screen search bar. On Android 16, the search bar featured thick colored borders. With Android 17, Google appears to have reverted to a slimmer design that closely resembles the older style many users were familiar with.

(Image credit: Sanuj Bhatia / Android Central )

One small but meaningful update is that the shortcut now sits inside the search bar rather than outside it. More importantly, the shortcut is now customizable. While it defaults to an AI Mode shortcut, you can swap it for tools like Gemini Live, Translate, Song Search, Weather, Dictionary, and more.

Tapping a shortcut updates the search bar instantly, and selecting it launches the chosen feature. At the moment, there doesn't appear to be an option to replace the voice search or Google Lens shortcuts.

In addition, Android 17 beta 1 introduces the ability to remove the At a Glance widget from the home screen. Although Google previously tested this with select users in the Android 16 QPR3 betas, it now seems widely available in Android 17 beta 1. You can remove it by long-pressing the widget and then removing the widget from Pixel Launcher settings.

(Image credit: Sanuj Bhatia / Android Central )

There are a few other minor UI tweaks as well. The volume panel now includes a settings icon at the bottom for clearer access to volume controls, and the brightness icon in Quick Settings appears to have been refreshed. As always, these changes could change or disappear in future beta builds.

Android Central's Take

The ability to customize the search bar is a genuinely welcome addition. While I enjoy using AI Mode, I also frequently use Google for sports updates and Song Search, so being able to switch the shortcut makes the experience more flexible. I just hope Google eventually lets us customize more of the shortcuts in the future.

I fixed my social media doomscrolling with this underrated Pixel feature

sanujb6@gmail.com (Sanuj Bhatia) — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 05:52:30 +0000

One of my resolutions going into 2026 was to reduce my phone usage. I've genuinely become addicted over the past few years, constantly checking my Pixel 10 Pro throughout the day. Even though I know it's not great for my eyes or my mental health, I just haven't been able to put it down.

A big part of that problem has been social media apps. As much as I want to quit platforms like X, Reddit, and Instagram, I haven't managed to do it. Whether I'm watching a soccer game or standing in an airport queue, I always have X open and catch myself scrolling far more than I should.

Lately, though, I've managed to cut back a bit. I now find myself using these apps less, especially during work hours when I shouldn't be distracted. A big reason for that has been Android's built-in Modes feature, and here's how it can help you, too.

(Image credit: Sanuj Bhatia / Android Central)

A big reason social media apps manage to pull you back in and get you 'hooked' is through notifications. A friend sends a meme in your DMs, someone posts a reel, or even when nothing important happens, those social media apps promote posts on their platform through random notifications.

These apps use notifications cleverly to draw you back, and I'm not blaming them. The more time users spend on their platforms, the better it is for them.

However, for users like you and me, that can easily turn into 10 to 20 minutes wasted because of a single notification, and that too multiple times a day. Thankfully, Android offers a built-in solution that lets you control which apps and people can send you notifications at specific times of the day.

If the notification never shows up, you are less likely to open the app in the first place. That simple change has genuinely worked for me.

I've been using custom modes on my Pixel 10 Pro for different situations, like while working out or during work hours, allowing only selected apps to send notifications at those times. It has noticeably reduced my time on social media, and here's how you can set it up too.

How to set up Modes properly on your Google Pixel

Setting up Modes on a Google Pixel device is fairly simple. Before you begin, make sure your phone is up to date. The feature debuted with Android 15, so chances are you already have it. Here's how you can set up and customize Modes on a Pixel device:

1. Open the Settings app on your Pixel phone and tap Modes.

2. You'll see multiple preset Modes like Do Not Disturb, Bedtime, and Driving. Tapping any of these takes you to its customization page. However, if you simply want to block notifications from social media apps during work hours, I'd recommend setting up a Custom mode instead.

3. Tap Create your own mode and choose Custom.

4. Give your Mode a name, pick an icon, and tap Done.

5. On the next screen, you can begin customizing it.

(Image credit: Sanuj Bhatia / Android Central)

First, set a schedule. If you want the mode to turn on automatically at a specific time of day, such as during work hours when you feel most distracted, you can schedule it accordingly. You can also choose to turn it on manually whenever needed.

Next, customize notifications. You can allow only specific people to send notifications when the mode is active. This means their alerts will come through regardless of whether it's WhatsApp, SMS, or Gmail. I'd suggest keeping this limited to close family, though you can also set it to allow none.

You can also control which apps are allowed to send notifications. For example, I've set mine to allow apps like Asana, Gmail, and Slack during work mode, while other apps still send notifications silently. You can further adjust how alarms and media behave during this mode.

(Image credit: Sanuj Bhatia / Android Central)

Finally, you can tweak display settings associated with the mode. You can stop the screen from waking when notifications arrive, hide notification icons from the status bar, dim the wallpaper, or switch to dark mode. These visual cues will help you know when the mode is active.

Pixel Modes can seriously reduce screen time and distractions

(Image credit: Sanuj Bhatia / Android Central)

Modes have been around for a while, but I rarely see Pixel users fully take advantage of them. The ability to choose who can contact you and which apps are allowed to send notifications is genuinely useful, especially since many of us avoid enabling Do Not Disturb because of the fear of missing an important message.

Sure, turning on a Mode can feel like a two-step process if you don't have a schedule set, especially compared to Do Not Disturb, which some Pixel users preferred for its simplicity.

But in my opinion, the level of customization makes it worth it. The feature has genuinely helped me cut down my social media usage over the past few weeks, and it could help you do the same.

Google Pixel 10 Pro

The best Pixel for everyone

Google did a phenomenal job with the Pixel 10 Pro. It's just as small as the petite Pixel 10 but packs more RAM and has better cameras. It runs Android 16 out of the box and is first in line to get any software updates or new features from Google.

Google confirms the first Android 17 beta is coming soon — just as Android 16 QPR3 cycle ends

sanujb6@gmail.com (Sanuj Bhatia) — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 10:35:03 +0000

What you need to know

Google has released the final Android 16 QPR3 build, signaling testing is now complete.
Enrolled beta users will automatically transition to the upcoming Android 17 beta program.
Google has confirmed Android 17 testing is next, though no exact rollout date has been shared.

Google has officially announced that it has finished testing Android 16 QPR3, as it has released the final build. This also means the company is preparing to roll out the first beta for Android 17.

Android 16 QPR3 has been in testing for some time. Google released the second Android 16 QPR3 beta last month, and now, just about a month later, it has released the final build, Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2.1, for developers. The new version carries build number CP11.251209.009.A1 and is available for all compatible Pixel phones.

The update is around 100 MB in size, going up to 123 MB for the Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 series, which is relatively large for a minor 0.1 update. However, Google has not specified exactly what has been fixed in this beta. That said, you can download and install the latest build if you're enrolled in the Android beta program by heading to Settings > System > Software updates.

Android 16 QPR3 testing is officially done

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

This also confirms that with Android 16 QPR3 testing now complete, Google is preparing to begin the Android 17 beta program.

Google announced on Reddit's r/android_beta that Android 16 QPR3 has finished testing and that it is looking forward to the Android 17 Platform Release, referred to internally as 26Q2.

Those enrolled in the Android 16 QPR3 beta will automatically be moved to the Android 17 beta program, so there's no need to enroll again. Google has not shared an exact start date for the Android 17 beta, but we expect it to begin sooner rather than later.

As for the Android 16 QPR3 stable rollout, since Google has finished testing, we expect the company to release the stable build in early March 2026. The last major Android 16 QPR2 update was released in December, so it makes sense for Google to roll out QPR3, the next quarterly platform release, in March.

Android Central's Take

Exciting. Android's development cycle has clearly accelerated over the past couple of years, and it's interesting to see Google prepare a new major release just as the current one wraps up. We still do not know what Android 17 will bring, but given the version bump, I'm expecting meaningful changes.

This Android 16 protection feature looks like it's ready to help you with 'Intrusions'

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 11:04:00 +0000

What you need to know

Recent leaks regarding a previously rumored Advanced Protection feature surface again, showing Google's work toward "Intrusion Logging."
This feature, within Google's code, states that users can enable it and will be can be connected to a "trusted" expert if suspicious activity is found with their device.
Google recently rolled out Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 to enrolled Pixel users, providing an extensive list of fixes for crashes, notifications, and more.

There's an Android protection feature that's been in the works for a while now, and a new report seems to have discovered the fruits of Google's labor.

A recent Google Play Service version reportedly held clues about "Intrusion Logging," by tipster AssembleDebug and Android Authority. This feature appears to be the evolution of another intrusion tool that was reported early last year. The post states this feature will likely find a home in Android's Advanced Protections settings with a description that reads, "Preserves encrypted logs of some device activity in case of a security issue."

This is toggleable. If, when this arrives, users don't want to have this enabled, they're not forced to. However, after surfacing the feature early, the tipster's findings show that Google will connect users to a "trusted expert" if they need help after noticing suspicious digital movement.

These activity logs can only be accessed by using your Google account and lock screen credentials. According to a screenshot, what these logs will contain is reportedly "device connections, app installs, the last time your phone screen was unlocked, 'some' browsing history, and other data."

Seeing as these logs are incredibly important (and potentially sensitive), Google's code suggests it will house this for 12 months on its Cloud servers. However, there's a crucial note: these logs cannot be deleted manually. They will be removed from Google's Cloud servers on their own in 12 months.

Heightened Defenses

(Image credit: Android Authority)

There seems to be a little bit of a name change here. When this feature was first rumored, it was called "Intrusion Detection." Moreover, the feature was originally speculated to debut alongside Android 16 last year, but that never came to pass. Instead, those early rumors claimed Intrusion Detection would alert users to any suspicious activity regarding their device.

These encrypted logs about activity, which we've seen the tipster highlight today, were mentioned last year, too.

Strangely, the rumors then stated those logs would be placed in Google Drive (encrypted, still). The rumors seem to have changed, as the company might've opted to house them differently.

While it appears as though Intrusion Logging is mostly fleshed out, there's still no telling when it could roll out. There's hope that it's soon, though, as Google just debuted Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 this week. The update had an extensive list of fixes for enrolled Pixel phones for crashes, notification issues, and more. Perhaps we'll see Intrusion Logging appear with the next Android 16 QPR release.

Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 makes Settings easier to navigate and squashes plenty of bugs

sanujb6@gmail.com (Sanuj Bhatia) — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 12:38:00 +0000

What you need to know

Google has released Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 with a long list of bug fixes and stability improvements for Pixel phones.
The update fixes critical crashes, notification shade glitches, charging limit issues, and slow Wi-Fi connectivity problems.
Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 also introduces a cleaner System Settings layout with grouped sections for easier navigation.

It's been nearly a month since Google released the first Android 16 QPR3 beta, and the company has now rolled out the second beta, bringing a long list of fixes along with a redesigned System Settings interface.

The first Android 16 QPR3 beta introduced features like the ability to disable the At a Glance widget on the Pixel home screen and adjust flashlight sensitivity. While the Android 16 QPR3 beta 2 does not add many new user-facing features, Google has included an extensive list of bug fixes in this update.

According to Google, the Android 16 QPR3 beta 2 build fixes critical system crashes and device freezes, resolves UI glitches affecting the notification shade and app drawer, and addresses an issue where devices ignored battery charging limits. There are also fixes related to connectivity, including reports of slow Wi-Fi performance. Here is the full changelog of what is included in the latest beta build.

Here's everything that the Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 fixes

An issue where the app drawer could become unresponsive when scrolling, which required updates to how UI elements were rendered.
Android Auto incorrectly logs extensive screen time, impacting battery life.
Graphical glitches and performance degradation when interacting with the notification shade in full-screen or PiP modes by improving display rendering.
An excessive battery drain issue occurring overnight by optimizing background process power consumption.
An issue where the battery charging limit was not being respected causing devices to charge to 100% instead of the set limit.
An issue where users experienced slow internet speeds on Wi-Fi due to a Wi-Fi connection bug.
A crash when accessing radio information settings.
Users experienced a noticeable delay and lack of feedback when switching audio outputs to speakerphone during calls; this was resolved by improving audio routing logic.
A display issue causing screen flickering when waking the device from Always-On Display by updating system webview.
An issue where certain apps, including Microsoft applications managed by Intune, were crashing on startup due to a compatibility problem with the Android system that has now been resolved.
An issue causing inconsistent or failed wireless charging and slow wired charging by improving the power management system.
System crashes that occurred when folding a foldable device with an app open by fixing an issue with activity lifecycle management during device state changes.

Beyond bug fixes, Google has also made noticeable changes to the Settings app UI. Previously, navigating to Settings > System presented a long, uninterrupted list of options like Language & region, Keyboard, Navigation mode, and Gestures, with little visual separation.

Old System Settings (left) vs New (Center and Right) (Image credit: 9to5Google)

With Android 16 QPR3 beta 2, these options are now grouped into clearly defined sections for easier navigation (via 9to5Google). For example, keyboard, gestures, and navigation mode now live under an "Interaction" section, while system updates have their own "Update device" subsection. While search has always been available, the new layout makes it easier to quickly spot and access specific settings.

Android 16 QPR3 beta 2 is now rolling out as an OTA update for beta testers. The update carries build numbers CP11.251209.007.A1 and CP11.251209.007 and requires enrollment in the Android Beta Program. It supports Pixel devices ranging from the Pixel 6 series to the Pixel 10 lineup.

If you prefer not to install the beta via OTA, you can manually flash factory images onto your device. Otherwise, you can wait for the stable Android 16 QPR3 release, which is expected to roll out around March 2026

How to set up and use Android AI notification summaries

bradypsnyder@gmail.com (Brady Snyder) — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 16:35:05 +0000

Google is relatively late to the party when it comes to AI notification summaries, as brands like Apple and Motorola have already rolled out similar features. User responses have been mixed, though, with people reporting inaccurate and unhelpful results. Now, Google is finally rolling out AI notification summaries for Pixel users, and it has a chance to prove that slow and steady wins the race.

The feature works for notifications from popular messaging apps, condensing long chats into more digestible bites. It's all processed on-device, but the feature is disabled by default, so you'll need to manually enable Android's AI notification summaries if you want to see them. Here's how to do it and customize the feature to match your preferences.

Who can use AI notification summaries (and how they work)

(Image credit: Google)

Google added AI notification summaries to Android 16 with a Pixel Drop in December 2025. Notably, the feature is only available for Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 series phones, excluding the Pixel 9a.

Since the summarization happens on-device, the Pixel 9a's smaller 8GB of RAM is presumably not enough to power this tool. This also guarantees the contents of your notifications are never sent to Google. Additionally, summaries are only available in English.

Notification summaries are designed to work with long messages or group chats from messaging apps like Google Messages, Android Messages, WhatsApp, and others. It's not intended for short texts, so AI summaries will not generate in some cases. AI summaries will only generate if your screen is turned off briefly, and will not appear when you're using your phone.

When a notification is summarized using AI, a sparkle icon will appear beside the generated text. You can tap the summary to reveal the full message.

It's worth noting that a separate AI feature for notifications, Notification Organizer, debuted alongside AI summaries. We have a full guide to using Notification Organizer here if you want to use both AI features together.

How to set up and use Android AI notification summaries

Android 16's AI notification summaries are turned off by default. Enabling the AI-powered recaps is as simple as flipping a toggle in your Android notification settings. However, there's room for customization, as you can pick and choose which app notifications are summarized with AI.

Here's how to set up and customize Android AI notification summaries:

1. Open the Settings app on a Google Pixel phone.

2. Tap the Notifications page and press Notification summaries.

3. Flip the toggle beside Use notification summaries on.

4. Optionally, use the Manage apps page to customize which app notifications are summarized with AI.

(Image credit: Future)

Now, your notifications will be summarized as they arrive, especially for long messages and group chats. They'll appear in Android 16's notification shade as usual, with a small icon beside the summaries indicating they are generated with AI.

When to use Android's AI notification summaries

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Android 16's AI notification summaries are turned off by default and are incredibly customizable, so you're in full control when and if you use them. If you get a ton of long messages or have lively group chats that are hard to keep track of, notification summaries might be worth enabling. The short, simple AI summaries can let you know whether something needs your attention.

However, since the summaries are generated with AI, they can be inaccurate. It might be worth disabling these summaries for certain apps where accuracy is crucial. If you ever find them unhelpful, these summaries can be turned back off altogether.

Google

Pixel 10

The best for AI

The Google Pixel 10 series uses the Tensor G5 chipset for superior on-device AI processing, powering features like Android 16's notification summaries.

How to set up Android Parental Controls on your kid's phone

bradypsnyder@gmail.com (Brady Snyder) — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 17:52:07 +0000

Google offers a variety of parental control features in Android via the Family Link app. You can set up a phone from scratch for your child or set parental control settings later using Family Link, which is available across multiple Android phone brands. However, Google Pixel phones unlocked a new way to set parental controls with the December 2025 Pixel Drop.

The update added a parental controls settings page to the Settings app of Pixel phones and tablets, eliminating the need to go through the separate Family Link app. Additionally, this functionality means parents can easily add parental controls to their child's Pixel after it has already been set up. Here's how to use parental controls in the Settings app of your kid's Google Pixel phone or tablet.

What's different about Parental Controls in Android 16?

The Google Family Link app, available on all Android phones. (Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Google uses the Family Link app to manage parental controls across a wide range of Android phones. To be specific, Google Family Link works on devices running Android 5 (Lollipop) or newer, which covers an expansive set of both new and old phones and tablets. As an alternative to using Family Link features in a dedicated app, parents can set up parental controls in the Settings app of Google Pixel devices running the latest version of Android 16 or newer.

Parental Controls in Android settings allow parents to access both Family Link and device limits in one place. It can be password-protected for security. Parents can use Parental Controls in Android settings to set app limits, screen time restrictions, content blocks, and more.

The new page in Android's Settings app on Google Pixel phones will walk parents through the setup process on their kid's phone.

How to set up Android Parental Controls on your kid's phone

Following the December 2025 Pixel Drop, owners of Google Pixel phones and tablets can configure parental control settings straight from the main Settings app. Here's how to do it:

Tip: Parents, if your Google account is signed in on your kid's phone, you should remove it before continuing. Setting up parental controls will send two-step verification prompts to your kid's phone if your Google account is signed in to it, canceling the process and requiring you to start over.

1. Open the Settings app and tap Digital Wellbeing & parental controls.

2. At the bottom of the page, press Set up parental controls.

3. A screen will appear explaining how the setup process works. To proceed, tap Let's do this.

4. Pick a Google account to supervise. Once selected, tap Supervise account.

(Image credit: Future)

5. A setup screen will appear explaining that the parent should complete the next steps. Tap Next to continue.

6. Enter the parent's Google Account email or phone and press Next.

7. You'll then see a long page explaining how parental controls work. Read it carefully, then tap Next.

8. Another setup screen will appear explaining that a parent needs to activate Family Link and serve as an admin for this device. Don't worry, the setup process will guide you through everything. Tap Next to continue.

(Image credit: Future)

9. A prompt will appear asking you to allow supervision on your child's device. Tap Allow to approve it.

10. Now, it's time to review your parental control settings. Tap Controls on Google Play, Filters on Google Chrome, and Filters on Google Search. This will quickly allow you to set limits and content restrictions for your kid's phone. When finished, tap Next.

11. You'll now see a success screen. Tap Done to finish.

12. The Settings app will open the newly set up Parental Controls page.

(Image credit: Future)

13. Now, you'll see the full suite of Parental Controls. There are two sections to explore: Screen time controls and Supervision. The former limits app access, schedules downtime, and sets restrictions for school time. The latter monitors location, communication, and more.

14. Explore as much, or as little, of these settings as you'd like. Tapping each tab reveals the available parental controls in each category.

(Image credit: Future)

Now, you've set up Parental Controls on your kid's Android phone. From here, you can download the Family Link app for further controls, which is available on non-Pixel devices. This allows you to regularly check in on your kid's phone from your own smartphone remotely, removing the need to use their physical device.

Android's Parental Control settings are better on Pixel

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

While any Android user can set parental controls using the Family Link apps, the experience is more streamlined on a Pixel. The updated Settings app page for Parental Controls makes it easy for parents to manage parental control options directly on their kid's device. Since these features still integrate with Family Link, parents can manage settings on their own device with the app installed, too.

Google

Pixel 10

Great for kids

To use Android's seamless Parental Controls in the Settings app, you'll need a Pixel phone or tablet. The Google Pixel 10 is one of the best ones available, packing a triple-camera rear setup and a Tensor G5 chip.

How to set up and use Android AI notification organizer

roydon.cerejo@gmail.com (Roydon Cerejo) — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 06:04:51 +0000

One of the main advantages of using a Pixel phone is that you're usually first to get any new software feature that Google is working on. The last December 2025 feature drop added new ways of tackling your notifications. Notification summaries use AI to recap a long message or missed conversations in a group chat. We also got a new option called Notification organizer for automatically grouping and silencing low-priority notifications.

These features are currently only available on Google Pixel 9 and 10 series phones, and in limited regions, for now anyway. Once you've updated your Pixel phone, Notification organizer should be enabled by default. Here's how to access it and customize it if needed.

How to use Android AI notification organizer on a Pixel

1. Open the Settings app by tapping the shortcut on your homescreen or swipe the notification shade downward twice to find the gear icon at the bottom right.

2. Tap Notifications from the list of options.

3. Under the Manage menu, you should see Notification organizer.

4. The third screenshot below is what it will look like when it's working.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

5. You can customize the type of notifications you wish to group and even the apps that will use this feature.

6. Jump back to step no. 3, and here, you can uncheck certain groupings like notifications from social apps, news, etc.

7. Tapping the last menu item called Manage apps will let you select apps that you wish to exclude from Notification organizer. You might want to do this for apps that deliver critical notifications like banking apps.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

Note: In order to use Notification organizer, Google suggests that the following things need to be in order:

Primary system language needs to be English.
You phone's region needs to be one of these countries only: Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, United Kingdom, or United States.

Tame the notification surge with this very handy feature, only on Pixel phones

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

As the number of apps on your phone keeps growing, it's high time we got an intelligent way to manage various notifications from each app. Even without Notification organizer, you can still silence certain types of notifications for each app like news, promotions, etc. However, this involves going to the settings page of each app and managing the various notifications, which is a tedious and time-consuming process. The new Notfication organizer feature is a smarter way of doing the same thing.

The update began rolling out on December 2, 2025, in a phased manner, so if you haven't recieved this yet, be patient. Hopefully, we will see this feature roll out to more phones as well in 2026.

If you have a Pixel 9 or 10 series device, keep checking for the update if you didn't already get it.

Google Pixel 10 Pro

Keeps getting better

The Google Pixel 10 Pro is the best attempt by Google yet, and these quarterly updates keep improving its functionality. It is one of the best Pixel phones you can buy today and will continue to get better as the months go on.

Google starts rolling out Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1.1 is rolling out with an important fix

sanujb6@gmail.com (Sanuj Bhatia) — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 11:21:00 +0000

What you need to know

Google is rolling out Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1.1 for Pixel devices, with a focus on stability instead of new features.
The update fixes a bug that caused certain apps to crash on startup.
Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1.1 is a small 58MB update and supports Pixel phones ranging from Pixel 6 to Pixel 10.

Google has started rolling out a new Android 16 QPR3 beta update for Pixel devices, and while it does not introduce any new features, it does bring in an important fix for an issue that could affect everyday usage.

The update, labeled Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1.1, is now rolling out to supported Pixel phones as a minor follow-up to the first Android 16 QPR3 beta released earlier this month. This update focuses primarily on stability rather than adding new functionality.

As per the official changelog, Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1.1 fixes an issue that caused some apps to crash immediately on startup (Issue #470144317, Issue #470214834). Google lists this as a change addressing problems where certain apps would fail to launch correctly.

The new build bumps the version number to CP11.251114.007, up from CP11.251114.006, and comes in at roughly 58 MB in size. It is available for a wide range of Pixel devices, starting from the Pixel 6 series and extending all the way up to the latest Pixel 10 lineup. If your device is already enrolled in the Android Beta Program, the update should arrive as an OTA download.

Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1.1 fixes an annoying app crash bug

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

The first Android 16 QPR3 beta introduced a handful of notable changes. One of the biggest additions was the option to disable the At a Glance widget from the home screen, something Pixel users have been asking for years. Google also added the ability to swap the back and recent buttons when using three-button navigation.

Another standout change introduced with QPR3 Beta 1 was improved flashlight controls. Instead of a simple on-or-off toggle, the system now lets you adjust the brightness level of the flashlight, similar to iPhones.

If you want to try out the latest Android 16 beta, make sure your Pixel is enrolled in the Android Beta Program. OTA updates have already started rolling out, but if it has not appeared on your device yet, you can sideload the update or flash the factory image manually. Alternatively, if you prefer waiting it out, the stable release of Android 16 QPR3 is expected to arrive sometime in Q1 2026.

Android 2025 scorecard: Major changes and challenges leading to an exciting future for the OS

harish.jonnalagadda@futurenet.com (Harish Jonnalagadda) — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 11:05:00 +0000

Grade: B

Google changed a lot of things with Android this year, bringing the launch window of Android 16 ahead by several months so the stable build is ready by the time the Pixels debuted in the fall. Along with that, it changed how it handles Android updates, with a major build going out in the summer and a minor release in the winter.

Combine that with a major UI overhaul, even tighter AI integration into its products, and Google had a busy year.

Overall, there's much greater enthusiasm around what Google has to share with the broader Android ecosystem in 2026. With Android XR headsets debuting, the integration of ChromeOS with Android, and all the new features Google is baking into Android, it's going to be an exciting year.

I made a set of predictions around Android OS last year, and it's time to see how they held up.

Regular updates: C

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

Look, Google does a great job rolling out regular software updates to Pixels, and it's great to see so many feature-filled updates hitting even older devices. I don't have any issues with that, and obviously, Android platform releases also go out to Google's devices the moment they're available.

My issue is with the broader Android ecosystem. Most brands still do a pathetic job with software updates (looking at you, Xiaomi and Motorola), and Google needs to step in and set the terms a little better in these situations. As it stands, there's just no reason for most phone manufacturers to bother with updates, and I want to see that change.

I'll admit this is getting better with flagships; most brands now deliver updates within a few months of the stable build, and most high-end phones will get at least four platform updates (unless you're using an ASUS phone). But with phone hardware getting much better over the last 18 months, these devices are designed to last the better part of a decade, and the software is more often than not the limiting factor.

UI tweaks: A

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

I like what Google is doing with the Pixel's UI. While Material 3 Expressive may not be to everyone's liking, I enjoy the interface's design, and I can't get enough of how playful and vibrant it is. As someone who tests a lot of Android phones, there's no consistency or originality when it comes to most interfaces, with most Chinese brands now emulating the Liquid Glass design of iOS 26.

In that context, it's great to see Google have a solid vision for the software and deliver it coherently. I would like the interface to make its way to other Android brands, but I know that's just wishful thinking; after talking to most phone brands, it's clear that they have their own ideology when it comes to the UI.

AI everywhere: B

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Most phone brands have AI-assisted features just because it is the buzzword de jour. Google does a better job in this area, and the Pixel 10 Pro XL has a strong AI suite that's actually good to use. Magic Cue has been plenty of fun to use, and it is great at surfacing actionable information based on context. Real-time call translate works really well, and it does an eerily good job at mimicking your voice.

The features I use the most are around image editing; the Pixel holds up pretty well in this area, and utilities like Add Me are genuinely great. If there's one criticism, it's that Google doesn't organize these features; you'll stumble upon most of these as you use the phone. Samsung organizes all its AI features in the phone settings, so you can easily see what's available — Google needs to do something similar.

Android and ChromeOS integration: C

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

Google is taking its sweet time merging ChromeOS into Android, and although the brand talked about the upcoming integration, we haven't really heard much about it. Recent leaks point to "Aluminium OS" as the desktop-class operating system that's taking over, and the Android-based OS will be tightly integrated with AI — because you just can't build anything these days without a smattering of AI.

The goal with Aluminium OS is to make Android itself flexible so it can run on a much wider range of devices. Google did this to an extent with Android 15 and Android 16 by integrating foldable-focused features, and having an actual desktop OS built in is going to be exciting. That said, it doesn't look like we'll see what Google intends to do with Aluminium OS at least until mid-2026.

Android XR: A

(Image credit: Michael Hicks / Android Central)

I genuinely like XR glasses now, and I'm thrilled to see what's going on with Project Aura, where Google is collaborating with Xreal over XR glasses. These glasses come with an integrated OLED display and look highly interesting, and Google is said to be working on smart glasses similar to the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2, but with Gemini integration.

Motorola and OnePlus in 2025: A year of triumphs and trials in mobile tech

derrek.lee@futurenet.com (Derrek Lee) — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 18:54:00 +0000

Motorola: C+

(Image credit: Motorola)

Motorola has proven that there are benefits to being an underdog, as it means there’s plenty of room to grow. The company has done just that while demonstrating it can keep up with the industry's top dogs. Despite some misses, Motorola had a solid 2025 with some impressive highlights that leave me wanting more.

A winning strategy

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

Last year, I wondered whether Motorola could keep up in the premium market. In 2025, it feels like Motorola found a winning strategy and ran with it.

The company not only launched the rather enticing Razr 2025 series, but also emulated a tried-and-true strategy from companies like Apple, Samsung, and Google by offering three different models. This included the affordable Razr 2025 and the premium Razr Ultra 2025, which ended up being my favorite [flip] phone of 2025.

Motorola also seems to have found its stride in design. It heightened its focus on CMF (Colors, Materials, and Finish) across its lineup through its partnership with Pantone, offering vegan leather, Alcantara, and even wood on its phones, harkening back to the days of Moto Maker.

We even got a thin phone to compete with the Galaxy S25 Edge and iPhone Air, proving that Motorola isn’t going to sit by and let Samsung and Apple have all the fun.

If anything, this has all improved Motorola’s reputation, transforming it from just a budget Android phone maker to one that can hang with the best of them.

Two steps forward, one step back

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Despite its impressive flagship and even midrange hardware like the Moto G Stylus 2025, there was a notable hole in its lineup: a flagship option for consumers who don’t want a foldable phone. Last year, I had hoped that Motorola would finally challenge the likes of Samsung's Ultra phone in 2025 with a follow-up to the excellent Edge Plus 2023, but alas, we never got it.

We also got a new smartwatch, but still no Wear OS or a true Moto 360 revival. That felt odd at a time when Android OEMs like OnePlus are proving they can make compelling devices to strengthen their device ecosystems, something Motorola truly needs. Motorola introduced new tablets and its first laptop, but unfortunately, neither came to the U.S.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

On the software front, Motorola didn't move the needle very much. Hello UX is largely unoffensive, and there are some clever uses of AI like Look & Talk and the ability to choose from a wide selection of AI models like Perplexity. However, the overall software/AI package still feels less mature and cohesive than Samsung’s One UI, and I often end up ignoring Moto AI in favor of Gemini and Circle to Search.

Motorola also continues to trail its rivals in software updates, offering one of the shortest update promises for flagship phones and less consistently than others. This ultimately reduces the overall value of its phones, since they'll lose support sooner than those of Samsung, OnePlus, or Pixel.

Ultimately, Motorola still lacks compelling software differentiators. While its camera software and algorithms have improved, there's little reason to buy a Razr over a Pixel or Samsung phone if you want great photos.

Motorola is getting comfortable

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

… but hopefully not too comfortable. The company has made a triumphant comeback with the impressive Razr series, and its budget phones are decent enough for the price.

That said, it feels like Motorola is still trying to find its footing in building a hardware and software ecosystem. At a time when companies like Samsung and Google have made AI so accessible and easy to use, Motorola's lack of software focus feels like a glaring misstep.

Ultimately, Motorola hasn't really given us anything to keep us interested, whether that’s a cohesive family of devices or the software that holds it together. And aside from some genuinely useful Smart Connect features, there isn’t anything to tether us to its products.

OnePlus: B+

(Image credit: OnePlus)

It's been an interesting year for OnePlus. The company has seemingly been hanging on in the U.S., and despite its waning popularity and market share, it has given us some of the most impressive devices we’ve seen in several segments. OnePlus has more than proven it can give companies like Samsung a run for their money, yet it has yet to overcome its biggest hurdle in one of the world's largest smartphone markets: availability.

Two in one

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

OnePlus started the year off strong with one of our favorite phones of 2025. The OnePlus 13 had a lot going for it, from impressive cameras to a huge battery and IP69 water and dust resistance. That, alongside the OnePlus 13R, showcased OnePlus's commitment to the higher-end segment, which should help increase its Total Addressable Market beyond the $300-$600 segment.

OnePlus furthered this with the launch of its second flagship in one year, the OnePlus 15, which boasts the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and offsets the power-hungry chip with a massive 7,300mAh battery. This comes at a time when Samsung is either struggling or unwilling to go beyond 5,000mAh in its traditional candybar phones (even the Galaxy Z Fold 7 has only a 4,400mAh battery).

An ecosystem of devices

(Image credit: Nick Sutrich / Android Central)

OnePlus has also shown it can build an impressive family of devices, something I would’ve loved to see from Motorola. The OnePlus Watch 3, for example, is one of the most impressive and well-designed smartwatches I’ve ever seen, and features perhaps the longest battery life of any Wear OS watch.

At a time when Google and Samsung seemingly dominate Wear OS, it’s impressive that OnePlus can give its watches a leg up over rivals in ways they haven’t been able to replicate.

That also goes for its tablets. The OnePlus Pad 3 swiftly became one of our favorite tablets, thanks to its beautiful display, slim design, and Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, which seemingly outperforms Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. It’s clear OnePlus was not going to let Samsung rule the Android tablet market unchecked.

This is all tied together by OnePlus' impressive software, from OxygenOS 15 to the new OxygenOS 16, both of which improved performance and introduced a host of AI features that feel well implemented.

Missed opportunities

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Unfortunately, OnePlus continues to hinder itself in one of its biggest markets. The company has all but abandoned the mid-range market by increasing the price of the OnePlus 15R and ditching the Nord series in the U.S. The biggest problem with this strategy is that it limits the reach of its phones, especially given the already few avenues to buy them.

Last year, I noted how OnePlus was hurting itself by not making its devices available through carrier channels in the U.S. While this isn't as big a problem in other regions, carriers largely control the U.S. smartphone market, and not playing by their rules means fewer eyes on your phones. As it stands, the company's market share is negligible, and I feel like the OnePlus 13 and 15 could have been bigger hits.

(Image credit: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)

Finally, the lack of a foldable didn't go unnoticed. The OPPO Find N5 was an impressively thin phone that gave us hope for an equally impressive OnePlus Open successor. Unfortunately, OnePlus stayed out of the foldable race altogether.

On the one hand, it makes sense given OnePlus's lack of carrier presence to help offset the exorbitant foldable prices. However, the OnePlus Open was so well received that it felt odd not to see OnePlus tap its OPPO partnership to bring a new device to the U.S. to give Google and Samsung a proper challenge.

OnePlus has proven that it has the tools to create an amazing range of devices. I just wish it had showcased that more in 2025.

Leak claims Google wants to make your Android satellite connections easy

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 11:49:00 +0000

What you need to know

An Android leak following a recent Canary build suggests Google is looking to expand how useful the OS is for satellite connections.
A "Satellite" Quick Settings tile was spotted, making it easy for those with plans that support the feature to access it, as well as a "Satellite apps" menu.
T-Mobile's T-Satellite service launched "Satellite-ready" apps this fall, supporting apps like X, AccuWeather, WhatsApp, and more.

Google has been spotted testing an upcoming feature that the whole of Android can take part in, and it might meet satellite connectivity head-on.

Mishaal Rahman for Android Authority reported a pair of new features under development within a recent Android Canary build. According to the discovery, Google is preparing to introduce better satellite connectivity management for apps and mobile services. Rahman states that Google's code alludes to a "Satellite apps" addition to the overall satellite connectivity settings.

While the standard (already supported) apps are listed here, Rahman clocked other apps like X (formerly Twitter), Snapchat, AccuWeather, and Google Weather.

Elsewhere, Rahman noticed that the Android Canary build is preparing a "Satellite" Quick Settings tile. The tile seems to function similarly to your internet or Bluetooth tile; however, Rahman's test displayed "Satellite" as "not available." While that's not entirely strange, considering the method it was discovered, a deeper dive into the early code suggests that this tile is representative of your mobile plan's support.

Rahman claims that Google will bring similar UI behavior to its satellite apps list, too. For this, the company will heavily consider LTE or NB-based satellite plans. The post states that the latter isn't as adept at supporting the bandwidth for texting and voice. Development is still ongoing, so we might not see this arrive until a future Android drop.

Connected in the dark

(Image credit: Android Authority)

There's no getting around the fact that cell service providers have been getting in on the satellite game, like T-Mobile when it launched its T-Satellite service this summer. The service brought connectivity to users enrolling in its supported plan for MMS messages, including images, GIFs, videos, and audio clips. Downloading files like an image or GIF was stated to take a minute or two, while videos could take up to 20 minutes to send.

T-Mobile's MMS support joins SMS for regular text messages. The company promised that there would be more to expect for its satellite service, and we saw that take place in October. T-Satellite announced "Satellite-ready" apps for Android and iOS users. Apps like WhatsApp, X (Formerly Twitter), AccuWeather, and more are accessible over its T-Satellite network, keeping users in the loop when their cell signal is gone.

Pixel 9 users reported access to T-Mobile satellite service earlier this year, and then Spectrum and Xfinity users received texting support in March. Most recently, European carrier, Orange, delivered a brief exclusive satellite connectivity window for the Pixel 9 and 10 in November.

Tech News Wrap: Google's XR glasses, One UI 8.5 beta drops, Motorola's Fold could be real, and more

nandika.iyerravi@futurenet.com (Nandika Ravi) — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 15:56:17 +0000

Tech News Wrap

(Image credit: Future)

Tech News Wrap is our column where we highlight and summarize some of the week's top stories so you can catch up on the latest tech news.

This is Android Central's Tech News Wrap, your go-to source for a concise roundup of the week's most significant tech stories. This is where we delve into the top headlines that provide the latest developments and innovations contributing to the digital landscape.

This week, Google's new XR Glasses dropped, Samsung's One UI 8.5 beta is out, Motorola's teasing a new foldable, the December Pixel update is bugging out Pixel stand support for some, and Qualcomm just launched two new mid-range chips. Let's get into it!

Google shows off it's XR Project Aura smartglasses

(Image credit: XREAL)

Read more here

Google seems to be ending this year with a bang! During The Android Show: XR Edition, Google showed off its Android XR smart glasses and also announced some new capabilities coming to Samsung's Galaxy XR headset.

Galaxy XR is gaining new tricks, which Google says are designed to "help you fully experience the spatial capabilities of Android XR and allow you to fit your headset naturally into the things you do every day." With features like "PC Connect" and "Likeness," Google is reimagining creativity, giving users more room to be productive with the multi-view screen and a digital avatar of you that mirrors your facial expressions and hand gestures in real-time, during team meetings.

As for Project Aura, which is supposedly equipped with a 70-degree field of view and optical see-through technology, these glasses are said to overlay the digital content within your field of view, turning it into a massive screen for work or entertainment.

One UI 8.5 is here... Sorta

(Image credit: Samsung)

Read more here

Samsung also had some big announcements this week. In a press release, the company stated that the One UI 8.5 beta has finally arrived, bringing new and easier ways to create, connect, and stay safe. While it might sound like a small software tweak, One UI 8.5 brings new Galaxy AI features to the Galaxy S25 series for now.

This includes an updated Photo Assist that helps you continue without saving each iteration on your device. This means you can use AI Eraser, then move or restyle the image in Photo Assist without saving it first.

With this new beta update, Samsung also adds new Theft Protection tools, a redesigned UI with 3D icons, and a customizable Quick Settings panel. Storage Share lets users access files across Galaxy phones, tablets, PCs, and even Samsung TVs. Many apps, including Calculator, Clock, and Samsung Health, have been redesigned for better visuals.

The One UI 8.5 beta is only available on Galaxy S25 series smartphones. You can head to Settings > Software update > Download & install to get it on your device.

Motolora drops a huge hint that a Fold is coming

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich/ Android Central)

Read more here

Motorola seems to be working on something super exciting, and we think its CES invite might hint at its next major form factor. Android Central's Nicholas Sutrich and Derrek Lee got a package from Motorola earlier this week, and the box had an invite to its CES display, plus a wooden flip book that opens and folds into a lamp, with a dim red light.

According to Sutrich, the lamp features a magnetic clasp that keeps it fully open and folded backward. The most obvious indication is within the invite itself, which states, "We're getting ready to unfold a new perspective at Lenovo Tech World, set to take place on January 6." The emphasis on "unfold" caught our attention, given that Motorola's current foldable phones are all Flip devices.

The mysterious device might also feature a wooden finish, as suggested by the wooden cover of the foldable lamp. It also has the Motorola "M" logo engraved on it, with the line "every fold reveals a possibility."

December Pixel update got bugg-y for some

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Read more here

Google recently rolled out the Android 16 QPR2 update for the Pixel 10 series. The update brought some major features to Pixel phones, but it also appears to have killed support for some Pixel wireless chargers.

No, we aren't talking about the new PixelSnap Qi2 chargers, but about some Pixel Stand chargers you may have long forgotten about. Following the update, many Pixel 10 series users report that the Pixel Stand (2nd Gen) no longer works, even though it previously worked at the "perfect angle." As reported on Reddit, placing a Pixel 10 on the Stand now causes it to flash orange and white and reportedly throw a charging error, suggesting Google intentionally broke support.

This only seems to suggest that Google wants to push its new Qi2 chargers to Pixel 10 owners, officially ending support for others on the market.

Qualcomm brings two mid-range chips to the areana

(Image credit: Qualcomm)

Read more here

Qualcomm announced two chips today (Dec 11) for the mid-range and entry-level markets: the Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2 and the Snapdragon 4 Gen 4. These chips aim to improve mid-range and entry-level phones with better AI performance, photography, and fast charging. But

The 6s 4G Gen 2 chip features a Kyro CPU and Adreno GPU for smoother visuals and multitasking. The CPU brings speeds up to 2.9GHz, with improvements to its GPU for 20% more graphical performance. The company states the Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2 supports 120fps, and it can facilitate low-lag on FHD Plus display phones.

While the Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 gets the same specs as the 6s 4G Gen 2. Qualcomm has placed its Kryo CPU in this chip, too; however, its speeds only peak at 2.3GHz. When it comes to the Adreno GPU, smooth graphics with support for 120fps are highlighted. Such graphical promises are slated for phones with FHD Plus screens.

Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 7: How many folds do you want?

sharmarajat@zoho.com (Rajat Sharma) — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 20:51:02 +0000

Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold

The next generation

Featuring a massive 10-inch foldable display, a solid camera system, optimized software experience, and faster charging, the Galaxy Z TriFold is the benchmark for foldables of the future.

Pros

Huge 10-inch inner display works equally well for work and fun
Bigger battery with faster wired charging
Enhanced software experience

Cons

Still comes with previous-gen silicon
Unlikely to have S-Pen support despite having a big screen

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

The reigning champion

Having a premium yet lightweight design, two gorgeous displays, a feature-rich software experience, and numerous other refinements, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the best foldable you can buy.

Pros

Lightweight yet incredibly robust design
Flawless everyday performance, including emulation
No-compromise trip-lens primary camera setup

Cons

Unacceptably slow charging speeds
Average battery life and no built-in MagSafe support

Introduced in 2019, Samsung's first-generation Galaxy Z Fold marked the beginning of a new era in mobile technology. A little over six years later, the South Korean behemoth has done it again with the (somewhat) surprising unveiling of the Galaxy Z Trifold. Samsung's first dual-hinge foldable, the Galaxy Z TriFold, represents the next evolution of the foldable form factor. While it's not the first device of its kind (that honor belongs to Huawei's Mate XT), it's undoubtedly the first that'll be available in multiple regions around the globe.

That's all very exciting, but just how big of an upgrade is it over the Galaxy Z Fold 7? Does it really make sense to get a first-generation product just for a bigger screen (and a few other improvements), or should you buy the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which has been perfected over the years and is arguably the finest dual-screen flagship smartphone currently available out there?

Let's take a speculative look at Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold vs. Galaxy Fold 7 and see how the chaebol's two heavyweights stack up against each other.

Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 7: Design, displays, and hardware

(Image credit: Samsung)

The Galaxy Z TriFold and the Galaxy Z Fold 7 share many similarities in their overall design, to the point that the two are nearly indistinguishable when folded. Both have the same boxy yet sturdy construction with flat sides, an 'Armor Aluminum' frame, and a 6.5-inch Dynamic AMOLED LTPO cover display that's secured by a layer of Corning's Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2.

The triple-lens primary camera setup is also the same on both foldables, with the three lenses housed inside a vertical pill-shaped island. The Galaxy Z TriFold comes with a 'ceramic-glass fiber reinforced polymer' back that Samsung claims is more resistant to cracks, although we don't know (yet) how durable it is when compared to the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 rear of the Galaxy Z Fold 7. You also get an IP48 certification with both smartphones for dust and water resistance.

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

Coming to weight and dimensions (when closed), the Galaxy Z TriFold is quite a bit heavier and thicker than the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which is to be expected. However, once you open those two inward-folding side panels, you realize just how impossibly slim Samsung's freshest foldable is. Due to each of its three panels varying slightly in their thickness, the TriFold measures just 3.9mm at its thinnest point. That is plain bonkers, even if the Fold 7 with its 4.2mm thickness is no less impressive!

That being said, the biggest highlight (quite literally!) of the Galaxy Z TriFold is its gargantuan 10-inch inner display. Although it comes with a lower pixel density and peak brightness than the 8-inch inner screen of the Galaxy Z Fold 7, the larger panel gives you a lot more visual real estate for split-view multitasking, multimedia consumption, gaming, and just about everything else.

Driven by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (for Galaxy) chipset, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a powerhouse that can make quick work of just about anything you throw at it, something that Android Central's Andrew Myrick noted in his review. You also get 12GB/16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of onboard storage, which makes even the most demanding of workflows a walk in the park. That's a good thing, since the Galaxy Z TriFold features the exact same hardware under the hood.

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

Although we would've loved to see the foldable come with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, it seems Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S26 series may get first dibs on Qualcomm's newest top-tier SoC. The two foldables have the same connectivity and I/O options as well, including full multi-band 5G support, NFC, and USB-C 3.2 with DisplayPort functionality.

Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 7: Cameras, software, and battery

(Image credit: Samsung)

The Galaxy Fold 7 ranks among the best Android camera phones on the market, thanks to its versatile triple-lens rear camera system. You get a 200MP wide-angle primary sensor, a 10MP telephoto module with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide unit, complete with usual goodies such as optical image stabilization, up to 8K video recording, and more shooting modes than you can shake a stick at. Photos and videos pack plenty of detail, with colors and contrast levels on point.

The Galaxy Z TriFold should deliver equally stellar performance, as the foldable carries over the same primary camera array with no changes. If anything, the improved software processing should help further boost the overall photo and video quality. The two 10MP front-facing cameras also remain unchanged.

(Image credit: SuperSaf on YouTube)

Speaking of software, the Galaxy Z TriFold runs Android 16 out of the box, with Samsung's One UI 8 custom UI overlay. While the Galaxy Z Fold 7 offers the same experience, there are a few notable changes, as highlighted in a hands-on video posted by popular YouTuber Arun Maini.

Many apps (especially those from Samsung) can display much more information at once, and there are now multiple split-screen multitasking configurations. Then you have the standalone DeX support, which means you no longer need to connect the phone to a monitor to get a desktop-like experience.

Thanks to its larger 16:11 aspect-ratio inner display, the Galaxy Z TriFold can double as a monitor whenever you want. In summation, this phone-tablet hybrid is the ideal device for on-the-go productivity. In addition to that, you can also expect years of updates and a laundry list of AI-powered features.

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

Lastly, let's talk about battery life. As feature-laden as the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is, its 4,400mAh battery and 25W wired charging are quite unremarkable by modern-day standards, even if they're enough for everyday usage.

Thankfully, the Galaxy Z TriFold packs a much bigger 5,600mAh power pack and a bit faster 45W wired charging, even if it's nothing compared to the 7,300mAh silicon-carbon cell and 120W wired charging that the latest OnePlus 15 comes with. Of course, we'll only be able to comment about the actual battery endurance once we put the foldable through its paces.

Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 7: Which should you buy?

(Image credit: Samsung)

It probably won't be an exaggeration to say that the Galaxy Z TriFold will soon become the new yardstick against which all foldable phones will be measured. Representing a huge leap in mobile computing, it's a premium hybrid that lets you not just consume content but also create it.

But even with all that, it's still a first-generation product. Moreover, it's likely to cost a fortune at launch, even if Samsung prices it conservatively. The Galaxy Fold 7 isn't exactly cheap either, but it's a far more refined foldable that doesn't have a lot of compromises. So, which one should you get?

The answer depends on what you really use your smartphone for, and of course, your budget. If you're a casual user who sometimes wants to have access to a bigger screen for things like watching videos and editing a document or two, the Galaxy Fold 7 is the right choice. It's still one of the best Android phones (regardless of form factor) in the business and has just about everything you could want from a flagship.

On the other hand, if you're often juggling multiple devices (e.g., a tablet and a laptop) on the go and want to streamline your workflow a bit, the Galaxy Z TriFold might just help you do so. It's quite likely to cost a pretty penny once it gets a broader launch, but we won't be surprised if Samsung offers trade-in deals and discounts to bring the price down.

Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold

Bigger and better

The Galaxy Z TriFold is built around an expansive 10-inch display that's ideal for everything from multimedia consumption to on-the-go productivity. It also has a bigger battery, a tailor-made software experience, and more.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

Just about perfect

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the outcome of several years of refinements and features everything from top-tier cameras to incredible everyday performance to a great in-hand feel. You also have four vibrant colors to choose from.

Android's Emergency Live Video shares crucial visual info with first responders

bradypsnyder@gmail.com (Brady Snyder) — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 17:00:00 +0000

What you need to know

Android is rolling out an Emergency Live Video feature that can share your camera feed with first responders in real time.
The encrypted camera stream can be requested by emergency dispatchers, is approved by the user, and can be ended at any time.
Android phones running Android 8 or higher with Google Play Services can use the feature in the U.S., and parts of Germany and Mexico.

Google is launching Emergency Live Video on Android starting today, Dec. 10, and the feature will give first responders life-saving information in real time during an emergency. When a user makes an emergency call, the connected dispatcher now has the option of requesting a live video feed from your Android phone. This can help emergency dispatchers better assess your situation, send the right first responders, or guide you through live-saving steps, according to Google.

Emergency Live Video is enabled by default, and requires no manual setup. The tool is available any time an emergency call or text is initiated from an Android phone. Emergency Live Video is requested by the dispatcher when necessary, and when requested, Android users will see a Share live video? prompt on their device. They can choose No thanks or Share to start streaming video from their camera with a single tap.

(Image credit: Google)

Once shared, Emergency Live Video is a live feed with an interface that can be minimized while users take other important actions on their device. Emergency Live Video supports flipping the camera to show emergency dispatchers the best angle, and there's a large Stop sharing button that can end the live feed immediately.

Google says Emergency Live Video is built to be "simple and secure," and it's completely optional. "The feature is encrypted by default, and you are always in control of whether your video is shared, and can stop sharing instantly at any time," the company explains.

(Image credit: Google)

Emergency Live Video is the Android equivalent of Apple's Emergency SOS live video, which was added to the iPhone 14 and later with iOS 18. Notably, Android's Emergency Live Video is much more compatible than the iOS version. The feature will work on Android phones running Android 8 or higher with Google Play Services, meaning it's supported on most models still in use today.

Emergency Live Video expands the emergency video recording feature available on Google Pixel phones, and brings the versatile option to all Android phones. Google Pixels can share videos and photos via the Personal Safety app when Emergency SOS is triggered.

The framework for Emergency Live Video was added in the November 2025 update for Google Play Services. The feature is available in the U.S. and select regions of Germany and Mexico. In the future, Google is "closely working with public safety organizations around the world to expand this capability to more regions."

Emergency Live Video joins features like Emergency Location Service, Car Crash Detection, Fall Detection, and Satellite SOS to make sure you can always get the help you need in an emergency.

Nothing may have paused the Android 16-based Nothing OS 4 rollout

bradypsnyder@gmail.com (Brady Snyder) — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 22:10:57 +0000

What you need to know

Nothing appears to have paused the rollout for the Nothing OS 4 update, which is based on Android 16.
A Reddit post shared what is claimed to be an email from Nothing support confirming the Nothing OS 4 update has been paused.
Nothing is apparently working on a patched version of the update that will roll out once it passes internal testing.

Nothing took its time readying its Android 16-based update for release, with Nothing OS 4 only hitting the stable channel on Nov. 21. The update initially debuted for the Nothing Phone 3, and later made its way to older Nothing Phone models by Nov. 28. However, Nothing Phone users have reported bugs with Nothing OS 4, and the launch has been rocky. In fact, it looks like Nothing has paused the Nothing OS 4 rollout entirely as it works to fix some of the update's issues.

The first sign that Nothing OS 4's rollout may have been halted came on Dec. 1, when a report from Techiboy noted that the update appeared to disappear from user devices. Now, a post from u/nikhkin on Reddit claims that the Nothing OS 4 release was indeed paused. The post cites a screenshotted email from Nothing's support team responding to the customer's inquiry into why their Nothing Phone 3 hadn't received the Android 16 update yet.

"We have received feedback from the relevant team and we ... regret to inform you we have temporarily halted and removed the current 4.0 rollout and are working on an urgent fix," the screenshotted email, claimed to be from a Nothing support representative, explained. "Thank you for your patience and understanding while we work to deliver a stable update as soon as possible."

Nothing OS 4.0 rollout has been paused from r/NothingTech

The support email contains a few grammatical errors, but appears to be authentic and from Nothing support. Android Central reached out to Nothing to confirm the Nothing OS 4 rollout has been paused, but the company did not respond in time for publication. We will update this article when we hear back.

The email does not mention the specific bug or issue affecting the stable Nothing OS 4 build, but says the company is working on "an urgent fix." Once the patched version passes Nothing's internal testing, it will roll out to users, according to the email. Users who already have Nothing OS 4 are set to receive a patched version of the update, and the Android 16 rollout will open for users who didn't get a chance to update.

It's unclear when the patched Nothing OS 4 build will resume rolling out, but we've asked Nothing for clarification.

Tech News Wrap: Inside Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold launch and Google’s new Android innovations

nandika.iyerravi@futurenet.com (Nandika Ravi) — Sat, 06 Dec 2025 11:15:00 +0000

Tech News Wrap

(Image credit: Future)

Tech News Wrap is our column where we highlight and summarize some of the week's top stories so you can catch up on the latest tech news.

This week, Samsung finally shows off its Galaxy Z TriFold, Google Pixel and Android users get useful features, Netflix acquires Warner Bros. in a massive $83 billion deal, intel on Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and One UI 8.5 update leaked in full.

Samsung unveils its Galaxy Z TriFold

(Image credit: SuperSaf on YouTube)

Read more here

Samsung rang in the holidays, unveiling its much-awaited Galaxy Z TriFold. From the looks of it, the Galaxy Z TriFold is incredibly thin (3.9mm), featuring a large display and two panels that fold inwards.

The Galaxy Z TriFold showcases a 10-inch AMOLED main screen when unfolded, and a 6.5-inch cover screen. Samsung has made two differently sized hinges that ensure a smoother folding experience, allowing the panels to close without leaving any gaps. It has an IP48 rating, which means it is resistant to freshwater immersion and solid objects.

It comes with a massive 200MP wide-angle sensor with 2x optical-quality zoom, an ultrawide 12MP camera, and a 10MP telephoto lens. The cover screen features a 10MP selfie camera, while the main screen has a 10MP under-display camera, making it easier to take selfies even when the device is unfolded.

The device is said to come with Android 16 and One UI 8 out of the box, only in one colorway: Crafted Black, landing in the U.S. only in the first quarter of 2026.

'Twas a week of new feature drop for Pixels and Android users

(Image credit: Nandika Ravi/Android Central)

Read more here and here

Google announced that it will introduce new features to help Android users really focus on the things and people that matter most to them when they pick up their phones — cutting out the unnecessary noise. "See the emotion behind speech in captions, send new emoji combos, and let friends know when your call is important," the Keyword added.

To start, users can now see and read the emotion behind each video they come across, whether it's a friend's video note or while scrolling through social media — with "Expressive Captions." The feature creates real-time captions, describing the intensity at which a person is speaking, along with ambient noises like [birds chirping], [cheers and applause], etc.

(Image credit: Google)

Additionally, Google is unleashing new "Emoji Kitchen sticker combos" in time for the holidays, and you will also be able to let friends and family know when your calls are urgent with "Call reason," so they know they should answer.

Within Google Messages, you will now be able to easily identify and exit unwanted group chats, as Google will send you an alert that "shows key information about the group and tips to stay safe."

Pixel users also got a major Android 16 update this week, bringing a new "Notification organizer" that automatically groups and silences low-priority pings like news and promos, while AI summaries condense long chat threads for quick context. While themed icons now automatically apply across all your apps for a seamless aesthetic, among other things.

Netflix said 'bet' and snatched up Warner Bros. for $82.7B.

(Image credit: Created using Gemini Banana Pro)

Read more here

Netflix announced its intent to acquire Warner Bros. for $82.7 billion earlier today (Dec 5), adding over a century of cinematic legacy to its streaming library. Netflix was up against other companies, including Paramount, Skydance, and Comcast.

This means all the content on Warner Bros., HBO, and the HBO Max streaming service could soon be owned by Netflix. This also means that users may only need to stick to one platform, without having to switch between multiple apps and streaming services, and have all their favorite shows under one roof. They won't have to worry about licensing issues seen when some Warner Bros. shows move to other streaming services.

However, on the flip side, other concerns could be brewing. Some analysts think this deal could face intense regulatory scrutiny and antitrust battles in both the U.S. and Europe, given that one large company is essentially trying to monopolize the streaming industry.

Samsung's Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 leak

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

Read more here

Samsung's next rugged watch showed up in a leak this week. Samsung is reportedly working on a new smartwatch that is internally called the "Galaxy Watch 9 Ultra," but GalaxyClub suggests this will hit shelves as the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. However, the publication also suggests that the new Ultra won’t be released until the summer of 2026, meaning there will be no major rugged update in 2025.

Samsung appears to have delayed the launch, opting instead to focus on a more substantial upgrade in 2026. This move suggests the company is aiming for more than a mere specification bump, potentially giving the smartwatch a whole new look. We're likely to see a unique feature on the new watch. If it shares the DNA of the Apple Watch 9, we’re likely to see more advanced health features and greater processing power.

Massive One UI 8.5 leak

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

Read more here

We've been seeing multiple One UI 8.5 leaks lately, and this is the best one yet. It has given away almost all the changes you can expect from Samsung's next major update. Tipseter @taruvats33 posted the complete changelog for One UI 8.5 ahead of the beta release for the Galaxy S25 series.

While previous speculation suggests UI changes, including elements inspired by Apple's Liquid Glass from iOS 26 and a more customizable Quick Settings panel, the leaked list confirms these are just the tip of the iceberg.

Some of the new features include Galaxy AI capabilities, such as the ability to generate AI images with Photo Assist tools without saving every draft. Furthermore, a more intelligent Bixby is expected to arrive on Galaxy devices with One UI 8.5, which is reportedly powered by Perplexity.

Other new features in One UI 8.5 include improved Quick Share, automatic lock screen layout adjustments so the clock and widgets don't cover important parts of your images, and more.

From Expressive to Accessible, Google's winter Android update makes the OS easy for all

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 19:00:00 +0000

What you need to know

Google announced its December Android update, which improves its accessibility features, such as Guided Frame, which receives a major Gemini boost for better, more detailed descriptions.
Hearings Aids now benefit from Fast Pair, giving users who require them single-tap actions to connect them to their device.
The update enables more emotional descriptions in Expressive Captions, so users can understand the emotions the person speaking is trying to convey.

Google has taken strides to make Android more expressive and vibrant with Material 3 Expressive, but now it's taking things down the accessible route in December.

In celebration of International Day of Persons and Disabilities, Google announced several updates it's preparing to roll out on Android to improve its accessibility. Guided Frame, available in the Camera app on Pixels, is picking up a boost from Gemini. The press release states that the AI model enhances the "descriptive understanding" of what's displayed in the viewfinder. Google states Gemini takes things from basic explanations, like saying there's a face in frame to who it is, what they're wearing, the color of their attire, and more.

Getting hearing aids paired with your Android phone is now supported by Fast Pair. This update brings single-tap connections, as users who need hearing aids can easily pair their Bluetooth LE Audio-enabled devices to their compatible Android phone. Google states this is rolling out for Demant hearing aids first, but users can expect an expansion to Starkey devices in "early" 2026.

Google

Everyone likes watching videos, and Google's taking that enjoyment and making it better with an Expressive Captions update.

This patch, rolling out in December, makes Expressive Captions comprehend and deliver the emotional tone and speech of what the user is watching. Google says its Expressive Captions will soon express the "intent" behind what the person speaking in the video is trying to convey. So, if they seem sad or joyful, users will see [joy] in the caption.

These new captions are making their way into YouTube videos across all devices, too. Google states this will affect all videos uploaded to YouTube after October.

This month's Android update brings a few more updates, just to make navigation a little cleaner.

Google is making a change to how users activate Voice Access on Android. Arriving soon, after users enable Voice Access once via their Settings, they need only lean on Gemini to produce it from thereafter. Using the wake-up command, "Hey Google, start Voice Access," will get the ball rolling without interacting with your phone manually.

Voice Access is capable of more now, as it picks up accents better, understands speech patterns, and punctuation, too. The feature is also becoming available in Japanese.

Seeing your screen, managing what's on it

(Image credit: Google)

Dark Mode is convenient, but user feedback following its Android 16 changes showed how jarring it was when hopping into a flashbang (light mode). Google states its updates rolling out in December will offer a systemwide Dark Mode change that automatically darkens apps "even without their own native dark theme."

Wrapping up the updates is AutoClick, a feature that helps those who may experience pain or difficulty with physically clicking their mouse. Leveraging an external mouse on your Android device gets a little easier with this patch, as users can "set a custom amount of time for the cursor to pause on something before it automatically performs a click for you." Additional customization arrives, as well, which lets users personalize what the clicking action should do, like whether it's a left-click, right-click, scroll, drag, and more.

Android 16 finally fights notification overload and lets you kill ugly icons

techkritiko@gmail.com (Jay Bonggolto) — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 19:00:00 +0000

What you need to know

Android 16 marks a major shift in how Google rolls out features, moving from yearly drops to faster, continuous updates.
A new "Notification organizer" automatically groups and silences low-priority pings like news and promos , while AI summaries condense long chat threads for quick context.
Themed icons now automatically apply across all your apps for a consistent, minimal aesthetic.

Android hasn’t always been great at pacing itself. Big features typically arrived once a year, and everything else had to wait for the next major release. With today’s rollout of Android 16’s latest feature drop, the platform is moving from its once-a-year major OS overhaul to a frequent release cadence.

This round, Android tackles notification overload. Google is rolling out two AI tools aimed directly at the notifications most people accept as normal.

(Image credit: Google)

Notification summaries compress long messages and chaotic group chats for quick understanding. Meanwhile, the new notification organizer quarantines low-priority pings, such as promos, news alerts, and random app nudges.

Android 16 also adds more ways to personalize your device. You can change icon shapes, match them with themed icons in different apps, and create a cleaner, more unified home screen without spending too much time in the settings.

(Image credit: Google)

Forced dark mode is here

The updated dark theme now automatically turns most light apps dark. This is helpful if you find bright screens uncomfortable or want to save some battery life.

Parents will notice a big improvement too. Android 16 now puts all parental controls and Family Link features together in one place, right on a child or teen’s device. Parents can set screen-time limits, schedule downtime, manage or block apps, and grant extra minutes, all behind a simple PIN. For the full Family Link experience, this hub provides direct access.

(Image credit: Google)

These changes start rolling out today on eligible Pixel devices, marking the beginning of a more frequent release cycle.

News Weekly: Early look at the OnePlus 15R, Wear OS 6 lands on older Galaxy watches, Android Auto gets Gemini's tricks, and more

nandika.iyerravi@futurenet.com (Nandika Ravi) — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 11:14:00 +0000

News Weekly

(Image credit: Future)

News Weekly is our column where we highlight and summarize some of the week's top stories so you can catch up on the latest tech news.

This is Android Central's News Weekly, your go-to source for a concise roundup of the week's most significant tech stories. This is where we delve into the top headlines that provide the latest developments and innovations contributing to the digital landscape.

This week, we get the first look at the OnePlus 15R and a mystery OnePlus smartwatch, Wear OS 6 finally lands on Galaxy Watch 6, Android Auto gets Gemini-ed, Google solves the file sharing issue with Apple, and Galaxy Buds Pro 4 leaks.

OnePlus 15R and a mystery smartwatch could land soon

(Image credit: OnePlus)

Read more here

OnePlus 15 just launched globally last week, and OnePlus is teasing its next set of devices, the OnePlus 15R, and a mystery watch.

Although OnePlus has not yet confirmed or disclosed the specifications of its budget device, the company did tease the OnePlus 15R on its U.K. website alongside a mystery smartwatch. These images showcased the device in two available colors: olive green and black. What is certain at this point is that the OnePlus 15R will come pre-installed with the most recent OxygenOS 16, which is based on Android 16, consistent with the flagship model.

The next OnePlus Watch 4 is expected in early 2026, but a recent mysterious listing has everyone wondering if it might drop as early as December 17th. Is this the actual Watch 4 or maybe just a cheaper version?

Galaxy Watch 6 users get a surprise Wear OS 6 drop

(Image credit: Samsung)

Read more here

As promised, WearOS is finally trickling down to older Galaxy watches. This week, the stable One UI 8 Watch update, which is based on Wear OS 6, has officially started in South Korea, with firmware version CYK2, introducing a new interface.

So Galaxy Watch 6 users will see a better UI with stacked tiles that organize important information more clearly. This means that health data, media controls, timers, and other tools are now easier to find without having to swipe as much.

To update your Galaxy Watch 6 or Watch 6 Classic, open the Galaxy Wearable app, go to Watch settings, tap Watch software update, and select Download and install.

Google unleashes Gemini on Android Auto

(Image credit: Google)

Read more here

Android Auto is being bolstered with Gemini globally, starting this week (Nov. 20). With Gemini in your car, you'd be able to get more done on your drive to work. This means you can have lengthy conversations with it and also get more complex tasks done. For instance, Gemini can double as your tour guide and local expert, with it fully integrated in Google Maps.

Gemini will look at reviews to offer business insights, answer common questions, and help users find and navigate to local spots. If you say, "Hey Google, I need your help. I'm suddenly craving barbecue. Any good spots along my route that are open now, near my destination?"

Read more here

Let's just say Google is taking the lead on bridging the gap between Android and Apple users. First, with advocating for a breakdown of the blue and green bubble divide, and now it's bringing an update for its Pixel 10 series that makes it possible for Android's file-sharing app, Quick Share, to work with Apple's AirDrop.

Once this feature is available, a Pixel 10 user tapping Quick Share to send a file should be able to detect nearby iPhones. This new functionality is also expected to work when sending files from an iPhone to a Pixel 10 as well. Talk about an industry-changing move.

The company states it has tested its "strong safeguards" with "independent security experts" to ensure that the data you're sending between devices remains protected. It's worth noting that as long as your Android device and iPhone are set to receive files from others, this Quick Share/AirDrop update will work seamlessly. Moreover, Google says it plans on expanding this to other devices in the near future.

Galaxy Buds 4 Pro shows up in a fresh leak

(Image credit: Tshaka Armstrong)

Read more here

The next Galaxy Buds Pro were caught in an interesting leak this week, suggesting that the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro's charging case will introduce a much-needed utility feature missing from previous models: a dedicated "Find Your Phone" button.

Hints to this were found in the One UI 8.5 firmware, which states that the button could be placed next to the USB-C port, allowing users to ping their connected smartphone via Bluetooth, making it much easier to locate a misplaced device.

Furthermore, the rumour suggests that it could have a built-in speaker grille on the case itself. This would enable the case to emit sound when lost, addressing the frustration of digging for silent earbuds between sofa cushions. Beyond these functional upgrades, the leak suggests a physical redesign: the earbuds would sit flat rather than upright, suggesting the Korean OEM is chasing a sleeker look for these buds.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus vs. Galaxy S24 Plus: An upgrade worth waiting for?

sharmarajat@zoho.com (Rajat Sharma) — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 22:27:06 +0000

Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus

Everything you want

With the Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus, you get a slightly refreshed design, the latest hardware from Qualcomm or Samsung, faster wireless charging, a laundry list of AI-based features, and more.

Pros

Better performance and thermal efficiency due to newer SoC
Plethora of AI-powered features and years of OS & security updates
Slightly faster wireless charging

Cons

Same dated camera hardware despite the higher price
Still no integrated magnets for proper Qi2 support

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus

Everything you need

Despite being a bit old, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus continues to be a balanced flagship that features a gorgeous yet tough design, reliable performance, superb battery endurance, and more.

Pros

Still powerful enough to handle demanding workflows
Incredible battery life, even with resource-intensive tasks
Likely to get significant discounts due to being a two-generation old model

Cons

In-hand feel isn't exactly the best
Camera struggles to capture moving objects

Samsung's top-of-the-line smartphones generally hold up quite well over time, and the Galaxy S24 Plus is no different. Even though it was launched in 2024, the middle member of the Galaxy S24 series remains a stellar option for anyone who wants a fully loaded device that checks all the right boxes.

While that's great, the newest Galaxy S26 line-up has finally been unveiled, which means that the Galaxy S26 Plus is here. As expected, the latest mid-level flagship from Samsung packs a few upgrades that'll entice many prospective consumers, particularly those who've been thinking of upgrading from a previous-generation model.

But, in a world where annual device launches no longer matter as much as they once used to, does the freshest South Korean flagship live up to the hype? Let's see how the Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus vs. Galaxy S24 Plus compare and find out!

Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus vs. Galaxy S24 Plus: Design, display, and hardware

While Samsung's top-tier smartphones have had a consistent visual identity over the last few generations, things are finally changing with the Galaxy S26 series, as the newest trio comes with minor cosmetic updates instead of being a dull copy-and-paste job from the last year(s).

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

It appears the rumored CAD renders (via OnLeaks / Android Headlines) were on point, since the Galaxy S26 Plus (and the Galaxy S26) now feature their triple-lens rear camera systems stacked vertically inside a pill-shaped island, as opposed to the lenses being directly on the back panel like they are with the Galaxy 24 (and the Galaxy S25) devices. The same design update goes for the Galaxy S26 Ultra as well, although its fourth camera lens and laser AF module are still placed directly on the rear panel next to the island.

The visual refresh seems inspired by the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Galaxy S25 Edge, both of which have similar primary camera setups.

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Flip over to the business end, and you're unlikely to find any changes. The Galaxy S26 Plus features a 6.7-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED panel with razor-thin bezels, super-high resolution, and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. It's the same screen that you'd find on the Galaxy S24 Plus, with vibrant colors and good brightness levels. However, with phones like the Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 having displays that can go up to a 165Hz, we can't help but feel Samsung could've done a bit better. You still get Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection against scuffs and scratches, so that is a good thing.

Other than that, the Galaxy S26 Plus retains the boxy construction of the Galaxy S24 Plus (and the Galaxy S25 Plus), complete with flat aluminum side rails and an IP68 certification for dust and water resistance.

Specifications
Category	Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus	Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus
Dimensions	158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm (6.24 x 2.98 x 0.29 in)	158.5 x 75.9 x 7.7 mm (6.24 x 2.99 x 0.30 in)
Durability & Case Material(s)	IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (front and back), Aluminum frame	IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (front and back), Aluminum frame
Weight	190 g	196 g
Display	6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED (1440x3120 pixels resolution), LTPO, 120Hz variable refresh rate	6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED (1440x3120 pixels resolution), LTPO, 120Hz variable refresh rate
Chipset / SoC	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (for Galaxy) or Samsung Exynos 2600	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
RAM	12GB	12GB
Storage	256GB/512GB	256GB/512GB
Sensors	Under-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity sensor, Compass, and Barometer	Under-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity sensor, Compass, and Barometer
Wireless Connectivity	Wi-Fi 7, 5G (mmWave and Sub-6), Bluetooth 6.0, GPS, NFC, UWB, and USB-C 3.2 (with DisplayPort)	Wi-Fi 6e, 5G (mmWave and Sub-6), Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, NFC, UWB, and USB-C 3.2 (with DisplayPort)
Other Features	Samsung DeX (wired & wireless), Galaxy AI	Samsung DeX (wired & wireless), Galaxy AI
Battery & Charging	4,900mAh (Li-Ion), 45W (wired) and 20W (wireless) charging, No Qi2 Support	4,900mAh (Li-Ion), 45W (wired) and 15W (wireless) charging, No Qi2 Support
Cameras (Rear)	50MP wide-angle, 10MP telephoto (3x optical zoom), 12MP ultrawide \| 8K video recording	50MP wide-angle, 10MP telephoto (3x optical zoom), 12MP ultrawide \| 8K video recording
Camera (Front)	12MP wide-angle \| 4K video recording	12MP wide-angle \| 4K video recording
OS & Update Policy	Android 16 with One UI 8.5 (preinstalled), seven years of OS and security updates	Android 14 with One UI 6.1 (preinstalled), seven years of OS and security updates

The Galaxy S24 Plus is driven by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which was Qualcomm's top-tier SoC back in 2024. Add to that 12GB of RAM and 256GB/512GB of internal storage, and it shouldn't be any surprise that Android Central's Derrek Lee came away impressed with the smartphone's performance (both general and gaming) when he reviewed it. As a matter of fact, this hardware still makes the Galaxy S24 Plus capable of going against some of the best Android phones out there.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

Now, the Galaxy S26 Plus comes with the same 12GB of RAM and 256GB/512GB of internal storage. However, in the typical S-series fashion, the newest smartphone is powered by Qualcomm's latest top-of-the-line chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. In selected markets around the world, the Galaxy S26 Plus will be available with the Exynos 2600, Samsung's own newest flagship silicon.

Although we can't say anything about the smartphone's real-world performance until we test it out, it stands to reason that the Galaxy S26 Plus will perform better in comparison to the Galaxy S24 Plus, especially when it comes to resource-heavy workflows like on-device AI processing. However, you're unlikely to notice a huge difference as far as everyday tasks like gaming, web browsing, and streaming are concerned.

The Galaxy S26 Plus comes with all the modern connectivity and I/O options (e.g., Wired/Wireless DeX, NFC, and USB Type-C 3.2) that the Galaxy S24 Plus also has, albeit with some incremental enhancements here and there.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus vs. Galaxy S24 Plus: Cameras, software, and battery

The Galaxy S24 Plus features a triple-lens primary camera system having a 50MP primary sensor, a 10MP telephoto module (capable of 3x optical zoom), and a 12MP wide-angle unit. As you'd expect, 8K video recording and optical image stabilization are also included. It's a versatile setup that works quite well, with photos from all three lenses having plenty of resolved detail and incredible color reproduction. However, this hardware has also gotten a little long in the tooth at this point, having remained the same since the Galaxy S22 Plus.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

Sadly, Samsung seems to think otherwise, as the company has reused the same camera array on the Galaxy S26 Plus, yet again. While that's a little disappointing, improved processing should result in better photos and videos in comparison to what you get from the Galaxy S24 Plus, thus helping to make Samsung's newest Plus-sized model one of the best Android camera phones on the market. Even so, the older model still has it all to be your only all-purpose camera for everyday use.

Coming to software, the Galaxy S26 Plus (along with its siblings) runs One UI 8.5, the freshest version of its custom UI overlay, out of the box. Based on Android 16, the software has been out for a while and continues to get better, with the latest builds introducing Bixby updates and many other goodies. Apart from that, you can also expect improvements to Samsung's Galaxy AI suite, more customization options, and several other enhancements over time.

It goes without saying that most (if not all) of these features will be available for the Galaxy S24 Plus and other eligible devices in due course of time, all thanks to Samsung's industry-leading software support.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

The Galaxy S24 Plus comes with a 4,900mAh battery that can effortlessly go a full day with moderate to heavy use. While some of the best budget Android phones do offer multi-day battery life, they also have less taxing hardware. The Galaxy S25 Plus managed to have an incredible endurance with the same exact battery size, and perhaps that's why Samsung decided to fit the new Galaxy S26 Plus with the same powerpack. We're expecting the phone to be able to last (at least) a full day, since the hardware is more power-efficient this time around. However, there's still no support for silicon-carbon tech, as Samsung refuses to get with the times and trails behind Chinese brands in adopting the new technology.

While the wired charging speed remains the same (45W) on both smartphones, you get slightly faster wireless charging on the Galaxy S26 Plus (20W) compared to the Galaxy S24 Plus (15W). As lackluster this "upgrade" is, perhaps what's even more disappointing is the lack of any integrated magnets for native Qi2 support. If you want that functionality, your only option is to get a magnetic case or go for an alternative flagship like the Google Pixel 10 Pro, which does support magnetic charging and a whole ecosystem of accessories.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus vs. Galaxy S24 Plus: Which should you go for?

Smartphones have matured to a level where buying the newest thing every year no longer makes any sense, and the Galaxy S26 Plus goes on to prove that. While it's true that it has a few upgrades (e.g., latest hardware, slightly quicker wireless charging), it's a still a rather incremental improvement over the Galaxy S24 Plus, a flagship that remains relevant despite being two years old at this point. You also have to consider the fact that the Galaxy S26 Plus has a starting price of $1,099.99 and will cost you quite a bit, even if you take advantage of pre-order deals. So, the question is, should you upgrade to the Galaxy S26 Plus from the Galaxy S24 Plus?

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

Our suggestion is simple! If you absolutely need things like slightly faster wireless charging, better hardware, and perhaps most importantly, can get a good trade-in discount towards your Galaxy S24 Plus, by all means, go ahead and upgrade to the Galaxy S26 Plus. You'll be getting a feature-laden smartphone that'll last you for years to come.

Conversely, if you're not obsessed with having the newest thing out there, don't care much about incremental overhauls, and your Galaxy S24 Plus already does everything that you need it to do, upgrading to the Galaxy S26 Plus just for the sake of it makes no sense. Hold on to the phone that you already have, as it's still going to be supported for a very long time. Unsurprisingly, the Galaxy S26 Plus is not that much of an improvement over the Galaxy S25 Plus either, so you can go for that last-gen model if you really must upgrade.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus

Latest and greatest

If you want a feature-laden smartphone and don't mind paying the extra cash, it might make sense buying the Galaxy S26 Plus. It packs top-of-the-line hardware, a refined design, better battery life, faster wireless charging, and more.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus

Old yet gold

It may be two generations old at this point, but the Galaxy S24 Plus still has got it all. It packs premium hardware, thoughtful software backed by years of software support, a reliable triple-lens camera system, and incredible battery life.

Asus ROG Phone 9 and Zenfone 12 Ultra users can now upgrade to Android 16

bradypsnyder@gmail.com (Brady Snyder) — Sun, 16 Nov 2025 20:05:18 +0000

What you need to know

Android 16 is rolling out for two of Asus' flagship phones, the ROG Phone 9 and Zenfone 12 Ultra.
The update, which is around 1GB in size, includes various bug fixes and feature improvements.
The update is rolling out gradually in batches for all supported models.

Asus is updating two of its flagship Android phones, the ROG Phone 9 and Zenfone 12 Ultra, to Android 16. The two devices launched with Android 15 in late 2024 and early 2025, respectively, and were some of the final major flagships still waiting to get an upgrade. Google released the Android 16 in June 2025, and said it spent time working with third-party OEMs beforehand to help deliver future Android upgrades quickly.

After a five-month-long wait, Asus ROG Phone 9 and Zenfone 12 Ultra users are starting to receive the Android 16 update. It comes with a version number of 36.0810.1810.43 for both phones, and each update should be around 1GB in size. The Asus ROG Phone 9 update includes more fixes and improvements, per the release notes, which makes sense considering it's the older device.

Asus warns users that some third-party apps aren't compatible with Android 16 yet, and recommends they back up their device before applying the update. It also explains the Android 16 update is rolling out in batches, based on device serial number, so it might take a few days for all Asus ROG Phone 9 and Zenfone 12 Ultra users to receive it.

Asus ROG Phone 9 update changelog

Please back up your data before upgrading to Android 16.
Upgraded system to Android 16.
Adjusted the system navigation settings. The Predictive Back animation can be triggered by either the back gesture or long-pressing the back button.
Added a power button option in the advanced setting, allowing users to configure quick access to the digital assistant by long-pressing the power button.
Added the skip countdown button to the screen recording feature.
In About Phone > Status setting, users can long-press the IMEI or Serial number field to copy the content.
Fix the issue of occasional no sound during calls with bluetooth headsets.
Some 3rd-party apps are not compatible with Android 16 yet.
Updated game profiles for the following games: Arena of Valor (TW), Arena of Valor (US), Garena® Delta Force (TW) (Cooler X Pro), Delta Force (WW) (Cooler X Pro), Genshin Impact (WW), Free Fire (WW), KartRider Rush+ (WW), Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (WW).
Updated AirTrigger profiles in ROG Instant Master for the following games: NEW STATE: NEW ERA OF BR (WW), Brawl Stars (WW), Genshin Impact (WW), Black Desert Mobile (WW), GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE (TW) (Cooler X Pro), GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE (WW) (Cooler X Pro), Racing Master (SEA)(Cooler X Pro), Need for Speed Mobile (TW).
Updated Macro profiles in ROG Instant Master for the following games: Arena of Valor (TW), Arena of Valor (US), Zenless Zone Zero (WW), Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (WW), Genshin Impact (WW), Honor of Kings (WW), League of Legends: Wild Rift (TW), League of Legends: Wild Rift (US).

Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra update changelog

Please back up your data before upgrading to Android 16.
Upgraded system to Android 16.
Adjusted the system navigation settings. The Predictive Back animation can be triggered by either the back gesture or long-pressing the back button.
Added the skip countdown button to the screen recording feature.
In About Phone > Status setting, users can long-press the IMEI or Serial number field to copy the content.
Some 3rd-party apps are not compatible with Android 16 yet.

Asus ROG Phone 9 and Zenfone 12 Ultra users can manually check for the update by opening the Settings app, navigating to the System page, and tapping System updates. You can also learn how to manually flash the Android 16 update onto your Asus phone here.

The first Android laptops are borrowing something from the Microsoft Surface Pro 11

andrew.myrick@futurenet.com (Andrew Myrick) — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 20:06:00 +0000

What you need to know

A recent rumor suggest Qualcomm is adding Android 16 support to its Snapdragon X series of processors.
It's currently unknown as to whether Qualcomm will be doing the same for its Snapdragon X2 chips.
Even with this progression, we're still likely a few months away from seeing the first Android laptop.

There were quite a few announcements made at the Qualcomm Snapdragon Summit earlier this year, which included confirmation that Android laptops were on the way. Recently, it was discovered that Qualcomm "is working on Android support for the X Elite and X (series)" processors.

Rumor: Android computers appear to be on the way.Qualcomm is working on Android 16 support for the X Elite and X (series). The picture shows purwa (Snapdragon X)'s Android 16 private code list, and Qualcomm has already uploaded the Android code for X Elite and X (to the… pic.twitter.com/pQ1vnNOvgQNovember 11, 2025

Bringing Android support to Qualcomm's flagship ARM SoC was one of the hurdles that needed to be cleared before either Google or Qualcomm could move forward. However, with this out of the way, it's probably safe to assume that the development cycle will ramp up fairly rapidly.

It's not like we were expecting to see any Android-powered laptops before the end of the year anyways. But, given that the announcement was made in late September, it's reassuring to see meaningful progress being made before the end of the year.

As a refresher, Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon X series of processors in June 2024, debuting as the company's latest attempt to bring Windows to ARM devices. A few companies released new hardware to accompany the launch, such as Samsung with its Galaxy Book 4 Edge, and the Microsoft Surface Pro 11.

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

After years of failing to really compete with Apple's M-series, Qualcomm seemingly struck gold with the Snapdragon X lineup. Our colleagues over at Windows Central found that the X Elite nearly matched Apple's M3 Pro and M3 Max in single-core CPU performance. Meanwhile the X Elite (80W) goes toe-to-toe with the M3 Pro when it comes to GPU performance.

At the most recent Snapdragon Summit, Qualcomm introduced the Snapdragon X2 series of processors, looking to build on the success. In regards to the Snapdragon X2 Elite, Qualcomm says that CPU performance "up to 31% faster" than its predecessor, "and requires up to 43% less power."

(Image credit: Android Central)

As for GPU performance, the Snapdragon X2 Elite is said to offer a "2.3X increase in performance per watt and power efficiency." Not to mention that there's also the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme, but I wouldn't hold my breath if you're hoping to see this powering an Android laptop.

Nevertheless, it's still exciting to see Qualcomm moving forward, even if the first batch of Android laptops aren't powered by the Snapdragon X2. I'm sure more information will continue to trickle out, but I'm not expecting to see much until after the new year. And a year after I wrote about it, I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for a Surface Pro-style laptop powered by Android.

Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14

Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14

You don't actually have to wait for the first Android laptops to be released if you want an ARM-powered laptop that doesn't run Windows. Lenovo's Chromebook Plus 14 is powered by the MediaTek Kompanio Ultra, and is arguably the best Chromebook that money can buy.

OnePlus 12 gets its promised Android 16 update on schedule with Open foldable, too

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Sat, 08 Nov 2025 15:11:00 +0000

What you need to know

The OnePlus 12 has started receiving its OxygenOS 16 update in India, alongside the OnePlus Open foldable.
The update is immense, bringing in a smoother OS experience, enhanced visuals, app refreshes, AI, and much more.
It was confirmed that the OnePlus 15 will debut in the U.S. in November.

Past-gen OnePlus device owners have been waiting on their promised OxygenOS 16 update to arrive, and it's finally happening, right on schedule.

Late this week, OnePlus officially announced that its 12 series is now receiving its OxygenOS 16 (Android 16) update. One thing to note is that the patch is arriving first for users in India. Users in other regions, like the U.S. and Europe, should start seeing it next week, if not a couple more weeks into November (not unusual). For those in India, the company states the patch bears firmware vCPH2573_16.0.0.201(EX01).

The changelog is massive, as is an update of this caliber. We'll highlight some of the major talking points, but the remainder of the changelog can be viewed via the community forum.

A major change OnePlus 12 owners are in for is a much smoother OS experience. The post states that "apps now display animations that begin and end at intuitive places." Moreover, dragging and dropping UI elements to different spots on your phone should be much smoother/fluid. To make this happen, OnePlus states OxygenOS 16 introduces the Trinity Engine, which "optimizes workload and resources on the fly, maintaining smooth performance across videos, gaming, and extended camera use."

Mind Space is another big feature getting some new goodies in OxygenOS 16. OnePlus says users will find the Mind Assistant on its homepage, capable of getting you to your saved content quicker. The OnePlus 12's camera is getting some TLC, as it introduces motion photos through Master mode. An enhanced portrait mode facilitates more "creative control," alongside a text scanner mode.

Here are a few more notable highlights in OxygenOS 16:

New visual update for Photos brings an immersive, seamless browsing experience
Photo albums are now easier to navigate with clearer categories and personalized sorting for frequently used ones
New Home screen icons showcase lifelike visuals and intricate detail through light field styling
Enjoy a cleaner, more organized Home screen with optimized grid and layout—making icons, folders, and widgets look tidier than ever
Introduces an uncluttered Home screen design by removing text beneath icons

Right on Schedule

(Image credit: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)

It's also worth mentioning that the OnePlus Open, the company's first foldable, is receiving the OxygenOS 16 update this week in India, too.

While the OnePlus 15 already launched with OxygenOS 16 (U.S. debut confirmed in November), consumers with the company's past-gen phones were patiently waiting for their turn. It was confirmed in October that OnePlus was planning to begin in November with its OxygenOS 16 rollout, intended to hit the OnePlus 13 series and the 12 first. These devices have already started receiving the update, which means users in more regions should start seeing it soon, as November continues.

Devices slated for December include the OnePlus 11 5G, 11R 5G, Nord 5, Nord CE5, Nord 4, and Nord 3 5G.

When OxygenOS 16 was first revealed, it was touted as a software that truly knows the user. A revamped interface with customizable themes and improved app visuals with even more AI were among its major highlights.

Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3.2 is here, bringing Pixel testers more bug fixes

bradypsnyder@gmail.com (Brady Snyder) — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 10:22:00 +0000

What you need to know

Google is rolling out Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3.2 to Pixel phones and tablets enrolled in the Android Beta Program.
The patch includes bug fixes and stability improvements, including a lock screen clock issue.
This is the second minor patch released for Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3, following up Beta 3.2 from last week.

Google is rolling out another revision of Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3, with Pixel testers receiving the Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3.2 patch today. The latest update, announced on the Android Beta Program subreddit, includes bug fixes and stability improvements. Google hasn't updated its release notes page with specifics for what's changed in Beta 3.1 and Beta 3.2, but users are already chiming in with the improvements they've noticed.

A bug affecting the lock screen clock in Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3.1 appears to be fixed with the newest update. Additionally, users are reporting that the weather report in the At a glance widget on Pixel phones is working correctly following the patch. The update appears to be around 40MB and 50MP, depending on your device model.

The patch is available for Google Pixel 6 and newer phones and the Pixel Tablet. It'll appear as an over-the-air update for these devices, provided they are enrolled in the Android Beta Program. However, it might take some time for the patch to appear for your device.

Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3.2 now available! from r/android_beta

The build number for Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3.2 is BP41.250916.012 for the Pixel 6 series, and BP41.250916.012.A1 for all other eligible Pixel phones and tablets. The OTA images are available on Google's Android developer site.

"This release primarily contains fixes that enhance device stability," according to Google's post.

What's new in Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3.2

While the company hasn't shared specifics regarding Beta 3.1 or Beta 3.2, Google did provide a detailed changelog for Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3. This update released Oct. 16, and included the following fixes:

Google Play System Updates were failing to install for some users. (Issue #420748298, Issue #438257102)
Home screen shortcuts appeared as blank gray circles. (Issue #440302367)
The Wallet icon on your lockscreen could sometimes appear with incorrect coloring. (Issue #419061603, Issue #434489536)
Battery charged to 100% when adaptive charging is turned on (Issue #445583926)
The swipe-up gesture from the bottom occasionally stopped working. (Issue #436632152, Issue #445023211)
Your selected theme might not apply on the first attempt. (Issue #440830741)
50MP images captured with the ultrawide or telephoto lens displayed rainbow artifacts. (Issue #422058430, Issue #443250512)
Poor battery life due to excessive CPU usage by the launcher, particularly on foldable devices. (Issue #441741448)
Calls could incorrectly route Bluetooth audio. (Issue #448580013, Issue #448580779)
Users in New Zealand could not access all 6GHz Wi-Fi networks. (Issue #444050891)
The Terminal app would crash if you changed your device's UI font size while it was open. (Issue #412082408)
Users couldn't type special characters like \*, @, or # in the GUI terminal. (Issue #444130818)
Simultaneously swiping lockscreen widgets and the notification shade caused buggy animations and a laggy, unresponsive UI. (Issue #446133358)
The screen sometimes became unresponsive or froze when unlocking the device.
Display freezes and screen noise
Unexpected device crashes

You can check for the latest Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3.2 update by opening the Settings app on your Pixel, tapping System and System update, and pressing Check for update. Then, follow the on-screen prompts to install the latest beta patch.

How can I get the Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3.2 update?

If your eligible Pixel device is already enrolled in the Android Beta Program, you will receive the patch as an over-the-air (OTA) update. You can manually check for it by going to Settings > System > System update and pressing Check for update.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus vs. Galaxy S25 Plus: Should you upgrade?

sharmarajat@zoho.com (Rajat Sharma) — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 06:13:09 +0000

Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus

Meaningful upgrades

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus packs a number of improvements including powerful and more energy-efficient hardware, faster wireless charging, and a refreshed design language.

Pros

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 or Samsung Exynos 2600 for better performance
Updated design is fairly good
Seven years of OS & security updates

Cons

Same dated camera hardware, yet again
Slow charging speeds and no native Qi2 support

Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus

Does it all

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus remains a well-rounded Android flagship with its vibrant high-resolution display, a solid triple-lens camera setup, years of software support, and more.

Pros

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite is still powerful and thermally efficient
All-day battery life
Fantastic camera performance with Log video support

Cons

Camera hardware unchanged over the last few generations
No integrated magnets for proper Qi2 support

If you're planning to buy a well-rounded Android flagship, the Galaxy S25 Plus still remains an easy recommendation. From a vibrant high-resolution display to top-of-the-line cameras to all-day battery life, it ticks almost all the boxes. Overall, the Galaxy S25 Plus is the dark horse of the entire Galaxy S25 line-up.

That's all well and good, but it's no longer the newest thing in town, as the Galaxy S26 series has finally been launched. Samsung's latest flagship trio consists of the compact Galaxy S26, the balanced Galaxy S26 Plus, and the stylus-toting Galaxy S26 Ultra, with all three packing in top-tier hardware, feature-laden software, and more.

So, what exactly does the fresh Galaxy S26 Plus bring to the table? Is it really that big of an upgrade over its predecessor, or should you just get the Galaxy S25 Plus and save some cash in the process? Let's compare the Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus vs. Galaxy S25 Plus and find the answers to these questions.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus vs. Galaxy S25 Plus: Pricing and availability

Even though the Galaxy S26 line-up is already up for pre-order, the series will be launching in North America on March 11, with a wider rollout to follow in markets around the world soon.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

However, even if you've been ready to go with your wallet for a while, be prepared to spend a bit more. While the Galaxy S26 Ultra still has the same starting price of $1,299.99 as its predecessor had at the time of launch last year, that's not the case with its siblings. The Galaxy S26 Plus and the Galaxy S26 will cost you $100 extra in comparison to their predecessors, having been introduced with starting prices of $1,099.99 and $899.99, respectively.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

That's quite a bummer, but these prices are (mostly) in line with what competing flagships from brands such as Google are available at. As you would expect, there are many pre-order deals that you can take advantage of to save some cash.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus vs. Galaxy S25 Plus: Design, display, and hardware

The overall design of Samsung's flagships has largely remained the same for the last few years, but that's finally changing with the Galaxy S26 trio. As CAD renders (via OnLeaks / Android Headlines) indicated, the three smartphones come with some visual updates, even if they're really minor.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

While the Galaxy S26 Plus and the Galaxy S26 have the same vertically arranged camera arrays as the last-gen models, the three individual lenses are now housed in a pill-shaped island, instead of being directly on the back panel as they're with the Galaxy S25 series.

The same design change goes for the Galaxy S26 Ultra as well, though the fourth lens and the laser AF module are still placed directly on the rear panel. Clearly, it's an overhaul inspired from the Galaxy S25 Edge and the Galaxy Z Fold 7.

Other than that, the three smartphones retain their usual boxy construction with flat sides, all-glass front and back panels, and IP68 certification. It's worth noting here that the Galaxy S26 Plus has the exact same dimensions and weight as the previous-gen model. The Galaxy S26 and the Galaxy S26 Ultra, on the other hand, have grown ever so slightly in size in comparison to their respective predecessors.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

Up front, the three smartphones remain an all-screen affair, with the Galaxy S26 Plus having the exact same 6.7-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED panel as the Galaxy S25 Plus. That's a good thing, because this screen is a delight to look at. From the 120Hz adaptive refresh rate to the super-high pixel density of more than 500ppi, it has everything!

Specifications
Category	Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus	Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus
Dimensions	158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm (6.24 x 2.98 x 0.29 in)	158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm (6.24 x 2.98 x 0.29 in)
Durability & Case Material(s)	IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (front and back), Aluminum frame	IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (front and back), Aluminum frame
Weight	190 g	190 g
Display	6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED (1440x3120 pixels resolution), LTPO, 120Hz variable refresh rate	6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED (1440x3120 pixels resolution), LTPO, 120Hz variable refresh rate
Chipset / SoC	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (for Galaxy) or Samsung Exynos 2600	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (for Galaxy)
RAM	12GB	12GB
Storage	256GB/512GB	256GB/512GB
Sensors	Under-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity sensor, Compass, and Barometer	Under-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity sensor, Compass, and Barometer
Wireless Connectivity	Wi-Fi 7, 5G (mmWave and Sub-6), Bluetooth 6.0, GPS, NFC, UWB, and USB-C 3.2 (with DisplayPort)	Wi-Fi 7, 5G (mmWave and Sub-6), Bluetooth 5.4, GPS, NFC, UWB, and USB-C 3.2 (with DisplayPort)
Other Features	Samsung DeX (wired & wireless), Galaxy AI	Samsung DeX (wired & wireless), Galaxy AI
Battery & Charging	4,900mAh (Li-Ion), 45W (wired) and 20W (wireless) charging, Qi2 Ready	4,900mAh (Li-Ion), 45W (wired) and 15W (wireless) charging, Qi2 Ready
Cameras (Rear)	50MP wide-angle, 10MP telephoto (3x optical zoom), 12MP ultrawide \| 8K video recording	50MP wide-angle, 10MP telephoto (3x optical zoom), 12MP ultrawide \| 8K video recording
Camera (Front)	12MP wide-angle \| 4K video recording	12MP wide-angle \| 4K video recording
OS & Update Policy	Android 16 with One UI 8.5 (preinstalled), seven years of OS and security updates	Android 15 with One UI 7 (preinstalled), seven years of OS and security updates

Coming to specifications, there are some improvements. The S-series has always been synonymous with (almost) the best hardware in the business, and the Galaxy S26 Plus is no different. It's powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (for Galaxy), which is the latest and greatest SoC from Qualcomm, with some markets getting Samsung's newest Exynos 2600 chipset. Regardless of silicon, the 12GB RAM and 256GB/512GB onboard storage options have been carried forward from the last-gen model.

We can't comment about the smartphone's real-world performance until we put it through its paces, but Qualcomm's new chipset is claimed to deliver a jump of up to 25% in single-core performance and a boost of up to 20% in multi-core workloads. The new SoC from Samsung is expected to pack a punch as well.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

Of course, this doesn't mean that you should ignore the previous-gen Galaxy S25 Plus, which is still very much capable of powering its way through everything you throw at it. As Android Central's Derrek Lee noted in his Galaxy S25 Plus review, the smartphone stays thermally efficient while handling intense tasks, all thanks to Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite silicon.

It goes without saying that the Galaxy S26 Plus packs all the modern connectivity and I/O options, including Wi-Fi 7, multi-band 5G, NFC, DeX, and USB Type-C 3.2 with DisplayPort functionality. Of course, the Galaxy S25 Plus has all these too.

(Image credit: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)

As such, the hardware upgrades are minimal at best and shouldn't be your "only" reason to pick the Galaxy S26 Plus. The Galaxy S25 Plus continues to be among the best Android phones money can buy, and it's going to remain so for a very, very long time.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus vs. Galaxy S25 Plus: Cameras, software, and battery

It should hardly be a surprise that the Galaxy S25 Plus is among the best Android camera phones available in the market. The triple-lens system is comprised of a 50MP primary sensor, a 10MP telephoto unit with 3x optical zoom, as well as a 12MP ultrawide module.

The setup lets you shoot solid photos with loads of detail and dynamic range, and low-light performance is great too. For videos, you get up to 8K recording as well as Log video capture functionality. Add to it the wide assortment of editing tools and AI-based features, and you have a fabulous everyday camera array.

But even with all that goodness, the camera hardware has stayed the same over the last multiple generations. And unfortunately, the Galaxy S26 Plus continues to recycle the same triple-lens system yet again, with no changes whatsoever.

Sure, the new smartphone might have slightly better camera performance due to its improved processing, but we'll have to test it out in the real world before we can say anything about the same.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

Talking about software, the Galaxy S26 Plus (and its siblings) run Android 16 out of the box. Samsung began rolling out this version of the operating system to the Galaxy S25 series (even as Google has shifted its focus on Android 17) a while ago.

Samsung's version of Android 16 is spruced up with One UI 8.5, the latest version of its custom UI overlay that continues to be refined steadily over time. It includes features such as AI-based notification summaries, Bixby updates, improvements to the Galaxy AI suite, enhanced customization, and much more.

It goes without saying that all of these features will make their way to the Galaxy S25 Plus (and other eligible devices) in due course of time.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

When the Galaxy S25 Plus was launched, it impressed us with its amazing battery endurance. The phone can go a full day before needing a top-up, which is quite a feat, given its powerful internals and a rather modest 4,900mAh battery capacity.

The Galaxy S26 Plus comes with the exact same battery size, so (theoretically) it should be able provide a similar endurance, considering its more power-efficient hardware. However, what's disappointing is Samsung's stubborn refusal to adopt silicon-carbon tech for its smartphones for yet another product year, even as the devices from competitors (e.g., Vivo X200 Pro, Motorola Signature) move forward in that direction.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

The Galaxy S26 Plus carries forward the same 45W wired charging support as the last-gen model, although the 20W wireless charging functionality is a slight (but welcome) improvement over the 15W wireless charging speed of the Galaxy S25 Plus. What's truly baffling, however, is the fact that Samsung's new phone(s) still lack integrated built-in magnets for native Qi2 magnetic charging. Yes, you can get that functionality by using a magnetic case (as is the case—pun intended—with the Galaxy S25 Plus), but you shouldn't have to do so on a 2026 flagship that costs over a thousand dollars. Moreover, devices such as the Google Pixel 10 Pro have full built-in magnetic charging support already. Then there are phones such as the OnePlus 15, which are in a league of their own in terms of charging speeds.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus vs. Galaxy S25 Plus: Should you upgrade?

There's no denying that the Galaxy S26 Plus has its share of improvements. It gets a refreshed design, the latest silicon, and faster wireless charging. That's all great, but apart from these handful of upgrades, everything else is the same as it's with the Galaxy S25 Plus. At best, Samsung's latest Plus model (and by extension, the entire S26 series) is just an incremental update. So, the question is, if you've been thinking about buying a new phone for yourself, should you go for the Galaxy S26 Plus, or save some money and get the Galaxy S25 instead?

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

In our opinion, buying the Galaxy S26 Plus only makes sense if you can manage to grab a solid discount by trading in your existing phone, or if you couldn't care less about the price tag and just want the newest from Samsung anyway. You will be getting a high-end device with blazing-fast hardware, AI-powered software, a versatile triple-lens camera array, years of software support, and good battery life.

But here's the thing! You'll get all of these with the Galaxy S25 Plus too, which still remains one of the best Samsung phones out there and is going to serve you for years to come. As such, if all you want is a reliable flagship smartphone that has it all, we suggest you buy the last-generation model and save some dough.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus

New and slightly improved

The new Galaxy S26 Plus has the latest flagship chipset from Qualcomm or Samsung, a refreshed design, AI-loaded software experience, and slightly faster wireless charging.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus

Still ticks all the boxes

It may be a last-generation model now, but the Galaxy S25 Plus still offers class-leading performance, great cameras, years of software support, and fabulous battery life.

Nothing's OS 4 Open Beta on Phone 3a changes up the lock screen visuals

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 10:17:00 +0000

What you need to know

Nothing announced that the Open Beta for its OS 4 (Android 16) software is finally here for the Phone 3a and 3a Pro.
Users downloading the test will find new camera changes, Lock Glimpse, and a visual overhaul.
The Phone 3 had a limited closed beta in July, ahead of its September Open Beta, and Nothing's full reveal of OS 4.

Nothing Phone 3a series users, this is an announcement for you, as the company brings its latest major OS into public testing.

On its community forum, Nothing announced that its Open Beta for the OS 4 update is available now for the Phone 3a and 3a Pro. This test is for the company's major Android 16 update headed for several of its devices. Today (Oct 24), Phone 3a and 3a Pro users will experience Nothing's UI visual overhaul. This change regards the icons users will see across their devices, as Nothing states has been refreshed to feel "lighter" and "more refined."

These changes aren't set in stone, as Nothing will use the Open Beta to gauge user feedback and make any necessary changes.

The other major feature rolling out with the Open Beta is "Lock Glimpse." With Lock Glimpse, Nothing says users will find "high-quality wallpapers to your lock screen, curated to your taste across nine categories." This feature in the beta is disabled by default; however, diving into Settings will let you quickly enable it. Once there, users can decide to toggle "Display on lock screen," a feature that will refresh your lock screen with a new, curated wallpaper every time you turn on your screen.

Users can also toggle "Left swipe to explore." If enabled, swiping left on your lock screen will surface a new "captivating" piece of lock screen content for you. Nothing states it has plans in the works to let users lean on their personal photos for Lock Glimpse. It also states that your privacy will be taken into account if you choose your own content over Lock Glimpse's curated assortment.

Phone 3a gets in the beta

(Image credit: Nothing)

The final new feature in the Open Beta concerns the Phone 3a series' camera. The patch notes state that a preset, created in collaboration with photographer Jordan Hemingway, lets users "enhance photos" with deep shadows and extended highlights. This photo preset should bring about a new "cinematic" photo by the end.

If you're interested in joining the beta, there are a set of crucial steps you must take to get going. Moreover, Nothing advises that users back up their data before beginning the beta joining process, just to be safe.

Nothing revealed OS 4.0 (Android 16) in September, and with it came details about its design changes and new lock screens. The company upgraded its AI experience a little by adding a new dashboard that shows all active models, such as Gemini Flash, Whisper, and GPT-4o. Nothing even unveiled its "Extra Dark" mode, which turns dark elements fully black.

The flagship Phone 3 entered a Closed Beta for OS 4 in July, ahead of an Open Beta back in September. At the time, the company didn't express what changes users would see, only that they would have access to "Android 16's native" features.

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE's last major Android upgrade is reaching users

bradypsnyder@gmail.com (Brady Snyder) — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 12:58:00 +0000

What you need to know

Samsung is rolling out One UI 8 for the Galaxy S21 FE in Thailand and Vietnam.
The update will likely be the Galaxy S21 FE's last major Android OS upgrade, as its four-year update guarantee is coming to an end.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE still has more than a year of monthly security patches left.

Following its debut alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 over the summer, Samsung has steadily brought One UI 8 to more devices. The operating system, based on Android 16, builds off the One UI 7 overhaul while adding new features and doubling down on Galaxy AI. Now, Samsung is bringing the One UI 8 update to the Galaxy S21 FE — and it's likely going to be its final major Android OS upgrade.

SamMobile first spotted the One UI 8 rollout for the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, which began Thursday, Oct. 23 for users in Thailand and Vietnam. There's no word on when the rollout will reach other areas, but this initial update release signals that One UI 8 is on the way globally for the Galaxy S21 FE. According to the report, the update is over 2GB in size — relatively small for a major OS upgrade — and comes with version G990EXXUIHYJ2.

Samsung's rollout pace appears to be quicker than usual for the Galaxy S21 FE. Like many Galaxy phone models, the Galaxy S21 FE received Android 15 later than expected. It only received the boost to One UI 7 back in May 2025. One UI 8 now quickly replaces it as the newest software version only a few months later.

To check for the update, open the Settings app on your Galaxy S21 FE and tap the Software update tab. Then, press Download and install and Install now to load up One UI 8 when it is available. If you're not in Thailand or Vietnam, expect to wait a bit for Samsung to seed the update in more regions.

Will the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE get any more updates?

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

The quick One UI 8 rollout should be welcomed by Galaxy S21 FE owners, but it may be their last major Android update. Samsung first launched the Galaxy S21 FE in January 2022 with a four-year OS update promise. One UI 8 marks the fourth full Android OS upgrade the phone has received, and the Galaxy S21 FE will turn four years old in a few months. As such, we don't expect the Galaxy S21 FE to get Android 17.

However, the phone is set to receive security updates for another year after its OS upgrade guarantee ends in January 2026. Looking ahead, newer Galaxy FE phones won't lose support as quickly. Starting with the Galaxy S24 FE and continuing with the Galaxy S25 FE, these "Fan Edition" phones come with a lengthy seven-year update promise.

Google rolls out Android 16 Beta 3.1 to fix bootloop issues for Pixel users

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 09:45:00 +0000

What you need to know

Google has started rolling out an update for its enrolled Pixel testers for a bootloop issue that plagued Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3.
The patch is rolling out for all devices; however, Google offered a list of steps to help those still caught in the loop.
Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3 rolled out late last week, and it was quite an extensive patch with a new app shortcut button, Live Caption updates, and more.

It's only been a few days, but it looks like the "failed to load" issues plaguing many Pixel testers are getting a fix.

Late in the evening on October 20, Google started rolling out an OTA patch for bootloader issues that affected its Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3 testers. In a Reddit post, the company states that it's rolling out two versions of this patch for Pixels. Users with a Pixel 6, 6 Pro, or 6a will see vBP41.250916.010, while every other eligible Pixel sees vBP41.250916.010.A1.

While users who may have held off can download Beta 3.1 (after enrolling), Google is offering a few solutions for those caught in the loop when QPR2 Beta 3 rolled out last week.

To begin, Google states users can wait and see if their device "recovers" back to Beta 2 after failing to boot properly. If that doesn't work, the company suggests USB debugging, if you've got that enabled (before the looping occurred). Another option involves downloading the Beta 3.1 OTA from Android's Developer site and placing your phone in Recovery mode to install the update.

Google has provided a step-by-step set of instructions for five viable solutions to the bootlooping issue from QPR2 Beta 3. It's worth noting that two solutions should be seen as a last resort, as they will wipe all of your device's data if used.

Major problems

Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3.1 now available! from r/android_beta

Last week brought Google's next wave of Android 16 tests to enrolled testers, packed with a new button for app shortcuts. An added "+" icon brings more awareness to users that they can pin an app's shortcut. Other additions in the recent test brought Live Captions shortcuts for volume and even larger icons for the search bar.

QPR2 Beta 3 was quite a substantial patch, judging by its extensive changelog for Pixels, but it was quickly soured a day later by user reports.

That's when users started reporting the bootloop problems after trying to shift into Beta 3. It was reported that Google quickly removed the patch to avoid any more problems and to keep users who may not have known away from it.

So far, a few user reports on Reddit claim the patch has solved the issue.

News Weekly: OxygenOS 16 arrives for OnePlus phones, Samsung's XR headset is coming, Pixel 10 Pro Fold battery explodes, and more

nandika.iyerravi@futurenet.com (Nandika Ravi) — Sat, 18 Oct 2025 10:06:00 +0000

News Weekly

(Image credit: Future)

News Weekly is our column where we highlight and summarize some of the week's top stories so you can catch up on the latest tech news.

This week, OnePlus' OxygenOS 16 launches, Samsung's Project Moohan gets a launch date, Pixel 10 Pro Fold smokes up in a durability test, Samsung's ultra-slim Edge could be gone for good, and Android 16's QPR2 Beta 3 brings app shortcuts. Let's get into it, shall we?

OnePlus' intuitive OxygenOS 16 arrives

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Read more here and here

OnePlus just unveiled its latest software, OxygenOS 16, based on Android 16 this week (Oct.16), and says that it is the OS built on "Intelligently Yours" philosophy, bringing a smarter, more AI-infused OS that takes personalization up a notch. Android Central's Nick Sutrich says that this year's OxygenOS 16 "offers users plenty of UI customization options and focuses intensely on the beautification of the entire experience."

The new OS is said to be so "smooth" and gives users many ways to customize their lock screen and app drawer with animations. It introduces the "Flux Theme 2.0," which lets you personalize your wallpaper with moving photos and videos, including cool 3D effects that react to you.

It also seamlessly works with OnePlus' AI and Gemini, providing the user with a more intuitive experience that feels like having a personal assistant in your pocket.

Samsung's Project Moohan looks set to launch this month

(Image credit: Michael Hicks / Android Central)

Read more here

The wait might be finally over as Samsung is set to host another virtual Galaxy event to unveil its new AI-focused devices as well as Android's XR platform.

In a press release to Android Central, Samsung said that users should prepare for the Galaxy event "Worlds Wide Open." This event is set to take place next week on October 21 at 10 pm ET (7 pm PT). It will be streamed on Samsung's main site, as well as its YouTube channel. At the heart of the matter, we have what the company is preparing to talk about: Project Moohan, otherwise known as Samsung's first XR headset.

Samsung says that Project Moohan will "blend everyday utility with immersive new experiences, unlocking a whole new dimension of possibility and setting a new benchmark for XR."

Pixel 10 Pro Fold had a bad week

(Image credit: Zack Nelson / JerryRigEverything)

Read more here

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold was caught under a heavy dark cloud this week, or a white cloud (pun intended). Zack Nelson, the host of the 'JerryRigEverything' channel on YouTube, put the Pixel 10 Pro Fold through his infamous durability test. And things got pretty ugly, with Google's latest Fold pretty much exploding and smoking during the bend test.

Here's what happened: the first time he bent the device in reverse, it pretty much snapped in half at the antenna lines on top. However, when he tried to bend the device further, the battery almost instantly gave out and began smoking.

According to Android Central's Jerry Hildenbrand, this was caused by something called the thermal runaway. It occurs when something causes a spot in the battery to heat up, such as the excessive pressure from the bend test. Which created "a self-sustaining chain reaction that heats adjacent spots until everything becomes hot enough to burn."

Samsung Galaxy S26 Edge may be gone for good

(Image credit: OnLeaks / Android Headlines)

Read more here

The word on the street is that Samsung has reportedly cancelled its Edge variant, as its predecessor didn't fare well in the market. According to recent reports, people weren't as interested in buying the ultra-slim Galaxy S25 Edge due to several underlying reasons. While we don't know for sure what caused it, we assume that its hefty price tag and the battery capacity could've pushed for this to happen.

This has led Samsung to reportedly cut production and offer heavy discounts on the device. Which means we won't be seeing it in the Galaxy S26 lineup, as a Samsung executive said that the slim Edge line is unlikely to return. This means that there may not be a line-up reshuffle after all, and that Samsung could be sticking to its usual base, Plus, and Ultra trio.

Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3 landed, but was pulled back

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

Read more here

Android 16's next beta just about landed before it was pulled from the servers due to a boot loop issue. But here's what users can expect to see when the stable version drops.

The beta version supposedly makes it easier to add app shortcuts directly to the home screen. While this isn't a new feature, Google has just made it easier to create a shortcut with a "+" button beside each shortcut, making it more obvious that they can be pinned to the home screen.

Some smaller tweaks include a Live Caption shortcut that has been added directly to the volume control menu, and the icons for the microphone, Google Lens, and AI Mode in the home screen search bar are now slightly larger for better visibility.

OxygenOS 16 on the OnePlus 13 is stunning! Here are my 8 favorite new things

Nicholas Sutrich — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 15:58:27 +0000

Android Central Labs

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Android Central Labs is a weekly column devoted to deep dives, experiments, and a focused look into the tech you use. It covers phones, tablets, and everything in between.

When OnePlus started teasing its Android 16 update, I got a little bit nervous. Everything we'd seen officially from the company looked like it was just ripping off iOS, and I don't know about you, but that's not why I use a OnePlus phone.

Thankfully, what we'd been seeing are just new options that users can enable if they want. Like the split notification shade OnePlus introduced last year, this year's OxygenOS 16 offers users plenty of UI customization options and focuses intensely on the beautification of the entire experience.

That ranges from new lockscreen options, new animations, smoother performance, an updated theme engine, AI-powered photography options that are designed to make the camera even better than before, and plenty more! I've spent several days with OxygenOS 16 on my OnePlus 13 and came away super impressed with what's in store for users as it starts rolling out globally today.

Themes and lockscreen

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

The first thing you're sure to notice is how much of a glow-up the theme engine and, by proxy, the lockscreen have received. When I first booted up the OxygenOS 16 update, I was greeted by a majestic mountain wallpaper complete with gorgeous new moving wallpaper effects and incredible depth.

OnePlus answered the call for users to customize the text on the lockscreen, so no more settling for just "Never Settle" or some other random word like "fast," as you had to in OxygenOS 15. Not only that, but you can select any motion photo taken with the camera and apply it to the lockscreen, complete with depth effects and movement. It's gorgeous and creates a whole new style you're going to spend hours tweaking.

Notification shade and homescreen

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

The lockscreen isn't the only thing getting a glow-up! Both the homescreen and notification shade have received some excellent tweaks. App icons are now prominently displayed on the left side of each notification, including an easy-to-see number for nofication groups.

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Homescreen icons can now be stretched to fit larger spaces. If you have just one icon and want to fill a gap, it'll turn into a lovely little colored button. Likewise, widgets now have a more rounded shape, giving them a more uniform appearance, but you can disable it if you don't like the new style.

The app drawer got a nice redesign too, adding a new categorical view you can swipe between that auto-categorizes apps into folders. I still prefer the alphabetized drawer, and the redesigned alphabetical scrolling wheel on the right now singles out each letter's apps instead of just scrolling through the drawer, helping to better isolate apps that start with each letter.

Animations

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

OnePlus made a big deal of animations in OxygenOS 15, and the company is doubling down with Parallel Processing 2.0, which allows new animations to begin before other ones have even finished. That ensures that fun animations complement each other instead of canceling out.

One of my favorite new animations is seeing apps slide outward when using the back gesture. You can play around with this by heading to system navigation in system settings, then enabling swipe animations. It's very fun and helps complete the feeling of a cohesive, fluid OS!

Better portraits

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

I've found that the OnePlus 13 often takes excellent portrait photos, but there are a few times when I hope for better results. OxygenOS 16 adds a ton of new portrait enhancement features, including much-needed post-processing options that let you adjust the amount of blur and lighting on foreground objects and people.

You can edit any photo taken previously, so these new features work on both new and existing photos. Speaking of older photos, people who have a vast catalog of photos on their OnePlus phones will find the new Perfect Shot feature to be a godsend. Tapping Perfect Shot will scan your gallery (assuming you gave it permission) for similar faces, then offer alternative expressions based on that person's other pictures.

It's similar to Google's Best Take feature, but it doesn't just work on photos taken in a single group burst. This is the perfect solution for those of us with teenagers or pre-teens who never seem to want to smile, as you can pretty easily swap out that angsty stare with a nice smile if you've got a few sitting in your gallery. It feels like magic!

Mind Space

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

OnePlus may have launched Mind Space with the middling OnePlus 13S a few months ago, but this is the first time I'm getting to use it on my standard OnePlus 13. While I'm hoping OnePlus adds a few more ways to quickly get to Mind Space on phones without a dedicated side key, it's easy enough to three-finger swipe down to capture anything and send it to Mind Space on this phone.

Accessing it via a quick icon on the homescreen is also fine enough, but it's what's inside that I'm really loving. Ever since Nothing launched Essential Space with the Nothing Phone 3a series back in the Spring, other Android OEMs have been adding a similar feature that works even better than Nothing's design. Like Essential Space, OnePlus's Mind Space app is a central repository for all your note-taking and screenshot-searching needs.

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

The key difference here is that, while things are easily searchable on the Pixel Screenshots app for Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 phones, Mind Space is the first app of its kind to directly integrate into Gemini. That means you don't even have to open the app to start a search. Just ask Gemini and it'll organize everything for you!

Mind Space is also very handy for summarizing or organizing information, and can even create charts and visuals based on information you store in it. This is awesome for me, as I often take notes for briefings or interviews and then have to comb through them later to organize them. Mind Space was able to take one of these documents and turn it into a visual flow chart, giving me a quick way to organize all my thoughts.

My next request for OnePlus is to allow it to store longer documents and make importing documents to Mind Space easier than just sharing what's on screen.

Voice recorder upgrades

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Voice Recorder got a massive upgrade in OxygenOS 16. While the previous version was fine enough, it lacked some of the more impressive AI-based features like automatic transcription and speaker identification. All that is here now, and it works beautifully.

You can even go back and transcribe previous recordings you made, making this update even more useful. That transcription can then be summarized, shared, or edited any way you like, which is great because it means I'll no longer have to carry another phone or use another app just to get transcription for my recordings.

Games games games

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

evenGames are finally, finally running at full speed in OxygenOS 16, with proper 120FPS support for any game that can push those limits. This is part of a total overhaul OnePlus did to enhance fluidity and speed for this release, and it includes a big upgrade for the Game Assistant tool built into the phone.

This tool features a metric ton of options now, including better profiles that help scale performance based on your needs. Game Assistant even does great things like organize all your screenshots and recordings into albums for each game, making it simple to find what you need, well after playing them.

Still the best multitasking in the biz

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

OnePlus dropped a teaser for the upcoming OnePlus 15 running OxygenOS 16 the other day, and it had me worried. The only multitasking UI shown was a blatant iOS ripoff, which is a big downgrade from the current best multitasking UI that OxygenOS already features. Thankfully, this lame iOS ripoff version seems to just be an optional toggle rather than a replacement.

OnePlus has long had the best multitasking UIs, whether that's the ultra-fast overview screen that lets you swap between 10 apps at a time with a single swipe, or the company's incredible Open Canvas feature that debuted with the OnePlus Open two years ago.

In fact, OnePlus Pad 3 users running OxygenOS 16 now have access to a whopping 18 apps on the bottom dock, and Open Canvas has now been upgraded to support 5-app splitscreen at the same time. Talk about hardcore multitasking!

And more!

(Image credit: OnePlus)

There are a lot of new features in OxygenOS 16 that I didn't touch on here that are worth looking at. From the AI writing functionality to the enhanced "Fluid Cloud" (that's OnePlus's version of Dynamic Island) and several other features, this is a jam-packed release that people are going to love.

OnePlus 13

OxygenOS 16 is just the first of five major updates scheduled for the OnePlus 13, the best Android smartphone we've ever reviewed. Get ready for speed and versatility with this blue beauty in your pocket!

The latest Android 16 QPR2 beta makes it easier to add app shortcuts to home screen

sanujb6@gmail.com (Sanuj Bhatia) — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 12:46:13 +0000

What you need to know

Google has released Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3 for Pixel devices with new features and stability fixes.
The update adds a "+" button to app shortcuts, making it easier to pin them directly to the home screen.
Other changes include a Live Caption shortcut in volume controls and larger icons in the search bar.
The stable Android 16 QPR2 update is expected to roll out to all users in December 2025.

Update 10/17: The Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3 update has reportedly been pulled from the OTA channel after reports surfaced of some devices entering bootloops.

Original article follows:

It's been only a couple of months since Google rolled out the Android 16 QPR1 update, which introduced the Material 3 Expressive design language to older Pixel devices. Now, the company has released Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3 for Pixel phones after a few weeks of public testing.

As expected, later QPR beta builds mainly focus on stability and bug fixes, but QPR2 Beta 3 also includes a few new features. The previous QPR2 beta added customizable icon shapes, and this version makes it easier to add app shortcuts directly to the home screen.

App shortcuts are not new to Android. They've existed for years and appear when you long-press an app icon. For example, long-pressing the YouTube app reveals shortcuts like Subscriptions, Shorts, and Search. These could previously be added to the home screen, but with Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3, Google now includes a "+" button beside each shortcut, making it more obvious that they can be pinned to the home screen.

Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3 focuses on fixes and small tweaks

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

There are also a few smaller changes in this build. A Live Caption shortcut has been added directly to the volume control menu, and the icons for the microphone, Google Lens, and AI Mode in the home screen search bar are now slightly larger for better visibility.

Beyond these additions, the update includes several bug fixes. It resolves an issue where Google Play System Updates failed to install for some users, as well as a problem where devices charged to 100% even when adaptive charging was turned on. You can view the full release notes for Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3 down below:

Google Play System Updates were failing to install for some users.
Home screen shortcuts appeared as blank gray circles.
The Wallet icon on your lockscreen could sometimes appear with incorrect coloring.
Battery charged to 100% when adaptive charging is turned on.
The swipe-up gesture from the bottom occasionally stopped working.
Your selected theme might not apply on the first attempt.
50MP images captured with the ultrawide or telephoto lens displayed rainbow artifacts.
Poor battery life due to excessive CPU usage by the launcher, particularly on foldable devices.
Calls could incorrectly route Bluetooth audio.
Users in New Zealand could not access all 6GHz Wi-Fi networks.
The Terminal app would crash if you changed your device's UI font size while it was open.
Users couldn't type special characters like `*`, `@`, or `#` in the GUI terminal.
Simultaneously swiping lockscreen widgets and the notification shade caused buggy animations and a laggy, unresponsive UI.
The screen sometimes became unresponsive or froze when unlocking the device.
Display freezes and screen noise.
Unexpected device crashes.

If you want to try out the latest Android 16 beta, make sure your Pixel is enrolled in the Android Beta Program. OTA updates have already started rolling out, but if it hasn't appeared on your device yet, you can sideload or flash the factory image manually. Alternatively, if you prefer waiting for the stable release, the final version of Android 16 QPR2 is expected to arrive in December 2025.

LineageOS 23 brings Android 16 to over 100 devices despite Google’s holdups

techkritiko@gmail.com (Jay Bonggolto) — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 11:12:04 +0000

What you need to know

Built on Android 16, LineageOS 23.0 is rolling out to over 100 devices minus QPR1 features, since Google’s source code is still under wraps.
Expect predictive back navigation, full edge-to-edge display, improved app scaling, and support for advanced protection devices.
Aperture adds Ultra HDR and RAW capture, Twelve gets smarter with Jellyfin integration and shuffle, and Catapult joins as a sleek, ad-free TV launcher.

LineageOS has just rolled out its 23.0 release, built on Android 16, and it’s now available for over a hundred devices. While Google hasn’t made every component of Android 16 (notably QPR1) public, the LineageOS team didn’t wait around and launched using what’s already accessible.

Because Google delayed releasing the Android 16 QPR1 source, LineageOS couldn’t merge those updates. That’s why this release is labeled 23.0 instead of 23.1, as per Android Authority's Mishaal Rahman. The team opted not to sit idle, deciding that providing users with a baseline Android 16 build was better than holding everything until Google catches up.

As for features: everything from Android 16’s original stable release is included, such as predictive back navigation, enforced edge-to-edge display, better app adaptivity, and support for advanced protection devices.

On top of that, several built-in apps are revamped. The camera app Aperture now supports Ultra HDR, RAW capture, a redesigned notification island, and added indicators. The music app Twelve gets a shuffle mode, a more informative Now Playing screen, extended Jellyfin integration, and related improvements.

For TV setups, there’s a new ad-free launcher called Catapult, designed to be clean and fast. Under the hood, there’s groundwork for bigger things: QEMU-based virtualization, better support for devices running mainline Linux kernels, and more robust infrastructure to help future compatibility.

Some gaps remain

That said, some features are held back or partially implemented: Material 3 Expressive, for example, and Desktop Mode have limited presence here because they rely on components from QPR1. Security updates pose another hurdle. Google’s shift to risk-based security bulletins means only high-risk vulnerabilities are disclosed monthly; the rest get tucked into quarterly releases. Since many patches aren’t publicly released right away, LineageOS is forced to wait and then integrate them later.

Pixel phones, which once got “day-one” treatment, no longer enjoy privileged status. Google stopped publishing full device trees, HALs, and configurations for Pixels, so now they’re on equal footing with all other supported models.

In parallel, the LineageOS team is winding down support for its older 21.x series, meaning no new devices will be added there. Those devices will maintain the 22.2 (Android 15) branch while expanding the 23.0 roster.

The official Changelog 30 summarizes many of these additions and architectural improvements. As per that changelog, the team focused not just on bringing Android 16 forward, but on redefining core subsystems for greater flexibility and modernization.

'Smooth' OxygenOS 16 by OnePlus echoes iOS in teasers that confirm its launch

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 16:44:54 +0000

What you need to know

OnePlus teased on Threads the speed of its OxygenOS 16 (Android 16) software, which is ready to keep up with users.
The software echoes Apple's iOS in many design aspects, ranging from its home screen aesthetic to its background apps screen.
OnePlus also teased its "Intelligently Yours" AI in the software, stating that it will "adapt" to you and become a more "personalized" OS.

OnePlus is starting to tease its next big Android OS software for its phones, and it's looking speedy as it heads for devices next week.

This morning (Oct 9), the official OnePlus Threads account posted a few teasers about what users can expect from OxygenOS 16 (Android 16). One of the most recent teaser clips is all about speed. More specifically, the company is teasing how its OS has become much more fluid and fast for swiping between applications and menus. OnePlus says, "Move through your screen like playing your favorite tune."

In the clip, the model is swiping their finger across several OnePlus devices, all with their background apps screens open. The OS seems incredibly smooth, without any visible lag or hitch, though it is just a teaser clip. However, just from this brief glimpse, OxygenOS 16 seems to resemble Apple's iOS more and more, and that continues in another clip.

The company's next teaser, while it still talks about how smooth the OS will be, highlights the user's ability to "play it your way." The clip briefly shows off how users will be able to easily pull and expand their folder previews on their home screen, creating small, circular folders to save space, or folders that can stretch horizontally and expand to more boxy shapes. AI was the other side of its teasers today, which will arrive to be "Intelligently Yours."

OxygenOS 16 is on the way, like the OnePlus 15

A post shared by OnePlus (@oneplus)
A photo posted by on

OnePlus states OxygenOS 16's AI "adapts to your personality," pushing the new software to become the most "intelligent, personal system" to come from the OEM. The company teases that its AI will "celebrate" the user's "uniqueness, while also bringing cross-device connectivity.

With so many teasers, OnePlus confirms that its next major OS upgrade will arrive on October 16.

Yes, we have an all-new OS to look forward to from OnePlus, but there's something we're forgetting: the OnePlus 15, which was shown off at Qualcomm's Snapdragon Summit. The company officially unveiled the device at the Summit in September, confirming that it will sport the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the successor to last year's Snapdragon 8 Elite. The phone's been redesigned, as it now features a vertical, almost square camera design.

The phone is suspected to arrive in the U.S. a little earlier than usual, rocking the new OxygenOS 16 in the process.

The wait is finally over as Motorola's Android 16 update arrives

sanujb6@gmail.com (Sanuj Bhatia) — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 19:42:39 +0000

What you need to know

Motorola has started rolling out the Android 16 update for the Edge 60 Pro, Edge 60 Fusion, and Edge 50 Pro.
The update focuses on simplicity, security, and connectivity with new features like Notification Auto Grouping.
The update also adds features like Instant Hotspot, refreshed UI, and detailed battery and device health stats.

It is starting to feel like the season of updates. Samsung just began rolling out One UI 8, based on Android 16, for its flagship devices, while Google kicked off its Android 16 rollout nearly two months ago. Now, Motorola is joining the party as the company has started rolling out the Android 16 update for several Edge series phones.

Motorola today (Oct 8) announced that Android 16 is now available for the Edge 60 Pro, Edge 60 Fusion, and Edge 50 Pro. While Motorola isn't known for delivering major Android updates this early, the company says it is "reaffirming its commitment to timely software updates" with this rollout.

In terms of new features, Motorola says its Android 16 update is "designed around simplicity, security, and connectivity." One of the key additions is Notification Auto Grouping, which automatically combines multiple alerts from the same app when they arrive in quick succession to reduce clutter.

What's new in Motorola's Android 16 update?

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

Motorola has also added support for the Instant Hotspot feature, allowing users to enable hotspot on their Motorola phone directly from their Android tablet or Chromebook when signed in with the same Google account. The company claims to have refreshed parts of the UI and system settings as well.

Speaking of settings, Motorola has also introduced expanded battery insights with Android 16 that now include detailed stats like battery health, along with new device diagnostics and component health monitoring tools.

Lastly, the Android 16 update brings support for Modes such as Sleeping, Driving, and Working. Another notable feature that the company has added here is quick access to the Advanced Protection settings, which lets users access new anti-theft tools and identity check directly from the Settings app.

For now, the Android 16 update is rolling out to the three Edge series devices. Motorola hasn't confirmed when it will expand to other flagships like the Moto Razr Ultra or budget Moto G series, but the rollout should follow soon.

Samsung's 2022 flagship just got Android 16 before many 2025 phones

sanujb6@gmail.com (Sanuj Bhatia) — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 11:36:00 +0000

What you need to know

Samsung has started rolling out the One UI 8 update, based on Android 16, for the Galaxy S22 series.
The update is live in Europe and other regions, carrying build number GYI7 and a September 2025 patch.
One UI 8 is the final major Android update for the Galaxy S22 lineup, delivering Samsung's four-year promise.
The update adds select Galaxy AI tools like Call Captions, but skips features such as Now Brief and Writing Assistants.

Unlike One UI 7, which was based on Android 15 and rolled out slowly for most Galaxy flagship devices, Samsung has been much more proactive with Android 16. Now, another older Galaxy series is joining the party, as Samsung has started rolling out One UI 8 for the Galaxy S22 series.

As first spotted by Tarun Vats on X, Samsung has begun the One UI 8 rollout for Galaxy S22 series phones in Europe. However, based on replies to Vats' post, users in other regions, including the Middle East and Asia, have also started receiving the update. There's no confirmation yet on whether the update has reached the U.S. market.

The One UI 8 firmware for the Galaxy S22 series carries the build number GYI7 and weighs around 3.1GB. Interestingly, the update includes the September 2025 security patch instead of October's, but thankfully, it is still based on Android 16.

Samsung rolls out Android 16 for Galaxy S22 series

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

With this, Samsung has actually beaten brands like OnePlus and other Android OEMs to release Android 16 for its older flagships before many have even updated their latest models. For reference, OnePlus is set to announce its Android 16 update on October 16, 2025.

As for the Galaxy S22 series, One UI 8 marks its final major Android update. Samsung had promised four years of major OS upgrades for the 2022 flagship lineup, and with this release, the company has delivered on that commitment.

Samsung is already testing One UI 8.5, but there's no word yet on whether the S22 series will receive it. One UI 8, on the other hand, does bring some Galaxy AI features to the S22 series, including Call Captions and improved portrait generation, though it misses out on other AI features like Now Brief and Drawing and Writing Assistants.

If you haven't received the update yet on your Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22 Plus, or Galaxy S22 Ultra, you can check manually by going to Settings > Software Update > Download and install and tapping Check for update.

How to use all the AI editing tools in Google Photos

bradypsnyder@gmail.com (Brady Snyder) — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 16:08:16 +0000

Google Photos just turned 10, and that anniversary brought a complete redesign for the app's editing tools. Magic Editor, a staple of the Google Photos app introduced with the Google Pixel 8 series, is now split up into various separate tools. There's Magic Eraser for object removal and Move or Reimagine for generative editing, plus a slew of other AI tricks.

If you're thrown off by the new interface, this complete guide with help you master the AI features in the Google Photos app. Many of them are available to anyone with a Google account, so you don't need a Google Pixel phone or subscription for access. Let's dive in!

Google Photos: Features and availability

Magic Editor is now split into separate Google Photos editing tools. (Image credit: Michael Hicks / Android Central)

The Google Photos app in Android 16 now sports the new editing interface, which you access by selecting a photo and tapping the Edit button in the toolbar. Instead of having a dedicated Magic Editor button in the Edit interface, there's a new toolbar with Auto, Actions, Markup, Filters, Lighting, and Color tabs. Beside the toolbar is a Search button that lets you search for the specific tool you need, which is always great to keep in mind if you can't find something in the new interface.

Magic Editor is gone, but its core features are still present under new names and locations. If you tap or circle an area of a photo with the editor open, you'll see options for Erase, Move, and Reimagine. Effectively, the new version of Magic Eraser replaces the basic Magic Editor object removal tool, while Move and Reimagine remain. The last Magic Editor tool, Auto frame, is now hidden behind the Crop interface in the Actions toolbar.

You'll see this new Google Photos editor after updating your Android phone to the latest version of Android 16. For now, the iOS version of the Google Photos appears to have the old interface with Magic Editor still available.

Google Photos: How to use Magic Eraser

Magic Eraser is the new home for object removal in Google Photos, and there are two ways to use it. Here's how to do it:

1. Open the Google Photos app and select a photo.

2. Tap the Edit button in the toolbar.

3. Open the Actions tab and select Magic Eraser. Alternatively, tap or circle the part of the photo you want to modify and press Erase.

4. If you haven't already, tap or circle the part of the image you want to erase.

5. Tap Erase to use Magic Eraser, or press Deselect or Refine selection if the editor didn't identify the object correctly.

(Image credit: Future)

6. Press the checkmark to accept the edited version or tap the back button to try again.

7. Tap Save as copy to add the new version to your Google Photos library.

(Image credit: Future)

Google Photos: How to use Photo Unblur

Photo Unblur is a handy feature that uses AI clean up blurry images, and it works best with older photos that suffer from motion blur. It's in a new spot in the Google Photos app, but here's how to use it:

1. Open the Google Photos app and select a photo.

2. Tap the Edit button in the toolbar.

3. Open the Actions tab and select Photo Unblur.

4. Once finished, use the slider to adjust intensity, and tap Save as copy to add the unblurred photo to your gallery.

(Image credit: Future)

Google Photos: How to use Reimagine

Reimagine is a generative AI tool built into the Google Photos editor. Rather than merely erasing objects, Reimagine changes your image by modifying and adding things to the photo using generative fill. You can try it by following the steps below:

1. Open the Google Photos app and select a photo.

2. Tap the Edit button in the toolbar.

3. Tap or circle the part of the photo you want to modify and press Reimagine.

4. Type a prompt into the Reimagine text box and press the arrow to continue.

5. Choose an option and press the checkmark when finished. Alternatively, go back and type a new prompt to get better results.

6. Tap the Save as copy button to add the new image to your Google Photos library.

(Image credit: Future)

Google Photos: How to use Auto Frame

Not sure how to crop and frame an image to get the perfect look? Auto frame can do it for you automatically within the standard Google Photos crop tool. Here's how to use it:

1. Open the Google Photos app and select a photo.

2. Tap the Edit button in the toolbar.

3. Open the Actions tab and select Crop.

4. Press Auto frame.

(Image credit: Future)

5. Wait for Auto frame to generate options, then select your favorite.

6. Tap the checkmark to continue.

7. Press the Save as copy button to add the new image to your Google Photos library.

(Image credit: Future)

Google Photos: How to use Move

To adjust the location of something in your photo, the Google Photos editor has a tool called Move. It essentially allows you to select an object, drag it to where you want it, and use AI to fill in the empty spot left behind. Here's how to use it:

1. Open the Google Photos app and select a photo.

2. Tap the Edit button in the toolbar.

3. Tap or circle the part of the photo you want to modify and press Move.

4. Touch and hold to move the part of the photo, and pinch to resize. Then tap Move when finished.

5. Press the checkmark if you're happy with the results, or tap the back button to try again.

6. Tap the Save as copy button to add the new image to your Google Photos library.

(Image credit: Future)

Google Photos: How to use Zoom Enhance

Zoom Enhance uses AI to improve your crops and digital zoom by enhancing the photo and removing grain and artifacting. Since digital zoom is lossy, the artificial intelligence aims to preserve as much of the original detail as possible by filling the gaps with generation. Here's how to use it:

1. Open the Google Photos app and select a photo.

2. Tap the Edit button in the toolbar.

3. Open the Actions tab and select Zoom Enhance.

4. Zoom in and tap Enhance Details.

5. After the image finishes enhancing, tap the checkmark to finish, and tap and hold to compare to the original.

6. Press Save as copy to add the zoomed and enhanced photo to your gallery.

(Image credit: Future)

Google Photos: How to use AI Enhance

AI enhance is a quick way to improve the quality of an image in Google Photos, as it can adjust colors, lighting, and add clarity all at one. Here's how to use it:

1. Open the Google Photos app and select a photo.

2. Tap the Edit button in the toolbar.

3. Press AI Enhance to enhance the image.

4. Swipe through the options and tap Save as copy when finished.

(Image credit: Future)

Google Photos: Tips & tricks

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

The best trick for navigating the redesigned Google Photos editor is the search bar. It's clutch for quickly accessing an AI editing tool that you can't find in the toolbar. After you open the search bar, you'll see a scrollable list of edit tools that is much easier to navigate than the toolbar with multiple menus. As you type in your search query, the list shrinks to only include the tools that match your request.

Also, keep in mind that Google maintains Magic Editor isn't removed, but rather split up into the standalone features of Magic Eraser, Auto frame, Move, and Reimagine. While the Magic Eraser tool was formerly known as a lesser version of Magic Editor, that isn't the case anymore following the update. All your favorite AI editing tools are still here, they may just be in a different spot or listed under a different name.

While many of these features are crossplatform, for the best experience, you may need a Google Pixel phone or a Google AI Pro subscription.

Google Pixel 10

The best Google Photos experience

To get all the latest AI editing features in Google Photos, you'll need the Pixel 10. It comes with all the tools we've covered in this article, plus extras like Camera Coach, which helps you take better photos before you press the shutter.

Android 16 finally lands on Samsung's 2024 flagships with One UI 8

sanujb6@gmail.com (Sanuj Bhatia) — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 11:34:45 +0000

What you need to know

Samsung rolls out One UI 8 update for Galaxy S24, Z Fold 6, and Z Flip 6 starting in Korea.
The update is first rolling out in South Korea, with a wider global release expected in the coming days.
One UI 8 adds a 90:10 split-screen ratio, improved Samsung DeX, Now Bar support, and security upgrades.

Just a week after releasing it for the Galaxy S25 series, Samsung has now rolled out the major One UI 8 update for the Galaxy S24 series and all 2024 foldables, including the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6.

According to various posts on Samsung's community forums, the company has begun releasing the stable build in South Korea (via Tarun Vats on X). The update is reportedly only available for users who were on the beta build for now, but it seems like other stable users should be getting the same update soon. The update is about 400MB for beta testers, while the stable release is expected to be closer to 4GB.

There's no word on the release of One UI 8 for these phones in other regions, including the U.S., Europe or other parts of Asia, but considering Samsung has started releasing the update in its home country, the wait shouldn't be too long. You can expect a wider release in the next few days.

Not available in the U.S. or Europe just yet

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

Samsung was late in delivering Android 15 (One UI 7) earlier this year, but with One UI 8, the company has turned things around, becoming the first non-Google OEM to release Android 16 for flagship devices. With the latest release, One UI 8 is now available on 11 different Samsung Galaxy models, from Galaxy S24 Ultra to the Galaxy Z Fold 7.

Beyond upgrading the underlying OS to Android 16, One UI 8 brings several new features. The new features include a 90:10 split-screen ratio that lets you run two apps almost full screen side by side and switch between them quickly.

Samsung DeX has also been improved, which is now based on Android 16's Desktop Mode, offering immersive full-screen windows. Additional upgrades include better support for Now Bar apps and various security enhancements.

For now, the One UI 8 update for the Galaxy S24, Galaxy Z Fold 6, and Galaxy Z Flip 6 is limited to South Korea, but Samsung should be rolling it out in other markets soon. We'll keep you updated as and when we know more about a global rollout.

Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2 lets you turn app icons into cookies

nandika.iyerravi@futurenet.com (Nandika Ravi) — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 11:01:00 +0000

What you need to know

Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2 introduces platform stability and new features for Pixel series 6 and up.
Customize app icons and enhance fitness tracking with expanded metrics in the latest beta update.
Improved security includes developer verification and enhanced OTP protection to safeguard user data.

Google announced today (Sept.17) that it is officially rolling out Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2 for Pixel devices, including the newest edition, the Pixel 10 series. This seems to be shaping up as an important update showing beta users more than just a gist of what they can expect in December's Pixel feature drop.

This beta, Google says, brings the Android 16 QPR2 to what's called "Platform stability," an important milestone in the development cycle, and the software has been refined and tweaked for general use.

Considering the software is in the "later-stage" beta, it brings with it new features as well as security updates. The one feature that really stands out is the ability to customize icon shapes— neat, right? It gives users more control over how they'd like to customize their home screen, and you can select from a variety of different icon styles that match your preference. You can even turn your apps into tiny flower blobs or cookies.

(Image credit: Google)

Another feature that's customer-facing is for the fitness enthusiasts; this beta introduces upgrades to Health Connect on the device. It gives users the ability to seamlessly track their steps using the device's sensors, and Google notes that this feature won't cause your battery to drain as much. Furthermore, the data types for exercises have also been expanded to include information metrics such as weight, set index, and Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE), which allows users to effectively track their workout progression.

On the developer's side of things, Google is tightening up security by introducing developer verification, which will become a requirement for app installation in certain regions starting in September 2026. This makes app installation on Android much safer by preventing the spread of malware and scams, considering the tech giant had to delete several apps earlier this year as they were impacted by a widespread Ad scam. And ever since, the company has been ramping up efforts to keep the app ecosystem safe.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

Speaking of security, this update also enhances SMS OTP protection for users by preventing OTP hijacking by delaying the delivery of messages containing an SMS retriever hash for three hours for most apps. This means that if a malicious app is waiting to "catch" the OTP, it won't receive it immediately.

The beta is available for devices from the Pixel 6 to the latest Pixel 10 series, and also includes the Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold. Beta users will be able to download this via an over-the-air update on their devices.

Google Pixel 10

A new standard

The Pixel 10 is one of the smartest phones you can buy thanks to the Tensor G5 chip and new Gemini AI features like Camera Coach and Magic Cue.

Your Google Pixel 10 is now eligible to test the future of Android

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 09:35:00 +0000

What you need to know

Google has reportedly opened its Android 16 QPR testing gates to users with its newest Pixel 10 series.
User reports on Reddit suggest as much, as well as an updated Android Beta Program FAQ, which now includes the entire Pixel 10 line up.
Users started signing up earlier this week, which places them right into Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 for the time being.

It's a silent development, but nothing gets past Google Pixel owners, as reports say the latest models can get in on current and upcoming betas.

Users on the GooglePixel subreddit have noticed the company is now allowing the Pixel 10 series to get in on its latest and upcoming Android tests (via Android Police). The OP (original poster) states users can now find their Pixel 10 listed on Google's Android Program page, meaning they can start signing up for the latest test version.

Google has updated its FAQ on its Android Beta Program page. The list has expanded, ranging from the Pixel 6 series all the way to our current Pixel 10.

Consumers with a Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, and 10 Pro Fold can sign up for the current and future Android 16 QPR beta tests to see what's coming next. One user responding to the Reddit post says they've been able to successfully sign up, so others should find similar experiences.

Android 16 QPR testing for Pixel 10

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

If you are interested in signing up today, you can find information and a small guide about that on Google's beta program page. More importantly, those who started signing up earlier this week got themselves into Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1. This new test build rolled out shortly after the Made by Google event that brought us the Pixel 10 series. The highlights of the new beta include a dark theme expansion across Android, auto-themed icons, and new developer APIs.

This QPR2 build should evolve into Google's expected December drop for Android. Pixel 10 testers getting involved will have quite a bit of testing to do until we roll into Q4 2025.

Pixel 10 phones aren't settling for just beta access, as Google also started rolling out an update this week to fix some problems. Performance and security were the name of the game in this update, but also a "fuzzy" display issue. This was a widely reported issue from Pixel 10 users, as a glitch would affect their displays for a few minutes and, in some cases, until the user restarted the phone.

Nothing OS 4.0 gets its big reveal with Android 16 and an AI dashboard

sanujb6@gmail.com (Sanuj Bhatia) — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 09:21:00 +0000

What you need to know

Nothing OS 4.0, based on Android 16, introduces design refinements and new lock screens.
The update brings an "Extra Dark" mode and a pop-up view for quick access to floating apps.
A new AI dashboard shows active models like Whisper, GPT-4o, and Gemini Flash in real time.
Camera, Gallery, connectivity, and overall speed should also see improvements with Nothing OS 4.0.

With both Google and Samsung rolling out Android 16 to their flagship smartphones, other Android brands are following suit. Nothing has now showcased its upcoming Nothing OS 4.0, which will be based on Android 16, and bring new features, design updates, and an AI dashboard.

Nothing first teased Nothing OS 4.0 during the launch of the Nothing Phone 3. Since then, we hadn't seen the new OS in action, but now the company, through a community post and video, has revealed what to expect from the update.

Nothing says the Nothing OS 4.0 brings a more "sharper, more thoughtful design". The company says it has refined the UI across the board, adding more lock screen clock options and redesigning a few first-party apps. Android 16's resizable Quick Shortcut settings also appear to be integrated here.

Nothing

Alongside the standard Dark Mode in Android, which makes the UI grey, Nothing OS 4.0 will introduce an "Extra Dark" mode that turns all dark elements fully black. Another neat addition here is the new pop-up view, which lets you keep two floating app icons on the side of the screen for quick access.

Another notable addition is the new "AI dashboard," which breaks down which AI model is active on the device, such as Whisper, GPT-4o, or Gemini Flash. The company also says that the OS 4.0 will bring something called "AI (LLM) status hints," though details on this feature remain unclear at the moment.

Finally, Nothing OS 4.0 will also bring improvements to the Camera and Gallery apps powered by the company's TrueLens Engine. You can expect other general upgrades as well, including a more responsive lock screen and AOD, stronger Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, and faster app launches and performance.

Nothing OS 4.0 isn't available just yet, with the company only showcasing the update for now. Nothing says users will be able to try it through an open beta "coming soon."

Android 16's next big update brings auto-themed icons, and apps can't opt out

sanujb6@gmail.com (Sanuj Bhatia) — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 16:57:27 +0000

What you need to know

Android 16 QPR2 introduces forced dark mode and universal auto-themed app icons.
Google will require all app icons to adopt system theming with a monochrome filter.
Play Store rules change on Oct 15, 2025, allowing users to adjust app colors or themes.

Alongside the launch of the Pixel 10 series, Google also released the first Android 16 QPR2 Beta. While most user-facing changes shipped earlier with Android 16 QPR1, including the new Material 3 Expressive design, Android 16 QPR2 is set to bring two major UI changes: forced dark mode and auto-themed app icons.

Forced dark mode, as the name suggests, will implement dark mode in apps that don't support it natively. On the other hand, auto-themed app icons have existed in Android for some time, but Google hasn't forced developers to make their icons compatible. This has resulted in a poor user experience, with some icons supporting Material You theming while others look out of place.

Android 16 QPR2 will aim to fix this by forcing all app icons to adopt the system's theme. Google says the new icon theming engine applies a color-filtering algorithm that renders app icons in a monochrome style, making them consistent with the chosen theme.

Google is now formally notifying developers as well. As spotted by Android Authority, starting October 15 for existing developers, revisions to Google Play's Developer Distribution Agreement (DDA) section 5.3 will take effect, stating that users will be allowed "permission to modify colors or adjust themes of apps.".

(Image credit: Android Authority)

With this change, Google aims to help both users and developers avoid potential conflicts, such as issues with modifying a brand's icon. For new developers, the rules already went into effect on September 15, 2025.

This change also seems necessary for Google to protect itself from takedown notices from brands and developers. Still, it's great to see Google finally taking steps to improve icon theming on Android.

Apple did something similar with iOS 18, but even though Google implemented universal icon theming earlier, it's only now being properly and fully enforced.

Category	Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold	Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
Dimensions (Closed)	159.2 x 75.0 x 12.9 mm	158.4 x 72.8 x 8.9 mm
Dimensions (Opened)	159.2 x 214.1 x 3.9-4.2 mm	158.4 x 143.2 x 4.2 mm
Durability & Case Material(s)	IP48 rating for dust and water resistance, Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 (Cover), Ceramic-Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (Back), Armor Aluminum Frame	IP48 rating for dust and water resistance, Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 (Cover), Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (Back), Armor Aluminum Frame
Weight	309g	215g
Display (Inner)	10.0-inch Dynamic AMOLED (1584x2160 pixels resolution), LTPO, 120Hz variable refresh rate	8.0-inch Dynamic AMOLED (1968x2184 pixels resolution), LTPO, 120Hz variable refresh rate
Display (Outer)	6.5-inch Dynamic AMOLED (1080x2520 pixels resolution), LTPO, 120Hz variable refresh rate	6.5-inch Dynamic AMOLED (1080x2520 pixels resolution), LTPO, 120Hz variable refresh rate
Chipset / SoC	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (for Galaxy)	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (for Galaxy)
RAM	16GB	12GB/16GB
Storage	512GB/1TB	256GB/512GB/1TB
Sensors	Capacitive side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic sensor, Hall sensor, Proximity sensor, Ambient light sensor	Capacitive side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic sensor, Hall sensor, Proximity sensor, Ambient light sensor
Wireless Connectivity	Wi-Fi 7, 5G (mmWave and Sub-6), LTE, Bluetooth 5.4, GPS, NFC, and USB 3.2 (with DisplayPort)	Wi-Fi 7, 5G (mmWave and Sub-6), LTE, Bluetooth 5.4, GPS, NFC, and USB 3.2 (with DisplayPort)
Other Features	Dual-SIM/Multi-eSIM, Knox Vault, Samsung DeX standalone, Galaxy AI	Dual-SIM/Multi-eSIM, Knox Vault, Samsung DeX experience, Galaxy AI
Battery & Charging	5,600mAh (Li-Ion), 45W (wired) and 15W (wireless) charging, reverse wireless charging	4,400mAh (Li-Ion), 25W (wired) and 15W (wireless) charging, reverse wireless charging
Cameras (Rear)	200MP wide-angle, 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, 12MP ultrawide \| 8K video recording	200MP wide-angle, 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, 12MP ultrawide \| 8K video recording
Cameras (Front)	10MP + 10MP \| 4K video recording	10MP + 10MP \| 4K video recording
OS & Update Policy	Android 16 with One UI 8 (preinstalled), seven years of OS and security updates	Android 16 with One UI 8 (preinstalled), seven years of OS and security updates
Color Options	Crafted Black	Blue Shadow, Silver Shadow, Jetblack, and Mint (online-exclusive)

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