What you need to know

• Pixel users report severe idle battery drain after the April 2026 update, even when not actively using their phones.
• The issue appears widespread, affecting multiple models from Pixel 6 to Pixel 10 with hundreds of reports online.
• Google has acknowledged the problem and is working on a fix, which could arrive with a future update soon.

Google Pixel and software bugs aren't anything new, and it looks like, after the April 2026 update, users are now reporting battery life issues on their devices.

As spotted by 9to5Google, Google's Issue Tracker and multiple Reddit threads are filled with Pixel users complaining about battery drain. Many say their phones are losing battery even in the idle state, when they're not actively using them.

The scale of the issue seems fairly widespread. There are now over 600 comments on Google's Issue Tracker in just over a week, along with several Reddit threads reporting the same problem.

What's more concerning is that it doesn't seem limited to a specific device. Users across multiple generations, from the Pixel 6 series all the way up to the Pixel 10 lineup, are reporting similar battery drain issues after installing the update.

The exact cause of the idle battery drain isn't confirmed yet, but some users believe it's linked to the CPU staying active even when the phone isn't in use. It appears the CPU isn't entering a deep sleep state when the screen is off, which keeps it running and leads to battery drain.

Some reports also mention that the issue persists even in airplane mode, and in some cases, battery life has been cut nearly in half.

Thankfully, Google has acknowledged the issue and confirmed that it's working on a fix. There's no official timeline yet for when the patch will arrive, but it's likely that the company will address it in an upcoming update, possibly with the May 2026 patch. We'll keep you updated as and when Google rolls out a fix for this issue.

It's worth noting that this isn't the first time Pixel users have run into battery issues after an update. Similar complaints surfaced last May, and there was another instance in October 2025 when a Pixel 10 Pro Fold bug caused noticeable battery drain.

Android Central's Take

I've said this before, Pixel updates feel like a gamble sometimes. You either get cool new features or a bug that ruins daily use. Battery drain is one of the worst ones, and this needs a fix ASAP.

Google Pixel smartphones might be some of the most capable phones when it comes to AI features, but that alone doesn't make them the best Android phones out there. There are plenty of benefits you only get on a Pixel, like the ability to magically add someone to a group photo or have AI hold calls for you, and those are exactly why I can't let go of my Pixel 10 Pro.

However, that doesn't mean Pixel phones are free of issues. I've been facing problems with wireless Android Auto in my car with my Pixel 10 Pro, and I know I'm not alone.

If you've been dealing with similar Bluetooth issues on your Pixel as well, Google now includes a hidden Bluetooth diagnostics tool that can help pinpoint what's going wrong — and here's how to use it.

Google Pixel and Bluetooth connectivity issues aren't new

Pixel phones might excel in areas such as reliable camera performance and timely updates, but there are still a few recurring issues that frustrate users. Issues like display glitches and apps crashing after update aren't new to Pixel users, but one of the most common complaints has been unreliable Bluetooth connectivity.

Many Reddit users, on Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 devices alike, have repeatedly reported Bluetooth issues, especially with Android Auto. Thankfully, it looks like Google has taken note and now has a dedicated tool to help users diagnose Bluetooth problems directly on their devices.

The company has started rolling out a new Bluetooth diagnostics tool that, as the name suggests, helps identify issues with Bluetooth on your phone. It runs a series of tests to detect connection problems and suggests possible fixes if something goes wrong.

If you've been dealing with Bluetooth issues on your Pixel device, here's how you can use this tool to finally track down and fix the problem.

How to use Google Pixel's hidden Bluetooth diagnostics tool

Pixel's Bluetooth diagnostics tool is new, and it only started rolling out recently with an update to the Pixel Troubleshooting app (v1.0.885948717).

The first step is to update the Troubleshooting app to the latest version from the Google Play Store. If you can't find the update, you can open the app listing directly and update it from there. Once the app is updated, follow these steps to run the Bluetooth diagnostics tool on your device:

1. Open the Settings app on your Pixel device.

2. In Settings, go to Connected devices and tap Bluetooth diagnostics.

3. Depending on your situation, choose the appropriate option. If your device is already connected, select it.

4. If you're having trouble connecting, select the Can't find your device option. If you own Pixel Buds, a Pixel Watch, or are facing issues with Android Auto, choose the relevant option. For other devices, such as a Bluetooth mic or speaker, tap Others.

5. After selecting the device, choose the issue you're facing from the list.

6. Once selected, the tool will begin running Bluetooth tests.

Once the test is complete, it'll show whether there's an issue with the connection. If a problem is detected, it'll suggest possible fixes, like re-pairing the accessory or contacting the manufacturer. You can also reach out to Google support directly if needed.

There are other hidden tools to fix problems on your Pixel as well

Thanks to the new Pixel Bluetooth diagnostics tool, I was finally able to figure out the issue between my car's head unit and my Pixel 10 Pro.

But Google isn't the only one offering this. If you have a Samsung Galaxy device like the Galaxy S26 Ultra or even older Galaxy phones, Samsung also offers a similar feature that you can access via Support > Diagnostics > Phone Diagnostics.

In addition to fixing Bluetooth issues, Pixel phones also include a range of other diagnostic tools for common problems. For example, if you're facing touch issues, battery problems, or overheating, you can head to the My Pixel app, go to Troubleshoot, and test these features individually to identify the exact issue.

I think more manufacturers should adopt tools like this, as they make it much easier to fix common problems (especially since many of them can be resolved with simple fixes).

What you need to know

• Google Store has listed a new 3-in-1 Wasserstein dock that charges a Pixel phone, Pixel Buds, and Pixel Watch 4 together.
• The dock uses USB-C wired charging for the phone and earbuds instead of relying entirely on Qi wireless pads.
• A rotating USB-C pedestal helps align the phone properly even when using thicker or protective cases.
• The charging station supports up to 36W wired charging and is currently available on the Google Store in the U.S.

Google made the Pixel 10 series Qi2 compatible, which means it works with Qi2 wireless chargers and MagSafe-style accessories. That also means your Pixel can now use many charging docks originally designed for the iPhone. However, the Google Store has a new charging dock that does more than just charge a Pixel phone

As spotted by 9to5Google, the Google Store now lists a new 3-in-1 Wasserstein charging station. The dock is designed to charge a Pixel smartphone, Pixel Buds, and the Pixel Watch 4 at the same time.

The design itself is fairly minimal, featuring a vertical charging USB-C port at the front, a watch charger positioned behind it, and what appears to be one of the first vertical charging stands for the Pixel Buds.

That design is also what makes the dock interesting. Instead of relying entirely on wireless charging pads, the Wasserstein station uses wired charging for the phone and Pixel Buds, along with the charging pins for the Pixel Watch 4.

The phone sits on a vertical USB-C pedestal at the front, where you plug it in directly. While this may feel slightly less convenient than standard Qi pads, it can still be useful in certain setups. There is also a rotating knob on the back that lets you adjust the angle of the USB-C connector so it can work with different cases.

The dock supports up to 36W wired charging and is available now through the Google Store in the U.S. A listing also exists on Amazon, though it is currently out of stock there.

Android Central's Take

I like that the new Wasserstein charging station prioritizes wired charging over wireless charging. While the Pixel 10 series supports Qi2 wireless charging, relying on wireless charging every day can still add extra heat and stress to the battery.

That is why I appreciate that this dock uses USB-C charging instead. It feels like a more practical approach for everyday use. Hopefully, more charging docks start adopting a similar design going forward.

What you need to know

• Google announced that Pixel 9 series users can expect to receive their Quick Share, AirDrop compatibility update "over the coming weeks."
• This will be a "phased" rollout, meaning not everyone will see this update at the same time; however, users can expect to share content with iPhones, iPads, and macOS.
• Google first announced its Quick Share, AirDrop team-up last November, signaling another key shift in bridging the gap between Android and iOS devices.

The time that Pixel 9 users have been waiting for is finally here, as Google delivers confirmation that Apple's AirDrop is expanding.

Google announced via its Pixel Community forum that it is starting to roll out its Quick Share compatibility with AirDrop update to its 2024 Pixel line. The post confirms that this update is arriving for the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and the 9 Pro Fold. Unfortunately, Google's disclaimer says that users with a Pixel 9a will sadly miss out on this compatibility update.

What you can expect is for this update to start arriving for users "over the coming week in phases." To be specific, not everyone's going to see this update at once—just keep your eyes open for the update to arrive.

Google says this update will make it so that Pixel 9 series users can easily share their files with an iPhone, iPad, or a macOS device. This makes it "easy" for you and your friends with Apple products to still share content over Bluetooth. Google makes one thing clear: "Privacy and speed remain a priority." The company states that it has implemented "multi-layered" protections to help safeguard what you're sharing.

It's like RCS, but for sharing

Late last November, Google announced that Quick Share was teaming up with AirDrop. This compatibility was reported first for the Pixel 10 series, making it easy for those users to swap content between iPhones and more iOS devices. Google stated that users needed to enable acceptance from "Everyone for 10 minutes" before they could begin sharing.

"Strong safeguards" and working with "independent security experts" were mentioned on the security side. Google also confirmed that it would look to expand this functionality to more Android phones, though a timeline wasn't given.

Earlier this month, Google had more to say about this. It confirmed that Quick Share and AirDrop's compatibility would arrive on more devices, such as those from Samsung and Nothing. Although there was an Android Canary build that spoiled the company's work to expand this to the Pixel 9.

Android Central's Take

This reminds me of the whole RCS thing Google had with Apple. Even Samsung got involved, throwing jabs at Apple for its lack of RCS with Android. While, for RCS, that was purely security-based, and about facilitating a better messaging experience between both sides, this Quick Share, AirDrop thing is more about usability. It's about bridging that gap between devices. A statement that, just because they run different software, at the end of the day, it's still a phone. Let me share my photos with my friend, why does it matter if they have an iPhone?

What you need to know

• Pixel phones are expected to see strong growth in 2026 even as the global smartphone market faces a YoY decline.
• Rising memory and storage costs are hitting low- and mid-tier phones hardest as data centers compete for components.
• Counterpoint now expects Google to be the biggest winner in 2026 due to AI features and wider global traction.

Google Pixel phones may not be a household name yet, but the company’s big smartphone bet appears to be paying off. Pixel shipments are expected to see strong growth in 2026, even as the broader smartphone market faces slower demand.

According to Counterpoint Research's latest report, memory and storage are becoming central to both performance and cost structures in the smartphone industry. According to the report, components that once made up under 10% of a phone's total cost now account for 20% or more of the overall bill of materials.

At the same time, data centers are competing with smartphone makers for the same memory components, driving prices higher. This has hit low- and mid-tier phones the hardest, as brands previously relied on cheaper memory. Nothing CEO Carl Pei recently warned about this exact issue.

Google Pixel might benefit most from a tough 2026

As a result, global smartphone shipments are expected to decline 6.1% YoY in 2026. The report notes that Chinese OEMs, like Xiaomi, Oppo, and others, are likely to be hit the hardest, while Apple and Samsung are better positioned. Surprisingly, Counterpoint's latest forecast suggests Google could emerge as the biggest beneficiary.

Counterpoint has raised its 2026 growth forecast for Tensor SoC shipments, and by extension Pixel phones, from 13.1% to 18.9%. The firm says Google is expected to see the strongest growth thanks to AI differentiation and expanding traction beyond the U.S. and Japan.

Samsung could also see solid gains due to its upcoming 2nm Exynos 2600 chipset for the Galaxy S26 series. Meanwhile, companies like Qualcomm and MediaTek could face pressure from rising component costs.

Android Central's Take

I've been a firm believer in Pixel phones for the past few years. The jump from the Pixel 6 series to the Pixel 10 lineup has been massive, and this report reinforces that progress. Google has been steadily investing in its smartphone business, and 2026 could be the year those long-term bets finally pay off.

Pixel phones are filled with a ton of AI features that make them a better experience for me than other Android phones. However, one of the most basic challenges my parents kept running into had nothing to do with AI. They struggled with simply using the phone itself. Getting back to the home screen, switching between apps, or even figuring out where they were felt unnecessarily difficult.

I've always felt that Pixel phones use slightly smaller fonts than other Android smartphones, and while that is fine for me, it's a completely different story for ageing eyes. For my parents, the text just felt too small to comfortably read most of the time. I needed to find a way to make their phones work for them.

• See the best Google Pixel deals of February 2026

Sure, you can adjust certain settings by manually increasing text size or changing the font, but those are menus older users rarely dig into on their own. As a result, everyday navigation and readability often become bigger hurdles than using any of the helpful built-in features.

It was only recently that I realized Pixel phones come with a simple toggle that makes a massive difference. It scales up the entire interface, making everything bigger and easier to see, which is perfect for older users dealing with nearsightedness or general vision issues.

Here's how you can set it up and make your parents' Pixel a lot easier to use.

What is Simple View on Google Pixel phones?

Simple View does not turn your Pixel into an old-school phone with oversized app icons and stripped-down settings. Instead, it lets users continue using their phone normally, with access to all Pixel features, while making the UI and text noticeably larger and easier to read.

It also simplifies navigation by switching to a three-button layout, which is far more intuitive for many people. Here's what changes when you enable Simple View, so you know exactly what to expect:

• Larger text and icon sizes
• Simplified Home screen layout
• Simplified 3-button navigation buttons
• Higher touch sensitivity
• Contact, Clock, and Weather app shortcuts
• High-contrast wallpaper
• Increased App Grid to 4x4 display
• Suggested apps locked

As you can see, Simple View does more than just increase text size and change navigation. It also enables high-contrast wallpaper for improved readability, as well as enables a fixed 4x4 app grid layout, which makes it easier for users to quickly spot the apps.

How to enable Simple View on Pixel phones

Thankfully, enabling Simple View on a Google Pixel is exactly as easy as it sounds. If you are setting up the device for the first time, you can enable Simple View right during setup so the UI is already larger and easier to read from the moment the user starts using the phone.

During initial setup, on the "Welcome to your Pixel" screen, tap Accessibility, then select Set up with Simple View. This enables the feature straight away and applies all the changes from the beginning.

However, if the phone is already set up, you can still enable Simple View by following these steps:

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Scroll down and select Accessibility.

3. Under the Quick Access section, tap Simple View.

4. Turn on the toggle to Use Simple View.

Once enabled, your Pixel will instantly switch to larger UI elements and automatically enable three-button navigation.

It's worth noting that if you turn on Simple View after setup, you'll miss out on a few extras like the increased app grid size and high-contrast wallpapers. Those options are only available during the initial setup, so if you want the full Simple View experience, you will need to reset the device and enable it during setup.

Overall, Simple View is a small but incredibly useful feature for anyone who struggles with tiny UI elements on modern smartphones. It has made using the Pixel 10 Pro significantly easier for my mom, and it could be just as helpful for your parents, too.

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What you need to know

• Several Pixel users reported that their device was leaking microphone audio to callers when the Take a Message voicemail feature was triggered.
• Reports suggest the issue affects Pixels from the Pixel 4 to Pixel 10 across regions like the US, UK, and Australia.
• Users noticed the green mic indicator turning on during voicemail, confirming unintended audio sharing with callers.
• Google investigated the issue and has since disabled the feature on Pixel 4 and Pixel 5 series phones.

A strange bug on Google Pixel phones has surfaced that may be leaking your audio to callers when a call is sent to voicemail.

Google Pixels come packed with useful Phone app features, like blocking spam calls before they even ring, holding calls for you during long wait times, and Take a Message. The latter lets AI take over and tell callers you can't pick up, records their voicemail, and then transcribes it so you can quickly see what they said and decide how to respond.

While Take a Message sounds genuinely useful, it appears the feature has been behaving oddly over the past few months. According to reports, it may be unintentionally sharing your microphone audio with callers.

As spotted by 9to5Google through multiple Reddit reports, when users rely on Take a Message, their side of the audio sometimes gets transmitted to the caller. To be clear, the feature is supposed to decline the call and record only the caller's message, not capture or share your audio, but that doesn't seem to be the case for some users.

How to turn off Take a Message for now

The issue appears to affect Pixels across multiple generations, from the Pixel 4 series all the way up to the Pixel 10, and the feature is currently available in regions like the US, UK, Ireland, and Australia.

Several users report seeing the green microphone indicator turn on even after the call is routed to Take a Message, suggesting their microphone was active, and audio was being shared without their knowledge. Multiple Reddit threads describe similar behavior.

Google has acknowledged the issue, stating that the team is aware of the reports and is actively investigating. Until a fix rolls out, the safest option is to disable Take a Message entirely.

To do that, open the Phone app on your Pixel, tap the menu button at the top, go to Settings, select Take a Message under the Call Assist section, and turn the feature off.

What you need to know

• Google Pixel shipments grew 25% in 2025, but the brand still trails far behind Apple and Samsung globally.
• Apple led global smartphone growth in 2025, boosted by strong iPhone sales and expansion in emerging markets.
• Samsung shipments grew year over year, but its global market share slipped as competition intensified.
• Smartphone shipments may decline in 2026 due to DRAM shortages and expected price hikes.

According to a new report, Google had a strong 2025, with Pixel sales growing by around 25%. Despite that growth, the data shows that the Pixel brand still trails well behind Apple and Samsung in overall shipments.

Counterpoint Research has released its global smartphone shipment report for 2025, stating that overall smartphone shipments grew 2% year over year compared to 2024. Apple emerged as the biggest beneficiary, with the report claiming the Cupertino company saw a 10% year-over-year increase in shipments, pushing its global market share to 20%.

The report attributes Apple's performance to a strong product mix from the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 lineup, along with increased traction in emerging and mid-sized markets. This growth came at the expense of some Android brands, as Samsung's market share slipped to 19% in 2025 from 20% in 2024, despite shipments growing by nearly 5% year over year.

A good year for Pixel, but still a long road ahead

Google, meanwhile, enjoyed a standout year. Driven by the Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 series, Pixel shipments grew 25% in 2025 compared to the previous year. That said, Google still remains under the "Others" category in the report, a segment that actually saw its overall market share decline by 1%.

The report also notes that Nothing recorded strong momentum, with shipments increasing by nearly 31% in 2025, though it too remained part of the "Others" category. Among other Android brands, Xiaomi held onto the third spot with a 13% market share, while Vivo posted a modest 3% year-over-year increase in shipments.

Looking ahead, Counterpoint warns that overall smartphone shipments could decline in 2026 due to DRAM shortages and as chipmakers prioritize AI data centers over smartphones. Price hikes may also play a role, with Samsung reportedly considering increases for its upcoming Galaxy S26 series.

What you need to know

• Google is preparing to expand Quick Share and AirDrop interoperability beyond Pixel 10 to the Pixel 9 series.
• The feature was spotted in an Android Canary build, with Pixel 9 and 9 Pro firmware now including cross-sharing files.
• Although present in firmware, the feature is not active yet and may roll out via Android 16 QPR3 or Android 17.

Google has so far kept Quick Share interoperability with Apple's AirDrop exclusive to the Pixel 10 series, but it looks like the feature is now on its way to the Pixel 9 lineup.

Back in late 2025, Google announced that Quick Share would work with Apple's AirDrop. This allowed users to send and receive files between an iPhone and a Pixel 10 device using Android 16's native Quick Share feature without any workarounds. After keeping the feature exclusive to the Pixel 10 series for over a month, Google now seems to be expanding support to the Pixel 9 series.

Pixel 9 looks next in line for AirDrop support

Google released a new Android Canary build on January 8, 2026. While the update does not introduce many user-facing features, it adds the same system files that enabled Quick Share and AirDrop cross-sharing on the Pixel 10 series to the Pixel 9 firmware.

The change was first spotted by Android Authority, which reports that these files are not present on the mid-range Pixel 9a and are limited to the Pixel 9 and higher-end Pixel 9 Pro models.

The files are also missing from older Pixel models like the Pixel 8 and Pixel 7 series. That does not necessarily mean those devices will never receive AirDrop and Quick Share interoperability, but it suggests Google is not ready to enable the feature on them just yet. Google has previously stated that support for older Pixel phones will arrive at a later date.

For now, the feature does not actually work on the Pixel 9 series despite the files being present, indicating Google still needs to enable the functionality on its end. It is possible the company is targeting a future Android 16 QPR3 update, or it could delay the feature until Android 17. We will share more details as they become available.

What you need to know

• Some Pixel users report a bug where photos disappear after background processing and never show up in Google Photos.
• The issue appears after rapid photo capture, possibly when the camera app fails to finish post-processing properly.
• Affected devices reportedly include Pixel 8a, Pixel 9 series, and even the latest Pixel 10 models.

Some Google Pixel owners are reporting a strange bug on their devices that is preventing certain photos from being saved properly.

Google Pixel owners report bugs with their devices quite frequently. Recently, Pixel users on the Android 16 QPR3 beta reported a jittery camera issue, while many Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 users have also complained about speakerphone problems.

Now, another issue affecting some Google Pixel owners has surfaced, and this time it is stopping certain photos from being saved on the device.

Many users on Reddit have started reporting that pictures they took using their phones went "missing" and are not appearing in the Photos app (via Android Authority). A user named Blazgamer initially reported that their photos disappeared after receiving a notification saying that a few photos were being processed in the background.

Similarly, another user, portmafia9719, reported a related issue where their device got stuck in a backup and processing loop, after which some photos were gone and could not be found. The user reported that these missing files didn't show up in the gallery, trash, or anywhere else on the device, and instead seem to have gotten "lost" during processing.

This Pixel bug can cause photos to vanish entirely

Some users theorize that the issue occurs when you take a large number of photos in a very short period of time. One explanation suggests that when the camera app gets stuck and does not complete post-processing, it eventually clears everything from memory and fails to write the files to storage.

However, there is currently no way to verify this. The bug appears to be affecting not just one, but multiple Pixel models, ranging from the Pixel 8a to the latest Pixel 10 Pro.

It isn't yet clear how widespread the issue is, but there are quite a few reports on Reddit, suggesting that at least a small portion of users may be affected. I personally have not faced this issue on my Pixel 10 Pro so far, but several users claim they have lost photos due to this bug.

We have reached out to Google for a comment on the issue. If more users continue to report this problem, the company may take action and release a fix. But for now, there is no fix for this issue out there. We will update this story if (and when) we hear back from Google.

What you need to know

• Google acknowledges display faults in some Pixel 9 Pro units and offers free repairs for affected devices.
• Extended repair program covers Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL for three years post-purchase date.
• Pixel 9 Pro Fold also eligible for free replacements, but cracked displays may disqualify devices.

Google has confirmed display faults in select Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL units, launching a free three-year repair program. This move comes amid growing user complaints about flickering and vertical lines, highlighting ongoing quality concerns for the tech giant.

Google has now officially acknowledged that some of these units are faulty, and the company will offer an extended free repair program for them.

On a support page, Google notes that a limited number of Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL units may "experience issues that affect functionality of the device."

For affected units, the company is launching an extended repair program that covers these devices for three years after the original retail purchase date. If eligible, Google will repair your phone for free.

To qualify for the program, the device must show a vertical line on the display running from bottom to top. Google adds that the display flicker on Pixel 9 Pro models also qualifies.

As with normal warranties, Google states that cracked displays or devices with liquid damage aren't covered under this program. The program began yesterday (Dec. 8), and if you're affected, you can visit a Google walk-in center or an authorized service center.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold also gets an extended warranty program

Similarly, Google has also started an extended repair program for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. As with the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL, the company says some units "may experience issues that affect device functionality."

Google is offering a similar extended warranty where users "may be eligible for a replacement at no charge." There's no clear reason yet for this program, and it doesn't appear to be tied to display faults like the Pixel 9 Pro models, so the exact cause remains unknown.

Still, if you're facing issues with your Pixel 9 Pro Fold, you might be eligible for a free replacement. You can check your eligibility using this link. It's worth noting that, like all Pixel phones, cracked displays or liquid damage may disqualify your device.

What you need to know

• Google is replacing the Pixel Launcher's native search with a full-screen Google Search interface powered by the Google app.
• The new search UI removes quick access to contacts and device settings, making the experience feel like a downgrade.
• Google says the change is meant to surface AI Mode faster as part of the November 2025 Pixel Feature Drop.

After keeping it the same for years, Google is changing how the search bar on your Google Pixel's home screen works and, as you guessed it, it's related to AI.

For years, Pixel Launcher has offered a quick search tool on the home screen that lets you search through your phone's contents like contacts, apps, device settings, and web results.

The experience felt like a native part of Pixel Launcher. It did not take over the full screen and instead showed your wallpaper in a translucent view, with a pull-down swipe gesture at the top to quickly close the search screen.

However, as spotted by 9to5Google, Google has started replacing this with what it calls an "upgraded home screen search bar." This new search bar is actually the older Google Search UI powered by the Google app.

Now, when you tap the search bar on your Pixel's home screen, you're greeted with a new search interface that takes up the full screen and looks identical to the Google app's search UI. It's essentially the same experience you get on other Android smartphones when you tap the Google Search bar on the home screen.

Pixel's home screen search now opens the Google app instead

You still get access to app shortcuts, but you can no longer search for contacts or quickly access device settings like toggling Wi-Fi or Bluetooth from this screen. Because of this, it feels like a downgraded experience.

Google says this new search experience is part of the November 2025 Feature Drop that rolled out recently for Pixel devices. The reason behind this change, as many would've guessed, is faster access to AI.

Google says the new search makes it easier to jump into AI Mode. According to the company, it "lets you quickly start and resume AI Mode journeys, so you can dig deeper on the web. You'll also see more suggested apps in the top row, making it seamless to continue exploring on your device."

We're not sure how this qualifies as an upgraded experience, especially when it removes basic features like searching your phone's settings and contacts. But with Google pushing AI features with almost every update, we're not saying we didn't see this coming.

What you need to know

• Google confirms some Pixel 9 Pro units have display faults and starts a free extended repair program.
• Eligible Pixel 9 Pro devices show vertical lines or flickering issues that qualify for free repairs.
• Google has also launched a similar extended repair program for Pixel 9 Pro Fold due to reported issues.

It's been more than a year since the Pixel 9 series was introduced, and many users have been reporting display issues with their devices. Google has now officially acknowledged that some Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL units are faulty, and the company will offer an extended free repair program for them.

On a support page, Google notes that a limited number of Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL units may "experience issues that affect functionality of the device."

For affected units, the company is launching an extended repair program that covers these devices for three years after the original retail purchase date. If eligible, Google will repair your phone for free.

To qualify for the program, the device must show a vertical line on the display running from bottom to top. Google adds that the display flicker on Pixel 9 Pro models also qualifies.

As with normal warranties, Google states that cracked displays or devices with liquid damage aren't covered under this program. The program began yesterday (Dec. 8), and if you're affected, you can visit a Google walk-in center or an authorized service center.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold also gets an extended warranty program

Similarly, Google has also started an extended repair program for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. As with the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL, the company says some units "may experience issues that affect device functionality."

Google is offering a similar extended warranty where users "may be eligible for a replacement at no charge." There's no clear reason yet for this program, and it doesn't appear to be tied to display faults like the Pixel 9 Pro models, so the exact cause remains unknown.

Still, if you're facing issues with your Pixel 9 Pro Fold, you might be eligible for a free replacement. You can check your eligibility using this link. It's worth noting that, like all Pixel phones, cracked displays or liquid damage may disqualify your device.

What you need to know

• Google released the November 2025 security patch for Pixel phones with key bug fixes and stability updates.
• Some Pixel 7 models are missing from the update list, while Pixel 8, 9, and 10 series are receiving it.
• The update fixes emergency calling issues and improves charging, battery use, and camera performance.

Google just detailed a massive Feature Drop for Pixel devices, and alongside that announcement, the company has started rolling out a new software update for Pixel devices that brings several bug fixes and stability improvements. The new OTA update, most importantly, fixes one of the most critical bugs affecting Pixel smartphones.

Google today (Nov 11) shared details about what users can expect from the November 2025 security patch for Pixel devices. Similar to the October 2025 update, the Pixel 6 series is missing from the list of supported devices. What's more surprising is that even some Pixel 7 series models, including the baseline Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, are absent from the list, though the Pixel 7a is included.

That said, other models, including the Pixel 8, Pixel 9, and the new Pixel 10 series, will receive the new update. The build number for the Pixel 7a to Pixel 9 series is BP3A.251105.015, while for the Pixel 10 models it is BD3A.251105.010.E1.

While the November Feature Drop adds many new features to Pixel devices, the list of bug fixes and stability improvements isn't long. However, Google notes that the November security patch resolves an issue with emergency calling functionality.

Some users recently reported on Reddit that they were unable to contact emergency services from their Pixel devices despite having full signal strength, as the call wouldn't connect. It seems Google identified the underlying issue and included a fix in this security patch.

Pixel phones get fixes for calls and cameras

Other than this, Google notes that the November patch also includes fixes for the rainbow effect in some photos taken with the ultra-wide and telephoto lenses. Google is also promising improvements for general charging and battery usage with the new update. The remainder of the fixes are as follows:

• A fix for an audio issue causing occasional system instability and slowdowns in certain conditions.
• A fix for an issue preventing some apps from loading properly.
• A fix for an issue where webcam mode doesn’t function correctly with connected devices.

While the focus right now is on the November Feature Drop that introduces several new and useful features like Theme Packs app for Pixel devices and a new AI-powered notification summary feature, these security and bug fixes continue to address important issues for Pixel owners.

If you have a Pixel smartphone, you can check for updates by going to Settings > System > Software updates > System update > Check for update. The OTA has started rolling out, but I do not see it on my Pixel 10 Pro yet. If you also do not see it, you can try checking manually. You can also sideload the OTA file onto your Pixel.

What you need to know

• Pixel users can now creatively edit and share images directly inside chats, thanks to Gemini Nano Banana.
• A new “Wicked: For Good” theme pack adds magical wallpapers, icons, and sounds inspired by Glinda and Elphaba, available until January 2026.
• Pixel 9 and newer devices get Notification Summaries that condense long group chats, with more intelligent notification filtering coming in December.
• Pixel 6 and newer phones can now flag sketchy chat notifications, while Google expands live scam call detection to more countries.

Google just dropped its month update for Pixels and this seems to be feature loaded. The tech giant announced that a whole host of features is coming to Pixel 6 to the Pixel 10 series.

The update brings a mix of fresh AI tools, safety upgrades, and a themed makeover inspired by Wicked. Whether you’re rocking an older Pixel or the latest Pixel 10 Pro Fold, there’s something in here to play with.

One of the standout additions is Remix in Google Messages, a creative new feature powered by Google’s Gemini Nano Banana model. It lets you reimagine photos inside a chat. You and your friends can pass the same image back and forth, tweaking and remixing it without ever leaving the conversation.

The feature launches first for RCS users in English-speaking countries including the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, India, Ireland, and New Zealand.

Wicked-themed customization

If you're fond of customization, there’s the new “Wicked: For Good” theme pack. Available for Pixel 6 and above until January 31, 2026, it dresses your phone in Wicked-inspired wallpapers, icons, sounds, and GIFs — with themes based on Glinda, Elphaba, and For Good.

Pixel users will also get some useful quality-of-life improvements. Notification Summaries, coming to Pixel 9 and newer (except the 9a), automatically condense long group chats into quick recaps right in your notification shade. A follow-up feature arriving in December promises to take things further by automatically quieting less important alerts, helping you focus on what matters.

Scam protection gets tougher

On the security front, Scam Detection for messages can now flag suspicious chat notifications in popular apps on Pixel 6 and newer models. It checks message content and shows a “Likely scam” alert before you open the app. Google is also expanding call scam detection, which listens for scam-like speech during calls, to more regions like the UK, Ireland, India, Australia, and Canada.

For Pixel 9 and newer, Call Notes is also expanding internationally. The feature uses on-device AI to record and summarize calls, turning them into searchable notes with action items, making follow-ups less of a chore.

Google Photos is also getting Personalized Edits. Now you can simply ask it to fix group shots — like removing sunglasses or opening someone’s eyes — and it’ll pull from your photo library to make those changes look natural. This feature is rolling out to Android users in the U.S.

And for those long road trips, Google Maps’ new Power Saving Mode (exclusive to the Pixel 10 series) helps squeeze out up to four extra hours of navigation time by simplifying the display and cutting back background activity.

Finally, there’s Pixel VIPs, which makes sure you never miss messages from your closest contacts. VIP notifications are prioritized, and crisis alerts now appear right on their Contacts widget.

✅Recommended if: you're thinking of switching from an iPhone, because this phone makes it really easy. You want a phone that has great AI features like Circle-to-Search. You want a phone with a damn good camera!

❌Skip this deal if: you suffer from PWM sensitivity or you don't need or want a phone that has Pro features.

When the Google Pixel 9 Pro was released last year, I knew that Google had finally made the right phone that would convince me to switch over from my iPhone.

You see, up until then, I had been using an iPhone as my primary device for 12 years. And don’t get me wrong, I test, play, and learn about all Android devices, but there has never been a good reason to fully convince me that I could switch from an iPhone to an Android and not feel like I’m experiencing an entirely different OS permanently.

This is coming from someone who’s used the OG OnePlus device, a Pixel 4, and the OG Motorola Razr.

I think the Google Pixel 9 Pro was the phone that Google finally got right. Not only did it seamlessly allow you to switch from an iPhone to an Android, but it took out all the guesswork once you made the switch.

I’m not one to push people to buy things, but if there’s one phone you should buy during this Amazon Prime Big Deal Days sale event, it should be this phone.

The Pixel 9 Pro is currently 32% off, originally priced at $1,099; now it’s $749, which is a great deal, especially if you want to take advantage of some of the best features on this phone. And if you don't want this phone head to find out about other Pixel deals during this sale.

Switching over has never been this easy

I’ve mentioned this before, but one of the biggest challenges that iPhone users have always faced is that the switchover can be challenging. It’s a whole new operating system, and if you’ve been used to one OS for years, it’ll be hard to convince you to switch over.

I think Google made this process incredibly easy. It literally took me 30 minutes to switch over, and not only that, but have the same layout on my home screen as I did on my iPhone. Every single app was already downloaded and ready to go, and I no longer had issues dealing with different chargers — iPhone now uses USB-C.

For those who have an iPhone 15, I think this was the phone that really allowed this switch-over to take place incredibly quickly.

But not only that, I’ve said this before and I will say it again…the Google Pixel is the “iPhone” of the Android ecosystem. It is the phone that Google puts out as a “standard” for Android devices to build on and do better. It is the base phone that the Android OS uses to test out new Gemini features, which then go to other Android devices.

Now, whether or not other devices want to create their own version of features that Android OS or Gemini has is up to them. But in my opinion, I believe Google is giving OEMs a reason to develop better products, and they have done that with advancing the Pixel device.

I think one of the most critical aspects of the Pixel 9 series is that Google set a standard for AI features that a phone needs to have. Google got it right with Gemini, and the company has had several years to enhance it.

Anyway, all I can say is that the Pixel 9 Pro is a gorgeous phone. It is easy to use, you won’t miss the iPhone, and you’re getting some of the best AI features ever.

October Prime Day - quick links

• Amazon Prime 30-day FREE trial: Most deals are Prime-exclusive
• See all the Prime Day deals: USA | UK | Canada | India
• Rival sales: Best Buy | Walmart | Dell | Newegg | HP | Target
• Phone deals: Best Buy | Walmart | Samsung | Amazon | Verizon | AT&T

What you need to know

• Google became the fastest growing premium smartphone brand with 105% YoY growth in early 2025.
• Apple leads the premium market with 62% share, despite only a 3% YoY growth.
• Foldable smartphones remain niche, while 80% of high-end sales focus on GenAI capabilities.

New data suggests that more people are spending on premium smartphones as their sales have shot up by 8% YoY in the first half of 2025, according to Counterpoint Research's new report.

The research firm says that this high shift was brought in by "strong premiumization,” meaning premium devices have become easily available thanks to increased financing options and expanded trade-in programs.

What's more interesting is that while all the brands showed an uptick in sales, Google outshone as the fasted growing premium smartphone brand seeing 105% YoY growth. The report suggests that its sales basically doubled since last year, as more people are opting to buy the Pixel 9 series.

Google has been pushing into new markets and ramping up marketing for the Pixel phones. The company has been leaning into making these devices stand out by focusing on its AI features and super clean software, rather than just talking about specs, which has really worked in the tech giant's favor.

That said, Apple continued to reign as the largest brand during H1, despite only seeing a 3% YoY growth, it took up 62% of the overall premium smartphone market. While Samsung took the 2nd spot, on the list, seeing a 7% growth, thanks to the AI-powered Galaxy S25 series, which seems to have outdone its predecessor (20% market space).

"Going forward, the Z Fold 7 is also expected to perform better than its predecessor owing to significantly upgraded hardware," Counterpoint added.

Speaking of Huawei that secured third place; the brand is consistently keeping iPhones at bay in China, due to uniquely designed phones like the tri-folding Mate XT , seeing a 24% growth YoY, despite only taking 8% of the share in the market.

Xiaomi also grew in the premium smartphone market in China. The company is pushing its premium strategy not just with its smartphones but with all its products, including electric vehicles (EVs), and smart home devices (IoT), which is keeping the company's spot in the top five.

Additionally the firm adds that foldables still remain a "niche," as few people are reaching for it due to its unique form factor. That said, Counterpoint notes that 80% of high-end smartphone sales were for devices with GenAI.

The 2025 school year is approaching, and so is the release of the next-gen Google Pixel series. As such, it's not too surprising to see Pixel phone deals come to life, including $200 off the Google Pixel 9 Pro for Best Buy's Back-to-School sale.

While the Pixel 9 Pro XL still stands as the best Android phone for parents in our book, the 9 Pro has really similar hardware, and it offers some massive upgrades from the base-level Pixel 9. If you're looking for the latest-generation option, you may want to wait until the upcoming Pixel 10 series release, which is slated for August 20. However, if you simply want $200 off a solid phone, and don't mind leaning into the current generation, this is definitely a deal worth checking out.

✅Recommended if: you want a great phone that isn't too large to hold; you want a smartphone with a powerful suite of camera lenses; you prefer a phone with long-term software updates and ongoing support.

❌Skip this deal if: you'd rather upgrade to the larger Pixel 9 Pro XL; you'd prefer the industry leader in performance-intensive gaming; you need something with a robust set of PWM dimming options.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro was well-liked upon its release, especially due to its powerful cameras, long-term software promise, comfy and fun-to-use haptic feedback, and a wide range of AI features.

It boasts a 6.3-inch Super Actua display with a 120Hz refresh rate, compared to the 6.8-inch on the 9 Pro XL, along with a slightly smaller 4,700mAh battery. It also has a 50MP rear camera, and separate 48MP wide-angle and macro lenses, as well as a 42MP selfie cam.

Compared to the Google Pixel 9, the Pixel 9 Pro offers a much higher screen resolution, a brighter screen, better cameras, and improved RAM that results in better performance and multi-tasking. Still, for most casual users, the Google Pixel 9 Pro offers plenty of power to accommodate performance needs, along with seven years of software support and new updates.

Google finally gave us two sizes of its Pro series phones with the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL last year. It was something Pixel fans have been asking for for years, but now, the question is how Google is elevating the experience with the new Pixel 10 Pro. The Pixel 9 Pro was a mature leap forward in design, and it had some of the best AI features to come in an Android phone.

As it turns out, Google addressed some of the Pixel 9 Pro's biggest flaws when making the Pixel 10 Pro. The new model has a faster chip, magnetic Qi2 charging, and higher PWM rate support. At the same time, the design is nearly identical between models. This begs the question when comparing the Google Pixel 10 Pro vs. Pixel 9 Pro — is it really worth the upgrade?

Google Pixel 10 Pro vs. Pixel 9 Pro: Design and display

At a glance, you might not notice much of a difference between the Pixel 10 Pro and the Pixel 9 Pro. It's unsurprising that Google hasn't made any drastic changes to the design, as it underwent a major overhaul just last year. The highlights include a Pixel 10 Pro construction that's both thicker (8.6mm) and heavier (207g) than the Pixel 9 Pro (8.5mm, 199g). Considering the Pixel 9 Pro was already on the heavier side, this might be disappointing to some.

The Pixel 9 Pro is already built extremely well, so there wasn't much to change in the first place. The front and back have Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for scratch resistance, and there's an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance — that's true of both models. The protruding rear camera island didn't win over everyone, and it remains on the 10 Pro as well.

Both the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro feature a 6.3-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a high pixel count of about 495 ppi. There were some things that could be improved, like the 3,000-nit peak brightness rating and the awful 240Hz PWM dimming rate, which can cause severe headaches if you're eyes are sensitive to flicker.

The Pixel 10 Pro's display isn't much different, as we're looking at the same size, resolution, and refresh rate. However, Google did improve the PWM dimming issue on the 10 Pro. Additionally, Google upped the Pixel 10 Pro's peak brightness rating to 3,300 nits to create a bit of separation between the new and old model.

Google Pixel 10 Pro vs. Pixel 9 Pro: Hardware and specs

The price of the smaller Pixel 10 Pro remains the same, and that's good to hear considering Google raised it just last year. You're looking at $999 for the 10 Pro's 128GB configuration, and there'll be three more storage tiers after this, topping out at 1TB. Some may be disappointed that the Pixel 10 Pro still starts with 128GB of storage, but on the bright side, we now get 16GB of memory as standard.

The Pixel 9 Pro is still sold at the above prices at most places, unless you purchase it during a sale or through your carrier. After the Pixel 10 Pro hits shelves, though, the 9 Pro's price will come down. Whether it makes a good deal or not totally depends on the discount, but if it's not more than $100, you might as well spring for the 10 Pro.

The Pixel 10 Pro is powered by the Tensor G5 SoC, which is the most powerful — and the most custom — piece of Google silicon to date. It's built using an advanced 3nm process note from TSMC, the same as Apple and Qualcomm. This results in impressive performance gains. Google claims the CPU in the Tensor G5 is 34% faster on average than the Tensor G4. For AI-based tasks, the tensor processing unit (TPU) is said to be up to 60% more powerful.

The Google Pixel 10 Pro also boasts a slight improvement in battery capacity, to 4,870mAh, and a quicker wired charging speed of 29W. It's not much compared to what the competition offers, but it's a step in the right direction for Pixels. The cameras, on the other hand, are expected to remain largely unchanged. We have new AI features, and a custom image-signal processor (ISP), but there aren't any significant changes to the sensors.

The Pixel 9 Pro doesn't perform well in heavy gaming, as the Tensor G4 chip throttles quite noticeably. It's more efficient than the G3, but not a lot more powerful as far as raw performance goes. The cameras on the Pixel 9 Pro are fantastic and can deliver superb details and colors in pretty much all lighting conditions.

The haptics were something that really stood out, too, when we reviewed it. Battery life is also greatly improved over the Pixel 8 Pro thanks to the more power-efficient SoC and optimized software.

Google Pixel 10 Pro vs. Pixel 9 Pro: Software

The Pixel 10 Pro ships with Android 16, along with the Material 3 Expressive design language. You also get seven years of software updates which includes OS upgrades and security patches. The Pixel 10 Pro could potentially get two more Android versions than the Pixel 9 Pro since the latter launched with Android 14 instead of Android 15 or 16.

With the Pixel 9 Pro, we saw it get exclusive AI features like Add Me and Video Boost. These exclusive features are usually bound by the hardware in the phone, which is why they don't make it to previous generation models. For the Pixel 10 Pro, the key feature to know about is called Magic Cue. It's an AI-powered tool that surfaces the information you need, when you need it, without you even needing to ask.

There are other cool Pixel 10 Pro software tricks, like Camera Coach. This feature uses Gemini models built into the camera to help you frame your shot and get the best result. As always, there's Gemini at the heart of the experience, and a robust Gemini Nano model running on-device.

Google Pixel 10 Pro vs. Pixel 9 Pro: Which one should you buy?

If you've skipped the Pixel 9 Pro in anticipation of something better in 2025, my vote would go to the Pixel 10 Pro. Considering it comes in at the same price as the Pixel 9 Pro and with pre-order bonuses, the Pixel 10 Pro is worth getting over the 9 Pro at the same price. The improved performance of the Tensor G5 and the slightly larger battery with magnetic charging alone are worthwhile quality-of-life upgrades.

Gaming performance and the low PWM dimming display were our biggest gripes with the Pixel 9 Pro, but if these things don't bother you, you should wait for a price drop on the 9 Pro if you don't want to pay sticker price. The Pixel 9 Pro is still one of the best Android phones that has a lot going for it and is easier to recommend in 2025 if you can find a good deal. You won't be sacrificing too much over the 10 Pro, apart from maybe some AI features, slightly better battery life, and better gaming performance.

Only one day of Prime Day 2025 remains, which means some of the best Android phone deals of the year are about to disappear for good (or at least until Black Friday, I guess). Nevertheless, among all of the discounted devices available at Amazon right now, three legendary smartphones stand out from the crowd: the OnePlus 13, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, and the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL.

All three of these devices earned incredibly high marks in our list of the best Android phones that money can buy, and thanks to Amazon's sale, all three are as cheap or cheaper than they've ever been. The sale ends at midnight tomorrow, July 11th, so if you've been thinking about buying an exceptional smartphone this week, this could be your last chance. Don't mess this up.

Last chance! Grab these Android phone deals before they're gone

Prime Day 2025 Android deals — quick links

• Prime Day ENDS tomorrow: see the full list of Amazon deals
• Phones: major discounts on Samsung and Pixel
• Tablets: discounted Galaxy Tab and iPad
• Wearables: up to %45 off Garmin watches
• Most Prime Day deals are members-only: sign up for the 30-day trial

• For more on Prime Day 2025, check out our ultimate shopping guide

I've seen a lot of good deals during the 4-day Prime Day event this year but, realistically, the best deals are the ones that save you money now and in the future. Case in point, this Google Pixel 9 Pro deal that'll save you $265 and get you an amazing phone without having to wait for Google to announce the next model.

The Pixel 9 Pro was awarded phone of the year 2024 at Android Central because of its impressive power-to-size ratio. Normally, smaller phones would get second-rate specs because manufacturers couldn't fit all the big-boy cameras or most powerful processors into a smaller package, but that wasn't the case with the Pixel 9 Pro. It had everything the larger Pixel 9 Pro XL did, all at a better price and a pocket-friendly size.

While we expect Google to announce the Pixel 10 series sometime in the next month or so, all the rumors point to the Pixel 10 Pro selling for at least $1,000 when it debuts. Personally, I'd rather grab a great phone now and save a ton of cash than wait for something that might have marginally better specs.

• Prime Day deals and FAQ

Sometimes, it's best to wait for the next generation before making a purchasing decision. But all rumors and leaks point to the Pixel 10 Pro being an incredibly iterative update on the Pixel 9 Pro, so much that I feel like it's not worth waiting if you're someone who buys phones outright.

Based on what we know, the design won't be changing, the camera hardware won't be any different, the display likely won't be changing, and while Google is switching manufacturers for the Tensor G5 chipset in the Pixel 10, rumors and leaks show that it's unlikely to be a big upgrade from the Tensor G4 in the Pixel 9.

Android 16 will be rolling out to Pixel users very soon, making Pixels the first phones to get the latest version of the world's most popular operating system, complete with fun new features, and you can expect this to happen every year until support ends in August 2031. And don't forget that Pixel 9 Pro users get a free year of the new Google AI Pro subscription!

All this spells plenty of reasons to save the $265 and grab a Pixel 9 Pro now instead of waiting for the Pixel 10 Pro.

• For more on Prime Day 2025, check out our ultimate shopping guide

What you need to know

• Google's latest software update for Pixel phones (Pixel 6a to Pixel 9 series) is now rolling out, featuring the newest security patch and bug fixes.
• The update addresses issues like smoother visual experiences in Android Auto and improves Wi-Fi connectivity stability.
• The firmware also includes rollout for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and the Pixel Tablet.

Google has started rolling out the traditional monthly software update for its Pixel phones. The July update has started rolling out to users from Tuesday (July 8), which includes the latest security patch and a couple of bug fixes and improvements.

The latest firmware comes with a BP2A.250705.008 version number, and the supported Pixel phones range from Pixel 6a all the way up to the recent Pixel 9 series, including the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Plus, the Pixel Tablet as well.

Some of the aforementioned devices have gained fixes that would improve smoother visual experiences in apps like Android Auto. And, Wi-Fi connectivity stability and performance in certain conditions are also addressed with the latest firmware.

Android 16 and Pixel 10 series incoming

On the other hand, Google is prepping for Android 16 stable release, likely coming this fall, and the search giant has recently rolled out Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2.1 — a follow-up to the more recent QPR1 Beta 2. It came in as an incremental update that featured some minor issues that beta testers were facing.

These issues comprise problems like the "approve" button not popping up in the Device Admin settings, and lock screen sounds playing even when disabled. These seem to have been fixed with the latest beta. Alongside the fixes, the beta 2.1 has also brought in the latest June security devices for the Pixel 6a and above, including the Pixel 9 series.

Users have to remember that it is still the beta release, and some bugs may still persist — all of which are likely covered by the time Google comes with the stable Android 16 release, which may be right alongside the Pixel 10 series models.

The lineup seems to be solid again this time with models including Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

• Phone deals: Best Buy | Walmart | Samsung | Amazon | Verizon | AT&T

My wife and I enjoy traveling, and we're getting back to doing so with some regularity with our toddler. Traveling with a toddler necessitates a lot of planning, and I'd like to think we're at a point where we have a decent handle on things. Our daughter is about to turn two later this month, and she's at the phase where she can identify colors and count to twenty, so she turns everything in her surroundings into a counting or color-based game.

Here’s what we’re packing while traveling with our toddler, whether it’s an extended vacation or a short visit to meet relatives.

Phones and tablets

We tend to go overboard while packing travel tech, and that's even more true with a toddler involved. We've done a decent job limiting screen use, but an iPad is a must-have when traveling; I download YouTube music videos ahead of time (she likes everything from grunge to heavy metal and Telugu songs), and have one cartoon available just to have some variety (she's keen on Pingu).

The 11-inch iPad Air M3 is ideally suited for travel as it's smaller than the Pro models (we use the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and 13-inch iPad Pro M4 at home), and battery life is great.

Other than that, we have our phones. While I prefer foldables when going on press junkets, they're just not feasible with a toddler, so I take either the Pixel 9 Pro XL or the Vivo X200 Pro, and my wife has the Vivo X200 Ultra as her daily driver. A key consideration in choosing phones is camera; both Vivo devices and the Pixel do a great job taking photos of fast-moving objects, and that's essential with a toddler.

Audio and cameras

Most of the time, our toddler doesn't allow us to take photos and videos of her, and this is where having an action camera like DJI's Osmo Action 5 Pro has proved invaluable. The camera is significantly smaller than a phone, it has a built-in viewfinder — at the front and back — and it takes good images and videos. While the caliber of photos doesn't match that of the X200 Ultra or X200 Pro, it allows us to capture moments that would be impossible with a phone.

I looked at kid-friendly headsets and earbuds, but most of the options lacked the same build quality as mainstream choices, so I opted for Creative's Zen Hybrid SXFI. They're light enough that the heft isn't an issue, and they do a good job with noise isolation — something that comes in handy on a long-haul flight.

My wife and I use Bose these days; she has the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, and I use the QuietComfort Ultra headset. Both products have standout noise isolation, highly customizable sound, and they're among the lightest in their categories; if anything, our toddler tends to use the Bose headset more than I (she's always interested in trying out products my wife and I are using).

A Bluetooth speaker is useful to have as well. We take Tribit's StormBox 2 as it is easy to pack and has good sound, doesn't weigh much, and comes with IPX7 water resistance. It's just easier to play songs than use an iPad while waiting at the lounge or gate, and the StormBox 2 can be easily attached to the outside of a bag.

Charging and accessories

Outside of that, we carry power banks; while I have 48,000mAh power banks at home, they're not designed for travel, so I turn to the UGREEN Nexode 25,000mAh and Anker's 27,650mAh Prime power banks. Both have vertical designs and are easy to slot into a bag, and they do a good job of charging all of our gear on the go. I've had both power banks for the better part of a year now, and they've been reliable.

I also take an external SSD that contains videos, cartoons, and enough storage to transfer data from the action camera or phones. I'm partial to Seagate's 2TB Ultra Compact SSD as it is smaller than most other options, and it has a rugged design alongside USB-C connectivity.

Travel gear and luggage

We like traveling with tech bags, but they're limited in the amount of things they hold — if you're traveling with a toddler, you'll need to carry a lot of stuff. So we use a duffel; the current go-to choice is Bellroy's 55L Venture Duffel. It opens wide, stores everything we need with relative ease, and has several carry modes — it can be used over-the-shoulder, as a cross-body, or as a standard duffel thanks to the grab handles.

We use the duffel to store baby essentials, toys, and food (in individual packing cubes), and have a change of clothing for everyone as well. We also pack at least five board books (she loves to read), and my wife recently bought a busy book, which has so many different activities that it's an effortless way to entertain a toddler on a flight.

I use Bellroy's Transit Travel Pack Pro as my tech bag, and it's fantastic; it stores all the tech I take without any issues, and it has enough mesh pockets and cubbies to slot in all my accessories. My wife recently started using the Matador GlobeRider35, and the 35L size is ideal for carrying the rest of our tech and accessories. It features two main compartments, numerous storage pockets, and a clamshell design that makes packing even easier.

What you need to know

• Users on the Pixel Phones subreddit report incredibly shortened battery lives following the May patch.
• Reports say their Pixel phone is only managing roughly three-and-a-half hours of battery life, which isn't the norm.
• Throwing a wrench into things are reports from others that say the May update has aided their batteries.
• A similar issue happened in March where some Pixels suffered brightness problems, audio, and vibration issues, which were patched out in April.

Google's Pixel issues after a monthly security patch reportedly continue, as users bring their voices together online.

There's a lengthy thread on the Pixel Phone subreddit where users are reporting a severe hit to their device's battery life after the latest security update (via Android Headlines). The original poster (OP) put up a screenshot of their Pixel's battery usage which showed their Wi-Fi connectivity sucked up 100% in three hours. While the user acknowledges this could be a (strange) bug, the root of the issue is that their device only lasted three hours.

It seems as though this problem — the battery drain, specifically — is the result of the May security update.

More users chimed in about their experiences following the May patch. One post states their Pixel 8 Pro only survives for roughly three-and-a-half hours on a full charge. Another report referenced a user's Pixel 7, which also took "a huge hit." While some of these reports concern older Pixel phones, there were a few that brought up the Pixel 9a and even the Pixel 9 Pro Fold after the May update, each suffering shorter power spans.

What's strange is that these tanked battery issues aren't affecting everyone. Some say Google's recent update has improved their battery lives.

A little Topsy-Turvy

What happened to Pixel?😭😂 from r/pixel_phones

Without a clear-cut cause, it's hard to determine what's at fault. However, with some users clearly affected, Google might have to take another look a deliver an update as quickly as possible.

This isn't the first time Pixel users have suffered problems in recent history, as, following the March patch, devices were acting strangely. Users reported brightness fluctuations, audio problems, and vibration issues. The brightness issue seemingly only occurred when users attempted to watch shows or movies via a streaming app like Prime Video. There were band-aid fixes, but those were, as the name implies, temporary.

Those with Pixels that were affected had to wait until April before Google patched them. A similar approach might happen again this time for people with these battery problems.

Google rolled out its May patch ten days ago, and its changelog didn't mention any "fixes" for batteries. So, it's not like we can call that out as the culprit of the conflict. What the update did was solve a critical zero-day Android flaw. Elsewhere, Google patched Bluetooth, microphone quality when recording, and Framework issues.

• Phone deals: Best Buy | Walmart | Samsung | Amazon | Verizon | AT&T

What you need to know

• Pixel users on Reddit started reporting strange, inaccurate colors after taking photos.
• One user with a Pixel 9 Pro states Google's photo processing alters the colors of their imagery far beyond what's expected.
• There appears to be no permanent solution to fix this issue, as the user states turning options like Ultra HDR off doesn't help.
• Google's recent May patch didn't touch on its Pixel camera; however, it did roll in a fix for a critical zero-day exploit.

Google Pixel owners have started voicing extreme displeasure with the company's seemingly overactive image processing software.

A thread on the Google Pixel subreddit is full of users reporting odd, incorrect experiences with the phone and the processing software (via Android Authority). The OP (original poster) called attention to the processing applied to photos taken on the Pixel 9 Pro. The user gives an example, using a photo of their Ford Mustang Shelby. The post shows two instances: Google's processing (left) and the correct image (right, what the viewfinder shows).

The car actually has quite a vibrant orange tone; however, Google's software seems to overdo its job, turning it into a much richer red. There are other aspects of the photo that are seemingly given a little too much saturation/richness, as opposed to what it looks like in reality.

The OP states they've experienced similar issues with the Pixel Tablet, too.

Another user chimed in, stating they're having problems with Google's photo process, too. According to their post, after attempting to snap a sunset photo, their device washed out the red hues of the sky, turning things more "yellow/orange." One other post calls out the oversaturated/boost in contrast that Google's processing delivers, which isn't ideal for some users.

The user, like the OP, states there's no way to "turn everything off" to receive a photo void of Google's post-processing touch-ups. The original poster also states that disabling Ultra HDR and "rich color in photos" doesn't help. One thing that alleviates this issue is enabling "Top Shot." But the user adds that you must do this for every photo, as there's no why to keep this on permanently or disable Google's processing.

Another look through the Lens

Photo processing to death. from r/GooglePixel

Unfortunately, this is an issue users are struggling with, and this will likely continue until (if) Google offers a more stable solution. The OP adds they were able to get a mostly true-to-life photo from a Pixel, but they had to dip back to their old Pixel 3.

Google's had a history of fixing and updating its Pixel camera, with its last fixes rolling in with its April security patch. The patch was light, offering a fix for "camera stability" for the Pixel 6 and 7 series "under certain conditions." Another fix was entered in March, but Google's processing wasn't mentioned in any of its patch notes.

As the publication notes, Google could rectify this issue by showing users outright what their photo will look like in the viewfinder, instead of surprising them after. Another option could be for the company to deliver more complete control over their final image.

While we await something further, Google rolled out its May 2025 security patch earlier this week. Among the fixes was a solution to a serious, critical zero-day exploit, meaning Pixel users should update as soon as possible.

• Phone deals: Best Buy | Walmart | Samsung | Amazon | Verizon | AT&T

The Memorial Day sales are still a few weeks away, but that hasn't stopped Amazon from dropping one of the best Google Pixel 9 Pro deals I've ever seen. One of my favorite Android phones (and one that I personally bought with a painfully inferior discount) is now selling for as low as $799.99 through the retailer, with the 512GB version chilling at 25% off. The Pixel 9 Pro has only hit this record low price once before, so don't make the same mistake I did and buy now if you're interested. 

We gave the Google Pixel 9 Pro a glowing 4/5-star review back when the flagship lineup was revealed late last year, and it isn't hard to see why. The phone boasts a stunning 6.3-inch OLED display that's simply a joy to use in any light, while under the hood you get 16GB of RAM, the ultra-efficient Tensor G4 processor, and all of the latest AI-boosted software features. As usual with Google phones, the Pixel 9 Pro's cameras are truly exceptional, plus you get superb haptics and seven years of OS and security upgrades guaranteed. 

That being said, Pixel phones have a reputation for being relatively inefficient when it comes to gaming, and while I've never had any issues with simple side-scrollers or puzzle apps, you might want to look for a different gaming phone if you play graphics-intensive titles like Genshin Impact. You might also have a problem with the Pixel 9 Pro if you're sensitive to PWM flicker, so consider doing a little research on that if you've had issues before. 

Aside from those few faults, the Google Pixel 9 Pro is an excellent daily driver that I use for just about everything, from streaming TV shows and films to capturing photos and video in 4K resolution. Don't get me wrong, there are almost always Pixel 9 deals on the web to explore, but if you're looking for a straight price drop on the Pro, don't sleep on this discount from Amazon. 

Amazon's Big Spring Sale is here, and while everyone is clambering to find the best discounts on tech, I'd like to draw your attention to one truly exceptional Google Pixel 9 deal. The 256GB version of the Pixel 9 Pro, arguably the best device included in the flagship lineup, is currently chilling with a 23% discount as part of the sale, knocking the price down to its lowest point ever. 

It's quite possible that these Pixel 9 deals will sell out before the sale ends on March 31st, so if you're in the market for a good unlocked phone discount, I wouldn't wait too long to make your move. 

The 128GB, 512GB, and 1TB versions of the phone are also receiving discounts of up to 25%, so choose the configuration that works best for you. Additionally, if you have an old or broken device lying around, you can send it in to Amazon for up to $220 of trade-in credit (in the form of a gift card).

As described in our 4/5-star review, the Pixel 9 Pro is one of the "best phones that Google has ever made", coming complete with a stunning 6.3-inch 120Hz OLED display, an efficient Tensor G4 chipset with 16GB of RAM, and all of the latest AI-boosted software features from Gemini. The phone also boasts one of the best cameras that we've ever used, and like all the best Android phones nowadays, the Pixel 9 Pro guarantees seven years of OS/security updates straight out of the box. 

Naturally, if you're looking for a trade-in opportunity or carrier promo, check with your wireless company to see what kind of Pixel 9 deals they offer. But if you prefer the simplicity of an unlocked phone, this is one of the best Android deals on the web today. 

The Pixel 10 series has been announced, which leaves many folks wondering if the Google Pixel 9 deals are finally about to ramp up. Whether you want the base model Pixel 9, the Pixel 9 Pro, or the impressive Pixel 9 Pro XL, I created this guide so you know exactly where to look when you're ready to purchase your next Google flagship. 

Indeed, with the Google Pixel 10 lineup scheduled for release on August 28th, two things are about to happen: Pixel 9 stock is going to get very low very quickly, and a bunch of retailers will be discounting the 2024 flagship to make room for the new phones. This presents a pretty volatile situation in which the Pixel 9 is going to be hard to find, but any remaining units should also be pretty cheap. Keep reading for the best remaining Pixel 9 deals on the web today, and don't forget to check out my guide to the best Pixel 10 preorder deals if you're interested in the newer phones.

Google Pixel 9 deals

The base model Google Pixel 9 starts at $799 for the 128GB version and $899 for the 256GB phone. Both configurations boast 12GB of RAM straight out of the box, plus you'll enjoy the efficiency of the new Tensor G4 chipset alongside an improved 4,700mAh battery and loads of AI-powered software features. 

Google Pixel 9 Pro deals

For the first time ever, the Pixel 9 Pro is the same size as the base model Google Pixel 9 — but fear not, things still look quite different under the hood. The Google Pixel 9 Pro boasts the Tensor G4 chipset and 16GB of RAM, plus you get an improved 42 MP front camera system and a telephoto lens (another first for Google devices). The Google Pixel 9 Pro starts at $999 for the 128GB version, and there's also a more-expensive 1TB version if you need additional storage.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL deals

Probably the most surprising smartphone announced during Made by Google 2024, the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL picks up where Google left off with the Pixel 4 XL years ago. It's essentially a bigger version of the Pixel 9 Pro, with a 6.8-inch LTPO display, 16GB of RAM, and a slightly larger battery. The XL phone starts at $1,099 for the 128GB version, or you could go up to 1TB to get more storage.

A few times every year, we get new flagship smartphones that promise to "change our world" or try to help us "reimagine" what a phone is capable of. We've reached a point where just about every launch event is accompanied by a promo video that's been recorded using whatever phone is being announced.

This continued with the Galaxy S25 Ultra despite the only change being an upgraded 50MP ultrawide lens. It also marks the third year that Samsung has relied on the 200MP ISOCELL HP2 as its primary lens. Even still, Samsung's flagship devices are regularly touted as being among the best for mobile photography.

So, with that in mind, we decided to put those claims to the test against the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Pixel 9 Pro. I also included the Galaxy S24 Ultra just to see whether it's really worth upgrading, purely for the cameras.

Before diving in, I want to assure you that all of the pictures you see were taken with the default settings. The images were not manipulated in any way, as to provide as balanced of a comparison as possible.

Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max

Kicking things off, I compared the two phones that will likely dominate the market in 2025: the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The first picture in the gallery makes use of the ultrawide lens from both devices, with the iPhone definitely having a warmer tone.

Besides that, the pictures look fairly similar, capturing the same amount of detail. I have to admit that it was pretty darn cool being able to see the S25 Ultra manage to capture the bird as it was flying in front of me in the top right corner.

In the picture of the birds mostly chilling on the dock, the S25 Ultra again produced a "cooler" image than the iPhone. However, the iPhone's picture is a bit brighter, making it a bit easier to notice a few more details. That being said, there's nothing quite like capturing a bird as it takes off, and it was pure luck that I was able to get this image from the Ultra.

If you can't tell, there's a recurring theme with these phones, with the iPhone producing warmer tones, even if just slightly. Such is the case with the pictures in front of Tudor Hall here in St. Mary's County. There's really not much else to say here other than that I'm pretty happy with both phones so far.

With this image from the Tudor Hall Garden, it was the first time I noticed that the Galaxy S25 Ultra managed a brighter image. It's kind of a difficult picture to process, with the glare from the sunset affecting both phones in some capacity.

The thing about taking pictures on your phone is that they can look pretty good on smaller screens. However, after seeing the iPhone's picture of the sundial, I was surprised to see that it just... doesn't look good. There aren't nearly as many details as the S25 Ultra, which becomes apparent when looking at the hedges surrounding the sundial.

With the last image above, we have another difficult scenario to process. Not only is the sun setting, but the lights from the restaurant are all over the place. When you start trying to pixel-peep, the iPhone actually captures more detail, especially if you look at the "OPEN" sign on the right side of the pictures. However, I'd have to say that the Galaxy S25 Ultra managed to take a picture that better resembled what I was actually seeing.

Last, but not least, the Galaxy S25 Ultra was given a chance to really flex its muscles a bit. Both phones were set to 25x zoom, as that's as far as the iPhone's digital zoom will let you go. Looking at the plaque, the text is legible in the iPhone's picture, but it looks a lot like it was generated by AI. Meanwhile, that's not even close to being the case with the S25 Ultra, as it's obvious that Samsung has the upper hand when it comes to telephoto images.

Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. Pixel 9 Pro

When you're walking around trying to take pictures with four different phones, there's really not much time to analyze what you've captured. At the moment, I didn't realize how similar the pictures are between the Pixel 9 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Even while I was putting together the side-by-side examples, I ended up needing to double-check the pictures just to make sure I wasn't messing anything up.

In fact, a lot of what I said about the iPhone's pictures in the previous section rings true about the Pixel 9 Pro. And that includes the picture of the birds on the dock, as it's brighter than the picture from the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

However, unlike the iPhone, I was actually able to capture the bird spreading its wings before taking off. Considering that both Samsung and Google have had issues with moving subjects, I couldn't be happier to see the improvements made culminating in what we have now.

If you're wondering why a couple of the comparison pictures are different here than the other sections, your guess is as good as mine. When I went back to try and find the pictures on the Pixel, they apparently yeeted themselves from the phone. Thankfully, I took plenty of other pictures to make up for that, but I still don't know what could've happened.

Nevertheless, the Pixel 9 Pro manages to keep up with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, producing images that are both crisp and clean. And while the S25 Ultra looked more "true to life" with the picture of the bar, the Pixel 9 Pro did the same with the image of Duke's.

As for the telephoto digital zoom test, it again was done at 25x in order to keep things the same across all of the devices. That's despite the Pixel 9 Pro and its Super Res Zoom being capable of delivering a 30x digital zoom.

One thing that surprised me about the Pixel 9 Pro is that it managed to make the text on the plaque look both less and more AI-enhanced than the S25 Ultra. There are some artifacts around some of the letters, but the 9 Pro also makes it look like someone went and traced over the words to make them appear bolder. Even still, I was quite impressed with how things turned out, as everything is clear and legible.

Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. Galaxy S24 Ultra

The last phone that I compared the Galaxy S25 Ultra to was its predecessor, the Galaxy S24 Ultra. On paper, the only difference between the two is the former features a 50MP telephoto lens compared to the 10MP sensor on the latter. In theory, that should mean that we end up with pictures that look more similar than the other phones.

And for the most part, that's exactly what we have here. Even in the third image, with both devices using 25x zoom, you'd have a tough time telling them apart if I didn't tell you which picture came from which phone.

If you need any more proof that these phones are using identical hardware, it doesn't get much better than the gallery of images above. With the exception of the sundial, the garden and front of Tudor Hall look practically identical. The differences are even more subtle than I thought they would be, which should make those who decided against upgrading feel good about the decision.

That being said, the super zoom comparison tells a different tale. It was almost like the Galaxy S24 Ultra didn't even try to sharpen the image at all. Instead, it almost feels as though it softened the picture. In fact, the S24 Ultra was the only phone of the four to do this, which definitely surprised me.

For the sake of full disclosure, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is currently running the latest One UI 7 beta. Seeing as the software isn't yet final, there's a non-zero chance that the beta software played a part in how this image was processed.

A sight to behold

Something strange, for me at least, when I was on my way back home. For the first time ever, I actually pulled off to the side of the road to take a picture.

After the weather being quite uncooperative for the past couple of weeks, it was refreshing to have the clouds break and the sun shine through. Add in the fact that the time between sunset and dusk happens to be my favorite time to take pictures, on top of the clouds still clearing out, and it was just one of those "man, the sky looks beautiful moments."

So, I pulled over the car, rolled down the window, and just wanted to see whether any of these phones could recapture what I was seeing.

Out of all four phones that I used after pulling off to the side of the road, I think that the Pixel 9 Pro was the best. There are more details in the clouds, along with more vibrant colors that don't look fake.

While the iPhone seemingly managed to capture more light, the sunset fell victim to Apple's image processing. On the flip side, it's obvious to me that Samsung has made some substantial tweaks to the image tuning with the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

When looking at the two Ultra pictures side-by-side, it just feels like something is off with the S24 Ultra. Again, we might just have to chalk this up to the One UI 7 beta, but we won't be able to know for sure until the final version is released.

Picking a winner

Without burying the lede, I honestly think you couldn't go wrong with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Pixel 9 Pro, or iPhone 16 Pro Max. Unless Samsung manages to work some magic with One UI 7, I don't think the Galaxy S24 Ultra does enough to warrant consideration when it comes to more difficult photos.

However, while I can't pick one device over the other, there is something that helps the Galaxy S25 Ultra stand out. Navigating through Samsung's Camera app is a much easier experience than the others.

Not in terms of just being able to take out your phone and snap a picture. But in actually trying to adjust the zoom, making sure all of your settings are correct, and giving you access to the bucket of tools that Samsung provides. If you just want a point-and-shoot camera, you'll be fine no matter what phone you decide on.

But if you care about more than tapping the shutter button, then Samsung is the clear winner. This might not be the case forever as Google continues to make improvements to its own Camera app. So we'll have to see what the future could bring.

What you need to know

• A host of Google Pixel users are reporting annoying issues following the latest March security update.
• Pixels ranging from the 7 series to the 9 are met with strange brightness fluctuations, audio issues, and vibration woes.
• Google rolled out its March security patch last week, shortly after its major feature drop went live.

Google's smartphones are dealing with some annoying issues following its latest monthly security patch, per its users.

Bug reports appeared like wildfire on Google's Pixel subreddit over the weekend as users voiced frustrating problems after the March security update (via 9to5Google). Users reported a "random brightness drop" issue after watching a video on their Pixel 8 Pro. According to the post, their 8 Pro's display would being flickering and they'd suffer an "abrupt brightness drop" roughly "every 10 seconds."

They add that this issue is occurring every time they watch anything concerning videos, think Netflix or Prime Video, as the post states. The user notes other reports on the subreddit involve devices ranging from the Pixel 7 series to the latest Pixel 9.

Another user's report breaks things down a little more, but begins by reiterating a similar "brightness fluctuation" during a Netflix session. However, the user highlights another issue, one that's plaguing their Pixel's audio. There's reportedly a strange issue appearing with the device's EQ is enabled. The user has noted odd audio shifts, i.e, songs are much louder than videos, making balance hard to come by.

For now, there's no fix on any of these issues, but one user clocked a potential remedy. If your Pixel display is bugging out, the post suggests dropping your screen's fresh rat to 60Hz, instead of leaving it at 120Hz.

Multiple bugs after March feature update from r/GooglePixel

Aside from display woes, Android Authority noticed Pixel users reporting problems with unusually strong device vibrations. These issues started appearing shortly after Google's March security update last week, so it seems this can be lumped into the ongoing problems, too.

The publication cites a statement from Google about the issue, which says, "The Pixel team is actively looking into reports from some Pixel users about changes to haptic intensity. To adjust your vibration settings, you can go to Settings > Sound & vibration > Vibration & haptics." Seems like another temporary fix to hold users over for the time being. It's expected that Google will rollout a secondary patch to solve these problems, but when that will happen is anyone's guess.

Google rolled out its March 2025 security update last week shortly after its major feature drop for Pixels. Users may want to exercise caution, considering the recent wave of problems plaguing a host of devices. The patch includes bug fixes for the entire Pixel lineup, including its foldables and tablet, for networking communication, camera, and audio problems.

Of course, this update came second to Google's massive March feature drop for Pixels. The company rolled out enhanced scam detection for phone calls and text messages and finally dropped Loss of Pulse detection on the Pixel Watch 3.

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 look at some of the coolest innovations we came across at MWC, Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro launch, One UI 7 delays, Pixel's March feature drop, and OnePlus clarifying its update policy. Let's get into it.

MWC Wrap up

Read more here and here.

While MWC showcases some of the best and upcoming innovations in tech, it also shows us some technology that we'd take a second look at. This made us think about what exactly the company was thinking while creating these devices.

For instance, Samsung's claw-like tri-fold, which looks like a flip but would fold on both ends, leaving half an inch of gap in the center. Instead of folding two halves together, this phone folds in two separate sections, which closes the phone like you would close your fist.

Next up is the Tecno Spark Slim, which looks cool and is the world's slimmest phone with a 5,200mAh batter, measuring just 5.75mm in thickness. It gets better, at the rear, the camera bar looks like a futuristic robot's eyes, connected by LEDs with unibody ceramic or stainless steel rear panels. Hope you're taking notes, Samsung!

Xiaomi took accessorizing to another level, with a custom Xiaomi 15 showcased at the event that had a large magnetic ring on its rear that could attach a bigger camera lens, instantly converting your phone into a DSLR camera.

Some of the other things that the AC team spotted were Honor's AI-powered robotic hand on display that onlookers could interact with, Nubia Focus 2 Ultra, which features a ring around the camera housing that can be physically rotated to control the zoom, UAE's Humanoid robot that kinda creeped them out and more.

Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro

Read more here.

Nothing has finally unveiled its newest flagship devices at the MWC in Barcelona. The Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro come with 6.7-inch AMOLED displays protected by Panda Glass. The phones are powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 and run the Nothing OS 3.1 out of the box, which is built on top of Android 15.

Both phones get camera upgrades; the Phone 3a showcases a pill-shaped horizontal camera setup with a 50MP main camera, another 50MP telephoto lens, and an 8MP ultrawide lens on the back, while the selfie camera sports a 32MP lens. The Phone 3a Pro's circular triple camera array comes with a 50MP main camera, 8MP ultrawide, and another 50MP periscope sensor with 3x optical zoom.

A new action button on the side will bring up Essential Space—the new AI-powered hub that allows users to pen down their ideas with just a click of a button. The Phone 3a costs $379, while the Pro version starts at $459.

A longer wait for One UI 7

Read more here.

One UI 7 beta builds have been rolling out in full swing for the past couple of months; however, the wait for a stable version continues to get longer. That said, we now know when we will get the update, as Samsung announced this week that it will release One UI 7 starting in April.

The Korean OEM also went on to say that it will bring three One UI 7 beta builds before the official rollout for the Galaxy Z Flip 6, Z Fold 6, Galaxy S23 series, and Galaxy Tab S10 series. Samsung explains in the press release that One UI 7 integrates "leading AI agents with multimodal capabilities into every touch point of the interface."

While we wait for the much-awaited One UI 7 to drop, rumors have been cropping up recently that Samsung will skip its minor point updates for One UI 7 and jump to releasing One UI 8 soon. A tipster spotted a test-built version of the said software for the Galaxy S25 series. He claims that Samsung has started working on this build two months earlier than usual.

March Pixel update turned out to be a fun one

Read more here.

March's drop came with loads of new features for Pixel users to experiment with. This includes features like AI-powered spam detection over calls and suspicious text alerts that will "flag text patterns commonly associated with scams."

Up next is Google's Find My Device app, which now lets users share their live location only with "trusted contacts." In an attempt to make the user feel safe in tricky situations.

Third, the devices get a cool feature for the camera called "Connected Cameras." Limited to the Pixel 9 series, the company states that it allows you to "Connect your Pixel phone with a GoPro or other Pixel phone camera, and use popular social apps to stream from different angles."

Pixel Watches weren't left behind either, as they gained a new feature called Loss of Pulse detection. If your watch can't detect a pulse, it will first send you a notification checking on you, and if you're unresponsive, it will automatically call emergency services. Finally, women with the watch can breathe a sigh of relief as Menstrual Cycle tracking has landed on the Pixel Watch 3. Users can now log their period, view cycle status, or see a prediction about the next one from the Watch 3.

OnePlus and its updates dilemma

Read more here.

Initially, when the OnePlus Watch 3 dropped, the company stated that it would get only 2 years of security updates. However, it seemed like it was a miscommunication from the company, and OnePlus contacted us to confirm that both the Watch 2 and Watch 3 will receive "3 years of quarterly security updates."

Additionally, while the watch will receive "3 years of software updates," that won't include version updates, which will be limited to two. The OnePlus Watch 2 launched with Wear OS 4 and will stop at Wear OS 6 in 2026. The OnePlus Watch 3 will eventually receive Wear OS 7 in 2027, OnePlus stated.

More stories this week

Those are some of the biggest stories from this week. Meanwhile, here are some other stories that are worth catching up on:

• New leak spills more details on the upcoming Pixel 9a
• Android Auto's next update could bring controls for a more comfortable car ride
• Google Home Max will soon lose support for a critical safety feature
• Samsung is rolling out its One UI 7 beta for the Galaxy Z Flip 6, Fold 6
• Honor Magic V4 specs have leaked, and the Oppo Find N5 should be scared
• Pixel Camera 9.8 rolls out alongside the March Feature Drop with new tweaks
• Google tests experimental 'AI Mode' enhancing search results
• Google takes home 'Smartphone of the Year' award at MWC for the second straight year
• Google Pixel 10 to debut with exclusive AI-powered assistant 'Pixie'
• Google Calendar's web client gains a Gemini in Workspace side panel

What you need to know

• Google is rolling out the Connected Camera feature to Pixel 9 devices.
• Connected Cameras allow users to use another camera, like a GoPro or a Pixel phone, as a secondary device remotely for live-streaming and recording from different angles.
• It can be used to livestream on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok.

Google Pixel 9 users can now shoot pictures and videos from different angles as Google is starting to roll out the new Connected Cameras feature to these phones (as first spotted by 9to5Google).

Connected Cameras is a feature that was announced along with the latest March Pixel update that came in early this week. This will allow Pixel 9 owners to connect to another camera placed at a distance (either a GoPro or a Pixel phone) and use it to live stream and record videos. Users can livestream through any of the supported social media applications like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, etc., while being able to use the in-app filters on their videos.

This is particularly useful for people who want to set their phones aside to show off a skill or share their products during a livestream or even while simply biking with their GoPro.

To enable this feature, users need to head to the Pixel's Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Connected Cameras. Here, you'll need to toggle the option on, as it doesn't appear to be enabled by default.

Once turned on, a floating "Camera Picker" icon will appear when using supported apps. This allows you to add, remove, or disconnect a remote camera as well as switch devices.

That said, when the Camera Picker isn't in use on the above-mentioned social media apps, it remains minimized. Users can also disable the icon by touching and holding it, then dragging it to the "X" at the bottom of their screen, Google explained on its help page.

As of now, this feature is only available for Pixel 9 series devices. It can support secondary cameras using the Pixel 6 and later or the GoPro 10 and later, updated to the latest software version on them.

Lastly, it is important to note that users can only connect to one additional remote device at a time, and these devices need to be signed into the same Google account. You can switch the connected camera, but you'll have to disconnect the first one.

What you need to know

• Google secured two of GLOMO's most desirable awards at MWC Barcelona in the Device category.
• Google's Pixel 9 Pro won the "Smartphone of the Year" award, marking the brand's second win in a row for that category.
• Gemini won the "Breakthrough Device Innovation" award for being an impactful piece of mobile software last year.

Google took home two of Global Mobile's (GLOMO) most prestigious awards at Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona, the company announced today, March 5. Google's Pixel 9 Pro won the major "Smartphone of the Year" award, which is the brand's second win in a row for that category. Additionally, Google's work in AI was honored as Gemini won the "Breakthrough Device Innovation" award.

Last year's winner for Smartphone of the Year was the Google Pixel 8 series, and that victory was crucial for both the brand and Android phones as a whole. It was the first time an Android handset had secured the pivotal award since 2021. Now, Google has managed to achieve the feat in two straight years, claiming the "Best Smartphone" title last year with the Pixel 8 and now the renamed Smartphone of the Year award with the Pixel 9 Pro.

While the Google Pixel 9 Pro wins the 2025 award, it's important to remember the criteria for eligible devices. "The Best Smartphone award combines outstanding performance, innovation and leadership as determined through assessment of smartphones on the market during the period January 2024 to December 2024, by world leading independent analysts, journalists and influencers," according to GLOMO (emphasis theirs).

Like usual, that means the Pixel 9 Pro competed with the likes of the iPhone 16 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, but did not face the latest Samsung Galaxy S25 series.

Gemini's award for Breakthrough Device Innovation represents the second time the honor has been given to a software feature. The last time that happened was in 2023, when Apple won it for Emergency SOS via satellite. The award is described as being "for core hardware and software innovation within smartphone devices themselves."

Google won half of the total awards available in the "Device" category of GLOMO's honors at MWC 2025, in a significant milestone for the company.

What you need to know

• Google's March 2025 security drop is rolling out to eligible Pixels following a massive feature drop.
• The security update offers fixes for its entire Pixel lineup for issues plaguing network communications, the camera, and an audio issue.
• Google just revealed its March feature drop for Pixels, bringing Loss of Pulse to the Pixel Watch 3, scam detection for its phones, and a lot more.

Google is starting to roll out its monthly patch to a host of eligible Pixels in March following a major feature update.

The company posted its March 2025 security changelog in its community, stating the patch is available for the Pixel 6 series up to the Pixel 9, including the Fold, 9 Pro Fold, and Pixel Tablet. Users with a Pixel 6, Pixel 7, Pixel 8, and Pixel Fold will find update version BP1A.250305.019. The Pixel 9 series grabs vBP1A.250305.020 while the Tablet sees vBP1A.250305.020.T2.

In contrast to Google's light February patch, its March security update brings a load of bug fixes across a majority of the Pixel lineup.

Google is rolling out a fix for display stability and performance issues concerning the Pixel Fold and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Additionally, there's a camera and WebView stability fix arriving for every eligible Pixel for this month's security upgrade.

The company's entire Pixel lineup is also receiving a fix for system stability issues, as well as "improvements for network connection." Google highlights an audio issue, which plagued users attempting to adjust a call's volume when using a BT headset. The patch notes state this affects all Pixel devices, excluding the Pixel 6 series.

The remainder of the changelog for March is as follows:

• Fix for issue occasionally causing color theme in launcher preview to not match with the selected wallpaper in certain conditions
• Fix for issue with home screen icons to appear transparent after unlocking or switching apps in certain conditions
• Fix for issue with switching between apps when using third party launchers in certain conditions
• Fix for issue with themed icons in certain conditions
• General improvements for performance and stability in certain UI transitions and animations

In its Android Security Bulletin notes, Google states Pixel users will download nine Framework fixes, all of them under its "High" severity label. For its Pixel Systems, the company states 21 fixes are arriving to ensure optimal security for users. The notes draw attention to two fixes, notably CVE-2024-43093 and CVE-2024-50302, which Google says "may be under limited, targeted exploitation."

Users are advised to download security patches as they come to ensure your devices are protected appropriately.

This monthly security patch is starting to arrive today (Mar. 4), only a few hours after Google dropped its huge Pixel feature drop. The update is loaded with some killer features for phones and the Pixel Watch, like Loss of Pulse detection and Menstrual Cycle tracking/prediction for the Watch 3. Regarding its phones, Google says Pixels will soon receive scam detection alerts for texts and calls.

Moreover, the Find My Device app picks up location sharing between users and their trusted contacts.

What you need to know

• Google's March feature drop is here, bringing scam detection alerts for texts and calls to Pixel users.
• The Pixel Watch 3 will receive its Loss of Pulse detection feature by the "end of March," but users should soon receive its Menstrual Cycle tracking and prediction.
• The feature drop expands Find My Device app's usefulness for locations while users on Verizon and T-Mobile see a Satellite SOS expansion.

March is here, and so is Google's expected feature drop for Pixels and Pixel Watches for all eligible users.

The year's first feature drop brings a load of new Pixel features, beginning with AI-powered scam detection. In a press release, Google informs Pixel 6 and newer devices are receiving suspicious text alerts. The company says these devices will leverage on-device AI to "flag text patterns commonly associated with scams." The post states these safety measures should help protect users from having their personal information fall into the hands of wrongdoers.

Similarly, Pixel 9 devices in the U.S. are picking up the same scam protection measures for calls in the U.S. Google says its on-device AI will monitor for "conversation patterns" that scammers typically use to safeguard you and your information. Like texting, this feature is hitting Pixel 9 devices today (Mar. 4).

Google's Find My Device app now lets users share their location with "trusted contacts." Dubbed "Live Location," users can show where they are with a contact who can view it on a map from their phone or tablet.

Pixel Fold users are getting a small update, which brings video recording support to Dual Screen. Google states users can now utilize the phone's cover display to view what's being recorded. Elsewhere, Pixel 9 Pro Fold owners grab Add Me for Dual Screen, the AI-powered feature that lets you smartly edit yourself or others into a group photo.

Meanwhile, Pixel 9 devices receive gain support for multiple cameras for streaming. Google states you can "Connect your Pixel phone with a GoPro or other Pixel phone camera, and use popular social apps to stream from different angles."

Satellite communication capabilities are being expanded in March, with Google stating its Pixel Satellite SOS is arriving in Europe, Canada, and more for the Pixel 9. This lets users who've gone out of cell service range to remain connected with family and the world around them. Google states users should understand that this is arriving in beta, so there may be issues.

Pixel 9 series users are also getting in on satellite messaging via Verizon and T-Mobile.

Google's AI software Gemini is coming to two new countries: Japan and Germany. The post states both areas can enjoy Pixel Screenshots, Pixel Studio, Pixel AI Weather, and more through the Pixel 9 series.

More for your Pixel Watch

Google's Pixel Watch isn't being ignored this month as leading off the March feature drop is the arrival of its Loss of Pulse detection. It was recently reported that the FDA had signaled its approval of Google's new life emergency feature which, according to the company, will begin rolling out in the U.S. "by the end of March."

Google reiterates this approval, stating it has "received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for our Loss of Pulse Detection feature starting with Pixel Watch 3." If your Pixel Watch 3 cannot detect your heart beat anymore, it will automatically call emergency services if it's unable to reach you first.

Another major addition is Menstrual Cycle tracking on the Pixel Watch 3. Users can now log their period, view cycle status, or see a prediction about the next one from the Watch 3.

All Pixel Watches are picking up better step accuracy. Google states its wearables will now better detect when you've "deviated" from your typical walking patterns to avoid a miscount. It hopes this can better aid users trying to hit their walking goals and see more reliable daily insights.

Google is also expanding its Automatic Bedtime mode to the Pixel Watch 2. Through this, the watch will try and detect when you've fallen asleep and "turn off your watch face and disable notifications to minimize distractions." Pixel Watches are also receiving new media playback control actions such as fast forward, rewind, playback speed, and playback queue controls.

Lastly, the Pixel Recorder app's auto-transcribe function is hitting Pixel 6 and newer phones, as well as Google's Pixel Watches and Tablets.

What you need to know

• Clicks is expanding beyond iPhones, launching versions for Google Pixel, Motorola Razr Plus, and Samsung Galaxy phones.
• Pixel 9/9 Pro, Razr Plus 2024, and Galaxy S25 cases start at $99 (until March 21), then $139. Shipping rolls out from April to June depending on the model.
• Clicks brings back that satisfying tactile typing with curved keys, metal dome switches, and backlighting.

Clicks, the brand known for its built-in keyboard cases for iPhones, is expanding its lineup. This time, it’s bringing three fresh versions designed specifically for Android users.

Founded by MrMobile and CrackBerry Kevin, Clicks is rolling out new keyboard cases for the latest Google Pixel, Motorola Razr Plus, and Samsung Galaxy phones. Inspired by the classic BlackBerry feel, these cases bring back satisfying tactile typing, giving you more control and smoother navigation.

Currently, Clicks is launching its keyboard cases for a few Android favorites: the Google Pixel 9 and 9 Pro, the Motorola Razr Plus 2024, and the Samsung Galaxy S25.

The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro will be available in Surge and Onyx, with pre-orders starting February 25 at an introductory price of $99 until March 21, after which the price rises to $139. Shipping is expected in late April.

Meanwhile, the Razr Plus 2024 (Electric, Onyx) and Galaxy S25 cases (Pinot, Onyx) follow the same pricing, but ships in late May and June, respectively.

To set it up, just line up your phone’s charging port with the connector inside the Clicks case, slide it in, and click the top into place. Clicks powers directly through your phone, so no Bluetooth or extra battery is needed.

Clicks cases come with curved keys and metal dome switches for that satisfying clicky feel. Plus, the backlit keys make it easy to type no matter if you're in a dim room or out in the sun.

The company promises to make everyday tasks a breeze. Thanks to handy shortcuts, you can quickly jump into your go-to apps, AI features, notifications, and messaging tools.

However, since the Clicks case doesn’t have a magnet, MagSafe-like chargers and accessories might not stay put. Wireless charging should still do the trick without a hitch, though.

By ditching the on-screen keyboard, Clicks frees up more screen space, making content creation super smooth. Whether you're snapping selfies or editing videos, it’s a handy accessory for everyone.

The Presidents' Day sales may be over, but there's one Google Pixel 9 deal that just keeps hanging on. Pick up the top-rated Google Pixel 9 Pro unlocked from Best Buy or Amazon today and you'll score a straight $200 discount, the same epic price drop that we saw during the Black Friday sales last fall. 

Although I can't say for sure, my sources indicate that any leftover Presidents' Day deals will expire this Sunday, February 23rd, which only gives you a few days to place your order! Once the Pixel 9 Pro discount is gone, it may be a few months before we see another like it, so act fast if you're interested. 

✅Recommended if: you want a sleek flagship phone with great cameras, AI-boosted software features, and seven years of guaranteed OS/security updates; you prefer to buy the best Android phones unlocked.

❌Skip this deal if: you'd rather buy the larger Pixel 9 Pro XL (also $200 off); you can get a better deal through your wireless carrier; you need a phone for gaming.

As described in our glowing 4/5-star review, the Pixel 9 Pro is a distillation of everything that made the past few generations of Google phones so special. The elegant design choices and outstanding camera specs are all still there, but now you get an upgraded chipset, the latest AI software features, and two sizes to choose from. The haptics remain some of the best on the market, and the seven-year software promise means that the phone will continue to feel cutting-edge for many years to come. 

That being said, dropping $800 at Best Buy may be a tall order for some folks, so check with your wireless carrier to see what Google Pixel 9 deals they have before you commit. Verizon, for instance, will give you the phone for free when you add a line with the Unlimited Ultimate plan, while the T-Mobile-owned carrier Mint Mobile will give you $400 off the XL version of the phone, plus some heavily discounted wireless when you pay for a year in advance. The choice is yours, but if you prefer the flexibility allowed by an unlocked phone, then this Best Buy deal is one of the best around. 

What you need to know

• Google is likely to reintroduce the “Battery Health” settings page with Android 16 for Pixel devices.
• The page displays battery condition, and capacity, and provides tips for extending battery lifespan.
• Google is also tipped to be working on a new feature for Pixel phones that will recalibrate battery measurements over weeks.

Android 16 beta 2 was released late last week for Pixel device owners, which has been a significant update over the first one, with upgrades to the camera and media settings. New findings now reveal that Google is probably bringing the long-awaited “Battery health” settings page again with the latest beta.

As spotted by 9to5Google and their APK Insights of the Settings Services app bearing version 1.1.0.717462792 — has revealed strings regarding a new Battery Health feature, which was ventured back in 2022 — with Android 13 QPR1. While it didn’t turn up to be live, it appears the search giant is giving it a try again this time with Android 16.

The new page can be found in Pixel phones featuring the latest beta and users can navigate to Settings> Battery> Battery Health — right above the Battery percentage toggle. Going in further showcases the “View battery health status and tips to extend your battery’s lifespan” section.

Right underneath, Pixel phone users will be able to check their battery condition, which shows whether it is normal or not. Battery capacity presumably indicates it's lifespan. If the phone is brand new, it is likely going to show 100%, and it should gradually decrease as the phone is used for longer periods, like a couple of years, for example.

Pixel phone users can further get to know how to take care of their device’s batteries with the help of guides and relevant articles provided in the support tab. Additionally, there is a Charging optimization toggle, which can be enabled.

On the whole, the new inclusion looks to be a significant improvement over the previous spotting in the Android 13 QPR1, notes 9to5. The same added section, previously just featured the support articles on how to take good care of the device’s battery by enabling adaptive charging, and other such suggestions.

The publication has further found out through the APK strings that Google will likely offer a new ability to “improve battery measurements” by bringing in a recalibration process, which will be carried out over weeks. Post which, the battery capacity status will likely be updated. If at all users see a decline in the status, they might perceive their battery lasting “less time between charges.”

It is encouraging to have the feature in the works, which can turn out to be quite useful for Pixel owners if it rolls out via the Android 16 stable release.

• Phone deals: Best Buy | Walmart | Samsung | Amazon | Verizon | AT&T

As you might have noticed, a lot of Presidents' Day sales are going live this week, and I just found one Google Pixel deal that deserves your special attention. The Google Pixel 9 Pro, easily one of the best phones on the market today, is currently chilling with a $200 discount at Best Buy, marking the same low price that we saw during last year's Black Friday sales. 

Indeed, Best Buy's Presidents' Day sale has no shortage of excellent deals on Android phones, tablets, and wearables, but if you're looking for an AI-powered flagship with great cameras to match, then this discount on the Pixel 9 Pro can't be beat. 

✅Recommended if: you want a modern flagship phone with AI features, long software support, and some of the best cameras in the biz; you prefer to buy your phones unlocked.

❌Skip this deal if: you want a phone with a bigger screen or a built-in stylus; you need more than 128GB of base storage; you're looking for a trade-in opportunity. 

The Google Pixel 9 series was released last October and the Pro/Pro XL quickly rose through the ranks to become one of our favorite Android phones on the market. Straight out of the box you get a unique, thoughtfully-designed flagship with a glorious 6.3-inch OLED 120Hz display and durable Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and IP68 construction. Under the hood, the phone boasts the efficient Tensor G4 chipset, 16GB of RAM, and loads of useful AI features, plus you're guaranteed to receive seven years of OS/security updates. 

As detailed in our 4/5-star review, the Pixel 9 Pro faces challenges in the form of its two biggest rivals, the Galaxy S25 Ultra and OnePlus 13, but both of those phones are currently a lot more expensive than Google's flagship. With regular, day-to-day use, the difference in performance between the three phones becomes pretty marginal, so it's not like you're sacrificing much by going with the Pixel.

In other words, if you know you like Google phones and you're looking for a good deal, look no further than the Pixel 9 Pro at Best Buy.

What you need to know

• Google Pixel phones may soon remind users to enable Wi-Fi calling if it is not already enabled.
• The notification feature was spotted in an APK teardown for the Adaptive Connectivity Services app.
• The update carrying the feature could be released in a couple of weeks or months, as it still appears to be in the testing phase.

Pixel phones, along with other Android phones, have incorporated a Wi-Fi calling feature for over a couple of years now. It works in conjunction with the device's carrier to ensure users have a smoother calling experience. Pixel phones, however, may soon remind users to enable the feature if it is not enabled already.

The feature was spotted in an APK teardown performed by folks at Android Authority for the Adaptive Connectivity Services app bearing version p.2025.01. Based on identified strings in the app's backend, Google could soon notify Pixel owners to enable Wi-Fi calling.

The notification description further reads, "Turn on Wi-Fi calling to talk and text in places where the mobile network isn't as strong." The publication further notes that it is still unclear whether Google would send users the notification only when Wi-Fi calling is disabled or when it detects that the user is in a poor or no network area. Either way, users will soon see a "turn on" pop-up with the new notification and also can "dismiss" it.

Users who are new to Pixel phones and not so tech-savvy might find the new notification quite useful. However, not all Pixel phones in all regions support the Wi-Fi calling feature, since it is highly dependent on the respective carriers and Google itself; that's one thing to keep in mind.

If you own a Google Pixel 9 series phone or any other Pixel phone that supports the Wi-Fi calling feature, it could soon come to your handset via the aforementioned app update, which could be in a couple of weeks or months, as it still appears to be in the testing phase. We recommend you stay up to date with the Adaptive Connectivity Services app version to notice the new, nifty notification feature.

• Phone deals: Best Buy | Walmart | Samsung | Amazon | Verizon | AT&T

What you need to know

• The Pixel 9 Pro’s camera bar is reportedly peeling off, raising concerns about a possible design flaw.
• Cases suggest the problem may let dust and water in, hinting at a structural weakness.
• Initially quick to replace affected devices, Google’s support has since been criticized for dismissing complaints after the 90-day period.

Google’s camera bar, first seen on the Pixel 6 series, was meant to be a standout feature. But with the Pixel 9 Pro, it seems Google might’ve missed the mark—users are reporting that the camera bar is peeling off the back of the phone.

Back in October, a Reddit post about a Pixel 9 Pro with a wonky camera bar caught everyone’s attention. The owner said the bar was coming loose from the phone’s body, which was pretty weird since they claimed it had been in a case the whole time and never took a tumble or got damaged.

This whole thing kind of screams “design flaw” or maybe a factory oopsie. Either way, it’s a reminder that even the fanciest devices can have some serious growing pains.

Now, as Android Police first reported, Reddit user MohiFlaz shared their frustrating experience with the Pixel 9 Pro. They went into full protective mode right away after buying the phone three months ago. They’ve been super careful with it too, with no drops or rough treatment. But despite all that TLC, the camera bar is still coming loose.

When the first incident popped up, Google was quick to send a replacement. But now, MohiFlaz is calling out Google for their less-than-stellar response this time around.

In the comments, the user didn’t hold back and vented about their experience with Google Support. As per the comment, Google Support basically shrugged them off because the phone is over 90 days old. So now they’re stuck between a rock and a hard place, probably looking at forking over some cash to get it fixed elsewhere.

In both cases, the camera bar started peeling from the top edge, opening up gaps that could let water and dust sneak in. Given how similar these cases are, it’s pretty likely Google knows about the 9 Pro’s structural issues. But despite that, the phone’s still sitting on store shelves, which makes you wonder if they’re just hoping no one notices.

We have reached out to Google for a statement and will update this post when we hear back.

Since Google hasn’t said much about why the camera bar is peeling off or how to stop it, it’s probably smart to play it safe. Slapping on one of the best Pixel 9 Pro cases might be your best move.

The Pixel 9 series didn’t take down the big players, but it did set new sales records for Google. However, the last thing Google needs now is bad press, so handling unhappy customers with care will be key.

If you’re looking for a premium Android device, you may want to look no further than two of the top brands in the business and two of their latest phones. This includes the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus and Google Pixel 9 Pro. Both these devices are fantastic options from their respective brands. They offer compelling features, including AI, are durable and long-lasting, and will be supported for many years. How do you choose? We’re here to help.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro: How they look and basics

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus is, like with previous generation Galaxy devices, the larger version of the entry-level phone in the new line. Available in Silver Shadow, Navy, Icy Blue, or Mint, it has a 6.7-inch 3,120 x 1,440 QHD+ dynamic AMOLED 2x screen with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and Vision Booster for clear views in bright sunlight.

It’s made of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 with an armor aluminum frame and IP68 rating. Curved corners make it comfortable in your hand, Nicholas Sutrich says in his Galaxy S25 Plus hands-on. He loves that it’s lighter than the previous generation Galaxy S24 device as well. But Derrek Lee points out in his review that the sharp corners and flat back scream for use of a case to avoid scratches and the sharpness touching your fingers.

He adds that it looks virtually identical to the Galaxy S24, with just very subtle tweaks, even going so far as to call the design "boring." The one exception, Lee adds, is the stunning Navy finish, which is the one he'd recommend getting.

Available with 256GB or 512GB storage, twice as much as the smaller Galaxy S25 (but less than the top option for the Google Pixel 9 Pro), it’s equipped with a 4,900mAh battery that supports 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0 as well as fast wireless charging and Wireless PowerShare. Lee, however, says it crawls while charging, despite the specs (and noting that he is using a third-party charger from a reputable brand versus a Samsung branded charger). It does support Qi2 charging as well, but you'll need a case.

It meets an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, which is good though Lee wishes Samsung would up its game to match competitors with an IP69 rating instead.

For biometric security, you get an ultrasonic fingerprint reader on the screen as well as 2D facial recognition. The phone measures much larger than the Galaxy S25, hence the Plus name designation, though it’s only a smidge thicker. There’s also a new feature called post-quantum cryptography that safeguards your personal data against threats.

You’ll get seven years of OS and security updates with this phone, something that Samsung has committed to with all its recent Galaxy smartphone launches over the last several years.

Comparatively, the Google Pixel 9 Pro is made from aluminum and comes in Porcelain, Rose Quartz, Hazel, or Obsidian. In his Pixel 9 Pro review, Sutrich notes that the phone is flat in design, which is a personal preference if you like that set-up.

It has a smaller 6.3-inch Super Actua LTPO OLED screen that boasts a lower resolution at 2,856 x 1,280. But you do get up to 2,000 nits brightness and up to 3,000 nits peak brightness, so you can comfortably view the screen in all conditions, including direct sunlight. The screen is made of scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and the phone is IP68 dust and water-resistant with a fingerprint coating as well.

Available with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage, you may appreciate the larger storage options should you want to store more locally versus the cloud. Neither phone, it should be noted, has a microSD card expansion slot.

With the 4,700mAh battery, you get up to 24 hours of battery life per charge and up to 100 hours in Extreme Battery Saver mode. It supports fast charging with the separately purchased Google 45W USB-C charger, fast wireless charging, and Battery Share.

The phone is smaller, of course, since it has a much smaller screen, but it’s also slightly thicker and heavier. It has fingerprint and face unlock, along with plenty of safety features like crisis alerts, car crash detection, safety checks, and more. You also get Google VPN included along with the Titan M2 security chip.

Enjoy up to seven years of OS and security updates, along with frequent Pixel Drop updates.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro: The specs

Let’s look at the specs of these two phones in a side-by-side comparison.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro: Features and functions

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, making it a fast and snappy phone. Samsung says this processor, the most powerful to date in a Galaxy phone, boosts performance significantly and allows the phone to process more AI experiences on-device versus via the cloud, including features like Generative Edit.

It comes loaded with Android 15 and One UI 7 out of the box, along with all the Galaxy AI goodies you would expect. This includes a new feature: cross-app action with AI Agent, which lets the phone perform actions on the user's behalf. When playing with the AI Agent, Sutrich found that it worked well, even calling up details he wanted from an hour-long recipe video without issue. Lee found that Google Gemini results are hit or miss, depending on what you ask. But it worked well to summarize a video and read his flight details then add them to his calendar.

Upgrades with Samsung One UI 7 include a number of new features. There’s Now Brief that shows AI-powered insights for sleep, weather, daily schedule, and more. Auto Suggestions suggest things you can do to be more productive, like turning on a compatible smart washing machine based on your usual routine or turning on maps to navigate to a destination. With Multimodal Search, you can do things like hum a song you don’t remember the name of.

Samsung says the phone can now perform actionable searches with awareness of context, and you can easily switch between apps. Circle to Search also now recognizes phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and URLs on screen, so you can trigger a call, message, or web search with a single tap. It also boasts improved natural language understanding.

Lee's favorite new feature with One UI 7, which he overall loves, is the vertical scrolling app drawer, though note that you will have to manually enable it by changing to "alphabetical sorting" to enjoy. "Overall," he adds, "One UI feels incredible to use," with scrolling, swiping, and expanding feeling buttery smooth. One issue he does have is the fact that Samsung doesn't enable a lot of the best features out of the box, so you'll need to spend some time going through settings and manually doing this. This even includes the QHD+ screen setting!

With 12GB RAM, you can multitask to your heart’s desire, enjoy mobile gaming, stream and capture high-res videos, and more. Speaking of which, there’s also an improved cooling system, Vulkan Engine, and improved Ray Tracing, which gamers especially will appreciate. Lee was pleasantly surprised with its cooling capabilities while playing games, with the phone only ever getting slightly warm. He says it's cooler than most when mobile gaming.

Looking at the Google Pixel 9 Pro, it’s an older phone that launched with Android 14, but it’s still updateable to Android 15 and beyond. It has more RAM at 16GB and comes equipped with the Google Tensor G4 processor alongside the Titan M2 security coprocessor.

You get tons of AI features with this phone as well, including instant access to the Gemini AI assistant, features like Circle to Search, and more. So, with both phones, you’re getting a premium AI experience with the ability to do things like summarize e-mails, get help composing content, create images, and more. It’s worth noting that this phone comes with Gemini Advanced for free for the first year, which allows you to try out all the features and functions before committing to a subscription if desired.

Other new features include more intelligent screenshots with a new app that even allows you to search for details within a screenshot, a new Pixel Weather app with a new UI and headliner AI summary feature, Pixel Studio for creating images from text prompts, and Call Notes for summarizing a phone call and delivering a transcript at the end.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro: The camera experience

The camera experience is key for smartphone owners now that our phones double as our on-the-go content capture devices. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus has some serious camera power, though it remains largely unchanged from the Galaxy S24. This is led by the 50MP wide AF OIS main camera, which is complemented by a 12MP ultra-wide camera and a 10MP 3x tele AF OIS camera. There’s also 30x space zoom, so you can get up close and personal with subjects without losing too much detail.

Additionally, you’ll find a 12MP wide AF “selfie” front camera for taking great self-portraits and group shots. The phone can also record 4K video at 60 frames-per-second and has the ProVisual Engine. You’ll also find features like HDR portraits, nightography, and even zebra pattern.

Lee says the main camera takes "respectable" photos that are crisp and vibrant. They aren't fantastic, but the results will be sufficient for most everyday phone camera users. The same goes for the ultra-wide and telephoto cameras, though he finds that there's more contrast than he would like in many photos while low light photos still come out pretty dark. Additionally, he finds that the bokeh effect doesn't feel as natural as with other premium phones.

There are new ways to create and edit photos and videos using all the same AI features you found in the previous generation phones, like the Samsung Galaxy S24, as well as new features. Audio Eraser, for example, removes background noise and conversations in videos and isolates the sounds you want. Sutrich found that it works quickly and well.

With Auto Trim, you can remove things like excessive “ums” in your speech as well as blank spaces. You can even use keywords, and AI will determine which clips or sound bites can be removed from the video before the final edit. Nighttime videos have been improved as well, affording better capture of moving subjects without under- or over-exposing the rest of the video.

As for the Google Pixel 9 Pro, it has a pro triple rear camera system with a 50MP wide camera, 48MP ultra-wide camera with Macro Focus, 48MP 5x telephoto lens, Super Res Zoom up to 30 x, and an impressive 42MP dual PD selfie camera with auto focus.

You get tons of pro controls and AI editing features for both photos and videos, from Night Sight to Astrophotography, portrait mode, Face Unblur, and more. Editing features include Google Pixel favorites like Magic Editor, Magic Eraser, Best Take, Photo Unblur, and Zoom Enhance. Sutrich’s favorite feature with this phone is called Add Me, which allows the photographer to add themselves to a group photo in post-editing using augmented reality. “The result was astounding and incredibly convincing,” he said of using this feature.

For videos, you can capture up to 8K video at 30 frames per second, with Video Boost coming soon to further enhance content capture. There’s also 20x Super Res Zoom Video. This phone has a similar Audio Magic Eraser feature along with other intelligent features to ensure you get the best video capture possible.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro: Which should you buy?

Now comes the big decision: which should you buy, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus of the Google Pixel 9 Pro? Usually, the argument would suggest that the Google Pixel phone is cheaper, but Samsung has managed to bring the price to a reasonable level for this phone. In fact, it falls right in line with the Google Pixel 9 Pro when it’s on for its regular price (though you can often find the latter on sale).

So, when you take price out of the equation, you really need to get down to the nitty-gritty. Both phones rely heavily on AI perks. With Samsung integrating Google’s Gemini, which is, of course, also in the Google Pixel, you aren’t getting a leg up with the Galaxy S25 Plus. You are, however, getting a larger-screened phone with some additional Samsung-specific features that come with One UI 7. If these are ones you’d use, it might sway your decision.

However, the Google Pixel 9 Pro is still a solid phone with a lot of life left in it and plenty of impressive Google AI smarts, along with a snappy processor and even more RAM. With the option to get up to 1TB of built-in storage by paying a bit more, that could be a dealbreaker for some.

The familiar Samsung experience, the higher-res screen, the effective cooling for gamers, the Samsung One UI, and the larger screen are all compelling reasons to opt for the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus. We can’t speak to the cameras yet until we conduct an extensive review. But for now, Google has Samsung beat when it comes to the front camera, while the others are relatively in sync.

It will come down to form factor, design, and platform. If you want a smaller phone, go with the Google Pixel 9 Pro. If you want something bigger and you’re familiar with and love the Galaxy interface, upgrade to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus if you’re still rocking a Galaxy phone that’s several years old. It will likely take the place of the Samsung Galaxy S24 among the best Android phones (or its smaller Samsung Galaxy S25 sister device). Keep in mind that if you want a smaller screen within the Galaxy family, you can also consider the near-identical Samsung Galaxy S25. Just keep in mind that it has a smaller battery and only goes up to 256GB of storage.

I have seen a lot of amazing Google Pixel 9 deals over the past few months, but this holiday offer from Mint easily ranks as one of the best (and yes, I'm including Black Friday in that list). Pick up the Pixel 9 Pro from Mint Mobile and you'll score a ridiculous $400 discount, knocking the price of the phone down to $599. You'll have to buy a year of Mint's unlimited tier to receive the savings, but the carrier is sweetening the deal by carving 50% off that plan, as well.

In other words, not only are you getting a record-smashing discount on one of the year's best phones, but you'll be getting one of the best unlimited plans we've ever used for only $15 per month ($180 upfront). Even Black Friday couldn't touch those savings. 

This offer is quite similar to a recent Mint Mobile deal that gives you $500 off the base model Pixel 9 when you buy the phone alongside some wireless, but if you need more power in your devices, this Google Pixel 9 Pro deal is tough to beat. 

As described in our 4/5-star review, the Pixel 9 Pro triumphs by packing premium specs and AI-powered technology into a compact, easy-to-hold frame. Both the Pro and its XL big sibling come with seven years of guaranteed OS and security updates, plus you get unrivalled camera tech, the lightning-fast Tensor G4 chipset, and some truly remarkable battery life straight out of the box.

At full price, the Google Pixel 9 Pro may be a tough sell, but this Mint Mobile is changing everything. Let me put it this way: during Black Friday/Cyber Monday, the price of the unlocked Pixel 9 Pro dropped to $799, which was a record low at the time. By comparison, you can head to Mint Mobile right now and get the phone for a full $20 less, AND your phone bill will be covered for a year by one of the world's best MVNO carriers. If you're in the market for a new wireless plan, yeah, it's that good. 

What you need to know

• Google detailed the rollout of its December 2024 security update for its Pixel lineup.
• The patch includes even more Bluetooth fixes alongside fixes for display issues, audio problems, and camera woes.
• This security update joins Google's busy week after dropping its major December feature drop for Pixels and Android.

Google has started pushing its latest monthly security update to a host of eligible Pixel phones.

The company revealed the patch notes for its December 2024 security update via a Pixel community post. Google states the update is rolling out for devices ranging from the Pixel 6 series up to the Pixel 9 series. This patch includes the Pixel Tablet alongside the original Pixel Fold. Owners of any of these devices should soon find version AP4A.241205.013 available to download.

Google says users should find a notification about the update's availability, but you can also check for it manually through your settings (system update).

The changelog begins by fixing some critical audio issues. The post says that the December update fixes "audio stability and performance" under certain situations for Pixel 7, Pixel 8, and Pixel 9 devices. Additionally, Google is solving an issue that would see some Pixel 6 phones restarting when using a USB audio device.

Several more Bluetooth issues are being fixed for the Pixel 9, which has become quite a trend in recent history.

Camera improvements are hitting the Pixel 6 alongside some serious "green tint" issues for the old generation.

The remainder of the changelog is as follows:

• General improvements for system stability and performance in certain conditions (Pixel 6/7 series)
• General improvements for network connection stability and performance in certain conditions (Pixel 7, 8, original Fold, and Pixel Tablet)
• Fix to improve wireless (Wi-Fi) stability and performance in certain conditions (Pixel 7, 8, and 9)
• Fix for issue occasionally causing the lockscreen wallpaper to fade out slowly in certain conditions
• Fix for issue with dark mode settings stability in certain conditions
• Fix for issue with delay in call notifications appearing in certain conditions
• Fix for issue with layouts and animations during transitions in certain conditions
• Fix for issue with repeating color selection in Wallpapers & Styles in certain conditions
• Fix for issue with Wallpaper & Style app crashing in certain conditions
• Fix to improve swipe actions in certain condition
• Fix for issue with notification background colors in certain conditions

Google's December patch arrives shortly after the debut of its latest feature drop for Pixels. These updates will likely arrive close together when updating/installing on your phone. More specifically, the latest feature drop brings new goodies to Gemini on Pixel like a Spotify extension, calling/texting capabilities for the AI, and "Saved info with Gemini."

The Pixel 9 series exclusively received new additions like a revamped Call Screen powered by Gemini Nano for screening calls. The Pixel Screenshots app also got upgraded with better organization and the option of using it in Google Wallet to save cards like your driver's license, boarding pass, and more.

Android in general received a major update, as well as the Pixel Watch and Nest.

Google's patch notes for its security update reiterated the decision to grant the Pixel 6, Pixel 7, and Pixel Fold two more years of OS updates. This now makes it so the oldest of the three series is eligible for Android 16, which should arrive much earlier in 2025.

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What you need to know

• Google Pixel Troubleshooting update gets new Device Temperature check feature.
• It allows Pixel 6, Pixel 7, Pixel 8, and Pixel 9 users to check their device temperatures whenever their devices seem warm to touch.
• The temperature check feature involves relevant color schemes to accurately represent the device's condition.

Some Pixel phones might have a nifty new feature that lets users identify how hot their devices are running directly from their handsets' battery settings.

Google has apparently released a Pixel Troubleshooting app update for its devices, ranging from Pixel 6 to the latest Pixel 9 series, notes 9to5Google. The latest update brings a new "Device temperature" feature, which can be seen in the Battery section of the device Settings.

It sits under the battery diagnostics' "Phone is very warm" section, which earlier showcased settings that keep the device battery optimized. Another way to access the new page is to directly search for "Device temperature" through the Settings app.

Under the Device temperature, users can now find four relevant colors, evidently dubbed Cold, Normal, Warm, and Elevated, indicating the current temperature state of the device.

The new page further indicates that the projected device temperature is according to various internal sensors that the aforementioned Pixel phones already ship with. 9to5 further notes that users can also witness other tips like "To cool down your phone, provide airflow to your phone if possible" and "Use only cases or covers made for your specific phone," among others.

The live device temperature is being rolled out via the Pixel Troubleshooting app bearing the 1.0.693922709 version. Pixel phones include the Pixel 6, Pixel 7, Pixel 8, and the Pixel 9 series. It has not yet been rolled out to Pixel Tablet. As 9to5 notes, the update was seen running on the devices mentioned above, running on stable Android 15, which was recently rolled out to all compatible Pixel phones.

For the uninitiated, the Pixel Troubleshooting app was introduced last year, and the Pixel 8 was one of the first handsets to receive the feature. It helps users diagnose their battery and network issues, and the new temperature feature is indeed a valuable addition as it eliminates the need for installing third-party apps or devices to measure the device's temperature.

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The Pixel 9 series has only been available for three months, but Google's latest and best phones are already on sale for Black Friday. No, you didn't read that wrong; the Pixel 9 Pro just had its price slashed by 20%, thanks to this Black Friday sale.

The phone launched in August, priced at $999. For Black Friday, the Pixel 9 Pro gets a $200 discount, bringing the price down to $799. That's the same price as the regular Pixel 9, meaning you can get a Pro upgrade at no extra cost!

• Check out the best Google Pixel Black Friday deals

✅Recommended if: You want a powerful phone that gets all the latest Android features, AI capabilities, and gets updated before anyone else.

❌Skip this deal if: You want a phone that excels in gaming performance and has fast charging speeds.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro is one of the best phones we've reviewed this year. While we're normally impressed with Pixel phones, the Pixel 9 Pro stands out as a petite flagship, giving us Pro features at the same size as the standard Pixel 9. You get a triple camera system with some of the best imaging we've seen on a smartphone, plus tons of impressive on-device AI features thanks to the Tensor G4 chipset.

And if you want something larger, Google is offering the Pixel 9 Pro XL with a sweet Black Friday discount, which gives you all the best of the Pixel 9 series, but with a larger battery and even faster charging. The 6.8-inch display is also perfect for watching media, and all of this can be had for less than $900, which is a discount of $250!

These aren't the only Pixel devices on sale for Black Friday. Check out this deal on the standard Pixel 9 or this $300 discount on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, one of our favorite foldable phones of the year. No matter where you look, there's a Pixel on sale somewhere, so you're bound to find what you're looking for this Black Friday!

What you need to know

• Google's Pixel Weather app exclusive for Pixel phones is getting a handy new feature.
• It now has immersive vibrations feature that syncs with current weather conditions and plays audio effects as well.
• Basically, it vibrates your Pixel phone accoriding to weather, and the feature should reach all Pixel phones in the coming days or weeks.

Pixel Weather app is gaining a handy feature that vibrates the phone according to the weather conditions.

The latest Pixel Weather app already offers great weather animations on Pixel phones. According to Mishaal Rahman (via Android Authority), the app will now have an immersive weather vibrations feature that syncs with the animations and weather conditions and plays relevant audio effects.

The feature is live on the Pixel Weather app and on Pixel phones with the app bearing 1.0.20240910.678970266.release version and is noted to be a server-side update.

If you are a Pixel phone user, including the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, head over to your avatar on the Pixel weather app and check for the “Immersive weather vibrations” option right under the AI weather report setting (as seen in the screenshot below).

Users can enable or turn the feature off as they prefer. The publication further notes that the new vibrations include various weather patterns comprising drizzle, heavy rain, snow, scatter showers, and thunderstorms, amongst other similar features. Alongside those animations, users can experience their phone vibrating according to these weather conditions, providing an immersive experience.

It is still unclear whether enabling this feature will affect the battery or be negligible. Since it is a gradual rollout, all Pixel phone users might have to wait a couple of more days to use the feature and check their battery life. We've already seen it go live on some of our phones, and the effect is quite nice, particularly in rainy Seattle, which causes the phone to produce a subtle haptic feedback that mimics the rain falling on the screen.

Although the Pixel Weather app was launched as a Pixel 9 series exclusive, it later was rolled out to older Google phones, from Pixel 6 and above. It offers a new UI, widgets, customization features, and an all-new AI-based weather summary alongside a bunch of other useful features.

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What you need to know

• Google Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold owners on Verizon get the latest November firmware.
• It brings bug fixes for Bluetooth and zoom issues on the camera, amongst other notable issues.
• The update seems to be sizable, including the latest Android security patch. The wider rollout is expected later this week.

As we enter November, Google Pixel owners expect a new monthly firmware release, and the company is reportedly releasing it, at least for the Pixel 9 series users on Verizon.

According to 9to5Google, the carrier has detailed what’s coming with the November security update on the Pixel 9 series, which is yet to be officially announced by the search giant. Considering the every month release cycle, it naturally happens on a Monday, and it is likely the case this month, too. However, Verizon carrier Pixel 9 owners might be in for an early treat.

The latest security update uses the AP3A.241105.008 firmware version and the devices included are the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is also included.

The publication shared the changelog, which states that the firmware update includes the latest Android security patch. The new software will address the fix for Pixel 9 models facing issues with Bluetooth range in some scenarios.

Camera issues like tilting when zooming between cameras are believed to be fixed. The latest release also addresses issues that caused white dots to flash and the prevention of not triggering adaptive brightness in certain conditions. The firmware also resolves other touch-related issues, in addition to general improvements and stability across the interface and animations.

On the other hand, 9to5 also notes that changelog entries for the Pixel 6, Pixel 7, and Pixel 8 series include the AP3A.241105.007 firmware number for the November update. While it doesn’t include any major bug fixes, users can expect the latest Android security patch next to general performance improvements, as aforementioned.

While the new firmware release is seen on the Verizon-powered Pixel 9 models, other general audiences will likely see the firmware rollout this week or the coming Monday.

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What you need to know

• With the October feature drop, Google introduced underwater photography to the Pixel 9 series.
• The feature-included update is now seeing a wider rollout through the Pixel Camera 9.6 app version via Play Store.
• It also brings a vertical panorama capture feature and Pixel devices ranging from Pixel 6 to Pixel 8a have easier access to astronomy.

Google recently announced an October feature drop next to the Android 15 update for compatible Pixel phones, including the latest Pixel 9 series. The latter gains some exciting camera features, such as underwater photo and video capabilities.

The Pixel Camera 9.6 update provides these new capabilities, which, according to 9to5Google, is believed to be rolling out to all supported Pixel phones.

The update is widely happening through the Play Store for devices above Pixel 6. However, not all the models are suitable for the new camera features. For example, the underwater photography features are aimed at the Pixel 9 series only, and even the Pixel 9 Pro Fold isn't part of it.

For the uninitiated, the underwater photography and video features enable users to restore true colors when the photo or video is captured underwater. Google also recommends using a waterproof case when using the device for longer periods. Enabling the toggle should help users shoot better underwater, and it applies to devices including Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL.

Suppose you own the latest Pixel 9 series device. In that case, you might be on the Pixel Camera 9.5 update, and installing the October feature drop next to the Pixel Camera 9.6 update should not only give you the underwater photography feature next to a vertical panorama capture, which is said to be supported "in the redesigned mode." Earlier, users could only shoot horizontal panorama images.

The camera update will benefit non-Pixel 9 series users by adding some nifty features, too, like the ability to quickly enter into Astrophotography mode from the camera's Night Sight tab, reducing a couple of steps in navigation.

9to5 further notes that the Pixel Camera 9.6 adds strings to "Quick access controls," like the ability to adjust white balance, brightness, and shadows just by tapping the viewfinder. However, it still needs to be enabled for users to use it effectively.

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I’ve been using an iPhone for over 12 years and recently switched to a Pixel 9 Pro. I finally feel like Google has figured it out, and here’s why I think switching to an Android device has never been so easy, seamless, and exciting.

Now, I know you’re going to try to chastise me and say, “How come the EIC of Android Central uses an iPhone as her primary device?” I’ve heard it all before, and if you want to read about my thoughts on that, you can do so here.

As a journalist and the EIC of any tech publication, it’s essential to know about all phones. That means understanding both operating systems and what both sides of the argument have to offer.

Up until Google’s Pixel 9 series of devices, I’ve always felt that Google lacked... something. It just never clicked for me. I felt like the phones weren’t ready for me to switch over to. Frankly, none of the other Android brands have ever appealed to me to switch over permanently. I think it also was that perhaps Apple didn’t make it easy to switch over to.

This all changed when Google launched its new devices with a new processor, better cameras, and more seamless AI integration. It also helped that the iPhone 16 did not excite me when it was announced. That said, I have yet to test out my iPhone 16, so perhaps that opinion might change.

Should you really care about blue and green bubbles?

One of the major considerations I had before switching was asking how much I really care about blue bubbles, and the answer to that is not at all. The only person I actually used iMessage with was my husband, and it would usually be to remind him to get something from the grocery store.

I typically use every other messaging platform other than iMessage, so when thinking about this topic, it really wasn't a major issue.

That being said, you should think deeply about why it matters if you’re on iMessage or not. Is it an ego thing? Do you think you’ll be shunned and, in turn, have your pride hurt? For those of you who use iMessage, does it matter to you if someone else doesn’t? Because if that’s the case, I think it’s time to consider an alternative thought process.

All About Cookies, an informational website that provides tips, advice, and recommendations to help you with online privacy and digital security, published a really interesting survey of 1,000 people and their thoughts on blue vs. green bubbles.

Seventy-eight percent of iPhone users said they did not think less of people if they had a green bubble when they texted them. Furthermore, 42% of iPhone users rely on other third-party apps like WhatsApp. Not to mention, now that iPhones support RCS, messaging with Android users has never been better.

A robust smart home ecosystem

While the blue bubble was something I thought about, one of the main considerations I had in switching over was Google’s robust smart home ecosystem.

My home currently has the Google Wifi AC1200 Mesh Wi-Fi System. I also have the Google Nest Doorbell and the Nest Thermostat, and we have a bunch of Nest speakers around the house.

While my iPhone 15 did have easy access to Google Home, it just made sense for me to switch to a Pixel for that seamless connectivity.

I think Google got it right with its smart home products and newer phones, which is a pretty stark contrast to Apple’s pretty barebones selection of first-party smart home devices. Google’s products look like a cohesive collection of devices. You can have them all the same color or mix and match. But everything looks beautiful, and it was just exciting to have everything be Google in my home.

I was basically halfway there, and my smart home setup pushed me to fill the gap by switching over.

The iPhone 15 is a gateway phone

Of course, the iPhone is a completely different phone from the Pixel. However, I noticed that I did not struggle as much with switching to an Android device for several reasons.

I think the first main thing I will note is that, to me, Google’s Pixel is the iPhone of the Android ecosystem. It’s the phone that has the least amount of bloatware, comes with the entire Google Workspace suite (which I already used), and is simple to use.

More importantly, because the iPhone now has USB-C, it was way easier not to worry about buying new cables; everything in my home was already USB-C. Android Central's managing editor Derrek Lee pointed this out when the iPhone 15 first launched, noting how it was a smart move that could make it easier to get Android users to switch. I just took that and went in the opposite direction.

While some people might complain that MagSafe isn’t on a Pixel, I never used it on my iPhone and never found it that exciting, so, like iMessage, it’s just another thing I won’t miss.

Google sets the standard for phones with AI

Google got it right with its new Gemini features on the Pixel 9 series, many of which are already available on the Pixel 8 series. Google has had two years to enhance Gemini, while Apple is still developing Apple AI. In fact, the iPhone 16 didn’t even come with any of the announced Apple Intelligence features at launch.

I’m not going to sit here and rag on Apple because I will always be a big Apple fan. I still use a MacBook, and I plan on using an iPhone 16, especially to test out its AI features.

I also plan to go a little bit more indepth with some of the app features I have enjoyed and camera features on the Pixel later on. But I have to say, using my Pixel has been one of the best experiences I have had and I have truly been enjoying it.

And if you're considering doing the same, you should definitely try it out.