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

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Now getting back to business, this week was pretty eventful in the tech space with Apple teaming up with Google for Gemini, Verizon's widespread outage, OnePlus CEO Pete Lau facing an arrest warrant in Taiwan, an Android 17 leak, and the Pixel 10a possibly arriving sooner than expected.

Apple needs Gemini for Siri

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Apple and Google are kicking off 2026 with a major announcement that could essentially rewrite the rules of the AI race. The companies have entered a multi-year collaboration that will put Gemini at the core of Apple's next generation of phones. This collaboration is also set to power Apple's intelligence features, including a more intuitive and personalized Siri later this year.

In a joint statement, the companies announced this move officially via X on the News from Google profile. After what is described as "careful evaluation," Apple decided that "Google's AI technology provides the most capable foundation, and is excited about the innovative new experiences it will unlock for Apple users." For Google, this is a massive milestone, as Gemini will now become a platform that not only powers AI on Android but also Apple's AI future.

Verizon's network struck out for thousands

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This week, Verizon users faced an unprecedented outage that they didn't see coming. Leaving hundreds of thousands across the country with SOS-only status bars and dropped calls, on January 14.

At its peak, there were over 170,000 people from major areas like New York, Nevada, Florida, Las Vegas, and Texas who could not make calls, send texts, or use mobile data on Verizon’s network, and had no access to the network's status page as well.

People took to X and Reddit to vent, and Verizon posted a statement on its official X account, saying it is “aware of an issue impacting wireless voice and data services for some customers” and that engineers are working to find and fix the problem.

After being down for several hours, around 10:15 PM on January 14, 2026, Verizon confirmed that the outage had been resolved. The company said users who were experiencing issues may need to restart their devices to reconnect to the network. And those affected customers are eligible to receive $20 in account credit.

OnePlus CEO faces an arrest in Taiwan

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Taiwanese authorities have issued an arrest warrant for OnePlus CEO Pete Lau, alleging that he illegally hired over 70 engineers since 2014. Prosecutors have also reportedly indicted two Taiwanese engineers connected to the same case.

While geopolitical tensions between Taiwan and China remain high, China has to comply with Taiwan's Cross-Strait Act, which prohibits Chinese companies from conducting business or hiring employees in Taiwan without explicit government approval. OnePlus, a Chinese OEM, allegedly did not obtain such approval, leading to the arrest warrant being issued against Lau.

The allegation is that OnePlus set up a shell company in Hong Kong under a different name and then established a branch in Taiwan in 2015 without government authorization.

Android 17 could revamp your Quick settings

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A new Android 17 leak dropped this week, giving us a look at the supposed revamp of Quick Settings. And according to ardent tipster Mystic Leaks, Google could be planning a split layout for notifications and toggles, potentially enhancing usability for Pixel users. This would make the menu look a lot cleaner, more organized, and split instead of one large pull-down for everything.

This means that swiping from the left edge would show only notifications, while swiping from the right would bring up Quick Settings, neat right? That said, for Pixel users, this change seems to be optional. You’ll probably be able to go to Settings > Notifications and switch between the classic "Combined" view and the new "Separate" layout.

Google's budget Pixel 10a could launch very soon

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Google's mid-range Pixel, or the a-series device, usually arrives around April. However, a recent rumor indicated that a launch window for the Pixel 10a is in February. Quandt's BlueSky posts claims that Google is preparing to launch the mid-range model in "mid-February."

Alternatively, DroidLife highlighted with its own research that it discovered retail listings with "similar details." The publication took it a step further, stating that the Pixel 10a could see a specific launch date of February 17, 2026 (that's a Tuesday, in case you're wondering).

Quandt's also leaked some last-minute specs of the Pixel 10a, suggesting the phone will debut with 128GB and 256GB storage options, and colorways like Obsidian, Fog, Lavender, and Berry.

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:

• OpenAI's first steps into AI hardware leaks, and it looks like a pair of earbuds
• Global smartphone shipments rise 2.3% in Q4 2025: Samsung and Apple lead the market
• Samsung sets the stage for Galaxy S26 launch with accidental model name reveal
• Pixel Watch might finally save you from forgetting your phone again
• Problem Solved? Leak says the Pixel 11 Pro Fold's battery repairability could step it up
• Meta plans to double production of Ray-Ban smart glasses to meet soaring demand
• Xreal takes legal battle with Viture to the US over patent infringement claims
• Good news: you won’t have to pay for basic Galaxy AI tools after all
• Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 makes Settings easier to navigate and squashes plenty of bugs
• It's only been 30 days and this Galaxy Z TriFold's display is already busted

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

CES 2026 just wrapped up in Las Vegas, and it was a massive week for mobile tech. Samsung stole the show with a "creaseless" display breakthrough, while Motorola showed off some new phones, Google dealt with both a major Gemini expansion and a frustrating software hiccup for Pixel owners. Let's get into it.

Samsung really stepped up its "creaseless" foldable game

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Samsung could be giving us a huge perk with its next foldable. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 might end up getting this creaseless panel that was shown off at CES this year. Android Central's Senior Editor Harish Jonnalagadda was able to compare the "reference device" — what looks to be a current-gen foldable — and the upcoming panel that seemingly looks to be creaseless. Some people even speculate that this creaseless screen will debut on Apple's rumored book-style foldable set to launch this year.

Jonnalagadda says that Samsung didn't indicate whether this panel would end up on the Galaxy Z Fold 8, but it is entirely likely that it will be the case, considering it showcased the tri-folding panels at MWC last year, and we saw it on the Galaxy Z Trifold this year.

Motorola entered CES this year with the most flex

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Motorola outdid itself at CES this year, unveiling a whole slew of devices, including the Motorola Razr Fold. The phone shows up with a 6.6-inch cover display like any other device, but unfolds into a massive 8.1-inch 2K LTPO display that lets the user juggle between work, creativity, and play. Motorola didn't reveal much about the device's dimensions, chipset, or other internal specs, like the RAM and battery.

The Motorola Razr Fold features an advanced triple rear camera system consisting of a 50MP Sony LYTIA main sensor, a 50MP ultrawide/macro lens, and a 50MP 3x periscope telephoto lens. It also gets two selfie cameras, a 32MP external camera, and a 20MP punch hole camera on its internal screen, for when the device is unfolded.

Next up is the Motorola Signature, which is an ultra-slim device, featuring a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor, 50MP cameras, and a remarkable 5,200mAh battery—all encased in a sleek design, starting at €999, and is the first phone that is said to get upto seven years of software updates.

Other than these phones, the company also unveiled a trio of innovative accessories, including the Pen Ultra stylus for its Razr Fold, a feature-rich Moto Watch partnered with Polar, and the Moto Tag 2 tracker, promising to redefine user experience and convenience.

Galaxy S26 leaks keep leaking, with rumors of a Feb launch

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Samsung's next flagship series has been showing up in multiple leaks recently, and for good reason, considering it's due to launch sometime next month. We've heard a ton about the device lineup reshuffle, with the Ultra possibly showing up with four cameras; the leaks keep getting better.

Prominent tipster Evan Blass took to X, stating that the February 25 date is "100% correct" for the Galaxy S26 series launch. Blass was quoting a post from @UniverseIce, which mentioned that Samsung will not be changing Galaxy S26 pricing as previously rumored. That same post also claimed the launch will take place in San Francisco, U.S., with sales beginning in early March.

In a subsequent post, Ice Universe also claimed that the Galaxy S26 Ultra could get a huge upgrade when it comes to its fast charging system. In a post on X, the tipster claims that the phone will get support for a new 60W charging system, which will be capable of charging the phone from 0 to 75% within 30 minutes.

Backing this claim, they further stated that the tests for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra's charging capabilities were conducted under Samsung's controlled laboratory conditions, using certified accessories and settings.

Google is Gemini-fying everything from TV to your inbox

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Google also didn't shy away from making its own set of announcements for its products. First up, Google unveiled Gemini for Google TV, the AI assistant that transforms user interaction with smart features, including photo memory searches and interactive content, debuting first on select TCL models and set to reshape home entertainment.

Users will be able to ask the TV, "How do black holes work?" or "Who were the Vikings?" and it will give you "Deep dives" on the topic with interactive summaries that both adults and kids can understand.

Additionally, it is transforming Gmail with Gemini’s advanced AI tools, enhancing email management through personalized responses and innovative summaries. The most significant change is that Gmail is getting AI Overviews that let users ask natural language questions and receive concise summaries from emails.

Some Pixel 9 and 10 users are feeling "Sluggish & Laggy" after this update

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Another month and another bug seems to be plaguing some Pixel users right now, after a Play Systems update. Following a small 15MB patch, users saw issues with a Pixel 10, which appeared to be the most affected device. The main problem was that the phone became very sluggish, and the Pixel launcher reportedly "did not fully load."

The device's screen remained stuck, only displaying the wallpaper without the essential UI elements. Furthermore, some even observed that the device's status bar was also missing and apps would freeze, or display the "not responding" error post this update.

However, Google quietly rolled out an essential (emergency) update that fixed it all.

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:

• Battle of Gen AI: Google's Gemini gains ground on its ChatGPT competitor
• Nothing sends its lock screen ads, bloatware packing in its latest update
• Health Focus: OpenAI's waitlist for ChatGPT Health's dedicated wellness guidance opens
• Google's VP confirms ChromeOS is here to stay amid rumors of sunset
• AirDrop support may soon be available for Pixel 9 users
• Samsung just supercharged SmartThings security with a major Arlo upgrade
• OnePlus 15T rumors might've closed in on a launch date, more specs surface
• Pixelsnap chargers could soon get software updates from Google
• Strava challenged Garmin and Fitbit with personalized Instant Workouts, and I'm intrigued
• Incoming glow up: Samsung Bixby's huge One UI 8.5 upgrade might look like Google

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

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

Samsung unveils its Galaxy Z TriFold

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Samsung's Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 leak

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

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

Massive One UI 8.5 leak

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

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

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

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

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:

• Netflix's deal with Warner Bros. sparks debate and worry over content quality
• Chrome's enhanced autofill features arrive to simplify your holiday planning
• X's new 'transparent' location labels for accounts have people questioning everything
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 finally gets its big One UI 8 upgrade in the US
• Pixel 10 users say the December update is messing with the always-on display
• Google and Amazon unite to tackle cloud outages with innovative networking solution
• YouTube cut off: Australian teens are losing logins under new age law
• Samsung Exynos 2600 teaser hypes up a 'refined' chip for next-gen Galaxy
• Google's 2025 search data reveals a world gripped by Gemini and chaos
• Gemini's web redesign introduces 'My Stuff' folder for a streamlined user experience

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, Google is getting sued again, Samsung might finally make Bixby useful, Spotify is coming for your wallet, and more. Let’s spill the tea.

Google caught in the midst of a class action lawsuit

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If your Google Nest has been ghosting you lately—ignoring commands or just losing Wi-Fi for no reason—you aren’t crazy. A massive class action lawsuit just dropped, claiming the devices are basically broken.

The case simply states that the Google Nest Hub, Google Nest Hub Max, Google Nest Mini, and Google Nest Audio have become faulty and have otherwise "malfunctioned" over the years.

Some of the highlighted issues were that these devices no longer "respond to even basic verbal questions." Not only has the Q&A portion of these Nest devices failed over time, but the plaintiffs ( Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, and Kaplan Gore, LLP) state "widespread complaints" have been reported from consumers who state that these devices do not "interpret or act on voice commands, returning irrelevant information, losing internet connectivity despite a stable WiFi connection, and failing to recognize registered user voices."

This is being framed by the plaintiffs as a "consumer case" to secure compensation for individuals who purchased these drastically deteriorated devices.

OnePlus confirms US launch for 15R, with the OnePlus Pad Go 2

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OnePlus officially announced that it will be ending the year with another product drop. This time, it's bringing two budget devices to the U.S. and Canada — the OnePlus 15R and the OnePlus Pad Go 2 ( a tablet with a stylus)

The OnePlus 15R is being positioned as a “value flagship” in the U.S. and Canada markets. The initial specs point to a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chip, up to 16GB of RAM, 1 TB storage, and a dual-lens camera setup (50 MP + 8 MP) similar to the Chinese OnePlus Ace 6 model.

The phone will likely show up with a redesigned body, consisting of a flat metal mid-frame and a camera module rotated exactly 45 degrees off the top-left corner. More importantly, the phone carries a stack of durability ratings you rarely see on a midrange device: IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K. These are the same IP ratings you see on the OnePlus 15.

As for the Pad Go 2, it gets a built-in stylus, the Stylo, which is said to be sleek (anti-glare glass finish) and productivity-focused for creativity and note-taking when paired with the Stylo. It is available in Shadow Black in the U.S. and Canada, but only as a Wi-Fi model (no 5G).

Spotify could cost you more next year

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Spotify is reportedly planning another price hike, and this time it may pinch U.S. subscribers. According to a recent report by the Financial Times, there has been some chatter that the streaming platform may increase prices for U.S. customers early next year.

Spotify increased its prices for subscribers in the U.S. back in 2024, when the cost of every tier went up significantly. The Family plan experienced the largest jump, rising by $3 to reach $19.99 per month, while the Duo plan increased by $2 to and the Individual plan went up to $11.99. Amidst these widespread increases, the Student plan was the only option to remain unchanged, holding steady at $5.99. Reports suggest that Spotify is being pressurized by major music labels (Universal, Sony, Warner) to raise prices.

Samsung might give us One UI 8.5 beta sooner than expected

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Samsung's next major UI update has been showing up in leaks lately. We got to see some features like the priority notifications, privacy display, camera presets, internet app redesign, and so much more. However, this one talks about something more important than features — the beta's timeline.

Samsung could gift its Beta users the One UI 8.5 update this Christmas, well, at least according to rumors by a South Korean tipster, as well as Tarun Vats. Vats quotes another tipster, who alleges that Samsung has "set their plan" to kickstart a One UI 8.5 beta program on December 8, though that date could change. Vats hops in, claiming that others have said similar things, and that this could be the case for "Phase 1."

One UI 8.5 Beta 1, is expected to be followed by Beta 2, which the tipster suggests could start two weeks later, on December 22. It appears that each subsequent "phase" or beta release might be made available to a new group of users.

Bixby..is that you?

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Remember Bixby? The assistant you immediately disabled? Rumor has it Samsung is giving it a major glow-up with the Galaxy S26 using Perplexity AI. According to a new leak, Samsung is reportedly amping up the Galaxy S26 series that would transform Bixby from a basic command-based assistant into a more advanced conversational tool.

According to a post on X by a reliable tipster, Samsung plans a major Bixby reboot powered by Perplexity AI, instead of relying solely on Google’s Gemini. Samsung might be planning to equip the Galaxy S26 with a significantly enhanced in-house assistant. This more capable and conversational Bixby would provide the phone with a distinct identity, so a Bixby resurrection could be in the works.

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:

• YouTube might soon let you tweak your suggested content with AI prompts
• Pixel 10 users face Wi-Fi troubles, AirDrop- Quick Share update: What you need to know
• The OnePlus 15 just cleared its biggest barrier to US availability
• Google's testing the bottom search bar in Circle to Search for effortless queries
• One UI 8.5 code reveals Samsung's plan to rebrand its fast charging tech
• Plex just killed a beloved feature for remote users
• New Android malware 'Sturnus' can control your phone and steal banking info—what to know
• Qualcomm unveils Snapdragon 8 Gen 5: Flagship performance for affordable phones
• Fresh Meta Quest 4 rumors purport high-end specs, a much thinner and lighter design, a potential price, and the death of the Quest namesake
• Honor just made an iPhone Air in the 500 series to 'redefine' the standard phone

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

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

OnePlus 15R and a mystery smartwatch could land soon

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

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

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

Galaxy Watch 6 users get a surprise Wear OS 6 drop

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

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

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

Google unleashes Gemini on Android Auto

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

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

Quick Share teams up with AirDrop

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

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

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

Galaxy Buds 4 Pro shows up in a fresh leak

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

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

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

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:

• Behind Cloudflare's outage: A hidden bug causes chaos across major platforms
• Perplexity's Comet for Android is an AI browsing companion for anything online
• Nothing OS 4 arrives for the Phone 3 with exclusive features, refined Glyph Interface, and more
• Galaxy S26 display rumored to keep brightness level same as S25 series
• Google Phone app may soon make your urgent calls hard to ignore
• Meta just opened up its ultra-realistic photosphere alternative to everyone
• Nano Banana goes Pro with refined design consistency and accuracy in the Gemini app
• Meta's chief AI scientist is leaving the company after 12 years to create a startup
• Oura sues Samsung, Amazfit, as it demands royalty payments from its remaining smart ring rivals
• Samsung rolls out November 2025 patch for two Galaxy Z Flip and Fold generations

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, the OnePlus 15 finally arrives globally with upgraded specs and a massive battery, the Galaxy Z Trifold's specs leak again, Pixels get their November update with features galore, more information surfaces about the future Galaxy S26 lineup, and a new Motorola Ultra flagship could be in the works. Let's dive in.

OnePlus 15 comes with

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OnePlus finally officially launched its next flagship, the OnePlus 15, on Nov. 13. This is the first time we are witnessing an earlier-than-usual global launch, just two weeks after its initial debut in China.

The OnePlus 15 evidently looks nothing like its predecessor; it ditches the unique circular camera bump on its rear panel for a more iPhone-esque camera array, off to the left of the device. The phone features an aluminum frame with a ceramic-like feel, including completely flat edges, unlike the slightly curved OnePlus 13.

It features a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset and an advanced camera setup with three 50MP lenses powered by OnePlus' DetailMax imaging engine. The OnePlus 15 comes with OxygenOS 16, based on Android 16, which takes personalization up a notch with features like Plus Mind, Gemini-integrated Mind Space, and more.

The OnePlus 15 is available in three color options: Infinite Black, Sand Storm, and Ultra Violet. It will be available in two main configurations. The phone will be available for purchase in Canada; however, U.S. customers may have to wait a bit longer, as OnePlus has announced that sales have been postponed due to the U.S. government shutdown.

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Galaxy tri-folding phone is supposedly gearing up for a launch next month, and more information seems to be coming in about the device. This week, tipster Evan Blass on X shared "confirmed details" about the device. Blass says Samsung has reportedly finalized the branding of its first trifolding phone and that it will indeed be called the "Galaxy Z TriFold."

Blass also mentions that the Z TriFold will come with a 6.5-inch outer display and a 10-inch inner panel when fully unfolded, something that has already leaked. However, the new detail here is the peak brightness numbers. Blass says the cover display will reach 2,600 nits, while the inner foldable display will reach 1,600 nits.

The phone will allegedly show up with a 5,437 mAh battery and feature a 200MP primary camera, powered by a Snapdragon chipset. Other details about the phone are still a mystery; hopefully, we'll know more soon.

Pixel users got their holiday perks early

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Google just dumped a whole host of new features for Pixel 6 users and up this week! The November Pixel drop brings a mix of fresh AI tools, safety upgrades, and a themed makeover inspired by Wicked.

It also brings Remix in Google Messages, a new feature powered by Google’s Gemini Nano Banana model. It lets you tweak photos in a chat. You and your friends can pass the same image back and forth, tweaking and remixing it without ever leaving the conversation — much like the edit feature in WhatsApp.

Furthermore, the Wicked: For Good theme pack offers Wicked-inspired wallpapers, icons, sounds, and GIFs, featuring themes based on Glinda, Elphaba, and the song "For Good."

Google is also tightening up security on Pixel phones, which checks message content and shows a “Likely scam” alert before you open the app. For Pixel 9 and newer, Call Notes is also expanding internationally. Google Photos gets Personalized edits, while Google Maps gets a boost with a new Power Saving Mode.

More Galaxy S26 line up leaks have come in

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We're a few months away from Samsung's Unpacked event; however, the Galaxy S26 leaks keep getting better. While there were tons of specs and launch day-related leaks, this one specifically addresses rumors about its launch.

Earlier this month, we heard some chatter that Samsung's replacing the Galaxy S26 Edge with the Galaxy S26 Plus, leading to delays. However, a new leak from Korean outlet ChosunBiz (via @Jukanlosreve on X) suggests that Samsung is targeting a late January launch for the Galaxy S26 series, with market availability by mid-February.

In other news, we got our first look at the alleged Galaxy S26 Plus, thanks to life-like CAD renders. The Galaxy S26 Plus could feature a 6.7-inch AMOLED 2X flat display with thin, uniform bezels and a centered camera hole. However, as seen in previous leaks, Samsung could be making the phones more ergonomic, meaning the device may have more rounded corners when compared to the Galaxy S25 Plus. All buttons, including the power/lock and volume keys, seem to be located on the right side.

Motorola Edge 70 Ultra could show up soon

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Motorola recently announced two new phones in its affordable lineup. However, the word on the street is that it could be working on a premium device that isn't the Motorola Razer. According to a post on X, the Edge 70 Ultra is expected to get the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, and could have an Adreno 829 GPU and 16GB of RAM.

Rumored to show up with some flagship specs and Android 16 out of the box, details about this premium device remain scarce. However, the tipster did mention the XT2603-1 model number, suggesting a Chinese variant of the phone, which could be called the Moto X70 Ultra, going by Motorola's usual naming convention. The phone could see the thinness of the Edge 70 and some of the latest AI quirks, although we don't know much about the phone just yet.

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:

• Amazon says it's not abandoning its Android-based Fire TV OS just yet
• Google's AI shopping tools promise a seamless holiday experience for savvy shoppers
• Next year's Galaxy Z Flip 8 could get a major makeover with a thinner build
• Pixel phones finally get native call recording after a long wait
• The EU is investigating Google's spam policy, but the Search giant says it 'risks harming millions of European users'
• After €2.95B fine, Google pitches remedy plan to calm EU regulators
• Google app adds an Images tab on iOS and Android — here's what it can do
• Facial authentication on Android is about to get much better
• Spotify lossless lands in India, and there's the inevitable price hike: it's 40% costlier than Apple Music, and I'm now paying 3x as much as my previous plan
• Google takes legal action against major phishing network targeting millions

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, YouTube TV and Disney's feud continues, Google Maps gets a massive Gemini upgrade, Qualcomm reports its Q4 earnings, Galaxy S26 might be a tad heavier on your wallet, and Samsung's trifold leaks again. Let's dive in now, shall we?

YouTube TV and Disney's streaming stand off continues

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It's been 8 days since Disney pulled all of its channels from YouTube TV, and this week was pretty uneventful as the streaming giants weren't able to negotiate a deal. This has left several YouTube TV users in limbo, without access to ESPN, ABC, and other Disney channels.

The ongoing issue resulted in subscribers missing both a football game and the election day coverage that occurred earlier this week. To provide a brief update on the current situation, Disney has recently requested that YouTube TV restore access to ABC for just a day. Google denied that request with a public statement, saying that Disney's proposal would "cause customer confusion" since the channel would disappear after that.

Disney argues that YouTube TV is refusing to pay "fair rates" for its channels, while YouTube TV says that Disney is proposing "costly economic terms" that would force it to raise the price of their subscription.

YouTube also issued a $20 credit for the inconvenience users have been facing, but that didn't do any good, as a recent report suggests that several are ditching the service due to the uncertainty of the whole situation.

However, those seeking respite have other streaming options if they wish to access Disney content.

Google Maps gets boosted with Gemini

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Google Maps just got a major Gemini update this week, and in case you missed it, here's what Google plans to roll out on Maps in the coming weeks. With a goal for hands-free navigation, Gemini will allow you to ask for things while on the go, like "Find a budget-friendly restaurant with vegan options along my route," or follow up with questions like, "What's the parking like there?"

Additionally, users will also be able to report traffic disruptions more naturally, simply saying things like, "I see an accident," or "Watch out for that slowdown," instead of tapping on the screen whilst driving.

The most exciting update is that Google Lens is directly built in with Gemini at its core. Users arriving at a restaurant can open Lens and ask about the establishment. They will be able to voice their query or type it, and let Gemini explain "what's so popular" about the place they're at.

Qualcomm's AI powered double digit Q4 earnings

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Qualcomm ended its year reporting a Q4 revenue of $11.3 billion, with a 10% year-over-year increase. The uptick in revenue was due to the chipmaker's QCT division, which saw revenue gains across the board.

Headsets revenue increased by 14% to nearly $7 billion, driven by its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipsets for high-end Android smartphones. Additionally, Automotive and IoT rose 17% and 7%, respectively, highlighting the growing success of the company's diversified strategy.

"Our business remains strong as demonstrated by record QCT revenues in fiscal 2025," said Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon in a statement. Other than AI, smart glasses also contributed to the company's earnings.

"This emerging category is growing at a remarkable pace, and has reached an inflection point, fueled by very strong demand for smart glasses from Meta," Amon stated. "This quarter alone, Meta introduced several new Snapdragon-powered styles, including the Ray Ban Meta second-generation glasses, the Oakley Meta Vanguard performance glasses, and the Meta Ray-Ban Display and Neuro Band."

Galaxy S26 could get pricier

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We're a few months away from Samsung's Unpacked event; however, the Galaxy S26 leaks keep getting better. While there were tons of specs and launch day-related leaks, this one specifically sheds light on how much it could actually cost.

Korean outlet ET News (via @Jukanlosreve on X) reports that pricing for the Galaxy S26 series could increase compared to the Galaxy S25 due to the rising costs of many internal components all at once.

Tech giants like Samsung and Google strive to maintain the same cost of their flagship models year after year, essentially absorbing all excess production costs, which gives consumers little to no reason to opt for a new phone.

Samsung did increase the price of the Galaxy S24 Ultra by $100 when it launched in January 2024, so if pricing rises again, it would mark the second increase in three years.

Samsung's Galaxy Z Trifold shows up in all angles

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Samsung lifted the veil on its much-awaited tri-folding phone, the Galaxy Z Trifold (rumored to be called), and now more information about this device seems to be surfacing. While the images shown at the Summit in South Korea gave us a glimpse of the trifold from afar, a new video has emerged, offering a closer and more detailed look at the phone. In the video, the presenter goes over the various visible phone specs.

Regarding the display, the tri-fold could have a 6.5-inch display, similar to a regular smartphone; however, when unfolded, it will feature a 10-inch display. The video also reveals that the display's bezels appear thick, which could limit usable screen space.

You can also see that the camera placement of the trifold is similar to that of the Galaxy Z Fold 7, as the lenses are placed vertically on an elevated camera bump with the flash off to the side. This suggests Samsung could be maintaining a consistent design across its upcoming product line.

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:

• Samsung says the Galaxy S26 will get an AI upgrade with enhanced camera performance
• Ray-Ban Metas just got an unexpected video recording upgrade
• Google and Epic's settlement proposal could finally end the multi-year Play Store dispute
• Android Central and 9to5Google join forces to discuss the Galaxy XR, Android XR, and what it means for the future of VR and smart glasses
• Samsung's rogue stress alerts signal a larger problem with smartwatches
• Samsung's Galaxy XR could expand to more countries in 2026
• The good-old Google dictionary box in Search might be getting replaced by AI
• Samsung is restocking Galaxy XR controllers, but you'll have to act fast
• Samsung to get 'aggressive' with the Galaxy S26 with hopes to sell 36 million units
• Spotify can now tell which songs Android users are addicted to

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 seemed to be pretty eventful in the tech space with several major tech giants announcing their earnings, from Alphabet to Meta, our first-ever look at Samsung's long-awaited Trifold (pst.. it has an official name now), Pixel 10a shows up in all angles thanks to some CAD renders leak, and One UI 8.5 could really change the game on your Galaxy. Let's dive in!

Alphabet reports its first ever $100 billion quarter

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Alphabet, Google's parent company, had a record-breaking Q3 this year as the company reported its "first-ever $100 billion quarter." The company's Q3 earnings report revealed a 16% year-over-year revenue increase, reaching a total of $102.3 billion.

This significant growth in revenue was driven by all of Alphabet's segments, including YouTube Ads, Google Search, and the Platforms and Devices department. "We had a terrific quarter, with double-digit growth across every major part of our business," said Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet and Google.

Furthermore, the report indicated that the company's operating income was $31.2 billion, which is a 9% YoY increase when compared to the same time in 2024. This amount includes the $3.5 billion European Commission fine, the company had to shell out.

Looking ahead, Q4 also seems promising for Alphabet, and Pichai noted that Gemini 3.0, its coming "later this year."

Samsung and Meta also saw a great Q3 2025

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Samsung also reported its third-quarter earnings this week, and the numbers indicate that they had their strongest quarter in years, thanks to the launch of their foldables. The company’s operating profit surged 32.5% year over year to KRW 12.2 trillion (about $8.5 billion). Samsung's semiconductor chips are also fueling this boom, but the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Z Flip 7 had a major role to play in Samsung’s financial success.

These devices, along with other flagship models, tablet and wearables sales, drove the mobile division's revenue up 11% from the previous quarter. Samsung saw a consolidated revenue of KRW 86.1 trillion ($60.5 billion) and a net profit of KRW 12.2 trillion in Q3.

As for Mark Zuckerberg's Meta, it did bring in a total revenue of $51.24 billion, which is a 26% increase year-over-year, surpassing analysts' forecasts. Advertising and Meta's family of apps have contributed to these record earnings this quarter. Metrics like ad impressions increased by 14% and the average price per ad jumped to 10%.

Meta seems to be spending tens of billions on AI infrastructure to "front-load" computing capabilities for an AI Superintelligence, to the point that investors are worried. Amid ambitious AI investments, the company faces significant hurdles, particularly as Reality Labs continues to operate at a loss of $4.4 billion.

Finally.. Samsung's Galaxy Z Trifold

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earlier this week (Oct. 28), we were finally privy to an official first look at the most-awaited trifold. At the APEC Summit in South Korea, the company officially unveiled the Galaxy Z TriFold.

Unfortunately, neither media nor attendees were allowed to use their phones at the event, but according to Korean outlet Dailian, the prototype was showcased behind a glass display. An animation played on the glass display, showing how the foldable would work.

The Galaxy Z TriFold will feature two hinges and three folding display parts (hence the name 'TriFold'). However, unlike the Huawei Mate XT that folds outward and inward, the Galaxy Z TriFold will use a U-shaped mechanism — meaning both outer folding screens will fold inward. The animation also shows another interesting detail about the alleged cameras on the device, which lets you shoot selfies with the main rear cameras.

This is your best look yet at Google's Pixel 10a

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Google's next Pixel 10a has been showing up in leaks lately, but we may have just got our hands on official-looking CAD renders of the phone.

The images show the alleged Pixel 10a in a bright blue like the Galaxy Z Fold 7's colorway, but the publication notes that this is just for display purposes only. That said, the CAD renders show off the device from several angles, giving us a good look at the device's controls, the overall design, as well as the display of the phone.

As for the 6.2-inch display, the renders also show slightly thinner bezels, which are almost hard to spot when placed next to the Pixel 9a. Volume buttons seem to be below the power button, with their placement remaining unchanged. It seems like Google will keep the camera's specs similar to its predecessor, so what's really going to be changing with this phone?

One UI 8.5 could level up you Galaxy device

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One UI 8.5 leaks have been showing up quite a bit lately, and for good reason, as it looks like some users were able to access the internal build of the update, indicating that Samsung continues to test it.

This feature is for the Pro photographers out there who want every shot to be a masterpiece and like to play around with their camera's potential. A code within the leaked One UI 8.5 builds hints at the possibility that Samsung may be working on presets for its Pro camera controls. So, you can quickly swap between your saved settings for ISO, aperture, and white balance, instead of having to manually adjust them every single time. It's perfect for when you need to click those tricky shots, like the moon or a super bright sunrise.

Additionally, recent reports state that Samsung has updated its One UI 8.5 builds with a subtle change for its Quick Settings menu design. Tipsters claim that the update brings better separation between its icon toggles and the blurred aesthetic, which looks a lot like Apple's Liquid Glass.

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:

• Disney channels disappear from YouTube TV as the sides fail to reach deal
• Google Maps is testing a battery-saving mode you've always needed
• Amazon’s new Echo Dot Max and Studio redefine smart speakers with advanced AI and better sound
• Google says Android phones now block more scams than iPhones
• Google surprises Pixel owners with a last-minute October update
• Android XR preview shows off Magic Leap glasses made in partnership with Google
• Samsung may not have completely given up on the Galaxy S26 Edge yet
• Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3.2 is here, bringing Pixel testers more bug fixes
• Google caught secretly testing more AI in Chrome that might have you going bananas
• Nothing's Phone 3a Lite debuts as a pocket-friendly smartphone with some premium specs

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, Samsung finally launched its Galaxy XR headset, OnePlus also officially announced the launch date of its next flagship, Google rolled out an essential button on Android Auto, Galaxy S26 launch could be delayed by several weeks, and we got to see Amazon's smart glasses in action for the first time. Let's get into it, shall we?

Samsung finally launches the first Android XR headset

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Samsung finally unveiled its mixed reality headset earlier this week at an online Galaxy event. The company is simply calling it "Galaxy XR," and it comes packed with the latest Galaxy AI and Gemini capabilities.

Built on the Android XR platform, this headset does exactly what you'd expect it to. Running Android apps, but it also understands your surroundings, and responds to you naturally through voice, vision, and gesture, and helps you manage tasks more intuitively.

As for the headset itself, according to Android Central's Senior Editor Michael Hicks, it feels light and comfortable to wear for a longer duration, imagine gaming or binging on your favorite Netflix show.

The Galaxy XR headset runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2 Plus Gen 2 platform, with 16GB of memory and a Micro-OLED display pushing 29 million pixels at up to 90Hz. The visuals are said to be sharp, immersive, and backed by immersive sound from a dual-speaker setup. It also tracks your head, hands, and eyes with precision using a mix of cameras and sensors.

OnePlus 15 arrives next week, but not for everyone

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After a truckload of leaks and several teasers, OnePlus officially announced the launch date of its next flagship, the OnePlus 15. No, you didn't sleep through the OnePlus 14, since there won't be one (avoiding bad juju). The company has now confirmed that the OnePlus 15 will launch in China on October 27. While we don't know when it will be released globally, several rumors suggest it could happen on November 13 this year, just two weeks after the China launch.

Additionally, the OnePlus Ace 6 will debut alongside it and is expected to launch globally as the OnePlus 15R. As for the flagship's specs, we know so far that it will feature a whopping 165Hz refresh rate, come in three colorways, and be powered by the latest and greatest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset.

A recent rumor also indicated that the OnePlus 15 won't have a 2K display, with the phone instead switching to 1.5K resolution, which is a slight downgrade, but it could show up with thinner bezels.

Google snuck in the 'report' button for Android Auto

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Some Android Auto users took to a subreddit to chat about the recent Google Maps update. The original poster states that the update finally made the app more accommodating for vehicles with smaller screens. It now shows the "Report" button in the app, allowing users to report crashes, police incidents, congestion, and more without having to use their phone.

Google seems to have made a few more changes to the interface, with some folks seeing a relocated Guidance Audio button. Users will find this option inside the app's settings. Additionally, Android Auto's "suggested destinations" menu no longer expands when turned on for the first time. The user states, "The suggested destinations drop-down menu didn't expand, and when I tapped on it, it opened into the full-screen search/suggested destinations list." The update has started rolling out to users in phases since Oct. 21.

Galaxy S26 series may not launch in January

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Samsung's next flagship series seems to have been caught in a chain of rumors for the past few weeks. This one comes from leaker Ice Universe on Weibo (translated), stating that "the release of the Samsung Galaxy S26 series has been postponed." Samsung usually launches its flagship devices roughly in the second or third week of January; we don't know what led the tipster to note that the launch has been pushed.

However, another leaker, Instant Digital, also shared news of the rumored Galaxy S26 delay on Weibo (translated). They stated the delay could be because the company wants to "present it better to everyone, the release of the Galaxy S26 series may be postponed to March for release."

If these two leakers' claims about a Galaxy S26 delay pan out, we could be looking at a February 2026 or March 2026 launch, which is highly unusual for Samsung. But due to the rumored lineup shuffle and the potential of not seeing the ultra-slim Edge next year, anything seems possible.

Amazon gives us the first look of of its smart glasses

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Amazon officially revealed what its smart glasses could look like in action. In a blog post, the company said that these glasses are designed to support delivery associates to make deliveries "safer and more seamless." According to Amazon, they will allow associates to scan packages, follow turn-by-turn walking directions, and capture proof of delivery — all while their phones remain tucked in their pockets.

The smart glasses are equipped with cameras, computer vision, and AI-powered sensing capabilities. They, however, differ from consumer-centric smart glasses and feature a fixed green monochrome heads-up display that shows the package details to the delivery associate within their field of view.

However, the glasses come with a small controller worn in the delivery vest and powered by a swappable battery for "all-day use." Amazon also says the glasses support prescription lenses and can automatically adjust to any light conditions.

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:

• T-Mobile’s new billing rule hits credit card users where it hurts — their discount
• YouTube unveils major overhaul of its video player for Android and iOS users
• The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE's last major Android upgrade is reaching users
• Google says more GPU improvements for Pixel 10 in future updates
• Qualcomm levels up affordable phones with a faster Snapdragon chip
• The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 finally get a crucial October 2025 security patch
• Gemini might look like Circle to Search on Android with this leaked feature
• Alleged Motorola Razr leak says one of the best things about it may change
• Amazon's new AI feature helps Android users make smarter purchase decisions
• Pixel 10 Pro Fold users report mysterious battery bug and potential fixes

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

OnePlus' intuitive OxygenOS 16 arrives

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

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

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

Samsung's Project Moohan looks set to launch this month

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

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

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

Pixel 10 Pro Fold had a bad week

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

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

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

Samsung Galaxy S26 Edge may be gone for good

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

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

Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3 landed, but was pulled back

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

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

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

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:

• Google Nest Thermostats get a visual overhaul with new animated faces
• Pixel Buds 2a, Pixel Buds Pro 2 cozy up with an uncanny ability to swap cases
• Your next Google Maps navigation could be planned by GeminiGet ready—
• Get ready—Samsung Bixby could be transforming with a sleek new look and AI upgrades
• The odds are looking grim for Pixel Watch 1 owners to get Wear OS 6
• Xiaomi says rear displays will continue after 17 Pro, Pro Max shattered sales
• Mind Space app in OxygenOS 16 bridges OnePlus AI with Gemini for inspiration
• Samsung launches Qi2 chargers in the US, even though no Galaxy phone fully supports them
• Galaxy S23 FE sees major One UI 8 update: Customize your lock screen and more
• Roku is getting a new brain this fall with a big software update

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 got to see a massive Samsung XR headset leak, Wear OS finally landed on previous-gen Pixel watches, Galaxy S26 Ultra could come drenched in a familiar orange hue, OnePlus' OxygenOS 16 inches towards launch, and Motorola finally rolls out Android 16 to some devices.

Samsung's Project Moohan headset leaks in full

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Samsung's XR Headset has been teased several times, and we're also waiting for when the company will finally launch it, and well, give it a less complicated name. But this leak from Android Headlines just leaked every single detail of the headset, including its UI. According to several images posted on the website, the alleged VR headset will have six cameras on the front and two lenses internally.

Several sensors will be fitted around the front of the device to make sure the device detects gestures and eye movements. Additionally, the leak claims that the headset will have microphones and speakers, advanced enough to detect the difference between the user's speech and someone speaking to them.

The leak claims that this headset will run on "One UI XR," which sounds like a skin of Android XR. The screenshots posted by the publication show apps like Camera, Gallery, Google Chrome, Maps, YouTube, Netflix, and more.

Wear OS 6 finally lands on older Pixel Watches

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Older Pixel Watch models got a much-needed upgrade OS-wise this week. Google's OTA images page for its Pixel Watches now mentions its major v16 (Wear OS 6) update. However, Google hasn't published its patch notes for the Wear OS 6 update.

However, its OTA images page states the update is rolling out for the Pixel Watch 3 and the Pixel Watch 2, and for both Wi-Fi/Bluetooth and LTE versions. But it ends there; the Pixel Watch first-gen wasn't mentioned in this update. While Google hasn't published its official Wear OS 6 October security patch changelog, Android Central's Derrek Lee and Michael Hicks are seeing Wear OS 6 on their watches.

Pixel Watch 2 and Pixel Watch 3 owners are in for a major OS overhaul, with the most notable change being the adoption of Material 3 Expressive redesign. It adds a splash of color to the UI and allows users to make it more personal, too. The update brings a color palette to your watch face, along with updated, more rounded fonts and icons.

Could the Galaxy S26 Ultra steal Apple's orange?

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According to a tipster on Reddit, dummies of the alleged Galaxy S26 Ultra leaked online in three colorways, showing off the device in an electric orange hue similar to that of the latest iPhone 17 Pro. At the same time, the other two dummies sport a silver and golden colorway.

We've been seeing leaks about design changes on the next Galaxy line-up; however, this is the first time we've seen leaks about the alleged colors the device could show up in. The image above shows the device's rear panel with the rumored quad-camera array, featuring rounded corners. The Reddit post doesn't talk about any other specifications. Some speculate that this could be an AI-generated image to create hype about Samsung allegedly copying Apple with this color.

OxygenOS 16 teaser drops (iOS is that you?)

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OnePlus' next OS update is just around the corner, and we got the first peek at what's in store for OnePlus users. The most recent tease shows the OS in action, calling it "smooth." The company demonstrates that the UI is much more fluid and fast for swiping between applications and menus. OnePlus says, "Move through your screen like playing your favorite tune."

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

In a subsequent clip, the company demonstrates how users can easily pull and expand their folder previews on their home screen, creating small, circular folders to save space or folders that can stretch horizontally and expand to more boxy shapes. What's an OS update without some AI magic? OnePlus teases that the phone's AI will be "Intelligently Yours."

Motorola finally gets Android 16

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Motorola has finally checked in to the Android 16 party as the company started rolling out this major update for several Edge series phones this week.

Android 16 is now available for the Edge 60 Pro, Edge 60 Fusion, and Edge 50 Pro. Motorola phones usually have a delayed rollout with new OS updates, but this time, the company says it is "reaffirming its commitment to timely software updates" with this rollout.

In terms of new features, Motorola says its Android 16 update is "designed around simplicity, security, and connectivity." This update is bringing Notification Auto Grouping, which automatically combines multiple alerts from the same app when they arrive in quick succession to reduce clutter. Along with instant Hotspot, refreshed UI, and detailed battery and device health stats.

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:

• Samsung's next-gen tech might power an alternative Galaxy Z Flip 8 Snapdragon
• Google TV could soon let you create AI videos right from your couch
• The ultra-thin Motorola Edge 70 takes a shot at Apple and Samsung with a massive battery
• The Pixel 10 Pro's camera gets the shakes in serious user bug reports
• You may see a One UI 8.5 beta program for Samsung Galaxy late this fall
• Google Pixel October security patch continues to fix haunting display problems
• Google Pixels gain DoD approval, joining Samsung and Apple in elite security circle
• Samsung lets you 'Experience' the Galaxy in more stores across the US
• Google's AI Try-On tool expands to Canada, bringing the fitting room to your phone
• US Supreme Court upholds Google Play Store changes amid ongoing Epic Games lawsuit

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, the Galaxy Ring battery fiasco, Google launches its lineup of Nest devices, Oura's colorful ceramic rings arrive, Galaxy S26 Ultra's leaks keep getting better, and Pixel Watch could gain an advanced health feature. Let's get into it, shall we?

Samsung Galaxy Ring swells up while on finger

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Earlier this week, Samsung's tiny wearable was caught in a major controversy. The Galaxy Ring faced reports of battery swelling. Tech content creator Daniel Rotar, also known as ZoneofTech, posted photos showing his Galaxy Ring with a bulging battery and a peeling inner layer, still stuck on his finger (scary, no?).

In a post on X, he said that while preparing to board a flight, he noticed the ring tightening on his finger and realized that the battery had expanded while he was wearing it. Airport staff stopped him from boarding, and he later needed medical help to remove the ring. After it was removed, Rotar posted photos of the battery pushing against the casing and clearly deformed.

This has led several people to speculate about the safety of wearables that are worn almost constantly, so close to the skin. Samsung, however, seems to be asking some users to send the ring back so they can investigate additional reports.

Google launches it Gemini powered Nest products

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Google released its Gemini-powered Google Home lineup after what feels like forever. Calling it "Gemini for Home," the new range of smart home devices shows up with a Nest Cam Indoor (3rd Gen), Nest Cam Outdoor (2nd Gen), and a Nest Doorbell (3rd Gen), offering an experience you'll find familiar, but greatly enhanced by upgraded hardware and Gemini.

On the hardware front, users enjoy 2K HDR video quality, improved low-light performance cameras, and extensive all-around visibility.

Additionally, Google's secret home speaker isn't a secret anymore. The new Google Home Speaker is designed for "natural conversations." It has a light at the bottom for users to know when Gemini is listening, "reasoning," responding to your question, or in "Gemini Live Mode."

The Nest Cam Indoor starts at $99.99, the Nest Cam Outdoor starts at $149.99, and the Nest Doorbell starts at $179.99, all effective October 1. The Home Speaker, however, won't be available until Spring 2026.

Oura Ring 4's moody Ceramic collection and case arrive

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Oura is kicking off October (rather Tech-tober) on the right note, announcing a whole new collection of the Oura Ring 4, along with its first-ever charging case. The latest collection features high-performance ceramic, giving it a look that literally resembles wearing a ceramic ring on your finger, rather than a smart ring.

The new Oura Ring 4 Ceramic retains the same advanced health tracking capabilities of the original Oura Ring 4. The ring maker appears to be channeling nostalgic mood ring vibes with this collection.

As for the ring's dimensions, it measures 7.9mm in width, similar to the Oura Ring 4. However, the new collection is significantly thicker, measuring 3.51mm due to the zirconia ceramic material used in the ring.

Additionally, Oura has launched its first-ever charging case, following four generations of its rings. While it's only compatible with the latest generation smart ring, the case can power up to 5 full charges and complete one ring charge, as well as the case charge, in 90 minutes.

Galaxy S26 Ultra leak is as good as it gets

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The launch of Samsung's next flagship is nowhere around the corner; however, we've been seeing leaks drop like hot cakes. OnLeaks (via Android Headlines) shared CAD-based renders of the Galaxy S26 Ultra in black colorway, showing it off from all angles. While the design shares some similarities with the current Galaxy S25 Ultra, the renders also reveal several notable changes for the upcoming flagship.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra will reportedly feature a flat-edge frame similar to its predecessor, but the corners are even more rounded this time, aligning with previous leaks that have hinted at this design. The next Ultra could be slightly taller and wider than the Galaxy S25 Ultra, while the thickness will be reduced from 8.2mm to 7.9mm.

The CAD renders also show a switch with the camera array. The three main lenses sit in a vertical camera island to the left, while the other sensors and flash sit to the right. That said, the phone doesn't look any different than the Galaxy S25 Ultra, at least in these renders.

Pixel Watch could get hypertension tracking

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A recent leak suggests that Google could be working on hypertension screening on the Pixel Watch, which was spotted in an APK teardown of the Fitbit app's latest update.

Reference to "Fitbit Hypertension Study" was seen within the app, which is supposedly designed to gather sensor data from the Pixel Watch and pair it with user-submitted information to test how well the wearable can look for and flag elevated blood pressure levels.

Participants who enroll in the study will be asked to complete a short questionnaire and allow the watch to passively collect health data; others may need to wear a blood pressure cuff for more direct comparisons. Google appears to be in the initial stage of testing this feature, and there's no definitive proof that it will be available on future Pixel Watches.

However, this could be a step in the right direction to keep up with Apple, as it is yet to get FDA approval on its Hypertension feature on the new Apple Watch Series 11.

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:

• Strava sues Garmin as decade-old grievances boil to the surface
• Galaxy S26 Ultra leak shows first look at built-in 'privacy display'
• YouTube is testing bold mobile UI changes, and users are split
• Meta's $800 Ray-Ban Display glasses are flying off shelves already
• Amazon unveils redesigned Kindle Scribe with first-ever color soft display
• T-Satellite takes Android apps to the stars with 'Satellite-ready' access on T-Mobile
• Amazon's AI-powered Echo series devices blend Alexa Plus with Omnisence
• Oura Ring users can now access over 50 blood biomarkers for $99
• Samsung says the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a hit, and the reason's pretty clear
• Amazon's new Fire TV series is here, waving goodbye to Android with VegaOS

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, the OnePlus 15 gets its spotlight, Qualcomm's AI-focused Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 launches, One UI 8.5 leak brings the next Galaxy Buds Pro news, Pixel Watch users get the M3 Expressive update, and Google Search gets a new "Live" feature. Let's dive in!

OnePlus 15's square camera bump is the real deal

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Nope, you didn't miss the OnePlus 14, cos there isn't going to be one. The company showcased the OnePlus 15 on stage at Qualcomm's Summit in Hawaii this week, and went straight to the 15, likely due to cultural reasons. The company also confirmed that the OnePlus 15 will be one of the first phones to feature Qualcomm's latest and powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile chipset.

“With Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 at its core, OnePlus 15 carries that legacy forward—delivering the speed, intelligence, and efficiency our users demand today and into the future,” said Pete Lau, founder of OnePlus.

Furthermore, OnePlus also confirmed the massive redesign of its new device, giving us a clear look at its rear panel, which seems to have moved away from its traditional circular camera array on the rear panel for a vertical pill-shaped setup showcasing three lenses, also in line with previous leaks.

That said, the OnePlus 15 could indeed launch in the U.S., but there's no official date yet. The OnePlus 13 debuted in the U.S. on January 7, 2025, and we expect OnePlus to follow the same timeline this year as well, despite chatter about an early launch.

Qualcomm unleashed the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

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It has been quite an eventful week for Qualcomm, as it launched its next Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, built using Oryon cores. The chip is solely designed for flagship Android phones, keeping agentic AI and other powerful capabilities in mind.

The new 3nm chip delivers a significant 20% boost to CPU performance, featuring two prime cores clocked at 4.6GHz and six performance cores optimized for lower-power tasks. This is further enhanced by a faster Adreno GPU, which Qualcomm claims can deliver a 23% performance boost while consuming 20% less power, allowing you to get more out of your gaming experience while worrying less about your battery.

To put things into perspective, OEMs these days want to pack their devices with as much AI as possible, making sure it doesn't eat up the device's power with all the "thinking" it is doing. A powerful chipset like this one will help take the load off the phone.

This chip also comes with a 37% faster NPU (Neural Processing Unit); Qualcomm hopes to enable more on-device agentic AI features. This means your phone should be able to predict your behaviour and make recommendations based on context.

Samsung's Galaxy Buds 4 and 4 Pro leak

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One UI's next update has been been at the centre of many leaks for a bit now and the most recent one gave us more than just a sneak at what One UI 8.5 could bring.

The leak suggests that the Korean OEM has started naming its next buds, the Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds Pro 4, with what seems like internal code names. Seen in the test server build supposedly holds clues in its code about the alleged earbuds, with hints to a base and Pro model numbers SM-R540 and SM-R640, respectively.

Since they were found in the strings in Samsung's test server code, there's not much enough information about them, so nothing on specs or features as yet. But we do know that they exist and are in the works. In another leak from tipster Alfaturk on X, claims the company has also started developing the firmware for these alleged Buds 4 and 4 Pro models.

Pixel Watch users finally get their M3 Expressive update

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Pixel Watch users may finally be seeing their Pixel Watch app show up in a completely new look. According to recent reports, Google seems to be rolling out the Material 3 Expressive changes to the app. The UI sports larger design changes, such as the vertical, pill-shaped row of key Pixel Watch features. The update places Fitbit, Personal Safety, Gemini, and Google Wallet right above your device's illustration.

Beneath that illustration, users will find their connectivity info, battery percentage, and the last time the watch was synced with Fitbit's services. As part of the "main" feature set, users will find Watch Faces and Tiles before scrolling down into their Settings. These new containers and subtle line separators are present throughout the entire app, as well, especially when scrolling through your tiles and other sub-menus.

The update will bring more pronounced Pixel Watch illustration that's a blue, purple mix, as Google moves away from its classic four-color getup.

Google Search gets 'Gemini-ed'

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Google is bringing Project Astra's capabilities to Google Search, to get real-time answers via Live Search within AI Mode. Think of it as an upgrade to the current Google Lens, and Google's way of pushing Gemini's multimodal capabilities onto more platforms.

With "Live Search," users can have real-time, interactive conversations with Google Search in AI Mode, much like speaking to the AI chatbot on Gemini Live. This feature allows users to share their phone's camera feed, and they will have the ability to respond to your questions in real time. Since this feature is tied to AI Mode, it will also provide links for intensive research as well. Accessing this feature seems to be a lot more easier as opposed to navigating a ton of steps to help Gemini Live see what you see.

For instance, you're new to making a cup of matcha — all users have to do is open the Google app (Android and iOS) and tap the new "Live" icon under the search bar. Then point the camera at the equipment in your matcha set and ask what each tool is used for. Or you could even ask it questions for a deeper understanding of matcha's history or its rise to fame as a beverage. The Live Search option is available to all Android and iOS users in the U.S. starting Sept. 24.

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:

• Android users will now be able to test an unreleased YouTube AI feature
• Amazon is about to drop Vega OS on Fire TV sooner than expected
• Samsung's Galaxy TriFold wants to be your tablet and PC in leaked animations
• Chrome for Android now has the same Audio Overviews feature as NotebookLM
• COROS is teasing an 'all-new Apex' mountain watch; here's what we expect
• Flaw in OnePlus phones lets apps read your texts, fix rolling out soon
• Qualcomm Summit 2025 surprised crowds with a Samsung XR headset showcase
• Honor enters its 'Dual-Engine' AI era, teasing the Magic 8 Pro at Snapdragon Summit 2025
• Apple's iOS 26.1 may enable Galaxy Watch notifications for iPhone users—Here's what we know
• Verizon launches 6G Initiative, promising to transform wireless communication

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, Samsung's XR Moohan headset and trifold emerge in leaks, Meta unveils three new smart glasses, Nothing Ear 3 arrives with a unique ability, OnePlus 15 renders leak, and Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2 brings early reveal of upcoming Pixel features. Let's dive in, shall we?

Samsung's next range of devices could launch next month

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Samsung's next wave of devices has been in the news lately, with leaks showing up about the Galaxy Z Trifold and the XR Moohan headset.

The report comes from a Korean news website (ETNews) that states that the extended reality (XR) headset, "Project Moohan," will be unveiled via an online Galaxy Unpacked event on Oct. 21. Initially, rumors suggested that Samsung could launch its XR headset along with its trifold device on Sept. 29 and open sales in October. The date seems to have been adjusted to "coordinate internal marketing strategies and ensure completeness," the publication added.

There have been conflicting reports about when Samsung could launch the trifold; some suggest that it could show up with the XR headset, while this report states that it will be unveiled at a separate event in November. We may not have a date pinned down, but Samsung is reportedly going to launch the trifold device in the U.S. simultaneously with South Korea. A "person familiar with the company's plans" told CNN that the U.S. has been a part of their launch discussions.

Meta's next-gen smart glasses arrive

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Meta just wrapped up its annual Connect conference and dropped three new smartglasses and some key updates to its Meta AI. The most exciting announcement was the company's Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses, which are its first to feature a display built into the lens, fully powered by Meta's AI, and also come with a Meta Neural Band that uses hand gestures to help you make calls, type texts, and even take pictures on the go. This allows for seamless, hands-free interaction with the glasses.

Meta also released the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2), an updated version of its popular glasses, featuring twice the battery life and a 3K camera. Users can expect double the battery life, meaning the frames can last up to eight hours with "typical" use and charge to 50% in ~20 minutes.

Meta even ventured into a pair of glasses that are exclusively for outdoor enthusiasts, craving adventure, or even sports enthusiasts. The Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses feature a 12MP wide-angle camera that captures up to 3K resolution, along with Slow Motion, Hyperlapse, and adjustable stabilization for smooth action shots. The glasses work with Garmin and Strava for real-time AI stats, milestone auto-capture, and overlayed performance metrics you can share instantly on several social media platforms, talk about being caught in the moment!

Nothing Ear 3 arrives with an external Super Mic

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After teasing its premium earbuds in full, Nothing unveiled the Ear 3 earlier this week. The earbuds come in black or white colorways, both of which feature a transparent design and an aluminum and plastic case.

Speaking of the case, it has a built-in dual-microphone system with a dedicated "Talk" button. This "Super Mic" makes calls clear even in very loud places. All you have to do is press the button, and the audio input switches from the buds to the case, and the case transforms into a mic. Pretty handy for when you need to record reels for Instagram/TikTok or if you need to record a quick voice note.

The Nothing Ear 3 also gets upgraded sound quality, featuring a larger 12mm dynamic driver, up from the Ear 2, which will supposedly increase the bass to 6 dB and up to a 4 dB improvement in treble. The adaptive noise cancellation (ANC) can now cancel up to 45 dB of noise and automatically adjusts to your surroundings.

Nothing Ear 3 costs $179 in the U.S., and is also available in the U.K. and Europe for £179 and €179, respectively.

OnePlus 15 shows up in a leak looking like iPhone's distant cousin

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The leak comes from a Weibo user (via GSMArena) who claims to have got their hands on the OnePlus 15, showing the new camera module design and the three colors it will reportedly launch in. If this image is the real deal, it seems like OnePlus has let go of its usual circular camera array, swapping it for an iPhone-esque design.

The image shows a square camera module at the top left of the device, with two lenses arranged vertically and a third lens to their right — very similar to the iPhone 16 Pro. The module also includes a flash, but no Hasselblad branding, swapping it for OnePlus' own DetailMax Engine.

The phone also appears in three colors: Absolute Black, Mist Purple, and Sand Dune. The OnePlus 15 is rumored to feature a flat 6.7-inch 1.5K resolution display with an "ultra-high refresh" 165Hz rate, confirmed by the CEO himself. The display bezel is also said to be "symmetrical front." The OnePlus 15 is also expected to get Qualcomm's latest flagship chipset and a massive 7,000 mAh battery.

We might see the flagship launch sometime in October, according to several other rumors.

Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2 arrives with customizable icons

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Google started rolling out Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2 for Pixel devices, including the newest edition, the Pixel 10 series. This seems to be shaping up as an essential update showing beta users more than just a gist of what they can expect in December's Pixel feature drop.

Considering the software is in the "later-stage" beta, it brings with it new features as well as security updates. The one feature that really stands out is the ability to customize icon shapes — neat, right? It gives users more control over how they'd like to customize their home screen, and you can select from a variety of different icon styles that match your preference. You can even turn your apps into tiny flower blobs or cookies.

Another feature that's customer-facing is for the fitness enthusiasts; this beta introduces upgrades to Health Connect on the device. It gives users the ability to seamlessly track their steps using the device's sensors, and Google notes that this feature won't cause your battery to drain as much. The beta also introduces enhanced security features for both developers and users.

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:

• Gemini's September drop spruces up camera and image editing for Pixel users
• Exclusive: Apple's big bet... and it's not the iPhone Air
• Google's mysterious smart speaker could be a throwback to the original Google Home devices
• Samsung is already chasing One UI 8.5, as new leak spots its Galaxy S25 test
• Ultrahuman and Clue team up to help women take control of their cycle
• Meta AI is evolving again, and it's resurrecting the metaverse
• This Kindle update makes your eBook reading even more comfortable
• Google, Gmail, and Meet hit by widespread outage, causing login issues
• Samsung's rumored 'Health Assistant' is a personal trainer in your pocket

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, what the new iPhone stole from Android, Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra could keep the S Pen, Nothing Ear 3 launches soon, we could see two Galaxy Z Folds next year, and Pixel 9 propelled Google, making it the fastest growing premium smartphone brand in H1 2025. Let's get in!

iPhone 17 arrives with Android-like features

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Apple launched its "Awe-dropping" iPhone 17 series this week, and AC's staff was quick to notice some of the features that look very familiar to Android. While we felt that the list was not as long as it used to be, we were able to round up five obvious features that Apple "took" from Android.

For starters, Apple basically followed Samsung's suit in launching a slim "iPhone Air," a phone that's just 5.6mm thin. But Samsung beat Apple to the punch earlier this year when it released the Galaxy S25 Edge, which is surprisingly a bit thicker than the iPhone at 5.8mm, but has two cameras.

The iPhone 17 showed up with a camera bar that has been a staple of Google's Pixel thing, since the Pixel 6. Third, Apple stuck to its predecessor's pricing, following Google's footsteps with the Pixel 10 lineup. Satellight connectivity is coming to the Watch Ultra 3, which was first brought in by the Fenix 8 Pro, after which Google announced it for the Pixel Watch 4.

While Apple "stole" some features from Android, it also developed its own unique features, such as the "CenterStage camera," which is quite impressive. This feature utilizes the square camera sensor in a unique way, allowing the camera to crop in to provide portrait or landscape shots without requiring the user to physically rotate their device.

It also raised the bar to 256GB as a base storage option across the board. Another huge one is BP monitoring on the watch; while this feature is yet to be approved by the FDA, it could be a game-changer for the health industry.

S Pen stays put on the Galaxy S26 Ultra

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It looks like Samsung might keep the S Pen on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, according to a fresh leak. Many S Pen fans have been fearing the worst for the past few months, and for good reason.

Samsung has been making some moves that the S Pen fans, even though in the minority, have been caught off guard. First, it removed Bluetooth S Pen features on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and more recently, it ditched the S Pen on the Galaxy Z Fold 7, as the Korean OEM wanted to keep things sleek and compact on the phone, which has caused us to think about the future of the S Pen itself.

While the company continues to make phones lighter and sleeker, we feel that the stylus could be a thing of the past. However, this may not be the case for the next-gen Galaxy S26 Ultra, a new leak from prominent tipster, Ice Universe, hints that the device will indeed keep the S Pen, with alleged device renders showing a dedicated slot for it.

Nothing Ear 3 launches next week

With every product launch, Nothing basically drops a dozen teases, leaving absolutely nothing to the imagination, and it has followed the same pattern with its new earbuds set to launch on Sept. 18.

Earlier this week, Nothing officially showcased its upcoming wireless earbuds, the Nothing Ear 3, giving us our first look at the design and even a sneak peek at one of the features. The Nothing Ear 3 looks a lot like its predecessors, with a similar design, earbuds with white ear tips, and a transparent-looking stem with silver finishes inside. The case also looks similar to what we have seen before, with a new silver finish for the bottom and a transparent lid, like previous designs.

However, the company seems to have snuck in a new feature. The "Talk" button is right up front in the earbuds' case. The USB-C port on the right also seems to have a new microphone and/or speaker next to it. It's unclear what the new "Talk" button does, but we expect it to bring up Gemini or its features.

Samsung could bring two Z Folds next year

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The Galaxy Z Fold 7 seems to be a massive hit, according to recent stats, where Samsung is basically scrambling to make more of its ultra-slim foldables. And now, rumor has it that Samsung has allegedly "shared its development plans" for a second Fold model in 2026, according to an internal source. The publication adds that the Galaxy Z Flip 8 will show up with two Z Folds, one being a "Wide" Fold model.

This Wide-Fold is reportedly aiming to combine dual 18:9 screens "to create an internal display with a nearly identical 18:18 aspect ratio." Basically, the Korean OEM could be going for a tablet-like phone. Furthermore, Samsung is looking to finalize the details about this phone by the end of September or early in October and is "expected to launch simultaneously" with 2026's expected Flip 8 and Fold 8.

Pixel 9 makes Google the fastest growing brand

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Counterpoint, the research firm, put out some interesting numbers earlier this week, noting that the premium smartphone sales did indeed see an uptick in the first half of 2025. However, Google seems to have stolen the show. The company became the fastest-growing premium smartphone brand, seeing 105% YoY growth. The report suggests that its sales have 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 emphasizing the unique features of these devices by focusing on their AI capabilities and sleek software, rather than just highlighting specs, which has worked in the tech giant's favor.

Apple leads the premium market with a 62% share, despite seeing only a 3% YoY growth. While Samsung came second, seeing a 7% growth, thanks to the AI-powered Galaxy S25 series, which seems to have outdone its predecessor (20% market share).

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:

• The ultra-thin iPhone Air might seem cool, but it's much deeper than that
• Hypertension alerts on Apple Watch just put every smartwatch rival on notice
• Spotify 'Lossless Listening' lets Premium subscribers hear every refined note
• Amazon's secret AR glasses project, codenamed 'Jayhawk,' aims to rival Meta's dominance
• Nest Doorbell 2K leak gives us a look at the box and what's inside
• Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold just showed off its unfolding trick in a leaked animation
• The golden Oakley Meta HSTN gets a speedy update for its cameras
• OnePlus 15's color lineup may omit a long-standing favorite as it gains a 165Hz refresh rate
• Motorola's cheap 2026 mid-range phones start showing off in leaked renders
• Google says a fix is here for the Pixel 10's Android Auto problems—kind of

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, Samsung launches the Galaxy S25 FE, the Pixel 10a might show up with minimal changes, Lenovo announces two new tablets at IFA 2025, Google pushes out the September patch to its Pixels, and Android users finally get a host of new features to experiment with. Let's get into it, shall we?

Galaxy S25 FE launches as a sleek AI-powered device

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The Galaxy S25 FE brings the best features of the flagship Galaxy S25 series into a compact device. The phone comes with a stable One UI 8 (Android 16) out of the box, features a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate.

The phone resembles its predecessor; however, it features significantly thinner bezels around the screen and is noticeably lighter. The device is the same size as the Galaxy S25 Plus, which means it weighs 190 grams, about 23 grams lighter, to be precise.

At its core, the phone features the same chipset as its predecessor — Exynos 2400. As for what's new, the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE gets a bigger 4,900 mAh battery and gets new AI features that give the device a boost on the camera front.

Samsung also launched its tablet lineup along with this budget device. The Galaxy Tab S11 and Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra are here, and they're heavily focused on making work and creative tasks easier with new AI features. The tablets also feature a new, redesigned S-Pen, which is designed to resemble a pencil, allowing for a wider range of angles and a hexagonal design for a more comfortable grip.

Google Pixel 10a might disappoint Pixel fans

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The Pixel 10 series just launched, and it is obvious to look forward to the Pixel 10a, considering the Pixel 9a showed up with an all-new design that got mixed responses. Looks like the Pixel 10a might be sticking to some, if not most, of its predecessor's specs, including its Tensor G4 chipset.

According to a recent leak from prominent tipster Mystic leaks, the Pixel 10a will ship with older UFS 3.1 storage, while most mid-range and flagship Android phones have already upgraded to faster UFS 4.0.

The Pixel 10a will likely still show up with only two camera lenses, despite the base model finally getting a telephoto lens this year. The leak also suggests that the device may not have the new AI features like Magic Cue, Google’s new on-device AI feature that offers live, context-aware information during calls and chats.

So the question remains, what will the device actually get that isn't on its predecessor?

Lenovo's new tablets arrive at IFA

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IFA is underway in Berlin, and Lenovo took this opportunity to launch two new tablets: the Lenovo Yoga Tab and the Lenovo Idea Tab Plus. Both devices are centered on AI features and packed with the latest Gemini features. According to AC contributor Brady Synder, Lenovo has made one for creativity and the other for productivity.

The Lenovo Yoga Tab is pretty much a mid-range tablet for creators and digital natives, with a focus on a high-resolution display and preloaded creative software. The tablet features an 11.1-inch LTPS display, is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor at its core, and ships with Android 15 pre-installed. As for its battery, it gets a massive 8,860mAh battery that supports 68W wired charging, providing up to 12 hours of usage. For cameras, it has a dual rear setup with a 13MP main sensor and a 2MP macro lens, while the front camera is also 13MP.

As for the Lenovo Idea Tab Plus, it sees a larger 12.1-inch screen, a MediaTek Dimensity 6400 chipset, and the same Android 15 OS out of the box. According to Snyder, the Idea Tab Plus "is more affordable, and there are also a few neat perks that come with this tablet." There are more color options, too: Luna Grey, Cloud Grey, and Sand Rose.

Google drops September update for Pixels

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Google's September security patch landed this week as well and brought a fix to the Pixel 10 series' display, where the screen would turn black during transitions from a webpage in an in-app browser. The company also rolled out "a general" camera stability fix for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 series.

The patch brought fixes to the fingerprint reader on Pixel 6 through Pixel 9 series devices, making it more reliable. The update also includes fixes for various audio problems, such as call quality issues and other stability problems that have affected the devices.

Google's September Pixel Drop was also announced the same day (Sep 3), which brings the Material 3 Expressive update for the Pixel 6 series and the Pixel Tablet. Now, users can fully customize their lock screens with new Live effects, as well as add photos to their call screen for contacts. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 receive Adaptive Audio and Loud Noise Protection to keep your ears safe.

Android feature drop is better than we expected

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Google released a host of new features and AI-powered tools for Android users, along with expanded support for LE Audio sharing and Auracast. To start, users will finally be able to pair two or more LE Audio Bluetooth headphones with one phone, allowing people to listen to the same track simultaneously.

Next up, Androidify, a tool that lets you create your own Android mascot just with an image of yourself. All you have to do is upload a selfie onto the web or the Google Play app, write a prompt, add some accessories, and see what AI builds using Google's various generation tools.

Along with these, Google is making it easier to text with AI-powered suggestions on Gboard with Writing Tools. It will seamlessly provide prompts on the go so you can "review your tone to be more formal, expressive, or concise." Additionally, the tech giant is introducing Emoji Kitchen updates to help you combine two of your favorite expressions or emojis into one fun sticker.

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:

• The Pixel Weather app is making its way to the Pixel Watch
• The 8-day Polar Loop tracker challenges Whoop and Garmin with subscription-free workout data
• Alleged Galaxy S26 dummy units leak, and the Edge might look like Apple
• Circle to Search gains a nifty feature we didn't know we needed all along
• Samsung Health launches virtual doctor visits & fitness content to enhance user experience
• YouTube is pulling a Netflix with stricter Premium family plan rules
• There's still a way to get a Pixel 10 with a physical SIM in the US
• Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is here, and it aims to replace your laptop
• Samsung Galaxy Trifold leak: Key features include durability and wireless charging
• Galaxy Z Fold 7 users are already seeing paint peel off their phones

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, Samsung announced another Unpacked event, a Pixel 10 battery feature you can't turn off, Nothing gets caught in the middle of a stock photo scandal, Samsung XR headset's launch could be on the horizon, and everything we know so far about the upcoming Galaxy S25 FE.

Samsung's fall Unpacked

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Samsung announced this week that it will launch another set of devices soon at its Virtual Unpacked event on Sept 4 at 5 p.m. ET. We may have an idea of what is ahead of us, considering the leaks that have been coming in; however, the teaser hints at nothing more than the arrival of "new" devices.

So far, we've had official launches for the Galaxy Buds 3 FE and the Galaxy Tab S10 Lite. Both products have joined Samsung's budget-friendly offerings, and they will also be showcased during this event. Additionally, we've been seeing rumors about a Galaxy S25 FE, another budget phone, as well as the Galaxy Tab S11, along with an alleged Ultra version. We have a pretty packed lineup ahead of us, and the curtain rises next week!

Those interested can watch from the Samsung Newsroom, Samsung.com, or the company's YouTube channel.

The Pixel 10's "controversial" battery feature

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Google's new flagship is here, but here's the catch: apparently, this time around, the tech giant says the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro/XL have a battery feature that's locked and loaded onto the device that users can't disable. The feature called "Battery Health Assistance," introduced on the Google Pixel 9a, is designed to slow down your battery's aging by reducing charging speed and voltage. This feature activates after 200 charge cycles on the Pixel 10 series.

Google claims this slow adjustment helps the battery age more evenly and maintain stable performance over time. While this should make your battery last longer, it will also gradually lower your phone's charging speed. This means your device would need to be plugged into the charger for longer, which is a bummer.

Nothing Phone 3's stock photos' fiasco

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Nothing has been caught in the middle of a messy controversy over its marketing of the Phone 3. The tech company was recently spotted using stock images by professional photographers on different cameras, as shots taken on the Phone 3. Android Authority seems to have narrowed down five images that were supposedly captured by their new flagship devices, but were actually licensed photos.

The images in question were licensed stock photos and not, as the company stated, "what our community has captured with the Phone (3)."

Android Central also received an anonymous tip that showcased a screen recording of a Live Demo Unit (LDU) and screenshots of images reportedly taken by the device. The tipster claimed that these images were not authentic, but rather stock photos, backing their claim with links to the Stills platform.

Akis Evangelidis, the co-founder of Nothing, took to X to post a lengthy statement, effectively agreeing to the fact that these images were indeed stock photographs, but he clarified that this was an "unfortunate oversight."

Samsung's XR Headset to launch with hefty price tag

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According to a new report (via UploadVR and Google Translate), Samsung will allegedly hold a Galaxy Unpacked event in Korea on September 29, where it'll finally launch Samsung's long-awaited project Moohan.

The headset recently passed through certification at the Korea Testing & Research Institute, and will launch "sequentially in global markets" starting in Korea on October 13.

As for its price, the report claims the headset could cost around 4 million won, or 1 million short of the Apple Vision Pro. Depending on regional pricing, which is about $1,799 to $2,999, putting it well above the Meta Quest 3.

We were able to demo Project Moohan at Google I/O, and it basically exceeded expectations with its "immersive visuals and natural navigation through apps via Gemini voice commands. It felt comfortably balanced with a knob fitting it in place, gesture controls were seamless, and app performance was speedy," AC's Senior Editor Michael Hicks added.

Massive Samsung Galaxy S25 FE leak reveals specs

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A German publication, Nieuwe Mobiel, spotted an early online listing of the alleged Samsung Galaxy S25 FE on a Portuguese website. The website named MediaMarkt uploaded an entire product page for the Galaxy S25 FE, ahead of its alleged Sept. 4 launch.

The page, now taken down, allegedly featured official-looking posters that provided more than enough information on what to expect from the phone. Nieuwe Mobiel was quick enough to download all the images and notes that the S25 FE is expected to be "thinner and lighter.

The phone is said to feature a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED display, measuring 7.4mm in width and weighing approximately 190 grams, which is around 20 grams lighter than its predecessor. The images show the alleged Fan edition in a "Navy Blue" colorway, with noticeably thinner bezels around the screen. Other specifications of the device are expected to include a triple camera array and thinner bezels.

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:

• Google confirms focus on AI as Pixel 11 design plans emerge, no Pixel Flip or Pixel Tablets in sight
• If this rumored Snapdragon 8 Elite name change is true, we're going to be confused
• Samsung's trifold leaks in One UI animations, bringing Qi2 and NFC into focus
• Samsung's Family Care update lets caregivers keep a close watch on loved ones
• The Pixel 10's arrival soured by Android Auto's 'unresponsive' issues, per reports
• This concept Android phone is slim and lasts nearly a week per charge
• Google launches Pixel Care+ program with free screen repairs for Pixel 10 and more
• Spotify gets its own DMs for music-lovers sharing tracks and podcasts
• Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 7 is put through the ringer as a teardown shows its difficulties
• New Google Nest Cameras set for major upgrade with 2K HDR and Gemini features

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're heavily focusing on Made by Google and its aftermath with Google launching its new flagship Pixel 10 series, the tech giant solving a major OLED display issue, we break down why only the Pixel 10 Pro XL supports 25 W charging, Google sneakily shows off its next smart speaker, and folks aren't having it with Google Photos' new UI. Let's get into it.

Here comes the Pixel 10 series

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The Pixel 10 series maintains a familiar design with a distinctive camera bar, but introduces significant upgrades under the hood. All three models—the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL—are powered by the new Tensor G5 processor and Titan M2 security coprocessor.

They finally include native Qi2 wireless charging, and boast a battery life of over 30 hours, with up to 100 hours in Extreme Battery Saver mode. On the software side, they launch with Android 16 and will receive seven years of updates, while on-device AI is enhanced by Gemini Nano, which powers new features like "Camera Coach" and "Night Sight" to assist users with photography and more.

Pixel 10:

Google finally added a third lens to the base Pixel 10's rear camera array, on par with the rest of the lineup.

The base model Pixel 10 gets the same 6.3-inch display, which is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and a polished rear panel with a satin finish, also made of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The frame of the device is made from spacecraft-grade aluminum.

As for the battery, the phone sees a larger 4,970 mAh battery with faster charging. Pixel 10 gets a new metallic-looking Indigo color, as well as Frost, Lemongrass, and Obsidian, and gets a price tag starting at $799.

Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL:

The Pixel 10 Pro features a 6.3-inch display, while the larger Pixel 10 Pro XL gets a 6.8-inch display, both of which are brighter. They also feature larger batteries and new AI features powered by the Tensor G5.

The rear camera pill on both phones consists of the same 50 MP wide, 48 MP ultrawide, and another 48 MP 5x telephoto lens, complete with a 42MP front camera for your selfies and video calls, similar to its predecessors.

There's not much difference between these two phones aside from one being larger and featuring a bigger battery.

Both the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL are available for pre-orders starting today (Aug 20) for $999 and $1,199, respectively.

Pixel 10 Pro Fold:

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold arrives as the world's first IP68 dust and water-resistant foldable phone, thanks to its more durable "gearless" hinge. Plus, it's the first foldable to pack Qi2 charging!

Speaking of the display, the fold gets a large 8-inch Super ActuaFlex inner display and a 6.4-inch cover display with much thinner bezels compared to its predecessor.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold features a squared triple camera array on its rear panel, with a 48MP primary (wide) camera, a 10.5MP ultra-wide camera, and a 10.8MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom and Super Res Zoom up to 20x. The cover display's camera is 10MP, the same as the inner display's lens.

Also, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, unlike the rest of the lineup, gets a physical SIM slot. Google states users still have its physical SIM, as well as an eSIM option. The device shows up in two new colorways: Moonstone and Jade, and is priced at $1,799.

Google finally tackles a major OLED display issue

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Google seems to have finally begun to address the OLED display's biggest problem, aka PWM dimming. Lower frequency dimming (like the 240Hz on the base Pixel 10 and previous models) is more noticeable to people with sensitive eyes and can cause mild to severe discomfort, leading to headaches.

This year, the tech giant has taken matters into its hands and added a new accessibility setting called "Adjust brightness for sensitive eyes" on Google Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL devices. AC's Senior Editor Nick Sutrich got to check out this feature in action during his content capture at Google.

It is important to note that the Pixel 10 Pro Fold also features the setting only for the inner display, since its outer display is just like the base Pixel 10, which doesn't support the new "sensitive eyes" feature.

Google snuck its upcoming smart speaker during Made by Google

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Blink, and you missed it! The bit during Google's Pixel launch yesterday when we got to see a quick sneak at an unannounced mysterious smart speaker that showed up in the Gemini Home demo.

During Lando Norris' cameo, a smaller speaker-like object was placed on the table next to him, which looked almost like a squished sphere with a bright Gemini ring light beneath it, which illuminates blue and purple when the AI is speaking.

While we were thinking this might be an early iteration of Google's Nest Mini, a new leak spills a little more information about Google's smart home device.

The speaker will allegedly feature Gemini Live so that users can have intuitive conversations with it and will also be able to sense unusual activity in your home, like "the sound of glass breaking during a break in or your smoke alarm going off, and it can send an alert to your phone or tablet to let you know."

Pixel 10 Pro XL's charging advantage explained

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Google seems to be playing favorites when it comes to granting charging speeds for its models. Only the Pixel 10 Pro XL supports up to 25W faster wireless charging (Qi2.2), while its smaller siblings, the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro, support only up to 15W wireless charging (Qi2), and there's a good reason why.

During the Pixel 10 series showcase, a Google spokesperson explained that Google took this decision due to several factors. "One of the biggest challenges with wireless charging is managing heat. Wireless charging can heat devices significantly, which can in turn harm the battery, wearing it down faster (or in rare cases even catching fire).

Some Pixel 6a models have also been catching fire while charging, which could explain Google taking an extra cautious approach.

Google Photo's new editing UI woes

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Google has rolled out a new photo editing UI, and it seems like not many users are happy about it. One of them took to the Google Pixel subreddit to post an in-depth review of the latest Photos app editor UI changes.

They claim the new photo editor is "unusable" and even "less functional" when compared to the app's previous design. Some of the other complaints were that the "display image" during photo editing was considerably smaller, and made the UI look "cluttered."

Furthermore, the community pointed out that they lost some of the features that they really felt were useful, like the "Pop and Sharpen" sliders (which are now applied as actions), quickly toggling a slider on and off, and most notably, the perspective correction tool, which was a favorite for straightening photos.

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:

• Google exec's brief Gemini teaser foresees the AI in your car, TV, and home
• Smart ring rivalry heats up: Ultrahuman sues Oura over patent claims
• Fitbit users rejoice as Dark Mode finally hits Android in latest update
• Pixel 10 says goodbye to reverse charging in favor of Qi2 magnets
• The Pixel 10 series rekindles the history of Google's phones from 2016 to today
• Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1: What's new after the Pixel 10 launch event?
• The Garmin August 2025 update throws the Forerunner 970's best tricks onto other watches
• Google expands Pixel ecosystem with new Qi2 Pixelsnap and Pixel Watch 4 accessories
• Base Pixel 10 (again) misses out on the free year of Google AI Pro
• Meta’s next-gen smart glasses could land next month for less cash than you’d think

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.

Made by Google is just around the corner, and like every year, Android Central has curated an exclusive guide. Think of it as a destination for everything we expect to see on August 20. We'll keep updating this Ultimate Guide with all the latest info, so you won't miss a thing.

This week, Google officially teases its upcoming Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Perplexity wants to buy Chrome, Samsung's XR Glasses could be coming next year, Amazon is shutting down its Android app store, and Google Wallet wants more permissions from you.

Google officially teases the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, twice

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What's in a name? You may ask.

Google dropped two videos teasing its upcoming foldable within the same week. On Aug. 12, Google posted the first YouTube video, teasing its Pixel 10 Pro Fold. The teaser, about 30 seconds long, takes viewers over the phone's design, which is pretty similar to what we got in 2024 with the 9 Pro Fold. The narrator talks about the joy of opening a new phone and then "opening your new phone" because it's a foldable... get it?

But what we didn't expect to see was Google opening up the Pixel 10 Pro Fold in the first tease itself, basically revealing both panels of the device. The teaser shows off the device's hinge and a clear glimpse of its camera housing on its rear panel. The final glimpse involves the 10 Pro Fold's inner display, which the teaser gives a complete look at.

And just in two days, Google drops another video, showcasing the Fold again, but this time, hinting at a possible change in branding. As the video ends with the title "Google Pixel Fold," which is the name of the very first model. Now we don't know for certain if this was a slip-up by the company that wasn't spotted during final reviews, or if Google seems to be working on a much easier title for its device. Only time will tell.

For more news and information on Google's upcoming phones, check out our Ultimate Guide.

Perplexity and others eye Google Chrome

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Google's parent company, Alphabet, could be forced to sell Chrome as a remedy to a recent antitrust ruling. And many buyers are already in line to outbid one another. This week, Perplexity, an AI-powered search engine startup founded just a couple of years ago, wants to acquire the Chrome web browser and has supposedly made a massive, "all-cash" offer of $34.5 billion to purchase Chrome.

This isn't the first time Perplexity has shown interest in buying Chrome. The company has previously stated it believes it could operate Chrome at the same scale as Google without charging users.

Pexplexity isn't the only company that has its eyes on Chrome. Search.com, one of the new AI-based search engines gaining attention, has announced it topped Perplexity's offer with a $35 billion bid for Google Chrome.

Unlike Perplexity, despite being valued at less than half its bid, Search.com confirmed its bid is "backed by JP Morgan." If the company acquires Chrome, it promises to offer perks to users and publishers

Samsung's XR glasses could show up in 2026

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We know that Samsung is reportedly developing glasses under Project HAEAN with Google, a pair that was on stage during Google's TED demo this year.

A rumor seems to have cropped up this week from SEDaily, alleging Samsung is in the process of establishing its own smart glasses brand. An "industry insider" stated, "While Samsung is responsible for the hardware portion of its partnership with Google, Google also conducts internal hardware research and prepares for the future, so Samsung must also develop its own brand."

This means that Samsung could be pursuing its own smartglasses away from the Google umbrella. Moreover, these smart glasses could be "display-less," much like the Ray Ban Meta smart glasses, which only provide a camera, speaker, and microphone for users.

Early rumors claim these smart glasses could debut sometime during the "end of 2026."

Amazon to shut down its Android app store

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Amazon started informing developers and consumers alike that it was going to shut down its store for Android on August 20 earlier this year, and the day seems to be fast approaching.

While Amazon's app store was viewed as a decent alternative for users looking for apps that the Google Play Store didn't carry, we'll still have to bid farewell to it next week. The catch, however, is that Amazon's devices will keep the store available, but it won't show up on all Android devices.

Once support is over for the Amazon App Store on Android, there's "no guarantee" that apps will continue to work on those devices. So, it's likely Android users will need to either drop or let go of those apps or look for alternatives on Google's Play Store.

It is important to note that Amazon Coins will also be discontinued, and will be refunded to users if they have unused coins on the app store.

Google Wallet to ask for more personal info

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Google Wallet could now ask for location permission to display maps and addresses on receipts. This is only applicable if you want receipts that include store addresses and maps.

Until late July, Google Wallet receipts showed store details and a map without any extra steps. Now, that’s turned off by default, and you have to switch on “Precise location” in the app to see them again. If a transaction is missing the map card, you’ll see a message saying: "Get detailed receipts, like merchant name and address, for future tap to pay transactions."

It's important to note that switching to this option won’t update past transactions with maps or addresses since it only applies to new payments.

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:

• Google's AI Flight Deals tool promises affordable travel options for flexible travelers
• HTC leaps into AI smart glasses with the VIVE Eagle's voice-activated eyewear
• Google Wallet rolls out quick access feature with new 'double-tap' shortcut on Pixel
• Whoop stands firm against FDA pressure over Blood Pressure insights tool
• Samsung launches refurbished Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5 at reduced prices
• Google Translate app tipped to add 'Practice' for learning new languages
• Official Pixel 10 cases have leaked, and they've got a magnetic surprise
• Discover how Google's new feature lets you cartoonize your photos effortlessly
• Samsung's One UI 8 Beta Program appears for the Galaxy S24, older foldables overseas
• Google's canceled Pixel Tablet Pen shows up on Amazon listings

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.

Made by Google is just around the corner, and like every year, Android Central has curated an exclusive guide. Think of it as a destination for everything we expect to see on August 20. We'll keep updating this Ultimate Guide with all the latest info, so you won't miss a thing.

It's raining Pixel 10 leaks this week, with a tipster dropping a whole load of spoilers just before the launch event, Spotify increases its prices, and Pixel Watch 4 could get some design tweaks and a new charging mechanism, Meta's new VR prototype headsets are giving Quest 4 a run for its money, and Samsung Galaxy S25 FE could launch in September.

Pixel 10 leaks just keep getting better

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Pixel 10 leaks have been coming in at warp speed thanks to prominent tipster Evan Blass. In an X post titled "PD" (Pixel Drop), we get a good look at the alleged Pixel 10 in some of its rumored colorways. Blass also shared images of the alleged Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro Fold in a grey colorway (supposedly called Moonstone).

Additionally, they posted videos showing the Pixel 10 Pro with a clear look at the camera bar, the power button, and the volume controls. As for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, the video zooms in on the hinge of the device and shows the inner display with thinner bezels, giving it a bit more screen space than the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

When we thought we'd seen it all, Blass took to X to post a series of images that look like Google's planned promo material, claiming the Pixel 10 Pro XL will feature a 6.8-inch Super Actua display. The battery can last ~24 hours or more with Pixelsnap wireless charging available. It seems the RAM size for the 10 Pro XL is capped at 16GB, alongside Google's expected Tensor G5 SoC.

The tipster also revealed the camera specs of all the devices, along with a claim that not much will change with the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL.

Spotify set to increase its subscription prices again

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Spotify is all set to increase its prices on the Premium Individual plan by a pound ($1.34). In a Newsroom post, the music streaming platform announced that it will soon change the billing prices for users in several regions starting in September. Spotify states it will raise the price of its plan from €10.99 to €11.99 per month. This pricing change will affect consumers in Europe, Latin America, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific regions.

Additionally, the company states that users in South Asia and the Middle East will be impacted by the price hike. While the slight change seems like nothing, it could pile up in your wallet along with your other monthly subscriptions.

Spotify says it's doing it to "continue to innovate on our product offerings and features, and bring you the best experience." While there could be additional regions added to this list, Spotify says it will be sending out emails about the change in pricing to its users, as and where applicable.

Pixel Watch 4 could get a new charging dock

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Google's next Watch has also been at the center of leaks this past week. Two days ago, an X user, Bedros Pamboukian, posted a link to their GitHub repository where they've allegedly discovered the Pixel Watch 4 in all its colors.

Pamboukian suggests the wearable will launch with four watch band colors and three main body 41mm variations. Those colors are as follows: Iris (silver body), Lemongrass (brass body), Porcelain, and Obsidian (obsidian body). For its 45mm version, the tipster alleges a Moonstone, Porcelain, and Obsidian.

Later, Evan Blass' X post also brought a full look at the Pixel Watch 4, a purported close-up of the smartwatch in all its glory. The Pixel Watch 4 could seem to retain the familiar circular, domed-glass design of its predecessors.

It also highlights the rumored side-mounted charging system, which will feature an "indentation" with "two charging contacts" inside. It seems as if the Pixel Watch 4 will sit on its left side to charge, meaning the display can now face users, almost like a mini-clock.

Meta's prototype VR headsets could be a gamechanger

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Meta Reality Labs Research showed off two new prototype VR headsets, codenamed "Tiramisu" and "Boba 3," and showcased them at the SIGGRAPH 2025 conference.

The prototypes represent two different approaches to achieving a more realistic and immersive VR experience: one focused on hyperrealistic visuals, and the other on an ultrawide field of view.

To start, Tiramisu could potentially bring hyper-realistic VR experiences, which means that the virtual experience will be as close to the real world as possible. According to Meta, it features an angular resolution of 90 pixels per degree (PPD), which is 3.6 times higher than the Meta Quest 3's 25 PPD.

The Boba headset, developed by Reality Labs Display Systems Research (DSR) team, gets a 180-degree horizontal field of view (FoV) and 120-degree vertical FoV, using pancake lenses to keep it reasonably light at 660g.

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE could land next month

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Last week, Samsung confirmed that there are more devices in the hopper for release this year, including the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE. But we didn't know when exactly it would launch.

According to a report by Korean outlet FNNews, Samsung will launch the Galaxy S25 FE in Korea on September 19. While the report didn't mention when the global release will happen, if Samsung follows its usual pattern, the Galaxy S25 FE should launch internationally around the same date.

The report also says that the Galaxy S25 FE will retain a starting price below 1 million won (~$720), with no price increase currently planned. Like other Fan Edition phones, it is said to offer flagship features from the S25 series lineup, but at a more affordable price.

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:

• Report alleges Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Pixel Watch 4 shipping delays over 'issues'
• A Pixel 10 rumor about ditching physical SIM for eSIM has us beyond worried
• iFixit has finally stocked up on Pixel 6a replacement batteries
• This Galaxy Z Fold 7 teardown might give you night terrors over its repairability
• The Galaxy S26 Ultra could make taking night shots a lot more effortless
• Nothing's Essential Space update expands shareability to more clips and captures
• The Galaxy S20 series gets another update after Samsung called it quits
• Samsung's crucial 'Preventative Care' on the Galaxy Watch 8 is here for your heart
• OnePlus 15 could show up with a massive battery and a drastic redesign
• Google’s Genie 3 drops you into a 3D world you can explore and play with as it happens

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, Samsung confirms that its XR headset and trifold phone will launch this year, Meta's Q2 earnings soar, Qualcomm says Xiaomi will be the first to get its next Elite chipset, this Pixel 10 leak is as good as it gets, and Samsung could be mixing things up with its next Galaxy S26 lineup.

But before we get into the weeds of it, it's back-to-school season! So we've rounded up the best deals on laptops, tablets, and accessories to get you or your kid ready for a new year of learning. Check out our buying guides and avoid the last-minute rush

Samsung's trifold and XR Headset will launch this year

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Samsung announced its second-quarter earnings this week, and the Korean OEM seems to have made KRW 74.6 trillion (approximately $53.5 billion); however, the company's profits took a dip, with operating profit dropping to KRW 4.7 trillion ($3.37 billion). That’s a 55% decline compared to last quarter and almost the same year-over-year.

Samsung says the big reason behind the decline is the delay in shipping high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips to Nvidia, along with U.S. tariffs affecting chip sales to China. While that was some grim news for the company, things picked up mid-earnings call as the company essentially confirmed that it will launch the most awaited XR headset, its first trifold, and the Galaxy S25 FE later this year.

The company is “preparing to introduce next-generation innovative products, including our XR headset and tri-fold smartphone this year.”

Ran-Ban Meta smart glasses triple in sales and its earnings soar

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Meta reported its second-quarter earnings on Wednesday (July 30), and the company saw a 22% increase in its total revenue year over year, making $47.52 billion in Q2 alone. While Reality Labs still operates at a loss, on a more positive front, Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses sales more than tripled in Q2, with CFO Susan Li adding that the 5% year-over-year increase was "driven by increased sales of Ray-Ban Meta glasses, and partially offset by lower Quest headset sales".

Li said that Meta is ramping up production on these glasses to meet the demand later this year.

Post the earnings announcement, Meta's stocks jumped by approximately 10% as well. "We've had a strong quarter both in terms of our business and community," said Mark Zuckerberg, Meta founder and CEO, in the press release. "

Meta attributes these results to its digital advertising sector, which brought in $46.56 billion, representing approximately 98% of its total revenue. Zuckerberg said during the earnings call that this strong momentum in digital advertising was driven by AI.

Qualcomm's FY Q3 revenue hits $10.4 billion

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Along with Samsung and Meta, Qualcomm also announced its earnings this week. The company made $10.4 billion in revenue, up 10% from the same period last year. Qualcomm's QCT division, which consists of its chipset sales, is what mostly contributed to its revenue. Headset sales experienced modest growth to $6.32 billion, while automotive and IoT saw larger 21% and 24% growth, respectively.

"Another quarter of strong growth in QCT Automotive and IoT revenues further validates our diversification strategy and confidence in achieving our long-term revenue targets," said Amon in a statement on Wednesday.

Even Qualcomm didn't shy away from making a big announcement to its investors listening in. During the call, Amon highlighted that the company also extended its partnership with Xiaomi to power multiple generations of devices for the massive Chinese market.

They noted that Xiaomi will be "the first OEM to launch with our next Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, which comes out over the next couple of months."

This Pixel 10 leak is as good as its gets

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Prominent tipster Evan Blass seems to be at it again, considering we're closing in on the Pixel 10 series launch. This week, Blass posted a series of images on X, of the alleged Pixel 10 devices, the Pixel Watch 4, as well as the Pixel Buds 2a.

These official-looking images don't just show off the products but also share the supposed specs of the phones. The leak reconfirms that the baseline Pixel 10 will include a triple-camera setup featuring a 48MP primary sensor, a 13MP ultra-wide lens, and, for the first time, a telephoto lens with up to 20x Super Res Zoom. Meanwhile, the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL will retain their telephoto sensors but offer an upgraded "Pro Res Zoom" capability of up to 100x, among other things.

What's more interesting is that one of the images shows the alleged Pixel 10 connected to a magnetic charger snapped onto the back of a 10 device without a case, suggesting that the Pixel 10 series could be the first flagship Android phones to support MagSafe-like Qi2 magnetic charging natively.

That said, this isn't official until it comes from the source itself, which seems to be not too far away, as the official unveiling is just around the corner — Aug. 20.

Samsung could rejig its Galaxy S26 lineup

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A new deep dive into One UI 8's build revealed that Samsung could be giving up on the standard Galaxy S26 for a new Galaxy S26 Pro. This comes after rumors that Samsung could also replace the Plus variant with the all-new Edge, with some tweaks, hinting that the Korean OEM might be switching things up in a huge way.

Android Authority seems to have stumbled upon evidence for this line-up rebranding in the One UI 8 build, and the product codenames seemed to have indicated that there may not be a base or, as they say, vanilla variant for the Galaxy S26 series next year.

"Instead, Samsung’s upcoming flagship series appears to consist of three models: Galaxy S26 Pro, Galaxy S26 Edge, and Galaxy S26 Ultra," the website 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:

• Epic Games for Android will be available on Google Store following court ruling
• YouTube's AI to identify teens rolls out while rules revert for profanity early in videos
• Samsung puts a spotlight on the Galaxy Z Fold 7's long-awaited camera upgrades
• Samsung's new foldables get first update just days after launch
• Android users to finally get an extra layer of security on Chrome
• The Galaxy Z Fold 7 just broke every Z Fold preorder record ever set in the US
• Nothing ignites hype for Android 16 on the Phone 3 with Closed Beta signups
• Meta's camera smartwatch rumored for September reveal
• Pixel 10 series pricing leak might make you double-take at this one model
• Leaked glimpse at Pixel Watch 4's 'side-mounted' charging surfaces in renders

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, Google sets a date for its Pixel 10 launch, Fitbit suffered an unexpected outage, Galaxy Z Fold 7's hinge shows inconsistencies, Pixel 10 Pro Fold specs leak, and Galaxy S26 leak brings info on the next Galaxy Ring. Let's dive in.

Google sets a date for its Pixel 10 launch

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Google has officially announced the next Made by Google event. The tech giant sent out invites to Android Central and other media outlets that stated that the event is all set to take place on August 20 this year.

The invite also states that the tech giant will be bringing the event to New York City this time around. It seems that New York has become a hot spot for tech events this year, considering Samsung and Motorola unveiled their new phones in the same city as well.

According to the invites, "The Made by Google 2025 keynote will start at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET and will be livestreamed on YouTube. Officially, Google is teasing the latest on “Pixel phones, watches, buds, and more.”

As for what we expect to see at this year's event, it is the entire Pixel 10 lineup, which could include four devices: Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. As for the wearables, the Pixel Watch 4 comes in two sizes, backed by Wear OS 6 and all the latest UI updates that come with it. Here's the full list of all the other surprises that Google may spring on us.

Fitbit's massive outage

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Fitbit users had a rocky start on Thursday morning as Fitbit experienced an unexpected outage, which was reported by users. Many had issues with their data refusing to sync, and they couldn't even sign in to the app. The platform's outage seemed to have started around 7 a.m.

In terms of data syncing, even manually adding the data wasn't working. However, there were some users who could sign in, though the app was a blank slate, as nothing loaded.

Fitbit confirmed the outage shortly after, stating that both its mobile app and its Web API were suffering issues and that it began around the time user reports appeared on Reddit that morning.

After hours of service disruption, Fitbit eventually "closed" the investigation via its status page.

Galaxy Z Fold 7's display units show early hinge issues

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Some Reddit users who checked out the Galaxy Z Fold 7 at a few stores claim that the device didn't unfold completely, leaving a slight gap when opened.

While Reddit users speculate it to be a one-off scenario, one user also stated that you have to apply a bit more force for the phone to open all the way through. "Also, it doesn't hit full 180, more like 178-179 degrees. I put it face down on the counter, and there was barely any gap in the middle," they said.

Other users in the same Reddit thread have reported that display models at Best Buy opened completely flat. This could suggest a potential inconsistency among demo units across different stores.

This could also suggest a potential vulnerability in the hinge mechanism, where repeated opening and closing of the device, like in store display units, could lead to wear and tear over time. Android Central has reached out to Samsung for a comment on this matter, but the company has not responded to our request yet.

Pixel 10 Pro Fold's specs leak in full

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Google's next foldable could be launching as early as August, and a new leak this week gave us a full list of its specs.

To start, the leak claims that the Pixel 10 Pro Fold's cover display could be a bit larger than the previous model, measuring 6.4 inches. This could be due to the rumored reduction of the cover display’s bezel and the potential reworking of the hinge. Additionally, the leak suggests that the cover display is also getting a brightness upgrade of up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness, a 10% increase from the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

The battery might also see a bump with a 5,015mAh capacity, a significant increase from the previous model, and will supposedly support 23W wired and 15W wireless (with Qi2) charging speeds.

The device's camera capabilities could remain the same this year; however, under the hood, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold might get Google's next Tensor G5 chip. Google could reportedly switch things up with the Fold's storage, linking it to the colorways it launches with.

New leak brings info on the Galaxy S26 and a new Galaxy Ring

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While we're being flooded with Pixel leaks, we've also received some alleged details about Samsung's next flagship.

According to the publication, the next-gen of flagship models are codenamed "Next Paradigm, " and Samsung internally refers to the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra as NPA1, NPA2, and NPA3.

While there isn't much information available about the standard model, the NPA3, also known as the Galaxy S26 Ultra, is reportedly set to incorporate an all-new Sony 200MP primary sensor. Additionally, it could also feature a 50MP telephoto zoom camera with 5x optical zoom, and there is also a mention of an ultra-wide angle camera.

As for the Galaxy S26 Plus, this rumor doubles down on the fact that Samsung might be replacing it with the Edge variant and that the NPA2 is likely a codename for the next iteration of the Galaxy S25 Edge.

The leak also briefly mentions that there would be a new successor to the Galaxy Ring, which is currently being referred to as the "Next Smart Ring." The supposed database has revealed several other interesting details about the trio of Galaxy S26.

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:

• Turns out Gmail's AI email summaries aren't as secure as we thought
• OnePlus launches a little cable upgrade you didn’t know your charger was missing
• More evidence of Samsung's 'Galaxy Z Trifold' further hints at its existence
• Google Phone app's simpler layout is now hitting more devices
• The Galaxy Z Fold 7 might've swiped the Honor Magic V5's thin crown
• TECNO's new Phantom Ultimate G Fold is a tri-fold with a snake-like design
• Google Search's AI Mode just turned into your personal assistant
• Leaked renders claim changes for the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra and Galaxy S25 FE are coming
• 'Plus Mind' rolls onto the OnePlus 13, 13R as the assistant Android users need
• Samsung asks users if they'd sacrifice thin phones for built-in Qi2 magnets

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, Samsung launched its new foldables and the Galaxy Watch 8 series, a Pixel 10 prototype shows up in a weird place, Meta's next Ray-Ban smart glasses show up in a leak, Garmin finally unlocks Google Maps on its watches, and Samsung sheds its S Pen to keep things sleek on the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Let's dive in.

Samsung's summer Unpacked

Samsung finally unpacked its new line of devices this week in New York. The summer Galaxy Unpacked event brought the Galaxy Z Flip 7, Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip FE, and the Galaxy Watch 8 series. And that's not all, on the software front, these devices come packed with the latest One UI 8, backed by Android 16. This means new Galaxy AI features debut on these devices along with Wear OS 6 quirks.

Galaxy Z Fold 7

Samsung is flexing its muscles with its new Galaxy Z Fold 7, which arrives as the thinnest and almost creaseless foldable device yet. Measuring 8.9mm when folded and 4.2mm when unfolded while maintaining a 4,400mAh battery.

The Z Fold 7 arrives with a much wider 6.5-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X cover display, which Samsung says features a 21:9 aspect ratio, and an 8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen that achieves 2,600 nits of peak brightness.

Samsung's new foldable is powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, and gets the Galaxy Z series' first 200MP (wide-angle) primary lens, along with a 12MP ultra-wide and a 10MP telephoto lens. While the cover display and internal display both have 10MP selfie shooters.

The phone comes with three different storage options and colorways, with preorders now live, starting at $1,999 in Blue Shadow, Jet Black, and Silver Shadow.

Galaxy Z Flip 7

Samsung outdid itself with the Galaxy Z Flip 7, launching with an all-new look and sporting a larger screen space than usual. To begin, it sheds its usual folder-like cover screen for the largest ever edge-to-edge external display on a Galaxy Z Flip series.

The 4.1-inch Super AMOLED FlexWindow enables users to perform more tasks directly from its cover screen when the device is closed. The Flip 7 gets a larger 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen and a 120 Hz refresh rate.

This pocket-sized dynamite of a phone comes with Exynos 2500 SoC and a 4,300mAh battery, delivering "up to 31 hours of video on a single charge."

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is available in two storage configurations: 12/256GB and 12/512GB, and in three colorways: Blue Shadow, Jet Black, and Coral Red. The Mint is reserved for online purchases only.

Preorders begin today, and it is set to hit stores on July 25, starting at $1,099.

Galaxy Z Flip FE

It looks like the Z Flip 6; it feels like the Z Flip 6... but it's the new Z Flip 7 Fan Edition. The device arrived at a lower price and with a different processor — aka the Exynos 2400.

This device features a smaller 3.4-inch cover display and a larger 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It has a 50MP main camera and a 12MP ultrawide, along with a 10MP selfie camera. Other than that, it comes packed with new Galaxy AI features and is available for $899 in black and white.

Galaxy Watch 8 series

The Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic are built upon the Watch Ultra aesthetic.

The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic arrives in a single 46mm (1.34-inch display) case and sports a "slimmer, brighter Classic screen." The Classic weighs about 63.5 grams and has a Sapphire Crystal display, making consumers' viewing experience much better.

With an ultra-like squaricle dial, Watch 8 Classic brings back the physical rotating bezel, making scrolling through your apps a breeze. The smartwatch gets a new "Quick Button" for "added convenience." The smartwatch arrives with a 445mAh battery, 2GB of memory, and 64GB of storage.

As for the standard Galaxy Watch 8, Samsung claims it features the thinnest build yet, approximately 11% thinner than previous models, and includes a "Dynamic Lug" system for enhanced comfort and fit. It comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes with 1.34-inch and 1.47-inch Super AMOLED displays, respectively. Brightness is increased by 50% to 3,000 nits. Design-wise, it features a cushion design inspired by the Galaxy Watch Ultra.

Pixel 10 prototype leaks on a Chinese auction site

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Google Pixel 10 leaks have been coming in hot, with a Pixel 10 prototype model showing up on a Chinese auction website. The machine-translated description box indicates that the seller is offering the motherboard of the Pixel device, which resembles what we've seen in past leaks. The phone features the usual rounded corners and flat edges, similar to Google's past-generation models.

The back, which further emphasizes its prototype nature, displays the "G" logo and a horizontal camera bump with an additional lens. The photo of the motherboard features a bolded "G5," which likely indicates the phone's expected Tensor G5 SoC.

The Pixel 10's camera island appears to consist of three lenses and its LED flash. The Chinese seller states that this device is in its EVT stage, which the publication notes indicates the "final stage" before mass production for the market.

Next Meta Ray Bans my look like this

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While phone leaks have been appearing frequently, this one seems like a breath of fresh air. Leaked renders of smartglasses show off two alleged Ray-Ban Meta styles— 'Aperol' (sunglasses) and 'Bellini' (optical) — hinting at a shift from the one-style-fits-all approach by the company.

Both models are expected to offer significantly improved battery life and advanced AI features, including object detection, scene recognition, and possibly even facial recognition. The next-gen Ray-Ban Meta glasses could also feature an always-on mode that keeps cameras and sensors running continuously, allowing the AI to provide live reminders.

While there's conflicting news about when we might see these wearables launch, the XR Research Institute thinks these models might arrive before the year’s end, but The Information says we might have to wait until 2026.

Garmin just made Google Maps legit on its watches

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Garmin announced on Tuesday (July 8) that some of its smartwatches will receive Google Maps via the company's Connect IQ Store. This addition makes navigation much easier for users, as they can get turn-by-turn directions right on their wrist.

Garmin's Venu, Forerunner, Vivoactive, and Fenix products will all receive Google Maps support. Users interested in trying out the feature will be able to put their destination on Google Maps on their connected Android smartphone, and the app will then send notifications to their Garmin smartwatch, giving directions on when to take turns while they are walking, running, or cycling.

“Whether exploring a new city, mapping out a run, or casually cycling with friends, the Google Maps app in the Connect IQ store will keep users going in the right direction. The turn-by-turn notifications will be a game changer for those who want to stay hands-free and keep their phone in their pocket,” Susan Lyman, Garmin vice president of Consumer Sales and Marketing, notes in the accompanying announcement post.

Galaxy Z Fold 7 won't get the S Pen

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Samsung just dropped its latest foldables on Wednesday, and while the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is as thin as a Fold can get, the company seems to have made some trade-offs to achieve that slim form factor.

In an email to Android Central, Samsung's spokesperson confirmed this move and said, "The Galaxy Z Fold7 does not include S Pen support this time around. It’s a notable shift from previous models."

While the reasoning behind this decision remains unknown, it is likely due to the phone's slim form factor (measuring 8.9mm when folded and about 4.2mm unfolded), which would make it challenging to integrate an S Pen without requiring more space on the device for the accessory.

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:

• Surprise One UI 8 Watch update is reviving this legacy Galaxy Watch
• Samsung exec hints at a tri-fold launch that's not too far away
• Google brings the might of Gemini AI to your Pixel Watch
• Biggest announcements from Samsung's Summer Unpacked: Galaxy Z Fold 7, Flip 7, and more
• Gemini is the star of Samsung's Unpacked, but Google has more in store for Android
• Google is sprucing up Android's photo picker in a big way
• OnePlus launches smaller Watch 3 and new Buds 4 just in time for your summer escapades
• Galaxy S26 Ultra leak points to a sweet camera upgrade for your close-up shots
• Gemini's new photo-to-video breathes animated life into your memories
• YouTube is changing the way you scroll with its dynamic 'Charts'

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, the alleged Galaxy Z Fold 7 shows up unboxed, Nothing Phone 3 launches with its unique design, OnePlus is under fire for allegedly collecting personal information, Meta's next-gen Ray-Ban 'Hypernova' glasses leak, and One UI 8 may have tipped the existence of a Samsung tri-fold.

But before we get into the thick of it, we're currently gearing up for the longest Amazon Prime Day event, running from July 8-11. We'll be focusing on highlighting epic deals that are most relevant to you, and AC is simplifying your shopping with top deals, spotlight picks, and scam-avoidance tips. Plus, early deals are already live! And don't forget: if you aren't a Prime member already, this would be a good time to sign up for Prime.

Someone got their hands on the Galaxy Z Fold 7

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Someone may have gotten their hands on Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 7, and we got a good look at the alleged device. X tipster Jukanlosreve posted some hands-on shots of the rumored Galaxy Z Fold 7, showcasing the device in all angles in its alleged product packaging.

The images shows the device sporting a major change with its camera lenses, as it drops the black rims for silver ones. The photos also suggest the phone will be extremely thin when compared to its predecessor. However, we don't get to see how the front of the device would look like as it it covered in a matte screen protector. That said, the phone is seen in the rumored blue colorway.

This leak doubles down on multiple other rumors floating around about the Galaxy Z Fold 7 which could measure 8.9mm when folded and to 3.9mm once unfolded. Other whispers claim the phone won't see a battery upgrade, and would have the same 4,400mAh battery setup as the Galaxy Z Fold 6.

However, the wait isn't for much longer, as Samsung is gearing up for Unpacked on July 9.

For more news and information on Samsung’s upcoming foldables, check out our Ultimate Guide.

Nothing Phone 3 is here

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Nothing's new "true flagship" has finally arrived with an interesting design this week, which the company calls "joyful, expressive, and unmistakably Nothing." The phone shows up rid of its usual Glyph light interface, swapping it for a smaller Glyph matrix interface at the top right corner of the rear panel. This interface is fully customizable and includes tools, games, and more alongside Nothing OS 3.5's new AI-powered features.

As for the specs, the Nothing Phone 3 sports a triple 50 MP camera system on the back and, 50 MP selfie shooter on the front. The device sports a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with peak brightness up to 4500 nits (HDR) and 1600 nits (HMB), including 2160 Hz PWM dimming for eye comfort in low light and a 30Hz to 120Hz adaptive refresh rate.

Nothing Phone 3 launches in India with a 5,500mAh silicon-carbon battery, powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset. While the rest of the world gets a smaller 5,150mAh silicon-carbon battery, with speeds up to 65W, and 15W wireless charging. Preorders for the Nothing Phone 3 began on Friday, July 4, with prices starting at $799.

While we had our eyes on the Nothing Phone 3, the company also launched its first-ever over-ear headphones, which promise an immersive sound experience, intuitive controls, and stick to Nothing's usual "transparency" design.

The Headphone 1 is bringing back retro in every sense of the word — controls that are more satisfying to work with, like the physical roller, paddle, and button controls. These Over-ear headphones have a sleek aluminum design and plush memory foam. They come in black or white for £299/$299/€299.

OnePlus under fire in the US

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U.S. lawmakers could now be looking to investigate OnePlus as they claim the Chinese OEM could be collecting personal data from its users, and sending it back to Chinese-based servers.

Reuters suggests that U.S. lawmakers want to probe the OEM over security concerns and have pushed the U.S. Commerce Department to look into OnePlus after alleging the devices are collecting user information "without explicit user consent."

According to two U.S. representatives, this investigation would determine the types of information being collected by OnePlus devices, which could involve "transfers of sensitive personal information and screenshots." While we don't have much information about what is happening in the back end, Android Central has reached out to OnePlus about this potential probe by the U.S. Commerce Department but did not hear back in time for publication. We will update this article once we know more.

All this feels extremely familiar to what happened to Huawei and ZTE, which were also facing some heat from the Federal Communications Commission(FCC), which indicted the OEMs were racketeering and "stealing trade secrets." Following this, the FCC banned the sale or import of new communications equipment from Huawei and ZTE. It is also currently investigating whether ZTE and other Chinese companies are still operating in the U.S. in violation of restrictions. Another ongoing situation is with TikTok. We've seen a TikTok ban—and its return—and we're still dealing with it today, as Trump granted the app a 75-day reprieve back in April.

Meta's next Ray-Ban glasses leak

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Meta's next smart glasses showed up in a leak this week. The upcoming Hypernova smart glasses were posted on X by tipster Luna. Hypernova seems to be the codename that Meta has allegedly given to its Ray-Ban 3 (3rd Gen).

The tipster posted the rendering of Meta's upcoming Hypernova smart glasses, with a design that looks similar to the pair of Meta's smartglasses earlier in 2025, with a solid black coloring around the entire frame. However, the renders show arms of the smartglasses slightly wider, especially toward the lenses, and the front seems to have a higher aesthetic toward the sides, giving the smartglasses a butterfly effect.

This leak also gave us a look at Meta's rumored sEMG bracelet, which is designed to be a necessary input partner for the glasses. In a separate post, Luna claims that Meta could end up ditching the Hypernova or simply using Ray-Ban Meta again, and these glasses could launch as the "Meta Celeste."

Samsung's Tri-fold shows up in a One UI 8 leak

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Samsung is gearing up to launch its newest foldables early next week; however, a One UI 8 leak may have tipped off the existence of a tri-fold phone showing up along with the rest of the line-up.

The trifold, rumored previously as the "Galaxy G Fold," was spotted in a One UI 8 deep dive by tipster AssembleDebug. However, as the post notes, Samsung's internal code refers to the device as the "Multifold 7."

The leak mostly shows support animations for the phone's functions. One animation shows off the trifold's folding process, which sees the left-most portion opening, revealing its full display. The tipster went further, stating that One UI 8's animation suggests Samsung has gone with two "inward-folding" panels. However, the software's animations warn that the two panels aren't of equal size, with the left one smaller than the right, indicating it should be folded in first.

This is also backed by One UI 8's warning animation that says users should not fold the panel with the camera array first when closing.

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:

• Nothing Phones to get Android 16 powered Nothing OS 4.0 later this year
• Google's AI Gems start rolling out, giving your Workspace an 'expert' assistant
• Honor's Magic V5 looks like a thin, sleek rival for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 this summer
• Spotify's Discover Weekly turns 10, but gifts you two big updates instead
• Google Home makes it even easier to share your smart home devices with others
• Google Photos' fresh look is here, but may not be for your Android
• Google is met with $314 million class action suit fine in US over cell data 'misuse'
• Spigen is preparing for the Galaxy Z Flip 7 series as early case listing leaks
• The Nothing Headphone 1 wants to make noise in more ways than one
• Threads ups its game with DMs, distancing itself from Instagram's shadow

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.

July is shaping up to be an exciting month for tech enthusiasts! We're gearing up for the launch of several new devices in the first half of the month, along with the longest Amazon Prime Days event yet, running from July 8-11.

We'll be focusing on highlighting epic deals that are most relevant to you, and AC's eCommerce Editor, Patrick Farmer, has compiled some of the best deals for Android users that are available right now, from smartphones to tablets and everything in between. And don't forget: if you aren't a Prime member already, this would be a good time to sign up for Prime.

Now, getting back to what went down this week, Samsung finally announces its next Unpacked event, Nothing Phone 3 shows up in a massive leak, Google might've secretly named its XR glasses, more Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold 7 leaks show up, and Google Workspace gets bolstered with Gemini.

Samsung's next line of foldables are on the horizon

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Samsung announced this week (June 23) that its summer Galaxy Unpacked event is all set for July 9. The event will take place in Brooklyn, New York, after three years, calling the city a "borough known for bold ideas, creativity, and culture." The event will begin at 10 a.m. ET.

The summer Galaxy Unpacked will be live-streamed on Samsung's website and YouTube channel for those who aren't invited to the in-person unveiling of its next foldables lineup.

The Korean OEM didn't reveal much as to what we could expect out of this year's event; however, it did state that Galaxy AI will be at the center of it all. "With AI leading the way, Galaxy devices are evolving from reactionary smartphones to anticipatory smart companions – transforming how we communicate, create, and connect," Samsung said.

We also expect the company's next foldable and flip phones to be present as the star of the show, along with new smartwatches. Stay tuned!

For more news and information on Samsung’s upcoming foldables, check out our Ultimate Guide.

Nothing Phone 3's design and specs revealed

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Nothing has been dropping hints about its upcoming flagship Phone 3 as we inch closer to launch. The company recently took to X to confirm that the device will show up with a 50MP periscope lens. Nothing said that the camera is "built for creators," and while the camera's optical zoom capability also remains under wraps, the company shared a couple of photos that were taken using said lens, marketing the phone in the usual "Nothing" style.

That said, while the London-based company was dropping crumbs, a new leak pretty much showed us what the entire cake looked like. The leak suggests that Nothing Phone 3 will have three 50MP cameras, and that the camera placement on the Nothing Phone 3 will be unique. The top camera is off to the side, and the other two lenses are placed at the bottom next to each other.

The phone may have a 6.7-inch OLED display and be available in black and white colors. As for the device's battery, it is rumored to have a massive 5,150mAh capacity, and the glyph matrix interface on the rear panel.

The launch will take place on July 1.

Google's XR Glasses might have a unique name

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Google's XR Glasses were the talk of the town after their appearance at Google I/O this year. While Google didn't share much about when we could buy these XR Glasses and what they'd be called, we do know that these smart glasses will be heavily reliant on Gemini.

This week, we may have seen some chatter from an app developer, Sayed Ali Alkamel, who shared screenshots of the Android XR glasses paired to a companion app, the image shows the glasses bearing a name, "Google Martha."

Along with the name, the companion app also revealed controls that we could expect to see from these XR Glasses. You get to see the battery percentage of the smart glasses and how users will potentially be able to manage notifications and their preferences. Additionally, Google Martha's ability to enable or disable recording of their view was also spotted on the app.

Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Z Fold 7 spotted in more leaks

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Samsung's next Unpacked event is just a few weeks away, with the company finally announcing that it will unveil its next line of foldables on July 9. A fresh batch of leaks has given away a ton of details about both of these foldables.

Evan Blass has shared some renders on Substack, revealing alleged colorways of the upcoming foldables. He stated that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 will show up in three colorways, including an exclusive online color.

As for the Z Fold 7, we could see the phone in Blue Shadow, Jet Black, and Silver Shadow, and the clamshell will see Blue Shadow, Jet Black, and Coral Red colorways. This has been backed by another leak by Samsung itself, when it accidentally made staging pages go live on its Irish website for these foldables.

Another leak dropped hints at the potential price points these new phones will go on sale for. It stated that the Z Flip 7 could start at €1,099 for 256GB and €1,219 for 512GB. Meanwhile, the Z Fold 7 is rumored to land at €1,999 for 256GB, €2,119 for 512GB, and €2,359 for the 1TB model.

Google Workspace gets Gemini-ed

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Google's June feature drop brings a boost of Gemini into the Workspace ecosystem. Its latest AI video generation model is being integrated into Slides and Vids, while Gmail, Calendar, and other Workspace apps are getting Gemini's latest smarts.

Veo 3 will now be able to generate high-quality video clips with realistic sound by simply giving it a prompt within Vids and Slides. or instance, if you're working on a DIY or training video and need a shot of a worker wearing a specific item to introduce a safety training or a video on how to safely start a campfire, all users need to do is describe it, and Vids will create it for you.

Google Slides will now showcase several pre-designed templates, while other Workspace apps like Gmail, Keep, Calendar, etc, will have Gemini directly integrated into them.

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:

• Vivo launches its X Fold 5, bridging the gap between Android and the Apple Watch
• Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2.1 starts rolling out to Pixels with some bug fixes
• Meta Horizon Plus subscription: How it works, and is it worth paying?
• Google might soon make it easier to sync notifications across your Android devices
• Samsung might make a Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 that's truly 'for Galaxy' S26
• One UI 8 beta has a funky lock screen trick that morphs around images
• 'Ask Photos' in Google Photos shows results faster, so you're not waiting on Gemini
• Some older Android phones will no longer get Chrome updates
• A new Google Pixel 10 display leak makes me feel left out, but there's still hope
• The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 and 8 Classic might get a significant price bump

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 was about some significant leaks, starting off with a full alleged lineup of the Pixel 12 series set to debut in 2027, a possibility of Hasselblad's cameras not showing up on future OnePlus devices, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 leak again, Oakley and Meta's new smart glasses built for athletes, and YouTube Music is rolling out support for sharing lyrics. Let's get into it.

Pixel 12 codenames surface

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While we've started to see several Pixel 10 leaks, this one is a bit off the road. Recently, Mystic Leaks, a prominent tipster, took to Telegram to leak alleged code names of the Pixel 12 lineup, likely set to debut in 2027.

The leaker claims the base-model Google Pixel 12 is codenamed Galago, the Pixel 12 Pro is codenamed Sasquatch, the Pixel 12 Pro XL is codenamed Silverback, and the Pixel 12 Pro Fold is codenamed Capuchin. It looks like Google might be using primate-themed codenames that correspond to device sizes. For instance, the smallest model is allegedly codenamed Galago (a small, wide-eyed primate), while the largest, the Pixel 12 Pro XL, is reportedly called Silverback (referring to a large gorilla).

Google has a history of using animal families as code names for its devices. The Google Pixel 10 series is said to be codenamed after horses, and the next Pixel 11 generation is rumored to be codenamed after bears.

OnePlus' long-term relationship with Hasseblad could end soon

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It's been a minute since we've heard anything on OnePlus' next phone. But a recent leak suggested that the company could be ditching the "14" and launching the OnePlus 15 instead. Some speculate that this could be due to cultural reasons, as in China, the number "4" sounds similar to the word for "death," making it an unlucky number.

That aside, the rumor also suggests that the Chinese company could be letting go of its long-term relationship with its camera partner, Hasselblad. The two have been working together since the launch of the OnePlus 9, which led to OnePlus having one of the best cameras on the market.

But if this rumor holds true, then OnePlus could be looking at a new camera setup for its phone this time around.

Oakley X Meta's new smart glasses look insane

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Just like Meta's Ray Ban smart glasses, the company has now collaborated with Oakley to bring a sportier pair of smart glasses that could be your go-to accessory on your next run this summer.

Oakley and Meta have teamed up to launch the Oakley Meta HSTN (pronounced HOW-stuhn). It is equipped with a 3K Ultra HD camera that allows you to film hands-free during your activities. It also features built-in open-ear speakers, allowing you to listen to music without the need for external earphones.

Furthermore, this collab is pumped with all of Meta's AI smarts, so you can talk to it mid-activity—ask about the weather, the wind, or tell it to snap a video while you focus on the road ahead.

It comes in six different styles with prescription options and a solid battery life. The 24K gold-accented limited edition is priced at $499, while the rest of the lineup starts at $399 and rolls out later this summer. Preorder begins July 11.

Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 leak, again

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Samsung's upcoming foldables keep showing up in leaks, and this time around, we get to see clear official-looking renders as well as some colorways of the alleged Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7.

The most recent renders reveal that the Galaxy Z Flip 7 may feature an end-to-end cover display. This could potentially mean that users could do more by just looking at the cover display rather than flipping open the device each time. The rumor suggests that it might even be much lighter and slimmer than its previous iteration.

The same goes for the Galaxy Z Fold 7; these new renders suggest that Samsung's upcoming fold will have a wider 8.2-inch cover screen, weighing 215 grams, with a sleeker form factor.

Both devices could be available in multiple colorways, including Blue Shadow and Jet Black, according to the leak. The launch is expected in early July.

YouTube Music finally gets this nifty shareable feature

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YouTube Music appears to be late to the party; it has finally started rolling out a helpful feature that allows users to share the lyrics of the music they're listening to. This feature will show up as a new floating action button to the Lyrics tab of the Now Playing user interface called Share. After tapping it, you can select which group of lyric lines you'd like to use to create the shareable card.

You can pick the background color of your lyric card, and it will create the finalized graphic. It'll show the song title, artist, album artwork, selected lyrics, and a subtle YouTube Music logo. It is essentially a digital replica of the lyric card that can be shared across other apps or with a special person.

That said, you can share the card as is or also manually add the corresponding soundtrack to it via other social media accounts while sharing it as a story.

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:

• Thinborne designed cases for the Pixel 10 series, and they've already sold out
• OnePlus might have gamers in sight with this compact tablet
• Honor beats Samsung to the punch with 'thinnest ever' Magic V5 Foldable
• Google might give At a Glance a Gemini makeover with extra smarts
• Your Galaxy Watch's best health features may soon require a subscription
• Bye, Glyph interface — Nothing drops a Glyph Matrix teaser for the Phone 3
• Rokid’s new AR glasses are basically a laptop you wear on your face
• Samsung's long-awaited XR headset may finally have a launch date
• Samsung's next Unpacked event may be around the corner, leak suggests
• Three-year-old Nothing Phone 1 gets new features with the latest June security patch

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, Android 16's stable version finally lands on Pixel devices, Samsung drops another tease for its "Ultra" Galaxy Z Fold 7, alleged Galaxy Watch 8 renders show up online, Google and ChatGPT experienced outages this week, and One UI 8's second beta arrives on the Galaxy S25 series. Let's dive right in!

Android 16 takes flight and Pixels catch the first ride

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Android 16 has finally arrived, and Pixel phones will be the first to experience this new stable version of the OS. After multiple Beta releases and practically giving us a hint at almost all the features of the new OS, Google launched the stable version of the software this week.

Android 16 brings with it one of the most awaited features — live updates or real-time notifications, allowing users to track everything from food delivery to ride-sharing, all from the lockscreen or the notification drop-down.

People using hearing aids, thanks to LE Audio, also get a little something with this OS update. With Android 16, users will have the ability to switch to using their phone's microphone for clearer calls in noisy environments.

Android 16 is bringing additional tools for users to protect themselves from unwanted scam apps, calls, or other online threats. Google's "strongest mobile device protection," Advanced Protection, once enabled, activates a range of robust device security features on the phone.

Lastly, larger screen devices also get something out of Android 16. Google says it's making multitasking seamless on foldables and tablets, bringing a feature called "Desktop Windowing," which was teased at Google I/O 2025. This feature will allow users to have multiple app windows open, movable, and resizable on a single screen, similar to what you can do on a computer.

Samsung teases AI powered cameras for its upcoming Z Fold

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This week, Samsung dropped another teaser for its upcoming Z Fold 7, and this time it's hinting at the device's cameras. In its latest blog post, Samsung previewed a new intelligent camera system that can be more intuitive and understand what users are shooting and adjust itself to match any situation.

“As AI evolves from text-based prompts to multimodal understanding, Galaxy devices are becoming smarter — able to get what you’re looking at and respond to situations. The camera is at the heart of this transformation,” the company explained.

“More than just a tool for capturing images, coupled with enhanced AI-powered features, the Galaxy camera is now part of the intuitive interface that turns what users see into understanding and action.”

The company also adds that these cameras will easily adapt to the users' needs and make capturing moments more personal and seamless, with the power of AI.

Galaxy Watch 8 shows renders show up online

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Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 leaks keep getting better. This week, leaked renders of the alleged watch showed up online, giving us a good idea of what the actual device might look like.

The renders suggested that the Galaxy Watch 8 would show up with a squircle design, as seen in previous leaks as well. The renders of the device show the wearable in a sleeker design, with white straps, a square-ish silver base, and its circular watch face on top. The Watch 8 is speculated to have only two physical buttons and come in two sizes.

Additionally, someone ended up uploading pictures of the alleged Galaxy Watch 8 Classic on eBay. In the listing, the smartwatch is seen with a leather strap, a circular (more squircle) design, with a prominent crown sitting between two buttons. The speakers are also seen on one side of the smartwatch. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is expected to show up with a steel or titanium finish.

The week of outages

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This week saw outages on several online platforms, beginning with ChatGPT on June 10, where users experienced a massive 12-hour outage. According to DownDetector, several reports of the outage began trickling in at around 2:20 am ET, with the spike in outage reports at around 5:30 am ET in the U.S. The outage impacted people across Europe, North America, and Australia as they faced difficulties accessing ChatGPT.

OpenAI took to X to confirm the outage and stated that they've identified the root cause and are working as fast as possible to fix the issue.

Furthermore, almost all of Google's services, like Gmail, Meet, Search, Nest, and Cloud, were all offline for thousands this afternoon (June 12). Along with these platforms, Spotify was also among the platforms impacted.

There were more than 13,000 incidents of people reporting issues with Google Cloud by 3:30 pm ET, and more than 27,000 reports on Spotify via Downdetector. Both Google and Spotify acknowledged the outage and were updating their respective status websites promptly.

Third-party websites that rely on Google’s services have also been affected by this outage. These apps include Snapchat, Discord, and more.

One UI 8 Beta 2 lands on the Galaxy S25 series

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Samsung has rolled out the second beta of its One UI 8 update, that brought several new features, several bug fixes, and the latest June security patch to the Samsung Galaxy S25 series.

The new updates include user feedback feature "to improve interpreter performance." Other notable changes were brought in, like text alignment issues for Now Brief, and improvements across widgets, and fingerprint unlock errors were also addressed. Galaxy AI, Clock app, and camera app-related bugs also seem to have been fixed.

That said, the first One UI 8 beta seems to be landing on more devices and in different regions. According to SamMobile and tipster Tarun Vats on X, Samsung has opened up the first beta for Galaxy S25 series users in India and Poland. It is also a sizable 3.6GB update that is bringing the June 2025 security patch.

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:

• Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra surfaces in new leak with a boosted flagship MediaTek chip
• Google's new AI Search test might help you understand confusing topics quicker
• Leaked Galaxy Z Fold 7 promo image makes it look much thinner than before
• The June 2025 Android update offers crucial security tweaks for Pixel users —and two huge new features
• This one Android setting on smartwatches can give early earthquake alerts
• Nothing doubles down on Phone 3 availability in the US and Canada
• This leaked Pixel AI feature promises to be a time saver
• Boox reveals stunning color ePaper tablet that's just 5.3mm thin
• Pixel 10 to allegedly get Qi2 magnetic 'Pixelsnap' accessories
• Vivo's next Android foldable shocks during WWDC, confirms Apple Watch support

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

This week, we get into how Samsung surprised us with an Ultra announcement, Nothing confirms the launch of Phone 3 and Headphone 1, the Pixel 10 Pro shows up in all angles, Galaxy Watch 8 Classic colors leak, and Samsung could be looking at Perplexity to power its next flagship.

Samsung teases a new "Ultra" foldable

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Ahead of its summer Unpacked event, Samsung just teased that it will be bringing a new "Ultra" model to its foldable lineup, possibly as a rebrand of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 or in addition to.

Calling it "The next chapter of Ultra," Samsung said that it is bringing an Ultra experience that goes beyond just feature upgrades, but will also customize the form factor of the device, making it smaller and more easily portable.

While showcasing just the silhouette of the upcoming device in a video, Samsung also offered glimpses of its potential appearance, both when folded and unfolded. Hinting that the phone might be incredibly sleek, Samsung says that users can "Squeeze onto a crowded subway train for an evening commute with the device, folded in hand." And turns into a multi-tasking powerhouse when the phone is unfolded.

Keeping the launch details and device specs a mystery, Samsung concluded the post by saying, "The Ultra experience is ready to unfold."

For more news and information on Samsung’s upcoming foldables, check out our Ultimate Guide.

Nothing confirms Phone 3 and Headphone 1 will launch in July

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Nothing has been on a roll lately, dropping teasers for its upcoming flagship device Phone 3, and confirming that it will launch on July 1. However, that's not all. The company's CEO, Carl Pei, revealed at SXSW in London that Nothing will drop its accessory, "Headphone 1," along with the Phone 3. Until now, Nothing has only produced earbuds since launching its first phone.

While we don't really know what these headphones would look like or what the specs might be, sometime last month, Nothing's design team got to chatting in a YouTube video, and the team broke down what they’re after, though they’re still keeping all the main specs a mystery.

In Pei's X post, he stated that Nothing was built with "no copy-paste features," and is "genuine community co-creation, and a belief that tech should feel different." Then, he further added that the Nothing Headphone 1 are coming very soon.

"Our first over-ear headphones are launching on July 1. A whole new product category for us as we continue to level up audio in 2025," Pei confirmed.

Galaxy Watch 8 Classic might show up two colorways

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With Samsung Unpacked supposedly around the corner, multiple Galaxy Watch 8 leaks have been doing the rounds. The most recent one comes from WinFuture (German), whose sources claim there will be three Samsung foldables this year.

Along with these foldables, it is also reportedly launching the Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch 8 Classic. The publication's sources also provided some alleged Galaxy Watch 8 Classic details, which claim it will arrive in a black and white option.

The wearable leaks differ here, as the post states the regular Galaxy Watch 8 could see a 40mm and a 44mm size dials, but might only show up with one color option, Graphite (likely a silver tone), for these two size variants.

Previous leaks indicate that the Classic model will sport a squircle (square, circle fusion) design and is also rumored to have a third physical button on the way, dubbed the "Quick" button — making it look a lot like the next iteration of the Galaxy Watch Ultra.

Pixel 10 Pro leaks ahead of rumored August launch

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Google Pixel 10 leaks have been coming in hot, and this time, someone was able to get their hands on an alleged prototype of the device.

Images of the alleged Google Pixel 10 Pro have been circulating on Telegram, shared by tipster Mystic Leaks from a Chinese social media platform called "coolapk." The caption of the Telegram message, accompanied by nine pictures, reads "An early DVT 1.0 Pixel 10 Pro."

The images showcase the phone from all angles, particularly the rear panel of the device, highlighting the pill-shaped camera bar. From the looks of it, the camera bar appears much wider and perhaps a bit thicker in comparison to the camera bar on the Pixel 9 Pro. We can also see that it's housing three cameras, the flash, and what's likely the temperature sensor.

Furthermore, Google appears to have mixed up the placement of its SIM slot and USB-C port. According to the images, the SIM slot appears to have been relocated to the top left corner of the device, while the USB-C port seems to have two identical speaker-like cutouts on either side.

Perplexity AI could show up on the Galaxy S26

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Samsung could be adding another on-device AI option to its next flagship series. According to a recent Bloomberg report by Mark Gurman, Samsung is in talks with Perplexity AI and appears to be discussing including Perplexity’s app alongside its AI assistant.

Perplexity’s search features could also be incorporated in Samsung’s Internet browser app as well, if and when the deal goes through. Additionally, Samsung's Bixby could end up relying on Perplexity’s tech as part of the incorporation.

The report also mentions Samsung’s intentions to announce the Perplexity integration sometime this year, and might end up replacing or being the second option, along with Gemini, on the Galaxy S26.

As of now, Samsung's flagship phones are graced by Galaxy AI along with Gemini's latest features.

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:

• Huawei's alleged Mate XT sequel might have some spicy upgrades up its sleeve
• Gemini app 'Scheduled Actions' are official, rollout begins for automated tasks
• Jackie Chan was spotted using a foldable on TikTok, and we've got our top suspects
• Samsung says Sleep Apnea on the Galaxy Watch is arriving for more users 'globally'
• Google Pixel's Call Notes recording disclaimer could be going away soon
• Garmin has patented long-term blood glucose tracking; here's how it'd work
• Google upgrades Gemini 2.5 Pro preview model, with a stable release coming
• OnePlus Pad 3, arrives with a massive battery to the US and Canada
• The Quest 4 might slip to 2027, but Meta could unveil a lighter model next year instead
• Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1.1 is here to squash a ton of Pixel bugs for testers

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, Samsung dropped an unexpected surprise for Galaxy S25 users, Galaxy Watch 8 series allegedly clears another certification, Nothing kills its Glyph lights on its next flagship, OnePlus sneaks in two new phone on the Ace 5 series, and Pixel 10 Pro leak details a familiar design. Let's dive in!

Galaxy S25 users get the first taste of One UI 8

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Galaxy S25 users were in for a surprise drop this week, as Samsung decided to give its latest flagship phones an unexpected update.

In a lengthy blog post, Samsung announced that it's kicking off One UI 8's first beta this week for Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, and Galaxy S25 Ultra, which shipped with One UI 7 out of the box early this year. One UI 8 brings all of Android 16's perks to the Galaxy S25 for the first time, and beta-enrolled users try out new features before they're publicly released.

To start, Samsung's AI Select tool is now faster than ever. According to Android Central's Nick Sutrich in his One UI 8 beta hands-on, it takes approximately 2.2 seconds to look something up. One UI 8 also takes multitasking to the next level, with this 90:10 feature, which lets you resize a split window down to 10% of its normal size, helping users switch between two apps with a single tap without feeling like the app is crammed when the screen is split.

Samsung's Weather app, Reminder, Health, and Auracast also get major glow-ups with this new update. Furthermore, Samsung also confirmed that its next-gen foldables phones will launch later this year with a stable version of One UI 8.

For more news and information on Samsung’s upcoming foldables, check out our Ultimate Guide.

Galaxy Watch 8 series allegedly clears another certification

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We might be just mere weeks away from the next Unpacked event, and it has been raining leaks.

The most recent one comes from folks at Xpert Pick who claim to have spotted both watches from the Galaxy Watch 8 series pass through the CMIIT certification (Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology).

As we can see in the screenshot, both certificates mention model numbers attached to the alleged upcoming wearables, SM-L3350 and SM-L5050, respectively. Previous leaks have indicated that these model numbers seem to be associated with the Galaxy Watch 8 (LTE) and the Watch 8 Classic (LTE).

The certification notes within the screenshot describe both these devices to have eSIM technology with an independent eUICC chip, which will allow users to connect to cellular networks without the phone, which is what the previous leaks have been indicating as well.

Nothing is giving up its Glyph lights

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Nothing has been dropping several hints on X about its upcoming flagship Nothing Phone 3. In its most recent post, it suggested that its next flagship will not have the signature Glyph Light interface on the rear panel, which has been featured on previous models.

In an almost straightforward post, the company announced the end of the Glyph Interface in an X video, captioned "we killed the Glyph Interface," where the Phone 1's lights dramatically blink out to black.

This could potentially mean that its next flagship device, Nothing Phone 3 may not show up with those rear light, a feature that drew several people to buy the Nothing phones in the first place.

That said, if the company takes away the one thing that sets it apart, what would its rear panel actually look like? Some speculate that the phone could come with a dot-matrix display on the back. The teasers of Phone 3 had videos with the same dot-matrix pattern, showing a pixelated "3" or Pac-Man-style animations with dots, majorly hinting at a change in visual design.

OnePlus snuck in two new phones on the Ace 5 series

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OnePlus has just launched two new phones: the OnePlus Ace 5 Ultra Edition and the Ace 5 Racing Edition.

Designed with gaming enthusiasts in mind, these phones combine sleek design, powerful hardware, and impressive battery life for an "ultimate gaming experience." The phones are designed to balance equally in both hands, reducing hand fatigue during intense gaming sessions.

At the core, both devices are powered an "Esports triple chip," comprising the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 Plus chipset, the Lingxi touch-control chip, and the gaming-focused G1 Wi-Fi chip. Both devices sport the same 50MP primary lens and a 16MP front camera, with other aspects setting them apart.

The OnePlus Ace 5 Ultra and Racing Edition come packed with Android 15 and Color OS out of the box. Both devices come in three colorways, starting at roughly $346.88 and $249.71, respectively.

Pixel 10 series colorways may have leaked

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Leaks are pouring in about Google's upcoming Pixel series, and the most recent one speculates on the potential colorways of the device.

MysticLeaks on Telegram claims there might be four options available during the Pixel 10 series launch. The tipster states that the standard Pixel 10 could arrive in four colors: Obsidian, blue, Iris (purple), and Limoncello (yellow). This color array is slightly different than the Pixel 9's Peony (pink), Wintergreen (minty green), Porcelain (white), and Obsidian. The Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL could show up in Obsidian, Green, Sterling (grey), and Porcelain (white).

Furthermore, we may have gotten a glimpse of the Pixel 10 Pro while it was being filmed for a commercial.

The leak comes from a photographer, Mark Teasdale, on X (via DroidLife), who spotted the phone being filmed with a man holding the alleged Pixel 10 Pro, going by the images. The post on X, however, has now been taken down, for unknown reasons.

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:

• Google Photos celebrates 10 years of captured moments with two big updates
• Samsung is trying to make the Galaxy S26 Ultra thinner with new camera lenses
• Android phones just got a major convenience upgrade for Office files
• Google Meet will finally sunset legacy Duo features in September
• Rumors aren't sure if the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 will use Snapdragon or Exynos
• Google Messages' RCS badges are inching closer toward a public rollout
• US Court says Trump's recent tariffs are 'illegal,' halting them for now
• Samsung's Galaxy A series performs well as Apple leads Q1 2025 sales
• Google's latest Gemini teaser brings its Pixel Watch integration into view
• The official Google Store is now selling Pixels directly to customers in India

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 dive into all things Android. Google snuck in its future XR tech, the Android Show gets an I/O edition, HBO Max makes a comeback, Nothing's Phone 3 is set to show up this summer, and Samsung quietly unveiled a limited-edition Galaxy ring.

Before we dive in, Google I/O is coming up — starting on May 20th at the Shoreline Amphitheater in California. Android Central will be there live, so if you want all the updates as they happen during the two-day event, keep an eye out for our live coverage right from where it happens.

The Android Show: I/O edition

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Google wanted to switch things up a bit with this year's I/O. It revealed some of the significant developments much earlier than expected, giving users a full look at what's in store with Gemini, Material 3 Expressive, and its updated safety and privacy tools.

First up, Gemini comes to more devices. Gemini is expanding across the Android ecosystem, replacing Google Assistant on phones and integrating into Wear OS, cars, TVs, and XR.

This integration focuses on providing more intuitive, hands-free, and context-aware AI assistance across various devices. "Like when your hands are covered in flour while cooking, when you’re rushing between meetings, or when you’re in the middle of a bike ride," Google explained in the press release.

As for Material 3 Expressive, Google is modifying its UI experience to be more expressive and interactive with Android 16. Google explains that M3 Expressive is all about design that feels good, makes sense, and helps you do things with ease. It leans on five key components, such as color, shape, size, motion, and containment, to steer the user's attention to the stuff that matters.

Wear OS 6 is also getting a fresh coat of paint, more customization via color options, and a customizable UI. Watch faces will now be able to change the whole color of the OS, giving the wearable a more thematic feel.

During the show, it announced a whole slew of privacy and security tools that will show up on all Android devices with Android 16.

New warning systems will be built into Android's caller and Google Messages, which help prevent fraud by sending you pop-up messages when common scam tactics are used.

For instance, Google Messages is also getting a big security update with AI-based detection that can help stop scammers pretending to be government officials or bank employees, or even"tech support" scams, and several other new categories. These messages will be automatically flagged and filtered as spam if spam detection is enabled.

Google's Find My Device will also evolve into Find Hub with UWB tag support and satellite connectivity for enhanced tracking. The tech giant will partner with airlines to simplify lost luggage recovery using Bluetooth tag location sharing.

Did Google just show us its smart glasses?

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As The Android Show 2025 drew to a close, Samat put on what appeared to be a pair of Google and Samsung's upcoming smart glasses, with tinted lenses. While putting them on, he pretty much hinted that Google I/O 2025 would be full of more Android announcements, "and maybe even a few more really cool Android demos."

This only means we'd be getting more than just a peek at those highly anticipated wearables this year. These smart glasses look a lot like Meta's and have customizable styles. While we know little to nothing about these glasses, they're said to have a small screen in the lens, similar to the upcoming Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses 3. And would obviously be powered by the latest Gemini smarts.

Surprise, surprise! Max is back to being HBO Max

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Warner Bros. Discovery announced this week that it will be rebranding Max as HBO Max again. Just two years after ditching the HBO Max name, the company confirmed the switch will happen this summer.

This will be the second time the service has changed its name in just three years —first it launched as HBO Max in May 2020, when it was still under WarnerMedia, replacing HBO Now (its standalone streaming option since 2014) while keeping it separate from HBO Go (its old cable-authenticated VOD service that's since been retired).

Looks like not many users were a fan of this rebranding, and learning from its past mistakes of chasing a "quantity over quality" approach with tons of content. Bringing back the HBO name is a key move in Warner Bros. Discovery, in its plan to grow a global customer base and keep up with other streaming giants.

The company believes that reintroducing the HBO brand on Max will make things more seamless for customers as to the kind of content they can expect to see.

Nothing Phone 3 coming this summer

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Nothing has been teasing its next flagship model for the past couple of days, be it dropping emojis or outright announcing its price.

During Google's Android Show, Nothing's CEO Carl Pei discussed what consumers can expect next: the Phone 3, and when. Pei announced that the Phone 3 will launch this summer. Pei states the company is "going all in" with the device, granting it "premium materials, major performance upgrades, and software that levels things up."

More importantly, Pei all but confirmed to consumers its price, reportedly "somewhere around" £800 (~$1,062).

Pei adds that users will be given the "secure" and upgraded Android experience within the upcoming Nothing Phone. The video then gets into Nothing's AI efforts, considering they had to postpone the launch of the device last year. Pei states the company has worked with its community to create software that's "not just bolted on, but built in."

Samsung dropped a limited-edition Galaxy Ring

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Samsung quietly launched an exclusive Galaxy Ring colorway for its Korean customers. It snuck in a quick announcement about the wearable at the end of the Galaxy S25 Edge's press release — something extra for wearable fans.

According to Samsung's Korean website, the new Galaxy Ring is pretty much the same tech-wise as its past versions/ Samsung calls it "Two-Tone Titanium Black," a smooth mix of the classic Titanium Black and Titanium Silver. We weren't able to spot any images of this exclusive smart ring yet, but it's clear the company is going for a premium vibe here.

For now, this color is only for the South Korean audience, and it remains unclear whether it will be available on this side of the globe.

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:

• Google's May patch might've tanked its Pixel line battery life, per reports
• YouTube is making playlist listening a bit more democratic
• Galaxy S25 FE rumors advance with talk of a selfie camera upgrade
• Samsung might chase battery tech that's a little 'SUS,' going against old rumors
• Sony, Post Malone partner for the WH-1000XM6 headphones that wrap you in music
• Google's got a new AI image-to-video generator, but Pixels aren't first on the list
• Spotify's DJ takes song requests for music that fits what you want
• Google's refreshed gradient logo is a pop of bright, vivid color
• Qualcomm launches the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 with improved AI performance and connectivity
• These Nothing Phone 3 rumors suggest big upgrades that won't mess around

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, Google ends up leaking its new UI, Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge set to launch next week, One UI 8 keeps showing up in leaks, Google Pixels get May update patches, and Instagram teases a new feature with The Weeknd.

Google slips up and leaks its new Material 3 Expressive

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Earlier this week, Google accidentally leaked components of its UI that it is set to show off at Google I/O later this month.

It seems like a blog post was published early. As captured by the Wayback Machine, it gives us a sneak peek at the future of Android design, and how/why it's getting more "expressive."

Apparently, forty-six individual studies, with over 18,000 participants, were conducted over three years to determine how Material Design in Google apps could be improved.

"Material 3 Expressive principles are rooted in solid research and built on longstanding usability best practices, so designers can confidently use these new components and principles, knowing they're building something that will be easy to use and that people can connect with," the blog post explains.

The blog also revealed many examples of how the design language can be used, including a few design elements we can expect to see appear later on, such as floating toolbars and accent coloring that make "key actions stand out."

Galaxy S25 Edge gets a launch date

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Putting all the launch rumors to rest, multiple teases later, Samsung announced today (May 7) that the fourth variant of the Galaxy S25 series will be unveiled through a virtual Galaxy Unpacked event.

The device is being advertised with the tagline "Beyond Slim: Discover Unprecedented Innovation with Galaxy S25 Edge. " It is said to be both a powerful AI companion and an engineering marvel that combines flagship specifications while being light to carry around.

While Samsung didn't reveal much of the specs of the device (although some details have been leaked), the press release did focus a lot on the Galaxy S25 Edge's camera. Stating that the device is set out to give users an "ultimate camera experience."

As rumors suggested, the Galaxy S25 Edge will indeed show up with a 200 MP wide camera. The company also stated that this lens will be integrated with Galaxy AI, which will transform it into a smart lens, "that helps recognize what matters to create new memories."

The Galaxy S25 Edge is set to drop on May 12 at 8 p.m. ET, and the entire launch will be live-streamed via the OEM's official website and YouTube channel.

One UI 8 keeps popping up in leaks

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Samsung could be secretly working on releasing its next UI soon, and according to the most recent leaks, it could show up on phones as early as June in tandem with Google's Android 16.

All but confirming this is a Galaxy S25 user who took to X to post screenshots of the software update screen showcasing the alleged One UI 8 update. The first set of images was posted on May 4, revealing all the details of the update, including the build number BP2A.250605.015.S938BXXU3BYE2. Although the precise timing of the update notification remains unclear, the image hints that the update came along with this month's security patch.

The tipster also posted screenshots of new watch faces with the UI update that allows users to change fonts and other complications on them. They also shared a video of the improved interface with the One UI 8 update, showing apps like the Weather app opening and closing much faster and smoother.

Beyond that, a blur effect appeared when the user attempted to access media, revealing options for viewing it. The Now Bar also features multiple options such as Do Not Disturb, Caller ID, and media, which can be switched by swiping upwards.

Google Pixel's May patch does more than just bug fixing

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Google Pixels started receiving May's security patch this week, and this month's update comes with three bug fixes and a total of 28 security patches for Android and Google services. Google has included a critical update for a zero-day security vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-27363.

This means that there are indications that this zero-day exploit (CVE-2025-27363) may be under limited, targeted exploitation. This pushes the need for users to update their phones immediately to avoid possible hacking or security breaches on their devices.

Another important aspect of this patch is that it updates the device's bootloader to include anti-rollback measures, which will not allow users to revert to older versions of Android 15 on their devices, possibly due to the above-mentioned security exploit.

The tech giant says that the rollout of the update will continue over the next week, varying based on carrier and device model.

The Weeknd gets dibs on Instagram's new feature

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This week, Instagram is testing a new feature that locks Reels with secret codes and hints, and The Weeknd is the first to try it out. It also lets artists and influencers drop exclusive short videos just for their fans — the ones sharp enough to crack the clue.

To kick things off, The Weeknd has dropped a sneak peek of his upcoming film project "Hurry Up Tomorrow" using the new secret code Reels. The hint to crack the code is "CLEAN TITLE FOR TRACK 3."

This new feature also gives creators and brands a fun way to kick off promos or marketing campaigns. Hidden Reels could be perfect for teasing new products or building buzz around an upcoming drop.

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:

• Pixel 9 users report inaccurate colors in photos due to Google's processing
• Spotify users get more control over their music with 'Queue' updates and more
• Google Maps for iOS simplifies saving locations from screenshots
• Nothing Phone 3 emoji teasers could finally spell an impending launch
• The Galaxy Z Fold 7 might be gunning for the crown as the world’s thinnest foldable
• Moto G86 leak reveals a familiar design with rugged protection
• This is not a drill — Best Buy bundled up the new Motorola Razr 2025 with a free Clicks case
• An alleged One UI 8 Watch leak highlights 'actions' for Google's Gemini
• Google just gave the Pixel Watch app a fresh light theme makeover
• Netflix announces new, redesigned TV experience and a clip feed for phones

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 saw some major leaks, Android 16's alleged redesign, Galaxy S25's launch date and full specs leak, U.K. residents get access to Google's digital IDs, Samsung teases its new foldable, and Meta's Q1 earnings show major AI priority shift. Let's dive in.

Android 16's UI redesign pops up in a leak

See all the UI changes here.

This week gave us a first look at Android 16's redesign and it comes from Mishaal Rahman. He seems to have stumbled on these UI changes while digging through Android 16's Beta 4. Rahman notices some changes to the shapes of app icons, stating that the OS could bring more "geometric" shape options, as well as the standard circle.

Rahman found choices like a square, a "four-sided cookie," and a "seven-sided cookie." Next up is the notification panel which could get a blurred/transparent user interface. The tiles within the panel also seem to have gotten a more rounded- bubble like appearance.

The lock screen also might get a fresh coat of paint. Rahman's snapshots show Google may alter the font of the clock while moving the date and temperature beneath it. If there are notifications, the clock will still move to the top left; however, the date/temp information will be featured on its right side, not under it.

Additionally, the battery icon may see a pop of color as Google could ditch the old colorless icon for a horizontal battery with its percentage and a color-coded background.

Galaxy S25 Edge showed off in all angles

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WinFuture got its hands on alleged hardware and software information of the upcoming Galaxy S25 Edge.

We've been privy to many leaks that gave us similar information about the phone until now, including the latest one that talks about how the phone is set to launch on May 13.

The publication says the device will be 5.85 millimeters thick and feature a relatively small battery as a result. Like the Galaxy S25 Ultra, it will apparently be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite and made of titanium with glass covers on the front and back. As for the display, the Galaxy S25 Edge will allegedly have a high-resolution and high-refresh rate 6.7-inch AMOLED panel.

The leak purports that it uses a single 200-megapixel sensor for the main camera and a 12MP ultrawide lens with a 120-degree field of view.

There will reportedly be three colorways similar to the Galaxy S25 Ultra: Titanium Jet Black, Titanium Icy Blue, and Titanium Silver.

UK and more US states get Google's Digital Wallet

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Google announced in a press release today (April 29) that it is expanding the Digital ID access via Google Wallet to the residents in the U.K. They are joining several states in the U.S., where residents can save their driver’s licenses and state IDs in Google Wallet.

Residents will soon be able to create digital ID passes with their U.K. passports and securely and conveniently store them in Google Wallet. This move makes it seamless for people to verify their identity just with a tap of a button on their phones, rather than pulling out their physical IDs each time.

Google is expanding its digital IDs access to Arkansas, Montana, Puerto Rico, and West Virginia, which will soon be able to add government-issued digital IDs to Google Wallet. Meanwhile, users in Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, and New Mexico will be able to use their mobile IDs at the DMV.

Samsung teases a new foldable

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Samsung has finally dropped a hint that its multi-fold phone is in the works and could show up sometime in late 2025.

In its Q1 2025 earnings call, the South Korean tech giant credited its lead in the foldable phone segment to nonstop innovation and hinted that a foldable with a new form factor is in the works.

“Well, we’ve continued to lead the foldable market through our innovation. And this year, with more innovation on the foldable form factor, we will improve the competitiveness of our products even further, enabling more customers to experience the benefits of foldable,” the company stated.

The tri-fold rumor has been doing the rounds for years, but Samsung showed off a sneak peek of what’s coming. Samsung also mentioned that foldables will bring “large-screen experiences for Fold,” which might be a subtle nod to the rumored 9.9-inch screen on the upcoming Galaxy G Fold.

Meta's Q1 earnings was one for the books

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Meta made $42.3 billion in its first quarter, and profits grew by 16% over Q1 in 2024, which the company attributed to its AI push.

Reality Labs, which was impacted by layoffs recently, saw a dip in revenue, generating $412 million, short of its $440 million profits in Q1 2024, while quarterly losses grew to $4.2 billion. Meta said these losses were "due to lower Meta Quest sales" but "partially offset" by tripled Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses sales.

Meta's "five major opportunities" for further growth include using AI to build better ad campaigns, recommending more relevant social media and video content via AI, and creating "AI business agents that can do customer support and sales" in apps like WhatsApp and Messenger.

Lastly, speaking about its challenges, Meta said it's concerned about the EU ruling stating that its "subscription for no ads model is not compliant with the Digital Markets Act (DMA)." Meta says it's "in the process of engaging with the European Commission," and it senses a significant lull in profits could be in the cards.

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:

• Samsung's One UI 7 could be causing battery woes for some
• Google TV makes binge-watching easier with new 'setup experience'
• Google One AI could have more tiers on the way, like a 'Gemini Ultra' plan
• Google Play Store just lost a ton of apps, but this is actually a good thing
• Gemini's built-in AI image editor is here to mess with your photos directly
• The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 might not use a Snapdragon chip after all
• Google Search AI Mode opens up to more people with new features
• Google Voice adds three-way calling support alongside its interface rework
• Small change in Wear OS shows it's ready to kick the Assistant for Gemini
• Samsung rolls out April updates to older Galaxy Watch models

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, Motorola's Razr 2025 series dropped, Alphabet's Q1 earnings soar, Meta layoffs impact VR teams, Samsung's summer Unpacked could take place in New York, and Android 16's Beta 4 comes out. Let's dive in.

Hello Moto

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There's a new Motorola Razr on the block.

The Motorola Razr 2025 series arrived this week as a trio for the first time. Showcasing the standard Motorola Razr, the Motorola Razr Plus, and an all-new Motorola Razr Ultra. All three devices are bolstered with Moto AI, which is backed by Perplexity AI. The devices also have access to Google's Gemini suite as well.

At first glance, the phones look a lot like the previous models. Motorola says that the devices showcase a new titanium-reinforced hinge plate, which is 4x stronger than surgical-grade stainless steel. This is paired with an ultra-thin glass that creates a smoother display on these devices. All three models come with Android 15 out of the box, and with an IP48 dust and water resistance.

Razr Ultra:

The new Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 arrives with bigger displays when compared to the other two in the lineup. The device features a 4-inch pOLED cover display and a 7-inch main foldable AMOLED display, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic.

The Razr Ultra is powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, comes with a 4,700 mAh battery, featuring a 50MP primary camera, a 50MP ultrawide/macro vision camera, and a third 50MP selfie camera.

The Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 comes in four colorways: Pantone Scarab, Pantone Rio Red, Pantone Mountain Trail, and Pantone Cabaret. With its premium specs, the Ultra starts at $1,299 and comes with dual storage options of 512GB and 1TB, along with 16GB of RAM.

Razr Plus:

Razr's premium model just got demoted to being the middle child. This year's Plus variant comes with almost the same specs as last year. With an interactive 4-inch cover display and a 6.9-inch internal foldable pOLED display. The Razr Plus 2025 comes in three colorways: Pantone Mocha Mousse, Midnight Blue, and Hot Pink.

The only visible difference is the device's brightness limit. While the cover display achieves 2,400 nits of peak brightness, the main internal display reaches 3,000 nits. At the heart of the device is the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, similar to the Razr Plus 2024. It gets a 50MP primary camera, a 50MP 2x telephoto lens, and a 32MP front-facing camera. The device has a 256GB built-in storage and 12GB of RAM. As of now, this device will only be available in the U.S. for $999.99.

Razr 2025:

As for its standard model, the company is keeping it simple while also integrating some premium specs into it. The Motorola Razr 2025 arrives in different finishes and four colorways: Pantone Spring Bud, Pantone Gibraltar Sea, Pantone Parfait Pink, and Pantone Lightest Sky.

The standard model features a smaller 3.6-inch pOLED cover display and the same internal 6.9-inch AMOLED screen. At its core, the phone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7400X, a notch higher than its predecessor. Regarding its rear cameras, the standard model features a 50MP primary camera system and a 13MP ultra-wide camera equipped with a Macro Vision lens. The device retains its 32MP front camera from its predecessor.

The standard model is priced at $699.99, with prices varying based on the carrier in the U.S. and Canada. The Motorola Razr 2025 series will be sold in stores starting May 15. Pre-orders begin on May 7 at Best Buy, Amazon, and Motorola's online store.

Along with its clamshells, the company also launched the Motorola Buds Loop, Watch Fit, which are expected to drop in stores this summer.

Alphabet sees 12% boost in revenue in Q1

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Alphabet, Google's parent company, released its Q1 earnings on Thursday (April 24), and it was reported that the company's revenue saw a 12% hike year-over-year, with consolidated revenues of $90.2 billion.

Google's stock also went up by 2.38% after the market closed later that evening. Its net earnings increased by a large margin of 46%, coming up to $34.54 billion. Google's core businesses, including Search, YouTube advertising, and AI, were sizable contributors to this overall growth.

"We’re pleased with our strong Q1 results, which reflect healthy growth and momentum across the business. Underpinning this growth is our unique full-stack approach to AI," said CEO Sundar Pichai

Google's Search also saw a gain of $50.7 billion in revenue, YouTube's advertising brought in $8.93 billion to the company, and overall advertising brought in $66.89 billion. And Google Cloud also took the spotlight during this quarter, with its revenue jumping by 28% to $12.3 billion. During the earnings call, Pichai also stated that they're seeing healthy growth and momentum across all their AI-powered products, specifically AI Overviews.

Meta makes job cuts, again

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Meta, on Thursday (April 24), laid off an unknown number of employees from its Reality Labs division, which includes employees working in Oculus studios, who are responsible for creating mixed reality wearables as well as games for Meta’s Quest VR headsets.

In an email to Android Central, Meta spokesperson said, “Some teams within Oculus Studios are undergoing shifts in structure and roles that have impacted team size,” the spokesperson said.

These cuts are meant to help the Oculus studios work more efficiently on delivering mixed reality experiences, Meta added. Employees working on Supernatural, a VR fitness game, were among those impacted in the latest round of cuts. This was confirmed by Meta's spokesperson as well.

They further added that, despite these cuts, "We remain committed to investing in mixed reality experiences, including fitness and games, and our drive to deliver the best experiences possible for the Quest and Supernatural communities remains unchanged."

We got intel on Samsung's Summer Unpacked

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A new rumor suggests that Samsung could be taking its mid-year Unpacked event to New York.

According to a Korean news site, The JoongAng Daily, Samsung is reportedly moving its Galaxy Unpacked event up, with its new set of foldables, Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 expected to make their debut in the early weeks of July.

NYC could allegedly be playing host after three long years. The last time an Unpacked event was held in the location was back in August 2022 for the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Flip 4.

An industry insider familiar with Samsung's plan told the publication that, "This time, it will be held again in New York, the most representative cultural city, after three years." There is speculation that the Korean OEM could be switching things up to prioritize the U.S. market.

Android 16 Beta 4, how many more?

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Earlier this week, Google rolled out Android 16 Beta 4 to all supported Pixels, and it's the last beta before the big launch next month, loaded with fixes, polish, and broader device support. The latest update didn't bring any significant changes, as Google is gearing up to launch the stable version of its OS this summer.

Beta 4 packs the April 2025 security patch, which fixes two bugs and a bunch of other critical CVEs. It fixes a weird battery drain, glitchy haptics, and radar not working in the Pixel Weather app. It also tends to certain system stability issues and random launcher crashes that some folks were dealing with.

However, a few Pixel users have taken to Reddit to report that the "Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock" option has gone missing after installing the latest Android 16 beta.

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:

• The stylish Motorola Buds Loop, Watch Fit hop into the limelight with the Razr 2025
• Meta Ray-Bans roll out Live AI and Live Translation, add new frames and apps
• The OnePlus 13T launches in China with a smaller display and flagship-level power
• Latest CMF Phone 2 Pro teaser might've hinted at a camera lens attachment
• ChatGPT chief says OpenAI would buy Chrome if Google is forced to sell
• Google Meet rolls out new tile redesign, sampling colors for a classy look
• Google paid Samsung hefty amounts of money to preinstall Gemini
• Google is dropping support for the first two generations of Nest Learning Thermostat
• Clicks Keyboard on the Moto Razr Ultra 2025 is a throwback to simpler times
• Samsung Galaxy Unpacked Summer 2025: How to watch and what to expect

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 was rough for those dealing with Samsung and its One UI 7 rollout, OnePlus 13T gets shown off ahead of launch, April's update patch brought fun features to the Galaxy S25 series, more news on the OnePlus Watch Mini, and Nothing teases its CMF Phone 2 Pro. Let's get into it.

Samsung's One UI 7 is back

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*Sigh* where do we begin?

The joy of unwrapping your favorite chocolate, breathing in the scent, only for it to be snatched away while you try to take a bite... this is exactly what Samsung users felt this week. However, the wait for One UI 7 appears to be short-lived, as several users in Korea have reported seeing the update reappear on their phones after a brief pause.

An avid tipster, Tarun Vats, shared a screenshot of the build number indicating that One UI 7 with the build number vS928NKSU4BYD9 is being rolled out to the Galaxy S24 series in Korea. It seems like the updated One UI 7 build is ~292 MB. Much smaller than the originally launched 5GB download, so this might jump slightly for those who never got it to begin with.

Samsung first rolled out its One UI 7 between April 7-10, then later pulled the plug on the firmware after reports of a bug that was affecting the new update. Now that it's rolling out again, we expect more countries to receive the update in the coming weeks.

OnePlus shows off its 13T days before launch

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OnePlus seems super invested in marketing its mini OnePlus 13, aka the OnePlus 13T, the right way. The company took to Weibo to post an official trailer of the OnePlus 13T, showcasing it from all angles possible. The caption read, "Small screen, big devil. OnePlus 13T is officially unveiled!" The device is said to show up in three colorways dubbed Cloud Ink Black, Morning Mist Gray, and Heartbeat Pink (Black, Silver, and Pink).

The company states that the 13T is small enough to be held between the thumb and index finger, mimicking the "OK" hand gesture, implying that the device is as compact as it can get. This device is expected to show up with an all-new camera island and a shortcut button that replaces the alert slider.

As for the specs, it will allegedly show up with a 6.31-inch OLED screen with "1.5K" resolution and a 120 Hz refresh rate. The phone is said to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, just like the OnePlus 13. The device will sport two powerful cameras: a 50MP primary camera and a 50MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom. The phone is said to come with a huge 6,200 mAh battery that will be boosted by 80W wired charging support.

The launch is set for April 24.

April update brings Now Bar enhancements for Galaxy S25 users

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Samsung rolled out its monthly update to its Galaxy S25 users earlier this week. This patch came with enhancements to the camera, charging, and software stability. The users in South Korea seemed to have received this update first, and it came with the S938NKSU2AYD9 build number.

This new update brought in a design change within the status bar. Users were surprised to see that a new media playback widget had popped up in the notifications bar. This means that when you're playing music or streaming movies, you will see a widget to control above your notifications, which will also show up as a live widget on the Now Bar. This will give you more playback control within the home screen.

While we wait for this update to show up in other regions, users are encouraged to check for this update via Settings> Software update> and click Download and Install.

More evidence of the OnePlus Watch 3 Mini leaks

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Earlier this week, the OnePlus Watch 3 mini seems to have shown up in an FCC listing. Measuring about 43mm, this new watch will likely be sleeker than the OnePlus Watch 3 and will allegedly have a 345mAh battery capacity.

That said, the FCC certification also shows images of a possible rotating crown on the upcoming watch. As for the specs, we assume that the Watch 3 Mini will have the same configurations as the Oppo Watch X2 Mini, which was announced last week with the exact same 345mAh capacity and an estimated 3-day battery life. It sports a 1.32-inch AMOLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate and 2,200 nits of brightness.

We could expect something similar on the OnePlus Watch 3 Mini as well. So much so that prominent leaker Abhishek Yadav (via Techradar) suggested last week that the "Oppo Watch X2 Mini will launch as a rebadged OnePlus Watch 3 Mini in India and globally."

Motorola Razr leaks keep coming

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We are almost nearing launch, and the Motorola Razr Plus 2025 leaks keep pouring in. And this time, it claims that the phone will come with hardware upgrades.

The first claim is that the phone will feature Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, which would provide the Razr with a significant power boost if true. Additionally, the rumor suggests that the device will feature a slightly larger 7-inch Super HD foldable screen, rather than the 6.9-inch one on its predecessor. The cover display is also rumored to be larger this time, measuring about four inches.

Furthermore, the foldable's selfie camera gets a massive upgrade as well, jumping to a 50MP lens instead of the same 32MP, f/2.4 lens that its predecessor. Lastly, it could get a 4,7000mAh battery paired with 68W wired fast charging (a huge boost) and 30W wireless charging capabilities.

If these rumors are true, Motorola is definitely bringing the heat with its foldables, giving Samsung's next lineup a much-needed competition. That said, Other changes include the foldable's front-facing selfie camera.

The phone is expected to launch on April 24.

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:

• Android 12 and 12L have received their last official Google security update
• A One UI 8 leak purports a key feature expansion and 'minor' adjustments
• Google quietly confirmed Google Assistant's days on Fitbit watches are numbered
• Nothing's CMF Buds 2 are now available, as it teases the CMF Phone 2 Pro
• Honor's close Google Cloud partnership preps users for a new life with AI
• Android 16 could bring Identity Check to more smartphones
• Google Search is getting a unified domain for US and global users
• Gemini's rumored automated tasks might borrow from the competition
• Gemini on Wear OS should stick to the Assistant status quo, mostly
• Google tests a new home for AI Mode in its Search bar for Android app users

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 Google lays off hundreds of employees in its Android and Pixel teams, Google Pixel 10 series prices leak, Motorola drops a slick Razr 2025 teaser, One UI 7 finally reaches more hands, and Galaxy Z Fold 7 could come One UI8 and a much needed upgrades. Let's dive in then, shall we?

Google laysoff hundreds, again

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Google is at it again. This time it laid off hundreds of employees from the Platforms and Devices unit on Thursday, April 10. This comes after the company has been pushing several employees to take voluntary exits for the past few months.

A source with direct knowledge of the situation said that people working within the Android platform, Pixel phones, and the Chrome browser teams have been impacted by these layoffs.

In a statement to the publication, the tech giant said that since they combined the Android and Pixel teams last year, they've focused on, "becoming more nimble and operating more effectively." The Google spokesperson also stated that these cuts are in addition to the voluntary exit program the company offered to its employees in January.

Pixel 10 series tipped to see varied pricing

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A recent leak online claims that some Pixel models' pricing will change every year for the Google Pixel flagship series, while the others will stay at the same price point, at least until 2028.

It states that within the Pixel 10 series, the standard, and smaller Pro models will hold the same prices from the previous year, it looks like the Pixel Pro XL will see a $ $100 price bump. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold will allegedly get a $200 reduction in its price, bringing its price tag to $1,600 which is in line with a previous rumor we spotted earlier this month.

Next up is the A-series, or Google's budget devices. Android Headlines claims that the Pixel 10a will be sold at the same $499 price point as the Pixel 9a. Furthermore, the company will reportedly stick to the same price until 2028 with the Pixel 12a.

However, these are still leaks and need to be taken with a grain of salt. In a separate Reddit post, someone from Android Headlines said that they've seen the pricing for Pixel 10, 11, 12, and 13 series, but “it’s all subject to change” and that “everything is a rumor until the company announces it lol.”

Motorola Razr 2025 is coming soon

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Motorola dropped a quick video on X teasing the launch of its next clamshell —the Razr 2025 earlier this week (Apr. 10). In a 10-second clip, Motorola showed off three foldables, each device sporting a different color, with a tagline "Make it iconic," with the launch date— April 24 at the end.

While the teaser doesn't give us much when it comes to the look of the phones, it seems Motorola is sticking with dual cameras on the cover display. The cover screen is also expected to fully cover the front like it has over the past couple of generations.

Motorola delivers its latest teaser, describing its new clamshell as, "When the ordinary flips to the extraordinary."

The most recent Motorola Razr 2025 leak, which seemingly left nothing to the imagination, states that the phones will retain the design language the company has provided for the past few generations. That means a full 4-inch cover display and a 6.9-inch pOLED foldable display for the Plus model. The Plus is also rumored to receive Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC.

One UI 7 is finally here

Read more here and here.

Samsung's stable One UI 7 has launched this week and reached eligible devices in Korea, U.S. and Europe. After a long wait and several beta versions, the company has finally rolled out a stable OS to its users.

The update first showed up in Korea, and U.S. and Europe users had to wait an additional three days, for the stable build of Samsung's One UI 7. According to several users on a subreddit post, Samsung has started rolling out the OS more widely today (April. 10) as promised in the company's rollout strategy announcement last month.

The first ones to see this software update pop up on their phones are those with either the Samsung S24 series phones or the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6, much like how the rollout happened in Korea.

One UI 7 brings several changes to the notification panel, Now Bar, live notifications, camera improvements, and more. To check if your phone has received the One UI 7 update, head to Settings > Software Update > Check for updates.

Galaxy Z Fold 7 rumored to get One UI 8

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A recent leak popped up on X claiming that Samsung's next foldable the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will come with much needed upgrades. According to @TheGalox_ on X, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 could show up with an upgraded under-display camera and a tougher screen built with some fresh layered materials.

And that's not all, the leak claims that the device will show up with Samsung's One UI 8, and the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip. powering the device. Additionally, hardware-wise, the main foldable screen could stretch to 8 inches, with the cover display hitting 6.5 inches.

For comparison, the Z Fold 6 sports a 7.6-inch inner screen and a 6.3-inch outer one. Even its main camera could get a massive bump to 200MP. The leak states that the company could be working on making this phone much more thinner and durable than its predecessor.

For more news and information on Samsung’s upcoming foldables, check out our Ultimate Guide.

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:

• OnePlus Watch 3 releases with a hefty price tag in the US and we don't know why
• ByteDance reportedly working on a pair of AI smart glasses to challenge Meta
• First look at the Pixel Watch 4 leaks and we are nothing but impressed
• Google Pixel's April security update fixes its troublesome screen flicker
• Google releases new Android System updates with battery life improvements
• Xiaomi prepares developers for Android 16 with a preview on 'select' devices
• Google Messages will soon use color to differentiate RCS and SMS, MMS users
• Here's how Google is shaking up the A-series lineup following Pixel 9a launch
• The Apple Maps web client beta now runs on Android phone browsers
• Leak says Motorola has a pair of earbuds and a new Watch on the way

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.

The week the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge launch gets pushed, Galaxy Watch 8 shows up in a leak, President Trump extends Tiktok's deadline for the second time, Older Samsung Galaxy could get One UI 7's Now Brief, and dream batteries could be a reality for Samsung wearables. Let's dive in!

U.S. TikTok users can breathe another sigh of relief

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TikTok seems to have dodged a ban in the U.S. for the second time, thanks to President Donald Trump.

"My Administration has been working very hard on a Deal to SAVE TIKTOK, and we have made tremendous progress," Trump wrote in the Truth Social post. "The Deal requires more work to ensure all necessary approvals are signed, which is why I am signing an Executive Order to keep TikTok up and running for an additional 75 days."

The social media company had until April 5 to divest its U.S. operations; however, in a statement on the social media site Truth Social, Trump said that he had extended the deadline for TikTok's sale of U.S. operations for another 75 days.

TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, previously went offline for a brief period starting Jan. 19, 2025, but service was quickly restored. ByteDance spokesperson hinted that they're working with the Government to make sure that the social media site isn't taken down.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge launch delayed

Read more here.

Samsung has supposedly pushed the launch of its slimmest smartphone, the Galaxy S25 Edge, by another month. According to previous leaks, it was allegedly going to launch on April 15; however, it seems like the company will now launch the phone on May 13.

WinFuture says sources close to Samsung told the publication that the launch of the Galaxy S25 Edge was postponed at the last minute and that Samsung was dealing with some "technical issues with the device, which made further testing necessary."

Other publications feel that Samsung wanted to push the launch due to internal company matters, particularly after the sudden passing of Han Jong-hee, the company's co-CEO.

Whatever the reason behind the delay, the Galaxy S25 Edge is one of Samsung's most anticipated phones yet, but we might already have another date set for May.

Galaxy Watch 8 series could launch as a duo

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Early signs of the Galaxy Watch 8 series have sprouted. Batteries that are meant for the next Galaxy Watch 8 series have allegedly received the SafetyKorea certification, and the next generation of the Galaxy Watch will supposedly include two models: the Galaxy Watch 8 and the Galaxy Watch 8 classic.

Two batteries with the codenames EB-BL330ABY and EB-BL505ABY have been approved by the SafetyKorea authority, and the leak by XpertPick alleges that these batteries could be associated with the Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch 8 Classic.

In a separate leak, a user on X revealed information on the supposed firmware that will be built into these wearables. Theordysm spotted model numbers SM-L320, SM-L325U, SM-L330, and SM-L335U, which could hint at the different size variants of the Galaxy Watch 8. Meanwhile, SM-L500 and SM-L505 could be associated with the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic variant.

The new Galaxy Watch 8 series is expected to debut later this year along with Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Z Fold 7 at its summer Unpacked event, the publication added. While we wait, here's what we wish to see from the upcoming Galaxy Watch 8 series.

For more news and information on Samsung’s upcoming smartwatch, check out our Ultimate Guide.

Samsung Galaxy S24 tipped to get 'Now Brief'

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A leak popped up earlier this week indicating that Samsung could drop a version of One UI 7's Now Brief on the Galaxy S24 series, according to tipster Mehmet Kaya on X (via SamMobile). The rumor started after Kaya allegedly discovered the feature while searching "Activity Launcher" in the latest OS beta. And when you search for Now Brief it will bring up its respective page full of feature details, as well as its list of supported Samsung apps.

However, it's important to note that users won't be able to see the feature in action in the beta version. The tipster further indicated that Samsung has "disabled it," which could indicate more work is required before it can be seen.

Another user, Josh Guy, backs this claim by stating that the Now Brief feature appeared on the Galaxy S24 in One UI 7 Beta 4. The user states that they had to do some "root level" digging to find "traces of code" to even access the core function, which seemingly indicates the Galaxy S24's ability to run Now Brief.

Samsung confirmed One UI 7 will finally arrive on April 10 in the U.S. However, its fully detailed rollout schedule was discovered on its Czech Republic website, giving us a good idea of what to expect.

Future Samsung wearables could be powered by 'dream batteries'

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Looks like Samsung could be working on "all-solid-state" batteries for its future wearables, specifically to power the next-gen Galaxy Ring.

A report by Money Today (Korean) claims that these batteries are nothing short of a "Dream Battery," containing "solid electrolytes," which will not only reduce the "risk of fire" but also exponentially increase the battery life of devices using them since these types of batteries are said to hold more energy.

While these batteries could get devices to last longer on a single charge, there's also a downside to it. Rumors claim that implementing this new battery technology into the next Galaxy Ring could make it more costly as manufacturing such a battery is "much more" expensive than the lithium-ion alternative.

For now, it is rumored that Samsung will apply prototypes of this tech to the next Galaxy Ring "in the fourth quarter this year." And could look to bring these dream batteries to earbuds in 2026 and a future Galaxy Watch in "late 2027."

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:

• YouTube preps smart Shorts creation features with AI for creative additions
• Meta's Llama 4 model is running behind schedule, but we might see it soon
• OnePlus exec teases the OnePlus 13T will be a tiny phone with a big battery
• Pixel 10 camera specs leak, hinting at a significant downgrade for one model
• Nothing's CMF Phone 2 teaser focuses on the shot with more 'coming soon'
• Google highlights smarter Gemini capabilities when integrating the Photos app
• Chrome for Android is getting extensions, but not like you’d expect
• Motorola Edge 60 Fusion is a new premium mid-range phone with AI and durability
• YouTube cracks down on fake movie trailer channels by disabling ad revenue
• Upcoming Sony Xperia 1 VII to look a lot like the predecessor as its renders surface

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, Samsung lost its patent lawsuit against Oura, some Google Pixel users had to deal with a weird bug attacking their alarm clocks, Pixel 9a got a launch date, Fitbit's Health Metrics are getting a redesign on Android and iOS, and Google suddenly decided to "privately" develop future Android OS. Let's dive in!

Samsung's case against Oura gets thrown out

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On May 30 last year, Samsung tried to one-up Oura after its lawyers filed a lawsuit in the San Francisco Division District Court against Oura Health Oy. It was essentially a preemptive move before the latter could consider suing Samsung for patent infringement — just like it sued three other smart ring makers (Ultrahuman, Circular, and RingConn).

Samsung claimed that "Oura's pattern of indiscriminate assertion of patent infringement against any competitors in the smart ring market" is an "actual, imminent risk to Samsung" and the Galaxy Ring's chances of success.

However, on March 27, federal judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín from the U.S. district court dismissed Samsung's case, stating that Oura's general statements about enforcing its patents that were seen in the other three cases "were not directed at Samsung" and "do not reveal a likelihood or intent to enforce Oura’s patents against Samsung."

Samsung will likely appeal this dismissal, and experts think that it will continue to sue Oura, keeping the company from suing the Korean OEM in other courts.

While this tag game continues, here's what we think this dismissal will do to the smart ring market at large.

It wasn't you, it was your Google Pixel 9

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Nope, you didn't hit on snooze — your alarm actually never rang. Pixel users took to Reddit this week to report issues with their scheduled alarm clocks. This is the first we've ever heard of a bug like this impacting Pixel phones.

One user states the alarms on their Pixel never went off. In fact, they had set four alarms, and all four were "turned off," not dismissed. The user said that each alarm soon deactivated itself on their Pixel 9, while another user thought Gemini was behind this weird bug. Their post reads, "My initial assumption was that I told Gemini to stop a timer that was going off and it canceled all my alarms."

This issue seems to be impacting only Pixel 9 users after the March update. Google is yet to acknowledge it. For now, if you rely on your phone to wake you up, I'd probably look for another alarm to do the job.

Save the date, Google Pixel 9a is arriving soon

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The Google Pixel 9a launched on Mar. 19, and now, ten days later, the company announced that the budget phone will be in stores starting April 10.

Google usually makes all its devices available for pre-orders on launch day, but for the Pixel 9a, we were told that it would show up in stores "sometime in April." There's a good reason why Google wanted to hold back preorders; it said the first Pixel 9a units had a "component quality issue" and that it wanted to make sure that the phone was functioning as it was supposed to before being released to the masses.

In a community post, the company detailed its rollout plan, starting with users in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., who will get to buy the Pixel 9a as early as April 10, with later dates for other regions and some listed as "coming soon."

Fitbit's health metrics are getting a redesign

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Fitbit's Health Metrics page is getting a fresh coat of paint on the mobile app, matching other app components.

Before, the Fitbit app had the Health Metrics page for data points like breathing rate, resting heart rate, blood oxygen, and more appearing in a basic interface that didn't match the rest of the Fitbit app

However, an upcoming update is giving it a new look and making it easier for users to view their data. For instance, before the update, tapping the preview card will list out five health metrics recorded, giving you a glimpse of how many of those metrics are in your "personal range." In a new change, only the "Today" stats are shown on the main Health Metrics page.

Previously, you could see this data by switching to the "Trends" tab in Health Metrics; however, now the app will be focused on giving users metric-based data.

Google apparently wants to make Android OS behind closed doors

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Google is shutting its doors to the public when it comes to developing Android OS, according to a new report.

Mishaal Rahman at Android Authority claims that Google will shift to privately developing the Android OS starting "next week." This is because Google wants to start making the OS development more streamlined and internal.

According to Rahman, this change will more directly impact Google and the AOSP (Android Open-Source Project). The company will allegedly "change the frequency of public source code releases for specific Android components." Rahman states that, with Google's normal public source code releases for the AOSP, the company needs to "spend time and effort merging patches."

Have you heard of the saying," Too many cooks spoil the broth?" Looks like Google wants to solely have a say in how the OS functions, keeping the outside noise to a minimum. However, according to AC's Jerry Hildenbrand, "Android already isn't as open as you think." He says that Google is ultimately in charge of Android's code and has the final say as to what gets done, how it gets done, and when it gets done.

"You (or anyone) can contribute to Android, though. Once everything gets wrapped up, the "finished" code is posted for anyone to grab and use however they want."

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:

• The Nothing Phone 3a series might eventually put a price on its new AI perks
• Leaked Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE renders purport small changes to its familiar design
• Google Maps taps Gemini for an 'Ask about place' chip with directions and more
• The new Oppo Find X8 Ultra shot better low-light images than the iPhone16 Pro with dual periscopic lenses
• Google prepares you for a hot summer with new AI updates for traveling
• New leak shows off Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge in 'Titanium' variants
• Heads up — Samsung's detailed One UI 7 rollout schedule for Galaxy appears
• New Galaxy Z Flip 7 case leak backs rumors of a larger cover display
• Google Maps might predict more than just the traffic for you soon
• Gemini 2.5 Pro is Google's latest AI model with thinking and multimodality built-in

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 saw The Google Pixel 9a launch, the EU Commission dings Google Search and Google Play for breaching the DMA, One UI 7 gets a launch date, Verizon brings satellite messaging to any device, and Pebble watches are here.

Google Pixel 9a arrives

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Google's budget phone launched this week, and right off the bat, you see the Pixel 9a sports an all-new look, ditching its usual "Pixel-like" appearance for a sleek, flat rear panel that houses the camera array within the phone. While the big pill-shaped camera bump seems to be all but gone, the phone has the same rounded aluminum side rails as its predecessors.

For its display, the Pixel 9a gets a slightly bigger 6.3-inch pOLED screen but is 35% brighter than the Pixel 8a. It also arrives with a massive 5,100mAh, which is larger than the standard Pixel 9 model (4700mAh). The device gets Android 15 out of the box, the new Tensor G4 chip, and seven years of OS and security updates. It comes with an extended battery life of up to 30 hours, faster charging, and two new colorways: Iris and Peony. Starting at $499, it has a smaller 48MP primary lens, sticks to the 13MP ultra-wide lens, and a 13MP selfie camera.

But what about Pre-orders, you ask? Google usually makes its devices available for pre-order on launch day, but that isn't the case with the Pixel 9a. Google said in an email that the device will be going on sale sometime in April without an exact date of sale. In a statement to Android Central, Google noted a "component quality issue" affecting initial Pixel 9a units as the reason: "We're checking on a component quality issue that's affecting a small number of Pixel 9a devices."

EU Commission states Google Search and Play Store breached DMA

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Alphabet, Google's parent company, is under investigation by the EU Commission. It posted its preliminary findings stating that two of Google's most used products are in breach of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Legislation brought about by the European Union to regulate big tech companies so that they don't favor their products over other players on the market— leveling the playing field for other tech companies.

The report claimed two things: First, Google Search showed results favoring Google at the top of the results page rather than similar services offered by third parties. Second, app developers who contribute to the Google Play Store should be allowed to steer customers to cheaper options other than the ones Google controls.

Responding to this report, Google stated in a blog post that, while the DMA aims at being fair to all players in the market, these rules are "having the opposite effect by hurting European businesses and consumers." However the company will continue to have discussions with the EU to come to a middle ground.

Save the date, One UI 7 is coming!

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Can we just say, better late than never? One UI 7 update of Galaxy devices finally has a launch date. Samsung announced this week that the official rollout for the stable version of the OS will arrive as early as April 7—for those in the company's home ground, Korea, at least. Folks in the U.S. have to wait for another three days post-launch, aka April 10, to be able to see the update pop up on their devices.

According to the announcement post, the first set of devices that will be lucky enough to experience the OS are the Galaxy S24 series, the Galaxy Z Fold 6, and the Galaxy Z Flip 6. While other eligible devices will see a gradual rollout post-launch "in the coming weeks."

Verizon brings satellite texting to any device

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Verizon announced it is bringing satellite texting to any device via "select" Android phones. Verizon will bring this feature to its U.S.-based customers first. The company states users can "send text messages to any other customer device via satellite when outside the reach of terrestrial cellular networks."

However, this feature won't show up on every Android phone. Users with a Samsung Galaxy S25 or Google Pixel 9 series phone can leverage its newly expanded satellite texting. Verizon's EVP & president of Global Network and Technology, Joe Russo, said in a statement, "This expansion of satellite texting capabilities is a testament to our commitment to ensure customers stay connected wherever they are."

The company has started working on incorporating this feature as we speak. However, it will likely take two weeks before it's completely stable and ready.

Pebble is back with two new smartwatches

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PebbleOS watches have made a comeback and how! Pebble's founder, Eric Migicovsky, in a new blog post announced the arrival of two new smartwatches: the Core 2 Duo and Time 2. These devices are launching under Migicovsky's new company, "Core Devices." Migicovsky states both watches are compatible with "thousands of your beloved Pebble apps."

Time 2 is a 1.5-inch e-paper display watch that will deliver "less glare and reflections" than its older watches. It has a 53% larger display with 88% more pixels, the Time 2 contains a heart rate monitor, as well as step and sleep-tracking capabilities. Core Devices had given the watch an IPX8 rating, too. The device also sports a microphone and speaker. The Time 2 is available for pre-orders for $225.

The second watch is the Core 2 Duo, which the company says is identical to the Pebble 2 — but it's been upgraded. This smartwatch features a smaller 1.2-inch black and white e-paper display with a lightweight polycarbonate frame and three physical buttons. Like Time 2, Core Devices states it is "targeting" an IPX8 water-resistant rating. For $149, it includes a 30-day battery life, a speaker, a barometer, and a compass sensor.

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:

• Here's why the Google Pixel 9a ditched the camera bar
• Huawei's new flip phone blurs the line between foldables
• Pre-ordered Nothing Phone 3a Pros reportedly get hit with a long shipping delay
• Google says its Pixel 9a features an older, less powerful Exynos modem
• YouTube's video stream is glitching out for some viewers
• Google finally rolls out fix for 'Untrusted Device' errors on older Chromecasts
• Kids with Android phones can now tap and pay with Google Wallet
• The Oura Ring 4 arrives at Costco in the latest expansion to more health-focused users
• Circular goes big, claims Blood pressure and glucose monitoring is coming to the Ring 2
• Gemini gets new features, including one that turns documents into fun podcasts

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 dive into a massive Pixel 10 leak that showed off all three models, Pixel users are scrambling after the latest March update, OnePlus has decided to ditch the alert slider, Android 16 Beta 3 arrives, and Google Assistant makes way for Gemini later this year. Ready to dive in?

Massive Pixel 10 trio leak

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You'd think it's too early for Pixel 10 leaks, but it looks like it isn't. CAD renders of the alleged Pixel 10 trio surfaced online with so much clarity that we thought it was the real deal. The renders were shared by tipster OnLeaks, revealing all the design and hardware of the device.

According to the tipster, not much could change in the next-gen Pixel. That said, it seems like the base model renders add an extra lens, giving it a triple camera array. Meanwhile, the other two models will stick to the same design with no significant hardware changes. However, the devices could obviously see some internal and software upgrades, including the new and powerful Tensor G5 chip.

We are hoping to catch a glimpse of the next flagship at the Google I/O event. While we wait, here's a look at what we'd wish to see with the Pixel 10 series.

Pixel March update chaos

Multiple bugs after March feature update from r/GooglePixel

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Google Pixel users were left scrambling to find solutions after their devices started acting up following the latest update. Several people, fuming, took to Reddit to see if they weren't the only ones dealing with this.

They say issues like a "random brightness drop" after watching a video on their Pixel 8 Pro. According to the post, their Pixel 8 Pro's display would flicker, and they'd suffer an "abrupt brightness drop" roughly "every 10 seconds." This occurred every time they streamed something on Netflix or Prime Video. This included anyone who had a Pixel 7 series to the latest Pixel 9. While the company is still working on a fix, here's a possible workaround you could try out in case you're someone with a faulty Pixel.

"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."

OnePlus to get rid of the Alert Slider

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OnePlus's CEO announced this week that the company plans to replace the long-standing alert slider with a new customizable button.

According to Pete Lau, the new button is designed to be more personalized, which is also not just smart but also “incredibly intuitive” and “future-ready.” He also reassures users that they will still be able to use it just like an Alert Slider if they want to switch sound profiles on their OnePlus handsets.

The company notes that it will consider user's feedback/ideas while rethinking what this button could do. However, Android Central's Nick Sutrich isn't so happy about this, stating, "The simplicity of the alert slider is what makes it so perfect, and replacing the alert slider is simply the wrong thing to do."

If you're someone who resonates with what Nick feels, head to the post on the OnePlus Community and put your two cents in.

Android 16 Beta 3 is here

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Google officially dropped a new beta version of the upcoming Android 16 update today (Mar. 13), which is set to debut in June. In a press release, the company said that Android 16 Beta 3 has reached the "Platform Stability" stage and that this will be available to all enrolled users, including those with Pixels.

This beta version is bringing a new accessibility tool for those with low vision. To help these users, the OS will outline text and change the background color of the text box, making the text pop and increasing legibility. Next is "Local Network Protection," which will essentially act as a gatekeeper for home devices. It will seek permission when an app tries to access/connect to devices like printers, smart TVs, or any other gadget that shares your Wi-Fi or Data — giving more control to the user.

Along with the above features, Google is finally bringing "Auracast" support to Pixels, which allows audio to be broadcast from one source to several others. This also offers additional accessibility as it's compatible with hearing aids and earbuds.

It's time to say "Bye, Google Assistant"

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Google Assistant has been around since 2016, and we've all gotten used to saying "Hey, Google" for a better part of a decade now. However, today, the company announced that it will be upgrading the Assistant with Gemini.

This switch is something that has been on the cards for a while now. Recent rumors even indicated a new wake word in the works, so it feels like we did see this coming.

In a Keyword post, the company stated that it will be upgrading Google Assistant with Gemini, "offering a new kind of help only possible with the power of AI." The upgrade is said to take personalization to a whole new level since Gemini will be able to interact with other apps on the phone to understand the user's choices better.

Google added that this switch to Gemini will happen "in the coming months." By the end of this year, people will not be able to download Google Assistant from app stores as it will be discontinued.

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:

• Apple says it will add RCS encryption to texts with Android following GSMA update
• Chromecast with Google TV suffers from its long-awaited Android 14 update
• 'We want to do it right this time,' Meta says as it starts testing Community Notes
• Samsung rumored to add 'variable' aperture on the Galaxy S26 Ultra's camera
• Google prepares huge Gemini app updates for 'personalization' with more to try out
• Samsung finally speaks out about One UI 8 as rumors of internal testing mount
• Google Photos on Android gets an 'undo backup' option to help you free up cloud space
• Google wants games to run smoother and play seamlessly across devices with new updates
• Google updates Find My Device with a 'People' tab location-sharing option
• One UI 7 finally gives the Galaxy Z Fold 6 a taste of that Pixel Fold trick

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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.

We're currently gearing up/packing our bags to head to sunny Barcelona to witness the yearly tech conference — Mobile World Congress (MWC). Two of Android Central's best, Derrek Lee and Harish Jonnalagadda, will be on the ground, giving us a first-hand account of all the tech innovations that will be showcased this year, and here's a gist of what we expect to see.

Now, getting back to what went down this week — the Pixel Watch 3 got FDA approval for loss of pulse, Slack's massive outage impacted workplaces globally, Clicks cases have landed on Android phones, Qualcomm plus Google collab gives the latest Android phones eight years of upgrades, and Nothing continues to drop specs of the Phone 3a ahead of launch next week. Let's get into it.

Pixel Watch 3 gets nod from FDA for loss of pulse feature

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On Wednesday, Pixel Watch 3 received FDA clearance to add a Loss of Pulse Detection feature to this wearable in the U.S. Here's how it is supposed to work: the watch will "detect when you’ve experienced a loss of pulse," which will then vibrate with a check-in message before setting off an alarm to alert people nearby. If you continue to be unresponsive, it will attempt to call 911 and send an automated message with your location to the emergency responder.

While this feature isn't new on the wearable, since it is already integrated into the Watch 3 in 14 countries in the EU and UK, it is now that users in the U.S. will finally have access to it.

The rollout of the "loss of pulse detection" is said to happen this month; however, this will only be limited to the Pixel Watch 3, and older generations will not see this feature.

Slack outage leaves workplaces scrambling

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No, you were not fired, but Slack was on a 'break' for thousands across the globe. The messaging app experienced an outage and workplaces that rely heavily on this app to communicate across the seem to have been seeing a "We’re having trouble loading your workspace" message pop up at the center of their screens.

When faced with the outage, Android Central's team creatively came up with a workaround to use a shared Google document to communicate, although it was far from perfect and mostly a hilarious mess.

Slack's status page indicated that the outage began at around 10:30 am ET, and users could not send or receive texts, view workflows or threads, and use other in-app features. Some are having trouble logging in to the app as well. Services were fully restored by the end of the day.

Click cases finally landed on Android phones

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Gone are the Blackberry days, but if you're someone who loves keypads, this one's for you. Clicks is finally going beyond iPhones and expanding its case compatibility with Android phones.

The company is rolling out new cases for the Google Pixel 9 series, Motorola Razr Plus, and Samsung Galaxy S25 series. These cases bring back tactile typing, giving you the satisfaction of using a keypad when you send out a text. These cases can snapped on by aligning your phone's charging port with the connector inside the case. This helps these cases run without any additional intervention. However, it is important to note that Clicks cases are not compatible with MagSafe chargers, but wireless charging could still work, nevertheless.

Users with a Google Pixel 9 and 9 Pro, the Motorola Razr Plus 2024, and the Samsung Galaxy S25 can pre-order these cases at a lowered cost of $99 until March 21. After this, the price will hit $139, with shipping for some starting in April.

Qualcomm and Google collab a win for some Android phones

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Qualcomm announced this week that it will be teaming up with Google to bring 8 years of updates to new and upcoming Android devices that have the new Snapdragon 8 series chipset or new Snapdragon 7 series chips launching later this year.

This means phones like the OnePlus 13, the Samsung Galaxy S25 series, Honor Magic 7 Pro, and the Asus ROG Phone 9 are all among the devices included to potentially receive up to eight consecutive years of Android software and security updates, assuming OEMs opt in. This collaboration promises to make it cheaper for manufacturers to provide these yearly upgrades.

Qualcomm is leaving eligibility for these updates to the OEM's discretion. That said, Google has already offered extended software support since the Pixel 8 series, offering 7 years of updates with its newer Tensor chipsets, and Samsung offers the same software update promise with its latest phones, including the Galaxy S25 series. Looks like the tech giant is trying to bring that same level of support to other phones on the market.

Nothing 3a series to get Pixel-like camera bar

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Nothing seems to be dropping more than just hints before it launches its next flagship phone. Recently, it teased the rear panel and camera array for a device from the Phone 3a series. The X post reads, "Technically refined. Enlightened in every aspect." The video shows a white device with three curved Glyph lighting LEDs around a horizontal camera bar. Ring a bell? The bar looks similar to the one we saw on Google's Pixel 7 Pro.

Earlier this week, In a separate teaser, the company showed off a gray device, allegedly the Phone 3a Pro, with a massive, circular camera with three lenses: a 50MP main camera, a 50MP periscope telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and an 8MP ultra-wide lens. The triple array also features quite a hefty camera bump, but it's still surrounded by a few of the company's signature Glyph lighting.

In a separate rumor, tipster Shivam Kumar claims that a new action button on the Phone 3a will launch a whole host of things that are part of an AI suite called "Essential Spaces."

That said, our speculations will be soon put to rest as the Nothing is set to launch both these flagship models on March 4.

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:

• OnePlus Watch 3 pre-orders are arriving with an apology letter
• Android 16 Beta 2.1 is here to fix a set of annoying bugs
• One UI 7 beta builds for the Samsung Galaxy S23 spotted on test servers
• Meta Aria Gen 2 smart glasses look like serious upgrade on Ray-Ban Meta
• Alexa gets a much-needed upgrade as Amazon catches up in the AI race
• Xiaomi 15 Ultra launches in China ahead of its global release at MWC
• Samsung's slimmest Galaxy S25 Edge tipped to be launching sooner
• Oura ring to read menstrual cycle changes to help women tailor their health habits
• YouTube is now 'the most frequently used' podcast client in the US
• Google doubles down on its 'voluntary exits,' offering more employees the option to leave

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 saw OnePlus admit its mistake with the Watch 3, Oppo's foldable Find N5 launched, Nothing compares Phone 3a's camera to the iPhone 16, a massive Pixel 9a leak brings full specs and Samsung confirms the existence of the unreleased Galaxy devices.

OnePlus' powerful Watch 3 arrives with a 'Meda' typo

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OnePlus has launched its latest smartwatch, the Watch 3 this week (Feb 18), and it's a major hardware upgrade over the OnePlus Watch 2. According to Android Central's Michael Hicks, the "active crown, fixed health tracking, eye-friendly display, smarter coprocessor, and larger battery capacity," takes it a notch higher than its predecessor.

The wearable has a 1.5-inch LTPO flexible display and a stainless steel exterior with a Titanium PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) bezel. What's more, is that the smartwatch has a dual chipset— the Snapdragon W5 and the new BES2800 MCU Efficiency which helps the WearOS 5 accomplish complex tasks.

"It not only enhances its operating speed but also significantly reduces power consumption, resulting in extended battery life," OnePlus added.

The company builds on the watch's battery, promising a 5-day battery life on Smart mode, which Nick Sutrich said has surpassed this limit after spending 10 days with the watch, thanks to the larger 631mAh Silicon NanoStack Battery.

The Watch 3 comes with a new feature called the 60S Health check-in that will give users a physical and mental health report in just 60 seconds and also gains an IP68 rating which allows the device to be submerged in 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. The OnePlus Watch 3 will have two colorways: Obsidian Titanium and Emerald Titanium and is priced at $330.

While focusing on what's built into the watch, OnePlus seems to have missed out on a tiny detail. A user on Reddit noticed a minor error with the wearable, where the company ended up engraving "Meda in China" instead of "Made in China," on the first batch that went out. Admitting its mistake OnePlus took to X (formerly Twitter) to put all the chatter to rest around the hilarious typo, stating it was completely unintentional.

"A typo slipped through and made its way onto your shiny new OnePlus Watch 3," the company said. And if users seem to have received one that says "Meda" on the wearable, they have one of two options. They can either keep it as a 'super limited edition' or return it to the company for a brand new one — minus the typo of course.

OPPO launches the slimmest foldable yet

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OPPO unveiled the company's newest foldable on Feb. 20 and has already become AC Harish Jonnalagadda's favorite foldable. Measuring just 8.92mm when folded and 4.21mm when open, the OPPO Find N5 comes with a 6.62-inch cover display and an 8.12-inch inner screen.

The most powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, is at the core of this foldable which is paired with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Out of the box it runs on ColorOS 15.0.1, based on Android 15.

Giving it a 4.5-star rating, Jonnaagadda said, "Once you combine all of that (hardware) with fluid software and meaningful multitasking features, it's no wonder that the Find N5 is now my favorite foldable phone."

When it comes to the cameras, it looks similar to its predecessor with curved corners— but it is so sleek that the array barely peeps out of the back panel, with 9.0mm thickness. It comes with a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide, and a 50MP telephoto lens for 3x optical zoom. Selfies and video calls are captured with 8MP front cameras on both the outer and inner displays.

The phone comes with a 5,600mAh battery that supports 80W wired charging and 50W wireless. The Find N5 will cost around $1,867, but won't be seen in the U.S. anytime soon.

Nothing compares Phone 3a's camera to iPhone 16 Pro Max

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Nothing has been dropping several hints about its new flagship device and recently teased its full camera array. In a YouTube video showcasing the device, Nothing says that the Phone 3a series will have a 50MP main camera sensor, an 8MP Ultra-wide, and a 50MP periscope telephoto lens on the rear.

Additionally, it will showcase another 50 MP front camera consisting of a periscope telephoto lens, that is said to come with a 3x optical zoom and a 6x "in-sensor zoom".

While boasting about the above, in the same YouTube video, the company mistakingly compared the lower-quality ultra-wide camera of the Phone 16 Pro Max to the Nothing Phone 3a's main camera. After several viewers spotted this potentially misleading comparison, Nothing said this was made as a result of an editing mistake and wasn't intentional. It then put out the following statement in a pinned YouTube comment and on Nothing's community page:

"Hey everyone, we shot across all lenses throughout the day (sometimes cycling one-handed on a bumpy road), and in editing, a clip shot using the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s ultrawide lens was mistakenly used in the video stabilization comparison instead of one shot using its standard lens. There was no intent to mislead, and we’ll be more careful to ensure even greater scrutiny in future comparisons. Appreciate you all keeping us accountable!"

Full renders of the upcoming Pixel 9a leak

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Google's next budget phone release is a few months away however, the leaks seem to be coming in hot. This time a German publication claims to have obtained the Pixel 9a's full specs and its colorways. The article stated that the device will feature a 6.3-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and comes with a 48MP primary lens with OIS (optical image stabilization) and a 13MP ultra-wide lens.

While we've seen most of these rumors previously, the images double down on them with the rear panel being nearly flat without the usual pill-shaped camera casing.

The device could get a 5,100mAh battery, as well as a 128GB and a 256GB storage option with 8GB RAM on both. While Google's Tensor G4 is expected to power the Pixel 9a. Colorways seem to be consistent across previous leaks, like Obsidian, Porcelain, Peony, and Iris. Lastly, the publication suggests the Pixel 9a could see a price hike in the U.S. starting at $499.

Samsung leaked three of its unreleased phones

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Samsung spilled the beans on three of its A-series phones this week. This occurred when the company updated its service list on a Chilean website that showcased the Galaxy A56, Galaxy A36, and Galaxy A26. The listings showed off the official names and model numbers of these phones, as seen below:

Samsung Galaxy A26 5G (SM-A266), Samsung Galaxy A36 5G (SM-A366) ,Samsung Galaxy A56 5G (SM-A566)

Additionally, the listing confirms that the Galaxy A56, Galaxy A36, and Galaxy A26 will be sold in Chile. While the cost of the out-of-warranty repair, though visible, showed "not available"

According to prior leaks, the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G may be powered by a Samsung Exynos 1580 chipset and could support 45W wired charging. Previous leaks revealed the design of the Galaxy A56, but the specs remain under wraps. We'll know more hopefully closer to launch which is expected around the first or second week of March.

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:

• Like earbuds, Google will change the Assistant's notifications on headphones
• Google will finally uncouple YouTube Premium and YouTube Music with 'Premium Lite'
• Android Auto's new update causes glitches for some users
• Pixel phones to gain an important battery feature, tipped by Android 16 beta
• Gemini adds document upload and analysis for free users
• OnePlus is 'working on' fixing two key Watch 3 downsides this year
• Samsung releases yet another One UI 7 beta update for the Galaxy S24
• Android 16's 'Live Updates' get previewed in an early beta test demo
• Humane will disable AI pins after $116 million buyout, leaving early adopters high and dry
• Strava upgraded its AI out of beta and added better anti-cheating tools

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 took us through OnePlus' decision to stall the launch of its next foldable, Android Beta 2 arrived, Samsung devices got a new One UI 7 feature, TikTok resurrects in app stores, and Spotify premium users faced a unique glitch. Let's dive in.

OnePlus Open 2 won't launch this year

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OnePlus is leaving the foldables scene, at least for this year. In a community blog post on their foldable strategy, Vale G, a OnePlus product manager, said the company is 'recalibrating their foldable strategy' and confirmed that it will be holding off on launching a OnePlus Open 2.

"At OnePlus, our core strength and passion lie in setting new benchmarks and challenging the status quo across all product categories. With that in mind, we’ve carefully considered the timing and our next steps in foldable devices, and we have made the decision not to release a foldable this year," the community post explained.

Since OnePlus and OPPO are sister companies, the two share combined hardware and research teams, as well as a common software codebase. It looks like the focus is now fully on launching the world's thinnest foldable, the OPPO Find N5, in the next couple of weeks. That said, OpenPlus doesn't fully rule out the possibility of launching Open 2 in the future.

"While this may come as a surprise, we believe this is the right approach for us at this time. That said, our decision to pause on foldable for this generation does not signify a departure from the category," the community post added.

While the OnePlus Open 2 won't make an appearance this year, the company's next wearable will still launch as scheduled. The company revealed the first full look of its OnePlus Watch 3, which will launch on February 18 in the US, Canada, and European markets.

In a detailed press release, the OnePlus claims that this new watch is set to blend in with the user's daily needs with a "classic, premium, and durable design." That said, the company is going full throttle on its "Never Settle" mantra by offering the Watch 3 with a whopping 16-day battery life on power saver mode and a prolonged 120 hours of battery on Smart mode. This is a bump from the 100-hour limit on its predecessor.

Android 16 Beta 2 arrives with some fun updates

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Earlier this week, Google released the second beta of Android 16 to Pixel phones enrolled for it. The update came with some much-needed media, camera, and graphics features. The Beta 2 comes with something called the 'hybrid auto-exposure mode,' which allows users manual and auto-exposure options while capturing images.

Right now, users can choose either one of the above and not a combination of the two settings. With Android 16 Beta 2, they can control ISO or exposure time and use auto-exposure algorithms simultaneously. Beta 2 also brings actions for motion photos, a combination of still images and short videos with audio so that developers can decide where the motion photo will be saved.

Google remains on track to meet its new Android release schedule, meaning Android 16 will be released to the public in the second quarter of 2025.

One UI 7 brings fun Home Up Refresh feature

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Samsung's One UI 7 Home Up Module was spotted on a Reddit thread recently, obviously a beta version of the feature. The original poster displayed the "limitless" possibilities of the refreshed module in One UI 7, which showcased apps and folder placement. Pinching inward on their display brought up the usual home screen editing options but with a newly added "DIY Home" button.

What's more, is that tapping on the icon gives users complete freedom over the size and orientation of an app widget or folder. With this, you could basically place any app icon anywhere you'd like on the home screen without following the rules of the usual grid. The user is also able to overlap widgets and apps for a truly chaotic home screen. The demo only shows these changes applying to the apps above the bottom toolbar like messaging, phone calls, contacts, or anything else. Additionally, tapping a folder that's been rotated or upside down will open apps in it as normal.

People enrolled in the beta program can give these customizations a go. However, the company is reportedly pushing back the stable rollout of this OS on the Galaxy S24 due to a display coloring issue. Samsung stated that One UI 7 was preparing to hit older Galaxy S devices "imminently" in Q1 2025.

TikTok is back in US app stores

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After a good 20-day break, Tiktok made a comeback on app stores. in the U.S. following the government's reported "reassurances." According to Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, TikTok was first spotted on the Apple App Store. Several other users took to X, stating that the app had on Feb. 12. It looks like the app was being made available in phases and rolled out to most users today Feb.14.

Additionally, the publication reports that the app has reappeared on the Google Play Store. Android Central has also spotted TikTok's availability via the Play Store, so users who may have deleted the app or never had it can now download it.

While this may be good news for several avid TikTok-ers, Bloomberg states it has 75 days (from Jan 20) to find common ground with the U.S. government over privacy/security concerns. This looks like an interim solution while the company buys time to settle things with the present authorities.

Spotify bug messed with Premium subscribers

Spotify premium subscribers had a frustrating experience this week. Despite paying $12 per month for an ad-free service, they ended up hearing commercial ads that disrupted their podcast or music. There were multiple reports of this issue on Spotify's community forums, dating back to last Friday, Feb. 7. People were reporting issues and reaching out to support in multiple ways, with one user saying that it has been "impossible to talk to anyone at Spotify."

Only a week later, Spotify seemed to look into the issue. Spotify said, "Our tech teams are currently investigating reports of Premium users hearing ads. We'll keep you posted here if we have any news to share, so make sure to Subscribe to the thread to stay tuned."

Initially, the company asked users affected to add to the thread their device information, app version or web player, the type of ad they heard, and any troubleshooting steps they've already taken.

However, a few hours later, Spotify posted an update on its community forum confirming that the issue was the result of a bug and has since been fixed. "We have good news from our teams a fix for the instances where Premium users noticed ads when listening to music has been deployed and you should notice a difference right away," the company said. "It's worth keeping in mind, however, that it is expected that both free & Premium users may still see ads when listening to podcasts."

More stories this week

• YouTube TV reaches temporary deal to keep Paramount channels, including CBS
• Google Contacts gets a sweet, emoji-based profile update for people you've saved
• Duolingo's Duo the Owl and other characters are being taken out, one by one
• Nothing's Qualcomm teaser might signify a budget SoC for the Phone 3a
• Google updates Gemini Live, plans screen sharing and live video support
• The first Galaxy S25 update is here with a trove of security fixes post-launch
• Past-gen Galaxy S phones could miss out on a large part of One UI 7's AI
• New Galaxy A56 and A36 renders surface indicating an imminent launch
• Galaxy S25 Ultra fairs well in iFixit teardown, but Samsung still has work to do
• YouTube wants to use machine learning to figure out who's lying about their age

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 got a glimpse of how Alphabet faired this quarter, Zenfone 12 Ultra launches, Nothing teased yet another part of its Phone 3a, Huawei's trifold phone and Meta gets into AI wearables while its Vice President of VR steps down.

Alphabet's Q4 report

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Alphabet announced its Q4 results this week, and it looks like it had a 12% revenue increase year-over-year to $96.47 billion in Q4 2024. This brought the company's total revenue for the year to $350 billion, a 14% increase year-over-year.

Google Service's revenues increased by 10% to $84.1 billion in the quarter, which the company attributed to the "strong momentum across Google Search & other and YouTube ads."

Looking ahead into the year, the company’s CEO, Sundar Pichai, said in the earnings statement that the quarter was strong "driven by our leadership in AI and the momentum across the business."

"We are building, testing, and launching products and models faster than ever, and making significant progress in computing and driving efficiency," Pichai said.

This year's statement was very AI-focused, underscoring the launch of DeepSeek, which has turned the tables for many such companies developing AI.

"The reason we are so excited about the AI opportunity is we know we can drive extraordinary use cases because the cost of actually using it is going to keep coming down, which will make more use cases feasible. And that's the opportunity space, you know, it's as big as it comes. And that's why you're seeing us invest to meet that moment," Pichai noted during the earnings call.

ASUS launches Zenfone 12 Ultra

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ASUS launched its newest Zenfone 12 Ultra. That comes packed with "prioritized simplicity, elegance, and beauty," according to the company.

On the display front, it consists of a 6.78-inch FHD Plus screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, and users can bump this up to 144Hz while gaming for titles like Honkai: Star Rail or Zenless Zone Zero.

When it comes to the phone's cameras, it has a 50MP Sony Lytia 500 primary lens with 2x lossless zoom, a 13MP ultrawide lens, and a 32MP telephoto sensor with "built-in" OIS (optical image stabilization). On the front, it gets a selfie camera at 32MP with a 90-degree FOV (field of view).

At the core, the Zenfone 12 Ultra comes with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite, just like the Samsung Galaxy S25 series. The device also comes packed with AI tools like AI Tracking for subject detection in videos, AI Portrait Video 2.0 during 4K recordings for "precision tracking," and AI Voice Clarity.

Zenfone 12 Ultra is available in three colors: Sage Green, Ebony Black, and Sakura White. This phone is only available in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Europe at €1,099 (~$1,143).

First look at Nothing 3a's camera

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Nothing seems to be playing its cards right leading up to its new flagship launch that is set for March 4. This week, Nothing posted an official teaser image of the side of the Phone 3a that was glowing white. The only tagline by the company reads, "Your second memory, one click away."

This left many speculating on X if Nothing has teased a physical camera button for the Phone 3a — much like what we get to see in the iPhone 16 series. This would let users place the phone in landscape or portrait mode and press the side-mounted button instead of tapping the display.

If this were true, Nothing's Phone 3a would likely be the first ever Android phone to feature a camera button that could potentially allow users to control and swap between camera modes by slowly swiping along the button or pressing to snap a photo.

Huawei leaps on the multi-fold game

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Recently, Huawei posted an "innovative product launch" teaser on X, which left people to wonder if the company's first multi-fold phone is arriving in global markets outside of China. The Chinese OEM said, "Be part of the extraordinary as we unveil the ultimate." The final part, "the ultimate," seemingly refers to the Mate XT, also known as the Mate XT Ultimate Design.

Additionally, the post features a teaser image that looks like the Z-Shape. Aside from users speculating it could be the Mate XT in its X thread, the company has only responded with "Stay tuned!"

In September 2024, Huawei launched the world's first multi-fold phone, which, when fully unfolded, the device features a tablet-like 10.2-inch display. The interesting thing about this phone is that users can use it in different "modes" or "states." Using a singular screen will give you a phone-style 6.4-inch OLED display while unfolding an additional screen provides a 7.9-inch experience.

At its maximum, the Mate XT is said to utilize the company's "golden ratio" of 16:11 in 3K resolution.

Meta's chase for the Metaverse

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Meta's Andrew Bosworth says 2025 is the 'make-or-break' year for the Metaverse. In a leaked internal memo, Bosworth hinted at the Reality Labs’ work in mixed reality will either be game-changing or a potential "legendary misadventure."

Bosworth adds that Meta is sticking with the metaverse, including Horizon Worlds, through 2025, although the company will have to "need to drive sales, retention, and engagement across the board but especially in MR." Reality Labs, Meta's VR division, has taken several billions in funding, but it hasn't yet lived up to its word of making it big in the VR world. Reality Labs also added nearly $5 billion in losses last quarter,

In other news, Meta's VP of VR and mixed reality (MR) has quit the company. Mark Rabkin has had the title of VP of VR/MR since the Oculus Quest 2 launched in 2020.

In a letter shared on Facebook, Rabkin describes his time at Meta as a "foundational, formative experience." Rabkin said he's leaving due to family health struggles at home, noting that he'll be taking some time off work rather before moving to a different position inside the company.

Rabkin has worked on many major projects from the ground up, like the Meta Quest headsets, over the past six years, including the transition from Oculus to Meta branding, creating record revenues of over 1 billion dollars last quarter alone. And played a major role in the Meta Quest 3S launch. According to Rabkin, Ryan Cairns, who formerly led Portal and Meta for Work initiatives, will now be filling his shows. Cairns is expected to assume the full title of VP of VR/MR at the beginning of March and will report to Vishal Shah, who will remain VP of Metaverse.

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:

• Galaxy Z Fold 7 tipped to be just an upscaled version of Z Fold Special Edition
• Google Messages seems nearly ready for its promised 911 RCS support
• Samsung's new Galaxy Buds 3 Pro control widget now takes up more space
• The Galaxy S24 Ultra just broke new ground for Android flagships
• Another One UI 7 beta will sadly delay Samsung's Galaxy S24 stable rollout
• Android smartwatches should soon get better charging options
• The Pixel Weather app just got a handy update for unit measurements
• Google warns Android users of a zero-day software exploit causing instability
• Galaxy S25 Ultra's durability test showcases its stronger build and fake camera rings
• Google Pixel 9a tipped to come with freebies like YouTube Premium and more

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

This week we get into the nitty-gritty of the new AI on the block Deep Seek, Garmin watch owners had a rough few days, Samsung and the S Pen saga, Meta announced its earnings, and Pebble watches made a comeback. Let's get into it.

DeepSeek in the spotlight

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DeepSeek is what's been on most people's minds this past week as a Chinese AI model has decided to go head-to-head with its U.S.-rival AI companies. So what exactly is this?

DeepSeek is an open-source AI ChatBot based on Meta's free and open-source Llama 3.3, trained by the DeepSeek team. But what's fueling the hype is that the company claims they developed this LLM at an exponentially lower price than most other LLMs we know of today. By comparison, OpenAI charges $200 a month for ChatGPT Pro, while DeepSeek R1 gives you the same skills as the LLM for free.

While understanding how this large language model is gaining its skills, AI analyst Alexander Doria confirmed in a recent X post the chip powering the DeepSeek R1 model, stating that DeepSeek’s R1 large-language model (LLM) was first trained using NVIDIA's H100, but now it fully functions on Huawei’s Ascend 910C chip to generate responses.

DeepSeek seems to be shifting the norm by making well-developed AI accessible to everyone for free and being independent of U.S-based chip companies putting them at risk. For the first time, NVIDIA took a massive hit on Monday, losing $593 billion in market value as their stocks tanked.

It remains to be seen how this AI model will take on the big players in the business and whether it will be able to keep up its hype.

Garmin's blue triangle of death

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Garmin watch users had a rough 2-day period dealing with their wearables, as most of them were in a frozen state.

Several users globally were impacted by a Garmin GPS-related outage that made these wearables practically useless and stuck on the boot screen or displaying a blue triangle. Several Forerunner models (265, 965, 255, and 955), the Garmin Venu 2 and 3, the Garmin Fenix 7, and the Epix Pro Gen 2, and more faced this issue.

Initially, Connect Garmin's Status website indicated that Activity Uploads are down, with the warning "We are aware of an issue causing some devices to be stuck on the start-up screen or a blue triangle."

The company also issued a temporary fix to those affected, asking them to hard reset their devices. DC Rainmaker reported that the issue stems from a bad "satellite pre-cache file" that was putting these watches in a bootloop.

The recommendation is still to hold down your watch's Light or Power button for up to 30 seconds to turn it off, then turn it back on and see if the problem is resolved. After two days of experimenting with a fix, Garmin said, "We have resolved the underlying issue causing some devices to be stuck on the startup screen or a blue triangle" on a banner located on its Garmin Support page.

And if you "Press and hold the power/light button on the device until the watch shuts off," turn it back on, then sync it with your Connect app or plug it into your computer's Garmin Express app, it should solve your watch's issue and replace the malicious file that caused this issue.

Samsung and the S Pen saga

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Earlier this week, Samsung had to do a bit of damage control on the S Pen situation. It all began when a Samsung blog and some Amazon listings suggested that a Bluetooth S Pen that is compatible with the Galaxy S25 Ultra could be bought separately.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra launched without a Bluetooth-enabled S Pen, built-in or sold separately. This is why, when a Samsung Business Insights blog suggested that Galaxy S25 Ultra owners could buy a Bluetooth S Pen separately, it came as a relief for some. Additionally, some Amazon listings for the official S25 Ultra S Pen in certain regions also mention Bluetooth support. Samsung's official listings didn't mention this; however, the situation quickly snowballed since the listing shows only the standard Galaxy S25 Ultra S Pen and the S Pen Pro.

Later, attempts to link the S Pen Pro to the S25 Ultra during a media briefing failed, and a Samsung exec eventually confirmed the two aren’t compatible.

Fast forward two days, Samsung had to remove all mentions of a Bluetooth-enabled S Pen from the blog post.

Meta's record-breaking Q4

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On Thursday (Jan. 30), Meta reported another record-breaking quarter for Q4 2024, showing a 21% uptick in revenue over the same quarter in 2023. Meta earned $48 billion in revenue during Q4 2024, and the company's full-year earnings totaled $164 billion, a 22% increase over 2023's $134 billion in overall revenue.

Meta attributed these massive numbers to ads revenue, bringing in a record-breaking $46.7 billion, while Meta's Reality Labs division also broke records with $1.08 billion in revenue. CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that ad revenue was up for two primary reasons: 3.35 billion people used Meta products and services in 2024, delivering more ad impressions, while the average price per ad simultaneously increased 14% YoY.

Looking into 2025, Meta will be launching "a new, more personalized AI," and the company expects to reach 1 billion users by year's end. The company teased 2025 as the year "we get back to the OG Facebook" but didn't expand on that. Instagram, Reels, WhatsApp, and Threads also are expected to continue to grow throughout 2025.

Furthermore, Meta revealed that it plans to have billions of smart glasses on the market, which sounds like a hefty goal given the current growth trajectory of the market.

Pebble watch resurrection

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Pebble watches have been extinct, so to speak, since the past decade, and this week, PebbleOS's code was made open-source by Google. The Google Open Source Blog announced that it will be sharing the Github repository for the PebbleOS source code.

Although some "proprietary source code" was removed, anyone can take the remaining code and generate a new version of PebbleOS, with functionality like "notifications, media controls, fitness tracking, and support for custom apps and watch faces" available.

Now Pebble's former founder, Eric Migicovsky, has announced plans to bring back the brand, launching a new watch with "the same specs and features as Pebble, though with some fun new stuff as well."

Now that PebbleOS is officially open source, Migicovsky and his "small team" can work on bringing us a new and improved Pebble-like watch.

"Lessons were learned last time," Migicovsky admits in his blog post, referring to how he oversaw Pebble's popularity on Kickstarter and the rise and fall of the company — having to sell it to Fitbit.

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:

• Google Maps update for the Now Bar prepares it for One UI 7's wider rollout
• Nothing confirms the 'Phone 3a Series' will arrive in March, launch signups begin
• The stable version of Gemini 2.0 Flash is rolling out now in the Gemini app
• The Google Pixel 9a's exact release date is already known, report claims
• Google Maps to rename 'Gulf of Mexico' to 'Gulf of America' following Trump executive order
• The Pixel Buds Pro 2 finally get their first update, four months later
• Geekbench 6.4 is here with improved support for Arm Scalable Matrix Extensions
• Honor jabs Samsung, says the Magic 7 Pro 'outshines' the Galaxy S25 Ultra in four ways
• Samsung exec teases a future with glucose monitoring on the Galaxy Watch
• Meta AI rolls out preference-based answers using your shared data

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 gave us the new Galaxy S25 series and a lot of other advancements in tech that were shown off at this year's Samsung Galaxy Unpacked, but you can always catch up on Samsung's biggest announcements if you missed them. However, several other news stories took the spotlight this week, and here's what we got: Netflix raises its prices again, we got a new smartwatch for kids, Android 16's Beta rollout, Samsung could be working on a Tri-fold phone, and also a charger that has a 3-in-1 Qi2 wireless charger ready for Galaxy S25.

Netflix just got pricier

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Netflix recently published its Q4 revenue report and highlights that this past quarter was definitely one that will go down in history. The company states that its revenue had grown by 16% YoY (year over year), assisted by "19M paid net adds," and that it finished 2024 with about 302M subscribers. The company clearly stated that they "overperformed" this year, and it was pretty unexpected.

However, during their earnings call, the streaming giant stated that, despite their magical quarter, it looks like some bad news is coming our way. The company is reportedly gearing up to increase the price of its "most popular U.S. plan" by $2.50. The publication states the price of this plan — which could become the Standard Plan — will jump to $17.99 per month.

The price hike is set to hit U.S., Canada, Argentina, and Portugal. While we aren't sure why these specific areas were chosen to execute the increase in prices, it still remains to be seen when the *Tudum* bomb might drop on other regions as well.

Samsung and Google collab gave us a new smartwatch experience

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The kid's smartwatch section got a tough competitor this week.

Samsung and Google have teamed up to bring us a new kid-friendly cellular-enabled Galaxy Watch this week. The "kid-friendly smartwatch experience" lets you convert a regular Galaxy Watch 7 LTE into one with built-in parental controls.

According to the company, once you set up the eSim, the Galaxy Watch 7 LTE becomes a new device, similar to Google's Fitbit Ace LTE, and can be switched back to an ordinary Galaxy 7 smartwatch when the child gets old enough.

Parents will be able to use the Google Family Link app to supervise their restricted Google account so they can only call or text approved contacts. It also lets adults approve or block Wear OS apps and set a School Time window helping them focus better on the task at hand.

This new watch for kids will let parents track their child's real-time location with the built-in dual-band GPS, however we aren't sure if you'd be able to set up a notification if your child leaves that specific location.

Google also announced new Galaxy Watch for Kids apps on the Play Store with the "Teacher Approved" badge, meaning they're age-appropriate and focus on educational areas like "math, science, history, music, creativity, emotional well-being, and physical activity."

Android 16 gets its first public beta

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Google dropped the new and updated first beta version of Android 16 earlier this week. The company stated that this initial build of Android 16 is loaded with support for future features and ample window for developers to experiment and work with.

To start, the post states Android 16 Beta 1 works to improve the "app adaptability" users experience across devices. Google seems to have removed the size restriction on apps and will reportedly allow "large screen devices" to run apps in any size window and aspect ratio, which will benefit foldable phones.

Google says Android 16 Beta 1 will bring "Live Updates," like the Now Bar we caught a glimpse of on the Samsung S25 series. This will also debut on Pixels soon and can "monitor" ongoing activities "among other notifications."

According to their presser, Android 16 seems to be gearing up for launch in summer this year, aka Q2 — which is much earlier than Google's usual rollout. More importantly, Google states that while the major release is in Q2, users should also expect minor SDK releases (for features and more) sometime in Q4 2025.

Samsung sneakily dropped a tri-fold phone teaser

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This year's Galaxy Unpacked was filled with small peeks into Samsung's future plans. In a graphic that explained the timeline of various devices, with the Android XR headset in the middle, we spotted Galaxy Z Fold to the left and an outline of a tri-fold phone.

For several months now, Samsung has been rumored to be working on a phone that folds into itself like a book. Various prototypes were seen at the CES 2025 at the Samsung Display booth. During Unpacked, the company showcased another such concept on screen but didn't even touch the topic, as it kept the focus on the Galaxy S25 and how Galaxy AI will be integrated into each of the above devices.

Earlier this week, a rumor surfaced suggesting that Samsung's tri-fold will "feature a 9.9 to 10-inch screen when unfolded." That said, production for the tri-fold phone could begin in Q2 2025, putting it sometime between April and June.

Samsung S25 MagSafe charger could be in the works

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The Samsung Galaxy S25 series is compatible with Qi2 chargers but doesn't come with charging magnets of its own. However, we spotted a charger that is on its way that could be just what S25 users are looking for... so long as they have a compatible MagSafe case.

A Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) website listing has indicated that a new 3-in-1 Qi2 charger suitable for the Galaxy S25 series has made its way for certification. The charger is said to be manufactured by a company called WITS, which is a wireless charging business that Samsung Electronics acquired in 2019.

According to images from the WPC certification, the 3-in-1 Qi2 charger can wirelessly charge a Qi2 Ready phone next to a Galaxy Watch or Galaxy Ring, respectively. This means any Galaxy S25 model can be charged at 15W wireless speeds using a Qi2 charger, which is a significant bump from 7.5W.

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:

• The Samsung Galaxy S25 series supports satellite connectivity, but there's a catch
• Leak suggests S25 Edge will have a 'slim' battery and charging speed
• One test proves the Galaxy S25 Ultra's battery and charging improvements
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra ups its screen game with the new Gorilla Armor 2
• Meta's XR plans reportedly include seeding Orion to devs and Oakley smart glasses
• Fitbit has a battery overheating problem and here's what to do if you have one
• Another OnePlus 13 update expands its AI translations and fixes bugs
• HTC VIVE engineers join Google for Android XR push
• Meta upgrades WhatsApp with a cross-posting feature for all your other profiles
• Google expands AI Overviews in Circle to Search for the Galaxy S25 series and more

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.

The countdown to Samsung's Unpacked has begun, and in a week, we will see what this year's models look like. This week, Galaxy S25 leaks came in hot, we got a Moto G launch, the Galaxy Ring just received more updates, Honor Magic 7 Pro launched globally, and the new OnePlus models got their first update.

Samsung S25 leaks

More on these stories in the embedded links below.

We all know too well that the week before a launch is crucial. However, this is also a time when we get to see a plethora of leaks. From device colors to AI powers, we got to see them all building the excitement for some or taking the mystery out for others.

Evan Blass has been putting out information about the Galaxy S25 series. In the first set of leaks, Blass reportedly sent an email carrying his newsletter, which contained renders of the Galaxy S25 and its entire alleged color palette. According to Blass, the S25 Ultra is set to receive four options such as black, white, grayish blue, and gray.

In another email, Blass sent alleged official promotional posters from Samsung that painted a picture of how the cameras on these devices will likely appear. The first image shows the two devices, which seem to be the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus models, in deep blue and silver color variants. The image gives us a close-up of the trio's cameras on the back, with black rims surrounding them.

Additionally, within the image, a new AI feature was spotted that is said to come with the One UI 7. The screen displays an interactive bar at the bottom, dubbed “Now Bar,” with the “Now Brief” prompt visible that reads "Get today's highlight."

Another device we got to see is the Galaxy S25 Slim. We got a glimpse at renders of the assumed device that were discovered by OnLeaks. The images suggest the device will look a lot like the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Plus, with rumors suggesting a size closer to the Plus and Ultra with a completely flat display.

The leaker suggests that the Galaxy S25 Slim will be roughly "1.6mm narrower, 3.8mm shorter, and 1.8mm thinner" than the upcoming S25 Ultra. There are claims that the phone will have the same camera setup as the S25 phones—three cameras: a 200MP primary lens, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a 50MP ALoP telephoto camera with 3.5x zoom.

To know more about what to expect at this January's Unpacked event, head to our ultimate guide.

Hello Motos

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This week, Motorola launched its first pair of budget devices for 2025—the Moto G Power 2025 and Moto G 2025 (now omitting the "5G" from their names).

Talking about the Moto G Power's design, it comes with a vegan leather back that covers the 50MP triple camera array. The phone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300, with 8GB of RAM on board. The phone also gets the latest Android 15 out of the box with features like audio sharing and Smart Connect.

The device gets a 5,000mAh battery, which Motorola says will enable all-day battery life. The Power 2025 also comes with an 8MP ultrawide camera. What's surprising is that this time, Motorola has managed to achieve the MIL-STD-810H certification and IP68/IP69 water and dust resistance, similar to the OnePlus 13, in its $299 device. This means the phone can withstand being submerged and should be able to hold out when facing high-pressure water jets. The Moto G Power 2025 comes in Slate Gray and Leaf Green colorways.

The other model, the Moto G 2025, features a smaller 6.7-inch display and the same Dimensity 6300 chipset. The difference between this and the Power 2025 is the lower 4 or 6GB of RAM and 64 or 128GB of expandable storage (compared to 256GB). The device sports a 2MP macro sensor. The Moto G 2025 gets a 5,000mAh battery and upgraded charging speeds up to 30W when compared to its predecessor. This device is set to come in two colors: Forest Gray and Sapphire Blue. It will be available starting January 30 for $199.

Galaxy Ring gets new upgrades

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If you thought that the Galaxy Ring couldn't get any better, this week, Samsung announced five new ways that it's doing just that. The Samsung Galaxy Ring now comes in sizes 5-15, adding two larger sizes to its existing ones—14 & 15, in all three colorways, including silver, gold, and black, and will debut on January 22, 2025, alongside the upcoming Galaxy S25 series.

It is also bringing new features to the ring, to start, the mindfulness tracker will be available in the Samsung Health app soon. The new mindfulness section of the app will show a calendar with easy-to-understand, color-coded faces that summarize each day's mood, breathing, and stress levels.

In the first half of 2025, Samsung will add a new sleep environment report that will use SmartThings-connected devices to add temperature, humidity, air quality, and light intensity to your morning sleep report. Later in the second half of 2025, it will bring another update to the Galaxy Ring that will suggest optimal bedtime and wake-up time based on collected sleep patterns, habits, and conditions.

Samsung is also expanding its availability in 16 new countries, including Cyprus, Czech, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mauritius, New Zealand, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Zambia.

Honor Magic 7 Pro launch

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Honor launched its Magic 7 Pro in Europe this week. The brand's high-end flagship is different from the China model that debuted in November 2024. The E.U. model of the Magic 7 Pro has a 6.8-inch screen that comes with a "Natural Light HONOR AI Eye Comfort Display." It uses the same battery technology with a smaller 5,270mAh capacity. The device has third-gen silicon-carbon batteries that provide higher capacities in smaller sizes, allowing the Magic 7 Pro to measure 8.8mm thick. The Honor Magic 7 Pro comes with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor.

When it comes to the camera array, the main Honor Magic 7 Pro camera is a 50MP, f/1.4 to f/2.0 adjustable aperture sensor with optical image stabilization. There's a 200MP periscope telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom and a 50MP wide camera with a 122-degree field-of-view. When it comes to the selfie camera, it sports a 50MP wide camera.

It's also a very tough phone, as Honor demonstrated by preparing food on the phone, sticking it in a dishwasher, dropping it out of a moving ATV, and then running it over with said ATV.

The Magic 7 Pro will be available in the U.K. starting at £1,099.99 and in the rest of Europe for €1,299.99.

OnePlus 13 and 13R get their first round of updates

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The OnePlus 13 and the OnePlus 13R debuted last week globally. Both phones seemed to have received their first round of updates.

The OnePlus 13R, which launched with Android 15-based OxygenOS 15, has started git its OxygenOS 15.0.0.403 update for users in India, Europe, and North America. The OnePlus 13 has also started getting the CPH2655_15.0.0.402(EX01) build update. This is bringing in tons of improvements and fixes, as well as December 2024 security patches, to the phones.

Most importantly, the OnePlus 13 is receiving core AI updates and the inclusion of Gemini Nano. This will apply to the Google Messages app on the OnePlus 13 with Magic Compose, which is an experimental feature that uses AI to generate suggested replies.

According to the full changelog posted by OnePlus, both phones will see improvements when it comes to shots captured through Photo mode. The shots taken through both handsets' primary camera and telephoto will start looking better, with color enhancements coming in with the update. The OnePlus 13 and the 13R have a Touch-to-share feature, which now supports iOS devices, making file and photo sharing easier between phones.

That said, the company says this update is being rolled out in batches, and users could expect to see the update as early as this weekend.

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:

• Android 15 is finally here for the Nothing Phone (1) and CMF Phone 1
• Google Chrome to leverage on AI for less intrusive permission notifications
• Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy SoC surfaces in new Galaxy S25 spec leak
• Samsung's apps might work closer with Gemini as several extensions leak
• Samsung Care Plus users with Theft & Loss pick up unlimited, free screen repairs
• Google is upping Gemini's skills by partnering with the Associated Press
• Samsung teases big next steps for Galaxy AI's 'multimodal' Sketch to Image
• Rumor claims Motorola's next Razr Plus could launch earlier than usual
• Android 16 might give the volume UI a visually refreshing new look
• ChatGPT moves in on Google again as 'Scheduled Tasks' enters beta

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 into a massive Samsung Galaxy S25 series leak ahead of launch, OnePlus 13 and 13R launch globally, Qualcomm confirms its presence at Samsung's Unpacked event, One UI 7 gets its third Beta update and Qi2 will debut on more Android phones this year.

Major Samsung S25 series leak with full specs and renders

Read more here and here.

It's been quite the week of leaks for Samsung, so to speak. First, the specs of the devices leaked online, followed by the full renders with over 75 odd pictures of what we think is the actual Samsung S25 series.

The morning of Jan. 10 started off with pictures of official renders of the alleged Samsung Galaxy S25 series that were posted by Android Headlines. First up we see the S25 Ultra pictures that show rounded corners and an entirely flat display and sides for the phone. The back of the device is shown with its rumored four-camera array and lenses that could have black rims. The publication states the Galaxy S25 Ultra could see the following colors upon release: Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Silver Blue, and Titanium White Silver.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus pictures reveal that they look a lot like their previous models, and each device features rounded corners, a triple camera array, and thin bezels. However, the only visible change is with the lenses, as those could grab the same black rings as the Ultra model. They are said to come in four colorways: Silver Shadow, Ice Blue, Navy, and Mint.

Along with the renders, the entire spec sheet of the models was also leaked by the same publication. The trio's entire spec sheet shows that the Ultra is rumored to grab a 6.9-inch screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. For its cameras, the device could see a 200MP primary lens, a 50MP ultra-wide-angle camera, a 50MP periscope telephoto camera, and a 10MP telephoto.

The S25 and S25 Plus could see a 6.2-inch Full HD Plus display and a 6.7-inch display, respectively. They will have a triple camera array featuring a 50MP primary camera, a 12MP ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 10MP telephoto lens. Both handsets will also have a 12MP selfie shooter on the front.

For more on Samsung's upcoming flagship, visit our Galaxy S25 guide.

OnePlus 13 and 13R launch

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The OnePlus 13 and 13R have made their global debut and come packed with AI capabilities and powerful performance for next-gen users. The OnePlus 13 has a 6.8-inch QHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, and a larger 6,000 mAh battery. For the camera systems, OnePlus partnered once again with Hasselblad for a powerful triple camera system: a 50MP Sony LYT-808 main camera, a 50MP ultrawide camera, and a 50MP 3X Triprism Telephoto camera, which is equipped to capture shots at more than 10X zoom.

Android Central's Nick Sutrich said in his camera review that the OnePlus 13 can stand tall knowing that "it's got one of the finest mobile cameras available today."

OnePlus 13R gets the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, with a 6.78-inch 1.5K ProXDR flat display, 6,000 mAh battery, and an upgraded camera system. The camera system has taken a step further when compared to the OnePlus 12R. Its main 50MP camera, equipped with the Sony LYT-700 sensor and OIS, helps shoot better images in low-light conditions. The camera can also capture swift moments like the OnePlus 13, with a 50MP telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom for sharp, detailed portraits and an 8MP ultra-wide camera for capturing "expansive scenes."

The OnePlus 13 comes in three colors, Midnight Ocean, Arctic Dawn, and Black Eclipse, costing $899.99, while the 13R comes in two colorways — Nebula Noir and Astral Trail, which costs $599.99.

Both devices are currently available for pre-order.

Qualcomm sends a cryptic message to Samsung

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There have been several rumors floating around about the chip that is set to power the new Samsung Galaxy S25 series— the Snapdragon 8 Elite, although Samsung has not yet confirmed the above, Qualcomm seemingly put these rumors to rest this week when it replied to Samsung on the Unpacked tweet.

Samsung's tweet went live on Jan. 6, and just a day later, Qualcomm wanted to join in on the fun. The official account for the Snapdragon brand quoted Samsung's post on Jan. 7 with the cryptic message: "See you there."

While not a confirmation as such, this post from Qualcomm subtly hints that this specific Qualcomm chipset would fit perfectly in the S25 puzzle. Snapdragon 8 Elite is expected to bring in higher video quality, especially in low light settings, and overall improved performance of the phone — as seen in other flagship phones like the OnePlus 13.

Third One UI 7 Beta is out

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Samsung finally released the third beta of the One UI 7 in several regions. And users of the Galaxy S24, S24 Plus, and the Galaxy S24 Ultra, started getting the new Android 15-based One UI 7 beta 3 updates in Germany.

Per the changelog, the update brings improvements and several bug fixes. One of them is that Game Booster mode will have the ability to change the screen playback's default setting, change the FPS setting name and max value, and the ability to set the default scanning rate to 120Hz.

The other fixes include improvements to the lock screen, always-on display, and status bar battery icon (revamped with One UI 7). The issue with the volume key operation error while using Routine+ mode is believed to be fixed with the new update. Edge panel tools, which weren't displayed earlier, seem to have been fixed now.

Owners of the Galaxy S24 series who have enrolled in the One UI 7 beta program will receive this update. That said, Samsung is swamped with its upcoming Unpacked launch, where it will presumably launch One UI 7.

Qi2 is (finally) coming

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According to a recent press release by Wireless Power Consortium, more Android flagship devices will start seeing Qi2 charging compatibility based on MagSafe magnetic charging. "We can expect an acceleration in Android devices with Qi2 built in during 2025," the presser stated.

That said, part of the announcement was to highlight the new Qi2 Ready, which gives Android OEMs a workaround to bring Qi2 without embedding magnets into the phone. Instead, they'll have to use magnetic cases to bring full Qi2 compliance.

Samsung also stated in the press release that it will bring phones with the new charging standard.

"You can expect to see Android devices supporting Qi2 from Samsung Galaxy devices in 2025." This could only hint that the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S25 series could be the first Galaxy phones to be compatible with Qi2 wireless charging and accessories. This could also be the start of a major Qi2 revolution after last year's HMD Skyline. And Samsung isn't the only phone brand helping bring Qi2 to more Android phones.

Google is doing the same, "Google is committed to the Qi2 wireless charging standard and increasing the penetration of Qi2 into Android handsets and other devices," the company said in a press release.

"Google is helping to achieve this goal by playing a leading role in the development of the upcoming Qi v2.2 standard, which includes Google's contribution of its own high-power wireless charging technology to WPC."

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:

• The Pixel 4a gets a surprise update for 2025
• Google CEO hints at 'amazing' progress of AI features set for 2025 in internal email
• Gemini's voice-activated calls and messages on lock screen finally exits beta
• OnePlus 13 buyers in India get a warranty guarantee that feels too good to be true
• Galaxy S25 Ultra to bring a key camera improvement over the Galaxy S24 Ultra, according to leak
• Google wants you to listen to your Discover feed with 'Daily Listen' experiment
• Samsung rumored to use a richer, more efficient screen on the S26 Ultra
• Asus' ROG Phone 9 Pro is the best gaming phone, and it's here in the US
• Leak purports Galaxy S25 Ultra camera swapping and AI editing
• The Galaxy S25 Ultra's S Pen might miss out on a few handy features, per rumor

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 a massive OnePlus 13R leak that reveals the original renders of the device, Samsung announcing two new devices for the U.S. market, the Meta Quest gets a glitchy update, a court blocks net neutrality rules, and Nest speakers were acting up without responding to basic commands.

Official OnePlus 13R renders leak

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Just a few days shy of the official OnePlus 13R launch, leaked pictures and colors of what could officially be the actual device have been doing the rounds on X.

OnePlus 13R's official launch is set for Jan. 7 alongside the OnePlus 13, and the images shared by Arsène Lupin show what looks like two OnePlus 13R colorways (via GSMArena) that look like versions of silver and space gray. The images posted by the tipster show that the phone will have a flat back panel and curved screens.

For the past few weeks, the company has been teasing the new device online, with a zoomed image of the OnePlus 13R's camera bump and rear chassis. OnePlus also confirmed that the OnePlus 13R will feature a thin form factor and a 6,000mAh battery. Additionally, an early Amazon listing revealed it'll be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset.

Whether or not these renders are legitimate is something we'll have to look out for when we tune into the launch event, although it seems likely given how closely it resembles its flagship counterpart.

Two new Samsung devices are on their way to the U.S.

Read more about the Galaxy A16 5G and Galaxy Fit 3.

Samsung announced on Thursday that it will be bringing the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G and the Samsung Galaxy Fit 3 to the U.S. on January 9.

The budget-friendly Galaxy A16 5G will come with a 6.7″ FHD+ Super AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate and 800 nits of brightness. The device features Samsung's homegrown Exynos 1330 chip, which will support six generations of One UI and Android OS upgrades. The phone comes with three cameras: a 50MP main sensor, 5MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro lens on the rear. Additionally, the Galaxy A16 5G ships with a 5,000mAh battery and 25W fast charging support.

As for the Samsung Galaxy Fit 3, the fitness tracker that was originally launched in Europe, Asia, and Central and South America early last year has now finally made its way to the U.S., despite Samsung saying it had no plans to launch the device in the region. The device will measure health parameters like heart rate, stress, blood oxygen, snoring, and sleep quality. Key features include a 1.6-inch display, IP68 resistance, workout detection, fall detection, and emergency SOS. The watch device comes in three colorways: Gray, Pink Gold, and Silver. It will have over a hundred preset watch faces and sports modes.

The Galaxy A16 5G costs $199, while the Galaxy Fit 3 is said to cost an affordable rate of $59.99. Both the budget smartphone and fitness tracker will be available at retailers nationwide.

Meta drops the ball on the new Quest update

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Many Meta users were left disappointed after a recent update on their devices backfired during the holidays. The Meta Quest v72 update appears to have rendered some Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest 3, and Meta Quest 3S headsets unusable after it failed to install.

Several users took to Reddit and other forums to talk about how their headsets show a black screen with the error "Your device is corrupt. It can't be trusted."

Meta immediately tried to give its users a workaround, asking them to hold down the power button for 45 seconds before booting up, which should reset the headset and clear out any problems. Users can also try manually flashing the V71 update using Meta's official manual update tool and a smartphone. However, this didn't work out for some users.

Meta later issued an official statement saying the update has been fixed, and most players should be able to resume headset use. However, if you're unable to do so, Meta is offering replacement headsets for those who have bricked devices.

The internet gets further away from being free and fair

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A federal appeals court on Friday decided that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) does not have the authority to impose those rules on internet service providers (ISPs). This brings us to what really the FCC is trying to impose on large tech companies, i.e., net neutrality.

Net neutrality is a set of rules that could've been imposed on internet service providers that will force them to treat all browsing traffic fairly without favoring the ones they have partnerships with. For instance, Comcast, for example, owns Xfinity, which represents 40% of all broadband internet subscriptions, and it also owns NBCUniversal, which hosts streaming service Peacock. Without net neutrality, Comcast could prioritize Peacock streams over Netflix, slowing down the speeds of the latter. This results in a loss of autonomy for users who prefer one service over another.

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals disagreed with the FCC's classification of ISPs as common carriers and ruled that the FCC had no authority to impose net neutrality rules.

"Unlike past challenges that the D.C. Circuit considered under Chevron, we no longer afford deference to the FCC’s reading of the statute," the judges wrote in their decision. "We acknowledge that the workings of the Internet are complicated and dynamic, and that the FCC has significant expertise in overseeing ‘this technical and complex area," they continue, adding that the agency's interpretation "cannot be used to overwrite the plain meaning of the statute."

Google Home and Nest speakers turn glitchy

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It was a rough start of the year for some Google Home and Nest users as their devices stopped responding to basic commands like "What's the weather like today."

The problems that impacted voice commands started as early as December 30, according to posts on Google's support forum. Even though the Nest Hub displays showed the correct weather and time, the voice assistant would hang up when this information was asked. The displays showed a loopy loading screen and couldn't respond to basic requests.

Google said on Friday that it had resolved the issues with the Nest and Home devices. "The team is still investigating the root cause but have resolved the issue, so all users should be up and running now," a Google spokesperson explained.

Android Authority reported that its issues were no longer affecting its units, and Android Central tested that its Google Home Hub and Nest Hub Max were both able to respond to requests.

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:

• Here's another glimpse at what the Galaxy S25 probably looks like
• Samsung could show off Galaxy Ring 2 and AR Smart Glasses at Unpacked 2025
• This One UI 7 feature might make you want to only use Samsung devices
• OnePlus could be readying a Watch 3 and Watch 3 Pro with new health features
• Samsung might use an overclocked Snapdragon 8 Elite 'for Galaxy' in the Galaxy S25 series
• Google might finally let you sync Pixel notifications over cellular data
• Instead of getting a new Top Listener badge, a YouTube Music bug has you seeing double
• You can use Circle to Search on the Nothing Phone 2 and Phone 2a
• Samsung once again rumored to only make small changes to its foldables in 2025
• Google Pixel is the official smartphone of the Australian Open

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, Apple is on Google's side against the DOJ's "extreme" proposal, we interview a OnePlus design executive about the OnePlus 13, Samsung is reportedly cutting down its foldable shipments in 2025, the next Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses may get some interesting upgrades, and One UI 7 may copy a handy feature from Apple.

Apple comes to Google's rescue

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Google is under threat from a DOJ proposal to break up its business by potentially selling Chrome and halting Search distribution deals with companies like Apple. However, not if Apple has anything to say about it.

The company stepped in this week with a declaration to defend its right to seek distribution deals with Google and others, ultimately supporting Google after the search giant was ruled to be an illegal monopoly. Apple argued that the deal not only proves lucrative for Apple through revenue sharing but it also ensures its customers get the best experience on Safari by making Google Search the default.

Apple also argues that the DOJ wrongly assumes it will develop a search engine, which it has stated it's not interested in doing. Apple says it isn't worth its time to try to compete with Google in search, and it ultimately has no interest in spending the money, time, and resources on doing so.

This could prove to be a pivotal move after Google presented a proposal of its own to counter the DOJ's "extreme" remedies.

The OnePlus 13 design, explained

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The OnePlus 13 global launch is right around the corner, and Android Central's Harish Jonnalagadda had a chance to speak with Ryan Ruan, OnePlus's head of industrial design, about the upcoming flagship.

Ruan explained the company's choice to move to a flatter design after sticking to curvy panels for so long. The decision ultimately came down to durability, as the dual-curved edges made phones more susceptible to damage if the device was ever dropped. Even so, that shouldn't result in a less comfortable phone, as OnePlus went through many different iterations, with the goal being "for the transition surfaces to better conform to the natural curve of the user's palm while also providing a secure grip," Ruan said.

OnePlus also worked for over a year on the microfiber leather to ensure it was comfortable and durable. And speaking of durability, you won't find Gorilla Glass on the OnePlus 13, but a custom Ceramic Guard solution, which Ruan says delivers "superior drop protection and scratch resistance."

Be sure to check out the interview for more on the OnePlus 13 design. The phone is set to launch on January 7 alongside the OnePlus 13R.

Samsung may not be that confident in its 2025 foldables

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Samsung's hold on the foldable market may be weakening. A report from ETNews reveals that Samsung may have adjusted its shipments for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 to a total of 5 million units in 2025, down a few million compared to 2024. The reason?

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 were great phones, but they were also fairly iterative upgrades, and lower-than-expected sales may have caused the company to reevaluate its foldable strategy in 2025.

On the other hand, the Galaxy S25 series will apparently see an increase in shipments, with more than 37 million units expected to ship. This figure includes the rumored Galaxy S25 Slim, which the report notes is expected to ship roughly 3 million units.

Curiously, this report doesn't mention anything about additional foldable models, with Samsung expected to reveal a sequel to the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition. According to Android Authority, the latest One UI 7 beta has revealed model numbers for Samsung's 2025 foldable lineup, which apparently includes the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition 2 (or whatever it's called).

For more news and information on Samsung’s upcoming foldables, check out our Ultimate Guide.

Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses may get a huge upgrade for 2025

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Meta seems determined to make smart glasses a thing, something even Google couldn't do. After the success of the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, the company may be planning some notable upgrades for the next model.

Per Financial Times, Meta is expected to drop the new glasses during the second half of 2025, and it seems quite possible that the glasses may sport a display. This would be used to show text, like notifications, as well as images and possibly responses from the Meta AI assistant.

The new glasses will be designed by Meta's partner, EssilorLuxottica, although there's not much information on the wearables.

Meta has been working on AR glasses, as evidenced by the Project Orion prototype it showed us earlier this year. Putting a display on the next-generation Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses would bring the company closer to fully realizing its goal, although the Orion glasses are likely still years away.

One UI 7 may borrow a fun feature from Apple

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The One UI 7 beta is well underway, and we continue to discover more features. Android Authority spotted a Camera Continuity feature in the beta, which seems similar to the Apple feature of the same name.

In the Continue on other devices setting, Camera Continuity is described as allowing users to "Take pictures and scan documents or handwriting on your phone or tablet, then continue working on them on another device such as a tablet or computer."

This sounds almost exactly like Apple's description for the Camera Continuity feature on iPhones, minus the webcam capability. Still, even if it's a blatant copy of the feature, it's sure to be a useful addition to One UI 7, which is expected to appear with the Galaxy S25 series and roll out to other phones/tablets later on.

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:

• Google TV sneaks in dozens of new free channels for you to skip over
• Android Auto rolls out fixes for stuttering audio and error messages
• Gemini's Deep Research feature is available across more languages and regions
• Leak purports the specs for Nothing's next trio of rumored phones
• Here's another glimpse at what the Galaxy S25 probably looks like
• The OnePlus Open 2 might launch much later than we hoped
• New Gemini feature will help you sift through long PDFs
• The Dimensity 8400 is MediaTek's first mid-range chip to go all-in on big CPU cores
• Google Drive now lets you play videos right after uploading them
• Samsung could show off Galaxy Ring 2 and AR Smart Glasses at Unpacked 2025