Taking a look back at this week’s news and headlines across the Android world, including Google’s refurbished Pixel sale, upgrading Tensor Mobile chips, a new Galaxy S25 design, Xiaomi 15 Pro arrives, OnePlus 13 revealed, new Android release dates, and Thunderbird email client upgraded.
Android Circuit is here to remind you of a few of the many discussions around Android in the last seven days. You can also read my weekly digest of Apple news here on Forbes.
Google Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7, and Pixel 7a
Official Pixel Refurbs Now Available
Following the well-worn path forged by Samsung and Apple’s online stores, Google has opened a “Certified Refurbished” part of the store. Various Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 models are available, with the Pixel 6a 128 GB version as low as $249. But there’s one trick the competition has that Google is skipping:
“It’s also worth noting that Google offers the same warranty and customer support as you would get on a brand-new Pixel…. There is a note of caution. Unlike Apple’s refurbished store, Google is not automatically replacing the battery in the Pixels.
(Google’s Keyword Blog via Forbes).
New Hardware Brings New Pixel Upgrades
Looking further ahead, Google’s design for the Tensor 10 and Tensor 11 mobile chipsets (which will power the Pixel 10 and Pixel 11 families, respectively) will offer several hardware-based upgrades. Via leak from Google’s gChip Division, the team at Android Authority has more details on the upcoming changes:
“Potential camera improvements include support for 4K 60fps HDR video, 100x zoom, an upgrade to the Cinematic Blur feature, and a new “Ultra Low Light” video mode for capturing quality footage in very dim lighting. The upcoming Pixel devices may also introduce ML-based always-on features related to health monitoring and activity tracking.”
A New Look For The S25
Is Samsung preparing a new variant of the Galaxy S25? Reports this week suggest that the South Korean company is ready to release a Galaxy S25 Slim. This follows in the footsteps of the recently released Galaxy Z Fold Slim and speculation over an iPhone 17 Slim from Apple:
“Similar to the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition, the slimmer version of the Galaxy S25 will reportedly focus on being thinner. Samsung is said to use this phone to gauge the response to a slim, high-end phone. If it receives a good response from consumers, Samsung will change the Galaxy S26 lineup to include a slim version.”
The Elites Arrive
Following last week’s announcement of its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, Qualcomm’s flagship silicon is now available to the public as the Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Pro go on sale in China:
“The Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Pro are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor but share a few other features. This includes the Hyper OS 2 skin, 12GB of base RAM, an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor, flat edges, and an IP68 rating.
“…The phones are only available in China right now, but Xiaomi has traditionally offered a global launch at MWC each year (in late February). It’s worth noting that the company didn’t release the Xiaomi 14 Pro outside China, opting to launch the Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Ultra instead. So don’t be surprised if the Xiaomi 15 Pro is missing in action in February 2025.”
OnePlus 13 Arrives
OnePlus has launched the OnePlus 13 in China this week. It’s one of the first smartphones to ship with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, but that’s not the only notable step up. For many, the new silicon/carbon battery with its 6000 mAh capacity will be a welcome feature, as will the uprated IP69 rating. However it’s the display that offers some of the best upgraded specs:
“OnePlus 13 gets BOE’s flagship X2 OLED display. It’s an 8T LTPO OLED panel with 1440p resolution and a 1-120 Hz refresh rate. Typical brightness is now rated at 800 nits, while peak brightness tops out at 4,500 nits. The other new addition is the ultrasonic fingerprint scanner.
(GSMArena).
Android’s New Tempo
Google has announced that Android’s next major update will happen not in Q3 2025, but in Q2. This thinking being that this will line up more favourably with handset releases in the second half—the busier half— of the year so they can pick up the major releases as quickly as possible. What this means for companies who have promised to deliver “x Åndroid updates” compared to “x years of Android updates” remains to be seen:
“The Q2 major release will be the only release in 2025 to include behavior changes that can affect apps… The Q4 minor release will pick up feature updates, optimizations, and bug fixes since the major release. It will also include new developer APIs, but will not include any app-impacting behavior changes.
And Finally…
Those looking for an alternative email client have been following the adventure of Thunderbird (nee K-9). The open-source app is finally ready for the public.
” For all of you who have ever asked “when is Thunderbird for Android coming out?”, the answer is – today! We are excited to announce that the first stable release of Thunderbird for Android is out now, and we couldn’t be prouder of the newest, most mobile member of the Thunderbird family.
Android Circuit rounds up the news from the Android world every weekend here on Forbes. Don’t forget to follow me so you don’t miss any coverage in the future, and of course, read the sister column in Apple Loop! Last week’s Android Circuit can be found here, and if you have any news and links you’d like to see featured in Android Circuit, get in touch!