Taking a look back at this week’s news and headlines across the Android world, Galaxy Z Fold 6 design, Pixel 9 specs leak, Oppo’s ubiquitous AI, Google Gemini reaches Europe, Nothing Phone (3) confirmed, OnePlus 13’s bigger battery, and faster tablet note-taking.
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.
ColorOS 13 running on the Oppo Find X5 Pro.
Galaxy Z Fold 6 Design
Thanks to the leak of a dummy Z Fold 6 unit, presumably used by peripheral and case manufacturers, the small design touches to improve the user experience are on show. While the main display will benefit from more angular corners and the boxlike design, the wider cover screen will have a bigger impact:
“The second visible change is to the cover screen, which becomes the traditional candybar-shaped screen and used when the Z Fold 6 is closed. Because of the foldable nature of these phones, the cover screens have been taller and thinner than the regular smartphone display. Samsung has increased the width of the cover screen to accommodate the traditional look.
(Forbes).
Pixel 9 Specs Leaked
The first wave of benchmarking numbers for the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL have arrived and show an upgrade of between 16 and 34 percent at a minimum for the upcoming handsets. And there’s more to come:
“It’s worth noting that the three Pixel 9 variants listed here have different benchmarking results. This could be a hardware-related issue; the larger handsets may be keeping the chipsets cooler by wicking away more heat. You also have to consider that the handsets are not expected to launch for another three to four months so the software will not be as efficient as it will be at launch.”
(Forbes).
Oppo’s Ubiquitous AI
Oppo has announced that it will make AI phones accessible to everyone as it restructures its ecosystem to focus on the new techniques. Some limitations will remain; Oppo runs both Qualcomm and Mediatek chipsets across its range, and Google Services are only available on its international handsets. Nevertheless, this is a significant commitment to pushing AI to a broader consumer base:
“Oppo says it won’t reserve its generative AI tools just for its expensive phones, and aims to introduce AI features across its range, regardless of price. According to Oppo, tools such as its AI Eraser will find their way to the top Find series phones, the Reno range, and even some F and A series devices. By the end of 2024, it wants 50 million Oppo device owners to have access to generative AI features.”
Google Gemini For Android Reaches Europe
Following a launch in the US, Google is now releasing the Google Gemini App in the United Kingdom and Europe for Android and iOS. The app continues to expand where a smartphone AI assistant can be used on your phone for those who decide to run Gemini instead of the standard Google Assistant app:
“At I/O 2024, Google said it will introduce Gemini Extensions for Calendar, Keep, Tasks, and Utilities (like Android’s Clock app) in the coming months. This follows the launch of the YouTube Music integration. Last month, Google also previewed Gemini Live and other features that are soon coming to Android.”
(9to5Google).
Nothing Phone (3) Confirmed
As part of a larger discussion about implementing AI on the smartphone, Nothing Tech CEO Carl Pei confirms that the next major handset release from the company, the titular Nothing Phone (3) will be the first to carry the changes when it arrives in 2025:
“Today, I want to show you some initial concepts to give you a better idea of what I’m talking about. Expect this to be improved and gradually introduced, starting with Phone (3) next year. It’s important we get the product right, integrating hardware and AI in a way that is both useful and brings a smile to people’s faces.”
A Bigger Battery Comes At A Cost
Would you trade wireless charging on your phone for a 6,000 mAh battery? The latest leak suggests the OnePlus design team has made the decision that, at least for the upcoming OnePlus 13, the battery size will win out:
“That’s larger than the 5,400mAh cell found in the OnePlus 12, and much larger than the 5,000mAh batteries you’ll find in the likes of the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Considering OnePlus devices are already battery champs, this might be a large enough capacity to extend into three days without breaking a sweat — but it could come at the cost of wireless charging.”
And Finally…
Sometimes, it’s the little tweaks in an Android update that will delight you. Tablet owners will be picking up such a change when Android 15 arrives on their devices as Google makes it easier to take notes on the large screen with a one-click open on your screen or stylus:
“Users can select their preferred default note-taking app by navigating to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Default notes app. The default notes app can then be launched by long-pressing a shortcut on the lock screen, which opens the note-taking app without needing to unlock the device. Alternatively, users can press the tail button on compatible USI styluses to open the note-taking app in a floating window on top of other apps.”
(Android Authority).
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!