Taking a look back at this week’s news and headlines across the Android world, including Samsung’s new folding phones, the Galaxy Ring, Google boosts Galaxy AI, Pixel 9 names confirmed, Nothing’s latest phone, OnePlus Nord’ 4’s metal, and Microsoft drops Android in China.
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.
Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 Launched
The big smartphone news this week was Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked and the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 foldable phones. THe phones both come with Samsung’s exclusive uprated Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, a suite of Galaxy AI-powered tools, and new cooling systems to achieve the best performance:
“Both the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Flip6 are equipped with the Snapdragon® 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform for Galaxy, the most advanced Snapdragon mobile processor yet, combining best-in-class CPU, GPU, and NPU performance. The processor is optimized for AI processing and offers enhanced graphics along with improved overall performance. The upgraded cooling system maximizes performance with a larger vapor chamber on Galaxy Z Fold6 and, for the first time ever, a vapor chamber on Galaxy Z Flip.:
Galaxy Ring Arrives
Following a preview in January, Samsung also launched the Galaxy Ring, a fitness- and health-focused wearable. Promising up to 7 days of life on a single charge and interfacing with Samsung Health, it offers a discreet way of monitoring your own health. While the price is high, it may prove to be the cheaper option of the current health-focused smart jewellery:
“The Galaxy Ring ($399) is significantly more expensive than the third generation Oura Ring ($299) but there’s a key difference between the two devices: Samsung’s gadget doesn’t come with a monthly subscription plan. The Oura Ring, however, will set users back $5.99 a month if they want to access its full suite of features.”
Galaxy AI By Google
Google continues to support Galaxy AI with new exclusive features offered to the platform. Galaxy Unpacked debuted Gemini AI’s ability to look and understand what’s on your screen, and improvements for the Circle To Search software. Expect these changes to arrive on the wider Android market later in the year:
“…starting later this month, Circle to Search will help you learn more complex topics like symbolic math and scan barcodes and QR codes on your screen. Circle to Search is also supported on tablets and foldables, like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 and the Flip6, and will come to more Samsung devices later this year.”
Samsung’s Pre-Order Specials
“The company has also confirmed what new pre-order deals the devices will launch with. As expected, trade-in prices have been boosted—going as high as $1,200 for your old phone. Although, to get that valuation you will likely need to hand over a relatively new handset. Both devices are also more expensive than their predecessors.”
Samsung has also upped the value of traded-in smartphones for those pre-ordering either of the new Galaxy Z smartphones. While not as luxurious as pre-order offers on the Galaxy S24 family, there’s certainly a pull to order early
Pixel 9 Names Confirmed
Google’s four new PIxel 9 phones are widely expected to include a larger variant of the 9Pro and a folding phone. Now we have confirmation of the names of the two new handsets, and they are in line with previous leaks. Stand by for the Pro XL and Pro Fold. Google has announced a Pixel event for early August, no doubt launching these new handsets:
“Google is preparing to launch at least four Pixel 9 phones, and today, we received a confirmation of the names of the two new flagships. One of them will be called Pixel 9 Pro XL, while the other will be Pixel 9 Pro Fold, according to Canada’s Radio Equipment List (REL) – an extensive publication of all radio equipment certified for use in the North American country.”
Nothing’s New Phone Offers Value For Money
“Nothing’s sub-brand CMF, which launched in 2023, continues its cheap-but-cheerful theme with this new trio of launches… On the specs front, the Phone (1) has a 6.67-inch AMOLED screen (with 120Hz refresh rate) and runs Android 14, which is skinned by Nothing OS. The camera setup is also promising for the price, with a main 50MP f/1.8 camera packing a depth sensor for portrait shots and joined by a 16MP selfie camera.”
Nothing Tech has announced three new products in its value range. Under the CMF banner, the manufacturer has announced the CMF Phone 1, CMF Buds Pro 2 and CMF Watch Pro 2. The phone looks to be one that should be considered by anyone looking for a phone in the sub-$200 market:
Nord 4 Goes Metal
“Liu told me the route back to metal was inspired chiefly by four qualities it brings, namely “durability, beauty, permanence, and strength.” Understandably, metal phones don’t as easily succumb to hard drops and are harder to break. While the beauty of a refined metal surface may be subjective — and rightly lies in the eyes of the beholder — they are inarguably more resistant to the effects of time, such as micro scratches, that develop on glass phones after constant use.”
Ahead of the launch of the OnePlus Nord, Digital Trends’ Tusha Mehta spoke with h OnePlus President and COO Kinder Liu on the choice to offer the Nord 4 with a metal casing, rather than the more prevalent glass or polycarbonate:
And Finally..
Microsoft has moved on, at least in China. Employees have been instructed that only iPhones will be able to access corporate data from September:
“The US company will soon require employees based there to use Apple Inc. devices to verify their identities when logging in, according to an internal memo reviewed by Bloomberg News. The measure, part of a companywide effort to fortify Microsoft products and services against hackers, will affect hundreds of workers across the Chinese mainland and is intended to ensure that all staff use the Microsoft Authenticator password manager and Identity Pass app.”
