2+ mon, 1+ week ago (448+ words) Samsung's next Ultra model could finally solve your public-screen anxiety. Samsung is reportedly working on a clever new privacy trick for its next big software update, and all signs point to the Galaxy S26 Ultra being first in line to show it off. A recent teardown of supposed One UI 8.5 builds, thanks to Android Authority, has uncovered code strings referencing something called Private Display or Privacy Display. This potential feature is presumably designed to limit how much of your screen can be seen from side angles. The idea is simple but smart: if you're on a bus or standing in a crowded line, the person next to you shouldn't get an eyeful of your banking details or private chats. According to the leaked code strings, Private Display isn't just a manual toggle. Samsung is baking in some intelligence here. The feature…...

3+ mon, 2+ day ago (452+ words) Only developers who verify their identity will be able to let users sideload their apps. Forget the old days of a free-for-all for side-loading, as Google is shaking things up with how apps get on your Android phone. Starting next year, any app you want to install, especially from outside the Play Store, will have to come from a developer who has gone through a new verification process. Instead of policing app content, Google is introducing a system that verifies the identity of developers before their apps can be sideloaded or installed on certified devices. Google wants you to think of it as showing ID at airports rather than getting your bag searched, as per the company's blog post. Starting in September 2026, this verification step will be required in select regions, including Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand, where Google says…...

2+ mon, 2+ week ago (476+ words) Harish Jonnalagadda is Android Central's Senior Editor overseeing mobile coverage. In his current role, he leads the site's coverage of Chinese phone brands, networking products, and AV gear. He has been testing phones for over a decade, and has extensive experience in mobile hardware and the global semiconductor industry. Contact him on Twitter at @chunkynerd. I like what Stuffcool is doing in India, and the brand does a great job with power banks and GaN chargers, with its products assembled in India. The brand's latest product is the ChargePlug, which includes dual USB-C ports alongside a USB-A port, and a universal plug. The other side contains a 3-prong plug that's standard across India, and the idea is that you can just plug in any accessories or products that use a different plug without any additional hassle. I have dozens of…...

2+ mon, 3+ week ago (424+ words) A fresh leak has uncovered some CAD-based renders of Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S26 lineup, and for the Pro and Ultra models, the design changes might not be as drastic. The Galaxy S26 Edge, likely replacing the Plus, is breaking away from previous design language in a big way. Based on renders that leaked recently, its back is dominated by a camera island that spans nearly the phone's entire width. The design looks strikingly similar to what's been leaked for Apple's iPhone 17 Pro, suggesting Samsung might be borrowing some cues. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S26 Pro and S26 Ultra stay in the comfort zone, according to a report from Smartprix. The leak shows that they stick to a vertical triple-camera setup, but now it's on a more compact island. Samsung seems to be slimming down its next flagship Galaxy phones. The S26 Edge drops from 5.8 mm to…...

1+ mon, 3+ week ago (441+ words) Your Galaxy might soon start getting quarterly upgrades, not just annual ones. Samsung is supposedly getting ready for a big shift in how it handles software updates, and One UI 8.5 is at the center of it. While the version number makes it sound like a minor refresh, this release is actually built on Android 16 QPR2, Google's upcoming quarterly platform release, according to Android Authority's Mishaal Rahman. That's a big deal because most smartphone makers, Samsung included, usually skip over Google's quarterly updates and bundle those features into the next full Android version. Samsung jumping in earlier is expected to tighten the gap between Galaxy users and Pixel owners when it comes to getting new Android features. Early signs of this change appeared in a leaked firmware build with SDK version 36.1 and the build prefix BP4A, both linked to Android 16 QPR2. This points to…...

1+ mon, 3+ week ago (446+ words) Google is said to be testing MediaTek's M90 modem for the Tensor G6. Google's next big hardware move might be its boldest yet. For years, Samsung has been a crucial partner in building Google's Tensor chips and modems, but that relationship is starting to look more like history. The upcoming Pixel 11, presumably powered by the Tensor G6, is shaping up to be the first Google flagship phone that ditches Samsung modems entirely in favor of MediaTek. The separation has been brewing for a while. Last year, the Tensor G5 used in the Pixel 10 series was already manufactured by TSMC instead of Samsung's foundry, a signal that Google was considering reducing its reliance on the Korean giant. Now, with the Tensor G6, Google is apparently swapping out its Exynos-based modem. According to Mystic Leaks on Telegram, the Tensor G6 (codenamed "Malibu) is expected to come with MediaTek's…...

1+ mon, 4+ week ago (427+ words) Leaked Screenshots Confirm Galaxy S26 Ultra's New Privacy Display Controls. Samsung seems to be preparing to take on shoulder surfers in a big way, with leaks pointing to a new Privacy Display feature set to debut on the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra. Instead of relying on external screen protectors or clunky add-ons, Samsung is reportedly building privacy right into the phone's hardware and software. Now, a new leak from One UI 8.5, courtesy of @achultra on X, gives us our first real look at how the feature will work, and it's a whole system of controls designed to keep sensitive information away from prying eyes (via SammyGuru). According to leaked screenshots, users will have the option to adjust how intense the effect is and define specific conditions for when it activates. Samsung seems to be preparing automatic triggers, such as detecting when you're…...

3+ mon, 1+ week ago (395+ words) Google's newest Pixel 10 series is chock full of AI, and there's one huge feature that delivers suggestions based on context. Google's latest Pixel 10 series smartphones are here, and they're hauling in a major AI feature that wants to help make things easier. According to Google, Magic Cue "connects the dots across your apps, like Gmail, Calendar, Screenshots, Messages, and more, to proactively surface relevant info and suggest helpful actions when you need them." Magic Cue is also woven into the Pixel 10's Daily Hub, a "personalized digest" of what you've got coming up and even recommended music for your day. Google details that users have control when using Magic Cue. If you're uninterested, users can easily turn off Magic Cue; however, if it remains active, users can "control what data it has access to." If it has full control, Google…...

1+ mon, 2+ week ago (602+ words) Sanuj is a tech writer who loves exploring smartphones, tablets, and wearables. He began his journey with a Nokia Lumia and later dived deep into Android and iPhone. He's been writing about tech since 2018, with bylines at Pocketnow, Android Police, Pocket-Lint, and MakeUseOf. When he's not testing gadgets, he's either sipping chai, watching football, or playing cricket. What you need to know - The feature was previously exclusive to Pixel 10 phones but is now rolling out to other Android devices. In the editing interface, you will see a new "Help me edit" text field at the bottom of the screen, where you can describe the desired changes. Until now, the feature was exclusive to Pixel 10 phones in the U.S., but Google is now expanding it to more Android devices in the region. If you meet these requirements, Google says the update should…...

4+ mon, 2+ week ago (306+ words) An interview with Google's Sameer Samat discussed the bright future for Android and its intentions moving forward. Android 16 is a noteworthy upgrade; however, Samat states the goal was to create an OS that felt "modern and delightful" without disrupting your muscle memory. Samat is interested in utilizing in using more modern "industry standards to move data between the two, and that is a lot of what we're advocating for and pushing for." Google is leaning into its large design changes in Android 16 (and likely the future) when it comes to statements like seeing the "future first" on the software. Android 16 adds Material 3 Expressive, which largely changes animations, colors, and more. Furthering Android's future are plans to merge "ChromeOS and Android into a single platform." Samat teased that there's a strong curiosity behind understanding how users (such as those on iOS)…...