Smartphones News and Discussions

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Google Unveils Android 16 With Material 3 Redesign, Gemini AI Across Devices
The update is called Material 3 Expressive, which Google says will make the interface feel more fluid and natural.
By Devesh Beri May 14, 2025

https://www.extremetech.com/mobile/goog ... ss-devices
Google has announced Android 16, which brings some of the biggest visual changes ever to its mobile OS and focuses on stronger security measures. The update is called Material 3 Expressive, which Google says will make the interface feel more fluid and natural. This new design language adds smoother animations, bolder colors, and improved haptic feedback, giving users a livelier and more personal experience.

Material 3 Expressive is the result of three years of research, including 46 studies and input from over 18,000 participants worldwide. The changes are not limited to mobile phones; they also extend to larger screens on foldables and tablets, as well as smartwatches, where the new Wear OS 6 will see better battery life and color theming.

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Leak Shows Off Google Pixel 10 Colors
The Pixel 10 series is expected to run on Android 16 and arrive in August.
By Devesh Beri May 27, 2025

Google is preparing to launch its Pixel 10 series in August 2025, about a year after the Pixel 9 series debuted. As the launch approaches, leaks have revealed the color options for the new models. The information comes from Mystic Leaks on Telegram and has been reported by 9to5Google.

According to the leak, the standard Pixel 10, which is also expected to come with a 3-camera setup this time, will be available in four colors: Obsidian, Blue, Iris, and Limoncello. Obsidian is a familiar black shade that has appeared in previous Pixel models. Blue is making a return to the Pixel lineup after being absent in the Pixel 9 series, though the exact shade is not known yet. Iris is a purple tone that was seen on the Pixel 9a, and Limoncello is a yellow color.

https://www.extremetech.com/mobile/leak ... -10-colors

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The iPhone 16 Was the World’s Best-Selling Smartphone in Q1 2025
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra ranked seventh, down from the S24 Ultra’s fifth spot last year.
By Devesh Beri May 29, 2025

The iPhone 16 was the world’s best-selling smartphone in the first quarter of 2025, according to Counterpoint Research’s Global Handset Model Sales Tracker. This also means that it is the return of the iPhone series’ base variant to the top spot after a gap of two years. Not only this, Apple maintained a strong presence in the global top-10 list, with five iPhones making the cut. In comparison, Samsung had one fewer model in the top 10 compared with the same period last year.

The iPhone 16 was most popular in Japan, the Middle East, and Africa. The iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro took the second and third spots, but Apple’s Pro models saw challenges in China, and local brands like Huawei gave strong competition in the premium segment. Despite these challenges, Pro models made up about half of Apple’s total iPhone sales for the third quarter in a row.

https://www.extremetech.com/mobile/the- ... in-q1-2025

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Samsung May Dump Google for Perplexity As Default AI Assistant on Galaxy S26
More recently, the Galaxy S25 was used to show improvements to Gemini, including a new overlay and integration with Samsung's Calendar, Notes, and Clock apps.
By Devesh Beri June 2, 2025

Samsung is reportedly close to finalizing a deal with Perplexity to make the startup's AI assistant the default option on its Galaxy S26 series, which is set to debut in early 2026. Samsung and Perplexity have been in discussions not just about adding the Perplexity app to new devices but also about integrating Perplexity's search into Samsung Internet and possibly even adding its technology to Bixby, as reported by Bloomberg. Meetings between the two companies have taken place in South Korea recently to work out the details.

The agreement is also said to include Samsung investing in Perplexity, making it one of the largest backers in the AI company's next funding round. Perplexity is looking to raise $500 million at a $14 billion valuation. If the deal is completed, it could give Perplexity a much larger presence among Samsung users, as the assistant would come preinstalled.

https://www.extremetech.com/mobile/sams ... -assistant

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The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL Will Have the Largest Battery Ever in a Pixel Device
This record is currently held by the budget-friendly Pixel 9a.

Google's upcoming Pro series phones, the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL, will stay close to last year's Pixel 9 Pro design—almost indistinguishable, if you ask me. The Pixel 10 Pro will have a 6.3-inch display, and the Pixel 10 Pro XL will have a 6.8-inch screen with higher PMW, as reported by Android Headlines.

Both use LTPO technology for refresh rates between 1 and 120Hz and can reach up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness. Corning's Gorilla Glass Victus 2 covers the front and back of each device.

https://www.extremetech.com/mobile/the- ... in-a-pixel

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For the First Time Since Android 11, a Non-Pixel Phone Will Launch With the Latest Android OS Out of the Box
Android 16 has already been released for Pixel 6 to 9.
By Devesh Beri July 8, 2025

Samsung is set to launch its new foldable devices, the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7, and Galaxy Z Flip FE, at its Unpacked event tomorrow, July 9, 2025. These devices are to have Android 16 out of the box and will be the first Samsung phones to run it, as reported by 9to5Google.

This would be the first time since the launch of Android 11 and the Pixel 5 that a non-Pixel phone will ship with the latest version of Android out of the box. Android 16 and One UI 8 will be launched on these foldable devices first, before becoming available on other Galaxy models.

https://www.extremetech.com/mobile/for- ... aunch-with

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Hands-On: Finally as Thin and Light as a Regular Phone
The son of a gun really did it this year. The Z Fold 7 is the biggest year-over-year upgrade to the book-style foldable ever.
By Raymond Wong Published July 9, 2025 | Comments (12)
https://gizmodo.com/samsung-galaxy-z-fo ... 2000625878

Headlining Samsung’s summer Unpacked event is the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The device is the thinnest and lightest book-style foldable that Samsung has ever made and finally delivers on the idea of a smartphone that can unfold into a larger tablet without the tradeoff of carrying a brick in your pants.


You really need to hold the Z Fold 7 in your hand to believe it. Having tried every single Z Fold since the original came out in 2019, I was not prepared to see such a year-over-year leap from the Z Fold 6 to the Z Fold 7. Closed, the Z Fold 7 is 8.9mm, which is nearly as thin as an 8.2mm S25 Ultra. And somehow, the Z Fold 7 is lighter than the S25 Ultra by 3g. The foldable wows the most when you unfold it and its tablet form measures a stunning 4.2mm thick, which is even thinner than the 5.8mm S25 Edge. For comparison, the Z Fold 6 is 12.1mm thick when closed and 5.6mm thick when unfolded. I spent maybe the first five minutes palming the Z Fold 7 with awe—Samsung really made its Z Fold as thin and light as a regular flagship bar phone. The son of a gun really did it!

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Apple Changes, Samsung Copies: Galaxy S26 to Drop Plus Model Just Like the iPhone 17
Apple's next launch is likely to be the iPhone 17, 17 Air, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max, but no iPhone 17 Plus.
https://www.extremetech.com/mobile/sams ... plus-model

Samsung may be planning to copy Apple's strategy yet again by removing its "Plus" model in the next Galaxy S series. According to reports, Samsung could replace the Galaxy S25+, whose sales are already falling, with the slim phone Edge for the upcoming S26 lineup, as reported by MacRumors.

This change comes after Apple's probable decision to discontinue the "Plus" model in the iPhone 17 lineup and replace it with the rumored, all-new, ultra-thin "Air" model. As a result, Apple's next launch is likely to be the iPhone 17, 17 Air, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max, but no iPhone 17 Plus.

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Apple Could Launch Foldable iPhone In 2026 With Crease-Free Screen From Samsung
This would be the latest from a long-lasting partnership between Apple and Samsung Display.
By Devesh Beri July 16, 2025

Apple is expected to bring its first foldable iPhone to market in 2026, and reports say the device will use Samsung Display's new crease-free screen. According to Korea JoongAng Daily, the company will begin mass production of these folding screens later this year to meet Apple's timeline for release, as reported by CNET.

If you're concerned that your future Apple foldable might develop an ugly crease, good news: Samsung Display is reportedly working to fix the crease problem in foldable phones. It plans to use a metal plate under the folding panel, thus spreading the pressure that results from folding the screen and making the display appear flat when it's open.

With Samsung Display having been in the foldable phone game for a few years now, it's fair that Apple prefers to outsource its folding display instead of developing the screen internally. Apple and Samsung have also partnered on iPhone screens for many years, given Samsung Display's separation from Samsung Electronics, which sells many of the iPhone's biggest competitors.

https://www.extremetech.com/mobile/appl ... creen-from

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India Supplies 44% of US Smartphone Imports in Q2 2025
Meanwhile, China's contribution dropped from 61% to just 25%.
By Devesh Beri July 29, 2025

India has become the top manufacturer of smartphones shipped to the United States, overtaking China for the first time. According to new data from Canalys, the share of smartphones assembled by Apple in China for the US market dropped from 61% in the second quarter of last year to 25% this year. At the same time, India's contribution to the US smartphone market rose from 13% to 44%. Vietnam also saw moderate growth, increasing its share from 24% to 30%.

https://www.extremetech.com/mobile/indi ... in-q2-2025

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Leak Reveals Colors for Entire iPhone 17 Lineup, Including a Bold Orange for the 17 Pro
Finally, a non-boring color for the iPhones Pros.

Looks like the iPhone 17 Pro won’t come in sky blue after all. Long-time iPhone leaker Sonny Dickson has shared what he claims are dummy models for the entire iPhone 17 lineup expected to be announced in September. Notably, there’s a new non-boring orange color for iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. God, please be real!

As you can see in his X post, there’s an orange shade of the iPhone 17 Pro/17 Pro Max alongside the less flashy black, white, and navy blue. As I’ve said before, Apple desperately needs to bring some of the more fun colors to the iPhone Pros and orange would be the brightest yet, though dummy models don’t always accurately depict colors. For example, dummy leaks suggested the iPhone 16 Pro’s Desert Titanium would look copper/bronze, or as I called it, “poop brown.” The actual Desert Titanium iPhone 16 Pros that shipped are more of a champagne/beige gold (and sometimes pink-ish in warmer lighting).

https://gizmodo.com/leak-reveals-colors ... 2000636502

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Galaxy S26 Pro, Edge Could Have 8% Larger Batteries Than Current Models
But charging speeds for both Pro and Edge models could stay at 25W.
By Devesh Beri August 4, 2025
https://www.extremetech.com/mobile/gala ... ent-models

Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S26 lineup is rumored to have bigger batteries and a 2nm Exynos processor, bringing upgrades to both the base and Edge models. According to leaked information obtained by Galaxy Club, the Galaxy S26 will now be called Galaxy S26 Pro. It is to have a battery rated at 4,175mAh, but Samsung will likely advertise it as 4,300mAh. This means it will see a 300mAh increase over the Galaxy S25, which has a 4,000mAh battery.

The Galaxy S26 Edge, which will replace the S26 Plus, will have a rated 4,078mAh battery. That's a decent jump from the S25 Edge's 3,900mAh. The Edge's larger display and size make this larger battery necessary, even as it maintains its thinner look and similar price point. But charging speeds for both Pro and Edge models could stay at 25W.

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iPhone 17, the ‘thinnest iPhone ever,’ and everything else we’re expecting out of Apple’s hardware event
Lauren Forristal
9:22 AM PDT · August 11, 2025

Apple usually announces its new hardware in the fall, and this year is likely no different. The event is reported to be on September 9, and Apple is expected to release its iPhone 17 lineup, along with updates for the Apple Watch and AirPods.

As always, there are many rumors circulating, including bigger screens and improved cameras for the iPhone 17 models and the introduction of an ultra-thin iPhone Air that could replace the Plus model.
iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max

The iPhone 17 is expected to get a significant makeover to align more closely with the Pro models. It could feature a slightly larger 6.3-inch screen, which is an increase of 0.2 inches compared to the iPhone 16, as well as a 120Hz display, a substantial upgrade from the current 60Hz. It’s also rumored to have a 24-megapixel front camera. It could also come in new colors: purple and green.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/11/iphon ... are-event/

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Pixel 10, AI capabilities, and everything else we expect out of the Made by Google 2025 event
Lauren Forristal
9:30 AM PDT · August 18, 2025

As anticipation builds for the Made by Google 2025 event, there’s a buzz around the Pixel 10 series, arriving notably before the iPhone 17. Apple’s hardware event is expected to take place in September.

The tech giant has made its intentions clear to grow the Pixel line, likely incorporating more generative AI capabilities with Gemini. Made by Google starts at 10 a.m. PT on Wednesday.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/18/pixel ... 025-event/

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iPhone 17, the ‘thinnest iPhone ever,’ and everything else we’re expecting out of Apple’s hardware event
Lauren Forristal
9:20 AM PDT · August 18, 2025

Apple usually announces its new hardware in the fall, and this year is likely no different. The event is reported to be on September 9, and Apple is expected to release its iPhone 17 lineup, along with updates for the Apple Watch and AirPods.

As always, there are many rumors circulating, including bigger screens and improved cameras for the iPhone 17 models and the introduction of an ultra-thin iPhone Air that could replace the Plus model.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/18/iphon ... are-event/

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iPhone 17, the ‘thinnest iPhone ever,’ and everything else we’re expecting out of Apple’s hardware event
Lauren Forristal
9:20 AM PDT · August 18, 2025

Apple usually announces its new hardware in the fall, and this year is likely no different. The event is reported to be on September 9, and Apple is expected to release its iPhone 17 lineup, along with updates for the Apple Watch and AirPods.

As always, there are many rumors circulating, including bigger screens and improved cameras for the iPhone 17 models and the introduction of an ultra-thin iPhone Air that could replace the Plus model.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/18/iphon ... are-event/

No news about size/folding? I hardly think thinness is an issue anymore.

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Pebble Time 2 to Feature Stainless Steel Build, Color E-Paper Display, and 30-Day Battery Life
Original Pebble users have waited more than a decade for this update.
By Devesh Beri August 18, 2025

Eric Migicovsky, creator of the original Pebble smartwatch, has finally revealed the redesigned Pebble Time 2. Though Migicovsky referred to the new smartwatches as the Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2 back in March, he now says his new company, Core Devices, has regained the Pebble trademark. The latest models will thus be called the Pebble 2 Duo and Pebble Time 2.

https://www.extremetech.com/electronics ... isplay-and