Taking a look back at this week’s news and headlines across the Android world, including Google confirms Pixel 10, Pixel Watch 4 pricing, pre-order records for Samsung and Honor, Galaxy S26 Ultra leaks, Now Bar updated with new AI, and Oppo continues photo partnership.
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 Reveals Pixel 10
It’s tough to stop leaks in the modern smartphone world, so Google—in a move echoing its 2024 launch timetable—has confirmed the Pixel 10 family with a teaser ad on the Google Store:
“You can currently see a video of the phone on Google’s website (and below), which shows a gray-ish blue phone with three back cameras, a flash, and what appears to be a temperature sensor — previously a Pro-exclusive feature. Google’s website only describes it as the “Pixel 10,” but the phone in the video lines up more closely with official renders of the Pixel 10 Pro series.”
(The Verge).
Pixel Watch 4 Pricing Details
Pricing has yet to be confirmed on the Pixel 10 series, although retail leaks have suggested similar pricing to last year. The same is true of the Pixel Watch 4, with European sticker prices matching up 2024’s model:
“According to Dealabs, the 41mm Pixel Watch 4 will come in at 399€ for the Wi-Fi model and 499€ for the LTE version. The 45mm Pixel Watch 4 is 449€ for Wi-FI, while LTE is 549€. This is specifically French pricing, with the leak presumably coming from a local retailer.”
(9to5Google).
Record Pre-Orders For Galaxy Z Series
Pre-orders for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 have shown the demand for the foldable form factor remains relatively high, with over a million pre-orders for Samsung’s latest:
“…all the signs from key markets like India and South Korea are very encouraging. Almost surprisingly so. Not only are the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 nearly as popular as the Galaxy S25 series in the world’s most populous nation, but the pre-order record set by the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5 a couple of years back in Samsung’s homeland has officially been broken as well.”
(Phonearena).
Honor’s Record Preorders
Speaking of foldable records, Honor is seeng a similar lift in pre-orders. The latest Magic V5 is picking up record requests around the world:
“We brought in double the stock of the Honor Magic V3 for this launch, and still managed to sell out online within just 48 hours. Foldables are clearly booming in Singapore. It’s clear that consumers here are eager to embrace innovation.”
(Honor Singapore via Hardware Zone).
Samsung Boosts Galaxy S26 Ultra Specs
Looking further ahead, the foldables may be the fashion, but the flagships are waiting in the wings. Some will undoubtedly be launched in September (likely in time for Berlin’s IFA consumer technology show), while others will follow later. Samsung’s Galaxy S26 family is either at the very end of that cycle, or kicks off 2026. Nevertheless, one recent leak suggests it is already behind in the specs comparison:
“That’s still a 10% increase, but battery sizes starting with 6 and 7 are becoming the norm for Chinese brands, so this will clearly be seen as a weakness for the S26 Ultra when it arrives. On the flip side, it is said to support 65W charging, for the first time a Samsung smartphone is going to go past the previously-inescapable 45W threshold.
(GSMArena).
Samsung Upgrades Now Bar
As artificial intelligence becomes ever more prevalent, how it is brought to users will be key. Samsung’s Now Bar is one of those choices, and the South Korean company is stepping up and introducing more services to the fore:
“In the “Device Experience Guide” for the Galaxy Z Flip 7, which ships with One UI 8, Samsung highlights that the Now Bar can now display real-time app alerts right on the cover screen. The document also reveals that app support for the Now Bar is set to expand from 20 services in One UI 7 (as of June 2025) to up to 35 in One UI 8 by the end of 2025.”
(Android Authority).
And Finally…
The traditional focus of smartphone photography is still a key point both in marketing and in manufacturing, so it’s worth noting that Oppo’s partnership with Hasselblad is set to continue:
“Back in 2022, Oppo entered a strategic partnership with legendary imaging brand Hasselblad. The pair have been collaborating on all of Oppo’s flagship phones since, and the two sides are now extending that partnership and revealed they are developing a next-generation imaging system for Oppo’s upcoming flagship phones.”
(GSM Arena).
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!
