Taking a look back at this week’s news and headlines across the Android world, including leaked Pixel 9a details, Galaxy Fold anniversary, Galaxy S25 Ultra review, OnePlus Watch 3 launch, Murena’s Pixel tablet, Huawei’s Tri-fold global launch, and Amazon drops its app store.
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.
Pixel 9a Camera Specs
With Apple’s iPhone 16e (née SE) launched, attention turns to its likely direct competitor (at least in the media) in the form of the Pixel 9a. Google’s mid-range variant of the Pixel 9 family is expected to launch early in Q2. The team at Winfuture go over the latest leaked specs, including the dual-lens camera (which is twice as many lenses as the 16e):
“For the cameras, Google relies on a reduced system, the two sensors of which barely protrude from the housing. The main camera uses a 48-megapixel sensor in 1/2-inch format, which has an 82-degree field of view and a pixel edge length of 0.85 micrometers. The second camera has a resolution of 13 megapixels and a 120-degree field of view, so it is primarily used as an ultra-wide-angle camera. Only the main camera has an optical image stabilizer in the hardware.”
(Winfuture).
The Galaxy Fold Anniversary
This week is the sixth anniversary of Samsung’s foldable smartphone adventure. Feb. 20, 2019 saw the launch of the revolutionary Galaxy Fold. the story ends with the current Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6, but goes back to some of the early issues that threatened to derail the whole project:
“The original Galaxy Fold’s launch wasn’t without controversy. Once units got into the hands of tech reviewers and early pre-order customers, it emerged that the foldable displays were breaking. It had less to do with Samsung and more to do with people ignoring the clear warnings that Samsung had given asking users not to remove a protective film that came pre-installed on the foldable panel from the factory. Everyone who removed that film ended up damaging their display.”
(SamMobile).
Galaxy S25 Ultra Review
Meanwhile, the latest Galaxy S25 Ultra reviews are digging into the hardware and software of Samsung’s latest flagship. The specs are high, but what of Galaxy AI? Abhijeet Mishra notes that many of the AI features will, much like lat year’s Circle To Search, not be Samsung exclusives for long:
“Google Gemini is such an important part of the experience that it is now the default digital assistant when you long press the power button. That’s not a bad thing, but the problem is that none of these Gemini features are going to remain exclusive to the S25 lineup. Older Galaxy devices will get them, and so will devices from other manufacturers.
(SamMobile).
OnePlus Watch 3 Keeps Time For Longer
OnePlus launched the titular OnePlus Watch 3 this week, with new health an fitness capabilities. Yet the key upgrade is in battery life, with a rise of up to 120 hours when you switch off the dalways-on display. If you leave that on, you still get a class-leading three days of life:
“Regardless of how you look at it, getting around 70 hours in heavy use is impressive and keeps OnePlus ahead of the Pixel Watch 3 and the considerably pricier Galaxy Watch Ultra. These two generally last about 50-55 hours under similar conditions, so you certainly gain some extra time from the Watch 3 (at least until the 2025 models are released).”
(Wareable).
Pixel Minus Pixel
Murena has launched a Google Pixel Tablet with a difference this week… it’s taken all of the Google software out of Google’s own tablet, replacing it with e/OS/. This is based on the Android Open Source Project and offers significant compatibily with across the Android ecosystem, but without the Google Play Services:
“First announced last December, the Murena Pixel Tablet is available now through the company’s online store for $549. That’s a steep premium given Google currently sells the same 128GB version of the Pixel Tablet for $399, or $479 as part of a bundle with the charging speaker dock that Murena isn’t including.”
(The Verge).
Global Launch For Huawei’s Innovative Foldable
Huawei’s latest fold is a flex in more ways than one. The Mate XT is labelled as a tri-fold, although with three display panels nad two folds its a bit of a stretch name-wise. Nevertheless this is the first global launch of such a device. That it is accomplished in the shadow of its inclusion on the US Entities list—banning US companies such as Google and Qualcomm to work with Huawei.
“Huawei reached the position despite “not getting access to chips, to Google services. All these things basically have been huge roadblocks in front of Huawei,” Ma said, adding that the “resurgence we’re seeing from them over the past year has been quite a bit of a victory.”
“…American officials say Huawei is a security risk, which the company denies. China’s government has accused Washington of misusing security warnings to contain a rising competitor to U.S. technology companies.”
(AP).
And Finally…
Android has always supported alternative App Stores, and for many, Amazon was one of the first serious alternatives open to them. Attached to a big retail name which was also providing Android powered hardware offered a certain level of comfort. That will go away later this year; the App Store for Android phones and tablets is closing down now, and will only guarantee supporting apps until August:
“Starting August 20, 2025, you will no longer have access to the Amazon Appstore on your Android device. We will also be discontinuing the Amazon Coins program on August 20, 2025. As of Feb 20, 2025, Amazon Coins are no longer available for purchase.”
(Amazon App Store FAQ).
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!
