Taking a look back at this week’s news and headlines across the Android world, including Galaxy S26 Ultra leak, Pixel 10 Pro Fold specs, Galaxy Z Trifold, thin design or wireless charging, OnePlus PlusMind launch, Gemini in a bar, and global smartphone shipments.
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.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Specs Leak
New details have emerged on Samsung’s Galaxy S models for 2026. The top-line smartphone, presumably the Galaxy S26 Ultra, looks to be supporting a 200 megapixel camera alongside other optical improvements:
“…points to a 200MP main camera, but there’s no word if this is an upgraded sensor in line with a recent leak. A 50MP telephoto camera was also mentioned, while partners are apparently building the first parts for 5x optical zoom. This presumably means a 50MP 5x camera is making a return. Otherwise, an unspecified ultrawide camera was also mentioned in the database. There’s no word on a 3x camera, though.”
(WinFuture via Android Authority).
Pixel 10 Pro Fold Details Revealed
The ever-reliable FCC certification process typically confirms specs of upcoming devices a month or so before their launch. Google’s Pixel 10 Pro Fold has come under its spell, with details on the dimensions, display and battery all revealed:
“The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold cover display is going to increase from 6.3 inches to 6.4 inches this year. That should result in a similarly sized inner display, due to Google reducing the cover display’s bezel and the hinge. The cover display is also getting a brightness boost to 3,000 nits of peak brightness. That’s a 10% increase over the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.”
(Android Headlines).
Samsung’s Triple Play
What comes after Samsung’s Fold and Flip form factors? With the South Korean company applying for a new trademark in South Korea, we may have our answer on the next origami smartphone:
“The official name of this device is not yet known. It’s therefore all the more interesting that Samsung registered the Galaxy Z Trifold trademark in South Korea earlier this week. The name hints at both the device itself – Trifold – and the specific product line it’s part of – Galaxy Z.”
(GalaxyClub).
Samsung Asks “Thin Or Wireless?”
The future is very much on Samsung’s mind with a public survey of its community asking if ‘thin’ is preferred to ‘Qi2’ support on their upcomign handsets. The Qi2 wireless charigng standards requires magnets to lock the charger in place. While Samsung can offer this through a case, to offer it in the phone (as some other manufactuers do) requires a thicker phone. Which will it be?
“The first question asks if having “Qi2 (like MagSafe)” would “reduce any inconvenience” if the device were to only support charging via wireless charging methods. But in other questions, Samsung asks regarding if users want magnets built into their phone at the expense of the device being thinner. “
(9to5Google).
OnePlus’ AI Move
OnePlus has introduced its new AI-powered assistant. PlusMind is likely going to rest under the “Plus Key” (The replacement fro the iconic three-way alert slider) on new models, but available through the UI on older models. The OnePlus 13S could debut the new service:
“Mind Space is a place to “organize your fragmented memories… This is a hub where all of your most important content will live. AI search will allow you to find what you need without the information overload you may be used to, or it will automatically translate content into another language to make it accessible and searchable.”
(CNet).
Gemini In A Bar
Staying with AI in the user interface, a closer look at the code in the latest Android Beta shows Google’s implementation of a widget styled “AI Bar” to help surface Gemini features and information.
“The feature is still a work in progress, and we expect its functionality to grow and mature as it gets closer to public release. Google hasn’t yet announced the feature, so we don’t know when it’s coming either. We’ll keep you updated when we learn more.”
(Android Authority).
And Finally…
There’s good news and bad news in the smartphone market. New numbers from IDC and its quarterly mobile phone tracker show that shipments are slightly up year-on-year, but there are significant headwinds from many areas of the market that need to be addressed:
“The smartphone market remained positive, however uncertainty fueled by tariffs volatility, on-going macro-economic challenges such as forex instability, unemployment and inflation across regions have tapered demand, making consumers deprioritize spending on smartphones, especially in low-end segments.”
(IDC).
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!