Samsung Galaxy XR headset and simulated images.
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Taking a look back at this week’s news and headlines across the Android world, including Galaxy S26 delay, Samsung’s Galaxy XR Headset, measuring the Pixel’s Tensor G5, Nubia’s 35mm camera system returns, Boox launch new eInk handhelds, UK takes on Android’s market power, and your comma could disappear.
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.
Delaying Samsung’s 2026 Start
Samsung’s plans for the Galaxy S26 family were knocked back a touch this week. First up is the reported cancellation of the Galaxy S26 Edge. Samsung’s fashionably thin phone line was previewed at Galaxy Unpacked was due to be upgraded at the next unpacked event. That looks to have changed this week, as poor sales have led to the apparent cancellation of the Galaxy S26 Edge and it’s replacement with Galaxy S26 Pro.
That release may be later than expected, but not by much. This year’s Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event took place on Jan 22, the year before on Jan 17. As it stands, reporting this week points to a possible two week delay into February, at least for handset availability.
Is This The Pixel Perforamnce You Asked For?
With so much focus on the raw pwerformance of smartphoens, the Google-designed Tensor chipset always draws flak for the design choice made; namely to lean away from ultimate power that you woudl find in the likes of the Qualcomm Snapdragon range, and instead leaning into the potential of the Tensor Processing Unit, Gogole’s own AI accelerator.
Stephen Radochia looks at the trade-off between raw performance and AI smarts, and why this is the defining feature of the Pixel family:
“…the point of the Tensor G5 is that Google was able to move much of that processing onto the device. Real-time voice translation, computational photography, and features like Magic Cue will run faster on the device, without relying heavily on the cloud. Google wants its AI features to run well for years, and if that doesn’t matter to you, it’s not your phone.”
Samsung’s New Reality, With Some Help From Google
Arguably this week’s launch of the Samsung Galaxy XR is the first consumer-ready extended reality headset running Android. The South Korean company is pitching the ability to “watch, work and play” with the headset, which starts at $1,799. Alongside Samsung’s product details, Google has a wider view of Android XR, the version of the OS designed for headsets and how it integrates into the wider ecosystem:
“Galaxy XR gives you an infinite screen to explore your apps, with Gemini by your side. It lets you switch between being fully immersed in a virtual environment and staying present in the real world, and you can navigate the interface naturally with your voice, hands and eyes.”
The 35mm In Your Smartphone
Nubia’sZ80 Ultra was launched this week in China. The new handset brings in the latest premium features, including a 7,200 mAh silicon carbide battery, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Elite chipset and ast charing 90W on cable and 80W on wireless. It’s also brought back a feature from previous models with the camera:
“Nubia is bringing back the 35mm equivalent main cam, which uses a custom 1/1.3-inch Omnivision 990 sensor. It’s joined by a 64MP periscope using a 1/2″ sensor with 3x optical zoom. The third shooter is an 18mm equivalent ultrawide module with a 1/1.55-inch sensor.”
A global launch for the handset takes place on Nov 6.
Boox Launch Palma 2 Pro and Note Air5 C
Boox has launched two new eInk paper devices, a palm-szied eBook reader and a larger folio styled tablet on a global platform, following a Chinese release earlier in the year. Michael Kozlowski picks out the two biggest changes over the Boox Palma 2, namely the color screen and cellular connectivity — the previous Palma models are Wifi only.
“Since there is a SIM card, you will be able to use voice communication apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or Discord. Audio quality should be greatly enhanced with the Dual Microphones. There is also a G-sensor for Auto Rotation, a Light Sensor, and a 16MP Rear Camera with LED Flash. A USB-C port is used for charging and transferring data.”
Alongside the Palma 2 Pro is the Note Air 5C, a 10-inch tablet that uses the older Carta 1200 screen supporting 4,096 colours with the eInk display (compared to the Palma 2 Pro’s Carta 1300). Crucially, both devices run Android 15 and it will have software support for three years.
The UK’s CMA Takes On Android (And Apple)
The U’s Competitions and Markets Authority has ruled that both Apple and Google (Android) have ‘strategic market status’, essentially their market share and size means they have “substantial, entrenched market power and a position of strategic significance in their respective mobile platforms.” It further notes that the two audiecnes are entrenched and are unliekly to switch, businesses are orced to only distribute via Apple and AI is not going to make a difference over the five year window.
Both Google and Apple have released statements; Googel citing the “intense competition” that Apple offers, as does Apple; “Apple faces fierce competition in every market where we operate, and we work tirelessly to create the best products, services and user experience.”
The CMA will now look for targetted interventions that ensures mobile platforms are open to efective competition.
And Finally…
Say goodbye to punctuation on your gBoard, at least if you want it. The latest builds on Android give you the option of cleaning up the low line on the keyboard, leaving just the space bar, alphanumeric switch, and the enter key. Abner Li has more:
“If turned off, Gboard’s bottom row will just be ‘?123’ and the enter key for a cleaner look. It makes for a very wide space bar. You can always double-press the space bar for a period, but removing the comma is a curious move. That said, you could disable that, but keep the Emoji key (which has been an option for some time now) for a more symmetrical design with the period.”
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!
