Taking a look back at this week’s news and headlines across the Android world, including Galaxy S26 Ultra leaks, OnePlus 15’s powerful upgrade, new AI features for Pixel, RealMe heads to F1, concessions made to Android developers, Steam’s new Android platform, and more Journal support for Pixel.
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.
Smile Wider For Your Galaxy S26 Ultra Selfie
Following leaks around the size of the selfie cutout of the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra, the second shoe has fallen as details on the forward-facing selfie camera make it clear why more frontal space had to be sacrificed… the field of view is moving from 80 degrees to 85 degrees:
“Thanks to this upgrade, the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s selfie camera has the same FOV as the S25 Ultra’s rear wide camera. The selfie shooter will be able to capture more in the frame, which will make it easier to capture better group selfies. Of course, the cost of this wider field of view is a larger selfie camera hole in the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s display. But given the substantial camera upgrade, most users will likely consider that a fair trade.”
OnePlus 15’s Global Power
This week saw the global release of the OnePlus 15. The latest flagship from OnePlus marks a departure from the iterative approach seen over the last few years, with significant changes in design philosophy leading to numerous tentpole features. While gamers will appreciate the 165Hz refresh rate screen, the biggest day-to-day impact will undoubtedly be the OnePlus 15’s 7,300 mAh battery.
“Reports from those who purchased the Chinese variant of the OnePlus 15 indicate a screen-on time of 15 hours in use… OnePlus is offering fast charging on the OnePlus 15 to fill up the larger battery quickly. A OnePlus Supervooc wired charger, rated at 120W, will charge in under 40 minutes, while the Airvooc wireless charger offers 50W of charging. “
New AI For Your Pixel
Google has released the latest Pixel Drop for its own smartphones, a set of new features based around Android’s quarterly update. The Pixel’s on-device LLM is getting put to work to summarise long messages from chat apps, along with working alongside your phone calls:
“Google is bringing Call Notes to Australia, Canada , Ireland, Japan, and the UK to the Pixel 9+ (9a excluded). On-device Gemini Nano is leveraged to record and transcribe calls, with Google also generating summaries and next steps.”
Start Your RealMe Engines
RealMe’s latest edition of the GT 8 series brings a little bit more motorsport to the brand, although from the world of Formula 1 and not Grand Touring. The Realme GT 8 Pro Aston Martin F1 Limited Edition is here. Notebook Check’s Antony Muchiri has more:
“his special version features a turquoise back panel with the F1 team’s badge, neon yellow accents, and a themed user interface. It ships in a collector’s box containing F1-inspired items, including two phone cases and swappable carbon-fiber camera decos.”
App Developer Verification Process Scaled Back
Following a near-universal wave of negative feedback against the mandataory registration and verification of developers looking to run apps on Google’s version of Android, the company has made several concessions to the process that will broadly maintain the security offered by developer registration, but to also offer a path for students and hoobiests to deploy app, and for experiencced users to make their own decisions on what to nstall on their personal hardware:
“Based on this feedback and our ongoing conversations with the community, we are building a new advanced flow that allows experienced users to accept the risks of installing software that isn’t verified. We are designing this flow specifically to resist coercion, ensuring that users aren’t tricked into bypassing these safety checks while under pressure from a scammer. It will also include clear warnings to ensure users fully understand the risks involved, but ultimately, it puts the choice in their hands. We are gathering early feedback on the design of this feature now and will share more details in the coming months.”
Steam’s Android Promise
Staying with apps on Android, in the same week that it launched a new VR headset, home console and controller, parent company Valve is bringing Android apps into Steam. The VR Steam Frame runs on the same Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset as countless Android smartphones. If you have experience in mobile VR, it’s going to be transferable to Steam:
“Valve says the Steam Frame can use the same Android APKs developers already use to bring their apps to phones and Android-based VR headsets such as the Meta Quest — and it’s launching a Steam Frame developer kit program to help put the hardware in developers’ hands.”
And Finally…
One of the many “Pixel 10 exclusive” apps by Google is making its way into the wider Pixel world. The Journal app supports and encourages you to write about events and feelings that you have experienced. At this point, the app will offer support and encouragement, identify trends in your notes, and help guide you toward your goals.
“Similar to Apple’s 2023-launched app with the same name, Google’s Journal app is essentially a private space on your device where you can focus on your wellbeing and progress toward your goals, all while building a practice of reflection. It’s a digital diary that allows users to reflect on and jot down everyday moments. However, unlike Apple’s implementation, Google’s Journal app is built with AI at its core.”
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!
