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Whether you’re a fan of the Galaxy S27 Ultra’s new camera design or not, Samsung is ditching the cohesive design that has tied its Galaxy S models together last year. The Galaxy S27 looks nothing like the Galaxy S27 Ultra, according to these latest leaks.

Android phones are never the top-selling smartphones globally, but the ones that get closest are almost always budget models. In Q2 2026, though, Samsung achieved a major win with the Galaxy
S26 Ultra topping the charts as the best-selling Android phone globally.

Nothing OS 5.0 beta based on Android 17 has begun rolling out, but you might see an error because the demand for the new beta is “more than expected.”

The Fitbit Air is being touted as a fantastic fitness tracker, but I don’t think its worth has quite yet been proven. Google-made and third-party bands do not make for a comfortable experience, and competitive trackers blow it out of the water in terms of fit.

Welcome to episode 42 of The Sideload, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Damien Wilde joins Will as they continue to break down what’s good — and not so good — about Google’s latest phones. Come for the Snapdragon-Tensor debate, stay for a sweaty analogy that compares the Pixel 11 series to various Halloween sequels.

Sponsored by NordVPN: Listeners to The Sideload can save up to 76% on a two-year subscription alongside four extra months for absolutely free by signing up for NordVPN using this link. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this week’s episode.

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If there’s one part of using the Pixel 11 that I’ve really come to enjoy, it’s Gboard’s new voice-to-text tool, “Rambler.” But there is one big flaw, and that’s the lack of a live preview, and Nothing has just shown exactly what Google should do to fix that.

Pebblebee has launched “LÔC8,” a unique new Android Find Hub / Apple Find My tracker that’s designed to hide within your bike handles, golf clubs, and other places to help you keep tabs on your gear.

With the Pixel 11 series hitting store shelves on August 20, launch deals are beginning to wind down. However, some still remain for a limited time, including how Amazon now lets you trade in your old device for the Pixel 11 and get a gift card.

Nothing has somewhat quietly launched its new CMF Buds Neo, a pair of wireless earbuds that are somehow only $25.

Your afternoon lineup of the best Android game and app deals is now ready to roll, including titles like NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja STORM, Endling Extinction is Forever, Farm Invasion USA – Premium, Candleman, Last Day Survivors Zombie TDS, Kingdomino Deluxe, Minabo: A walk through life, and more. On your way down scope out TCL’s 2026 Google AI TVs hitting all-time lows at up to $800 off ahead of the GTA VI release, these Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra bundles up to $370 off, and the new Moto Tag 2 with UWB down as low as $17.50 each at Amazon. The apps await below.

Users are finding that Google Home’s longstanding skill of adding items to shopping lists with voice commands has disintegrated, but it all seems to be part of a strange bug for a number of people.

Nothing has announced Nothing OS 5.0, its Android 17 update, which will start rolling out in October with some redesigned UI elements, more AI features, new apps, and support for Google’s 3D emoji too.

Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by a chance to land brand-new unlocked Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra up to $340 off or with or Galaxy Watch 9/Ultra 2 bundles at $370 off. We also have Find Hub-ready Moto Tag 2 live again down at $20 (or $17.50 each in the 4-pack bundle), TCL’s 2026 Google AI TVs hitting all-time lows at up to $800 off ahead of GTA VI release, TCL Android tablets own as low as $150, and even more down below. 

If you’re inclined to switch carriers, Mint Mobile’s Pixel 11 series deal brings the Pixel 11 Pro down to $724. And that’s not even the best deal.

Samsung’s new Galaxy S27 Ultra is getting a massive redesign and, thanks to the latest leak, we’ve got a better look at what to expect, but we’re also now bracing for a major price hike.

WhatsApp is making some security upgrades, including turning two-step verification codes into full passwords instead of the traditional six-digit numerical PIN.

Wyze is refreshing its 360-degree Indoor Cam Pan with an improved design and better night vision, and a price of just $40.

Ahead of Snapdragon Summit 2026 next month, Qualcomm is previewing three components of its “next-generation Snapdragon flagship platform” (chip), starting with the Oryon CPU today.

Good morning and happy Tuesday. It’s the perfect time to read conspiracies about who exactly made the new Ox Alpha AI model, cry about coffee getting even more expensive, add this fun daily typing challenge to your morning routine, and listen to r/indieheads’ top 106 songs of 2010 to 2026.

As a reminder, Inbox is the tech newsletter you should be able to read in around 95 seconds. We cover the most important 9to5Google stories from the last couple of days along with a few highlights from around the web. We publish every Tuesday and Thursday, and if you like what you read, please subscribe.

Your Monday afternoon lineup of the best Android game and app deals is now ready to roll, including titles like Foretales, Parabellum: Siege of Legends, Mindcop, MEGA MAN X, Afterplace, Beholder: Conductor, ScourgeBringer, Mystic Pillars X Kantara, and more. On your way down, check out TCL’s TAB 10 Gen 4 Android Tablet down at $150, this UGREEN wallet tracker at $20, and LG’s 2026 C6 OLED TV at $1,000 off with a FREE $50 credit. The apps await below.

A year in tech used to bring about big, bold changes. Today, things are iterative, merely refinements, and that has never been more apparent than going from the Pixel 10 to the Pixel 11. Here’s what you need to know.

“HiLight” on the Pixel 11 Pro doesn’t provide much utility, but making matters worse, it also worsens a common use case of every other phone’s rear LED – the ability to use it as a flashlight.

On the Pixel 11 Pro, we’re seeing a new “Device help” tool for the Gemini app that provides personalized and conversational assistance with your phone.

The Philips Hue Sync Box lets you match up your smart home lighting to what’s on your TV, but it’s not cheap. A new “Lite” version is coming, though, which cuts the price drastically by only having a single HDMI input, while a “Sync Camera” simplifies the setup for TVs without additional inputs.

Waze’s live alerts that track police sightings, speed cameras, and more are coming to the Rivian R1 and R2.

Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by TCL’s TAB 10 Gen 4 Android Tablet dropping to $150 alongside NXTPAPER models from $160. We also have the latest wireless Ring Battery Doorbell 4K Pro hitting a new Amazon all-time low at nearly 30% off, the Chipolo Google Find Hub wallet CARD with super button/remote camera shutter now down at $33, and a chance to upgrade to LG’s 2026 C6 OLED TV for GTA VI – it is now at the Amazon all-time low at $1,000 off with a FREE $50 credit. Head below for a closer look.

GrapheneOS is set to arrive in a new Motorola smartphone next year, but it won’t just be a single slab, as the privacy-focused version of Android will also support future versions of the Razr Fold and Razr Ultra, with Pixel 11 support also coming.

While available on all Android devices, Google Clock received an icon redesign alongside the Pixel 11 launch. An update to Pixel Magnifier also brings a new icon.

When it’s working fully, Google Maps is a powerful navigation app, but bugs are a bit more common than anyone wants. Over the past month, issues with traffic data have been popping up, more recently affecting users on Android Auto specifically.

According to new leaks, Samsung is planning to revive a lost redesign with its Galaxy S27 series, but details are light.

It feels rather inevitable that Google will give in to the whole “Ultra” smartwatch fad, and when something along the lines of a “Pixel Watch Ultra” does arrive, I really hope it pulls influence from Fitbit Air.

This issue of 9to5Google Weekender is a part of our newsletter that highlights the biggest Google stories with added commentary and more. Sign up here to get Weekender delivered to your inbox every weekend, and catch our weekday roundups too!

On Saturday morning, you might have noticed an app called “Android Pulse” appearing in the list of available Google Play updates.

Buying a new smartphone usually means buying a new case alongside it, unless you’re one of those risk-fueled daredevils who opt to go caseless. And while there’s no shortage of third-party case options piling up at your local Best Buy or in Amazon warehouses, sometimes, going the first-party route just makes sense — especially if you’re able to pick one up with store credit. If you’re salivating over the new Pixel 11 series, I beg of you: please don’t choose Google’s wildly overpriced Pixelsnap Clear Case. It’s simply not worth the cost.

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold has gone through the typical torture test of JerryRigEverything and, while it faired better than last year, Google still has work to do.

Welcome to Pixelated episode 113. This week, Damien, Abner, and Will dive into their thoughts and reviews of the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL, and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold.

Enjoy the episode? You can listen to our brand new weekly members-only Pixelated Pro bonus episode by signing up for 9to5Google Pro!

Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription to the company’s suite of privacy-friendly services by signing up using our link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring the podcast.

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Besides expanded availability across apps, the double pinch gesture on the Pixel Watch 5 benefits from being able to “Customize actions” across music and alarms.

Your Friday afternoon lineup of the best Android game and app deals is now ready to roll, including titles like Blacksmith of the Sand Kingdom, A Little to the Left: Stars, A Little to the Left: Drawers, RPG Onigo Hunter, Premium-RPG Wizards of Brandel, Data Defense, and more. Check out the now updated Best Buy 60th Anniversary sale with new deals, as well as these Nothing price drops from $38, the all-time low on Anker’s new SmartTrack Google Find Hub wallet card, and Lenovo’s 2026 IdeaPad 2K touchscreen Copilot+ laptop at a giant $600 off. The apps await below.

Previewed in a recent Canary build, Google’s Pixel 11 Pro Fold ships with the “App Handles” multitasking feature that’s a welcome addition to the experience.

The Moto Tag 2 is one of the few Android Find Hub trackers with UWB, soon to be joined by the Pixel Tag, but the tracker is available right now and, despite the price having supposed to be temporary, it’s still just $20.

The Google Pixel camera app is adding new “Quick access” controls on the Pixel 11 series, but it’s a little annoying that not only are they disabled by default, but the way you use them isn’t the most intuitive thing either.

How close does the Pixel 11 Pro get to the iPhone 17 Pro? Does Google’s best of 2026 contend with Apple’s best of 2025? Find out here.

While Apple absolutely dominates the US market, Europe is much more diverse in terms of smartphone market share. According to a new report, Android brands are struggling in Europe amid the RAM pricing crisis, and Apple isn’t missing the opportunity.

Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by SmartTrack wallet card hits the $25 Amazon all-time low and Chipolo’s latest Loop item trackers are also now at new Amazon lows. Be sure to check out the best price ever on the the latest wireless Ring Battery Doorbell 4K Pro at nearly 30% off, and head below for more.

After a few months of daily wear with my Fog colored Fitbit Air, I hit a stage where I wanted some alternate accessories and, so, I took a punt on some cheap bands from Amazon, only to be blown away with how good they actually were.

Hot on the heels of a US price hike earlier this year, YouTube Premimum is getting a higher price in countries all over the world, Google is confirming to users.

Google announced today that tap to pay with Google Pay is coming to Walmart stores in the US.

The privacy-focused GrapheneOS is making its way to dedicated hardware soon, with a device in the works from Motorola. According to a quick update on that device, it’ll be “higher end” than a Pixel with a price to match, and it’ll be coming sometime next year.

Google’s Pixel Watch 5 isn’t some radical new redesign, but it does bring about some welcome enhancements. And while I’m still wrestling with mixed feelings around the use of generative AI nowadays, the Pixel Watch 5’s AI watch face generator has been a surprising delight.

With the Pixel’s “Flip to Shhh” feature on, setting the phone face down silences notifications. It’s a handy feature for disconnecting, but it’s not actually working on several models right now.

The robot vacuum scene has heavily focused on improving mopping tech in recent years and, right now, the flagship models are better than they’ve ever been. For those of us without bottomless pockets, though, the Narwal Freo 20 offers a flagship-tier mop and overall cleaning experience for a much lower price tag.