Android

TL;DR Samsung Galaxy S26 units have been coming down with an odd red tint to their screens. The manufacturer has confirmed this was a software issue, but so far the only fix has been available in person. Now Samsung finally looks ready to distribute the fix en masse via a software update. We all know how annoying it is when our phones suffer from an unexpected glitch. But for as frustrating as that can be, it’s maybe somehow even worse when a manufacturer confirms that it’s developed a fix, but we can’t immediately get our hands on it. Owners of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra have been dealing with such a tease for several weeks now, but the good news is that the end finally appears to be in sight. Users first alerted us to problem in mid-July, reporting that they were seeing sections of their S26 Ultra’s screen take on a pinkish, redish hue:

Credit: Joe Maring / Android Authority Google Photos does a lot of things right, which is just as well since many of us sleepwalked into using it and are now somewhat reliant on it. But the quality of phone cameras in 2026 means the standard 15GB of free storage — less if you don’t want to share your phone number — feels like almost nothing, and at some point, you might decide you’d quite like some of that space back. Google does offer tools to help you reclaim those gigabytes, but we recently asked readers whether the whole process should be easier. My colleague Megan Ellis recently shared a handful of tips and tricks for freeing up Google Photos storage after doing some serious housekeeping on her own library. With more than 47,000 backed-up items, she managed to claw back around 23GB by using Google’s existing cleanup tools and a few more hands-on methods. The experience also exposed some obvious limitations, especially the lack of a straightforward duplicate-photo finder, so we asked readers whether Google needs to make the job easier via a poll in her article.

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority TL;DR A leak has shared new renders of the Galaxy S26 FE. The leak showcases the device in three color options. The colors are reportedly called Blueberry, Pistachio, and Graphite. It’s looking more and more like the Galaxy S26 FE leaks won’t stop until Samsung finally makes its official announcement. Earlier today, we got a look at the cases for the next Samsung Fan Edition phone. Now we have new images of the handset in every color. Courtesy of the folks over at SammyGuru, there are several new renders of the Galaxy S26 FE from multiple angles. More importantly, the renders feature the device in three different colors. These colors are reportedly called Blueberry, Pistachio, and Graphite. While it’s not the first time we’ve seen the design, this may be our best look yet.

TL;DR Pixel’s Flip to Shhh gesture has stopped working for some users, with the feature either becoming impossible to enable or disappearing from Settings entirely. Updating the Digital Wellbeing app appears to fix the issue for some users, although Google hasn’t confirmed the connection and the fix isn’t universal. Some users say the problem persists or returns after updating, and we’ve reached out to Google for more information. Your Pixel phone comes with a handy little trick for those moments when you just can’t be bothered — it lets you turn your phone face down on a flat surface to silence all notifications. Called Flip to Shhh, it was released with the Pixel 3 all the way back in 2018. Up until recently, the gesture-based feature has largely worked as intended — that, however, is no longer the case for some. Over the last couple weeks, several disgruntled users have taken to Reddit to air their frustration with the feature. Flip to Shhh had suddenly stopped working for many with no clear reason.

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority TL;DR TSMC has reportedly developed a 1.6nm chip manufacturing process. The process is said to deliver an 8% to 10% increase in computing speed, and a 15% to 20% decrease in energy consumption. TSMC is expected to start mass production in Q4 2026. While everyone’s excited about 2nm chips, IBM recently blew past that limit, showing off its sub-nm architecture. As a result, TSMC and other chip makers are now left playing a game of catch-up. However, IBM estimates that it will take five years before this design is ready for production. As the company works towards that goal, TSMC is hot on IBM’s heels with a sub-2nm manufacturing process that could be ready for mass production soon. A report from Liberty Times (via Chosun) claims that TSMC has finished the development and verification of its angstrom-class A16 (1.6nm) process. TSMC will reportedly enter the mass production phase in the fourth quarter of 2026.

TL;DR Android users have been reporting some frustrating RCS problems with Google Messages. Users suggested a number of fixes, but they don’t appear to work for everyone. Google now confirms that it’s working with carriers to developer a proper solution. RCS represents the next generation of text messaging, finally delivering many of the features users were craving for years, like threads and reactions. But all that complexity also feels like it’s made things a bit fragile, and sometimes it seems that we can’t go more that a few weeks without hearing about a new RCS glitch. Most recently, that’s one that’s involved error code 3100, and appears to largely impact users setting up new devices or switching carriers. Today, Google gives us an update on progress towards sorting things out. As you may remember, we already looked at a number of potential solutions and work-arounds, and while some users did report success, it was clear that the same approach wasn’t working for everyone. Especially with something like RCS that can rely so much on external systems, that’s a situation that can feel incredibly frustrating. But that’s also why we’re relieved to now hear that Google’s on the case.

TL;DR Google launched the Pixel 11 series last week, opening pre-order on August 12. Today marks the actual beginning of Pixel 11 retail availability. Google’s publishing a series of three new feature-highlight videos to promote the new hardware. August 20 is finally upon us, and that means that Google’s new Pixel 11 smartphones are officially here — no more pre-orders, no more hoping to get your shipment early, just full-blown retail availability. And with the hardware entering this new phase, Google is taking the opportunity to show off a little of what its phones can do in a series of new videos shared on YouTube. Google has not been shy about hyping up the Pixel 11 series, and even in the weeks leading up to its Made by Google launch event, the company was already teasing us with some early Pixel 11 videos. Now that everything’s official, the company’s promotional efforts have shifted gear a little, moving from early peeks at Pixel 11 hardware to shining a spotlight on some software features. First up, we’ve got Magic Capture:

Credit: Brady Snyder / Android Authority TL;DR Gemini for Home is getting better at recognizing songs, artists, and playlists on Spotify. The voice assistant is also getting better at controlling the color temperature of your smart lights. You can now ask Gemini to broadcast a message and follow up with a reply message in separate commands. Recently, Google Home rolled out a fix for users having problems with their smart lights. The bug caused lights to turn on or off without input from the user. With that issue in the rearview mirror, Google is now rolling out a Gemini for Home update designed to grant you better control over your lights. This update will also improve Spotify media selection and make broadcasting messages easier. Starting with your smart lights, Google announced that Gemini for Home will now let you set specific color temperatures with your voice. For example, you could say. “Hey Google, make the living room lights 2700 kelvins.” With this function, Google aims to make it easier to use your voice to set the mood in your home.

TL;DR Google has detailed the latest updates for Google Home. Improvements include better support for mortise locks and a fix for a camera bug that caused streams to get stuck at 360p. All these improvements are available now. Google Home is fixing some niche smart home annoyances. Google’s shared update notes for the latest additions to its smart home platform, and changes include a fix for video streaming resolution issues, as well as improved support for what Google calls European-style smart locks. Google posted the release notes for the latest changes on the Google Home and Nest Help forum today. As of this month, the Home platform better supports European-style smart locks, also known as mortise locks. A bug that’s been causing live camera feeds to stream at a locked resolution of 360p has also been addressed.

The JBL Xtreme 5 is JBL’s big portable Bluetooth speaker, built for people who want loud sound they can carry from the backyard to the beach. It’s also on sale at Amazon right now, which makes this a good time to look at one of JBL’s most feature-packed party speakers. See the deal at Amazon

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority TL;DR A leak has revealed retail listings for the Galaxy S26 FE’s official cases. There are two case options: the Silicone Magnet Case and the Clear Magnet Case. The leak also provides a glimpse at the FE’s Blueberry and Graphite colorways. The next Galaxy phone Samsung will launch this year is the Fan Edition of the Galaxy S26. Yesterday, the European Energy Labels for the handset leaked, which revealed that it will have improved battery life compared to its predecessor. Another Galaxy S26 FE leak has now emerged, offering a glimpse at the phone cases. The folks over at SammyGuru have reportedly found retail listings of Samsung’s official cases for the Galaxy S26 FE. These listings come from an unspecified retailer, and they reveal that the company has cooked up at least two options. One of the cases is a clear shell with a magnetic ring, and the other is a silicone case that also has a magnetic ring.

Amazon just cut the Razer BlackWidow V4 75% Mechanical Gaming Keyboard to $100, down from its $199.99 recommended retail price. That’s a $99.99 saving, or 50% off RRP, and it’s the best deal we’ve seen on this keyboard all year. See the deal at Amazon

Busy commutes, office chatter, and gym noise can make it hard to focus on your music or podcasts. The Sony WF-C710N earbuds are built for exactly that kind of everyday listening, and there’s a good deal on them at Amazon right now. See the deal at Amazon

TL;DR Google could bring Gemini Daily Brief to Pixel phones’ lock screens via the At a Glance widget. It’s unclear whether the AI-powered brief will appear in the At a Glance widget in its original form, given the space constraints. Gemini Daily Brief is currently exclusive to US residents and requires a Google AI subscription to access. Google’s At a Glance widget is already one of our favorite features on Pixel devices, making it a snap to keep up with useful info throughout our days. And now it looks like Google’s working to make it even better, as we spot the company preparing to bring a Gemini-related feature to the At a Glance lock screen experience. You’re reading an Authority Insights story. Authority Insights brings you all the latest exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage from the Android Authority team that you won’t find anywhere else.

The TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro stands out among Android phones because its large display is built for comfort as much as for entertainment, and there’s a deal on it right now at Amazon. TCL made this 2026 phone around its paper-like, anti-glare NXTPAPER screen, which is meant to cut eye strain and make long reading or browsing sessions easier on your eyes. See the deal at Amazon

TL;DR Google is adding new personalization controls across Search, Discover, and Google News, giving you more say over what content appears. Discover will let you specify topics and links you want to see more of, while Google News on Android will let you customize daily audio briefings around your interests. A new Preferred Source button lets you prioritize your favorite publications, helping their coverage appear across Top Stories, AI Overviews, and AI Mode. Google is pretty good at figuring out what you’re interested in, but it doesn’t always get it right. Read one random story about running, for example, and Discover might suddenly decide you’re training for a marathon. Google is now giving you a little more control over those recommendations across Search, Discover, and Google News. That starts with Discover, where you no longer have to wait for Google to figure out what you like. From the Google app, you can tap the three-dot menu and describe the topics or links you want to see more of in your own words. So, if I’m constantly reading kitchen hacks during my commute, I can ask for more. The same goes for anything from Android phones and photography to football or travel.

TL;DR Nothing says that its Android 17-based Nothing OS 5.0 update is coming soon. The company has teased a date (August 25) related to the release, but didn’t specify what to expect. Beta testing for the previous, Android 16-based Nothing OS 4.0 update started in July 2025, so it’s likely a beta for Nothing OS 5.0 could begin soon. Stable Android 17 isn’t very widely distributed yet: right now, the latest version is available on Pixel phones, Samsung’s newest foldables, and the Motorola Edge 2025, with a handful of beta tests ongoing on other models. Today, Nothing is teasing a date related to its Android 17-based Nothing OS 5.0 update, and it’s coming up quick. In a forum post, Nothing says that the 5.0 update is “Coming Soon.” The post references a specific date and time — Tuesday, August 25 at 11:20 AM BST — though it the post doesn’t make clear what exactly will happen then.

TL;DR Sony has scheduled an announcement for August 24, 2026, at 10:00 PM ET. The announcement is for a new, unspecified Xperia product. This event could be for the Xperia 10 VIII. Sony’s Xperia 1 VIII has seen a fair amount of success since its launch back in May. According to the brand, there has been strong demand for the flagship smartphone in Japan. Will Sony be able to continue that success with its next Xperia launch? We won’t have to wait long to find out, as a new announcement will happen next week. Sony has confirmed that a new Xperia product announcement will happen soon. A YouTube stream has been set for August 25, 2026, at 11:00 AM JST. That means fans in the US will be able to tune in on August 24, 2026, at 10:00 PM ET.

Credit: Amazon A smart lock is one of the best smart home upgrades to make your home feel surprisingly futuristic overnight. Instead of digging around for a key, the Veise VE027-H Wi-Fi Fingerprint Smart Deadbolt Lock gives you every conceivable way to get inside, and our exclusive promo code now drops it even further than Amazon’s all-time low Prime Day price back in June. Using the exclusive code VEISEAA15 gets you an extra 15% off at both Veise and Amazon. On the Veise website, the $140.99 sale price is reduced to only $119.85. The Satin Nickel version on Amazon falls from its $139.99 Prime price to just $118.99. Either way, compared to the the $199.99 retail price, you’re looking at more than 40% off.

TL;DR Android Auto 17.4 fixes a bug that caused connections to drop or freeze every few minutes on some phones and car head units. The issue affected both wired and wireless Android Auto, with some users reporting that updates to versions 17.2 and 17.3 failed to resolve it. Google also says a separate Pixel 10 connection problem with some VW Group cars has been fixed through a head-unit software update from the manufacturer. Are Android Auto users ever going to catch a break? It feels like we can’t go more than a few weeks between the latest Android Auto glitch causing headaches for users. Today we’ve got some good news, though, as Google comes through with a fix. Google says it has fixed a frustrating Android Auto bug that caused some users’ connections to fail every few minutes. The issue appeared on some versions of Android Auto 17.1 and persisted through versions 17.2 and 17.3, affecting both wired and wireless connections on some cars. Android Auto 17.4 or newer now includes the fix.

TL;DR A new leak has spilled the beans on the pricing of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Plus and the Tab S12 Ultra. The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra variants are reportedly getting a $100 price increase, in line with recent Samsung device launches. Samsung is reintroducing the Galaxy Tab S12 Plus this year in place of last year’s base Galaxy Tab S11 model, which means the cheapest Galaxy Tab S12 model could cost well over $1,000. Samsung has confirmed the upcoming launch of the Galaxy Tab S12 series, though the company hasn’t provided a specific date. We’ve already seen what the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra could look like, and other leaks have given us a decent idea of its hardware. Now, a reliable source of leaks is giving us early insights into the pricing of these upcoming flagship tablets. According to Roland Quandt on Bluesky, the entry-level Galaxy Tab S12 Plus with 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM may cost $1,199.99 when it reaches US retail shelves this summer, with the 5G-equipped model going for $1,349.99. The 512GB variant, featuring the same amount of RAM, could set customers back by $1,399.99, per Quandt.

TL;DR HUAWEI has launched the Pura X View, a non-foldable glass-slab phone featuring a wide 16:9.5 aspect ratio for its singular 6.39-inch OLED display. The phone also has a 6.68mm-thin profile and weighs just 201g despite a 7,000mAh battery. This launch aligns with foldable market trends and previous wide-screen HUAWEI releases such as the Pura X and Pura X Max. Once upon a time, Android phones came in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Over the years, we eventually settled on some common ideals for a smartphone, with a tall 19.5:9 or 20:9 display becoming one of those defining features. Foldables gave the market a chance to experiment, but we settled back on tall book-style and flip-style clamshell foldables. In anticipation of Apple’s iPhone Ultra release, Samsung released the wider-screen Galaxy Z Fold 8, and its reception has prompted more Android brands to jump onto the wide-screen foldable bandwagon. But what if you don’t want a foldable but still want a wide-screen phone? HUAWEI is answering your prayers with the Pura X View, a new wide-screen glass slab smartphone.

TL;DR The $600 Motorola Edge 2026 will receive two major Android OS updates, going up to just Android 18. Security updates are promised for three years, with support ending in June 2029. Its limited support mirrors that of the Edge 2025 and falls well behind Google’s and Samsung’s update commitments for similarly priced midrangers. With smartphone prices climbing, a $600 phone like the recently launched Motorola Edge 2026 should be an increasingly attractive proposition. It has the hardware to compete with more expensive phones, but there’s one catch that could make its reasonable price harder to swallow: its software support. According to Motorola’s official support documents, the Edge 2026 will receive just two major Android OS updates. Since it ships with Android 16, that means this year’s Android 17 and next year’s Android 18 releases will be the only major platform upgrades that it is promised to. Security updates are promised for three years, with support ending in June 2029.

Credit: Adamya Sharma / Android Authority TL;DR Pixel 11 phones bring new Screen saver styles, including one that shows the battery level in big, bold font. Screen saver’s settings also get new options for analog and digital clocks with different font styles. All these features appear exclusive to the Pixel 11, though there’s no confirmation from Google on this yet. With the launch of the Pixel 10 series last year, Google introduced long-overdue improvements to Android’s screensaver. The new Screen saver functionality was one of the Pixel 10’s standout features, allowing the idle screen to be turned into a bedside clock or a digital photo frame. And it’s gaining new abilities with the Pixel 11 series. We’ve discovered a new Screen saver style with the Pixel 11 series. Called “Charge,” the screensaver shows a bar stretched alongside one of the screen’s edges, showing the exact battery percentage. While the current battery percentage is displayed in large, easy-to-read text, the screen also shows milestones for 80% and 100% charging in a smaller font. Meanwhile, the time is displayed in a relatively smaller font at the bottom of the screen.

I’ve pretty much watched Gemini grow up right in front of me. I was there when it was still Bard, when it mostly felt like a chatbot you opened, asked a question, and hoped for a useful answer. Then Bard became Gemini, and somewhere along the way, it started actually doing things for me. Today, Gemini can compare products, hunt for better deals, make restaurant reservations, schedule appointments, and even help with travel bookings. And with Gemini in Chrome now rolling out to Android users in the US, much of that assistance is moving directly into the browser on your phone.