Android

TL;DR Google has been working on a new feature that will automatically minimize the Gemini overlay while it processes a user request. It could allow people to use their phones normally while Gemini is processing their request. Google was also working on a minimize button for Gemini a few months ago, but that hasn’t been rolled out yet. Gemini can be very helpful, especially as a floating overlay that pops up when you long-press the power button. However, that overlay doesn’t let users do anything else on their phones while Gemini is running. Fortunately, Google seems to be testing a new behavior for the Gemini overlay that could be immensely helpful. 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.

Credit: Paul Jones / Android Authority Not content with launching three foldables and a pair of smartwatches this summer, Samsung is rounding off its latest launch window with the Galaxy S26 FE. It’s hard to object to the idea behind the FE — the core of a premium Samsung phone experience with some bits trimmed off to make it easier on your bank account. And I am fairly sure that when the Galaxy S26 FE is reviewed, it will score well. But it’s still going to be a phone that’s hard to find a suitable buyer for, due to its unfortunate mix of features and pricing.

Credit: Paul Jones / Android Authority TL;DR Samsung has released the eighth One UI 9 beta for the Galaxy S26 series. The 513MB update (firmware ZZHM) includes the August 5, 2026 security patch. The update is currently live only in South Korea. We hope to see it go live in India, Germany, Poland, the UK, and the US very soon as well. Last week, Samsung released One UI 9 Beta 7 for the Galaxy S26 series. Samsung usually goes a few weeks between beta releases, and while we hoped a stable update would finally roll out, Samsung is back with another beta for the Galaxy S26 series. This marks the eighth One UI 9 beta for the Galaxy S26 series, and comes alongside the first One UI 9 beta for the Galaxy S25 series. Tarun Vats notes on X that Samsung has begun rolling out One UI 9 Beta 8 for the Galaxy S26 Ultra in South Korea. This Android 17-based update comes with firmware version ending in ZZHM, the August 5, 2026 security patch, and is 513MB in size.

We’re fast approaching a decade since the first commercially available foldable phones arrived — yes, I’m counting the hilariously bad Royole FlexPai. Yet, despite the strides we’ve made in the technology behind them, foldables as a category are stuck behind a proverbial wall. Everyone from Samsung to Google, Motorola, and a plethora of Chinese OEMs have spent years redesigning hinges, improving displays, and offering increasingly aggressive trade-in deals to spur take-up. Despite that, foldables still make up just 1.6% of global smartphone shipments.

TL;DR Google is refining Gemini Live’s redesigned Android interface with another small UI change. A new live translation option is rolling out, letting Gemini translate conversations between languages in real time. The update appears to be a gradual server-side rollout, with some devices getting the refreshed UI before the translation feature arrives. For most of its existence, Gemini Live’s interface barely changed. That shifted in April when Google began testing a redesign that ditched the dedicated full-screen experience. Now, Google appears to be quietly refining that experience again, and the latest change could be much more useful than another visual refresh. A new “Turn on live translation” option appears to be rolling out to some users, enabling Gemini Live to translate conversations between languages in real time.

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority TL;DR Samsung has released the first One UI 9 beta for the Galaxy S25 series, expanding the beta program beyond the Galaxy S26 series. The 3,862MB update (firmware DZHK) includes the August 5, 2026, security patch and brings Android 17 to the phone. Currently live in India, the UK, and South Korea, the new update will hopefully be available in the US, Germany, and Poland as well if Samsung sticks to its release patterns. The Galaxy S26 series just received its seventh One UI 9 beta release last week, but aside from the flagships that launched with One UI 9 out of the box, other Samsung phones haven’t joined the party yet. That changes today, as Samsung has finally begun the One UI 9 beta program for the Galaxy 25 series. Tarun Vats reveals on X that Samsung has begun the One UI 9 Beta program for the Galaxy S25 series in South Korea, the UK, and India.

Credit: Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR Google has increased the price of its TV Streamer 4K by 50%. It pegs the increase to rising component costs. Along with the Streamer, Google is also hiking prices for certain models of the Nest Cam and doorbells. The Google TV Streamer 4K, launched in 2024, is one of the most capable devices for converting any screen or an older dumb LCD or plasma TV into a smart TV. The Streamer’s 4GB RAM provides ample headroom for the ad-ridden Google TV homepage to load and scroll very easily, while offering bragging rights for the quickest Google TV updates. However, that bigger-than-others RAM is now adding to Google’s manufacturing bills (thanks to AI-driven RAM and storage shortages), and it’s being passed on to consumers. Google’s streaming hardware, which was selling at a 25% discount back in July, is now seeing a sharp 50% price hike. With this change, the TV Streamer, launched in 2024, is now available for $149.99 — up from $99.99. The prices have already been updated at the Google Store and Best Buy, but Amazon and Walmart continue to sell remaining units at the older price.

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority TL;DR The OnePlus 16’s “final” camera specs have apparently leaked online. The phone is said to have a 200MP main camera, a new 50MP ultrawide camera, and a 50MP 3x camera. It looks like the 3x camera is virtually identical to the one seen on the OnePlus 13. The OnePlus 15 was a bit of a disappointment on the camera front compared to the OnePlus 13. However, various leaks in 2026 suggest that the OnePlus 16 could have upgraded camera hardware. Now, a trusted tipster has revealed “final” camera specs. Leaker Digital Chat Station on Weibo has revealed what might be the definitive OnePlus 16 camera specs. Check out the machine-translated screenshot below.

Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority TL;DR Ahead of the big Android Auto redesign, the app is getting a new icon. Android Auto ditches the blue icon for a green one. The new icon also features rounder corners than before. Android Auto is set to receive a major makeover in the coming months, with more fluid elements, fewer rigid shapes, widget support, and video playback — finally! So anyone who still considers Android Auto inferior (at least, visually) to Apple CarPlay will no longer have their reasons to complain. The exact date for this rollout remains unclear at this moment, but with Google having crossed major milestones in terms of hardware launches — though the Googlebook launch still remains, we could expect it to pour its energy into bringing the promised software upgrades. We’re already seeing signs that Google is making progress in this direction, and the first indication is a new, upgraded icon for Android Auto. With version 17.6.663424 of Android Auto, we’ve spotted a new icon with subtle variations and a new color.

Credit: Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR The Galaxy S27 and S27 Plus could use the same 3x telephoto system as the S27 Pro. An earlier report tipped the S27 Pro for a 12MP 3x camera, but the new leak doesn’t confirm the sensor specs. Samsung is also reportedly testing a 50MP 4x telephoto camera for the Galaxy S27 Ultra. Samsung’s regular Galaxy S phones haven’t exactly been spoiled with telephoto camera upgrades in recent generations. That could finally change with the next series, as a new leak suggests the Galaxy S27 and S27 Plus may inherit the same 3x telephoto system as the upcoming Galaxy S27 Pro.

TL;DR Pixel 11 debuted a Gemini feature called Device Help that can automatically adjust device settings based on text prompts. Device Help is available on all Pixel phones running Android 17, a Googler has clarified. The feature is also coming to more devices in the future. The Pixel 11 series debuted a new Gemini feature called Device Help. Device Help lets you tell Gemini what you want to accomplish on your phone, and the AI will return the relevant settings and even offer to make multiple changes for you in a single tap. Now, we’ve learned that the feature isn’t a Pixel 11 exclusive. Google’s Minhaz A V recently posted a video of Device Help in action on X. The clip shows Gemini surfacing a set of features to help make the phone “comfortable to use at night,” including dark mode and screen brightness settings. More interestingly, though, the tweet says that Device Help is available on any Pixel phone running Android 17, and that it’s coming to more devices in the future.

TL;DR Pixel 11 owners report the Lift to check phone feature is waking their screens with very little movement. Some commenters say the feature seems noticeably more sensitive than it was on their older Pixels. Disabling Lift to check phone appears to be the only workaround to stop the issue right now. Now that the Pixel 11 series has only been out in the wild for a short time, the inevitable early quirks are starting to emerge. One of them appears to involve Google’s usually handy ‘Lift to check phone’ feature, with Pixel 11 Pro owners reporting that their screens are waking with barely any movement at all. A Reddit user raised the issue after noticing their new Pixel 11 Pro repeatedly waking while simply sitting on a table. After experimenting with the phone’s wake settings, they found that disabling the gesture stopped the behavior.

TL;DR Some Google Search queries are returning fully expanded AI Overview summaries. These expanded summaries include a text box labeled Ask anything that links to AI Mode. It seems this is only the case on desktop. Google’s been working at making AI Mode a more prominent part of Search for some time. Now, it’s taken another step to that end: some AI Overview summaries are now showing up fully expanded, complete with a text box where you can type follow-up questions that’ll launch an AI Mode interaction. Previously, these text boxes only appeared when you clicked Show more at the bottom of an AI Overview. This change hasn’t been officially announced, but was recently pointed by co-founder of SEO agency Nectiv Chris Long on X (via WinFuture). Today, certain search terms return results that begin with an expanded AI Overview answer that takes up quite a bit of space, along with a box labeled Ask anything, inviting users to stay inside Google’s ecosystem rather than scrolling down to the websites it’s pulling information from.

Credit: Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority TL;DR A survivor of the tragic Nepal flood disaster says satellite connectivity helped him contact rescuers after conventional networks went down. He was reportedly able to reach a helicopter and was evacuated from the disaster area. The case shows the potentially life-saving value of satellite features being adopted by major phone manufacturers. Satellite connectivity has gradually become a more familiar smartphone feature in recent years, offering a way to call for help when conventional networks aren’t available. The technology has now reportedly proved its worth during the tragic Tibet-Nepal flooding, with one survivor saying it helped him contact rescuers and escape to safety. As reported by PhoneArena, a survivor caught up in the disaster said he was able to maintain communication with the outside world via satellite connectivity on his HUAWEI Mate X5 after regular network service was lost. He later posted about his experience on the social media account of HUAWEI Executive Director Richard Yu.

With memory at a premium in 2026, the SanDisk 256GB microSD Express Card is built for people who want faster storage in a tiny card, and there’s a good Amazon deal on it right now. This model uses a PCIe/NVMe interface instead of standard UHS-I tech, which is why it stands out for portable gaming, apps, and media work. See the deal at Amazon

Amazon has dropped the Hisense 65-inch U7 Mini-LED Google TV to $847.99, down from its $1,499.99 RRP. That saves you $652, which is a 43% discount relative to the recommended retail price, and it brings the TV back to its Prime Day price, matching the all-time low. See the deal at Amazon

Keeping an eye on a place without Wi-Fi or nearby power can be a real pain, especially for places like farms, cabins, RVs, and job sites. That is exactly where the Reolink 2K Plus 4G LTE Cellular Security Camera fits in, and it is now on sale at Amazon for $152.98. See the deal at Amazon

TL;DR Galaxy Z Fold 8 demand is reportedly outpacing Samsung’s expectations. A Display Driver IC (DDI) shortage is now putting pressure on Fold 8 production. Samsung is tapping future DDI reserves to keep making current Fold 8 units. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra just became the best-selling Android phone globally in Q2 2026, while the regular Galaxy S26 also cracked the top 10. Now, Samsung has another phone that people apparently want more than it expected — so much so that the company is reportedly dipping into component stock reserved for future production to keep the Galaxy Z Fold 8 coming. According to ZDNet Korea, Samsung is running short of the Display Driver IC (DDI) used to control the pixels on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 OLED display. Samsung has reportedly increased its component orders after demand for the passport-style foldable exceeded expectations. But its DDI supplier, Taiwan’s United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), has little room to ramp up production.

Credit: Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR Google updated the Now Playing app with subtle interface tweaks. It’s also moving closer to restoring Now Playing notifications, which it removed earlier this year. We have spotted Now Playing’s upcoming support for secondary user accounts on Pixel devices. Beyond that, a sync feature for Now Playing history is in the works. Now Playing is a Pixel-exclusive feature with few haters, but Google managed to rile up users when it refashioned it as a separate app this March. The supposed upgrade broke key functionality for users, including the ability to sync tracks with third-party services like Last.fm. Now the app is getting a new update with certain functionality tweaks — and the bigger promise of getting lost features back.

TL;DR HUAWEI’s Mate XT 2 has just gone up for pre-order in China, giving us a decent idea about its design elements and other changes. One of the biggest changes from the original Mate XT is the way the device folds: the new model uses an inward-folding mechanism that keeps the inner screen protected at all times. Pricing information is currently unavailable, though we know the Mate XT 2 will be available with up to 16GB of RAM, and 512GB and 1TB of storage options. While standard foldable phones continue to roll out, manufacturers have been more cautious with triple-folding smartphones. HUAWEI was the first to enter the segment with the Mate XT, followed by the Mate XTs. Samsung then launched its own version, dubbed the Galaxy Z TriFold, though it had a short sales run. If you’re itching to get your hands on a tri-fold, HUAWEI is now gearing up to launch its next-gen tri-fold phone, featuring a significantly revamped folding mechanism. The Mate XT 2 has just been detailed in a teaser video posted on Weibo, while the company has also opened pre-orders for the device on Vmall. However, no pricing information is available on the website as of yet.

Credit: Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR Android 17 QPR2 Beta 4 adds a dedicated “Data logging” menu for Private Compute Core within Privacy Dashboard. Users can toggle logging between Limited (up to three days/100MB) and Detailed (up to 12 hours/100MB) tiers, download logs, or delete them. Google rolled out Android 17 QPR2 Beta 4, and alongside several under-the-hood tweaks, it introduces a major transparency upgrade for how the OS handles sensitive on-device data. The new release adds a dedicated “Data logging” section for the Private Compute Core right inside Privacy Dashboard. Private Compute Core is Android’s isolated sandbox that powers machine learning features such as Live Caption, Now Playing, and Smart Reply, without exposing user data directly to the cloud or other apps. While Private Compute Core has historically operated in a secure silo, this new Privacy Dashboard entry in Android 17 QPR2 Beta 4 lets users actively monitor, log, and review any outbound data leaving the Private Compute Core environment.

Sometimes, upgrading to the latest smartphone is a simple process. A lot of us look at the phone we have now, and if we liked it, we look for the newest version of the same thing: probably more powerful, likely introducing a couple new features, and hopefully not costing too much more. But the market doesn’t always make things so simple for us, and this year with Google’s new Pixel 11 series, some shoppers might want to take a long, hard look at exactly what those upgrades offer — and what Google wants us to pay for them. A little over a week ago, we asked you to really break things down for us. This year’s Pixel 11 Pro phones can feel a little underwhelming depending on your expectations, but what are shoppers supposed to do about it? Well, the playing field in 2026 is sure a whole lot smaller than it’s been in years past, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some solid options out there. And honestly, between lengthy software update guarantees and all the craziness happening now with RAM values in light of the market losing its mind, maybe it really does make sense to go with something other than the very, very latest phone.

TL;DR Xtream Player v1.4.0 adds games such as Chess and Connect 4 for Premium users, with more planned. The update also brings new icons, YouTube Music improvements, and several playback fixes across Free and Premium versions. The developer is already working on phone-to-car YouTube playback and a proper EPG guide, with another update expected this weekend. Waiting in a parked car while someone runs into a shop is hardly the most exciting way to spend a few minutes. That familiar scenario apparently gave the developer behind Android Auto app Xtream Player an idea: why not put a few simple games on the dashboard for those moments when the car isn’t moving? That idea is now part of Xtream Player v1.4.0, which also brings new icons, YouTube Music improvements, and playback fixes. Xtream Player is the successor to Fermata Xtream, which became popular among Android Auto enthusiasts for bringing video playback and other unofficial features to compatible car displays. The developer had previously announced that Fermata Xtream was being sunset, only to return with a completely rewritten app. The latest version 1.4.0 now gives that project another significant upgrade.

Credit: Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR Android 17 QPR2 Beta 4 improves the process of granting apps permission to install other apps with a new inline dialog, eliminating the need to leave the active app. The update also adds one-time install permissions that are automatically revoked once the APK has finished installing. Users retain the ability to grant apps permanent permissions to install other apps. Google released Android 17 QPR2 Beta 4 last week, bringing new additions such as a dedicated Agent Dashboard. However, the update also tackles a long-standing security and convenience pain point by introducing one-time installation permissions for unknown apps, making APK sideloading significantly safer without compromising convenience for power users. On older Android versions, sideloading an APK outside official app stores requires granting the host app (such as a browser or a file manager) the “Install unknown apps” permission.

TL;DR Android 17 QPR2 Beta 4 update includes new Settings menu options to control the visibility of status bar icons. Users can individually control system or notification-related icons in the status bar. Multiple smartphone makers, including Samsung and OnePlus, already offer a similar option to hide icons in the status bar. Android 17 QPR2 Beta 4 landed over the weekend, and we’re gradually learning what’s new with the update. In July, we uncovered evidence in an Android Canary release suggesting Google could allow users to hide system and notification icons from the status bar. We can now confirm that the freshly released beta includes two entries for this particular feature directly in the Settings page. We last saw progress on this feature in Android Canary 2608 earlier this month, when strings revealed exactly what could be hidden from the status bar. However, we never quite knew what the new options would look like. That’s changing courtesy of the latest Android 17 QPR2 beta.