Android

TL;DR GrapheneOS says it plans to support both regular Motorola phones as well as Razr foldables. The project says next-gen Snapdragon chips will bring the MTE and secure element improvements needed for GrapheneOS. GrapheneOS also requires a seven-year update commitment on devices. GrapheneOS has revealed a lot more about its plans to expand beyond Pixel phones to Motorola devices. The project has now confirmed that its Motorola partnership will eventually cover both traditional smartphones as well as Razr foldables. The privacy-focused Android operating system says its initial focus will be a regular, non-folding flagship, with the first supported Motorola devices expected to arrive in 2027.

TL;DR Xiaomi is raising prices on several smartphones and tablets by up to ¥20,000 (~$137), citing soaring memory and component costs. The Xiaomi 17T Pro and several POCO X8 Pro models will get the biggest increases, with some models becoming around 25% more expensive. Xiaomi’s latest move is another sign that the memory shortage is forcing smartphone makers to pass higher component costs on to consumers. The RAM crisis is starting to hit smartphone prices hard, and Xiaomi is the latest major Android phone maker to cave to rising component costs. The company has announced price increases for several smartphones and tablets, with some devices getting a hefty ¥20,000 (~$137) increase. Xiaomi says soaring memory prices and other rising product costs have become too difficult for the company to absorb.

Credit: Calvin Wankhede / Android Authority While I’ve used every major AI from Gemini to ChatGPT, I’ve found that Claude continues to be my favorite, even if it’s a poorer value due to slightly more aggressive caps and higher starting prices for the subscription tiers. What makes Claude stand out to me is that its session memory and recall tend to be significantly better than those of its rivals, making it arguably better for longer projects. I also find that its responses feel the most “human” and my back-and-forth feels more like a true collaboration effort than just a “yes man” tool. Unfortunately, being too human can also mean it rabbles, preaches, and often adds a lot of preamble that I didn’t ask for.

I have been in a streaming rut for some time. I canceled my Netflix subscription last year after growing increasingly dissatisfied with the platform. However, finding a Netflix alternative that sticks, especially in a market with limited competition, has been a challenge. I cycled through a few options and couldn’t find one that really kept me hooked or made me feel like I was getting my money’s worth. And the platform I finally settled on — Apple TV — was the last one I expected to capture my loyalty.

There have been complaints from Pixel fans that the Google Pixel 11 series is lacking in updates. That may be a problem with the cameras or the battery capacity, but I, for one, am glad to see continuity in one particular area: Google’s focus on its magnetic Pixelsnap accessories. Pixelsnap debuted on the Pixel 10 family last year, and marked Google as the first major phone brand besides Apple to tap into the full potential of Qi2 wireless charging. As someone who’s already deeply involved in the MagSafe ecosystem for my iPhone, I found it delightful to see this on an Android phone. I was concerned that this could end up being a one-year effort, where even if Pixel 11 models were still magnetic, Google wouldn’t do much else. Thankfully, Google proved that fear wrong. Return of the ‘Snap

Credit: Megan Ellis / Android Authority I’ve been an Android user since pretty much the beginning, and in that time I’ve used a lot of different apps. While some of these apps come and go out of my life, there are some staples I’ve consistently kept around for a decade or more. To be honest, this list would likely reach into the two dozen mark if I included every older app I still use. That said, many of these apps are well-known staples like Spotify, YouTube, Google Keep, and the list goes on. Below are just six apps that I’ve used for about as long as I’ve had Android that aren’t necessarily as mainstream.

Google launched the Pixel 11 series last week, and as someone with a soft spot for foldables, there was one phone I immediately wanted to learn more about: the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. I’ve spent a fair amount of time with foldables lately, especially after using Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra. So, I was genuinely curious to see how Google would respond. Would the new Pixel Fold finally feel like a good alternative? Would Google fix some of the things that held back last year’s model? More importantly, would it give me a reason to pick it over Samsung’s polished foldables?

The smartphone industry is finally feeling the full effect of RAMageddon in 2026, as prices have shot up across the board due to rising memory costs. Brands are no longer able (or unwilling) to absorb the higher cost of components, so this is now passed on to us, the consumers. Smartphones with higher RAM and storage now command a steep premium, even more so than before. Thankfully, a small segment of smartphones still exists that has a solution for the storage crisis — the microSD card slot. It’s mostly entry-level and a few mid-range Android phones that still support the microSD card, but there are some good models to choose from. Flagship Android phones have largely done away with this feature, except for a few specialized models that aren’t widely available in the US.

TL;DR Pixel Camera 11 gets redesigned Quick access controls with sleek, dial-like sliders for settings such as focus, exposure, ISO, and shutter speed. The new dials are hidden by default and only appear after tapping the viewfinder, making the feature easy to miss. A new Launch mode lets Pixel 11 owners open the camera directly to Video or Magic Capture instead of the default Photo mode. With the new Pixel 11 series, Google’s releasing its updated Pixel Camera 11 app, including redesigned Quick access sliders. Let’s take a look at what these do, and how you’ll access them. Google has given its Quick access camera controls a major redesign in Pixel Camera 11, but there’s a catch: these controls are hidden by default. And even when you dig through menus to enable them, using the controls isn’t exactly intuitive.

One of the things people love most about a Pixel is the lack of bloatware and ads. That’s still largely true, but Google has started to give in to temptation. After the launch of the Pixel 11 series, many users, myself included, started receiving ads for the new phone on our older Pixels. It’s the sort of thing we’ve come to expect from Samsung, but not so much Google.

The Pixel 11 Pro announcement was frustrating for many reasons. I hated that Google raised the price of its flagship phones while also reducing RAM on the Pro base models. While I don’t believe 12GB of RAM will noticeably hinder the user experience, it’s disappointing to pay more for less — regardless of the circumstances. Unfortunately, there is more to the Pixel 11 Pro than meets the eye. The phone outlines precisely how Google plans to get you to upgrade more frequently, and it has nothing to do with actually needing to buy a new device.

One of my favorite things about using an Android phone is that I can find apps for pretty much anything, be it stitching images, rearranging PDFs, or creating QR codes — you name it. And that enables me to tackle many trivial tasks right on my phone. For the longest time, I used to download a bunch of apps — besides the essential ones — on every Android phone I used. But it wasn’t really practical: I had to redownload all the apps when I switched phones and keep them updated for the best experience. Not to mention, it also increased storage usage.

The Pixel 11 series is official, and with it comes the Tensor G6 processor, a slightly upgraded camera package, and plenty of new AI and software tweaks. As tempting as the Pixel 11 might be, it’s also pretty familiar to its predecessor.

Android continues to be the dominant smartphone OS in global smartphone sales, and over the years, Google has doubled down on health and safety features across all Android devices. From apps like Personal Safety to features such as unknown tracker alerts, there’s a wealth of safety features quietly working in the background. The problem is that not all of these features are enabled by default, as some require additional setup in order to work. If you’ve recently switched to a new Android phone or have been using one for years, it’s possible that you’ve overlooked some of these critical and highly useful features. It’s a good idea to take a moment to set these up right away for your own well-being.

The Kindle Oasis was released in 2019, and it’s been a while since Amazon added a meaningful update to the system. So, when I learned that Amazon was rolling out a new system software update this past week, I was quite excited. That’s until I learned that the update closes a long-standing loophole for library books borrowed via Libby that lets you hold onto a book longer than you’d otherwise be allowed. Additionally, it further tightens DRM to ensure buyers can’t offload books from the Kindle. While the first feature doesn’t affect me much, the latter, as someone who likes preserving digital media, makes the update an instant no-go for me. On paper, these changes protect publishers’ rights and intellectual property. For the end user, though, they are just another reminder that you never truly own your digital library or even the hardware you technically bought.

Small rooms don’t need a giant TV to feel complete. The Insignia 32-inch F20 Series Fire TV is a good fit for a bedroom, dorm, kitchen, or guest room, and there is a strong deal on it at Amazon right now. See the deal at Amazon

The Logitech G309 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse just dropped to $34.99 at Amazon via an on-page coupon, down from its $89.99 recommended retail price. That saves you $55, and Amazon says the deal is 61% off RRP. Better still, this is an all-time low price, so it stands out as one of those rare discounts worth grabbing before it changes. See the deal at Amazon

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority TL;DR Verizon has announced that it will adjust prices for its Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus plan perks. All perks are getting a price bump, except the $15 Legacy Disney Bundle. The changes will go into effect on September 17, 2026. Recently, NBCUniversal raised the price of Peacock subscription plans. Unfortunately, every tier on the platform was hit with a bump of $1.00 or more. On the heels of that price hike, Verizon is preparing to raise the price of its Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus streaming perks. But at least one plan is safe from the change. According to a Verizon FAQ page, the internet provider will be adjusting the prices for its Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus plan perks. Verizon explains, “As our partners at Disney invest in new content and adjust the rates of their services, we periodically need to adjust our perk rates.”

TL;DR The online Google Store is sold out of every single smart display device. While both the Nest Hub and Hub Max simply show as unavailable, there’s an option to sign up for info on the return of Pixel Tablet sales. Google’s expect to introduce a new Google Home Display at some point in the future. In a lot of ways, today’s online Google Store experience is better than it’s ever been, including not just the latest Pixel phones and Watch, but also a ton of smart home gear. We’ve got plenty of Nest cameras, the new Google Home Speaker, and lots more. But go shopping for a new smart display, and you may spot a problem: Google doesn’t seem to have any available for sale. Product availability on the Google Store is regularly in flux, and we’re used to occasionally seeing our favorites go out of stock. Sometimes that’s just a supply chain blip, and sales resume shortly. Other times, though, like we recently saw with the Nest Mini and Nest Audio, that really does signal that Google’s done with the product for good.

Credit: Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority TL;DR A proposed class action accuses Oura of overstating the accuracy of its sleep-stage tracking. The complaint says Oura relies on AI estimates and cites a study that found 53.18% sleep-stage accuracy. The lawsuit seeks to stop the allegedly misleading claims and recover money for affected customers. Oura is one of the biggest names in smart rings, but a new lawsuit questions just how much faith you should place in its nightly sleep scores. A proposed class action filed in California accuses the smart ring maker of misleading customers about the accuracy of its sleep tracking, alleging that some of its sleep-stage results have “a coin flip’s chance of being correct.” As reported by TechCrunch, the complaint alleges that Oura’s rings can’t actually measure sleep stages with the accuracy the company advertises. Instead, it says the devices use AI models to estimate what’s happening while you sleep based on signals collected from your finger, despite Oura marketing its products with claims including “unparalleled accuracy.”

Credit: Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority TL;DR Google is introducing a new Photo Picker API that allows users to choose if location data is included with the photos they share. If the user agrees to share location data with an app, they won’t be asked again for that app. Users will be able to revoke access or regrant access by tapping on the location info button in the bottom right corner of the Photo Picker UI. By default, Android’s Photo Picker strips location data (EXIF data) from the photos you choose to share with apps. While this is great for those who care deeply about privacy, certain apps rely on EXIF data (for non-invasive reasons) to function properly. Back in June, we spotted code that suggested Google was working on giving you more granular control over your location data in the Photo Picker UI. The company has now confirmed that the change will be rolling out soon. In a Reddit post, Mishaal Rahman, who manages community engagement for Android at Google, revealed that the company is introducing a new Photo Picker API to address a “common pain point” app developers have with how the Android Photo Picker currently behaves. While the previous API removes location data by default, this new API will allow users to choose whether to include it with the photos they pick to share with an app.

TL;DR OpenAI has been spotted working on a new feature that would let you lock your chats. Locked chats could let you hide saved ChatGPT conversations from your sidebar, history, and search results behind a PIN or fingerprint. Unlike Temporary Chats, locked chats are designed to stick around, giving users a way to save sensitive conversations without leaving them visible in their regular history. Locked chats could also create a privacy boundary for Memory, letting new information from locked conversations personalize other locked chats without spilling into regular conversations. Your ChatGPT history isn’t necessarily a record that you want to parade around. From the simple math problems that don’t require AI, to asking ChatGPT to craft an email calling in sick for a day off, and from more serious conversations about private projects, to chats about finances, there are plenty of conversations you might want to keep out of others’ line of sight. With what OpenAI has been spotted developing, keeping these chats away from prying eyes could soon become a lot easier. For what it’s worth, ChatGPT already lets users leverage Temporary Chats for their sensitive questions. Those conversations aren’t saved to your ChatGPT history, making them great for topics that you don’t want leaving a trail. That, however, is also Temporary Chats’ biggest drawback: You can’t come back to these conversations in the future. This is where locked chats, an in-development feature spotted in the latest ChatGPT Android build, could come in.

TL;DR Google is running a sweepstakes with prizes that include a prized vintage Spider-Man comic and trips to New York Comic Con. You can enter the sweepstakes by redeeming Play Points; each point redeemed is one entry. The sweepstakes is running now through September 14. Google is running a sweepstakes for the next few weeks, and participants stand to win some valuable prizes. Redeeming Play Points between now and the middle of September puts you in the running to win a trip to New York Comic Con or a vintage Spider-Man comic valued at more than $70,000, among other prizes. Google announced the sweepstakes in a blog post today. The most interesting prize on offer is one sealed, graded copy of Marvel’s Amazing Fantasy #15, an issue from 1962 that marked the hero’s first appearance. And four entrants will win a trip for two to New York Comic Con, including flights and a four-night stay in Times Square.

TL;DR Google has updated its My Pixel app for the rollout of the Pixel 11 series. The app now features multiple icon colors that reflect the color of your actual Pixel 11 handset. My Pixel is also picking up the search function we saw in development earlier this summer. Google’s Pixel 11 series is finally in stores, and these phones are just all about color — and we’re not just talking about all the colors you can show off with the new HiLight LED, either. While every generation mixes things up, this year’s Pixel color offerings have left us with a lot to feel happy about. After you’ve chosen your favorite Pixel 11 color, you’d better get used to seeing it everywhere, including the My Pixel app. The My Pixel app is a great way to get to know some of the features of your new phone — or check back in with it a few months later to remind you about all the cool ones you’ve forgotten about. So far, though, the app has had the same look for everybody.

TL;DR We saw that Google Messages was working on adding group chat invite links last year. That feature still isn’t generally available, but we’ve managed to get invite links working in a recent beta version of Messages. This makes it seem like group chat invite links could go live in Google Messages any time now. Way back in May of last year, we spotted that Google was working to implement invite links for group chats in Google Messages. The feature was incomplete at the time, and it’s still not accessible by default — but now, we’ve managed to get these invite links up and running. The latest iteration of the in-development invite links feature is fundamentally the same as what we saw last year. Once it’s rolled out, you’ll be able to share text links or QR codes that others can use to join your group chats. The biggest new development here is that the system is now functional: in our recent testing, we were able to generate working invite links.