Android

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority TL;DR Pixel Journal is rolling out customizable reminders, media layouts, safer deletion, and support for Health Connect sleep data. Google also appears to be developing an AI-powered Auto format feature to clean up journal entries after you write or dictate them. Our teardown found evidence of Simple and Expressive formatting modes, each with a minimum word count before Auto format can be used. Pixel Journal is still a fairly young addition to Google’s Pixel lineup, and the company doesn’t seem finished tinkering with it yet. A new version of the app is now rolling out with several useful quality-of-life upgrades. But there are also clues under the hood suggesting that there’s nore to come, as we’ve uncovered signs of a feature that Google appears to be preparing for a future Pixel Journal release. 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: Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR Google has introduced a new setting in Gemini called Media Watermark. This setting will allow you remove visible watermarks from images, videos, and music creations. When creating content with Gemini, you could always count on a visible watermark being stamped on your creation. However, Android Authority recently spotted evidence suggesting that this would change in the future. Sure enough, Google has updated Gemini with this new option. Google has rolled out a new setting in Gemini called Media Watermark. You’ll be able to find the option by opening to Settings, located in the left bar. It will appear near the bottom of the menu, as the third to last option. If you hover over Media Watermark, there will be two options: On and Off.

TL;DR Google Health Premium includes AI-driven guidance in the Google Health app’s Today tab. The latest version of Google Health adds a toggle to turn this Health Coach guidance off. You’re still able to access Health Coach in other ways after removing it from the Today tab. One of Google Health Premium’s flagship perks is access to Google Health Coach, a Gemini-powered chatbot that can use your data stored in Google Health to try to answer questions and provide (technically non-medical advice) guidance. By default, Health Coach takes up a lot of space in Google Health’s Today tab — but as of the latest update, you’ve now got the option to kick Coach out of Google Health’s home screen. As spotted by 9to5Google, version 5.06 of Google Health is rolling out now on Android and iOS. The main new bit in this version, according to a Google’s blog post about the update, is a No Coach insights option, which removes Health Coach’s verbose guidance and insights from the app’s Today tab.

Credit: Paul Jones / Android Authority TL;DR Fairphone will launch the Fairphone 6 Plus on August 18, 2026. The company has released a teaser for the launch event. Leaks claim that the price will be between €650 and €690. If you’ve been waiting for the next device from the Dutch brand Fairphone, you won’t have to wait much longer. As previous leaks have revealed, the company is preparing to release a mid-gen refresh of the Fairphone 6. Now the phone maker has confirmed the launch date for the device. On social media, Fairphone has released a teaser for the Fairphone 6 Plus. The post contains 11 seconds of video with the words “The Fairphone. Plus more.” Also included is the date August 18, 2026, which is when the company will finally make its announcement. You’ll be able to watch the announcement on Fairphone’s YouTube channel.

Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority TL;DR Google is testing a new Chrome feature. The feature allows the browser to auto-hide your bookmarks bar if it detects that you haven’t used it recently. When it happens, the browser will notify you and give you an opportunity to undo the action. Google is working on a Chrome feature that could auto-fix your bad passwords. It appears that’s not the only automatic tool the Chrome team is working on. For those who use the bookmarks bar infrequently but still keep it visible, Chrome could soon decide to hide it for you. Spotted by Windows Report, Google is testing a new feature for the Chrome browser. The Chromium commit describes the feature as a tool that can automatically hide the bookmarks bar. In practice, the browser will automatically hide the bookmarks bar if it detects that you haven’t used it recently.

A 50-inch TV is a sweet spot for a living room, bedroom, or first apartment, especially when you want better picture quality without spending a lot. Amazon now has the 2026 Toshiba 50-inch M450 Series Fire TV on sale for $199.99, down from its $369.99 recommended retail price, which is a 46% discount relative to the RRP. See the deal at Amazon

Philips Hue is best known for smart lighting, but the Hue Secure wired camera 2-pack shows how the brand is building out home security too. This white 2-pack gives you 2 wired 1080p HD cameras, and there’s a strong deal on it right now at Amazon. See the deal at Amazon

TL;DR Pixel phones offer a feature that monitors incoming calls for scams. We’ve seen evidence Scam Detection could soon cover outgoing calls, too. We don’t know when this feature will be available to users. Google’s modern Pixel phones offer a Scam Detection feature that optionally monitors incoming calls for telltale signs of scams. Scam Detection is currently exclusive to incoming calls, but we’ve seen evidence that you might soon be able to opt into Scam Detection for outgoing calls, too. In a recent beta version of the Phone by Google app, we spotted a flag that references the option to turn on Sharpie (an internal codename for the Scam Detection feature) for calls you initiate. We haven’t been able to activate Scam Detection for outgoing calls, but we know Google’s working on it.

TL;DR A man in Greater Noida, India, sustained burn injuries to his hands and lower body after a Samsung smartphone allegedly exploded in his pocket. Photos show catastrophic thermal damage to the phone’s battery and back panel. The exact phone model is unconfirmed due to damage, although the camera layout resembles a Galaxy S26. This marks the fourth reported Galaxy flagship explosion incident this year, though overall cases remain extremely low when compared to millions of units sold worldwide. This year alone, we’ve spotted explosion incidents involving the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus, Galaxy S25 FE, and Galaxy S24. Now, a man in Greater Noida, India, has sustained burn injuries after his Samsung smartphone allegedly exploded inside his pocket. It’s not immediately clear which Samsung phone this is, but from the looks of it, it could possibly be a Galaxy S26. According to a report by the Free Press Journal, the incident occurred while the victim was carrying the phone in his trouser pocket. The device reportedly burst into flames without warning, causing burn injuries to his hands and lower body as he attempted to discard the burning handset. The phone was allegedly purchased just a month ago and was functioning normally until the incident.

Amazon was already offering one of the more tempting Pixel 11 Pro XL preorder deals, but it just got a lot harder to ignore. You can now use promo code PIXEL11 to knock an extra $150 off the phone, and the discount stacks with Amazon’s existing $200 gift card offer. See the deal at Amazon

TL;DR A leak has spilled the beans on the upcoming POCO F9 Pro and F9 Ultra’s hardware specifications, including large batteries and Qualcomm’s latest silicon. The two phones are expected to be EU-bound versions of the Redmi K100 Pro and K100 Pro Max that recently debuted in China. While both phones offer Bose-branded onboard speakers, the F9 Ultra also includes an LED notification ring around the rear speaker. The average smartphone battery capacity keeps growing each year, a phenomenon analysts attribute to Chinese smartphone brands and improved battery tech. Xiaomi sub-brand POCO is preparing to bring that battery tech to the European market, and a leak is now offering an early look at its upcoming flagships. Exclusive reporting by WinFuture offers a good glimpse of the two premium-grade flagships, which are effectively European rebrands of the Redmi K100 Pro and Pro Max, which recently debuted in China. Among the leaked highlights of the top-of-the-line POCO F9 Ultra is a mammoth 8,050mAh battery, while the smaller F9 Pro features a 6,330mAh battery pack instead, which is a substantial upgrade compared to flagships from top brands.

Generative AI is everywhere, whether it’s used as a cornerstone of a service, used to build apps, or employed to boost functionality within them. But with so many new products appearing all the time, which ones are worth checking out? We’re here to help with a new regular series covering the best and freshest AI apps and services that you should know about.

Credit: Shimul Sood / Android Authority TL;DR Leaked One UI 9.5 screenshots reveal visual upgrades destined for Samsung Galaxy phones, including drop shadows and frosted elements. The update could also introduce a revamped Phone app dialer with integrated, Samsung AI-powered search that functions similarly to the system Finder tool. Samsung has not officially announced One UI 9.5, and features may change before beta or stable releases. Samsung is steadily preparing its next major software refresh, and after recent leaks gave us our first glimpse of One UI 9.5 on a Galaxy phone alongside an early look at the dedicated native App Lock functionality, a fresh leak is now shedding light on subtle interface tweaks and smarter system utilities heading to the Galaxy S26 series. According to screenshots shared by Fahad Ali Javed on X, One UI 9.5 brings noticeable design polish centered around visual depth.

Credit: Megan Ellis / Android Authority TL;DR Google is finally rolling out a promised Play Store feature that lets users add widgets easily when they install a new app. While the feature is out, it’s not fully functional. Along with it, Google is testing the option to pause downloads on the Play Store so big downloads don’t wipe out your mobile data. Last month, Google released a Play Services update and noted that users would have the option to add home screen widgets for apps while they were being installed from the Play Store. Although we couldn’t get a glimpse of the feature back then, we now have and can tell you how it likely works. We’ve also come across a few minor tweaks, including the upcoming ability to pause downloads mid-process. 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.

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TL;DR Galaxy devices running One UI 9 can now completely uninstall the pre-installed Microsoft SwiftKey keyboard app. Newer Samsung devices, including the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy A57, no longer ship with SwiftKey out of the box. The change signals that Samsung’s long-term pre-installation partnership with Microsoft is quietly winding down. Microsoft’s SwiftKey has long earned its spot as one of the best Gboard alternatives for Android, with our own community polls recently revealing a dedicated crowd of diehard SwiftKey loyalists. But earlier this year, Microsoft started rolling out controversial account policy changes, a warning shot that ultimately culminated in the end of Google account login and cloud backups entirely. While those login updates alienated longtime fans, millions of Samsung Galaxy owners faced a completely different problem: they couldn’t get rid of the app even if they wanted to. Thanks to a years-long agreement between Samsung and Microsoft, SwiftKey and other apps come bloat-installed on One UI devices. If you preferred Samsung’s stock keyboard or Gboard, the best you could do on One UI 8.5 was to disable SwiftKey or remove its updates. The core app permanently occupied system storage.

Credit: OPPO The OPPO Reno16 Series is a mid-range smartphone built specifically for young creators, pairing flagship-grade camera hardware with native AI editing tools, a design you won’t find on any competing mid-range phone, and a battery built to survive a full day of shooting, posting, and scrolling. If you’re looking for a phone that can shoot a portrait, turn it into a collage, and get it posted before you’ve even left the scene, the OPPO Reno16 Series is worth a look. Here’s what you need to know.

TL;DR A new bug affecting the Samsung Home Up module is causing home screen folders and widgets to lose their position. Samsung says the bug is related to the DIY Home feature and confirms a fix is on the way. Another Home Up bug reported this week caused home screen folders to spill over to the next page. Samsung’s Good Lock suite unlocks a wide range of customization options for your Galaxy device. Among the more popular Good Lock modules is Home Up, which offers extensive control over the stock One UI launcher’s appearance and functionality. It now seems there’s a bug affecting this particular module. In a complaint on the Samsung community forum, a user reports that their home screen’s folders and widgets are “pushed off the display” when accessing the inner screen of the Galaxy Z Fold 8. One can imagine how frustrating a glitch like this can be, especially for users who like folders and widgets to be placed in a specific area of the home screen.

Credit: Hadlee Simons / Android Authority TL;DR The team behind the ARMSX3 emulator for Android has released a stream of updates in recent days. These updates add features like support for folder-based games, save state support, and a new default audio backend. These updates also bring a variety of fixes and performance improvements. ARMSX3 was released last week as the third PS3 emulator for Android. However, we were particularly excited about this release as the development team has a reputation for blazing-fast updates, as evident by ARMSX2. There’s good news if you want ARMSX3 to have a similar streak of updates. The ARMSX3 team has already issued a stream of updates on GitHub since the initial releases last week. These updates include support for folder-based games, PKG game files with RAP licenses, trophies, ANGLE wrapper functionality, and functional save states. We also get improvements like shader caches being removed when uninstalling a game, pause functionality actually working, and more reliable firmware installation on slower devices.

The Pixel 11 announcement felt like watching a car crash in slow motion. For months, we’ve heard rumors of Google price hikes, but I hoped that would be the only significant change. We already witnessed Samsung raise prices on some models, but with decent upgrades. Motorola kept the specs relatively unchanged but raised the price. Unfortunately, Google opted for the worst of both worlds, raising prices while giving buyers a RAM downgrade. The battle for the soul of Pixels was lost by enthusiasts years ago, but they refuse to leave the field. It’s why there is always so much noise surrounding the devices. There are still enough buyers around who remember the Nexus phones and the early stock Android experience on Pixel phones, and there was a time when Google devices were a haven for enthusiasts.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra arrived earlier this year to a much more positive reception than its predecessor. Not only is the new flagship thinner than ever, but it has faster charging, camera improvements, and more. Of course, the smartphone market doesn’t stand still. The Google Pixel 11 Pro XL has formally arrived, offering a natural alternative to Samsung’s flagship. So, which smartphone should you choose? The answer will vary depending on who you ask, but I’d personally pick the Pixel 11 Pro XL for a variety of reasons.

TL;DR Code discovered in the Galaxy Wearable app reveals Samsung is developing flagship over-ear wireless headphones codenamed “Galaxy H1”. Expected to launch in early 2027, the headphones will likely feature ANC, Bluetooth 6.0, SSC UHQ audio, and Galaxy AI integration. The move marks Samsung’s first direct challenge under its primary mobile brand to Apple’s AirPods Max and Sony’s over-ear lineup. Audio headlines have been full of nostalgia lately, especially with recent reports suggesting Sony’s classic WH-1000XM4 could make a comeback, coupled with the arrival of a new WH-1000XM6 color. Google also played it safe at the latest Pixel 11 hardware showcase, settling for a fresh coat on existing earbuds rather than swinging for ambitious new form factors. But while rivals rehash legacy designs or stick to modest incremental tweaks, Samsung seems ready to make a bold, unexpected play in the premium over-ear audio space. According to SamMobile, code strings hidden inside the latest Galaxy Wearable app reveal that Samsung is actively developing full-sized wireless headphones internally codenamed “Galaxy H1”. While Samsung has spent recent years heavily refining its true wireless Galaxy Buds ecosystem, it hasn’t fielded a proper over-ear flagship under its primary mobile branding in ages.

Credit: Hadlee Simons / Android Authority PC gaming on Android has made major strides since apps like Winlator were launched a few years ago. In fact, you can now play older, somewhat demanding games that you wouldn’t have dreamed of playing on your mobile back in 2021 or 2022. We’ve also seen two major developments in recent times. The first is that GameNative has become one of the most polished, capable, and popular PC “emulators” on Android. We’ve also seen the rise of custom Turnip GPU drivers for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chips. Without these unofficial drivers, devices with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chips and earlier were considered better for PC games.

Credit: Megan Ellis / Android Authority TL;DR US District Judge James Donato has ordered Google to eliminate extra steps and warning prompts when users install rival Android app stores through the Play Store. The process for installing rival Android app stores involves multiple steps, such as tapping a “view” button before an “install” button appears. The court called these steps deliberate “anticompetitive friction” designed to scare off everyday users. US District Judge James Donato has ordered Google to streamline the installation process for competing Android app stores, rebuking the company for inserting unnecessary roadblocks into the user experience. The order lands just as Google is being forced to open its ecosystem under antitrust pressure, a shift highlighted by third-party storefronts like Aptoide Games launching directly on the Play Store. During a recent compliance hearing in the long-running Epic vs Google antitrust battle, Judge Donato took direct aim at the multi-step hurdles Google created for alternative app stores, declaring, “That is not acceptable,” as reported by The Verge.

For years, Google Pixel phones have earned a reputation for being incredible point-and-shoot cameras. Sure, if you want to get down and dirty with prosumer features, Chinese OEMs have everyone else beat. But out of the box, it’s hard to argue that the Pixel makes it absurdly simple to get great shots, albeit with a caveat. Google, by the very nature of its approach to imaging, has leaned hard into an aggressive HDR implementation. This can often mean flat-looking images with artificially lifted shadows and details that are just a bit too sharp for my liking.