This week in the world of Android, there have been several exciting developments worth noting. From the release of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and its impressive camera capabilities, to the unveiling of a potentially more affordable foldable phone, the Android news cycle has been abuzz. In addition, Google has introduced a new feature called Circle To Search to its Pixel 8 Pro lineup, while Honor has confirmed its plans for the upcoming Mobile World Congress (MWC). Xiaomi's Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G has also garnered attention with its standout features, and Samsung teased the arrival of its Galaxy Ring wearable. Lastly, Google Play's General Manager shared his perspective on Android app quality. Let's delve into the details.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Camera Review: With the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S24 family, technology enthusiasts have eagerly awaited detailed reviews and analyses of the flagship handsets. DXOMark, a renowned authority in camera evaluations, has showcased its review of the Galaxy S24 Ultra's camera capabilities. The smartphone's hardware improvements, combined with the integration of AI features into its software, have yielded notable improvements:
'The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra delivered a decent performance in the DXOMARK Camera tests and was a slight overall improvement over its predecessor S23 Ultra, helped by a 200MP image sensor in the main camera, a range of new AI features, and the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset... It’s difficult to tell to which degree the AI exactly contributes to image quality, but it certainly appears that the new AI tools and Samsung’s existing imaging technologies have helped to greatly improve the rendering of some images.' - DXOMark
Affordable Galaxy Z Fold 6 Hint: Aside from the Galaxy S24 lineup, the focus has shifted towards Samsung's foldable Galaxy handsets, traditionally launched six months after the flagship 'S' series. However, it seems there might be a surprise in store for consumers seeking a more budget-friendly option. Reports suggest that Samsung is developing a more affordable foldable phone, potentially named the Galaxy Z Fold 6A:
'Samsung has three codenames in play for its next set of foldable smartphones. 'Q6' and 'B6' directly follow up with the 'Q5' and 'B5' of the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5... Alongside those codenames is also 'Q6A,' which points to a second variant of the Galaxy Z Fold 6. That’s highly likely to be this more affordable version we’ve been hearing about, and the use of 'A' in the codename only adds fuel to the fire given Samsung’s budget-conscious lineup is called 'Galaxy A.'' - Winfuture via 9to5Google
Circle To Search Reaches Pixel 8 Family: Circle To Search, a feature introduced at Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event, has made its way to Google's Pixel 8 Pro through a recent over-the-air update. This functionality allows users to search for objects on the screen simply by highlighting them. Previously exclusive to Samsung devices, Circle To Search has now expanded its reach:
'If you have gesture navigation enabled, long-press on the nav handle to invoke Circle to Search. Those that use 3-button nav can do the same with the home button, but will lose the ability to launch Google Assistant that way. (Instead, they have to use the hotword, power button, or homescreen app icon, while the Pixel Launcher’s microphone icon is no longer available.)' - 9to5Google
Honor Confirms MWC Plans: Mobile World Congress, a highly anticipated event in the mobile industry, is just around the corner. Honor, the smartphone manufacturer, will be unveiling its latest devices during the event. The company has confirmed that it will showcase the Magic 6 series and the Magic V2 series, addressing global availability and providing more information about these flagship phones:
'HONOR’s showcase is no mystery. The brand has taken to X (formerly Twiter) to confirm that it’ll be bringing the Magic 6 series and the Magic V2 series to the event. Both devices have already been announced, but we’re guessing we’ll hear more about their global availability at MWC.' - Android Authority
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G Review: Xiaomi has made waves in the mid-range smartphone segment with its Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G, which boasts impressive camera hardware and a crisp AMOLED display. However, this device offers more than just these standout features. Its slim bezels, Gorilla Glass Victus protection, generous storage options, presence of a 3.5mm audio jack, and an IR blaster make it a compelling choice in its price range:
'The light case and its slim bezels are a standout, and the display is protected from damage thanks to Gorilla Glass Victus. The generous storage options (up to 512 GB UFS 2.2 flash), the 3.5mm audio jack connector, and an IR blaster are also (still) something special in this price segment.' - NotebookCheck
The Galaxy Ring's Potential: During Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event, an intriguing wearable device called the Galaxy Ring was briefly mentioned. While limited details have been shared, Forbes contributor Jay McGregor ponders the possibilities of Samsung's smart ring. Drawing from his experience with existing wearables, McGregor highlights the potential for AI integration and competitive pricing, ultimately concluding that the smart ring market is poised for growth:
'The unknown quantity of how Samsung will deploy AI in the Galaxy Ring is the most intriguing part of the new device. The high likelihood of aggressive pricing also will make the wearable accessible. But, most importantly, the competition will follow suit, and the smart ring market will grow very quickly over the next two years, which is only good news for consumers.' - Forbes
Insights from Google Play's General Manager: Amidst the discussions surrounding app store policies, an interview with Google Play's General Manager, Sam Bright, sheds light on Android app quality. Commenting on the perception that Android apps are often of lower quality compared to their iOS counterparts, Bright emphasizes the shared responsibility between Google and developers to ensure a positive user experience:
'People take their impressions of [Google] Play from the Android apps they use, so there’s a shared responsibility to make sure those impressions are what would make us all proud... From his perspective, there are no impediments, from the development tools to the distribution opportunities, to developers creating apps of the same quality and revenue potential as their App Store equivalents.' - Android Police
That wraps up this week's noteworthy Android updates and news. Stay tuned for more Android Circuit every weekend and don't forget to catch up on Apple Loop for your fix of Apple news.
