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Tech News
Samsung has begun rolling out a new update for the Galaxy S24, S24 Plus, S24 Ultra, and S24 FE globally, carrying the September 2026 security patch that fixes 90 vulnerabilities. The update is roughly 450MB for the standard S24 models and 438MB for the S24 FE, but it does not include the stable One UI 9 build based on Android 17, which Samsung has not yet scheduled.
Google's Android 17 QPR2 Beta 6.1 update lets the Pixel 11 Pro's HiLight LED flash twice when a favorite contact sends a message, a feature previously limited to calls and Gemini activity. The option can be toggled under Settings > System > HiLight or set per-contact, though no new LED colors are included in this beta. A stable version of Android 17 QPR2 is expected in December.
Google released Android 17 QPR2 Beta 6.1, adding builds for the Pixel 11 lineup after last week's Beta 6 release omitted them. Pixel 6a through Pixel 10 devices receive build CP41.260831.007.A3, while all Pixel 11 models get build CP41.260831.011. Google notes Pixel 11 Pro Fold users may need to re-enroll Face Unlock for it to work properly.
The Google Pixel 8, launched in 2023 at $700, is now available refurbished on Amazon for under $300. Google promised the phone seven years of OS and security updates, meaning it remains eligible for Android updates until roughly 2030. It features a 6.2-inch 120Hz OLED display, a dual rear camera system with 50MP wide and 12MP ultrawide sensors, and AI photo tools like Magic Editor and Best Take.
Multiple Pixel users have reported that their status bar, Quick Settings tiles, and notification shade are becoming unresponsive or failing to display new notifications following the Android 17 QPR1 update. Some users say notifications appear but can't be tapped, while others report notifications not showing up at all. Google's official PixelCommunity Reddit account has acknowledged the reports and suggested resetting app presets or restarting in safe mode as temporary workarounds.
Google's September software update extends its newer, more dimensional 3D emoji design to the Pixel Watch 2, 3, and 4, matching the look already shipped on the Pixel Watch 5 and on phones running Android 17. The redesign adds shading and depth to emoji faces and objects, replacing the flatter previous style, according to 9to5Google.
Google's new Pixel Search app, which expands the app drawer search bar to surface photos, emails and other content, ships preinstalled on the Pixel 11 series but isn't officially available for older Pixels. Android Authority found that the app can be manually sideloaded onto older Pixel devices, provided they are running the Android 17 QPR2 Beta 5 update or newer; installation fails on stable Android 17 QPR1 builds.
Samsung has begun pushing the stable One UI 9 update, based on Android 17, to the Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, S25 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 in Korea. Beta testers are receiving a smaller ~535MB download to move to the final build, while users still on One UI 8.5 get a much larger update package of around 3.8GB. The rollout follows the update's earlier launch on the Galaxy S26 line and is expected to expand to the US soon.
Android Authority found that Android 17 QPR2 Beta 5 expands Pixel HiLight's color options from five to nine, adding blue, cyan, green, orange, pink, purple, teal, white and yellow among the choices. The beta also contains code referencing 'LIGHT_ANIMATIONS_SETTING_FAVORITE_MESSAGES_ENABLED,' suggesting Google is developing support for message notifications through the Pixel 11 Pro's camera-ring lighting feature.
Google has pushed out Android 17 QPR2 Beta 6 to Pixel testers, arriving sooner than the usual two-week cadence and carrying build number CP41.260831.007. Unlike Beta 5, this build does not support the Pixel 11 series, only extending to Pixel 10 devices, alongside a set of bug fixes Google outlined for the release.
Pixel owners are reporting on Reddit that absolute volume control, which keeps phone and Bluetooth headphone volume levels synced, has stopped working reliably since installing the Android 17 QPR1 update. A Pixel 10 user described the feature failing entirely after the September update, while others say it works intermittently and can sometimes be restored by disconnecting and reconnecting their audio device.
Android Authority's review of the Google Pixel 11 finds the $899 phone doubles base storage over its predecessor and pairs a larger 48MP main camera with a slimmer all-glass camera bar. The reviewer reports the Tensor G6 chip underperforms rivals and, lacking the vapor chamber in Pro models, causes real overheating and stuttering during everyday use.