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Galaxy S26

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Panels app offers deeper sidebar features than Samsung's Edge Panel

An Android Authority writer describes switching from Samsung's built-in Edge Panels to a free third-party app called Panels, which adds a customizable sidebar launcher accessible via a swipe from the screen's edge. The sidebar includes three swipeable sections for apps, shortcuts like contacts and quick settings, and interactive widgets, with the option to add more pages as needed.

Razer launches $100 Prio controller that folds pocket-size for phones

Razer introduced the Prio, a $100 USB-C mobile game controller that weighs about 101 grams and folds down to roughly wallet size, unlike its bulkier Kishi line. When unfolded, it attaches to large phones such as the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Galaxy S26 Ultra, offering dual thumbsticks, a D-pad, face buttons and shoulder triggers for both iPhone and Android devices.

Samsung's Galaxy S26 FE priced too close to flagship S26, raising value concerns

Samsung has launched the Galaxy S26 FE with only minor spec upgrades over its predecessor, yet raised the price by $50/£50 for equivalent storage tiers, reportedly due to rising component costs. This narrows the price gap to the flagship Galaxy S26 to roughly $100, while that model offers a stronger chipset and better cameras.

Samsung pushes eighth One UI 9 beta to Galaxy S26 series

Samsung has rolled out the eighth One UI 9 beta update for the Galaxy S26 lineup, starting with the Galaxy S26 Ultra in South Korea. The 513MB Android 17-based update carries firmware ending in ZZHM and the August 5, 2026 security patch, with the changelog citing only stabilization fixes for device operation. It arrives alongside the first One UI 9 beta for the Galaxy S25 series.

Samsung expands One UI 9 beta to Galaxy S25 series with Android 17

Samsung has begun rolling out the first One UI 9 beta update to the Galaxy S25 lineup, following months of testing limited to the Galaxy S26 series. The update, roughly 3,862MB with firmware DZHK, brings Android 17 and the August 5, 2026 security patch, and is currently available in South Korea, the UK, and India, including on the Galaxy S25 FE.

Android Authority poll: Galaxy S26 Ultra, Pixel 10 Pro XL tie for top Pixel 11 Pro XL alternative

Android Authority surveyed readers on which phone they'd buy instead of Google's new Pixel 11 Pro XL, and the results showed a near three-way tie between the Galaxy S26 Ultra, the previous-generation Pixel 10 Pro XL, and the Moto Razr Ultra. No single device dominated, reflecting mixed enthusiasm for this year's Pixel 11 lineup.

Samsung adds Netflix picks to Now Brief in One UI 9 Beta 7

Samsung's One UI 9 Beta 7 for the Galaxy S26 series introduces a Netflix toggle inside Now Brief's content settings. When enabled, it displays a 'Top picks for you' card with Galaxy AI-curated movie suggestions directly in the Now Brief feed. The feature is also present in the stable One UI 9 release for the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra, and Z Flip 8.

Xiaomi's HyperOS 4 leak reveals its own 'Smart Privacy Display' feature

Leaker Kacper Skrzypek shared screenshots and video showing Xiaomi's upcoming Smart Privacy Display, a feature that lets users block onlookers from viewing their screen at certain apps or notifications. Unlike Samsung's hardware-based Privacy Display on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Xiaomi's version appears to be software-driven and is expected to arrive with the HyperOS 4 update later this year. Some related options, like Page Privacy Display and XiaoAI app groups, currently only appear on the China ROM.

Samsung brings Bixby gesture wake-up and widgets to Galaxy S26 via One UI 9 Beta 7

Samsung's One UI 9 Beta 7 update for the Galaxy S26 series adds two Bixby features previously seen elsewhere: a gesture wake-up option that activates the assistant when users hold the phone near their mouth, and home screen widgets in 2x1, 2x2 and 4x2 sizes for quick voice or text input. The update also includes other additions like My FanCam, Call Brief, and a split Finder-Google Search bar, though Samsung's official changelog didn't mention these Bixby changes.

Samsung's One UI 9 Beta 7 brings Fold 8 AI features to Galaxy S26

Samsung has pushed One UI 9 Beta 7 to the Galaxy S26 lineup, quietly adding AI features first seen on the Galaxy Z8 foldables and Galaxy S26 FE. These include My FanCam video reframing, a Call Brief overlay that surfaces calendar and email info during calls, Custom Cards for Now Brief, and combined Finder plus Google Search widgets on the home screen.

Leaked renders show Galaxy S27 base model nearly identical to Galaxy S26

New leaks attributed to leaker OnLeaks reveal that Samsung's standard Galaxy S27 will carry over the same flat display, rounded corners, and raised rear camera island seen on the Galaxy S26, with dimensions differing by only fractions of a millimeter. This comes shortly after separate renders suggested the Galaxy S27 Ultra may adopt a horizontal, iPhone-style camera plateau instead of Samsung's traditional vertical layout.

Samsung's Galaxy S26 FE launches Sept. 3 at $699.99 with AI-focused software update

Samsung's Galaxy S26 FE goes on sale September 3 for $699.99, $50 more than its predecessor, with Samsung citing RAM supply pressure for the increase. The phone keeps similar battery, display and camera specs to the S25 FE but adds the Exynos 2500 chip, 8GB of RAM, and seven years of software support. Its main selling point is a suite of Galaxy AI tools ported from Samsung's pricier flagships, including Photo Assist, Audio Eraser, and updated Now Brief and Now Nudge features.