Google has rolled out its September 2026 Pixel Drop, a smaller update separate from the broader Android Drop released earlier this month. The headline feature upgrades the Pixel VIPs widget, first introduced in June 2025, by letting users call or text saved contacts directly from the home screen instead of tapping into a profile card first. The update also expands Scam Detection to monitor text messages for suspicious content and flag likely scams as users type responses.
zdnet.com
· 2026-09-16
A reviewer chose the plain Obsidian colorway of the Pixel 11 Pro and found the matte metal rails a major upgrade over last year's glossy Pixel 10 Pro. The new finish resists smudges, skin oils, and slipperiness that plagued the previous model's shiny sides.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-06
Google has released Android 17 QPR2 Beta 4 to supported Pixel devices, a smaller update than the previous beta but one that introduces meaningful refinements. The standout addition lets users control which notification and system icons appear in the status bar through a new settings menu, alongside a Voice Broadcast option added to Quick Settings.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-02
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.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-08-31
An Android Authority reviewer who tests dozens of phones annually reports being unable to put down the Galaxy Z Fold 8 nearly two weeks after switching his SIM into it. The writer, who has historically preferred clamshell foldables over book-style ones, says Samsung's latest model finally closes the gap between niche enthusiast gadget and a phone suited for everyday users. Despite acknowledging the device has flaws, the reviewer says its form factor outweighs them.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-08-29
Google has reduced trade-in credits offered toward Pixel 11 series purchases, ending the launch-window bonuses it previously offered. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold saw the steepest cut, dropping from $1,000 to $850, while most other recent Pixel models lost $50 or less in trade value. Google says these new lower rates will remain in effect through September.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-08-28
Pixel 10 owners attempting to trade in their phones for the new Pixel 11 on the Google Store are reporting broken trade-in workflows, according to complaints on Reddit's Pixel community. Users describe receiving conflicting confirmations about whether their trade-in was accepted, only to have their cards charged the full price anyway, with Google reportedly unable to retroactively apply the promised credit.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-08-27
An Android Authority reader poll of nearly 1,600 Pixel 10 Pro owners found that 58% intend to keep their current phone rather than buy the newly released Pixel 11 Pro. Only 29.2% said they're upgrading to the Pixel 11 Pro, while smaller shares are switching to another Pixel 11 model or a rival Android device.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-08-25
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