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Android Authority reports that Google's Pixel VIPs widget has been significantly upgraded, becoming more interactive with a new full-screen layout showing more contact information. Despite calling the update an improvement over the original Android 16 version, the outlet identifies several shortcomings, including limited third-party app support beyond WhatsApp and no ability to search notes attached to contacts.
Weibo tipster Digital Chat Station claims the OPPO Find X10 Ultra prototype carries a 200MP 1/1.12-inch main camera with LOFIC technology, a 200MP periscope camera, and a 10x 50MP telephoto lens. The leak also points to a 100MP square selfie camera with a 1:1 aspect ratio, and suggests OPPO may use an unannounced Samsung ISOCELL sensor for the main shooter.
In a Reddit r/GooglePixel discussion, longtime Pixel owners explained their reasons for sticking with the phones, citing clean Android software, timely updates, and exclusive features like Call Screen and spam filtering. A poll in the thread found 38% cited clean Android and updates as the top reason, while others pointed to camera quality, ecosystem integration, or simply not finding a better alternative. Some users also voiced complaints about Gemini replacing familiar Assistant features, camera processing, battery life, and hardware value.
A specs comparison lines up the rumored foldable iPhone Duo, with its 5.4-inch cover screen and 7.6-inch inner display, against three Android foldables: Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8, Google's Pixel 11 Pro Fold, and Motorola's Razr Fold. The analysis covers screen size, weight, camera resolution, and water/dust resistance ratings across all four devices.
Android Authority published a roundup recommending five wearables as alternatives to the Fitbit Edge, which launches soon after its earlier announcement this month. The list includes the Google Pixel Watch 5, Fitbit Air, Samsung Galaxy Fit 3, Oura Ring 5, and Fitbit Charge 6, with the Pixel Watch 5 highlighted for its full Android Wear app support, larger display, and Google Gemini integration versus the Edge's simpler feature set.
A comparison of Google's two new Fitbit wearables finds that the $179.99 Fitbit Edge, which includes a 1.34-inch AMOLED touchscreen and GPS, offers largely the same core health and fitness metrics as the screenless $99.99 Fitbit Air. Neither device currently supports Sleep Breathing Quality tracking, though Google says it may add that feature to the Edge in the future.
Android Authority's Robert Triggs tested portrait photography on three flagship phones, examining how each handles skin tones, facial detail and background blur. The Pixel's portrait mode offers a simple zoom-based interface with a default 2x setting, plus finer manual controls for exposure, white balance and blur strength than its rivals provide outside their Pro modes.
Samsung's One UI 9, running Android 17, delivers a smooth experience and timely security patches on the Galaxy S26 Plus, according to an Android Authority reviewer. However, the reviewer says Galaxy AI features like Now Brief and Now Nudge continue to underdeliver, with Now Brief failing to surface news matching the user's stated interests even after customization.
A hands-on comparison tests the OPPO Find X10 Pro Max, which uses a triple 200-megapixel camera system, against Google's Pixel 11 Pro XL, which gained upgraded main and ultrawide sensors plus a larger 5x telephoto lens this year. The reviewer finds the two phones' main cameras produce very similar color, detail, and low-light results despite OPPO's much higher on-paper resolution and sensor size.
An Android Authority writer prompted ChatGPT's voice mode and Gemini Live to debate which smartphone deserves the title of best overall, without specifying a year, price range or operating system. The experiment followed a similar earlier test comparing iOS and Android, and the piece also included a reader poll where 44% picked the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and 30% picked a Pixel model.
Google has released version 5.11 of its Google Health app for Android and iOS, broadening automatic activity detection from roughly 10 workout types to more than 100, including strength training and swimming. The feature works on Fitbit Ace, Pixel Watch 3, 4 and 5, and the upcoming Fitbit Edge, logging workouts automatically once heart rate stays elevated for a set period. The app also adapts its detection over time based on how users correct or manually add workouts.
Google's Android 17 update introduces the ability to 'bubble' any app, not just messaging apps, keeping its icon floating on top of the screen for quick access. Users can place up to five bubbled apps along the left or right edge of the home screen by long-pressing an app and selecting the Bubble option. The feature currently works only on Pixel devices, though Google says it will expand to other manufacturers.