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Latest news and updates in Android World

  • Galaxy S26 pricing rumor hints at good news for buyers

    Galaxy S26 pricing rumor hints at good news for buyers

    According to reports, Samsung has been experiencing internal conflict because it does not want to raise the starting price of its upcoming Galaxy S26 series, especially after Apple maintained the price of the iPhone 17. That objective was challenging because to tariffs, growing component costs, and the persistent DRM shortage. It appears that the business has finally made a decision, and for the time being, it intends to refrain from raising prices.

    According to a Korean report (via @jukan05), Samsung will maintain the Galaxy S26’s beginning pricing at the same level as the Galaxy S25. Accordingly, the S26+ and S26 Ultra will retail for $999 and $1,299, respectively, while the entry-level S26 will start at $799.

    It appears that this decision will reduce the company’s profit margins by 10% to 15%, although the strong margins in DRAM and NAND would help counteract the effect.

    samsung galaxy s26 ultra price hike

    Most likely, only the US market will be subject to the price freeze. Due to the weakening value of the Korean won, Samsung will mostly raise prices in its home country of South Korea. European and other Asian markets may possibly see a comparable rise.

    It would be the fourth year in a row that Samsung has avoided raising the price of its flagship phones if it is able to maintain pricing.

    According to the source, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Flip 8, which are scheduled to come later in 2026, will also be subject to the price freeze.

    Although not stated, Samsung’s decision to maintain the price of its flagship phones and foldables for 2026 was probably influenced by Apple’s choice to maintain the pricing of the iPhone 17.

    Since it is widely anticipated that Apple will release its first foldable iPhone this year, the Korean company cannot afford to run the risk of alienating consumers with a price increase.

    Expect higher prices for upcoming mid-range Galaxy A phones

    However, it appears that Samsung will raise prices of its mid-range Galaxy A phones. These models’ lower profit margins provide company little to no leeway to absorb the sharp increase in component costs.

    Unfortunately, there won’t be any significant hardware enhancements to go along with the price hike. Therefore, the majority of buyers will ultimately pay more for no discernible improvement. Unfortunately, the majority of phones released in 2026 may just follow this pattern.

  • Xiaomi silently discontinues software updates for two models

    Xiaomi silently discontinues software updates for two models

    Xiaomi has quietly stopped supporting software updates for the Redmi 12C and its international counterpart, the POCO C55. No new firmware, including HyperOS 2, has been released in the last two months, and the devices were last updated with the October 2025 security patch. These devices are anticipated to become officially EOL in February 2026, according to Xiaomi’s internal software roadmap.

    Redmi 12C and POCO C55 are being retired organically

    Why these devices eeached EOL

    For its entry-level series, Xiaomi has clear updating policies. The POCO C55 and Redmi 12C were marketed as reasonably priced smartphones designed for everyday use, typically with shorter support cycles.

    Each device finished its usual update window with HyperOS maintenance releases and Android fixes prior to hitting EOL. This change is intended to allow Xiaomi to focus attention on more recent models and maintain system stability throughout the ecosystem.

    Expected End of Life Timeline

    • Last update: October 2025 security patch
    • No updates released: November–December 2025
    • Official EOL: Scheduled for February 2026
    • Affected models:
      • Redmi 12C (China)
      • POCO C55 (Global)

    What you can do if you device reached EOL

    Users can still improve device stability by updating compatible system apps even after system firmware updates have ceased. Xiaomi smartphone owners have two reliable options:

    Recommended Update Channels

    • HyperOSUpdates.com: provides direct links to Xiaomi system app packages.
    • MemeOS Enhancer app on Google Play – allows users to update system apps, enable hidden features of Xiaomi, and manage interface components smoothly.

    EOL does not automatically affect device functionality, and users may still experience adequate performance for daily tasks.

    With smartphones that offer increasingly better performance and longer support cycles, Xiaomi continues to broaden its selection of reasonably priced products. As part of the broader shift to the enhanced environment offered by HyperOS and more efficient update delivery, devices like the Redmi 12C and POCO C55 are being retired organically. A more explicit software policy is anticipated in upcoming budget releases.

  • Dangerous Android malware quietly targets and empties bank accounts

    Dangerous Android malware quietly targets and empties bank accounts

    We recently reported about another type of banking Android malware that operates in the background and leverages accessibility settings to steal data, including passwords and bank credentials. More malware that allows remote attacks on Android devices and is freely disseminated among hackers as part of a subscription service has just been disclosed.

    More banking malware on the loose

    Dangerous Android malware quietly targets and empties bank accounts

    A new Android trojanware known as Albiriox has been found by researchers at the online fraud protection company Cleafy. Albiriox is disseminated through what are referred to as “dummy” or infected APKs to deceive users into downloading real apps, much as Sturnus, the malware that was discovered last week.

    Hackers have tricked people by making phony copies of Google Play Store app listings, as Android Authority noted. As a result, potential victims may think they are downloading an app from a secure site when, in fact, they are not. Additionally, hackers have enticed victims by posting fictitious offers and promotions, requesting contact information, and then distributing the malicious APKs via well-known messaging services like Telegram and WhatsApp.

    The research group claims that hackers in Russia and other nearby regions have been the primary users of these approaches. After being disseminated as a Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS) on dark web forums, it is reported to have lately acquired popularity.

    The “install unknown apps” permission on users’ devices is mostly enabled via the APK files that hackers disseminate. The current (and destructive) program containing Albiriox is installed by the dropper app after that is activated.

    According to Android Authority, the research organization has already caught over 400 fraudulent apps that target consumers in categories including banking, fintech, digital payments, and cryptocurrencies. Instead than obtaining users’ login credentials, these software versions enable hackers to conduct transactions directly on users’ banking apps.

    You should be wary of any strange programs you install, especially if they appear to be connected to banking or any other financial service, as the malware works more covertly and silently. Make sure you have the most recent Play Protect update installed and that you only download apps from the official Google Play Store app.

    In terms of updates, make sure your device has the most recent firmware that is supported, as this contains patches for vulnerabilities that have just been discovered. Similarly, Google has published the December Android Security Bulletin.

  • Stable HarmonyOS 6 now available — here are the supported Huawei devices

    Stable HarmonyOS 6 now available — here are the supported Huawei devices

    For many smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches, Huawei has issued a stable HarmonyOS 6 software upgrade that gives consumers who weren’t in the beta program new features.

    With this new release, HarmonyOS has excelled in the quality mode, which means the upgrade focuses on fundamental issues such as performance and a better app experience.

    harmonyos 6 stable update

    HarmonyOS 6-powered Mate 80 Pro Max boasts up to 42% performance leap over the Huawei Mate 70 Pro+ (HarmonyOS 5). This leap is based on the chipset, because to the close coordination between software and hardware

    The software for earlier models, including flagship and mid-range handsets, has also been adjusted by the business. Therefore, we can expect some upgrades over the older version. Below, you can check all Huawei devices in the first batch receiving the stable HarmonyOS 6 software update.

    • Mate 70 series
    • Mate 60 series
    • Mate X6 series
    • Mate X5 series
    • Pura 80 series
    • Pura 70 series
    • Pura X series
    • Pocket 2 series
    • Nova 14 series
    • Nova 13 series
    • Nova 12 series
    • Nova Flip
    • Nova Flip S
    • MatePad Pro 13.2-inch 2025
    • MatePad Pro 13.2-inch 2023 Series
    • MatePad Pro 12.2-inch 2024 Series
    • MatePad Pro 11-inch 2024
    • MateBook Fold Ultimate Design
    • MateBook Pro
    • FreeBuds 6
    • FreeArc
    • Huawei Router Q7
    • Huawei Smart Door Lock 2 Series

    You should know that the software is being served for HarmonyOS 5 and HarmonyOS 6 beta users. Huawei formally declared that the total number of HarmonyOS 5 and 6 installations has surpassed 100,000 devices at the Mate 80 series launch event.

    Furthermore, the HarmonyOS operating system is supported by the app, which has over 300,000 programs and meta-services via the AppGallery platform. The Chinese market and consumers’ excitement for the most recent Huawei software updates have been the main drivers of this expansion.

  • Black friday week #deals: Galaxy Watch 8 from $280, Z Fold 7 $400 off

    Black friday week #deals: Galaxy Watch 8 from $280, Z Fold 7 $400 off

    Along with yesterday’s Google Black Friday sale, which featured the Pixel Watch 4 at up to $100 off and the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro lines at up to $300 off, the early Samsung Black Friday bargains and Amazon offers are already in full force. However, today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break has even more to check out. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is currently available for $280 during Black Friday, while the Galaxy Z Fold 7 can be purchased for up to $400 and the Galaxy S25 Ultra for $350.

    These deals also coincide with the current OnePlus Black Friday sale, which gives up to $200 off many of the company’s most recent releases, a new Amazon all-time low on the Nothing Headphone (1), and up to 52% off a variety of Samsung monitors. Take a look at everything below.

    Official 2025 Google Black Friday Deals Go Live: Big Savings on Pixel Watch 4, Pixel 10, and More

    Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Black Friday deals now live from $280

    With massive price reductions on its most recent Galaxy launches, including $400 off the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and $350 off the flagship Galaxy S25 Ultra, Samsung’s official Black Friday week is already underway. However, this also means that the most reasonably priced current-generation Galaxy Watch 8 is currently available for $70 off the retail price thanks to Black Friday promotions.

    Although we were able to get select Galaxy Watch 8 combinations at Woot for $100 off, there weren’t many color options available, and the bargain didn’t come with a valid warranty. However, as of right now, Samsung has reduced the price of all configurations by a significant $70:

    With the exception of the Woot offer and YMMV/EDU reductions, the prices we are seeing below are, as compared to Amazon, the lowest straight-up cash discounts since release. The lowest prices we have seen on Amazon are obtained by matching these deal prices.

    Check out our Black Friday Samsung coverage below, as well as the $350 price reduction on the flagship Galaxy S25 Ultra:

    Official OnePlus 2025 Black Friday deals

    The official Black Friday sale for OnePlus has begun. The company told us that their major event sale is currently underway, with sales anticipated to continue through Cyber Monday if inventory permits. With the exception of the brand-new OnePlus 15, which is now in a launch holding pattern, almost everything in the sale is now down even more than we saw during Prime Day and the Halloween event, with savings of up to $200. This covers all of its most recent launches as well as a few new low-end devices, such as the OnePlus Watch 3 (43mm) and OnePlus Buds Pro 3. Take a look at everything below.

    This time, promo codes are required; everything is simply marked down and operational. In addition to one of the greatest cash discounts to date on the OnePlus Pad 3 at $120 off, we are looking at outright $200 price reductions on OnePlus 13 variants.

    Just be sure to keep an eye out for the free gifts that are offered on certain items; scroll down on the corresponding listing pages to make sure you take advantage of the freebies when you can:

  • OpenAtom foundation: open-source HarmonyOS and Euler see rapid growth

    OpenAtom foundation: open-source HarmonyOS and Euler see rapid growth

    The open-source HarmonyOS and Euler operating systems have seen quicker developer growth in China, according to the OpenAtom Foundation.

    The OpenAtom Foundation is China’s first open-source software foundation, having been founded in 2020. From the start, Huawei has been a major supporter to the foundation. The business created OpenHarmony, an open-source HarmonyOS and Euler operating system, and gave the foundation the openEuler source code.

    According to Cheng Xiaoming, Chairman of the OpenAtom Foundation, there are 2.27 million active open source developers and over 3 million active open source projects in China. These programmers are producing a wide variety of open-source programs and software.

    OpenAtom foundation: open-source HarmonyOS and Euler see rapid growth

    OpenAtom foundation

    Additionally, it is disclosed that Chinese developers are at the forefront of open source AI models, such as DeepSeek and Qwen, outperforming their competitors in the worldwide market. By 2025, a 25% global market adoption rate is anticipated for the open source hardware designs embodied by RISC-V.

    The upcoming generation of AI computing power systems will be led by open source RISC-V. The open-source HarmonyOS and Euler have achieved the Graduation milestone, according to the OpenAtom Foundation.

    An open-source project’s graduation represents its overall maturity in terms of technological iteration, community governance, and ecosystem development, and it is an important milestone in its operation.

    Graduating projects will have a significant impact on industry innovation and technological advancement in addition to having strong vitality and sustainable development capabilities. They will also generate more value for developers and consumers worldwide. Graduating projects continue to play a significant role in the Foundation’s environment.

  • Wear OS 6 now rolling out to Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series

    Wear OS 6 now rolling out to Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series

    Less than a month ago, Samsung released another beta update for the Galaxy Watch 6, which perhaps caused some people to question when the full build would be released. With Samsung releasing One UI 8 based on Wear OS 6 for the Galaxy Watch 6 series, it seems like it will happen sooner rather than later.

    In Korea, Samsung’s initial One UI 8 upgrade for the Galaxy Watch 6 and 6 Classic is presently being released (via GSMArena). The US should soon follow suit, adding more regions to the list as similar updates usually do.

    The UI and fitness features of the Galaxy Watch 6 and 6 Classic will evolve as more regions become accessible. In particular, One UI 8 Watch introduces a new stacked tile feature for improved widget access, which is much appreciated.

    Wear OS 6 is coming

    wear os 6

    If Samsung is sticking to the same schedule as it did with the Watch 6 series, the Galaxy Watch 5 is scheduled for another beta upgrade in the near future. Although Samsung hasn’t given any timeframe information, it is anticipated that the Galaxy Watch 5 will have access to a final build of Wear OS 6.

    Instead of using the Members app, you can download the update using the Galaxy Wearables app. Go to the settings and search for the software update page after that.

  • Samsung unveil Exynos 2600 performance boost and efficiency improvements on 2nm tech

    Samsung unveil Exynos 2600 performance boost and efficiency improvements on 2nm tech

    Samsung has begun discussing its first 2nm chips in public, and the figures are unexpectedly modest, which is causing some people to take notice. The business plans to begin shipping the new silicon in 2026, beginning with the Galaxy S26 series in Europe. Although the upgrades don’t seem like a “revolution” on paper, they are already helping Samsung earn large contracts and higher expectations.

    Samsung’s worldwide flagship strategy has been weak for years due to its Exynos chips. Customers in Europe have frequently received slower, less effective devices than their Snapdragon-equipped counterparts in the US, and it appears that the S26 and S26+ will follow suit. While the S26 Ultra is expected to continue using Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 globally, those two variants are anticipated to employ the Exynos 2600.

    Exynos 2600 performance boost

    Samsung appears confident, though. According to the company’s most recent financial report, the new 2nm Gate-All-Around (GAA) process is expected to improve performance by around 5%, increase efficiency by 8%, and reduce chip size by about 5% when compared to its second-generation 3nm process. Those figures are not that large on their own. However, they are already paying off. Based on early 2nm capabilities, Samsung reportedly acquired about 25% of Galaxy S26 orders and a huge $16.5 billion contract with Tesla for its AI6 CPUs.

    Exynos 2600

    Another aspect of the jigsaw is yield. According to Samsung, the Exynos 2600 is currently achieving a yield rate of over 60%, which is supposedly sufficient to begin significant production. In comparison to employing Snapdragon chips, the company might save $20–$30 per unit if that remains true, which could result in a significant reduction in the bill of materials (BoM) for the European S26 models.

    However, not everyone believes that this is Samsung’s desired return. Exynos has a lengthy history of appearing promising on spec sheets but faltering once the phones are in the hands of consumers. Additionally, there is still a fundamental design gap: Samsung continues to use ARM’s standard Lumex core designs, which typically lag behind in real-world optimization, while Qualcomm and Apple develop highly customized CPU architectures.

    The question is rather straightforward as the Galaxy S26 debut draws near: is Samsung’s early 2nm jump a real turning point or is it just another case of déjà vu for European consumers? It’s obvious that the corporation believes little steps will build up. It’s another matter entirely if consumers concur.

  • Unisoc T9300 5G chipset launched with major camera and gaming boosts

    Unisoc T9300 5G chipset launched with major camera and gaming boosts

    The new Unisoc T9300 5G mobile chipset for smartphones has been discreetly introduced. According to the business, the chip is a high-performance 5G SoC intended to provide improved gaming and video experiences. To find out more specific information about the new chipset, keep reading.

    Unisoc T9300 specs

    The high-performance 5G SoC Unisoc T9300 is intended to improve gaming and photography. It has an octa-core CPU with two Cortex A78 cores operating at 2.4GHz and six Cortex A55 cores operating at 2.2GHz, all built on a 6nm technology.

    According to Unisoc, efficiency has increased by about 38% over the preceding generation. The Mali G57 dual-core GPU handles graphics, and UFS 2.2 flash and LPDDR4X RAM are supported for storage. According to reports, benchmark scores on AnTuTu V10 approach 550,000.

    Unisoc T9300 5G chipset

    3GPP Release 17 support, the integration of 5G NR NTN satellite communication, and 5G MBS broadcast significantly improve connectivity. In typical 5G scenarios, the chipset has enhanced power efficiency and AI-driven network management. Dual VoNR, VoWiFi, SA and NSA modes, and full multi-band compatibility from 2G to 5G are all supported.

    With a quad-core ISP, support for up to 200-megapixel sensors, 32-megapixel at 25 frames per second ZSL output, and 20-megapixel dual camera combinations, the T9300 unveils the seventh-generation Vivimagic imaging engine. Along with enhanced portrait segmentation and HDR photography, it also features enhanced multi-frame and time domain noise reduction, improved 3A algorithms, and AI-backed night mode.

    Advanced noise reduction, improved echo control, improved stereo playback, and HiFi-grade output driven by a dedicated DSP are among the audio features. In addition to VRR and other eye protection settings, display support includes FHD+ at 144Hz, 1.5K at 90Hz, HDR10+, and Netflix certification.

    The Unisoc Miracle Gaming engine, which emphasizes frame stability, network optimization, and improved visual processing with AI codec support for increased voice clarity in bad network conditions, enhances the gaming experience.

  • Is fast charging bad for your smartphone battery? Expert breakdown

    Is fast charging bad for your smartphone battery? Expert breakdown

    30 minutes to fully charge the battery? A growing number of cellphones can be fully charged in less than an hour. Does this rapid charging, however, harm the battery? This has been examined in an experiment, which yields an unexpected result.

    30 minutes to fully charge the battery? A growing number of cellphones can be fully charged in less than an hour. Does this rapid charging, however, harm the battery? This has been examined in an experiment, which yields an unexpected result.

    A Chinese do-it-yourself team called HTX Studio looked into this precise subject. After purchasing ten identical iPhones and ten Android devices, the do-it-yourselfers split them up into groups. A fast-charging power supply unit was used to charge one group, while a slow charger was used for the other. We finally have a response after 500 full charges and six months.

    fast charging bad for your smartphone battery

    How did they do it?

    Two groups of iPhones were created. Apple’s 40-watt power supply was used to charge three gadgets, while the outdated 5-watt power supply was used for the remaining three. To ascertain the typical aging of the battery over time, a second iPhone was left completely uncharged as a control group.

    For the Android cellphones, the configuration was the same. The iQOO7, which is unavailable in this nation, was utilized twice: once with 18 watts and once with the maximum power of 120 watts.

    The smartphones are fully charged by self-programmed software, which then uses up the battery once again until it is only five percent. After that, the charging procedure resumes. In this way, 500 charging cycles were carried out over a few months.

    Is fast charging bad for your phone’s battery?

    The enthusiasts looked at the batteries both before and after the experiment. This is due to the fact that not all smartphones have the same battery capacity when they are manufactured. There may be slight variations of less than one percent. The batteries were inspected once more after 500 cycles, and the amount of capacity they had lost was calculated:

    • iPhone (slow charge): 11.8%
    • iPhone (fast charge): 12.3%
    • Android (slow charge): 8.8%
    • Android (fast charge): 8.5%

    The outcomes are unexpected. Faster charging caused the batteries in iPhones to lose 0.5 percent of their capacity, but the batteries in Android cellphones even lost 0.3 percent. Only in a lab can these variations be quantified. Therefore, the service life of your battery is essentially unaffected by fast charging.

    How to take care of your battery

    For the longest potential service life, batteries should be kept between 30 and 80 percent charged, according to another battery myth. For mobile cellphones, some manufacturers even include an 80 percent charge cap.

    In order to test this notion, the Baster team charged another set of cellphones to 80% capacity before draining the battery to 30%. The experiment was repeated 1000 times because this was only half of a charging cycle.

    • iPhone (30-80 percent): 8.3%
    • Android (30-80 percent): 6.0%

    Therefore, you are actually doing your smartphone’s battery a favor if you never charge it to more than 80%. However, the difference in day-to-day living is negligible even here. Therefore, the experiment demonstrates that you should just charge your smartphone whenever it is most convenient for you rather to spending a lot of time and effort doing so.