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We look back at this week's news and headlines traversing the world of Android this week, including Samsung's Galaxy S26 Pro, Pixel's Growth, Honor's AI Button, new fast charging options for Qualcomm, Nothing Nothing OS, Android Open Source to the left and left, and AI Edge's wider reach.
The Android circuit is here to remind you of some of the many discussions about Android over the past 7 days. You can also read the weekly digest of Apple News on Forbes.
The new name for the first Galaxy S26
This week, CAD plans for the next Galaxy S26 model were missed. One of the curiosities is the name rather than the Vanilla Galaxy S26 that follows the Galaxy S25. This is a Galaxy S26 Pro.
“The Galaxy S26 Pro includes all the physical buttons on the right. Like its predecessor. The power/lock key is located under the up and down buttons of the volume. The frame is flat around the perimeter. Most bends a bit towards the edge. Like the Galaxy S25.”
(Android headlines).
The Golden Growth of Premium Pixels
This week, Google claims its fastest growing premium smartphone brand with another feather in its pixel cap. Of course, it's important to know where you start your measurements…
“The premium smartphone market has been growing recently, according to new data from Counterpoint Research. In the first half of 2025, the premium smartphone market rose by about 8% compared to the first half of 2024.
(9to5google).
Click here for information about AI
Honor has already revealed details about the phone as the expected Magic8 smartphone has arrived in the coming weeks. Still, the other leaks bring one idea to the forefront… The physical interface to Honor's AI suite:
“The rumoured October launch will straighten the honor in the competitive season, and this dedicated AI button approach feels like a smart move. Instead of filling AI features into the menu, Honor will create front and center with physical hardware.
(Phanandroid).
Qualcomm's latest fast charging technology
Regardless of your device or charger, faster charging, unnecessary heat and a better experience are the goals that many people in the smartphone ecosystem look for. Qualcomm's latest update to Quick Charge is expected to provide all of that. Hope you'll see numbers matching the specs that appear on phones that debut in early 2026.
“We juiced everything from smartphones and laptops to VR headsets and wireless speakers, setting the pace in 2020 with over five minutes of power. This was enough to get the device from zero to 50% while charging the Quick comment directly, while keeping the same speed.
(Android Central).
Nothing will come soon OS 4.0
With Google making Android 16 QPR1 available to manufacturers, we hope that many updates and new versions of individual OSs will start moving from beta to production units. This includes Tech's Nothing OS.
“In a simple video, nothing says that OS 4.0 is “soon coming” with a “sleek” and “redefined” experience. This appears to be made up of modern design elements. The video shows new fonts and various icon updates.
(9to5google).
Android open source project awaits
Following the major releases of Android, Google has typically uploaded changes to the Android Open Source project. This allows you to build Android for free, although there is no Google service. However, the release of Android 16 QPR1 does not follow a similar pattern. The open source team has notified that Google's code uploads will be “in the coming weeks.” With countless custom ROM sets and projects relying on AOSP, Google's lack of urgency worries a lot.
“Google usually publishes source code for new Android versions within a day or two of releases, allowing independent developers to quickly begin porting new changes to custom ROMs. However, this did not happen this time.
(Android Authority).
And finally…
Announcing Google's AI Edge Gallery app on I/O in the summer, allows developers and consumers of Google's on-device AI models in a secure “playground.” The app remains on GitHub, but it's open to a wider audience with the addition of availability on the Google Play Store this week.
“To make these powerful demonstrations more accessible than ever, the Google AI Edge Gallery is now available in the open beta version of the Google Play Store. The code will continue to supply open source on GitHub, offering the best of both worlds.
(Google Developers Blog).
Android Circuit closes out the news from Forbes' Android World every weekend. Don't forget to follow me. That way, don't miss out on future coverage and of course read the Apple Loop sister column! Check out last week's Android circuit here. If you have any news or links you would like to introduce on the Android circuit, please contact us!
