We know so much about these devices, because Samsung is about the worst in the industry at keeping a secret. We know almost all of the specs, have seen both CAD renders and official imagery, and are prepared for price increases over last year’s models. We’re really just waiting for July 22, when Samsung will make it all official and we can decide whether or not it’s time to spend $2,000 on our next phone.

You know what could make it all better in the end? Saving $1,230 at the time of pre-order. Samsung is hyping a $1,230 discount for those who reserve a Galaxy Z Fold 8 early and then pre-order when the time comes.

Save $1,230 on Galaxy Z Fold 8 pre-orders

We’ve seen Samsung run this play for a number of years now. They ask that you “reserve” their new phone and that will get you an extra discount once pre-orders go live. Sometimes that means a discount on top of your trade-in, while other times it means saving on accessories alongside the new phone.

As a reminder, a Samsung Reserve doesn’t mean much. It’s free to do, asks you for minimal info, and simply gets you a bigger discount if you decide to pre-order. This does not commit you to anything.

While we don’t know yet how Samsung will price their new foldables in the US, I’ll at least try and take a guess at what that $1,230 in savings will mean based on history.

For one, you get a bonus $30 off for reserving and the fineprint says that the $30 can only be used “towards purchasing additional eligible products” like a Galaxy Ring, Buds, Watches, Tablets, etc. You can’t use that $30 towards the phone itself.

So that leaves us with $1,200 off of something. If we go by last year’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 pre-order deal, Samsung gave us up to $1,000 off with trade-ins. They then gave us $150 to be applied towards a storage upgrade from 256GB to 512GB. The leftover $50 was a credit to be used on accessories.

My guess is we get that same deal, but with the bonus $30 credit, you’ll end up with $80 in credit to spend on accessories.

The recap here, at least by last year’s pre-order deal, would be $1,000 instantly off with trade-in, $150 in storage upgrade credit, and $80 in accessory credit for a total of $1,230 in savings.

Reserve Galaxy Z Fold 8, Save $1,230

Read the original post: $1,230 Off Galaxy Z Fold 8 Pre-Orders

As we approach the end of support for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, as well as the entire Galaxy S22 series, I started wondering if this was enough. Is 5 years of Android update support long enough or will seven years really be the proper length?

Galaxy S22, Pixel 6 updates reaching the end

Backing up for a second, the Galaxy S22 series launched at the beginning of 2022 and was promised 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security updates. It recently switched to a quarterly update schedule, which is almost always a sign from Samsung that a device is within its last year of support. We likely won’t see updates stop until the first half of 2027, but the days really are numbered.

For the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, the story started a bit differently. Google introduced the Pixel 6 series in 2021 with 3 years of OS updates and 5 years of security updates. They later surprised us by expanding the number of years of OS updates to 5.

Weirdly, about a year ago, Google changed the update schedule for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro to a quarterly schedule, although they still won’t confirm they’ve done this. We’ve been tracking this change and all signs point to the Pixel 6 going to this new schedule as it reaches the end of its support road later this year.

Still, we’re on track for that full 5 years of updates, even if they do show up much less frequently these days. The Pixel 6, Pixel 7, and Pixel 7 Pro have seemingly moved to similar schedules.

As far as the end goes for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, Google puts Pixel update schedules on a number of years from the day they “first became available on the Google Store in the US.” For the Pixel 6 series, that was in October 2026.

I guess if we’re really talking through this, we could also look at the Galaxy S21 series, which received a full 5 years of support before reaching the end of the road in February of this year.

You could also throw the Nothing Phone (1) into the conversation, only because it recently finished its 4-year run of support and is now done receiving updates.

Is 5 years of Android updates enough?

There isn’t a great way to gather this type of info other than just asking you, the reader. If you owned a Galaxy S21 series, Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+, Galaxy S22 Ultra, Pixel 6, or Pixel 6 Pro, have you held onto your device this entire time and won’t upgrade until you are done receiving updates?

For those who hung on, what was the last year or so like? Do you feel like the devices are truly still supported or has the dropoff in frequency led to more bugs and a worsening experience?

For those who ditched your phones before the full 5 years of support, how long did you own the phones?

Let’s talk.

Read the original post: Was 5 Years of Android Updates Enough for Pixel 6 and Galaxy S22?

This poses a question. With prices going up, and consumers feeling the squeeze nearly everywhere else in life, will 2026 be the year you upgrade your phone or hold onto that device in hopes of price normalization sometime down the road.

Let’s be real, the days of $500 flagships are gone and not coming back. High-end phones are now $1,000+ and that’s our reality. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, for example, will likely cost twice that. Is this path sustainable?

You have three options below. If you plan on upgrading and a $30-$50 price increase won’t deter you, that’s fair. If the reported price increase has completely turned you off, let us know. And if you’re someone still on the fence and waiting for confirmed pricing from the likes of Google and Samsung, there’s an option for you.

Let us know your take on the current state of pricing affairs below.

Read the original post: Poll: With Galaxy and Pixel Price Increases on Horizon, Are You Upgrading?

Both the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 series of phones should still be supported through 2026, 2027, and beyond, we’re just starting to question what the cadence for updates will be going forward. I bring this up because folks who own these devices are likely wondering where their updates are after several misses in recent months, starting around July 2025.

Google has issued monthly updates for its Pixel devices from the day they were introduced, so a missed month or two is a noteworthy event. For a device to miss updates for several months is really something that should be drawing some attention. That in mind, no where in Google’s official documentation does it say that their Pixel devices are guaranteed to receive monthly updates, but that’s how they have sent them. Their support documents simply state the number of years of expected support.

We’ve asked Google to give us more information on what we believe is a change in the update schedule for the Pixel 6 (and Pixel 7), but they have so far not gone into specifics, only suggesting that all of the still-supported Pixel devices are “compliant.” When we asked what was up with Pixel 6 updates, they responded with the following:

“Pixel phones will remain security compliant for the full duration of their support windows, which can be found here.

Your device will remain private and secure through Pixel specific patches, Google Play System Updates and fixes through the Android Security Bulletin. You can also expect your phone to get better over time with regular Pixel Drops and updates to the latest OS for the device’s full support window.”

Because of that vague statement, we thought it was time to start a running timeline of updates for these devices to help you keep track of what the current releases are for each. And just maybe, this will give us some clarity around expectations going forward.

Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro update timeline, current build: The current Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro update you should be on is CP2A.260705.006.

• June 2025 update: Received on June 10 as the first stable Android 16 build (BP2A.250605.031.A2)
• July 2025 update: Did not receive a July update
• August 2025 update: Did not receive an August update – received another June build in August (BP2A.250605.031.A5)
• September 2025 update: Received on September 3 as QPR1 and build (BP3A.250905.014)
• October 2025 update: Did not receive October update
• November 2025 update: Did not receive November update
• December 2025 update: Received on December 2 as December quarterly update (QPR2, BP4A.251205.006)
• January 2026 update: Did not receive January update
• February 2026: Did not receive February update
• March 2026: Received on March 3 as March quarterly update (QPR3, CP1A.260305.016)
• April 2026: Received on April 7 as a regular monthly update (CP1A.260405.005)
• May 2026: Did not receive May update
• June 2026: Received Android 17 update on June 16 (CP2A.260605.012).
• July 2026: Received on July 7 as regular monthly update (CP2A.260705.006).

NOTE: We’ve received the past two updates, one of which was (expected) Android 17 and the July update was its first bug fixer.

Pixel 6a update timeline, current build: The current Pixel 6a update you should be on is CP2A.260705.006.

• June 2025 update: Received on June 10 as the first stable Android 16 build (BP2A.250605.031.A2)
• July 2025 update: Received on July 8 with July security patch (BP2A.250705.008)
• August 2025 update: Received another July build (BP2A.250705.008.A1)
• September 2025 update: Received on September 3 as QPR1 and build (BP3A.250905.014)
• October 2025 update: Did not receive October update
• November 2025 update: Did not receive November update
• December 2025 update: Received on December 2 as December quarterly update (QPR2, BP4A.251205.006)
• January 2026 update: Did not receive January update
• February 2026: Did not receive February update
• March 2026: Received on March 3 as March quarterly update (QPR3, CP1A.260305.016)
• April 2026: Received on April 7 as a regular monthly update (CP1A.260405.005)
• May 2026: Did not receive May update
• June 2026: Received Android 17 update on June 16 (CP2A.260605.012).
• July 2026: Received on July 7 as regular monthly update (CP2A.260705.006).

NOTE: We’ve received the past two updates, one of which was (expected) Android 17 and the July update was its first bug fixer.

Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro update timeline, current build: The current Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro update you should be on is CP2A.260705.006.

• June 2025 update: Received on June 10 as the first stable Android 16 build (BP2A.250605.031.A2)
• July 2025 update: Received on July 8 with July security patch (BP2A.250705.008)
• August 2025 update: Received on August 5 with August security patch (BP2A.250805.005)
• September 2025 update: Received on September 3 as QPR1 and build (BP3A.250905.014)
• October 2025 update: Received on October 8 with October security patch (BP3A.251005.004.B1); received 2nd October update on October 30 (BP3A.251005.004.B2)
• November 2025 update: Did not receive November update
• December 2025 update: Received on December 2 as December quarterly update (QPR2, BP4A.251205.006)
• January 2026 update: Did not receive January update
• February 2026: Did not receive February update
• March 2026: Received on March 3 as March quarterly update (QPR3, CP1A.260305.016)
• April 2026: Received on April 7 as a regular monthly update (CP1A.260405.005)
• May 2026: Did not receive May update
• June 2026: Received Android 17 update on June 16 (CP2A.260605.012).
• July 2026: Received on July 7 as regular monthly update (CP2A.260705.006).

NOTE: We’ve received the past two updates, one of which was (expected) Android 17 and the July update was its first bug fixer.

Pixel 7a update timeline, current build: The current Pixel 7a update you should be on is CP2A.260705.006.

• November 2025 update: Received on November 11 with November security patch (BP3A.251105.015)
• December 2025 update: Did not receive December update
• January 2026 update: Received on January 12 with January security patch (BP4A.260105.004.E1)
• February 2026: Received update on February 3 with February security patch (BP4A.260205.001)
• March 2026: Received on March 3 as March quarterly update (QPR3, CP1A.260305.016)
• April 2026: Received on April 7 as a regular monthly update (CP1A.260405.005)
• May 2026: Received on May 5 as regular monthly update (CP1A.260505.005)
• June 2026: Received Android 17 update on June 16 (CP2A.260605.012).
• July 2026: Received on July 7 as regular monthly update (CP2A.260705.006).

NOTE: We’ve received the past two updates, one of which was (expected) Android 17 and the July update was its first bug fixer.

We’ll continue to update this post each month unless the updates start showing up monthly again. We’ll also add devices if they slip from the monthly cadence.

UPDATED JULY 9 – For the past 2 months, all Google devices have received updates. We expected all of them to get the Android 17 update in June, but were a bit surprised to see everything updated again in July. This was likely to take care of serious bugs introduced in that first Android 17 update.

Read the original post: Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 Updates are Missing: Here’s What is Happening With Your Pixel

At least one user has noticed that if you share something to Google Messages and start picking contacts out, there are now two options for sending the messages. At the bottom of the screen, they are given choices of “Send to a group” and “Send separately.”

The idea here is that you may be ready to send a message or photo to several contacts that you may not already have a group for. This would allow you to instantly create that group as a part of the messaging flow. Of course, you could still send separately, which is a feature that Google Messages has had for some time.

Google Messages is also apparently smart enough to realize that if you run through this process and choose contacts that are already grouped in a separate chat, it’ll just bring you into that chat rather than try to create a new one.

Guys, we’re improving over here.

I’d tell you to go look for this feature this moment, but as usual, this is likely just a server-side test or rollout and there is no way to force this into your Messages app. I’m in the Google Messages beta (sign-up) and I do not have this feature at this time.

Google Play Link: Google Messages

Read the original post: Google Messages Adds Sweet New Sharing Feature

That said, we still love a good story. Samsung cranked up the teases this week following their Unpacked confirmation. They gave us a first half-look at one of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 foldables as a collaboration with the new Spider-Man movie.

In a Tweet, Samsung’s Mobile US account said, “The drop of the summer is almost within reach,” and it shows Spider-Man’s arm shooting a web that is attached to a device. That device, is certainly one of the new Galaxy Z Fold 8 devices. A part of the Tweet mentions #GalaxyUnpacked and then tells you to reserve (you can reserve here).

Which Galaxy Z Fold 8 is it? Well, we know that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, which is the typical shape we see from Samsung, has a triple rear camera, I’m going to guess that this is the new wider, Galaxy Z Fold 8. If you look at the cropped and zoomed image below, that looks like a dual camera setup, which is what the new wider shape has, at least according to all of the renders.

There isn’t much else to take from the image. This is all just some added fun as we approach Unpacked in a couple of weeks.

I’m actually pretty excited about the new wider version of the Galaxy Z Fold 8. As long as Samsung doesn’t cut a bunch of corners with it, the idea of a wider foldable has always been intriguing. And then we get to see Samsung’s take before Apple comes in and steals the show with their own version.

Read the original post: Samsung Just Gave a First Look at the Galaxy Z Fold 8

This release is significant as it continues to bring improvements to a Google Health experience that got off to a rocky start. Google has promised to deliver swift changes and new features, so this only shows that commitment remains.

Specific to this update, we have more metrics that can be added to the Today tab. Google Health will now let you add HRV, breathing rate, SpO2, resting heart rate, skin temperature variation, blood glucose, mindful days and minutes, resilience, protein and fat and carb intake, and a friend leaderboard. That’s actually a lot of new metrics.

In Sleep updates, Google Health has made an adjustment for naps greater than 20 minutes that will now count toward your 24-hour sleep total. There’s also now a breakdown for trends for main sleep sessions and total sleep.

And last for updates, Google Health fixed a swim metric bug for incorrect distances and elevation discrepancies with Strava.

Finally, for iOS users, Google is bringing easier re-ordering of metrics on the Health tab, improved food search, and nap viewing. All of these features were previously on the Android app.

Google Health Apps: Google Play | App Store

// Google

Read the original post: New Google Health App Update 5.03: More Metrics, Sleep Improvements

The game is quite minimal in terms of graphics and gameplay. You choose your drivers, engineer, car style, and sponsors. Before races, you tune cars and choose tires. Then when the race begins, you become the master strategist.

I played it for a bit, as there is a free trial to play. It’s a fun game, but quite involved with a lot of different stats and numbers to remember. For someone out there, this will be a perfect time killer.

Once you’re done with the free trial, there’s a single in-app purchase which unlocks the full game. As a launch special, you can get the game for just $3.99, down from what will be the usual $5.99.

Have at it!

Google Play Link

Read the original post: Golden Lap Now on Android

As for what’s new, upgraded visual cards are rolling out on Smart Displays. Whether it’s a weather forecast or general knowledge answer, you’ll see the improved visual cards. More reliable sports scores are also coming. Google says you can try, “When’s the next World Cup match” to see reliable information, but this goes for all major sports.

Google Home is also getting more suggested automations, making that entire process more simple. “Instead of starting from a blank canvas, you’ll now see ready-made automations tailored to real-life tasks.”

Like we mentioned, there is also a long list of bug fixes too. Take a look at everything new listed below.

// Google

Read the original post: Gemini for Home Gets Better Sports Updates, Plenty Else

• RESERVE GALAXY Z FOLD 8

The renders confirm the shapes (and colors) we have seen previously, but it’s nice to have all of them in one handy spot. We now have renders for the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra, Z Flip 8, Galaxy Watch 9, and Watch Ultra 2.

We anticipate that this won’t be the entire selection of colors available at launch. Samsung typically keeps a few secret and carries them as Samsung webshop exclusives. Honestly, all of the below colors are relatively tame and uninspiring.

Galaxy Z Fold 8

Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

Galaxy Z Flip 8

Galaxy Watch 9

Galaxy Watch Ultra 2

Seeing one you can’t live without? For me, it’s gonna be that Galaxy Z Fold 8. I can’t wait to get my hands on it.

// Android Headlines [2] [3] [4]

Read the original post: Renders for Entire Upcoming Galaxy Lineup Posted Online

This new Google Photos Video Remix feature utilizes Gemini Omni to let you take videos and make them stylized videos from a set of templates. You’ll find it in the “Create” tab at the bottom of your app.

Some of the templates will let you add cinematic lighting, swap out the background, or choose “artistic treatments,” like watercolor, sketchbook, or oil painting effects.

To get started with Video Remix, you’ll need to be a Google AI Plus, Pro, or Ultra subscriber in the US. Other supported countries include Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, and Turkey.

// Google

Read the original post: Google Photos Video Remix Feature Launches

The team says that it has adopted the Harbor framework, which creates sandbox environments to test and evaluate agents. This upgraded evaluation methodology, “makes it easier for anyone to run the benchmark, evaluate their preferred set-up, or share results—providing even greater transparency.”

8 new models have also been added to the leaderboard, including Claude Fable 5, Sonnet 5, and GLM 5.2. These additions will provide developers with the latest performance stats in how they handle Android development challenges.

Android Bench is also being opened to the global developer community, allowing anyone to submit their own custom Android dev tasks and share benchmark evaluations. Submissions will be reviewed by the team before being added to the benchmark.

Android Bench Link

// Android Developers

Read the original post: Android Bench Upgraded to Harbor Framework, 8 Models Added to Leaderboard

Like with the Pixel 11 series, prices for the Pixel Watch 5 are going up, at least according to one report. Each version in the US will see a price increase anywhere from $30 to $50.

Pixel Watch 5 pricing

Today’s news suggests that the Pixel Watch 5 WiFi models (41mm and 45mm) will see increases from $349 to $399 ($50 increase, 41mm) and $399 to $429 ($30 increase, 45mm). For the 4G LTE versions, prices will go from $449 to $499 ($50 increase, 41mm) and $499 to $529 ($30 increase, 45mm).

These are pretty big jumps, although we haven’t seen Google increase the price of the 41mm version in a few years. The Pixel Watch 2 WiFi was also $349, so a price increase at some point was inevitable. Knowing that the industry can’t keep up with memory chip production and almost every piece of tech will get more expensive this year, this is all not very surprising. Still, it’s disappointing to see.

Are you willing to pay a minimum of $400 for a Pixel Watch 5?

READ: Pixel Watch 5: Everything We Know About Google’s New Wearable

Read the original post: Pixel Watch 5 Prices

The 2026 July Pixel update has 5 fixes listed that are aiming to stabilize some semi-serious bugs you may have been experiencing.

Google says it took care of an issue that was causing “certain” applications to unexpectedly close or even fail to launch. They also fixed an issue where widgets were displayed with incorrect colors or contrast.

Maybe more importantly, there was an issue that was causing some devices to fail to load the Android system or become stuck in a boot loop. That should be gone. It affected all Pixel models on Android 17.

And finally, they fixed an issues specific to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, while also making wallpaper shapes display properly.

Again, mostly minor, but there was at least one pretty serious fix in there that was causing some phones to just not boot properly.

The update is rolling out now over-the-air (Settings>System>Software updates>System update), but it could take some time to hit all devices because carriers like meddle in this process, at least in the US.

Android 17 July 2026 Pixel Update Bug Fixes

Read the original post: Here’s 5 Bug Fixes for the Android 17 July Pixel Update

Samsung will introduce its latest Galaxy innovations that build on its leadership in foldables, combining intelligent capabilities and new form factors to deliver more personal, adaptive experiences and set a new standard for the AI era.

The event is scheduled to kickoff at 9am ET (6am PT) or 2pm BST. It will be livestreamed everywhere, so don’t worry, you likely won’t miss it.

As for what to expect, it’s a long list. We anticipate the Galaxy Z Fold 8 (the “new shape”), Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra (the body we’re used to), Galaxy Z Flip 8, as well as the Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2. That’s a lot of new goodies.

Reserve Offers

Starting tonight, customers can reserve the device of their choice and receive a $30 Samsung credit during the pre-order period for up to $1,230 in total savings. With that amount of savings, we should be seeing some healthy trade-in values this year — up to $1200.

Bring it on, Samsung.

Read the original post: Galaxy Unpacked Will Happen July 22 in London