Taking a look back at this week’s news and headlines across the Android world, including Galaxy Z Fold 6 sepcs, OnePlus Pad Go’s European launch, Pixel Tablet refresh, Nothing Phone (2a) review, Huawei’s Pura 70 success, HMD has a Pulse and more…
Android Circuit is here to remind you of a few of the many discussions around Android in the last seven days. You can also read my weekly digest of Apple news here on Forbes.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6’s Two Batteries
The battery capacity of the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 6 is expected to match the Z Fold 4 and Z Fold 5 at 4000 mAh, and the latest regulatory filing does not confirm that. But it does show that the power will be split over two cells, a small but important part of the design:
“Another advantage of using two batteries is that they are beneficial for a foldable smartphone. Designers can use the two dense batteries on either side of the hinge. Thanks to the balance created by the design, the unfolded Z Fold 6 should be comfortably held with little strain.”
(Forbes).
OnePlus Pad Go In Europe
OnePlus has released its second Android tablet in the UK and Europe. The OnePlus Pad Go is a stripped-back version of last year’s release, offering a slightly smaller and cheaper variant to last year’s OnePlus Pad, yet two features stand out… a cellular connection and SD card expansion
“There’s a large 8,000mAh battery backing (with 33W charging), the relatively powerful Helio G99 chipset and 8GB of RAM, while the operating system, is still based on Android 13. You’ll get 128GB of storage in the base model. There’s also a microSD card slot to enable you to easily boost storage down the line.
A Refreshed Pixel Tablet
Last year, at its I/O developer event, Google launched the Pixel Tablet. While there continue to be suggestions that a second Tablet may be on its way, there’s a lot of noise around a relaunch of the original Pixel Tablet, with two key peripherals finally coming to the ecosystem:
“[tipsters claim] in addition to launching a refreshed Pixel Tablet, Google will also unveil an official stylus pen and Bluetooth keyboard, each costing around €100, which roughly converts to £85 / $100 / AU$160. He states the accessories will be available in the same Hazel and Porcelain colors as the Pixel Tablet. “
(Tech Radar).
Nothing Phone (2a) Reviewed
The Phone (2a) is Nothing Tech’s first foray into the competitive mid-range market of Android smartphones, and it’s using its trump card of design to stand out. is that enough? The team at NotebookCheck review the handset to find out:
“The Nothing Phone (2a) has an impressive 120-Hz AMOLED panel that reaches four-figure brightness levels and offers excellent colors. Its other strengths include its long battery life, its dual camera, which is good for mid-range standards, and its decent performance that will not only see you through your everyday needs but can also support demanding mobile games. We also give the phone a clear thumbs up for its workmanship.”
Huawei Pura 70’s Emergency Success
Following its inclusion on the US Entities list and the subsequent loss of access to many parts of the Android ecosystem, Huawei’s return to the high-end smartphone market has been a rough ride. With the Pura 70 family, it has a handset that shows what it is now capable of. Its new Satellite Emergency Call system not only equals but exceeds that of Apple’s iPhone:
“To send images via satellite, with its limited bandwidth, the files are heavily compressed, which can lead to distortion or blurring of the picture. Hence the emphasis that this feature is for emergency usage only… Even so, this is a very big step forward, and highly valuable if, for example, it can show your location in a way that makes it easier for emergency services to pinpoint you.
(Forbes).
HMD Has A Pulse
HMD has launched three smartphones under its new Pulse brand. The Pulse, Pulse+ and Pulse Pro are priced between 100 and 200 Euros, and have a focus on repairability at a very affordable price:
“HMD is betting that consumers are moving to more environmentally-conscious products and are placing an emphasis on repairability. HMD says the Pulse range is built to “Gen 1 repairability” and that users can pick up self-repair kits from iFixit. Repairs include changing the battery, but also swapping the screen.”
(GSM Arena).
And Finally…
The usual slot for its Galaxy Unpacked event is otherwise occupied by Samsung’s PR team, so it looks like the date for the foldables launch event will be earlier than normal on July 10th.
“The location? Paris, or the City of Love as it’s so often dubbed. It’s the perfect choice, as Paris will host the 2024 Summer Olympics later that month and Samsung is one of the biggest worldwide sponsors of the games.”
(SamMobile).
Android Circuit rounds up the news from the Android world every weekend here on Forbes. Don’t forget to follow me so you don’t miss any coverage in the future, and of course, read the sister column in Apple Loop! Last week’s Android Circuit can be found here, and if you have any news and links you’d like to see featured in Android Circuit, get in touch!
