Taking a look back at this week’s news and headlines across the Android world, including Galaxy S25 Ultra specs, Pixel 9a leaks, OnePlus 13R details, Xiaomi 14T Pro highlights, HMD Fusion review, Android 16 developer release, and the app economy grows.
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 .
A Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra smartphone displayed during a media preview event (Photo by JUNG … [+]
AFP via Getty ImagesGalaxy S25 Ultra Might Miss Magafe
With Samsung’s next Galaxy Unpacked event expected in late January, the Galaxy S25 family should be announced at the same event. The community is anticipating several upgrades, but the move to Qi2 may be limited to those who purchase a specific case for their smartphone:
“If Samsung offers a case that specifically calls out the magnetic attachment, then the base S25 design is unlikely to have the required magnets to conform to the Qi2 standard. The magnetic case will allow those smartphones to connect with the widest range of Qi2 accessories possible”
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Pixel 9a Specs Leak
Google is expected to launch a mid-range Pixel 9a over the summer. While unconfirmed, the latest specs highlight the all-round nature of the handset while keeping the build cost low. Thankfully the seven-year software support promsie looks to be in place as well:
“The Pixel 9a could feature Google’s Tensor G4 chipset, a Titan M2 security processor, 8GB of RAM, and two storage options: 128GB or 256GB. The Tensor G4 and Titan M2 security processors are no surprise, as the Pixel 9 series has the same chipset. The Pixel 9a is expected to launch with Android 15, not Android 16. The device will have seven years of OS and security updates, which Google started promising with the Pixel 8 series and newer.”
(Pocket Lint).
OnePlus 13R Launch Details
Following the confirmation that the OnePlus 13 will arrive on January 7 next year, OnePlus has confirmed that the mid-range equivalent, the OnePlus 13R, will debut alongside the flagship:
“OnePlus confirmed what was expected following the brand’s official OnePlus 13 launch announcement: the midrange OnePlus 13R will debut alongside its flagship counterpart on Jan. 7, 2025. The budget smartphone appears to be visually similar to the OnePlus 13, but unlike the higher-priced model, not much is known about the OnePlus 13R ahead of its upcoming launch.
(Android Central).
Xiaomi 14t Pro Review
Modern smartphones have a huge list of specifications and abilities. Sometimes you just need one or two to stand out to make a handset attracitve to consumers. Which are those features for the Xiaomi 14T Pro?
“While the flagships can push specifications and capabilities to a greater extent, Xiaomi needs to focus tightly on where it wants to invest the bill of materials. Having spent time with a Xiaomi 14T Pro review unit, three areas that have picked up that focus are the display, the camera, and the all-important for 2024 and beyond AI features.”
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HMD Fusion Review
HMD Global’s Fusion handset sits in the mid-range, and brings with it a system to attach perhierals and extend the functionality of the smartphone. HMD has also opened up the peripheral ecosystem to anyone ready to play by offering the specifications and requirements for free. But does the base handset make this worthwhile?
“The display should be brighter in this price range, but at least it manages without PWM flickering. The performance of the SoC and the speed of the memory are also only average considering the price. Overall, the HMD Fusion is a decent mid-range phone that gains flexibility thanks to the Smart Outfits. It remains to be seen how many third-party providers will use the open-source toolkit.”
(Notebook Check).
Android 16 Developers Preview Released
Google continues to offer new features in Android, optimising the advertised features announced and working out the bugs and kinks discovered by many. The latest beta show the progress:
“The second developer preview of Android 16 is now available to test with your apps. This build includes changes designed to enhance the app experience, improve battery life, and boost performance while minimizing incompatibilities, and your feedback is critical in helping us understand the full impact of this work.”
(Android Developer Blog).
And Finally…
Has the market for applications been growing in 2024? It is if you look at total consumer spending across the smartphone space, although the volume of apps is decreasing.. Split it out into Apple vs Android and there’s a different story:
“In 2024, global consumer spending in mobile apps and games reached $127 billion across the App Store and Google Play, up 15.7% from the prior year. However, those increases were driven by Apple’s App Store, as Google Play spending declined.”
(Appfigures via TechCrunch).
Android Circuit rounds up the news from the Android world every weekend here on . 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!
