The Redmi Note 17 Pro comes with a promise of free battery replacement if battery health drops below 80% within four years.
Durability gets a boost too, with an IP69K rating for strong dust and high-pressure water resistance.
The Pro model also gets a refreshed look, featuring a more prominent dual-camera island than the standard Redmi Note 17.
Smartphone makers love to talk about bigger batteries, but Xiaomi is taking a different approach with the Redmi Note 17 Pro. The company promises to keep that battery healthy for years, and it's willing to replace it for free if it doesn't.
Xiaomi has confirmed a new battery guarantee for the Redmi Note 17 Pro ahead of the phone's July 14 debut in China. The battery is designed to retain at least 80 percent of its original capacity after four years of use. If it falls below that threshold during the coverage period, eligible users can receive a free replacement, Xiaomi Group President Lu Weibing revealed on Weibo (via Android Authority).
As people keep their phones longer, the health of the battery becomes a bigger concern. Most lithium-ion batteries lose capacity over time, after a number of charges, so Xiaomi’s promise is to ease one of the biggest long-term ownership concerns.
Xiaomi revealed much more than just the battery guarantee before its launch. The Redmi Note 17 Pro will pack a large 9,000mAh battery, per Xiaomi's separate Weibo post.
Leaks and official teasers are also starting to paint a clearer picture of the hardware. The Redmi Note 17 Pro is rumored to feature a Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 processor. Camera upgrades seem to be another major focus, with the Pro model tipped to carry a 200MP primary sensor, while the standard Redmi Note 17 is expected to stick with a 50MP main camera.
The design also keeps the two phones apart. Official images show the standard model with a less complicated rear camera arrangement, while the Pro sports a more pronounced dual-camera island.
Android Central's Take
Hopefully this is an indication of a wider change and not a one-off marketing stunt. Phone brands keep pushing for bigger batteries and faster charging, but none of that matters much if the battery dies long before I'm ready to replace the device. If Xiaomi is serious about this free replacement promise, it could save users some cash and make upgrading less of a necessity. Now the rest of the industry has to decide if they are going to follow suit or continue to pretend battery longevity isn’t a problem worth solving.
Samsung has confirmed the Galaxy Z Fold 8 will use the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset.
The "for Galaxy" version means a custom-tuned Snapdragon processor, which has historically delivered slightly higher CPU and GPU performance than the standard chip.
Performance should get a meaningful boost for multitasking, gaming, and on-device AI, helping justify rumored price increases.
Recent rumors pointed to a major price hike for Samsung’s next wave of foldables. But hold your horses before you dismiss the upcoming lineup, because Samsung just confirmed a huge hardware upgrade that could actually make the extra cash worth it.
Samsung has now confirmed that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 will be powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon chip, solidifying its position on flagship processors for its high-end foldables. The confirmation comes ahead of the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event on July 22, where the company is expected to launch the Galaxy Z Fold 8 along with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and Galaxy Z Flip 8.
In a post on Weibo, the Korean tech giant revealed that the Fold 8 will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, the same silicon that powers the Galaxy S26 series. That might not be a huge surprise, but it settles weeks of speculation on whether Samsung would tap its own Exynos silicon in some markets.
No Exynos this time
Reports out earlier had already hinted that the U.S. model would stick with Qualcomm, but Samsung’s announcement makes it clear that Snapdragon will power the device worldwide.
It's a notable confirmation because Samsung didn’t just stop at the processor name. The company specifically noted the “Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy” branding, suggesting users should expect Samsung’s custom version of Qualcomm’s chip, not the standard version.
Historically, those “for Galaxy” editions have come with slightly higher CPU and GPU clock speeds, giving Samsung’s phones a modest performance edge over other Android flagships.
But the processor is not expected to be the only upgrade. Rumors suggest a wider, redesigned Fold 8 that will act more like a standard smartphone when closed, addressing one of the main complaints of previous Galaxy Fold models. Leaks have also hinted at improvements like a bigger battery and faster charging, though Samsung hasn’t confirmed those details yet.
Android Central's Take
I can't say I'm shocked that Samsung stuck with Snapdragon here — it would've been far riskier to gamble on anything else for a phone that will almost certainly cost well north of $1,800. The good news is that buyers should get the best performance Samsung has to offer for multitasking, gaming, and on-device AI. That said, I’d rather the company put as much energy into fixing the Fold’s long-standing pain points — like battery life, charging speed, and camera performance — as it does confirming the obvious.
Google started rolling out its July security update for Pixels, which serves as its first post-Android 17 launch patch.
The update fixes a few early issues affecting Pixel 6 to Pixel 10 series phones, as well as a navigation button problem for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
Google has achieved Platform Stability for Android 17's first quarterly update with Beta 6.
Android 17's debut was huge, alongside Google's other major Pixel news. Now, the company is rolling out its first post-Android 17 patch, and it's of the monthly variety for security and bug fixes.
Google posted the changelog for its July 2026 security update for Pixel 6 and newer phones. Globally, Pixel users can expect to download vCP2A.260705.006 once it hits their devices. Google says the patch is "rolling out in phases" over the next week, so its availability will be staggered to start. Android 17's UI is receiving a couple of fixes. The first involves only the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, as users reported problems with its navigation buttons.
Google says these buttons would occasionally "change alignment after folding and unfolding the device." The July patch should solve this issue for those affected users. The second fix concerns every supported Pixel device for this July update (Pixel 6 to the Pixel 10 series). Google states it's rolling out a fix for the wallpaper shape effect as it would "incorrectly cover the subject instead of appearing in the background."
You can check out the remainder of the patch notes below. It's worth noting that the following fixes concern all supported Pixel phones receiving this patch.
Fix for an issue where certain applications would unexpectedly close or fail to launch
Fix for an issue where various system widgets were displayed with incorrect colors or contrast settings
Fix for an issue where some devices would fail to load the Android system or become stuck in a boot loop under certain conditions
Testing underway
(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)
Google is rolling out a small fix for widgets, but it doesn't solve the main issue most Pixel users were experiencing. Users said their home screen widgets started disappearing after updating to Android 17. Google is aware of this and says a fix is on the way. We've seen that fix appear in the Android 17 QPR1 Beta 5 update. Specifically, it states the fix is for widgets that "disappear or become unavailable in the widget picker after a device reboot."
Since this is in its QPR1 beta, we'll likely have to wait for Android 17's first quarterly patch, which is what the tests are for. However, Google hit us with a pretty quick double whammy. Android 17 QPR1 Beta 6 rolled out last week, and it's now in Platform Stability. This is the part of the beta where devs can begin testing and applying their APIs to the software in preparation for users to receive it.
Android Central's Take
Android 17 wasn't a flashy update, and most other phones from other makers are awaiting their turn to get it. Not all major OS updates need to be, so long as they offer something worth our time. Android 17 focuses on security and threat detection for phones, which is always appreciated.
Good news, Samsung fans: Amazon just dropped some Galaxy S26 deals that are giving me serious Prime Day flashbacks. For a limited time, you can save up to $270 on these super-powered flagships when you buy unlocked, no trade-in required and no strings attached.
The Galaxy S26 lineup includes the base model S26, the balanced Galaxy S26 Plus, and the über-powerful Galaxy S26 Ultra. All three phones are powered by the efficient Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and come with at least 12GB of RAM, a bunch of useful AI features, and seven years of software updates guaranteed. They're also pretty expensive, which is why the following S26 deals are so crucial.
The smallest of the three flagship phones, the Galaxy S26 boasts a stunning 6.3-inch AMOLED display with 256GB of storage and powerful performance that could compete with any Android phone on the market.
Right now, you can grab the Samsung flagship unlocked from Amazon and score a straight $100 off your purchase, totally offsetting that pesky price hike. The 512GB version of the phone is also $200 off as part of the sale (if you don't mind the White variant).
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus takes the foundation of the base model S26 and adds a larger 6.7-inch QHD+ display, a long-lasting 4,900mAh battery, and a small increase in charging speeds.
Amazon is currently selling the 256GB phone for $899.99, which is $200 off the retail price AND what you'd usually pay if you were buying the standard Galaxy S26. If you want a phone that offers bang for the buck, the Galaxy S26 Plus is it.
Easily one of the most powerful Android phones ever built, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra sports a generous 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED display with an embedded S Pen stylus, a fast-charging 5,000mAh battery, and innovative features such as Privacy Display.
It's also quite expensive, which is why I'm excited to see Amazon carve a straight $270 off the 256GB configuration for a limited time. According to the retailer, this deal is selling out fast, so I wouldn't wait too long if you're interested.
Meta is rolling out a mandatory update that disables the camera entirely if the glasses' privacy light is tampered with or covered.
Earlier glasses only showed a prompt when the LED was covered, but users bypassed it by drilling holes or using mods.
Meta will also remove ads and posts promoting tampering services and take action against any accounts linked to them.
The change follows growing misuse of Meta's AI glasses and public backlash over the company ignoring the issue for so long.
Something that should've been here from day one has finally happened. Meta is rolling out an update that blocks users from recording with its smart glasses if they tamper with the privacy light.
Smart glasses are inherently a privacy nightmare. To this day, plenty of people don't realize that the glowing LED on Meta's AI glasses means they're being recorded, and Meta has finally taken a step to curb this creepy behavior.
The company has started rolling out a mandatory update for all Ray-Ban Meta and Meta's new glasses that will now disable the camera entirely if the privacy light is destroyed or tampered with.
Starting with its second-generation glasses, Meta tried to stop users from covering the LED with tape or other objects by showing a prompt asking them to uncover the recording light before continuing.
Tampering with the privacy light now kills the camera
(Image credit: Meta)
Even then, users found workarounds like drilling into the holes, and modders came up with more sophisticated methods, but that shouldn't be possible anymore.
In its latest FAQ, Meta explains that the camera will now be physically disabled if the glasses detect that the privacy light has been tampered with or covered.
The company also says it's working across its platforms to remove ads and posts advertising these kinds of tampering services, and that it will take action against any accounts tied to them.
There's been growing misuse of Meta's AI glasses, along with plenty of public backlash over the company failing to address this creepy behavior sooner. It seems Meta has finally listened, and this is an important privacy change.
It's also worth noting that the update will be mandatory for all Meta and Ray-Ban Meta users.
Android Central's Take
About time, honestly. Meta let this creepy behavior slide for far too long, and it took public backlash to force a fix. I'm glad it's here, but I can't help wondering why it wasn't baked in from the start.
Rumors claim that Samsung's previously rumored open-ear or "clip-on" earbuds, the Galaxy Buds Able, have changed names to "Galaxy Buds On."
However, a leak from another source claims "Galaxy Able" might remain, as the title was discovered in the Wearable app's code with the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro.
Earlier this year, Galaxy Buds Able were rumored to be earbuds that rely on bone conduction for producing sound with
Rumors have surfaced again about a set of "bone conduction" earbuds that Samsung is developing.
Tipster evowizz on X posted a short claim about a unique pair of earbuds Samsung allegedly has in the works (via SamMobile). Their post claims that the previously rumored "Galaxy Buds Able" title has been replaced with "Galaxy Buds On." The publication adds that they bear the model number SM-U600 internally for Samsung.
The number reportedly swaps "R" for "U," the latter of which is typically used to identify new earbuds from the brand.
The situation progresses with another round of leaks from SammyGuru. According to its post, the publication discovered "Galaxy Able" listed in Samsung's Wearables app code beneath the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. What's more, the post highlights a "samsung.accessory" string that may suggest full integration for the buds across Samsung's software. This has speculation leaning to one side, but nothing's confirmed yet.
Now and then, rumors will conflict like this. It's best to take what's been said here with a grain of salt for the time being.
Audio shifts
(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
To make sense of this, we'll have to walk things back to April when rumors of "bone conduction" earbuds surfaced. At the time, the name "Galaxy Buds Able" led the way with an open-ear or "clip-on" design. It was said that these earbuds would clip onto a person's ear, sending vibrations through their bones to produce sound. Clearly, this is a departure from earbuds we're used to seeing and using that sit in-ear (or even traditional open-earbuds.
The model number that SamMobile mentioned in this recent leak was cited before. Prior reports added that the "U" is typically reserved for U.S. product releases, but this model number changes things. The vibrancy or richness of audio has also been called into question. If these buds rely on bone conduction and not more traditional methods, their bass could suffer as a result.
Android Central's Take
These buds already sounded interesting before, but the idea isn't that wild or unique to Samsung. Other brands have gone this route before, and could be seen as another earbud alternative, like anything else on the market. I'm still holding back, since there's nothing else about these buds. No hardware specifications, no charging case, nothing. For now, I'll wait.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra focuses heavily on AI, but not in a way that feels abstract or overly technical. Instead, it’s designed to handle small, everyday tasks more efficiently, so there’s less time spent on routine digital admin and more on what actually matters. Here are a few ways the AI tools on Samsung’s latest flagship can help streamline your day.
TL;DR: The Galaxy S26 Ultra uses AI tools like Writing Assist1, Note Assist2, Now Brief, Browsing Assist3, and Photo Assist4 to simplify everyday tasks. From refining emails to summarising webpages and organising notes, the Galaxy S26 Ultra removes manual input to help streamline how it’s used throughout the day.
How does Writing Assist improve messages and emails?
Writing Assist refines text in real time, adjusting tone, grammar, and clarity directly within supported apps. It can rewrite a message to sound more formal, more concise, or more relaxed, depending on the situation.
We’ve all been there: a work email comes in after a long day, and you feel exhausted and unsure how to respond. Writing Assist unearths the perfect tone to deliver your message without sounding too short, impersonal or unprofessional.
A quick response written between meetings can also be adjusted to sound more professional without having to rewrite it from scratch. Plus, Writing Assist never misses; it helps you strike the right balance in messages, such as when following up with a colleague or responding to someone you don’t know well.
It removes the need to pause and rethink wording, helping messages come across clearly the first time.
Can the Galaxy S26 Ultra organise chaotic notes?
Note Assist organises and summarises notes automatically, turning unstructured text into something easier to read and act on. It can break down longer notes, highlight key points, and reshape rough ideas into a clearer format.
Phones have helped take notes on the go for years, but they aren’t so hot on helping you retrieve a note when you need it, especially if it’s been a while since you recorded it. The Galaxy S26 Ultra can summarise and present your thoughts in a more organised way, so you don't have to go back through everything later.
Note Assist is also useful for planning trips, saving ideas for get-togethers, or jotting down ideas. Plus, it reduces the need to manually tidy up notes afterwards, making them more useful straight away.
What does Now Brief show you during the day?
Now Brief gathers information from across the phone and presents it in a single, glanceable summary that includes calendar events, reminders, weather, and messages. Thanks to Galaxy AI5, it can not only pull information from across multiple apps but also help make sense of it all.
(Image credit: Future)
If you have a holiday or a theatre performance coming up in a different location, Now Brief will show you how to get there, what the weather is like, any tickets you might have booked and are available in your emails, etc. The feature will also suggest mindfulness sessions if you have a longer trip coming up to manage stress levels.
Better still, Now Brief also helps surface updates that might otherwise be missed, presenting them clearly, so it’s easier to stay on top of the day without constantly switching between apps.
Can the Galaxy S26 Ultra summarise webpages for you?
Browsing Assist summarises webpages into shorter, more digestible sections, highlighting key points without needing to read everything in full – perfect for avoiding the information overload we all face these days, especially on our smartphones.
It works directly in the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s browser and can be useful when checking reviews before buying something, scanning long articles, or checking what the critics are saying about the movie you’re watching or that actor that you know from that movie but can’t remember their name.
Instead of reading through entire pages of content, Browsing Assist presents the main points upfront, pulling out the most relevant information and helping you return to your original task. In short, it reduces the time spent skimming and scrolling, helping information feel more manageable.
How does Photo Assist improve photos after they’re taken?
Photo Assist applies AI-powered edits directly within the Gallery app, allowing adjustments such as removing distractions, improving composition, and refining lighting without using separate editing tools.
The only limit of Photo Assist really is your imagination. Using text prompts, it can add details or complete photos, or completely redo images to match their purpose. Want to add a flying pig in the background of your hen do snapshots? No problem. How about removing the flame from the last candle on the cake to make it look like the birthday girl blew them all out in one try? Photo Assist can sort that.
Cluttered backgrounds are cleaned up, photobombers are removed, and off-centre shots are quickly reframed. It also helps when preparing images to share, where a cleaner, more balanced photo makes a difference. Photo Assist turns editing into a quick step rather than a separate task, helping more photos feel worth keeping.
From writing messages to organising information and refining photos, the Galaxy S26 Ultra uses AI to handle small tasks more efficiently throughout the day. To see how these features work together and explore the device's full capabilities, visit the official Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra page.
1Samsung account login is required. Requires a network connection. Must meet length requirements to activate feature. Service availability may vary by language. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.
2Samsung account login is required. Requires network connection.
3Available to use on Samsung Internet. Requires network connection and Samsung account login. Summarise feature may be limited or unavailable on certain paid websites. Character limit applies. Language pack download may be required. Accuracy of results not guaranteed.
4Requires network connection and Samsung account login. A visible watermark is overlaid on the saved image to indicate it was generated by Galaxy AI. Accuracy of output not guaranteed.
5Samsung account login is required for certain AI features. Galaxy AI features are provided for free. Future releases may include additional advanced features that are offered as part of a paid subscription plan. Different terms may apply for AI features provided by third parties.
