## A Summary of the Most Noteworthy Google/Android News from This Week
Welcome to **Android Central’s Weekly News**, your essential destination for a succinct summary of the most impactful tech news from the week. This week, we witnessed significant announcements and advancements in the realms of Android and Google, touching on Qualcomm’s newest chip, Samsung’s latest foldable device, and Google’s initiatives to fight spam. Here’s an overview of the leading stories that influenced the digital arena.
### Qualcomm Elevates Android Smartphones with the Snapdragon 8 Elite
During the **Snapdragon Summit** held on October 24, Qualcomm introduced its newest flagship processor, the **Snapdragon 8 Elite**, crafted for 2025 Android flagship smartphones. This innovative chip marks a transformative moment, delivering a 45% enhancement in CPU performance and a 40% upgrade in GPU performance relative to its predecessor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite is manufactured using a 3nm process and features **Oryon cores**, which are akin to those utilized in Qualcomm’s PC processors. These cores are engineered to manage AI functions more effectively, achieving a 45% increase in NPU (Neural Processing Unit) performance. Notably, the chip realizes a 44% rise in efficiency without requiring dedicated efficiency cores, courtesy of the Oryon architecture.
The inaugural devices featuring this chip include the **OPPO Find X8**, **OnePlus 13**, and **Xiaomi 15**, all scheduled for release this month.
### Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold SE: The Foldable We Desired
Samsung amazed us by launching the **Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition (SE)**, just a few months post the debut of the **Galaxy Z Fold 6**. This latest foldable showcases larger displays, a sleeker design, and a robust 200MP main camera. It also offers 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, representing a noteworthy upgrade over the conventional Z Fold 6.
Nevertheless, there’s a catch: the Galaxy Z Fold SE is presently exclusive to South Korea, and it remains uncertain if it will be accessible in other areas. Moreover, the SE does not support **S Pen**, which could deter some potential users.
While the SE appears to be the foldable device we wished the Z Fold 6 had embodied, we can only hope that Samsung incorporates these enhancements into the **Galaxy Z Fold 7** next year.
### Rising Tensions in the Arm and Qualcomm Licensing Dispute
In a surprising development, **Arm** has issued a 60-day notice to terminate Qualcomm’s architectural license, citing the company’s ongoing utilization of Arm technologies subsequent to its 2021 acquisition of **Nuvia**. Arm had previously taken legal action against Qualcomm, accusing the latter of unlawfully using its chip designs via Nuvia.
This action could have far-reaching consequences for Qualcomm, whose chips are extensively relied upon in Android devices. Qualcomm has labeled Arm’s actions as “without merit” and “anticompetitive,” but the outcome of this dispute remains uncertain. Experts in the field speculate that a last-minute agreement may be possible, yet the situation highlights the critical importance of Arm’s technology in the semiconductor industry.
### Boox Unveils New E-Readers Featuring Android 13
**Boox** has launched two new e-readers: the **Boox Palma 2** and the **Note Air4 C**. The Palma 2 boasts a quicker processor, **Boox Super Refresh** technology for enhanced scrolling, and runs on Android 13, upgrading from Android 11 found in its predecessor. It incorporates a 16MP camera, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and a side-mounted fingerprint scanner.
The **Note Air4 C** presents an upgraded display with superior color and contrast, making it an excellent choice for users in search of a more vibrant reading experience. Additionally, Boox has teased the **Note Max**, a 13.3-inch e-reader designed like a laptop, which will be priced at $649.
The Boox Palma 2 is now available for pre-order at $279.99, with shipping commencing on November 12.
### Google Messages Enhances Spam Prevention with New Features
Google is intensifying its battle against spam with fresh updates for **Google Messages**. The app is implementing improved scam detection capabilities that will alert users to suspicious messages, such as fake package deliveries or job-related scams. These messages will either be highlighted or sent directly to the spam folder.
Furthermore, Google Messages will now blur images featuring nudity, akin to the **SafeSearch** function in **Google Search**. This will be an opt-in feature unless the user is under 18, in which case it will be opt-out. The app will also provide users with increased control over messages from unfamiliar international senders and will introduce identity verification measures to thwart impersonation scams.
These updates are part of Google’s
