Tag: Source: Androidcentral.com

The company is reportedly stepping back from a few devices.

What you need to know:
– A conversation between Bloomberg and Samsung’s Won-Joon Choi provided insights into its temporary withdrawal from a prospective Galaxy S25 Edge model and a TriFold.
– Choi also emphasized that the company aims to retain the S Pen in its Galaxy S Ultra phones, but plans to implement new technology to keep its “penalty” minimal.
– The Galaxy S25 Edge did not perform favorably, with a Korean report indicating that sales were significantly below expectations.

A Samsung executive allegedly sat down for an interview and addressed the company’s strategy regarding two Galaxy phones and its useful S Pen.

A report this week from Bloomberg sheds light on discussions with Samsung’s chief operating officer for the Mobile Experience Business, Won-Joon Choi. Immediately following Galaxy Unpacked, Won-Joon Choi mentioned that Samsung is taking a temporary step back from its Galaxy S25 Edge and the Galaxy Z TriFold. Concerning the former, he stated, “We haven’t decided when to have the next one, but it’s still under consideration.”

Allegedly, Samsung noticed how poor the sales were for the Galaxy S25 Edge and chose to “evaluate” its future.

The Galaxy Z TriFold marked Samsung’s initial foray into the double-folding category, but Won-Joon Choi remarked, “it was not the project I wished to pursue.” His comment referred more to the challenges of such a form-factor and the necessity to create custom components, as noted by Bloomberg. The executive mentioned that while some users may prefer a larger screen for watching videos, the company may prioritize the conventional book-style device (Galaxy Z Fold series) that we are accustomed to.

The S Pen was another significant subject of conversation between Bloomberg and Won-Joon Choi. Although there was some ambiguity in the rumors concerning the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Samsung asserts that the S Pen is here to stay—upgraded as well. Choi noted, “We’re developing a more advanced technology,” adding that the “penalty” of including it (likely the thickness of the device) could be diminished.

The Edge just lacked an edge

Upon its launch, Samsung heavily promoted the Galaxy S25 Edge. It was marketed as its slimmest phone, something distinct for its customers, although it aimed to compete with Apple’s iPhone Air. However, when it finally became available, it somewhat disappointed. A South Korean report last June indicated that the Galaxy S25 Edge’s sales were not meeting expectations. Moreover, Samsung’s production of the device plummeted just a month after its market introduction.

The phone was contentious. Samsung had to omit several features from the device—such as opting for a 3,900mAh battery—to achieve a slim 5.8mm profile. This allowed the Galaxy S25 Edge to be the thinnest on the market, but its chip (and that low-capacity battery) did not bolster its case. There were also speculations that Samsung might have replaced the S26 Plus with the S26 Edge. That was likely just a consideration if things had gone well, which they did not, so the Plus remains.

Mark your calendar for March 5 for the debut of Nothing’s latest audio offering, the Headphone (a), which departs from the brand’s usual black-and-white look with a striking yellow color scheme. This launch is likely to occur alongside the unveiling of the Nothing Phone (4a), as the company typically launches products in tandem to strengthen its ecosystem. The Headphone (a) is expected to deliver the longest battery life of any audio device in Nothing’s range, positioning it as a key attraction. With an estimated price of €159, it presents an affordable entry point for those drawn to Nothing’s distinctive design without the flagship cost. The headphones uphold the brand’s characteristic transparent, industrial aesthetics while adding more lively color selections. In summary, Nothing continues to make technology enjoyable and budget-friendly, providing an appealing mix of design, battery longevity, and pricing.

Not interested in all the trendy features? This Tracfone offer is perfect for you.

Additional locations, additional devices.

I haven’t acquired a Galaxy S26 yet, but I managed to experience its exclusive features through the “Try Galaxy” website.

So, you’ve noted the Samsung Galaxy S26 series, but you’re uncertain if the new devices are suitable for you. The most affordable model this year is priced at $900, while the priciest one is $1,300, making it quite a financial commitment. To spend that amount on a smartphone, you must be confident you’ll enjoy it. Samsung has devised an intelligent method that allows users to test switching to a Galaxy phone directly from their current device, whether it’s a Pixel, OnePlus, or iPhone — the “Try Galaxy” website can emulate the Galaxy experience on it.

The web application has been officially refreshed for the Galaxy S26 this week, enabling you to explore the exclusive features unavailable on other Galaxy devices. I’m especially fascinated by the Privacy Display on the Galaxy S26 Ultra and the extensive Galaxy AI integrations. Indeed, these are available for preview on the Try Galaxy site. Here’s how you can experience the Galaxy S26 software environment without making a purchase.

Try Galaxy allows you to explore the latest Samsung smartphones without the need to buy them.

Try Galaxy is a complimentary website that simulates the One UI experience found on Samsung devices, but it operates on any iOS or Android smartphone. The site can be transformed into a progressive web app (PWA) that adds to your home screen and works independently from your primary browser application. Although the Try Galaxy web app isn’t a recent development, it was just upgraded to showcase the exclusive features unveiled at Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked this week for the Galaxy S26 and One UI 8.5.

There are certain limitations; notably, the Try Galaxy site is constrained by your phone’s hardware. Naturally, it’s impossible to entirely replicate hardware-based features like the Privacy Display of the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Nonetheless, the web app does a commendable job of offering curious Android enthusiasts a preview of these impending Galaxy S26 features. Software-based tools, such as Galaxy AI or the new Bixby experience, adapt very well to the Try Galaxy web app.

If you’ve used a third-party Android launcher, you’ll know what to anticipate here. Try Galaxy resembles a standalone One UI 8.5 launcher within a progressive web app. It is a simulated environment, so you won’t encounter your apps or data. Instead, you’ll discover a range of new Galaxy S26 features in a user-friendly web app.

How to convert Try Galaxy into a functional web app.

You can access the Try Galaxy app via your browser, but it performs better as a progressive web app on your home screen. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Visit the Try Galaxy website in your preferred Android browser.
2. Tap the three-dot menu.
3. Select Add to Home Screen.
4. Tap Install.
5. You can now access the Try Galaxy web app directly from your Android home screen.

Additionally, keep in mind that you can convert many websites into progressive web apps using these instructions. If there’s a site you frequently visit due to the absence of an official Android app, or if you prefer to use the web client, consider turning it into a PWA. For the moment, it’s time to utilize the Try Galaxy web app to explore Samsung’s latest features.

How to explore exclusive Galaxy S26 features on your current device.

When you launch the Try Galaxy web app, you’ll encounter a One UI 8.5 launcher functioning within a separate environment. Depending on the device you are utilizing, you may experience an unusual aspect ratio or black bars at the top of your display. Don’t be concerned, as these peculiarities will not exist if you choose to purchase a Galaxy S26 model.

The web app’s One UI 8.5 launcher will automatically default to button navigation, rather than gesture navigation. If you attempt to use swipe gestures to switch apps or return, you’ll simply exit the Try Galaxy app, so be sure to use the buttons. A great starting point is to open the Settings app within the Try Galaxy app. Here, Samsung showcases some of the newest Galaxy S26 or One UI 8.5 options, making them easily identifiable.

I opted to test the Privacy Display feature first, and the settings page for this feature provides insight into what to expect. There’s an illustration that simulates how Privacy Display restricts visibility at certain viewing angles, and you can view the settings that control when and how Privacy Display activates.

You can also experiment with Galaxy AI tools like Photo Assist, Call Assist, and Health Assist. Samsung’s new conversational photo-editing feature is available, and the Try Galaxy web app is an ideal platform to sample this functionality. Since it is fundamentally software- and cloud-based, the experience should closely mirror that of using it on an official device.

Feel free to navigate through the virtualized One UI 8.5 launcher, exploring

The TCL 65-inch Class QM6K offers breathtaking 4K, supported by an impressive Mini-LED display.

Budget-friendly TVs are increasingly prevalent, but discovering a typically high-priced TV at a major markdown is the perfect way to enhance your home theater. For instance, Best Buy has reduced the cost of this 65-inch TCL 4K Smart TV by $470, bringing the price down to $530—nearly half of the usual price tag.

The TCL 65-inch Class QM6K TV is equipped with a Google TV interface, a 4K resolution powered by Mini-LED technology, and an array of visual enhancements. It provides both Bluetooth and wired audio solutions, along with gaming modes and a fast refresh rate for low-latency gameplay. This TV model typically retails for $1,000, so those in search of a premium TV without the hefty price may want to seize this opportunity before it disappears.

✅Recommended if: you’re in the market for a 4K TV around 65 inches, and you want it priced under $550; you require broad compatibility with approximately four HDMI ports for easy multi-device usage; you’d like a TV that features device casting, smart voice assistants, and a comprehensive selection of streaming services integrated into the platform.

❌Skip this deal if: you are looking for a TV with a built-in headphone jack for wired audio; this TV is either too big or too small for your space, and you’d prefer to explore Best Buy’s similar bargains on alternate size models; you want to keep your total under $500 and don’t need the high-end features.

The TCL QM6K series features 4K resolution, a Google TV platform with access to multiple streaming services, and smart functionalities ranging from voice assistants to media casting with various devices. Like many superior Android TVs, this model offers easy access to home theater functions with a diverse array of connectivity options.

Additionally, it features a 144Hz refresh rate, ideal for high-action sports and gaming, as well as lag-free gaming modes that are automatically activated to achieve the lowest input latency possible.

The included remote includes built-in voice capabilities for voice assistants and search. Furthermore, the TV unit consists of four HDMI ports, two USB-A ports, an ethernet port, and a cable port. Priced at $530 with a $470 discount, the unit appears to be an undeniably great deal.

What’s coming next is available; it’s simply not for the U.S.

Here’s another one.

What you need to know

– Samsung has supposedly begun rolling out One UI 8.5 Beta 6 to Galaxy S25 users in India prior to other areas.
– The update resolves numerous problems that have affected users since Beta 5, including a Bixby wake phrase issue, Now Brief/Now Bar card glitches, and additional issues.
– The Galaxy S26 series debuted this week, featuring the Ultra’s Privacy Display, a sleeker design, and many other enhancements.

If you were anticipating an official One UI 8.5 announcement for the Galaxy S25 series, reconsider, as another beta has surfaced.

Following Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked, well-known tipster Tarun Vats reported that a new One UI 8.5 beta has been identified for the Galaxy S25 series (via 9to5Google). This indicates that One UI 8.5 Beta 6 is on its way. Vats notes that the update has been observed late this week in India for registered Galaxy S25 users. Each variant will see build versions S938BXXU8ZZAO, S938BOXM8ZZAO, and S938BXXU8CZAO for the S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra, respectively.

For its modifications, the accompanying screenshot highlights several bugs that Samsung aims to address (hopefully) before the official release.

One issue involves Now Bar and Now Brief. Samsung is introducing a fix for “text, icons, and AOD visibility” related to the feature’s recommendation cards. The update also addresses a problem where “two ‘View Previous Image’ buttons appeared when utilizing the sketch conversion feature in the Gallery.”

Bixby’s wake-up phrase in Labs > Create is receiving a fix for users who may have encountered issues after Beta 5.

– Resolved a force close issue when altering the camera area settings in Settings > Display
– Fixed an issue where the lock screen style of Basic mode was modified in Modes and Routines
– Enhanced animation concerning notification cards

Unpacked is over; One UI 8.5, you’re next

Other regions should gradually start seeing this forthcoming One UI 8.5 beta shortly.

We truly wished it was “one last call” for Samsung’s One UI 8.5 beta when Beta 5 was released five days prior to Unpacked. That patch was rather minor, as Samsung’s only notable aspect was an “applied” Bixby version update. There were speculations that this was a significant Bixby overhaul for the software, which would subsequently roll out onto the Galaxy S25 series.

Samsung was relatively quick to discuss those Bixby changes as Beta 5 circulated. The company confirmed that Bixby now has the capability to comprehend more “natural conversation” when users engage with it for assistance. Users can rely on the AI for support with their settings and beyond, along with real-time online searches. While this upgraded Bixby is soaring in One UI 8.5, it’s primarily just the Galaxy S26 series that is benefiting from it.

Galaxy Unpacked fully unveiled the Galaxy S26 series and the appealing Privacy Display for the S26 Ultra. Pre-orders are readily accessible for users eager to acquire the next-gen devices.

Android Central’s Take

Hopefully—and I genuinely mean this—Beta 6 will be the final version we see of One UI 8.5’s testing. We’ve been on this path for several months, and it’s probable Samsung needs to refine more elements of its software than we realized. There’s considerable interest surrounding this upgrade, as it’s more impactful than a minor v0.1 update would have been. Beyond that, its latest series is already reaping the benefits, so individuals like me with a Galaxy S25 series model wish to participate in that as well.

Users can now convert any application into a floating bubble and oversee them from a new taskbar bubble area on larger-screen devices. In Android 17 Beta 2, users can change any app into a floating bubble by long-pressing the app icon in the launcher. This capability, referred to as Bubbles, permits a windowed mode akin to how chats are displayed in bubbles on Android. On large displays, a specialized bubble bar within the taskbar allows users to arrange, relocate, and manage these bubbles with greater ease.

Android 17 Beta 2 also launches Cross-device app Handoff, enabling users to carry on tasks effortlessly across Android devices. This functionality shows a handoff suggestion in the launcher on adjacent devices, facilitating smooth task continuity throughout the Android ecosystem. Moreover, a new system-level contact picker restricts apps to temporary read-only contact access, enhancing privacy.

The update also broadens SMS OTP protection and boosts local network privacy. It introduces an EyeDropper API for developers to request a color from any pixel on the display without requiring sensitive screen capture permissions. Android 17 Beta 2 resolves numerous bugs and introduces various new features, positioning itself as a notable update for both developers and users.

**Samsung Galaxy XR: An In-depth Review**

The Samsung Galaxy XR distinguishes itself as an exceptional virtual reality (VR) headset in the industry, providing a mix of virtual reality and vibrant mixed reality functionalities. Awarded 4 out of 5 stars by Android Central, this headset is lauded for its cutting-edge features and smooth compatibility with Android applications. Nonetheless, it faces critique for its steep price and absence of bundled controllers.

**Design and Display**

The Galaxy XR showcases an exquisite design with outstanding OLED screens and optics. The adaptable forehead cushion and battery configuration improve user comfort and functionality. The display resolution reaches 3552 x 3840 pixels with a 90Hz refresh rate, guaranteeing a sharp and fluid visual experience.

**Performance and Compatibility**

Equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset and 16GB RAM, the Galaxy XR effectively runs all Android applications found on the Google Play Store. It offers smooth connections with Google services like Quick Share, facilitating easy content sharing between devices. The headset supports multitasking and can link to a PC for PCVR experiences.

**Pros**

– Beautiful design and display
– Outstanding modular structure for comfort
– Complete compatibility with Android applications
– Smooth integration with Google services

**Cons**

– Elevated price point
– Absence of included controllers
– Limited customization options for head strap

**Unique Features**

The Galaxy XR incorporates eye-tracking technology, enabling users to select UI elements with a finger pinch. It also adjusts lens spacing automatically for different interpupillary distances, diminishing the chances of headaches and dizziness. The headset is equipped with biometric iris recognition for secure logins and transactions.

**Battery and Connectivity**

The headset provides up to 2.5 hours of usage per charge and can be utilized while charging. It is compatible with WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, ensuring quick and dependable connectivity.

**Conclusion**

The Samsung Galaxy XR is a robust and adaptable VR headset that excels in aesthetics, display, and app compatibility. While its costly price and the lack of included controllers are notable downsides, its smooth integration with Android applications and pioneering features make it an attractive option for those pursuing a top-tier VR experience.