Taking a look back at seven days of news and headlines across the world of Android, this week’s Android Circuit includes Samsung’s Galaxy S23 upgrade, how Samsung could benefit from Apple’s woes, Pixel 7 vs Galaxy S22, Honor Magic Vs launch, Qualcomm Snapdragon 782 introduced, Google app introduces the rail, and why Samsung is leading the Android tablet race.
Android Circuit is here to remind you of a few of the many things that have happened around Android in the last week (and you can find the weekly Apple news digest here).
Galaxy S23’s Fingerprint Upgrade
More details on Samsung’s Galaxy S23 family have come out this week, and the increased security offered by Qualcomm’s latest technology is set to debut in the handsets at their expected February 2023 launch:
"According to some rumors, the Galaxy S23 will feature Qualcomm’s third-generation ultrasonic fingerprint reader. However, we are unsure whether it’s the same 3D Sonic Max sensor Qualcomm debuted earlier this year or a completely different fingerprint scanner. If it’s the 3D Sonic Max, we are in for a treat, as it is the world’s biggest and most advanced fingerprint reader."
(SamMobile).
Apple's Woes Could Be Samsung's Win
With continued disruption at China’s Foxconn factories impacting the supply of iPhone handsets for the holidays, analysts are looking at Samsung to be ready to pick up extra sales in the run-up to Christmas. Not only that, but the South Korean company is building up more offers during Black Friday to support the sales push:
"This situation with the iPhone supply chain could benefit Samsung during the 2022 holiday season. The company has already started offering great discounts and trade-in deals on almost all its popular products, including the Galaxy S22 series, Galaxy Z Flip 4, Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy Watch 4, Galaxy Watch 5, tablets, laptops, and smart TVs, as a part of its Black Friday sale."
(SamMobile).
Google's Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro
Comparing Google’s Pixel 7 To Samsung's Galaxy S22
With Google’s Pixel launches taking place in October, there’s an offset to some of the competitive handsets. The Galaxy S22 and the Pixel 7 address the same retail space, but the Pixel 7 is six months younger. How much of a difference does that make when you decide to review them?
"Both phones represent entry-level flagship phones, making it an appropriate comparison. Yet, with an already somewhat-outdated chipset and smaller display, can the Galaxy S22 hold a candle to the newer Pixel 7? Now that I've spent some time with Google's latest flagship, I can tell you how both phones perform in the real world."
Honor Magic Vs Global Introduction
Honor continues its ‘dual flagship’ approach with the announcement of the Magic Vs this week, which will sit alongside the Honor Magic4 Pro . The company’s second folding smartphone is an iterative update to the Magic V. The latter was only available in China, but the Vs will launch in China before a global variant is launched in early 2023.
“...the biggest difference is the focus on reliability, with Honor talking up its new gear-free hinge, reducing the complexity of the mechanism inside. The company says that the handset will withstand up to 400,000 folds despite the parts count falling from 92 (in the Magic V) to 4 in the VS. Sadly, there’s no word on water and ingress protection, meaning it may still lag behind the competition in terms of getting dirt trapped where it shouldn’t be."
(Engadget).
Qualcomm Snapdragon 782 Launched
Qualcomm has launched a new chipset, targeting the ‘flagship killer’ mart of the mid-range market with the SnapDragon 782. It offers an iterative update to the 782G, but sits just below the 7 Gen 1. Expect to see this in many mid-range handsets next year:
"After announcing the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 at the Snapdragon Summit earlier this month, Qualcomm has quietly launched a new mid-range chipset. The new Snapdragon 7 series SoC succeeds the Snapdragon 778G Plus from last year and brings minor performance improvements. The new Snapdragon 782G doesn't follow Qualcomm's updated branding, likely because it doesn't feature the same improvements as the more premium Snapdragon 7 Gen 1."
OnePlus Forever
Throughout November, OnePlus has been challenging people to find the ‘black boxes’ it has hidden around the world. The digital treasure hunt (you need to find the location, not to actually go there) naturally has offers around OnePlus products, but there’s one golden box to find… and that has rather a lot inside it:
" Today, OnePlus is announcing the grand prize of their Operation Black Box scavenger hunt, as part of their Black Friday campaign. After four weeks of great prizes for lucky users all around Europe, the biggest surprise yet is the final prize: a "Golden Box" containing a lifetime supply of OnePlus flagship phones. The lucky user that wins the Golden Box will receive a OnePlus 10 Pro 5G, and from 2023 onwards, a flagship device at OnePlus.com once a year - forever."
(OnePlus).
Here Comes The Android Tablet Rail
Following on from the release of Android 12L and its improved support for tablet-based apps, Google is working through a number of UI changes in the Google app that go above and beyond the 12L changes to Material You, presumably to guide other app developers with a practical example:
"However, this is not a Material You (MD3) element as the icons for Discover, Search, and Collections don’t use a pill-shaped indicator, which is also the case for Google TV today. Your current tab is just highlighted blue instead of gray. The three elements are positioned roughly where you’d place your thumb instead of being exactly at the top, bottom, or even center-aligned."
(9to5Google).
And Finally...
With Google’s increased focus on larger-screened devices, the Android Tablet market has a huge potential for growth. As it stands, Samsung is the leading manufacturer, but will others join in and create a renaissance for the tablet?
"Samsung’s sustained commitment to the form factor is the main reason the Korean giant maintains its grip on the market. There’s also the fact that the only Android tablets worth buying are made by Samsung. From robust design and build quality to exceptional specs and unmatched software support, no other Android tablet manufacturer even comes close."
(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!
