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Android Circuit: Galaxy S25 Controversy, Honor 400 Pro Launch, Pixel 10 Pricing

Android Circuit: Galaxy S25 Controversy, Honor 400 Pro Launch, Pixel 10 Pricing

Forbes23-05-2025

Taking a look back at this week's news and headlines across the Android world, including Galaxy S26 controversy, Snapdragon 8 arrives early, Pixel 10 Pro pricing, Android's desktop experience, Android XE expectations, Honor 400 Pro launch, and satellite connectivity in 2025.
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 Forbes.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
There is a constant tension in the run-up to a new Samsung smartphone as the community wonders if it will ship with their favoured Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset, or with Samsung's homegrown Exynos chipset.
While the two chipsets remain in balance (with a trend to more performance to Snapdragon and more battery life to Exynos) there is still a perception in the community that Snapdragn is the better choice. Which means news that a split strategy may return for the Galaxy S26 will raise eyebrows:
"It's too soon to tell whether the Galaxy S26 series will feature both Snapdragon and Exynos chips. One encouraging sign from February 2025 is that Samsung reportedly achieved a 30% yield rate in test production of the Exynos 2600 processor... It tentatively sounds like development is proceeding more smoothly with the new chip. So you can't count on a Snapdragon-only Galaxy S26 series just yet."
(Android Authority).
Staying with Qualcomm, the next generation of the Snapdragon 8 series—which will likely power all of the major Android-powered flagship smartphones in 2026, looks to be getting an early release. Which in turn allows the next generation of flagships to arrive ahead of the holidays:
"At its Computex 2025 keynote, Qualcomm said the next Snapdragon Summit will take place between September 23 and September 25 in Hawaii… Smartphones powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 are expected to arrive in October 2025. They include the Xiaomi 16, OnePlus 15, Realme GT8 Pro and many others."
(NotebookCheck).
Google looks set to maintain the pricing across the board with the upcoming Pixel 10 family of devices. The Pixel 10 is expected to price-match the Pixel 9, as is the Pixel 10 Pro and 9 Pro. There is one exception, though, with the Pixel 10 Pro XL seeing a $100 rise on the entry-level model:
"Given that the Pixel 9 Pro XL model with 256 GB of storage was priced at $1,199, last year's $1,099 model with 128 GB of storage could leave the Pixel 10 family. That would maintain the price of the 10 Pro XL 256 GB, and everything stays steady across the board. Alternatively, the larger display and potentially larger battery may push the bill of materials to the point where the team has no option but to push the price up."
(Forbes).
Unsurprisingly, Google's I/O developer conference leaned heavily into the future of AI (Casey Newton has a good summary of the magic and the madness coming up). Still, there was evolution in other areas that could have a notable impact on the ecosystem. One of those is Desktop Mode for Android. It's something Samsung users have with the DeX software. Google has now said that Android 16 will build on this:
'We've been collaborating with Samsung, building on the foundation of Samsung DeX, to bring enhanced desktop windowing capabilities in Android 16 for more powerful productivity workflows… Leaked builds of Android 16 previously revealed much of Google's progress on desktop mode, while an early look at Samsung's One UI 8 update showed that it seems Samsung's DeX is being redesigned to utilize the improvements that Google and Samsung have been collaborating on."
(9to5Google).
One area of I/O which pushes boundaries is Android XR. This is Google's take on packing the Gemini AI assistant into a pair of glasses. Google is joined by Samsung and Qualcomm in this endeavour. Naturally, the promotional videos show the hardware in the best light possible—much as Apple did with Vision Pro—so we await consumer hardware later this year:
"Equipped with a camera, microphones and speakers, these glasses work in tandem with your phone, giving you access to your apps without ever having to reach in your pocket. And an optional in-lens display privately provides helpful information right when you need it. Pairing these glasses with Gemini means they see and hear what you do, so they understand your context, remember what's important to you and can help you throughout your day."
(Google Blog).
Honor has released two mid-range smartphones this week; the Pro model offers near flagship power levels, while the vanilla 400 should comfortably meet the expectations at the lower and more competitive price point. We'll have a closer look at the Honor 400 over the weekend, but for now, this is what you can expect from the 400 Pro:
"The Honor 400 Pro is equipped with a 200MP main camera (1/1.4' sensor, f/1.9 lens with OIS), a 50MP telephoto (1/2' Sony IMX856, f/2.0 with OIS) and a 12MP ultra-wide camera (f/2.2 112° lens) with macro capabilities. The front camera is a 50MP unit. This model is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, just like the 300 Pro. It is paired with 12GB of RAM and 256/512GB storage."
(GSM Arena).
Connecting to the internet over satellite is vital for digital nomads, heading out where even cellular signals cannot reach. Chris Dunphy takes a closer look at the current state of play in Satellite Connectivity. There are many options, all with their benefits, but one option remains suitable for all:
"For those looking for mobile satellite broadband options, Starlink is currently the clear choice for most of the consumer market. Hopefully, Amazon will soon have a worthy offering in Kuiper that dials up the competitive heat.
(Mobile Internet Resource Center).
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!

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China's Startups Race to Dominate the Coming AI Robot Boom
China's Startups Race to Dominate the Coming AI Robot Boom

Bloomberg

time3 hours ago

  • Bloomberg

China's Startups Race to Dominate the Coming AI Robot Boom

A few weeks ago, a Chinese startup called EngineAI gave an unusual demonstration of how today's robots learn. A female instructor with long blonde hair showed off a series of dance steps and then encouraged the company's humanoid robot to imitate her moves. 'Five, six, seven, eight,' she said. 'Let's go! Keep the flow.' Using computer vision and machine learning algorithms, the machine watched and listened — and then mimicked a series of steps from her dance routine. Over a few days, EngineAI's robot mastered the Axe Gang dance from the 2004 movie Kung Fu Hustle. A bit silly perhaps, but the dance represents a serious step for China's tech industry. After years of American companies like Boston Dynamics Inc. leading the development of humanoid — or people-shaped — machines, Chinese upstarts are now pushing the boundaries of innovation. In April, Beijing hosted the world's first robot half-marathon, where the city's X-Humanoid bested a field of 20 other bipedal machines. In May, Unitree Robotics, one of the country's prominent players, showcased its machines in what was billed as the first robot kickboxing tournament. While these events don't always go smoothly — 15 of 21 robots failed to complete the Beijing race — the point is progress, not perfection. China, which already has a higher density of robots per human on its factory floors than the likes of the US and Japan, is preparing humanoids to move into increasingly complex roles. EngineAI, Unitree and their competitors have started trials for everything from sorting garbage and delivering medicines in nursing homes to patrolling the streets alongside police officers and guiding tours through museums. The bots are quietly being tested for military combat, according to local media reports. Zhao Tongyang, founder and chief executive officer of EngineAI, figures 50 or 60 companies in China are working on humanoid development now, benefiting from the country's manufacturing expertise and robust government support. They're harnessing artificial intelligence models so the machines can learn how to handle new tasks on their own, without laborious programming for each situation. The company says it has orders for hundreds of its humanoids. 'China has many players involved and there are some very good talents among them,' said the 43-year-old Zhao during an interview over Zoom. 'I hope China will be first when it comes to robots.' The country's startups have caught the attention of Elon Musk, whose Tesla Inc. has set its sights on the humanoid market. On an April conference call, the billionaire said he thinks his Optimus robots lead the industry in performance, but China may end up dominating the field. 'I'm a little concerned that on the leaderboard, ranks 2 through 10 will be Chinese companies,' he said. Leadership in this field matters because humanoids appear poised to move beyond the realms of sci-fi and curiosity. Citigroup Inc. recently projected the market for the machines and related services will surge to $7 trillion by 2050 when the world could be populated by 648 million human-like bots. Beyond the monetary rewards are mind-rattling strategic implications for governments and countries. Whoever leads development of these humanoids could potentially command an army of indefatigable workers, caregivers and soldiers, redefining economic and political strength. Musk made the case in mid-May that the global economy could grow to 10 times its current size with the addition of robot labor. 'It unlocks an immense amount of economic potential,' Musk said during an appearance in Saudi Arabia. 'We're headed to a radically different world.' China's strength in this field isn't an accident. President Xi Jinping and the Communist Party sketched out blueprints for developing strategic technologies — including robotics — more than a decade ago. Local officials then offered financial incentives and support to entrepreneurs to reach Beijing's policy goals. In EngineAI's case, the Shenzhen government helped connect Zhao with funding and other resources. 'Although it is not the government that directly invests in us, at least the government's money is used to guide them to this industry and guide funds in this direction,' the founder said. 'I think this is a great thing.' China announced earlier this year it would invest 1 trillion yuan ($138 billion) in robotics and high tech in the next two decades, far more than the US or Europe. The US has formidable players in robotics — including Boston Dynamics, Agility Robotics, Figure AI and Tesla — and a long track record of technology breakthroughs. Yet some scholars warn that Beijing's approach may give China the edge in developing strategically important, capital-intensive sectors, like it has already done with electric vehicles and solar panels. 'The Chinese model of state-run capitalism might actually be better equipped,' said Julian Mueller-Kaler, director of the Strategic Foresight Hub at the Washington D.C.-based think tank, Stimson Center. 'Digital and tech advancements are geopolitical issues of the highest order.' While it's still possible the humanoid market never takes off, China is making an audacious bet that it will. The country is on track to produce more than 10,000 humanoid robots this year, or more than half of the machines globally, according to an April study from the China think tank Leaderobot and other institutions. 'China is winning the humanoids war, I have no doubt,' said Henrik I. Christensen, director of the Contextual Robotics Institute at the University of California San Diego. Zhao's career mirrors the country's embrace of robotics. After majoring in automation at university, he got into the field eight years ago, motivated not so much by Beijing's strategic priorities as the prospects for innovation. 'I believed that humanoid robots would definitely change the way of life for human beings,' he said. His timing was fortuitous. A few years earlier, Beijing had unveiled an ambitious program called Made in China 2025, which set goals for technological accomplishments over the next decade. The Communist Party's drive to develop humanoid technology stemmed from a looming labor crunch. The working-age population is expected to shrink by about 22% through 2050, according to the Lowy Institute in Sydney. The squeeze is particularly acute in manufacturing, with a projected shortfall of 30 million workers in 10 sectors by the end of this year, according to a report from government agencies, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. This gap is aggravated by the younger generation's reluctance to take the kind of blue-collar factory jobs their parents embraced. China's strategy is to integrate people-like robots across sectors like manufacturing, healthcare and hospitality. Factory floors in China already boast a robot density that eclipses Germany and Japan, with levels doubling in just four years. It had 470 robots per 10,000 employees in 2023, well above the US at 295 robots for the same number of workers, according to the International Federation of Robots. Artificial intelligence models are helping humanoid robots become smarter, more adaptable machines. Startups like EngineAI and Unitree are refining their AI applications, allowing robots to see and recognize objects, plan movements, coordinate with each other and teach themselves how to adapt to new situations. 'Previously, robots were very stupid, right?' said Chang Lin, the co-founder and CEO of Leju Robotics, another ambitious startup. Today, the evolution of large language models, like those powering ChatGPT and DeepSeek, is bestowing intelligence on machines so they can learn tasks from their owners, he said. You could, for example, train one of the company's Kuavo robots how you want it to clean the floors or care for the flowers in your house — and then it would take over. 'It'll be easy,' he said. 'Form a data set for watering flowers, it will naturally water the flowers.' This kind of progress has China's robots making their way into the real world. UBTech Robotics Corp., based in Shenzhen, has deployed its 5-foot-6-inch Walker S1 to help assemble iPhones for Apple partner Foxconn Technology Group. More than 500 of its machines work in the auto factories of BYD Co., Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd. and FAW-Volkswagen, lifting boxes, sorting components and testing instruments. At the FAW-Volkswagen plant, they detect refrigerant leaks in air-conditioning systems, a task that could hurt the lungs of humans. Leju, also based in Shenzhen, is pushing the use of humanoids to sort and deliver medicines at elder-care facilities. At least a hundred of its machines have been delivered to carmakers including BAIC Motor Corp. and Nio Inc., exhibition halls in China and nursing homes in Suzhou. Colleges have also bought Leju robots for doing research. Susanne Bieller, general secretary of the Frankfurt-based International Federation of Robotics, sees China emerging as a leading player in humanoids as the country's startups work with its manufacturers to bring down costs and make machines more affordable. 'Within the next 5 to 10 years, we can expect it to be more widely adopted in industry,' she said. EngineAI spent years improving its robots' joints, making them lighter and smaller, while whittling away at expenses. In one case, Zhao and his 40-person engineering team redesigned a power joint that cost 20,000 to 30,000 yuan so they could produce it themselves for one-tenth the cost. Zhao also grew obsessed with figuring out how to create robots that could walk with a natural, human-like gait. He told staff early machines that take slow, awkward steps should be thrown in the trash. EngineAI built humanoids with refined leg joints and then integrated machine learning with neural networks so the machines could learn to walk, much like a real toddler. 'Collect a lot of very beautiful data from the human body, combine these data and let it walk,' he said. Still, even the most elegant humanoids won't have a future unless they provide value. People-like machines captured the popular imagination at least as far back as Isaac Asimov's writings in the 1950s, yet they've remained largely a novelty. Boston Dynamics has impressed tech geeks since its founding in 1992, but it's never built much of a business. Google and SoftBank Group Corp. each bought the startup and then sold it again without commercial success; it's now owned by Hyundai Motor Co. In Beijing, the humanoid half marathon meant to showcase the machines' capabilities instead demonstrated their limitations. One robot participant fell at the starting line. Another had its head fall off and roll on the ground. In the kickboxing tournament this month, the Unitree robots often lashed out at thin air or toppled over on their own, even though they were controlled by humans ringside. The vibe was less Terminator, more Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots. Humanoids 'just don't make economic sense for most people and companies for the foreseeable future,' said Romain Moulin, CEO of the French startup Exotec, which makes box-like robots for warehouses that he thinks are more utilitarian. Nevertheless, the number of believers is growing. In its 83-page report, Citigroup tapped 10 of its own staff and seven contributors to explain why it sees robots as a yawning opportunity. It describes such machines as 'physical AI' and predicts they will be used for autonomous driving, cleaning and deliveries. It forecasts that humanoids will be the fastest-growing segment of the robot market, with the flexibility to work in health care, factories, home cleaning, deliveries, supermarkets and hospitality. 'A big part of the thesis for humanoids is simple – we have engineered our manmade world to work for humans so humanoids can fit straight in without significant infrastructure changes,' the authors wrote. Musk has become a leading advocate. He said in April he expects to have thousands of Optimus robots working in Tesla factories by the end of the year, and he is confident of getting to a million units a year in less than five years. The robots aren't on sale for others yet, but they're expected to cost $20,000 to $30,000 as they hit the market in 2027. The economics of such machines will then become clearer, Citi contends. If Musk's prediction is accurate that humanoids cost about $25,000, the analysts calculate they would pay for themselves in 36 weeks, if compared with the lowest US minimum wage of $7.25. The payback equations are more compelling in the states and jobs where wages are higher. 'The argument for humanoids is not just economic. Some jobs are dangerous or undesirable for humans and are better suited for robots. In other cases, labour shortages exist and can fill these roles. Robots also don't leave or take holidays,' they wrote. Chang, the Leju Robotics CEO, said the growing number of humanoid startups in China is driving intense competition. Scores of companies have to race their rivals to integrate AI capabilities and physical innovations. 'The more people enter the industry, the better the industry will be,' he said. 'So what we need to do is to try our best to stay ahead.'— Saritha Rai and Jessica Sui

Apple Loop: iPhone 16 Pro Special Offer, Advanced iPhone Camera Leaks, Macs Left Behind
Apple Loop: iPhone 16 Pro Special Offer, Advanced iPhone Camera Leaks, Macs Left Behind

Forbes

time4 hours ago

  • Forbes

Apple Loop: iPhone 16 Pro Special Offer, Advanced iPhone Camera Leaks, Macs Left Behind

Taking a look back at this week's news and headlines from Apple, including Apple's massive camera plans, iPhone 16 special offers, new OS numbers, the Intel Macs left behind, WhatsApp arrives on iPad, Apple tries to be a gaming platform again, and The Talk Show loses an important guest. Apple Loop is here to remind you of a few of the many discussions around Apple in the last seven days. You can also read my weekly digest of Android news here on Forbes. SHANGHAI, CHINA - MAY 15, 2024 - Customers experience the newly released iPad Pro and iPad air at ... More the Apple Store in Shanghai, China, May 15, 2024. (Photo credit should read CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images) Apple looks set to upgrade its 48 megapixel main camera used throughout the iPhone range to a 200 megapixel—which would bring it in line with flagships such as Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra. A larger sensor will allow for more image detail, better video stabilisation, and more data for AI processing. But it's the zoom option it opens up for smaller iPhones: "Furthermore, the added resolution available from the new sensor could potentially show enormous improvements in iPhones without a dedicated telephoto lens, such as the 'non-Pro' and 'e' models. by expanding the current 48-megapixel '2x optical quality' zoom to an equivalent 4x with a new 200-megapixel Fusion camera." (Forbes). Meanwhile, Apple has improved its offer to those looking to buy the iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro. The trade-in value for smartphones handed over in the purchase has been posted, but you only have until June 18th to take advantage of it. "All the iPhone trade-in rates have increased, but some have only gone up by as little as $5 compared to what they were before, and the full discount only comes when you trade in for an iPhone, not for anything else. Across the board, the trade-in values stretch from $50 for an iPhone 8 up to $650 for an iPhone 15 Pro Max, assuming each is in good condition." (Forbes). One of the big draws at Apple's upcoming Worldwide Developer Conference will be the updates across the board to Apple's various operating systems. While the code will be closely examined, another change is going to be much more visible. It's time to change the numbers: "Instead of iOS 19, iPadOS 19, macOS 16, tvOS 19 and visionOS 2, Apple will standardize the numbers so they all refer to a year, specifically next year, rather like the way automobiles are named for the upcoming year. This is all according to a new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who claims that the change is 'to bring consistency to its branding.' (Forbes). With the upcoming launch of MacOS 26, Apple is closing in on a world where it only supports its own silicon. Hardware always drops off the supported list, but this year only a handful of Intel-based Macs remain supported; these are generally the 2020 models that were on sale in the months ahead of the Apple Silicon M1 reveal in Nov. 2020: "Notably absent from this list are the 2018 MacBook Pro models, the 2020 Intel MacBook Air, the 2017 iMac Pro, and the 2018 Mac mini. These are also the oldest machines officially compatible with macOS Sequoia. As such, they are the most likely to lose support in any case." (Apple Insider). It's taken some time, but Meta has finally decided that iPad users can finally log on to WhatsApp with an iOS/iPadOS app that finally supports the tablet: '...the most recent build that hit Apple's App Store brings support for Apple's tablet. It's been a long time coming, and WhatsApp is even beating Instagram to the punch. While the release notes for the latest build, 25.16.81, don't mention anything special, this fresh piece of code does enable support for the iPad. Once you've updated, it'll stretch and fill the screen appropriately on an entry-level iPad, the iPad mini, or both sizes of the iPad Pro or iPad Air." (Techradar). Apple is going to take another swing at the gaming market. While the iPhone has been a boon for smartphone gaming, the big hitters remain resolutely reluctant to work with Apple, instead focusing efforts on the home consoles of Sony and Microsoft, the portable powerhouse of Nintendo, and the halfway house of the Steam Deck and the ROG Ally. Can another pre-installed app launcher with Apple achievements change that sentiment? "The move is meant to enhance the experience on Apple devices at a time when gamers have plenty of alternatives, including cloud services and consoles. Nintendo Co. is preparing to roll out its much-anticipated Switch 2 device just days before Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference on June 9, when the new app will be introduced." (Bloomberg). Curious news ahead of WWDC as one of the marquee Fringe events has annoucned news on its guest list This will be the first recording of John Gruber's podcast 'The Talk Show' at WWC to not feature a leading name from inside Apple: "Ever since I started doing these live shows from WWDC, I've kept the guest(s) secret, until showtime. I'm still doing that this year. But in recent years the guests have seemed a bit predictable: senior executives from Apple. This year I again extended my usual invitation to Apple, but, for the first time since 2015, they declined." (Daring Fireball). Apple Loop brings you seven days worth of highlights every weekend here on Forbes. Don't forget to follow me so you don't miss any coverage in the future. Last week's Apple Loop can be read here, or this week's edition of Loop's sister column, Android Circuit, is also available on Forbes.

Android Circuit: Samsung Confirms New Foldables, Xiaomi's Strong Growth, OnePlus' Alert Sldier Decision
Android Circuit: Samsung Confirms New Foldables, Xiaomi's Strong Growth, OnePlus' Alert Sldier Decision

Forbes

time4 hours ago

  • Forbes

Android Circuit: Samsung Confirms New Foldables, Xiaomi's Strong Growth, OnePlus' Alert Sldier Decision

Taking a look back at this week's news and headlines across the Android world, including Galaxy S25 Edge secrets, Samsung confirms new folding phones, the Pixel 10 Pro's hidden strength, Google Photos' new AI tools, OnePlus' Alert Slider decision, Xiaomi's strong growth, and Gemma 3n is here. 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 Forbes. With Samsung's fashionably thin Galaxy S25 Edge now on sale, the South Korean company continues to market the design and the innovation packed into the 5.8mm deep housing. You have new Gorilla Glass, a two-layer camera housing, a 'hole structure' in the vapor chamber, and more. But it's how they all fit together that is key. "Samsung had to develop a new mounting system for the internal structure of the phone, allowing it to place components with 0.1mm precision. It went through multiple prototypes until the design was just right." (GSM Arena). The Galaxy S25 Edge was the fourth handset shown during January's Galaxy Unpacked event. With its release this week, the decks are cleared for the summer unpacked event, typically reserved for the foldable Z Flip and Z Fold smartphones. Samsung has teased the Flip 7 and Fold 7 this week as part of the One UI 8 beta program: "In its announcement of the One UI 8 beta program, Samsung has confirmed that its 'newest foldables' will be launching 'this Summer.' The aligns with prior rumors of an early July launch date, and is the first time the company has confirmed this expected launch window. Samsung adds that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 will be the first devices to include the stable One UI 8 update, meaning they'll also likely be among the first, if not the first, devices to run Android 16 out of the box." (9to5Google). When they launch later this year, Google will push the new software and capabilities of the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro smartphones. However, one of the key changes may not be promoted as heavily as the new AI tools announced at the I/O Developer Conference. That change is switching to TSMC for the fabrication of the Tensor Mobile chip for the next three to five years: "The Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro smartphones will be the first to use Tensor chipsets manufactured by TSMC. The Pixel 6 through Pixel 9 families—all designed by Google—were manufactured by Samsung. Many will be on the lookout for unexpected issues when the chipset is rolled out at scale. It's worth noting that TSM will switch the Tensor over to its own 3nm process, which will, by its nature, offer more performance with less demand on battery life." (Forbes). An update to Google Photos is starting to roll out. Over the next month, the updated app should be available for all. It focuses primarily on editing photos and—perhaps unsurprisingly given Google's push into mobile AI—leans heavily into the creative assistance offered by AI: "With this update, Google Photos is expanding the availability of AI-powered automatic framing and text-to-image Reimagine features that debuted on the Pixel 9. The Auto Frame tool, located in the top left of the redesigned editor, suggests different compositions that crop or widen images, using generative AI to fill in any blank spaces. " (The Verge). Since the launch of the OnePlus One, the marquee feature has been (with few exceptions) the physical alert slider, allowing you to turn the ringer on, off or vibrate only by touch alone. As part of a push towards recognising AI in the modern smartphone, OnePlus has announced that the Plus Key will replace the alert slider: '…the Plus Key is a customizable button programmable for various actions like switching sound profiles, launching the camera, initiating translation, or starting recordings. Crucially, the Plus Key also activates AI Plus Mind, a new feature designed to quickly save, catalog, and recall key information found on the screen. This capability marks a major step towards delivering truly personalized AI." (OnePlus). Xiaomi has reported strong Q1 2025 figures, with the company showing a 47 percent year year-on-year growth across the board. The smartphone division has seen significant success as well, as it maintains a global third place with a market share of 14.1 percent: "Xiaomi's smartphone business saw solid growth, with revenue reaching RMB50.6 billion, up 8.9 percent year-over-year, and a gross profit margin of 12.4 percent. The average selling price of smartphones rose 5.8 percent to RMB1,211, setting a new record. Xiaomi shipped 41.8 million smartphones globally, up 3.0 percent, marking the seventh consecutive quarter of growth." (Telecom Lead). Google continues to push ahead with its mobile AI tools. Following a reveal at Google I/O, the latest version of Gemma—an LLM that can run locally on your phone with no external resources required—can be previewed inside Google's AI Edge Gallery: "Gemma 3n can handle audio, text, images, and videos, according to Google. Models efficient enough to run offline and without the need for computing in the cloud have gained steam in the AI community in recent years. Not only are they cheaper to use than large models, but they preserve privacy by eliminating the need to transfer data to a remote data center." (TechCrunch). 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!

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