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Android Authority
14 hours ago
- Android Authority
Apple accidentally helps promote Samsung's new foldable
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority TL;DR The Apple support account accidentally posted a Galaxy Z Flip 7 promo video on Weibo. The post was quickly deleted, but not before it was spotted and shared by others. You don't expect to see Apple promoting Samsung's latest phone from its official accounts, but that's apparently what happened on Chinese social media. In a moment that would make any brand manager cringe, the official Apple Support Weibo account accidentally shared a promotional video for the Galaxy Z Flip 7. According to leaker Ice Universe on X, the post was quickly taken down — but not before it was spotted and shared elsewhere. It's unclear how the blunder happened, but it likely came down to someone on the social team uploading the wrong content. Needless to say, it wasn't a good look for Apple. It's all the more unfortunate given that Apple's long-rumored foldable iPhone still appears to be more than a year away. The so-called iPhone Fold is expected to launch in the second half of 2026, with leaks pointing to a 7.8-inch inner display and a compact 5.5-inch cover screen, which would be significantly smaller than what Samsung offers on the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 was launched earlier this month. It sports a 6.9-inch main screen, a 4.1-inch cover display, and Samsung's new Exynos 2500 processor. The phone also brings design refinements, AI-powered features, and longer battery life, all while maintaining its predecessor's $1,099 starting price. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 Largest ever Flex Window • 6.9-inch dynamic AMOLED 2X folding screen • 7 years of updates MSRP: $1,099.00 Melds Galaxy AI with the new edge-to-edge FlexWindow With a 6.9-inch main display and a 4.1-inch FlexWindow outer display, the Samsung Galaxy Flip 7 focuses on putting AI smarts in your pocket. Measuring just 13.74mm thick when folded, it's the slimmest Z Flip phone yet. Packed with a 50MP camera and a suite of AI tools, Samsung calls the Z Flip 7 a "pocket-sized selfie studio." See price at Amazon See price at Samsung See price at Amazon Save $200.00 Limited Time Deal! Follow
Android Authority
21 hours ago
- Android Authority
Samsung is making a big mistake with the Galaxy S26 series
Yesterday, my Android Authority colleagues broke the news that Samsung might be shaking up the Galaxy series with the S26 next year. According to our sleuthing, the three product names for the upcoming phones will be Galaxy S26 Pro, Galaxy S26 Edge, and Galaxy S26 Ultra. And wow, do these tell a story or what? The Ultra is here to stay, clearly. As the crown jewel of the series, it's predicted to have a massively upgraded main camera, faster charging, Qualcomm's highest-end Snapdragon Elite processor, a slimmer profile, and a bigger display. It might ditch the S Pen as we know it, but that's a compromise many of us are willing to live with if it means a thinner and easier phone to hold. All is well and good so far, but it's the other two phones that have us scratching our heads. Me? I'm specifically wondering what on earth Samsung is thinking by skipping the Galaxy S Plus for an S Edge instead. That could be the biggest mistake of this new line-up. Galaxy S26 Plus or Galaxy S26 Edge, which one appeals to you more? 0 votes Plus. I need more battery, not less. NaN % Edge. I want that thin and light profile. NaN % Edge, but only if the battery and thermals are up to par. NaN % None. Give me a smaller Pro or the bigger Ultra. NaN % The Plus was the unsung hero of Samsung's Galaxy series C. Scott Brown / Android Authority Colors It's been 10 years since Samsung started making Plus versions of its Galaxy S phones. Over 10 generations, the Plus series has had some solid early wins (S8 Plus and S10 Plus), but it dwindled a bit and lost its purpose when the Ultra was introduced to the lineup. Forced to be good but not as good as the Ultra, the Plus had a bit of an identity crisis and some not-so-good moments (S20 Plus and S22 Plus), but slowly rose back to win our hearts again. I still remember how good the Galaxy S24 Plus was. We gave it 9/10 in our review, and loved its excellent display, fast processor, versatile camera setup, and fantastic battery life. Putting aside the slower charging and lack of a long-range zoom lens compared to the Ultra, the Galaxy S24 Plus ticked all the boxes, so much so that my colleague C. Scott brown said you should buy the S24 Plus instead of the S24 Ultra. More than half of you agreed with him — a tall order for a less-powerful phone battling the hordes of Ultra / Note / S Pen fans. For me, this was the real crown of Samsung's series, not the larger, thicker, unwieldy Ultra with an integrated S Pen that might not appeal or be essential to everyone. Galaxy S Plus phones have suffered from an identity crisis for years, but the S24 Plus proved that they could still win hearts. Sadly, with the Galaxy S25 series, Samsung went back to the drawing board with the Plus and stripped it of its newfound purpose. The Galaxy S25 Plus is uninspired and lacks any significant upgrades compared to the S24 Plus. There's almost no reason the S25 Plus should exist when the S24 Plus exists, and if Samsung is looking at those sales numbers and seeing little interest for the Plus phone this year, then perhaps it should look in the mirror and ask itself why. It's sad to say, but the Galaxy S Plus phone has the potential to be the best phone Samsung makes, barring an S Pen for note-taking fiends. Yet, because of artificial restrictions put in place to raise the Ultra, it often sits in this no-man's land of premium-but-not-premium-enough. If you have the money, you're buying the better phone, obviously, and the Plus loses each time in that battle. Replacing the Plus with the Edge is questionable (read: a mistake) C. Scott Brown / Android Authority I might understand why Samsung thinks the Plus isn't the best middle element for its three-tier Galaxy S series (even if I blame the company for the frequent failures of Plus phones), but I sure don't understand why it might've decided that the Edge is the best replacement. I'm internally screaming 'lolwut' at this because, from a usability point of view, it makes no sense. From a marketing standpoint, it's another story. The Galaxy S25 Edge is a series of bad decisions, and Samsung is making a mistake if it thinks the Edge has done enough to displace Plus phones. The Galaxy S25 Edge phone is controversial, and anytime I see someone with it — both regular users and fellow tech journalists — I hear so much praise for the more comfortable and lighter 163g body than for the thin profile. I also hear a lot of criticism of the phone's tendency to throttle performance when it heats up. Not to mention the mediocre battery life. There's no way the Edge, which was launched as more of an addendum to the Galaxy S25 series, has done enough to earn a permanent spot in the S lineup. Even worse, there's no way it is ready to displace the Plus and its 10-year pedigree. Samsung is making a big mistake if it thinks the Galaxy S25 Edge is more than a curiosity and a trend now. Like any bad trend (open shelving in kitchens, low-rise pants, and bad Instagram filters), those who were drawn by it will quickly spread the word about how terrible and impractical it is, and the public will do a 180. Well, unless Samsung does the work to make the Edge a more legitimate phone choice next year… Samsung can avoid this mistake by building the best Edge there is Ryan Haines / Android Authority There's one outcome where Samsung wins with this transition from Plus to Edge, and that's if it can make a really good Galaxy S26 Edge. Keep the display size similar to the Galaxy S25 Plus and S25 Edge, go for the thinner and lighter profile of the Edge, but adopt the faster charging of the Plus, add a third tele lens, and please, fix the terrible throttling when the phone heats up. Sadly, a proper periscope isn't realistic at this thin profile, so I'm not asking for that. (A thicker S26 Plus could've had it, but alas, we're seemingly not there anymore.) Fast charging, a tele lens, and a new-gen slim battery with enough capacity should fix Samsung's Edge problem. What Samsung needs to do most of all, though, is adopt the new Silicon-Carbon battery technology that many of its competitors in the East are using. With that tech, Samsung could include a large enough battery in the Galaxy S26 Edge to make it usable in everyday life while keeping this coveted thin profile. No more silly 3,900mAh battery; it was a terrible idea on the Galaxy S23, and it's still a terrible idea on the Galaxy S25 Edge. We do so much on our phones these days, and no one wants to enter a complicated co-dependent relationship with their wall charger and power bank. By going for a Silicon-Carbon battery, Samsung could easily cram over 4,000mAh of capacity without sacrificing thinness. It's the only logical solution. Can it do all of this in one year? The tech is there, but I have a hard time believing that the company that has recycled every possible design and spec of its Galaxy S series for years can implement this many upgrades in the span of a year. It's more likely that the Galaxy S26 Edge will be another terrible phone, but the S27 Edge will fix its mistakes. At what price, though? The Galaxy S25 Edge already costs $1,099 — $100 more than the Galaxy S25 Plus. If Samsung made all these upgrades, the Galaxy S26 Edge or S27 Edge could increase even more in price, approaching Ultra territory. I don't know if we live in a world where paying more than $1100 is acceptable for a mid-flagship, but I don't feel comfortable with that reality. $1000 is a hard line in my mind, with less for the more basic flagship and more for the Ultra. But with Samsung also going for a 'Pro' Galaxy S26 as the basic version, well, all my math is out the window! I just pity our collective wallets. Follow
Android Authority
2 days ago
- Android Authority
8 smartphone marketing tricks that you really shouldn't fall for
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority While plenty of great phones are out there, manufacturers aren't above a bit of spin, truth stretching, or outright lying about their products to make them stand out. Don't believe me? We covered some sketchy smartphone marketing tricks many moons ago, and we've seen plenty more questionable tactics employed since. With that in mind, I'm taking another look at a few smartphone marketing tricks you shouldn't fall for. Which marketing tactic do you hate the most? 0 votes Shady foldable phone measurements NaN % Misleading camera zoom claims NaN % Speeding up AI features NaN % Misleading protective glass claims NaN % Bragging about peak brightness NaN % Shady charging measurements NaN % Promoting features before they're ready NaN % No warranty for water damage NaN % 1. Foldable phone thickness and weight measurements Paul Jones / Android Authority This is the most recent tactic on the list, as foldable phone makers are now using two ways of measuring device thickness. The first method sees the folded device measured from cover screen to rear cover without considering the camera bump. This method isn't perfect, but it's generally accepted on conventional phones. However, HONOR measures its foldables without considering the inner screen's protective film. This came to light after a leaker on Twitter discovered that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 was thinner than the supposed world's thinnest foldable phone (the HONOR Magic V5). Furthermore, it turns out OPPO also measures its foldables using this method. That's extremely questionable, as this inner film isn't meant to be removed by consumers. As far as we can tell, Google and Samsung use the first measurement method. Either way, you can't fully trust when a manufacturer says its device is the world's thinnest foldable phone. Furthermore, HONOR, OPPO, and vivo measure the weight of their foldables without including the inner screen's protective film. Again, this is a questionable way to make your device look better to consumers. It's also disappointing because today's foldable phones are slim and light anyway. 2. Fudging optical zoom I've said it before, and I'll say it again. You really can't trust some manufacturers when they talk about camera zoom. Perhaps the most egregious recent example is HUAWEI's Pura 80 Ultra. HUAWEI says the phone has one 50MP zoom camera that switches between 3.7x and 9.4x 'optical zoom.' However, a closer look at the spec sheet all but confirms that the company is doing a 2x crop from 4.7x optical zoom. Our testing also shows we can take a full-resolution 50MP shot at 3.7x, but not at 9.4x. HUAWEI isn't alone in muddying these waters. Google and Samsung are also guilty of shady zoom claims. These two brands refer to cropped 2x zoom from their main cameras as '2x optical-quality zoom.' By saying 'optical-quality,' they're presumably trying to fool people into thinking it's 2x optical zoom or that their 2x crops are as good as 2x optical zoom cameras. These 2x images look pretty good and maintain the same resolution as 1x shots, but they lose out on pixel-binning benefits like reduced noise, increased brightness, and improved dynamic range. Either way, 'optical-quality' is a vague term that doesn't really mean anything. It's a way for manufacturers to make an impressive-sounding claim without getting sued for it. My advice? Just assume that 'optical-quality' means 'pretty good' whenever you encounter this term. If you thought these aforementioned examples were bad, then I've got news for you. Apple goes a step further and describes its 2x cropped zoom as '2x optical in' and '2x telephoto' on the iPhone 16 specs page. No, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus don't have telephoto or periscope cameras. But Apple evidently wants you to think otherwise. 3. Snappy AI features that aren't really snappy Samsung Another trend is for smartphone companies to demonstrate AI features like Circle to Search running on devices. These brands often post short clips or GIFs on their product pages, showing how easy these features are to use. However, the fine print often includes a disclaimer about these clips. More specifically, companies like OnePlus and Samsung include fine print noting that Circle to Search demonstrations are 'shortened and simulated.' That is, Circle to Search is less responsive on a real-world phone. It's not a huge deal, but it's still a curious marketing tactic. We can understand using this for brevity, but it can lead to false expectations about the performance of AI features. And it wouldn't be the first time liberties were taken with a Google AI demo. Smartphone makers also include media showing other Google AI features like Gemini, Gemini Live, and Magic Compose. However, these OEMs include fine print noting that these materials are only for 'illustrative purposes.' In other words, don't be surprised if it doesn't work quite as shown. 4. Comparing protective glass to tempered glass OnePlus We've noticed more smartphone makers creating alternatives to Corning Gorilla Glass. That's no easy task, as Corning's products are considered the best protective glass solutions on the market. However, some companies don't help themselves by comparing their solutions to tempered glass. This is a problem because tempered glass has largely fallen out of favor on mid-range and flagship phone screens. It's also the weakest type of protective glass solution. That doesn't stop some brands from claiming their custom protective solutions are 2x, 5x, or even 10x tougher than tempered glass. Oh wow, your in-house glass protection is tougher than a $3 screen protector. Get outta here. A more appropriate comparison would be to pit a custom glass solution against one of Corning's Gorilla Glass products. It only makes sense as Gorilla Glass is the most popular solution and the most obvious point of reference for consumers. To HONOR's credit, it told us that its own NanoCrystal Shield glass, which is ceramic-based, should outperform chemically tempered glass like Gorilla Glass Victus. So it's a good bet that all ceramic-based glass solutions should be more durable than older Gorilla Glass products like Gorilla Glass Victus and 7i. I'm sure these manufacturers don't want to risk their relationship with Corning, but I'd argue that customers are more important. 5. Bragging about peak brightness OPPO This smartphone marketing tactic has become increasingly popular in recent years. Many phone makers now promote the peak brightness of their phone screens. For example, the Galaxy S25 Ultra has 2,600 nits of peak brightness while the OnePlus 13 enjoys 4,500 nits. However, peak brightness is a gimmick for the most part. Peak brightness only refers to a very small area of the screen, often triggered for HDR content, but has no real impact on how bright a display looks for general viewing. A more important measurement is high-brightness mode, sometimes called HBM or full-screen brightness. I've also seen Google refer to HDR brightness. Either way, this measurement applies to the entire screen and is the maximum auto-brightness you'll experience when you're in the sun. This maximum brightness level only kicks in for a few minutes before the phone turns things down to save battery life. But it's still handy when you're stepping outdoors. Some brands like Apple, OnePlus, Google, and Motorola list full-screen brightness on their product and/or spec pages. However, Samsung only seems to list peak brightness. In any event, you should check reviews and third-party websites if you can't find full-screen brightness figures for a specific phone. 6. Some shady charging measurements Ryan Haines / Android Authority One marketing tactic we've previously covered is fuzzy logic around 100% charging. Many smartphones will show 100% capacity but will continue to charge until that 100% figure becomes 'fully charged.' This makes sense if you don't want to stress the battery, but sneaky OEMs can also do this to make more impressive claims about charging times. For example, some brands might say their phone takes under 30 minutes to reach 100%, but the truth is that the device might have to charge for 10 more minutes to finish up charging the final bit of the battery. Another charging-related marketing trick is to measure the phone's charging time from 1% instead of zero. This does make some sense, as many people plug in when their battery is low rather than when it hits zero. Nevertheless, going from 1% instead of zero allows OEMs to shave a fraction more off their promoted charging time. Needless to say, a completely dead phone will take a little longer to charge than officially claimed. 7. Selling features long before they're ready Ryan Haines / Android Authority Another shady marketing trick is to promote features long before they're ready for prime time. Perhaps the most infamous example was Apple announcing an overhauled Siri assistant in June 2024. Guess what? This upgraded Siri has been delayed and is reportedly scheduled to launch in 2026. That's almost two years after the initial reveal. Apple isn't alone in promoting features before they're ready. Google is also guilty of this, as it announced the Zoom Enhance feature at the Pixel 8 series launch in October 2023. At the time of the reveal, Google said this feature would come to the Pixel 8 Pro via a 'future' Pixel Drop. Unfortunately, Pixel 8 Pro owners had to wait until August 2024 and the Pixel 9 series launch to receive this feature. That's a long time to wait for a feature that was used as one of the phone's selling points. 8. It's water-resistant, but your warranty says otherwise Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority One of the most enduring marketing tactics involves the promotion of water-resistant phones. Scroll down to the fine print, though, and you'll see that the phone's warranty doesn't cover water damage. This isn't a new tactic, either. I remember Sony coming under fire in the mid-2010s for refusing to honor water damage to its water-resistant Xperia models. In fact, Sony even described its phones as 'waterproof' during this time. There is some logic to this tactic, as phones gradually lose their water resistance over time due to rubber seals, gaskets, and water-repellent coatings wearing down. Dropping your phone can also result in cracks and other forms of damage that compromise the IP rating. Nevertheless, it still feels like a copout for manufacturers to promote IP67, IP68, and even IP69 ratings but refuse to put their money where their mouth is. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice. Follow
Android Authority
2 days ago
- Android Authority
Exclusive: Galaxy S26 series could represent a major shakeup in Samsung's flagship lineup
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority TL;DR The Galaxy S26 series could not only ditch the Plus model, but could also kill the standard model. Evidence found in an internal One UI 8 build suggests a lineup of the Galaxy S26 Pro, Galaxy S26 Edge, and Galaxy S26 Ultra. That means Samsung may rename the base model to 'Pro' and replace the 'Plus' model with Edge. Samsung's next major release is the Galaxy S26 series, with the launch of its latest foldables now behind it. Earlier reports suggested Samsung might drop the 'Plus' model entirely in 2026 and introduce an 'Edge' model in its place. If those rumors hold up, the lineup would include the Galaxy S26, S26 Edge, and S26 Ultra. But Samsung's rebranding and strategy pivot might go even further than that. We've uncovered compelling evidence within an internal One UI 8 build pointing to a much bigger shakeup in the Galaxy S26 lineup. According to the codenames and actual device names we've uncovered, there may not be a standard or vanilla 'Galaxy S26' model at all next year. Instead, Samsung's upcoming flagship series appears to consist of three models: Galaxy S26 Pro, Galaxy S26 Edge, and Galaxy S26 Ultra. Let's break it down. You're reading an Authority Insights story. Discover Authority Insights for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage you won't find anywhere else. Galaxy S26 series: The biggest shakeup in years For the Galaxy S24 lineup, Samsung reportedly used the internal codename 'Eureka,' with E1, E2, and E3 corresponding to the standard, Plus, and Ultra models, respectively. The Galaxy S25 series was given the codename Paradigm, with individual models labeled PA1 (S25), PA2 (S25 Plus), and PA3 (S25 Ultra). Previous reports pointed to internal codenames NP1, NP2, and NP3 for the Galaxy S26 series, with 'NP' standing for Next Paradigm. However, our findings from the One UI 8 firmware contradict those earlier leaks. Instead, the internal builds reference three devices labeled M1, M2, and M3, which map to the Galaxy S26 Pro, S26 Edge, and S26 Ultra, respectively (see screenshots from the firmware above). This is where things get interesting. In previous lineups, the number '1' represented the base model. But now, it seems 'M1' is associated with a Pro variant, not a standard version. If a base S26 model were to exist, it would logically fall under 'M0' or perhaps 'M4,' but there's no sign of those codenames, making their existence highly unlikely. What this could mean for Samsung's strategy If this rebranding holds, Samsung may be repositioning its entire lineup to reflect a more premium-focused approach. By shifting the 'base' model to a 'Pro,' replacing the 'Plus' with an 'Edge' variant, and keeping the Ultra at the top, Samsung is possibly signaling a price hike. The 'Pro' label suggests better specs for the base version or a higher price compared to the current entry-level Galaxy S25 model. What do you think about Samsung's possible Galaxy S26 lineup changes? 2 votes I'm excited: Change is good, and I'm curious to see what they do. 50 % I'm not sure yet. It depends on the specs and pricing. 0 % Not a fan. I didn't like the Edge, and I don't want a pricier base model 50 % Terrible move. Just bring back the classic lineup (Standard, Plus, and Ultra). 0 % Of course, these insights are based on our findings from the One UI 8 internal build. Samsung's final plans could still change before the Galaxy S26 series is officially unveiled. That said, the evidence aligns closely with previous rumors about the possible removal of the Plus model, and supports an earlier tip from leaker Yogesh Brar, who also hinted at a rebranding effort, though not precisely in line with what the One UI 8 build shows. While nothing is confirmed until Samsung makes it official, all signs point to the Galaxy S26 series looking very different next year. Follow
Android Authority
2 days ago
- Android Authority
Google Street View captured this man naked at home, and now he's $12,500 richer
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority TL;DR A man was captured naked in his yard by a Google Street View camera. Appeals court judges ruled that the company 'flagrantly violated' the man's dignity. Google now has to pay the man around $12,500. Street View is a Google Maps feature that offers a 360-degree view of any area at street level. This feature can come in handy when you want to virtually explore neighborhoods, landmarks, and more. These 360-degree views are stitched together from the numerous photos taken by the company's specially-equipped vehicles. As these vehicles snap photos at various times of the day, sometimes these cameras capture some things they shouldn't. That's exactly what happened to a man from Argentina who just got a big payday from the tech giant. As reported by CBS News, one of Google's Street View cameras captured an Argentine police officer naked at his home while walking around in his garden. In addition to capturing the naked man in his yard, the cameras also captured his house number and street name. After the images were splashed up online and shared on social media, the man sought compensation from Google in 2017, arguing that the firm harmed his dignity and that he was behind 6.5-foot-high walls. Last year, a court dismissed the man's claims, suggesting that he only had himself to blame for 'walking around in inappropriate conditions in the garden of his home.' However, the man went to an appeals court and managed to get the ruling overturned. According to the outlet, appeals court judges have now ruled in the man's favor, finding that Google had 'flagrantly violated' his dignity. With this ruling, Google now has to pay the man the equivalent of around $12,500 in Argentine pesos. 'This involves an image of a person that was not captured in a public space but within the confines of their home, behind a fence taller than the average-sized person,' the judges wrote. 'The invasion of privacy … is blatant.' Helping to seal the deal, the judges pointed to Google's policy of blurring faces and license plates as evidence that the company is aware of its duty to prevent harm. Although Google is now forced to pay up, the other two accused entities in this case — telecoms company Cablevision SA and news site El Censor — were absolved. The court found that although their actions helped the image spread, it also served to 'highlight the misstep committed by Google.' On a help document for Google's Street Views, the company notes that users can submit a report for an image to be censored. The option allows you to request for Google to blur imagery of your home. Follow
