Android Circuit: Galaxy S25 Edge Released, Pixel 10 Pro Tensor Secrets, Qualcomm's Flagship Killer

Taking a look back at this week's news and headlines across the Android world, including Galaxy S25 Edge launch, leaked Galaxy Z Flip7 details, secrets of Pixel 10 Pro chipset, Qualcom's flagship killer option, Honor Magic V3 details, and a change for Google's G.
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.
This week saw Samsung launch the fourth Galaxy S25 model. The S25 Edge was previewed in January, but the fashionably thin smartphone is only now picking up an official launch. At 5.8mm, it's svelte form is a big selling point, although Samsung is sweetening the deal with offers and trade-ins that will potentially allow you a free upgrade. Forbes Senior Contributor David Phelan rounds up the deals, but also the key details of the S25 Edge:
"Its 5.8mm thinness is eye-catching enough on paper, but doesn't prepare you for just how remarkably different it feels compared to other handsets. Its light weight is also impressive, just 163g, in part down to the titanium build.
(Forbes).
Samsung looks set to increase the size of the outside screen of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 so it takes up the entire front side of the closed phone. Details on the new resolution of the screen have been found inside the developer beta of Samsung's OneUI software:
"Through leaked One UI 8 firmware, we can corroborate that Samsung could indeed switch to a larger display. Animation files within the leaked firmware showcase the Galaxy Z Flip 5, Flip 6, and Flip 7. The Flip 5 and 6 designs are pretty much what we see for the devices currently, while the Flip 7 design shows off the larger cover display, in line with the revised leaked renders."
(Android Authority).
One of the biggest changes for Google's Pixel 10 family is the Tensor G5 chip, and one of the most significant changes in the Tensor chipset is that this will be the first to be manufactured by TSMC rather than Samsung. Kamila Wojciechowska looks at the path Google has taken to switch between partners:
"Even years after first setting out with Tensor, Google still has to rely on 3rd party IP for most of its interfaces and functions. Besides the fact that it will be built on TSMC's process, the Tensor G5 won't be all that different from the previous Tensor chips. It still only has certain bits and pieces by Google, whereas the rest is generic and built by someone else, with the minor difference of who that someone is."
(Android Authority).
Staying with chipsets for Android smartphones, Qualcomm has announced the fourth version of the SnapDragon 7 series. You should expect to see these turn up in mid-range phones designed for power and performance—'flagship killer' styled phones:
"Qualcomm is still using a 4nm fabrication process for the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, the same as the prior generation. However, the newer chipset has a revamped configuration, with one Prime core with a faster 2.8GHz clock speed, four performance cores clocked at up to 2.4GHz, and three efficiency cores clocked at up to 1.8GHz. Compared to the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor, the latest version has a higher-clocked Prime core and an extra performance, with one fewer efficiency core."
(Android Central).
Honor broke new ground with the Honor Magic V3 foldable phone, which is set to continue with the Honor Magic V5 (Honor, like many Chinese manufacturers, skips over four). One of the most significant changes could be in the battery, which reaches the candybar standard of 6,000 mAh.
"The foldable battery will have two cells — one of 2,070 mAh capacity and the other 3,880 mAh, for a total of 5,950 mAh rated value. This is likely the minimal capacity, with the typical being over 6,000 mAh. The phone, model number MBH-AN10, will support 66W wired charging, just like the previous Magic V phones."
(GSM Arena).
Is Google preparing to change the iconic 'G' logo? A change in its iPhone apps suggests so. The hard edges to the four colors seen on all of its mobile apps have become more of a shifting gradient in the self-styled Google app:
"What will happen to the other Google logos, for Google Home, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Photos, Google Drive and others? They all have carefully partitioned color sections and have led some users to complain that it's hard to tell them apart at a quick glance."
(Forbes).
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!

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Forbes

24 minutes ago

• Forbes

Google's Next Gemini Update Spotted For Pixel 10 Pro

Gemini AI logo on a phone screen with a colorful background (Photo by Samuel Boivin/NurPhoto via ... More Getty Images) In the race to establish themself as the leading light in consumer-focused artificial intelligence, every edge is a slight advantage to Google. Tucked away in the latest Android builds is Gemini Space, which is one such small advantage. Discovering Gemini Space Mishaal Rahmen uncovered details on the new experience during a deep dive into recent builds of Android. It looks to build on the Android integration of Gemini AI into the At A Glance tools available to Pixel owners. Currently, At A Glance is available through the widely available Google app. The second is through the Pixel-exclusive At A Glance widget. The widget uses GeminiAI to surface contextual information across several services, including weather reports, travel updates, and event reminders. Rahmen suggests that Google will add more features that will support a rebrand to Gemini Space. These include pulling data from financial sources and a user's favorite sports teams. Gemini Space pops up in the code that links these services into the Google App and the At A Glance widget. The Impact Of Gemini Space One of the interesting decisions here may be Google's increased use of Gemini in the package and presumably in the marketing. Many see artificial intelligence as the new battleground not just for a few more sales, but as a disruptive element on the level of the web browser, the search engine, and the mobile operating system. Whoever has the upper hand, who can define AI and shape public opinion, will be best placed to capitalise on that. Google is part of that race (alongside companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic and Perplexity. The Gemini brand is highlighted as often as possible in the current marketing. Renaming At A Glance to Gemini Space unifies the experience on the Pixel handset, but also allows another mention of Gemini while illustrating what AI can achieve on a handset. Gemini's Ability To Win The Space With Apple falling behind in on-device artificial intelligence, at least in the way that Google is working hard to define the space, the upcoming launch of the Pixel 10 family, and the new Gemini labelled AI that will accompany it, should stretch Gogole's lead in the mobile race to be seen as the one true way to AI on mobile. Now read how Google quietly confirmed the Pixel 10 family...

Android Authority

25 minutes ago

• Android Authority

Google is giving your Chromebook Plus its own version of Circle to Search

Ryan Haines / Android Authority TL;DR A bevy of new features are coming to Chromebook Plus laptops. These features include Select to search, Text capture, Simplify, and more. Those who get the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 will get two extra features: Smart grouping and AI image editing in the Gallery app. Google keeps churning out AI-powered features faster than anyone can keep up with. If you own a Chromebook Plus, be on the lookout because the company's latest slate of AI tools is on the way. And two additional features will be available for Lenovo's new Chromebook Plus. Today, Google announced it is launching a bevy of new AI tools across the entire Chromebook Plus portfolio. When these features arrive, they'll be directly integrated with Chrome OS. Google The first of these features is called Select to search with Lens. This feature allows you to quickly identify and get information on whatever is on your screen. You can activate Select to search by long-pressing the launcher (or with the screenshot tool). Once activated, you can then select the object you want to learn more about. Essentially, it's Chromebook's version of Android's popular Circle to Search function. Google Text capture is the second new feature, and it pulls information right off of your images. For example, if you have a handwritten recipe, you can use this tool to turn it into digital text so you don't have to type it out. You can also highlight an event and have it automatically added to your Google Calendar. If you like using AI to generate images, you'll now have a Quick Insert key to do it on demand. This tool will also allow you to insert photos and emojis into documents and presentations where you want. Google Next up, Google has added a new button to its Help me read feature. Previously, this tool could only summarize long text. Now, it will also be able to break down complex language through the Simplify button. Just as it sounds, this feature will make the text in the document easier to understand. The final two features revealed in this announcement are exclusive to the newly launched Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14. If you buy this laptop, you'll have access to Smart grouping and AI image editing in the Gallery app. Smart grouping is a tool that can organize your tabs and documents into logical groups. Meanwhile, AI image editing will let you use AI to edit images in your photo library. Outside of features, the Luminar AI photo editing app and Squid Game: Unleashed have now been optimized for Chromebooks. Google adds that a 12-month AI Pro plan is now included with the purchase of a Chromebook Plus and that NotebookLM can now be accessed directly from the shelf. 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.

Android Authority

29 minutes ago

• Android Authority

It's a Chromebook thing: Hands-on with new ChromeOS AI features

Ryan Haines / Android Authority As an elder member of Gen-Z, every screen in my life has its purpose. My small screen (my phone) is there for personal communication, ordering food, and mindlessly scrolling memes on the internet. My big screen (my TV) takes on the role of in-home entertainment, whether it's a giant Spotify hub, a way to keep up with the Club World Cup, or endlessly streaming reruns of Letterkenny. Left in the mushy middle between the two, however, is room for a medium screen, like a laptop or a tablet. These medium screens have always been the hard work, big purchase screens — the ones I turn to when the matter feels too serious for a phone. And now, Google seems to agree. It's trying to make more tasks feel like they were meant to be done on Chromebooks, and here's how that's working out so far. New expectations, new features Ryan Haines / Android Authority I've been a fan of Chromebooks — especially Chromebook Plus models — for a while now, and I've noticed where the classic pitfalls lie. To many, Chromebooks still feel like the lightweight, go-to options for students or those people who want to browse YouTube and check their emails. Unfortunately, that means ignoring some of the cooler AI-powered features Google has added over the last two years. Now, though, I have to think the new stuff is inescapable. Every time Google rolls out a major Chrome OS update, it adds a handful of new AI-powered features, many of which feel like scaled-up versions of things I love about the Google Pixel series. Today, some of those additions include Select to Search and Text Capture, which work like screenshots combined with the ever-present Circle to Search on Android. You're a little more limited in that you have to drag and drop a square over what you want to search for, but it feels like a pretty reasonable approach when not every Chromebook Plus has a touchscreen. Sure, there are still features for students here, but the new Chrome OS update makes using AI more seamless than ever. Google is also bringing some new functionality to the Quick Insert menu that it added to Chromebook Plus devices a few months back. You could already use it to insert GIFs, links, and more quick items without jumping between too many tabs, but now Google has also added the ability to generate and insert images, a la the Pixel Studio, one of my favorite exclusive Android apps. I like that it feels like a faster, more efficient way to plan things out with friends, since a custom image is way more attention-grabbing than a simple mass text — ask me how I know. Of course, there are still a few new Chromebook Plus wrinkles that feel tailor-made for students, or at least those who love learning. This time, the main addition is a new segment of Help Me Read dubbed Simplify. It works pretty much how it sounds, allowing you to highlight a large section of text and have Gemini boil it down into more digestible bites for you, not quite the same as the Summarize feature, as it doesn't swap paragraphs for bullet points so much as make the paragraphs easier to understand. Google's latest announcement also includes the fact that NotebookLM now comes preinstalled on every Chromebook Plus, and the previous free year of Google One AI Premium has been upgraded to a year of Google One AI Pro, which adds access to Gemini 2.5 Pro and limited access to Veo 3 Fast to generate videos. More power for more people Ryan Haines / Android Authority I've also come to expect a brand-new Chromebook Plus or two from almost every major Chrome OS announcement. Usually, they check virtually all the required boxes, offering sharp enough webcams, decent RAM, and processors that make the grade, but this time, Google aimed a little higher. For the first time, it brought a partner on stage at its Chromebook Showcase, having Lenovo launch its brand-new Chromebook Plus 14. And, to hear Google and Lenovo say it, this seems like the flagship Chromebook Plus design they've wanted all along. It's just the right size at 14 inches, offers plenty of power thanks to the mix of a MediaTek Kompanio Elite processor and up to 16GB of RAM, and offers up to 17 hours of battery life with a silent, fanless design. I'll admit I only had a few minutes with the lightweight laptop, so I can't speak to the validity of most of those claims, but my brief session felt like a bright start. Also, the rubberized bottom panel reminds me a lot of Google's old Pixelbook Go, so much so that I'm ready to start begging for an update. The Chromebook Plus 14 feels like the flagship device Google wanted all along. If the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 were just a pretty face, I don't know if I'd have too much to say about it. After all, Samsung's Galaxy Chromebook Plus was already downright impressive with its sleek metal body and physical Quick Insert key, but functionally, it was the same as any other Chromebook Plus. This time, though, a few exclusive software features keep my attention. As the top dog in Google's Chromebook Plus lineup, the Chromebook Plus 14 benefits from Smart Grouping, which uses AI to organize your Chrome tabs and documents into related groups that you can then send from one desktop to another. If you were, say, training for a fall marathon but also trying to research the Club World Cup, the Chromebook Plus 14 could split those into two well-organized desktops that you can easily jump between with minimal distractions. The other currently exclusive wrinkle is the ability to edit images in the Gallery app, which feels like Magic Editor on a much larger scale. It lets you apply AI to remove the background of your image and quickly create stickers that you can then layer into other images and save for later usage. I didn't have a chance to try this one too thoroughly since I was checking out one of Google's demo units, but I'd be curious to see how quickly it processes through my extensive Gallery, especially since I've already made so many stickers in the past. If there's one drawback to the new flagship of the Chromebook Plus fleet, it's that it comes with a flagship price. The Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 will set you back $649 for its base configuration with 12GB of RAM or $749 for 16GB of RAM, which is no small sum. I generally think that the power and overall specs justify the price of admission, too, though deciding whether or not to buy one seems like a medium screen decision — a Chromebook thing, if you will. See price at Lenovo Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 MediaTek Kompanio Elite processor • Excellent battery life • Exclusive AI features MSRP: $649.99 See price at Lenovo