Android Circuit: Galaxy S25 Edge Disappointment, OnePlus Watch 3 Launch, Pixel 10 Pro Fold Plans

Taking a look back at this week's news and headlines across the Android world, including Galaxy S25 Edge disappointment, Pixel 10 Pro Fold details, OnePlus Watch 3 arrives, happy birthday Redmagic, CMD Phone 2 Pro announced, OnePlus's brave design choice, and Mediatek's updated flaghip chip…
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 may restrict the latest design flex to South Korea and China. The Galaxy S25 Edge is the fourth model in the S25 family announced at January's Galaxy Unwrapped event, but the only model not yet on sale. Given the presumably high manufacturing cost alongside the limited audience for such a fashionably thin and expensive device, the decision is understandable:
'It sounds like the Galaxy S25 Edge may share its fate with another limited-edition Samsung phone, i.e., the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition, which debuted in Korea and China last year. Fortunately, the Galaxy S25 Edge should come to other markets down the line rather than staying limited to only two."
(SamMobile)
This week saw details on not only the Pixel 10 family pricing, but the future plans for the Pixel family over the next few years. In terms of devices, Google looks to be settled on a main line of the Pixel and Pixel Pro smartphones (with Pro and Pro XL models) in Q3, and the mid-range Pixel A Series in Q1. As for the Pixel Fold, it looks to have found a stable home:
"It is also likely that the Pixel Fold model will continue to be released alongside the other Pixel flagship devices, as was the case in 2024 with the Pixel 9 series. This means we can look forward to seeing four Pixel devices released at the same time, every August, for the next few years. With the Pixel a-series launching in the Spring, as has been the case since the start of the Pixel a-series back in 2019 with the Pixel 3a series."
(Android Headlines)
OnePlus has released the OnePlus Watch 3 in the UK. Of note is the '60 second check-in' feature. This triggers the various biometric sensors to poll your body and offer a snapshot of data, including heart rate, ECG, blood oxygen, mental wellness, and temperature. As Matt Evans points out in his review, this is the current Wear OS many believe sets the standard:
"As a Wear OS watch experience, functionally it performs as smoothly and as well as any Wear OS watch I've yet used, including the Google Pixel Watch 3. It's an option most Android phone users should consider, and it's sure to make its way into our best Android watches list in future."
(OnePlus via T3).
To celebrate its seventh anniversary of producing gaming phones, the Redmagic team have announced several special offers built around the current Redmagic 10, with flat discounts, bundles, and bonus discounts for returning customers. As for the Redmagic 10 itself, it has the high specifications a gaming smartphone needs, but that comes at a price:
"For those looking to be as competitive as possible when playing, a new RedMagic phone is guaranteed to provide top-of-the-line hardware. But that competitive price comes with a cost… the number of software and security updates Nubia will provide. For me, this is the weakest point of the RedMagic 10 Pro package—it comes with just one Android update (taking the handset to Android 16 but no further), two years of UI upgrades, and three years of security updates."
(Redmagic via Forbes).
Nothing Tech's next budget-focused smartphone has been announced. Under the CMF brand, the CMF Phone 2 Pro will go on sale in the UK on April 28 alongside a refreshed set of accessories, including the CMF Buds 2, CMF Buds 2a and CMF Buds 2 Plus. While we don't have full specs for Phone 2 Pro, there are some intriguing possibilities:
"Last year, the company released the CMF Phone 1, which sold for $199 and was a cool piece of affordable tech. Exactly what the meaning of Pro is in the name isn't clear — though I'd imagine it involves multiple cameras. Last year's model had two, so the Pro addition may indicate a third, as it did on the recent Nothing Phone (3a) Pro."
(Forbes).
Ahead of the OnePlus 13T launch in China, a significant design change has been announced on social media. While it has been attempted before (and reversed on subsequent handsets), OnePlus is once more looking to remove the iconic three-way Alert Slider:
"Recently, we learned it will be a small phone with a 6,000+ mAh battery. And now, OnePlus has confirmed it will replace the signature 'Alert Slider' with an all-new button called Quick Key on this phone. A company executive revealed this new button on the Chinese website Weibo."
(91mobiles).
Mediatek has launched a mid-cycle upgrade to its flagship chipset. The Dimensity 9400+ bumps up the CPU speed and improves on the AI performance of the base model. Expect to see Vivo, Oppo and Realme phones use the new silicon, challenging Qualcomm and Samsung in the system-on-chip field.
"The Dimensity 9400+ clocks its prime Cortex-X925 at 3.73 GHz vs 3.62 GHz on the regular Dimensity 9400. A Geekbench leak from earlier confirms its four Cortex-A720 cores get a boost to 2.4 GHz (vs 2.0 GHz). Otherwise, both chips are largely identical to each other on the CPU front."
(Notebookcheck).
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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Android Authority

an hour ago

• Android Authority

7 ways OnePlus can make Mind Space actually useful

Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority With relatively compact flagships making a quiet comeback, it's no surprise that OnePlus wants in. The compact-sized OnePlus 13s, exclusive to India, is the company's latest effort to strike a balance between size, premium hardware, a few calculated compromises, and a fair price point. It gets close, too, with a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, a hand-friendly 6.3-inch display, and a large battery. It also brings with it the new Plus Key and a renewed focus on AI. To be fair, OnePlus has been talking about AI for a while, just like every other smartphone brand, but the 13s feels like the first time it's trying to make it central to the user experience. Mind Space feels more like a bookmarking tool than an AI assistant. That shift is anchored by the Plus Key, a hardware shortcut for triggering an assortment of shortcuts like profiles, flashlight, camera, and, of course, AI-powered features. Among them is Mind Space, a tool meant to help users save and organize whatever's on their screen. It's not a huge leap from Pixel Screenshots, what Nothing is doing with Essential Space, or what several productivity apps have experimented with, but Mind Space, paired with the Plus Key, shows potential as a digital memory bank for screenshots, copied text, and other snippets. In theory, it's helpful. In practice, it still feels half-baked. Mind Space needs a better way to organize information Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority The idea behind Mind Space is simple enough. Tap the Plus Key or trigger a gesture if you're on a device like the OnePlus 13 that doesn't have a Plus Key, and you can capture whatever you're viewing on your screen. A website, an image, a paragraph, even part of an interface, and send it to a central interface. OnePlus uses on-device AI to analyze and sort your content into different categories. It's a feature clearly designed for the way we actually use our phones in 2025. In the information overload era, we're all grabbing things to revisit later, whether it's a recipe, a product link, a boarding pass, or something you don't have time to read in the moment. The problem, though, is that Mind Space doesn't go far enough yet. This could be a genuinely useful tool for people who live online. It just isn't there yet. My first gripe is a rather big one, but I seriously think the interface needs a rethink. Right now, it's more of a linear dump than an organized system. Everything you capture gets listed chronologically with minimal sorting. You can filter by content source, but that's about it. There's no tagging, no folders, no smart grouping beyond the source — a feature Pixel Screenshots handles a bit better. Mind Space would benefit from automatic categorization. In fact, this should have been a default feature given the use of an on-device LLM. Receipts, personal notes, ideas, screenshots from social media, even website summaries, with manual overrides for people who want control, is what I want to see. If it's going to be a space for managing everything you've captured, it needs to offer more than a feed. Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority Search is another weak point. The AI can extract some context, but it's hit or miss. Search for 'laptop deals,' and it might find your saved screenshot from Amazon, or it might not. Search by date or vague context, and the results get even more inconsistent. A proper semantic search engine that understands what you meant, not just what you typed, would go a long way. The OCR functionality shouldn't just dump information from a page. It should summarize and categorize it better. I understand this is just the first iteration of the app, but it needs these features to build an audience and critical mass. I'd love the ability to use Mind Space to build a collection of must-reads shared by Instagram booktok creators, but it can't. Or how about summarized versions of interesting articles? At the moment, all I get is a link, author information, and publication date. That's not very helpful for a summarization tool. For a feature positioned as a personal productivity tool, it's oddly disconnected from the rest of the phone. Automation is another area where Mind Space could grow. Right now, everything requires a manual trigger. But the potential here is in passive capture. If the system notices I've copied the same text multiple times, it could offer to save it. If I'm always taking screenshots of recipes or Instagram ads, it could automatically tag and sort them into collections. OnePlus has on-device AI running anyway, so why not let it anticipate my behavior and suggest captures or even actions based on what I'm saving? Taking it one step further, voice input would also help. If I could say 'remember this restaurant' or 'save this address for later' and have the AI find and store relevant content, it would make Mind Space feel more like a true assistant. There's no reason voice couldn't be part of the interface, especially when other OEMs are moving quickly to layer voice control across their AI features. Next, there's no cloud syncing. As niche as my gripe sounds, it is critical to the way I wrangle information. Mind Space is entirely local, which means everything I save lives only on my phone. Switch devices, lose the phone, or try to work across a tablet or laptop, and all that captured content is gone or inaccessible. If OnePlus is serious about building an AI-powered memory system, it needs to offer a way to securely back up and sync Mind Space across devices. Even better, a web or desktop client would let users organize and act on saved content outside the phone. Until then, it's not really a memory system. It's just a temporary locker. Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority Then there's the walled garden problem. Mind Space doesn't connect meaningfully with other apps or services. I can't export content to Google Drive or send it to my Notes app. The only cross-app integration I've come across so far is the ability to create calendar events. As convenient as that is, it's not enough. For a feature positioned as a personal productivity tool, it's oddly disconnected from the rest of the phone. OnePlus should think seriously about app integrations, whether that's through deep linking, system-level shortcuts, or a proper API that lets developers hook into Mind Space. Exporting is a pain point, too. Once something is in Mind Space, getting it out isn't easy. There's no bulk export and no way to send content to third-party apps in a structured format. For users who want to write up notes in Docs or track saved items in a spreadsheet, Mind Space is a dead end. A proper export feature, even if limited to standard formats like PDF or markdown, would make the tool more useful in everyday workflows. Privacy is another concern of mine. While OnePlus says most of Mind Space's AI runs on device, there's no real transparency around what data is stored, how long it's retained or what happens when you delete something. For a feature designed to capture all kinds of personal information, that's a problem. A dedicated privacy panel with toggles for data retention, syncing if ever introduced, and analysis history would help build trust. Most of all, if OnePlus is really serious about this, Mind Space needs to be more than just a scrapbook. Give it some structure. Let users add checklists or reminders to saved content. Show clippings in the context of a timeline. What you saved, when and why. Maybe even surface recurring themes over time. If someone keeps saving screenshots about an upcoming trip, that's probably worth surfacing as a smart folder or project. These are the kinds of use cases that AI excels at. Mind Space is close, but not quite essential Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority Look, I like what OnePlus is trying with Mind Space. It's a genuine problem for users like me who consume a copious amount of information every day. But for it to succeed, Mind Space should feel personal. Not just in what it saves, but how it evolves. If a user tends to clip content during work hours, prioritize showing those items first. If someone mostly saves social media posts and shopping links, maybe offer price tracking or AI summaries, or extract more information like the booktok example I mentioned earlier. This isn't out of the realm of possibility, as dedicated apps already let you do that. Right now, Mind Space feels like a concept in public beta. A good concept, but still a concept. It's not useless, but it's also not packing enough utility to build a workflow around. That could change. The foundation is solid, the hardware support is already there, and the broader trend toward AI-first experiences is only picking up speed. But for Mind Space to matter, OnePlus needs to treat it as more than a checkbox on the feature list. Right now, Mind Space feels like a concept in public beta. A good concept, but still a concept. Mind Space has to become a key part of how people use their phones every day. When paired with OnePlus's excellent tablets for content consumption, I could see this being a compelling reason to shift to the company's ecosystem. But it's not there yet. If OnePlus wants to build an ecosystem that's smarter, more contextual, and more personal, this is the right place to start, but it's got its work cut out for it.

New York Post

an hour ago

• New York Post

How to find the best crypto to buy now

The New York Post may receive revenue from affiliate/advertising partnerships for sharing this content and/or if you click or make a purchase. If you're trying to figure out which cryptocurrency to buy today, one of the best places to start is Best Wallet. A crypto wallet and discovery platform, Best Wallet offers users a curated experience to track trending tokens, research new projects, and access tools that help make smarter investing decisions. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just getting started, platforms like Best Wallet can provide the real-time insights and analytics needed to navigate the often chaotic world of crypto. Advertisement Are You Crypto Curious? How to start crypto trading today Best Wallet Download a trusted exchange app — Start by choosing a licensed crypto exchange. We recommend starting with the Best Wallet app, available for both iOS and Android. Create and verify your account — Sign up using your email, Google, or Apple ID. 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'Identify cryptocurrencies through research into their fundamentals, such as network security, adoption rates, and GitHub activity, while using platforms like CoinMarketCap for market insights, keeping in mind their highly speculative risks,' he says. Advertisement Ethereum is the second most valuable cryptocurrency when measured by market capitalization. Alvaro – That means understanding a coin's technological foundation, the problem it aims to solve, its active user base and developer contributions. Tools like on-chain analytics and blockchain explorers can help investors gauge activity levels, while whitepapers and roadmaps provide a sense of long-term vision. But no matter how solid a project appears, volatility is always a risk in crypto. Advertisement Bitcoin and Ethereum still lead the pack by market cap and adoption. 'Large-cap cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, valued for its store-of-value narrative, and Ethereum, known for its robust smart contract ecosystem, are often considered leaders due to their market dominance and adoption, but all remain highly speculative,' says Leinweber. Bitcoin is often dubbed 'digital gold,' while Ethereum's programmable blockchain powers everything from NFTs to decentralized finance (DeFi). Both have established track records and strong community support — but they're not without risk. Emerging contenders like Solana and Avalanche have drawn attention for their scalability and lower fees. Advertisement 'Among newer tokens, projects like Solana stand out for their high-throughput capabilities,' says Leinweber, adding that even these require scrutiny of 'their whitepapers and team credibility.' Finding the best crypto to buy requires more than just reading headlines. 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Before buying, take a close look at whether the project aligns with trends like scalability, modularity, or interoperability — key themes in the evolution of blockchain tech. Cross-checking data from independent sources is essential. Advertisement If you're investing for the long haul, Bitcoin and Ethereum remain go-to options. 'Large-cap cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, with its institutional backing, and Ethereum, with its vast developer ecosystem, are often highlighted for their relative stability, but their speculative nature means significant risks remain,' Leinweber warns. Long-term investors should prioritize sustainable growth and real-world utility. Travis – Emerging coins with strong fundamentals, a dedicated development team, and growing adoption might also offer upside — but they come with higher risk. That's why even long-term plays require regular re-evaluation. Advertisement New tokens often capture attention with bold promises and viral marketing, but caution is key. Look for projects with transparent leadership, detailed roadmaps, and meaningful use cases. Leinweber points to Solana as an example of a newer token showing strong throughput capabilities but emphasizes its speculative nature. With no history to fall back on, newer projects demand heightened scrutiny. Reading the whitepaper, understanding the community, and watching how the project delivers on early milestones can reveal a lot. There's no one-size-fits-all answer. Your ideal crypto depends on your risk tolerance, investment timeline and interest in particular sectors—like DeFi, gaming, or infrastructure. Advertisement Leinweber notes that even the most established coins carry risk. 'Decisions should be informed by deep research into project fundamentals and market dynamics, acknowledging the potential for sharp fluctuations,' Leinweber says. Diversifying across market caps and use cases can help spread risk while offering exposure to innovation. Staying informed is non-negotiable. 'Trusted sources like CoinDesk, CoinTelegraph and The Block provide in-depth coverage of large-cap tokens like Bitcoin and Ethereum, while X offers real-time updates from developers and insiders,' Leinweber says. Advertisement 'Though all crypto markets remain speculative and prone to misinformation.' Experts say Solana is an example of a newer token showing strong throughput capabilities, though they warn of its speculative nature. Art_Photo – Cross-verifying news is essential. Look for direct quotes, links to official channels and data-backed reporting. Platforms like Best Wallet also offer curated news that filters out the noise. Even the best advice comes with a disclaimer. 'Look to reputable analysts, industry whitepapers, and platforms like X for insights, but their speculative nature means even expert advice carries uncertainty,' Leinweber says. For financial guidance tailored to your situation, consulting a licensed advisor is wise. 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Forbes

2 hours ago

• Forbes

JBL Begins Shipping New Flip 7 And Charge 6 Bluetooth Speaker Updates

The JBL Charge 6 Bluetooth speaker has been updated with new drivers as well as Bluetooth 5.4 with ... More Auracast support. The speaker also has an IP68 waterproof and dustproof rating. Competition in the world of portable Bluetooth speakers is brutal. With so many brands are fighting for a slice of this competitive market the quality and value can vary a lot. Every year or two, one of the biggest and best-known names in the industry continues updating its products and the customers keep coming back for more as the quality goes up as prices hold or even fall. That Bluetooth speaker brand with probably the most loyal following is JBL. The company consistently scores well with its customer base and despite being at the upper end of the market, JBL continues updating the hugely popular Flip and Charge models and the latest updates are here with the Flip 7 and Charge 6. JBL is a part of the Harman International portfolio of brands which is, itself, a subsidiary of Korean electronics giant Samsung. For the past decade, JBL has built itself a solid reputation with its regular speaker updates and color refreshes. Each new generation of the speakers comes with a few new features and a more refined sound that keeps the customers coming back for more. The JBL Flip 7 Bluetooth speaker is available in Purple as well as Black, Blue, Pink, Purple, Red, ... More Camo and White colorways. The latest version of the Charge 6 and Flip 7 speakers were announced back in March and they are now shipping in volume. Both models have been tweaked to deliver a bigger and more reliable sound plus there are waterproof ratings which make the speakers ideal for pool parties and days at the beach. New AI Sound The two new updates now feature AI Sound Boost, a proprietary technology that analyzes the sound waves of music in real-time and optimizes the speaker drivers to play the music loud and without distortion. AI Sound gives this latest generation of the speakers extra functionality changing where and how we listen to music. Carsten Olesen is President of Consumer Audio at Harman. He says: 'With the addition of Flip 7 and Charge 6, JBL is not just launching new products, we're immersing ourselves in the heart of cultural moments with our presence at SXSW.' 'Designed to tap into the limitless places listeners go to experience incredible sound, the introduction of AI Sound Boost highlights our dedication to delivering dynamic solutions that shape the soundtrack of consumers' lives,' he adds. With the JBL Flip 7 you get to choose whether you want to use finger loop strap or a carabiner clip. ... More So, whether you are sunbathing in the backyard or out hiking, the new JBL Flip 7 is ready for action thanks to an ingenious clip-on finger loop that can swapped over with a carabiner hook enabling the speaker to be hung from the branch of a tree or almost anything else, making it an suitable speaker for camping, DIY or sports. Thanks to that new AI Sound Boost, the Flip 7 has a powerful bass response that won't distort, even when the volume levels are cranked up. The compact and cylindrical shape of the Flip 7 hides an upgraded dome tweeter that serves up a sweeter treble. The result, says JBL, is a clearer and crisper sound even when at louder settings. Not only is the Flip 7 even more portable thanks to the new finger loop and carabiner, but it has an IP68 waterproof and dustproof rating that removes most of the limits of where the speaker can go or be used. This is a Bluetooth speaker that's as much at home by the pool as it is at the beach. The Flip 7 from JBL is a punchy speaker considering its compact size. Thanks to Playtime Boost, the JBL Flip 7 also features improved battery life and can play for up to 16 hours on a single charge. The speaker uses Bluetooth version 5.4 and supports Auracast broadcasting technology. The Flip 7 can be paired with other Auracast-enabled speakers two form a stereo pair or a multi-speaker setup for an ensemble performance with an even bigger sound. Auracast can also pick up braodcasts from other Auracast enabled devices like TVs or PA systems. Another useful feature is the Flip 7's ability to connect to a computer or smartphone via a USB cable. This means the Flip 7 can now play hi-res audio files streamed from a computer via USB, so it can be used for presentations as well as for streaming hi-res music from services like TIDAL or Qobuz. The compact Flip 7 is just the right size for use as a travel speaker because it is small enough to fit in a carry-on bag but loud enough to fill a the average hotel room with high-quality sound. Even with the volume turned up, there's little or no distortion and the treble and bass levels automatically adapt depending on volume levels. JBL Charge 6 can be used with a carry handle or a wrist strap. JBL Charge 6 Launching at the same times as the Flip. 7 is the latest version of the JBL Charge. Now renumbered as the Charge 6, this slightly larger Bluetooth speaker has proved itseld as a firm favorite with JBL's customers for some time now. The Charge 6 has a detachable carrying handle that can easily be turned into a wrist strap, making the Charge 6 even more convenient for taking to the beach or out into the back yard. Like the Flip 7, the Charge 6 also features AI Sound Boost for lower distortion sound at louder volume levels. JBL has also upgraded the woofer inside the speaker so it now delivers a deeper and stronger bass than its predecessor. Thanks to Bluetooth 5.4, the Charge 6 also supports Auracast, making it possible to sync with other Auracast speakers to create a stereo pair or series of linked speakers. The Charge 6 can also work as a power bank. Simply plug in your smartphone to the USB-C port and ... More enjoy a top-up anywhere. A full charge of the Charge 6's large battery provides an impressive 28 hours of listening time thanks to the addition of Playtime Boost. Because the battery is so large, the Charge 6 can also be used as a power bank for topping up other devices such as a smartphone. Although the JBL Charge 6 is a larger than its Flip 7 sibling, it does produce a bigger sound and the larger battery can go longer between charges, making it a handy party speaker and power bank for that summer barbecue at the beach or party by the pool. Thanks to the IP68 rating, the Charge 6 can shrug off water, sweat, dust and sand, making it robust enough to be used almost anywhere, even in British summer rain. The JBL Flip 7 Bluetooth speaker is available from Amazon and other retail outlets in a choice of Black, Blue, Pink, Purple, Red, Camo and White colors. The Flip 7 is priced at $149 / £129. The new JBL Charge 6 is also available from Amazon and other retail outlets. It's available in Black, Blue, Pink, Purple, Red, Camo and White colors. The JBL Charge 6 is priced at $199.95 / £169. JBL Flip 7 JBL Charge 6.