Taking a look back at this week's news and headlines across the Android world, including Mystery Galaxy S26 revealed, Pixel 11 display leaks, Honor 600 details confirmed, Razr Fold pre-orders, silicon shortage price rises, and Android Developer Verification launches.
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.
A Mysterious Galaxy S26 Arrives
Samsung has quietly introduced a new Galaxy S26 model. The Enterprise edition starts at £660 ($875) in the UK. Unlike the freely available consumer models, this starter model comes with just 128 GB, currently the only Galaxy 26 variant to do so. It's targeted at business customers looking to outfit a large number of staff with a 'basic' yet high-end smartphone:
"Like the rest of the Enterprise Edition phones, this one is still exclusive for business/corporate customers with the usual Enterprise perks like Samsung's Personal Data Engine, a one-year subscription to the Samsung Knox suite and three years of enhanced business support. Samsung's Knox suite allows company IT departments to remotely manage fleets of phones while also offering enhanced protection against malware and other cybersecurity threats."
An Improved Display For The Pixel 11
New renders of Google's upcoming Pixel 11 have leaked. Alexander Maxham and the team at Android Headlines have taken a closer look at the Pixel changes, notably the display and the camera housing:
"The Pixel 10 had some pretty thick bezels, especially for a $700 phone. But that appears to be gone with the Pixel 11, if these CADs are accurate. And it's important to note that they are not always 100% accurate with smaller details like bezels. The same goes for the camera bar, with it being all black, instead of the body color around the flash."
Honor Teases Upcoming Honor 600 Series
Honor has released a handful of images and details around the upcoming Honor 600 - the latest smartphone in its N-series. It's expected to target the competitive mid-range market by offering flagship-level performance along with the latest software features and hardware design cues:
"According to Honor, the 600-series phones will focus on giving users sleek aesthetics, long-lasting battery endurance, flagship-level performance, and advanced photographic capabilities with AI. Honor adds that despite a more challenging 2026 market, it aims to capitalize on integrating new AI capabilities in addition to capable hardware and competitive pricing for a more consumer-focused smartphone experience."
Razr Fold Pre-Order Details
Motorola has confirmed the launch dates for its next foldable. Preorders for the Razr Fold will open on April 17. Not only will it come with the latest display technology, but it's also bringing more power to help it stand out against the likes of the Galaxy Z Fold series. Forbes contributor Janhoi McGregor has more:
"Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the Razr Fold is the 6000mAh carbon-silicon battery. Samsung has so far shied away from using the advanced battery technology that allows for higher-capacity batteries without extra size because of the associated swelling risk and shorter lifespan... In any case, a 6000mAh battery in a foldable phone -- which Motorola estimates gives the Razr Fold over 43 hours on a single charge -- is a serious game-changer."
The Silicon Shortage Intensifies
Manufacturers are coming to terms with the increased cost of memory and storage due to the demand for AI servers; Oppo has already passed on local price rises, but Sony's global rise for the PlayStation 5 suggests that the world's smartphones won't be far behind. On top of the AI crunch, there's another issue that will put pressure on silicon prices:
"While the impact of AI Servers has played a large role in bringing the industry to this point and shows little sign of slowing, there is a new factor that should be considered. Key chemicals involved in the production of silicon chips pass through the Strait of Hormuz, not least the oil and liquefied natural gas needed for the energy-intensive processes, but also a significant volume of the world's helium, around one-third, according to Scientific American."
Price Rises Lead To Cancellations
The other option for manufacturers is to cancel products whose smaller margins have been wiped out by higher silicon costs. So far, the changes have been limited as manufacturers appear to prioritise flagships, but when your flagship devices are already priced as mid-range phones, then more drastic measures may need to be taken, as seen by gaming handheld giant Ayaneo cancelling its Snapdragon 8 Elite powered console:
"Please also note that due to the recent increase in storage component prices, future production costs will rise significantly. As a result, after this upcoming restock, Pocket FIT 8Elite will very likely be the final production batch, and it will be available while supplies last, with no current plans for further restocking."
And Finally...
Google continues to roll out changes to third-party application support, with this week seeing the opening of Android Developer Verification to all developers. Moving forward, Google is requiring every Android developer targeting the platform to register with it using a government-issued ID. All of this is in preparation for Google restricting the installation of apps outwith the Google Play Store.
"While verification tools are rolling out now, the experience for users downloading your apps will not change until later this year. The user side protections will first go live in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand this September, before expanding globally in 2027. We've shared this timeline early to ensure you have ample time to complete your verification."
Android Circuit rounds up the news from the Android world every weekend here on Forbes.