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News Weekly
Newsweekly is our column where we highlight and summarize some of the week’s top stories so you can stay up-to-date on the latest tech news.
This is Android Central’s News Weekly, your source for a short roundup of the week’s most important tech stories. This is where we explore the top headlines that deliver the latest developments and innovations contributing to the digital landscape.
This week, we look at a major Samsung Galaxy S25 series leak ahead of launch, the OnePlus 13 and 13R launch globally, Qualcomm confirms its presence at Samsung’s Unpacked event, One UI 7 The third beta update gets and Qi2 will debut on more Android phones. The year
Big Samsung S25 series leak with full specs and renders
Read more Here And Here.
It’s been quite a week of leaks for Samsung, so to speak. First, the specifications of the devices leaked online, followed by more than 75 strange images complete with renders of what we believe to be the original Samsung S25 series.
The morning of January 10 started with images of official renders of the alleged Samsung Galaxy S25 series. Android Headlines. First we see the S25 Ultra images that show rounded corners and a completely flat display and sides for the phone. The rear of the device is shown with its rumored quad-camera array and lenses that may have black rims. The publication states that the Galaxy S25 Ultra could see the following colors upon release: Titanium Black, Titanium Grey, Titanium Silver Blue, and Titanium White Silver.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus images show that they look similar to their previous models, and each device features rounded corners, a triple camera array, and thin bezels. However, the only visible change is with the lenses, as they can capture the same blacks as the Ultra model. They are said to come in four colors: Silver Shadow, Ice Blue, Navy and Mint.
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Along with the renders, the entire spec sheet of the models was also leaked by the same publication. The full spec sheet of the trio reveals that the Ultra is rumored to sport a 6.9-inch screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. As for its cameras, the device can sport a 200MP primary lens, a 50MP ultra-wide-angle camera, a 50MP periscope telephoto camera, and a 10MP telephoto.
The S25 and S25 Plus feature a 6.2-inch Full HD Plus display and a 6.7-inch display respectively. They will have a triple camera array with a 50MP primary camera, a 12MP ultra-wide angle camera, and a 10MP telephoto lens. Both the handsets will also have a 12MP selfie shooter on the front.
Back in September, in collaboration with @Androidheadline, I provided the first and early look at the #GalaxyS25 series. Also, today we join forces once again to bring you #GalaxyS25 #GalaxyS25Plus #GalaxyS25Ultra full specs sheets!😏You’re welcome. 👉🏻 https://t.co/qRMywd6X3b pic.twitter.com/GCVrLKcvSa10 January 2025
To learn more about Samsung’s upcoming flagship, visit our Galaxy S25 guide.
OnePlus 13 and 13R launch
Read more Here.
The OnePlus 13 and 13R have made their global debut and are packed with AI capabilities and powerful performance for next-generation consumers. The OnePlus 13 features a 6.8-inch QHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, and a large 6,000 mAh battery. For camera systems, OnePlus once again partnered with Hasselblad for a powerful triple camera system: a 50MP Sony LYT-808 main camera, a 50MP ultra-wide camera, and a 50MP 3X Triprism Telephoto camera, which is over 10X But is equipped to take shots. Zoom
Nick Sotrich of Android Central said in his camera review that the OnePlus 13 can stand tall knowing that it “has one of the best mobile cameras available today.”
The OnePlus 13R gets a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, with a 6.78-inch 1.5K ProXDR flat display, a 6,000 mAh battery, and an upgraded camera system. The camera system has taken a step forward compared to the OnePlus 12R. Its main 50MP camera, equipped with a Sony LYT-700 sensor and OIS, helps capture better images in low-light conditions. The camera can also capture sharp moments like the OnePlus 13, which has a 50MP telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom for sharp, detailed portraits and an 8MP ultra-wide camera for capturing “wide scenes”.
The OnePlus 13 comes in three colors, Midnight Ocean, Arctic Dawn and Black Eclipse, priced at $899.99, while the 13R comes in two colors – Nebula Noir and Astral Trail, priced at $599.99.
Both devices are currently available for pre-order.
Qualcomm sends a secret message to Samsung.
Read more Here.
There have been several rumors about the chip that is set to power the new Samsung Galaxy S25 series – Snapdragon 8 Elite, although Samsung has yet to confirm the above, Qualcomm has apparently put the rumors to rest this week when it responded to Samsung. On an unpacked tweet.
Samsung’s tweet went live on January 6, and just a day later, Qualcomm wanted in on the fun. The official account of the Snapdragon brand copied Samsung’s post on January 7 with the cryptic message: “See you there.”
While not confirmed as such, this Qualcomm post does hint that this particular Qualcomm chipset will fit perfectly into the S25 puzzle. The Snapdragon 8 Elite is expected to bring higher video quality, especially in low-light settings, and better overall phone performance — as seen in other flagship phones like the OnePlus 13.
Third a UI 7 beta is out.
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Samsung has finally released the third beta of One UI 7 in several regions. And Galaxy S24, S24 Plus, and Galaxy S24 Ultra users in Germany have started receiving One UI 7 beta 3 updates based on the new Android 15.
According to the changelog, the update includes improvements and several bug fixes. One of them is that the game booster mode will have the ability to change the default setting of screen playback, change the name and maximum value of the FPS setting and set the default scanning rate to 120Hz.
Other improvements include improvements to the lock screen, always-on display, and the status bar battery icon (redesigned with One UI 7). The issue of volume key operation error while using routine+ mode is thought to be fixed with the new update. Edge panel tools, which were not showing before, seem to be fixed now.
Galaxy S24 series owners who are enrolled in the One UI 7 beta program will receive this update. That said, Samsung is swamped with its upcoming Unpacked launch, where it will likely launch One UI 7.
The Qi2 is (finally) coming.
Read more Here.
According to a recent press release from the Wireless Power Consortium, more Android flagship devices will start seeing Qi2 charging compatibility based on MagSafe magnetic charging. “We can expect a boom in Android devices with Qi2 through 2025,” Presser said.
That said, part of the announcement was to highlight the new Qi2 Ready, which gives Android OEMs a way to bring Qi2 to phones without embedding magnets. Instead, they will have to use magnetic cases to bring full Qi2 compliance.
Samsung also said in the press release that it will bring the phone with the new charging standard.
“You can expect to see Android devices supporting Qi2 from Samsung Galaxy devices in 2025.” This could only indicate that the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S25 series could be the first Galaxy phone to be compatible with Qi2 wireless charging and accessories. It could also be the start of a bigger Qi2 revolution after last year’s HMD Skyline. And Samsung isn’t the only phone brand helping to bring Qi2 to more Android phones.
Google is doing the same, “Google is committed to advancing the Qi2 wireless charging standard and the penetration of Qi2 in Android handsets and other devices,” the company said in a press release.
“Google is helping to achieve this goal by playing a leading role in the development of the upcoming Qi v2.2 standard, including the contribution of Google’s own high-power wireless charging technology to the WPC.”
More stories this week
Those are the biggest stories of the week. Meanwhile, here are some other stories worth catching up on:
