Android Insights: Pixel 10 Leaks Surface, Fortnite's Stealthy Android Strategy Unveiled, Barebones Phone Demo Presented
Looking back at this week's Android scenery and highlights, inclusive of Pixel 10 design leaks, Samsung's Exynos letdown, Galaxy S25 Slim, Android XR debut, Pixel Tablet's missing stylus, Epic's new Android move, and a Minimal Phone preview.
Android Insider is here to remind you of a few of the numerous discussions revolving around Android in the past seven days. You can also check out my weekly digest of iOS news here on Our Website.
A Camera Strip for the Pixel 10
Details regarding Google's upcoming Pixel family devices are surfacing from the supply chain. Firstly, it's the Pixel 10, the standard model expected to launch in the summer of 2025. A fresh glimpse at the casing and the 'voids' provided to manufacturers reveals the fundamental dimensions and external characteristics of the device:
"This casing hints at the Pixel 10 continuing this rounded camera strip, thereby implying that the presumably named Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL will follow a similar design trend."
(Our Website).
More Galaxy Exynos Moments
Samsung's community continues to entertain the notion of an all-Snapdragon lineup for the Galaxy S25 upon its early Q1 2025 launch. After positive indications from the supply chain in September, more details have surfaced revealing that Samsung's own Exynos chipset will be incorporated into the mix. The latest information shows Samsung testing an Exynos-powered Galaxy S25+ :
"Following the earlier appearance of a Galaxy S25+ powered by the Exynos 2500 chipset on Geekbench, this week saw another occurrence on the online benchmarking service of an Exynos device, indicating continued testing by Samsung. It's worth mentioning that the actual performance remains broadly similar to previous benchmarks."
(Our Website).
Galaxy S25 Slim's Intense Camera
No information is available on the processor, but we have further details on Samsung's "slim" version of the Galaxy S25. It's likely to be released a few months after the main S25 handsets (following the pattern set by the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Fold 6 Special Edition). Curiously, Samsung is focusing on cramming in more camera hardware and lenses compared to Apple's iPhone 17 Air endeavors:
“...this would position the Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim as a flagship-level device with, at the very least, a triple-lens camera. Apple, on the other hand, is expected to opt for a single-lens camera in its highly anticipated iPhone 17 “Air” (or perhaps iPhone 17 “Slim”) in 2025, potentially giving Samsung’s device an advantage in zoom capabilities and image quality."
(Our Website).
Android XR Emerges
Google is expanding another front for Android. With the announcement of Android XR, and a partnership with Qualcomm and Samsung, XR will open up the system to actual, mixed, and augmented realities with support for hardware and software:
"However, glasses are the ultimate objective, and frames running Android XR are expected for “directions, translations or message summaries without reaching for your phone,” though they are paired like any other wearable."
(9to5Google and Google’s Keyword Blog).
The Pixel Tablet Stylus
Following the news of Google's cancellation of the upcoming and provisionally named Pixel Tablet 2, details on the potential accessories also canceled have surfaced. While these could potentially appear with a revived Tablet 2, they are no longer scheduled to launch "soon":
"While it's fun to see Google produce more accessories for its tablet line, the Stylus doesn't appear to have any particularly impressive features, other than the integration with the keyboard. If you want to use a stylus with your Pixel Tablet, simply purchase a USI 2.0 compatible stylus now, and you'll enjoy a similar experience."
(Android Authority).
Epic's Next Android Move
If you buy a new Android phone from Telefonica (including O2 and Movistar) in certain Latin American or European countries (including the UK, Spain, and Germany), you'll find something rather unexpected pre-installed... the Epic Games store:
"It's part of a “long term partnership” to bring the store and smash hit Fortnite to “millions” of the carrier’s devices, according to Telefónica and Epic. It'll be the first time the Epic Games Store is pre-installed on consumer phones, and it could be the next big step in realizing Epic's dreams of challenging Google's app store monopoly and increasing its cut of revenue."
(The Verge).
And Finally...
Despite the talk of swiftly refreshing screens, more colors, more vibrancy, and more action, the Minimal Company is heading in another direction. It's still in the early stages of the project, but this eInk Android phone, with a partial eye on reducing screen time, is an intriguing blend of an eBook reader and a lifestyle detox phone. Worth keeping an eye on...
"This is the World's First Look at the upcoming Minimal Phone, the e-ink display phone with a physical keyboard designed to keep up with you, and give you your life back!"
(Minimal Company and TechOdyssey).
Android Insider collects the news from the Android sphere every weekend on Our Website. Don't forget to follow me to avoid missing any future coverage, and of course, don't miss reading the sister column in iOS Loop! Last week's Android Insider can be found here, and if you have any news and links you'd like to see featured in Android Insider, feel free to share them!
- Despite the upcoming Pixel 10 likely adopting a similar camera strip design as its predecessors, it's unclear if Samsung's Galaxy S25 Slim will follow suit, with the focus seemingly on enhancing its camera capabilities.
- Google's expansion into the realm of XR technology with Android XR is manifesting through partnerships with Qualcomm and Samsung, aimed at supporting both hardware and software for actual, mixed, and augmented realities.
- As Google continues to refine its Pixel lineup, the Pixel Tablet's potential stylus accessory has been put on hold, causing some disappointment among fans, although USI 2.0 compatible styluses can provide a similar experience.
- The Epic Games store will soon be available on new Android phones from Telefonica, providing millions of customers in certain countries, including the UK, Spain, and Germany, with immediate access to popular titles like Fortnite.
- The Minimal Company, known for its aim to reduce screen time, is developing an eInk Android phone with a physical keyboard, blending the functionality of an eBook reader and a lifestyle detox phone, creating an intriguing alternative in the market.
