“Unlocking Excitement: Pixel Deals, Lenovo’s Gaming Powerhouse, and Hot Takes on OnePlus 13!”

Reflecting on this week’s updates and news within the Android ecosystem, including the Galaxy S25 launch date, complimentary upgrade for the Galaxy S24, Pixel 9 Pro Fold promotional offer, enhancements to Pixel battery life, review of OnePlus 13, insights about Nubia Music, and Lenovo’s tablet for gaming enthusiasts.

Android Circuit aims to highlight some of the numerous conversations surrounding Android over the past week. You can also catch my weekly roundup of Apple news here on Forbes.

Galaxy Unpacked Launch Date Announced

The anticipation surrounding the Galaxy S25 series escalated significantly this week as Samsung announced the time and date for its upcoming Galaxy Unpacked gathering, where new smartphones, smart devices, and AI advancements are expected to be revealed.

“… the forthcoming Galaxy Unpacked event is scheduled for January 22 in San Jose, CA… Along with the invite, Samsung has affirmed that the event will be broadcast live through the Samsung Newsroom, the primary Samsung website, and Samsung’s YouTube channel. Galaxy Unpacked will commence at 1300 Eastern / 1000 Pacific.

(Forbes).

Galaxy S24 Complimentary Upgrade

Among the capabilities of the Galaxy S25 series will be an upgraded software version, which includes Samsung’s interpretation of Android. Dubbed OneUI, version 7 is presently in testing. This will not only enhance the S25, but should also boost the efficiency of last year’s top-tier S24 models:

“The performance enhancement is the most captivating alteration and is attributed to the imminent One UI 7 software Samsung is anticipated to introduce with the new S25 lineup. It’s one of the perks of tech devices — with upgraded software, hardware can improve over time.”

(Forbes).

Pixel 9 Pro Fold Promotional Offer

Prior to Galaxy Unpacked, Samsung provided price reductions on the Galaxy Z Fold 6. Google also extended price cuts on its foldable device, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Consumers in the UK have an enticing offer:

“The offer is available for shoppers in the U.K. and reduces the price by £200 ($248) for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, bringing the final cost down to £1,579 ($1,961). This represents one of the most significant discounts the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has experienced since its introduction in August.”

(Forbes).

Pixel Battery Enhancements

Similar to how Samsung’s software update for the S25 will aid older models, Google has modified the Android software for the Pixel series, stretching back to the Pixel 3 from 2018:

“Devices launched between the Pixel 3 and the Pixel 8 Pro should maintain up to 80% capacity for approximately 800 charge cycles, demonstrating how much more efficient the newer Google devices are. Like all electronics, lithium-ion batteries in smartphones do have a limited lifespan.”

(Forbes)

OnePlus 13 Evaluation

OnePlus has burst into 2025 with the worldwide unveiling of the OnePlus 13 and the OnePlus 13R. Reviews for both devices are starting to emerge, and I examined the OnePlus 13 more closely earlier this week:

“The OnePlus 13 understands its ambitions… to stand at the pinnacle of premium smartphones. It boasts an appealing design, complimented by the environmentally-conscious leather encasing a thoughtfully structured camera module. Its specifications compete vigorously with other smartphones seeking to achieve the same status. Additionally, it holds IP68 and IP69 certifications for water and dust resistance.”

(Forbes).

Nubia Music Evaluation

At the more affordable end of the spectrum is Nubia’s music-centric smartphone, simply named Nubia Music. The specifications align with expectations for a phone priced at 150 euros, but its value shines through not in speed, but in sound quality:

“The ZTE Nubia Music presents impressive capabilities for music aficionados for under 150 euros: featuring an eye-catching design, comprehensive DTS audio settings, high volume output, and a dual headphone jack. A built-in radio receiver ensures you can enjoy music even without an Internet connection.”

(Notebook Check).

Lenovo Legion’s Gaming Tablet

Lenovo’s latest gaming device introduces a larger display into the Android gaming sector with the Legion Tab. This gaming-oriented tablet houses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, supported by a robust 12 GB of RAM. While storage capacity may feel limited depending on the extensive titles you wish to include, at just $499, it serves as a reliable partner to your smartphone while traveling and needing entertainment:

“Internally, the Legion Tab is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage. It is also equipped with a 6,550 mAh battery, featuring two USB-C ports and 45W quick charging. To keep the device cool during gaming sessions, it includes the ‘Legion Coldfront Vapor Chamber.’

(9to5Google).

And Finally

Google’s generative audio features have been utilized by many to create an alternative to the traditional article reading. Now, Google is harnessing that technology to analyze your preferences and devise a five-minute customized news summary at the end of each day.

“If you choose to participate in this trial, Google will curate stories based on the types of articles your interactions with Discover have shown you’re interested in, producing concise reviews covering the latest updates. Altogether, your Daily Listen is designed to condense everything you should know into a summary of five minutes or less.”

(Android Authority).

Android Circuit compiles the latest updates from the Android realm every weekend here on Forbes. Remember to follow me so you don’t miss any future coverage, and of course, check out the related column in Apple Loop! You can find last week’s Android Circuit here, and if you have any news and links you’d like to see showcased in Android Circuit, feel free to connect!