Our own write-ups of the latest Android phone news and reviews, sourced from the best in the industry.
From the final week of October 2026 Samsung will roll out native USDC stablecoin transfers inside Samsung Wallet on eligible Galaxy devices in the United States, letting users send money abroad instantly and even remit to bank accounts in more than 60 countries.
Google’s Android CLI gets two major upgrades: Android Device Streaming lets developers test on real phones from the cloud, and a growing library of AI‑powered “skills” – including a Wear OS Compose Material 3 guide – aims to make LLM‑based coding assistants more reliable.
Samsung Electronics forecasts roughly 195 trn won in sales and 107.4 trn won in operating profit for Q3 2026 – a steep rise from Q2 and a massive jump versus last year, signalling robust demand for its Android hardware and components.
Samsung is turning King’s Cross into a Roblox playground on 10‑11 October. Visitors can explore three themed zones, win physical prizes and claim a limited 25% discount on in‑game purchases via the Galaxy Store.
Samsung teams up with football icon Thierry Henry for a new European ad campaign that highlights the Galaxy Z Fold8, Fold8 Ultra and Z Flip8. The push follows a 50 % sales lift over the previous Fold7 generation and could spark fresh contract offers for UK foldable fans.
Samsung’s newest foldables – the Galaxy Z Fold8, Z Fold8 Ultra and Z Flip8 – have all earned Which? ‘Best Buy’ endorsements after independent lab testing, with the Fold8 praised for its redesign, tablet‑like inner screen and 40‑hour battery life.
Samsung’s Wallet app can now lock, unlock and start certain Cadillac EVs in the US and Canada using a compatible Galaxy phone. The move expands the digital‑key ecosystem and hints at future UK roll‑outs for Android users with Ultra‑Wideband devices.
Samsung’s flagship S99H OLED has been crowned Best TV of 2026, Best Home Cinema TV and Best Living Room TV at the HDTVTest Shootout, marking the first time a set has taken all three headline prizes in a single year.
EE has launched a new cross‑media campaign highlighting how its Fast Lane 5G+ feature can give iPhone 18 Pro owners dedicated, faster connectivity during peak moments. The push coincides with fresh contract options, early‑swap upgrades and trade‑in incentives for the latest Apple handset.
O2 has switched on its next‑generation 5G+ service in Bristol, covering up to 495,000 residents with faster speeds, lower latency and improved reliability – all at no extra charge for compatible devices.
Samsung’s latest SmartThings app upgrade adds a ‘SmartThings Now’ card stack, smarter routine suggestions and up to 30% faster local device control. The changes aim to make the hub‑based ecosystem feel more intuitive for Android users, especially those juggling multiple smart‑home gadgets.
Samsung’s Art Store will showcase 30 exclusive works from the British Museum on compatible Art TV sets from 6 October, letting UK households stream classic landscapes and watercolours straight to their living‑room screens.
Samsung has teamed up with indie‑film studio A24 to launch a 38‑image ‘Cinematic Collection’ on its Art Store service, now available on a range of 2026 Frame, Neo QLED and OLED TVs in the UK.
Samsung promotes its The Frame TV as a dual‑purpose piece that doubles as a digital picture frame. With Art Mode, custom bezels and a wireless One Connect hub, the company says the set fits open‑plan living and seasonal décor, while still delivering flagship picture quality.
Samsung’s UK wearables team outlines four Galaxy Watch features – training load tracking, sleep scoring, gesture shortcuts and voice queries – that can help runners fine‑tune their final weeks before the Royal Parks Half Marathon.
Fairphone says its line of “e‑waste neutral” phones and community‑driven recycling races could help curb a global e‑waste surge, with UK schools already taking part.
The Lee Kun‑Hee Collection arrives in London for a four‑month run at the British Museum’s Great Court Gallery, featuring 100 Korean masterpieces – including ten National Treasures – and marking the first major Korean art showcase at the museum in over four decades.
Google Play is expanding its billing suite with multi‑quantity purchases, usage‑based billing, mixed‑cart checkout and AI‑driven grace periods. The changes aim to boost developer revenue while giving UK users smoother, more personalised subscription experiences.
Samsung’s six affiliates are jointly investing $1 billion in Helix Digital Infrastructure, a new AI‑focused data‑center platform backed by KKR. The move signals Samsung’s shift from component supplier to AI‑infrastructure architect, a development that could shape future Android devices and services.
