Looking back on seven days of news and headlines around the Android world, this week’s Android circuit includes new Note 20 leaks, Samsung confirms Galaxy’s release date, more top points about OnePlus North, Huawei’s forward-looking address, Microsoft’s new Android team, Qualcomm updates SnapDragon 865 and Google reveals the Android release date.
Android Circuit is here to remind you of some of the many things that happened around Android last week (and you can see the weekly Apple news summary here).
Samsung Leaks Galaxy Note 20 features
Thanks to a leaked image (on Samsung’s own website), an exciting details on the upcoming Galaxy Note 20 has been revealed. The flagship phablet’s new design and liveries have been confirmed, and that gives more information on the camera. Forbes’ Gordon Kelly reports:
“Then what do we learn? In addition to confirming that the design leaks were accurate (and as impressive as expected), the big news is the revised rear cameras. Unlike the Galaxy S20 Ultra’s monstrous and insipid camera board (with 100x adhesive optical brand), the Note 20 Ultra has implemented a more sublime and unmarked design that also incorporates a committed concentrate sensor into a new oblong cut under the flash.
Learn more about Forbes.
Note 20 Release date confirmed
As stated in the past, Samsung is celebrating its previous release on the schedule to make august the month of the Note 20 launch. The South Korean company has shown that the phablet will be released on Wednesday, August 5.
“Join us for a galaxy Unpacked virtual occasion on August 5 to explore our newest ecosystem of Galaxy devices designed to give you the strength to live. The live broadcast of the occasion will be held at Samsung US Newsroom and Samsung.com in 10 I am ET”.
The other date, the actual release date, will be later in the month. Adnan Farooqui from SamMobile take a closer look at dates and devices on Twitter:
“Pre-orders will start the same day or the next day. The device will be released on the shelves a fortnight later, on August 21.
The Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra may not be the only devices Samsung will be volving on August 5. The Galaxy Fold 2 and Galaxy Z Flip 5G will also be released. South Korea will get 5G variants of the Galaxy Fold 2 and Galaxy Note 20 range, the report says.
More about SamMobile.
OnePlus in March
After last week’s confirmation of the mid-range OnePlus North, a significant number of leaks have appeared around the device, from the deleted release date, to the inclusion of OIS in the camera and a snapshot of the technical sheet. OnePlus also spoke publicly about the North and I met with its European chief strategy officer. The big question? Is this really a new strategy?
“Anyone who knows the history of OnePlus will know that the Shenzhen-based manufacturer has not produced high-end phones that had the same value as competing flagship products. In fact, it’s just a return to what made OnePlus so successful.”
“When OnePlus started, the concept of making a flagship device,” Lampen issues, but with a trick, “but at that point, the flagship products themselves were more affordable. Consumer demands for what they expect from their device have increased.” Now we have another wonderful opportunity for our most productive user to delight at a more affordable price ».
Read the full interview at Forbes.
That of an injured Huawei
By registering about the lie of AMERICAN entities, Huawei faces a life of Google Mobile Services that disadvantages certain territories, notably the United States and Western Europe… at least in the short term. Now that you’ve been forced to look for alternatives, there are attractive features for Huawei. Ashkay Jain examines the potential:
“After such a heartbreaking attack on your business, if you still retain all your profits, it’s the real legend. After a one-year ban, Huawei remains the largest phone manufacturer of the moment and profits only increase throughout the day. Meanwhile, Donald Trump on Huawei’s functionality after the ban says, “Am I a joke to you?”
“They have made their own services to replace Google Play Services and have made their own Huawei AppGallery with the number of apps increasing consistently. They don’t have all the apps on their platform right now but the platform is expanding at a rate so unexpectedly rapid. They have also collaborated with Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo and other Chinese brands to persuade developers to develop apps for this platform.”
More about AimLucid.
Microsoft strengthens Android team
As we all know, Microsoft’s upcoming Surface Duo will run Android, and the team have been working with external partners at Movial to integrate Android on the device. From now on, there’s going to be a substantial internal team of former Movial employees. Zac Bowden reports:
“According to my sources, up until now, Microsoft had contracted the OS work out to third-party vendors such as Movial, who had the expertise required to bring Android to life on Surface Duo.
“Movial is an engineering, installations, and software design company that worked intensively with Microsoft on Surface Duo in its prototype and progression phases. Microsoft has acquired Movial’s local operations in Romania, Taiwan, and the United States. – Embark on all Movial workers who worked on the Surface Duo as full-time workers at Microsoft.
More about Windows Central.
Qualcomm 865 update
The mid-year update of Qualcomm’s flagship smartphone chip formula has arrived. The SnapDragon 865 promises to “offer enhanced functionality in all grades for amazing gameplay and Qualcomm experiences,” “Snapdragon Elite Gaming incredibly fast,” actually global 5G and ultra-intuitive AI, according to the manufacturer. Processor clock speed has been building, GPU has a 10% increase in rendering, and Wi-Fi connectivity has improved. Chaim Gartenberg has more, adding the update that is not present:
“This is an update similar to last year’s Snapdragon 855 Plus model, which featured innovations in processor and graphics processor functionality for games compared to the overall 855. It also means that Qualcomm does not use the mid-year update to charge the expected maximum upgrade to Snapdragon 865: integrating the Snapdragon X55 modem into the main chipset instead of requiring a separate component on the phone (which takes up more area and can have an effect on battery life). Unfortunately, it turns out that this improvement will have to wait for Qualcomm 2021’s flagship product to arrive as soon as possible.”
More to The Verge.
And finally…
During a Google presentation at the Google Smart Home Summit, the release date of Android 11 would possibly have been revealed by mistake as September 8. This would put the launch of slap bang in the same window as the iPhone 12. Ryne Hager reports:
“The date is obviously visual in the header of one of the presentation slides (up and down). While the overall context of the video at this point is about ensuring that the smart device brands supported by Wizard are in position for this date, the slide itself is quite clear. Unless there are delays or changes, I think we may be waiting for the release of Android 11 on September 8.”
More at Android Police.
Android Circuit runs around Android world news every weekend here on Forbes. Don’t stay with me so you don’t miss any policies in the future and, of course, read the sister column in Apple Loop. Last week’s Android tour is available here, and if you have news and links you’d like to see on the Android circuit, please contact us!