What new Google Messages features are rolling out [September 2026]

9to5google.com Sep 7, 2026

What new Google Messages features are rolling out [September 2026]

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 7, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Google is expanding the feature set of its Messages app for Android through a series of A/B tests and beta rollouts. New UI options include a larger-screen design, a floating menu triggered by long‑press with blurred background, and partial‑message copying. Inline replies with quoted text and emoji‑based photo reactions for iOS 27 users are now in beta. Read‑receipt icons have reverted to a dual‑circle layout, with timestamps and encryption details revealed by left‑swipe and quick replies by right‑swipe. Web access will soon require Google Account sign‑in, replacing QR codes. Integration with Google Keep adds a “Create list” shortcut and live note previews. A “Chat theme” selector replaces the 2024 color picker, offering nine themes and custom wallpapers, while Samsung devices in the US are being nudged to adopt Messages as the default RCS client.

💡 Why It Matters

· The updates tighten cross‑platform messaging parity and embed productivity tools directly in chat, nudging users toward Google’s ecosystem as the default communication hub.

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Annoyingly, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is the best advert for an…

Samsung released the Galaxy Z Fold 8, a wide‑body foldable that improves on previous models with a more tablet‑like experience and better entertainment focus. The device features a larger inner display, refined hinge design, and smoother software integration, positioning it as a strong competitor to earlier foldables from Oppo and Google. While praised for its usability, the launch may inadvertently entice consumers toward Apple’s forthcoming iPhone Fold, as Samsung’s success highlights the form factor’s growing appeal. The move underscores Samsung’s continued leadership in foldable innovation.

💡 Samsung’s Z Fold 8 demonstrates that foldables can deliver a compelling tablet‑phone hybrid, setting a benchmark that Apple will likely aim to surpass. Its success could accelerate consumer interest in folding phones, shaping the next wave of mobile design.

androidcentral.com · Sep 7

This Mint Mobile deal makes the Google Pixel 11 Pro XL cheaper…

Mint Mobile has announced a promotion that reduces the price of the Google Pixel 11 Pro XL to below the cost of the base Pixel 11 model. The offer includes a free wireless plan for the first year, allowing customers to use the premium phone without an additional carrier fee. The deal is available through a limited‑time sale on Mint Mobile’s website and is aimed at consumers looking for high‑end smartphones at a lower entry price. The promotion highlights Mint Mobile’s strategy to attract users from larger carriers by bundling device discounts with free service.

💡 The discount challenges the traditional pricing hierarchy of flagship phones, potentially reshaping consumer expectations for premium device affordability. It also underscores the growing competition among budget carriers to lure high‑end users with bundled incentives.

androidcentral.com · Sep 7

Moto wants in: a wide Razr foldable just had its design leaked

A leak reported by Android Headlines suggests Motorola is developing a “wide” Razr Fold to join the growing segment of large‑screen foldables championed by Samsung and Huawei. Sketches from an anonymous source depict a passport‑sized device with an “easy‑open” hinge, a bezel‑less cover display, and a horizontal dual‑lens camera bar reminiscent of Google’s Pixel designs. The frame is said to be non‑flat, featuring rounded corners and the Motorola logo on the hinge when folded. The source claims the phone could launch in the coming months, though specifications such as inner and cover screen sizes remain unconfirmed. The leak follows Motorola’s earlier Razr Fold release and aligns the brand with the trend toward wider, landscape‑oriented foldables.

💡 Motorola’s entry could intensify competition in the premium foldable market, forcing rivals to accelerate innovation and pricing strategies.

says.com · Sep 7

A Month With The Samsung Galaxy Watch9: Should You Get It?

Samsung launched the Galaxy Watch9 globally in August 2026, with local Malaysian pricing starting at RM1,499. The new model retains the familiar circular design but trims the aluminium case to an 8.6 mm thickness, making it slimmer than the Watch8 Classic and more comfortable for overnight wear. Internally, it adopts Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear Elite 3 nm chipset, delivering faster UI response and eliminating previous micro‑stutters. Dual‑frequency (L1 + L5) GPS improves satellite lock in dense urban areas, while a Super AMOLED screen reaches 3,000 nits peak brightness and is protected by sapphire crystal glass. Health upgrades include an FDA‑cleared sleep‑apnea risk assessment, an antioxidant index, and a consolidated readiness score that combines HRV, skin temperature and respiratory rate. The device runs Wear OS 7 with One UI 9 Watch and integrates Google Gemini for AI‑enhanced interactions.

💡 The Watch9’s ultra‑bright sapphire display and advanced health diagnostics set a new benchmark for wearables in demanding climates and medical‑grade monitoring.

webwire.com · Sep 7

Vodafone introduces Quality on Demand Network API in Germany

Vodafone has launched its Quality on Demand Network API in Germany, marking the first market rollout for this service. The API allows businesses and developers to optimize mobile connections for critical services like digital payments, sports broadcasts, and delivery platforms. By providing a secure interface to Vodafone’s 4G and 5G networks, organizations can dynamically manage bandwidth and latency to ensure stable performance during peak demand. This capability enables merchants to process more transactions in crowded venues and supports broadcasters with reliable video transmission. The service adheres to global industry standards, facilitating worldwide scalability. Vodafone is currently collaborating with a leading German broadcaster on a proof of concept for football coverage. The initiative aligns with the GSMA Open Gateway program, which aims to grant developers broader access to network capabilities. Alongside existing APIs for fraud prevention, Quality on Demand offers companies a competitive advantage by allowing them to tailor network quality specifically for their operational needs and customer experience requirements.

💡 This launch shifts network control from carriers to application developers, allowing them to guarantee service reliability for high-stakes transactions. It transforms mobile connectivity from a passive utility into an active, programmable asset for business continuity.

androidcentral.com · Sep 7

Samsung is shutting down a couple of apps; vows to return new…

Samsung has officially announced the termination of its Quick Measure and AR Doodle applications, with service ending on December 31, 2026. Users are receiving warnings that new downloads and update support will cease after this date. While existing installations may remain functional, features could malfunction as support for new Wear OS and Android versions is discontinued. This move follows the company’s July decision to replace its native Messages app with Google Messages. Samsung acknowledges the potential inconvenience but pledges to return with improved services in the future. The Quick Measure app, originally launched in 2021 for heart rate tracking on Wear OS devices, will lose compatibility with upcoming OS updates. AR Doodle faces a similar fate on the standard Android operating system. It remains unclear whether these specific apps will be revamped or replaced by entirely new variations. The company has not specified if features will be integrated into existing supported applications like Samsung Health.

💡 This consolidation strategy signals Samsung’s shift away from maintaining fragmented, standalone utility apps in favor of deeper integration with Google’s ecosystem and its own comprehensive health platforms. Users must now rely on third-party alternatives or wait for potential feature migrations, highlighting the transient nature of proprietary software tools.