Google Phone app beta rolls out Contacts bottom bar tab [U]

9to5google.com Oct 19, 2026

Google Phone app beta rolls out Contacts bottom bar tab [U]

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 19, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Google’s Phone app is reintroducing a dedicated Contacts tab after its removal in the Material 3 Expressive redesign. The change arrives in the beta channel for version 243, with users instructed to force‑stop the app if the tab does not appear immediately. The update restores the tab to the bottom navigation bar, positioning it between Home and Keypad, and eliminates the previous shortcut in the navigation drawer. Other functions such as Settings, Clear call history, and Help & Feedback remain in the overflow menu. The rollout follows an August 2025 update that had consolidated navigation to Home, Keypad and Voicemail, pushing Contacts into the drawer and a Favorites carousel. Google says the reversal reflects heavy user reliance on quick contact access, though the stable channel has not yet received the change.

💡 Why It Matters

· Restoring the Contacts tab directly addresses user frustration with hidden contact access, improving efficiency for the app’s core dialing function.

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Samsung’s Android 18-based One UI 10 update sounds like it might be…

Samsung is reportedly developing One UI 10, an Android 18‑based overhaul that could be its most substantial update since One UI 7 in 2024. Leaks from the site Ice Universe claim the upgrade will deliver “significant changes, unprecedented in nature,” and the term “Galaxy OS” has also surfaced, though its origin remains unclear. The company’s recent releases have been modest: One UI 8 (Android 16) added minor tweaks, One UI 8.5 introduced Liquid Glass‑style visuals, and One UI 9 (Android 17) is a small incremental rollout. With Android 18 still under wraps, Samsung may adopt Google’s teased mesh gradients and progressive blurs, potentially expanding its design language. The update is expected later this year, following a pattern of yearly UI refreshes.

💡 A major UI revamp could re‑energize Samsung’s flagship experience, differentiating it from rivals that have already embraced advanced visual effects.

androidcentral.com · Oct 19

Early Galaxy S27 launch? Maybe, but Samsung has a few issues to…

Samsung may launch the Galaxy S27 series as early as January 2027, with February a likely fallback, according to tipster Lanzuk. The company is reportedly grappling with memory and storage uncertainties, particularly the implementation of UFS 5.0 and LPDDR6 for the S27 Pro and Ultra models. Earlier rumors suggested selective adoption of these upgrades, but recent reports indicate a broader push. Samsung’s internal challenges, including potential hardware overheating concerns and supply constraints, could delay the rollout. The timing aligns with Samsung’s pattern of early‑year flagship releases.

💡 A January launch would shift Samsung’s competitive window, forcing rivals to accelerate their own development cycles. The unresolved memory specifications could affect performance benchmarks and consumer adoption, potentially reshaping the flagship smartphone market.

9to5google.com · Oct 19

You should pick up this $850 Pixel 10 Pro XL over its…

Amazon is offering the 256 GB Pixel 10 Pro XL in Moonstone for $850, a $450 discount compared with the newer Pixel 11 Pro XL. The handset ships with a Tensor G5 processor, 8 GB of RAM and a slightly dimmer OLED panel, while the Pixel 11 version upgrades to a Tensor G6, a brighter display and a larger telephoto sensor. Buyers lose a year of software updates, as the Pixel 10 series is twelve months farther along its seven‑year support cycle, and miss exclusive features such as Google’s HiLight, Camera Looks and the AI‑driven Rambler tool. Nevertheless, the older model retains comparable storage, a larger RAM configuration than the base Pixel 11, and avoids the current AI‑induced RAM price surge, making it a compelling budget alternative for consumers seeking premium performance today.

💡 It gives cost‑conscious shoppers a way to obtain flagship‑level hardware without paying the premium caused by current AI‑related component shortages.

androidcentral.com · Oct 19

Samsung could double the phones in the Galaxy Z series: ‘Galaxy Z…

Samsung is reportedly planning to double its Galaxy Z foldable portfolio to six models by 2027, according to X tipster TheGalox and reported by 9to5Google. The lineup would begin with a successor to the short‑lived Z TriFold, dubbed the TriFold 2, followed by a new high‑end Fold 9 Pro positioned between the standard Fold 9 and Fold 9 Ultra. Existing models – Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra and Flip 8 – would remain alongside a anticipated Flip 9 and a novel “Galaxy Z Slide.” The Slide concept draws on Samsung Display’s CES 2025 prototypes, the Slidable Flex Duet and Solo, which expand a compact 8‑inch screen to 12.4‑inch or a 13‑inch screen to 17.3‑inch when extended. The rumors suggest a focus on thinner, lighter, more durable designs, though pricing could stay premium for early adopters.

💡 A successful Slide device would blur the line between phone and tablet, compelling competitors to explore new form‑factor strategies.

9to5google.com · Oct 19

I’ve struggled to use Samsung displays for years, but the Galaxy S27…

Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S27 may introduce a DC‑dimming option for its OLED display, according to a GSMArena leak. DC dimming replaces low‑frequency pulse‑width‑modulation (PWM) method that many users, including the author, report causes headaches, eye strain and nausea. The change would align Samsung with rivals such as Motorola, which already offers DC dimming, and could make the S27 the first Samsung flagship comfortable for PWM‑sensitive consumers. Samsung has historically favored PWM because it can deliver smoother dark‑level performance, marginally better battery efficiency and lower component cost. However, those advantages are irrelevant for users who cannot tolerate PWM at all. If Samsung proceeds, the S27 would become the only U.S. flagship with DC dimming, as Apple and Google have made limited adjustments.

💡 By finally offering DC dimming, Samsung could unlock its flagship line for a segment of users who have avoided the brand entirely, turning a long‑standing accessibility flaw into a competitive differentiator.

9to5google.com · Oct 19

Moto Tag 2 is no longer $19.99 as the UWB tracker gears…

Motorola’s Moto Tag 2, once discounted to $20, has reverted to its intended $29.99 price on both the company’s site and Amazon. The tracker, notable for its UWB capability, offers precise location fixes beyond standard Bluetooth pings, making it the most advanced Android Find Hub device. Competitors like Pebblebee and Chipolo cost $35–$40 but lack UWB. A 4‑pack remains available for $100, while Google’s upcoming Pixel Tag will debut at the same price, setting a direct price contest.

💡 The price reset signals a tightening market for UWB‑enabled trackers, forcing consumers to weigh early‑bird discounts against long‑term value. It also positions Moto and Google as direct rivals, potentially accelerating feature and price innovation in the Android tracking ecosystem.