Pixel VIPs 2.0 redesign starts rolling out with fullscreen look

9to5google.com Sep 21, 2026

Pixel VIPs 2.0 redesign starts rolling out with fullscreen look

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 21, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Pixel VIPs 2.0 begins rolling out after last week’s Feature Drop, introducing a full‑screen contact view that replaces the previous bottom‑sheet slide. The new layout places call, message, video, and contact buttons near the top, with an outline‑style icon set and a pencil icon for quick Google Contacts edits. “Local updates” now appears above “Last connection,” and the “Notes” section moves to the bottom after media and place recommendations are removed. A pill‑shaped VIP switcher lets users toggle contacts without returning to the home screen. The redesigned widget, featuring quick‑action space, is still previewed but not yet live.

💡 Why It Matters

· The shift to a full‑screen contact interface signals Google’s focus on streamlined, one‑handed interaction, potentially redefining how users access key communication tools on Pixel devices.

Read full article on 9to5google.com

Googlebook hands-on: What makes a laptop, a laptop? [Video]

Google has officially released its first wave of Googlebooks, five laptops running Googlebook OS. Prices start at $899, with models from Dell, HP, ASUS, Lenovo, and Acer. All feature 120 Hz touchscreens, 16 GB of RAM, and either Intel Core Ultra or Snapdragon X Elite processors. The lineup shows improved build quality and performance compared to past Chromebooks, with standout models from Dell XPS and HP. The devices lack expandable storage and carry a premium price tag, but deliver a responsive Android experience.

💡 The launch signals Google’s push to redefine the laptop market with high‑end Android hardware, offering a touch‑centric alternative to traditional Windows and macOS machines.

9to5google.com · Sep 21

Motorola teases high-end ‘Signature 27’ with a wild-looking design

Motorola unveiled a preview of its upcoming high‑end “Signature 27” smartphone on Instagram, revealing a bold new design that departs from the brand’s previous models. The teaser shows four camera lenses arranged in two rows on the top, curving into a slimmer profile below, a configuration unseen in current market offerings. The company claims the device is engineered to the highest standards and hints it will run a new Snapdragon chip, tying the reveal to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit. The post signals Motorola’s intent to re‑establish itself in the premium segment.

💡 By showcasing a radically different camera layout and hinting at cutting‑edge Snapdragon hardware, Motorola signals a strategic pivot toward high‑end innovation, potentially reshaping competitive dynamics in the premium smartphone market.

androidcentral.com · Sep 21

Vivo’s X500 Pro Max just became the camera phone to beat

Harish Jonnalagadda, Android Central’s Senior Editor, has spent over a decade covering Android devices, beginning his tech career with Windows XP tweaks and PC hardware reviews. He transitioned to mobile journalism after adopting the Nexus 4, and has since led coverage of Chinese phone brands, audio gear, networking hardware, and storage servers. His engineering background and extensive hands‑on experience give him a unique perspective on the evolution of Google’s platform and the rise of Chinese manufacturers.

💡 Jonnalagadda’s deep, long‑term engagement with Android and Chinese brands provides readers with authoritative insights into market trends that shape global smartphone innovation.

9to5google.com · Sep 21

Here’s the OnePlus 16 that you probably won’t be able to buy…

OnePlus unveiled the design of its upcoming OnePlus 16, confirming that the handset will launch exclusively in China as the brand withdraws from most overseas markets. The teaser campaign features a new landing page and visual cues reminiscent of the OnePlus 15, but introduces three fresh colorways—Dark Forest, Tomorrow Starlight and Mars Masterpiece—each with distinct finishes, including an orange topographic pattern and a blue‑silver variant with illuminated rear accents of uncertain purpose. Oppo’s Chinese online store lists four storage options: 12 GB RAM/256 GB, 12 GB/512 GB, 16 GB/512 GB and 16 GB/1 TB. No global rollout is planned, marking a shift from OnePlus’s historic “Never Settle” worldwide availability. Pricing details remain undisclosed, but the configurations suggest a premium price bracket aimed at power users seeking flagship performance.

💡 By restricting the OnePlus 16 to China, OnePlus underscores a strategic pivot that could alter the competitive dynamics of premium Android smartphones worldwide.

microwire.info · Sep 21

The Power Shift in Your Pocket: Inside Asia’s Big Battery and Hardware…

Over the past week, Southeast Asian hardware makers emphasized endurance and practicality. In Malaysia, Oppo launched the A7 Pro 5G and A7 Pro Max 5G, the latter featuring an ultra‑thin 10,000 mAh battery, 80 W fast charging that reaches full capacity in 91 minutes and a 5‑minute 11 % boost, plus reverse wired charging and a 50‑megapixel front camera. Honor responded with the X9e Pro, equipped with an 11,000 mAh cell, IP68/69/69K protection and a 108‑megapixel primary sensor, targeting travelers and remote workers. Vietnam completed the nationwide shutdown of 2G base stations, freeing the 900 MHz band for future 4G/5G auctions aimed at underserved provinces. Singapore’s LG introduced the WallFit air purifier, a wall‑mounted unit that preserves apartment space while delivering multi‑stage filtration. Meanwhile, Vivo filed regulatory paperwork for its upcoming X500 flagship series, hinting at advanced telephoto optics and custom imaging silicon for the Chinese market.

💡 The battery breakthroughs redefine mid‑range smartphones as reliable tools for on‑the‑go professionals, while Vietnam’s spectrum reallocation accelerates high‑speed connectivity in rural areas.

sundayguardianlive.com · Sep 21

iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Check Price, Camera,…

Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro Max and Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra were compared in seven evaluation rounds. The iPhone won in design, camera, performance, and battery, while Samsung edged out in display resolution and software/AI features. Both 256 GB models launch at $1,299 in the U.S. The iPhone weighs 249 g with an 8.75 mm thickness; the Galaxy is lighter at 214 g and 7.9 mm thick. Samsung offers a higher‑resolution screen, 200 MP primary sensor, and S Pen, whereas the iPhone delivers a 48 MP camera system, 120 Hz ProMotion display, and 3,000‑nit brightness. Prices in India range from ₹79,999 to ₹1,79,900.

💡 The head‑to‑head battle shows how Apple prioritizes ecosystem integration and battery longevity, while Samsung pushes hardware extremes like resolution and zoom. This split focus informs consumers on which flagship best matches their priorities.