Samsung’s next cheap phone will have a much bigger battery than the Galaxy S26 Ultra

9to5google.com Nov 6, 2026

Samsung’s next cheap phone will have a much bigger battery than the Galaxy S26 Ultra

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Nov 6, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Samsung is set to launch the Galaxy A38, a mid‑range handset that will house a 6,000 mAh battery, according to GalaxyClub. The capacity represents a 20 percent increase over the 5,000 mAh cells that have powered recent Galaxy A series models and also exceeds the battery size of the current flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra by the same margin. While competitors such as Honor have already introduced phones with 10,000 mAh packs, the upgrade marks Samsung’s first major step toward larger batteries in its mainstream lineup. The move follows the company’s recent adoption of silicon‑carbon technology in foldable devices, suggesting a broader strategy to improve endurance. The A38 is expected to arrive in early 2027, with the Galaxy S27 rumored to receive modest battery enhancements.

💡 Why It Matters

· By equipping a budget device with flagship‑level endurance, Samsung aims to reshape consumer expectations for mid‑range phones and leverage battery size as a differentiator in a crowded market.

Read full article on 9to5google.com

Google’s Find Hub just got a feature that could save you from…

Google is rolling out a new “Notify when left behind” feature for Bluetooth trackers linked to Android’s Find Hub app. The update sends a push alert when a user moves away from an item—such as a wallet, keys or bag—equipped with a compatible tracker. The capability mirrors Apple’s long‑standing left‑behind alerts in its Find My network, marking the first time Android offers comparable functionality. Find Hub, refreshed last year with a unified interface for devices, trackers and people, now includes a setting that users can enable per tracker. At launch the feature supports only Bluetooth tags, not headphones or other accessories, though Google may broaden support later. The change aims to reduce everyday misplacements for Android users and improve daily productivity.

💡 Matching Apple’s alert system closes a key feature gap, giving Android users a reliable way to prevent forgotten valuables.

9to5google.com · Nov 6

The Android 17 ColorOS 17 update is coming to 6 more OnePlus…

OnePlus will roll out ColorOS 17 on six additional devices this month, including the OnePlus Open foldable, as the company fully transitions from OxygenOS to Oppo’s software brand. The update schedule, posted by ColorOS Global on X, lists the OnePlus 12R, OnePlus 11, and OnePlus Pad 2 among the 13 devices slated for December and early 2027. The change reflects the long‑standing integration of OnePlus and Oppo software teams, with updates now synchronized across both brands. Users are urged to check for the update multiple times during the rollout window.

💡 The shift to ColorOS signals OnePlus’s deeper alignment with Oppo, potentially streamlining support and feature parity across their device lineups. This consolidation may influence how quickly new Android enhancements reach consumers.

androidcentral.com · Nov 6

Samsung’s toughest Galaxy phone just got Android 17 — here’s how to…

Samsung has begun rolling out the Android 17‑based One UI 9 update to US‑locked Galaxy XCover 7 Pro devices. The firmware, identified as G766USQUADZJ7, follows a South Korean launch and adds Quick Settings customization, a location‑privacy indicator, upgraded Samsung Notes, new Samsung DeX features, and a dedicated Warranty and Care section in Settings. The rugged phone, originally shipped with One UI 7 on Android 15, now receives its second major OS upgrade. Unlocked models will receive the update later, but Samsung promises seven years of security patches for the XCover 7 Pro, extending its appeal to enterprise users. Owners can verify availability via Settings → Software update → Check for updates. The update also improves battery‑saving algorithms and introduces native support for dual‑SIM management on the device.

💡 Seven‑year security support turns the XCover 7 Pro into a rare, long‑life Android asset, letting businesses standardize on a single rugged platform without frequent replacement cycles.

androidcentral.com · Nov 6

OnePlus sets Android 17 rollout dates, but there’s a bigger change coming

OnePlus has published a detailed Android 17 rollout schedule, confirming November start dates for six devices. The OnePlus 13R will begin receiving the update on November 5, followed by the OnePlus 12 on November 17, the OnePlus Pad 3 on November 18, the OnePlus Open on November 24, and the Nord 6 and Nord CE 6 on November 26. The update also marks the final release of OxygenOS, as OnePlus will migrate supported phones to OPPO’s ColorOS 17. ColorOS 17, built on Android 17, adds refined UI, smoother animations, performance tweaks and AI‑driven features, and promises tighter cross‑device continuity. Additional models, including the OnePlus 11, 12R and Nord 5, are slated for December, while a broader batch of 13 devices will roll out through early 2027 in the coming months ahead.

💡 By consolidating OxygenOS into ColorOS, OnePlus streamlines software development and delivers a unified AI‑centric experience across its expanding device lineup.

9to5google.com · Nov 5

Phone by Google 246 beta brings gradient icon redesign on Android

Google’s Phone by Google app has entered beta version 246, featuring a refreshed gradient icon that enlarges the handset slightly and removes the darker blue shade. The new design uses lighter gradients for the earpiece and mouthpiece, giving the icon a crisper, flatter appearance that aligns with the modern aesthetic of Google’s ecosystem. No functional changes accompany the update, and the stable release is expected in the coming weeks. Users can opt into the beta via the Play Store listing.

💡 The icon overhaul signals Google’s commitment to visual consistency across its suite, potentially influencing user perception of brand cohesion.

androidcentral.com · Nov 5

Honor’s battery plans look stunning—tests might’ve started with 15,000mAh capacity

Honor is reportedly testing a new phone battery with a capacity between 14,000 and 15,000 mAh, a significant jump from its current 8,800 mAh silicon‑carbon batteries. The tipster claims the battery could last a full week on a single charge, positioning it as the phone’s main feature. Honor previously announced a shift toward larger batteries in 2025, and the rumored unit would maintain efficiency while remaining compact. The development follows the launch of the Magic 9 Pro Max, which introduced 8,800 mAh power and 100 W wired charging.

💡 A week‑long battery would redefine endurance expectations for flagship smartphones, potentially shifting market focus from fast charging to sustained usage. This move could pressure competitors to innovate beyond current capacity limits.