Taking a look back at seven days of news and headlines across the world of Android, this week’s Android Circuit includes Samsung defeating Apple, an Olympic S21 5G, Samsung Z Roll leaks, Google’s I/O announcements, Android 12 beta released, Xiaomi Mi11 X Pro reviewed, Sony launches Xperia X10 III, and Google launches a new store.
Android Circuit is here to remind you of a few of the many things that have happened around Android in the last week (and you can find the weekly Apple news digest here).
Samsung Beats Apple
Samsung has scored a quiet victory over Apple. The latest Consumer Satisfaction Index survey puts Samsung ahead of Apple as a whole (81 vs 80), and there are six Galaxy handsets (including the mid-range A20) ahead of the chasing pack of iPhones:
"Apple has fallen below Samsung in customer satisfaction among U.S. consumers for the first time in years, according to the results of a new consumer satisfaction index. Samsung’s retained an American Consumer Satisfaction Index score of 81 in 2020, the same score it had a year prior. However, Apple's score dropped 2% year-over-year to 80, landing it in a three-way tie with Motorola and Google."
Will We See An Olympic Galaxy?
There’s going to be a new limited edition Galaxy S21 for the Olympics. NTT Docomo has announced the S21 Olympic Games Edition, based on the S21 5G model, as part of its New 2021 Collection. Assuming there is an Olympics…
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"The Galaxy S21 5G Olympic Games Edition is based on the standard Galaxy S21 5G model, meaning it has a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED display... while the official landing page for the Olympic Games Edition makes no mention of the chipset inside the device, it’s likely the Snapdragon 888 solution, given that the standard Galaxy S21 5G in Japan is powered by the same Qualcomm chipset.”
It Spins, It Folds, It Rolls, It Answers Calls
Samsung Display debuted a number of new screen technologies earlier this year for folding phones, sliding phones, and rolling phones. With a new trademark applied for, it looks like the latter could become a new super-smartphone design… the Samsung Z Roll:
"On May 18, 2021, Samsung Electronics filed a trademark for 'Z Roll'. The application is categorized as Class 9. From the description it can be concluded that it concerns a smartphone, which may also be used with Samsung 's S Pen.
"Based on the name 'Roll', it is very likely that this device will have a roll-up display. The 'Z' refers to the series, within the Galaxy Z series all smartphones with a folding screen are housed. This application shows that Samsung intends to place its rollable smartphones within the same series."
All The News From Google I/O
This week was Google’s big developer event/ I/O. Many of the updates announced were software based - such as the addition of 150,000 km of cycle paths in Google Maps, new password tools in Google Chrome, and new privacy controls based around the data used by your apps. Jason Cipriani rounds up the announcements:
"Most of the developer conference centers around announcements for tools and software that developers will soon have access to. But it's not all developer-focused. For example, Google we expect Google to show us a preview of Android 12, which features a revamped interface and privacy features that are sure to make everyday users happy."
Here Comes Your Next Android
Probably the key event at I/O was the launch of the Android 12 beta. Ron Amadeo has taken a closer look at the proposed operating system, noting the new Material You design ethos, new tools to allow developers to match their app to the selected Android theme, and improved power efficiency for longer battery standby times:
"Google's sizzle reel and mockups for the next version of Material Design, called "Material You," look great in canned videos and with carefully curated app mockups. But the real question is how quickly and comprehensively Google will implement Material You. If everything quickly gets a cohesive design, that's great—but if half of Google's apps are on the new design and half are on the old design, that's not so great."
More Mi11 Reviews
Xiaomi’s Mi11 family has a number of smartphones in it, covering a wide range of price points. The team at GSM Arena have reviewed the Mi11X Pro, which is is in the upper band of the mid-range, taking on the flagships at a lower price point. It’s very much a winner in its key market of India, but it’s middle of the pack in Europe:
"The display isn't 1440p as on the higher-specced Mi 11s, but it's still a 120Hz-capable Super AMOLED with HDR support and sky-high brightness. The camera system is almost the same as on the Mi 11 proper - an 108MP main unit (albeit a different, smaller sensor), an ultrawide (lower-res, but with equally fixed focus) and the same 5MP sort-of-tele macro that's better than most. A few dozen milliamp-hours in the battery capacity and 33W charging instead of 55W or 67W, meanwhile, are the definition of little downgrades as is the GG5 protection instead of Victus."
New Xperia In Town
Sony has announced its latest Xperia handset. The Xperia X10 III runs the SnapDragon 690, backed up by 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. Pricing on the handset is 429 Euros:
"The Xperia 10 III features the same 6.0-inch FHD+ OLED display as its predecessor. That means we’re still getting a 60Hz panel here. On the inside, the phone now uses a more capable Snapdragon 690 5G SoC, paired with 6GB RAM and 128GB UFS storage. On the back, you get a 12MP f/1.8 primary shooter flanked by two 8MP ultra-wide and telephoto sensors."
And Finally...
Following the highly visible success of the Apple Store, and the less well-remember Microsoft Store and Nokia Store, Google is preparing to open its own retail space. Google has worked on stores before, but of the pop-up variety rather than permanent options. The first ‘fixed’ store is expected to launch in New York’s Chelsea district, in the same complex as Google’s NY offices:
"Like the competition, the shopping experience will center on Google hardware products first — that means things like Pixel phones and various Nest home devices. Google’s product offerings are still fairly limited compared to the likes of Apple and Samsung, though the recent closing of its Fitbit acquisition should go a ways toward offering a bit more variety in its brightly lit aisles."
Android Circuit rounds up the news from the Android world every weekend here on Forbes. Don’t forget to follow me so you don’t miss any coverage in the future, and of course read the sister column in Apple Loop! Last week’s Android Circuit can be found here, and if you have any news and links you’d like to see featured in Android Circuit, get in touch!
The Link LonkMay 22, 2021 at 07:49AM
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Android Circuit: Samsung Beats Apple, Google’s Surprising Store, Galaxy Z Roll Leaks - Forbes
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