Third-party app stores will soon be available through the Google Play Store in the US

Running an app store is a profitable business – one that platform makers are keen to protect. That used to be the case with Google too, but the conclusion of a 6-year legal battle with Epic Games has come to a surprise ending that will make third-party app stores that much more accessible. The story started in 2020 when Epic sued Google, alleging that Google held a monopoly in the Android app distribution market and in-app billing services. A jury sided with Epic, but this then went through an appeal process until, eventually, the two companies reached a settlement agreement in...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/starting_next_week_thirdparty_app_stores_will_be_available_through_the_google_play_store_in_the_us-news-73735.php

Samsung teases Flex Titanium tech, a key innovation for its next-gen foldables

The Galaxy Z Fold7 featured a third generation of Armor FlexHinge, which was 27% thinner and 43% lighter than the hinge inside the Z Fold6. Now the company is introducing the next innovation that will make foldable displays even tougher and slimmer while minimizing the crease – Flex Titanium. This is just a preview of what is to come on Wednesday next week. The Flex Titanium technology promises a more refined viewing experience for the new Z Folds, while making the display more resistant to external shocks and the wear and tear of being folded and unfolded hundreds of thousands of...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_introduces_flex_titanium_a_key_innovation_for_its_nextgen_foldables-news-73709.php

Huawei Pura 90s Pro hands-on: a look at the more compact option in the duo

Huawei just announced its new Pura 90s phones - the Pura 90s Pro and the Pura 90s Pro Max. Two very similar phones but for slightly different crowds. Of course, the Pro Max gives you all the top-end features while the 90s Pro comes in a more compact footprint with minimal trade-offs. We already did a detailed hands-on of the Pura 90s Pro Max showing what the camera system is capable of. Huawei Pura 90s Pro The most notable difference between the two devices is the display size. The Pura 90s Pro gets a 6.6-inch screen, but doesn't skimp on the features. Just like the Pura 90s...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_pura_90s_pro_handson-news-73723.php

China smartphone market shrank in Q2, but Huawei and Apple bucked the trend

Omdia released its global smartphone market share report for the second quarter of this year (April-June) yesterday, and today it's following up with the picture for the Mainland China market. Overall shipments have declined by 2% compared to Q2 2025. Despite that, both Huawei and Apple have managed to grow their shipments and market shares. As you can see below, Huawei shipped a record 15.2 million devices for a 23% market share, up from 12.2 million and 18%, respectively, in the year-ago quarter. Apple, on the other hand, shipped 12.4 million iPhones for a 19% market share, up...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/china_smartphone_market_shrank_in_q2_but_huawei_and_apple_bucked_the_trend-news-73712.php

The biggest change rumored for the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra may not be happening

Back in April a rumor from Korea claimed that Samsung was redesigning the rears of the entire Galaxy S27 family, with the camera island being moved around in order for the company to be able to finally fit magnets for wireless charging to its flagship phones. A few days later the speculative render seen below emerged, purportedly showing the design of the Galaxy S27 Ultra (which is also expected to come with only three cameras). However, today a new rumor from Korea claims that Samsung hasn't decided anything yet. This source says all of the rumored designs (including the one...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/the_biggest_change_rumored_for_the_samsung_galaxy_s27_ultra_may_not_be_happening-news-73722.php

New Google Pixel 11 renders show it in three colors

Google is announcing the Pixel 11 family on August 12, and we've already seen the Pixel 11 in CAD-based renders a while back. Now, three new renders have surfaced seemingly depicting the device in three different colors. These have been found on Amazon as part of listings that appear to be placeholders or drafts for the upcoming device. The listings in question are sold and shipped by Amazon itself and show as part of the Google Store on the platform. Google Pixel 11 renders However, the names of these colors don't quite match what has been leaked so far. They are called...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/new_google_pixel_11_renders_show_it_in_three_colors-news-73696.php