Droid Life: Opinionated Android news.

Samsung August Update: Galaxy S24 Series See New Build

Kellen August 18, 2025

Samsung and Verizon have released a new software update for the Samsung Galaxy S24 series that applies the latest Android security patches. This is minor, just so we are clear, as the Galaxy S24 is simply waiting for its One UI 8 update that is now in beta....

Galaxy Buds 3 FE Official With Audio Upgrades, Priced at $149

Tim August 18, 2025 5

There's a fresh entry into Samsung's audio hardware lineup, the Galaxy Buds 3 FE. Priced at a completely reasonable $149, these buds sport a similar blade design to the Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro, but have been outfitted with various upgrades to ensure you'...

Why is Everyone Leaving Verizon?

Kellen August 15, 2025 78

Several anti-customer changes from Verizon in recent weeks have not sat well with their vocal, very-much-online customer base. We've documented the conversation plenty from the minute the changes started rolling out, but a fresh question popped up this week...

Gmail Gets “Mark as Read” in Notification and Life is Complete

Kellen August 15, 2025 12

Sometimes the smallest change can bring the biggest moments of happiness. The proof in that idea is the addition of a "Mark as read" shortcut in Gmail notifications on Android, which appears to be widely rolling out after slow-rolling for something like 2...

Google Contacts Adds More Customizable “Calling Card” Feature

Kellen August 15, 2025 3

Google is slow rolling out a new feature to Google Contacts that will let you better customize the calling cards that show when your favorite contacts call you. No, this isn't at all like Apple's fancy Contact Poster feature that lets you customize your own...

Galaxy Note 20 Keeps Getting Updates, New Update for Galaxy Z Fold 6 Too

Kellen August 14, 2025 1

A couple of new Samsung updates are rolling out this week. The seemingly supported-for-life Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is getting a fresh update, while the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 are enjoying new builds with it. None of the updates are bringing anything new...

Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3.1 Update Released With Tons of Bug Fixes

Kellen August 14, 2025 6

Google gave us the Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3 update a month ago and there were a handful of bugs to squash from the previous beta. Today, Google released the QPR1 3.1 update and the list of bugs fixed stretches to 20+. For what should be a smallish update, this...

Everything About the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is Here

Kellen August 14, 2025 13

Google gave us an official look at its upcoming Pixel 10 Pro Fold yesterday through a teaser video (here). The video didn't reveal any noteworthy details, we just know that it's going to be a device that will look very similar to last year's Pixel 9 Pro Fold....

Google Decides That Google Assistant Can Stick Around a Bit Longer, Pushes Gemini Switch to 2026

Kellen December 19, 2025 13

You may have forgotten the timeline, but Google was pushing to force all off of Google Assistant and onto Gemini by the end...

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What’s New in Android 16 QPR3 Beta: At a Glance, Flashlight, Navigation Buttons, More

Kellen December 18, 2025 13

Google may have released Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1 at the worst possible time of the day, but we're still going to dive into it...

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Android 16 QPR3 Beta Program Goes Live for Pixel Devices

Kellen December 17, 2025 13

Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1 released. Google shipped Android 16 QPR2 to stable channels this month as the December Pixel update,...

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Verizon Pixel 8, Pixel 9, and Pixel 10 Devices Get New December Update (Updated)

Kellen December 17, 2025 13

All of Google's still-supported Pixel devices received a huge QPR2 update in early December with new features and tons of bug...

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Google Makes Controversial Pixel Search Bar Change

Kellen December 17, 2025 13

Within the past several days, a group of Pixel owners noticed a change to the way the Search bar at the bottom of their Pixel...

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Samsung December Updates Continue Roll Out to All These Devices

Kellen December 17, 2025 13

Samsung started sending December updates to a batch of devices earlier in the week, but they weren't quite done with 2025....

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Galaxy Z TriFold Sells Out Quick in South Korea, Even With High Price Tag

Tim December 12, 2025 13

We shouldn't be surprised, folks. Samsung launched the Galaxy Z TriFold this week in its home country of South Korea, with in...

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YouTube TV Will Offer 10 Genre-Specific Plans in 2026

Tim December 10, 2025 13

More choice and more flexibility. That's what everyone has been clamoring for lately. If you'll recall, YouTube TV used to be...

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Google’s Latest Ad Pokes at iPhone for Copying Its Features, iPhone 17 Rumors

Kellen May 6, 2025

The iPhone 17 won't arrive for months, likely after Google releases its Pixel 10 series. For the most part, all talk around...

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Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro Unboxing and Tour!

Kellen October 11, 2023

Some of you have been lucky enough to receive your Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro pre-orders a day early, thanks to Google's wildly...

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Pixel Watch 2 Unboxing and Tour!

Kellen October 11, 2023

The Pixel Watch 2 has been on my wrist for a full week and my list of notes has only grown. I've tested sleep tracking, put...

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Video: Galaxy Z Flip 5, Z Fold 5 Unboxing!

Tim July 27, 2023

Samsung was gracious enough to send us its latest foldables devices, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5. Naturally,...

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Google Pixel 7a Unboxing and Tour!

Kellen May 10, 2023

Because the Google Pixel 7a is available today for you to run out and buy at $499, you may not want to wait around for our...

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VIDEO: Galaxy S23 Ultra Unboxing!

Tim February 3, 2023

Unboxing time, baby! We have the Galaxy S23 Ultra in-house, a bit before they're set to make their way to buyers later this...

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Pixel 7 Pro: First 10 Things to Do!

Tim October 13, 2022

Fancy new Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro just show up at your doorstep? Perfect, then this video is for you. As is tradition, we've...

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Pixel Watch: First 10 Things To Do!

Kellen October 13, 2022

The day that most of you will receive your Google Pixel Watch from pre-orders is here. It's time for you to slap Google's...

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