The Calm Before the Storm

I always feel a little bit of dread during this time of year. Summertime in the Northern Hemisphere signifies the beginning of the New Smartphone Season. First up are Samsung's new line of foldables, expected to be revealed next week in Brooklyn, New York (I'll be there!). Then it's followed by Google's updated Pixels either later this month or sometime in August (I don't know!) and Apple's refresh of the iPhone lineup in September (we always expect it right after Labor Day).

It's the metronome to which I've lived life since I started covering smartphones nearly 12 years ago. Granted, the cadence we have now has only been in place since last year—I used to expect Pixels after the iPhone in October—but I quickly accepted it as par for the course. I try not to plan any major summer vacations during this time. I hate summer travel, anyway. It's hot nearly everywhere I'd want to go in the world, not to mention absurdly crowded and expensive. All I see is a lot of you miserable and sweating in major cities and countries that are already too overrun with tourists. I may also be sweating and miserable, but at least I'm at home, surrounded by air conditioning and my comforts. I will be leaning heavily on those same comforts to get me through New Smartphone Season.

It's a short week in the U.S. due to the Fourth of July holiday, so I'll also keep the newsletter concise. Frankly, I need the rest. I'm headed out of here to New York on Sunday, and there are lots of moving parts to wrangle. But you know what that means for you? Next week's newsletter will be jam-packed with details on Samsung's newest foldables, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7. I also hear that a new smartwatch is coming down the pipeline. And there are some claims that Samsung's tri-foldable will make its leaky debut on the Unpacked show floor. Stay tuned to Android Faithful next week. Until then, rest and enjoy some pie.

💚 This week on Android Faithful

It's alliteration-heavy in episode number 101! It's a full house with Huyen, Mishaal, Jason, and Ron as they discuss the new Nothing hardware that debuted. Also, why is Japan banning the Pixel?!

A short week full of links to click!

• I know I didn't mention it in the main newsletter, but I didn't forget about the Nothing Phone (3) and its matching headphones! That debuted this week at an event in London. Details of the $800 flagship phone are out, and Ron went hands-on with the Headphones (1) on this week's AF
• I saw this day coming when Android stopped being cheeky with its version names. Exciting Android updates are officially dunzo. It's all about maintenance mode now
• Android users, you will finally be able to edit the mean things you regret texting your iPhone-using friends. I mean, I hope you manage to edit it before they see it
• People are doing the worst things with Google's Veo 3. Content warning up ahead for sensitive material
• This teaser on X (vomit) is hyping everyone up for a possible tri-fold reveal at next week's Samsung Unpacked. Honestly, I don't see it, but the comments are hilarious because they're a bunch of people asking Samsung for tech help instead of fawning over the supposed tease
• Google got in big trouble in California for misusing Android users' cell phone data. The company will likely appeal, though, so don't expect a payout quite yet