feedback by choosing better alternatives rather than being forced to tolerate software they dislike.

\- Devices can remain useful for longer, reducing unnecessary electronic waste and making hardware ownership more sustainable.

This does not mean manufacturers should be required to support every alternative operating system or provide unlimited technical assistance. It means they should not unnecessarily prevent users from making their own choices after purchasing the hardware.

If a manufacturer's software is genuinely good, users should have a reason to stay because they want to, not because they are technically prevented from leaving.

Why this matters

Smartphones contain personal communications, photographs, financial information, accounts, and other sensitive data. Users deserve to understand and control the software environment that handles that information.

We recognize that unrestricted modification can create security and support risks. However, those risks can be addressed through warnings, opt-in unlocking procedures, clear documentation, and user responsibility.

Software freedom can also encourage innovation. Independent developers and communities should be able to experiment with ways to improve, maintain, and extend the useful life of devices without unnecessary interference.

End-of-support should not mean end-of-ownership.

We ask manufacturers and policymakers to support a future in which people can repair, maintain, modify, and understand the devices they purchase.

A device should remain the user's device—even after the manufacturer moves on.

Let companies compete by making better software. Let users choose what deserves to stay on their devices.

https://c.org/cXZTxQxMkj (sign it for a change)

https://redd.it/1wdw5rc
@reddit_android

Did recent Google Maps updates tank performance in Android Auto?

I recently upgraded from a Pixel 8 to a Pixel 11 and have been generally happy with the transition. But one glaring issue that I've noticed after the switch is how poorly Google Maps performs on Android Auto.

I have tried it in both of my cars, both wired and wireless, and haven't noticed any difference between the two. Either way, Google Maps absolutely chugs and is constantly stuttering and hitching and appears to be running at a very low frame rate compared to what I was getting on my Pixel 8.

Now I can't say with certainty that this isn't an issue specific to the Pixel 11 and its underpowered GPU that potentially also came with unoptimized drivers. However, I have seen some other posts around in the last month or so talking about similarly poor performance on other devices after recent Google Maps updates. So now I'm just sending my feelers out here on Reddit to see how widespread the issue is and try to isolate the cause. I no longer have my Pixel 8 anymore to test and isolate whether or not my Pixel 11 is the actual culprit here.

Everything else in Android Auto seems normal and performant with no stuttering or lag when switching between apps or interacting with anything other than Google Maps itself. It seems like Google Maps is just straight up running at a really low frame rate and dropping frames.

https://redd.it/1wdqveo
@reddit_android

Kirin 9050 Pro Review: How Powerful Is the Huawei Mate XT 2? - Geekerwan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQRnAoAdwfA

https://redd.it/1wf9jvs
@reddit_android

The best flip smartphone is in a league of its own—Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 Review
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Ultra-lightweight-smartphone-powerhouse-with-a-6-9-inch-OLED-screen-Samsung-Galaxy-Z-Flip-8-review.1398173.0.html

https://redd.it/1wfgogz
@reddit_android

Through Jermaine's Lens - Google Pixel 11 Pro vs Vivo X300 Pro Camera Comparison
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiKIoy5sxLU

https://redd.it/1wf7ox4
@reddit_android

Ice Universe: Samsung Display has confirmed that the iQOO 16 will be the first Android smartphone to feature its M16 OLED display. This also means that the Pixel 11 series does not use an M16 OLED panel.
https://xcancel.com/UniverseIce/status/2099312007069782094

https://redd.it/1wfqezn
@reddit_android

Acer Iconia Duo D12 available in the US for $349.99, with Android 16 & 12.2”, 2.4K 90Hz display.
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Acer-releases-new-Android-tablet-with-2-4K-90Hz-display-8-000mAh-battery-and-metal-design.1398548.0.html

https://redd.it/1wfybp0
@reddit_android

Google's Folding Phone Is The Opposite Of Samsung's - MrMobile
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MD6_U_hMLt4

https://redd.it/1wgelwx
@reddit_android

Googlebook Pre-Order - September 21, 2026
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl0IBXrAfL8

https://redd.it/1wgendr
@reddit_android

Tengpai H1 Hands on Review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKNlz2GN82M

https://redd.it/1wgmgcb
@reddit_android

Poco F9 Pro review - GSMArena.com tests
https://www.gsmarena.com/poco_f9_pro-review-2997.php

https://redd.it/1wgetxp
@reddit_android

Sync your Samsung Gallery with your Google Account
https://support.google.com/photos/answer/17592870

https://redd.it/1wh3l9i
@reddit_android

Google Pixel Update - September 2026
https://support.google.com/pixelphone/thread/467705218/google-pixel-update-september-2026?hl=en&sjid=9781623011559941996-NC

https://redd.it/1wh841o
@reddit_android

Android 17 QPR1 brings new customization, multitasking, and digital wellbeing features: Here’s what’s new!

Hi Reddit!

Today, we’re releasing a minor update to the Android platform: Android 17 QPR1. Building on the initial release of Android 17, we continue to update the platform with fixes and improvements that are then rolled out to supported devices. These releases happen on a quarterly cadence through Quarterly Platform Releases (QPRs), which are delivered to Google Pixel devices as part of Pixel Drops.

This update is rolling out first to Pixel devices today, bringing refinements to the system UI, multitasking experience, media controls, peripheral support, Digital Wellbeing, and more. Since these refinements have made their way into the Android platform, you may see them in future updates from our Android partners — check with your device manufacturer to learn more about their update schedule.

For those of you who have been keeping up with our beta releases, a lot of this might not sound brand new. Even so, we wanted to take a moment to recap what’s new in Android 17 QPR1 for everyday users. Let’s dive in!

# 🧘 Stop app autopilot with Pause Point in Digital Wellbeing

We’ve all opened our phones just to check the weather and ended up doing something else on the phone for 45 minutes. You can set an app timer to limit your time in distracting apps, but it's way too easy to just hit snooze and ignore it. A total app lockout, on the other hand, might be too extreme and inconvenient. We wanted to create a middle ground option that stops us from opening apps on auto pilot and start using them with intention, which is why we made Pause Point.

https://preview.redd.it/vqz3cwso2qph1.png?width=2048&format=png&auto=webp&s=fddf5ef5762a9b8fb7788ce398e7dceef83fa0cc

When you open an app you've marked as distracting, Pause Point adds a brief delay that makes you ask yourself, "Why am I really here?" During that time, you can do a quick breathing exercise, look at a photo that grounds you (like your dog!), or jump to an alternative app like an audiobook.
We hope Pause Point can help you reclaim time to do more of what you really want to do. To enable it, open Settings > Digital Wellbeing and look for “Pause point” under “Ways to disconnect.”

# 🎨 New customization features & more UI polish

Expanded use of background blur

With the Material 3 Expressive redesign we introduced in Android 16, we subtly blurred the notification shade background to provide a sense of depth so you can stay aware of the apps you’re using in the background. In Android 17, we brought these blur effects to more parts of the system UI like the widgets picker, and in QPR1, we’ve brought it to additional surfaces including the volume panel, power menu, home screen context menu, app folders, and more.

https://preview.redd.it/fhaadyso2qph1.png?width=2048&format=png&auto=webp&s=339472cc1994c5b922f1a0e408b77958f583f3f2

https://preview.redd.it/bsxa28uo2qph1.png?width=2048&format=png&auto=webp&s=c9747e014afd03245b226281ef99a1f8bed1b100

Screen saver enhancements

Android 17 QPR1 allows you to select multiple screen savers and switch between them by swiping in from the edge of the display. To reduce swiping, you can either choose the order in which these screen savers are arranged in Settings or press and hold on any screen saver to open a quick switcher. 

https://reddit.com/link/1wh8n2e/video/t9l9eso03qph1/player

Customizing the vibration pattern for your ringtone

When your Android device rings for an incoming call, it typically vibrates to let you know — handy in case the ring volume is low or your device is in your pocket. For most ringtones, your device follows a standard vibration pattern, but for others, it vibrates in sync with the ringtone itself. This couldn’t be changed by the user — if a ringtone came with a custom

Android 17 QPR1 brings new customization, multitasking, and digital wellbeing features: Here’s what’s new!

Hi Reddit!

Today, we’re releasing a minor update to the Android platform: **Android 17 QPR1**. Building on the initial release of [Android 17](https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/1u7l1cw/android_17_is_out_and_heres_all_the_features/), we continue to update the platform with fixes and improvements that are then rolled out to supported devices. These releases happen on a quarterly cadence through Quarterly Platform Releases (QPRs), which are delivered to Google Pixel devices as part of Pixel Drops.

This update is rolling out first to Pixel devices today, bringing refinements to the system UI, multitasking experience, media controls, peripheral support, Digital Wellbeing, and more. Since these refinements have made their way into the Android platform, you may see them in future updates from our Android partners — check with your device manufacturer to learn more about their update schedule.

For those of you who have been keeping up with our beta releases, a lot of this might not sound brand new. Even so, we wanted to take a moment to recap what’s new in Android 17 QPR1 for everyday users. Let’s dive in!

# 🧘 Stop app autopilot with Pause Point in Digital Wellbeing

We’ve all opened our phones just to check the weather and ended up doing something else on the phone for 45 minutes. You can set an app timer to limit your time in distracting apps, but it's way too easy to just hit snooze and ignore it. A total app lockout, on the other hand, might be too extreme and inconvenient. We wanted to create a middle ground option that stops us from opening apps on auto pilot and start using them with intention, which is why we made **Pause Point**.

https://preview.redd.it/vqz3cwso2qph1.png?width=2048&format=png&auto=webp&s=fddf5ef5762a9b8fb7788ce398e7dceef83fa0cc

When you open an app you've marked as distracting, Pause Point adds a brief delay that makes you ask yourself, "Why am I really here?" During that time, you can do a quick breathing exercise, look at a photo that grounds you (like your dog!), or jump to an alternative app like an audiobook.
We hope Pause Point can help you reclaim time to do more of what you really want to do. To enable it, open Settings > Digital Wellbeing and look for “Pause point” under “Ways to disconnect.”

# 🎨 New customization features & more UI polish

**Expanded use of background blur**

With the [Material 3 Expressive redesign](https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/platforms/android/material-3-expressive-android-wearos-launch/) we introduced in Android 16, we subtly blurred the notification shade background to provide a sense of depth so you can stay aware of the apps you’re using in the background. In Android 17, we brought these blur effects to more parts of the system UI like the widgets picker, and in QPR1, we’ve brought it to additional surfaces including the volume panel, power menu, home screen context menu, app folders, and more.

https://preview.redd.it/fhaadyso2qph1.png?width=2048&format=png&auto=webp&s=339472cc1994c5b922f1a0e408b77958f583f3f2

https://preview.redd.it/bsxa28uo2qph1.png?width=2048&format=png&auto=webp&s=c9747e014afd03245b226281ef99a1f8bed1b100

**Screen saver enhancements**

Android 17 QPR1 allows you to **select multiple screen savers** and switch between them by swiping in from the edge of the display. To reduce swiping, you can either choose the order in which these screen savers are arranged in Settings or press and hold on any screen saver to open a quick switcher. 

https://reddit.com/link/1wh8n2e/video/t9l9eso03qph1/player

**Customizing the vibration pattern for your ringtone**

When your Android device rings for an incoming call, it typically vibrates to let you know — handy in case the ring volume is low or your device is in your pocket. For most ringtones, your device follows a standard vibration pattern, but for others, it vibrates in sync with the ringtone itself. This couldn’t be changed by the user — if a ringtone came with a custom

pattern, Android followed it; otherwise, the standard pattern was used.

With Android 17 QPR1, however, we’ve introduced support for **changing the vibration pattern for each ringtone**. For most ringtones, this means you won’t be limited to the default anymore. For ringtones with custom vibration patterns, you now have the option to either stick with the synced pattern or pick a different one that doesn’t match the ringtone — the choice is yours.

https://preview.redd.it/552ojxso2qph1.png?width=2048&format=png&auto=webp&s=ba502e3b953b98e288c2931208c4023230089f1b

**Miscellaneous UI changes**

Additionally, we’ve made the following minor UI changes:

* **Bouncier Quick Settings pulldown:** The Material 3 Expressive redesign introduced a system of more natural, springy animations, and with Android 17 QPR1, we’ve made the animation that plays when pulling down the Quick Settings panel slightly bouncier. I think it’s delightful!

https://reddit.com/link/1wh8n2e/video/oa15ujl33qph1/player

* **Predictive back animations for Quick Settings:** When you pull down the Quick Settings panel, you can now see a preview of where the back swipe will take you. This also applies to the notification shade, which now supports the back gesture.
* **Home screen context menu redesign:** There's no longer any separation between the menu items, and the “Wallpaper & style” label has been shifted above the recent wallpaper carousel.
* **Settings icon redesign:** Android’s iconic Settings icon has been redesigned to look more modern.

# 🖥 Improvements to multitasking & productivity

Here are some of the ways we’ve enhanced multitasking in Android 17 QPR1:

* **Recent apps in the taskbar**
* On large screen devices, the taskbar now shows recent apps instead of algorithmically predicted apps. 

https://reddit.com/link/1wh8n2e/video/0nkzeeu53qph1/player

* **More customization for the Terminal app**
* The [Terminal app](https://source.android.com/docs/core/virtualization/usecases#linux-development-environment), which provides a terminal interface to a Linux development environment on compatible devices, has some new customization options in Android 17 QPR1. This includes the ability to customize the font and color scheme, remap keyboard shortcuts, and enable auto-forwarding of all port requests from the VM.
* **Desktop windowing mode changes**
* In desktop windowing mode, the fullscreen, split-screen, and desktop windowing shortcuts can now be accessed by hovering over the maximize button rather than clicking on the overflow menu in the header bar.
* Plus, picture-in-picture (PiP) windows now freely float in desktop windowing so you can drag them anywhere on screen and they'll stay there. Previously, they'd snap to the left or right edge of the screen.
* **Bubbles now support drag-and-drop**
* You can now drag content directly out of a floating bubble and drop it into a window below it.

https://reddit.com/link/1wh8n2e/video/k51p3fx73qph1/player

* **New note-taking shortcuts**
* A new Quick Settings tile has been added to instantly open your default note-taking app. In addition, when you connect a mouse or touchpad, you can now configure the corner shortcut to launch the default note-taking app.

# 🎵 Enhanced controls for your media

Here are some of the subtle ways we’ve enhanced media controls in Android 17 QPR1:

* **Redesigned media player carousel**
* We’ve revamped the media player carousel to make it easier to switch between media sessions. We’ve dropped the old pagination dots and arrow in favor of swiping, with the edge of the next card slightly peeking out as a visual cue. Additionally, the media output switcher now features an updated, outlined button design with a Cast glyph.

https://reddit.com/link/1wh8n2e/video/s9e17au93qph1/player

* **Changes to the screen recording toolbar**
* When you tap the screen recording shortcut in Quick Settings, the screen recorder now defaults to capturing your most recently opened app rather than the entire screen. You can switch back to recording the entire screen from the

dropdown menu.
* **Photo Picker location access**
* A [new API](https://developer.android.com/reference/android/provider/MediaStore#EXTRA_REQUEST_LOCATION_METADATA_ACCESS) allows apps, with your permission, to access location info from the photos you share with them via the Android Photo Picker. It arrives with the latest update to the Photo Picker, shipping out of the box in Android 17 QPR1 and rolling out to existing devices with the August 2026 Mainline update. For more information, please refer to [this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/androiddev/comments/1vuk8fr/introducing_the_location_metadata_api_for_the/).

# 🖱 More control over your input devices, health data, & network connectivity

Finally, here are some of the ways we’re improving support for input devices, health data, and network access in Android 17 QPR1:

* **Human interface device (HID) access**
* Using [new APIs](https://developer.android.com/reference/android/hardware/hid/package-summary), applications can now communicate directly with connected USB and Bluetooth peripherals without needing custom system drivers. This would allow accessory manufacturers to build companion apps that allow you to natively remap mouse buttons, program keyboard shortcuts, and more directly on your Android device. For your security, apps need your permission before they can access HIDs.
* **Improved USB access memory** 
* When an app wants to access a connected USB device, Android now gives you the option to choose to grant one-time access or always allow access.

https://preview.redd.it/w8pf71to2qph1.png?width=1333&format=png&auto=webp&s=60b4f4c7612b0f85a2d98e04d24e9d8672cfec33

* **Keyboard switching improvements**
* You can now hide the keyboard switcher button (the globe icon) from the navigation bar. Look for the “show the keyboard switcher button” toggle under Keyboard settings. Additionally, we’ve added a new “Keyboard” Quick Setting tile. Tapping it opens the keyboard switcher.

https://preview.redd.it/kcgd51to2qph1.png?width=1341&format=png&auto=webp&s=27accd934631d8875852d745ec4cb542a3533542

* **Time format enhancements**
* We've updated the time format settings, replacing the old 24-hour toggle with a 3-way selector (Automatic, 12-hour format, 24-hour format). The “automatic” option changes the time format based on app language.
* **Health Connect distance and calorie tracking**
* In Android 17 QPR1, Health Connect can now natively track distance and calories using your device’s step tracker. 
* **Improvements to the mobile data toggle**
* We heard your feedback about the mobile data toggle in Android 17, so we added an option to skip the warning that appears every time you try to turn on mobile data.

https://preview.redd.it/8uzz79uo2qph1.png?width=2048&format=png&auto=webp&s=e13c1fd8323e93f258c723ac5e04b505de9144b7

# 🪲 Bug fixes & security patches

Refer to the [Android Security Bulletin](https://source.android.com/docs/security/bulletin/2026/2026-09-01) for details on the security vulnerabilities addressed with this platform release.

\---------------------------

Look forward to more updates to Android 17 this year, including another quarterly release coming in Q4. Please continue to share your feedback about these Android releases to help us identify and fix issues, and make the platform even better!



https://redd.it/1wh8n2e
@reddit_android

MediaTek Dimensity 9600 Pro Sets New Standard for Flagship Smartphone Chips
https://www.mediatek.com/press-room/mediatek-dimensity-9600-pro-sets-new-standard-for-flagship-smartphone-chips

https://redd.it/1whd63u
@reddit_android

September Pixel Drop: New Pixel VIP updates, Pixel Watch features, and more
https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/devices/pixel/september-2026-pixel-drop/

https://redd.it/1wh8bzh
@reddit_android

The Samsung Galaxy A18 4G launches with a new chipset, IP64 rating and a notch
https://www.gsmarena.com/the_samsung_galaxy_a18_4g_launches_with_a_new_chipset_ip64_rating_and_a_notch-news-74622.php

https://redd.it/1whp4f6
@reddit_android

Samsung Begins Official Rollout of One UI 9, Bringing the Latest Galaxy Experiences to More Devices
https://news.samsung.com/global/samsung-begins-official-rollout-of-one-ui-9-bringing-the-latest-galaxy-experiences-to-more-devices

https://redd.it/1whz7f7
@reddit_android