NEWS
Android 16 Beta 2 arrives with cool camera features
Google is testing Android 16 for the entire Android ecosystem, meanwhile, Samsung hasn’t even released Android 15-based One UI 7 for its existing devices. Meanwhile, Google has released Android 16 Beta 2 for Pixel devices after announcing the date of its Google I/O 2024 event. The new Android 16 Beta 2 version comes with several enhancements and features for professional camera users, allowing hybrid auto exposure with accurate color temperature and tint adjustments.
The Android 16 beta 2 update is now available for compatible Pixel phones and tablets. The update includes the following camera features:
Google Android 16 beta 2 camera features:
- Hybrid auto-exposure: With Beta 2, Android 16 now supports hybrid auto-exposure on the camera via the Camera2 API. This allows you to manually control specific aspects of the exposure while letting the auto-exposure (AE) algorithm handle the rest. With this feature, apps will allow you can control ISO + AE, and exposure time + AE, providing greater flexibility.
- Accurate color temperature and tint adjustments: The latest version of Android 16 introduces camera support for fine color temperature and tint adjustments to better support professional video recording applications.
- Motion photo intent actions: Android 16 brings a new way to capture and display motion photos using the device’s camera.
- Ultra HDR image enhancements: With Android 16, Google is bringing improvements to Ultra HDR, which supports capturing Ultra HDR images in HEIC format, which was limited to the JPG file format. Also, the company is working on AVIF file format support for Ultra HDR images. Also, it supports HDR images and SDR gain maps. In addition, Android 16 implements additional parameters in UltraHDR, including the ability to get and set the colorspace in which gainmap math should be applied.
Apart from the new camera features, Android 16 beta also brings other notable features that you can check out here.
Know when stable Android 16 will be released?
Google plans to release a stable version of Android 16 at the end of the second quarter of 2025, followed by platform stability in March or April, which means it will likely arrive in June 2025.
On the other hand, older Galaxy smartphone users are still waiting for the Android 15-based One UI 7 update, which could happen around April 2025. Now, we are in February 2025, still two months away from the stable release, so the One UI 8.0 (Android 16) update will also be significantly delayed.
Samsung is gearing up to launch its next flagship S series smartphones, the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus, and Galaxy S26 Ultra, and now we have the latest “possible” look via unofficial leaked renders, showing the phones in black from different angles.
Certain tipsters have suggested the design of the new Galaxy S26 series way before its launch. Some said that it could bring a vertical pill shape bump in the base layer, encompassing three rings on the back, just like its predecessor, while others are now hinting at a box-like imaging system.
Amid this confusion, alleged renders of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus and Galaxy S26 Ultra are emerging from YTECHB, showing what the devices could actually look like. It may adopt stunning dynamic shades this time: Black, showing the device from all angles.
Looking at the renders in detail, the biggest design change is the rear camera on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Instead of the old separate rings, it now features a single camera island inspired by the Galaxy Z Fold 7, giving the back a clean, modern look.
With the launch approaching on February 25th, official renders of the Galaxy S26 series have leaked, and we expect more interesting leaks to emerge soon. Samsung has also started taking pre-reservations for it in many countries, including the US and India.
Here’s how it looks.
Samsung is preparing to launch its new Galaxy S series phones, the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus, and Galaxy S26 Ultra, later this month. We’ve already seen numerous leaks and rumors about these devices, detailing their specifications and indicating that the launch is imminent. Now, a reliable industry insider has provided new information about 4 design changes coming to the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Leaker “IceUniverse” has shared new information about four design changes for the Galaxy S26 Ultra. According to the leak, the Galaxy S26 Ultra will have slightly more rounded corners, giving it a softer overall look.
Regarding the second change, the Galaxy S26 Ultra has a slightly larger front camera cutout. This is due to the front camera’s wider field of view, which should allow more people to fit into group selfies.
Furthermore, there is no difference in the bezel width between the Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Fourth, and most importantly, the Galaxy S26 Ultra has a slightly larger display. It measures 6.89 inches, compared to the 6.86-inch display of the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Recently, disappointing news for fans has emerged from an online listing. It appears that Samsung has not included Qi2 magnets in the device. Users will need to purchase compatible accessories to utilize Qi2 charging.
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series will be officially launched on February 25th. The event will take place in San Francisco, and an official livestream will be available for fans. More details will be revealed as the launch date approaches. Stay tuned.
Samsung Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+, and Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G are well-loved smartphones in the Galaxy S series that have now shifted from a monthly to a quarterly update plan. This means that Galaxy users of these Galaxy flagship devices will now receive software updates every three months instead of every month.
The Korean tech giant recently announced its revised update schedule for its Galaxy devices, with the February 2026 security patch, and the Galaxy S22 series has been placed in the quarterly update category.
The Galaxy S22 still performs very well, and with the latest Galaxy AI features recently added via the One UI 8 update, it remains up-to-date. Furthermore, it will receive One UI 8.5 later this year, which will likely be the final One UI upgrade for the S22.
How many more updates will the Galaxy S22 get?
If you need a reminder, your Galaxy S22 series is eligible for Samsung’s four-year Android upgrade policy and will get four major OS upgrades. These phones launched with Android 12 and One UI 4.1 and have already received Android 16, along with their respective One UI updates.
Coming to the topic, although the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+, and Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G 5G will continue to function properly, the change in the quarterly update schedule means that users will not receive the latest features and security enhancements as quickly as before.
If you own a Galaxy S22 series phone and are considering an upgrade, you might want to check out newer Samsung models like the Galaxy S26 series. These devices will launch later this month with new features in One UI 8.1, ensuring you stay up to date with the latest technology.
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