Taking a look back at this week’s news and headlines across the Android world, including Galaxy S27 Ultra specs, OneUI 9 arrives, ColorOS 17 launch confirmed, Amazon’s Alexa tablets, Honor’s budget rear display, unlocking the Googlebook, and Google Maps’ fuel finder.

Android Circuit is here to remind you of a few of the many discussions around Android in the last seven days. You can also read my weekly digest of Apple news here on Forbes .

The Heart Of Samsung’s Galaxy S27 Ultra

Samsung’s in-house Exynos 2700 chipset is the South Korean company’s equivalent to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 when it arrives on the spec sheet next year. The external question of Exynos and Snapdragon for the Galaxy S flagships (in this case the Galaxy S27 Ultra) remains. While the numbers may match up, consumer sentiment will fall short. Sammyfans’ Yash Rathore reports :

“Samsung has greatly improved its Exynos processor over the past two years. Exynos 2700 will launch as the second mobile chip built on its 2nm foundry process…. Snapdragon, meanwhile, has consumer trust, which lags on Exynos. Samsung’s chip is good, but not acceptable to every Galaxy buyer. Since Ultra sales in the highest volume, Samsung can’t risk the sale numbers due to Exynos.”

Android 17 Is Coming For Your Samsung Galaxy

Samsung has one of the world’s largest install bases of Android, so it’s move to Android 17 is a vital one for Google. Samsung’s flavor is OneUI and the public rollout of the South Korean company’s latest version of the mobile OS is under way. Forbes contributor Janhoi McGregor reports :

“The One UI 9 rollout is moving quickly. According to Samsung tracker Tarun Vats, Samsung released stable One UI 9 globally on October 6th for the Galaxy S25 series, Galaxy S25 FE, Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7 and Z Flip 7 FE. That means owners in the U.K. and Europe, who were still waiting earlier this week, should now be able to download it. Last year’s flagships are close behind”

ColorOS 17 Launch Date Confirmed

Android 17 is also coming to Oppo’s handsets, with the company confirming that ColorOS 17 will be available on Tuesday. Oppo’s OnePlus line, which currently runs OxygenOS, has a beta program that lets users opt into ColorOS beta versions and switch away from OxygenOS. Admya Sharma has the details :

“OnePlus warns that this is an early beta build, so some planned features may be missing or may not work as intended. Users could also encounter instability, app compatibility issues, lag, overheating, or increased battery consumption. The company recommends backing up important data before installing the update, even though the beta installation is not expected to erase existing data.”

Amazon Puts Out The Fire For Alexa

Amazon’s latest tablets offer a new look at Android. First up is the Fire branding is no more; these are Alexa tablets. Secondly, they embrace both Android and include the same Google Play-based services as ‘regular’ Android tablets. Three Alexas have been launched, as Ryan Whitwam looks over the models , including the Tablet 12 Pro flagship:

“Starting at $500, the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro has a taller 3:2 ratio that is better for running multiple apps side by side. It also offers a matte display upgrade for $50, and Amazon sells a keyboard ($150) and stylus ($90) for this device as well. This device runs on a more powerful MediaTek Dimensity 8400 processor with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The display clocks in at an impressive 2800×1840 with a 120 Hz refresh rate and 500 nits of peak brightness.”

Honor’s New Features In The X5D S

Honour’s X5d s has been released in South Africa, and this budget model offers two standout features at this price point. The first is its high-capacity 6,000 mAh battery; the second is a small-resolution screen next to the main camera. Notebook Check’s Antony Muchri reports :

“The second screen is a 2.01-inch LCD with a 240 x 296 resolution. Owners can use it to frame one-tap selfies with the 50MP rear camera rather than the 5MP front sensor. It also shows call alerts and media playback controls. The X5ds follows the Honor Play 20A, an entry-level model that arrived in August with a small rear screen of its own.”

Unlocking The New Googlebook With Your Phone

With the launch of the Googlebook platform, the integration between Android smartphones and the new Googlebooks is something many will be paying attention to. One quality-of-life feature coming to the party is using the devices to unlock each other when they are close. Android Authority has taken a deep dive into the Android beta code to find out more:

“Strings we found in the latest Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1 point to a new Phone Unlock feature that appears designed for Googlebooks. We already knew Phone Unlock was in the works from our first encounter with QPR3 Beta 1, but this is our first look at the full setup process and how the feature could actually work. The wording says users will be able to use their phone to “unlock this device,” while the accompanying setup screens use laptop-like renders with a “G” logo that strongly suggests the target device is a Googlebook.”

UK users of Google Maps will have a new feature this winter. In partnership with Waze and the UK Government, Fuel Finder will show the cheapest fuel prices for motorists. It works through industry-supplied data that allows the Government’s Competition and Markets Authority to highlight more competitive fuel prices. From the press release:

“Since February, it has been compulsory for petrol stations across the UK to report the price of their fuel within 30 minutes of it changing or risk a fine – and the CMA can take action where there is evidence that petrol stations are not complying with the law. The overwhelming majority of petrol stations are inputting data to Fuel Finder promptly, with around 99% of all fuel sold on UK roads now reflected.”

Android Circuit rounds up the news from the Android world every weekend here on Forbes. Don’t forget to follow me so you don’t miss any coverage in the future, and of course, read the sister column in Apple Loop ! Last week’s Android Circuit can be found here , and if you have any news and links you’d like to see featured in Android Circuit, get in touch!