Phones
Serious Android security leak affected Samsung devices
Samsung and many other Android devices are at risk due to a major security leak. This security vulnerability has led to the creation of trusted malware apps that can access the entire Android operating system on these devices.
As per the new information, Google Android Partner Vulnerability Initiative (APVI) has openly revealed a new exposure that affected various Android devices from OEMs like Samsung, LG, Xiaomi, and more (via Mishaal Rahman).
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The company has also shared the reason why this happened. According to the report, many Android OEMs have leaked the signing keys of their platforms outside their respective companies, which has led to a security leak.
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Created by the device manufacturer, this signing key is used to ensure that your device’s Android version is a valid one. Meanwhile, one can also use the same key to sign different apps and this is what the hackers did.
The key’s design clears that Android trusts any app that is signed with the same key used to sign the operating system. With those app signing keys, a malicious attacker can easily use Android’s “shared user ID” system to grant malware full, system-level permissions on an affected device. In short, an attacker can get access to all the data available on any device.
It is worth mentioning that this Android security leak vulnerability not only appears when installing a new or unknown app, but already available system applications can also be affected by security.
As these leaked platform keys are also used to sign normal apps in some cases, an attacker could add malware to a trusted app, with the same key as a malicious version. can sign it, and Android will trust it as an “update”.
For example, the Samsung Bixby app, which comes pre-installed on Galaxy devices, can also direct to a security leak. This method will work whether an app originally came from Play Store, Galaxy Store, or was sideloaded.
Moreover, Google does not officially disclose which devices or OEMs were affected, but it does display hashes of example malware files. Helpfully, each file is uploaded to VirusTotal, which often also reveals the name of the company affected, which includes:
- Samsung
- LG
- Mediatek
- szroco (makers of Walmart’s Onn tablets)
- Revoview
Samsung fans might be in for a change with the upcoming Galaxy S27 Ultra. A recent Galaxy S27 Ultra leak suggests the phone could drop its built-in S Pen. This move could echo past decisions and leave stylus lovers to rethink their choices.
This rumor kicked off from a reliable leaker in China, shared on X by tipster @Jukanlosreve today. The latest input indicates that Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S27 Ultra flagship might abandon the built-in S Pen slot.
S27 Ultra may echo S21 Ultra’s S Pen move
The Galaxy S27 Ultra could take a page from the S21 Ultra’s book. Back in 2021, that model made us buy the S Pen separately instead of including it. It feels like the S27 Ultra, coming in 2027, might head down a similar road.
Like the S21 Ultra, the S27 Ultra might not have a spot for the S Pen anymore. That would mean we would need to buy it as an extra accessory. The leaker suggests this trend could continue, making the S Pen an optional add-on.
Via – Jukan Choi / X | Translated from Chinese
S26 Ultra may be Samsung’s last full-fledged S Pen flagship
The Galaxy S25 Ultra, which launched earlier this year, has already scaled back its S Pen by removing Bluetooth features. It was an official hint that the stylus might not be here for long, as it started to phase out the signature S Pen.
If the latest leak turns out to be true, the S26 Ultra might be the final flagship to give us the full S Pen experience. Samsung could be moving away from the stylus, maybe to put more effort into cameras or battery life instead.
Just like the Galaxy Z Fold SE, released last year, Samsung is rumored to have removed S Pen stylus input support in the Z Fold 7. The company might save the S Pen for foldables or sell it separately, signaling a big shift in their flagship plans.
If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your Samsung phone or buying any Galaxy smartwatch on the T-Mobile network carrier in the US, there’s some news you might want to know. It looks like T-Mobile could soon let customers pay for certain Samsung devices over 3 years instead of the usual 2. Yes, that’s right, meaning you could have up to 36 months to pay off.
Right now, T-Mobile only offers 24-month (2-year) payment plans for phones and other devices. But other US carriers like AT&T and Verizon already offer 36-month plans. It looks like T-Mobile might be getting ready to do the same.
A report from The Mobile Report says T-Mobile is testing the longer payment plan. Some Samsung Galaxy Watch devices briefly showed the 36-month option on the T-Mobile website before it was removed. This suggests that T-Mobile is preparing to offer this new plan, at least for some Samsung products.
Currently, we don’t know if this plan will be for all Samsung phones and devices or just a few. It’s also unclear if customers will still have the option to choose the 24-month plan, or if everyone will be moved to the 36-month option by default.
image via The Mobile Report
Of course, spreading payments over three years means lower monthly bills, which can help if you’re on a budget. But keep in mind, a longer payment plan means you’re tied to T-Mobile for more time. You can still pay off the device early, but you might lose any special discounts or promo credits.
T-Mobile hasn’t officially announced this yet, but the website changes and leaked documents show it may happen soon. If you’re planning to buy a new Samsung phone or watch from T-Mobile, you might have a longer 3-year payment plan to consider.
Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 7 dummy appears in a real-world comparison with the Fold 6 and Fold SE. The video shows off the next Galaxy foldable against last year’s regular model and Special Edition side by side.
Korean YouTube channel TheSINZA published this Galaxy Z Fold 7 dummy comparison video with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Fold SE. It sheds light on design and dimensions, revealing major design changes we should be excited about.
The video suggests that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 might weigh 215 grams. If true, it’s going to be notably lighter than the Galaxy Z Fold SE, which weighs 236 grams. The thickness in both folded and unfolded states is also worth looking at.
Source – TheSINZA
While the video features a dummy unit, the design and dimensions are almost identical to the real unit that Samsung will ship to consumers. This early hands-on gives us a more precise design comparison among the three models.
As you can see, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 looks quite similar to the Z Fold SE from the front. The reduction in thickness gives the Galaxy Fold 7 a sharp edge over previous Fold models, that too maintaining the durability.
Source – TheSINZA / YouTube
You can watch the full comparison video here.
Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy Z Fold 7 on July 9 in the US. The company may soon send Unpacked invites for the in-person event, likely to be held in New York. Galaxy fans around the world will be able to watch the event online.
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 may feature a 6.5-inch cover and an 8-inch inner display, while being 3.9mm thick when unfolded. The main camera will feature 200-megapixel resolution, and with Snapdragon 8 Elite chip will power the device.
Samsung is giving up on under-display camera technology in 2025, but Apple is reportedly preparing to bring this technology to the iPhone in 2027. Android phone makers are also considering UDC phones in the near future.
In a shocking development, it was revealed that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 may not feature under display camera. It’s going to be the same move as the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition, which also ditched the UPC from the inner display.
Galaxy Z Fold 3 was the first Samsung phone with a UDC camera. The foldable phone features under-display camera technology integrated into the inner display. Samsung brought the UDC camera to the Fold 4, Fold 5, and Fold 6 as well.
On the flip side, a new rumor suggests that Apple might upgrade the iPhone with an under-display camera in 2027. Other Samsung rivals in the Android segment are also in preparation to adopt this advanced camera tech that offers a full-view screen.
While Samsung has tested UDC in three generations of consumer units, Apple and others are reportedly analyzing the technology in research labs. If development goes well, it will be seen in future products in the next few years.
Source – Samsung Display
Note that Samsung’s latest UDC move is still officially unconfirmed. The formal confirmation will arrive at the next month’s Unpacked but the anticipations for Apple and other vendors remain a rumor, take it as a pinch of salt.
Earlier, it was reported that Samsung doesn’t see much scope for improvements in the UPC. Even if it considers elevating the quality, it would come at a cost, which would make it an additional burden, raising overall production costs.
Therefore, Samsung appears to be ditching the UDC in 2025. This move will reduce the cost burden while elevating the camera quality. The punch hole camera is a widely admired solution for selfie snappers on mobile devices.
First render leak reveals Samsung seemingly ensuring the Galaxy S25 FE will look as premium as the Galaxy S25 series. The company’s next Fan Edition smartphone will launch later this year, and it could get a much-needed promotion.
Galaxy S25 FE render leak showcases Samsung’s next Fan Edition features thinner bezels. By looks, the device appears nearly identical to the Galaxy S23 FE and Galaxy S24 FE, while the display size matches the Galaxy S24 FE.
Leaker Onleaks (via SammyGuru) dropped the first set of CAD renders. The final design of the device is highly likely to resemble the one shown in the renders. The next FE is going premium, thanks to its thinner bezels surrounding the screen.
The Galaxy S25 FE is expected to be 161.4 mm tall, 76.6 mm wide, and 7.4mm thick. The dimensions of the next FE are marginally lower in all aspects of the Galaxy S24 FE, which is 162 mm tall, 77.3 mm wide, and 8mm thick.
With its 7.4mm thickness, the Galaxy S25 FE is going to be the sleekest FE model. The Galaxy S21 FE holds the crown of being the thinnest FE so far, but it would be shifted to the S25 FE, which reportedly is just 7.4mm thick.
Source – Onleaks x SammyGuru
Despite the difference in dimensions, the S25 FE retains a 6.7-inch screen. The company has managed to reduce the bezel thickness, which results in a more refined Galaxy S25 FE design, plus thickness reduction is indeed a bonus.
While the design department is getting refined, the camera setup may remain the same as the S24 FE. The device could feature a 50MP main lens with OIS, a 12MP ultrawide, and an 8MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, plus a new 12MP selfie camera.
The chipset area may feel dry as Samsung plans to reuse the Galaxy S24 line’s Exynos 2400 chipset in the Galaxy S25 FE. It is the mainstream chip, with the Galaxy S24 FE boasting an underclocked Exynos 2400e variant.
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