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Durability is perhaps the single-biggest hesitation about folding phones, but Samsung has proven time and time again that its foldables are rather strong and resilient. Despite its wider new shape, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 remains resistant to a bend test, while a teardown reveals some key elements behind the scenes.

Good morning, hope you had a great weekend. Today I’m reading about Anthony Bourdain’s early years, depicted through the film Tony releasing this week, listening to Broken Social Scene’s new album after seeing them live this weekend, merging all my chats in the new version of Beeper, and finding open-source alternatives to everything at OpenAltFinder.

Tomorrow is basically Christmas for the 9to5Google editors. Google is announcing its latest batch of phones, tablets, and accessories (?). Based on the bevy of leaks over the past few weeks, I’m not anticipating any major surprises, but it’s still a good time to be a phone fan.

As a reminder, Inbox is the tech newsletter you should be able to read in around 95 seconds. We cover the most important 9to5Google stories from the last couple of days along with a few highlights from around the web. We publish every Tuesday and Thursday, and if you like what you read, please subscribe.

The monthly “Google System Release Notes” primarily detail what’s new in Play services, Play Store, and Play system update across Android phones/tablets, Wear OS, Google/Android TV, Auto, and PC. Some features apply to end users, while others are aimed at developers.

YouTube has confirmed major changes to the Partner Program that allows creators to monetize their channels, as well as teasing expansions to its Premium Lite subscription.

With just hours left to go for Google’s Pixel 11 launch event, details keep on leaking out, with some clarification around the base Pixel 11 now making its way online.

Ahead of its launch that will likely happen next month, Samsung’s Galaxy S26 FE has had its full specs leak alongside a higher price tag for the device that exists solely to be more affordable.

The entire Google Workspace family of apps got new icons in May. Three months later, the Google Sheets icon has been updated…

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is an absolute smash hit, it seems, as Samsung will reportedly make an extra one million units of the wide foldable amid higher-than-expected demand.

Following a long battle in court, Google has opened the floodgates to third-party app store distribution via the Play Store in the US.

Google has spent the past few years ramping up its efforts to get Android users to download more apps — and, in turn, to spend more cash on games, in-app purchases, and more. Today, Google is adding Venmo as an all-new way to make purchases on the Play Store, meaning that $40 you keep forgetting to transfer to your bank account just became your ticket to movie rentals, ad-free apps, and more.

We’re just a few days out from the launch of Google’s Pixel 11 series and, at this point, it’s all out there. And, yeah, it’s shaping up to be a pretty boring year, and that’s got me thinking about what I want from next year’s Pixel 12 series.

This issue of 9to5Google Weekender is a part of our newsletter that highlights the biggest Google stories with added commentary and more. Sign up here to get Weekender delivered to your inbox every weekend, and catch our weekday roundups too!

Like other Google apps, Messages for Android A/B tests many features. It can take the RCS/SMS client a rather long time to actually launch new functionality in stable. From various reports, Google announcements, and devices we’ve checked, this is the current state of Messages.

With just a few days left to go before Google’s Pixel 11 launch event, a hands-on leak has shown off the Pixel 11 Pro XL in real life.

As is customary, we already know a ton about Google’s latest smartphone series before it officially launches. The last-minute leaks are seriously piling up for the Pixel 11 — here’s everything you need to know.

The Pixel Watch 5 looks mostly familiar in leaks thus far, but a new leak showcases a Stephen Curry edition, a style that first debuted on Fitbit Air.

Welcome to Pixelated episode 111. This week, Damien, Abner, and Will preview what to expect at next week’s official unveiling of the Pixel 11 series, including final rumors, leaks, expectations, and some very wrong guesses on who the host might be.

Enjoy the episode? You can listen to our brand new weekly members-only Pixelated Pro bonus episode by signing up for 9to5Google Pro!

Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription to the company’s suite of privacy-friendly services by signing up using our link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring the podcast.

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After spending a few weeks with Nothing Ear (3a), I can say with confidence these are the best earbuds you can buy for $99, and I’d choose them over a whole host of other options that cost twice as much.

Many know Audeze as an audio company that started developing audiophile-grade headphones nearly two decades ago, creating planar magnetic headphones like the LCD-X and LCD-2 that have grown to become absolute cult classics in the head-fi space.

In 2018, Audeze brought its audiophile prowess into the gaming market with the introduction of the Mobius, a beloved gaming headset and then took everything it learned from the Mobius and poured it into the Maxwell which, in 2023, became its best-selling product ever. Now, after successfully releasing a sequel, the Maxwell 2, in early 2026, Audeze has announced its new flagship, and an acknowledgment of its competitive lead: the Maxwell 2 ANC.

Following teasers for the 11 Pro and 11 Pro Fold over the past week, Google today finally released a video for the Pixel Watch 5.