Android 12 Developer Preview 2 released for OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro.
OnePlus has recently released the Android Developer Preview 2 for the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro, just in time for the official release of Android 12. The new version arrives four months after OnePlus released the first Android 12 developer preview for its 2021 flagship series.
Improved auto-brightness behaviour, faster frame rate performance in graphics-heavy games, enhanced zoom performance, and other improvements are included in Android 12 Developer Preview 2 for the OnePlus 9 series.
In addition, the update includes new widgets that highlight key information from apps at a glance, as well as improvements to the page layout and text and colour presentation to emphasise important details.
There’s a big list of issues, as you’d expect from a developer build. For example, the camera app lacks support for the recently added XPan mode, the scrolling screenshot capability, and call recording in the Google Phone app.
Update log
System
Optimized the auto-brightness algorithm to adapt screen brightness to more scenes for a comfortable screen reading experience
Optimized the mistouch prevention algorithm for curved screens to reduce accidental touches
New design
Added widgets that show key information of apps and provide instant access to functions
Optimized the page layout and the presentation of text and color to make key information stand out
Convenience & efficiency
Added swiftly switch floated windows, make operation more convenient
Games
Optimized the frame rate performance under heavy-used scenes
Camera
Added the feature that supported customize the display order of camera mode
Optimized the zoom experience, make it zoom more smoothly
Performance
Added the form of chart to display battery usage
Newly supported pre-loading the apps that frequently used, to switch them on quickly
Improved the response speed of turning on or off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Airplane mode, and NFC
Known Issues
The Camera does not support Xpan, and contains some stability issues
This version does not support scrolling screenshot
The icon of Bluetooth connection displays abnormally
The icon of charging displays abnormally
The Cloud Service is unavailable (India)
The Camera app does not contain Hasselblad elements
This version does not adapt some third-party apps
The included Google Phone app does not feature call record functionality. This can be solved by updating the app in Play Store.
Three-finger swipe down gesture or three-finger long-press gesture after using the screen recorder. This can be overcome by pressing Power button and Volume Down button simultaneously instead to screenshot.
Caution! You should understand there is a risk of BRICKING your phone, read the instructions carefully and be 100% sure of what you are doing. Please always backup your important data before flashing. Please note:
These instructions are only for the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro. Please make sure the battery level is above 30% and a minimum 3GB of storage space is available.
Carrier version devices (TMO/VZW) aren’t compatible with the Developer Preview builds.
MP version – Stable official version DP version – Developer Preview version OBT Version – Open Beta version MP and OBT to DP upgrade guide—via Local OTA Update Note: This upgrade method will erase all the contents of the phone, please be sure to backup first.
Download the latest ROM upgrade zip package from the specified server.
Copy the ROM upgrade package to the phone storage.
Go to Settings -> System -> System Updates -> Click top right icon -> Local upgrade -> Click on the corresponding installation package -> Upgrade -> System upgrade completed to 100%.
After the upgrade is complete, click Restart.
Update successful.
DP to MP rollback guide – via Local OTA update Note: This upgrade method will erase all the contents of the phone, please be sure to backup first.
Download the latest ROM upgrade zip package from the specified server.
Copy the Rollback package to the phone storage.
Install this apk. You’ll need it to roll back. Then, open the app -> tap the top-right gear icon -> find the downgrade package and tap it -> wait to finish the installation -> tap reboot
Ashok Mor (also known as TechiBee) owns a YouTube channel named TechiBee. He has been providing various tips, tricks and latest tech videos in the world of smartphones.
Samsung Galaxy S26+ is shaping up to be one of the most unexpected releases in Samsung’s 2026 flagship lineup.
Samsung Galaxy S26+ is shaping up to be the most compromised model in Samsung’s upcoming flagship lineup, according to fresh reports from South Korea. New details suggest that the device will miss out on a major display upgrade due to last-minute internal decisions during development.
As per industry insiders cited by The Elec, Samsung Electronics initially planned a different lineup strategy. The company was working on a Galaxy S26 Edge model, which was later scrapped late in the development cycle. To fill the gap, Samsung brought back the Galaxy S26+—but the timing appears to have caused several compromises.
Samsung Galaxy S26+ Production and Display Decisions Explained
Originally, Samsung intended to reuse the newly developed display panel from the cancelled S26 Edge for the S26+. However, this plan was reportedly dropped at the last moment. With no time left to engineer or source an alternative panel, the Galaxy S26+ is now expected to ship with a display that is almost identical to the one used on the Galaxy S25+. The only notable change may be the use of a newer protective glass layer, rather than a fundamentally improved panel.
For many users, the lack of a Samsung Galaxy S26+ display upgrade could make the Plus model less appealing compared to other variants.
Interestingly, the base Galaxy S26 is not facing the same issue. Reports indicate that it will feature a new 6.27-inch display, slightly larger than the 6.16-inch panel on the Galaxy S25. This suggests that Samsung prioritized upgrades for the entry-level model while the Plus variant took a back seat.
The situation is very different for the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The Ultra model reportedly entered mass production as early as last month. Samsung appears to have prioritized component sourcing and manufacturing capacity for its top-tier flagship, which aligns with early production targets.
Current estimates suggest initial production of around 3.6 million Galaxy S26 Ultra units, compared to 700,000 standard Galaxy S26 models and just 600,000 Galaxy S26+ units. These figures are expected to be revised in February, with Samsung likely increasing output for the vanilla plus models while reducing Ultra volumes.
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ appears to be a strategic compromise rather than a fully refreshed flagship.
The Galaxy S26 series is rumored to launch on February 25, slightly later than last year’s timeline, though official confirmation is still pending.
iPhone Fold A20 Pro Chip Set to Debut With iPhone 18 Pro Lineup
iPhone Fold A20 Pro chip is set to become Apple’s biggest hardware leap in years, as the company prepares to debut its first foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max later this September. According to noted analyst Jeff Pu, all three premium models will be powered by Apple’s next-generation A20 Pro processor, marking a major shift in performance, efficiency, and internal design.
iPhone Fold A20 Pro Chip Brings Major Performance and Efficiency Gains
The A20 Pro chip will be manufactured using TSMC’s advanced 2nm N2 process, a significant upgrade over the A19 series. This new process is expected to deliver up to 15 percent faster performance while improving power efficiency by as much as 30 percent. For users, this translates into smoother multitasking, faster AI processing, and longer battery life across demanding workflows.
The iPhone Fold A20 Pro chip is expected to redefine Apple’s flagship performance by combining cutting-edge fabrication with a redesigned internal memory architecture.
A key highlight of the A20 Pro is its use of TSMC’s Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module (WMCM) packaging. Unlike previous designs where RAM sat adjacent to the processor, WMCM integrates memory directly onto the same wafer as the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine. This change not only boosts data transfer speeds but also reduces the physical footprint of the chip, freeing up valuable internal space for larger batteries or enhanced cooling systems. Apple Intelligence features are also expected to benefit from this tighter integration.
How the iPhone Fold A20 Pro Chip Improves Battery Life and AI Performance
The N2 process introduces super-high-performance metal-insulator-metal capacitors into the power delivery system. These capacitors reportedly double capacitance density and reduce electrical resistance by nearly 50 percent, improving power stability and sustained performance during heavy usage.
Thanks to the iPhone Fold A20 Pro chip, users can expect faster Apple Intelligence processing, improved multitasking, and noticeably better power efficiency.
Beyond the chip, Jeff Pu suggests that the iPhone Fold and iPhone 18 Pro models will share several high-end specifications. These include 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM, advanced 48-megapixel rear camera systems, and Apple’s next-generation C2 modem for improved connectivity.
With the iPhone Fold A20 Pro chip at its core, Apple’s upcoming foldable and Pro models signal a major shift in premium smartphone engineering.
Apple’s first foldable iPhone is rumored to feature a book-style design with a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch outer screen. The device is said to offer a near crease-free folding experience, Touch ID authentication, and front-facing cameras in both folded and unfolded modes. At just 4.5mm thick when open, the iPhone Fold could become one of the thinnest foldables on the market.
With the A20 Pro chip at its core, Apple’s 2026 flagship lineup appears ready to redefine premium smartphones.
iOS 26.3 update is shaping up to be one of the most important software releases for iPhone users in recent years, with Apple preparing meaningful upgrades that could impact hundreds of millions of devices worldwide. Currently available as a developer and public beta, the update highlights Apple’s growing focus on secure messaging, better cross-platform communication, and smarter system features.
One of the biggest additions in iOS 26.3 is groundwork for end-to-end encryption (E2EE) in RCS messaging. According to reports from MacRumors, Apple is enabling support for RCS Universal Profile 3.0, a key requirement for encrypted messaging between iPhone and Android users.
“The iOS 26.3 update focuses heavily on improving messaging privacy and cross-platform compatibility.”
Until now, iMessage conversations between iPhones have been encrypted, but chats with Android devices lacked the same level of privacy. With iOS 26.3, messages and attachments exchanged via RCS could gain the same protection, preventing third parties from reading them. However, carriers will ultimately decide when this feature is activated, which means rollout timelines may vary.
iMessage-Style Features Coming to RCS
Beyond encryption, iOS 26.3 introduces several long-awaited messaging features for RCS chats. Users will be able to send in-line replies, edit sent messages, unsend messages, and finally use Tapback reactions like thumbs up or hearts without workarounds. These changes aim to make conversations between iPhone and Android feel far more seamless.
“With the iOS 26.3 update, Apple is addressing long-standing differences between iPhone and Android messaging.”
Apple has previously confirmed its commitment to improving RCS, and the latest beta suggests the wait may soon be over. The update is expected to support devices ranging from iPhone 11 to the upcoming iPhone 17.
More Updates Beyond Messaging
The iOS 26.3 public beta, released earlier this week, also refines the process of transferring data from iPhone to Android. Additionally, users will notice an updated wallpaper gallery and new region-specific features, particularly for EU users.
“Overall, the iOS 26.3 update positions Apple’s Messages app as a more secure and modern communication platform.”
There are also references to Gemini, following the collaboration announcement between Apple and Google, hinting at deeper AI integration in future iPhone experiences.
What to Expect Next
While iOS 26.3 looks promising, it remains a beta. Some features may still change or be delayed before the final release. With carrier involvement required for encrypted RCS, the exact timeline remains uncertain, but the direction is clear: Apple is pushing iPhone messaging toward a more secure and unified future.
