The Weekly Authority: ???? Galaxy Unpacked, unpacked plus Google’s foldable tablet

⚡ Welcome to The Weekly Authority, the Android Authority newsletter that breaks down the top Android and tech news from the week. The 255th edition here with everything from Galaxy Unpacked, the possibility of a foldable Google tablet, a Sony Xperia 5 V video leak, pizza-scented Xbox controllers, and more…

???? This week I’ve been hunting for something new to get my teeth into now Oxenfree II: Lost Signals is finished (it was GOOD!) and I’m eyeing Gylt. I have a feeling nothing is going to live up to the spookiness of Oxenfree for now, though, so I’m also going to replay the first game. Can you believe it’s been seven years since it was released?

Samsung:

Kicking off with everything from Galaxy Unpacked:

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is here: Price, specs, features, and all you need to know — 12GB RAM, up to 1TB storage, stronger glass, a more reliable hinge, and an IPX8 rating.
• And Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is here: Price, specs, features, all you need to know — a redesigned hinge, a larger cover display, and more.
• We have bad news if you wanted a Galaxy Z Flip 5 Bespoke edition.
• Samsung prototypes show Fold 5 and Flip 5 could have been very different phones.
• And Samsung reveals why the Galaxy Z Fold 5 doesn’t have an S Pen slot.
• Samsung says dust resistance on foldables isn’t easy, but it’s working on it.
• Plus: Don’t expect to use Google Wallet on the Galaxy Z Flip 5’s cover display.
• Samsung may have canceled plans to add DeX support on the Galaxy Z Flip 5.
• Samsung confirms a new Galaxy FE phone is coming, and Galaxy S23 FE spotted in new listing — expect slow wireless charging.
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series is here: Price, specs, availability, and more.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is here: Price, specs, features, and all you need to know.
• And Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic Golf Edition shows up in Korea.
• Samsung Galaxy A54 5G specs: Everything you need to know.
• Samsung’s Smart View can finally mirror your screen to Chromecast devices.
• Also: You might have to wait a really long time for the Galaxy Ring.
• And Samsung may have downgraded 8K video recording on the Galaxy S23 series.

• Dive into this week’s best new streaming shows, from Season 2 of Good Omens to Netflix’s docuseries How to Become a Cult Leader.
• Or try one of this week’s best new streaming movies for your weekend entertainment: Joy Ride sounds fun.
• Feeling the pinch? Check out the best free streaming services: Freevee, Pluto TV, Peacock, and more.
• Netflix adds new ‘My Netflix’ tab for quick access to saved shows and downloads.
• It’s here! Check out the trailer for season 2 of Apple TV+’s Invasion, premiering August 23, with new episodes dropping weekly.
• And if you’ve been awaiting season three of Only Murders in the Building (so, all of us then), a trailer has just dropped, with Meryl Streep entering the Arconia — streaming on Disney Plus from August 8.
• Reviews of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem are in — Empire says, “Inventively animated, giddily funny, and a surprisingly authentic take on the outsider experience: it is virtually impossible not to be charmed by these reptilian bros,” while Rotten Tomatoes gives it 95% on the Tomatometer.
• And a trailer for The Witcher Season Three Part 2 teases Henry Cavill’s final Geralt scenes (cue sobbing).
• Finally: Morgan Freeman and Josh Hutcherson turn back time in 57 Seconds trailer, expected in US cinemas and on demand on September 29.

To celebrate the launch of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, Microsoft’s made a pizza-scented Xbox controller. Cowabunga!

• Sadly — or perhaps happily, depending on your sense of smell — you can’t buy one of these as they’re part of a giveaway.
• The new design comes in four variants, one for each TMNT (Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael, like you needed a reminder). They’re pretty much just stock Xbox controllers, but if you want your gaming sessions to smell like cheese and pepperoni…
• How can you win one? Follow Xbox Game Pass on Twitter X and retweet this post, but you’ve only got until August 13 to do so. Or you can head to Microsoft’s Experience Center on Fifth Avenue in NYC on August 2 for a promo event, if you want to sniff one for yourself.
• We reckon this is one for the most hardcore heroes in a half-shell fans only…

Tech Calendar

• August: Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 launch
• August 11: Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Z Fold 5 on sale
• September 6: Starfield launches on PC, Xbox Series X
• October 24-26: Snapdragon Summit 2023 (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3?)
• January 2024: OnePlus 12 global launch

Have an amazing week! Also, before I go, it might be time for me to bid you all farewell, as I think this will be my last week on The Weekly Authority. It’s been a blast and I’ll miss our weekly news dive — but things will continue without me, with all the top tech news of the week right here (though maybe slightly less talk of video games).????

???? In the words of Skeletor, until we meet again!

P.S., please subscribe to the Daily Authority, where you’ll still catch me on Tuesdays…

Paula Beaton, Copy Editor.