https://www.androidpolice.com All of Android Police's product reviews in one place Fri, 14 Jul 2023 15:01:18 GMT en-US hourly 60 The TerraMaster F2-223 is a two-bay NAS that's part of the company's push into 2023 with more advanced internals. Compared to its predecessor, TerraMaster loaded in a new low-power Intel Celeron processor, support for up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM, and launched the enclosure with a new version of TerraMaster's NAS operating system.

]]> Fri, 14 Jul 2023 15:01:18 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/terramaster-f2-223-review/ Nothing's first phone, aptly named Nothing Phone 1, was available in the UK, Europe, Japan, and India. As a US tech nerd, I was jealous. Competition in the Android space isn't quite as diverse here as it is in the places you can easily buy the Phone 1, and beyond its unique styling, Nothing's inaugural phone was widely praised as a good device at a good price. It felt like we were missing out.

]]> Thu, 13 Jul 2023 15:31:18 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/nothing-phone-2-review/ As we all look forward to this year's big next release, Android 14, we shouldn't forget about what's currently running on our phones in a stable version. Android 13 came out in August 2022, and only shortly after, the Google Pixel 7 Pro and the smaller Google Pixel 7 were the first phones to launch with the new OS.

]]> Wed, 12 Jul 2023 15:00:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/android-13-review/ Game controllers for Android are all the rage these days, but for my money, the most comfortable experience you can have is one that mirrors a Nintendo Switch. Placing the pad alongside a smartphone — rather than mounting it above — makes for a lighter, sleeker accessory, one you might actually want to pick up to play your favorite controller-compatible games for long periods of time.

]]> Fri, 07 Jul 2023 15:00:19 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/backbone-one-review/ Just as smartphones have become increasingly capable pocket cameras, smartphone gimbals have evolved quite a bit over the years, moving beyond merely stabilizing your videos to becoming smart robots that do the shooting for you. Even so, recent models have been a bit stagnant, leaving many asking if they’re just repackaged versions of the previous generation.

]]> Wed, 05 Jul 2023 15:00:18 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/insta360-flow-review/ Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S6 Lite raised quite a stir when it arrived on the scene three years ago, offering a solid alternative to the ever-dominant iPad for those who preferred to stay within the Android ecosystem. While it naturally didn’t pack in everything that the more premium Galaxy Tab S6 had to offer, Samsung cut just the right corners to make it an affordable — and popular — choice.

]]> Mon, 03 Jul 2023 15:00:18 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/samsung-galaxy-tab-s6-lite-2022-review/ Roborock is often seen as the market leader when it comes to building some of the best and most innovative autonomous robot vacuums. Its S7 MaxV Ultra is still seen as one of the most advanced robot vacuums on the market, thanks to its ability to mop and vacuums floors simultaneously, while requiring minimal human intervention, as well as its built-in camera that allows it to precisely identify obstacles. It’s been one of the first models on the market to come with a self-cleaning dock that houses two water tanks and can also wash the robot’s mop.

]]> Sat, 01 Jul 2023 15:00:19 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/roborock-s7-max-ultra-review/ Amazon is driving the prices even lower on its Echo speaker lineup with the new Echo Pop. This new model trims a few of the sensors from the Echo Dot (Gen 4 or 5) and simplifies the design to bring its retail price to $40 while actually increasing the speaker driver size a touch.

]]> Fri, 30 Jun 2023 15:00:19 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/amazon-echo-pop-review/ For a while, the "Pixel foldable" existed in the same hypothetical vein as a "Pixel Ultra." Sure, the phone is a reality now, but dig back far enough, and you'll find early word of prototypes dating back to 2019. A couple of weeks ago, we learned exactly why these rumors have existed for so long. In promoting its upcoming release, Google admitted it had canned an earlier iteration after deeming it unsatisfactory. That's not the type of thing most companies will admit, and for a brand that often struggles with first-gen products, it doubles as a big promise.

]]> Fri, 30 Jun 2023 12:00:19 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/google-pixel-fold-review/ There was a time when cell phones seemingly only ever got smaller, and likewise, some of us look fondly on those days when phones easily fit in our pockets and purses. Nowadays, we are mostly stuck with glass front and backed behemoths if we are seeking out a flagship, where devices like Asus's ROG Phone 7 surely aren't shy about their size and weight.

]]> Thu, 29 Jun 2023 13:30:18 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/asus-zenfone-10-review/ Between initial hardware costs and monthly subscriptions, smart home security can get pretty pricey. While there’s no shortage of great bang-for-your-buck budget options available, more premium devices often have hardware and software improvements that make them well worth the buy for those of us wanting a more user-friendly experience. With a $200 price tag, the Arlo Pro 4 definitely bills itself as premium, and has the slick styling and powerful hardware to back it up.

]]> Wed, 28 Jun 2023 15:01:03 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/arlo-pro-4-review/ Harry Potter games are in a strange place right now. Hogwarts Legacy, which dominated the charts earlier this year, offered mediocre and uninspired gameplay, and things are even worse when we turn to mobile. From Niantic's failed AR game, Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, to the grim cash grab that is Zynga's Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells, things aren't exactly bright on our phones. However, Harry Potter: Magic Awakened bucks this trend by showing how a Harry Potter game should be, packing the charm and wonder of the universe into every inch of the title.

]]> Wed, 28 Jun 2023 14:51:09 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/harry-potter-magic-awakened-review/ It just works. Nothing causes an Apple critic’s blood to boil faster than those three words used to defend a product from Cupertino. And while that phrase has practically become a meme, not enough people understand what it means to the average user. It’s not to imply Apple products are bug-free — they aren’t. It certainly isn’t meant to suggest that Apple always makes decisions in the best interest of the customer — it doesn’t.

]]> Tue, 27 Jun 2023 15:00:20 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/apple-ipad-2022-review/ Smart speakers are a dime a dozen anymore, and a lot of them sound great. But many of us still have regular ol' dumb speakers kicking around, plenty of which easily outperform their smarter cousins on audio quality. The $149 WiiM Pro streamer bridges that functionality gap by adding support for streaming audio through Chromecast, Alexa, AirPlay, and more to legacy audio setups. It won't appeal to everyone, but I think this thing is great: it's more or less the Chromecast Audio Ultra I've always wanted Google to make.

]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2023 15:00:19 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/wiim-pro-review/ Ever since childhood, I’ve been obsessed with colored lights. In 2023, that’s not a hard itch to scratch, but in the late 80s, it was a big deal to have a red or green LED in a toy. So while my inner child has enjoyed watching the RGB volcano explode in the last ten years, I can admit that some products go overboard. Thankfully, in a sea of light strips and RGB bulbs, the Govee Curtain Light does serve a purpose — albeit for a rather specific niche.

]]> Sat, 24 Jun 2023 15:00:19 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/govee-curtain-light-review/ Motorola recently unveiled this year’s Moto G Stylus 5G, the latest upscale entry in its popular lineup of budget phones. With the 2023 edition of the Stylus 5G, Motorola cut a few corners compared to last year’s model to deliver it at a more wallet-friendly lower price, becoming an even more tempting alternative to other phones in its class.

]]> Fri, 23 Jun 2023 15:00:19 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/moto-g-stylus-5g-2023-review/ The Moto Razr has been many things to many people. It was an early 2000s status symbol (only '90s kids understand), an early iPod alternative with full support for iTunes, several entries in Verizon's long-running Droid series, and finally, an also-ran launched ahead of Samsung dominating the clamshell foldable space. And, for the past three years, it's been missing in action from the United States, as the Razr skipped a 2021 release and kept the 2022 model limited to international regions.

]]> Thu, 22 Jun 2023 13:00:20 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/motorola-razr-plus-review/ Ring has pioneered the smart doorbell market with some of the most advanced and user-friendly devices out there. Today, it still makes some of the best smart video doorbells, as well as a wide range of security devices like the Ring Alarm and an impressive number of cameras. Most of its products come with smart features, such as motion and package detection, two-way audio, and night vision.

]]> Wed, 21 Jun 2023 15:00:19 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/ring-battery-doorbell-plus-review/ We're all familiar with Google's rocky relationship with tablets: after early success with the affordable Nexus 7, the company struggled to maintain momentum. Following poor commercial and critical reception of 2018's ChromeOS-based Pixel Slate, Google gave up on tablet hardware altogether for quite some time.

]]> Tue, 20 Jun 2023 07:05:20 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/google-pixel-tablet-review/ Of all the weird and wonderful things I saw at CES this year, Bird Buddy caught my attention in a way few tech products do anymore. It's a colorful, cutesy bird feeder with a Wi-Fi-connected camera nestled inside to record and identify the birds (and other critters) that stop by to feed. It's expensive, and at launch, some of its features still aren't ready for prime time, but after using a Bird Buddy for more than a month, I can't help but love this thing — flaws and all.

]]> Mon, 19 Jun 2023 15:00:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/bird-buddy-smart-bird-feeder-review/ Owning a NAS has become significantly more common over the last few years, largely due to a rise in remote work and the popularity of maintaining a local digital content library. TerraMaster has made a name for itself in this market with a lineup of NAS boxes with specs that match or exceed many of the best Synology NAS solutions while keeping prices lower. The F4-423 4-bay NAS fits this theme well with a pair of 2.5GbE ports and a GPU for transcoding. The software is simpler and doesn’t have as many features compared to products from the likes of Synology, but that makes it more approachable as a network file server.

]]> Fri, 16 Jun 2023 15:00:19 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/terramaster-f4-423-nas-review/ I have never been more confused by a smartphone than by the OnePlus Nord N30 5G. Its predecessor, the Nord N20, was one of my favorite budget devices of last year. It offered a near-flagship quality OLED display, stellar battery life, and a sleek build — all for $300. And with such an impressive platform to build on, the N30 should’ve been an easy layup.

]]> Thu, 15 Jun 2023 14:01:19 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/oneplus-nord-n30-5g-review/ Xiaomi's sub-brand Poco made a name for itself with the Poco F1 and its unbelievable price-to-performance ratio. Since then, the company has expanded its product portfolio to include more budget devices to reach a wider audience. Amidst all this, it felt like Poco's flagship products were focusing more on gamers with their funky design. With the Poco F5 Pro, the company is returning to its roots and has launched a phone with flagship-like specs at an affordable price point.

]]> Wed, 14 Jun 2023 15:00:18 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/poco-f5-pro-review/ Onyx is continuing its crusade in the name of e-reading, though it might be more appropriate to call its devices E Ink Android tablets, as they don't come running locked down operating systems like Amazon's Kindle e-readers or reMarkable's tablets. One of the latest models from Onyx is the Boox Tab Ultra C, and it puts a colorful spin on the Boox Tab Ultra we reviewed in March, which is already an appealing device.

]]> Mon, 12 Jun 2023 18:20:45 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/boox-tab-ultra-c-review/ A decade ago — back in the Wild West era of Android — Samsung debuted one of its oddest gadgets to date. Rather than keeping its Android builds limited to smartphones, the company branched out into point-and-shoot cameras, bundling a 4.8" touchscreen with a 21x zoom lens and Android 4.1. Thanks to its LTE connection, backing up to various cloud services — or immediately sharing to Instagram — was quick and easy, but as smartphone sensors continued to evolve, the need for dedicated cameras, even those running Android, fizzled into nothing

]]> Mon, 12 Jun 2023 15:00:19 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/sony-xperia-1-v-review/ I absolutely love what Chromebooks offer for under $300. Aside from helping vanquish the horrid netbooks, Chromebooks provide low-cost, quality solutions for most people's daily computing needs. The challenge for manufacturers has been bridging the gap between the reliable Chromebooks we love and the more robust features of Windows machines that some people need.

]]> Fri, 09 Jun 2023 15:00:18 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/acer-chromebook-514-spin-review/ QNAP is responsible for some of the more powerful network-attached storage (NAS) enclosures, including the QNAP TS-464. This four-bay NAS has an Intel Celeron processor, expandable system memory, M.2 SSD slots, a PCI expansion slot, dual 2.5GbE networking, and a dedicated HDMI port. It's designed for use at home or in the office and is more than capable of running more demanding apps and services such as Plex Media Server. We're going to take a quick look at the TS-464 and see if it's a contender for our best Plex NAS collection.

]]> Wed, 07 Jun 2023 15:00:20 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/qnap-ts-464-review/ The GameSir T4 Kaleid is a flashy controller packed with features to match any of our favorite Android controllers to date. While there are a couple of notable drawbacks when gaming on Android, GameSir’s new wired controller is perfect for any type of game, from FPS titles to fast-paced racing games. And at $41.99, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better value controller anywhere.

]]> Mon, 05 Jun 2023 15:00:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/gamesir-t4-kaleid-controller-review/ Dreametech has been gaining popularity thanks to its extensive line of robot vacuum cleaners and mops, which range from relatively inexpensive and straightforward options like the D9 Max to high-end and fully automated ones like the L10s Ultra. Both can vacuum and mop the floor, but they’re radically different regarding their maintenance and care. Indeed, while the first comes with a simple charging station, the L10s Ultra features a self-emptying base that can also clean its mop pads autonomously.

]]> Fri, 02 Jun 2023 15:00:19 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/dreamebot-d10s-plus-review/ The Pixel 7 Pro has something to prove. When Google unveiled its first-gen Tensor-powered devices in 2021, many of us were caught up in just how affordable the Pixel 6 was. $600 for a phone of that caliber is still largely unheard of, though the budget flagship category remains ever-expanding. With the Google Pixel 7 and the newer Pixel 7a both available as cheaper alternatives, choosing to buy Google's most expensive smartphone — even on sale — can seem like a foolish choice.

]]> Wed, 31 May 2023 15:01:22 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/google-pixel-7-pro-review/ Motorola phones have always held a special place in my heart. Whether it was the innovative StarTAC, the sleek Razr, or the BlackBerry-esque Moto Q, the company’s devices were must-haves because of their combination of style and function. As times — and parent companies — have changed, Motorola has moved to a more sensible, restrained approach to its modern smartphones.

]]> Tue, 30 May 2023 15:45:19 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/motorola-g-power-5g-review/ If you’re shopping for phone service, it can feel like every carrier quietly pushes customers toward its pricier plans whether that’s through promotions on new phones or by tempting customers with features they can’t fully utilize. MobileX feels different from any other carrier I’ve used; there’s a trial period designed to help you understand how much data you actually need, and an app that’s both clean and useful. Once you’re up and running, MobileX works like any other Verizon-based MVNO, but the app makes the service feel unique with fine controls over how you use your data, and how much of it you’re actually using.

]]> Sat, 27 May 2023 12:01:18 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/mobilex-mvno-review/ There are no two ways about it: smartphone competition in the US is dryer than it's ever been. With Apple taking an ever-growing lead and Samsung dominating much of the Android-owning audience, finding an alternative is proving to be a difficult task. Google's Pixel series continues to grow, and OnePlus has courted its power-user fans all while remaining tethered to its parent company's software. And then there's Motorola.

]]> Thu, 25 May 2023 13:00:18 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/motorola-moto-edge-2023-review/ The past couple of years have been equal parts exciting and frustrating for Wear OS fans. While Samsung’s Wear OS-based Galaxy Watches and Google’s Pixel Watch have breathed new life into the platform, options from other players have stagnated, offering late and incomplete updates to the modern Wear OS 3.

]]> Wed, 24 May 2023 16:01:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/mobvoi-ticwatch-pro-5-review/ Samsung is known for its ability to branch out and develop smartphones for anyone and everyone. Whether you’re looking for a big battery, a beautiful display, or a stylus built into the body, Samsung has a smartphone for you. And when it comes to the XCover6 Pro, the company has done it again with a mid-tier, rugged smartphone that won’t look like you’re smuggling a bag of popcorn in your pocket on your way to work. And let's just say, you won't need a rugged Samsung case to protect this smartphone.

]]> Wed, 24 May 2023 15:00:18 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/samsung-xcover6-pro-review/ The Google Pixel 6 series was a full reboot of Google’s smartphone ambitions. The company introduced a brand-new hardware design with the now-iconic visor camera bump, a revamped interface that changes colors based on your wallpaper, and a new Google Pixel 6 Pro model that looks and feels distinct from the regular version. With such a big shift behind us, it’s great to see that Google is sticking to its guns with the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. And this is exactly what the Pixel 7 is. It's a continuation and refinement of the trend that the Pixel 6 first introduced, making it one of the best Android phones out there.

]]> Tue, 23 May 2023 15:00:19 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/google-pixel-7-review/ A robot vacuum cleaner is a great option to keep your floors clean without needing too much attention. There are plenty of models to choose from, including the top-notch Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, which can scrub your floors in full autonomy, while costing a whopping $1,600.

]]> Mon, 22 May 2023 15:00:01 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/dreametech-d9-max-review/ As a kid, I remember going through ads in PC Magazine and seeing all those top-of-the-line laptops displayed. I would read down the list of specs: a 266MHz Pentium II processor, 32MB of RAM, a cutting-edge TFT active matrix display — and yes, I know I’m dating myself here. And I knew that the sticker shock at the end of the listing would hit me harder than a Shohei Ohtani fastball. Sure enough, I’d see figures as high as $5,500, and I would keep dreaming.

]]> Sun, 21 May 2023 15:00:18 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/lenovo-tab-p11-pro-review/ There’s no shortage of killer smart speakers that you can talk to the Google Assistant or Amazon’s Alexa through, but if you’re after Apple’s Siri, your only option is to go straight to the source. Apple’s second-generation HomePod is the company’s current flagship smart speaker, offering booming sound and deep ecosystem integration at a premium $300. It’s plenty capable, but unless you’re living the full Apple lifestyle, the HomePod probably isn’t for you.

]]> Sat, 20 May 2023 15:00:20 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/apple-homepod-2nd-gen-review/ In the decade or so they've existed, smart rings haven't experienced the same explosion in popularity as other wearable tech — size constraints make developing good smart rings to sell at reasonable prices a tall order. Oura's been making smart rings since 2015, and the Oura Ring, now in its third iteration, is one of the most refined and popular options today.

]]> Fri, 19 May 2023 15:01:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/oura-ring-generation-3-review/ I’ve been wearing hearing aids since kindergarten, and it’s incredible how much this technology has changed over the last quarter-century. My first hearing aids were clunky and big, and I had to rely on an external FM microphone to better hear my teachers at the front of the classroom. Contrast that to my current set of Phonak Audéo M70, which are almost invisible and offer native Bluetooth audio and phone call streaming, no specialized hardware needed. However, the Phonak Audéo I have are at the higher end of the price spectrum, and people who are just starting their journey to better hearing may be reluctant to get devices this specialized and expensive. Enter the Jabra Enhance Plus.

]]> Thu, 18 May 2023 15:01:18 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/jabra-enhance-plus-review/ Believe it or not, Google's A-series has only been around for four generations now. Kicking off in 2019 as a low-cost alternative to the Pixel 3 series, the company's midrange smartphones have always provided consistently impressive experiences, even in years when the mainline devices floundered or failed to meet their stated goals. With the Pixel 7a, Google is attempting to pull off something even more impressive: bringing 85 percent of the Pixel 7 experience for just 85 percent of its original cost.

]]> Wed, 17 May 2023 17:35:45 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/google-pixel-7a-review/ When it comes to smart speakers, there are many great options, but for ones that also function as a smart home hub, there are really just two names: Amazon and Apple (though Google is starting to make some noise with their offerings). Amazon seems to have a stranglehold between its full-sized, if somewhat elderly Echo, the newer Echo Dot (5th Gen), the Echo Show, and Echo Studio, along with all the older discounted generations of each model that’s still available.

]]> Wed, 17 May 2023 15:00:19 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/apple-homepod-mini-review/ The Moga XP-Ultra is a controller with plenty of tricks up its sleeve that doesn't compromise on quality. While the high price tag will put off those looking for a simple controller, it's clear that the Moga XP-Ultra is one of the most versatile and useful Android-compatible controllers around.

]]> Tue, 16 May 2023 18:30:58 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/moga-xp-ultra-controller-review/ It’s easy to find great true wireless earbuds, but most of them feel very similar, lacking anything interesting to stand out from the crowd. However, Poly’s new Voyager Free 60 series is taking a stab at enlightening the experience with a case featuring touchscreen controls and a mind-blowing set of features. While these buds are marketed toward corporate buyers, and even feature certifications for the top video chat services, they’re pretty great for just about everybody, as long as you can stomach the price — or get your employer to cover it.

]]> Mon, 15 May 2023 15:01:18 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/hp-poly-voyager-free-60-plus-review/ Master & Dynamic has released a rebooted version of its MH40 Wireless headphones for 2023, promising improved sound quality thanks to new custom titanium drivers along with a healthy boost in battery life, new mics, and a few other small but useful improvements like AAC support and removable ear pads.

]]> Sat, 13 May 2023 15:01:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/master-dynamic-mh40-wireless-2023-review/ Whether it’s just for camping or in case of an emergency, having a power station handy can save you a lot of hassle if you don’t have access to a wall outlet. Plenty of fantastic power stations can handle most people’s daily needs, but there are fewer options for anyone with more demanding use cases. With just over 3.5KWh of LiFePO4 cells made by CATL for EVs, 3000W of AC power, and 16 total outputs, including a 30A RV port, the Mango Power E is 100 lbs of overkill packed into a body that’s hardly bigger than a carry-on bag.

]]> Fri, 12 May 2023 15:00:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/mango-power-e-review/ The sudden growth in the game streaming market has mirrored the resurgence of handheld gaming kickstarted by the Nintendo Switch. While devices like the Steam Deck and the upcoming Asus ROG Ally offer powerful hardware to take native gaming on the go, their high price points aren’t an affordable option for most. Cloud gaming handhelds aim to provide a similar experience at a fraction of the price, and the Abyxlute console (pronounced “absolute”) is the most affordable yet.

]]> Thu, 11 May 2023 15:00:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/abyxlute-console-review/ There's little doubt that Android Auto is a really convenient way to use your smartphone on the road. Still, unfortunately, that convenience is hampered on many vehicles by the need to constantly plug your phone in every time you get into the car.

]]> Wed, 10 May 2023 15:00:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/aawireless-review/ There’s nothing really special about the Wyze Mesh Router Pro — from its compact, Eero-like physical design to its run-of-the-mill AXE5400 Wi-Fi 6E connection. This mesh Wi-Fi kit is roughly equivalent in speed and coverage to several other mesh Wi-Fi kits like the Eero Pro 6E, TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro, or the Nest Wifi Pro, which isn’t a bad thing at all. The tri-band AXE5400 wireless connection is balanced to deliver strong performance on older 5GHz-only devices and 6GHz devices alike.

]]> Tue, 09 May 2023 15:00:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/wyze-mesh-router-pro-review/ Long after the split from Huawei, Honor built a reputation for its excellent hardware. The company routinely adds the latest and greatest to its flagship phones. It is one of only a few Android makers to offer true biometric face authentication — even for unlocking secure apps, something that can't be said for one of the best phones today, the Google Pixel 7 Pro. But where Google's phones are known for their impeccable software coupled with some hardware problems, the equation is the other way around for Honor. Its excellent hardware is often hamstrung by less-than-mediocre software. That makes the Honor Magic 5 Pro so exciting, the company's latest flagship phone. It packs some serious improvements in the software department.

]]> Mon, 08 May 2023 15:00:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/honor-magic-5-pro-review/ My first few days with the Sonos Era 300 were frustrating, and it had nothing to do with the matte black speaker failing to blend in with my living room's messy decor. My right ear was blocked and everything sounded muddled, including the Dolby Atmos-mastered tracks I desperately wanted to find as compelling and straight-up better than whatever stereo mixes Spotify had been spitting out of various connected speakers for years. My first impressions of the Era 300 (and the smaller Era 100), in a small crowded Manhattan office officiated by the Giles Martin, made me hopeful that spatial audio — nascent, but not an entirely new concept to me at the time — was as transformative as Sonos wants it to be.

]]> Sun, 07 May 2023 15:00:16 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/sonos-era-300-review/ If you’re asking yourself whether a cheap pair of wireless earbuds can offer similar quality to options costing two to three times as much, I have news for you. The EarFun Air 3 Pro are shockingly cheap for a pair of earbuds that appear to offer so much from a quick skim of the feature list, and they hold up impressively well.

]]> Sat, 06 May 2023 15:00:16 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/earfun-air-pro-3-review/ Onyx has made a name for itself with its high-end E Ink readers and tablets, offering the full Android and Google experience on E Ink screens. Most recently, the company released the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra, a 10-inch note-taking powerhouse. However, tablets are growing bigger and bigger these days, and that 10-inch screen still doesn’t give you the full letter-sized paper experience. That’s where Onyx’s new tablet comes in, the Boox Tab X.

]]> Fri, 05 May 2023 15:00:16 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/onyx-boox-tab-x-review/ Between the practicality of the Galaxy S23+ and the majesty of the Galaxy S23 Ultra, it’s hard for the Samsung Galaxy S23 to escape their shadows. But the Galaxy S23 fills a couple of important niches in the smartphone market.

]]> Fri, 05 May 2023 09:00:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/samsung-galaxy-s23-review/ Cooler Master’s Storm Controller is an Android and Windows gaming controller that aims to offer the essentials at a great value. I spent the last few weeks testing the Storm Controller to see how it stacks up against the best Android controllers on the market. While its massive battery sets it apart from many of its competitors, cheap construction and mushy buttons make it harder to recommend.

]]> Thu, 04 May 2023 15:00:16 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/cooler-master-storm-controller-review/ The second-generation Amazon Echo Auto is a smaller, detachable contraption that does exactly what you'd imagine: bring the powers of Alexa to your dashboard courtesy of a little microphone/speaker combination that you attach somewhere in your car. Plug the Echo Auto into a spare USB port or 12V power output (commonly known as the "cigarette lighter"), go through a pretty comprehensive onboarding process, and Alexa will be waiting for you at the end, ready to receive your commands. But do you really need it?

]]> Wed, 03 May 2023 15:01:16 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/amazon-echo-auto-2nd-gen-review/ Smart security cameras can get pricey quick — indoor-outdoor cameras from top players in the space like Ring and Arlo can go for $100 or more apiece, and typically require costly paid subscriptions on top of that to get all the features you'll want. Wyze's Cam Pan v3, on the other hand, costs just 40 bucks — though Wyze is as guilty as any manfucaturer of requiring a paid subscription. With great features and a very affordable price point, though, the Cam Pan v3 is the budget security camera to beat right now.

]]> Tue, 02 May 2023 15:00:16 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/wyze-cam-pan-v3-review/ Snap-on controllers like those produced by Gamevice and Razer are some of the best mobile controllers around, but Turtle Beach’s Atom is an excellent device that can go toe to toe with any existing model. Thanks to its innovative design and massive battery, this is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a mobile controller, assuming they can stomach the price.

]]> Mon, 01 May 2023 15:00:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/turtle-beach-atom-controler-review/ When I think about the Fossil Gen 6 Wellness Edition, I remember an old Top Gear episode. Jeremy Clarkson was reviewing the first all-electric Mercedes SLS supercar. It was an absolute monster, capable of producing 739HP and a top speed of 155MPH. There was only one catch: battery life. The Mercedes could only sustain that performance for less than 10 miles before needing to charge.

]]> Sun, 30 Apr 2023 15:00:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/fossil-gen-6-wellness-edition-review/ The H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport are a unique pair of headphones from a pretty unique company. Only a few manufacturers out there offer waterproof headphones for swimming and even fewer focus on bone conduction options for the water. Well, H2O Audio is one of them and the Tri Multi-Sport are bone conduction headphones that can spend as much time in the water as on land as they’re fully waterproof. In fact, as the name suggests, these headphones are meant for the activities involved in a triathlon, meaning you can run and bike with them and then take them into the water.

]]> Sat, 29 Apr 2023 15:00:16 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/h2o-audio-tri-multi-sport-review/ Chromebooks are an interesting breed of laptops and have developed quite a following over their decade-plus run. What started as a low-cost option in the laptop market has ballooned to cover every price point and include many of the same features as a Windows laptop or MacBook.

]]> Fri, 28 Apr 2023 15:00:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/lenovo-ideapad-5i-chromebook-review/ After a decade of lukewarm releases and outright bombs, I'm not sure anyone could've seen the coming Android tablet renaissance (tablet-aissance?). For years, consumers have had the choice between a dozen different Samsung variants, cheap-for-good-reason Amazon Fire Tablets, or… an iPad. Occasionally, you could find yourself a ChromeOS-powered slate, though even then, you were usually looking at hybrids or 2-in-1s, not full-blown tablets.

]]> Fri, 28 Apr 2023 13:00:16 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/oneplus-pad-review/ Foldables are on their way to becoming mainstream and are among the best phones you can get today. Not too long ago, Samsung had to recall its first-generation Fold due to debris getting under the display, and today, we're at a stage where multiple companies are competing to create both the best and the most affordable folding phones out there. Tecno has also entered this race with the Phantom V Fold, and it tries to differentiate itself from Samsung and others in two key ways: pricing and processor choice.

]]> Thu, 27 Apr 2023 15:00:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/tecno-phantom-v-fold-review/ When the Samsung Galaxy S22 was released, alongside its two big brothers, the S22+ and S22 Ultra, it certainly got lost in the shuffle as these smaller Android phones tend to do. Most of the market is focused on larger phones, as most of the best Android phones all seem to have a huge screen that makes one-handed operation difficult. But being left behind (so to speak) may be the greatest strength of the Galaxy S22 today.

]]> Wed, 26 Apr 2023 15:00:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/samsung-galaxy-s22-review/ For a brand as ubiquitous in the business world as ThinkPad, it's truly astounding that Lenovo (and, I suppose, IBM before it) never attempted to move into the mobile world. It's all too easy to assume that there must've been a failed ThinkPhone in the early 2010s — it got stuck on Gingerbread, right? — or, even before that, a BlackBerry clone that a couple of Fortune 500 companies adopted and forgot about just as soon after.

]]> Wed, 26 Apr 2023 13:01:16 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/motorola-thinkphone-review/ The best smartwatches tend to share some common traits, such as a large display, software customization, fitness tracking, and various apps. To carve out a niche, Withings has chosen to go in an entirely different direction with the ScanWatch. Withings designed a striking and classically designed timepiece offering a wide range of health-tracking features.

]]> Tue, 25 Apr 2023 15:00:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/withings-scanwatch-review/ Not too long ago, affordable true wireless earbuds were a rarity, and good ones were rarer still. Today, though, it's not unusual to see earbuds that cost $150, $100, or even less sporting desirable features like active noise cancelation and multipoint connectivity. Jabra's Elite 4 earbuds, which launched in March 2023, cost just $100, and offer audio quality and ANC that are both better than they need to be for the price. They may not have every bell and whistle you're after, but if all you really need is solid audio and ANC, the Jabra Elite 4 might be for you.

]]> Mon, 24 Apr 2023 15:00:16 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/jabra-elite-4-review/ GE's Cync Full Color Dynamic Effects Smart Light Strip is a mouthful to say, but its name is perhaps the most impressive part of this 16-million-color, diffused string of LEDs. A big, diffused strip of LEDs whose length you can easily modify is held back by a ho-hum controller application — so much so, I'm not sure it makes a lot of sense to buy GE's lights when you can get other, just as lovely looking solutions for mood lighting that cost half as much (or less).

]]> Sun, 23 Apr 2023 15:00:16 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/cync-full-color-dynamic-effects-smart-light-strip-review/ With so many e-readers on the market, choosing the right one for your needs can be challenging. You'll often find a device that checks a few boxes but not all. The Boox Leaf2 from Onyx, on the other hand, will tick plenty of those boxes thanks to its pleasant reading experience, range of features, and excellent software. It boasts a high-quality E Ink Carta 1200 display that mimics the look of real paper, making it ideal for long reading sessions without causing eye strain or discomfort.

]]> Fri, 21 Apr 2023 15:01:16 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/boox-leaf2-review/ We're spoiled for choice when it comes to great earbuds. Legacy audio outfits like Bose and Sennheiser, not to mention pretty much every company that makes Android phones offer compelling options. But while many individual manufacturers make buds that work best with their own phones, Apple takes it a step further with AirPods, which are made expressly to be used with iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

]]> Wed, 19 Apr 2023 15:00:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/apple-airpods-pro-2nd-gen-review/ Practically every smart home company you can think of offers at least one smart plug: Amazon, Govee, TP-Link, Wyze, and others all make plugs to add smarts to dumb devices. Philips Hue, the long-reigning top dog in the smart lighting space, also offers a smart plug in the creatively named Philips Hue Smart Plug. At $35, it's a very good smart plug — if you're already set up with Hue, anyway.

]]> Sun, 16 Apr 2023 15:00:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/philips-hue-smart-plug-review/ While a flagship smartphone has to hit all the notes to justify a sky high price tag, mid-range devices have a little more flexibility. The more affordable a product is, the more you'll need to compromise on what you want out of your phone. On paper, the latest Moto Edge is a solid compromise — a big, fast display; a thin and light chassis, and a massive battery. But with so much competition in the budget smartphone space, nailing the right mix between affordable and impressive can, as this phone reveals, really be a challenge.

]]> Sat, 15 Apr 2023 15:00:18 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/moto-edge-2022-review/ The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G was my most disappointing device of last year. I'd anticipated a great battle between the A53 and the Google Pixel 6a — with the A53 offering a fantastic display and impressive battery, while the 6a countered with its raw performance and camera capabilities — all for the same $450 price tag. Instead, Samsung’s mid-range model was plagued by lag at every turn, making it painful to complete even the simplest tasks like pulling down the notification shade or taking a photo. Even for the price, it was hard to recommend a phone so prone to stalling harder than a pug walking up a steep hill.

]]> Fri, 14 Apr 2023 15:00:16 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/samsung-galaxy-a54-5g-review/ It's that time of year again; Asus has a new gaming phone to sell, known as the ROG Phone 7 and the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate. This review will deal specifically with the Ultimate model, taking the highest end for a lengthy spin to see just how well it stacks up to last year's offering and the competition, especially when that competition is heating up.

]]> Thu, 13 Apr 2023 12:35:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/asus-rog-phone-7-review/ Hybrid smartwatches are a wonderful fusion of an analog watch design blended with current technology, giving them a unique feel. Fossil's latest smartwatch, the Gen 6 Wellness Edition Hybrid, attempts to marry old and new to carve out a piece of the smartwatch world dominated by watches like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5.

]]> Wed, 12 Apr 2023 15:00:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/fossil-gen-6-hybrid-wellness-edition-review/ HP may like to use incredibly disjointed naming schemes, but the HP Chromebook x360 13b shouldn't be ignored just because the name is so bad that you can't tell what it offers over the rest of HP's x360 line. This particular device runs on a MediaTek Kompanio 1380 — perhaps not an SoC you'd expect from MediaTek — yet, I can assure you the chip delivers, making the HP Chromebook x360 13b one of my favorite Chromebooks in my growing stable.

]]> Mon, 10 Apr 2023 15:01:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/hp-chromebook-x360-review/ Practically every piece of tech that goes on your wrist can, in some way, track your sleep: smartwatches and fitness trackers from Garmin, Samsung, Fossil, Google (including Fitbit), and others can all keep tabs on your nightly rest. But solutions like these require charging and wearing a watch to bed can be uncomfortable.

]]> Sat, 08 Apr 2023 15:00:16 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/withings-sleep-review/ Windows has been my go-to operating system for years, but I've kept an eye on Chromebooks and have been impressed with the progress made. About a decade ago, I used one of the first Chromebooks while backpacking, and it's an understatement to say it was a rough experience with a slow device that felt like it could fall apart at any second.

]]> Wed, 05 Apr 2023 15:00:16 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/acer-chromebook-spin-714-review/ Xiaomi may be known mostly for its excellent budget phones, and while these may make up the biggest portion of the company's revenue, the brand has also been offering enticing high-end flagships for a while now. Its products never felt like they quite reached the same level of refinement and polish as its competitors, but with the Xiaomi 13 Pro, this is changing. The latest Xiaomi flagship feels the most grown up yet. The Xiaomi 13 Pro has one of the best camera sensors and setups in the industry (right up there with the Vivo X90 Pro), an excellent build quality with a high-end ceramic back, and finally offers IP68 water and dust proofing. It's also right up there with the competition when it comes to software support.

]]> Tue, 04 Apr 2023 15:01:18 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/xiaomi-13-pro-review/ OnePlus set a high bar with last year’s release of the Nord Buds, which are generally some of the best budget wireless earbuds on the market. They were priced at an almost suspiciously low $39, but delivered pretty clear sound and a set of features that would be good enough for most users. Despite having more expensive and flashier options, they’ve even become one of my go-to pairs of earbuds.

]]> Tue, 04 Apr 2023 13:45:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/oneplus-nord-buds-2-review/ For the past couple of years, it's seemed like OnePlus has been lost in the woods. After some incredible flagships that paired impressive specs with affordable pricing, the OnePlus 9 seemed to highlight the end of something special. With a controversial update to Android 12 and a botched merger with Oppo's ColorOS, the enthusiast-focused company many fell in love with seemed to be all but gone, something only cemented by the wildly overpriced OnePlus 10 Pro just one year ago.

]]> Mon, 03 Apr 2023 15:30:16 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/oneplus-11-review/ Since the introduction of the Ring Security Camera, consumer home surveillance has become a significant addition to many smart homes. Whether finding out who stole your Amazon package or seeing what your kitty Muffins is up to during the day, the home security camera has proven its worth in most people's lives.

]]> Sat, 01 Apr 2023 15:00:16 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/tp-link-tapo-c100-security-camera-review/ Nothing's first pair of earbuds, the Ear 1, came to market in 2021 with a unique look and a very appealing $99 price tag. After a midlife price increase, though, they started to look a little dubious, with average sound and weak battery life.

]]> Tue, 28 Mar 2023 21:30:22 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/nothing-ear-2-review/ Reolink is a well-known name and among the best outdoor security cameras. With a series of models for both indoor and outdoor use, each offering distinct options, it’s easy to find a camera to cover your needs. The new Argus 3 Pro strikes a great balance between features for an outdoor security camera, while coming in at a price below many premium cameras with the same features. While it’s a solid camera, Reolink’s cloud hosting service needs some work.

]]> Mon, 27 Mar 2023 15:00:16 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/reolink-argus-3-pro-review/ Flagships are in a weird place these days. Each year, manufacturers push the envelope on what a smartphone can do. Larger sensors, bolder displays, mobile ray tracing, 8K video recording — truly, the sky's the limit. But as the specs sheets get bigger, so do the price tags, and in a world where 95% of users can have their needs met by phones on sale for well under $500, is it really possible to recommend a flagship to everyone?

]]> Sat, 25 Mar 2023 14:00:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/samsung-galaxy-s23-ultra-review/ It's hard to paint the Samsung Galaxy S23+ as an exciting phone. The upgrades from last year are minor: it's got slightly faster performance, longer battery life, and a mildly refined look.

]]> Thu, 23 Mar 2023 15:01:16 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/samsung-galaxy-s23-plus-review/ A video doorbell is one of the best smart home devices you can invest in. Not only does it allow the convenience of checking on visitors even when you’re not home, but it also doubles as a security camera and provides insightful notifications when it senses motion, people, and even packages left at your door. Most of the doorbells on the market can also integrate with third-party providers to help you create automated routines for added convenience.

]]> Wed, 22 Mar 2023 15:01:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/arlo-essential-wireless-video-doorbell-review/ Jackery has been the big name in power stations for a while, and is probably the first company that comes to mind when anyone mentions the words. That's even more impressive when battery brands like Duracell and Energizer are in on the competition.

]]> Tue, 21 Mar 2023 16:00:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/jackery-explorer-1000-pro-review/ Overshadowed by the launch event for the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and its more affordable siblings, Vivo announced the global release of the Vivo X90 and X90 Pro in early February. We wouldn't blame you if you didn't take notice of this handset — after all, it's yet another Android phone that won't make its way to the US, just like the Xiaomi 13 Pro hasn't.

]]> Sat, 18 Mar 2023 15:01:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/vivo-x90-pro-review/ I miss the old OnePlus. Sure, those were the bad old days of invites, and shaky software support, but it felt like the company had a mission: it was making the flagship killer. The OnePlus One wasn't just supposed to impress us with its different approach to hardware and software, but also to marketing, and at $300 (or $350 for the 64GB model) this was clearly a company going after the budget market. Sadly, those days did not last, and now OnePlus is a regular full-fat flagship brand.

]]> Sat, 18 Mar 2023 12:00:16 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/oneplus-nord-n300-5g-review/ When robot vacuums first launched, they were clumsy and happily bumped into furniture and walls to try to find their way around while cleaning. They could only vacuum, with limited suction power and efficiency, and came with a small base that served only for charging.

]]> Thu, 16 Mar 2023 19:00:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/roborock-s8-pro-ultra-review/ HP thinks freelancers want a sturdy premium Chromebook. Okay, let’s unpack that: the computer maker cites a projection from Statista indicating 86.5 million workers — or 50.9% of the US labor force — will be juggling gigs by 2027. And because Hewlett-Packard likes to go where the wind blows, it wanted to have a spotlight product that can reliably play hard and work hard, while remaining easy to maintain and troubleshoot. Apparently, that’s all in a Chromebook — specifically, the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook.

]]> Thu, 16 Mar 2023 13:00:16 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/hp-dragonfly-pro-chromebook-review/ Odds are pretty high that if you’ve ever shopped on Amazon around Prime Day or any other major shopping holiday, you might have bought an Echo or Echo Dot for nearly free. Or maybe you got one bundled with another smart home purchase.

]]> Tue, 14 Mar 2023 15:00:16 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/edifier-ms50a-review/ The Onyx Boox Tab Ultra aims to combine Android capabilities with an E Ink tablet, so when it was announced last October, I was pumped for it. Its paper-like screen, stylus for doodling and taking notes, media playback capabilities, and support for millions of Android apps are enough to entice anyone interested in using an excellent e-reader.

]]> Wed, 08 Mar 2023 16:00:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/onyx-boox-tab-ultra-review/ There are a lot of great security cameras out there, and the Nooie Pro Cam is decent if all you need is a powerful 2K camera for day and night that you can check in on from time to time. While its battery life is formidable, the camera's in-app experience is subpar at best. The lag you'll experience when accessing your camera or adjusting its settings will be enough to dissuade you from using it much. And that defeats the point of a security camera, doesn't it?

]]> Mon, 06 Mar 2023 16:00:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/nooie-pro-cam-review/ Wyze has become very well known for producing affordable home security devices that perform on par with cameras two or three times as expensive. Since the company introduced its first camera with its “Starlight” sensor (and subsequently put that sensor in every camera update), the improvements to low light performance and added color footage at night have made them excellent bang-for-the-buck cameras. The original Cam Outdoor was already great, but the Cam Outdoor V2 version is one of the best battery-powered security cameras money can buy.

]]> Sun, 05 Mar 2023 16:00:16 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/wyze-cam-outdoor-v2-review/ Smartphones can be expensive, particularly if you're after a high-end flagship device. While you might have to shell out the big bucks for the best flagship phones, Samsung offers capable devices across the board, including some of the best cheap Android phones you can buy today. That continues with the Galaxy A14 5G, the latest A-series device that delivers functional specs with some advanced features for just $200 out of the box.

]]> Fri, 03 Mar 2023 16:00:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/samsung-galaxy-a14-5g-review/ Honor finally launched its foldable Magic Vs for international markets at MWC 2023 after it’s been available in China since November. But the company also brought its regular flagship series overseas, presenting it at the Barcelona trade show even before making it official in its domestic Chinese market. We’ve had the opportunity to go hands-on with a pre-release version of the Magic 5 Pro flagship, slated to hit European and international markets in April.

]]> Wed, 01 Mar 2023 17:59:23 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/honor-magic-5-pro-hands-on/ Not long ago, if someone asked for a 10-inch tablet recommendation under $200, I would have told them, without hesitation, to get an Amazon Fire 10 HD. It had the best mix of value, performance, and display quality in the category. Sure, they'd have to install the Play Store manually, but similarly-priced Android competitors couldn't compete on functionality alone.

]]> Wed, 01 Mar 2023 16:00:17 GMT https://www.androidpolice.com/lenovo-tab-m10-plus-review/