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I can’t go back to a Google Pixel even if I wanted to
The Pixel 6a is my handy companion for taking photos, but it cannot be my daily driver
Google Pixel phones are special, and even without the kind of access they get to the latest Android software, there's a lot to be impressed about what they're capable of doing. Still, they're not for everyone, and a serious shopper will want to go in eyes-open about some of their bigger limitations.
An IMEI or International Mobile Equipment Identity number is a 15-digit unique number assigned to mobile phones and smartphones that run on the GSM network. When you purchase an Android smartphone, such as one of the Google Pixel or Samsung Galaxy phones, you'll notice that the original packaging has a white sticker detailing its IMEI number. You can also find this number in the phone's software using several methods. In this guide, we explain what an IMEI number is, why it is important, and how you can find it for your phone.
How to create and access your Verizon voicemail
Start accepting voicemails on your smartphone within minutes
Voicemails came from the earlier days of landlines and answering machines but are helpful for smartphones. Because you may not always be around to take a call when you receive it, having someone leave a recorded message to view later is beneficial. Even the best budget Android phones give you access to all the voicemail features you'll need. You can use various methods to check and manage your voicemails after you create your dedicated voicemail number. In this guide, we go over how you can access the voicemail feature on your Verizon Wireless smartphone.
Google Pixel 8 & 8 Pro: News, leaks, rumored price, and release window
After the Pixel 7 impressed us, what's next for our favorite Android phones?
The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are likely to be two of the best Android phones of 2023, but we've yet to hear any official news directly from the company on their existence. Leaks and rumors suggest we'll be seeing both phones appear in the second half of 2023. While we did expect to see a teaser of them at Google I/O 2023 alongside the reveal of the Pixel 7a, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet, that didn't happen. The Google Pixel 7 and Google Pixel 7 Pro were first teased at I/O 2022, but unfortunately, these phones remain a mystery — unless you follow the rumormill, that is.
Get $50 off Samsung's Z Fold 5 or Z Flip 5 just by registering your interest
From the Watch 6 to the Galaxy Tab S9, free Samsung credit is just an email address away
The upcoming Samsung Galaxy Unpacked on July 26 is going to be one humdinger of a product launch. Normally we're introduced to between two and five devices during a big Samsung launch, but this go around we're rumored to have a whopping seven: the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Z Flip 5, Galaxy Watch 6, and Watch 6 Pro/Classic, and the three sizes making up the Galaxy Tab S9 series. That's a lot of lovely new tech to go around, and even if you don't flip for foldables, the Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Tab S9 will be vying for the throne in their respective segments.
Onyx already makes a bunch of Android-powered tablets that have Amazon Kindle-esque e-ink displays — a few pricier ones even have color variants of those paper-like screens. While we did like those big-screen devices for their use cases, Onyx wants to replicate the same approach for smaller devices as well. The Boox Palma is a pretty unique handset that looks like an e-reader but is powered by Android, making it a far more versatile device than any e-reader.
OnePlus Pad vs. Google Pixel Tablet: Which one is better?
Two new Android tablet challengers — only one winner
With renewed interest from Google, Android tablets are having a bit of a resurgence. Before, there were limited tablet options; now, other major players have begun entering the category. OnePlus launched the OnePlus Pad in May 2023, and it immediately became one of the best Android Tablets you could get. In June 2023, Google re-entered the fray with its Pixel Tablet, bringing along some unique features. As two of the newest manufacturers to enter the tablet space, it's only fitting to see whose first attempt will better suit your needs.
Latest OnePlus Open leaks further corroborate launch date rumors
And the OnePlus 12 could launch as soon as this December in China
At this point, it is no surprise that the first OnePlus foldable phone is around the corner. Renders of the device have leaked, revealing its impressive design. Another report detailed the phone's alleged specs, indicating it will share some internals with the OnePlus 11. A launch timeframe was also rumored, but today's leak provides more concrete details on when the foldable will launch.
Best AT&T phones in 2023
Ready for a new phone? AT&T makes is easy with support for a wide range of Androids and a growing 5G network
If you are completely new to AT&T or looking to upgrade your current device, there are plenty of quality options to fit almost any budget. Even though buying an unlocked device is always the best option, smartphone price tags can be staggering. Because of this, AT&T offers carrier financing options that allow you to spread the cost out over time — instead of paying all at once, you pay monthly over 36 months. While this is a nice option, please keep in mind that it keeps you locked to AT&T until all the payments for that phone are made.
How to find downloads on your Android phone or tablet
Managing your downloaded files has never been easier
Throughout the day, we download several photos, videos, and other files on our Android smartphones. While Android does a great job of showing us the file when it finishes downloading, it's hard to find them later if you don't know how to locate downloads on your Android device. Also, while you might want to keep some of the downloaded files for the long term, you should delete most downloads when you no longer need them. But you can't do that if you don't know where Android saves these downloads.
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.
If you plan to buy one of the best Samsung phones soon, you may want to safeguard it with a sturdy case and screen protector. While that serves to a great extent, attaining a 100% shield is impossible for the clumsy ones among us. Even if you're not, Samsung Care Plus gives you peace of mind that your pricey phone is protected. While many people skip it due to the extra fees, it's a lifeline if your new Samsung phone suffers damage. It's especially useful for devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, which while practical, has a fragile screen.
Prime Day 2023: Best phone deals still available
From the fanciest of foldables to the barest of budget phones, these deals are selling out fast
Just like that, Amazon Prime Day is done. We saw a lot of phone deals over the past two days, with lots of price fluctuations and with deals selling out and restocking several times. The good news is there are still some deals to be had if you're looking to save on your next daily driver. Both top-end premium phones and some great budget and midrange options make up a bulk of the latest and greatest in Android hardware, and companies like Google, Motorola, and OnePlus are still offering deep discounts on all sorts of their hardware. There's no telling how long these sales will last, so don't hesitate to jump on them while the savings are still good.
Picking up one of our favorite 5G-compatible phones is a great way to improve your connectivity, but even the best phones can't always maintain a perfect connection. Your location, carrier, or phone plan can affect signal strength, but determining the exact cause can be challenging.
Bluetooth hearing aid compatibility: Which phones have it
When you buy hearing aids, make sure you have a compatible phone to get the most out of them
More and more people have some form of hearing impairment in this increasingly loud day and age. Chances are your hearing also isn't the best if you stumbled upon this guide. You may remember hearing aids as bulky devices sitting behind your ears that are barely good enough to make people hear again, but this is far from the truth today. Most hearing aids support some form of audio streaming. Still, for most of them, you must have a compatible phone.
An entry-level device from a storied manufacturer, the 2022 version of the Moto G Power doesn't exactly wow in terms of specs, but it's a reasonable choice among the various affordable Motorola smartphones. Like most of today's smartphones, it's a bit large and heavy, and most owners will want to protect it with a decent case.
How to use the secret trackpad on your Android phone
Text editing on a small screen has never been easier!
The virtual keyboard is one of the essential parts of your smartphone experience. You rely on it for texting, creating to-do lists, drafting long LinkedIn posts and emails, and editing quick documents in Google Docs. While smartphone keyboards have evolved in recent years with auto-predictions, AI features, a clipboard, and more, you can't escape mistakes and errors while typing on a small keyboard on glass.
This 4-year-old phone just received 2 more years of software support
As the Fairphone 3 gets Android 13 this week, the company announced it will get updates until mid-2026
Netherlands-based Fairphone is known for its repair-friendly smartphone lineup, with the company also launching a pair of headphones in May, relying on the same repairability promise. In a world where smartphones reach their end-of-life status quickly, Fairphone's devices, like the Fairphone 3, have been the pleasant exception. The manufacturer had promised five years of software support from when this smartphone was launched in mid-2019. While this meant that software updates would stop in the middle of 2024, the company has now surprised device owners by saying it plans to provide an additional two years of software coverage.
How to use your phone's manual camera settings
Got a specific photo look in mind? Manual camera settings might be the way to go
Mobile photography is generally a simple experience for the user. Just point and shoot. But even the best phones can fail to capture a scene the way you would expect. However, on many Android devices, it's possible to dial in the look of your photos with manual camera settings. Those settings aren't always easy to understand. We compiled this list of common manual camera settings, what they do, and how to use them to get the perfect shot.
Honor’s new Magic V2 makes the next-gen Galaxy Z Fold 5 look last-gen
Honor’s latest foldable is even lighter than the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Foldable phones have improved by leaps and bounds in the last few years. But there are still some issues with them. Unlike flagship Android phones, book-style foldables are big, bulky, and thick, making them difficult to carry around in your pocket. Honor, the company that was forced to split from its parent company Huawei, has tried fixing this problem with its latest foldable: the Honor Magic V2.