We've seen a lot of excellent smartphones hit store shelves in 2023, but one particular bright spot this year has been battery life. A quick look at recent flagship and budget flagships reveals that many of our favorite products — especially those powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or 8+ Gen 1 — are reaching multi-day battery life without breaking a sweat. Throw in fast-charging on phones from OnePlus or Motorola, and how — and when — you power up your device can really change.
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.
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.
This Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 deal is so good I’m not waiting for the Fold 5
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 5 is coming, but you should buy last year's model instead
If you haven't heard, foldables are all the rage this summer. New devices from Google and Motorola — not to mention the upcoming arrival of whatever OnePlus has — are finally giving Samsung some much-needed competition in North America. There's no doubt the company hopes to hold onto its early lead in this product category once the next-gen Galaxy Z-series launches on July 26th. If early leaks are any indication, though, you should skip waiting for the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and save yourself a few hundred bucks in the process, because the Fold 4's price this week is the deal to beat.
Upgrade your car to wireless Android Auto with these 2 big Prime Day deals
AAWireless or Motorola's MA1 dongle — the choice (and the savings) is yours
It's summertime, and you know what that means. Whether you're headed up to the lake house this weekend or taking a cross-country trip, it's time to hit the road for some much-earned vacation time. You'll need all sorts of things for a successful road trip — snacks first and foremost — but your phone is by far the most vital travel tool you can keep in your back pocket. Of course, you shouldn't (and legally can't) use your phone while driving, and that's where Android Auto comes in.
Amazon’s gigantic new tablet already has a giant discount for Prime Day
Get the Fire Max 11 for just $200 without lock screen ads
To date, Amazon has yet to leave the budget space behind when developing new tablets. It makes sense — the entire Fire lineup has managed to carve out a niche thanks to its ultra-low starting prices, with the latest Fire 7 starting at just $60. The Fire Max 11 is the company's first attempt to move out of that space; while it's undoubtedly still a budget tablet, it's far more capable than anything Amazon has released in the past. Although it only launched in June, you can grab the Fire Max 11 for just $200 right now on Prime Day, complete with 128GB of storage and no lock screen ads.
How to make your Amazon Fire tablet feel more like stock Android
Change the browser, home screen launcher, digital assistant, and more
Amazon's lineup of Fire tablets might seem like cheap alternatives to Samsung or Lenovo, but they carry a hidden price tag: a lack of Google services. Looking to stream your favorite YouTube videos? Trying to check your Gmail account? Want to scroll through your Photos collection? You'll need to turn to web apps for those apps. And if your favorite Google content doesn't exist there, you're out of luck.
Best budget Android phones 2023
These days, you don't have to pay through the nose to get a decent phone
It wasn't long ago that buying a budget smartphone meant you were probably in for a bad time: crummy performance, paltry update support, and maybe even Micro-USB charging (the horror!). These days, not so much. Some of the best cheap Android phones start under 200 bucks, and they're not that different from the absolute best Android flagship phones we recommend.
We're coming off a holiday week in the US, which means it's been a pretty quiet time for news. We're sandwiched between the launch of one foldable and the planned arrival of a couple of others, all while Android 14's beta program continues to near a final launch — look for a new release expected this week. But really, the big story in tech this week was Threads, Instagram's long-rumored Twitter rival that seems to be off to a massive success, if early sign-up numbers are any indication.
Backbone One review: The controller Android gamers deserve
Backbone's controller is one of the best for Android, but the PlayStation Edition could use a few more buttons
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.
Google Pixel 6a vs. Pixel 5a: Which phone is the better value?
Google's mid-range smartphones keep getting better
The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro may be Google's latest powerful new flagships, but you don't need to splurge on the latest and greatest to get the best mobile experience. Even with the recent release of the Pixel 7a, last year's Pixel 6a is still a surprisingly strong contender that remains at the top of our list of the best budget smartphones, thanks to the incredible value it offers for its lower price tag.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: News, leaks, rumored price, and release window
You'll flip for joy when Samsung's next clamshell phone arrives
It shouldn't be too surprising that the Galaxy Z Fold series gets the most attention of any foldable. It's available globally, made by one of the most successful brands in smartphones, and was the first device to the scene — to say nothing about that expansive, eye-catching display. But it's not the only folding phone Samsung offers today, and to some, the Galaxy Z Flip series is just as impressive.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5: News, leaks, rumored price, and release window
Samsung's next-gen foldable is on its way
If you're looking for a powerful device in a portable package, it's tough to beat the Galaxy S23 Ultra right now. True to its Note legacy, Samsung's latest phablet carries on the tradition of combining a massive display with a stylus and other tools to boost your productivity while on the move. That said, true road warriors know that getting work done remotely requires an even larger screen, and to achieve that in a pocket-friendly shape, you have to turn to foldables.
Samsung announces its next foldables on July 26, but you can save $50 by reserving yours right now
Save $50 on the accessories of your choice, no commitment required
If it's summertime, you know Samsung has new hardware coming. While the season used to be dominated by the Galaxy Note series, the last few years have seen the company launch their latest foldables ahead of the incoming holiday shopping season. If Google failed to sway you on the Pixel Fold, Samsung's ready to unveil its next-gen hardware. Galaxy Unpacked is officially set for Wednesday, July 26th at a brand-new location.
Best Android phones in 2023
In the market for a new phone? Get the best Android experience with these flagship phones
No two Android phones are alike, just as what you need in your next phone will differ from what someone else needs. Luckily for all of us, Android phones come in all shapes, sizes, and price points, but some are just better than all the rest. Whether you're looking for a foldable phone powered by the latest and greatest in mobile processing, one of the best budget phones that don't hold back on power, or Google's latest Android enhancements, there's something here for you.
Best camera phones in 2023
Looking for a smartphone that captures the special moments in your life? Get the best possible mobile photography with these camera phones
These days, camera performance is one of the most important factors when choosing a smartphone. This one factor seems prized above all others by those seeking an upgrade, and it’s no wonder why. Mobile photography has come leaps and bounds over the last decade, and in an increasingly visual world, there is nothing better than capturing and showing off meaningful moments in a crisp and colorful shot.
Weekend poll: Did you buy a Google Pixel Fold?
Google's first foldable hit store shelves this week — did you order one?
What a month it's been for foldables. Just a couple of weeks after Motorola launched the Razr+ — its best phone in years, in my eyes — Google entered the folding phone race itself. The Pixel Fold has been a long time coming, but even with the sense of mystery that surrounded it over years of rumors, it mostly ended up being what you'd expect: a first-gen piece of Google hardware. That might be exactly what Pixel fanatics and early adopters end up loving about the phone, though, so I'm curious how many of our readers took that $1,800 plunge.
Which foldable form factor is actually the best?
With so many folding phones now, picking the right design that fits your life is tougher than ever
While the rest of the world has seen no shortage of foldable options, buyers in the US have, for the most part, been limited to just one brand for nearly half a decade. Aside from some half-formed Motorola devices in 2020, Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold series have held a monopoly in North America. But look at what's happening elsewhere, and brands like Oppo and Tecno have either been innovating in design or bringing the price down by hundreds of dollars.
No matter how unique your smartphone is, it's still a phone, first and foremost. And even if you've replaced traditional phone calls with audio messages or video calls, being able to call friends and families, businesses, and more is essential. Still, as cell networks have evolved to meet modern data speeds, voice calls haven't been left behind. And with 5G NR now widespread throughout the United States, you can be sure carriers are working to adapt to the latest technology.
Google Pixel Fold review: An $1,800 rough draft
Google's first foldable fails to live up to its full potential
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.