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Google and Samsung partner to fix one of Android’s biggest annoyances
Starting with Android 14 and One UI 6.0, background services won’t be randomly killed on Samsung phones
One of Android's biggest annoyances is how different devices handle background services. While Google has a set of guidelines on how background processes should be handled, Android manufacturers tweak their behavior to improve their devices' battery efficiency. Mostly, this breaks the app's intended behavior and offers a poor user experience. At I/O 2022, the company revealed its efforts to fix Android's background app issues. We saw the fruit of those labor with Android 14, which brings several changes for foreground services. Going a step further, Google is announcing a deeper partnership with Samsung to deliver a more consistent experience.
Google Pixel 7a: News, leaks, rumored price, and release window
Google's budget lineup is set to expand on May 10
The Google Pixel 6a made its mark as one of the best budget Android phones in 2022, thanks to its powerful hardware, great cameras, and premium construction. Anyone who wants an affordable phone with power that rivals flagships can't go wrong with Google's latest offering — especially considering the steep discounts we've seen at retailers across the web.
Galaxy Z Flip 5 cover screen overhaul picks up new support in latest leak
A Galaxy Z Flip 5 case has been leaked, backing up what we've previously heard
The cover screen size is likely to be a major competitive advantage for foldable flip phones in the future, with the Oppo Find N2 Flip laying the groundwork. Supersized cover displays will be a handy improvement given that they're the ones users see most of the time when their phone is closed. A larger cover display allows users to get more done with their phone without having to open it. We've previously heard that Samsung's next clamshell foldable may be leaning towards a larger cover screen with a folder shape, and a new leak backs up that claim.
HTC is teasing its next phone on social media, no matter how much we beg it to stop
HTC, this is not the One
A couple of weeks ago, I found some time between massive, high-profile phone launches to take a trip down memory lane by revisiting the HTC One M7. The phone, which turned ten this year, is one of my favorite Android phones ever, and really helped cement the concept of what a flagship device could and should be. But, as we all know, the HTC we once loved is long gone, having sold off its phones division to Google years ago. And now, with another zombie HTC phone seemingly on the way, I'm here to beg for the company to please, please, quit while it's ahead behind. Please, leave well enough alone.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 may reuse the OG Flip’s cover display camouflage trick
You may not have to stare at a black Windows folder all the time
Smartphones have tried long and hard to ditch hole-punch cutouts in favor of inconspicuous under-display cameras, but implementations don’t always look the prettiest. However, hiding a display is somewhat easier, as we saw with the original Samsung Galaxy Flip. Supposedly, the South Korean brand is attempting to recreate this illusion on the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 5.
Google explains why its Pixel wallpapers are for the birds
Google has a good reason for including feathers on the Pixel 7
When it comes to smartphone wallpaper, your options are most often geometric shapes and colors or maybe, if you’re lucky, some sort of landscape view or artist rendering. For the Pixel, the Google design team wanted to try something a little different, specifically something that “viewed technology through a living lens,” leading the team to focus a set of wallpaper on birds.
The best Asus Zenfone 9 cases in 2023
You need to protect the best compact Android phone to date with a quality case
The Asus Zenfone 9 sports a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor and a 5.9-inch display, making it a compact powerhouse compared to many other high-performing smartphones. But don’t let the smaller nature of this device fool you; it’s still one of the best Android phones you can buy.
Nothing Phone 1 is getting an update, but maybe not the one you're hoping for
You’ll have to wait a bit longer for Android 14 beta
In January, Nothing’s first smartphone, the Nothing Phone 1 officially made its way to the United States. The highly anticipated phone offers a clean Android skin with no bloatware and a unique, premium design that sets it apart from its competition. We’ve also already started to hear things about the company’s second phone, Nothing Phone 2, which is expected to carry over the transparent rear glass design while adding a larger battery and better camera, ultimately making the device a more premium offering than its first release.
If you are looking for something different and more durable than the Samsung Galaxy S23 series, then the Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro may be what you are looking for. This phone is strong enough to pass the rigorous MIL-STD-810H testing and can withstand whatever you throw at it. The Galaxy XCover6 Pro is hands down one of the best rugged Android phones on the market.
Best budget Android phones 2023
You don't have to pay through the nose to get a decent phone these days
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 phone we recommend.
How to check notification history on your Android phone
You can check your missed notifications without switching between apps
Similar to the Inbox Zero philosophy for email, many prefer to keep their Android phone's notification center clean. Although swiping away notifications can give you a sense of accomplishment, you might miss an important alert. If you inadvertently dismiss a promotional alert from Amazon or a new comment on a Google Docs document, you don't need to open the app to check the missed alert. With a few taps, you can find the lost notification in the notification history menu in your Settings. Here's how to do it on a stock Android and One UI running on the best Samsung Galaxy phones.
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.
The Google Pixel 7a is rumored to launch alongside the Pixel Tablet and the Pixel Fold at Google I/O 2023 in a few days. However, almost everything about the phone has leaked in all its glory, including hands-on images, marketing materials, and more. On its part, Google has only confirmed a new Pixel phone launch for May 11 in India. Now, adding insult to injury, teardown and first impression videos of Google's upcoming mid-ranger have also popped up online ahead of its debut.
The OnePlus Nord 3 could bring back this surprisingly useful retro feature
You won't need to look for that lost remote in the crevices of the couch anymore
Long before smart TVs and streaming sticks had their own dedicated smartphone apps for controlling them, many phones had IR blasters that could emulate a TV's remote. While the vast majority of smartphones did away with that feature many years ago, we just might be seeing it again soon, with the upcoming OnePlus Nord 3 rumored to feature IR support.
Google Pixel Fold: News, leaks, release window, and what we expect
A new entry in the folding phone wars is coming on May 10th
After years of rumors, Google has finally confirmed the Pixel Fold is in the works. Although we'll have to wait until Google I/O on May 10th for specific details, the company has finally teased its existence on social media. It's a device that's been in the works for a long time, as Google first confirmed to CNET that it was experimenting with the form factor in 2019, while Android 12L's launch in late 2021 cemented its focus on big-screen experiences.
Google officially reveals the Pixel Fold ahead of I/O 2023
New renders showcase the foldable Google says is ‘Coming soon’
We've been tracking the Pixel Fold for months, and recent leaks have seemed to point toward a Google I/O 2023 announcement on May 10. Now, after Google unexpectedly tweeted a render video and set a product page live, the foldable has gone official.
It seems like nearly every phone manufacturer is trying to release its own foldable device. Between Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Google's elusive (but maybe not for much longer) Pixel Fold, everyone wants in on the action. We've already heard to expect OnePlus launching its first foldable phone this year, and now the release date could be closer than ever.
The Galaxy S23 FE could have a major camera upgrade in store
It will reportedly ship with a 50MP camera, matching the regular S23
The Fan Edition phones are a more affordable version of Samsung's greatest phones, and they typically have decent cameras, although they are not traditionally on par with their flagship counterparts. The Galaxy S20 FE and S21 FE, for example, shared the same 12MP main sensor, whereas their more expensive siblings had a 64MP primary camera. If Samsung does plan to continue the Fan Edition line with a Galaxy S23 FE, it is likely that the new model will have an upgraded camera similar to the vanilla Galaxy S23 and S23+, as per a new rumor.
Nothing Phone 2 hype season kicks off with mysterious close-up video
Nothing has posted the first teaser of the “premium” Phone 2
Carl Pei-owned Nothing created quite a hype for its first smartphone in 2022, the Nothing Phone 1. This was despite the phone's limited availability in selected European and Indian markets and the device itself being average at best due to its modest internals. Sure, its transparent design made it stand out from the best mid-range Android phones, but the software experience was a letdown. For 2023, the company has confirmed the Nothing Phone 2 will see a wider launch and use a premium Qualcomm chip. With the phone rumored to debut soon, Nothing has begun creating hype around it.
Google’s foldable may be years late to the party, but Apple's is still nowhere in sight
These two companies have two very different approaches to hardware
Perfection may be the enemy of good, but we're sure glad that the companies involved in making early foldable phones seem to be embracing the "never settle" motto of OnePlus, at least as far as hardware design goes. Most major manufacturers are at some stage of developing or improving their foldable offerings, but so far, Google and Apple have represented the two of the most visible holdouts yet to join in for this evolutionary step. With the Pixel Fold finally expected to make an appearance at Google I/O next week, we're looking at why Google waited as long as it did, and why Apple has seemingly yet to get started with foldables at all.