Posts From Ben Sin

Ben Sin
Ben Sin

I'm a senior editor at XDA Developers. I have been a journalist for a decade, the last five years covering the mobile tech scene closely, reviewing just about every phone and attending trade shows and launches. I also run a gadget review channel on YouTube.

Games on Windows 11 will look better and load faster thanks to Xbox tech

Games on Windows 11 will look better and load faster thanks to Xbox tech

June 24, 2021
One big advantage Windows machines have over Macs is that they're more suitable for gaming, and Microsoft is looking to further that lead with a series of new improvements coming to Windows 11. At today's big Windows event, Microsoft's corporate Vice President of Xbox, Sarah Bond, took to the virtual stage to announce a host...
Windows updates won’t be as painful with Windows 11

Windows updates won’t be as painful with Windows 11

June 24, 2021
Microsoft's Windows 11 event is underway, and just a few minutes in, Microsoft has already announced a big change. When Windows 11 gets a software update, it will happen in the background and should finish much faster than before because updates will be 40% smaller. This is a major improvement for Windows, a platform on which...
Googlefier lets you easily install Google apps on Huawei devices

Googlefier lets you easily install Google apps on Huawei devices

June 22, 2021
The Google ban imposed on Huawei by the U.S. government has led to the Chinese tech giant's once burgeoning phone business falling off a cliff, because as great as Huawei's smartphone hardware may be, not having access to core Google Mobile Services apps such as YouTube and Google Drive makes the phone's software very hard to...
These are the Best Huawei Phones you can buy in 2021: Mate X2, P40 Pro, and more!

These are the Best Huawei Phones you can buy in 2021: Mate X2, P40 Pro, and more!

June 21, 2021
It's hard to talk about Huawei smartphones without addressing the elephant in the room, so we might as well get it out of the way immediately. Any Huawei smartphone released in the last two years or so cannot run basic Google apps like YouTube and Google Docs due to ongoing US sanctions. The accusations thrown...
The new iMac’s color-matched Magic Mouse and Touch ID Keyboard look better than they perform

The new iMac’s color-matched Magic Mouse and Touch ID Keyboard look better than they perform

June 14, 2021
In the world of consumer tech, products usually get substantial internal upgrades or flashy design overhaul, but Apple's new 24-inch 2021 iMac managed to offer both. It upgrades to the industry-shaking M1 silicon, and gets a beautiful and sexy new body that's more colorful and thinner than ever. XDA's Rich Woods is still in the process...
These are the best 5G phones you can buy right now in June 2021: Samsung, Apple, Google, and more!

These are the best 5G phones you can buy right now in June 2021: Samsung, Apple, Google, and more!

June 9, 2021
5G has been a buzzword in the mobile industry for years, but in 2021, the tech is starting to pick up for real. If you want in on that next-generation data speeds, you might want to consider a 5G phone. In fact, most of the phones in our Best Phones and Best Android phones list...
These are the Best Android Phones under $300 in Summer 2021: Motorola, Samsung, OnePlus, TCL, & more

These are the Best Android Phones under $300 in Summer 2021: Motorola, Samsung, OnePlus, TCL, & more

June 9, 2021
Just about everyone needs a smartphone in this day and age. Luckily, smartphone brands have become so skilled at making phones that consumers no longer have to pay an arm and a leg to get a functional device. Here's our expert guide on the best phones to get if your budget is $300 or lower....
Xperia 1 III Hands-on: Sony has finally hit its stride

Xperia 1 III Hands-on: Sony has finally hit its stride

June 8, 2021
It's hard to stand out in the Android smartphone space these days, but Sony's new Xperia 1 III manages to do just that with a couple of tricks: It's the first phone in the world to sport a 4K, 120Hz OLED panel and a variable Periscope zoom lens with a focal length that can switch...
iPadOS 15 Developer Beta 1 Hands-On: Quick Notes is a gamechanger, split-screen finally works well

iPadOS 15 Developer Beta 1 Hands-On: Quick Notes is a gamechanger, split-screen finally works well

June 8, 2021
I recently wrote an opinion piece about how iPadOS holds back the new M1-powered iPad Pro, because what good is having super-powerful silicon that can outperform Intel-powered desktops if the software on the iPad itself is just a blown-up version of the iPhone UI? Among my gripes were limited multi-tasking and a restricted homescreen. Well, Apple...
macOS Monterey adds seamless drag-and-drop sharing between iPad and Mac

macOS Monterey adds seamless drag-and-drop sharing between iPad and Mac

June 7, 2021
Those who own both a Mac and an iPad are probably aware of the feature "SideCar," which essentially turns the iPad into a secondary monitor for Mac. At WWDC today, Apple introduced a new feature in macOS Monterey that further synergizes collaboration between the Mac and iPad, while letting the latter remain an iPad. Named "Universal...
Best Cheap Android Phones in June 2021: Google, Motorola, Samsung, OnePlus & More

Best Cheap Android Phones in June 2021: Google, Motorola, Samsung, OnePlus & More

June 4, 2021
Concerned about phone prices getting too high? We hear ya! But the good news is, cheap phones are getting quite good too. Sure, budget phones tend to omit some of the bells and whistles you on offer from the best Android phones, but if you keep your expectations realistic, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how much $200-$300...
The Best Smartphone to buy in June 2021: Apple, Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and more!

The Best Smartphone to buy in June 2021: Apple, Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and more!

June 4, 2021
Smartphones have gotten very good in recent years, to the point that picking a new one may be a daunting task. If you are indeed on the market for a new phone, we are here to help. We here at XDA test almost every smartphone on earth, so here's our expert guide on the best...