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Karthik Iyer-Senior writer

Karthik Iyer

Senior writer

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About Karthik Iyer

A senior evergreen writer at XDA Developers serving up reviews, buying guides, deals, and more on laptops, PC hardware, and smartphones that you care about. He's been covering the computing and smartphone industry for over seven years now and has worked with various brands to establish an authority in the technology space. Before joining XDA Developers, Karthik was a senior reviewer at Digit, a popular tech magazine in India. You will likely find him yelling at his monitors while playing an online shooter in his free time.

What tech products or categories are you most passionate about?

Everything that remotely falls under the umbrella of technology gets me excited, but I've been directing my attention more towards the day-to-day computing devices like laptops, desktops, and smartphones that are shaping the future.

How long have you been interested in technology?

I may have started covering the technology space "officially" in 2016, but I've been obsessed with technology and gadgets for as long as I can remember. I was lucky enough to get my hands on a Motorola Razr V3 in 2006, shortly after which I started writing about technology on my blog.

What was your first computer?

I've been dabbling with computing devices for as long as I can remember, but it wasn't until 2010 that I built my first computer. It coincided with the launch of Intel's 2010 Core processor family, and I vividly remember how excited I was to finish the build and install a copy of GTA IV. The good old days when choosing the right component or finding a stable game to run wasn't a chore.

Latest Articles

An image showing a Galaxy S22 in a person's hand.
Best Samsung Galaxy S22 rugged cases in 2023

The Galaxy S22 is a small and fragile phone. Protect it with these rugged cases!

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The Samsung Galaxy S22 may not be the most featured-packed Galaxy smartphone out there right now, but it remains a solid pick for those who don't mind grabbing a relatively old phone at a cheaper price. In fact, it's just as compact and good-looking as its successor, the Galaxy S23. It's also among the most durable phones out there in 2023, thanks to its aluminum frame, an IP68 certification, and the use of Corning Gorilla Glass+ on the back. That, however, doesn't make it indestructible. And if you happen to have an active lifestyle or if you're just clumsy with phones, then you'll need a rugged case to fully protect it from everyday wear and tear. Here are the best Samsung Galaxy S22 rugged cases you can buy right now:

Best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 chargers, cables, and other accessories in 2023

Deck out your Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 with these earbuds, chargers, and more.

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The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 lost its best clamshell foldable crown to the Galaxy Z Flip 5 this year, but that it remains one of the best foldables you can buy in the U.S. It offers a good bang for your buck and is particularly great for those who want to dip their toes in the world of foldable without spending too much money. It brings some nice upgrades under the hood compared to its predecessor, but it's still missing some basics, like a charger in the box. That's right, you'll have to bring your own charger for the Galaxy Z Flip 4 because Samsung doesn't include one in the box. If you don't have a spare charger and are looking to buy a new one, then here are some good options to consider, along with the best cables and some other accessories for the Galaxy Z Flip 4.

Best external GPU enclosures for your laptop in 2024

If you're in the market to buy a new external GPU enclosure for your laptop, then we have some great recommendations for you in this collection.

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Buying the best external GPU enclosures for your laptop can be crucial to boosting the overall performance of the machine, be it for gaming or for improving the render speeds in Premiere Pro. The external GPU (or eGPU) enclosure, as the name suggests, holds a desktop graphics card and also provides power for it. These enclosures allow you to get all the graphics capabilities of powerful desktop graphics even while using a thin and light laptop.

An image showing a desk setup with a monitor, a keyboard, a phone connected to an HDMI adapter, and a desk top with marble finish.
Best accessories for Samsung DeX in 2023

Bring your smartphone and computing world together with these DeX accessories.

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Samsung's DeX platform has been around for quite some time now, and I'd say it's the closest thing we have right now to using our phones as PCs. It's far ahead of other attempts we've seen from many manufacturers, including Microsoft, and it's only getting better. Samsung has also made it easier to use DeX now, as you no longer need one of those fancy DeX stations to establish a connection. It is, however, recommended that you pick up the right accessories to have a good overall experience while using Samsung DeX. Good-quality peripherals like a keyboard, mouse, and multiport adapter will go a long way to ensure you have a seamless experience, and that's exactly what we're here for. Below is the list of accessories I recommend picking up to have a solid Samsung DeX experience.

An illustration for the best chargers and accessories for the Pixel 7a with its text, the Pixel 7a in three colors next to a USB-C charger.
Best Google Pixel 7a chargers and accessories in 2023

Get these accessories to improve your overall experience of using the Pixel 7a.

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Google's Pixel 7a ranks high up in our list of the best budget Android phones you can buy in the U.S. It may not have all the bells and whistles that you'd get with the flagship Pixel 8, but it gets a lot of things right with both basics like a 90Hz display and some thoughtful extras like support for wireless charging. The Pixel 7a doesn't leave a lot of room for complaints, but keep in mind that you won't find any accessories in its box, meaning no charger or earphones. That's right, Google stopped including accessories with its phones a couple of years back, and the Pixel 7a is no different. So if you want to stock up on some chargers and other accessories, we have you covered.

Laptop on white counter
6 effective ways to lower your laptop's CPU temperatures

Try these tips if your laptop's CPU is constantly struggling and running hotter than it should.

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Unlike desktop computers, laptops don't necessarily have sophisticated cooling solutions to keep CPU and GPU temperatures in check. In fact, even the best gaming laptops in 2023 have relatively simple thermal designs that incorporate both CPU and GPU cooling due to space constraints. This makes it incredibly challenging to keep laptops cool, especially when it's under load. If you are a laptop user struggling to tame your CPU temperatures, then here are a few things you can do to see immediate results and a quick improvement in CPU temperatures.

Samsung Galaxy A54 13
Best Samsung Galaxy A54 cases in 2023

Samsung Galaxy A54 comes with Gorilla Glass 5 on both front and back, but that's no reason to use it without a case. Check out the best cases here.

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The Samsung Galaxy A54 is undoubtedly one of the best Android smartphones in the mid-range category. As we mentioned in our review, the A54 offers many improvements that make it a better choice than last year’s Galaxy A53. However, while its capabilities and Gorilla Glass 5 front and back are remarkable, this smartphone is still prone to daily mishaps, such as accidental drops, scratches, cracks, and dents.

An illuration for the best Samsung Galaxy S23+ screen protectors.
Best Samsung Galaxy S23+ screen protectors in 2023

The Galaxy S23+ comes with Gorilla Glass Victus 2, but the display is still prone to scratches and cracks. Protect it with these screen protectors.

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Samsung's Galaxy S23 series debuted earlier this year with the S23, S23+ and the S23 Ultra coming out in February and the S23 FE premiering in October. These newer phones have brought some meaningful upgrades over their predecessors, such as better cameras and chipsets. Another is the bigger display featuring Gorilla Glass Victus 2, making the 6.6-inch panel on the Galaxy S23+ more durable than other flagship phones on the market. Despite that extra durability, we still recommend using a screen protector to keep the display pristine. Thankfully, there's no shortage of good screen protectors for the Galaxy S23+, and we're highlighting some of our favorite picks.

An image showing a pair of smart glasses placed on a Steam Deck.
4 reasons smart glasses are the best accessory for handheld gaming

Smart glasses aren't quite ready for prime time, but they're already excellent for portable gaming.

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Smart glasses have been around for more than a decade, but I am glad that they're slowly breaking out of their "niche category" shell to land in the hands of more consumers in 2023. We're still a ways away from realizing the dream of true spatial computing with smart glasses, but I have to admit that viewing a bright and colorful virtual screen right in front of your eyes is quite impressive, to say the least. Having a portable, private screen for yourself is excellent for things like watching movies and TV shows, reading a book, or even gaming. In fact, having spent the last few weeks with two of the best smart glasses out there in 2023, I am convinced that they are the best accessory you can pair with your handheld gaming consoles.

The best Corsair PC cases illustration image
Best Corsair PC cases in 2024

Corsair has a ton of PC cases on offer. Here's a collection of the best Corsair cases you can buy right now.

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Corsair has a reputation for making high-quality PC components, including CPU coolers, power supply units, SSDs, and more. Corsair is also home to some of the best PC cases you can find on the market. In fact, a couple of Corsair cases have made it into our collection of the best PC cases. With such a wide variety of cases to choose from, Corsair deserves a whole article for itself. So, here it is — these are the best Corsair cases you should look at if you're trying to build a PC.

Capacitors on a motherboard along with the text for illustration
Best Asus motherboards in 2024

Asus has a wide variety of motherboards on the market for both Intel and AMD CPUs. Here's a list of the best Asus motherboard you can buy in 2024.

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Picking the best motherboard may not be as exciting as buying other components of a PC build, but it's important to get it right. Having a solid motherboard is extremely important since it acts as the foundation for your entire build. Asus is one of the primary motherboard makers for desktops, perhaps even the most popular. The company is often responsible for some of the best gaming motherboards you can buy. So, if you're looking to build a gaming rig, Asus is a great choice, and there's lots of great motherboards in the company's current lineup.

An image showing a clear case that has started yellowing from the sides.
Why do clear phone cases turn yellow, and can you clean them?

Clear cases are great... until they turn yellow.

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Transparent smartphone cases are my go-to recommendation if you're looking for protection since they allow you to protect your device while showing off its color and design. Clear cases have been around for quite some time, but they're more popular than ever, considering all the color options and unique designs you can get these days. Being able to show off the premium fit-and-finish of your great iPhone or Android phone is great, but most clear cases on the market turn yellow over time.

An image showing the XREAL Air 2 AR glasses that's kept on its carrying case.
XREAL Air 2 review: A good entry to the world of spatial computing

A little rough around the edges, though.

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Augmented reality (AR) glasses have been around for quite some time, but they're having a bit of a Eureka moment now following the announcement of Apple's Vision Pro headset. I've come across more AR glasses over the last few weeks on my social media feed and in my inbox than I've collectively seen in all these years of covering tech. I am not complaining, though, because many of these new pair of glasses are genuinely impressive. The XREAL Air 2 is definitely one of the more interesting AR glasses out there that enables spatial computing for $400 and no lead times.

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Best cases for Apple Watch Ultra 2 in 2023

Even a rugged titanium watch can use some protection from drops and scuffs.

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The Apple Watch Ultra 2 looks and feels very similar to the original Apple Watch model. It's also just as durable as the original watch, carrying an IPX6 dust resistance rating and MIL-STD 810H and EN13319 certifications. While that makes it one of the most durable smartwatches out there, it doesn't hurt to add a bit of extra protection to ensure it's well-maintained and works as advertised for a long time.

Intel Core i9 14900K in a CPU socket in a motherboard
Can your CPU be too cold?

We often talk about high CPU temperatures, but can your CPU really be too cold?

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Nobody likes the sight of an overheating CPU that's throttling and struggling to keep up with its tasks, right? That's why we're in a constant, neverending battle against the CPU, trying to keep its temperatures in check with a capable cooling solution. Thankfully, there are plenty of great CPU coolers that can easily tame the temperatures of even the most demanding CPUs like the new Intel Core i9-14900K, which simply refuses to run cool. But have you ever wondered whether your CPU can run too cold? Well, the simple answer to that question is that there's no such thing as the CPU temperatures being "too cold."

An image showing the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 CPU next to its cooler.
Do CPUs come with fans?

Only select Intel and AMD CPUs come with a fan or a thermal solution.

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Buying a CPU that comes bundled with a fan or a cooler is one of the easiest ways save money while building a new PC. A processor with bundled cooler is great for casual users who don't plan on overclocking their CPU or push it to its limits with some resource-intensive games or programs. But not all processors ship with a cooler these days, and both Intel and AMD only bundle it with select processors in their catalog. If you are in the market to buy a new processor and are wondering which ones ship with a fan then read on to find.

Best Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro chargers, cables, and other accessories in 2023

The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro don't come with accessories in the box beyond the charging cable, so here are some accessories to boost your experience.

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Google's Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro may not be the newest Pixel phones on the market, but they're both still worth considering in 2023. There's to like about them, and they also bring some upgrades their predecessors, but you won't find any accessories besides a cable in their boxes. Google stopped including a charger or a pair of earphones with its Pixel phones a few years back, and the Pixel 7 series phones are no different. So if you're looking to buy a charger or some other accessories to pair with your Google Pixel 7, then you've come to the right place. Let's take a look at the best Pixel 7 chargers, cables, and other accessories that you should consider picking up now.

A desk setup featuring an M3 iMac.
Best docking stations for 24-inch iMac (M3, 2023) in 2024

Grab one of these docks to make the most of your new M3-powered iMac.

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Apple's 24-inch iMac (M3, 2023) is easily one of the best Macs out there in 2023. The much-needed 2023 iMac refresh brings the company's latest silicon chip and faster Wi-Fi to the table, improving an already excellent desktop computer for those who prefer a stationary setup for working from home. I just wish the new 24-inch iMac had more ports, because the current selection is quite limited. You really only have a couple of Thunderbolt ports and a headphone jack, just like its predecessor. It's nothing a Thunderbolt dock can't solve, though, and there are plenty of them available on the market right now.

A person holding a Galaxy S23 with Google's Password Manager page open on its display.
How to manage passwords with Google

Having trouble managing your passwords? Try Google's Password Manager which is free and easy to use on virtually any device with a Chrome browser.

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Using a password manager is a no-brainer in 2023, especially if you happen to have too many online accounts. The best password managers not only secure your passwords, but they also generate unique passwords for you, and allow things like one-tap logins, secure password sharing, and more. There are plenty of reliable password managers out there that can help keep your online accounts safe, but if you're not ready to sign up for one yet, then consider checking out Google Password Manager.

An image showing the internal components of a gaming PC with RGB lights.
4 telltale signs that it's time to upgrade your PC

You know your PC has some seen better days, so give it the upgrade it deserves.

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It's never a bad time to upgrade your PC as newer and more powerful components frequently make their way to the market. There's always some new hardware on the table, but knowing when to actually upgrade your PC is crucial to ensure you're getting the most out of your existing hardware instead of constantly spending your hard-earned money on unnecessary upgrades. Similarly, delaying an inevitable upgrade to save money may result in extreme bottlenecks, causing more harm than good. It's not easy to predict the right time for an upgrade, especially if you don't know your way around PCs, but you can keep an eye out for some telltale signs that tell you when your computer just can't keep up anymore.

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