Featured Mobile
Page 11 - Jump to the First Page
Huawei Mate X3 review: Impeccable hardware for enthusiasts only
The Huawei Mate X3 is a showcase of cutting-edge hardware craftsmanship in the foldable space. But several factors make it a tough sell for many.
The Huawei Mate X3 is a hard phone to review. On one hand, it has the most impressive foldable hardware I've ever seen— and I've tested every single foldable phone ever commercially released. Speaking purely of hardware, it makes the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 look a generation behind. But the Mate X3 is also missing easy access to services used by billions of people on Earth, and it's priced on the highest end of the mobile phone spectrum. Due to the latter two factors, the Mate X3 has no chance of being anything other than a niche enthusiast phone in regions outside its native China.
Google Pixel Fold review: An impressive first attempt
Google's introduction into the foldable world is here, and it's almost everything I could've hoped for.
The Google Pixel Fold, perhaps the most anticipated piece of hardware from Google in a long time, is finally here. While the recently released Pixel Tablet has been another device that's garnered a fair bit of excitement, it's this foldable that's gotten tech fans in a frenzy. Sure, folding a functioning display in half is really cool, but it's also the first in this growing category from Google, with the hope it would bring fan-favorite software, a different shape, and Pixel's photography prowess into the space.
watchOS 10 could be a major step towards absolute Apple Watch autonomy
Is it finally time for Apple to unleash its wearable?
The Apple Watch Ultra reflects the company's commitment to wearables over the past decade. While the latest Apple Watches are now pretty much portable computers, they weren't as advanced at first. Early editions heavily relied on iPhone connectivity to work. Initially, there was no App Store on watchOS, and it took years for third-party apps to run on these smartwatches without relying on iOS.
Samsung needs to stop installing apps without our permission
You should own your smartphone after spending hundreds or thousands of dollars for it. Samsung needs to stop installing apps without permission.
If you've ever owned a Samsung smartphone, you'll know that the company installs a ton of bloatware beyond what is actually needed to use it. This is partly because One UI is an operating system built upon another operating system, so you'll have duplicate applications. There's the Google Play Store and the Samsung Galaxy Store, Google Messages and Samsung Messages, and so on. There are other extraneous apps installed when you start up a Samsung device for the first time, like Samsung Messages and Samsung Health. If the bloatware and unwanted installations stopped there, it would be a slight annoyance we could look past.
ESR Geo Wallet Stand review: More than meets the eye
ESR might have made the perfect MagSafe wallet with Apple-certified Find My built-in. Oh, and it holds cash — sort of.
We all use a wallet of some kind, but what constitutes a wallet has evolved a lot over the years. I remember at one point carrying one that held not only my cash and cards but also a checkbook. Nowadays, some people don't carry a physical wallet at all, and instead, opt to use a digital option like Google Wallet or Apple Pay. For those times you need to have physical cards with you or just prefer them, there are plenty of slim options out there, including some wallet cases for your phone. But the new ESR Geo Wallet Stand is so much more than that.
The changes to iMessage in iOS 17 are a step backward
Apple redesigned the way you share photos and other media in Messages on iOS 17, but it's a step backward.
Apple changed a ton of apps in the new versions of its most popular operating systems, which can be seen in developer betas for iOS 17 and watchOS 10. These changes range from small tweaks to entire app redesigns, and some of these look to be great additions to Apple's best operating systems. But not all of these refinements were for the better.
Apple has been awfully quiet about allowing sideloading on iPhones in the EU
Apple has been really quiet about allowing sideloading, but it seems to be an inevitability.
Apple has always been cavalier when it comes to sideloading your own applications on your smartphone. It's something that the company does not support and, in fact, has gone to pretty far lengths to prevent in the past. In recent years it's dialed back its opposition, but it's likely that it did so as a result of growing regulatory pressure. However, in 2022, a landmark decision by the European Union meant that Apple with iOS 17 would very likely need to allow iPhone users to download apps from outside the official App Store.
Motorola Razr+ (2023) review: The best clamshell foldable right now
Samsung, take note. The Razr+ is a major improvement for clamshell foldables simply by using a larger outside screen.
After inexplicably making last year's Razr a China-exclusive device, Motorola is bringing the Razr line back to the U.S. and other international markets. And there's good news: The Razr+ (2023) is a polished and eye-catching clamshell foldable that makes the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 look outdated. Of course, the Flip 4 is almost a year old, so it's not the most direct comparison, but the Razr+ is the biggest challenge yet to Samsung's dominant grip on the foldable market in the U.S., all thanks to its much larger cover screen. If you've ever been unsure about this kind of phone, the Razr+ is a great place to start.
What Arm's restructured royalty fees could mean for consumers
Arm is reportedly set on restructuring its business model to increase its royalty fees, potentially causing a significant price hike for all phones.
From wireless earbuds to VR headsets and everything in between, tech devices have experienced a noticeable increase in prices since the start of the pandemic. It started with the global chip shortage and then snowballed into increased manufacturing costs at multiple levels. Of course, smartphones are no exception to the rule, especially given the complex process of manufacturing its components, such as the chip inside. Any increase in the cost of production will invariably be passed down to the consumers, and if a recent report is to be believed, it looks like we are about to witness something that may affect smartphone pricing, courtesy of Arm.
Peak Design Everyday Case for Pixel 7a review: A case meant for accessories
Peak Design's Everyday Case for the Google Pixel 7a is only great if you plan to use it with the company's other accessories.
While most case manufacturers usually try to provide appeal in the form of looks or protection with their products, Peak Design has gone with a different approach. It's been creating cases that look good and provide solid protection, with a slim, sleek form factor, but each case also features an inset square that is used to offer compatibility with other Peak Design accessories, like charging stands, mounts, and wallets. The company's Everyday Case for the Google Pixel 7a is no different.
Google Pixel Tablet review: The best Android tablet experience ever
Google finally optimized Android for widescreen devices, which is great for the future of Android tablets.
Apple products are quite successful in all their respective product categories, but the most dominant Apple product is probably the iPad. Ever since its introduction in 2010, the iPad has led the global tablet market share, sometimes accounting for half of all tablets sold worldwide. Android tablets never could catch up in sales or mainstream recognition despite attempts by just about every major Android phone manufacturer. Google too tried its hand at the tablet very early in the game with a series of Nexus tablets, but they were budget offerings that lacked polish.
I am so finished waiting for Android to catch up to Apple's health and wellness efforts
Hey Google, are you even trying to step up?
Apple's annual WWDC keynote this year was packed with a ton of exciting announcements, and it's safe to say that it did not disappoint. In addition to the new Vision Pro mixed-reality headset, Apple also previewed the new version of iOS, which, as is usually the case, sparked the not-so-friendly iOS vs. Android debate. Anybody who follows the post-keynote conversation on social media after an Apple, Samsung, or Google event knows what I'm talking about, right? Everybody has an opinion on which OS is falling behind the other.
5 upcoming iPhone communication features I'm most excited about
There's plenty coming to iPhone with iOS 17, but among the many communications features, these are the most exciting.
There are some great new features coming to iPhone with the iOS 17 update this fall. Many of these features relate to the way you communicate with the phone, which includes not only audio and video calls but also text-based messaging. As someone who communicates daily in a multitude of ways from my iPhone 14, there are a few features in particular that I’m especially excited about. Some of these are simple updates but could make a world of difference in the long run.
Apple Vision Pro gives us a glimpse into a potentially dystopian future
The Vision Pro is Apple's most advanced consumer product to date, but it could be pointing towards a nightmarish future of solitude.
The Vision Pro was first previewed during WWDC23 as Apple's first official spatial computer. While there's no denying how advanced this mixed-reality headset is, there are some concerns surrounding the way Apple envisions it. And despite its release being around half a year away, I already feel somewhat uneasy thinking about it. With every social feature the company highlighted for its new tech during the keynote, my dread towards the Vision Pro and how it disconnects people further increased.
It's easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of cases that are available for smartphones and other gadgets, and I get it. Part of my job is to search for the best cases for popular handsets, be it an Android phone or the latest iPhone, and there are just too many factors to consider. Not all cases guarantee the best fit and finish or damage control, and too many sacrifice style for protection. So if, like me, you prioritize those two aspects of a case over other specialty features, then I can't recommend Dbrand's Grip case enough.
Bark Phone review: An excellent phone for kids with an odd way to get it
Bark is well-known amongst parents for its excellent app to keep kids safe on their devices, but now it has a phone of its own.
Bark is known as the go-to app for parental controls for kids' devices, and the Bark Phone is its first all-in-one solution. I have reviewed many of the best smartphones for kids and smartwatches for kids, so although I've never used the Bark App myself, I was interested in checking the new phone out with my two young kids.
OnePlus Nord N30 Review: A decent but unremarkable entry-level phone
The Nord N30 could be had for as low as $269. I suppose I can't nitpick at this price, but OnePlus can and should've done better.
OnePlus' new entry-level phone, the Nord N30, brings mostly the same experience as last year's Nord N20, which we thought was a good-looking, serviceable phone with some odd choices. This is all true with this year's device. The phone looks great (unfortunately, it looks better than it feels), and there's not much to complain about with display, processor, and general UI performance at this price point. But the cameras are seriously underwhelming.
Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) review: Do you even need a stylus in a midrange phone?
Motorola's new Moto G Stylus 5G gives you a built-in stylus for $400, but are you willing to take all the other compromises?
As smartphone manufacturers continue to push the limits of pricing, Motorola has gone in the opposite direction. There is a market for affordable smartphones, and Motorola has carved out a niche in this area. With the Moto G Stylus 5G (2023), the company is aiming to create a midrange smartphone with a built-in stylus. Not many midrange smartphones offer this functionality — or smartphones in general for that matter — so this feature alone makes it in the running to be one of the best budget smartphones this year.
Why Universal Control isn't the continuity solution I expected
Universal Control was billed as the peak of Apple's continuity magic, but it hasn't been what I expected. In fact, I have it disabled.
When Apple first previewed Universal Control way back at WWDC 2021, I, like many others, thought it would be a game-changer in terms of continuity. Apple has been the best at developing an ecosystem so strong it just makes sense to buy more than one of the company's products. Sure, Apple might not make the best smartphone or computer, but it does make the best pairing between a smartphone and a computer.
Amazon Fire Max 11 review: I miss Google apps
Amazon's new tablet has some good hardware, but Fire OS is going to frustrate those who like using Google Mobile Services.
It's been a great couple of months for the tablet, between Apple bringing Final Cut Pro to the iPad, OnePlus' surprisingly polished tablet, Lenovo's super-sized work machine with the best keyboard case around, and the imminent launch of the Pixel Tablet. Now Amazon is jumping into the fray with its most ambitious tablet yet.