Your VPN keeps your data private from snooping eyes, but sometimes the connection drops. When that happens, and you are still connected, you're naked to the world. Here's how to make sure you never get exposed. 

Broken wearables don't need to be cast off as e-waste. Repairability is here, although it's not yet as widespread as it should be.

Android 17 is out, and if you have a Google Pixel phone, you can try it right away. Android 17 comes with a bunch of new features, including a new green-screen selfie tool, a Pause Point tool and loads of video and photo improvements for Instagram.

Android 17, Google's latest model of mobile operating system, is officially available — at least for owners of Pixel phones.

Google also released a new Pixel Drop and the latest operating system for its smartwatches, Wear OS 7. There's a lot of new features, so let's dive into what's coming to your devices.

Android 17

Android 17 is now available for Pixel phones. The operating system will roll out to other Android devices through the rest of the year.

The new Bubbles feature in Android 17. Credit: Google

Here are the three main new features available in Android 17.

• Bubbles: Users can open any mobile app as a pop-up "bubble" rather than in full screen mode — meaning you can manage multiple apps more easily. There's also a new Bubble bar interface at the bottom of the screen that will keep your recent bubbles organized and accessible.

• Screen Reactions: Dual webcam and screen recording is really popular on desktops and laptops these days, especially for walkthroughs and tutorials. Google is bringing that experience to Android devices, allowing users to record via their selfie camera and capture their phone screen at the same time. 

• Foldable gaming mode: Have a foldable Android device? This mode lets you turn one half of the foldable screen into a digital gamepad, while playing a game on the other half.

Android 17 also brings new security and parental control capabilities. The new operating system has more location-sharing controls, Live Threat Detection, Advanced Protection improvements, and a "Mark as lost" feature in Find Hub.

Parents can also set screen time limits, and filter out content, without needing to link a Google Account first.

Foldable Gaming mode in Android 17 Credit: Google

June Pixel Drop

The latest Pixel drop for Google's Pixel phones is also out — and this one is chock full of AI features.

• Gemini Omni: Users can edit their videos by just chatting with the AI chatbot. Remix images and videos, or just start from scratch with nothing but a text prompt. You can also create a custom AI avatar that looks and sounds like you — then insert it into any scene.  

• Lyria 3 in Gemini: Google is also bringing its latest music generation model, Lyria 3, to Pixel phones. Users can choose the style, the tempo, or even upload an image to inspire a song.

Google is also bringing minor upgrades to certain PIxel models. This latest Pixel Drop brings Google's speech-to-voice translation with AudioLM feature to Pixel 10am devices. Android Quick Share, which provides AirDrop capabilities with iPhones, is now available on Pixel 9a and Pixel 8a devices.

Take a Message has also now rolled out to all compatible Pixel devices in the U.S. The feature provides Custom Greetings, which lets users record a personalized outgoing message — and gives voicemail transcriptions when you miss a call.

And, of course, Pixel phones get all the new features that come along with the new Android 17.

Wear OS 7

Own an Android smartwatch? Here's what's new on your device.

• Android Live Updates: Smartwatch users can now view Android Live Updates directly from their wrist. This feature can be used to track sports scores, food delivery arrival times, workouts, and more. 

• Control other devices: Users can now control other Android devices from their wrist. Wear OS 7 lets you access what's playing on your headphones or home speakers. Users can view photos snapped with their smartglasses instantly on their smartwatch.

• Emergency Sharing: If your Pixel Watch detects a fall, a car accident, or a loss of pulse, your Pixel device will now immediately contact emergency services and notify a user's emergency contacts.

With summer screen time in full swing, Google has announced Android parental controls are now available on all Android devices.

These on-device settings first launched on the Pixel in late 2025. Now any Android device updated with Android 17 will have them too.

The controls allow parents to set screen time limits on the device — plus a downtime schedule that locks a device at night, and filters for Google Play downloads.

Parents can also block specific apps or limit time spent on them. Changes can only be made via a PIN.

Android parental controls also help connect caregivers to Google Family Link, a tool for managing a child's Google account and related screen time activity.

Along with the parental controls update, Google announced increased support for its digital well-being fund in order to "introduce new interventions focused on best practices for healthy technology interactions and supports that combat social isolation."

Blurry restaurant photos, Amazon case listings, and leaked specs are providing an early look at Samsung’s next foldable phone. While nothing is official yet, the available information is starting to paint a clearer picture of what the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide could bring when it launches.

Motorola released a new Razr Ultra, and it's a lot like last year's model, which earned a CNET Editors' Choice award. But do minimal upgrades, and a $200 price hike make the 2026 Razr Ultra a worthy buy? We tested it to find out.

Motorola's first book-style foldable makes a strong debut, with long battery life, impressive cameras and a sleek build. But there are some caveats, including the hefty $1,900 price.

The list of Android phones which support AirDrop has increased considerably.

Google highlighted this in a recent blog post and pointed to its official list of devices that work with Quick Share.

Quick Share is an Android feature that allows for wireless transfer of photos, videos, documents, and links to nearby devices, via BlueTooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. While it's primarily an Android feature, it also works with Apple's devices, including the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

The new list of Android devices which support Quick Share is as follows:

Samsung

• Galaxy S26, S26+, S26 Ultra

• Galaxy S25, S25+, S25 Ultra, S25 Edge

• Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

• Galaxy Z Flip7

• Galaxy Z Fold7

• Galaxy Z Flip6

• Galaxy Z Fold6

• Galaxy Z Fold6 (Special Edition)

• Galaxy Z TriFold

Google

• Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, 10 Pro Fold, 10a

• Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold, 9a

• Pixel 8a

Xiaomi

• Xiaomi 17T Pro

OnePlus

• OnePlus 15

OPPO

• OPPO Find X9, X9 Pro, X9 Ultra, X9s

• OPPO Find N6

Vivo

• Vivo X300, X300 Pro, X300 Ultra

HONOR

• HONOR Magic V6

A couple of devices are listed as "coming soon." The list is as follows:

• Motorola razr fold 2026

• OPPO Find X8 series

• HONOR Magic8 Pro

Android users, update your devices. Google has just released new security updates for Android that fix a slew of vulnerabilities.

Just how many things did Google fix? A whopping 124 vulnerabilities, according to Bleeping Computer, have now been addressed in Google's June 2026 Android security patches. 

Google addressed some of the bigger vulnerabilities that it patched in a June 1 Android Security Bulletin.

"The most severe of these issues is a critical security vulnerability in the Framework component that could lead to remote escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed," Google wrote. "User interaction is not needed for exploitation."

In addition to that flaw, Google also included a fix for a zero-day flaw that has already been exploited by bad actors in targeted attacks.

The vulnerability, known as CVE-2026-21385, "affects the graphics driver of Qualcomm processors," according to cybersecurity company Pradeo. 

Google previously warned about this vulnerability in its Android Security Bulletin from March. The flaw enables an attack to trigger memory corruption through an integer overflow. Basically, this means that a bad actor can push more data to a graphics component than it can handle, triggering a flaw in the device's memory management, which can then be exploited to access a target's sensitive data.

Google Pixel devices will immediately receive the updates. However, third-party manufacturers might need to tweak the updates for their specific Android devices before releasing the security patches to their users.

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The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ and Acer Predator Atlas 8 are running Intel’s new Arc G3 Extreme processor, while Asus unveiled an ROG Xbox Ally X20. Which one is right for you?

UPDATE: May. 27, 2026, 11:22 a.m. Since we first published this story, Motorola confirmed it fixed the issue and provided a statement to Mashable. We've udpated this piece to include the statement.

A few years ago, a massive affiliate code hijacking scheme rocked the internet. YouTubers and other influencers discovered that PayPal's money-saving Chrome extension, Honey, was sneakily inserting its own e-commerce affiliate codes — sometimes even replacing creators' affiliate codes — in order to take credit for the sale and profit from the commission. 

The whole ordeal resulted in lawsuits and even Google getting involved, changing its Chrome extensions policy and how the company handles affiliate links.

Now, a Reddit user and 9to5Google have uncovered yet another over-the-top instance of affiliate hijacking that's reportedly affecting Motorola smartphone users.

Over the weekend, a Reddit user noticed that their Motorola Razr Ultra was behaving oddly when trying to shop on Amazon. 

"When I tried to open the Amazon app, it would instead open the browser and send me to some sketchy looking url, which then redirects to amazon.com with an affiliate code," Reddit user u/Trypocopris said.

The user found that his device was making requests to "devicenative.com," a service that claims to offer "personalized, on-device mobile ad serving without sharing user data."

9to5Google was able to replicate the issue. The outlet found the issue on a Razr Fold with the latest Smart Feed v2.03.0070. However, 9to5Google was unable to replicate the behavior on the latest Razr running the older Smart Feed v2.03.0056. While some Motorola phones on the latest version would not replicate the issue, 9to5Google believes the issue is related to Smart Feed v2.03.0070.

The affiliate hijacking only appears to occur when a user opens the Amazon app from the app drawer. Opening Amazon from the home screen does not cause the issue. (Mashable was also redirected when opening the Amazon shopping app from the Smart Feed, but not when opening the app from the home screen.) When selecting Amazon from the app drawer, the user's mobile web browser briefly opens up before quickly directing the user to the Amazon app.

Interestingly, 9to5Google found that users are briefly redirected to a website containing the term “kira-abboud,” an apparent reference to fashion influencer @kirasfashionfinds. However, as the outlet discovered, neither this URL nor the Amazon affiliate code being injected matches anything publicly shared by the influencer herself. 

So, did a bad actor find a way to inject their affiliate code into certain Motorola smartphones? Did a rogue employee insert their own? Mashable reached out for comment, and we'll update this story if they provide more information.

However, users can stop the behavior by turning the Smart Feed feature off. Simply go to Settings, followed by Apps, then search for Smart Feed and choose the Disable option. 9to5Google reports that doing this immediately stopped the redirect.

A Motorola spokesperson sent the following statement to Mashable:

Motorola and Device Native jointly developed an app search and suggestion experience for the Moto App Launcher, designed to help users quickly find and launch apps they already have installed on their devices.

Recently, Motorola acted quickly to resolve an issue that was identified, which caused some users in the U.S. launching the Amazon Shopping app to be routed through a web tracking link before opening the app. This behavior was unintended and resulted in an inconsistent user experience.

Upon identifying the issue, we promptly corrected the routing configuration. Users can now expect all installed apps to launch directly as intended.

Motorola takes user experience, privacy, and platform integrity seriously and will continue to closely monitor the system to ensure expected behavior across devices.

We are committed to responsible disclosure, and to transparent, collaborative engagement with researchers to identify and address potential issues swiftly.

After months of waiting, Trump Mobile's American smartphone (AKA the Trump Mobile T1 AKA the Trump Phone) is finally in the hands of consumers — or, at least, a select few journalist reviewers who spent their own hard earned money to procure one.

Trump Mobile CEO Pat O'Brien previously announced the devices would start shipping last week, and it appears the promise was at least partially kept, as tech journalists began receiving devices a few days ago.

Just a little recap: The Trump Phone was announced last June, marketed as a gold "Made In America" Android device that would run a user only $500. The company then opened up a $100 preorder for the device. Shortly after, users realized the "Made In America" label was too good to be true, and as the release deadline was pushed further and further, many believed it would all turn out to be a scam. The device's Terms & Conditions were an even bigger mystery, including a stipulation that Trump Mobile couldn't guarantee the device would ever be released. A totally normal thing to include.

The Verge then reported on an official FCC listing that seemed to confirm O'Brien's comments. A few days later, Trump Mobile execs confirmed to the press that customer data was leaking onto the open internet, due to a third-party platform provider.

At least the phone is here.

Unboxing the Trump Phone

Our colleagues over at CNET have done the full unboxing, and it is, contrary to popular belief, real: A golden smartphone complete with etched American flag logo (but only 11 stripes instead of 13).

It comes in a sleek black box emblazoned with the same minimalist flag motif — kind of like those baseball caps your uncle wears — and reads only "assembled in the USA," not made in the USA, so jury is still out on the phone's manufacturing origins. Inside the box is a wall plug, braided USB-C cord, and a SIM card tool, CNET reported.

The device's camera bump is marked with the Trump Mobile logo (that is, just the words "Trump Mobile"). It's longer than an iPhone 17, NBC News reported, and has a slim screen bezel with a camera cutout. It looks, to the trained eye, nearly identical to the 2024 HTC U24 Pro, similar to mockups released earlier this year.

The Trump Phone specs: Storage, performance, headphone jack?

The phone comes with 512 GB of storage and — wait a minute — a headphone jack?! That's right; as the public yearns for the days of analogue tech, Trump Mobile is bringing back the jack.

The device has a 6.78-inch AMOLED screen and a 50-megapixel front-facing camera. It runs off a 5,000-mAh battery and uses an unnamed Snapdragon mobile platform.

According to initial testing by CNET's Patrick Holland, the phone has an 8-core processor, which he theorizes is the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3. He compares the Trump Mobile phone's performance on standard benchmark tests to 2020-2022 Android phones, like the Galaxy Z Fold 2.

The CNET team will be posting live reviews of the phone as they test it over the weekend. Said NBC's Brian Cheung: "It works like any other phone."

T1 comes with Truth Social preloaded. Duh.

Last but not least, the phone comes with the Truth Social app automatically downloaded to every user's home screen.

And that is fine, because there is absolutely nothing weird about the U.S. President creating his own social media platform for free speech and then having it preinstalled directly onto a communication device branded with his last name.

CNET’s Patrick Holland takes a closer look at Trump Mobile’s flagship phone during a live Q&A session. The discussion covers the device’s features, design, and overall experience while answering audience questions in real time.

Google previewed new Gemini-powered features coming to Android Auto and Google Built-in at I/O 2026. The updates are designed to make in-car interactions more helpful while keeping drivers focused on the road. Here’s an early look at Google’s expanding AI ambitions in vehicles.

CNET Editor at Large Andrew Lanxon hosts a panel discussion about the latest generative AI demos we saw at Google I/O 2026. Who is this for and why does Google think it's so important?

Google unveiled its Android XR intelligent eyewear at I/O 2026, but major details remain unknown. CNET’s Andrew Lanxon leads a discussion on what Google revealed, what’s still missing, and what consumers can realistically expect from the upcoming glasses.

Google I/O 2026 gave us plenty to talk about, but what about the things Google didn't say? Join CNET Editor at Large Andrew Lanxon and a panel of top tech experts as they dig into the biggest missing pieces, delayed features and skipped announcements from this year's keynote.

Google I/O 2026 was all about improvements in AI. Gemini is getting smarter, faster and more customized. See what was presented at this year’s event, from a more intuitive Gemini Omni to the realization of Android XR with consumer products coming in the fall. We’ve got the highlights.

Google I/O 2026 just wrapped, and we're breaking down the absolute biggest announcements. Join our expert panel—featuring Andrew Lanxon (CNET), Andrew Gebhart (PCMag), and Timothy Beck Werth (Mashable)—as they analyze everything you need to know about the next generation of Google Gemini, the highly anticipated Android XR Glasses, and more.

We visited Google for a closer look at upcoming smart glasses, including Project Aura. The devices are being developed alongside partners like Samsung and Xreal as Google expands its wearable ambitions.

Google's annual I/O showcase focused heavily on AI news, but the event also contained some exciting developments in the XR glasses front.

Namely, Xreal used the event as a way to show off Project Aura, an ambitious new pair of XR glasses that were originally announced in December. They offer a massive 70-degree field of view, the biggest of any Xreal glasses, and have plenty of nifty-sounding XR capabilities. Some media members, including Mashable alum Ray Wong writing for Gizmodo, got to try Project Aura out and gave us a decent idea of what to expect when the glasses launch later this year.

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The first thing to know is that these are more advanced than the Meta Ray-Ban glasses that have been en vogue for a while now, in the sense that they offer a visual display inside the glasses, rather than relying entirely on audio cues from an AI voice assistant. Project Aura actually occupies an interesting middle ground between the Ray-Bans and something like Apple's Vision Pro headset, in the sense that it comes with a small computing puck that is attached to the glasses via a wire. According to Gizmodo's preview, you can wear the puck around your neck via an attached lanyard.

Previously, Xreal has focused on augmented reality glasses, which project a virtual display into the world around you. With Project Aura, Xreal is moving into new territory — the Android XR platform.

Like a Vision Pro, Project Aura makes use of hand tracking to interact with augmented reality elements in the display. Unfortunately, there's no eye tracking, which is definitely a compromise compared to a full headset. However, Gizmodo said the hand tracking worked well enough, and the 70-degree field of view was enough to fit at least three app windows next to each other, with Xreal claiming as many as five could fit in the field of view.

Other interesting nuggets included the ability to play video games like Demeo, a tabletop role-playing-like experience that's been available in VR for some time. Like other Xreal AR glasses, you can also connect the glasses to a laptop to make them act as an external monitor.

Overall, press previews sounded pretty positive about most aspects of Project Aura. If Xreal can figure out how to make a Vision Pro-like experience in a more convenient and less cumbersome form factor, that could be huge.

Just as long as it doesn't also cost $3,500.

Are you an Apple superfan? Enter Mashable’s Big Guessing Game to win prizes.

Sony's commemorating the 10-year anniversary of its popular 1000X headphone line with a swanky new $650 model called The Collexion. Is it worth $200 more than the WH-1000XM6? CNET's audio expert David Carnoy gives you the full skinny after testing The Collexion for a few days prior to its launch.

Google kicks off developer conference season with Google I/O 2026 on Tuesday, May 19. You can watch the keynote livestream starting at 10:00 a.m. PT or tune into the Mashable and CNET live viewing party on YouTube. Once again, Mashable tech reporters be providing real-time updates on all of the Google I/O news and announcements coming out of Mountain View, California.

In years gone by, you could expect the latest Android updates to take center stage at Google I/O. But this year, we're expecting Google artificial intelligence to be the headlining act, as Gemini gets integrated across the entire Google ecosystem of products. We've already covered what we expect from Google I/O 2026, but to recap, we'll be watching for a new frontier Gemini model, as well as updates to other AI products such as Nano Banana, Veo, Gemma, and Lyria. Google will likely unveil the latest updates to Chrome, Android, Google Search, and Workspace apps like Gemini, Sheets, and Docs.

Finally, we're hoping to get our best look yet at the upcoming Android XR glasses, which Google will be releasing at some point this year. You'll find all of the latest Google I/O news right here on this page, so keep checking back.

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Googlebooks promise everything Android users have wanted for years: A laptop that seamlessly works with your phone. The problem? It's Google. And Google has a habit of killing the things you love. 

Despite Android's presence in nearly every corner of the tech industry, it has yet to truly establish a foothold on PC platforms. Google has had ChromeOS powering Chromebooks for years, but the ubiquity of Android — paired with its lack of a meaningful foothold in traditional computing — made it clear something had to give.

Now, Google is moving to unify ChromeOS and Android into a single desktop platform, currently operating under the codename "Aluminium OS." (Or, depending on who you ask, Aluminum OS.)

What is Aluminium OS?

As far as we know — thanks to reporting from Android Authority — Aluminium OS is the internal codename for Google’s unified Android/ChromeOS desktop platform. The merger was officially announced this past September at Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit, although rumors about a ChromeOS–Android convergence had been circulating for at least a year.

In that September announcement, Google stated that it would be partnering with Qualcomm to develop a new platform that integrates mobile and desktop computing, powered by the latest advancements in AI.

The name "Aluminium OS" comes from a tip shared with Android Authority, which led the outlet to a now-deleted Google job listing for a Senior Product Manager in Taipei City, Taiwan. Luckily, Archive.today captured the posting before it disappeared. In it, Google states it is "working on a new Aluminium, Android-based, operating system” and that “Aluminium is a new operating system built with Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the core."

The role also mentions "driving the roadmap and curating a portfolio of ChromeOS and Aluminium Operating System (ALOS) commercial devices across all form factors (e.g. laptops, detachables, tablets, and boxes)." In other words, Aluminium OS won’t be limited to laptops. Tablets and so-called "boxes" — which Android Authority interprets as budget-style machines, such as Chromebooks or even Mac Mini–style devices — are also part of the plan.

A number of leaks after September have given us an even greater idea of what to expect from Aluminium OS.

In May, MysticLeaks posted a 16-minute video allegedly showing off the setup process of the new OS (running in a virtual machine inside a MacBook). In the video, you can see that the interface looks fairly similar to what's already available in ChromeOS, though there are some differences. Apps can be placed on the desktop, and you can right-click to create new folders, a la Windows, for instance.

It's also got an Android-like Quick Settings menu and a task manager, but there isn't much else to glean from the video.

Apart from unofficial leaks, we think Google also made an indirect reference to Aluminium OS during The Android Show livestream event on May 12.

What devices will run Aluminium OS?

Here's a Googlebook. Credit: Google

While previous reporting has indicated that Aluminium OS can run on a variety of device categories, it seems like it might debut with Googlebooks, a new class of laptop Google announced a week prior to Google I/O 2026. Google has only briefly teased Googlebooks so far, but if Aluminium were to run on anything, it would most likely run on one of these laptops.

In fact, Google's messaging around Googlebooks all but confirms that. In the initial reveal, Google talked about Googlebooks as though they will be a successor to Chromebooks in some way, leveraging Android apps as well as Gemini. Users will be able to do things like use AI to generate widgets.

Here's how Google described the Googlebook experience:

With the shift from operating system to intelligence system, we thought it was time for another fundamental reinvention. This year, we are taking the best of Android, a modern OS with powerful apps on Google Play, and the best of Chrome OS, which comes with the world's most popular browser and the biggest library of extensions. And they're now bringing them together, creating a new category of laptops that are built with Gemini at the core, work seamlessly with the devices in your life, and are powered by premium hardware. Meet Googlebook.

This could very well be our first official glimpse at the capabilities of Aluminium OS.

Google showed off several unique capabilities of Googlebooks, such as the ability to open Android apps from your phone right on your laptop without downloading the app.

Is this our first official glimpse of Aluminium OS? Credit: Google

They also revealed the “Magic Pointer,” an AI-powered update to the pointer. You’ll be able to hover over any element on the screen and get AI suggestions for next steps, more information, and other options.

The Magic Pointer feature in action. Credit: Google

We think Google will tell us more about Googlebooks, and Aluminium OS by extension, in the very near future.

Could Aluminium OS make its debut at Google I/O 2026? Check back on May 19 for the Mashable Google I/O live blog and get the latest updates on all things Google, Android, and Gemini.

Emoji-obsessed Android users, get ready for Noto 3D emojis to take over your text messages, posts, and more. 

This week, Google announced a design overhaul to the nearly 4,000 unique emojis, which will soon be available on Android devices running the yet-to-be-released Android 17. According to Google, the previous emoji designs "often fall flat" when trying to express emotions online.

So, Google has introduced the new Noto 3D, its new line of 3D emojis. 

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"From our beloved innocent blob emoji of the 2010s to Noto 3D, the new emoji collection we announced today, emoji are the universal language of our digital lives and they’ve never felt more alive," Google said in a post.

The company also previewed what some of the 3D emojis look like in a short video animation, offering a comparison to the 2D designs that they're replacing.

Use the slider in the image to compare the 2D and 3D versions of the emoji:

Left: The new 2D emoji designs for Android. Credit: Google

Right: The new 3D emoji designs. Credit: Google

The 3D emojis do have some pop to them, with more detail than the flat 2D designs that they are replacing.

According to Google, the new 3D emojis will first launch on Pixel phones later this year. Following the Pixel rollout, other Android devices will receive the 3D emoji update at a later date.

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Apple AirDrop enables users to quickly share photos, videos, and other files to nearby users. Android has Quick Share to provide similar functionality to its users.

Last year, Google announced during the Pixel 10 series launch that its latest Android smartphones would be able to work with AirDrop through Quick Share. This basically allowed users to take advantage of these file-sharing features cross-platform. Android phones, for example, could now share photos and videos to iPhones in the same way iPhones were able to share between each other via AirDrop.

Since then, Google has been slowly rolling out AirDrop through Quick Share to even more Android devices — even Android smartphones by third parties such as Samsung. And, just this week, Google launched the feature on a slew of new devices.

Here's the current list of every device that currently has AirDrop enabled.

Current AirDrop-enabled Android devices

• Google Pixel 10 

• Pixel 10 Pro 

• Pixel 10 Pro XL 

• Pixel 10 Pro Fold 

• Pixel 10a 

• Pixel 9 

• Pixel 9 Pro 

• Pixel 9 Pro XL 

• Pixel 9 Pro Fold

• Pixel 8a

• Samsung Galaxy S26 

• Galaxy S26+ 

• Galaxy S26 Ultra

• Oppo Find X9 series 

• Oppo Find N6 

• Vivo X300 Ultra

AirDrop coming soon to these Android devices

• Samsung Galaxy S25 

• Galaxy S25+ 

• Galaxy S25 Ultra 

• Galaxy S24 

• Galaxy S24+ 

• Galaxy S24 Ultra 

• Galaxy Z TriFold 

• Galaxy Z Fold 7 

• Galaxy Z Flip 7 

• Galaxy Z Fold 6 

• Galaxy Z Flip 6 

• Oppo Find X8 

• Oppo Find X8 Pro 

• OnePlus 15 

• Honor Magic V6 

• Honor Magic 8 Pro

It appears Google will continue to roll out AirDrop to even more devices in the future, so stay tuned for updates.

Google I/O 2026 kicks off May 19, and if the past few years are any indication, AI is going to be the main attraction. The two-day event will be livestreamed and is expected to cover updates across Gemini, Android, Chrome, and more — with keynotes, demos, and what Google calls "Dialogues" sessions featuring conversations about where AI is headed.

Last year's keynote livestream was long, so prepare yourself. Google I/O 2025 ran nearly two hours and touched nearly every corner of the company's product lineup, from its consumer apps to developer tools to hardware.

Gemini dominated the conversation, with Google rolling out model updates, deeper Workspace integration, and a wave of new AI-powered features across Search, Shopping, and beyond.

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The company also used the stage to pull back the curtain on its AR/VR ambitions with Android XR, including a new XR headset built with Samsung and Qualcomm, as well as a pair of Android XR smart glasses. This year, we're hoping for a better look at those Google XR glasses — hopefully with a working demo this time.

Check back on May 19 for Mashable's live coverage of the annual event. In the meantime, here's what's likely on the table for Google I/O 2026.

A new version of Gemini

A major Gemini model update is widely expected to be the centerpiece announcement. Whether it lands as a 4.0 or something in between, a newer, more capable version of Google's flagship AI is almost certainly coming, per CNET's preview of the event. Gemini is already embedded across most of Google's product lineup, so whatever gets announced will have a wide reach.

A next-generation model would set the tone for the company's entire product roadmap going forward.

On the more speculative end, our tech editor Timothy Beck-Werth thinks I/O 2026 could also bring updates to some of Google's other AI tools — Nano Banana, Gemma, Lyria, and Genie, among them — along with a possible Veo 4 announcement, Google's AI video generation tool. None of that is confirmed, but if Veo does get a major update, YouTube integration feels like a natural next step given how aggressively Google has been pushing AI into its platforms.

New Gemini Live voice models

Pre-show leaks suggest Gemini could be in for a significant upgrade on the voice side. Forbes contributor Paul Monckton reported this week that a hidden model selector in the Google App reveals seven previously unknown Gemini Live voice models under internal testing, including variants with codenames such as "Capybara" and "Nitrogen."

One of those models identified itself as "Gemini 3.1 Pro" when asked — a step up from the Flash Live model currently powering Gemini Live — and Monckton's own testing found meaningful behavioral differences between them, including variations in memory, location access, and fact-checking ability. The infrastructure to switch between models is apparently already built; it's just not public yet.

New video editing tools

On the video side, Chrome Unboxed flagged a separate leak this week, pointing to something called Gemini Omni, a new video generation model that appears to be surfacing for select users ahead of the event. Citing a report from 9to5Google, the outlet describes Omni as capable of remixing videos, in-chat editing, and template-based creation — possibly an evolution of Google's existing Veo foundation.

Early demo footage reportedly showed strong results, though the model appears to be computationally expensive: one user apparently burned through 86% of their daily AI Pro plan allowance generating just two short clips.

Aluminium OS

Google recently shared this preview of the Googlebook experience. Credit: Google

Google introduced the Googlebook at The Android Show event this week. In the preview, Google reps said the AI laptops wouldn't run on ChromeOS, but rather an unnamed operating system they couldn't name.

This hint suggests that Google's long-in-development project to create an Android operating system for PCs and laptops is expected to get significant airtime. The project would potentially merge Android and Chrome OS into a single platform, and it's been dubbed Aluminium OS (or is it Aluminum OS?).

Google's Android Ecosystem President Sameer Samat confirmed to Android Authority earlier this year that the platform is still on track for a 2026 debut, pushing back against court documents from the Google antitrust trial that suggested a possible 2028 timeline. Chrome OS, notably, isn't going anywhere — Samat was clear that Google sees the two as parallel strategies rather than one replacing the other, with Aluminum OS targeting a broader consumer laptop audience.

Android XR glasses

Google previewed its AI glasses in December 2025. Credit: Google

After debuting as a concept at last year's I/O, Google confirmed in December that its Android XR smart glasses would launch in 2026.

And as Mashable reported in December, Google has actually been developing two distinct products under that umbrella. The first is a display-free pair of AI glasses equipped with a camera, speakers, and microphones for hands-free Gemini interaction — a form factor that draws obvious comparisons to Meta's Ray-Ban glasses.

The second, more ambitious product adds an in-lens display that can privately surface information like navigation directions and translation captions, visible only to the wearer. Both are being built in partnership with Samsung, Gentle Monster, and Warby Parker, and both run on Android XR, the same operating system powering the Samsung Galaxy XR headset that launched in October 2025.

We're hoping to see both pairs of glasses at Google I/O 2026.

The Android XR platform

Android XR is the new Google operating system for virtual augmented reality products. Credit: Google

On the developer side, Google's own design documentation for Android XR glasses offers a window into how the company is thinking about the experience. The platform is built around the idea that interfaces should feel like a natural extension of how people perceive the world. Google I/O 2026 could be where developers finally get the full toolkit to start building for it.

What remains unclear heading into I/O 2026 is when the display version will actually ship. Google confirmed the simpler AI glasses are expected this year, but has declined to give a launch date for the display model.

Android 17

Google has been rolling out Android 17 betas since February, with a final release expected around June or July ahead of the usual Made by Google Pixel hardware event in August.

The beta has been light on headline features so far, though app bubbles — a floating window system for quick app access — has been one of the more notable additions. Like last year, Google hosted an I/O edition of the Android Show right before the big conference.

More agentic AI

Across the board, expect a heavy push for agentic AI. Systems capable of handling tasks on your behalf with minimal input are all the rage right now. OpenAI is rumored to be making a phone around the concept. Google has been signaling this direction for a while, and I/O is the natural stage to show what that actually looks like in practice with Gemini.

The future of Google Search

Remember when Google was a search engine? Once upon a time, before it was an AI company, Google used to help you find stuff on the internet.

Once again, we do expect Google to announce updates to AI Mode and AI Overviews.

Last year, the launch of AI Mode was one of the biggest news stories from Google I/O. This year, will Google announce that AI Mode is becoming the new default search experience? That kind of development would be catastrophic for publishers and websites, but we do expect some new developments in AI search (with or without mentioning AI hallucinations).

Google I/O 2026 begins May 19 at 10 a.m. PT and streams live at io.google.

The Android Show I/O Edition showcased new Googlebook laptops and the latest updates in Gemini, which Google promises will work seamlessly across devices bringing agentic AI to the masses. See all the highlights from the online event.

It's been almost a year since the made-in-America Trump Mobile T1 smartphone for true patriots was announced. It's still not out, but this week, we got some conflicting information about whether or not it will ever come out.

Today, Trump Mobile CEO Pat O'Brien said the phone would finally start shipping this week. However, the Trump Mobile terms and conditions make it perfectly clear that the upstart mobile brand doesn't actually have an obligation to ship anything.

Over the past day or so, multiple news outlets such as The Hill and content creators such as moistcr1tikal (who paid the deposit and has been waiting for the phone to arrive) noticed strange language on the terms and conditions page on the Trump Mobile website

The terms explicitly state that "Trump Mobile does not guarantee that: the Device will be commercially released," that "production will commence or continue," or that "delivery will occur within any specific timeframe."

For the past year, the company has been accepting $100 deposits on the phone, with the promise that paying that price would "lock in your T1 phone promotional pricing" of $499 for early adopters. However, the terms and conditions page directly contradicts this language.

Which is it? Credit: Trump Mobile

According to the latest terms and conditions, a $100 deposit only gives you the opportunity to buy a phone if it ever comes out. And if it does, the terms also say it doesn't have to cost $499.

"A preorder deposit provides only a conditional opportunity if Trump Mobile later elects, in its sole discretion, to offer the Device for sale," the website reads. "The deposit does not lock in pricing...Pricing and promotional terms may change any time prior to purchase."

There's also one last interesting nugget from the terms and conditions page regarding the specs and other features of the phone.

"Device specifications, features, software, hardware components, storage capacities, bundled accessories, colors, and configurations are subject to change prior to final sale. Images, prototypes, beta demonstrations, and marketing renderings are illustrative only and may not reflect final production units," the website reads.

The original T1 smartphone advertised by Trump Mobile. Credit: Trump Mobile

The new T1 photo carries this disclaimer: Product features and images are for illustration only. Final product appearance and specifications may vary. Credit: Trump Mobile

This shouldn't be surprising, as the T1 has already changed quite a bit since it was first announced. Trump Mobile famously dropped its "made in America" branding, for example.

This is probably a bit discouraging to read if you're really looking forward to the T1 phone, but it is worth noting that there are some real signs that it exists. The website was recently updated with new specs (which, again, could change at any time), and it appeared in an FCC listing.

In other words, the Trump phone will either come out this week, or not at all, or maybe some other time in between those two. It's impossible to say.

Sad!

Are you constantly anxious about your phone's battery percentage? We sit down with CNET experts to discuss the latest in mobile battery testing, why your lithium-ion battery naturally degrades over time, and simple tips to keep it healthier for longer.

The name might be a mouthful of Os, Googlebooks could be Google’s biggest push yet into premium laptops. The devices are expected to compete directly with Apple MacBooks and Microsoft Surface hardware.

Gemini Intelligence is designed to handle tasks across your apps and be a more helpful AI agent. It could signal a wider shift in how we'll use our phones in the near future.

Google I/O 2026 takes place on May 19, but today, Google hosted a livestreamed warm-up event called The Android Show: I/O Edition. As you might have guessed, it's mostly focused on Android news.

In the past, Google I/O was focused on new Android developments. Now, Google gets that stuff out of the way a week in advance, clearing the decks for Gemini and artificial intelligence to take center stage at I/O.

Much of what was shared at The Android Show was fairly small and incremental, but between a new Google laptop brand and some useful-sounding Gemini features, there's some meat to chew on here. So, let's dig into everything we learned at The Android Show.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creator today!

The Android Show: I/O Edition's biggest announcements

Here's what stood out the most from The Android Show.

Meet the Googlebook

Here it is. Credit: Google

Certainly, the biggest announcement of the show was Googlebook, a new class of laptops from Google and its hardware partners, including Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Acer. We got only the briefest glimpse of the hardware itself, and Google opted not to share release windows or price points at The Android Show. At its core, Googlebook seems like Chromebook for the Gemini generation.

Google's big innovation with Googlebook is Magic Pointer, a new AI-powered mouse cursor. If you hover over something with Magic Pointer on a Googlebook, it'll suggest contextual AI actions for whatever you're pointing at. One example Google gave was the ability to hover over a date in an email and set up a meeting. You know, stuff you normally do with AI, but now built into your mouse cursor.

'Googlebook' rolls right off the tongue. Credit: Google

Credit: Google

Another neat feature is the ability to use apps installed on your Android phone right from the Googlebook itself. According to Google, this won't require any extra downloads or bad touchscreen controls, like Android apps on Chromebooks sometimes have in the past. That's nice.

Design-wise, the Googlebook will have a thin "Glowbar" on the back cover, which will light up with Google's logo colors.

Android Auto gets some improvements

Looks good! Credit: Google

If you have a modern car that's Android Auto-compatible, Google has built some swanky improvements into the experience for you. For starters, the Material 3 Expressive design language from your Pixel phone can now carry over to Android Auto, bringing your personalized color scheme and font choices with it, if you so choose. Users can also set custom widgets on the display to check the weather or open the garage door.

Beyond that, Google has updated Google Maps within Android Auto to give it a more three-dimensional view of the area around you. It can even tell which lane you're in, which could be handy. Google has also added full HD, 60 frames per second video support via YouTube to supported vehicles. Like other cars with video functionality, this only works while parked. Videos will automatically transition to audio-only once the car is set to drive.

Lastly, Google has brought some helpful contextual Gemini features to Android Auto. You can use voice commands to order food through DoorDash, use the Magic Cue feature from recent Pixel phones to draw in relevant information when someone asks you a question via text message, and more.

Gemini Intelligence comes to Android

Over the course of the rest of 2026, Google will roll out some new "Gemini Intelligence" features, which are meant for "the latest Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel" devices coming this summer. Other devices, like cars, watches, laptops, and smart glasses will also get these features as the year rolls on.

Gemini Intelligence features largely seem to streamline things you could already sort of do with AI, giving the AI even more power to automate multi-step tasks and understand context. For instance, you can use Gemini Intelligence to automatically find a good spot in an upcoming spin class or find a tour on Expedia based simply on a photo of a travel brochure you showed the AI agent.

Other nuggets include Rambler, a new speech-to-text tool that removes filler words like "um" and "like" from your prompt. Google says it can even handle switching languages mid-sentence. This should allow users to speak more conversationally when talking to Gemini. Another new feature is the ability to have Gemini automatically fill out long forms for the user on mobile.

Last but not least for Gemini Intelligence is the ability to build custom widgets using Create My Widget. Google claims you can use natural language voice prompts to have Gemini build a custom on-screen widget with the information you want. This will be fascinating to test out as new Pixel devices roll out this summer.

Pause Point gives you time to reflect

Take a pause. Credit: Google

One small but potentially meaningful new Android feature is Pause Point. How this works is that you mark apps that you find yourself using too much as distracting, and when you try to open them, Pause Point will stop you for 10 seconds. During that time, you can reconsider opening the app, and Pause Point will even suggest other, more productive apps you could open instead. This should automatically be turned on for all social media apps.

New tools for creators

Later this year, Pixel devices will get a new creator-focused feature called Screen Reactions. It records your face and what's on your screen, so you can react to whatever you're looking at without having to do any video editing at all. Instagram is also adding features exclusive to new Android devices. You can capture and play back content in Ultra HDR, and videos have built-in stabilization tools now, too.

The Instagram Edits app for Android is also getting a boost. You can use AI to automatically upscale content and use sound separation tools to weed out any unwanted background noises from your videos. Last but not least for creators, Adobe Premiere is coming to Android later this year, complete with exclusive templates for YouTube Shorts.

Chrome for Android gets a boost

Finally, Google is adding some more Gemini support to the Chrome app for Android mobile devices. This includes Nano Banana support built right into the browser for image generation, so if you're studying for an exam and you want to turn a page you're reading into a more visually appealing infographic, you can do that, at least in theory.

Google says you can also use SpotHero to automatically find a parking spot based on a ticket for a show you've bought, and use the Gemini icon in the upper right corner of a webpage to summarize the page.

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UPDATE: May. 12, 2026, 2:26 p.m. EDT This article has been updated with additional news from The Android Show event.

Once again, Google is hosting a dedicated Android event ahead of its annual developers conference, Google I/O.

Google I/O 2026 is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, but you can watch "The Android Show" livestream today at 10 a.m. PT. You can catch the action on YouTube.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creator today!

In past years, the latest Android operating system updates were a major focus at Google I/O. But in the artificial intelligence era, Gemini and Google's other AI projects have taken center stage.

At last year's Android event, Google debuted Android 16 and its new Material 3 Expressive design language. It also showed off Wear OS 6, various Gemini device integrations, and introduced the Find Hub for finding misplaced items.

What's in store this year? Watch the livestream at 10 a.m. PT to find out. Mashable will be covering all of the biggest announcements, so come back for a breakdown on the latest Android news.

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Gemini is already in your search results, your Gmail, your calendar, and your Android phone. At Google I/O on May 19, Google is going further. Faster AI, an assistant that actually acts for you, smart glasses built with real fashion brands, and a new laptop OS. Iyaz Akhtar is here to break down what to expect from Google I/O 2026.

Google I/O is set for May 19, but the company is once again going to provide some Android news a week ahead of time, too.

The company announced on Tuesday that it will host "The Android Show" on May 12 at 1 p.m. ET. Google didn't provide a lot of specifics about what to expect, but the basic idea is to showcase "why this is one of the biggest years for Android yet." Last year, Google also hosted The Android Show ahead of I/O, showing off the new Material 3 Expressive design language alongside new Gemini features like screen sharing.

You can watch The Android Show live when the event starts streaming on YouTube, and there's also an event webpage on Google's site. Mashable will be providing live coverage during both The Android Show and Google I/O, so check back for the latest updates from Google-land.

If last year is any guide, by hosting an Android-specific event ahead of I/O, Google can then focus on Gemini and all things artificial intelligence during its annual developers conference. The main I/O keynote is usually where Google drops its biggest Android news each year. However, AI was the main focus of Google I/O 2025, and that's also what we expect from Google I/O 2026.

Based on public betas, we know that Android 17 is bringing a new multitasking UI to Android devices, as well as some new options for screen recording. There will probably be a lot more than that, but we'll have to wait until later this month to find out for sure.

Perhaps Google will give us some fun Android 17 tidbits ahead of the proper I/O keynote this year.

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Earlier this year, I found the Google Pixel 10a somewhat disappointing compared to previous Pixel A-series devices. Google's mid-range phone is almost always one of (if not the) best in the category every year, but the Pixel 10a felt compromised due to a lack of AI feature parity with the flagship Pixel phones and other noteworthy improvements.

Now, Google can rest easy because the Pixel 10a looks a good deal better now that the Samsung Galaxy A57 5G is here. The higher-end of two mid-range devices announced in late March, the A57 purports to bring a premium feel at a relatively modest $549 starting price. In some respects, it accomplishes this; the display is nice, and performance in most circumstances isn't bad.

However, in other respects, the A57 falls short not just of feeling like a premium device, but of competing with other mid-range devices, too. If you're an Android fan, you'd be better off with a Pixel 10a, which is $50 cheaper. If you're platform-agnostic, the $599 iPhone 17e is certainly worth the extra cash. And if you want something with a bit more personality, grab the new Nothing Phone (4a) Pro, only $499.

The A57 5G isn't an outright failure, but it doesn't provide many reasons to consider it over the competition.

Samsung Galaxy A57 5G: Price and specs

Looks a bit basic. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

As mentioned above, the A57 starts at $549. That's $50 more than the Pixel 10a and $50 cheaper than the iPhone 17e. Here are the basic specs:

• 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with up to 120Hz refresh rate

• Exynos 1680 chipset

• 6GB or 8GB RAM

• 128GB or 256GB storage

• 5,000mAh battery

• Three rear cameras: 50MP wide, 8MP ultrawide, 5MP macro

• 12MP selfie camera

The display is more or less unchanged from last year's Galaxy A56 device, which is fine. A big, 6.7-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate is about as good as you can ask for from a phone in the $500 range, and it looks crisp, clear, and smooth in my experience. Those RAM and storage numbers are also pretty competitive in the category, though I should mention that the phone hits a price of $609 if you want 256GB of storage. At that point, you should probably just get an iPhone 17e.

One other point of interest is the processor. Rather than a top-end Snapdragon processor like you'd find in a Galaxy S26 Ultra, you get the less powerful Exynos 1680 instead. This comes with all sorts of compromises that we'll get into shortly. This is pretty disappointing compared to the Pixel 10a and iPhone 17e, which come with Google's Tensor G4 and Apple's A19 chips, respectively. While the Tensor G4 is not the same chip powering the regular Pixel 10, the A19 is what's inside a regular iPhone 17. Samsung's mid-range phone represents a larger step down, by comparison.

One last note: The A57 only comes in one color, called "Awesome Navy." I think it's pretty boring! There isn't really much else about its design that stands out to me. The vertical ringed housing for the three rear cameras looks a little generic, and like other phones of its size, I find it a little unwieldy to use with one hand. It's nice and light, though, and not too thick.

Samsung Galaxy A57 5G: Software

At least it's pretty thin. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

It's to be expected that a mid-range device would not have access to all the same fancy software features as its more expensive brethren, but the A57 5G goes a little too far in this direction.

It runs Android 16 via One UI 8.5, like other current Samsung phones, but it's missing many of the more advanced AI features that you'd get on something like a Galaxy S26. Rather than harnessing the power of Galaxy AI, the A57 gets a more limited suite of features called "Awesome Intelligence." Like the phone's "awesome navy" color, the AI tools don't really earn that adjective.

You get a basic object eraser for photos, voice transcription for audio and phone call recordings, and other already existing basic AI features from other Samsung devices, like Best Face for group photos and Circle to Search. Of course, you can also talk to Gemini if you want.

That's not nothing, but it's a far cry from what's available on a Galaxy S26, software-wise. There's no AI image generation, and you can't use the object eraser to move objects around in a photo. On the non-AI front, it's also missing the privacy display feature from the Galaxy S26 Ultra, though that's not necessarily a surprise. Overall, this is a pretty middling set of AI features that's made worse by spotty performance.

Samsung Galaxy A57 5G: Performance

The camera housing could be more handsome. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Performance on the A57 is a bit strange. On one hand, basic, everyday activities like scrolling through social media, watching YouTube videos, or sending messages work fine. Apps load quickly, and the phone never felt overloaded from too much multitasking in my time with it.

On the other hand, some basic performance features leave a lot to be desired. For instance, facial recognition for unlocking the phone is painfully inconsistent. Sometimes it works perfectly, opening the phone as soon as it sees your face. Most of the time, though, it either takes around four seconds to recognize you or simply fails to recognize you at all. This is a pretty maddening thing for a phone to get wrong in 2026.

I also had some issues getting the limited set of AI features to work properly. In particular, the object eraser simply would not work for me. I'd show it a simple photo of a beverage can on a table, tap the can, and then the phone would do nothing for minutes at a time. In my testing, I never actually got it to remove anything from a photo. I'm open to the possibility that I'm just missing something here and that other people won't encounter this, but I can only speak to what I experienced.

The object eraser just sat here doing this for several minutes and never ended up working. Credit: Screenshot: Alex Perry/Samsung

Another big problem I encountered was a spotty WiFi chip in the phone. This won't affect all or even most users, since my home's WiFi network is a bit awkward. To be specific, my bedroom is about three walls away from the router, meaning signal strength in here can be iffy.

In my testing, the A57 would very frequently lose WiFi signal in this room, to the point that it wouldn't or couldn't fall back to cellular data, leaving me effectively disconnected from the internet. The only way to fix this was to manually turn off WiFi and turn it on again, which would inevitably lead to the same thing happening a few minutes later. Cellular 5G signal was literally more reliable in my bedroom than WiFi.

Again, my network environment isn't ideal, but I live in this room. I use several WiFi-connected devices in it every day, and I have never once encountered this behavior on another device.

Samsung Galaxy A57 5G: Cameras

As stated above, you get a 50MP main lens, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro lens on the back, with a 12MP selfie camera. It's best not to expect too much from cameras on a mid-range device, but I will say that this is another area where the Pixel 10a is a better value.

Under normal circumstances, though, it does take pretty decent daytime photos. Objects are crisp, colors are vivid, and everything looks about how it should, at least to my eyes.

During the day, the camera is fine. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Since there's no telephoto lens, you're left with just up to 10x digital zoom, which doesn't look especially great.

No zoom. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

10x zoom. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Macro photography looks OK, if not a tad bit blurry, though I think I'd rather have a dedicated zoom lens instead of a macro lens.

Every macro photo I took was just a little bit blurry. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

I had a bit of a hard time getting nighttime photos to not look a bit blurry with the A57.

Left: Night mode off. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Right: Night mode. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Like I said, you shouldn't expect too much from a mid-range set of cameras, but even so, there are better options in this price range.

Samsung Galaxy A57 5G: Battery life

One area where I can't find much at fault with the A57 is battery life. I was able to wring about 24 hours of solid use out of it on a single charge, which isn't remarkable, but is right in line with what I'd want or expect out of a phone at this price point in 2026. You can probably extend that by a few hours if you're really careful, too.

Samsung Galaxy A57 5G: Final thoughts

In case I haven't already made this abundantly clear, I don't think the Samsung Galaxy A57 5G is worth much consideration if you're in the market for a mid-range device. If you like Android, get a Pixel 10a. If you like iOS or don't care, consider an iPhone 17e.

Between janky software performance, missing AI features, and a middling camera array, this device is pretty hard to recommend. It's possible this phone is another victim of the ongoing memory crisis, with Samsung sacrificing features to offset higher RAM costs. Regardless, you could probably do worse, but you can definitely do better.

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Credit: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy A57 5G

$549.99 at Samsung

 

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Motorola’s Razr Fold positions itself as a strong competitor in the book-style foldable space. It brings a polished design and powerful performance to challenge rivals like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. Here’s what sets it apart.

The Motorola Razr 2026 lineup includes the Razr, Razr+, Razr Ultra, and Razr Fold, with upgrades across performance and design. The devices continue to refine the foldable experience with features like camcorder mode. Battery life also sees improvements across the range. The lineup remains positioned firmly in the premium Mobile category.

STAR WARS x CASETIFY COLLECTION: Shop the new The Mandalorian and Grogu collection at Casetify ahead of Star Wars Day. The collection includes customizable phone cases, laptop cases, earbuds cases, tablet cases, and more. Some items are already on sale.

Casetify 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' sale items at a glance:

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We're gearing up for an important day for Star Wars fans — May the 4th. We already have deals from Lego to help celebrate but now we can add Casetify to the list of offerings. The tech-lifestyle accessories brand just launched a major new collection that's perfect for any Star Wars fanatic.

On April 23, Casetify launched a galactic-themed collection that focuses on The Mandalorian and Grogu, and as a surprise, a few items are already on sale. The collection features tons of options for cell phone cases, laptop cases, tablet cases, and more. A few options include customizable elements like the Impact Case with MagSafe compatibility. Shoppers can choose their ideal protection level, bumper design, additional features.

Prices for the collection vary depending on the item with some of the least expensive options being phone case accessories like a Snappy Grip Stand for $32 or Snappy Cardholder Stand for $34. There's also the The Mandalorian and Grogu Stickermania Earbuds Case for $32.

Shop the entire Casetify collection here, and be sure to order soon to be fully equipped when the new The Mandalorian and Grogu film premiers on May 22.

Google just made life a tiny bit easier for Android users who love to travel.

9to5google spotted a new lock screen widget for Android 16 that gives you persistent progress updates on your flights. It's very simple and straightforward: It shows your departing airport, your destination airport, your estimated arrival time, and a progress bar measuring how deep into the flight you are.

As 9to5google noted, this is on top of some already-existing features for travelers who add their boarding passes to the Google Wallet app. Those include push notifications about flight changes, but the flight progress widget is brand-new, having been promised by Google last year.

If you want to try it, well, you'd better have a flight lined up first. Add the boarding pass to Google Wallet, and the widget should appear shortly before takeoff. In other words, you don't really have to do anything other than put your boarding pass in your phone.

This marks another step forward for Google Wallet, which replaced Google Pay in 2024 as the go-to destination for credit cards and other important kinds of digital documentation on Android devices. By all accounts, it's been a successful transition for Android users, and if Google keeps adding neat little conveniences like this flight tracker widget, it'll only get better.

Have you used an Android phone in the past nine years? Then Google might have to give you up to $100 later this year.

That's because the company reached a preliminary $135 million settlement (without admitting wrongdoing) in a class-action lawsuit called Taylor v. Google LLC, per CNET. The suit alleged that Google used Android users' paid cellular data to transfer information to Google without their permission. Now, users who may have had their data misused can sign up for payments on the official settlement website.

The settlement could include up to 100 million Android mobile users in the United States. If you think you qualify, check the email associated with your Android mobile account for the settlement notice.

Not sure if you're eligible? Here are the criteria:

1. You have to be a real human in the United States

2. You have to have used an Android phone with cellular data at any point between Nov. 12, 2017 and now

3. You can't be a member of Csupo v. Google LLC, a similar class-action lawsuit specifically for Californians

If you meet those requirements (and surely a whole lot of people do), you can enter your payment information on the settlement website. There's a final hearing on June 23 to determine whether or not these payments will actually go out, so you'll know by then if you're getting any money. And no, we don't know exactly how much each affected user will get, though payments are capped at $100. That doesn't mean anyone will actually get $100, though.

While Google has, again, not admitted wrongdoing here, it has agreed to pay out the settlement and will also update its Google Play terms of service regarding passive data transfers using cellular data. But really, the thing that matters here is that you might get a little bit of walking-around money for something you didn't even realize happened several years ago.

Iyaz Akhtar looks into what happened to Google’s smart home ecosystem. Google’s move toward Gemini appears to have disrupted Google Home’s once smooth experience. The result is a system that feels less reliable and more inconsistent. Here’s what’s going wrong right now.

You know the drill. Every once in a while you have to go through your devices and delete the photos, videos, and games eating up your storage so you can download new stuff and keep your device — and your productivity — flowing. 

The process can feel like a time suck, sure. But nothing kills momentum faster than trying to offload photos from your latest trip or client shoot and realizing you’ve got nowhere to put them. Or sitting down to build that awesome slide deck, packed with high-res images and videos, only to hit a "storage almost full" warning halfway through. 

If you think the only way to solve your storage conundrum is to upgrade your device, think again. Sandisk’s lineup of portable flash drives, internal solid-state drives (SSDs), microSD™ cards, and more lets you offload and safely store your files so you can keep shooting, editing, and creating your heart out. 

Check out this roundup of top Sandisk picks to help free yourself from storage anxiety.

Plug-and-stay USB-C storage

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Credit: SANDISK

Extreme® Fit USB-C™ Flash Drive

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The SANDISK Extreme® Fit USB-C™ Flash Drive packs an incredible amount of data storage into its thumb-sized package, allowing you to effortlessly offload large files from your laptop, desktop, tablet, and other USB-C devices. 

Whether you want up to 64GB [1] or a full 1TB [1] of additional storage, this drive transfers files at read speeds up to 400MB/s [2] and helps to safely tuck them away, giving your device the space it needs to perform at its peak. It also checks the portability box. Just plug it in and leave it, and it’ll give you access to your data without having to rely on the cloud or unreliable internet speeds. 

An instant phone-storage hack

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Credit: SANDISK

Phone Drive with USB-C

$134.99 at SANDISK
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Think you need to buy a new phone to score more storage for your photos and videos? Nope. The SANDISK Phone Drive with USB-C is a game-changer for busy students, parents, content creators, videographers, or anyone else who lives on their phones but is constantly hitting walls with their device’s limited storage.

Available with up to 1TB [1] of space, just plug it into your compatible iOS or Android phone, quickly transfer files to your USB-C laptop or tablet at speeds up to 150MB/s [2], and get right back to shooting high-res photos and high-def videos on your now-freed-up phone. The drive also comes in four colors that match the iPhone 16 lineup. 

A boost for your gaming handheld console

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microSD Card for ROG Xbox Ally X

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Sandisk also delivers fast, reliable, and durable storage solutions designed to keep up with today’s powerful handheld gaming devices, making it easy for gamers to expand their libraries and play with confidence anywhere.

The SANDISK microSD™ Card for ROG Xbox Ally X is an ideal storage upgrade for your ROG Xbox Ally X or ROG Xbox Ally, engineered to match the power and portability of these handhelds. Available in up to 2TB capacities [1], this microSD card lets you carry up to 50 games [3] without juggling space.

Designed with full Xbox integration for seamless compatibility, it delivers up to 200MB/s transfer speeds [2] for quicker load times and smoother gameplay, plus high write speeds for speedy downloads and installs. Built tough with drop, shock, and X-ray protection [4], the new microSD card from Sandisk is certified, tested, and engineered specifically for Xbox and ASUS’ new handheld device, allowing gamers to take their library of games anywhere.

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microSD Express Card

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For other new, popular gaming handheld consoles, there’s the SANDISK microSD Express Card. This card is designed with fast read and write speeds, helping to reduce load times, speed up downloads, and enable access to large game files. 

Sandisk’s trusted reliability means your game library stays protected, whether you’re installing massive AAA releases or managing frequent updates. Built for durability, it’s ready for life on the go, from backpacks to travel cases. If you want storage that matches the power of your favorite handheld, this microSD Express Card is a smart upgrade.

This portable 4TB SSD can take it

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Extreme Portable SSD

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You’re traversing the jungle — leafy or concrete — shooting tons of content and, suddenly, your phone runs out of storage and freezes up. Let the new-generation and very durable SANDISK Extreme Portable SSD save the day. Not only can you transfer 1,000 high-res photos from your phone to the drive in under a minute [5], but you can also safely store up to 4TB [1] of data on it, and the drive is drop, water, and dust-resistant [6].

You can access your files and projects from anywhere, no cloud access or WiFi necessary, while password protection and built-in 256-bit AES encryption [7] help keep your goods protected. Clip this pocket-sized storage life saver to your backpack or slide it into your cargo-pants pocket and get out there with confidence that you won’t run out of storage.  

Forget about having to upgrade your device in order to score more storage. Sandisk offers a range of easy to use and carry data-storage solutions for your compatible phone, laptop, tablet, or other device with the space it needs to perform.

Disclaimers from Sandisk

1. 1GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes. 1TB = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes. Actual storage available to the user is less.

2. Speeds vary by product and capacity. Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending upon host device, interface, usage conditions and other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.

3. Number of games based on an average of 36 GB per game stored on a 2 TB SANDISK microSD card for ROG Xbox Ally (X). The number of games will vary depending on file size, format, and other software and other factors.

4. Card only. See product packaging and www.sandisk.com/proof for additional information and limitations.

5. Based on internal testing with an average PNG file size of 30.4 MB; performance may be lower depending on host device, interface, usage conditions and other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.

6. Based on internal testing. IEC 60529 IP65: Tested to withstand water flow (30 kPa) at 3 min.; limited dust contact does not interfere with operation. Must be clean and dry before use.

7. Password protection uses 256-bit AES encryption and is supported by Windows 10+ and macOS v13+. Software download required, see www.sandisk.com/memoryzone.

SANDISK, the SANDISK logo, and SANDISK Extreme Fit are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sandisk Corporation or its affiliates in the US and/or other countries. Android is a trademark of Google LLC. iPhone is a trademark of Apple Inc. USB Type-C is a registered trademark of USB Implementers Forum.  All other marks are the property of their respective owners. Product specifications subject to change without notice. Pictures shown may vary from actual products.

The Trump Mobile T1 smartphone is the gift that keeps on giving, at least in terms of consistently generating headlines without actually releasing a product.

As spotted by The Verge (which has been consistently on top of this), Trump Mobile overhauled its website this week, refreshing it with new photos that look completely different from the device teased last year. The website now reflects the phone redesign that Trump Mobile executives showed to publisher back in February, which still includes a signature Trump gold finish, like the company always promised it would.

Of course, there is still no listed release date, despite the Trump Mobile T1 being promised for a 2025 release when it was first announced a year ago by the U.S. president's sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, and then delayed multiple times. A recent FCC listing indicates the device does actually exist in some form, but we have no idea when customers will actually have one in their hands.

There it is, allegedly. Credit: Trump Mobile

The new website, where the phones are available for preorder, also includes some updated specs. The device is purported to have a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a triple lens rear camera array that includes both 50MP wide and telephoto lenses, and a vague promise of a non-specific Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 chip. Some of these specs are very different from previous iterations of the phone; at one point, it was listed with a 6.25-inch display, but that has ballooned for no apparent reason in the past year.

As for the Trump Mobile T1's price, there's a time-limited promotional window where it costs $499 with a $100 pre-order deposit, but we don't know how much it will cost after that window closes. This device was also originally marketed as being "made in America," but that seems to no longer be the case.

You can do whatever you want with your money, but it might be prudent to wait a bit before plopping down $100 on this thing.

Spring cleaning your phone goes beyond just wiping down the screen. Iyaz walks through how to safely clean and disinfect your phone and earbuds to remove built-up grime and bacteria, while also showing how to clean inside your device by clearing unused apps and using built-in Android and iOS tools to free up space and improve performance.

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) would like to remind Americans about the potential dangers of using foreign apps, particularly those based out of China.

In a recently released Public Service Announcement (PSA), the FBI warns mobile users about "many of the most downloaded and top-grossing apps in the United States," which are "developed and maintained by foreign companies, particularly those based in China."

As Forbes points out, China's National Intelligence Law requires that China-based companies provide their data to the government.

"All organizations and citizens shall support, assist, and cooperate with national intelligence efforts in accordance with law, and shall protect national intelligence work secrets they are aware of," reads Article 7 of China’s National Intelligence Law.

"National intelligence work institutions lawfully carrying out intelligence efforts may request that relevant organs, organizations, and citizens provide necessary support, assistance, and cooperation," reads Article 14 of the law.

While the FBI did not name any specific apps, a quick look at the top apps in both Apple's App Store and on Google Play suggests that the bureau is likely talking about apps like CapCut and Lemon8 from ByteDance and shopping apps like Temu and Shein.

"The apps that maintain digital infrastructure in China are subject to China's extensive national security laws, enabling the Chinese government to potentially access mobile app users' data," the FBI's warning says.

The FBI's security concerns about foreign apps echo the national security arguments that eventually led to the forced sale of TikTok. To continue operating in the U.S., the federal government required that ByteDance sell a majority of the company to a consortium of U.S. investors, including Oracle. ByeDance, however, still has minority ownership in the company now known as TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC.

Under President Donald Trump, the federal government has taken steps to shore up specific U.S. industries against competitors in China, particularly drones and routers. While the drone ban cited national security concerns, companies like DJI have said these efforts are merely an attempt to stifle competition.

The FBI's PSA warns about the data-collection permissions that users frequently grant to apps. For instance, many apps ask for permission to access users' contacts to invite their friends and family to use the same app. This frequently provides those platforms with names, phone numbers, email addresses, physical addresses, and more. This data can then be stored on a company's servers, which the FBI points out could be located in China. The PSA also states that location, photos, and messages could be compromised.

The FBI also warned users about downloading apps from third-party app stores, which could contain malware. This is mostly an issue for Android users, as Apple requires iPhone and iPad apps to be distributed through the official App Store in the U.S.

Regardless of whether you're an iOS or Android user, the FBI issued advice to protect your data. The FBI recommends that users disable unnecessary data sharing, frequently change passwords, and ensure their devices are up to date with the latest operating system and security updates.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

You might not know this, but AirDrop isn't exclusive to Apple devices.

So, if you've grown tired of hearing your Apple friends say, "Just AirDrop it to me," there may be a solution.

The over-the-air file sharing feature is synonymous with iPhones (as well as iPads and Mac devices), but Google recently made it available on select Pixel devices, too. All you need to do is tap the Quick Share button on the content you want to send to a nearby Apple device, and as long as their AirDrop settings are open for business, you'll be able to AirDrop the photo or document to them.

However, not all Pixel phones support AirDrop.

Every Pixel phone that can use AirDrop

Here is the full list of every Pixel phone that can AirDrop content with Apple devices:

• Pixel 9

• Pixel 9 Pro

• Pixel 9 Pro XL

• Pixel 9 Pro Fold

• Pixel 10

• Pixel 10 Pro

• Pixel 10 Pro XL

• Pixel 10 Pro Fold

• Pixel 10a

In other words, it's only compatible with the Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 families. There is one notable exception, however: The Pixel 9a does not support AirDrop via Quick Share. Anyone with Google's mid-range Pixel 9 device will need to upgrade to take advantage of this feature.

And hopefully Google can keep this useful feature around for future Pixel releases, too.

Samsung just recently launched the Galaxy S26 lineup — but in this economic climate, expensive flagship phones aren't for everyone. That's where the company's two newest handsets come in.

The Korean tech giant announced the Galaxy A37 and Galaxy A57 phones on Wednesday. These two mid-range devices, priced at $449 and $549, could be intriguing options for Samsung fans who want premium specs without paying more than $1,000 for a Galaxy S26 Ultra. They're available on April 9. The A57 only comes in one color called Awesome Navy, while the A37 comes in four: Awesome Charcoal, Awesome Lavender, Graygreen, and Awesome White.

Here are all of the A37 colors. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Here are the specs for the A37, which is the cheaper and more modest of the two phones:

• 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with up to 120Hz refresh rate

• Exynos chipset

• 6GB or 8GB RAM

• 128GB or 256GB storage

• 5,000mAh battery

• Three rear cameras: 50MP wide, 8MP ultrawide, 5MP macro

• 12MP selfie camera

And here are the specs for the Galaxy A57, which is a very similar phone but with some extra bells and whistles to justify the price difference:

• 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with up to 120Hz refresh rate

• Exynos chipset

• 8GB RAM

• 128GB or 256GB storage

• 5,000mAh battery

• Three rear cameras: 50MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 5MP macro

• 12MP selfie camera

Good website. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

The phones are pretty close to each other in terms of specs. The more expensive A57 has higher base RAM and a slightly better rear camera array, as well as a couple of bonus AI photo editing features that aren't available on A37: Best Face and Auto Trim.

The A37 does have access to many of Samsung's other AI editing tools, as well as AI staples like Circle to Search.

Another reason you might opt for the A57: it's 0.5mm thinner and 27g lighter than the A37. It's no Galaxy S25 Edge, but I did get to hold and use both phones briefly at a press event, and I can confirm the A57 is a tad bit more comfortable in the hands.

Aside from size and weight, the phones are similar beasts. They both come with Android 16, and the Exynos chips inside of them seemed to make apps load quickly and smoothly in my brief time using them.

For the first time, Samsung has given its midrange options IP68 dust and water resistance. That should make them at least marginally more durable, depending on how adventurous you are.

This feels like a slightly more important midrange launch for Samsung than usual, given the tumultuous economy and RAM shortage that's making high-end tech more expensive than ever. Since the Google Pixel 10a was relatively disappointing this year, maybe Samsung can snatch the "best midrange Android phone" crown away from Google.

iPads are not the end-all be-all of tablets. There's a wide world beyond iOS, and Android tablets are just as suitable for all your streaming and work needs. OnePlus, purveyor of Android smartphones and smartwatches, also makes tablets.

The brand's latest, the OnePlus Pad Go 2, is a tablet under $500. On the surface, it looks a lot like Apple's iPads, but how do they compare under the hood? Well, that's where the differences come to light.

I tested the OnePlus Pad Go 2, a tablet for students and creatives alike, to see how it stacks up.

OnePlus Pad Go 2 specs and price

While it doesn't have the best computing power for creatives, you can still draw and doodle away on the OnePlus Pad Go 2. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The OnePlus Pad Go 2 is the brand's approachable tablet. It doesn't quite have the computing power and memory we'd expect in a laptop, but it still has more than you'll get in a phone.

• Price: $399.99

• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Ultra

• Memory: 8GB RAM

• Storage: 128GB ROM

• Display: 2.8k resolution, 900 nits brightness, and 120Hz refresh rate

• Ports: 1 USB-C port

• Camera: 8MP front and rear camera

• Audio: 4 speakers

Ideal interface for those switching over from iOS

After testing a variety of Android tablets, I declare the OnePlus Pad Go 2 the most iPhone-user-friendly. Upon turning on the OnePlus Pad Go 2, I was pleased to see how familiar the home screen looked, with its widgets and sleek display. The biggest difference is that Apple uses square app icons, while OnePlus tablets use round ones. The gestures are essentially the same, too, pulling down to access menus or swiping up to close apps.

Compared to other Android tablets I tested, it felt far more intuitive. It's not quite fair to credit it only for being similar to iOS, since the OnePlus Pad Go 2 has plenty of features that iPads don't. On the bottom app bar on the Pad Go 2, there's a directory so you can quickly browse your apps alphabetically rather than swipe through all your display pages.

Split screen feature is lacking

The Pad Go 2's split screen feature isn't nearly as functional as other tablet's multi-window functions. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The hot feature on tablets is multi-window displays — now available on iPads and Samsung Galaxy Tabs. Rather than true adjustable windows, on the OnePlus, you can use split-screen displays that split the screen in half, though you can slide the divider to adjust the split. What you can't do is move organic windows around to create a fully customizable workspace.

You can also use OnePlus's floating window feature; however, the windows still lock to one side of the screen, so you don't have total freedom to move them around. The OnePlus Pad Go 2's split-screen function is good in a pinch, but not quite as usable as other tablets' multi-window functions.

High-quality streaming with just OK speakers

The tiny speakers on the OnePlus Pad Go 2 deliver disappointing audio. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

I spent a lot of time streaming on the OnePlus Pad Go 2; it became my companion while I was working or cooking in the kitchen. I was never once disappointed by the streaming quality. It's a quick processor that never buffers, leaving me on an unintended cliffhanger. Its 2.8k resolution and 900 nits of brightness result in clear, bright picture quality.

What I was less impressed with on the OnePlus Pad Go 2 was its speakers. The tablet has four speakers, but I found the audio wasn't very flattering. It sounded similar to a smartphone speaker, mostly clear but a little fuzzy and tinny.

Disappointing computing power

For daily use, I found the OnePlus Pad Go 2 to be a speedy, well-equipped device. It loads pages easily and requires very little buffering. I expected it to be on par with the Apple iPad with the A16 chip, but I was surprisingly disappointed.

On the Geekbench 6 test, the OnePlus Pad Go 2 scored 3,030 in the multi-core test. That's less than half of the iPad's score of 6,233. That score isn't weighing the Pad Go 2 down; for light activities like streaming, reading, mobile games, and internet browsing, it has plenty of power. But I wouldn't use this tablet for photo or video editing or any other high-demand tasks.

Extensive battery life

One of the most impressive features of the Pad Go 2 is its battery life. Performing a battery rundown test, it lasted 13 hours and 57 minutes. That's an impressive amount of time, meaning you won't have to charge it every day, and it can keep you company on long-haul flights.

The cameras aren't flattering anyone — human or animal

Front-facing camera

Feeling a little washed out with the front-facing camera. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Rear camera

The OnePlus Pad Go 2 Camera made my dog Milly look a little oversaturated. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

I'm only side-eyeing you a little if you're taking photos with your tablet. But hey, there's a time in the place. The front and rear cameras on the OnePlus Pad Go 2 leave a lot to be desired. I know it's winter, but when I took a selfie, I felt pale and washed out. The rear camera isn't any better. I went to take a picture of my pup, Milly, and I found it didn't do her much justice — the photo still came out washed out and grainy.

Should you buy the OnePlus Pad Go 2?

The OnePlus Pad Go 2 is good enough Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The OnePlus Pad Go 2 is a pretty good tablet. For basic tasks, it performs well. I had no trouble while using it for streaming and browsing. For a budget Android tablet, it definitely gets the job done. That said, there's still room for improvement with its camera, computing power, and speaker.

I do recommend the basic iPad over the Pad Go 2. It's nearly identical in shape and interface; however, it has a higher Geekbench 6 score and is $50 cheaper (and often on sale for even less).

But if you're not down with iOS, the Pad Go 2 is a comparable, although less powerful, Android option.

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Google's new Pixel 10a lacks novelty, but for a budget phone, that's not such a bad thing.

The Android maker's $500 handset walks the same road that its predecessors have for several years now: It's a slightly downgraded version of last year's Pixel 10.

So, what's new this time around? Besides the lower price and slightly downgraded specs, the camera array is now completely flush with the rest of the phone, eliminating the camera bump entirely (take notes, Samsung and Apple). The end result is a phone that's a lot like the more expensive Pixel 10 and still $100 less than the new budget iPhone 17e Apple just announced.

The Pixel 10a may not be a conversation starter, but not every phone needs to be one, and it's a good smartphone nonetheless.

At launch, you can buy the Google Pixel 10a at Amazon and choose from either a free $100 gift card or a free pair of the Pixel Buds 2a.

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Google Pixel 10a (128 GB)

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Google Pixel 10a: Specs

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Without wasting too much time, here's what you can expect specs-wise from the Pixel 10a:

• 6.3-inch display with 1080x2424 resolution and 60-120Hz adaptive refresh rate

• Up to 3,000 nits peak brightness

• Google Tensor G4 processor

• 5,100mAh battery

• 8GB RAM

• 128/256GB storage

The two most important points of comparison here are going to be the Pixel 9a and Pixel 10. Let's start with the former. The display size and specs are nearly identical, though the new Pixel 10a sports 3,000 nits of peak brightness, making it the brightest A-series Pixel phone to date. Google kept the processor and battery size the same, and didn't mess with RAM or storage, either. You're not getting less with Pixel 10a than you got with Pixel 9a, but you're not really getting much more, either.

Perhaps more crucially, the Pixel 10a is very similar specs-wise to the Pixel 10, a phone that starts at $800. The display is basically identical, the storage options are too, and the battery cell is actually slightly bigger in Pixel 10a than Pixel 10.

The main things Google cut to get the price down to $500 are the RAM (Pixel 10 has 12GB) and the processor. Pixel 10a uses the comparatively old Tensor G4 chip rather than the Tensor G5 introduced with the Pixel 10 lineup last year. This is a little strange and a departure from how Google usually handles the A-series phones, but it doesn't actually affect practical, daily use much.

Finally, there's also one notable camera downgrade from Pixel 10 to 10a, but we'll get to that later.

Google Pixel 10a: Design

No more camera bump. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Pixel 10a comes in four colors: Lavender, Berry, Fog, and Obsidian. Our review unit is the Lavender model, and I think it looks lovely. That said, for once, the colors aren't the most interesting part of the redesign.

Last year, with the Pixel 9a, Google removed the iconic horizontal camera bar that adorns regular Pixel phones, in favor of something much less visible and intrusive. Pixel 10a maintains the same basic look, but the camera has been sanded down even more, so it's completely flush with the backside of the device.

Yes, unlike most other modern smartphones, you can lay the Pixel 10a down on its back on a flat surface and there will be no wobble whatsoever. Your expensive Samsung Galaxy or iPhone 17 could never.

It's not a huge change, but it's welcome, nonetheless. I was at first opposed to making Pixel A-series phones look different, but thanks to this alteration, I think I now prefer the way they look over the big boy phones.

For what it's worth, Google also slimmed down the bezels, which is always nice. The new phone also uses Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, as opposed to Gorilla Glass 3 on Pixel 9a. It should be more durable now, but frankly, I'm not going to do a bunch of violent drop tests with a review unit phone to find out. That's what JerryRigEverything is for.

Google Pixel 10a: Software

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

This is really the only somewhat sketchy part of the Pixel 10a. Remember earlier when I mentioned that Google didn't bring forward the Tensor 5 chipset from last year? It turns out this decision had some consequences in terms of which flashy AI features are and aren't available on Pixel 10a.

Put simply, this phone does not have complete AI parity with the Pixel 10. Perhaps the biggest missing feature is Magic Cue, a context-dependent assistant that brings up relevant information based on what's happening on your screen. On Pixel 10, if someone texted you to ask about an event in your calendar, Magic Cue would automatically surface the calendar entry for your convenience. That will not happen on Pixel 10a, because Magic Cue just isn't available here.

Credit: Google

The same goes for Daily Hub, a Pixel 10 feature that would act as a, well, hub for news, sports information, and YouTube videos based on your personal interests. To be fair, though, this may not be a chipset problem; Google removed Daily Hub from Pixel 10 to iron out some kinks, and as of January, it's still not back. Automatic voice translation in phone calls is also missing, which is unfortunate because that was probably the best AI feature of the bunch last year.

While the Pixel 10a can't fully replicate the Pixel 10's AI portfolio, it does bring forward Camera Coach, an AI feature from the Pixel 10 that uses AI to assist amateur photographers in finding the best shot composition for whatever photo they're taking. That's kind of it, though. The other noteworthy AI features, like Best Take (which can combine several shots to produce a perfect take), Circle to Search, and Gemini support, were already present in the Pixel 9a and don't seem to work any differently here.

Google Pixel 10a: Performance and battery life

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

For as much as it kinda stinks that Google maintained the older Tensor G4 chip from a software availability perspective, it doesn't affect day-to-day performance that much. Apps load quickly, everything works smoothly, and generally speaking, I can't think of anything performance-wise that went horribly wrong in my time with the Pixel 10a. I can't provide Geekbench benchmarking metrics because that app isn't compatible with the Pixel 10a at the time of writing, but trust me, the phone works fine.

Bringing along the newer Tensor G5 processor might have potentially helped with battery life, though. The battery life on Pixel 10a isn't bad by any means, but it isn't noticeably better than Pixel 9a, either. The cell size is the same, and Google still rates it for about 30 hours of usage, which you can easily get as long as you don't do too much YouTubing or other battery-intensive activities. My charges lasted closer to 24 hours, which is acceptable for a $500 phone but not remarkable.

The good news is that Pixel 10a now supports 30W fast wired charging and 10W wireless charging, so if you have compatible adapters or chargers, you won't need to wait too long for the Pixel 10a to fill up on juice. I wish Google had improved the battery more, but giving users more charging options is nice, at any rate.

Google Pixel 10a: Cameras

Credit: Google

Aside from Camera Coach, Google doesn't seem to have added any fun new photography features to Pixel 10a. The camera specs themselves are also identical to Pixel 9a:

• 48MP wide

• 13MP ultra-wide

• 13MP selfie

One major thing that's missing from the Pixel 10a is a third telephoto lens. That was one of the biggest and best additions to the Pixel 10 family last year, and it's not included here, presumably to keep costs down. Still, the digital zoom does a decent enough job by itself.

No zoom. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Max zoom. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

While the camera setup here isn't any better than Pixel 9a, it's also not any worse. Colors pop and images look sharp, as you can see in the photographs I took while testing the Pixel 10a.

Feeling blue? Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Last year, Google brought Macro Focus to Pixel 9a, enabling up-close shots of tiny objects. It's still here, and it still works fine.

Macro-licious. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

And Night Sight continues to do its thing, enabling nice shots of things taken in the dark.

Spring hasn't sprung yet in New York. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Google Pixel 10a: Final thoughts

The Google Pixel 10a is a perfectly usable phone that doesn't cost too much money. That's really all you can say about it; these mid-range spin-off phones seem to get less and less interesting every year.

Its cameras are fine, but they're not any different from the Pixel 9a. The same goes for the processor and most of the software. It is really disappointing that Google couldn't give the Pixel 10a more AI software parity with Pixel 10, though. This really feels like a slightly more souped-up Pixel 9a with a flatter backside and some nice charging options.

Hopefully, Google can make the Pixel 11a a little more wow-worthy next year.

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Credit: Google

Google Pixel 10a (128 GB)

$499 at Amazon

 

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Google Pixel 10a (128 GB)

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SAVE $200 + GET A FREE $200 GIFT CARD: Pre-order the new Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra from Amazon and get a free $200 Amazon gift card. Plus, Amazon is offering a free storage upgrade, making the 512GB version cost $1,299 — the same price as the 256GB model.

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Credit: Samsung / Amazon

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Ready to upgrade your phone? If you prefer Android devices, Samsung is launching new models shortly. Last week at Samsung Unpacked, the brand announced the Galaxy S26 Ultra. If you're in need of a new phone, now might be a perfect time thanks to pre-order deals. Check out this great offer today from Amazon.

As of March 4, pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra from Amazon come with a free $200 Amazon gift card and a free storage upgrade. In total, you'll be paying $1,299 for the 512GB version, which is the list price for the 256GB model. That's a $200 discount compared to the normal $1,499 price for the 512GB model.

Something for free in this economy? Yes, please. How about two free things? Amazon is treating us to not only a free storage upgrade with this Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra deal, but they're also throwing in a free $200 gift card.

The new Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra isn't massively different compared to the S25 Ultra, but it does come with some fresh updates. Maybe the biggest and most exciting is the Privacy Display. "Advertised as a world first, the S26 Ultra's Privacy display reduces its screen's viewing angle so that curious bystanders will have a harder time seeing which part of Heated Rivalry you're rewatching," wrote Mashable Assistant Editor Amanda Yeo in her review.

If you've been considering an upgrade for your Android phone, today's deal at Amazon makes for a convincing case to make the move to the new Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. For the price of the 256GB model, you'll get the 512GB version and score a free $200 Amazon gift card. It's a win-win.

Google has announced a few new Android features on Tuesday, including custom caller ID cards and further location tracking functionality.

Google has added custom Calling Cards that will appear on compatible Android phones when you call them, so the person on the other end knows who's trying to get in contact. Available now on Android 11+ and arriving soon on Wear OS, Calling Cards require both the caller and recipient's devices to have Phone by Google set as their primary calling app. Fortunately, you can choose to only show your Calling Card to your contacts if you prefer.

Android users can customise their Calling Card to display a chosen photo, as well choose the font and colour of their name. Unlike iPhone's similar feature, Android's Calling Cards don't appear to let you directly choose a representative avatar or emoji rather than a photo. However, you can select images from your gallery, so you may be able to save a photo to your phone for use as a workaround. Just remember to be responsible with it. 

Credit: Mashable composite: Google

Google has also rolled out new features for its location tracking network Find Hub, previously known as Find My Device. Last March, Find Hub added the ability to share both your real-time location and tracked items via its app.

Tuesday's update allows you to share your location directly in Google Messages, which will show the recipient a real-time map pinpointing where you are. Just as in Find Hub, you can set it to automatically stop sharing your location after a set period of time, or until you turn it off.

Find Hub also now enables you to share tracked items' locations with partnered airlines in its app, helping them to find you wayward luggage. Google states that it is working with over 10 major airlines, including China Airlines, Air India, and Turkish Airlines, and expects to add others such as Australian airline Qantas soon.

Credit: Mashable composite: Google

The lunar eclipse is coming, and it's going to be a big one. The so-called blood moon on Tuesday night will see the moon illuminated in a dusty red hue during a total lunar eclipse. While it'll be a sight to behold, it'll also be a sight to capture in photos. Thankfully, phone cameras have gotten really good over the years – and there's no reason you can't capture a solid photo with a decently modern phone.

But capturing something like a lunar eclipse involves a little more than just opening the camera app and hitting the capture button – at least if you want reasonably high-quality pictures. Here are some tips and tricks to help you take the best lunar eclipse photos you can, both in general, and with your specific phone.

General advice for taking lunar eclipse photos with your phone

There are a few things you can do to ensure that you capture great lunar eclipse photos with your phone no matter which model you have. Some things are very simple – clean your camera lens, and if your phone has one, shoot in RAW mode. This allows the device to capture more data than typical shooting modes. That means you can edit the photos more easily down the line without losing any image quality. If you're comfortable with camera settings and post-processing, it's worth leveraging the RAW mode. 

Some things are slightly less simple but still worth doing to get the best shot. Perhaps the most important thing to do when capturing a lunar eclipse photo is to use a tripod, or at the very least, place your phone on a stable surface of some kind. Even minor movements and shakes will disrupt the photo, making it blurry, especially in the low-light conditions in which you'll be shooting. Movement and shaking are so disruptive that it's even worth placing your phone on a timed capture mode that can allow you to take your hands off the device, and for it to stop shaking, before the photo is captured.

Other things you can do might depend on your phone model a little. For example, it's worth using a telephoto lens if your phone has one built in, but don't use digital zoom as it will degrade the photo. Instead, consider using a telephoto lens attachment for your phone, which will allow you to zoom further in optically, ensuring that you get the best quality photo without losing any detail. Additionally, make sure that when you take the photo, you focus on the moon itself. On most phones, you'll be able to do this by simple tapping on the screen. You'll want to focus on the edge of the moon, which will direct the camera towards a crisp line that it can focus on.

Last but not least, you'll want to experiment with exposure settings, ensuring that the image isn't too dark and that the moon isn't so bright as to remove any color.

Some of these tricks will vary a little depending on your phone model – so here are some more specific tips for taking the best lunar eclipse photos with your phone. 

Taking lunar eclipse photos with an iPhone

If you have an iPhone, you have a series of great tools available to you for capturing awesome photos. That's especially true if you have a "Pro" phone, which has a telephoto camera that you can and should use to take photos of the lunar eclipse.

On an iPhone, it's very easy to take photos of the lunar eclipse. If you have an iPhone 12 Pro or a later Pro model, you can switch to capturing in Apple's ProRAW format by heading to Settings > Camera > Formats. Make sure ProRAW is toggled on. Depending on your iPhone model, you'll then be able to select the resolution. Then, when you're in the camera app, simply hit the "RAW," "ProRAW" or "ProRAW Max" button on the top right-hand corner.

Other settings are slightly easier to use. On an iPhone, simply tap on the area you want to focus on, and to adjust exposure, tap on that area then slide the little sun icon up or down. It's worth experimenting a little to get the right settings and the perfect photo. 

Taking lunar eclipse photos with a Samsung phone

Samsung phones, especially flagship models like the Galaxy S25 Ultra, come with powerful camera features that can help you get a great shot of the lunar eclipse. If your Samsung phone has a telephoto lens, make sure to use it rather than relying on digital zoom, which can reduce image quality. The highest-end Samsung phones these days have two telephoto cameras. Use the one with the furthest zoom when capturing the lunar eclipse. On the S25 Ultra, this is the 5x zoom telephoto camera.

If you want to keep things simple, open the Samsung camera app, hit the "5x" button to switch to the telephoto camera, and make sure the moon is in focus – then take the photo.

If you want a little more control, however, it might be worth using Samsung Expert RAW. To enable it, open the Camera app, tap “More,” then select “Expert RAW.” The first time you do this, the device will install the Expert Raw app, and it will appear as a separate app on your phone, but you'll still be able to open that app from the main camera app. In Expert RAW, you can experiment with slower shutter speeds and lower ISO, which might make for brighter and more detailed shots without overexposing. 

Taking total lunar eclipse photos with a Google Pixel

Google Pixel phones are known for their excellent computational photography, and they can handle lunar eclipse shots well with the right settings. If you have a recent Pixel model, Night Sight mode will be your best friend. Open the Camera app, swipe to Night Sight, and frame your shot.

Pixel phones actually go further than basic Night Sight, with Astrophotography mode – which should activate automatically when the phone is steady on a tripod, and Night Sight is on. You can also manually enable it if it doesn't seem to be working by heading to Night Sight mode (one of the main camera modes), and tapping on the little moon icon on the bottom right. This mode will capture a long exposure image with more detail and color. Just make sure to keep your phone completely still while the photo is being taken, as even small movements can cause blur.

To fine-tune the shot, tap on the moon to lock focus and adjust the exposure slider to avoid over-brightening. And you can enable RAW capture by hitting the camera settings button on the bottom left of the screen, tapping on the Pro tab, and toggling on RAW. Enabling it will allow for better post-processing down the line. 

Other phones

Many other Android phones also offer excellent tools for capturing a lunar eclipse. Most modern Android devices come with a dedicated Night Mode, which you can typically access by swiping through the camera modes or selecting it from a menu. Night Mode helps enhance low-light shots by increasing exposure time and reducing noise. Thankfully, on many phones, any built-in Night Mode will activate automatically when low lighting is detected. 

Many Android phones also feature a RAW shooting mode, allowing you to capture more image data and edit your photos without sacrificing quality. You can usually enable RAW mode in the camera settings under an 'Advanced' or 'Pro' section. If your phone includes a Pro Mode, it’s worth experimenting with manual settings like ISO and shutter speed to fine-tune your eclipse photos for the best possible results.

Even without RAW modes, however, the simple rules apply – use a tripod, make sure the phone has focused properly on the moon, and set the right exposure.

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I walked into Galaxy Unpacked, the launch event in San Francisco where the company unveiled its Galaxy S26 lineup, as... well, not quite a card-carrying Apple fan, but let's just say my iPhone, iPad, AirPods, and MacBook came with me. I was there to report on the launch, not to be tempted by anything an Android phone could offer.

The last thing I expected was the Galaxy S26 Ultra giving me a really compelling reason to switch to the Samsung side. But that's exactly what happened when I spent some hands-on time at Unpacked with the top-of-the-range device.

It's not about the thinness and lightness of the S26 Ultra, though that is noticeable. The deep, shiny "cobalt violet" shade is very much my vibe, though even the most alluring purple color isn't likely to make me end a 17-year relationship with iPhones.

And it isn't about the Ultra's camera, as undeniably fantastic as its specs are. I did think I might prefer that slim 3-camera notch on the back to the hideously large bump (which we're supposed to call a plateau) on the iPhone 17... until I put the Galaxy S26 Ultra on a table, screen up ... and it tilted noticeably to one side. Oh, I found myself thinking, so that's why Apple went with the bump.

No, it was one privacy screen feature that bewitched me. Not the S26 Ultra's ability to prevent what Samsung called "shoulder surfing," but an option the company barely flagged at all in its keynote — the ability to limit the privacy screen to your notifications alone.

Privacy, please

Don't ruin the surprise! Credit: Chris Taylor / Mashable

Sure, "shoulder surfing" can sometimes be a problem in a crowded situation, such as public transit, if you happen to be looking at something sensitive. (But really, can't it just wait until you get off the bus?)

In our smartphone-driven world, however, there's a problem we come across more frequently — a situation where we actively want to share something on our screen, be it a hilarious meme or a takeout menu, but feel anxious about the possibility of revealing messages popping up while we do so.

I'm not the only person who has had to get very good at pretending I didn't just see that very personal message pop up on a friend's phone while they were really eager to show me something else. Nor am I the only smartphone user who tries hard to remember to activate "Do Not Disturb" before such potentially embarrassing moments.

So if Samsung can just block out some of the screen for folks at your shoulder, that's a game-changer. And it seems they can, really effectively. In the photo above, you can see how the Ultra is barely tilted away, but the notification is already very greyed out. Your friends (if they're good friends) don't usually want to see your private missives anyway; even this minimal angle assists their brains in blocking it out before it disappears.

Tilt the screen any further, and the notification is as thoroughly redacted as a reluctantly released DOJ document.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra's privacy screen settings are surprisingly customizable, too. The ability to pick and choose which apps always get the privacy screen treatment is a no-brainer when you think about it; you're probably always going to want to keep your banking app private, for example. We're sure you're thinking of other examples right now. The point is, you should be free to do you.

So is this built-in, highly customizable privacy shield enough to make me switch to the Samsung side of the smartphone divide? The honest answer right now, for this iPhone fanboy, is "maybe." And that should terrify Apple into action, assuming they aren't already working on a similar feature for the iPhone 18.

Your move, Tim Cook.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Free Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra at AT&T With Trade-in and Qualifying Unlimited Plan at T-Mobile

 

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Samsung's big Galaxy Unpacked event is nearly here, and you can expect lots of news to break.

The Galaxy Unpacked livestream will begin Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 1 p.m. ET. Mashable will be reporting live from the event, but you don't have to be with us in San Francisco to stay up to date. Mashable's Chance Townsend wrote the full breakdown of what devices to expect, and unless Samsung pulls a last-minute surprise, we'll finally get a look at the new Galaxy S26 lineup. That'll likely include a Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra.

Rumors suggest the S26 will look similar to previous models, perhaps with a changed camera bump. We also expect to see the Galaxy Buds 4 debut on Wednesday, and, of course, plenty of announcements related to AI upgrades and new mobile features.

If you want to see all the news live, you'll have to watch the event. Luckily, that's easy to do.

Watch the Galaxy Unpacked YouTube livestream, with pre- and post-show coverage from Mashable, CNET, and PCMag editors. (Disclosure: These sites are all owned by Ziff Davis.) You can also watch the event live at Samsung.com and YouTube.

Not every AI tool you stumble across in your phone's app marketplace is the same. In fact, many of them may be more of a privacy gamble than you would have previously thought.

A plethora of unlicensed or unsecured AI apps on the Google Play store for Android, including those marketed for identity verification and editing, have exposed billions of records and personal data, cybersecurity experts have confirmed.

A recent investigation by Cybernews found that one Android-available app in particular, "Video AI Art Generator & Maker," has leaked 1.5 million user images, over 385,000 videos, and millions of user AI-generated media files. The security flaw was spotted by researchers, who discovered a misconfiguration in a Google Cloud Storage bucket that left personal files vulnerable to outsiders. In total, the publication reported, over 12 terabytes of users’ media files were accessible via the exposed bucket. The app had 500,000 downloads at the time.

Another app, called IDMerit, exposed know-your-customer data and personally identifiable information from users across 25 countries, predominantly in the U.S.

Information included full names and addresses, birthdates, IDs, and contact information constituting a full terabyte of data. Both of the apps' developers resolved the vulnerabilities after researchers notified them.

Still, cybersecurity experts warn that lax security trends among these types of AI apps pose a widespread risk to users. Many AI apps, which often store user-uploaded files alongside AI-generated content, also use a highly criticized practice known as "hardcoding secrets," embedding sensitive information such as API keys, passwords, or encryption keys directly into the app's source code. Cybernews found that 72 percent of the hundreds of Google Play apps researchers analyzed had similar security vulnerabilities.

Google may finally be ready to fix one of the Pixel’s most frustrating flaws.

According to an exclusive report from Android Authority, Google is developing a new advanced facial recognition system internally dubbed "Project Toscana." The feature is reportedly being tested on Pixel phones and Chromebooks, with early testers in Mountain View, California, using prototype devices under various lighting conditions. Per the outlet’s anonymous source, Toscana performed just as quickly as Apple’s Face ID and, crucially, worked reliably in low light.

This would be a meaningful upgrade for Android users. Google has taken multiple swings at face unlock over the years. The Pixel 4 used radar and IR sensors before the company abandoned the approach. More recent Pixels reintroduced camera-based face unlock with improved machine learning, and starting with the Pixel 8, it could authenticate for payments and secure apps — but it still struggles in darker environments.

Android Authority notes this aligns with its previous reporting that Google has been exploring IR-based solutions for future Pixel devices, potentially as soon as the Pixel 11. Whether Toscana ends up with a display hole or sticks with a traditional hole-punch camera remains unclear.

The timing is interesting given the recent launch of the Pixel 10a. As Mashable tech reporter Alex Perry writes, the $499 mid-range device sticks with the Tensor G4 processor and delivers AI feature parity with the Pixel 10, despite the flagship moving to Tensor G5. Hardware changes were modest — a flatter back, improved durability, slightly brighter display — but no dramatic biometric upgrades.

If Project Toscana is real and ready for primetime, it likely won’t debut in the budget-friendly 10a, which arrives March 5. Instead, it could signal that Google is once again trying to build the Android answer to Face ID — and this time, maybe stick with it.

Google's Pixel A-series is generally one of the easiest budget handsets to recommend each year. So, those in the market for a new Android phone might want to take a look at the new Pixel 10a, officially announced today.

The Pixel 10a is priced at $499 (no price increase) and delivers modest upgrades over its predecessor. The new phone will be available starting March 4, and you can pre-order the phone starting today.

I got to preview the phone at a recent hands-on demo event, and it looks very similar to last year's Pixel 9a. The prominent horizontal camera bar that adorns the regular Pixel line is still gone, in favor of an inconspicuous little camera array that now sits completely flush with the device's back.

Last year's model also got rid of the horizontal bar, but the camera still jutted out a little bit. Now, you can lay the Pixel 10a completely flat on a table without it rocking around, a big problem with the latest Samsung phones.

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Credit: Google

Google Pixel 10a (8GB RAM, 128GB storage)

$499 at Google

Ships March 5

Pre-order Here

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Credit: Amazon / Google

Google Pixel 10a + $100 Amazon Gift Card

$499 at Amazon

Ships March 5

Pre-order Here

Google Pixel 10a: The specs

Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Google Pixel 10a comes in four colors: Lavender, Berry, Fog, and Obsidian. It also costs $499, just like the Pixel 9a did. Here are the basic specs:

• 6.3-inch display with 1080x2424 resolution and 60-120Hz adaptive refresh rate

• Up to 3,000 nits peak brightness

• Google Tensor G4 processor

• 5,100mAh battery

• 8GB RAM

• 128/256GB storage

• Two rear camera lenses: 48MP and 13MP

• 13MP selfie camera

What's new, what's not

The display hasn't changed much. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Eagle-eyed readers will notice quite a few similarities between the Pixel 10a and the Pixel 9a on that list of specs. The battery size, RAM, and storage options are all the same as last year, too. Ditto for the camera specs.

However, the Pixel 10a does carry some upgrades. Google says the Pixel 10a is its most durable A-series phone, with IP68 water and dust resistance. The 6.3-inch Actua display also has new Corning Gorilla Glass 7i and is 11 percent brighter than the 9a.

What kind of performance will it offer?

Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Interestingly, the processor hasn't changed, which is unusual for the Pixel A-series. Usually, the budget version of a Pixel phone uses the same processor as the previous model. For example, the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9a both used the Tensor G4 processor. For some reason, Google has kept the Tensor G4 processor in the Pixel 10a, despite the Pixel 10 running on Tensor G5.

At this moment in time, it's impossible to tell what practical difference this will make on performance, especially given that Google is bringing AI feature parity from the Pixel 10 to the Pixel 10a. It doesn't necessarily do anything new software-wise, but it can do basically everything the Pixel 10 could do, as far as I can tell.

Is the Pixel 10a worth it?

Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Processor weirdness aside, the Pixel 10a is looking like another high-value mid-range phone from a company that's gotten very, very good at making those in recent years.

We'll know more about the Pixel 10a once we have a chance to properly test it out, and a full review ill be coming soon.

You can preorder the Google Pixel 10a for $499 at the Google Store. Shoppers who pre-order the phone at Amazon will also get a free $100 Amazon gift card.

See? It's flat. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Google just released the first public beta for Android 17, and you can install it now if you have a compatible Pixel device.

Those who consider themselves brave enough to test the waters of an upcoming OS release can now download Android 17's initial beta. The simplest way to do so is via Google's Beta Program. Just go to the Beta Program website, hit the "Opt In" button with a Google account that's tied to a compatible Pixel phone, and you should be good to go. Once that's done, go to the Pixel phone itself and check for software updates in the settings menu. It may not happen instantly, but after a short period of time, the Android 17 beta should appear for you.

Oh, and as for which Pixel phones can download this beta, the easiest way to think of it is that everything from the Pixel 6 forward can do it. This includes Pixel A-series phones and even the Pixel Tablet, which I had forgotten about until right now. If you have any of those devices, you should be all set.

As for what to expect from the beta, don't anticipate any huge changes right now. Per Android Central, the update is mostly focused on small UI changes. For instance, the home screen search bar has been slimmed down, and users can now get rid of the "At a Glance" widget on the home screen. Google will almost certainly expand on what's available in the beta over time, which is why it's a good idea to get in now, if you so desire.

As always, just go in understanding that this is unfinished software and you might run into trouble. Make a pre-beta backup of your Pixel device before diving in, and good luck.

There's a new iOS update, and along with the bug fixes and security enhancements, Apple has some new features for iPhone users as well.

iPhone users can now upgrade their mobile devices to iOS 26.3, though users need an iPhone 11 or later. Just go to Settings, then General, then tap Software Update on your iPhone.

So, what's new in iOS 26.3?

First up, Apple has created separate Wallpaper options for Astronomy and Weather on your iOS device. Along with that, Apple has released three pre-designed Weather wallpaper options for your lockscreen with different fonts and widget designs.

Limit Precise Location is a new feature in iOS 26.3 that focuses on user privacy. With Limit Precise Location turned on, iPhone users can reduce how precise their coordinates are when relaying that information to cellular networks. Apple says this means your iPhone would share a general neighborhood location instead of an exact street address.

Apple notes that Limit Precise Location only affects the information shared with cellular networks. Exact location data shared with Find My, with friends, or location sharing is not affected when Limit Precise Location is turned on.

While Limit Precise Location is being introduced with iOS 26.3, the feature is only available on iPhone Air, iPhone 16e, and iPad Pro M5 Wi-Fi + Cellular devices. Why? As our colleagues at PC Mag note, an iOS device with an Apple C1 or C1X modem is required for Limit Precise Location to work.

Finally, iOS 26.3 is giving users an easier time jumping from the iOS ecosystem with the new Transfer to Android feature. Located within the Settings app, Transfer to Android lets users wirelessly move photos, messages, apps, and other data to Android devices. Some information, like health data and previously connected accessories, will not transfer to Android through this feature. Still, being able to easily move your photos and conversations from an iPhone to an Android device is a welcomed new feature.

Google just randomly dropped a Pixel 10a reveal on YouTube, and there's at least one noticeable change to the phone's design.

The video itself is very brief, just showing the phone from a few different angles in a sort of light blue color. No new features or software of any kind are shown, though that's to be expected with a budget version of last year's Pixel 10. The one really noteworthy thing we can glean from this video is that the rear camera now appears to be totally flush with the body of the device, rather then protruding in any way.

That's a mild divergence from last year's Pixel 9a. That phone ditched the signature Pixel horizontal camera bar, but the lens itself still stuck out a bit when viewed from the side. Aside from that, again, we really can't divine anything from this video about the phone itself. Its specs and features will have to wait until Google feels like sharing more.

An announcement will probably be soon, given that the pre-order date is set for Feb. 18.

Companies like Apple, Samsung, and Google release new flagship phones every year, but if you're tired of the relentless upgrade cycle, you might want to keep an eye on Nothing.

The U.K.-based tech startup that's made its name over the past few years with distinctive-looking, affordable Android phones allegedly has a new one coming out very soon. Leaker Yogesh Brar (via Android Authority) posted on X that the Nothing Phone 4a and 4a Pro models will launch on March 5. The same post indicated that the phones will have upgraded storage, a slight jump in battery capacity, new Snapdragon chips, and a higher price from the Phone 3a, which starts at $379.

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The name "Phone 4a" would sort of imply that this is a mid-range take on the Phone 4. The only problem with that assumption is that there isn't a Nothing Phone 4. Company CEO Carl Pei recently confirmed the firm is taking a year off of doing a major flagship release, so it seems like the more budget-friendly Phone 4a models are all we're getting in 2026.

In other words, if the annual race to the top from the other companies is exhausting to you and you need a new Android handset, maybe the Nothing Phone 4a is worth a look.

Since I got to go hands-on (and head-on) with the Samsung Galaxy XR last October, something has been needling at me. It was something I couldn't (ironically) wrap my head around, but all the same, I couldn't shake it. At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, I was finally able to pick up a review unit for the Galaxy XR and start wearing it outside of a closed demo, and it suddenly hit me.

I don't think this thing is meant for me… or you.

It's cool, don't get me wrong. I'm excited about what it may bring, but for now, I don't have a lot of use for it. I think the primary reason for that is I'm not sure Samsung or Google knows who or what this is for, beyond one specific demographic, which I'll discuss later. It has some neat parlor tricks, for sure, but for the most part, as I explored the capabilities of this headset, I realized it's really just a big and bulky set of AR glasses.

I love AR smart glasses. I use them when I fly because I can get a large virtual screen with multiple windows floating in the air in front of me. The Galaxy XR has a few other tricks in its arsenal that I've had a chance to explore, but it's also missing some big things that really should be there in a true XR headset. I've spent two weeks with the Samsung Galaxy XR, and these are my thoughts.

Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable

Hardware wins

The Samsung Galaxy XR headset is beautifully designed. More importantly, it is well-designed so it doesn't feel too heavy while wearing it. A big part of that is because Samsung did the smart thing and offloaded the battery into a battery pack that you slip into your pocket. Are you paying attention, Meta?

I have worn the Galaxy XR headset for hours at a time, and it hasn't bothered me too much, except that it was a relief when I was able to take it off. In fact, it's been great getting work done with it. The headstrap clamps to the back of your head with a knob to twist to adjust the fit. The only thing I would like would be the ability to adjust where the back of the strap lays on the back of my head. As it is right now, the strap goes straight back and sits too high. My ponytail may have something to do with that.

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The battery and its connector are also well-designed. I'd like to see pips on the battery to indicate how much battery is left, but that's about the only thing missing. Speaking of the battery, Samsung advertises around 2-3 hours of runtime on a single charge. I tested this, wearing the headset for two hours, and found this to be reasonably accurate. During that test I had a Google Doc, a browser with a few tabs, a streaming app, and my email open.

The headset plugs — and locks — into the battery using a USB-C connector, but it's proprietary to that battery pack. You cannot plug the headset into a different battery pack, but you can plug in and charge the headset while it's running, as long as you have a sufficiently powerful charger. Low-powered chargers will allow the headset to drain the battery more slowly. I found a 65W charger that I normally use for my laptop was enough to power the headset up while it ran.

The software, however...

Credit: Adam Doud

When it comes to the software, Samsung has some of it right, but there's a lot that needs work. I'll start with the good. The overall augmented reality interface is solid, including the gestures, hand tracking, and eye tracking. Moving windows around, resizing them, and placing them where you want; it's all intuitive, which isn't always the case with spatial computing. I think the gesture to open the launcher/multitasking — pinching your thumb and finger while your hand faces you — is the hardest to learn, and honestly, it's not that hard.

The app launcher looks a lot like what you get with XReal's Beam Pro, so I was already familiar with it. But the quick settings and toggles are all just icons that don't necessarily tell you what they are or what they do. They need work. I do like the option to "Tidy up" your windows. That button places all your windows side-by-side neatly so you can see them all. That gets handy when you've got too many windows open at once.

The headset has access to the entire Play Store, which is good. But some of those apps are "Not optimized for XR" which is fair enough, but to be perfectly honest, many of those apps that are optimized are really just floating rectangles. Now, if you want to talk about XR-optimized, let's talk about the MLB app.

This is an app that is XR-ready and all in on 3D content. From highlights and video clips to the overall immersive interface, it's pretty remarkable, and it's not even baseball season. I'll be very interested to see what this looks like in April when I won't be inundated with video clips of Eveil Blue winning the World Series (#SourGrapes). But even that app is flawed. I ran into two big issues. First, I couldn't enter my username and password credentials; the box did not function. Also, the passthrough slider would not move, so I got stuck in baseball's VR environment. Don't get me wrong, it's a great place to be on a slow Sunday afternoon, and if I ever have a slow Sunday afternoon, maybe I'll partake.

Other apps don't display well. In the case of Paramount Plus, the video interface was washed out, and there was no way to darken it. 

Credit: Adam Doud

3D content is really killer. Apps like Google Photos can take any photo and "spatialize it," giving it depth. A couple of really great examples that I found were a photo I snapped of the strip in Las Vegas and a photo we took outside of my son's graduation. It's really remarkable, but the nature of 3D/spatialized content means it's hard to share it with others.

One surprise I found was the ability to pin apps to places — more or less. This is a feature that turned into a big use case when Apple introduced the Vision Pro. You could pin a timer above a stove while cooking, for example or Pin a virtual TV to your wall. When I first tested the Galaxy XR in October, I asked about that and I was told that it wouldn't be available. Well, it is. While sitting at my kitchen table, I opened my browser, a streaming app, and a document. Then, when I got up to walk into another room, the apps stayed where I left them, but there were some oddities that I didn't expect, and I'm not sure if they're good or bad.

The apps stayed in place regardless of where I went in my house, including different rooms. So as I stood in my bedroom, I could watch (and control) the streaming app I left open in my kitchen. For other apps, like my document editor, I could see the "back" of the app, backward letters and all. I think I'm into it.

Meanwhile, some apps nuked the rest of my layout. The Play Store, for example, would hide all other apps whenever I opened it, for no real reason. Other apps, like Google Maps in "immersive view" made sense to hide other apps. But the issue with immersive apps is there's really no real way to exit the immersive experience. The only way I could do it was by going back into the launcher and launching something else.

I found it to be a very inconsistent experience overall. It's mostly good and fun, but we come back to the question of why? I can have three apps open in front of me — great. But I can do that on an ultrawide monitor as well. So, what's the hook?

Immersive 3D is one big one. The ability to convert 2D into 3D on the fly is pretty neat, and I think it's a look at how things will be in the future. I'm not sure how long we'll be stuck with 2D screens at this point.

Some other notes

Credit: Adam Doud

The virtual keyboard on the Galaxy XR is not great, and that's putting it very politely. I actually specifically ordered a Clicks Power Keyboard after the first time I tried to use the Virtual keyboard. It's bad. Connecting a Bluetooth keyboard helps, but every now and then, the Bluetooth lagged, which meant I couldn't type or backspace, and things just froze for a moment. It broke the experience.

Eye tracking is very good, as is hand tracking, but using them both at once needs a bit of refinement. There were times I had to extend my arm almost to its full length before the hand tracking took over from the eye tracking.

There are two buttons on the top of the headset I haven't mentioned yet. One summons Gemini, and the other is a volume rocker. Summoning Gemini is nice, and Gemini can help you with actions inside the headset, like "Gemini, how can I turn on the immersive environment?" which it helped me to do, but it could not help me take a screenshot, so I guess AI is just gonna AI.

Finally, the Passthrough video is good, but not amazing. It's very grainy, similar to what the MetaQuest 3S is capable of. I can easily navigate my home and even cook and eat while wearing the headset, but the grain is noticeable.

What does it all mean?

Overall, I'm left with the impression that this is a developer-focused device. It's not bad for consumers, but more developers need to get on board to make the experience worth it. But even more than that, I don't think the future is wearing computers on your face. I think the future is wearing glasses on your face that can do all of this. That's going to be the winning formula.

I mentioned XReal a few times during this revie,w and there's a good reason for it. Rumors abound that XReal is working closely with Google on Project Aura and that what we're going to see is largely the Galaxy XR, but in a glasses form factor. That's the dream.

We're not there yet, but the Galaxy XR is a necessary step in that direction. There is some really great tech in this headset, and it's comfortable enough to wear for literal hours. But at the end of the day, it's not the consumer product you should be looking forward to. It's a foot in the door so developers can start making apps that will make Android XR and project Aura incredible. If you can wait that long, you probably should, but if you want a taste of the future in an imperfect form factor, Galaxy XR is waiting for you.

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Credit: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy XR

$1,799.99 at Samsung

 

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I've been an Apple user for over a decade now and have been out of the Android game for a while. So when I jumped into testing Android devices, I was a bit intimidated working in an unfamiliar system. Now that I've spent plenty of time with Androids, I have some good news. Not only does everything look the same, but it pretty much works the same, too.

Having tested my way through all kinds of tablets, both iOS and Android models, the setup process is simple regardless of the operating system. So if you're switching from iOS to Android or just got a new tablet, here's how to set up an Android tablet.

How to set up an Android tablet

As soon as you turn on the tablet, you'll be prompted through a setup screen. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Total Time

• 10 minutes

What You Need

• Android tablet
• Google account
• WiFi access

Step 1: Power on your tablet

This is the most straightforward step. When you get your tablet out of the box, turn it on.

Step 2: Follow the prompts

Any tablet I've used, both Android and Apple, has started out with the same prompts. The first will have you select your language, followed by how you'd like to set up the device. The options listed will be an Android device or an iPhone/iPad. You can select which device you use; however, you don't need to use either to set up the device if you're not looking to copy over any data.

Step 3: Connect to WiFi

At this point in the setup, you'll need to connect to WiFi. Enter the credentials for the network now. If you don't have WiFi access, you won't be able to complete the setup.

Step 4: Enter Google account information.

To use an Android tablet, you'll need a Google account. This is where Android and Apple devices differ. Apple devices require an Apple login, and Androids use Google. With your Google account, Gmail, Google Photos, and Drive will all be linked to your tablet.

Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Step 5: Download additional apps

Once you're logged into your Google account on the tablet, you're set to start using the device. To download your essential apps, go through the Google Play Store, which has access to all the essentials.

CES 2026 has officially kicked off with the annual CES Unveiled event, where tech companies of all sizes showcase their unique new products. One of those more unique items this year is Solver, a small, rectangular object that brings a pair of programmable haptic buttons to your smartphone.

That's right, Solver literally adds two physical buttons to your mobile device. The tiny add-on magnetically clips on to the back of your iPhone or Android so you can easily tap on the buttons to activate them without having to even turn on your smartphone.

Credit: Mashable

And what do those two buttons do? Whatever you want. Solver's buttons are programmable, meaning each individual user can affix any action to each button. This means a tap on the top of Solver could simply directly open an app like Notes, YouTube, or Spotify. Alternatively, a user could get more adventurous with their programming and have a button tap launch a series of actions or Shortcuts. 

For example, a user can program Solver so that a tap of a button could automatically start recording video in an emergency, then when the recording ends that video can be automatically sent to a specific user via Messages. During the demo, Solver's team showcased an even more advanced set of actions where a user can share their location with a specific contact, place a 911 phone call, record audio, and sound an alarm all with a single tap on Solver.

Even more interesting is how Solver works. There is no need to charge Solver. In fact, there's no battery or wire or even Bluetooth connection involved at all. Solver connects with your smartphone using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology.

If you miss having more physical buttons on your iPhone, or just like the idea of being able to launch actions without even having to unlock your mobile device, Solver may be for you.

Solver is officially launching at CES this year, with multiple different color options, at a price point of $140.

Head to the Mashable CES 2026 hub for the latest news and live updates from the biggest show in tech, where Mashable journalists are reporting live.

Google's AI image generation tool got some minor alterations in the Android Messages app.

Specifically, Google slightly retooled how you access the Remix tool (which is powered by Nano Banana) in Messages, per 9to5google. If you wanted to put a funny hat on a picture of your dog or whatever prior to this change, you would long-press on an image and tap the "Remix" button on the lower left corner of the display. That's still true, but the button is now smaller and less prominent than before. Additionally, Google removed the banana emoji that was on the button, replacing it with a more generic AI image icon.

Beyond that, if you look at an image in the fullscreen view mode, there won't be a Remix button on top of the image anymore. It's now in the bottom-left corner of that view, as well.

Again, these are not hugely seismic changes to the way Nano Banana Remix works in Google Messages, but they're worth knowing about so you don't get lost the next time you want to use those features.

Apple's next public iOS beta is here.

That would be the public beta for iOS 26.3, to be more specific. It launched this week, shortly after the launch of iOS 26.2 to the public, and with the expectation that the full release of the update will happen in early 2026. The new beta brings with it a few small (but still noteworthy) new features, and you can try them out for yourself. Here's how.

How to download the iOS 26.3 public beta

Apple makes its public betas available for anyone with an iPhone to test out. All you have to do is sign up for the beta program. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to get the iOS 26.3 public beta on your iPhone:

1. Go to Apple's beta website

2. Sign up for the beta program with your Apple ID

3. Log in and click "Enroll your iOS device"

4. On your iPhone, open Settings, then go to General, then Software Update

5. Select the iOS Public Beta and install it

iOS 26.3 public beta new features

Once you've done that, you can start looking at the new stuff Apple added to iOS 26.3. Be warned, though, that there aren't any game-changing everyday adjustments here for most Apple users. There is, however, one notable update for Apple users who prefer non-Apple smartwatches or fitness trackers.

For starters, Apple has slightly rearranged the Wallpapers page, putting Weather and Astronomy into their own distinct sections instead of bundling them together. There are also a few new Weather wallpapers to choose from, but otherwise, everything else is the same.

On top of that, you can also choose to have your notifications forwarded to a third-party wearable device instead of an Apple Watch. This should make life easier for folks who prefer other wearables but still want to get every notification that their iPhone gets without looking at the phone. The only problem is that this is only available to users in the European Union at the moment, and there's no telling when (or even if) U.S.-based iPhone owners will get this feature. As we reported earlier today, Apple was forced to make this change by the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA).

Lastly and most significantly, Apple and Google worked together to make switching from an iPhone to an Android device (or vice versa) easier than it used to be. You'll be able to place your iPhone next to a new Android device and wirelessly transfer messages, notes, photos, apps, and even your phone number between devices. This sounds easier than the old way of doing things, which largely involved downloading an app on either side of the equation.

The next Android 16 update could make apps more transparent about location tracking, giving users more insight into their privacy.

The feature showed up in the beta for Android 16 QPR3 (QPR meaning quarterly platform release), set to launch early next year. According to 9to5google, the beta adds a blue dot with a map icon next to the battery meter on the upper side of the display, which will only appear if an app is actively tracking your location for any reason. You can tap the dot in the notifications view to see which app (or apps) is tracking you. At that point, users can close the app or update their location settings.

This new Android privacy feature builds on something Google added years ago, which was a green dot with a camera icon in the same place that revealed when an app was using your camera or microphone. When apps are tracking both your location and accessing your camera, these two dots will be combined to show both the camera and map icons, according to screenshots shared by 9to5google.

It should be noted that this tool is only available in beta for Pixel devices right now, but presumably it will come to other Android phones at a later date, like the green camera dot did previously.

At any rate, it's nice to get a software update that's just objectively helpful.

Sometimes you encounter a technical issue on an iPhone that makes you chuckle more than anything else.

That's what's currently happening to some photos in the iOS Photos app, per 9to5mac. Various reports on places like Reddit have confirmed that some photos originally snapped on Android phones are showing up with a horrifying red filter applied to them when you look at them in the Photos app. You won't see the filter until you tap on the image, for some reason, so you can't tell that something is wrong from the thumbnail.

It's seemingly not yet known how this is happening, but the good news is that there's an easy fix. According to 9to5mac, just open an affected photo, hit the Edit button, and then hit Revert. That should remove the red filter. Again, this apparently only applies to photos taken on Android phones and saved to iPhones for whatever reason, so you may not even have any of these in your library. I certainly couldn't find any in mine.

At any rate, this is more goofy than problematic. Just make sure you fix any affected photos before sharing them with someone else.

Google just made whatever pair of headphones you own a bit more useful.

As part of a broader expansion of Google Translate, the company is rolling out a beta for live language translation using headphones, Google announced in a blog post. Google says the feature supports more than 70 languages and, most importantly, works with "any pair of headphones," presumably provided that they have a microphone on them in some capacity.

"We’re bringing Gemini’s most powerful translation capabilities to Google Translate for text, launching a beta experience for live speech-to-speech translations with headphones, and adding new languages to the app for practice and skill building," the blog post reads.

And according to Google VP of product and search Rose Yao, Gemini doesn't just translate each word you hear; it provides meaningful translation to capture the meaning and intent of the speaker.

"Say you’re trying to translate an English idiom like 'stealing my thunder.' Now, it's easier than ever to get a more natural, accurate translation, instead of a literal word-for-word translation. Gemini parses the context to give you a helpful translation that captures what the idiom really means," Yao wrote in a blog post.

You can try the new live translation feature by opening the Google Translate mobile app with your headphones paired and tapping the "Live translate" button.

Apple got a lot of press when it introduced live translation with AirPods at the September iPhone event, and previously, this Google Translate feature was only available for users with Pixel Buds, the company's wireless earbuds. Now that Android users can use live translation on their preferred headphones or buds, Google has taken a big step closer to universal live translation.

But, as I said, this is a beta, so it's not fully cooked yet. As such, it's only available in the U.S., Mexico, and India right now, and crucially, only Android users have access at the moment. Google says the feature will come to iOS in 2026, but for now, iPhone users are stuck with Apple's more limited live translation.

Large-language models like ChatGPT and Gemini often excel at language translation, and live translation is one of the more promising use cases for the technology.

SAVE $130: The TCL NXTPAPER 11 Plus Android tablet is on sale at Amazon for $239.99, down from the list price of $369.99. That's a 35% discount that matches the record-low price.

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Credit: TCL

TCL NXTPAPER 11 Plus Android tablet

$239.99 at Amazon
$369.99 Save $130

 

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A new tablet for 2026 could be the fresh start we all crave. You have tons of options these days if you're looking for a new tablet. But if you're shopping on a budget or just want an affordable model, there's a nice deal on offer today at Amazon.

As of Dec. 11, the TCL NXTPAPER 11 Plus Android tablet is on sale for $239.99 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $369.99. That's a 35% discount that works out a nice $130 savings. It also matches the record-low price.

The versatility of the TCL NXTPAPER 11 Plus is one of the standout features of this tablet. TCL designed this tablet with the brand's VeraView mode which means you can use it in regular mode, ink paper, or color paper mode. The ink paper mode utilizes TCL's NXTPAPER 4.0 technology, which aims to give the display the feel of reading physical paper with less eye-stain that could occur with many tablets. This'll be a highlight for those who love to use e-readers like Kindles.

Considering the least expensive Amazon Kindle Colorsoft is priced at $249.99 and doesn't function as a tablet to access email, the web, etc. the TCL NXTPAPER 11 Plus could be a more versatile alternative.

Mashable Senior Editor Stan Schroeder spent some time with an older TCL NXTPAPER and wrote, "From the get-go, their displays really do look like photos printed on actual paper. They’re matte, and thus better to use in sunlight than the displays on most phones and tablets. They appear perfectly still and perfectly flat, for lack of better words."

This deal also includes a flip case and the TCL T-Pen, which magnetically attaches to the case for added convenience.

While the TCL NXTPAPER 11 Plus is sitting at a record-low price of $239.99, consider the upgrade a gift to start off 2026 on the right foot. You'll have access to an impressive display for reading e-books, taking on creative projects, and keeping up with e-mails.

Android users can now share live video of their environment while reaching out for emergency services, providing more context and assistance in potentially dire situations.

Launched on Wednesday, Emergency Live Video on Android lets emergency dispatchers request a live video feed while talking to a person who may be in danger. When initiated, callers are prompted with a single-tap button on their screen, which then provides a live video feed to dispatchers who can assess the environment or provide more specific medical assistance, like CPR instructions.

A Google blog post states that the resource works for both emergency calls and texts, and the footage is encrypted by default. The company also says it is looking to partner with global public safety organizations to expand the feature's reach.

Google has launched a variety of emergency safety features across its Android devices, including crash and fall detection, Emergency SOS, and satellite-based services. With the most recent Android 16, Google also added new accessibility features, parental controls, and the ability to mark communications as urgent.

Emergency Live Video has already rolled out to U.S. devices and emergency service calls in select regions of Germany and Mexico. In order to use the feature, devices must be running Android 8+ with Google Play services.

SAVE 50%: On Dec. 9, Target Circle members can score select half-priced OtterBox accessories. You must be a Target Circle member to score the savings and the deal expires at 2:59 a.m. ET.

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Credit: OtterBox / Apple

50% off select OtterBox accessories

 

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It's no secret that OtterBox makes some of the best tech accessories in the business. While the brand made a name for itself with its ultra-protective phone cases, it also makes screen protectors, AirPods cases, smartwatch bands and bumpers, and more. But those tech accessories certainly don't come cheap. OtterBox phone cases, for instance, can run you up to $100 depending on which level of protection you prefer. If you have a new iPhone 17 Pro or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 you want to protect, but don't want to drop a ton of money on a top-notch case, this one-day sale at Target has come at the perfect time.

On Dec. 9 only, Target Circle members can score select OtterBox accessories for 50% off. That includes phone cases of all shapes and sizes, screen protectors, smartwatch bands, smartwatch bumpers, AirPods cases, tablet cases, wallets, and more. There are nearly 500 accessories included in the sale, so you'll have a pretty wide selection.

The only catch is you'll need to be a Target Circle member to secure the savings, but thankfully it's free to join. Just enter your email address and some other details, and you're ready to shop. Once you're a Target Circle member, just sign in and the savings should automatically be reflected on eligible items.

Curious what OtterBox accessories are included in the sale? We've rounded up a few of our favorite picks below. The deal expires at 2:59 a.m. ET, so if you see something you like, grab it ASAP.

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Credit: OtterBox

OtterBox Symmetry Series Case in Floral Romance (for iPhone 17 Pro)

$29.99 at Target
$59.99 Save $30.00

with Target Circle

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Credit: OtterBox

OtterBox Symmetry Series Case with Magnets in Wavy Charcoal (for Samsung Galaxy S25)

$29.99 at Target
$59.99 Save $30.00

with Target Circle

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Credit: OtterBox

OtterBox AirPods Pro (3rd Gen) Headphone Case in Denver Dusk Purple

$13.99 at Target
$27.99 Save $14.00

with Target Circle

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Credit: OtterBox

OtterBox Defender Series Pro XT Clear Case in Offgrid (for iPhone 17 Pro)

$39.99 at Target
$79.99 Save $40.00

with Target Circle

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Credit: OtterBox

OtterBox Symmetry Series Cactus Leather Wallet

$22.49 at Target
$44.99 Save $22.50

with Target Circle

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Credit: OtterBox

OtterBox Defender Series Case in Baja Beach (iPad A16 and iPad 10th gen)

$39.99 at Target
$79.99 Save $40.00

with Target Circle

Get Deal

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Credit: OtterBox

OtterBox Defender Series Case (for M4 iPad Pro 13-inch)

$52.49 at Target
$104.99 Save $52.50

with Target Circle

Get Deal

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Credit: OtterBox

OtterBox Symmetry Series Cactus Leather Apple Watch Band (38/40/41mm)

$21.99 at Target
$43.99 Save $22.00

with Target Circle

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Apple and Google are working together to make it easier for customers to switch ecosystems.

The newest Android Canary build (basically a beta) started planting the seeds for easier device switching, according to 9to5google. Apple and Google told 9to5google that a quicker transfer process will be available during the new device setup phase after you buy a phone. At some point, this will be baked into both Android and iOS after future software updates to both platforms.

Unfortunately, it's not super clear what, specifically, this means just yet. 9to5google said these updates will support transfer of additional data types between phones, but we'll probably need to be much closer to launch before we know what all of that will entail. Both platforms have officially supported data transfer apps you can download right now, but it sounds like the end goal might be to make all of that magic happen right when you turn on a new phone for the first time.

That would certainly be convenient, and would probably lessen the drama of going between Android and iOS.

Android users, be careful about where your apps come from.

That's because there's a new and very sinister-sounding kind of malware going around on Google's mobile OS, according to the fraud prevention experts at Cleafy (per Android Authority). Called Albiriox, the malware has been known to infect users' devices, giving bad-faith actors full remote control over the device, at which point they drain the device owner's bank accounts without even needing a password.

Cleafy goes into the nitty-gritty technical details on how this all works, but a basic summary is that the malware is being hidden in fake (but real-looking) Google Play Store download pages for financial apps on external sites. If you hit the download button on one of these pages, which, again, are not actually in the Play Store proper, you may be letting the malware onto your device. From there, it covertly enables the "install unknown apps" permission in the device settings, at which point the really bad stuff gets installed on your device.

From there, the bad actors can fully, remotely control your device without you noticing, performing actions like swipes and clicks from wherever they are. At that point, the hard part is over, and they can get to draining your bank account. It sounds like the best way to avoid this is to simply not download any weird financial apps from places that aren't the Play Store. If you stick to downloading apps straight from the Play Store app, you should be fine.

That said, even apps on the official Apple App Store and Google Play Store can contain malware, as we've reported previously. Last month, we reported on six malicious Android apps that were recording user data, including WhatsApp messages, phone calls, and even background audio.

Google is rolling out its Android 16 Quarterly Platform Release (QPR) 2, meaning your device could be due for an update.

The Android 16 QPR2 update comes with a number of new features that should improve performance, ease of use, and more. Here are three new features to check out.

Add widgets to your lock screen

The updated Android 16 allows you to add widgets that appear on your lock screen when you swipe left. Tech site 9to5Google notes you can enable the feature by navigating to "Settings > Display & touch > Lock screen > Widgets on lock screen."

That means you'll be able to easily access things like your calendar, camera, and more.

Notification organizer and summaries

Listen, we all get overwhelmed with notifications. Android 16 QPR2 promises to leverage AI capabilities to keep those pesky notifications in check. The updated software will summarize notifications — a long message in a group chat, for instance — and automatically prioritize more important notifications.

"Notification organizer automatically groups and silences your lower-priority notifications (such as promotions, news, and social alerts), making it easier for you to stay focused on what matters with fewer distractions. Notification organizer is rolling out in stages and will be available in the coming weeks," wrote Google.

Improved parental controls

Android 16 QPR2 introduces a "parental controls" option within settings, which means parents can keep tabs on their kids' devices from a single location. It'll allow parents to remotely set screen-time limits, control app usage, and set a schedule for when a kid's device locks.

If you want further details on updates with Android 16 QPR2 you can head over to Google's blog.

Google launched Android 16 back in June, and with it came a ton of features and updates. Usually, that’s all Google does until the next version, which is expected to be released in beta sometime in January or February 2026. That isn’t the case this time, as Google just announced several new features coming to Android 16 as a sort of mid-cycle refresh for the OS. 

As per the norm these days, a sizable percentage of the new features will be powered by AI and leverage Gemini's ability to categorize and summarize data. The rest are extra features coming to apps like Google’s Phone and additional customizations you can use to personalize your phone even more. 

Google posted not one, but two blog posts about what’s coming up, so you know it’s going to be good. To save you some clicks, here’s everything coming in the next feature-packed Android 16 update. The December Android 16 update should roll out to Pixel devices starting today (Tuesday, Nov. 2), with other Android devices getting the updates when their OEMs get around to it.

Now, Gemini can help make sense of your notifications. Credit: Google

AI can manage your notifications

Two of the big changes are coming to notifications. The first one is pretty simple. Google will allow AI to summarize long notifications (such as multiple messages in a group text) into a short summary to let you know what happened when you were away. These summaries can take several texts and sum them up in a sentence or two, making them easier to scan through while checking them quickly. It seems as though this is specifically targeted at group chats with lots of messages, but it may work with other types of messages as well.

Credit: Google

The other big notification change is an organizer function. This is vaguely similar to how Gmail filters messages and looks about the same in practice. Your various notifications will be categorized into things like News, Promotions, and others, thus letting you check your notifications as you please based on what kind of stuff you want to see. It’s a small change, but as a writer who gets probably 55 emails a day, this is going to be an awesome feature for me. 

Let your loved ones know its urgent. Credit: Google

Mark your calls as urgent

Cell phones make phone calls, and although that isn’t what people use them for most often these days, Google still wants to make the experience as good as possible. One of the new features is the ability to mark a phone call as urgent when you place the call to communicate to the other person that this isn’t an everyday catch-up call and that they need to answer the phone. 

This feature is rolling out to the Google Phone app. When you place the call, you’ll have an option to mark the call as urgent. The recipient will see that the call is urgent on their end. Even if they miss the call, it’ll be marked as urgent in their call logs, so that they know to call back as soon as they can. 

Themed icons and better dark mode

One of the long-awaited and consistently asked for features is the ability to theme icons within Android. This was previously doable with icon packs, but you also needed a custom launcher to use them. Google has finally included at least some custom icon functionality in Android itself, giving users the ability to customize their homescreens further without the need for a ton of additional downloads. 

Credit: Google

The themed icons have three main functions. You can customize the icon shapes, and it’ll theme the icons using the same Material 3 Expressive theming that the rest of your phone uses to theme things. This should create a more consistent and minimal icon design, giving the end user more control over how things look. 

As an aside, Google also mentioned an expanded dark mode that will work on apps that don’t have a dark mode built into them already. That’s not terribly common these days, as most apps have a dedicated dark mode, but it helps smooth out those rough edges for apps that don’t.

Dip out of unwanted group chats quickly (while reporting them)

Getting pulled into a group chat can be annoying, especially when the group starts acting a fool (or worse, when it’s spam). Google Messages is getting a new feature to remove yourself from such chats as quickly as possible. This function works pretty simply. When you’re pulled into a group chat under certain conditions, like being added from an unknown number, you’ll get the option to leave the group chat straight from the chat itself, while also giving you the opportunity to block and report the number as spam. 

Credit: Google

Circle to Search can find spam

Speaking of spam, Google is adding another feature to help you track it down and get rid of it faster. When you receive something that you might suspect to be spam, you can active Google’s Circle to Search function and circle the message. An AI overview will pop up letting you know whether the message is likely legitimate or if it’s definitely spam. If it is spam, you know to delete, block, and report the message so you don’t get it again.

Credit: Google

See emotions in Live Caption video

Live Caption already does a lot for people with hearing loss. Now, Google is expanding this functionality with what it calls Expressive Captions. The idea is pretty simple. Not only will Live Caption write what people are saying, but it will also listen to their tone of voice and show you the emotion with which people are speaking. 

Credit: Google

Given that text has no tone intrinsically, it can lead to a variety of communication problems. This solves that problem by making an educated guess based on the context of the video. It likely won’t be 100 percent accurate all the time, as human emotions are complicated, but it’s still a neat idea, especially when video calling with friends.

Better parental controls

Safety and security are usually in the spotlight when it comes to Android releases, and this time is no different. Google has added some new parental controls to the Settings menu, giving parents an easier place to access such controls on a child’s device. The setting is protected by a PIN, so kids can’t easily get into it, allowing parents to configure things on the child’s device without worry that the child will get into it. 

Some of the new features in this parental control settings menu will include setting the amount of screen time, scheduling downtime to lock the device for things like sleep, controlling app usage to limit time spent on apps or to block them entirely, and granting additional time if need be. Parents will also have direct links to Google Family Link, where they can set more things like app purchase approvals, location alerts, and more.

Emoji Kitchen and voice dictation in Gboard

The Emoji Kitchen is a neat little idea that lets you create custom emojis by combining two existing emotes, much like that silly Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen song from years ago. This one is pretty simple. It still functions as it did in Google’s Gboard app, but now includes new sticker combinations, including some made for the holiday season. 

Look, the little monkeys are hugging each other. Credit: Google

Gboard is also making it easier to use voice dictation in Gboard. The new gesture is a two-finger double-tap, and once engaged, it will let you use voice dictation without hitting the specific microphone button on the keyboard. It’s a little thing, but the motor skill-impaired may find this useful over having to tap a small button on the keyboard. Gemini’s Smart Dictation feature will also let you type and edit text, and even shorten the text for you with the power of AI. 

Pin your tabs in Google Chrome

How to pin tabs in Google Chrome Credit: Google

This is exactly what you think it is and works exactly how you think it does. Much like the desktop version, the mobile version of Chrome now lets you pin tabs. These tabs remain even if you clear out the rest of them, allowing you to save important webpages for later. Of course, the bookmarks function also lets you do this, but this is still very useful, especially if you don’t like using bookmarks. 

December Android 16 update: More miscellaneous updates

There are plenty of other small things that got looped into the update, and they’re not quite enough for their own sections, so here’s a rapid-fire list of additional small changes. 

• A shortcut for Live Caption is now available at the bottom of the volume slider. 

• The “Enhanced HDR brightness” setting now has an intensity slider letting you set it either dimmer or brighter. 

• Google’s Health Connect now automatically adds steps tracked by your device. 

• A Pixel Launcher design tweak has increased the size of the microphone, Google Lens, and AI mode icons while adding an extra dash of color. 

• Widgets make a return to the lock screen. Head to Settings > Display & touch > Lock screen > Widgets on lock screen to use them. 

• Google has updated its Guided Frames feature in the Pixel camera app to give longer, more detailed explanations when describing what’s in the frame. 

• Users can also now activate Voice Access by simply asking for it. Say “Hey Google” and then “start Voice Access” instead of hunting it down in the settings. 

• Fast Pair is extending to hearing aids made by Demant, a conglomerate that includes the brands Oticon, Sonic, and Bernafon.

There are also a host of under-the-hood changes that are aimed primarily at developers. These are too numerous to list, but you can see them yourself (along with any features we missed) on the Android Developers website. Some of them include boilerplate things like improved app performance and better battery life as well. 

Android 16 is an update worth having

Despite the fact that this is still the same Android 16 that launched just a few months ago, it feels as much like a new Android update as anything I’ve seen in the last few years. There’s plenty to like here, especially the extra refinements to the design. Notification categories and themed icons win the day in terms of making OS customization and productivity feel more complete, and everything else is just icing on the cake. 

If you use a company-owned Google Pixel phone, be careful what you say on it.

That should be common sense with any work-provided device, but in case it wasn't, it will be now. That's because Google has introduced the ability for third-party archival apps to track RCS messages (Pixel's version of text messages) that are sent, received, edited, or deleted on "fully managed" phones, per a Google blog post. The idea is to let employers comply with legal discovery, FOIA requests, and other things like that.

According to Google, older methods of message retrieval required working with mobile carriers, which is apparently difficult to do with the way RCS messages are encrypted from end-to-end. Google says that this new form of archival still retains end-to-end encryption because all of the archival is done on the device itself, but your employer will be able to see anything you say in RCS messages if they choose to turn this feature on. It will allegedly be a fully transparent process, with the employee being notified that their messages are being archived on their end, as well.

To be clear, it seems like this only applies to text messages sent using RCS through the default Messages app. As far as I can tell, this may not apply to other encrypted messaging services like WhatsApp. Still, just to be safe, you shouldn't say anything you wouldn't want your employer to see on an employer-managed device.

The best Cyber Monday Samsung deals at a glance:

---

Best tablet deal

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ (256GB, WiFi) 🔥

$569.99 (save $180)

Get Deal

---

Best monitor deal

Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G4 FHD IPS G-Sync gaming monitor 🔥

$189.99 (save $110)

Get Deal

---

Best TV deal

Samsung 55-inch The Frame LS03F 4K QLED TV

$897.99 (save $402)

Get Deal

---

Best wearable deal

Samsung Galaxy Ring 🔥

$249.99 (save $150)

Get Deal

---

Best phone deal

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (512GB, unlocked) 🔥

$1,019.99 (save $400)

Get Deal

---

Best smartwatch deal

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm, Bluetooth) 🔥

$249.99 (save $100)

Get Deal

Black Friday is officially in the rearview mirror, but the savings are still peaking, and Samsung is proving to be the biggest exception to the "Cyber Monday deals are worse" rule. Plenty of retailers like Amazon and Best Buy are fully in Cyber Monday mode, and while most deals linger, Samsung has delivered even better prices on several products. In fact, we've stumbled upon multiple Samsung products that are up to $100 cheaper now than they were during Black Friday.

On Cyber Monday proper, all categories already have standout discounts on hot ticket items. For instance, the 2025 Frame and Frame Pro TVs are at record lows, as is every iteration of the Galaxy Watch 8, Galaxy Tab S10 Lite, S10 FE, and S10 FE+, and Galaxy Tab S11.

Read on for a rundown of the best Samsung deals live ahead of Cyber Monday, and stay tuned as the season unfolds. We'll update this list with any new discounts that pop up

Note: Deals with a 🔥 next to them have dropped to record-low prices.

Best Cyber Monday Samsung TV deal

Samsung 55-inch The Frame LS03F 4K QLED TV

$697.99 at Amazon
$1,097.99 Save $400

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Why we like it

This deal is why we always tell shoppers to check back for Cyber Monday. Samsung's 55-inch The Frame 4K QLED TV is on sale for $897.99. The 2025 model features the Art Mode we all love, which turns your TV into a piece of gallery-worthy art, complete with a virtually glare-free screen that has a subtle, matte texture for a print-like finish. It also has 4K resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and the new NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor for enhanced picture and snappy menu response. This is the ultimate "why wait" purchase of the Cyber Monday season.

Best Cyber Monday Samsung gaming monitor deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: Samsung

Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G4 FHD IPS G-Sync gaming monitor 🔥

$169.99 at Best Buy
$299.99 Save $130

 

Get Deal

Why we like it

Best Buy is throwing down a serious doorbuster deal on the 27-inch Samsung Odyssey G4 monitor, dropping the price to a new record-low of $169.99. Not only is this price $30 cheaper than its Black Friday deal, but Paid My Best Buy members also earn $15 in bonus rewards. This monitor is a steal for competitive gamers; it has a 240Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and full HD (1920x1080) resolution. It also supports both AMD FreeSync Premium and NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility, ensuring tear-free, smooth gameplay.

Best Cyber Monday Samsung Galaxy phone deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (512GB, unlocked) 🔥

$1,019.99 at Amazon
$1,419.99 Save $400

 

Get Deal

Why we like it

One of the top dogs of the Samsung Galaxy phone lineup, the S25 Ultra with 512GB of storage, has dropped to a new best price ever for Cyber Monday. If you're already sporting an S24 model, you probably can skip this upgrade, but if you're rocking an older handset and want to catch up with the times, this 2025 release is a great choice. It's a bit heavy on the AI, but it's got a lot of other perks, including a nearly 27-hour battery life that keeps you from being tethered to an outlet. It features an incredibly powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, a new 50 MP ultra-wide lens, a fun "Now Brief" widget, and other S25 Ultra-exclusive AI features, along with new curved edges and a lighter build. Grabbing an unlocked model at Amazon saves you the trouble of coordinating a trade-in or data plan at a specific carrier. Plus, it's a lot cheaper at $1,057.91.

Samsung Galaxy phone deals

• Samsung Galaxy S25 FE (128GB, unlocked) — $474.99 $649.99 (save $175) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy S25 FE (256GB, unlocked) — $534.99 $709.99 (save $175) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy S25 (128GB, unlocked) — $674.99 $799.99 (save $125)

• Samsung Galaxy S25 (256GB, unlocked) — $705 $859.99 (save $154.99) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (256GB, unlocked) — $899.99 $1,299.99 (save $400)

• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 (512GB, unlocked) — $952.05 $1,219.99 (save $267.94)

• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (512GB, unlocked) — $1,019.99 $1,419.99 (save $400) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 (256GB, unlocked) — $1,599.99 $1,999.99 (save $400)

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 (512GB, unlocked) — $1,719.99 $2,119.99 (save $400) 🔥

Samsung Galaxy tablet and laptop deals

• Samsung 14-inch Galaxy Chromebook Go (Intel Celeron N4500, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC) — $187.50 $299.99 (save $112.49)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (64GB, WiFi) — $139.99 $219.99 (save $80)

• Samsung 14-inch Galaxy Chromebook Go (Intel Celeron N4500, 4GB RAM, 128GB eMMc) — $149.99 $329.99 (save $180)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (128GB, WiFi) — $199 $269.99 (save $70.99)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (128GB, WiFi) — $269.99 $399.99 (save $130) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite (128GB, WiFi) — $249.99 $349.99 (save $100) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite (256GB, WiFi) — $319.99 $419.99 (save $100) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE (128GB, WiFi) — $359.99 $499.99 (save $140) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE (256GB, WiFi) — $429.99 $569.99 (save $140) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ (128GB, WiFi) — $469.99 $649.99 (save $180)🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ (256GB, WiFi) — $569.99 $749.99 (save $180) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 (128GB, WiFi) — $649 $799.99 (save $150.99) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 (256GB, WiFi) — $709.99 $859.99 (save $150) 🔥

• Samsung 15.6-inch Galaxy Book5 360 (Intel Core Ultra 7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $949.99 $1,349.99 (save $400) 🔥

• Samsung 16-inch Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 (Intel Core 7 Ultra, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,299.99 $1,699.99 (save $400)

Samsung monitor deals

• Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G5 curved gaming monitor — $199.99 $329.99 (save $130) 🔥

• Samsung 34-inch Odyssey G5 ultra-wide gaming monitor — $259.99 $399.99 (save $140) 🔥

• Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G5 QD-OLED gaming monitor — $399.99 $549.99 (save $150) 🔥

• Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G6 OLED gaming monitor — $749.99 $999.99 (save $250) 🔥

• Samsung 49-inch G93SC Odyssey OLED curved gaming monitor — $898 $1,599.99 (save $701.99) 🔥

• Samsung 32-inch G81SF Odyssey QD-OLED G8 gaming monitor — $949.99 $1,299.99 (save $350) 🔥

• Samsung 57-inch G95NC Odyssey Neo G9 curved gaming monitor — $1,479.99 $2,299.99 (save $820)

Samsung TV deals

• Samsung 50-inch U7900 4K TV — $229.99 $329.99 (save $100)

• Samsung 55-inch Q8F Series QLED 4K TV — $599.99 $749.99 (save $150)

• Samsung 55-inch S90F Series OLED 4K TV — $1,199.99 $1,799.99 (save $600)

• Samsung 65-inch QN65 QLED 4K TV — $599.99 (save $151.99)

• Samsung 65-inch Q8F QLED 4K TV — $697.99 $897.99 (save $200) 🔥

• Samsung 65-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $1,197.99 $1,697.99 (save $500) 🔥

• Samsung 65-inch The Frame Pro Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $1,597.99 $2,097.99 (save $500) 🔥

• Samsung 65-inch QN70F Neo Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $799.99 $1,199.99 (save $400)

• Samsung 65-inch S84F OLED 4K TV — $899.99 $1,999.99 (save $1,100)

• Samsung 65-inch S90F OLED 4K TV — $1,399.99 $2,499.99 (save $1,100)

• Samsung 75-inch Q6F QLED 4K TV — $599.99 $899.99 (save $300)

• Samsung 75-inch QN90F Neo Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $1,799.99 $2,999.99 (save $1,200)

• Samsung 75-inch The Frame Pro Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $1,997.99 $2,997.99 (save $1,000) 🔥

• Samsung 77-inch S90F OLED 4K TV — $1,999.99 $3,499.99 (save $1,500)

• Samsung 85-inch Q6F QLED 4K TV — $997.99 $1,297.99 (save $300) 🔥

Samsung Galaxy watch deals

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm, LTE) — $179.99 $299.99 (save $120) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (44mm, LTE) — $207.98 $329.99 (save $122.02) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm, Bluetooth) — $249.99 $349.99 (save $100) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (44mm, Bluetooth) — $279.99 $379.99 (save $100) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm, LTE) — $299.99 $399.99 (save $100) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (44mm, LTE) — $329.99 $429.99 (save $100) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic (46mm, Bluetooth) — $399.99 $499.99 (save $100) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic (46mm, LTE) — $449.99 $549.99 (save $100) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (47mm, LTE) — $549.99 $649.99 (save $100) 🔥

More Samsung deals

• Samsung 15W Wireless Charging Pad — $35.99 $59.99 (save $24)

• Samsung Galaxy Buds FE — $59.99 $99.99 (save $40)

• Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 (4-pack) — $60 $99.99 (save $39.99)

• Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE — $109.99 $149.99 (save $40) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro — $149.99 $249.99 (save $100)

• Samsung Galaxy Ring — $279.99 $399.99 (save $120) 🔥

The best Cyber Monday Samsung deals at a glance:

---

Best tablet deal

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ (256GB, WiFi) 🔥

$569.99 (save $180)

Get Deal

---

Best monitor deal

Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G4 FHD IPS G-Sync gaming monitor 🔥

$169.99 (save $130)

Get Deal

---

Best TV deal

Samsung 55-inch The Frame LS03F 4K QLED TV 🔥

$797.99 (save $502)

Get Deal

---

Best wearable deal

Samsung Galaxy Ring 🔥

$249.99 (save $150)

Get Deal

---

Best phone deal

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (512GB, unlocked) 🔥

$1,019.99 (save $400)

Get Deal

---

Best smartwatch deal

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm, Bluetooth) 🔥

$249.99 (save $100)

Get Deal

Black Friday is officially in the rearview mirror, but the savings are still peaking, and Samsung is proving to be the biggest exception to the "Cyber Monday deals are worse" rule. Plenty of retailers like Amazon and Best Buy are fully in Cyber Monday mode, and while most deals linger, Samsung has delivered even better prices on several products. In fact, we've stumbled upon multiple Samsung products that are up to $100 cheaper now than they were during Black Friday.

On Cyber Monday proper, all categories already have standout discounts on hot ticket items. For instance, the 2025 Frame and Frame Pro TVs are at record lows, as is every iteration of the Galaxy Watch 8, Galaxy Tab S10 Lite, S10 FE, and S10 FE+, and Galaxy Tab S11.

Read on for a rundown of the best Samsung deals live ahead of Cyber Monday, and stay tuned as the season unfolds. We'll update this list with any new discounts that pop up

Note: Deals with a 🔥 next to them have dropped to record-low prices.

Best Cyber Monday Samsung TV deal

Samsung 55-inch The Frame LS03F 4K QLED TV 🔥

$697.99 at Amazon
$1,097.99 Save $400

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Why we like it

This deal is why we always tell shoppers to check back for Cyber Monday. Samsung's 55-inch The Frame 4K QLED TV just dropped to a new record-low price of $797.99 at Amazon, making it a whopping $100 cheaper than its Black Friday price. The 2025 model features the Art Mode we all love, which turns your TV into a piece of gallery-worthy art, complete with a virtually glare-free screen that has a subtle, matte texture for a print-like finish. It also has 4K resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and the new NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor for enhanced picture and snappy menu response. This is the ultimate "why wait" purchase of the Cyber Monday season.

Best Cyber Monday Samsung gaming monitor deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: Samsung

Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G4 FHD IPS G-Sync gaming monitor 🔥

$169.99 at Best Buy
$299.99 Save $130

 

Get Deal

Why we like it

Best Buy is throwing down a serious doorbuster deal on the 27-inch Samsung Odyssey G4 monitor, dropping the price to a new record-low of $169.99. Not only is this price $30 cheaper than its Black Friday deal, but Paid My Best Buy members also earn $15 in bonus rewards. This monitor is a steal for competitive gamers; it has a 240Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and full HD (1920x1080) resolution. It also supports both AMD FreeSync Premium and NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility, ensuring tear-free, smooth gameplay.

Best Cyber Monday Samsung Galaxy phone deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (512GB, unlocked) 🔥

$1,019.99 at Amazon
$1,419.99 Save $400

 

Get Deal

Why we like it

One of the top dogs of the Samsung Galaxy phone lineup, the S25 Ultra with 512GB of storage, has dropped to a new best price ever for Black Friday. If you're already sporting an S24 model, you probably can skip this upgrade, but if you're rocking an older handset and want to catch up with the times, this 2025 release is a great choice. It's a bit heavy on the AI, but it's got a lot of other perks, including a nearly 27-hour battery life that keeps you from being tethered to an outlet. It features an incredibly powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, a new 50 MP ultra-wide lens, a fun "Now Brief" widget, and other S25 Ultra-exclusive AI features, along with new curved edges and a lighter build. Grabbing an unlocked model at Amazon saves you the trouble of coordinating a trade-in or data plan at a specific carrier. Plus, it's a lot cheaper at $1,057.91.

Samsung Galaxy phone deals

• Samsung Galaxy S25 FE (128GB, unlocked) — $474.99 $649.99 (save $175) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy S25 FE (256GB, unlocked) — $534.99 $709.99 (save $175) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy S25 (128GB, unlocked) — $674.99 $799.99 (save $125)

• Samsung Galaxy S25 (256GB, unlocked) — $705 $859.99 (save $154.99) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (256GB, unlocked) — $899.99 $1,299.99 (save $400)

• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 (512GB, unlocked) — $952.05 $1,219.99 (save $267.94)

• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (512GB, unlocked) — $1,019.99 $1,419.99 (save $400) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 (256GB, unlocked) — $1,599.99 $1,999.99 (save $400)

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 (512GB, unlocked) — $1,719.99 $2,119.99 (save $400) 🔥

Samsung Galaxy tablet and laptop deals

• Samsung 14-inch Galaxy Chromebook Go (Intel Celeron N4500, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC) — $187.50 $299.99 (save $112.49)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (64GB, WiFi) — $139.99 $219.99 (save $80)

• Samsung 14-inch Galaxy Chromebook Go (Intel Celeron N4500, 4GB RAM, 128GB eMMc) — $149.99 $329.99 (save $180)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (128GB, WiFi) — $199 $269.99 (save $70.99)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (128GB, WiFi) — $229.99 $399.99 (save $170) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite (128GB, WiFi) — $249.99 $349.99 (save $100) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite (256GB, WiFi) — $319.99 $419.99 (save $100) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE (128GB, WiFi) — $359.99 $499.99 (save $140) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE (256GB, WiFi) — $429.99 $569.99 (save $140) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ (128GB, WiFi) — $469.99 $649.99 (save $180)🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ (256GB, WiFi) — $569.99 $749.99 (save $180) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 (128GB, WiFi) — $649 $799.99 (save $150.99) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 (256GB, WiFi) — $709.99 $859.99 (save $150) 🔥

• Samsung 15.6-inch Galaxy Book5 360 (Intel Core Ultra 7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $949.99 $1,349.99 (save $400) 🔥

• Samsung 16-inch Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 (Intel Core 7 Ultra, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,299.99 $1,699.99 (save $400)

Samsung monitor deals

• Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G5 curved gaming monitor — $199.99 $329.99 (save $130) 🔥

• Samsung 34-inch Odyssey G5 ultra-wide gaming monitor — $259.99 $399.99 (save $140) 🔥

• Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G5 QD-OLED gaming monitor — $399.99 $549.99 (save $150) 🔥

• Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G6 OLED gaming monitor — $749.99 $999.99 (save $250) 🔥

• Samsung 49-inch G93SC Odyssey OLED curved gaming monitor — $898 $1,599.99 (save $701.99) 🔥

• Samsung 32-inch G81SF Odyssey QD-OLED G8 gaming monitor — $949.99 $1,299.99 (save $350) 🔥

• Samsung 57-inch G95NC Odyssey Neo G9 curved gaming monitor — $1,479.99 $2,299.99 (save $820)

Samsung TV deals

• Samsung 50-inch U7900 4K TV — $229.99 $329.99 (save $100)

• Samsung 55-inch Q8F Series QLED 4K TV — $599.99 $749.99 (save $150)

• Samsung 55-inch S90F Series OLED 4K TV — $1,199.99 $1,799.99 (save $600)

• Samsung 65-inch QN65 QLED 4K TV — $448 $599.99 (save $151.99)

• Samsung 65-inch Q8F QLED 4K TV — $697.99 $897.99 (save $200) 🔥

• Samsung 65-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $1,197.99 $1,697.99 (save $500) 🔥

• Samsung 65-inch The Frame Pro Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $1,597.99 $2,097.99 (save $500) 🔥

• Samsung 65-inch QN70F Neo Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $799.99 $1,199.99 (save $400)

• Samsung 65-inch S84F OLED 4K TV — $899.99 $1,999.99 (save $1,100)

• Samsung 65-inch S90F OLED 4K TV — $1,399.99 $2,499.99 (save $1,100)

• Samsung 75-inch Q6F QLED 4K TV — $599.99 $899.99 (save $300)

• Samsung 75-inch QN90F Neo Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $1,799.99 $2,999.99 (save $1,200)

• Samsung 75-inch The Frame Pro Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $1,997.99 $2,997.99 (save $1,000) 🔥

• Samsung 77-inch S90F OLED 4K TV — $1,999.99 $3,499.99 (save $1,500)

• Samsung 85-inch Q6F QLED 4K TV — $997.99 $1,297.99 (save $300) 🔥

Samsung Galaxy watch deals

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm, LTE) — $179.99 $299.99 (save $120) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (44mm, LTE) — $207.98 $329.99 (save $122.02) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm, Bluetooth) — $249.99 $349.99 (save $100) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (44mm, Bluetooth) — $279.99 $379.99 (save $100) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm, LTE) — $299.99 $399.99 (save $100) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (44mm, LTE) — $329.99 $429.99 (save $100) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic (46mm, Bluetooth) — $399.99 $499.99 (save $100) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic (46mm, LTE) — $449.99 $549.99 (save $100) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (47mm, LTE) — $549.99 $649.99 (save $100) 🔥

More Samsung deals

• Samsung 15W Wireless Charging Pad — $35.99 $59.99 (save $24)

• Samsung Galaxy Buds FE — $59.99 $99.99 (save $40)

• Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 (4-pack) — $60 $99.99 (save $39.99)

• Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE — $109.99 $149.99 (save $40) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro — $149.99 $249.99 (save $100)

• Samsung Galaxy Ring — $279.99 $399.99 (save $120) 🔥

The best October Prime Day Samsung deals at a glance:

---

Best tablet deal

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ (256GB, WiFi)

$569.99 (save $180)

Get Deal

---

Best monitor deal

Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G6 OLED gaming monitor

$749.99 (save $250)

Get Deal

---

Best TV deal

Samsung 65-inch The Frame Pro Mini LED QLED 4K TV

$1,597.99 (save $500)

Get Deal

---

Best wearable deal

Samsung Galaxy Ring

$249.99 (save $150)

Get Deal

---

Best phone deal

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (512GB, unlocked)

$1,019.99 (save $400)

Get Deal

---

Best smartwatch deal

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm, Bluetooth)

$279.99 (save $70)

Get Deal

Black Friday is in full swing. While the annual shopping event doesn't technically start until Nov. 28, plenty of retailers like Amazon and Best Buy's sales kicked off the savings early in 2025 and have already delivered the lowest prices of the year. Samsung deals are particularly delivering, with all-time lows on several Galaxy phones, tablets, and watches, monitors, TVs, and more. This is hardly surprising, though, as Samsung is one of the brands we regularly see big discounts on during major shopping events.

On Black Friday proper, we're still hoping for some larger price drops on Samsung's foldables and earbuds, most categories already have standout discounts on hot ticket items. For instance, the 2025 Frame and Frame Pro TVs are at record lows, as is every iteration of the Galaxy Watch 8, Galaxy Tab S10 Lite, S10 FE, and S10 FE+, and Galaxy Tab S11.

Read on for a rundown of the best Samsung deals live ahead of Black Friday, and stay tuned as the season unfolds. We'll update this list with any new discounts that pop up

Note: Deals with a 🔥 next to them have dropped to record-low prices.

Best early Black Friday Samsung Galaxy phone deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (512GB, unlocked)

$1,019.99 at Amazon
$1,419.99 Save $400

Lowest price ever 🔥

Get Deal

Why we like it

One of the top dogs of the Samsung Galaxy phone lineup, the S25 Ultra with 512GB of storage, has dropped to a new best price ever for Black Friday. If you're already sporting an S24 model, you probably can skip this upgrade, but if you're rocking an older handset and want to catch up with the times, this 2025 release is a great choice. It's a bit heavy on the AI, but it's got a lot of other perks, including a nearly 27-hour battery life that keeps you from being tethered to an outlet. It features an incredibly powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, a new 50 MP ultra-wide lens, a fun "Now Brief" widget and other S25 Ultra-exclusive AI features, and new curved edges and a lighter build. Grabbing an unlocked model at Amazon saves you the trouble of coordinating a trade-in or data plan at a specific carrier. Plus, it's a lot cheaper at $1,057.91.

Best early Black Friday Samsung computing deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: Samsung

Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G6 OLED gaming monitor

$749.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $250

Lowest price ever 🔥

Get Deal

Why we like it

Samsung released the new Odyssey G6 OLED monitor over the summer — the first-ever gaming monitor with a 500Hz refresh rate. And for Black Friday, you can get it for its best price yet. Besides its wildly fast refresh rate, it also features a QHD resolution (2,560 x 1440) with a 16:9 aspect ratio, an ultra-quick 0.03ms response time, a peak brightness of 1,000 nits, support for both AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and NVIDIA G-Sync, and a QD-OLED panel that's glare-free and Pantone Validated. It also has plenty of ports for your peripherals, including two HDMI 2.1 ports, three USB ports, and a single DisplayPort 1.4 port. You can find the Black Friday deal on the 27-inch monitor (the only size it comes in) at both Amazon and Best Buy. At the time of writing, it's $50 more at Samsung's own website.

Samsung Galaxy phone deals

• Samsung Galaxy S25 FE (128GB, unlocked) — $474.99 $649.99 (save $175) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy S25 FE (256GB, unlocked) — $534.99 $709.99 (save $175) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy S25 (128GB, unlocked) — $674.99 $799.99 (save $125)

• Samsung Galaxy S25 (256GB, unlocked) — $734.99 $859.99 (save $125)

• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (256GB, unlocked) — $899.99 $1,299.99 (save $400)

• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 (512GB, unlocked) — $952.05 $1,219.99 (save $267.94)

• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (512GB, unlocked) — $1,019.99 $1,419.99 (save $400) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 (256GB, unlocked) — $1,599.99 $1,999.99 (save $400)

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 (512GB, unlocked) — $1,719.99 $2,119.99 (save $400) 🔥

Samsung Galaxy tablet and laptop deals

• Samsung 14-inch Galaxy Chromebook Go (Intel Celeron N4500, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC) — $184.99 $299.99 (save $115) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (64GB, WiFi) — $149 $219.99 (save $70.99)

• Samsung 14-inch Galaxy Chromebook Go (Intel Celeron N4500, 4GB RAM, 128GB eMMc) — $149.99 $329.99 (save $180)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (128GB, WiFi) — $199 $269.99 (save $70.99)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (128GB, WiFi) — $229.99 $399.99 (save $170) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite (128GB, WiFi) — $249.99 $349.99 (save $100) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite (256GB, WiFi) — $319.99 $419.99 (save $100) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE (128GB, WiFi) — $359.99 $499.99 (save $140) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE (256GB, WiFi) — $429.99 $569.99 (save $140) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ (128GB, WiFi) — $469.99 $649.99 (save $180)🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ (256GB, WiFi) — $569.99 $749.99 (save $180) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 (128GB, WiFi) — $649.99 $799.99 (save $150) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 (256GB, WiFi) — $709.99 $859.99 (save $150) 🔥

• Samsung 15.6-inch Galaxy Book5 360 (Intel Core Ultra 7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,049.99 $1,349.99 (save $300)

• Samsung 16-inch Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 (Intel Core 7 Ultra, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,299.99 $1,699.99 (save $400)

Samsung monitor deals

• Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G5 curved gaming monitor — $199.99 $329.99 (save $130) 🔥

• Samsung 34-inch Odyssey G5 ultra-wide gaming monitor — $259.99 $399.99 (save $140) 🔥

• Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G5 QD-OLED gaming monitor — $399.99 $549.99 (save $150) 🔥

• Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G6 OLED gaming monitor — $749.99 $999.99 (save $250) 🔥

• Samsung 49-inch G93SC Odyssey OLED curved gaming monitor — $898 $1,599.99 (save $701.99) 🔥

• Samsung 32-inch G81SF Odyssey QD-OLED G8 gaming monitor — $949.99 $1,299.99 (save $350) 🔥

• Samsung 57-inch G95NC Odyssey Neo G9 curved gaming monitor — $1,492.68 $2,299.99 (save $807.31)

Samsung TV deals

• Samsung 50-inch U7900 4K TV — $229.99 $329.99 (save $100)

• Samsung 55-inch Q8F Series QLED 4K TV — $599.99 $749.99 (save $150)

• Samsung 55-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $897.99 $1,197.99 (save $300) 🔥

• Samsung 55-inch S90F Series OLED 4K TV — $1,199.99 $1,799.99 (save $600)

• Samsung 65-inch QN65 QLED 4K TV — $448 $599.99 (save $151.99)

• Samsung 65-inch Q8F QLED 4K TV — $697.99 $897.99 (save $200) 🔥

• Samsung 65-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $1,197.99 $1,697.99 (save $500) 🔥

• Samsung 65-inch The Frame Pro Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $1,597.99 $2,097.99 (save $500) 🔥

• Samsung 65-inch QN70F Neo Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $799.99 $1,199.99 (save $400)

• Samsung 65-inch S84F OLED 4K TV — $899.99 $1,999.99 (save $1,100)

• Samsung 65-inch S90F OLED 4K TV — $1,399.99 $2,499.99 (save $1,100)

• Samsung 75-inch Q6F QLED 4K TV — $599.99 $899.99 (save $300)

• Samsung 75-inch QN90F Neo Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $1,799.99 $2,999.99 (save $1,200)

• Samsung 75-inch The Frame Pro Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $1,997.99 $2,997.99 (save $1,000) 🔥

• Samsung 77-inch S90F OLED 4K TV — $1,999.99 $3,499.99 (save $1,500)

• Samsung 85-inch Q6F QLED 4K TV — $997.99 $1,297.99 (save $300) 🔥

Samsung Galaxy watch deals

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (44mm, Bluetooth) — $159.99 $279.99 (save $120) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm, LTE) — $179.99 $299.99 (save $120) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (44mm, LTE) — $207.98 $329.99 (save $122.02) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm, Bluetooth) — $279.99 $349.99 (save $70) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (44mm, Bluetooth) — $309.99 $379.99 (save $70) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm, LTE) — $329.99 $399.99 (save $70) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (44mm, LTE) — $359.99 $429.99 (save $70) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic (46mm, Bluetooth) — $399.99 $499.99 (save $100) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic (46mm, LTE) — $449.99 $549.99 (save $100) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (47mm, LTE) — $549.99 $649.99 (save $100) 🔥

More Samsung deals

• Samsung 15W Wireless Charging Pad — $35.99 $59.99 (save $24)

• Samsung Galaxy Buds FE — $59.99 $99.99 (save $40)

• Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 (4-pack) — $60 $99.99 (save $39.99)

• Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE — $109.99 $149.99 (save $40)

• Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro — $159.99 $249.99 (save $90)

• Samsung Galaxy Ring — $279.99 $399.99 (save $120)

The best October Prime Day Samsung deals at a glance:

---

Best tablet deal

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ (256GB, WiFi)

$569.99 (save $180)

Get Deal

---

Best monitor deal

Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G6 OLED gaming monitor

$749.99 (save $250)

Get Deal

---

Best TV deal

Samsung 65-inch The Frame Pro Mini LED QLED 4K TV

$1,597.99 (save $500)

Get Deal

---

Best wearable deal

Samsung Galaxy Ring

$249.99 (save $150)

Get Deal

---

Best phone deal

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (512GB, unlocked)

$1,019.99 (save $400)

Get Deal

---

Best smartwatch deal

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm, Bluetooth)

$279.99 (save $70)

Get Deal

Black Friday is in full swing. While the annual shopping event doesn't technically start until Nov. 28, plenty of retailers like Amazon and Best Buy's sales kicked off the savings early in 2025 and have already delivered the lowest prices of the year. Samsung deals are particularly delivering, with all-time lows on several Galaxy phones, tablets, and watches, monitors, TVs, and more. This is hardly surprising, though, as Samsung is one of the brands we regularly see big discounts on during major shopping events.

On Black Friday proper, we're still hoping for some larger price drops on Samsung's foldables and earbuds, most categories already have standout discounts on hot ticket items. For instance, the 2025 Frame and Frame Pro TVs are at record lows, as is every iteration of the Galaxy Watch 8, Galaxy Tab S10 Lite, S10 FE, and S10 FE+, and Galaxy Tab S11.

Read on for a rundown of the best Samsung deals live ahead of Black Friday, and stay tuned as the season unfolds. We'll update this list with any new discounts that pop up

Note: Deals with a 🔥 next to them have dropped to record-low prices.

Best early Black Friday Samsung Galaxy phone deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (512GB, unlocked)

$1,019.99 at Amazon
$1,419.99 Save $400

Lowest price ever 🔥

Get Deal

Why we like it

One of the top dogs of the Samsung Galaxy phone lineup, the S25 Ultra with 512GB of storage, has dropped to a new best price ever for Black Friday. If you're already sporting an S24 model, you probably can skip this upgrade, but if you're rocking an older handset and want to catch up with the times, this 2025 release is a great choice. It's a bit heavy on the AI, but it's got a lot of other perks, including a nearly 27-hour battery life that keeps you from being tethered to an outlet. It features an incredibly powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, a new 50 MP ultra-wide lens, a fun "Now Brief" widget and other S25 Ultra-exclusive AI features, and new curved edges and a lighter build. Grabbing an unlocked model at Amazon saves you the trouble of coordinating a trade-in or data plan at a specific carrier. Plus, it's a lot cheaper at $1,057.91.

Best early Black Friday Samsung computing deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: Samsung

Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G6 OLED gaming monitor

$749.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $250

Lowest price ever 🔥

Get Deal

Why we like it

Samsung released the new Odyssey G6 OLED monitor over the summer — the first-ever gaming monitor with a 500Hz refresh rate. And for Black Friday, you can get it for its best price yet. Besides its wildly fast refresh rate, it also features a QHD resolution (2,560 x 1440) with a 16:9 aspect ratio, an ultra-quick 0.03ms response time, a peak brightness of 1,000 nits, support for both AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and NVIDIA G-Sync, and a QD-OLED panel that's glare-free and Pantone Validated. It also has plenty of ports for your peripherals, including two HDMI 2.1 ports, three USB ports, and a single DisplayPort 1.4 port. You can find the Black Friday deal on the 27-inch monitor (the only size it comes in) at both Amazon and Best Buy. At the time of writing, it's $50 more at Samsung's own website.

Samsung Galaxy phone deals

• Samsung Galaxy S25 FE (128GB, unlocked) — $474.99 $649.99 (save $175) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy S25 FE (256GB, unlocked) — $534.99 $709.99 (save $175) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy S25 (128GB, unlocked) — $674.99 $799.99 (save $125)

• Samsung Galaxy S25 (256GB, unlocked) — $734.99 $859.99 (save $125)

• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (256GB, unlocked) — $899.99 $1,299.99 (save $400)

• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 (512GB, unlocked) — $952.05 $1,219.99 (save $267.94)

• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (512GB, unlocked) — $1,019.99 $1,419.99 (save $400) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 (256GB, unlocked) — $1,599.99 $1,999.99 (save $400)

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 (512GB, unlocked) — $1,719.99 $2,119.99 (save $400) 🔥

Samsung Galaxy tablet and laptop deals

• Samsung 14-inch Galaxy Chromebook Go (Intel Celeron N4500, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC) — $184.99 $299.99 (save $115) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (64GB, WiFi) — $149 $219.99 (save $70.99)

• Samsung 14-inch Galaxy Chromebook Go (Intel Celeron N4500, 4GB RAM, 128GB eMMc) — $149.99 $329.99 (save $180)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (128GB, WiFi) — $199 $269.99 (save $70.99)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (128GB, WiFi) — $229.99 $399.99 (save $170) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite (128GB, WiFi) — $249.99 $349.99 (save $100) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite (256GB, WiFi) — $319.99 $419.99 (save $100) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE (128GB, WiFi) — $359.99 $499.99 (save $140) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE (256GB, WiFi) — $429.99 $569.99 (save $140) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ (128GB, WiFi) — $469.99 $649.99 (save $180)🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ (256GB, WiFi) — $569.99 $749.99 (save $180) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 (128GB, WiFi) — $649.99 $799.99 (save $150) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 (256GB, WiFi) — $709.99 $859.99 (save $150) 🔥

• Samsung 15.6-inch Galaxy Book5 360 (Intel Core Ultra 7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,049.99 $1,349.99 (save $300)

• Samsung 16-inch Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 (Intel Core 7 Ultra, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,299.99 $1,699.99 (save $400)

Samsung monitor deals

• Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G5 curved gaming monitor — $199.99 $329.99 (save $130) 🔥

• Samsung 34-inch Odyssey G5 ultra-wide gaming monitor — $259.99 $399.99 (save $140) 🔥

• Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G5 QD-OLED gaming monitor — $399.99 $549.99 (save $150) 🔥

• Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G6 OLED gaming monitor — $749.99 $999.99 (save $250) 🔥

• Samsung 49-inch G93SC Odyssey OLED curved gaming monitor — $898 $1,599.99 (save $701.99) 🔥

• Samsung 32-inch G81SF Odyssey QD-OLED G8 gaming monitor — $949.99 $1,299.99 (save $350) 🔥

• Samsung 57-inch G95NC Odyssey Neo G9 curved gaming monitor — $1,492.68 $2,299.99 (save $807.31)

Samsung TV deals

• Samsung 50-inch U7900 4K TV — $229.99 $329.99 (save $100)

• Samsung 55-inch Q8F Series QLED 4K TV — $599.99 $749.99 (save $150)

• Samsung 55-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $897.99 $1,197.99 (save $300) 🔥

• Samsung 55-inch S90F Series OLED 4K TV — $1,199.99 $1,799.99 (save $600)

• Samsung 65-inch QN65 QLED 4K TV — $448 $599.99 (save $151.99)

• Samsung 65-inch Q8F QLED 4K TV — $697.99 $897.99 (save $200) 🔥

• Samsung 65-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $1,197.99 $1,697.99 (save $500) 🔥

• Samsung 65-inch The Frame Pro Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $1,597.99 $2,097.99 (save $500) 🔥

• Samsung 65-inch QN70F Neo Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $799.99 $1,199.99 (save $400)

• Samsung 65-inch S84F OLED 4K TV — $899.99 $1,999.99 (save $1,100)

• Samsung 65-inch S90F OLED 4K TV — $1,399.99 $2,499.99 (save $1,100)

• Samsung 75-inch Q6F QLED 4K TV — $599.99 $899.99 (save $300)

• Samsung 75-inch QN90F Neo Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $1,799.99 $2,999.99 (save $1,200)

• Samsung 75-inch The Frame Pro Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $1,997.99 $2,997.99 (save $1,000) 🔥

• Samsung 77-inch S90F OLED 4K TV — $1,999.99 $3,499.99 (save $1,500)

• Samsung 85-inch Q6F QLED 4K TV — $997.99 $1,297.99 (save $300) 🔥

Samsung Galaxy watch deals

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (44mm, Bluetooth) — $159.99 $279.99 (save $120) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm, LTE) — $179.99 $299.99 (save $120) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (44mm, LTE) — $207.98 $329.99 (save $122.02) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm, Bluetooth) — $279.99 $349.99 (save $70) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (44mm, Bluetooth) — $309.99 $379.99 (save $70) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm, LTE) — $329.99 $399.99 (save $70) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (44mm, LTE) — $359.99 $429.99 (save $70) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic (46mm, Bluetooth) — $399.99 $499.99 (save $100) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic (46mm, LTE) — $449.99 $549.99 (save $100) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (47mm, LTE) — $549.99 $649.99 (save $100) 🔥

More Samsung deals

• Samsung 15W Wireless Charging Pad — $35.99 $59.99 (save $24)

• Samsung Galaxy Buds FE — $59.99 $99.99 (save $40)

• Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 (4-pack) — $60 $99.99 (save $39.99)

• Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE — $109.99 $149.99 (save $40)

• Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro — $159.99 $249.99 (save $90)

• Samsung Galaxy Ring — $279.99 $399.99 (save $120)

The best October Prime Day Samsung deals at a glance:

---

Best tablet deal

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ (256GB, WiFi)

$569.99 (save $180)

Get Deal

---

Best monitor deal

Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G6 OLED gaming monitor

$749.99 (save $250)

Get Deal

---

Best TV deal

Samsung 65-inch The Frame Pro Mini LED QLED 4K TV

$1,597.99 (save $500)

Get Deal

---

Best wearable deal

Samsung Galaxy Ring

$249.99 (save $150)

Get Deal

---

Best phone deal

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (512GB, unlocked)

$1,019.99 (save $400)

Get Deal

---

Best smartwatch deal

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm, Bluetooth)

$279.99 (save $70)

Get Deal

Black Friday is in full swing. While the annual shopping event doesn't technically start until Nov. 28, plenty of retailers like Amazon and Best Buy's sales kicked off the savings early in 2025 and have already delivered the lowest prices of the year. Samsung deals are particularly delivering, with all-time lows on several Galaxy phones, tablets, and watches, monitors, TVs, and more. This is hardly surprising, though, as Samsung is one of the brands we regularly see big discounts on during major shopping events.

On Black Friday proper, we're still hoping for some larger price drops on Samsung's foldables and earbuds, most categories already have standout discounts on hot ticket items. For instance, the 2025 Frame and Frame Pro TVs are at record lows, as is every iteration of the Galaxy Watch 8, Galaxy Tab S10 Lite, S10 FE, and S10 FE+, and Galaxy Tab S11.

Read on for a rundown of the best Samsung deals live ahead of Black Friday, and stay tuned as the season unfolds. We'll update this list with any new discounts that pop up

Note: Deals with a 🔥 next to them have dropped to record-low prices.

Best early Black Friday Samsung Galaxy phone deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (512GB, unlocked)

$1,019.99 at Amazon
$1,419.99 Save $400

Lowest price ever 🔥

Get Deal

Why we like it

One of the top dogs of the Samsung Galaxy phone lineup, the S25 Ultra with 512GB of storage, has dropped to a new best price ever for Black Friday. If you're already sporting an S24 model, you probably can skip this upgrade, but if you're rocking an older handset and want to catch up with the times, this 2025 release is a great choice. It's a bit heavy on the AI, but it's got a lot of other perks, including a nearly 27-hour battery life that keeps you from being tethered to an outlet. It features an incredibly powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, a new 50 MP ultra-wide lens, a fun "Now Brief" widget and other S25 Ultra-exclusive AI features, and new curved edges and a lighter build. Grabbing an unlocked model at Amazon saves you the trouble of coordinating a trade-in or data plan at a specific carrier. Plus, it's a lot cheaper at $1,057.91.

Best early Black Friday Samsung computing deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: Samsung

Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G6 OLED gaming monitor

$749.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $250

Lowest price ever 🔥

Get Deal

Why we like it

Samsung released the new Odyssey G6 OLED monitor over the summer — the first-ever gaming monitor with a 500Hz refresh rate. And for Black Friday, you can get it for its best price yet. Besides its wildly fast refresh rate, it also features a QHD resolution (2,560 x 1440) with a 16:9 aspect ratio, an ultra-quick 0.03ms response time, a peak brightness of 1,000 nits, support for both AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and NVIDIA G-Sync, and a QD-OLED panel that's glare-free and Pantone Validated. It also has plenty of ports for your peripherals, including two HDMI 2.1 ports, three USB ports, and a single DisplayPort 1.4 port. You can find the Black Friday deal on the 27-inch monitor (the only size it comes in) at both Amazon and Best Buy. At the time of writing, it's $50 more at Samsung's own website.

Samsung Galaxy phone deals

• Samsung Galaxy S25 FE (128GB, unlocked) — $474.99 $649.99 (save $175) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy S25 FE (256GB, unlocked) — $534.99 $709.99 (save $175) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy S25 (128GB, unlocked) — $674.99 $799.99 (save $125)

• Samsung Galaxy S25 (256GB, unlocked) — $734.99 $859.99 (save $125)

• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (256GB, unlocked) — $899.99 $1,299.99 (save $400)

• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 (512GB, unlocked) — $952.05 $1,219.99 (save $267.94)

• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (512GB, unlocked) — $1,019.99 $1,419.99 (save $400) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 (256GB, unlocked) — $1,599.99 $1,999.99 (save $400)

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 (512GB, unlocked) — $1,719.99 $2,119.99 (save $400) 🔥

Samsung Galaxy tablet and laptop deals

• Samsung 14-inch Galaxy Chromebook Go (Intel Celeron N4500, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC) — $184.99 $299.99 (save $115) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (64GB, WiFi) — $149 $219.99 (save $70.99)

• Samsung 14-inch Galaxy Chromebook Go (Intel Celeron N4500, 4GB RAM, 128GB eMMc) — $149.99 $329.99 (save $180)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (128GB, WiFi) — $199 $269.99 (save $70.99)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (128GB, WiFi) — $229.99 $399.99 (save $170) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite (128GB, WiFi) — $249.99 $349.99 (save $100) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite (256GB, WiFi) — $319.99 $419.99 (save $100) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE (128GB, WiFi) — $359.99 $499.99 (save $140) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE (256GB, WiFi) — $429.99 $569.99 (save $140) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ (128GB, WiFi) — $469.99 $649.99 (save $180)🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ (256GB, WiFi) — $569.99 $749.99 (save $180) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 (128GB, WiFi) — $649.99 $799.99 (save $150) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 (256GB, WiFi) — $709.99 $859.99 (save $150) 🔥

• Samsung 15.6-inch Galaxy Book5 360 (Intel Core Ultra 7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,049.99 $1,349.99 (save $300)

• Samsung 16-inch Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 (Intel Core 7 Ultra, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,299.99 $1,699.99 (save $400)

Samsung monitor deals

• Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G5 curved gaming monitor — $199.99 $329.99 (save $130) 🔥

• Samsung 34-inch Odyssey G5 ultra-wide gaming monitor — $259.99 $399.99 (save $140) 🔥

• Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G5 QD-OLED gaming monitor — $399.99 $549.99 (save $150) 🔥

• Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G6 OLED gaming monitor — $749.99 $999.99 (save $250) 🔥

• Samsung 49-inch G93SC Odyssey OLED curved gaming monitor — $898 $1,599.99 (save $701.99) 🔥

• Samsung 32-inch G81SF Odyssey QD-OLED G8 gaming monitor — $949.99 $1,299.99 (save $350) 🔥

• Samsung 57-inch G95NC Odyssey Neo G9 curved gaming monitor — $1,492.68 $2,299.99 (save $807.31)

Samsung TV deals

• Samsung 50-inch U7900 4K TV — $229.99 $329.99 (save $100)

• Samsung 55-inch Q8F Series QLED 4K TV — $599.99 $749.99 (save $150)

• Samsung 55-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $897.99 $1,197.99 (save $300) 🔥

• Samsung 55-inch S90F Series OLED 4K TV — $1,199.99 $1,799.99 (save $600)

• Samsung 65-inch QN65 QLED 4K TV — $448 $599.99 (save $151.99)

• Samsung 65-inch Q8F QLED 4K TV — $697.99 $897.99 (save $200) 🔥

• Samsung 65-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $1,197.99 $1,697.99 (save $500) 🔥

• Samsung 65-inch The Frame Pro Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $1,597.99 $2,097.99 (save $500) 🔥

• Samsung 65-inch QN70F Neo Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $799.99 $1,199.99 (save $400)

• Samsung 65-inch S84F OLED 4K TV — $899.99 $1,999.99 (save $1,100)

• Samsung 65-inch S90F OLED 4K TV — $1,399.99 $2,499.99 (save $1,100)

• Samsung 75-inch Q6F QLED 4K TV — $599.99 $899.99 (save $300)

• Samsung 75-inch QN90F Neo Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $1,799.99 $2,999.99 (save $1,200)

• Samsung 75-inch The Frame Pro Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $1,997.99 $2,997.99 (save $1,000) 🔥

• Samsung 77-inch S90F OLED 4K TV — $1,999.99 $3,499.99 (save $1,500)

• Samsung 85-inch Q6F QLED 4K TV — $997.99 $1,297.99 (save $300) 🔥

Samsung Galaxy watch deals

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (44mm, Bluetooth) — $159.99 $279.99 (save $120) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm, LTE) — $179.99 $299.99 (save $120) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (44mm, LTE) — $207.98 $329.99 (save $122.02) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm, Bluetooth) — $279.99 $349.99 (save $70) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (44mm, Bluetooth) — $309.99 $379.99 (save $70) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm, LTE) — $329.99 $399.99 (save $70) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (44mm, LTE) — $359.99 $429.99 (save $70) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic (46mm, Bluetooth) — $399.99 $499.99 (save $100) 🔥

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Android users are now getting a major injection of AI in their Google Messages app.

Last week, Google announced a number of Android updates, including a major new Pixel feature drop. Among the many new features announced for Pixel phones was a major AI-related one: the popular AI image editor Nano Banana will be integrated directly into Google Messages via a new feature called Remix.

Nano Banana is Google's latest AI image generation and editing model. AI aficionados have raved about Nano Banana, and it's widely considered the best AI image editor available right now.

Google knows it has a hit on its hands, and the company has been integrating Nano Banana into a variety of other Google products, including Google Lens and Circle to Search. Now, Remix will allow Pixel owners to edit or remake any photo using Nano Banana from within Google Messages. 

This week, the Remix feature began rolling out to all Pixel users – and the Remix feature will soon come to all Android devices as well.

The new Remix feature on Android Credit: Google

All users have to do is press the Remix button on any photo within Google Messages and then provide any prompt they want in the text box that appears. Google provides some “Suggested ideas” in Remix, such as “Make a custom mini figure” or “Make a photo look like instant film” to give users a starting point for what's possible. From there, Nano Banana takes over and generates the image. (According to Google, there is a “daily limit of image generations per user.”)

Remix basically turns Google Messages from strictly a messaging app into a content creation tool. It's easy to see how Remix can spark memes and other viral media as users simply need to type what they want to generate an image that they otherwise would've had to create in a dedicated image creation or editing app.

In that same vein, if you're not a fan of "AI slop," now you'll know why so many friends and family members with Android phones are suddenly sending you so many AI-altered images.

Get ready to rustle and mosey and, uh, other cowboy-themed verbs on your mobile device in a few weeks.

That's because Rockstar's legendary Red Dead Redemption from 2010 is coming to basically every modern video game device in upgraded form on Dec. 2, per Rockstar itself. The Red Dead Redemption PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, iOS, and Android versions will feature fresher visuals and the excellent Undead Nightmare DLC. This new version will be available as a free upgrade for anyone who already owns the currently available build of Red Dead on consoles, while Netflix users will be able to play the mobile version free of charge.

It also seems like you'll be able to carry over your save data if you upgrade from an existing version of the game, which is nice.

How to get Red Dead Redemption on iOS and Android

You might be wondering how Red Dead on phones is going to work. Rockstar says it will have mobile-friendly controls, of course, but the process of actually getting it is slightly more complicated than you might think.

The wording in Rockstar's press release makes it sound like the game will be available on the App Store or Play Store, so you should be able to just buy it there (for a price that isn't mentioned at all in the post). However, if you have an active Netflix subscription, that won't be necessary. You can simply log into the Netflix mobile app and play the game through that instead. Netflix already has a selection of games available for subscribers, but Red Dead is probably the biggest and most noteworthy one to date.

As for PS5, Xbox, and Switch 2, you'll just buy the game from each console's digital storefront, as per usual. Easy!

Almost a year ago, OnePlus released the OnePlus 13, a quality flagship smartphone with high-end specs and a lower starting price than its competitors in the U.S. It also did the same thing the year before, as well as the year before that. This is pretty normal, in other words.

What is surprising about the new OnePlus 15 (aside from the fact that they skipped 14, presumably for cultural reasons) is that it's coming out in November instead of January. OnePlus may have accelerated its release schedule for this year's flagship, but not much else has changed. The OnePlus 15 is a very solid Android handset with glossy specs, including a super high refresh rate and the biggest battery you'll currently find in a smartphone of this caliber.

And with an $899 starting price, it's at least $100 cheaper than the flagship models from Google, Apple, and Samsung.

OnePlus 15: Price and specs

It's got a good display. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

I've already explained that you can get a OnePlus 15 for $899 (compared to $1,099 for the iPhone 17 Pro). Here's what you get for that price:

• 6.8-inch display with 2772x1272 resolution and up to 165Hz refresh rate

• Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 mobile chip

• 12GB RAM

• 256GB storage

• 7,300mAh battery

• Three rear cameras: 50MP wide, 50MP ultrawide, 50MP telephoto

• 32MP front camera

There is only one other variant of the OnePlus 15. For an extra $100, you can get a version of it with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage. I personally don't love that anyone who opts for the slightly cheaper phone is getting less RAM, but that's also pretty unlikely to affect most people's daily lives in any meaningful way. The lack of a 1TB storage option also stands out among other recent flagship smartphones, like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Still, compared to the competition, OnePlus comes out looking like a winner here. No other flagship from the Apple-Google-Samsung triumvirate has a 165Hz display, and the OnePlus 15 is the first smartphone to hit the U.S. with the cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. At 7,300mAh, the battery is also larger than the ones found in the S25 Ultra, Google Pixel 10 Pro, or iPhone 17 Pro. And while the higher-end OnePlus 15 costs the same as a base Pixel 10 Pro, none of those other devices can be had for $899.

This is a pretty good deal, is what I'm saying.

OnePlus 15: Design

This looked cooler last year. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

However, there are a couple of areas where OnePlus didn't really bring the wow factor this year, and the design of the phone is one of them.

It's not bad, but it is boring. Your three available colors are Infinite Black, Sand Storm, and Ultra Violet. So, in other words, two of the most uninteresting colors imaginable, and a third, more eye-catching one that OnePlus says will only be available in limited quantities. Bleh.

My other issue with the OnePlus 15 is that the rear camera bump is now a fairly safe-looking square (with rounded corners), rather than the more visually distinctive circular bump found on the OnePlus 13. At a glance (at least to the eyes of people who don't look at phones every day for their jobs), it just kinda looks like an off-brand iPhone. It's perfectly functional and inoffensive, but I wish it had a more unique look.

Other than that, though, the phone is at least comfortable to hold and the bezels around the display are very thin. This isn't a total boondoggle by any means; it's just a little boring.

OnePlus 15: Performance

It charges fast, too. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

One area where OnePlus very much did not drop the ball is performance.

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is probably one of the best chips you can get in a phone in the U.S. right now, or at least that's what the marketing says. I'm inclined to believe it, though, as the OnePlus 15 performs like a dream. Everything is smooth as silk, and even when running benchmarks or playing intensive games, it doesn't get too hot to the touch.

Speaking of games, those are what benefit the most from the maximum refresh rate of 165Hz. PUBG Mobile, in particular, is astoundingly smooth on this thing. I'm not a big mobile gamer at all, but if I was and I needed a new phone, I'd take a close look at this one.

And if you want numerical proof that this phone is powerful, I ran it through the Geekbench 6 benchmark test. Its multi-core score of 10,560 is about 500 points higher than the S25 Ultra, and about 700 points higher than the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Again, this phone is cheaper than both of those. Geekbench numbers aren't necessarily the definitive word on a phone's performance, but I can more or less promise that you won't find any performance issues here.

OnePlus 15: AI features

Like any other high-end smartphone these days, the OnePlus 15 has some AI features. For the most part, it's pretty normal stuff, including integration with Google's Gemini chatbot. It's got automatic voice transcription in the sound recorder app and the ability to scan images and turn them into PDFs, both of which are nice and convenient, if not especially novel.

Mind Space is probably the most unique AI feature on the OnePlus 15. It's a pre-installed app that stores anything you ask the phone to analyze using Plus Mind. Plus Mind is something you activate by either pressing the Plus Key on the phone or swiping up on the screen with three fingers. Doing so will basically take a screenshot and use AI to analyze whatever is in it. For instance, I took a screenshot of some movie listings on a website for a theater near me. After doing that, I can go to Mind Space and look at a text analysis of what's in the screenshot, including the names of the movies and showtimes, and I can make calendar entries for them.

This is not bad, per se, but its usefulness is a little muted, in my opinion. It's nice that I can take a screenshot and automatically turn that into a calendar entry, I suppose, but an app that tells me what's on my screen feels a little redundant when I could simply look at the screen myself. I just don't know that this is doing anything that I can't already easily do with my brain.

OnePlus 15: Battery life

Battery life is, without a doubt, the standout feature of the OnePlus 15.

The 7,300mAh cell is, as previously noted, bigger than what you get in some other flagships. But that doesn't necessarily guarantee anything on its own. That said, I can confirm that this thing lasts a while. I would estimate that I could go about 30 hours between charges on the OnePlus 15, depending on what I'm using it for. My testing involved playing 3D games at high frame rates and streaming basketball on YouTube TV, so I might have been able to squeeze even more juice out of a charge without doing that.

In other words, the battery's real good, folks.

OnePlus 15: Camera

As I said in the specs section earlier, you get a trio of 50MP lenses on the rear end of the OnePlus 15. I love even numbers. They make my job easier.

Anyway, photos taken on the new OnePlus 15 look nice. Colors really pop and images are sharp and clear.

NYC is a little gloomy these days. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

As for nighttime shots, I don't have too many complaints here. You can brighten up the image without making them look too fake.

Left: No night photography here. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Right: Night mode turned on here. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

For what it's worth, you do only get 3.5x optical zoom here, as opposed to slightly higher counts on some of the other flagship phones from big companies. You also get 7x "optical-quality" zoom, which is slightly lower than the 8x count on the iPhone 17 Pro. If you stick within those parameters, zoom shots look nice and sharp.

No zoom. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

7x zoom. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Macro photography is always a plus for photographers who love taking photos of tiny things.

Tiny. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

And lastly, portrait mode works as you'd expect, too.

Portrait mode. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

OnePlus 15: Final thoughts

OnePlus phones are honestly a little boring to talk about because they're quietly very good, fairly no-frills devices that you can get for a marginally more agreeable price than an iPhone. The OnePlus 15 is no different.

A quality display, a powerful processor, and a huge battery make this a perfectly acceptable handset for anyone in the market for an Android upgrade. I'd definitely take it over a Galaxy S25 Ultra, and maybe even over a Pixel 10 Pro. I wish it looked a little more interesting, but that's so far down the list of concerns with a smartphone that I can't hold it against OnePlus too much here.

Google's latest Android 16 update for Pixel owners is here. And with it, a special Pixel Feature Drop. 

The November Android 16 update for Pixel users is an important one. There are important fixes and security patches here, and we'll break down all the major updates for you. First, here's how you update your mobile device.

Go to Settings then System. Next, you'll want to select Software updates (or System update), followed by Check for update. If your device still needs the November update, you will be prompted to update.

According to a Nov. 10 Google post:

We have started to roll out the monthly software update for November 2025. All supported Pixel devices running Android 16 will receive these software updates starting today, and the rollout will continue over the next week in phases, depending on carrier and device. You will receive a notification once the system update is available for your device. We encourage you to check your Android version and update to receive the latest software. 

Everything in the November Pixel Feature Drop

Alongside the security updates in the Android 16 November release (more on that shortly), Google has also announced the rollout of a new Pixel Feature Drop. This Feature Drop is packed with new capabilities for Pixel owners, especially when it comes to messages.

The first major feature is Remix in Google Messages. This new feature allows Pixel users to edit or recreate any photo right inside Google Messages using Nano Banana, Google's Gemini image generation and editing model. Google announced that Nano Banana was coming to Google Photos last month, but now it's finally here.

Nano Banana finally arrives in Google Photos on Pixel devices. Credit: Google

Pixel devices will also be able to provide users with notifications consisting of AI summaries of long text messages, group chats, and conversations across messaging apps. In addition to that, family and close friends deemed VIPs will receive message prioritization in Pixel notifications.

Building on these messaging and notification upgrades is the new Scam Detection feature for Pixel 6 phones and newer. This feature will warn users about potential scam texts with a "Likely scam" label affixed to notifications of messages that are deemed suspicious.

Moving on from notifications, there are more AI photo editing updates, also thanks to Nano Banana. Personalized edits in Google Photos will allow users to request photo edits from AI by just selecting a photo in the app and tapping "Help me edit." Users can then explain via text what exactly they want changed in the photo. An example provided by Google includes a user asking to "Remove Riley's sunglasses, open my eyes, make Engel smile and open her eyes.” Photos responds by making the requested changes to the picture. 

Designated VIPs will be prioritized in notifications. Credit: Google

Google Maps has a new low-power mode to save your battery. Credit: Google

More features in the November Pixel Feature Drop include a power-saving feature in Google Maps, which strips the app down to a simplified layout to extend battery life, and more timely suggestions from the AI-powered Magic Cue, a feature that keeps track of your personal data across apps and accounts.

And, finally, Pixel users who are fans of the hit Broadway show turned hit movie Wicked can take advantage of the included "Wicked: For Good" theme packs, which come with wallpapers, icons, system sounds, and GIFs from the film.

Glinda and Elphaba are coming to Pixel devices. Credit: Google

Everything else in the Android 16 November update

Critically, this Android 16 update includes two important security fixes for issues reported in the Nov. 3 Android Security Bulletin, according to 9to5Google.

What else is included? Most importantly, Google has rolled out a fix for the emergency calling feature that was "causing instability and intermittent problems."

The most visible fix for Android users is related to the camera. Google has patched an issue that was causing a "rainbow like color pattern" in photos taken with the ultrawide and telephoto lenses.

The November update also fixes an audio issue causing "occasional system instability and performance slowdowns," an issue that "prevents some apps from loading," and an error where "webcam mode doesn’t function correctly with connected devices."

In addition, the Android 16 November update provides "general improvements for charging and battery usage" as well.

What devices are eligible for the update?

Google says November Pixel updates are available for the following devices, though some features are only available on Pixel 9 devices and newer. You can see the full list of eligibility requirements at Google's support page.

• Pixel 7a

• Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a

• Pixel Fold, Pixel Tablet

• Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 9a

• Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, Pixel 10 Pro Fold

The holidays are almost upon us, and Google is giving us some security advice as a gift.

In a wide-ranging fraud and scam advisory blog post on its website, Google warned users of a number things, including malicious VPNs. According to Google, there are bad-faith actors disguising their software as legitimate VPNs for users who feel they might need such a thing. Anyone who downloads one of these might be subject to data theft (or worse). Google did not name any specific examples of VPNs you shouldn't mess with, however.

While it was light on specifics, Google did offer some advice that should help keep you safe.

"Only download VPN apps from official sources, and check for apps with the VPN badge in Google Play. Be skeptical of free offers and avoid sideloading unknown apps," Google wrote. "Users should look carefully at the app's requested permissions — a VPN should not need access to things like your contacts or private messages. Always pay attention to browser download warnings and keep your antivirus software enabled."

In other words, don't sideload strange apps onto your Android device if you don't know where it's coming from. If you're getting something from the Play Store, there should be a verification badge letting you know it's OK to use. Follow this advice and you should have an easier time avoiding serious problems this holiday season.

It's happened to all of us. You fully charge your smartphone battery because you know you'll be out for the whole day and, somehow, your battery dies. Your smartphone doesn't always run out of charge this quickly, so it can't be solely a battery-related issue. There has to be some other culprit.

Good news, Android users. Google is going to step in and help you find the perpetrators.

Google just announced the launch of a new beta vitals metric for Android app developers that will result in a visible warning in the Google Play store for end users if an app causes excessive battery drain.

Google's new “excessive partial wake locks” metric, co-created by Samsung, aims to deter app developers from creating battery-draining apps while also warning users.

Rapid battery drain is usually the result of third-party apps that use wake locks to prevent smartphones from entering sleep mode in order to run background processes on the device when the screen is off.

Google says excessive wake locks are a “heavy contributor to battery drain.” As such, the company has created a threshold of what is deemed acceptable and unacceptable for apps running in the background.

According to Google, the company "considers a user session excessive if it holds more than 2 cumulative hours of non-exempt wake locks in a 24 hour period." Google has exemptions for apps that offer "clear user benefits" and provides "audio playback or user-initiated data transfer" as examples that would not fall under its bad behavior threshold.

However, the company says the bad behavior threshold for most apps will be crossed "when 5% of an app’s user sessions over the last 28 days are excessive."

When this happens, Google will warn the app developer in their Android vitals overview dashboard.

This is how the Google Play warning label for battery draining apps will be displayed. Credit: Google

If an app developer doesn't deal with their excessive wake locks issue, then it will affect how users see the app. According to Google, apps that cross the bad behavior threshold will receive a warning label in the Google Play store.

"This app may use more battery than expected due to high background activity," reads the notice.

Furthermore, Android users may have trouble finding these apps at all as Google will also make these apps ineligible for some discovery sections in the Google Play store.

This new update from Google seems like a pretty clear win-win. It forces app developers to create better apps and helps preserve users' battery life.

For the past decade, I've been a dedicated Apple user. I've been committed to the iPhone, MacBook, and iPad lifestyle, but I'll admit that it's left me uninformed about what's happening with Windows and Android. Since I started testing tech, it's opened up all sides of the iOS and Android spectrum, and I've come around. In fact, while doing a recent round of testing for our tablets guide, I found an Android tablet that convinced me iPads aren't necessarily the superior tablet.

The Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 is technically a gaming tablet, but if you're not a gamer, don't worry. That just means it's equipped to handle a decent amount of data in its small, portable form. Here's everything I love about the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 and why I've kept using it long after testing.

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Credit: Lenovo

Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3

$389.99 at Lenovo
$549.99 Save $160

 

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Small but mighty

The best part of the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 is its size. Before I started using e-readers, I was dragging around an old iPad that was heavy and strained my wrist while reading it for extended periods. Measuring 0.31 inches by 8.21 inches by 5.1 inches, it had an 8.8-inch screen, making it just slightly bigger than an iPad Mini.

The compact size makes it incredibly easy to take on the go. It's lightweight and won't take up much space in a bag, but it also allows you to hold it up for hours at a time.

It's powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform and runs on the Android 15 operating system. But its best spec is its memory, bringing 12GB of RAM. That's three times what you usually find in budget tablets and the same as what you'd find in premium models, like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra.

I will say, the notification tab on the Lenovo is mighty similar to that of an iPad. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

On the Geekbench 6 benchmark test, it scored 6674, which is actually higher than the score of the iPad 11th generation. It operates for hours at a time, boasting a battery life of over 11 hours. (Of course, it pales in comparison to the new M5 iPad Pro.)

To translate all of these tech specs: the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 is a small device with even more power than you need to keep yourself entertained on the go.

Two ports are better than one

After years of testing products for Mashable, most of them blend together. It's rare that a product really stands out from the crowd, and often it's the small details that make a particular product stand out. With the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3, I love the simple fact that it has not one, but two ports. Maybe it says more about the state of tech that I'm celebrating the fact that a device has more than one port, but alas, here we are. Every tablet I've tested has a single port, except for the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3, which features one USB-C port on the long side and another on the short side.

It's the first tablet I've encountered that has this set up, but I wish every tablet did. That way, if you want to use your tablet while it's charging, you can do so from the angle that works best. Alternatively, it allows you to plug in a controller and charge it simultaneously.

Perfect entertainment on the go

The Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 is the perfect sized tablet for travel. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

For my purposes, I like a tablet on the smaller side, and the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 fits the bill with its 8.8-inch screen. Its compact size prevents arm fatigue during a reading marathon. Plus, it doesn't take up a ton of space on the kitchen counter, so I can cook and watch. Not to mention, it would be the perfect size for an airplane tray table. Gamers will also appreciate this Android gaming tablet, for obvious reasons.

I'd actually stopped carrying my iPad around because I found it to be too clunky, but the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 is a much smaller tablet to take on the go. With its compact size, I'm much more likely to reach for it when traveling.

My one complaint? The case

The included case for the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 is not my favorite. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

OK, so I've been going on and on about the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3, but there is one downside: its case. On the upside, it comes with a case, a feature that very few tablets offer. The Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 comes with a case that provides suitable ventilation so the tablet doesn't overheat. The front of the case also features two magnetic hinges, allowing it to be removed on either side, which provides nice flexibility.

That being said, I find the case to be extremely flimsy. It definitely feels a little cheap, and folding the cover to create a stand is a bit awkward. It can only fold one particular way, and getting it right always takes me a few tries, even though I've been using it for weeks.

Since this is a lesser-known tablet, you don't have as many alternative case options from the brand. However, you can find some decent options on Amazon.

Why should you buy the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3?

If, for some reason, you're stuck on the idea that Androids aren't as powerful as iOS devices, the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 will prove that wrong. It features a stunning HDR10 display and 12GB of RAM, allowing you to game on the go. But even if you're not a gamer, I've found this tablet is just the right size for reading and streaming. If you're converting from an iOS device, you might experience a slight learning curve adjusting to the Android system, but it won't take long. It's a great budget-friendly alternative to an iPad Mini, which certainly convinced me to stray from the iOS agenda.

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Credit: Lenovo

Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3

$389.99 at Lenovo
$549.99 Save $160

 

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I’m an Android guy, and have been since the mobile operating system came into existence. That doesn’t mean I’m fully committed to Google’s ecosystem. Like most consumers, I appreciate a good tech product, no matter the manufacturer or platform. Enter Apple.

The MacBook Pro serves as my work machine. An Apple TV media player is set up in my living room. I’m also an AirPods Pro owner. However, pairing the AirPods Pro buds with my Android phone has always been impractical. They work for listening to music and noise cancellation, but that’s all.

When the AirPods Pro 3 were announced, I figured Apple might just be ready to develop flagship buds that played nicely with Google hardware. The company has Beats’ platform-neutral technology at its disposal. Furthermore, the AirPods Pro 3 are designed to share biometric data with third-party workout apps. 

So, are these buds a solid match for Android users?

Let’s just say that while some things changed, others certainly didn’t. Here are my thoughts on the AirPods Pro 3 after testing them for three weeks on an Android device.

I can’t deny their sonic greatness

Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

These are easily the best-sounding AirPods to date. They have a more refined soundstage with deeper bass response. 

The drums and synths of contemporary bangers like Kaytranada’s "Drip Sweat" sound prominent. I always felt these elements were tame on the AirPods Pro 2. You can hear how well-balanced the low end is once the bouncy bassline and monstrous drums come on. R&B bops like Shalamar’s "A Night to Remember" showcase the AirPods Pro 3’s frequency range. The track’s crystal-clear mids and sharp highs blend beautifully with punchy bass. 

Despite the AirPods Pro 3’s lack of hi-res audio codecs, they produce satisfying sound quality when streaming music over Bluetooth via an Android device. I could hear the details and subtle nuances on most recordings.

Personalized Spatial Audio hasn’t changed much. It remains a terrific feature for lively listens. The results show when watching live-action movies and performances. Sound effects are more immersive and properly placed in the soundscape when moving your head. 

Apple’s active noise cancellation has improved. It is supposed to be twice as strong as the previous version on the AirPods Pro 2. I don’t believe that. Nonetheless, these buds neutralize ambient noise at a surprisingly high level. Nearly all low- and mid-frequency sounds are muted. Many high-frequency sounds are either silenced or greatly minimized. Occasional disruptors such as crying babies and emergency vehicle sirens are audible, but they won’t break your concentration. The updated Transparency mode is just as effective for increasing ambient awareness without compromising sound quality.

Why can’t Apple just embrace Android optimization?

Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Every new AirPods launch infuriates me more. How is Apple seven models in and can’t make its wireless earbuds easily pairable with Android devices? Seriously. The company has Beats’ proprietary chipset, which integrates native Android features like Google Fast Pair and Find My Device, while also granting access to 80 percent of the features tied to Apple’s H2 processor. The Powerbeats Pro 2, Fit Pro, and all other current Beats releases employ this technology. It is the simplest fix for what has felt like an infinite inconvenience. 

Some Apple fans will argue that the company has made attempts to simplify Android pairing, such as replacing the setup button from the charging case with a touch pad on the front that enables pairing mode when tapped twice. Here’s the problem: the touch pad is finicky. It takes multiple attempts to activate the feature. Once you get it working, you still have to enter the Bluetooth settings to manually pair the buds.

Fast Pair would get the AirPods Pro 3 running on an Android phone in less than 3 seconds. 

Are Android users really losing out on Apple’s true wireless audio experience?

Simply put, yes. That’s because many of the AirPods Pro 3’s best features are kept exclusive to iOS. These include all-new additions like heart rate monitoring and real-time Live Translation, along with standard H2 perks (like auto switch, Conversation Boost, and “Hey Siri” voice activation). Some of these may not seem like deal-breakers. At the same time, you’re not splurging to settle on hallmarks such as adaptive noise cancellation and high-quality sound, which you can get from other similarly priced rivals, even the less expensive AirPods Pro 2.

Are the AirPods Pro 3 worth it?

As an Apple user — iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, MacBook, iMac, whatever — the AirPods Pro 3 are absolutely worth the investment. Android users must look elsewhere for a premium true wireless experience. 

Apple’s restricted feature set makes these buds less appealing to Android device owners. It’s a shame, too, considering how great they sound, both from an audio and noise-canceling perspective.

The better value lies in Beats wireless earbuds, which are ideal options for those who constantly swap between iOS/macOS and Android devices, such as yours truly. Consider looking over the best Beats headphones if you need recommendations. If not Beats, then Sony’s most popular earbuds are the way to go, specifically the class-leading WF-1000xM5, which deliver excellent sound, powerful ANC, and versatile multiplatform support.

The newest OnePlus phone might actually be cheaper than the last one.

That's according to one prominent leaker, anyway. @MysteryLupin on X posted that the 16GB RAM/512GB storage variant of the upcoming OnePlus 15 will retail for £949 in the U.K., which comes out to about $1,266 USD.

There are two bits of good news here: One is that £949 is actually cheaper than the £999 price point for the equivalent version of the OnePlus 13, and another is that the U.K. OnePlus price was higher than the U.S. price last year, for whatever reason. In other words, U.K. customers are getting a small price cut, and the 16GB/512GB version may not actually cost $1,266 in the U.S. when it launches later this year.

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Of course, until OnePlus releases official price points, take any leaks with a grain of salt. It shouldn't be long now, though, as OnePlus is set to launch the phone in its home country of China on Oct. 27, with a global launch expected shortly after in November.

As for specs, we don't have to rely as much on leaks here because OnePlus has already officially announced much of what to expect from this phone. We already know it will be the first North American phone running on the cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, with a massive 7,300mAh battery inside it. It'll also have three 50MP cameras on the rear, a 165Hz OLED display, and up to 120W wired and 50W wireless charging speeds, per Android Authority.

If OnePlus can manage to set the U.S. price at an agreeable level despite all of those specs and whatever is currently happening with U.S. tariff policies, the OnePlus 15 might be a seriously enticing option for the non-iOS crowd.

Cybersecurity researchers have discovered a new type of attack that affects Android devices, and they say it lets hackers get their hands on your private data in a matter of seconds.

This includes your private chats, text messages, emails, and even two-factor authentication (2FA) codes, as Ars Technica reported.

The attack, dubbed "Pixnapping" by the team of researchers who discovered it, can be used to extract information from any data displayed on the screen. First, the victim has to download a malicious app. Once the app is installed, a Pixnapping attack can occur without the victim providing any further device permissions.

"Anything that is visible when the target app is opened can be stolen by the malicious app using Pixnapping," reads a message on the Pixnapping website, a resource created by researchers to share information on the attack. "Chat messages, 2FA codes, email messages, etc. are all vulnerable since they are visible."

According to the Pixnapping website, the vulnerability is detailed in a new research paper, part of a collaboration between seven researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, University of Washington, University of California, San Diego, and Carnegie Mellon University. A preprint of the paper, titled “Pixnapping: Bringing Pixel Stealing out of the Stone Age,” is available online and will be published this week at the 32nd ACM Conference on Computer and Communications Security in Taiwan.

Information that can not be displayed on the Android device's screen, such as a secret key that is obscured using asterisks for example, cannot be stolen by the hackers in a Pixnapping attack. This is because of the way the attack is carried out.

Once a victim installs the malicious app, it weaponizes the Android API to target other apps with access to sensitive data. The app then accesses the pixels displayed on the screen using an unintended data leak, also known as a hardware side channel. The malicious app pushes those individual pixels through the rendering pipeline, where the Pixnapping attack then performs graphical operations. This continues until optical character recognition, or OCR, can occur, meaning the app can extract text from visuals.

In effect, any information that's displayed on your device's screen can then be stolen.

"Conceptually, it is as if the malicious app was taking a screenshot of screen contents it should not have access to," the Pixnapping site reads.

Researchers tested the Pixnapping attack on Google Pixel 6 through 9 smartphones, as well as the Samsung Galaxy S25, running numerous different versions of the Android mobile operating system, from Android 13 to 16.

While this is certainly concerning news, researchers say that they are unaware of any real-world examples of the exploit being used in the wild. 

The team of cybersecurity researchers informed Google of the Android vulnerability in February. Google released its first patch for Pixnapping last month. However, the researchers discovered a workaround within days, and informed Google once again. Google says it will release an additional Pixnapping patch in its December Android security bulletin.

Google chose the wrong year to focus on incremental upgrades for its flagship foldable.

In the abstract, there's nothing wrong with that. There are only so many things you can do to improve phones on an annual basis, and last year's Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold was, at the time, one of the best foldables money could buy. Alas, 2025 is not 2024. This year's edition, the $1,799 Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, looks and feels nearly identical from a hardware perspective, instead focusing on AI features that may or may not wet your whistle, and don't really feel new given that they were already present in the Pixel 10.

Pixel 10 Pro Fold does curry plenty of favor thanks to solid displays, long battery life, and the same Google photography magic you get with other Pixel phones. But for my money, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7's remarkably thin and light form factor makes that device much more pleasing to use.

The 2025 version of the foldable fight goes to Samsung.

Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Specs

Big ol' screen. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Before we get into the nitty gritty details, here are the basic specs for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold:

• 6.4-inch outer display with 1080x2364 resolution and 60-120Hz adaptive refresh rate

• 8-inch inner display with 2076x2152 resolution and 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate

• Google Tensor G5 chip

• 16GB RAM

• 256GB/512GB/1TB storage

• 5,015mAh battery

It's not super different from the Pixel 9 Pro Fold in these terms, but there are some differences worth noting. For starters, the 1TB storage option is new, and very welcome. I noted in my review for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold that it's bizarre for such a premium (read: expensive) device to top out at 512GB of internal storage, so I'll give Google props for addressing that.

The new Tensor G5 chip is the same as the one in the other Pixel 10 phones, and we'll talk performance in a bit. Aside from that, RAM is the same and the display sizes are very similar, with the outer display being just one tenth of an inch bigger than last year's. One thing that's nice here is that both displays have 3,000 nits of peak brightness, an upgrade over the 2,700 nits you'd find in the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. It's a better device for using in sunny conditions outside because of that.

The battery has also gotten a boost from 4,650mAh to 5,015mAh, but again, we'll save analysis for later.

Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Design

I don't much care for this color. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Google really didn't get very ambitious with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold's physical design, which is the source of my greatest disappointment with the device.

Put simply, it looks and feels a lot like the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. At a glance, you'd barely be able to tell the two apart. It only comes in two boring colors (Moonstone and Jade), as well. It's also got the same weird silhouette as the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, where some of the corners are rounded and others are hard 90-degree angles. I actually find it sort of difficult to grip in certain circumstances; trying to use it in its folded state while lying flat on my back in bed, for instance, is a chore, as it likes to slip out of my hands.

To be fair, I praised last year's model for its physical design because, at the time, it was about as thin and light as foldables got. That is no longer the case. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is remarkably svelte, coming in at 8.9mm of thickness when folded and just 4.2mm when unfolded. Pixel 10 Pro Fold, meanwhile, is 10.8mm folded and 5.2mm unfolded. That's a really serious and immediately noticeable difference.

Left: The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Right: The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Put simply, Samsung's phone just feels a lot better to use on a moment-to-moment basis because of its form factor. What Google did here isn't bad, necessarily, but it does feel notably inferior to its main source of competition in the U.S.

Aside from that, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold's displays are both very nice and good for use in a variety of situations thanks to their new boosted peak brightness. I still think an unfolded tablet-style foldable is the very best way to watch YouTube videos on the go, and that hasn't changed here.

Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Performance

It's perfectly usable when folded. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Put succinctly, the Tensor G5 chip powering the Pixel 10 Pro Fold does what you want it to do. This phone performs nearly flawlessly in everyday testing. Apps load quickly and it doesn't ever hitch or buckle when there's a lot going on. I also never noticed any kind of heat problems during use, so you can probably survive without putting a case on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. You might want one just for some more interesting color options, though.

Unfortunately, the Geekbench 6 app that we use for benchmarking isn't available on Pixel 10 Pro Fold at the time of publication, so we can't provide any kind of real numbers-based analysis here. But this feels like a premium handset when it comes to performance, I can promise you that.

Sadly, there aren't really any revolutionary new software features this year that I could find. Pixel 10 Pro Fold has the exact same suite of AI features as the other Pixel 10 phones. That includes good and useful ones, such as live language translation during phone calls and Magic Cue, which scans your data for relevant information (such as flight info or a restaurant reservation) and surface said information when you might need it, such as during phone calls or text chats.

It also includes the ones I don't like so much, such as text-based image editing and that thing where you can show objects to Gemini using the phone's camera and learn more about said object. These are not things I ever plan on using, but your mileage may vary. At any rate, these don't work any differently on Pixel 10 Pro Fold than they did on Pixel 10, so there isn't a lot else to say about them.

To its credit, Pixel 10 Pro Fold does bring back all of the foldable features Google has been building out over the years, such as multitasking on the inner screen. That's eminently useful, and only becomes more-so with the ability to drag and drop things like images from one app to another. Multitasking is extremely intuitive to the point where you don't even really need a tutorial to figure it out. That said, it was that way last year, too, so this isn't necessarily novel.

Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Battery life

Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

There's one area where the Pixel 10 Pro Fold's thicker form factor benefits it versus the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, and that's battery life.

Google rates this device for about 30 hours of use on a charge, and that's about what I got out of it. I actually had a pretty difficult time getting the battery to fully drain without resorting to cheap tricks like streaming video for hours at a time. When just using it as a regular phone (for web browsing, social media, and the occasional YouTube video) I was able to get more than a day's worth of use out of it.

Compare that to the Z Fold 7, and Samsung looks a little worse. That phone doesn't last for more than 24 hours or so in my experience, so Google wins on battery life, if nothing else.

Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Cameras

As is usually the case with Pixel phones, the cameras here are more than adequate. That said, they don't seem terribly different from last year. On top of that, they're actually a step down from the Pixel 10 Pro — a significant step down. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold doesn't support 8K video, lacks the 100x Pro Res Zoom, and has far fewer megapixels.

Here are the specs:

• Rear cameras: 48MP wide, 10.5MP ultrawide, 10.8MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom

• Front camreas: Two 10MP selfie cameras

In terms of megapixels and optical zoom count, these are exactly the same as what Google provided last year. Still, they snap nice pictures anyway thanks to decent specs and Google's signature software wizardry. Being able to use the inner, unfolded display as a huge viewfinder is nice, too.

Fall is finally here in NYC. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

As always, I like the macro lens for taking close-up pictures of tiny things.

But some flowers are still in bloom. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Night Sight is still here and still brightens up photos taken in the dark, though I don't think it's noticeably better or worse than before.

No Night Sight. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Night Sight. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

The 5x optical zoom lens does its job admirably well, but the 20x zoom is also pretty good, in my experience. The end results don't look overly fake or smudgy, as they often do on other phones. However, the "eye-popping" 100x zoom on the Pixel 10 Pro is missed.

No zoom. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

All the zoom. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Last but not least, portrait shots still look good and classy.

Portrait mode is good. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Final verdict

There's nothing really wrong with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold on its merits. Taken on its own, it's basically as good as last year's phone, but with a bigger battery and a stronger chip powering it. And at $1,799, its starting price is $200 cheaper than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. For that price, we would expect cameras more on par with the Pixel 10 Pro, which starts at $999.

But $200 is frankly not a huge number when you're talking about phones that cost around $2,000. If you're going to spend that much on a flagship foldable, you might as well go for Samsung's phone just because it's so much thinner and more comfortable to use. I hate to hinge so much of my criticism on the physical form factor, but with foldables, that's kind of a big deal. I think Samsung has the foldable to beat so far this year (rumor has it the company still has a tri-fold coming soon). We'll see how it shapes up in 2026.

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Samsung's next batch of Galaxy phones is likely at least a few months away, but that doesn't mean we can't start talking about software updates now.

A bevy of leaks and reports are already out there regarding One UI 8.5, the next big software update to Samsung's custom version of Android. It's expected to launch with the Galaxy S26 lineup of smartphones, more than likely in January, but let's dig in now. Here are some of the bigger features we expect to see when One UI 8.5 hits in the near future.

It all starts with the UI itself.

1. Samsung's own take on Liquid Glass

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You may have heard that Apple recently launched a huge overhaul of its smartphone interface in the form of Liquid Glass. Samsung isn't quite doing that with One UI 8.5, but there are some noteworthy visual changes you can see, courtesy of Max Jambor on X and SamMobile.

In general, it looks a bit more slick, glossy, and eye-catching. App icons have a bit of a 3D effect on them now and several apps, like Digital Wellbeing and Gallery have gotten visual upgrades of their own. None of these seem quite as comprehensive or transformative as Liquid Glass arguably is, but if you've gotten tired of the way the UI looks on your Samsung device, this might work for you.

2. Comprehensive family sharing

SammyGuru reported that there are some expansive new family sharing features coming to One UI 8.5. In the Settings app, users can now create a family group using their Samsung account that will collate all of their family members' needs in one place. You can share payment methods, track other people's locations, and even share and compare health data, in case that's something you would like to do.

One other interesting tidbit is a requests page where someone can, for example, request to buy a game or paid app from the app store, pending approval from the owner of the family group. All of this sounds very convenient and nice, which is really refreshing in the age of debatably superfluous AI features.

3. Screen privacy

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Lastly for today, X user Ach (via 9to5Google) posted some screenshots of a new screen privacy feature coming to One UI 8.5.

It's not super clear just from these screenshots how this will work just yet. It looks like it triggers a privacy screen in crowded spaces when you look at "sensitive apps," which might entail anything that includes financial or personal information. The UI gives elevators and public transportation as locations where you might want to turn this on. I assume this just makes the screen unviewable to people nearby, but we'll have to wait and see how it actually looks in practice before making any judgment of it.

4. Intelligent network switching

This is an interesting feature, and one that we hope would become standard on iPhones and other devices. According to SammyGuru, the new OS will be able to automatically assess whether you should be connected to WiFi or cellular data, then switch between the options seamlessly when needed. It's a small change, but one that could be helpful when dealing with large files like videos.

One more new feature...

Finally, there's one more potential feature to discuss — support for spatial photos and video — but we don't want to get anyone's hopes up. However, as TechRadar and @LaidBackDev_ reported recently, users have spotted references to "3D, VR, and spatial media" in the Camera app code.

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This could mean a lot of things, but some users are hoping it speaks to important upgrades to the camera tech. And if Samsung Galaxy phones could take spatial photographs and video, that would give them parity with iPhones. The timing of this upgrade also make sense, as Project Moohan is on the horizon.

There will, of course, be more than just these five features, in due time. Be patient, folks.

Cover screens on older Samsung Galaxy Z Flip models are finally getting access to Google Gemini.

As spotted by Android Authority, the Z Flip 5 and 6 — both of which share the same cover screen design as the newer Flip 7 lineup — have been updated to support Gemini. The feature debuted with the Flip 7 and was notably absent from earlier models.

Using Gemini on the cover screen of the Flip 5 and 6 isn’t entirely seamless, but it works. You still get core features like voice and text input, Gemini Live, and the ability to share your camera feed. Screen sharing, however, is missing. Android Authority also points out that long-pressing the power button simply prompts you to open the phone instead of launching Gemini, which adds to the inconvenience.

The update appears to be tied to Samsung’s One UI 8 rollout over the past few days. For older Z Flip owners, it’s finally a chance to tap into Gemini’s AI features — quirks and all.

The Android versus iPhone debate has been largely settled, with both sides agreeing to just let people enjoy the things they want. That’s a great mindset to have, but there are still folks with iPhones out there who may be curious about what Android phones have to offer. After all, burnout is real and it’s natural to wonder what the other side's got.

As it turns out, it’s quite a lot. The iPhone 17 did a pretty good job of closing the gap in some places — like including vapor chamber cooling and high refresh rates on the whole lineup — something Android phones have had for years. But there are still some advantages to choosing an Android phone over an iPhone. Plus, with iOS 26 bringing a huge redesign and the the iPhone 17 Pro’s scratchgate controversy, there have certainly been some complaints among Apple users.

So, if you’re curious, here are some good reasons to switch to Android. 

Options, options, options

The biggest advantage when shopping for an Android phone is that there is more than one brand at your disposal. You have the Samsung Galaxy S25, the Google Pixel 10, and the upcoming OnePlus 15. Those are some of the well-known options, but there are plenty of others like the gamer-focused RedMagic 10S Pro and Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro, and the cool-looking Nothing Phone 3. 

The neat thing about having all of these options is that phone makers have shoved all kinds of cool stuff in them to differentiate from one another. For example, the RedMagic 10S Pro has a cooling fan to help keep the phone temperatures in check during long gaming sessions, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra houses a stylus in the body that you can use to write stuff. You also have more options in terms of price, as reasonably good budget Android phones can go for as low as a few hundred dollars.  

Foldables

Until the mystical foldable iPhone becomes real, your only chance to play with bendy glass comes with buying an Android phone. Not only have these phones evolved from being little more than a novelty act, but there are genuine fans of them out in the wild. Most of the major Android phone OEMs have one now, including Samsung, Google, OnePlus, and even Motorola, which brought back the iconic Razr phone branding for its foldable phone. 

In most cases, the foldables represent the highest Android phone tier. They are rather expensive, but usually come loaded with top-of-the-line specs. They also have vertical and horizontal folding phones, so you can emulate the old flip phones of the 1990s, or you can have a phone and a tablet in your pocket at the same time. The choice is yours. Regardless, Android is the only place where you can experience foldables for the time being. Although that will likely chance once Apple releases its rumored foldable. 

Foldables! Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

More customization

For the tinkerers out there, Android offers the ability to customize your phone in a manner just not available on an iPhone. And you don’t need to do anything super complicated to accomplish it. The biggest and most oft-mentioned method to customize your phone is with a launcher, which iPhones don’t have at all. There are many flavors, from near-stock experiences like Action Launcher or Lawnchair Launcher, to more minimal experiences like Niagara Launcher and Olauncher. 

The launcher can radically change what your home screen and app drawer look like, but there are some other things you can do, such as install custom icon packs to make those look different as well. Apps like KWGT let you make custom widgets, giving you even more options. One app I’ve always liked is TruePick’s, an app that shows you really cool home screen concepts and then shows you which apps you need to install to recreate the look. Some devices even let you change the font and yes, there are apps for that, too. 

More freedom in organization

Apple likes to keep things in-house, so it’s no surprise that navigating through folders and files on your iPhone can be a little frustrating. Android has no such problem. Not only is it compatible with macOS, Windows, and Linux without any special software, but there are myriad file browsers that you can download, giving you the opportunity to fully manage your storage space. 

This is a little more niche than other features, but specific types of users may enjoy this quite a lot. For example, video game emulators require ROMs, and having a special folder on an Android phone just for ROMs makes it much easier to stay organized. It’s a small thing, but when it comes to usability, Android can prove better than iOS for these types of menial tasks, especially if you do something out of the norm like the aforementioned emulator use. 

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Better access to apps

Speaking of emulators, Android users generally enjoy a looser, more diverse ecosystem of apps than the Apple App Store. Granted, Apple does allow emulators in the App Store now, but for over a decade, that privilege was reserved for Android fans. Apple's App Store has approached reaching parity with Android in this area after EU regulations forced Apple to allow for third-party app stores. But even though the App Store allows torrenting apps now, Android has allowed them for many years. 

This extends to loads of stuff. Many modern Android phones let you run multiple copies of the same app for people who want to run the same app under different profiles. There are also hyper niche apps you can get on Android that don’t exist on iOS. I would mention sideloading here — accessing apps from unverified developers — but Google is likely killing that off. Until they do, though, sideloading is still relevant, giving you even more access to more apps. 

Faster charging

Apple has been stepping up its charging game in recent years, but it’s still far behind the leaders in the Android segment. The iPhone 17 Pro Max can charge at 40W wired or 25W wired. That’s not too bad in the grand scheme of things, but Android phones simply do it better. Plus, you have a choice based on which phone you go with. The Galaxy S25 Ultra charges at a slightly better 45W, while the OnePlus 13 can charge at a whopping 100W, giving you a full charge in less than an hour. 

The only Android phone that has slower charging than the latest iPhone is the Google Pixel 10, which can charge up to 30W, so if faster charging speeds appeal to you, you may want to avoid that one. In any case, if you consistently find yourself reaching for a charger at some point during the day, an Android phone will get you more juice in the same amount of time.

Pixel phones, IRL. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

OS features

Earlier, I talked about things that the iPhone 17 brought that Android fans have had for years, like high refresh rate displays on lower-end devices and vapor chamber cooling. Android devices have always been on the bleeding edge, dating back back well over a decade with things like NFC, and continuing with modern features like AI integration, which Android phones had for a year or two before Apple Intelligence came out. 

Several of these features have already been mentioned, like changing the launcher, superior file management, and running multiple copies of the same app at once. Some other features that Android has that iOS doesn’t is a built-in guest mode, support for multiple user accounts, split-screen mode, Bubbles (floating apps), an OS-level back button (or gesture), and, if you own a Samsung phone, the DeX mode is pretty cool for turning your phone into a PC.

In short, if you want more features faster and sooner, Android is typically the way to go. 

You can just do more

Most of the rest of the things that Android can do that iOS can’t are pretty niche. For example, since Android phones act like USB storage, it is entirely possible to install Windows to your PC from the internal storage of your Android phone. Is this a good enough reason to pick Android over iOS? No, but having that kind of freedom is nice.

Apple has its pros and cons as well, and if people didn’t like iPhones, then Apple wouldn’t sell them like hotcakes every year. However, while Google tightened-up Android over the years, there are still plenty of things that make it feel like the Wild West, and honestly, that may be the best part of owning an Android phone.