latest
Verizon's 3G network is sticking around — at least for now
The company is backing down from previously scheduled shutdown plans
With how much Verizon has been hyping its 5G capabilities of late, some might be surprised to learn that the carrier's 3G network is still in operation. And what might be even more surprising is that, despite past statements about scheduling a shutdown, Verizon is now saying it has no pending plans to retire 3G.
Students can save up to $25 a month with Verizon's new discounts
The offers only apply to subscribers on an unlimited plan
Verizon is one of the biggest names in the game when it comes to wireless in the US. The company recently launched new options for prepaid plans, and just released its own credit card as well. Recently the carrier announced plans for some new student discounts, and today those deals are going live.
Motorola Edge+ review, one month later: Improving, but slowly
Motorola's return to the flagship space isn't a failure, but it's not a success, either
Motorola was at the forefront of cell phones for decades, but it never quite found its footing in the smartphone era. Early hits like the original Droid and Droid X bring nostalgia, but are also a brutal reminder: Motorola hasn't really made a standout smartphone in almost a decade, unless you count budget phones like the Moto X and G series. Cut to 2020—it's been several years since Motorola even made a flagship phone, and after the disaster that were Moto Mods, it's taking a real risk with the 5G-equipped, Verizon-exclusive Edge+.
Read update
UK network BT has just launched a Stadia broadband bundle, and now Verizon is following suit with a similar deal. It has announced that new Fios Gigabit customers will receive Stadia's Premiere Edition for free. This promo stacks on top of the network's existing free one-year Disney Plus offer.
OnePlus and Verizon fast-track certification for unlocked OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro
All phones should now activate properly on the network
Read update
If you're a Verizon customer hoping to bring a shiny new OnePlus 8 Pro onto America's biggest, reddest network, you finally can. After OnePlus told us that it could take until June for unlocked OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro phones to get onto Verizon, the carrier today certified both devices to use its towers.
You may have missed it, but OnePlus announced its new 8 series earlier this month. They're the company's best and most expensive phones yet, transitioning OnePlus away from its former "flagship killer" model to compete more directly with the likes of Samsung. The OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro are available to purchase today, starting at $699.The base OnePlus 8 is $699; it's $100 more for extra RAM and double the storage. You can get it right now from OnePlus, Amazon, T-Mobile, or Verizon. The Verizon version is $799, too, because it comes with support for millimeter wave 5G; other versions support 5G, too, but not mmWave.You can get an 8 Pro for $899 direct from OnePlus or from Amazon. The higher-spec version is a whopping $999. There are no 8 Pro models available from carriers, and although the phone does support 5G, it's only low-band; there's no mmWave version.As of writing, the OnePlus 8 Pro is out of stock from OnePlus (you can request a stock notification, though) and backordered at Amazon. Hit the any of the links below to grab one. You can also use our link to save $10 on your order from OnePlus.Buy: OnePlus 8 (OnePlus), (Amazon), (Verizon), (T-Mobile) — OnePlus 8 Pro (OnePlus), (Amazon)
US carriers forgiving late payments, continue to bolster benefits during coronavirus fallout
Latest: T-Mobile and Verizon extend their pledge to June 30, U.S. Cellular to July 31
Read update
Cellular carriers have earned many negative impressions over the years for poor billing practices, unfair contracts, and some dubious attempts to insert themselves where they might not belong; but there's no denying that they have a good track record for giving a little back in times of crisis. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, carriers in the U.S. have committed to not terminate customers' lines and provide more data and cheaper plans to those who need them.
LG V60 ThinQ Dual Screen review: Low-key flagship with a smart price
Power, performance, and even a secondary display could have you wondering why anyone would pay over a grand for a phone
LG's got a new design language in the works — a fresh take on its phones that's supposed to usher the company into this decade with a clean look and some updated thinking towards flagship hardware. But before we turn the page to that next chapter, we've still got its first big 2020 launch to check out, the 5G-equipped, Dual Screen, 865-packing LG V60 ThinQ.Granted, that's still a pretty steep bill, but compared to a $1,200 Galaxy S20+ or $1,400 S20 Ultra, the V60 stands out with its "mere" three-digit sticker price. We've seen what OnePlus has been able to do and slide in under that thousand-dollar mark — what about LG? Did LG make any serious sacrifices to give us a $900 phone, or is this one of the better flagship deals around? Let's take a look:
Motorola's $1,000 Edge+ is coming exclusively to Verizon next month
The cheaper Motorola Edge will appear this summer
Motorola has slowly dropped out of the flagship phone race in recent years, but it's coming roaring back in 2020 with the Edge+. It's got all the latest hardware including a Snapdragon 865, millimeter wave 5G, and a gaggle of camera sensors. It also has the curviest curved OLED panel you've ever seen. You'll only be able to see it on Verizon, though. Motorola has a cheaper version of this device called simply the Motorola Edge, but we know much less about its release plans here.
Verizon's OnePlus 8 will cost more, but features unique support for mmWave 5G
Available for $800 starting April 29
First was T-Mobile in 2018. Then came Sprint last year. Now, Verizon is carrying its first OnePlus phone for sale. The OnePlus 8 5G UW — yep, that's the name Big Red's going with — will be available to buy from April 29 for $800. But unlike any other model of OnePlus 8, this one will be the only one to support millimeter wave 5G.
Some LTE-equipped tablets can take a real bite out of your wallet, but Verizon usually has one or two that won't break the bank. The carrier's latest offering is the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4. This new tablet won't blow you away with its speed or features, but it's cheap and has Verizon LTE.
Read update
LG's latest stab at making dual-screen smartphones a thing is the V60 ThinQ 5G, and you'll be able to pick on up starting this week. Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile have all announced preliminary launch details. T-Mobile and AT&T will be first out of the gate with Verizon bringing up the rear next week.
US carriers announce store closures as coronavirus lockdowns commence
Locations that remain open will run on shorter hours
Read update
The United States is in lockdown for the foreseeable future as officials and health experts hope to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus as much as possible. Landline and wireless service providers have pledged to keep service on for all customers over the next 2 months as employment becomes a tenuous proposition for many in this period of isolation. But for those who drop off their payments at a store or for anyone with an immediate need to purchase a phone at this time, you should know that Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon either have or are going to temporarily close a number of their stores.
Yahoo to launch $40 unlimited mobile plan powered by Verizon
The company throws in free Yahoo Mail Pro and 5Mbps single-device tethering
Read update
Compared to the earlier days of the internet, Yahoo isn't the most known or well-liked company around anymore. It's not even an independent business any longer, as it was bought by Verizon in 2017. That might be why it has decided it's time to create a mobile phone plan, which could help make it feel relevant again. The company is gearing up to launch Yahoo Mobile, a virtual network that relies on Verizon's infrastructure and gives you unlimited 4G data, texts, and calls for $40 a month. The website is currently only accessible via its URL; Google Search won't find it yet.
A new version of the OnePlus Launcher has been spotted in the wild, and it includes a few interesting tweaks. In addition to a new AMOLED black Shelf card background, this latest update also allows for hiding icon labels if you're after that super clean look. Lastly, the updated app harbors some secrets that reveal a Verizon OnePlus 8 might be in the works.
Galaxy S20 sales are here: Here are the best release-day deals from carriers, retailers, and Samsung
Things have changed quite a bit from the pre-order stage
Samsung put out its phones. We've put out our review. You've yet to make a purchase decision. It's okay. If you didn't pre-order a Galaxy S20, S20+, or S20 Ultra, don't worry: depending on which retailer your prefer, you may have greater incentive to buy a shiny new 5G phone today. We've got the details on all the sweeteners these brands are offering to get a shiny new slab in your hands.
Read update
Today, Verizon introduced its rumored Android TV-powered set-top box. The Verizon Stream TV is available to order directly from the company's site. Other than the signature red checkmark on top, the product is unbranded, and we haven't confirmed the manufacturer yet (though one source tells us it's very similar to Xiaomi's Mi Box).
LG unveils the V60 ThinQ 5G with dual screens, 5000mAh battery, and a 64MP camera
Another dual-screen phone in an increasingly folding-screen world
For the past few years, LG has introduced its mainstream G-series flagship in late winter or early spring, followed by a larger, more creator-focused V-series phone a few months later. We saw that routine begin to get shaken up last fall with the launch of the G8X (complete with its Dual Screen accessory hoping to steal a little thunder from the folding-phone craze), and now that shift continues not with the introduction of a presumptive G9, but instead with an early new entry to the V series, the LG V60 ThinQ 5G.
Read update
LG's tendency to update its devices incredibly slowly has become something of a running gag in the tech community, especially after the company unveiled a 'Software Upgrade Center' last year that didn't change matters much. It seems like the company's current flagship is receiving Android 10 in a timely manner, but don't get excited yet.