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Should you buy a budget Android tablet or an expensive e-reader?
We compare the differing tech from features and design to display and pricing
In the modern era, determining what devices you need for your lifestyle can be decidedly difficult. Smartphones alone range in price from $150 to $2000, with dozens of different features, designs, and functionalities to choose from. The best Android tablets are even worse, with massive price ranges and spec lists longer than a CVS receipt.
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G review: Better than budget
At this point, Samsung's cheap phones can't get much more reliable
Samsung's A-series has been one of the best budget Android options if you're trying to save a buck without sacrificing too much. Based on one of its more recent entries into the market — the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G — the Korean tech firm is keeping the streak alive by providing a stellar smartphone experience at a price that won’t make you recoil in fear.
Circle to Search highlights an old problem with Android phones
You can't use Circle to Search in the notifications shade and we're crushed
The evolution of AI technology means that smartphones will get a lot of very cool features in the coming years. Onboard AI chips in particular will enable all kinds of functionalities, allowing devices to access generative AI without needing an internet connection. In fact, some of these features are already releasing for some of your favorite devices. But given the fact that we’re in the early days, there are still a lot of bugs to work out.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 needs a new design to stand out from the crowd
It's been too long since the Galaxy S-series saw any meaningful change
Samsung has been the poster child for the best smartphone innovation for a while now. From launching one of the first foldable phones in the Z Fold to installing an onboard AI chip in the Galaxy S24, the Korean manufacturer has been living on the cutting edge for years and charging rent to other smartphone makers copying off their homework. Simply put, if you want new features, Samsung is usually the way to go.
Your Android smartphone or tablet is probably your everyday mobile device, but sometimes you want to share the onscreen experience. While you could share a bunch of page links with your pals, there’s nothing like the reveal of a bite-sized projector to earn you showmanship points. Plus, Android-compatible projectors are just about everywhere these days.
Google Play Pass subscriptions keep growing, yet the app selection still stinks
If you really want Stardew Valley, just buy it for yourself
Read update
Subscription services have become one of the go-to solutions for businesses in recent years. Everything from video games to mobile apps are now available en masse for a small monthly charge, encouraging users to sign up for a plan and pay endlessly rather than purchase the games and apps outright.
5 things Google needs to fix with the Pixel 9 series
The Pixel 8 definitely wasn't perfect, but Google can right the ship with its next iteration
The Google Pixel lineup has seen its fair share of ups and downs over the years. Since launching in 2016, the device has been admired for its impressive camera and intuitive interface and criticized for its substantial battery drain and poor network connectivity. Even still, Google's continued to push the lineup forward with new features — one Pixel even had on-device radar for gesture control and facial recognition, which was both criticized and admired, depending on who you ask.
5 things that have us most excited for Pixel 8a
There's a lot to be excited about when it comes to the Pixel 8a, even with the higher price
Let’s be honest: it can be hard to get excited about budget phones. With flagship devices adding brand-new features and top-tier specs on a yearly basis, the idea of holding your breath to see what features make the cut for a value phone doesn’t feel nearly as exciting for the average buyer. However, with the Pixel A series, Google has shown that it’s willing to provide some of those flagship features and specs to sway customers towards the more expensive end of the budget spectrum.
AI on Android isn't worth buying into just yet
If you're looking to buy a smartphone, today's AI tools aren't enough of a selling point
Often, you'll find that smartphone marketing is well ahead of the actual features companies like to advertise. Take 5G as an example. Although next-gen networking became widely available on smartphones in 2019, many carriers didn't provide these speeds to all users right away. Even five years later, you'll still find rural areas where you're forced to rely on LTE for internet connection, no matter which of the best 5G phones you actually own.
All I want from the Google Pixel 9 is reliable battery life
Good battery life is among the most important properties of a mobile device, yet Google hasn't been able to keep up
Smartphone features have become out of control over the last few years. From foldable displays to advanced camera operation, the average device is equipped with enough functionality to keep even the most seasoned users busy for quite a while. However, there is one feature that trumps them all. A feature that is so important, you literally cannot use your smartphone without it — the battery life.
Does the Pixel Fold 2 camera hint at a new Google design philosophy?
The new camera array could mean a big change is coming, but it could also just be a one-off
Smartphone manufacturers love it when all their phones look similar enough to follow the same design pattern. Heck, a little bit of brand recognition never hurt anyone, right? Well, considering the camera array is one of the few things you can see on a phone from a distance, the long-bar camera array has become one of the easiest ways to spot any recent Pixel smartphone in the wild. That’s why it’s such a big deal that the Pixel Fold 2 leaks show that Google might be making a big change to its popular smartphone lineup.
Even Korea is starting to prefer the iPhone over Samsung's Galaxy phones
The iPhone is gaining popularity in Samsung's domestic market as Samsung also loses significant ground across the globe
For years, Samsung smartphones have been the best-selling devices in South Korea, where the company has been based since 1938. However, the iPhone continues to surge in popularity, showing Samsung that its top spot in its home country may not be as solid as you might think.
Google is pricing itself out of the budget smartphone market
Despite competitive prices across the industry, Google keeps raising the price of the Pixel A-series
One short decade ago, smartphones were expensive no matter where you looked. What few cheap devices existed didn't offer experiences good enough for daily use, leaving anyone on a budget stuck between a rock and a hard place. Luckily, as smartphones matured, more powerful components trickled down into lower-end phones, creating some truly great experiences for well below the price of your standard flagship device. Google's Pixel A-series was a good example, offering similarly great phones with just enough caveats to stay pleasingly affordable for the average buyer.
Best Google Assistant smart speakers in 2024
If Google Assistant is your smart assistant of choice, these speakers are your best bet
Smart speakers are a quick and easy fix for great home audio. But if you're looking to integrate your speaker with a smart home hub or virtual assistant, choosing the best speaker may require a little more thought.
Lenovo Tab M9 review: Spend your money on something else
Even with some neat features, Lenovo's budget tablet just can't keep up
Much like what we've seen from televisions in recent years, tablets seem to be getting cheaper and cheaper every day. Amazon's Fire lineup of slates is obviously a shining example of how to keep prices low by focusing on reading and entertainment, while the Samsung Tab A-series has gotten more and more competitive on cost over the last few years. Lenovo is another entrant in this discussion, with the Tab M9 coming in at only $140 with respectable specs to go along with it. Unfortunately, this budget tablet isn’t worth the hassle, even for the price.
T-Mobile REVVL 6x Pro review: A not-so-terrible network exclusive for only $230
There are definitely better budget phones out there, but you could worse than this T-Mobile phablet.
T-Mobile has been building out its lineup of carrier-exclusive devices over the last few years, with some notably affordable entries with surprisingly impressive features. The REVVL 6x Pro certainly falls into this category as a sub-$220 smartphone that offers wireless charging, something rarely found on devices in that price range. If you’re on a budget and need an excuse to utilize your new wireless charger, there are worse things than getting locked into T-Mobile’s network.
How to set up a Zelle account
Good news! Most banks support Zelle, so you could be only a few clicks away from digitally sending money to friends and family
Sending money virtually has benefited many people around the world. From splitting checks at restaurants to paying the babysitter, online banking tools make finding and carrying cash nearly obsolete. Online banking tools have different features, interfaces, and security protocols. From Venmo to Cash App, you have options for sending money virtually.
Amazon Echo Show 8 (2023) review: More than just a pretty screen
Spatial audio and a repositioned camera make for a solid update
Amazon was first to the smart speaker game back in 2014 with the Amazon Echo, a tiny speaker with poor audio quality and no display whatsoever. The e-commerce giant has come a long way, though, rolling out a wide range of smart speakers and smart displays that keep Amazon firmly in the discussion as a smart home hardware provider. The brand-new, third-generation Echo Show 8 solidifies that status even further, providing a comprehensive interface and stellar sound quality.
Best Google Assistant smart displays in 2024
There are only a few good Google Assitant smart displays — here are the best options
Google Assistant is widely considered one of the best virtual assistants out there. Alexa may be better at smart home functionality thanks to its many integrations; however, Google Assistant is one of the best smart speakers for your home and a more socially adept virtual assistant. Subsequently, finding a smart display compatible with Google Assistant should be easy, right?
Best Philips Hue smart lights & bulbs in 2024
Brighten up your life with the best of the best smart light brand
When it comes to smart lighting, Philips Hue is the O.G. that still delivers a wide range of products that put many of its smart lighting competitors to shame. From run-of-the-mill A19 bulbs to powerful outdoor fixtures, Philips Hue smart lights and bulbs are easy to install and a cinch to control and automate.