About Zachary Kew-Denniss
Zac has been writing about Android as a hobby since he was a teenager and fulfilled his ambition of doing so professionally when he joined Android Police in 2020. Zac specializes in Samsung products, writing tutorials, update hubs, buyer guides, and more. If you want to dive deep into customizing One UI, buy the best case for your new phone or tablet, or learn more about new Good Lock features, there’s an article here to help you do just that.
Outside of the Samsung realm, Zac has experience with Chromebooks and Pixel devices, Android/Google TV, and an expanding role in device reviews. After hours, you’ll find him building Legos, collecting Transformers, spending too much time in Kerbal Space Program, and installing the latest developer preview or beta software on his phone or tablet.
Latest Articles
Samsung's March 2024 update is available now for the Galaxy S23, S24, and more
One UI 6.1 not included
Samsung's March 2024 security patch is rolling out now to devices worldwide. Still, many will be disappointed when it arrives, as it's nothing more than the usual security-focused update for most devices, with the S24 series also benefiting from some big fixes.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Battle of the spec monsters
Is the S Pen mightier than the clip-on cooler?
Gaming phones have changed a lot since the Nokia N-Gage was released back in 2003. Over the years, fewer compromises have been made, and today, the specs that make a phone better at gaming can translate into a better overall experience. Asus' ROG Phone 8 Pro is the latest top-tier gaming phone, and it offers compelling hardware. The device also costs $1,200, which puts it within the range of Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra. Is the ROG Phone a niche product, or can it compete with the jack-of-all-trades Galaxy S24 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 isn't a leap forward for Samsung's foldables; it's a saunter towards progress. It's not a bad phone by any means; it's fantastic but lacks anything revolutionary over its predecessor. It makes up for that by providing one of the most well-rounded and robust foldable experiences. Samsung has been making these devices longer than almost any other OEM, and that shows with a seamless transition from one mode to the other and plenty of software features that make the large foldable screen more than a gimmick.
Best Samsung Galaxy S21 cases in 2024
Your Galaxy S21 deserves a stylish case to keep it safe
Even though it's over three years old at this point, there's no denying that the Samsung Galaxy S21 continues to be a top-of-the-line smartphone. And since it's an older model, it costs considerably less than this year's best Android phones. Then there's Samsung's excellent software update policy, which ensures you get the most out of your investment.
Best Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 screen protectors in 2024
Broken screens turn tablets into paperweights; let's keep that from happening
Samsung's Galaxy Tab A8 isn't a powerful flagship tablet, but it is one of the best cheap Android tablets, thanks to the big screen and good battery life. A lot of people only want a large screen to watch movies and casually browse the web, and the Tab A8 is more than capable of that despite the low price. It's not immune to scratches and scrapes, so you'll want to protect it.
The Galaxy Tab S9 FE is Samsung's latest Fan Edition tablet, and it's rather good. It's the smallest tablet in the S9 family to offer 5G, and despite the cut-down price, the 90Hz LCD display is still a joy to use, even if it isn't an OLED. Getting a huge battery, decent performance, and an included S Pen for $450 is a great deal, so it's no wonder we consider this one of the best tablets Samsung has on offer.
Motorola makes great hardware, but its software still disappoints in 2024
Resetting my phone for a security patch is unacceptable
I've always loved Motorola phones. Although I'm often seen as the Samsung guy around these parts, my interest in the world of mobile tech goes a lot further than that. I bought the original Moto G for my Mum and Nan, desperately wanted the original Moto X, and looked with envy at the endless customization once offered with Moto Maker. I was able to satisfy that love of Motorola this year when I got my hands on the Razr+, or Razr 40 Ultra, as it's called on this side of the pond. The hardware on this phone is as fantastic as I hoped, and it earned its place as the best flip phone. Sadly, the software experience doesn't hold up as well as I'd like.
Samsung's first Galaxy S24 Ultra update could address our biggest complaint
Your photos might be less blurry after updating
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is another great phone from Samsung. The display is finally flat and looks gorgeous, especially with Gorilla Armor removing over 70% of reflections, and it's powerful enough to handle any task you throw at it. Sadly, one complaint about the S24 Ultra persists from Samsung's first Ultra phone from 2020 — shutter speed. These cameras have exceptional hardware, but our review notes that moving objects are almost always blurry. A few days ago, Samsung announced the first software update for the S24 series, and now we know how, specifically, it might address the cameras.
One UI 6.1 gives you an easy way to access Samsung Care+
One less reason to use Samsung Members is always welcome
When smartphones are as expensive as they are now, insuring them against accidental damage can be a sensible way to make sure you won't be without a phone if the worst happens. Samsung's Care+ is a fast and affordable way to insure your Samsung devices, and a change in One UI 6.1 makes it easier than ever to sign up or check your existing Samsung Care+ plan.
How to enable Gboard's handwriting input on any S Pen Galaxy device
This developer toggle gives stylus users a reason to ditch Samsung Keyboard
We love to hate Samsung Keyboard. It's understandable, Samsung has included some cool features in its keyboard over the years, but the core aspect of text input leaves a lot to be desired, so users have to choose between useful functionality and a good typing experience from an alternative like Gboard. One of the features I've often missed when switching away from the Samsung Keyboard is automatic handwriting input when the S Pen is detected. Thankfully, a feature Gboard added last year can now be enabled more widely.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. Galaxy S23 Ultra: Should you upgrade your Ultra?
Does the S24 Ultra do enough to stand out from its predecessor?
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is here, and it's another solid flagship from Samsung, even if it didn't knock our socks off with any surprise features. Phones have become dull in general, but Samsung seems to be in a creative rut more than most, and the S24 Ultra looks and feels a lot like its predecessor.
Samsung always offers a broad line-up of phones, including the A series, S series, FE range, and foldables, and they're all vying for your attention, so it can be overwhelming to choose. Thankfully, we've put the work in to test these devices to help you select the right one. So, whether you're here for the best Android phone available or a more wallet-friendly option, there's a Samsung phone that will meet your needs.
Samsung Galaxy S24+ vs. Galaxy S22+: An actual upgrade
A brighter screen and bigger battery make a world of difference
The Galaxy S24+, one of the latest and greatest Android phones, has seen some of the more significant upgrades this year compared to the other two phones in the S24 range. The battery is larger, the screen is brighter and sharper, and it can dynamically adjust its refresh rate between 1 and 120Hz, just like the Ultra.
Best Android phones in 2024
In the market for a new phone? Get the best Android experience with these flagship phones
When it's time to buy a new smartphone, everyone has different wants and needs. Thankfully, Android has no shortage of smartphones that come in all sizes, prices, specs, and even shapes. From foldable phones with the latest Snapdragon chip and some of the best budget phones of the year that balance power and price to devices guaranteed to get the latest version of Android before everything else, there's a phone on this list for you.
Samsung's February 2024 patch is available now for the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and more
The update is reaching plenty of phones and tablets worldwide
Every month, a new Android security bulletin is released by Google, and each month, Samsung rolls it out to the dozens of devices it keeps supported. February is no different, with a new security patch available for plenty of new devices, from slab phones to foldables and tablets.
S Pen Fold Edition vs. S Pen Pro: What's the difference?
You get to choose between two kinds of convenience
When the Galaxy Z Fold 3 added support for the S Pen, foldables became a lot more interesting. The big inner display has always been good for media consumption, but now it can also be a place of productivity and even creating art. The Fold 4 made slight improvements to the experience, and the Fold 5 has done the same.
It's been five years since Google broke gestures in custom launchers, and they're still a mess
Recent improvements feel like too little too late
Custom launchers used to be a big part of the Android experience. They offered flexibility that the default home screens on many phones couldn't compete with, from custom grid sizes to icon pack support. I have fond memories of them myself. Nova Launcher Prime was the first app I ever paid for. But the popularity of third-party launchers has declined in recent years. Some of that is due to companies like Samsung adding the custom features people wanted to its own One UI launcher, but much of the fault lies with Google.
One UI 6.1 makes a small but useful change to floating windows
All of your app windows can be summoned with one tap
It's been ten years since Samsung added floating windows to its Android skin. Since then, Galaxy users have been split down the middle regarding how useful this is, finding it useless or invaluable. I'm in the latter camp, so any improvement to Samsung's already excellent multitasking software is welcome, and One UI 6.1 brings a small but welcome addition.
Circle to Search is great, but I'm not convinced it's the future of Google
Time is a flat... something-or-other
Of all the features announced during the Galaxy S24 launch event, Circle to Search seemed like one of the most promising. From Samsung's ads to Google's own announcements about bringing it to the Pixel 8 series, the search giant is hyping up Circle to Search as a revolutionary change to how we use our phones and interact with Search. For once, people I know in real life are genuinely excited to try it out, a rarity among new tech features. Can Circle to Search live up to expectations? It depends on how good your memory is.
Good Lock just fixed the most annoying navigation change on the Samsung Galaxy S24
The old navigation system makes its return with the ability to hide the nav bar and theme the back gesture
The Galaxy S24 series was the first set of phones to get Circle To Search, a Google Now On Tap-style feature that introduces a new way to search what's on your screen. It's pretty great, but the addition led Samsung to remove one of the most popular features in One UI: hiding the navigation bar. We found that you could still force it to disappear if you were willing to use a workaround, but now Samsung has updated the NavStar Good Lock module, adding new features and restoring old ones.