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Google Pixel 9: News, leaks, rumored price, and release window
The Pixel 9 series is Google's biggest mobile shakeup since Tensor — here's what we're expecting
With the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro having established themselves as some of the best Android phones you can buy today, it's time to look forward to what's on the horizon. You could pick up last year's Google flagships — they're pretty good, especially on sale — but imagining what's around the corner is more fun. The Pixel 9 series will be here before you know it, and unsurprisingly, we already know a lot about this year's lineup. This year, that's extra exciting, as we're looking at three different phones coming to a carrier near you this fall. Here's everything we know about the Pixel 9 series.
From IP ratings to military spec: What do all these phone ruggedness ratings mean?
Just how tough is your phone?
Your phone is an integral part of your daily life, helping with communication, directions, purchases, and more, so you need it to be durable and reliable. That's why the best Android phones feature IP ratings, and some have MIL-STD-810 ratings. A phone with good durability ratings can be the difference between a harmless accident and losing your phone and a large amount of data.
5 things Google got wrong with the Pixel 8 Pro
The Pixel 8 Pro is impressive, but these key areas need to be improved
I have loved the Nexus and Pixel experience for years and have probably used almost every major flagship Google phone launched in the last decade. But with every Pixel, my experience has only worsened after a few months of use. Sadly, it's the same story with the Pixel 8.
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.
The genesis of mobile gaming was a beautiful time, a traditionally isolated activity combined with the interconnected cloud exploited by mobile devices; to say it changed how we approach gaming would be an understatement. The HTC Dream and the devices that followed opened a whole new world for game developers, using touch control interfaces to explore new angles of game design. True, mobile gaming had been around long before the Play Store, but the 2008 advent of modern mobile games changed the landscape forever.
This phone pushed my Genshin Impact experience to the next level
Genshin Impact's collab with OnePlus is much more than just a collectible
I laid my eyes on Genshin Impact in late 2020. Unfortunately, the Galaxy device I owned at the time, the Samsung Galaxy S10, was barely chugging along to play the game comfortably. It wasn't until a few years ago that I discovered the power of Android gaming phones — how dedicated gaming hardware could shift how a game or an app performs. For example, if you own a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, you won't worry so much about how it handles Genshin Impact, but these phones are over $1300. You can cut that price to almost half by buying a gaming phone, like the Redmagic Pro 9. But not everyone wants to purchase a separate phone for gaming.
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.
Google Pixel Fold 2: News, leaks, rumored price, and release window
What's next for Google's latest addition to the Pixel lineup?
It's no secret that the first-gen Pixel Fold has some problems. Perhaps owing to just how long Google's foldable phone existed as a rumor — not to mention the company's decision to hold back an even earlier iteration — the Fold struggled to keep up with its competition right out of the gate. And as phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and OnePlus Open have launched with far more refined experiences, the difference between Google and the rest of the field has grown that much more obvious.
Android and iOS are mature mobile operating systems offering similar features and customization options. But there are differences, where one mobile OS could cover your needs better. We all know Apple's ecosystem is polished but restrictive. It excels within its walls, but those walls can feel confining. In contrast, Android offers an open and adaptable experience, catering to your specific needs without limitations set by the operating system or device maker. So, if you are a long-time iPhone user on the hunt for greener pastures, here are five reasons why you should switch from iOS to Android posthaste.
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.
Every Nothing product so far: Phones, earbuds, and much more
A quick look at everything Nothing has launched, from beer to phones
It hasn't taken long for Nothing to be catapulted from its scrappy young startup status to a popular brand, boasting three smartphones, three pairs of earphones, and a series of odd experiments. And with the launch of its first affordable smartphone, Nothing is clearly gunning to go mainstream. But if you're new to the brand or are just curious about Nothing's growth over the years, here's a quick rundown of everything Nothing has launched so far.
Google Pixel 8a: News, leaks, rumored price, and release window
Not sold on the Pixel 8? Google's next midrange phone might be for you
With one Google Pixel launch out of the way, it's time to start looking forward to the future. And while we're sure there's plenty on the table for Google's future hardware lineup — new tablets, smartwatches, foldables, you name it — there's one device we know for sure is on its way. The Pixel 8a is set to succeed last year's Pixel 7a, and assuming it gets the same attention and care we recently saw with the Pixel 8, it could be one of the best budget phones of 2024.
5 features Samsung should bring back from its own past
To make the future exciting, Samsung should look backward
Samsung has produced fifteen generations of the Galaxy S smartphone at this point. The series has changed a lot since its debut in 2010, especially with the introduction of the Ultra model in 2020. While technology and the Galaxy lineup have mostly improved, some hardware and software features have been dropped along the way. The Galaxy S24 series might offer an excellent set of phones, but it hasn't escaped the criticism that it feels boring due to the lack of change. As we look ahead to the Galaxy S25 and what we hope will be a brand overhaul, I think Samsung should look to its heritage for inspiration.
Weekend poll: What's the correct order for power and volume buttons on Android?
Let's hash this out, once and for all
Smartphone design is pretty homogenized these days. Assuming you aren't buying a foldable, your next Android device will likely look a lot like your current one: a tall, large piece of glass and metal with a camera bump on the back and a USB-C port on the bottom. Throw in a couple of speakers and you're good to go. But there is one place where some OEMs still make their respective marks on smartphone design, and it's the buttons along the side. And frankly, it's surprising how strong some users' opinions can be about their preferred order.
The Android Police podcast doesn't exactly mourn the Zenfone 10's death
So much as biding our time until the next mighty mini phone?
Marques Brownlee commissions a tiny little coffin into which he places the Zenfone 10 and we're over here trying to trigger the next wave of tiny little phones. As people keep saying, time is a flat circle. That conversation plus another notch in the epoch that is Samsung's management in mobile decline, the big TikTok sovereignty debate, and a few tangents on the artist formerly known as Twitter, late-90's MMOs, and tin rooves on this Android Police podcast!
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.
Google Pixel 8 & 8 Pro: Specifications, special features, cameras, pricing, and more
The Google Pixel 8 series made its debut in October 2023 and sports some incredible ML features
Google delivers some of the best Android phones, and the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are no exception. With the Made by Google 2023 event fading into memory, it's clear these devices offer improvements over the 2022 lineup. Google addressed previous shortcomings, resulting in an impressive upgrade. As our reviews confirm, the new Pixel phones might be its most impressive.
The golden age of Nintendo emulators on Android is over
Nintendo emulators need to tread cautiously from now on
I have always been a big emulation aficionado, and that interest has been indulged with the great emulation apps available on the Play Store, a wonderful selection of nostalgia for your trusty Android phone. While the majority of these apps are attractive, Nintendo console emulators are definitely the most notable, given the company's colossal library of beloved classics that people are champing at the bit to relive. However, recent litigious incidents between Nintendo and certain big names on the emulator scene have cast a worrisome shadow over the future of Nintendo emulation apps on the Google Play Store.
The 8 Android phones to look forward to throughout the rest of 2024
The Galaxy S24 might be on store shelves, but there's plenty of new hardware still on the way
2024 is shaping up to be an exciting year for Android smartphones of all kinds, be it foldable or a traditional candy bar. We’ve already seen high-end flagships announced left and right, such as the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Most new premium devices sport the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, improved cameras, and enhanced hardware, making them more compelling.
Samsung Galaxy A55: Price, specs, news, and features
Samsung's 2024 midrange entry isn't coming to the US
Mid-range phones have become better over the years. You can get phones with incredible cameras and excellent performance for less than $500. There are several contenders for the best budget phone, and the Samsung Galaxy A54 stands out from the rest. Released in March 2023, the A54 sports a premium design, a 120Hz AMOLED display, and all-day battery life. Unsurprisingly, the Korean smartphone giant didn't rest on its laurels, finally debuting the Galaxy A55 in March of 2024 as a device packed with all the yearly upgrades you'd expect.