Apple Watch Series 9 review: More of the same, but it'll be enough
The Apple Watch Series 9 doesn't look that exciting, but the upgrades it packs make it one of the best smartwatches — again.
When I reviewed the Apple Watch Ultra last year, I concluded that even though it was designed for people who are far more active and adventurous than I am, I wanted one anyway because of the larger screen, more premium build, and longer battery life. In the year since I realized there are apparently many others like me, because I have seen a lot of Apple Watch Ultras out in the wild, on the arms of people who are clearly not mountaineers, extreme sports athletes or deep sea divers. I concede the cities I frequent — Los Angeles, San Francisco and Hong Kong — are privileged wealthy cities that can't be used as a reflection of the world, but I've heard enough anecdotes from colleagues and industry peers from other states that I think it's safe to say the Apple Watch Ultra has wide appeal in the states, and that with Apple products, consumers always gravitate towards the priciest/best model.
iPhone 15 Pro Max review: Apple is slowly winning over this Android diehard
The iPhone 15 Pro Max may not look much different from the iPhone 14 Pro Max, but it brings much improved cameras and ergonomics
The iPhone 15 Pro Max could to some eyes seem like yet another iterative update out of Cupertino. My "black titanium" model, in particular, looks almost identical to my "space black" iPhone 14 Pro Max at first glance. But after using the phone nonstop across three countries for the past week, I can say this is the most impressed I've been with an iPhone since the iPhone X; I like it significantly more than I did the last few Pro Max iPhones; and while I can never be a "full time" iPhone user because I test so many Android phones, I may finally do what most of my media peers do and make the iPhone my default phone when I'm not reviewing a new phone. This is coming from someone who's been very vocally and publicly criticized the iPhone and championed Android over the years. But Apple is slowly winning this Android diehard over.
Best AT&T phones in 2023
Looking into getting a new phone on AT&T? We have you covered. This is our list of the best AT&T phones currently available.
AT&T is one of the most popular carriers in the U.S., thanks to its reliable nationwide coverage. It also has a huge selection of devices and plenty of deals, making it a solid choice for those looking to upgrade their phones. Whether you're looking for the latest bleeding-edge flagship, a good value mid-tier device, or a budget phone, AT&T has something for you. To ensure carrier compatibility, every phone listed here is directly available through AT&T. If you're not necessarily tied to the carrier, you can check out our selection of the best phones of 2023 for devices that aren't available on AT&T.
Best wireless earbuds in 2023
In the market for a new pair of true wireless earbuds? Then read on, because we've compiled a list with some of the best ones out there.
Earbuds are an everyday essential for many of us; carrying us through the day by keeping us connected to music, podcasts, streaming services, gaming devices, Zoom calls, and more. Whether you're literally looking to cut ties from your wired buds or you're ready to upgrade your current set, there are a seemingly infinite number of models to choose from. Before buying, consider your top priorities for a brand-new set of earbuds. Do you need a water-resistant pair for working out? Are you ready to spend the big bucks on the best active noise cancelation? Do you need fast pairing, extra stability, extreme battery life? Whether you're looking for something cheap to supplement a prized pair of over-ears or you’re just ready for something new, this guide will help you find the best wireless earbuds for your needs!
How the Galaxy Tab S9 and Fold 5 play nice to form a Samsung mobile ecosystem
Samsung is one of the few Android makers right now to compete with Apple's ecosystem
There are many reasons why the iPhone is dominating flagship smartphone sales, and if I may be blunt, some are just inane, like the color of a text message bubble or the Apple logo as a status symbol. But there are indeed valid reasons why most casual users in developed countries choose Apple phones over Androids, including, most importantly, the iPhone's unmatched ecosystem of hardware and software. If Android phones want to compete with the iPhone, they can't just make a better phone. They also need to build an ecosystem of products that play nicely together.
Apple Watch Series 9 & Ultra 2 hands-on: all about the double tap
These two watches are minor upgrades, but the new double tap gesture seems genuinely clever and useful.
Yesterday at Apple's September launch event the tech giant introduced four new iPhones and a pair of Apple Watches. Unlike the iPhones, which gained new cameras, charging ports and slightly redesigned bodies, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 look practically identical to the previous generations, and there aren't really major outer hardware updates, other than a screen that can get a bit brighter and dimmer.
iPhone 15 Pro Max hands-on: Focal versatility
I was impressed with the new cameras and lighter build.
Apple just announced its iPhone 15 series that, whether we like it or not, is going to set the benchmark for all new smartphones for the next 12 months. Luckily, this year's update is a bit more exciting than some of the previous years. In particular, the iPhone 15 Pro Max model brings several upgrades that make the phone genuinely exciting, even for an Android user such as myself.
Best smart glasses in 2023
Looking to jump on the smart glasses train? The market is still nascent, but growing fast, with some strong contenders. Here's our guide.
Now that Apple has unveiled its take on spatial computing with Vision Pro, there's a lot more attention on augmented and virtual reality headsets and glasses. Although it's uncertain whether Vision Pro will be the game-changing device it's billed to be when it releases, there are a lot of great augmented and virtual reality products that you can actually buy today. This sector of the technology industry hasn't advanced as quickly as others in the past, there are still quality options available that might be worth taking a look at.
Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 4 review: Two screens make for a fun, but pricey laptop
The novelty of the secondary E Ink display wears off quickly
First unveiled at CES this January under a different name, the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 4 is a unique dual-screen laptop with one OLED and another color E Ink display placed on opposite sides of the laptop lid. This lid is anchored to a clever swivel hinge that allows for 180-degree rotation. This allows the ThinkBook Plus Gen 4 to be both a laptop and tablet with either display.
4 reasons the Pixel experience is overrated
Almost everybody praises Google's Pixel software. While I like chunks of it, some parts are just frustrating to use
Ever since their debut in 2016, Google Pixel phones have been beloved among Android enthusiasts thanks to their cameras and software. While I fully agree Pixel cameras are indeed great — some of the best smartphone cameras on the market — I find Pixel phones' software, particularly the UX, to be overrated.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 vs Motorola Razr+: The two best clamshell foldables battle it out
The Motorola Razr+ stole a lot of the Flip 4's thunder earlier this year. Samsung bounced back with a Flip 5 that even the stakes.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip series has held the crown for best flip foldable phones almost ever since it debut, but Motorola came hard at Samsung's crown earlier this year with the Razr+, mainly due to its eye-catching outside cover screen that spans almost the entire top side of the device in folded form. At the time of release, the Razr+ made the Flip 4 look outdated. But Samsung would come firing back last month with the Flip 5, which brings — you guessed it — a significantly larger outside cover screen.
Best foldable phones in 2023
Looking for a new foldable phone? We have tested all of them, so read on to see which one to get.
Foldable phones are becoming more prevalent as a serious consideration for the average consumer in 2023, but up until now, it has been mostly Samsung leading the charge. There have been a ton of different foldables debuting in Asian and European markets, but the level of competing in the North American market hasn't been up to par. That is, until now. After a slew of early summer releases, Samsung now has serious threats to its big and small foldables coming from Google and Motorola, respectively. The question is, are those challenges enough to dethrone Samsung as the leader in foldable smartphones in North America?
Google Pixel 7a vs Pixel 7: What's the difference?
Google's new Pixel 7a looks and feels almost just like a Pixel 7. So where are the differences and do they matter?
Google's A series of mid-range smartphones have always had similarities to their preceding Pixel phones, particularly the base model. But this year, the line between the just-announced Pixel 7a and Pixel 7 is blurrier than ever. In fact, the average consumer may not be able to tell the two phones apart unless they put them side-by-side. But there's a $100 difference between them, so which phone should you get? What does that extra Benjamin get you? Let's find out!
The iPhone has won over casual users. Android flagships must win over enthusiasts to survive.
The iPhone is becoming the “default” phone for most people around the world. The future of Android flagships looks grim in comparison.
During a press conference addressing the recent surge of car thefts in New York City in May, Mayor Eric Adams urged citizens to buy AirTags for their cars. When told by a reporter that AirTags do not work with Android phones, Adams responded, "Why would anyone have [an Android phone]?" His ignorant response — there are over 130 million Android users in the U.S., according to the most recent research — was only met with a bit of backlash, mostly on Twitter and a couple Android sites. The mayor of one of the biggest cities in America giving ridiculous advice and dismissing valid concerns wasn't that big of a deal because many Americans felt the same way.
Best smartphone cameras in 2023
Looking for the phone with the best camera? We have tested all the latest phones and here's an in-depth guide on the best smartphone cameras!
Picking the phone with the best camera used to be an easy exercise. In the early days of the smartphone, the iPhone's camera was leaps and bounds better than Android's offerings. Then big-name Android brands caught up, and for a couple of years in the mid-2010s, Samsung held the crown. Towards the latter part of the decade, I'd argue Google and Huawei each respectively dominated the software and hardware part of mobile photography. But starting around 2020 or so, other brands stepped up their digital imaging game by investing more resources; Apple paid more attention to computational photography, and Samsung took a page or two out of Huawei's book in terms of camera hardware.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 vs Google Pixel Fold: We have a clear winner
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Google Pixel Fold are the two large foldable phone of choice for Americans, and each has clear pros and cons.
The debut of the Google Pixel Fold earlier this year was an important event in the mobile world. It not only marked the occasion of the Android maker officially embracing the foldable form factor, but the Pixel Fold also marks the end of Samsung's complete monopoly on the foldable scene in the West. While we like the Google Pixel Fold a lot, how does it stack up against Samsung's just-released Z Fold 5? I've used both foldable phones heavily for at least a month each, and I think each foldable has clear advantages over the other. However, there is one overall winner, and it's an obvious one.
Best iPads in 2023
There are a surprising number of iPads on the market, so which one is for you? We take a look at all the options.
While shopping for a smartphone, you’re spoiled for choice, and I’d say that both iPhones and top-end Android phones are equally good and offer a lot of features for the price. If you’re shopping for a tablet, however, it makes a lot more sense to go for an iPad because of just how good they are. In terms of hardware capabilities, design, and even pricing, Apple dominates its competitors with such superiority that you need a very specific reason to choose a Windows or Android tablet instead. But we’re happy to note that both Android and Windows tablets have been improving steadily with time because competition makes the market better for us buyers.
Best Samsung Galaxy phones in 2023
Samsung makes some of the finest phones on the market, but with so many devices to choose from, which are the best Samsung Galaxy Phones?
Although Samsung built its reputation off flagship phones, like the latest S23 Ultra, it has slowly moved its attention to budget and mid-tier smartphones as well. When it comes to handsets, Samsung definitely has a finger on the pulse of what Android users want; the South Korean electronics giant has been launching one banger after the other recently. It's safe to say that Samsung phones consistently make it to the top 3 of Android smartphones, and you're bound to find a Samsung device regardless of whether you’re shopping for a budget phone or a top-end foldable.
The Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 is a great combination of the Z Fold 5 and the Pixel Fold
Xiaomi’s new Mix Fold 3 is one of the thinnest and lightest foldable phones around that still offers a capable and versatile camera system
This has been an exciting year for foldable phones in the West. In the U.S., Samsung's de facto monopoly finally ended with Google launching its first foldable, Motorola made its return stateside after a two-year absence, and OnePlus is now promising an upcoming foldable. Over in Europe, Honor and Oppo have launched foldables, making for an even healthier scene.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 vs Z Flip 4: The bigger screen matters
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 brings the biggest upgrade to the Flip series in five years. But is the Flip 4 still worth checking out in 2023?
Samsung's recent Unpacked event saw the launch of seven new products across four product lines, but the one that got the biggest improvement over its predecessor was undeniably the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, which got a major cover screen upgrade.