How fast is the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold charging speed?

Everything to know about the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold's battery and charging specs

The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold finally made its debut at the Made by Google event on August 20, 2025. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold not only packs a brand-new TSMC-made Tensor G5 chipset, but the company has also improved the charging speeds and battery capacity of its latest book-style foldable

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold ships with a 5,015 mAh battery, which is an increase of 365 mAh compared to its predecessor, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. As for charging speed, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold supports up to 39W fast wired charging with a USB-C cable. This is a massive increase over the 21W charging speed we saw with Google's previous-generation foldable phone.

According to Google, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold can charge up to 50% in about 30 minutes when using a 30W USB-C charger. The charging time will drop further if you use a 45W USB-C charger recommended by Google.

This is a massive jump not only because Google has almost doubled charging speeds in one generation, but also because the Pixel 10 Pro Fold offers more than 50% faster charging than its direct competitor, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. The foldable from Samsung still offers only 25W wired charging.

And that's not all, Google has packed major upgrades into the wireless charging technology as well. Similar to all Pixel 10 models, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold supports Qi2 magnetic wireless charging, meaning you no longer need a third-party case or sticker to charge your Pixel using a magnetic charger. Instead, you can stick your Pixel 10 Pro Fold, similar to an iPhone, on a MagSafe charger.

Moreover, thanks to Qi2 support, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold also delivers up to 15W wireless charging, double the 7.5W of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. This means wireless charging times should be significantly shorter. Google will also be offering a number of official Qi2 charging accessories as part of its new Pixelsnap lineup.

We're less than a month away from Meta Connect 2025, where we're rumored to see Meta's $800 Hypernova smart glasses with a single display in the right lens. I expect plenty of people will balk at buying smart glasses with "only" one display. But having tried both monocular and binocular smart glasses, I think Meta is making the right decision — and Google would agree with me.

The original Google Glass had a monocular display, and a decade later, when I tried Google's Android XR reference design at I/O 2025 (see the photo above), they had only one display. This isn't a coincidence!

Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth explained why monocular smart glasses are so much easier to create during an August AMA (via UploadVR): "They're affordable, they're lighter, and you don't have disparity correction, so they're structurally quite a bit easier."

Switching to binocular displays "more than doubles the cost" because, on top of a second display and eye-tracking camera, you have to ensure perfect interpupillary distance and prevent any disparity between what the user's two eyes see.

It's why Meta's monocular Hypernova glasses can (allegedly) cost less than a grand and blend in as somewhat "normal" glasses. Would people care as much about them if they cost $2,000?

Meanwhile, its Meta Orion prototype needs thicker frames for the extra power and battery demands of two large displays. And while Orion's $10,000 cost mostly comes down to silicone carbide lenses, that cost would be more than halved with one display.

The concern with a monocular display is "binocular rivalry," Bosworth says, because "one eye is seeing something, the other eye isn't seeing it, and your brain has to reconcile that, and different people experience that very differently."

But again, having tried Google's latest monocular glasses, I'm mostly unconcerned. And I don't think you should knock them until you try them.

Trust me, we don't need two displays yet

Out of everything I heard at Augmented World Expo 2025, every AR expert agreed that there's no one set path for smart glasses, but that any binocular glasses or "smart goggles" like the XREAL One Pro aren't going to blend in as normal glasses for years. The form factor simply can't fit in the battery, holographic tech, cameras, and other vital tech without ballooning in size.

There's a reason why Meta has teamed up with Ray-Ban and Oakley, while Google partnered with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster. Smart glasses need to look good and familiar, or not enough people will wear them to make money. The thicker they get, the harder it is for people to see the resemblance.

Most importantly, smart glasses need to function without a display. Assistants like Meta AI and Gemini will be your primary controller and source of information, with the display there to show their data in a more accessible way. So adding a second display, which will drain your battery life more quickly until you can't access the assistant at all, is a poor allocation of resources. Smart glasses can only replace normal glasses if they're worth wearing all day, not just at odd moments.

That said, Google's monocular Android XR glasses genuinely impressed me, proving that a display can be subtly helpful. You get a seamless pop-up showing Gemini answers to questions, calendar entries, recent Messages, live translations, and other data that's easily readable but doesn't take up your entire vision.

It's like being able to glance down at your smartwatch for a notification, only with a more subtle downward glance. And in fact, the Android XR version of Google Maps shifts from a basic directional guidance to a full-on map when you look downward, signaling to the glasses that you want more information.

Maybe some people will be more bothered by a monocular display — especially if they're not right-eye dominant — but it felt totally natural, sitting in my vision without any blurring, but not feeling so distracting that I couldn't focus on what's in front of me.

Binocular AR glasses might make these pop-ups even clearer, but they'll have to reconcile the image in the center of your vision, and while that's great for extended displays for gaming or streaming while you lay in bed, I don't know how much more helpful it'll be outdoors when you're walking around.

That's why I think monocular smart glasses are the best way to introduce this tech to wider audiences. It's simpler to pull off, and you don't need to worry as much about things like interpupillary distance when trying to give people a clear test demo.

So long as Meta, Google, and the rest remember that about 30% of people are left-eye dominant and sell a smaller portion of left-display glasses, I don't think people will have any trouble adapting to monocular smart glasses. Either that, or they'll just keep buying normal smart glasses like Oakley Meta HSTN or Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3s that don't even need a display.

Things may become a little technical at times, as that's the nature of technology — it can be complex and intricate. Together we can break it all down and make it accessible, though!

You might not care how any of this stuff happens, and that's OK, too. Your tech gadgets are personal and should be fun. You never know though, you might just learn something ...

What are Content Credentials?

Content Credentials are the latest step to address a growing problem with fake or edited imagery. It's not the first try, and it's not even a popular idea among creators, but companies like Meta have been trying to get a handle on it for a while. What's needed is an industry standard built into the cameras most people use.

That's what Google is trying to do here. Starting with the Pixel 10, every photo will have a sort of trail explaining how it was created. When used with the existing tools like SynthID and metadata added by Google Gemini, you'll be able to see if a photo went through any sort of user-initiated AI for editing.

Why should I care?

Millions of people take photos with their phones every day, and a lot of those get shared. Putting a good camera phone into everyone's pocket and connecting it straight to the internet makes it easy, and we like to see them. Sharing pics is natural and fun.

Not all of those pictures are real, though. You've always been able to edit photos, even "old" photos taken before the digital camera age, and people have always been doing it. Now that AI makes it so easy, it can be problematic.

Sure, most fake pics are just that: photos edited to be unreal and funny, or outrageous, or whatever. The kind of things friends share with each other. But not all of them.

We went through all this during the 2024 U.S. election. Some people decided it would be a good idea to make fake photos showing their favorite candidate in a positive light or their opponent in a negative light. Or both. These pictures were shared with the intention of influencing people and, in turn, the election.

Did it succeed? I have no idea. I'm sure plenty of people believed what they were seeing (this I know because many were heavily shared), especially as AI-generated imagery becomes increasingly convincing, but whether that translated into votes is mostly unknown.

But it could have.

That's just an easy example. Fake photos can be used for fraud, extortion, embarrassment, or any other horrible thing people often do to each other. When you make it so easy to take a photo, share it, but edit it first to make it tell whatever story you want, it's not good. I've been fooled by a fake picture. You've been fooled, too, and there's a good chance someone close to you, like a parent, has also been fooled.

Content Credentials is a major step in the right direction

Content Credentials sounds like a good idea, but creators don't like this. If I take a photo of a sunset and have Adobe touch up the colors to make it pop, it may be identified as edited by AI. That's because it probably was. AI carries a stigma when it comes to photographs, and that attitude will need to change because we deserve to know if what we're seeing is real or fake. And yes, altering the colors of a landscape photo makes it fake.

Content Credentials will help keep fake photos from going viral, but it won't be foolproof. Nothing ever is. People dedicated to working with AI to create or edit images will see what they can do to get around being identified, and some will succeed, at least part of the time.

In the end, though, it makes it a little easier for us to trust what our eyes are seeing, and that's the important part. This may have started with the Pixel 10, but it's also said to be rolling out to other Android and iOS devices soon. It's more than a band-aid, even if it's not a foolproof solution, more of this technology will be developed because the need isn't ever going to go away.

How fast is the Google Pixel 10 charging speed?

Everything to know about the Google Pixel 10's battery and charging specs

Google officially revealed the Pixel 10 series at a Made by Google event on Aug. 20, confirming the devices' battery and charging specs. Every single Pixel 10 model is getting slightly faster charging speeds, with the premium Pixel 10 Pro XL receiving the biggest boost.

The base-model Pixel 10 will charge at 29W with a cable. That's up slightly from the 27W rate supported by the Google Pixel 9. The faster charging coincides with more battery capacity. The new model ships with a 4,970mAh battery, which is an increase of 270mAh compared to its predecessor.

These same charging speeds are supported by the Google Pixel 10 Pro. The larger and most expensive handset, the Pixel 10 Pro XL, offers the fastest charging speeds. The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL charges at up to 39W with a cable. In comparison, the Pixel 9 Pro XL can only hit 37W wired speeds.

As such, all three models are gaining faster charging speeds, increased by 2W across the board. It's not a major jump, and Pixel phones will still charge slower than other Android phones, like the OnePlus 13. However, it is still a welcome change for Pixel 10 buyers who want even shorter charge times.

This year, wireless charging speeds aren't standard across the entire Pixel 10 lineup. The Google Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro have Qi2 support for 15W wireless charging speeds. However, the Pixel 10 Pro XL supports the Qi2.2 spec, enabling support for faster 25W wireless charging speeds.

Another thing to note is that Google embedded Qi2 magnets within the Pixel 10 models themselves, rather than passing the buck onto case and accessory makers. Google fully supports Qi2 and its Magnetic Power Profile (MPP) on the Pixel 10 series, adding magnetic connection with MagSafe, Qi2, and the all-new Pixelsnap accessories.

For more news and information on Google's latest phones, check out our Ultimate Guide.

Is the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold waterproof?

Everything you need to know about the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold's IP rating

Google upgraded the Pixel 10 Pro Fold's durability to meet the IP68 certification standards. For perspective, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has an IPX8 rating. It's important to remember that in an ingress protection (IP) rating, the first number signifies dust resistance and the second signifies water resistance. That means the Pixel 10 Pro Fold will have greater dust protection, but the same water resistance, as the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

Conventionally, the IP68 rating is considered to be the highest protection level for electronics against dust and water ingress. Products that meet this threshold must be able to be submerged in fresh water greater than one meter in depth for 30 minutes. Since the Pixel 10 Pro Fold sports an IP68 rating, it'll be able to survive 30 minutes in one meter of water.

The newer IPX9 certification adds protection against high-pressure and high-temperature water jets, but does not increase the time or depth a phone can be submerged underwater.

It's important to note that the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is not waterproof. There are limits to water resistance, and Google explains these in the footnotes for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold product page.

"Designed to comply with water protection rating IPX8 under IEC standard 60529 when each device leaves the factory but device is not waterproof or dust proof," the company states. "Water resistance is not a permanent condition, and diminishes or is lost over time due to normal wear and tear, device repair, disassembly or damage."

The way to interpret this is simple. Every time your phone is dropped or scratched, there's a chance that its water-resistance capabilities worsen. As such, a two-year-old phone won't have the same water resistance as a brand-new one. Protection against liquids that are not freshwater, including saltwater, is not covered under the IPX8 rating either.

In other words, you shouldn't count on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold being waterproof. It offers an IP68 rating with the same water resistance as its predecessor. However, the phone's water resistance is designed for accidents and emergencies rather than intentional use in the water. Once again, it's not waterproof by any means.

Don't be disappointed, because the Pixel 10 Pro Fold's IP68 rating means that it is completely dustproof — a first for a foldable sold in the U.S.

For more news and information on Google's latest phones, check out our Ultimate Guide.

Does the Google Pixel 10 support Qi2 magnetic charging?

Everything you need to know about Qi2 support on the Google Pixel 10

The Qi2 wireless charging standard is available with or without the Magnetic Power Profile (MPP). Phones with the MPP have built-in magnets that connect with Qi2 or MagSafe chargers and accessories. Those without magnets inside can only support Qi2 Ready, which requires a magnetic case to unlock full magnetic alignment. For instance, the Samsung Galaxy S25 series supports Qi2 Ready, but the HMD Skyline includes magnets for the complete experience.

Google took the latter route with the Pixel 10. It built the Qi2 magnets right into each Google Pixel 10 model, including the standard Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold. That means every model will work with Qi2, MagSafe, or Pixelsnap chargers and accessories with precise alignment because they have the Magnetic Power Profile built in.

Google's "Pixelsnap" lineup of Qi2 accessories for the Pixel 10 launch is effectively a competitor to MagSafe. It's a collection of unique, first-party accessories that utilize magnetic connection with the Qi2 hardware inside each Pixel 10 model.

As a consequence, every Google Pixel 10 model is heavier than its Pixel 9 counterpart. Only one model — the Pixel 10 Pro XL — matches the thickness of the phone it is replacing; the rest are heavier. A thicker and heavier Pixel 10 lineup is perplexing at first glance, but the addition of magnets inside helps explain the discrepancy.

The Pixel 10 series is the first flagship Android lineup to include built-in magnetic charging support. Notably, only the top-end Pixel 10 Pro XL supports Qi2.2 25W speeds, with the rest supporting the standard Qi2 charging rate of 15W.

For more news and information on Google's latest phones, check out our Ultimate Guide.

When I reviewed the Pixel Watch 3, one of my few complaints was its unreliable GPS accuracy. Any trees, buildings, or other signal blockages would send my workout line careening off course, messing with my total run distance. It made it hard to recommend the Watch 3 to runners, despite the useful coaching and training load tools.

Turns out, the Pixel Watch team read my review. They emailed me prior to launch, asking if I wanted to learn more about their new L5 GPS tracking and how it works.

I won't know how good the Pixel Watch 4 dual-frequency GPS is until I test it myself, sometime around its October 9 release date. But Shah said all the right things to suggest they understand why better GPS accuracy matters to runners so much.

How dual-frequency GPS works, and why it matters

By default, a standard fitness watch uses L1 GPS, the oldest signal standard available. It's perfectly capable of tracking you in an open field, but the low-powered signal is easily refracted by "urban canyons and highly dense tree areas," Shah explained. They skew your detected position and make it hard for GPS satellites to reacquire your location.

L5 GPS signals have existed for a decade, but are still considered cutting-edge. Initially designed for aircraft guidance where exact positioning is essential, L5 GPS has a more stable signal with a wider bandwidth, capable of cutting through signal noise.

Fewer satellites are capable of broadcasting L5 signals, and it has a higher power demand. But as a secondary source, they can pinpoint you in tandem with L1 signals, ensuring that your location is accurate...in theory.

In practice, some dual-frequency GPS watches are more accurate than others. It's as much about the watch's satellite chip and any course-correcting software as the L5 signal itself.

"Dual-band GPS was one of our key interest areas," Shah explained. They wanted to "truly solve users' problems" with their workout data, in response to customer feedback from athletes who were frustrated with their wobbly GPS-only data (myself included).

Shah doesn't think this is a niche feature, either. Dual-frequency GPS "truly elevates the running experience" because your "real-time pace is a lot more accurate." Serious runners need to gauge how fast their target race pace feels, while casual runners must ensure they don't overtrain or develop a false sense of security.

On that same note, Shah says better GPS accuracy is really important for your "post-workout summaries." Google relies on your workout data to inform its new Fitbit AI coach, which judges how fit you are and recommends detailed workout plans; so you want its data on you to be as accurate as possible.

How Google made its dual-frequency GPS more accurate

The Pixel Watch 4 has help on this front, as the first smartwatch to use the new Snapdragon W5 Gen 2. This new chipset doesn't offer any major performance boost, but it features a new RFFE for location-based machine learning. According to Qualcomm, a dual-band Gen 2 watch will be 50% more accurate than a standard GPS-only watch in challenging areas.

Shah said that "it has been great" working with them, and that the "Watch 4 hardware enabled us to go in the direction of dual-band GPS." But he played things a bit coy when I asked how much of the Pixel Watch 4's accuracy comes from them, and how much comes from Qualcomm.

That said, Shah made it clear that the product management team had to do a lot of work to pull dual-frequency GPS off, and that it wasn't just Qualcomm's new hardware.

They had to collect "thousands of hours of data" from around the world to make sure that the Watch 4's dual-frequency GPS worked properly. Unlike Garmin watches, which simultaneously use dual-frequency GPS and other GNSS like GLONASS or GALILEO, the Pixel Watch 4 relies globally on L1 + L5 GPS.

According to Shah, it's dual-frequency GPS that provides the "most accurate route tracking possible" in all Pixel Watch 4 markets, making other satellite system data redundant.

He also acknowledged that dual-frequency GPS typically has a major impact on battery life, which they take "very seriously." So they "did their due diligence" and found a way to implement it so that the "performance of the battery isn't impacted much." Because of that, there's no way to choose GPS-only tracking to save battery life; dual-frequency GPS will be the only option.

While Shah wouldn't discuss future features or updates, he said that the Pixel Watch team plans to continue to deliver the "best of the best" fitness hardware, and that he's excited for me to try out the Pixel Watch 4's dual-frequency GPS accuracy for myself.

I recently reviewed the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic and found that its dual-band GPS wasn't nearly as precise as I'd expect, and that its live pace data was consistently off my real-world pace. So there's room for the Pixel Watch 4 to swoop in as a much better Android running watch option, if its accuracy lives up to Shah's hype.

If it does, the Pixel Watch 4 could easily become one of the best running watches of the year. I'm not taking it for granted until I test the GPS for myself, particularly around forests, buildings, and tracks. But Shah seems supremely confident that his team's watch will live up to the challenge.

That's because phones like the Google Pixel 9 use displays that rapidly flicker on and off at a rate most people's eyes can't see, but our brains can definitely feel. It's known as PWM dimming, and while some companies have been working on solutions, Samsung and Google phones haven't seen any real improvements in years. That starts to change with the Pixel 10 Pro series.

A new accessibility setting called "Adjust brightness for sensitive eyes" at least doubles the PWM rate of the Pixel 10 Pro family's displays. We saw this leak a few months back and it's great to see that Google is working on a potential solution for flicker-sensitive users.

While I haven't had the chance to do in-depth testing on this new feature just yet, I was able to see it in action during my Google Pixel 10 hands-on. As far as I can tell, enabling this feature ramps up the PWM rate to 480Hz, something Samsung did with the Galaxy S24 family.

The new feature is only available on the Google Pixel 10 Pro and Google Pixel 10 Pro XL. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold features the setting only for the inner display, which makes sense since the outer display is more or less the same one on the base Pixel 10, and that phone doesn't support the new "sensitive eyes" feature, either.

If you've been following along with our coverage over the past few years, you may already know that 480Hz is still not fast enough to solve the problem, according to research on the matter. Phones like the OnePlus 13 use 2160Hz PWM only at low brightness, while the Honor Magic 7 Pro ramps that up to 4320Hz.

I'm not ready to give a comfort rating verdict on Google's new display accessibility option just yet, but I do want to celebrate the victory of at least getting this important setting changed. Flicker sensitivity has been on the rise as LEDs and related LED technology have proliferated in modern society, especially since many companies don't follow basic IEEE standards for flicker protection established in 2015.

No matter the verdict, though, this is a true victory for users looking for hope of relief in the future. Companies like Google are listening, and that's a big deal for anyone affected.

Well, the history of the Pixel Watch, up to this point, invokes one of my favorite memes from that movie. With the Pixel Watch one and two, Google had my curiosity, and with the larger Pixel Watch 3, Google had my attention.

Can the Pixel Watch 4 keep my attention and earn my love? After my interview with Google’s Pixel Watch 4 design manager, Lily Darling, and Ryan Krems, who’s on the product team, focusing on the software side of things, it sounds like an experience that may indeed tug on my heartstrings. Hear me them out…

From ideation to jubilation: The teams behind the design

Lily Darling is responsible for a lot of the visual and motion changes you’re going to see on the Pixel Watch 4, so we began our interview with her behind-the-scenes take on the upgrades Google’s hoping you’re going to love.

Lily: You're going to see this is the most robust design and system overhaul since the first Pixel Watch. So this is really going to signal a big step change there. And something we've really focused on is making the hardware and the software really feel cohesive as one. And that was something very, very important to us from the beginning. And then the other part of this was really making your phone or your foldable also really match your watch for the first time. So we hadn't had that level of cohesion, either.

You’ve heard about the domed display and how it’s the first of its kind. So much was inspired by that, the shape, the motion, the color, and then how everything comes together.

And, we had this challenge of how are we going to make a user interface that is as beautiful to enhance that dome display? So that was one part of the challenge. And then we also had research from multiple design studies, which we conducted, that told us that our users really appreciate user interfaces that aren't just functional, but are truly expressive. And so this evolved into a design system update that became Material 3 Expressive, which really built on our kind of 2020 update, which was called Material You.

We're looking at, you know, how the bands look when you use different tones, and when you see different shapes underneath the glass, what does the glass do?

Lily would go on to talk about how important fluidity was and how that translated into scrolling animations, springy buttons, and motion physics across Pixel phones and watches. But this year, they took that multiple steps further with the new, brighter, domed display with buttons and on-screen elements that hug the dome’s curves and don’t waste space.

From a more functional perspective, though, this was the year of “cohesion,” which meant bringing the level of user interface customizability from the phone to the watch.

Lily: The color that you choose for your watch face now themes your entire system and Google Apps, and that's kind of a game changer that just really makes the device feel like yours. And there's so much choice. With the themes, we're able to pull all the color swatches, all the bands together, and develop palettes that have something that's extremely wearable for everyone.

Lily: One of my new favorites [watchfaces] is Corsa. It's so beautiful. It has all these finely crafted indices that rotate around the display. And it's got an analog feel, but it has this really stylish contemporary feel as well. And when you add it with these colorways, you get these kind of unexpected results that feel just super fresh. We really can’t wait for [the public] to see it. When you hold it, you have a sensory feeling with it, and then you see the UI come to life.

This is all playing out this year thanks to a Pixel Watch 4 Actua 360 display that has 10% more pixels and 16% smaller bezels. The team really focused on moving everything that appears on the watchfaces out to the edges of that Actua 360 but there’s much more to the hardware and software improvements, some significant evolutions that Ryan dove into.

Ryan: With Pixel Watch 4, we have a new co-processor. That new co-processor is 25% more performant, but more importantly, it's 50% more efficient. So this really helps drive that improved battery life for your all-day scenarios, because that's powering your all-day tracking for health, fitness, and your motion. [For example] your race to talk algorithms, those are all running on that co-processor.

For our stated [battery life] numbers, we have 30 hours for our 41 millimeter and 40 hours for our 45 millimeter. So a 25% increase in general. Then, on the battery saver mode, we'll have two days for the 41 millimeter and three days for the 45 millimeter.

With that "new" Cortex-M55 co-processor, I also needed to know how the inclusion of Gemini plays out in your daily fitness routines, along with the new AI coach in the Fitbit app. There wasn’t a lot of information they could provide at the moment on Gemini, but Ryan did tell me that the new AI coach experience within the Fitbit app will be driven by not only the Pixel Watch but legacy and current Fitbit devices as well. That will be part of the new Fitbit app experience and will see some expansion over time.

Though the Pixel Watch line doesn’t currently have a “rugged” version like Samsung or Apple, the team has implemented some hardware features that compete with the “Ultras.” The most important is L5, or dual-band GPS.

When our resident wearables reviewer, Michael Hicks, gets his hands on the Pixel Watch 4, we’ll see how reliable that implementation is, but the fact that it's there is a promising addition to the offering.

Another new charger? Yes. Another new charger

Something not as grandiose as dual-band GPS is a quality-of-life improvement. Those may sound like little things on paper, but in practice, they can make a big difference in how you use a product. In this instance, one of their most significant improvements may irk some users: another new charger.

I’ll have to see for myself when I have my time with the watch, but the gains from this year’s charger might do a lot to assuage some frustrations.

Ryan: There is this journey, though, between just the device's battery life and also the charging and the time to charge. So with this cradle, we're able to get 25% improved charging over the Pixel Watch 3, which had improved charging over the two, right? We're now zero to 50% in 15 minutes. It is a shocking difference. It changes the way you use the watch.

As we talked more about this, Ryan clued me in on one other seemingly slight improvement that I gladly welcome: you no longer need to worry about aligning the watch on the charger correctly. With the Pixel Watch 3, placing it on the charger is like plugging in an old school USB cable; which direction is the right one? The new charger is more frictionless in that regard.

Ryan: For the side charging and our cradle, we came about this through a very diligent process. You’ll feel it when you have this cradle. It just snaps right in [so] you don't have to align anything. You go place your watch, the UI rotates, and it shows you the time. It shows you the current charge level, and the time to full.

Some bits about fitness. Fitbits?

We also talked about the fitness features and what improvements we’ll see there. You already know now that there is dual-band GPS for outdoor enthusiasts, but what about those of us “gym rats” who prioritize rep counting over satellite connectivity for our fitness needs?

Ryan: On the device, we've improved our activity recognition. [Pixel Watch 4] has a much deeper set of underlying machine learning models to more accurately categorize your workout events, and then it will grow and learn over time as well. We also have bike transmit. This turns your phone into a bike computer. You transmit all of your stats [from your watch] to your phone as you're commuting on your bike.

Closing expressions

Of all the Q&As that took place over the course of this interview, one of the notes that stood out to me most was this quote below. I’ll touch on why in a moment.

Lily: I think that the fact that we were thinking across form factor, not just about the watch, we were really thinking like, what does this decision mean for every form factor? How do we bring that cohesion, but also bring things that feel very bespoke and right for the watch, since it's round, you know, versus the phone or foldable?

For me, what has made Samsung Galaxy and Apple watches stand out over the years, above and beyond watches whose form factors I may have liked more, is the cohesion within their respective ecosystems. Those watches feel like true extensions of their phones and tablets, but with features that make the watches unique and feel much more valuable than just being a second screen for your phone, as they did in the early days of smartwatches.

With the Pixel Watch 4, it seems that Google’s wearable line may hit its stride, and provide that Google ecosystem cohesion that has made its competition tough to beat in the wearable space, unless you’re a triathlete looking for a very niche, sport-specific wearable.

And if that’s the case, I’ll gladly throw out another Leonardo DiCaprio meme because more high-quality options for consumers are always worth celebrating.

If someone told me a year ago that the 2025 Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold would be the first to have full IP68 water and dust resistance, I might have laughed at them. It's not that Google's hardware team is incompetent or anything, just that I expected a company like Samsung or Honor to achieve this milestone first.

Yet, here I was, staring down at the world's first IP68 foldable phone, and it had Google's DNA all over it. Not only that, but the enhanced glass, sleeker aluminum housing, notably better Tensor G5, bigger battery, and seven years of updates suggest that thinner isn't always better. Durable is.

For more news and information on Google's latest phones, check out our Ultimate Guide.

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Specs

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: A nip and a tuck

Like the other Pixel 10 models, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold looks just like last year's model until you put them side-by-side. For example, the new hinge, which allows the phone to be fully IP68 water and dust resistant, is notably slimmer.

The most noticeable visual change with the bezels is the left edge, which is now nearly flush with the phone's frame. It doesn't look awkward like last year's model, and that's a huge improvement! The "bezel" around the back glass is reduced by the same amount, as well.

Likewise, Google gave all the aluminum parts around the phone a gentle coat of color, so your Jade or Moonstone Pixel 10 Pro Fold looks far more vibrant than last year's rather boring color choices. The Moonstone's blue camera module looks particularly striking with this new effect.

While the new hinge added significant durability enhancements to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold and slimmed up the bezels, it also made the phone just a smidgen thicker.

Of course, we're talking 0.1mm thicker when unfolded and only 0.3mm thicker when folded. Not a big deal at all, although that makes it a few millimeters thicker than its closest competition, the Honor Magic V5 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.

Unlike the rest of the Pixel 10 lineup, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold still has a physical SIM tray in all markets. That SIM tray was relocated to the top of the phone, and Google was still able to remove the mmWave "pill" as it did on the other Pixel 10 phones without removing the physical SIM tray. Curious.

The displays have been improved once again, now sporting stronger glass both inside and out, plus additional peak brightness of 3000 nits max on both the inner and outer displays. Both displays are the same size as the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The outer screen is still LTPS, though, so it only supports 60-120Hz refresh rates. Meanwhile, the LTPO inner display supports the full 1-120Hz range.

Google's new accessibility feature for PWM-sensitive people is also here, but it only works on the inner display. I'm not sure this will actually help anyone unless they actively avoid the outer display, but we'll see in our full review.

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Cameras and features

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold shares several new features with the mainline Pixel 10. The Fold supports the new Pixelsnap system, including 15W Qi2 charging with a built-in magnetic connector, so you don't need a case to get magnetic Qi2 charging. Pixelsnap also enables a really cool new set of screensavers, making the Pixel 10 Pro Fold feel a lot like a docked Pixel Tablet when unfolded.

Additionally, the battery in the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is nearly 400mAh larger than the one in the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, which should add a few hours of use to each charge.

Google upgraded the 48MP main rear camera this year and included support for the new 100x Pro Level Zoom feature from the rest of the Pixel 10 Pro lineup. Based on my brief hands-on time, this is a really impressive feature that might give Google a serious camera edge once again.

Google also added three new "Made you look" animated characters for the front display this year, adding to the fun when trying to get a picture of a smiling child.

One more camera software update comes in the form of "Instant View," which is activated when using the camera on the unfolded inner display. This keeps the camera viewfinder on the right side while recent photo thumbnails are on the left side in a scrollable list.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is also seeing some notable multitasking improvements. Images can now be dragged and dropped from one app to another while using split screen, making media sharing between apps simpler.

You can also now save app pairs, creating a custom app pair icon on the home screen for quick launching. Lastly, Google adopted the OnePlus Open's 90:10 split screen functionality, which makes it easy to put one app "to the side" and quickly swap between two apps with just a tap.

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: A solid update

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold may not look like the most exciting update at first, but a slew of hardware improvements, a faster and more efficient processor, new AI tricks, including camera quality improvements, and a bigger battery mean this phone will be much nicer to use every day.

Combine that with Pixelsnap magnetic wireless charging and a seven-year OS upgrade guarantee, and you've got a foldable phone that you won't want to put down for a long time.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold starts at $1799, and preorders begin August 20, 2025. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is expected to launch on October 9, 2025. We've still got some time until its release, so be sure to preorder now and stay tuned for more Pixel 10 Pro Fold coverage!

For more news and information on Google's latest phones, check out our Ultimate Guide.

Google's Pixel Watch 3 proved that the third time's the charm, bringing a new size, a new chip, and surprisingly capable performance and battery life that have continued to impress us to this day. With the Pixel Watch 4, Google has the daunting task of improving on an already great smartwatch while competing with some heavyweights from Samsung and OnePlus.

The Pixel Watch 4 seems fit for the task, thanks to a refined design, an upgraded Snapdragon chip, and some new AI smarts. Some changes, like the new charger, may annoy users at first glance, although it becomes clear very quickly why Google is switching things up.

For more news and information on Google's latest smartwatch, check out our Ultimate Guide.

Google Pixel Watch 4: Specs

Google Pixel Watch 4: Curves and colors

The Pixel Watch 4 looks nearly identical to the Pixel Watch 3, but Google made the interesting choice to include a domed display underneath the glass. It's a very slight curve, but it's noticeable enough, and it may not appeal to everyone. However, it's clearly meant to accentuate the new Wear OS 6 Material 3 Expressive UI while pushing content as close to the glass as possible.

Wear OS 6 itself is a visual departure from previous versions of the OS. Elements are decked out in various colors based on a set theme, and the UI itself has evolved to better contour to round watch displays. This is probably the best way that Google has been able to make the most out of its screen real estate, which can feel cramped when compared to square smartwatches like the Apple Watch.

Surprisingly, the watch is the same size and thickness as its predecessor, despite the larger battery. Holding the Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Watch 3 side-by-side, I didn't notice a difference in size or weight between the two, although the former's display is noticeably brighter.

Google Pixel Watch 4: More battery, another charger

The Pixel Watch 4 is estimated to last nearly twice as long as its predecessor, with up to 40 hours on a single charge with AOD enabled (for the 45mm model). I'm inclined to believe this, as the 45mm Pixel Watch 3 still manages roughly two full days on a single charge, although I tend to keep it on gesture wake.

It would have been nice to see additional battery life gains comparable to the OnePlus Watch 3, which can achieve as much as five days, but I'll take what I can get. Of course, we'll have to test further to see just how far we can push it, but our experience tells us that Google might be a bit modest in its estimates.

Yes, Google included yet another charger in the Pixel Watch, but I have hopes for this new unit. It charges the Pixel Watch from the side, which actually makes a lot more sense. It's also able to charge the watch much faster, with Google claiming 50% in just 15 minutes and a full charge in an hour or under, depending on the size.

It seems much more reliable than the current charger for the Pixel Watch 3, which is my biggest gripe with the outgoing model. When on the charger, the watch display rotates, showing you the time and letting you swipe through your tiles without disturbing the charging. And if it gets misaligned, the watch will warn you so you can avoid returning later to find that your watch hasn't, in fact, been charging.

Google Pixel Watch 4: If a chicken had lips, could it whistle?

The Pixel Watch 4 is getting smarter, and it all starts with Gemini. Thanks to the power of the Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 and on-device Gemini Nano capabilities, you might actually want to use the smart replies. I tested it with a pretty basic text prompt, inquiring about a football game, and it provided some expected suggestions. So I tried something a little more random and philosophical. To my surprise, it responded somewhat appropriately.

But perhaps the coolest Gemini feature is Raise to Talk. You can evoke Gemini just by raising your wrist, no wake word or buttons to press. It reminds me a lot of Look and Talk on the Razr Ultra, which triggers Moto AI just by looking at the phone, although this method seems a bit more natural.

In lieu of an actual AI button, Raise to Talk is the sort of thing I would love to see on a Pixel phone to make Gemini more readily available, so I'm glad to see it on the Pixel Watch.

Google Pixel Watch 4: Coming soon... ish

The Pixel Watch 4 may not seem like a big upgrade visually, but there are enough upgrades here to keep this a fresh smartwatch, even when compared to the previous Pixel Watch 3 or newer Galaxy Watch 8. It's the first commercially available smartwatch with satellite SOS connectivity, it features upgraded dual-frequency GPS, and Google finally made it easily repairable with a replaceable display and battery.

I didn't get to try the new Fitbit features like Activity Recognition or the new AI coaching, which won't be available until October, but as a fitness enthusiast, I'm excited to see what the Pixel Watch 4 can offer me.

The Pixel Watch 4 starts at $349 and is available for preorder as of today, August 20. Unfortunately, you'll have to wait a while to grab one, as it won't hit store shelves until October 9.

For more news and information on Google's latest smartwatch, check out our Ultimate Guide.

It's been a long road for Qi2 and MagSafe in Android devices. Qi2 was announced in January 2023, and now, a whopping two and a half years later, we're finally getting flagship Android phones with the magnets built in.

The Google Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold all support the full Qi2 standard, including magnetic connections on the back, all without a case or other accessories. Up until now, phones like the OnePlus 13 and Galaxy S25 Ultra required a case with MagSafe magnets built in for this functionality.

While the best MagSafe accessories will all work with any Pixel 10 phone, Google's own line of Qi2 accessories is called Pixelsnap. At the Pixel 10's launch on August 28, Google will sell a Pixelsnap Ring Stand, Pixelsnap Charger, and all of the official Pixel 10 cases will include a Pixelsnap magnet inside.

For more news and information on Google's latest phones, check out our Ultimate Guide.

Pixelsnap Charger hands-on

Google's Pixelsnap Charger is a wireless charging puck that you can get with a silicone stand that the charger sits in. This charges the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold at 15W.

The Pixel 10 Pro XL gets the advantage of 25W Qi2.2 wireless charging thanks to its larger size and better thermals. In fact, it's the first phone in the world to support this new Qi2.2 standard.

You can dock any of the Pixel 10 phones in landscape or portrait mode, and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold can even be docked folded or unfolded. It's very versatile!

When a Pixel 10 connects to this puck, it'll enter docked mode and display the time, date, weather, and battery percentage by default. For me, though, the real draw of this docked functionality comes in the Home Controls dock option.

This makes your Pixel 10 feel like a Pixel Tablet, complete with a Google Photos picture slideshow and an easy-to-use dashboard for smart home control.

The Pixelsnap Charger starts at $39.99, and the Pixelsnap Charger with Stand starts at $69.99.

Pixelsnap Ring Stand and case hands-on

The Pixelsnap Ring is a two-in-one accessory that magnetically snaps on the back of the Pixel 10. The backside of the Ring features a lovely felt fabric material to keep your phone from getting scratched and makes a tight magnetic connection that won't fall off unless you intentionally try to remove it.

The ring feels fairly similar to the Spigen MagSafe ring, my favorite MagSafe phone ring, but is quite a bit larger and shinier. Since it's larger and the hinge holds the ring in any position, the ring doubles as a kickstand for the phone. As Qi2 magnets allow rotation, you can position the ring at any position around the circle, making it ultra handy.

The Pixelsnap Ring Stand starts at $29.99.

All official Google Pixel 10 family cases also come with Pixelsnap rings inside them. This ensures that any Pixelsnap accessory or other MagSafe accessories still work with your Pixel 10 if you prefer to have a case on your phone. Pixelsnap cases start at $49.99.

These cases feel nearly identical to Google's previous Pixel cases, including rugged silicone builds that make the otherwise slippery phone surprisingly easy to hold. All the buttons have an additional shiny plastic cover that looks like metal, ensuring they're easy to click and immediately identifiable.

Like the Pixelsnap Ring, the inside of each case is lined with a felt-like material, ensuring your phone stays scratch-free while wearing the case. Google sells each case in a variety of colors for each Pixel 10 model. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold Pixelsnap case comes with an additional frame for the front of the phone to protect the outer display.

For more news and information on Google's latest phones, check out our Ultimate Guide.

At first glance, the Pixel 10 series looks like Google's most boring release in ages. I can't remember the last time a Pixel phone looked identical to the previous year's model, but looking at it like that feels a lot like judging a book by its cover.

Inside is a brand new processor, the first Google-designed fully in-house without Samsung's help, and represents the biggest leap for Pixels since the original Tensor G1's 2021 release. The Pixel 10 is also the first major Android phone series with Qi2 MagSafe support, the first U.S. Android phone without a physical SIM slot, and a lot of other firsts for Google that you'll be impressed with.

In this hands-on article, we're focusing on the base Google Pixel 10, as well as the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL. If you're interested in reading about Google's third-generation foldable phone, check out our Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold hands-on!

For more news and information on Google's latest phones, check out our Ultimate Guide.

Google Pixel 10: Specs

Google Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL

While the Google Pixel 10's back might be a reflective nightmare, the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL both sport lovely matte glass backs. Curiously enough, Google also swapped out the Pixel 10's matte side rails with shiny ones on the Pro models, giving these phones a polar opposite look. I far prefer the Pro's choice of materials here.

U.S. models of both Pro phones also look sleeker than ever, thanks to the removal of the 5G mmWave "pill" and the SIM tray. I'm not a fan of removing the physical SIM tray, but it does visually look a little nicer to have symmetrical speaker grilles on the bottom instead of one speaker and one SIM tray slot.

The Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL ship in Moonstone, Jade, Porcelain, and Obsidian colorways. While Moonstone is what Google calls the "flagship" color for this year, I think the Jade color is the one that really stands out.

Of course, the real star of the hardware upgrades this year is Pixelsnap, a new set of magnets inside all Pixel 10 models that allow Qi2 charging and support all MagSafe attachments. That marks the first flagship Android phone series with proper MagSafe support without the need for a Qi2 case.

Google has slimmed up the metal frame around the camera modules, and this gives the appearance of bigger, better sensors (even though this is the same camera hardware on the Pixel 9 Pro). Any of the new improvements in camera quality are thanks to Tensor G5 and the new Google-built ISP.

Pro Level Zoom got a huge upgrade on Pixel 10 Pro models and now allows users to zoom up to 100x away with the phone's camera using an on-device LLM model specifically trained for image enhancement. We'll have to see how this stacks up against Samsung's 100x Space Zoom.

This year's displays feature a slight bump in brightness, up to a 3300-nit peak, in addition to a long-awaited new accessibility feature for PWM-sensitive people. This new feature, located in accessibility settings, claims to "improve the viewing experience for sensitive eyes."

We weren't able to do any in-depth testing on this new feature, but we were able to pick up a visual change in PWM rate with a 1/6400 camera shutter speed.

Google Pixel 10

Aside from the new Tensor G5 chipset, the Pixel 10 now features a third camera on the back, adding a 5x telephoto lens. We couldn’t be happier about this change, as its omission was one of the main points that separated the Pixel 9 from other similarly-priced phones, such as the Galaxy S25.

The new sensor extends the Pixel’s digital zoom range to 20x, up from 8x, and while it can't match the 30x zoom of some competitors, it's great to see Google pushing its base model to new heights.

Unfortunately, despite the new chip and added telephoto lens, Google still restrains the Pixel 10 capabilities. You won’t find full-resolution photos, Pro Res 100x zoom, Pro Controls, Video Boost, Night Sight video, or 8K video recording. None of these are deal-breakers for me, but it’s unfortunate that Google is still gatekeeping these features behind the more expensive models.

Fortunately, you still get full Qi2 support on the base Pixel 10.

The design is largely the same as the Pixel 9, which isn’t a bad thing, especially when you look at the new Indigo color option. It’s a nod to the limited-edition Really Blue color that arrived with the original Pixel, and it’s probably my favorite color of the entire Pixel 10 series, although I'm not a huge fan of the glossy finish. Still, I hope this color sticks around, as the other options, Lemongrass, Obsidian, and Iris, are pretty boring.

Other changes include a larger battery, a brighter display, and improved stereo speakers. Curiously, Google downgraded the Pixel 10 to Wi-Fi 6E from Wi-Fi 7 on the Pixel 9. However, I don’t think this is a significant issue, as Wi-Fi 7 routers aren't exactly ubiquitous, although others may not be as happy.

Google Pixel 10: New features

The Pixel 10 family is packed with new features, and, as you might imagine, many of them revolve around AI.

First up is Camera Coach, which can be activated in the camera viewfinder and uses Gemini's visual scene understanding to give you shot suggestions for what it sees, walking you through how to capture the look step-by-step. The things we tried at the hands-on were extremely impressive, and it felt like having an actual "camera coach" with me to help frame the shot.

Auto Best Take does exactly what's printed on the tin: it removes the need to switch to the gallery and manually select the "best" faces in a shot. The viewfinder automatically identifies faces in a shot using a white frame, then selects a "best" face in a series of images with a gold-trimmed frame.

Tensor will work its magic and automatically swap out faces with the best versions in what it identifies as the best overall image.

Edit with Ask Photos is a simple new way to edit your photos using natural language. Instead of delving through menus to find functions like the reflection eraser, you can now ask Gemini in Google Photos to remove them or do things like add sunglasses to a photo of a llama.

And for added convenience, every single photo taken is marked with content credentials that identify if it was edited by AI. Even photos without any AI editing contain these credentials, letting you know when something is too good-looking to be true.

Magic Cue is the next evolution of smart actions on Pixel phones, giving users more context-sensitive actions throughout the entire OS. This includes new buttons (called chips) in Google Messages when addresses or calendar events are detected, as well as relevant information in places like the Dialer app.

The example above showed flight information found in Gmail on the screen when calling United Airlines.

Morning Brief is essentially Google's answer to Samsung's Now Brief and will summarize what it thinks is essential for your day when you first pick up your phone in the morning. Hopefully, it's a lot better than Samsung's rather unimpressive solution.

Pixel Journal essentially combines Google Keep and Pixel Screenshots into one new app. It wasn't immediately clear how this differs from those two apps or if it effectively combines functionalities, so we'll have to further test it in the review.

We also got a taste of live call translation, which uses on-device AI to emulate your voice speaking an entirely different language in real-time.

Google Pixel 10: A new era

Three new Pixel 10 phones mark the start of a new era for Google, one in which Google is more in charge of its smartphone destiny than ever. Brand new custom silicon, a refined design, and a slew of new exclusive features mark a surprisingly important release in the Pixel series, especially when you consider how similar these look to the Pixel 9 on the surface.

The phones are available for preorder as of today, August 20, and start at $799 for the base Pixel 10. The trio of phones will hit store shelves on August 28.

For more news and information on Google's latest phones, check out our Ultimate Guide.

The title of "slimest smartphone in the world" isn't one that's easily slung around. Honor has captured the, ahem, honor of the title two years in a row now, first with the Magic V3 in 2024 and now with the vegan leather Magic V5 this year.

But that crown usually means tradeoffs that aren't always desirable. Thankfully, between impressive battery tech and class-leading camera AI, Honor is able to make an ultra-thin foldable phone that doesn't feel like using a big old collection of compromises.

I got the opportunity to further discuss this with Luo Wei, Chief Imaging Architect at Honor, and find out what makes the Honor Magic V5's cameras tick and how they can often be so much better than the competition.

Zoom in on that detail

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 might measure as thin as some Honor Magic V5 models, but its telephoto sensor is half the size of Honor's. Even the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold uses a smaller camera sensor that was common in flagship phones 10 years ago.

Meanwhile, the Honor Magic V5 uses a huge 1/2-inch 64MP sensor behind a 3.5x telephoto lens. Not only that, but Honor is using the Magic V5 to launch its new AiMAGE software backend. That gives it the clear advantage of physics, in addition to a tried-and-true AI-powered computational layer.

Wei explained AiMAGE this way: "Building on the imaging advancements of the HONOR Magic7 Pro and HONOR Magic V3, the HONOR Magic V5 delivers even finer detail through an AI RAW model powered by device-cloud synergy. Whether shooting on the main or telephoto camera, this intelligent model enhances texture and definition with striking precision."

The shot I took above perfectly illustrates what Wei was talking about when he said AiMAGE "enhances texture and definition with striking precision." The amount of texture in the Honor Magic V5's shot, especially compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, is simply unreal.

The use of physically larger sensors also ensures the Honor Magic V5's images come out looking more like images taken from a dedicated camera instead of a phone. This image I took of a blueberry bush at 3.5x from the standard photo mode perfectly showcases what a large sensor can do: incredible depth of field without the need to use software portrait mode calculations.

Ironically, Wei told me he believes "2025 marks a turning point where AI breakthroughs allow smartphones to overcome hardware limitations, making high-end photography easier and more accessible, even for entry-level users. With more direct and intuitive interactions, AI takes on the heavy lifting once reserved for professional photographers."

And that brings me right back to AI, of course. Honor launched AI Super Zoom with the Honor Magic 7 Pro earlier this year, but the Magic V5's implementation of it goes even further than on that phone. "It is the industry’s first solution to utilizes a powerful fusion of multi-frame super-resolution and generative reconstruction, powered by multiple transformer-based algorithms deployed in the cloud. This breakthrough allows HONOR to significantly enhance image clarity and fidelity, especially at extreme zoom levels."

I left AI Super Zoom off for all of the photos on this page except this one, where I very specifically tried to find a detailed subject at 100x zoom to see what it could do. The results didn't disappoint.

As a photographer, using generative AI to create photos feels a bit dirty. But I think there's room for AI enhancement where it makes sense, and that begins at extreme zoom levels from a smartphone camera sensor.

Wei agreed and built upon that, saying, "while generative AI tools like Midjourney are now commonly used for text-to-image, image-to-image, and even video generation, we believe photography is ultimately about being present in the moment. Fully AI-generated visuals can often feel impersonal and lack emotional depth. That’s why we believe real-world capture, combined with AI-powered enhancement, offers the most meaningful results."

A lot of this hybrid AI approach plays out behind the scenes, even in functions you might not expect. "On-device AI is responsible for time-sensitive tasks such as focus tracking, exposure adjustment, real-time semantic segmentation, and initial enhancement, ensuring instant feedback with low power consumption," Wei told me.

That ensures that your data stays local when you want it to, yet can still benefit from brilliant AI-powered tricks like automatic motion capture. The photo you see above, for instance, was automatically captured by the Magic V5. I didn't press the shutter button at all, just pointed the camera where I knew my son would jump, and I ended up with a fantastic photo.

The other two photos were taken manually from a Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold and a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. They turned out just fine, but you'll notice the Honor Magic V5 did a better job with both movement clarity and exposure of the subject. Google's photo has pixel-by-pixel movement artifacts, while Samsung's image is a bit on the dark side.

And, when you want that enhanced zoom detail beyond 30x, you can toggle the AI Super Zoom button that appears in the viewfinder to utilize cloud processing. "Cloud-based AI supports post-processing functions like advanced denoising, detail enhancement, and stylization, enabled via HONOR’s collaboration with Google Cloud and self-developed large vision models."

Wei added that "this approach allows users to enjoy professional-level results without compromising speed or privacy," and that "Honor is committed to protecting user privacy and has implemented a comprehensive and industry-leading information security system. As a global company, we ensure our product solutions fully comply with local laws and regulations in every market where we operate."

Honor's partnership with Google Cloud for its AI-driven tasks helps reduce some of the uncertainty brought about by the nebulous concept of cloud computing.

Of course, you still need at least decent hardware in a smartphone to achieve good results, even if AI is helping enhance the image, and that's not easy in a phone that's 4.1mm thin. You'll notice the camera bump on the back of the Magic V5 is larger than the competition, despite the phone being thinner, and that was a purposeful decision on Honor's behalf.

"A 64MP sensor with 1/2-inch size and f/2.5 aperture strikes the ideal balance for telephoto photography, enabling 3x optical and up to 100x digital zoom, with enhanced clarity and fidelity - especially when paired with our AI Super Zoom," Wei said.

The Magic V5's telephoto sensor is nearly twice as large as the Galaxy Z Fold 7's, and that makes a massive difference in real-world zoom quality, even at more reasonable zoom levels like 10x. One look at the gorgeous depth of field on the Magic V5's shot below compared to the extremely flat-looking shot from the Z Fold 7 and you'll start to understand why sensor size matters a lot.

So where does this take smartphone-based AI in the future? Wei says he believes that "on-device AI can empower consumers by conducting all processing directly on their smartphones or personal devices, ensuring that data remains secure and is not exposed to external threats," but that there's still plenty of room for more powerful cloud computing to take over when the user wants it.

"We believe that smartphone photography is entering the era of intent-driven imaging, where users express creative goals and the device interprets and executes them. AI will play a central role, not only in scene capture but also in pre-shot guidance, real-time correction, and intelligent editing."

We're seeing some of this play out on other phones, where AI is being used to help coach users on how to take better shots using the live scene data gathered from the smartphone's camera.

"We foresee seamless integration of generative models, volumetric capture, and adaptive aesthetics that personalize imagery based on mood or purpose, while keeping user control and authenticity at the core," Wei told me. "HONOR is investing deeply in this direction, aiming to turn smartphones into both lenses and storytellers."

If there's any one place I can get behind AI, it's when it helps a human do a better job rather than doing the job for the person. The fact that Honor seems to be pushing this avenue is encouraging to me, and it makes me feel great about using a generative approach to enhance certain imagery rather than making up for bad hardware with hallucinating AI agents.

I'm also really good at researching data about everything — that's a big part of our job here at Android Central — and I love to help people (another big part of our job!). If you have questions about your tech, I'd love to talk about them.

Email me at askjerryac@gmail.com, and I'll try to get things sorted out. You can remain anonymous if you like, and we promise we're not sharing anything we don't cover here.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Now you can customize your Google News feed

Google just made it easy to curate your own news "top Stories" in search. I've already had a few people write in to find out exactly how to do it and why you might want to.

It's a good question for something more important than you may realize, so let's answer it!

Top stories is one of those sections that shows up at the top of any Google Search results. You might love it or hate it, but that doesn't matter because it's there. You might as well make use of it.

A good way to do that is to choose where those top stories come from. Usually, Google tries a mix of taking what's relevant and what's popular to decide where search results go, but that doesn't always work best for us. Sometimes, we just want to see what a place we trust has to say. Thankfully, it's pretty simple to set up.

• Open up the Google home page and search for something you're interested in. I chose the Pixel 10 as my example.
• At the top, you'll see a section of "Top stories" and a little "+" icon to its right. Click or tap that icon.
• A new box will pop open that says "Choose your preferred sources."
• In the search box, right below the title, type in the name or home page URL of a site from which you want to pull news. I typed in Android Central, but www.androidcentral.com would have worked exactly the same.
• You'll see a list of relevant results (in this case, our website and forum) that you can choose from. Pick what you like.
• Finally, click or tap the "Reload results" button at the bottom to dismiss the pop-up and reload using your preferences. From now on, every time I search, Android Central will be featured.

Why you should choose Android Central as a preferred news source

There are plenty of great tech and Android websites out there that would be great preferred sources. We think Android Central is one of them.

We're experts at what we do and we never stop learning more. Whether talking about a new phone in the works, rumors about the next phone in the works. or discussing the Google Ecosystem itself we have you covered for the best news and editorial content.

Why choosing a preferred site is important

It's time for a little bit of "inside baseball." What you see when you do a web search probably isn't what you think it is because of what's called SEO (Search Engine Optimization).

It's an entire industry developed around getting search results near the top of search engines like Google, and it's huge. It can be a good thing, but like all good things, it can be easily abused.

Have you ever searched for something and ended up at a link that's just a lot of garbage or short blurbs pulled from other websites? Someone tried really hard to make that happen by paying close attention to the way search engines use keywords and relevant topics. If you put the right words in the right places, you can make your way to the front page of Google without actually writing anything.

News websites try to fight it by balancing content with the right keywords in a way that isn't going to trigger anything from the search engine that would look bad. Companies like Google fight hard against disingenuous SEO techniques because you don't want to end up on a junk website. They're constantly changing the science behind how this works, but SEO factories are working just as hard to stay a step ahead of the changes.

In the end, both the end-users and the legitimate news websites are the ones getting the short end of the stick. As a news website, we're constantly monitoring how we can get quality articles out there so you can easily find them. Sometimes, it doesn't work as well as we'd like. Every legitimate website goes through this.

If you want to see what Android Central has to say about the coming Pixel 10 launch, you want to see that in your results. The same goes for any website and any subject. Now, you'll see articles from the places you want to read and trust the most.

Making Google work in a way that's better for you is always worth doing.

Does the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold support Qi2 magnetic charging?

What you need to know about Qi2 on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold

Google officially launched the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold on Aug. 20, although the device's release date for retail availability is Oct. 9. Following a live Made by Google event, we now know everything about the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, including its battery and charging specifications.

While the concept of magnetic charging was introduced in 2020 with the iPhone 12, Android phones have been slow to adopt Qi2 — essentially a universal version of MagSafe created by the Wireless Power Consortium. Aside from one niche device, the HMD Skyline, there wasn't a single other Android phone that fully supported Qi2 with inbuilt magnets — until now.

The entire Google Pixel 10 series, including the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, supports Qi2. It has magnets built right into the phone for a quick, snap connection with chargers and accessories.

The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold supports the base Qi2 specification, which means it can charge at up to 15W wirelessly, with higher speeds reserved for Qi2-certified chargers. It's worth noting that one phone in the Pixel 10 lineup, the Pixel 10 Pro XL, supports the newer Qi2.2 25W spec, so it can charge at faster speeds. Unfortunately, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold misses out on this feature.

That said, magnetic Qi2 support on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is one way it beats competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. Really, Google is trying to come for Apple's MagSafe ecosystem with its own Pixelsnap accessory portfolio. There are rings, cases, stands, and chargers branded with the Pixelsnap name that are made for the Pixel 10 lineup specifically — including the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

We've already gone hands-on with Pixelsnap, the accessory and charging ecosystem built around magnetic Qi2 support on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. If you're considering an upgrade, we've also tried the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold for ourselves.

For more news and information on Google's latest phones, check out our Ultimate Guide.

Many running watches offer marathon training plans. Now that I'm signed up for the Garmin Tucson marathon in November, just three months out, I have to decide quickly which plan to try. Should I trust a smartwatch algorithm to give me a personalized marathon training plan, or use a running coach plan from TrainingPeaks?

It's been a few years since I last ran a marathon. When Garmin offered a media invite to run in its first Garmin Marathon series, I knew I'd have to ramp up my mileage quickly, but intelligently, so I don't overtrain and crash out.

I've reviewed pretty much every running watch under the sun, but whether I use my Garmin Forerunner 970 or another device, my success or failure will depend on the workout plan, more than the hardware.

So I decided to sit down and compare every smartwatch marathon training plan, to see which would best prepare me for the Garmin marathon series.

Every smartwatch-based marathon training plan for beginners

Very few smartwatches recommend long-term training plans. Suunto outsources its plans to TrainingPeaks. Fitbit offers daily Run Coach recs, but nothing cohesive. Apple Fitness+ focuses on indoor workouts. I only know of a few running watches with proper marathon guidance!

GARMIN: Available through Run Coach, Garmin's marathon training plans last 16 weeks. The beginner plan has zone-2 easy runs, zone-4 threshold pace runs, and fartlek runs, with one long run every weekend.

Between three weekly runs, Garmin recommends two cross-training days per week, for bodyweight exercises, yoga, swimming, or cycling.

The intermediate plan expects five workouts per week, but isn't that different. It recommends weekly intervals and has more back-to-back run days, plus longer long runs, but still mixes in rest and cross-training days.

Garmin's training load philosophy emphasizes low aerobic and anaerobic variety to improve VO2 Max, plus strength training to optimize your form. I'm normally all about this philosophy, but frankly, if I'm going to increase my workout days per week and hit my marathon target, I need to spend most of my time focused on mileage. Next marathon, I'll worry about speed and power.

COROS: COROS has 15 marathon training plans, targeting specific finish times or 12-to-20-week schedules. Many target pro runners that hit 50–100 miles per week, but COROS also caters to mere mortals like myself.

COROS' 4-hour, 12-week plan expects you to run five times per week for 25–40 miles. Most are short aerobic endurance runs, with the occasional "marathon pace" run and long, fast runs on Sundays.

This 4:00 marathon pace plan, conversely, schedules four runs per week for 15–25 miles. But nearly every run has you mixing easy pacing with 15-second strides or 400m pickups, eventually progressing to intervals and inverted pyramids. You get more rest days, but rarely take an easy run.

Either way, COROS emphasizes mileage over cross-training, letting you decide if you want to focus on speed work or how far you're willing to go per week. I'm pretty impressed with what they have to offer.

POLAR: The Polar running program has you input how many days per week you're willing to run and how long, plus how hard you typically find running. It then creates a 100-day marathon training plan.

If you're a Light runner, Polar has you do a medium run every Monday and Friday, intervals on Wednesdays, and a long run on Sunday. Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday are reserved for cross-training: Strength, mobility, and core exercises, respectively.

If you're a Strenuous runner, you swap in a tempo run on Wednesdays and intervals on Saturdays, meaning you're doing three medium-to-hard runs in a row from Friday to Sunday. You still don't get rest days, only cross-training exercise days. Either way, these rigid plans are for people who work out every day.

SAMSUNG: The Galaxy Watch 8's Running Coach has ten training levels; Level 10 aims for runners to finish a marathon in under 4:48. To qualify for level 10, you need to pass Samsung's 12-minute running test with unknown criteria.

The Running Coach beta is kind of a mess. You can't simply choose a marathon training plan; if Samsung ranks you lower, you'll have to spend weeks, if not months, leveling up. But if Samsung eventually lets runners pick their target distance and pace manually, however, the Running Coach has a great variety of run types like Fartlek, repetitions, intervals, and long runs that would benefit beginner marathoners.

AMAZFIT: Zepp Coach has you choose a target marathon pace and date, then describe your weekly mileage and average pace. With that, it generates a three-month program of easy, hard, interval, fartlek, and long runs, grouped by HR zones or pace depending on your preference.

It's not the most comprehensive or varied training plan, but it's available for super-cheap watches like the Amazfit Bip 6 or Active 2, which is great for frugal runners.

Which marathon training plan I'm going with

All of these marathon training plans are "free" after you buy your watch, so we can't complain too much if they're a bit limited. You can find thousands of TrainingPeaks marathon plans if you want to pay for something better.

Personally, after all that searching, I'm leaning toward a straightforward Hal Higdon novice training plan, which are popular with first-time marathoners. Rather than focus on complicated speedwork or strengthwork, I'll just check off four runs a week of about 20–30 miles and hope for the best.

I'm a few weeks behind his 18-week schedule, but I'm hoping I can hit the ground running, so to speak, because I've already been training. Then, once I've conquered this Garmin marathon, I can go into another marathon with a more advanced plan.

But if you have a favorite marathon training plan that helped you hit a PR, I'd love to hear your recommendations in the comments!

Unless you have the means to buy one of everything, you have to decide if something is the right fit for you. That can be hard; the companies making them will tell you that you need one to make your life complete, people who got a lemon or just didn't like it will say the product is garbage, and reviewers simply can't cover everything.

Often, it's good to take a step back and see what you're going to get inside that pretty package. Was it worth what you paid for it? Will you get enough use from it to justify the purchase? Or maybe, you should hold off and see what's coming next.

We can't make those decisions for you, but we can tell you what we think and maybe where you should start your decision-making process.

Foldables are hot, and Samsung is now offering the Galaxy Z Fold 5 as certified renewed on its website. Should you buy it?

Why buy a renewed device?

There are some really good reasons why you might want to buy a certified refurbished phone, especially when the original manufatcturer is the one certifying it.

The biggest, and the one you've probably already thought of, is that you'll usually save a good bit of money. Phones are one of those things that start to lose value the minute you buy them, but that doesn't mean they don't work as well as a brand-new one will. Everyone likes to save a little money.

There is one other good reason to look at a certified device - someone who knows how it should work has looked at it in person. We all know sometimes phone launches can be a little problematic, and small bugs end up in users' hands. Those bugs usually get fixed right away if they can be.

Whether a phone was returned because of those bugs or not, whatever "fix" was done should be applied as part of the renewal. Some things, like small scratches, are acceptable, but when things don't work as they should, the phone won't be resold until they do.

Finally, saving an electronic device from the landfill and giving it a new life is good for our planet. That's enough reason to search out "used" phones!

None of this guarantees the value is there, though. And for this deal, it's totally not something you should buy.

The Pros

As mentioned above, buying a renewed device can be a great idea. Foldables are no different, and there are a few extra reasons why.

You're probably going to get a new screen protector. You might think that's not a big deal, but I'm talking about the factory-installed polymer screen protector that should never be removed. Polymer is a fancy word for plastic, and it's soft. It gets microscratches and fingernail dents on it a lot easier than glass would. You can't change it yourself, but Samsung can.

The display should be inspected and have a full warranty. Any tiny scratch on a foldable screen can be a death sentence, and even with that screen protector, it happens.

The hinge will have been inspected. The hinge is the most important component on a phone that folds, and it has to be perfect; at least be 100% within the design specs. Someone will have looked at this one and made sure.

The cons

There are two reasons why I wouldn't recommend this deal to anyone.

The price is crazy high. Samsung's asking $1,169 for a used and refreshed phone that's two generations old. Simply put, that's about $400 more than you should ever spend on a Galaxy Z Fold 5 in 2025. If you really want a renewed Fold 5, you can pick up the same model at Amazon for $684.

Finally, the Fold 5 is two generations old. That means the hinge design is older and not as good as what's offered today. I can't stress how important the hinge on a foldable is. If it's not spot-on, things go bad.

My verdict

Don't buy the Fold 5 refurbished from Samsung. In fact, I find it hard to recommend an older foldable to anyone because the tech that makes a phone fold improves a lot every generation.

I know foldables are pricey, and the temptation to save a bunch of money is strong. If you really want one and have a set budget, grab the Amazon recertified Fold 5 instead.

Better yet, look at some of the other foldables out there and see if you can find a great deal!

The U.S. Department of Justice still wants to force Google to sell Chrome. The judge has yet to make a final ruling, but indications are that this isn't the way it will go. We'll have to wait until all the dust settles for the whole answer.

There are good reasons why we shouldn't want to see Chrome just sold off to the highest bidder. First, who has the capability to maintain it the way it needs and isn't just as bad at Google when it comes to alleged market share abuse? (Hint: nobody.)

I still believe that without Google, Chrome and Android will die. The only reason to invest the time and money into keeping a project like Chrome alive is to make even more money.

We're talking a massive investment. There are thousands of people actively working on "Chrome" in some capacity. Those paychecks — as well as research and development costs, testing, and numerous smaller ancillary expenses — all add up to the millions. You and I can't afford to buy Chrome, but even if we could, we would never be able to afford keeping it alive.

Everyone wants a slice of this pie

We've heard about potential buyers from Perplexity to Yahoo to Search.com. But really, every tech company would love to be the one that controls Chrome, because it holds about 60% of the web browser market. That means six of every 10 people use the Chrome browser.

Technically, there are several companies that would be great stewards of Chrome. Oracle, Nvidia, ARM, etc., all would be able to devote the resources needed to keep things moving forward.

Unfortunately, none of these companies or those that have expressed interest should ever be in charge. Neither should Google, for the very same reasons.

Why this matters

The internet is a mess of websites about anything you can imagine, from online shopping, business listings, social media, and things that aren't safe to talk about. One thing that keeps it usable is Search. Indexing everything the internet has to offer and delivering it in an easy-to-digest way is something everyone depends on.

That's where a web browser becomes a powerful and profitable tool. You can open your browser and go to www.google.com or www.bing.com and search for something, and it works just fine. Or you can type whatever you're looking for into the address bar of your web browser and get the same results.

Maybe the same results. Your web browser uses a default search engine like Google when you use it this way. Do you see the issue here?

If I control what search engine users get by default (like Google does with Chrome or Microsoft does with Edge), I now have an advantage. If I'm also a search company (again, like Google), it's a huge and probably unfair advantage.

It wouldn't be if there were no manipulation of the results. Ideally, you should be able to do a search on any engine and get the same results in the same order, no matter what engine you use. They all crawl and index the same pages and gather the same information, so the results are what they are unless you get creative.

Search websites are very creative. Ads, shopping links, AI summaries, and keyword weighting make all the difference and are why the same search on Google and Bing gives different results in a different layout.

Of course, the search company gets paid for these types of links. A lot. Their customers expect a good return on the investment, so all kinds of analytics are collected and used to make sure you see the right ads and shopping links in the right places at the right time.

You know what? That's fine. It drives innovation, which means a better experience for everyone, and the company that does it the best deserves its place in the market.

The world doesn't work that way, though. A company with the means to manipulate 60% of web search traffic is going to leverage that into money. If you control the browser and the search engine, you're ****ing in high cotton. You can point users towards anything you want. You can't make them click, but you can make sure they can if they want to.

Just leave it to Google

No company that has any stake in a search engine has any business controlling Chrome. I've said it out loud. Not because I don't want Google or OpenAI to make money, but because there will be abuse of that market share. It's human nature.

The same goes for any company with the financial means to make "special" deals with a search engine. When Amazon pays for 100 ads to be shown, it should be treated the same as Bob's Pet Store when it pays for 100 ads. Bob doesn't have the same means as Amazon, so you're probably going to see links to buy your fish food from the retail giant and not Bob.

Just because the problem is obvious doesn't mean the solution is. Every company has an agenda, and the potential to abuse a product with that much leverage. They can tell you they're the good guys, but they'll still try sneaky ways to make a dollar. It's their duty to do it because shareholders demand it.

Whoever buys Chrome (if Google is even forced to sell it off) won't build some sort of quasi-socialist "for the people" web browser with it. It will be business as usual. I don't have a clue how this should be handled, but I know for certain that most of the company's interested in it have no business with control of Chrome.

We might as well leave it in Google's hands if we're going to give it to any of the companies that can afford it.

Over the past six months, I've bounced from the Galaxy Z Fold 6 to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold to the Z Fold 7, and am now using the Oppo Find N5. It's been a blast being able to use all of these different foldable phones, but I've recently found myself missing the 9 Pro Fold and growing impatient for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

There are a lot of factors at play when it comes to picking what phone my SIM card goes into, but towards the tail end of my time with the Fold 7, I started missing the Pixel. Don't get me wrong, the Fold 7 is everything that I was hoping the Fold 6 would have been, besides the S Pen being put to rest.

The best way I can describe is to say that the Z Fold 7 is the "work" phone, while the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is the "home" phone. However, the Fold 7 or Find N5 are the phones that I gravitate towards when it comes to tinkering with Switch emulation or trying to see what Windows games I can get running in Winlator.

If the leaks and rumors are true, I'm really hoping that will no longer be the case.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold doesn't need a flashy design

On the outside, the leaks point to Google playing it "safe" with the design this year, and that's probably not a bad move, especially with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. I'm sure Google will throw some new and flashy colors at us, with the vibrant ones being relegated to the regular Pixel 10 phones and showing signs of running out of ink on the Pro models.

But that's not where the excitement comes in for me, although I do love it when Google makes a green or orange phone. Instead, my excitement lies with the expected introduction of the Tensor G5 with the Pixel 10 series.

Google's taking the leap

Until now, Google's Tensor chip has been manufactured by Samsung, and while it's been a good run, it hasn't been great. The problem has been that the Tensor processor lags at least a generation or two behind what Qualcomm and MediaTek release. And for the most part, it's been fine, as the Tensor G4 was the best iteration yet, but between the Gemini improvements and general Android upgrades, Google needs to turn things up a notch.

Google reportedly did just that for the Tensor G5 by making the switch from Samsung to TSMC. According to some leaked benchmarks, the Tensor G5, which appears to be built on a 3nm process (the Tensor G4 was a 4nm chip), could be more than 30% faster than its predecessor. Those are the kinds of improvements we were hoping to see last year, but it just wasn't meant to be.

Admittedly, this doesn't mean that the Pixel 10 Pro Fold will be able to go toe-to-toe with the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, or even the regular 8 Elite for that matter. But it doesn't need to, at least not yet, because it's also rumored that the G5 is Google's first "fully in-house made processor."

That's an important point because it's also what Apple and Samsung do with their respective processors, and it just so happens that Google is now relying on the same company that Apple does to produce its processors.

What's it all mean?

So why does it matter, and what does it mean? Well, nothing really, at least if you're upgrading from the Pixel 9. But as we saw with the addition of the Linux terminal with the March 2025 Feature Drop, Google has something planned for the future, and it's probably going to be big. So, having complete control over the design and manufacturing should give Google all of the tools it needs to truly blend the hardware and the software.

And that's without even talking about what Google might have in store for the future of Gemini. I wouldn't be surprised if we were also introduced to a new Gemini model, with "nano-banana" and references to "GEM_PIX" making the rounds on X (formerly Twitter). So when you consider what Google was able to do with the Tensor G4 for Gemini, having more control from top to bottom, along with better general performance, should mean that the sky is the limit.

One thing, though...

With all of that being said, there is one thing that I'm worried about with the Tensor G5, and that's gaming performance, specifically with regard to emulation. My concern is that even with the aforementioned improvements, emulating higher-end systems with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold's massive screen will result in disappointment.

What I'm hoping for is that even if the Tensor G5 trails behind the Snapdragon 8 Elite on paper, it will close the gap in a massive way. Then Google takes what it's learned from this go 'round, and puts Qualcomm, MediaTek, and Apple on notice with the Tensor G6. But until then, I'll just keep watching the clock tick until next week's announcement.

For more news and information on Google's upcoming Pixel 10 refresh, check out our Ultimate Guide.

Things may become a little technical at times, as that's the nature of technology — it can be complex and intricate. Together we can break it all down and make it accessible, though!

You might not care how any of this stuff happens, and that's OK, too. Your tech gadgets are personal and should be fun. You never know though, you might just learn something ...

What is an eSIM?

The word "eSIM" stands for embedded subscriber identity module, and it's the perfect name to describe what it is and what it does. It identifies who you are and stores information about your carrier account.

Now it's rumored that Google will do the same thing with the Pixel 10 series, which means most other phone makers will likely soon follow.

An easy explanation is that the eSIM is a chip inside your phone that replaces the little plastic card you normally get from your carrier and need to put inside your phone. You need it to have normal phone and data service, and without one, you can usually only call the emergency number (911 in the U.S.).

The old "normal" way used a small memory chip on the card itself and some circuitry inside your phone to read what is written on it. This includes all your account information, your phone identity, and it can often hold other data about contacts or a locking mechanism to make sure nobody can use your cell plan without knowing a code.

When using an eSIM, the memory is inside the phone itself, and you don't need a plastic card. Software can write to that memory, and your phone can then read it the same as if it were removable.

As far as the technology, it's better in every conceivable way. You can automatically switch information or use a better APN (access point name) for the best service.

Is Android ready for eSIM?

Yep! Android 14 and up provide everything you'll need to seamlessly use an eSIM. It also makes it easy to set one up and switch to a different carrier if you ever want or need to.

Companies that make phones like the idea of the eSIM for another reason, too: it offers one less place for liquid to get inside and makes it easier to build a "waterproof" device. That, and it saves them money; when you build millions of a thing, saving 0.05 cents per unit adds up.

Phone carriers are another story. In the U.S., the iPhone 14 was an eSIM-only device, and that caused a lot of headaches for a lot of people when it was time to set up their new phone. Things are a lot "better" now, and carriers love the idea of using an eSIM even if they still struggle with the process a little bit.

Why carriers love eSIM

In theory, you should be able to do something like scan a QR code, wait five minutes, and use your phone. All the data that needs to be written to the eSIM comes from the carrier, and it can be done wirelessly. I like the way that Google Fi does it; the company has your details, and all you need to do is check a box in the app and wait a few minutes.

That highlights why carriers are behind the idea. They get even more control over your phone.

You can install and set up a physical SIM card yourself. A little bit of Googling will tell you what numbers to put in what places in your phone settings, and unless you're trying to use a stolen phone or one blacklisted by a carrier, it will work.

With an eSIM, you ask the carrier if they will do this for you. Whether you do it by scanning a code, using an app, or visiting a store, you still need to a carrier to do everything. If you enter any numbers yourself, they can be overwritten. And they will be unless they are the numbers the carrier wants you to use.

Your carrier should have no problem doing this. It's how they provide service and collect payment. When you want to switch carriers and stop those payments, things could be different.

More realistically, they can do things like try to offer you discounts if you sign a new contract or tell you they need you to finish your billing cycle before they can proceed.

Those kinds of tactics are effective. That's why you see horror stories about trying to cancel a Comcast or Time Warner subscription.

Is it all bad?

For most people, none of this will make any difference. You've picked a carrier because you like the level of service or the price it offers, and you will probably never switch. When you get a new phone, the carrier will quickly do what's needed to get it up and running, and things are the same as they have always been.

The people who point out how an eSIM gives the phone carriers more control and potential for customer lock-in aren't wrong, though. It's there, and it's a real possibility should a company like Verizon decide to leverage it.

We don't know for sure that the Pixel 10 or any future phones will be eSIM-only devices, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least. The tech is good and should be used. The rest is not the phone manufacturer's problem.

Maybe none of this will ever happen, and carriers will soon be able to all set up and use the eSIM seamlessly. But the potential is still there.

But this isn't just any normal folding phone hinge, if we can even call that normal. It's rumored to be a fully dust-resistant hinge, something the industry at large has struggled to figure out. We first saw this leak appear in late June, noting that the upcoming Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold would be IP68 water and dust-resistant, marking a first for any foldable phone.

This comes on the heels of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7's release, which didn't move the needle for dust resistance at all, packing in the same IP48 rating as the Fold 6. For note, the 4 in the IP48 rating means that the device is dust resistant down to 1mm particles, which is good enough for most things, as JerryRigEverything's video shows (timestamp 6 minutes).

But I expected the first fully dust-resistant hinge to come from the Honor Magic V5, or a company like Oppo or Vivo. Definitely not Google, as the company is rarely among the hardware engineering elite. After all, the Pixel 9 unabashedly looked like an iPhone, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold hardly stood out among a crowd of far more unique foldable phones.

What's in a foldable hinge

Nearly every foldable phone on the market uses a different kind of hinge. While all early foldables used gears, most recent foldable phones have switched to a gearless system. While gears make it easy to lock the hinge in place, they also provide a point that allows dust to enter or, at the very least, a point of failure if dust were to ever get inside the hinge.

Since the Galaxy Z Fold 4, Samsung has been using gearless hinges. They're interlocking metal parts that slide together and stay open via cleverly designed angles. You can see them in action in JerryRigEverything's Z Fold 4 video (timestamp 9 minutes), and Google has been using gearless hinges in its Pixel Fold phones for the last two years, as well.

But Pixels aren't historically known for their durability or long-term use. From overheating processors to problems with warranty claims and even parts falling off, Google doesn't exactly have a great name in this area. Again, as JerryRigEverything's Pixel 9 Pro Fold video (timestamp 6 minutes) shows, Google has work to do on durability when compared to the competition.

So, how in the world is it that Google will supposedly be the one with the first dustproof hinge? The "6" in that rumored IP68 rating means the hinge is completely sealed off from dust of any type or size, which means the Pixel 10 Pro Fold's hinge is going to be as airtight as the International Space Station.

Hyperbole aside, that takes a lot of bespoke engineering hours to accomplish and, again, is something that not even Huawei, Honor, Vivo, Oppo, or Samsung have been able to accomplish with all the money they've dumped into foldable phone R&D over the years. I'm not saying it's out of the realm of possibility at all, but I certainly didn't expect it from Google's Pixel engineering team, which is only on its third generation foldable product.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold durability is just part of the picture

But let's be fair to Google, it looks like the Pixel 10 is going to bring Google into an entirely new realm of engineering excellence. The new Tensor G5 processor rumored to be inside the Pixel 10 is now supposedly made by TSMC, the Taiwanese manufacturing giant that makes the best chips in the world.

Previously, Google used Samsung Semiconductor for all its Tensor chips, the same company that makes Exynos chips, and that should tell you everything you need to know.

Google's tease of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold doesn't exactly reveal much about its hinge, but it does focus on the fact that this is a folding phone and seems to suggest that something new and exciting is happening with its folding nature.

If Google is able to deliver a foldable phone with IP68 ingress protection, it'll cement the idea that the Pixel 10 series is on another plane of existence from the rest of the Pixel series, and that's good for Google's Pixel division all around.

For more news and information on Google's upcoming phones, check out our Ultimate Guide.

As I sat across the table from a soothsaying robot, I pondered exactly how this robot actually "thinks." Does it know the "future" because it was programmed to, or is it using a complex neural network to determine a possible future based on all the knowledge it has in its seemingly endless database?

But then it dawned on me: I was talking to an actual robot. It didn't matter how it thought; it was all about how realistic it felt and how close this was to the sci-fi movies we've all grown up watching. These robots were seemingly pulled straight out of the Star Wars universe and could not only function within their designed parameters, but could also psychologically process and respond to any question I asked them.

This was more than just a ChatGPT moment for me. It was a surreal representation of a future I didn't genuinely think I'd ever live to see; yet, before me was a collection of robots, each with its own job and seemingly functional brain.

The only way this could have felt more realistic to me is if these were physical robots in front of me in a cafe, but thankfully, their heavy mechanical bodies were still confined to the boundaries of my Meta Quest 3 headset. For now, at least. And soon, everyone will be able to check out the full experience in Stellar Cafe when it launches on the Meta Quest platform later this year.

Just another day in Stellar Cafe

My demo opened with me sitting in an elevator. As the doors opened to Stellar Cafe, I could see the friendly bartender wave to me in an attempt to usher me into the room. But, like those strange dreams we all sometimes have, none of my appendages (or virtual inputs) seemed to be working.

So I asked my handy virtual assistant how to get to the bar and, much to my surprise, my assistant warped me to it. Now I know I can move around just by asking, and the future-forward flavor of this demo has only just begun.

Immediately, James, the bartender, introduces himself and asks me what I want to drink. Having never visited Stellar Cafe before, I thought my safest bet was to order from the menu, so a Meteor Mocha it was. That is, until I read the ingredients on the side of my cup and realized it had oat milk in it.

Upon telling James I was allergic to oats, he profusely apologized and whipped up a new Meteor Mocha with synthetic milk instead. None of this was scripted, and it's not something a developer would likely think of to build into a game in the first place. Heck, I've been to more than a few coffee places that didn't even realize someone could be allergic to oat milk, and you'd think they would be the ones on top of that stuff.

My conversations with the three other robots in the room were similarly impressive. One robot was sitting next to a scenic view of a few planets, and I wondered if it would know more about them. Turns out it did, and not only that, it wasn't just hallucinating answers the entire time. After describing the planet Golga (I think it said Golga) as "a soulless planet filled with corporate resorts and pristine beaches," I asked it which planet it was referring to.

To my surprise, it not only told me that the purple planet was Golga, but the green planet next to it was "just some backwater mining colony" that seemed to provide all the resources needed for the corporate overlords running the planet next door.

Similarly, all the robots remembered my name as Devin, a misnomer that occurred when I was interviewing Astrobeam's CEO, Devin Reimer, and the game overheard me asking him about something at the bar. Apparently, James asked me my name, and I didn't have the heart to correct him, although it would have been easy enough to do so.

But Stellar Cafe isn't just some LLM experiment that you'll want to play for 5 minutes and move on to the next thing. Reimer told me the game always takes place in the cafe (hence, the name), but the robots you'll see are always changing. Like a normal cafe, there might be some regulars, but there are plenty of fresh faces (or face screens, as the robots call them) to meet all the time.

The demo's main objective was to convince all the robots in the room to RSVP for that evening's party. The demo ends once you complete this task, but the full game will venture on to that party and introduce a whole host of new characters and places. Regardless of your location, your goal is to chat with robots and help solve problems through conversation — a core tenet of being human, I'd say.

A uniquely stellar game

Throughout the entire experience, I couldn't get over how profoundly different it was to navigate with my voice. To date, I haven't seen any other games — VR or otherwise — that used voice quite like this. Oftentimes, when you see voice interaction in games, it's just to complete commands.

In Espire 2, one of the best Meta Quest games, you sneak around like Solid Snake in Metal Gear Solid, and can tell guards to "put their hands up," or "freeze," to make them surrender. But these are very specific commands, and you can't just ask your in-game robot companion to go do something for you.

In Stellar Cafe, that's the whole premise behind the concept, something Reimer says the studio has been working on for the past two years. LLMs like ChatGPT are based on natural language input, and Reimer says the team has constructed a bespoke model that runs efficiently enough to make this a one-time purchase title. Not only that, but it's fast enough to keep responses from making you wait. Ask a robot something, and it replies right away. It's pretty stellar.

Not only can you ask your virtual assistant, Visor, to transport you around the room, but you can make these commands with as much or as little knowledge as you might have of the game's content. "Bring me to the window with the orange robot" works just as well as "Sit me at the third seat at the bar with James," or "take me to that fortune teller robot."

Keeping the conversations compelling and feeling natural relied on an input that felt more natural. When gamers feel bored during a conversation in VR, they often "run around and jump off of stuff," as Reimer noted.

So if the script is flipped and you can't do that, you'll find yourself fidgeting in your seat, twiddling your thumbs, or picking up objects as you have a conversation, instead. "It's like what you do when normally chatting with people you're seated across from," Reimer added, and I couldn't agree more.

After spending 30 minutes convincing robots they needed to go to the biggest party of the year, I was convinced that I needed to play the full Stellar Cafe game when it debuted later this year. Reimer's previous chops are rooted in Job Simulator and other Owlchemy Games titles, and it shows in his new company's first release.

Gone are the days of dialog trees and repeating NPC talk in games. Instead, these characters feel like actual sentient beings in a fantasy world. It's a new era of VR gaming and a unique chapter in the history of the medium, as well, and I can't wait to be a part of it!

Samsung has been conservative with its foldable designs in the last two years, and it thankfully made amends this time around. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is one of the thinnest foldables you can buy today, and the Z Flip 7 has noticeable upgrades. Having used both foldables for the better part of two weeks, I'll have to say that I enjoyed the Z Flip 7 better.

I usually prefer fold-out designs, but in this instance, I used the Z Flip 7 over the Fold 7. That's mostly down to the bigger cover panel; the increased real estate makes a noticeable difference in daily use, and the portability of the device is unmatched. Unlike last year, the cover panel now extends to the entire width of the device when folded, putting the device in contention with Motorola's foldables.

The outer panel finally gets 120Hz refresh as well, and it's just better to use than last year. The 4.1-inch OLED panel has good colors and vibrancy, and the bigger panel makes it easier to get back to notifications and messages without having to unfold the device.

Annoyingly, Samsung doesn't allow you to use apps on the outer panel, but this is easily addressed by using CoverScreen OS. This is where Motorola's phones have an inherent advantage, and Samsung should consider changing its stance to make it easier to use the increased panel size on the outside.

While the overall brightness still isn't as high as the Pixel 9 Pro XL, I didn't see any issues in regular use — even under harsh sunlight. The design itself is thinner than last year, and that is another point in Samsung's favor this year; the brand did a good job delivering sleeker foldables. Another positive is that the device gets 256GB of storage with the base model, with Samsung finally eschewing 128GB.

And even though the Z Flip 7 uses the Exynos 2500 globally, I didn't run into any lag or slowdowns. Foldables generally don't have extensive thermal management, and the result is that they tend to throttle sooner than regular phones. That is the case with the Z Flip 7 as well, but it is in line with other flip phones I used recently.

The only point of contention on the Z Flip 7 is the battery; while the 4,300mAh battery is bigger than last year, it still isn't as big as what other manufacturers offer on their own devices. Samsung is clearly not willing to put massive batteries on its foldables, and that's something it will eventually need to address if it wants to measure up to its Chinese rivals.

Having said that, the Z Flip 7 manages to last a day with medium use. I had to plug it in on days with heavy use involving navigation and gaming, but on the whole, battery life is better than last year. Samsung is heavily positioning Galaxy AI as a differentiator, and the Z Flip 7 runs Android 16 out of the box.

The software is immediately familiar, but it has enough new features to excite long-term users. While I don't use AI features as such, it's undeniable that Galaxy AI has a robust suite of utilities geared at image generation and editing along with text-based assistance.

On the whole, the Z Flip 7 is a definite move forward, and Samsung addressed long-standing issues with its flip phones with the device. It's better to hold and use, is faster than last year, and the cameras are quite decent — honestly, I didn't think it would be as enjoyable to use.

We're one week away from the Pixel Watch 4's arrival at the Made by Google event. But while we wait for the official reveal, let's look back at the Pixel Watch 3 instead, a watch that mostly lived up to my every expectation, but wasn't quite perfect.

I started testing the Watch 3 last August, and by September, I considered it my favorite Android smartwatch. It's a step up over the Watch 2 where it matters, and pandered to me with some fun running software tools.

However, Google's iffy software strategy and some strong rivals eventually killed my Pixel Watch 3 honeymoon period. Fortunately, Gemini has made things exciting again.

Doing its best with older tech

I don't know if the Pixel Watch 4 will stick with last year's processor or use a new Snapdragon processor. Either way, it's impressive how Cortex-A53 cores (made in 2012, before "Android Wear" existed) can power the Pixel Watch 3 so well that I've never dealt with any lag or major crashes.

When I tried Wear OS 6 on a Watch 3 at Google I/O, I was amazed at how smoothly the unfinished software ran. And while Google's efficient philosophy can hold its Pixel phones back, it works quite well for smartwatches.

Gemini may require more power, but it runs just as smoothly on my Pixel Watch 3 as it did during my Watch 8 Classic Gemini test. It answers questions quickly, understands follow-up questions, and communicates seamlessly via Extensions with other apps like Calendar.

Future models should hopefully feature offline commands, better voice recognition, improved battery efficiency, or faster Wi-Fi bands. Until then, it's easily keeping up with the new demand and offering a better AI experience than Apple Watches can deliver.

I traded style for battery life and don't regret it (much)

Google's Watch 3 45mm was long overdue. Compared to the 1.2-inch Watch 2 display, my 1.43-inch display shows much more visual data. Now that Gemini is a signature feature, every pixel of space for text is useful.

Even better, it has extra battery capacity, easily outperforming Google's 24-hour-with-AOD estimate. During my initial review period, I was hitting two days with sleep tracking and the occasional GPS workout. These days, it's closer to 36 hours, with hours to spare, since I rarely use it for sleep tracking.

Of course, I would like better battery life. Since the 3-to-5-day OnePlus Watch 3 launched, it's harder to accept how Google and Samsung can't seem to break past the 1-to-2-day barrier. But it is a hefty watch, and the lighter OnePlus Watch 3 43mm only lasts two days.

I would love for Google to bring back Fitbit watches and put its considerable health and fitness tricks into a longer-lasting watch, but I digress. For now, the Watch 3 does its best without being too heavy.

The larger Watch 3's problem is that its bezelless design looks worse. The smaller version looks more natural because the rounded edges take up more space, but this Watch 3 is much more of a big, dark lump.

My cousin called it a "creepy water drop," while my fiancée likened it to a "naked chicken breast without any seasoning," during my smartwatch beauty pageant. It didn't look bad to them like my bulky fitness watches, but the edgeless design doesn't appeal to everyone.

If the Pixel Watch 4 gets bulkier to fit in a bigger battery, as some rumors claim, that'll only exacerbate this design quirk.

Of course, plenty of people don't like the new look of the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic or the Galaxy Watch 8, either. Android watches generally try to balance style, power, and battery life, and can't nail every category.

Hoping Google irons out its update issues

The months of update dysfunction were definitely my low point with the Watch 3. I don't know if the Pixel Watch team is too ambitious with updates or just needs a beta program.

Let's quickly run through the past year of Google Wear OS updates:

• Early September 2024: The Pixel Watch 3 launches with Wear OS 5
• Late September: Google launches and then rolls back Wear OS 5 on the Watch 1 and 2
• Mid-November: Wear OS 5 rolls out again
• March 2025: Google rolls out Wear OS 5.1, promising four quarterly updates per year
• Late March: Many Watch 3s still haven't received 5.1, while those that do report major bugs
• Early April: Google pushes its first patch
• Late April: Google pushes its second patch, re-releases 5.1
• June: Google pushes quarterly update with small changes

This whole update mess meant that the Pixel Watch 3 didn't get any proper updates for the first six months, and then I didn't get the March update for a month.

I eventually tested the improved step count algorithm and found it promising, but Google reverted to the old system after users reported overinflated counts.

I'm sure that Wear OS 6 will be stable and running smoothly on the Pixel Watch 4 when it launches. But Google needs to prove it can pull off a major update to older models without critical bugs and painful rollbacks.

Looking onwards

I'm feeling generally quite positive about the Pixel Watch series, update woes aside. They've always felt a bit expensive, but now that Galaxy and OnePlus watches have gone up in price since last year, the cost feels a bit more realistic.

I think the Pixel Watch 4 can capitalize on the goodwill that the Pixel Watch 3 generated in the past year and make an even stronger impression with Android and Pixel fans.

Can the Galaxy S25 detect fake fingerprints or facial data?

The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor used in the Galaxy S25 display is perhaps one of the most secure biometric security measures on an Android smartphone. That's because while it's not impossible to fool, it is extremely tricky.

Per Samsung, an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor "counteracts spoofing attempts using 2D replicas of a person’s fingerprint," by creating a 3D map of the fingerprint and its ridges. Samsung also uses machine learning to determine when someone is trying to use a 2D image to fake a fingerprint.

To fool this type of fingerprint sensor, you would basically have to 3D print a copy of a fingerprint. And while 3D printers are more common these days, they're not exactly omnipresent, and the process of lifting a fingerprint and creating a copy would be a challenge.

Meanwhile, face unlock on most Android phones is not as secure and is generally an option that can be fooled more easily without dedicated hardware. That's because it solely relies on a 2D image of your face to unlock, as opposed to a 3D scan, similar to the iPhone's TrueDepth Face ID system or even the ToF sensor on the 2019 LG G8 (or Galaxy S10 5G).

Galaxy S25 facial biometrics, while seemingly safer and more reliable than previous generations, don't appear to have significantly improved on the security front. When setting up face unlock, Samsung warns that the feature is less secure "because there is some possibility that someone who looks like you or who uses an image of your face could unlock your phone." This means it can't be used for security measures beyond unlocking your phone, such as mobile payments.

Meanwhile, Pixel phones since the Pixel 8 meet Google's Class 3 biometrics standard, thanks to their use of AI in tandem with camera data to enhance the accuracy of the camera. This means it can't be as easily fooled and has been determined secure enough for more sensitive security features.

So, the fingerprint sensor is your best security measure if you want to keep your Galaxy S25 secure, as it's not easily fooled. And with either option, Samsung still requires a secondary measure, such as a pin, passcode, or pattern.

Is your personal data secure on the Galaxy S25?

Is my personal data stored locally or on the cloud with Galaxy S25 security?

According to Samsung, devices like the Galaxy S25 collect personal data that may be stored on-device when using Samsung services, but some may also be securely stored on the cloud.

Per Samsung's Privacy policy, the following information may be collected when using Samsung services:

• Account and profile information: name, date of birth, and contact information (phone number or email address)
• Shipping and payment information: name, address, contact information, and payment card information (including card number, expiration date, and security code) for processing orders
• Customer service and communication information: repair history, voice recordings, and chat or communication transcripts
• Demographic information: gender and age; and
• Contact information of others: phone numbers and contact information for file sharing and messaging.

This also includes data on how the services are used, such as Samsung Keyboard, voice recordings, location data, and more. However, Samsung also lets customers opt out of sharing their data with third parties. Furthermore, customers can opt to store certain data locally, such as when using Galaxy AI or Personal data intelligence, although this may limit some AI functionality.

That said, this isn't taking into account data from non-Samsung apps and services, such as those from Google or other companies whose apps you download. These may store data locally, such as the Android personalization service, but oftentimes, you are sharing data on the cloud when using these apps and services.

It's important that you review your app permissions and data collection policy of any app you download if you're concerned about the types of data being collected and how.

What encryption method does Samsung use for data storage on the Galaxy S25?

Samsung uses multi-layered encryption down to the hardware level on its devices, thanks to its Knox security system. This supports the Android File Based Encryption’s (FBE) Direct Boot, which utilizes Credential encrypted storage (CE) and Device encrypted storage (DE).

Knox also utilizes metadata encryption, which "allows for the filesystem metadata and file content (name and body) to be encrypted with separate keys." This has been supported since Android 9, and it encrypts the data that isn't covered by Android's File-based encryption.

Furthermore, Knox Dual Data-At-Rest Encryption (DualDAR) is available for enterprises for additional encryption layers.

You can find out more about Samsung's data encryption on its Knox documentation page. You can also read more about the types of encryption Android supports, including Full-disk encryption.

Can I set up a secure backup that keeps my Galaxy S25 data fully encrypted?

Samsung gives Galaxy S25 owners the option to encrypt their backups via its Enhanced data protection. This provides end-to-end encryption for data backed up to Samsung Cloud.

When a backup is made, users are provided a 28-character code that lets them recover their encrypted data in case a device is lost, broken, or stolen. This code is only generated once, so users will want to store it in a safe location.

Per Samsung, the following data is encrypted when backed up to Samsung Cloud with Enhanced Data Protection (however, Samsung notes that some larger files may not be encrypted):

• Call log backups
• Messages backups
• Clock backups
• Settings backups
• Apps backups

To enable Enhanced data protection, navigate to Settings > Security and privacy > More security settings > Enhanced data protection. Here, you can enable options to encrypt backup data and sync data separately.

How does Samsung ensure third-party apps don’t access sensitive data on the Galaxy S25?

Every Android phone with Google Play Services installed includes Play Protect. This is Google's built-in security system for apps downloaded from the Play Store or otherwise. This keeps an eye on app behavior and will warn you if there's something malicious going on, using both on-device and cloud services to secure your phone.

Furthermore, Samsung's Knox includes Samsung Auto Blocker to prevent installing apps from unknown sources, which is a common way to accidentally install malware.

How do I know if my personal data is safe on the Galaxy S25?

The simple answer is: you do and you don't. Thanks to protections like Knox, Play Protect, and end-to-end encryption, you can be fairly certain that your data is secure. You just have to ensure that you go through the steps to enable the related features on your Galaxy S25 to better protect your data.

One such feature is Secure Folder, which allows you to hide your personal data on your device and secure it behind a passcode. This includes things like images, files, contacts, and more, all of which will live in a duplicate but secure version of their respective apps.

To get started, navigate to Settings > Security and privacy > More security settings > Secure Folder.

However, nothing is foolproof, and there's a possibility that some bad actors are trying really hard to access your data. Some may even succeed. That's not meant to scare you, but it should keep you wary of where and how your data is being stored. That's why you should periodically review your phone's security and privacy settings.

That said, it's unlikely that someone is trying to take your data specifically. But that's no reason to go around without protection. Your data is like your phone, and you'll want to protect your expensive investment with a protective case and screen protector. Treat your data the same way.

I'm also really good at researching data about everything — that's a big part of our job here at Android Central — and I love to help people (another big part of our job!). If you have questions about your tech, I'd love to talk about them.

Email me at askjerryac@gmail.com, and I'll try to get things sorted out. You can remain anonymous if you like, and we promise we're not sharing anything we don't cover here.

I look forward to hearing from you!

What's wrong with the eSIM?

L. asks:

I read that the Pixel 10 may launch as an eSIM-only phone, and people were very upset about it. Why? I thought the eSIM was supposed to be better technology than the old physical SIM card.

I really appreciate any answer

Hi L, I saw exactly the same thing as you did; the Pixel 10 may be an eSIM-only device in the United States, and people lost their ever-loving minds over the news. Everyone hates eSIM.

Except they really don't.

The easy answer is that you're seeing a biased response from a small group of people. I'll imagine you're a bit of a tech-lover. That means you see articles and social media posts from other tech-lovers, or websites (like Android Central) dedicated to tech-lovers.

Many tech lovers hate the eSIM, and we'll get to why in a minute. But first, realize that most people have no idea what an eSIM is. They probably don't really care, either. Some of the people who do understand happen to like the eSIM. But the people who don't like it are using their voice and letting the world know about it. That's what you're seeing, not messages from people saying they have no idea what an eSIM is. It seems like there is no love.

Now, for why many people who understand it all hate the eSIM: Apple. Yeah. It's easy to blame Apple, and this time, it's even easier.

Apple launched the iPhone 14 in the U.S. as an eSIM-only device. It was not the first eSIM device, or even the first iPhone that could use one. It was the first iPhone that required you to use it, though.

When carriers started having issues assigning numbers to the chip, or started making up new rules about hoops you needed to jump through to transfer your number to a new iPhone, it was pretty messy. Not for everyone, but for enough people.

If your first exposure to the eSIM was trying to convince Verizon to activate your new iPhone 14 without you walking into a corporate store with a receipt and your old phone in working order, there's no wonder you hate it.

For some contrast, my first exposure to eSIM tech was checking a box in the Google Fi app and having my new phone start working without pushing a paperclip into the tiny hole that releases the SIM card tray. It took about three minutes and worked fine.

Needless to say, I don't have the same hate for the eSIM that many do because my experience with them has been good. I haven't used a physical SIM card since the Pixel 3.

That doesn't mean I like everything about the eSIM or that they are perfect. I don't, and they're not. The eSIM gives too much control over a thing you paid for to someone else.

As long as you weren't using a phone that was marked stolen or blacklisted due to non-payment, you could always pop a SIM card in the tray and make it work. You might need to look up some numbers and find the settings, but it was up to you.

An eSIM doesn't work that way. It's a tiny chip that can be flashed with your account data, but you're not the one doing the flashing. The phone maker and even worse, your carrier, are the only means to activate an eSIM. You might pay for one online and get what you need to know in an email, but in the end, you're connecting to another entity that can decide if it wants to set things up. You have no control over the situation.

That doesn't mean an eSIM is bad. It also doesn't mean it's good, either. It is cheaper, more environmentally friendly, and is going to eventually become the norm. If you have problems setting up or using an eSIM, I'd suggest you look at a different carrier instead of a different phone.

Decent car mounts are found aplenty, be it with or without charging capabilities integrated into them. The ones from Baseus are top-notch, with some of the best price-to-feature ratios one can find.

If your phone doesn't support wireless charging or you're just not into it all that much, a simple old-fashioned car mount is good enough for your vehicle. They're super affordable too, mostly priced below $15 to $20, depending on the features.

Basesus offers two cheap car mounts with magnetic heads, ditching those problematic arms and legs that car mounts usually have. I tested both of them, namely the new Baseus PrimeTrip C03 Magnetic Car Mount as well as the PrimeTrip C03s Magnetic Car Mount.

Wacky waving bendable car mounts

The two car mounts from Baseus have a lot in common. You get magnetic bases on both, they both latch onto your car's windshield or dashboard via a sticky 3M adhesive, and both mounts have malleable arms. Each mount comes with a sticky magnetic ring to go on the backside of your phone. Heck, even the price is the same — $30 for each one.

So what's the difference between the PrimeTrip C03 and the PrimeTrip C03s? For one, the C03 has a flat, fettuccine-like arm and a rotating base. This means you can bend and contort the arm as much as you like, and also choose to rotate it to whatever degree you prefer. The rotating base can be tightened to secure it in place.

On top of that, the square magnetic "head" tilts, so you can further adjust the angle at which your phone tilts toward you. This makes it incredibly easy to find the perfect viewing angle while seated in the driver's seat.

A two-pronged approach

Meanwhile, the PrimeTrip C03s Magnetic Car Mount has two spaghetti-like flexible arms that can bend into whatever shape you like. Each base has 3M adhesive, allowing you to stick it onto the dash or the windshield.

Since there are two arms on the C03s, it lacks a rotating base. This model also lacks the swiveling head, although it is magnetic in nature. However, the thinner arms make this mount a lot more flexible than the C03, so you can easily twist it into a tilted angle that matches your line of sight when sitting behind the wheel.

Traditional car mounts with adjustable clamps are plain awful. I never fail to struggle inserting my phone into those types of car mounts, which is why magnetic ones are a dream to use. There's no fussing about with clamp arms or feet; you simply plop your phone on and carry on with your business. There's a highly satisfying snap to it.

There's no denying the practical advantage of a magnetic car mount over a traditional one with clamps. I wish the Baseus PrimeTrip mounts didn't use 3M adhesive, but had suction cups instead. While 3M is a lot sturdier, it can't be removed once glued in place.

Both the Baseus PrimeTrip C03 and C03s Magnetic Car Mounts have their uses. If I had to choose between the C03 and C03s, I'd go for the PrimeTrip C03 for the rotating base and tilting head.

And while both the magnetic car mounts are reasonably priced, I'd personally wait for the next Prime Day event or Black Friday to buy them for $25 or under. After all, you can get the ESR Qi2 15W wireless car charger for about $32, and that works as a magnetic car mount but has the additional wireless charging feature to increase the value prospect.

The best headphones and earbuds usually come with a solid amount of accessories, from extra ear tip sizes to cases and chargers. Chances are, you'll eventually need additional accessories or replacement parts for your Android audio gear sooner or later. The good news is that if you have access to a 3D printer, you can make everything you need at home.

Originally, I didn't think to use my 3D printer for my headphones and earbuds. I printed a few wall mounts for storage, and that was about it. Then, the headband on my AirPods Max wore out, and it'd be around $300 to get it fixed from Apple. I obviously didn't do that, and instead found a cheap fix using my Bambu Lab A1 printer that cost merely 22 grams of filament.

That sent me down a rabbit hole — what other things could I print for my massive collection of wireless headphones and earbuds? I found accessories for the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2, OnePlus Buds Pro 3, Beats Solo Buds, and more on Bambu Lab's free MakerWorld database.

After a few hours of printing, I had a handful of truly useful companions for my audio gear, and you can make them too.

Android Bot case for Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

By far, the coolest accessory I 3D printed was an Android Bot case for the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2. Not everyone uses cases on their earbuds’ included charging case, but it can help add extra protection against drops and scuffs. You’d be surprised how much an earbud case can get roughed up sharing a pocket or bag with your keys. So, this 3D printed protective case had my attention.

What’s more is that this Pixel Buds Pro 2 case is designed to resemble the Android Bot mascot. It has the eyes, the famous Bot head, and the arms. Honestly, this custom case is a must-have accessory for Android fans. It adds a bit of protection and a unique look that you won’t find on many other Pixel Buds Pro 2 cases out there.

It looks simply awesome, with the "mouth" opening up to reveal the earbuds when the case is open. There are cutouts for the status light, USB-C port, and speaker. I printed this in green translucent PETG filament, but flexible TPU would work better for this kind of thing. I just couldn't resist making a green Android Bot to match the Mint colorway of my Pixel Buds Pro 2.

H/T - @spasbilyarski on MakerWorld

Carabiner loop case for OnePlus Buds Pro 3

Next up, my OnePlus Buds Pro 3 needed a makeover. I found this minimal TPU case with a lanyard/carabiner loop. This print file offers the perfect mix of utility and design. It essentially gives you a small mounting hole that you can use to clip the Buds Pro 3 case onto your waist, a lanyard, or a bag.

I love this concept, as it should help make sure your earbuds are always nearby when you need them. The TPU strip probably won't provide much drop protection, as it only covers a fraction of the charging case body. Still, if you don't want a bulky case, this is a neat way to attach your OnePlus Buds Pro 3 securely to something else. In my testing, the TPU materials grips the charging case well.

H/T - @im.jackharvest on MakerWorld

Replacement ear tips for Beats Solo Buds

I'm sure we've all lost an ear tip at one point or another — I know I have. Instead of painstakingly trying to find the exact replacement for your model at an online store, you can print replacements at home in minutes. These ear tips for the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are a quick print and fit well on a variety of stem-based earbuds. I tried them with the Beats Solo Buds, and they worked great.

I won't lie and say these are the most comfortable ear tips in the world, but they're certainly passable. Using the softest TPU you can find, these slide right onto your earbuds and fit solidly in the ear.

H/T - @newstream on MakerWorld

Wrap case for KZ ZSN Pro X

Wired earbuds are clutch, even in 2025. They're just difficult to keep tidy. Wrap cases solve that problem, as they give you a way to neatly wrap your wired earbuds securely in place. The KZ ZSN Pro X are my wired earbuds of choice, and someone made a custom wrap case for this model. After printing, this immediately became part of my everyday carry.

If you have a different pair of wired earbuds, there are countless renditions of the classic wrap case on the web that you can find for any pair.

H/T - @B_Cinematic on MakerWorld

Universal headphone and earbud cleaning tool

Earbuds are notoriously dirty, with dust, earwax, hair, and sweat getting in them over time. Cleaning them can be tricky, and many companies want to sell you specialized tools just for this purpose. Instead of buying them, you can make tools at home with a 3D printer. This earbud cleaning tool only uses one gram of filament and takes eight minutes to print.

It's essential for cleaning out the nooks and crannies of your earbuds and their charging case. Since its time and filament costs are so little, you can easily toss this tool and print another if it gets too dirty or worn down.

H/T - @fifindr on MakerWorld

Why you might want to 3D print audio accessories

3D printing comes with numerous benefits for creating audio-related accessories. For starters, it's often cheaper to make something for your headphones or earbuds at home.

Then, it's worth considering that it can be quicker to make your own accessory than wait for one to arrive in the mail. If you lose or break an ear tip, you can immediately print a replacement so your earbuds are still wearable while you wait for an official solution.

Making something at home also gives you the chance to customize it to your liking. I used the default settings for these publicly available print designs, but you can create your own or remix an existing file. It enables you to make the accessory you want even if it doesn't exist anywhere else.

If you don't have a 3D printer at home, check your local schools and libraries. They might have community 3D printers that anyone can use, and if not, there are online print shops that can make what you need for cheap.

OpenAI has the clear brand advantage in the AI race, and that's something that may prove impossible for competitors to overcome. ChatGPT has more weekly users than Meta or Google has on a monthly basis. Being first comes with benefits, which OpenAI is certainly reaping.

In the time since, though, the competition caught up — at least on a functional level. AI models from Google, DeepSeek, Claude, and xAI have all held top-five spots on LMArena's leaderboard, signaling that the race from basic large language models (LLMs) to artificial general intelligence (AGI) is far from decided. For months, I've been certain that Gemini 2.5 Pro is a better and more versatile thinking model than anything coming out of OpenAI.

Well, OpenAI is hoping to change that narrative with the release of GPT-5, which launched for everyone last week (Aug. 7). It's actually a collection of models that can intelligently pick which one is best for a given prompt on the fly. And at least for now, it's at the top of both the LMArena and WebDev Arena leaderboards — two crucial LLM benchmarks.

GPT-5 doesn't solve all of ChatGPT's hallucination problems, and it's definitely not AGI. There are some areas where Google models still outperform comparable ones from OpenAI. Regardless, GPT-5 looks impressive and free, and that might be all OpenAI needs to maintain its hefty lead over the competition.

Where OpenAI's GPT-5 beats Google's Gemini 2.5 Pro

GPT-5’s smartest feature has nothing to do with compute or its knowledge base. It’s called real-time routing, and it helps pick the right model for your task without any additional user input. Currently, AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini are littered with a variety of new, old, and experimental models best suited for a specific prompt. That’s great, but the onus was on the user to decide which one is best. With names like GPT-o3 and GPT-4o, or Gemini Flash Thinking Experimental, making that decision wasn’t always easy.

Instead, GPT-5 is a simple name for a collection of OpenAI models. It includes a lightweight model for quick, easy prompts and a more thoughtful model called GPT-5 Thinking for complex queries. OpenAI’s real-time router means that all of these models function as one, at least to the user. After inputting a prompt to ChatGPT, the GPT-5 router will decide which one to use, streamlining the UX.

There are still ways to manually control which GPT-5 model responds to your prompt. You can use phrases like “think really hard about this” in your prompt to trigger GPT-5 Thinking. If ChatGPT mistakenly opts for the thinking model, users can tap Get a quick answer to pivot to the lightweight model instead. Both models appear to be very reliable in early testing, clearly citing sources to avoid hallucinations.

These online sources, which include sites like Android Central, are a key reason why hallucinations are down with GPT-5. OpenAI says that with web search enabled on GPT-5 prompts, the model is about 45% less likely to contain a factual error than GPT-4o. Hallucinations are by no means extinct, but they are less prevalent when using GPT-5 in ChatGPT.

Independent tests and benchmarks seem to align with OpenAI’s claims that GPT-5 is better at writing, coding, and health-based tasks. It finally usurps Gemini 2.5 Pro on both the LMArena and WebDev Arena leaderboards, claiming the top spot overall. Specifically, GPT-5 seems to have the edge in text-based and coding prompts. I used a sample prompt from OpenAI to test GPT-5’s coding capabilities in ChatGPT, and came away seriously impressed.

Where Gemini still beats ChatGPT

GPT-5 isn’t better than Gemini 2.5 Pro in every area, and OpenAI still doesn’t seem to be able to match Google’s image and video generation. That’s reflected in LMArena’s text-to-image, text-to-video, and image-to-video benchmarks — Google’s Imagen 4 and Veo 3 tools sweep the graphical suite of generative AI tests.

I wanted to test that outcome in the real world, so I fed ChatGPT and Gemini the same prompt: "Generate an image of Johnny Thunderbird holding up a Big East Tournament trophy at Madison Square Garden." Here’s how the images turned out:

Anecdotally, the generated images align with the benchmark results — Google’s video- and image-generation chops are much stronger than OpenAI’s. For starters, Google gave me a generated image in about 10 seconds, and I had to wait nearly two minutes for an image to come back from ChatGPT.

From an accuracy standpoint, Gemini won handedly. It knew I was talking about my alma mater’s basketball program from the mascot reference, and correctly recreated Madison Square Garden with a ton of detail and flair. Meanwhile, ChatGPT produced an image with the wrong team and I’m not convinced the generic background is really MSG; it looks like it could be any basketball court.

So, if you’re the kind of person who likes to switch between LLMs based on your task, perhaps choose GPT-5 for writing or coding and Gemini for image or video generation.

GPT-5 is great, but GPT-4o just won't go away

A wrinkle in OpenAI’s GPT-5 rollout is user attachment to older models. GPT-5 was more than two years in the making, as OpenAI reportedly struggled to make an AI model worthy of the title. As it turns out, users didn’t want one. OpenAI is bringing back GPT-4o — a model that was supposed to be sunset in favor of GPT-5 — because of user backlash (via Tom’s Guide).

It might seem silly for those of us who touch grass, but ChatGPT users have seemingly created parasocial relationships with OpenAI models. They’d rather use the AI model they “know” over GPT-5, even if the newer one is better in every way.

I think you can extrapolate this premise to the broader AI race. In some ways, it really doesn’t matter whether Google, OpenAI, Claude, or DeepSeek has the best-performing model. People are going to stick to the models they like and are familiar with, and if that’s the case, OpenAI’s lead in this space may be insurmountable for the competition.

How many updates will the Google Pixel 10 receive?

The Pixel 10 and Google's excellent software update promise

The Google Pixel 10 series is here, and we finally know just how long Google plans to support its latest flagship phones. Like its predecessor, the Pixel 10 series will continue to receive the same software update promise of more recent Pixel generations, meaning it will get seven years of OS upgrades and seven years of software updates.

Google has made this a standard for Pixel phones starting with the Pixel 8 series. This is one of the best software update promises in the industry, with other companies like Samsung and Honor also promising seven years of updates.

The difference with Pixels, however, is that they also come with frequent Pixel Drops, which bring a host of new features at least once a quarter alongside security patches. This means that users can expect new features throughout the year, not just when a major Android version drops.

In addition to Pixel Drops and monthly security updates, users will also get Android feature drops, which, like Pixel Drops, add new features for all Android phones, Pixel or otherwise. Pixels also frequently receive bug fixes to ensure that the software remains stable, making these phones incredibly reliable.

This is all thanks in part to the custom Tensor G5 chipset, which enables more advanced features, camera improvements, better efficiency, and enhanced overall performance. With this update promise, Google will support the Pixel 10 series until at least 2032, so if you're the type to hold on to your phones for a long time, then the Pixel 10 may be for you.

For more news and information on Google's latest phones, check out our Ultimate Guide.

After a 15-year hiatus from golfing, I decided to get back into the sport last month. I'm predictably rusty and was never that good in my teens. But I've been pleasantly surprised by how useful my Garmin Venu X1 has been as a (sort of) golfing beginner.

Growing up, I would get wowed by Tiger Woods chipping in at the 16th at Augusta, or Phil Mickelson doing some magical flop shot, and then drag my dad to the local 9-hole Par 3 course to practice. I fancied myself good at the short game, but never really mastered my swing.

I eventually graduated to playing (badly) on proper-sized courses with friends during high school. But after growing six inches, my youth-sized clubs held me back; then I went off to college and the working world, never finding the time or money for new clubs. Running was much easier on my time and budget.

Now, I'm finally falling back into golfing at my local course with used clubs. I'm still at the stage where I'm just happy if I don't top or shank a ball, but I'm getting better after hundreds of swings at the driving range. And when I'm playing a round, I find that glancing at my Garmin watch has been an excellent alternative to dedicated golf tech or apps.

This Garmin watch is a straightforward rangefinder replacement

As a near-sighted person who spends most of his day staring at monitors, I'm very bad at judging distances. Hitting at the range, I can tell if I've struck a ball well or how far it's slicing; once it goes past that 100-yard sign, though, it's hard for me to guess how much further my five iron is going than my nine iron.

My Garmin watch gives me that context on the course. When I start a Golf activity, it pulls from my GPS data and its 43,000 predownloaded courses to show my location relative to my local course map. I can then see exactly how many yards I have left to go to the center of the green, whether I'm at the tee or on the fairway.

Knowing that I have 120 yards to go, picking a club based on that information, and then seeing immediate evidence if I chose correctly is vital for an amateur who lacks context or instinct for what club to use.

This tool isn't strictly necessary on a par 3 where you can see the exact yardage, but Garmin can also estimate "playslike distance," telling me how elevation change, wind, and humidity will affect ball flight.

And on par 4s and 5s, it's very helpful to be able to walk up to the ball for my second shot, glance at my wrist for one second, and immediately see a ballpark of how far I have to go. If I'm laying up, I can check around where I'm aiming for the exact yardage to the next hazard.

Ever since I heard a golf shop worker and customer ranting about slow amateurs fiddling with rangefinders or golf GPS apps when they should be focusing on their swing, I've worried about testing the patience of whomever I'm paired with. A simple smartwatch golf app solves that problem.

Once my Garmin Venu X1 detects that I've swung, it starts tracking how far I move until my next hit. After the round, I can check each hole for how far I drove the ball off the tee, my drive accuracy, greens in regulation, and other stats.

Generally speaking, I was impressed with how accurate Garmin's auto-tracked golf shots were. The only place the Venu X1 failed was in detecting my putts or certain chips. I assume subtle putt motions are hard for a watch gyroscope to measure against normal arm motions.

But it's easy to log my score at the end of each hole — saving me from having to pocket a physical scorecard — and then have the watch auto-update to the next hole's yardage and conditions, so I can start mentally planning my next shot while walking to the next hole or waiting for other players to finish.

Why I prefer my Garmin Venu X1 to other golf watch options

I last golfed before fitness watches were a "thing," so I've yet to test how other brands handle golfing. But since Garmin beats most other brands for GPS accuracy and battery life, it was a natural fit to try first.

Only a few premium Garmin watches, like the Fenix 8, Forerunner 970, and Venu X1, have pre-downloaded courses. The Approach series is more affordable and built for golfers, but its training tools are more limited for running, hiking, and other activities.

More importantly, I've become spoiled by the Venu X1's massive, 2,000-nit display and lightweight design.

On a normal fitness watch, the circular display cuts off visual space, so you have to zoom out more to see all the details or scroll through the hole if you prefer an enhanced view. With the Venu X1, I just naturally see the whole hole, with enough space for buttons in the corners and yardage that doesn't block vital visual data.

It's easier to tap specific points to check the hazards or contours, but you rarely need to because the default view shows so much.

More importantly, I barely notice the Venu X1's 40g weight on my wrist, and it's so skinny (with no crown) that there's no chance it bumps into my wrist when it bends mid-swing.

Any normal smartwatch weighs about 1.5–2X that; when I try making a swinging motion with my Galaxy Watch 8 Classic or Apple Watch Ultra 2, I immediately notice the watch bouncing away from and against my wrist from the momentum, unless I wear it so tightly that it's uncomfortable.

It's hard to recommend the Venu X1 without some reservations: it's expensive, even for a Garmin watch, and a rangefinder would be cheaper. Plus, you may not like the squircle look, and while its battery is more dependable than an Apple or Wear OS watch, a full 18-hole course of GPS tracking will burn a decent chunk of its battery life.

But since I already have a Venu X1, I can't see myself willingly wearing any other watch to the course. It helps a beginner like me make snap-judgment decisions on which club to use, without being uncomfortable or a distraction.

I could go on and on about how you're being fooled with buzzwords like "learning" and "intelligence" while it's really just programming, but I'm tired of writing it, and people are tired of reading it. You are either on the AI train or not.

Instead, I found something from Google Gemini that blew my socks off.

I'm talking about the latest Gemini Gem, the Storybook. It's a prebuilt routine that will let you tell it what to write about and how to illustrate it, then put out a 10-page children's book. Nothing more, nothing less.

Why do I care (and why should you)?

It's something AI like Gemini could already do, but packaging it up nicely into its own user-space makes it one of the best things Google has done in a long time.

You might wonder why a middle-aged, grumpy man cares about a way to make children's storybooks. Besides having grandkids (who love this), I really don't. It's not the product itself as much as the presentation and the benefit it brings to kids. Try it yourself if you haven't, and I think you'll get it.

I'm not foolish; I know someone thinks this will help Gemini turn a profit when all is said and done, but I'm not even thinking about that part of it. I'm thinking about a young parent (or grandparent) sitting with a child and using the tool to make a delightful story that kids will not only love, but want to share with their friends.

AI isn't designed for kids; in fact, a lot of it can be very harmful, and a look at the latest tech news can tell you more than you wanted to know about people using AI to exploit others, including kids. It sucks, but it's human nature to use any new technology to make other people's lives miserable. When the apes eventually replace us, I hope they can do better.

But I digress. Mostly, this reminds me of something the "old" Google would do. Google, which wanted to help cure cancer, or use balloons to get free internet for people in places like Africa. The Google that knew the world needed to be a better place, and it had the money to do it. Something we haven't seen lately.

This probably won't spark some sort of new Google revolution where the company goes back to its "Don't Be Evil" roots or anything even close. We're still going to see Google push consumer-grade crap at us in the hopes that we'll trade money or our information for it, but a bright spot is still a bright spot, and I'll take what I can get.

I want to see more of this

There are plenty of ways the idea of making something dedicated and therefore easy to do can be mixed in with AI. If it's something great for the next generation, even better.

I want to see more of it. Find an interface to let Gemini help kids learn to code, or seniors track their retirement benefits. Do it so you can click a link to one place, ask for it, and it's formatted and just happens, versus needing to phrase the input prompt perfectly.

I know how to ask Gemini a question the "right" way to get the results I want. You might, too. Most people do not. Those are the people Google needs to help, not the techno nerds who mess with everything. If the shoe fits, and all that...

In my list of wants, this isn't up there in importance with world peace or eliminating poverty or anything. Quite frankly, it also seems like something we would see from the "old" Apple (yeah, Apple has changed, too) while Google worried about token limits and integers.

Whatever the case, I love to see it. Now show me more like it.

Unless you have the means to buy one of everything, you have to decide if something is the right fit for you. That can be hard; the companies making them will tell you that you need one to make your life complete, people who got a lemon or just didn't like it will say the product is garbage, and reviewers simply can't cover everything.

Often it's good to take a step back and see what you're going to get inside that pretty package. Was it worth what you paid for it? Will you get enough use from it to justify the purchase? Or maybe, you should hold off and see what's coming next.

We can't make those decisions for you, but we can tell you what we think and maybe where you should start your decisions process.

Why buy a smart ring?

Before you go any further, you need to figure out if you even want or need a smart ring; they aren't for everyone.

Think of a smart ring as a remote sensor for all the stuff on your smartwatch that reads your body. There is no display, so you won't be scrolling through Instagram in the bathroom or anything like that. It's a very basic wearable computer that can collect data and send it to an app on your phone, and not much more.

Having said that, smart rings can be very accurate. More accurate than a smartwatch and way better at things like counting steps than your phone could ever be. They're great devices for tracking your health and fitness, but not so much when it comes to anything else.

And you know what? It's fine if you just aren't into the smart ring craze. I'm not; they don't offer anything I really need that my smartwatch doesn't give me. Plus, my watch has a screen so I can use it to see things like an incoming text. If you don't think you'll have a pressing need, skip it.

The Pros

As a fitness wearable, a smart ring has a lot to offer. Sometimes a device doesn't need to do a little bit of everything to be useful.

As mentioned, smart rings can be very accurate when it comes to measuring things like heart rate or body temperature. They're not as accurate as a certified medical device (and they aren't advertised to be), but because they tend to fit "better" than a smartwatch, they get better readings.

Smart rings are small and light. That can be important when you're doing some exercises. As you can imagine, it's easier to lift weights or run five miles wearing a ring than it is while wearing a heavy watch or carrying your phone.

Smart rings don't look "weird". A lot of people care about the accessories they wear and are turned off by the look of a big, clunky watch. Smart rings are minimalistic and sleek. Except for that wild Casio one.

Smart rings send everything to an app on your phone. The apps are pretty good, too! That puts your health and fitness data right where you want it, and you won't have to try and swipe, twist, or tap on a small watch screen to do anything.

The cons

Nothing is ever perfect, and you need to weigh the good against the bad before you pull out your wallet. Smart rings are no exception.

They are expensive. I'll start here because almost everyone thinks they cost a lot. You'll spend about the same amount of money on a smart ring as you would on another wearable, but it seems like you should be paying less because they're so small.

They often come with a subscription. You pay for the smart ring, then you sometimes pay to get the most use out of it. Only you can decide if the monthly fees are worth it.

You can't adjust the fit. They're a ring and you need to carefully buy the right size. If you lose or gain a little weight, they aren't going to fit well. If you become pregnant, they aren't going to fit well. Your finger needs to stay the same size as it was when you measured for the right size.

They're disposable. You can not have a smart ring serviced or repaired. They're simple devices with a battery that should last 12-18 months before it even starts to degrade, but once they get "old," there's nothing you can do about it.

My verdict

I can't call this one, but I can say what I decided and why. You need to figure out if you need (or just want) a high-tech ring to go along with the rest of your tech.

I don't use one. I decided I didn't need anything from the list of pros enough to justify the cost of yet another expensive device, and instead just wear my old, scratched Garmin watch. It tells me what I need to know and most everything I want to know, too.

One final thought that could be helpful: they aren't any good at tracking your movement if you're in a wheelchair. Most wearables aren't, but companies are working on it. Of all the devices I've tested, I have to continue to recommend a Garmin watch if you want to keep track of how many "pushes" you've done throughout the day until Apple or Google get their software sorted out at the same level.

Take the time to see if you even need a smartwatch, and think about things like subscription fees before you decide. You'll be happier in the long run. If you decide you do want to grab a smart ring, the Samsung Galaxy Ring is on sale right now, and you can save $100 (25%) at Amazon.

In 2024, I would have easily recommended the Pixel 9 to anyone who asked, not because it was my favorite phone (disclaimer: I am generally not a huge Pixel fan), but because it's a generally good phone. It has cameras that most people would love, pretty decent battery life, tons of fun AI features to keep things exciting, and a software promise that would make most other flagship phones jealous.

So what's the problem? From the get-go, the Pixel 9 has had quite a bit going against it, from the $100 price increase to its "late" software and the lack of hardware you'd find on comparable phones. On its own, the Pixel 9 is a fine phone, but assuming the Pixel 10 will cost the same, it will have to do more than "fine" if it wants to justify the price.

Slow software start, but Google made up for it

When the Pixel 9 launched, Google surprisingly launched it with Android 14 instead of Android 15. Admittedly, the Pixel 9 series launched quite a bit early compared to the Pixel 8, so we can give Google some slack there, but it was still odd to get a new Pixel with old Android software out of the box.

Fortunately, it didn't take Google long to remedy this and then some. Android 15 rolled out in early September with new features like a Private Space, adaptive vibration, changes to screen recording, improved multitasking on large screens, and more. It wasn't a huge overhaul, but it was a significant update, nonetheless.

Less than a year later, the Pixel 9 also received Android 16, making that the second major software update for the Pixel in just 9 months. This was due to Google's updated software schedule, which pushed the Android 16 launch up, followed by another significant update toward the end of the year.

When I asked about the schedule change, Seang Chau, VP and GM of Android Platform, told me in an interview that it was to help its OEM partners get the latest version on their devices sooner rather than later.

"Because if you look at some of the biggest releases during the year, if we're releasing a new Android version in August or September, it's really hard to release a phone that same year with the latest release, and then you have to wait however many months before you get the latest Android release."

While he didn't explicitly say it, it seemed clear to me that the accelerated Pixel 9 schedule was part of the inspiration for this move, as Google had the hardware ready but was waiting on the software to catch up.

Of course, we've received a plethora of new features in between that time with Android and Pixel drops, such as Connected Cameras and AI-powered scam detection. However, even with Android 16, Google didn't seem all that prepared. Hence, we still have to wait for the next Pixel drop before we get the big Material 3 Expressive overhaul, which will give the OS a vibrant new look, improved haptics, and more.

You can already try this on your Pixel if you're running the Android 16 QPR beta, which also brings other features like a more customizable quick settings panel.

$100 more, for what?

One of the most surprising things Google did with the launch of the Pixel 9 is to raise the price by $100. I can sort of understand where some of this would come from, given that better hardware like the more capable Tensor G4 and 12GB of RAM may warrant a price increase, but the Pixel 9 is hardly the spec powerhouse like some other similarly-priced Snapdragon-powered phones.

I will say that I haven't been disappointed with the Pixel 9's overall performance. After all, the Tensor G4 isn't meant to compete in terms of raw power, but in day-to-day use, it still performs fine with my daily needs: taking photos, playing some games, scrolling through Instagram, and perhaps the occasional AI-generated image or summary.

The most obvious omission is in the camera department, where the Pixel 9 still features just two sensors. Fortunately, Google is pretty good at AI upscaling, but zoom is limited to 8x because it's likely the sensor can't produce good results any further than that.

Meanwhile, the $800 Galaxy S25 features three cameras with a 3x telephoto lens that can zoom up to 30x. Not that images are particularly useful at that range, but you can still get decent quality at 10x thanks to the telephoto sensor.

Google also limits the Pixel 9 camera capabilities for seemingly no reason, which could leave users reaching for the Pixel 9 Pro instead. Pro Controls, 8K video recording, and full-res photos are just some of the features missing from the Pixel 9. Night Sight Video and Video Boost are also not present, despite the Pixel 9 seeming quite capable of performing these features.

After all, the Pixel 9 features the same Tensor G4 chip as its "Pro" siblings, even if RAM is limited to "just" 12GB. Even if they perform better on phones with more RAM, it seems odd that Google is skimping out on imaging features when Pixels are known for their camera capabilities.

Fortunately, Battery life has been a bright spot for me, and I never seem to have an issue with the Pixel 9 lasting through the day, which is more than I can say for many flagships. However, charging speeds are still egregiously slow, as it takes the Pixel 9 literally forever to get a full charge if you don't have a Google-branded charger (or one with the right tech).

Unfortunately, even Google's "50% in 30 minutes" estimate doesn't really inspire confidence, and the real-life results are much worse. And unless you have the right type of charger, you're probably better off buying a Google 45W charger if you don't wanna sit around waiting.

After all, what's the point of having a great all-day battery if I'm spending all day charging it?

The Pixel 9a problem

Then there's the Pixel 9a. This phone costs $300 less than the Pixel 9, but its specs and capabilities aren't too different, save for less durable glass, less RAM, and some missing camera/media features like 10-bit HDR video or Action Pan.

In fact, the Pixel 9a has an even larger battery with a longer battery life estimate than the Pixel 9. Google had to make some design changes to fit a larger battery, but it's still impressive.

When the Pixel 9a launched, Android Central editor-in-chief Shruti Shekar questioned why it exists, as it seemed to confuse the Pixel 9 lineup a bit. She suggested Google split the difference between the two phones into one that costs somewhere in between, a sentiment I agree with.

The Pixel 10 could finally be worth it

The Pixel 9 isn't a bad phone, and I think that most people should be happy with it. However, I think they'd also be happier spending $200 more for the Pixel 9 Pro or just waiting for the Pixel 10.

According to rumors, the Pixel 10 could bring many of the changes we've been hoping to see. Leaks have revealed a triple-camera setup that may finally bring a telephoto lens to Google's entry-level Pixel flagship. Meanwhile, the Tensor G5 chip is likely going to bring some nice performance improvements, and Qi2 magnetic charging may finally be on the table.

Assuming Google doesn't increase the price, you may want to wait for the Pixel 10 to launch. If anything, the still-good Pixel 9 will likely go down in price, making it more worth it in my eyes.

Time flies when you're having fun, right? Well, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold made me realize that Google's taking the foldable form-factor seriously, even if it hasn't dipped its toes into the flip-style yet. So with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold around the corner, it's a good time to reflect before I need to decide whether to upgrade or not.

Since its release, I've basically been going back and forth between the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 6. On a few rare occasions, I just tossed a spare SIM into one of them, ditched my iPhone, and just carried two foldables for a couple of days. It's not something I really recommend, but as long as your pockets are big enough and you're wearing a belt, it's manageable.

The hardware holds up

Until the original Pixel Fold was finally unveiled, I had been clamoring for Google to join the parade before it was too late. Then the Pixel Fold landed, and while I was elated to see my wishes become reality, I came to the realization that Google might not be cut out for this kind of hardware.

Then came the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and to this day, I'm still flabbergasted by the stark difference between the two phones. In my initial impressions piece, I said that Google "really went for the 'Pixel 5 to Pixel 6' upgrade path, and if it weren't for the 'G' on the back, I'd go so far as to say these were made by completely different companies." That sentiment still rings true today.

Sure, the phone is still slippier than I would like, but that's been remedied with the Thinborne MagSafe case. It adds hardly any extra thickness to the phone, but gives me MagSafe support, something that I'm hoping will actually end up in the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

Besides that, I really haven't had much to complain about with the design. The cover screen is the same size as the Pixel 9 Pro, giving me a slab phone for one-handed use, but with the obvious benefit of unfolding into a Pixel Tablet Mini.

Where the software falls short

As for the software, I would be lying if I weren't a bit worried about how Google planned to combat the ongoing headaches when using apps on foldable phones. Samsung manages to clear some of the hurdles by including the "Multi-window" option to "force" apps into working via the Labs Settings.

Instead, Google took a different approach, which also played a major role in the overall design. When using two apps in split-screen portrait mode, the aspect ratio is practically identical to that of a traditional smartphone, meaning that it's basically like having an app open on two phones and holding them side-by-side. It's an ingenious solution to a seemingly unsolvable problem, given the sheer number of Android apps out there.

However, that solution immediately falls apart as soon as you want to add a third app into the mix. With the Galaxy Z Fold, you can have three apps in split-screen, along with a few more in Pop-up View. OnePlus and Oppo have the Open Canvas, allowing you to have apps open, move them off-screen a bit, and then tap the edge of the app to bring it into focus.

With the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, once you pick the two apps you want to use, that's all you've got. A common example for me was having two apps open and then needing to grab something from my password manager. Instead of being able to just have the app open in a floating window so I can grab what I need without leaving the app pair, the third app just takes over as the primary.

It's more of an annoyance than anything else, but I can't help but wonder why Google hasn't added some type of implementation. I understand the desire to stand out and offer a different experience, but when every other foldable phone lets you open a floating window, it just feels like poor execution.

My favorite feature of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold

What isn't poor execution is how invaluable the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's camera has been. No, it's not quite on the same level as the Pixel 9 Pro XL or Galaxy S25 Ultra in terms of hardware, but that's not my point.

Google's "Made You Look" feature has become so important that my wife gets annoyed whenever she asks if I'm using the "Google Fold" and I regretfully inform her if I'm not. Our son is now almost 18 months old and is still distracted by everything and anything around him, unless he can hear Ms. Rachel.

However, once I take out the phone and turn on Made You Look, that's where his attention immediately goes. And if I turn on the sound so he can hear the various noises from the different animals, good luck getting him to pay attention to anything else for a few minutes. But more often than not, that's plenty of time to snap some shots when he'd otherwise be trying to run away to plot his revenge.

I've been able to take some absolutely incredible and adorable pictures of him, and it wouldn't have been possible without the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

Looking Ahead

Obviously, I've rather enjoyed having the Pixel 9 Pro Fold by my side, and honestly, ever since sending it off to a colleague for additional testing, I miss having it. In addition to what I've already covered, I want to experiment with Google's new Canary Release Channel and see how far I can go in creating a Linux desktop environment on the phone.

If the Pixel 10 event wasn't right around the corner, I'd probably be very tempted to try and get another Pixel 9 Pro Fold, if not just for the Made You Look feature. But before we know it, Google will have unveiled the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and I don't want to waste an upgrade on my account beforehand.

That said, even if it weren't for the tsunami of leaks in recent days, leaving little to the imagination with Google's next foldable, I might have considered using the upgrade anyway.

I've already written about whether you should wait for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and even with the leaks, my feelings remain the same. But while the Galaxy Z Fold 7 might have more features and a better camera, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold will probably be my next daily carry, just as the Pixel 9 Pro Fold usurped the Z Fold 6.

For more news and information on Google's upcoming Pixel 10 refresh, check out our Ultimate Guide.

Does the Google Pixel Watch 4 support Qi wireless charging?

Why the Pixel Watch 4 benefits from its third proprietary charger in four years

New Pixel 10 owners will be able to charge their phones with Qi2 chargers, including Google's proprietary Pixelsnap chargers or other MagSafe accessories. So Pixel Watch 4 owners may feel disappointed that they're getting a third proprietary charger in four years instead of a universal charging standard.

But Google has made a compelling case for this new charging system. The new two-pin charger is 25% faster than the old one. Where the Watch 3 41mm took 24 and 60 minutes to hit 50% and 100%, respectively, the Watch 4 41mm only needs 15 and 45 minutes.

Likewise, the Pixel Watch 4 45mm only needs 15 or 60 minutes to hit 50% or 100%, while the Watch 3 45mm needed 28 and 80 minutes.

This charging speed is on par with the OnePlus Watch 3's speedy VOOC charging, and it's significantly faster than the Galaxy Watch 8. You can easily top off your Pixel Watch 4 while showering or brushing your teeth and get enough juice for sleep tracking.

On top of that, the Quick Charge Dock lets you place your Watch 4 upright while it charges, making it easier to see the time and charging time remaining, or to swipe through your Tiles for information while in charging mode.

During our Pixel Watch 4 hands-on, our tester noticed another useful feature: If the Watch 4 is sitting improperly or the charger lacks power, the Watch 4 will detect that you're trying to charge it and place a warning notification on screen to fix things.

We may be waiting a long time for Qi charging for Android watches

Smartwatch owners know the pain of proprietary chargers. You get one cable in the box, and if you lose it or leave it at home during a vacation, your watch suddenly becomes useless; the replacement is expensive and often isn't available on Amazon for faster shipping.

Why can't we demand a universal Qi charging standard for watches, like we have with smartphones and USB-C? Mainly because a Qi magnet takes up a decent amount of design space that Android smartwatches or fitness watches can use for other priorities, like battery life.

"Smartwatch designs are a delicate balancing act, and a mandated wireless charging coil would stifle innovation in other areas," says Jitesh Ubrani, IDC's research manager of worldwide device trackers, when I asked him about the possibility.

So for now, we'll have to accept that Pixel Watches won't be compatible with Qi or Qi2 chargers for a long time, forcing you to keep that extra cable on hand. But at least the Quick Charge Dock makes up for it with some of the fastest smartwatch charging we've seen yet.

That's why I've used a USB-C cable with a screen for years, and it's also why I couldn't wait to try Satechi's new OntheGo USB-C lanyard charger. The concept is exactly what it sounds like — it's a lanyard that can hold your ID badges and access cards like usual, but it also doubles as a 1.5-meter-long braided USB-C cable with metal endcaps. Usually, I'd write something like this off as a gimmick, but this one can handle 60W fast-charging duty and even supports data transfer.

At only $30, it's a neat and useful gadget for the right person.

The lanyard has a somewhat odd design that doubles-back on itself, so you actually have two cords hanging across your neck. If you can get past that look, you might love the Satechi OntheGo USB-C lanyard. Pull either end of the cord loops and you can extend the hidden charger to its full length. Then, pop off the aluminum end caps (which stay tethered to the lanyard) and you're off and charging.

A must-have accessory for lanyard wearers

Believe it or not, the lanyard doesn't look too strange hanging from your neck. The braided cloth material and aluminum hardware look much more premium than the lanyards you commonly see around. Unfortunately, you can't hang the lanyard from your pocket or bag as well, simply because the cables are too heavy.

I think there's a purpose for this kind of unique charger for two reasons. First of all, it's not overpriced — $30 is about what you'd pay for a good 60W cable and lanyard separately. On top of that, there's value in having a hidden charger built into something you already carry with you. I can't count the number of times I've had a fully-charged laptop and a dead phone with no USB-C cable to fill the gap. Carrying something like the OntheGo USB-C lanyard cable would solve that pain point once and for all.

It'd be most useful for people who need to wear a lanyard daily anyway. When I was a student, I had to wear a school ID daily — it was a requirement. It would've been really cool to have a charger ready to go as part of my lanyard, making this a great back-to-school purchase. If you have an access card for work, this lanyard could come in handy for that, too.

Personally, I'm going to use this for my Tesla keycard, so I have a backup for unlocking my car and charging up my favorite Android devices. The Satechi OntheGo USB-C lanyard cable might not be for everyone, but I definitely want to see accessory brands keep coming out with unique offerings like this one.

Hi Android Central readers!

Google just launched its next flagship Pixel 10 series, the Pixel Watch 4, the Pixel Buds 2a, and a slew of Gemini features at its annual Made by Google event. You can easily catch up with the biggest announcements or revisit our Made by Google Live Blog for a play-by-play on our thoughts during the launch, which was hosted by Jimmy Fallon and featured a host of other celebrities and influencers.

This comprehensive guide has everything you need to know all in one convenient place, so you won't have to scour the web for information. We will continue to update this guide with more content and information as it comes.

Happy Reading!

— Shruti Shekar, Editor-in-Chief

What you need to know

Buying the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and Pixel Watch 4

Pixel 10 series/Pixel 10 Pro Fold versus

Google Pixel Watch 4 versus

Google Pixel 10 collections

Google Pixel Watch 4 collections

Google Pixel 10 Q&As

Google Pixel Watch 4 Q&As

Before I knew it, the body was stashed somewhere I hoped no one would find it. With seconds to spare, I cleaned up my fingerprints, stashed the mystery man's belongings, and slowly opened the door to greet two officers who had weapons drawn on me.

Just 30 seconds later, I was pronounced innocent and allowed to go on my merry old way. Except, I found that hiding this guy's corpse was more fun than I had anticipated and, apparently, the universe was giving me an unlimited number of times to replay this scenario. It was like the movie Groundhog Day with a dash of Weekend at Bernie's thrown in for good measure.

If you hadn't already guessed it, the game is called Hide the Corpse, and it's available on the Meta Quest platform for just $15. It'll give you several hours of dark comedy goodness, and PSVR 2 players will soon get to join in on the fun on August 18 when it launches on the PlayStation Store.

A puzzle game like no other

Hide the Corpse is sort of an elaborate game of reverse hide-and-seek. The game has over half a dozen levels, each with at least six different places to hide the mystery man Gus's corpse.

Despite what the subject matter might make you think, Hide the Corpse is a strangely family-friendly title that has no foul language, no violence (other than dragging a corpse around, I suppose), and little else that might trigger you to hide its existence in front of your kids.

That, of course, meant that my son and I spent hours laughing until we cried as we struggled to drag around Gus's insanely heavy corpse without running into the furniture in our real living room. Seriously, it's a hilariously good time that's guaranteed to make you laugh.

Dragging Gus around is entirely physics-based, and since he's supposed to be the weight of an average full-grown adult, that means Gus is quite challenging to move around. Even more so given that you only have four minutes to somehow bring him to a legit hiding spot and cram him into whatever dimensions said spot allows.

The intro level takes place in an apartment where you can hide Gus in strangely conspicuous places like the bathtub, the armoire, under the bed, and three other spots I don't want to ruin. You'd think the cops would find him in these places, but they're, thankfully, no Sherlock Holmes.

The goal is to just hide Gus's corpse from plain sight, a goal that becomes zanier and zanier as you progress through the levels. And I promise that you never realized how heavy a corpse could be in zero gravity until you get to the space level!

Gus isn't the only object you'll need to hide, though. The man somehow has several of his belongings scattered randomly in each level, including his comb, wallet, favorite record (this is 70s themed), driver's license, and a few other nicknacks. Each of these also needs to be hidden from plain sight to get the best score.

Oh, and don't forget to erase every single one of the fingerprints you left along the way. Seriously, those little blue fingerprints appear on anything you've touched, even if you didn't realize you'd touched it. It's an almost overwhelming amount of stuff to do in just four minutes, but it results in some gratifying gameplay in a short span.

When the time is up, either at the four-minute mark or when you open the door for the cops, you'll get graded on your performance. I'm not sure who grades someone on their ability to hide a corpse, but I hope I never run across them in real life.

Once you find enough hiding spots in each level, you'll unlock a new level to play in. The scenarios are incredibly varied, ranging from the apartment you start in to the diner I spoke of earlier, a zero-gravity space station, an art museum, and more. The latest update in mid-July added a ton of new modifiers, including a heavier Gus and the ability to double the hiding time.

Alone or with friends, it's a riot

While it's a single-player game, I found it to be the most fun when casting the gameplay to a TV while others in the room were watching. This always elicited people asking to try it and then spending multiple sessions in the game until someone pried the headset from their cold, not-dead hands. Definitely not dead. That only happens in the game.

It's the kind of zany, whimsical, unique fun that I love seeing from indie developers and a reminder of the late 90s and early 2000s era of gaming, where just about any theme or concept could make a game, no matter how surreal or ridiculous. Plus, at just $15, it's tough to say no to for a few fantastic hours of entertainment with friends and family.

How long is the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 battery life?

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 should last nearly as long as the Watch 8 Classic

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is the latest wearable offering from Samsung and is the starter watch to get in its current lineup. The Watch 8 comes in two sizes of 40mm and 44mm, with prices starting at $349.99 and $379.99, respectively. The 40mm Galaxy Watch 8 features a 325mAh battery, and the 44mm version has a 435mAh capacity. Despite the difference in capacities, though, Samsung estimates up to 40 hours of runtime on one charge for both sizes. With the Always-on Display (AOD) feature enabled, this is said to drop to 30 hours.

While we've not yet tested the Galaxy Watch 8, we have finished our review of the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, which comes in a single 46mm dial size with a 445mAh battery. Interestingly, Samsung has the same battery life estimates for the Classic as well. In our testing, we found the Watch 8 Classic to last for roughly 25 hours when really pushed, but it's usually double that when usage is light.

Since the 44mm version of the Galaxy Watch 8 has nearly the same capacity as the Watch 8 Classic, you should expect a similar battery life too. The same would apply to the 40mm version, too, since the smaller battery will be powering a smaller display. Overall, you should expect the Watch 8 to easily last an average of 1–2 days between charges, as do most of the best Samsung watches.

Hi Android Central readers! We know you're itching to know everything about Google's next lineup of devices.

Google announced its next Made By Google event for August 20, and the Keynote event will be at 10 am PT/ 1 pm ET. You can learn how to watch it here and what to expect. But we, of course, can expect some brand new phones and a new watch.

This comprehensive guide has everything you need to know all in one convenient place, so you won't have to scour the web for information. We will continue to update this guide with more content and information as it comes.

We also want to be very clear that the information on this page regarding the Pixel 10 series and Pixel Watch 4 is speculative until they are officially announced. Android Central has not seen any devices, and most pictures are of previous generations.

Happy Reading!

— Shruti Shekar, Editor-in-Chief

What you need to know

Buying the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and Pixel Watch 4

Pixel 10 series/Pixel 10 Pro Fold versus

Google Pixel Watch 4

Google Pixel 10 collections (Stay tuned!)

Google Pixel Watch 4 collections (Stay tuned!)

Google Pixel 10 Q&As

Google Pixel Watch 4 Q&As (Stay tuned!)

If you recently picked up a new Galaxy Z Flip 7, or are thinking of buying one, you'll want to do these 10 things immediately after unboxing it. They cover everything from the basics, to exclusive Samsung foldable features, to useful AI tools. Some are new to the Galaxy Z Flip 7, and others have been staples of past Galaxy Z Flip models.

But every single one represents an essential tip or trick that Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 owners need to know. Let's dive in and start playing around with your brand-new folding phone.

Set up the basics

When you get a new Samsung phone, there are always a few mundane tasks you should complete before moving on to the fun stuff. They include setting up your biometrics, downloading your preferred password manager, and logging into your Google and Samsung accounts. You should also check for early updates by going to Settings > Software update > Download and install. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 has already received its first OTA update, so be sure to install it.

We'd also recommend tweaking your phone's settings to match your preferences. A common frustration with One UI 7 and One UI 8 is a change to lock screen notifications that shows icons instead of banners by default. You might want to change this, and we have a guide for doing so here. Personally, I always turn off Adaptive brightness on my phones and even switch on Extra brightness. Sometimes, I'll swap out Samsung Keyboard for Gboard.

Whatever your list of base-level Android modifications is, make sure you handle those before moving to anything else.

Customize the cover screen

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 has a larger, 4.1-inch cover screen that tries to make it easier to view glanceable information and take actions without opening your phone. In my experience, that effort falls flat because certain cover screen options are gone in One UI 8 on the Flip 7. Still, there are a handful of things you can do to make the cover screen your own.

To do so, you can start by swiping to a widget panel on the cover screen, holding it, and pressing the Edit button. This will require you to open the phone, and it'll open up a Settings page for the cover screen. Alternatively, you can open the Settings app and tap Cover screen with the display open to get to this same spot. This is where you can manage widgets, lock screen and clock, notifications, and cover screen timeout.

After tapping the Widgets tab, you can start customizing your cover screen. Most widgets will be either 2x2 or 2x4 in size, so you can fit either two or four widgets per panel. Some third-party app widgets are supported on the cover screen, like Spotify, but these are the exception, not the rule. You can pick any widgets you like — I have Samsung Health, Sleep, Weather, News, Voice Recorder, and Battery on my cover screen.

Enable cover screen apps with MultiStar

Apps aren't fully supported on the Galaxy Z Flip 7 cover screen, no matter what you install or which Labs features you enable. However, there are a few things you can do to make the experience usable. The first thing to do is add the Apps widget to your cover screen using the steps in the section above. This will give you a small home screen launcher with only a select few official apps — on my Flip 7, the only options are Google Maps, Google Messages, and (oddly) YouTube.

To find this page from anywhere, you can search Apps allowed on cover screen in the Settings app.

At the bottom of the screen, there's a Get MultiStar button that you should press if you want to run more cover screen apps. This will enable what is called the Launcher Widget, an experimental option that lets you run virtually any app on the cover screen. I use the Tesla app on the cover screen of my Flip 7 to precondition my car without unfolding it. We have a complete guide to running apps on Galaxy Z Flip cover screens here.

Try out Flex Mode

Flex Mode is one of my favorite ways to use Samsung foldables, and it's a Galaxy Z Flip 7 essential. The way it works is simple. Open the foldable about halfway and rest it on a table, sort of like a laptop. Then, a small icon will float in the bottom-left corner of your screen. Tap it, and you'll see the Flex Mode user interface take over.

The Flex Mode experience will differ slightly depending on what's on your screen at the time. Some apps natively support Flex Mode, like YouTube, so you'll see video on the top half of the screen and playback controls, comments, and the description on the bottom. Other media apps might not, but One UI 8 creates a Flex Mode interface for it anyway. In the image above, I'm using Apple Music on the top half of the screen and a Flex Mode playback control UI on the bottom.

There are other cool Flex Mode experiences to try, like split-screen apps and a virtual touchpad. You should give them all a go, but I find that Flex Mode is most useful with media apps.

Test camera features & Camcorder Mode

If this is your first foldable phone, it might take you a bit to learn that you should use the selfie camera on the Galaxy Z Flip 7 almost never. The rear camera on this phone is your selfie camera, and the versatility is one of the best parts of daily driving a foldable. To try it, open the camera from the cover screen just like you would on any Android phone. There are multiple ways to do so, including a double-press of the power button.

Don't just use it for selfies — get creative. Your Galaxy Z Flip 7 can also be used as a tripod thanks to its folding form factor. Next, try Cover screen preview — it's the Flip 7 icon in the top-right corner of the camera app when unfolded. It'll show a preview of the viewfinder on the cover screen, so your subject can see how they look before you snap a picture.

Don't sleep on Camcorder mode — a fun way to take videos like it's the 2000s again. Open your Flip 7 halfway and hold it like a camcorder, and a new UI will appear. You'll get handheld controls on one half of the screen and a viewfinder on the other. It's a neat way to take home videos while staying in the moment.

Give Galaxy AI a go

Whether you love or hate AI, there are a handful of Samsung Galaxy AI features worth using on the Galaxy Z Flip 7. Some of my favorite offerings include AI Select, Object Eraser, Interpreter, and Call Assist. With AI Select, you can turn anything on your screen into a saved screenshot or GIF. Let me tell you, being able to take a video from social media and convert it to a GIF with just two button presses is game-changing.

Meanwhile, Object Eraser is the best mobile generative fill tool available. Interpreter bridges the language barrier, and is great while traveling. Finally, Call Assist has your back when dealing with spam calls or long hold times. These are just the tip of the iceberg, and we cover every Samsung Galaxy AI feature here.

Pair your smartwatch and earbuds

When you get a new Android phone, you shouldn't forget to pair your favorite accessories with your device. If you have a Samsung Galaxy Watch, the process might be easy. Open the Settings app on your smartwatch, then tap the General tab. If you see a Transfer watch to new phone option, you're in luck. Tap it and follow the prompts to transfer your smartwatch to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7.

This method should work with most Wear OS smartwatches, and we have a full guide to using it.

If you sign into the same Google account on your new Flip 7, your saved Bluetooth devices may already be connected. If not, simply initiate the pairing process on your headphones or earbuds — usually by long-pressing a button until you see a flashing light — and follow the prompts to connect them to the Flip 7.

Try multimodal Gemini Live

My favorite AI feature on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 is actually from Google. Circle to Search comes in at a close second place, but at number one is definitely multimodal Gemini Live access on the cover screen.

Hold down the power button to activate Gemini — you'll need to set it up first on the main screen. Any time thereafter, you'll get the unabridged Gemini and Gemini Live experiences on the cover screen. That includes video streaming support, so you can ask Gemini questions about what you're seeing without opening up the device.

Use Samsung DeX

For the first time, Samsung DeX is available on a flip phone with the Galaxy Z Flip 7. It's a desktop environment for One UI 8 powered solely by your clamshell foldable. Connect it to a display, and your Flip 7 could theoretically serve as your main computer. The main screen can be used as a touchpad for DeX, too. There are wired and wireless options for connectivity, so you can choose either based on your needs to prioritize either latency or convenience.

We have a full guide to using Samsung DeX here.

One more thing

The last thing you should do while getting to know your Galaxy Z Flip 7 may be the most important. Remember that your Flip 7's pre-installed screen protector can be replaced free-of-charge one time within 12 months of your purchase. After that, replacements will cost around $20. In other words, don't think your Flip 7 is breaking if the screen protector wears down over time — it's easy and cheap to get replaced by a professional.

You can even set a reminder using the Reminder app on your phone in about 11 months to check on your Flip 7 and explore getting the free replacement before time runs out.

Until then, enjoy using your Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7. It's a great phone, and after you get to know its best features, you'll realize that it offers much more than a traditional "slab" smartphone.

Things may become a little technical at times, as that's the nature of technology — it can be complex and intricate. Together we can break it all down and make it accessible, though!

You might not care how any of this stuff happens, and that's OK, too. Your tech gadgets are personal and should be fun. You never know though, you might just learn something ...

How does Night Mode work?

Ever wondered how your smartphone, a tiny device you carry in your pocket, can capture stunningly clear photos of a starry night sky or a dimly lit city street? It's a question that's probably crossed your mind while scrolling through your gallery. The magic behind those impressive night shots isn't a single feature, but a symphony of hardware and software working in perfect harmony.

It's a far cry from the blurry, noisy images that were once the hallmark of low-light photography on older phones. Today's "night sight" and "astrophotography" photos are a testament to how far mobile technology has come.

A great night shot begins with the most fundamental component: the camera sensor. Think of the sensor as the camera's eye, capturing light and converting it into an electrical signal. In low-light situations, the challenge is to gather as much light as possible.

A camera sensor can see a lot more than your eye can, and sees more colors. That's why photos of the Northern Lights looked better than the real thing; the camera processed all that information we couldn't see into something we can.

This is why a larger sensor can be important. A bigger sensor has more surface area, allowing it to collect even more photons (light particles) and produce a cleaner, less noisy image.

Alongside a larger sensor, a wider aperture helps, too. The aperture is the opening in the lens that lets light in. A wider aperture, represented by a smaller f-number (e.g., f/1.8 vs. f/2.2), allows more light to reach the sensor in a given amount of time. This combination of a large sensor and a wide aperture is the hardware foundation of a good night camera.

Now for the software magic

But hardware is only a small part of the story. The real secret sauce is the software, which uses a technique called computational photography. This is the brain behind the brawn, processing and enhancing the raw data captured by the sensor. The most important technique in this arsenal is image stacking.

When you press the shutter button in night sight mode, your phone doesn't just take one picture. It takes a rapid-fire series of photos, often a dozen or more, in a second or two. These individual photos are all slightly different, some a little underexposed, others slightly overexposed. They all contain a bit of noise, too, but the noise is random and different in each frame. That's important, and means that with enough frames, you can have a clear set of data for everything.

After capturing these multiple images, the phone's processor gets to work. It aligns all the frames, compensating for any minor hand shake you might have had while holding the phone. Then, it uses a sophisticated algorithm to "stack" them on top of each other.

By averaging the pixel values of all the aligned images, the random noise that appeared in each individual photo is effectively canceled out, leaving behind a much cleaner, sharper base image. This is a lot like how a student might get a more accurate grade by averaging the scores from multiple tests instead of just one.

Off to you, AI

The process doesn't stop there. Once the noise is reduced, the software performs further processing to enhance the final image. It "intelligently" brightens the darker areas of the photo without blowing out the highlights. It also adjusts the contrast and color balance to make the image look more natural and vibrant. This is where different smartphone brands develop their unique "look."

Google's Pixel 9, for example, is known for its strong emphasis on realistic colors and contrast, while other manufacturers like Samsung might opt for a more vibrant, saturated look with the Galaxy S25.

AI also helps the software identify objects in the scene, like faces or landscapes, and apply specific optimizations to make them look their best.

This is why every "night mode" photo you take will look a little bit different. The source may be the same, but there is a bit of wiggle room for the software to process everything. It may slightly change the color, sharpen some areas more than others, and even make the edges of objects slightly different. The end goal is to produce something that meets a set of overall parameters that we like to see.

The next time you marvel at a stunning night shot from your phone, remember what's happening under the hood. It's not just a lucky shot. It's a complex, multi-step process that starts with an adequate sensor and lens, captures a burst of images, uses powerful software to stack and average them, and then intelligently enhances the final product.

It's a perfect example of how computational photography has democratized a once-specialized area of photography, allowing everyone to capture beautiful images even when the sun has gone down.

We've come a long way

The journey from grainy, unusable night photos to the clear, vibrant images we see today has been a rapid one. Early smartphone cameras were simply not equipped for low-light conditions. Their small sensors and narrow apertures meant they couldn't gather enough light. To compensate, the camera would increase its sensitivity (a setting called ISO), which made the image brighter but introduced a massive amount of noise, turning the photo into a pixelated mess.

The breakthrough came with the realization that instead of trying to capture a perfect image in a single shot, it was better to use software to combine multiple imperfect shots. This idea, which had been used in professional astrophotography for years, was adapted for the mobile world.

Google's introduction of Night Sight on the Pixel 3 in 2018 was a landmark moment, popularizing the concept and pushing other manufacturers to develop their own versions. Apple's Night Mode, Samsung's Night Mode, and others all follow a similar principle of computational photography using specialized hardware and custom software.

These features have fundamentally changed how we think about mobile photography. They've given us the ability to capture moments that were once impossible without a bulky DSLR camera and a tripod.

Tips for Taking Better Night Photos with Your Phone

Even with all this technology, there are a few simple things you can do to get the best possible night shots.

Hold Still: This is the most important tip. Since the phone is taking multiple photos over a few seconds, any movement can cause blur. Find a stable surface to rest your phone on, or simply hold it as still as you possibly can.

Tap to Focus: Before you press the shutter, tap on the darkest part of the scene to tell the camera where to focus and expose correctly. This will help the phone's algorithm work more effectively.

Clean Your Lens: A smudged lens can make a huge difference in low light. A quick wipe with a soft cloth can improve sharpness and reduce glare from light sources.

Don't Zoom: Digital zoom is a recipe for a blurry, noisy mess. It's always better to get closer to your subject or crop the photo later.

Garmin itself leaked the Venu 4 name in a description of the Japanese Garmin golf app, saying it would get premium golf features that the expensive Garmin Venu X1 received earlier this year.

Otherwise, we don't officially know anything about this watch. But we can look at Venu X1 upgrades over the Venu 3 — plus the pricier Fenix 8 and Venu-lite Vivoactive 6 — and get a pretty good idea of what tricks the Venu 4 will receive to refresh the Venu 3 template.

Here's everything we expect from the Venu 4, along with everything we truly hope Garmin will add, even if the odds are slim.

The most likely Garmin Venu 4 features

The Garmin Venu 4 should emulate the Venu 3 with two AMOLED touch display sizes (1.2 and 1.4 inches), a mic & speaker, all-systems GNSS tracking (but no dual-band GPS), an altimeter for elevation data, a gyroscope for accurate workout tracking, music storage, Garmin Pay, and at least the 5th-generation Elevate sensor with ECG and skin temp readings.

It should bring back the core Garmin health and training tools like Body Battery, Sleep Coach, intensity minutes, workout benefit, recovery time, animated indoor workouts, running dynamics, running power, and more recent add-ons like Garmin Strength Coach.

Since the Venu 3 came out, Garmin has continued to update its core UI, and the Venu 4 will have a smarter, more logical navigation layout than the last model. Beyond that, the Venu 4 is due to receive a ton of new features.

The 2025 Vivoactive 6 is designed as a cheaper Venu alternative, but since it came out later, it introduced features the Venu 4 is nearly 100% certain to get: move alerts, daily walking suggestions, Garmin Run Coach, prebuilt cycling plans, PacePro, training effect, and the smart alarm that waits to wake you until you're in a light sleep stage.

Plus, the Vivoactive 6 display — like the Venu X1 and Forerunner 970 displays — is twice as bright as most AMOLED Garmin watches; expect the Venu 4 to hit 2,000 nits, as well.

The Garmin Venu 3 was one of the first Garmin watches to add a mic & speaker, but it only works for Bluetooth calling and pass-through commands to your phone. Since then, several watches like the Fenix 8 and Forerunner 570 have added on-watch commands like "Start a run activity" or "Show my sleep summary." It's a guarantee the Venu 4 gets these commands.

Everything we hope the Garmin Venu 4 will add

Frankly, if the Garmin Venu 4 adds all of the above features, that'll be enough to satisfy plenty of people. And the more features Garmin adds, the more justification it will have to raise the Venu 4 price, just as the Instinct 3 and Forerunner 570 jumped $50 and $100 in price, respectively.

But if Garmin is determined to charge more, we may as well get even more new features out of the Venu 4! Here's what we want to see, from reasonable possibilities to unlikely hopes.

A flashlight

In the last year, the Fenix 8, Enduro 3, Forerunner 970, Venu X1, and Instinct 3 have all added built-in LED flashlights, though not the Vivoactive 6. The fact that the $550 Forerunner 570 didn't get the flashlight could mean that Garmin reserves this for the top-tier models (and Instinct series built for outdoor use), but it could be a way for Garmin to differentiate this mainline model from other smartwatches, with a feature that's quite popular among Garmin users.

More Forerunner training tools

Garmin avoids adding overly complicated Forerunner training tools to the Venu series, where they might overwhelm new users. But the Garmin Venu X1 received nearly all the same training features as the Forerunner 970, as Garmin couldn't reasonably charge $800 without including them.

The pricier the Venu 4 gets, the harder it'll be to justify excluding certain tools like training load and training readiness. Most runners and hikers will go for Forerunners and Instincts, but those who will trade extra buttons for a more stylish design still deserve this data, and indoor athletes will benefit from training load data, too.

Breadcrumb navigation

The Garmin Venu 4 will never get offline maps when the Instinct 3 and Forerunner 570 didn't; it's a frustrating fact that Garmin reserves maps for premium models, even though other brands offer maps on cheap watches.

What's more surprising is that the Venu 3 doesn't even have point-to-point navigation, so you can't follow a course and see how far you are from your destination. Even if most Venu fans will never use GPX courses, and it's not a priority for an indoor-focused watch, some users will definitely benefit from this.

Elevate v6 with new health data

The Garmin Venu 2 was the first model with the Elevate v4 sensor, the Venu 2 Plus introduced ECG readings, and the Venu 3 was one of the first — after the Fenix 7 Pro — to use the current Elevate v5 sensor with skin temperature. I don't know if Garmin has a new sensor suite ready, but the Venu 4 is a candidate to introduce the 6th-generation version.

The most obvious upgrade would be additional LEDs for better HR accuracy, but I'm also hoping for new health data. Garmin has patented a method to track glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) for a "long-term indication of the average blood glucose level." More recently, its "pulse spectroscopy" patent discussed ways to track your body's hydration and hemocrit levels. There's no guarantee Garmin will use these patents, but it's an example of how Garmin is looking to expand its health offerings.

Daily indoor workout recommendations

The Garmin Venu 4 will get the new Garmin Strength Coach for a guided, weeks-long training plan, as well as premade strength, HIIT, cardio, yoga, and pilates workouts. But not everyone likes to follow a rigid, long-term plan; I personally prefer Garmin's daily run suggestions to its structured Run Coach. With daily cycling and walking suggestions available, too, I think daily indoor workout suggestions are the natural next step!

I'm not sure of the logistics of how they pull this off, as there are so many different types of indoor workouts based on your equipment and abilities. Maybe it'd end up being some kind of Garmin Connect Plus feature. Either way, it'd help the Venu 4 compete against the Apple Watch with its curated list of Fitness+ video workouts.

Cellular data

I've been waiting for Garmin to get back into selling LTE watches since the Forerunner 945 LTE, which solely used it for safety check-ins. The Garmin Venu 4, like the kid-focused Garmin Bounce, could go beyond that and offer 4G LTE calling or voice message check-ins to Garmin LiveTrack.

To be clear, I'd want this to be an optional add-on, just as you can pay extra for LTE-capable Apple and Galaxy Watches. The point is that this would be extremely appealing for those who want a phone backup or phone-free workout experience, whether outdoors or at the gym. The current rumor is that Garmin will sell a Fenix 8 Pro with LTE, so that's a more likely candidate, but who knows!

An even skinnier design

The Garmin Venu 3 is one of the most stylish Garmin watches out there, with a cool steel bezel and svelte case. The Venu X1 isn't nearly as stylish, but I'll admit that its 40g, 7.9mm case is very comfortable to wear, both for workouts and at home. I'm hoping that Garmin can make the Venu 4 a little more petite while preserving its two-week battery life. That might be an unfair request, but I'll hope for it regardless.

While Onyx released a follow-up device a year later, it still didn't include SIM support. Thankfully, Bigme has answered the call and created the HiBreak Pro, a device that not only is the same size as the Palma but also features an even better E Ink display, haptic motors, and, most importantly, a dual-SIM tray.

While most E Ink phones seem to focus on being "minimalist phones," the Bigme HiBreak Pro tosses that idea in the trash and, instead, works exactly like the Android phone you're probably already using. The big difference is that it has a Kindle-like E Ink display that makes daily reading a joy. Plus, it's so much easier on your eyes since you can turn the backlight completely off with the click of a button.

I took the HiBreak Pro on vacation with me last week and have continued using it for an additional couple of days, and I still can't believe this phone is real. It's a dream come true for anyone trying to avoid the negative effects of PWM dimming or is just trying to get away from staring at a backlit screen all day, all without trying to take away all the apps and experiences you love on your smartphone.

Different from the rest

I've used several E Ink phones up until now, and all of them seem to suffer from one big issue or another. I compared the Minimal Phone and the Mudita Kompakt back in April because both phones aim to provide a more minimalist experience to cure your digital addiction. While this is admirable, it's extraordinarily difficult for many people to stop using apps, social media, NFC payments, and other modern necessities.

I say 'necessities' because, try as I might, someone like me can't use a minimalist phone daily and still perform my job effectively. If you fall into this category but still want the eye-friendly experience created by an E Ink display, the Bigme HiBreak Pro is your only viable option on the market. That sounds like you'll be compromising, but the reality is that you really won't.

The only real "downside" to the phone is that the display is black and white only. It doesn't use color E Ink like some of Bigme's other devices, although that version is supposedly in the works for a later release. Instead, it uses a lovely 6.13-inch E Ink screen with a very fast refresh rate; much faster than the one on the Minimal Phone or Mudita Kompakt, and it makes a world of difference in daily use.

Watching videos on a black and white screen is a bit strange, but people did it less than a hundred years ago, so it just takes some getting used to. Even the contrast is good enough for most videos, although darker videos are just plain hard to see on any E Ink device I've used to date.

Apps and all normal smartphone functions work as you would expect. Want to launch the camera quickly? Double-click the power button and take the shot. Want to toggle the backlight so you're not wasting power during the day? Customize one of the two keys on the side as the "light switch."

I set the top button to double-tap for this function, and I've used it constantly over the past week. There's even a fingerprint reader inside the side-mounted power button, a location I far prefer over in-screen readers.

I've also done an immense amount of reading on this phone in that time. I'm already halfway through Project Hail Mary, a book I bought on the Google Play Store last Friday before heading out on the road for vacation. I've read entirely on this device and can't begin to describe the eye relief that comes with E Ink. It's like reading a book, and it feels like magic when you use it.

While you might have trouble telling the Bigme HiBreak Pro apart from the Onyx Boox Palma at first glance, several upgrades make it a better device. Apart from the obvious advantage of 5G connectivity, it also has haptic motors inside, two customizable quick keys on the left side, as well as a fingerprint reader in the lovely red power button.

Unlike some other E Ink devices, the Bigme HiBreak Pro supports full NFC payments, and it even has an IR blaster up top for remote functionality. These are all assumed features of the best Android phones, but they've been anything but standard on E Ink phones so far.

Speaking of "standards," the Bigme HiBreak Pro sets a new standard for E Ink phone camera quality. I took a ton of pictures with the phone over the last week, and while it won't be vying for best phone camera any time soon, it's more than adequate quality.

I highlight this specifically because every other E Ink phone I've tried has had a terrible camera, and I recommended that users keep another phone in their pocket just to take pictures. That, of course, defeats the purpose of going E Ink as it'll just give you the temptation to use the other phone to doomscroll or revert to old habits.

It's actually quite weird to see pictures being taken on this phone, only to see it in full color on another device later and be surprised by the quality. The Bigme HiBreak Pro's camera was good enough that I didn't feel the need to find something else for regular photos, and that is enough for me to give it some kind of award.

Getting E Ink right

One of my biggest annoyances with E Ink devices is having to constantly change the display mode to best fit the content. Most modern E Ink devices do a decent job in the default display mode, but a lot of apps require you to tweak the image to get the best picture.

So far, I've never had to adjust the display mode on the Bigme HiBreak Pro. It understands how to tune it for the app that's running, and that's been a huge quality of life change I didn't expect. The only thing I adjust manually is the brightness level because I like control over the backlight, but even then, you could just set it to automatic and let it do its thing like normal.

Compared to every other E Ink device I have, this one rarely has to do that jarring full refresh cycle you probably associate with E Ink devices. Scrolling through a web page or even a long email looks like a normal display, and it's proof to me that Bigme's software is doing something better than its competitors.

On the topic of software, while I found the default home screen launcher to be a bit underwhelming, I haven't had any issues changing it to something better, like Niagara Launcher. This one's my go-to for any E Ink or more "minimalist" phone, as it provides quick access to everything I need without fuss.

Daily performance and multitasking have been surprisingly good, and I seldom saw any app need to reload unless it had been a notable amount of time since I last used it. The multitasking UI is better than stock Android, as it shows quick cards for the 6 most recent open apps, with additional apps located in pages.

Bigme's UI doesn't use stock Android gesture navigation, though, so there's no support for quick 2-app switching as you'll find on other Android phones. That's not a deal breaker, but it did take me a while to unlearn my regular usage of that gesture.

Even typing on the on-screen keyboard (I use Gboard) was just as fast as any other Android phone I've used. As I said with the camera previously, this is expected on a normal Android phone, but not something that normally works well on E Ink phones. Once again, Bigme surprises in the best way, and I find typing to be a great experience.

Specs, value, and conclusion

The Bigme HiBreak Pro is quite affordable, retailing for $459 on Amazon. That puts it squarely in the mid-range category, and I've found that basically all the specs feel right for the price.

The Bigme HiBreak Pro is made entirely of polycarbonate. I tried to use the phone without this case for a while, but found it to be way too slippery. Thankfully, Bigme includes a silicone case in the box if you don't like the overly slippery plastic build. This case is extremely grippy and offers some decent padding for the device, which further adds to the value of the package.

While a fully polycarbonate phone sounds like a negative, I actually enjoyed the fact that there's zero possibility of breaking the screen if you drop it. That's a weirdly freeing reality in a world where most phones are some kind of metal and glass sandwich.

Overall, I loved using this phone and even found that, even while Bigme doesn't market this as a "minimalist phone," per se, the black & white E Ink display swayed me away from mindless scrolling I'm seldom prone to doing. To me, this is the ideal way to switch to an E Ink device without feeling the shellshock most other similar products create.

And, if you were wondering, yes, this display is completely flicker-free. No PWM dimming. No temporal dithering. Just an eye-friendly experience that feels good to use. Talk about a major win for Bigme!

While we don't have a lot of official information about the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold just yet, we know that it's most likely going to be announced during a Made by Google event on August 20th. This means that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is about to be marked as last-gen, but does that mean it's going to get cheaper? One can only speculate, but I've been working in this industry long enough that I can give you a pretty good idea of what to expect in the coming weeks. Let's discuss. 

What we know

Like I mentioned above, the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is likely to be revealed during an announcement event on August 20th with a keynote address scheduled for 10am PT. 

Alongside the foldable, we're also set to get a first look at the Google Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro, plus Google is expected to announce the Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Buds 2A. Some rumors have even suggested that the company will be formally announcing the release of its long-teased AR smart glasses, but the validity of that rumor is far from certain. 

As for specs, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is rumored to feature a 6.4-inch OLED cover display with an 8-inch OLED inner display. Both screens are expected to boast 3,000 nits of peak brightness, plus Google is reportedly working on a new-and-improved hinge that should make the phone a bit thinner and nicer to hold. Considering the ultra-sleek new design found on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 (the Fold's biggest competitor), this is probably a smart move on Google's part. 

Under the hood, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is expected to sport the same Tensor G5 chipset that the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro/10 Pro XL will use, plus rumors have suggested that the phone will feature an upgraded 5,015mAh battery. You'll also get 16GB of RAM as standard and storage variants up to 1TB. We're also expecting the foldable phone to come with IP68 ingress protection, which would be an industry first!

So what about the price? Well, looking at the competition, it's worth mentioning that both of Samsung's new foldable phones received considerable price increases, with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 clocking in at a ridiculous $1,999.99. Last year's Pixel 9 Pro Fold, on the other hand, had a starting price of $1,799.99.

Will Google follow the way of its competitors and up the price of the Pixel 10 series? It's hard to know for sure, but at least one rumor has suggested that Google might actually decrease the starting price of its flagship foldable by $200. Only time will tell, but I wouldn't start celebrating just yet. 

Will the Pixel 9 Pro Fold get a price drop?

Now for the million-dollar question: will the Pixel 9 Pro Fold finally get cheaper when the next generation arrives? Since there's no way to know for certain, we have to look at the past to make an educated guess.

The phone that came before the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold was simply called the Pixel Fold. This foldable dropped in 2023 with a $1,799 price tag, and although it's a little hard to find nowadays, you can actually buy the Google Pixel Fold for as little as $989.99 nowadays through stores like Amazon and Best Buy. But of course, this is nearly three years after the device's launch, and I'm guessing you'd rather not wait that long to pick up the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

Instead, I'd recommend waiting for a major sale event, like Back to School 2025 or the upcoming Black Friday sales. By that time, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will be considered last-gen, but most stores will still have stock that they're looking to ditch. After all, at this very moment you can get $500 off the phone at Best Buy, and the Pixel 10 version hasn't even been announced yet. Give it a few more weeks and I wouldn't be surprised if last year's foldable dropped to $1,000 or less. 

A lot of primary education institutions provide a Chromebook for students to use throughout the year, but if you're off to college or your kid's school doesn't offer its own Chromebook program, you need to take a look.

The Pros

The Lenovo Duet 11 isn't the best Chromebook you can buy, but there are a few things that make it a standout for a student.

The Lenovo Duet 11 is super portable. As a convertible tablet and laptop, the Lenovo Duet 11 is thin, light, and easy to stuff into a backpack so you can lug it around all day.

It promises up to 12 hours of battery life and mostly delivers. The battery on this thing will last all day and well into a night of homework. Recharging it is simple with a good USB charger.

It runs Chrome OS. This is a bigger deal than you may think because Chrome OS was designed to run well on even the most modest hardware. It's also a great way to tie into any online Google services and will sync directly with your Google Drive if that's how you want to go.

It has a surprisingly good display. The 11-inch 1080p display is bright and easy on the eyes. That's something most cheap Chromebooks can't offer.

The Cons

The Lenovo Duet 11 only has 4GB of memory. To be fair, that's enough to do anything a Chromebook is capable of doing, but it can struggle when trying to do more than one task at a time. You aren't going to want to have 100 Chrome tabs open on this thing.

It only has 128GB of storage. That might be enough for some people, but it won't be enough for others. The thing is, you can never change that number. You get 128GB no matter what.

It has no SD card slot. Combined with the limited storage, this means you are going to have to juggle what you store on your Duet 11 Chromebook. No dropping that huge music collection on it.

It doesn't have the best chip. The MediaTek Kompanio 838 is enough, but there's little headroom for stuff like playing games at 60 frames without stuttering.

My Verdict

I wouldn't buy the Lenovo Duet 11 (2024) for myself because I don't need it. Having said that, if I needed to pick up a good laptop for a student, this is the Chromebook I would buy while it's on sale at Best Buy under 300 bucks.

That's because it seems to have been built with a student in mind. The cons are there, and you don't want to buy this for a gaming or coding machine where you need all the GBs and a fast chip, but for carrying to and from class, taking notes, working on homework, or writing a paper, it looks absolutely perfect.

Running Chrome OS means everything is in one place once you sign in, and you're not going to lose anything important if you need to switch to another device. It's also super easy to use and works with Google's Office Suite and Microsoft's Android apps.

Unless you're buying for an engineering student or someone else who needs access to specific tools and software, this is the one to buy right now.

• See our guide to the best Back to School Chromebook deals today

Before the days of foldable phones we just had slabs of aluminum, glass, or plastic. On rare occasion we would see a company try doing something different, like Essential did by releasing the PH-1 with Titanium and Ceramic. But even fewer companies tried to think outside the box.

However, you have to go back even further to find anything that really stands out, and that's when we find Sony. The Xperia Play was clearly designed as a gaming handheld that could make phone calls. Turning the phone sideways and pushing the screen up revealed a built-in controller, not all that different from the PSP Go.

Fast forward to now, and it seems that AYANEO is set on bringing back that iconic design with its first phone.

AYANEO Slide

The announcement came at the end of an almost 4-hour livestream, where AYANEO CEO Arthur Zhang laid out the company's roadmap for the upcoming year. This included introducing a slew of new handhelds, such as the AYANEO Pocket DS, and some "value" gaming handhelds coming via the KONKR brand.

But Zhang had "One More Thing" to share, and that's the company's desire to release a phone. Unlike practically everything that was announced, we didn't actually get to see what this phone would look like. However, when looking at the promotional materials, it doesn't take long to see that's what AYANEO hopes to launch.

Why now?

Many have pondered why no other company has tried releasing a similar phone to the Xperia Play over the years. Simply put, it was because they couldn't, as Sony owned the patent for this design. The patent was filed back in 2011 for a term of "14 Years" and is described as "the ornamental design for a keypad for a mobile phone..."

Well, 14 years have passed, and Sony's patent has officially expired as of June 21, 2025. And wouldn't you believe it, the day of the patent's expiration, the Anbernic RG Slide was released.

As the name implies, this is a gaming handheld with a sliding mechanism that keeps a built-in controller tucked away. As someone who never used an Xperia Play much, but adored my T-Mobile G2, I was quickly reminded of why I loved the G2 so much. And before you run to the comments, no, I never owned a T-Mobile Sidekick.

Nevertheless, with Sony's patent having expired, it could mean we begin seeing an influx of similar devices, whether it be phones or gaming handhelds.

Potential pitfalls

AYANEO has a steep hill to climb if it wants to release a modern sliding phone. Even in a vacuum, it's no small feat for a company to launch its first phone, even if said company already has experience releasing gaming handheld consoles.

Companies have come and gone, simply because it's practically impossible to break the Apple and Samsung chains of the world. Not to mention the regulatory hurdles AYANEO will have to overcome, at least if it plans to release a phone here in the U.S.

The current economic situation isn't doing AYANEO any favors either, as the Duty-Free De Minimis Exemption is set to be suspended as of August 29. As a result, what would have already likely been an expensive device will now be even more expensive.

For example, Nintendo announced price increases for the original Switch family of gaming handhelds. This is on top of price increases that have already been taking place, as companies now have to account for the added costs of shipping to the U.S.

A glimmer of light

Unlike other "start-ups" that would want to try and cash in on the sliding phone, AYANEO already has a sizable head start. It already has the manufacturing process in place for such an endeavor, considering that it's been releasing gaming handhelds for just over five years.

Beyond that, AYANEO also already has an agreement in place with Qualcomm. The original AYANEO Pocket S was the first handheld to make use of the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2. And that just so happens to be the same chip AYANEO will be relying on with its upcoming Pocket DS.

Earlier this year, AYANEO the Pocket S2 and Pocket S2 Pro were announced in conjunction with Qualcomm's introduction of the Snapdragon G3 Gen 3. So either this is the chip that the potential AYANEO Slide will be powered by, or the two companies are already working together on something else.

What I'm hoping for

For me, the dream scenario would be for AYANEO to release its sliding phone while making use of whatever the latest flagship Qualcomm chip is. Currently, that would be the Snapdragon 8 Elite, but the Snapdragon Summit is scheduled to take place on September 23.

This is where we'll likely learn about Qualcomm's next-gen flagship chip, the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2. It would serve as a mighty fine opportunity for AYANEO to get some more publicity and brand recognition before launching a phone. However, I'm on the fence about whether AYANEO will actually be involved in any of the announcements.

Another potential scenario is that AYANEO could instead lean on the current Snapdragon 8 Elite. Doing so would likely mean cheaper processors, which would (hopefully) result in a less-expensive phone. But, if AYANEO's recent "Strategy Sharing Session" is anything to go by, there's no telling what the company is really up to.