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Samsung Galaxy S24: News, leaks, rumored price, and release window
Samsung's next flagship lineup will be here before you know it
Although the Samsung Galaxy S23 series remains some of the best Android phones you can buy right now — particularly the massive Galaxy S23 Ultra — it's easy to look ahead at what's next. Samsung recently announced two new folding phones, including the massive Galaxy Z Fold 5. But if you're uninterested in foldables, the Galaxy S24 series is the company's next set of incoming flagships, set for release early next year.
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2023: Everything we saw at today's big launch
From the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5 to brand-new smartwatches and tablets
Believe it or not, we've reached yet another Samsung Galaxy Unpacked. The company hosts two events per year, where it unveils the latest and greatest in smartphones, tablets, wearables, and any other accessories you can dream up. After launching the Galaxy S23 series in February, today's event was focused on upgrading its foldable lineup, alongside the Galaxy Watch 6 series and a new trio of tablets. Here's what we saw at Galaxy Unpacked today.
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 fixes my biggest gripe with Samsung's flip phone
The biggest upgrade is a larger front display, but little else has changed
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is one of seven gadgets announced during the second Unpacked event of 2023, and it’s the most remarkable of this new series. While the Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Watch 6, and Galaxy Tab S9 series are all iterative updates, the Z Flip 5 is the biggest change from the Z Flip 4. That said, it isn’t a huge upgrade from its predecessor.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 wasn't made for you
Samsung is coming for first-time foldable buyers — upgraders be damned
As we rapidly approach the fifth anniversary of the original Galaxy Fold next year, it's hard to believe how quickly foldables have evolved from an ultra-expensive, ultra-niche product category into… well, something just as expensive, but a little less niche. While Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series has yet to dip below an $1,800 starting price — not including the occasional sale on aging hardware, of course — it has developed into something you could expect your average Android user to actually consider when it's time for a new phone.
Samsung's flagship Galaxy S23 series debuted at the beginning of this year. But that does not mean the Korean giant is done with its major product announcements for the year. Samsung is holding its second Galaxy Unpacked event of the year later today (July 26), where it is set to announce some of the most anticipated foldables of the year: the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5. Additionally, the company will continue its dominance in the Android smartwatch segment with the Galaxy Watch 6 series. If you are excited about Samsung's upcoming products, here's how to catch all the action live.
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 might have a shot at failing to impress the Android Police podcast
Motorola Fever still going strong
After a break last week to recover from Prime Day and some unwelcome strep, we're back with a preview of what Samsung will Unpack this week! You can tell from the brimming excitement in our hosts' voices that there will be plenty to look forward to with the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Fold 5. Or maybe we'll talk about Motorola again, look, I just cut the show up and write the notes up, I can't be held responsible for what Will does.
The Google Pixel Fold has the smartest way to handle auto-rotate yet
Google's foldable treats the outer and inner screens separately
The Google Pixel Fold may not quite measure up to Samsung's fourth-generation foldable when it comes to hardware durability and build quality, but to be fair, that sort of thing has never been Google's strongest suit. Instead, the Pixel Fold's appeal lies in its approach to software, include an assortment of smart features that mostly stay out of the way, but that can make a real difference when using the handset. One highlight is the way Google implements auto-rotation across the Pixel Fold's internal and external screen, which I would like to highlight today.
Samsung Unpacked's $50 reserve bonus is both its cheapest — and its most useful
It may be less than half of what was offered last year, but who cares when you can actually use it on what you wanted?
When the reserve bonus for Samsung's July 26 Unpacked event was initially announced at $50, I was floored. The same $50 reservation bonus was given back during the Galaxy S23 pre-reserve period, but that had been less than half of the reserve bonuses we saw around last August's Unpacked launch. And the S23 series topped out at $1,200; the Galaxy Z Fold 5 will almost certainly be at or above the gut-punching $1,800 price tag of its predecessors.
Motorola is making good smartphones again, and you should pay attention
Feeling bored by Samsung and Google? An alternative might've been under your nose this whole time
It's no secret that meaningful competition in the Android space has become more restricted than ever, specifically in North America. Walk into a carrier store, your local Best Buy, or peruse Amazon's virtual shelves, and you'll find the best Android smartphones are limited to Samsung, Google, and a handful of smaller competitors. Even Nothing, the rare upstart challenger, took several years and two generations to really break ground in the US market. The days of LG and HTC providing real competition is long gone — frankly, it can feel downright depressing.
I can’t go back to a Google Pixel even if I wanted to
The Pixel 6a is my handy companion for taking photos, but it cannot be my daily driver
Google Pixel phones are special, and even without the kind of access they get to the latest Android software, there's a lot to be impressed about what they're capable of doing. Still, they're not for everyone, and a serious shopper will want to go in eyes-open about some of their bigger limitations.
Google Pixel 8 & 8 Pro: News, leaks, rumored price, and release window
After the Pixel 7 impressed us, what's next for our favorite Android phones?
The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are likely to be two of the best Android phones of 2023, but we've yet to hear any official news directly from the company on their existence. Leaks and rumors suggest we'll be seeing both phones appear in the second half of 2023. While we did expect to see a teaser of them at Google I/O 2023 alongside the reveal of the Pixel 7a, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet, that didn't happen. The Google Pixel 7 and Google Pixel 7 Pro were first teased at I/O 2022, but unfortunately, these phones remain a mystery — unless you follow the rumormill, that is.
Prime Day 2023: Best phone deals still available
From the fanciest of foldables to the barest of budget phones, these deals are selling out fast
Just like that, Amazon Prime Day is done. We saw a lot of phone deals over the past two days, with lots of price fluctuations and with deals selling out and restocking several times. The good news is there are still some deals to be had if you're looking to save on your next daily driver. Both top-end premium phones and some great budget and midrange options make up a bulk of the latest and greatest in Android hardware, and companies like Google, Motorola, and OnePlus are still offering deep discounts on all sorts of their hardware. There's no telling how long these sales will last, so don't hesitate to jump on them while the savings are still good.
Best Prime Day Samsung deals: the 16 best sales right now
Some of Samsung's best cell phones and tablets have huge discounts for Prime Day
Great news for tech enthusiasts like you - Amazon Prime Day is finally here! With incredible savings on some of the best tech products, including Samsung-made devices, you'll be able to grab a deal you won't want to miss. Samsung's devices are usually quite expensive, so this is an excellent opportunity to pick up a new phone, tablet, Chromebook, or even wireless earbuds at a great price. Prime Day is one of the best times to buy new tech, and this year is no different. Check out the best Prime Day deals on Samsung devices now!
Best Prime Day Google deals: Pixel 6a, Pixel Buds Pro, and more
The best Google products at the lowest prices you can find on Prime Day
If you're in the market for a new phone, tablet, smart home accessories, headphones, or any other tech-related gadget, rest assured that Google offers some of the finest products in those categories. But new technology can be expensive, which is why Amazon Prime Day is an excellent chance to finally get your hands on that Google device you've had your eye on. Take a look at the best Prime Day deals for Google products, including phones, headphones, smartwatches, and more!
The Nothing Phone 2 has me excited about midrange phones again
Hands-on with Nothing's promising new $600 phone
After months of hype-building leaks and teasers, Nothing has finally launched its second phone, the Nothing Phone 2. The Phone 2 marks a big step forward for Nothing: while the company’s previous phone, the Phone 1, was only available in the UK, Europe, Japan, and India, the Phone 2 is the company’s first to be officially available in the infamously tough-to-crack US market. I’ve been using the phone about a week and a half, and while I can’t share a full review just yet, I do have some early impressions.
OnePlus foldable phone: News, leaks, rumored price, and release window
OnePlus' first foldable could turn out to be a winner
The foldable segment has seen an uptick in launches over the last year or so. While Samsung dominates the foldable lineup with its Fold and Flip lineup, its offerings have faced stiff competition from the likes of Huawei, Oppo, and others. OnePlus, known for its flagship killers and some great budget phones, is also foraying into the foldable segment this year. The company's long-rumored OnePlus foldable phone will debut later this year, and if priced right, it could give the Galaxy Z Flip and Fold a run for their money.
Best Fourth of July deals: Last-minute discounts on phones, earbuds, and more
July 4th celebrations may be over, but there are still deals available
While Amazon Prime Day may be the shopping holiday hogging all the attention this July, Independence Day is the original hot deal summer event. The Fourth of July may be over now, but we're still seeing consistent discounts from the big day continue over into the rest of the week. It may be that we continue seeing some of the best deals below through to Prime Day, which starts on July 11. Take a look below for the very best Fourth of July deals that are still active right now.
Mr. Mobile is a (qualified) fan of the Pixel Fold, he tells the Android Police podcast
Michael Fisher appearance number two!
Is it a coincidence that the Mr. Mobile, Michael Fisher, is joining the Android Police podcast for the second time (the first time under a different run) and both times the discussion at hands was about foldables? Maybe it is, but whatever the case may actually be, this episode is all about the Pixel Fold and our evaluations on how Google's first step into foldable phones has landed.
Which foldable form factor is actually the best?
With so many folding phones now, picking the right design that fits your life is tougher than ever
While the rest of the world has seen no shortage of foldable options, buyers in the US have, for the most part, been limited to just one brand for nearly half a decade. Aside from some half-formed Motorola devices in 2020, Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold series have held a monopoly in North America. But look at what's happening elsewhere, and brands like Oppo and Tecno have either been innovating in design or bringing the price down by hundreds of dollars.
The Razr+ brings sexy back to smartphones (and the Android Police podcast)
Featuring Joe Maring of Digital Trends
It's a study of contrasts with reviews going out for Motorola's Razr+ and Google's Pixel Tablet. This week, the Android Police podcast is graced by the presence of Digital Trends mobile editor Joe Maring to chat about garbage fires and unexpected triumphs as well as marketing of charming and questionable natures.