It took me a while to realize just how disruptive notifications were to my day. I doubt I even got a large number compared to some of you, but I’m one of those people who’s obsessively tidy — digitally or otherwise. I make my bed when I get up, I don’t have 30 tabs open on my browser, and I feel triggered by an inbox with 999 unread emails. All this means that I have a compulsion to address a pinging phone, so I decided to cut my notifications.

I’ll go into some tips on the best ways to do it below, but the key was knowing what I really needed to be notified about. For example, if I have set times in the day when I check my email, read the news, or do my Duolingo lesson, I don’t need alerts from those apps during the day. I thought I did, but nothing is going to be so urgent that I need to know right at the moment it happens.

There are two main reasons why you might decide to import a phone to the US. It might be that you’ve heard a particular model is cheaper in another country, but it’s more likely you want to get a smartphone that isn’t available to buy in America. Perhaps you like what that particular model offers, or you may just want to stand out from the crowd by having an exotic handset that’s different from your friends. Whatever your reason, we’ll give you an overview of the main issues you’ll face when importing a phone.

SUMMARY

Just because we write about it doesn’t mean tech doesn’t bother me as much as you. Technology has improved my life in countless ways, but there are still a ton of things that irk me about it. I could go on all day, but here I’ll just share the main ways that I feel tech has made my life worse.

I’m not going to get all serious about how social media may be corrupting the youth or whether AI might replace us all. It’s just a light look at some of my own tech grievances. You might agree with some of them, you might feel some are completely wrong, and you’ll probably have plenty of your own. That’s what the comments section is for.

When it comes to drying out a wet phone, there are various methods you can try. One method that has gained some popularity of late is playing a specific type of YouTube video to push the water out. But does this method actually work? A new report has now answered that question.

On YouTube, you’ll find a variety of videos like “Sound to Remove Water From Phone Speaker (Guaranteed)” that promise to remove water from your phone. In the comments section of these videos, you’ll also see users who got their phone wet by various means (shower, doing dishes, swimming, etc.) and swear that these videos get the job done.

Smartphone prices have been creeping ever higher over the past few years, and we aren’t expecting cheaper prices in 2025. Now, a Xiaomi executive has also sounded the alarm on pricier phones.

Redmi general manager Wang Teng Thomas noted on Weibo that “upstream” costs continue to rise when it comes to smartphones. The executive even asked followers whether they prefer smartphones with downgraded features to maintain pricing or more expensive phones with upgrades.

Apple has offered satellite-based Emergency SOS tech via its iPhones for a few years now, and the Pixel 9 phones are the first Android phones outside China to offer this capability. Now, it sounds like SpaceX could step up in this regard.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk claimed that the company’s Starlink satellites will provide free access to emergency services on smartphones. The billionaire also asserted that this will apply globally, albeit subject to approval by national governments.

You might think that you wouldn’t be hoodwinked, but many of the people who are duped thought that before it happened. Scammers have refined their schemes to sound very convincing and official, with AI only making things worse. Couple that with the pressure or a situation, and it only takes a few moments to fall for it.

It’s likely you’ll encounter phone scams sooner or later, and the best thing you can do is be prepared for them. We’ve put together a summary of some of the most common phone scams in 2024 and how you can avoid them.

Even the very best smartphones have their pros and cons. As consumers, we take great joy in outlining the positives and enjoying the improvements or novel smarts an updated model brings. However, it’s the negatives that ultimately make or break a device.

A phone could offer the best-in-class performance, but if limited battery life or overheating tampers the experience, it rather negates the feat. Similarly, there’s no point in boasting a crazy quintuple camera array if all five are ordinary. Some manufacturers nerf some features to cut costs or elevate other models in the lineup.

Students using smartphones in schools is nothing new, but a majority of teachers are concerned that these devices are becoming too much of a distraction. While one part of the problem is that kids are compulsively checking social media platforms during their classes, there’s a more sinister issue at play: the potential misuse of these devices to bully others, share videos of physical attacks, and sexually exploit other minors.

According to The New York Times, several states are now attempting to crack down on smartphone usage within school premises as a result. This year alone, something to the tune of eight states have already passed laws or adopted rules to restrict phone use. Independently, some schools are also banning phones outright, and this move seems to be working. Teachers have revealed that these handset restrictions have improved students’ focus and ability to work in groups. Some schools also report that bullying and school fights have decreased ever since they implemented rules regarding phone usage.

At Android Authority, we’ve been discussing how often you should upgrade your phone and how to make it last longer, but one other question kept popping up internally between us: How much should you spend on your smartphone, ideally?

The answer to that, as you can guess, is very subjective and depends on your needs and what you should privilege. I’d always tell you to spend a bit more for a better update promise and resale value, while some of my colleagues think you can’t go wrong with good photography performance, and others value water resistance and durability ratings or processing power.

Earlier this week, we divulged a list of ways to make your phone last longer. Those tips can extend the lifetime of your device, but the unstoppable march of time eventually brings all things to an end. One day it’ll be obvious that you have no choice but to ditch that faithful companion, and we can help you decide when the time is right. Here are ten clear signs you need to upgrade your phone.

You might see articles like this one that tell you that poor battery or full storage are signs you need to replace your handset. We’re not going to cover those things here. If you want to switch devices because of poor battery life, it’s your call, but both that and the storage issue are fairly easily remedied without resorting to an upgrade. You can read the aforementioned article to find out how. What we’re talking about here are terminal issues for your poor old phone.

Big smartphone brands like Samsung, Apple, and Google are now promising at least four years of updates at a minimum. It’s prudent to do so — not only do consumers care about sustainability, but they also don’t want to feel like their new $1,000 handset has built-in redundancy. But such promises won’t mean much if your device gives up the ghost after a couple of years. We have loads of tips to make your phone last longer and we’ve laid out ten of our favorites here.

Some of these are hacks to keep your smartphone running well, and others are just sound advice on how to stop it from breaking completely. What they have in common is that they’re all easy to implement, and just using a few of them could save you hundreds of bucks by delaying your next phone purchase.

Smartphones are lasting longer, and users hold onto them for many more years, too. We’ve seen the best smartphone makers acknowledge this, strengthening their focus on long-term software updates. However, that promise also needs long-term hardware support, especially for consumable items like batteries.

Modern phone batteries are undoubtedly far more adaptable to our usage demands and peculiarities, but they do age and eventually need to be replaced. Companies often make replacing these batteries difficult or near impossible for consumers and qualified service centers, rendering the devices expensive paperweights once they can no longer hold a charge.

There’s a nice range of deals this year, with many Android phones hitting their lowest price ever in the two-day sale. Whether you’re looking for a basic model or a top-tier flagship, there’s almost certainly going to be savings to suit your budget. It’s just a shame that Apple chooses not to participate as far as the iPhone 15 range is concerned.

You might need an Amazon Prime subscription to capitalize on some of these offers, but you can fire up a 30-day free trial to the service purely for this purpose. It won’t cost you anything if you cancel before the end of the trial period, and it could save you more than a few bucks on your next phone.

I probably sound like a broken record, but I like small phones. Give me one that fits comfortably in my pocket, and I’ll reach for it daily over a larger phone with more impressive cameras and a bigger battery. Unfortunately, many things we currently do on our phones are easier on larger displays — typing, reading articles, and playing games. But what if the way we use our phones is, in theory, about to change? If there’s one thing I want out of the coming AI revolution, it’s the return of small phones.

The power of a good assistant

For about a month, Nothing’s sub-brand CMF has been drip-feeding teasers of its budget-friendly smartphone — the CMF Phone 1 — ahead of its full unveiling. This time, the latest teaser gives us some information about the device’s cameras.

This morning, CMF by Nothing shared on X (formerly Twitter) yet another teaser of the CMF Phone 1. The teaser in question reveals the rear dual camera setup. According to the firm, this setup features a Sony 50MP main camera with a f/1.8 lens. This confirmation matches with leaks we’ve heard previously. The second lens is said to be a depth sensor, but the post didn’t dive into the specifics of that.

Like most smartphone users, you likely take the safety of your device seriously, and what better way to keep your phone protected than to use a screen protector? Thanks to the growing popularity of UV glue screen protectors, particularly for curved-screen devices, many smartphone users are springing for these advanced protectors. However, as a Reddit user discovered, UV glue screen protectors come with their own set of risks.

The problem with UV glue screen protectors

Reddit user LingeringCarmine recently shared their unfortunate experience with the installation of a UV glue screen protector on their Samsung Galaxy device. In the post, they reported that the UV glue had seeped into the device’s volume button, causing it to detach. To make matters worse, the glue also seeped into the S Pen’s slot, causing a rippled texture on its body.

Today, consumer electronics maker HONOR announced two new AI features for smartphones. The company has been working on a feature to protect eye health and another to detect deepfakes.

During MWC Shanghai, HONOR showcased some of its latest AI innovations: AI Defocus Eye Protection and AI Deepfake Detection. According to HONOR, both features were made to run with on-device AI.

The Light Phone III is now official, and the announcement comes as a pleasant surprise, considering we were beginning to doubt it would ever come. The company took six years to release the third iteration, but looking at the improvements, it may have been worth the wait.

I consider myself somewhat of a minimalist, so I can definitely appreciate a simplified smartphone like The Light Phone III. Like its predecessors, it offers a cut-down experience that should prevent you from staring at a screen for hours on end.

Audio electronics specialist Moondrop is making waves with its debut Android smartphone, the MIAD 01. After its initial launch in China, the device is set to enter the US market, bringing a unique proposition for audio enthusiasts.

In an era where most smartphone makers have ditched the headphone jack, Moondrop has defiantly included two of them. This, paired with a Hi-Fi DAC and decent overall specs, could make the MIAD 01 a compelling choice for music lovers.

Update: April 24, 2024 (2:56 PM ET): Moondrop has revealed the price and release date for MIAD 01 on the Chinese social media platform Weibo. The Moondrop MIAD 01 is priced at 2,499 RMB (~$345) and will be available in China on April 25. It’s still unknown when the phone will become available internationally.

Original: April 24, 2024 (12:20 PM ET): Earlier this week, audio electronics maker Moondrop shared a teaser image of its first-ever Android smartphone — the MIAD 01. Since then, the company has been drip-feeding new details about the “5G Hi-Fi mobile audio device,” as well as new images.

Update: April 23, 2024 (7:29 PM ET): Moondrop has now shared additional photos and details on its social media account. According to the post, the smartphone’s screen will feature a 6.7-inch flexible OLED display with curved edges, 1080p resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and 1920Hz PWM dimming.

A smartphone with features:
6.7-inch flexible OLED curved screen
1080P Resolution
120Hz high refresh rates
1920Hz high-frequency PWM dimming

Samsung has not one but two lavishly expensive 2023 flagship smartphones: the Galaxy S23 Ultra and the Galaxy Z Fold 5. If you can stomach the sky-high prices, these devices offer stellar build quality and long software support, but they offer very different experiences. So, which one should you get? Let’s see how Samsung’s best phones stack up.

It’s also worth noting that the Galaxy S23 Ultra has been superseded by the Galaxy S24 Ultra, so check out our Galaxy S23 Ultra vs S24 Ultra comparison to learn more.

Though it was skipped with the 2023 Edge lineup, Motorola is reportedly bringing back the “Ultra” smartphone to complete its three-phone lineup in April.

Motorola is expected to release the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra along with the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion and the Edge 50 Pro, according to Android Headlines.

The state of Oregon just signed into law the strongest right-to-repair act, banning a common anti-repair practice by big tech manufacturers. This will make smartphone and tech gadget repairs in the state much easier and cheaper.

Oregon’s SB 1596, which follows similar laws from Minnesota and California, establishes that consumer electronics makers must offer fair access to tools, repair documentation, and parts for those who work on devices.

Opinion post by

Hadlee Simons

In the grand scheme of things, we really are spoiled by today’s Android phones. Modern devices pack a host of cool features when you really think about it. Even affordable mid-range phones offer high-quality touchscreens, fast charging speeds, big batteries, speedy connectivity, and capable processors that can handle virtually everything you can throw at them.

It’s only when you look back at the early to mid-2000s smartphone era that you really appreciate how great today’s smartphones are. As someone who owned a couple of feature phones and several early Symbian smartphones, let me tell you all about the features I missed that many of us now take for granted.

Smartphone cases are a big business, with smartphone brands offering their own in-house designs while third-party brands like Spigen, Casetify, and Otterbox also offer them. Either way, cases are a great way to protect your phone and/or augment it with additional abilities.

Cases don’t have to be chunky, either, as some companies offer thin, lightweight cases that barely add any thickness to your existing phone. This is a great idea if you’ve got skinny jeans or if your phone is already big and thick.

There’s more to consider when buying a phone than the hardware and software. A flagship-tier processor, impressive cameras, and lengthy update pledge are all great. But there’s something else you should consider too.

Customer support is a crucial factor for many people when buying a phone. After all, who cares about crazy camera zoom or top-notch gaming performance when getting a faulty or damaged phone repaired is a tough endeavor?

Leading global chipmaker Qualcomm has teased the launch of its next flagship Snapdragon SoCs on Chinese social media platform Weibo.

Going by recent rumors, we believe the company could be gearing up to announce the new Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 that leaked last month. If true, the chipset would join the ranks of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 at the very top of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon SoC list.

Most mainstream smartphones usually have batteries topping out at 5,000mAh to 6,000mAh. We’ve also seen phones with 20,000mAh batteries or higher, but these devices usually disappoint in other areas.

Now, it turns out that niche mobile brand Unihertz (or rather 8849, which seems to be closely affiliated with Unihertz) has recently launched the Tank 3 rugged phone, and it’s easily the most impressive phone with a huge battery.

Oregon passed a landmark Right To Repair law that goes beyond similar laws passed in California, Minnesota, and New York. For everything except smartphones, the new law requires manufacturers to make parts, tools, documentation, and software available for electronics produced as far back as 2015. That means laptops, smartwatches, tablets, refrigerators, and more are covered under the law, even if they date back to 2015.

AI has been the talk of the industry as of late, and this year’s MWC is no exception. As companies are unveiling their AI products and ideas, it seems a concept AI smartphone from Deutsche Telekom is one of the reveals that is catching the eye of attendees.

Today, Deutsche Telekom introduced a new concept handset that relies solely on AI. It’s an experimental device that’s said to handle all of the user’s needs with the help of AI instead of apps.

We’ve previously seen niche brands offering smartphones with absolutely gigantic batteries. But Avenir Telecom is taking the cake with a 28,000mAh Energizer-branded Android phone.

The Energizer brand licensee debuted the Hard Case P28K smartphone on the sidelines of Mobile World Congress (MWC). And the main selling point is indeed that 28,000mAh battery. This battery capacity dwarfs mainstream phones like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (5,000mAh) and OnePlus 12 (5,400mAh).

One of the more pleasant experiences in life is upgrading to a new smartphone, and that honeymoon period is pretty fun as you explore the new features and enjoy the initial speed boost.

What’s the main reason why you tend to upgrade to a new smartphone, though? We’re curious to hear what drives your new purchase, so go ahead and answer the poll below. You can also leave a comment if you’d like to explain your decision.

As our devices become increasingly power-hungry, the need for longer-lasting batteries continues to grow. A company in China may have a solution, however, and it involves using the same long-lasting battery technology that powers pacemakers and components used in space.

According to WinFuture, a Chinese company called Betavolt Technology has announced it is developing a radionuclide battery that would be suitable for mobile devices. The company already has its first model — BB100 — which measures 15 x 15 x 5mm and is said to provide 100 microwatts of electricity. In the next two years, the company wants to advance the technology and make small batteries that deliver one watt of power and can be combined modularly for greater power requirements.

A European retailer accidentally listed the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 this week, but we didn’t have to wait long for the actual launch. Yes, Samsung has now launched the new rugged phone along with a rugged tablet.

Glass and plastic have long been the default for most device displays, but that could change in the near future. Researchers are currently working on transparent wood as a potential alternative to the two materials for smartphone screens and other uses.

A report from Scientific American details the work of researcher Lars Berglund of the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden and researchers at the University of Maryland (UM) on transparent wood. After years of experiments, the researchers see transparent wood as having a promising future in a variety of applications.

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

Opinion post by

Dhruv Bhutani

Smartphone cameras have come a long way, and it’s pretty hard to come across a phone with a bad camera today. But my litmus test for a smartphone’s photography capabilities is to take it to a concert. Capturing frenetic movement on stage, lasers, darkness, and extremely dynamic lighting can stress even the best camera smartphones. It’s also an excellent way to gauge video capture, microphones, and zoom capabilities. However, in all my years of smartphone testing and concert-going, I’ve observed one common trend: no single phone excels at both photo and video capture.

No single phone excels at both photo and video capture.

Be it Samsung’s persistent shutter lag, the Pixel’s softer-than-the-competition video quality, or the iPhone’s low-light action photography struggles, I’ve yet to come across a phone that shines with both still photography and video capture when pushed to the limits. As a mobile photography enthusiast, going into 2024, all I want is a smartphone that truly excels at capturing both photographs and videos.

It was a rough year for the global smartphone market in 2023. But a new report claims that last year wasn’t all bad for OEMs, as the premium smartphone segment may have been a bright spot in the otherwise weak market.

The global technology research firm Counterpoint has released a new report on the state of the global premium smartphone market in 2023. According to the firm’s research, it’s expected that we’ll see that global premium smartphone sales increased by 6% YoY last year. If this is correct, it would reportedly be a new sales record for the premium segment.

From ASUS and Apple to Samsung and Xiaomi, we check out loads of phones every year. But after all the testing is done, what are the phones we actually use as our primary devices or daily drivers?

We poll the Android Authority team every year to find out which phones we use as daily drivers, going all the way back to 2018 and with our last poll taking place in 2022. Well, it’s that time again, and we’ve asked our team members about the phones they’re using as their primary devices as we begin 2024.

I’m in a fortunate but unusual position. As a reviewer for Android Authority, I switch between the best Android phones — a lot. I’m on a new device as often as every other week during stretches of the year like Techtember and Techtober. I know it’s not a situation many people can relate to, but my frequent jumps between devices have made me somewhat of an expert on setting up a new Android phone. While you probably won’t need these tips as often as I do, here’s what I’ve learned that makes changing Android phones a breeze.

My process

There were loads of smartphones launched in 2023, from Apple and Google to Samsung and Xiaomi. But what did Android Authority readers think of these devices at launch?

We posted polls throughout the year asking whether you thought a newly launched device was “hot or not.” Now, we can return to these polls to find out which phones were the hottest devices of 2023 at launch and which ones were the coldest.

I live over 3000 kilometers (2000 miles) away from my parents, aunt, and mother-in-law, but I’m still the only tech support they turn to. Because I work in the mobile and tech industry, I’ve become the de-facto supplier of advice on phones, apps, and any mobile-related issues they encounter. WhatsApp misbehaving? It’s on me. Photos mysteriously “disappeared”? I have to bring them back. Phone decided to reset itself “without a reason”? Yeah, still me.

I like simplifying my life, but these issues, they’re not definitely not simple. Especially when you have to troubleshoot them over a crappy video call from thousands of miles away. So after the first mysterious full gallery image deletion (culprit: my mom), I decided I needed safeguards in place. I had to make sure that:

Opinion post by

Hadlee Simons

2023 was a pretty solid year as far as the smartphone industry was concerned. Handset shipments might be in a slump, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t reasons to be positive as a potential consumer.

We saw some excellent Android phones across the board, competition in the foldable phone space, and the continued democratization of flagship features in cheaper handsets.

There were plenty of bright spots for the smartphone industry in 2023. We finally got more foldable phone competition for Samsung, mid-range phones continued to bring the heat, and software update policies saw a major upgrade.

It wasn’t all good, though. For every major win in the mobile space this year, there was a fail or major misstep. These were the biggest smartphone fails and flops in 2023.

MicroLED technology is the next big step for screens, and we’ve already seen the first microLED TVs on the market (albeit for $100,000 or more). Now, an industry association has revealed when it expects smartphones to offer this display tech, and it’s years away.

The official MicroLED Industry Association released a state-of-the-industry document that also includes a roadmap for the technology. It turns out that the association only expects preliminary R&D and pilot production of microLED screens for smartphones from 2030 to 2033.

There were plenty of great smartphones launched in 2023, such as the Galaxy S23 series, the Pixel 8 range, the Pixel 7a, and the Motorola Razr Plus.

But there were also quite a few great phones that flew under the radar this year, be it due to unfortunate launch timing, being a device from a lesser-known brand, or something else altogether. No matter the reason, here are the most underrated smartphones of 2023.

Update, December 15, 2023 (01:00 PM ET): Voting for the Reader’s Choice Award 2023 has now closed. The poll that appeared in this article has been removed to prohibit extra votes. We will now tally everything and announce the winner this weekend. Stay tuned!

Original article: We are now in the third round of voting for this year’s Reader’s Choice Award to figure out what YOU think is the best smartphone of 2023! We started with 32 phones on Monday, whittled that down to the final four on Tuesday, and now we’re left with just two phones in the running.

That’s a wrap, folks! Voting for the Reader’s Choice Award for the best phone of 2023 has now closed. Thank you one and all for your votes, comments, and passion for this event!

With voting ended, now it’s time to tally everything together. As a reminder, votes came in from six different sources: Android Authority itself, along with our X (formerly Twitter), Threads, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook accounts. It will take us a bit to compile all this info and figure out which phone is the winner! Look for our announcement post to land this weekend.

It’s not often that we see a December deal that surpasses the Black Friday offers, but Best Buy has dropped a tasty one today. A new deal on the Motorola Razr Plus (2023) has not only discounted it by $300, but you also get a free $50 gift card to supplement your holiday shopping.

Motorola Razr Plus 2023 and $50 gift card for $699.99 ($350 off)

Opinion post by

Hadlee Simons

2023 was a pretty good year for smartphones. There was no shortage of quality Android phones on offer, from Google and Samsung to OnePlus and Xiaomi. And it also seemed like a big year for non-Samsung foldable phones too.

Now that 2023 is pretty much in the books, I’ve got a lot of items on my 2024 smartphone wishlist. So join me as I detail what I’d like to see from phones next year.

Motorola has extended its holiday sale beyond Cyber Monday this year, which means there’s still time to take advantage of the standout deal on the new Motorola Edge (2023). Usually selling for $600, a massive 43% price drop gives you the chance to snap up the Android phone for just $349.99.

Motorola Edge (2023) for $349.99 ($250 off)

We’ve seen plenty of smartphones capable of measuring your vitals in some way. Samsung’s older Galaxy phones offered a dedicated heart-rate sensor, while some Android phones can measure your heart rate via the in-display fingerprint sensor or rear camera.

Now, Japanese corporation NEC has recently announced the ability to track your well-being via your phone’s selfie camera. The company’s so-called Face & Facial Parts Monitoring System is purportedly able to detect early signs of “abnormality” by analyzing your facial patterns and pupil conditions with the selfie camera.

The holiday sales are arguably the best time to upgrade your phone, as you’re all but guaranteed the best price of the year on whichever model you choose. But some of the offers are much better than others, so we’ve scoured the sale to work out what we think are the five best smartphone deals of Cyber Monday.

We’re really focusing on Android phones here, simply because Apple famously doesn’t discount unlocked models of its latest flagships. You gotta pay full whack for that iOS. We’re also not suggesting these are the best phones that are on sale. It’s more than we think these options are where the best value is to be found.

You don’t always have to buy the latest flagship phones, as last year’s devices still offer a ton of bang for your buck. Fortunately, it turns out that these 2022 phones are even better deals, as a trio of prominent devices have received price cuts as part of Black Friday.

Perhaps the most notable deal is for the 128GB Pixel 7 Pro, which is now available for $649 (down from the $899 RRP). Sure, the standard Pixel 8 brings a better chip, faster charging, and a brighter screen. But the 2022 Pro model brings a dedicated 5x camera for much better zoom quality, as well as a higher resolution display with LTPO tech.

How much do you spend on your cell service? According to a new report, you’re likely spending a little bit more on it than last year. And by “a little bit more,” we mean billions of dollars more collectively.

The doxoINSIGHTS Mobile Phone Market Size and Household Spending Report summarizes how much money United States households spend on mobile phone bills. The report leverages doxo’s anonymized bill pay data. In other words, the company examined actual bill payment activity in the US, pulling the info from over 8 million consumers.

From watching TV to texting friends and relatives, technology has become an integral part of our daily lives. As technology’s role in our lives continues to grow, so do the injuries that are caused by it. A new study suggests that tech-related injuries are on the rise and smartphones are quickly on their way to becoming the leading cause.

The folks over at Decluttr have conducted a new study based on data obtained from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS). The NEISS collects consumer product-related injury data from nationally representative samples from hospitals in the US to produce nationwide estimates.

India’s government is currently considering a policy that would allow smartphone users to watch live TV without having to use mobile data or a streaming service. However, the proposal is seeing opposition from some big players in the mobile industry.

India is in the midst of deliberating a policy that could force smartphones to have hardware that can receive live TV signals without the need for cellular networks, according to Reuters. The government is proposing the use of ATSC 3.0, otherwise known as NextGen TV.

In May, Florida passed a law stating that school students need to be barred from using smartphones while in learning sessions. However, the law said nothing about smartphone use at school during non-learning times, such as lunch, recess, or free periods. Orange County Public Schools decided to go all-in, though, with all schools in the Florida district banning smartphones entirely all day.

Surprisingly, a piece in The New York Times highlighting the responses to this policy are pretty positive from teachers, parents, and even students. Teachers love that it keeps students focused, parents love that their kids are limiting their screen time, and even students love that it makes them feel more genuine, present, and engaged.

Color is one of the first things we notice about a smartphone, way before other factors like performance, cameras, and battery life. But does a phone’s color count as a feature, though?

That’s the question we posed to you last week. There are compelling reasons for and against a phone’s color being a feature, and here’s what you told us.

One of the first things you’ll notice about a smartphone is its color. And we’ve seen a few neat color schemes in 2023.

However, a reader on our Instagram page recently suggested that a phone’s color isn’t a feature. That got us wondering whether or not you agree with this sentiment. Let us know in the poll below.

The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G already represented excellent value for money, so a Prime Day deal is music to our ears. It’s not just any offer either, with a $120 price drop giving you the chance to pick it up at a record-low of $329.99.

Update: October 4, 2023 (12:37 AM ET): FEMA and the FCC will be testing the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and Emergency Alert System (EAS) today at 2:20 PM ET. You can read the original article below to know what to expect.

Original article: August 31, 2023 (1:36 PM ET): Get ready to be jumped scared by an emergency test this fall. FEMA and the FCC are working together to test the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and Emergency Alert System (EAS). And it won’t matter if you have an unlocked phone or carrier phone because the test is coming to all consumer cell phones.

September 23 marks the 15th anniversary of Android 1.0 launching, and the Android ecosystem has grown to become a juggernaut since then.

Everyone from Google and Samsung to Xiaomi and Sony have churned out fantastic phones over the years. But what’s the most iconic Android phone in the last 15 years? That’s what we want to find out in our poll today. Give us your answer below.

We all know about the major Android phone manufacturers leaving the market in recent years, such as BlackBerry and LG. But a tracking firm has now revealed that almost 500 brands have actually exited the smartphone business in the last seven years.

Counterpoint Research revealed that there were almost 250 active smartphone brands in 2023, down from over 700 in 2017. Unfortunately, and perhaps unsurprisingly, Counterpoint noted that the decline was “almost entirely” coming from local brands. It added that the number of global brands consistently stayed above 30.

There’s no shortage of great smartphones out there, from the Samsung Galaxy S23 series to the Google Pixel 7 line and beyond.

In saying so, quite a few device families have come and gone over the years. So that got us thinking about the phone lines we miss the most from active brands. Give us your pick via the poll below!

In a world where brands constantly have to find ways to get a step ahead of their competitors, sometimes it pays to think outside of the box. For example, OnePlus did a crossover with Genshin Impact to help sell its OnePlus 11. Swedish EV maker Polestar, in particular, is taking this to heart by going outside of its lane to launch a new smartphone.

In 2024, Polestar, owned by China’s Geely Holdings, plans on rolling out its next electric SUV coupe — the Polestar 4. In addition to having plenty of technology and smart features on board, the vehicle will work seamlessly with a new smartphone the company will launch alongside it.

We’ve recently seen the first phones with 24GB of RAM launching in China, delivering a crazy amount of RAM for even a flagship smartphone. However, it sounds like brands are already thinking about the next milestone.

Reliable Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station has claimed that phones with 32GB of RAM are being tested. This would be a significant step up from the already crazy 24GB of RAM in phones like the OnePlus Ace Pro 2, REDMAGIC 8S Pro, and Realme GT 5.

Motorola has kicked off its Labor Day sale early, and the smartphone deals are more than a little tempting. Several of the best Motorola phones in the 2023 lineup are at all-time low prices in the promotion, allowing you to save as much as 50% on the Android devices.

One highlight of the sale is the Motorola Razr Plus (2023), which boasts a 6.9-inch, 165Hz internal foldable display and a 3.6-inch cover display — the largest in its category. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset, it offers 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It features a 12MP primary camera, a 13MP ultrawide lens, and a 32MP selfie camera. You can save $100 on the device this week, which matches its previous lowest price in the short time since it launched.

While the whole tech world is talking about the latest foldable devices, Amazon just quietly rolled out a pretty impressive offer on a classic favorite. The Google Pixel 6 Pro might not be the latest Pixel anymore, but it’s still an excellent Android phone, and at almost $400 off the retail price, it’s a steal.

Google Pixel 6 Pro for $501.10 ($398 off)

In the Galaxy Z Flip 5, Samsung has built on the success of its predecessor to create the best clamshell Android phone on the market. Pre-orders are open on the stunning device, and most of the biggest discounts involve trade-in rebates or lengthy carrier contracts. But the Amazon Z Flip 5 deal involves neither and lands you over $250 in added value for free.

When you pre-order the unlocked phone, Amazon offers a free storage upgrade from 256GB to 512GB. You’ll also get a $150 Amazon Gift Card, which is as good as free money if you’re even an occasional Amazon shopper. A one-year Samsung warranty is also included.

Not everyone has $1,000 to spend on their next Android phone, nor do they need all the fancy bells and whistles such devices provide. The Moto range of devices are affordable daily drivers for the masses, and one of the 2023 range of devices, the Moto G Play (2023), is subject to a huge deal today. It just dropped by 35% to only $109.99.

Moto G Play (2023) for $109.99 ($60 off)

In the middle of June, we shared a news report about the future of replaceable batteries in smartphones. That report focused on the European Parliament voting to enact a law forcing manufacturers of all battery-powered devices — including smartphones — to offer easily replaceable batteries.

This week, the European Council officially agreed to the new regulation. Now, the only step left is for the European Council and Parliament to sign on the dotted line. Once they do, the clock starts ticking: any manufacturer wanting to sell phones in the EU must ensure those phones have replaceable batteries by 2027.

Android and iOS dominate the smartphone space, but what if you want a phone with an alternative operating system? Fortunately, there are a few devices out there, but we implore you to absolutely stay away from the Liberty Phone by US-based company Purism.

The company has recently announced the Liberty Phone (h/t: Liliputing), coming in at an eye-watering $2,199 price tag. But you only need to take a look at the hardware specs to know that you’re getting ripped off in a big way (if you get the phone, that is).

Have you ever noticed that contactless payments aren’t exactly contactless? Since near-field communication (NFC) technology works at such a short distance, you often end up having to touch your device with another device. But that status quo could change in the next few years.

The NFC Forum — a group founded by Sony, NXP Semiconductors, and Nokia in 2004 to improve NFC — has revealed a roadmap for NFC technology that extends from now to 2028. This roadmap — created by representatives from Apple, Google, and more — outlines five key initiatives for the direction of the technology over the next two to five years. One of those initiatives is to increase the range of NFC connections.

HONOR may best be known for its crazy Magic 5 Pro flagship or the even crazier Magic Vs foldable, but the company makes many more products beyond these two. If you want to explore budget smartphone options, you can look at the newly launched HONOR 90 Lite, which has now arrived in the UK alongside the Earbuds X5 and the MagicBook X 16 laptop.

HONOR 90 Lite

The HONOR 90 Lite is targeting the mid-range segment. You get a 6.7-inch FHD+ LCD on the front with a 19.9:9 aspect ratio and a 90Hz refresh rate. Inside, the phone is powered by the 5G-capable MediaTek Dimensity 6020 SoC, with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage.

In the world of Android phones, you can get something at pretty much any price point you want. Even $100 can get you something usable. However, statistics show that people are increasingly choosing to spend more money on a phone than ever before, and a new report backs up that finding.

A new report from Canalys shows that the average smartphone cost in North America increased significantly over the past year. In Q1 2022, a smartphone’s average selling price (ASP) was $671. In Q1 2023, that price jumped by a whopping $119 to a total of $790. This is a record high.

Samsung Discover week may be over, but most of the phone deals involved enhanced trade-in deals anyway. Those without an old device to switch will prefer straight-up discounts, which Amazon is delivering today. All three Samsung Galaxy S23 smartphones are back to their best-ever prices in these deals, with savings of up to $200 on offer.

The biggest price drop is on the priciest and most popular handset. The 256GB model of the Galaxy S23 Ultra usually retails for $1,199.99, but the 17% savings give you the chance to buy it in any of the four colorways for $999.99 ($200 off). The 512GB variant is subject to the same discount at $1,179.99 ($200 off).

Update, May 15, 2023 (10:10 PM ET): Kyocera reached out to Android Authority to clarify that the original news described below is inaccurate due to translation errors. Instead, Kyocera is restructuring its consumer strategy in Japan to more closely align with its business-first strategy in North America.

Here is a Kyocera statement from Vipul Dalal, Vice President of the Communications Equipment Group at Kyocera International, Inc. of San Diego:

Opinion post by

C. Scott Brown

Ten years ago, the 2013 Samsung Galaxy S4 was a technological marvel. Android phones had only been around for a few years at that point, and the Galaxy S4 seemed like it could do so much despite its small size. As consumers, we were enraptured. So much so that the Galaxy S4 remains to this day the best-selling Android phone of all time, with more than 80 million units sold.

However, that was ten years ago — an eternity in the tech world. Things have changed significantly since then. The smartphone gimmicks we saw in the Galaxy S4 — such as Smart Scroll, which allowed you to scroll the contents of your screen by moving your head up or down — would be downright ludicrous to see in a 2023 phone.