Smartphones & Gear

Take a Look at the New OnePlus 11 5G, and Let Us Know What You Think!

News & Features

Take a Look at the New OnePlus 11 5G, and Let Us Know What You Think!

Returning to its roots, OnePlus has taken a bold step with its latest smartphone release; rather than being one of several flagship models offered, the OnePlus 11 5G stands alone. Maybe you won’t feel like you’re settling without a Pro model, though, because the 11 5G comes loaded with many top-of-the-line features, including the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform, a 5,000mAh battery, and 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging in the US. However, there is one feature you won’t find on this new device; will its omission be a deal breaker for you?

Samsung Galaxy S23 Series Is Out; Which One Sparks Your Interest?

News & Features

Samsung Galaxy S23 Series Is Out; Which One Sparks Your Interest?

If you’ve been considering replacing your aging smartphone with a new Samsung Galaxy Device, now is the time! During today’s Unpacked event, the Samsung Galaxy S23 series was introduced. This latest generation of flagships, which includes the S23, S23+, and the S23 Ultra, builds upon the brand’s past successes with bigger batteries in the Galaxy S23 and S23+ models, even better AI cameras across the board, and of course, all three boast the latest flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy.

Nomad Modern Leather Case for 2nd Gen AirPods Pro Review: Cover Your AirPods with Leather Luxury

Reviews

Nomad Modern Leather Case for 2nd Gen AirPods Pro Review: Cover Your AirPods with Leather Luxury

I have a number of excellent true wireless earbuds (TWE) from which to choose, but my daily driver is the AirPod Pro earbuds. I recently upgraded to the second-generation version of Apple’s TWE; they are less revolutionary and more evolutionary in features, but I like the improvements and am enjoying them, and I’m thrilled to have them protected by the new Nomad Modern Leather Case for 2nd Gen AirPods Pro.

Outfit Your New Google Pixel 7 Pro with the Best Accessories, Cases, and Charging Solutions

News & Features

Outfit Your New Google Pixel 7 Pro with the Best Accessories, Cases, and Charging Solutions

Did you get a Google Pixel 7 Pro over the holidays? Lucky you; it’s safe to say that you’re in for a treat! Not only does the 7 Pro offer a pure, uncluttered, and frequently-updated Android experience with all of the Pixel-exclusive features and apps that users have come to expect and appreciate, but it also offers one of the (if not the) best cameras available on any smartphone. If you just got a Pixel 7 Pro or already have one and are interested in new gear, here’s a great selection to keep it stylish, protected, connected, and conveniently charged!

Qualcomm Snapdragon Summit Day One: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform Is Announced

News & Features

Qualcomm Snapdragon Summit Day One: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform Is Announced

Everyone knows Qualcomm means impressive chipsets and other under-the-hood speediness for all your devices. But having a fast engine is only half the battle; you need to make sure the rest of the product is fully using it. And so, before we torture this analogy any further, here’s a rundown of how Qualcomm is bridging their latest top-of-the-line processor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, with the flagship phones that we’ll be seeing in 2023.

MediaTek Dimensity 9200 Shows They're Ready For the Future

Gear Bits

MediaTek Dimensity 9200 Shows They’re Ready For the Future

I recently explained to my son that once upon a time, phones didn’t fit in our pockets; instead, they were mounted on the wall. He was incredulous and seemed to think I had grown up in the stone age. I don’t blame him since he’s growing up in a world where every phone he encounters has a fair amount of power. We’re at the point where every phone can handle the things only a flagship handled in the past, and we have MediaTek to thank for bringing so many high-end processing features to many phones. But they’re still not resting;…

Stock photo of the MediaTek Dimensity 1080

Gear Bits

MediaTek Dimensity 1080 Chipset Provides Upgraded Cameras and Performance to Next Year’s Mid-Range Android Smartphones

Do you know what processor is powering your smartphone? Chances are that you don’t, and that’s okay, but I find processors fascinating because they control everything from your phone’s responsiveness to how many megapixels the cameras on your phone can be. With the new MediaTek Dimensity 1080 5G chipset, we’re promised upgraded camera features and a performance bump compared to its predecessor, last year’s Dimensity 920.

Two Months with the OnePlus 10T 5G: Power and Speed Make for an Excellent Experience

Reviews

Two Months with the OnePlus 10T 5G: Power and Speed Make for an Excellent Experience

In August, I posted a first look at the OnePlus 10T that covered the OnePlus 10T 5 G’s design, features, and hardware. In this follow-up, I’ll cover the smartphone’s cameras, battery life performance, carrier compatibility, and other things I’ve noticed while using it for the past couple of months. If you haven’t already, read the first part of this review, and then come back to read the rest of the story.

Vivo V25 Pro Review: UV-Activated Gimmicks Aside, It's a Great Phone for Less than $450 (If You Live in India)

Reviews

Vivo V25 Pro Review: UV-Activated Gimmicks Aside, It’s a Great Phone for Less than $450 (If You Live in India)

Vivo may be an unfamiliar smartphone brand to many in the United States. Still, as of August this year, it is the sixth largest smartphone manufacturer worldwide with a 4.29% market share¹ and 149 million smartphones shipped². Since 2011, Vivo has made a name for itself by creating smartphones that offer high-end features at mid-range prices. Available now in India, the Vivo V25 Pro is their latest model, and it happens to be the first Vivo product I’ve ever tried. Let’s take a look.

Nomad iPhone 14 Cases Will Protect Your New Phone with Style

News & Features

Nomad iPhone 14 Cases Will Protect Your New Phone with Style

A few months ago, I was out riding my electric bike. My iPhone was in a cradle attached to the bicycle; after hitting a bump, it went flying. Thankfully, my phone was in a Nomad Sport Case, and it was fine. Needless to say, when my new iPhone arrived, it went right into a Nomad case; as you’ll see, there are some great Nomad iPhone 14 cases from which to choose.

OneAdaptr OneWorld 65 Review: With 6 Different Ports, This Could Be the Only Travel Adapter You Need to Bring

Reviews, Travel

OneAdaptr OneWorld 65 Review: With 6 Different Ports, This Could Be the Only Travel Adapter You Need to Bring

If you travel internationally, you know the #1 rookie mistake is arriving at your destination and finding that you either forgot that country’s correct adapter or you didn’t bring enough adapters for all of your gear. I recently traveled to Berlin for IFA, followed by a week in Spain. I only brought two adapters with me, the OneAdaptr OneWorld 65 for charging all of my gear and a basic US to EU adapter that was kept attached to my curling iron’s US plug. Thankfully, this proved to be the perfect setup.

Honor Magic4 Pro in Judie's hand

Reviews

Honor Magic4 Pro Review: Flagship Hardware, Cameras, and Price

A few years ago, I reviewed a budget-friendly phone from Huawei’s sub-brand, the Honor View10. I loved it, and while Honor was meant to be a lower-priced option than Huawei, I didn’t find the phone lacking in the least; it looked, felt, and functioned beautifully. Honor is now a standalone company, completely separate from Huawei, and they’ve released the Honor Magic4 Pro. It’s a big deal, and we’ll talk about why in this review.

These Google Pixel 6a Accessories Will Keep Your New Phone Protected and Covered

News & Features

These Google Pixel 6a Accessories Will Keep Your New Phone Protected and Covered

Without a case, the Google Pixel 6a is a very stylish and slick little smartphone. If you’re rockin’ a nekkid 6a — all the better to admire its distinctive style, I get it — then you should know that all it will take to tragically end this love affair is the wrong drop on a hard surface. With the longevity of your pocket communicator in mind, we’ve rounded up a few Pixel 6a accessories for your consideration that will protect your phone and its screen.

SnapCam Creator Kit

Reviews

ShiftCam SnapGrip Creator Kit Review: 3 Components Take Your iPhone Photos and Videos to the Next Level

A few years ago, I backed a Kickstarter project that was a photography grip for the iPhone. With the phone in the grip, using the iPhone felt more like using a DSLR. Now, thanks to the iPhone’s MagSafe, connecting a grip to the iPhone is easier than ever, and the ShiftCam SnapGrip Creator Kit takes full advantage of it. The kit includes the SnapGrip, SnapPod, and SnapLight; let’s take a look.

A First Look at the New OnePlus 10T 5G: Consistent 10-Series Style and Plenty of New Features to Explore

Reviews

A First Look at the New OnePlus 10T 5G: Consistent 10-Series Style and Plenty of New Features to Explore

This morning, OnePlus announced its latest flagship, the OnePlus 10T 5G. With up to 16GB RAM and 256GB storage, the brand’s first-ever ultra-thin vapor cooling system, a top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 Mobile Platform, a 4,800mAh battery, and up to 125W fast-charging in the US, the 10T sounds like an impressive device on paper. Like every other US reviewer, I’ve had mine in hand for almost a full week. Figuring there will be at least one more update before it starts shipping in September, it seems irresponsible to do a full review now, so please enjoy this first look.

Google Pixel 6a Review: Not Too Big, Not Too Expensive; It Might Be Just Right!

Reviews

Google Pixel 6a Review: Not Too Big, Not Too Expensive; It Might Be Just Right!

Google introduced the Pixel 6 series last October. The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro flagship smartphones debuted upgraded designs with a distinctive new camera module. Rather than their usual Qualcomm system on a chip, the Pixel 6 series launched with the new Google Tensor SoC, an in-house mobile processor focused on AI and machine learning for even better Pixel device experiences. If you were intrigued by the Pixel 6 series but would prefer something smaller and a bit less pricy without feeling a “that’s all I could afford” let-down, the Google Pixel 6a may be just right.

Anker GaNPrime Chargers

News & Features

6 Next-Gen Anker GaNPrime Chargers Revealed; Here’s Why You’re Going to Want (At Least) One

Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology is the most significant improvement to hit mobile device chargers in recent years; it offers more efficient, faster-charging speeds in a smaller-sized charger than traditional silicone chargers. Anker was one of the first companies to incorporate GaN technology into their chargers; now, they’re the first to introduce a charger line that uses GaNPrime. Coupled with PowerIQ 4.0, Anker GaNPrime chargers will do something that, until now, no other GaN charger’s been able to do — dynamically adjust power distribution to release any extra power output from one USB port to the other devices being charged.