Articles by Alex Smith

Deals on Apple iPhone devices and Samsung Galaxy phones are everywhere, but it’s a bit more difficult to find a great deal on a OnePlus device. There are plenty of current OnePlus models to choose from, and whether you want a OnePlus 9, the OnePlus 8 Pro, or one of the more affordable OnePlus Nord devices is the first big question you’ll need to answer for yourself.

Best OnePlus Deals Available Now

OnePlus 9 devices: Back to School deals
OnePlus Nord devices: free case or screen protector
OnePlus 8 devices: up to $300 off
Which to buy?

All of the deals below vary in nature, so while some allow you to buy the unlocked phone with a single purchase today, others require a monthly payment plan; these plans are attached to carriers which usually require you to add a line of service or buy a second device to score the savings. Be sure to read the details of the deal you choose carefully as each offer is different.

With so many different OnePlus models out there, you may not see a…

A new multi-device trade-in program bulks up the savings on upcoming Galaxy flagships.

What you need to know

Samsung has a new multi-device trade-in program for its rumored 3rd gen Galaxy Z devices.
Customers can trade in up to two devices to save big on one of the new foldable phones.
Signing up early via the reservation page scores customers an additional $100 in trade-in credit.

Following yesterday’s announcement of the next Galaxy Unpacked event, Samsung is rolling out a new multi-device trade-in program that will offer huge savings on its upcoming foldable phones. While the company has offered trade-in discounts when you swap your current device with a new one for quite some time now, this is the first time customers will be able to trade in more than one phone to earn savings towards a single new device.

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 are expected to launch soon, and with Samsung’s next Galaxy Unpacked event happening on August 11 at 10am ET, there are only a fe…

Though live music is slowly returning in areas across the world, livestreamed virtual concerts aren’t going anywhere now that labels and artists alike have seen what a huge success they can be. New artists are jumping onto various virtual platforms and performing every week, but it’s not every day that a legendary artist like Bob Dylan plays to a virtual audience. This weekend, fans of the iconic performer will get to watch from around the world as he takes the stage for his first-ever virtual concert, Shadow Kingdom.

Shadow Kingdom will see Dylan performing in an intimate setting and is set to feature songs spanning his extensive body of work. The event also marks his first concert performance since December 2019.

While there are some free livestream concerts that happen on sites like YouTube, many of the best virtual shows are ticketed events. You won’t have to pay anywhere near as much as you would to go see the performer in person though. Shadow Kingdom tickets cost $25 at Ve…

Our favorite podcast app for Android now has a new owner exploring big changes.

What you need to know

Automattic, the owner of WordPress and Tumblr, has announced its acquisition of #1 podcasting app Pocket Casts.
Plans for the future of the app include “deep integrations” between Pocket Casts and Wordpress.com for easier distribution and listening.
Co-founders Russell Ivanovic and Philip Simpson are staying with the company.

Pocket Casts has long been one of the best podcast apps for Android, though that wouldn’t have been possible to this day without some major changes and swapping hands quite a few times now. Just this morning, Automattic announced its acquisition of Pocket Casts, placing it alongside properties like Wordpress.com and Tumblr.

It was back in January when Current reported that a board made up of Pocket Casts’ owners — NPR, New York Public Radio, Chicago Public Media, and BBC Studios America — had agreed to sell the podcast platform. This came after news …

It’s not always easy keeping your children entertained and learning during the summer months, but luckily, the Amazon Fire Tablet Kids Edition is here to save the day. These are hands-down the best kids tablets on the market right now — and that’s not simply because of the hardware.

With every Fire Tablet Kids Edition, Amazon includes a full year of Kids+ service for free along with a 2-year replacement guarantee with no questions asked. It’s an insane bargain for families even at regular price, but thanks to a limited time sale that’s happening right now, you can pick up the latest Amazon Fire Tablet Kids Edition for as low as $59.99 today! Amazon’s sale is reaching each of the standard Kids Edition tablets as well as the new Kids Pro tablets in all sizes and colorways.

Amazon Fire Tablet Kids Edition | Up to $70 off at Amazon

Amazon’s sale on the Fire Tablet Kids Edition devices is here to save you up to $70 on a tablet for your little one. Prices start at just $60, and each…

Since its public launch in late 2006, Facebook has helped revolutionize the way we communicate with our long-distance friends and family members. With just a few clicks, you could be chatting with your grandparents who live in another state or your childhood best friend who you haven’t seen in 20 years, and now Portal from Facebook offers an even better way to stay connected.

Only during July, Facebook is having a sale on the original Portal (Gen 1) device that’s bringing its price down to just $89 when you use promo code PORTALSUMMER during checkout. The code is valid on both colorways of the Portal (Gen 1) and saves you over 50% off its full price of $199. Alternatively, if one of the newer Portal from Facebook models catches your eye instead, you can save $50 off the purchase of any two and even ship them to multiple addresses at no additional cost! Free two-day shipping is included in select countries.

Portal from Facebook | Up to $110 off at Facebook

The Portal from Faceboo…

Getting a new phone in your hands doesn’t have to be as expensive as you might think. There are always deals out there on Android phones but they tend to come and go rather quickly with other discounts appearing in their place. However, if you’re hoping to buy one of the latest devices on the market, finding a proper deal is easier than ever these days.

Best Android Phone Deals

Unlocked deals
Carrier deals

When it comes to buying a new smartphone, there are two main types of deals to consider. You could buy your new phone unlocked so that you own it and can bring it to any carrier where it’s compatible, or you can purchase devices through carrier deals at a retailer such as Verizon or T-Mobile.

Carrier deals generally make you pay for the device in monthly installments and require that you add a line of service, which means you’ll be locked into paying for the device (and your service contract) for a few years. Deals like these can be excellent if you’re willing or need to …

With how pricey smartphones are becoming lately, it might not be the best idea to rely on a $10 case to protect your device anymore. Repairing a cracked screen or a waterlogged device can sometimes cost hundreds of dollars, and it certainly doesn’t help that phones are much easier to break accidentally these days. Luckily, AKKO can help.

AKKO is one of the best phone insurance providers out there right now, and thanks to a special deal for Android Central readers, you can score your first month of device protection absolutely free. Simply use promo code ACSAVES during checkout to snag the discount on an annual or monthly protection plan. AKKO’s phone insurance plans cost between $6 and $12 per month depending on your device, though you can bring the price a bit lower by choosing an annual, family, or student plan instead.

AKKO Phone Insurance: one month free

Protect your smartphone and other devices from damage and theft with AKKO. Right now, Android Central readers can use pr…

The days of sacrificing great service in search of affordability are officially over. Powered by Verizon’s 4G LTE and 5G networks, Visible puts you on the nation’s best network with its singular plan that offers unlimited data, talk, and text for $40 per month all-in — taxes and fees included. There’s no annual contract and a variety of excellent deals available for new members or those looking to purchase a new phone.

Best Visible Deals

Best Visible Android deals
Best Visible iPhone deals
Best Visible plan deals
More about Visible

Visible’s Party Pay

Visible’s $40-per-month Unlimited plan is a great deal, but you can drop its price as low as $25/month when you invite friends and family to join Visible! The Party Pay feature lets everyone score the discount while keeping accounts separate and private. Plus, you’ll score a month for only $5 every time a new person you’ve referred joins Visible!

Join at Visible

With Visible’s Party Pay feature, you can drop the monthl…

Transforming nearly any TV into a smart TV is affordable and easy with a Roku streaming stick. These tiny devices plug into your TV’s HDMI port to unlock access to a world of streaming services, live TV channels, and other apps that will never leave you without entertainment. While prices are rather comparable to its main competition, the Amazon Fire TV Stick, Roku’s devices have a few interesting features you won’t find on a Fire stick.

Roku Smart Soundbar | $21 off at Amazon

Similar to the Roku Streambar, here’s another Roku soundbar with Roku’s streaming media player built inside. This all-in-one model offers enhanced audio, streams in 4K, and includes a voice remote that’s even capable of powering on and off your TV or adjusting its volume.

$159 at Amazon

Once you’ve plugged in your new Roku streaming device, you can download the Roku app and use it as a remote or even plug headphones into your phone and listen to what’s on TV privately. You’ll also gain access to The Rok…