Articles by Ara Wagoner

The Google Pixel 6 Pro is here with outstanding camera upgrades, instant dictation/translation thanks to Google Tensor, and a curved 6.7-inch screen with a variable refresh rate. Anyone who’s ever owned a curved-screen phone knows, protecting the sides of that phone is crucial to keep it intact and alive. With that in mind, here are the best Pixel 6 Pro cases to keep your shiny new flagship safe.

Slim, but secure

Spigen Liquid Air Armor Designed for Google Pixel 6 Pro

If you don’t want to bulk up your super-sized Pixel 6 Pro, what you want is something slim but still thick enough to provide some impact protection and significantly add grip. The Liquid Air Armor has great textures both across the back and on the sides, which is why I recommend it over its classic Rugged Armor sibling.

$16 at Amazon

Terrific two-tone

Caseology Parallax Protective Case Compatible with Google Pixel 6 Pro

While the Caseology Parallax isn’t packing quite as colorful a lineup as it has for previo…

The Samsung Galaxy S21 has been a little difficult to find this summer and fall amidst the global shipping crisis, understandably so as it is one of the best Android phones on the market today. We were actually a little worried that there might not be any deals for the S21 because of these supply issues, but Samsung has happily proved us wrong.

Samsung’s Galaxy S21 deal gives you $200 off every model S21 — bringing the S21 to $600, S21+ to $850, and S21 Ultra to $1000 — and then throwing in Samsung.com credit so you can buy a case, charger, or maybe a new pair of earbuds to go with your sweet new phone. The S21 gets $25 instant credit, while the S21+ and Ultra get $50.

While you get a bigger gift card with the larger models, the deal on the regular Galaxy S21 is the best one of the bunch — because it saves you any money on a phone that’s been sold out for weeks and weeks, a phone which hasn’t seen a significant sale since the doldrums of summer. And I wouldn’t wait a single sec…

A microSD card for your Android phone lets you easily move your files, photos, and music from device to device without having to rely on steady Wi-Fi or costly data. An Android microSD card also lets you load your phone up with more apps, music, and movies, which is especially useful if your device doesn’t come with a lot of internal storage. But which ones are the best? Here’s a good selection from which to choose.

Best blend

SAMSUNG (MB-ME32GA/AM) microSDHC EVO Select

Staff Pick

This is our preferred card because it’s reliable, fast, and goes on sale frequently. And it offers blazing fast speeds at up to 100 MB/sec. read and 90 MB/sec. write.

From $7 at Amazon

Ultra affordable

SanDisk 128GB Ultra MicroSDXC

SanDisk has more powerful cards, but the Ultra is the right answer for most, offering up to 100MB/s read speeds.

$22 at Amazon

Go pro

PNY 128GB PRO Elite Class 10 U3 microSDXC

This card is an excellent choice for power users who intend to use the card for storin…

The regular Pixel 6 was the only one to get actual color options and not just metallic shades, and we deserve to flaunt those fun colors and bold accents around that eye-catching camera bar stretching across the back. This is one of the best Android phones with half a decade of updates ahead of it, and if you want your new phone to last that long, you need to grab one of the best Pixel 6 cases you can.

Come to the dark side

Caseology Parallax for Google Pixel 6

Staff Pick

While not many cases yet highlight that pop of red at the top of the Kinda Coral Pixel 6, Caseology leaped right in. So whether you’re tracking rebel scum across the galaxy or lording over your domain, the Parallax will help you keep an iron grip upon your Pixel 6, thanks to the new diamond grip pads along the bumper.

$15 at Amazon

Kickstands kick butt

Poetic Revolution

The Revolution is already a heavy-duty case with heavy-duty thickness, but Poetic makes excellent use of it by adding a kickstand that w…

The best cases for the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra need to balance protection and profile, style and substance — and do it all without breaking the bank. The Note 20 Ultra is one of the most cutting-edge phones on the market, but it’s also one of the largest and heaviest phones released in 2020. Combine that with the luxury price tag Samsung demands, and you have a recipe for disaster if you dare take your new phone out into the world naked. So skip the public smartphone indecency and get yourself a great case. Here are the best Galaxy Note 20 Ultra cases to keep it like new for years to come.

Slim and sublime

Ringke Air-S

Staff Pick

If you don’t want to bulk up your Note 20 Ultra but need to add some grip, the Air-S is a minimalist, thin and flexible case that offers sufficient protection and guards against scratches. There are even lanyard holes if you want to wear it around your neck or over your shoulder or strap it to your hand for safekeeping.

$9 at Amazon

Rough and tumble

…

Repeat after me, my friends: No matter your taste, your phone needs a case. Whether you just dropped hundreds on a Samsung Galaxy S10+ or you’ve had it since launch day, carrying it around without a case is just begging for Murphy’s Law to visit that phone. We’ve got the best Galaxy S10+ cases — thin cases, clear cases, fun cases, leather cases, and even more.

New look on a classic winner

Spigen Neo Hybrid for Galaxy S10+

Staff Pick

$14 at Amazon

Gone is the Herringbone on this award-winning case series, and in its place is a new pattern that is grippier than ever.

Ruggedly handsome

ArmadilloTek Urban Ranger

$11 at Amazon

This is one of my favorite TPU cases around, offering a grippy, rugged look without any bulk and four excellent colors.

A little sparkle

OtterBox Symmetry Series Slim Case

$15 at Amazon

Give your S10 Plus a beautiful look with this glittery OtterBox case. It’s slim and comes in various colors.

High class carry-all

Snakehive Vintage Leath…

Because USB-C Power Delivery allows for higher charging speeds, when you’re using the best USB-C charger, you should trust your devices to only the best USB-C cables because when they break, they can fry your device or start a fire. Back in the early days, you had to be extra sure your cables were adequately made, but these days USB-C cables have reached a safe, stable standard (for the most part). So whether you need a USB-A port on the other end or you’ve gone full USB-C to USB-C, there are great, safe USB-C cables to be had out there without spending an arm and a leg!

Best USB-C to USB-C cables

Top speeds

Anker Powerline II Cable

Staff Pick

If you want the latest spec and the highest data speeds, you want USB 3.1 Gen 2, which can support up to 10Gbps data speeds and up to 100W charging speeds.

$25 at Amazon

4K ready

USB-IF Certified Cable Matters 10 Gbps Gen 2 USB C to USB C Cable

This unassuming black or white cable boasts the 3.2 Gen 2 spec, so it too can support 10…

The best Qi wireless charging battery allows you to charge whenever, wherever, and however you want. Did you leave your cable at home? Charge wirelessly! Do you need a quicker burst of power for an almost dead phone? Plug in for a faster charge. While Qi power banks aren’t quite as popular as traditional power banks, the best wireless charging portable chargers will keep you topped off and ready to roll no matter where you’ve camped out during your daily errands.

Wide compatibility

Anker PowerCore III 10K Wireless Portable Charger

Staff Pick

The new PowerCore III has USB-C input and output, fixing the flaw of its last model. The Qi wireless charging coil supports Samsung’s 10W profile, Apple’s 7.5W, standard 5W, and can even charge small devices like wireless earbud cases.

$50 at Amazon $50 at Walmart

Keep watching

AUKEY Basix Pro Wireless Charging Power Bank

Most wireless chargers force you to crane over your phone flat on the desk while they charge, but Aukey built in a…

It may be hard to pick the best Google Pixel 5 case considering how many options you’ll have. So whether you’re on the hunt for a ruggedly handsome heavy-duty case that offers maximum protection, a super slim and stylish case, or something in between, these are some of the best Google Pixel 5 cases available right now.

Safe and stylish

Caseology Parallax for Google Pixel 5

Staff Pick

This mesmerizing case has protected my last two Pixels with grace, and the colorways for the Pixel 5 are quite fetching. The Aqua Green will fit the green Pixel 5 perfectly, while Burgundy and Navy Blue jazz up the black Pixel 5.

From $16 at Amazon $15 at Walmart

Long-term protection

Tudia Dualshield Merge Series

If you want a heavy-duty case without a heavy-duty price, Tudia has been the go-to for years. The Merge Series gives you the impact protection and grip of a flexible TPU sleeve with the sturdiness of a polycarbonate back.

$15 at Amazon

Machine washable

Google Fabric Case

Google…

Want to upgrade your Android experience? Try upgrading your launcher.

The way we arrange, organize, and interact with our apps on Android is called the launcher. Launchers usually consist of a series of home screens, where we can arrange app shortcuts and widgets while the rest of our apps sit in an app drawer. From the best Android phones to the most basic budget smartphone, every phone comes with a launcher. Some built-in launchers are great, but when they drop the ball, there are endless third-party launchers that not only pick it up again but knock it clear out of the park. Everyone has their perfect launcher, but if you haven’t found your favorite yet, then here are the best Android launchers that we at Android Central have used and loved for years.

The best launchers

Best Overall Smart Launcher 5
Resurging Legacy Nova Launcher
Swiss Army Launcher Action Launcher
Best Productivity Microsoft Launcher
Quick and Simple Niagara Launcher

Best Overall: Smart Launcher 5

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