Articles by Joe Maring

Best answer: AirPods technically work with Android phones, but compared to using them with an iPhone, the experience is significantly watered-down. From missing features to losing access to important settings, you’re better off with another pair of wireless earbuds.

The perks of using AirPods with an Android phone

This is a multi-faceted question, so let’s start with the positives. Whether you get AirPods or AirPods Pro, they both act as regular Bluetooth earbuds when used with an Android phone. You put them into pairing mode, select them from your list of Bluetooth devices, and you can start using them as you would any other wireless headphones/earbuds.

You’ll get the same sound quality and battery life that you get with an iPhone, meaning the core experience is mostly the same. Put the AirPods in your ears, pick a song or podcast to listen to, and you can enjoy your audio wherever you go.

The regular AirPods, be it the AirPods 2 or AirPods 3, are fairly basic earbuds with a o…

As much as we love playing with and testing the latest and greatest phones here at Android Central, there’s something we can universally agree on that we’re not fans of: paying full price for the best Android phones. So if you’re in the market for a quality Android phone, but don’t want to spend a thousand dollars, you could check out the best cheap Android phones, or you can grab one of the best-refurbished phones as these offer a great experience at a fraction of what you’d typically spend. Here are our favorite options!

Still a stunner

Google Pixel 4a Smartphone 128GB

Staff Pick

Although the newer Pixel 5 and Pixel 6 series are already out, the Pixel 4a is still a fantastic value buy. The device sports the same main camera as the Pixel 3a and 3 XL, along with a clean design that you’re accustomed to. Plus, you’ll still get a few more major software updates down the line.

$404 at Amazon From $269 at Back Market $404 at Walmart

2020’s best

Sasmung Galaxy S20 FE

It’s toug…

No matter what your fitness goals are, living a healthier lifestyle is easier when you have a device that can automatically track your activity throughout the day. Fitbits are excellent tools for this, but with so many options to choose from, which one should you buy and why? We think the Fitbit Versa 3 is the best Fitbit you can buy, offering a great blend of features, specs, and design at a price your wallet will love.

Best Fitbit overall: Fitbit Versa 3

Fitbit makes many fantastic fitness wearables, but if you ask us, the best one you can buy right now is the Fitbit Versa 3.

Combining the best bits of a smartwatch and fitness tracker into one, the Versa 3 is lightweight and slim enough to fit onto even the smallest of wrists and not look obnoxiously big the way competing watches can. In addition, it has a gorgeous AMOLED display on the hardware side of things, a battery that lasts over six days on a single charge, and it’s waterproof up to 50 meters. Compared to the Versa 2,…

Philips Hue smart lights are some of the coolest on the market, and they’re definitely some of the most popular, but they can be quite expensive, especially once you get into colored bulbs. So if you’re looking for a less expensive option, or just something other than what’s popular (maybe something without a hub?), then check out these other best Philips Hue alternatives.

Best alternative

Philips WiZ Connected A19 Bulb

Staff Pick

You might be surprised to know that Philips Hue isn’t the only smart bulb brand from the company. Unlike Hue bulbs, Philips WiZ Connected bulbs require no hub, connecting directly to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth via the WiZ app. Despite being less expensive, these bulbs aren’t any less capable. They can be dimmed and color-tuned to your liking. These bulbs shine in millions of colors thanks to the powerful WiZ Connected app and support your favorite virtual assistant.

$35 at Amazon (3-pack white-only) $13 at Best Buy $25 at Best Buy (2-pack white and color)

A…

It’s no secret that Android tablets have waned in popularity over the past few years. Despite that, Samsung regularly releases new tablet options, channeling its Android know-how into respectable software hosted on killer hardware. So whether you choose our top overall pick — the Galaxy Tab S7 — or any other option in this roundup, the best Samsung tablets all have plenty to recommend compared to iPads, Fires, and other popular brands.

Best overall: Samsung Galaxy Tab S7

You have a large number of Galaxy Tabs to choose from, but above everything that’s on offer, the Galaxy Tab S7 stands out as our go-to recommendation. It’s one of the newest tablets in Samsung’s lineup, and for most folks, it’ll be the best one you can buy.

The most important aspect of any tablet is its display, and in this regard, the Tab S7 has a lot going for it. You’re treated to an 11-inch LCD panel with a 2560×1600 resolution and a buttery smooth 120Hz refresh rate. So whether you play a lot of games o…

As much as we love playing with and testing the latest and greatest phones here at Android Central, there’s something we can universally agree on that we’re not fans of: paying full price for the best Android phones. If you’re in the market for a quality Android phone, but don’t want to spend a thousand dollars, you could check out the best cheap Android phones, or you can grab one of the best refurbished phones as these offer a great experience at a fraction of what you’d typically spend. Here are our favorite options!

Still a stunner

Google Pixel 4a Smartphone 128GB

Staff Pick

Although the newer Pixel 5 and Pixel 6 series are already out, the Pixel 4a is still a fantastic value buy. The device sports the same main camera as the Pixel 3a and 3 XL, along with a clean design that you’re accustomed to. Plus, you’ll still get a few more major software updates down the line.

$316 at Amazon From $309 at Back Market From $345 at Walmart

2020’s best

Sasmung Galaxy S20 FE

It’s to…

RCS Chat, Google’s vision for the future of messaging, is widely available around the globe. Rather than waiting on carriers to adopt the RCS standard, Google took matters into its own hands and enabled RCS Chat for all phones regardless of carrier — you just have to use its Messages app. If your phone is supported, here’s how to enable RCS in Google Messages.

How to enable RCS in Google Messages

Open Google Messages on your Android phone.

If you don’t have the app, you can download it for free.

Tap the three dots in the upper-right corner.
Tap Settings.

Tap Chat features.
Enter your phone number.
Tap Continue.

That’s all there is to it. It may take several seconds for Google Messages to verify your phone number, but once it’s complete, your status should change from “Setting up” to “Connected.” Then, when you message someone else who also has RCS enabled, the chat will automatically offer the enhanced messaging experience.

What countries is RCS Chat available?

Google…

Believe it or not, there are plenty of great, inexpensive smartphones you should consider, so we rounded up the best Android phones under $200. Smartphones that cost $1,000 and more have quickly become commonplace in the market, and for anyone on a budget, those steep prices can quickly induce a headache. If you need a new handset but only have a couple of hundred bucks to spend, the Moto G Fast is our top favorite with three cameras and a large screen to enjoy all those photos and videos. Today, we’re not only talking about the Moto G Fast, but also some of the best phones that bring tremendous value to the low-end space.

Best overall Android phone under $200: Moto G Fast

The Moto G Fast hits the very top of our $200 budget, and all things considered, it’s the best phone you can buy when looking at Android devices this cheap.

G Fast’s hardware is built far better than you’d expect for a phone in this price tier. It feels substantial when held, doesn’t rattle or creak, and all p…

After months of waiting, the Pixel 6 launch event is almost here.

Ready to snag Google’s most intriguing smartphone in years? The Google Pixel 6 launch event is set for October 19 at 10 am PT/1 pm ET. We should learn the Pixel 6 release date, price, and specs — and could even see a surprise announcement of the Pixel Fold, though it’s a long-shot.

We’ve officially known about the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro since August 2, when Google unveiled its striking design and Google-made Tensor chipset. Both phones will dramatically improve on the mid-range Pixel 5, offering true flagship specs and improved camera sensors. Plus, exclusive Android 12 features like Dynamic colors for the new Material You UI should be available at launch.

Pixel sales haven’t come close to competing with Apple or Samsung sales in past years, but this Pixel series could make Google flagships stand out from the crowd. Here’s everything we know about the new phone until Google finally confirms the rumors.

Half th…

Using two-factor verification makes sure that you — and only you — have access to your Google account.

In a world where we’re constantly becoming more and more digital, maximizing the security of your online accounts is one of the most important things you can do, whether or not you have one of the most secure Android phones.

A strong password is a good start, but if you want to take things to the next level, you need to use two-factor authentication. This adds another layer of privacy to your account, often requiring you to enter a randomized code every time you log into your account in addition to your password.

Your Google account is likely one of the most important you have, and thankfully, setting up two-factor authentication for it is quick, easy, and can be done in a few different ways. We’ll walk you through it all and show you how to enable 2FA on your Google account.

How to set up Google Prompt two-factor authentication

Google allows you to use a variety of two-fac…