Articles by Joe Maring

Having a chat with the AC forums.

If you’ve been following us here at AC over the past few weeks, you know we’re big fans of what Google did with the Pixel 5. Even without the highest-end Snapdragon processor, the Pixel 5 manages to deliver a fantastic user experience that we still can’t get enough of.

Here’s the thing, though — not everyone is a fan of the Pixel 5. Whether it’s too small, doesn’t have enough horsepower, or has too few cameras, there are plenty of reasons why someone may not be interested in it.

So, if you’re in the market for a high-quality Android phone that costs around $700, what’s a person to do? One of our forum members recently asked for possible Pixel 5 alternatives, and this is how some of that conversation went.

eric002
11-08-2020 07:12 PM

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I was suggesting Galaxy S20FE, but it won’t be pure Google. I mean sure you could put the pixel launcher on it, but as far as so…

Android powerhouse

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

From $1,099 at Amazon

Pros

120Hz AMOLED display is amazing
Very good cameras
Reliable battery life
Expandable storage
S Pen included

Cons

Slow in-screen fingerprint sensor
Touch issues with curved screen

The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is one of the most feature-rich Android phones you can buy in 2020, and while some may see it as overkill, it’s the perfect fit for others. The 120Hz display is buttery smooth, Samsung’s ample software features allow for endless possibilities, and the included S Pen is a powerful tool for drawing or note-taking. Factor all that together with great performance, battery life, and cameras, and you end up with a premium smartphone through and through.

Apple’s best

iPhone 12 Pro Max

From $1,099 at Apple

Pros

Gorgeous design with flat edges
OLED screen looks great
Industry-leading cameras
Battery is excellent
MagSafe accessories have lots of potential

Cons

Display is only 60Hz
Still uses…

120Hz displays are in, the headphone jack is out.

Every year sees a heap of various Android phones released into the market. Some are good, some are bad. Some are really exciting, whereas others are a bit boring. Among all of the handsets to come out during a given year, one release that’s continually met with a lot of excitement and fanfare is Samsung’s Galaxy S series.

One could argue that Galaxy S phones aren’t always the most interesting, but there’s no denying how much more attention they get compared to much of the competition.

For 2020, Samsung launched a trio of phones with the Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra. These are very technically impressive gadgets with high prices to match, and if you can afford what Samsung is asking for the phones, they’re bound to be some of the best the Android landscape sees all year.

From hands-on coverage, detailed specs, accessory recommendations, and so much more, here’s absolutely everything you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy S20 …

Pixel acting up? Here’s what you can do.

If you have a Pixel, you know Google can make a darn good Android phone. Between amazing cameras, clean software, and fast performance, Pixels bring a lot to the table. All of that stuff is great when everything is working as it should, but as with any gadget, that’s not always the case.

Sometimes, things just go wrong. Smartphones are complicated little machines, and for any number of reasons, you might encounter unwanted problems — whether it be slow performance, worse battery life, or something else. Should you find yourself running into issues with your Google Pixel, here are a few tips on how to get things back to normal.

Jump to:

Bad battery life
Performance issues
Running out of storage
Slow data speeds
Factory reset

Google Pixel problems Bad battery life

To kick things off, let’s talk about one of the most annoying issues of any phone — bad battery life. Google improved battery performance a lot with the Pixel 5, but …

The Galaxy Note 10 is a gorgeous sight to behold and offers a large, bezel-less display in a form factor that’s easier to hold than past Notes. As striking as it is, the large screen, glass back, and thin metal frame likely won’t hold up that well in the event of a fall. Want to ensure the Note 10 stays looking good for years to come? Here are a few cases we recommend checking out. We can also help you find a Galaxy Note 10 screenprotector.

The only case you need

Spigen Neo Hybrid

Staff pick

No matter what phone we’re talking about, one of our all-time favorite cases is the Spigen Neo Hybrid. The Neo Hybrid shines on the Note 10, keeping the phone safe and secure while also looking quite nice (especially in the Burgundy colorway shown here). It’s also thin, lightweight, and is easy on the wallet.

From $13 at Amazon

Can’t go wrong

Caseology Vault

In the market for a Note 10 case that does the basics of keeping your phone safe, look great, and come at a low price? Cas…

Having a chat with the AC forums.

I think it’s safe to say that the Pixel 5 is one of the most interesting Android phones of 2020. The device itself might seem boring at first glance, but from a business perspective, it’s fascinating.

Rather than competing toe-to-toe with Samsung and Apple in the traditional flagship race, Google decided to do something different with the Pixel 5. It opted for a lesser processor, didn’t go overboard with the camera sensors, and the end result is a phone that delivers a high-end experience for a lot less money than the competition.

However, this move has gotten some people debating whether or not the Pixel 5 is a legit flagship — so much so that we’re seeing rumors about Google having plans to release a more premium version of the Pixel 5 in March.

Some of our AC forum members have commented on this news, saying:

htcrazy
10-30-2020 06:47 PM

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According to Tom’…

Black Friday is home to seemingly endless deals. Whether it be video games, televisions, kitchen appliances, or anything else in between, chances are you can find some sort of discount for it during this time of year.

That’s also the case when it comes to Android phones, with Black Friday 2020 already offering quite a few noteworthy savings. Joining the list of Android deals this Black Friday is the TCL 10L, which is on sale right now.

The TCL 10L normally sells for $250, but if you clip a free coupon before checkout on Amazon, you can instantly save $40 — bringing the final price down to just $210. For a phone that’s already very affordable without any extra discounts, this is incredibly tempting.

So much value

TCL 10L | $40 off at Amazon

Buying a new Android phone doesn’t have to break the bank, as evident by this Black Friday deal for the TCL 10L. The phone’s retail price is already pretty affordable at $250, but clipping a free coupon can make it yours for just $210….

Here’s what Google has in store for its sixth Pixel.

It’s become a tradition that every year brings us a new Pixel, and for 2021, we’re expecting Google to deliver the Pixel 6. It seems like yesterday Google was unveiling the series for the first time, but somehow, we’re already looking ahead to the sixth generation of the phone.

We still have a long way to go before we can get our hands on the Pixel 6, but that doesn’t mean we can’t start speculating and making informed guesses as to what it’ll offer. From price, specs, availability, and more, here’s everything we know so far about the Google Pixel 6.

Current flagship

Google Pixel 5

$700 at Amazon
$700 at Best Buy
$699 at B&H

The best Pixel you can buy right now

We expect the Pixel 6 to be a darn good phone, but if you need something right now, the Pixel 5 has a ton to offer. Whether you’re searching for amazing cameras, a quality display, snappy performance, or reliable battery life, you get all of that with the Pixe…

Chatting with the AC forums.

November is upon us, and as it happens with every new month, it’s time for another monthly security patch. Google began rolling out the November 2020 patch yesterday, November 2, with the usual assortment of bug and vulnerability fixes.

Security patches aren’t the most exciting thing to talk about, yet they’re critical in ensuring our devices’ safety as time goes on. You may not see any user-facing changes, but things are constantly improving behind-the-scenes to make your phone as good as can be.

Taking a look through the AC forums, a lot of our members are already rocking this latest update.

Torisen1
11-02-2020 02:07 PM

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Updated
Reply

ezdoit
11-02-2020 03:02 PM

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Getting it now – 21.42 MB
Reply

dmxjago
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Thinking about getting a Shield TV? Read this first.

When you think of Android TV, what comes to mind? For many of us here at AC and many of you reading this, it’s probably the NVIDIA Shield TV. NVIDIA has been one of the few companies supporting Android TV with streaming hardware that’s powered by the operating system, with its two latest Shield TV and Shield TV Pro offerings being downright excellent.

Here’s the thing, though — NVIDIA isn’t the only answer when it comes to getting Android TV inside your home. While the company’s streaming gadgets are great, there are other options out there. Specifically, televisions with Android TV built right into them. Many TVs from the likes of Sony, Hisense, and TCL feature the Android TV platform right out of the box, and in some cases, having it preloaded like that can make the whole experience that much better.

If you’ve been thinking about picking up an NVIDIA Shield TV for yourself, here are five reasons why getting a television with…