Articles by Joe Maring

If you want to get your hands on the best Android phone in 2021, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is for you. It’s a device that delivers all of the high-end specs and features you could ask for in a flagship smartphone, all while coming in at a lower price than a lot of its competition. That said, if you’re in the market for something more affordable with different software, or a more unique design, there are plenty of other options to consider.

What are the best Android phones?

There are a lot of contenders when it comes to the best Android phones, but we think the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE stands out above its many competitors as the go-to choice for most people. The S20 FE isn’t the absolute most premium Android phone you can buy in 2021, but when looking at the specs and features it offers for the price, it’s easily the best phone most people should buy.

The Galaxy S20 FE has everything you’d expect to see in a modern flagship: a top-tier Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, a 120Hz AMOLE…

Don’t flip out, but there’s a new Z Flip on the way.

2019 was the breakout year for folding phones, with devices like the Galaxy Fold and Huawei Mate X coming to market. But these were insanely expensive luxury items that only rich Android nerds would ever buy. Arguably, it was the 2020 Galaxy Z Flip that first solved the foldable formula — it cost considerably less than the Fold and was more widely available at carriers.

It was later followed by a 5G version with an upgraded processor, but since then we’ve heard very little about the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 2. Instead, we got the Galaxy Z Fold 2, another opulent foldable that genuinely blew us away with its upgraded hinge, superpowered specs, and (unfortunately) budget-destroying price.

Samsung has some major plans brewing for its 2021 Galaxy devices, including (allegedly) a Galaxy Z Fold 3, but this foldable will probably be just as absurdly pricey as its predecessors. For a new foldable phone that regular folks can afford but t…

The Samsung Galaxy S20+ has everything you could want from a 2020 flagship. There’s a powerful Snapdragon 865 processor, multiple rear cameras, and a gorgeous 120Hz AMOLED display. That display is one of the main reasons to pick up the S20+, but if it happens to get scratched or shattered, the experience won’t be the same. Prevent that from happening by picking up one of the best Galaxy S20+ screen protectors. Trust us — you want one.

Complete package

Caseology Film for Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus Screen Protector

Staff Pick

After picking up the Galaxy S20+, chances are you don’t want to spend a ton of money on a screen protector. Thanks to Caseology, you don’t have to. This package gives you two protectors at a great price, in addition to an impressive feature-set. The protectors are crystal clear, scratch-resistant, compatible with the in-screen fingerprint sensor, and can self-heal themselves.

$9 at Amazon

Tour de force

Galaxy S20 Plus Screen Protector Dome Glass

W…

As much as we love playing with and testing the latest and greatest phones here at AC, there is something we can universally agree on that we aren’t 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 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 3a

Staff Pick

Although it has been discontinued to make way for the Pixel 4a, the Pixel 3a is still a fantastic value. The device sports the same camera from the Pixel 3 and 3 XL, along with a clean design that you’re accustomed to. Plus, you’ll still get a few more major software updates before Google moves onto bigger things.

From $154 at Amazon From $120 at Back Market From $169 at Gazelle

2020’s best

Sasmung Galaxy S20 FE

It’s to…

This is your budget Pixel for 2021.

While it may have taken longer to be released than we initially hoped, last year’s Pixel 4a proved to be one of 2020’s best Android phones. Between its OLED display, reliable performance, amazing camera, and $349 asking price, it’s a phone that still remains a killer value here in 2021.

As good as the Pixel 4a continues to be, though, it’s time to start looking ahead to what’s next — specifically, the Google Pixel 5a. Whether you’re interested in the latest spec rumors, want to see design leaks, or anything else, here’s everything you need to know about Google’s upcoming Pixel!

Tiny but mighty

Google Pixel 4a

$349 at Amazon
$350 at Best Buy
$349 at B&H

The best camera under $400

Simply put, the Pixel 4a is one of the best values the smartphone market has to offer today. The camera is better than ever, performance is plenty fast, the battery is reliable, and there’s even a headphone jack. Assuming you’re a fan of smaller phones an…

Google’s vision for the future of gaming is here.

The world of gaming is changing, thanks in part to new cloud gaming platforms like Google Stadia. Rather than coming to market with another console or PC competitor, Google employed its powerful cloud-streaming tech to allow anyone with a fast internet connection to play AAA games on their phones, tablets, Chromebooks, Macbooks, and other underpowered devices. While we’re big fans of Stadia, it’s undeniable that the service is going through some serious issues lately.

Ready to learn more? Let’s dive in.

Everything you need

Stadia: Premiere Edition

$100 at Best Buy

The only way to play Stadia on your TV

This bundle includes everything you need to get started with Stadia. It includes the controller, a Stadia Controller Power Adapter, Google Chromecast Ultra, and a Google Chromecast Ultra Power Adapter with an Ethernet port.

Stadia:

How it works
Plans and global availability
Reviews and news
Is Stadia shutting down?
Sup…

Google’s latest Chromecast has a lot going for it — including 4K HDR streaming, a great remote, and an attractive $50 price tag. Even better than all of that is its Google TV interface, which is designed to simplify the way you stream all your favorite shows and movies. Longtime Android TV fans won’t be pleased to see that the Play Store app isn’t readily available out of the box, but if you know where to look, it’s actually still there.

How to get the Google Play Store app on Chromecast with Google TV

Default app view in Google TV.

As much as we love the Chomecast with Google TV, the way it organizes applications can be a bit confusing. The Apps page is where you browse through all of the apps you’ve installed, but this is also where you can find new ones to download.

You can browse through apps by categories and search for specific ones using Google Assistant, but for anyone that’s familiar with and/or likes the actual Play Store app, this new layout can be a bit daunting. T…

If you want to get your hands on the best Android phone in 2021, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is for you. It’s a device that delivers all of the high-end specs and features you could ask for in a flagship smartphone, all while coming in at a lower price than a lot of its competition. That said, if you’re in the market for something more affordable with different software, or a more unique design, there are plenty of other options to consider.

What are the best Android phones?

There are a lot of contenders when it comes to the best Android phones, but we think the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE stands out above its many competitors as the go-to choice for most people. The S20 FE isn’t the absolute most premium Android phone you can buy in 2021, but when looking at the specs and features it offers for the price, it’s easily the best phone most people should buy.

The Galaxy S20 FE has everything you’d expect to see in a modern flagship: a top-tier Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, a 120Hz AMOLE…

Having a chat with the AC forums.

2021 could prove to be a pretty interesting year for smartwatches. A rumor from Samsung leaker Ice Universe has suggested that Samsung’s next wearable will ditch the company’s own Tizen operating system in favor of Google’s Wear OS.

A move like this would be massive for Android smartwatches. Wear OS certainly has the upper-hand when it comes to things like app support and its Google Assistant integration, but there are still plenty of things that Tizen continues to be better at.

Some of our AC forum members recently shared their thoughts on this news, saying:

bigsmoke79
02-19-2021 02:20 PM

“

Just read the rumour that Samsung’s next smartwatch is going to be running Android Wear OS! it’s been tweeted by IceUniverse and reported on SamMobile!

Hope this doesn’t mean they ditch us Samsung Watch 3 owners and at least let us update to Wear OS or that will be me done…

This sure is something.

What you need to know

The first developer preview for Android 12 is now live.
With some digging, a new “Silky Home” interface can be enabled.
Similar to One UI, Silky Home appears to be designed to accommodate large phones.

It’s a big day in the Android world. Why? The very first developer preview for Android 12 has officially landed ?. Most of the user-facing changes are pretty small right now, but there is one thing that stands out as a potentially massive shift for Android design as we know it.

First spotted by Mishaal Rahman over at XDA Developers, there’s a feature flag in Android 12 called “Silky Home.” Once this flag is enabled, you’re presented with a completely new interface for the Settings app.

BIG change: If you enable the “Silky home” feature flag that I previously mentioned, you’ll get a DRAMATICALLY changed Settings UI that’s MUCH more one-handed friendly. Here are a few screenshots: pic.twitter.com/EcwqnU0LlB— Mishaal Rahman (@Misha…