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Android Editorials, Lists & More
This week, Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 debuted in the Xiaomi 17, and it’s pretty dang fast. Google updated the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and is trying to improve the Play Store search. Also, check out a critical OnePlus vulnerability and the new Google Photos AI editor.
Android News
Your Pixel Buds Pro 2 Just Got a Lot Better
Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 are really good, and they’re better every year thanks to Google supporting them with new updates and features every so often. Now, the latest batch of Pixel Buds Pro 2 features is rolling out, and it’s looking good. Continue reading…
Credit:Â Andrew Heinzman / How-To Geek
Your OnePlus Phone Has a Huge SMS Vulnerability
OnePlus phones remain popular, even if they might not have the same weight they did before. If you happen to have a OnePlus phone, you’ll want to know about this vulnerability—and while a fix is on the way, you should continue to be careful while it lands. Continue reading…
Credit:Â Patrick Campanale / How-To Geek
New Smartphone Company Just Dropped
You’d be forgiven for not knowing it, but Nothing had a budget sub-brand, CMF, that sold a few budget-friendly products. It will now continue its life as an independent brand, so now we have a new smartphone company. Continue reading…
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This Is the First Phone With a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 will power 2026’s best phones, but that won’t stop some companies from releasing theirs while this year is not over. Xiaomi is the first company to release a phone powered by Qualcomm’s latest chip—meet the Xiaomi 17 series. Continue reading…
Credit:Â Xiaomi
Proton Mail’s Mobile Apps Just Got a Revamp
Proton Mail is rolling out brand-new mobile apps for iOS and Android, which have been rebuilt from the ground up to be faster, more intuitive, and to provide a more private inbox experience. The new apps are available today. Continue reading…
Credit:Â Jorge Aguilar / How To Geek | Proton
Qualcomm Just Beat Apple In The Smartphone Performance Wars
We’re nearing the tail-end of 2025, which means we’re already about to see the hardware that will power next year’s phones. Now, Qualcomm has just announced the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and while that name is awful, the chip is actually pretty good. Continue reading…
Credit:Â Justin Duino / How-To Geek
Google’s Conversational Search Is Now Live for Everyone
Google just released Search Live to everyone in the United States, following an open beta period. Instead of typing your questions, you can have a full-on conversation with an AI assistant in real time, and you can even use your phone’s camera to show it what you’re talking about. Continue reading…
Credit:Â Google
The Galaxy S26 Might Have the Charging Boost I’ve Been Waiting For
For the past few years, charging speeds on Samsung phones have ranged from 25W to 45W—brands stateside have not followed Chinese brands in adding insane charging speeds on their phones. As a matter of fact, your next Samsung phone upgrade might have a sizable speed boost. Continue reading…
Credit:Â Justin Duino / How-To Geek
You Can Now Tell Google Photos How to Edit a Photo for You
Learning the ins and outs of editing can help you transform good photos into great photos, but not everyone has spent the time gathering those skills. Google is always trying to make it easier for people to make their photos shine, and now there’s a new conversational way to do it. Continue reading…
Credit:Â Google
Google Is Hoping to Fix Its Biggest Play Store Problem
Considering it’s owned by a company known for search, it’s notoriously difficult to find stuff in the Google Play Store. Google is rolling out a few changes that might make the whole experience a lot less painful. Continue reading…
Credit:Â Joe Fedewa / How-To Geek
Android Phones to Finally Get this Basic Feature Samsung’s Had for Years
If you’re a longtime Samsung Galaxy user who recently switched to a Google Pixel, you likely noticed that stock Android doesn’t let you customize the on-screen navigation buttons. While many manufacturers have switched to gesture controls, three-button navigation is still a thing. And now, it looks like Android 16 will finally match Samsung and let you flip the back button to the other side of the screen. Continue reading…
Credit:Â Hannah Stryker / How-To Geek
Android Editorials, Lists & More
How to Take Long Exposure Photos on a Samsung Galaxy Phone
Long-exposure photos always look super impressive. You might wonder what kind of high-tech camera was used to do it. Well, you don’t need a fancy camera—you can take long-exposure photos with your Samsung Galaxy phone. Continue reading…
Credit:Â Justin Duino / How-To Geek
These 8 Apps Make Android Auto Even Better
Android Auto has made it easier to interact safely with phone features, which is why most people use it for maps, navigation, or making phone calls. But that’s not all it can do. If you want to improve your commute or road trips, you’ll want to check out these awesome Android Auto apps. Continue reading…
Credit:Â Lucas Gouveia / How-To Geek | kungfu01/Shutterstock
How to Back Up Your Google Photos Library to a Hard Drive
Google Photos has been my primary method for backing up photos and videos for nearly a decade. I recently had the realization that it would be Very Bad if something ever happened to it, so I finally took the time to back up all my photos to an external hard drive, too. Continue reading…
Credit:Â Lucas Gouveia/How-To Geek | VectorPlotnikoff/Shutterstock
10 Great Android Apps With Bad Widgets
Widgets give you a quick look at important information, let you control apps easily, and generally make your Android home screen a much better place. Unfortunately, the reality of Android widgets doesn’t always live up to that promise. Continue reading…
Credit:Â Lucas Gouveia/How To Geek
I Thought Google Photos Ruined the Editor, But it Won Me Over
This year marked Google Photos’ 10th birthday, and to celebrate, a redesign was announced. The most noticeable changes appeared in the editor, and after initially being very against this change, it’s really grown on me over time. Continue reading…
Credit:Â Lucas Gouveia/How-To Geek | Google
Android’s Gboard Has Tons of Hidden Tricks You Probably Aren’t Using
Google’s default keyboard app can do a lot more than basic touch typing or swipe typing. You won’t find them unless you go looking or stumble upon them, but the Gboard app comes with a bunch of features that make texting and writing better. Continue reading…
Credit:Â Lucas Gouveia/How-To Geek
Never Lose Track of Important Conversations With This Simple Google Messages Feature
The Google Messages app comes with many exciting features, one of which is the ability to pin important conversations to the top of the timeline. Here’s when you should use this feature and how to use it. Continue reading…
Credit:Â Lucas Gouveia/How-To Geek | insta_photos/Shutterstock
This Hidden Setting Sped Up My Android Phone
How fast your Android phone feels isn’t just about the hardware. Software optimizations and features like animations play a big role in responsiveness. Fortunately, there’s a simple animation trick that works on basically every Android device. Continue reading…
Credit:Â Justin Duino/Lucas Gouveia/How-To Geek
6 Common Smartphone Mistakes You Should Avoid
Most of us hope our smartphones last for years, but without realizing it, we often make small mistakes that affect their performance and overall lifespan. From bad charging practices to skipping software updates and exposing your phone to extreme conditions, here are some common mistakes you must avoid. Continue reading…
Credit:Â Lucas Gouveia / Justin Duino / How-To Geek
4 More Satisfying Ways to End Calls on Android
You simply need to hit the red button to disconnect a call on your Android smartphone. But what if I told you there are more interesting ways to end calls? Here are four different ways to end calls on your Android smartphone besides using the regular end button in the phone app. Continue reading…
Credit:Â Lucas Gouveia/How-To Geek | Meeko Media/Shutterstock
I Used a 10-Year-Old Smartwatch for a Week (and I Still Love It)
Smartwatches have gotten incredibly, well, smart over the years. They have digital assistants, speakers, virtual keyboards, and the ability to run full apps. Is all that really necessary, though? I used a 10-year-old smartwatch to find out. Continue reading…
Credit:Â Joe Fedewa / How-To Geek