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I tested 10+ Pixel 9 Pro XL cases so you don’t have to: These are the picks I would buy!

Nick Fernandez / Android Authority I’ve tested out a ton of the most popular Pixel 9 Pro XL cases on the market and picked out a few that are worthy of Google’s most premium (non-foldable) smartphone. Check out our list for the best Pixel 9/9 Pro cases if you’ve got a smaller model. My favorite Google Pixel 9 Pro XL case is the Mous Limitless Nick Fernandez / Android Authority A phone as large and expensive as the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL needs solid protection, and the Mous Limitless case hits

Topics: case google pixel pro xl

I love the OnePlus 13, but the official wireless charger is just maddening

Robert Triggs / Android Authority I’m a chaotic gadget charger, topping up my phone as and when rather than sticking to a rigorous overnight routine like a normal person. As such, you might think that wireless charging would be right up my street — pop the phone down, give it a little juice, and be back on my way. Unfortunately, wireless charging is notoriously slow, meaning that even half an hour on the dock is seldom enough for me. Thankfully, a few brands, mainly from China, offer fast(er)

5 things I learned from revamping my smart home

Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority Recently, when I started renovating my home, I knew it was the perfect time to rebuild my smart home from scratch. I’ve been on the smart home bandwagon for years, but cobbling together IoT products is never the right approach. Some things work, some don’t, and some don’t work quite as well as you’d want them to. The best smart homes are the ones you never have to think about. Over the years, I’d pieced together a mix of gadgets, platforms that included Alexa

10 productivity gadgets that will help you work smart in 2025

Dedication and determination can go a long way, but it’s also true that the right equipment can make you much more productive. Some products are made with productivity in mind, from the concept’s inception all the way up to the production line. Here at Android Authority, we are a content and productivity machine, and we’ve tried it all. Take a look at our productivity gadgets to catch a boost when you most need it! SPONSORED PLAUD.AI NOTE and NotePin PLAUD.AI NOTE PLAUD.AI NOTE MSRP: $159.00 Ef

Dear Android OEMs: Please don’t copy Apple’s minimalistic camera app

Robert Triggs / Android Authority Apple has just announced its iOS 26 software, and we’ve got a technically impressive Liquid Glass visual design here. However, one visual change that may have flown under the radar is the new camera app. And I really hope Android OEMs don’t copy this decision. Apple’s new camera app is an exercise in extreme minimalism, according to an official image seen below. The bottom of the viewfinder only contains preset camera zoom buttons, video and photo mode buttons

It’s time for OnePlus tablets to copy the iPad

Ryan Haines / Android Authority I like the OnePlus Pad 3 — in fact, it might be my favorite Android tablet right now. It’s big and powerful, yet light enough and slim enough for life on the go. There’s just one problem: It costs $700. The series didn’t always cost that much, but it does now, and there’s no good way around that. There’s also no good way to recommend another OnePlus tablet to someone who can’t afford the Pad 3, because OnePlus has a habit of retiring its older slates as soon as a

For a limited time Mint is offering 3 months of its unlimited plan for just $45 in total

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority TL;DR Mint Mobile’s popular $15/month promotion on all 3-month plans has returned for new customers. After the promotional period, unlimited plans cost just $20/month if you pay for a year upfront or Mint now offers truly unlimited data without the harsh speed reduction after 40GB, though throttling may still occur during congestion. Mint Mobile discontinued its best promotion nearly half a year ago, but the good news is it’s finally back! For a limited ti

This powerful dual-screen handheld is part Nintendo DS, part gaming laptop

TL;DR The AYANEO Flip 1S DS is a new clamshell dual-screen Windows handheld. It has a 7-inch 144Hz OLED panel plus a 4.5-inch LCD, similar to a Nintendo DS. Pricing and availability haven’t been announced, but it will be on the premium end. Hot off the heels of Retroid’s dual-screen accessory for its gaming handhelds, AYANEO has just announced its own full-fledged dual-screen handheld. Called the AYANEO Flip 1S DS, it’s the follow-up to last year’s Flip 1 DS, with some significant upgrades an

Topics: 1s ayaneo ds flip screen

Android 16 introduces Advanced Protection mode to fortify your phone against threats

From harmful apps to insecure connections, there are all kinds of risks you’re exposed to. Thankfully, Android features a range of security settings to keep your device and data protected from these threats. To take this protection even further, Google is rolling out an Advanced Protection mode with Android 16 . Today, Android 16 is coming to eligible devices, and with it, Advanced Protection mode. As Android 16 beta users are aware, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen this feature, but now it

Android 16 reduces notification clutter with this simple but needed change

TL;DR Android 16 will automatically group all notifications from the same app to create a more organized notification panel. While Android has supported notification grouping for years, it was largely up to app developers to implement. This behavior is now enforced by the OS, preventing any single app from cluttering the notification panel and making alerts more manageable for users. With the new Android 16 update, Google is introducing several major changes to how notifications look and beha

Google has released Android 16’s source code, but Samsung fans won’t need to wait long for One UI 8

TL;DR Google has officially released the Android 16 source code, allowing developers to build their own versions of the operating system. Major smartphone manufacturers like Samsung have already had prerelease access, though, which allows them to expedite their Android 16 updates, with some planning rollouts as early as this summer. The full Android 16 source code is being uploaded today to AOSP, a full three months earlier than when Android 15’s source code was released. Alongside the update

June’s Pixel Drop gives Gboard the power to create stickers without Pixel Studio

TL;DR Pixel users will now be able to generate custom stickers right in Gboard. Stickers are created by typing a prompt and selecting an emotion. The custom sticker function is available for Pixel 9 and newer devices. Back in May, we found code in the Gboard beta that suggested Google could add the ability to generate stickers without having to open Pixel Studio. At the time, it seemed like the feature may have been in the early stages of development due to its lack of UI elements. But it app

Don’t forget: Three-button navigation is getting a much-needed upgrade with Android 16

TL;DR Android 16 extends predictive back navigation to three-button navigation. You can now see a preview of the previous screen by long-pressing the back button. Additionally, apps targeting Android 16 will have predictive back system animations by default. After debuting the predictive back navigation as a developer option in Android 13, Google finally enabled it by default in last year’s release. The feature previously only worked when using gesture-based navigation, but Google is extendin

Android 16’s Desktop Mode transforms your Pixel phone into a PC, and here’s how you can try it now

TL;DR Google is developing a DeX-like desktop mode for Android phones, and you can try it out now on supported Pixel devices with Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2. This feature projects a desktop-like environment with a taskbar and freeform windows to an external display, while the phone screen remains usable. The desktop mode experience requires a Pixel 8 or newer, the latest Android 16 QPR1 beta, and an external display. One of the most exciting pieces of Android news from last month’s Google I/O dev

Android 16 will make it easier to find your recent apps with a new taskbar overflow feature

TL;DR An upcoming Android 16 update will add a taskbar overflow button to improve app switching on tablets when many apps have been recently opened. Tapping the overflow button will open a horizontally scrolling carousel that displays previews of your recent apps. This feature is set to launch later this year with either Android 16 QPR1 or QPR2. Back in 2021, Google added a taskbar to Android to improve app switching on tablets. Since then, the company has made several improvements, such as a

Pixel VIPs widget is here to help you stay connected to your most important people

TL;DR Google has officially launched the Pixel VIPs widget for devices from Pixel 6 onward via the June Pixel Feature Drop. The home screen widget displays key updates like last calls, WhatsApp messages, locations, and birthdays for up to eight chosen contacts. VIP contacts can also bypass Do Not Disturb settings. Google has been working on a new Pixel VIPs widget for the Google Contacts app for a while now. Last month, we got a good idea about how Pixel VIPs would work, and earlier this week

Google Home now lets you control your smart devices, your way

TL;DR Google Home now lets you set up different Favorites for each device. That means you can pin the front door as a favorite on your smartwatch, while the lounge light is pinned on Google TV. This should be useful if you tend to control different smart home gadgets via specific devices. Google has just announced the stable release of Android 16, while also revealing a few features for ecosystem users. It turns out there’s a notable addition to the Google Home app as well. The search giant

June 2025 Pixel Feature Drop is here, and here’s everything new it’s bringing to your Pixel

TL;DR Google has released the June 2025 Pixel Feature Drop for supported Pixel devices. This Feature Drop includes the Android 16 platform update and Pixel-exclusive features such as Pixel VIPs widget, Battery Health Indicator, custom Gboard stickers via Pixel Studio, and more. Pixel devices are also getting Google app updates that bring even more features. It’s raining updates today for Pixels! Supported Pixel devices are getting a ton of new features today, courtesy of a combination of app

Here’s when Android 16’s Material 3 Expressive redesign and Desktop Mode will roll out

TL;DR The Android 16 update is now available for Pixel devices, but the anticipated Material 3 Expressive UI and new Desktop Mode are not included in this initial release. Google plans to launch the Material 3 Expressive redesign with the Android 16 QPR1 update, which is expected to roll out on September 3, 2025. The new Desktop Mode is also slated for the Android 16 QPR1 release and is currently available for testing in QPR1 Beta 2. Google is finally rolling out the Android 16 update to supp

Google Photos will soon suggest advanced edits with a single tap

TL;DR Google has announced an overhauled image editor for Google Photos on Android. The redesigned editor lets you tap, brush, or circle a subject to get plenty of editing suggestions. Google says this overhauled editor is “coming soon.” Google Photos offers a variety of powerful editing tools, and the Magic Editor tool even lets you tap, circle, or brush objects to select them for editing. Now, the company is upping the ante with an overhauled image editor. Google announced this redesigned

Google Messages is finally getting group chat icon customization and RCS tags for contacts

TL;DR Google has finally announced that custom icon support for RCS group chats will soon be available in Google Messages. The company has also confirmed that Google Messages will soon allow users to snooze chats. In addition, the messaging app will clearly label contacts with RCS enabled. Although Google has been working on adding custom icon support to RCS group chats in Google Messages for quite some time, the feature has yet to reach users. We first spotted references to the feature in a

Android 16 now lets you customize keyboard shortcuts — Here’s how it works

Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority TL;DR Android 16 adds the ability to customize keyboard shortcuts. This feature first went live in Android 16 Beta 2. While you can’t assign custom key combinations to every available shortcut, you can customize many of them. Update, June 10, 2025 (2:24 PM ET): Google announced today that it is launching custom keyboard shortcuts in Android so you can “create your own combination of hotkeys.” This feature is already available in Android 16 for the Pixel Tab

This new kids plan runs on T-Mobile’s network and is just $5 a month

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority TL;DR Helium has launched a new $5 a month Sprout plan for kids, offering 3GB of data with unlimited talk and text and enhanced privacy. Unlike the free Helium plan, Sprout does not require sharing location or private data and comes with flexible parental controls. The plan is ideal for parents wanting an affordable way to test if their child is ready for their first phone. Earlier this year, Helium unveiled a new free plan that gives users 3GB of data on

Topics: data free helium new plan

The impossible is happening: An Android phone will be compatible with Apple Watch

Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority TL;DR Vivo has started teasing its next foldable, the X Fold 5. A product manager confirms that the Android phone will have Apple Watch compatibility. It’s also said to have direct support for iCloud and can be used as an extended screen with a Mac. At one point, Apple reportedly considered making an Apple Watch that’s compatible with Android to help it reach the platform’s billions of users. However, those plans eventually fell through and Apple has continu

Nothing to see here: Leaked Nothing Phone 3 render confirms death of the Glyph (Update: Or does it?)

TL;DR Nothing Phone 3’s back panel design has leaked in a new render. The render confirms the removal of Nothing’s signature Glyph lighting system, though the back panel still retains a quirky design. The Nothing Phone 3 is confirmed to launch on July 1, and is expected to bring a flagship-grade camera, a flagship chip, and a large battery for about $800. Update, June 10, 2025 (02:31 PM ET): Earlier today we got a peek at some very professional-looking imagery that purported to depict the upc

Is Visible Plus Pro worth the extra $10 a month?

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority I’ve been a big Visible fan for years. While it’s not the only carrier I use, it’s definitely the one I most often come back to. I’m also not the only one in our staff who favors it, as Joe Maring recently left T-Mobile for Visible. There’s a lot to like about Visible, and it only continues to get better. Earlier this spring, the Verizon-owned brand announced a new plan: the confusingly named Visible Plus Pro. Naming aside, I signed up to give it a try and se

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 rumors: Pricing, specs, release date, and everything else we know

Alex Walker-Todd / Android Authority When it comes to the very best foldable phones, Samsung’s name tends to be one of the first that comes to mind. While the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is a fairly iterative update over its predecessor, it does make some notable improvements to AI features, durability, and more. As much as the Fold 6 gets right, there is still plenty of room for Samsung to improve. And thanks to increased competition in the foldable space with devices like the Google Pixel 9 Pro F

Snap has sunk $3 billion into AR Specs it hopes it can actually convince you to wear

Snap TL;DR Snap will launch a new pair of AR smart glasses, called Specs, in 2026. The glasses will run on Snap OS and support AI-powered features like translation, gaming, and 3D content. Unlike the 2024 Spectacles, Specs will be for consumers, not just developers. Despite repeated waves of apathy, tech companies won’t relent in their quest to put a computer on our faces. The latest hardware announcement comes from SnapChat’s parent company, Snap, which is launching a new pair of smart glas

Android 16 wants to make your next phone trade-in process a lot faster

Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR Android 16 introduces a new “Trade-in Mode” to make trading in your old phone a faster process. This feature allows technicians to quickly access device details and run diagnostics by bypassing the usual setup wizard. Activating Trade-in Mode ensures security by forcing a factory reset on the next reboot, preventing misuse. The Android 16 update is rolling out to Pixel devices today. While Google’s official changelog is brief, the release is packed with n

Android 16 QPR1 beta 2 is here, with Pixel’s DeX competitor and more

TL;DR Google has announced the release of Android 16 QPR1 beta 2. The new beta software brings a desktop mode when connected to an external display. The update also brings desktop windowing functionality to tablets. Google launched Android 16 QPR1 beta 1 last month, giving us our first official look at the company’s new Material 3 Expressive design language. Now, the company has announced the release of Android 16 QPR1 beta 2. Perhaps the most notable addition is a desktop mode, dubbed conne