Every Google account holder receives 15GB of free storage shared across the company’s services, including Google Photos, Gmail, Google Drive, and others. Once you reach this limit, you’ll no longer be able to upload new photos or files, send or receive emails in Gmail, or even create new documents in Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides, among other restrictions.

This is where Google One subscription plans become relevant. These plans offer increased cloud storage space, along with a few other perks, for a monthly fee. But what happens if you’ve been using, say, 100GB of Google cloud storage through a Google One plan and then decide to cancel your subscription? Can you still access your files, or are they deleted immediately? Let’s explore what happens.

Starlink has truly opened our eyes to the power of satellite technology, delivering speeds that rival cable internet in areas previously lacking high-speed options. But Starlink isn’t just about traditional internet use. Earlier this year, T-Mobile and Starlink introduced emergency satellite-to-cell features, including full texting, to mobile phone users for the first time. More recently, Verizon and some of its MVNOs followed suit with a more limited satellite-to-cell service launch for Pixel 9 and Galaxy S25 users, in cooperation with Skylo.

As satellite providers increasingly team up with major carriers, you might wonder: Will satellite technology ever surpass traditional services from big providers? It’s a compelling thought, but the reality is more complicated.

As the go-to tech geek for my family and friends, I get a lot of questions. Lately, one has been popping up more than usual: What’s the best starter phone plan for a pre-teen? So, to save myself a ton of repeat explanations, I decided to do some research and also retry a few of my typical top picks to see where things stand in 2024. 

Ultimately, I still recommend Tello in most cases for those who are looking for a no-frills way to contact their young kids. If you’ve never heard of this carrier, that’s okay, as Tello is far from a household name. Still, this privately owned prepaid service shouldn’t be overlooked and is worth signing up for! Here’s why I recommend Tello at a glance:

The Google Pixel 9a is a pretty solid upgrade from its predecessor, and easily the best cheap Android phone of 2025 so far.  Of course, Google phone launches are typically far from perfect, and like just about newly launched device, certain issues and problems are bound to creep up. Some of these are specific to the Pixel 9a, while many of these problems might be relatively common in the Android world across a variety of devices.

JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS

In the last few years, we’ve seen international roaming become more common on prepaid carriers, including Mint Mobile. Last year, Mint actually revamped its international roaming options, retiring its older UpRoam system in favor of its new Minternational Pass system.

In this brief guide, we explain how Mint Mobile international roaming works, if it’s worth it, and some possible alternatives. Don’t have Mint but are interested? Sign up below!

Last year, US Mobile announced it was a “super carrier”, offering the ability to connect to all three major US cellular networks. In this short guide, we explain US Mobile carrier switching and how it works, as well as whether it’s as good as it sounds on paper and who it’s best suited for.

Can you switch between the networks, or do you have to pick just one?

If you’ve dealt with US Mobile in the pas,t you might be under the assumption that you have to pick just one network and stick with it, as that was somewhat true in the past, but thankfully not anymore. US Mobile does offer the ability to switch between carriers. In fact there are two different methods available.

Metro by T-Mobile is easily the most recognizable prepaid brand in T-Mobile’s portfolio, followed closely by Mint. While Mint is clearly aimed at the budget segment, the difference between Metro and T-Mobile is less obvious. After all, Metro has its own stores and offers many features typically associated with major carriers, such as free phone promotions, streaming perks, and family discounts.

To clear up some of the confusion, I took a deeper look at the two providers. While they share many similarities, a few notable distinctions set them apart. Curious about which one is the better fit for you? Join me as I explore pricing, phone selection, network priority, and more.

Google switched things up with Android 15 when it decided to decouple the platform update from the Pixel 9 series. That decision gave both the software and hardware their own breathing room and independent timelines. The official stable Android 15 update has been out for the Pixel lineup for a while now, so we now move on and see what Google is cooking up for Android 16, now at Android 16 Beta 4. Here’s what we know about Android 16, its confirmed features, and leaks on the features we expect to see in the upcoming update in 2025.

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The prepaid phone market has changed considerably over the last few years here in the United States. Not only are mthere ore MNVOs than ever before, but many major carriers have also invested in their prepaid sub-brands. One such brand is Total Wireless, which is owned by Verizon Wireless. In this guide, we learn more about Total Wireless plans, pricing, phone selection, and more.

Total Wireless is a prepaid phone carrier that began as a TracFone sub-brand until Verizon purchased it a few years ago. Big Red rebranded it to Total by Verizon in 2022, but just two years later it reversed course and returned to the original Total Wireless branding.

Mint Mobile prides itself on offering cheap phone plans for as little as $15 a month, making it a great deal for someone looking to save money on their phone bill.  In 2023 the carrier widened its target to families as well. Is the Mint Mobile family plan worth it? Let’s dive right in and discuss.

Sign up for Mint Mobile

Historically, prepaid carriers haven’t offered many of the extra benefits found on postpaid plans from major carriers — especially international roaming. Thankfully, that’s started to change in recent years. More prepaid options now include international service, either as an add-on or as a built-in perk.

Mint Mobile is one of the prepaid carriers that offers basic international support, but does Mint Mobile work in Canada? The short answer: yes. The long answer: also yes, but with a few quirks you’ll want to understand. Let’s break it down and show you how to make the most of it.

Google has officially rolled out the stable release of Android 15. While Pixel devices received it immediately on October 15, 2024, Samsung users have been patiently waiting for the One UI 7 release date, as usual. High-end Galaxy phones are the first to get it, followed by the rest of the pack.

But this begs the question: Which Galaxy phones will even get the Android 15 update? While Samsung hasn’t shared an official list yet, we can make an educated guess based on the software support length of each phone.

Google’s latest mid-ranger, the Pixel 9a, has arrived, hitting shelves earlier in the year than ever. It looks and feels like the Pixel 9 series it ties into in many ways, but there are always new wrinkles to explore. Luckily, we’ve had the latest Pixel device in our hands for a little while already, and we’ve come up with a few Google Pixel 9a tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your new phone.

Before we get there, though, check your Pixel 9a for a software update. Google’s launch patches remain notoriously slow, and we’d hate for you to read our tips without being able to act on them right away. Once that’s taken care of, it’s time to get into the rest of our advice.

The Google Pixel 9a is now official, with devices expected to arrive on April 10. The Pixel 9a gets a brand-new look, an improved Tensor chip, an improved camera package, and a few other upgrades. Interested in the Pixel 9a but can’t afford the $500 asking price outright? The good news is that it may be possible to get the Google Pixel 9a for free or extremely cheap, though not without a few catches.

How do I get a Google Pixel 9a for free?

The only reliable way to get a free Pixel 9a is to pick it up through a special deal through one of the major US phone providers, but even then, it’s important to know that free is a loaded word here. Most deals require a trade-in, a new plan, a new line, or a similar set of terms and conditions. There are some prepaid carriers that will occasionally offer free or almost free phones as well.

T-Mobile has quickly become a dominant force in the mobile world, though it is far from your only choice. Not only are there two other major networks, but there are also plenty of smaller carriers that run on T-Mobile’s network. Then there’s US Mobile, which stands out on its own, thanks to its new status as the so-called “super carrier.”

US Mobile is the only prepaid carrier that can switch between all three major networks. To be fair, Red Pocket also works with all three networks, but it has much more limited plans, even when it comes to its unlimited offerings, and so I’d say US Mobile does a much better job here. While the process isn’t necessarily instantaneous, it can be very helpful and grants the carrier a level of flexibility unseen elsewhere. So, how does US Mobile compare to T-Mobile? Good question. Let’s dive in and take a closer look at US Mobile vs T-Mobile.

The Apple Watch Series 10 has been on the market since late last year, and for the most part, the product has been as reliable as ever, but no tech product is ever without any issues.  In the guide below, we’ll discuss these Watch 10 specific problems and how to fix them, as well as take a look at a few of the most common problems for Apple Watch devices in general.

While many people know that Visible is owned by Verizon, there’s still a lot of confusion about how the two services differ. In this guide, I want to clear up the confusion about what Visible offers, what it lacks, and whether the savings are worth it.

Why trust my take? I’ve been a Verizon postpaid user for years (mainly for work-related reasons that necessitate sticking with a big carrier). However, I’ve also used Visible off and on. Based on my experience with both, I believe each has its advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, the better choice depends on what matters most to you.

If you’re anything like me, you probably get the urge to change your ringtone every few months. I just can’t listen to the same sound over and over again — I like to keep things fresh. However, finding that perfect new ringtone can sometimes be challenging.

I often use the Zedge app, which is a fantastic resource for phone customization, offering wallpapers, notification sounds, and, of course, ringtones. However, the sheer volume of options can feel overwhelming at times. It’s easy to get lost scrolling, and making a final decision can be surprisingly time-consuming. There’s always that nagging feeling that the next ringtone I check out might be even better, leading to endless searching.

Those of us in the US who haven’t finished our taxes yet are starting to feel the heat as April 15 draws ever closer. Every year, I procrastinate on taxes as long as I can; I always end up owing money and am never in a hurry to pay. If you’re like me and haven’t filed yet, the good news is that it’s fast and easy to do in the age of the internet and modern apps.

Depending on how organized you are or how simple your taxes might be, the whole process could take as little as a couple of hours, or even less.

If you’re planning to travel internationally this year, you’ll want to have a solid game plan for phone coverage during your trip. There are several options available, including using a foreign SIM or eSIM, or even opting for a special travel SIM plan. For many, the most convenient method is simply using their carrier’s roaming solution, though not all carriers are created equal in this regard.

If your international roaming options are limited, you might be wondering if you can simply connect to an international Wi-Fi network to place phone calls instead. In most cases, the answer is yes, but whether you’re charged for it depends on your carrier’s policies.

Before you buy a Google Pixel 9a, you might want to know a bit about its connectivity options. Does the Pixel 9a come with eSIM? Does it have a physical SIM card slot? How about dual-SIM support? Things have gotten a bit confusing in the past few years. Some phones have both, and others only support one SIM type. Newer iPhones even got rid of the physical SIM card slot altogether in the US. Let’s clear things out for you and see what your options are.

QUICK ANSWER

While Samsung TV Plus might not have the appeal of streaming services like Netflix or Hulu, it’s a completely free option that is included with all modern Samsung TVs and is free for Samsung phone and tablet owners as well. There are over 400 live channels and thousands of movies and shows on demand, including a not-surprisingly sizable collection of K-Content.

You’d be surprised how good the library is for a free service. If you’ve taken advantage of this free service, you’ll soon find plenty to watch, but what about when it isn’t working? From server issues to app issues, things can go wrong with your Samsung TV Plus app. Here are some of the most common problems and possible fixes.

There’s still an element of mystery surrounding the Google Pixel 9a release. Despite launching, the latest Android phone isn’t even available for pre-order yet, giving buyers a bit more time to mull over their decision. One of the biggest selling points of the device is the sticker price, which is $499 plus tax in the US. Even if that puts it in mid-range territory, many people will be interested to know if they can get a better deal on it, and we can look abroad for clues. The phone retails for a different price in each country, which led us to wonder where’s the cheapest place to buy the Pixel 9a. We did the research, and you can find the answer below.

We’re just looking at the base 128GB model for this comparison, mainly because Google has only announced the price of this configuration in most territories. That said, these price structures are always relative, so knowing that the base model is the cheapest or most expensive in any particular country will tell you if it’s the same case for the higher-spec version.

Samsung‘s Galaxy S series made its debut on June 4, 2010, and since then it’s become the phone line most people think of when Android is mentioned.

Not all phones are created equal though, so with over a decade of Galaxy S devices on-tap we thought it would be a good idea to rank each generation in order from worst to best. We tried to balance the critical and commercial reception with the actual importance of each phone(s), the features and specs on offer, and our own gut feelings. We’ve also decided to only stick to the mainline releases, so that means no entries like the Galaxy FE series and Galaxy S4 Zoom.

The Google TV Streamer is a major shift in direction from the Chromecast with Google TV, but, for the most part, it’s a positive change. While there’s a lot to like about the new streamer, nothing is without faults. Most users will likely never run into any major issues or glitches, but it can happen.

In this guide, we take a look at some of the most common Google TV Streamer problems and how to fix them. To be fair, many of these problems are also common on nearly all Android TV devices, so we’re only focusing on a few of the biggest issues and those specific to the Google TV Streamer. For an even deeper look, check out our guide to general Android TV problems.

The Google Pixel 9a is officially here, with many specs and features we’d already garnered from leaks. As expected, the mid-range phone features a sleeker, flat design with a streamlined camera bar and is available in four colorways. My favorite Pixel 9a color, though, is the newest look: Iris.

A tweener color somewhere in the middle of blue and violet, Iris is unique without being too loud. For anyone familiar with Google’s product line, it effectively fits the same tonal family as the Pixel 9’s Wintergreen option. The color subtlety is elegant, and though not quite as richly colored as real iris florals or Van Gogh’s famous paintings, it’s exceptionally pretty.

Thanks to a source inside Google, Android Authority can provide full-resolution Pixel 9a wallpapers. Google’s Pixel phones have always had great wallpapers. The first few generations amazed us with live wallpapers designed in collaboration with studios such as B-Reel and ustwo. Lately, Google has been releasing some great minimalistic static wallpapers. Some of them have been designed in collaboration with various artists, such as Andrew Zuckerman, who created the mineral-inspired wallpapers for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a. In contrast, others — like the abstract Pixel 9 wallpapers — were presumably designed internally.

As we’ve seen before, the wallpapers are similar to what’s already available on the Pixel 9 series. The set consists of abstract artistic interpretations of flowers. It is called “Swirling petals,” described as “a swirling display of abstract florals,” very similar to what we’ve seen in the Pixel 9. The wallpapers in the set are named after flowers they were inspired by: Lilac (codename “iris” — purple), Daffodil (“porcelain” — white), Cherry (“raspberry” — pink), and Bluebell (“obsidian” — black).

While it’s something you hope never happens, there may be times when you find it impossible to make a payment for your prepaid phone service on time. On the other hand, maybe you’re going out of the country and wondering how long you can go before you risk losing your account and number or if you can somehow pause your service. So, can you safely miss a payment? The answer is often yes, but there are some things you should be aware of.

Every US-based prepaid provider will suspend your account the moment a payment is missed, meaning you’ll immediately lose the ability to call, text, or use data. The good news is that most carriers give you a grace period to renew your service before your number is permanently lost. However, the length of this grace period varies by provider, and some offer additional options to help you avoid missing a payment in the first place.

Verizon Wireless is most commonly associated with its postpaid wireless service, but it actually has a diverse portfolio of value-oriented brands, which it categorizes under an umbrella called Verizon Value. While Verizon Prepaid and Visible are arguably the two biggest Verizon Value brands, there are many different options. Some of these brands have somewhat overlapping target audiences, though there are certainly key differences to be found across each brand.

Recently, we sat down with David Kim, the Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) at Verizon Value. He summed up what Verizon is trying to do across all its prepaid brands:

It’s tax season, and for some, that means a nice tax refund could be heading your way. This is the perfect time to get an annual mobile plan. Simply pay for a year’s service upfront using your refund, and you’ll have one less bill to worry about for the next 12 months. You’ll also typically get a huge discount over monthly service.

Considering the nature of postpaid service, you won’t find annual plans through the Big Three carriers. That said, several prepaid brands owned by the Big Three, as well as a few independent carriers, do offer annual plans.

Usually, when my friends hype up Apple’s iMessage, all they care about is showing up as blue bubbles on each other’s screens. And, for most people, that’s good enough — they want to include all of their iPhone-carrying friends in the same group chats, ignoring that RCS now makes pretty much every group chat feel the same, whether green or blue. However, that only scratches the surface of what iMessage can do.

Once you move past the fact that you can react with emojis, cut stickers out of pictures, and send iMessage games back and forth in GamePigeon, you might realize that you can add animations to your messages, making iMessage much more fun. Now, Apple’s animations aren’t quite as secretive as those in Google Messages, but you can still do a lot to your text. Here’s what you need to know about iMessage animations.

Less than a decade ago, foldable phones seemed like the stuff of sci-fi. But in 2025, there are at least a dozen foldable phones available, even though only a few are readily accessible in the United States. Today’s foldables typically fall into one of two categories: foldable phones that turn into tablets, and flip phones that resemble traditional smartphones when unfolded but feature a flip design reminiscent of phones from yesteryear.

These niche devices certainly have a market, but they could become irrelevant in the not-too-distant future. Why? In a word, rollable phones could be the real endgame here. Let’s take a look at what a rollable phone is, who’s working on it, and how it could be a superior alternative to today’s foldables.

While limited data plans still exist, unlimited plans have become much more prevalent in the US market over the last decade or so. Unfortunately, not all unlimited data plans are created equal. Many carriers only provide so much high-speed data before the line is slowed down in priority or even capped at a slower speed that ranges from unnoticeable to unusable. The most common limit you’ll find is on streaming quality, with many services limiting the quality to just SD (480p.)

Are there any US mobile plans that offer no streaming throttle, or at least all give you the option to adjust your quality settings? Yes, actually, there are several options on both the postpaid and prepaid side of the market.

I’ve recently started using NotebookLM, and I love it. Google’s AI tool is free, with the premium Plus version initially available only to Workspace users. Things changed last week when Google included it in the One AI Premium subscription, which also gives you access to Gemini Advanced and 2TB of cloud storage for $20 per month.

I tested both the free and paid versions of NotebookLM to determine the difference and whether it’s worth paying for.

When you think of U.S. carriers, what comes to mind? For many, it’s Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile — the three biggest networks in the country. But are they really the best carriers? For a lot of people, the answer could be no. Despite their mixed (and largely undeserved) reputation, prepaid services often offer better value and flexibility.

In this guide, we’ll jump right in and explore the best carriers in the US market for 2025, whether they run their own networks or operate on an existing network via partnership.

If you’re looking for an alternative to AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, there are a lot of prepaid carriers available in the US. Some are small independent companies; others belong to telecoms or one of the three major cellular networks. Two of the more popular prepaid carriers are Visible and Mint Mobile. Both are known for offering a lot of value, but there are a lot of differences between the two. In this guide, we compare Mint Mobile vs Visible to help you decide which carrier is right for you. 

It should be noted that Visible is actually owned by Verizon, while Mint Mobile is owned by T-Mobile. With that out of the way, let’s start by taking a look at a chart that shows how plans, pricing, data, and perks compare. From there, we’ll break down each section and give you a little more insight into the differences. 

Mint Mobile is arguably one of the most well-known prepaid brands, thanks in large part to a massive marketing campaign featuring actor and former partial owner Ryan Reynolds. You’ve probably heard about how you can save big by paying upfront, with plans starting as low as $15 a month. But is Mint Mobile too good to be true? Are prepaid carriers really worth it compared to the major postpaid networks? The answer depends on your needs, level of tech knowledge, and several other factors.

I’ve personally used Mint Mobile on and off over the years. More recently, I’ve been testing it over the past month to see how the network holds up in 2024. In this guide, I’ll take an honest look at how Mint Mobile compares to the big carriers based on a combination of my experience and further insights I dug up through Reddit and other online communities. 

There are loads of brand new games on the Google Play Store, and you can find plenty of retro titles too. But what if your favorite classics aren’t available on Google’s app store? That’s where emulators come in.

Emulators let you play console games from past generations (or current) on modern hardware, including smartphones. But how do you know which Android emulators will run well on your phone? You can either go through the painstaking process of downloading the best emulators for Android and trying them out for yourself, or you can save some time and read on as we cover general hardware requirements for all the major gaming generations.

They’re still well worth knowing about, so we’ll explain which phrases trigger them and a few other things you need to know. I’ll also share my 10 favorites.

What are Google Messages Screen Effects?

I’ve been using Notion for years and love setting up various pages to improve my workflow. However, I frequently use other people’s ideas to save time, which is where Notion templates come in.

I’ve used many templates to help me track my diet, fitness, and more. While I’ve ditched some in favor of my own solutions, I still regularly use a few. I want to share my five favorite Notion templates with you, all of which are free and installable with a click or two. Let’s dive in.

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 isn’t a major upgrade compared to its predecessor, but Samsung’s refinements continue to make it one of the best clamshell foldable experiences you can get today. It’s faster, has more RAM, packs a larger battery, and comes with a significantly better camera setup and is a great option, whether you’re upgrading from an older Flip or buying your first foldable. Unfortunately, like any new tech, the Z Flip 6 isn’t free from bugs and glitches. We take a look at some common Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 problems and offer potential solutions on how to fix them.

Problem #1: Hardware issues (unresponsive inner screen, phone not charging, popping sounds when opening the phone)

It’s no secret that T-Mobile has faced its fair share of controversy over the past few years, thanks to various factors, including frequent price increases (some of which seemingly ignore its earlier Price Lock guarantee), security breaches, and the gradual decline of T-Mobile Tuesdays. Many of these complaints stem from the fact that T-Mobile has fallen significantly from where it once stood in several key areas — but, to be fair, so has the entire mobile industry.

That said, T-Mobile still holds several advantages over Verizon and AT&T. Of course, there are also areas where its rivals come out ahead. Nonetheless, there’s a reason T-Mobile managed to gain 3 million additional subscribers in 2024, while Verizon added only 82,000 and AT&T gained just half a million.

Back in the day, any time a friend told me they thought their voice assistant might be secretly listening in on their private conversations, I was one of the people telling them it was all in their head. I’m certainly cynical enough about Big Tech’s privacy motives in many respects, but I just assumed the corporations knew everything about us already.

I should have been more skeptical. In 2019, Apple faced a backlash when we found out that Siri recordings were being reviewed by third-party contractors, sometimes capturing private moments without users realizing it. In a creepier twist, a lawsuit later alleged that Siri had been recording even without activation and that Apple had improperly used the data. Apple denied wrongdoing but settled the case in 2024 for $95 million.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is a pretty massive upgrade for the company. Not only does it introduce a new cover screen that looks more like a traditional phone display, but there’s also an improved hinge, upgraded silicon, and plenty of new AI features.

Of course, nothing is perfect, and bugs and glitches are bound to happen. Thankfully, there haven’t been many issues reported so far. Still, problems arise, so let’s take a look at some common Galaxy Z Fold 6 problems and how to fix them!

The Samsung Galaxy S25 series is here, and while it hasn’t been out for long, a few issues have already been reported on community sites like Reddit and Samsung’s official forum. This isn’t particularly surprising, as newly launched smartphones — regardless of the manufacturer — often come with bugs and other issues.

Beyond these reported problems, the Galaxy S25 series may also experience minor issues common to Android devices or Samsung’s One UI. In this guide, we take a look at some of the most common problems that may affect your Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus, or Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Cricket Wireless was once an independent regional carrier, but that changed in 2014 when AT&T acquired it. Today, Cricket operates as AT&T’s prepaid-only alternative. So, how do the two services compare, and is Cricket the better choice for you? In this guide, we take a closer look at AT&T vs Cricket.

Please note that while I’ve used both AT&T Prepaid and Cricket in the past, I’ve never had AT&T Postpaid. However, I’m very familiar with what to expect.

Let’s be honest; sometimes, change can seem overwhelming. That’s true even for something as simple as switching phone service. The good news is switching cell phone carriers doesn’t have to be complicated. In this guide, we explain how to switch your phone carrier while keeping your number, as well as what you’ll need to know before jumping in.

How hard is it to switch carriers?

Switching phone carriers doesn’t have to be hard. In fact, the process can sometimes be done in as little as a few minutes, depending on your phone. That said, there are many things you’ll want to consider, such as porting an existing number, keeping your existing phone, and more.

There are many reasons why we recommend Visible (particularly Visible Plus) as the best alternative to Verizon, but its low pricing and great international features don’t hurt any. Visible Plus has offered a free Global Pass per month for a while now, but late last year the carrier improved the benefit by giving users the ability to roll over any unused days up to the maximum limit of 12 days in total.

Do you know what makes this feature even better? The ability to pause it while traveling from country to country.

When you think of streaming perks you probably associate them with postpaid service from AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile. Funny enough, the latter of these is the only one of the big carriers that offer streaming perks without an additional charge, and even then it’s only on select plans. One place you might not expect to get a streaming perk is from US Mobile, but it’s a little-known benefit for new customers that you may not be aware of.

The first condition is that you’ll need at least three Unlimited Premium lines to get the perk and autopsy must be turned on. Unlimited Premium costs $44 a month with taxes and fees included. For that price, you get unlimited talk, text, and data alongside unlimited priority data and 50GB of hotspot data. You also get a few other extras like the ability to transfer between Warp (Verizon), Dark Star (AT&T), and T-Mobile (Light Speed) networks.

In August 2022, T-Mobile and SpaceX announced a bold plan to expand cellular connectivity across the US with the help of low-orbit satellites. Fast-forward to 2025, and the T-Mobile Starlink service is now rolling out to everyone, even AT&T and Verizon users.

T-Mobile says its satellite service extends connectivity to over 500,000 square miles of the US without traditional cell coverage. These areas include national parks, uninhabitable deserts and mountain ranges, and even territorial waters. Traditional surface-level cell towers cannot cover most of these regions, so T-Mobile Starlink uses specially configured satellites with Direct-to-Device (D2D) capabilities to deliver connectivity to phones.

The Galaxy S25 series may not have brought the biggest year-on-year updates, but One UI 7 certainly brought some noticeable and much-welcome changes. The most significant change is for enthusiasts and power users, who can enjoy the updated Home Up Good Lock module and customize the One UI launcher to their heart’s content. But these settings can admittedly get too nerdy and daunting, so here are some recommended settings for you to try out!

Leaker Ice Universe has shared their animation settings for Home Up. While Ice Universe is known for leaks around smartphones, the user is also famous for obsessing over thin and even bezels and animations on phone skins. Home Up offers the perfect opportunity for the leaker to showcase how they can modify the currently available options to achieve the perfect animation, and here’s a preview of what they achieved:

Google Gemini is the latest large language model (LLM) made by Alphabet’s Brain Team and DeepMind, offering a major upgrade over its predecessor. The new LLM has a lot of potential, built from the ground up to be multimodal. Previously creating multimodal models involved a lot of tweaking and stitching to make them work, whereas Google’s solution is designed to accommodate different modes tailored for specific use cases.

There are three distinct versions of Gemini, all designed with different advantages and disadvantages. Let’s jump right in and take a closer look at Gemini Ultra vs Gemini Pro vs Gemini Nano.

With PayPal facing a backlash and a lawsuit over the under-fire Honey Chrome extension, you might be in the market for new money-saving apps or Chrome extensions. Honey may have been one of the most popular tools, but the good news is that there are tons of other great options out there. I’ve been writing about the best deals on the internet for years, so I know a thing or two about scouting out a bargain. These are my favorite money-saving apps and Chrome extensions.

We’re mainly talking about apps and extensions that actually save you money on your purchases rather than budgeting tools. We’ll split them into separate lists for apps and Chrome extensions, but some naturally have both options.

The most popular phones feature a wide gamut of RAM sizes. At one end you have some of the best Android phones with as much as 12GB, 16GB, and even 24GB of RAM in rare cases. On the other hand, budget phones have variants with just 4GB of RAM. Meanwhile, the middle ground is packed with lots of devices with 8GB and often 12GB of RAM.

Generally speaking, less expensive phones tend to have smaller amounts of RAM, while premium, high-end flagships offer much more. The question is, how much RAM do you need when buying a new phone? What’s the ideal amount of RAM for an Android phone in 2024? How much do you need to add a little future-proofing? Let’s find out.

Mint Mobile was an independent carrier for years, but in 2024 the Ryan Reynolds-backed provider officially became part of the T-Mobile family. Mint Mobile has a lot of fans, but there are also just as many critics. This has led some consumers to be less certain about how Mint now compares to T-Mobile and other in-house brands like Metro by T-Mobile, and so in this guide, we take a closer look.

Please note that while I’ve had years of experience in the carrier space and have used Mint Mobile regularly over the years, I have never had a personal account with T-Mobile. However, I have temporarily used its postpaid and prepaid service a few times over the last few years for work-related reasons and I’m very familiar with its offering.

Gorilla Armor 2 was launched this month, and it’s the latest version of the popular scratch-resistant glass for smartphones and tablets. The tech has been available for over a decade now, but it’s not the only solution on the market.

Dragontrail Glass, sapphire, Ceramic Shield, and tempered glass are all popular protective glass solutions. So how do they differ from each other? And which one is best? We’ve got some answers.

Some VR games, like Beat Saber, are best as a shared experience. That’s where casting your Meta Quest 3 to an external display such as your TV or PC monitor comes in. Luckily, it’s pretty easy to do, so keep reading and we’ll explain how.

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Opinion post by

Andrew Grush

Although switching carriers isn’t a hard process, it’s one many of us are reluctant to take. Maybe you’ve been with the same carrier for years and are afraid of jumping ship. It’s also possible you could be facing carrier fees or will have to pay off devices before making a move. Either way, you want to be sure what you switch to is better than what you came from. That’s where an eSIM free trial comes in handy.

There are actually quite a few carriers that allow you to try their networks for free, though the length of the trial will vary significantly. Even better, eSIM technology means all you really have to do is download an app and go through a few steps to get started. Let’s jump right in and discuss all the eSIM free trial options available to you. Don’t have eSIM support on your phone? A few of these carriers will send you a physical SIM card instead.

Today’s best smartphones are not exactly cheap. Most flagships start at around the $800 mark for the base model, and many options exceed $1000 by a large margin, nearly reaching as high as $2k in some cases. But what if you don’t have much cash to spend on a phone? While opting for a budget phone, like the Pixel 8a, is one solution, those in the US have another option. It’s possible to get some of the hottest flagships either for free or at a significantly reduced rate through your carrier.

Let’s take a quick look at all the carriers that offer a free phone when you switch to their network, as well as a few deals that apply to existing customers as well.

Genshin Impact remains one of the most popular mobile games in the world, but many gamers prefer playing on the PC client for better controls and visuals. The Steam Deck is the perfect device for this, since it’s also portable and has a built-in controller. However, Genshin Impact is not officially available on Steam, nor is it Deck-verified. So, can you play Genshin Impact on the Steam Deck? Here’s what you need to know.

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The Samsung Galaxy S25 series looks set to maintain the brand’s stellar reputation in the Android phone market, and the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the jewel in that crown. The biggest and most powerful of the Samsung siblings will be high on many wish lists, but the $1,299.99 retail price plus tax is no small outlay. That’s the price in the US, but what if we told you that the flagship device was cheaper in other countries? With each nation having a different asking price for it, we decided to look into the cheapest place in the world to buy the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

We could have run this comparison on all three devices in the Galaxy S25 series, but it’s not necessary to give you the picture. Samsung always prices the three handsets in similar proportions relative to each other in each country. In other words, if the Galaxy S25 Ultra is very cheap in a particular nation, the Galaxy S25 Plus will be similarly cheap compared to other regions.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 series is official and while it’s not a dramatic departure from last year’s Galaxy S family, there are a few improvements across the line that help it stand out including the move to the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor across all models.

Are you thinking of getting yourself a Samsung Galaxy S25 series handset? One crucial factor to consider with new devices is how they handle SIM technology. Things have gotten a bit confusing in this department. Some devices support only eSIM, others a mixture of physical SIM and eSIM, and some even have dual-SIM capabilities. Does the Samsung Galaxy S25 have eSIM and dual-SIM? Let’s find out!

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The Galaxy S25 series was just announced and comes with a bunch of new features. But what about software updates? Does it come with a longer update promise than its predecessor, and how does it compare with those of Pixels and other rivals? Read on to find out.

The Galaxy S25, S5 Plus, and S25 Ultra will all get seven years of Android and security updates, same as last year’s Galaxy S24 series. Google’s software promise for its flagship phones is the same, and it is the best you can currently get on the market.

Your smartwatch is a handy companion for tracking steps, monitoring your heart rate, and even reminding you to drink more water. But while it’s working to make you healthier, the band it’s strapped to might be doing the opposite.

A recent study found high levels of PFAS — per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances — in some popular smartwatch bands. These so-called “forever chemicals” are known for their excellent durability and water resistance, but they’ve also raised serious health concerns. As more of us integrate wearable tech into our daily lives, I decided to take a closer look at what’s in these smartwatch bands and whether it’s worth the risk of picking one strap over another.

A lot of people got a new phone for Christmas and don’t know what to do with their old one. The first option everyone thinks of is to get rid of it, either by selling it or giving it away. Some just throw it in a drawer and forget it ever existed.

However, there are ways you can give your old phone a second life. There are loads of options available, but I’ll walk you through the five best ones in my opinion.

Wallpapers always seem to make it online before actual devices are even announced, and that ended up happening with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6. The official wallpapers have been out, and you can still them here.

These Galaxy Z Fold 6 wallpapers come courtesy of YTECHB, and they confirm the wallpaper designs we saw in leaks leading up to the launch. These images feature color-matching designs that hint at the device’s foldable nature, as well as the number six.

For years Google has been pushing RCS as a new replacement for SMS, the current messaging standard. There are many reasons why RCS is superior including support for higher resolution images and video, bigger file sizes, send/receive notifications, and much more. Of course, the standard doesn’t matter much if no one adopts it. Thankfully, the standard is slowly catching on with even Apple adopting it with a few caveats. Of course, there’s another elephant in the room when it comes to RCS: just because a device supports RCS doesn’t ensure wide feature compatibility with other RCS-enabled devices. Each company is free to adopt certain aspects of the standard while deemphasizing other features.

To ensure improved interoperability the GSMA utilizes something called the Universal Profile, which includes a set of RCS features that its partner carriers can adopt universally but this is a pretty slow process, to say the least. Below we take a look at carriers that officially support RCS features, as well as those that adopt the Universal Profile standard. Before we do that, let’s talk about Google Messages.

I don’t mind paying for apps if they offer enough value. In fact, I recently wrote a post on the topic, listing the apps I pay for every month and why I think it’s money well spent.

However, I generally try to avoid subscriptions and gravitate more towards free apps. I use plenty of them, but there are a few that I like more than others. I can’t imagine my life without some of them, as they help me stay on top of my personal and professional life, keeping me organized and sane at the same time. Here are the ones I can’t live without and why.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Fold Flip 6 are two of the best and most widely available foldable devices in the US. The Z Fold 6 is definitely the bigger refresh of the two, but both phones bring welcome improvements to the mix. Interested in buying a member of the Galaxy Z series but looking to save some money in the process? While there were initially some deals for a free Z Flip 6 or a dirt cheap Fold 6 at launch, these have since gone away.

How do I get a Samsung Z Flip 6 for free?

Unfortunately none of the carriers currently are offering the Flip 6 for free anymore, though it’s possible this could change down the road. Even if a free promotion comes available, no one is going to just hand you a free high-end Android phone, but you can sometimes get a free phone from a carrier, as long as you don’t mind some strings attached.

Over the years, I’ve heard many misconceptions about prepaid carriers — claims such as you can’t get device protection, all prepaid plans are slower than postpaid, or that they lack roaming. While there is a glimmer of truth to some of these claims, many prepaid carriers today buck these outdated trends.

What about domestic roaming, do prepaid carriers offer it? Yes and no. While some carriers offer no form of domestic roaming at all, most larger prepaid providers have introduced at least limited domestic roaming in recent years.

It seems like every other app offers a subscription these days, and I’m not a fan. I prefer apps that are free, even if I have to watch an ad or two in exchange. And I definitely miss the days when I paid a one-time fee to get rid of them instead of paying a monthly subscription.

However, there are a few exceptions. I pay for four apps on a monthly basis and have zero regrets. These apps are well worth the money, as they help me stay on top of my job, personal life, and money. Well, at least three of them. The fourth one is just for entertainment purposes, which is something we all need in life.

If you were lucky enough to be gifted a PS5 this holiday season, you’re probably pretty excited. Before you launch straight into the latest open-world epic to test out the specs of your new PS5, there are a number of things you should do to ensure you make the most of the experience. We’ve got eight suggested actions to take right out of the box.

Note: The second and third items on this list have an “If” attached to them. If you don’t own an external storage drive or a PS4/PS4 Pro and the PS5 is entirely new to you, you can skip to number three on this list.

Did you unwrap a new phone? It can certainly be exciting, but switching phones can be stressful, too. You have to back everything up and remember all of your account logins. If you’re having a hard time, we’re here to help. Our Android Authority reviewers have become pros at switching between devices every few weeks without much of a headache. Here’s how we do it.

Editor’s note: We developed the instructions in this guide using a Google Pixel 8a running Android 15. Remember that some menus and settings might differ depending on your device and software version.

2024 is almost behind us, so it’s time to take a look at the year ahead. I’m excited about 2025 and all the great gadgets we’ll see in the next 12 months, especially smartphones. While I generally love to see as many great handsets as possible on the market, as more competition is ultimately always better for us, consumers, there are specific models that I’m a little more excited about than others.

I’ll share my list of the best phones I’m looking forward to in the year to come and my reasons why. Let’s dive in.

TikTok has been one of the most popular apps in the world for nearly half a decade now. It has fundamentally reshaped the way millions of people consume content on the web, but all of that attention has (rightfully) also warranted concern from officials. In some countries, such as India, TikTok has already been banned for years.

Now, things have finally come to a head, with the United States passing a law to force TikTok to sell or shut down in the US in 2025. If you haven’t been following the whole story, we’ve broken down everything you need to know about the TikTok ban, the reasons behind it, and the full timeline so far.

Task scams are on the rise. According to the FTC, the number of them increased from 5,000 in 2023 to 20,000 in just the first six months of 2024. Scammers apparently managed to rake in $88 million in this time period from innocent victims who thought they’d be able to make some easy money online.

Overall, task scams have accounted for almost 40% of all job scams online in 2024, which means they are, unfortunately, working, with plenty of people apparently ignoring all the red flags. In this post, I’ll guide you through exactly what task scams are and how to protect yourself from them.

The Samsung Z Galaxy Fold 6 is a fairly unique phone. Not only is it one of the few foldable phones widely available across most major markets, but it manages to stand out from the competition thanks to S Pen support. While the S Pen isn’t included, we highly recommend picking it up if you want to unlock the device’s full potential.

Of course, the S Pen and large screen won’t help you much if you don’t have the right apps to pair with it. Thinking about pre-ordering a Galaxy Fold 6? Let’s take a closer look at the best apps you can download on your new device once you get it, all of which take advantage of the phone’s large screen and S Pen functionality.

Moving to a new location often requires numerous adjustments, including making new friends, finding local hotspots, and adapting to your environment. One challenge you might face is discovering that your current phone carrier no longer provides reliable or fast service in your new area. If this happens, testing competing networks can help you find the best option for your region. Unfortunately, the major carriers typically don’t offer trials, and while you might be able to cancel a new plan for a full refund within a limited period, navigating their refund policies can be a hassle.

Thankfully, there’s a simpler way to evaluate the major networks without breaking the bank or jumping through hoops. Enter US Mobile, a carrier that uniquely provides access to all three major networks in the U.S.: Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.

A while back, I noticed that my screen time on my Android phone was high. Too high. I didn’t even realize how much time I spent using my phone until I checked the numbers.

The problem I had was that I often grabbed my phone and checked notifications, watched a video or five, or scrolled through the latest news when I was bored or needed a break from a difficult task I was working on. I often felt like I used my phone as a digital pacifier.