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Articles by Chris Smith
21 Deep Discounts On The Samsung Galaxy S26 Lineup In July 2026
21 Deep Discounts On The Samsung Galaxy S26 Lineup In July 2026 Christian de Looper / BGR We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S26 series in late February 2026, with in-store sales starting two weeks later, after the preorder period concluded. The highly anticipated Android flagship series included the same three models as the Galaxy S25 series: a base model, the larger Plus model, and the Ultra variant.
5 Smartphones With The Best Resale Value In 2026 Original
5 Smartphones With The Best Resale Value In 2026 RAMAN SHAUNIA/Shutterstock Smartphone buyers looking for a new device in mid-2026 should not make a purchase before checking the resale market, especially at a time when brand-new devices may cost more than comparable models did last year. Vendors have been raising smartphone prices in the past few months because of the ongoing memory and storage crisis.
Waze Vs. Google Maps: Which App Is Best For Older Drivers? Original
Waze Vs. Google Maps: Which App Is Best For Older Drivers? Kenneth Cheung/Getty Images Google Maps and Waze are two of the most popular navigation apps available on Android and iPhone, and while Google owns both of them, the apps offer significantly different experiences. Google Maps is the more complete navigation app of the two, featuring a richer design that offers more details about the geography and road layout than Waze.
Why Are Phones So Much Cheaper In China? Original
Why Are Phones So Much Cheaper In China? Robert Way/Shutterstock Chinese smartphone vendors manufacture flagship Android phones that can compete directly against the latest iPhones and Galaxy S models, but these smartphones are much cheaper in China than in international markets where the devices are also sold. Chinese vendors are able to lower the prices significantly for consumers in China for several reasons specific to the Chinese market.
5 Smartphones With The Best Resale Value In 2026
iPhones 11 hours ago iPhone Price Hikes Are Here, Apple Raises Prices by Up to 11% in Japan Republic World - info desk • 11h Apple has increased prices across its iPhone lineup in Japan, including the iPhone 17 series, iPhone Air, iPhone 17e and iPhone 16, weeks after … Shopping 2 days ago Phones are too expensive.
Do Samsung Phones Depreciate Faster Than iPhones? Original
Do Samsung Phones Depreciate Faster Than iPhones? Wongsakorn 2468/Shutterstock Samsung makes some of the best iPhone alternatives on the market, competing directly with Apple when it comes to phone durability, hardware, and camera capabilities. However, Samsung flagship phones, including the Galaxy S26 models launched in late February 2026, depreciate much faster than iPhones.
This Hidden Fitbit Air Setting Is A Total Game-Changer Original
This Hidden Fitbit Air Setting Is A Total Game-Changer Google Launched in March 2026, the $99 Fitbit Air is a screenless health tracker designed to provide the health tracking features and insights you'd expect from such wearables without interrupting your activity with notifications. It's Google's smallest tracker made to date, and a good alternative to Whoop bands. The Fitbit Air offers up to a week of battery life, which means you don't have to take it off that often or recharge it overnight.
Switzerland's Solar Railway Breakthrough Might Be Coming To Several New Countries Original
Switzerland's Solar Railway Breakthrough Might Be Coming To Several New Countries Sun-Ways A Swiss startup may have found a way to expand the country's solar power capacity without converting additional farmland into solar panel farms. Instead of clearing land for new solar panel installations, Sun-Ways has been running a pilot that uses land already developed for another purpose: railway tracks.
Do Samsung Phones Depreciate Faster Than iPhones?
Phones 11 hours ago iPhone 18 Pro is just two months away, but you probably shouldn’t wait for it 9to5Mac - Michael Burkhardt • 11h The next iPhone lineup is around the corner – and it’s going to be a different one. The base model iPhone 18 won’t be making an appearance quite yet, as that model has been shifted to a spring release schedule.
Why Do Roku Remotes Have Tags – And Can You Remove Them? Original
Why Do Roku Remotes Have Tags – And Can You Remove Them? Ilze_Lucero/Shutterstock Owners of Roku streaming devices are probably well acquainted with that purple textile tag, featuring the Roku logo, that is attached to the bottom of the remote. The tag has been a distinctive design element for years, and that's its sole function — to stand out and be noticeable — much like the tag on a pair of Levi's jeans.
Does Google Maps Work In China? It's Complicated Original
Does Google Maps Work In China? It's Complicated ERIK Miheyeu/Shutterstock Google Maps is a useful app to install on both iPhone and Android phones, and it's one of the world's most important navigation apps. However, if you're planning a vacation or business trip to China, be aware that you'll have to get your navigation and directions from another app. That's because Google Maps is unsupported in China due to Google abandoning the Chinese market more than a decade ago.
What Does The Blue Line Mean On Google Maps?
What Does The Blue Line Mean On Google Maps? Derevianko Dmytro/Getty Images There may a few Google Maps features you're missing out on, but the experience should be straightforward for most users. The digital map reflects real-world geography and road design, and the color scheme is aimed at easy interpretation. But in some cases, the features of a city's layout may cause confusion.
What Does HOV Mean On Google Maps? Original
What Does HOV Mean On Google Maps? Derevianko Dmytro/Getty Images If you ever find yourself digging through Google map features you might be missing out on, there's a chance you might a "Prefer HOV" option in the app when setting up navigation in specific areas in the U.S. Short for high-occupancy vehicle, HOV navigation may get you to your destination faster according to Google data, assuming you qualify for the HOV designation.
Is It Worth Buying A Refurbished iPhone 16e In 2026? Original
Is It Worth Buying A Refurbished iPhone 16e In 2026? Framesira/Shutterstock We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Launched in early 2025, the iPhone 16e is the spiritual successor to the iPhone SE, with a few big differences. While the iPhone 16e features similar hardware to the more expensive iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, the handset cost $599 at launch, a higher launch price than the iPhone SE models that preceded it.
You Can Unlock New Updates For Old Android Phones Using This Loophole Original
You Can Unlock New Updates For Old Android Phones Using This Loophole Karlis Dambrans/Shutterstock Like it or not, your Android phone has an "end of life" date just like any smartphone. The day your device no longer receives major Android operating system updates and security updates is the day you should consider buying a new device to ensure you have access to the latest software features and security protections that safeguard your digital data.
New Google Photos Update Changes How The App Looks On Your Android Phone Original
New Google Photos Update Changes How The App Looks On Your Android Phone Stockinq/Shutterstock Android handset owners who use Google Photos to manage their images and videos may soon notice a significant design change that gives the app a more modern look, in line with the iPhone version of the app.
This Common Hotel Keycard Rule For Smartphone Users Is Actually A Myth Original
This Common Hotel Keycard Rule For Smartphone Users Is Actually A Myth Svitlana Hulko/Getty Images Over the years, you may have heard that you shouldn't keep your smartphone and hotel keycard in the same pocket as the former could demagnetize the latter. And that would make sense with modern iPhones that support MagSafe charging.
This Common Hotel Keycard Rule For Smartphone Users Is Actually A Myth
Hays County 4 hours ago SC has one of the best restaurants for good, cheap BBQ in 2026, new ranking shows thestate.com - Lyn Riddle • 4h Add one more accolade for Lewis Barbecue. This one from Cheapism, as South Carolina’s entry for the list of Good, Cheap BBQ in each state.
Why Doesn't Google Maps Work In South Korea? Original
Why Doesn't Google Maps Work In South Korea? dennizn/Shutterstock Unlike China, where Google services including Google Maps are restricted, South Korea hasn't banned Google products. Samsung, the world's largest Android vendor and the biggest South Korean company by market cap, is a close Google partner, and Google apps and services are preloaded on its Android phones, including Google Maps.
How Does The MacBook Air Stay Cool Without A Fan? Original
How Does The MacBook Air Stay Cool Without A Fan? Christian de Looper / BGR Laptop buyers looking for a MacBook model may find it difficult to choose between the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro, especially if they haven't used Apple notebooks before, or if they haven't purchased a new model in a long time. The main confusion may come from the fact that the MacBook Air and the base MacBook Pro feature the same M-series chips. Apple is also using the same type of processor in iPad models.
Why Samsung's Galaxy FE Series Is Cheaper Than Its Galaxy S Series Original
Why Samsung's Galaxy FE Series Is Cheaper Than Its Galaxy S Series Framesira/Shutterstock Samsung's Galaxy S series represents the highest-end Android smartphones that the Korean giant can manufacture at scale each year, and that technology comes at a price. For example, the cheapest Galaxy S26 model costs $899.99, while the cheapest Galaxy S26 Ultra starts at $1,299.99. These may be prohibitive costs for some buyers.
What Is The Lock Icon Next To The Battery Icon On iPhone? Original
What Is The Lock Icon Next To The Battery Icon On iPhone? Organic Media/Getty Images Depending on the iPhone model you currently use, you may see up to two lock icons on the screen at the same time. Both may be visible on the Lock Screen, but only one may be visible on the Home Screen. But even the lock icon that stays visible while the phone is in use may only be seen when you invoke the Control Center. The Control Center itself may have a lock icon that matches the one that remains visible.
5 Android Phones With The Longest Software Support Guarantees Original
5 Android Phones With The Longest Software Support Guarantees Christian de Looper for BGR Android may have had a bad reputation compared to the iPhone when it comes to software updates, but that has changed significantly in the past few years. Google and Samsung started offering software update guarantees for Pixel and Galaxy devices, with both companies promising seven years of Android releases and seven years of security updates for several flagships.
What Is This Silver Button On The iPod Touch Actually For? Original
What Is This Silver Button On The iPod Touch Actually For? Apple Inc. We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. One of the surprising trends of 2026 is that old-school iPods are making a comeback without official support from Apple. The product line remains discontinued after Apple stopped sales in 2022, and there are no official plans to bring the media players back.
How To Reserve Your WhatsApp Username On iOS & Android Original
How To Reserve Your WhatsApp Username On iOS & Android Vasin Lee/Shutterstock Usernames have been part of the everyday online experience for decades, but until this year, WhatsApp ignored them. You authenticate in the world's most popular chat app with your phone number, which also secures your account. But since Meta added email support to WhatsApp, the company is finally moving forward with a username initiative that some people may like.
Your Android Has An 'End Of Life' Date Just Like Every Other Smartphone Original
Your Android Has An 'End Of Life' Date Just Like Every Other Smartphone Zikrieys Ahmad/Shutterstock Whether it's an iPhone or Android device, your smartphone doesn't come with a "best before" date like the dates printed on packaged food. Smartphones don't expire in the same sense. However, there is a practical expiry date that applies to all smartphones, one that every buyer should be aware of, no matter what software platform or smartphone vendor they may prefer.
What Does The Leaf In The Battery Icon Mean On A Samsung Phone? Original
What Does The Leaf In The Battery Icon Mean On A Samsung Phone? Framesira/Shutterstock If you've recently spotted a leaf symbol inside the battery icon on your Samsung phone and can't tell what the symbol means or how to remove it, you shouldn't panic. The indicator doesn't suggest a problem with the battery health or with charging. Instead, the leaf symbol has a much simpler explanation. It's a visual indicator telling the user that the phone's Power Saving Mode is enabled on the handset.
A New iOS 27 Update Will Even Make Your Android Device Better Original
Technology Mobile iPhone Djordje Krstic/Getty Images Apple started testing the iOS 27 software release in early June, immediately after unveiling the next iPhone operating system at WWDC 2026. The first iOS 27 developer beta was made available for download right after the keynote. While the revamped Siri experience and the new Apple Intelligence features may be the signature features of iOS 27, the operating system has other features that iPhone users may like.
5 iOS 27 Features That Aren't Available On Android (Yet) Original
Technology Mobile Android Cheng Xin/Getty Images Google's Android 17 and Apple's iOS 27 are now official, each bringing new features that Android and iPhone users may appreciate, including more advanced AI features that will be available on both platforms. As with previous releases, each company developed a few notable features that the other company should copy.
Why Are International iPhones Way More Expensive Than American Ones? Original
Technology Mobile iPhone Yulia Vasilyeva/Getty Images If you think iPhones are expensive in the United States, you may be shocked to see some of the international iPhone prices that Apple charges around the world. The same 256-gigabyte iPhone 17 Pro that costs $1,099 in America would retail for more than twice as much in Türkiye ($2,366) and Brazil ($2,285), according to Apple Price Compare.
If Your MacBook Is Stuck On A Black Screen, Try This Original
Technology Computers MWS B U D I/Shutterstock The scariest thing about a MacBook that seems to be stuck on a black screen may not be the possibility that you might need to replace the device with an expensive new model, or that you'd face the hassle of repairing or replacing the display. Instead, you may worry about the security of your data. Recovering that data may be the main priority when troubleshooting the issue, especially if you failed to back it up recently.
If Your MacBook Is Stuck On A Black Screen, Try This
2 days ago Apple has raised prices across the board for many of its products today. MacBook Neo now starts at $699 (up from $599), while MacBook Air now starts at $1299 (up from $1099). Other impacted products include MacBook Pro, iPad, iPad Air, and many more. iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods pricing is …
The 5 Best iOS Apps Of 2026 (So Far) Original
Technology Apps & Software Anna Barclay/Getty Images Apple's old slogan for the App Store is probably more accurate today than when the company first used it: "there's an app for that," with "that" representing any specific need an iPhone user might have. With a catalog of over 2 million applications, the iPhone can offer a rich computing experience, as developers keep coming up with new ideas each year.
Every New Product Apple Is Expected To Launch In 2027 — There Are A Lot Original
Technology Dontree_M/Shutterstock Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, who routinely provides details about unreleased Apple products, including hardware and software innovations, told TBPN in mid-June 2026 that "2027 is going to be Apple's biggest product year in its history," a claim that longtime iPhone users may interpret as a reference to the upcoming iPhone 20 Pro models expected to deliver a brand-new design language for iPhones in celebration of the iPhone's 20th anniversary.
Google Is Using Your Search Data To Train AI: Here's How To Stop It Original
Technology Artificial Intelligence Koshiro K/Shutterstock Consumers who use generative AI services like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and others should expect that most AI software providers may use AI chat data to train future systems, though most providers offer ways to opt out. Google, which already tracks users online for advertising purposes, is one AI service provider that offers opt-out controls, so Gemini users can stop Google from training future AI models on their chats with Gemini.
5 Things To Know Before Buying A Whoop Band
Technology Wearables charnsitr/Shutterstock Smart bands like the Google Fitbit Air are a good alternative to smartwatches for consumers who want better health and fitness tracking than what a smartphone can offer. Whoop wearables are even better examples than Google's newly launched device, as Whoop released several Whoop generations before the Fitbit Air hit stores.
You Can Check If Your Netflix Stream Is Actually 4K - Here's How Original
Technology Home Entertainment eafaru/Shutterstock If you've ever experienced poorer picture quality than expected while streaming Netflix shows, there's a likely explanation. Your connection may have slowed down or become unstable, and Netflix automatically adjusted picture quality to adapt to that. This behavior is normal when streaming movies and TV shows on Netflix, as the company tries to keep playback running smoothly.
Why Did Apple Stop Using Stainless Steel For iPhones? Original
Technology Mobile iPhone Justin Sullivan/Getty Images When Apple introduced the iPhone 15 in 2023, the company ditched the stainless steel material it had used for its cases since the launch of the iPhone X series in 2017 in favor of titanium. While Apple didn't directly address the reason it stopped making iPhones with stainless steel frames, the press release for the iPhone 15 Pro models gave a pretty clear indication.
5 Cheaper Android Phones You Should Try Instead Of The Google Pixel 10 Pro Original
Technology Mobile Android Christian de Looper / BGR Android fans looking for a new smartphone would not go wrong choosing the 6.3-inch Pixel 10 Pro, Google's smaller professional-grade handset from the company's 2025 lineup. The Pixel 10 Pro offers good build quality, high-end hardware, a powerful camera system, and access to Google's latest Gemini AI innovations, including a few exclusive features. Also, the handset runs the latest Android release as soon as Google releases it.
Why Your iPhone's Brightness Suddenly Drops By Itself (And How To Increase It Again)
Technology Mobile iPhone Karlis Dambrans/Shutterstock The newer and more expensive your iPhone, generally the better the display experience, including the screen brightness. For example, the standard iPhone 17, the iPhone Air, and the iPhone 17 Pro models offer the same brightness capabilities: 3,000 nits (peak outdoor), 1,600 nits (peak HDR), and 1,000 nits (typical brightness), while the iPhone 17e supports 1,200 nits (peak HDR) and 800 nits (typical brightness).
These Are The Tech Items People Are Most Likely To Leave Behind In Ubers Original
Technology Tada Images/Shutterstock We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Booking an Uber may be second nature to some considering the ride-sharing service has been available on mobile devices for more than 15 years. The more experienced the rider, the smoother things may be. Unless you leave behind your personal effects and the driver speeds away.
Do iPhones Last Longer Than Samsung Phones?
Technology Mobile Framesira/Shutterstock Smartphone buyers looking to purchase a device that can last several years may end up choosing between the two vendors selling the largest number of handsets every year, Apple and Samsung. They may wonder whether iPhones last longer than Galaxy phones, or the other way around. The answer to the question isn't a resounding "Yes," as things are more complicated, but the iPhone has the advantage.
Do iPhones Last Longer Than Samsung Phones?
Towson (Md.) 14 hours ago Baltimore Mayor voices support for Apple Towson workers amid store closure controversy 9to5Mac - Marcus Mendes • 14h Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott has joined the list of elected officials calling on Apple to change how it is handling the closure of its Towson Town Center store. Here are the details.
Waze's Latest Update Adds A Useful Feature That's Been Missing For Far Too Long
Technology Apps & Software lilaclion/Shutterstock While Google owns two popular navigation apps for iPhone and Android, the Waze and Google Maps experiences aren't identical. Waze offers a simpler navigation user interface that focuses on community-driven information, with incident reports used to improve navigation in real time. Google Maps is more complex, featuring more detailed maps, as well as several features that allow users to discover nearby places of interest, and Gemini AI integration.
Waze's Latest Update Adds A Useful Feature That's Been Missing For Far Too Long
Now While Apple Intelligence and Siri AI are the biggest additions to iOS 27, the update will also make your iPhone noticeably faster. In fact, Apple has outlined more than 40 ways in which your iPhone will be faster after you update to iOS 27 later this year. How iOS 27 makes your iPhone faster When …
Why iMessage Sometimes Shows Three Blinking Dots Even When No One Is Typing Original
Technology Apps & Software Hocus-focus/Getty Images "This is one of my favorites, typing indications," Apple's former software engineer Scott Forstall said at WWDC 2011, as the company introduced its iMessage chat app.
What Does 5G UC Mean In Your Phone's Status Bar? Original
Technology Mobile Diego Thomazini/Shutterstock The status bar of your phone holds all the information you might need at a quick glance. It can feature icons for notifications, it shows the battery level, it tells you whether you're on a Wi-Fi network and shows whether Airplane mode is turned on, and it indicates which carrier you're connected to, including signal strength.
The FCC Ban Impacts Another Budget-Friendly 4K Drone (For Now) Original
Technology Potensic Drone enthusiasts in the U.S. may have looking forward to the Potensic Atom 3 for its small size and affordable price, but just like drones made by DJI, devices from China-based Potensic have also been banned by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The FCC Ban Impacts Another Budget-Friendly 4K Drone (For Now)
A person placing the folded Potensic Atom 3 drone in a black bag. - Potensic Drone enthusiasts in the U.S. may have looking forward to the Potensic Atom 3 for its small size and affordable price, but just like drones made by DJI, devices from China-based Potensic have also been banned by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
18 Things You Can No Longer Do On An Unsupported Kindle Original
Technology Spencer Platt/Getty Images Amazon discontinued support on Kindle e-readers made before 2012 effective May 20, 2026. The retailer's decision to stop supporting devices that are at least 14 years old shouldn't be surprising, as mobile devices routinely reach the end of their supported life well before 14 years. Even so, users of now unsupported models may be frustrated to learn that the functionality of their devices has been significantly limited.
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