ICYMI: The standard Galaxy S25 is another fine small phone from Samsung – Android Police

There’s never been a better time to buy a Pixel 9 than right now. Between all the freebies, credits, and bonuses floating around, you can cobble together one hell of a deal. And if you play your cards right, you can effectively get a new phone for cheaper than free.

I bought a Pixel 9 Pro on launch day, but my wife decided she’d wait for a good deal before upgrading. That purchase came with a free year of Google One AI Premium, which itself comes with 10% back in credits for all Google Store purchases.

Then last week, Google started an enhanced trade-in deal, bringing the value of my wife’s old Pixel 8 Pro up to $700. We debated jumping on it then, but I’m happy we dragged our feet, because another deal was spotted yesterday (full details at the link to the right): If you have enough Google Play Points from app and game purchases, you can get an extra 30% off any Pixel 9 device right now.

With the Google Play Points coupon applied, the Pixel 9 Pro’s price cratered to $700. Subtract

I’ve lost count of how many times Google has supposedly quit making tablets. I know it quit making Android tablets after the Nexus 9. But we did get the Pixel C and Pixel Slate. After the Pixel Slate, Google announced it would not be making more tablets, instead it would concentrate on laptops. But we eventually got the Pixel Tablet, which launched overpriced with an unnecessary dock. And now that the Pixel Tablet hasn’t sold well (surprise, surprise), Google is supposedly canceling the follow-up. Despite many years of making tablets over the last two decades, Google apparently can’t find any success with them, and tends to exist the market swiftly when sales tank. At this point, it will be very hard for me to take Google seriously if it ever plans to release a tablet again, be it ChromeOS or Android.

But what about you? Are you sick of Google repeatedly giving up on tablets, or are you somehow willing to give the company the benefit of the doubt the next time it decides tablets are t

Everyone remembers their first phone. It’s the first time you can call your friends from wherever you are, take pics on the go, and play Angry Birds (depending on your era). What was your first phone and what do you remember about it? Do you remember it fondly? Share your memories about your first cellular experience!

A recent update added pass-through charging to Pixel devices, where they can be powered over USB without pulling power from the battery, thus creating less wear on the battery and enhancing its longevity. It’s a win-win for consumers, especially gamers who game for long sessions. So, now that the feature is here, do you plan on taking advantage of the new setting for charging optimization? Hit the comments to share if you feel pass-through charging is something you plan on using.

The Google Pixel camera visor has become a staple of Google’s design language since the Pixel 6. Unfortunately, it has some durability issues. Such a large, flat surface housing the cameras makes it susceptible to micro scratches, which can cause unsightly blemishes and potentially cloudy photos. 

In addition, whatever materials Google uses to construct the visor show wear within days. My Pixel 8 Pro’s visor looked like I ran it through my dryer after only two or three days in my pocket, and that was with being careful. I don’t abuse my phones, but that doesn’t matter. Drop a photo of your battered Pixel visor if you’re similarly frustrated with Google’s lack of build quality and how it makes your shiny new phone look beat up in the first days of ownership.

Our reviews of the Pixel 9 trio might be live, but we’re far from done with talking about new Google hardware. Next up, we’re focusing our attention on Google’s second-gen foldable, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. New name, new design, same overwhelming focus on AI that wound up receiving some mixed feelings from all three of our previous Pixel 9 reviews. We’ll have plenty more to say about the Pixel 9 Pro Fold in the weeks to come — including a full review — but in the meantime, let us know what you’re most curious about, and we’ll be sure to address it just as soon as we can say more.

Did you know the latest Pixel 9s support video out over USB? Neither did I, but not that I know I am eager to get my hands on Google’s USB-C to HDMI cable so I can output video from my phone. As a matter of fact, the cable come from Cable Matters, and is also available on Amazon for less than Google’s pricing, which looks to be the place to snag one (read more about this in the linked coverage).

So here comes the big question. Have you ever needed to output video from your phone to the point you’ll go out of your way to buy a USB-C to HDMI cable? Hit the comments to let us know, as I can confidently say I’ll be ordering one shortly. After all, you may not need to output video from your phone frequently, but the one time you need to, it sure would be handy to have a cable on hand to do so.

I think it is safe to say some Pixel’s have certainly suffered from bugs and other issues a little too often, in my opinion, for what are supposed to be premium devices. This is likely why Google held Android 15 back from the launch of the Pixel 9, ensuring people were finally getting a stable software experience using an older and tested version of Android. This then afforded Google room to polish Android 15 before it launched, which landed without too many hiccups. Still, over the years, it’s likely there are a few people around here who have had issues with their Pixels, and now that news broke there’s an issue with the camera bar separating from the back panel, it feels like we’re starting this rollercoaster again when I just wish it would end. So, have you had issues with your Pixel, like the recent camera bar issue, or are you cruising along just fine?

The Pixel 6 made it to Android 15 with its promised three years of Android version update support. But now that it has hit the end of the road when it comes to new Android versions, will you miss receiving these updates? You’ll still get security updates, which means the phone will be plenty useable for the foreseeable future, but Android 15 is still the last stop when it comes to versions.

Sound off in the comments below what you think of this end of support. Thankfully, the Pixel 7 and beyond offer seven years of support, so we have some time before the Pixel 7 meets the same fate as the 6.

I, for one, usually run my phones free of cases, but after a recent drop that obliterated my Redmagic 9s Pro, I decided to pick up a Pixel 9 as a replacement. With that new purchase came a strong sense that I should probably splurge on a case this time around. So I went all out. I wanted something that looked good, made of leather, so a Bellroy case is what I purchased. It wasn’t cheap, but I’m pretty happy with it, so feel my money was spent well. 

But what about you? What kind of case do you normally go for when you purchase a new phone? What’s your go-to? Is it leather, plastic, rubber, colorful, muted, expensive, or cheap?

Remember the Nexus 7 and its follow-up, which I like to call the Nexus 7.2? I really enjoyed those tablets, but it doesn’t feel like anyone makes any good small tablets anymore. Even Apple rarely refreshes the mini. What I wouldn’t give to have a small tablet that offers top-of-the-line specs. Gimme a 7-inch tablet with a Snapdragon 8 Elite, a high refresh rate OLED 16:10 screen, with dual front-firing speakers, a camera in the bezel instead of the screen, two USB-C ports, and flush rear cameras. Is that too much to ask?

So, am I dreaming here? Am I the only one who wants a small top-of-the-line tablet?

Out of every smartphone you’ve ever owned, which is the one that stands above the rest as the worst? For me, that would be the Pixel 4. That forehead was ridiculous, and the reason it existed was for movement tracking that never really amounted to much beyond waving to change tracks in a music app. While the Soli Radar lives on in the newest Nest Learning Thermostat, boy, was that hardware useless in a smartphone. I quickly moved on to something else.

But what about you? What stands out in your memory as the worst smartphone you’ve owned? Hit the comments to let us know; perhaps the same devices will come up again and again. Let’s see.

I know I personally miss having small phones. I’m on team small phone all the way, which is why I loved the Zenfone 10 and why I was sad to see Asus move to something much bigger for the 11. Even before smartphones, I was into the smaller stuff, like what Sony Ericson was putting out for its candy bar designs. But that was a long time ago, and things progress, but sadly it would seem everything progressed to being gigantic with huge screens, and I’m just not feeling it. Perhaps I’m simply being nostalgic, which is why I wanted to bring this question to the masses.

Which do you prefer, large or small phones? Hit the comments, and let’s settle this age-old debate for good.

I have a feeling I’m a lifer. Sure, I’ve used iOS (on iPads), but ever since Android was released, I’ve only owned and used Android phones, and I don’t see this changing anytime soon. Apple just never felt like the hardware for me, and I’ve certainly dabbled with Macs, but the walled gardens and higher prices for everything just leave a bad taste in my mouth. Android is still more open, and Android is still cheaper for comparable hardware. Most importantly, I’m used to the interface and the actions I can perform within, be it running emulators, sideloading apps, or simply adding icons to my screen wherever I want (yes, I know Apple has started supporting all of these), Android simply feels like the right place to be accomplishing these tasks.

While I know there are plenty of hardcore Android users around here, just like me, I do wonder how many of AP’s readers would be willing to jump the fence for the possibility of greener pastures. So, what say you? Would you ever consider ditching

The Pixel 8 Pro debuted the tech, which may sound a little silly, but a thermometer within a phone can be useful, as Will Sattelberg found out, putting the Pixel 8 Pro to the test. The thermometer works and can be handy for checking body temperatures, say your kid’s temps to see if they are coming down with a cold. Still, grabbing your phone to check temperatures probably doesn’t come naturally to most users, which brings me to a question that’s been burning a hole in my brain. For those of you who own a Pixel 8 Pro or a Pixel 9 Pro, do you find you are using the temperature sensor built into your phone? If so, what have you used it for?

We’ve had ample time with Google’s latest Pixel phones, and the general consensus here at AP is that they’re all quite good, but Google hardware season isn’t over yet. Personally, I’m pretty excited about the Pixel Watch 3, which is set to hit store shelves next week. It’s the first Pixel Watch to come in two sizes (the 41mm we’re used to and a new, larger 45mm variant), and both sizes feature brighter displays with slimmer bezels than previous generations. So far, it’s looking like Google’s newest wearable is going to tick a lot of our boxes.

We’ll be writing all about it in the coming weeks and months, but I wanted to ask: what do you want to know about the Pixel Watch 3? Drop your questions in the comments and we’ll start answering them as soon as we’re able. 

We recently learned that the new Google TV Streamer remote works with older Chromecasts (read more about this in the linked article). So now that it is clear the new remote will work with older 4th gen devices, do you plan on picking up a replacement for your aging Chromecast? Sure, the Chromecast 4K and HD came with a remote, but perhaps it stopped working or is showing its age.

But this got me thinking: how many Chromecast owners actually want a replacement remote? So, hit the comments to let us know if you are planning to purchase the Google TV Streamer remote for your 4th gen Chromecast.

Although my earliest impressions might have been pretty mixed — and the same goes for my colleague Stephen Radochia’s thoughts — I’m still pretty excited to put the Galaxy S25 Ultra through its paces. Samsung is promising a world of AI features designed to actually make an impact on my life, and while I’m not certain this phone is the one that’ll be up to the test, you never know what could happen.

As of right now, I have my very own Galaxy S25 Ultra review unit, and over the next week or two, I’ll be doing everything I can to find out if this device lives up to Samsung’s hype. Here’s the good news for you: Samsung doesn’t keep a strict embargo for its reviews, meaning I’m free to discuss anything and everything about this phone starting right now. So, without further ado, I’m all yours. Let me know your S25 Ultra questions in the comments below, and between my review, upcoming editorials, and simple replies right on this post, I’ll do my best to give my answers.

There is a lot one can do with the Google TV Streamer. For one, with Google Home integration, you can use your TV to watch your video doorbell or check your floodlight cams in the back. Heck, you can change the temperature of your house from your TV. Pretty cool. At the same time, it’s not the most powerful Android TV box out there (the Shield TV takes that prize), and to me, it’s never something I considered buying when I have multiple Shield TVs in the house.

So, were you enticed by Google’s latest TV box, or have you remained a skeptic like me?

Recently, we discovered a survey that revealed Google Pixel Phones have issues with third-party launchers, which sure lines up with my experience, where swipe navigation still suffers for some reason. Basically, if you are going to use a custom launcher, a Pixel Phone isn’t a great choice. This is why I stick with the stock launcher on my Pixel and why many more Android users will recommend the same. That’s not to say it’s impossible to use a third-party launcher on your Pixel; it’s just not always the best experience.

So, do you use a third-party launcher on your Pixel, or do you prefer stock like me? Hit the comments to share and we’ll see what everyone is using.