Readers like you help support Android Police. When you make a purchase using links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read More.
latest
The Google Pixel 8 Pro needs some extra smarts to reliably measure body temperature
You can experiment with reading your body temperature on the Pixel 8 Pro ahead of the FDA approval, but results fluctuate widely
The Google Pixel 8 Pro’s most controversial feature is likely its temperature sensor, which seems like an idea someone had at the height of the pandemic and then nobody stopped to think if it’s still necessary in 2023. On top of this, this feature isn’t FDA-approved yet, meaning it can't officially read your body temperature. When you attempt to measure your skin temperature right now, you’ll notice that it’s far below regular body temperature. There is a trick you can try right now to get an approximation of your body temperature even before the FDA approval, though the results have us scratching our heads even more.
The Google Pixel 8's new multi-language dictation is less than perfekt
The Pixel 8's local multilingual dictation is better than the competition, but voice typing in general leaves a lot to be desired
Google is priding itself for its impressive machine-learning capabilities, particularly when it comes to breaking down and optimizing large models enough to run them locally on phones. The new Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro are chock-filled with new features in this field. The one that stood out to me immediately was the addition of advanced local voice dictation for multilinguals, a feature that was previously restricted to single languages on the Pixel 6 and 7.
Samsung Galaxy S24: News, leaks, rumored price, and release window
Samsung's next flagship lineup will be here before you know it
Although the Samsung Galaxy S23 series remains some of the best Android phones you can buy right now — particularly the massive Galaxy S23 Ultra — it's easy to look ahead at what's next. Samsung recently announced two new folding phones, including the massive Galaxy Z Fold 5. But if you're uninterested in foldables, the Galaxy S24 series is the company's next set of incoming flagships, set for release early next year.
Google Pixel 8a: News, leaks, rumored price, and release window
Not sold on the Pixel 8? Google's next midrange phone might be for you
With one Google Pixel launch out of the way, it's time to start looking forward to the future. And while we're sure there's plenty on the table for Google's future hardware lineup — new tablets, smartwatches, foldables, you name it — there's one device we know for sure is on its way. The Pixel 8a is set to succeed this year's Pixel 7a, and assuming it gets the same attention and care we recently saw with the Pixel 8, it could be one of the best budget phones of 2024.
On October 19, 2023, at 10 a.m. EDT, the long-anticipated OnePlus Open was unveiled to the world, setting new standards for what a foldable smartphone can offer.
Should Samsung return to Exynos chips in the pursuit of longer software support?
Samsung has a lot of work cut out for itself if it wants to compete with the Pixel 8
Think back ten years, and Samsung had a different reputation to what it enjoys today as the manufacturer of some of our favorite phones. TouchWiz was the thick software skin it slathered atop Android, and it was awful. It looked terrible, performed worse, and software updates were far from guaranteed, with those you did receive always being outdated. KitKat was only a few weeks from release when my Galaxy S2 received Jellybean. That changed, with Samsung establishing itself as the Android update king until Google recently dethroned the South Korean giant.
Mr. Mobile cracks OnePlus Open with the Android Police podcast
That was a lame headline and I'm sorry for it, Michael
The one and only Mr. Mobile (Michael Fisher to the rest of us) is back on the Android Police podcast to trade notes with Will on the OnePlus Open! This episode was recorded on Tuesday evening right before they put the finishing touches on their actual reviews, so if you want to play editorial whack-a-mole and check for any discrepancies in what they say versus what they've written down, feel free to do just that!
Nokia's enigmatic N-Gage is 20 years old: The first gaming phone was ahead of its time
Let's look back at Nokia's terrible 'good idea'
Back in the early 2000s, Nokia got an idea. Why not take the market leader in the portable gaming device market, the Game Boy Advance, and combine it with our latest Nokia phone? This would create a device that functions as a phone that can run great games at the same time. That idea spawned the N-gage, the first proper gaming phone. But was it a brand-new gold standard for mobile gaming and cell communication?
Google's Pixel 8 phones earn their higher prices
$100 may be a significant increase, but Google's latest phones justify their cost
Google's latest smartphones are here, and with a new generation of AI goodness comes higher prices. I found myself mildly surprised when Google announced the costs for both the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, charging $100 over their predecessors, and I know I'm not alone. Even with inflation, I expected the company to maintain its place as the value flagship king — effectively insulating itself from the additional scrutiny a higher-priced device would receive.
The Pixel 8 killed my favorite Google Camera feature
I took my last Photo Sphere, and I even didn't realize it
Back in 2012, Google released what we called "Android's greatest feature yet." We were talking about Photo Spheres, which saw users take dozens of photos at all angles, slowly turning in place, to capture a full 360-degree image you could scroll around on your phone's screen or view in a VR headset. Sadly, much like Google's VR endeavors on the whole, Photo Spheres are now dead as of the Pixel 8, and I'm thoroughly disappointed.
The Pixel 8 Pro is dumb. Just dumb. You think you can make it all smart with this artificial intelligence crap, Google? How about you just say the quiet part out loud to the Android Police podcast about why it's $300 more than the Pixel 8? This week, a single 50-minute rant as performed by three tech nerds. Also, a reminder that Kirby did not do 9/11 and that it's always Waluigi Time (sound clip not included in the episode).
Every Google Pixel 8 feature that has yet to launch
The Pixel 8 may be out now, but Google is making us wait for some cool features
While watching Google announce the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, I was reminded of a scene from Star Trek: Generations. Captain Kirk is invited to christen the new Enterprise and join her for a maiden cruise. An emergency develops, and Kirk is forced into command to help save the day, leading to something of a crisis. Because the ship wasn’t meant to head into battle, several key systems are missing. Every time an exasperated Kirk asks for the tractor beam or photon torpedoes, he's met with the same response from the crew — that won't be installed until Tuesday.
The Google Pixel 8 Pro truly earns its Pro moniker this time around
The difference between the Pixel 8 and its Pro sibling is starker than ever
The Google Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro bring some typical generational upgrades to the table with only enough design changes to differentiate them from the Pixel 7 series on a close inspection. While these iterative updates don’t catalyze a major overhaul for the Pixel experience, the divide has clearly widened in one key area. The Pixel 8 Pro is now more “pro” than the standard Pixel 8, cementing the fact that it is not merely an XL version of its non-Pro sibling with just a bigger screen and battery. And that is both a boon and a bane for anyone interested in either Pixel 8 handset.
6 Google Pixel 8 features you won't find on any other phone
These exclusive features play a key part in delivering that famed Google experience
Pixel phones have never been about raw specs; they stand out due to their tight hardware and software integration that add helpful new features. But hardware plays an equally important role, as newer features require a lot more processing power. So, while your previous-gen Pixel phone might already be running Android 14, it misses several features found on the Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro that rely on their more powerful hardware. And then, there are some features that Google has likely artificially restricted to its new phones to boost sales. Below is a look at all the exclusive Pixel 8 and 8 Pro features you won't get on older Pixels or other Android phones — for now.
Best Samsung Galaxy A54 deals: discounts, trade-in offers, and more
Get Samsung's already affordable Galaxy A54 at an even better price with these deals
While it may be the start of the holiday shopping season, it seems that the best Galaxy A54 deals have yet to arrive. There are a few noteworthy offers from carriers right now, and even a sizable price cut from Samsung directly, but they aren't the biggest discounts the Galaxy A54 has seen this year. However, that could change as we get closer to Black Friday sales next month, so if you don't see an offer worthy of your cash just yet, don't fret.
The Google Pixel 8 Pro fixes my biggest Pixel 7 Pro pet peeve
No, it's not the curved screen, but yes, it has something to do with the display
The Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro are finally available for preorder, and both phones are the most refined to ever come from Google. They look and feel a lot like their predecessors. Plus, they fix the biggest issues we've found with them, including a flat display rather than a curved-edge display on the Google Pixel 8 Pro and a small-hands-friendly form factor for the Pixel 8.
My favorite OnePlus phone of 2023 has never been this cheap
The OnePlus 11 could be yours for as little as $570
Plenty of high-end Android smartphones are fighting for your attention; some flaunt their unique features, while others tempt you with excellent value. Then there are foldables, too, that want you to jump straight into the future of smartphone innovation. But for me personally, my daily driver of choice has been the OnePlus 11 for a while, and I have little to complain about even after using it for quite a few months. And I'll tell you why it's a no-brainer right now during the Prime Big Deal Days sale that ends in just a few hours.
Want a Google Pixel 8 deal this Prime Day? Wait until Black Friday
If saving money on the Pixel 8 is what you're looking for, then you'll want to press pause and wait for Black Friday sales
October is an exciting time in the consumer tech space as many of our favorite brands announce new devices. It's also the time when a lot of really great discounts start floating around, and right now, Amazon has its second round of Prime Day deals going on. So, it would be understandable if you were hoping to find an amazing deal on the recently announced Google Pixel 8 series of smartphones. While you will find some special purchase options out there on the new devices, you're likely going to be better served by waiting about 45 more days. But not all hope should be lost.
Best October Prime Day Google deals: Pixel phones, tablet, and more
Plently of Google hardware is primed for deep discounts this fall Prime Day
The Amazon Prime Big Deal Days sale is now into its second and final day, with thousands of items discounted until midnight tonight. We here at Android Police naturally have a healthy obsession with Google and all things Android, and the Mountain View-based juggernaut's wide array of products are also on sale for part 2 of Amazon's Prime Day festivities in 2023.
Amazon Prime Big Deal Days 2023: Samsung Galaxy phone, tablet, watch, and earbud discounts
There are some great Samsung deals for Amazon's big fall sales event!
Amazon officially kicked off the Prime Big Deal Days sale yesterday, and deals on all types of electronics are continuing today. This also means we get to see discounts on some of our favorite phones and tablets of the year across multiple price segments.