Ben Schoon is a Senior Editor at 9to5Google, working for the publication as one of its primary news writers since 2016.
In 2013, Ben helped start an independent tech publication where he learned the skills used at 9to5Google including writing, product photography, and videography. He is located in the city of Winston-Salem in North Carolina where he lives with his wife Melissa. Ben is an avid disc golf player.
He primarily covers Android products, including Google Pixel devices, Samsung Galaxy smartphones, as well as devices from OnePlus, Oppo, Motorola, and more. Beyond just covering news about these products, Ben also spends time using these products himself, speaking from experience with the articles he writes. Some of Ben’s most recent hands-on reviews include; Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel Watch 2, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Motorola Razr+, HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook, and more.
Ben is also a leading source for information about Google’s Android TV, diving deeply into important parts of the platform including its powerful Operator Tier, explaining future changes to the platform, and reviewing its products such as Chromecast with Google TV, Nvidia Shield TV, and more.
In 2019, Ben leaked one of the first in-person photos of the Pixel 4 before later revealing the Recorder and Pixel Themes apps months ahead of launch. In 2020, Ben also reported on multiple upcoming Pixel devices including Pixel 5a and the first report of Google working on a foldable Pixel smartphone. That same month, he was also the first to correctly report the $49 price point of what became the Chromecast with Google TV.
Ben Schoon is active on Twitter, @nexusben, but can also be found on Instagram and LinkedIn. For questions or tips, you can email him directly, and his portfolio is also available online.
Email: schoon@9to5mac.com | Encrypted Email: benschoon@protonmail.com
Oppo just announced its latest Find X8 flagships in China, and also confirmed plans to launch the phones globally for the first time in a while.
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A new hands-on video shows off Samsung’s Android 15 update in the greatest detail we’ve seen yet, revealing some new tidbits and offering a closer look at features we already knew about.
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Samsung is in the process of rolling out its next big update, One UI 6.1.1, to Galaxy smartphones and tablets. Here’s what has been updated so far.
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OnePlus (and Oppo) have launched a new solution for sharing files with iPhone users wirelessly, all baked into the latest Android 15 update. But… uh… it’s probably not going to be all that popular.
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OnePlus has just announced its Android 15 update, OxygenOS 15, which delivers new features and other upgrades, and it certainly delivers on being remarkably smooth.
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While a timeline has yet to surface, TCL has quietly confirmed which Android devices it will update to Android 15 through its website.
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After a few months in beta, Samsung is finally ready to start rolling out Wear OS 5 to select Galaxy Watch models.
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As its current foldables hit a slump, Samsung is reportedly toying with new ideas to breathe life into its foldable lineup with its first major expansion including a budget-focused Flip, and a tablet of some kind.
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The longevity of Android updates has always been a problem, but one that’s been getting better with time. Google has, behind the scenes, introduced some big changes for Android manufacturers that will make it easier for more Android phones to offer support for up to 7 years, just like Pixel.
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New details surrounding Google’s future plans for the Tensor chips in Pixel 10 and Pixel 11 are hinting at a main focus on efficiency upgrades in 2025, with further upgrades to come on the Pixel 11 later on.
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Google’s first Pixel Tablet is unique in a lot of ways, but it’s ultimately not a product that fits everyone’s needs. But, with an ongoing sale, the Pixel Tablet is an absolute steal.
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Following Qualcomm’s announcement of the Snapdragon 8 Elite this week, reporting has revealed that Samsung may end up going Snapdragon-only for the next couple of years in Galaxy S25 and S26.
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Google’s Pixel 9a is reportedly making a change in the camera department, moving from a 64MP primary camera down to a 48MP main sensor.
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Wireless Android Auto adapters are super useful, but you have to be careful with which ones you buy. Nowadays, there are more options than ever, but a lot of them are sketchy, and you probably shouldn’t bother in the first place.
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Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite looks like a stunning chipset for future Android phones, and it’s coming up pretty soon. And, from the looks of it, Snapdragon 8 Elite will usher in a new wave of UWB-supported smartphones.
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Pixel phones have been notorious for random Bluetooth quirks and issues over the years, but the Pixel 9 series debuted with some bigger, more frustrating problems. Through recent updates, Google seems to have addressed these qualms.
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Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold lineup may be behind the curve, but the company still puts out an excellent foldable phone. Yet, Samsung has confirmed yet again that it has no plans to make a Galaxy Z Fold device with a more affordable price tag.
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The hype train for OnePlus 13 has officially begun in China, with the full design being revealed. Perhaps the most exciting bit, though, is the arrival of a flat display on OnePlus 13 as revealed in a promo video.
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Google started rolling out Android 15 last week, but for some Pixel 6 series owners, the update is causing some significant issues.
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This week’s release of Android 15 has been a weird one, but it’s also raised a question – are Android updates getting pretty confusing?
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Wireless Android Auto adapters have been an incredibly convenient tool, and now the best one is getting a sequel. With availability starting today, here are a few initial thoughts on AAWireless TWO.
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After debuting on Google TV Streamer and extending to Chromecast more recently, the new Home Panel has also since rolled out to Google TV sets from TCL, Hisense, and other brands.
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Google introduced a system photo picker in Android a while back, allowing for better privacy of the photos, videos, and files on your device. Now, Google is pushing for more Android apps to use the new photo picker.
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OnePlus is preparing to launch its next flagship soon, and ahead of that launch, an image leak has hit the web that allegedly shows off the OnePlus 13 and its updated design.
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