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
Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset is impressive on paper, but there might be a problem in practice, as early tests with one of the first devices using the chip have revealed some overheating problems.
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Samsung’s Android 15 release, One UI 7, isn’t officially releasing until next year, but the company is apparently gearing up to launch a beta program in November.
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The Walmart Onn 4K Pro is a stellar Google TV set-top box, but with pretty slow Ethernet and, now, an update has broken a method of upgrading those speeds.
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After launching in beta earlier this month, Mozilla has officially launched its long-awaited email app Thunderbird on Android.
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After being announced earlier this year as “SearchGPT,” OpenAI has today officially launched ChatGPT Search, a new AI-powered search engine.
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After a lot of teasers, the OnePlus 13 is finally official in China, which tells us everything we need to know about the device ahead of its global debut.
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Google’s latest Android figure is an adorable holiday-themed “Bot” that’s wearing a sweater and beanie.
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Google has started enforcing new Android Auto requirements more widely, with older phones running into a message that they “no longer support” the useful platform.
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Samsung has reportedly started working on a “Slim” version of its upcoming Galaxy S25 flagship ahead of Apple’s plans for a thinner iPhone 17.
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Barely a month after its debut, Google TV seems to have rolled back its new Freeplay app for free channels on some devices.
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Alongside its latest earnings, Samsung has started teasing plans for 2025, including the Galaxy S25 series, the long-awaited XR device, and a cheaper foldable as well.
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A screenshot of the YouTube homepage with videos that don’t show upload dates or view counts has been shared across social media this week, but YouTube says the new layout isn’t official.
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The Honor Magic 6 Pro was one of the best Android phones of 2024, and its sequel, the Magic 7 Pro, was just announced in China ahead of a global launch in the future.
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Likely ahead of a beta announcement, a new One UI 7 leak has revealed some of the features Samsung will launch on Galaxy devices alongside Android 15.
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One of the best features of Google TV as of late is the ability to stream a ton of free content directly from the homescreen without any additional login or subscriptions. Google TV Freeplay is constantly adding new channels, and is also preparing for Halloween with a dedicated section of free channels.
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It’s no secret that Google and Samsung have been working on a mixed reality (XR) device of sorts, and now the Play Store is actively preparing for the arrival of “XR headsets.”
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Nothing is launching yet another variant of the Phone (2a), with the new “Community Edition” arriving with a glow in the dark design.
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Walmart’s Onn 4K Pro is one of the best affordable streaming boxes you can buy, but updates seem to have left the device unable to be used outside of approved regions.
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Samsung is running another new promo with Galaxy Watch, offering a $100 trade-in with any other smartwatch in any condition.
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As the teasers continue in China, OnePlus has just confirmed the return of its wood grain designs in new cases for the OnePlus 13, alongside the iconic Sandstone too.
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Google’s Pixel 9a is shaping up to have an earlier launch next year, and as that nears, more information is coming out. But, apparently, Pixel 9a won’t see a price increase.
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According to reports out of Korea, Samsung is exploring a new branding play for its Android smartphones that would be in addition to its iconic “Galaxy” name.
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Google’s mid-range Pixel lineup has offered great specs on the whole, but generally has a smaller battery than the flagship models. According to a new report, though, the Pixel 9a will have a way bigger battery, the same size as the company’s current flagship.
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Google TV has had a handy “Apps only” mode for quite some time that cuts down on clutter, but the feature is now showing ads and recommendations for a lot more users.
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