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
1Password has announced that it will be simplifying setup on new devices drastically while also introducing “Recovery Codes” to provide a last way to save an account with lost credentials.
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Lenovo today announced its new Tab Plus, an affordable Android tablet with JBL audio, a built-in kickstand, and more.
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Ahead of its debut next week, a new leak has revealed that the upcoming Motorola Razr+ (2024) will upgrade the camera with a telephoto lens, improve water resistance, and, of course, add some AI.
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The Snapdragon X Elite has finally arrived and, with it, Windows laptops that might be able to stand up to the MacBook in areas they’ve fallen well behind in. After a day with Microsoft’s latest Surface Laptop, I’m excited for this new future.
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After reintroducing its app in April following a privacy nightmare last year, Sunbird has announced that its iMessage service for Android will be available to more users, but it is coming with a cost.
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2021’s Oppo Find N was a tremendous first showing for the company’s foldable lineup, but now we’re getting a peek at a leather-clad version of the device that never made it to market.
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After a few generations with Samsung, Google is set to switch to TSMC for Tensor in 2025. Unsurprisingly, a new report also reveals that Google’s switch will also bring a 3nm process to Tensor G5 in Pixel devices.
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After a couple of years, Samsung has updated its Wear OS internet browser app to work better on smartwatches other than its own with the introduction of a couple of new gestures.
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Google has made a tweak to the Pixel Launcher in the latest Android 15 beta which lets you see longer app names in the app drawer, if you want them.
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In a limited-time offer, buyers of Google’s Pixel Watch 2 or Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 6 series can score free MyFitnessPal as well as a bunch of Google Play Points.
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Nothing’s CMF sub-brand is preparing to launch its first phone in July and, along with it, we’ll also be getting new earbuds and a new smartwatch too.
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Rumors around Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 have been mentioning a second device for ages, but as the launch approaches, it was increasingly looking like that was not happening. Now, though, it’s becoming more clear that Samsung will launch a thinner Galaxy Z Fold 6 “Slim,” but not everywhere, and not with every feature.
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Battery banks are everywhere, and there’s rarely much reason to spend a lot on them. But with the “Pouch,” OnePlus and Sharge have a pretty clever idea for a battery bank that’s actually worth considering.
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Logitech has just announced an unexpected sequel to its decade-old Keys-To-Go keyboard, with Keys-To-Go 2 shipping this month with a brand-new design, updated features, and more.
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As free trials have run out for many early adopters, Google is trying to tempt Google One AI Premium testers to give it another shot with a 50% discount.
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According to a new report from Ming-Chi Kuo, Qualcomm has plans to bring a cheaper Snapdragon chip to Windows machine, but also intends to considerably raise the price of Snapdragon 8 Gen 4.
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Microsoft has announced that Windows 11 will soon integrate your Android phone device into the share menu in coming updates.
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The OnePlus Open is the best foldable you can buy in the US today, but as with any foldable, it’s not cheap. With a new offer, though, you can score a OnePlus Open for as long as $599 thanks to heavily boosted trade-ins and a big discount.
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With rumors flying around the 2024 generation, Motorola has just confirmed that it will launch new Razr foldables in the US later this month.
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Google Calendar makes it easy to keep track of appointments and key dates, but sometimes you just don’t need to see information that’s added by default, like holidays. Soon, you may have more choice in the matter.
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Samsung is introducing a high-end smartwatch to the Galaxy Watch lineup this year with a new “Ultra” device, and new leaks have revealed more images of the hardware, as well as a sky-high price tag.
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After its preview at MWC earlier this year, Samsung is nearing the launch of the Galaxy Ring next month. Now, ahead of the debut, the charging method of the Galaxy Ring has been shown off, and it’s a case similar to what you’d find with a pair of earbuds.
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Not all that long ago, cameras on a phone were still a crazy idea and the ones that did exist were bad. But, nowadays, nearly every phone has a camera, and nearly every single one is at least pretty decent. So what does it take to make one that’s great?
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Like the original, the Pixel Watch 2 is a hard-to-protect droplet of glass on your wrist, but one that Google claimed would be a bit stronger. So, several months in, how’s the Pixel Watch 2 holding up for you?
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