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
Android phones, for better or worse, are probably best known for being “cheap.” While that word may not be the best way to describe every low-cost smartphone, there’s an abundance of affordable Android phones out there, and the new Moto G Power (2026) is adding to that list, and leaving a pretty good first impression.
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Nothing’s latest Ear (3) earbuds just hit their lowest price to date, but the last-gen models are a much better deal.
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Google’s Pixel 10a might be releasing much earlier than anyone expected, with a February release date in the works and a new “Berry” colorway also coming.
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I’m a really big fan of how Google designs its smartphones, but if there’s one nitpick I have, it’s that the base Pixel phones keep getting a glossy glass finish on the back. After throwing a simple clear matte skin on the back of my Pixel 10 recently, I’m even more convinced Google needs to switch going forward.
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It should come as no surprise that Google is hard at work behind the scenes on the software for Android XR glasses, but a new companion app has now surfaced in the latest Android Canary builds to show off some of that work in action.
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Google’s Pixel smartphones will probably never compete with the likes of Apple or Samsung on the global smartphone stage, but the growth remains, as Google Pixel reportedly grew by 25% in 2025.
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The Google Home app is expanding what you can do with automations, with a new update adding support for more automation triggers and actions including robot vacuums.
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Roughly 15 years after its launch on iOS, the popular note-taking app Notability is finally coming to Android in the near future.
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According to a new report, Samsung’s delayed Galaxy S26 launch will result in a release date for the whole series in mid-March.
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Apple is officially adopting Google Gemini as the backbone of its AI-powered Siri upgrade, with the switch landing for customers “later this year.”
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The OnePlus Open is perhaps one of the best foldables ever released, which is why it’s been so confusing that a sequel never hit the market. Apparently, a “OnePlus Open 2” was on the table again for release in late 2026, but the device is said to be getting canceled.
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Smart glasses have been the tech dream we’ve been chasing for years now, and the technology is finally getting there. Better displays, improved hardware, and an ever-growing list of platforms for smart glasses were on full showcase at CES 2026, but I can’t help but look at them with a mind to what’s coming next.
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The Pebble smartwatch reboot is in full swing, with the Pebble Time 2 shipping soon and the newly-unveiled Pebble Round 2 not far behind it. After checking them out in person at CES 2026, I’m pretty stoked by the hardware, but it’s still the Index ring that makes me the most excited.
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Privacy often feels like an impossibility in the modern age of the internet, as your data is constantly tracked and shared by just about everything you do. That’s why privacy smartphones and privacy-focused forks of Android keep popping up. With the new Punkt MC03, though, I just found the first privacy Android phone I might be willing to try out.
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Google has started the rollout of Android Auto 16.0 this week, but there’s a more pressing issue for some users as a bug is breaking support for message replies.
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YouTube has confirmed a widespread upload issue that delays video processing for upwards of 30 minutes and is also looking for a fix.
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Samsung is reworking its long-standing Bixby assistant this year with AI, and new screenshots are showing off how that will copy from of Google’s AI tools.
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Anker launched a new Nano 45W USB-C charger at CES 2026 that has a couple of clever new features but, sadly, loses one of its best when connected to an Android phone.
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There are a ton of different form factors, features, and designs for Find Hub trackers on Android, but many end up sharing the same core makeup and hardware. But with its new generation of Android Find Hub trackers, “Nimble” is not only delivering some nice designs and form factors, but offering something new in sustainable paper-based batteries.
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IKEA took to CES for the first time ever this year in an effort to show off its new smart home tech, which continues to get better and better, but there’s one big asterisk for Google Home users based on early user impressions.
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Announced at CES 2026 this week, the new 8BitDo Flip Pad is a USB-C controller for Android phones (and iPhones too) that sits on top of your display and seems just perfect for emulators.
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When Google announced support for Apple’s AirDrop through Quick Share on Android, one of the biggest questions was when it might expand beyond the Pixel 10 series. Based on some findings in new Android builds, it seems that the Pixel 9 series is next in line for AirDrop support, though when it might arrive is anyone’s guess.
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During CES 2026 this week, I had a brief minute to try out Samsung’s new Galaxy Z TriFold and, I’ve got to say, this one really takes seeing it in person to really prove just how impressive it is.
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Philips Hue is launching a few new upgrades in 2026, including new “SpatialAware” lighting scenes that more intelligently distribute color through a room.
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