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
Google’s Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro represented the company’s focus on the premium smartphone space, and it seems that legacy is going to just keep building up. We already know what the Pixel 7 will look like, but according to one reputable source, Google is working on a Pixel phone made from a ceramic material.
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Google’s first retail store opened up in New York City last year with in-person purchases, repairs, advice, and product demos. The Google Store also had a Stadia room, but that has been removed from the Chelsea location.
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Android 12 brought with it the arrival of Material You, a one-step switch to theme your entire phone, from accents to apps, all based on your wallpaper. Creating custom looks for Material You colors, though, requires some assistance, and you can now do it for free with Repainter.
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At this point, you might have heard the news. The OnePlus 10T doesn’t have an Alert Slider, the unique feature that OnePlus has had on virtually all of its high-end phones over the past several years. While it’s gone on this device, OnePlus claims it isn’t done with the feature just yet.
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Android 13 is likely debuting on Google Pixel phones in September, and this week OnePlus is detailing what the update has in store. Alongside that, OnePlus has confirmed Android 13 updates for over a dozen devices.
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Android 13 is right around the corner for Pixel phones, and today OnePlus is unveiling its side of the equation with the “aquamorphic” Oxygen OS 13.
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The OnePlus 10T is coming to North America, but it’s going to be over a month before the device actually goes on sale to the general public. In the meantime, the OnePlus 10T will be available for purchase in the US during a handful of “early access” sales. Here are the dates you need to know.
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The OnePlus 10 Pro launched in the US at a cost of $899, putting it up against the big brands in Samsung and Apple. Now, several months later, the OnePlus 10 Pro is getting a permanent price cut down to $799.
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The OnePlus 10T just went official as the brand’s fastest charging smartphone to date. We’ve had a few days to play around with the OnePlus 10T – here’s what we’ve thought so far.
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We’ve reported on multiple occasions regarding Fitbit’s upcoming lineup of smartwatches and fitness trackers, and now we’re getting our best look yet at the Fitbit Sense 2, Versa 4, and Inspire 3.
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Audio products are incredibly personal, meaning it’s often great to have the chance to try out a product before actually buying it. With Google’s Pixel Buds Pro, you can do exactly that if you’re in the NYC area.
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Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 5 is only around a week or so from launch, and we’ve already learned what it looks like, have a rough idea of what it will cost, and know that the rotating bezel is going by the wayside. Now, we know how fast the Galaxy Watch 5 will charge, and that the charger will switch to USB-C.
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Cloud gaming services have wildly expanded over the past few years, and now Logitech is jumping on the bandwagon with plans for a dedicated handheld device for cloud gaming.
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Can you believe it’s been six years since Google released its first Pixel phone? At this point, we’re just a few months away from the Pixel 7 series, and to date, Google has released 16 smartphones. But over the past few years, some features have come and gone on Pixel phones – what’s your favorite feature that’s been left behind?
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As the “Right to Repair” movement picks up steam, Samsung has partnered with iFixit to offer genuine repair parts for Galaxy devices, and those parts are available for purchase starting today.
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The messaging app popular among gamers, Discord, is picking up a complete revamp on Android, with the goal of delivering new features at the same pace as other platforms.
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The OnePlus 10T is coming on August 3, and it seems the phone will bring some welcome upgrades along with it. In a recent blog post, OnePlus has confirmed that the OnePlus 10T will support 125W fast charging in North America, which is a bigger deal than you might think.
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Android Auto is used by many to retain access to media and messages while behind the wheel, but Google is upping the requirements to access Android Auto going forward.
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Google Stadia picked up two more games this week including the classic Neighbours from Hell, and yet another rumor regarding the service’s death, Google has given a bid for the future.
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The Galaxy Z Flip 3 turned out to be a hit last year thanks to its affordable price and attractive design, and it seems Samsung is doubling down on that this year with the Galaxy Z Flip 4, which we can now confirm will be available in over 70 different colors.
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Budget Android phones are a dime a dozen, but T-Mobile’s self-branded REVVL lineup has proved somewhat decent, and even rather successful over the past few years. This week, T-Mobile has announced the REVVL 6 series, which are truly massive smartphones.
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Google has just issued new policy updates for Play Store developers, and the new rules take aim directly at misinformation, impersonation, and annoying game ads… among other things.
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Google Pixel Buds Pro are finally here, and they’re arriving on doorsteps this week. Quite a few users have already received their unit and, in most cases, Pixel Buds Pro will come with a day-one update – here’s what you need to know.
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Samsung is set to launch its next batch of foldable smartphones in just a couple of weeks, and tonight we’re getting our best look yet at the Galaxy Z Fold 4 in three colorways, including a stunning gold option.
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