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
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series is looking all but confirmed for a February 25 launch event, while new leaks reveal official-looking images and alleged specs for the trio.
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Google has updated Android’s distribution numbers again, this time revealing that Android 16 is already on 7.5% of devices, with the numbers having shuffled considerably since the previous update.
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Samsung has upgraded its Care+ insurance program in Europe, with Galaxy devices now eligible for “unlimited accidental damage” repairs.
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Google TV is testing out new “Free” and “Shop” tabs for the homescreen, with both tabs showcasing additional content in a slightly new way.
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Google’s mostly-forgotten Pixel Tablet is getting a new lease on life, as the company is giving its one and only tablet another two years of Android OS updates to match the policy on its phones.
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Over the past week, Google has settled two class action lawsuits over Android privacy, one regarding data usage and the other around Assistant, despite the company denying any wrongdoing.
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Ahead of Google’s apparently-imminent Pixel 10a launch, the Pixel Buds 2a have surfaced in some new colors including the “Berry” expected to launch on the phone as well.
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Samsung announced earlier this week that the Galaxy Z TriFold would be available for purchase in the United States on January 30, but we noticed today that Samsung’s website briefly let you buy the device a little early and, while it’s now sold out, it revealed a few details including a lack of trade-in options.
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In the same video where Nothing confirmed that there’s no “flagship” coming in 2026, we’re also getting a teaser for Nothing Phone (4a) which hints at a major revamp to the budget series, and more.
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Nothing has confirmed it will continue on its sporadic flagship release schedule with no sequel to last year’s polarizing Phone (3) coming in 2026.
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The Galaxy S26 series may or may not have magnets, but it’s getting harder to tell, and new case leaks aren’t really helping lift the curtain on this mystery.
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While they’re often not the one you think of first, Snapchat has pushing for smart glasses for quite some time now, and the company has just announced that its new “Specs Inc” subsidiary is pushing for smart glasses even harder.
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We’re probably less than two months away from the launch of Nothing Phone (4a) series, with the Pro model having now surfaced through regulatory bodies.
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Oppo has just launched its new Reno 15 series in Europe and, after spending some time with them in person, these are exactly the phone I wish we’d get in the US.
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The Android world is bracing for the debut of the first foldable from Apple, expected to be the “iPhone Fold.” With Apple using a different form factor, though, it seems everyone wants to chase that, now including Honor.
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According to a new report, Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Buds 4 series will carry the same price tag despite major design changes.
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As a part of its “Mid-Winter Blowout” sale, US Mobile is selling the Google Pixel 10 for just $299 if you buy a year of service, and just $399 even if you don’t!
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A new report forecasts the smartphone chipset market through 2026, and claims that Google’s efforts in building Tensor for Pixel phones will help the brand weather the coming tough year.
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It’s no secret that the Galaxy S26 series is rumored to add Qi2 magnets to the device itself, but if there was any remaining doubt, a new leak showing off Samsung’s Qi2 25W wireless charging puck should make it abundantly clear – it’s happening. Or is it?
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As our phones become more and more important, storage does too, which is why the base storage tier on flagship phones has been moving up over the years. With the upcoming Galaxy S26, Samsung is reportedly finally moving away from a 128GB starting point, something we wish Google would do too.
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After years of absence, Oppo has finally returned to Germany with several of its latest smartphones, including the Find X9 series, now available for purchase.
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Samsung is teasing the Galaxy S26’s new “Privacy display” feature in a series of new videos that showcase how the feature will keep your screen private from nearby onlookers.
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Google’s official Pixel Watch bands are pricey, but you can occasionally find good deals floating around from third-party retailers. Right now, Amazon has some strangely significant discounts on a lot of Google’s official Pixel Watch bands.
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Nothing is pushing further into brick-and-mortar retail, with the company set to open its first physical store in India next month and plans to open further locations in New York City and Tokyo in the future.
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