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 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.
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is an undersung achievement in Samsung’s latest foldable portfolio, with the flip phone delivering the first significant hardware improvement in years. It’s arguably as big of an update as the Fold 7, but Samsung’s stubborn refusal to give in has left that upgrade with an annoying asterisk.
Samsung’s new Galaxy Watch 8 series brings a new design language, but also ditches one of the appealing parts of past generations by making a proprietary connector that works more like the attachments on Pixel Watch and Apple Watch.
Samsung is making a controversial change with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 by removing S Pen support from the foldable entirely, all in the pursuit of making a thinner and more durable device.
The foldable market as we know it today exists because of Samsung, but to say the company fumbled its lead is an understatement. The company’s foldables over the past few years have been stagnant, boring, and arguably insulting to customers amid rapidly improving competition in other parts of the world. But, finally, Samsung is giving in and acknowledging that it needed to catch up, and the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 are a tremendous showing of what the company is capable of when it actually hits the gas.
In its biggest hardware update since 2020’s Galaxy Z Fold 2, Samsung is launching the Galaxy Z Fold 7 today with a drastically thinner design, bigger displays, and a higher price too.
The Nothing Phone (3) is a device that was always going to come with mixed reactions. But after spending a week with it, I’m a pretty big fan. Why? Because, regardless of what the marketing says, it gets the fundamentals absolutely right,
Google’s new AI Mode is a built-in part of the Pixel Launcher’s search bar whether you like it or not, but the company appears to be building out a way to turn it off.
Samsung is preparing to launch a new update to the Galaxy Watch Ultra, but it’s barely different. So, with that in mind, Samsung’s Prime Day deal on the existing Galaxy Watch Ultra is pretty compelling, as the smartwatch is 50% off with no strings attached.
Google Maps is perhaps one of the most influential apps ever, with the service having been available for two decades now. But what if it had launch a bit earlier? A fun new design video imagines what Google Maps would have looked like on those old, iconic Nokia phones in the early 2000s.
OnePlus has two new products launching today, with its smaller 43mm version of the OnePlus Watch 3 now available widely, and we’re also getting a new pair of earbuds in the OnePlus Buds 4.
“Pro” smartphones always seem to draw the short straw when it comes to colors, but Google is apparently making matters worse on the upcoming Pixel 10 Pro series by restricting the only actual color variant to only supporting 256GB of storage, and interestingly still also starting with 128GB of storage.
Following an exposé late last year, PayPal’s popular Honey extension has slowly been dropping users. Now, Honey is down yet another million Chrome users.
It’s been clear for a while that Google is bringing Gemini to Wear OS, with the company even confirming as much earlier this year. But we’ve still been waiting for the first release, and it seems that’s coming with Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 series, as leaked materials show Gemini on the watch.
There aren’t many trackers for Android’s Find Hub network, but one of our favorites is the Moto Tag, which is why it’s frustrating that it’s been so hard to purchase for a while. Now, finally, you can easily buy a single Moto Tag with quick delivery via Amazon.
Nothing’s new Phone (3) is the company’s self-described first “true flagship,” a designation that, personally, I think is a mistake. But it also brings up the question, if the Nothing Phone (3) isn’t a “true flagship,” is Google’s Pixel?
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 7 looks to be a bigger surprise than initially expected, with the first hands-on leak confirming reports of a bigger cover display and thinner hardware, and it looks good.
We know a lot about the Galaxy Watch 8 series already, but a new leak is now baring all, with full specs and details around all three new smartwatches, including the higher prices.
Nothing mostly gets eyes for its smartphones at this point, but it’s audio that put this brand on the map. Over time, Nothing has built up a reputation for delivering excellent value in its audio products and rock solid sound quality at the same time. The Nothing Ear series blew away my expectations last year, so I was thrilled to hear the company was working on a pair of over-ear headphones. After hours of listening, though, I have mixed feelings about Nothing Headphone (1), as they don’t quite deliver the same charm as the earbuds.
Following a hands-on image leak earlier this week, an Amazon listing has surfaced with what seems to be a quick look at the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and its super-thin profile.
With its update coming next week, Google has now confirmed how much it will pay out towards a new phone for Pixel 6a owners who will be affected by an upcoming battery reduction.
Author
Ben Schoon
nexusbenBen 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
Connect with Ben Schoon
Galaxy Z Flip 7 is as big of an upgrade as the Fold, but it doesn’t matter without cover screen apps
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is an undersung achievement in Samsung’s latest foldable portfolio, with the flip phone delivering the first significant hardware improvement in years. It’s arguably as big of an update as the Fold 7, but Samsung’s stubborn refusal to give in has left that upgrade with an annoying asterisk.
Expand Expanding CloseThe Galaxy Watch 8 series ditches traditional watch band pins for an Apple-like connector
Samsung’s new Galaxy Watch 8 series brings a new design language, but also ditches one of the appealing parts of past generations by making a proprietary connector that works more like the attachments on Pixel Watch and Apple Watch.
Expand Expanding CloseThe Galaxy Z Fold 7 entirely removes S Pen support
Samsung is making a controversial change with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 by removing S Pen support from the foldable entirely, all in the pursuit of making a thinner and more durable device.
Expand Expanding CloseHands-on: The Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 are the result of Samsung actually trying
The foldable market as we know it today exists because of Samsung, but to say the company fumbled its lead is an understatement. The company’s foldables over the past few years have been stagnant, boring, and arguably insulting to customers amid rapidly improving competition in other parts of the world. But, finally, Samsung is giving in and acknowledging that it needed to catch up, and the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 are a tremendous showing of what the company is capable of when it actually hits the gas.
Expand Expanding CloseGalaxy Z Fold 7 goes official with drastically thinner design, but a $2,000 price tag
In its biggest hardware update since 2020’s Galaxy Z Fold 2, Samsung is launching the Galaxy Z Fold 7 today with a drastically thinner design, bigger displays, and a higher price too.
Expand Expanding CloseGarmin smartwatches now have an official Google Maps app
Available now, select Garmin smartwatches are picking up an official Google Maps app that, of course, is free to download.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out fix for slow Pixel lockscreen bug on Android 16 [U]
If you’ve updated to Android 16 and noticed that your Google Pixel device is slower to wake up or get past the lockscreen, you’re not alone.
Expand Expanding CloseNothing Phone (3) impressions: A week with the software, cameras, and battery life
The Nothing Phone (3) is a device that was always going to come with mixed reactions. But after spending a week with it, I’m a pretty big fan. Why? Because, regardless of what the marketing says, it gets the fundamentals absolutely right,
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle prepares option to turn off Pixel Launcher search bar’s AI Mode shortcut
Google’s new AI Mode is a built-in part of the Pixel Launcher’s search bar whether you like it or not, but the company appears to be building out a way to turn it off.
Expand Expanding CloseGalaxy Watch Ultra is 50% off as its barely-different sequel nears
Samsung is preparing to launch a new update to the Galaxy Watch Ultra, but it’s barely different. So, with that in mind, Samsung’s Prime Day deal on the existing Galaxy Watch Ultra is pretty compelling, as the smartwatch is 50% off with no strings attached.
Expand Expanding CloseThis fun video imagines what Google Maps would have looked like on iconic older Nokia phones
Google Maps is perhaps one of the most influential apps ever, with the service having been available for two decades now. But what if it had launch a bit earlier? A fun new design video imagines what Google Maps would have looked like on those old, iconic Nokia phones in the early 2000s.
Expand Expanding CloseOnePlus Watch 3 (43mm) launches today for $299 alongside $129 Buds 4
OnePlus has two new products launching today, with its smaller 43mm version of the OnePlus Watch 3 now available widely, and we’re also getting a new pair of earbuds in the OnePlus Buds 4.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 10 Pro reportedly still starts at 128GB storage as new color names surface
“Pro” smartphones always seem to draw the short straw when it comes to colors, but Google is apparently making matters worse on the upcoming Pixel 10 Pro series by restricting the only actual color variant to only supporting 256GB of storage, and interestingly still also starting with 128GB of storage.
Expand Expanding CloseLenovo Legion Tab is now $429, lowest price yet as competition looms
Lenovo has just dropped its Legion Tab gaming tablet to its lowest price to date as new competition for small but powerful Android tablets nears.
Expand Expanding CloseHoney just lost a million more Chrome users
Following an exposé late last year, PayPal’s popular Honey extension has slowly been dropping users. Now, Honey is down yet another million Chrome users.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini for Wear OS appears to be launching on the Galaxy Watch 8 series
It’s been clear for a while that Google is bringing Gemini to Wear OS, with the company even confirming as much earlier this year. But we’ve still been waiting for the first release, and it seems that’s coming with Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 series, as leaked materials show Gemini on the watch.
Expand Expanding CloseYou can now easily buy just one Moto Tag, the only Find Hub tracker with UWB
There aren’t many trackers for Android’s Find Hub network, but one of our favorites is the Moto Tag, which is why it’s frustrating that it’s been so hard to purchase for a while. Now, finally, you can easily buy a single Moto Tag with quick delivery via Amazon.
Expand Expanding CloseIf Nothing Phone (3) isn’t a ‘true flagship,’ is Google Pixel?
Nothing’s new Phone (3) is the company’s self-described first “true flagship,” a designation that, personally, I think is a mistake. But it also brings up the question, if the Nothing Phone (3) isn’t a “true flagship,” is Google’s Pixel?
Expand Expanding CloseFirst hands-on Galaxy Z Flip 7 leak shows off the display, improved hardware [Gallery]
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 7 looks to be a bigger surprise than initially expected, with the first hands-on leak confirming reports of a bigger cover display and thinner hardware, and it looks good.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid Auto gets redesigned Spotify app with ‘Jam’ support & more [Gallery]
Rolling out with the latest update, Spotify is getting a redesign on Android Auto and also adding support for “Jam” on the car’s display.
Expand Expanding CloseGalaxy Watch 8 leak details full specs, included bands, and higher prices
We know a lot about the Galaxy Watch 8 series already, but a new leak is now baring all, with full specs and details around all three new smartwatches, including the higher prices.
Expand Expanding CloseNothing Headphone (1) Review: A stellar value, but not the sound I was expecting
Nothing mostly gets eyes for its smartphones at this point, but it’s audio that put this brand on the map. Over time, Nothing has built up a reputation for delivering excellent value in its audio products and rock solid sound quality at the same time. The Nothing Ear series blew away my expectations last year, so I was thrilled to hear the company was working on a pair of over-ear headphones. After hours of listening, though, I have mixed feelings about Nothing Headphone (1), as they don’t quite deliver the same charm as the earbuds.
Expand Expanding CloseThis hands-on video shows the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s thin profile while closed [Gallery]
Following a hands-on image leak earlier this week, an Amazon listing has surfaced with what seems to be a quick look at the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and its super-thin profile.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle will give Pixel 6a owners up to $150 towards a new phone amid battery reduction
With its update coming next week, Google has now confirmed how much it will pay out towards a new phone for Pixel 6a owners who will be affected by an upcoming battery reduction.
Expand Expanding Close