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 has just launched its One UI 8 beta program and, alongside doing that, confirmed the launch window for its upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7, while hinting they’ll be the first devices to launch with Android 16.
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After weeks of rumors, Samsung has just released the first One UI 8 beta, based on Android 16, for the Galaxy S25 series in select regions.
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Android is the dominant smartphone platform in Europe, but most brands are off to a “shaky start” in 2025, with only two names leading the pack in growth – Google Pixel and Honor.
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TCL has just launched its latest Google TV set in the high-end QM8K series, with the QD-Mini LED TV packing software upgrades as well as huge display updates and a neat new trick with the speakers.
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In a new interview, Nothing’s Carl Pei lays out his vision for the future of smartphones, and it’s a future where you don’t use apps anymore, instead relying on the OS and AI to get things done.
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While Samsung is apparently planning to use its Exynos chips in the Galaxy Z Flip 7 for the first time, the company will still use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite in the US version of the foldable.
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As previously announced, OnePlus will be replacing its iconic Alert Slider, with the new “Plus Key” officially coming to “all” of the brand’s new smartphones going forward alongside a major push into AI features.
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Google will soon make it possible for video apps on Android Automotive to switch between video and audio modes when the car is in motion, right as Google plans to bring video apps to Android Auto.
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According to a new report, Google has locked in production of its Tensor chipsets for Pixel phones through at least the Pixel 14 generation over the “next 3 to 5 years.”
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Upcoming smartphone tariffs first aimed at Apple, and since confirmed to apply to other brands, will apparently result in a huge 30-40% price hike on Samsung Galaxy smartphones.
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Google I/O’s big focus was, obviously, on AI, but Android 16 was also a big part of the event thanks to the release of the first QPR1 beta with the Material 3 Expressive redesign. What do you think of it so far?
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With the help of changes in Android Auto, Spotify is getting a brand new app for the platform that includes support for its “Jam” feature.
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Android Auto is set to pick up a few updates in the coming months, and Google has just teased another one with some changes to how media apps can look and work.
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President Trump has confirmed that the 25% tariff mentioned for iPhone earlier today will also apply to Samsung and “anybody” making smartphones outside of the United States.
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Samsung’s first beta for One UI 8, based on Android 16, is right around the corner, and it really seems like it could live at any moment as the company is detailing a new sign-up process.
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First launched earlier this year as a rare small, but powerful Android tablet, the Lenovo Legion Tab has now dropped to $450.
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In late 2024, the popular Chrome extension Honey was exposed for shady tactics including simply not doing what it was promised to do, with uninstalls following suit and Honey now dropping down to 15 million users from a peak of over 20 million.
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As its rollout continues, Samsung has just posted an updated One UI 7 schedule for Galaxy devices, with many more updates coming in June.
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AAWireless makes it easy to add wireless Android Auto to your car, and now AAWireless TWO+ is getting its first release with support for both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
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Honor’s latest mid-range series has arrived with the Honor 400 and Honor 400 Pro bringing, you guessed it, a ton of AI starting at €499.
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The AI takeover of Search is in full swing, especially as Google’s new AI Mode is going live for all US users. But for publishers, this continues the existential crisis around how Google Search is changing, with a new statement calling AI Mode “the definition of theft” while legal documents reveal that Google did consider opt out controls that ultimately weren’t implemented.
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It’s no secret that Samsung is going to launch its Android 16 update in the very near future – despite having just released its Android 15 update – and now the company’s own website is showing that the beta is right around the corner.
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In development for years now, Google’s light theme for Android Auto appears to be right around the corner, and the company has just shown it off for the first time.
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Google is partnering with Oppo to support app integration between Oppo’s apps and Gemini.
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