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
Honor has officially announced plans to launch the Honor 400 series later this month, and revealed the design of its new mid-range offering.
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Walmart has relisted its Onn 4K Plus streaming device powered by Google TV, with the compelling Chromecast replacement coming in at an enticing $30.
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After weeks of rumors and an apparent delay, Samsung has just announced a May 12 launch event for the Galaxy S25 Edge and has opened reservations for the device.
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YouTube is focusing on its TV experience more than ever, with a redesign on the horizon and a handful of new features that are starting to roll out. Here are a few new additions to look for.
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Following its announcement late last month, Motorola Razr (2025) series pre-orders are now officially open, and you can score a killer freebie at one retailer too.
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Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 is reportedly going to be thinner than expected, and a reliable leaker has chimed in with the likely measurement.
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Software attached to Samsung’s upcoming One UI 8 Watch update for Galaxy Watch has surfaced, revealing some new additions to the update, such as health features and Google Gemini.
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Nvidia hasn’t refreshed the Shield TV in over five years, but the company keeps software support going, with a new update now widely available with various bug fixes and newly added support for gaming at 120fps via GeForce Now.
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Amid some problems with HDR content, Roku is also clarifying how its “Pause Ads” work.
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One of Google’s latest pieces of merch is a Chrome Dino figure that rides on a YouTube-themed skateboard and holds a tiny little boombox.
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If you’re having trouble uploading new content to YouTube, you’re not alone, as Google has just confirmed an ongoing problem with uploads for both videos and Shorts.
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Just under two months after the previous update, another new Google TV Streamer is now rolling out with a new security patch and seemingly not much else.
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Samsung Wallet is adding a clever new “Tap to Transfer” feature that lets you quickly exchange money between friends, including using other mobile wallets or even a physical card.
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It’s pretty common for smartphones to have different versions of the same features, but it’s often ignored. In a new ad, though, Google is taking a chance to poke some fun at Apple’s iPhone 17 series reportedly copying the Pixel’s design by joking about how many Pixel features Apple has copied.
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Samsung’s Wear OS updates typically take on the naming scheme as the company’s Android updates, but the next Galaxy Watch update is apparently not going to be called “One UI 7 Watch.”
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Google has been slowly building out a “desktop mode” for Android for quite some time now and it appears nearly ready to launch with Android 16, and Samsung seems to be building on it with a redesign of DeX.
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Google is working on a new design language for Android 16, and a new leak showcases how the updated battery icons in the update will work.
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Samsung is rolling out what will be one of the final updates for its Galaxy Note 20 series in the final footnotes of the Galaxy Note’s legacy.
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New leaks show that Samsung is still refusing to put a bigger battery in its book-style Galaxy Z Fold 7, even though the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is rapidly catching up in capacity.
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A new update is rolling out to Google Calendar on Android which makes it easier to create events across separate Google accounts.
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After a lengthy wait, Motorola Razr+ (2024) owners are finally getting an Android 15 update.
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The AI hype train is in full swing, and it dominates the conversation around smartphones. I truly do think that AI can make smartphones better and more interesting, but there’s a right way to go about it… and a wrong way.
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Samsung has finally widely rolled out the long-delayed One UI 7 update, but some Galaxy S24 owners have noticed that battery life is considerably worse, and they don’t seem to be alone.
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The initial reboot of the Pebble smartwatch — Core 2 Duo – is still on track to ship in July and a new video both offers a first look at the device, while also revealing how much tariffs may end up costing you as a buyer.
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