Following reports last month, YouTube Premium Lite has just launched for $7.99/month in the US and promises to make “most” videos ad-free.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Premium Lite now rolling out, makes ‘most’ videos ad-free for $7.99/month
Author
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 Sameer Samat on Android 16’s early release and ‘doing more’ to show what’s new
Google is releasing Android 16 far earlier than its typical schedule and, apparently, things are going well. In an interview this week, Google’s President of the Android Ecosystem, Sameer Samat, confirmed that Android 16 is on track for a June release, and added that Google wants to do more to actually show what’s new in the update.
Expand Expanding CloseHands-on: The Tecno Spark Slim proves an ultra-thin phone could actually be good [Gallery]
I don’t understand the whole “ultra-thin” phone trend. It just seems… kind of dumb? And it sounds like 9to5 readers largely agree. But at MWC 2025, I was pleasantly surprised by the Tecno Spark Slim.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle TV Streamer not coming to certain regions, Chromecast may remain available
The launch of the Google TV Streamer last year brought with it the end of the Chromecast. But in some regions, the Google TV Streamer isn’t coming, and its predecessor may stick around.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung extends One UI 7 beta to Galaxy Z Fold 6, Flip 6, S23, and Tab S10
Samsung isn’t releasing One UI 7 to all Galaxy users just yet as the company has just announced an extended beta program that now includes the latest Galaxy foldables and more.
Expand Expanding CloseOnePlus Watch 2 won’t get a Wear OS 5 update for months, Watch 3 gets ‘3 years’ [U]
Following the (delayed) launch of the OnePlus Watch 3 which has Wear OS 5 pre-installed, OnePlus has confirmed a timeline for the same update for last year’s OnePlus Watch 2, and it’s not good news.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung will finally release Android 15 for Galaxy devices in April, nearly 6 months late
After countless delays, Samsung has finally set a release date for its Android 15 update, One UI 7.
Expand Expanding CloseHands-on: Nothing Phone (3a) series makes one of my favorite phones better, at a cost
The Nothing Phone (2a) was one of my favorite phones of 2024, so I’ve been rather excited to take a look at its sequel. Now, the Nothing Phone (3a) series is here, and after using the Phone (3a) Pro, I’m pretty happy, but I also have a concern.
Expand Expanding CloseXiaomi 15 series launches globally, and this ‘Liquid Silver’ finish is crazy [Gallery]
Following its debut in China last week, the Xiaomi 15 series has officially hit the global market with a starting price of €999.
Expand Expanding CloseThe adorable Androids of MWC 2025 [Gallery]
Every year at Mobile World Congress (MWC), Google hosts “Android Avenue” as a way to showcase new features in Android and its services, as well as to highlight partner devices. And in this showcase, I just love looking at the adorable Android figures scattered throughout.
Expand Expanding Close‘Pixel Sense’ surfaces with ‘predictive’ suggestions from Google apps for Pixel 10 [Gallery]
A new “Pixel Sense” experience reportedly coming to Pixel 10 has leaked, showing an early peek at the “predictive” suggestions that come from Google apps.
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Oppo says it will deliver monthly ‘AI updates’
At MWC 2025, Oppo has announced that it will now deliver “an average” of monthly AI updates to its users.
Expand Expanding CloseNothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro go official with telephoto cameras from $379
After it struck success with the Phone (2a) series, Nothing is back with more mid-range offerings. The Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro are built on the same formula, but with key upgrades including the missing telephoto cameras.
Expand Expanding CloseHere’s a closer look at Samsung’s Android XR headset and the Galaxy S25 Edge [Gallery]
Following the Galaxy S25 launch in January, Samsung also showed off the Galaxy S25 Edge and its “Project Moohan” Android XR headset in person for the first time. At MWC 2025, both devices are back, and this time we were able to get a lot closer to both.
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TCL NXTPAPER 11 Plus will cost €249, TCL 60 series gets fully detailed
After announcing its new devices at CES 2025 with virtually no key details, TCL is now fully launching the NXTPAPER 11 Plus and its new 60-series smartphones at MWC with pricing and more.
Expand Expanding CloseLenovo’s latest laptop concepts include solar panels and a lot of extra screens [Gallery]
At MWC 2025, Lenovo is showing off some concept devices that try new ideas, such as adding a foldable display to a laptop, additional screens that snap on, and even a new laptop with built-in solar panels.
Expand Expanding CloseMotorola and Lenovo’s Smart Connect app is expanding to all Android devices
Smart Connect is an app that allows users to pair their Windows machines to Motorola and Lenovo smartphones and tablets to provide integration between all of the devices and it has some clever features. Now, Smart Connect is expanding to all Android devices while also picking up some additional features.
Expand Expanding CloseHands-on: Honor Pad V9 is a €250 Android tablet that packs a punch
Alongside its “Alpha Plan,” Honor is launching its new Honor Pad V9 tablet at MWC 2025, which delivers a great device for its price point.
Expand Expanding CloseDo you actually want an ultra-thin smartphone?
The going trend for smartphones in 2025 seems to be cutting down on thickness. But, the more I think about it, the more I’m curious – who actually wants this?
Expand Expanding CloseHonor Watch 5 Ultra is a beautiful timepiece that should be running Wear OS
Honor’s new Watch 5 Ultra is a gorgeous piece of hardware, but various issues with the software just left me wanting to go back to Wear OS.
Expand Expanding CloseHonor commits to 7 years of Android OS updates as it unveils ‘Alpha Plan’ strategy
Honor is now supporting its flagship phones for 7 years of Android OS updates, while also unveiling its new “Alpha Plan” AI strategy at MWC 2025.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung finally expands One UI 7… by launching new Galaxy A-series phones
Amid continued delays for its One UI 7 update, Samsung is now launching three new phones that come with the update out of the box with the new Galaxy A26, A36, and A56.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle starts rolling out Android Auto 13.9 update days after the last one – what’s new
In an unexpected twist, Google has just started rolling out yet another Android Auto update in version 13.9, but don’t expect any major changes.
Expand Expanding CloseTecno Spark Slim wants to be the thinnest phone, and with a bigger battery than Galaxy S25 Ultra
It seems the trend of 2025 is going to be around slimmer smartphones, and Tecno wants to set the record with its new “Spark Slim” which, if it ships, could hold the title of “industry’s slimmest phone,” at least for a little while.
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