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
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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Ahead of its upcoming launch, another set of wallpapers allegedly coming with the Pixel 9a have surfaced, this time with some more colors.
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Over 20 years after its debut, Microsoft is pulling the plug on Skype, the first big video calling app.
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In a new post today, Samsung has shown off some new features coming to the Galaxy Buds 3 series with One UI 7, while completely ignoring the million questions surrounding the rollout of One UI 7.
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In an update provided via its Issue Tracker, Google says that problems with the Now Playing feature on Pixel devices is “fixed” with an update forthcoming.
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Waze is rolling out a new update on Android and iOS which brings support for showing your navigation map and other details via the heads-up display (instrument cluster) in some vehicles.
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While there are still no details on Samsung’s One UI 7 rollout, the company continues on with its monthly update schedule, with the February 2025 update now available for select Galaxy devices.
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In its latest teaser, Nothing is showing off the design and camera of its standard Nothing Phone (3a) while more leaks detail an upcoming software feature.
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According to new reports, Samsung will be launching its thinner Galaxy S25 Edge on April 16.
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Google is making a welcome tweak to Chrome for Android which will add a dedicated “Appearance” section that makes it easier to find two key settings.
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Amazon just unveiled its new “Alexa+” upgrade for its long-running voice assistant which brings AI upgrades and a $20 price tag, but you don’t have to pay that if you have Prime, which is a much bigger, yet cheaper service.
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Amazon just announced its AI-powered update for Alexa, which delivers a host of new features and capabilties including the ability to read and remember your documents among many other things.
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Samsung’s next foldable flip phone, the Galaxy Z Flip 7, isn’t getting a thinner design like its book-style brethren, as a new leak reveals that the Flip 7 will be a slightly bigger, thick-as-ever iteration of the last model.
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Samsung finally seems to be nearing its rollout for One UI 7 on Galaxy smartphones and tablets, with a new alleged rollout schedule hitting the web this week to offer insight into a list of Galaxy devices set to get the update, as well as a timeline that starts in April.
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Following prior leaks of the device earlier this month, a new set of Motorola Razr+ (2025) images show the foldable in a new colorway, as well as revealing that it has an extra button.
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The Google Pixel Watch series has delivered increasingly better hardware every year, but even the first generation is still supported and, now, you can get one for as little as $90 – but should you?
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Adobe has just announced new Photoshop apps for the web and for iPhone, and it will also be coming to Android “soon.”
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Honor is teasing new AI tools and other features to be unveiled at MWC 2025, including some new cross-device connectivity features that work with iOS.
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Following the debut of its sequel, AAWireless was removed from sale earlier this year, but has now returned amid stock issues for the new model.
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The Nothing Phone (1) is getting a notable new update, as the company brings Google’s Circle to Search to the device alongside other tweaks.
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After launching for iPhone in 2024, the Clicks keyboard case is coming to Android, with support for Pixel 9, the Galaxy S25, and the Motorola Razr+.
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Ahead of a fast-approaching launch, Google’s Pixel 9a keeps on leaking, with the latest report including prices for the mid-range device in Europe and the UK.
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Following a revamp of its Android app last year, Beeper is now bringing updated apps to both desktop platforms and iOS in beta to match the updated design and functionality.
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A frustrating bug in Google Maps for CarPlay has left users without the typical route preview before starting turn-by-turn navigation – thankfully, it’s been fixed.
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