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
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.
Expand Expanding Close
A new update is rolling out to Google Calendar on Android which makes it easier to create events across separate Google accounts.
Expand Expanding Close
After a lengthy wait, Motorola Razr+ (2024) owners are finally getting an Android 15 update.
Expand Expanding Close
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.
Expand Expanding Close
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.
Expand Expanding Close
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.
Expand Expanding Close
After a false start, Samsung is opening the floodgates to its One UI 7 update in the United States, with the update now widely available for a ton of different devices, including some older Galaxy generations.
Expand Expanding Close
Seemingly back on track with its original plan, a new report claims that Samsung will equip the Galaxy Z Flip 7 with its in-house Exynos 2500 chipset, while using a Snapdragon chip in the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
Expand Expanding Close
Samsung is opening up enrollment to its Care+ protection program for select Galaxy devices, even if you purchased the device months ago, opening the door to free screen repairs and more.
Expand Expanding Close
One of the features Google has quietly been working on for Android Auto is a light theme, but we haven’t seen it in years. As it turns out, things have progressed, with a new peek at the design showing pretty drastic updates.
Expand Expanding Close
Google is working on a bigger redesign for Android 16 than we’ve seen in beta releases, and a new leak shows off some of the animation tweaks coming to the updated release.
Expand Expanding Close
Samsung is just a couple of weeks away from the launch of its super-slim Galaxy S25 Edge and we already know most of what there is to know, but now a new leak bares all with a full rundown of the Galaxy S25 Edge.
Expand Expanding Close
Samsung’s flagship series has been in a rough state for a few years, but the company is apparently off to a great start with the Galaxy S25 series, seeing a 40% bump over the Galaxy S24’s numbers so far.
Expand Expanding Close
According to a reliable leaker, one Android brand is working on a new gaming tablet that has a compact 9-inch display, but the OLED panel we’ve all been waiting for.
Expand Expanding Close
An ongoing issue in the Google Home app is repeatedly prompting some users to “Set up new Nest Cam features for Nest Hub Max,” despite not actually doing anything.
Expand Expanding Close
As a part of its Q1 2025 earnings call, Samsung is teasing potentially big changes for Galaxy Watch while also hinting at new earbuds, foldable improvements, Galaxy Tab S11, and more.
Expand Expanding Close
Samsung is taking advantage of its April 2025 security update to also deliver One UI 7 to some Galaxy devices.
Expand Expanding Close
Google is running a new test on YouTube that will see the thumbnails for videos containing “mature content” blurred out.
Expand Expanding Close
The latest numbers are in, and Samsung’s lead in the global smartphone market keeps shrinking, with just a few million smartphones and 1% separating Apple from the top spot.
Expand Expanding Close
In its latest quarterly revenue announcement, Samsung is teasing the upcoming Galaxy S25 Edge launch while touting “strong” sales of the Galaxy S25 series.
Expand Expanding Close
ADT is announcing two new updates to its Google Nest-integrated ADT+ security system including a new door lock that supports your fingerprint, as well as an overdue app redesign.
Expand Expanding Close
A shortcoming of Pixel displays thus far may be addressed going forward, as Google is teasing better PWM dimming rates in the future, likely starting with the upcoming Pixel 10.
Expand Expanding Close
The more compact and rather enticing OnePlus 13T turned heads on its recent announcement, but OnePlus has just confirmed that the device won’t be launching in the United States or Europe.
Expand Expanding Close
An April 2025 update is rolling out more widely to Samsung’s Wear OS-based Galaxy Watch models, with the update now available through four different generations of hardware.
Expand Expanding Close