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
Despite never being a major player, Sony has continued producing its Xperia smartphone lineup for years now, but the company has reportedly decided to stop manufacturing those devices for itself.
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When you think of phone cases, you probably think of something that covers up your entire device. That’s not what “Arc” does, though, with a special case that leaves most of the device exposed and focuses protection on the most crucial areas. Starting today, Arc cases are available for the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and you can also get them for the Pixel 9 series too.
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Google has announced that Lens is coming to YouTube Shorts, starting with a beta that’s going live now.
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An iconic part of Nothing’s smartphones to date has been the Glyph Interface, otherwise known as the lights on the back of the device. Ahead of the Nothing Phone (3) debut, though, the company says that is has “killed the Glyph Interface.”
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Well, here we are again. According to new firmware, reports regarding Samsung’s use of Snapdragon chips for the US variant of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 may be incorrect.
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Google Pixel still pales in comparison to other brands on the global smartphone stage, but these devices are slowly gaining ground in the market. In the latest example, Google Pixel is said to be growing in Canada, and appears to be the country’s third-largest phone brand.
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The best-selling phones of 2025 so far have been revealed and while Android is holding its place, Samsung is falling behind.
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Google TV seems like it is finally preparing to support the sleep timer that it has lacked for far too long, while the mobile app is readying Material 3 Expressive elements.
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If your Pixel’s battery doesn’t seem to last as long following the May 2025 update from Google, you’re not alone.
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One of the things missing in the first Android 16 QPR1 beta that was seen in leaked builds prior was a split between the notification tray and the Quick Settings panel. That’s still happening, but it will also be optional as a new leak shows.
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Samsung’s One UI 8 update brings support for a new split screen mode that makes it easy to switch between apps, and it serves as a first preview of what’s coming to Android 16.
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After launching earlier this month and going in and out of availability, Walmart’s Onn 4K Plus is once again available for purchase at just under $30, if you’re lucky that is.
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Samsung just released its very first One UI 8 update in beta, and while it’s not as big of an update as One UI 7 was, the Android 16-based experience does have a few key changes. Here’s the full changelog, and everything new.
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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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