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 Pixel 9a is coming out soon, and a new leak has officially detailed virtually everything about the device with a details rundown of the specs, pricing, and high-res pictures of all four colors.
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In the lead-up to its next launch, Nothing continues to tease the Phone (3a) series, this time revealing the camera specs and teasing the wild design of the rear camera module.
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The OnePlus Watch 3 is official and supports ECG, one of the features missing from the first generation. However, you won’t be able to use it if you’re located in the United States or Canada.
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Following a successful reboot of its smartwatch last year, the OnePlus Watch 3 has now arrived with some key upgrades, including even longer battery life, Wear OS 5, and more, all for $329.
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Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 is likely going to be a considerable upgrade, but a new report reveals that the battery size won’t change… again.
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According to a new report, Spotify’s upgraded audio quality tier may be called “Music Pro” and come with other perks for an extra $6 per month.
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OnePlus is reportedly working on a smaller smartphone for its lineup and, apparently, the “Mini” is going to have a massive battery for its size.
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One of the best features of Google Pixel smartphones is “Now Playing,” an ambient way of tracking music that’s playing in your vicinity without having to open an app or ask a digital assistant. But, as of late, the feature doesn’t seem to be working as well as it used to.
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After releasing the most highly-praised foldable in recent memory back in 2023, OnePlus says it still won’t release an “Open 2” in 2025, and the brand’s reasoning for the delay doesn’t seem to make much sense.
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Earlier this week YouTube TV warned subscribers that the service could lose major channels including CBS, but a new deal with Paramount will prevent the loss of any channels.
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In the latest update to its channel library, Google TV Freeplay has removed a handful of channels while also added two more back. Here’s what you need to know.
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Google’s “Earthquake Alerts System” on Android sent out a false alarm last night in Brazil, leading to the system being temporarily disabled.
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The Alert Slider has been an iconic part of OnePlus smartphones for a while now, but it seems it may be going away if a new rumor is to be believed.
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Following a very brief ban in the United States, TikTok is once again available for download on Android via the Google Play Store.
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Samsung’s Android 15 update has been a bit of a mess, with countless delays, shrunken beta programs, and still no word from the company on when the full release may come. Now, Samsung is reportedly pushing things back yet again, delaying its Android 15 update for more Galaxy phones through April 2025.
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A new option in Android 16 Beta 2 allows users to easily change system measurement units, temperature units, and more “Regional preferences.”
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Amid backlash for updating its maps to show “Gulf of America” in place of “Gulf of Mexico,” Google Maps has started to both block new reviews of the location, as well as deleting recent negative reviews.
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The Nothing Phone (3a) series is set to be unveiled next month and, ahead of its launch, Nothing has confirmed a switch to Snapdragon processors.
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As Oppo gears up to release the Find N5 next week, OnePlus has just confirmed that it will not release a new “Open 2” foldable in 2025.
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Samsung’s February 2025 update has reached the Galaxy S25 series, bringing with it new camera fixes and much more.
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Last year’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold proved to be the most impressive generational upgrade we’ve seen in foldables to date, but it certainly wasn’t the “end” of pushing the envelope. Just a few months later, Oppo is now gearing up to launch the Find N5 as the “world’s thinnest” foldable and, after getting my hands on it, I can’t help but drawn comparisons to the Pixel.
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Google Maps introduced its revamped incident reports last year and appears to be expanding support with new weather-related incidents showing up for some users in the mobile app and on Android Auto too.
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A new update to the Waze app on Apple CarPlay is making it much easier to navigate home or to work with just the press of a single button.
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If you’re struggling to watch certain channels on YouTube TV, you’re not alone, as the service has just confirmed an outage affecting a handful of channels.
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