Nearly 18 months after the FBI warned Americans about the security risks of texting between iPhones and Android devices, Apple has introduced end-to-end encrypted cross-platform messaging through iOS 26.5, according to Forbes.
The update enables encrypted RCS messaging between iPhone and Android users for the first time – though Apple has noted that the feature “is not available to all.” Availability depends on both device compatibility and carrier support, meaning some users may not gain immediate access to secure RCS messaging even after installing the update.
The carrier dependency is a key distinction from platforms like WhatsApp, where end-to-end encryption is always active because the app controls both sides of any conversation. Apple’s and Google’s implementation of encrypted RCS, by contrast, relies on carrier infrastructure – which introduces variability depending on the networks connected to both devices at any given moment.
For context, Apple’s iMessage has long offered fully encrypted communication between Apple devices, identifiable by the familiar blue chat bubbles. Messages sent outside that ecosystem — the green bubble conversations – fall back on SMS or RCS protocols. With Google Messages, encrypted RCS has been available when all participants are using updated versions of the app, though users need to verify whether encryption is actually active in any given chat.
Encryped RCS messaging to follow
In its release notes ahead of the update, Apple stated that “end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging (beta) in Messages is available with supported carriers and will roll out over time,” adding that a list of supported carriers would be published on its messaging support page.
Given the carrier dependency, Apple and Android users looking for consistent, reliable encryption may still find services like WhatsApp or Signal more dependable, or simply stay within their respective ecosystems where encryption is guaranteed.
Industry observers had anticipated iOS 26.5 would arrive this week, bringing encrypted RCS alongside broader improvements to performance, battery life, and system stability. German technology outlet Born City reported that Apple’s upcoming iOS updates are partly a response to longstanding criticism of the closed iMessage ecosystem, growing demand for AI features, and rising regulatory pressure. India-based publication Eastern Herald framed the RCS rollout as part of a wider industry effort to reconcile privacy with cross-platform interoperability.
Apple officially launched the encrypted RCS feature in beta on May 11, describing it as a joint initiative with Google aimed at making RCS – the modern successor to SMS – more secure across platforms.
“Starting today,” Apple said, “end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging begins rolling out in beta for iPhone users running iOS 26.5 with supported carriers and Android users on the latest version of Google Messages.”
Users on supported carriers will see a lock icon appear in RCS conversations when encryption is active. Apple confirmed that encryption is enabled by default and will gradually extend to both new and existing RCS conversations over time.
The move represents one of the most significant shifts in text messaging in decades, potentially closing much of the gap between standard cross-platform texting and the kind of security that encrypted messaging apps have offered for years. Analysts, however, point out that it remains to be seen how quickly carriers around the world will adopt the protocol, and whether the change will meaningfully challenge WhatsApp’s grip in markets where it dominates.
What’s clear is that the rollout directly addresses the U.S. government’s earlier concerns about unencrypted cross-platform communication – and delivers what many users have been waiting a long time for.
GrapheneOS has published a lengthy thread on X accusing Google and Apple of gradually making the internet and mobile apps more dependent on their own platforms, devices, and software ecosystems.
The project argues that tools like Google’s Play Integrity API and Apple’s App Attest are being marketed as security features when, in practice, they make it significantly harder for users to choose alternative operating systems. A growing number of apps and websites now check whether a user is running a trusted device and approved software before granting access. According to GrapheneOS, this trajectory could hand Google and Apple near-total control over which devices function properly online.
“Over the long term, this will increasingly lock out hardware and OS competition,” GrapheneOS wrote in the thread.
Much of the criticism is directed at Google’s Play Integrity API, which Android apps use to verify whether a device is genuine, running certified software, and considered secure. Banking apps commonly rely on these checks to block rooted phones or devices running modified versions of Android. GrapheneOS argues that the same system also shuts out legitimate alternatives – including its own OS.
“Google’s Play Integrity API bans using GrapheneOS despite it being far more secure than anything they permit,” the post states.
“The purpose of these systems is disallowing people from using hardware and software not approved by Apple or Google,” GrapheneOS added. “This is wrongly presented as being a security feature.”
reCAPTCHA concerns
The thread also raises concerns about reCAPTCHA, Google’s widely deployed CAPTCHA system. GrapheneOS points out that Google’s verification systems require users to confirm their identity using a certified Android or iOS device. In some cases, that means scanning a QR code with a phone just to prove you’re a real person before accessing a site or service. GrapheneOS warns this dynamic could eventually extend to desktop platforms like Windows and Linux as well.
“Control over reCAPTCHA puts Google in a position where they can require having either iOS or a certified Android device to use an enormous amount of the web,” the platform wrote.
GrapheneOS also highlights that governments and financial institutions are increasingly adopting these same verification systems for payments, digital ID apps, and age verification services – deepening the entrenchment of Apple and Google’s gatekeeping role.
“Instead of governments stopping Apple and Google from engaging in egregiously anti-competitive behavior, they’re directly participating in locking out competition via their own services,” GrapheneOS said.
Neither Google nor Apple has publicly responded to the issues raised in the thread.
Huawei has officially launched the Watch Fit 5 Pro in its home market, and the sports wearable arrives with a set of upgrades that put it in a different league from most competitors. Four features in particular stand out — all of them still absent from Apple and Samsung’s current smartwatch lineup.
Huawei has been pulling ahead of both brands in wearable battery life and health tracking for some time now. The Watch Fit 5 Pro shows exactly how the company continues to push that gap wider year after year.
1. A Smarter Strap Design
Most smartwatches treat the strap as an afterthought, but the Watch Fit 5 Pro offers a Breathable Braided Strap option built specifically for active use. The AirDry strap material repels water and wicks sweat more effectively, keeping the wrist comfortable during workouts, hot weather, or humid conditions. It’s a practical detail that most rivals still overlook.
2. Micro-Motion Guidance
The Watch Fit 5 Pro introduces a Micro-Motion feature that detects when the wearer has held the same posture for too long and prompts them to move. The guided movements target 10 body areas — including the head, neck, shoulders, and back – across 30 total movement sets. A panda companion character adds a lighthearted touch, offering visual guidance, mood-responsive expressions, and gentle nudges to build better movement habits throughout the day.
3. New TruSense Health System
Huawei has built the latest-generation TruSense system into the Watch Fit 5 Pro, designed to track vital signs like heart rate, blood oxygen, mood, and sleep with greater accuracy and speed. The system reads subtle physical changes to produce more complete and reliable health data. Sleep tracking runs on the TruSleep 5.0 algorithm, which evaluates rest across two dimensions – sleep structure and sleep stability – for a more thorough picture of sleep quality.
4. Battery That Lasts Longer
The Watch Fit 5 Pro uses a high-silicon battery material that bumps energy density up by 14% and total capacity by 18% compared to previous iterations. Full charging takes just 60 minutes. In real-world terms, the watch delivers 10 days of use in normal mode, 7 days under typical use conditions, and 4 days with the Always-On Display active — numbers that Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch still struggle to match.
It rarely makes sense to pay full price for Google’s flagship Pixel Watch 4, since the smartwatch goes on sale often. This is one of those moments. It is not at its lowest-ever price, but the Pixel Watch 4 is currently $40 below its MSRP, and buyers can choose from several band color options, including Lemongrass, Iris, Obsidian, and Porcelain.
Google Pixel Watch 4 (41mm, Wi-Fi) is 11% Off
The Google Pixel Watch 4 (41mm, Wi-Fi) is currently discounted to $309.99 at Amazon, which works out to 11% off and a $40 savings. Price tracking on CamelCamelCamel shows that this is still above the all-time low, as the wearable dropped to $289.99 during much of March and early April. It remains to be seen whether it will fall back to that level again.
Even so, this is still a strong offer. The Pixel Watch 4 features a 1.4-inch Actua 360 AMOLED display with a 456×456 resolution and 3,000 nits of brightness, all protected by Gorilla Glass 5. Inside, it runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragaon W5 Gen 2 (4nm) processor, paired with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of built-in storage. Google says the watch can last up to 30 hours with the always-on display enabled, or up to 48 hours when Battery Saver mode is turned on.
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 (46mm, Wi-Fi) is also discounted, with Amazon listing it at $369.99, or 26% off, for a much larger savings compared with its regular price. This model is also above its all-time low, though only slightly; it briefly reached $349.99 a couple of times since last December.
The Galaxy Watch 8 is thinner, lighter, and brighter than the previous generation. It also introduces a new cushion shape and Dynamic Lug bands, along with a larger battery — 325mAh versus 300mAh — that delivers up to 30 hours of battery life. Google Gemini support is included as well.
Let me be clear: the iPhone 17e is a genuinely good phone. MagSafe, 256GB storage as standard, and deep integration with the Apple ecosystem — it’s everything last year’s iPhone 16e should have been, and it makes total sense if your family, your friends, and your life are already Apple-shaped.
But I review phones for a living. I’m also, for better or worse, an Apple obsessive. And after a week with the OnePlus 15R, I’d be doing you a disservice if I didn’t tell you what your money can actually buy right now.
The OnePlus 15R makes the battery debate embarrassing
The OnePlus 15R costs $699. It has a 7,400mAh battery. I’ve been getting two full days of use before reaching for a charger.
OnePlus 15R
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, plus a custom Wi-Fi chip and dedicated Touch Response chip, you get lightning-fast speeds, stable connections, and ultra-responsive touch control.
I’ve spent years automatically toggling Low Power Mode on my iPhone 16 during heavy days — it’s just become muscle memory. Using the OnePlus 15R reminded me that this is not a universal smartphone experience. It’s an Apple-specific compromise I’d stopped questioning.
Battery life aside, the OnePlus 15R earns its price in other ways: a 165Hz display, a 6.83-inch screen, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset, and OxygenOS that’s as clean and intuitive as Android gets. Side-by-side multitasking, heavy app switching, gaming — no hesitation, no hiccups. Oh, and the Mint Green colorway is so good I refuse to put a case on it. With IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K certifications, it doesn’t need one anyway.
It’s not just OnePlus
The OnePlus 15R is the most dramatic example, but it’s not alone.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE surprised me. Built on the same Exynos 2400 chipset that powered the once-flagship Galaxy S24, it delivered a full day’s battery without concern and a 6.7-inch display vivid enough to make Netflix feel like an event. Not a compromise phone — a capable one.
Then there’s the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro, which I tested before launch and came away genuinely impressed. Its design makes most flagship phones look conservative, and Nothing’s OS is as considered as its hardware. It has a triple-camera array including a 3x telephoto lens. It costs $100 less than the iPhone 17e, which ships with a single rear camera.
Let that sit for a moment.
The honest truth
If you’re standing at the crossroads of a mid-range upgrade and you haven’t looked at what Android offers in 2026 – you’re making a decision without the full picture.
The iPhone 17e is a great iPhone. Whether it’s a great phone for the money is a different question entirely.
OnePlus 15R
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, plus a custom Wi-Fi chip and dedicated Touch Response chip, you get lightning-fast speeds, stable connections, and ultra-responsive touch control.
With its advanced nodes enabling smartphone chipsets to achieve clock speeds of up to 5GHz, TSMC would achieve yet another significant milestone this year. TSMC’s cutting-edge technology have already tremendously benefited companies like Qualcomm, MediaTek, and Apple. Later this year, new chips will achieve peak clock rates of up to 5GHz for the first time in history, which will make it harder for Huawei to compete.
TSMC has been at the core of Qualcomm, MediaTek, and Apple’s rapid growth over the years to provide potent chips with outstanding performance and economy. The graph below, which was provided by Kurnal, illustrates how these businesses have progressively raised peak clock speeds and are currently aiming for 5.0GHz.
The coming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro is expected to hit 5.0GHz, whereas Qualcomm’s most recent flagship, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, can already reach a peak speed of 4.61GHz. Following the 4.21GHz peak clock speed of the Dimensity 9500, MediaTek’s Dimensity 9600 Pro is expected to accomplish a similar accomplishment. This boost enables SoCs to offer considerable benefits in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads.
However, the performance and efficiency provided by Qualcomm, MediaTek, and Apple are far superior to those of Huawei’s Kirin chipsets. The U.S. trade sanctions that prohibited the company from doing business with TSMC are the reason for its decline on the graph above. China’s SMIC factory, which is still decades behind TSMC, was Huawei’s only choice. Because it cannot use the most sophisticated EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet) lithography machines, SMIC is still bound to the 5nm process.
The Kirin 9030 Pro, Huawei’s most recent chip, is still operating at 3.0GHz. As of right now, Qualcomm, MediaTek, and Apple are still too far ahead of Huawei to even compete with them; the difference is a foundry partner.
Let’s be real: if you saw the Honor Watch X5i on someone’s wrist, you’d probably assume it was an Apple Watch. Same silhouette, same vibe. But while Apple’s version will set you back $329, Honor’s take costs just 229 yuan — around $33. And somehow, it still brings a lot to the table.
Watch X5i design and display
The similarities to Apple’s wearable are obvious, and Honor clearly wasn’t shy about the inspiration. The casing is plastic, which helps keep the weight down to a barely-there 28.1 grams (41.4 with the strap). The AMOLED display is sharp at 450 x 390 pixels, smooth at 60 Hz, and backed by over 180 watch faces if you like switching things up.
Battery life stretches to three weeks under normal use — genuinely impressive at any price. Flip on always-on display and that drops to around six days, which is still perfectly respectable.
Features and health tracking
Don’t expect Apple Watch levels of performance. The X5i runs a modest processor with an RTOS, so the app ecosystem is limited and raw speed isn’t its strong suit. But for everyday use, it covers the basics well — heart rate, SpO2, stress, sleep, and cycle tracking are all here, alongside 109 sport modes ranging from cycling to, yes, darts.
You can also take calls directly from your wrist through your phone, and it works with both Android and iPhone.
Durability
One area where corners were clearly cut: water resistance sits at just 1 ATM. That’s fine for rain and a shower, but don’t think about taking it swimming. IP68 certification covers the dust and splash protection side of things.
Price and availability
Right now the X5i is only confirmed for China at 229 yuan (~$33). No word yet on international release dates or pricing.
It might be difficult to switch between an Android phone and an iPhone, especially for novice users. App settings seldom ever survive the changeover, half of your logins are lost, and saved game data is erased. However, Apple may be changing that at last.
Developers discovered a new framework called AppMigrationKit in the iOS 26.1 beta. It is intended to assist apps in moving data from the iPhone to other platforms, such as Android. Although it isn’t currently available to the public, it suggests that Apple is covertly creating a more adaptable migration system that doesn’t totally entail you in its ecosystem.
Developers that choose to support the toolkit can utilize it to enable the transfer of offline files, saved preferences, and game progress while configuring a new phone. It expands on Apple’s Move to iOS functionality, but it does it in reverse this time, possibly enabling Android users to transfer their data back to iOS.
According to reports, a “Transfer to iPhone” feature will be included in Android’s upcoming version, beginning with eSIM data. When taken as a whole, they imply that both digital behemoths are at last embracing the concept of seamless cross-platform switching, something consumers have long desired.
AppMigrationKit is currently only in early testing, and how quickly developers accept it will determine how widely it is used. Support will probably be released update by update and app by app. However, if Apple continues on its current path, switching phones may soon no longer feel like a fresh start in the digital world.
AppMigrationKit may be the first step toward a more transparent Apple, one that acknowledges that users may come and go. Additionally, it allows developers to maintain privacy while controlling what data is transferred and how. If it performs as advertised, you may finally be able to stop losing your digital footprint whenever you change phones.
Now, the question is whether Apple’s competitors and app developers will act quickly enough to make switching ecosystems as simple as switching devices.
Free apps are a welcome anomaly in a world when nothing really comes free! Today, we’re exploring a carefully chosen collection of free apps for iOS and Android smartphones that come in a range of categories, such as games and other practical utilities. Remember that these offers are temporary, and their availability may change at any time, so make sure to take advantage of the chance while it lasts.
From free to paid options, the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store each provide an amazing assortment of apps that appeal to a wide range of interests. It may come as a nice surprise to many customers to learn that some premium apps periodically go free during exclusive sales. Some of the most interesting apps available for free right now have been hand-picked by us.
Android apps
Burning Sky VIP($2.49) – An entertaining 90’s arcade-style shooter that offers cool, fast-paced graphics that do not let up on the action. This retro vertically scrolling shooter game delivers loads of adrenaline in a modern dogfight style, where you and your reflexes go up against insane bosses as they rain bullet hell on you.
My Medicine Pro – Health Log($1.99) – Do you find it difficult to keep track of all your medication details? I would like this app to help simplify my life as I grow older. It is an all-in-one solution to manage my health and wellness needs. This app was designed to ensure nobody ever misses a dose, an appointment, or an important health update again.
Empire Warrior: Tower Defense($0.99) – Rather than just having a bunch of towers shooting enemies down from afar, in the hope that they do not breach your defenses, you also now have the help of heroes who are mobile. Control these heroes to turn the tide of the seemingly overwhelming battle.
iOS apps
Pentris($1.99) – OK, so this is basically the same game premise as Tetris, albeit in a different name. You line up blocks of various sizes into rows to ‘delete’ them, and the game is over when the screen is filled to the top with rows as you fail to clear your lines.
Palette Hunt($0.59) – Do you have an eye for design? If so, discover the fun of creating perfect color palettes with Palette Hunt. I am sure designers, artists, or anyone who loves colors will find exploring shades to be an inspiring experience, as this app lets you transform existing photos into ready-to-use color palettes.
Eat the Rainbow Food Journal($2.99) – They say the best diet is one whose food is filled with many colors. Well, I am quite sure nutritionists and dietitians do not mean having nothing but Fruit Loops for all your meals. Rather, eat a variety of foods with different colors, and this journal helps you keep track of that.
At the time this post was published, all of the apps we are showcasing here were free to download. Regretfully, developers frequently fail to indicate the duration of these offers. Don’t hesitate to download an app if you enjoy it.
However, you should always check the app page in the store before downloading a free program. Because there are occasionally unnoticed obstacles that you should be mindful of.
The majority of free apps either offer in-app purchases or have advertisements. But some apps that cost money also accomplish this. It is crucial to give these factors the consideration they require, particularly if the game is meant for young players.
Many apps gather user information and frequently sell it to outside parties. Therefore, make sure you only give the program the rights it truly requires if you want to be safe. For instance, a flashlight shouldn’t be interested in your location information, and an alarm clock doesn’t require access to your contacts or cameras.
Given the constant release of new gadgets, shopping for a new smartphone may be quite difficult. The Google Pixel 10 is a popular option for many people, and it’s understandable why. It has a ton of fantastic functions, and Google’s unique software helps everything work together seamlessly. Nevertheless, the cost of $799 is high.
There are many alternative possibilities that can be a better fit for your needs, and the smartphone industry is enormous. Even if the Pixel 10 is an amazing device, there are less expensive solutions that can fit your budget or personal taste. Perhaps a new operating system, a longer-lasting battery, a special camera function, or just something more affordable without sacrificing performance are what you’d prefer.
Some very good smartphones with their own special benefits are excellent substitutes for the Google Pixel 10. Every one of these phones has distinctive characteristics that show how they stack up against Google’s flagship. These phones are excellent substitutes for Google’s Pixel 10, regardless of whether you’re a tech geek seeking a particular technological advantage or someone who simply wants the greatest price without sacrificing many features.
Samsung Galaxy S25
SAMSUNG Galaxy S25
Streamline your day with an assistant that gets you. Ask it to Google search for a pet-friendly vegan restaurant nearby and text it to your friend— your Galaxy S25 handles multiple tasks with a single ask.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 is the greatest choice if you’re looking for a new phone, especially when compared to the Google Pixel 10. The Galaxy S25 is available for less than $799, usually around $720, but the Pixel 10 costs $799. As we explained in our review, the S25 is a true beast in terms of performance. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, which offers outstanding performance, powers it. Accordingly, the S25 is excellent for demanding Android apps that you wouldn’t use on a low-cost phone. Samsung’s bigger vapor chamber further enhanced cooling.
A 4,000 mAh battery and a bright 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with a peak brightness of 2,600 nits and a smooth 120Hz adaptive refresh rate make the S25 an excellent device to use outside in direct sunlight. The 50MP primary, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP 3x telephoto lenses make up an amazing camera system.Your images and selfies will have better detail and realistic tones thanks to the ProVisual Engine and improved color science. In addition, Samsung has matched Google’s pledge to provide upgrades for the Pixel 10 with seven years of OS and security patches.
Google Pixel 9a
Google Pixel 9a
Google Pixel 9a is engineered by Google with more than you expect, for less than you think; like Gemini, your built-in AI assistant, the incredible Pixel Camera, and an all-day battery and durable design
If you want a fantastic phone without the hefty cost of the Google Pixel 10, the Google Pixel 9a is a strong candidate. Despite being from the previous generation, its pricing has allowed it to endure to this day. At launch, the Pixel 9a cost only $499, $300 less than the starting price of $799 for the Google Pixel 10.
The Pixel 9a has a fantastic display while being less expensive. We noted in our review that the Pixel 9a’s 6.3-inch Actua pOLED display, which boasts a refresh rate of 120 Hz, makes everything appear bright and feel fluid. Even in direct sunshine, you won’t have any problems viewing the screen thanks to its maximum brightness of 2,700 nits.
In fact, the Pixel 9a frequently outperforms its more costly sister in terms of battery life. At 5,100 mAh, it boasts the biggest battery of any Pixel to date. One of the Pixel 9a‘s main selling points is its camera, which is well regarded for being good for a mid-range phone. With its 48MP primary sensor and 13MP ultrawide camera, it captures crisp, well-balanced images with outstanding color and dynamic range using Google’s algorithms. Many of Google’s cutting-edge AI photo-editing features, like Magic Editor, Auto Frame, and Best Take, are also included.
Apple iPhone 16e
The Apple iPhone 16e starts at just $599, which is $200 cheaper than the Google Pixel 10’s price tag. To be fair, even with that lower price, you’re still getting Apple’s latest A18 chip, the same one in the regular iPhone 16. It does have one fewer GPU core, but it still delivers excellent performance for everything from daily tasks to heavy-duty games and all those new Apple Intelligence features without any lag.
Apple iPhone 16e
This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
As we noted in our review, the iPhone 16e‘s battery life is yet another significant benefit. Compared to the standard iPhone 16 and many other mid-range Android phones, its battery can last even longer. According to Apple, it can play videos for up to 26 hours. The new, more power-efficient C1 modem from Apple is largely responsible for this longer battery life.
The primary camera is a powerful 48MP model with optical picture stabilization. It captures excellent 4K video and daily photographs. Even while it lacks the Pixel 10’s specialized telephoto and ultrawide lenses, you can still obtain a 2x zoom by cropping the primary sensor. The phone is running the clean iOS 18 software, which is fantastic for lifespan. You can anticipate four to seven years of software updates.
OnePlus 13R
OnePlus 13R
Performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: Experience the cutting-edge power of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, offering blazing-fast speeds, enhanced gaming performance, and seamless multitasking for an ultra-smooth mobile experience.
The OnePlus 13R‘s pricing is its greatest advantage. It is $200 less expensive than the Pixel 10 at just $599. That kind of savings may seem like a lot of sacrifice, but it’s not. For its pricing, the OnePlus 13R is a beast in terms of performance. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, a top-tier CPU the previous year, powers it.
Even earlier Snapdragon chips can outperform the Pixel 10 in terms of sheer power, particularly when it comes to gaming, even if the Pixel 10 features Google’s Tensor G5 CPU. We noted in our evaluation that the 13R has a long battery life and charges quickly. With its enormous 6,000 mAh battery, it can comfortably run on moderate power for two full days.With the OnePlus 13R‘s 80W SuperVOOC wired charging capability, a 60% charge can be obtained in 30 minutes. Compared to the Pixel 10’s 30W cable charging, that is significantly faster.
The OnePlus 13R’s 50MP primary camera captures vibrant, clear images, even though the Pixel 10 boasts a triple-camera setup with a 5x optical zoom. Additionally, it features a bright 6.78-inch AMOLED screen with a refresh rate of 120 Hz.
Motorola Razr 2025
Motorola Razr 2025
Iconic design, now even more durable: Ultra-compact flip design featuring a stronger hinge plate made with titanium, beautiful finishes, and curated Pantone Colors.
The Motorola Razr 2025 is an excellent option if you’re searching for a new phone that won’t break the bank. At $599, it’s less expensive than the Google Pixel 10. When folded, the Razr 2025 is incredibly small, but when opened, it reveals a sizable 6.9-inch AMOLED inner display with a fluid refresh rate of 120 Hz. The important apps that every Android owner should always have loaded can still be used on its convenient 3.6-inch pOLED outer screen.
The Razr 2025 has a very good battery life. Its 4,500 mAh battery has a 24-hour lifespan. With 15W wireless and 30W cable charging, it also offers respectable charging speeds. To be fair, the Razr 2025‘s three years of support is still commendable, even though the Pixel 10 offers seven years of software updates.
The Razr 2025 has a MediaTek Dimensity 7400X chipset, but the Google Pixel 10 boasts a triple-camera configuration with a 5x optical zoom and the most recent Tensor G5 CPU. All of your regular chores and light games can be handled by this chip. With a 50MP primary lens and a 13MP ultrawide, the camera setup performs admirably in well-lit environments.
The phones on this list are ranked according to their total worth. Performance, camera quality, battery life, and distinctive features are all factors that contribute to their asking price. Every phone has to be less expensive than the $799 price tag of the new Google Pixel 10. Since the Google Pixel 10 is a brand-new device, there are some older models that are equally or even superior for a significantly lesser cost.
It was crucial that we were knowledgeable enough to suggest these phones. In the end, all of the phones on our list are good options since they include the functionality that most people desire. Even less powerful phones, such as the Motorola Razr 2025, are excellent substitutes for the Google Pixel 10. To keep the price low, some of the phones on the list simply make a few larger compromises in areas like camera performance, charging speed, or general hardware.
