Best overall		iPhone 15 Plus		SEE IT	Apple’s latest and greatest smartphone is not only fast, but has health-tracking and accessibility features that’re a notch above the rest.
Best Android		SAMSUNG Galaxy S23 Ultra		SEE IT	The Galaxy S23 Ultra’s ultra-large screen and style make it easy to navigate, and its multi-lens camera system is great for taking photos.
Best budget		Jitterbug Flip2		SEE IT	The most basic cellphone for seniors who just want a way to stay connected to family and friends in case of an emergency.

Aging can bring new challenges, not the least of which is choosing a cellphone for seniors. Older users need devices that keep family and friends close while boasting additional health and safety features and accessibility options to make up for changes in eyesight and hearing. Today, even the most popular mobile device makers include heart-rate monitoring, medication reminders, and voice-boosting controls in their flagship models. Senior-centric devices often focus on simplified interfaces and enhanced safety features like one-button emergency response. But there’s no age-to-phone formula. Some of the young-at-heart still crave the flashiest, most feature-rich smartphones available, while others should consider a specialized phone to accommodate factors like memory impairment, low vision, or a bit less grip strength. The best cellphones for seniors will accommodate all those users in the best ways possible.

• Best overall: iPhone 15 Plus
• Best Android: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
• Best under $500: iPhone SE (3rd generation)
• Best senior-centric: Jitterbug Smart4
• Best for cognitive issues: RAZ Memory Cell Phone
• Best budget: Jitterbug Flip2

How we chose the best cellphones for seniors

We conducted thorough research on smartphones and dumbphones (also known as a feature-phone, or any phone that can’t run apps), examining various sources such as our PopSci reviews, peer recommendations, critical analyses, and user testimonials to curate options and walk you through the decision-making process.

The best cellphones for seniors: Reviews & Recommendations

Oddly, there isn’t one age when the world agrees that someone has become a senior citizen. Some restaurants and retailers begin offering discounts at 55, which means people born the same year Apollo 8 rounded the moon and the first Boeing 747 jumbo jet flew are becoming eligible. In other words, Gen X. How do you pick a phone that meets the needs of a Gen Xer and a Boomer? You don’t. Whether you’re looking for a phone for yourself or a loved one, think of their individual needs, comfort with technology, accessibility needs, and, of course, budget.

Best overall: iPhone 15 Plus

SEE IT

Specs

• Dimensions: 6.33 inches by 3.06 inches by 0.31 inches
• Weight: 7.09 ounces
• Screen: 6.7-inch Super Retina display
• Battery: Up to 26 hours
• Network: Any, if purchased unlocked
• OS: iOS

Pros

• Extensive health tracking
• Plenty of accessibility settings
• Compatibility with hearing aids
• Multiple energy SOS features
• Front-facing camera and two rear cameras (24MP and 48MP)
• Facial recognition to unlock phone
• Supports 5G

Cons

• Expensive
• No charger included

The Apple 15 Plus—the larger version of the latest iPhone—offers an easy-to-use health app, tons of accessibility features, crash detections, and an emergency satellite SOS signal in case something happens where there is no cell signal. It’s a full-featured smartphone for someone who wants power, good cameras, and all the latest extras.

The phone’s design aims to be inclusive, which benefits older adults. The health app tracks various metrics, including heart health and balance. The medicine tracker allows users to input medicine data down to the color and shape of a pill and build a schedule. The phone sends reminders, which go away when a dose is logged or actively dismissed.

Accessibility features go beyond increasing text size and using the flashlight to read menus. The iPhone 15 is compatible with different hearing devices and can reduce background noise on calls or allow live captions. Swipes, taps, and gestures can be customized using the assistive touch, which can help adapt to tremors or fine motor control challenges. Voice control is also an option.

The 15 Plus starts at $900, depending on configurations, though Apple and cell providers often run specials and offer trade-ins. This cellphone is a great choice for people of all ages, but Apple’s commitment to keeping its phones running and improving them through regular software and security updates means the senior in your life won’t have to think about upgrading.

Best Android: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

SEE IT

Specs

• Dimensions: 6.4 inches by 3.1 inches by 0.35 inches
• Weight: 8.25 ounces
• Screen: 6.8-inch AMOLED display
• Network: Any, if purchased unlocked
• OS: Android

Pros

• Big, bright screen display
• Good battery life on a single charge
• Front-facing camera and five rear cameras with two telephoto lenses (ranging from 10 MP to 200 MP)
• Includes S-Pen stylus

Cons 

• Expensive
• No charger included
• No MicroSD card included

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, priced at $1,200, stands out as Samsung’s top-tier flagship, packed with five high-resolution cameras and a massive AMOLED screen. Its exceptional visual experience earned it the title of overall best Android phone, though it also comes with health and safety features preinstalled.

Accessibility settings like TalkBack enable spoken feedback when selecting items or going through tutorials, while gestures and taps can be customized to adapt to coordination issues. The hearing enhancements allow for alerts when doorbells ring or babies cry and support settings to boost voices during conversations.

The S23 Ultra comes with an S Pen stylus, and while not everyone digs using a stylus with a phone, the handful of fans we know are in higher age brackets. These fans like having a tool to hit small keys, even if it takes a while.

Best under $500: iPhone SE (3rd generation)

SEE IT

Specs

• Dimensions: 5.45 inches by 2.65 inches by 0.29 inches
• Weight: 5.09 ounces
• Screen: 4.7-inch Retina HD display
• Battery: Up to 15 hours
• Network: Any if purchased unlocked
• OS: iOS

Pros

• Extensive health tracking
• Plenty of accessibility settings
• Compatibility with hearing aids
• Emergency SOS
• Front-facing camera and one rear camera (12 MP)
• Fingerprint recognition to unlock phone
• Supports 5G

Cons

• No headphones or charger included
• Smaller screen

The Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) offers many of the same health and accessibility features as the 15 Plus with a much lower price tag. As PopSci’s overall best phone under $500 in 2022, the SE has solid call quality and additional hearing settings, including hearing-aid compatibility. The smaller size makes it easy to hold one-handed or to fit in pockets, upping the odds that the phone will be on your person if something happens. But that means a smaller screen. The fonts can be increased to make reading more comfortable, but anyone who likes touch controls may find the keyboard teeny-tiny. It also doesn’t have crash detection or satellite SOS calling. It also features Touch ID, the fingerprint-based method to unlock the phone instead of facial recognition—a plus for people with biometric worries. However, it’s still for an older adult who feels comfortable with technology.

Best senior-centric: Jitterbug Smart4

SEE IT

Specs

• Dimensions: 6.6 inches by 3.01 inches by 0.35 inches
• Weight: 6.7 ounces
• Screen: 6.75 inches
• Battery: Up to 37 hours
• Network: Lively only
• OS: Android

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Google Assistant
• Long battery life
• Simplified menus
• Internet access
• Front-facing camera, three rear cameras (13MP)
• Supports 4G LTE

Cons

• Screen could be more responsive
• Single button for Urgent Response requires mid or highest plan

Smartphones can be remarkably the same, whether you’re a die-hard Apple or Android fan. The Jitterbug Smart4 is another familiar rectangle slab shape with a big 6.75-inch screen and decent cameras, but the interface is very different. Instead of screen after screen of app icons, the Smart4 relies on a text-based list with large fonts. These simple changes eliminate memorizing what each icon means, accidentally clicking on a look-alike, or puzzling over when an app overhauls its look. For about $150, it’s an affordable phone packed with Google Assistant, live captions, and loud speakers.

Jitterbug phones, however, must be used on the Lively network, and a huge part of its appeal is the U.S.-based human support. For the $20-a-month basic plan, users can tap the support team for help with their device, get directions, or schedule a Lyft ride without using the app. Higher tiers unlock a one-button Urgent Response agent, alerts for specified people when an incident happens, care advocates, and on-call nurses. Some users note the screen could be more responsive, with some taps requiring a couple of tries.

Best for cognitive issues: RAZ Memory Cell Phone

SEE IT

Specs

• Dimensions: 6.49 inches by 2.98 inches by 0.34 inches
• Weight: 6.56 ounces
• Screen: 6.5 inch
• Battery: Up to 12 hours
• Network: Any if purchased unlocked
• OS: Android

Pros

• Remote management by caregiver
• Supports video calls
• One-screen only
• Location tracking
• Can block incoming calls
• Low vision and tremor modes

Cons

• Emergency services require an additional plan

Memory and cognitive impairments like dementia or Alzheimer’s can turn a phone into a double-edged sword. You want your loved one to be able to call family and friends while protecting them from spam calls that may confuse them. The RAZ Memory Cell Phone offers a simplified interface and an app for a caregiver (or caregivers) to control it.

RAZ looks like a smartphone, but it doesn’t have any apps. The large screen features a set number of pictures that will ring up a loved one without navigating menus or contact books. The point is a simplified phone experience. When a call comes in, the phone announces the caller’s name and displays only relevant buttons like answer or hang up. It can also receive (but not start) video calls without switching to another app. The recipient doesn’t have to make decisions or risk confusion. A sticky-note reminder takes over the screen when the battery needs recharging.

The caregiver app, which can be shared by multiple people if needed, ultimately controls the Memory Call’s settings. Caregivers can add and edit contacts, set up “quiet hours” with no calls allowed, lockdown the phone so only approved contacts and numbers can come through, and even see how much battery life is left. It also offers location tracking, actively updating the phone’s whereabouts every 15 minutes.

A large, red emergency button will connect the caller to 911. For an additional fee, RAZ Emergency Service can screen the call to avoid repeated non-emergency calls. It also alerts up to three pre-selected numbers that a 911 call went out.

The $300 phone is designed with cognitive issues in mind but could benefit low-vision users, too. The uncluttered interface and large fonts can help with navigation, as do the voice announcements of who’s calling.

Best budget: Jitterbug Flip2

SEE IT

Specs

• Dimensions: 4.3 inches by 2.19 inches by 0.72 inches
• Weight: 4.7 ounces
• Screen: 3.2 inch
• Battery: Up to 12 hours
• Network: Lively only

Pros

• Large buttons
• Works with Amazon Alexa
• Supports 4G LTE
• No data plan required

Cons

• No internet
• No NFC technology
• No hotspot capability
• No wireless charging
• Single button for Urgent Response requires mid or highest plan

Jitterbug Flip2 is a flip phone with large, textured buttons for anyone looking for a phone that does phone things like call and text. It does not have internet access, but it does support Alexa commands. While the 3.2-inch screen would be small for a smartphone, it’s a decent-sized display for a text-based menu. It hits many of our senior features checklist: powerful speaker, hearing-aid compatibility, but only an OK camera. Users crow about the durable phone and its simplicity. The phone’s suggested retail is under $100, though a savvy shopper can find it for less around holidays. And like the Jitterbug Smart4, users can select from its three-tiered support plan.

What to consider when buying the best cellphones for seniors

The first big decision when shopping for the best cellphones for seniors is whether to recommend a smartphone or a cellphone, which will determine the device’s capabilities and user interface. Smartphones have touchscreens and are more complicated but can do a lot more. Cellphones have fewer functions but have tactile buttons that don’t change.

Safety is a concern, so look for phones with one-button or automatic alert systems in case of an incident. Many senior-focused devices offer additional plans to access call centers with urgent care needs or nurses and ways to loop in designated contacts if something happens. However, it might not be worth it for more independent seniors.

There are other factors to consider when deciding which cellphone to recommend, and we’ve highlighted the most important ones below.

Cost 

Budget is always a consideration. While the top-of-the-line, full-featured smartphones will cost a grand or more, other options are far less. But the phone is only one part of the equation. Also, consider existing phone contracts and whether your chosen device is compatible. Some senior-centric models—like Jitterbug—operate on networks that aren’t AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon. However, opting for phones without big data plans or pre-paid options offers another avenue for controlling monthly costs. 

Health and medical features

Our smartphones reflect our society’s obsession with health, fitness, and wellness with built-in functions like step counting and sleep tracking and options to download apps if they aren’t. Double-check that any app-enabled medical devices are compatible with the phone you’re considering to ensure seamless integration. Some senior-focused products go the extra mile, providing support lines for access to on-call nurses, though additional costs usually apply.

Accessibility features 

Unless you need them, you may never notice the accessibility features tucked into smartphone menus. Some feature tools to help reduce background noise for hearing impairments, adjust display and text size for visual impairments, or change keyboards and gesture recognition when dexterity is a challenge. Hearing aids can frequently connect to phones through Bluetooth, but it’s not always an easy setup.

While these aren’t minor adjustments, sometimes conditions need more significant user interface changes. Blind or low-vision people can benefit from a simplified, text-heavy menu instead of screens full of tiny icons. Memory-impaired people may prefer to see a streamlined menu of people’s photos to reach out to familiar faces.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best cellphones for seniors

• Best overall: iPhone 15 Plus
• Best Android: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
• Best under $500: iPhone SE (3rd generation)
• Best senior-centric: Jitterbug Smart4
• Best for cognitive issues: RAZ Memory Cell Phone
• Best budget: Jitterbug Flip2

Age doesn’t dictate uniformity. By considering individual needs, comfort levels, and preferences, seniors and their caregivers can find a phone that can adapt to their needs and offer peace of mind. Cellphones for seniors can help older people stay connected and independent for longer periods (and hopefully let them call you when they accept that even the snowblowers and snow shovels designed for them are a bad idea to use alone). Rather than monitoring an elderly person in your life, they can communicate with you whenever they need help. If they’re Internet savvy, a smartphone can put the world’s information at their fingertips.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best cellphones for seniors in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra		SEE IT	The Galaxy S23 Ultra is packed with the latest smartphone technology, including five cameras, a high-refresh-rate screen, and one of the strongest smartphone processors available.
Best for small hands (and pockets)		ASUS Zenfone 10		SEE IT	The latest Zenfone is easy to carry but still packs plenty of power with all-day battery life, high refresh rate, and an IP68 rating.
Best budget		Google Pixel 7a		SEE IT	The Pixel 7a offers a camera and performance well beyond its budget-friendly price.

There are a lot of Android phones out there. The wide variety of devices and manufacturers bringing new ideas to the platform is a huge selling point for die-hard fans but also a barrier to entry for people who just want a new phone that works well. You can find good Android devices for as little as $200 or as much as $2,000. Some are better for photography. Others are mobile gaming powerhouses. Android itself even changes from manufacturer to manufacturer. It can be overwhelming to newcomers and long-term Android fans alike. Luckily, our guide for the best Android phones has all the info you need to sort through the crowded marketplace to find your next device.

• Best overall: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
• Best for small hands: ASUS ZenFone 10
• Best budget: Google Pixel 7a

How we chose the best Android phones

We selected our picks for the best Android phones based on our experience with many of these phones, as well as trusted sources and professional reviewers. Since there are so many Android devices on the market, each with its own hardware and features, we made sure to select a variety of devices at various price points and unique use cases that we’re confident will match your specific needs in a smartphone.

The best Android phones: Reviews & Recommendations

Even if you know what you want from your next smartphone, it’s hard to assess a phone’s quality based on spec lists alone and even harder to parse the differences between models with seemingly identical components. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the best Android phones currently available. 

We used the criteria outlined above to find the best Android phones overall, plus the best options for specific uses like photography and gaming, the best folding phone, and the best 5G phone at an affordable price point to give a range of devices we think are worth your time. Or, at the very least, give you a good place to start your search.

Best overall: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

SEE IT

Specs

• Display: 6.8-inch AMOLED (3,088 x 1,440 px resolution; 1 to 120 Hz variable refresh rate)
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
• RAM options: 8GB, 12GB
• Storage options: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
• Battery: 5,000 mAh
• Charging: 45W wired
• Cameras: Front: 12MP (f/2.2);  Rear: 200MP main (ƒ/1.7); 12MP ultrawide (ƒ/2.2); 10MP telephoto (3x optical zoom, ƒ/2.4), 10MP periscope telephoto (10x optical zoom, ƒ/4.9).
• Size: 6.4 x 3.1 x 0.35 inches; 8.2 ounces
• Android OS version: Android 13 (One UI 5.1)

Pros 

• Big AMOLED display with dynamic refresh rate
• Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 CPU
• Good battery life on a single charge
• Multi-lens rear camera with two telephoto lenses

Cons 

• Wall charger and other important accessories sold separately
• No MicroSD card support

Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra is the company’s strongest flagship yet and our pick for best Android phone overall. It’s an incredibly expensive phone, starting at $1,200, but its features and performance are worth that sky-high price.

Videos, apps, and games look great on the S23 Ultra’s 6.8-inch AMOLED screen, and an optional dynamic refresh rate setting shifts from the standard 60Hz mode up to as high as 120Hz or as low as 1Hz, depending on what’s on the display. 

The Galaxy S23 Ultra also features a sharp, versatile camera. The primary, wide-angle camera provides a whopping 200 megapixels for highly detailed images. There are also two separate 10-megapixel telephoto lenses (one with 3x optical zoom and the other 10x) and a 12-megapixel ultrawide. Additionally, it offers helpful shooting modes to get the perfect shot. Qualcomm’s current-best chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, powers these features and is strong enough to handle demanding apps, games, and general multitasking. 

Battery life, another smartphone pillar, also shines. You can expect about a day’s worth of use on a single charge, and it juices up quickly over wired or wireless charging. Performance will fluctuate depending on how often the screen uses the higher refresh rate modes, but only slightly, and you can lock the screen to 60Hz if it’s an issue. Charging does present a small issue, though: The Galaxy S23 Ultra ships with a USB 3.0 cable, but you need to buy a wall charger separately (unless you own a compatible one from a previous Android device). 

Speaking of extra accessories, the Galaxy S23 Ultra comes with the S Pen stylus. But you will need a specific case if you want to store the stylus on the phone itself. Unlike many previous Galaxy devices, the S23 Ultra does not have a MicroSD slot for expandable storage, so you’re locked into the onboard space for the model you buy.

Even with minor quibbles like the lack of a MicroSD card slot and having to buy one or two necessary accessories, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is the most well-rounded flagship Android phone, making it the best choice for most people.

Best small phone: ASUS ZenFone 10

SEE IT

Specs

• Display: 5.9-inch AMOLED (2400 x 1080 px resolution; 144 Hz refresh rate)
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
• RAM: 8GB, 16GB
• Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
• Battery: 4300mAh
• Charging: 30W wired, 15W wireless
• Cameras: Front: 32MP Rear: 50 MP (f/1.9) main, 13MP ultrawide
• Size: 5.8 x 2.7 x 0.4 inches; 6 ounces
• Android OS version: Android 13 (confirmed to get Android 14, in beta as of publication)

Pros

• The size
• 144 Hz refresh rate on compatible games, 120 Hz otherwise
• All-day battery life
• Bluetooth 5.3 with support for all the codecs
• 3.5mm headphone jack
• Wireless charging + a power adapter

Cons 

• Not the brightest screen
• No MicroSD card slot
• Cameras struggle with contrast/saturation

The ASUS Zenfone 10 goes big on features without going big on body, a welcome change from the increasing dimensions of so many smartphones. Being more pocketable and a one-hand-friendly flagship doesn’t make this compact package less powerful, however. Inside the IP68 body is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset smoothly running Android 13 (with two years of OS updates promised).

ASUS knows a thing or two about portable gaming (check out the ROG phone line, as well as the ROG Ally handheld console), and that performance trickles down to this handset, even if the overall experience is naturally far more cramped. The action, even at the highest settings, is impeccably smooth, even if icons, etc., are compressed on the 5.9-inch screen. Speaking of visuals, the cameras, which use the Sony IMX766 sensor, have seen a bump to 50 MP (f/1.9) main, 13MP ultrawide, with a 32MP selfie shooter. And they’re absolutely satisfactory, with clarity and color, though far from a marquee feature.

Our primary use for the Zenfone 10 is as a digital audio player, aka a DAP, aka a fancy iPod. ASUS loves to pack its top-tier handsets with all the latest codecs, which in the Zenfone 10 include standard SBC, Apple’s favored AAC, Sony’s higher-resolution LDAC protocol, as well as aptX/HD/Adaptive and the far more rare and exotic aptX Lossless. Thanks to the Bluetooth 5.3 standard and Snapdragon chipset, the Zenfone 10 is compatible with and futureproofed for all manner of wireless headphones and ANC earbuds—including some pairs, like the Denon PerL Pro (which we view very positively), that approach CD-like streaming quality. Still prefer wired headphones? Not a problem. This is one of the remaining smartphones with a 3.5mm headphone jack—one that uses the Qualcomm WCD9380 DAC to deliver 24-bit/192 kHz output. If you pay for a hi-rez streaming service, the ASUS Zenfone 10 will allow you to take full advantage of it in a way that several other 2023 smartphones (sadly looking at you, iPhone 15) won’t without a USB-C dongle or other external hardware. The Zenfone 10 has been packed in many a backpack as we tested the noise cancellation of various gear while traveling.

Despite all these features, the Zenfone 10 battery lasts all day. Our recommendation to get the most out of this pint-sized powerhouse: Get the largest storage and save albums/playlists while on WiFi for offline listening to avoid cellular dead spots and sucking down your battery while you suck up all your data plan; really live that upgraded iPod lifestyle.

For $699 – $799, the ASUS Zenfone 10 offers you a lot of phone—or a little, depending on how you look at the form factor.

Best budget: Google Pixel 7a

SEE IT

Specs

• Display: 6.1-inch OLED (2400 x 1080 px resolution, 90Hz)
• Processor: Google Tensor G2 Titan M2
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 128GB
• Battery: 4385 mAh
• Charging: 18W fast charging, wireless charging
• Cameras: Front: 12MP (ƒ/2.2) Rear: 64MP (ƒ/1.89), 13MP (ƒ/2.2) ultrawide
• Size: 6 x 2.9 x 0.3 inches; 6.8 ounces
• Android OS version: Android 13

Pros

• Superb photo quality
• Wireless charging compatible
• Bright, responsive touchscreen
• Purest Android OS experience

Cons 

• Not as powerful as flagship phones
• Battery life is only okay

The Pixel 7a is a worthy pick for the best budget Android phone and anyone trying to upgrade to a 5G phone without spending a thousand bucks or more. At just $500, the Pixel 7a offers respectable mid-range specs, 5G network support, and advanced camera technology. It comes 13 right out of the box, and Google supports older devices for years after launch. It routinely adds new features and fixes bugs, meaning this phone has several years of updates ahead of it. 

The Pixel 7a offers the smallest screen of the Pixel lineup, but it’s the ideal size for most people. The Tensor G2 chip is the same one found in Google’s more expensive phones, which allows for snappy performance for just about anything. The touchscreen is bright, colorful, and responsive, and the adaptive brightness quickly adjusts to the current light conditions.

The camera of the 7a is where this phone really shines. We found it to be the best camera available on a cheap Android phone. It offers a 64MP main camera with optical image stabilization, a 13MP ultra-wide camera, and a 12MP selfie camera. The photos aren’t overly processed or sharpened, looking natural but polished. There are plenty of camera modes for different situations, including nighttime images, and you’ll have access to Google’s AI-based editing tools.

Of course, as a budget-friendly option, there are some sacrifices. It’s not as powerful as more expensive phones. And you miss out on a dedicated telephoto camera, which is a bummer. Plus, the battery life is so-so. It won’t last all day if you use your phone a lot, so you’ll want a power bank if you’re going to be away from a power source for a bit. But the Pixel 7a punches above its weight in most regards, and given how new it is, you’ll get update support for years to come, saving you even more money down the line.

To read more about the Google Pixel 7a, check out our full review.

Here are even more Android phones to consider:

• Best value: OnePlus 11
• Best for photography: Google Pixel 8 Pro
• Best folding: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
• Best for gaming: Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best Android phones

• Best overall: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
• Best for small hands: ASUS ZenFone 10
• Best budget: Google Pixel 7a

The Galaxy S23 Ultra is the best smartphone you can right now. It’s expensive, sure, but it excels in every single category. Of course, there are always tradeoffs for picking one device over another. We can confidently say that all of these phones have qualities that make them one of the best Android phones. All are worthy of your consideration, at least until someone comes along and makes something better.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best Android phones of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

This 5-piece iPhone-compatible accessory bundle features a magnetic case, a 20W PD charging head, a wireless charger, a USB-C charging cable, and a 5,000mAh power bank, all designed to enhance your iPhone experience, and it’s on sale now for only $39.97 (reg. $49.99).

Instead of slipping a little something into the stocking of the Apple enthusiast in your family, why not drop in five little somethings? This accessory bundle is sure to be a hit for anyone who owns a model of iPhone in the 13, 14, or 15 series. It’s the perfect kit to boost charging speed, protect devices, or stay powered on the go.

Accessories play a pivotal role in enhancing the functionality and versatility of our beloved gadgets and this bundle will help to elevate the iPhone experience to new heights.

• 20W PD charging head: This powerful charging head is a game-changer. With Smart PD 3.0 technology, you can recharge your device up to 50% in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for those on the go.
• Wireless charger: Say goodbye to tangled cords and embrace the convenience of wireless charging. Built with 360-degree rotation adjustment, it makes charging as simple as placing your device on the pad. The sleek design and powerful built-in magnetic ring ensure your phone stays in place while charging.
• USB-C charging cable: This durable USB-C charging cable is perfect for syncing and charging your iPhone easily and quickly, thanks to 2.4 amps of charging current. The robust build and premium materials ensure longevity and reliability.
• 5,000mAh power bank: When you’re on the move, having a reliable power source is essential. This Power Bank offers wireless charging and a 5,000MAh of battery boost for your iPhone, ensuring you stay connected, even when there’s no outlet in sight. Its compact design allows you to slip it into your bag or pocket effortlessly.
• Magnetic case: Protecting your iPhone is a top priority, and this case offers not only superior defense but also a stylish look. With a lightweight protective shell, it fits your phone like a glove, offering full access to ports and buttons. The built-in magnets allow for easy attachment to various magnetic accessories and wireless charging compatibility, adding convenience to your daily routine.

Don’t miss your chance to seize the opportunity to bring a touch of holiday magic to your loved ones with this splendid accessory collection.

Get this 5-piece iPhone-compatible accessory bundle for only $39.97 (reg. $49.99).

Prices subject to change.

The post This 5-piece iPhone accessory bundle could be a great stocking stuffer for only $40 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Part of the reason augmented reality has had difficulty gaining a foothold comes down to the whole “augmented” part of the equation. Is there a way to create unobtrusive devices that are easy to use while still delivering solid performance? Apart from holding your smartphone awkwardly in front of your face or strapping a headset the approximate size and comfort level of a microwave to your face, the options are limited. 

TCL, however, is doing its best to bring AR to more people with their NXTWEAR S XR glasses. Lightweight and designed to look more like cool (if slightly bulkier) Ray-Bans than VR headsets, the NXTWEAR S smart glasses are meant to bring the “personal screen” experience out into the real world in a more comfortable and potentially useful way.

SEE IT

Overview

• The NXTWEAR S XR glasses feature a pair of micro-OLED FHD displays that project a 201-inch 16:9 60Hz image at 6-meter distance. With up to 400 nits of brightness, you can see clearly even outdoors. Their resolution is 1920 x 1080 in 2D mode and also 3D compatible, offering 3840 x 1080 resolution in that mode.
• They come with three pairs of lenses, including “sunglasses” that can help improve the viewing experience in sunlight and myopia glass frames for nearsighted people. 
• The NXTWEAR S also features fully immersive audio and adjustable volume and brightness settings. 
• The glasses connect to smartphones, laptops, and gaming consoles via magnetic USB-C DisplayPort cable. However, most devices, such as older iPhones and Nintendo Switches, need a separate adapter. 

Pros

• Intuitive to connect and use right out of the box
• Lightweight (85g) and stylish design—it actually looks like something you wouldn’t mind wearing in public
• Image and sound quality are excellent, with its 1080p projection particularly impressive

Cons

• Although the glasses themselves are lightweight and generally pretty stylish, the device is still cumbersome, especially with the 30g cord and additional adapters required for specific devices
• The NXTWEAR S can connect to, say, a laptop right out of the box but requires one kind of adapter for iPhones and yet another for the Nintendo Switch. The adapters, in turn, also often need to be charged, so you can run into a problem with your device and your adapter running out of steam at opposing times
• The image quality is generally excellent, but the transparency of the image is a little distracting (especially when watching movies) and takes getting used to—it feels like a hybrid of a second screen and an AR headset but with the weaknesses of both  
• There is a noticeable lag when playing mobile games

Verdict: There’s no doubt this is a great (if incremental) step forward for wearable second-screen/AR devices, but it’s not quite there yet. Technically impressive and “only” $349 (honestly, there are far more expensive fashion sunglasses), the NXTWEAR S XR glasses further cement TCL’s reputation for making affordable devices that don’t skimp on quality (just like their TVs). However, it’s hard to see the NXTWEAR S being a go-to device for people except in very specific cases. 

On a plane and don’t want to risk tech-neck staring at your smartphone? This is a great alternative (just be prepared for a flight attendant to casually walk through a car chase in the middle of Fast X). Are you in bed and want to watch Better Call Saul, but your partner is asleep? Again, this is great for that. But when doing, say, laptop work, it’s nice not to have the option to look up and see your desktop floating in space above your latte. And, unless you’re a supremely gifted typist, you’ll still need to look down and occasionally lift the glasses to type or move your cursor around. It’s cool but not exactly practical.  

The TCL NXTWEAR XR glasses build

Right out of the box, the TCL NXTWEAR S XR glasses are (pardon the expression) Apple-like in their stylish simplicity. You get a small carrying case, the magnetic USB-C cable, a separate eyeglass pad so you can adjust fit and comfort level, and Ray Ban-like sunglass overlays that attach to the front of the NXTWEAR magnetically (and with TÜV Rheinland Certified lenses, they do actually provide sun and blue light protection). 

Everything you need can be placed into the carry case, which has a nice, padded interior and a hard plastic shell, making it perfectly easy to store in a laptop bag or stuff into your airline carry-on without worrying about scratching the lenses or crushing the device. 

The TCL NXTWEAR XR glasses setup

Overall, the core device is unfussy and well-designed, with set-up generally very easy (as long as you have a compatible device handy). I was able to hook the NXTWEAR S to my MacBook immediately, and the computer was able to recognize the device and switch into “second screen” mode without my having to do anything. Again, this device is intuitive and a great step forward, but it needs to be more device-agnostic.

The TCL NXTWEAR XR glasses performance

The TCL NXTWEAR gets right to work without any complicated or annoying setup. Once plugged in, you can immediately access the second screen, which looks crisp and clear with CONTRAST > 100000:1 and sRGB 108%, among other specs. Volume and brightness adjustments can be made easily via small buttons on the right temple. I used it primarily on a MacBook and iPhone and didn’t even have to download an app to start enjoying it immediately. 

The magnetic eyepiece not only improves the look of the glasses (you go from cybernetic accountant in 2099 to Tom Cruise on an aircraft carrier in a flash), but it does help temper some of the transparency and gives you richer, more “TV”-like colors. On the negative side, the device does have some compatibility issues with apps like Amazon Prime and MoviesAnywhere. 

So, who should buy the TCL NXTWEAR S XR glasses? 

Early adopters, who love a good gadget more than they look for practicality, will find that the NXTWEAR S XR glasses offer a fantastic design that delivers on its promises—it’s just that what it promises isn’t something you’ll necessarily have to or want to integrate into your everyday life. 

It seems clear that TCL will keep iterating on this idea, and each phase will likely smooth out some of the roughness and cumbersome annoyance. At around $400, it’s an expensive novelty, but it has potential and is fun to play with in small doses (allow your eyes to re-adjust to the real world after wearing them for a bit).

The post TCL NXTWEAR S XR glasses review: A smart wearable with an emphasis on wearability appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Google Pixel 6a		SEE IT	Custom silicon enables advanced AI and machine learning features, providing users with an unmatched camera experience in this price range.
Best budget		Samsung Galaxy A03s		SEE IT	It delivers decent enough performance, good software, and excellent support from Samsung.
Best for gaming		OnePlus Nord N30 5G		SEE IT	Games will also look great on the large display, which features a refresh rate of 120Hz.

With foldable designs, wireless charging, and high-resolution displays, the allure of owning the latest Android phone is undeniable. However, it’s important to realize that you don’t need the newest model to play games, make video calls, or download the best apps—budget-friendly options are available for a fraction of the price. You can find an excellent mid-range Android phone that offers similar performance, long-lasting battery life, and software support to premium models for as little as $200. Our guide can help you sort through all the best cheap Android phones that offer a flagship-level experience.

• Best overall: Google Pixel 6a
• Best budget: Samsung Galaxy A03s
• Best value: Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
• Best for gaming: OnePlus Nord N30 5G
• Best camera: Google Pixel 7a

How we chose the best cheap Android phones

For over a decade, I’ve written about smartphones for sites like Popular Science, Best Products, and Reviewed. During that time, I’ve reviewed dozens of Android devices, from affordable mid-range phones to high-end premium models. To select our picks, I drew on my experience using Android phones, consulted trusted sources and professional reviewers, and researched the most popular models available. While I enjoy using the newest smartphones available, I’ve come to prefer budget devices because they offer the features I want at a much more affordable price.

What is considered affordable?

The Android phone market is flooded with options, making it difficult to pinpoint how much you need to spend on a quality device. While it’s possible to find a serviceable Android device for $100 or less, the sweet spot for striking a balance between affordability, performance, and features tends to be in the $200 to $350 price range. Our carefully selected picks offer the perfect blend of cost-effectiveness, ensuring you get the most out of your investment without compromising on the performance and features that matter most in the ever-evolving world of smartphones.

The best cheap Android phones: Reviews & Recommendations

While more affordable Android phones may lack premium features like high refresh rate displays and wireless charging, they still offer excellent performance and years of software support. But balancing cost with essential features can be tricky, so we’ll help you suss out what’s worth checking out and what isn’t. Our list of the best cheap Android phones will help you find the model that delivers a flagship-level experience in a more affordable package.

Best overall: Google Pixel 6a

SEE IT

Specs

• Display: 6.1-inch, 1080 x 2400, OLED, 60Hz, 429 ppi
• Processor: Google Tensor Titan M2
• RAM: 6GB
• Camera: 12MP f/1.7, OIS; 12MP f/2.2
• Support: Five years of security updates. Google hasn’t said how many OS updates it will receive, but the Pixel 6 has been promised three.

Pros

• Fantastic display
• Flagship-level camera
• Excellent software support

Cons

• Fingerprint sensor can be slow

Despite its age, the Google Pixel 6a provides the best balance between performance and affordability. The device features a powerful Tensor chip, a custom piece of silicon designed by Google. The processor enables advanced AI and machine learning features, providing users with an unmatched camera experience in this price range. The device features a dual camera setup with a 12MP primary camera and a 12MP ultra-wide camera. The Pixel 6a also features a vibrant 6.1-inch OLED display, 6GB of RAM, and a 4,410mAh battery that Google estimates can last all day, depending on your usage.

Best budget: Samsung Galaxy A03s

SEE IT

Specs

• Display: 6.5-inch, 720 x 1600, LCD, 270 ppi
• Processor: MediaTek Helio P35
• RAM: 3GB
• Camera: 13MP f/2.2 (wide), 2MP f/2.4 (macro), 2MP f/2.4 (depth)
• Support: Security updates into 2026

Pros

• Very affordable
• Excellent software support
• Fantastic battery life

Cons

• Camera quality is so-so

The Samsung Galaxy A03s provides a mix of mid-range and low-end features, resulting in a device that perfectly fits in the category of “best budget.” It delivers decent enough performance, good software, and excellent support from Samsung, making it the best Android device if you need to save money. It features a 6.5-inch 720p LCD display, a MediaTek Helio G35 processor, and 3GB of RAM—enough to watch videos and play less-intensive games. The device also offers a fingerprint sensor in the power button and a 13MP camera that we would describe as fine. 

Best value: Samsung Galaxy A14 5G

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Specs

• Display: 6.6-inch, 1080 x 2048, LCD, 400 ppi
• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 700
• RAM: 4GB
• Camera: 50MP f/1.8 (wide), 2MP f/2.4 (macro), 2MP f/2.4 (depth)
• Support: Security updates into 2027

Pros

• Big, high-resolution display
• Expandable storage
• Works on all U.S. carriers

Cons

• No IP rating

With a 6.6-inch 1080p display, MediaTek Dimensity 700 chip, and 5,000mAh battery, Samsung’s A14 5G is a solid option for around $200. The device features a sturdy design that looks like it belongs in the Galaxy S23 family. Meanwhile, it offers 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage with a microSD card slot for expansion—something that’s becoming rare these days. It has a 50MP primary camera, which takes decent pictures and can work on all U.S. carriers, including Verizon. Samsung is also promising security patches until early 2027, ensuring the device stays protected from malware for several more years.

Best for gaming: OnePlus Nord N30 5G

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Specs

• Display: 6.7-inch, 1080 x 2048, LCD, 120Hz, 391 ppi
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 695
• RAM: 8GB
• Camera: 108MP f/1.7 (wide), 2MP f/2.4 (macro), 2MP f/2.4 (depth)
• Support: One Android version upgrade and three years of security updates

Pros

• 120Hz display
• Excellent performance
• 50W wired charging

Cons

• No IP rating

The OnePlus Nord N30 5G is a new addition to the market and a device that offers high-end specs in an affordable package. The device features a 6.7-inch 1080p LCD display, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. You also get a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chip and a beefy 5,000mAh battery that supports 50W wired charging, making it possible to replenish an empty battery in less than an hour. We like the OnePlus Nord N30 for gaming because of its larger size and powerful performance. Games will also look great on the large display, which features a refresh rate of 120Hz. Other specs include a 108MP camera, dual stereo speakers, and a Game Focus Mode to optimize the device for improved gaming performance.

Best camera: Google Pixel 7a

SEE IT

Specs

• Display: 6.1-inch, 1080 x 2400, OLED, 120Hz, 429 ppi
• Processor: Google Tensor G2
• RAM: 8GB
• Camera: 64MP f/1.9 (wide), 13MP f/2.2 (ultra-wide)
• Support: Three years of OS upgrades and five years of security updates

Pros

• Flagship-level performance
• Fantastic camera
• Beautiful OLED display

Cons

• Finicky fingerprint scanner

An upgrade to the Pixel 6a, Google’s Pixel 7a is essentially a flagship device without the premium price. The design is nearly identical to the more expensive Pixel 7, and it comes equipped with Google’s powerful Tensor G2 processor and 8GB of RAM, so it can handle whatever you throw at it. The 6.1-inch display features a resolution of 1080p and a refresh rate of 90Hz. Meanwhile, you get a dual camera setup with a 64MP primary camera capable of producing incredible results, as exhibited in our full review. The secondary 13MP ultra-wide camera is an excellent option for taking landscape shots. The device also features a fingerprint scanner, facial recognition, and wireless charging. While the Pixel 7a isn’t exactly a budget phone, we highly recommend it if you can swing the higher cost.

What to consider when looking for the best cheap Android phones

Cheap Android phones may only boast some of the bells and whistles of more expensive alternatives. Still, they offer tremendous value for budget-conscious consumers. These models are perfect for first-time buyers, providing reliable performance, decent camera setups, and all-day battery life. And even though they don’t include every new feature, mid-range phones have been steadily improving, offering more capabilities each year. Here’s what to consider when choosing the best cheap Android phone.

Performance

More affordable phones generally offer a mix of high and mid-range specs; one of the most important is the processor. The processor is necessary to run applications and perform various tasks, from browsing the web to playing games. While companies like Qualcomm and MediaTek make most mid-range processors, companies like Google and Samsung produce custom-made silicon for their devices.

The amount of random access memory, or RAM, is also vital to your device’s performance and provides applications with a place to store data and quickly reaccess it temporarily. Cheaper devices typically have 6GB of RAM, enough to comfortably move between different tasks, including messaging, browsing social media, and watching videos.  

Software support

Software support is essential to your device’s long-term performance and ensures you get new features and security updates. The problem is support for cheaper devices has historically been abysmal. Thankfully, companies have done much better to support these devices with new (and timely) software updates in recent years. We recommend looking out for a device that, at minimum, offers two years of major software updates and three years of security updates. Often, a company will continue to provide security support even after ceasing software support.

Display

It’s important to consider your phone’s display since you’ll be staring at it a lot. The majority of modern smartphones feature screens between 5 and 6 inches, but the resolution and pixel density will vary. Typically, cheaper devices feature lower resolution—Full HD (1080p) or HD (720p)—liquid crystal displays (LCD). However, there are some options that feature OLED displays, a technology where a light-emitting diode (LED) independently backlights each pixel. Devices with OLED displays may be a little more expensive, so keep that in mind.

In addition to resolution, your phone’s pixel density is another key spec. Measured in pixels per inch (PPI), a higher pixel density results in a sharper image, making it more difficult to distinguish individual pixels. A display with a higher resolution and pixel density will ultimately make on-screen content more vivid and lifelike, with increased clarity particularly noticeable when viewing high-definition videos or reading text.

Meanwhile, your phone’s refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz), is another spec that impacts the overall user experience. A higher refresh rate, such as 90Hz or 120Hz, results in smoother and more fluid on-screen motion, making interactions, scrolling, and animations appear incredibly responsive. Displays with a higher refresh rate are generally reserved for flagship devices. Still, there are some rare exceptions in the mid-range market. Android devices on the lower end of the market typically feature a refresh rate of 60Hz.

Camera

These days, budget smartphones can provide satisfactory camera performance, with photos and videos that look fine for everyday use, including sharing on social media. If a good camera is your primary concern, consider investing in a flagship device that can offer more advanced camera technology, larger sensors, superior image processing, and more features. Flagship devices also generally incorporate multiple lenses, such as ultra-wide and telephoto, giving you more flexibility to explore creative possibilities.

That said, quality can vary significantly by manufacturer, with Google and Samsung generally ahead of the pack, whether it’s a high-end phone or something more affordable. In particular, Google’s Pixel line is widely praised across the industry for mobile photography. The best way to judge a smartphone’s camera quality is to test the phone yourself, like at a store or a friend’s house. If that’s not a possibility, read and watch reviews that provide a deep dive into that phone’s camera quality.

FAQs

Final thoughts on choosing the best cheap Android phones

• Best overall: Google Pixel 6a
• Best budget: Samsung Galaxy A03s
• Best value: Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
• Best for gaming: OnePlus Nord N30 5G
• Best camera: Google Pixel 7a

Advancements in technology have significantly narrowed the divide between mid-range Android devices and their pricier flagship counterparts. This convergence has made it possible to find a high-quality smartphone without breaking the bank. While you may not get top-tier features like high refresh rate displays or cutting-edge camera systems, you’ll discover that some of the best cheap Android phones deliver exceptional performance, a rich array of features, and robust software support.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best cheap Android phones of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Apple’s decision to launch the iPhone 15 with a USB-C port instead of a Lightning jack means potentially replacing the accessories you use to keep your smartphone’s battery topped up. We have an entire guide dedicated to everything you’ll need to make this port transition move smoothly, and if you want to address/or sidestep that issue, Anker is discounting its Magnetic Portable Charger by $20 on Amazon.

Anker Magnetic Portable Charger, $39.99 (Was $59.99)

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This portable power bank has a capacity of 5,000mAh, which is enough juice to extend the life of your iPhone by several hours. It has a USB-C port, which recharges the battery itself and can power up your tech, and a built-in MagSafe magnetic charging pad. This allows you to recharge any iPhone from the 12th generation onward without a cable. The magnets in Anker’s battery pack and your iPhone will attract, snapping them into perfect alignment to ensure a constant charge. While you can use this battery pack while protecting your iPhone with a MagSafe-compatible case, its thickness may impact your charging speeds.

Anker has marked its Magnetic Portable Charger down by $20, but you can save an additional $10 by clipping a digital coupon on its product page, which is active right now. There’s no set time when the deal or coupon will expire. Apple hasn’t changed the iPhone’s charging port since 2012, and if you want the switch to go as easily as possible, this deal can help. It’s also a great get if you’re an iPhone owner who wants to hold onto an older model without investing in more Lightning accessories.

More deals to help you get charged up:

• Apple MagSafe Charger, $33 (Was $39)
• Anker Nano II 30W Fast Charger, $23.99 (Was $33.99)
• Apple MagSafe Duo, $110.49 (Was $129)
• Belkin MagSafe 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand, $119.83 (Was $149.99)
• Anker MagGo Charger, $129.99 (Was $139.99)
• Anker 40W USB C Car Charger, $16.99 (Was $29.32)

The post Take 35% off a wireless battery pack at Amazon appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Garmin inReach Mini GPS		SEE IT	This tough communicator is perfect for outdoor camping trips.
Best for international travel		Inmarsat Isatphone 2.1 Satellite Phone		SEE IT	Flat rate calling charges are included with this satellite phone, saving you money on your post-trip phone bill.
Best budget		ZOLEO Satellite Communicator		SEE IT	This sub-$200 option includes Iridium satellite connection just like higher-end models.

Harnessing a satellite phone connection can provide you with communication anywhere globally. Using a satellite allows you to keep in touch with friends and family, whether you’re hiking in remote areas, sailing, flying, or just want to be prepared in case of a natural disaster. While cellphones and smartphones provide connections in major cities and towns, they’re dependent on terrestrial towers. In case of a natural disaster, cellphone networks can be overloaded or subject to structural damage. With one of the best satellite phones, your connection is dependent on satellites in space, so after a disaster or even if you’re traveling to the far corners of the Earth, you’ll be able to stay connected. 

Satellite phones can be used for voice calls, text messaging, and even basic emails to keep in touch. They allow for emergency preparedness by issuing SOS distress signals, GPS locations, directions, and emergency weather alerts. Some sat phone packages come with a satellite-based WiFi hub that will allow for your smartphone to work in locations that don’t have cellphone connections. Some satellite phone packages even allow for broadband access to the internet. To compare phones and determine which is right for you, we’ve selected some of the best satellite phones on the market to keep you safe and connected.

• Best overall: Garmin inReach Mini GPS
• Best satellite messenger: Spot X with Bluetooth 2-Way Satellite Messenger
• Best for international travel: Inmarsat Isatphone 2.1 Satellite Phone
• Best bundle: Iridium GO! Standard Package
• Best budget: ZOLEO Satellite Communicator

How we chose the best satellite phones

When venturing off the beaten path, communication can mean the difference between smooth sailing and a rough misadventure. We looked at critical reviews and user recommendations, consulted outdoor enthusiasts and experts, and conducted heavy research to find the best satellite phones—because there’s comfort in knowing you can always call home.

The best satellite phones: Reviews & Recommendations

The best satellite phones can do everything from traversing craggy ledges and vast green hillsides to phoning home while traveling internationally. The following are our picks that will keep you in touch wherever you go.

Best overall: Garmin inReach Mini GPS

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: This satellite communicator is portable and packed with features, like interactive SOS calling, to ensure safety anywhere in the world.

Specs

• Connectivity technology: Bluetooth, ANT+
• Battery life: 50 hours in default tracking mode; 20 days in power-saving mode
• Battery power: Internal rechargeable lithium battery
• Dimensions: 2 x 1.3 x 3.9 inches

Pros

• Portable
• Fast access to SOS
• Lots of battery power

Cons

• Satellite subscription required for use

Makers of top-tier hiking watches, Garmin knows GPS devices and what adventurers need. This handy mini GPS Garmin satellite phone is perfect for packing with your tent on outdoor camping trips. This satellite communicator lets you send two-way text messages using the Iridium satellite network. It is compatible with other handheld devices, and you have unlimited access to maps and aerial images through the Garmin Earthmate app to support your trip safely. Plus, it’s water-rated to IPX7 and impact-resistant, meaning it’s just as tough as your next uphill climb. Sending out an SOS message is easy thanks to 24/7 access to the GEOS emergency response team. A satellite subscription is required for use.

Best satellite messenger: Spot X with Bluetooth 2-Way Satellite Messenger

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Why it made the cut: This simple messenger allows you to send pre-programmed messages and your GPS location to loved ones.

Specs

• Connectivity technology: Bluetooth, USB
• Battery life: 10 days
• Battery power: 1 Lithium polymer battery
• Dimensions: 2.9 x 0.94 x 6.54 inches

Pros

• Easy to use
• SOV capabilities
• Spot Mapping app gives those at home peace of mind

Cons

• Must pay for a year of activation

Stick to the basics and stay safe with this simple satellite GPS messenger. Connect with friends by sending coordinates and pre-programmed messages via satellite and stay safe in case of emergency with GPS locators and SOS signals. It also includes Save Our Vehicle (SOV) request capabilities and a track button to send and save your location. Those at home can look at your location and progress using the SPOT Mapping app. Be aware that you’ll need to pay for a year of activation in order to use this device. 

Best for international travel: Inmarsat Isatphone 2.1 Satellite Phone

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Why it made the cut: Tons of battery life and dust, splash, and shock resistance mean this sat phone is reliable and tough.

Specs

• Connectivity technology: Bluetooth
• Battery life: eight hours of talk time; up to 160 hours on standby
• Battery power: Lithium-ion
• Dimensions: 10 x 9 x 4 inches

Pros

• Easy to set up and activate
• Comes unlocked for compatibility with multiple service providers
• Lots of coverage area

Cons

• Better for traveling than hiking
• Typing on phone is tedious

The Isatphone is backed by the Inmarsat satellite network and is a good option for international travel. Additional features include GPS and SOS capabilities. Activate its included Bluetooth connection to use it hands-free. It’s preloaded with eight hours of talk time, up to 160 hours on standby, and comes with chargers, cables, and adapters. The phone is also dust, splash, and shock resistant, meaning you don’t have to worry about breaking it while out and about on your international adventure.

Best bundle: Iridium GO! Standard Package

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Why it made the cut: This bundle includes tons of adapters—no dead batteries here.

Specs

• Connectivity technology: Bluetooth
• Battery life: 5.5 hours of talk time; 15.5 hours of standby
• Battery power: Lithium-ion
• Dimensions: 4.5 x 3.2 x 1.25 inches

Pros

• Lots of adapters
• Prepaid SIM card included
• Simple user interface

Cons

• Expensive

This ready-to-use satellite communicator connects to the Iridium global satellite network, which includes 66 operating satellites. A prepaid SIM card with 1,000 minutes of talk time, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, travel and car chargers, international adapters, and even a convenient carrying case are all included in the bundle. The Iridium GO! satellite communicator also connects to the Iridium GO! app to connect five separate devices sans wires. And it’s dust-proof, shock-resistant, and jet-water resistant. Carry it in your travel backpack or mount it in a car.

Best budget: ZOLEO Satellite Communicator

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Why it made the cut: This flexible device lets you connect to a satellite for less than $200—a steal compared to other satellite communicators.

Specs

• Connectivity technology: Bluetooth
• Battery life: 200 hours
• Battery power: Lithium-ion
• Dimensions: 3.58 x 2.6 x 1.06 inches

Pros

• Flexibility in using satellite, WiFi, or cellular
• Iridium satellite network access
• Required monthly subscription is less than $100 for cellular, WiFi, and SOS messaging

Cons

• Monthly subscription required

Zoleo created a small rugged device with all the essentials for keeping you safe in remote locations. Highly rated by many outdoor editors, this device allows you to use the Iridium satellite network, WiFi, or cellular service, depending on what’s available. A monthly subscription is required with cost-level options, depending on your needs.

What to consider when buying the best satellite phones

While satellite phones won’t replace your smartphone for everyday use, they step in and offer communication solutions for use when cellphone service isn’t possible. Sat phones are designed for international travel—but always check the countries’ policies ahead of time: is access allowed while off-the-grid camping and hiking or for use on boats or on recreational aircraft? The best satellite phones are designed with off-the-grid use in mind and should be rugged, waterproof, and durable. 

While connections are possible in all remote locations, the ability to receive signals can be hindered by buildings, roofs, shelters, or heavy tree coverage. Many manufacturers have solved this issue and offer packages that are designed to include antennas to use on the outside of structures or buildings, vehicles, boats, or even in the cockpit of an airplane. 

Use case

If you want to stay safe and connected when setting out for off-the-grid outdoor adventures, you will need a small, lightweight satellite phone that’s set up to offer all the features you need to stay safe. The best satellite communicator for wilderness adventures will be rugged, waterproof, and allow for easy messaging and an SOS distress call in case of emergency. 

Choosing a satellite communicator made for outdoor adventures means you’ll also have access to useful extra features. Companies like Garmin offer top-of-the-line GPS support, extra maps, topographic information, and safety advice for all types of rough terrain. Better brands offer excellent customer support as well as handy online resources.

Messaging vs. calling

When you travel or go on outside adventures, having a fully loaded SAT phone may not be necessary. Opting for a more basic satellite communication solution also means saving money. You’ve already got a smartphone—what you need is another layer of communication safety outside the cellphone zone. If you want to keep it simple, consider a satellite GPS messenger. These devices allow you to send messages to family and friends, letting them know you are safe, and also have important extra safety features like GPS location and SOS signals.

Text & voice calling bundles

The best satellite phone bundle will not only include a reliable, durable, easy-to-use phone, but it should also offer voice calling, text messaging, and email messaging. The best phones include a reliable large global network with 24/7 technical support. Packages should include all you need to use and get going without any additional purchases.

Helpful features to look for include different power adapters that allow for use in locations throughout the world. The best sat phone bundles also give you flexibility. You should be able to choose between a monthly plan or a prepaid SIM card—if you only use the phone a few months out of the year, you’re not stuck with a large monthly payment. 

International travel

Sat phones are a smart solution when traveling outside your home country. (Be sure to check the policies of the country you’re visiting before bringing one: They’re illegal in some places.) The best satellite phone for international travel is easy to set up and comes with a prepaid SIM card. That gives you the peace of mind that you can use the phone quickly no matter where you are without worrying about cellphone carriers or reception. Look for phones that offer reliable voice and call connectivity, as well as emergency signals. International travel often takes you to places where you can’t be sure what to expect, and a sat phone offers safety and protection, along with the security of knowing that you won’t be unreachable.

Budget

If satellite phone cost is a factor, consider a more basic satellite communication device. Fully loaded satellite phones can set you back around $1,000, not to mention the extra cost of SIM cards or monthly service plans. Economical solutions keep communication basic but also require a monthly subscription for service. 

The best budget satellite communicator allows you to text and receive texts, and some even offer apps that allow your phone to access the satellite WiFi network. Always look for added emergency features such as SOS alerts and GPS coordinates.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best satellite phones

• Best overall: Garmin inReach Mini GPS
• Best satellite messenger: Spot X with Bluetooth 2-Way Satellite Messenger
• Best for international travel: Inmarsat Isatphone 2.1 Satellite Phone
• Best bundle: Iridium GO! Standard Package
• Best budget: ZOLEO Satellite Communicator

The best satellite phones will allow you to roam around the globe and stay connected. With rugged, waterproof designs, these phones can follow you on any adventure by land, sea, or air. Connect with a prepaid SIM card, or with a monthly plan to keep safe and communicate no matter where you are. In case of emergency, sat phones will send SOS signals and GPS coordinates to make sure you return home safe. Compare phones, then get shopping.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best satellite phones of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Spigen Glas.tR EZ Fit Tempered Glass Screen Protector		SEE IT	Thin yet durable with a handy installer to boot.
Best anti-blue light		EyeJust Blue Light Blocking Screen Protector		SEE IT	NASA-designed blue light blocking bolster this iPhone screen protector.
Best budget		JETech Full Coverage Screen Protector		SEE IT	Low price and comes with three screens.

You may already have a case for your expensive iPhone, and AppleCare+ has saved us a bundle in the past, but a screen protector is a logical addition. The last thing you want in your busy life is to have to get a cracked screen fixed. When it comes to buying a screen protector, though, it can be hard to know where to start. Many may look similar, but they’re not all the same. While there are a number of things to consider when shopping for the best iPhone screen protector, the number one thing is the glass itself. The whole point is to protect your screen—if the protector isn’t up to snuff, you could still end up with cracks. To make sure your Apple device is always protected, we’ve put together a list of the best iPhone protectors for a number of different models and use cases.

• Best overall: Spigen Glas.tR EZ Fit Tempered Glass Screen Protector
• Best value: amFilm OneTouch Glass Screen Protector
• Best for privacy: JETech Privacy Screen Protector
• Best anti-blue light: EyeJust Blue Light Blocking Screen Protector
• Best budget: JETech Full Coverage Screen Protector

How we chose the best iPhone screen protectors

An iPhone screen protector can serve two purposes: Protect the iPhone and protect the iPhone user. For the first part, ensure it’s constructed of durable 9H tempered glass—this will help ensure a positive outcome in the event of a tripod tumble. As for the second, consider your eyes. Sure, you could always throw on a pair of blue light-blocking glasses, but why not stop the blue light right at the source, which is something screen protectors can do. The market is full of iPhone screen protectors, many with similar selling points. To narrow it down to the best of the best, we first looked at the features, specifications, and prices of a variety of screens. We then compared these to expert analysis from a number of trusted consumer review sites as well as general consensus and write-ups from online retailers. We cross-referenced this to our own personal experience as well.  

The best iPhone screen protectors: Reviews & Recommendations

Your iPhone is an investment, and there’s a lot on the line if you drop it and crack the screen: Heartbreak in the phone carrier store! Tears while talking to an Apple Genius! Little cuts on your thumbs because you told yourself the screen crack wasn’t that bad! And sure, you could fix a broken screen yourself, but it’s better to never have to try. You can feel confident that these are the best iPhone screen protectors on the market that will help keep it intact as future iPhone generations come out.

Best overall: Spigen Glas.tR EZ Fit Tempered Glass Screen Protector

SEE IT

Specs

• Compatible models: iPhone 14/iPhone 13/iPhone 13 Pro
• Material: 9H tempered glass
• Thickness: 0.02 inches

Pros

• Water repellant
• Installer
• Includes two screens

Cons

• Slightly more expensive than competitors

When it comes to iPhone screen protectors, you want one that’s durable and won’t let you down when gravity grabs ahold of your phone. Spigen’s Glas.tR EX Fit Tempered Glass Screen Protector is famous for its durability. With tempered glass with a 9H hardness rating, it will be there for your iPhone screen when you need it most.

Durability isn’t everything, though. There’s also the matter of getting the screen protector onto your phone. In that area, Spigen’s model also comes up trumps, with an installer that makes getting the screen applied with no bubbles a breeze. And, should you, unfortunately, make a mistake during application, the package includes an extra screen just in case.

Other points that make this the best overall iPhone screen protector include transparency to preserve the original brightness, camera coverage, an oil-free, and oleophobic (aka anti-oil) coating to resist smudges, and water repellency. While this version supports iPhone 14, 13, and 13 Pro, there is support for other models as well. You can find it for the new iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max. 

Best value: amFilm OneTouch Glass Screen Protector

SEE IT

Specs

• Compatible models: iPhone 14/iPhone 13/iPhone 13 Pro
• Material: 9H tempered glass
• Thickness: 0.5 inches

Pros

• Includes two installers and screens
• Scratch resistant
• Great price

Cons

• Some users report issues with installation

What happens if you drop your phone with a screen protector already applied? The protector absorbs the shock and cracks instead of your phone screen. This is why it’s important to buy an iPhone screen protector made from tempered glass with a hardness of 9H. The amFilm OneTouch Glass Screen Protector fulfills this requirement and does it at a superb price. It’s also scratch- and fingerprint-resistant.

Installation of screen protectors can be tricky. To make this process as easy as possible, the amFilm OneTouch Glass Screen Protector includes not one but two installers and screens, so you have one for next time. It also includes two sets of dust removal stickers, wet wipes, dust removal covers, and microfiber cloths to ensure your screen is debris-free during application. Some users have reported issues with installation, so be sure to read the instruction manual first. 

This one is made for past iPhone generations. You’re in luck if you’re shopping for a screen protector for the new iPhone 15—it’s available for the iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max. 

Best for privacy: JETech Privacy Screen Protector

SEE IT

Specs

• Compatible models: iPhone 14
• Material: 9H tempered glass
• Thickness: 0.5 inches

Pros

• Fingerprint resistant
• Includes camera lens protector
• 2 screens
• Great price

Cons

• No installer

Most screen protectors are designed to be as clear as possible, ensuring viewing brightness remains unchanged. However, these do nothing to prevent the people around you from seeing what you’re looking at. If this is a concern for you, you need a privacy screen protector, one that is transparent from head-on but blacked out from the side.

JETech’s Privacy Screen Protector for the iPhone 14 has all of the features that you would expect from an iPhone screen protector, including oleophobic coating to resist fingerprints and guides to help with installation. It also stops those in your periphery from seeing what you’re doing on your phone. The package includes two screens plus a rear camera lens protector with night circles to improve photography performance in low-light situations. The price also can’t be beat.

Best anti-blue light: EyeJust Blue Light Blocking Screen Protector

SEE IT

Specs

• Compatible models: iPhone 13 / iPhone 13 Pro / iPhone 14
• Material: 9H tempered glass
• Thickness: 0.5 inches

Pros

• Advanced blue light-blocking technology
• Shatterproof
• Clear

Cons

• Pricey
• No installer

With so much time spent in front of screens, many will want something to cut blue light. While you could get special glasses, it might be easier to go with a blue light-blocking screen protector for your iPhone. EyeJust is a leader in blue light blocking, using technology originally developed by NASA.

EyeJust’s Blue Light Blocking Screen Protector for the iPhone 13, 13 Pro, and 14 cuts intrusive blue light while remaining clear for viewing. It’s also anti-smudge, scratch-resistant, and, with its five different nano-layers of tempered glass, anti-shatter. While there’s no installer, the package does include a dust removal sticker and microfiber cloth. While considerably more expensive than regular screen protectors, if you’re at all concerned about blue light then this is a must-have. It looks like it’s not available for the iPhone 15 line just yet. We’ll update it with that info when it becomes available, but in the meantime, check out the Magglass Blue-Light Screen Guard, which is compatible with the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. 

Best budget: JETech Full Coverage Screen Protector

SEE IT

Specs

• Compatible models: iPhone 14 Pro
• Material: 9H tempered glass
• Thickness: 0.5 inches

Pros

• Water-resistant
• Includes three screens
• Low price

Cons

• No installation tray

While it’s always a good idea to buy the best iPhone screen protector that you can afford, sometimes you need to go for the budget option. Thankfully, JETech’s Full Coverage Screen Protector for the iPhone Pro offers protection for your device at a very affordable price—and even includes three screens.

This screen protector from JETech may be inexpensive, but it’s still high quality. It’s made from 9H tempered glass, so your own screen will be duly protected. It’s also water and scratch-resistant, perfect for life on the go. And, as you’ll be touching your phone with your fingers, there’s an oleophobic coating to whisk away sweat and oil. While there’s unfortunately no installer, the JETech Full Coverage Screen Protector comes with sticker guides and other accessories to get you ready for installation.

Things to consider when choosing the best iPhone screen protectors

There are several factors to keep in mind when shopping for the best iPhone screen protector. The first is going to be the iPhone model. While some models share the same screen size, many do not, so a screen protector designed for, say, the iPhone 14 Pro may not work with an iPhone 11. Next, you’re going to want to make sure that the screen protector is suitably durable. Most are made from tempered glass with a 9H hardness rating, which is one of the highest hardnesses on the Mohs Hardness Scale. After that, you may want to consider the application method. Some products include installers to make application easier, while others do not. Additionally, many packages include multiple copies of the screen protector, such as two or three, so you don’t have to open your wallet for a new screen protector the first time you drop your phone.

FAQs

Final thoughts on shopping for the best iPhone screen protectors

• Best overall: Spigen Glas.tR EZ Fit Tempered Glass Screen Protector
• Best value: amFilm OneTouch Glass Screen Protector
• Best for privacy: JETech Privacy Screen Protector
• Best anti-blue light: EyeJust Blue Light Blocking Screen Protector
• Best budget: JETech Full Coverage Screen Protector

iPhones are expensive and easy to drop. That combination makes them perfect candidates for screen protectors. When shopping for the best screen protector for your iPhone, you want to make sure that it has both the features that you need and the strength and durability to absorb impact. By going with a screen protector made from 9H tempered glass, you can be sure that the protector will crack and not your screen. After that, you can consider variables like clear or private, number of included screens, and method of installation. Even if your phone is still under warranty, it can be useful to have a screen protector in place, as there are few of us who can afford to be without our phones for even short periods of time.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best iPhone screen protectors of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

The Google Pixel lineup has long been an impressive range of smartphones. The cameras on the Pixel phones typically rival or surpass the Apple iPhone offerings, and Google has frequently led the way with impressive features and tools on these phones. The Pixel 7 series is no different, with three phones in the mix: The Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, and Pixel 7a.

The 7a falls at the entry point to the lineup, with the smallest display and lowest price ($499). That doesn’t mean that Google skimped on features and specs, however. The phone borrows tech from its big siblings and offers the best camera of any mid-range phone available. Google sent me the 7a in Charcoal to test out for a few months, and overall, I was quite very happy with this phone.

SEE IT

Overview

• The base price of $499 is relatively affordable compared to other phones.
• It features a 6.1-inch 1080p OLED display with adaptive brightness and 90Hz refresh rate.
• Its powerful Google Tensor G2 chip is also in the more expensive Pixel 7 and 7 Pro phones.
• The 64MP primary camera, 13MP ultra-wide camera, and 13MP selfie cameras offer plenty of quality, especially with Google’s advanced built-in editing tools.

Pros

• Available in four unique colors
• Wireless charging compatible
• Very capable camera
• Handy AI-based editing tools
• Good screen quality with a responsive touchscreen 
• Google provides frequent software updates
• Water-resistant

Cons

• Slippery to hold without a case
• Battery life is so-so and won’t last all day if you are using it a lot
• Coral color is only available through Google

Verdict

The Google Pixel 7a is a mid-range phone with a more affordable price than the Pixel 7 Pro or Pixel 7. Despite that, it features many advanced features found in those phones, including a powerful Tensor G2 chip and lots of AI-based enhancements to photos, calls, and general use. It lacks battery life and durability but still has much to offer. 

Google Pixel 7a design, build, & durability

Google Pixel phones are well-known for their slick design, and that tradition continues with the Pixel 7a. It measures 6 by 2.8 by 0.4 inches and weighs 6.8 ounces, barely bigger than the 6a. It also looks nearly identical to the Pixel 6a, with a high-gloss plastic back and aluminum edges. Unlike the 6a, however, the aluminum frame on the 7a is now the same color as the back of the phone, resulting in a more seamless look. The frame around the camera bar synonymous with Pixel phones is still there, though it has been upgraded from the plastic found in the 6a to alloy. This piece also matches the color of the phone. 

Durability

Google covered the front of the phone with scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 3. It is an older version of Gorilla Glass, which Corning released in 2013. The other Pixel 7 phones get the newest version—Gorilla Glass Victus—which is much stronger and more durable. Seeing such an old version on this new phone is somewhat disappointing, but it likely helps keep the cost down. We’d definitely recommend getting a screen protector (as we would with any phone) since it is relatively easy to scratch despite the scratch-resistant claim. I’m pretty careful with my phone, but it got some scratches just by being in my purse. 

For even more protection, Google built the phone with an IP67 rating. That means it can handle dust and submersion in three feet of water for 30 minutes. The Pixel 7 offers an IP68 rating, so you don’t get quite as much protection in the more affordable model. 

Display

The Pixel 7a features a 6.1-inch 1080p OLED display, the smallest Pixel phone available unless you count the Pixel Fold’s 5.8-inch screen when it’s folded down. The Pixel 7 offers a slightly larger 6.3-inch display, but both provide the same 1080 by 2040 resolution. That means the 7a offers a higher pixel density of 429 PPI than the larger phone. 

The OLED display is capable of a 90Hz refresh rate, though it is set to 60Hz by default. You’ll need to go into the Display settings and toggle on Smooth Display to take advantage of that higher refresh rate. It will use more battery, but it may be worth it if you are streaming a lot of content or playing games. 

Interestingly, Google doesn’t offer up the brightness of the 7a other than saying it features “high brightness mode.” Regardless, I haven’t had any issues seeing the screen, even when looking at the phone in the bright Florida sunshine. Google built the phone with adaptive brightness, which is enabled by default. The transition when moving from bright to dark areas is very smooth, with little lag. And if you make manual adjustments, the phone offers a machine-learning algorithm to remember your preferences after a few days. 

Handling

Even though the display is the same size as the Samsung Galaxy S23, the Galaxy is slightly smaller. The Galaxy S23 is also easier to hold than the Pixel 7a. While the rounded edges of the Pixel phone look nice, they make it very slick to handle without a case. It frequently slips out of my hand while casually using the phone on the couch. However, most will probably have the phone in a case, so that may be a non-issue for many. But, even though it is barely bigger, the Pixel 7a isn’t as comfortable or easy to hold as my Galaxy S23. 

Performance

Google built the Pixel 7a around its Tensor G2 chip, found in both of the more expensive versions of the Pixel 7. The 7a also provides 8GB RAM and 128GB of storage (which is the only option). The 6a only features 6GB RAM, so this is a slight upgrade. In terms of OS, it comes loaded with Android 13. 

The phone’s guts allow for snappy, smooth, and responsive performance. I’m not gaming on my phone (beyond playing Two Dots on occasion), and I don’t stream content beyond Instagram videos and the occasional YouTube tutorial, so I can’t speak to those demanding use cases. However, I never experienced any lagging or delays when opening apps or taking photos. The videos I watched were seamless and smooth, even with the lower 60Hz refresh rate. 

The phone did get rather hot when I was using power-hungry apps, as well as when charging the phone. It was never uncomfortable, and I never had any performance issues. But it did surprise me how warm it got—possibly the result of changing the CPU housing to cut costs. 

Google Pixel 7a battery life

The Pixel 7a uses a 4,385mAh battery. That’s slightly larger than the Pixel 7 (4355 mAh) but, unexpectedly, smaller than the 7 Pro (5000 mAh). It is fast charging and wireless charging compatible (which is a first for Pixel’s A line of phones), both of which add convenience. The wireless charging process is slow, however. It charges at 7.5 watts compared to the 20 watts available with the Pixel 7. When plugged in, you’ll get 18 watts. That’s lower than the Samsung Galaxy S23’s 25-watt fast charging and the Pixel 7’s 20 watts. But it can still charge up in roughly 1.5 hours, with a decent battery top-off in as little as 30 minutes.

Google claims the battery can last beyond 24 hours and offers up to 72 hours in Extreme Battery Saver mode. That said, battery life is very situationally dependent. Your particular settings and phone use can drastically change battery life. However, I was less than impressed by the battery life of the Pixel 7a.

I typically use my phone for roughly three hours daily, mostly casual social media use, web browsing, or Duolingo lessons. As mentioned, I don’t play serious games on my phone and don’t stream much content, but I have adaptive brightness turned on, and for most of my testing, I did not have Smooth Display mode on. Even with that relatively modest usage, my battery was almost always nearly dead by the end of the day. With even slightly heavier use, I would need to top off the battery during the day. 

One odd thing that I noticed was that certain apps drain the battery more substantially on the Pixel 7a than on my Samsung Galaxy S23. The biggest culprit was the USAA SafePilot app, which wrecked my battery life. Even on days when I was hardly using the phone, my battery was done by afternoon. That’s far from ideal, especially when I was out and about. 

Google Pixel 7a camera

Google Pixel phones have always been celebrated for their cameras. It’s one of the main selling points of these particular mobile devices. And the 7a lives up to that hype, offering the best camera you can find on a phone of this price. It even tops its more expensive siblings regarding megapixel count, albeit it falls behind in sensor size. 

There are three cameras on the 7a: A 64MP main camera with optical image stabilization, a 13MP ultra-wide camera, and a 13MP selfie camera. These offer an 80-degree, 120-degree, and 95-degree field of view, respectively. If you want a dedicated telephoto camera, you’ll need to upgrade to the Pro version, which offers a 48MP telephoto camera. The 7a provides a Super Res Zoom, a digital zoom with up to 8x magnification. 

Photo results

Simply put, the photos from the Pixel 7a are reliably good in most scenarios. Images are well exposed in good light with just enough contrast and saturation. They don’t look overly processed or sharpened, as is wont to happen on smartphones. They just look good and natural. Even photos of high-contrast scenes look nice without too much of an HDR look to them. Low-light images are overall excellent, though portraits in dim conditions tend to lack sharpness. 

The autoexposure does really well, but you can also adjust brightness while shooting if you want a different look from what the camera provides. The camera managed shutter speed well, giving me blur-free results of moving subjects in most scenarios with even decent light. Of course, there were times that wasn’t the case, but the phone offers an Unblur tool in the editing menu that can help. It’s not perfect by any means, but it is a nice tool. 

Where the camera lacks is, unsurprisingly, in the telephoto realm. Though digital zoom has improved in recent years, it is no substitute for a dedicated telephoto lens. The 2x zoom (one of the focal lengths you can quickly select) on the main camera does alright, with only moderate signs of the noise and oversharpening typical with digital zoom. Any more than that, however, and the quality goes down substantially. The 2x in portrait mode is worse than the basic camera mode, with very noticeable noise and over-sharpening. 

More camera modes

Beyond the basic camera and portrait mode, the Pixel 7a also offers a few additional camera modes to help in specific scenarios. Night Sight pulls out more detail in dim lighting conditions. It does so in part by taking a longer exposure, so you’ll need to hold the phone steady. But it does an impressive job of giving you more usable images in dark locations. 

You’ll also have access to Long Exposure mode, which purposefully adds motion blur to images. This mode can be used for creative shots, such as blurred trains, traffic at night, or the currently popular blurry portraits. I used it a few times to blur water from a fountain. While it doesn’t result in as high-quality photos as the standard camera with good light, it is fun to have the option of long exposure blur on a phone. 

Video capabilities

The primary camera of the Pixel 7a is capable of 4K video up to 60p, though that is only possible when using 1x or 2x zoom. If you want the wide-angle lens, it tops out at 30p. Slow motion mode lowers the quality to FHD. Unfortunately, for those looking for an iPhone alternative that offers a similar portrait video mode, that does not exist on the Pixel 7a.

There are multiple types of stabilization to take advantage of. Standard is ideal for light movement, which is what I used throughout most of my testing. It does an excellent job of stabilizing video for most situations. For those times when I was moving a lot, the Active stabilization provided even smoother results, though you can’t use the wide-angle lens with that mode. Locked is ideal for videos without movement at 2x zoom. And Cinematic Pan allows for cinematic panning shots at half speed without sound. 

The video results were very similar to photo quality. Videos were reliably exposed properly with enough saturation, contrast, and sharpness. I did not create cinematic, high-end social media content when testing the phone. Still, I was impressed with the video quality and stabilization for randomly documenting my life. As expected, videos in low-light situations were lower in quality, with some noticeable noise and lack of sharpness. But they are passable for most people’s purposes. 

Magic Eraser

I’m sure you’ve seen the Pixel advertisements that show off the Magic Eraser feature. It is sold as being a truly magical tool for removing unwanted items or people from your images. While it does a good job, it’s by no means perfect. And it requires rather specific scenery or backgrounds to get passable results. Now, keep in mind that I am a professional photographer who has spent a lot of time editing items out of images, so my standards and expectations are higher than most. But, I was not as wowed as I expected to be. 

When you open a photo in the editor, navigate to Tools and select Magic Eraser. The phone will process for a second and scan the image in an attempt to detect if there are things you would want removed automatically. It rarely picked up stuff I would have liked it to take out accurately. For example, in one photo of my husband in a kayak on a river, it suggested taking out my husband but leaving the kayak, which would be an odd choice. If it doesn’t find what you want, or you want to manually select, you use a brush to circle or paint in whatever you want removed.

In terms of results, don’t expect perfection. If there’s anything busy in the background, it will be noticeable where it attempted to remove something. Patterns on wood floors or forest floors throw it off, for example. But if the background is simple and mostly empty, it does a pretty good job. Redrawing your selection a few times can yield better results as well. 

At the end of the day, AI still isn’t perfect. It is helpful if you need to remove someone or something in a pinch. But don’t expect a miracle fix by any means. 

So, who should buy the Google Pixel 7a?

The Pixel 7a is quite impressive for a mid-range device. Google built the phone with the processing power of its more expensive models, which allows it to keep up with almost anything you may need. That is, of course, if you don’t mind charging it frequently. The display is an ideal size for most. It’s also nicely vibrant with plenty of brightness and responsiveness, which is nice for watching videos or editing photos. Its camera is very capable, producing attractive photos and videos without an overly processed look in most scenarios. 

The 7a doesn’t match the flagship build and fleshed-out features of other Pixel 7 models or higher-end phones from different manufacturers, but we wouldn’t expect that, given the price. If you simply want a phone that works with no fuss or absurdly fancy features, the Google Pixel 7a will tick those boxes.

The post Google Pixel 7a smartphone review: Stuck in the middle with you appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Apple’s latest event included a ton of new products and features for iPhones, Apple Watches, and… whatever this thing was. Here’s the PopSci rundown of the latest and most interesting takeaways—yes, including the much anticipated USB-C port switch. 

iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max

Apple is finally completing the USB-C transition with the new iPhone 15 line after over 10 years of Lightning cables (and all their associated dongles). During the company’s September 12 “Wonderlust” event, Apple confirmed the long-rumored shift, thus likely simplifying daily gadgetry for new iPhone purchasers while simultaneously inducing headaches (yet again) for owners of older generation products.

Apple first adopted some USB-C functionality via its 2015 MacBook, followed by the next year’s MacBook Pro upgrade. But apart from its laptops, the company has stayed quiet on plans to roll out similar changes for iPhones. That day has finally come, however, thanks in no small part to the European Union. Last year, EU legislators passed regulation ordering electronics manufacturers to adopt the USB-C charger as a universal port in the majority of their products by the end of 2024. Apple clearly is getting a headstart on the phaseout with its new iPhone 15 offerings.

iPhone 15 models are also getting a Dynamic Island bar at the top of screens boasting Super Retina XDR using OLED Super Retina tech with Dolby Vision support. Screens also include 2,000 nits of outdoor brightness across the 6.1- and 6.7-inch displays. Not much is changing within the smartphones’ actual physical designs, however, which come in pink, yellow, green, blue, and black with a textured matte back finish and ceramic shield screens.

[Related: The iPhone has a new (old) charging port—here are the best accessories.]

Meanwhile, Apple’s newest high-end iPhone models, 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, are powered by an A17 silicon chip, and encased in Grade 5 titanium (as seen on the Mars Perseverance rover) at the same sizes as 15 and 15 Plus. An Action Button is replacing the longstanding silence switch located on iPhone’s left side, and can be customized for a variety of actions including voice memo, live speech, shortcuts, photo and video. Being their most advanced models available, the 15 Pro and Pro Max are tailored more for professional videographers and photographers, thanks to souped-up multi-camera systems led by a 48 megapixel main camera.

The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are open for preorder on September 15, and will be available online and in-store on September 22 at a starting price of $799 and $899.

Apple Watch

Apple Watch Series 9 also got its official announcement, and will rely on an S9 SiP (System in Package) featuring 5.6 billion transistors alongside a 30 percent faster GPU and two times’ faster neural engine. Siri requests will remain on device, reportedly allowing for faster and more secure interactions such as accessing users’ health data. Meanwhile, dictation is up to 25 percent more accurate, and WatchOS 10 (coming September 18) can employ Name Drop and more precise haptic and audible feedback while finding their iPhones. At 2000 nits, Series 9 boasts double the brightness as its predecessor model, while also being able to dim as low as 1 nit.

Series 9 is also rolling out a new hand gesture for users’ watch hands—a double tap using the thumb and index fingers to answer and end calls, start and stop timers, control music and AppleTV, silence alarms, as well as open Apple Watch while also scrolling through widgets. The new hand gesture will be available on Apple Watches next month. Series 9 will be available in aluminum, scarlet, silver, midnight, and Product Red, as well as premium gold, silver, and graphite aluminum cases.

Apple Watch Series Ultra 2, its new outdoor-oriented model, will make the most of the watchface, including automatic night mode. The smartwatch includes an expanded altitude resilience of -500 to 9,000 meters, and Bluetooth-enabled accessory capabilities for activities such as cycling. Even with the boosted performance, Series 2 Ultra still maintains a standard 36-hour battery life alongside a 72-hour timeframe in low power mode. The frame is made from 95 percent recycled titanium, and users can choose from an expanded line of trail, alpine, and diving watch bands.

Apple Watch Series 2 is open for preorder on September 15, and will be available online and in-store on September 22 at a starting price of $399. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is available for preorder and in-store on the same dates for $799.

The post Apple’s newest gadgets include titanium iPhones with USB-C ports appeared first on Popular Science.

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Apple has announced its upcoming smartphones, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, which will be available for preorder this Friday, Sept. 15, and arrive on Sept. 22. These will be the first models to feature a USB-C charging and data transfer port (with the Pro models supporting 10Gbps USB 3 speeds). This will replace the Lightning port used by Apple’s smartphones since the iPhone 5 launched in 2012. Apple says it’s making the change because USB-C has become a universal standard.

In addition, the AirPods Pro (2nd generation), which we love, will also start shipping with a combination MagSafe & USB-C charging case on the 22nd. If you’ve been using an iPhone or AirPods for several years, this change means replacing all of your Lightning charging cables and accessories with ones that work with USB-C. Thankfully, USB-C is a universal standard, so plenty of options are available.

Both the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro series phones also support wireless charging at up to 7.5W using a Qi charging pad or 15W using a MagSafe magnetic charger. We’ll explore some of your best options below, so you’ll be all set for the iPhone’s launch day.

• Best USB-C cable: Anker USB C to USB C Cable
• Best USB-C power adapter: Amazon Basics 65W One-Port GaN USB-C Wall Charger
• Best MagSafe charger: Apple MagSafe Charger
• Best MagSafe battery pack Anker MagGo Wireless Portable Charger
• Best multi-device MagSafe charger: Nomad Base One Max
• Best MagSafe travel charger: ZAGG 3-in-1 travel charger with MagSafe

Best USB-C cable: Anker USB C to USB C Cable

SEE IT

As far as value and quality go, this two-pack of Anker’s USB-C to USB-C cables allows you to jump into the new charger world with both feet. Both cables are six feet long and have a braided nylon covering to protect them from little nicks and scratches. Anker says the protective shielding at the base of both connectors is designed to be bent 12,000 times, which should prevent fraying. Our other reason for recommending these cables over others is that they can carry up to 100W of electricity. USB-C cables all look the same but can transfer power at dramatically different rates.

You can use this pair of USB-C cables from Anker with an iPhone, tablet, game console, or laptop and charge all of them at their maximum speed. If you can get away with using three charging cables (the one Apple includes with the iPhone and this two-pack from Anker), the total cost of your Lightning to USB-C charging transition will set you back less than $15. Anker also offers these cables in a smaller, 3.3-foot size and a couple of different colors.

Best USB-C power adapter: Amazon Basics 65W One-Port GaN USB-C Wall Charger

SEE IT

If you’ve been plugging your iPhone—and other tech accessories—into a power adapter with a USB-A plug, now is the time to upgrade. Amazon Basics’ pocket-sized charger can top up your new iPhone at its maximum charging speed and is compatible with any USB-C to USB-C cable. We’re recommending this 65W power adapter over Amazon’s less expensive 30W model because it’s also powerful enough to charge a laptop or tablet.

Best MagSafe charger: Apple MagSafe Charger

SEE IT

One way to side-step the Lightning to USB-C port transition on the iPhone is moving to wireless charging. Your best choice is picking up one of Apple’s MagSafe charging pucks, which support wireless charging speeds of up to 15W. This accessory will magnetically connect to the back of your iPhone, automatically aligning itself to the correct spot to optimize its charging speed. If you don’t like the look of an errant charging accessory on your desk or nightside table, we recommend picking up an inexpensive aluminum stand to house it.

Best MagSafe battery pack: Anker MagGo Wireless Portable Charger

SEE IT

Anker’s MagGo is a 5000w power bank that allows you to MagSafe wireless anywhere. The battery pack magnetically attaches to the back of your iPhone and automatically begins to refill its battery. You can extend the life of your iPhone by several hours using the MagGo, but it doesn’t have quite enough juice to refill it completely. Additionally, this battery pack only supports wireless charging speeds of up to 7.5W, half MagSafe’s technical maximum. You can connect your phone to its USB-C port for faster charging speeds using a cable.

Best multi-device MagSafe charger: Nomad Base One Max

SEE IT

If you’d like to kiss charging cables goodbye completely, Nomad’s Base One Max is the ultimate charging accessory. The wireless charger can top up an iPhone (at 15W via MagSafe), Apple Watch, and AirPods (both at 5W a piece) simultaneously. There are similar accessories, but none have the fit and finish of the Base One Max, whose glass and metal design matches Apple’s luxe, minimalist aesthetic. This is the wireless charging solution to permanently set on your desk, so you can grab your most-used devices at any time without feeling tethered. The one thing you’ll need to complement this accessory is a 30W power adapter, as Nomad doesn’t include one in the box.

Best MagSafe travel charger: ZAGG 3-in-1 travel charger with MagSafe

SEE IT

ZAGG’s 3-in-1 travel charger with MagSafe is an excellent investment if you travel often. It has many of the same performance characteristics as Nomad’s charger, but it can fold into a neat package and be stored in a backpack pocket. Wirelessly charge your AirPods, Apple Watch, and iPhone in hotels, AirBnbs, and even internationally—if you remember to bring a power converter. ZAGG includes a power adapter with this accessory, and it fits into a specific slot in the included carrying case, so you can easily grab this charger and go.

The iPhone enters the hear and now

Another thing we love about this change is that it opens the iPhone up to a wealth of audio accessories—including some of our favorite headphones with built-in DACs (such as the Focal Bathys and Bowers & Wilkins Px8), external DAC/amps, etc.—allowing for advanced resolution playback without the need for an additional cable beyond what comes with the gear.

The post The iPhone has a new (old) charging port—here are the best accessories appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		JOBY GorillaPod		SEE IT	Two cold shoe mounts let you attach an external microphone and light—great for shooting video or capturing selfies late at night.
Best compact		Peak Design Mobile Tripod		SEE IT	A stable, fully-articulating tripod that packs down to fit in your pocket.
Best budget		UBeesize Tripod S		SEE IT	An included Bluetooth remote makes selfie-taking even easier.

An iPhone tripod makes it easy to get stabilized, pro-level photo and video content for selfies, TikTok vids, or going live. Having your iPhone on a tripod—rather than using your arm like a selfie stick—also means you don’t have to fret about your finger covering the camera lens or the mic while you are filming. So, if you’re ready to take a stand for better image quality, here are our top picks for the best iPhone tripods.

• Best overall: JOBY GorillaPod
• Best compact: Peak Design Mobile Tripod
• Best budget: UBeesize Tripod S

The best iPhone tripods: Reviews & Recommendations

Best overall: JOBY GorillaPod

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: Joby has been setting the standard for compact, flexible tripods for a long time, and its phone tripod is no different. This particular model features two cold shoe mounts so users can attach an external microphone and light—great for shooting video or capturing selfies late at night. 

Specs

• Contents: One 1/4″-20 tripod mount, two cold shoe mounts
• Weight: 1.9 lbs 
• Phone mount: Locking GripTight mount for iPhone

Pros

• Flexible legs for attaching anywhere
• Sturdy build
• Customizable 
• All-in-one tool: includes lights and mic 

Cons

• Not compatible with larger smartphones 
• Pricey 

JOBY is known for designing tripods with unique legs that can be wrapped around virtually anything to capture interesting perspectives while shooting. These flexible legs also double as a traditional tripod or hand grip. The design has been mimicked by a number of third-party brands, but in our experience, JOBY’s iPhone tripods hold up much better after repeated use. 

This particular JOBY iPhone tripod is designed with video creators in mind. It comes with an external mic for capturing quality audio and an LED light—accessories sure to please TikTok users and vloggers. It has a lightweight, compact design that won’t weigh down the creator on the go. 

This all-in-one rig is one of the more expensive options on the market, but if you are looking for an iPhone tripod with a bit of added versatility, this is an excellent option. 

Best compact: Peak Design Mobile Tripod

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: This pocket-sized magnetic tripod is one of the smallest models on the market—making it easy to slide into a pocket or bag without having to remove it from your phone. 

Specs

• Contents: One machined and anodized aluminum stand and base
• Weight: 0.16 lbs
• Phone mount: Attaches to phone magnetically

Pros

• Pocket-sized design
• Durable build
• Adjustable ball head 

Cons

• Must be used with a Peak Design case or a Magsafe case

The ultra-compact Peak Design tripod is about the size of a stack of credit cards when folded down—making it a great choice for the iPhone shooter looking for a pocket-sized tool. It’s made of machined and anodized aluminum and features grippy feet to dampen vibrations when in use. It uses magnets to attach to your iPhone, which makes it easy to switch between landscape and portrait mode—but you will need a Peak Design case or a MagSafe case to use it. It comes with an embedded tool for adjusting ball head tension and a pouch for storage.

Best budget: UBeesize Tripod S

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: The budget-friendly UBeesize tripod features flexible legs, a universal mount for smartphones, and a wireless remote for capturing perfect selfies. 

Specs

• Contents: Wireless remote, flexible leg stand
• Weight: 0.4 lbs
• Phone mount: Phone clamp

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Flexible octopus-style legs
• Metal ball joint

Cons

• Phone mount isn’t the most durable

If you are looking for a bare-bones product to support your iPhone, the UBeesize Tripod is a budget-friendly choice. As with any budget product, though, when you are saving big, you will probably be sacrificing build quality. The UBeesize Tripod does feature versatile, flexible legs and a wireless remote for capturing selfies, but that’s the extent of advanced features you will find on this one. You really can’t beat the price, however. 

Here are a few other stable choices for mounting your iPhone: 

• Best with ring light: UBeesize 12” Selfie Ring Light with 62’’ Tripod Stand
• Best full-sized: UEGOGO Tripod for iPhone
• Best durable: Manfrotto PIXI Mini Tripod Kit with Smartphone Clamp

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best iPhone tripods

• Best overall: JOBY GorillaPod
• Best compact: Peak Design Mobile Tripod
• Best budget: UBeesize Tripod S

The online market is flooded with a plethora of low-cost iPhone tripods, but spending a bit more up-front means you will end up with a product that will last a lot longer. Before purchasing an iPhone tripod, consider how you plan to use it. If most of your shooting will be done at a studio or home, a desktop tripod or a lower-cost option will probably suit you just fine. However, if you will be doing most of your shooting outside, a more rugged option with the ability to attach additional accessories might be a better fit. Ultimately, an iPhone tripod should help you create hands-free, stable content with ease.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best iPhone tripods of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro		SEE IT	Netgear has created a mobile hotspot that outperforms most home WiFi routers.
Best AT&T hotspot		Netgear Nighthawk M5 (MR5200)		SEE IT	Netgear’s Nighthawk M5 offers top performance at a premium price.
Best budget		KuWFi 4G LTE		SEE IT	KuWFi’s 4G LTE is an inexpensive way to create your own WiFi network anywhere.

Smartphones allow us to keep the internet in our pockets wherever we go but a mobile hotspot will allow you to get better speeds for your laptop, gaming console, smart TV, etc., while offering additional security options. Lots of phones can serve as a mobile hotspot in a pinch, delivering WiFi to other nearby devices; however, your phone’s antenna and battery are finite. A dedicated mobile hotspot can serve mobile internet to a whole collection of connected devices via WiFi, keeping you truly connected wherever you get service. With more people working from home, untethered to a desk, a mobile hotspot really extends what “remote” can mean. Smartphone service providers are constantly expanding their 5G networks, meaning you’ll barely even be compromising the home wireless internet speeds you’re used to. We’re here to help you find the best mobile hotspot, no matter your network or needs.

• Best overall: NETGEAR Nighthawk M6 Pro
• Best T-Mobile hotspot: Inseego 5G MiFi M2000
• Best AT&T hotspot: Netgear Nighthawk M5 (MR5200)
• Best Verizon hotspot: Jetpack MiFi 8800L
• Best Verizon 5G hotspot: Inseego MiFi M2100
• Best hotspot for international travel: Skyroam Solis Lite
• Best budget unlocked hotspot: KuWFi 4G LTE

How we chose the best mobile hotspots

More than most hardware categories, mobile hotspots neatly sort themselves into categories because they are tied to particular service providers and their networks. That contractual link to Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and others narrows our choices for most of us.

Among those options, we simply selected the current top-tier hotspots available, with all the cutting-edge features to ensure you get the best possible experience. And we ensured our selections were well-reviewed by customers and professionals alike from manufacturers with proven track records.

The best mobile hotspots: Reviews & Recommendations

If you want to put the internet in your pocket with the best mobile hotspot, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve simplified your choice, picking the best hotspots for each of the major carriers, plus a few extra options that may serve you better internationally.

Best overall: NETGEAR Nighthawk M6 Pro

SEE IT

Specs

• Mobile: 5G, 4G LTE
• WiFi: WiFi 6E – 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz
• Connections: 32 devices
• Ports: USB-C
• Battery: 5040mAh

Pros

• WiFi 6E Support
• Speeds up to 8GBps
• Ethernet port

Cons

• Price

If you need a secure wireless network both domestically and abroad, Netgear’s Nighthawk M6 Pro is the ultimate solution. It supports WiFi 6E, can create a network on three frequency bands, can be connected to up to 32 devices simultaneously, and can reach speeds of up to 8GBps. If you encounter slow speeds, the bottleneck won’t be the M6 Pro; it’ll be the 5G network it’s connecting to and your current signal strength.

This hockey puck-shaped portable router is more technically capable than most at-home WiFi routers, which was Netgear’s intent. This hotspot is a fully-fledged router to-go, not a watered-down piece of networking gear you’ll settle for out of the house. That’s made clear not only by its wireless connectivity options but also by the presence of a 2.5GBps Ethernet port, which allows you to use the hotspot the same way you would a cable modem. This makes the M6 Pro an excellent conduit for getting fast home Internet speeds in rural areas.

For this use, you’d disable the hotspot’s WiFi broadcast and connect a router to the M6 Pro’s Ethernet port. The router would then create the wireless network. The benefit of this approach would be the ability to set up a whole-home multi-router mesh WiFi system using a cellular data connection rather than copper or fiber optic line running into your home.

On its own, the Nighthawk M6 Pro can create a WiFi network with a range of up to 1,000 square feet on battery power or 2,000 square feet when plugged in. You can manage its settings through Netgear’s Nighthawk app or its built-in touchscreen, making it possible to set up and use the hotspot independently. The screen is also helpful during use, as you can monitor your current Internet connection, troubleshoot issues, and keep an eye on both the M6’s battery level and signal strength.

A big reason to get the M6 Pro over many of our other mobile hotspot recommendations is that it comes unlocked and is compatible with data plans offered in 125 countries. Domestically, you can pop in a SIM card from T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon, with support for both pre and post-paid data plans. Whether you’re an international business person whose job depends on a stable Internet connection anywhere you go or somebody whose only chance at getting better-than-dial-up speeds is using a hotspot, Netgear’s Nighthawk M6 Pro 5G cannot be beaten.

Best T-Mobile hotspot: Inseego MiFi M2000

SEE IT

Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: Inseego’s MiFi M2000 hotspot offers the best value of any 5G hotspot from T-Mobile right now.

Specs

• Mobile: 5G, 4G LTE
• WiFi: WiFi 6 – 2.4GHz and 5GHz
• Connections: 30 devices
• Ports: USB-C
• Battery: 5050mAh, up to 24 hours claimed

Pros

• 5G, WiFi 6
• Most extensive 5G network
• Least expensive 5G hotspot

Cons

• No mmWave antenna

As of May 2022, T-Mobile has the most extensive 5G rollout of any major US carrier. As it is the first and only officially supported 5G hotspot, the Inseego MiFi M2000 is automatically the most widely effective 5G mobile hotspot right now. It has support for the newest networking standards—namely 5G and WiFi 6—and solid performance across the board. Functionally, it’s very similar to Inseego’s Verizon hotspot, though it lacks support for millimeter-wave signals. That said, T-Mobile has a more limited mmWave rollout than other networks anyway, so it isn’t a huge loss, and dropping the feature keeps its cost down.

Best AT&T hotspot: Netgear Nighthawk M5 (MR5200)

SEE IT

Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The Netgear Nighthawk M5 is the most flexible 5G hotspot on the market.

Specs

• Mobile: 5G, 4G LTE
• WiFi: WiFi 6 – 2.4GHz and 5GHz
• Connections: 32 devices
• Ports: USB-C, ethernet
• Battery: 5040mAh, up to 13 hours claimed

Pros

• 5G, WiFi 6
• Works unlocked
• First C-band hotspot

Cons

• Expensive
• No mmWave antenna

The Netgear Nighthawk M5 is the most expensive option on our list but also packs the most features and flexibility. It supports the current standard, 5G and WiFi 6, but also has other bells and whistles. It is, for example, the only 5G option on our list with an Ethernet port for more flexible tethering and network extension options. Although it lacks mmWave support, it is the first mobile hotspot to support C-Band. 

As an added bonus, the Nighthawk works unlocked with any of the three major U.S. networks, though it pairs best with T-Mobile and AT&T, which could be great if you’re planning to change networks in the near future.

Best Verizon hotspot: Inseego Jetpack MiFi 8800L

SEE IT

Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: If you don’t need 5G where you’re going, then the Jetpack is the last generation’s standout.

Specs

• Mobile: 4G LTE
• WiFi: WiFi 5 – 2.4GHz and 5GHz
• Connections: 15 devices
• Ports: USB-C
• Battery: 4400mAh, up to 24 hours claimed

Pros

• Most extensive LTE network
• Compact
• Long battery life

Cons

• No 5G

5G may get all the marketing hype, but it still provides limited coverage. Even when you can find it, not all 5G works equally well. The standout hotspot of the previous generation is the Inseego Jetpack MiFi 8800L, paired with Verizon, which is still consistently rated to have the most extensive and consistent network coverage in the US, particularly outside of metro areas. As an added bonus, the Jetpack is more compact and gets battery life than many newer models because it doesn’t have the additional antennas needed for 5G and WiFi 6 support.

Best Verizon 5G hotspot: Inseego MiFi M2100

SEE IT

Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: Just like our T-Mobile Pick, the Inseego MiFi M2100 is a solid 5G, WiFi 6 hotspot.

Specs

• Mobile: 5G, 4G LTE
• WiFi: WiFi 6 – 2.4GHz and 5GHz
• Connections: 30 devices
• Ports: USB-C
• Battery: 3500mAh, up to 24 hours claimed

Pros

• 5G, WiFi 6
• mmWave support

Cons

• Underwhelming battery life

Inseego’s Verizon-exclusive M2100 is very similar to its T-Mobile counterpart, the M2000. Most of what we said about our top pick for T-Mobile users applies here as well. It’s a solid performer that supports the latest standards. One key difference, though: Verizon’s version supports mmWave signals, whereas T-Mobile’s doesn’t. In exchange, though, it features a smaller battery (though it can be easily swapped out). Otherwise, it’s the current best option for accessing Verizon’s 5G network.

Best hotspot for international travel: Skyroam Solis Lite

SEE IT

Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The Skyroam Solis Lite is a simple, powerful, and flexible mobile router built specifically for international travel.

Specs

• Mobile: 4G LTE
• WiFi: WiFi 4 – 2.4GHz
• Connections: 10 devices
• Ports: USB-C
• Battery: 4700mAh, up to 16 hours

Pros

• Long battery life
• Compact
• Flexible plans

Cons

• App required for operation
• Only WiFi 4

Most of our picks are tied directly to U.S. cellular carriers, but Skyroam’s Solis Lite is designed to provide internet to the whole world–or at least over 130 countries. It uses a virtual SIM card rather than a physical one, so it can slip chameleon-like between available networks wherever you go. It only supports WiFi 4 with 2.4GHz, which means slower speeds, but also very long battery life. In fact, the Solis Lite doubles as an effective portable charger, which is perfect for travel. Skyroam offers a flexible range of data plans from daily up to monthly subscriptions, so you only need to pay for the time that you’re actually using it.

Best budget unlocked hotspot: KuWFi 4G LTE Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot Unlocked

SEE IT

Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: KuWFi offers excellent unlocked 4G speeds for a rock-bottom price.

Specs

• Mobile: 4G LTE
• WiFi: WiFi 5 – 2.4GHz and 5GHz
• Connections: 10 devices
• Ports: Ethernet, USB 3.0
• Battery: 2400mAh, up to 8 hours claimed

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Small
• Unlocked

Cons

• Inconsistent performance outside North America

At just $50, you’d be hard-pressed to find a cheaper mobile hotspot than this KuWFi model that delivers fast 4G LTE performance. At a slim 6 ounces, it will easily fit in your pocket and deliver solid WiFi 5 performance on most networks. Some customer reviews complain about it not working with some SIM cards outside the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, where it is specified to mostly work, but customer service seems reasonably responsive. Even with limited international utility and older network standards, it’s a rock-bottom price for a mobile hotspot.

What to consider before buying the best mobile hotspots

Mobile hotspots are pretty straightforward devices. They’re small bricks of plastic with an antenna that connects to a mobile broadband network and a router that passes that signal along to other devices in its network. You should be familiar with the details if you’ve purchased a WiFi router and a smartphone. Consider your intended usage: When do you see yourself using a hotspot? How many devices do you intend to connect? How long do you hope to use it without being able to plug it into an outlet and charge it? Where do you intend to go?

Another thing to keep in mind: It is not enough to purchase a mobile hotspot—you also need to activate and connect it to a compatible mobile network. Assuming you already have a cell service contract at a major carrier, we recommend sticking with whatever network you are already on. You can buy an affiliated device and add it to your account through your provider. This will almost certainly be less expensive than opening up a new account with a different service.

5G or LTE—that is the question

5G is the latest and fastest cellular network standard but still isn’t as widespread as older 4G LTE networks. Since the newest devices all support previous standards, we recommend getting a 5G-capable hotspot, regardless of its current availability near you. Ultimately, these are just the newest and best-performing hotspots, even on the older 4G LTE networks.

If you won’t be anywhere near cities, however, and speed doesn’t matter to you as much as saving money, going back for an LTE-only capable hotspot can be a good way to save upfront on the hotspot and still get the most range possible. To get a precise understanding of local coverage options, check out the FCC’s LTE coverage map. You can also see the current state of each provider’s 5G network directly from the AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon websites.

One notable difference we found among 5G hotspots was whether or not they support millimeter-wave signals, a portion of the 5G frequency spectrum that supports higher data throughput, which should translate to faster loading. There’s a catch, though—mmWave only works over short distances and is very easily blocked by physical objects, like walls. That means it will make the most noticeable difference outdoors and within close range (on the order of hundreds of feet) of a tower. Only Verizon and Inseego’s 5G router currently support it right now, which makes sense since Verizon has also invested the most in building out its mmWave network by quite a wide margin.

C-Band, another potential component of 5G, adds substantial data bandwidth to the signal. The US has lagged behind the rest of the world in integrating C-Band into its 5G networks, but carriers have promised to expand C-Band support in cities in the near future. Only one hotspot currently available from Netgear supports C-Band as of spring, 2022.

Hi-fi Wi-Fi

Mobile hotspots have two key components: the cellular antenna, which receives the wireless signal from a carrier network, and the wireless antenna broadcasting that signal to nearby devices. Fortunately, WiFi has now caught up with mobile and simplified their formerly too-technical standard names (e.g., 802.11ac) into much more consumer-friendly generation numbers. WiFi 6, the latest standard, offers a jump in overall upload and download bandwidth. It specifically improves a router’s ability to serve multiple devices at once, which is very helpful when you tether a computer, phone, and tablet to one network all at once. New WiFi 6-enabled hotspots have more than double the connection limits of previous iterations.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best mobile hotspots

• Best overall: NETGEAR Nighthawk M6 Pro
• Best T-Mobile hotspot: Inseego 5G MiFi M2000
• Best AT&T hotspot: Netgear Nighthawk M5 (MR5200)
• Best Verizon hotspot: Jetpack MiFi 8800L
• Best Verizon 5G hotspot: Inseego MiFi M2100
• Best hotspot for international travel: Skyroam Solis Lite
• Best budget unlocked hotspot: KuWFi 4G LTE

Mobile internet providers all over the world are in the process of spreading 5G services all over the world, which makes this the best time ever to consider the benefits of a mobile hotspot. In the US, your options are likely limited by the carrier, which isn’t ideal, but it may make choosing your device a bit easier. Free yourself from wired internet and embrace the nomadic life with a wireless mobile hotspot.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best mobile hotspots of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Samsung has been aggressive in its push to bring foldable phones into the mainstream, and its latest model is a lot cheaper than normal on Amazon. The biggest roadblock to the adoption of these big-screen devices is their price, which is justifiably high because of the luxe screen technology required to manufacture them. Amazon’s deep discount takes the sting out of that, and makes this smartphone-tablet hybrid a lot easier on the wallet. Several folding and flipping phones have been released over the past few years, but the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is at the top of its class, which is why this deal is so compelling.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, $1,469.99 (Was $1,919.99)

SEE IT

The Galaxy Z Fold 4’s marquee feature is its 6.2-inch AMOLED display, which is extended to a whopping 7.6-inches when the smartphone is unfolded. That’s roughly the size of screens you’d find on a small tablet. The AMOLED screen technology Samsung uses ensures you’ll see tremendous detail—especially accurate colors—when watching videos, scrolling through pictures, or reading text. You’ll need big pockets or a bag to carry the smartphone, but you’ll be greatly rewarded for the effort every time you open it up.

This smartphone’s screen is the star of the show, but it’s complemented by many other impressive specs. The Z Fold 4‘s camera system includes a 50 megapixel wide, 12 megapixel ultrawide, and 10 megapixel telephoto lens on the back, a 10 megapixel front-facing camera, and a 4 megapixel under display camera. This camera should produce great results whether you’re recording 4K video or video chatting with friends and family—even in challenging light. All of those big photo and video files are going to take up a lot of space, which is why we’re recommending the 512GB model of this smartphone, which will be able to hold them (along with all your apps) without requiring you to delete media constantly.

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4 is still an investment, but Amazon’s deal makes the cutting-edge smartphone’s price a lot more manageable. If you’ve been on the fence about getting a folding phone, don’t let the deal pass you by.

Don’t skip these other tantilizing tech deals:

• Acer CB272, $129.99 (Was $179.99)
• Acer CB342CUR, $474.62 (Was $699.99)
• Acer RF Wireless Mouse M501, $17.99 (Was $25.99)
• Acer Predator Cestus 330 Gaming Mouse, $34.99 (Was $64.99)
• MNN Portable Monitor, $79.99 (Was $139.82)
• Teamgee Laptop Screen Extender, $189.99 (Was $259.99)
• Logitech G29 Driving Force Racing Wheel, $229.99 (Was $399.99)
• Logitech F310 Wired Gamepad Controller, $14.99 (Was $24.99)
• TP-Link Deco AXE5400 Tri-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System, $359.99 (Was $399.99)
• Lamicall Adjustable Laptop Stand, $29.99 (was $39.99)
• Crucial X8 2TB Portable SSD, $114.99 (Was $219.99)
• Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard, $28.99 (Was $39.99)
• Logitech MK735 Performance Wireless Keyboard & Mouse Combo, $69.99 (Was $79.99)

The post Save $450 on Samsung’s newest foldable phone on Amazon right now appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best multipurpose		Anker PowerCore Fusion 10,000		SEE IT	The Anker PowerCore Fusion 10,000 combines the convenience of portable battery and outlet-based charger in a single package.
Best for travel		Belkin Gaming Power Bank with Stand		SEE IT	Belkin’s gaming charger with a stand lets you power up your phone while watching media or playing games.
Best for laptops		UGREEN 145W Power Bank		SEE IT	UGREEN’s 145W Power Bank power bank pulls out all the stops with its massive charging capacity.

Keeping a portable charger in your car, bag, or pocket prepares you if an emergency arises as you’re running out of power. Say you’re stuck in a raging blizzard, your car in a snowbank on the highway, and you need a tow if you don’t want to stay where you are overnight. No problem, you can just call for roadside assistance, right? That isn’t the case if your phone runs out of power and you cannot charge it back up again. It’s not the case unless you carry a portable power bank, that is. A battery pack to charge your phone, laptop, and other devices can make all the difference when your battery’s nearly dead and draining fast. The right power bank will let you top off all your essential gear to get your devices through the day (or longer). Fortunately, we’ve collected some of the best portable chargers available and sorted them into categories that should fit most people’s needs.

• Best overall: OtterBox Performance Fast Charge Power Bank
• Best multipurpose: Anker PowerCore Fusion 10,000
• Best for travel: Belkin Gaming Power Bank with Stand
• Best with flashlight: superallure Solar Charging Power Bank
• Best with wireless charging: Mophie Charge Stream
• Best large: Goal Zero Sherpa Wireless Portable AC Power Bank
• Best for laptops: UGREEN 145W Power Bank
• Best budget: INIU Portable Charger

How we chose the best portable chargers

When choosing the best portable chargers, I relied on my years of experience covering the tech industry. I’ve used portable power banks to keep my phone and other devices charged while covering events, conducting interviews, and recording presentations. In addition to my personal and professional testing, we’ve parsed reviews from consumers and other publications to find chargers that have made a strong impression on their owners. 

The best portable chargers: Reviews & Recommendations

Our choices for the best portable chargers run the gamut from small pocket-sized batteries for extending your phone’s battery life to big, beefy chargers that can power a mobile office. Depending on what devices you carry around daily or while traveling, there are different power banks for everyone.

Best overall: OtterBox Performance Fast Charge Power Bank

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: This speedy power bank allows for 3.6x faster charging compared to other portable chargers and can power two devices at once.

Specs

• Dimensions: 6.26x 3.08 x .92 inches
• Weight: 15.3 ounces
• Battery capacity: 20,000 mAh
• Ports: 2 (one USB-C, one USB-A)
• Charging speed: 18W

Pros

• Fast charging
• Can charge two devices at once
• Drop protection

Cons

• Heavy compared to other portable chargers

Otterbox makes some of our favorite MagSafe accessories, so it’s no surprise we love its powerful wired charger as well. The OtterBox Performance Fast Charge Power Bank gives you 20,000 mAh of juice to recharge your tablets and phones. And, with a USB-A port and a fast-charging USB-C port, you can charge two devices at once, no matter what brand. It comes with a USB-A to USB-C cable, so you won’t have to get one on the go, but it works fabulously with others you may have around the house, as we did in the above photo. An LED power indicator shows you how much power you have left, and the power bank is designed for durability thanks to trusted drop protection. Although it’s a little chonky, we’d rather carry around a powerhouse than be left uncharged in the dark.

Best multipurpose: Anker PowerCore Fusion 10,000

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: The Anker PowerCore Fusion 10,000 combines the convenience of a portable battery and outlet-based charger in a single package.

Specs

• Dimensions: 4.72 x 3.23 x 1.39 inches
• Weight: 10.1 ounces
• Battery capacity: 10,000mAh
• Ports: One USB-A, one USB-C
• Charging speed: 20W

Pros

• Convenient size
• Doubles as a wall outlet and battery pack
• Charges multiple devices

Cons

• Can be awkward to plug into some sockets

As the best multipurpose portable charger, the Anker PowerCore Fusion 10,000 is especially convenient, even among power banks. It’s a fairly small portable charger with two ports and a 10,000mAh battery, but you can also plug it into an outlet and draw power from there. This is extremely convenient for travelers and rolls two devices into one well-crafted package. Its only downside is that it’s a little larger and heavier than a standard wall-based charger. The shape can also make it awkward to fit into some places, and the weight might cause it to fall out of a loose socket.

Best for travel: Belkin Gaming Power Bank with Stand

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: Belkin’s gaming charger with a stand lets you power up your phone while watching media or playing games.

Specs

• Dimensions: 6.21 x 1.56 x 4.02 inches
• Weight: 11.8 ounces
• Battery capacity: 10,000mAh
• Ports: One USB-A, one USB-C
• Charging speed: 12W

Pros

• Stand makes continuing to use the phone while charging more convenient
• Stand is retractable

Cons

• Fast charging is hit or miss

It seems like combining a portable charger and a stand would be a no-brainer, but surprisingly few companies have actually made them. Belkin’s Gaming Power Bank with Stand is the best portable charger for travel. It offers a retractable shelf with a lip that makes it easy to continue enjoying media or games on your phone as it charges. Unfortunately, its fast-charging seems to be hit-or-miss: Some users report speedy refueling, while others aren’t as impressed with how quickly their devices get juiced up. It’s a great charger when you have a few hours to kill and need to top off your phone’s power, but not the most efficient option.

Best with flashlight: superallure Solar Charging Power Bank

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: This power bank is powered by the sun and can give you some extra light in the great outdoors if your flashlight decides to take a day off.

Specs

• Dimensions: 7.48 x 4.92 x 1.42 inches
• Weight: 1.15 pounds
• Battery capacity: 43,800 mAh
• Ports: USB-C, USB-A
• Charging speed: 15W

Pros

• Built-in chargers
• Solar-powered
• Built-in flashlight is bright

Cons

• Heavy

Sometimes you don’t need solar generator-level power, but you still need a bit of juice while adventuring the in the great outdoors. This one is solar-powered, Qi wireless charging compatible, and has USB-A and USB-C cords built-in—that’s one less thing in your pack. You can maybe even leave the flashlight at home—this charger also has a built-in flashlight. An IP65 rating makes it dust-resistant, with a bit of waterproofing on top. Plus, it can power 3-5 complete phone charges. Reviews note that customer service is great, and the power bank gives peace of mind while traveling in remote settings.

Best with wireless charging: Mophie Charge Stream

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: Ditch the cables entirely with this Qi-enabled wireless portable charger that works across Android and iPhone.

Specs

• Dimensions: 2.72 x 0.63 x 5.19 inches
• Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Battery capacity: 6,040 mAh
• Ports: USB-A, USB-C
• Charging speed: 10W

Pros

• Pass-through charging enabled
• Can charge wirelessly or with a cable
• Can charge two devices at once

Cons

• Shows dirt easily

No cables? No problem, thanks to this wireless power bank from Mophie. You’ll be able to charge using the power of magnets as long as your device is Qi-enabled. Simply place your phone on the portable charger and push the button to begin wireless charging. You can get 48 extra hours of battery depending on what you’re charging, and a USB port allows you to charge another device while using wireless charging. Our only complaint? It tends to show dirt easily. Its powerful charging and wireless transcendence across brands make up for this.

Best large: Goal Zero Sherpa Wireless Portable AC Power Bank

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: This large portable charger is like a mini generator in your pack.

Specs

• Dimensions: 7.69 x 5.49 x 1.02 inches
• Weight: 3.19 pounds
• Battery capacity: 25,600 mAh
• Ports: 2 USB-A, 2 USB-C, 1 AC port
• Charging speed: 100W

Pros

• Heavy-duty
• Can charge laptops two times over
• Solar generator power without the size

Cons

• Expensive

We’ve reviewed Goal Zero’s Yeti 1000 Core generator in the past and gave it kudos for its durability and battery capacity. Goal Zero took both of those aspects and packed them into an ever smaller package with its Sherpa Wireless Portable power bank. It’s great if you need major power on the go without needing an entire solar generator. And you’ll get plenty of use out of it: this power bank can charge a smartphone eight times; a tablet three times; a laptop two times; and a GoPro 18 times. It also supports wireless charging. Talk about a multi-hyphenate. Its aluminum unibody is durable, and it easily integrates with other Goal Zero products, like solar panels. It’s pricey, but we think it’s worth it if you’re looking for a tough portable charger that’s made to last.

Best for laptops: UGREEN 145W Power Bank

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: This sleek laptop power bank can keep you powered in the coffee shop or library.

Specs

• Dimensions: 7.2 x 3.23 x .95 inches
• Weight: 26.4 ounces
• Battery capacity: 26,600 mAh
• Ports: Two USB-C, one USB-A
• Charging speed: 145W (Total)

Pros

• Ultra high capacity
• Up to 100W charging from one port
• Can charge more than one device at the same time

Cons

• No AC outlet

Those leaving their house to work in a coffee shop know the struggle of finding a precious outlet. Worry no longer, thanks to this portable laptop power bank from UGREEN, which can give your laptop enough juice while you wait for an outlet to open up. The battery pack has a solid frame, and an LED screen on the side that indicates its battery percentage. Having the battery’s exact capacity will let you know whether you need to charge it before you head out, or judge how quickly you’re running it down.

UGREEN equipped its portable charger with a pair of USB-C ports and one USB-A port, which can output a total of 145W if all are used simultaneously. One of the power bank’s USB-C ports can charge a device at up to 100W, which is enough juice to fast charge even the most energy-hungry laptops at their fastest speeds. The only people who will be out of luck are those who need an AC outlet to use their laptop charger.

After testing it regularly for months, UGREEN’s 145W Power Bank never let us down. It was able to extend the life of a 16-inch MacBook Pro by a few hours, and had no problem fully topping up an iPhone 14 Pro Max and Nintendo Switch. The battery pack would run hot when a laptop was plugged in for an extended period of time, but not to the point where it felt dangerous.

If you have larger gadgets that need to be charged on the go, UGREEN’s 145W Power Bank is a solid solution.

Best budget: INIU Portable Charger

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: The INIU portable charger is cheap and does a fine job powering your phone … plus it has a pawprint-shaped indicator light!

Specs

• Dimensions: 5.2 x 2.7 x 0.5 inches
• Weight: 7 ounces
• Battery capacity: 10,000mAh
• Ports: 2 USB-A, One USB-C
• Charging speed: 15W

Pros

• Has a built-in paw print indicator light
• Extremely affordable
• Cute LED logo

Cons

• Reports of quality assurance issues

Sometimes you just need a product that does exactly what it’s supposed to for as little money as possible. The INIU Portable Charger is affordable and provides a 10,000mAh battery in a very slim form factor. Conveniently, it also has a built-in indicator light which can be a big help in a pinch, and its paw print makes looking at your power bank fun. Unfortunately, there are some reports of dead units, which means customers need to watch out for poor QA. Reports suggest that INIU customer service has done right by users who reported getting a nonfunctional unit, though, shipping out replacements quickly.

What to consider when buying the best portable chargers

Portable chargers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. For many, they’re just random bricks that you plug stuff into, with little to differentiate between them. While they may look the same, aspects of a charger’s design vary, which you should keep in mind when picking one out. 

How much power can it hold? Will it fit in my pocket or my backpack? Does it have the ports to charge all my devices or just my phones? If you know these things, you can buy the right portable charger for your needs:

How big is the battery?

Portable chargers are really just fancy plastic and a circuit board wrapped around a battery. The most important thing you need to know about any portable charger is how big that battery is. Portable chargers measure their power storage in Milliamp Hours (mAh), a unit of measurement that shows how much power a battery can hold. The number of charges it can provide will depend on the specific device, but it’s a good way to get a general sense. 

If you plan to keep a laptop going through your workday or charge many devices simultaneously, you will likely want the largest battery possible, which tends to range between 2,000mAh and 10,000mAh for most users, depending on the devices they cart around.  If you’re just looking to top off your phone to get through a busy day, you can probably get something smaller. More storage translates to a larger, more expensive charger, so that’s definitely good reason to go small if that’s all you need.

How much space does it take up?

As we said, more power means a bigger battery pack. It doesn’t matter how impressive a portable charger’s specs are if it’s a pain to carry around. Power banks range in size from slim and pocket-sized to whopping boxes as big as a book. They can get heavy, too. While it can be tempting to get the biggest, most powerful charger, you will make a better choice if you’re realistic about your needs.

What are you charging?

When you choose a portable charger, you’ll want to remember what you will be using it for. Most people tend to buy chargers to top off their choice of best tablet, new iPhone, Bluetooth headphones, or noise-cancelling earbuds: As a result, most portable battery packs are made for that purpose. If you’re looking to charge something bigger, like a laptop, you should get a charger with the right ports for the job. For larger devices, you will also need to make sure the charging rate is actually high enough to replenish your laptop’s battery.

How quickly can it charge your devices?

The second major consideration when buying a portable charger is how fast it charges. Different batteries can charge devices at different rates, depending on the device and the cable used to charge. In general, portable chargers tend to be slower than plugging a device into a wall, but some are faster than others. Check the maximum charging rate, measured in watts (W), to determine how quickly most devices will charge.  For a portable charger, 18 watts is considered a good charging speed. 27 watts is excellent.

Sometimes companies will show a battery’s voltage and amperage rather than a rate in Watts: In that case, multiply the two numbers to get the rate in watts. For example: If a charger serves 5 volts at 2 amps (5V/2A), its charging rate is 10W. (5 x 2 = 10).

How fast does the battery pack charge itself?

It’s also important to look at how long you need to juice each charger back up to full capacity. When you’re in a pinch and pressed for time, knowing you can fall back on a fast-charging portable device offers peace of mind. A good charging rate, for example, is anywhere from 3 hours (111.11 mAh/min) to 4 hours (111.48 mAh/minute), though there have been packs that have charged back up to 100% in just 20 minutes or so. The larger the battery bank, the longer it will need to charge, especially when you factor in larger capacities. This rate may differ from pack to pack if the charger can power other devices. 

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best portable chargers

• Best overall: OtterBox Performance Fast Charge Power Bank
• Best multipurpose: Anker PowerCore Fusion 10,000
• Best for travel: Belkin Gaming Power Bank with Stand
• Best with flashlight: superallure Solar Charging Power Bank
• Best with wireless charging: Mophie Charge Stream
• Best large: Goal Zero Sherpa Wireless Portable AC Power Bank
• Best for laptops: UGREEN 145W Power Bank
• Best budget: INIU Portable Charger

Possessing the best portable charger can be a real lifesaver under the right circumstances. There isn’t much to the tech, but there’s still a surprising amount of variation from device to device. It pays to learn their ins and outs to tell the difference, whether you need a slim power bank to get a quick jolt or something massive that can keep a laptop going for days. No matter what, we can all agree on one thing: Nobody likes having a battery die on them.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best portable chargers for 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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Power computers, phones, earbuds, and more while on the move with approximately 50 percent savings on a two-pack of the InCharge X Max 100W 6-in-1 Charging Cable.

Considering the number of devices that many of us rely on daily, it doesn’t take long to end up with a tangled mess of charging cords that can complicate your efforts. Rather than juggle miscellaneous wires, streamline the process while providing for anytime power needs with an all-in-one charging option.

For a limited time, a two-pack of the InCharge X Max 100W 6-in-1 Charging Cable is available for only $39.99 (reg. $78) with no coupon required. That’s approximately half off the price of a pair of products that are primed to instantly simplify your life.

This versatile charging cable is loaded with solutions to modern needs, including the following six power sources: USB to Lightning, USB to USB-C, USB to Micro-USB, USB-C to USB-C, USB-C to Lightning and USB-C to Micro-USB.

Leave the bundle of cables at home on your next overnight trip or clear off that work desk with a big boost from this centralized charging platform. InCharge’s compatibility extends to iPhones, Android devices, iPads, e-readers, audio speakers, and plenty more.

Reaching five feet and designed with durability against chemical, physical and thermal threats, this 6-in-1 charging cable boasts 200 braided copper wires to produce up to 100W of power.

InCharge carries a rating of five out of five on our store based on verified buyer reviews, including one written this March by Barry J. that reads, “Works as advertised. I don’t need so many cables when traveling. Works for all my devices, iPhone, MacBook, and iPad.”

Pick up a pair of these portable and versatile power options for approximately half of the typical price. Don’t miss this two-pack deal on the InCharge X Max 100W 6-in-1 Charging Cable for only $39.99 (reg. $78).

Prices subject to change.

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You’ve probably had to ask  “Can you hear me?” more than once while on a phone call. One of the most vexing frustrations of the modern age is that, despite the rapidly evolving technological landscape, we still have a hard time clearly getting words across during a voice conversation.

Fortunately, your phone is here to help. While your device can’t magically improve your connection, it can help you get more out of it and deploy a few tricks to ensure that you and the person on the other end of the line can hear each other properly.

This feature doesn’t just work in calls made through the Phone app: You can access and apply it in the same way if you’re making voice calls in FaceTime, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or any other calling app on your device.

[Related: How to make voice calls from any device]

When it comes to properly hearing the person you’re speaking to, there’s a volume slider on the Control Center as well, which you can also access simply by using the buttons on the side of your iPhone. Switching to speakerphone might help: On the call screen, choose Audio then Speaker. If you’ve got other Apple devices like iPads or Macs on the same Wi-Fi network and logged into the same Apple ID, you’ll be able to switch to these too via the Audio option on the call screen—a bigger device might have better mics and speakers than your iPhone.

You can also boost call volume on Android via the buttons on the side of your phone, and switching to speakerphone is as easy as on iOS: just tap Speaker on the call screen. If you’re using a Samsung Galaxy phone, you can also head to Settings, then Sounds and vibration, and Sound quality and effects to access two useful features: Dolby Atmos and Adapt sound. The former optimizes voice audio, while the latter tunes the sounds from the phone to your specific hearing abilities.

Pick the Adapt sound option, then tap Adapt sound for and make sure to select either Media and calls or Only calls to make sure you get the benefit on phone calls. Further down you can pick from one of the presets to better match your phone to your hearing—Under 30 years old, 30 to 60 years old, or Over 60 years old—or you can tap Test my hearing to create a customized profile through a series of tests your device runs through connected headphones.

Android has a similar feature to iOS’s Voice Isolation to reduce background noise on calls, but at the time of writing it’s only available with the latest Android 13 update and on the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. To access it, head to the Sound & vibration section of Settings, and then tap Clear calling.

Audio quality doesn’t only depend on the settings or hardware on your phone. If cell reception in your area isn’t great, your call won’t sound crisp and could even drop out. If that’s the case, you can make calls over Wi-Fi instead, as long as your carrier supports it (most do). To turn it on on iOS go to Settings, select Phone, and then Wi-Fi Calling.  On Android, go to Settings and tap Network and Internet, Calls and SMS, and then the name of your carrier. Just make sure you’re already logged into whatever Wi-Fi network you want to use before placing the call.

Some apps have audio optimization on by default. For calls made through Zoom, for example, echo cancellation and background noise suppression are the standard: If you think the feature is interfering too much or the app is applying it too aggressively, you can disable it by going to Settings, Meetings, and turning on Use Original Sound.

Messaging apps often have data-saving features that can reduce the bandwidth audio calls use. If you’re in an area with a strong signal, you’ll want to turn off this option to maximize audio fidelity. However, if your phone has a spotty connection, turning these features on can help. They work exactly like lowering the quality of a YouTube video while on a bad Wi-Fi signal—you don’t get an HD image, but at least the footage doesn’t stop to buffer every 3 seconds.  When you turn on data-saving features, your phone will compress and optimize the audio to get it through entirely, albeit in a lower quality. This will allow you to hear more of the conversation instead of having the audio constantly break up, improving the overall quality of the call.

In WhatsApp, for example, tap the three dots (top right) and go to Settings (Android), or tap the Settings button at the bottom right of the screen (iOS). From there, choose Storage and data to find the Use less data for calls toggle switch. Meanwhile, on Signal, tap the three dots (top right) and then go to Settings, Data and storage, and Use less data for calls.

[Related: How to fix spotty cell service in your home]

Signal also has a call relay feature that protects your privacy by rerouting audio calls through Signal’s servers. This makes it harder for someone to tell where you’re calling from, but it also reduces call quality. It’s not on by default, but if you’ve turned it on for any reason, you can disable it by going to the Settings menu and tapping Privacy, and then Advanced.

Microsoft Teams has a noise suppression option that cuts out unwanted background noise from voice calls. Inside the mobile app, tap your avatar (top left), then choose Settings and Calling. You’ll see under the Noise suppression heading there are several options to pick from, depending on how aggressive you want the suppression to be.

As always, keeping your apps and your mobile operating systems up to date is important in terms of making sure you have the latest bug patches and audio optimizations, which often run in the background without you even noticing. To check for Android updates go to System and System update from Settings. Apple users can check for iOS updates by going to General and Software Update from Settings.

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It might be hard to imagine a world without cell phones, but there was most definitely a time when they remained the stuff of science fiction. That is, until 50 years ago to the day, to be more exact. April 3 marks a half century of cell phones, albeit it took a little while for the technology powering Motorola engineer Martin Cooper’s DynaTAC cell phone to become a ubiquitous facet of everyday life.

Affectionately dubbed “the Brick,” the DynaTAC—short for Dynamic Total Area Coverage—contained 30 circuit boards, stood nine inches tall, and weighed 2.5 pounds. As Smithsonian Magazine notes in its own retrospective published Monday, the first truly mobile phone took approximately 10 hours to fully charge. Even then, conversations were capped at around 35 minutes before the Brick needed to refuel.

[Related: Your checklist for maximum smartphone security.]

It would take another decade for Motorola to release a commercial cell phone. Not many could afford it at a $3,500 price point (roughly $10,600 by today’s standards). Four decades on, and there are now more phones than humans, with 18 billion devices estimated in service by 2025.

Of course, smartphones are now standard pocket accessories, and boast countless more features than Cooper’s original DynaTAC, but the “rudimentary” cell phone isn’t completely dead. In 2021, Pew Research Center estimated around 11 percent of US adults owned an old school cell phone, as opposed to a more advanced smartphone. In fact, there is at least some evidence to show that consumers might increasingly prefer a “dumb phone” alternative to the feeling of 24/7 connectivity and instant contact. At least one report indicates a growing percentage of Gen Z is playing around with retro cell phones that boast limited features.

[Related: Scientists turned a smartphone into an affordable microscope.]

After 50 years and billions of phone calls, it might still be difficult to beat the very first cell phone chat from Cooper himself. As Smithsonian Magazine also recounts in its look back, the engineer and inventor allegedly called up the lead cell phone engineer at Motorola’s rival, AT&T. “I’m calling you from a cell phone. But a real cell phone! Personal, hand-held, portable cell phone,” Cooper recounted of his improvised publicity stunt.

His competitor’s reported response? Stunned silence, along with allegations that the phone call never took place.

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Best Overall		Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M		SEE IT	Richly detailed sound and a plethora of inputs/outputs combine in the perfect preamp for a high-resolution listening station.
Best DAC/amp Combo		iFi xDSD Gryphon		SEE IT	Naturally outstanding sound, well-implemented analog enhancement modes, and plentiful wired and wireless connectivity make this a compact powerhouse.
Most Portable		THX Onyx		SEE IT	Excellent durability and portability let you get the most out of mobile streaming.

Few things in life can sweep you away and transport you to another time as music can, and few things can bring digital music to you with the transportive power of a good DAC, aka a digital-to-analog converter. The joy and nostalgia that music can bring are hard to overstate, but the feeling will be dulled if you’re relying on stock circuitry built into a basic laptop, tablet, or smartphone, etc. Taking full advantage of music’s expressive power means investing in the components that make it happen. If you’ve already got a good pair of headphones, you need an equally good signal chain, and a DAC is an integral part of that. A DAC’s sole responsibility is to convert the 1s and 0s output by your transport (typically a smartphone streaming music these days) into a signal that your headphones can play. Even though that sounds like a cut-and-dry task, how DACs accomplish this varies, as do the prices, form factors, and features they offer. The best DACs can enhance your listening experience, and we’ve collected the top choices right here to upgrade your listening fast.

• Best overall: Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M
• Best USB: Questyle M15
• Best DAC/amp combo: iFi xDSD Gryphon
• Most portable: THX Onyx
• Best for gaming: Creative Sound Blaster X4
• Best on a budget: JDS Labs Atom DAC+

How we chose the best DACs

Over my years of reviewing tech, I’ve extensively tested a wide array of audio equipment. I cut my teeth reviewing gaming headsets at MMORPG.com and quickly discovered a love for audio that progressed into a full-fledged love of hi-fi. In the seven years since that first review, I’ve graduated from gaming headsets with built-in components to desktop DACs and amps, portable hybrids that combine them both into one, and smartphone dongles that range from $10 to $200. I love diving deep into the world of headphones, and that begins with the gear driving that listening experience. 

To create this list, I drew upon multiple sources: user impressions, deep lists of specifications, and, of course, my own experience with several of the products collected. I also researched the pedigree of the different brands producing DACs today and the real-world experiences being shared in forums and Reddit threads. Together, these sources painted a clear picture of the best choices for different types of listeners chosen for this list.

The best DACs of 2023: Reviews & Recommendations

Now that you know what to look for when shopping for a new DAC, it’s time to choose the best fit for you. Sorting through the masses of different options, some from big brands and some from those that won’t be here in a year, can be confusing. We’ve collected the best choices in five key areas to help cut through the noise.

Best overall: Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: The Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M is an outstanding, fully featured desktop DAC that’s feature-rich and premium without being exorbitant.

Specs

• DAC: Dual ESS ES9028Q2M DACs
• Included amplifier: Up to 300mW for headphones, 4.2 VRMS for speakers
• Bit-depth/sample rate: 32-bit/768kHz
• Format support: PCM, DSD, DoP, MQA
• Bluetooth: Yes, 4.2

Pros

• Dual DACs for balanced sound
• Wired and wireless high-resolution listening
• Wide format support
• Plentiful connectivity options

Cons

• Costs a premium 
• No LDAC

Since its release in 2021, the DacMagic 200M from Cambridge Audio has been a frequent flier on “Best Of” lists due to its outstanding balance of sound, features, and connection options. It’s easy to see why it’s so beloved: With its combination of dual ESS ES9028Q2M DACs, built-in 300mW headphone amp, wired and wireless connectivity, and premium build quality, it’s the kind of device even a veteran audiophile could stay delighted with for years.

While the other DACs on this list content themselves with a single chip, the DacMagic 200M implements a pair of high-quality ESS chips to reduce crosstalk and improve separation between the two channels. The audio sent from the device is impeccably high-resolution with a maximum bitrate of 32-bit/768kHz and support for the PCM, DSD, and MQA formats. It even supports DoP, which stands for “DSD over PCM,” so it can accept DSD files over USB even if your USB port doesn’t know how to handle the data natively. Pair that with dual digital inputs (your choice of optical or coaxial for each), and USB audio-in, and you have a device that can accept audio from just about anywhere for under $500. 

When it comes to sending audio out, the DacMagic 200M has a whole different set of tricks up its sleeves, acting as a preamp perfect if you’re building a components system with a dedicated headphone amp or AV receiver. Turn it to the back and you’ll find RCA jacks and a pair of XLR ports to drive balanced and unbalanced speakers, making this stylish Lunar Grey aluminum enclosure a best desktop DAC aesthetically and functionally. A ground lift switch sits on the other side to eliminate any hum that might be coming from your home electrical system. You can even apply digital filters that fine-tune the already expansive 10Hz to 50kHz frequency response. But that’s not all: under the hood is a built-in headphone amplifier that can enhance the resolution of easily driven bass cannons (like the HiFiMAN HE-R9 pictured) or even fill in at the fringes for demanding, high-impedance headphones (like the richly textured Sennheiser HD 660S2) so you can get listening right away or integrate it into a larger setup. 

Wireless audio does feel like a bit of an afterthought, though. The DacMagic’s Bluetooth receiver only supports version 4.2, and we’re now seeing products sporting a whole version higher (up to Bluetooth 5.3) that offer better reliability and power efficiency. And though it’s great to see the DacMagic have a more-resolving signal than vanilla Bluetooth thanks to its aptX codec, it still falls short of the quality delivered by LDAC or aptX HD/Adaptive found on competing Bluetooth DACs. 

Best DAC/amp combo: iFi xDSD Gryphon

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Why it made the cut: The iFi xDSD Gryphon is a hybrid that does it all, offering excellent wired and wireless connectivity, a built-in battery, and tons of rich, powerful sound.

Specs

• DAC: Burr-Brown
• Included amplifier: Up to 1000mW 
• Bit-depth/sample rate: 32-bit/768kHz
• Format support: PCM, DSD, DXD, MQA, DoP over S/PDIF
• Bluetooth: Yes, 5.1

Pros

• Outstanding sound quality, whether wired or wireless
• Powerful built-in DAC with 3 selectable digital filters
• Customizable sound with built-in XBass II and XSpace switches
• Informative OLED screen

Cons

• No track controls
• Expensive
• Larger for a portable

At first blush, the iFi xDSD Gryphon might seem expensive at around $600, but it’s hard to find another portable combo DAC/amp that’s quite as full-featured as this one without paying more. With a corrugated metal casing with an OLED display strip on top, outputs, and a control panel at one end and plastic-capped inputs at the other, the flask-sized Gryphon is distinctive aesthetically but truly extraordinary internally.

It features a high-quality 32-bit Burr-Brown chipset (the same one used in a multi-thousand-dollar flagship DAC/amp) with support for all manner of high-end audio, whether standard MP3s presented in HD or proprietary file types like DSD, DXD, or MQA for streaming hi-fi over TIDAL. The Gryphon outputs support balanced (4.4mm) and single-ended (3.5mm) headphones and earphones—no matter how you want to listen, this hybrid DAC is ready to offer a great experience. A Gryphon even holds the distinction of being one of our associate managing editor’s go-to components (pictured above with the equally compact, amply immersive Sennheiser IE 600 and an ASUS ROG Phone—a sweet streaming suite for a personal audio enthusiast).

The magic of the Gryphon lies in its versatility. When fully charged, you can cut the cord and use it for up to 8 hours on the go with Bluetooth streaming over SBC, AAC for iOS, and up to 96kHz using LDAC, LHDC/HWA, or aptX HD/Adaptive on Android devices. Or you plug it in via USB, Coax, or Optical and ensure that no audio bit gets adulterated by wireless compression. Once you’re listening, you can enhance bass and/or upper midrange presence, as well as soundstage, with iFi’s innovative XBass II and XSpace analog enhancements. Connected to your PC over USB-C, it will act as an external soundcard, eliminating the need for a dedicated desk setup—perfect with headphones and, when the Gryphon is accepting a digital source, ports on the back can even be used to feed an external amp or powered monitors. 

The tremendous 1000mW @ 32 ohms of power on offer over its balanced DAC connection also means the Gryphon can drive even very demanding headphones. The single-ended connection is much more limited at 320mW but is still enough to drive the vast majority of cans available today. If you’re a fan of sensitive in-ear monitors (IEMs), don’t worry, because the Gryphon also offers an iEMatch mode (assignable to either output) to prevent hiss from invading your favorite tracks, while maintaining dynamics. As for the tonality, the Gryphon emphasizes not emphasizing any one thing. It respects the symmetry between impact and imaging, staying as articulate as it is energetic. Its sound-shaping features can fatten up the speedy, textured bass, but not to the detriment of organic midrange expression and shimmering treble details. 

Despite checking nearly every box an audiophile could request, there are still a few missing features here. Track controls are completely absent, so you’ll still reach for your smartphone to play or pause. I would have also liked to have seen some belt clip or travel case included because the device is about the same size as a modern smartphone and roughly twice as thick. If you’re carrying anything else in your pocket, the Gryphon isn’t likely to fit. All that said, this DAC-amp combo has set a high standard for transportable hi-fi.

Regarding DACs, iFi offers something for every scenario and budget. Got a smartdevice or laptop with USB-C ports and want a plug-in-play improvement of your audio output? The iFi GO link is a $59 dongle housing an ES9219 USB DAC and S-BAL 3.5mm headphone jack that supports 32-bit/384kHz/DSD256/MQA (and it comes with a Lightning adapter for iPhones). It’s not high-powered, but it is hi-res.

Best USB: Questyle M15

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Why it made the cut: The Questyle M15 looks as good as it sounds and has power to spare.

Specs

• DAC: ES9281AC
• Included amplifier: 1.895 Vrms (single-ended), 2.624 Vrms (balanced)
• Bit-depth/sample rate: 32-bit/384kHz
• Format support: PCM, DSD, MQA
• Bluetooth: No

Pros

• Rich, warm sound
• Very quiet, low background noise and distortion
• Unique, eye-catching look
• Very pocketable and easy to carry

Cons

• Costly
• Glass panel seems prone to scratching
• No volume rocker or track controls
• Wired only

The Questyle M15 is far from the only USB DAC on our list—everything offers USB connectivity on our list—but it is the most unique pocket DAC on our list thanks to its see-through glass side panel. However, this is not a case of putting form over function—though it is a captivating machined aluminum case. Two colorful LEDs on the circuit board indicate gain level and active bitrate. And what the M15 offers up in aesthetics, it matches in sound quality. The M15 doesn’t come cheap at $249, and usually doesn’t go on sale for much less, but it offers power, portability, and outstanding quality that make it an audiophile favorite and an all-around compelling buy. Whether you’re looking to power sensitive IEMs or even moderately demanding headphones, the M15 is versatile enough to see you through.

The Questyle M15 is small but mighty. It uses the boutique amp designer’s signature CMA (Current Mode Amplifier) SiP modules to offer up 1.895 volts through its single-ended output and 2.624 volts through its 4.4mm balanced connection. While you’ll probably want to use it with IEMs on the go for their easy portability, a physical gain switch on the side offers up the extra juice you’ll need for more demanding over-ear headphones (though we recommend sticking with the high-powered balanced output for less sensitive gear). It supports high-res audio with its ESS ES9281AC DAC, a Sabre chip that supports 32-Bit/384kHz PCM, DSD256 decoding and TIDAL’s highest-quality MQA tracks. And, with short cords terminated in both USB-C and Lightning connectors, it plays nicely with Android or iOS—and it doesn’t draw power until it’s fed signal. This small touch makes a big difference when preserving precious smartphone battery life.

What really sets the M15 apart is how silent it is. There’s no hiss, no white noise hiding behind tracks, so when your music gets quiet, it’s truly noiseless. This black background allows the M15 to step out of the way and remove the barrier between you and your music. Exceptional dynamic range and a pleasant full-bodied warmth highlight the experience, carrying you from quiet refrains to bold crescendos with impressive ease.

Like most things in life, the M15 isn’t perfect. There’s no way around how expensive it is, and at this price, it would be nice to see value-adding features like Bluetooth support, app-based sound customization, or on-board track and volume controls. The glass side-panel, while gorgeous, also seems like a prime target for scratches if you keep anything else in your pocket. Still, if you’re looking for rich sound in a striking package, it’s a great fit.

Most portable: THX Onyx

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Why it made the cut: Tiny but powerful, the THX Onyx is an extra portable DAC with a great built-in amplifier.

Specs

• DAC: ESS9281 PRO
• Included amplifier: 180mW (THX AAA-78)
• Bit-depth/sample rate: 32-bit/384kHz
• Format support: PCM, DSD, MQA
• Bluetooth: No

Pros

• Excellent audio quality
• Silent background noise
• MQA Support
• Extra durable for extended life

Cons

• Expensive
• Cable is less flexible than many competing dongles
• No track controls

If the name sounds familiar, it should: This is the same THX that’s been blowing away movie theaters with bombastic cinema sound since George Lucas co-founded it in the ’80s. The THX Onyx is a portable DAC with a built-in 180mW amplifier and is the best choice for listening on the go. Not only does it provide crystal clear and highly detailed sound thanks to its ESS9281 PRO DAC module, but it also has a THX AAA amplifier that all but eradicates background noise and distortion. It’s exceptionally good, but at $199, it’s not cheap and offers no track controls, which is a bummer.

But what makes it the best choice for portability compared to the equally packable, recommendable Questyle M15 above? Outstanding durability and the ability to fold over on itself with an invisible magnet clasp. While many other dongle DACs use plastic and weak shielding on their wires, the Onyx’s DAC and USB jack are protected by sturdy aluminum housings. The cable is guarded by silky soft yet durable rubber to ward off fraying and broken wires (though this does make it a touch less flexible). This DAC is made to last the rigors of everyday life.

While it’s not the smallest portable DAC on the market, its ability to fold over on itself adds to its portability. A small magnet near the USB port connects to the DAC, allowing it to lay flat behind your phone. In a second, the Onyx’s 8-inch length turns into a 1.5-inch curl wire, making it exceptionally pocketable.

Best for gaming: Creative Sound Blaster X4

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Why it made the cut: Made for gaming, the Creative Sound Blaster X4 is packed with features that make for a stellar entertainment experience.

Specs

• DAC: Undisclosed
• Included amplifier: 1.3 – 2.9 VRMs
• Bit-depth/sample rate: 24-bit/192kHz
• Format support: PCM, Surround 7.1, Dolby Digital Live 
• Bluetooth: No

Pros

• Multi-platform support: PS5, PS4, Mobile, Windows, Mac
• Virtual surround sound and other gaming-specific features
• Mic support with built-in communication features
• Plentiful software controls and onboard memory

Cons

• Plastic construction
• Lower resolution
• Limited file format support 

The Creative Sound Blaster X4 is tailor-made for gaming. While other DACs might work, the X4’s plentiful connectivity, built-in presets, rich software suite, and onboard memory make it the go-to choice for gamers who want to level-up their listening experience for under $150. Best of all, it offers native support for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Windows, and even macOS. 

Once taken out of its box, you’ll first notice its bold and easy-to-grab volume knob. The next thing you’ll notice is its sheer amount of inputs and outputs. As a gaming device, there are ports for both a headset and a microphone on the front edge. Around the back is a full set of surround sound speaker ports and line-in, optical line-out, and USB jacks. The X4 comes with several clickable presets to quickly tailor the sound for gaming, music, or movies without ever opening a piece of software.

But it would be best if you planned on using the software suite because that’s where you’ll be able to tap into the full suite of options. A 10-band EQ allows you to tailor the sound and save those to the device. You can also enable gaming-specific features like virtual surround sound, SXFI Battle Mode, and Scout Mode to enhance situational awareness, and even enhance the quality of your microphone with noise removal and a vocal equalizer.

The biggest downside to the Creative Sound Blaster X4 is that, since it leans so heavily into its gaming features, it falls short when it comes to resolution and file support. There is no MQA decoding for high-quality streaming over TIDAL, and quality is limited to 24-bit/192kHz. That’s enough for a great listening experience but definitely falls short of other options on this list. 

Best on a budget: JDS Labs Atom DAC+

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Why it made the cut: This affordable DAC is a no-muss, no-fuss gateway to great audio on a budget.

Specs

• DAC: ES9018K2M
• Included amplifier: No 
• Bit-depth/sample rate: 32-bit/384kHz
• Format support: PCM, DSD
• Bluetooth: No

Pros

• Simple setup
• Improves upon the popular Atom DAC
• Very affordable

Cons

• Lacks added features
• Plastic construction
• Requires a separate amp

The JDS Labs Atom DAC+ is the successor to one of the company’s most popular products: the original Atom DAC. This time around, the company has changed DAC chips from AKM to ESS, but what really matters is that they’ve managed to fine-tune it to deliver less distortion, more clarity, and improved dynamic range. While the DAC+ doesn’t push any limits with its sample rate, it can deliver a clear, detailed sound on the cheap. 

Coming in at only $119, you have to expect some concessions. There’s no built-in amp, so this device is for conversion only. Buying a matched set with the Atom Amp+ adds another $99 but allows you to stack the devices into a veritable tower of power. Outputs are also limited to only a single pair of RCA jacks. The DAC+ does support TOSLINK-in for optical sound, standard USB Type-B for connecting to a computer, however, and includes an external power brick for clean, consistent power to keep it running smoothly.

Looking for something you can snag with Prime Shipping? Schiit Audio’s Modi 3+ is another great option that supports up to 24/192 resolutions through an ​​AK4490 delta-sigma DAC housed in a sturdy aluminum case with a toggle switch to select between Micro USB, Coax, and Optical inputs. Like the Atom DAC+, there’s no built-in amplifier. Still, Schiit also sells the Magni 3+ to accept the Modi’s output via RCA, and it’s identically sized for easy stacking and powerful enough to drive most headphones.

Things to consider before buying one of the best DACs

Choosing the best DAC can be confusing. Even as someone who has been in the hobby for several years, I still find myself researching the differences between different DACs and their features, so if you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry. There are a few key things to remember that can help any DAC shopper. Here are the most important points to consider before pulling the trigger.

Portable or desktop

Do you aim to listen at home or on the go? That should be the first question you ask before seriously shopping for a new DAC. Desktop DACs are often larger and require external power, either over USB or from a standard wall outlet. Portable DACs are much smaller and are made for travel. They sometimes include batteries to preserve the life of your smartphone and may even include a Bluetooth receiver for wireless listening. 

Though you’ll often pay more for the freedom they offer, portable DACs can usually connect to your PC as well, thanks to their USB connectivity. That doesn’t mean they’re exactly the same or the best fit for home listening, however. Since they’re made to be self-enclosed units, DACs like the Chord Mojo 2 and FiiO Q1 won’t integrate with larger audio systems as easily (or at all) and lack connections for dedicated speakers. If all you’re using are headphones and in-ear monitors, a good portable DAC can be a perfect choice, but if you have other audio equipment already, standalone options like the iFi Audio Zen DAC or AudioEngine D1 are a better fit.

What DAC chip does it use?

The job of any DAC is the same: to convert the digital output of a computer or smartdevice into an analog impulse that headphones and speakers can play. This processing is done through a small computer chip, and if you’ve ever plugged in a pair of monitors into a headphone jack, you’ve heard the results. But even though the end goal is the same, not all DACs are created equal or go about their conversion similarly. The first thing to know before hitting that “Buy Now” button is exactly what DAC chipset your device is actually using.

There are several major brands in the DAC world, but very few actually produce their own conversion chips. Instead, they utilize chipsets from other brands, like ESS, AKM, Cirrus-Logic, and Burr-Brown. Like any good tech brand, these companies scale their products to offer different features and match the calibers of DAC they may be implemented in. 

Some of them have better features, like support for boutique file formats or higher-resolution playback. Others offer less measurable noise and distortion (though whether you’ll actually hear the improvement isn’t a given). Many users report certain sound characteristics aligning with different DAC chipsets. ESS DACs, for example, are frequently described as being more resolving, which can mean sharper, more “exciting” treble. Conversely, AKM DACs are “warmer,” which typically means weightier bass with slightly less treble. Some people may love the operating system of their DAP (digital audio player) but aren’t as sold on the output of its headphone jack(s), so they might tether it to a DAC/AMP to enjoy a specific sound signature. It’s important to note that a DAC isn’t intended to color the sound to the noticeable degree of a tube amp, for example, but rather to remove anything taking away from the signal. So don’t expect huge flavor fluctuations between brands on identical settings.

While most DACs clearly label which chip they’re built around, deciphering the differences between chips isn’t always straightforward. It usually means taking a close look at feature and specification lists to determine whether they will make a real-world impact on your listening experience. On the technical side, you’ll need to look at specifications like bit-depth and sample rate. Others, like frequency response and signal-to-noise ratio, are also important to determine the sound’s scope and clarity. Before buying any DAC, it’s a good idea to type that particular chipset into Google and read some expert impressions about its performance and what real listeners like yourself are saying.

But specs aren’t all …

Connectivity and playback options

Two other important considerations when choosing a DAC are its connectivity and playback options. Connectivity refers to its inputs, outputs, and wireless connection options. Can it receive audio the way you’d like to send it: USB, optical, or coaxial? Once it receives that audio, how can it send it back out again? 

The output options are especially key. Depending on the model you’re interested in, you may find that its outputs are either too limited or too plentiful, which means you’re probably paying for features you don’t need. Suppose your amplifier or headphones use a balanced connection (circuitry common for high-end headphones, earphones, and amps pairing conductors that can deliver higher power and lower interference). In that case, it’s also important to double-check that your DAC supports that configuration so everything connects properly and takes full advantage of your equipment. (It is possible to damage incompatible equipment, so match accordingly.) 

Along with that, and directly related to the first consideration we discussed, you need to ensure that the DAC can support the file types and streaming services you would most like to use. Premium streaming service TIDAL’s Master Quality tracks may sound the best to your ears. Still, you’ll need a DAC that can properly decode those files because they use a format known as MQA, or Master Quality Authenticated—a form of compression that “folds” and “unfolds” audio at varying resolution levels to stream higher bitrates efficiently, and not all DACs can take full advantage of it. It can also be wise to think ahead about what you might like to listen to in the future. You might not listen to high-resolution DSD (Direct Stream Digital) files right now, but if you fall deeper into the hobby, you may want the option down the line. Planning ahead may cost a little more upfront but can save you a bundle from buying a whole new DAC in the future.  

Does it include a headphone amplifier?

Even the best DAC is useless without a dedicated amplifier or integrated AV receiver or other means to power the headphones or speakers connected to it. Some DACs, often called hybrids or combos, solve this problem by having an amp built-in. The Chord Hugo 2 is an ultra-high-end version of exactly such a device, but you don’t have to break the bank to find a quality all-in-one solution. Fiio’s E10K Olympus 2 is only $100 and can fulfill your DAC and amp needs in one tiny, affordable box. 

If you do choose a hybrid DAC, be sure to check its output power. Most modern headphones don’t require a lot of juice to drive, but some audiophile favorites and mixing headphones still do, like the Sennheiser HD650, HIFIMAN Sundara, or beyerdynamic DT1990 Pro. Because every headphone is different, it’s difficult to say exactly how much power you’ll need. We recommend putting your headphones through a power calculator to determine how many milliwatts and volts you’ll need for your preferred headphones. 

Price

Finally, we come to the price. The cost of audio gear can range widely, whereas one DAC might be $200, another might be $2,000, even when running similar chipsets. Does that second DAC really sound 10 times better than the first? Probably not (though it’s almost certainly an improvement). So much of the hi-fi hobby is about incremental gains and those margins only become thinner as the price scales up. Diminishing returns are a very real consideration for anyone in the audio hobby.

If you’re new to the world of DACs and amps, it’s wise to set yourself a reasonable budget and stick to it. Just because something is more expensive doesn’t mean it will sound better. This is especially true when you’re early in the hobby and may be unable to hear the difference between two DACs—even when others claim to. Research the options that meet your needs and budget and choose the best option among the bunch. 

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best DACs

• Best overall: Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M
• Best USB: Questyle M15
• Best DAC/amp combo: iFi xDSD Gryphon
• Most portable: THX Onyx
• Best for gaming: Creative Sound Blaster X4
• Best on a budget: JDS Labs Atom DAC+

Choosing a DAC can be a daunting task. There’s a lot to consider and many specs to sort through. At the end of the day, it’s one of the most fundamental upgrades you can make, right alongside buying new headphones and a new amplifier. Since DACs don’t always make as profound an impact on sound quality as other components, you don’t have to feel pressured to spend exorbitant amounts of cash—though they can reveal more layers as you move up the price tiers. Hi-fi is a hobby that can grow with you, and, like the very best of them, there’s always more to experience.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best DACs for 2023, as chosen by experts appeared first on Popular Science.

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Everyone wants the data on their phone to stay private, and Android and iOS come with a variety of security features that will prevent other people from sneaking a peek.

If you suspect someone is snooping on you, there are some simple steps you can follow to secure your information, as well as a few warning signs to look out for to make sure it doesn’t happen in the future.

You can customize lock screen security on Android by going to Settings, Security & privacy, Device lock, and then Screen lock. Meanwhile, from the Settings app on iOS, choose either Touch ID & Passcode or Face ID & Password depending on which biometric security method is built into your iPhone.

[Related: 7 secure messaging apps you should be using]

You should also make sure the screen on your device locks as soon as possible after you’ve stopped using it—otherwise, someone could surreptitiously swipe it while you’re not looking before the locking mechanism kicks in. On Android, open Settings, then go to Display and Screen timeout to set how quickly the screen should turn off—your options go from 15 seconds to 30 minutes. Over in iOS settings, pick Display & Brightness, then Auto-Lock. The shorter the time period you set here, the more secure your data is.

If you need to lend your phone to someone, but still worry about their unfettered access to your handset, know that you can lock people inside one particular app or prevent them from installing anything while you’re not looking. We’ve gone deeper into these features and other similar security options, for both Android and iOS.

Android and iOS don’t allow apps to hide, so even if someone has gained access to your handset to install an app that’s keeping tabs on you, you’ll be able to see it. On Android, go to Settings, Apps, and then See all apps. If you see something you don’t recognize, tap the item on the list and choose Uninstall. Within iOS, just check the main apps list in Settings. As the device’s owner, you can uninstall anything you don’t recognize or trust—you won’t break your phone by removing apps, so don’t hesitate if there’s something you’re unsure about.

If you want to do a bit more detective work, you can check the permissions of any suspicious apps. These will show up when you tap through on the apps list from the screens just mentioned—on Android, tap on an app and go to Permissions; on iOS tap an app name from the main Settings page and check what it’s allowed to access. In terms of notifications, system settings, device monitoring, and other special permissions, Android gives apps slightly more leeway than iOS—you can check up on these by going to Settings and choosing Apps and Special app access.

If you think your phone might have been compromised in some way, make sure you back up all of your data and perform a full reset. This should remove shady apps, block unauthorized access, and put you back in control. From Android’s settings page, choose System, Reset options, and Erase all data (factory reset). On iOS, open Settings, then pick General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, and Reset.

Android handles location sharing with other people through Google Maps. Tap your avatar (top right), then Location sharing to check who can see your location and to stop them, if necessary. You can check your shared photo albums in Google Photos by tapping the Sharing tab at the bottom of the screen, but you’ll need to open up Google Calendar on the web to edit shared calendars. Hover over the name of a calendar on the left sidebar and click the three dots that appear, and on the emerging menu, select Settings and sharing to see who can view your schedule.

Google Families works in a similar way to Apple Family Sharing, with certain notes and calendars marked as accessible by everyone, though no one will be able to see any personal files unless the owner specifically shares them. If you want to leave a family group, open the Play Store app on Android, and tap your avatar (top left). Once you’re there, go to Settings, Family, and Manage family members. Then, in the top right, tap the three dots and Leave family group.

The usual password rules apply: Don’t repeat credentials across multiple accounts and make sure they’re easy for you to remember while remaining impossible for anyone else to guess. This includes even those closest to you, so avoid names, birthdays, and pet names.

Two-step authentication (2FA) is available on most digital accounts, so switch it on wherever you can. For Apple accounts, visit this page and click Account Security; for Google accounts, click your avatar on any of the company’s services, go to Manage account, Security, and click on 2-Step Verification.

It’s a good idea to regularly check how many devices are logging in using your Google or Apple account credentials as well. On Android, open Settings and pick Google, Manage your Google account, and Security. Scroll down and under Your devices you’ll see a list of all the gadgets linked to your Google account. You can remove any of them by tapping on their name, followed by Sign out. On an iPhone, open Settings and tap your name at the top to see devices linked to your account—you can tap on one and then choose Remove from Account to revoke its access to your Apple account.

The post Your checklist for maximum smartphone security appeared first on Popular Science.

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Fluorescence microscopes used to examine samples labeled by fluorescent stains or proteins are an invaluable resource across a variety of laboratories. Unfortunately, a decent one could set you back thousands of dollars, meaning the tools usually stay within well-funded research environments and academic settings. But a team from Minnesota’s Winona State University recently demonstrated that not only can you assemble a decent substitute using the average smartphone or tablet—it will only set you back between $30 and $50.

As detailed today via a proof-of-principle paper published in Scientific Reports, researchers have unveiled their “glowscope,” a small plexiglass and plywood frame clip-on attachment for phones and tablets. The tool utilizes a recreational LED flashlight alongside the device camera’s theater stage lighting filters to ostensibly build a fluorescence microscope accessory. In tests, specimens were illuminated using the LED light while a filter placed over the camera lens omitted certain light wavelengths to enable fluorescent light visualization.

[Related: How to build a solar microscope.]

In their demonstrations, the paper’s authors used their DIY glowscope to provide roughly five-fold magnification on live zebrafish embryos measuring just two-to-three millimeters long. With the embryos’ fluorescent protein expressions, they were able to observe zebrafish spinal cords, hindbrains, and cardiac tissue. From there, researchers were able to measure their subjects’ heart rates, and even the movements of individual heart chambers once they enhanced video clarity through preexisting free software.

Because of their easy assembly and low costs, researchers believe the glowscope could become an extremely useful asset to K-12 schools otherwise lacking the funds for high-tech science tools. Not only that, but the team argues laboratories could even assemble their own glowscopes to complement their existing fluorescence microscopy equipment, thus saving them money, as well.

[Related: Scientists made the highest-ever resolution microscope.]

“Providing students with opportunities to make their own observations, form models and predictions, acquire and interpret data, and use this to revise their models and understanding are common takeaways from life science education studies,” the team wrote in their paper. “Use of devices such as glowscopes… can support these goals of allowing students to learn about science by doing science. In this way, students will build their own understanding of concepts rather than try to absorb information delivered in lecture format.”

You don’t need to go back to junior high school or visit a well-funded laboratory to see a glowscope in action, either. The team even made all their instructions and materials available for readers to assemble their fluorescence microscope filters in the comfort of their own homes—zebrafish not included.

The post Scientists turned a smartphone into an affordable microscope appeared first on Popular Science.

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In numerology, angel numbers are a repeating sequence of numbers you can’t seem to get away from—if you glance at your phone or the clock and keep seeing the same time, the universe might be trying to tell you something. “Two” represents duality and reflection. If you’ve thought, “I need a new phone case and screen protector for my phone,” consider this “pick two products, get 22% off” deal from Otterbox your sign to click “add to cart” before it ends tomorrow.

3-in-1 Charging Station with MagSafe $116.96 (Was $149.95) + iPhone 14 Pro Case for MagSafe Symmetry Series+ Antimicrobial $38.96 (Was $38.96)

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We think a wireless charger and a MagSafe-compliant case are the perfect combo to take advantage of this deal. And this Symmetry Series+ Antimicrobial case for the iPhone 14 and 3-in-1 charging station with MagSafe are the best of those respective things. The case is protective and durable while maintaining the iPhone’s sleek design. And, it’s made for MagSafe (like my personal, but currently not on sale, case, the Otterbox OtterGrip Symmetry Series). This means you won’t have to gamble with compliance upon purchase. The case’s antimicrobial properties also reduce germs to protect the phone’s integrity. Simply place it onto the 3-in-1 charging station to make the MagSafe magic happen. It can also charge your Apple Watch and AirPods Pro 2 simultaneously—talk about multihyphenate.

This sale ends this Friday, Feb. 24, so check out OtterBox’s other top sellers that qualify for the deal. Heads-up, this bundle deal is only available on the OtterBox site. However …

Here are other OtterBox products on sale on Amazon:

• OTTERBOX COMMUTER SERIES Case for Google Pixel 4a 5G (5G ONLY) $16.30 (Was $39.95)
• OtterBox Symmetry Clear Series Case for Google Pixel 4a 5G (5G ONLY) $7.90 (Was $49.95)
• OTTERBOX DEFENDER SERIES SCREENLESS EDITION Case for iPhone 12 mini $18.95 (Was $19.97) 
• OTTERBOX STRADA SERIES Case for Galaxy S21+ $15.90 (Was $22.50)
• OTTERBOX Max Grip Cooling and Antimicrobial Gaming Case for iPhone 11 Pro Max-SQUID INK $25.10 (Was $29.39)
• OTTERBOX Max Grip Cooling and Antimicrobial Gaming Case for iPhone 13 $28.10 (Was $29.76)
• OTTERBOX PREFIX SERIES Case for iPhone 13 mini & iPhone 12 mini-Party pink $25.30 (Was $34.95)
• OTTERBOX PREFIX SERIES Case for iPhone 13 mini & iPhone 12 mini-Clear $26.60 (Was $34.95)
• OtterBox SYMMETRY SERIES CLEAR Case for iPhone 13 Pro-DISNEY PRIDE $26.30 (Was $37.10)
• OtterBox SYMMETRY SERIES CLEAR Case for iPhone 12 & iPhone 12 Pro-MICKEY PRIDE $35.50 (Was $39.13)
• OtterBox SYMMETRY CLEAR SERIES Case for iPhone 11 Pro-COW PRINT $35.20 (Was $49.95)
• OTTERBOX SYMMETRY CLEAR SERIES Case for iPhone 13 Pro-CLEAR $24.20 (Was $49.95)
• OtterBox Otter + POP Symmetry Clear Series Case for iPhone 13 Pro-Limelight (Clear/Green)\ $32.99 (Was $59.95)

The post Pick two OtterBox products and get 22% off with this angelic deal appeared first on Popular Science.

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You’re not imagining things—your phone often doesn’t work as well when stuck in a large crowd. More people means more competing signals and data requests, meaning phones eventually fail to connect with their networks and thus create a backlog of demand. This, in turns, slows down everyone’s speeds while also frequently draining device batteries faster than usual.

However, the days of grimacing at your phone while at a concert or basketball game may soon be behind you, however, thanks to a new development from a research team at MIT.

“Imagine you’re at a party with loud music and you want to listen to your own music using headphones. But the outside noise is so loud that you can’t hear your own music unless you turn on the noise cancellation feature, ” posits Soroush Araei, an MIT graduate student in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and lead author of the project’s paper showcased this week at the International Solid-States Circuits Conference. 

[Related: What happens after the 3G network dies?]

“Well, a similar thing happens with the wireless signals all around us,” he explains. “Devices like your iPhone need to detect signals from WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, and 5G radio, but these signals can interfere with each other. To detect all the signals, your device needs multiple bulky filters outside the chip, which can be expensive.”

These necessary bulky filters may be more accurate now. Araei’s team developed a new method to bring the filtering technology within the chip itself to cover a large spectrum of frequencies. The improved design could greatly reduce production costs, make devices smaller and more efficient, and potentially even improve battery life.

“In short, our research can make your devices work better with fewer dropped calls or poor connections caused by interference from other devices,” says Araei.

The team’s advances work using something called a “mixer-first architecture” to identify and block unwanted interferences without harming a phone’s performance. In this setup, a radio frequency signal is converted into a lower frequency as soon as it is received by a device. From there, the signal’s digital bits are extracted via an analog-to-digital converter.

As useful as that is, there’s still the issue of harmonic interference to solve, which refers to  signals possessing bandwidths that are multiples of a specific device’s operating frequency. A phone operating at 1 gigahertz (GHz), for example, has harmonic inferences caused by signals at 2, 3, 4(and so on) GHz. During the signal conversion, these harmonic interferences can be virtually indistinguishable from the actual intended frequency, and muck up the whole process.

[Related: AT&T just shut down its 3G network. Here’s how it could affect your car.]

MIT researchers combined the mixer-first architecture alongside other techniques such as capacitor stacking and charge sharing to block harmonic interference issues while not losing any of the desired information.

“People have used these techniques, charge sharing and capacitor stacking, separately before, but never together. We found that both techniques must be done simultaneously to get this benefit. Moreover, we have found out how to do this in a passive way within the mixer without using any additional hardware while maintaining signal integrity and keeping the costs down,” Araei also added.

To test out their new configurations, the team sent out a desired signal alongside harmonic interferences, then measured the novel chip’s abilities. The results were impressive—the upgraded device effectively blocked out the harmonics at a minimal loss of signal strength, while also being able to handle signals over 40 times more powerful than existing, state-of-the-art receivers. And all this from a piece of hardware that is far cheaper, smaller, and less production heavy than what’s currently available. Because it doesn’t require any additional hardware, the new architecture could also soon be manufactured easily at scale for future generations of smartphones, tablets, and laptops. 

The post A new smartphone chip could keep your cell signal alive in crowded places appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Belkin BOOST↑CHARGE PRO 3-in-1 Charging Pad		SEE IT	An Apple enthusiast’s simplest solution for charging all the essentials.
Best charger		Mophie 3-in-1 Travel Charger		SEE IT	Classy as it is convenient, this compact charger helps simplify packing.
Best battery		OtterBox wireless 5K mAh Power Bank		SEE IT	Two-sided MagSafe compatibility adds versatility to this potent pint-sized battery backup.

If you’ve ever woken up and, groggily lumbering toward the bathroom, started the day by tripping over an iPhone charging cable, you know you felt no shame audibly cheering the first time you used a MagSafe accessory. MagSafe, Apple’s magnetic connector for electronic devices, started as an improvement for MacBook power cords in 2006. But it was with the introduction of the iPhone 12 in 2020 that the MagSafe name became synonymous with the much wider world of wireless power transfer and magnetic attachment products. Having a phone and a MagSafe-compatible charger saves you the problem of having the right cord with the right connector that’s the right length to be lined up just right; when that green circle lights up the iPhone screen, one less worry fills your mind. Not every MagSafe accessory involves power but they do all involve that feeling of security. Here’s our selection of the best MagSafe accessories to make sure your iPhone is fully charged and fastened when and where you need it to be.

• Best overall: Belkin BOOST↑CHARGE PRO 3-in-1 Charging Pad
• Best charging dock: Nomad Base One Max
• Best charger: Mophie 3-in-1 Travel Charger
• Best car mount: Belkin BOOST↑CHARGE Magnetic Wireless Car Charger
• Best phone case: Otterbox OtterGrip Symmetry Series
• Best battery: OtterBox wireless 5K mAh Power Bank

How we chose the best MagSafe accessories

As gadget geeks and serial upgraders, many of us have a recent iPhone. And considering how many devices we regularly test, requiring us to keep track of yet another interconnect, being able to wrangle one less tangle is a godsend. This is why we are both fans and intimate friends with many MagSafe accessories. Combining this firsthand experience with peer recommendations, critical reviews, and user impressions, we put together a list of potential inclusions from top manufacturers—including Belkin, Mophie, OtterBox, and more—then narrowed down the dozens of options to these picks.

The best MagSafe accessories: Reviews & Recommendations

MagSafe is a quality-of-life improvement you didn’t know you needed, but once you have it, you don’t understand why you didn’t this whole time. Here are our top picks for some of the best MagSafe accessories, focusing on accessories that offer charging.

Best overall: Belkin BOOST↑CHARGE PRO 3-in-1 charging pad

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Why it made the cut: This unassuming silicone-clad slab packs a sweet suite of Apple device chargers into a low-profile accessory.

Specs

• Dimensions: 9.8 x 5 x 3.66 inches
• Weight: 1.74 pounds
• Power: Up to 15W MagSafe

Pros

• Charges iPhone, Apple Watch, and wireless earbuds simultaneously
• Full 15W MagSafe charging capability
• Apple Watch Series 7 fast charge supported
• Apple Watch can be charged flat or in Nightstand mode

Cons

• Not the cheapest charging pad

Fans of maximized minimalism will love this Belkin 3-in-1 charging stand. It’s an Apple enthusiast’s simplest solution for charging all the essentials, with dedicated spots for a MagSafe-compatible iPhone, an Apple Watch, and wireless-compatible AirPods. 

Despite being a three-device dream, it’s an unassuming silicone-clad slab—available in Black or White with a soft-matte finish and subtle chrome accents—and it’s a lay-flat design that can be easily packed for on-the-go use. The MagSafe iPhone platform offers full 15W charging, with or without an official MagSafe case on your device (an included 40W adapter ensures the full output). While the Watch puck is adjustable, allowing any size Watch to be oriented as an alarm clock in Nightstand mode—and enabling fast charge for compatible Apple Watch Series 8 models. And the AirPods panel includes an LED indicator, so you know the wireless charging is active. 

Stable without being too hefty, the Belkin BOOST↑CHARGE PRO is the top third-party MagSafe charger and fills an important gap in Apple’s own offerings.

Best charging dock: Nomad Base One Max charger

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Why it made the cut: Nomad’s Base One Max is a sturdy 2-in-1 Made for iPhone-certified charger made of metal, glass, and soft-touch rubber.

Specs

• Dimensions: 7.44 x 3.54 x 1.8 inches
• Weight: 2 pounds
• Power: Up to 15W MagSafe, Requires 30W charging brick

Pros

• Beautiful design
• Weight keeps it anchored
• Apple Watch charges in Nightstand Mode

Cons

• Pricey
• Doesn’t support Apple Watch 7 fast charge
• Doesn’t come with a charging brick

Nomad’s Base One Max is a hefty 2-in-1 charger that emphasizes design and utility. Available in Carbide or Silver, it features a solid metal and glass design along with subtle soft-touch accents to keep your devices protected, and it looks and feels more like a centerpiece rather than just another accessory.

The integrated Apple Watch charger props up the wearable in Nightstand Mode, while the 15W MFi MagSafe pad provides a satisfying thunk every time you place your iPhone down to charge. The charging pad is also compatible with other Qi-enabled devices so that you can charge your AirPods in between Zoom meetings.

Although the Base One Max is heavy at 2 pounds, its weight allows it to stay anchored when you reach for your device, and the rubber base ensures it won’t move around. The Base One Max comes with a 6-foot braided USB-C cable, but you’ll have to supply your own charging brick. It also doesn’t support fast charge on the Apple Watch.

While the Base One Max is pricey and not as transportable as our best overall pick, its thoughtful, high-quality design makes it one of the most elegant MagSafe options for a designated iPhone charging station.

Best charger: Mophie 3-in-1 Travel Charger

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Why it made the cut: Simplify your packing without sacrificing anything with this elegant wireless charging solution.

Specs

• Dimensions: 0.4 x 12.3 x 3.2 inches
• Weight: 9.92 ounces
• Power: 7.5W, 15W MagSafe

Pros

• Compact yet complete charging suite
• Sophisticated aesthetics
• Apple Watch can be oriented in Nightstand mode

Cons

• As pricy as a permanent pad, but not as solid

Classy as it is convenient, the Mophie 3-in-1 travel charger with MagSafe is an easily packable trifold charger that comes with all the accessories needed, all tucked within an elegant felt organizer. Inside this backpack, briefcase, or maybe even belt bag-friendly case, you’ll find three pockets for the charger, a 30W USB-C PD wall adapter, and an included 1m USB-C to USB-C cable.

Unfurl the heathered grey fabric-wrapped hub and three pads will be revealed, ​​with a dedicated cradle for AirPods, a magnetized disc for iPhone, and a magnetized puck for Apple Watch. This charger powers all three simultaneously from a single cable plugged into the Watch platform. Perfect for pleasurable jaunts and business trips alike, this stylish set-up starts your devices charging on contact, so you’ll be ready to touch base with all your contacts in the morning.    

Best car mount: Belkin BOOST↑CHARGE Magnetic Wireless Car Charger

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Why it made the cut: This vent-mounted charger helps you steer without your iPhone sliding around and driving you crazy. 

Specs

• Dimensions: 1.68 x 3.98 x 5.43 inches
• Weight: 3.35 ounces
• Power: Up to 10W

Pros

• Easily mounted/removed on a vehicle air vent
• Keeps phone secure, accessible, and charged during navigation

Cons

• Requires you to run a cable from the console to charge
• Placement might require some adjusting, based on vent blades

It may not quite be the jetpacks that the future promised, but having a MagSafe mount in the car definitely changed how I travel for the better. Securing my iPhone conveniently as fast, if not faster, than I fasten my own seatbelt, not having to fish out a charging cable, then detaching the phone just as expediently when I get to my destination is perhaps the greatest expression of MagSafe’s life-changing properties. 

Easily clamped to an air vent, the Belkin BOOST↑CHARGE magnetic wireless charging mount holds an iPhone firmly within sight even when traffic patterns shift abruptly. If you must keep an eye on a screen for navigation purposes (I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt you won’t play videos or other distractions while driving), it’s far better to situate your phone in an optimal place to the side of the steering column rather than have you fumbling for it with only one hand on the wheel. 

In addition to firmly holding the phone in place (in either vertical or horizontal orientation), the Belkin BOOST↑CHARGE can be plugged into (what was once) the cigarette lighter with the included 20W USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 car power supply and charge your iPhone while driving. This helps compensate for energy-intensive programs like Waze and Google Maps keeping your display and GPS continually active. The road may be full of bumps, but at least your phone won’t flip or its battery dip with this convenient accessory.  

Best phone case: Otterbox OtterGrip Symmetry Series

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Why it made the cut: Enter the world of MagSafe without having to get rid of a phone grip.

Specs

• Dimensions: 6.02 x 3.11 x .53 inches
• Weight: 1.76 ounces
• Power: N/A

Pros

• Combines MagSafe compliance with easy grip
• Durable
• Doesn’t interfere with phone buttons

Cons

• OtterGrip not a complete replacement for the PopSocket
• More of a phone grip than a phone stand

Thanks to increasingly more content and the pixels needed to display it, smartphones have gotten bigger and bigger over the last decade. For people with the small, dainty hands of a 19th-century child working in a watch factory, phone grips like PopSockets provided a handle to prevent some accidental drops and smartphone pinky. However, these add-ons meant that anyone using one could never fully experience the convenience of MagSafe—an iPhone‘s back cover has to be easily accessible so that compatible accessories can sit flush and align their magnetic array. Sure, you can buy a PopSocket that attaches using MagSafe, but then you’re taking it on and off and potentially losing it. That changes with the Otterbox OtterGrip Symmetry Series case, originally announced in January 2023 at CES and now available. The OtterGrip gives you the best of both worlds, allowing you to have an integrated phone grip and use any of the MagSafe chargers, mounts, batteries, etc., you see on this page. Simply pull the grip away from the case to use it, and snap it back in place when you decide to place it on a wireless charger or car mount. The grip also rotates 360 degrees for ergonomics.

The OtterGrip is also incredibly durable without the chonk. Some may think “big, bulky case” when they hear the name OtterBox, but that’s no longer the, well, case. There’s a better “click” on the volume and lock buttons compared to my old Speck Gemshell case, which has a slim profile, all things considered. The OtterGrip is actually slimmer than the Speck Gemshell using a separate phone grip, with higher drop protection.

If you use a PopSocket-like grip for a phone stand, however, you might want to pass on the OtterGrip case—it’s hard to balance the phone and get it to stay in place without the grip snapping back into place. The OtterGrip isn’t a one-to-one replacement for the PopSocket in terms of feeling, and there is some getting used to the experience. But being able to use MagSafe and feel more secure when you’re holding your expensive pocket computer is worth the learning curve.

Best battery: OtterBox wireless 5K mAh power bank

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Why it made the cut: Two-sided MagSafe compatibility adds versatility to this potent pint-sized battery backup.

Specs

• Dimensions: 6.69 x 4.25 x 0.39 inches
• Weight: 6.5 ounces
• Power: 5W Qi, 7.5W MagSafe

Pros

• Magnets on both sides allow connections to a phone and mount simultaneously
• Wireless input and wireless output
• LED indicators for charge status/battery life

Cons

• No magnetic stabilizing strip leaves the opportunity for the power bank to rotate 
• Not the biggest capacity available in a wireless power bank

The Otterbox wireless 5K mAh power bank tops the battery category not only because of what it can hold and also how you can hold it. It doesn’t have the capacity of, say, Belkin’s equally recommendable BOOST↑CHARGE Wireless Charger 10K, but only holding half the charge means it also takes up less space—a huge plus for pocketability (though the battery has the potential to rotate/become unaligned if you’re power-walking with purpose). And 5K is enough to fully recharge any iPhone 13 once (or the iPhone 13 mini twice).

What really stands out with this power bank is that it has MagSafe on both sides, meaning you can attach it to a MagSafe charger with your iPhone simultaneously attached, topping off both in the process. I actually store one on a Satechi 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand so it’s primed and ready to easily peel off in case I’m leaving the house without my iPhone at 100%. And if I was without that convenient perch and succumbed to a cable, I could use the bidirectional USB-C port to charge the power bank, as well as to charge my phone.  

Things to consider before buying the best MagSafe accessories

If you have an iPhone 12, iPhone 13, or iPhone 14 of any size/sort, you can access MagSafe. And if you have a debit or credit card, you can access the MagSafe accessories presented here. But before you invest in new accouterments, you might have some questions. And that’s why we’re here.

So, how exactly does MagSafe work?

MagSafe uses a series of internal magnets ringing an iPhone’s charging coil to snap securely to compatible accessories. This assures that any attachments are properly lined up, which is particularly valuable for optimized wireless charging. As for how magnets work in general, that is a tale of electrons spinning and atoms aligning and a miraculous mystery for another time. But when magnetized objects of opposite poles enter each other’s magnetic fields, they are as strongly attracted to each other as a long-time Apple fan is to hearing “… and one more thing.”

Do I need MagSafe accessories?

No. If you are a connoisseur of cables—each one personally, painstakingly labeled as to what it is for—then keep enjoying those curled-up keepsakes and a Jenga-like set of power bricks. USB-A to Lightning, USB-C to Lightning … you do you. Being hardwired to the wall will continue to work … for now (we have no insight into Apple’s plans to discontinue ports on iPhones). And if you always have or prefer to secure your phone in a dashboard-mounted vice while driving, don’t switch up what works for you. So, no, you don’t need MagSafe accessories. But if you’ve gotten tired of trying to find a convenient place to plug in a somehow always slightly too short cable, or finding out that the cable you desperately need to save you from an imminent power-down has a short in it, you definitely may want MagSafe accessories. And don’t even get me started as to how convenient a MagSafe car mount is … (OK, get me started but wait till we get to our top pick in that category, please.)

Do I need a MagSafe case for my iPhone?

To charge wirelessly, no, you don’t need a MagSafe case. But to attach additional accessories to your iPhone while it’s in the case, yes, you need a MagSafe case. Plus the MagSafe system in the case helps alleviate any concerns that it might fall off.

If I buy a MagSafe accessory, does it need to be “Made for MagSafe” to work?

No, though it can’t hurt. There are plenty of “MagSafe compatible” options with the magnetic ring that lets your iPhone snap to them with the precision needed to stay and/or charge properly. We even recommend some. But the “Made for MagSafe” badge does bring some benefits. It means that the device can support 15W charging (12W for iPhone mini models), rather than the 7.5W charging of “MagSafe compatible” alternatives (and more watts=faster charging). To get maximum output, however, be sure you have at least a 20W USB-C PD adapter for the charging pad. In addition, the near-field communication between “Made for MagSafe” charging devices means you get the undeniable satisfaction of seeing your iPhone’s screen light up with the curling green MagSafe animation that guarantees authenticity and efficiency. 

Can I charge anything other than my iPhone with a MagSafe pad?

Sure, you can place anything with Qi-enabled wireless charging on a MagSafe pad and the battery will fill. However, the device won’t snap into place so you won’t know if it’s set down correctly and there’s nothing to stop it from getting knocked off the pad accidentally. There are Android devices, and optional cases, that do have magnetic rings in them, which solves that problem, but Android devices don’t replicate the alert an official MagSafe charger gives when it comes into contact with an iPhone.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best MagSafe accessories

If you’re wired to go wireless and you’re an iPhone owner, MagSafe accessories are the best way to get your fill of features and battery capacity. Matching convenience with efficiency, the best MagSafe accessories are as attached to your pocket computer as you are and can help empower your adventures together.

The post The best MagSafe accessories of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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Portable chargers are never out of season. Whether your phone is always running low on charge or it’s a particularly busy day and you need more juice for your last meeting, a portable charger makes a great safety blanket. They’re especially useful in the winter months, when batteries seem to drain even faster than usual. Anker’s portable batteries charge consistently, hold up to the worst of daily life, and fit easily into a purse, backpack, or even a pocket. 

Anker is currently offering sales on a large portion of their inventory. It has a wide range of chargers, from older models at cheaper prices with fewer functions, but also have many fancy new models with interesting innovations, like the MagGo battery that allows for wireless charging. 

Our top pick, however, has to be their upcoming release: the Anker 733 Power Bank, which features not just Anker’s signature sleek look and fast charging capabilities, but doubles as a regular wall outlet. If you’re at home, use it exactly like a normal wall charger, but grab it when you’re heading out to take advantage of the 10,000 mAh battery wherever and whenever you want. The 733 will retail for $100 at release, but a preorder will set you back just $70. 

• Anker 733 Power Bank (featured) $70 (was $100)
• Anker 747 Power Bank $153 (was $180)
• Anker 737 Power Bank (PowerCore 26K for Laptop) $136 (was $160)
• Anker 737 Power Bank (PowerCore 24K) $110 (was $150)
• Anker 521 Magnetic Battery $30 (was $40)
• Anker 525 Power Bank $51 (was $60)
• Anker 537 Power Bank $98 (was $140)
• Anker 633 Magnetic Battery $64 (was $80)
• Anker 622 Magnetic Battery (MagGo) $45 (was $60)
• Anker 337 Power Bank $60 (was $70)

More charging deals

There are, of course, more options available. Amazon has a good collection of portable chargers, and many of them are also on sale at the moment.

• Mregb Solar Power Bank, Solar Charger, 42800mAh Power Bank $30 (was $80) 
• Solar-Charger-Power-Bank – Portable Charger, 43800mAh Qc3.0 Fast Charging $45 (was $100)
• Solar Power Bank 36000mAh, Solar Charger Qi Wireless Built in $34 (was $70)
• Solar Charger 25000mAh, Hiluckey Outdoor USB C Portable Power Bank $38 (was $57)
• Solar Power Bank, Solar Charger 38800mAh, Qi Wireless Charger $20 (was $80)
• Power-Bank-Solar-Portable-Charger – 40000mAh Power Bank Large Capacity $30 (was $198)
• Feeke Solar-Charger-Power-Bank – 36800mAh Portable Charger $20 (was $60)
• Portable Charger with Built-In Cables and AC Wall Plug, VRURC 10000mAh $30 (was $37)
• LOVELEDI Portable-Charger-Power-Bank – 15000mAh Dual USB Power Bank $16 (was $70)
• LOVELEDI Portable-Charger-Power-Bank – 2 Pack 15000mAh Dual USB Power Bank $20 (was $99)
• ROMOSS 30000mAh Power Bank Sense 8+, 18W PD USB C Portable Charger $32 (was $40)
• TG90 Mini Power Bank 4500mah Portable Charger with Built in Cable $23 (was $40)
• Charmast USB C Portable Charger Power Bank, Battery Pack 5000mAh $18 (was $30)
• INIU Portable Charger, 22.5W 20000mAh USB C $28 (was $65)
• Baseus Power Bank, 65W 20000mAh Laptop Portable Charger $51 (was $80)

The post Anker’s latest portable charger is on sale even before its release appeared first on Popular Science.

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Tired of lugging around various gadgets for your tech necessities? The WonderCube Pro: All-In-One Mobile Keyring is a multi-functional device that serves as a one-stop shop for all your mobile device needs. Best yet, it fits comfortably on your keychain, making it a convenient solution.

If you’re on the go regularly for work or for leisure, you’re probably tired of carrying around various cables for all your tech accessories. The WonderCube Pro brings eight smartphone essentials to your fingertips. One of its standout features is its universal connectivity, which allows it to work with all Android and Apple devices. The built-in cable, a 1-inch foldout flexible USB cord that extends up to 3 inches, makes it easy to charge your devices wherever you go while the gold-plated connectors (with USB outlet) ensure quick charge, saving you time and hassle.

The WonderCube Pro also doubles as a phone stand, thanks to its micro-suction cups plate that easily attaches and detaches on the phone’s back panel. The device also works perfectly as a USB flash drive (OTG for Android only), making it an ideal solution for quick file transfer and backup.

In case of an emergency, the WonderCube Pro can be a lifesaver. Simply grab a 9V battery and give your phone a significant boost of up to two to three hours of talk time. The built-in micro-SD card reader supports up to 128GB, making it easy to transfer and back up your files. It also includes a LED torch that can light up darkness whenever you need it. The combination of its eight functions—charge, phone stand, OTG USB, sync, emergency charger, flash memory reader, and LED torch—makes it a versatile device that can simplify your life on the go.

Various publications have praised WonderCube Pro’s various features, with Forbes calling it “Clean, minimalist, and timeless.” And CoolMaterial published, “WonderCube solves all of those issues, and more, in a one-cubic-inch package. On-the-go management just got a whole lot easier.”

The WonderCube Pro: All-In-One Mobile Keyring is now available for a price dropped to $79.95 for a 2-pack and $39.99 for a 1-pack. If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution for your mobile device needs, the WonderCube Pro is definitely worth considering.

Prices subject to change.

The post Stay charged and connected with this all-in-one mobile solution—now on sale appeared first on Popular Science.

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Are you tired of constantly worrying about your phone running out of battery at the most inconvenient times? Whether you’re watching the season finale of your favorite show or trying to order takeout at the end of a long night, it’s essential to have a backup plan for your mobile device. The Speedy Mag Wireless Charger for iPhone offers a hassle-free solution to charging your device quickly and efficiently.

The Speedy Mag Wireless Charger boasts a powerful battery that can quickly and effectively charge your iPhone 12 and newer, as well as all Qi-enabled wireless devices, including Androids. It also features a built-in magnet and metal plate that works seamlessly with the iPhone 12 and up, allowing for instant charging. Measuring 5 inches by 5 inches, the sleek and compact design makes it easy to take with you on the go, eliminating the need to bring pesky cables when traveling or working remotely.

Not only is it convenient, but it also offers built-in safeguards to keep your devices safe and prevent overcharging. Whether at home, at work, or on the road, you can trust that your devices are getting quality charging at lightning speeds without worrying about damage. Reviewed by verified buyers, The Speedy Mag Wireless Charger for iPhone is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars, making it an excellent gift for that tech-loving friend or family member. As Janet Travis reviews, “[I] love that I no longer have to worry about being out and about and my phone battery dying. I pop on this charger, and it keeps my phone charged.”

Normally priced at $119, you can now purchase the Speedy Mag Wireless Charger for iPhone in black at an additional price-drop at only $39.99. That’s 66% off its original price. Streamline your charging experience today with this mighty power source. 

Prices subject to change.

The post Keep your smartphone powered up with this wireless charger, now 66% off appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best for iPhone		Mophie 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad		SEE IT	A 3-in-1 wireless charging pad especially equipped for Apple products.
Best for Samsung		Samsung Wireless Charger Trio		SEE IT	A multi-device charging pad for the desk or the bedside.
Best budget		Yootech Wireless Charger		SEE IT	An affordable pick that can power up any phone.

When Nikola Tesla successfully transmitted electricity through the air in the late 1800s, he dreamed of a wireless electrical grid. While that hasn’t happened, the “Tesla Coils” patented in 1897 helped enable wireless charging for your smartphones and other devices. The best wireless phone chargers have standardized Qi (pronounced “chee”) charging, which works by creating a magnetic field with the use of induction coils, modeled after Tesla’s design. Those coils act sort of like an antenna transmitting energy. Meanwhile, Qi-equipped devices have a built-in coil that is capable of capturing that energy, like a receiver, and turning it into useful power. If all that sounds complicated, we’re with you. Fortunately, finding the best wireless phone charger to meet your needs is much easier: just read on for our top picks!

• Best overall: Anker PowerWave II Pad
• Best for iPhones: Mophie 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad 
• Best for Samsung devices: Samsung Wireless Charger Trio
• Best stylish: Courant Catch:3 Essentials
• Best car charger: iOttie Wireless Car Charger
• Best budget: Yootech Wireless Charger

How we selected the best wireless phone chargers

We compared over 50 wireless phone chargers and narrowed them down to these select few by comparing cost, wattage, compatibility, design, and user impressions. While all our picks have the end function of providing wireless power to your phone and devices, they vary in price point and form factor so you can find the right charger for you. From affordable car chargers to keep you powered on the go all the way to premium models perfect for bedside fueling or office work, you can outfit your space with the gadgets you need to keep fueled day-in and day-out. 

The best wireless phone chargers: Reviews & Recommendations

From the desk to the dashboard, here are the best wireless phone chargers for a power boost wherever you need it.  

Best overall: Anker PowerWave II Pad

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Why it made the cut: Anker is known for its reliable tech, and this pick is no different—it’s equipped with fast-charging capabilities and universal compatibility to suit any phone. 

Specs

• Wattage: 15 W
• Number of devices: 1
• Dimensions: 3.54 x 3.54 x 0.55 inches

Pros

• Anti-slip design
• Smart charging based on your devices power needs
• Universal compatibility

Cons

• Can only charge one device at a time

No need to fumble with the charging pad or adjust your phone 20 times to produce power—the Anker makes refueling your device effortless with PowerWave tech and an antislip silicone ring to keep your phone secure. This pick is also equipped with Smart Charging, which seamlessly changes between 5W, 7.5W, 10W, and 15W modes depending on your unique device. No need to scour the specs to be sure it’ll suit your specific phone, as this automatic mode will do the heavy lifting for you. The PowerWave is also compatible with all Qi-enabled phones, so whether you’re camp Android or Apple it’ll charge regardless. 

Best for iPhones: Mophie 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad

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Why it made the cut: For those deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem, this pick is optimized to charge multiple devices in one go. 

Specs

• Wattage: 7.5W
• Number of devices: 3
• Dimensions: 10.2 x 5.51 x 2.6 inches

Pros

• Nightstand-friendly design
• Charges multiple devices at once
• Optimal for Apple products

Cons

• Not the fastest option available for iPhone 12 and newer

Apple users who want technology accessible from the nightstand should consider the Mophie 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad, which has space for your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods and can even charge through a case that’s 3 millimeters thick. The Apple Watch holder is angled to best take advantage of Apple Nightstand Mode, which essentially lets the watch double as a nightstand alarm clock. The Mophie 3-in-1 delivers 7.5W of power via Qi charging technology, though it’s optimized for iPhone 11 and older, so iPhone 12 or 13 users may want to consider a wireless phone charger like the Apple MagSafe Charger for a faster boost. Mophie says its wireless charging pad, while designed for Apple products, does offer universal wireless charging that’s compatible with other Qi-charging devices. Prefer something more sculptural? This tree-like MagSafe-equipped Belkin 3-in-1 fast-charging solution lets you suspend an iPhone 12 or 13 plus an Apple Watch in any orientation. But if you’re not an iPhone customer, this Mophie Wireless Charging Pad may be better—plus it’ll fit an extra device.

Best for Samsung devices: Samsung Wireless Charger Trio

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Why it made the cut: Fuel all your Samsung devices with this pick—outfitted with fast charging modes to refuel in a pinch. 

Specs

• Wattage: 12W
• Number of devices: 3
• Dimensions: 2 x 4 x 10 inches

Pros

• Fast charging capability
• LED light to indicate charging
• Seamless design

Cons

• Not compatible with other brands

This Samsung Wireless Charger can hold up to three devices so you can power up all your products in one place. Plus, it’s designed with six coils so you can put your device nearly anywhere on the pad and it’ll charge, so you don’t have to worry about lining anything up. Nor do you have to work too hard to figure out how much juice you have, thanks to built-in LED lights that show your power level. The Samsung wireless charger works with devices from a variety of manufacturers, but with fast-charge compatible devices—like the Samsung Galaxy Note phones 10 and up—it’ll work even better, supplying up to 15W of power.  

Best stylish: Courant Catch:3 Essentials

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Why it made the cut: This wireless charging station and catch-all tray blends seamlessly into your decor. 

Specs

• Wattage: 10W
• Number of devices: 1
• Dimensions: 11 x 8 x .6 inches

Pros

• Compatible with Android and Apple
• Weighted so it won’t slip
• Comes in leather and linen options

Cons

• Only charges one device at a time

Have you ever lost your wireless headphones only to discover that they’re uncharged once found? Solve both of those problems with one stylish product. This combo wireless charger and catch-all tray from Courant comes in either Italian leather or Belgian linen, which adds an elevated flair to your entryway or bedside table. However, this wireless charger isn’t just a pretty face. It’s smart too, thanks to Qi certification for 10W charging and a three-coil large charging area for easy, fast alignment. It’s Blue Angel certified, meaning you won’t have to worry about its impact on the environment. Although it can only charge one device wirelessly, it comes with an additional USB-A port to charge additional devices. If you’re looking for a design-forward, “looks more expensive than it is” wireless charger, the Courant Catch:3 Essentials is for you.

Best car charger: iOttie Wireless Car Charger 

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Why it made the cut: This affordable pick can mount any type of phone with its auto-sensing mount system for easy, hands-free charging. 

Specs

• Wattage: 10W
• Number of devices: 1
• Dimensions: 5.91 x 3.15 x 5.91 inches

Pros

• Universal compatibility
• Auto-sensing features
• Adjustable pivot 

Cons

• Only charges one device

When you’re driving, you don’t want to be fiddling with your phone. But if you’re out of power and rely on your phone’s GPS navigation in order to reach your destination, you have to recharge somehow. This wireless phone charger for car use features a proximity sensor that will open the arms to grab hold of your phone when it gets near. Then the Qi wireless charging system will supply up to 10W of power to an Android phone and up to 7.5W to iPhones. The suction cup mounting promises a secure hold to your windshield or dashboard, with two telescoping knobs enabling the perfect fit, and side buttons supplying a one-touch release of your device.

Best budget: Yootech Wireless Charger

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Why it made the cut: With multiple charging modes to suit different devices, this affordable pick is versatile enough to suit any phone. 

Specs

• Wattage: 10 W
• Number of devices: 1
• Dimensions: 3.19 x 3.59 x 4.48 inches

Pros

• Multiple charging modes
• Affordable cost
• Multiple charging orientations

Cons

• Can only charge one device at a time

For a third of the price of some of the other best wireless phone chargers on the market, this Yootech wireless charger presents a powerful option. The wireless charging stand will supply 7.5W to Apple devices, 10W to Samsung devices, and 5W to other Google phones and Qi-equipped picks. More than 11,000 raters on Amazon give this sleek, though somewhat basic-looking wireless charging stand an average rating of 4.6 stars.  

What to consider when buying the best wireless phone chargers

While you don’t have to be an electrical engineer to find the best wireless phone charger, here are some important factors to keep in mind.

What’s the wattage?

Most smartphones power up wirelessly at between 5 and 10 watts. However, some models, especially newer phones like the iPhone 13, can push the pace to 20 watts. When searching for the best wireless phone charger, the fastest charging speeds will come from finding Qi chargers that can match the capacity of your phone. So if your phone can charge at 10W, but your wireless charger can only reach 7.5W, you won’t reach top speed. It’s also important to note that some of the best wireless phone chargers work better with some devices than they do others. Smartphone brand can make a difference but so can model type, since newer phones tend to be equipped with faster charging capabilities.    

The ins and outs of ups and downs

Wireless phone chargers can lie flat or stand tall. They can also mount in your car. Wireless charging stands tend to work well if you want to be able to use your phone while it’s charging, while flat wireless chargers may give you the option of charging more devices at once. Some wireless charging pads include stands for smartwatches that stand in such a way that you can use your smartwatch as an alarm clock. You could also use your smartphone for a similar purpose with a wireless charging stand. A wireless phone charger for car use affixes to your windshield or dash and plugs into your car’s auxiliary power outlet or USB ports so you can power up from the road.  

Was it made for you?

Some wireless car chargers are made of wood, others recycled material, others marble. Some wireless chargers have fabric finishes or leather layering. Some wireless chargers are even invisible. There’s no doubt a charger to match your style. But most wireless chargers look more like the pieces of technology they are, featuring plastic casing over the coils. 

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best wireless phone chargers 

Perhaps someday Tesla’s wireless electrical grid will be possible. But, for now, he’s at least helped us to be able to power our smartphones without cords. The best wireless phone chargers will meet your phone’s full charging potential and provide a power boost when and where you want it. That concept isn’t exactly electromagnetism. 

The post The best wireless phone chargers of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

The iPhone is one of the most popular pocket-friendly computers on the planet, and while its functions are innumerable, accessories can help you get even more out of the device. The most basic accessories will prevent the handset from getting damaged accidentally. In contrast, others will improve the performance of its cameras or turn the device into a credible mobile podcast recorder. The options, however, may feel overwhelming for new iPhone owners, so we’ve put together this list of some essential iPhone accessories if you were recently gifted or upgraded to Apple’s signature smartphone.

Most of the accessories we’re recommending are compatible with any iPhone released in the past three to five years, but some—cases specifically—are designed for a specific model. We’ve chosen to highlight the iPhone 14 version of those accessories, though case and screen-protector manufacturers have the same offerings for multiple phone versions.

A case that gets better with age: Nomad Modern Leather Case

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Choosing the right iPhone case will depend on your color, material, and size preferences, which is why we have an entire guide with over a dozen recommendations. That said, after testing several cases every year, I always end up gravitating back to Nomad’s Modern Leather Case. It’s luxe, but the case is protective and patinas over time, which means that small signs of wear actually make the case look better. I’ve dropped my iPhone screen side up from a height of 10 feet onto a stone surface, and the back and sides of my device showed no damage.

A durable screen protector: InvisibleShield Glass Elite VisionGuard Screen Protector

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A case will protect the back and sides of your iPhone, but a screen protector will prevent display damage. InvisibleShield’s Glass Elite VisionGuard Screen Protector is the one to get based on my tests. The accessory comes with a useful guide that prevents you from installing it incorrectly, which is handy if you’ve never used one before. In my experience, the Glass Elite doesn’t impact the performance of the iPhone’s touchscreen or its color accuracy. The material InvisibleShield uses does filter some blue light, though, which can make your iPhone more comfortable to look at in the dark. If you’re afraid of cracking your iPhone’s screen, this accessory will help put your mind at ease (it’s also far less expensive than a trip to the Genius Bar).

A battery pack: Anker 733 Power Bank

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Anker’s 733 is one of the best iPhone accessories we’ve tested because it has two functions. First, it’s a three-port 10,000mAh battery pack that can fully recharge your smartphone a couple of times, or extend the life of your tablet, portable game console, or laptop by a few hours. But the 733 has a built-in plug that can be connected directly to an outlet, at which point it turns into a three-port 65W power adapter, which can charge all of your devices while you’re at home. This double functionality helps Anker’s 733 Power Bank stand apart in a crowded category, especially because of its travel-friendly size.

A magnetic charger: Apple MagSafe Charger

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The iPhone 12 (released in late 2020) was the first Apple smartphone to support MagSafe. This magnetic connector system uses an array underneath the iPhone’s back plate to attach it to what is now a wide world of compatible wireless power transfer accessories, among other convenient add-ons. A MagSafe charger will refill an iPhone’s battery up to twice as fast as a standard Qi wireless charger (up to 15W) and will magnetically align with the back of your iPhone to create and maintain a solid connection. Apple’s MagSafe Charger gets our recommendation because it’s relatively inexpensive and has delivered rock-solid performance in our tests. If you want to jump from wired to wireless charging in 2023, this is the accessory to get.

A camera lens kit: Xenvo Pro Lens Kit

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The iPhone’s cameras are world-class, but smartphone photographers looking to up their game should check out Xenvo’s Pro Lens Kit. The accessory clips onto the top of the iPhone’s wide lens and allows you to screw on a macro or wide-angle lens to get shots that would be difficult (or impossible). The kit also has a clip-on light with three brightness settings to help you get better low-light photos.

An external microphone: Shure MV88 Portable iOS Microphone

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If you’re using your iPhone to record podcasts, or want ultra-high-quality audio to accompany your 4K video, Shure’s MV88 is the right accessory for the job. The miniature condenser microphone plugs directly into your iPhone’s Lightning port, so it never needs to be charged. You can use the MV88 to record audio in true stereo and monitor your recordings live by plugging headphones into its 3.5mm input. Shure bundles the microphone with a windscreen, which makes it a useful tool to use in the field, and a carrying case to keep it protected when it’s not in use.

A videography kit: Rode VideoMic Vlogger Kit

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The iPhone has been able to shoot sharp 4K video for years, but Rode’s Vlogger Kit can help you get even more out of its cameras. The kit comes with a microphone (with windshield), light cube (with colored film), phone mount, and a tabletop tripod that doubles as a grip. Using these tools makes a big difference in the audio and video quality of your recordings, especially if you shoot at night. A big part of the VideoMic Vlogger Kit’s appeal is its portability. Keeping all of these tools on you at all times makes it easy to set up and break down shoots in just a couple of minutes.

A travel charging kit: Mophie snap+ multi-device travel charger

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If you want to stop carrying several charging cables with you while you travel, your best option is Mophie’s snap+ multi-device travel charger. The self-contained kit includes a charger with a MagSafe charging pad, Qi wireless charging pad, USB-A port, USB-C port, a USB-C cable, and a power adapter. The charger folds up and fits neatly inside a padded carrying case, with slots for its power adapter and cable. We’ve taken this kit traveling with us and couldn’t imagine getting on a flight or multi-day car trip without it.

A car mount: iOttie Easy One Touch 4 Dash & Windshield Universal Car Mount

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Your eyes should stay on the road while driving, but that can be tough if you use your iPhone as a GPS. If that’s the case, we recommend this windshield car mount from iOttie. The One Touch 4 can be attached to any flat part of your dashboard or on its windshield. Its articulating arm allows you to position your iPhone at a safe, comfortable angle, and a holder will keep the device in place. In our experience, iOttie’s mounts are strong enough to keep a firm grip on an iPhone on bumpy terrain and can stay attached to your car for years without incident.

A car charger: Satechi 40W Dual USB-C PD Car Charger

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If you’d like to charge your phone while you drive, Satechi’s Dual-USB-C charger is the accessory you need. The power adapter fits into your car’s cigarette lighter and can fast-charge two iPhones simultaneously. The second USB-C port can also charge a tablet, portable game device, or even a laptop.

Alternately, if you ride solo more often than not, you can buy a combination MagSafe car mount-charger. For example, the Belkin BoostCharge Pro secures to your vent—remember to close it if running the heat—and can deliver up to 15W fast-charging from your car lighter (adapter and cable included). It’s an easy one-handed motion to place or release the iPhone, and it stays fastened in either portrait or landscape mode for convenient navigation assistance, etc., while driving.

A durable charging cable: Amazon Basics Nylon Braided USB-C to Lightning Cable

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Apple includes a charging cable with the iPhone, but it’s been known to fray long before you need to upgrade your device. Amazon Basics’ USB-C to Lightning cable has a braided outer shell that can be bent or twisted without showing signs of wear. In fact, Amazon says you can bend this cable up to 4,000 times without it breaking.

Wireless earbuds: AirPods Pro 2

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The iPhone can be connected to any pair of Bluetooth headphones, but it was designed to work best with the AirPods Pro 2. Apple’s new earbuds will automatically pair to your iPhone the first time you open the lid to their battery case and auto-connect to it every time after that. When you listen to music or watch TV shows and movies with a Dolby Atmos mix on your iPhone, you can use the AirPods Pro 2 to listen in “Spatial Audio,” a headphone-friendly version of surround sound. You can even personalize your Spatial Audio experience on the iPhone by taking a picture of the shape of your ears. You’ll also be able to use the iPhone’s Find My app to locate your AirPods 2 if lost. Finally (and most importantly), we’ve found from first-hand experience that the AirPods 2 are a solid pair of true wireless earbuds, with excellent sound, surprisingly good active noise cancellation, and very good battery life.

A smart speaker: HomePod Mini

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Again, the iPhone can connect to any Bluetooth or AirPlay 2-enabled speaker, but the HomePod Mini was designed to work best with other Apple hardware through HomeKit. You can ask Siri on your iPhone to play music on your HomePod, and even “hand off” audio from the smartphone to the speaker by placing them near one another. The HomePod Mini sounds very good given its size—and even better if you pair two together to listen in true stereo. You can even send messages to the HomePod Mini from your phone to use the speaker like an intercom. If you want to pair your iPhone with a speaker fully integrated in Apple’s ecosystem, the HomePod Mini is the one to get.

The post Essential accessories for your new iPhone appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best rugged		UAG iPhone 14 Pro Max Case		SEE IT	These military-inspired cases provide an impressive 16 feet of drop protection.
Best with wallet		Bellroy Mod Case + Wallet		SEE IT	Carry your essentials in one sleek package with this magnetized case-and-wallet combo.
Best leather		Mujjo Leather Case		SEE IT	Made from vegetable-tanned leather, this case also provides protection for everyday use.

So you got yourself a fancy new iPhone 14. While you’re busy tweaking all the settings or framing your first shots to test the 12-megapixel and ultrawide cameras, you might just drop it by mistake. Fortunately, you can protect your investment with a durable case that will keep your new phone in good working order. In compiling our list of the best iPhone 14 cases, we’ve rounded up options in different styles and at various price points so you can find the best option whether you have an iPhone 14, a Plus, a Pro, or a Pro Max.

• Best overall: Nimble Disc Case
• Best with wallet: Bellroy Mod Case + Wallet 
• Best leather: Mujjo Leather Case
• Best rugged: UAG iPhone 14 Pro Max Case 
• Best waterproof: OtterBox FRĒ Series Waterproof Case
• Best sustainable: Pela iPhone 14 ProMax Case
• Best budget: Spigen Ultra Hybrid iPhone 14 Case

How we picked the best iPhone 14 cases

We’ve got multiple iPhone users on staff; our phones are currently intact. One of the reasons for that is we believe in cases. If we could, we’d have a case for when we’re changing cases because we change cases a lot to help us help you find the best ones. We combine this first-hand experience with peer recommendations and other real-world impressions, then we scour critical reviews and specs sheets to narrow down our list.

The best iPhone 14 cases: Reviews & Recommendations

We considered several factors when recommending the best iPhone 14 cases. A good phone case protects your phone without being overly bulky. We looked for options made from durable materials and prioritized options designed with recyclable materials. No matter how careful you are with your device, carrying it around with you all the time will probably result in a drop at some point. We looked for cases that provided up to 10 feet or more drop protection to safeguard your device. With the iPhone 12, Apple introduced MagSafe—a magnet array inside the phone that works with compatible accessories (battery packs, car mounts, etc.) to secure the phone and align it with charging coils (among other convenience features). We highlighted cases that work with this wireless technology.

Best overall: Nimble Disc Case

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Why it made the cut: Nimble’s Disc Clear case shows off your phone, is designed to absorb impacts, and is made from recycled CDs and DVDs.

Specs

• Materials: Recycled polycarbonate
• Drop protection: Up to 10 feet
• Magsafe? Yes

Pros

• Drop protection up to 10 feet
• Range of options for wireless charging
• Can be recycled

Cons

• Not rugged
• Not waterproof

Nimble’s Clear Case is a, well, clear winner for best overall iPhone 14 case. These cases stand out for their beautiful design and the company’s sustainable practices. Made in part from polycarbonate from recycled CDs and DVDs, this case lets you showcase your phone with a slim, clear case. Nimble’s cases come with the company’s impact-absorbing FlexBand technology, which provides drop protection of up to 10 feet. They’re also MagSafe-compatible and come in plastic-free packaging. And the company will take 15 percent off your purchase if you send them any of your previous plastic cases to recycle.

Best with wallet: Bellroy Mod Case + Wallet

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Why it made the cut: The Bellroy Mod Case and Wallet allows you to combine the essentials in one sleek package with this case-and-wallet combo. 

Specs

• Materials: Flex polymer, tanned leather, polyester microfiber lining  
• Drop protection: Padded corners
• MagSafe charging? Yes

Pros

• Magnetic closure
• Fits up to three cards
• Comes in a range of colors and patterns

Cons

• Doesn’t have strong drop protection

Take care of two essentials with the sleek Bellroy Mod Case and Wallet. This hard-shelled case is designed with two magnetic strips that will lock your wallet in place. The wallet opens with a magnetic trap door and holds three cards. This case is also MagSafe compatible. That said, its sleek profile doesn’t provide much drop protection, though it comes with a 3-year warranty.

Best leather: Mujjo Leather Case

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Why it made the cut: This beautiful case is an accessory you’ll want to show off that will only improve with time. 

Specs

• Materials: Leather
• Drop protection: Not provided
• MagSafe? Yes

Pros

• Made from vegetable-tanned leather
• Available with a wallet
• Slim design

Cons

• Not waterproof
• Not necessarily protective against falls

If you’re looking for an elegant way to showcase your phone, Mujillo’s Leather Case is an excellent option. The vegetable-tanned leather is supple yet provides ample protection for everyday use with its raised bezel. Despite its rustic look, this case is also MagSafe-compatible. It comes in tan, Monaco Blue, and black, or you can also get a version with an included wallet.

Best rugged: UAG iPhone 14 Pro Max Case

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Why it made the cut: Protect your extra-large phone from the elements with this rugged yet lightweight option from UAG.

Specs

• Materials: Polycarbonate, thermoplastic polyurethane
• Drop protection: 16 feet 
• MagSafe charging? No

Pros

• Impressive drop protection 
• Durability 
• Slim design

Cons

• Doesn’t work with MagSafe

Do you work outdoors or regularly adventure in the backcountry, but enjoy the extra screen real estate of the largest iPhone? If so, a rugged case from UAG is a good option to protect your phablet. Made of durable polycarbonate, this case comes with a raised screen and extra TPU on the corners to cushion your phone from drops. It provides extra traction and oversized buttons that are easy to find and use. With drop protection of up to 16 feet, this phone is military-grade. And it’s available in 10 colors (as well as options for other iPhone sizes/models).

Best waterproof: OtterBox FRĒ Series Waterproof Case

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Why it made the cut: This Otterbox case is made from recycled plastic and waterproof so that you can take your phone on aquatic adventures.

Specs

• Materials: Polycarbonate
• Drop protection: 130 drops from 4 feet
• MagSafe? Yes

Pros

• Waterproof
• Slim design 
• Works with MagSafe

Cons

• Expensive

You don’t have to leave your new phone on the dock when heading out onto the water. Otterbox’s FRĒ Series Waterproof Case provides plenty of protection against the elements as it can be submerged up to 2 meters for one hour. It’s also partially made from recycled plastic. And it works with MagSafe devices for all-around functionality.

Best sustainable: Pela iPhone 14 ProMax Case

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Why it made the cut: Pela’s cases come in many beautiful colors, provide drop protection, and are compostable when you finish using them.

Specs

• Materials: Compostable bioplastic elastomer and flaw straw
• Drop protection: Up to 20 feet
• MagSafe? Yes

Pros

• Compostable
• Works with MagSafe
• Comes in eight colors

Cons

• Expensive

The name Pela is synonymous with sustainability. The Canadian brand’s phone cases are handcrafted in their studio from a material called Flaxstic, which is made up of compostable bioplastic elastomer and flaw straw. That makes for a flexible case designed to wrap around your phone. That doesn’t mean this case is flimsy, though. It provides impressive drop protection of 20 feet, according to company testing. It’s also MagSafe-compatible and comes in eight colors. If you’re unhappy, the company also has a flexible return policy.

Best budget: Spigen Ultra Hybrid iPhone 14 Case

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Why it made the cut: The Spigen Ultra Hybrid shows off your phone while providing reliable protection at an affordable price.

Specs

• Materials: Polycarbonate, thermoplastic polyurethane
• Drop protection: Military grade (26 drops from 4 feet)
• MagSafe? No

Pros

• Clear case showcases phone
• Low cost
• Rugged

Cons

• Not recyclable

If you’re looking to economize after getting your new phone but still want reliable protection, the Spigen Ultra Hybrid is a good choice. The clear cases come in multiple trims, from Crystal Clear to Sierra Blue. That doesn’t mean this case is fragile, though. It comes with air-cushion drop protection that’s military-grade. And all for a budget-friendly price.

Also consider …

If you’re looking for another durable option, the Zagg Denali Snap is designed with the mountains in mind. This rugged option incorporates the company’s D3O material, which is flexible and protects from shocks. It provides up to 16 feet of drop protection and is made partly from recycled materials. It also comes with an antimicrobial layer to discourage the growth of bacteria. Plus, it’s MagSafe-compatible. 

On the other hand, if sustainability is a top priority, the Bellroy Bio Phone Case for the iPhone 14 Max is slim, compostable, and comes in three matte colors: black, bluestone, and biscuit. It’s also less expensive than other options. 

Things to consider when picking the best iPhone 14 case

Now that you’re playing around with the iPhone’s new features, you’ll want to protect your new camera with a case that suits your needs. Here are some things to think about:

Your phone model: Whether you bought an iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, or iPhone 14 Pro Max, some companies have cases for only certain models, while others cover the whole new iOS lineup. Ensure you have the right one for your phone’s dimensions, camera array, etc.

Durability: Will you regularly be subjecting your phone to the elements? If you’re outdoorsy, your phone will need to survive significant drops and potentially land on rocks and other hard surfaces. Some cases come with bumpers for extra protection at the corners. In addition, it might need to withstand exposure to water. Don’t just trust marketing slogans, however. When it comes to drops, you can look for designations like ML-STD 810G-516.6 to know if the case passed a rigorous test. And when it comes to water- and dust-resistance, check the IP rating, which stands for “Ingress Protection” and is displayed as IPXX. The higher the numbers in the X spots, the better the status. Look for a minimum 5, preferably 6 to 8. 

Charging: All of the cases on this list work with wireless charging. But if MagSafe technology is a priority, keep in mind that not all of the new iPhone 14 cases are compatible. 

Sustainability: If you’re looking to go easier on the Earth even with a new purchase, cases made with recycled plastic, or compostable options like Pela’s iPhone 14 ProMax Case or the Bellroy Bio Phone Case, are good options.

Final thoughts on the best iPhone 14 cases

Dropping extra money on a case as you’re shelling out for an iPhone 14 may seem like overkill, but it won’t feel that way after your first drop. Just remember, you’re protecting an investment. Whether you’re looking for a modern case or wallet combo for everyday use or a rugged case that will protect your phone from the elements, our recommendations can help you make the most of your new phone.

The post The best iPhone 14 cases of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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Google’s new Pixel 7 Pro is part of a new crop of gadgets that benefit from their boringness. The Nintendo Switch OLED is boring; Microsoft’s latest Surface Go is boring; even the iPhone 14 is boring. That may come off as harsh, but all it means is that Google, like those other tech giants, eschewed fancy-but-unnecessary changes to its hardware and software and focused on incremental improvements that prospective Pixel owners would appreciate.

This is Google’s flagship smartphone and it’s one of the few you should seriously consider upgrading to if you like the purest Android operating system experience. While other Android phones beat the Pixel 7 Pro in specific areas—the Asus ROG Phone 6 is better for gaming, the Galaxy S22 Ultra has a better camera system—Google’s smartphone offers one of the best all-around experiences. Even iPhone owners (myself included) would come away a little envious, even if it doesn’t push us to migrate.

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Unlocking the Google Pixel Pro 7’s features

The toughest part about reviewing the Pixel 7 Pro was the lack of a single marquee feature. There’s no “Dynamic Island” like on the iPhone 14 Pro models, no totally new form factor like the upcoming Pixel tablet. Instead, at a first glance, the smartphone looks nearly identical to the one it’s replacing. The differences between them are subtle even when you take a long look under the surface. 

The Pixel 7 Pro offers the same 120Hz, 6.4-inch, 1440p screen as the Pixel 6 Pro and immediately feels good in the hand. It’s a little taller than the iPhone 14 Pro Max but 40 grams lighter, which made a bigger difference than I expected. When you’re reading a long article or holding your phone while watching a video, every gram counts. On the backside of the Pixel 7 Pro, you’ll find the raised camera “bar,” which extends from the left side of the device all the way across to the right. 

Google fully embraced the camera “bump” with last year’s Pixel 6 Pro, turning it into a distinctive feature of the smartphone’s design. I still pine for the days of smartphones with cameras that are flush to their case but, while I personally hope that they return in the far-off future, I know it’s not going to happen. So, it’s nice that Google turned its smartphone’s camera system into a signature part of its look. The Pixel 7 Pro has an edge-to-edge screen, with a hole punch-shaped cutout for the front-facing camera. The camera has a slightly lower megapixel count compared to last year’s model (10.8MP down from 11.1MP), but it can be used for more than just taking selfies. 

The Pixel 7 Pro supports facial recognition, which allows you to unlock the smartphone by looking at it and swiping up on its screen. This worked very quickly in my testing, even when trying it in areas with low light. Some earlier Pixel generations had this feature but it’s been absent for the past couple of years. If the idea of facial recognition makes you uneasy, the Pixel 7 Pro has an under-the-display fingerprint reader and the option to use a password. All three methods of unlocking the phone worked well, so feel free to mix and match.

An arms race with Apple

Last year, Google introduced the Tensor chip, a custom-designed processor developed specifically for use in Pixel phones. The Pixel 7 Pro features the Tensor G2, which is slightly faster on paper but powerful and energy efficient in practice. The move from an off-the-shelf part to a bespoke one paid off as the Pixel 7 Pro runs Android 13 flawlessly. Tapping, scrolling, pinching, zooming, switching between apps all felt remarkably smooth, with not a dropped frame or second-long stutter to be found. The phone didn’t even run hot during a stress test that involved running video at maximum brightness for multiple hours. 

Google may have been playing catch up with Apple, a company that began designing the iPhone’s custom silicon over a decade ago, but the effort has paid off handsomely. Pixel 6 Pro owners may not notice a big year-over-year improvement if they decide to upgrade. Anyone coming from a smartphone that’s two or three years old, however, will pick up on the difference immediately when opening apps, taking pictures, or even adjusting system settings like the phone’s screen resolution or wallpaper. While I’ve only had the opportunity to check out a few Android devices in my career, this is certainly the cleanest (and, yes, most iPhone-like) experience yet.

The Tensor G2’s biggest on-paper improvement compared to Google’s last-generation chip is a 60% increase in its machine-learning capabilities. This enables some of the phone’s most helpful features, like parsing speech to show you a tappable menu while going through a phone tree and helping you find exactly which emoji to pick while dictating messages. These are tangible benefits—who remembers the last time a smartphone’s phone experience improved?

With all of this power under the hood, it’s disappointing that Google has promised that the Pixel 7 line of phones will get only three years of software updates and five years of security updates. That’s good for an Android phone but Apple’s newly released iOS 16 operating system runs on phones going back to 2017. As Google unifies its hardware and software ecosystems, it’s important that they prioritize longevity.

Mighty morphin’ mega pixels

One of the biggest reasons to get a new smartphone is camera improvements and the Pixel 7 Pro is no slouch. Its three-lens rear-facing camera system features a 12MP ultra-wide camera, 48MP telephoto camera, and a 50MP wide camera, which can all record 4K HDR (high dynamic range) video at up to 60 frames per second. The megapixel count on the cameras hasn’t changed in the past year, but the ultrawide camera has a wider field of view and the telephoto lens has a slightly narrower field of view. In the Pixel’s camera app, you can select between four predetermined focal lengths: .5x, 1x, 2x, and 5x, and frame your shot accordingly.

My tests—conducted indoors and outdoors in various lighting conditions—show that Google’s relentless investment in computational photography continues to pay off, especially in an era when it makes its own chips. There’s a lot of fancy processing work happening behind the scenes, so all I needed to do to get a great photo was framing my shot and hitting the shutter button. A visual guide showing whether I was shooting my photo off-angle helped a bit but I mostly let the smartphone do all the work. I would consider the Pixel 7 Pro’s camera to be restrained. It brightened up low-light photos without blowing them out or muddying details and did a good job at color-balancing shots with a lot of dynamic range. 

More often than not the Pixel 7 Pro’s photos didn’t need editing, especially if you’re primarily interested in posting quick snapshots to Instagram. I compared the Pixel 7 Pro’s camera directly to an iPhone 14 Pro Max under a challenging circumstance: a lit fire pit in a dark backyard from a distance of about two feet. Both phones were set to their 1X camera settings, and the results (below) speak for themselves.

Smartphone photography has gotten a lot better over the past few years. Google is further leveraging the Tensor G2 to help you transform shots that almost turned out correctly into usable pictures through a feature called “UnBlur.” Tapping this button uses machine learning to digitally fix blurry photos, whether they were taken on the Pixel 7 Pro or not. This feature was hit-and-miss in my testing but, when it works, the before-and-after difference can be pretty significant. There are plenty of reasons for a blurry photo, from a shaky hand to an overactive subject, so it’s good to know your smartphone camera has your back in challenging situations outside of your control.

You can see the work of the Google Pixel 7’s UnBlur feature below; it’s not perfect, but the difference in usability is undeniable. Google has historically improved the quality of its machine-learning photography technology through software updates, so I expect UnBlur to get a lot better. This feature’s most impressive quality so far is the ability to apply it to any picture in your Google Photos library. UnBlur will be most effective when it’s applied to newer photos (specifically those taken on a Pixel 7 series device), but it can save older ones, too.

It just keeps going (and going and going) …

If you’re considering upgrading your smartphone because of its declining battery life, I can wholeheartedly recommend the Pixel 7 Pro. A full charge had no problems surviving a day of messaging, video watching, and social media browsing. I thought I’d put the battery through a stress test leaving a YouTube video playing continuously with the screen brightness at 100%—three hours later the phone said it still had over one day’s worth of juice left in the tank. 

Everybody’s workload is different and your mileage may vary if you’re recording hours of 4K video, editing it, and posting it on social media from your device. In those cases, it’s helpful to know that the Pixel 7 Pro supports 23W fast charging with a cable or on a wireless charger. The smartphone also supports reverse wireless charging, which means you can use it to top up other devices in a pinch.

Believe your eyes and ears

I mentioned the Pixel 7 Pro’s display specs earlier in this review but it’s worth noting just how good the screen is. Photos and videos look vibrant (without looking artificial) and text looks crisp. Google allows you to switch the smartphone’s display resolution between 1080P and 1440P depending on whether you’d like to see more information or want a slightly larger interface (bigger icons, larger text, etc.). In either case, the screen’s high refresh rate and immaculate color reproduction make a big difference, especially if you’re viewing high-resolution content. Even silly things, like the way an app icon pops against the phone’s background, stand out. It’s unfortunate that such a great screen was paired with such so-so speakers. 

When listening to audio in landscape mode, the Pixel 7 Pro will switch from mono to stereo, using its bottom speaker and receiver as the right and left channel respectively. Neither one is particularly good but the receiver is noticeably weaker than the phone’s speaker. This makes sense but is unfortunate given how well the iPhone sounds with this same general setup. The Pixel 7 Pro’s speakers stand out in a bad way even when watching videos or casually listening to podcasts in the background. If you want to seriously listen to music or watch streaming content on the Pixel 7 Pro, you should immediately pair them with good wireless earbuds or headphones (you can’t go wrong with the Bose QuietComfort II Earbuds or the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones, to name just a couple options). The Pixel 7 Pro supports Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC, AAC (LC/HE), and aptX/aptX HD codecs (for the best sound experience, look for flagship gear supporting aptX HD, like the Focal Bathys).

So, who should buy the Pixel 7 Pro?

If you’re in the market for a new Android phone, the Pixel 7 Pro should be on the shortlist for consideration. The overall quality of its hardware—especially the Tensor G2 processor, which you won’t find anywhere else—cannot be overstated. And it’s paired with Android 13, an operating system designed to run perfectly on Google’s hardware. It may not have the whiz-bang cool factor of Samsung’s foldables, or the familiarity (to many) of the iPhone, but Google has continued to prove itself as a top-tier smartphone maker. The company’s dedication is especially impressive given how little its hardware has sold relative to its main competition, though some new reports suggest that trend could be changing. 

The conventional wisdom when an iPhone owner wants to upgrade their device is “get the newest iPhone.” The Pixel 7 Pro makes a compelling case to become a similar recommendation to anyone on the Android side of the aisle, even if it’s a little boring. The Google Pixel 7 Pro comes in Hazel (olive green), Snow (white), and Obsidian (black), starting at $899 for a model equipped with 128GB of storage and going up to $1,099 for the maxed-out version with 512GB of storage. The smartphone is available now in all storage sizes and colors.

The post Google Pixel 7 Pro review: Viva la (hardware) evolution appeared first on Popular Science.

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Apple announced the newest set of iPhones, the iPhone 14 series, during its Sept. 7 “Far Out” announcement event. There are four phones this year, with two different sizes and two sets of specs. The standard 6.1-inch iPhone 14 and larger 6.7-inch iPhone Plus feature very modest upgrades this year. Most of the flashiest improvements, including an always-on display and the much-discussed “Dynamic Island” notifications UX, are exclusive to the more powerful and more expensive iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. If you’re planning to upgrade this year, we’ll walk you through the benefits of each model so you can figure out which iPhone 14 works for you.

The iPhones: iPhone 14, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max

Before we highlight the differences among Apple’s iPhone 14 models, there are a few new and exciting changes you’ll see across the whole line. All the new phones run iOS 16, the newest version of Apple’s mobile operating system, out of the box. If you’re new to the iPhone, or haven’t installed iOS 16 yet, it introduces a bunch of interesting new features, including the ability to customize your lock screen, edit sent messages, and enable haptic feedback for the keyboard. Apple’s new devices also support Emergency SOS calls, coming in November, which will enable satellite calls and texts to emergency services, even when cell service or Wi-Fi isn’t available.

The entire iPhone 14 series, along with the Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra, features new motion sensors that can detect when you’ve been in a car accident. The feature, called Crash Detection, works by measuring sudden speed shifts, cabin pressure changes, abrupt changes in direction, and extreme sound levels. If you get in an accident, your phone will automatically call 911 and notify emergency contacts after a few seconds.

On the camera front, the iPhone 14 series supports a new AI-enabled feature called the “Photonic Engine,” which improves color accuracy and overall picture quality in low-light scenes.

There are other similarities across the iPhone 14 series, like the switch from physical SIM cards to eSIM in the US, and the exact screen sizes (6.1-inch and 6.7-inch). Additionally, they all have upgraded to Bluetooth 5.3 for the most stable connection to the excellent new AirPods Pro (2nd generation). Here’s how each device breaks down, from the cheapest to the most expensive:

iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus

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Starting at $799, the iPhone 14 is the most affordable model in Apple’s new smartphone lineup and the best option for more people. It features the A15 chipset, similar to one in last year’s iPhone 13 Pro, with a slightly improved thermal design that will keep the phone cool when playing games or watching videos. In addition to those core iPhone 14 upgrades, Emergency SOS via satellite, and Crash Detection, it offers an upgraded dual-camera system with a new “action mode” that makes your video footage look less shaky.

Compared to the new iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, the iPhone 14 misses out on a few key features, including the more advanced 120Hz always-on display and upgraded triple-camera setup, which now features a 48MP sensor. These features are worth paying the extra money if you want the best camera experience and best display technology in an iPhone.

The iPhone 14 Plus is simply a larger version of the standard iPhone 14. It features a fairly massive 6.7-inch screen, but most of the internal components and performance should be identical. The Plus has one meaningful upgrade under the hood: battery life. Apple estimates the 14 Plus should get up to 26 hours of battery life on a single charge, versus 20 hours on a standard iPhone 14. 

Given how little has changed year-to-year, we only recommend the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus for people who need a new iPhone, either because their current phone is damaged or too old to update, and do not wish to pay a premium for the Pro or Pro Max. The extra battery life adds some appeal to iPhone 14 Plus, but the decision between the two ultimately comes down to what screen size you prefer.

iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max

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The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are the most powerful iPhones to date. Starting at $999, the iPhone 14 Pro features an upgraded triple-camera system and an always-on display, which can show you information at-a-glance without waking your device. It features Apple’s new A16 Bionic chipset, with a 6-core CPU that features two high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores, a triple-camera system with a 48MP main sensor, and a 120Hz refresh rate whether gaming or scrolling apps, emails, and feeds. 

Unlike other iPhones with Face ID—including the standard iPhone 14 and 14 Plus—the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max feature a pill-shaped cutout, rather than a notch. Following in the footsteps of “hole-punch” selfie-cameras in recent Android phones, the notch replacement gives the Pro and Pro Max a sharp, distinctive look. 

The cutout also serves as the centerpiece for the phone’s new notification and quick-access feature, the “Dynamic Island,” which creates a reactive window around the cutout to show alerts, notifications, and ongoing background activities like Maps, Music, and more. It will also support “Live Activities,” a type of interactive push notification when it launches later this year.

As with the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus, this year’s iPhone 14 Pro Max is effectively the same as the iPhone 14 Pro, but in a larger, 6.7-inch form factor. As with the 14 Plus, the 14 Pro Max offers a larger battery that Apple estimates should last 29 hours, versus the 23 hours you’ll get from an iPhone 14 Pro.

If you’re going to get an iPhone this year, we recommend going for the 14 Pro or 14 Pro Max. With a new chipset, the always-on display with the Dynamic Island, and some interesting innovations around the cameras, it is a far more worthy upgrade than the standard iPhone 14 and 14 Plus.

What about an older iPhone?

While everyone is currently raving and reviewing the iPhone 14 lineup, there’s nothing stopping you from going back to less recent revisions of the iPhone, like last year’s iPhone 13 and even the iPhone 12. The last few years of iPhones all have a lot in common: They all run iOS 16, feature excellent camera systems, and offer a similarly high-end, polished experience. Meanwhile, they cost significantly less than they did at launch because they aren’t the newest option.

For the absolute best bargain, though, consider the 2022 iPhone SE. The budget-friendly iPhone, refreshed earlier this year, features a much older design: It has a home button with Touch ID, just one 12MP rear camera, and a relatively small 4.7-inch LCD screen. Despite the stripped-down, almost retro feature-set, it sports an A15 Bionic chipset, so apps will run smoothly. For under $500, the iPhone SE is an excellent phone and one of our favorites at that price point.

At this point, you really can’t go wrong with any of the older models mentioned above. Even the iPhone 12, which came out in 2020, will likely receive new updates from Apple for another 3-5 years. We generally recommend opting for newer phones and PCs to maximize their lifespans, but given the price differential between last year and this year, with only a small performance jump from the iPhone 13 to iPhone 14, there’s never been a better year to buy an older iPhone.

What size iPhone 14 should you get?

The iPhone 14 series comes in two sizes: 6.1 inches and 6.7 inches. Though it sounds small, you’ll see the difference in size when you look at them side-by-side and feel it in your hand when you pick them up. If you’d prefer something smaller, you can go with an iPhone SE, though you’ll miss out on a lot of features.

The easiest way to figure out which size is right for you is to go to your nearest Apple Store or big-box electronics retailer and pick them up. Remember that, in addition to larger displays, the larger iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 14 Pro Max models have larger batteries and give you more space to browse the web, play games, and watch videos. However, you may prefer the small fit (and lower prices) of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro. Go with what works best for you.

Is the always-on display worth it?

As we mentioned, one of the headlining features of the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 4 Pro Max is an always-on display. With this feature, the screen reduces brightness and drops the phone’s refresh rate to 1Hz when it isn’t in use, so you can check your lock screen to see the time, temperature, and check other widgets quickly without touching the phone to wake it.

An always-on display can be helpful and encourage users to use their phone less because they can glance at their phone to see information rather than unlock it and open an app. However, the feature can impact your phone’s battery life ever so slightly and some reviews, like ours, have noted that Apple’s implementation feels clunky compared to Android counterparts.

One more thing to keep in mind: Having an always-on display on your phone may not be especially helpful If you already own an Apple Watch, since you’re already getting that information on your wrist. 

How good is the iPhone 14 Pro’s camera?

If photography is your No. 1 concern when picking up a new phone, you should consider the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. This year’s flagship iPhones feature more significant changes than usual, resulting in higher-quality images and videos. One of the most notable changes is a 48MP main camera, the highest ever in an iPhone. This new sensor takes advantage of a process called “pixel binning,” which allows the software to create more detailed 12MP images by combining groups of four pixels into a single virtual pixel. You can also take full 48MP images if you shoot in RAW, giving you more flexibility to manipulate the images in your editing software of choice.

You can read more about the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max camera changes in our review. In short, the hardware and software changes are worthwhile and superior to the dual-camera system in the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus.

So, which iPhone 14 should you buy?

Compared to other previous models, we’d say it’s a very good time to buy a Pro-tier iPhone, and a good year to skip the standard iPhone. With a modified version of last year’s chips and only a couple of notable hardware features, the standard iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus don’t necessarily warrant an upgrade unless you really need a new phone. Meanwhile, the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max offer some really exciting changes, big and small, such as an always-on display, Dynamic Island, and an upgraded set of cameras

There’s definitely an argument to go for the iPhone 14 over an older model. Features like Emergency SOS via satellite and Crash Detection offer great infrastructure changes that are great to have, even if you never want to use them. That said, we wouldn’t blame anyone for buying a used iPhone 13 or 13 Pro to save a little money. Ultimately, it’s about finding the right balance of hardware, software features, and price that works best for your needs.

The post Apple iPhone 14 comparison: How to pick your next upgrade appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best overall		NordVPN		SEE IT	NordVPN ranks among the best VPN providers across all desirable capabilities.
Best for unlimited devices		Surfshark		SEE IT	While it’s not the most well-known VPN provider, Surfshark is among the best in every meaningful category.
Best dedicated IP		Cyberghost		SEE IT	CyberGhost is one of the best VPN providers out there, and its advanced features are very handy.

From smartphones to tablets to laptops and everything internet-connected in between, most of us rely on multiple devices every single day—all the more reason we should rely on a VPN. To stay online all the time, you may wind up relying on public Wi-Fi or a connection through work or school, which often isn’t as secure as you might think. If you’re tired of worrying about trackers and hackers potentially sifting through your data, you should consider using a virtual private network, or VPN, to hide your online presence and make it harder for companies and bad actors to find your data. Some VPNs specialize in phones or PCs, but the best VPNs for multiple devices can protect your entire tech arsenal.

• Best overall: NordVPN
• Best for unlimited devices: Surfshark
• Best dedicated IP: CyberGhost
• Best app: ExpressVPN
• Best for families: Private Internet Access
• Best budget: ProtonVPN

What is a VPN?

When you surf the internet, you transmit certain information about yourself to the sites you visit, including your location. A virtual private network (VPN) is an online service that hides your digital identity from online utilities like Google or Facebook that wish to collect and sell your data, as well as from hackers and scammers. A VPN acts like a mask that your computer puts on before it walks into a party. Websites can tell that you’re there and that you’re wearing a mask, but they can’t see any of the personal information that they normally would.

Each of the following VPNs encrypts the data that you send, and most of them have a “no-log” policy, which means that they do not keep any record of your activity. Some even allow you to mask your identity from the VPN server itself. While you might not care if a random person knows about your online shopping habits, you certainly don’t want them to know the password to your bank account. 

VPNs also let you set a virtual location, allowing you to appear as if you are browsing from another country. This allows you to look at the many international versions of sites like Netflix, which may offer different content to other parts of the world.

When it comes to finding a VPN that supports many devices, the good news is that most VPNs have apps that allow you to easily modify your phone or tablet’s internet connection. However, the quality of those apps does vary somewhat, as we’ll go over in the next few sections.

For more information on how VPNs work and how to set one up, please check out our full-length guide on how to use a VPN.

How we picked the best VPNs for multiple devices

As a professional tech writer for almost a decade, I’ve personally tested many of the most popular VPNs for friends and my own personal use, and I know how they perform. To make these recommendations, we consulted online guides, reviews, specs, and spoke to several information security experts. Thanks to this research, we know which VPNs are worth your hard-earned cash, and which ones are better left in the bowels of Google.

The best VPNs for multiple devices: Reviews & Recommendations

Hopefully, you now feel comfortable poking around and picking a VPN to keep your daily browsing data safe. If you’re looking for a VPN that can cover all your fun electronic toys without much of a hassle, our recommendations are a great place to start.

Best overall: NordVPN

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Why it made the cut: NordVPN delivers everything you would want from a VPN provider, including thousands of servers, six simultaneous connections, and ultra-reliable service.

Specs

• Server count: Over 5,500 servers in 59 countries
• Connection limit: Supports 6 device connections at once
• Home country: Panama
• Free/trial version: None
• Standard plan price: $11.99 per month, $59.98 per year, or $126.96 every two years

Pros

• Trusted brand name
• Extremely reliable
• Many, many servers
• Fancy bells and whistles you actually want

Cons

• Only six simultaneous connections
• Fairly expensive

If you’re thinking about using a VPN, you’ve almost certainly heard of NordVPN, and that’s for good reason. Pound-for-pound, it’s arguably the best VPN provider on the market. Nord boasts thousands of servers in dozens of countries, as well as competitive speeds worldwide. NordVPN also offers dedicated IPs for an additional monthly fee, which is useful for users who want to hide the fact that they’re using a VPN at all.

Though the brand’s reputation took a hit after a 2018 server breach, it still remains one of the most trusted providers in the space. NordVPN’s mobile app is clean and intuitive, and it supports every device you have lying around the house. If you’re looking for more than just a basic VPN service, Nord also offers a data breach scanner, a password manager, and encrypted cloud storage for additional rates.

NordVPN plans support up to six simultaneous connections. That’s definitely enough for a well-connected person or an average household, but large families full of tech-heads may want to look at alternatives that can handle more bandwidth.

Best for unlimited connections: Surfshark

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Specs

• Server count: 3,200 servers in 95 countries
• Connection limit: Unlimited
• Home country: The Netherlands
• Free/trial version: None
• Standard plan price: $12.95 per month, $47.88 per year, or $59.76 for two years 

Pros

• Unlimited connections on one account
• Competitive speeds
• Extremely good value

Cons

• Less well-known than alternatives
• No extra bells and whistles

Surfshark is the new kid on the VPN block, but don’t let that fool you. Though it makes our list for offering unlimited simultaneous connections—making it an extremely good option for large households full of technophiles—it’s a very strong service across the board. Its $60, two-year subscription is one of the best deals you’ll find in the space, and Surfshark is consistently ranked high among the fastest VPN services out there. Its mobile app is also quite snazzy.

Surfshark’s major downside is its server network, which is significantly smaller than its well-known competition. That said, 3,000+ servers is nothing to sneeze at. Meanwhile, the ability to access servers in 95 countries gives you far more masking options than most providers. Surfshark is arguably the best deal in VPN-land and is definitely the best choice for users with more than six devices.

Best for dedicated IP: CyberGhost

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Specs

• Server count: 7,900 servers in 91 countries
• Connection limit: Supports 7 device connections at once
• Home country: Romania
• Free/trial version: None
• Price: $12.99 per month, $51.48 per year, or $78 every two years

Pros

• More servers than almost any VPN
• Seven simultaneous connections
• Easy setup for advanced features

Cons

• Visually underwhelming
• No independent security audits since 2012

Some VPN users prefer to pay their provider a little extra for a dedicated IP address in order to fool websites into thinking that they aren’t using a VPN at all. If you don’t pay for a dedicated IP, your traffic will show up as a different IP every time you connect and many websites have filters for popular VPN server IPs. If you want to hide the fact that you’re hiding your info, we recommend CyberGhost, a fully featured VPN provider with all the bells and whistles you need to take control of your cybersecurity.

CyberGhost’s dedicated IP service costs about $4 a month, which is not insignificant. This service ensures that you will always show the same unique IP address when you’re using CyberGhost, which will likely be enough to fool streaming services like Netflix into unblocking you. No more Captchas when casually Googling, either. However, there is a small catch: CyberGhost will issue a unique access token that you use to log into your unique IP. The company keeps no record of this token, but that means you have to keep track of it yourself. If you lose it, you’ll have to purchase another subscription to get another dedicated IP.

Even if you don’t want a dedicated IP—or you’re afraid you’ll lose the token—CyberGhost is an extremely competitive VPN provider. It’s one of the fastest VPNs out there according to speed tests, and its plans are significantly less expensive than some of its competitors.

Best app: ExpressVPN

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Specs

• Server count: Over 3,000 servers in 94 countries
• Connection limit: Supports 5 device connections at once
• Home country: British Virgin Islands
• Free/trial version: None
• Standard plan price: $12.95 per month, or $99.95 per year

Pros

• Best app UI and usability
• Very reliable
• Trusted name

Cons

• Only five connections at once
• Expensive

NordVPN and ExpressVPN are effectively the Coke and Pepsi of the VPN world. Like its counterpart, ExpressVPN is a well-established brand that gives you everything you expect from a premium VPN, including fast speeds, a widespread network, and a variety of extra services that you tack on.

ExpressVPN’s key advantage for those of us with a lot of gear is its excellent mobile app. It’s visually appealing, works on every platform, and makes tweaking your settings easy. ExpressVPN’s speeds have also tested well over the years. However, it does not offer some of the popular extras that Nord users might like, such as dedicated IP services. 

Express offers only five simultaneous connections, which is significantly less than some of our other picks. However, if you tend to stick with only two or three devices, ExpressVPN is a premium provider that covers the basics quite well for everyday people who don’t want to be burdened with overly technical details.

Best for families: Private Internet Access

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Specs

• Server count: Over 28,000 servers in 84 countries
• Connection limit: Supports 10 device connections at once
• Home country: United States
• Free/trial version: None
• Standard plan price: $12.00 per month, $90 per year, or $56 for two years

Pros

• 10 simultaneous connections
• Ridiculous server count
• Good UI
• Very reasonable price

Cons

• Not the fastest
• Doesn’t stand out in any category

Private Internet Access is one of the most popular VPNs out there thanks to its compelling price point and feature set. For one thing, PIA boasts a truly absurd server count—over 28,000 worldwide—as well as a simultaneous connection cap that’s more than double some of its competitors. PIA is also regularly discounted for price points that you rarely see in the VPN space, making it a good option for families who want to make every dollar count.

While PIA is certainly a good VPN, it doesn’t necessarily excel in any particular way. Its dedicated IP services aren’t as well-regarded as CyberGhost and NordVPN. Its speed doesn’t compete with many of the major platforms, either. It has standard VPN features like split tunneling, a killswitch, and optional antivirus software, but nothing that sets it apart. 

All in all, Private Internet Access is an extremely respectable VPN that doesn’t quite have the brand recognition of its bigger competitors. However, it’s a reliable alternative that costs less than most of our other picks and will protect a lot of devices simultaneously.

Best budget: ProtonVPN

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Specs

• Server count: Over 1,700 servers in 63 countries (premium)
• Connection limit: Supports 10 device connections at once (premium)
• Home country: Switzerland
• Free/trial version: Yes, speed-capped
• Standard plan price: $10.52 per month, $75.69 per year, or $126.10 every two years (billed in Euro)

Pros

• A decent free tier that actually works
• Supports 10 simultaneous connections
• Easy to upgrade to premium

Cons

• Limited feature-set
• Premium is expensive for what it is

You can’t go very far online without being bombarded with ads for free VPN services these days. While most of these services are unreliable, data-capped, or possibly even scams, ProtonVPN is the real deal. It offers a free tier that can actually serve as a decent VPN in a pinch. It doesn’t have a data cap, so you don’t have to tediously count every megabyte you transmit to use it.

As you might expect, ProtonVPN’s free plan is quite limited compared to its premium competitors. You can only choose from three servers, it’s limited to one device at a time, and Proton blocks popular VPN use cases like torrenting and streaming. As such, if you really want a VPN that supports multiple devices, you’ll need to shell out for its premium services.

The good news is that ProtonVPN makes it very easy to upgrade from its free plan to a paid option. It offers 10 simultaneous connections, which is more than enough for even large households. However, it does falter when compared to other premium competitors like NordVPN and ExpressVPN. It also lacks premium features that power users might expect, such as support for dedicated IP addresses.

The truth is that there is no good free option if you want to use a VPN across many devices. ProtonVPN gives the closest thing: A free taste of its services before you invest.

Things to consider when buying the best VPNs for multiple devices

Choosing a VPN to protect every device you own can seem intimidating at first, especially if you aren’t the kind of person who spends hours and hours online. However, the competing services really boil down to a few factors that will determine which provider is best for you. Since the best VPN deals are often a multiyear commitment, it’s important to consider the following questions before clicking the buy button.

Why do I need a VPN?

When you access the internet from your phone, tablet, or computer, you’re transmitting information about yourself, whether you like it or not. Most companies collect this information and track your activity across the internet to help them sell you products. Some bad actors will try and use it to target you for identity theft scams, such as phishing schemes. 

If you use public Wi-Fi often for work, you should keep in mind that most public Wi-Fi networks are not secure. Whether you’re relaxing in your dorm or enjoying a cup of coffee at your favorite cafe, public Wi-Fi often leaves you unprotected against scammers who want the password to your Amazon account. Using a VPN in these situations makes it much harder for people to grab your data, even when it may be vulnerable.

How many connections do you really need?

In a perfect world, a VPN would provide perfect protection to every single internet-enabled device you own. Realistically, most services won’t allow that. Even if they did, you probably don’t really need that level of protection.

When picking your VPN, take a moment and think about which devices need extra security. Laptops, desktops, tablets, and phones are the most vulnerable because they connect to an internet browser, as well as email phishing scams. Game consoles like a PlayStation 5 or a Nintendo Switch are far less likely to fall victim to malware. Most VPNs that work across many kinds of computers do put a cap on the number of devices you can protect. Most popular services will have plans that can go up to 5-10 devices, though some services offer plans to protect an unlimited number of devices.

If you want a subscription package that supports you and your entire family’s massive constellation of tech toys at the same time, you will only have a couple of options. Alternatively, if you just need to protect your three primary devices—a PC, a phone, and tablet, for example—you can safely go with any of our picks.

Killer apps

VPNs designed for multidevice use should offer a free app that you use to mask your tablet or phone activity. Not all of them are easy to navigate, but they allow you to protect your mobile devices before you log on, not after.

Speed and cost

Using a VPN will always make your internet at least a little bit slower. When you use a VPN, you’re forcing your information to make a couple of stops on the way between you and whatever website you’re looking at. Since you’re routing your browsing through another server, the sheer fact of that distance means that it’ll take a little longer to load your sites. 

The best VPNs will only slow you down the slightest bit. Others may slow it down quite a bit. This is one of a few reasons why it’s always worth it to pay for a well-known VPN rather than use a sketchy “free” alternative.

Reputation is everything

While many VPNs like to vaunt their latest and greatest technology as a must-have innovation, the truth is that most of the big VPNs offer extremely similar services for very similar prices. 

When you connect to a VPN, you’re giving that provider an inside look at your browsing habits. As such, we only picked VPNs that are well-known, reliable brand names that have proven their worth over the years. The usual VPNs might be a little more expensive than the new kids on the block, but using a no-name provider could theoretically be worse than using none at all.

Price

Most trustworthy VPN services charge between $10 and $15 per month to use their platforms. If you’re looking to get the best bang for your buck, we highly recommend paying up-front for a year or two of service, as that will significantly reduce the cost of admission. In picking the best VPNs, we weighed the cost of the service heavily, as well as whether or not those premium prices resulted in more simultaneous connections.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best VPNs for multiple devices

• Best overall: NordVPN
• Best for unlimited devices: Surfshark
• Best dedicated IP: CyberGhost
• Best app: ExpressVPN
• Best for families: Private Internet Access
• Best budget: ProtonVPN

Whether you command a fleet of devices or simply want to protect your laptop and your phone, it makes sense to sign up for a VPN service to protect gear on unsecured networks. While our VPN picks vary in price, number of connections, and advanced features, the bottom line is that they all keep your private information safe.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best VPNs for multiple devices in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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I leave my smartphone sitting face down on my desk most of the day. I hear it vibrate. I pick it up and it shows me my notifications. I didn’t realize quite how ingrained this whole process is in my psyche before I started testing the iPhone 14 Pro Max and its always-on screen display. Now my phone sits face-up so I can see those tantalizing notifications without having to lift the device. I like it.

I’ve been living with Apple’s flagship iPhone as my main device for roughly a week now. And while its new features don’t profoundly shift the overall experience, it feels like a different phone in many small, but impactful ways. Some of that comes from iOS 16, the new iPhone operating system, but the device itself offers a few hardware tweaks that ripple throughout the entire iPhone experience. So far, I like them. And combined with a substantial leap in camera hardware, Apple’s flagship phones offer a bigger upgrade than you might expect based on what you can see on a feature list or spec sheet.

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Welcome to the Dynamic Island

The iPhone 14 Pro Max’s overall shape and industrial design haven’t changed much since the iPhone 12 ushered in a return to flat edges and glass faces. Apple has, however, made a big change to the sensor array found at the top of the screen. Instead of a notch that fades into the screen’s bezel, the front-facing camera and Face ID sensor now reside on a thin, pill-shaped area called the “Dynamic Island.”

While the overly dramatic name inspires hard eye rolls, it’s more than an aesthetic update to the previous models’ notch (which I will now call the “Lazy Peninsula”). The Island can display app-specific information that you can expand and interact with by pressing and holding on the Island. 

For instance, if you’re listening to music on Apple Music or Spotify, the Island will display a tiny thumbnail of the album art and a small moving icon to let you know that music is currently playing. If you tap and hold the Island, a set of basic audio controls expand out from it. 

That space also displays information about other typical activities. You’ll see the little unlocking icon every time Face ID works. That’s where you’ll see the connection notification when your AirPods sync with the device. The space doesn’t feel wasted the way it did with the notch. 

Making the Island useful prevents it from feeling like an eyesore. I find the Island hard to ignore. That thin band of screen between the Dynamic Island and the bezel makes the black space more noticeable. It has only been a week with the device and I’m sure it’ll fade from my attention over time. For now, I still see it even when it’s not providing mildly useful information. 

Always on

As I mentioned earlier, the new iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max offer an always-on screen similar to what you’ll find on an Apple Watch. Even if you’re not touching the phone, a quick glance at the device will reveal all of the notifications piling up at the bottom of the display. Apple claims it can enable this feature by dropping the screen’s refresh rate all the way down to 1Hz, which means the screen only updates once every second as opposed to the typical 60Hz or 120Hz modes. 

As with other always-on phone screens, I find myself picking up the device less often. With previous iPhones, I was prone to picking up my phone to see what kind of notifications were waiting for me. Then, because I’m already holding the phone, I might as well just check my apps. Then it’s 20 minutes later and I’ve accidentally watched 13 TikToks about how to go hunting for rare action figures at Target stores in my area. It’s easier to avoid distractions when I can let the phone lie. 

On the downside, iOS 16 and the always-on screen have tricked me into thinking my phone was ringing on several occasions. The notifications stack near the bottom of the lock screen where the “swipe to answer” slider would have previously shown up. 

Again, it has only been a week, so I may slide back into my same habits after a while, but only time will tell. For now, I’m opening my phone less, which I consider a plus. 

Refresh and so clean

The screen’s always-on nature isn’t the only screen upgrade present in the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. When you pick between the two, you’re essentially deciding between a 6.1-inch screen on the Pro or a 6.7-inch screen on the Max. I prefer the larger Max model because I figure a flagship should be a flagship, and if I’m going to watch YouTube videos reviewing obscure Russian camera lenses until 2 a.m., I want to do it on the biggest screen possible. 

Both the Pro and the Pro Max offer up to 120Hz refresh rates, which I consider one of the most tangible reasons to upgrade over a standard iPhone 14 or 14 Plus (though you could also get it in the 13 Pro and Pro Max). Smooth scrolling spoils eyeballs for paltry 60Hz devices with their jutter-laden on-screen motion. Games that support 120 fps also look great. Psychedelic rhythm racer Thumper looks impressive even with tons of wild colors, shiny surfaces, and inexplicable tentacles waving all over the screen. 

Compared to the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max, the 14 Pro and Pro Max offer higher overall brightness. Apple says it’s more than twice as bright, with a maximum output of 2,000 nits, which is the same as its Studio Display. I compared the 13 Pro Max directly to the 14 Pro Max and found that the newer phone is, in fact, brighter. It’s not a huge difference, however, at least under normal settings. It does improve visibility in bright settings, though, so you’ll reap the benefits if you spend a lot of time staring at your phone outdoors.

A16 Bionic chip

A brand new chip typically makes for a great marquee selling point when companies announce a new phone. With the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, Apple has introduced its new A16 Bionic chip, while the A15 Bionic has moved down into the standard iPhone 14 models.

New smartphone chips always promise faster performance than their predecessors. You can likely easily find in-depth benchmarks online to tell you exactly how much faster the new chip really is but those numbers hardly ever translate directly into your real-life experience. I edit video and huge raw photo files on my iPhone 13 Pro Max without issue. Unless you’re really pushing the iPhone hard with elaborate games, computing power likely hasn’t been an issue for you. 

In terms of real-world performance, the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max feel snappy and didn’t stutter even under heavy tasks. I tried editing some 8K video shot with the phone and used Adobe Lightroom to process a few of the phone’s native 48-megapixel raw files. The processes were quick and lag-free. The new chip does provide some advantages that you may not even notice, however, like upgraded image processing, which powers Apple’s revamped HDR process. 

I’m not worried about the A16 Bionic’s ability to handle any commercial app I can throw at it. At least not yet during my testing.

Camera upgrades

Hardware updates in new camera phone models make it tough to get excited. Companies typically make the lenses a little brighter and the sensors a little bigger to help their overall performance. The software updates and the image-processing upgrades usually make a more tangible difference on overall image quality. For the first time in a while, that isn’t the case. With the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, the hardware matters.

We’ll start with the lenses because they’re simpler. You still get three individual camera modules with their own lenses, but the focal lengths have changed a bit. The 48MP main camera is now slightly wider-angle than previous models. If you’re familiar with lens focal lengths, it’s now a 24mm equivalent compared to a roughly 28mm equivalent before. The ultra-wide camera stays around 13mm, as it was before, and the telephoto is still around 77mm, so not much has changed there. 

The sensor, however, looks much different. It now relies on a feature called pixel binning to create highly detailed 12-megapixel images with a brand new 48-megapixel sensor. This isn’t a new concept. In fact, Nokia first brought it to smartphones a full decade ago with its Pure View devices and it often shows up in modern Android phones. It’s popular for good reason. By essentially combining groups of four pixels into larger photon receptacles, the sensor collects light more effectively. That’s especially handy in low-light situations.

This new sensor structure fundamentally changes the way the iPhone’s camera works, at least behind the scenes. When you press the 2x zoom button, the camera can now simply crop into the high-res sensor and deliver a full-resolution final image without having to rely on computational photography to fill in details that might otherwise get lost. 

If you want to shoot in raw, you can also now get a full 48-megapixel image out of the iPhone. That’s useful if you’re the type of photographer who edits images later. 

Camera performance

I’m working on a much more in-depth camera-specific review for our sibling publication, PopPhoto.com, because of the considerable hardware change. For now, I can say that the 14 Pro and Pro Max introduce some tangible differences when it comes to camera performance. 

Moving to a slightly wider lens on the main camera may not feel like much of a shift, but I find it fairly noticeable. It can fit more of the subject in the frame now, which is good for capturing sweeping landscapes without introducing the distortion that comes with the main camera, or group photos in tight spaces. The overall image quality has also noticeably improved. I typically use the high-contrast picture style in the camera menu because I think the default style typically washes out black areas and shadows too much. I found that the 14 Pro and Pro Max handle that noticeably better, at least in my early testing. 

That wider viewing angle comes with some quirks, though. Try to get close to a subject and you’ll likely find that the phone switches into its dedicated macro mode before you get as close as you wanted. Because the macro mode relies on the ultra-wide camera, you don’t get the full image quality you wanted out of the main camera. Switching focal lengths also fundamentally changes the field of view, so the background will suddenly look farther away from your subject and you’ll notice some perspective distortion. I quickly turned off auto macro mode because I found the switching very annoying. 

Overall image quality, however, has improved in both photos and videos. The main camera captures tons of fine detail—in fact, sometimes it’s a little too much. The edges of objects can start to look a little crunchy. Still, it’s better than I’ve seen on some other high-end smartphones. 

Images shot in dark settings also seem improved simply because they’re more likely to let shadows look like dark shadows. 

I admittedly haven’t shot many videos with the 14 Pro or Pro Max just yet, but it looks solid in my early impressions. The new Action Mode provides impressively smooth footage while walking or riding in a vehicle. I considered the iPhone 13 Pro one of the very best smartphone cameras for video before and that hasn’t changed in this generation. 

The cool stuff I can’t test

Apple announced a few very interesting new features that I can’t really test. The new Car Crash Detection feature relies on a series of built-in sensors (which includes everything from the microphone to the barometer) to sense when you’ve been in a wreck so it can notify emergency services and your chosen emergency contacts. Apple has a solid track record with its Fall Detection feature, so I’m inclined to believe the Car Crash Detection will work as well. I hope I never find out. 

The new SOS feature allows the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max to communicate with emergency services via a satellite connection that will work in many places typical cell service can’t reach. It’s a very clever system that relays text-based messages to rescuers using an aggressive compression technology that minimizes required bandwidth to cut down on transmission times. 

These are both very cool and novel features, and I hope they work in case I need them someday. 

The rest of the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max experience

I have been using the Pro Max for about a week and I find that the always-on screen really doesn’t have much of an effect on overall battery life. I typically finish the work day with more than a third of my battery life left—half if I didn’t use the device all that much. That’s still plenty of juice to go to the gym, watch a bunch of random videos, fall asleep without putting my phone on the charger, and waking up to a device that’s not even in the red yet. That’s one of the benefits of carrying a giant phone. Overall, it’s extremely similar to the iPhone 13 Pro Max under regular usage.

It’s worth pointing out that all of the iPhone 14 models have ditched the SIM card tray and now rely solely on Embedded Sim cards, or eSIMs, in the US. This made my activation process a little more involved as my T-Mobile service needed a nudge from the company before I could get it working on this device. If you’re used to simply swapping SIMs into your new phone without having to do much in the way of logging into your account or talking to customer service, there might be a hiccup. 

So, who should buy the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max?

Once again, the highest-end iPhone is the best iPhone. That shouldn’t come as much of a surprise at this point. If you’re already using an iPhone 11 or later, there probably isn’t quite enough here in terms of features to make it worth rushing out and dropping at least $999 on a new 14 Pro or Pro Max. If you’re coming from an older device, though, this is likely the move if you can stomach the cost because it’s going to offer you the most future-proof performance.

If you’re trying to decide between the Pro and the Pro max, just get the screen size you prefer. The Pro Max offers a battery advantage due to its sheer size, but the hardware is basically identical otherwise. There’s no difference in camera hardware like there was in earlier models.

It seems likely that the new quad-pixel camera will eventually trickle down into lower models and Apple will refine it over time. More and more apps will likely support integration for the Dynamic Island, which older phones won’t be able to take advantage of. That will leave you on your own smartphone version of a lonely island. Nobody wants that.

The post Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max review: Welcome to the Dynamic Island appeared first on Popular Science.

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Apple’s end-of-summer events generally bring exciting announcements and this year’s “Far Out” presentation was filled with exciting new gear, including four new iPhone 14 devices, three new Apple Watches, and an updated take on the AirPods Pro. That includes an all-new version of the phone, the iPhone 14 Plus, which offers standard iPhone performance in a 6.7-inch “Pro Max” form factor, and the Apple Watch Ultra, a rugged and powerful flagship sport watch. We’ll walk through all the gadgets Apple announced Sept. 7 and let you know what’s new and exciting about Apple’s next wave of tech.

iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus

If you’re not interested in Apple’s more expensive iPhone Pro lineup, the company also introduced the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, the latter of which is a new addition. These devices offer an excellent suite of features but are available at a more comfortable price for most people. The iPhone 14 and 14 Plus come with the same A15 Bionic chipset that was in the iPhone 13 and will be available for $799 and $899, respectively. Pre-orders begin Sept. 9. The 6.1-inch iPhone 14 will be available in stores Sept. 16 and the 6.7-inch Plus arrives Oct. 7.

Like last year’s iPhone 13, the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus features a dual-camera setup. The primary camera features a 12MP sensor and f/1.5 aperture with sensor-base stabilization. Apple claims the new camera system offers a 49 percent improvement in low-light performance over the prior model thanks to a “Photonic Engine,” so users should enjoy excellent pictures at night. There’s also a new 12MP front-facing TrueDepth camera with autofocus features, so, theoretically, you won’t encounter any out-of-focus selfies. The iPhone 14 also supports improved video stabilization features, including an “Action mode” for smooth-looking video with fewer shakes and vibrations.

While the outward appearance is unchanged, both devices feature an updated internal design for better thermal performance. This will allow users to watch movies and play games for longer. Speaking of marathon Netflix sessions, Apple said the iPhone 14 Plus model offers the best battery life of any iPhone in its lineup. If you’re the type of person who is frequently away from an outlet, the 14 Plus could be very appealing. The iPhone 14 and 14 Plus also support the new Crash Detection feature, which utilizes a new dual-core accelerometer to detect if you’ve been in a severe car crash. They also support Emergency SOS via Satellite, allowing users to connect to emergency services even when off the grid.

iPhone 4 Pro and 14 Pro Max

The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max bring a conventional suite of upgrades, including improved performance, a more advanced camera system, and better battery life. What you’ll notice, though, is that the display now features a pill-shaped cutout for the selfie camera, rather than the infamous top-center notch, and the introduction of an always-on display, so you can quickly check the time and notifications without any tapping. Apple said the iPhone 14 Pro would start at $999 and the Pro Max starts at $1,099. They’ll be available to pre-order Sept. 9 and in stores Sept. 16.

The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max will offer 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR displays, sizes unchanged from last year. Apple is cleverly embracing the new pill-shaped cutout with a feature known as “Dynamic Island.” Notifications, apps, and alerts will adapt and move around the pill-shaped cutout, so the pill feels like it’s a part of the screen … aesthetically, at least.

Like the Apple Watch Series 6 and newer, the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max display technology supports a 1Hz refresh rate, enabling the new always-on display feature. The always-on display will work with the lock screen widgets introduced with iOS 16, so users can quickly glance at information like calendar events, weather, and reminders without waking up the iPhone 14 Pro’s display. When the display does wake up, users can enjoy 120Hz ProMotion technology and a peak HDR brightness of 1600 nits, or 2000 nits outdoors.

On the inside, Apple’s new A16 Bionic chip improves the phone’s power efficiency, display performance, and the upgraded triple-camera system. It features a six-core CPU with two high-performance and four-efficiency cores, allowing photographers to capture 48MP images in ProRAW, which allows for greater editing possibilities. 

For most photos, however, the new quad-pixel sensor will capture 12MP pictures through a process called “pixel binning,” which lets Apple maximize detail and light capture. The flash can also adapt to the camera system’s different focal lengths. On the video side, Apple said its Cinematic Mode supports 4K at 30 frames per second (fps) and 4K at 24 fps. It also offers new stabilization features that make the footage look as though you were using a gimbal.

Other features available in the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max include Crash Detection, which can assist when it detects you were in a crash, and Emergency SOS via Satellite, so you can communicate when out of the range of carrier coverage. While the design of the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max isn’t a significant departure from what we’ve seen these last few years, the new pill-shaped cutout, always-on display, and improved camera system may prompt plenty of upgrades.

Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch SE, and Apple Watch Ultra

Apple announced a whole wave of Apple Watches, including a new standard model, the Apple Watch Series 8; a redesigned version of its budget watch, Apple Watch SE; and an all-new high-end sport watch aimed at athletes and adventurers, the Apple Watch Ultra.

The Apple Watch Series 8 features a largely unchanged design but includes new sensors that will enable new health and safety features. First, a pair of sensors measuring skin temperature will allow for improved menstrual cycle tracking and automated retrospective ovulation estimates, which can be helpful for family planning. In watchOS 9, the Cycle Tracking features will alert users to any deviations, such as irregular, infrequent, or prolonged periods.

The Series 8 also supports Apple’s new Crash Detection feature. If you’re involved in a severe car crash, your device will check in with you and dial emergency services if you’re unresponsive. The Series 8 also supports a Low Power Mode, offering users up to 36 hours of battery life. This new mode will temporarily disable or limit select sensors and features, such as the always-on display and workout autostart.

The Apple Watch Series 8 will be available for $399 for the GPS model and $499 for the cellular model. You can pre-order the Series 8 today and it will launch in stores Sept. 16. The Apple Watch SE, which features the same dual-core processor found in the Series 8 but lacks the more advanced features like the always-on display, starts at $249 and can also be pre-ordered today and will launch Sept. 16.

The Apple Watch Ultra, an all-new design, is built for intense fitness training and outdoor activities like climbing, hiking, and scuba diving. The more rugged model features an extra-large 49mm titanium case, a redesigned Digital Crown, and an “Action button,” which you can customize for various activities. The Watch Ultra’s display features sapphire crystal for durability and supports 2000 nits of brightness when outdoors. Notably, the Watch Ultra’s buttons have been designed to work with users who wear gloves.

The Watch Ultra has all the features of the Series 8 but also includes three built-in microphones and is twice as water resistant as other Apple Watch models. The more rugged wearable comes standard with cellular capabilities and can get up to 36 hours on a single charge—enough for any extreme athletes participating in grueling endurance sports. It also features an extended battery life of 60 hours when using Apple’s new Low Power Mode (which will be enabled in a software update later in the fall).

The Watch Ultra also supports L1 and L5 GPS frequencies, ensuring your coordinates are as precise as possible. This is necessary for a new trackback feature to help users retrace their steps if they get lost on a hiking trip. If you get lost and need assistance, the Watch Ultra has an 86-decibel siren so others nearby can better locate you. If you’re into water sports, the Watch Ultra is certified to EN 13319 for scuba divers, with a diving depth of up to 131 feet.

Three new bands are available for the Watch Ultra—Alpine, Trail, and Ocean—and they cater to the different environments they’re named after. The Watch Ultra will be available for $799 when it launches Sept. 23.

AirPods Pro 2

The AirPods Pro 2 sticks with a design introduced by the original model but can cancel twice as much noise. This is thanks to a new H2 chip, which also supports an improved Adaptive Transparency mode that will dynamically reduce heavy noise while walking around a loud city. The latest truly wireless earbuds include a new low-distortion audio driver and a custom amplifier for richer bass and crystal-clear sound.

The AirPods Pro 2 also supports new touch gestures, including the ability to adjust the volume with swipes on the stems. That will reduce the friction when using the earbuds because you will no longer have to take out your phone to turn up your favorite song. The AirPods Pro 2 features six hours of listening time on a single charge, a 33 percent increase over the original AirPods Pro. The charging case, which now has a built-in speaker (for Find My/status purposes) and a new loop on the side for a lanyard, allows for 30 hours of listening time, an increase of six hours.

The AirPods Pro 2 will be available to order for $249 Sept. 9 and launch Sept. 23.

The post Apple introduces iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, Apple Watch Ultra, and more appeared first on Popular Science.

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Apple held its annual iPhone extravaganza today, and among the debut of gadgets like the iPhone 14 and the chunky, extreme-sports-focused Apple Watch Ultra are two new services focused on safety. One of them, car crash detection, involves both gadgets, and the other, enabling emergency satellite communication, is iPhone-specific. 

Here’s a look at what to expect from the two new services. 

Car crash detection

Apple has previously rolled out two features tied to its wearable device that detect if you’ve taken a spill: a form of everyday fall-detection (in 2018) and then, last year, a workout-focused version of the same. 

A new service, announced today, aims to notice that you’ve been in a car accident and then call for help. 

Ron Huang, the company’s vice president for sensing and connectivity, said that the feature employs new sensors in the Apple Watch as well as machine learning. While the company’s watches already have gyroscopes and accelerometers in them, Huang said that new versions of these sensors help detect the forces present in a car accident. That new accelerometer, he said, can notice as much as 256 Gs of acceleration, “allowing it to detect the extreme impacts of a crash.” 

For context, one G—that stands for gravity—is what you feel pulling you straight down towards the Earth at any given moment, and fighter pilots endure as much as nine or more Gs while conducting maneuvers in which they bank hard or accelerate quickly. In a car accident, the Gs the watch are detecting likely stem from forces involved in actions like the rapid stop. 

[Related: A new AT&T update could make 911 calls more effective]

Huang also said that the onboard barometer, microphone, and GPS chip help with the detection process as well, and that machine learning helped tie everything together. The barometer is involved to measure pressure-related changes due to an airbag’s deployment, a promotional video during the event explained. 

The company’s latest phones also offer an identical service, said Kaiann Drance, the company’s vice president for iPhone product marketing, meaning that you do not need to buy the newest watch to get car crash detection. 

The announcement comes at a grim time for road safety in the United States, as almost 43,000 people died in car accidents in 2021, an increase of more than 10 percent over the year before. (Pedestrians are an especially vulnerable group.) But of course, difficult problems like national road safety are unlikely to be solved with something like a gadget. 

Satellite communications

The second safety feature the company announced is baked into the new iPhones specifically, and involves giving someone like an injured mountaineer a way to ask for help via satellite when they are out of cell service range. 

Apple is calling the new feature “Emergency SOS via Satellite,” and it works by instructing the lost hiker to point their phone at a far away, quick-moving communications satellite. To make this feature work, engineers had to tackle the bandwidth challenges that come with this form of communication. 

“To connect to these satellites, you need to be outside, with a clear view of the sky,” said Ashley Williams, the company’s manager for satellite modeling and simulation. “And the bandwidth is so limited that even sending a text message is a technical challenge.” (So, no Netflix via sat.) 

[Related: What it’s like to rescue someone at sea from a Coast Guard helicopter]

Other factors that allow this whole system to work are a “custom short text compression algorithm,” Williams said, as well as a specific screen interface for reporting what the problem is, like by hitting the “Lost or Trapped” option. Helping to handle any cries for help will be a ground network that also includes “relay centers staffed with highly trained emergency specialists ready to get your text and call an emergency service provider on your behalf,” she said, which are involved if the emergency center cannot deal with a text message exchange on its own. 

The satellite communication service will not come with any extra cost—for the first two years after you purchase an iPhone 14. After that, the sky’s the limit. The SOS service debuts in November, only in Canada and the United States. 

Watch the entire event, below.

The post Apple’s two big new safety features, explained appeared first on Popular Science.

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