The best true wireless headphones so far

By Lauren Dragan

This post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a buyer’s guide to the best technology. When readers choose to buy The Wirecutter’s independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here.

We tested 11 of the most promising true wireless in-ear headphones (as in, no wires connecting the earpieces like traditional Bluetooth earbuds). All of them, we found, have some flaws in fit, functionality, or convenience. Because this is the first generation of the technology, manufacturers are still working out the kinks. As a result, we can’t make an overall pick that we think would work for most people.

What we can tell you is which sets are the better options right now, and what they offer in terms of pros and cons. Depending on how you plan to use your headphones, we have picks for iPhone/iOS users, budget-oriented folks, those who prioritize sound, fitness buffs, and Samsung users. This way, you can decide for yourself which, if any, will fit best into your lifestyle or be worth your money.

What are “true wireless” headphones, and who are they for?

In case you’re unfamiliar with the technology, “true wireless” headphones are in-ear Bluetooth headphones that don’t have a cord connecting them either to your music device or to each other. Many look a little like hearing aids, held in place similarly to earplugs. Mics and any controls are built in, because no cable is available to support a traditional in-line remote. Due to diminutive size, most don’t have more than a five-hour battery life. However, most can recharge in their carrying case, generally taking around 20 minutes to charge for an hour of listening.

Right now, we recommend true wireless headphones only for early adopters. Though one model offers speech enhancement, and a few that auto-pause when removed from your ear, as of now, other than the lack of a cable running behind your head, true wireless headphones provide no real advantages over standard in-ear Bluetooth headphones. Most cost at least $100 more than traditional Bluetooth headphones but don’t upgrade the sound, battery life, or available features.

But if you really hate that cord, or if you just want to be the first to try something new, true wireless headphones are sure to be the future—eventually. It just might take a little while before they develop into something most people will be happy using.

Best for iOS and phone calls

In our testing, the Apple AirPods’s better connectivity and extra sensors made them the best for phone calls. Photo: Kyle Fitzgerald

Pros:

• Of all the headphones we tested for this guide, the AirPods are by far the easiest to set up and use with Apple products. (They will pair with non-Apple devices, too, just not as seamlessly.)
• Apple’s proprietary W1 chip does seem to give the AirPods better connectivity. The AirPods use a combination of microphones and jaw movement to detect when you are speaking, so phone calls sound great to the person on the other end.
• The fit is pretty comfortable—AirPods feel just like corded EarPods.
• The latency delay when watching video is nearly nonexistent.

Cons:

• Like corded EarPods, AirPods are unsealed and lack any low bass. At more than $150, we’d like better sound.
• Only one control can be assigned to AirPods: either play/pause or triggering Siri (you have to choose just one). Everything else (e.g., volume, track skipping) must be done via your phone, Apple Watch, or voice commands. “Hey Siri” does work, but can feel awkward in public.
• Though Apple claims that AirPods are designed to take the same stress as EarPods, neither is rated for sweat or water resistance, so we wouldn’t use these headphones for serious exercise. If they break because of sweat exposure, you might void the warranty.
• Because AirPods are not noise-isolating, you will need to listen at a higher volume in busy environments, and that can be bad for your hearing health.

Best for the money

Bragi’s The Headphone offers easy-to-use physical buttons, but pressing them can be uncomfortable in your ear. Photo: Kyle Fitzgerald

Pros:

• Bragi’s The Headphone have easy-to-use controls let you adjust volume, change tracks, and issue voice commands.
• Only a very slight delay when watching video.
• One of the more affordable true wireless headphones available.
• Sweatproof design.
• Awareness mode lets you hear your surroundings without removing the earbuds.

Cons:

• The sound quality is similar to that of $50 corded in-ears, but with diminished low frequencies.
• The physical buttons are tough to push, so you end up jamming the earbud into your ear every time you need to toggle something, which gets uncomfortable.
• The tips go deeper into the ear canal than those of most earbuds, which can be a dealbreaker for people who find that sort of fit uncomfortable.

Best sound

The Erato Apollo 7 earbuds are comfortable and offer great sound, but in our tests the sound had a noticeable delay when we watched videos. Photo: Kyle Fitzgerald

Pros:

• The Erato Apollo 7 earbuds have great sound quality—balanced and clear, with a nice low end. Overall they sound like a good $100 pair of corded in-ear headphones.
• The simple button controls allow for track changes, volume adjustments, and voice commands.
• In our testing, these headphones tied with the Apple AirPods for the longest range.
• The traditional fit will be comfortable for the most ear shapes.
• Sweatproof design, with an IPX5 rating.

Cons:

• The Apollo 7 is the most expensive of the headphones in this category.
• They produce a nearly half-second latency delay when watching video.
• We didn’t love the microphone. Callers may think you sound distant.

Best for Android (but really just Samsung devices)

The Samsung Gear IconX headphones are comfortable, but the touch controls are wonky. Photo: Kyle Fitzgerald

Pros:

• The Samsung Gear IconX offer decent sound, probably on a par with that of $70 corded in-ear headphones, although treble spikes give consonants and strings an icy edge.
• The fit is mostly comfortable and secure for most ear types.
• Touch-sensitive volume, track, and voice-command controls mean you don’t have to press the earbud uncomfortably into your ear to use controls.
• You can upload music to the IconX headphones themselves, so you can listen without bringing along your music player or phone.
• Sweat-resistant design.

Cons:

• The touch controls are easy to bump and activate accidentally when adjusting the IconX earbuds in your ears.
• When connecting to a device, you can accidentally trigger the songs uploaded to the earbuds themselves, which can get really annoying.
• All of the fitness features work only on Samsung devices.
• In our testing, the heart-rate monitors were hit-or-miss in accuracy.
• The range is very short; we could get only one room away from our source device before signal drop began to occur.
• You can’t power these headphones off without putting them in their case.
• The fit can get fatiguing after a few hours.

This guide may have been updated by The Wirecutter. To see the current recommendation, please go here.

Note from The Wirecutter: When readers choose to buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn affiliate commissions that support our work.

Twitch is launching a new live show about sneaker culture

Now that Twitch is helping its community of streamers grow into professional broadcasters and expanding into original content, the popular social video platform is also ready to move beyond the gaming world and flip the switch on some new, regularly scheduled programming. On May 11th, Twitch will premiere a weekly, live and interactive show called FreshStock, celebrating everything there is to love about sneakers and sneaker culture.

Introducing #Freshstock, a new Twitch show celebrating sneaker culture. 👟🙏

Premieres May 11th at 11am PT on https://t.co/xoTh1bG5Yr pic.twitter.com/5xcn14nZ05

— Twitch (@Twitch) April 28, 2017

According to Twitch, the show will feature staffers and “resident sneaker freaks” Bash “Bashlol” Mussa and Ray “Hypebeast” Li alongside weekly special guests showing off the latest sneaker releases and their own personal style. Each episode will follow Bash, Ray and their guests as they check out San Francisco’s local sneaker boutiques, discuss their favorites and dive into brand histories along the way. Rounding out the episodes will be live DJ performances, special guest appearances from “fashion icons” and interactive segments where viewers at home can comment, vote and generally show some hype in the chat.

FreshStock kicks off Thursday, May 11th at 11 AM PT with special guest Zhieeep.

Source: Twitch

Microsoft is hosting a Surface event in Shanghai on May 23rd

The Surface Laptop isn’t the only new piece of hardware Microsoft has coming up. The company sent out invites last night for an event in Shanghai on May 23rd, where it will “show the world what’s next.” That’s pretty cryptic, but a tweet from Microsoft’s Surface head, Panos Panay, might have spoiled the surprise a bit.

See you in Shanghai. May 23. #MicrosoftEvent #Surface https://t.co/aMgvkkqE52 pic.twitter.com/vzcK9MqIpf

— Panos Panay (@panos_panay) May 5, 2017

Our guess? We might finally see a follow-up to the Surface Pro 4, a machine that we love, but is currently stuck with 2015-era hardware. The Surface Pro 5, as we’ve been referring to it so far, should update the internals to Intel’s Kaby Lake CPUs, but we’re not expecting much of a design change, according Paul Thurrott.

Source: Microsoft, Panos Panay (Twitter)

Google Photo’s Mother’s Day video tool is no substitute for a card

Google often likes to dip its toes into holidays and notable days to remind everyone what its apps can do (and could you use them, please?), and it’s recently added a special Mother’s Day assistant to its Photos app. Given that Google selects the photos and cuts it all together, it’s possibly the lowest-effort Mother’s Day ‘gift’ if you’ve totally forgotten and / or have no intention of buying a genuine card or seeing mom in person next weekend. (But seriously, you have a week and two days left to sort something, pull it together.)

Naturally, you’ll need to have taken photos of your mom to start with, and uploaded them to your Google Photos account. If you have the app installed on iOS, — it’s already there on most Android Phones — you can choose to sync photos every photo you take, which helps with facial identification needed for this maternal highlight reel. The notable part, this time, is that you can select not only your mother’s face, but also multiple kids, meaning I could get Google to shoehorn photos of my sister and brother alongside your madre, although that has its own drawbacks…

A few minutes later, an automated movie will appear in the app’s Assistant tab, complete with heartstring-tugging soundtrack. The irony with such a lazy tool is that you need plenty of uploaded photos to fill in a 45-second highlight reel. This included combinations of me, my brother, my sister and my mom, as well as several enforced sibling-mother family photos. Unfortunately, as my sister and I like to take drunk selfies when we hangout (siblings!), there was an awful lot of those too, with no mother in sight.

Also, unlike the manual highlight videos you can make inside Google Photos (or Facebook’s friendship anniversary clips), you’re stuck with what Google picks, meaning there’s a few blurry shots and HDR iterations of the same photo, twice, in my Mothers’ Day tribute. If you’re often taking photos with your mom, this will result in better Mother’s Day clips, but it’s still no substitute for putting a little more effort in.

(Update: That said, I sent my automated video to my Mom, who immediately texted me to say she had tears in her eyes. Aww.)

India is cracking down on dissidence posted to WhatsApp

India’s hardline stance against spreading misinformation on social media is getting real. An administrator of a WhatsApp group has been arrested following accusations that he altered a photo of prime minister Narendra Modi “to look ugly and obscene,” according to regional publication News18. It follows a recent ruling passed by Indian officials that posting materials that are fake, rumors or that could cause “religious disharmony” to social media is illegal — something similar to what Malaysia has passed.

In the case of WhatsApp, Times of India reports that group administrators are directed to remove members from a group chat if they’re breaking the law. If that doesn’t happen, the admin shoulders the responsibility and is considered guilty by proxy. More than that, group chats are supposed to only include people that the admin knows personally.

This most recent arrest (there has been at least one prior; immediately after the law was passed), admin Krishna Sannathamma Naik was detained after another group member, Anand Manjunath Naik, reported Krishna and two other members of the group to the police. Ganesh Naik has been arrested and is out on bail, and Balakrishna Naik is on the lam. It isn’t clear if the members are related, but man, if they are, ratting out your family over something like this is kind of cold.

India’s apparent justification for the law is that since WhatsApp is incredibly popular in the country — it has over 200 million users, according to News18 — the chances of fake news spreading virally on the platform are high. While that’s noble, this could be seen as censorship and the state impeding free speech.

Via: CNET

Source: News18

Apple’s Stock Has Already Bounced Back After Earnings Results Slightly Missed Expectations

Apple’s stock has recovered from early week losses incurred after the company’s earnings results fell slightly below Wall Street expectations.

Apple shares are currently trading for roughly $148, slightly above Tuesday’s closing price of $147.51, set just before the company’s earnings report. The stock had dropped to as low as $144.27 on Wednesday, but Apple has bounced back since alongside an overall rise in the S&P 500 index today.

Wall Street remains bullish on Apple heading into the second half of the year, as most analysts think the so-called “iPhone 8” with an OLED display and wireless charging will be a hit among customers. There’s also a larger than usual “supercycle” of customers with older iPhone models due to upgrade.

MacRumors obtained research notes from 19 analysts tracking Apple, and 15 of them continue to rate the company’s stock as a “buy” or equivalent following the company’s second quarter earnings results. All but three analysts believe that Apple’s stock price could rise to between $150 and $185.

Apple’s stock has been steadily climbing in value since dropping to a 52-week low of $89.47 in 2016, when the iPhone maker reported its first decline in annual revenue since 2001, and its first drop in iPhone sales ever.

AAPL touched $148.20 in intraday trading this morning, a new all-time high. The stock is on pace to top Tuesday’s record close of $147.51.

Tag: AAPL
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Apple Music May Become Exclusive Home to Prince’s Unreleased 1983 ‘Purple Rain’ Concert Film

An unreleased Prince concert film and a documentary about the making of the film could be heading exclusively to Apple Music, according to sources close to the Prince estate (via Billboard). The late singer’s estate is said to be shopping around the rights to the concert film and doc to a variety of streaming services, namely including Apple Music and Spotify.

The agreement for the two films is said to potentially be a “multi-million dollar deal” thanks to the rarity of the footage. The concert film covers Prince’s August 3, 1983 show in Minneapolis, at which time he debuted numerous songs for the first time from the soundtrack to Purple Rain, which released in theaters the year after in 1984. The footage is said to be exhaustive enough that the winning streaming service could use it to create and produce a documentary about the making of the concert film.

Image via Billboard
Helping to negotiate terms of the deal is Troy Carter, an executive from Spotify and advisor to the Prince estate, but the sources believe that Spotify “isn’t likely” to become the exclusive home of the Prince films.

The lucky streaming service isn’t likely to be Carter’s employer, though: the estate is talking to a range of Spotify’s rivals including Apple Music, sources say.

The storied show at Minneapolis’s First Avenue nightclub was a surprise gig billed as a benefit for the Minnesota Dance Theatre, with a set list that included “Let’s Go Crazy” and “Purple Rain.”

Demand for Prince’s robust back catalogue of songs has increased following the artist’s death in April of 2016, and this past February his music became available to stream on Apple Music, as well as services like Spotify, Google Play Music, and Pandora. Prince’s music was previously exclusive to Tidal after he pulled all of his tracks from everything but the Jay Z-owned service in July of 2015.

If Apple acquired rights to Prince’s unreleased concert footage, the late artist’s films would be the newest in a line of exclusive music documentaries that Apple Music has acquired over the past few years. In the first year of Apple’s music streaming service, it launched Taylor Swift’s 1989 World Tour LIVE film, and last month announced that Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs’ documentary Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop will be hitting Apple Music this June.

Tags: Apple Music, Prince
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The best smartphone you can buy

Updated: We re-assessed the phones on the market, and our top pick for iPhone 7 Plus still stands. We did make some changes though, adding the Samsung Galaxy S8, Moto G5 Plus, and OnePlus 3T to this list. We also changed some recommendations for buying a phone today. By Simon Hill on May 5, 2017.

Smartphones are perhaps the most personal tech we own. That’s why it’s super important to pick the phone that’s best for your needs. There are many factors to consider from design and operating system to security and durability. We consider every aspect of the smartphone to determine whether it’s a good buy for you or if you’re better off with something else.

When it comes to choosing the best smartphone, it’s always a tough decision. Last year was particularly difficult, because we had two incredible contenders: the iPhone 7 Plus and the Google Pixel XL, and now some newer phones like the LG G6 and Galaxy S8. After much debate and soul searching, we landed on the iPhone 7 Plus as our top pick for the best smartphone of 2016 and nothing has come along yet that can knock it off its pedestal. However, the Pixel XL is the closest second we’ve ever had in this race. It very nearly won. Here’s why the iPhone 7 Plus ultimately triumphed, and a list of our picks for other smartphone categories.

Our pick

iPhone 7 Plus

Why should you buy this: You want the most powerful, secure, and shutterbug-friendly phone ever

Our Score

The best

Apple iPhone 7 Plus

You can’t do better than the iPhone for design, security, power, and camera tech.

$869.99 from T-Mobile

$769.99 from Verizon

Who’s it for: Anyone who wants the most simple, easy to use phone.

How much will it cost: $770+

Why we picked the iPhone 7 Plus:

What’s not to love about Apple’s iPhone 7 Plus? Its iconic aluminum design is now fully waterproof, its A10 Fusion processor makes it the fastest smartphone you can buy — period, the dual-lens camera pulls off amazing DSLR tricks, and iOS has never looked better or been more functional. Add to that Apple’s commitment to your security and privacy, as well as its industry-leading customer service, and you have one helluva smartphone.

The impressive 12-megapixel dual cameras are among the most compelling reasons to buy the iPhone 7 Plus. One of the cameras is a telephoto lens that offers 2x optical hardware zoom and up to 10x software zoom. The quality of 2x zoom on the iPhone 7 Plus is just extraordinary. It beats out every other smartphone on the market. You don’t lose detail, and your zoomed picture turns out excellent. You can go up to 5x in good lighting conditions without too much noticeable loss in quality, which is still better than you can say of any other smartphone’s zoom.

The dual-camera lenses also enable the best bokeh effect (when the background blurs around the subject of the shot) we’ve ever seen on a smartphone. Other phones, including the Pixel, tend to mess up the blurring effect on the small details. Apple is also well known for reproducing colors accurately, while Android phones consistently oversaturate images. It comes down to personal preference, but we prefer the iPhone’s natural hues. It also produces strong images in low light, rivaled only by the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge.

Apple really hit it out of the park in terms of performance with the A10 Fusion processor. It’s the fastest smartphone in benchmarks, leaving every Android phone in the dust. Even though it has less RAM, the iPhone 7 Plus is smoother, slicker, and more efficient than any Android phone. The battery life is a solid day and a half, which is equal to (or more than) every other phone on this list. It even comes standard with 32GB of storage, which is a big upgrade from 16GB, though not as great as last year’s 64GB option.

Since Apple designs the hardware and software together, iOS 10 runs like a dream on the phablet. It is the best version of iOS to date. Interactive notifications, the incorporation of 3D Touch into every aspect of the interface, and the new iMessage are a game changer for iPhone users. Every app and game meets Apple’s design standards, which results in a fluid, seamless experience across the OS and other Apple devices.

Instant software updates are the icing on the cake with iOS. Unlike with an Android phone, you never have to worry that your iPhone will miss an update or vital security patch. Apple has your back when it comes to security and your personal privacy. Our lives are on our phones and hackers are becoming more skilled every day. Security has never been more important and your privacy is of high value. That’s why Apple went to war with the FBI to guarantee your right to encryption and data privacy.

Then there’s Apple’s customer service. If you have an iPhone, you can walk into any Apple Store and get help for free. Apple will even repair your device right there in the store and get it back to you on the same day most of the time. No other company gives you that option.

The lack of a headphone jack is the only major blight on the iPhone 7 Plus’ near-perfect record. It comes with Lightning EarPods, but if you have your own headphones, you may struggle with the included 3.5mm-to-lightning adapter. You may also want to purchase wireless headphones, but it neither of these scenarios are the end of the world. After two months with the iPhone 7 Plus, we can tell you with confidence that you will survive. It’s not ideal, but the same change is coming to Android phones already and will be the standard in a few years’ time. Mark my words.

I’ve personally tried every Android phone on this list, and no matter how good or innovative they are, I always go back to the iPhone, and the iPhone 7 Plus is the best one yet.

Our full review

The best Android phone

Google Pixel XL

Why should you buy this: It’s the first and only Android phone with hardware and software straight from Google

Our Score

The best phablet (the best Android phone)

Google Pixel XL

The Pixel XL is pure Android perfection, straight from Google.

$769.99 from Verizon

$649.00 from Google Store

Who’s it for: Android fans who want the ultimate stock Android phone by Google

How much will it cost: $770

Why we picked the Pixel XL:

Google’s Pixel XL is the best Android phone we’ve ever used. It’s the first Android phone in history that can fully compete with the iPhone in several key areas: security, software updates, customer service, and software design. It’s so good we nearly named it the best smartphone of the year. Indeed, if you’re an Android fan who will never buy an iPhone, the Pixel XL is the best phone you can buy. Here’s why.

Google built the Pixel XL from the ground up with partner HTC. Because of that, it was able to perfectly integrate hardware and software together into one excellent package — just like Apple does with the iPhone. That approach, plus the Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 chip and 4GB of RAM, make the Pixel the most powerful Android phone you can buy.

The pure, stock Android 7.1 Nougat software runs silky smooth on the Pixel XL. It’s also more minimalist and aesthetically pleasing with the revamped app drawer, which no longer has an icon taking up space, and the replacement of the search bar with a subtle G logo you tap to start searching. The Pixel XL’s software is ridiculously attractive and perfectly done. After using it for two weeks, looking at Android phones with user interfaces on top is hard. The Pixel just looks nicer. It even looks nicer than Android 7.0 on a Nexus 6P. It’s that attention to detail and design that makes the Pixel XL appeal to iPhone and Android users alike.

Assistant is a helpful artificially intelligent bot that surpasses Siri in some ways, but doesn’t yet have third-party app integration.

Then there’s the crisp, natural 5.5-inch, 2,560 x 1,440-pixel screen, which is very easy on the eyes. The Pixel’s design may not be for everyone, because of its aluminum body’s glass insert on the back of the phone, which is easy to shatter and is a fingerprint magnet. However, it feels premium and comfortable to hold. The rear fingerprint sensor is good for security and Android Pay.

The Pixel XL’s 12.3-megapixel camera is nearly as good as the iPhone 7 Plus’, though it doesn’t have 2x optical zoom or the dual-camera tech to pull off accurate lens blur. Its lens blur effect is good, but the iPhone’s is just better.

You might also like the LG V20

The LG V20 is a big phablet with a 5.7-inch Quad HD Screen that comes with a tiny second screen at the top for quick actions and app shortcuts. It has killer wide-angle cameras front and back, a removable battery, and a slick metal design.

Our full review

The best things about the Pixel XL are its commitment to timely software updates and customer service. Pixel phones will get automatic Android software updates and security patches without delay. In fact, they will be automatically downloaded when you aren’t using the phone. No other Android phone will get more timely updates than the Pixel. That’s vitally important for your privacy and security.

The Pixel XL also has 24/7 customer support embedded right in its own tab in the Settings menu. It’s great that you can contact Google’s support team with any questions or problems right in your phone via chat or phone call. That’s just good business.

The Pixel XL may be as expensive as an iPhone, but it is well worth your money. Because it has timely software updates, it will last you longer and keep your data safer. It’s also part of a larger product ecosystem that Google is building, so it has a bright future. We are excited to see how the Pixel phone series evolves.

Our full review

The best Samsung phone

Samsung Galaxy S8

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Why should you buy this: You want an eye-catching design and the best display

Our Score

The best Samsung phone

Samsung Galaxy S8

It’s the best Samsung phone you can buy.

$750.00 from T-Mobile

$756.00 from Verizon

Who’s it for: Samsung loyalists who want a great phone

How much will it cost: $750+

Why we picked the Galaxy S8:

Samsung has been innovating in the design department over the last few years with its curved edge displays and the S8 brings together every lesson into one of the best-looking phones we’ve ever laid eyes on. Curved glass front and back folds into a precise metal frame, and the home button has been wiped away, enabling Samsung to fit an impressively large screen into a body that’s comfortable to handle.

The S8 boasts a brilliant, 5.8-inch 1440p display that’s crisp and vibrant. Samsung’s Super AMOLED technology continues to lead the pack, with inky blacks and support for HDR. The S8 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835. It has 4GB of RAM, and there’s 64GB of internal storage, with a MicroSD card slot offering room for expansion. The battery is rated at 3,000mAh, which is enough to see you through the day. It also boasts the same IP68 rating as its predecessor, so water is nothing to worry about.

The main camera in the S8, which boasts 12 megapixels, super fast focusing, and an aperture of f/1.7, is much the same as last year’s S7 camera. It performs well in low-light scenarios and should leave you more than satisfied. The front-facing camera, however, has been improved. It’s an 8-megapixel camera with a wide selfie mode for group shots and a host of fun stickers, filters, and masks, which are ideal for selfie fans.

If you want a Samsung phone, this is the one to get. If you prefer something slightly bigger, then the S8 Plus stretches the screen up to 6.2 inches and has a bigger 3,500mAh battery, but it will cost you an extra $90.

Our full review

The best small Android phone

Google Pixel

Why should you buy this: It’s the best small Android phone you can buy

Our Score

The best small Android phone

Google Pixel

Google’s Pixel is the fastest, finest, and most powerful small Android phone.

$649.00 from Verizon

$648.00 from Best Buy

Who’s it for: Android lovers who want a small phone

How much will it cost: $650+

Why we picked the Google Pixel:

Small and mighty Android phones are hard to come by these days. The Google Pixel stands alone in a sea of jumbo-sized phablets as the most powerful, small Android phone you can buy. Its 5-inch, 1080p screen is hardly petite when you compare it to the bite-sized iPhone SE, but it looks positively adorable next to its bigger brother, the Pixel XL.

The Pixel’s aluminum body is offset by a flashy glass panel at the top that will catch your eye (and your fingerprints). It is easy to hold and use one handed, and the fingerprint sensor on the back of the device adds security and the convenience of mobile payments.

However, the real appeal of the Pixel isn’t its design, but rather, its software. Google designed both the Pixel’s hardware and software from the ground up, so this is the smoothest and fastest Android has ever been. The slick new Pixel launcher streamlines Android by replacing the giant search box with a subtle G logo and removing the app drawer icon. You can still see all your apps in the drawer by swiping up from the bottom of the screen. It’s absolutely flawless.

Google’s artificially intelligent bot Assistant is just icing on the cake. Assistant replaces Google Now, and you can access her with a long press of the home button. Assistant can read your daily schedule, play music, answer queries, and so much more. It’s also integrated into the rest of Google’s new products, so you can use Assistant to control your smarthome, Chromecast, and more.

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 821 chip, the 4GB of RAM onboard, and Google’s software optimization result in the highest-performing Android phone ever made. While most small phones skimp on performance, the Pixel surpasses the competition, including the Galaxy S7 and LG G5.

Its 12.3-megapixel camera takes stunning photos that are on par with the Galaxy S7, LG G5, iPhone 7, and other leading phones. There’s even a neat lens blur effect that’s powered by software and the ability to create GIFs. Battery life is a solid day, and you can quick charge it up to full in 15-30 minutes with Google’s charger.

Best of all? The Pixel gets automatic software updates directly from Google, so your phone will always be up to date and perfectly safe. Google also offers 24/7 customer support right in the settings menu, so you can reach out to Google immediately if you have a problem.

Our full review

The best small iPhone

iPhone 7

Why should you buy this: Big phones aren’t for everyone, and this small iPhone is great

Our Score

The best small iPhone

Apple iPhone 7

It’s the best small iPhone you can buy (no headphone jack notwithstanding).

$649.99 from T-Mobile

$649.99 from Verizon

Who’s it for: Apple fans who don’t want a giant phone

How much will it cost: $650+

Why we picked the iPhone 7:

Apple is now one of the few manufacturers that is still making a phone that’s smaller than 5-inches. The iPhone 7 is a better phone than the iPhone SE, sports the same 4.7-inch, 1,334 x 750 pixel Retina screen as the 6S, and comes wrapped in a very slim aluminum body. The biggest difference is that this year’s iPhone 7 is water-resistant with an IP67 rating. In other words, you can drop it in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes and it’s safe from dust particles. There are even two new black finishes for those who want a darker look.

Apple also upgraded the rear camera to a 12-megapixel shooter with a larger sensor and aperture. The front-facing shooter got an upgrade to 7 megapixels, too, so your selfies will look better than ever. The speedy A10 processor and 2GB RAM keep things moving, and iOS 10 is a revelation for iPhone users. It takes 3D Touch to another level and notifications are now interactive. It’s a truly incredible device for iOS users who still want a slightly smaller phone.

Want to go even smaller? Try the Apple iPhone SE ($400+)

What if the iPhone 7 isn’t small enough for you? Don’t worry; Apple has you covered with the 4-inch iPhone SE. This retro phone is the same size as the iPhone 5S, but it is powered by the same processor as the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus. The only downsides to the SE are an older Touch ID sensor, a poor 1.5-megapixel front-facing camera, and the lack of 3D Touch. It does have a headphone jack, so there’s that.

Our full review

Battery life is slightly better on the iPhone 7 than it was on the iPhone 6S, but it will only last you a day, so you may want to pick up a battery case. Sure, the case will add some bulk to your phone and it’s not ideal, but if you’re desperate for more battery, you’ll want one.

Be forewarned that it doesn’t have a 3.5mm headphone jack, though, so you’ll have to use wireless headphones, the included lightning earbuds, or the 3.5mm headphone jack to lightning cable adapter that’s in the box.

Nonetheless, the iPhone 7 is the best small iPhone you can buy, so if you’re not into phablets, but still want an iPhone, this is our pick for you.

Our full review

The best $400 phone

ZTE Axon 7

Why should you buy this: You’re an adventurous Android fan who refuses to spend $650 on the Pixel

Our Score

The best $400 phone

ZTE Axon 7

It’s a true flagship killer with high-end specs, a slick design, and hi-res audio support.

$359.99 from Amazon

$367.99 from Best Buy

Who’s it for: Android fans who want killer specs for less

How much will it cost: $400+

Why we picked the ZTE Axon 7:

ZTE has done it again with the Axon 7. This all-metal device borrows a few specs from its predecessor, the Axon Pro, such as its 5.5-inch AMOLED screen and a 2,560 x 1,440-pixel resolution, but it improves on it in almost every other way. You’ll find it powered by a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor with 4GB RAM and a whopping 64GB internal storage. Thanks to MicroSD card support, you’ll also be able to upgrade to an additional 128GB of space.

It’s a high-powered flagship for a fraction of the price. The performance is faultless, which is in part thanks to the nearly pure Android software onboard. ZTE added a few extras with MiFlavor UI, but the overall experience is similar to Android on a Nexus. ZTE says it’s committed to updating the Axon 7 from Android Marshmallow to Nougat in time for Google’s DayDream VR, because the Axon 7 is the first phone that was built with Google’s new standards in mind.

The Axon 7’s 3,140mAh battery should last you a day, and ZTE has gotten rid of the dual-camera setup from the Pro and replaced it with a 21-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel selfie cam. The cameras take solid pics that are nearly as good as the ones you’ll take with a Samsung Galaxy S7. The Axon 7 also boasts stellar audio capabilities with two front-facing stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos technology. It’s one of the best sounding phones you can buy with those speakers and hi-res audio support. These extra features are what put the Axon 7 over the top to edge out the great OnePlus 3 for our top pick in the $400 phone range.

You might also like the OnePlus 3T ($440)

The OnePlus 3T is also as powerful as any flagship phone, with its 5.5-inch 1080p screen, Qualcomm Snapdragon 821, 6GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and powerful quick charging technology. The phone sports a sleek, all-metal body and a fingerprint sensor to boot. It costs just a touch more at $440, while offering everything you’d expect from a flagship phone.

Our full review

The Axon 7 also boasts stellar audio capabilities with two front-facing stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos technology. It’s one of the best sounding phones you can buy with those speakers and hi-res audio support. These extra features are what put the Axon 7 over the top to edge out the great OnePlus 3 for our top pick in the $400 phone range.

The only downside is that you can’t buy it at your carrier, so you’ll have to grab one online from ZTE. ZTE does offer an installment payment plan, so you can pay about $20 a month for a few years to own the Axon 7 — just like you would at your carrier.

Our full review

The best $200+ phone

Moto G5 Plus

Kyle Wiggers/Digital Trends

Why should you buy this: You’re on a strict budget, but you still want a powerful phone

The best $200+ phone

Moto G5 Plus

It’s the best budget phone you can get for a mere $230.

$229.99 from Motorola

$299.99 from Newegg

Who’s it for: Bargain buyers who want a steady Android phone

How much will it cost: $230-$280

Why we picked the Moto G5 Plus:

Motorola’s Moto G series has been widely popular thanks to its sub-$200 prices. The new G5 Plus is the second since the Lenovo acquisition, and while it’s a little pricier, it certainly can’t be left off this list, especially since the basic Moto G5 isn’t being sold in the U.S.

For $230, the base model of the Moto G5 Plus offers a 5.2-inch, 1080p screen, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor, and 2GB of RAM. There’s also a new, metallic design that brings a more expensive feel. You can opt for 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, or upgrade to 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, for an extra $50. Thankfully, if storage is an issue, you can expand it via the MicroSD card slot.

The Moto G5 Plus has a nice, recessed fingerprint sensor on the front, and boasts a decent 12-megapixel rear camera, and a 5-megapixel selfie camera. It also comes with a 3,000mAh battery, which should be more than enough to last you a day, and there’s support for turbo charging to replenish that battery in a hurry. It runs the latest, near stock Android 7.0 Nougat, and general performance is smooth and snappy.

It’s a shame that the smaller Moto G5 isn’t available Stateside, as it comes in around the $200 mark, but we would be advising you to find an extra $30 and upgrade to the G5 Plus anyway. The larger screen, better processor, bigger battery, and better camera make it a superior choice. The jump to 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage in the more expensive model is a harder sell, especially since you can stick a MicroSD card in the G5 Plus to expand your available space.

Our full review

Should you buy now or wait?

Now is a good time to buy a phone. The Galaxy S8 just launched, and there are some great options already on the table. We aren’t expecting a new iPhone or Pixel until the Fall, or possibly later. If you’re an Apple fan, then you might want to hang on because the 10th anniversary iPhone 8 is widely expected to be something special.

If your phone is two or more years old, it’s time for a new one. You should definitely consider grabbing a new phone at this point. Since you’re about to start over fresh and carriers no longer offer two-year contracts or subsidized phone pricing, it’s best to buy your phone unlocked if possible. Unlocked phones can be used on any network, so you’ll be able to switch carriers and keep your phone if you want.

Buying your phone unlocked also means you’ll avoid carrier bloatware like extra apps and services you don’t need. If you are an Android user, it also means the carriers can’t hold back your software updates.

If your phone is just a year old or less, you really don’t need to get a new one (unless you have a Note 7 — Return it now!).

Which OS is best for you?

This is where things get personal. Picking a smartphone operating system is a huge deal. You’re buying into an entire ecosystem of apps and compatible products when you choose between Android and iOS.

Apple’s iOS is a beautiful, simple operating system and the App Store offers the best app selection imaginable. Each and every aspect of iOS is curated by Apple, and it shows. Android is more open and it has less rules, but that means that manufacturers and app makers can willfully ignore Google’s Material Design language and do whatever they want, sometimes rendering Android unrecognizable and ugly. Pure Android is gorgeous, but you don’t often see it. Only Google’s Pixel and Nexus phones run a pure version of the operating system. iOS is always beautiful and a pleasure to use on every iPhone because Apple has complete control over the OS.

Since Apple is the only company that makes iPhones, it also has complete control over software updates. As such, iPhone users always get the most recent and best iOS experience possible. The vast majority of iPhone users were on iOS 9 when iOS 10 came out, and nearly 15 percent immediately updated to iOS 10 just one day after its launch. By February, 2017 a full 79 percent of Apple devices were running iOS 10.

Android users don’t have that luxury. Unless you own a Pixel or Nexus device — and very few of Android users do — you will have to wait months if not years to get software updates. That’s why less than 5 percent of Android users are running the latest Android 7.0 Nougat, which was released in August 2016. Only 31.2 percent of Android users are currently running Android 6.0 Marshmallow on their phones and it dropped at the end of 2015. In fact, there are more Android users running Lollipop, which is from 2014, than there are users running Marshmallow. It’s absurd.

Software updates contain security updates, which keep your phone safe from malware, viruses, and hackers. Android is the most heavily targeted mobile OS, so it is attacked by the worst bugs, like Stagefright and Heartbleed, both of which remain unpatched for millions of Android users. Google now issues a security patch every month, but many manufacturers don’t push them to users in a timely fashion, if ever.

In contrast, Apple can immediately patch security flaws and send the updated software to all iPhone users immediately. Since most users update their software when prompted, most iOS users are protected from these very real threats. There is no denying that iPhone users are safer. Apple’s iOS also offers full encryption with no compromises. The company even went to war with the U.S. government and the FBI to guarantee the right to encryption for its users. If you care about your security, you should buy an iPhone.

How we test

A phone is so much more than its spec sheet. Your entire life is stored on it, from your photos and contacts to your music and your favorite apps. There is no device more personal than your smartphone, so it’s with great care that we review phones to recommend that you buy only the best ones out there.

We use each phone we review as our daily driver for an extended period of time to test out all the features. We do benchmarks, play games, take photos, plunge them in water, and use them until their batteries expire. Then we charge ’em up and do it all over again. We test devices like real people use devices. We’re not in some stuffy lab during obscure tests. We’re running around the cities we live in using these phones just like you use your phones.

Then we think about each phone in comparison with its competitors to come to a decision: Should you buy this phone or something else? If the answer is “something else,” we tell you what to buy instead.

Smartphone innovation has peaked, and the number of radical new features that come out each year is shrinking. As such, when you’re buying a phone, you’re buying a device that will be with you 24/7 for several years. It’s a big choice, and things like apps, a product ecosystem, customer support, and security should become important factors in your buying decision.

Best app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time

Everyone likes apps, but sometimes the best ones are a bit expensive. Now and then, developers make paid apps free for a limited time, but you have to snatch them up while you have the chance. Here are the latest and greatest apps on sale in the iOS App Store.

These apps normally cost money, and this sale lasts for a limited time only. If you go to the App Store and it says the app costs money, that means the deal has expired and you will be charged. 

More: 200 Awesome iPhone Apps | The best Android apps for almost any occasion

Smart Merge Pro

Your contacts are the most important data in your phone. Smart Merge Pro easily helps you detect and merge duplicate contacts.

Available on:

iOS

Lucid Dreaming

Control your dreams and discover a new awareness with “Lucid Dreaming Hypnosis” from Rachael Meddows.

Available on:

iOS

Fitrack

Achieving your goals and working through your pain is what matters in the gym. Fitrack makes tracking your results effortless. You can choose from hundreds of animated exercises and create routines in a matter of moments.

Available on:

iOS

Zones

Zones is the simplest way to convert time zones between cities around the world. Recently rewritten and updated to version 2.0, Zones is the best way to deal with time zones on iOS.

Available on:

iOS

Go Tip

Go Tip is a bill splitter and tip calculator that is quick, simple, and doesn’t get in your way. Determine how much each individual owes. The tip amount for each is shown along with the total amount owed based on the tip percentage.

Available on:

iOS

Adrian James 6 Pack Abs

Adrian James 6 Pack Abs Workout has become an international sensation. Download the chart-topping app to transform your body and gain a newfound lust for life.

Available on:

iOS

Proposed U.K. law lets authorities snoop on communications, defeat encryption

Why it matters to you

The U.K.’s Investigatory Powers Bill grants law enforcement sweeping surveillance powers.

The United Kingdom’s Investigatory Powers Bill faced a firestorm of criticism this week after a leak of documents detailing the law’s surveillance powers. According to the International Business Times, it would permit U.K. law enforcement agencies to request the content of telephone calls, text messages, and internet browsing activity, and require some telecoms and services to provide a way around encryption.

The leak included a nine-page draft titled “technical capability notice,” which required internet providers and phone companies to “provide and maintain the capability to ensure the interception, in their entirety, of all communications […] in their entirety, of all secondary data authorized by or required by the warrant.” Telecom companies would be expected to hand over data within 24 hours, in some cases, and would be required to store data for 12 months.

The Investigatory Powers Bill also targets end-to-end encryption, the digital method of obfuscation used to secure communications. Telecom companies — including U.S. companies which operate in the U.K., potentially — would be required to “disclose, where practicable, the content of communications […] in an intelligible form and to remove electronic protection applied by or on behalf of the telecommunications operator.”

There are some limits to what U.K. authorities could do. Surveillance requests would have to be approved by either a senior police official or the Secretary of State, and would be overseen by a judge appointed by the Prime Minister. Telecommunications firms which solely provide service to banking, insurance, investment, or other financial services won’t be subject to the law, and warrants won’t be imposed on carriers with fewer than 10,000 customers.

Still, advocacy groups criticized the bill for “disproportionate powers […] straight out of an Orwellian nightmare.” Jim Killock, executive director of the U.K.’s Open Rights Group, told the International Business Times that “[the powers] could be directed at companies like WhatsApp to limit their encryption.”

“The public has a right to know about the government powers that could put their privacy and security at risk,” he said. “There needs to be transparency about how such measures are judged to be reasonable, the risks that are imposed on users […] and how companies can challenge the demands.”

The documents, which were drafted in consultation with the U.K.’s Technical Advisory Board, have yet to be approved by the U.K.’s parliament. But the bill is expected to become law by late May, after a brief “consultation” period.

In March, following the terrorist attack in London which left many people injured and one killed, British Home Secretary Amber Rudd announced the U.K. government’s intention to persuade WhatsApp to provide a way for authorities to read encrypted messages.

“We need to make sure that organizations like WhatsApp, and there are plenty others like that, don’t provide a secret place for terrorists to communicate with each other,” Rudd told The Guardian.