MacRumors Giveaway: Win a Lightpad Block M From ROLI

For this week’s giveaway, we’ve once again teamed up with ROLI, this time to give away one of the company’s LightPad Block M music making devices.

For those unfamiliar with ROLI, it’s a company that makes a fun, modular music creation system called Blocks, designed for everyone from beginners to professionals.

The Lightpad M, priced at $200, is a key component in the ROLI system. Lightpad M supports pressure-based multi-touch gestures on its light-up grid surface to make music. The Lightpad M can recreate the sounds of cellos, flutes, drums, violins, and hundreds of other instruments with simple, intuitive touch gestures.

It also supports beats, chords, melodies, and more, and it ships with more than 200 sounds, with options to add more through an accompanying suite of apps that work with the Lightpad M.

Gestures include a strike for sounding a note, a side to side glide to change pitch, an up and down slide to modulate sound, a press for a deeper sound, and lift to change resonance.

There’s a soft, silicone top layer on the Lightpad M for precise control, and the top of the square-shaped accessory lights up in hundreds of colors when touched. Microkeywaves on the silicone surface of the Lightpad M offer pleasing tactile feedback, and it’s sensitive enough that even a light touch makes music.

You can fit the Lightpad M in the palm of your hand, so it’s small enough to go anywhere, and it offers a wireless connection.

The Lightpad M is designed to connect to and work with the rest of the ROLI Blocks system, including the Seaboard Block, Live Block, Loop Block, and Touch Block.

We have a ROLI LightPad Block M to give away to a MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the Rafflecopter widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach winners and send prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.

a Rafflecopter giveawayThe contest will run from today (April 6) at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on April 13. The winner will be chosen randomly on April 13 and will be contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen.
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Concept Imagines What Rumored Apple Over-Ear Headphones Might Look Like

To go along with the AirPods and the HomePod, Apple is rumored to be working on a set of high-end over-ear headphones that, like its other two products, will be Apple branded rather than Beats branded.

The rumor originated in a February report from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who often accurately predicts Apple’s plans. Kuo says Apple is planning to launch high-end over-ear headphones that marries the convenience of AirPods with better sound quality.

Designers over at Curved.de have taken these rumors and created renderings imagining what Apple-branded over-ear headphones could look like.

The headphones take design elements from the HomePod, such as the acoustic fabric covering and the touch panel that includes a visible Siri waveform, and existing Beats headphones like the Solo3.

On headphones, of course, you wouldn’t see the waveform while wearing them so this may not be an entirely realistic concept, but it’s interesting to see the HomePod design distilled down into headphones.

Curved.de has imagined the headphones in both black and white, with the touch panel also able to display other graphics like a rainbow Apple logo, and there’s a simple wireless charging stand included in the concept.

Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple could release the headphones as soon as the fourth quarter of 2018, which is fairly late in the year, so we could see them delayed until 2019. Kuo’s rumor has been corroborated by Bloomberg, with the site adding that noise-canceling features could be included.

Is this what you think Apple-branded headphones might look like? Let us know in the comments.

Related Roundup: AirPodsTag: ConceptsBuyer’s Guide: AirPods (Caution)
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Apple Stops Signing iOS 11.2.6 Following iOS 11.3 Release

Following the release of iOS 11.3 last week, Apple has stopped signing iOS 11.2.6, the previous version of iOS that was available to consumers.

iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch owners who have upgraded to iOS 11.2.6 will no longer be able to downgrade to earlier versions of iOS.

Apple routinely stops signing older versions of software updates after new releases come out in order to encourage customers to keep their operating systems up to date.

iOS 11.3 is now the only version of iOS 11 that can be installed on iOS devices by the general public, but developers and public beta testers can download iOS 11.4, an update that is currently being beta tested.
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The Six Oldest Products Apple Still Sells Today

Earlier this week, Apple confirmed it will release an all-new Mac Pro in 2019, as a bid of reassurance to its professional customers who have waited over four years for the company’s high-end workstation to be updated.

Apple still sells a handful of other major products that haven’t been updated in between three and six years, however, and unlike the Mac Pro, it has remained silent about any future updates. We’ve outlined those products below.

AirPort Extreme

Days Since Last Major Release: June 10, 2013 / 1,758 days ago

Apple hasn’t refreshed its lineup of AirPort base stations in around five to six years. The high-end AirPort Extreme and AirPort Time Capsule, which is an Extreme coupled with up to 3TB of internal storage, were last updated at WWDC 2013. The smaller AirPort Express hasn’t been updated since June 2012—it still has old 802.11n Wi-Fi.

In November 2016, Bloomberg News reported that Apple ceased development of its AirPort products. In January 2018, Apple began selling the Linksys Velop mesh Wi-Fi system, but noted that “people love our AirPort products and we continue to sell them.” The company hasn’t commented on its AirPort products since.

Mac Pro

Days Since Last Major Release: December 18, 2013 / 1,569 days ago

The current Mac Pro was previewed at WWDC 2013, when Apple’s marketing chief Phil Schiller famously quipped “can’t innovate anymore, my ass!” The professional desktop became available to order in December 2013, and hasn’t been updated since, beyond receiving a price cut across the line in April 2017.

Apple this week confirmed that it will release an all-new Mac Pro with a modular design in 2019. The computer will be influenced by Apple’s new Pro Workflow Team, consisting of creative professionals who are experienced in areas such as visual effects, video editing, 3D animation, and music production.

Mac mini

Days Since Last Major Release: October 16, 2014 / 1,268 days ago

It’s been three-and-a-half years since the Mac mini was last updated as of next week. The portable desktop is still powered by Intel’s outdated fourth-generation Core processors, despite the fact that we’re on the eighth generation now. It also has Thunderbolt 2 ports, nearly three years after Intel announced Thunderbolt 3.

Apple has twice said the Mac mini remains an “important” part of its product lineup, but unlike the Mac Pro, it hasn’t provided a timeline for any future updates. While there has been some speculation that the Mac mini could play a role in Apple’s modular Mac Pro system, the fate of the machine remains unclear.

MacBook Air

Days Since Last Major Release: March 9, 2015 / 1,124 days ago

While the base model MacBook Air was updated with a slightly faster 1.8GHz processor in June 2017, the notebook hasn’t received a significant update in over three years and counting. The latest MacBook Air is powered by Intel’s fifth-generation Core processors—again, we’re at eight now—and still lacks a Retina display.

The prevailing assumption has long been that once Apple could manage to sell the 12-inch MacBook for $999, that it would replace the MacBook Air. That has yet to happen, however, and now there’s rumors suggesting that a new and possibly even cheaper MacBook Air will be released at some point this year.

iPod touch

Days Since Last Major Release: July 15, 2015 / 996 days ago

Once updated on an annual basis like the iPhone, the iPod touch hasn’t been refreshed in nearly three years. The portable media player is powered by an Apple A8 chip, which was already around 10 months old at the time, and it has an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera and up to 128GB of storage.

At this point, the iPod touch is a niche product at Apple. It’s also the only remaining iPod available to purchase, after Apple discontinued the iPod nano and iPod shuffle last year. However, considering the iPod touch is a gateway product to the iPhone, it’s certainly possible it will eventually be updated.

iPad mini

Days Since Last Major Release: September 9, 2015 / 940 days ago

Apple introduced the iPad mini 4 at its “Hey Siri” event in September 2015, and hasn’t updated it since, beyond adjusting storage and pricing in 2016 and again in 2017. Like the latest iPod touch, the tablet is powered by an Apple A8 chip and has up to 128GB of storage, the sole capacity currently sold.

Like many other products on this list, the fate of the iPad mini is unclear. One possibility is that it will be discontinued once the new 9.7-inch iPad gets slimmer bezels, which would make it closer in overall size to the 7.9-inch iPad mini. The new iPad also has a much faster A10 Fusion chip and Apple Pencil support.
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Review: Elevation Lab’s New iPhone CordDock Pairs the Stability of a Dock With the Convenience of a Cord

Elevation Lab has been working on docks for the iPhone for several years, ever since a dock Kickstarter project took off back in 2011.

All of that dock expertise has culminated in the simple, versatile CordDock, released in March. Priced at $39, the CordDock is similar in design to the ElevationDock 4, which quickly became my favorite dock after it came out last year.

The CordDock is like the ElevationDock 4, only better, and in my opinion, it’s one of the best wired docks you can get for the iPhone. Much like its sister dock, the CordDock has a super small footprint — it takes up minimal space on your desk.

The base is narrower than an iPhone, so the maximum amount of horizontal space it’s going to take up is the width of your iPhone, and it’s also less than two inches thick. It’s tiny compared to most other iPhone stands, which is nice on a cluttered desk.

CordDock’s small base might make it seem like it wouldn’t be as sturdy as heavier docks, but it is thanks to a micro air-suction base that feels a little bit like magic. It’s not sticky when you touch it, but when you put it on a hard surface, it adheres tightly enough to be super stable.

Micro air suction is strong enough that the CordDock stays in place even when you pick up the iPhone with a single hand, and that’s not something that’s true for other docks I own. I generally need to use two hands when I undock a phone — one to hold the iPhone and one to hold the base down to detach it.

You will need to put the CordDock on a solid, smooth surface so it can get a good grip, but it’s going to work well on a desk, night stand, countertop, or other location. I’ve tested it on wood, painted wood, metal, glass, and granite, and it’s stuck to all surfaces.

It’s also worth noting that it can be picked up and moved at anytime (just twist a bit as you pull). The dock’s bottom suction doesn’t diminish, and I haven’t seen any damage from using it (or the ElevationDock 4, which I’ve been using for a longer period of time).

The CordDock is made from stainless steel and a reinforced polymer material, and that’s perhaps the one downside — its black exterior is not as fancy looking as some other docks that are made from materials like brushed aluminum. CordDock is small enough that it’s not particularly noticeable if you’re not a fan of the design, though, especially with the iPhone charging.

Elevation Lab designed the CordDock to work with a naked iPhone or an iPhone with a case, and it has two knobs at the back that let you adjust the depth of the space between the back mount and the Lightning connector.

I use a standard Apple case so I didn’t have to do much adjustment, but rotating each knob will move it forward slightly for a tighter or looser fit. Elevation Lab says CordDock will work with cases up to 4mm, which covers all but the thickest cases (think Otterbox). There are also two removable magnetic pads under where the iPhone rests that can be swapped out for thicker or thinner versions, with two options available in the box.

Along with the two adjustment knobs, there’s another feature that is unique to CordDock among its competitors — the ability to pick up the iPhone from the dock with the cable still attached so you can use it while it’s charging.

This works because the Lightning cable on the CordDock features two steel ball bearings built into the sides, while the head of the cable has two indents. The two ball bearings slot into the indents, allowing the cable portion to be pulled out with ease.

Pulling forward on your iPhone while it’s attached to the CordDock unseats the cable and lets you pull the phone forward to use as you might use any phone attached to a charging cable. To put it back, you just need to line the Lightning connector portion of the cable up with the dock and give it a good push downwards. Elevation Lab’s video demonstrates how it works:

Note that this functionality does not interfere with the one-handed iPhone removal feature. You can still disconnect the iPhone from the CordDock by pulling straight up rather than in a forward motion.

Bottom Line

As someone that owns multiple Apple devices and has used several of the popular docks on the market, the latest docks from Elevation Lab, including the CordDock, are some of my favorites.

The CordDock has a small footprint so it takes up little space on a desk, its sticky bottom means it works when you want to pick up your phone one-handed, and if you happen to need to use your iPhone when it’s plugged in nearby, the clever detaching cord mechanism is handy.

If you prefer to charge wirelessly, the CordDock doesn’t do that, but there are still benefits to wired charging, including much faster charging speeds that people are going to prefer over wire-free options.

At $39 the CordDock may be more expensive than some other options on the market, and it’s a little less stylish than some aluminum docks, but its feature set makes it well worth the purchase price.

The Lightning cable attached to the CordDock is covered in an attractive braided chevron fabric, and at six feet long, it’s a good length for allowing you to use the detachable feature of the dock. There’s an included velcro cable wrap if you don’t need the entire length of the cable.

How to Buy

The CordDock can be purchased from the Elevation Lab website or from Amazon.com for $39.

Note: Elevation Lab provided MacRumors with a CordDock for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

Tag: Elevation Lab
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Zolo Liberty+ review: Could these be Android’s version of AirPods?

Android users have been clamoring for a proper AirPods competitor since their arrival. We have seen a few different options come to the market, but none as intriguing as the Zolo Liberty+.

One of the biggest pain points in truly wireless Bluetooth headphones is the price tag. Apple’s AirPods may seem steep at $159, but other options are priced as high as $250 or more. The Liberty+ are intriguing from the fact that these are priced at just $149.

Zolo is likely a brand that you have not heard much of. However, the company comes from Anker which is definitely a brand that carries some clout.

The Liberty+ started out as a Kickstarter campaign where you could get in for as low as $99. Since then, these headphones have properly launched and are available from Amazon and the Zolo website.

What’s in the box?

Before jumping into how well these perform, let’s take a look at what Zolo claims these offer. The Liberty+ are touted as having a 3.5-hour battery life, which bumps to 48 hours with the included charging case.

We also have Bluetooth 5.0 onboard here, which means a range of up to 100 feet. So you can realistically leave your phone inside and go mow the lawn without dropping connections.

In the box, you are presented with the aluminum charging case which houses each earbud. There is also a microUSB charging cable and different ear-tips which will help ensure that these properly fit in your ears.

Sound and Performance

Now, I’m not an audiophile, but I absolutely LOVE headphones. My hearing is well enough that I can tell the difference between headphones that sound like junk, and those that sound proper.

The Liberty+ are a set of headphones that surprised me as soon as they were charged. I put them in my ears, didn’t have to worry about switching the ear tips, and was blown away.

Unknown to myself at the onset of the testing period, Zolo has included some extra goodies here. It seems there is some noise-cancellation on board, which is one of my most favorite features.

It feels as though I can sit at my desk or go for a walk and be left to whatever is playing on my phone. I don’t have to worry about interruptions in the middle of work sessions or anything of the sort.

For those who are interested, you can disable this feature. Removing this can make life a bit simpler if you’re out for a run and don’t want to miss a car driving by.

On the music side of things, there is a standalone application. This app works similarly to what Jaybird has been doing, and allows you to not only easily connect, but also to change the sound profile.

As a fan of different types of music, changing the sound profile makes life easy for switching things up. There were times when the Liberty+ didn’t properly adjust to the profile, but things still worked for the most part.

Battery Life and more

Unlike Apple’s AirPods, the Zolo Liberty+ doesn’t have a specific chipset designed to improve connectivity and battery life. However, Zolo’s claim of 3.5 hours of battery life was actually quite accurate.

I found myself sometimes reaching a bit longer than that. The included charging case is also a nice touch, although it has some quirks.

The first of which is that the Liberty+ case can be recharged via microUSB. USB Type-C has been around for some time, so we aren’t exactly sure why this was a corner to cut. On the outside of the case, there are a few LED indicators. These let users know how much juice is left in the case before it needs to be recharged.

The other qualm that I have is that there are times that the earbuds need to be re-seated. I did run into a couple of occasions where I thought the headphones were charging, only to find out that one was still dead.

Conclusion

Are the Zolo Liberty+ the best Bluetooth headphones on the market? No. Are they a valid alternative to others on the market? Absolutely.

These aren’t Bose or Jaybird headphones. This is Zolo’s first attempt to enter this market, and it’s rather impressive. Not as quite as impressive as the AirPods, but more impressive than Google’s Pixel Buds.

If you are in the market for a new set of truly wireless headphones, then the Liberty+ is a fine choice. For those who don’t want all of the bells and whistles, there is a non-Bluetooth 5.0 version of these that are available for just $100.

If you want to learn more, hit the button below. In the meantime, let us know what you think about these headphones and if they will be in consideration.

Buy the ZOLO Liberty+!

Pick up a 12-pack of Soylent for as little as $24 and put an end to skipping meals

Here’s your impulse buy of the day.

Unless you live under a rock, odds are you’ve heard of Soylent before. This meal replacement drink has been the center of attention for quite some time, and people seem to really love it. Right now, you can save $10 on a variety of flavors by using coupon code 10PRODAN during checkout. These rarely go on sale during the year, and most of the discounts tend to take place during January for those kickstarting a New Year’s resolution.

This discount drops a 12-pack of the original flavor down to just $24, or you can try the coffee flavor or vanilla for $5 more. If you don’t need the premade drinks, you can pick up just over 2-pounds of the powder for $24 as well.

With Soylent being a full meal replacement, this is a great way to get those meals in during your busy times. We’ve all been there before, caught up at the office, sitting for long hours in front of our monitors, and the last thing on our mind is food. It’s not healthy, so stop doing it and put the excuses behind. Use this discount to make the first step towards a healthier you.

Our pal Mark Guim has had amazing success using Soylent. He says:

I’ve been drinking Soylent for about two years and I absolutely love it. When I have a busy schedule, I prefer to drink it rather than order delivery or cook a meal. Ordering out can get very expensive and cooking can take a long time.

When trying to lose weight in the past year, counting calories has been important. Tracking with Soylent is easy because I know every bottle is 400 calories. I don’t drink Soylent for all my meals, but I’ve lost over 30 pounds this year by going to the gym 3-4 times a week and keeping my intake to about 2,000 calories a day.

See at Amazon

Amazon now allows parents to remotely control FreeTime settings

No more snooping over your kid’s shoulder.

When it comes to parental controls for mobile gadgets, Amazon’s FreeTime system is one of the best around. FreeTime allows parents to set a number of limits on their children’s Fire Tablets, but until now, these settings were only accessible on the tablet itself.

Starting today, however, Amazon is giving parents remote access to these things.

By going to the Amazon Parent Dashboard from a phone, tablet, or desktop, parents will be able to set and control screen-on limits, curfews, block certain apps/games, and more.

These new controls will be joining the rest of the features found on the Parent Dashboard, including stats on what kind of content your kids are consuming, how much time they’re spending on their tablets, and Amazon’s “discussion cards” that aim to help parents talk to their kids about the books, movies, and games they’re viewing.

Parents can access the new remote controls by going to parents.amazon.com.

Amazon Fire tablets

• Amazon Fire 7
• Amazon Fire HD 8
• Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition
• Amazon Fire 8 Kids Edition
• Amazon Fire HD 10

See more at Amazon

Best Phone for Business as of April 2018

• Best overall
• Best for updates
• Best for note-takers

Best overall

BlackBerry KEYone Black Edition

See at Amazon

BlackBerry is legendary when it comes to mobile device management and security, and follows that trend when using Android to power its phones. With the KEYone Black Edition, you also get the keyboard experience that only BlackBerry can offer. The KEYone is a great way to enjoy Android for people who still want a physical keyboard on their phone and peace of mind knowing a company is concerned about security. The Space Black model has extra RAM and memory, and its all-black color scheme is all business!

Bottom line: BlackBerry continues its reputation for excellent mobile security and having a great keyboard with the KEYone.

One more thing: BlackBerry phones are usually the first to get the monthly Android Security update — often hours before Google releases the bulletin itself!

Why the KEYone is the best

A phone you want to use can also keep your data safe — both personal and business data.

The phone you carry to serve your customers and keep things running smoothly at work needs to be able to do them quickly and keep all that data safe. The KEYone is our top pick when it comes to these specifics.

BlackBerry has built a reputation on serving business owners with highly capable and very secure phones. That legacy lives on with its Android offerings. BlackBerry’s additions like the Hub and contact manager are proven to be effective ways to manage busy business accounts. The KEYone’s great physical keyboard means you’ll feel right at home if you’re coming from an older BlackBerry.

Google adds security-focused additions when they release a newer version of Android that help keep data safer while we carry it in our pockets or briefcases. But BlackBerry doesn’t rely on Google like most other smartphone manufacturers do when it comes to mobile security and instead have years of experience and a team dedicated to making sure the software on your BlackBerry phone is as safe and secure as possible.

And the KEYone is a phone that does all this with no compromises when it comes to performance. The efficient yet powerful Snapdragon 625 CPU also means you can do whatever it takes to keep things running smoothly all day without searching for a charger and power outlet. Whether you’re managing email, sorting through a spreadsheet at the airport, or watching a video in your downtime, the KEYone can handle it all.

Best for updates

Google Pixel 2

See at Verizon

The Google Pixel 2 is the most secure Android phone you can buy, and one of the most secure phones of any available today.

Without disabling any security protections, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are protected against known public security exploits and remote installations are monitored by Google’s scanning software which blocks potential malicious content. Security is paramount when it comes to using a phone with all your important business contacts and details.

One of the things that make the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL the best is that they use the latest — and most secure — version of Android. More importantly, the changes and code behind these fixes are available for peer review so they can be made more robust.

Bottom line: The Google Pixel 2 will always have the latest and most secure version of Android for the duration of its lifetime.

One more thing: Verizon carries the Pixel 2 and your account rep can take care of any order.

Best for note-takers

Samsung Galaxy Note 8

See at Amazon

There’s something about the Note line that screams business, and the Note 8, in its 6.3-inch glory, is one of the best options for smartphone buyers who want a little more than the average experience. The Note 8 is essentially a Galaxy S8+ on steroids, with two cameras and the all-important S Pen. If you’re a note-taker — like the old-school kind — the Note 8 is one heck of a phone. And it’s secured by KNOX, Samsung’s excellent on-device and cloud security software.

Bottom line: It’s expensive, but it feels expensive. The Note 8 is one of the best business phones you can buy.

One more thing: You can get the Note 8 at every U.S. carrier.

Conclusion

Media outlets like to give Android a bad reputation when it comes to security, and it’s difficult to blame them. Old, outdated software from manufacturers with no real concern for your security or privacy are the norm when it comes to phones running Android. The phone you use to run your business can’t be this way.

The KEYone has the BlackBerry legacy of security and professional tools behind it, and the move to Android also makes even more services available. When it comes to the day-to-day needs of running a business or having your staff using the best tools possible in a safe and secure way, you can’t beat the BlackBerry KEYone. You also can’t go wrong with the Pixel 2 or the Note 8.

Best overall

BlackBerry KEYone Black Edition

See at Amazon

BlackBerry is legendary when it comes to mobile device management and security, and follows that trend when using Android to power its phones. With the KEYone Black Edition, you also get the keyboard experience that only BlackBerry can offer. The KEYone is a great way to enjoy Android for people who still want a physical keyboard on their phone and peace of mind knowing a company is concerned about security. The Space Black model has extra RAM and memory, and its all-black color scheme is all business!

Bottom line: BlackBerry continues its reputation for excellent mobile security and having a great keyboard with the KEYone.

One more thing: The BlackBerry is usually the first phone to get the monthly Android Security update — often hours before Google releases the bulletin itself!

Update April 2018: The BlackBerry KEYone is still the best phone for your business.

Best Selfie Camera Phone in 2018

The front-facing camera is the window to your soul. Here’s the best one.

• Best overall
• Best for features
• Best on a budget

Best overall

Google Pixel 2 / Pixel 2 XL

See at Verizon
See at Best Buy
See at Google Store

The Google Pixel 2 takes amazing selfies. Google’s 8MP front-facing camera may not have the autofocus of the Galaxy S9, but it doesn’t need it: it’s incredible at picking up the foreground subject (that’s you!) and turning it into a sharp, detailed, and in-focus miracle. Even better, Google’s portrait mode is also available, artificially separating you from the background, resulting in some really striking images.

Bottom line: Google’s figured out how to make selfies an art, especially if you’re looking for simplicity over customization.

One more thing: The Pixel 2’s front-facing portrait mode is a feature you won’t find on any other Android flagship phone right now.

Why the Pixel 2 is the best

Google doesn’t want you to mess around with features and settings when you’re taking a photo; it just wants you to press the shutter button and get great results every time. That’s the beauty of the using a Pixel 2: it’s guaranteed that you’re going to get a decent selfie in almost any lighting condition, and if there’s enough light, you’ll even get some decent separation from the background.

What makes the Pixel 2 stand out among other phones when it comes to its front-facing camera is just how sharp photos turn out. This is the opposite of what companies like Huawei, Samsung, and LG are churning out, since they tend to turn on “beauty mode” by default, which softens the face and (problematically) lightens complexion. The Pixel 2 produces photos so sharp and lifelike that some people may be put off by the amount of detail, but in my opinion, it’s better to have those details and edit them out later than not have them from the beginning.

The Pixel 2’s portrait mode is also really fun to use on the selfie camera. Google is really good at separating the foreground subject from the background, the effect of that sharp photo is heightened even more. Thankfully, the camera also pulls out plenty of color and dynamic range, so you’re going to look your best at all times.

Best for features

Samsung Galaxy S9 / S9+

See at Amazon

The Galaxy S9 series builds off the success of the S8 in more than a few ways. Its front-facing camera, in particular, is largely unchanged from last year’s model, with an 8MP sensor, f/1.7 lens, and autofocus. The last point is important, because it makes it easier for the phone to pick up on a subject, which it does quickly in good lighting.

Samsung’s selfie camera is great because it’s got so many features, including AR Emoji, stickers, and plenty of filters and editing tools to get you looking your best. Quality isn’t as good as the Pixel 2, but it has tons of features to make up for it.

Bottom line: Samsung’s selfies are softer and generally less detailed, but its features, including AR Emoji, more than make up for it.

One more thing: The Galaxy S9 is one of the only phones with an autofocusing front-facing camera.

Best on a budget

Honor 7X

See at Amazon

If you don’t want to spend a lot but want to take the best possible budget selfies, the Honor 7X is your jam. It’s got a 8MP front-facing camera and plenty of features to get you looking at sharp or soft as your heart desires. And at $200, it’s the best deal on a budget smartphone right now.

Bottom line: A metal phone with plenty of speed and a kick-butt selfie camera? Yes, please!

One more thing: Fancy an upgrade? The Honor View 10 has an even better selfie shooter for a few hundred more.

Conclusion

It used to be Samsung, Samsung, Samsung every year, but as with its rear camera, Google now owns the selfie game. That doesn’t mean the S9 shoots bad selfies — on the contrary — but the front-facing photos you get from the Pixel 2 are just astounding.

On the budget side, the Honor 7X has many virtues for the price, and the selfie camera is definitely one of them.

Best overall

Google Pixel 2 / Pixel 2 XL

See at Verizon
See at Best Buy
See at Google Store

The Google Pixel 2 takes amazing selfies. Google’s 8MP front-facing camera may not have the autofocus of the Galaxy S9, but it doesn’t need it: it’s incredible at picking up the foreground subject (that’s you!) and turning it into a sharp, detailed, and in-focus miracle. Even better, Google’s portrait mode is also available, artificially separating you from the background, resulting in some really striking images.

Bottom line: Google’s figured out how to make selfies an art, especially if you’re looking for simplicity over customization.

One more thing: The Pixel 2’s front-facing portrait mode is a feature you won’t find on any other Android flagship phone right now.

Update April, 2018: The Pixel 2 is now our favorite selfie shooter, but the new Galaxy S9 and excellent Honor 7X round out our list.