Apple Seeds First Beta of iOS 11.4 to Developers

Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming iOS 11.4 update to developers, a little under a week after releasing iOS 11.3, an update that introduced a wide range of new features like Battery Health for monitoring the status of your iPhone’s battery, Business Chat in Messages, ARKit 1.5 with augmented reality improvements, new Animoji on iPhone X, Health Records from participating medical providers, and more.

Registered developers can download the new iOS 11.4 beta from Apple’s Developer Center or over-the-air once the proper configuration profile has been installed from the Developer Center. It appears there’s currently a bug preventing the beta profile from being downloaded, but it should be addressed soon.

It’s not yet clear what new features will be included in the iOS 11.4 beta aside from the new ClassKit framework Apple introduced at its March event, but we are waiting on several features to be added to iOS 11, including iCloud Messages and AirPlay 2, functionality that has popped up in previous betas and then disappeared before release.

We don’t yet know if any of these features will be introduced in iOS 11.4, but we’ll update this post once we download the beta and discover what’s new.

Related Roundup: iOS 11
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Apple Seeds First Beta of tvOS 11.4 to Developers

Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming tvOS 11.4 update to developers for testing purposes, a little under one week after releasing the tvOS 11.3 update.

Designed for the fourth and fifth-generation Apple TV models, the new tvOS 11.4 developer beta can be downloaded onto the Apple TV via a profile that’s installed using Xcode.

It’s not yet clear what new features the tvOS 11.4 update will bring, but it’s likely to include bug fixes for issues that have been discovered since the release of tvOS 11.3.

Apple’s tvOS updates have historically been minor in scale. tvOS 11.3, for example, introduced Match content support, automatic frame rate switching on the fourth-generation Apple TV, and automatic mode switching for AirPlay video sessions.

We’ll update this post should any new features be found in the update.

Related Roundup: Apple TVBuyer’s Guide: Apple TV (Neutral)
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Apple Seeds First Beta of watchOS 4.3.1 to Developers

Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming watchOS 4.3.1 update to developers, a little under one week after releasing watchOS 4.3, a major update that introduced portrait Nightstand mode and iPhone music controls on Apple Watch.

Once the proper configuration profile has been installed from the Apple Developer Center, the new watchOS beta can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General –> Software update.

To install the update, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it must be placed on the charger, and it has to be in range of the iPhone.

It’s not yet clear what new features will be introduced in the watchOS 4.3.1 update, but it’s likely to include bug fixes for issues that have been discovered since the release of watchOS 4.3.

Should we find any new features in the watchOS 4.4 beta, we’ll update this post.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 4Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)
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OnePlus succeeds because of its desire to copy Apple

Why do you think OnePlus succeeded where other startups have failed?

OnePlus is gearing up to launch a new phone soon, and as the case has been for the past couple of devices the company’s released, the leaks and rumors we’ve seen have caused a lot of people to voice their many complaints. Whether it be due to rising prices, new gesture systems, or its notch, the OnePlus 6 has already gotten a lot of folks flustered even before it’s been announced.

Since the launch of the OnePlus 5, OnePlus has been accused of copying Apple with its design, presentation, and marketing choices. The OnePlus we know today is very different from the one we were introduced to in 2014, and while people will continue to yell about its increasing similarity to Cupertino’s golden boy, OnePlus’s willingness to become the iPhone of the Android world is the very reason it’s still relevant and hasn’t failed like just about every other startup that’s entered this industry.

Before we get into that conversation, however, we need to talk about the hardware OnePlus has to work with. OnePlus is a sister company of Oppo, and the phones it releases are based on designs that Oppo uses for its own lineup. The OnePlus 5 looked nearly identical to the Oppo R11, the 5T shared a lot of similarities to the R11S, and the upcoming OnePlus 6 is looking a lot like the Oppo R15.

OnePlus has freedom over some of the more minute details, but for the most part, it relies on Oppo to determine what it has to work with.

This is the OnePlus 6 and its notch.

Oppo is based in Dongguan, China, and it’s one of the largest smartphone brands in the world. Oppo makes money because of its affordable iPhone clones, and it’s essentially up to OnePlus to find a way to make them sell in the markets it operates in.

Faced with this situation, OnePlus has a couple of options at hand:

Take the iPhone-like design, ignore it, and try to do its own thing
Embrace the similarities to Apple and become a better version of the iPhone for the Android world

We’ve seen OnePlus move more and more towards Option 2 for its last few hardware releases, and I really do think this is the reason the company’s continued to be so relevant in the smartphone space.

Looking at the Oppo R15 (the phone the OnePlus 6 is based on), there’s nothing all that exciting to see. It’s got a notch and dual rear-camera system, and it could easily be passed off as a generic iPhone X copycat with nothing special to see. The OnePlus 6 is basically the same phone, but rather than accepting it and not doing much else, OnePlus is going all in.

OnePlus is becoming the Apple of the Android world, and that’s precisely why it’s still around.

OnePlus started messing with its own gesture system on the 5T, and this will also be found on the 6. Carl Pei had an interview with The Verge solely to defend the OnePlus 6’s notch and how it was created with “thought and care.” There’s a “Designed by OnePlus” logo on the back of the 6. These similarities aren’t coincidences.

It’s easy for any Android fan to hate on Apple, but at the end of the day, what is it about the company or its products you don’t like? For me, and I imagine most people, it’s the many restrictions found within iOS. I prefer Android’s software for my smartphone, but even so, there’s no denying that Apple knows a thing or two when it comes to hardware.

If OnePlus wants to copy Apple, so be it. This can strike a nerve with some consumers, but all it means is that we get phones that look good, feel great in the hand, offer one of the best Android experiences around thanks to OxygenOS, and come in at prices well below what you’ll find from the likes of Samsung, Google, and even Apple itself.

The way I look at it, that’s a win-win for just about everyone.

OnePlus 5T and OnePlus 5

• OnePlus 5T review: Come for the value, not the excitement
• OnePlus 5T specs
• Should you upgrade from the OnePlus 3T?
• OnePlus 5T vs. Galaxy S8: Beast mode
• All of the latest OnePlus 5T news
• Join the discussion in the forums

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Should you use a case with the Galaxy S9?

Yeah, yeah you probably should.

Samsung’s Galaxy S9 and S9+ are stunning to look at. The Infinity Display on the front is just as striking as it was on the S8 last year, the metal frame is sturdy, and the glass back in its multiple colors puts the utilitarian look of the Pixel 2 to shame. However, as nice as the S9 series looks, it’s not the most durable.

While the use of glass for the S9 and S9+’s back does allow for wireless charging, it also means that the two phones are incredibly prone to scratches and cracks if you aren’t careful.

One of the Android Central forum users recently asked our Galaxy S9/S9+ community if they should bother using a case with the phone, and these are a few of the responses they got.

GibMcFragger
03-30-2018 03:20 PM

“

My clear case is tight fit, and takes a bit of effort to get off. I have had it off a few times now to clean the phone. The frame and glass seems fairly rigid. I think it would take some effort to bend it. That doesn’t mean you can sit on it while it’s in your back pocket though, lol.

I just finished using my phone to take a ton of pics in Maui for 7 days, including several underwater shots in…

Reply

Retinella
03-30-2018 04:13 PM

“

I wouldn’t recommend dropping it on cement, hard floors, or even carpeting.

Get a case!

Reply

MtnJim
03-30-2018 10:27 PM

“

The S9 face survived the CNET drop test, but… the back spiderwebbed first drop. My first case in years!

Reply

dov1978
04-01-2018 02:51 AM

“

They’re about as durable as a raw egg. Drop it and it WILL break. Only twice have I dropped my Galaxy phones since they moved to all glass designs and on both occasions they shattered. First was the S7 edge that slid off my car passenger seat onto a rubber floor mat when I braked quite hard. The screen shattered on the front and even the camera glass on the back shattered too. The second was only…

Reply

Now, we’d like to hear from you – Do you recommend getting a case for the Galaxy S9/S9+?

Join the conversation in the forums!

Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+

• Galaxy S9 review: A great phone for the masses
• Galaxy S9 and S9+: Everything you need to know!
• Complete Galaxy S9 and S9+ specs
• Galaxy S9 vs. Google Pixel 2: Which should you buy?
• Galaxy S9 vs. Galaxy S8: Should you upgrade?
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I went all-in on wireless charging and it’s been great

It isn’t for everybody, but I don’t want to go back to a wired world.

I love wireless charging. It’s nothing new, but it’s taken quite a while to catch on and start showing up in more phones. Maybe that’s because the prevailing hardware trend is only recently shifting away from aluminum, which blocks electro-magnetic transfers. Most high-end phones these days are made of glass, and while it’s significantly more fragile than metal, it’s a perfect conductor for wireless charging.

The first phone I owned that supported wireless charging was the Nexus 4 in 2012, but back then there weren’t nearly as many great options as there are today. Wireless charging was slow, and I had no gripes about simply plugging in a Micro-USB cable. These days, things are a little different.

With wireless charging, it doesn’t matter what cable my phone takes anymore.

Nowadays, most phones have moved to the newer USB-C standard, which I love for its reversible nature. But every once in a while, a phone will come to my door that, for whatever reason, still hangs on to the antiquated Micro-USB port (this is usually the case with cheaper phones like the Honor 7X), and some phones like my iPhone X don’t use either. Keeping track of all of these different cables and switching them out on my charging bricks every time I get a new phone is more hassle than I care to deal with — first world problem, I know, but it’s annoying nonetheless. That’s where wireless charging comes in.

I have a wireless charger in my bedroom and one on my desk in my office — both the Samsung Fast Charge Convertible Wireless Charging Pad — and I almost never need to worry about cables because of it. Whether I’m using my iPhone X or my Galaxy S9, I simply place my phone on the charging pad at my desk while I’m working, then carry on with my day until it’s time to place my phone on the charger by my bed and go to sleep.

Samsung’s convertible pad charges my phones almost as quickly as a cable would; it’s still not quite 1:1, but it’s fast enough that I never feel the need to charge any other way. I just love being able to put my phone down on a pad that props it up so I can still see any incoming notifications — quick and effortless. If you’re looking for something a little different, though, there are plenty of great options from brands like Anker and Satechi. Fonesalesmen even has a portable battery pack with wireless charging!

Once I settle on a wireless charger for my car, my phones will be completely cable-free.

The only time I need to fuss with cables anymore is when I’m driving; my 2012 Mazda 3 isn’t fancy enough to have a wireless charging pad built in, and I just haven’t taken the time to research third-party solutions — I’ve been too busy trying to decide what Android Auto head unit to install. iOttie’s Qi-enabled car mount looks like the perfect solution, but it’s a little pricey at $50 — if that’s what it takes to get a quality wireless charger in my car, so be it, but I’d like to weigh my options before pulling the trigger.

For now, I’ve been using a 15W car charger with a built-in USB-C cable and a USB-A port for using your own cable. It works well enough, but the car is my final frontier in my journey to using wireless charging exclusively, so I’m hoping to find a wireless solution soon.

I realize that wireless charging isn’t for everybody; it took me years to finally start caring about it, and for many, it’s still an unnecessary feature. I wouldn’t quite call a lack of wireless charging a deal-breaker for me, but it’s become a large consideration when I’m shopping for a new phone, and one of the only reasons I still haven’t picked up a Pixel 2 XL.

See Samsung convertible wireless charger at Amazon

What do you think of wireless charging? Is it important to you, or are you uninterested? And do you have any wireless car charger suggestions for me? Sound off in the comments below!

PlayStation 4 games releasing in April 2018

What are the PlayStation 4 games coming out in April?

There are some pretty amazing titles for the PlayStation 4, and we’re here to keep you updated on all the new ones! Be sure to check in with us once a month to see what new titles you should be expecting or excited for!

Notable release this month

Here’s what we’ve found so far!

God of War – April 20

Lo, there do they call to me… * There comes a time in everyone’s life where they learn who they are, where they come from, and what they are destined to be. For Atreus, Kratos’ son, that lesson will be hard learned and fast lived. Follow the story of Father and Son in God of War, releasing to PlayStation on April 20th. With a massive title like this, there are *plenty of pre-order options for you and all come with different bonuses and memorabilia. Otherwise, you can follow the PlayStation Store for its release.

Will you fight to learn where the strength is in your heart, as well as the discipline of your mind? Show Kratos you have what it takes.

See on PlayStation Store

Ultimate pre-order pack

Get the Stone Mason edition off of Best Buy for $149.99 and receive everything pictured here. This, by far, is the best option. Where the collection pack below is $20 cheaper you won’t recieve any of the carvings except for the troll and horse, that amazing ring or talking keychain!

Heck, that figurine would look good on any shelf or nightstand.

See at Best Buy

Collector’s edition pre-order pack

Get the Collectors edition off Best Buy for $129.99 and receive everything pictured above. This pack comes without 4 of the carvings, the keychain, or ring, but if those things aren’t important to you I’ll mention again to check out that amazing figurine. I imainge it’s gonna look great on your bookshelf next to all your POP! figurines too!

But hey, even if you settle for the Collectors edition at least you still get that super stellar map to hang on your wall!

See at Best Buy

Standard edition pre-order pack

Get the standard edition off Best Buy for $59.99 to receive the pre-order of just the game. Whether you’re on a budget or only interest in playing the game, make sure you pre-order your copy today. This way you can claim your own and ensure you can be one of the first people playing! Then take bragging rights over your friends and try your best to not spoil any of the game play for them!

See at Best Buy

More PlayStation 4 releases

We’ve collected a list of upcoming PlayStation 4 games below. No worries, if any surprise titles pop up we’ll be sure to add it to the list!

• Minit – April 3
• Impact Winter – April 5
• Extinction – April 10
• Masters of Anima – April 10
• Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs – Royal Edition – April 10
• Super Daryl Deluxe – April 10
• Gal*Gun 2 – April 13 (EU)
• Yakuza 6: The Song of Life – April 17 (NA & EU)
• Adventure Time: Pirates of the Enchiridion – April 24
• The Swords of Ditto – April 24
• Sinner: Sacrifice for Redemption – April 25

Upcoming PlayStation Vita Releases

• Penny Punching Princess – April 4
• Rogue Aces – April 12

Upcoming Downloadable Content

• Final Fantasy XIV Patch 4.2 ‘Rise of a New Sun’ Expansion (Free Update)

What are you playing?

Which PlayStation 4 game are you looking forward to most? Let us know in the comments section!

Updated April 2017: We will continue to refresh this list at the beginning of a new month to ensure you’re in the know when it comes to the PlayStation games being released soon!

PlayStation 4

• PS4 vs. PS4 Slim vs. PS4 Pro: Which should you buy?
• PlayStation VR Review
• Playing PS4 games through your phone is awesome

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How to fix Galaxy S9 battery life problems

Here’s how you can maximize the battery life on your Galaxy S9 or S9+.

Samsung took a conservative approach with this year’s Galaxy S9 and S9+, with both models sporting a similar design aesthetic. The battery life is unchanged from last year as well: the smaller Galaxy S9 has a 3000mAh battery, with the S9+ sporting a 3500mAh battery.

Like previous years, both devices come in two variants — a model for the U.S. and China powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 845 chipset, and a global version that features Samsung’s own Exynos 9810. The differences between the Snapdragon and Exynos variants are minute, with the former edging out the latter by a slight margin when it comes to battery life.

The Exynos variant had the edge in this category over the last two years, but with the Galaxy S9 the Snapdragon 845 version is in the lead. We’re talking about minute differences, however, and when it comes to day-to-day usage both versions are evenly matched.

Regardless of whatever variant of the Galaxy S9 and S9+ you’re using, these tips should help you maximize the battery life on your device.

Turn off Always On Display

Always On Display on the Galaxy S9 and S9+ lets you quickly view the clock, calendar, and incoming notification alerts without having to switch on the screen. Always On Display doesn’t take up a lot of resources as both devices feature Samsung’s AMOLED panels, but if you’re using the Galaxy S9 and the battery doesn’t last an entire day, every little bit helps.

Uninstall (or disable) unused apps

Samsung loads its flagships to the gills with features, and as a result, there’s a considerable amount of content that’s pre-installed on the Galaxy S9 and S9+. Samsung has its own version of a calendar, messages, and the like, and while these cannot be disabled, you can get rid of a lot of pre-installed apps. Start with Microsoft Office: if you’re not going to use Redmond’s productivity suite, you should disable each app individually.

Based on your particular variant, you may also see carrier bloatware — thankfully, you should be able to disable or uninstall these apps from your device.

To do so, long press on an app icon, and tap the Disable option. If in the future you decide to start using any of the apps you’ve disabled, just head into Settings -> Apps and select the Disabled option from the drop-down menu on the top-left corner.

Isloate apps draining the battery

If you find that the battery on your S9 or S9+ is getting depleted faster than usual, then the first step is to isolate the issue. Android has built-in controls to prevent apps from using up system resources in the background, but an errant app update could cause it to misbehave.

Social media apps, in particular, tend to consume a lot of resources in the background, and to get an idea of how much power a particular app is consuming, head to System -> Device maintenance -> Battery.

Here you’ll be able to see how much battery a particular app’s using per hour, and you can hit the Save power button to clear all apps running in the background.

Configure the performance mode

The Galaxy S9 and S9+ come with several preset performance modes for various use cases. The optimized mode is selected by default, and offers the ideal mix between battery life and performance. You get four modes — Optimized, Game, Entertainment, and High performance — and you can tailor the settings for each mode.

For day-to-day usage, you can select the optimized mode and set the screen resolution to FHD+ (2220×1080), and when you need added oomph for a game, you can switch modes so the device can deliver the maximum amount of performance.

Optimize optimize optimize

The Galaxy S9 and S9+ come with a nifty optimization feature that lets you clean up unnecessary files, kill background apps, and free up memory in one go. You can see the overall score from Settings -> Device maintenance, and then the feature will automatically offer recommendations on areas to optimize.

Set up battery saver

One way to easily extend battery life is to use the battery saver mode. There are two modes to choose from — Mid and Max — and like most things in the interface, you can adjust the settings to configure just how aggressive each mode is. The options include reducing the screen resolution to FHD+, throttling the processor, decreasing the brightness, and limiting background network use entirely.

You’ll also be able to get an overview of how much extra usage you’ll get out from each mode.

Start fresh and use Smart Switch

If the aforementioned fixes don’t work and you’re still not getting a day’s worth of battery life, there’s always the nuclear option of resetting your phone. But once you’re doing the initial configuration, make sure you skip the Google account restore options and set up the device from scratch.

Then use Samsung’s Smart Switch service to restore your apps, contacts, settings, photos, and data to your new device. This particular approach worked for a few users on our forums, so if you’re looking to fix persistent battery life problems on your S9 or S9+, try the Smart Switch option.

Your turn

How are you finding the battery life on your S9 or S9+? Let me know in the comments below.

Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+

• Galaxy S9 review: A great phone for the masses
• Galaxy S9 and S9+: Everything you need to know!
• Complete Galaxy S9 and S9+ specs
• Galaxy S9 vs. Google Pixel 2: Which should you buy?
• Galaxy S9 vs. Galaxy S8: Should you upgrade?
• Join our Galaxy S9 forums

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LG G7 (2018 flagship): Rumors, Specs, Release Date, and More!

The LG G6 was a solid phone that got overshadowed by the competition. With the G7 (or whatever it ends up being called), LG isn’t going to let that happen again.

When talking about underrated phones from 2017, it’s almost impossible to not mention the LG G6. LG made a huge comeback following the disaster that was the G5, but devices like the Samsung Galaxy S8 simply ate the G6 for breakfast and didn’t leave it with much of a fighting chance to stand out from the crowd.

LG needs a winner this year with the G6’s successor, and although details aren’t quite as abundant as they are for the Galaxy S9, there are still a few solid rumors floating around that have us excited for what LG will release in 2018.

Without further ado, here’s everything we know about LG’s successor to the G6.

LG’s adopting the notch, because why not?

Amidst all the announcements coming out of MWC 2018, LG gave certain attendees an early look at its upcoming flagship phone for 2018. The photos captured of the device were pretty blurry and not all that detailed, but thankfully TechnoBuffalo teamed up with designer Ben Geskin to give us a clear look at what we can expect from LG later this year.

First off, let’s get the elephant out of the room – LG’s next flagship will, unfortunately, have a notch. This is a trend a lot of Android OEMs are rushing to adopt, and it’s one I’m not a fan of seeing. LG will likely use a software trick to hide the notch with a black status bar, but even with that in place, a notch is still a notch.

The phone will have hardly any bezels surrounding said notch (save for a small chin at the bottom), and the back will be made out of glass and feature a fingerprint sensor and dual-camera setup.

While it’s not the worst-looking phone I’ve ever seen, I’m not sure playing copycat is the right move for a company whose mobile division has been losing money quarter after quarter. An original design would have played in LG’s favor considering how many other companies are also trying to mimic the iPhone X, but that doesn’t appear to be what we’re getting.

Mr. Phone also gave us an early glimpse as to what the G7 will look like thanks to a collaboration with @OnLeaks, and as you can see from the video below, it confirms most everything we’re already expecting.

It might not be called the LG G7

A report popped up on January 3 indicating that LG will be ditching its G-series branding in favor of something else for a phone that’ll be released in “the first half” of the year.

This rebranding will supposedly make its debut with what would have been called the G7, and while the phone in question will be the sequel to the G6, it’s said to have a much different name. LG is reportedly playing around with the idea of having the phone launch with two digits in its name so that customers don’t think it’s outdated compared to the likes of the Galaxy S9 and iPhone X, but this could also change by the time the phone’s released.

We’ll get an MLCD+ display instead of an OLED one

Most all flagship phones are shipping with AMOLED or OLED displays, but after sub-par reviews of the V30 and Pixel 2 XL’s screens, LG will be changing gears and trying its hand at a new type of panel – MLCD+.

MLCD+ is fairly new in the mobile space, but it sounds promising. Compared to traditional IPS LCD screens, MLCD+ uses 35% less power, uses the RGBW matrix, and has a max brightness of 800-nits.

The V30’s OLED panel wasn’t necessarily bad, but it also paled in comparison to Samsung’s Galaxy S8 and Note 8. A new type of screen could help LG differentiate itself from the rest of the market, but a lot of this will hinge on the company’s execution of it.

The phone should be powered by the Snapdragon 845

As great as the G6 was, one of the main reasons you might have been inclined to choose the Galaxy S8 over it was because of the processor it shipped with. The G6 launched with the Snapdragon 821, and while the 821 was a perfectly fast CPU, the S8 launched just a few weeks later with the much newer 835.

This year, however, we aren’t expecting LG to make the same mistake. A report from The Investor last May said that LG would be partnering with Qualcomm to release the G7 with its Snapdragon 845 processor, and towards the end of December, a list was found showing that the G7 would launch with the 845 in February.

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845 is a big improvement compared to the 835, offering speed improvements, better camera performance, faster cellular speed, and a lot more. If LG can get this inside the G7, that’ll put it on a much more level playing field than what we saw with the G6 and S8 last year.

Based on the information we have and historical trends, we think this will be a close match to the G7’s final specifications:

Operating System	Android 8.1
Display	6-inch MLED+ with notch 2880 x 1440 resolution, 18:9 aspect ratio
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
RAM	6GB (assumed)
Storage	64/128GB, micro SD expansion (assumed)
Battery	3300mAhNon-removableQuick charging (either USB-PD or Qualcomm Quick Charge Qi wireless charging (assumed)
Audio	3.5mm headphone jack 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC
Rear cameras	Dual cameras, one standard lens and one wide-angle
Water resistance	Yes, IP68
Colors	Black, silver

Expect a release sometime in June

Rather than trying to compete head-to-head with the Galaxy S9 this year, LG will be sitting on the bench a while longer to make sure its phone is as good as can be.

According to VentureBeat, LG will be launching “Judy” (the name for its 2018 flagship) at some point in June. That’s quite a bit later in the year compared to past entries in LG’s G-series, so it’ll be interesting to see if this tactic has any positive impact on sales. For LG’s sake, I sure hope it does.

LG G6

• LG G6 review!
• LG G6 specs
• LG G6 vs. Google Pixel: The two best cameras right now
• Everything you need to know about the G6’s cameras
• LG forums

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Updated April 2, 2018: Added new video from OnLeaks!

Best Android Games as of March 2018

Don’t settle for anything less than the best!

If you’re looking for the best new games available in the Google Play Store, you’ve come to the right place. We update this list whenever a new game comes out that’s worthy of being added to this list, so you’ll always know about the latest and greatest games.

Whether you’re new to Android and need some fresh, new games to start building out your Google Play library or simply looking for the latest trendy games that are worthy of your time and attention, these are the best Android games as of March 2018!

• PUBG Mobile
• Stranger Things: The Game
• Reigns: Her Majesty
• The Battle of Polytopia
• Death Road to Canada
• Causality
• Framed 2
• Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp
• Island Delta
• After the End: Forsaken Destiny
• Escape Team
• Fire Emblem: Heroes
• Heart Star
• Star Wars: Force Arena
• Neon Chrome
• Penarium

PUBG Mobile

It’s pretty incredible how well PUBG Mobile plays on Android. This is a massive PvP battle royale game that pits 100 players against each other on a massive island loaded with weapons, ammo, tactical gear, and vehicles. You drop in as a solo player or as part of a team and must use all your best skills to take down your opponents until you’re the last man standing.

It’s not unheard of for a popular PC or console release to find its way to Android, but you’ll be surprised at how well PUBG plays on a smartphone. The developers have made it easier for mobile players to pick up and manage items, and have also added bots in the lowest ranks to help ease players into the game experience. Bluetooth controller support would be a nice addition, but the touch controls are some of the best I’ve seen for a shooter on mobile.

It also allows you to scale back the graphics so you can enjoy smooth gameplay even when playing on an older device. If you’ve got a newer device, crank those settings to the max and enjoy one of the best looking mobile games I’ve played in a long while.

PUBG Mobile somehow delivers all the epic moments you’d expect the PC game scaled down perfectly for mobile devices. Best of all, it’s free to play and currently devoid of any in-app purchases. Get your squad together, and I’ll see you on the battlegrounds!

Download: PUBG Mobile (Free)

Stranger Things: The Game

Stranger Things: The Game is the tie-in mobile game that other companies wish they could churn out. It’s a full-fledged action adventure game with a full cast of playable characters, tons of collectibles, and a retro graphical style that fits into the show theme and setting.

The game presents the entire town of Hawkins, Indiana along with the adjacent Mirkwood Forest to be explored. It plays like a classic Zelda-style adventure game, with the ability to switch between characters lending itself to creating complex puzzles.

Credit Netflix’s marketing team for spending the time to make sure the developers at BonusXP Inc. delivered something special for fans of the series. They’ve created a real winner here, and a true contender for game of the year — and I’m not even a huge fan of the source material.

The controls are optimized for mobile and there’s great game design on display here. The overworld is vast and filled with secret areas to explore and familiar items from the show scattered throughout as collectibles.

There’s just so much to appreciate here. Not only is it a faithful adaptation of the show, it’s available for free with no in-app purchases or ads — although you can certainly count the game itself as being an ad for the second season of Stranger Things. Here’s hoping it ushers in a new trend of substantial mobile games based on TV shows and movies.

Download: Stranger Things: The Game (Free)

Reigns: Her Majesty

Reigns was one of the best games of 2016 and actually won the first ever Google Play Indie Games contest. So needless to say we were pumped to check out the sequel.

In Reigns, you play as the monarch of the land and make decisions that affect four aspects of the kingdom: the church, the people, the army, and the royal wealth. Your goal is to keep all four in balance — if any meter fills to the max or is entirely depleted your reign is over… and a new reign begins!

The sequel plays nearly identically to the first game, except this time you play as the Queen instead of the King, complete with new characters to interact with and multiple branching storylines to discover. The gameplay is as easy as swiping left or right on cards and if it’s anything like the first game there’s a ton of great easter eggs to find along the way!

I would hate to spoil anything for this new game, but if you played the first one and are afraid that it’s going to be too similar, I can assure you there are plenty of new mechanics to make this one of the best titles of 2017.

Download: Reigns: Her Majesty ($1.50)

The Battle of Polytopia

Highlighted as a finalist for the 2017 Google Play Indie Games contest back in February, The Battle of Polytopia is a great game for anyone who’s a fan of turn-based strategy games, like the Civilization franchise. The game features multiple game modes, including the rarely seen pass-and-play option for playing against friends. With multiple tribes to choose from, this plays like a full-fledged strategy game packaged with cartoony graphics and scaled down perfectly for playing on a mobile device.

The turn-based gameplay against the AI is brisk and you can add more opponents or up the difficulty level if you’re in need of a bigger challenge. Best of all, it’s a free download from the Google Play Store!

This games feels perfect for your daily commute on public transit or really any time you got time to kill — if you start a Domination game (last tribe standing wins), you can save and resume your game at a later time as needed.

Download: The Battle of Polytopia (Free w/IAPs)

Death Road to Canada

Death Road to Canada is a $10 game — I want to open with that just to get the sticker shock out of the way before I talk about how awesome this freaking game is. (It’s currently on sale for a dollar, though, which makes it an even better purchase.)

Facing a zombie apocalypse, you must lead a scrappy squad of somewhat interesting characters on a deadly mission to the relative safety of Canada. Along the way, you’ll need to explore and loot places for supplies, while also managing your team’s health and morale.

Everything in Death Road to Canada is randomly generated, making every play-through a unique experience in this dynamic road trip action-RPG. You can randomly generate your character and buddy or custom design your starting characters with different attributes to help them stay alive, but you probably don’t want to get too attached unless you’re a really good shot.

The controls admittedly take some getting used to, and there’s a pretty steep learning curve as you learn which weapons are most effective and which times it’s better to fight or run. And you will die, early and often, although that’s part of the fun of a zombie apocalypse, right?

There’s a ridiculous amount of depth in this game, including 10 different game modes to unlock. The price might seem a little steep, but if you’re a fan of rogue-like zombie games, it’s well worth the investment!

Download: Death Road to Canada ($9.99)

Causality

Causality is a mind-blowing puzzle game that’s all about manipulating time. This is just a brilliant game where you control time and make adjustments to the level and alter the sequence in such a way that you help your stranded astronauts reach their goals.

Set in simplistic-yet-beautiful alien landscapes, this stylish game will have you wracking your brain as you try to figure out how to guide each astronaut to their color-coded exit within the allotted time. Of course, you have full control over the timeline and can jump to any point in time and change an aspect of the level. There are 60 mind-bending puzzles to unlock and complete in this outstandingly polished and challenging game.

Download: Causality ($1.99)

Framed 2

Get ready for more comic book stylized fun in Framed 2! This is a standalone prequel to groundbreaking mobile game Framed developed by Hideo Kojima back in 2014.

As the story unfolds, you control the action by rearranging the comic book panels to help your character make his way through each section. It’s a totally unique way to play a game and is unlike anything else you’ve likely played on Android. It’s got a cool noir look and feel to it, with an engaging story to keep you hooked.

If you love the format, you can pick up the first Framed game for just $3. Really worth your time if you’re into unique puzzle games.

Download: Framed 2 ($4.99)

Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp

Nintendo has done it again.

Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp is the latest Nintendo franchise to make the leap to mobile, and it’s arguably the best transition we’ve seen yet.

If you’ve never played an Animal Crossing game on GameCube, Wii, or Nintendo DS, here it is in a nutshell: a relaxing casual game about collecting items, making friends, and building a little virtual life for yourself in a beautifully animated world. It’s a super cute and fun concept that’s been lovingly ported over to mobile.

In Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp you get to build out your very own campsite, which you can customize with furniture and decorations to entice other nearby campers to come and hang out. Your goal is to level up your friendships by fulfilling requests, which in turn help you to level up your character and unlocks new items to craft for your campsite. There’s so much to explore and collect and while there are in-app purchases for buying in-game currency they can be disabled in settings and aren’t required to enjoy the game.

Animal Crossing is a natural fit on mobile, as it’s the type of game that’s best played in casual bursts. Definitely worth checking out and a great pick for younger kids. Hop in your camper and get exploring!

Download: Animal Crossing Pocket Camp (Free w/IAPs)

Island Delta

Island Delta is a very stylish top-down action-adventure-puzzler developed by Mantisbite out of Finland. Explore the mysterious retro-futuristic island lair of Doctor Gunderson as our heroes, Zoe and Baxter.

Using your anti-gravity gun, you must work your way past mechanical minions, traps, and guards as you solve puzzles to make it through to the end of each level. At its best moments, Island Delta feels like a stripped down, third-person version Portal, which is something I wasn’t aware I needed in my life. The cartoony graphics and outstanding level design will immediately draw you in.

You can read our full review here before deciding to buy it. It’s available for $2.99 from the Google Play Store.

Download: Island Delta ($2.99)

After the End: Forsaken Destiny

After the End: Forsaken Destiny is a really beautiful puzzle game set in a mysterious desert world. The story follows a father-son duo who are on parallel paths at different times and must work together across time to help each other progress past obstacles and puzzles.

The wonderful art style will draw you in. The controls are fairly simple to pick up: you use the left half of the screen to control your character, tap the button that appears on the right side of the screen to interact with switches and objects, and you will also need to frequently rotate the camera by swiping across the screen.

The puzzles here are varied and increase in difficulty as you progress further through the game. There are so many secret areas to explore and relics to collect throughout the game. It’s a paid game, so there are no ads or in-app purchases to distract you from the beautiful graphics and challenging puzzles.

Will the father and son ever be reunited? There’s only one way to find out.

Download: After the End: Forsaken Destiny ($3.99 )

Escape Team

Escape rooms are great fun for a group of friends, but getting a group together can be tricky and booking a room can get expensive.

Escape Team lets you enjoy the fun of solving escape room-style puzzles in the comfort of your own home using pen and paper. You download and print off missions from the Escape Team website and then load up the matching mission in the Android app. The app gives you your countdown clock and delivers a fictional backstory for the missions via audio clips. You can also use the app to request hints if your group gets stuck on a puzzle.

The game is recommended for groups of two to four people, and requires some outside-the-box thinking and teamwork if you’re to be successful. You get the introduction and first mission for free then you can get the remaining four missions for just $1 — and that’s the only in-app purchase or ad you’ll see. The paid missions are each around a half hour to complete, so for $4 you can get a full afternoon’s worth of good clean fun saving the world.

If you’ve ever tried an escape room or just love solving puzzles, you’re going to fall in love with this game.

Download: Escape Team (Free w/IAPs)

Fire Emblem: Heroes

Fire Emblem: Heroes represents Nintendo’s first foray into developing games for Android (ignoring last year’s Miimoto app) and is the eighth title in the popular strategy-RPG franchise to be released on North American shores.

Heroes brings all of your favorite Fire Emblem characters together for a brand new story that pits the noble Askran Kingdom against the power-hungry Emblian Empire, which wishes to rule all worlds. You play the role of a mighty summoner who has the power to bring Fire Emblem’s best heroes together to help defend the kingdom. Battle takes place in arenas where you must strategically move your Heroes around to attack and defend against your opponents.

Play through the Story Mode to unlock new game modes, including Special Maps, Arena Duels, and the Training Tower. Arena Duel is the multiplayer aspect of the game that will keep you busy beyond the single-player campaign.

You can read our full review to learn more.

Download: Fire Emblem: Heroes (Free w/IAPs)

Heart Star

Heart Star is a cute puzzle platformer with a simple concept: you swap controls between two characters who can only walk on certain surfaces. You must use teamwork to make it through the 50 mind-bending levels.

Featuring wonderful retro graphics and an 8-bit soundtrack, this is just a really complete game that offers a decent challenge as you progress through the later levels. You will have to contend with the occasional ad that pops up when you fail or complete a level, but it’s worth the minor distraction to play this fun little game for free.

Download: Heart Star (Free)

Star Wars: Force Arena

Star Wars: Force Arena is arguably the best Star Wars game you can play on Android. Combining the card-casting mechanic from Clash Royale with MOBA-style gameplay, it’s an extremely exciting game that couples fast-paced action with deep strategic elements as you step in as general for the Empire or the Rebellion.

Choose from your favorite Star Wars heroes and villains from the original trilogy and Rogue One and lead your army into battle against online opponents. There’s a freemium model in play here, meaning you’ll be tempted to spend real money to help unlock and upgrade new characters and troops more quickly — but you can move up the rankings just fine by being strategic in battle and patient opening card packs. You can battle one-on-one or team up with another hero for epic 2 vs. 2 skirmishes.

At its best, Star Wars: Force Arena lets you recreate your own epic battle scenes on your phone. Rally your troops and take down the enemy turrets on your way to victory!

Read our full review to learn more.

Download: Star Wars: Force Arena (Free w/IAPs)

Neon Chrome

Neon Chrome is a must-own game in 2017. It’s a top-down twin-stick shooter with super-stylized visuals and procedurally generated levels. Initially released in 2016 on Steam and then later for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, it arrived on Android earlier this year and is available for $6.99 from the Google Play Store.

This is a really polished game that’s designed with replayability in mind. Each playthrough is going to present unique challenges and weapons, as you work your way through the compound on your quest to bring down the Overseer. Nearly everything you see is destroyable and there’s a ton of loot to collect, which you can use to upgrade your character

If you’re a fan of games with neon-futuristic cyberpunk aesthetics, like Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon, you are in for a treat with Neon Chrome. The game is super deep with upgrades and is just a blast to play, though be prepared for a real challenge here. If you need more convincing, check out Windows Central’s review of the game for the Xbox One.

Download: Neon Chrome ($6.99)

Penarium

For those who love a great platforming challenge, you need to check out Penarium. Developed by Self Made Miracle and Team17 — the folks behind the celebrated Worms franchise — Penarium tells the tale of a simple farm boy, Willy, who is trapped in an evil circus forever.

This game looks and plays beautifully, with all the action contained within a single screen — all you have to do is follow the circus master’s instruction and survive for as long as you can. Penarium features a story mode with 30 increasingly difficult levels to play through, along with an “endless mode”, which tests your skills as you challenge yourself to see how long you can last while collecting coins, which can be spent on character upgrades to help you collect more coins in future playthroughs.

The touch controls are very simple and kept near the bottom of the screen to not distract from the action on screen. You’ll need to develop lightning-fast reflexes to dodge everything this game throws at you. It’s a paid app, so you never have to deal with ads or in-app purchases. It’s a really polished game that’s perfect for those who are gluttons for punishing platformers.

Download: Penarium ($1.99)

Update March 2018: Added PUBG Mobile to our list — Winner Winner Chicken Dinner! Also updated pricing info for all games on this list.

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