Which 2018 flagship phone battery lasts longest? Our test reveals the answer

Battery life is one of the most important things to consider when buying a new phone. But how will you know how each phone’s battery stacks up against another? Lucky for you, we’ve put the best phones currently on the market — specifically the OnePlus 6, LG G7, Galaxy S9 Plus, iPhone X, Google Pixel 2 XL, and Huawei P20 Pro — to the ultimate test.

Each phone was set to the same brightness, connected to the same Wi-Fi network, and ran the same social media accounts. Instead of using the Nyan Cat video like we typically do when testing, however, we decided to introduce different variables to reflect how we actually use our phones.

Phone
Display Technology
Battery Capacity

Huawei P20 Pro
AMOLED
4,000 mAh

OnePlus 6
Optic AMOLED
3,300 mAh

Galaxy S9 Plus
Super AMOLED
3,500 mAh

iPhone X
Super AMOLED
2,716 mAh

Google Pixel 2 XL
P-OLED
3,520 mAh

LG G7
IPS LCD
3,000 mAh

We started by running a video game for 30 minutes, which left each phone with at least 91-percent battery life (the P20 Pro came in the lead with 94 percent). Next, we brought up the “Explore” section of Instagram for an hour, which features constant video. The iPhone X snagged the lead with 87 percent, while the LG G7 quickly dropped to 77 percent. Since we often use our phones for getting around and snapping video, we also ran Google Maps on each phone for 30 minutes and recorded a 30-minute, 1080p video. Each device was still above 50 percent after two and a half hours of testing, however, the LG G7 remained in last with 52 percent.

After streaming two hours of video on YouTube, Huawei reclaimed the lead with 56 percent and the LG G7 dropped to a mere 25-percent battery life. It took another hour of web browsing, an hour of viewing Facebook’s auto-play watch page, and an additional two hours of streaming on SoundCloud for the first phone to die. Six hours and 45 minutes in, the LG G7 was the first to fall. Once out, we decided to stick to YouTube for the remainder of our testing.

Battery test results

1st: Huawei P20 Pro

2nd: OnePlus 6

3rd: Galaxy S9 Plus

4th: iPhone X

5th: Google Pixel 2 XL

6th: LG G7

Next to go was the Pixel 2 XL, which lasted roughly nine hours and 5 minutes. This makes sense since all of the phones — except the iPhone X and P20 Pro — utilize the Snapdragon 845 processor, while the Pixel runs the 835, making the other phones 30-percent more efficient with power use.

Right on its tail was the iPhone X, which features the smallest battery and lasted nine hours and 30 minutes. The Galaxy S9 Plus died at about 10 hours in, followed by the OnePlus 6 roughly 40 minutes later.

The winner — unsurprisingly — was the Huawei P20 Pro, which lasted 11 hours. Sadly, this phone is not available for sale in the United States yet, but if you “know a guy,” maybe you’ll be lucky enough to get your hands on one. Of course, our tests are not the end all be all, and each of these phones has unique qualities that make them excellent choices.

David Cogen — a regular contributor here at Digital Trends — runs TheUnlockr.com, a popular tech blog that focuses on tech news, tips and tricks, and the latest tech. You can also find him over at Twitter discussing the latest tech trends.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Here’s everything you need to know about the Huawei P20
• LG G7 ThinQ vs. Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus: Clash for the heavyweight title
• The best smartphones
• OnePlus 6 vs. LG G7 ThinQ: Can the flagship killer sink LG’s latest?
• LG G7 ThinQ review

Have I been pwned is a rhetorical question [#acpodcast]

Daniel Bader, Andrew Martonik, and Jerry Hildenbrand receive a visit from the Modern Dad, Phil Nickinson! Android P has reached release candidate status and should be dropping to Pixel users soon. Next up, Phil has reviewed the Lenovo Smart Display and shares his thoughts. It does a lot already, and will have even greater functionality in the future.

Last, but certainly not least, the crew discuss Titan Key — Google’s security dongle. And, yes, you almost certainly have been pwned. But you should visit the website haveibeenpwned.com to find out the details.

Listen now

• Subscribe in iTunes: Audio
• Subscribe in RSS: Audio
• Download directly: Audio

Show Notes and Links:

• Android P Beta 4 ‘release candidate’ now available for Pixels, making way for public launch soon
• Android P: Everything you need to know about Android 9
• Lenovo Smart Display review: Google Assistant’s best face
• Modern Dad does the Lenovo Smart Display
• These New Smart Displays include Google Assistant
• Lenovo’s Smart Display single-handedly sold MrMobile on Google Home
• Google made the Titan Key to toughen up your online security
• Have I been pwned?

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Hear everything: Get the best from the LG G7 ThinQ’s brilliant audio system

Andy Boxall/Digitaltrends.com

Do you have LG’s latest G7 ThinQ smartphone in your hand? Then you likely bought it because of the great internal speaker, the camera, and the sleek design. However, did you know it’s a great device to use with headphones too? LG has been a smartphone audio master for a while, and the G7 continues the tradition.

Want to hear the difference between a G7 and other, lesser smartphones? You need the right equipment and our guide on how to find all the correct settings so it sounds its best.

What makes the G7 so good?

We’ve already talked about the phone in our in-depth review, but here are the key audio specs again. Inside is a 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC, a rarity in the smartphone world,  which is what gives the G7 ThinQ its stunning ability. The Bluetooth 5.0 connection supports AptX HD, and there is DTS:X Virtual Surround tuning installed as well. The G7 is one of the few phones available that will play MQA-certified music, some of which is available through Tidal.

Even though the phone has slim bezels, a notch, and an 18:9 aspect ratio screen, there’s still a 3.5mm headphone jack. Finally, there’s a MicroSD card slot in the hybrid SIM tray to store music files.

Bluetooth headphones

Andy Boxall/Digitaltrends.com

You can use any Bluetooth headphones with the LG G7 ThinQ, but if you’re thinking of buying a new set to go with your new phone, we’d recommend choosing a pair that supports Qualcomm’s AptX HD codec — even if it doesn’t benefit you now, it may do in the future as you build up a hi-res music collection.

Qualcomm’s AptX HD codec plays streaming music at 24bit/48kHz resolution, higher than the 16bit/44.1kHz resolution of a CD or Tidal stream, meaning you’ll get amazing sound quality over a wireless connection. All the pieces of the puzzle have to support AptX HD — the phone, the headphones, and the music file should be hi-res and uncompressed. A complete list of headphones that support AptX HD can be found here, but we recommend the Sony WH-1000xM2, the Bowers & Wilkins PX, and the superb Audio-Technica ATH-DSR9BT.

With the right pair of headphones ready, go to the Settings menu on the G7, then Bluetooth, and ensure it’s switched on using the toggle at the top right of the screen. Ensure your headphones are in pairing mode, and select them from the list. Normally, that would be it; but if you’re connecting a pair of AptX HD supporting headphones, you’ll get another alert.

Andy Boxall/Digitaltrends.com

It tells you to tap the Settings cog next to the paired headphones, then tap Connection Type. To get AptX HD sound, you must select Best Sound Quality under this menu. It’s a permanent change, so you won’t have to do it each time you reconnect the headphones, unless you unpair them.

Now all that’s left is to play some music. We recommend playing your own hi-res files or tracks from Tidal or Spotify Hi-Fi. It’s possible to change the listening experience using the DTS:X Virtual Surround feature.

Andy Boxall/Digitaltrends.com

To find it go to Settings on the phone, select the Sound tab along the top, then look for Sound Quality and Effects. Tap this and find DTS:X 3D Surround and toggle the switch to on. Tap it to open a menu screen, where you can choose between three sound stages — wide, front, and side to side. Try each one out to see how it sounds, and remember that a single setting won’t work for each song, so you’ll need to experiment.

Wired headphones

Andy Boxall/Digitaltrends.com

There’s plenty of tech to enhance the Bluetooth listening experience on the LG G7 ThinQ, but don’t dismiss the good, old 3.5mm headphone jack. It’s the only way you’ll get to experience the Quad DAC in all its glory, as it can’t be used with a Bluetooth connection.

We don’t think you need help on plugging the headphones in, so we’ll skip that part. To activate the Quad DAC, go to Settings, then the Sound tab, and Sound Quality and Effects. Look for the Hi-Fi Quad DAC option and toggle the switch to on.

From here, you can play with the Sound Presets, listed in the menu underneath. Have a track playing when you do, as the alterations are quite dramatic. There are five available: Normal, Enhanced, Detailed, Live, and Bass. Tap each one to change it. When you’re happy with your selection — we find Normal is perfectly tuned for most music — go back a step and choose Digital Filter.

There are three Digital Filter options: Short, Sharp, and Slow. LG provides a description of what each one does, and again, the change is immediately noticeable. Play around with both the Sound Presets and the Digital Filters to tailor the sound exactly to your liking. Return to the Sound Quality and Effects menu and find the Equalizer option. Tap it and you’ll find a long list of different sound presets, and if you scroll to the bottom of the list, a Custom option allows manual alteration of the equalizer. Using this wide variety of tools, it’s amazing just how much control you have.

Using our guide, you’re sure to get the most out of the LG G7’s brilliant audio system. Happy listening!

Editors’ Recommendations

• Take control of your LG G7 ThinQ with these helpful tips and tricks
• LG G7 ThinQ vs. LG V30: Which LG flagship phone is best for you?
• LG G7 ThinQ vs. iPhone X: Which phone comes out on top?
• LG V35 ThinQ hands-on review
• LG G7 ThinQ vs. LG G6: Out with the old, in with the new

How to transfer files from Android to your PC

anyaberkut/123RF

It’s an age-old story. File meets computer, computer wants to introduce file to its smartphone, computer can’t find the right feature for that. Transferring files (even things like high-res photos) between PC and mobile devices is often a pain, yes, but it’s not impossible. In fact there are a few different ways to do it.

In this guide, we’ll teach you exactly how to transfer files from Android to your PC, whether you want to use a software or more traditional hardware solution.

Wi-Fi transfer app

If your computer is connected to a nearby wireless network, one of the easiest ways to transfer files to a mobile device is to set up wireless transfer. These services specialize in porting information through your wireless network and onto a mobile device. Once set up, these services are quick, simple, and reliable, so long as your wireless internet connection is stable.

In fact, there are so many transfer services available, one of the hardest parts may be finding the right one for your PC. If you use an Android or iOS device, you will want to take a look at Portal, an app from Pushbullet. Once you download the app from your device’s respective app store and scan the website’s QR Code, you can push pictures, videos, and other files through the site and onto your mobile phone. It’s especially easy with Google Chrome because you can just drag and drop files to instantly transfer them from one device to another.

Another common solution is Filedrop, which is free for all systems except iOS (where it costs $3). Like Portal, Filedrop pairs with Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android devices, and then lets you quickly transfer files with a simple drag-and-drop method.

An alternative for Apple users is Airdrop, a proprietary piece of software that works between all Macs and iOS devices without requiring you to download any additional software — here’s how to use it.

Cloud storage service

Most of the best cloud storage providers offer a reasonable alternative to Wi-Fi transfer apps. You also don’t actually need Wi-Fi for every step when using a cloud sharing service. Simply fire up your favorite browser, register for a cloud service such as Google Drive or Dropbox (but which is best?) and then upload your files. Afterward, you can download the app for your phone and — as long as you have a Wi-Fi or data connection — access the same information.

The information will remain floating in the cloud, but it’s accessible from either destination. This is useful for when you need to transfer data between different platforms, and it makes it easy to share said info with friends and coworkers.

However, both drag-and-drop transfers and cloud services have some security issues. If you’re not using a secure wireless network, then data theft is a possibility. Be smart about your transfers and sensitive information — we recommend enabling two-step verification and using a unique password (store it in a password manager) on all your cloud storage accounts.

Pair via Bluetooth

Bluetooth still has a lot of benefits in a Wi-Fi dominated age, and though pairing isn’t as quick or easy as using cloud storage, you can do it without the need of Wi-Fi. Turn on Bluetooth on your PC and mobile device, then look on your computer to see if it detects any nearby device. Try checking the “Devices and Printers” panel if there’s no automatic connection.

Most PCs will then move onto a confirmation task, where you have to type in a code or compare numbers. This will allow the computer to pair with your mobile device. The device should then appear in your list of connected drives when you look at your menu or file browser. On many PCs, you can select “Send a File” from the Bluetooth menu by clicking on the Bluetooth logo in the bottom-right corner of your screen. You can also manage Bluetooth devices more directly from the Devices and Printers panel, if necessary.

Bluetooth is a reliable method because most devices offer Bluetooth connectivity, and once paired, it’s easy to automatically pair again. If you have a very old computer and a newer mobile device, however, there may be some trouble with matching protocols — there’s also the possibility that your computer may not have Bluetooth. Although you could purchase a Bluetooth adaptor, that doesn’t exactly help you transfer those files right now.

Try an NFC connection

NFC stands for near field communication. It’s a data transfer technology that many phones and some computers now possess. With Android Beam, look into enabling NFC transfers. This protocol requires your devices to be physically close — hence the frequent “bump” and “tap” apps — but it’s still safer when compared to wireless transfers.

That said, it’s a bit more time-consuming and often limited. Apple, for example, only uses NFC for payment purposes.

Even if you can’t establish an NFC connection directly with your PC, take a look at external hard drives and similar devices that can use NFC. This may be an easy way to quickly transfer data to and from your PC using an intermediary device. Plus, you get an external hard drive to use in other situations — these are our favorites.

Stick with email

Ahh, email. Solid, dependable, sensible, and not at all exciting. Nonetheless, it’s often handy when you need to transfer files from your desktop to a nearby tablet or smartphone. Not everyone has the fancy apps, services, and connectivity listed above. That’s where email can be a lifesaver. You’ll need to login to your email account on both devices, but that’s not much of a hardship for a relatively quick and painless way of transferring files.

It’s easier than a lot of other options, and most mobile devices are now smart enough to open attachments in a readable form, especially if you use a PDF. Thanks to OneDrive and Office 365, you may also be able to open and edit Word docs directly within your email client.

There are ways to use Office for free too.

When all else fails, try a USB drive

While the commonplace USB drive has recently fallen out of favor due to wireless functionality and the aforementioned cloud, sometimes the best option is still using a flash drive or an external hard drive to move your files. Not only is setting up a USB connection safer than transferring your data wirelessly, it’s ideal when you want to save a lot of content and transfer it all at once to multiple devices without weighing down your wireless network.

The key is picking out the right USB device to use. Many Android devices, for example, use USB On-The-Go, which can pair with compatible USB storage devices and allows for quick transfers between your PC and Android device.

Another alternative to consider is a wireless media reader. These are external hard drives that use SD cards or USB drives that can create their own hotspot, thus giving you a plethora of connection options for both your PC and mobile devices. You won’t even need a wireless network nearby — just think of them as a jack-of-all-trades for moving content around.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Tight on space? Here’s how to transfer photos from an iPhone to a computer
• SanDisk’s Extreme SSD is built to survive nearly every outdoor element
• The sound of destruction: Malicious video, audio files could attack laptops
• How to factory reset Windows
• Huawei has a clever way to put Windows on phones

Portable USB-C chargers, dimming kits, durable flashlights, and more are all discounted today

Whether you’re looking for new tech gear or household items, we’ve got you covered.

We found plenty of great deals today that include big discounts on the Philips Hue dimming kit, a high-capacity USB-C portable charger, Pelican flashlights, and more! Most of these prices will be gone when the day ends, so don’t miss your chance to save big!

View the rest of the deals

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“Human computing” has appeared in economic science in 2003 as a description of the calculation process. “Human computing” is expected to use only human mind resources and it was meant as a force that should beat a computer. The official “crowdsourcing” name was taken from English, where crowd – “crowd” and sourcing – “use of resources”. Crowdsourcing was first formulated in Wired magazine in 2006 and provided the idea of mobilizing the resources of individuals through IT. It used to solve the problems of science, business and society.

In March 2017 ABBYY launched a project to translate Coursera’s online educational courses from English to Russian. The project involves over 5000 people: professionals, ordinary people with good English and it really increased efficiency and helped create a unique product, Max Polyakov says in his scientific work.

One of the best examples is Wikipedia. The project lacked resources for advertising, and even a business model. Thousands and even millions of participants connected to the Internet took part in the process of adding information to the encyclopedia. As a result, Wikipedia became one of the most visited sites in the world.

Most sophisticated example is the AirBnB rental network. The founders of the service connect all those who rent out housing and who want to rent it. Thus customers have created their own content and advertise the AirBnB business.

Crowdsourcing is an effective process of interaction between society and technology. It helps solve the most complex tasks by spending less and attracting whole continents to cooperate. Often such projects use the principles of gamification. This is borrowed from games, which try to involve participants in the deep levels of the research or business process. Gamification works mostly with young audiences that have been using computers since childhood and hanging out in games all the time. Gamers can literally rise businesses to the top of the market. “And it applies not only to the entertainment industry but also serious scientific research, where for example participants decode the human genome or trying to find new variants of protein synthesis,” Max Polyakov clarifies in his scientific work.

Low cost of does not mean unprofessionalism. Participants can be highly educated and curious. Furthermore, such projects can have people as business consultants, engineers, writers, designers and scientists.

Сrowdsourcing can be extremely effective to improve the brand of a company and increase the involvement of their customers. In his research Max Polyakov argues that companies will be able to accumulate ideas, opinions, strategies, new employees and become closer to their clients. These ideas were proven by cases like MacDonald’s, Starbucks, SAS and others. Certainly, the future lies behind common decisions and teamwork.

HP DreamColor Z27X G2 Studio Monitor Review

Riley Young/Digital Trends

What do 80 percent of Academy Award-nominated visual effects have in common? According to HP, they use a DreamColor display. HP even won an award in 2015 from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science for its professional-grade display technology.

But how good is it, really? To find out, we took HP’s new, second-generation DreamColor monitor for a spin, and let our in-house video team see what difference it made. It didn’t win us any Academy Awards, but its color precision impressed.

Don’t judge a book by its cover

The HP DreamColor Z27X G2 doesn’t look all that special. If anything, it seems a bit outdated, with thick bezels, a heavy posterior, and pronounced menu buttons. It’s not ultrawide, curved, or even 4K. But unlike most monitors that lean on those newer trends, every feature of the DreamColor Z27X is included primarily on the suggestion of the animators and videographers that make up its target audience.

That’s right — with the second-generation of the DreamColor, HP actually spoke with the people that used its product for serious work and brought a lot of those requested features into its newest version. Some of these will be more specific than the average person will know what to do with, including integrated workflow tools like a built-in KVM switcher, an adjustable refresh rate, and an assortment of markers and masks for live video broadcasting.

Even against monitors like the Samsung CF791 or the BenQ PD3200U, the DreamColor Z27X G2 Studio dominates.

One of the most useful features is the built-in calibration tool, which is packed into the bump in the top bezel of the screen. You can schedule to automate the calibration to happen whenever’s most convenient for you, and then put it on a routine maintenance schedule. That’s one less thing to distract you from your work, our video team that particularly helpful on a daily basis.

HP also threw in niceties like a single-cord Thunderbolt 3 connection and a sturdier VESA mounting bracket. These make it easier to integrate the monitor into your current setup, regardless of the other tech you use.

Color that hits the mark

None of the bells and whistles matter, of course, if the display quality doesn’t hold up.

The DreamColor Z27X G2 Studio is a 27-inch, 2,560 x 1440 matte display with a 16:9 aspect ratio. But more importantly, its display performance is great — especially in color gamut. Colors are vivid and vibrant, showing 100 percent of the sRGB color scale and 99 percent of the AdobeRGB scale. Even against monitors like the Samsung CF791 or the BenQ PD3200U, the DreamColor dominates. That is particularly important for photographers, animators, and videographers, and our video team noticed the vivid colors right off the bat.

Using a third-party calibration tool, we brought the average color error down to an impressive 0.95.

On the other hand, we felt that an average color error of 2.81 was a bit high for a monitor like this. Using a third-party calibration tool, we brought that down to an impressive 0.95, which is closer to what we expected. HP obviously assumes that people spending $2,000 on a professional-grade monitor will calibrate it, though we still would have liked to see better accuracy right out of the box.

The DreamColor isn’t all the bright, reaching a maximum of just 220 nits. That’s low, even compared to monitors a quarter the price — and it’s something our video team noticed working in our brightly lit office. Clearly, HP thinks that videographers will be using this monitor in a darkened room.

Know what you’re getting into

If it isn’t painfully clear by now, the DreamColor Z27X is not a display we’d recommend to the average buyer — or even the average professional. If you are gamer, you’ll want something with a higher refresh rate. If you want something for watching media, you’ll probably want a brighter, 4K screen. Even if you’re professional photographer, you can probably find something far cheaper that still has an accurate display.

But if you fit into the niche group of people who need a tool tailor-made for visual arts, the DreamColor is a monitor crafted for exactly what you do. Who knows? Maybe you’ll win an Academy Award.

Editors’ Recommendations

• BenQ EX3501R ultrawide monitor review
• Asus ROG Swift PG279Q review
• The best monitor you can buy
• The best monitors for photo editing
• The best ultrawide monitors of 2018

Best Samsung Galaxy S9 Accessories

Keep your Samsung Galaxy S9 protected and functional with these great accessories!

The Samsung Galaxy S9 is another outstanding phone released in 2018 — if you own one you know how fast and capable this phone is.

Whether you’ve already got one in your pocket, or you’re still debating whether to upgrade to the S9, you should also think about investing in some quality accessories to keep your phone in mint condition and improve the storage capabilities and battery life.

Here are the best accessories for the Galaxy S9.

• Samsung Alcantara Cover
• Spigen Rugged Armor Case
• Whitestone Dome Glass Tempered Glass Screen Protector
• Samsung Gear VR
• Samsung Fast Charge Wireless Charging Convertible Stand
• Anker PowerCore+ 26,800 mAh battery pack
• Samsung microSD EVO+ 256GB

Samsung Alcantara Cover

Samsung is one of the few phone makers that really does a great job of supporting their own devices with a solid line of cases. We’ve featured a number of Samsung’s cases in our round up of the best cases for the Galaxy S9, but we’ve highlighted the Alcantara Cover here because it was a fantastic option for the Note 8 and should be equally stellar with the S9.

Alcantara is a lightweight material that’s as rugged as the plastic and rubber cases, but offers a very unique look and feel that compliments Samsung’s tall devices. This case deftly covers the edges of the screen but leaves the bottom open for the charging port, headphone jack, and speaker. Get your from Amazon starting at just $27.45.

See at Amazon

Spigen Rugged Armor Case

There’s going to be a ton of third-party case options for the Galaxy S9, but for our money you won’t find a better value than the slim Rugged Armor case from Spigen.

Made of flexible TPU, this case offers a precisely designed shell to keep your S9 protected without adding unnecessary bulk. It’s thin enough to allow wireless charging while still protecting the camera and fingerprint sensor on the back and prevents the display from sitting flush on a table. Get this minimalist case for $12 on Amazon.

See at Amazon

Whitestone Dome Glass Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Not all screen protectors are created equal. If you’re afraid of damaging the Galaxy S9’s curved screen, you should consider the Whitestone Dome Glass screen protector.

This brand burst onto the scene with the Galaxy S8, offering the best coverage with a tempered glass screen protector we’ve seen. Using a unique liquid adhesion technique that involves uses a UV curing light to ensure a perfect installation.

Now, the downside is the price. At $45, it’s by far the most expensive screen protector you can buy, but it’s a well-reviewed screen protector that’s backed by a limited lifetime warranty. If you’re concerned about protecting your phone around those curved edges, this is the screen protector you want.

See at Amazon

Samsung Gear VR

While mobile-powered VR is not as flashy as the Oculus Rift or HTC Vive, you’d be remiss to ignore just how awesome the Samsung Gear VR is with the latest Samsung phones. Last year’s updated version of the Samsung Gear VR will work excellently with the Galaxy S9 and is available for just $110 on Amazon.

Powered by Oculus technology, the Gear VR (2017) comes with a fantastic touch controller that will let you interact and play with a ton of great games via the Oculus app. If you’re debating between upgrading your phone or investing in virtual reality this year, get the Gear VR along with your Galaxy S9 and settle that debate the right way.

See at Amazon

Samsung Fast Charge Wireless Charging Convertible Stand

If you’ve got the option to wirelessly charge your phone, you may as well take full advantage, right? Any true Samsung fan will love the design of this convertible wireless charging pad. Made by Samsung, this pad supports Fast Charge technology (of course) and ships with its won Samsung Fast Charge wall adapter — and you can never have enough of those.

Regularly sold for up to $90, you can snag one of these bad boys for $40 on Amazon.

See at Amazon

Anker PowerCore+ 26,800mAh Battery Pack

It’s always a smart idea to back up your new phone with an extra boost of juice, and there are few better battery packs than Anker’s PowerCore+.

Anker has packed in 26,000mAh into a sleek package that’s small enough to easy stash in a backpack or even slip in your pants pocket. it features three USB ports so you can charge multiple devices at one time. Featuring

Get yours for roughly $70.

See at Amazon

Samsung microSD EVO+ 256GB

The Galaxy S9 has carried on Samsung’s tradition of allowing expandable storage via microSD, so why not take advantage? You can get Samsung’s 128GB card for just $38 or go all out with the 256GB card for $97. Both cards feature read speeds up to 95MB/s and write speeds up to 90MB/s, meaning they will be able to handle whatever you throw at it.

Whichever you go with, you can be sure that it’ll give you all the storage space you desire so you never have to delete photos and videos.

See at Amazon

What accessories will you be getting?

What must-have accessories are at the top of your list when you’re buying a new phone such as the Galaxy S9? Let us know in the comments!

Update July 29, 2018: Lots of price drops across all our picks! These are still the best accessories for the Samsung Galaxy S9.

Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+

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

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AT&T
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Sprint

Become an Excel whiz with this bundle of training courses!

Microsoft’s Excel, the spreadsheet tool in its Office suite, has an incredible amount of depth that most people never touch. Figures and graphs are what Excel is usually used for, but there’s so much more potential if you have the correct knowledge.

Master Microsoft Excel for just $39! Learn more

Whether it’s PivotTables, Pivot Charts, macros, or powerful formulas, in-depth Excel training to automate spreadsheets and solve complex problems can be quite expensive. There’s a lot of content to cover, and there are many questions to answer.

If you’re interested in extensive spreadsheet training, Android Central right now has a Microsoft Excel course that includes over 28 hours of content spread over nine courses. Instead of paying the regular price of $1,066, you’ll instead pay just $49. That’s 96 percent off the regular price!

Use code DIGITALWEEK50 for an extra 50% off — you pay just $24.50 Learn more

Access to this course remains open forever, so even if you don’t have the time at this moment, you can jump in whenever you’d like. At just $49 for extensive Excel training, how can you go wrong?

The Philips Hue smart dimming kit has dropped to $28 right now

Easy dimming.

The Philips Hue smart dimming kit is down to $27.98 on Amazon. This is a price we haven’t seen on this kit since August last year. It usually sells for $35 and only drops to around $32 when it drops at all.

This kit is a simple way to get into smart dimming. It comes with the Philips Hue Dimmer Switch and one compatible light bulb. The switch can control up to ten lights wirelessly if you decide to expand it. The switch itself is battery-powered and wireless too, so you can adhere it wherever you please without the struggles that come with wiring other dimmer switches.

With the Hue Bridge (sold separately), you can connect up to 50 lights and 10 dimmer switches together for total home lighting automation. But for anyone without a massive home or someone who needs just a handful of lights to work together, the dimmer switch will work great all on its own. Users give it 4.5 out of 5-star ranking on Amazon.

See on Amazon