TicWatch Pro Review: Two screens, one watch
A dual-screen smartwatch sounds like the most ridiculous thing ever … until you stop picturing the screens side by side, and instead stack them one atop the other. That’s a trick that Mobvoi borrows from Casio for its new TicWatch Pro, and the result is a smartwatch with unparalleled outdoor readability. It also makes for the longest-lasting smartwatch you’ve ever seen – you’ve just got to turn off all the smart features to make it happen.
All that’s well and good, but with Samsung getting ready to cannonball into the WearOS waters, and the platform itself also approaching some sort of crossroads, how much innovation will it take to convince people to buy an Android-powered smartwatch in 2018? And how many of those people will find the TicWatch Pro’s aesthetic appealing, given its peculiar mix of chunky sporty casing and sleek leather bands?
Get the full scoop in MrMobile’s TicWatch Pro review above, and if you find yourself wanting one for yourself, keep in mind the TicWatch Pro is an Amazon Prime exclusive through August 15th. If you’re a Prime member and you’re tempted, it can be snapped up right here.
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Apple Begins Exclusively Selling ‘Blackmagic eGPU’ for $699, Aimed at New MacBook Pros
Apple.com today gained a new and exclusive external GPU aimed at the MacBook Pro, called the Blackmagic eGPU. According to TechCrunch, the unit’s appearance exclusively on Apple’s website comes in the wake of a partnership between the two companies as Apple aims to widen the eGPU market after launching support for eGPUs this past spring.
Running for $699.00, the Blackmagic eGPU provides desktop-class graphics performance on a MacBook Pro, through a Radeon Pro 580 graphics processor with 8GB of GDDR5 memory. The accessory connects via Thunderbolt 3, includes two Thunderbolt 3 ports, four USB 3.0 ports, one HDMI 2.0 port, and 85W power delivery. A Thunderbolt 3 cable also comes in the box.
With external GPUs, users can take advantage of smoother gaming experiences, boost graphics-intensive app workflows, enable virtual reality experiences, and even build VR content. Apple leaned into virtual reality as a selling point of eGPUs following the announcement of eGPU support at WWDC 2017, offering eGPU enclosures to developers who want to work on graphically intensive VR applications and games that run on macOS.
Those interested can purchase the Blackmagic eGPU today for $699.00, and the first units are expected to arrive in two days, on Saturday, July 14. Order pickup is also available at nearby Apple retail stores.
Related Roundup: MacBook ProTag: BlackmagicBuyer’s Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
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Apple Stops Selling 2015 MacBook Pro, Lineup Now Limited to Thunderbolt 3 Models [Updated]
Alongside the release of 2018 MacBook Pro models today, Apple has stopped selling the sole 2015 MacBook Pro that remained available for purchase on its online store, marking the end of an era for the notebook.
Until now, Apple continued to sell one 15-inch configuration of the 2015 MacBook Pro for customers who preferred the notebook’s wide range of connectivity options, including a pair of Thunderbolt 2 and USB-A ports, an HDMI port, an SD card reader, and Apple’s break-away MagSafe power connector.
Apple no longer sells a MacBook Pro like this
By comparison, the 2016 and later MacBook Pro is equipped solely with two or four Thunderbolt 3 ports, depending on the model, that can deliver power, USB, DisplayPort, HDMI, and VGA over a single connection. All of Apple’s notebooks continue to have 3.5mm headphone jacks as well.
The overall design of the 2015 MacBook Pro was first introduced in 2012, when Apple released its first MacBook Pro models with Retina displays. The notebook had a much slimmer design compared to pre-2012 models, after Apple removed the built-in Ethernet port and CD/DVD optical drive.
With the removal of the 2015 model, the new MacBook Pro lineup is now exclusively Thunderbolt 3 models. Those looking for expanded connectivity without adapters are now limited to the outdated MacBook Air, equipped with Thunderbolt 2, two USB-A ports, an SD card reader, and MagSafe 2.
The 2015 model was also the last MacBook Pro to feature a scissor mechanism keyboard. The lower-profile butterfly mechanism keyboard introduced on the 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pro has proven problematic for some customers, resulting in Apple launching a service program offering free repairs.
Updated: While supplies last, Apple is still selling the 2015 MacBook Pro on clearance. These remain brand new, unopened models — not refurbished. Thanks to eagled-eyed MacRumors reader Christopher.
Related Roundup: MacBook ProBuyer’s Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
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Apple Launches 2018 Back to School Promotion: Free Beats With Select Mac or iPad Pro Models
Apple today launched its annual Back to School promotion in the United States and Canada, and unlike in previous years, the promotion has also gone live simultaneously in European countries like the United Kingdom.
For a limited time, qualifying higher-education students, parents purchasing on behalf of higher-education students, and faculty and staff at both higher-education and K-12 institutions can receive a free or discounted pair of Beats headphones with the purchase of an eligible Mac or iPad Pro.
Apple is offering the choice of free BeatsX, Solo3 Wireless, or Powerbeats3 Wireless headphones with the purchase of any new MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, iMac Pro, or Mac Pro. As usual, the Mac mini is excluded.
Apple is also offering free BeatsX or Powerbeats3 Wireless with the purchase of any new 10.5-inch or 12.9-inch iPad Pro, with the option to pay $100 extra for Solo3 Wireless headphones. Like last year, Apple’s sixth-generation iPad and iPad mini 4 models do not qualify for the offer.
The promotion is available through Apple’s online store, retail stores, and authorized campus stores, or by calling 1-800-MY-APPLE. We’ll update this article when full terms and conditions are available.
In select countries, student verification via UNiDAYS is required.
Tag: Back to School promotion
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PSA: Apple’s 2018 Back to School Promotion is Live in Europe Today
Apple today launched its annual Back to School promotion in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and unlike the multi-week delay in past years, the 2018 edition has also gone live simultaneously in many European and Asian countries.
Participating countries in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates.
For a limited time, qualifying higher-education students, parents purchasing on behalf of higher-education students, and faculty and staff at both higher-education and K-12 institutions can receive a free or discounted pair of Beats headphones with the purchase of an eligible Mac or iPad Pro.
Apple is offering the choice of free BeatsX, Solo3 Wireless, or Powerbeats3 Wireless headphones with the purchase of any new MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, iMac Pro, or Mac Pro. As usual, the Mac mini is excluded.
Apple is also offering free BeatsX or Powerbeats3 Wireless with the purchase of any new 10.5-inch or 12.9-inch iPad Pro, with the option to pay an extra amount that varies by country for Solo3 Wireless headphones. Like last year, Apple’s sixth-generation iPad and iPad mini 4 models do not qualify for the offer.
The promotion is available through Apple’s online store, retail stores, and authorized campus stores where available. In select countries, student verification via UNiDAYS is required. Terms and conditions vary by region.
Tags: Europe, Back to School promotion
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Apple Launches 2018 MacBook Pros: 8th Gen Core, Up to 32GB of RAM, Third-Gen Keyboard, Quad-Core on 13-Inch and More
Apple today announced the release of 2018 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar models with a wide range of new features, including up to six-core eighth-generation Intel Core processors, up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM, up to 4TB of SSD storage, True Tone displays, Apple T2 chips, quieter third-generation keyboards, and more.
The refresh includes a long-awaited quad-core 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar. Apple has not refreshed its 13-inch MacBook Pro models with standard function keys, which remain dual-core configurations.
15-Inch MacBook Pro Highlights
- 6-core Intel Core i7 and Core i9 processors up to 2.9 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 4.8 GHz
- Up to 32GB of DDR4 memory
- Powerful Radeon Pro discrete graphics with 4GB of video memory in every configuration
- Up to 4TB of SSD storage
- True Tone display technology
- Apple T2 Chip
- Touch Bar and Touch ID
13-Inch MacBook Pro Highlights
- Quad-core Intel Core i5 and i7 processors up to 2.7 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 4.5 GHz and double the eDRAM
- Intel Iris Plus integrated graphics 655 with 128MB of eDRAM
- Up to 2TB of SSD storage
- True Tone display technology
- Apple T2 Chip
- Touch Bar and Touch ID
Starting at $1,799 and $2,399 respectively in the United States, Apple says the updated 13-inch MacBook Pro models with Touch Bar and 15-inch MacBook Pro models with Touch Bar are available today through Apple.com and in select Apple retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers later this week.
More details to follow…
Related Roundup: MacBook ProBuyer’s Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
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Apple Debuts New Leather Sleeves for 13-Inch and 15-Inch MacBook Pro
Alongside the release of new MacBook Pro models this morning, Apple has debuted a new Leather Sleeve accessory that fits the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro with Thunderbolt 3. Apple says the accessory is made of high-quality European leather with a soft microfiber lining that ensures protection of the MacBook Pro during travels.
Colors include Midnight Blue, Saddle Brown, and Black. Apple previously released Leather Sleeves for the 12-inch MacBook, but this marks the first time owners of the Pro line can purchase the accessory, and the first time the sleeves will be available in Black. The 13-inch Leather Sleeve costs $179, and as of writing the 15-inch version does not appear to have propagated yet on Apple.com.
For the MacBook Pros, the new models start at $1,799 (13-inch) and $2,399 (15-inch), featuring up to six-core eighth-generation Intel Core processors, up to 32GB RAM, the Touch Bar and Touch ID, and more. For more information on the specs for the new MacBook Pros, be sure to check out our full launch post.
Related Roundup: MacBook ProBuyer’s Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
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Monoprice Maker Select Mini V2 review
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Monoprice Select Mini V2
A couple years ago, Monoprice took the 3D printing world by storm with a the original Maker Select Mini: a 3D printer that only cost 200 bucks, and had all the bells and whistles we could ever ask for. Now, it’s back with version two of that revolutionary printer — so naturally we took it for a spin to see how it stacks up to the original.
Standout Features and Specs
Monoprice’s V2 builds upon the first generation’s solid set of specs and features by adding a few minor (but important!) upgrades.
Among these improvements is an all metal hot end, which improves heating and helps prevent clogging, as well as a heated/insulated printing bed, which boosts print adhesion and prevents warping.
Riley Young/Digital Trends
Along with this improved heated bed, the V2’s build surface also features a special pad material (similar to BuildTak) that promotes adhesion during printing, and also makes parts easy to remove after they’ve finished. Finally, MP also equipped the V2 with an internal cooling fan that helps prevent everything from overheating.
There are also a few things that haven’t changed. Just like the first generation, the V2’s max resolution sits at 100 microns (0.1 millimeters), which is fairly average, but acceptable for the price. Its build envelope is also a perfect 4.7-inch cube, just like it was on the first generation. Again, this spec is somewhat average, but still not bad.
This V2’s setup is quite possibly the easiest we’ve ever encountered.
The all-metal hot end retains the same maximum temperature of 230, which allows you to print with a fairly wide range of filament types, but does limit you from some of the more exotic higher temperature materials. And terms of inputs and outputs, you can load your models onto the Mini V2 using a Micro SD card, a direct USB connection, or even do it via WiFi through Monoprice’s new mobile app.
All in all, the V2 is certainly more of an evolution than a revolution, but Monoprice’s improvements are smart ones that do big things for the printer’s reliability and overall performance — and it only costs you an extra $20.
Setup and Configuration
This V2’s setup is quite possibly the easiest we’ve ever encountered. It comes completely assembled and factory calibrated, so all you have to do is unbox it and supply some electricity. There’s not even an on switch — just plug it in, and you’re off to the races.
Riley Young/Digital Trends
From there, Monoprice’s super straightforward interface makes the remaining setup steps nearly foolproof. Things like loading filament and fine-tuning the print bed are all extremely simple to execute.
To offer a comparison, we’d say setting up the V2 is about as complicated as setting up a brand new toaster. It’s simple as hell, but it might take a bit of fiddling around before you find the ideal settings that result in that perfect, golden-brown toast.
Design and Build Quality
Lifting this printer out of the box surprised us — it’s astonishingly heavy for its size. This is largely due to the Mini V2’s all-metal construction, which makes it an incredibly sturdy machine that doesn’t wiggle around too much during printing.
Monoprice gave everything a makeover in terms of aesthetics.
It’s also pretty easy on the eyes. Most of the V2’s mechanisms are tucked behind its metal exterior and hidden from view, so the machine doesn’t look as rudimentary and utilitarian as some of its competitors. Better yet, despite the printer’s sleek design and tucked-away components, its inner workings are still easily accessible.
To be fair, we never needed to tinker with the V2 at all during our testing process, but accessible design and easily-replaceable parts are something we love to see on a printer. Ten points to Gryffindor Monoprice.
User Interface and Software
Monoprice scores high marks in this category. Both the onboard software and desktop-based slicer programs are wonderfully simple to use — though the latter isn’t necessarily thanks to Monoprice.
Riley Young/Digital Trends
As with all its printers, Monoprice’s Select Mini V2 is designed to work with whatever slicer program (the software that translates your 3D design into instructions a printer can follow) you desire. We used Cura: one of the most powerful and customizable slicers on the planet, which now includes pre-configured profiles for many of MP’s most popular printers. This makes the whole process extremely convenient, as you no longer have to manually configure your machine.
The onboard user interface similarly straightforward, and hasn’t changed too much since the first generation. The V2 boasts the same knob-based navigation scheme and the same intuitive menu trees — but Monoprice gave everything a makeover in terms of aesthetics.
Monoprice Select Mini V2 Compared To
FormLabs Form 2
Ultimaker 3
Monoprice Mini Delta
Monoprice Maker Select Plus
SparkMaker
Zortrax M300
Robo C2
NewMatter MOD-t
M3D Micro
MakerBot Replicator (5th Gen)
Pirate3D Buccaneer
3Doodler 2.0
3D Systems Cube
Ultimaker 2
Formlabs Form 1+
Suffice it to say you won’t have any trouble using this machine.
Print Performance
Don’t let the price tag fool you — the Select Mini V2 prints like a dream.
Our first print using the Mini was the infamous ‘lucky cat’ model, which Monoprice pre-loaded onto the printer’s SD card. Unsurprisingly, it turned out great, since most models like this are fine-tuned by the manufacturer. So in order to get a better idea of how the V2 performs, we ran it through our standard suite of benchmarks.
Riley Young/Digital Trends
The first of these, as always, was the 3DBenchy: a tugboat-shaped torture test designed to highlight a printer’s strengths, weaknesses, and quirks. Much to our delight, the Mini V2 did a fantastic job. No matter what parameters we set, the tugboat always came out clean, accurate, and very consistent from layer to layer. Some of the superfine details of the boat didn’t come through as clearly as we’d like, but it’s worth noting that nearly all FDM printers struggle in this area, and the Select Mini V2 performed just as well (if not better than) as most printers that cost 10 times as much. Other tricky elements, like steep overhangs and unsupported spans, were also reproduced without any significant errors.
After a couple weeks of printing random (usually Star Wars-related) objects we found on Thingiverse, we found that the Mini V2 is also quite reliable. Whereas some 3D printers leave you feeling worried and unsure if they’ll complete the job, we felt highly confident with this machine.
The only real drawback here is the V2’s relatively small build envelope.
Thanks to the printer’s heated bed and solid construction, it doesn’t often fail mid-print — unless of course you make a slicing error and prepare the model improperly. This printer is still bound by the laws of physics, so we definitely recommend printing with supports unless you’re certain you don’t need them.
All in all, Monoprice’s new-and-improved Select Mini earns high marks for performance. We did experience a few flubs, failures, and funky-looking prints, but these were the exception, not the norm. The V2 prints just as well (and in some respects, even better) than printers with far larger price tags. The only real drawback here is the V2’s relatively small build envelope, which limits the range of objects you can create with it.
Our Take
The Maker Select V2 is definitely more of an evolution than a revolution — but in this case, that’s a good thing. Monoprice didn’t need to reinvent the wheel with this machine, and thankfully, it didn’t try to. Instead, it threw some new tread and made a rock-solid product that’s better than the original — and the original was already pretty great. The V2 might not be the best 3D printer on the planet, but you’ll be hard pressed to find a better blend of price and performance.
Is there a better alternative?
If your main concern is getting the most bang for your buck, then look no further. You won’t find this many features packed into such an affordable package anywhere but Monoprice.
If $220 is too steep for you, we also highly recommend the MP Mini Delta, which is about $60 to $70 cheaper, but does have a slightly smaller build envelope.
If build area is your main concern, then we’d recommend checking out the Monoprice Maker Select Plus — arguably one of the best printers we’ve ever reviewed. In terms of print performance, it’s nearly identical to the Maker Select Mini V2, but it does have a far larger build area that allows you to print much bigger objects. It also has a touchscreen, which is nice.
How long will it last?
If you treat this little guy well, it’ll likely give you a long life in return. Due to its all metal construction, durable components, ample replacement parts, and Monoprice’s continued software support, the Select Mini V2 seems well suited for a long life on your desktop.
Should you buy it?
Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! This printer offers a near perfect blend of price and performance, so if you’ve been waiting patiently for an affordable printer that doesn’t suck, then your time has come.
Nokia 6.1 vs. Moto G6 Plus: With so much shared, design and camera make the difference
Both phones notch wins in different areas, but the deciding factor is pricing in your market.
For as solid and consistent as the flagship space has become, there’s still plenty of competition and innovation happening at the lower price points. Ranging between $250 and $350, there are lots of good options out there to get a great phone without breaking the bank. Two of the big names in this segment are the Nokia 6.1 and Moto G6 Plus, which both give solid specs, interesting designs and a promise of good clean software.
But which one is right for you? We have both phones in hand to compare and see the areas where each one is best and what complete package offers the better value.
See Nokia 6.1 at Amazon
See Moto G6 Plus at Amazon
What’s the same
Nokia and Motorola have dialed in on very similar core platforms, with both phones based on a Snapdragon 630 processor. The Moto G6 Plus has the benefit of more internal storage with 64GB, but the Nokia 6.1’s 32GB is plenty for the price and both phones offer an SD card slot for expansion. They’re both running 1080p displays, and the battery sizes are comparable — 3200mAh for Motorola, and 3000mAh for Nokia — for full-day (and little more) battery life.
The core internals, features, display and software are nearly the same here — which is a good thing for everyone.
The core hardware ideas are the same as well. You get USB-C charging on both, a fingerprint sensor that gets the job done, plus a single basic speaker that leaves much to be desired. Though the Moto G6 Plus display is larger diagonally, its 18:9 aspect ratio means it’s basically the same screen real estate as the Nokia 6.1’s 5.5-inch 16:9 display. Resolution is effectively the same, as is quality — I give the small nod to Motorola for having more pleasing (read: saturated) colors, but both offer the same visibility while the Nokia has a more neutral and accurate color profile.
Both phones are running Android 8.0 Oreo, and in daily use, you wouldn’t really notice the difference between the two. The Moto G6 Plus has a few of Motorola’s nice-to-have features, and they’re still useful, but none of them are game-changing experiences at this point. The Moto gestures and Moto Display are neat, but you’d never choose the G6 Plus just to have them. Being an Android One phone the Nokia 6.1 fully defaults to all of Google’s apps and services, which is a plus for most of us — you don’t have to deal with any duplicate apps or poorly-integrated manufacturer services. You also have the benefit of guaranteed software updates, which is very much the opposite of Motorola’s history with its mid-range phones.
What’s different
Nokia’s latest round of smartphones, now under the tutelage of HMD Global, offer some of the best hardware available at their respective price points. Even for $270, the Nokia 6.1 is a nicely coated solid block of metal that feels like it will stand the test of time — especially when you set it alongside the primarily plastic-bodied phones it competes against. The finish is a little slippery when paired with this wide 16:9 aspect ratio, but it’s a small knock on what is otherwise an exceptional bit of hardware for the money. The pops of color from the chamfered edges are a treat, and the curved glass on the front is striking.
Two different ways to handle hardware: focus on form or function.
The Moto G6 Plus is a bit more pragmatically designed. The entire frame is slick plastic, which looks good but feels really cheap — and there are concerns about how it’ll hold up to regular use if you don’t slap a case on there. The back glass is a nice touch though, and the shape of the phone is much easier to handle when paired with the grip the back provides. The result of that ergonomic shape is a blob-like design that isn’t as striking or interesting as the Nokia — you could argue for either one, but the Nokia simply looks better and the Moto is easier to use in one hand.
When it comes to software performance, I haven’t found any issues with the Nokia 6.1 in particular (aside from the camera, which I’ll get to) — the Moto G6 Plus is just a little faster. Side-by-side tests show it’s just a bit snappier in the interface and switching between apps, but without another phone to compare to you’d be perfectly happy with the Nokia 6.1. The Moto G6 Plus has 4GB of RAM to the Nokia 6.1’s 3GB, which just gives you that little bit of breathing room to keep more apps loaded at any given time — and adds some future proofing.
The Nokia 6.1’s camera app and general camera performance is disappointing.
The discussion of performance dovetails nicely into the camera comparison. First, I have to address the biggest differentiator here: the Nokia 6.1’s camera app is really inconsistent. For some inexplicable reason, this “Android One” phone has camera app performance that should’ve stopped its certification in its tracks. The app is often slow to open, slow to respond and most importantly completely inconsistent in its ability to actually capture photos. Unfortunately a majority of the time it simply doesn’t capture a photo when the shutter is pressed — and the interface shows a capture — and instead takes a photo a second or two later, typically of the ground or your fingers. It’s incredibly frustrating, and something I’ve heard from other people’s Nokia phone experiences — and also not a problem that the Moto G6 Plus suffers from.
But still, it does take photos so long as you’re patient. Here’s how it compares to Motorola’s phone.
Nokia 6.1 (left) vs. Moto G6 Plus (right) — click images to view larger.
Even throwing the Moto G6 Plus’s secondary camera out of the equation because it’s largely irrelevant to the experience, the 12MP sensor with an f/1.7 lens has the hardware advantage over the Nokia 6.1’s 16MP f/2.0 setup. Larger pixels (1.4- vs. 1.0-micron) plus more light from a wider aperture is a good equation, and the G6 Plus takes advantage to produce better photos overall.
The Moto G6 Plus offers an overall better camera — as it should, because it’s a bit more expensive.
In daylight, both cameras do a fine job of recreating scenes with good colors and a nice crispness in details and edges — nothing to complain about at this price point at all. In low light the Moto G6 Plus shows its hardware advantage, though, taking photos with better details, smoother surfaces and just generally better quality. The Nokia 6.1 takes about the level of low light photos I’d normally expect for a sub-$300 phone, but the G6 Plus raises the bar.
If the Nokia 6.1’s camera app offered comparable performance I’d still give the G6 Plus the nod because of its better low light capabilities, but when you add the app performance to the difference in quality you see Motorola has the complete lead here.
Which should you buy?
Nokia and Motorola took different strategies to the table to make a sub-$300 phone. Both have very comparable internal specs befitting the price point, as well as nice-to-see features like a quality display, good fingerprint sensor, solid battery life, USB-C and a headphone jack. But the details differ. The Nokia 6.1 offers far better-looking and feeling hardware with sleek metal and nicely sculpted glass. Having Android One’s guaranteed updates is a big bonus too, especially compared to Motorola’s poor history. But the Moto G6 Plus has its own benefits, like slightly better overall performance, a more ergonomic design, a better camera and more RAM and storage.
If you can spare the extra cash, consider the Moto G6 Plus — otherwise, Nokia wins.
Which of these phones is best for you partially comes down to where you’re shopping. In the U.S. Nokia sells the 6.1 officially, and so it carries a very reasonable price of $270. The Moto G6 Plus you buy in the U.S. will be an imported international model with some markup pushing it over $300. At these prices, it’s a tough call, because at perhaps a $50 price difference that may give you enough pause to pick the Nokia 6.1 and deal with its shortcomings in camera and performance. Here, the Nokia 6.1 is actually closer priced, depending on the day, to the standard Moto G6 — and the Nokia 6.1 is a better device for that money.
Elsewhere in the world, the Nokia 6.1 and Moto G6 Plus are much closer in price, and if you’re going to spend the same amount of money on either one it feels like the Moto G6 Plus is the better of the two. It all comes down to whether you appreciate the hardware beauty and guaranteed software updates of the Nokia 6.1, or the more ergonomic feel and better performance of the Moto G6 Plus. Choose what’s most important to you — either one is a great pick for about $300.
See Nokia 6.1 at Amazon
See Moto G6 Plus at Amazon
Moto G6, G6 Plus and G6 Play
- Moto G6 Plus review: Mastering the art of the mid-range phone
- Moto G6 review: Finding success in compromise
- Moto G6, G6 Play, and G6 Plus specs
- Join our Moto G6 forums
Amazon
Best Android Phones with Expandable Storage in 2018
These are the best phones with expandable memory to store your movies and music.
- Best overall
- Best for features
- Other alternatives
- Best mid-range option
- Best budget pick
Best overall
Samsung Galaxy S9 / S9+
See at Amazon
The Galaxy S9 series takes what made the Galaxy S8 so good and fixes many of the minor irritations, including the placement of the rear fingerprint sensor. The screen is brighter, the software feels smoother thanks to a faster processor, and the camera is significantly improved in low light.
But Samsung didn’t mess with what counts for those who need additional space: in addition to 64GB of internal storage standard, there’s a microSD slot for up to 400GB of additional room, something we know a lot of you desire.
Bottom line: Both versions of the Galaxy S9 come with expandable storage, and are a couple of the best phones out there today.
One more thing: The Galaxy S9+ has more RAM, a bigger battery, and a secondary camera.
Why the Galaxy S9 is the best
The Galaxy S9 series is the culmination of many years of Samsung learning lessons about what its customers want. Available in two sizes, 5.8 inches and 6.2 inches, the S9 and S9+ are beautiful phones. Both are made with curved glass and reinforced 7000 Series aluminum, and they’re about as compact as phones their size can be. They also have plenty of power and battery life, along with excellent cameras that offer superlative low-light performance.
Of course, these phones cater to power users, too: wireless charging, water resistance, headphone jacks, and, of course, expandable storage.
There’s 64GB of space built in, but that SD slot will ensure your Galaxy S9 never runs out of space for photos, videos, and music.
Best for features
Samsung Galaxy Note 8
See at Amazon
See at Best Buy
See at T-Mobile
See at Verizon
See at AT&T
See at Sprint
See at Samsung
If you want something a bit bigger than the S9+, or want to partake of the excellent S Pen stylus, the Note 8 is your next best bet for a phone with microSD expandability.
The Note 8 features everything you’d expect from a modern Samsung phone — water resistance, wireless charging, and 64GB of storage, plus microSD. It’s powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 chip in the U.S., or Samsung’s own Exynos equivalent internationally, with a hefty 6GB of RAM for smoother performance.
Bottom line: The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is one of the most expensive Android phone you can buy right now, but with good reason — it’s also one of the very best.
One more thing:If you’re buying in the U.S., you’ll miss out on some of the more exotic color options, like blue and gold. (In Europe, you’ll have black and gold to choose from.)
Other great alternatives
Here’s the thing about microSD slots in Android phones: They’re not exactly a rarity. In fact, the majority of our favorite flagships from the past year have included expandable storage. A few great, recent examples include:
- LG G7
- Honor View 10
- Huawei Mate 10 Pro
The mid-range option
Nokia 7 Plus
See at Amazon
The Nokia 7 Plus ticks all the right boxes for a phone that retails for $400. It has a durable chassis built out of series 6000 aluminum, and comes with a two-tone finish that makes it stand out. It is the first phone by HMD to feature an 18:9 display, and the panel itself is one of the best you’ll find in this category. Coming to the internals, the Nokia 7 Plus is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 660 chipset, and is paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage.
You also get dual 12MP + 13MP cameras at the back, a 3800mAh battery that delivers a day’s worth of usage consistently, and a 256GB microSD slot that takes up the secondary SIM card slot. The software side of things is just as interesting, as the Nokia 7 Plus runs Android One, ensuring the device will receive platform and security updates on time.
Bottom line: There isn’t a device that delivers quite as much value as the Nokia 7 Plus for $400.
One more thing: The phone isn’t officially available in the U.S., but the variant listed on Amazon comes with Band 4, making it compatible on AT&T and T-Mobile.
Best budget pick
Moto G6
See at Amazon
The Moto G6 continues Motorola’s tradition of offering phones with great value in the budget segment. The phone now comes with a glass back that resembles the Moto X4’s aesthetics, and at the front Motorola switched to an 18:9 panel.
While it isn’t running Android One, Motorola is still committed to delivering a clean and uncluttered user interface that includes standout features like Moto Display.
Bottom line: If you’re in the market for a budget phone that gets the basics right, the Moto G6 is a great choice.
One more thing: The Moto G6 is available unlocked from Amazon, and works on Verizon and Sprint as well as T-Mobile and AT&T.
Conclusion
If you want a phone that has expandable storage, the Samsung Galaxy S9 or S9+ are your best options. Sure, they’re expensive, but the phones boast top-of-the-line hardware, a stunning metal and glass design, and some of the best cameras in this space.
Water resistance and fast wireless charging make it an even more compelling choice. Add all that and throw in a microSD slot that supports up to 400GB of expandable storage and it’s easy to see why the Galaxy S9s are the most feature-rich Android phones around.
Best overall
Samsung Galaxy S9 / S9+
See at Amazon
The Galaxy S9 series takes what made the Galaxy S8 so good and fixes many of the minor irritations, including the placement of the rear fingerprint sensor. The screen is brighter, the software feels smoother thanks to a faster processor, and the camera is significantly improved in low light.
But Samsung didn’t mess with what counts for those who need additional space: in addition to 64GB of internal storage standard, there’s a microSD slot for up to 400GB of additional room, something we know a lot of you desire.
Bottom line: Both versions of the Galaxy S9 come with expandable storage, and are a couple of the best phones out there today.
One more thing: The Galaxy S9+ has more RAM, a bigger battery, and a secondary camera.
Updated July 2018: with the Nokia 7 Plus as the mid-range pick and the Moto G6 as the best budget option.
