Phones News and Articles

Fairphone 6+ reviews: a repairability champion, but $650 is a tough sell

Now available in the US, the Fairphone 6+ stands out with its replaceable battery, microSD slot, 5-year warranty, and software support through 2033. That longevity comes at a price, though: at $650, reviewers note that its cameras, performance, and water resistance fall short of what similarly priced phones typically offer.

By Ivan Franco, October 2, 2026, 12:24 PM

QR Codes Explained: How They Work and Why They're Everywhere

FEATURE By Julio Franco and Mark Turner, October 1, 2026, 12:21 AM TechSpot Tech Culture

QR codes were built to track car parts, written off as a gimmick, then rescued by phone cameras. Now they're everywhere. Here's how they work, what's changed, and what to watch out for.

Electronics Mobile

This amazing DIY desk uses a camera and a motor to charge your phone wherever you set it down

Custom desk build adds transparent display, standing-desk automation, and hydration reminders

By Skye Jacobs, September 25, 2026, 9:08 AM

AI Google

Google's Gemini can now call businesses for you

But will businesses like being called by AI assistants?

By Daniel Sims, September 25, 2026, 8:41 AM 8 comments

Mobile Hardware

Motorola partners with Bang & Olufsen to bring high-end audio to its flagship phones

A close cooperation between two companies with a likewise design focus

By Alfonso Maruccia, September 23, 2026, 2:33 PM 8 comments

Mobile Electronics

iPhone 18 Pro teardown highlights mechanical camera aperture and a major thermal redesign

For most, it's best to leave major repair jobs to the experts

By Shawn Knight, September 21, 2026, 10:42 AM

Mobile Apple

Apple's new hardware chief says seeing screen protectors used on iPhones makes his "skin crawl"

Tom Marieb argues Ceramic Shield 2 offers 3x the scratch resistance of previous generations

Big quote: Tom Marieb has a visceral reaction when he sees an iPhone owner put on a screen protector. "Personally, when I see someone put a screen protector on their iPhone, it makes my skin crawl, because we work so hard to make beautiful front screens," he told TechRadar. The remark from Apple's new vice president of hardware engineering reflects the company's confidence in Ceramic Shield 2, its latest display material.

Full story By Skye Jacobs, September 19, 2026, 10:57 AM 40 comments

Product Finder Mobile

Samsung Galaxy S26 FE reviews: a decent phone, awful price

The Galaxy S26 FE gets plenty right, including a bright AMOLED display, good performance, capable cameras, and seven years of software updates. The problem is value: reviewers find few meaningful upgrades over the S25 FE, while the higher price puts it against stronger alternatives.

By Ivan Franco, September 18, 2026, 3:09 PM

Nokia 3310 & 5110: The Indestructible Phones Before the Internet

FEATURE By Amir Shoam, September 17, 2026, 5:31 AM TechSpot Tech Culture

Before phones went online, Nokia made two that didn't need to. The 5110 and 3310 gave us Snake, swappable covers, and a durability myth that outlived the company that built them.

Apple Mobile

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max reviews: exceptional battery life, and a more versatile camera

Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max look very much like their predecessors, but the upgrades arrive under the hood. Reviewers are praising the A20 Pro's performance, longer battery life, and the 48MP variable-aperture camera. Those coming from most recent iPhone Pros, however, may find few reasons to upgrade.

By Ivan Franco, September 16, 2026, 4:20 PM

Apple Mobile

Apple's 2027 roadmap includes iPhone 18, iPhone Air 2, and iPhone 18e, all reportedly using the A20 chip

Apple isn't done for 2026, Gurman says a dozen more products are coming before mid-2027

By Shawn Knight, September 15, 2026, 12:20 PM

Mobile Apple

The iPhone Duo's best feature isn't the fold, it's the software built around it

Apple's first foldable arrives four years late, and it might be worth the wait

By Bob O'Donnell, September 12, 2026, 12:07 PM 38 comments

Apple Mobile

Apple launches iPhone Duo, its first foldable to rival the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold

Touch ID returns on a flagship iPhone after nearly a decade

First look: Following years of fervent speculation, Apple finally unveiled its first folding phone, the iPhone Duo, at its 'Surprise and Shine' event in Cupertino, California. The company is betting big on its first foldable, with new CEO John Ternus calling it "the most transformational change to iPhone since the original."

Full story By Kishalaya Kundu, September 9, 2026, 4:12 PM 45 comments

Apple Mobile

Apple iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max launch with a familiar design, new A20 Pro SoC, and aperture-controlled camera

The standard iPhone 18 won't arrive until next year

By Daniel Sims, September 9, 2026, 1:54 PM 21 comments

Mobile Apple

Xiaomi 18 Fold takes on the foldable iPhone with a 200MP camera and 6,000mAh battery

The phone debuts Xiaomi's own Xring O3 chip, built on a 3nm process

By Skye Jacobs, September 8, 2026, 8:18 AM

Mobile Apple

Apple prototyped and tested a Pencil accessory for its foldable iPhone

Display durability concerns will likely keep it on the sidelines, however

By Shawn Knight, August 31, 2026, 9:53 AM

Mobile Software

The $700 Galaxy S26 FE brings Samsung's latest AI features to a cheaper phone with few hardware upgrades

Buyers get Android 17, an Exynos 2500 and seven years of updates

By Skye Jacobs, August 28, 2026, 8:53 AM

Mobile Electronics

An iPhone 17 Pro gets dropped from 100,000 feet and survives

The publicity stunt has earned RhinoShield a Guinness world record

By Skye Jacobs, August 28, 2026, 6:15 AM 10 comments

Apple Mobile

Apple confirms September 9 event, where its first foldable iPhone and iPhone 18 Pro are expected

Apple's next iPhone event will be new CEO John Ternus's debut

By Skye Jacobs, August 27, 2026, 10:17 AM

Hardware Mobile

Xiaomi takes another shot at Qualcomm and MediaTek with its 3nm flagship Xring O3 chip

The chip just broke 5 million on AnTuTu

By Skye Jacobs, August 25, 2026, 3:18 PM

Product Finder Mobile

The Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL also got reviewed: great cameras, modest upgrades

Google's Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL bring improved cameras, brighter displays, a more efficient Tensor G6 chip, and new Gemini AI features. Reviewers praise the camera upgrades and Google's software experience, but weaker gaming performance, mediocre battery life, less RAM, and higher prices make this generation a tougher sell.

By Ivan Franco, August 19, 2026, 3:03 PM

Product Finder Mobile

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold reviews are in: rivals are moving faster

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is lighter and slimmer, with new AI and multitasking features and IP68 protection. Reviewers say it's a solid device but overly conservative, with average battery life, weak SoC performance, a noticeable crease, and a high price.

By Ivan Franco, August 19, 2026, 12:31 PM