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The best earbuds for Android devices in 2025

by admin August 18, 2025

Deserved or not, Apple has turned AirPods into the default choice for most iPhone owners in the market for new wireless earbuds. But if you’re one of the millions who have an Android smartphone, figuring out which set to grab isn’t as obvious. If you need a hand, allow us to point you in the right direction. We’ve tested and reviewed dozens of wireless earbuds over the years and broken down our favorite options for Android users below. Whether you use a Galaxy or a Pixel phone, and whether you want something for the gym or your morning commute, here are the best AirPods alternatives for Android.

Best Android earbuds for 2025

Photo by Billy Steele / Engadget

Read our full Sony WF-1000XM5 review

The Sony WF-1000XM5 hit on just about everything we want from a premium set of Bluetooth earbuds. Their small, rounded design should feel comfortable and secure in most ears. They’re nearly unmatched at muting outside noise, thanks to a powerful ANC feature and memory foam eartips that do a remarkable job of isolating sound passively. They sound great out of the box, especially if you like a warmer profile with elevated bass, but you can easily customize the EQ curve through Sony’s app, and they do well to draw out treble-range detail either way. They’re also loaded with extra features, including multipoint connectivity, Google Fast Pair, LDAC and spatial audio support, the ability to swap between ANC and ambient sound (or “transparency”) modes automatically and more. The wireless charging case is conveniently tiny, while the eight- to 12-hour battery life gives little to complain about.

Still, the XM5s still aren’t a total slam dunk. The built-in mics aren’t the clearest for phone calls. The IPX4 water-resistance rating could be higher. Some people might find the memory foam eartips a little too full-feeling. They also have a list price of $330, which is far from affordable. But no other wireless earbuds we’ve tested have managed to tick so many boxes.

Pros

Strong, customizable audio quality
Should be comfortable to most
Loads of handy bonus features
Stellar noise isolation

Cons

Expensive
Memory foam eartips aren’t for everyone
No battery life improvement over predecessor

$213 at Amazon

Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget

Read our guide to the best budget wireless earbuds

If you don’t have hundreds to spend, our favorite wireless earbuds in the budget bracket are the Anker Soundcore Space A40. Frequently priced between $45 and $60, this pair has the kind of features we’d expect from earbuds that cost twice as much: genuinely powerful ANC, multipoint connectivity, wireless charging, a solid eight to ten hours of battery life, LDAC support, decent (if not great) IPX4 water resistance and a usable ambient sound mode. They don’t have the most resolving or detail-rich sound of the box, unsurprisingly, but their warm profile offers pleasant, thumpy bass without totally blowing out the low-end. If you want to add more treble presence, you can customize the EQ through a clean and easy-to-read companion app. The actual earpieces are small, round and comfortable as well.

The main trade-off is call quality, as the built-in mic can lose your voice in noisy environments and doesn’t handle sibilant sounds very well. There’s no wear detection either, so your music won’t auto-pause when you remove an earbud. They also don’t support Google’s Fast Pair tech, though the earbuds should remember your device and automatically reconnect after you pair them for the first time. But for the price point, it’s hard to complain.

Pros

Excellent ANC for the price
Warm, pleasant sound
Comfortable and compact
Good battery life

Cons

No automatic wear detection
Mediocre call quality
Doesn’t sound as detailed as higher-end options (as expected)

$45 at Amazon

Billy Steele for Engadget

Read our full Noble FoKus Rex5 review

Determining which set of headphones has the “best” sound quality is a fool’s errand — at the end of the day, it’ll always come down to personal taste. But if we had to pick one pair we’ve particularly enjoyed for music, it’d be the Noble FoKus Rex5. Its unique five-driver design helps it draw out a remarkable level of detail and properly separate the instrumentation in any given track. It’s a balanced sound profile, with tight but not overindulgent bass, a natural-sounding midrange and relaxed highs that don’t fatigue over time. The soundstage is wider than most true wireless earbuds we’ve tested, while support for LDAC and aptX Adaptive only assist with detail retrieval. You can set a personal EQ if you need it, but we’ve found the stock tuning to suit any genre well by default.

The FoKus Rex5 supports ANC and multipoint connectivity, while its IEM-style, metal-and-acrylic housing fits comfortably in the ear. But you’d buy it for the sound quality first and foremost: Noise cancellation isn’t on Sony’s level, the ultra-green finish isn’t for everyone, the five- to seven-hour battery life isn’t ideal and there’s no auto-pausing when you remove an earbud. Most prohibitively, these things are damn expensive at $449. If you want something a little less pricey, the Technics AZ100 and Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 are compelling (if bassier) options as well. But for self-proclaimed audiophiles with cash to burn, the FoKus Rex5 are a treat.

Pros

Detailed, immersive sound
Comfortable fit
Custom audio profiles that save directly to the buds

Cons

Very expensive
Just one color and it’s not for everyone
Subpar ANC performance

$449 at Amazon

Photo by Billy Steele / Engadget

Read our full Beats Fit Pro review

Most of our picks above will work just fine in the gym, but if you’re buying a pair for workouts first and foremost, try the Beats Fit Pro. Yes, we’re recommending a set of Apple-made earbuds in an Android buying guide. But while they work best with iPhones, most of their AirPods-style features are also available on Android through the Beats app. You can pair them with one tap through a pop-up card, view a map with their last known location, swap between ANC and ambient sound modes from the home screen, remap controls and check their battery level from the notification tray. There’s no hi-res codec support, but in general the drop-off from iOS to Android isn’t nearly as great here as it is with AirPods.

The main reason we recommend the Fit Pro is their lightweight design, which is equipped with bendy silicone fins that keep the earbuds secure in place while you’re moving around. Their IPX4 water-resistance rating isn’t the best, but it should be enough for all but the sweatiest gymgoers. (Just don’t use them in the pool.) We also like that the Fit Pro uses physical buttons to adjust volume or skip tracks, since touch controls can feel finicky when you’re trying to keep up with a workout. Their punchy sound is well-suited to the gym as well, with a noticeable but not overwhelming push in the bass and treble. It’s not one for purists, but it’s energetic.

If you aren’t specifically looking for workout earbuds, you can still do better. The Fit Pro lack wireless charging and multipoint connectivity, and there’s no way to customize the EQ if you don’t like the default sound. Their built-in mics aren’t anything special for phone calls, and the five- to six-hour battery life is on the edge of passable. The charging case is somewhat large as well. Plus, while the ANC mode is useful enough for tamping down the noise of a gym, it’s a clear step down from the best options on the market.

Pros

Secure fit for workouts
Punchy sound is well-suited to the gym
Physical control buttons

Cons

No wireless charging or multipoint connectivity
Battery life is just OK
ANC isn’t fine but nothing special

$153 at Macy’s

Photo by Billy Steele / Engadget

Read our full Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are explicitly designed to work in harmony with other Pixel devices, so they’re worth considering if you’re a dedicated fan of Google’s phones. They come with a host of useful bonus features, from remote ringing and a “conversation detection” mode to a customizable EQ and automatic switching between devices paired to your Google account. (You also get hands-free access to Google’s Gemini AI bot, though we wouldn’t call that essential.) You can still access most of the Pixel Buds’ perks on other Android devices by downloading a separate app, but all of the functionality is baked into Pixel phones natively. This means you can manage the earbuds, check battery status and the like right from your device’s settings menus. It’s similar to how Apple integrates AirPods with iOS.

The earbuds themselves are perfectly competent beyond that, with a tiny yet comfortable design, decent ANC for the price, eight-ish hours of battery life, adequate call quality and an enjoyable sound with punchy bass and extended treble. That said, you’ll still get richer audio quality and more robust noise cancellation from our Sony and Noble picks above, so those who aren’t all-in on Google hardware can feel free to look elsewhere.

Pros

Tight integration with Pixel phones
Tiny, comfy design
Agreeable sound

Cons

Smaller touch panels require precision
ANC isn’t on par with Sony WF-1000XM5

$189 at Amazon

Photo by Billy Steele / Engadget

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro review

Along those lines, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are to Galaxy phones what the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are to Pixel phones. Using them with a Samsung handset unlocks a few ecosystem-specific perks, including the hi-res Samsung Seamless codec, a real-time translation tool and a “Game Mode” that reduces latency. That’s on top of features like spatial audio, a graphic EQ, a lost device finder, adaptive ANC, simplified voice commands and automatic switching between Samsung devices.

This kind of walled garden approach is frustrating; remember when you could plug your headphones into any device and it’d work the same way every time? But, as with the Pixel Buds and AirPods, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are undeniably convenient if you’ve already bought into their chosen platform.

The rest of the package gets more right than wrong, though there are some issues worth calling out. The stem-style design pretty much rips off the AirPods Pro — this is particularly evident with the white finish — but adds weird, unnecessary LED strips down the stems. It’s comfortable, but Samsung isn’t beating the copycat allegations here. The ANC isn’t on par with the Sony XM5s either, and the six-hour battery life is shorter than many other premium pairs. There’s also no hi-res codec support with non-Samsung phones. On the plus side, the ambient sound mode works well. And most importantly, these things sound excellent out of the box, with full, meaty bass complemented by amply detailed highs and upper-mids.

It’s worth noting that Samsung froze shipments of the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro right around launch due to quality control concerns (mainly regarding the stock eartips), but those look to have been resolved, and we haven’t seen anything out of the ordinary with our review unit.

Pros

Tight integration with Samsung phones
Great audio quality
Comfy fit
Natural ambient sound

Cons

Need a Samsung phone to get the most out of them
Battery life is shorter than some rivals
Copycat design with gimmicky LED lights

$190 at Amazon

What to look for in wireless earbuds for Android devices

A selection of wireless earbuds sit organized in rows on a granite background.

(Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget)

For the most part, the features you want from a set of “Android earbuds” are the same as what you want from any headphones. Great sound quality, a comfortable fit and sufficient battery life are still the foundations. Adequate water resistance is good for workouts, and nobody wants a crummy mic for making calls. Once you approach the $100 range, features like active noise cancellation (ANC), wireless charging, an ambient sound mode (which lets you better hear outside noise without turning off your music) and multipoint connectivity (the ability to pair with multiple devices simultaneously) should be expected.

For Android devices specifically, there are a few extras to consider. A dedicated app that makes it easy to switch sound modes, customize the audio profile, locate your earbuds if they ever get misplaced or adjust other settings is strongly preferred. Features like Google Fast Pair or NFC-based pairing, which can help you avoid having to dig through your Bluetooth menu to connect your earbuds for the first time, are also nice perks. Some Android devices can also utilize higher-quality Bluetooth codecs such as aptX Adaptive or Sony’s LDAC — these aren’t nearly as important to audio quality as the actual architecture of your earbuds, but they can help wring out a little more detail if the buds are capable enough and you’re streaming lossless files. AptX Adaptive can also help reduce latency, which is good for streaming video or gaming.

Diversity is Android’s greatest strength, but it also means that some wireless earbuds play nicer with certain devices, typically those made by the same company. Recent Samsung earbuds, for instance, come with a few perks that are only available if you use a Galaxy phone. We have a couple of recommendations related to this idea above.

How we test Android earbuds

Sony WF-1000XM5 review

(Photo by Billy Steele/Engadget)

The best way to test earphones is simply to wear them as much as possible, so that’s what we do. We typically do this over a one- to two-week period, though embargo times occasionally force us to finish our review process a bit faster. We listen to a test playlist that includes several musical genres and podcasts, paying close attention to how each pair approaches the bass, mid and treble frequencies to get an accurate sense of its sound profile. We also test at high and low volumes to check for consistency in the tuning. We do not have access to a dummy head to take more objective measurements, but we’ll sometimes look to sites like Rtings, SoundGuys and others that do just to ensure our impressions are not wildly off-base. If a model supports custom EQ, we’ll tinker with that and use the available EQ presets to see if one sounds dramatically better than the others — though in general we base most of our impressions on the stock tuning each pair uses by default.

To assess microphone quality, we record our own audio samples and take multiple calls with a partner both indoors and outside. For battery life, we play our test playlist on a loop with the volume around 75 percent and measure how long it takes for each set to drain. Where applicable, we do a thorough review of a pair’s companion app and test each available feature. While comfort is ultimately subjective, we take note of how secure each pair feels while we’re on the move. We also use certain pairs in especially crowded public spaces to get a better sense of their passive and active noise cancellation, as well as their ability to maintain a consistent Bluetooth connection.

Recent updates

August 2025: We’ve taken another sweep to ensure our advice is still up-to-date.

May 2025: We’ve checked this guide to ensure our top picks still stand and noted a couple alternatives to the Noble Fokus Rex5, since that pair has had stock issues of late. We’re also keeping an eye on how the Trump administration’s tariff policy affects the pricing and stock of our recommendations (and the consumer tech industry as a whole). All of our picks are still available in their normal price ranges today, but we’ll update this guide if that changes.

February 2025: The Noble FoKus Rex5 is our new “best for sound quality” pick, replacing the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4. Our other recommendations remain unchanged.

December 2024: We’ve lightly edited this guide for clarity and ensured that our current picks are still accurate.

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August 18, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

11 Best Android Phones of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

by admin August 17, 2025

Other Phones to Consider

We test a ton of Android phones. We like the ones below, but you’ll be better off with one of the options above. If you haven’t yet done so, check out our Best Cheap Phones and Best Folding Phones guides for more.

Pixel 9

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

Google Pixel 9 for $599: The Pixel 9 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is a great smartphone, but between the Pixel 9a and the Pixel 9 Pro series, it struggles to stand out. It shares many features with its pricier siblings, but you can get a very similar experience with the Pixel 9a, all while saving hundreds of dollars. I would hold off until the Pixel 10 launches.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 for $1,100: Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip7 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) got some great upgrades over its predecessor, but it wasn’t enough to dethrone the Razr Ultra 2025 as my top flip phone pick. Still, it’s worth considering if you’re shopping for a folding phone of this category, because the cameras are solid, the displays are excellent and larger than ever, and the cover screen is a little more useful (though not as versatile as on Motorola’s phone). Battery life is even worse here over the Fold7, so snag a power bank while you’re at it.

Galaxy S25 Edge

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge for $970: Samsung’s latest innovation is to slim down the smartphone to an amazingly thin 5.8 mm. That’s not as impressive as phones from the past, but the Galaxy S25 Edge (6/10, WIRED Recommends) is still impressive when you hold this lightweight 6.7-inch phone in your hand. It maintains several features from the Galaxy S25 Ultra, except there’s no S Pen stylus, no telephoto cameras whatsoever, and battery life is not good at all for a phone of this size and price. I routinely had to keep it topped up throughout the day. But if you’re an average to light user, you may find it sufficient, and maybe you’ll be able to appreciate the thin and light size even more.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

Nothing Phone (3a) for $379 and Phone (3a) Pro for $459: Here’s another well-rounded smartphone that doesn’t have an exorbitant price. The Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are sub-$500 Android phones, and they are both fantastic. They’re identical in every way except the cameras, where the Pro model has a slight advantage in zoom and low-light capabilities. I think the Phone (3a) looks nicer and is a better value. Run through the list of specs and you’ll be hard-pressed to find fault with the hardware. The display is wonderfully smooth with its 120-Hz refresh rate, and it’s no struggle to see in the sun. Performance is snappy, battery life is reliable, and the camera quality is decent for the money. There are some drawbacks—these phones are only IP64-rated, so don’t drop them in the pool. There’s no wireless charging, and connectivity isn’t seamless. While it’ll work best on T-Mobile, you’ll only get 4G on Verizon and AT&T until you ask the carriers to whitelist the device for 5G access. That process is sure to be frustrating.

Samsung Galaxy S24 FE for $550: Samsung’s Galaxy S24 FE is a better buy now that the flagship Galaxy S24 series is harder to find for sale. It’s a perfectly capable smartphone with a triple-camera array (including a 3X telephoto camera), and it delivers good performance. It has wireless charging, is IP68 water resistant, and has solid day-long battery life. It’s a shame the design’s a bit drab. Alternatively, you can try to find the flagship Galaxy S24 series on sale: the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra are still excellent devices, but make sure you don’t spend anywhere near their MSRP.

Moto G Power 2025

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

Motorola Moto G Power 2025 for $300: The new Moto G Power (7/10, WIRED Recommends) isn’t as great as its predecessor, and that comes down to one reason: Due to a lesser chipset, there’s a slight hit in performance, and it feels a bit more sluggish to use. However, the performance is good enough that you won’t feel frustrated. Outside of this, it’s a remarkable $300 phone. The green faux leather back exudes luxury, and it’s nice and slim. The cameras are solid, and the 6.8-inch LCD screen has a 120-Hz screen refresh rate and gets plenty bright. Best of all, the company retained the wireless charging it debuted in last year’s model, making it one of the only sub-$300 phones with this convenience. Another area of improvement? It’s IP68/69-rated, so you won’t have to baby this phone near a pool; it can handle a dip just fine. Motorola has also extended software updates on the Moto G series, promising two Android OS upgrades, with the same three years of security updates. There’s a fair amount of bloatware, but you can remove most of these preinstalled apps.

ROG Phone 9

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

Asus ROG Phone 9 for $1,000: The ROG phone series is for serious gamers. There are two USB-C ports, so you can charge the phone comfortably even while using it in landscape mode for gaming. It has perks like a headphone jack and a bevy of accessories you can attach, like a cooler and a mobile controller, to enhance the gaming experience. Unfortunately, other aspects of this phone struggle to match the high price—the software can feel clunky, and the cameras are not at all what you’d expect at this price level.

Minimal Phone

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

Minimal Phone for $399: Having trouble curbing your screen time? Instead of going cold turkey with something like the Light Phone III, try the Minimal Phone (6/10, WIRED Review). This is an e-paper Android phone with a physical keyboard. The goal is to let you access the usual Android apps, but because the screen is ill-suited to videos and most social media, you’ll naturally be able to avoid those distractions. It’s successful in this task, but the constant screen ghosting and plasticky build dampen the experience.

Mobile Accessories You Might Need

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

We have case recommendations for a few popular devices, like Samsung’s Galaxy S25, Galaxy S24, and Galaxy S23, or Google’s Pixel 9 series. It’s smart to slap a case on these glass sandwiches and even a screen protector to keep the display free of scuffs and scratches. Here are a few other noteworthy accessories, including charging adapters, which many phones don’t include anymore. Read our Best USB-C Cables guide for other recommendations.

Anker 45-Watt Charger for $28: This tiny charger will be enough for most people to charge most smartphones. It’s compact, reliable, and cheap, plus the prongs fold up. More smartphones than ever can go up to 45-watt charging speeds, so take advantage with a 45-watt charger.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

Counterpart Retractable The Charger for $44: It’s not the best value, but this design-forward charger has a retractable 4-foot cable that makes it a fantastic two-in-one—no need to pack a separate charger and cable! It outputs 35 watts, which is plenty to fast-charge most phones and tablets, and the prongs fold in for travel.

Peak Design Samsung and Pixel Everyday Case for $50: If you have a Samsung or Pixel phone and you frequently mount your phone to a bike or scooter, you owe it to yourself to snag this case and Peak Design’s bike mount. The case snaps perfectly into the mount, is dead simple to release, and has yet to fall off after years of riding. Peak Design also sells several other accessories you can attach to the back of these cases, bringing Android into Apple’s MagSafe ecosystem.

Nimble Champ Portable Charger 10,000 mAh for $60: This portable battery is small enough to leave in a bag but has enough power to fully recharge your phone once or twice. There’s a USB-C and USB-A port; it delivers 18 watts of power, so it can recharge your tablet or phone, and it’s housed in 73 percent post-consumer plastic with plastic-free packaging.

Nomad ChargeKey V2 for $25: When your phone dies, it’s almost always when you forget to bring a charger or battery pack. The ChargeKey is a nifty solution—it’s like clipping a tiny USB-C charging cable to your keychain. Just plug one end into your phone and the other into any kind of power source (a friend’s phone or a charging adapter if you manage to find one), and you can top up your phone. Native Union also has a similar item that’s cuter but nearly as capable.

Choose a Wireless Charger: Our guide to the best wireless chargers includes dozens of models in varying colors, shapes, and materials, and even some designed for specific phones. Not every Android phone supports wireless charging, but it’s a luxury you’ll want to take advantage of. Take a gander at our guide for our favorites.

Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting and exclusive subscriber content that’s too important to ignore. Subscribe Today.

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August 17, 2025 0 comments

Gaming Gear

Invisible notification hack for Android can launch hidden app actions while showing fake links that look totally safe

by admin June 23, 2025

Hackers are using invisible Unicode to trick Android into opening dangerous links from notifications
The link looks normal, but Android secretly opens something else without warning or consent
Even trusted apps like WhatsApp and Instagram are vulnerable to this hidden notification exploit

A security flaw in Android’s notification system could allows malicious actors to deceive users into opening unintended links or triggering hidden app actions, experts have warned.

Research from io-no claims the flaw lies in how Android parses certain Unicode characters within notifications.

This creates a mismatch between what users see and what the system processes when the “Open Link” suggestion appears.

What you see isn’t always what you get

The problem stems from the use of invisible or special Unicode characters embedded within URLs.

When included in a message, these characters can cause Android to interpret the visible text and the actual actionable link differently.

For instance, a notification might visibly display “amazon.com,” but the underlying code actually opens “zon.com,” with an inserted zero-width space character.

The notification displays as “ama[]zon.com,” including the hidden character. However, the suggestion engine interprets that hidden character as a separator, which results in it launching an entirely different site.

In some cases, attackers can redirect users not just to websites but also to deep links that interact directly with apps.

The report showed how a seemingly harmless shortened URL led to a WhatsApp call.

To make attacks less detectable, malicious actors can use URL shorteners and embed links into trusted-looking text.

The flaw becomes particularly dangerous when combined with app links or “deep links” that can silently trigger behaviors such as initiating messages, calls, or opening internal app views without user intent.

Tests on devices including the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, Samsung Galaxy S25, and older Android versions revealed that this misbehavior affects major apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, Discord, and Slack.

Custom apps were also used to bypass character filtering and validate the attack across multiple scenarios.

Given the nature of this flaw, many standard defenses may fall short. Even the best antivirus solutions may miss these exploits, as they often don’t involve traditional malware downloads.

Instead, attackers manipulate UI behavior and exploit app link configurations. Therefore, there is a need for endpoint protection tools, which offer broader detection based on behavioral anomalies.

For users at risk of credential theft or app abuse, relying on identity theft protection services becomes critical to monitor unauthorized activity and secure exposed personal data.

Until a formal fix is implemented, Android users should remain cautious with notifications and links, especially those from unfamiliar sources or URL shorteners.

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June 23, 2025 0 comments

Gaming Gear

The best budget Android phone for 2025

by admin June 18, 2025

You don’t need to spend a fortune to get a good phone these days. The best budget Android phones offer impressive performance, long battery life and capable phone cameras — all at a price that won’t drain your wallet. Whether you’re looking for a reliable everyday device, a backup phone or something for a younger family member, there’s a growing list of budget smartphones that deliver solid function without the high cost of flagship phones.

From Samsung phones with slick designs to models packed with smart AI features for improved performance and photos, Android’s budget lineup is better than ever. Some offer surprisingly decent Wi-Fi connectivity, while others aim to have the best camera in their price range. Whatever your needs, there’s a wallet-friendly Android option that doesn’t compromise where it counts.

Best budget Android phones for 2025

OnePlus

When it first came out, the Nord N30 had basically everything you could want in a phone that cost $300. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset delivers strong performance along with speedy wireless connectivity that’s compatible with all the big US carriers, not to mention good specs including 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, making it a worthy upgrade. It also has a big 6.7-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, which is rare on a budget phone as most rivals feature slower 60Hz or 90Hz panels. And thanks to its 50-watt wired fast charging, you can top it up quickly, too. It also offers software updates for a decent period, ensuring its longevity. But most importantly, the Nord 30 recently got a price drop from $300 to $250, making it an unquestionably good deal and our top pick in this space.

Pros

Good performance for the price
120Hz display
50W wired charging

$230 at Amazon

SAMSUNG

For just $200, the Galaxy A15 5G is a pretty remarkable device. It has a 6.5-inch display with a slightly slower 90Hz refresh rate the Nord N30. However, because it features an OLED panel instead of an LCD display, it boasts better brightness and richer colors than basically all of its rivals. On top of that, you’re getting a 50MP main camera with solid low-light performance in a remarkably affordable package. It can also be configured with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and its 5,000 mAh battery delivers a ton of longevity. And while its design isn’t too exciting, the polycarbonate Samsung uses on the back has a nice matte finish that feels more like glass than cheap plastic, giving it the appearance of a more premium design. Finally, the A15 comes with four years of security updates and three years of OS updates, which is longer than most handsets in this price range.

Pros

OLED display with good brightness and colors
Can be configured with up to 256GB of storage
5,000mAh battery

$160 at Amazon

Motorola

For those on a really tight budget, the 2024 Moto G Play covers all the bases well. It has a speedy Snapdragon 680 processor along with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. And while that last number might seem small, the phone has a microSD card slot so you can add more space if and when you need it. Its 6.5-inch LCD screen is also surprisingly sharp with a 90Hz refresh rate. The Moto G Play even has an IP52 rating for dust and water resistance. That isn’t much, but it’s good enough to protect against an errant splash or two. Sure, the G Play is basic, but it’s basic in a good way, especially if you’re not too fussed about running multiple apps and just want a handset to perform everyday tasks.

Pros

90Hz display
IP52 rating
Expandable storage via a microSD card slot

Cons

Only 64GB of onboard storage

$130 at Amazon

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

Read our full Google Pixel 8a review

For people willing to look at phones on the higher end of the budget bracket, there are some other candidates worth checking out. The Pixel 8a normally costs $499, but we’ve seen it discounted to as low as $399. So if you’re looking for an affordable handset with good performance, handy bonuses like wireless charging and one of the best main cameras on any device in this price range, you’d be foolish not to consider this Pixel phone if you can get a good deal on it. Google’s Pixel 9a is forthcoming; it’s unclear if the Pixel 8a will stay in the lineup, but considering the 7a stuck around after the 8a came out, we think you’ll be able to find this model for a little while longer.

Pros

Colorful 120Hz OLED display
Strong battery life
Excellent cameras
Great value

Cons

Slow wireless charging
Thick bezels

$499 at Amazon

Igor Bonifacic for Engadget

Read our Nothing Phone 3a Pro review

If you want something different from your next phone, there are few if any devices out there like the Nothing Phone 3a Pro. It has a translucent glass back that evokes the design of old Game Boys, allowing you to see some of its internal components, including the NFC antennas. At $459, it’s also one of the best deals in the industry, thanks to a compelling mix of features. The Phone 3a sports a bright 6.77-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It also comes with a 5,000mAh battery, a decently speedy Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset and a 3x periscope telephoto camera. That last feature is something that’s difficult to find in the 3a Pro’s price range, especially in North America. — Igor Bonifacic, Senior Reporter

Pros

Fun design
Large 120Hz AMOLED screen
Clean but customizable Android skin

Cons

Limited US warranty
No wireless charging
Tinny speakers

$459 at Amazon

How cheap should you go for an Android phone?

We tend to define a budget smartphone as costing between $150 and $350. Any lower and the device runs the risk of suffering from too many compromises in function, and above that, you cross over to pricier midrange handsets (if you’re open to spending more, we shouted out a couple of our favorite flagship phones at the very end of this guide).

But for those with a little wiggle room, there are some things to consider. For example, a child may be better off with a cheaper device, especially if it’s intended mainly for emergencies, WiFi browsing or texting parents (and not social media). On the higher end of this price spectrum, sub-$350 Samsung phones and other Android devices have come a long way thanks to improved performance, better phone cameras with low-light capabilities, fast charging, and nicer displays like AMOLED panels. This makes them a viable alternative to, say, a flagship handset with a premium design, even if you have the flexibility to spend more.

What to look for in a cheap Android phone

When it comes to cheap phones, you get what you pay for. Most smartphones in this price range are made out of plastic, though the fit and finish of a specific model can vary a lot based on price. A bright screen is also important. Typically you’ll get LCD panels with a 60Hz or 90Hz refresh rate, but some phones may have OLED or AMOLED screens with increased color saturation. Long battery life is critical as well, so we tend to favor devices with larger power cells of around 5,000 mAh. In this price range, performance can vary a lot, so look for devices with at least 8GB of RAM and processors that can deliver stutter-free visuals. It’s also important to consider support length: as periodic security updates and lengthy software support can extend the longevity of your device, which will save you money in the long run.

Android phone FAQs

What’s the price difference for a cheap Android vs a cheap iPhone?

iPhones tend to be more expensive compared to Android phones — even the cheapest iPhone, the iPhone SE, which starts from $429, is a harder pill to swallow compared to a cheap Android phone. In contrast, you can get your hands on a cheap Android device for as low as $100.

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June 18, 2025 0 comments

Gaming Gear

Some Pixel owners are reporting gesture and navigation bugs with Android 16

by admin June 15, 2025

Android 16 is causing problems for some Pixel devices
Navigation buttons and gestures are freezing
As yet Google hasn’t said anything officially about the bugs

Android 16 was officially pushed out to Pixel owners last week, but reports are coming in of the software update causing some pretty major bugs on certain handsets, related to gestures and interface and navigation.

As noted by Android Headlines, the reports say certain navigation buttons and gestures don’t respond as they should – meaning certain operations (like going back to the previous screen) take seconds to complete, or don’t happen at all.

It’s not difficult to find users having problems: on Reddit, we’ve got posts about unresponsive buttons on a Google Pixel 8, swiping up not doing anything on a Pixel 9 Pro XL, and multiple gestures not functioning on a Pixel 6.

Problems for some

Here’s a demo of the back button randomly not working on Android 16.I grabbed a bug report and submitted it to Google engineering along with this reproduction screencast. Hopefully, they’ll figure it out. pic.twitter.com/nEmifqQRvbJune 14, 2025

While there are numerous reports of issues online, these problems clearly aren’t affecting everyone: since upgrading to Android 16 on my Google Pixel 9 phone, I haven’t noticed any problems using the navigation gestures.

As yet, Google hasn’t yet said anything officially about these problems. If you are affected, you can report the bug to Google. With so many users now complaining, no doubt this is going to get addressed sooner rather than later.

What makes these bugs particularly annoying is that they relate to a fundamental part of the user experience, and affect multiple apps and screens. Being able to get around your phone is a pretty fundamental part of using it.

Android 16 brings with it a number of useful upgrades, including a new Pixel VIPs feature for your favorite contacts, but we’re still waiting for the big Material 3 Expressive revamp to arrive – which should be along later this year.

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June 15, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

A native PS3 emulator for Android is available on the Play Store

by admin June 15, 2025

We’re another step closer to getting PlayStation 3 games to run smoothly on an Android smartphone. A little-known developer has released aPS3e, a PS3 emulator that can natively run on Android, onto the Google Play Store. Independent developers have been creating ways to emulate our favorite nostalgic hits on PS3, but offering a direct way to do it on an Android device is a major step in the emulation world.

Before you dive in, it’s worth noting that aPS3e suffers the same issues as other emulators, meaning it doesn’t offer the same smooth experience as playing on your old PS3. Even the Play Store page warns that the app is “still under active development and may not work with all your favorite games.” Early reports from users claim that the app is prone to crashing, still has several bugs, and doesn’t offer reliable frame-rate performance. The app is geared towards higher-end Android devices with the latest processors and recommends around 12 GB of RAM for a decent gameplay experience. The app has built-in on-screen controls, but the website claims it has support for some Bluetooth controllers.

This latest app isn’t the only way to emulate PS3 games on an Android device, but it’s the first to be listed on the Play Store. There has been a lot of criticism that the developer pulled code from other PS3 emulation projects, but the project has since been made open-source on its Github page. Currently, aPS3e is available for free without ads, but there’s a premium version for $5 that’s meant to support the developer. The Android emulator has already landed more than 10,000 downloads.

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June 15, 2025 0 comments

Crypto Trends

Litecoin Powered Nexus Wallet launches for Android and iOS

by admin June 8, 2025

The Litecoin Foundation has just announced the Nexus Wallet, making it possible for enthusiasts to download it both on Google Play and on the iOS App Store. When announced on June 7, 2025, via the Litecoin Foundation’s official tweet, the Litecoin Wallet 2.0 became a reliable and useful tool for those using LTC.

Nexus Wallet, especially for Litecoin, offers various useful features to benefit users and make the service easy to use. It features atomic swaps between BTC and LTC, fully supports SegWit, and offers MWEB for improving the level of privacy.

In addition, users can make fast transactions using Lightning Network, pay easily at many U.S. shops with Flexa Pay, and send their LTC to Unstoppable Domains. This means Nexus is useful for daily activity as well as more complicated crypto operations.

The launch, which was first announced during the Litecoin Summit 2025, is now creating a buzz among people in the crypto space. The partnership with Flexa reveals that instant and safe spending of LTC at stores across the U.S. will be possible. Lightning and many in the community urge people to download the authorized wallet.

In every country, the Litecoin Foundation shows its commitment to innovation and growth with Nexus Wallet. People who use cryptocurrency globally can now choose a reliable Litecoin wallet, which highlights the strength of LTC among other altcoins. Gain more information by accessing the Litecoin Foundation’s materials or by downloading Nexus Wallet at this moment.

Also Read: Yago Reveals Why Litecoin’s LitVM is a Step Ahead of Bitcoin

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June 8, 2025 0 comments

Gaming Gear

The best Android phones to buy in 2025

by admin June 6, 2025

The Android ecosystem is all about choice. While iPhone owners have a smaller pool of new devices to pick from when it’s time to upgrade, there’s a wider range of choices on Android. Some Android phones even fold in half! Imagine.

On the flip side, all that choice can make for some hard decisions. Here’s where I’d like to help; I’ve tested a whole boatload of recent Android phones, and I think there are some real winners in the current batch. It’s all a matter of what you’re looking for, what you’re comfortable spending, and what your definition of a “reasonably sized phone” is. (I have my own, personally.)

As you sift through the options, you’ll almost certainly come across tech’s favorite buzzphrase of the moment: AI. Generally speaking, AI has yet to really impress me on a phone. The Pixel 9 series has some potentially useful features, like a Screenshots app that uses AI to tag relevant info in metadata, and Galaxy devices can translate a phone call for you in real time. These things are nothing to sneeze at! But none of it feels like the platform shift that the big tech companies keep promising. Best not to put too much stock in any company’s AI claims just yet.

What I’m looking for

How we test smartphones

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There’s no shortcut to properly testing a phone; I put my personal SIM card (physical or otherwise) in each phone I review and live with it for a minimum of one full week. I set up each phone from scratch, load it up with my apps, and go about living my life — stress testing the battery, using GPS navigation on my bike while streaming radio, taking rapid-fire portrait mode photos of my kid — everything I can throw at it. Starting over with a new phone every week either sounds like a dream or your personal hell, depending on how Into Phones you are. For me, switching has become so routine that it’s mostly painless.

Longevity

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A great Android phone will go the distance. I look for signs that the hardware and software will keep up for many years to come, including a strong IP rating for dust and water resistance (IP68 is preferred), durable glass panels on the front and back, and a sturdy aluminum frame rather than plastic. Samsung and Google flagships now offer seven years of OS and security updates, which as awesome. As a bare minimum three years of Android OS version upgrades is preferred, along with a total of four or five years of security updates.

A great screen

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The best Android phones have plenty of resolution to cover their large display area, which means 1440p, ideally. A fast refresh rate of at least 120Hz is preferred — animations and scrolling look super smooth at that rate — and even better if it’s variable down to 1Hz to save on battery life.

Quality cameras

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Any phone can take a decent photo in good lighting, but the best phone cameras can handle low light and high-contrast scenes well, too. I look for optical (most common) or sensor-shift (rare) image stabilization, which helps compensate for hand shake and enable slower shutter speeds in low light to gather more light. A telephoto lens is great to have too, though high-res sensors are starting to offer better lossless crop modes that mimic short zoom lenses well.

Wireless charging

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Most phones on this list offer wireless charging, though not all do. Lack of wireless charging isn’t a complete deal-breaker, but it’s becoming an essential feature for a lot of people since it’s convenient for charging many different kinds of devices.

If you live in the US, I have some bad news about the Android market, though. For complicated reasons having to do with “capitalism” and “geopolitics,” we don’t get nearly as many of the options as you’ll find in Asia and Europe — brands like Huawei, Xiaomi, Honor, and Oppo just aren’t available here. I’ve limited this guide to the devices I’ve personally tested in depth; thus, it is a fairly US-centric set of recommendations.

With that in mind, it’s also worth acknowledging that most people in the US get their phones “for free” from their wireless carrier. If you can manage it, buying a phone unlocked will give you the most flexibility and freedom if you end up wanting to change carriers in the near future. Phone manufacturers also offer financing and trade-in deals to make payment more manageable. But if you’re happy with your carrier and the free phone on offer is the one you really want, by all means, take the free phone. Just make sure you understand the terms, especially if you need to change plans to cash in on the deal.

However you go about it, you have some fantastic options for your next Android phone.

The best Android phone overall

$599

The Good

Updated design feels more secure in hand
Fast fingerprint sensor
Seven years of software and OS updates

The Bad

No telephoto camera
AI features are inconsistent
What is a photo?

Screen: 6.3-inch 1080p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Tensor G4 / Cameras: 50-megapixel f/1.7 main with OIS, 48-megapixel ultrawide, 10.5-megapixel selfie / Battery: 4,700mAh / Charging: 27W wired, 15W wireless (with Pixel Stand 2) / Weather resistance: IP68

Google’s hardware is better than ever, and the whole Pixel 9 lineup feels just as polished as anything you’d get from Samsung or Apple. But at $799 (and often less than that), the basic Pixel 9 is in a particularly appealing position, and if you don’t need a telephoto camera or the biggest screen, then this is the Android phone to get.

The Pixel 9 comes with some significant quality-of-life improvements like a faster fingerprint scanner for unlocking the phone. The camera is as reliable as ever, and if you’re into AI photo editing tricks, boy does this phone have ‘em. There’s a new Screenshots app that acts as a place to store all of the information that would otherwise be lost at sea in your camera roll, and it uses AI to parse information out and make it searchable. Kinda handy.

You gotta admit, the camera bar is a strong look. Photo: Allison Johnson / The Verge

Even without AI, this is an excellent phone. It’s also designed to go the distance, with seven years of promised OS updates, which very likely means you’ll outgrow the phone before Google stops supporting it. Its potential for long-term value and the quality of the hardware make it an easy recommendation for anyone who just wants a nice Android phone that works.

Read my full Google Pixel 9 review.

The best maximalist phone

$1000

The Good

Excellent screen
Improved ultrawide camera
Rounded corners are comfier

The Bad

Expensive
Bulky
AI is (still) hit or miss

Screen: 6.9-inch 1440p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite / Cameras: 200-megapixel main with OIS, 50-megapixel 5x telephoto with OIS, 10-megapixel 3x telephoto with OIS, 50-megapixel ultrawide, 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: 5,000mAh / Charging: 45W wired, 15W wireless (Qi2 Ready) / Weather resistance: IP68

There’s still no phone quite like the Ultra. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is Samsung’s latest answer to the question, “What if your phone had all of the features?” It’s equipped with two telephoto cameras, a built-in stylus, and a big, bright screen. Good luck finding that combination in another phone. Related: this is one of the most expensive slab-style phones you can buy.

The newest edition of the Ultra comes with rounded corners and flat edges, making it more comfortable in your hand. But if you’re looking for significant year-over-year improvements to the Ultra formula outside of that, well, you won’t find much. Samsung’s focus has been on software features, which is to say AI features. But AI on Galaxy phones remains a mixed bag — it’s certainly not the paradigm shift Samsung wants us to think the S25 series represents.

Photo: Allison Johnson / The Verge

All of that puts the Ultra in a place of slightly less distinction than previous versions. The biggest updates are software features available to the rest of the S25 series. The Ultra looks and feels more like other Galaxy phones this time around, too. More than ever, it’s hard to understand what Samsung means when it calls this phone “Ultra.” Still, it’s your best choice for a feature-packed Android phone — even if it’s not quite as ultra as it once was.

Read my full Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review.

The best Android phone that isn’t huge

$625

The Good

The last reasonably sized Android phone
Seven years of OS upgrades
Very good camera

The Bad

Samsung software is as cluttered as usual
AI is still a mixed bag

Screen: 6.2-inch 2340 x 1080 120hz OLED / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Cameras: 50-megapixel main with OIS, 12-megapixel ultrawide, 10-megapixel 3x telephoto with OIS, 12-megapixel selfie Battery: 4000mAh / Charging: 25W wired, 15W wireless (Qi2 Ready) / Weather-resistance rating: IP68

Most people like a big phone, and I get that. I do. If you want a big Android phone, you have plenty of options in front of you. But some of us like a smaller phone — something that (kind of) fits in your pocket, or feels more comfortable in your hand. For us, there is but one option on Android: the Samsung Galaxy S25.

That’s the regular S25, not the Plus, which is a fine big phone. But the standard S25 is basically the last of its kind: a full-featured phone with a 6.2-inch screen. It’s not small, but it’s not huge, and we’ll have to take what we can get. And it’s a darn good phone that keeps up with the bigger devices in all the important ways: the battery goes all day, it comes with plenty of RAM, and it even has a real telephoto lens — not something you get on a basic, 6.1-inch phone on, say, iOS.

Photo: Allison Johnson / The Verge

The Galaxy S25 isn’t just a good, small-ish phone by default. It’s reliable, durable, and comes with the promise of seven years of OS updates. It’s not my pick for the overall best Android phone because Samsung software can be a bit much, but if you’re comfortable in the Samsung ecosystem and you just want a phone that fits in your dang pocket, then this is the one to go with.

The best phone if you hate waiting for your phone to charge

$850

The Good

Excellent battery life
Six years of security updates
Strong IP rating for dust and water resistance

The Bad

Big phone is big
Not as many OS updates as Google and Samsung offer

Screen: 6.82-inch 1440p 120Hz LTPO OLED / Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite / Cameras: 50-megapixel f/1.6 main with OIS, 50-megapixel 3x telephoto with OIS, 50-megapixel f/2.0 ultrawide, 32-megapixel selfie / Battery: 6,000mAh / Charging: 80W wired, 50W wireless / Weather-resistance rating: IP68 and IP69

There are plenty of good reasons to consider the OnePlus 13. It has a big, beautiful screen, and costs a hundred bucks less than the Galaxy S25 Plus. Its dust and water resistance is so strong you could practically use the phone in a hurricane without consequences. And its camera system is much improved year over year, particularly when it comes to low-light portraiture. But there’s one standout reason to consider the 13: impatience.

This vegan leather back panel is so nice. Photo: Allison Johnson / The Verge

The OnePlus 13 offers enough battery stamina to get through two days of moderate use on a single charge — and that’s with plenty of power-draining features enabled, including the always-on display. If you’re thriftier with your charge, it could even go beyond that. Forgot to charge overnight? No big deal; you can probably just charge it up on night two. Charging is also relatively fast, and in the US, the phone comes with an 80W wired charger in the box. So even if you do need a midday top-off, you’ll be able to get hours of charge in a matter of minutes. No other flagship phone offers that kind of charging (or not charging) flexibility.

Read my full OnePlus 13 review.

$1499

The Good

Excellent outer screen format
Inner screen is lovely to use
Seven years of OS updates

The Bad

Expensive
Main camera isn’t as good as slab phones
Long-term durability?

Screen: 8.0-inch 2076p 120Hz OLED inner screen, 6.3-inch 1080p 120Hz OLED cover screen / Processor: Tensor G4 / Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.7 main with OIS, 10.8-megapixel 5x telephoto with OIS, 10.5-megapixel ultrawide, 10-megapixel selfie (cover screen), 10-megapixel inner selfie camera / Battery: 4,650mAh / Charging: 21W wired, 7.5W wireless / Weather resistance: IPX8

Does anyone truly need a folding phone? Probably not. But using one is awfully nice, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is the nicest book-style foldable I’ve used to date. It’s pricey, it’s still bulkier than a slab-style phone, and its cameras aren’t quite as nice as the other Pixel 9 Pro phones. But it’s a joy to use, both as a regular phone with the cover screen and when you unfold the big inner screen.

The 9 Pro Fold is Google’s second folding phone, following up the passport-shaped Pixel Fold with a format that feels much more familiar. The outer screen measures 6.3 inches on the diagonal, but more importantly, the ratio is the same as Google’s slab phones. By comparison, Samsung’s Z Fold 6 uses a taller, narrower format that feels cramped. Having used them both, I much prefer the 9 Pro Fold’s approach.

The inner screen is great and all, but how about that outer screen? Photo: Allison Johnson / The Verge

That said, the 9 Pro Fold isn’t without compromises. The camera system isn’t quite as good as what you get in the other 9 Pro phones. The outer screen isn’t as sharp or bright as the Pixel 9 Pro’s, either. And it’s not as durable as its slab-style counterparts — there’s no dust resistance, and you can’t get it repaired just anywhere. For $1,800, that’s an awful lot to swallow. For the adventurous early adopter, though, the 9 Pro Fold will be very rewarding.

Read my full Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold review.

Other Android phones worth considering

There are many more great Android devices that weren’t covered here, and a few are worth calling out that didn’t quite make the cut for a recommendation.

First off, there’s the Galaxy Z Flip 6, Samsung’s excellent clamshell-style foldable. It’s not as much fun to use as the 2025 Razr Ultra — which facilitates using apps on the cover screen more easily — but Motorola’s track record for software updates isn’t great, so the Z Flip 6 is a safer bet for a flip phone. Read our review.
The OnePlus Open is also another good book-style foldable option. It’s thin and light, and the software includes some thoughtful approaches to multitasking — a crucial part of the folding phone experience. But it won’t be supported with software updates for as long as the Pixel 9 Pro Fold or the Galaxy Z Fold 6. Read our review.
Speaking of OnePlus, the company also recently launched the OnePlus 13R, a midrange phone with a big 6.78-inch OLED display and enough battery life to carry you through two full days on a single charge. That said, the $599 handset lacks wireless charging and full water resistance, both of which can be found on other budget-friendly phones for less. Read our review.
We’re currently in the midst of testing Samsung’s new Galaxy S25 Edge, which essentially serves as a sleeker S25 Plus that trades battery life and a telephoto lens for sheer compactness. It’s still got a 6.7-inch OLED display and a Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset, but given that it’s 1.5 millimeters thinner and about an ounce lighter than the Plus, it’s more comfortable to tote around. Read our hands-on impressions.
Last but not least, there’s the Google Pixel 9A. It comes with some small but important updates over the 8A, including more robust water resistance and a slightly bigger, brighter screen. Better yet, those improvements don’t come with a price bump. With seven years of OS updates included, that’s a strong ROI. Read our review.

Google’s Pixel 10 series — which will likely include a regular Pixel 10, a Pro, a Pro XL, and a Pro Fold — will reportedly launch at a Made by Google event on August 13th. Google’s next-gen flagships have been heavily leaked at this point, and the base model is expected to join the Pro options with three cameras (including a telephoto lens). The Pro models, meanwhile, will distinguish themselves with an upgraded Tensor G5 chipset and more advanced AI features while retaining a near-identical design.

Update, June 5th: Updated pricing / availability and added a mention of Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge.

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June 6, 2025 0 comments

Crypto Trends

‘FIFA Rivals’ Game Launching Next Week on iOS, Android

by admin June 6, 2025

In brief

Mobile soccer game FIFA Rivals will release on iOS and Android on June 12.
Mythical’s latest sports game features arcade-style gameplay and tradable NFT player cards.
Adidas will feature in the game via branded kits, jerseys, shoes, and a training facility.

Blockchain-powered mobile soccer game FIFA Rivals will release on June 12 on both iOS and Android, Mythical Games announced Friday, revealing a multi-year licensing agreement with sportswear giant Adidas in the process.

The team-up will integrate Adidas products throughout FIFA Rivals, including digital kits, jerseys, and shoe releases that draw from the brand’s soccer heritage. Players will have access to exclusive in-game items and experiences designed around Adidas branding.

“FIFA Rivals is all about celebrating the global passion for football in a fresh and modern way,” said Mythical Games co-founder and CEO John Linden, in a statement. “Bringing Adidas into this world gives players a deeper cultural connection and the chance to represent one of the most iconic brands in football—on and off the pitch. This collaboration sets a new standard for how brands show up in digital experiences.”

The beautiful game just got bolder ⚽️🔥

Here’s your first look at FIFA Rivals gameplay, the fast-paced, arcade-style football game built for mobile 📲

Comment if you’re ready for FIFA Summer 👇 pic.twitter.com/EWMenBnYeO

— FIFA Rivals (@FIFARivals) May 29, 2025

The collaboration includes digital kit drops featuring classic and future-forward Adidas jersey designs, boot releases tied to real-world player performance, a limited-edition match ball, and a training facility where players can upgrade their digital cards.

FIFA Rivals pairs the soccer governing body’s branding with fast-paced, casual-friendly gameplay, letting players build teams using major clubs and stars. They can then compete in real-time matches against other players, and trade digital player cards as NFTs on the Mythical Marketplace.

Mythical Games previously launched NFL Rivals, an officially licensed American football game, which similarly features tradable player cards minted as NFTs on Mythos Chain, a network powered by Polkadot tech.

In a separate move last month, FIFA announced plans to launch its own Avalanche L1 chain to support its FIFA Collect platform, which lets users purchase and trade digital collectibles based on real-world players and moments.

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June 6, 2025 0 comments

The Motorola Edge 60 Pro above a leafy garden

Product Reviews

Motorola Edge 60 Pro review: a premium-feeling Android phone that undercuts big rivals

by admin June 4, 2025

Why you can trust TechRadar

We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Motorola Edge 60 Pro two-minute review

When Motorola first started releasing its line of more affordable ‘premium’ Edge smartphones in 2020, it never could have expected that it’d be the last mobile brand to make truly eye-catching flagship phones.

That’s not quite true, of course, but with expensive phones like the Samsung Galaxy S25, iPhone 16, and Xiaomi 15 all offering relatively boring designs that defy their hefty price tags, Moto is one of the few flagbearers whose top-end phones actually feel… well, top-end in 2025.

Moto has released a new generation of Edge phones each year since the debut of the Motorola Edge in 2020, and the Edge 60 Pro is the most advanced model of the current crop (at least until the next Ultra-branded model arrives). And thankfully, almost all of the previous models’ selling points remain valid on the Edge 60 Pro.

Motorola Edge 60 Pro review: price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

Released in April 2025
Phone sells for £599 (roughly $800, AU$1,250)
Price matches predecessor

The Motorola Edge 60 Pro was announced alongside a non-Pro version in April 2025, roughly a year on from the release of the previous series, albeit with a different selection of sibling suffixes.

You can pick up the phone for £599 (roughly $800, AU$1,250). Due to precedent, we don’t expect that Moto will release the Edge 60 Pro in the US, but an Australian announcement seems likely later this year, especially with the Edge 60 Fusion already selling in the country.

That price makes the Edge 60 Pro the most expensive non-folding smartphone sold by Motorola, but in the wider smartphone world, it’s on the border of mid-range and premium – which means it undercuts a lot of big-name flagship rivals. The Google Pixel 9, Samsung Galaxy S25, and iPhone 16 all cost more, while the supposedly budget-friendly iPhone 16e retails for the same price.

Motorola Edge 60 Pro review: specs

Swipe to scroll horizontallyMotorola Edge 60 Pro specsHeader Cell – Column 0 Header Cell – Column 1

Dimensions:

160.69 x 73.06 x 8.24mm

Weight:

186g

Screen:

6.7-inch FHD (1220 x 2712) 120Hz AMOLED

Chipset:

Mediatek Dimensity 8350

RAM:

12GB

Storage:

512GB

OS:

Android 15

Primary camera:

50MP, f/1.8

Ultra-wide camera:

50MP f/2.0 120-degree

Telephoto camera:

10MP, f/2.0 2x optical

Front camera:

50MP, f/2.0

Audio:

Dolby Atmos stereo speakers

Battery:

6,000mAh

Charging:

90W wired, 15W wireless

Colors:

Dazzling Blue, Sparkling Grape, Shadow

Motorola Edge 60 Pro review: design

(Image credit: Future)

Premium curved-edge design
Thin and lightweight
Pantone-designed blue, khaki or purple

With companies like Samsung having seemingly jettisoned ‘attractive design’ from the list of important smartphone traits this year, I was worried that Motorola might abandon the Edge’s roots and follow suit. Fear not: the Motorola Edge 60 Pro is just as appealing as past entries (largely because it’s a dead ringer for past models).

To discuss the eye-catching part, we’ll have to start at the back: Moto typically offers these mobiles in a range of Pantone-designed hues, and it’s no different this time around. The model you see in the review images is Dazzling Blue, and there’s a greenish-khaki Shadow option too, but the real eye-catcher is Sparkling Grape, a vibrant and commanding purple. Unlike in some previous generations, Moto hasn’t included a literal color swatch on the back of the Edge 60 Pro, so you don’t feel like you’re texting on a walking paint advertisement.

Instead, the back features a slightly raised camera bump that’s incorporated well into the overall design; it’s reminiscent of Oppo Find X phones before they became overdesigned. It doesn’t stick that far from the phone’s body, so you can put the handset flat on a surface without undue wobbling. The phone’s rear is also textured – slightly differently depending on the color option you pick – making it feel more premium than your average Android.

Moving to the sides reveals the Edge 60 Pro’s other premium feature: a curved-edge display (admittedly, the name does give it away). This means that the phone’s screen curves slightly at the edges to become incorporated seamlessly into the sides of the phone without ending at an abrupt angle. While curved edges are divisive, and admittedly are slightly frail and prone to accidental touches, they’re still considered a trait of premium mobiles. As a result, the Edge 60 Pro is much more comfortable to hold in the hand than your average flagship, and it just feels more advanced.

The edges of the phone also feature all the mandatory buttons, plus one extra one. The right edge has a power button – just about within thumb’s reach on my hand – and above it a volume rocker, which I had to stretch to use. But on the left side, high enough up that I couldn’t really reach it, is a new addition: the AI Key.

Pressing and holding this button brings up Motorola’s AI assistant, while double-pressing it either opens a note-taking function or quickly summarizes your notifications – all of these require a separate Motorola account. If you’ve no interest in AI features like this, you can turn them off in the settings menu.

Let’s briefly continue our tour around the Edge 60 Pro: the bottom edge has its USB-C charging port and the SIM card slot. There’s no 3.5mm jack for wired audio, like in past generations. And that’s that in terms of design – except for the display, which we have a whole section about.

The total dimensions of the phone are 160.69 x 73.06 x 8.24mm, and it weighs 186g, so it’s on the lighter side of things.

Moto is also making a song and dance about the Edge 60 Pro’s protections. It has IP69 certification, indicating that it’s safe from dust ingress and high-pressure beams of water, plus the military MIL-STD-810H accreditation, which means it’s safe from shocks, high and low temperatures, high altitudes, and strong vibrations. We usually only see this kind of certification in rugged phones, but a growing number of consumer ones have them too – and it’s nice to know that your handset is protected from the unexpected.

Motorola Edge 60 Pro review: display

(Image credit: Future)

6.7 inches, 2712 x 1220 resolution
120Hz refresh rate and 4500-nit max brightness
Various filters and modes to tweak

The Motorola Edge 60 Pro’s screen is 6.7-inches diagonally, a size Edge fans will be used to, and that’s not the only spec that the 60 Pro has in common with its predecessors: the resolution is once again 2712 x 1220, or FHD+, and the 20:9 aspect ratio makes the screen feel long and thin.

We can’t knock Motorola for a lack of design upgrades year-on-year, but some tech fans might be upset that the refresh rate has seen a downgrade from the Edge 50 Pro: it’s now 120Hz. But that’s matched by a massive brightness increase, of over double, to a new high of 4500 nits: suffice to say this is a phone that’s easy to use when you’re outdoors in the sun.

The screen is broken up by a pretty minimal punch-hole cut-out for the front-facing camera at the top. It has an embedded fingerprint scanner which… worked when it wanted to, let’s put it that way.

Motorola has stuffed quite a few design features into the Edge 60 Pro’s display, including support for HDR10+ and DCI-P3 color space. There are also filters to reduce the amount of blue light coming from the display, which may placate people who use blue light filters to help them sleep (despite the scientific evidence that your phone’s blue light doesn’t affect sleep).

Pantone also shows its face for some display tweakery, with Moto’s listing for the Edge 60 Pro also mentioning “Pantone Validated Colour” and “Pantone Skintone Validated”, which suggests the color company had a hand in optimizing the screen.

Good job, too, because the Edge 60 Pro is pleasant to look at while watching movies and playing games, with nice contrast and vibrant colors.

Motorola Edge 60 Pro review: software

(Image credit: Future)

Android 15 with four years of updates
Customization options galore
Moto AI useful for small tasks, not big ones

The Motorola Edge 60 Pro comes with Android 15 as its default software. This is stock Android, ostensibly how Google designed it, but with every new generation, Moto adds more and more tweaks that make it feel distinct from Pixel or Nokia phones.

I’ve already discussed arguably the biggest software change – the AI key and Moto AI in general, which the brand seems to be presenting as something you’ll opt to use over Google Assistant for various tasks and needs.

Moto AI is at its best when you’re using it for little tasks around your phone: you can ask it to take notes, set an update reminder, or create a new background for your device. But like other AI chatbots like ChatGPT, if you start to ask it questions, it provides you with the usual factually inaccurate (and oftentimes totally irrelevant) gibberish that you love to mock.

Some of the features that Moto is touting most simply don’t make sense – unless you’ve received an absolute deluge of messages since you last checked your phone, it takes longer to use Moto AI’s notification summary tool than simply to check your messages. There’s also a function that creates a bespoke playlist based on your mood, but it only supports Amazon Music, so if you use Spotify or Tidal, you’re out of luck.

What’s more, every time I used the AI Key, the pop-up appeared with my last search or command, which I’d need to backspace from before starting my new task. I found it pretty frustrating.

Beyond its AI, the Edge 60 Pro retains Moto’s suite of personalization features, from the big things like background, font, and color scheme to the shape of icons and the animation that appears when you use the fingerprint unlock.

You can now also generate wallpapers based on your own prompt or a photo from your gallery. I sent this feature a photo of a cat, and it returned some patterned decals that looked like a marbled chocolate cake. Thanks, but I think I’ll just use the photo of the cat as my background. The point being: some of the AI’s creations were very tangential from the original photo, but I appreciate that none of them resembled the phony tripe you usually get from AI image generators, which is definitely a plus.

Motorola has committed four years of software updates to the Edge 60 Pro. It’s a perfectly acceptable amount of time that’ll future-proof your phone, though it falls just shy of being an industry-leading figure.

Motorola Edge 60 Pro review: cameras

(Image credit: Future)

50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide and 10MP telephoto cameras
50MP front-facing
Pictures look dull and colorless
Offers the standard range of camera modes

There are three cameras on the back of the Moto Edge 60 Pro: a 50MP f/1.8 main snapper, a 50MP f/2.0 ultra-wide one with a 120-degree lens, and a 10MP f/2.0 telephoto camera which supports 3x optical zoom.

On paper, that seems like a solid range of snappers, giving you a range of ways to take pictures, whether you want to zoom in from a distance or get yourself nice and close (the ultra-wide snapper also supports a macro mode). But Moto has yet to put out a killer camera phone, and the Edge 60 Pro doesn’t change that streak.

The main issue, which certainly isn’t new for Moto phones, is that pictures are just a little more dull and desaturated than they’d be on any other phone. While many brands pride themselves on the vibrancy of snaps you can take with their phone cameras, the pictures I took on the Edge simply weren’t social media-worthy due to how lifeless they look.

It’s a shame, because technically, the photos taken aren’t terrible – I was really fond of using the telephoto lens, for instance, as its depth of field was exquisite, and thanks to the high-res snappers, photos have lots of detail. But while some photos could be saved by dropping them into Photoshop, this shouldn’t be a necessary step for smartphone photographs to look worthy.

(Image credit: Future)

That’s not my only issue with the Edge 60 Pro’s cameras, though it’s the only one that can’t be deactivated. Firstly, the background bokeh blur on Portrait shots is intense – you can change this, but I only noticed after taking a few shots, so make sure to tweak it yourself. But the other biggie is macro mode, which by default turns on when you put the phone near a close-up subject.

When this mode turns on, it jumps over to the ultra-wide lens, which is lower positionally than the other two (when you’re holding the phone horizontally to take a shot). This often meant that the subject was in a different spot of the frame, or not in frame, causing the camera to decide that I was no longer trying to take a macro snap, and jump back to the main camera, whereupon it’d see the subject again. Rinse and repeat, you can see how this goes.

The camera app features most of the photography and video modes that you’re used to seeing on an Android phone, like slow-mo video, night vision shots, and tilt-shift photography. Video recording goes up to 4K at 30fps or 1080p at 60fps.

The selfie camera is a 50MP f/2.0 snapper, and it uses an ultra-wide lens so that you can take wider group shots if you need, though it defaults to the one-person view. These pictures suffer from the aforementioned issues, specifically Portrait absolutely obliterating the background, and the color tuning being lackluster – in the examples below, there’s an odd green hue to several of the images.

Motorola Edge 60 Pro camera samples

Image 1 of 8

(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)

Motorola Edge 60 Pro review: performance and audio

(Image credit: Future)

Uses the Dimensity 8350 chipset
12GB RAM and 512GB Storage
Dolby Atmos-tuned stereo speakers

The Motorola Edge 60 Pro marks a shift for Moto in that it’s moved from the dominant chipset maker Qualcomm to its underdog rival Mediatek.

The phone uses the Mediatek Dimensity 8350 chipset, a fairly powerful mid-range Android chip that we also saw in the Oppo Reno 13 Pro. Like in that contemporary handset, it provides good amounts of power, enough that most users won’t notice a difference between it and true top-end ones for most ordinary tasks.

A Geekbench 5 benchmark test on the Edge 60 Pro returned a multi-core score of 4,504, which is a solid upgrade on the roughly 3,000 score we saw on the Edge 50 Pro, and even better than the Reno 13’s 4,042.

The sole configuration on sale offers 12GB RAM and 512GB storage, which is generous: it means you’ve got loads of space to store years of photos and countless apps, and the RAM ensures the handset feels fast to use. There’s also RAM boost, which lets you sacrifice some storage space for a speed increase; a feature that has niche appeal but will be useful to certain users.

Audio-wise, Moto has long since binned off the 3.55mm jack in its Edge phones. However, you’re getting Dolby Atmos-tuned stereo speakers instead, which isn’t quite as good as wired headphones, but it’ll do.

Motorola Edge 60 Pro review: battery life

(Image credit: Future)

Boosted 6,000mAh battery
90W wired charging, 15W wireless
Reverse wired charging is new

Motorola has packed the Edge 60 Pro with a massive 6,000mAh battery, which is markedly bigger than the cell in its predecessor, though that upgrade is counterbalanced – on paper, at least – by a decrease in charging speed.

A big power pack like this ensures that the Edge 60 Pro can breeze through a day of use without running out of power, which isn’t a guarantee with big-screen phones these days. I also found that the Edge 60 Pro could withstand lengthy gaming sessions without draining too much power.

However, the amount of battery drain ensured that this isn’t a two-day phone; it’ll need daily recharges.

The charging speed sits at 90W, which, while technically a downgrade from the 125W powering on the Edge 50 Pro, is still an impressive figure. The difference between the two can be measured in mere minutes of charging speed, and I think most people won’t even notice the downgrade.

Motorola estimates that the charging time for the Edge 60 Pro is 40 minutes; however, to get this speed, it recommends that you use a sold-separately charger, which I couldn’t actually find on its website (in the box, you get a USB-C to USB-C cable but no mains plug). Mind you, even when using a third-party fast charger, my charging times weren’t that much longer.

Like any good premium phone, the Edge 60 Pro also offers wireless charging, although it too has seen a speed downgrade versus the last-gen model. It can support wireless charging at 15W and, while there’s no longer support for reverse wireless charging, the Edge 60 Pro does offer reverse wired charging, which lets you use it as a little power bank to charge other gadgets.

Motorola Edge 60 Pro review: value

(Image credit: Future)

Throughout this review, I’ve been mentally referring to the Motorola Edge 60 Pro as a premium phone, which is both correct and wrong.

It’s a correct designation in that the specs are all there, but wrong in that the phone doesn’t actually cost quite as much as a Galaxy, iPhone, or Pixel.

The bottom line: the Edge 60 Pro is a great-value phone if you want a top-end mobile, because you’re paying a bit less for mostly-similar specs. Sure, its cameras will leave you wanting, but in almost every other department, the Edge 60 Pro is a winner.

Should you buy the Motorola Edge 60 Pro?

Swipe to scroll horizontallyMotorola Edge 60 Pro score card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

You’re basically getting a premium smartphone for a lower price, which sounds good to me!

4 / 5

Design

The phone feels and looks premium, and it’s well-protected with military-grade accreditation.

4 / 5

Display

The Edge 60 Pro has a high-res screen with a top max brightness and useful extra features.

4 / 5

Software

It’s a clean software with customization options and a long shelf life, even if Moto is relying too much on AI as a big new feature.

3.5 / 5

Camera

Photos look dull and there are one or two other issues with the cameras that lose it points.

3 / 5

Performance

The chipset suits most tasks and there’s lots of storage and RAM to go around.

4 / 5

Battery

It’s fast to charge and has a decently-sized battery, though there are some downgrades here.

4 / 5

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Motorola Edge 60 Pro review: Also consider

Still not sold on the Motorola Edge 60 Pro? Here are some other comparable smartphones you should consider looking at instead:

Swipe to scroll horizontallyHeader Cell – Column 0

Motorola Edge 60 Pro

iPhone 16e

Xiaomi Poco F7 Ultra

Motorola Edge 50 Pro

Starting price (at launch):

£599 (roughly $800, AU$1,250)

$599 / £599 / AU$999

£649 (roughly $900, AU$1,400)

£599.99 / AU$999 (roughly $800)

Dimensions:

160.69 x 73.06 x 8.24mm

146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8mm

160.3 x 75 x 8.4mm

161.2 x 72.4 x 8.2mm

Weight:

186g

167g

212g

186g

OS (at launch):

Android 15

iOS 18

Android 15, HyperOS 2

Android 14

Screen Size:

6.7-inch

6.1-inch

6.67-inch

6.7-inch

Resolution:

2712 x 1220

2532 x 1170

1440 x 3200

1220 x 2712

CPU:

Mediatek Dimensity 8350

Apple A18

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite

Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3

RAM:

12GB

8GB

12GB / 16GB

up to 12GB

Storage (from):

512GB

128GB / 256GB / 512GB

256GB / 512GB

Battery:

6,000mAh

4,005mAh

5,300mAh

4,500mAh

Rear Cameras:

50MP main, 10MP telephoto. 50MP ultra-wide

48MP main

50MP main, 32MP ultra-wide

50MP main, 10MP telephoto, 13MP ultra-wide

Front camera:

50MP

12MP

32MP

50MP

How I tested the Motorola Edge 60 Pro

Review test period = 2 weeks
Testing included = Everyday usage, including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
Tools used = Geekbench 6, Geekbench ML, GFXBench, native Android stats

I tested the Motorola Edge 60 Pro for two weeks in order to write this review.

In that time, I used it as my normal phone, which involved socializing, listening to music, taking pictures, and playing games, as well as lots of other normal tasks.

I also did some ‘lab’ tests with the phone, as you’ll have read about in the performance section of this review, in order to get a more objective understanding of its power.

I’ve been reviewing smartphones for TechRadar for over six years now, and even reviewed the original Moto Edge models. So, I’m well-versed in the brand and its various handsets.

Android

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What to look for in wireless earbuds for Android devices

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Recent updates

Other Phones to Consider

Mobile Accessories You Might Need

What you see isn’t always what you get

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Table of contents

Best budget Android phones for 2025

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What to look for in a cheap Android phone

Android phone FAQs

What’s the price difference for a cheap Android vs a cheap iPhone?

Problems for some

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Longevity

A great screen

Quality cameras

Wireless charging

The best Android phone overall

The Good

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The Good

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The Good

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The best phone if you hate waiting for your phone to charge

The Good

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Read my full OnePlus 13 review.

The Good

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Other Android phones worth considering

In brief

GG Newsletter

Motorola Edge 60 Pro two-minute review

Motorola Edge 60 Pro review: price and availability

Motorola Edge 60 Pro review: specs

Motorola Edge 60 Pro review: design

Motorola Edge 60 Pro review: display

Motorola Edge 60 Pro review: software

Motorola Edge 60 Pro review: cameras

Motorola Edge 60 Pro camera samples

Motorola Edge 60 Pro review: performance and audio

Motorola Edge 60 Pro review: battery life

Motorola Edge 60 Pro review: value

Should you buy the Motorola Edge 60 Pro?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Motorola Edge 60 Pro review: Also consider

How I tested the Motorola Edge 60 Pro