Ayaneo is no stranger to Android handhelds, but now it’s turning attention towards an arguably less competitive landscape: smartphones.
Expand Expanding CloseAyaneo’s ‘Pocket Play’ is an Android phone with slide-out gamepad controls [Gallery]
Author
Will Sattelberg is a writer and podcaster at NewGeekGuide.
He’s been covering all things Android since 2021 when he joined the team at Android Police, serving as both News Editor and Phones Editor throughout his tenure. Prior to professionally covering Android and all things smartphones, he was just a passionate enthusiast, having purchased his first Android device — HTC’s Thunderbolt — back in 2011.
Will has a degree in video production he occasionally remembers to use, but his real love lies in both writing and podcasting. He’s constantly fascinated — and sometimes frustrated — by the ever-evolving shape of consumer technology, and enjoys bringing that sense of affection and curiosity to everything he produces.
You can reach out to Will at will@9to5mac.com, or find him on Twitter, Threads, or Bluesky.
Don’t wait for the Pixel 10a, buy a Pixel 9a while it’s still on sale
A few months out from its likely launch window, we’re finally starting to get some insight into what Google’s next Pixel might look like. I’m not talking about the Pixel 11, of course — it’s the Pixel 10a that history suggests is set for a spring launch, bringing another value-focused smartphone to consumers. And yet, based on the few pieces of information we’ve seen so far, I’m not sure waiting for the Pixel 10a is the smartest move for your wallet.
Expand Expanding CloseLeaked Pixel 10a specs suggest Google isn’t changing much from the 9a
The Pixel 9a is one of the best phones of the year — and certainly my pick for the best device under $500 you can grab today — but it’s also coming up on its first birthday in March. We’re finally getting our first look at what the Pixel 10a’s specs might look like, and it might be enough to make some shoppers jump for this year’s model instead.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Pixel 10 discounts gave shoppers the best pre-Black Friday phone deals this year
Black Friday’s in the rearview mirror, giving us the opportunity to look back on just how much value was actually offered to shoppers.
Expand Expanding ClosePebble made a smart ring that prevents you from forgetting your next great idea
One of this year’s most exciting stories — at least for us wearable nerds — was the return of Pebble. With an open-sourced OS courtesy of Google and new hardware that picks up right where the brand left off pre-acquisition, it feels like a full circle moment for smartwatches. Now, Pebble is ready to launch a brand-new wearable, and it’s a pretty big left turn from it’s previous releases.
Expand Expanding CloseThe Sideload 015: State of the internet
Welcome to The Sideload episode 15, a NewGeekGuide podcast. This week, Will welcomes Daniel Bader back to the podcast to discuss his new role at NewGeekGuide, the state of the internet and media at large, how tricky reviewing new gadgets can be, and much more.
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Expand Expanding CloseLenovo might bring its rollable laptop display to gamers in 2026
At CES 2025, Lenovo showed off a rollable laptop meant to enhance the experience of managing spreadsheets or juggling multiple windows at once. Next year, the company is bringing its futuristic displays to something a little more whimsical.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung and Apple split best-selling phones in Q3 2025, iPhone leads premium market
As we approach the end of 2025, we’re getting some data on what smartphones customers across the globe purchased throughout the past few months. To no one’s surprise, it’s Samsung and Apple that are dominating sales.
Expand Expanding ClosePixelated 080: A tale of two Android 16s
Welcome to episode 80 of Pixelated, a podcast by NewGeekGuide. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will talk through all of the new changes in Android 16 QPR2 and beyond. After digging through everything Google’s been working on these past few months, their attention turns to the newly-confirmed Galaxy Z TriFold. Can they make sense of what’s bound to be yet another ultra-premium device from Samsung, or does this feel like an experiment without a clear path to success?
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Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos’ perspective correction tool returns after disappearing months ago
It’s not often you see major companies reverting unpopular changes to their apps, but that’s exactly what Google’s doing to its cropping tools within Photos’ built-in editor.
Expand Expanding CloseNetflix agrees to buy Warner Bros. in landmark $83 billion deal
Warner Bros. had put itself up for sale over the past few months, and this morning, we learned which company has earned the right to purchase the landmark studio: Netflix.
Expand Expanding CloseEarly One UI 8.5 build reveals some familiar designs for Samsung’s Galaxy S26 trio
With some brands getting an early jump on next year’s flagship race, all eyes are on Samsung for the eventual launch of its Galaxy S26 series. Now, an early One UI 8.5 build is giving us more confirmation on the S26’s very predictable designs.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube TV finally adds C-SPAN channels following fee agreement with Google
YouTube TV makes for a pretty solid cable replacement, but if you’ve switched to Google’s service from traditional TV offerings, you’ve probably noticed C-SPAN and its spin-off networks have been missing since launch. Starting today, that’s finally changing.
Expand Expanding CloseOnePlus 15 US pre-orders are now open, includes free smartwatch, earbud bundles
The OnePlus 15 was meant to arrive in the United States last month, but the longest government shutdown in this country’s history brought that plan to a halt. After several weeks of delays, though, the company’s next long-lasting flagship is now available for pre-order.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung says it ‘listened’ in Exynos 2600 teaser ahead of Galaxy S26 launch
We’re rapidly approaching Samsung’s usual launch window for its next Galaxy S-series flagship, and with it comes a pretty interesting teaser for the company’s chipset that might find its way into large parts of that lineup.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle expands dark mode across Android as it makes some big accessibility changes
Android 16 QPR2 is here today, but Google’s not solely focusing on new features and changes. Alongside those announcements, the company is also bringing a whole host of improvements and changes to accessibility on Android. In addition to some helpful changes to hearing aids, captions, and more, Google is also building Gemini models into Smart Dictation and Guided Frame on Pixel devices for improved responses.
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Samsung’s best Galaxy Watch 8, Fold, S25 Ultra deals continue, and you might be able to stack extra discounts
Cyber Monday is here, giving you plenty of opportunity to make up for any missed deals over the holiday weekend. Samsung has a ton of deals available throughout this entire week, and you might even be able to stack additional discounts on top of it all.
Expand Expanding CloseFrom stands to wallets, my Pixel 10 has me falling in love with magnets
I’ve found plenty to love about my Pixel 10 over the past few months, but so far, nothing has topped the inclusion of PixelSnap. Google’s branded Qi2 implementation — the first of its kind we’ve seen on Android — brings all sorts of magnetic accessories to this year’s lineup, and in my experience, it feels like the closest we’ve come to a modern, market-friendly version of modular design. I’ve spent the last few weeks testing out a handful of magnetic accessories (some Qi2-specific, some not-so-much), and honestly, I can’t imagine going back.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Pixel’s notification summaries are better than the iPhone’s, but to what end?
This latest Pixel drop brought one of my biggest fears to Android: notification summaries. It’s something Apple botched in iOS 18 last year, and something I didn’t feel like Android needed given its top-tier notification management. After a week with the feature, though, I’m of two minds. Google is definitely doing this the “right” way, but does that mean I’m likely to leave this tool enabled for weeks to come? Unfortunately, not quite.
Expand Expanding CloseOnePlus helped Qualcomm ‘co-develop’ the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, coming to 15R first
Qualcomm showed off its latest Snapdragon chipset overnight, unveiling what is effectively the true successor to 2023’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Now, we know what smartphone it’s coming to first — and, in a surprise, it’s from an OEM that says it played a big role in co-development.
Expand Expanding CloseQualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 is an always-listening, flagship-ready chipset
Qualcomm has never been scared to shake up its product lineup, much to the frustration of those of us who need to remember all of its product names. Just a couple of short months after the arrival of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the company has returned with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 — similarly named, but without its Elite tag.
Expand Expanding CloseThe Sideload 014: Stuck on you like Qi2
Welcome to The Sideload episode 14, a NewGeekGuide podcast. This week, Will welcomes Ara Wagoner, his former co-host on The Android Police Podcast, to the show to talk all things accessories. Ara has a wide-ranging knowledge of cases, magnetic add-ons, and so much more, and over the course of a whirlwind hour, both hosts manage to squeeze in thoughts on Pixelsnap, the best way to shop for accessories, and show off some of their favorite recent mobile buys.
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Expand Expanding CloseGoogle is coming back to Movies Anywhere as Disney movies return for sale
Google and Disney might’ve reached a deal to return the latter’s channels to YouTube TV nearly two weeks ago, but there was still some unfinished business surrounding the breakup when it came to your personal movie library. Thankfully, on both the purchasing front and the Movies Anywhere front, things should be returning to normal very soon.
Expand Expanding CloseWalmart’s $9 Google TV streaming stick is a Black Friday no-brainer
The Google TV Streamer might be the most powerful Android experience you can buy for your living room right now, but for some people, its $99 price might be overkill. If you’re just looking for the cheapest Google TV option money can buy, Walmart’s Onn streaming stick is an absolute no-brainer at its Black Friday pricing.
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