A few years ago, it may have been fashionable to spend $1,000 on the latest flagship smartphone, but for most people, that’s neither practical nor necessary. You don’t even have to spend $500 today to get a decent handset, whether it’s a refurbished iPhone or an affordable Android phone, as there are plenty of decent options as low as $160.
However, navigating the budget phone market can be tricky; options that look good on paper may not be in practice, and some devices will end up costing you more when you consider many come with restrictive storage. While we spend most of our time reviewing mid- to high-end handsets at Engadget, we’ve tested a number of the latest budget-friendly phones on the market to see cut it as the best cheap phones you can get right now.
Building a good budget phone is tricky as manufacturers have a very hard limit on what they can include while staying under cost. Samsung has balanced this nicely on the Galaxy A17 5G by equipping it with a large 6.7-inch OLED display with solid brightness (up to 800 nits) and a 90Hz refresh rate. The phone’s design also defies its price because while it is made from polycarbonate (aka plastic), it doesn’t feel cheap. You even get a microSD card slot for expandable storage and three cameras in back. However, since one of those is a 2MP macro, it probably won’t see nearly as much use as the 50MP main or 5MP ultra-wide.
The one thing I wish Samsung splurged a bit more on is the phone’s Exynos 1330 chip, as it’s a little dated and sometimes struggles with things like multitasking or running more demanding apps. That said, starting at just $200 (or less depending on discounts), the Galaxy A17 delivers a lot of value for not a ton of money. — Sam Rutherford, Senior Reporter
OnePlus
The OnePlus Nord N30 5G was our previous top pick. At $300, it’s normally $100 more expensive than the A16 5G. However, if you can find it on sale for less, it’s still worth considering over the A16. For one, the N30 features a faster 120Hz display and its Snapdragon 695 chip, while older than the A16’s Exynos 1330, still outperforms it in some areas.
Another reason to consider the N30 over the A16 is that it ships with a 50W power adapter, letting you get a full day of battery life in 30 minutes. If you hope to use your new phone for as long as possible, the A16 is the better choice, but the N30 can be a compelling alternative. — Igor Bonifacic, Senior Reporter
Motorola
For those on a really tight budget, the 2024 Moto G Play covers all the bases well. It has a decently fast 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. — S.R.
Motorola
The $400 Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G offers something none of the other picks on this list do: a built-in stylus. If you love doodling and jotting down notes, then this is the cheap phone to buy. Thankfully, it has a few other things going for it too. The Moto G Stylus 5G sports a big and responsive 6.7-inch display and a long-lasting 5,000mAh battery. Plus, it doesn’t look half bad.
As with other options in this price range, it would be nice if the Moto G Stylus 5G came with a more capable camera, faster charging and protection against water. With this recommendation, be sure to avoid paying full price for the Moto G Stylus 5G. Thankfully, that’s not hard to do with the phone frequently on sale. — I.B.
What to look for in a cheap phone
For this guide, our top picks cost between $100 and $300. Anything less and you might as well go buy a dumb phone instead. Since they’re meant to be more affordable than flagship phones and even midrange handsets, budget smartphones involve compromises; the cheaper a device, the lower your expectations around specs, performance and experience should be. For that reason, the best advice I can give is to spend as much as you can afford. In this price range, even $50 or $100 more can get you a dramatically better product.
Second, you should know what you want most from a phone. When buying a budget smartphone, you may need to sacrifice a decent main camera for long battery life, or trade a high-resolution display for a faster CPU. That’s just what comes with the territory, but knowing your priorities will make it easier to find the right phone.
It’s also worth noting some features can be hard to find on cheaper handsets. For instance, you won’t need to search far for a device with all-day battery life — but if you want a phone with excellent camera quality, you’re better off shelling out for one of the recommendations in our midrange smartphone guide, which all come in at $600 or less.
Wireless charging and waterproofing also aren’t easy to find in this price range and forget about the fastest chipset. On the bright side, most of our recommendations come with headphone jacks, so you won’t need to buy wireless headphones.
iOS is also off the table, since, following the discontinuation of the iPhone SE, the $599 iPhone 16e is now the most affordable offering from Apple. That leaves Android as the only option in the under-$300 price range. Thankfully today, there’s little to complain about Google’s operating system – and you may even prefer it to iOS.
Lastly, keep in mind most Android manufacturers typically offer far less robust software features and support for their budget devices. In some cases, your new phone may only receive one major software update and a year or two of security patches beyond that. That applies to the OnePlus and Motorola recommendations on our list.
If you’d like to keep your phone for as long as possible, Samsung has the best software policy of any Android manufacturer in the budget space, offering at least four years of security updates on all of its devices. Recently, it even began offering six years of support on the $200 A16 5G, which we recommend below. That said, if software support (or device longevity overall) is your main focus, consider spending a bit more on the $500 Google Pixel 9a, or even the previous-gen Pixel 8a, which has planned software updates through mid-2031.
Have you ever been in or traveling through an area where there is no or low traditional cell service and thought, “What if I had an emergency and needed to call 911?”Now, because of a well-known cell service provider’s connection to a popular network of satellites, there’s a solution when you have an emergency and are off the grid and out of reach of a terrestrial cell tower’s signal.Related video above: A different new piece of technology helps guide rescuers to woman stuck in swampThe service is called Text to 911, and its availability is all thanks to T-Mobile’s new T-Satellite with Starlink, a service that, according to a recent release from the mobile carrier, was rolled out in July and connects compatible phones to an array of Starlink satellites orbiting the Earth.But if you’re not a T-Mobile customer, don’t fret. You don’t need to be a subscriber of the provider to use Text to 911. The service is available to anyone in the U.S. who has a compatible, satellite-capable iPhone or Android phone, and is designed to work anywhere in the 500,000 square miles of the U.S. not reached by traditional cell towers.That means even customers of providers like AT&T and Verizon can sign up for Text to 911.How to sign up for and use Text to 911While the service is free to use, non-T-Mobile customers are required to sign up in advance to use Text to 911. That can be done on the company’s website. The company said T-Mobile customers can add the service under “Manage Data & Add-Ons’” in their account or in T-Life. You don’t need to take any special action to use Text to 911. The mobile provider says that all you need is a view of the sky, and that using the service is just like sending a normal text message. All you need to do is enter a message on your phone’s native messaging app and enter 911 in the number field. From there, all you’ll need to do is hit “send.”While some areas around the U.S. already have the ability to text 911, this new service allows users to do so even when they can’t get reception from a traditional cell tower. If that’s the case, Text to 911 finds you a signal from a satellite up in space.The company said it “was a no-brainer” to make Text to 911 available and free for any person who enrolls and has a compatible phone.“There’s a good chance you’ve had that moment in your life at some point. Badly rolled ankle deep into a backcountry hike. Stuck in a tree well while skiing. Flat tire on a backcountry road. Or a million other situations that require access to emergency services in a place without cell service. It’s an absolutely terrifying feeling that we don’t want anyone to have ever again,” Mike Katz, president of marketing, strategy and products for T-Mobile, said in announcing the availability of Text to 911 on Nov. 5.
Have you ever been in or traveling through an area where there is no or low traditional cell service and thought, “What if I had an emergency and needed to call 911?”
Now, because of a well-known cell service provider’s connection to a popular network of satellites, there’s a solution when you have an emergency and are off the grid and out of reach of a terrestrial cell tower’s signal.
Related video above: A different new piece of technology helps guide rescuers to woman stuck in swamp
The service is called Text to 911, and its availability is all thanks to T-Mobile’s new T-Satellite with Starlink, a service that, according to a recent release from the mobile carrier, was rolled out in July and connects compatible phones to an array of Starlink satellites orbiting the Earth.
But if you’re not a T-Mobile customer, don’t fret. You don’t need to be a subscriber of the provider to use Text to 911.
The service is available to anyone in the U.S. who has a compatible, satellite-capable iPhone or Android phone, and is designed to work anywhere in the 500,000 square miles of the U.S. not reached by traditional cell towers.
That means even customers of providers like AT&T and Verizon can sign up for Text to 911.
How to sign up for and use Text to 911
While the service is free to use, non-T-Mobile customers are required to sign up in advance to use Text to 911. That can be done on the company’s website. The company said T-Mobile customers can add the service under “Manage Data & Add-Ons’” in their account or in T-Life.
You don’t need to take any special action to use Text to 911. The mobile provider says that all you need is a view of the sky, and that using the service is just like sending a normal text message. All you need to do is enter a message on your phone’s native messaging app and enter 911 in the number field. From there, all you’ll need to do is hit “send.”
While some areas around the U.S. already have the ability to text 911, this new service allows users to do so even when they can’t get reception from a traditional cell tower. If that’s the case, Text to 911 finds you a signal from a satellite up in space.
The company said it “was a no-brainer” to make Text to 911 available and free for any person who enrolls and has a compatible phone.
“There’s a good chance you’ve had that moment in your life at some point. Badly rolled ankle deep into a backcountry hike. Stuck in a tree well while skiing. Flat tire on a backcountry road. Or a million other situations that require access to emergency services in a place without cell service. It’s an absolutely terrifying feeling that we don’t want anyone to have ever again,” Mike Katz, president of marketing, strategy and products for T-Mobile, said in announcing the availability of Text to 911 on Nov. 5.
Justified or not, Apple’s AirPods have become the default choice for most iPhone owners in the market for new wireless earbuds. If you’re shopping for an Android phone, however, the top picks aren’t so obvious. That’s where we can help: We’ve tested dozens of wireless earbuds over the years, so we’ve broken down our top recommendations for Android users below. Whether you want powerful noise cancellation, a pair that’ll survive in the gym or just something that works particularly well with a Galaxy or Pixel phone, here are our favorite AirPods alternatives for Android.
Table of contents
Best Android earbuds for 2025
Photo by Billy Steele / Engadget
Active noise cancellation: Yes | Wireless charging: Yes | Water resistance: IPX4 | Multipoint connectivity: Yes (2 devices) | Wear detection: Yes | Max battery life (rated): 12 hrs, 24 hrs w/ case | Codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 | Warranty: 1 year
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.
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)
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
Active noise cancellation: Yes | Wireless charging: No | Water resistance: IPX4 | Multipoint connectivity: No | Wear detection: Yes | Max battery life (rated): 6 hrs, 24 hrs w/ case | Codecs: SBC, AAC | Warranty: 1 year
Read our full
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 . Yes, we’re recommending a set of Apple-made earbuds in an Android buying guide. But while this pair works best with iPhones, most of their AirPods-style features are also available on Android through the . 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 as great here as it is with a pair of AirPods.
The main reason we recommend the Powerbeats Fit is their lightweight design, which is equipped with bendy silicone fins that keep the earbuds secure in place while you’re moving around. It’s extremely similar to the previous , though the fins on this new iteration are a bit softer and more flexible, which makes them a little comfier. They also come with an extra small set of tips in the box. 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 Powerbeats Fit 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 too, 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 Powerbeats Fit still 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 six-hour battery life is just passable. 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. If you can find the older Beats Fit Pro at a significantly lower price, those may still be a better value, since the changes here are fairly minimal — though the new model does come with a smaller charging case alongside the redesigned wingtips.
We’ll also note the , another recent Beats model which has an around-the-ear hook design that some might prefer, a more advanced Apple H2 chip (the Powerbeats Fit uses the older H1) and a modicum of heart rate tracking. That one is priced $50 higher, though.
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. More recently, Google released the more affordable — at $129, but it misses out on a bunch of features included with the Pixel Buds Pro 2, including wireless charging, longer battery life, onboard volume controls, support and more.
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.
What to look for in wireless earbuds for Android devices
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
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
November 2025: The lightly updated Beats Powerbeats Fit replace the older Beats Fit Pro as our top pick for working out. We’ve also noted the new Google Pixel Buds 2a as a cheaper alternative to the Pixel Buds Pro 2, which remain our recommendation for Pixel phone users.
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.
Multiple parts of the United States were treated to mesmerizing colors from the aurora borealis, or northern lights, in the sky Tuesday night. This is because of a severe geomagnetic storm triggered by solar flares. Related video above: Weather Talk — How do I know if we can see the Northern Lights?The lights can appear faint when looked at with the naked eye, but with the right camera settings, the different colors and waves can be seen in photos.Forecasters say there is still a chance that some regions would get to catch the lights on Wednesday night. Here’s how to take the best photos of them:Using nighttime picture-taking settingsMost newer versions of iPhone and Android phones have a setting for taking pictures in low light. This slows the shutter speed, allowing more light in and taking a clearer picture. Here’s how to adjust settings on iPhone and Android devices like Samsung phones or Google Pixel phones. It’s important to hold your phone steady or use a tripod so your image does not end up blurry.Video below: Check out these dazzling photos of Tuesday night’s northern lights in IowaThere’s an app for that, tooThere are also apps available that are specifically designed to help you take pictures of the northern lights. Check the app stores on your iPhones or Android devices.Be in the right place at the right timeArtificial light pollution can decrease your chances of catching the best colors, so it is best to get away from cities and into rural areas for picture-taking. There will be more visibility the farther north you can get. Any time after it gets dark outside and before midnight will be the best opportunity. Related video below: What causes the colors you see with the northern lights?
DES MOINES, Iowa —
Multiple parts of the United States were treated to mesmerizing colors from the aurora borealis, or northern lights, in the sky Tuesday night. This is because of a severe geomagnetic storm triggered by solar flares.
Related video above: Weather Talk — How do I know if we can see the Northern Lights?
The lights can appear faint when looked at with the naked eye, but with the right camera settings, the different colors and waves can be seen in photos.
Forecasters say there is still a chance that some regions would get to catch the lights on Wednesday night. Here’s how to take the best photos of them:
Using nighttime picture-taking settings
Most newer versions of iPhone and Android phones have a setting for taking pictures in low light. This slows the shutter speed, allowing more light in and taking a clearer picture. Here’s how to adjust settings on iPhone and Android devices like Samsung phones or Google Pixel phones.
It’s important to hold your phone steady or use a tripod so your image does not end up blurry.
Video below: Check out these dazzling photos of Tuesday night’s northern lights in Iowa
There’s an app for that, too
There are also apps available that are specifically designed to help you take pictures of the northern lights. Check the app stores on your iPhones or Android devices.
Be in the right place at the right time
Artificial light pollution can decrease your chances of catching the best colors, so it is best to get away from cities and into rural areas for picture-taking.
There will be more visibility the farther north you can get. Any time after it gets dark outside and before midnight will be the best opportunity.
Related video below: What causes the colors you see with the northern lights?
Multiple parts of the United States were treated to mesmerizing colors from the aurora borealis, or northern lights, in the sky Tuesday night. This is because of a severe geomagnetic storm triggered by solar flares. Related video above: Weather Talk — How do I know if we can see the Northern Lights?The lights can appear faint when looked at with the naked eye, but with the right camera settings, the different colors and waves can be seen in photos.Forecasters say there is still a chance that some regions would get to catch the lights on Wednesday night. Here’s how to take the best photos of them:Using nighttime picture-taking settingsMost newer versions of iPhone and Android phones have a setting for taking pictures in low light. This slows the shutter speed, allowing more light in and taking a clearer picture. Here’s how to adjust settings on iPhone and Android devices like Samsung phones or Google Pixel phones. It’s important to hold your phone steady or use a tripod so your image does not end up blurry.Video below: Check out these dazzling photos of Tuesday night’s northern lights in IowaThere’s an app for that, tooThere are also apps available that are specifically designed to help you take pictures of the northern lights. Check the app stores on your iPhones or Android devices.Be in the right place at the right timeArtificial light pollution can decrease your chances of catching the best colors, so it is best to get away from cities and into rural areas for picture-taking. There will be more visibility the farther north you can get. Any time after it gets dark outside and before midnight will be the best opportunity. Related video below: What causes the colors you see with the northern lights?
DES MOINES, Iowa —
Multiple parts of the United States were treated to mesmerizing colors from the aurora borealis, or northern lights, in the sky Tuesday night. This is because of a severe geomagnetic storm triggered by solar flares.
Related video above: Weather Talk — How do I know if we can see the Northern Lights?
The lights can appear faint when looked at with the naked eye, but with the right camera settings, the different colors and waves can be seen in photos.
Forecasters say there is still a chance that some regions would get to catch the lights on Wednesday night. Here’s how to take the best photos of them:
Using nighttime picture-taking settings
Most newer versions of iPhone and Android phones have a setting for taking pictures in low light. This slows the shutter speed, allowing more light in and taking a clearer picture. Here’s how to adjust settings on iPhone and Android devices like Samsung phones or Google Pixel phones.
It’s important to hold your phone steady or use a tripod so your image does not end up blurry.
Video below: Check out these dazzling photos of Tuesday night’s northern lights in Iowa
There’s an app for that, too
There are also apps available that are specifically designed to help you take pictures of the northern lights. Check the app stores on your iPhones or Android devices.
Be in the right place at the right time
Artificial light pollution can decrease your chances of catching the best colors, so it is best to get away from cities and into rural areas for picture-taking.
There will be more visibility the farther north you can get. Any time after it gets dark outside and before midnight will be the best opportunity.
Related video below: What causes the colors you see with the northern lights?
Choosing the best Android phone can feel overwhelming as there are so many options from so many brands, it’s hard to know where to start. Unlike Apple, which sticks to its sleek lineup of iPhones, Android offers a world of variety. Whether you’re eyeing the latest flagship from Samsung, a budget-friendly smartphone from Motorola or something unique with a foldable design, there’s an Android device out there to suit your needs.
The beauty of Android is its flexibility. You’ll find phones with different screen sizes, camera setups, battery life and even quirky extras like stylus support or rugged builds. Plus, Android lets you customize your device to your heart’s content – something Apple fans might envy. We’ve tested and researched the top Android phones to help you find the right one for your budget, lifestyle, and tech preferences.
Processor: Google Tensor G5 | Display: 6.3-inch Super Actua, up to 120Hz | Cameras: Rear array (50MP wide, 48MP ultrawide with Macro Focus, 48MP 5x telephoto lens), 42MP dual PD selfie front camera with autofocus | Battery: 4,870mAh
With the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro, Google has once again refined its smartphone hardware while pushing its AI-powered software in new and wonderful ways. Not only do both devices now support full high-res portrait shots, its 100x Pro Res Zoom captures long-range photos in ways that lenses and megapixels alone simply can’t. Then you add in noticeably better performance, bigger batteries, brighter displays and proper Qi2 magnetic charging (the first from a major Android phone maker) via Pixelsnap and you have truly smart devices that makes picking anything else seem kind of dumb.
Processor: Google Tensor G4 | Display: 6.3-inch 1,080 x 2,424 pOLED, up to 120Hz | Cameras: Rear array (48MP wide, 13MP ultrawide), 13MP front camera | Battery: 5,100mAh
The Pixel 9a isn’t especially flashy and it doesn’t have any special features that aren’t already available on its more expensive siblings. In fact, it actually has slower charging and it’s missing support for some of Google’s homegrown software like the Screenshots app. But for everyone who just wants a simple phone with a solid design, a nice screen, excellent cameras and strong battery life, the Pixel 9a is really hard to beat. So while it’s not super fancy, the phone has all of its most important bases covered (and then some). But most importantly, starting at just $499, this phone feels like an incredible deal that punches well above its price.
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite | Display: 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x QHD+, up to 120Hz | Cameras: Rear array (200MP, Dual Pixel AF, Digital Zoom 100x, 50MP Macro, 50MP UW), 12MP front camera | Battery: 5,000mAh
The S25 Ultra is a do-anything phone. It has a wide range of cameras including a 5x telephoto lens and a new 50-megapixel sensor for its ultra-wide shooter, a gorgeous 6.9-inch AMOLED display (which is 0.1 inches bigger than last year) and of course, Samsung’s signature S Pen. That said, for 2025, Samsung’s main focus was on its improved Galaxy AI features such as Now Brief, which creates a personalized feed of news, events and more. There’s also Drawing Assist that makes it easier to create AI-generated art, or you can turn to AI Select for help with taking screenshots, turning videos into GIFs or summarizing stories.
Unfortunately, aside from a new Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, the S25 Ultra doesn’t come with a ton of new hardware compared to its predecessor (or the S23U for that matter). So while Samsung’s latest flagship is a great phone, it doesn’t feel like an essential upgrade for people with flagship devices that are only a year or two old.
Pros
Excellent screen
Great performance and battery life
Anti-reflective Gorilla Armor 2 panels
Slimmer bezels
New 50MP ultra-wide sensor
Cons
S Pen no longer suppers Air actions
Same main and telephoto cameras as last year
Not fully compatible with magnetic Qi2 accessories
Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite | Display: 8-inch 2184 x 1968QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X full display, 6.5-inch 2520 x 1080FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X cover display | Cameras: Rear array (200MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto), 10MP front camera | Battery: 4,400mAh
One of the biggest issues with foldable phones is the added size and weight that often comes with the inclusion of a flexible display. Samsung has made that a thing of the past on the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which sports larger screens — both inside and out — while being 26 percent thinner than before. And as if that wasn’t enough, the Z Fold 7 also features improved durability, increased performance and a new 200MP main camera, matching or exceeding what you get from traditional flagship smartphones. The main downsides are that at $2,000, it’s still far from affordable and for long-time Samsung fans, the loss of S Pen support may be a dealbreaker. But for those who want to experience new heights in foldable phone design, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a masterpiece of modern gadget design.
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite | Display: 6.8-inch OLED, 120Hz, 4,500 nits max brightness | Cameras: Rear array (50MP wide, 50MP ultrawide, 50MP telephoto), 32MP front camera | Battery: 6,000mAh
While the OnePlus 13 features some basic AI features like Google’s Circle to Search and Gemini assistant, it’s really just an old-fashioned flagship in all the best ways. That’s because instead of focusing on machine learning, OnePlus crammed the phone with tons of top-notch hardware. It sports a 6.8-inch OLED display with an incredible peak brightness of up to 4,500 nits. The OP13 also offers excellent performance thanks to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, along with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. There are also three 50-MP rear cameras including one with a 3x telephoto zoom and a massive 6,000 mAh battery that’s bigger than what you get in practically all of its competitors.
OnePlus didn’t skimp on the phone’s design either, as the OP13 still comes with the company’s signature Alert Slider. Plus, if you opt for the blue or white variants, you’ll get a durable and very touchable vegan leather back that helps the phone stand out among all its glass brick rivals. But the best part is that starting at $900, it costs less than an equivalent Galaxy S25+ too.
Pros
Class-leading battery life
Super-bright display
Great performance
Attractive design
Cons
Photo quality could be a touch better
Only six years of software support instead of seven
Needs a case to fully support magnetic Qi2 accessories
When it comes to picking our favorite Android phones, the main things we look for are pretty straightforward: good performance (both compute and AI), a nice display, solid design, sharp cameras, long battery life and a significant commitment to ongoing software support. For performance, not only do we look at benchmarks and other metrics, but we also evaluate phones based on responsiveness. Regardless of whether you’re reading, text messaging, scrolling through social media or playing a game, no one wants a gadget that feels sluggish.
Display
When it comes to displays, we generally prefer OLED panels that can produce rich, saturated colors with at least 600 nits of brightness, though many of our top mid-range and high-end phones can hit 1,000 nits or more. And more recently, most of our favorite devices also support screens with fast refresh rates of 90Hz or 120Hz, which adds an extra level of smoothness and fluidity.
Design
Now we will admit there is a bit of subjectivity when deciding which phones look the best, but there are other design aspects like dust and water resistance or screen durability that can make a big difference to long-term survival. It’s also important to consider things like support for wireless charging, power sharing (aka reverse wireless charging) and UWB connectivity, which can have an impact on how your phone interacts with your other devices.
Cameras
Obviously, for photos we’re looking for sharp, colorful shots in both bright and low-light conditions. And we want video clips with high dynamic range, rich audio and smooth image stabilization. Extra cameras for ultra-wide and telephoto lenses are a plus. The best cameras should also include features like dedicated night modes, support for various video recording resolutions, and additional photo modes like timelapse, slow motion and more.
Battery and software
Finally, in terms of longevity, we’re looking for all-day battery life on devices that also delivered great results on our local video rundown test (at least 16 hours on a charge, but more is obviously better). Wireless charging capabilities have become almost ubiquitous over the past few years, and most of our top picks have this extra perk. Fast-charging is available on some Android phones, too. Finally, with people holding onto their phones longer than ever, we like to see companies commit to at least three years of software support, upgrades and regular security updates.
Introducing the new Wirelinq – a Micro USB Converter Cable that connects the Android phone to the car stereo for full control.
Belmont, CA, October 26, 2016 (Newswire.com)
– GROM Audio is pleased to announce the new release of their new product on Kickstarter for the Android user – a smart USB cable that provides the user full control over any music being played from the Android phone though the car stereo, easy and hassle-free.
“We decided to first launch on Kickstarter because we want it easily accessible to the everyday consumer. We are excited about this great new product and we want online communities to know.” – GROM’s spokesperson.
We decided to first launch on Kickstarter because we want it easily accessible to the everyday consumer. We are excited about this great new product and we want online communities to know.
Grom’s Spokesperson
Already through backers from Kickstarter, GROM Audio has created an alternative connector to their Micro USB Cable solution – the USB Type-C: the newest connector for some of the latest device models.
Wirelinq is available for a limited time only on Kickstarter at an exclusive pricing until November 2016. After that, it will be available for pre-order at full retail price on GROMAudio.com.
To date, many cars 2008 and newer are equipped with the USB port that connects users’ iPhone or USB flash drive to the factory stereo. For the Android user, this connectivity is limited at best. With Wirelinq, any Android user with phones having Jelly Bean OS 4.1 and above will be able to have full music integration with their car stereo.
Song titles, artists, album information will be displayed on the car stereo screen and the phone at the same time. The user will be able to see cover art on the car stereo screen (when applicable). As the Android phone syncs directly with the car stereo, the user will be able to use the touch screen to browse any music by Albums, Artists, and Songs, so long as it is supported by the car stereo.
This plug-and-play cable technology makes connection with the Android phone easy and portable. The user also gets high definition digital sound. Most music formats are supported, including MP3, OGG, WMA, lossless WAV and lossless FLAC.
Currently, Wirelinq has a smart chip with GROM’s proprietary algorithm inside its USB connector. It uses the Android Open Accessry 2.0 (AOA 2.0) protocol.
DashLinQ – GROM Audio’s dashboard application, available on Google Play – is recommended for a full integration experience. DashlinQ provides easy and safe use of the phone while driving. It features Web Radio, Spotify, Google Music and Local music plugins (as stored on the phone) and allows for seamless car stereo integration.
Wirelinq will be available with two types of connector- reversible Micro USB or USB Type-C that provides seamless high definition connectivity while charging the phone at the same time. Made with a nylon braid, the modern-looking cable is extremely durable and tangle-free.
About GROM Audio
GROM Audio is a global team of expert engineers and car audio enthusiasts. The R&D team has been developing state-of-the-art integration car kits for factory car stereos since 2008. GROM Audio has improved the driving experience of users worldwide, enabling them to play their favorite music wherever they go.
GROM Audio’s products allow seamless integration of the smartphone to the factory car stereo via Bluetooth or direct USB connection. The company has extensive experience in building the products for USB, iPhone, Android and other smartphone car connectivity.
