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Minggu, 31 Januari 2021

Five things I like about the Galaxy Buds Pro — and one thing I don't

Samsung's latest wireless earbuds take on the best that Sony and Bose have to offer — and come out ahead.

Samsung may have been a recent entrant into the world of wireless audio — the Galaxy Buds came out just two years ago — but it managed to leverage its AKG acquisition to go up against entrenched brands. The brand showed off its ANC prowess with last year's Buds Live, and it has built on those fundamentals with the Buds Pro, which launched alongside the Galaxy S21 series.

The Buds Pro deliver excellent sound, a design that provides a secure fit, and all the features you'd want from premium wireless earbuds. It's no wonder, then, that the Buds Pro are sitting at the top of our best wireless earbuds list. I've been using the Buds Pro for just over a week now, and here's what I like about the earbuds, and where Samsung needs to improve.

Galaxy Buds Pro deliver outstanding ANC

With the Buds Pro, Samsung is showing that it can hold its own against Sony and Bose when it comes to ANC. The earbuds manage to tune out ambient noise with surprising efficacy, and you get two modes to choose from — Low and High. In day-to-day use, the Buds Pro cut out the sound of the air conditioner and purifier just as well as the Sony WF-1000XM3, as well as tuning out errant low-frequency sounds.

That said, the earbuds don't eliminate all mid or high frequencies. Overall though, the Buds Pro do a standout job in this area, and Samsung's new wind shield mode eliminates any wind noise when you're making a phone call outside.

Galaxy Buds Pro provide a snug fit that's ideal for all-day use

I did not like the design of the Buds Live; I could never get a secure fit, and the earbuds started to get uncomfortable after 15 minutes. Thankfully, that is not an issue with the Buds Pro. These are the most comfortable earbuds Samsung has designed, and the contours of the Buds Pro ensure that they don't cause any discomfort when worn throughout the day.

The earbuds also have an auto-pause feature that automatically pauses the music when you take either earbud out of your ear. The music automatically resumes once you put the 'bud back in. Oh, and the new transparency mode is pretty great: you get four levels to choose from, and the feature amplifies ambient noise so you don't miss announcements if you're waiting to pick up coffee or are waiting to board a flight.

Galaxy Buds Pro hold up great for music and video calls

The Buds Pro may just be the best-sounding wireless earbuds in this category. These earbuds deliver a bright sound signature, producing a layered sound with clear instrument separation and a tight low-end along with clear highs. There are six EQ options to choose from — include a bass boost mode — and while there's no way to manually adjust the EQ, you should be able to find the sound profile you're looking for with at least one of the six modes.

There's no AptX here, but the earbuds feature Samsung's Scalable audio codec that delivers an equivalent experience (24-bit / 96Hz) and audio/video sync. With three on-board mics, the Buds Pro also hold up exceedingly well for regular phone calls as well as video meetings over Zoom or Google Meet.

Galaxy Buds Pro have decent battery life and wireless charging

In terms of battery life, the Buds Pro manage to last just under five hours of continuous music playback. That's not as good as the Buds+, but still decent enough for the level of noise isolation on offer here. The case has enough power to charge the 'buds twice over.

Charging these earbuds is about as effortless as it gets — the case has a USB-C port and works over the Qi wireless standard, and if you have a recent Samsung flagship phone, you can even put the case at the back of the phone and use reverse wireless charging.

On that note, the case itself is diminutive in size, and is the most pocketable I've used. I have a dozen wireless earbuds in the house, and all of them have a carrying case that's larger than the Buds Pro. Samsung has nailed the design of the case, and that makes the Buds Pro that much more enticing.

Galaxy Buds Pro come with an IPX7 rating

Samsung is offering an IPX7 rating with the Buds Pro. The brand's earlier wireless earbuds featured either IPX2 or IPX4 rating, but with the Buds Pro, you're getting the full IPX7 rating that makes the earbuds more immune to water ingress.

With IPX7, the earbuds are essentially protected against water ingress for 30 minutes at up to one meter, making them a fantastic choice for workouts. It's good to see Samsung finally deliver the same level of protection as the best options in this category.

What isn't great: You need a Galaxy phone to unlock the best features

The Galaxy Buds Pro offer a 360-degree virtual surround mode that is pretty interesting. The downside is that you can only use it if you have a Galaxy phone with One UI 3.1 — for now, that means the Galaxy S21 series.

Another interesting feature that's locked to the Samsung ecosystem is the ability to seamless switch between devices. If you're using the Buds Pro to watch a video on your tablet and receive a call on your phone, they will automatically switch source to the phone so you can take the call with the earbuds. It is an incredibly useful feature, but for it to work, you will need a Galaxy tablet and phone.

Finally, Samsung introduced a creator-focused feature that lets the Buds Pro sync audio recorded with the 'buds built-in microphone with the accompanying video. It is a cool feature, but once again, you'll need a recent Galaxy phone to make use of it.

Overall, the Buds Pro are the best wireless earbuds that Samsung has introduced to date, and they hold up incredibly well against the best that this segment has to offer. If you're using a Galaxy phone and need a new pair of earbuds, the Buds Pro are now the obvious choice.

The new standard

Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro

$200 at Amazon $200 at Best Buy

Truly standouts wireless earbuds

The Galaxy Buds Pro deliver a great sound with comfortable design, Qi wireless charging, IPX7 rating, and excellent noise isolation. There's nothing really missing here, and if you're in the market for new wireless earbuds, you cannot go wrong with the Buds Pro.

Get ready for the future with the best 5G phones you can buy today

New technology works best when everyone commits to it, and in 2021, 5G has gone from marketing hype to a legit feature. In other words, you'll want to find the best 5G phones to future-proof yourself. A ton of support from carriers and smartphone companies is going to flood the market with 5G-capable phones this year. 5G isn't everywhere (yet), but if you live in a place with a 5G network, these are the best 5G phones you can buy, although the Galaxy S21 Ultra tops our list.

Best 5G Phone Overall: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

The Galaxy S21 Ultra is the first proper flagship of 2021, and looking ahead, it'll be mighty hard for any company to dethrone the S21 Ultra as one of the best Android phones of the entire year.

Samsung got so much right with this thing, and it all starts with the display. The S21 Ultra is packing a massive 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED panel that can hit a max resolution of 3200x1440. Unlike last year's S20 Ultra, you can run the display in that Quad HD setting with a 120Hz refresh rate enabled at the same time. This means the Galaxy S21 Ultra has one of the most stunning smartphone displays currently available.

The other big draw to the S21 Ultra is its camera system, featuring a 108MP primary sensor, 12MP ultra-wide one, and two 10MP telephoto cameras — one offering 3x optical zoom while the other gives you 10x zoom. With excellent detail, gorgeous colors, and jaw-dropping quality from those telephoto sensors, the Galaxy S21 Ultra proves that Samsung is still one of the best in the business when it comes to great camera packages.

As for the other specs, they're just as impressive. The Snapdragon 888 and 12-16GB of RAM allow for amazing performance, the 5,000 mAh battery ensures you don't have to live with battery anxiety, and you can even use the S Pen to turn the S21 Ultra into a makeshift Galaxy Note. As far as 5G is concerned, the Galaxy S21 Ultra supports Sub-6 and mmWave 5G.

Pros:

  • Sleek, refined design
  • Quad HD display at 120Hz
  • Snapdragon 888 offers excellent performance
  • Top-of-the-line camera system
  • 5G support for every carrier

Cons:

  • Doesn't have expandable storage
  • No MST for Samsung Pay

Best 5G Phone Overall

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

From $1,200 at Samsung From $1,200 at Amazon From $1,200 at Best Buy

Samsung's excellent all-rounder has 5G and few compromises

The S21 Ultra has a great screen, top-end specs, and feature-packed software. And you get 5G on any carrier.

Best Alternative: OnePlus 8 Pro

The OnePlus 8 Pro is impressive and well-designed as any high-end smartphone can be. If you know anything about OnePlus phones, you'll be happy to know it doesn't upend the traditional OnePlus formula. Instead, it extends it to its logical place in the world of 2021 flagships with more features and a higher price.

The hardware goes toe-to-toe with any phone out there, and it's punctuated by the best display OnePlus has ever used. It's bright, colorful, and has a 120Hz refresh rate. Inside, there are exceptional specs, and that leads to amazing performance thanks to the super-smooth OxygenOS software — it's just wonderful

The 8 Pro also brings the best cameras yet to a OnePlus phone, with a new main sensor that steps up its game to a true flagship level. The entire camera experience is a step behind the likes of the Galaxy S21 Ultra, but then again it's also less expensive. That's really where the 8 Pro fits in. It's a true flagship experience top to bottom, for just a bit less money than the traditional players with big brand names.

When you're focused on 5G, the one shortcoming here is network compatibility. The OnePlus 8 Pro doesn't support mmWave 5G at all, so you can't use it on Verizon's 5G network nor most of AT&T's network. On T-Mobile, you'll get access to a majority of its 5G network since it's built on Sub-6 technology, but even there you miss out on its up-and-coming mmWave expansion.

Pros:

  • Large, beautiful 120Hz display
  • Greatly improved main and wide-angle cameras
  • Excellent battery life
  • OxygenOS is best-in-class Android software
  • Wireless charging and IP68 rating

Cons:

  • Much more expensive than before
  • 5G limited to T-Mobile and some of AT&T
  • Telephoto camera isn't good
  • Some software and camera bugs still present

Best Alternative

OnePlus 8 Pro

$925 at Amazon

A great overall phone, but one that comes up short in 5G compatibility

The OnePlus 8 Pro is an impressive and well-designed phone that doesn't upend the traditional OnePlus formula.

Best Value Flagship: Samsung Galaxy S20 FE

There are a lot of exciting options to choose from right now, but Samsung may have outshined all of them with the Galaxy S20 FE. Samsung offers all of the best features and specs from the Galaxy S20+ while finally providing a flat-screened device that users have been wanting for some time. In a world where curved displays look good, they struggle with palm detection, ending up with more accidental touches than anything else

Samsung also upped the ante by integrating the 120Hz refresh rate, so everything you do on the S20 FE looks smooth. Considering the price of the S20 FE, you figure that Samsung had to cut corners somewhere, and that's where the plastic material comes in. But this can help alleviate the worry of cracking the back glass panel if accidentally dropped, along with providing six fun and different colors to choose from.

As for 5G connectivity, the Galaxy S20 FE features Sub-6 GHz for most users, but those who want to use 5G on Verizon will be a bit disappointed. Since Verizon relies on Ultra-Wideband (mmWave), the standard unlocked version found on Amazon or Best Buy won't feature this. Instead, you'll have to go to Verizon directly in order to get the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G UW model.

We're also still scratching our heads as to why Samsung ships a 15W charger in the box. The Galaxy S20 FE is capable of charging at speeds up to 25W, but you'll have to come out of pocket for a compatible charger. The 1080p resolution on this 6.5-inch display may not look the greatest at all times, but the 120Hz refresh rate and improved battery life will make up for it.

Pros:

  • 120Hz flat display
  • Six colors to choose from
  • Plastic build is refreshing
  • Triple camera system
  • 5G connectivity for all carriers

Cons:

  • Ships with a 15W charger
  • 1080p display
  • No headphone jack
  • mmWave version only available through Verizon

Best Value Flagship

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE

$700 at Amazon $700 at Best Buy $700 at B&H Photo

Samsung hits a home run with the Galaxy S20 FE

With many of the same specs as the Galaxy S20+, the FE is a great option for everyone who doesn't want to break the bank.

Best Cheap 5G Phone: OnePlus Nord N10 5G

With the OnePlus Nord N10 5G, OnePlus is looking to move beyond its traditional flagship killers and expand into the more affordable smartphone niche. While the N10 5G may not be a perfect device, it's a seriously great value for anyone that wants a 5G phone while spending as little as possible.

Despite being so cheap, OnePlus managed to give the N10 5G fairly impressive specs. There's a Snapdragon 690 processor paired with 6GB of RAM, allowing for solid performance for most tasks. That 690 also enables Sub-6 5G connectivity, though you won't find mmWave support here. Other specs include 128GB of expandable storage, a 4,300 mAh battery, and even a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Picture quality from the N10 5G's quad-camera system is about as average as it gets, and as far as the design is concerned, the cheap and glossy plastic won't win a design award any time soon. That's about it as far as cons go, and considering the Nord N10 5G's $300 asking price, that's mighty impressive.

Pros:

  • 90Hz refresh rate is buttery smooth
  • Very good performance
  • Reliable 4,300 mAh battery
  • Has a headphone jack
  • Excellent price

Cons:

  • Mediocre cameras
  • Cheap plastic design

Best Cheap 5G Phone

OnePlus Nord N10 5G

5G doesn't have to be expensive

Eager to get 5G but have a limited budget? The OnePlus Nord N10 5G is exactly what you've been looking for

Best Mid-Range 5G Phone: Google Pixel 4a 5G

If you like what you see with the OnePlus Nord N10 5G but have a bit more cash to spend, it might be worth considering the Pixel 4a 5G. This is one of the most overlooked smartphones from 2020, but as far as affordable 5G phones are concerned, it's one of the best options.

Powering the Pixel 4a 5G is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, and in our testing, it's resulted in truly excellent performance. It may not be on the same technical level as something like the 865+ or 888, but for the vast majority of people, it's more than fast enough for virtually any task. You're also getting 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and a 3,885 mAh battery that allows for surprisingly long endurance.

A big draw to the Pixel 4a 5G is its camera system, which is the exact same setup you'll find on the more expensive Pixel 5. The 12.2MP primary camera and 16MP ultra-wide camera may not sound all that impressive on paper, but in actual use, this is a phone that churns out stunning photos every single time you press the shutter button.

As for the 5G situation, it's a bit clunky. The unlocked variant of the Pixel 4a 5G is limited to Sub-6 speeds, but if you're a Verizon customer, you can get the Pixel 4a 5G UW with Sub-6 and mmWave connectivity.

Pros:

  • Amazing cameras
  • Snapdragon 765G is fast and reliable
  • AMOLED display looks great
  • Excellent battery life
  • Three years of timely updates

Cons:

  • No water resistance or wireless charging
  • Display is only 60Hz

Best Mid-Range 5G Phone

Google Pixel 4a 5G

$459 at Amazon $460 at Best Buy $459 at B&H

A cheaper alternative to the flagship 5G handsets

The Pixel 4a 5G hits all the marks one could want in a budget phone that's compatible with 5G networks.

Best Small 5G Phone: Samsung Galaxy S21

The Galaxy S21 Ultra is an incredible Android phone no matter how you slice it, but for some shoppers, it may be too much — whether it be the steep price tag or its gigantic size. Thankfully, we have the regular Galaxy S21 as a cheaper and smaller alternative.

While we don't consider the Galaxy S21 to be the absolute smallest phone you can buy these days, it is refreshingly compact compared to many of its competitors. The 6.2-inch AMOLED display gives you a sizeable canvas for everything you want to do, and thanks to extremely small bezels and a lightweight plastic design, the S21 ends up being quite comfortable in day-to-day use.

At the heart of the S21 is the exact same Snapdragon 888 processor, and in addition to top-notch performance, you also get support for Sub-6 and mmWave 5G. You also get 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and a 4,000 mAh battery that allows for good (but not great) battery life.

You could argue that the Galaxy S20 FE still offers the best bang-for-your-buck (especially when it's on sale), but for shoppers that prefer a smaller phone and want the added speed + 5G support of the Snapdragon 888, the Galaxy S21 is a compelling purchase.

Pros:

  • New design looks great
  • 120Hz display is gorgeous
  • Same processor as the S21 Ultra
  • Very good cameras
  • Sub-6 and mmWave 5G

Cons:

  • Average battery life

Best Small 5G Phone

Samsung Galaxy S21

From $800 at Samsung From $800 at Amazon From $800 at Best Buy

Smaller is better

While it may not be the smallest phone out there, the regular S21 delivers a flagship experience in a compact body.

Best for Dual Screens: LG Velvet

If you're not into the whole "foldable" scene, or don't want to choose between buying a used car or a smartphone, the LG Velvet is a great compromise. It seems LG is done chasing Samsung for being the best Android phone and is taking a different approach to the market. Enter detachable screens.

The Velvet itself is a move away from the traditional design that we've seen LG attempt in years past. With the Velvet, you'll find an extremely ergonomic design with curves in all of the right places, along with a water-drop layout for the rear cameras. Those wanting to slap on a secondary display can get the feeling of a book, although you'll have to spend a few extra bucks to get one. Nonetheless, this combination makes for a great mid-to-upper range option.

If you're looking at the Velvet solely for camera performance, you'll come away disappointed. It's not that the Velvet is bad, but LG's post-processing software adds on too much sharpening and almost makes your pictures look fake altogether.

On the 5G front, you'll find that there are actually three different versions of the Velvet. The Verizon edition is $100 more and features mmWave for 5G connectivity, while the AT&T and T-Mobile versions support the more-traditional sub-6GHz network compatibility. But the twist here is that while the Verizon and AT&T versions sport Qualcomm's Snapdragon 765G, the T-Mobile variant alone sports the MediaTek Dimensity 1000C chipset. There should not be much of a performance difference, but it's rather questionable to see this change, causing some potential confusion.

Pros:

  • Gorgeous design
  • Dual Screen add-on available
  • All-day battery life
  • Includes 3.5mm headphone jack

Cons:

  • No face unlock option
  • Camera performance could be better
  • Three different versions are available

Best for Dual Screens

LG Velvet

$700 at Verizon $600 at AT&T

If you want two screens without the fold, the Velvet is great

The LG Velvet provides a gorgeous design, middling specs, but also comes in several different versions in the same body.

Best Foldable 5G Phone: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2

Where does one begin when it comes to talking about the Galaxy Z Fold 2? It's almost as if the original Galaxy Fold is from a different device lineup altogether, as the Galaxy Z Fold 2 is incredible from every perspective. The Cover Screen fills up almost every inch of the front, and unfolding it provides you with a 7.2-inch tablet that is much more useful than you may think.

The camera system may not be exactly on par with the Galaxy S21 Ultra, but it is still better than a lot of other smartphones. While Google is still trying to figure out how to handle foldable devices, Samsung has tweaked its software just enough to make sure that you can take full advantage of those apps. From including the Snapdragon 865+ paired with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of onboard storage, along with all-day battery AND 5G connectivity, this is the Ferrari of smartphones.

Even with its exorbitant price tag, Samsung still opted to cut a few corners with the Z Fold 2. Notably, there is no official IP rating for water or dust resistance. Your phone will be able to handle a bit of rain, but that's about it and you'll want to wipe it down as soon as you can. While the Z Fold 2 sports 256GB of onboard storage, that may not be enough for some but that's just "too bad" as you won't be able to use one of the best microSD cards with this bad boy.

Pros:

  • Incredible hardware design
  • The best specs in a smartphone
  • Triple camera setup
  • Software has been tweaked to accommodate foldable display

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • No IP water resistance certification
  • No microSD card slot

Best Foldable 5G Phone

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2

The best 5G phone for those who want to live in the future

Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 2 makes you feel like you are living in the future with incredible specs and an even better design.

Best for Verizon: Motorola Edge+

Motorola has had its fair share of ups and downs over the years when it comes to providing one of the best Android phones. With the Motorola Edge+, the company was hoping to get back on the map with a complete re-design thanks to the waterfall display accompanied by a 90Hz refresh rate.

This redesign provides a more narrow body, making it easier to use with one hand. One-handed usage is something that many smartphone makers have seemingly come to ignore as phones continue to get more wide. Nonetheless, Motorola paired the new design with flagship specs courtesy of the Snapdragon 865 chipset, along with 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and an enormous 5,000mAh battery.

Surprisingly, Motorola made the conscious decision to omit any official dust or water resistance IP rating. You'll likely be just fine for a splash in the rain, but that's about it. The camera system is also just OK, and not what you would likely expect to see from a flagship-level device in 2021. Instead, it matches up more with some of the mid-tier smartphones that we've seen released over the last year or so.

Finally, there was one more puzzling "issue" with the Moto Edge+ that has some scratching their heads. While this handset supports both Sub-6 and mmWave, the only official carrier support comes from Verizon. Even if you try to purchase the phone directly from Motorola, you are only limited to selecting Verizon as there are no "unlocked" variants available.

Pros:

  • Beautiful display with 90Hz refresh rate
  • Narrow body for easy one-hand use
  • Excellent battery life

Cons:

  • Lack of water resistance
  • Camera is just okay
  • Only available through Verizon

Best for Verizon

Motorola Edge+

Great for only Verizon users

The Motorola Edge+ features both 5G spectrums, while also sporting flagship specs and a gorgeous design.

Best for Pixel Fans: Google Pixel 5

2020 was a weird year for Google after getting lambasted in regards to the shoddy battery life from the Pixel 4. The only saving grace for 4 and 4 XL was the absolutely amazing camera system, making it possible to point your smartphone at the night's sky and get pictures of the constellations. Fast forward to today, and Google has redeemed itself with the Google Pixel 5.

This handset features all of the specs one would expect from a smartphone priced at less than $1,000. The Snapdragon 765G provides great performance while unlocking 5G connectivity. Google's decision to use an aluminum unibody design while still making wireless charging is fantastic, and the Pixel 5 features an ultra-wide secondary camera instead of the telephoto lens found on the Pixel 4 and 4 XL.

Getting a Pixel guarantees you three years of platform updates, along with getting the latest version of Android as soon as it's become available. But with the Pixel 5, Google learned from the past and packed in a larger battery with its latest devices to go along with the 90Hz display for buttery smooth scrolling and gaming.

There's also the fact that the Pixel 5 is just a joy to use. It's considerably smaller than most other flagships, Google's custom take on Android is filled with useful features, and the $700 asking price makes it a lot more affordable than something like the S21 Ultra.

Pros:

  • Aluminum unibody
  • Qi wireless charging
  • 90Hz refresh rate
  • Same great camera from Pixel 4
  • 3 years of software updates

Cons:

  • Does not feature Qualcomm's latest processor
  • Limited global availability

Best for Pixel Fans

Google Pixel 5

Get 5G connectivity from Google

Google's 2020 flagship may be surprising to some, but it's an impressive handset with Google's software and camera prowess.

The best 5G phones aren't just for enthusiasts anymore

5G coverage is growing, but it isn't yet to the point where we can unequivocally say that you have to get a 5G phone. At the same time, most phones launching these days now have 5G as a staple feature. Whether you can take advantage of 5G speeds today or need to wait a little longer, ensuring it's in your next smartphone is a good way to ensure you're prepared for the latest generation of wireless connectivity.

For those who want to get to the best network speeds, the Galaxy S21 Ultra is a clear winner — because it's just a great overall phone that happens to have 5G connectivity. You don't choose the Galaxy S21 Ultra because it has 5G, but because of its great hardware, display, specs and cameras. Having 5G for now — and more importantly for a year from now — is just a great side-benefit.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Andrew Myrick is a regular freelancer at Android Central. He has been a tech enthusiast ever since the original iPhone was released and continues to flip-flop between devices. You might as well hook him up to an IV filled with coffee to get him through the day. If you have any questions, you can find him on Twitter, and he'll get back to you.

Joe Maring is Android Central's Senior Editor and has had a love for anything with a screen and CPU since he can remember. He's been talking/writing about Android in one form or another since 2012 and often does so while camping out at the nearest coffee shop. Have a tip for the site? Reach out on Twitter @JoeMaring1 or send an email to joe.maring@futurenet.com!

Samuel Contreras is a writer covering networking and 5G at Mobile Nations. He spends most of his time researching computer components and obsessing over what CPU goes into the ultimate Windows 98 computer. It's the Pentium 3.

This small yet powerful massage gun is 30% off MSRP today

Source: StackCommerce

If fitness was part of your New Year's resolution, you might be dealing with sore muscles right now. The small yet powerful MINIREX massage gun helps speed up your recovery, and it's currently just $139.99.

Unlike top athletes, most of us don't have 24-hour access to a physio. With MINIREX, you can fix the aches and pains yourself. This device measures just six inches long, but it's even more effective than a strong pair of hands.

With four speeds to choose from and four different attachments, you can target every muscle group at the perfect intensity. The massage gun also has a long handle, allowing you to reach awkward spots.

The MINIREX has a high stall force, which ensures you get the maximum effect in terms of circulation and tissue repair. It's also very quiet, and the rechargeable battery offers three hours of usage.

According to YouTube fitness instructor Jason B., the MINIREX is: "a lot more aggressive (in a good way) than the cheap Amazon massagers."

Order today for $139.99 to get the MINIREX at 30% off the retail price.

Prices subject to change 

Should you upgrade from the Galaxy S20 to the S21?

The new hotness

Samsung Galaxy S21

From $800 at Samsung From $800 at Amazon

Pros

  • Snappy new processor with better 5G
  • The latest Samsung software
  • Upgraded cameras
  • Flat screen with 120Hz is easier to hold and use
  • Get it for $100 with S20 trade-in

Cons

  • Plastic back
  • Sidegrade in screen quality
  • No more microSD slot

Samsung is finally realizing that less is more, and nowhere is this lesson more apparent than a Galaxy S21 that aims for the average consumer's needs rather than playing to bleeding-edge spec hounds. There's also a nice visual update and support for standalone and mmWave 5G.

Niche appeal

Samsung Galaxy S20

$700 at Samsung

Pros

  • Higher resolution screen
  • MST support in Samsung Pay
  • microSD card support
  • Glass back

Cons

  • It's not being sold new anymore
  • Less 5G compatibility

The Galaxy S20 was one of the best phones of last year, so if the incredible trade-in values don't lure you in, you can stick to a phone with great performance, good cameras, and a case you already have and love.

Samsung is here with the Samsung Galaxy S21, and between a striking visual refresh and some strategic upgrades — and sidegrades — it's drawing a lot of attention. However, is it worth the hassle of trading in your year-old Galaxy S20 for the new model? The short answer: yes, so long as trade-in prices stay as high as they are.

The long answer is more complicated. The Galaxy S21 might not be a traditional upgrade, but it's certainly a practical one for all but the niche cases, which we'll outline below.

The Galaxy S21 is a sidegrade in all the right places

Pictured: Galaxy S21 (left) and Galaxy S20.

Looking at the Galaxy S21 and S20 side by side, the phones don't seem all that different, and in most ways, you'd be absolutely right. The screen size is the same, they're both the same height and thickness, and both have the same 4,000mAh battery. We get a newer processor and slightly newer cameras, and support for standalone and millimeter-wave 5G, but otherwise, the S21 is a lateral move rather than a barn-burner of an upgrade.

In fact, when you really look at the specs, Samsung even downgraded the S21 in a couple of places to keep that starting price as low as it did.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Samsung Galaxy S20
Display 6.2-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED
2400x1080 (20:9)
HDR10+
Gorilla Glass Victus
6.2-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED
3200x1440 (20:9)
563ppi
HDR10+
Processor Snapdragon 888 Qualcomm Snapdragon 865
Memory 8GB 12GB
Storage 128GB
256GB
128 GB
Expandable Storage Up to 1TB
Rear Camera 1 12MP f/1.8, OIS
8K at 30fps
4K at 60fps
12MP wide
1/1.76"
1.8um
f/1.8
Rear Camera 2 12MP, f/2.2
wide-angle
64MP telephoto
3x Hybrid Optic Zoom
30x Super Resolution Zoom
1/1.72"
0.8um
f/2.0
Rear Camera 3 64MP, f/3.0
telephoto, OIS
3x optical zoom
12MP ultra-wide
1/2.55"
1.4um
f/2.2
Front Camera 10MP f/1.7
auto focus
10MP
1.22um
f/2.2
5G Non Standalone (NSA)
Standalone (SA)
Sub-6
mmWave
Non Standalone (NSA)
Sub-6
Mobile Payments NFC NFC
MST
Battery 4000mAh 4,000 mAh
Dimensions 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9mm 151.7 x 69.1 x 7.9mm
Weight 172g 163g

RAM on the S21 is 8GB rather than the 12GB it was on the S20 5G — the Galaxy S20 4G sold in some international markets had 8GB, too — and while there's an option for 256GB of internal storage, there's no longer a microSD card slot. I am fine with the lack of microSD storage because it slows down the flagship experience and is prone to more problems, but some data hoarders will bemoan the inability to stick a terabyte of storage inside a 128GB phone.

The other downgrade that users might notice is the screen. The S20 had a 1440p screen while the S21 "only" has 1080p, but there's a good reason for this change. The S20 supported 120Hz refresh rates only at 1080p; if you went up to 1440p, you were stuck with 60Hz. Since most people prioritized a faster refresh rate and that butter-smooth scrolling in Twitter and Instagram, 1440p was wasted on most Galaxy S20 users, and Samsung swapped down to 120Hz to save itself and consumers some money. Samsung also swapped to a flat panel, which is easier to grip and easier to buy good screen protectors for.

There's also something to be said for Samsung removing MST support for the North American models of the Galaxy S21, but like with microSD support, its death is actually a good thing unless you live somewhere with older, outdated card readers.

Samsung Galaxy S21 vs. Galaxy S20: Why upgrading is a no-brainer

If the Galaxy S21 isn't this massive, spec upgrade, why is upgrading such a compelling proposition this year? Samsung's trade-in deal this year is even more better than normal.

See, the Galaxy S21 starts at $800, but Samsung's running a special where they'll give you $700 of trade-in value for a Galaxy S20, S20+, or S20 Ultra. This means that S20 owners can get an S21 for just $100 plus an extra $100 of promotional credit at Samsung.com to use towards cases, chargers, or even those swanky new Galaxy Buds Pro.

So, you can get the S21 for basically free, and for the upgraded cameras, the better 5G support, and an extra year of software updates, you should absolutely take advantage.

The new hotness

Samsung Galaxy S21

From $800 at Samsung From $800 at Amazon

Get it while trade-in values last

Samsung gave the S21 a better fingerprint sensor, slightly upgraded cameras, and support for mmWave 5G rather than just sub-6. So long as you can trade in your S20 and get the S21 for $100, you probably should.

Niche appeal

Samsung Galaxy S20

$700 at Samsung

If you need microSD or MST, stay where you are

The S21 has tons of fun updates, but it also saw the removal of a few small but potentially impactful features. If you love having a microSD card for storing tons of offline movies or you live somewhere that NFC payments still aren't widespread but Samsung Pay's MST is still useful, you'll want to keep your current phone.

From the Editor's Desk: LG's Greatest Hits

If LG does eventually exit the mobile business, it won't be for lack of ambitious ideas over the years.

The future of LG's mobile division is uncertain, with anything from a significant restructuring to a sell-off reportedly being on the table. LG has said it's open to "all possibilities," and so it follows that one of those possibilities is a situation where LG no longer sells smartphones. That would be a natural end point for a division that's been losing money for more than half a decade, despite multiple attempted restarts under different executives.

Equally, based on its current earnings, the conglomerate could easily afford to continue propping up its mobile arm. However, the tone seems different this time around.

If this really is the end of LG Mobile, it won't be because it's spent the past six years producing bad products. Although our roundup of the best Android phones is bereft of LG handsets on account of recent efforts like the Velvet and Wing being duds, LG's back catalog contains some devices which were genuinely great for their time. For every Optimus Vu or LG Rolling Bot there was at least one G6 or V30 — competent phones that did everything pretty well and were worth the money.

Many factors have contributed to LG Mobile's stagnation over the years. It's never had the retail presence or carrier influence enjoyed by local rival Samsung, especially internationally. Its software track record has been pretty dire, particularly around major Android updates and design in general, where its skin has become a One UI copycat. The awkwardly shoehorned "ThinQ" branding, which was finally retired in 2020, likely didn't help either.

But one more central problem through the years has been LG's itchy trigger finger when it comes to throwing stuff at the wall, and lack of follow-through when it finds ideas that stick. The LG G5 was the first mainstream phone with an ultrawide camera, but a couple of years later it was overtaken by Samsung. It introduced the first creator-centric phone for videographers with the V Series, but failed to keep pace with the likes of Apple and Huawei, who soon had it beaten in terms of optics and image processing.

LG had an itchy trigger finger but lacked follow-through.

More recently, LG has allowed important smartphone trends like high refresh rate displays and super-telephoto cameras to pass it by. 2020's LG V60 lacked both features. And by the time the G-series successor LG Velvet emerged in the summer, it looked mediocre and dull next to mid-rangers from the likes of OnePlus.

Instead of honing the features that worked, much of the mid-2010s saw LG flailing between various ill-advised gimmicks. The aforementioned G5 used the poorly implemented modular system of "LG Friends'' attachments, which quickly crashed and burned. The LG G Flex served as a neat tech demo for flexible OLED, but was inferior in every way compared to the flat phones of the time. The tickertape display of the LG V20 — an early precursor of the display cutouts that many phones have today — had promise, but was underutilized and struggled to justify its presence.

And while its recent fixation on dual-display add-ons produced some interesting products, its technical limitations stood in the way of a possible move to 90 or 120Hz displays, making its higher-end models look old hat next to Samsung and others.

If LG Mobile fades away, it won't be for lack of innovation, effort, or second chances.

As much as I'm glad the LG Explorer Project for new and weird form factors exists, the reception of the LG Wing shows that it could turn out to be yet another outlet for half-baked ideas that do LG's brand no favors. Fans of weird phones, like me, can hope the upcoming LG Rollable makes a better impression.

Much like HTC — which has now, for all intents and purposes, stopped selling phones in any meaningful way — when LG came across some new innovation that worked, it was its competitors that ran with them and eventually found success. So even if the LG Rollable is a runaway (or rollaway?) success, will it really be remembered as an LG innovation, or will the idea be scaled and perfected by Samsung, Xiaomi or whoever else?

LG can make great phones when it wants to, and as my friend Jerry Hildenbrand pointed out last week, the smartphone market is richer for LG's presence. But if this is the end of LG Mobile, it won't be for lack of second chances, nor opportunities to build upon its many genuine innovations.

Other odds and ends for a working Sunday:

  • We reviewed the Galaxy S21 and it turns out it's pretty good. Samsung had to cut back on the extras in the standard and Plus models this year. But the question remains how such a trimmed-down S21 can coexist with the already very competitive Galaxy S20 FE. (To say nothing of the prospect of an S21 FE later in the year.)
  • Until we see anything beyond flashy brand videos and hype, it's hard to say anything of consequence about Carl Pei's Nothing announcement besides the new firm clearly having its marketing down even at this early stage. (Plus Pei's personal following certainly doesn't hurt.)
  • Honor is back, Huawei-free and ready to ship phones with Google services. Future phones will run Magic UI (basically a fork of Huawei's EMUI), which will surely feel like a blast from the past on multiple levels. (Huawei, of course, is in the process of pivoting to its own HarmonyOS. The question of what Honor even is without Huawei remains, and there are many technical and logistical hurdles it'll need to overcome through the remainder of 2021.
  • As for the whole stonks situation, this tweet from analyst Anshel Sag pretty much sums up my thoughts.

That's all from me. I'll catch you again in a few weeks!

-Alex

These small Android phones fit your hand and pocket perfectly

In just a few short years, big phones have gone from being an outlier to the norm in the smartphone industry. Just about every major device that's released these days has a larger physical size, and while that's great for watching movies and playing games, it can be a challenge for those of us that prefer our phones to be small and compact. Thankfully, there are still plenty of options out there — including the Google Pixel 4a as our top overall pick. If you're looking eagerly at that iPhone 12 mini but don't want to switch over to iOS, these are the best small Android phones you can buy.

Best Overall: Google Pixel 4a

Regardless of size, the Pixel 4a is just one of the best Android phones you can buy right now. It isn't the most technically impressive handset on the market, but the value on offer is tremendous.

As you'd expect from any Pixel, the Pixel 4a takes incredible photos. Whether you're shooting in broad daylight or trying to take a picture of the night sky using the Astrophotography Mode, the Pixel 4a delivers the goods. Images are crisp, full of color, and consistently look nothing short of amazing. You get these great results basically every time you press the shutter button, and that reliability isn't something always found on much more expensive devices.

Outside of its camera, the Pixel 4a doesn't skimp out in any other regard. The 5.8-inch display strikes a near-perfect balance of being big enough for enjoyable content consumption while still being manageable in one hand, and thanks to an OLED panel with a Full HD+ resolution, everything you do on it looks really good. You can also look forward to snappy performance from the Snapdragon 730 processor, all-day battery life, and ample storage (128GB, to be exact).

Pros:

  • Takes gorgeous photos
  • Good performance
  • Has a headphone jack
  • Clean and up-to-date software
  • Works with all U.S. carriers

Cons:

  • No expandable storage
  • Boring design

Best Overall

Google Pixel 4a

Small phone champ

With an excellent balance of specs, features, and price, the Pixel 4a stands out as the best small phone you can buy.

Best Upgrade: Google Pixel 5

There's no denying the value of the Pixel 4a, but if you're yearning for something a bit more premium, the Pixel 5 is an exceptional upgrade. It has everything that makes the Pixel 4a great, along with a few key improvements that make the experience even better.

Starting first with the display, the Pixel 5 keeps the Full HD+ OLED setup and adds a 90Hz refresh rate to the mix. Pair that with the faster Snapdragon 765G processor, and the Pixel 5 sees a nice speed boost. The screen is slightly larger at 6 inches, but when you factor in the Pixel 5's smaller bezels all around, it ends up having a similar footprint to the Pixel 4a.

Also included on the Pixel 5 is a 16MP ultra-wide camera, in addition to the same 12.2MP primary sensor from the 4a. It isn't the very best ultra-wide camera we've ever used, but it still allows for expanded shooting possibilities that you just can't get on a phone without an ultra-wide option. Throw in smaller perks like IP68 dust/water resistance and wireless charging, and the Pixel 5 gives you a lot for its asking price.

Pros:

  • 90Hz OLED screen
  • Faster Snapdragon 765G processor
  • Dual rear cameras
  • IP68 dust/water resistance
  • Wireless charging

Cons:

  • Only one storage option
  • More expensive

Best Upgrade

Google Pixel 5

Treat yourself to something nice

With a 90Hz screen, ultra-wide camera, and faster processor, the Pixel 5 is the small flagship you're looking for.

Best Flagship: Samsung Galaxy S21

Samsung's return to truly small phones with the Galaxy S10e back in 2019 was a breath of fresh air, and since then, we've yet to get a proper successor. While the Galaxy S21 may not be quite as small as some people were hoping for, this is still a seriously great package that you don't want to overlook.

In regards to size, the S21 is packing a 6.2-inch display. That might sound intimidating on paper, but in real-world use, it's extremely comfortable to use. With tight bezels, a flat display, and a lightweight design thanks to the plastic back, the Galaxy S21 is one of the most user-friendly flagships we're bound to see in 2021. The display itself is also top-notch, featuring an AMOLED panel, Full HD+ resolution, and 120Hz refresh rate for buttery smooth animations.

Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 888 chipset is at the heart of the S21, and as you'd expect, this allows for some of the best performance currently available in a smartphone (in addition to sub-6 and mmWave 5G support). There's also 8GB of RAM and your choice of 128 or 256GB of internal storage. The triple-camera system is basically unchanged from last year's Galaxy S20, but to be perfectly honest, that's not a bad thing. Between the 12MP primary camera, 12MP ultra-wide camera, and 64MP telephoto camera, you'll be able to take some really nice shots with the S21.

The biggest downside to the S21 is, unfortunately, battery life. It's far from unusable, but if you're rocking the 120Hz refresh rate and have an active 5G connection, don't expect to make it through more than one day of use.

Pros:

  • 120Hz AMOLED display is incredible
  • Amazing performance with Snapdragon 888
  • Great triple-camera system
  • Android 11 with One UI 3.1 interface
  • Promised three years of software updates

Cons:

  • So-so battery
  • Larger than other phones on the list

Best Flagship

Samsung Galaxy S21

Samsung's small(er) flagship

The Galaxy S21 isn't the tinniest phone you can get in 2021, but if you're after a true flagship experience, it's a great buy.

Best Foldable: Motorola RAZR 5G

Folding smartphones have gone from being a pipe dream to a reality, taking on a few different shapes and sizes. In the case of the Motorola RAZR (2020), Motorola has taken the iconic RAZR design, turned it into a foldable Android phone, and the end result is actually pretty fantastic for fans of small devices.

When you open the RAZR 5G up, you're treated to a 6.2-inch OLED display that looks a lot like any other smartphone. It's not the smallest package in the world, but it's still pretty easy to use in most situations. Whether you're watching a YouTube video, replying to emails, or playing games, the RAZR 5G in this form is a very familiar experience.

Where things get really exciting — and why the RAZR 5G is on this list in the first place — is because you can close the phone in half and make it incredibly tiny. This allows the RAZR 5G to be one of the most pocketable phones currently on the market. Even when it's closed like this, you can actually still use it for just about anything. Motorola allows you to run any app you want on the 2.7-inch outer display, so whether it be scrolling through Twitter, taking a phone call, paying with Google Pay, or anything else in between, you're getting a fully-featured smartphone experience without ever having to open the RAZR up. You'll obviously want to take advantage of the inner screen for tasks that require a larger/more traditional canvas, but having the option to use the outer screen like this is incredible.

As for the specs powering the RAZR 5G, there's a lot on offer. At the heart of the phone is the Snapdragon 765G and 8GB of RAM, allowing for fast and smooth experience. There's also 256GB of built-in storage so you can store all of your digital files with ease. Battery life and camera performance are very average, and compared to everything else, definitely the weakest links of this package.

Assuming you're alright with that and can stomach the steep price, the Motorola RAZR 5G is a small phone experience unlike anything else money can buy. Don't sleep on this one.

Pros:

  • Flip-phone design makes it extremely pocketable
  • Outer display can run any app
  • Futuristic/retro design is stunning
  • Ample specs across the board
  • Compatible with all carriers

Cons:

  • High price tag
  • Average battery life and camera

Best Foldable

Motorola RAZR 5G

The flip-phone is back

Motorola's RAZR foldable isn't cheap, but if you can stomach the high price, it's a compact experience unlike anything else.

Best Affordable: Nokia 7.1

The Nokia 7.1 is no longer the newest Android phone in Nokia's lineup, but it does have one of the smaller screens that the company offers. It comes in at 5.84 inches, and even with the large chin and notch at the top, it's still very easy to manage and use as a compact device. An LCD panel is used for the display, along with a crisp 2280x1080 resolution. What's especially cool about the Nokia 7.1 is that it supports native HDR and can convert SDR content into HDR for a more vibrant and colorful image no matter what you're looking at.

Outside of the tiny and powerful display, there are plenty of other reasons to get excited about the Nokia 7.1. Its battery life is very good for such a tiny phone, you get an NFC chip for Google Pay support, and the metal/glass design is almost too good for as little as the phone costs.

Nokia also takes a major win in the software department, offering a clean user interface that's backed by guaranteed updates and monthly security patches.

Pros:

  • Sharp and colorful display
  • Converts non-HDR content
  • Long-lasting battery
  • Has NFC for Google Pay
  • Android One software

Cons:

  • Performance can be a bit choppy
  • Only works with T-Mobile and AT&T
  • Newer phones in Nokia's lineup

Best Affordable

Nokia 7.1

Get more for your money

Getting a lot for your money is critical for a lot of shoppers, and if that sounds like you, the Nokia 7.1 is the phone to buy.

Best Dirt Cheap: Nokia 1.3

Last but not least, we have the Nokia 1.3. This isn't a phone that'll knock your socks off, but if all you need is a functioning Android handset that does the basics for as little money as possible, it's a solid option.

So, what exactly do you get for what the Nokia 1.3 costs? There's a Qualcomm Snapdragon 215 processor, 16GB of expandable storage, an 8MP rear camera, and a 3,000 mAh battery. The 5.71-inch screen is wonderfully small, with a 1520x720 resolution offering a good picture for the price.

There are a few features you don't get when spending this little, namely USB-C charging and a fingerprint sensor, but you have to remember just how cheap the Nokia 1.3 actually is. To put things in perspective, you could buy seven Nokia 1.3s or one Pixel 5. They're very different phones in just about every regard, but if your primary concern is having a compact device to run your apps and keep you connected, the Nokia 1.3 does that while keeping as much cash as possible in your wallet.

Pros:

  • Minimal bezels around the display
  • Good battery size
  • Storage is expandable
  • There's a headphone jack
  • Textured back

Cons:

  • Doesn't have a fingerprint sensor
  • Weak performance
  • Micro-USB charging

Best Dirt Cheap

Nokia 1.3

Spend as little as possible

If money is especially tight, the Nokia 1.3 is a great little phone. It's cheap, tiny, and has all the specs you need.

Bottom line

The market for small Android phones isn't as expansive as it once used to be, but if you know where to look, there are still plenty of choices out there. Among everything currently available, we think the Google Pixel 4a is the best one you can get.

Google just about perfected the small phone formula with the Pixel 4a. It's an attractive and well-built phone, has capable specs across the board, and comes in at a price that's more than reasonable. Using the Pixel 4a is pretty darn great no matter what you're doing, often punching above what you'd expect from a phone this cheap.

What's special about the Pixel 4a is that it goes above and beyond in some regards — namely the camera and software. These are two areas that the Pixel does better than anyone else, and with the Pixel 4a, you get those benefits while staying within your budget.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Joe Maring is Android Central's Senior Editor and has had a love for anything with a screen and CPU since he can remember. He's been talking/writing about Android in one form or another since 2012 and often does so while camping out at the nearest coffee shop. Have a tip? Reach out on Twitter @JoeMaring1 or send an email to joe.maring@futurenet.com!