The Google Pixel Watch 5 has finally been revealed with an August 20th release date, and there are already several preorder deals that could make the flagship wearable dirt cheap if you play your cards right.
Grab the watch from T-Mobile with Mobile Plan Plus 2.0 and you'll score $300 off your purchase. That knocks the price of your preorder down to just $5.55 per month for 36 months! One of the best Android smartwatches of 2026 for the price of a large latte every month? Sign me up.
Preorder the Google Pixel Watch 5 for just over $5/month at T-Mobile
Ready to experience Google's latest and greatest wearable creation? Preorder the Pixel Watch 5 with the Watch Plan Plus 2.0 plan and T-Mobile will give you $300 off your purchase. That knocks the price of the preorder down to $5.55 per month!
Starting at $15 per month, Watch Plan Plus 2.0 gives you unlimited talk, text, and high-speed data for your smartwatch, plus unlimited texting and 5GB of data in over 215 countries worldwide (15GB of data in Mexico and Canada). View Deal
Compared to its predecessor, the Google Pixel Watch 5 is more of a refinement than a dramatic transformation, and in many ways, that's a good thing. You still get the eye-catching water droplet-inspired design with the AMOLED display, plus Wear OS 7, a Snapdragon chipset, and dual-band GPS.
The Pixel Watch 5 also comes packed with the latest AI-boosted software features, including Generative Watch Faces, Blood Pressure Trends, and the Smart Wake Alarm. You also get twice the onboard storage compared to the Pixel Watch 4 (now it's 64GB) and a slight boost in battery life that doesn't affect the size or weight.
So what's the catch? Well, aside from those small upgrades, the Google Pixel Watch 5 is largely unchanged from the previous generation. If you're passionate about fancy smartwatch features and/or you've never owned a Pixel watch, then I'd absolutely recommend jumping on this preorder deal.
On the other hand, if you're already the owner of a Google Pixel Watch 4, it'd be understandable if you wanted to skip this one. It's also worth mentioning that T-Mobile has extended this $300 discount to all of the Pixel smartwatches on its site, which means you could get the Google Pixel Watch 4 for free and enjoy nearly identical performance to the 2026 model without paying a dime. The choice is yours.
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Your search for the best Google Pixel 11 Pro XL cases begins and ends here. The largest, fastest charging, and most long-lasting of the Pixel 11 series, the Pixel 11 Pro XL offers generous screen real estate with its 6.8-inch Super Actua OLED display. A bigger phone definitely means you have more grounds to cover in terms of scratch and drop resistance. You should also look for added grip, as a bigger, heavier phone is more likely to fall accidentally. All of my top picks have this covered, and more, so take your time and browse through this guide.
Cases fit for the mighty Pixel 11 Pro XL
Google Pixelsnap Case for Pixel 11 Pro XL
Best overall
The official Google Pixelsnap Case for the Pixel 11 Pro XL comes in the four colors of the Pixel. It has a soft lining to preserve the chassis of the phone, and Google promises everyday scratch and drop resistance and a one-year warranty for the case.
TORRAS Q3 Air for Google Pixel 11 Pro XL
Best with stand
TORRAS designed a new lineup of cases for the Pixel 11 series. The Q3 Air for the Pixel 11 Pro XL is a lightweight, smokey black case with a magnetic rotating ring on the back. It uses proprietary AirPro Cushion technology to reinforce shock resistance.
Mous Marine Limitless Phone Case for Pixel 11 Pro XL
Best premium
Mous isn't the cheapest brand, but its sleek cases undergo rigorous drop tests — which you can see on YouTube! The Mous Marine Limitless Phone Case is grippy, Pixelsnap-compatible, and adds rugged impact absorption in a slim profile.
Bellroy Leather Case with Pixelsnap for Pixel 11 Pro XL
Best leather
The Bellroy Leather Case with Pixelsnap for Pixel 11 Pro XL uses top-quality leather and comes in four shades that go with the phone's own colors. They aren't exact matches, but the adapted colors look splendid in the leather grain.
Poetic Guardian for Pixel 11 Pro XL
Best clear
Spigen is usually my got-to clear case brand, but for a larger phone like the Pixel 11 Pro XL, I highly suggest the more robust Poetic Guardian case instead. This clear case has a shock-proof frame, one screen protector, a ring stand, and 20ft drop protection.
SUPCASE UB Grip for Pixel 11 Pro XL
Best heavy-duty
SUPCASE is another favorite of mine, and I've relied on the brand for years just like Poetic and Spigen. Their Unicorn Beetle Grip case is spectacular as expected, delivering rugged drop-proofing, a screen guard, and a magnetic ring stand.
Dbrand Grip Case for Pixel 11 Pro XL
Best designs
The grippiest of sides and the swankiest of designs, these are two merits of the Dbrand Grip Case for the Pixel 11 Pro XL. It adds reasonable scratch and drop resistance too, and has a magnetic ring embedded within. Some colors/patterns cost most, though.
Spigen Nano Pop MagFit for Pixel 11 Pro XL
Best classic
I would be remiss if I didn't mention Spigen, and there's no case more well known that the classic Nano Pop. This Blueberry Navy shade has been a hit for many years. Now that Spigen has added magnetic support, it is a perfect affordable Pixel 11 Pro XL case.
Ringke Onyx Magnetic Google Pixel 11 Pro XL Case
Best non-slip
The Ringke Onyx Magnetic Google Pixel 11 Pro XL Case has a sandstone-like texture that is wonderfully grippy, preventing accidental slips. The dark green variant looks particularly striking. You get lanyard holes on the sides of the magnetic case too.
You have options on options on options when buying a Pixel 11 Pro XL case
No matter your style preference or budget range, there's a handsome Google Pixel 11 Pro XL case available out there. Instead of spending hours trying to find the perfect match for yourself, just read through this buying guide that I've put together for you. I test cases for a living, and have gone through everything available to narrow it down to only the very best options here.
Generally speaking, most people will be very happy with the Google Pixelsnap Case for the Pixel 11 Pro XL. It fits like a glove, it has Pixelsnap support, it adds scratch and drop resistance, it has a soft lining inside, and it matches all the colorways of the Pixel 11 Pro XL. If you score a neat pre-order deal, you can save up to $600, so the hefty price tag of the official case won't hurt either.
Now for those on the hunt for more than a basic first-party option, there's no shortage of options. Depending on how much money you'd like to spend, what level of drop protection you want, and whether you want extras like a stand, I have rounded up the best Pixel 11 Pro XL cases in every category. If you can go all out, the Mous Marine Limitless Phone Case for Pixel 11 Pro XL is a robust drop-proof case in a very sleek form factor. Poetic offers an affordable version of this in a clear case too, so if that's more accessible, you should check out the Poetic Guardian case for the Pixel 11 Pro XL.
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The Pixel Watch 5 looks almost identical to the Pixel Watch 4 and keeps the same W5 Gen 2 chip.
Google calls it the W5 Gen 2 Accelerated, but the underlying hardware remains essentially unchanged.
You still get 41mm and 45mm models, with Bluetooth, NFC, UWB, and LTE options.
New tools for insulin and blood pressure management add meaningful functionality.
Google's smartwatches are slowly gaining momentum, but you wouldn't be able to tell each model apart. That's particularly true this year with the Pixel Watch 5; I read the press release Google shared ahead of launch, and I still don't understand what's new.
The Pixel Watch 5 looks identical to last year's Pixel Watch 4. It has the exact same hardware as well, and Google didn't bother using Qualcomm's Snapdragon Elite Wear platform, which is short-sighted. It instead has the same W5 Gen 2 as last year, but it's now called the Gen 2 Accelerated, so make of that what you will.
Like previous years, you get two sizes: 41mm and 45mm. There's Bluetooth, NFC, UWB, and Satellite SOS in select countries, and Google will continue to sell cellular-enabled LTE models. You get similar colors as last year, and the chassis is made out of recycled materials, just like Google's phones. There are new bands though, and they're in vibrant colors.
You still get 5ATM and IP68 water resistance, and it should hold up to everyday wear and tear just as well as its predecessors.
(Image credit: Google)
That doesn't mean there isn't anything new. Google is debuting features to manage insulin and blood pressure resistance, and they're bound to be useful. There's a slate of new Gemini features as well, along with everything new in Wear OS. Here's the full list of the watch's health and fitness features:
Health Guardian suite (Irregular Rhythm Notifications / AFib, high/low heart rate alerts)
Bedtime Automations, Smart Wake Alarms, Morning Brief
Breathing Emergency Detection (EU only)
Loss of Pulse alerts
Satellite SOS communication
Safety Check, Emergency Sharing, Fall Detection, Car Crash Detection
Oh, and I like the feature that lets you generate watch faces using AI, and it is pretty cool. But that alone doesn't justify buying a new watch, and the Pixel Watch 4 should get the feature anyway at some point in the future.
If the Pixel Watch 5 doesn't look particularly noteworthy, it's because the hardware itself hasn't changed to any measurable degree. This is like the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025 all over again, and Google needs to do better to differentiate its smartwatch -- as AC EiC Shruti Shekar said in her hands-on post, it's time we got a Pixel Watch Pro.
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The Nintendo Switch 2 could finally get its first major special edition, with leaked packaging pointing to a Zelda 40th anniversary console.
The leaked console features a dark aesthetic with gold and green accents, paired with a gold Triforce dock and matching black-and-teal Joy-Con controllers.
A standalone Switch 2 Pro Controller was also leaked, mirroring the console's color scheme with gold triggers, shoulder buttons, and a central Triforce crest.
Nintendo's Switch 2 has been missing something the original console had in spades: flashy special editions. But that could finally change, as leaked images supposedly show a Zelda-themed Switch 2 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the franchise, complete with matching accessories.
Photos posted on X by @CentroLeaks show what appears to be retail packaging for a limited edition Nintendo Switch 2 console and a standalone Switch 2 Pro Controller, both celebrating Zelda's milestone year.
First limited edition Nintendo Switch 2 coming soon pic.twitter.com/cli7icFkbpAugust 11, 2026
The leaked console looks like it'll have a dark design with gold and green Zelda-inspired accents, making it look far more collector-focused than Nintendo's standard Switch 2.
There’s also a dock featuring a large gold Triforce, with matching designs printed into the Joy-Con 2 controllers. A second matching Switch 2 Pro Controller also leaked, matching the esthetic with gold shoulder buttons and a golden Triforce in the middle.
@CentroLeaks / X@CentroLeaks / X
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard of Nintendo planning to release a limited edition Nintendo Switch 2 console and matching Pro Controller as a celebration of The Legend of Zelda’s 40th anniversary. These hardware accessories were expected to be released alongside the rumored Ocarina of Time Remake later in 2026, but an insider had clarified that the designs were franchise-themed and not specifically tied to the Ocarina of Time game.
That’s logical, considering the franchise milestone approaching in 2026. But the Ocarina of Time remake may still be a perfect launch window, though Nintendo still hasn't confirmed a release date for the hardware.
The timing would also mark Nintendo’s first major Switch 2 special edition since the console’s launch. That might make this way more appealing than just purchasing another Pro Controller for longtime Zelda fans.
Again, Nintendo has yet to officially reveal the console, controller, price, or availability. For now, the leaked images are the best evidence yet that the long-rumored Zelda hardware may be real after all.
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In the age of 4K projectors, dropping a ton of cash on a smart TV no longer seems like the wisest decision. This is particularly true when products like the XGIMI Horizon Ultra are hanging around.
We gave this projector a 4.5/5-star rating when we reviewed it a few years back, highlighting its vibrant and crystal-clear picture quality, stylish design, and Dolby Vision integration. Depending on where you shop, the Horizon Ultra can cost as much as $1,699, but WellBots is currently selling the projector for a reasonable $1,149. Slap on this discount using the code 300SAVE at checkout and you'll drop the device down to only $849.
Get my favorite 4K projector for as little as $849 with this exclusive code
Use the code 300SAVE at WellBots and you'll score a straight $300 off the Horizon Ultra 4K projector by XGIMI. That's on top of the $550 discount already offered by the retailer, no strings attached. View Deal
Even though it initially dropped back in 2023, the XGIMI Horizon Ultra continues to reign as one of the best 4K projectors on the market. The stylish device utilizes a hybrid laser and LED system to produce images that are consistently clear, bright, and vibrant.
The Horizon Ultra is able to dynamically adjust the picture depending on the surface that it's being projected on, while the auto focus feature ensures that your content looks as crisp as possible. You get Dolby Vision and HDR/SDR support, in addition to a Gaming display mode that drops the latency to as low as 18ms. There are also display modes for movies, TV shows, sports, and Custom (which lets you finetune settings to your preference). The smart home device is also equipped with two USB 2.0 ports, two HDMI ports, ethernet, and Bluetooth/Wi-Fi 6 support, so connecting to your favorite streaming devices or consoles should never be an issue.
The projector's built-in speakers aren't exactly mind blowing, so you might want to invest in a soundbar to make the most out of the device. Fortunately, you just saved $300 by using the code above, so adding in some speakers shouldn't be the end of the world. Needless to say, if you want a home theater upgrade without the physical constraints of a smart TV, XGIMI's Horizon Ultra is a great product to consider — especially at this price.
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Back to school season is here, and if you're looking to get equipped with the latest Android tech before the semester starts, you're in luck: Amazon just launched a sale that's slashing prices on dozens of our favorite devices.
Whether you're interested in a new smartphone, a laptop for studying, or a pair of noise-cancelling headphones to block out all distractions, all of the best Android deals from Amazon's sale can be found in this guide.
Of course, Amazon isn't the only retailer launching student-friendly deals ahead of the fall semester. You can find all of the latest shopping advice and deal coverage by yours truly by keeping an eye on our Back to School 2026 landing page. Didn't find anything today? Check back later: I'll keep adding relevant Amazon deals to this list for as long as it makes sense to do so.
So, you need a pair of ANC earbuds. Recommendations usually start with the pairs that match your smartphone: AirPods, Pixel Buds, Galaxy Buds, OnePlus Buds, or Moto Buds. If you opt for a pair of ANC earbuds from a trusted audio brand instead, you're likely choosing between Sony and Bose. I've used both the Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) for months, and they're the best of the best when it comes to active noise-cancellation power.
But there can only be one best. So, I decided to take the flagship Sony and Bose earbuds to three noisy places to see how each one cancels out unwanted sound. This isn't a lab test or a benchmark — it's a real-world showdown that reflects how the Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) perform in everyday scenarios. While it was close, there was one pair of ANC earbuds I consistently preferred for its ANC power.
How the specs compare
(Image credit: @tshakaarmstrong)
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2) use eight onboard microphones — four per earbud — to cancel out sound. Bose is using new AI-powered algorithms for active noise cancellation, but we don't know the specifics. The Sony WF-1000XM6 also has eight microphones split evenly between the two earbuds. Sony uses a custom QN3e processor for noise cancelation, and it's said to be 3x faster than its predecessor.
For this test, I took the Bose and Sony earbuds to loud places and tested their ANC performance. I placed the earbuds in my ears and listened for active noise cancellation without any music playing. Then, I raised the volume to a modest 50% and started playing music to see how environmental noise is perceived at a comfortable listening level.
This test is purely gauging the earbuds' ANC chops. It ignores sound quality, battery life, call quality, and other features, but every detail is covered in our full reviews of the Sony WF-1000XM6 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2).
I wore Sony and Bose earbuds in a noisy coffee shop
(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)
The first place I took the Sony and Bose earbuds to was my local coffee shop. I'm regularly working from a cafe, and it's a great environment. Good vibes, superb lattes, and free Wi-Fi. The one problem every digital nomad has run into is the noise. Loud espresso machines, constant chatter, and noisy foot traffic can quickly lead to distractions. The obvious solution to this issue is a pair of ANC earbuds, and that's why I brought the WF-1000XM6 and the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2) along with me.
Active noise cancellation works best with consistent noise, which is why environments like a coffee shop can trip up ANC earbuds. Sudden bursts of loud conversation or intermittent machinery can pierce the ANC barrier. When I wore the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2) without music playing, most background noise and the radio music turned to silence. However, I could still hear laughter, the espresso machine screeching, and chairs sliding around.
I then switched to the WF-1000XM6, but Sony's earbuds struggled to cancel out the mid-frequency environmental noise. Without music playing through my earbuds, I could still hear the music from the overhead radio speakers and make out nearby conversations. Interestingly, the high-pitched sounds that broke through Bose's ANC bubble were suppressed by the Sony earbuds.
Starting to play music through each pair of earbuds at 50% volume made their flaws virtually indistinguishable. With music playing, the Sony WF-1000XM6 blocked out nearly all audible background noise. The same was mostly true of the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2), except for lighter tracks with strong vocals and minimal production.
In this test, I preferred the ANC power of the Bose earbuds. I really didn't like that the Sony earbuds did little to block out the chatter and background music in the coffee shop, which can be distracting.
I wore Sony and Bose earbuds under a rumbling AC unit
(Image credit: @tshakaarmstrong)
Your air conditioning unit might be producing the loudest sound in your home. I live in the Arizona desert, so my AC is running almost nonstop this time of year. Using a sound measurement tool, I recorded my AC's noise level to be 60 decibels. That's quite loud, so I sat right underneath my air conditioner and put the Bose and Sony earbuds in my ears. These low-frequency hums and rumbles coming from your AC unit pose a challenge for even the best ANC earbuds.
Both earbuds nearly canceled out the AC unit's loud noise, but the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2) did a better job. While the Sony WF-1000XM6 made the noise less irritating, it was still there. The Bose earbuds, by comparison, made the AC unit sound silent — even without music playing. After choosing a song and setting the volume at 50%, neither pair of earbuds had a problem blocking out the annoying rumble of my air conditioner.
In this test, the win goes to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2). Based on the results of the first two tests, it seems like the Sony WF-1000XM6 isn't quite as good at negating low- and mid-frequency sounds.
I wore Sony and Bose earbuds throughout a crowded shopping mall
(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)
For the final test, I took the Bose and Sony earbuds to the loudest place I could think of: a crowded shopping mall on a Friday night. I walked through a supermarket, a food court, and the concourse to get a feel for how each pair of earbuds responded to the noisy environments. Unlike the first two tests, which relied heavily on low- and mid-frequency background noise, the most challenging sounds to cancel out here were in the high-frequency range.
Sony's WF-1000XM6 earbuds actually did a better job blocking out the conversations and chatter around me in the wall, and I have a hunch as to why. There was so much talking going on that all the voices blended together into a kind of white noise the Sony buds easily canceled out. This could be why the WF-1000XM6 stopped voices in their tracks here, but didn't perform as well in the less-crowded coffee shop.
In the food court, the Sony earbuds' ability to block out higher-end sounds shined. The sizzle of frying pans and the clanking of utensils were mitigated by the WF-1000XM6, whereas they were much easier to hear through the Bose earbuds. Even at 50% volume, I could still hear some of those high-pitched noises while wearing the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2).
The two pairs of earbuds didn't stand a chance at canceling out the infrequent PA announcements in the food court, but this isn't surprising. Overall, the Sony earbuds won in the mall. The chatter all blending together, paired with the high-pitched nuisance sounds, gave the WF-1000XM6 the perfect environment to put its ANC strengths on display.
Verdict
(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)
Looking back on my week of ANC testing both the Bose and Sony earbuds, the winner on paper seems clear. More often than not, the Bose earbuds canceled out noise better than the Sony earbuds. Still, I'm not ready to write off the Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds. I actually enjoyed wearing them for active noise cancellation more than the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2), because the Sony earbuds are decidedly more comfortable.
They're smaller, and don't make as tight of a seal in your ear as the Bose earbuds. Perceived ANC power has as much to do with passive sound isolation as it does active algorithmic cancellation. The very reason the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (Gen 2) performed well might also be the reason I wanted to pull them out of my ears during longer listening sessions. While I found the Bose earbuds canceled out more noise on most tests, I'd reach for the Sony earbuds for their comfort anyway.
Sony
WF-1000XM6
Best for comfort
The Sony WF-1000XM6 are excellent ANC earbuds, and cancel out a whole lot of noise. Their supreme comfort helps you enjoy long listening sessions with ANC active. However, the fit may not be as secure as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2).
Bose
QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2)
Most secure fit
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) do an excellent job of staying securely in your ears, creating a seal that helps with sound isolation. This improves ANC quality, but some users may find the characteristic uncomfortable after a while.
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