Android Forums, Reviews

mardi 23 juin 2026

iPhone user? This Prime Day Pixel deal will convince you to switch to Android

If you're an iPhone user and are willing to switch to Android, now is the best time to do so. The Pixel 10 Pro XL is the best Android flagship you can buy in the U.S., and while I prefer the Find X9 Ultra and Vivo X300 Ultra, you don't get those devices Stateside, so if I have to choose between the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Motorola Signature, the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and the Pixel 10 Pro XL, Google's phone wins out.

There's just one issue: the pricing. The Pixel 10 Pro XL debuted at $1,199, and that's way too much. Thankfully, the phone is down to $884 during Prime Day, a huge $315 discount that makes this the ideal time to get your hands on the Pixel 10 Pro XL. Google's phones always sell well during these sale, and it's no different this time. And what about the iPhone, you ask? There aren't any deals around this year, so you'll need to shell out the full $1,199 to get your hands on the 17 Pro Max.

Prime Day 2026 is June 23-26: see the full list of deals

The Pixel 10 Pro XL has the best software, standout cameras, and all the extras you need in a flagship. There isn't anything better in the U.S., and the $315 discount makes it the ideal time to switch if you're using an iPhone. View Deal

✅Recommended if: You want the best phone in the U.S. The Pixel 10 Pro XL has better cameras than the Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the software is cleaner, and you get an extensive set of AI features if that's what you want in a phone.

❌Skip this deal if: You're used to the iPhone. I get that it's hard to change, and with the iPhone, you get an interface that's essentially unchanged over the last decade.

Google sorted out a lot of the lingering issues this time, and the result is that the Pixel 10 Pro XL is noticeably better than its predecessors. The fundamentals haven't changed; you still get great cameras, clean software with plenty of meaningful features, good battery life, and a bright OLED panel.

It's the software where the Pixel 10 Pro XL truly comes into its own. The phone just got the Android 17 update, and alongside a slate of new features and a new floating windows mode called bubbles, the update made the phone a little faster, making it even better to use.

Google has a dominant lead when it comes to phone-based AI features, so much so that Apple is using Google's models on the iPhone now. But if you're not a fan of generative AI or don't need these features, you don't have to use any on the Pixel 10 Pro XL — I don't. Outside of the software, the Pixel 10 Pro XL cameras continue to stand out, and you consistently get great photos and videos.

The OLED panel is among the brightest of any phone around, and I like its color vibrancy. Battery life is decent, and while it doesn't measure up to Chinese rivals, I still get a day's worth of use consistently.

Google has been making phones for the better part of a decade now, and with the Pixel 10 Pro XL, it's clear that the brand has a phone that's among the best around. If you're not satisfied with your iPhone and want to try something new, the Pixel 10 Pro XL would be my recommendation — get the phone while it's still down to $884.

All Prime Day 2026 - quick links

Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon tablets from $50
Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99
Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo

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Conquer the chaos: save 20% on the best smart family calendar this Prime Day

After three years of trying (and failing) to build any semblance of a schedule, we wanted to get a smart calendar to see if it made things any easier. And with our toddler set to start pre-school soon, we needed a way to plan the family schedule, add and change meal plans, have a shared to-do list, and just bring some level of organization to the daily routine.

There's a decent amount of choice if you're looking to get a smart calendar these days. Cozyla, Skylight, Hearth, and Amazon all make dedicated devices aimed at this category, and while I liked the look of the Skylight Frame, I wasn't keen on yet another subscription just to use a shared calendar, and the coincidentally, I got a review unit of the Cozyla Calendar+ 2, so that's what we ended up using.

I tested the 15.6-inch variant of the Cozyla Calendar+ 2, and it costs $349 on Amazon as of writing. There's also a 24-inch model that retails for $699, a 32-inch model that costs $899, and a 32-inch 4K option that is available for $1,099. The larger 24-inch and 32-inch models are good to consider if you're mounting the calendar on a wall, but if you want to just position it on the kitchen island (like we have), the 15.6-inch model is arguably the better choice — and it costs a lot less.

Prime Day 2026 is June 23-26: see the full list of deals

The 15.6-inch Calendar Plus 2 usually costs $349, but it's down to $279 right now, and if you've been eyeing this calendar, now is the best time to get your hands on it. The 24-inch model is now available for $559, and the 4K 32-inch option costs $719 at the moment. View Deal

Cozyla Calendar Plus 2 review on Android Central — Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central

I'll get to the features in a little bit, but let's talk about the product itself. The Calendar+ 2 is sold in a white color option, and it houses a 15.6-inch 1080p panel with a standard 60Hz refresh and chunky bezels on the sides. The panel itself is decent enough; it doesn't come close to the clarity of most modern tablets like the Xiaomi Pad 8, but it gets the job done in this context. I would've preferred an anti-glare coating on the screen given the use case, but that's only available on the 24- and 32-inch models, which is annoying.

Coming to the hardware, the Calendar+ 2 is powered by a Rockchip RK3576, which has Arm's v7 Cortex A72 cores running at 2.11GHz and A53 cores at 1.91GHz. There's 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, with around 38GB available for use. You won't see something this old on a phone or tablet, but it is serviceable on a device that's ostensibly meant as a shared family calendar.

On the software front, you get Android 14 out of the box, and while the Calendar+ 2 runs Cozyla's custom CalendarOS, you have the Play Store, so there's the ability to install custom apps. This is a big enough differentiator, and while the hardware is decidedly entry-level, you can install YouTube, to-do list apps, and just about any productivity app on this device without any issues.

The interface was laggy when we set up the calendar, but it has gotten much better thanks to recent updates. The home page pulls up the calendar view with widgets for tasks and meals, and there are dedicated tabs: Calendar, Tasks, Meals, Notes, and Settings. You get an App Library that serves as the app drawer, and you can add widgets, apps, or folders to the home page and customize it as needed.

In fact, the biggest advantage to the Calendar+ is the sheer amount of customizability. You can install any app you want and tweak the interface to highlight the information that matters to you. We used the Calendar+ 2 predominantly for two things: meal planning and managing to-do lists.

Adding a meal plan to the calendar was an exercise in frustration — when we set it up a few months ago. The interface on the Cozyla itself was slow, and while a desktop app would be ideal, Cozyla still doesn't have that, so we manually added everything via our phones.

Now, this was only a problem because we added an Indian meal plan. Cozyla has a recipe database, but that mostly includes western dishes, and even Indian dishes like rotis, dal, or chutneys weren't available, so we had to add all of these individually. Having said that, Cozyla rolled out updates in the last two months that made a big difference. There's a decent selection of global dishes now, and that's good to see — it made adding new dishes to the meal plan that much easier.

Setting up calendars is as easy as logging in to your account and syncing to the device. You can use Google, Apple, Outlook, Yahoo, and CalDAV as the providers, and it was relatively straightforward to link my Google calendar to the device. The best part of the calendar is the Tasks feature; it lets you add to-do lists and assign chores, and it made a big difference in how regularly I do the laundry.

We've been using this calendar for just under six months now, and honestly, I'm glad I waited before writing the review — the updates to the app and calendar made it much more responsive, and Cozyla sorted out a lot of the lingering bugs, making the Calendar Plus 2 a better overall product now. And the fact that you can get it for 20% off means now is as good a time as any to buy the smart calendar.

All Prime Day 2026 - quick links

Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon tablets from $50
Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99
Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo

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If you're traveling this summer, you'll want to grab this Prime Day deal on an accessory I don't go anywhere without

I love to travel, and with summer finally here, I'm sure a lot of you will be traveling, whether domestically or internationally. Regardless, there are some things you don't wanna go without, and for me, one of those things is a fast portable charger. The Anker Nano Portable Charger is a must-have for me, as it's basically a two-in-one deal, and you can grab one for 30% off right now during Prime Day.

The Anker Nano Portable Charger normally retails for $60, but with a 30% discount, you're only paying just over $40 for a rather good power bank with fast charging and a ton of extras that I'll get into in a moment.

Prime Day returns June 23-26: see the full list of deals

You can save nearly $20 on one of our favorite power banks. That means, for just $42, you get a fast charger with a USB-C cable and loop for easy carrying. This one power bank is co convenient; $42 feels like a great deal for essentially a two-in-one.View Deal

✅Recommended if: You have a phone that supports 45W charging speeds and you want a portable charger you can easily carry around with a built-in USB-C cable.

❌Skip this deal if: Your phone supports faster wired charging speeds and you want something that can match its speeds.

The Anker Nano Portable Charger is a fairly unique power bank for a couple of reasons. The most obvious is that it has a built-in USB-C cable that extends up to 2.3ft and is strong enough to support up to 17 pounds. It's a very well-made cable that easily retracts into the charger's body when you're not using it.

The downside of this design is that it makes the charger rather bulky, but this hasn't been a huge issue for me. The included loop makes it fairly easy to carry, and it's still small enough to throw into a bag or purse.

Another notable feature that I love is that it has a small display that can tell you a few things, including the current battery level, the remaining time until the power bank or the device it's charging is fully topped up, how fast the current state of charge is, the power bank's temperature, and the battery health. A button makes it easy to cycle through all this information.

You get up to 45W charging, which, even for a device like the Motorola Razr Fold, which charges at 80W, is still plenty fast. You get a secondary USB-C port if you wanna charge a second device, and a third USB-A port.

All in all, the Anker Nano Portable Charger is a fantastic and very convenient power bank that I carry with me literally everywhere, and if you're traveling this summer, it's an accessory I couldn't recommend more. And for more devices we recommend for your summer excursions, you should check out our Summer Travel Guide.

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Leaked Google Pixel 'Audio Memory' poised to remember what you've heard

What you need to know

A recent leak suggests Google is working on a new memory-based feature for Pixel phones, known as "Audio Memory."
While reports claim it would capture music you've heard, it might also keep its ears open for "important conversations" and transcribe them.
Google has a few "memory" features for its AI, such as Personal Intelligence and "personal context" in the Gemini app.

A report states that, after some digging, a new Pixel feature was spotted, which could let your phone "remember" what you've heard.

The report was posted by 9to5Google, stating Google is working on an "Audio Memory" feature for its Pixels. One major Audio Memory function that was discovered is "Music Recognition." This isn't a new capability for Pixels. Many of Google's phones can keep their "ears" open for music, so it can have its name available for the user. Think of it like Shazam, but it's always on.

For Audio Memory, it will function mostly the same, as it'll provide "info about songs playing nearby displays on your device's lock screen," per the leaked description. Users can tap these logged titles to bring them to Pixel's Now Playing app. However, 9to5 kept digging and found that the latest version of Android System Intelligence for the Pixel 10 held breadcrumbs about additional uses.

Reportedly, Google plans for Audio Memory to "keep track of what you hear throughout your day." This could include "your important conversations." There wasn't much else about this rumor, as it's still early. However, the publication assumes this feature (if enabled) would transcribe conversations you're having to "generate notes."

How broad its coverage will be is still unknown. As the post notes, there's a chance that this could only apply to phone calls.

Pixel "Memory"

Pixel Journal on a Google Pixel 10 Pro — (Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

"Remembering" has become commonplace for Google and its AI services. Last year, the company updated Gemini with "memory" that leveraged the user's "personal context." The latter concerns old chats you've had with the AI. If you were talking about new shoes or a place to travel to this summer, and you're asking about it again, Gemini would "remember" old conversations for better answers.

What joined this was "Temporary Chats," which let users ask quick, one-time questions that it doesn't want affecting Gemini in any way. Users can turn off Gemini's memory for your personal context. It seems wise to believe Google would produce something similar for Audio Memory, especially since having your phone "always listening"—or remembering—might not sit well. On the other hand, we have Personal Intelligence.

This has been talked about quite a bit these past few months. Gemini can use the user's photos, emails, and more to understand their interests. When you ask a specific question about a date you need to remember, Gemini would, for example, dip into your emails for you. We still need to see Google's true intentions with Audio Memory, but it might sit on a "useful" front like these other memory-based features.

Android Central's Take

I could really see Audio Memory useful for people who frequent meetings or for reporters. It's like always having your Recorder app active. If I were to hazard a guess, I'd figure Google would go this route. Transcriptions and all. It's still early, so maybe I'm way off base.

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This might be the only Android phone deal worth your Prime Day budget

It's getting harder and harder to find a genuinely good mid-range Android phone, but Amazon's Prime Day sale has arrived at exactly the right time. Right now, the Google Pixel 10a is down by $75, making one of the best budget Android phones even easier to recommend.

With memory prices continuing to rise across the tech industry, budget and mid-range smartphones have been hit especially hard. Companies already operate on thinner margins in this segment, which means meaningful discounts on the best mid-range Android phones are becoming increasingly rare.

Thankfully, Google doesn't seem too concerned about that. The company has knocked 15% off the Pixel 10a during Prime Day, and after using the phone for nearly three months, I can confidently say it's about as good as it gets if you're looking for a clean Android experience without spending flagship money.

Prime Day is June 23-26: see the full list of deals

Amazon has knocked $75 off the Google Pixel 10a, making one of the best mid-range Android phones even more affordable. With Android 17, seven years of support, a 5,100mAh battery, and satellite emergency SOS, it's a great pick for anyone who values longevity over raw performance.View Deal

✅Recommended if: you want a mid-range Android phone with long software support, fast Android updates, a compact design, and excellent battery life.

❌Skip this deal if: you want built-in Qi2 magnets, thinner display bezels, or top-tier gaming performance.

The Pixel 10a may not look dramatically different from the Pixel 9a, but Google has made enough improvements to keep it competitive. One of my favorite things about the phone is that it's still the only Android phone around with virtually no camera bump. The cameras sit flush with the back, which means you can comfortably use it without a case and not worry about the camera housing sticking out.

Google Pixel 10a in mint color in front of green leaves — (Image credit: Sanuj Bhatia / Android Central)

Google has also added a slightly larger 5,100mAh battery and bumped wired charging speeds up to 30W. And if you're someone who keeps phones for years, another important addition is Emergency SOS via satellite. That means you can still contact emergency services even if you're somewhere without cellular coverage or Wi-Fi.

Of course, it's not perfect. Some AI features available on the flagship Pixel 10 lineup are missing here. You also don't get the built-in Qi2 magnets found on the rest of the Pixel 10 family. And while the Tensor G4 remains perfectly fine for everyday use, it isn't the most powerful chip if gaming is a priority.

Still, if you're looking for a phone that gets Android updates quickly, already runs Android 17, and should remain supported for years to come, the Pixel 10a is one of the easiest Prime Day deals to recommend.

lundi 22 juin 2026

Android 17 brings a surprisingly big upgrade for wireless earbuds

Android 17 improves wireless audio quality with support for the LHDC v5 codec.

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Android Forums, Reviews

mardi 23 juin 2026

iPhone user? This Prime Day Pixel deal will convince you to switch to Android

All Prime Day 2026 - quick links

Conquer the chaos: save 20% on the best smart family calendar this Prime Day

All Prime Day 2026 - quick links

If you're traveling this summer, you'll want to grab this Prime Day deal on an accessory I don't go anywhere without

Leaked Google Pixel 'Audio Memory' poised to remember what you've heard

What you need to know

Pixel "Memory"

Android Central's Take

This might be the only Android phone deal worth your Prime Day budget

More Prime Day 2026 - quick links

Ready to take control of your digital life? These Prime Day NAS deals are the answer

More Prime Day 2026 - quick links

lundi 22 juin 2026

Android 17 brings a surprisingly big upgrade for wireless earbuds

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