This underrated Samsung feature is the first thing I set up on any new Android phone... except Pixels

One of the best things about tablets and foldable phones is the taskbar at the bottom of the folding screen, which houses your most-used apps. But did you know you can have something just like it on regular non-folding phones?

Whenever I set up a new Samsung or Motorola phone, this is the first thing I enable and customize, and it is probably my most-used Android feature. In fact, the side panel — Sidebar, Edge Panel, or whatever you want to call it — is a very common Android feature available across various OEMs, although it's still surprisingly missing from Pixel smartphones.

An app taskbar you can access from anywhere

(Image credit: Android Central)

The side panel on Android phones acts as a sort of taskbar on non-folding phones. When activated, it hides on the side of your display, identifiable by a small bar. When you swipe inwards on the bar, you get access to a customizable set of apps, as well as some recently opened apps and/or (in Samsung's case), a dedicated set of AI apps.

What's great about this is that it's accessible from nearly every screen. If you're already in an app, you can open the side panel to access another frequently used app in an instant or your full app drawer.

It's also a good option for multitasking. Frankly, I find that activating split screen mode can be a pain, but with the side panel, you can drag an app to one side of the screen or open it in freeform over another open app.

Samsung also offers a set of additional side panels you can activate that are more than just apps. You can access your clipboard, favorite contacts, weather, navigation tools, and more. The side panel can essentially become a one-stop shop if you use it right.

How to enable the side panel on a Galaxy phone

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Tap Display.

3. Toggle on Edge panels and tap the option to enter the Edge Panels menu.

(Image credit: Android Central)

4. Tap Panels and select the panels you want to add.

5. Tap Edit under the Apps panel, then tap the apps you want to add to the panel. Do the same with the People panel if you wish to add it.

6. Optional: Tap the three-dot icon in the top right corner and toggle on split screen, Galaxy AI, Show recent apps, and Show app names.

(Image credit: Android Central)

7. On the Edge panels menu, tap Handle.

8. Choose the position of the screen you want the handle to be on, the color, transparency, size, and width.

9. Hold and drag the handle to your preferred position so it's easy to access.

(Image credit: Android Central)

Download Good Lock for even more goodies

Now, you can swipe from the bar on nearly any screen to access your favorite and most-used apps or functions! But if you want to customize your panel even more, you can do so by Installing Samsung's Good Lock app from the Play Store or Galaxy Store. Once downloaded, scroll through the plugins and install the Home Up module.

Once installed, open Home Up and toggle on Edge panel. Here, you will find additional settings you can apply to the panel, such as the ability to integrate multiple types of panels into a single panel so you can access apps, contacts, and shortcuts, the ability to scroll through the recent apps section, and an expanded view that adds columns of apps.

(Image credit: Android Central)

One user on Android 17 has demonstrated that the upcoming One UI 9 update will enable even more customization for the Edge Panel. An update to the Home Up module will let users add backgrounds and colors, change the corner radius, and even adjust the blur effect.

Keep in mind that Samsung has not yet officially released Android 17/One UI 9, so unless you're on the beta, you'll have to wait a bit longer for this functionality.

Pixel is missing out

(Image credit: Android Central)

As I noted, it's not just Samsung that has a side panel for easy access to apps. It's also available on Motorola phones. You can access it by navigating to Settings > Gestures > Sidebar, then toggle the feature on. Then, tap the Settings icon to add apps, tools, and contacts to the bar. It basically combines three of Samsung's panels into one.

For OnePlus, the feature is buried in a less obvious spot. Navigate to Settings > Accessibility & convenience > Smart Sidebar, then toggle the feature on. There, you can edit its position, functions, and more. Then open the Sidebar and tap Edit to add and change the apps you want.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

I wish I could tell you how to enable this feature on Pixel smartphones, but for some reason, Google refuses to add it to the Pixel lineup. There are a number of things I don't like about the Pixel UI, but the fact that Google won't give me an app sidebar is one of the main reasons I don't like using it. There are third-party apps that can add similar functionality, such as Panels, but I would rather use a built-in feature that doesn't have a paywall.

The closest the Pixel comes is the new App Bubbles, which lets you easily multitask across multiple apps with floating bubbles, but it's not really comparable to having a dedicated sidebar. With any luck, Google will add this in future OS updates or Pixel Drops.

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I changed 5 settings and my Moto Buds 2 Plus instantly sounded better

Motorola's latest midrange earbuds, the Moto Buds 2 Plus, aim to deliver high-quality sound at an affordable $150 price point. Compared to the regular Moto Buds 2, the Plus version adds Sound by Bose tuning, featuring 11mm dynamic drivers and 6mm micro-planar magnetic drivers. In other words, the Moto Buds 2 Plus have the hardware chops to sound as good as any of its competitors at this price point.

To realize the Moto Buds 2 Plus's potential, you'll need to tweak your software to match your listening preferences. Spatial audio is enabled out of the box, but extras like hi-res audio, gaming mode, and equalizers aren't on by default. I adjusted these settings on the Moto Buds 2 Plus, and it improved everything from sound and call quality to the multi-device connections. Here's how you can, too.

Enable hi-res audio mode

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

Bluetooth is often the audio-quality bottleneck for wireless headphones and earbuds. Still, there are ways to improve your sound quality without a cable within the constraints of Bluetooth. As such, the Moto Buds 2 Plus support Bluetooth 6 and the LHDC audio codec. LHDC stands for Low-Latency High-Definition Audio Codec, and it promises wireless playback at up to 1,000kbps.

By switching on the Moto Buds 2 Plus' high-resolution audio mode, you can enjoy the 24-bit/96kHz max quality offered by the LHDC codec. To do so, open the Moto Buds app, tap Sound, then press the toggle next to Hi-Res Mode. Tap Continue to start hearing music through your Moto Buds 2 Plus at the highest possible quality.

Switch on gaming mode for low latency

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

LDHC is the saving grace of the Moto 2 Buds Plus, and the hi-res audio isn't the only thing it offers. This codec also supports low-latency audio, which is ideal for gaming. Motorola's Gaming mode is designed to minimize latency to improve your gameplay, prioritizing responsiveness over almost everything else. However, it doesn't turn on automatically — you need to switch it on every time you want to use it.

To find it, open the Moto Buds app and tap Sound. Then switch the toggle next to Gaming mode to the on position. Remember that this low-latency audio mode automatically turns off when your earbuds disconnect from your device. Additionally, you can't use hi-res audio and gaming mode simultaneously. It's one or the other.

Play with the EQ to personalize your sound

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

There's one more setting in the Sound page of the Moto Buds 2 Plus settings worth paying attention to: the equalizer. Motorola offers a customizable 10-band EQ that lets you fine-tune your earbuds' sound to your liking. If you like more bass, go for that. If you prefer a more subtle bass and brighter highs, bump up the treble. You can find the EQ on the Sound page, and tapping Equalizer opens the interface.

There are four ready-to-go presets to choose from: Brilliant Treble, Bass Boost, Vocal Boost, and Flat. Or, you can build a Custom preset of your own. Simply grab the slider for one of the 10 bands and drag it up or down to adjust the gain for a specific frequency range. This gives your Moto Buds 2 Plus a personal sound you won't get any other way.

Activate Crystal Talk for clearer calling

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

If you plan to use your Moto Buds 2 Plus for calling, it's worth enabling the Crystal Talk feature. The toggle for this one is right on the homepage of the Moto Buds app, and flipping it on enables AI-powered noise cancellation for your calls. It amplifies your voice while blocking out unwanted environmental sounds, like wind. If you make calls in noisy environments, this setting is for you.

Share your audio with Dual connection

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

For those switching between devices often, the Moto Buds 2 Plus support connecting to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. At least one of those devices has to be an Android phone, and you can set up Dual connection in the Moto Buds app. Flip the toggle next to Dual connection in the Moto Buds app on your primary Bluetooth device. Then, hold down the button on the Moto Buds 2 Plus case to enter pairing mode.

Pair your earbuds to a second device, and the Moto Buds 2 Plus will automatically juggle the connections between both devices. The earbuds will automatically play and pause audio and switch between devices based on priority. If you're listening to music on your laptop and a call comes through on your phone, the Moto Buds 2 Plus will switch to your earbuds to help you take the call.

It's a convenient feature that helps you use multiple devices at once, saving you the hassle of pairing and unpairing manually.

At $150, the Moto Buds 2 Plus make a compelling case for being your next pair of midrange earbuds. They pack impressive software features for the price, all of which are found in the Moto Buds app. After you make the Moto Buds 2 Plus your own with settings and equalizers, you'll notice the difference in quality.

Motorola

Moto Buds 2 Plus

Affordable Moto earbuds

The Motorola Moto Buds 2 Plus offer superior sound compared to the regular Moto Buds 2, with 11mm dynamic drivers and Bose tuning. They're still accessible, with a sticker price of $150. You can often get them bundled with Motorola phones at no additional cost.

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The Galaxy Tab S12 Plus looks familiar in leaked live image—not sure that's a good thing

What you need to know

• A leak claims a certification database in South Korea reportedly highlights the Galaxy Tab S12 Plus in a live image.
• The photo shows off the tablet's display, which looks incredibly similar to the Tab S11 with its large bezels.
• Other rumors claim the Tab S12 Ultra's battery won't change from the S11 Ultra, alongside a leaked animation that removes its camera notch in favor of a punch-hole camera.

Another wave of Samsung Galaxy tablets is expected later in 2026. A report has surfaced, stating that one model has achieved an important certification.

SammyGuru reports that the Galaxy Tab S12 Plus has appeared for certification in the Safety Korea database. Through this listing, the publication discovered what could be our first early glimpse at the tablet's design. Safety Korea only highlights the front of the (assumed) Galaxy Tab S12 Plus, which looks awfully similar to the Tab S11. The tablet features a rounded-corner design, like the past-gen series.

However, what we're not seeing is a change to its display design. More specifically, it's bezels. The leaked photo shows the Tab S12 Plus with some rather thick bezels on its four sides. The selfie camera is also "housed within the bezel," per SammyGuru.

This is good news—the reported Safety Korea appearance, not the bezels. As the post notes, its appearance likely indicates that the Galaxy Tab S12 Plus, and its S12 Ultra sibling, are on schedule for a later 2026 reveal. We're expecting this tablet series to debut around September, similar to the S11 series. The publication taps 91Mobiles, as the folks over there discovered the series' alleged model numbers in the BIS database in India (another key certification hurdle crossed).

The rumor tab

(Image credit: SammyGuru)

Android Central's Take

This Tab S12 Plus leak is kind of disappointing. It would've been nice to see even this model with a punch-hole camera and thinner bezels. Who knows. Maybe Samsung will surprise us. It's not time for launch yet (yes, this is me coping). Hopefully, the Tab S12 Ultra brings that more immersive, clean look I've been hoping for from Samsung's tablets.

We've had varying Galaxy Tab S12 series rumors, most of which have come within the past month. A pair of tablets is suspected this year; however, the Ultra's battery could leave much to be desired. It was rumored that the Tab S12 Ultra might grab the same 11,600mAh battery as the S11 Ultra. What's more, Samsung could treat it to the same 45W charging capabilities.

In terms of design, the S12 Ultra could see a 14.6-inch display (same as the S11 Ultra), Android 17, and more later this year. The display was brought up again for Samsung's Galaxy Tab future, as a One UI 9 test software animation showed off a device without the ugly selfie camera. Instead of the camera notch, the animation teased a tablet with a punch-hole camera. This sounds like a dream, but it's unclear if (or when) Samsung would debut a Galaxy Tab like this.

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This innovative budget phone is perfect for reducing eye strain, and it just crashed back to a Prime Day price

Let's face it: many of us stare at bright screens for a large portion of the day, so it's no wonder folks are trying to find a way to reduce the eye strain from their devices. Nowadays, you might expect an eye-friendly smartphone to cost an arm and a leg, but there's one budget phone that's completely breaking the mold.

Currently 15% off at Amazon, the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro is an innovative budget phone with a customizable paper-like display, IP68 build, and solid performance that could rival any midrange device from Samsung or Google. This discount knocks the price of the phone down to only $279.99, which is the same record low we saw during the big Prime Day sale last month. No trade-in required, no strings attached: just good old-fashioned savings on an already-affordable device. 

TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro 128GB: $329.99 $279.99 at Amazon

Do you want a budget phone that doesn't sacrifice premium specs? The TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro offers one of the best value-to-performance ratios in the game, with an incredible eye-friendly display, impressive performance, and a long-lasting 5,200mAh battery. Grab the phone unlocked from Amazon today and you'll score a record-smashing 15% off your purchase.

💲Alternative deal: If you're a Metro by T-Mobile user (or you're willing to switch), it's worth mentioning that you can also get the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro for 100% free when you add a line with an eligible data plan on the carrier's site. View Deal

The TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro boasts a generous 6.9-inch 120Hz display with a textured matte finish, plus you get an efficient MediaTek chip with 8GB of RAM, expandable storage up to 2TB (using microSD), and an IP68 water-and-dust resistance rating, which is a rarity in this price range. 

But again, the main selling point with the NXTPAPER 70 Pro is its display. The phone somehow lands between an LCD and E Ink finish, delivering a visual experience that's smooth, customizable, and easy on the eyes. The device lets you choose between four display modes so you can select the best settings for any light, while the 120Hz refresh rate ensures that images always look butter-smooth. 

For an Android phone under $400, the NXTPAPER 70 performs quite well in most situations, even if the haptics and software features aren't that impressive on their own. Considering the growing number of users that are affected by PWM sensitivity nowadays, it's amazing that we have an eye-friendly phone that performs great without breaking the bank. This record discount from Amazon is simply the cherry on top. 

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Big news! Mint Mobile just got the Samsung Galaxy S26 back in stock, and it's still one of the best phone deals on the web

Mint Mobile offers some of my favorite Android phone deals on the web, but when these promotions go out of stock, they're usually gone for good. Fortunately, that's not the case with the Samsung Galaxy S26, as the prepaid carrier just brought back one of my favorite deals of 2026 thus far.

Purchase the Samsung Galaxy S26 with one year of the Unlimited plan and Mint Mobile will give you $500 off the phone AND 50% off the wireless. That means you're getting a powerful 2026 flagship phone and a full 12 months of T-Mobile-powered wireless service for only $580 upfront (or $49 per month using affirm). The deal gets even better when you trade in, as Mint Mobile will give you up to $400 of additional savings depending on the age and condition of the device.

In fact, the entire S26 lineup is included to the deal, which means you can save $500 (and get the discounted wireless) on the Galaxy S26 Plus and Galaxy S26 Ultra if you need a more powerful phone.

Mint Mobile just resurrected one of my favorite Galaxy S26 deals of all time

Samsung Galaxy S26 256GB: $900 $400, plus 50% off one year of Unlimited at Mint Mobile

The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a sleek flagship phone that comes equipped with a gorgeous 6.3-inch OLED display, a powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, and all of the latest AI-boosted software features. You also get an upgraded battery and seven years of guaranteed OS and security updates.

Purchase the phone from Mint Mobile alongside one year of the Unlimited plan and the carrier will slash $500 off the phone AND give you 50% off the wireless, no strings attached. View Deal

I've been covering Samsung Galaxy S26 deals on a regular basis since the phone first debuted in March, and Mint's offer continues to impress as one of the best on the web. It's really all about the simplicity for me. Unlike most carrier deals, which force you to process a trade-in or sign up for some expensive data plan to receive the savings, all you need to do is hit the Add to Cart button to receive the phone and wireless bundle.

Activation just takes a few minutes, and again, it'll only cost you $580 out the door to get a new phone AND cover your phone bill until 2027. Considering that the Galaxy S26 usually retails for $900 on its own, it's a pretty remarkable opportunity.

Sure, if you prefer the simplicity of unlocked phones or you don't want to commit to a full year of Mint, then this deal isn't for you. But if you hate paying your phone bill and you want a great deal on a great Samsung phone, grab this Mint Mobile offer before it really disappears.

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The Galaxy Z Fold 8 just broke cover in a Samsung store — and the US price has leaked too

What you need to know

• The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is expected to cost $2,099 in the US, which is $100 more than last year's Galaxy Z Fold 7.
• The wider Galaxy Z Fold 8, tipped to take on the iPhone Ultra, is rumored to start at $1,899 for the 256GB base model.
• A Reddit user claims a Samsung store in South Korea is already displaying the Galaxy Z Fold 8 ahead of its official reveal.
• Samsung has confirmed its next Unpacked event for July 22 in London, where the Z Fold 8 series will finally go official.

As if there was nothing left for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 series to leak, we now have images showcasing the official device a week ahead of launch, along with rumored pricing.

We're only about a week away from the official debut of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 series. The company has already confirmed its Unpacked event for July 22 in London. But ahead of the launch, we've already heard about European pricing for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series, and now U.S. pricing has leaked as well.

As reported by Korean outlet SE Daily, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 series will be priced above $2,000 in the U.S. According to the outlet, the standard Galaxy Z Fold 7 successor, reportedly to be called the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, will "likely" be priced at $2,099.

The wider Galaxy Z Fold 8, said to compete with the upcoming foldable iPhone Ultra, will sit at $1,899.

Samsung seems to have spoiled its own launch

(Image credit: Reddit u/GalaxyNote7Recalled)

It's worth noting that these prices are for the base 256GB variant, with higher storage options likely costing more. For comparison, last year's Galaxy Z Fold 7 started at $2,000, meaning its direct successor will be $100 more expensive.

The most interesting bit, though, is that Samsung has allegedly already pulled the trigger and started showcasing the wider Galaxy Z Fold 8 on retail displays in Korea.

A Reddit user claims a Samsung store in South Korea has already put the Galaxy Z Fold 8 out on display. The user says a Samsung store employee "confirmed" the device on display was indeed the Z Fold 8, and they even managed to sneak in a photo of it.

The retail unit doesn't mention the Galaxy Z Fold 8 name anywhere, but it lines up pretty closely with what's leaked so far.

This might be the first time Samsung has showcased a device ahead of its official reveal, and it's interesting to see that the company's new form factor is real and arriving soon.

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The Xiaomi 18 Pro could be Xiaomi's biggest flagship upgrade in years

What you need to know

• The Xiaomi 18 Pro is shaping up to be a major flagship upgrade, with a next-gen Snapdragon chip, revamped cameras, and a massive battery.
• Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 could power the phone, giving Xiaomi another early lead in adopting the latest flagship silicon.
• A new 6.4-inch flat OLED display may bring slimmer bezels, rounded corners, and a privacy mode that limits off-angle viewing.

Xiaomi’s next flagship is starting to come into focus, and if the latest leak is accurate, the Xiaomi 18 Pro could sport a new flagship Snapdragon chip, an overhauled camera system, and one of the biggest batteries we’ve seen in a premium Android phone yet.

The latest details come from reliable leaker Digital Chat Station on Weibo, who claims Xiaomi is testing an engineering prototype powered by Qualcomm's upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 (via Android Authority). The chipset, built on a 2nm process, should make its debut shortly before Xiaomi’s 18 series officially launches, maintaining the company’s record of being one of the first Android OEMs to ship Qualcomm’s newest flagship silicon.

But Xiaomi could be making some significant hardware changes, too, beyond raw performance. Earlier, the same source had tipped a custom flat OLED display of ~6.4 inches with ultra-slim symmetrical bezels and larger rounded corners. Previous reports have suggested that the panel may also feature a Samsung-style Privacy Display mode that reduces the viewing angles to help shield on-screen content from prying eyes.

It looks like photography is getting an even bigger upgrade. According to DCS, Xiaomi is experimenting with dual 200MP sensors, one serving as the main camera and the other as a periscope telephoto lens, instead of relying on a conventional flagship camera configuration.

The primary sensor is rumored to use LOFIC tech that aims to improve dynamic range and reduce shutter lag, giving Xiaomi another advantage in the highly competitive flagship camera market.

Another headline feature could be battery life. The Xiaomi 18 Pro is said to have a 7,000mAh battery but still supports 100W wired fast charging and wireless charging. That’s a lot of capacity for a flagship phone, especially if Xiaomi manages to keep the device somewhat compact.

Android Central's Take

This is the kind of flagship I'd want to carry on paper. I love seeing bigger batteries and meaningful camera upgrades instead of another round of AI gimmicks dressed up as “innovation.” That said, leaks always tend to make phones sound too good to be true. Xiaomi still needs to demonstrate it can transform these specs into a polished real-world experience — and ideally resist the urge to slap a flagship price tag on it that makes all those upgrades a lot less exciting for the people who actually have to buy it.

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