Nintendo hired Samsung to build the main chips for the Switch 2, including an 8-nanometer processor custom designed by NVIDIA, Bloomberg reported. That would mark a move by Nintendo away from TSMC, which manufactured the chipset for the original 2017 Switch. Nintendo had no comment, saying it doesn’t disclose its suppliers. Samsung and NVIDIA also declined to discuss the matter.
Samsung has previously supplied Nintendo with flash memory and displays, but building the Switch 2’s processor would be a rare win for the company’s contract chip division. Samsung can reportedly build enough chips to allow Nintendo to ship 20 million or more Switch 2s by March of 2026.
NVIDIA’s new chipset was reportedly optimized for Samsung’s, rather than TSMC’s manufacturing process. Using Samsung also means that Nintendo won’t be competing with Apple and others for TSMC’s resources. During Nintendo’s latest earnings call, President Shuntaro Furukawa’s said that the company didn’t expect any component shortages with its new console — an issue that plagued the original Switch.
Nintendo said in the same earnings report that it was caught by surprise with 2.2 million applications for Switch 2 pre-orders in Japan alone. Despite that, the company projected sales of 15 million Switch 2 units in its first year on sale to March 2026, fewer than analyst predictions of 16.8 million — likely due to the impact of Trump‘s tariffs.
When Samsung started overhauling Good Lock for One UI 7, Home Up was one of the modules that saw the biggest changes. Most of those changes were good, letting you modify edge panels, the taskbar (on Folds and tablets), the overview screen, and the home screen itself. As welcome as those features are, I found one of the additions harder to appreciate. DIY Home has a lot of potential, but despite the wonderfully awful home screens you can create with it, the implementation is flawed and reminds me of the worst days of Microsoft’s Windows experiments.
Have you tried to customize your phone with Samsung’s DIY Home?
653 votes
DIY Home: What is it and why do I hate it?
DIY Home removes all of the guardrails usually placed on home screen customisation. Grid, icon, and widget sizes are unrestricted, and you can put everything, everywhere, all at once. On the surface, that sounds pretty cool. Moving every element to exactly where you want it without any restrictions could lead to some cool setups and maybe a renaissance of the old custom launcher days. I initially hoped for that, but it hasn’t worked out. The way DIY Home has been implemented is almost unusable, and I can’t bring myself to use it for any longer than is needed.
Long-press on an empty space on your home screen or pinch out, and a new DIY Home button appears in the top right of the screen. Once you’re in the DIY editor, you can move icons and widgets freely without any limitation, resize and rotate them, and add stickers, emojis, and text.
Using DIY Home is like trying to play chess against an opponent who cheats, changes the rules, and flips the board if you start winning.
The controls are, in a way, too simple. Even on my S24 Ultra, which is realistically the biggest screen most people will try this with, there isn’t enough room to move things precisely with your finger. It needs a movement slider or arrow keys, like the widget creator in KWGT.
Another issue is the alignment presets, which are all unlabelled, so you have to press them to figure out what they do. By then, all of the icons you’ve selected are on top of one another in some incoherent mess that looks like it belongs in John Carpenter’s The Thing. Icon manipulation is also inconsistent. Sometimes tapping on a new icon and dragging it while a different one is already selected will clear that selection and only move the new one, while other times it’ll move both or neither.
Using DIY Home is like trying to play chess against an opponent who cheats, changes the rules, and flips the board if you start winning. It’s frustrating and confusing, and it nearly drove me to throw my phone at a wall.
Can you make DIY home screens look good on One UI?
Zac Kew-Denniss / Android Authority
The answer to that one is maybe. I definitely can’t; the screenshot above is the best I could do after nearly an hour of messing with it. Perhaps if you’re more patient or creative, you can squeeze a nice home screen out of DIY Home, but I think that effort would be better spent on Nova Launcher or KWGT. My colleague Ryan Haines agrees, too, saying he wishes he hadn’t even tried DIY Home.
I think Samsung’s efforts would be better spent elsewhere, too. One UI 7 introduced the vertical app drawer many of us wanted, but many users, including my wife, preferred the paginated horizontal layout. The option to revert to that, along with more blur and background color options, would be more useful than this.
In 1995, Microsoft released Microsoft BOB, which was meant to make navigating Windows more intuitive. It didn’t. Instead, it was an incomprehensible mess, just as most DIY Home creations are, and unless Samsung can overhaul it into something more usable, it’s best forgotten.
Do you like DIY Home, or do you think other features would be a better use of Samsung’s (and our) time? Let us know in the comments.
The super slim Galaxy S25 Edge, which Samsung teased at the tail end of its January Unpacked event, has been officially revealed. During tonight’s Unpacked, we got full specs, pricing and shipping dates for Samsung’s latest phone, as well as a chance to put our hands on the new handset.
Pricing is set at $1,100 for 256GB of storage or $1,220 for the 512GB model and the phones ship May 30. Pre-orders are open at Amazon, Best Buy and directly from Samsung, which is offering a $50 pre-order store credit and a no-charge upgrade to the 512GB model.
The Edge’s headline features include its thin build and AI-supported photography chops — both of which we’d suspected from various leaks, only to have the rumors confirmed by Samsung’s own press release last week. And indeed, when Engadget’s Mat Smith got his hands on an Edge, he immediately felt how much lighter the device was — yet, he noted, it still felt premium.
We now know for sure that the Galaxy S25 Edge has a 6.7-inch screen but measures just 5.8mm (0.22 inches) thick. That’s slightly less surface area than the 6.9-inch Ultra, but a full 2.4mm thinner. It weighs 163 grams, nearly the same as the standard Galaxy S25, but the Edge measures more than 10mm taller and 5mm wider than its base-model sibling.
To shave off the grams and trim the width, Samsung developed a broader yet slimmer vapor chamber and a new Thermal Interface Material (TIM) for better heat dissipation. It uses Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 on the front display. It’s the first phone to use the material, which Corning says offers “enhanced drop performance on rough surfaces,” allowing for a thinner glass layer. The frame is made from titanium, like the Ultra model, a material many phone manufactures have put in higher-end models for its lightweight strength.
As for camera power, the Edge has the same 200MP sensor as the S25 Ultra, which Samsung claims captures 40 percent brighter images in low light situations compared with the standard S25. There’s also a 12MP ultra-wide lens and a 12MP selfie cam up front. Those two rear cameras do protrude noticeably from the thin frame of the phone, but Mat was impressed how well-balanced the phone felt — it’s not lopsided at all.
Of course, the phone also packs plenty of AI-powered tricks, including Pro Scaler, Audio Eraser and Drawing Assist. To support all the AI, Samsung is using the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip as the other S25 phones and comes with 12GB of memory and either 256 or 512GB of storage. It packs a 3,900mAh battery, which is smaller than both the 4,000mAh one found in the standard S25 and the 5,000mAH power supply in the Ultra. Though Samsung claims the Edge can run for 24 hours on a charge.
You can get the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge in three color options: Titanium Silver, Titanium Jet Black, and Titanium Icy Blue. Samsung is promising seven years of security and software updates. We only spent a short time with the phone so far and our full review will be out shortly.
Evan Blass shared a leaked Spanish marketing teaser pointing to a May 13, 2025 launch date for the Galaxy S25 Edge.
Previous reporting aligns with this leaked date, hinting at regional rollouts from May 23 through May 30.
Pricing is expected to be high, likely matching or nearing that of the Galaxy S25 Ultra despite lower specs.
After months of teasing, the Galaxy S25 Edge seems right around the corner. We’ve long been hearing reports of an April-May launch for the device, which narrowed down recently to a May 13 date. A new leak corroborates this date, adding more weight to the possibility of the Galaxy S25 Edge launching on May 13, 2025.
The teaser is pretty basic. The ‘Beyond slim’ tagline and the sleek phone silhouette likely allude to the Galaxy S25 Edge. “13 maggio 2025” means May 13, 2025. Joining the dots, this is a Save the Date teaser for the Galaxy S25 Edge’s Unpacked event, likely to be held on May 13, 2025.
A previous leak from South Korea’s Financial News website suggested a dedicated Unpacked event for May 13. The phone is then expected to be made available on May 23 in China and Korea, followed by a global release (including the US) on May 30. With the teaser corroborating the launch date leak, we are optimistic about the rest of the leaked dates.
As for pricing, Samsung leaked the Galaxy S25 Edge’s Canadian pricing. The 256GB variant is expected to go on sale for CAD 1,679 (~$1,217), whereas the 512GB variant is expected to cost CAD 1,859 (~$1,347). The US pricing could differ from these converted prices, especially in light of the recent tariff situation. Still, we generally expect the Galaxy S25 Edge to be as expensive as the Galaxy S25 Ultra, even though it slots below the Ultra flagship in terms of specifications.
Are you excited for the Galaxy S25 Edge? What do you think the price will be at launch? Let us know in the comments below!
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A leaker has suggested that Samsung won’t adopt an under-display selfie camera in the Galaxy S26 series.
They add that Samsung is struggling to improve the cost and ‘other aspects.’
This comes as the Galaxy maker is expected to adopt the tech in its Galaxy Z Fold 7 later this year.
Samsung has offered an under-display selfie camera on its Galaxy Z Fold devices since 2021’s Galaxy Z Fold 3. This camera is nigh-on invisible to users but offers inferior image quality compared to conventional selfie cameras. We previously heard rumors that this camera could come to a future Galaxy S model, but a new leak suggests otherwise.
Korean tipster Yeux1122 reports that Samsung was scheduled to bring an under-display selfie camera to the next Galaxy S model (presumably the S26 Ultra) but is struggling to improve the cost and “other aspects.” They add that the Galaxy maker is now expected to postpone the adoption of this tech.
It’s worth noting that this tipster doesn’t always source their reports, so you should definitely take this with a huge dose of salt. Nevertheless, this claim follows conflictingrumors from somewhat dubious sources about an under-display selfie camera in the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Why is skipping this camera a good thing?
I definitely wouldn’t bet on Samsung bringing this tech to the Galaxy S series. The Galaxy Z Fold series gets away with an under-display camera because it’s restricted to the foldable screen. A conventional selfie camera is also available on the cover display for higher-quality photos and videos. Samsung also initially marketed the Z Fold line’s under-display camera for its video-calling capabilities rather than for selfie snaps.
Former colleague Ryan Whitwam criticized the under-display camera in his Galaxy Z Fold 6 review, noting that pictures looked very soft. This was the fourth Galaxy phone with this technology, so I don’t have high hopes that things will improve next year. But if Samsung does bring this camera tech to the S26 Ultra, it would almost certainly be a major drop in image quality compared to even cheap Android phones.
The news also comes roughly a month after trusted outlet Galaxy Club reported that Samsung would adopt an improved under-display selfie camera on the Galaxy Z Fold 7. So it certainly doesn’t seem like the company’s upcoming Fold will ditch the technology.
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A report claims the production plan for the Exynos 2500 is constantly changing.
At the moment, it appears the plan is to give the Galaxy Z Flip FE an Exynos 2500 chip.
The report also says the FE will launch several months after the Galaxy Z Flip 7.
Rumors have suggested that Samsung is currently working on an affordable flip-style foldable in the form of a Fan Edition model. Not much is known about this Galaxy Z Flip FE, but there have been whispers that the phone could feature an Exynos 2400 chip and be released in 2025. A new report has now changed some of these expectations.
A report from The Bell states that Samsung is hard at work developing the Exynos 2500 and 2600 in parallel. Earlier rumors have pointed to Samsung targeting the Galaxy Z Flip 7 as the device to receive the 2500 chip. This report corroborates that was indeed the plan, but lingering issues with the processor’s development have caused Samsung to shift its strategy.
Although the company has had a rough time with the development of the Exynos 2500, it has not given up on the SoC yet. Reportedly, Samsung is now eyeing the Galaxy Z Flip FE to be the recipient of the Exynos 2500. It’s said that Samsung is now beginning mass production of the processor for the device. However, the report mentions that the plan has not been finalized and there are mixed opinions, even within the Mobile eXperience division.
“The Exynos 2500 production plan is constantly changing,” an industry insider told the outlet. “I thought it was certain, but I heard that the possibility has recently decreased slightly.”
Whatever Samsung decides, it looks like the company will have plenty of time to figure something out. It’s reported that the Galaxy Z Flip FE won’t launch until several months after the Galaxy Z Flip 7.
Samsung has yet to set a date for the launch of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Galaxy Z Fold 7. There’s a good chance they will be released around the same time of the year as the last generation, which happened in July.
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Simply put, this is Samsung’s very best phone for 2025. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is a 6.9-inch QHD+ device with 12GB of RAM, 256GB+ of storage, embedded S Pen, and the overclocked Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC. The key upgrade over the lower S25 models is a 200MP main camera and 100x Space Zoom.
If you’re a demanding user who wants no compromises, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is undoubtedly your top choice. It’s not only the best of the Galaxy S25 series, but it is also all but guaranteed to end up in our list of the best Android phones, overall.
This device is truly something else. Samsung loaded it up with the best of everything. Of course, Samsung’s best phone is naturally also pretty expensive, so this $200 discount is definitely a welcomed treat.
The performance is top-notch, thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy and 12GB of RAM packed inside. Raw power aside, the phone is pretty impressive in every other aspect. We love the large 6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X screen, which has a really crisp QHD+ resolution and a buttery smooth 120Hz refresh rate. It’s a great phone for gaming, watching movies, or general browsing. Not to mention, you can really take advantage of the screen real estate by using the S Pen. This is the only device in the series that comes with one.
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
Another great thing about the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is that it has a stunning camera system like all its predecessors in several years. In fact, we’re also nearly sure it will soon make it to our list of the best camera phones. It gets a 200MP primary camera, as well as 50MP ultrawide and persicope shooters. The extra 10MP telephoto camera is also a nice addition.
We found the battery life to be outstanding. We were able to use it for about two full days without looking for an outlet.
Of course, there’s also the design, which is worthy of the Galaxy S name. It is made with a titanium frame, and has Gorilla Glass 2 in the back and front. Like other flagships, it gets an IP68 rating, so it can handle both liquids and solids very well.
Another great thing about the whole Galaxy S25 series is that all of these phones get a seven-year update commitment. This is still among the best update promises in the industry, matched only by Google itself.
A powerful 6.7-inch phone, with 7 years of updates
The middle offering of Samsung’s 2025 flagship launch, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus is a 6.7-inch QHD+ device with a 50MP camera, 12GB of RAM, 256GB+ of storage, and the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC. UWB connectivity, a 4,900mAh battery, and ProScaler for QHD+ round out the upgrades over the base model phone.
As awesome and exciting as the Galaxy S25 Ultra is, I know it’s a bit too much for my needs. I would rather save some money on something less impressive, but still really good. That’s the balance the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus offers. In fact, it makes very few sacrifices, yet still has a $200 discount right now. This means you can get it for just $799.99.
Don’t underestimate this one. It still has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite and 12GB of RAM, so it is just as powerful. Not only that, but it also gets a pretty large 6.7-inch display. It’s a tiny bit smaller, but that’s still a large phone, and it keeps that sharp QHD+ resolution and smooth 120HZ refresh rate.
Of course, there are a few sacrifices made. It has no S Pen, but we know not everyone cares for those. I know I never really used it when I had one. Additionally, the camera system isn’t as Impressive as the Ultra’s. It’s still a really good camera, though. It also comes with a slightly smaller 4,900mAh battery, but that won’t make a significant difference, really.
You can learn more about it in our Samsung Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus review, if you want our full thoughts. In my opinion, though, it offers the best value out of the Galaxy S25 series. It brings a high-end experience close to the Ultra’s, but is only $100 more than the base Galaxy S25 right now.
Refined software, AI smarts, and next-gen hardware
With an emphasis on AI features, and a move to Gemini, the Samsung Galaxy S25 is an exciting update to the Galaxy S line. Equipped with a 6.2-inch FHD+ display, Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, 12GB of RAM, a powerful 50MP camera, and updated hardware materials, we expect big things from the base model of Samsung’s 2025 flagship phone.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 is the smallest and cheapest in the series, but again, don’t underestimate it, either! Its performance will be just as good, as it carries the same premium Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxcy processor and 12 GB of RAM.
I happen to be a fan of smaller smartphones, so the 6.2-inch panel can be a pro for many of you, as well. Call me crazy, but I like manageable phones that actually fit comfortably in my pocket. And while it has a lower Full HD resolution, it still looks great. The Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2x panel and 120Hz are unchanged, too.
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
The general design doesn’t change much. Like the Galaxy S25 Plus, it is made with an aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The camera system is also the same as the Plus model’s.
What does change is the battery size, and sadly, this one is a more significant drop. It has a 4,000mAh battery, but we found it could still last a full day on a single charge. Just don’t expect the same two-day battery life the bigger brothers offer. Oh, and charging speeds are also lower at 25W, instead of the 45W the other models are capable of.
We didn’t expect the Samsung Galaxy S25 series to go on sale so soon. These only launched last January, so we can only assume these deals will be short-lived, and they’ve already stayed active nearly all week. You might want to act quickly if you want a Samsung Galaxy S25 series phone without paying full price.
We may bit a post-CES news lull some days, but the reviews are coming in hot and heavy as February begins. Samsung has already debuted its latest premium phones and we’ve published a few long-term reviews of devices we’ve been testing for months. In this installment of the reviews roundup, we’ve got phones, a wearable, a robot vacuum and a smart grill. There’s something for everyone this week.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Engadget
For 2025, Samsung’s AI features are a bit more powerful and easier to use. However, aside from a faster chip, a new ultra-wide sensor and a few cosmetic tweaks, it looks and feels very similar to last year’s model, which makes the S25 Ultra a less impressive update than it should be considering it starts at $1,300.
Pros
Excellent screen
Great performance and battery life
Anti-reflective Gorilla Armor 2 panels
Slimmer bezels
New 50MP ultra-wide sensor
Cons
S Pen no longer supports Air actions
Same main and telephoto cameras as last year
Not fully compatible with magnetic Qi2 accessories
Samsung has given us the first flagship phones of 2025 and they rely heavily on AI features to lure users. Sam notes that the company has improved those tools, but the Galaxy S25 Ultra feels like an iterative update due to the limited hardware upgrades. “This means a lot of what Samsung focused on in this generation feels more like a bonus rather than a must-have feature,” he writes. “And when you can get around 90 percent of the phone’s capabilities from previous models, the most dangerous thing Samsung is asking buyers to consider is why they need to upgrade at all.”
Samsung Galaxy S25
Samsung/Engadget
The Samsung Galaxy S25 has useful AI features and impressive battery life, but the familiar hardware and unchanged price tag make for an unconvincing upgrade.
Like the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Samsung leaned heavily into the AI features on the regular S25. However, the company didn’t spend a lot of time updating the design and major components of this model either. As Mat explains, this makes for a boring release for the long-running flagship line. “Unless you’re desperate for a bump in processing power and battery life, it would be wise to see how heavily last year’s models get discounted in the coming months,” he says.
Anker Eufy E20
Anker Eufy
The Eufy E20 is the first robot vacuum to turn into a cordless stick vac and a hand vacuum thanks to included accessories. It works best as a robot, but the convenience it provides with its transformers-style design will make this a tempting buy for those who don’t want to rely solely on a robovac to clean their house.
Pros
Quickly turns into a cordless stick vacuum and a handheld vacuum
Strong performance as a robot vacuum
Self-emptying base holds a lot for its compact size
The Eufy E20 is a first-of-its-kind transforming robot vacuum. While it works best in its core function as a robo vac, you do have the option of cordless stick and handheld vac configurations in the same device. “While Eufy isn’t a stranger to making solid robot vacuums, this device is still a first-gen product in my mind — and a solid one at that,” Valentina notes. “But you have to know what you’re buying upfront: an above-average robot vacuum that can turn into a just-average stick and hand vacuum.”
Oura Ring 4
Daniel Cooper for Engadget
Oura’s latest Ring is the best smart ring on the market. But its range of functions remains limited by its size and the fact that it’s a ring.
Pros
More comfortable
Better data collection
Gorgeous, clean app
Cons
Requires paid subscription to use basic hardware features
Smart rings may still be niche, but there’s one company that stands above the rest. With the Ring 4, Oura fixed flaws of the previous model to ensure its crown is safe for the time being. “If there’s a downside, it’s that Oura remains forever constrained by the limitations a smart ring imposes,” Dan explains. “If you want something more comprehensive, then it’s likely a smartwatch is a better option, but for everything else, there’s this.”
OnePlus 13
Engadget
Instead of focusing on AI, the OnePlus 13 packs a bunch of top-of-the-line components into an attractive chassis for a very reasonable starting price of $900.
Pros
Class-leading battery life
Super-bright display
Great performance
Attractive design
Cons
Photo quality could be a touch better
Only six years of software support instead of seven
Needs a case to fully support magnetic Qi2 accessories
While most phone companies are focused on AI features, OnePlus decided to build a compelling, flagship-level handset that isn’t overloaded with bloat. “Throughout the years, OnePlus has used taglines like ‘flagship killer’ and ‘ultra in every way’ as a means of taking shots at its biggest rivals from Samsung, Google and more,” Sam writes. “But for the OnePlus 13, it feels like the company just went and made a really solid premium handset without a bunch of AI fluff.”
Weber Searwood
Weber/Engadget
Weber learned from its mistakes with its first smart grill to make the Searwood a complete package.
Weber’s first pellet grill, the SmokeFire, was a learning experience for the company. Thankfully, the longstanding brand learned from those missteps when it built the Searwood. The company’s second smart pellet grill offers more reliable performance, excelling at low-and-slow smoking. Weber opted for an all-new design for this model, from the cooking area to the new display. There’s also a manual mode that allows for open-lid griddling and searing. And while there are some caveats, the Searwood is a much-improved grill compared to its predecessor.
Upcoming reviews: Apple, Beats, Technics and more
According to Bloomberg, Apple will debut a new iPhone SE next week. This will be the first update to that model since 2022, and will reportedly nix the home button. The report also details specifics like a camera notch, USB-C and the use of Apple’s first in-house cellular modem. If the timing holds true, we’ll expect to begin our testing shortly after the news drops.
In that same report, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman explains that Beats’ PowerBeats Pro 2 earbuds are expected to debut next week as well. The Apple-owned brand first teased an update to its fitness-focused model with a over-the-ear hook design last September. Gurman reports that the new model will have heart rate monitoring, which will be a first for a set of Apple earbuds. If the PowerBeats Pro 2 are indeed announced soon, we’ll expect to have a review ready shortly after.
I’ve got the Technics EAH-AZ100 earbuds in for testing too. These buds won one of Engadget’s Best of CES awards last month and I’ve been eager to get my hands… er, ears… on them ever since. During a brief hands-on in Las Vegas, the company’s newly designed Magnetic Fluid drivers offered impressive sound, but I’m looking forward to seeing how this set holds up during a full gamut of tests.
Make sure to check out our many MagSafe guides for compatible accessories, but I’ll also be adding more to this list since not all MagSafe accessories will work with the Galaxy S25’s unique camera placement. If it’s a simple, circular accessory, it will likely be OK, but larger square or rectangular magnetic accessories like MagSafe wallets will not fit well.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
ESR HaloLock Qi2 Mini Wireless Charger for $23: We have several great Qi2 magnetic chargers in our Best Wireless Chargers guide but in the interest of ensuring optimal compatibility since the Galaxy S25 camera module may interfere with some magnetic accessories, I can say for certain that this mini Qi2 charger works perfectly. It didn’t get too hot, and I like the extra protection added to the area where the cable meets the charging puck. The 5-foot cable is braided.
ESR MagSafe AirPlane Phone Holder for $16: This fun little gadget is a phone stand that can clamp onto various surfaces. It folds up and doesn’t take much space in a bag, but if you find yourself using your phone a lot on a plane to watch media, you can affix it to the tray table for more ergonomic hands-free viewing. The clamp doesn’t extend a ton so it won’t work on thick tables, but the magnetic connection is strong and you can tilt the angle quite a bit.
Other Good Screen Protectors
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Here are several other screen protectors I’ve tested. They’re all easy to apply, which is the most important thing to look for. There’s no point in recommending a screen protector that’s hard to install. Remember, you have to re-add your fingerprints after applying the screen protector for biometric authentication to work.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
ESR Tempered Glass Screen Protector (3 Pack) for $13: Three tempered glass screen protectors for $13? That’s shockingly cheap. I kept looking for a catch, but this ESR protector was visually similar to many of the others I’ve tested and boasts many of the same claims. It’s incredibly easy to install—like the Dbrand, you pull a tab once you place the phone in the applicator tool. This ensures perfect installation and I had zero air bubbles. Unfortunately, it’s only available for the Galaxy S25 Ultra, or I’d have recommended it over the pricier Dbrand. It comes with the full cleaning kit including alcohol wipes, a microfiber cloth, dust removal stickers, and a squeegee. I also tested ESR’s Privacy Screen Protector, but I didn’t like it: it noticeably affected the screen quality, making it dimmer overall and showing muted colors.
BodyGuardz Pure 3 Screen Protector for $45 (Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, Galaxy S25 Ultra): Kudos to BodyGuardz for being one of the only companies offering a cardboard install tool instead of plastic. Seriously, screen protectors produce so much plastic waste but this one is minimal. Even the tempered glass screen protector is made from 30 percent recycled glass. It comes with the usual cleaning kit, and the application was super easy. This one doesn’t cover the selfie camera but has a little gap for it, unlike the ESR. Too bad you only get one.
Spigen GlasTR EZ Fit Screen Protector (2 Pack) for $19: Spigen’s tempered glass screen protectors are just as easy to install as the others in this list, and come with the usual cleaning tools for prepping your device. I did have a few air bubbles after installation but they all disappeared minutes later. You get two in this pack.
More Cases to Consider
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
UAG Pathfinder Magnetic Case for $55: I tested a bunch of other UAG cases, from the Monarch Pro and Civilian to the Plyo Pro, but I think the Pathfinder has the best aesthetic, especially in the bright yellow color. The buttons are clicky, there’s a magnet embedded in the middle for Qi2 support, and the edges around the screen and cameras are raised fairly well. The case is a bit slippery, but that’s my only complaint if you like the loud design.
Spigen Nano Pop MagFit Magnetic Case for $19: It’s only available for the Galaxy S25 Ultra right now, but this is a simple magnetic case that’s very affordable. It works with Qi2 and Qi chargers, the S Pen is easily accessible, and the buttons are clicky.
BodyGuardz Paradigm Pro Heat-Regulating Magnetic Case for $60: Only available for the Galaxy S25 Ultra, this case is designed to vent heat away from the back of the phone so that there are no hot spots when you’re gaming. I’ve tested this case before for the iPhone and didn’t really notice a difference, but what I actually like this case for is the directional bottom speaker—it makes the bottom-firing speakers of the Galaxy S25 Ultra shoot upward to your face when holding the phone, which is actually really nice when gaming in landscape orientation because my grip often blocks the phone’s speakers. It also has a built-in lanyard, comes with a magnet for Qi2 charging, and has clicky buttons. The plain black design is boring though, and the material is slippery. I also tested the BodyGuardz Ace Pro, but I found it hard to access the S Pen stylus.
ESR HaloLock Classic Hybrid Case: Only available for the Galaxy S25+ and Galaxy S25 Ultra right now, this is my second favorite clear case after the Dbrand recommendation above. The material feels nice, smudges are easy to wipe away, and it has built-in magnets. I can confirm it works on my Qi2 as well as my basic Qi charger. The buttons are responsive and it’s easy to access the S Pen stylus.
Mous Clarity 3.0 Magnetic Case for $70: This is a solid clear case (available for the entire S25 series), though it was already scuffed a little when I unboxed it, which doesn’t bode well for how it will look after months of use. Especially considering how much the case costs. It does have magnets for Qi2 charging and is an otherwise perfectly fine case.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Latercase Thin Case for $59: Here’s another super-thin case for people who hate traditional bulky cases. It’s made from aramid fibers and will keep your phone scratch-free (at least, the back of it). There’s no protection for the bottom edge, the buttons, or the top edge, so it’s quite minimal. I like the soft texture of the material though, and it looks pretty. There are sadly no magnets for Qi2 functionality. The good news is that unlike many thin cases I’ve tested, this one is very easy to remove.
Tech21 EvoArmor and EvoClear Magnetic Cases for $50: These are some solid, simple, and smart-looking magnetic cases with Qi2 functionality. The edges around the screen are raised to protect it, the buttons are responsive, and there’s a spot to attach the lanyard. The Evolite is a solid clear case if that’s what you’re looking for, though I prefer the Dbrand and ESR to it. I also tested the EvoLite case, which is very basic and doesn’t have magnets if you want something simple. but it’s a bit slippery.
Samsung Standing Grip Phone Case for $55: I actually like the big grip on the back of this case. It slides nicely and you can fit several fingers through it. However, the plastic sides of the case feel a little out of place and make it feel cheap. The edges around the screen are also barely raised, so it doesn’t feel very protective. Surprisingly, wireless charging works, though there are no magnets here, so you don’t get Qi2 support. The bottom edge is also weirdly not protected.
Samsung Silicone Case for $30 and Rugged Case for $60: Samsung’s official Silicone case does the job, but I’m not sure what it does more than the cheaper options above. The same goes for the Rugged Case, which is way too expensive for what you get, especially considering there are no magnets in either of these for Qi2 support. They’re functional cases, just too expensive.
Speck Presidio Perfect-Clear and Presidio2 Grip Magnetic Cases for $50: These cases check off all the boxes in terms of functionality, and they’re a little more interesting to look at. They also have magnets for Qi2 support. However, both of them just feel a bit cheap—the Presidio2 Grip specifically has these cheap-looking plastic accents on the corners that ruin the aesthetic. Then again, I’m also nitpicking.
Zagg Santa Cruz Snap Magnetic Case for $50: I tested several cases from Zagg, including the Luxe, Milan, Denali, and Crystal Palace with Kickstand. They’re all OK. The buttons on all of these are slightly stiffer than on the other cases I’ve tested—not terrible, but just enough to notice. Many of these don’t have magnets in them but the Santa Cruz Snap does, and it worked well on my Qi2 and Qi charger. The edges are grippy, which is why I like it.
Benks ArmorAir Case for $40: This case is another ultra-thin case but it’s made from Kevlar fiber, though how much durability that provides when it’s this thin is questionable. What bugs me is that the camera module shifts ever so slightly. It’s one of those things that once you notice, you won’t stop feeling and seeing it shift every time. At least it covers more edges than the Latercase, and it also has magnets built in for Qi2 support.
Casetify Impact Magnet Cases for $64: You can get Casetify’s Impact cases in any style—with a mirror finish, a clear finish, or a crazy design. These are solid magnetic cases with clicky buttons, decently raised edges, and a good grip. The ring around the camera module is a bit thick though and disrupted charging on my Qi charger on occasion, but not consistently. That shouldn’t be much of an issue if you use a Qi2 charger.
Samsung has announced the Exynos 1580 processor for mid-range phones.
The new chip brings a significantly more powerful CPU and even faster AMD graphics.
We’re expecting the Exynos 1580 to appear inside the Galaxy A56 next year.
Samsung’s mid-tier Exynos processors have never really been class-leading propositions. Fortunately, it looks like the company’s latest chip could finally deliver a major performance upgrade for mid-range phones.
Samsung Semiconductor quietly listed the 4nm Exynos 1580 on its website, and this looks like a massive step forward for the company’s budget chips. Easily the biggest upgrade is the tri-cluster CPU, consisting of one Cortex-A720 core clocked at 2.9GHz, three Cortex-A720 cores clocked at 2.6GHz, and four little Cortex-A520 cores at 1.95GHz. That’s a major upgrade over the Exynos 1480’s aging CPU, which consists of four Cortex-A78 cores and four Cortex-A55 cores.
Last year’s chip had an AMD GPU for the first time, and the Exynos 1580 offers an even faster AMD Xclipse 540 GPU. Samsung says this GPU is 37% faster than the previous generation and 20% faster while using the same amount of power. Samsung says these improvements are primarily due to the use of two so-called Work Group Processors instead of one, increased GL2 cache, and double the amount of FMA/texture unit processing.
Other Exynos 1580 specs and features
Samsung says the chip has an NPU with 6,000 MACS or 14.7 TOPS of computing power. The Exynos 1480 NPU also delivered 6,000 MACS of AI performance, suggesting that AI capabilities are unchanged or only marginally better.
There aren’t many other upgrades, save for Bluetooth 5.4 and improved noise reduction for photo/video capture. Otherwise, the two chips share features like a 5G modem topping out at 5.10Gbps downlink speeds, Wi-Fi 6E support, 200MP snapshot support, 4K/60fps video capture, and support for 144Hz refresh rates at FHD+ resolutions.
There’s no word on availability just yet, but the Exynos 1480 appeared in the Galaxy A55 5G. So it’s a safe bet that the Exynos 1580 will launch inside the Galaxy A56. This would be a significant performance upgrade for Samsung’s A series phones, so fingers crossed that phones with this chip come to the US.
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