Android Advisor 87

Most security experts agree that two-factor authentication (2FA) is a critical part of securing your online accounts. Google agrees, but it’s taking an extra step: it’s going to sign up Google account holders up for two-factor accounts automatically. Google sees two-factor authentication as a replacement for passwords, which Mark Risher, Google’s director of product management for identity and user security, in a statement called “the single biggest threat to your online security”. Because they’re easy to steal and hard to remember, users will end up reusing passwords. If stolen, they can be used to unlock multiple user accounts, adding to the risk. Google already uses 2FA to secure accounts, but it’s been optional until now. If you have 2FA enabled on your Google account, for example, you can view the passwords Google…

One of the biggest innovators in Android is bowing out. LG has revealed that it is exiting the phone business to focus on other “growth areas” like smart home devices, robotics, and electric vehicles. Existing phones will remain available until the stock is sold through, and the company said, “LG will provide service support and software updates for customers of existing mobile products for a period of time which will vary by region.” Don’t expect to see that nifty rollable phone that LG showed off a CES, though. And an OS update to Android 12 in the autumn probably isn’t on the cards either, since many of LG’s phones haven’t received Android 11 yet. The shutdown comes as no surprise – LG’s phone division has posted huge losses over the past…

Price: £799 from fave.co/3bgkArs Following months of whispers, Asus has unveiled the fourth-generation ROG Phone 5, completely skipping the ‘4’ branding which is often seen as unlucky in China. Though it might appear similar to its predecessor on the outside, Asus has been hard at work improving not only the hardware capabilities of the gaming phone but the software too. Throw in a bunch of accessories, a new dot-matrix RGB system and Qualcomm’s latest and greatest Snapdragon 888, and you’ve got all the ingredients for a great gaming device. But, is it worth buying a phone dedicated to gaming when there are so many capable alternatives, including the Red Magic 6 and Samsung’s Galaxy S21 Ultra? I’ve been spending some time gaming on the ROG Phone 5, and here’s what I think. DESIGN The…

Price: £1,099 from fave.co/3y1MWiY The Find X3 Pro sees Oppo pick up right where the Find X2 Pro left off, emphasizing a colour-accurate 10-bit display, equally (and exceptionally) capable primary and ultra-wide cameras, and super-fast charging. Throw in a microscopic lens and curved glass camera module and you have a phone that builds on the best of what came before while still carving out its own identity. And yes, at £1,099 it’s expensive, belonging to the new class of super-flagship alongside the likes of the Galaxy S21 Ultra and ROG Phone 5 Ultimate. But if you can afford a phone of this calibre, then right now the Find X3 Pro is the one you should buy. DESIGN I suspect it’s no exaggeration to suggest that the Find X3 Pro will go down as the most…

Price: £399 from fave.co/2QZpItf Samsung has long dominated the Android flagship scene with its prestigious Galaxy S series. But it’s also been steadily stepping up its mid-range efforts, of which the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is the latest entry. Rather than excelling in any one area, this £399 phone provides an all-round level of competence that should keep most casual users satisfied. With a fast and vibrant display, a decent main camera and solid build quality, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G does most of the basics well. But the competition is strong in this part of the market, and rival efforts from Xiaomi and OnePlus risk making the Galaxy A52 5G look a tad overpriced. DESIGN The Galaxy A52 5G doesn’t exactly wow with its design language, but you can still see Samsung’s mastery of…

There are so many good phones to choose from right now but which one is the king of the castle? Is there even a winner? In truth, there’s no one perfect choice for everyone, so bear in mind that the best phone for you might not be number one in our chart. Phones come in all shapes, sizes and prices. Here, we have ranked and reviewed the best phones money can buy. While you’re going to find established brands like Google and Samsung in this list, you might not be familiar with every phone-maker we’ve recommended. With that said, trust us – these phones are all top-notch. When choosing a phone you should consider these things: build quality and design, ease of use, features, performance and value. Generally speaking, a flagship phone in…