Android Advisor

SAMSUNG GALAXY UNPACKED Samsung has finally unveiled its latest generation of flagship slab phones, the Galaxy S23 series. It's a year for cautious upgrades though – the main S23 and S23+ have changed a lot in how they look, but a little less on the inside. Meanwhile, the S23 Ultra doesn't look so different, but does benefit from an overhauled 200Mp main camera – and all three phones get the benefit of Qualcomm Snapdragon silicon worldwide. So, what should you expect if you're considering picking up an S23? Here's what you need to know. ON SALE DATE Samsung's new phones are available to buy now. This launch includes the standard S23 model alongside the + and Ultra variants – these are the models we'll focus on here. In 2020, Samsung…

SAMSUNG GALAXY UNPACKED The new Galaxy S23 Ultra looks exactly the same as 2022's Galaxy S22 Ultra. Look art the image opposite and try to spot the differences. This is because it is practically the same phone. Samsung can't even be bothered to try and hide it. How can it when squared off corners with the same size screen house a phone with an S-Pen stylus and five circular camera cut outs on the back? Put the two phones side by side and you'll struggle to tell them apart. The S23 Ultra gets the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, a 200Mp main camera, and a few new software tricks, but really this is evolution, not revolution. Qualcomm equipping the S23 with a special version of the 8 Gen 2,…

REVIEWS Price: £799 from fave.co/3ljFSMD The early flagship phones from OnePlus made their name by having top end specs but miraculously costing hundreds less than the competition. Those days are seemingly behind the company now, but the OnePlus 11 is still a competitively priced Android phone that's good enough to recommend above more expensive competing phones. If you want a phone with a large screen, amazing performance, great cameras, and long software support, you can't do much better than this for £799 – hundreds less than the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and even a little less than the regular S23. DESIGN The OnePlus 11 is a large phone but feels slim and compact enough even in small hands thanks to its rounded edges and its curved display. It's only 8.5mm…

Price: £319 from fave.co/3YfFqxH Poco's 2023 X-range phones are here, and the cheaper of the pair is the Poco X5. Launched alongside the Poco X5 Pro, this phone comes complete with a dazzling 120Hz AMOLED display (a first from a base X-range Poco phone), fastcharging technology and a 48Mp triple camera set-up. But is the phone still good value for money, especially considering its place in the highly competitive mid-range space? I've spent some time with the Poco X5 to see how it handles everyday use. DESIGN The Poco X5 comes with an understated yet sleek finish – a welcome relief from the days when Poco used to blaze its logo on the entire back. The phone is 7.98mm thick, and weighs just 189g, so it's relatively slim and lightweight…

REVIEWS Price: £289 from fave.co/3YeyIaZ Motorola's G line-up has long been a solid pick for any budget-conscious phone buyer — the manufacturer has a reputable name, the phones have always been solid (if unspectacular), and as the trickle-down of phone tech from flagship devices continues, Motorola has been quick to improve its devices. The G82 5G looks more expensive than it is, thanks to its impressive OLED screen and 50MP camera. Corners have been cut to reach that mid-range price point, though, but it handily beats out the prior Moto G22 while still offering a 5G option for those that can take advantage of it. DESIGN As mentioned, the Moto G82 continues the Motorola streak of good-looking phones that don't cost the earth. The front is an almost all-screen design,…

AUDIO Price: £379 from fave.co/3jy5XXJ Bowers & Wilkins has updated its flagship wireless, in-ear headphone. And while this isn't a from-the-ground-up redesign – the B&W Pi7 S2 use the excellent same drivers as the model that shipped in 2021 – improvements in a host of other areas result in better battery life and longer Bluetooth range. More importantly, if your primary consideration is the quality of an earbud's audio reproduction, they deliver fantastic listening experiences. Your decision could get more complicated as you consider other features, such as active noise cancellation, EQ options, and price. Bowers & Wilkins has helped define the British hi-fi audio sound for nearly six decades with its highly regarded loudspeakers. The company entered the powered speaker market with its iPod-compatible Zeppelin speaker in 2006 (since…