Editor’s Desk
Android Central’s Editor’s Desk is a weekly column discussing the most recent information, tendencies, and happenings within the Android and cell tech house.
Amazon Prime Day is correct across the nook, and it is all the time tempting to spend cash on alluring offers, just because they exist. Whether or not it’s Prime Day or Black Friday, I discover myself shopping for issues I usually wouldn’t and which are usually out of my value vary, as a result of who is aware of when the subsequent time that TV or laptop computer will probably be this low-cost?
It’s simply as simple to spend some huge cash on a smartphone. My favourite telephone this 12 months is the Motorola Razr Extremely 2025, a telephone that prices $1,299, or simply as a lot because the Galaxy S25 Extremely. In fact, they go on sale now and again, however will probably be discounted by a few hundred {dollars} or much more if you commerce in a telephone.
However to be sincere, you don’t have to spend a ton of cash on a telephone to have an important gadget. Inexpensive telephones preserve getting higher yearly, with corporations like Motorola and Google providing extra for much less. At Moto G or Pixel A-series costs, you don’t even have to attend for a sale; these telephones supply loads of worth year-round at full MSRP. A Prime Day low cost would simply be the cherry on high.
Filled with specs
I not too long ago reviewed the Moto G Stylus 2025, and I used to be totally impressed with simply how good a telephone it’s. At $399, it gives specs that rival these of many flagship Android telephones, such because the Galaxy S25, and incorporates a fashionable vegan leather-based design that stands out from the group. It comes with a 120Hz Tremendous HD OLED show, an all-day 5,000mAh battery, and 68W charging that tops up the telephone sooner than an episode of “Andor.”
The 50MP digicam can be higher than you’d anticipate from a $400 telephone. Photograph high quality hasn’t precisely been Motorola’s robust go well with, so it’s good to see the corporate enhancing on this entrance, even on its lower-end telephones.
Total, the Moto G Stylus 2025 is a significantly better telephone than you’d anticipate, and even contains some AI options like Circle to Search and Sketch to Picture, each of which work nice with the improved stylus pen you get constructed into the telephone.
Nevertheless it’s not simply the Stylus; the extra inexpensive Moto G 2025 can be surprisingly good for the worth. As Android Central’s Nick Sutrich factors out in his Moto G 2025 assessment, this $300 telephone incorporates a shiny, eye-friendly show, a big battery, and an improved digicam in comparison with its predecessor.
For those who’re a Motorola fan, both of those 2025 telephones could be an important choice. However generally, having essentially the most spectacular specs is not every part, and Motorola isn’t the one firm with telephones which are simple in your pockets.
All of the AI for much less
Whereas the Moto G Stylus might have some spectacular specs, it doesn’t have a lot in the way in which of AI. Which may be tremendous for a lot of, however if you need the most recent options from Google at half the price of most flagships, the Pixel 9a might be the telephone for you.
I reviewed the bottom Pixel 9 final 12 months and actually loved it; it actually felt near being a Professional-level telephone. Nonetheless, the $500 Pixel 9a would possibly make you suppose twice about spending that additional $300. That’s as a result of other than just a few spec modifications and a more recent design, these two telephones are extremely comparable.
You get lots of the similar AI options, the Pixel 9a will get first dibs on new software program updates like Android 16 and past, and also you get a reasonably spectacular twin digicam system with the efficiency anticipated from a Google telephone.
Android Central’s Michael Hick’s calls the Pixel 9a the “Energizer telephone,” as a result of battery life goes on and on, which is a bit a part of the brand new design. And that’s an important factor as a result of charging speeds aren’t essentially the perfect, however that’s much less of a priority when the telephone lasts all day after which some.
You additionally gained’t discover many smartphones this inexpensive with software program assist just like the Pixel 9a, with a promise of updates for seven years.
The specs is probably not the strongest, however you continue to get a flagship-level Tensor G4 chipset. This brings tons of AI options straight from Google, from Gemini to Pixel Studio, and all of the AI digicam or picture modifying options. Pixels are enjoyable telephones, and also you don’t have to spend so much to get entry to the perfect of Google.
Spend properly this Prime Day
It’s all the time tempting to purchase the most recent and best smartphone, however as I’ve discovered over the previous couple of years, a smartphone half as costly might be simply pretty much as good, relying in your wants. Past Motorola and Google, corporations like OnePlus and Samsung supply units that undercut a lot of their flagship counterparts whereas nonetheless providing flagship-like specs and experiences.
I’m not saying don’t purchase that Razr Extremely, Galaxy S25 Extremely, or no matter different Extremely you’ve had in your radar for a while, particularly if you find yourself discovering a very good Prime Day deal on it. Nonetheless, keep in mind that there’ll all the time be some good choices obtainable that will not damage your pockets as a lot, deal or no deal.
