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 cellular tech area.
Amazon Prime Day is true across the nook, and it is at all times 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 might be usually out of my value vary, as a result of who is aware of when the subsequent time that TV or laptop computer shall be this low cost?
It’s simply as straightforward 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 every so often, however shall be discounted by a few hundred {dollars} or much more if you commerce in a telephone.
However to be sincere, you don’t must spend a ton of cash on a telephone to have an awesome 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 provide loads of worth year-round at full MSRP. A Prime Day low cost would simply be the cherry on prime.
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 trendy 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 also be higher than you’d count on from a $400 telephone. Photograph high quality hasn’t precisely been Motorola’s sturdy swimsuit, so it’s good to see the corporate enhancing on this entrance, even on its lower-end telephones.
General, the Moto G Stylus 2025 is a a lot better telephone than you’d count on, 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.
But it surely’s not simply the Stylus; the extra inexpensive Moto G 2025 can also be surprisingly good for the worth. As Android Central’s Nick Sutrich factors out in his Moto G 2025 overview, this $300 telephone incorporates a vivid, eye-friendly show, a big battery, and an improved digicam in comparison with its predecessor.
Should you’re a Motorola fan, both of those 2025 telephones can be an awesome possibility. However typically, having probably the most spectacular specs is not all the pieces, and Motorola isn’t the one firm with telephones which might be straightforward in your pockets.
All of the AI for much less
Whereas the Moto G Stylus could have some spectacular specs, it doesn’t have a lot in the way in which of AI. That could be positive for a lot of, however if you would like 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 may make you assume twice about spending that further $300. That’s as a result of except for a number of spec adjustments and a more moderen design, these two telephones are extremely related.
You get lots of the identical 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 awesome factor as a result of charging speeds aren’t essentially one of the best, however that’s much less of a priority when the telephone lasts all day after which some.
You additionally received’t discover many smartphones this inexpensive with software program help 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 enhancing options. Pixels are enjoyable telephones, and also you don’t have to spend so much to get entry to one of the best of Google.
Spend correctly this Prime Day
It’s at all times tempting to purchase the most recent and best smartphone, however as I’ve realized over the previous couple of years, a smartphone half as costly might be simply nearly as good, relying in your wants. Past Motorola and Google, corporations like OnePlus and Samsung provide 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 at all times be some good choices obtainable that will not harm your pockets as a lot, deal or no deal.
