Editor’s Desk
Android Central’s Editor’s Desk is a weekly column discussing the newest 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 are usually out of my worth vary, as a result of who is aware of when the subsequent time that TV or laptop computer might be this low cost?
It’s simply as straightforward to spend some huge cash on a smartphone. My favourite cellphone this yr is the Motorola Razr Extremely 2025, a cellphone that prices $1,299, or simply as a lot because the Galaxy S25 Extremely. In fact, they go on sale every so often, however might be discounted by a few hundred {dollars} or much more if you commerce in a cellphone.
However to be trustworthy, you don’t must spend a ton of cash on a cellphone to have a terrific system. Reasonably priced telephones hold getting higher yearly, with firms 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 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 cellphone it’s. At $399, it gives specs that rival these of many flagship Android telephones, such because the Galaxy S25, and contains 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 cellphone sooner than an episode of “Andor.”
The 50MP digital camera can be higher than you’d count on from a $400 cellphone. Picture high quality hasn’t precisely been Motorola’s sturdy go well with, 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 cellphone than you’d count on, and even consists of 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 cellphone.
But it surely’s not simply the Stylus; the extra inexpensive Moto G 2025 can be surprisingly good for the value. As Android Central’s Nick Sutrich factors out in his Moto G 2025 evaluate, this $300 cellphone contains a brilliant, eye-friendly show, a big battery, and an improved digital camera in comparison with its predecessor.
For those who’re a Motorola fan, both of those 2025 telephones can be a terrific possibility. However generally, having probably the most spectacular specs is not the whole lot, and Motorola isn’t the one firm with telephones which are 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 best way of AI. Which may be fantastic for a lot of, however in order for you the newest options from Google at half the price of most flagships, the Pixel 9a might be the cellphone for you.
I reviewed the bottom Pixel 9 final yr and actually loved it; it actually felt near being a Professional-level cellphone. Nonetheless, the $500 Pixel 9a may make you assume twice about spending that additional $300. That’s as a result of other than just a few spec modifications and a more moderen design, these two telephones are extremely related.
You get most 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 digital camera system with the efficiency anticipated from a Google cellphone.
Android Central’s Michael Hick’s calls the Pixel 9a the “Energizer cellphone,” as a result of battery life goes on and on, which is a bit a part of the brand new design. And that’s a terrific factor as a result of charging speeds aren’t essentially the perfect, however that’s much less of a priority when the cellphone lasts all day after which some.
You additionally gained’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 digital camera or picture enhancing 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 at all times tempting to purchase the newest and best smartphone, however as I’ve realized over the previous couple of years, a smartphone half as costly will be simply pretty much as good, relying in your wants. Past Motorola and Google, firms like OnePlus and Samsung provide gadgets that undercut lots 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 an excellent Prime Day deal on it. Nonetheless, keep in mind that there’ll at all times be some good choices obtainable that will not damage your pockets as a lot, deal or no deal.
