Tag

iPhone

Browsing

Best Audio Recording Software For Mac in 2024, If you are looking for good audio recording software, our blog here has listed some of the and top recording software for macOS.

Known for its performance, ease of use and stability, Mac is the most preferred platform for audio and video professionals. Although a Mac comes with built-in audio recording software it cannot support high-end recordings like podcasts and music production.

The powerful macOS together with the best audio recording software will satisfy all your requirements smoothly. So without wasting any more time let’s have a look at some of our picks.

Best Audio Recording Software For macOS 2024

Here, we have listed the best bunch of sound recorder software that will perfectly on your Mac device. You can refer to our list and choose one as per your desire.

1.

4636 2 apowersoft

Suitable for both beginners and professionals Apowersoft is great audio recording software for various sorts of sounds. OCG, WAV, AAC are a few file formats supported by it.

It is an indisputable winner in creating and editing HD audio recordings and can also work seamlessly well as a CD ripper and audio converter tool. It is even capable of recording radio, VoIP calls, and streaming audio files.

It can support audio recording for up to 3 minutes in a go and allows you to download music from online music platforms. Apart from this, you can also use it to add music files to .

Features of Apowersoft:

• The app offers unlimited audio recording for free.
• Apowersoft does not charge any extra money for subscriptions or usage.
• Whether it is a meeting or a lecture, or any other event or audio, Apowersoft offers advanced recording outputs for all.
• With the help of the app, you can also play the recorded audio.

Pros

• Allows audio trimming
• Simplistic UI
• Zero cost

Cons

• Lacks some features that are available in paid alternatives.
• Low reliability.

Download

.

2. WavePad

4636 2 wavepad best audio recording software

Wavepad tops our list of best audio recording software for Mac for fairly good reasons and is loaded with an array of professional features. It is a great tool if you want to edit and update your audio in a hassle-free manner.

With its huge basket of editing tools, you can cut, copy, delete, paste compress tour recordings along with pitch shifting. Apart from this it also supports various other audio effects like amplify, reverb, equalizer, and many more.

This incredible recording software for Mac you can also princess batch files and enjoy noise removal techniques. WMA, VOX, AIF, MP3 are a few of the file formats supported by WavePad.

Features of WavePad

• The interface of the app is quite understandable.
• On the app, you will see the inputs in the form of waves for ease that are easy to manage and helps you create precise outputs.
• You can choose the output frequency from various values ranging from 6 to 192kHz.
• You can get precise inputs with the help of the app using various filters and effects.

Pros

• Beginner-friendly UI
• Smart and helpful features
• Supports various audio formats
• 8, 16, 24, and 32-bit audio
• Autortrim and audio merging features

Cons

• May contain ads
• Lacks some effects

Download

.

3.

4636 2 quicktime

QuickTime is undoubtedly the best audio recording software for Mac. And, as you may know, it is an in-built utility in Mac that is commonly accessed for video or audio playback. With QuickTime, you can also record your own content as well. QuickTime also allows you to record a video using any connected device or a webcam. Everything is super easy to implement with QuickTime. With minimal customization options, QuickTime’s user interface is really very impressive, clean, and easy to use. Plus, whatever you record will be available in a sole file.

Features of QuickTime:

• This app is more than just a regular audio recording app but a full-fledged multimedia player.
• The cross-platform tool is available for Windows, Mac, and other operating systems.
• You can easily navigate to various features and use them.
• The QuickTime app allows you to use the keyboard for maximum ease.

Pros

• Multilingual UI
• Easy to access and use
• Smart options
• Various OS version compatibility.

Cons

• No advanced recording features

 

Best Audio Recording Software For Mac in 2024

Read Also : The best Mac apps for 2024

4. Adobe Audition

4636 2 adobe audition

If you are looking for multi-purpose audio recording software for your mac that can help you in recording, editing, and creating background score then there is no better option than Adobe Audition. Its high-end recording and editing capabilities make it a perfect pick for not only home users but also for digital audio stations.

Its restoration tools, audio clean-up feature, and a massive array of plug-ins make it a highly powerful tool. Use its various plug-ins to add audio effects, remove noise with precision, and much more.

A great waveform editing environment powered with audio ducking features and AI-enhanced tool is perfect for making your audio recording life easy. Its clean and convenient UI also deserves a mention.

Features of Adobe Audition:

• The app is solely developed for recording and managing audio files.
• The app is perfect for professional music artists, interviewers, and other such personnel.
• A couple of clicks on the app allow you to do so much more than any traditional recording app.
• You can use other audio files as well to remix.
• You can integrate the app and use it with other ones for better results.

Pros

• Smart interface perfect for professionals
• Free sound effects
• Audio mixing features
• Noise-reducing options

Cons

• Limitedness of the trial version
• Can be tough for beginners

Download

.

5. Audacity

4636 2 audacity

Next on our list of best sound recorder software for Mac is Audacity. It is an open-source freeware tool. In addition to expert features, it is also loaded with live recording capabilities and multi-track editing. If you want to do the audio recording in CD’S, convert various types of audio files and enjoy a hassle-free digital recording experience, then there is no better tool than Audacity.

Use it to cut, copy, paste, and track various audio tracks within seconds. FLAC, MP2, MP3, WAV, WMA, AAC are few file formats supported by this stunning Mac audio recording software.

Features of Audacity:

• If you want an open-source tool, then Audacity is the best.
• This cross-platformed solution is perfect for Windows, macOS, GNU/, and various other operating systems.
• The tool is completely free to use without any hidden or direct charges.
• You can import or export recordings or other audio files using this tool.
• The app shares a plethora of effects that you can use and apply.
• Smart editing options of Audacity are a must to try.

Pros

• Option to select various audio outputs
• Keyboard and shortcut compatibility
• Supports plugins and more
• Easy to use
• Multiple themes of the UI

Cons

• Lack of features than some paid tools
• Complex at times

Download

.

6. GarageBand

4636 2 garageband

Powered with a professional and convenient user interface, Apple GarageBand surely deserves a spot on our list of best audio recording software for mac in 2024.

Read More: 13 Best Audio Recording Software For Windows PC

It is a great tool for music enthusiasts if you want to online piano and guitar. Enjoy class-apart free artist lessons and instrument classes with this incredible tool. It comes as an in-built feature with every mac device and can be used by both beginners and professionals.

Use it to record and mix audio music with ease. Apart from all the features mentioned above it also supports third-party plug-in along with a 24-bit recording.

Features of GarageBand:

• GarageBand is a well-designed app with tons of different features and accessibility options.
• The app allows you to select the sound of your favorite instruments and play their notes for enhanced audio creativity.
• You can select from a variety of modes for the perfect audio outputs.
• The app is the perfect choice if you want to use metal audio for outputs.

Pros

• All-inclusive interface
• Well-put features and filters
• A multilingual base for your ease
• Select multiple audio files

Cons

• Not for Android

Download

.

7. Record Pad

4636 2 record pad

Developed by NCH Software, RecordPad is an ideal choice for all your audio recording needs. It works seamlessly with Mac devices and is fully compatible with Android, Windows, and Linux.

It is a great tool for recording music and audio files which can be saved in your hard drive as mp3 and AIFF files. You can also share your recordings with others via email. Burn your recording on CD with its built-in express burn feature and use its massive basket of editing features for noise reduction, editing silence, and equalizing your audio clip.

Its clean and convenient UI along with an easy-to-navigate design also deserves a fair mention. It is compatible with multiple music formats including FLAC, MP3, AAC, and WAV.

Features of Record Pad:

• Both free and paid versions of Record Pad are available to you.
• You can download and use the tool on Windows, macOS, iPhone, and other operating systems.
• The app allows you to record fresh audio or edit, merge, trim, or modify existing files in other ways.
• You can even burn the audio to a CD using the ExpressBurn feature.
• You get a variety of output options.

Pros

• Smart encoding with MPEG Layer-3
• Automated system
• Supports FTP server

Cons

• Complicated for beginners
• Outdated UI

Download

.

8. Ardour

4636 2 ardour

If you are a musician, track editor, or composer, then look no further, Ardour is the ultimate tool for all your audio recording and editing needs. It is highly suitable for MIDI projects and multi-track recording.

The tool is compatible with a wide range of formats and systems and adds the utmost ease to the tour audio recording experience.

Features of Ardour:

• Using Ardour, you can easily record, edit, or modify audio files.
• The crossfading options of the tool are some of the smartest and strongest you will ever find.
• The easy undo and redo features are a lifesaver that allows you to try anything and everything.
• Ardour’s automotive features are top-notch.
• The interface of the software has numerous external control options.

Pros

• Supports drag and drop.
• Flexible mixer settings
• Supports plugins
• Open-source

Cons

• Limited output formats
• No paid version

Download

.

9. Macsome Audio Recorder

4636 2 macsome audio recorder

Macsome Audio Recorder is one of the best audio recording software for Mac in 2024. It is an ideal option for recording audio from multiple sources. Macsome Audio Recorder is good enough for organizing all your recording files as well. Plus, you can also use the ID tags to organize your recording files. Apart from this, you can also add distinct recording profiles for applications and hardware. And, within a single click, you can start the recording procedure. Isn’t it something very nice? Without a single doubt, YES! However, the UI of Macsome Audio Recorder is very simple and not so impressive, but it offers productive yet effective features. It is all-in-one audio recorder software for Mac users.

Features of Macsome Audio Recorder

• Apart from the Mac, you can also install the tool in the form of a browser extension and plugin.
• The tool allows you to record the audio of your choice in MP3 and/or AAC formats.
• The software allows you to filter audio files into formats and other settings.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Fast interface
• Quite useful for beginners
• Advanced options

Cons

• Offers trial with limited features
• Not the best tool on the list

Download

.

10. Logic Pro

4636 2 logic pro

Logic Pro is the next name on this list of the best audio recording software for Mac in 2024. The tool is quite amazing and boasts an easy-to-use interface for all Mac users. Hence, even if you are a beginner to the tool, you can easily understand its performance patterns. Additionally, the learning curve of the software is also quite steep. You can use this all-in-one audio recorder software for Mac to show off your creativity on all kinds of projects.

Features of Logic Pro:

• Logic Pro is more than just a basic recording tool but an advanced solution for audio creation.
• The outputs of the software are compatible for better quality.
• The software contains a 3D Object Panner that makes editing feasible.
• This is an advanced solution with multiple helpful solutions for you.

Pros

• Support Plug-ins
• Contains multiple samples
• Easy to use

Cons

• The trial version has limited features

Download

.

11. Audio Hijack

4636 2 audio hijack

Audio Hijack is the last name on this list of the best audio recording software for Mac in 2024. The tool is suitable for both beginners and professionals for recording and editing audio. You can easily use the tool to create podcasts as well as record your artistic talents with ease. The app also allows you to stream the audio using various spectrums and sources.

Features of Audio Hijack:

• If you want to extract the audio from some app, then Audio Hijack is the perfect choice for you.
• You can even record audio from third-party websites for the best results.
• If there is too much noise in the audio, the tool allows you to remove it.
• The tool is even more helpful for gamers who want to record live streaming of games and their audio.

Pros

• Both free and paid versions are available
• Allows audio recording scheduling
• Internet broadcasting compatible
• Smart Scriptwriting features

Cons

• Only for macOS

Download

.

12.

4636 2 movavi screen recorder

Movavi Screen Recorder is the next best audio recording software for Mac in 2024. The software is an advanced alternative to the tools provided above. Although the tool is a screen recorder, it can also be used to record audio on your Mac without video or screen.

Features of Movavi Screen Recorder:

• Allows you to apter the screen and audio in multiple ways
• Supports screenshots.
• Helps in enhancing videos

Pros

• Both free and paid versions are available
• Offers scheduling options
• Works on Windows and Mac

Cons

• Limited options in the free version
• Limited trial period

Download

.

13.

4636 2 ocenaudio

Ocenaudio is another of the best audio recording software for Mac in 2024. The tool is quite efficient and allows you to record real-time audio on your Mac device. The tool offers a plethora of options for recording and more.

Features of Ocenaudio:

• Free to download and use
• Offers audio editing
• Feasible control
• Play and pause functionality

Pros

• Entirely free to download
• Works on Windows and Mac

Cons

• Lacks some features as available in paid tools

Download

Time to Make a Good Choice For Yourself

The audio recording software mentioned above are some of the best available options for both beginners and professionals.

We hope that our list of best audio recorder tools for mac has been of great help to you and has been able to answer your questions around “What is the best software that you can use to record audio on your Mac device ”.

.

Views: 675

The best music streaming services of 2024, Music streaming platforms like , Apple Music, , YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Qobuz, and Deezer have entirely changed how we explore, enjoy, and exchange music. They bring convenience and accessibility to all new levels.

Yet, with so many choices, selecting the right music streaming app might feel like a daunting task. Each platform offers a music collection featuring artists, albums, playlists, and podcasts. Additionally, they each have their interface designs and special features, like song lyrics display, offline downloads, AI-generated playlists, high-quality audio formats, and more.

We’ve compiled a list of the best music streaming services to assist you. We’ve tested them all, and our evaluation criteria include pricing plans, user interface experience, quality of tracks offered, and much more. Let’s get started!

An iPhone with the Search section of the Spotify app on it.

Spotify

The best for most people

Pros

• Excellent UI
• Best-in-class discovery
• More than 100 million songs
• The biggest podcast network
• Fun special features

Cons

• No hi-res option … yet
• Glitchy performance at times
Specs
Plans (monthly): Free / Individual: $ / Duo: $15 / Student: $6 / Family: $17
Library Size: More than 100 million tracks
Quality: 160kbps to 320kbps

When it comes to music streaming, Spotify is definitely one of the most recognizable brands on the planet. Launched in 2006, the platform is available across the globe, and is home to more than 100 million songs and growing. Spotify is also the world’s biggest podcast platform. Whether you’re rocking an iPhone, a Google Pixel, a laptop, or you’re in your , there’s a good chance that Spotify is going to be compatible with your hardware.

Beyond the music archive, Spotify offers several different subscription options, including individual, family, and student plans, as well as a free version with ads. Spotify Premium users also receive unlimited track skips, 320kbps audio quality, and offline downloads for up to 10,000 songs across five devices. The company is also really good at keeping its user interface familiar and reliable from one hardware type to another.

Spotify is also great for sharing. Thanks to integrations with social platforms like and , your circle of pals will get to see what you’ve been jamming out to lately. You’ll even have the option of sharing songs with others and even creating collaborative playlists you can all add to. Additionally, no one is quite as good as Spotify at always adding and experimenting with new and fun features, like its AI-driven DJ and, most recently, its beta AI Playlist that lets you type Chat GPT-style text prompts to get it to curate playlists for you.

So, where does the service struggle? Track quality, for one. Unlike platforms like Tidal and Qobuz that place a big emphasis on hi-res audio, Spotify’s tracks are capped at 320kbps, which only the most critical of audiophiles will notice. Spotify’s long-awaited Hi-Fi tier may still see the light of day, though, so if it’s not a deal breaker, you could just wait it out. But if you just want a music streamer that offers tons of genres, playlists, and fun social features, Spotify is going to be your best bet.

.

Spotify

The best for most people

.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The best music streaming services of 2024

Apple Music

https://www.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ROG-Phone-7-Ultimate-Apple-Music.jpg

Perfect for Apple users who want hi-res audio

Pros

• More than 100 million songs
• Excellent hi-res options and Dolby Atmos
• Great interface
• Competitive pricing

Cons

• No free tier
• Can’t keep downloaded songs if you cancel
• No plan for couples
Specs
Plans (monthly): Individual: $11 / Student: $6 / Family: $17
Library Size: More than 100 million tracks
Quality: 256kbps AAC, 16-bit/44.1kHz, 24-bit/48kHz, 24-bit/192kHz

Some folks will remember Apple’s original foray into digitized music from a little platform called iTunes that launched back in 2000. Paving the way for Apple’s streamlined interface and big music library, iTunes eventually evolved into Apple Music in 2015. A fierce competitor to rivals like Spotify and Tidal, Apple Music is simple to use, boasts a library of more than 100 million tracks, is available across multiple platforms, and even offers hi-res listening options.

Apple Music also lets you test the waters before enrolling in one of its many subscription options. With a one-month free trial, you’ll have plenty of time to get a good lay of the land, at which point you’ll need to shell out for a monthly subscription, which runs $6 for students, $11 for an Individual plan, and $17 for the Family plan.

Every tier gives you access to full playback controls, recommended music based on your listening habits, and some nice visual treats for your phone, tablet, and screens. We’re talking immersive album artwork, -by-line lyrics, and intuitive search tools that make finding songs and artists a breeze.

As far as track quality is concerned, Apple’s audio far exceeds Spotify’s 320kbps cap, with lossless ALAC tracks that can get as high as 24-bit/192kHz. Apple Music also uses the smaller AAC format with resolution up to 256kbps and offers many tracks and albums in Dolby Atmos, which Apple brands as Spatial Audio. And while you’ll be able to share tracks with friends and family, Apple Music doesn’t offer the same social integrations as Spotify.

If you’re familiar with the design and UI of devices like the iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and Apple TV, you’re going to feel right at home using Apple Music. Both desktop and mobile interfaces are clean, simple, and easy to navigate, with just about everything you could need right at your fingertips. Plus, there are all kinds of smart speakers (such as Sonos and Apple’s HomePod) and smart displays that offer native Apple Music support.

.

Apple Music

Perfect for Apple users who want hi-res audio

.Derek Malcolm / Digital Trends

Tidal

https://www.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/tidal-rolling-stones-playing.jpg

Audiophile quality with wide device support

Pros

• More than 110 million tracks
• Some of the best hi-res tracks in the game
• Includes offline listening
• Works with many different types of devices
• Awesome playlist curations

Cons

• Weak podcast library
• Music discovery tools are not as good as others
• UI could be improved and more streamlined
Specs
Plans (monthly): Indvidual: $11 / Family: $17 / Student: $6 / DJ Extension add-on: $9
Library Size: More than 110 million tracks
Quality: 320kbps, 16-bit/44.1kHz, 24-bit/192kHz

Regarding top-notch music streaming quality, Tidal is one of the best names in the business, bar none.

Renowned for its focus on excellent sound quality, Tidal gives you access to an immense library of songs in 16-bit/44.1kHz up to 24-bit/192kHz in various formats, including HiRes FLAC, Dolby Atmos, Sony 360 Reality Audio, FLAC, and Master Quality Authenticated (MQA). Not all of Tidal’s artists and albums are in hi-res, but there’s a good chance that several artists you enjoy have at least some hi-res offerings in the archive.

Diehard fans will also enjoy Tidal’s dedication to additional content, including videos and real-time streams, creating a more immersive musical experience. We’re also big fans of its artist-generated playlists.

In terms of cross-platform compatibility, Tidal is also available on a range of popular devices, from iOS and Android hardware to smart speakers, smart displays, streaming devices, and even native AV support from audio brands like Sonos and Harman Kardon through Tidal Connect. But what sets Tidal apart is its user-friendly interface. From apps to desktop versions, Tidal’s UI is designed to be clean, ultra-navigable, and tethered to your preferences, ensuring a comfortable and personalized experience.

Beginning in April 2024, Tidal removed its expensive HiFi plans, while still keeping its high-quality library. The best part? Its new plans are cheaper and more in line with what Apple Music, Spotify, and others are charging. This means you can enjoy premium music streaming without breaking the bank. You can try Tidal for free for the first 30 days of a new membership. The platform also offers discounts to students, military, and first responders, making it even more affordable.

If you’re looking for supreme audio quality and talented curation, you should give Tidal a try. Plus, you’ll be hard-pressed to find many of these high-resolution tracks elsewhere.

.

Tidal

Audiophile quality with wide device support

.Qobuz app’s home screen Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Qobuz

https://www.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/qobuz-app.jpg

Audiophile quality for a little less

Pros

• Big hi-res music library
• Inspired editorial content
• Can purchase songs and albums without a subscription
• Free trial for Studio plan

Cons

• Lacks social listening features
• No podcasts
Specs
Plans (monthly): Studio: from $11 / Sublime: from $180 per year
Library Size: More than 100 million tracks
Quality: 16-bit/44.1kHz, 24-bit/192kHz

A close competitor to Tidal, Qobuz is another music streaming platform that goes all in on the hi-res catalog. It is home to over 100 million tracks in lossless CD quality, and more than 240,000 albums in hi-res audio. Qobuz streams audio using high-quality FLAC files ranging from 16-bit/44kHz to 24-bit/192kHz, translating to some seriously good sound. Whether you’re listening through a pair of speakers or a pair of headphones, Qobuz tracks are going to sound about as good as they can get.

Qobuz offers two subscription plans, namely Studio and Sublime. Each plan has three levels to choose from. The Studio plan provides offline listening and a visually appealing desktop and mobile interface enriched with additional content such as artist bios, reviews, feature op-eds, and how-to guides. The Solo Studio level costs $13 per month, Duo costs $18 per month, and the Family plan (for up to six accounts) costs $22 per month. You can get discounts on these plans by opting for a yearly payment.

The Sublime subscription offers the same benefits as the Studio plan and up to 60% off many hi-res download purchases. However, you need to purchase a yearly subscription to get these benefits. The Solo Sublime plan costs $180/year, Duo costs $270/year, and the Family plan costs $350/year. Note that the Sublime subscription can only be purchased through a yearly payment, not monthly.

Oh, and we can’t forget this gem: You can pay to download Qobuz hi-res tracks and albums without a monthly subscription.

On the downside, Qobuz does not have Dolby Atmos tracks like Apple Music, Tidal, and Amazon Music, and there are no podcasts or video content.

.

Qobuz

Audiophile quality for a little less

.Amazon

Amazon Music

https://www.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/amazon-music-prime-membership-expansion.jpeg

Excellent value, hi-res audio, great for Prime customers

Pros

• Huge music library
• Lots of hi-res tracks and albums
• 90-day free trial
• Discounted plans for members
• Discount for owning an Echo device
• Now offers a student plan

Cons

• Complicated subscription options
• Amazon Music only has shuffle mode
Specs
Plans (monthly): With Prime: $10 / w/o Prime: $11 / Family: $17 / Single Device Owner: $6 / Student: $6
Library Size: More than 100 million tracks
Quality: 320kbps, 16-bit/44.1kHz, 24-bit/192kHz

Amazon Music is a unique streaming option, especially for those of us who are already paying for Amazon’s $139 annual Prime membership (or $15 per month). Like many platforms we’ve covered up to this point, Amazon Music offers both CD quality and lossless audio formats, Dolby Atmos and 360 Reality Audio tracks, a large music library, and some awesome smart home integrations (especially for -powered devices). The “unique” descriptor is mainly aimed at Amazon Music’s pricing, though, which is complex, to say the least.

Are you an Amazon Prime member? Great! That means you’ll be able to get the ad-free Amazon Music Unlimited (AMU) for $10 per month, as opposed to the non-Prime member subscription tier, which costs $11 per month. If you’re interested in nabbing Amazon Music Unlimited and just so happen to own an Echo speaker, you can sign up for the Single Device Owner plan. It only costs $6 per month, but you’ll only be able to use AMU on that one device. Oh, and there’s also an AMU Family Plan for $17 per month ($169 per year) that covers up to six users.

The pricing isn’t impossible to understand, but figuring out which option makes the most sense for you and yours can be confusing. Plus, Amazon technically has two different music streaming options: Amazon Music Unlimited and Amazon Music Prime. The latter is built into your Amazon Prime membership and gives you access to Amazon’s entire music library, but playback is limited to shuffle mode, and you won’t be able to listen to any hi-res tracks either.

Whether you’re listening with Amazon Music Unlimited or Amazon Music Prime, Amazon Music looks great on mobile and desktop platforms. Unlimited subscribers also benefit from video content, offline downloads, and a fun scrolling lyrics feature.

.

Amazon Music

Excellent value, hi-res audio, great for Prime customers

.Deezer

Deezer

https://www.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/deezer-app-on-a-phone-1.jpg

Somewhere in the Goldilocks zone

Pros

• Robust music library
• Offline downloads
• Includes video content and podcasts
• CD-level quality
• Can upload your own MP3s on desktop
• Duo plan is now available

Cons

• No hi-res
• Can’t upload MP3s using mobile devices
Specs
Plans (monthly): Free / Premium: $12 / Family: $20 / Duo: $16 / Student: $6
Library Size: More than 120 million tracks
Quality: 128kbps, 320kbps, 16-bit/44.1kHz

Deezer lives in the Goldilocks zone of music streaming options. It offers a bigger library than competitors like Spotify and Apple Music and has CD-quality music, but it doesn’t touch the top-shelf hi-res content you’ll find on platforms like Tidal and Qobuz. Price-wise, though, it’s weirdly more expensive than everyone except Tidal, but Tidal gives you hi-res. Its individual plan is $12 per month, and for that, you get access to unlimited listening, lyrics, video content, offline listening, and a few other features.

Deezer is also one of the only streaming platforms that lets you upload your own tracks. While the quality is limited to MP3, and you won’t be able to do any uploading with a mobile device, it’s nice to have the ability to spread your own library across multiple gadgets.

Deezer used to have a HiFi plan that was $15 per month, but now its 16-bit/44.1kHz FLAC tracks are built into its Premium and Family plans. As mentioned, this is lower quality than top-tier plans from the likes of Tidal and Qobuz, but it still packs quite a punch. Deezer free tier customers can only access MP3 files up to 128kbps, though. On a positive note, like Spotify, there’s now a duo package available through Deezer for $16/month.

As for Deezer’s UI across desktop and mobile platforms, both versions are geared toward easy navigation through playlists, genre labels, and similar search criteria. There are also several recommended categories and an excellent podcast library to check out.

Deezer does a nice job at checking several of the most important boxes for what makes up a solid music streaming service. Hi-res devotees may want to look elsewhere, but we definitely think Deezer is worth trying out, so make the best of that 30-day free trial!

.

Deezer

Somewhere in the Goldilocks zone

.Derek Malcolm / Digital Trends

YouTube Music

https://www.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/youtube-music-app-home-records.jpg

The best of music and YouTube is all here

Pros

• Terrific music library
• Simple pricing model
• Intuitive user interface
• Cool community upload features

Cons

• No hi-res tracks
• No editorial content
Specs
Plans (monthly): Free / Premium Individual: $11 / Family: $17 / Student: $5.50
Library Size: More than 100 million tracks
Quality: 256kbps

Last but not least, we have YouTube Music. A rebranding and consolidation of multiple Google/YouTube paid services that came before it (including Google Play and YouTube Red), YouTube Music is your one-stop-shop for everything … music-related. Subscribers will have access to over 100 million tracks, podcasts, an intuitive lyrics tool, excellent playlists, and much more. Right off the bat, though, we’d like to let our hi-res fans know that YouTube Music caps its track quality at 256kbps.

That doesn’t mean you should look away, though. In fact, we think YouTube Music has a lot going for it when it comes to overall desktop and mobile interfaces. Navigating from one panel to the next is fast and easy, with most of what you’ll want to be listening to housed under the “Home” and “Library” tabs. The former is a hub for recommended content based on your listening habits, while the latter is the storage site for all your personal playlists, favorited songs and albums, and other user-specific features.

It’s also a thrill to watch YouTube Music sync up to your local time of day and weather conditions. These factors affect the type of music that the platform will recommend.

Regarding pricing, there’s only one paid subscription plan: YouTube Music Premium. This paid tier removes ads for desktop and mobile listening, grants you offline downloads, and gives you a sweet feature called Smart Downloads. When enabled, this lets YouTube Music automatically download your favorite songs, artists, and albums for offline listening and even adds in recommended tracks and albums.

And, of course, YouTube Music is packed with video content. When you search for a song or artist, you will get officially licensed media and see video results for YouTubers covering the song, lyric videos, and more.

.

YouTube Music

The best of music and YouTube is all here

Views: 532

The Best Smartwatches 2024, A GREAT TIMEPIECE doesn’t just display the time of day, it can elevate your outfit and make you feel good. The best smartwatches can do even more, from tracking your workouts and measuring your heart rate to serving up notifications and access to voice assistants. While you’re wearing a connected watch, you can leave your phone in your pocket and use your wrist for simple tasks.

The Apple Watch is our favorite for iPhone owners, but ‘s Galaxy Watch6 and Google’s Pixel Watch 2 are great wearables for anyone on Android. We also like several other options—in various styles and with different levels of smarts. Below is a roundup of the best smartwatches we’ve tested. Looking for a fitness or sleep tracker instead? We’ve got plenty more options in our Best Fitness TrackersBest FitbitsBest Garmin Watches, and Best Sleep Trackers guides.

The Best Smartwatches 2024

Updated April 2024: We’ve added the OnePlus Watch 2, Withings ScanWatch 2, and Casio Calculator Watch.

person wearing the apple watch series 9

Best for iPhone Owners

Apple Watch Series 9

The Apple Watch is the best smartwatch money can buy. It has the best operating system, WatchOS, with plenty of apps to help reduce the number of times you need to pull out your phone. The Series 9 is nearly identical to its predecessor, the Series 8, but has the ability to process Siri requests on the device, making it snappier and more private (unless Siri needs to access the for the answer).

That means you can ask the voice assistant about your health data from the week prior and get results quickly. This is thanks to the S9 chip, which is more efficient and delivers slightly better battery life—you’ll still need to regularly recharge the watch. The most exciting new feature is Double Tap. You can tap two fingers together on your watch hand to accept or reject calls, reply to messages, start or end , and more. It’s super handy.

There’s a new second-gen ultra-wideband chipset, which can help you precisely locate your iPhone at greater range. As usual, the health features remain robust. There’s an FDA-cleared electrocardiogram sensor, plus you can measure oxygen saturation in the blood (SpO2)—helpful for athletes training at altitude or anyone with an underlying health condition. However, this feature is no longer available in the US on Apple Watches sold after January 18, 2024, due to a patent dispute. Our Best Apple Watch guide has more details, and check out our Apple Watch Accessories guide for extras.

Comes in 41-mm or 45-mm sizes.

 A cheaper alternative: The second-gen Apple Watch SE ($220) is likely all you need. It debuted alongside the Series 8 in 2022 and is the model for those who balk at a $400 price and don’t need an electrocardiogram, SpO2, the always-on display, or the skin temperature capabilities. It does have fall detection. Just take Apple’s claims of it being a carbon-neutral product with a grain of salt.

person wearing the samsung galaxy watch6

Best for Samsung Owners

Samsung Galaxy Watch6 and Watch6 Classic

The Galaxy Watch6 and Watch6 Classic  don’t reinvent the wheel, but these round smartwatches are a great option for anyone with an Android smartphone, especially with Samsung owners as a few features like the electrocardiogram and irregular heart rate alerts only work when paired with Samsung phones (the watches don’t work with iPhones at all). Each model has two sizes you can choose from, with the option to spend more on an LTE version for constant connectivity even if your phone isn’t nearby.

I tested the Watch6 Classic in the 47-mm size, and it easily lasted two full days, and a day and a half with the always-on display. It’s dead simple to check notifications, respond to messages, and even control your devices via SmartThings or Google Home. The Classic is the model with the mechanical rotating bezel, which is what you can use to scroll through the Wear OS interface—it’s way more fun to use than most other watches that rely only on a touchscreen.

Its health and fitness functions are satisfactory, with nice sleep-tracking data and robust activity-tracking options, and it has excellent auto-start and auto-pause capabilities. However, I did notice some discrepancies in heart rate measurements during select workouts.

Watch6 comes in 40-mm or 44-mm sizes. Watch6 Classic comes in 43-mm or 47-mm sizes.

person wearing the google pixel watch

Best for Android Owners

Google Pixel Watch 2

The original Pixel Watch was missing a lot of features when it launched, but Google slowly added them over a year. That means the Pixel Watch 2  pretty much has everything you’d want. There’s auto-start and auto-stop workout detection, fall detection, SpO2 measurements, and even a redesigned Fitbit app that looks much more modern. Google has even added Safety Check this time around, allowing you to share your location with emergency contacts if you don’t respond after a certain time. A Body Response feature also can detect good and bad stress and offer ways to cope, like with a guided breathing session.

This is easily still the prettiest smartwatch in my eyes, and it’s super comfy on the wrist. It also nails its health and fitness features, from reliable heart rate and sleep-tracking data to an improved workout screen that shows you the most important information at a glance, including heart rate zones. You can take electrocardiograms and monitor for an irregular heart rate too.

The battery life is unfortunately just OK—it’ll last about a day—and this watch is also not repairable. If you have issues, you’ll have to get a replacement under the one-year warranty. I also don’t love that it has yet another proprietary charger that is different from the original Pixel Watch charger, though it does juice up the smartwatch quicker.

Comes in a 41-mm size.

garmin vivomove trend smartwatch on purple backdrop

PHOTOGRAPH: GARMIN

Best Fitness Watch

Garmin Vivomove Trend

Fitness watches are typically not as sleek or simple to as more robust smartwatches, but the Vivomove Trend oozes elegance. This is also the first Garmin to include wireless charging, which means you’re now free to ditch your annoying Garmin plug-in charger.

The watch has it all—wireless charging, blood oxygen measurements, sleep tracking, auto-activity tracking, and Garmin’s proprietary and excellent algorithms for measuring your fitness. It’s a little clunky to operate—it’s not anywhere near as feature-rich as the other smartwatches above—but that might be OK if you prioritize battery life as this tracker can last five days on a single charge. Read our Best Fitness Watches guide for more recommendations.

Comes in a 40.4-mm size.

apple watch ultra 2

PHOTOGRAPH: APPLE

Best for iPhone Weekend Warriors

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Frequently escaping to the hills every weekend? If your activities often take you to remote areas in rough terrain, then it might be smart to pony up for the expensive, -durable, and gigantic Apple Watch Ultra 2. A bigger watch means a bigger battery—we got nearly four days with normal use. The Ultra 2 has better mics than the Series 9 to pick up your voice, an 86-decibel siren to alert your position to anyone nearby, and a more precise GPS to better track your hikes (plus help you find your way back with the Backtrack feature).

There’s a spare customizable button on the left side called the Action Button, which you can use to trigger an activity of your choosing. It’s made of titanium, and the case rises up to protect the edges of the display, which is also covered with scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.

New in the Ultra 2 is the ability for the screen to hit a crazy bright 3,000 nits, which is a little overkill and really only meant for extreme situations. This smartwatch is faster, with the same new S9 chipset as the Series 9, supports Double Tap, and Siri basic interactions much more quickly. You can see topographic maps on the screen, but there’s still no way to view offline maps without an iPhone.

Comes in a 49-mm size.

person wearing the casio calculator watch

The Calculator Watch

Casio CA53W-1CR Calculator Watch

It’s a calculator … on a watch. How much smarter can you get? Seriously, the buttons might be tiny, but you can calculate how much your tip will be when grabbing the bill at the restaurant, and everyone will marvel at your brilliance. This cheapo watch from Casio is a classic—it’s comfy and lightweight—and you can cycle through a few modes, including a stopwatch, an alarm, and a second time zone. There’s a five-year battery life, and the fully automatic calendar goes through the year 2099 (that’s 15 battery changes).

Comes in a 43-mm size.

overhead view of a wrist with a green band wristwatch and digital display

Great Battery Life

OnePlus Watch 2

The OnePlus Watch 2  is great for anyone with an Android phone looking for a Wear OS smartwatch that prioritizes battery life. It can last roughly three days on a single charge, a little more if you enable some power-saving settings. Technically, this watch is powered by two chipsets and two operating systems to enable this feat of battery longevity, but the user experience is very similar to that of the Galaxy Watch6 or Pixel Watch 2, just with OnePlus taking the helm on the health and fitness features. It’s worth noting that this is a large watch, so consider it carefully if you have small wrists.

Health capabilities are lacking—there’s no fall detection or electrocardiogram—but there’s sleep tracking, and it’s generally pretty accurate. Some features, like heart-rate tracking, distance traveled, and steps, have mixed accuracy in our testing, which means you shouldn’t buy this smartwatch if you’re primarily using it for those functions. Otherwise, I was able to control my smart home devices via Google Home, control my music playback, respond to messages, and delete those pesky emails—all without having to take my phone out of my pocket.

Comes in a 46-mm size.

withings scanwatch 2

PHOTOGRAPH: WITHINGS

An Analog-Looking Smartwatch

Withings ScanWatch 2

Withings’ ScanWatch 2 can pass for an analog watch. Its health-tracking feature set is comprehensive—you get heart rate monitoring, an electrocardiogram, blood oxygen measurements, and sleep tracking. Battery life is stellar too, as it can live up to 30 days with light use. (Heavier usage will see roughly 22 days before needing a charge.)

The main problem is the tiny display on this watch, which is too small to read some notifications. The GPS is also connected, meaning it requires your phone to be tethered and nearby. There’s an optional Health+ subscription, but we’d advise against it, as it doesn’t offer much utility. The ScanWatch 2, like the Garmin Vivomove Trend, doesn’t have the rich features and apps you’ll find on the likes of an Apple Watch, but if you just want to monitor your health data—and you don’t want your watch to look too techy—this will do the job.

casio prw61 smart watch

PHOTOGRAPH: CASIO

Best Barely Smart Watch

Casio ProTrek PRW-61

I had this Casio on my wrist for more than a month and used one of its handful of functions every single day, something I can’t say for many smartwatches. I used the stopwatch to track my rest intervals between sets at the gym. I set my world time to New Delhi, India, the time zone my sister is in. I’ve used the compass to navigate when I emerge from the subway in New York City and can’t get my bearings, and I’ve learned to read the barometer—mostly just to see how cool it is to predict the weather without having to ask a voice assistant.

I love how this watch looks. It’s rugged and outdoorsy, but still relatively classy. Even better, it’s incredibly comfortable to wear. Seriously, I never took it off in the month I tested it. It’s been fine in the shower and through workouts. I love that it’s made of biomass plastics from regenerative resources, such as castor seeds and corn.

Don’t let that worry you about durability; I’ve been through a move, dinging it on various walls, got paint on it, and yet it looks pristine. The dial is easy to read—the indices glow or you can press a button right below the case to light ’em all up for nighttime visibility. And you never need to recharge it. Casio’s Tough Solar tech means it recharges itself via sunlight.

Comes in a 47.4-mm size.

 casio dw h5600

PHOTOGRAPH: CASIO

Honorable Mentions

Other Watches We Sorta Like

The number of smartwatches on the market is staggering. I’ve tested models from Tag HeuerCitizenMontblanc, and many other brands, but most of them are simply too expensive for what you get. Here are a few options I like.

Apple Watch Series 8 for $329: If you can find the 2022 Apple Watch Series 8  for a good deal less than the Series 9 (under $300), you should snag it. It’s nearly identical to the latest model, especially the health features. Save your cash!

Samsung Galaxy Watch5 for $229 and Watch5 Pro for $380: The 2022 Galaxy Watch5 and Watch5 Pro  are still great, just make sure you pay less than the price of the new Galaxy Watch6 models. They match the Apple Watch’s accuracy in several health and fitness metrics, from SpO2, sleep, and heart-rate tracking to electrocardiogram measurements (though the latter is exclusive to Samsung phones).

The Watch5 Pro is larger and has a battery that lasts roughly two full days, whereas the Watch5 lasts around a day and a morning. The Pro also adds GPX, meaning you can download hiking routes to the watch. They have sapphire crystals protecting the screen, but the Watch5 Pro’s crystal is even more durable, and it has a stronger titanium case versus the standard Watch5’s aluminum.

Casio G-Shock Move DW-H5600 for $299: Want a G-Shock with a heart rate monitor? The DW-H5600‘s measurements lined up well with the Apple Watch, but if you’re serious about tracking your health, I think you’re better off buying something from our Best Fitness Trackers guide. The buttons are a bit tough to press, and there aren’t a ton of workouts you can track (running, walking, gym workouts).

You can sift through a good amount of data in the app, though I was left wanting more, and battery life lasted me roughly three days with continuous monitoring. It can recharge via solar, but you will need to use the bulky charging clip every few days. I still enjoyed wearing it, even if I didn’t find it as useful as our above picks. You can use it to track different time zones, your movements via the GPS during a workout, and even sleep.

 montblanc summit 3 watch

PHOTOGRAPH: MONTBLANC

Avoid These Smartwatches

Not every smartwatch is a winner. Here are a few ones we’ve tried that aren’t worth the dough.

Fossil Gen 6 Wellness for $199: This Fossil watch is just too laggy for how much it costs. It’s not optimized well, so it’s frustrating to use; its fitness app is a little too bare-bones. I also ran into an annoying bug where some features kept turning on and off. The battery life is also lackluster. The company is also officially exiting the smartwatch business, so it’s best to stay away.

Montblanc Summit 3 for $1,270: This is a beautiful (and large) smartwatch, and it runs Wear OS 3, but that doesn’t mean it’s worth the high price. There’s no speaker, no Google Assistant, and the fitness features feel half-baked. It just doesn’t offer all that much other than a pretty face.

 flat lay of silicone apple watch straps

PHOTOGRAPH: NATALYA TROFIMCHUK/GETTY IMAGES

Swap Your Straps

Fresh Band

You don’t need to stick with the strap you get in the box! Nearly every smartwatch these days has straps that can easily be swapped out. Apple Watches and Google’s Pixel Watch have a proprietary strap system, but analog watch straps will work for others, making your options nearly endless. All you need to do is figure out the strap size of your smartwatch. You can usually find this on the back of the strap itself (you’ll see “20 mm” or just “22”), or you can check the manual or the website you purchased the watch from. It’s an easy way to further match your timepiece to your look.

.

NENA FARRELL

image may contain wristwatch electronics mouse hardware and computer

Buyers Beware

Know What You Buy

Search for “smartwatches” and you’ll be greeted with a long list of devices from brands you’ve probably never heard of. One brand that frequently popped up is Yamay, but a quick visit to the company’s Twitter page showed that it offered “full refunds” for people who post reviews. Look at the 1-star reviews and you’ll see complaints of the watch malfunctioning after a few weeks of use. This is a warning not to buy the first thing you see, even if it’s cheap and has plenty of positive reviews on Amazon. Research the company and look for other reputable websites that have reviewed the products before you make your decision.

.

Views: 432

The best keyboard apps in 2024, The iPhone’s default keyboard may not meet everyone’s needs. Its limited features may leave some users wanting more variety and flexibility, especially on larger devices like the iPhone 15 Pro Max or smaller models like the iPhone SE (2022).

We have conducted research and compiled a comprehensive list of the best third-party keyboards for iPhone, that can significantly enhance your texting experience. These keyboards offer a wide range of features and customization options, such as adjustable key size, swipe typing, themes, and easier access to emojis. Most of these keyboards are available for free, while some offer premium subscription options. Either way, you’ll easily be able to find a keyboard that suits your needs and preferences.

Microsoft SwiftKey Keyboard

app store screenshots for microsoft swiftkey ai keyboard

Microsoft’s SwiftKey AI keyboard is a highly rated third-party keyboard that is favored by many people. The keyboard is powered by the company’s Copilot AI and is designed to your writing style. This allows it to recognize informal language, nicknames, and even your favorite emojis, which sets it apart from its competitors. The keyboard also offers various personalization options, including different themes, which enhance its appearance and appeal to the user.

DOWNLOAD SWIFTKEY

The best iPhone keyboard apps in 2024

Also Read : Best Linux desktop of 2024

Typewise Custom Keyboard

typewise custom keyboard for ios with three different ad layouts

Typewise has a unique take on key shapes. The app keeps the QWERTY design but the traditional rectangle-shaped keys for hexagonal ones — which Typewise says creates more surface area so you can type more accurately. While there is a slight learning curve, Typewise includes a built-in game to practice typing. With swipe gestures, dark mode support, and autocorrect modification, this is a great alternative for those tired of the conventional iOS keyboard. Newer versions include automatic language detection, which switches the app between selected languages, an undo button, and text replacement for often-used phrases.

DOWNLOAD TYPEWISE

grammarly app for ios three screenshots

The Grammarly iOS keyboard app offers sophisticated grammar review that goes beyond the usual spell check to provide advice on punctuation, spelling context, and misused words. It also helps you build your vocabulary and offers synonyms, which makes it an ideal app for students or business people. Grammarly also has emoji, a smart autocorrect feature, and allows you to build your own dictionary. You also get features that include swipe typing, home screen widgets, and focus filters that mute vibrations and sound effects.

DOWNLOAD GRAMMARLY

Facemoji AI Emoji Keyboard

facemoji keyboard app

The Facemoji Emoji Keyboard is a free tool that allows you to add a touch of personality to text messages and posts. With a wide range of emojis, fonts, and stickers available, you can easily create unique and engaging content for platforms like WhatsApp, , Instagram, Messenger, Facebook, Snapchat, and SMS. Whether you want to express your emotions through colorful emojis or add some flair to your text with stylish fonts, the Facemoji Emoji Keyboard has something for everyone.

DOWNLOAD FACEMOJI

Phraseboard Keyboard

phraseboard keyboard tripartite marketing screens

Phraseboard aims to take the pain out of the tedious job of typing the same responses and phrases repeatedly by allowing you to save them so you can select one of your prewritten answers to reply rapidly. You can create your own customized phrases and sort them by category. You can even quickly access the Phraseboard widget to create new phrases no matter what you’re doing with your iPhone. All your phrases sync with iCloud. The basic app costs $2, and subscriptions are available for some premium language and functionality features.

DOWNLOAD PHRASEBOARD

Gboard – the Google Keyboard

gboard google keyboard screens

Gboard is a keyboard from Google and includes everything you’d ever want within a single app. Whether you’re sending GIFs or emojis, searching Google for information, sending directions, or anything else, Gboard has you covered. With Gboard, you can search and send anything from Google, including information on nearby restaurants, videos, images, weather forecasts, news, sports scores — you name it. The app also offers Glide Typing, which allows you to type messages faster and more accurately.

DOWNLOAD GBOARD

Fleksy- GIF, & Yelp Search

fleksy web page searches

Fleksy offers users a fun and interactive way to type in their own style. You can customize your Fleksy keyboard with powerful extensions and more than 50 colorful themes. Some of the themes cost $1, but many are free. More than 800 emoji come with the app, and it also has its own built-in GIF search engine. The keyboard supports several languages: English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Italian, Portuguese, Turkish, Hebrew, and Dutch. It learns your typing habits as you go, enabling it to give you accurate predictions, which helps reduce typos.

DOWNLOAD FLEKSY

Fonts

fonts keyboard for iphone

Are you tired of sending your friends and family the same old boring messages? Spice things up with the Fonts keyboard app! You can customize your messages with a wide selection of fonts to fit your unique personality and style. Whether you’re feeling flirty, professional, or just plain silly, there’s a font for every mood. The Fonts keyboard works through iMessage, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, Messenger, Clubhouse, TikTok, Telegram, , WhatsApp, Twitch, Discord, and more.

DOWNLOAD FONTS

Color Keyboard – Themes, Fonts

color keyboard for ios themes and fonts

The king of keyboard customization is Color Keyboard. Sure, it gives you emoji and autocorrection and even allows you to tap and hold the space bar to move the cursor, but what really sets this keyboard apart is the option to change anything you want about the keyboard’s look. You can change the background using solid colors, gradients, textures, and even your own pictures.

You can also customize the buttons by changing the colors and borders, adding shadows, customizing the fonts, and changing the sounds. If your aim is customization, Color Keyboard takes things to the next level, but you have to subscribe to access everything, starting at $3 per week and rising for longer intervals and premium features.

DOWNLOAD COLOR KEYBOARD

Bitmoji

bitmoji your personal emoji illustrationsBitstrips

Bitmoji, a popular keyboard app, is ideal if you want to send an emoji that resembles you rather than using standard emoji or text. Bitmoji allows you to customize and send a personalized emoji, all from your keyboard. Use Bitmoji with any of your favorite chat apps, like iMessage or Snapchat. It’s never been easier to adapt a dynamic avatar with an ever-changing collection of stickers and moods. You’ll need your Facebook login information to sign into Bitmoji and initiate the avatar creation process.

DOWNLOAD BITMOJI

GIF Keyboard

gif keyboard for finding perfect gifsTenor

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a GIF can truly help get your point across. Get access to the massive library of animated and musical GIFs for free. From there, you can search for specific GIFs or use keywords to find animations that suit your mood. The GIF keyboard app is compatible with WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook, Messenger, iMessage, and just about any other messaging app or social media site.

To send a GIF, press your finger on your chosen GIF and hold it down to browse options. Once you’ve found one, share its link, the GIF itself, or a video, or save the media to your photo library. You can also customize the tool to match your specifications and save your favorite GIFs using the keyboard.

DOWNLOAD GIF KEYBOARD

All Symbol Keyboard Fonts Aa

all symbol keyboard typing appMelonSoup

For the visual among us, the All Symbol Keyboard is an exciting alternative to humdrum alphanumerics with all the custom fonts, symbols, fancy letters, special characters, and emoticons you could ever want — compatible with any app on your iPhone. It works with Instagram, WhatsApp, Snapchat, and many others. Whether you’re looking for high-impact symbols to enhance your keyboard, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter posts, or even your username, launch the app and start typing. Premium versions provide unlimited access to features like the All Symbol Keyboard (every single symbol) and Facemoji library, but there’s tons of free stuff to get you started.

DOWNLOAD ALL SYMBOL KEYBOARD

.

The best emoji keyboards for Android and iOS

.

Gone are the days when words were enough to fully express our thoughts and feelings. Emoji, a recently accepted form of pictographic communication that now serves as a kind of Esperanto for the internet age, plays a major role in interpersonal and international communications. Most major keyboards for both Android and iOS feature built-in support for emoji, but they are hardly front and center. If you’re looking for a keyboard to truly satisfy your emoji obsession, you may need a dedicated emoji keyboard to carry out the task of conveying your emotions visually via a text environment.

When you download a keyboard app in iOS, you must add it to your list of keyboards. To do this, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboards. Then, scroll to the Third-Party Keyboards section and choose the keyboard app. Then, tap on the keyboard app and toggle on Allow Full Access. For Android 10, you can install your new keyboard directly via the Google Play Store to your Android phone, if it is compatible with the app, and then launch and follow any directions it has.

Here are a few of our favorite third-party keyboard apps for iOS and Android.

Gboard

gboardImage used with permission by copyright holder

Gboard is a highly functional keyboard from Google that concentrates on handy features like emoji search, GIFs, stickers, and glide typing. Best of all, it has the Google search app integrated into the keyboard — no more switching apps. Just search for anything from the weather to your neighborhood bodega and send, all from this nifty keyboard.

Emoji>

emoji for iosImage used with permission by copyright holder

Emoji> offers a ton of emoji characters you can use via the keyboard, and they’re split into different categories, making it easy to find the emoji you’re looking for. The keyboard also provides animated stickers and the ability to set up specific emoji as favorites, so you can access them at a moment’s notice without having to search for the ones you want. Updates include compatibility with iOS 14 and all of its attendant emoji, including smiling face with tear, disguised face, ninja, pinched fingers, heart and lungs, black cat, polar bear, seal, dodo sandal, bubble tea, and toothbrush. New emoji widgets are also on hand.

Microsoft Swiftkey

swiftkeyImage used with permission by copyright holder

Swiftkey is not an emoji keyboard per se, but it is the next best thing — an excellent keyboard that comes pre-loaded with hundreds of emoji for you to use. Swiftkey is already a great favorite because of its valuable predictive typing, which can also be applied to emoji. When you type a word or phrase, for example, the app suggests emoji that you can quickly use. The most recent versions include renaming the app to Microsoft Swiftkey, a new Messaging Center on the keyboard toolbar, haptic feedback, one-handed mode, 400 new languages, and new language layouts.

ai.type Keyboard Plus

best emoji keyboards aitype1

ai

best emoji keyboards aitype3

As its name implies, ai.type was developed around artificial intelligence, aiming to assist people in typing quickly and accurately. It also allows you to personalize the keyboard to fit your individual needs, enabling you to adjust the keyboard’s layout, theme, and color scheme. This means you can set an emoji front and center and select from an extensive inventory of more than 1,000 characters.

Similar to many other keyboard applications, the keyboard can also propose emojis depending on what you type. The most current versions are compatible with the new Emoji 12.1 for 2020 and 517 new emoji. Around 23 new gender-neutral emoji icons have been added. Some of these include a gender-neutral firefighter, astronaut, a person in a wheelchair, and a judge. You’ll also have access to fun emoji objects like an otter, ringed planet, beverage box, and pinching hand.

Fleksy

fleksyImage used with permission by copyright holder

If you want to add a bit more fun and animation to your typing, Fleksy could be the keyboard that you’ve been looking for. Fleksy is compatible with a wide variety of extensions, letting you quickly add new features as necessary. Maybe the most remarkable thing about Fleksy is how simple it is to get to your emoji. You can browse through dozens of emoji in each section and change categories with a quick tap at the bottom of the keyboard.

Just like many keyboards, you can also establish a variety of attractive themes. Updated versions include features like Next Word Prediction, prepared in 28 languages, and Emoji Prediction so you can inspect the suggested emoji in regards to your conversation’s context.

best emoji keyboards go keyboard2

go keyboard

best emoji keyboards go keyboard3

Go Keyboard is a personalizable keyboard that permits you to put emoji, emoticons, stickers, and GIFs in noticeable areas. The app converts text into emoji and emoticons, and you can pick from over 1,000 emoji and stickers, plus over 10, 000 different themes. It supports over 60 other languages, too. If that’s not enough to impress you, you can also type with gestures and various fonts, as well as individualize your keyboard with your own personal photo theme. The Fancy Font feature gives you the opportunity to select your preferred keyboard font.

Views: 710

The best color laser printers can be a great investment, saving you quite a bit of time and money. For shoppers worried about the long-term ink costs, you’ll find color laser printers surprisingly affordable. Laser printers use toner, which lasts a very long time, delivering a low cost per page for monochrome documents and fast color prints. The best color laser printers offer quick performance and reliability to help keep your home office or small business productive.

If you need to scan documents for record-keeping and photo capture or want the convenience of a color copier, an all-in-one color laser printer is an essential tool for your small business or personal use. For a small added cost, you get expanded capabilities. That’s why every model on this list is an all-in-one from the best printer brands.

Why you should trust us

Digital Trends has been reviewing printers for 20 years, testing them to determine which offer the best quality and fastest speeds. We check the long-term value of each printer, so you’ll know in advance if a low-cost printer is truly affordable or if it has outrageous toner costs.

Printers are complex machines that require a good understanding of the technology to make a solid recommendation. Reviews also highlight problems with compatibility and other details that can become deal breakers when you depend on particular features.

Key considerations while selecting the best color laser printer for you

There are several key factors to consider when choosing a color laser printer. Purchase price matters, but long-term costs can add up quickly. Review the entire list to find the perfect printer.

Print quality and color fidelity

If you’re choosing color, you need more than a hard copy — you want your document to look great. You still need razor-sharp , but it’s essential for colors to match what you see on-screen and in photos without banding or streaks.

Speed and economy

A laser printer should be fast and efficient with low running costs. Otherwise, you should choose a more versatile and lower-cost inkjet printer.

Special features

All-in-one printers include scan, copy, and sometimes fax functions, filling multiple roles in your office. Many printers offer duplex printing (double-sided), an automatic document feeder (ADF), multiple paper trays, Wi-Fi connectivity, and walk-up printing. These details could be critically important when making a purchase decision.

hp color laserjet pro 4301fdw review the is sturdy super fast

HP Color LaserJet Pro 4301fdw

Best all-in-one color laser printer

Why you should buy this: It’s a modern, eco-friendly color laser printer with great speed and quality.

Who’s it for: Home offices and small businesses that need documents printed quickly.

Why we picked the HP Color LaserJet Pro 4301fdw:

With blistering fast print and scan speeds, the HP Color LaserJet Pro 4301fdw makes short work of challenging jobs. It prints 35 pages per minute (ppm) for monochrome and color documents and scans with its ADF at 31 ppm.

Color documents look great and photos come out nice even on plain paper. A USB port allows walk-up printing via a thumb drive, making the LaserJet Pro 4301fdw an excellent all-in-one printer for home and office.

Best color laser printers for 2024

Read Also : Which is Best and unlimited AI Art Generator tool?

HP LaserJet Pro MFP M182nw rests beside a stack of printed documents.

Best deal on a color laser printer

Why you should buy this: It’s a great bargain on an HP color laser printer.

Who it’s for: Anyone upgrading from an inkjet printer for more speed and durability.

Why we picked the HP LaserJet Pro MFP M182nw:

An HP color laser printer usually costs a lot more than this. HP is recognized as one of the most popular brands for rugged and durable laser printers, so you know a LaserJet will have good quality and long-lasting value.

The HP LaserJet Pro MFP M182nw outputs the first page in 11.6 seconds and has sustained print speeds of up to 17 ppm. That’s not superfast for a laser printer, but doubles or triples the color document speed of most inkjets. Combined with budget pricing, this is a good introduction to laser printers for anyone who has used only inkjet printers so far.

Setup should be quick and easy with the HP Smart mobile app, or you can connect the LaserJet Pro MFP M182nw directly to a Windows PC or Mac. HP quality is rarely this cheap.

With integrated scanning and copying, this will work nicely for a home office to take the burden off your inkjet printer.

The Canon imageCLASS MF656Cdw is shown angled and on a white background.

Canon Color imageClass MF656Cdw

Best color laser printer for small business

Why you should buy this: Great color print quality in a multifunctional printer.

Who it’s for: Anyone who needs to print or copy documents and graphics quickly.

Why we picked the Canon Color imageClass MF656Cdw:

Laser printers are known to be fast and rugged, and the Canon Color imageClass MF656Cdw fits this description well. While we wouldn’t recommend it for photographers, the MF656Cdw is hard to beat for an office that needs to make or reproduce color documents that contain graphics and photos.

While the 22-ppm print speed of the Canon Color imageClass MF656Cdw doesn’t match the fastest color lasers, it does offer duplex printing, copying, and scanning from its 50-sheet document feeder. With a monthly duty cycle of 2,500 pages, it can also hold up to the standard printing demands of small to medium-sized offices.

In addition to USB, print jobs can be sent wirelessly via Apple AirPrint, Mopria, Wi-Fi direct, and Canon’s Print Business app.

Brother MFC-L3720CDW product shot on white

Brother MFC-L3720CDW

Best Brother laser printer for photos

Why you should buy this: You’ll get full-color laser prints quickly at an affordable price.

Who’s it for: Home and small office customers with moderate print volume needs.

Why we picked the Brother MFC-L3720CDW:

Color laser printers aren’t cheap. This affordable Brother makes a great addition to a home office or small business. It has many of the same features as more expensive models, like its 3.7-inch touchscreen for easy access to functions and a 250-sheet tray that lets you print more without replacing paper.

With a numeric pad for faxing, fast single-sided scanning, and quick copying, this printer is ready to help make your workday easier. It’s a large, heavy printer that’s designed to last a long time.

If you like the look of this printer, but need duplex scanning and copying, Brother’s MFC-L3780CDW offers super-fast single-pass scanning of multiple double-sided documents in its automatic document feeder for about $100 more.

Why you should buy this: Brother’s MFC‐L8905CDW delivers fast printing speeds and long-lasting supplies at affordable operating costs.

Who it’s for: Small and medium-sized businesses.

Why we picked the Brother MFC‐L8905CDW :

The Brother MFC‐L8905CDW features ultra-high yield toner cartridges that supply up to 9,000 monochrome pages and 8,000 color pages, so you rarely need to interrupt a busy workday. An optional 500 sheet paper tray expands the onboard capacity of 250 sheets in the main tray and 50 sheets in the multi-purpose tray.

Print speeds of up to 33 ppm make short work of long documents and extra copies. This sturdy business printer offers duplex for fax, scan, copy, and print functions and can connect to any device with Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or USB. A USB port allows walk-up operation with a thumb drive, while an NFC reader limits access to authorized personnel.

The Brother MFC‐L8905CDW has a recommended duty cycle of 4,000 pages per month but it can handle printing up to 60,000 pages in a month. For such a rugged printer, Brother didn’t skimp on convenience features. The seven-inch color touchscreen can be customized with up to 64 shortcuts to speed up frequent operations.

Front view of a Brother laser printer sitting on a counter in an office setting.

Best budget color laser printer

Why you should buy this: It’s the best budget-friendly option for offices with limited space.

Who it’s for: Small and home offices.

Why we picked the Brother HL-L3270CDW

If all you need is a printer that prints quickly, fits perfectly in your small home office, and doesn’t break the bank, then this is the printer for you. With the Brother HL-L3270CDW you can expect print speeds of up to 25 ppm for both black and color pages, a wide variety of connectivity options including wireless and Ethernet, and a 250-sheet max paper tray that can support different paper sizes and types like envelopes or card stock. It’s a great, affordable option for simple, straightforward print jobs.

HP Color LaserJet Enterprise MFP M480f on a white background.

HP Color LaserJet Enterprise MFP M480f

Best color laser printer for medium-sized businesses

Why you should buy this: HP’s Color LaserJet Pro MFP M480f is a speedy all-in-one printer that’s designed for printing and digital document archiving with intuitive support for .

Who it’s for: Small businesses that need a speedy color laser printer.

Why we picked the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M480f:

Workgroups and businesses that don’t have much office space to spare to house a large printer will appreciate HP’s Color LaserJet Pro MFP M480f. The MFP M480f adds multifunctional features that will help with your office’s document needs, including a built-in flatbed scanner, automatic document feeder, and duplexing capabilities. The M480f is a well-rounded multifunction printer that can still output up to 29 ppm in black and white or color.

This speedy but compact number has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low-Energy, and mobile printing is supported across a number of devices and platforms. The big limiting factor on this printer is its small 250-sheet paper input tray, though larger offices with bigger print jobs can upgrade to the optional 550-sheet tray. Duplexing is supported to help save paper and the environment. A front-facing USB port makes it easy to print from a storage drive. The printer can print from or scan to a variety of cloud providers, making it easy for digital document archiving. Businesses on a limited print budget can invest in high-yield toner cartridges for a lower per-page print cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Color laser printers versus inkjet printers: what’s best?

Laser printers are better for text documents, as they produce crisp text even at small font sizes. Over time, they are also cheaper to run than cartridge-based inkjets. However, laser printers require a larger initial investment. If you don’t print very often, a cheap inkjet printer could make more sense and it may take a long time before its higher operational costs catch up to the higher initial cost of a laser printer. For smaller print jobs, the faster pages-per-minute rate of a laser printer also won’t be much of an advantage.

If you’re looking to save money in the long term and need to print pictures, check out inkjet solutions that rely on tanks for ink rather than cartridges, like Epson’s EcoTank series. Since the tanks are refillable with bottled ink, tank printers cost even less than toner for laser printers. Not only will tanks be better for the environment through less waste, but they will save you money for larger print jobs.

Laser printers are still more durable reducing maintenance costs if you print at high volume. Lasers offer faster printing speeds, saving time on large print jobs. That’s why businesses often choose laser printers.

Beyond print quality, inkjet photo printers can also handle a wider variety of paper types and sizes compared to laser printers. Some very large inkjets are available that can print posters and banners. A color laser printer will handle inline photos and graphics in documents just fine. Most modern color laser printers, especially those made for small offices, will be able to handle standard sizes and types of print jobs, from standard documents to labels and card stock.

While color laser printers have gotten much better at handling photographs, if you’re looking to make detailed, color-accurate photographic prints to hang on your wall, display in a gallery, or sell to customers, a high-end inkjet photo printers is still the way to go (or simply outsource the work to a photo lab).

Do color laser printers come with Wi-Fi or AirPrint support?

Yes. As with inkjet printers, wireless connectivity has become standard on color laser printers. That means you can use Apple AirPrint for your and with nearly any printer and ‘s print service is equally adept at connecting. There are more details about mobile use below.

You can also use Wi-Fi to print and scan with Windows and . However, if you use a Linux computer or want to , check the manufacturer’s page to confirm the printer is compatible with your system.

How can I print from my iPad, iPhone, or Android device?

Color laser printers support Apple AirPrint, making it easy to print from an iPad or iPhone to a printer on your Wi-Fi network. Android phones and tablets can also connect to Wi-Fi printers quickly and easily.

For scanning, maintenance, and other specific features, you will need to install the manufacturer’s mobile app from Apple’s App Store or Play. The mobile app will often provide more options for quality, input tray, and paper size and type.

How often will I have to buy toner?

This depends on how much you print. Toner cartridges often have yields of 2,000 pages or more (check the specifications of your printer for your model’s specific yield). For light home use, that means many people could easily go a year or more without replacing toner. For office use, the replacement interval will be shorter, but toner could still last a few months.

How can I save money on toner?

The first step is to print efficiently; that is, double-check your page layout settings and make sure everything is correct before you hit that print button. You can also save money by preventing wasted color toner by setting a black and white printer as the default.

When it is time to reorder, you can save money by buying third-party toner cartridges. However, buying third-party toner likely isn’t recommended by your printer’s manufacturer, but so long as you make sure it’s compatible with your printer, it should work just fine. However, some printers, like the HP model above, look for a toner that uses a special chip identifying it as original equipment. HP warns that while some other cartridges may work today, they may not in the future.

Can I buy a color laser printer with built-in fax?

Yes. Many all-in-one laser printers can scan, copy, and fax documents. If you’re doing a lot of faxing, copying, or scanning, be sure to choose a printer with an automatic document feeder (ADF), and if you want to do double-sided scans and double-sided prints, a model that has a duplex ADF and duplex printing will be best. Double-sided prints can also help save money if cost is a concern. Note that not all all-in-ones — also called multifunction printers — have fax modems, so be sure to check the specs before you buy. If you need a multifunction printer, be sure to check out our best picks for all-in-one printers.

How do you test color printers?

To find the best color laser printers, we factor in criteria such as speed, price, maintenance costs, and any unique features that help them one-up the competition.

Our selections are based on our long- and short-term testing; experience with earlier models; familiarity with the company’s technologies; consultation with industry experts, fellow journalists, and users; online forums; lab results; and other third-party reviews. We look across the board — not just at our own experiences — to find consensus on what we think are the best-performing printers you can currently buy. We also look at list pricing to determine if a product is worth the cost. We will even recommend printers that aren’t new, provided the features are still best-in-class.

The printer market evolves constantly, with manufacturers either introducing better models with new features or basic upgrades. So, you can expect our picks to change as well. But don’t worry — the models you see here will be with you for some time, and if we anticipate better models on the horizon, we will state that upfront to help you decide whether you should buy now or wait.

Which is the best color laser printer for home use?

When searching for a color laser printer for home use, you probably don’t want a 100-pound beast meant to survive the rigors of a shared work environment.

A compact, budget-friendly color laser might be ideal. Printing photos is a common use for home printers and some models have good quality even on plain paper.

Is a laser printer good for color?

The first laser printers were monochrome, but most manufacturers offer several color laser printers that provide great quality for color documents.

However, some handle photos better than others. For photographic-quality color pictures, it’s hard to beat an inkjet printer that’s optimized for photos.

Are laser printers being phased out?

Laser printers will continue to be manufactured for the foreseeable future. However, there are some concerns about their environmental impact.

Epson, for example, is phasing out laser printers worldwide by 2026, citing the significant energy required to generate enough heat to fuse toner onto paper.

Meanwhile, HP has found ways to make laser printers more eco-friendly by altering toner formulations and improving efficiency.

If you find our top picks aren’t the right fit for your specific needs, there are other color laser and other printer types that are worth checking out. If you’d like a top-rated printer that can match the quality of the best scanners, or you simply just need a more affordable model, be sure to take a look at some of the all-around best printers on the market.

If you’re looking for additional savings, check out our guides to the best cheap printer deals and best laser printer deals available now.

Views: 25

The best phones in 2024, Finding a bad is a rare occurrence these days. However, with so many options available, it can be daunting to choose the best one in 2024. In this article, we aim to help you find the Android phone you’re looking for.

When looking to buy a new Android phone, there are many factors to consider. Do you prefer a large screen? How important is camera performance to you? Are you someone who enjoys gaming on your phone? Or do you need long-lasting battery life? To assist you, we have compiled a list of Android phones that cater to everyone’s needs.

If you’re also open to non-Android devices, see our list of the best phones overall. Otherwise, keep reading for our picks of the best Android phones in 2024.

oneplus 12 review flowy emerald held in hand arch

OnePlus 12

The best Android phone overall

Formerly known as the “flagship killer” for offering killer specs at a lower price, OnePlus has since shifted its products up the price scale. But it hasn’t lost sight of what made its phones great to begin with, and as a result, the OnePlus 12 is a flagship smartphone that can take on much more expensive smartphones at their own game.

The OnePlus 12 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the latest processor from Qualcomm, which is likely to find itself at the heart of most Android flagships in the coming year. It’s a monster of a chip, and it’s happily trounced any test we’ve put it through. Even the most demanding 3D games can barely faze it, and it’s backed up by some other impressive specs too. RAM starts at 12GB, the same that you’ll find in the S24 Ultra, and rises to 16GB. That’s more than a smartphone needs in 2024, and shows just how committed OnePlus is to making sure its phones are some of the most powerful around.

That drive is also evident in the display and design. The OnePlus 12 is a striking phone. It’s similar-looking to OnePlus’ previous phones, but its identity is so distinct from every other phone brand, and it just looks fabulous. The display is a huge 6.8-inch display with a 1Hz to 120Hz dynamic refresh rate, 1440p resolution, and a crazily bright maximum brightness of 4,500 nits. Again, that peak brightness is way beyond anything you’ll ever need, but it really highlights OnePlus’ philosophy.

The camera setup has similar high numbers, with a 50-megapixel main camera, a 64MP periscope telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom, and a 48MP ultrawide camera. There’s also a 32MP selfie lens around the front. The actual performance doesn’t live up to the strong numbers though, and it’s not the camera king of this list for sure. However, it’s still a solid performer that consistently creates good looking images and videos.

The 5,400mAh battery is capable of going for two days on a single charge, and wired charging of 80 watts also means it won’t sit on the charger for long when it finally does run down. There’s also 45W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging, that go far beyond what the competition is offering.

At a price of just $800, there’s no doubt the OnePlus 12 offers an enormous amount of bang for your buck, with performance that’s more than able to duke it out with the $1,300 Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra — and come out on top. It’s the best Android phone you can buy in 2024.

The best Android phones in 2024

google pixel 8 pro review colorful background close

Google Pixel 8 Pro

The best Android phone runner-up

We described the Google Pixel 8 Pro as the best Pixel we’ve ever used, and for good reason. This new smartphone boasts exciting features, such as improved cameras and photo-editing tools, Google’s latest Tensor chip, and more.

Let’s discuss the design of the Pixel 8 Pro. Despite closely resembling the Google Pixel 7 Pro, Google has made significant changes to the device. The rear glass features an impressive, smooth matte finish, and the phone’s rounded corners have also been increased, making it more comfortable to hold. Additionally, the dual camera cutouts found on the Pixel 7 Pro have been replaced with a single cutout that spans the length of the camera bar.

The display on the Pixel 8 Pro has also seen some nice upgrades. The 120Hz refresh rate has been tweaked so that it can scale down to 1Hz, not 10Hz, as needed. This means less energy gets used. The display is also much brighter, rising to 1,600 nits for HDR and 2,400 for peak brightness.

The primary camera on the Pixel 8 Pro has a resolution of 50 megapixels and an aperture of f/1.68, which makes it more light-sensitive. Additionally, it has a 2x optical zoom. The new ultrawide camera has a resolution of 48MP and an f/1.95 aperture, significantly improving its light sensitivity and macro mode. Also, the telephoto camera has a resolution of 48MP, an f/2.8 aperture, and a 5x optical zoom, resulting in improved light sensitivity. Furthermore, the front-facing camera has an f/2.2 aperture and autofocus support.

The Pixel 8 Pro has new camera tools that are pretty impressive. One is Best Take, which is heavily advertised in Google’s latest television ads. This feature automatically stitches together multiple photographs so everyone in the shot appears smiling. Additionally, a Magic Editor feature allows you to erase and move objects from existing photos, even those not taken with the Pixel 8 Pro.

The Pixel 8 Pro has a new Tensor G3 chip, which has been well received. The previous versions didn’t perform well, so this one had much to prove. The Tensor G3 chip can handle various tasks such as gaming, live streaming over a 5G connection, and capturing photos. The best part is that the Tensor G3 chip doesn’t overheat like its predecessors.

Simply put, the Google Pixel 8 Pro is a standout Android phone that has earned its place as our best runner-up for many reasons. Not only does it boast a stunning design that is sure to impress, but it also features an improved camera system that delivers stunning photos and videos. With its large and vibrant display, lightning-fast processor, and long-lasting battery life, the Pixel 8 Pro is a true workhorse that can keep up with even the most demanding users. Whether you’re a professional photographer or someone who wants a reliable and powerful smartphone, the Pixel 8 Pro is worth considering.

samsung galaxy s24 plus review 1

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus

The best big Android phone

With a massive display and all the power of its more expensive sibling, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus is a fantastic choice if you want a very capable device with more power than you can shake a stick at, an excellent camera, and two-day battery life.

It’s on this list because of its size, so we’ll start with that. The design is largely unchanged from last year, with the same minimalist back and sleek body — with one exception. The sides are now flat, mimicking similar changes over in iPhoneland. It’s a great change, and it makes this big phone much easier to handle. The display itself is a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X with a 1Hz to 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 2,600 nits. It’s as bold and beautiful as Samsung’s screens always are, and you won’t regret spending time staring at it.

It’s powerful too; The core of this power is our old friend, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, and it’s as powerful as it is in other phones. Backing this up is 12GB of RAM, and the combination of the two is enough to make most games quake in fear. The big addition this year is Galaxy AI, and while some features are good, (like the image editor), some of these AI features are a bit feeble, and not something you’re likely to use regularly. Use them a few times and enjoy the rest of an excellent phone.

The camera is great, and though it can struggle with movement, it’s going to produce results you’re happy with most of the time. The battery is a standout though, with two days of performance with moderate use, and it also comes with a very welcome boost to 45W fast charging.

Prices start at $1,000 for the S24 Plus, so it’s not the most reasonably priced of phones, but when you consider how close it is to the $1,300 Galaxy S24 Ultra, it’s a real bargain. With seven years of updates, this phone is sure to last you for a long time, so you can consider the price an investment.

samsung galaxy s24 review marble gray held 2

Samsung Galaxy S24

The best small Android phone

There’s one reason to pick up the Samsung Galaxy S24 — you love everything the S24 Ultra and S24 Plus are doing, but you want it in a much smaller package. Thankfully, you’re not sacrificing anything by picking up a smaller phone, as the Galaxy S24 is a worthy entry in Samsung’s latest range, and a very good phone to boot.

This year’s smallest S-range phone has all the new additions we loved in the Plus-sized model, including the flat edges that make handling the phone much easier and the utterly gorgeous display, now shrunk down to a relatively diminutive 6.2-inches. But the real magic here comes from the fact that the small size doesn’t mean a downgrade in power thanks to the same hyper-powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 nested within.

It’s not perfect, of course. While the camera is strong, lowlight shots aren’t as good those taken by its siblings or the competition, and fast charging is limited to just 25W. Thankfully, the battery is still impressive, which helps to compensate for that slight downside as it commonly gets more than one day on a single charge.

At $800, it’s well-priced, though it does go up against the phenomenal OnePlus 12 at the same price. Thankfully, it has its smaller stature to really press an advantage, meaning this is the phone to buy if you want a smaller smartphone that still packs a strong punch.

dont buy galaxy s24 ultra iphone 15 pro max do this instead oneplus 12r review 1

OnePlus 12R

We’ve already highlighted how the OnePlus 12 isn’t really a flagship killer anymore since it’s actually a flagship now. But there’s another OnePlus smartphone on the prowl, and it really is a flagship killer. The OnePlus 12R is basically a 2023 flagship smartphone, but priced at $500, and that makes it an unmissable bargain.

The root of this lies, as ever with OnePlus, in the spec sheet. Last year’s flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 can be found inside the 12R — and it’s the very same processor you’ll find in the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, OnePlus 11, and other flagship phones from last year. Combine that with a very respectable 8GB or 16GB of RAM, and the OnePlus 12R flies through tasks and games alike. Performance looks even faster thanks to the 1Hz to 120Hz refresh rate on the 6.78-inch AMOLED display, and the resolution is clean and crisp with 450 pixels per inch.

It’s not let down with a bad design either. The 12R evokes the same design spirit as the OnePlus 12 and the OnePlus 11 before it, and it looks great as a result. It even has an alert slider and an IR blaster, which are things you’d be hard-pressed to find on any phone these days.

The camera is technically a triple-lens setup, but it’s better that you only think of it as having the single 50MP main lens. The 8MP ultrawide lens is OK, but nothing special, and the 2MP macro lens is so awful it might as well not have been included. Thankfully, the 50MP main lens is good, even if it struggles with movement and sometimes returns slightly off colors.

The 5,500mAh battery is the biggest OnePlus has ever used, and it shows its size with some very strong battery life. Two days is more than possible with this phone, and moderate use may see it stretch to a third. It has the same 80W fast charging as its more expensive cousin, so you can give it a fast 10-minute charge and be sure of having hours of extra juice.

A phone this good shouldn’t cost $500, but it does. Admittedly, OnePlus’s phone don’t come with a lot of extra features, which makes a lot of this possible, but considering how easy it is to live without even the best special features out there, the OnePlus 12R is a real steal.

samsung galaxy a54 review back lime

Samsung Galaxy A54

The best midrange Android phone

No, we haven’t accidentally listed one of the Galaxy S23’s colorways, that’s actually the Galaxy A54. Samsung’s new midrange phone is a dead ringer for the 2023 flagship, and that’s a very good thing. In fact, the A54’s design differs from its more expensive cousin in just a few ways, and the most important is the range of bold colors. The Violet and Lime variants have a lot of character, and they’re well worth picking over the more standard black or white versions. The chassis is made from plastic instead of aluminum, but it’s covered in Gorilla Glass 5, so it still feels like a premium product.

The Galaxy A54 has a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ certification, and a 1080p resolution, which largely puts it on a level with the A53 5G’s excellent display. The A54’s display is brighter than its predecessor though, giving it an edge under strong lights and outdoors.

It’s powered by the Exynos 1380, a Samsung-made chip that does a good job of keeping everything running. It might start to show its age as this phone ages, though, especially if you’re a gamer. While never slow, sometimes we did experience some slight lag in opening apps, especially the camera. The internal storage options of 128GB and 256GB are good, especially when there’s room for a microSD card as well.

The camera is a solid affair, especially since it’s ditched the A53’s useless depth sensor. There’s a 50MP main lens, combined with a 12MP wide-angle and 5MP macro lens, and it takes good pictures — with one, pretty jarring exception. The stills it produces are almost always enormously oversaturated, to the point where it can seem comically so. Samsung’s phones have long been known for turning up the saturation a little too much, but it’s the first time it’s done so way too far, and it’s a bit of a disappointment here.

Two-day battery life was starting to become the norm for Samsung’s phones, but that’s not the case here. You’ll get only a single day out of this battery, and while that’s acceptable, it’s a little disappointing if you’re used to much longer battery life.

The Samsung Galaxy A54 has some downsides, but ultimately, they’re on the more minor side when compared with what you get: A capable smartphone that looks great, has a day-long battery life, and scores well in pretty much every area. Even if it doesn’t excel, it doesn’t need to, and the $450 price means it’s a great choice for anyone looking for a mid-range phone.

samsung galaxy a14 5g review back exterior in bush

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G

The best cheap Android phone

There are $200 phones that really feel like $200 phones, but the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G isn’t one of them. Samsung has done an incredible of keeping the A14 from feeling too cheap, and that starts with the design. Admittedly, it has a plastic body, but it has a unique texture that feels nice and offers grip, something often missing from slippery glass phones. There’s no water resistance, but there is a headphone jack, which is a nice bonus.

The 6.6-inch LCD display has a 1080p resolution, but it’s hampered by not getting bright enough. It also has some relatively chunky bezels. But even with that in mind, it’s an impressive display for a $200 phone, thanks largely to the 90Hz refresh rate. While not as smooth as the same refresh rate you’ll find in more powerful phones, this is still impressive in a phone this cheap, and a really strong point in its favor when you consider the iPhone 15 is still using a 60Hz refresh rate.

We did come across small stutters during use, and that’s likely down to the relatively modest specs. Still, the Galaxy A14 5G has excellent performance when compared to other devices at this price point, and the 64GB of storage is also good enough at this price too. You’ll want to clear out running apps to keep it running smoothly, but it also comes with 5G, meaning it should be futureproofed enough for the next few years at least. The battery is a solid two-day affair, thanks to the modest specs and 5,000mAh capacity. Recharging isn’t particularly fast at just 15W, but when it lasts this long, it doesn’t matter too much.

The camera is also surprisingly good. Ignore the two additional lenses, though, as they’re 2MP and don’t do much — instead, focus on the 50MP main lens, which takes some decent shots. Images are clear, bright, and avoid oversaturation. Nighttime shots are also good, though with some visible noise when zoomed in. They’re all generally still good enough for social media, though, which is a big test for camera phones at this price.

The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is a stellar phone for just $200, and if you’re looking for a serious budget bargain, then you’ve found it.

oneplus nord n30 5g review 1

OnePlus Nord N30 5G

The best cheap Android phone runner-up

Cheap phones sometimes struggle to excel in some areas without cutbacks in others, and the OnePlus Nord N30 5G is a prime example of this. OnePlus’s latest $300 phone is great in a number of areas, but has some serious setbacks in others that may or may not impact whether you want to buy and use it.

We’ll start by addressing the elephant in the room, and it’s the camera. The Nord N30 has a triple lens rear camera setup, and while impressive on paper, the combination of a 108MP main lens, 2MP macro lens, and 2MP depth sensor don’t deliver the goods. The 108MP lens lacks optical image stabilization so a lot of stills come out blurred. Low-light shots are blurred and noisy, while even images in good lighting tend to be bland and characterless. The 2MP macro lens is acceptable, but it can’t rescue what is a poor overall showing.

Thankfully, other areas of the phone are a lot better. The design is a little boring, but it feels and handles very well. It’s well weighted, meaning one-handed use is possible despite the large size, and it has a headphone jack and microSD card as well. The 6.72-inch LCD display is excellent, and has bright colors and a 1080p resolution. Most impressive though, is the refresh rate. The Nord N30 sports a 120Hz refresh rate, putting it on the level of 2023 flagship phones like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and Google Pixel 7 Pro.

It’s no gaming phone, but performance is still good. The Snapdragon 695 can handle most modern games, even if you may need to drop graphical quality if you want to experience the higher refresh rates the display is capable of. Battery life is similarly strong, and you can expect over a day of use most of the time. The Nord N30 also supports up to 50W of super-fast charging too, making it one of the fastest charging phones at this price point.

Yes, the camera is a letdown — but that’s only important if you’re the sort of person who likes taking pictures and videos. If you’re not much of a photographer, then there’s a lot to appeal to you here. The OnePlus Nord N30 5G has an excellent display, good performance, and a great battery life, and is a solid phone for just $300.

nothing phone 2 review hero

Nothing Phone 2

The best designed Android phone

Aside from folding phones, all smartphones are starting to look the same in terms of design. However, Carl Pei’s Nothing has done something different with the Nothing Phone, and the latest Nothing Phone 2 continues to stand out from the crowd with the clear glass back and Glyph lighting system.

The Nothing Phone 2 is slightly bigger than its predecessor, coming in with a 6.7-inch OLED display, while the first phone had a 6.5-inch display. The 6.7-inch screen has 2412 x 1080 pixel resolution and a dynamic refresh rate up to 120Hz. Colors are bright and vivid on the display, everything looks crisp and sharp, and the speaker system is pretty decent for the price.

Even as a second generation device, the design for the Nothing Phone 2 is still unlike anything you’ve seen before. It’s a glass slab, yes, but it feels very light and manageable, despite the large size. The flat edges are part of the aluminum chassis, the clear back is made of glass, and the front screen is covered with Gorilla Glass. The Glyph lighting on the back is still present, though the LED strips are broke up into more segments this time around. However, the glass back also makes the phone very slippery, so be careful.

The Glyph lighting is also improved over the first generation. As mentioned earlier, it’s broken up into sections, giving it more functionality for various purposes. You can use the lighting as a visual timer, highlight priority by having a persistent light, a fill-light for the camera in low light environments, and certain patterns can be set for incoming calls, accompanied by a sound effect. There’s a lot of customization here with the lighting system, and it is one of the standout features of the Nothing Phone 2.

Camera-wise, there aren’t a lot of change from the Nothing Phone 1. You have a 50MP main camera and a 50MP ultra wide. The selfie camera is 32MP. During the daytime, the Nothing Phone 2 will take some great photos. It struggles a bit in lowlight environments, but it’s a very solid performer across the board.

The Nothing Phone 2 comes with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip, which is a slightly older processor. However, it offers fantastic performance and efficiency, so the Nothing Phone 2 should handle anything you need it to with ease. You get Android 13 with Nothing OS 2.0 layered on top. It’s similar to Android on a Pixel, though with some added customization features — including the ability to personalize folders and give all of your app icons a monochromatic paint job.

Battery life on the Nothing Phone 2 is also very good, as it has a 4,700mAh battery inside. Even with heavy use, you should be able to get through the day just fine without having to charge up mid-day. And when you do need to charge, it supports up to 45W PPS charging, which is a little under an hour for a full charge.

Considering the price, the Nothing Phone 2 is one of the best phones you can buy starting at $599. Not only is it one of the most unique looking smartphones around, but the day-to-day experience of using the phone is also rock solid. There’s very little to seriously complain about.

asus rog phone 8 pro review phone8 back

Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro

The best gaming Android phone

Asus has been making big changes to the ROG Phone; Horrifically, it’s made a phone that looks normal! But on the plus side, nothing that made the ROG Phone so special has been lost in the process, and it means the new Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is the best choice for a gaming phone in 2024.

Let’s touch on those design changes first. Basically, the ROG Phone 8 Pro looks a lot more normal than previous versions. Out are the distinctive gamer chic design and the large cooling vents, and in is a much more sleek, black design that’s not too dissimilar to the styles of other flagship phones. There’s a LED array on the back, yes, but it doesn’t show up when it’s not in use, meaning the ROG Phone 8 Pro is downright subtle compared to what came before. Is it a positive change? On the whole, yes. It’s slimmer, lighter, and thinner, meaning it’s easier to use, but it has lost some of that mad charm gaming phones used to have.

What’s that processor? Why, it’s the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 again! You know the drill; it’s fast and extremely capable, and it’s paired with some other impressive specs. You either get 16GB or 24GB of RAM, plus 512GB or 1TB of storage, providing plenty of power and room for even the biggest games. But this phone’s performance only starts at the spec sheet, as it offers a boost to 165Hz for supported games, the Asus X Mode to supercharge gaming performance, and the range’s excellent AirTriggers on either shoulder. Add the optional AeroCooler X accessory to keep it cool, and you have a phone that’s thoroughly at home blasting the most challenging games available.

The beefy 5,500mAh battery offers a long-lasting battery life too. With only small amounts of use, the battery could last three or four days thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s energy-sipping — but really take the gaming mode for a spin, and it’ll still last a solid day. It also comes with 65W fast charging to get it charged right back up again.

Even the camera has been improved. It has a 50MP main lens, a 13MP wide-angle lens, and a 32MP telephoto lens, making this one of the more technically impressive Asus camera systems. Shots are pretty decent, and given how bad previous gaming phone cameras have been, this is something of an achievement. Sure, it won’t end up on the best camera phones list, but the camera no longer a reason to avoid the phone.

All of this doesn’t come cheap though, and throwing a “for gamers” sticker on any product has always meant a hike in price. Thankfully, given the specs and performance on offer here, the initial asking price of $1,199 isn’t that bad. It’s more than the equal of other phones in this price range, and plays games better than any of them. And while it can’t match most others for camera performance, the battery life means there’s still a place for this device. If you’re an avid mobile gamer, this should be your next phone.

samsung galaxy z fold 5 review opening top

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5

The best foldable Android phone

The fifth generation Galaxy Z Fold shows that Samsung knows what it’s doing in the foldable market. The Z Fold 5 has some great improvements over its predecessor, making it one of the best folding phones you can buy, as well as a great smartphone overall.

One of the big flaws of the previous Z Fold 4 was the visible gap when closed. The Z Fold 5 fixes this with the new Flex Hinge design, which means an overall better look and ergonomic feel when you use it closed. It also means less dirt and debris can get in between the inside screens.

Despite the hinge change, the size of the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is the same. You still have a 6.2-inch cover display with 2316 x 904 pixel resolution, and the inner display is 7.6-inches with 2176 x 1812 resolution. Both screens have a 120Hz dynamic refresh rate, so everything looks great. You also get Flex Mode when watching videos, and this time you get the controls on the lower half of the screen for convenience.

The cameras include a 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP telephoto. Like most Samsung phones, the colors will be very bright and saturated in direct sunlight. However, if you take photos that aren’t in harsh lighting conditions, they actually look more natural and realistic than other Samsung phones, which is very nice. Optical zoom is better too, but it may have some issues with focusing close in on 1x or 3x mode.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 has Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy for the best performance and efficiency possible. You also have 12GB RAM and your choice of 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB internal storage options. It comes with Android 13 and One UI 5.1.1 out of the box. Some improvements with the software include a better taskbar, which now shows up to four recent apps rather than two. There is also the ability to have three apps at once on the screen, along with a floating window.

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 has enough battery power to get through a day on a single charge. It also supports up to 25W fast charging, so it goes from zero to 100 in about 80 minutes. There is also support for a stylus with the new S Pen Fold Edition, which is improved from the predecessor as well with 4,096 pressure levels, IP68 water and dust resistance.

The $1,800 price will prevent plenty of people from buying, but if you have the cash to spare, it’s hard to find a better foldable experience than the Galaxy Z Fold 5.

oneplus open review emerald dusk hand

OnePlus Open

The best foldable Android phone runner-up

The OnePlus Open is an extraordinary device that comes as a surprise. As the company’s first-ever foldable device, it is built with meticulous attention to detail, using lightweight materials like titanium to create a truly compact and user-friendly device. It is an excellent choice for those who value innovation, performance, and portability.

Let’s start with the phone’s cover and inner displays. The former is sized much better than something like the Galaxy Z Fold, which offers tall and narrow cover screens. Here, things feel less cramped, making the experience much more positive. The inner display is gorgeous, with colors that are bright and saturated. Meanwhile, text is always sharp, scrolling is smooth, thanks to its 120Hz refresh rate, and the anti-reflective display makes it a joy to use even outside.

The OnePlus Open comes with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, an Adreno 740 GPU, 16GB RAM, and 512GB storage. There’s also OnePlus’ custom OxygenOS 13.2 OS that sits on Android 13. The OnePlus Open will receive four major Android version upgrades plus five years of security updates. These promises don’t match what Google’s offering on its new Pixel 8 lineup, but they aren’t disastrous either.

Performance-wise, the OnePlus Open works very well. We didn’t detect any performance issues during our tests, even when multiple apps were open.

Open Canvas is one of our favorite OxygenOS features. It provides a new way to multitask and was designed from scratch. Its goal is to allow you to increase everyday productivity with multi-window efficiency on a larger display.

samsung galaxy z flip 5 review 14

The best flip phone Android phone

Want a foldable but think the Z Fold 5 isn’t compact enough? Then you should consider the Galaxy Z Flip 5 instead, which is also a huge improvement over its predecessor.

With the Z Flip 5, you get a 3.4-inch cover display, which is much better than the Z Flip 4’s 1.9-inch cover display. This larger window lets you see bigger clocks, widgets, and even run full apps on the cover screen. The display is shaped like a folder so it doesn’t interfere with the cameras, and while the 60Hz refresh rate could be better, it looks fine in almost every situation.

The inside display of the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED with 2640 x 1080 resolution and it has a 120Hz refresh rate. In other words, you get bright, vivid colors that pop, and sharp text with smooth scrolling animations. However, the crease is definitely visible.

The cameras are similar to the Flip 4, as you have a 12MP main shooter with f/1.8 aperture and OIS, plus a 12MP ultrawide camera with 123-degree field of view. But the Z Flip 5 has better color reproduction than before, and there is a clear lens coating to help prevent lens flare. The selfie camera also has a larger sensor.

Like the Z Fold 5 and S23 series, there is a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor in the Z Flip 5, giving you optimal performance and efficiency. It also has 8GB RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of storage options to choose from. It comes with Android 13 and Samsung’s One UI 5.1.1 out of the box. Battery life is about one full day with a 3,700mAh battery, and you get 25W fast charging, 15W wireless, and 4.5W reverse wireless.

motorola razr 40 2023 review pocket

Motorola Razr (2023)

The best cheap foldable Android phone

The Motorola Razr (2023) has captured the attention of many because of its compact and sleek flip design. Its simple yet reliable design keeps the price low, making it a budget-friendly option for daily use.

The phone boasts three standout features: its camera system, fast battery charging, and dust and water resistance. The main module consists of two cameras: a 64-megapixel main camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) and laser autofocus, and a 13MP wide-angle camera with a 120-degree field of view. The wide-angle camera is also capable of taking macro shots.

The Razr’s main camera is surprisingly solid. Our testing revealed photos that are lively and colorful, with just the right amount of saturation and HDR. However, in some scenarios, the photos appear washed-out and artificial. There is also a lack of consistency in exposure between the main and wide-angle cameras. Nevertheless, we appreciated the dramatic tone of the wide-angle camera.

There are a few drawbacks to the Razr (2023) that users should be aware of. The cover screen does not display notifications and time all the time, which may be inconvenient for some. Additionally, the wireless charging feature is not top-of-the-line, and the phone’s processor may struggle when handling heavy loads.

Despite these minor issues, the Motorola Razr is still an outstanding purchase for anyone seeking an affordable folding phone or simply wanting to stand out from the crowd. It is one of the most cost-effective methods of experiencing the newest foldable smartphone technology, making it an ideal choice for those who want to stay ahead of the curve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which brands make the best Android phones?

Samsung is a strong player in the Android scene, but it’s far from the only brand around. While Samsung makes some excellent smartphones, there are plenty of other great phones from other brands that you can pick from. The Google Pixel range has matured into a powerful and very capable phone line, with particularly exceptional camera capabilities. OnePlus has been a consistently solid performer for a long time now, and even the newcomer Nothing has a lot to offer if you’re tempted by its phones.

There’s a lot to be said about sticking with brand names you recognize, of course, but don’t just trust that a specific brand will always make great phones. Every phone brand releases a stinker every now and again, so it’s important to read reviews of individual models before you buy, as a even a good phone’s particular strengths may not match what you want.

How do you choose the right Android phone for your needs?

It entirely depends on what you need from your phone. Price point, size, camera abilities, durability, battery life, and processing power are all common factors that play into many people’s choices. If you’re an avid gamer, or have a fast-paced job, then you need a phone with fast and snappy performance. Away from a charger a lot? Make sure your phone has solid battery life of at least over a day. Always snapping pictures? Make sure your phone has an excellent camera.

How do Android phones differ from iPhones?

Android phones use the Android operating system, while iPhones use Apple’s iOS — but that’s only the start of the differences. The two operating systems have grown closer together over the years, but Apple’s iOS is generally praised for having a clean interface, not much bloatware, a strong emphasis on privacy, and the ability to interact closely with other Apple hardware, like iPads and MacBooks. Android, on the other had, has many more customization options, can integrate with and other devices, more innovative design, and have many more affordable options for buyers.

How long should an Android phone last?

The days of two- or three-year smartphones are now behind us, thanks to some of the most prominent Android manufacturers. Samsung now offers seven years of operating system updates and security patches on its new phones, though it was beaten to the punch by Google, who also promises seven years of operating system updates. While there’s no guarantee your phone will last that long, it’s good to know that if you look after it and it does last, it will stay relevant for longer.

Which Android Phone has the best camera?

This is a tough question, as there’s no correct answer. A lot of Android phones have excellent cameras, but many excel in slightly different areas. If you value versatility and a feature-rich snapping environment, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus’s packed camera system will appeal to you. If you don’t want to spend a lot of time fiddling with options, then check out the Google Pixel 8 Pro’s snap-and-forget approach where the phone’s AI handles all the hard work. Maybe budget is important, in which case, the OnePlus 12R is worth looking at.

Which Android phone has the best battery life?

Battery lives have continued to improve, and the standard you should be aiming for with any smartphone is at least a day of solid use, and most of the phones on this list will hit that goal. Some will even stretch to two days — but keep in mind this will rely on your personal use. High-intensity games, constant music or media streaming, videoconferencing, and other activities that work the processor will cause drain the battery faster, and if that’s your life, make sure you pick a long-lasting phone, or invest in a portable charger or charge throughout the day.

.

Views: 343

Special and useful HyperOS Features 2024, It has been over a decade now that ‘s MIUI first came into existence. So, the brand replacing it with what they are calling HyperOS is definitely a breath of fresh air. Thanks to Xiaomi, I was able to get my hands on the newly launched Xiaomi 14 Pro, running Android 14-based HyperOS.

I was introduced to a bunch of new features during my time with the device. So, I have handpicked what I feel are the best ones from the lot. So, if you are an MIUI user who is eagerly looking forward to getting the new OS experience, here are the best HyperOS features you should get ready to use on your Xiaomi phone.

In Short

 Xiaomi is replacing MIUI with a new skin that they are calling HyperOS.
 The new OS brings features like a variety of different lock screen customizations, an improved gallery, bloatware uninstallation, and more.
 Newly launched Xiaomi 14 lineup of devices are the first ones to arrive with HyperOS right out of the box.

.

1. Uninstall Bloatware

It is almost 2024 now and having bloatware on phones, especially flagships, is just something that brands need to do away with. Looks like Xiaomi is taking a big step towards that as now, you can easily uninstall bloatware, thanks to HyperOS.

From Mi to the app, Gallery, and even Games, most of the bothersome pre-installed applications can be uninstalled with HyperOS. Sometimes, you like the functionality of a native app while you don’t want to keep others on your device.

So, with this functionality, you get a lot more control over the apps on your device, which is always a good thing. Most importantly, you don’t have to go through the hassle of running ADB commands anymore.

Uninstalling the MI Security app bloatware on Xiaomi HyperOS

For example, the native Mi Music never made sense to me. Hence, I simply removed it and chose to install YouTube Music, which is my go-to music streaming service right now. This allowed me to not have a similar app take up space on my device that I’d never even use.

So, kudos to Xiaomi’s HyperOS for allowing bloatware uninstallation. However, note that you can’t uninstall apps like the Mi Browser and GetApps, which is a bummer. We hope Xiaomi will allow the uninstallation of these apps as well in the future.

Special and useful HyperOS Features 2024

Read Also : 12 Best ChatGPT Alternatives in 2024

2. Lock Screen Customization

Think about it. If you come across a device with a not-so-appealing lock screen, would you even be driven to pick it up and use it? Now, that’s a if you want to reduce your screen on time. But, if that’s not the case, I’m sure you’d like to go all out and create a super attractive lock screen.

If you ask me, Xiaomi has done a commendable job with its lock screen customization on HyperOS. I know, it’s similar to what Apple brought in with the iOS 16 update, but Xiaomi has implemented it quite well.

For starters, if you are feeling narcissistic enough, you can simply put your own picture as your lock screen and toggle on the Depth effect. This gave my lock screen a really stylish look, with the clock and date smoothly shying away behind my face.

Lock Screen Customizations on HyperOS

Then comes the numerous lock screen designs that I found myself aggressively scrolling through as the scroll animation here is just that good. Also, you can choose between Classic, Rhombus, and Magazine style of lock screens.

In addition, you can also change the lock screen font and clock style to make it as personalized as possible. I played around with all of these settings a tad too much, and I can say this is one of the best HyperOS features you’ve got to use. It gets even better with the customized AOD that go along with it. See them in action in our YouTube video here:

3. Cleaner Control Center

Personally, I find myself visiting the Control Center the most on my phone in a day, whether it is to turn on the WiFi, location, Bluetooth, or just to quickly access my and ghost people. So, a cleaner control panel definitely makes a lot of sense, and HyperOS brings you exactly that.

I took out the Xiaomi 13 Pro that we luckily had at our Beebom office to do a quick comparison with the HyperOS-running Xiaomi 14 Pro.

For starters, HyperOS gets rid of all the icon names in the Control Center, making it look more like iOS than ever before. Still, it looks and feels better to use. However, since the icons don’t have their respective names attached to them, it took me a while to wrap my head around it. But, once I did, I started preferring it over the conventional Control Center.

HyperOS vs. MIUI 14 vs. iOS 17.2 Control Center Comparison

(From Left to Right) HyperOS vs MIUI 14 vs iOS 17.2 Control Center Comparison

Moreover, once you swipe down to open the Control Center, you no longer have to swipe sideways to access all the quick settings. Every icon you add here can be accessed on the same page as you scroll down, just like on iOS.

Nevertheless, the revamped Control Center is one of the stand out HyperOS features, indeed.

4. Enhanced

Although there was nothing wrong with the traditional Xiaomi Gallery app, it was not exactly in its best possible form. HyperOS has changed that as well, for we now see a redesigned Gallery app for users to get a clear understanding of what it has to offer.

Previously, the Gallery app had only two panels at the top, namely Photos and Albums. Now, with the release of HyperOS, we get to see them being shifted to the bottom alongside a third new panel, namely Recommendations.

The Recommendations panel lists all the features that you previously got to see upon tapping on the three-dot vertical menu in the Gallery app on MIUI. What’s new is that there is a bonus ID feature, which I found to be very useful. I can’t begin to talk about the number of times I have had to look for good apps to instantly create ID cutouts and photos for me. That issue is completely solved with this new feature.

Showing the new Recommendations tab and ID feature in Gallery on HyperOS

Now, what if I told you that you could share your cutouts from a particular photo anywhere? That is what HyperOS brings to the table. Alongside the existing ability to change your photo’s background, using the Cutouts feature in your gallery, you can now Copy, Save, or Send them with one tap to anyone, on any platform you wish.

Gave me all sorts of ideas to turn my friends into memes, and I loved it. In addition, I also noticed that the cutouts feature is now much easier to access with a single tap instead of the slightly more complex way of finding it on MIUI 14.

Sending a Cutout on WhatsApp on HyperOS

5. Improved Privacy & Security

Xiaomi’s HyperOS brings a brand new Privacy & Security page to the Settings app. Here, you will get to see everything that you need to step up your security game. Something that I really liked was how all the app permissions are now wonderfully listed on this page. This made it very easy for me to do a quick check when needed.

When I started exploring this page further, I found a section called Shutdown Confirmation. In my opinion, this is one of the best HyperOS security features that you get to make use of. What it does is it basically prevents your phone from being switched off without using a PIN or pattern.

Privacy and Security page HyperOS

So, whether someone stole your phone or one of your friends is trying to fool around with your phone, they won’t be able to switch it off without entering a PIN code. Moreover, everything is listed clearly and all the features are self-explanatory, such that even first-time Xiaomi users won’t have a hard time figuring things out.

6. Lightweight & Hyper Fast

One of the best things about HyperOS is how lightweight it is. I was honestly surprised to see the OS take up just a mere 8.76GB of internal storage on the Xiaomi 14 Pro. This gives you a little more room to work with on your device.

If you take a look at Xiaomi’s history, you can see how they have been focusing on making the OS as lightweight as possible. Even the last-gen MIUI 14 takes up somewhere around 13GB. But HyperOS pushes that even further, bringing the OS install size under 10GB.

It’s not just MIUI that HyperOS mops the floor with in terms of install size. Other popular operating systems like OneUI and OxygenOS take up significantly more storage space as well. Even iOS 17.2 takes up 11GB of storage space. I could feel the lightweightness of HyperOS as I was using it if that makes sense. Take a look at OS install sizes for HyperOS vs MIUI 14 vs iOS 17.2 vs Android 14 for better understanding:

Showing how much storage space different mobile Operating Systems take up

(From Left to Right) HyperOS vs Pixel UI vs OneUI 6 vs iOS 17.2

One of the reasons I disliked MIUI was because of how cluttered and sometimes stuttery everything felt. All of that goes away with this release, and the way Xiaomi has optimized HyperOS is beyond amazing. The animations too are stellar now.

When you install anything from GetApps, you see a super cool animation on your homescreen as well. Although this was also part of the Chinese MIUI ROM for quite some time now, it is good to see it make it to HyperOS as well.

RAM Management is like nothing we have seen on any MIUI device. In one instance, I had running in the background for almost an hour and when I re-entered the game, I was still in the lobby. Alongside that, other apps that I had open like YouTube and Instagram did not reload either.

The bottomline is that everything has this sense of satisfaction attached to it, and HyperOS makes you want to use your device a lot more often.

7. -like Feature

Ever since Dynamic Island came into the picture with the Apple 14 Pro and Pro Max models, we have seen countless Android phone makers try to recreate the feature. We saw the Mini Capsule feature on the Realme C55, and OnePlus recently debuted something similar on their phones with the release of OxygenOS 14, among others.

Showing the Dynamic Island-like feature on HyperOS

Now, Xiaomi too had to scratch their itch of doing something similar to iPhone’s Dynamic Island with HyperOS. The brand isn’t calling this feature anything right now, which works when you turn on the hotspot, put your phone on charging, turn on Battery Saver, or turn on Silent mode, among other things.

It’s just a nifty little aesthetic addition to the HyperOS, and honestly, I do dig it quite a bit. In terms of utility though, there’s not much that it brings to the table. 10/10 in coolness quotient though.

The more I used HyperOS, the more Xiaomi’s objectives became clearer. Minimalism is the first step and fluidity comes next. Everything felt a lot more fluid, responsive, and “smart” in general without anything feeling over the top.

Moreover, I certainly do hope to test out Xiaomi’s new interconnectivity with HyperOS as and when we get to use it in India. Also, looking forward to seeing which of these HyperOS features make it to the Global ROM. Also, Xiaomi is understandably focusing on the bigger picture and plans to load up its ecosystem products, like its electric cars, with HyperOS. There’s no doubt that moving past MIUI to unveil HyperOS is one heck of a move by Xiaomi.

However, I’d actually like to see Xiaomi finally come up with something completely new on the OS front instead of releasing features inspired by iOS. Let me know in the comments section what you feel about Xiaomi’s latest and greatest, HyperOS.

 

Is HyperOS better than MIUI?

Be it in terms of sheer functionality, fluidity, or seamlessness, HyperOS sure does mop the floor with MIUI in each of these aspects. It is also the most lightweight skin out there, taking up just 8.7GB of storage space.

Which phone will get HyperOS?

The first phones to get HyperOS are the Xiaomi 14 and 14 Pro models. In addition, Xiaomi has also released a list of HyperOS compatible devices, which includes quite a few POCO phones as well.

Is HyperOS based on Android?

The latest HyperOS skin, although based on Android, uses Linux and Xiaomi’s proprietary Vela system at its core. As for the recently launched Xiaomi 14 phones, they are running Android 14-based HyperOS right out of the box.

Does HyperOS have new features?

Yes, HyperOS brings a bunch of new features to the table, such as lock screen customization, bloatware uninstallation, and more. It also retains a lot of the features that have been available on the Chinese MIUI ROM but not the Global ROM. Some of these features include redesigned apps for better usability, individual icon resizing, AI Calling, etc.

Views: 327

Best ChatGPT Alternatives in 2024, You must have seen how explodingly popular ChatGPT has become on the internet. The chatbot is based on OpenAI’s GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 language models, allowing users to converse with the AI. And the fact that ChatGPT can now see images and even speak makes it all the better. But that also brought a big downside with ChatGPT’s servers being overloaded with users. This has locked users out of using the handy bot when needed. So, if you are one of the folks who find ChatGPT frequently down, you can follow our list of the best ChatGPT alternatives in 2024.

1. (Formerly Bard)

Ever since ChatGPT went viral, many users had their eye on Google. And now Google finally has a family of worthy AI models called Gemini that can compete with ChatGPT’s best models. Gemini, which was earlier known as Bard, is powered by the Gemini 1.0 Pro model.

And if you want to experience the most capable Gemini 1.0 Ultra model, you can subscribe to Gemini Advanced (similar to ChatGPT Plus). Currently, Google is offering two months of free trial along with Google One benefits.

gemini advanced homepage

We compared Gemini Ultra with OpenAI’s GPT-4 model and concluded that Gemini Ultra is very good at creative writing and a great tool for researching due to Google Search integration. It’s overall a great model, however, in commonsense reasoning, it falls behind GPT-4.

That said, the free version of Gemini is plenty powerful and in some cases, it does a better job than the free version of ChatGPT (powered by the GPT-3.5 model). It also supports image analysis which the ChatGPT doesn’t offer under the free tier.

You also get extension support in Gemini that allows you to integrate your Gmail, Drive, Google Docs, etc. with Gemini and get personalized responses. Best of all, with the YouTube integration, you can ask questions on any YouTube video.

And similar to the GPT-4 model, both Gemini Pro and Gemini Ultra are multimodal models. However, the multimodal capability has not been turned on yet. Google will be adding the multimodal feature to both the free version of Gemini and Gemini Advanced in the coming days.

Not to mention, you can now generate images in Gemini, and run Python code in the Gemini interface, but it’s only available to Gemini Advanced users. And the upcoming Gemini 1.5 Pro model is even more powerful and is built on a sparse MoE architecture, just like GPT-4. It has a context length of 1 million tokens which is remarkable. So you can definitely use Gemini as a solid alternative to ChatGPT and it’s only getting better.

Key Features: Upload images, Chat history, Powered by the latest Gemini Pro and Gemini Ultra models, Export to Docs, Colab, Powerful coding and reasoning capability, Multilingual model, Python interpreter.

Check Out Gemini (Gemini Advanced starts at $20 per month, Offers a free trial of 2 months with Google One benefits)

12 Best ChatGPT Alternatives in 2024

Read Also : How to Use ChatGPT 4 For Free

2. Microsoft

Microsoft Copilot is one of the heaviest competitors to ChatGPT. It is also the one model that has gone through numerous changes, and rebrands. The AI bot is powered by an upgraded model of ChatGPT, which the company initially called the new “Prometheus model” but was later confirmed to be GPT-4.

So Copilot is the only service out there that offers free access to the GPT-4 model. And now the company has announced Copilot Pro which costs $20 per month but brings priority access to GPT-4 Turbo, GPT-4, and upcoming models from OpenAI. It also lets you use Copilot features in Office apps. Bear in mind, free Copilot users will only get responses from the GPT-4 model during non-peak hours.

Bing-ChatGPT interface

Other than that, Copilot is full to the brim with all the handy AI features that make it an excellent ChatGPT alternative. For starters, the Chat mode is the heart that pulls in web queries and lets users have full-scale conversations based on them. Users can tune the bot according to their needs to have it respond appropriately.

The AI bot cum search engine has also added support for a ton of functionalities, including widgets, chat history, and even multimodal capability to help it read images.

Furthermore, you also get increased accuracy and the Bing Image Creator. Copilot even allows users to plan trips, get recipes, seek out advice, and a lot more, just like ChatGPT. Finally, you also get a handful of plugins on Copilot.

Key Features: Powered by GPT-4, Supports visual input and output, Connects to the internet, Multimodal, Gets the latest information on any subject, Chat history, Different chat modes, and Cites sources.

Try Microsoft Copilot (Copilot Pro starts at $20 per month)

3. Mistral Chat

In case you are not following news, Microsoft recently invested close to $16 million investment in a young French AI startup called Mistral AI, overshadowing its close partner, OpenAI. Mistral AI has been gaining recognition in the open-source community for developing powerful AI models, closely competing against OpenAI’s GPT-4 model.

mistral chat interface

Its newly-announced Mistral Large model is one of the flagship AI models out there, scoring 81.2% in the MMLU test (GPT-4 scored 86.4%). According to the company, Mistral Large is very good at advanced reasoning, supports a context length of up to 32K tokens, has function calling support just like GPT-4, and natively fluent in various popular international languages.

In addition, the company released Mistral Chat (also known as Le Chat), powered by the Mistral Large model. So if you are looking for a solid alternative to ChatGPT without having to pay for GPT-4 access, Mistral Chat is an impressive option, powered by a GPT-4 class Mistral Large model. Users who want AI models fluent in English, French, Spanish, German, and Italian, will enjoy Mistral Chat.

Key Features: Multilingual, Advanced reasoning capability, 32K tokens context length, Great at coding, Free to use, Powered by Mistral Large, Supports native function calling via API

Check Out Mistral Chat (Free)

4.

Perplexity AI is a ChatGPT alternative users have always loved because it combines a search engine experience with AI like Copilot. The bot has also been trained on OpenAI’s API and, as such, performs well with good responses. While the tool can converse with you, it even cites sources for its answer.

Perplexity interface

Besides searching the Internet, Perplexity can comb through various sources like Reddit, writing, YouTube, and more. Perplexity AI even has a handy co-pilot mode that uses the power of GPT-4 to dive deep into your questions and come up with the best answers. However, you only get five queries for GPT-4 which refreshes every four hours.

I had various conversations with the bot, both with and without the co-pilot, and it helped me out easily every time. It also doesn’t hurt that the responses are lightning-fast and error-free.

Perplexity even comes with a multimodal mode along with Claude 2. However, you will need to upgrade to Perplexity Pro to unlock that.

Key Features: Cites sources, Actionable results, Good for product recommendations, Features GPT-4 modeUpload files

Try Perplexity AI (Android/iOS)

5. Claude 2.1

ChatGPT has no shortage of rivals in the AI space. Enter Claude 2.1 which has a context length of 200K, an upgraded AI chatbot by the company Anthropic. The company has been backed by Google, making it an OpenAI competitor. Claude doesn’t use an LLM model in the traditional sense.

It instead uses a collection of what it calls “proprietary AI techniques” that include a neural network, training data, and more. This is focused more on natural conversation. This makes Claude a helpful, harmless, and honest bot for use.

a screenshot showing Claude 2 interface

While initially accessible only through , Claude is now available in over 95 countries for free use. The AI chatbot by itself is capable of a lot. This ranges from simple conversations to writing complex codes, solving riddles, telling jokes, and more. Users can even upload compatible files and ask Claude to summarize them for ease of use. Furthermore, the best part is that the bot replies are lightning-fast and effortless.

However, do note that Claude 2 cannot access the Internet and is limited by its data. Claude also sometimes struggles with mathematical problems, so double-check your answer. Nonetheless, try it out and let us know what you think.

Key Features: 200k context window, Can load libraries of books, comparable to the GPT-4 model, Upload PDF files, Cheaper than GPT-4, Safe to use LLM

Try Claude 2 (Claude Pro starts at $20 per month)

6. GroqChat

Groq is an AI-first hardware company that has developed a specialized chip for AI inference called an LPU (Language Processing Unit). The company has taken the AI industry by storm by offering 10x better performance than Nvidia GPUs. To showcase its LPU’s prowess, the company has launched GroqChat where you can run open-source models and get results in a jiffy.

groq chat interface

Currently, it hosts Mistral AI’s impressive open-source model, Mixtral 8x7B model and Meta AI’s Llama 2 70B model. Both models are great, but I prefer to use Mistral AI’s model as it’s much better at reasoning and complex tasks. If you don’t want to pay for ChatGPT Plus subscription and looking for a free alternative, GroqChat is a solid option. Not to mention, the lightning speed performance of GroqChat will blow your mind.

Key Features: Lightning fast output generation, Hosts open-source models including Mixtral 8x7B, Free to use

Check Out GroqChat (Free)

7. Chatsonic

For many users, Chatsonic has proven to be one of the best ChatGPT alternatives, and for good reason. The bot has been built on top of ChatGPT and, hence, inherits its vast potential. While the chatbot only had a few features upon its launch, it is now supercharged with a lot of things that make it worth your while.

For starters, Chatsonic’s integrated Google search means it can quickly look up the Internet for you and provide you with the most detailed answer. This ensured I didn’t get incorrect details. The chatbot even cites sources for verification. There is also a built-in image generator when you quickly need a photo. While the images aren’t as good as Midjourney, they’re pretty decent with super fast output.

Chatsonic interface

Chatsonic also comes with multiple personas, ranging from an accountant to a poet, in case you feel like conversing with different people. It even has a voice recording feature if you feel too lazy to type. While the Chatsonic is not free, you get 10,000 free words when you sign up. You can get more when you buy a paid plan.

Key Features: Offers GPT-4 model, Image creation, Voice command, Translation, Character-based chat, Internet access

Try ChatSonic

8.

One of the best open-source ChatGPT alternatives, HuggingChat is an AI chatbot created by HuggingFace, one of the premier websites hosting many AI services. This chatbot was previously based on the Meta AI (LLaMA) LLM but has since evolved where it lets you choose from a variety of language models.

This includes not just Llama 2 but also other LLMs like Mixtral-8x7B, OpenChat, Google’s recent open-source Gemma models, and more. To help sort this, HuggingChat has the option for multiple chats.

A screenshot showing HuggingChat's interface

HuggingChat can do everything ChatGPT would. It can write interesting blog posts and jokes, curate HTML code for websites, give you recipes, and much more. There is also a handy toggle to enable web access.

This will allow the bot to gather information online to supplement its answer. However, the bot has network errors from time to time, which might hinder you. Nonetheless, try this ChatGPT alternative the next time the former goes down.

Key Features: Multiple model selection, Supports web access, Good for coding,

Try HuggingChat

9. Pi, your personal AI

Among all the other ChatGPT alternatives, Pi is possibly the only one that will provide you with a different experience altogether. Based on being a supportive and smart AI, Pi is a chatbot that follows a unique design. Instead of full-blown chats, conversations on Pi happen dialogue by dialogue. What makes it more interesting is that Pi is also one of the only assistants who talks back. The website has six different voices; each is eerily realistic and oddly comforting.

Pi personal AI interface

Pi starts the conversation itself and tries to glean in every message you send. Speaking something like how a therapist would, the ChatGPT alternative is quite inquisitive and tries to understand and respond in kind. One could almost start to forget this is an AI if not for the occasional errors.

So, while it can get tedious if you keep talking, Pi is one of the best ChatGPT alternatives if you want some mental relief. However, you need an account and a working phone number to sign up, which can be a downside for some. Nonetheless, check it out.

Key Features: Personal AI chatbot, Speaks like a therapist, Engaging and conversational

Try Pi, your personal AI

10.

Students are not the only ones who can benefit from tools like ChatGPT. Github Copilot is the company’s solution for programmers at their wit’s end. GitHub Copilot is based on the concept of auto-completion but goes much further than that. The tool helps programmers by suggesting and completing code and entire functions in real time. Consider GitHub Copilot as a tool to help with programmers’ block.

Github Copilot is on OpenAI’s latest GPT-4 model and has been trained on millions of lines of code. Copilot is compatible with all popular coding editor platforms, including VS Code, Visual Studio, Neovim, and JetBrains. This intuitive ChatGPT alternative can also generate syntax in various languages, including Javascript, PHP, and BASH.

GitHub Copilot X interface

GitHub has also introduced chat and voice for Copilot, which will give users a ChatGPT-like experience, and even GitHub Copilot Voice, where developers can verbally give natural language prompts. You can simply ask Copilot Chat for code improvements, and it will suggest them in real-time.

Besides writing code, GitHub Copilot can give users an in-depth analysis and explanations of code blocks through the power of GPT-4. It supports pull requests, answers questions on docs, and provides a personalized developer experience. While the service was available for limited users, it has now started to roll out more widely. GitHub Copilot is priced at $10 per month for individuals and $19 per user per month for businesses.

Key Features: Powered by GPT-4, Great coding model for developers, Supports numerous IDEs, Autocomplete code, Write test functions, Supports GitHub functionalities, Debug code

Try Github Copilot

. OpenAI Playground

From the start, it is worth noting that OpenAI Playground is a tool not meant for daily users. However, if you find yourself locked out of ChatGPT and still want a taste of its capabilities, OpenAI Playground is the way to go. This web-based tool works like ChatGPT but provides much more advanced options, including selecting a specific language model to experiment with.

Once you have selected the model, you can tinker with other factors such as the model’s randomness, number of tokens, frequency penalty, stop sequences, and more. ChatGPT Plus users can even choose the latest GPT-4 LLM.

Open AI playground interface

Since OpenAI Playground is simply a demo version of the ChatGPT service, its outputs are on par with ChatGPT and give a good feel of the actual service. You can try out some cool ChatGPT prompts mentioned in this article. This chatbot demo also supports speech-to-text inputs, and you can even upload an audio recording.

Unlike some AI bots, Playground doesn’t slow down and responds on the fly. It’s also free to use, provided you sign up for an account. However, be aware that you might lose access, just like ChatGPT, if the server is in high demand.

Key Features: Lots of model customizations, Access to various models, Upload audio recording, Free to use

Try OpenAI Playground

12.

Introduced in early 2023, Poe by Quora is not an AI itself but more of a platform where you can talk to AI bots. Poe stands for ‘Platform for Open Exploration.’ True to its name, Quora Poe is a place where users can talk to and experiment with various AI .

Quora mentions that Poe lets people ask questions, get instant answers, and have back-and-forth conversations with several AI-powered bots.

Quora Poe interface

Poe’s website is neatly packaged and currently allows users to talk with AIs like Sage, ChatGPT, Dragonfly, and even GPT-4, Claude 2, Gemini Pro, Mistral-Medium, and more. All told, the platform allows access to over 20 different LLMs. However, access is limited for the last two, so you must get a subscription for the same. For those thinking that Poe is an AI chatbot that is going to use the question-answer data on Quora, you can rest easy as that’s not the case.

Quora Poe works extremely well and has little to no downtime while you talk away with the various AI bots. However, you do need to create an account to access it. Thankfully, you don’t need to create separate accounts for all services, so that’s the bright side. If you’re the sort who loves all these ChatGPT-like tools but can’t be bothered to open them all, Poe can be your one-stop platform for them.

Key Features: One-stop platform for various models, Supports GPT-4, Claude, and more, Easy to use, No downtime

Try Quora Poe (iOS / Android)

What are AI Chatbots?

For those unaware, AI chatbots are virtual programs and apps designed to simulate human conversation. To break it down even further, AI chatbots make users feel like they’re talking to another human instead of bots. Ever since the rise of ChatGPT, AI chatbots have vastly increased in quantity. Besides talking, AI chatbots can do a lot of other things, including writing essays, solving calculations, and more. As mentioned in the piece, a lot of ChatGPT alternatives here function as full-fledged AI chatbots. So you can go ahead and have conversations with these bots and have them respond in kind.

Is There Any Ultimate Alternative to ChatGPT?

While we have listed many ChatGPT alternatives above, we wouldn’t classify any of them as the ultimate solution. Depending on how you are as a user, one alternative might be more suitable for you than the other. So, whether it’s a ChatGPT alternative for coders, writers, or even people with simple search engine queries, there’s something for everyone.

Is There a Free Version of ChatGPT?

ChatGPT itself is free to use and experiment with by anyone. However, users who want to try out the new GPT-4 model must pay $20 monthly to access it. This will not only give them a better language model but no downtime. Check out how to get access to GPT-4 right now and get started.

What is ChatGPT’s Advanced Data Analysis?

Previously known as the Code Interpreter, the Advanced Data Analysis is a separate mode for the bot that enables users to upload any kind of code or data and have ChatGPT analyze it. So, if you’re a programmer with code to debug, you can use this mode provided you have the ChatGPT Plus subscription.

What Is Google’s Equivalent of ChatGPT?

Google has worked on several different language models in the past. The list includes models like BERT, MUM, and LaMDA. However, Google’s latest and most fitting ChatGPT equivalent is Bard. As mentioned above, Google Bard is an experimental conversational AI service. However, it’s equally powerful with multiple features like access to the Internet, extension support, citing sources, multimodal help, and much more.

Is Google Bard better than ChatGPT?

While both ChatGPT and Google Bard are capable AI bots, calling one better over the other wouldn’t necessarily be correct. Both the AI chatbots come with their own set of nuances that users love. So, while Google Bard comes with multiple drafts and sources for variety, some absolutely love GPT-4s speed and data. So, as is with everything in life, your mileage may vary.

Views: 22

Best WhatsApp Alternative Apps You Can Use In 2024, Facebook-owned WhatsApp Messenger is the most popular messaging app on the planet. The company releases new features regularly to ensure it remains on top. However, people have different tastes and not everyone may like how WhatsApp works or looks both internally and externally.

Meta-owned WhatsApp has a policy and it makes it clear that the company collects lots of telemetry data from your device. Hence, if you are someone who wants to move on to a more personal or secure messaging app, here are the 12 best WhatsApp alternative apps you can use in 2024.

1. Telegram Messenger

Telegram Messenger has been known as the best WhatsApp competitor for a while now and nothing’s changed. The open-source messaging app is still the best WhatsApp alternative out there. Along with the usual messaging features that both WhatsApp and Telegram pack, the latter brings other features like supergroups of up to 100,000 people, public channels, usernames, the ability to share files of up to 2 GB, passcode lock, self-destructing messages and end-to-end encryption in secret chat among other things.

Telegram Interface

Then, there are Telegram Bots, which really enhance the experience. The bots not only bring you important info on the go but there are several game bots that let you play games inside the messaging app. Other than that, unlike WhatsApp, Telegram can be used on multiple platforms at once, so you can start texting on your phone and then continue it on your PC. I also love the voice call feature here which works quite well.

Availability: Android, , Windows Phone, Windows, macOS, Linux, Web (Free)

2. Signal Private Messenger

Signal Foundation, the organization that powers the end-to-end encryption technology in WhatsApp Messenger and Facebook Messenger, offers its very own messaging app dubbed Signal Private Messenger. As you’d expect, Signal brings a number of security benefits when compared to WhatsApp. It offers self-destructing messages, screen security (prevents anyone from taking screenshots), and more.

Signal interface

Plus, Signal brings encryption to its backups, calls, group calls, and every other data in the app. Even the files that you send using Signal are protected. Furthermore, according to Apple’s App Store listing, Signal doesn’t link any data to your identity.

Signal privacy policy

It’s a great app for anyone who wants to securely converse with other users. That’s why, Signal is quite popular with journalists. Signal Private Messenger is for people who are looking for a simple and secure messaging app and if you are looking for something like that, it is the best WhatsApp alternative for you.

Availability: Android, iOS (Free)

Best WhatsApp Alternative Apps You Can Use In 2024

Read More : 12 Best Linux Distros You Should Use

3. Discord

Discord is no longer just a platform for chatting with your fellow gamers. While you can explore a variety of Discord servers to engage with your interests, Discord’s DM functionality is often overlooked by many. You can use Discord’s personal messages feature to send messages, emojis, emotes (if you have Discord Nitro), GIFs, images, and even documents. Furthermore, you can make voice calls, video calls, or even browse together after sharing your screen.

Discord Interface

Combined with neat integrations from Spotify, Twitch, YouTube, Battle.net, Steam, Reddit, Facebook, Twitter, Live, and GitHub, Discord has got you covered for all your messaging needs and is arguably better than WhatsApp.

You can also create group chats on Discord with a total of members. If you need more capacity, you can always create a server. If you ask me, I’d recommend uninstalling WhatsApp right away and installing Discord. You will find the link to download Discord below and I can assure you that you won’t regret the decision.

Availability: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Web (Free)

4. Messages by

This might be an odd one but hear us out! Google’s RCS messaging service has improved by leaps and bounds since it was first introduced. Although it may not be the most widely available service in the world and is limited to just Android users, almost every Android device should have this feature. Just download the Google Messages app, go to the settings, and enable RCS (Rich Communication Services).

Google Messages Interface

RCS is a secure way of sending messages across devices; messages sent with RCS are encrypted and can carry more information across than SMS, and the Google Messages app comes tailored with lots of handy dandy features such as smart replies, stickers, GIFs, suggested actions, and integrates very well with GBoard. The one major con of RCS comes due to Apple not adapting the service despite multiple jabs from Google. This means if the party on the other side uses an iPhone, your messages would be sent as regular SMS.

AvailabilityAndroid, Windows, Web (Free)

5. Bridgefy

One of the main problems with online messaging apps like WhatsApp is that they rely on an internet connection to work. And if you are out camping in the woods even the normal text messaging apps will not work. That’s where offline messaging apps come into play. These apps don’t require a mobile network or internet connection to work.

Bridgefy Google Play Store page

Rather, they create a peer-to-peer Bluetooth mesh network or Wi-Fi direct-based network on your phone and allow you to send messages to your nearby friends. If you are looking for such an app then you should use Bridgefy. Bridgefy offers three main types of messaging services; Person-to-Person mode, Broadcast mode, and Mesh mode.

You can send messages to a friend, broadcast them to the entire group, and even use users as nodes to send messages to long distances. It is quite helpful during music festivals, sports events, natural disasters, and other such situations where you won’t be getting reliable mobile service.

In fact, Bridgefy and other such apps have become a bastion for protesters around the world as they allow them to evade internet censorship imposed by their governments. The app is free to download and use and is the best offline WhatsApp alternative in my opinion. You should check it out.

Install: Android (free), iOS (free)

6.

Kik is a great messaging app for users who don’t want to use their number to operate a messaging application. While chat services like WhatsApp require users to use their number, I know many users who are not comfortable with sharing their personal numbers to these platforms.

Kik Messenger Interface

For those users, Kik is a great service as it only requires you to use your email ID. Once you sign up for the service using your email ID, Kik will create a unique user name for you which you can share with other Kik users to chat.

The best part about using Kik is that you are not losing out on any messaging features. You still get access to all the important features including text messages, emojis, stickers, Gifs, photo sharing, video sharing, and group chats among other things.

Another unique feature of Kik is that it supports bots which is something that you do not get on WhatsApp. Using bots you can play quizzes, get fashion tips, the latest news, and more. That said, the main USP of Kik remains its non-requirement of a phone number and if that’s something you want, definitely check it out.

Availability: Android, iOS (Free)

7.

While Snapchat technically is not just a messaging app but rather a social media app, I use it more and more as a messaging application thanks to some unique features that no other messaging application can offer. For example, I can send messages which can self-destruct after a set period of time. It also notifies me when someone takes a screenshot of my chats with them. Finally, it offers the best face mask collection of all the apps that I have ever used which makes this app fun to use.

Snapchat Interface

Other messaging features are also here such as the ability to create group chats, voice calls, group voice calls, gifs, and more. I also love Snapchat because it is one of the most innovative chat services on the market. The features that users on WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger normally enjoy are generally copied from Snapchat. So, if you want to access these cool features and be the first to receive the latest chat features, Snapchat is the app to use.

Availability: Android, iOS (Free)

8.

Skype is without a doubt one of the best business chat applications out there that you can use right now. With the power of Microsoft behind it, Skype has left all the other business chat applications in the dust. However, that progress has worked against Skype when it comes to personal chats as the business moniker that it has earned keeps normal users away. But let me tell you that Skype is one of the best chatting applications on the market especially if you make a lot of video and voice calls.

Skype Interface

I especially find Skype useful when I am using it to make overseas calls as the sound and video quality on Skype is far better than its competition. I also love Skype for its group video call functionality.

While most other apps don’t support group video calls, the ones that do often lag when you add more than three to four people. If you are someone who makes a ton of video calls with their friends and family, I can certainly recommend Skype over WhatsApp or any such chat application.

Availability: Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Web (Free)

9.

Keybase is an open-source secure chat application, which is great for users who want to communicate securely. Since this is an open-source app, there’s no private company that is looking at all your data. Anyways the data is end-to-end encrypted so at no point in time, the message is exposed to nefarious actors.

Keybase Interface

The app doesn’t even allow you to take the screenshot of the chats. The messaging app works more like Slack than WhatsApp, however, it’s not aimed at businesses. Rather, it is mainly targeting users who are concerned with their online privacy.

My favorite feature of Keybase is that you don’t need anyone’s number or email ID to connect with them. This allows you to remain in contact with users whom you don’t want to share your personal information with. Finally, this is one of the few messaging apps that offer a native application for the Linux operating system. If you value your privacy, you should definitely check it out.

Availability: Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, and Windows (Free)

10. Viber

Viber is another popular messaging and VoIP app that really stands toe-to-toe with WhatsApp when it comes to features. Firstly, the app offers end-to-end encryption in calls, messages, and shared media. Moreover, the messages saved on multiple devices are also encrypted, which brings us to the fact that the messaging apps pack in multi-device support, which WhatsApp lacks.

Viber Interface

Like WhatsApp, Viber lets you make video and voice calls but the app goes one step ahead with its Viber Out feature, which lets you make international calls to non-Viber users at nominal rates.

Talking about the messaging features, Viber includes support for stickers, file sharing, last seen, voice & video messages, public accounts, backup to , and more. There is also a sticker store and Viber games, which are basically games you can play inside Viber. If you consider everything, you’ll notice that Viber is an app that is very similar to WhatsApp. It packs in most of the features from WhatsApp and then some more.

Availability: Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Windows (Free, with rates for Viber Out)

11. Session

Session is another great contender for one of the best WhatsApp alternatives if your priority is securing messaging. It is a privacy-focused messaging app that promises no metadata and only messages. The open-source app encrypts messaging as well as calls to ensure that nobody has access to your messages on the internet. Session uses Libsodium cryptography to encrypt your chats and its public keys are stored locally on your device.

Session Interface

You don’t need an email or mobile number to start using the messaging app. All the messages on the app are sent via a decentralized onion-routing network similar to Tor. Despite being a privacy-focused app, Session’s user interface is quite customizable with and dark mode. You get groups, video calls, voice messages, attachments, voice calls and even group calling functionality on this WhatsApp replacement app.

Availability: Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux (Free)

12. LINE

Another WhatsApp alternative you can use is LINE, which is a highly popular cross-platform messaging app that packs in a ton of features. Like WhatsApp, the app features end-to-end encryption, support for voice and video calls & messages, and more.

It also brings quite a few unique features when compared to WhatsApp like LINE Out (lets you make international calls to non-LINE users), a sticker store, a cool Keep feature (lets you save your favorite messages, photos, etc.), and more. It also features a timeline in the app, where you can see any status updates and photo changes from your friends.

Line Interface

Other useful features of LINE include passcode lock, filter messages, themes, LINE Pay for payments, and more. There’s no doubt that LINE is a very capable and feature-rich messaging app, however, it does feel a little bloated. So, fans of WhatsApp’s simplicity might not like LINE much but if you aren’t bothered by that, you should give LINE a shot.

Views: 352

10 for ios 2024, If we raise a question about the most popular game in the world, a big part will go to . We often call it Soccer, too. Not just in the gallery, the popularity of football games has now crossed the boundary of the virtual world. And so, you don’t have to be a real-time famous football star to play in different leagues.

You can now experience the excitement of football games on your iOS devices. Giants of the football gaming industry have already launched tons of exciting football games for iPhone, and today, we are going to discuss that.

10 Best Football Games for ios 2024

Whenever you search for the best football games, you will definitely find hundreds of games at once. But none of them are compatible enough to get your time. That’s why we prefer to check out the best games and their details before you start playing one. It will help you to install the right one at once.

To help you find all the details of the best soccer games for the iPhone, we are here as usual. We check twice about the football leagues, visual graphics, audio, functions, and gameplay while listing the best. So, spend a little of your time to get the most appropriate football game for you.

1.

Football Strike

Team up with your friends for unlimited action in Football Strike. Start the game by selecting a multiplayer mode to represent your team. World-class teams like Liverpool FC, FC Barcelona, and Borussia Dortmund can lead you to the medals.

Important Features

 A lot of online game modes are available to play with competitors around the globe.
 Shooting Race mode is where you have to play within a time limit and hit the target as fast as you can.
 There is a Free Kick mode that allows the battle between the goalkeeper and a striker.
 Unlimited types of equipment can be personalized in colors and stickers according to your own style.
 Different stadiums in different locations are to be explored in Career mode.

Pros: The best part of this is its environment that lets you feel like playing live with other players. Plus, sound and music play a great role in making it more realistic.

Cons: Some players have complained about the connection drop-up issues here. Also, compared to other games, it’s pretty expensive.

Download

Read Also : The best PS5 games for 2024

2. eFootball PES.

eFootball PES - iPhone Footbal Game

Feel the thrill of a real football stadium at eFootball PES. has brought this game so that your fantasies come true here. If you play well throughout the whole week, you’ll get a place in featured players. It will get you special player cards, extra skills, and added ratings.

You can enjoy the authentic feel of matches from the stadium, too. Still not impressed? Here are more features for you that will surely convince you.

Important Features

 By playing in the Iconic Moments Series, you can recreate the best career moments of present famous soccer players.
 Teams like Manchester United, FC Barcelona, Juventus, and many more are featured to play with.
 Online and local multiplayer matches allow you to play with friends and improve your skills.
 If you want to play with world-famous characters such as D. Maradona, D. Beckham, and S. Gerrard, add them to your team.
 The condition of your player, roasters, and ratings are influenced by the data of live updates from real matches.

Pros: This exciting game lets you join in real-time online football matches. Besides, it supports lots of languages, too.

Cons: This game requires too much space to play simultaneously. Plus, the campaign mode doesn’t seem to be anything special, as it shows.

Download

3. .

Final Kick

If you are a pro football fan, you better not miss the Final Kick. This extensive game is well-known as one of the best football games for the iPhone for its minimal design but high-quality functions. With precise control of your finger over the ball and goalkeeper, you can strike and save goals.

You can play the game for only 2 minutes in a short time. Moreover, there is a free-kick mode for unlimited goals. Intuitive graphics will ensure clear movements.

Important Features

 Do not miss a single detail, as you can replay the best shots from every angle in slow motion.
 In multiplayer mode, you can play with your friends as well as other players online.
 To win prizes, you have to attend the weekly tournament and position among the top 100 players.
 More than 20 local tournaments can be played even without an internet connection.
 Over 100 of the finest teams are there for you to play against.
 You can change any particular features of your team and players and train them.

Pros: This app provides full-time customer care support that will help you solve any confusion. You don’t need to pay a penny to take part in a tournament.

Cons: The touchpad function is not very smooth in this game.

Download

4. FIFA Soccer.

FIFA Soccer‬

Before starting the World Cup season, you can now enjoy the virtual version, FIFA Soccer. This game was launched by Electronic Arts, and it is available in a lot of countries like Argentina, Brazil, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Germany, and many more.

In the season mode, prestigious teams will help you to get top ranks and exclusive rewards. Besides, I am pretty sure that you will love the graphics and audio quality of this game.

Important Features

 The UEFA Champions League and Europa League are waiting for you to participate, and you can earn players after the season ends.
 You can create your own squad with players from La Liga, Bundesliga, and Premier League, and players can be taken from the same nation or team for better bonding.
 If you play in the attack mode, you can play against your friends.
 With 100 legendary players, they can be chosen with their historic careers.
 To get a more skillful team, you can train famous international players and level up.

Pros: It lets you enjoy different types of gaming modes. In multiplayer mode, you can challenge your friends, too.

Cons: Sometimes, the players lose control over the gameplay here.

Download

5. .

Soccer Stars

Of course, a list of football games is incomplete without Soccer Stars Football Kick. Football games for iPhone like this offer you real Football challenges to face. You and your friend can play on the same device in offline mode and multiplayer mode. Also, you can earn money here.

The game is available in different languages like German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, etc. Besides, it offers very smooth control over the screen, and the gameplay is quite exciting.

Important Features

 You can collect various teams to personalize your style.
 Multiplayer mode lets you play with or without an internet connection.
 If you want to battle against players from different countries, you have to participate in online tournaments.
 After logging in with , you can take part in the game with your friends.
 To win the cup, you need to show the best skills against your opponents.

Pros: You can try both a normal and VIP subscription that comes with exclusive features. You can customize your team in this game, too.

Cons: Some users find an insecure connection problem while running this game. Besides, some got fed up with unwanted bugs.

Download

6. Retro Soccer.

Retro Soccer

Unlike the other football games on the list, we got Retro Soccer. This is an arcade-style football game. After building the team with your favorite legends, start playing in your own style. It will keep you up-to-date with new challenges, features, and players.

You can use the app with six family members. So, the multiplayer mode has become funnier and exciting. Let’s see what more it will offer.

Important Features

 You can make your own all-star team by collecting and upgrading players of your choice.
 There are different types of matches, like full league seasons, challenge matches, and world trophy competitions.
 Lives will be recharged instantly, and it will cost you nothing.
 The best scores you made can be shared with everyone by using ReplyKit live.
 Make a goal against your friend to see who can reach the highest score.

Pros: This game offers a free subscription in over 70 countries. You can also enjoy it on iPhone, , iPad Mini, iPad Air, iPad Air, iPad Pro, and iPod Touch.

Cons: This game doesn’t have a synchronize option, so you can’t use it on your other device with the same account.

Download

7. .

Top Eleven Be a Soccer Manager - iPhone Game

Check out a soccer game managing strategy game called Be a soccer manager. You can play it for free on your iPads and iPhones without any issues. This game offers you all the popular players and teams of the world. You will also get regular updates from the developers.

You can build a completely personalized soccer team by selecting different players and other tools of your choice. It allows you to play with your friends and interact with other players online. So, join now in the community of ever-growing soccer management games on the iOS platform.

Important Features

 Offers a huge community of over 200 million players.
 Make the best possible team and use new tactics to win live events and challenges.
 Allows the players to manage your custom team as you wish.
 Try to win as many events and tournaments as you like and gather rewards and daily gifts.
 It features team-building capabilities. You can build your team and improve in your own way.
 Supports multiple languages along with English as default.

Pros: This free football game for iPhone works flawlessly on all kinds of iOS devices. You will be happy to know that this game offers regular training sessions, a guide for using the tactics, and other gameplay tips.

Cons: Some might find this game boring because of its management related to strategy-based gameplay. It requires devices over iOS 10.0 to run it smoothly.

Download

8. Blocky Soccer.

blocky_soccer - iPhone Footbal Game

Let’s check out Blocky Soccer, one of the most versatile block animation-based soccer games for iOS. It works on both phones and tablet devices due to its outstanding optimization by developers.

Blocky Soccer is free to play and offers easy gameplay. You must gather as many trophies as you can by winning lots of matches and campaigns.

It renders high-quality graphics and adaptive sound effects. The game is also backed up by regular updates and frequent fixes to provide you with the best possible gaming experience.

Important Features

 Offers retro style in-game environment and visual effects.
 Includes highly responsive touch-based controls.
 Features numerous characters that you can choose from.
 Comes with advanced sharing options, and you can also compete with other players.
 Provides a set of different grounds and adaptive weather effects.
 Offers a lot of campaigns and tournaments that players can join.

Pros: This game comes with very clear HD visual graphics and sound quality. Moreover, it is a completely free football game for iPhone.

Cons: Many players of this game have questioned the poor defense strategies of this game.

Download

9. Flick Shoot 2.

Flick Shoot 2

If you want to play a realistic soccer game on your iPhone or iPad, try Flick Shoot 2. It is one of the best soccer games for iPhone you will find on AppStore.

This game is free to play with optional subscription packages at affordable pricing. It comes with an interactive online multiplayer mode.

You will be able to play different matches with friends and other players. It offers endless hours of exciting game sessions. The game also gets regular updates and new content to provide you with a seamless gaming experience.

Important Features

 Offers stunning, realistic 3D graphics and sound effects.
 It offers multiple game modes, such as single-player mode, missions, campaigns, and minigames.
 The game’s controlling system is very smooth and familiar with similar games.
 Comes with multiple language support along with English as default.
 Provides numerous vests, balls, shoes, and players with complete customization options.

Pros: You will love its versatile single-player gameplay, which features 6 different game modes, including Challenge, Time Attack, Arcade, Not Miss, etc. Also, you can try the tournament and multiplayer modes too.

Cons: You might find the game to be slower when playing in multiplayer mode.

Download

10. Winning Soccer.

Winning Soccer

Winning Soccer by gamegou is a highly optimized 3D football game for iPhone. It is made for iPads but works flawlessly on iPhones, too. You will love its realistic gameplay and competitive multiplayer modes. It allows playing with your friends or any other players around the world in real time.

Its live-person VS person game sessions are highly demanding. So join the ever-growing community of Winning Soccer now. The following features will make you eager to download it without a doubt.

Important Features

 You can create and manage your custom soccer team.
 Offers smooth and responsive touch controls for easy gameplay.
 Master your controls to win in international live matches and tournaments to gather experience points and rewards.
 It allows you to challenge other players around the world in real-time live matches.
 Comes with total customization options for all kinds of tools, such as balls, vests, stadiums, settings, etc.

Pros: Renders jaw-dropping 3D graphics and stunning visuals with advanced physics works. Plus, people of any age can enjoy this game.

Cons: Some users find their devices to be very slow when having a proper internet connection. Besides, some of them lose control over the screen too.

Download

Our Recommendation.

No game, to be true, can be just perfect for everyone. The cons of the following games are that they are not the experience of all the users. Rather, most of them end up loving these games for their individualities and amazing gameplay.

However, as there are 10 equally compatible games, you might get confused about them. Let me help you one more time. If you prefer playing the best free football games, then you should try either Top Eleven Be a Soccer Manager or Blocky Soccer.

But if you prefer quality over the cost, then Final Kick and Football Strike would be the best options for you. And you should try Retro Soccer if you like an arcade-style football game in any way. All these games are good enough to boost your gaming experience.

Finally, Insights.

So, we have reached the final part of today’s discussion, where you learned about the 10 best football games for the iPhone. Whether it is a real football game or a virtual one, football has always been the name of our love. So, don’t get bored in your leisure time; just boost your gaming experience with these games.

I am sure that whatever game you are going to choose, you’ll end up loving it. However, don’t forget to share your experience playing the game you selected. Also, let us know if you know about any game that is ever more compatible. Thank you in advance for your support.

Views: 13

Pin It