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The best Linux desktops provide a simple way to find your perfect Linux desktop environment. The thought of a desktop environment as a separate entity from the operating system sounds foreign to most mainstream users coming from Windows or Mac OS.

But that’s just another example of the dexterity of Linux. For all intents and purposes, a desktop environment is just another piece of software, albeit an expansive and complicated one. At the end of the day you can install it just as you would any other piece of software. 

Moreover, many desktop developers ensure you can easily drape their creations over your existing installation. Besides the mainstream ones like Gnome, KDE, Cinnamon, Mate, , LXDE that come pre-installed with one of the mainstream distros, here are some of the interesting ones that you might not have heard about.

We’ve analyzed these Linux desktops on various points, like how resource-intensive they are, their hardware requirements, customizability, and the out-of-box experience. We also considered the design and visual appeal — whether it was beautiful with interesting animations or sleek and minimalistic. 

Best for customization

budgie desktop website screenshot

(Image credit: Github)

Developed and used by the distro, the desktop is written from scratch using components from the Gnome stack. 

The highlight of the desktop is its unified notification and customization center called Raven, which also gives you quick access to the calendar, media player controls, system settings and power options. All the elements on the desktop, such as the applications menu, are implemented as applets. 

Budgie is easy to customize and extend and offers enough options to help you mold it as you want. For example, by default Budgie doesn’t show icons on the desktop and has only one workspace, but both of these behaviors can be overridden easily from the Budgie Desktop Settings app.

The developers have refined some of the essential elements of the desktop, which includes the Budgie Menu, which now sorts category names alphabetically, and the Icon Tasklist applet that has several new features and behavior refinements. 

Several distros, including Ubuntu and Manjaro have spins based on Budgie and users can fetch it from the COPR repo.

Best for usability

deepin de website screenshot

(Image credit: Deepin)

2. Deepin DE

Best Linux desktop that’s aesthetically pleasing

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Reasons to buy

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Configurability

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Responsive

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Host of native apps

Reasons to avoid

Not highly customizable

The Deepin desktop is part of the Deepin distro. It’s based on HTML5 and WebKit and uses a mix of QML and Go for its various components. 

Besides the desktop itself, notable homebrewed Deepin components include the application launcher, dock and control center. All of Deepin’s tweakable parameters are accessible via a hidden panel that folds into the desktop itself. 

The Deepin desktop tries to replicate the usability and aesthetics of Mac OS X, and has a clean and clutter-free interface with nothing except the dock at the bottom of the screen. The desktop now also supports touch-screen gestures. The desktop has configurable hot corners that by default allow you to access the applications menu and the control panel using which you can manage all aspects of the desktop.

The desktop isn’t officially supported by many distros, but several have community-supported spins and you can fetch the desktop via third-party repositories for your installation.

Best Linux desktop of 2024

Also Read : 12 Best Linux Distros You Should Use

Best lightweight

enlightenment website screenshot

(Image credit: Enlightenment)

3. Enlightenment

Best Linux desktop that’s lightweight and beautiful

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Reasons to buy

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Animated actions

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Lightweight

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Tweakability

Reasons to avoid

Doesn’t ship with many apps

Enlightenment is a rather unusual desktop environment. It is in fact more of a window manager as it lacks taskbars, panels and even menus. Yet, unlike many lightweight environments, the Enlightenment desktop is full of eye-candy that you’d expect from a full-blown environment, at a fraction of the resources. 

There are subtle animations tucked in almost every element of the desktop, from the menus to the various desktop widgets. The desktop has a first boot wizard that enables you to select various aspects of the desktop that define its behavior and appearance. For example, you get an option to select the text size in the windows, which is a really useful feature and even more so if you’re running Enlightenment on a high DPI display. 

The desktop also offers plenty of modules and configuration options to keep you busy without overwhelming new users. However, you’ll have to put some time to set it up as per your liking. Configuring the desktop requires patience and willingness to try the different options and what each does. You can find Enlightenment in the official repositories of all major distros.

Best for old PCs

lxqt website screenshot

(Image credit: LXQt)

The LXQt desktop environment is a combination of the GTK-based lightweight desktop LXDE and Razor-Qt, which was an equally lightweight, but far less mature, desktop that used the Qt toolkit. Thanks to this combination, LXQt manages to pull off the look and feel of a modern desktop without being a drain on resources.

The desktop will feel at home on a modern machine, but is still light enough to push an out-of-commission computer back into active duty. It adheres to the old but familiar desktop metaphor, with a status bar laden with icons at the bottom of the screen. The applications menu features the traditional categorized list of apps as well as a search box to help launch apps. 

LXQt offers a decent number of tweakable options that help customize the most commonly used aspects of the desktop. The desktop uses modules, which are essentially desktop-independent tools for desktop specific operations, and its panel also supports plug-ins. You can find LXQt in the repositories of virtually all distros.

Best for macOS users

pantheon website screenshot

(Image credit: Pantheon)

5. Pantheon

Best Linux desktop for migrating macOS users

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Reasons to buy

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Animated actions

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Minimalist

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Keyboard shortcuts

Reasons to avoid

Lacking customizability

The Pantheon desktop from Elementary OS is another minimalist but stylish desktop that has created a name for itself as an elegant and user-friendly desktop environment. 

The desktop uses its own Mutter-based window manager called Gala and takes cues from the Mac OS X desktop for a pleasant user experience. The desktop nicely integrates the various elements, such as the Plank dock, the top panel (called Wingpanel) and the Slingshot application launcher. 

Nearly all actions on the desktop are subtly animated, but the desktop manages to strike a balance between form and function. You can use the Pantheon Tweaks tool to customize the desktop. Once it’s installed, you can use the tool to change the appearance of the desktop, set fonts, control the animations and more.

Many of the default apps that ship with Pantheon, such as the Calendar app, the Code text editor are written from scratch, to blend in with the rest of the desktop. Keyboard warriors can also access virtually all aspects of the desktop without using the mouse.

Pantheon isn’t officially supported on any other distro, but can be installed atop Arch, Ubuntu, OpenSUSE and Fedora.

Best Linux distro for Windows users of 2024

The best Linux distros for Windows users can make it simple and easy to switch from Windows to Linux systems.

It can be an inundating experience, especially for people coming from proprietary operating systems like Windows. Linux distributions, thanks to their open source nature, offer a lot more access than their closed source cousins, which makes the transition particularly difficult for many users. 

This is where these specialized distros, designed for Windows users, come into the picture. Their objective is to allow users to experience the goodness of Linux while minimizing the learning curve that’s associated when switching to a different operating system. They all take various steps to ensure that the transition is as effortless as possible.

We’ve tested numerous Linux distros to find the best ones for Windows users. We looked at how user-friendly they were, the hardware requirements, the ease of installation, and the overall out-of-box experience. We also considered the distro’s learning curve and the desktop environment, among other aspects.

Best Debian distro

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1. Deepin Linux

Best Debian distro for Windows users

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Reasons to buy

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Home-brewed desktop

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Helpful first-boot wizard

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Touch-friendly interface

Reasons to avoid

Slow installer

Deepin Linux is a Debian-based distro that’s known for its aesthetically pleasing custom desktop environment called DDE. Together with several home-brewed apps, the distro is designed to ease new users into the Linux desktop.

Deepin comes in both a stable and experimental version. The “stable” version (currently 20.8) is based on the stable version of Debian at the time of release (in this case Debian 10 “Buster”).

The experimental version (current V23) is designed for “non-production environments”. In other words it’s better for personal use rather than anything critical. The latest experimental build is visually very rich with a “flow design” and added widgets so closely resembles Windows 11

Deepin uses a first-boot configurator app to help you tweak the look and feel of your installation by changing icons, enabling window effects and more. These are classified into two broad categories and you can use either depending on the number of available resources on your computer. 

On lower-end machines, you can run the installation in Efficient mode to make the best use of the limited resources, while on newer ones you can use the Fashion mode to turn up the bling. The amount of customizations in DDE are quite diverse and extend from the main desktop area to the notification management.  

There’s a Deepin custom app for conducting the majority of common desktop tasks, such as watching films, listening to , viewing images, taking backups, recording screencasts, and about a dozen more.

The other custom Deepin app that deserves a special mention is the App Store. It makes it fairly easy to discover and install news apps, which will be appreciated by new users not familiar to the Linux app ecosystem. Also, listed besides the usual categories of apps is the Uninstall section that can help you get rid of any installed apps using a more familiar parlance.

Best Ubuntu distro

2. elementary OS

Best Ubuntu distro for Windows users

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Reasons to buy

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Aesthetic desktop

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Picture-in-picture mode

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Custom apps

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Support for Flatpaks

Reasons to avoid

Doesn’t support 32-bit architecture

Elementary OS is based on Ubuntu. There are new releases every 1-2 years each of which are named after a different god. For instance, the most recent version (7.0) is codenamed “Horus”. 

This isn’t all that’s divine about this OS. It has made a name for itself for crafting a very usable and aesthetically pleasing desktop distro. Everything from its pre-installed apps to its home brewed desktop is designed to give a comforting experience to users new to Linux.

Its custom-built Pantheon desktop, is a pleasing aesthetic take on the classical desktop metaphor. One of its distinguishing features is the picture-in-picture mode that enables you to select an area of a window or the desktop, and then pops it out. This pop-out is movable, resizable, always-on-top, and can move across workspaces

The distro comes with a carefully pruned collection of pre-installed apps that’s been assembled to make the desktop experience more consistent and appealing to new Linux users. In fact, many of its most-used pre-installed apps have functional names like Mail, Music, Photos and Videos, which makes them easier to discover.

The distro also has an onboarding app to help new users set up their installation.  elementary OS also uses its own App Center. The latest version emphasizes app screenshots, as well as providing more information about the developer and how actively packages are maintained. Installation is via Flatpaks so it’s very easy to toggle automatic app updates too. It takes a similar approach to system settings with its custom app that exposes the bare essentials instead of throwing an endless stream of toggles and switches.

Best unique distro

is based on Ubuntu. It’s specifically designed to “out of the box”. The two main flavors use the MATE (pictured) and Cinammon desktop environments. The layout is familiar for Windows users with a taskbar and configurable menus on the bottom.

This distro emphasizes compatibility with restricted/proprietary formats. Out of the box it can edit Microsoft Office documents via the suite. With one click of your mouse you can also “Install Multimedia Codecs” to play all kinds of audio/video files. 

You can also use the Software Manager to install more programs. Linux Mint has its own repositories but can also access Ubuntu’s. There are around 30,000 packages available overall, so it’s likely you can find a good equivalent to Windows apps.

The latest version of Linux Mint 21.1 (Codename “Vera) is based on Ubuntu 22.04. This is a LTS (Long Term Support) release so updates will be available until April 2027.

Best for older machines

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4. Zorin OS

Best Linux distro for Windows users with older machines

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Reasons to buy

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Look changer app

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Several free editions

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Useful documentation

Reasons to avoid

Official tech support isn’t great

At first glance, Zorin OS comes off as just another Ubuntu-based distro. However, what makes it unique is the home-brewed Zorin Appearance app that tweaks the desktop environment to make it resemble Windows in both form and function. 

Pitched as a distro for first-time Linux users, Zorin is designed to appeal to users coming from popular proprietary operating systems, namely Windows and macOS. 

The GUI is Windows-like with a menu that opens from the bottom left of the desktop and a task bar. You can use the launch menu to install “Windows App Support” to run your favorite Windows apps through the ‘Wine’ compatibility player of ‘PlayonLinux’. The preinstalled LibreOffice suite can also open Microsoft Office documents.

Zorin is available in four different versions: the Core, Lite, and Education editions are free, while the Pro version costs $39. The Core edition is the standard edition that includes all the apps you’d find in a normal desktop Linux distribution, while the Lite edition is designed for older machines. The paid Pro version comes with support and a few extra features, such as the option of using interfaces that mimic macOS, classic Windows and Windows 11. It’s also chock-full of all kinds of apps like advanced video and photo editors. 

The distro is complimented by a useful selection of documentation that’s again written for users migrating from proprietary desktops and aren’t used to the Linux way of doing things. All things considered, we’d advise you to use the Lite edition to take Zorin for a spin. This uses the Xfce desktop, so the layout is more familiar to Windows users. You can then switch to the to experience the full potential of the distro.  

Best for ease-of-use

5. Ubuntu

Best Linux distros for Windows users that’s easy to use

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Reasons to buy

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Very accessible for novices

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Security and stability of LTS version

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Lubuntu spin is great for underpowered PCs

Reasons to avoid

Some flavors heavy on resources 

Ubuntu is one of the most popular flavors of Linux and is strongly recommended for Linux newbies, as it’s extremely accessible. That’s why we’ve already featured two variations of Ubuntu in this guide, but it’s worth considering the main Ubuntu release itself.

New versions of Ubuntu are released every six months, and every other year the developer Canonical releases an LTS (long term support) version of Ubuntu. These guarantee five years of security and general maintenance updates, so you can carry on using your machine without the hassle of running a full upgrade every few months. Standard releases are supported for one year only. 

The current LTS version of Ubuntu uses the Gnome desktop environment, which may be less unfamiliar to Windows and macOS users.

The good news is that Ubuntu is available in a variety of flavors. The “Lubuntu” OS uses the LXQt desktop environment. This will feel comfortable for Windows users, as you can access the menu and minimize windows just as before. Both the desktop and apps that come bundled with Lubuntu are designed to be lightweight, making it perfect for older machines.

As of version 23.04, Ubuntu now officially supports the ‘Cinnamon’ desktop (pictured). This has a similar look and feel to Windows but uses much richer graphics. Naturally, you’ll need a more recent PC to make use of all its features.

Ubuntu has also become increasingly integral with cloud computing services, making it not just a good distro for easing beginners into Linux, but also one for those looking to develop their long-term business IT skills.

Linux distros for Windows users FAQs

How to choose the best Linux distros for Windows users for you?

With the best Linux distro for Windows users, you’ll enjoy a smooth transition from Windows to Linux. But you’ll have to look at many factors before selecting the right distro for yourself.

For starters, check whether your hardware can run the distro, mainly because not all distros run on 32-bit architecture. You’ll want a lightweight distro that’ll run without lagging if you’re on older hardware. It always helps if the distro has plenty of documentation available and an active forum where you can seek help. Also, check out the distro’s desktop environment to see if it’s to your liking, in terms of visuals, functions, and customizability.

The best Linux distros for Windows users: How we test

We analyzed various aspects of different distros to find the best Linux distros for Windows users. We looked at how resource-intensive the distros were, what kind of hardware they’d run on smoothly, the documentation available, and the out-of-box experience. We considered the installation time and the additional apps that came with the distro. 

We evaluated the desktop environment based on the visuals, functionality, and customizability. We also checked out the online forums to see if there was an active community that could help with doubts.

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Dash cams record footage of accidents, road rage incidents, and more. The best dash cams not only offer high resolution recording and cloud-based storage, but many can also record both the road and your ‘s interior for more context in case of an accident.

Since you can’t keep track of everything all at once while driving, a quality dash cam can be a valuable tool for new and experienced drivers. By recording the road in front of your vehicle, a dash cam can provide important information for authorities and insurance companies in the event of an accident or collision. 

Some models also record the interior of a car to monitor distractions and driving habits, making them great for parents of teen drivers or caretakers of elderly family members. Others include a second camera unit for mounting on the back of a vehicle to give you almost 360 degrees of recording. Many dash cams also use night vision to record at night and motion detection to automatically record movement and activity while your car is parked. 

What is the best dash cam right now?

I chose the Vantrue N2 Pro as the best dash cam you can buy right now for its support of high-capacity microSD cards for more storage, inclusion of a front and rear camera, and up to 1440p recording resolution. You can keep reading below to find out more about the as well as my other picks for the best dash cameras.

Best dash cams of 2024

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Vantrue N2 Pro

Best dash cam overall

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vantrue n2 pro

Vantrue N2 Pro specs: Resolution: 1440p | Night vision: Yes | Motion detection: Yes | Storage: Up to 256GB microSD card | Power source: 12V adapter, hardwire kit | GPS: Optional | Viewing angle: 170 degrees front, 140 degrees interior | Viewing location: Front, interior

The Vantrue N2 Pro is an excellent dash cam for new drivers as well as drivers looking to upgrade their current dash cam setup. It features a front-facing camera and an interior-facing camera, so you can record both the road and passengers as you drive. The front camera captures video in 1440p resolution at 30 frames per second, while the interior camera records in 1080p at 60 frames per second. You also can change the front camera to 1080p/60fps for smoother playback at faster driving speeds. 

For power, you can either use the included 12V adapter or purchase a hardwire kit to connect the camera to your car’s battery for nearly unlimited runtime. The front camera uses infrared night vision to capture clearer images in the dark and even has a 24-hour parking mode, which uses motion detection to only capture footage when something moves near the car.

It supports microSD cards up to 256GB for storing videos, and the camera records in loops, so you never have to worry about offloading old videos. The camera will automatically overwrite old videos when the card is full. The built-in G sensor automatically detects when a crash or other accident happens and stores relevant video for later viewing. There’s also an optional GPS unit you can buy for accurate location tracking to help emergency services get to you faster in the event of an accident.

Verified customer reviews on Amazon agree that the night vision feature of the Vantrue N2 Pro does a great job of letting you see pedestrians, animals, and road hazards in the dark. They also agree that the system is easy to set up.

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Best dash cam under $175

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nexar beam

Nexar Beam tech specs: Resolution: 1080p | Night vision: No | Motion detection: Yes | Storage: 32GB | Power source: 12V adapter | GPS: No | Viewing angle: 135 degrees | Viewing location: Front

If you’re looking for a dependable dash cam that won’t break the bank, the Nexar Beam is an excellent option. This dash cam retails for less than $175, while still giving you awesome features like motion detection recording. 

The front-facing camera captures video in 1080p for clear images, and the included 32GB microSD card can store up to 4 hours of dash cam footage. You also get unlimited free cloud backup storage for video, so you can have them on hand for insurance purposes if needed. And no need to worry about offloading video on a regular basis — the Nexar Beam automatically loops and overwrites old video when the card is full. 

With the companion app, you can set up automatic updates for the camera so it’s always ready to go. You also can use the app to create detailed collision reports, complete with G force, speed, and location information as well as related videos. 

If you forget where you parked your car or if it gets stolen, the app provides detailed location info so you can get your vehicle back safely. It even sends out SOS messages to emergency contacts in the event of a crash so that you can get help faster. The best part? There’s no monthly subscription fee.

The cost of the dash cam covers your lifetime usage of the app and its features. ZDNET’s own Eileen Brown got to go hands-on with the Nexar Beam, and loved the companion app for being easy to connect to the camera and customize features. And verified customer reviews agree with her, noting that the companion app allows you to create a cloud backup for recordings (for a fee).

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Mini 2

Best dash cam for memory

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garmin dash cams 9

Garmin Mini 2 tech specs: Resolution: 1080p | Night vision: No | Motion detection: Yes | Storage: Up to 512GB | Power source: 12V adapter | GPS: No | Viewing angle: 140 degrees | Viewing location: Front

If you drive a commercial truck or for a ridesharing service, you need a dash cam that can store dozens of hours of video, since you may not have reliable or frequent access to a computer to offload footage. 

The Garmin Mini 2 supports microSD cards up to 512GB, which allows your dash cam to store almost 31 hours of 1080p video. The large capacity makes it great for road trips, long-haul trucking, and full-time rideshare drivers. The camera is also incredibly compact, measuring just 2 x 1 x 1 inches, so it won’t obstruct your view while you’re driving. 

The Garmin Mini 2 uses built-in voice controls for hands-free use, so you can start and stop the dash cam record while driving without taking your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road. You also can remotely access the dash cam with your smartphone for live video streaming, allowing you to check on your vehicle while it’s parked. In parking mode, the camera uses motion detection to automatically start recording when it senses movement.

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Vantrue N4

Best multi-view dash cam

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vantrue n4

Vantrue N4 tech specs: Resolution: Up to 4K front, 1080p interior and rear | Night vision: Yes | Motion detection: Yes | Storage: Up to 256GB | Power source: 12V adapter | GPS: No | Viewing angle: 155 degrees front, 165 degrees interior, 160 degrees rear | Viewing location: Front, interior, rear

With three different cameras, the Vantrue N4 allows you to get almost 360 degrees of video coverage for your car while you drive. The main camera records the road in front of your vehicle as well as the interior, while the second camera can be mounted on the back of your car to record behind you. 

When used by itself, the front-facing camera can record up to 4K resolution at 30 frames per second for smooth playback. And when used with the other two cameras, it still records in 1440p while the interior and rear cameras record in 1080p.All three cameras are equipped with night vision for recording in the dark as well as motion detectors for capturing video when motion is sensed around the parked car. The built-in G sensor automatically detects when you’ve been in an accident or when something hits your parked car, saving recordings for evidence. 

The Vantrue N4 supports microSD cards up to 256GB, allowing you to record up to 15 hours of video in 1440p. The camera automatically overwrites the oldest file on the card for loop recording, so you don’t have to worry about clearing out the microSD card. An optional GPS unit is also available to buy, which lets the camera record routes and location information. That can be helpful for parents of new teen drivers as well as family members who want to ensure senior family members are protected on the road.

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Nextbase 622GW

Best dash cam with GPS tracking

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nextbase 622gw 2

Nextbase 622GW tech specs: Resolution: 4K | Night vision: Yes | Motion detection: Yes | Storage: Up to 256GB | Power source: 12V adapter | GPS: Yes | Viewing angle: 140 degrees | Viewing location: Front 

Being able to give emergency services a precise location in the event of an accident or crash can make all the difference. The Nextbase 622GW is designed to provide video footage of your driving while pinpointing your location. It features integration with What3Words, an app that permanently assigns three random words to every 3-meter square of maps. These words then translate into real-world locations, allowing you to let emergency responders know exactly where you are, even if you don’t have a street address. 

The front-facing camera features a polarizing filter to help reduce glare and washout from bright sunlight. It is capable of recording video in up to 4K resolution at 30 frames per second, though you also can record in 1400p at up to 60fps and in 1080p at up to 120fps for smooth playback even in high-speed-driving videos. You can use the slo-mo function to analyze footage frame by frame, while the built-in image stabilizer reduces picture sway for clearer frames. 

With the camera’s night vision and motion detection, you can record at night and when your car is parked. The dash cam connects to your smartphone via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to automatically sync and store your video recordings. The built-in Alexa functionality gives you hands-free control and the ability to hear the news, weather, and your favorite music without taking your eyes off the road. 

What is the best dash cam?

My pick for the best dash cam is the Vantrue N2 Pro. Not only does it record what’s on the road in front of you, but it also has a second lens for recording the interior of the car, which is helpful if your car is ever broken into or stolen. Parents of new drivers can assess their teens’ levels of distractions and dangerous driving habits. 

It even has infrared night vision and motion detection to capture images in the dark and conserve battery life. It records in 1440p resolution at 30 frames per second for clean, crisp images. You can also switch to 1080p for a higher frame rate while you’re driving.

Best dash cam

Best Price

Resolution

Storage

Vantrue N2 Pro

$135

1440p

Up to 256GB 

Nexar Beam

$170

1080p

Up to 256GB

Garmin Mini 2

$110

1080p

Up to 512GB

Vantrue N4

$205

4K

Up to 256GB

Nextbase 622GW

$260

4K

Up to 256GB

*Best price at time of writing. Please note that actual retail price may vary depending on the seller as well as available deals and active promotions.

Which is the right dash cam for you?

The best dash cam for you depends on what you want to record and for how long. There are many dash cams on the market that record the road in front of your car, which is great for providing evidence in case of crashes and accidents. 

Others also can record the interior of your car, which is perfect for parents of teen drivers who want to keep tabs on their distractions and dangerous behaviors. Some dash cams come with a second camera that you can mount in the rear window of your car to record vehicles and the road behind you. 

If you want to keep your car monitored while it’s parked or while you’re driving at night, you’ll want to opt for a model with motion detection recording and night vision for clearer images in dim light and to conserve battery while idle. You’ll also want to choose a dash cam with a high storage capacity so you can properly store several days or weeks’ worth of video.

Some dash cams also require professional installation, since they connect to your car’s battery, computer, and electrical systems to function. While these can be quite expensive on top of installation costs, they’re a good option if you don’t plan on switching vehicles or don’t want to mess with recharging batteries.

Choose this dash cam…

If you need…

Vantrue N2 Pro

An affordable and well-rounded dash cam for front and interior recording.

Nexar Beam

A very affordable dash cam with , SOS messaging after crashes, and good resolution.

Garmin Mini 2

A name-brand dash cam with high-capacity storage, a compact design, and voice controls.

Vantrue N4

A dash cam kit for recording multiple viewpoints with 4K resolution, night vision, and motion detection.

Nextbase 622GW

A high-end dash cam with voice controls, 4K resolution, and GPS tracking.

What should I look for in a dash cam?

Whether it’s your first dash camera or an upgrade for your current setup, here are a few features to keep in mind as you shop:

 Price: Staying within your budget is important, not only to be nice to your wallet, but to ensure that you aren’t paying for features you aren’t going to use, or making up in frustration what you’ve saved in cash.
 Recording set up: Many dash cams are made to only record the road in front of the vehicle. But there are models that also record the interior of your vehicle or include a second camera to use as a backup camera or for traffic recording.
 Smart features: Many dash cams with companion apps for smartphones and tablets which give you access to saved recordings, expanded cloud storage, and enhanced settings like motion detection and night vision.

How did we choose these best dash cams?

While testing and researching each dash cam on this list, I and other ZDNET experts kept these criteria in mind:

 Set up: Some dash cams require you to hardwire them into your vehicle’s electrical system for a continuous source of power, while others have built-in rechargeable batteries. We included several types on this list to suit both newcomers and dash cam experts.
 Expandable memory: Whether you opt for expandable internal storage via microSD cards or cloud storage backup, each dash cam on this best list has been ensured to support various memory capacities for recording video and still photos.
 Video resolution: Having a dash cam doesn’t make much of a difference if you can’t tell what was recorded. Each dash cam on this list has been vetted to have a minimum recording resolution of 1080p HD.

Do dash cameras work when the car is off?

Absolutely! Whether it uses your car’s battery or its own rechargeable one, your dash cam will be able to record as long as it has access to a reliable source of power. 

I recommend using a dash cam with motion detection if you’re planning to hook it up to your car battery, so it won’t get depleted overnight. And you won’t have to worry about your dash cam depleting your vehicle’s battery, as it doesn’t require much power. 

You can also avoid this altogether by buying a dedicated battery pack for your dash cam. These also charge when your vehicle is in motion. 

How long do dash cameras keep footage?

It mostly depends on how much storage space you have. A 32GB SD card can store about four hours of 1080p footage before it needs to be overwritten, whereas a 512GB SD card can store up to 24 hours of 1080p video. 

If your dash cam is capable of cloud storage, you can have almost unlimited video storage, since it will upload data to the cloud server to make room for local recording. However, as you go up in resolution, your storage can handle less footage. A 32GB card will only hold about 30 minutes of 4K video, and a 512GB one will hold close to four hours.

That’s why it’s best to have a dash cam with cloud storage. It also comes in handy if you’re involved in an accident and the device incurs damage. 

How big should my dash cam SD card be?

If you only plan to use your dash cam while you’re driving, a smaller SD card will be just fine. A 32GB SD card can hold up to four hours of 1080p video, giving you plenty of storage space for typical commutes or shorter road trips. 

If you want to be able to record video overnight, you may want to invest in a 128 or 256GB SD card to make sure you have enough space.

Are dash cams worth the money?

Yes, they are worth the money. If you’re involved in an accident, dash cams can provide a video recording of what happened, which can absolve you of responsibility if the incident was caused by another driver. 

On that principle alone, it can save you money relative to repair fees and injuries incurred by other parties. It can also keep you from receiving points on your driver’s license. If it shows you’re not at fault for the accident, it can prevent your car insurance premium from skyrocketing. 

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If you are looking for the best Nintendo DS emulator for Windows, Mac, and Android devices then keep reading as we have mentioned some of the best just for you.

A gaming console helps in enhancing the gaming experience which you won’t find while using the keyboard or mouse. Out of the many gaming consoles we have here listed some best emulators for Nintendo DS. The reason we are sharing this particular model is that there are more than 150 million people who bought it and it was discontinued in 2013.

So if you are one of the 150 million users who are still looking for the best emulator options then keep reading to know each and every detail about the software.

Best Nintendo DS Emulators to Use in 2024

Here are some of the emulators that can help you use your Nintendo DS Emulator Windows 11 easily for any game.

1. : Best Nintendo DS Emulator Under Active Development

No$GBA - Best Nintendo DS Emulator Under Active Development

The name can be tough to read but it is pronounced or read as No Cash GBA. This is one of the best Nintendo DS emulators. In the beginning, the emulator was named as Gameboy Advance emulator before it got support for Nintendo DS and DSi, later it got the name NO$GBA. The standard version for Windows has all the features that can help you run Mario, Pokemon, and other regular titles, however, the NO$GBA debug version for Windows has been designed for programmers.

The best part about these DS emulators for PC is that both versions are available for free to use. The latest version of NO$GBA is v3.02 which was released in May 2020. The new update supports multiplayer mode for most of the GBA and DS ROMs.

The reason why this Nintendo DS emulator for Mac is in the top position is that it has great compatibility with commercial DS ROMs. It also supports Nintendo DS homebrew. Using this emulator you can play various games like Pokemon Diamond on full screen without any interruption. It uses very few resources which is why it is a great pick.

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2. DeSmuME:

DeSmuME - Best Open Source Nintendo DS Emulator

DeSmuME is another great Nintendo DS emulator which is open-source and free to use. This emulator is available for all the major OS including Mac, Linux, and Windows. It supports both 32-bit and 64-bit, apart from this it even supports graphics modification depending on the system you are using and its capabilities.

This best DS emulator for Windows 11 PC offers a cheat code manager, save slot, and USB controllers support. The save slot feature lets you continue from where you left off. For Windows devices, the emulator depends on the Microsoft UCRT DLLs that are in your system. The users of this Nintendo DS emulator for Mac and Windows should even patch the latest version available for stable and better performance.

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3. MelonDS

MelonDS

The next software on the list of best Nintendo DS emulators is MelonDS. It is also an open-source emulator that works on every Windows PC. The emulator is fast and offers accurate emulation for the Nintendo DS. Using the emulator you can run your favorite Pokemon and Mario games.

The features list of this emulator might really interest you. The list includes JIT recompiler, 3D upscaling, Joystick support, and OpenGL renderers like many features that help in fast emulation and better user experience.

Though only single-player gameplay is available, unlike others that offer multiplayer. Things to note, the emulator requires firmware and BIOS dumps for Nintendo DS because the developers do not offer Nintendo DSi titles. The same is with the Nintendo DSi titles you need to have the BIOS, NAND, and firmware. It offers an ad-free experience too, looking at all the features offered the emulator is one of the best Nintendo DS emulators for Mac and Windows.

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4. RetroArch

RetroArch

RetroArch is a great emulator which lets you play games, media players, and other applications. This is a free-to-use and open-source emulator which everyone can use easily. Using this you can play classic games on every computer without any issue. The interface as seen in the images is very simple and easy to navigate options.

Apart from the common features, it also has some unique features which you might like. The list of features includes netplay, 4K upscaling, rewinding, shaders, next frame response time, machine translation, and many others.

This DS emulator for PC is also available for devices. It is available for all the latest versions of Mac, Windows Linux, Android, Raspberry Pi, and iOS devices. Other than this if you have an older version you can still use this emulator easily as it supports older versions too.  It can run on game consoles like 2DS, 3Ds, U, Switch, PSP, PS2, PS3, Wii, and others.

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5. : Best Nintendo Ds Emulator for Mac

OpenEmu - Best Nintendo Ds Emulator for Mac

Yet another free and open-source emulator that works on most of the systems. It can be used for various gaming consoles like Game Boy, Genesis, Nintendo GS, and many others. If you have used Apple Music then you might find it a little similar to that. Using the emulator it is very easy to browse, add, and organize.

The layout has multiple screens that support cheat codes, shows saved states and many other options. All the games that you will play will be organized in a library for easy access. You can even create a separate collection using various titles from different consoles. The software smartly maps the controls of various devices including DualShock (3 and 4), PlayStation, Wiimote, and many others.

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6. Ensata

Ensata

Ensata is a Nintendo-developed emulator that works perfectly with the Nintendo DS. It was developed as a debug target for the development of DS apps. The software emulates the ARM7 and ARM9 dual screen processors, using the mouse cursor as a touch screen. The leaked source codes have made this available to add commercial games.

The feature which makes it one of the best DS emulators for Windows is accurate rendering.  It aims to remove the gap between the two screens of the actual Nintendo DS console. The software doesn’t even require much from the PC to run. All you need to use Ensata is an Intel Pentium or above processor with a minimum of 256Mb of RAM and GPU with support of DirectX 9. You can use this Nintendo DS emulator for Windows 11 and older versions easily.

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7. iDeas

iDeas

Next up is iDeas which is another great Nintendo DS emulator which is free to use. It can easily run several ROMs with support for major NDS functionalities. Inspired by the N64 emulator it uses the plugin system. Using this software you can run great games like ZooKeeper, Mario 64. Though you might witness some glitches while playing, there are a few that can be ignored.

Just like Ensata it also supports the dual-screen setup, using which you can easily take screenshots of both screens. Moreover, it also offers touchscreen supports that let you remap keys according to your preferences and ease.

The only negative point of this software is that the development of iDeas has been stopped, so the new games aren’t compatible with this Nintendo DS emulator for PC. But for the old games, it is one of the best options to go for.

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8. NeonDS

NeonDS

If you have a feeling that these Nintendo DS emulators cannot run the commercial games then you might be wrong because NeonDS is built for that purpose. The software offers fast rendering even with the old PCs which other emulators lack to offer. The rendering system is optimized to OpenGL 2.0 which offers freedom to record screens as well.

Though the emulator does not offer full compatibility it can still run on all major titles like Scribblenauts. Other than this there is another negative of this software, it hasn’t got new updates for a long time now which makes it incompatible with new games. Only if you are trying an emulator for better performance then you can try this DS emulator too.

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9. DuoS

DuoS

Just like NeonDS, this is also another abandoned project which might not be ideal if you are looking for new games. This emulator has both features GPU acceleration and dynamic recompiler with software renderer. This is a mixture of two emulators that we have listed above. It is a great software that offers quick processing and some of the greatest features.

The development of this software caused the downfall otherwise it would have been the best Nintendo DS emulator to use. The developers even planned to release new iDuos for DSi and Ds emulators for mobile devices, but unfortunately, none of them came into the market.  Above all, it is still a must-try software as it offers some of the features which might help you.

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10. Citra: Best Nintendo 3DS Emulator

Citra - Best Nintendo 3DS Emulator

Citra is among the best DS emulators for PC that you can try. It is a free and open-source emulator which can be used by anyone easily. The software can run most of the titles including commercial 3DS on Windows, Linux, Mac, and Android. Using the emulator you can play games like Pokemon X/Y that require HLE audio and LLE audio.

However, unlike other software, this emulator might not well in the old system as well as it works in new ones. It requires a powerful and fast processor to have a smooth run. You might even face issues with some games or apps as it will not load and only show a black screen. While the other compatible games run smooth and there you won’t face any issues. It supports WiFi but it doesn’t support Nintendo’s servers so if you want an emulator for the Nintendo server then you can skip this one.

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11. Drastic Ds Emulator

Drastic Ds Emulator

Drastic Ds emulator offers some of the best features which help it save a position on the list of Best Nintendo DS emulators. The software offers to save states, button mapping, controller support, and many other features. It can also increase the screen resolution if you wish to do that. For high-end smartphones, this one can be a great performer.

Though the screen of Nintendo DS is different from the mobile screen, to compensate for that the software offers as many as six different layouts. The layouts are single view, stacked view, keeping one screen shorter than the other, default view.   This is the best NDS emulator but a paid software that charges $4.99, but looking at the features list the price is worth paying.

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12. Lemuroid

Lemuroid

The next emulator on our list of best Nintendo DS emulators is Lemuroid. This is a great pick for Android users as it is completely free and ad-free too. Just like other emulators, it supports most of the systems like Atari 7800, Atari 2600, , , Nintendo, Game Boy, and others. It offers some of the important features like gamepad support, , and others. It can connect easily to one gamepad.

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13. NDS4droid

NDS4droid

The next name on this list of the top best ds emulator alternatives is NDS4droid. This emulator is available for Android devices. The tool is completely free and does not require any kind of payment to use. The interface of this emulator is quite simple and straightforward. Additionally, you get other features with the best NDS emulator.

The emulator is quite popular for its effective and ever-lasting save states. Hence, you can easily use the tool to save the game at any point. Apart from the Nintendo devices, the emulator can also run the OUYA games easily. Moreover, the tool does not pose any kind of security threat to your device and its files in any way.

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14. Project64

Project64

The next name on this list of the top best ds emulator alternatives is Project64. With the help of this lightweight emulator, you can easily play the realtor Nintendo games on your Windows PC. The interface of the emulator is quite simple and basic. Additionally, the tool is also built on a retro theme, hence all the users of Nintendo can easily get the best out of the emulator as required. The gameplay support offered by Project64 is just outstanding and amazing with a simple and steeper learning curve. Additionally, users can also play OUYA games using this emulator.

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15. EmuBox

EmuBox

The next on our list of Best Nintendo DS Emulator for Windows and Android is EmuBox. The website enables users to have a top notch gaming experience for retro games with the help of online emulators. It offers easy search options, storage over the cloud, stats display, friendlist, WebRTC , and more.

You can go through the list of authorized users and their recommendations. In the review section find out the user experiences and learnings to improve your gaming. All you need to do is scan the desired game and play it on your Android device.

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16. Fast DS Emulator

Fast DS Emulator

Yet another best Nintendo DS emulator on our list is Fast DS Emulator. It was formerly known as NDS Emulator and is one of the more recent additions to the market. It supports all of the fundamental components, such as external controller compatibility, save states, load states, and programmable on-screen gamepads, among other things. In terms of compatibility, the emulator worked perfectly with the titles that we put it through its paces, although we only put around a half dozen games through it.

The lower rating on Play is primarily the result of some bugs and other concerns. On the other hand, this is one of the few DS emulators that is currently undergoing active development, so we hope that the creator can iron out those kinks.

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17. NDS Boy! NDS Emulator

NDS Boy NDS Emulator

Next, we would like to introduce you to NDS Boy! It is among the best Nintendo DS emulators to play Nintendo DS games on a Windows computer because of its sleek and simple interface, the ability to save and load game states, and customizable graphics settings and audio/input game controls.

Moreover, support for cheat codes and an option to play your favorite games in full-screen mode contributes to justifying this emulator’s position on our list. The only prerequisite is your computer should have at least 2GB of RAM and a 2GHz processor.

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18. DSemu

DSemu

Here’s another one of the best Nintendo DS emulators for you. This is a great emulator that is built on an open-sourced platform and hence highly customizable. The interface of the tool is very easy to use and alluring. Moreover, the tool even allows you to play a number of games on your Windows device with ease.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Nintendo DS Emulator Windows 11 Edition

You may have some queries related to the best DS emulator for PC, Mac, and Android. To quench your curiosity, we are answering some of the most commonly asked questions related to the same. We hope that these questions and answers will help you.

Q.1 Are emulators illegal?

No, emulators are not illegal to use. Emulators of any kind, whether it is the best ds emulator for pc otherwise, can be used and shared with others freely as required. You will not be under any copyright laws unless you share the ROMs illegally online.

Q.2 What is the best free DS emulator?

If you are looking for the best free DS emulator, then DeSmuMe and NO$GBA are the top ones available for you. You can use and modify these emulators as required and proceed to enjoy the gameplay.

Q.3 How can I play DS games on a PC without an emulator?

No, you can not play DS games on a PC without an emulator. It is compulsory to use an emulator to play the games as the operating system of the PC and the Nintendo DS are different from each other. Hence, it is wise to use the best DS emulator for Mac or PC listed above for an optimal gaming experience.

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Final Words on the List of Best Nintendo DS Emulators

Now that you have gone through the list of the best Nintendo DS emulators we hope that you have found the best emulator for you. The software we have mentioned can be used for various PCs and most of them are compatible with the older ones too. If you have any suggestions regarding the list then you can drop your suggestions in the comment section below.

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The best Android phones in 2024, Finding a bad Android phone 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.

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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 is a flagship 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 AMOLED 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 , 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

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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 software 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 video 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.

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Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus

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 , 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.

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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

The best value Android phone

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 , 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.

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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.

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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.

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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 notifications 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.

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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

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.

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5

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 , 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 Windows 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 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.

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How to Use ChatGPT 4 For Free, OpenAI recently released its latest GPT-4 model, which is much more powerful than anything OpenAI has released so far. It is the largest language model system OpenAI has developed, and it also comes with vision capability. GPT-4 is multimodal, meaning it can interpret not only text but image inputs as well. Apart from that, it performs well in reasoning tests and supports about 26 different languages.

That said, ChatGPT 4 is not available to free users. You have to subscribe to ChatGPT Plus to try out GPT-4. Nevertheless, in this guide, we bring you simple ways to use ChatGPT 4 for free. You can access the advanced GPT-4 language model without paying any price. So on that note, let’s jump to the guide.

1. Use ChatGPT 4 for Free on Bing Chat

You can use GPT-4 for free on Microsoft Bing without any limitations. Just after the release of the GPT-4 model, Microsoft came forward and announced that its Bing AI is already running on the GPT-4 model (codename: Prometheus). In fact, Bing AI has some additional features that ChatGPT 4 does not have by default.

You can get answers live from the internet, generate images on Bing AI with a simple prompt, and get citations for information. Now let’s go ahead and learn how to use Bing to access ChatGPT 4 freely.

1. Head over to bing.com/new (visit) and click on “Chat now”.

chat with bing

2. Now, switch to the “Creative” mode and ask your questions. This mode uses the GPT-4 model.

Creative mode bing

3. You can also install the Bing app (Android / iOS — Free) on your smartphone and enable the “GPT-4” toggle. Now, you can start talking to GPT-4 without any limitations. You can also upload images to Bing to use GPT-4’s multimodal capability.

use gpt-4 for free on bing chat on android or ios

2. How to use ChatGPT 4 on Perplexity AI

For those unaware, Perplexity is an AI-powered search engine that combines its database with the Internet to provide a seamless experience. However, what makes it different is that it has a new Co-Pilot feature that uses GPT-4 to give enhanced search results and better information. Learn how to access ChatGPT 4 for your searches using the steps below.

1. Head to the official Perplexity AI website to begin the process.

2. Click on the “Sign up” button to quickly make an account. Go through the motions of making an account by entering your credentials.

Sign up perplexity AI

3. You’ll now land on the main page, but our focus is in the search bar. Toggle on the “Copilot” option to enable the “GPT-4” model. Free users can ask 5 questions every four hours.

Perplexity ai access chatgpt 4 for free toggle on

4. Now, type out your query or click on any of the pre-filled options and press return. In my case, I asked it to plan a trip to Italy. As you can see, Copilot understood my question and even asked me about my preferences.

plan trip to tokyo Use ChatGPT 4 For Free

5. And just like that, we have our trip. Just like the best ChatGPT plugins, Perplexity AI used GPT-4 to search the Internet and use AI to create a plan for me. You get five queries every 4 hours, so use them wisely.

trip to tokyo perplexity ai

How to Use ChatGPT 4 For Free

Read Also : Best Free AI Content Generator 2024

3. How to use ChatGPT 4 on Merlin

Merlin has already appeared on our list of ChatGPT Chrome extensions. However, we are mentioning it again as it’s also an amazing way to access GPT-4 for free. If you are new, you should know Merlin is an AI-powered extension that can intelligently act as a guide. You can summon Merlin through keyboard shortcuts or click its icon for help on various topics, including searches, articles, and more. Follow the steps below to set it up:

1. First, visit the official Merlin Chrome extension page and click “Add to Chrome.” You’ll now go through a small tutorial. That’s just there to teach you the basic steps.

add to chrome merlin

2. Now, we need to pin the extension for easy access. Click on the extension menu and then the pin icon next to Merlin.

pin browser extension chrome

3. Now, simply head over to any website or even Google and tap the Merlin extension. A chat will open up.

Ask Merlin anything

4. Finally, click on the dropdown menu and select GPT-4 to get Merlin to use that. Do note that while you get 51 free queriesGPT-4 uses 10 queries at once. You can even turn on web access beside it if you wish.

GPT-4 select

5. Just like that, you’re using GPT-4 using Merlin. The extension will now use the LLM and perform any task you wish. Definitely, an easy way to access ChatGPT 4 for free.

Access chatgpt 4 for free merlin extension

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chat GPT-4 available now?

Yes, ChatGPT-4 is available for use to those who have subscribed to ChatGPT Plus.

Can I use Chat GPT-4 for free?

Although there is no way to directly access Chat GPT-4 for free without subscribing to ChatGPT Plus, you can make use of it via GPT-4-integrated chatbots like Microsoft Bing, Perplexity AI, and others.

What can Chat GPT-4 do?

Chat GPT-4 is an AI language processing model that can analyze texts and images to provide answers to prompts that come from users of the advanced chatbot. The possibilities are endless when it comes to all that Chat GPT-4 can do.

How much does a ChatGPT Plus subscription cost?

ChatGPT Plus costs $20 per month for every region across the globe.

15 Best ChatGPT Plugins You Should Use Right Now

As if it wasn’t already possible, ChatGPT keeps scaling new heights. Thhe chatbot comes with some amazing features and data. However, did you know that there are plugins that you can pair with the AI chatbot? Even though Google remains somewhat of a competition with its PaLM 2 model, the OpenAI product remains massively popular. To make your job easier, we have scoured the ChatGPT plugin store and picked the best plugins already. So, without further ado, let’s begin.

1. Prompt Perfect

First up, we have Prompt Perfect, one of the best ChatGPT extensions that lets users write the perfect prompts for the AI chatbot. If you are part of the few not able to do so, Perfect will immensely help you. To begin, enter a prompt for whatever you want to ask the AI bot. In our case, I ask ChatGPT to write a 200-word story about cars.

prompt perfect chatgpt

However, make sure to write the word “perfect” before your prompt. Once done, the plugin will rewrite the entire prompt under the hood to make it highly detailed to ChatGPT. This helps the AI chatbot come up with informative and specific answers for your prompt. Besides that, the plugin requires no other intervention and has a plug-and-play nature. Check it out.

2. OpenTable

One of the best ChatGPT plugins we used was OpenTable for quick and seamless restaurant bookings on the go. This ChatGPT plugin is based on ensuring users book their times with the least possible effort. As such, you only need to provide ChatGPT with all the basic requirements, like the date, time, location, and number of people.

openai best chatgpt plugins

The plugin then takes in the information and automatically finds specific restaurants. The links provided by the plugin even lead to the reservation details already pre-filled, making it one of the best ChatGPT plugins for convenient restaurant bookings.

3. Wolfram

While it can get a bit technical for some users, the Wolfram ChatGPT plugin is one of the best due to its advanced abilities. Powered by advanced data, Wolfram allows ChatGPT users to access advanced computation, math, and real-time data to solve all types of queries.

wolfram best chatgpt plugins

So, instead of sticking to just basic math problems, you can ask Wolfram for advanced help like creating a genealogical tree, creating an audio spectrogram, illustrating anatomy, and much more. It can even tell the date and time in real-time, which isn’t something ChatGPT can do. So, go ahead and experiment with Wolfram to see which feature works best for you in this ChatGPT plugin.

4. Zapier

Made explicitly to eliminate and ease unnecessary workflows, Zapier is one of the top ChatGPT plugins for working professionals as well as marketers. In a nutshell, Zapier lets users interact with over 5,000 different apps without ever needing to perform extra steps. This includes all mainstream apps like , MS Outlook, Slack, and many more. All users need to do is complete a one-time connection and approve some actions.

zapier chatgpt plugins

Once done, you can practically draft entire emails or send in-depth Slack messages right from ChatGPT. Zapier then works in tandem with ChatGPT to make it possible and also lets users make edits to their actions. So when I asked to draft a test Gmail, it created the action almost instantly and let me send it. Check it out if you’re too lazy to open your mail client.

5. Canva

Canva has finally introduced its ChatGPT plugin, and it’s now available on the plugin store. It can do several tasks, from generating posts to videos for Instagram Reels and . You can also use it to generate templates for websites with descriptive prompts and create presentations right inside the chat interface.

canva plugin in chatgpt

The best part is that Canva allows you to edit the generated content for further customization. You just have to click the link, and it will take you to its website, where you can make changes. Not to mention, you don’t even have to log in to Canva to make key changes. All in all, the Canva plugin is truly a great addition to ChatGPT and brings so many new utilities to a chat interface. It’s also very easy to use the ChatGPT Canva plugin so you don’t need to fuss a lot with it.

6. Argil AI

While it’s quite easy to use DALLE 3 with ChatGPT, the Argil AI is an amazing plugin for images. Using Argil AI, users can generate images right within ChatGPT itself.

A screenshot showing Argil AI generating images

All one needs to do is select the plugin and describe the image they want it to create. The description can be very vivid for variety. You can even take inspiration from the best Midjourney prompts. Once done, simply hit return and wait while the image is generated. Within a few moments, Argil AI will output a beautiful image to the user. Opportunistic users can even compile a collection and make money with ChatGPT using this way. Check out Argil if you can’t be bothered to use DALLE 3.

7. VoxScript

VoxScript is one of the best ChatGPT plugins with some added features. This includes the ability to quickly fetch details and even its transcript in a detailed manner. So, if you were relying on the best ChatGPT Chrome extensions for that, you could use Vox now instead.

Voxscript ChatGPT Plugins

To begin, just ask to provide Vox with a URL of the target video and ask it to generate a transcript. The plugin will then run with ChatGPT and quickly dish out a detailed transcript along with its basic details and a view count. However, for users who want more, VoxScript can even comb through financial sources and even get you Google search results for even more data.

8. Kayak

One of the best plugins for travel planning with ChatGPT, Kayak lets users easily book flights and hotels and get travel recommendations for all their trip-planning needs. As before, it requires your basic details such as , destination, arrival, and departure time. Once done, Kayak will guide you through plenty of flight options available from your location.

Kayak best chatgpt plugins

The detail includes the total price, expected layovers and delays, popular airlines, and more. Once you’re happy with your selection, ask ChatGPT to generate links, and Kayak will do that, too.

9. Link Reader

While some of the best ChatGPT Chrome extensions can read webpages for you, not everyone is into extensions and wants stuff simpler. For those, Link Reader can be one of the best ChatGPT plugins. Put simply, this plugin can read the content of all kinds of links, including webpages, PDFs, images, and more.

link reader best chatgpt plugins

All one needs to do is provide it a link and ask it for information. ChatGPT then interfaces with Link Reader and provides a well-detailed answer to the query. So, if you’re looking for a quick summary, this plugin is one to turn to.

10. Speak

For the linguists out there, Speak can turn out to be one of the best plugins if used correctly. True to its name, Speak is a plugin that lets you learn how to say anything in other languages.

Speak ChatGPT Plugin working as a language tutor

This essentially makes Speak like a language tutor. Besides translation, users can use Speak for verbs, conjugations, nuanced grammar, and much more. To begin, type out your language query, and the ChatGPT plugin will respond back almost immediately.

. There’s an AI For That

While most of these plugins are one-off function ones, this ChatGPT tool comes under our best list because it is practically a collection of them all. There’s an AI that has a wide-ranging database of a variety of tools one might need in their professional and personal life. This includes simple tools like image editors, PDF converters, and much more.

Convert PDF

To look for specific tools, simply ask the AI about your exact requirements, and it will provide you with a handy list. I tried the same for PDF converters, and the plugin gave a concise list easily. Check it out yourself.

12. Instacart

While ChatGPT already gives you recipes, it cannot seek out ingredients for you. Instacart, on the other hand, makes its way into our best ChatGPT plugins list for this reason. Based solely on food, this ChatGPT plugin can intelligently come up with food and drink recipes and provide a detailed breakdown of the steps.

Instacart buy ingredients

However, what sets it apart is that Instacart then leads to its main service page, where users can buy these ingredients in real-time. So, if you seem to be running out of parmesan for your pasta, here’s where you can get it. The recipe and ingredient generation itself is fast and without errors and did satisfy a foodie like me. So give Instacart a whirl and see if you find the experience tasty.

13. Diagrams: Show Me

Besides leisure, ChatGPT can also help out users in the form of its various tools. One such tool in the form of the best ChatGPT plugins is Show Me, a handy service that lets ChatGPT create real-time diagrams of almost all types. Show Me requires a basic concept for users to display as a flow chart.

Show me best chatgpt plugins

In my experience, I asked the plugin to display the concept of Ikigai using a mind map. Both ChatGPT and Show Me worked together to give a visual and text-based representation of it easily. So the next time you feel the need to generate a quick diagram, use this ChatGPT plugin.

14. Image Editor

There are times you might have images needing editing but wouldn’t really want to open up for that. For all your basic editing needs, the Image Editor plugin can prove to be one of the best in ChatGPT. The Image Editor can perform various functions for you, including resizing, cropping, blurring, or even rotating the image.

Resize image bestchatgpt plugins

However, do note that you need to provide the image URL to the tool for it to upload it. Once done, simply ask the Image Editor for your request. We asked it to resize it to our dimensions, and it worked extremely well. While its functions are a bit limited, you can quickly do basic editing using this ChatGPT plugin.

15. CoderPad

 15 Best ChatGPT Plugins You Should Use Right Now
 15 Best ChatGPT Plugins You Should Use Right Now
 15 Best ChatGPT Plugins You Should Use Right Now
 15 Best ChatGPT Plugins You Should Use Right Now

We know that ChatGPT can now run code with Code Interpreter, but it only supports Python. However, with the CoderPad plugin, you can run code in over 30 programming languages right inside ChatGPT. That’s amazing, right? There is no need to set up the environment manually or worry about limited package support. Just install the CoderPad plugin, and you can run and test any piece of code.

And these are the best ChatGPT plugins you can use right now. However, do note that the plugin store contains hundreds of plugins, so feel to explore yourself, too. Ever since being boosted with GPT-4 Turbo, the chatbot has been made all the more powerful. However, on the off chance you’re bored, there are also a lot of ChatGPT alternatives you can check out to experiment even more. Got any more plugins recommendations for us? Drop them in the comments below.

Views: 20

12 Best Custom ROMs for 2024, The Android developer community is huge, with their biggest feat being the ability to develop custom ROMs or custom Android builds. A is an aftermarket firmware production based on the Android source code provided by Google. So if you are someone who wants to install a custom ROM on your device but are confused about which one to go with, here are our picks for the 12 best custom ROMs for Android in 2024.

In Short

 , Project Elixir, and EvoX are some of the best AOSP ROMs.

 LineageOS and Paranoid Android offer great stability.

 GrapheneOS and CalyxOS are for those who want to move away from Google services, partially.

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1. Pixel Experience

Pixel Experience is the best custom ROM for Android right now and there are three reasons for the same. Support for lots of devices, Pixel features to non-pixel devices, built-in GCam support, and more features, and the overall stability, which is top-notch among all the ROMs that we’ve tried so far.

Third, it has amazing stability among all the ROMs that I have tested for years. The main developer, Henrique Pereira, is not in a tearing hurry to port new Android versions to all the devices.

Pixel Experience Custom ROM

Instead, the developer picks a popular and developer-centric device and creates a base. After that, he publishes all the changes to GitHub for other maintainers to work on. Not to mention, Pixel Experience has maintainers around the world who work round the clock to quell bugs on time.

So to put it straight, if you want stability and new features right from Pixel devices then Pixel Experience is the best custom ROM on Android, bar none. Keep in mind, that you won’t get the latest Android build immediately, but you will have a stable and hassle-free experience for sure.

Download Pixel ROM

12 Best Custom ROMs for Android 2024

Read Also : Best WhatsApp Alternative Apps You Can Use In 2024

2. LineageOS

When people hear the word “custom ROM,” LineageOS is probably the first thing that comes to mind. LineageOS is CyanogenMod and for those unaware, back in the fall of 2016, Cyanogen announced that it was discontinuing development and shut the infrastructure behind the project. Since then, the developer community has kept the project alive, but under the name of LineageOS.

Lineage OS

Built on top of Google’s AOSP code with lots of additions on top, LineageOS works as a standalone ROM as well as a base for many other custom ROMs out there. It has the most extensive developer team under its name and officially supports over 190 devices. The ROM includes basic but useful features that include but are not limited to customizing the status bar, changing the overall theme, editing the navbar, and much more.

LineageOS is quite basic but it’s also very stable. Most use it as a canvas on which people then apply all sorts of themes and feature mods. LineageOS is also great if you want top-notch privacy and on a custom ROM. Not to mention, the development team has worked fast on bringing Android 14 this time and it’s available for several devices.

Download LineageOS

3. Paranoid Android

Not too long ago, one of people’s favorite Paranoid Android was resurrected from the dead. If you’re unaware, Paranoid Android is the OG and is one of the most acclaimed custom ROMs of all time. The development team has started to churn out the first batch of Android 14 Beta builds, and the ROM primarily focuses on bringing a polished and refined experience. Paranoid keeps it simple, which may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it does promise a smooth user experience.

Paranoid Android

For starters, it has a revamped quick settings menu, support for gestures, and a few nifty options for power users. One of the biggest flexes of Paranoid Android was when Google took its then-known ambient mode “Peek” and added it to AOSP, which was a huge achievement for the team. So, the next time you use Ambient Display, remember Paranoid.

Paranoid Android has a long list of devices but versions for most of them haven’t been updated since July 2023. Although development for a lot of Xiaomi phones is still active, only relatively modern phones are getting new ROMs. The latest Paranoid Android version is called Uvite, which is based on Android 14 and is available for a few Android devices as of now.

Download Paranoid Android

4. GrapheneOS

GrapheneOS and CalyxOS have similar agendas but the difference lies in how they try to run Google apps to prevent Google from tracking your location and data. Unlike CalyxOS, GrapheneOS uses Sandboxing, which, in layman’s terms, is like emulation and running apps in an isolated environment rather than on the device.

Like CalyxOS, GrapheneOS too is only available on Pixel devices. It’s close to AOSP and doesn’t offer many customization features. It’s primarily for those who want to stay away from Google’s clutches.

Download GrapheneOS

5. Evolution X

Evolution X is the Resurrection Remix from yesteryear. This is because of the plethora of customization features it offers, and it does while being relatively stable. Evolution X merges various code snippets into one main project to bring a long list of features for many devices. While this does mean that updates come a little slower, they are still able to deliver regular updates.

evolution X

Unlike Paranoid Android which has just started sending Android 14 builds, Evolution X has Android 14 available for lots of old and new devices. Expanding on the customization part, Evolution X offers some of the best customization options where users can customize every minute detail from the status bar to the home screen and a lot more, making it one of the most customizable AOSP ROMs of all time.

Download Evolution X

6. Project Elixir

If you are looking for the best Android 14 custom ROM, go ahead and check out Project Elixir. It’s a beautiful AOSP ROM that is very close to stock Android with Pixel features and customization options. It features Essense which is based on the Substratum theme and delivers an elegant lock screen experience that you won’t find on any other ROM.

Project Elixir

The best part is that it also offers timely updates and bugs are fixed routinely. As for device support, from Xiaomi to OnePlus, Nokia, and Nothing, almost all the OEMs are supported. Project Elixir is one of the best Android 14 custom ROMs in town right now and you should not miss it.

Download Project Elixir

7. PixelOS

PixelOS is another take on stock Android that brings, you guessed it, a Pixel-like user interface with added enhancements, improvements, and stability. It does not go overboard with features like other AOSP ROMs and prioritizes essential utilities that can help users. The ROM is based on AOSP so you know it’s stable; The developers of PixelOS have started pushing Android 14 updates.

PixelOS

The ROM is available for , Samsung, , OnePlus, Samsung, Asus, and more devices. The team is also quite up-to-date and regularly pushes new builds with features and security patches. Overall, PixelOS is quite impressive in terms of design and those who are looking to flash Android 14, must give it a try. It’s pretty similar to PixelPlusUI and PixysOS which are pretty similar and have their own feature sets.

Download PixelOS

8. crDroid

Imagine being on your device’s stock ROM, but with slight tweaks here and there that allow you to customize your device without losing out on the Stock stability. Well, that’s crDroid for you. crDroid has been around for some time and it has gained huge popularity among stock Android enthusiasts. Similar to AOSP Extended, crDroid has an active development team and supports lots of old devices.

crDroid

It offers the same AOSP experience that’s exclusive to Google’s lineup, along with truly tested features. Since crDroid is based on LineageOS at its base, the performance and battery life are phenomenal. To put it into words, think of LineageOS, but with added features and tweaks. The list of supported devices is also huge and contains both new and old devices.

Download crDroid

9. Havoc OS

Defining Havoc-OS would take up more than a couple of words. In your first run of this ROM, you’d find it similar to just about any other custom ROM out there. Use it for a couple of days, and you start experiencing the true beauty of Havoc-OS. One of the first ROMs to successfully implement a truckload of features. It will remind you of Resurrection Remix and Paranoid Android from the past.

HavocOS

The added functionalities of Havoc-OS include tons of mods for the Status bar, buttons, lights, gestures, and other various configurations. While at times, it lacks stability, I can surely say that it has the maximum customizability features. So if you want something like Resurrection Remix but with the latest Android version then Havoc-OS will take you right home.

Download Havoc OS

10. Bliss ROM

Bliss ROM is a new custom ROM in the Android ecosystem but it has huge potential. It not only develops ROMs for smartphones but also for tablets and devices like Surface Pro. And the overall experience is quite nice as it comes with a customized launcher and desktop mode.

While many users might not like this new way of system navigation, one cannot deny the fact that we need different kinds of skins to reshape the boundary of user interface design in custom ROMs.

Bliss ROM

Apart from including certain tweaks to the customizability and functionality, Bliss ROM vastly enhances the overall visual look of your device. It has a separate settings panel called Blissify from where you can change almost everything. Right from themes to animation and lock screen interface. I would say if you want to try something different, do give it a shot.

Download Bliss ROM

11.

OmniROM is one of the oldest custom ROMs on this list. The project was started way back in 2013 when CyanogenMod was all hype, and it continues to push new builds even today. It does nothing radical but brings a clean, AOSP-based ROM with rock-solid stability and a long list of device support.

OmniROM

The team has also worked on Android 14 and released updates for ROG Phone, Google Pixel, Redmi Note series, and more. In terms of updates, it’s not the fastest, but for still good when it comes to performance and day-to-day tasks.

Download OmniROM

12. Xiaomi.eu

We know how bloated MIUI can be and why and how you should debloat MIUI and other Android devices. Thanks to the Xiaomi.eu project, you can install a custom ROM that is based on pure MIUI and comes with zero bloatware, ads, or resource-hogging processes running in the background.

For those who love MIUI and don’t want to go the AOSP route, this is one of the best ROMs you can install on your Xiaomi phone. It releases builds every week for testers and general users can try the stable releases. It even brought support for the latest Xiaomi HyperOS which is based on Android 14. So if you have a Xiaomi device, you can’t afford to miss out on the Xiaomi.eu ROM.

Download Xiaomi.eu

Why Install a Custom ROM?

The main reason why people prefer custom ROMs is that almost every manufacturer drops support for a phone 2-3 years after its launch. It could be frustrating to see other devices get new features while you struggle to use the phone due to the lack of features. A custom ROM can help keep your device alive and updated with the latest version of Android. 

Another reason why people prefer custom ROMs is due to the possibilities of modding them. There’s no bloatware in them and are packed with all sorts of customization features by default. The possibilities are endless. While there are many custom ROMs out there, not all of them are stable enough to be used as your daily driver.

Installing a custom ROM requires you to unlock the bootloader first, and have a custom recovery like TWRP installed. Before you get started, it’s always a good idea to create a backup of your Android device. Also, not all ROMs come with Google Apps installed; hence, you may need to flash a GApps package such as OpenGapps (website) or NikGApps (website). Beebom’s Android team has tested almost all ROMs listed below on a variety of devices and presented ou unbiased list of the best custom ROMs you can try in 2024.

Custom ROMs bring out a new experience to your old or new devices. While no ROM out there will ever be as stable as the stock ROM, having a custom ROM does give you the liberty to sacrifice a few points of stability to gain tons of features. We have been testing custom ROMs for many years, and people never settle on one and keep hopping, hoping to find the best out there. What’s your favorite custom ROM? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Views: 327

The best phones in 2024, Finding a bad Android phone 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.

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OnePlus 12

The best Android phone overall

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Formerly known as the “flagship killer” for offering killer specs at a lower price, 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 AMOLED 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.

google pixel 8 pro review colorful background close

Google Pixel 8 Pro

The best Android phone runner-up

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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 software 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.

The best Android phones in 2024

Read Also : Best IPTV Players for Windows PC in 2024

samsung galaxy s24 plus review 1

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus

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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 , 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

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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

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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 , OnePlus , 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

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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 mobile 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 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.

Views: 729

In this blog, we will discuss some of the best players for Windows 10, 11 which can bring any television channel of the world to your doorsteps. 

Till now, the primary source of watching television shows was broadcast channels supported by antennas, satellite dishes, and fiber optic cables. 

However, with the rapid growth of the Internet and the smart devices market, watching TV channels directly from a desktop PC has become a new trend. 

All thanks to the Internet Protocol television services, a.k.a IPTV. You can use an IPTV player to watch entertaining TV shows, video on demand, live TV channels, and lots more. Through the IPTV Players, you can boost up the ways of your entertainment. No matter where you are and from where you belong to, with the help of IPTV Player you can stream any sort of TV shows and movies quite effortlessly. What you need to do is just sign-up and login at once. Thereafter, watch your preferred movie or TV shows without any sort of hindrance. 

Before we move on to the list, let’s first understand what an IPTV player is, how it works, and why it’s important to get the best one for your desktop. Later on, you’ll get to know about the best Windows IPTV Player!

What is IPTV Player?

Internet Protocol television (IPTV) is a service that provides support for multimedia streaming through Internet Protocol (IP) networks. Users can buy an IPTV subscription and watch all TV channels, live media and video on demand (VOD) services anytime over their desktop PCs, laptops as well as Android and iOS devices using an IPTV player.

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How Does IPTV Work?

IPTV provides access to television channels and other digital content via IP based networks. It relies on a packet-switched network that covers both unicast (video on demand) and multicast (live TV) streams.

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Why Do You Need An IPTV Player For Windows?

In today’s world of digital binge-watching, the traditional television formats, including broadcast/cable networks are on the verge of extinction. 

Nowadays, watching movies online and streaming live TV and sports directly from PCs, laptops and tablets has become a new normal. In light of this, a dedicated IPTV player comes extremely handy in playing various streaming protocols on Windows devices. 

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22 Best IPTV Players For Windows 10, 8, 7 In 2024

Turn your Windows PC into a live TV with best IPTV players. Choose the best-suited one from the complete list discussed below!

1. VLC Media Player

VLC-Media-Player

This widely acclaimed IPTV player does not need an introduction. It is an open-source multimedia player that can effortlessly manage all your local media and stream IPTV content, without compromising your security and privacy. It uses m3u files to stream IPTV and other multimedia content.

How to Use VLC Media Player?

All you need is the latest version of VLC and follow a few simple steps to stream IPTV into your VLC player.

 Launch VLC Player.
 Open Network Streams from the Media section.
 Enter the URL of the IPTV network and press Enter. 
 All your IPTV channels should now be visible in the left panel of VLC.

Key Features of VLC Media Player:

 It offers support for a number of streaming protocols, multimedia files and DVDs and CDs.
 Built-in codecs – MKV, MP3, MPEG-2, WebM, etc.
 Completely free from computer viruses, spyware and harmful ads
 Highly compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux and mobile platforms.

VLC Media Player comes with a simple interface and is undoubtedly one of the most user-friendly IPTV players.

Read Also : Best Free Phone Spying Apps 2024

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2. My lPTV Player

My-lPTV-Player

My IPTV is another powerful media player that comes with an electronic program guide (EPG) to help you watch the best IPTV channels on your Windows PC or laptop.

If you have an active IPTV subscription, you can use My IPTV app for listening to online radio channels and watching digital TV and video on demand (VOD).

How to Use My lPTV Player?

Follow the simple steps below to setup My IPTV app on your Windows:

 Lunch My IPTV on your Windows computer or laptop.
 Navigate to the ‘Settings’ menu.
 Load your m3u playlist, select your preferred IPTV channel, and then click ‘OK’.

Key Features of MY IPTV:

 The software supports multiple channels easily
 By default, all channels are grouped based on their genre
 You can easily protect your data with a PIN
 The player has a simple process to follow for adding new channels

It comes with an easy to use interface and can seamlessly stream your m3u playlist from either local storage or any other remote location. If you want to give it a try, you can download the My IPTV app from Microsoft Store for free.

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3. Kodi

Kodi

Kodi is another stunning application that not only lets you watch your local media content but also serves as a great alternative to IPTV player for Windows PC. You can use its media player to play your favorite digital channels directly from your desktop PC.

You can also install various third-party add-ons to stream live TV and watch videos on demand (VOD).

How to Use Kodi?

If you wish to use Kodi as an IPTV player for Windows 10, 11 follow the simple steps below:

 Launch the Kodi application and select the ‘Settings’ option.
 Install the PVR IPTV Simple Client add-on on your Kodi application.
 Add the M3U playlist to the add-on for streaming IPTV.
 Wait for the PVR IPTV Simple Client add-on to finish the process of importing channels.
 Once done, select the channel you wish to watch and click the ‘Play’ or ‘OK’ button.

Key Features of Kodi:

 The player has a simple and user-friendly interface
 To watch any programs you can simply paste the URL in the software and it will show you all the results
 It offers the best cross-compatibility features
 The player is fully customized, you can change any part of the player easily

For a free software, Kodi media player definitely offers more than it should, taking into account its simple interface and excellent streaming capabilities.

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4. Free TV Player

Free-TV-Player

Free TV player offers easy access to all of your favorite TV shows, movies, channels, and Internet Radio, making it one of the best IPTV players for Windows. 

To enjoy live TV shows on your desktop or laptop, simply upload your M3U playlist and you are good to go.

How to Use Free TV Player?

Below are a few simple steps to set up Free TV Player and stream IPTV on desktop PC:

 Launch the Free TV player app on your device
 Enter the URL of M3U playlist provided by the IPTV service provider
 Select your favorite channel and click on the play button

Key Features of Free TV Player:

 It offers both free as well as paid plan
 You get more than 40 channels on the free plan
 Other than the default channels you can easily paste links and stream in no time
 The player has a built-in list of shows to stream

This lightweight free IPTV player definitely deserves a try, if you want to watch a lot of exiting digital content and live TV programs in a hassle-free manner.

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5. Simple TV

Simple-TV

 is one of the best and most used IPTV players for PC. It offers a convenient and free mechanism for viewing TV shows and other multimedia content right from your laptop or computer.

You can use this portable application to watch IPTV and listen to radio channels. It comes with an organized interface that supports easy browsing of IPTV channels. 

How to Use Simple TV?

You can use Simple TV as a free IPTV player for PC by following some easy instructions provided below.

 Launch SimpleTV player on your Windows device.
 Right-click ‘Playlist’ on the navigation bar and select the ‘load playlist’ option.
 Next, choose the ‘load from m3u file’ option.
 Once the M3U playlist is ready, you can play the IPTV channels of your choice by simply clicking on them.

Key Features of Simple TV:

 Snapshot capabilities and crop features
 Contrast, brightness, and volume adjustment functionality
 It can download playlists created by other users
 It can support LUA script and many more

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6. ProgTV/ ProgDVB

ProgTV-ProgDVB

ProgTV is another well-known IPTV app for Windows used for streaming live TV channels and listening to radio on PCs.

It works on two independent interfaces and is known for its easy access to digital content and comfortable user experience. 

It can remotely control your Home Theatre PC and can also function well with a mouse. ProgTV supports IPTV channels, Internet TV and radio, Rodina TV, Sovok TV, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-T2, and many other data sources.

How to Use ProgTV/ProgDVB?

Follow the steps given below to set up ProgDVB and ProgTV app as a IPTV player for Windows:

 Choose the ‘TV Sources’ option from the main menu of the ProgTV application.
 Select the ‘IPTV Client’ option and then input your M3U URL in the playlist box.
 Next, choose the channel you wish to watch from the ‘Channel list’ in the main menu.

Key Features of ProgTV/ProgDVB:

 Radio and TV channel recording
 Network Broadcasting and Teletext
 HD TV support
 10 Bands equalizer and a fast preview of Mosaic channels

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7. IPTV

IPTV

This is currently ranks among the best IPTV players for Windows PCs and laptops as it allows you to watch your favorite TV shows and digital channels via numerous live media sources for free.

However, the IPTV app doesn’t broadcast any of these media sources for streaming digital multimedia, it just offers you a platform where you can watch IPTV content.

How to Use IPTV?

Follow the simple steps below to stream IPTV on PC:

 Launch the IPTV app on your Windows computer or laptop
 Go to the Settings option 
 Enter the URL (Provided by the IPTV service provider) to load your M3U playlist
 Click on OK to stream your preferred channel

Key Features of IPTV:

 It offers an easy user interface which is ideal for every user
 To stream, you can easily add a playlist or EPG source
 It has a feature to simply paste URL for searching
 Huge list of channels to satisfy any user

Moreover, it comes with an elegant interface that aims to provide modern TV experience. Users can download this IPTV player for free from Microsoft Store.

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8. GSE SMART IPTV

GSE-SMART-IPTV

This is one of the most popular IPTV solutions to watch digital channels and TV shows on your device. GSE SMART IPTV is primarily designed for mobile platforms such as iOS and Android devices, but if you wish to use it on your /8/8.1/10 PC, you can do it by using an emulator.

For this IPTV application to work on your Windows device, you should install BlueStacks first. BlueStacks is a popular emulator that helps Android OS based applications to run on Windows and devices.

How to Use GSE SMART IPTV?

Below are step-by-step instructions on how to use Smart IPTV player on Windows PC:

 Launch BlueStacks and then sign in with your Google credentials.
 Download GSE SMART IPTV app from either Google Play Store or using the below link.
 Install the application and open it.
 Enter the URL and upload your M3U playlist.
 Click on ‘OK’ and then watch any live IPTV channel as per your liking. 

Key Features of GSE SMART IPTV:

 GSE SMART IPTV player for Windows comes in multiple beautiful themes.
 It provides effective parental control options for managing kids’ activity and screen time.
 It lets you add external subtitles for streaming IPTV content.

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9. OttPlayer

OttPlayer 

Don’t have enough money to pay the monthly subscription of your television channels? We got you secured, here we present OttPlayer which is one of the best IPTV players for Windows 10, 11 PC. IPTV stands for Internet Protocol Television. By using OttPlayer you can watch your favorite TV channels and shows for free by using your pc and internet. OttPlayer allows its users to watch IPTV from your internet service provider or any other source on your phones, tablets, and set-top box or TV, and all this facility in a centralized control via the website. Enjoy IPTV Enjoy life.

How to Use OttPlayer?

Follow the steps below to setup OttPlayer and stream your favorite IPTV channels:

1.First of all, you have to arrange a list of channels, which you can take from any of your convenient sources.
2.You need to get an account from https://ottplayer.es
3.Put registration info i.e. login and password
4.Download the playlist to the website i.e. you downloaded previously, https://ottplayer.es
5.Put the playlist on any compatible device
6.Enjoy IPTV watching.

Key Features of OttPlayer:

 OttPlayer supports various protocols like HLS, RTSP, TS by UDP RTMP
 It also provides playlist support M3U8.
 Provides easy management of channels through icons of respective channels.
 Service to the users is absolutely free and with no ads.

Among all the best IPTV apps, this application is quite interesting and worthwhile. OttPlayer’s easy-to-use interface makes it is an ideal choice for millions of users across the world. 

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10. Plex

Plex

is the most stunning IPTV Players that you should definitely try to enjoy smart video streaming. Plex is highly capable of transcoding almost any sort of media file. Moreover, the user interface is quite easy and simple to use. Plex lets you stream your personal content as well including videos, music, movies, and so on.

How to Use Plex?

Here is how to access Plex as an IPTV player for PC.

 Firstly, signup for a Plex account and then, install the Plex media server by running the setup file.
 After this, launch Cigaras IPTV channel and then select Channels under the online content head category.
 Thereafter, navigate to the IPTV addon and click on it, then click on Settings.
 Now, paste the URL of your IPTV .m3u file, then click on the Save button.
 Next, search for the channels available and add them to your Playlist and enjoy. 

Key Feature of Plex:

 The player is compatible with multiple platforms
 It offers great quality video output for every screen
 You get more than 200 free movies and shows
 Free version also has 100+ channels

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11. MYIPTV

MYIPTV

Looking for the best IPTV players for Windows? Then, MyIPTV is the one that fits perfectly. You can use all of its supreme-quality features for absolutely free. With this, you can play live TV programs, and videos through m3u playlists quite effortlessly. Its user interface is extremely easy to understand.

How to Use MYIPTV?

Here are the steps that you need to follow to access it!

 Head to the Settings.
 Now, you need to add an all-new playlist and EPG source.
 Now, add any URL or local list of channels.
 Switch back to Settings.
 After this, choose the channel playlist and click on the refresh option.

Key Features of MYIPTV:

 The player lets you easily stream live TV programs and videos
 It offers a very easy to operate interface which can be adopted by anyone
 You can easily add a new playlist and EPG source from the settings tab
 The player lets you easily record program for later access

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Perfect Player Windows

Perfect Player Windows

is a free IPTV player that you can try. This player offers amazing digital content right to your PC without charging any money, which is why it is one of the best IPTV players for Windows 10, 11 and previous versions. This is an advanced program that comes with a semi-transparent OSD and a full-screen display option.

How to Use Perfect Player Windows?

Here are the instructions you need to perform to use Perfect Player as IPTV/Media player.

 Launch the Perfect Player application on your Windows system.
 Click on the ‘Add Playlist’ button, paste M3U URL, and then choose ‘OK’.
 As soon as your playlist gets loaded, you can click on the channel name followed by ‘Play’ to begin streaming IPTV content.

Key Features of Perfect Player Windows:

 You can easily set up the player and use it as per needs, it is a flexible player.
 You can even enjoy a full-screen display for your favorite content without paying any charges.
 The player supports multiple languages, which means every human from all around the globe can use this amazing player and stream their favorite content. The supported languages include English, Spanish, Russian, Greek, Portuguese, and many others.
 The formats which are supported in the player are m3u, and XSPF for playlist and EPG along with the other two.

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13. IPTV Smarters for PC

IPTV Smarters for PC

Earlier this player was not available for Windows users but now even Windows users can enjoy their favorite content with IPTV Smarter for PC players. This is one of the best IPTV apps for Windows 10, 11 and older versions.  You can easily stream and enjoy live TV, movies, series, and videos on demand.

How to Use ?

Below are detailed instructions on how to set up IPTV Smarters for PC.

 Launch the IPTV Smarters Player application.
 Select the ‘Load Your Playlist or File/URL’ option, fill out the details (e.g., playlist name, playlist type, and file/URL), and then click on the ‘Add User’ button.
 Once the M3U content loading is complete, you can click on the ‘Live TV’ button to see the IPTV channel categories.

Key Features of IPTV Smarters for PC:

 This program works on Xtream codes but still, it can be used in Windows versions including 32 and 64 bit.
 Other than that you can easily use this program on mobile devices, and Smart TVs.
 You can record the live programs and enjoy them whenever you want.
 The best part about this IPTV player is that it supports all major video formats, so you won’t miss any of your favorite content.

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14. TiviMate IPTV Player

TiviMate IPTV Player

Next up in the list of Windows IPTV players is TiviMate. The software is basically designed for Android devices. If you wish to use this software then you have to get an Android Emulator. You can use this software on Windows 7, 8, and 10 easily. This was just a short brief about the software.

How to Use TiviMate IPTV Player?

Check below to know more about the process to use the software.

 Open the Playstore and download the software.
 Click on the icon when the installation completes.
 Now click on the icon and search for the name which you wish to watch

Key Features of TiviMate

 The software offers a clean and simple interface that can be easily adapted
 The user can add multiple playlists in the software to view
 It can also schedule a TV guide
 The user can add favorite channels to the home screen and access them

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15. IP-TV Player

IP-TV Player

IP-TV Player is another great pick as it offers high-quality video output at very little data consumption. It is very rare to witness this among the other IPTV players in Windows. It truly is a versatile player which can easily support all types of media files.

How to Use IP-TV Player?

IP-TV Player is a very smooth and easy-to-use software, to demonstrate that we have listed the steps below.

 Install the software from the official website
 Open the software and tune to the list of M3U format list
 You can view the channels list in the side panel
 Tap on the channel to view

Key Features of IP-TV Player

 The software has a simple and easy interface
 All major file formats are compatible with this software
 The user can easily record and take screenshots while viewing
 The software even offers a feature using which user can control from a smartphone

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16. PowerDVD

PowerDVD

Next, 2024’s best IPTV players for Windows with PowerDVD. It is a great IPTV if you wish to access a huge content library. You can use PowerDVD to access local media files, play music, and perform many other tasks. Moreover, its compatibility with Dolby professional audio and rapid play technology sets it apart from similar software.

How to Use PowerDVD?

You can follow the three-step process shared below to use this software.

 Firstly, install the PowerDVD Windows application.
 After installing the app, select Media Library from the top left corner.
 Now you can select the IPTV channels, movies, and shows to watch.

Key Features of PowerDVD

 4K and 8K resolution support
 Supports HDR 10
 Lets you watch 360-degree videos
 Supports conversion of video files to MP4
 In-built support for video casting on media streaming devices
 Digitalization of media files
 In-built video editing tools
 Availability of 100GB of storage

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17. Flix IPTV

Flix IPTV

Next, 2024’s best IPTV players for Windows with Flix IPTV. You can use Flix IPTV on iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Android TV, and FireStick. Parental controls, M3U link support, a user-friendly interface, and the ability to change themes make this IPTV player a perfect choice for streaming IPTV content. It offers a 1-week free trial, thereafter you can buy the pro version at a one-time fee of about $7.99.

How to Use Flix IPTV?

Listed below are the following methods to download and use Flix IPTV on Windows PC:

 Download the Flix IPTV APK on your PC.
 Install the software and open it.
 Enter the URL and upload your playlist.
 Now, you can stream IPTV content.

Key Features of Flix IPTV:

 Easy to use and versatile IPTV player.
 Supports all screen resolutions of smartphones, sticks, PCs, and tablets.
 Allows you to add channels and series/movies to Favorites.
 Get to access features like a sleep timer, subtitles, video details, backward/forward video, and a lot more.

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18. MaxPlayer

MaxPlayer

Next on this list of best IPTV players for Windows PC is MaxPlayer. It gives each member of the household the ability to customize their own preferences for their favorite programs, channels, movies, language settings, and viewing time for video on demand (VOD), with support for up to 5 sub-users and 5 devices.

In addition, if your TV service provider records show for you, you will have the ability to instantly rewind those shows. If your Internet service provider provides video-on-demand (VOD) material, MaxPlayer can customize it to work with your device. They provide versions that are compatible with LG and Samsung TV, in addition to MacOS and Windows. You get a whole week to test out MaxPlayer without spending a dime.

How to Use MaxPlayer?

 Visit the official website of MaxPlayer.
 Create your account on MaxPlayer.
 Once registered, you get a 7-day free trial.
 After that, you can continue using the service with one of the provided plans.

Key Features of MaxPlayers:

 All your information and data are secured and protected.
 Supports multiple languages.
 One account can be accessed on multiple devices and platforms.
 Several customization options are available.

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19. PotPlayer

potplayer

Lacking the funds necessary to pay the monthly fee for your membership to the various television channels? We’ve got you covered, and now we’re going to show you PotPlayer, which is one of the top IPTV players for Windows 10, 11, and other PC operating systems.

PotPlayer gives its customers the ability to watch Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) on their mobile devices, tablets, set-top boxes, and televisions, with all of this functionality being controlled centrally via the website. IPTV may come through your internet service provider or any other source. Enjoy some IPTV. Have fun with life.

The abbreviation “IPTV” refers to “Internet Protocol Television.” If you have PotPlayer installed on your computer, you can use it to watch all of your favorite TV stations and programs for free by simply connecting it to the internet.

How to Use PotPlayer?

 Visit the official website of PotPlayer.
 Download the PotPlayer.
 Use the tool as you want with ease.

Key Features of PotPlayers:

 The playback of the video is fluid and unbroken
 When you have two sound cards available, choose which one to use.
 You are able to mark your favorite scene or chapter for later viewing.
 Take a look at the scene in advance with these photographs.

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20. MyIPTV Player

MyIPTV Player

The next name on this list of the best IPTV players for Windows 11/10 devices is . MyIPTV Player is a free to use tool that has been downloaded and used by over thousands of users. The tool offers a variety of genres and content to watch. From movies, TV shows to so much beyond, you will find everything at MyIPTV Player.

How to Use MyIPTV Player?

 Visit the product page of MyIPTV Player on Microsoft Store.
 Download the MyIPTV Player.
 Use the tool as you want with ease.

Key Features of PotPlayers:

 There are a variety of channels to select from.
 You can PIN protect the tool for additional security.
 The tool comes with an integrated support for EPG.
 You can even download and save content for later.

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21. IPTV Extreme

IPTV Extreme

You are welcome to test out IPTV Extreme, one of the best free IPTV player tools for Windows. This player’s earlier versions since it delivers incredible digital material directly to your own computer without costing you any money. This is a sophisticated software that comes with an option to show the whole screen as well as opaque operating system display.

How to Use IPTV Extreme?

When you want to utilize IPTV Extreme as an IPTV/Media player, the procedures that you need to follow are as follows.

 Make sure that the IPTV Extreme program is running on your Windows computer.
 First, choose the “Add Playlist” button, then paste the M3U URL, and last, select the “OK” button.
 After your playlist has finished loading, you can start streaming IPTV material by clicking on the channel name and then pressing the ‘Play’ button after that.

Key Features of IPTV Extreme Windows:

 Russian, Greek, English, Spanish, Portuguese, & a great number of languages are among those that come with support.
 The player is able to support the m3u & XSPF formats for playlists & EPGs respectively.
 Additionally, you are not required to pay any fees in order to take use of a full-screen display for your preferred material.
 Due to the fact that the player supports different languages, it is possible for every single human being from every single part of the world to utilize this incredible player and stream their preferred material.
 You may simply configure the player and utilize it in accordance with your requirements; it is a versatile player.

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22. MegaCubo IPTV Player

MegaCubo IPTV Player

Here’s another one of the best IPTV players for Windows 10 and other operating systems. This is a free alternative that you can try and watch on IPTV. Using this tool, you can easily use your smartphone on the TV.

How to Use MegaCubo?

 You should first download the tool from the official website.
 Install it and launch it on the system.
 Connect the app to your device and use it as required.

Key Features of MegaCubo:

 Supports a plethora of operating systems
 You can PIN protect the tool for additional security.
 Allows you to save any title and record.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about IPTV Players

Q1. Are IPTV Players Legal?

Yes, ITPV Players are 100% legal. They don’t offer any streaming services or host content of their own. ITPV Players just provides a platform to play multimedia files and streaming protocols.

Q2. Type of IPTV Services

 Video on demand (VoD)
 Live TV 
 Start Over TV
 Catch-Up TV 
 Live Media Streaming

Q3. How to Access IPTV from PC?

To access IPTV from a PC, you need to download and install one of the above-listed IPTV Players on your PC.  You can download the above-listed IPTV Players from their official support website. Once you installed your most liked IPTV Players, thereafter, allow all the permissions they asked, to proceed further. Then, follow the wizard instructions and don’t change anything except the installation destination. Now run the installer, then start up the program and add the list of channels in your playlist. That’s how you can easily access  IPTV from your PC and stream your most liked TV shows and movies.

Q4. What are the Main Services Offered by IPTV?

IPTV or Internet Protocol Television is the platform using which users can enjoy television broadcasting on various devices including mobile and computers. It delivers using the traditional terrestrial, satellite, and cable television format.

Q5. Is There Any Alternative to IPTV?

Yes, there are many IPTV alternatives present in the market, some of them are:

 1332 Kodi
 Splash
 Super Internet TV
 CoolStreaming
 FreeTuxTV

Q6. Is an IPTV player available for free?

Yes, there are multiple Internet Protocol Television services that are available for free. We have mentioned some of the best ones in the article. Undoubtedly the best option for an IPTV player is VLC Media Player.

Q7. How to use IPTV Player?

Although the working of each IPTV player varies the general steps to be applied are as follows

 Download and install any one of the above-mentioned IPTV player alternatives.
 Launch it on your device and select the network streams option available under media.
 Paste the URL of the network of your IPTV and press the enter key to run.
 Now all the channels of IPTV will be visible on the screen of your IPTV player.

Q8. Is IPTV better with VPN?

IPTV can work without a VPN. But if you want to protect your data online from snoopers or ISP, or get access to restricted content in your geographical location, VPN will help you. Moreover, if you use a VPN with your IPTV it offers a reliable experience. As VPN improves the speed of your internet connection, it is followed by a better experience of IPTV.

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Which is the Best IPTV Player for Windows PC & Laptops?

So, this concludes our rundown of some of the best IPTV players for Windows 10, 8, 7 in 2024. There are several other options available as well, but the ones mentioned above are the best in terms of features and usability. 

And if you are looking for our opinion, then we would like to recommend OttPlayer. It is one of the best IPTV players that you can access to stream your preferred TV shows and movies. You can use OttPlayer for live shows and on-demand shows as well. That’s what we think about the best IPTV player, however, the final decision is completely yours. 

So, what are you waiting for? Download any of these free IPTV players now and turn your PC into an amazing entertainment gadget. Lastly, if there is something you think that we might have missed out to mention, then don’t feel hesitate in sharing your suggestions with us. We’ll feel amazed by hearing your suggestions and improve our list of best IPTV Players for Windows PC & Laptops. 

That’s all for the present moment, we’ll back again with yet another crispy tech story, till then, stay connected with us! Primarily, don’t forget to subscribe to our Newsletter to rule the tech world.  

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Views: 7

If you are looking for some phone spying apps for Android, this article lists the best ones that can easily meet all of your requirements. 

You may want to check the activities of an Android smartphone. This could be because you are worried about the individual in some way and want to get the details of calls, messages, and/or other details. You can easily know about all of these activities on any Android device with a single source.

One of the best phone spying apps is all you need.

So, that’s what you will get with the help of this simple guide. Proceed to have a look at the phone spy app for Android and track the activities of a device with ease.

List of the Best Phone Spying Apps in 2024

Below are some of the top free phone spying apps for Android voted the best in 2024. We recommend that you go through the list of apps thoroughly and then download and use the one(s) you like the most amongst these. So, without any further ado, let’s proceed to the list of the best-hidden spy apps for Android right below.

1.

uMobix

uMobix is one of the best free phone spying apps of all time. The app is available for both Android and iOS devices. With the help of this app, you can easily monitor and keep track of the keystrokes or taps performed on the app. And that’s not all. You can even track the location visited or traveled with the help of this app. Below are some other features of this best spy app for Android free that provide better information.

Features of uMobix:

 The app allows you to monitor the calls made to and from the smartphone.
 The app supports a cross-platform base and is compatible with a lot of operating system versions as well.
 If you want to get details of a particular app, then uMobix is the best solution that supports individual platform information.
 You can also access the list of apps on any device with uMobix.

Download uMobix

Read Also : The Best Sports Games for 2024

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2. mSpy

mSpy

The next product on this list of the best free phone spying apps is mSpy. This is one of the most trusted and popular spying apps of all time. With the help of the software, you can easily track the usage and location of your smartphone. Additionally, the app provides a plethora of other features as well. Below you will find the most prominent features of mSpy as one of the best spy apps for free.

Features of mSpy:

 The app allows you to monitor the calls and messages on your device.
 If the user has installed any third-party messaging or media apps, then you can also monitor the same with mSpy.
 The app provides both real-time updates of the location as well as location history.
 With a single solution, you can control all the apps and programs installed on the Android device.
 The app is available for both Android and iOS devices.

Download mSpy

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3. eyeZy

eyeZy

eyeZy is one of the best hidden spy apps for Android that allows you to gather information on any device with ease. The app is not limited to Android but is also supported by iOS and iPadOS devices. The app even allows you to access the internal and external storage of the device with ease. Below are some of the top features of this proud member of the free spy apps for and Android. Have a glance at the same for further information.

Features of eyeZy:

 With the help of the app, you can know all the saved files on your device quite easily.
 eyeZy allows you to keep track of all the websites visited by the user and the viewed content.
 You can also modify the usage period of different apps and websites with eyeZy.
 One of the best features of the tool is that it allows you to set different boundaries, geographical and metaphorical. You will get updates whenever this boundary is crossed

Download eyeZy

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4. SpyBubble

SpyBubble

Another name that graces this list of the best free phone spying apps is SpyBubble. The app works to provide all the required information about top messaging social media platforms like , , Snapchat, and many more. Apart from this, the app also provides information about incoming and outgoing messages and calls. Check out the other features of this phone spy app for Android.

Features of SpyBubble:

 SpyBubble is supported on all Android and iOS (some may require Jailbreak) devices of all versions.
 You need to root the Android device to use the SpyBubble app for the best results.
 The app allows you to track real-time locations and even geofence an area as per your requirements.
 With the paid version of the tool, you also get 24/7 customer support.
 You can check the activity of any smartphone with the help of a computer browser.

Download SpyBubble

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5.

HoverWatch

HoverWatch is another one of the best hidden spy apps for Android. The working of the app is quite simple yet effective. This single solution allows you to get details related to the platforms like messaging apps and social media platforms. Additionally, you can also monitor the call history of the device very easily. Below are some of the best and additional features of this best spy app for Android for free.

Features of HoverWatch:

 The app provides thorough and in detail information about the internet activity on your device.
 You can download and use the app on both Android and iOS devices as required.
 The platform also provides a free demo of the app to understand its working and proceed if required.
 You can easily monitor the location of the device with the help of the HoverWatch GPS.
 HoverWatch is one of the Best hidden spy apps for Android. The smartphone user does not even know if the HoverWatch app is installed on the device.

Download HoverWatch

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6. Cocospy

Cocospy

Next, comes Cocospy as one of the best phone spying apps. Cocospy is a great solution for you if you are looking for an easy-to-use yet effective way to track the activities of a device. The app works quite well as a parental control app however, others can also use the app perfectly. Have a look at the features of this one of the free spy apps for iPhone and get all the information required.

Features of Cocospy:

 The app works perfectly when you are remote without even informing the device user in any way.
 With the help of Cocospy, you can get all the messages and call history on your device.
 The tool works perfectly on Android and iOS devices, offering the best results.
 If you want to know the browser history of a device, then you should try Cocospy.
 The procedure to set up Cocospy is very simple and effective.

Download Cocospy

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7. XNSpy

XNSpy

XNSpy is an amazing tool that works perfectly as one of the best free phone spying apps for Android. The app works with a Stealth Mode that allows you to check the activity of any device without informing or intimating the user. The app can be set up very easily within a couple of minutes and used with ease afterward. Go through the top features of this one of the best free spy apps for iPhone for more information.

Features of XNSpy:

 With the help of XNSpy, you can monitor the incoming calls and call history of the device.
 The app shows real-time updates about the happenings of the device.
 Even if you are distant from the device, you can have a look at the activities of the device remotely.
 The app provides quite detailed reports about the usage of every platform on the device.
 You can get XNSpy for iPhones or Android devices as required.

Download XNSpy

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8. Clevguard

Clevguard

The next item on this list of the best phone spying apps for free on Android devices is Clevguard. With the help of this tool, you can easily get the activity history of iOS or Android devices. The app is even available for monitors or desktops. One of the best features of the tool is the monitoring features provided to all. Know more about the tool from the features of the best hidden spy apps for Android.

Features of Clevguard:

 The app allows you to export the activity data of any device as per your requirements.
 The app also provides you access to the browser history at all times.
 Call logs, messaging data, and other related information are some of the features that are quite easily available.
 With the help of Clevguard, you can geofence to a certain diameter and get updates when the same is breached or crossed.
 With the app, you get free updates for the platform for life.

Download Clevguard

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9. FlexiSPY

FlexiSPY

We are approaching the end of this list of the best phone spying apps however, the apps here are still going strong. FlexiSPY is the next anime on this list. The creators of the platform allow you to select from a variety of versions for the same as per your requirements. Have a look at the features of this viable member of the best hidden spy apps for Android right below for a better understanding.

Features of FlexiSPY:

 The app provides some of the outstanding and never-seen-anywhere features to the users like social media apps call recording, access to messages from different platforms, etc.
 The app can also as a keylogger, which means that you can know precisely how and what was done to the device.
 Although the app requires root to work, it also hides that the device is rooted to protect the identity or presence of the app.
 You can run the app in hidden mode, away from the reach of the device user and protected.

Download FlexiSPY

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10. Tracker

Mobile Tracker

The last name on this list of free phone spying apps is the Mobile Tracker app. With the help of this amazing app, you can do as much as any other product on this list. Additionally, you also get some quality features with the tool like calls history management and more. You will find all the features of this popular article from the free spy apps for iPhone list.

Features of Mobile Tracker:

 The app provides the precise location of the device at all times along with location history logs.
 With the help of Mobile Tracker, you can also keep track of the call logs and history.
 Social Media Platform management and tracking are possible with the app quite easily.
 Mobile Tracker makes it possible for users to monitor the device even from a remote location.
 Additionally, there is open access to the gallery of the device with Mobile Tracker.

Download Mobile Tracker

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. Qustodio

Qustodio

The Qustodio app is another robust surveillance application that provides a free plan that is available indefinitely. Over six million parents across the globe have put their faith in it. In addition to the typical gadgets, such as mobile phones and computers, Qustodio is also compatible with Kindle, which is an online reading device and software developed by Amazon.

Although reading is a wonderful habit to instill in your children, it is essential to monitor the types of material they are reading.

An alert will be sent to you if your children continue to attempt to access a website or application that has previously been restricted. In this manner, you will be aware of the topics that they are interested in, and you will be able to discuss those topics with them at home.

Another key draw is the panic button, which users may press. If your children are in danger and you are unable to reach them by phone or text message, it enables them to transmit quick notifications to you with the push of a button.

Features Of Qustodio:

 The Safe Search option to protect your children from exposure to unsuitable stuff.
 The panic button gives your children the ability to communicate with you in times of crisis.
 Personalized monitoring of screen time.
 Create individualized notifications for your children when they browse restricted websites.

Download Qustodio

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Best Free Phone Spying Apps in 2024: Listed

So, this section concludes the list of the best hidden spy apps for Android and iPhone devices. We hope that these solutions were the precise apps that you were seeking. You may find others and a plethora of apps on the internet claiming to offer similar features to you. However, not all of these are up to the mark. Hence, we took the liberty to present the actual best ones to you; for your help.

However, if you have any doubts related to the best phone spying apps, then you may ask the same below. The comments section is here for you. We will help you in every way possible. You may also present your suggestions.

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The best VPN service in 2024, The best VPN of 2024 is an essential tool for staying safer online, no matter where you live. With the help of my team of experts, I’ve tested dozens of VPNs hands-on to out exactly which ones truly prioritize your online privacy, and which ones promise the world but fail live up to their claims.

Virtual Private Networks are a kind of software that help keep your online activity hidden from your ISP, the government, and even hackers. In simple terms, they do this by encrypting all your traffic and routing it through their own servers located around the world, hiding your real location and your activity in the process. They’re also great for unblocking streaming content, and evading government censorship.

If you just want quick access to the three best VPN services of 2024, simply pick from ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark below – in my expert reviews I rate them as the very best in their respective price ranges. However, If you want more in-depth info, simply keep scrolling for my rundown of the 10 top VPNs available today, and details of how I test VPNs at the bottom of the page.

The best VPNs in 2024

1. ExpressVPN

The best VPN on the market overall

ExpressVPN takes the top spot with its easy-to-use apps that take the complexity out of setting up a VPN and leave the difficult stuff to the experts. My ExpressVPN review showed that it unblocked anything and everything I threw at it with a peerless quality.

On paper, ExpressVPN already impresses: over 3,000 servers in 160 locations spread across 105 countries around the world, a kill switch, split tunneling and obfuscated servers. While some providers have more servers in total, very few have such a wide spread – meaning that wherever you’re based, you’ll get swift, reliable connections. It has an especially impressive range in Asia, which is often neglected by other providers.

All apps use super-secure, industry-standard AES-256 encryption, paired with OpenVPN and Lightway protocols. Lightway is the standout here, and the in-house, open-source protocol delivers excellent speeds – although this is an area where Express is just beaten by close rivals Surfshark and NordVPN. However, unless you’re using a 1Gbps+ connection you won’t notice a difference.

 

The best VPN service in 2024

Read Also : Best vacuum cleaners 2024

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2. NordVPN

The best VPN with a full

Sitting at #2 is NordVPN, and in my full NordVPN review I found that the biggest name in VPN is still one of the very best.

With over 5,500 servers in a generous 60+ countries, NordVPN practically guarantees a speedy server wherever you are – and while it’s not present in as many locations as ExpressVPN, you’ll still be very well served. You’ll likely be connecting to those servers with Nord’s own NordLynx protocol, which is a reworked version of WireGuard. In short, it’s stable, and delivered searing connection speeds of over 950 Mbps in my testing – the fastest VPN in my testing. 

You’ll get split tunneling, an effective kill switch, AES-256 encryption, and you’ll even get some unusual options like Onion over VPN and Double VPN which are designed to keep you even safer when browsing the web. Another interesting feature is Threat Protection – but while it’s a nice addition, dedicated tracker blockers do work more effectively.

Nord’s apps are powerful and fairly pleasant to use, but while the map-based interface works well on larger screen such as PCs and tablets, on smartphones it can be more of a hindrance than a benefit – simpler interfaces like ExpressVPN’s tend to work better here. 

A recent update also means the PC client can’t be resized, and there are inconsistencies between platforms. Despite that, though, the apps are very capable, and you’ll be able to install it on a huge range of devices – for just $3.39 a month, it’s excellent value.

Nord’s most interesting new feature, however, is Meshnet. This allows users to link devices anywhere around the world via encrypted NordVPN connections, creating its own secure network. This has real power, and while Nord hasn’t quite worked out how to make the feature clear to users yet, I’m very excited to see where it goes.

When it comes to streaming, however, NordVPN really impresses. You’ll be able to unblock tons of locations, iPlayer, Disney+, , and more – and in recent months Nord and the related Surfshark have proved to be a little more reliable with Netflix than my top choice overall ExpressVPN.

With a 30-day money-back guarantee and some attractive deals running throughout the year, NordVPN is a quality service that only misses out on the top spot thanks to some small UI quirks – and, frankly, the sheer quality of the competition.

3. Surfshark

The best cheap VPN available today

If you’re looking for a cheap VPN that outperforms products twice its price, look no further than Surfshark. The services in this guide are ranked by quality, not price, so to see a VPN that’s so affordable sitting at #3 is seriously impressive.

In my Surfshark review, I found its apps great to use, and offer all the privacy and security essentials such as AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, split tunneling, and the superfast WireGuard protocol. 

Surfshark’s been hard at work on extra features like MultiHop, and Nexus – the latter of which is not currently fully formed, but looks promising. According to the company, “connecting to Nexus means that your traffic gets routed through a whole network of servers rather than a single VPN tunnel.” Decentralizing your connection is a very interesting innovation, and it’s great that Surfshark is exploring new ways to improve VPNs as a whole.

Currently, Nexus offers an IP Rotator – your IP address will be changed every 15 minutes or so – and an IP Randomizer feature is coming soon. This will change your IP address every time you visit a new website

If you’re a hardware hoarder, Surfshark’s unlimited simultaneous connections policy may put it above my #1 and #2 picks. You can install one plan on any number of devices – great for complete protection, or even sharing with those in your home. And, as a Linux VPN, Surfshark is one of the few providers to offer a full GUI – most others are only command . Very impressive for a VPN that costs well under $2.50 a month.

In the most recent testing, connection speeds rose considerably, and on my 1 Gbps connection, it maxed out at a staggering 950 Mbps. That makes Surfshark one of the fastest providers I’ve ever tested – beating out the likes of ExpressVPN, PIA, and CyberGhost. Plus, it’s currently proving to be very reliable for streaming. I’ve had some issues before, but almost every provider has at some point.

However, when I put Surfshark’s kill switch through my rigorous testing procedure, we did manage to catch it out and get it to reveal us very briefly. However, the situation in which this happened is unlikely to happen in the real world. And, unfortunately, Surfshark’s support isn’t quite as good as ExpressVPN’s or NordVPN’s.

Overall, Surfshark is an excellent budget option, and when you consider its price, what small sacrifices you may need to make seem really quite insignificant.

4. Private Internet Access

Excellent value, and very useful for torrenting

Private Internet Access has been around for a long, long time, but unlike other dinosaurs of the VPN game, it’s stayed on an upward trajectory rather than falling to the new guard. 

In fact, it’s risen another place to #4 since my last Private Internet Access review.

While PIA doesn’t disclose its server network size, I believe it to sit at around 20,000 servers, which makes it by far the most server-rich provider on the market. Combine that with 84 available countries and you’ve got yourself quite the spread

PIA really stands out when you get under the surface a little. Its desktop apps offer port forwarding – a relative rarity – and its kill switch is super reliable. 

Also, its proxy browser extensions are also very good, with updated tech that allows for faster browsing. For newbies and those looking for a simpler experience, though, this could very well be a little annoying or intimidating.

It’s great for streaming, with access to Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and BBC iPlayer. I have expanded my streaming testing even further this time round, and as an improvement on last time, PIA was able to unblock every single service.

What’s more, Private Internet Access also offers all subscribers unlimited simultaneous connections, just like Surfshark.

This means that you can keep as many devices as you like protected – and potentially share your details with your family and friends if you’re feeling generous. For some, this might not be a huge selling point, but for gadget obsessives, it’s a must-have feature.

We’re also still waiting for PIA to complete a full independent security audit, but the good news is that it’s started the process. The zero-logging policy has been audited and confirmed as true, so now I’m just waiting on the full shebang.

For those looking for a highly , reliable service that’s keenly priced, I’d recommend giving PIA a go – it has a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can test it out risk-free.

5. Proton VPN

Privacy favorite keeps getting better

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The Swiss-based Proton brand has had quite the makeover recently, and its star product Proton VPN has been given a well-earned bit of zing. Now that the fresh new look matches its stellar performance, it’s even easier to recommend. 

Connections speeds with WireGuard are good, topping out at 460 Mbps, although even with the proprietary VPN Accelerator tech, it can’t match up to the likes of Surfshark and NordVPN. 

However, when using the old faithful OpenVPN (essential for Stealth Mode), you’ll see speeds of up to 350 Mbps. That’s faster than almost every other VPN out there when configured the same way, outpaced only by Mullvad and CyberGhost in my testing. Very impressive.

You’ll also get a comprehensive zero-logging policy and string encryption, and Proton VPN will certainly appeal to those looking to use their VPN for absolute online privacy.

What’s more, Proton VPN also offers its Secure Core servers, which are located in physically secure locations in privacy-friendly countries. You can choose to use these, and then route to a destination of your choice for added anonymity. Proton Unlimited also adds the entire privacy suite of Proton Mail, Proton Drive, and Proton Calendar for a fairly reasonable price.

However, it’s not all work and no play for Proton – in my testing for the full Proton VPN review it proved to be a real standout when it comes to unblocking Netflix, reliably accessing a number of useful locations, as well as BBC iPlayer, Disney+ and Amazon Prime.

However, Proton VPN really stands out thanks to its commitment to helping users around the world access a free and uncensored internet. One such example of this is its partnership with news company Deutsche Welle. Even free users can connect to a dedicated server and access unbiased news anywhere in the world. 

For example, this is a godsend for those in countries like China and Russia who prefer not to consume state-controlled news.

It’s getting trickier by the day to pick faults with Proton, but there are still a couple of sticking points. Firstly, while some servers do support P2P traffic, there are relatively few compared to the competition – although if Proton detects P2P activity, it’ll seamlessly redirect you to a compatible server

Prices have recently dropped across the board, but it’s still not cheap. However, sign up for 2 years and you’ll get a decent deal, with a generous 10 simultaneous connections to boot.

Overall, Proton VPN is very much on the up, and it’s evident the developers are putting in some hard work rather than resting on their laurels. Thanks to that, Proton VPN is a service we can wholeheartedly recommend.

6. CyberGhost

Excellent for torrenting and streaming

CyberGhost is another long-standing name in the world of the best VPNs, and in that time it’s developed a reputation for privacy, streaming performance, and -friendly servers.

With over 9,700 servers, CyberGhost has one of the largest server networks in the industry, and with a spread of 91 countries, there’s plenty of variety when it comes to picking which to connect to.

In my expert CyberGhost VPN review, the Romanian provider delivered great connection speeds of up to 630 Mbps (although this is down since my last test), and while few users will have base connections capable of such heady heights, it’s still quite an accolade. 

CyberGhost’s apps had an overhaul in 2021, and with the introduction of Version 8, the experience is much more modern and sleek. 

However, you’ll only be able to install CyberGhost on 7 devices – and after that, you’ll need to unregister a device to use another, rather than simply logging out on one device like almost all other providers allow.

This can be a real pain if you’re right on the edge of how many devices you’re active on. We’d implore CyberGhost to change this silly feature – why not go unlimited like fellow Kape Technologies stablemate PIA?

Back to positives, CyberGhost’s apps offer some very useful dedicated streaming features like Netflix and iPlayer-optimized servers. It’s fairly capable when it comes to unblocking, and in my last testing I saw it unblock some Netflix libraries, iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video. 

Disney+, however, was unavailable, and the likes of ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Surfshark are better providers for streaming.

One of my biggest issues with CyberGhost in my last review was that it hadn’t undertaken a security audit of any kind. This time round it’s still not perfect, but it has had its no-log policy audited by Deloitte. Let’s hope a full server and app audit is in the works.

Overall, CyberGhost is a cheap, effective VPN provider that impresses when it comes to torrenting and general privacy. However, it’s honestly quite outclassed by the providers above.

7. Windscribe

Tons of features and an excellent Chrome extension

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Our expert Windscribe review found the provider’s free VPN that gives users 10GB of data a month very useful, but it also offers a fairly-priced paid service that delivers unlimited data and lets you connect as many devices at once as you like. Most other VPN services permit only five to 10 at a time.

Windscribe is compatible with many platforms – including routers and Amazon Fire and TV set-top boxes. The service offers a great variety of connection options, has a wide geographic reach with hundreds of servers, and presents an appealing, if minimal, user interface. 

It’s also good for watching overseas Netflix, and has dedicated ‘Windflix servers’ to enable this. One failure I did notice, however, was unblocking amazon Prime Video.

The service’s Chrome VPN extension is a standout feature. As one of the best on the market, it offers tons of features and can be used without installing the desktop client – great for work computers of other devices you can’t install software on. 

For those that do install the desktop client, you’ll notice the brand-spanking Windscribe 2.0 software has tidied up the interface and offers a ton of nifty features – although newbies may be overwhelmed. One such feature is Decoy Mode on which, although very niche, could be invaluable to dissidents in truly extreme situations.

Once of my previous complaints was that Windscribe simply wasn’t very fast compared to others, but since then it’s upped the ante, topping out at an excellent 950 Mbps.

This matches up to the very fastest providers on the market, and it’s great to see Windscribe pushing more established [players like this.

You can pay for a Windscribe subscription with Bitcoin, you don’t even have to provide an email address, and the service is based in Canada, which may appeal to users wary of US authorities.

8. IPVanish

Feature-packed, but not a perfect streamer

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IPVanish is a US VPN that’s been in the game for a long time, and it’s widely regarded as a safe, reliable, and trustworthy provider. It’s designed for the more techy user, it boasts a bunch of useful additions and powerful apps that display all the data you could wish for.

In my testing for the IPVanish review, I saw the provider deliver incredible speeds of around 950 Mbps when using WireGuard, which is comparable to close rivals NordVPN and Surfshark. 

Its OpenVPN speeds are average at best, at just 225 Mbps in my testing, but most users will be using WireGuard anyway. 

‘Scramble’ is an interesting feature that allows VPN use in countries like China, and while it’s not quite as robust as other specialized China VPN services, it’s still very useful.

When it comes to streaming, it’s also a mixed bag. I got access to US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ and Prime (which is an improvement from last time we checked), but unlike providers further up this list, we couldn’t tap into any other Netflix locations like Australia or Canada.

One of my biggest criticisms in my last review was that IPVanish rarely updated its apps – and it looks like the devs were listening. 

The brand new interface looks great, retains many of the in-depth features I loved, while integrating a Favorites function as well as in-app support. 

However, on the flip side, it’s a shame that some niche features have been removed, rather than tucked away more neatly.

Overall, though, while it’s lost a little ground on the top services, IPVanish is still well worth considering, especially if you’re a fan of in-depth, techy software.

9. Mullvad

Privacy extraordinaire lives up to expectations

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In my expert Mullvad review, I found that the Swedish provider eschews ‘gimmicks’ for true privacy performance. However, while this certainly endears Mullvad with techies and old-school VPN veterans, the crowd-pleasing likes of ExpressVPN and NordVPN arguably offer a better proposition for the casual user.

With no tricks and a very transparent website, Mullvad’s one of the few providers that avoids making disputable claims of “unblocking anything” or
“guaranteed anonymity”. 

Rather, it leads by example by never taking any personal details, accepting cash payments sent through snail mail, and offering simple, effective and open-source apps. New additions include the ability to purchase account numbers through Amazon – an anonymity plus point – and a fresh DNS server audit.

It also avoids the incredible complexity of other ‘expert’ VPNs, and while a very small selection of users will want to tweak countless DNS settings, many will simply appreciate the no-nonsense approach to online privacy.

As I said, though, Mullvad does lack in some important areas that many users won’t want to compromise on. While connection speeds are very impressive, in line with IPVanish, CyberGhost, and the like, it’s not able to unblock any streaming services – and likely never will. 

On that connection speed note, though, in my last testing it topped out at a very respectable 900 Mbps – almost as fast as the highest flyers. 

What’s more, though, is that when using OpenVPN, Mullvad outpaced every other provider I tested, topping out at a heady 530 Mbps. If you’ll be using OpenVPN and don’t about streaming, it could be a great choice.

The apps also lack some fairly commonplace usability features like automatic selection of the nearest/fastest location, and no favorites list. Plus, if you run into any issues you’ll have to rely on email support or the bare-bones support site rather than live chat.

Overall, though, if you’re looking for a transparent, privacy-focused VPN, you could do a lot worse than Mullvad.

10. Hide.me

Superb customization and well-suited for experts

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Hide.me has been around since 2011, and in that time it’s developed quite a following and has made quite an impression on the VPN industry.

With around 2,000 servers in 75 locations, it’s in the mid-pack when it comes to network size – outstripped by PIA, CyberGhost, NordVPN, and others – but in practice this is more than enough for just about any user. Connections are lightning-fast too, topping out at a mega 950 Mbps in my last round of testing.

Hide.me’s Windows VPN apps are powerful and configurable, with plenty of protocol choices, DNS protection, torrenting support, and more. It’s evidently aimed at the advanced user, and those with the knowledge and inclination to trawl through the settings will be greatly rewarded. 

However, for many, it’s quite possible that it’ll all be too much and won’t deliver such a seamless experience as more welcoming providers like ExpressVPN – and its Mac offerings are much weaker than the competition.

It’s also worth noting that I experienced some minor technical issues with the apps, including an issue with the kill switch which could potentially compromise users when changing server.

In my streaming testing, Hide.me impressed. It’s able to access a number of Netflix locations alongside BBC iPlayer, Showtime, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and more. 

Finally, Hide.me also has some excellent privacy credentials – although it hasn’t undertaken any kind of audit since 2015, and even then there’s very little detail. But, overall, it’s a great choice, especially if you like to tinker with your software – and the new free 2TB  storage plan courtesy of Internxt isn’t to be sniffed at.

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