Julian Chokkattu
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Julian is the mobile and wearables editor at Digital Trends, covering smartphones, fitness trackers, smartwatches, and more. He began his career in journalism as the news editor of his college newspaper, and then worked at TechCrunch writing about startups. Julian has reviewed dozens of phones, tablets, and wearables for several years, and still isn't tired of it. He's traveled to select cities in the U.S. to test 5G, and he's seasoned at covering major events like Google I/O and Apple's WWDC. He's also an avid photographer.
iPhone XR review
Apple’s iPhone XS and XS Max are its flagship smartphones that do everything and anything. The iPhone XR is more interesting, because it looks futuristic like its siblings, but it’s cheaper, and more stylish. It comes in a range of colors like blue, red, coral, and yellow, and we can’t stop staring.
Nokia 4.2 review
The Nokia 4.2 has good battery life, uncluttered Android One software that delivers fast updates, and a design and build that doesn’t match its $189 price tag. But the processor throws all these merits under the bus. That, along with the Micro USB port, make for a phone that’s tough to recommend.
Apple iPhone 11 review: The iPhone for all
The iPhone 11 succeeds the iPhone XR, yet it's even more affordable at $699. Is it worth saving $300 by going for it over the iPhone 11 Pro and the iPhone 11 Pro Max? For most people, yes. The upgrades include a second ultra-wide-angle lens, Night mode for the camera, and slightly better battery life.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 review: Finally, a good Android 2-in-1
Samsung’s latest tablet is here, and it’s the Galaxy Tab S6. It’s the successor to the Galaxy Tab S4, with worthwhile upgrades like a superior chipset, an S Pen that’s stored magnetically, and a far better keyboard with a built-in trackpad. Is it worth spending $650 on an Android tablet?
Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL review
The Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL are Google’s latest phones, and their key selling point is that they bring the same exact software and camera experience from the Pixel 3 and 3 XL to a much lower price point -- $399 and $479, respectively. You also get great performance and battery life.
Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10 Plus Review: Renaissance Phone
Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10 Plus is here, and it’s the biggest and best Samsung phone ever. Its key feature is its looks, as it has an attractive rear design, highlighted by the new Aura Glow color, but little else has changed. Read our Note 10 Plus review for our in-depth thoughts on Samsung's latest.
iPhone 11 Pro Max review: Turning everything up to max
The iPhone 11 Pro Max is for big-screen enthusiasts, but it's also undeniably the best smartphone you can buy at the moment. It excels at almost everything, from incredible battery life and a fantastic screen to powerful performance and class-leading cameras. This is the iPhone to splurge on.
Light Phone 2 review: Not the cure for smartphone addiction
Is your smartphone use out of control? Looking for a break? The Light Phone 2 is a basic phone that promises exactly that. Its 4G connectivity means you can place calls and send texts, and you can also set an alarm. More tools like ridesharing apps are on the way, but all of this comes at a high price.
Samsung Galaxy Fold review: Wait for the next generation
Samsung's Galaxy Fold is the company's first foldable smartphone. It boasts two screens, six cameras, and a dual-cell battery. The phone was delayed due to display issues, but Samsung has fixed all its problems, and it's now available. Here's what it's like to use a foldable smartphone.
Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus review: The details matter
Samsung’s Galaxy S10 Plus has anything and everything you’d want in a smartphone. From a gorgeous HDR10+ screen that you can’t stop looking at, to an in-display fingerprint sensor that actually works, it’s awesome. But is it worth $1,000? Read our full Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus review to find out.
Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 4G/LTE review
Mobvoi has launched a 4G version of its TicWatch Pro, which has seen some slight changes from last year’s model. The LTE connectivity only works on Verizon at the moment, but it opens a world of possibilities with the watch. You won’t find a more feature-packed Wear OS by Google smartwatch than the TicWatch Pro 4G/LTE.
I asked 10 U.S. banks when they plan to support Google Pixel 4’s Face Unlock
Google's Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL come with new Face Unlock technology that makes unlocking the phone fast. But if you want to use it to access bank apps or authenticate purchases in third-party apps, it's looking like you'll have to wait a while. I asked a handful of banks when they expect to add support.
Pixel 4 XL vs. iPhone 11 Pro vs. Note 10 Plus vs. OnePlus 7T: Camera shootout
The Google Pixel 4 is here with another winning camera, despite its battery woes, so how does it stack up to competitors like the iPhone 11 Pro, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus, and the OnePlus 7T? We took all four phones for a spin on a photo walk to find the best in this smartphone camera shootout.
On Pixel 4 battery, Google’s various teams don’t see pixel-to-pixel
Google's Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL are excellent smartphones with slick screens that support a 90Hz refresh rate, smart software powered by machine learning, and killer cameras that use computational photography. But after three years, they still falter at battery life. Why? Is it a compromise to make a thinner phone?
Pixel 4 vs. Pixel 3 camera shootout: Where are the photography improvements?
Pixel 3 owner? Thinking about upgrading to Google's Pixel 4 or Pixel 4 XL? You might be wondering how different the camera is, and we've got the answers in this Pixel 4 XL vs. Pixel 3 XL camera shootout. Take a look as we go through the differences between the two phone cameras, and see which comes out on top.
Google’s Pixel 4 will get an option requiring open eyes for face unlock
Google's Pixel 4 will get an update in the coming months adding an option requiring eyes to be open for Face Unlock to work. The news comes after reviewers discovered the phone can unlock even if the device owner's eyes are closed, a security risk as it can be used to easily access sensitive information.
Nokia 7.2 review: Nokia aims high but misses the mark
HMD Global's latest phone in the U.S. is the Nokia 7.2, and not only does it look sophisticated, but it also has some killer camera specs. There's a 48-megapixel camera, along with a wide-angle and depth-sensing lens. But can it dethrone the Google Pixel 3a, which remains the best camera on a phone under $400?
Google’s Pixel 4 could have looked like the Nexus 6P
Google's Pixel 4 is here, and we've known what it would look like for months. Now, the design team has shared photos showing concepts and what it could have looked like before they settled on a final design. The photos are packed with goodies like a Pixel 4 that looks like a Galaxy Note 10 Plus, an iPhone 11, and more.
Google Pixel 3 XL review: Hit the big time
Google’s Pixel 3 XL has two big flaws: The gigantic notch on the front, and mediocre battery life. That being said, this is the best Android experience you can find in a smartphone today. Android 9 Pie is fluid, there’s an exceptional camera, and the A.I. features on board are unrivaled.
Google designer believes the Pixel 4’s camera design is more iconic than Apple’s
Do you like the iPhone 11 Pro's camera design? How about the Google Pixel 4's? The person who helped design the Pixel 4 shares his thoughts. Both phones sport a squarish camera module to house their respective camera systems. Google opted to mask the cameras with a black filter, but Apple went in another direction.
Google’s Pixel 4 looks different. Here’s what the designers changed and why
Google's Pixel 4 looks different from previous Pixel phones. Digital Trends spoke with the phone's designers to talk about the changes. The classic two-tone look has disappeared, but it's replaced by a black band surrounding the phone, along with the Pixel square, which houses the new dual-camera system.
Samsung Galaxy Fit review
Samsung’s going toe-to-toe against Fitbit’s Inspire HR with its own $99 fitness tracker -- the Galaxy Fit. It also has a heart rate monitor, can automatically detect six workouts, shows you all the notifications from your phone, and has a battery that can last for days -- all in a small package.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active review
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Active is a strong contender in the wearable world. It has solid battery life, a great notification system, and good fitness-tracking capabilities, all for a price of $200. Did we mention it looks great, too? The competition’s tough, but the Galaxy Watch Active puts up a tougher fight.
Sony Xperia 1 review: One for the fans
Sony’s Xperia 1 smartphone is svelte, tall, modern, and powerful. The 21:9 aspect ratio means you get a cinematic viewing experience. It’s too bad there are several other shortcomings, such as a lackluster camera, unimpressive battery life, and far too high of a price tag. Here’s our Xperia 1 review.
The refreshed Fire HD 10 tablet is Amazon’s first product to use USB-C
Amazon's Fire HD 10 and Fire HD 10 Kids Edition are its first products to utilize the USB-C port for charging. They also bring a few other updates, from 30% improved performance and 20% better battery life. Otherwise, the display is exactly the same at 10.1 inches and a Full HD resolution.
Have a Fire TV? Got kids? Amazon’s child-friendly service is coming to your TV
Amazon FreeTime Unlimited, the kid-friendly subscription service, is now on Fire TV Sticks, offering peace of mind when your kid is in front of the TV. You can set up four child profiles on your Fire TV stick or Fire TV and set age restrictions for what kinds of content kids can watch. There's a parent dashboard for more control, too.
Amazon’s first Kindle Kids Edition offers up kid-friendly ebooks, reading badges
Kids Edition Fire tablets aren't new, but Amazon is now extending it to the Kindle with the Kindle Kids Edition. It has features that encourage reading for kids, such as Vocabulary Builder and Achievement Badges, and it comes in one of four fun cases. You also get Amazon's two-year, worry-free guarantee.