Ben Schoon
Ben Schoon traces how Android hardware and software feel in daily use, with a sustained focus on Google’s Pixel line, Samsung devices, and Google TV. He is a Senior Editor at 9to5Google and has been one of its primary news writers since 2016. His work spans fast news, hands-on reviews, long-term retrospectives, and newsletter columns that connect individual product decisions to the broader Android ecosystem.
Android phones, wearables, and software updates
Schoon’s core beat is Android devices and the software that runs on them, anchored in Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy smartphones. His author bio notes that he primarily covers Android products including Pixel devices, Samsung Galaxy phones, and hardware from brands such as OnePlus, Oppo, and Motorola. Recent coverage includes leaks and launch build-up for phones like the Pixel 11 Pro XL and broader flagships in the Pixel 11 series.
He follows Samsung closely, writing about topics such as major One UI releases and changes to features on Galaxy Watch, as well as Galaxy Z Fold trade-in and pricing shifts at launch.
He treats operating system updates as stories in their own right, detailing both rollout mechanics and real-world impact. His headlines track stable and beta Android versions, including how to install the latest Android 17 beta on Pixel devices and the bugs users encounter after installing major releases, such as Wi‑Fi disconnections and laggy game performance.
Similar treatment appears in his coverage of Android Auto, where he reports on updates to media apps like Spotify and YouTube Music and how they change in-car experience. This mix of phone, wearable, and car-focused coverage positions him as a reporter who follows Android’s software lifecycle from early betas to consumer problems and fixes.
Pixel deep dives, retrospectives, and value analysis
Schoon’s work distinguishes itself in how often he revisits Pixel hardware years after launch to reassess its role in the lineup.
He wrote a feature marking 10 years of Google Pixel, reflecting on why the project still matters and how it continues to evolve. Recent pieces revisit specific generations, such as arguing that the Pixel 5 does not get enough credit for making the best of a difficult year and that the Pixel 3a might be one of Google’s most important smartphones. These articles go beyond spec sheets to weigh decisions like pricing and component choices against long-term user experience and market impact.
His portfolio notes that he regularly produces hands-on reviews of flagship and midrange devices, with recent examples including the Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel Watch 2, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Motorola Razr+, and HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook.
In these reviews he combines photography, video, and written impressions, reflecting skills he developed starting with an independent tech publication before moving into daily news and reviews at 9to5Google. Outside of phones, he applies similar judgment to subscriptions and services, such as a column arguing that Google One is his most valuable tech subscription, influenced by AI features and trade-offs.
Across these pieces, his through-line is weighing the practical value of devices and services over time rather than focusing only on launch-week excitement.
Google TV, Android TV, and the connected home
Schoon is identified internally as a leading source on Google’s Android TV and Google TV platforms, digging into both consumer products and operator-tier implementations.
His bio highlights deep coverage of devices such as Chromecast with Google TV and Nvidia Shield TV, as well as explanations of future changes to the TV platform and how operator-tier deployments work. He extends that focus into the broader connected home, co-authoring pieces on products like Nest Wifi Pro and examining whether new icons or software hints truly signal next-generation hardware. In these articles he explains why a “Nest Wifi Pro 2” icon is not evidence of a sequel and how that fits into Google’s networking strategy.
His reporting on home and entertainment hardware also covers third-party devices that intersect with Android or streaming, such as Lenovo’s Legion Tab and LG’s StanbyME 2 Max, a large touchscreen display designed for flexible media consumption and phone mirroring. The emphasis remains on how hardware choices and software support affect usability across living-room and mobile contexts. This gives his coverage of Google TV and related products a practical angle: understanding how new features, operator deployments, and companion hardware actually shape watching and gaming for end users.
Newsletters, opinion columns, and foldables
Schoon writes the 9to5Google Weekender newsletter, which carries his byline on columns that blend news, opinion, and personal experience. Recent Weekender pieces examine topics such as Google’s use of Tensor chips in Pixel phones, his mixed feelings about AI’s role in making Google One valuable, and what he likes most about smart glasses - especially integrated cameras.
These columns often look at where Google’s hardware strategy diverges from competitors, as in his analysis of the iPhone Duo, where he argued that the device did not reinvent Android foldables but still raised concerns about copycat designs.
Foldable phones and experimental form factors appear frequently in his work, from his positive surprise at Google’s original Pixel Fold concept to his fear of less thoughtful copycats following Apple’s moves. Across newsletters and features, he uses specific hardware examples to show how design and component choices ripple through the market and into daily use. Combined with his regular guest and host appearances in 9to5Google’s video and podcast content, including episodes of Pixelated and other video series, his output gives a consistent, opinionated read on where Android and Pixel are headed next.
4 more technology journalists.
Abhijeet Mishra
Abhijeet Mishra focuses on what Samsung’s firmware and One UI updates mean in practice for everyday Galaxy users. He covers the full Samsung software pipeline, from major Android and One UI generations to monthly security patches, tracking version changes, support timelines, and phased rollouts across Galaxy S, Galaxy A, foldable, and tablet lines. His stories detail which devices are covered, key interface changes, added or removed features, download size, base Android version, and how to trigger updates. He maps eligibility for future Android and One UI releases and clarifies long-term support promises. Mishra also reports on new Galaxy phones, tablets, watches, earbuds, and accessories, always linking hardware changes to software experience, update commitments, and ecosystem integration. His explainers, guides, and troubleshooting pieces unpack policies, new features, and post-update issues with a long-term, continuity-focused view of Samsung’s strategy.
Abid Iqbal Shaik
Abid Iqbal Shaik focuses on the day-to-day life of Samsung software and key Galaxy devices, with granular tracking of firmware updates, One UI versions, and regional rollouts. He writes concise, service-oriented news pieces for SamMobile that function as focused update bulletins. His work centers on Galaxy software updates and One UI releases for flagship, mid-range, and foldable devices, highlighting build numbers, security patch levels, and the exact One UI subversion. He explains what each update changes for real users, from new features and interface tweaks to camera, battery, and app behavior improvements. He repeatedly returns to geography, timing, and long-term device support, showing how updates move from limited releases to global availability and mapping the practical software lifespan of Samsung phones and tablets.
Adamya Sharma
Adamya Sharma connects front-line Android hardware coverage with critical reporting on how Google’s ecosystem decisions affect devices and users. She is Managing Editor at Android Authority’s news desk, with more than 15 years covering consumer electronics, Android, AI, and consumer technology beyond phones. Her work spans Android updates, Google events, Pixel hardware labs, and hands-on coverage of phones, wearables, mobility tech, and cars as tech platforms. She tracks Google’s platform decisions, Android’s developer and security policies, Pixel devices, ecosystem lock-in, and how features reach the wider Android community. Her hardware reporting covers displays, chips, memory, batteries, design, and everyday usability, including Pixel, Xiaomi, Nothing, Motorola, and experimental devices. She also covers Android Auto and connected cars. She reports through sustained hands-on use, lab access, data-driven stories, and close reading of update promises and their practical impact.
Alex Co
Alex Co is a games media editor and reporter who leads MP1st, with a distinct focus on multiplayer systems, live-service games, and the technical changes that affect play. He covers patches, server issues, platform policies, accessibility, balance changes, new modes, and co-op stability across console and PC games. He also reports scoops and rumors about Sony and the PlayStation ecosystem, including platform strategy, retailer listings, leaks, patents, and possible projects. His patch coverage spans Silent Hill: Townfall, The Blood of Dawnwalker, Ark: Survival Ascended, Ghost of Yotei, Destiny 2, ARMA Reforger, Minecraft, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, and Days Gone Remastered. He explains version changes, fixes, errors, downtime, and workarounds in practical terms. He acquired MP1st and became editor-in-chief in 2017. He previously worked at PlayStation LifeStyle, Gameranx, The Escapist Magazine, and other games outlets.