Forget the spendy flagship smartphone. Every year, I test a dozen or more devices to find the best cheap phones that perform where it counts and aren’t annoyingly slow. Wireless carriers in the US go out of their way to make expensive smartphones seem affordable. AT&T will advertise a Samsung …
Read More »I Thought Phone Lanyards Were Ugly—Until I Tried the Bandolier Bodie
I love that the wallet fits up to five cards. I test a lot of MagSafe wallets, which typically only fit up to three cards. This feels like a lot. I can carry my debit card, credit card, driver’s license, and cash without it feeling like a tight squeeze. The …
Read More »11 Best MagSafe Wallets (2025), Tested and Reviewed
Other Good MagSafe Wallets Photograph: ESR I’ve tested several MagSafe wallets, but not every model deserves a top spot. ESR Magnetic Wallet HaloLock With Find My for $38: Like Apple’s MagSafe wallet, this one has Find My support. You can use the flap on the back as a grip and …
Read More »Apple May Shift to Making US iPhones in India. It Won’t Be Easy
According to the Financial Times, which cites sources “familiar with the matter,” Apple plans to assemble in India all iPhones intended for the US by the end of 2026. The majority of Apple’s iPhones are currently made in China, but Chinese-made products have become a toxic asset for US import. …
Read More »Bad News for China: Rare Earth Elements Aren’t That Rare
“The heavy rare earth elements are added as sort of a spice, a doping agent, to maintain the magnetism of the magnet at high temperatures. It also improves corrosion resistance and the longevity of the magnet,” says Seaver Wang, director of the climate and energy team at the Breakthrough Institute, …
Read More »How to Responsibly Dispose of Your Electronics (2025)
Whether you have an old phone languishing in a desk drawer or a broken laptop gathering dust in the back of a closet, there will never be a better time to dispose of it. There’s a good chance your unwanted gadget can return to useful service, and it may even …
Read More »