Are flagship phones worthwhile, Facebook drops its VR OS, Sony's EV, Lenovo's dual screen laptop, and more

January 6, 2022

Flagship smartphones boast the latest and greatest tech a company has to offer, like top-shelf high-performance hardware and clever software, albeit for a steep price. But are $1,000+  flagship smartphones actually something we need to be buying each year? 

We think Samsung’s mid-range phones are an argument against doing so. What about the difference in hardware or price, though? And what, if anything, are we really giving up if we opt to go with a mid-range smartphone? Dive into the weeds with us in today’s top story.

Other Highlights:

• Aww, Facebook is giving up on its custom VR and AR operating system.
• Lenovo’s latest ThinkBook laptop rocks a super-cool secondary screen, and it’s right where you’d least expect it.
• We’re huge fans of Sony’s earbuds, cameras, and probably even the PlayStation 5 if we could get our hands on it. Makes us wonder if we’d also like its upcoming EV, too.
• Amazon launches Matter smart home tools for other developers, to make it easier for them to commit to the universal control standard. Hooray!
• … and much more!

-Suzanne

When buying a new phone, it’s easy to think the most expensive option is the best available. Why wouldn’t it be? That extra money has to go somewhere. But if you went for a Galaxy S21 ahead of the significantly cheaper Galaxy A52S, you may have made a big mistake. Read More »

Forget smartphones, cameras, and the PlayStation 5. Sony is building electric vehicles next. In 2020, Sony surprised many when it teased the Vision-S concept EV, showing just how serious it is about electric cars. Then, at CES 2022, the company kicked things into high gear and announced Sony Mobility. Read More »

Anker’s sub-brand Nebula just announced its first portable 4K laser projector packed full of features. The new Nebula Cosmos Laser 4k brings laser technology and much higher light output to your living room, backyard, or anywhere else you want to have a movie night. Read More »

Android Auto is a great way to keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel, but most vehicles with Google’s auto interface require a USB cable connection. However, Motorola recently announced an affordable new adapter that makes Android Auto work wirelessly. Read More »

Back in 2017, Facebook began work on a bespoke OS for VR and AR hardware. This operating system was supposed to reduce Facebook’s dependence on other software companies, particularly Google and Apple, which repeatedly threaten Facebook’s business model. But a report by The Information states that Facebook is giving up and sticking with Android. Read More »

Need to trim up the hair on your head? We got you. This grooming kit is ready to handle anything you throw at it from buzzing your hair to tackling pesky nose and ear hairs. It comes with six trimmer heads, five hair trimmer combs, a standard hair comb, a charger base and cable, and a brush to clean hair off of the components as needed. The trimmer itself is water-resistant and features a large LED screen and self-sharpening non-corrosive steel blades. It’s easy to clean and fully recharges in just 90 minutes.

Get it at Amazon →

While more vehicles are coming with support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay built-in, many of them don’t support wireless CarPlay. Thankfully, at CES 2022, Alpine announced brand new versions of its popular 9 and 11-inch Halo receiver with wireless built-in, among other improvements. Read More »

When it launches later this year, the Matter universal control standard will ensure that nearly all smart home devices are compatible with one another, so long as the companies behind these devices integrate Matter with their products. Google recently launched some tools to help developers commit to Matter, and now, Amazon is doing the same. Read More »

Love Razer’s colorful gamer-friendly computer accessories and Fossil’s effortless, classic watch designs? You’ll love this collaboration, then! The two brands teamed up for the Razer X Fossil Gen 6 Smartwatch, bringing you the best of both worlds. Read More »

As part of CES 2022, Lenovo unveiled a fleet of new laptops, including a laptop with some truly clever design aspects. The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 is the most exciting among them, rocking an ultrawide display and second display where we wouldn’t have expected it to be. Read More »

Looking for a new smartwatch? Skagen’s new Falster Gen 6 might be your perfect match! The Danish-inspired watch and jewelry brand just added tons of new features, boosted speed and performance, and faster charging. What’s more stylish than that? Read More »

Thinking of buying an 8K TV? There’s very little native content available, so upscaling is likely to be your best friend for several years to come. Is upscaling good enough, or should you wait? Let’s take a look. Read More »

CES is known for kicking off every year with new and innovative products. Unfortunately, due to current circumstances, many companies decided not to attend CES 2022 in person, but that didn’t stop them from unveiling some of the most exciting devices coming this year. Here are How-To Geek’s favorites. Read More »

For most folks, the highlight of the holiday season is Christmas where they can unpack new and exciting gifts. For folks like us, Christmas comes a bit later at CES where we get to preview new, exotic, and exciting products. Here are our favorites from CES 2022! Read More »