What you need to know

• Ticketmaster announced its partnership with Google Wallet, which brings "customizable passes" to Android.
• Clients of events can customize their digital passes with flashy designs and up to 12 links for important venue details.
• Users benefit from this last note, as they can find info on parking, food, drinks, merch, and VIP access directly from their pass.

This summer is going to be packed with events of all kinds. To try and help, Ticketmaster announced a partnership with Google Wallet for more unique digital passes on Android.

Ticketmaster says that what it's worked on with Google Wallet are "customizable passes" that are designed for "branded experiences" on Android. Passes are mobile tickets saved in Google Wallet, but Ticketmaster says this new direction offers a new sense of "brand presence." Brands can offer customized hero images, tour artwork, and more.

If you're attending a group's stop on their nationwide tour, you might see unique album artwork or sports game visuals if you're going to an NFL game.

Aside from flashy visuals, these customizable passes are getting more useful for you, the user. Ticketmaster says clients can add "up to 12 action links to each pass." These links will direct visitors to crucial event areas. Links for parking, transportation, gate details, VIP upgrades, and food/drinks can be found in these passes. This removes the need for users to conduct extra research before heading out or leading up to the event/gameday.

The post states that tapping a parking link will open a map of the venue, so you can plan where you might go. Additionally, users can download that event's affiliate app on their Android device through these links if desired.

Digital passes continue to evolve

Passes and digital tickets have been a big aspect of Google Wallet for years now. The company rolled out a useful update to Wallet, one that would automatically surface a pass you might need. "Context-aware" is what drives this feature. Google states that as the user approaches a location, like a train station, the Wallet app would produce their train ticket on their lock screen.

This removes the need for users to open their phones, navigate to the Wallet app, and select their appropriate pass. Google says this capability extends to airport gates, concert venues, and stores. Considering this new partnership with Ticketmaster, perhaps something like this would occur for these customizable passes.

Android Central's Take

I like this partnership, and this is coming from a sports guy. Getting my tickets ready for gameday is an exciting feeling. I can just imagine a White Sox or a Bears ticket through Ticketmaster's new approach for passes. The hype would be unreal. What's more, these links would help with stadium navigation for parking in case anything changes.

What you need to know

• Google states a fix is rolling out late in June for a bug that impacted several of its smart speakers and SiriusXM radio.
• Users given multiple errors a month ago, when reports surfaced, and were unable to get their content to stream via a speaker.
• While this issue gets resolved, Google's also debuted its new Home Speaker and expanded Gemini for Home to more partners.

Google has been busy with new launches and bug fixes since May. This week, it's been reported that a major fix is on the way for a satellite radio problem.

About a month ago, users on the Google Home subreddit reported a sudden problem attempting to listen to SiriusXM radio on their smart speakers (via Android Authority). Getting down to brass tacks, Google responded to this month-old thread this week, stating "We've resolved an issue impacting the ability to stream SiriusXM on some Google Home devices." These "issues" Google refers to were highlighted by the thread's OP (original poster), who states their smart speakers were unable to stream any content.

Specifically, the user states their device would consistently give them the following error: "I looked for that, but it either isn't available or can't be played right now." They checked their Google Home settings and ensured their SiriusXM subscription was properly linked. Spoiler alert: everything was fine. Further investigations showed that they could listen to the radio via the app, just not through their speakers.

Many more reports on the subreddit stated similar issues. After contacting Google Support, users were told to run through normal troubleshooting procedures. Many users already said they did this on their own, to be fair. However, through these reports, Google acknowledged it was an issue, at least that's what users said after contacting support.

Now, over a month later, a fix for the radio issue is coming through for Google Home smart speakers.

New speaker on the block

In the time that these issues were reported, Google launched the Home Speaker, its future of smart speakers and AI assistance at home. For $99, the Home Speaker is the brand's first device built completely around its AI, Gemini. The AI is capable of understanding normal speech, meaning users don't have to constantly remember and throw buzzwords around. The AI can act on multi-step commands, and users can engage in follow-up questions to keep their conversations going.

Since Gemini is so tightly integrated, we all know what that means: Gemini for Home is at its core. When Google expanded its availability to more countries, the company improved Gemini's response times by 40%. What's more, it improved the AI's ability to understand what device users are talking to about to (hopefully) avoid mistaken commands. On a related note, Google opened Gemini for Home to hardware makers and carriers.

This means consumers will likely see more devices hitting the market that support Google's AI natively.

We're in the final stretch of Prime Day, so there's a bit of pressure to make sure you get everything in your cart before the deals end. Well, if you're still trying to figure out which new phone to buy, consider the search over, because this Galaxy S26 Plus deal just dropped the phone to its lowest price since launch.

When the Galaxy S26 Plus was released earlier this year, it retailed for $1,099, or $100 more than its predecessor. However, despite the price increase, Prime Day is slashing more than $300 off this rather excellent phone, meaning you pay less than the base model Galaxy S26.

• Prime Day returns June 23-26: see the full list of deals

✅Recommended if: You're in the market for a new flagship smartphone with good cameras, great battery life, and tons of AI features.

❌Skip this deal if: You prefer smaller phones like the base Galaxy S26 or you want Samsung's cool new Privacy Display feature, which is only available on the Ultra.

I've used the Galaxy S26 Plus on and off since it launched earlier this year, and there's no doubt it's a fantastic phone. It plays a delicate balance between the cheaper S26 and pricier Galaxy S26 Ultra by offering a large display, a big battery, and fast 45W charging.

It misses out on some Ultra features, like a secondary telephoto lens, 60W charging, and the very cool Privacy Display that can keep onlookers from seeing the contents of your display.

That said, you still get the excellent One UI experience with smooth animations, the latest features like AirDrop support, and tons of Galaxy AI capabilities like advanced photo editing and a revamped Bixby. And with Gemini Screen automation, you can let the AI handle your Uber Eats orders while you sit back and relax.

The Galaxy S26 Plus may be the awkward middle child of the S series, but you shouldn't sleep on it when it's this cheap.

A good pair of earbuds is fairly easy to find, but finding a good pair of affordable earbuds can be a challenge. The Pixel Buds 2a are surprisingly good for their price point, which makes this Prime Day deal even better, bringing the earbuds down to their lowest price since launch.

The Pixel Buds 2a are less than a year old, launching in August 2025 and hitting stores in October for a retail price of $129. There have been a few price dips since then, but now you can get them for just under $100.

• Prime Day returns June 23-26: see the full list of deals

✅Recommended if: You own a Pixel smartphone and/or want an affordable pair of earbuds with good sound, great ANC, and a sweat-resistant design.

❌Skip this deal if: You don't own a Pixel smartphone or you want earbuds with support for higher-quality audio codecs.

I've been using the Pixel Buds 2a for some time, and despite them being the epitome of everything I don't like about many earbuds today, I can't seem to put them down. I even own the Powerbeats Pro 2, which I bought specifically for the gym, but before I go out, I grab the Pixel Buds 2a.

A big reason is that, despite their low price point, the audio quality is surprisingly good, and ANC does a great job of blocking out most noise, especially at the gym. They're also incredibly light, fit well in my ears, and are sufficiently sweat-resistant, so I don't have to worry about them during runs.

They may not support high-quality audio codecs like higher-end earbuds, but I'm no audiophile, so I'm content with how they sound. And if you're willing to spend just $99 on a pair of great earbuds, these are the ones.

Excuse me if I have "Transformers" on my mind; I just finished binge-watching all the films on my TCL QM6K. It's a fantastic TV, especially for the price, but if you want something even better, the TCL QM7K is currently on sale for Optimus Prime Day, and it's a deal you shouldn't miss out on!

The TCL 55QM7K wasn't exactly cheap when it launched, retailing for $1,299 back in 2025. It has since had a few discounts, but this current Prime Day deal is about as low as it gets, bringing it down to just $498, which is still much cheaper than the $649 it was recently priced at. That's less than $500 for an incredible 4K Google TV set! Optimus Prime would be proud!

• Prime Day returns June 23-26: see the full list of deals

✅Recommended if: You're in the market for a Google TV set with great color, a high refresh rate, the latest Gemini AI features, and must-have gaming capabilities like VRR.

❌Skip this deal if: You want the deeper contrast and inky black of an OLED.

Prime Day"

Since I have the TCL QM6K, I guess you can say I have a big of experience with the QM7K model. I love my TV set, but the 7K model is a step up from what I have. With this model, you get a slimmer design, a brighter QD-Mini LED display, and higher-quality Bang & Olufsen speakers. The display is also anti-reflective, which is a must-have, especially if you plan to put it in a relatively bright space.

And of course, it runs Google TV out of the box. This gives you access to tons of streaming apps, which you can control directly from your phone using Google Cast. It also gives you access to Gemini features and better content recommendations based on your apps and the content you've watched. And with the press of a button, you can use natural language to ask Gemini to find a movie or show instead of scrolling through a ton of apps yourself.

Over-ear headphones can get expensive quick — I routinely test models between the $400 and $600 price points. If you're on a budget, going with an on-ear pair of headphones can be an excellent way to save without sacrificing quality. On-ear headphones come with perks of their own, like lightweight designs and secure fits.

Beats Solo headphones have been the default for on-ear headphones for years, and the Solo 4 model is $100 off for Prime Day. For a limited time, these headphones are just $99.95 on Amazon, meaning you're technically saving more than you're spending (by five cents). I've tested the Beats Solo 4 personally, and found a handful of ways they beat more expensive headphones.

• Prime Day 2026 ends TONIGHT: see the full list of deals

✅ Recommended if: you need a secure pair of on-ear headphones; you want headphones with week-long battery life; you value a USB-C port and 3.5mm jack for lossless audio.

❌ Skip this deal if: you prefer over-ear headphones; you have more to spend and would rather upgrade to the Beats Studio Pro (only $50 more for Prime Day).

The difference between on-ear and over-ear headphones is simple. On-ear headphones, like the Beats Solo 4, have ear cushions that rest directly on your ears. They're typically smaller and lighter, with a higher clamping force, as a result. This makes headphones like the Solo 4 ideal for working out, where you don't want to have over-ears slipping off your head during a lifting session.

By comparison, over-ear headphones like the Beats Studio Pro fit your ear inside the cushions, which some find to be more comfortable. I tend to like over-ear headphones, but the tradeoffs are size, weight, and price.

The Beats Solo 4 stand out among the competition with numerous connection methods. You can use them wirelessly with iOS and Android, and there are physical power, play/pause, next/previous, and volume up/down buttons. Better yet, there's both a USB-C port and a 3.5mm jack for wired connections.

The USB-C port can be used for charging, and when fully charged, the Solo 4 last for up to 50 hours. If they die, the 3.5mm jack supports fully analog mode — you can use them with an aux cable without power. The USB-C port can also be used for wired audio. You have a ton of options, and the two wired modes support lossless audio.

It's worth noting that the Beats Solo 4 lack active noise-canceling, and this cost-cutting measure helps them cost so little. If you can look past that, these are a surprisingly great pair of headphones for slightly under $100.

All Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon tablets from $50
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo

Prime Day is almost over, but there are still plenty of deals available right now. While scouring the web for products I like, I came across a Garmin Venu 4 deal that I was tempted to highlight. However, I found an even better deal on the Garmin Forerunner 570, which I think is more worth your time (and money).

The Garmin Forerunner 570 launched last year for $550, but this 18% discount shaves $100 off, bringing the price to $450. That's around $50 cheaper than the Garmin Venu 4 with its current discount, which is why I think the Forerunner 570 deserves your attention.

✅Recommended if: You're someone who enjoys running and wants a watch that can coach them as well as track their activities.

❌Skip this deal if: You're not a big runner and watch a more all-purpose smartwatch with access to your favorite apps.

Garmin makes watches for all kinds of fitness enthusiasts, and the Forerunner 570 is an ideal watch for runners. It's similar to the Forerunner 970, which is also on sale right now, but it's more affordable at the expense of some features. That said, after testing the Forerunner 570 myself, I must say that it's an incredible fitness watch if you're into running or even if you want to get into it (like me).

The watch is great at fitness tracking, and the OLED display is vibrant and highly visible outdoors. The Garmin UI is also much easier to navigate, with quick access to your most important metrics and activities. There are also plenty of external buttons for shortcuts and navigation, making it easy to use the watch even while on a run.

The Garmin Venu 4 is still a great watch, and the $50 discount may be tempting for someone who just wants an all-around fitness watch with a streamlined design and experience. You can also check out deals on the tech devices I used to lose weight in time for the summer.

I became a Powerbeats user with the Powerbeats2 Wireless — they came out 12 years ago — and I've used every model released since. The Powerbeats Pro 2 are the most well-rounded workout earbuds yet, and I bought two pairs of the Nike collab for $250 each for me and my sister.

I don't regret spending that much on them, but I'm happy to report that you can get them for $70 off during Amazon Prime Day. At only $180, these sporty earbuds pack a ton of features. They share internals with the AirPods Pro 2 and the AirPods Pro 3, but work just as good on iOS as on Android.

I've run thousands of miles with Powerbeats earbuds in my ears, and they're the only ones I'd recommend for fitness buffs as we kick off summer.

• Prime Day 2026 ends TONIGHT: see the full list of deals

✅ Recommended if: you need a pair of workout earbuds with a secure fit and ear hooks for stability; you want earbuds that can move between iOS and Android easily; you value on-earbud controls, like playback and volume buttons.

❌ Skip this deal if: you don't like the Powerbeats Pro 2's large design; you want earbuds with a smaller charging case.

The feature that always sold me on Powerbeats is their included ear hooks. These wrap around your ear, ensuring that even if the ear tips slip out, the Powerbeats Pro 2 won't fall out of your ear. Another great perk is the physical volume rocker and play/pause button. No one wants to fight with gesture controls in the gym or on the track with sweaty hands.

With the Powerbeats Pro 2, I don't have to. And both the left and right earbuds have the physical buttons, so I can wear just one without missing out on features. This is great for safety, as I stay aware of my surroundings while I run. Since the earbuds have ANC and transparency mode support, I can also use the latter to maintain awareness while working out.

Beats is owned by Apple, but it's worth emphasizing that the Powerbeats Pro 2 work just as good on Android as iOS. They get a companion app on Android, and every feature is available across both platforms. In fact, if you've always wanted AirPods but needed better Android support, these are the earbuds to get. The Powerbeats Pro 2 share the same Apple H2 chip as the AirPods Pro 2.

And, the Powerbeats Pro 2 have the same optical heart-rate monitor as the AirPods Pro 3. That's right — you can use these earbuds to track your heart rate during workouts without needing a smartwatch or chest strap, pairing them to your Android phone.

It's clear that they were built from the ground up with fitness buffs in mind, and that's why I love them as a runner. At $180, they're a no-brainer if you love to work out.

All Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon tablets from $50
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo

We clearly love Oura here at Android Central, and even with the new Oura Ring 5 available now, we would still recommend buying the Oura Ring 4, especially if you can find a good discount. Right now, the Oura Ring 4 just hit its lowest price for Prime Day, but you'll have to act fast because color options are falling out of stock.

The cheapest Oura Ring 4 starts at $349, but you're saving roughly $135 by opting for the Silver colorway, bringing it down to just $214. Plus, you can save even more at Best Buy when you buy pricier color options. As great as this ring is, that's more than worth it. And the great thing about this Prime Day deal is that with the money you're saving, you can basically cover the cost of the Oura Membership (which I'll break down further below), so it works out!

• Prime Day returns June 23-26: see the full list of deals

✅Recommended if: You want a low-key health and fitness wearable to help you track sleep, activities, and give you a comprehensive view of your health.

❌Skip this deal if: You prefer the newer and smaller Oura Ring 5 or you're really against paying for a monthly or yearly membership to access it's most useful features.

Oura is interesting because it's probably the only smart ring on the market that uses a subscription model. However, that membership gives you full access to the Oura Ring 4's features and helps Oura build on and improve its products, including the Oura Ring 4.

On the plus side, the subscription is only $6 a month (or $70 annually), which actually feels pretty reasonable. And you can pay for both the Oura Ring and the membership using your FSA or HSA, which is also a plus.

But as I mentioned before, you're saving a ton of money on the Oura Ring 4. For the Silver variant above, you're saving about $135, and when you divide that by the membership cost, it comes out to roughly two years' worth.

And when you factor in the $220 savings from the Best Buy deal, that's about three years of Oura Membership that you can use that extra money for. I don't know about you, but the math is mathing here.

I test every mainstream pair of wireless earbuds that come out, and my buying advice is simple: grab the pair that matches your phone. More often than not, it really is that easy. If you have an iPhone, get AirPods. If you have a Samsung Galaxy phone, get Galaxy Buds. Google Pixel users are lucky enough to get the Pixel Buds Pro 2 — they're not just the best for Pixel, they're one of the best wireless earbuds overall.

While most premium earbuds start at $250 and up, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are just $229 at full price. That makes this Amazon Prime Day deal feel too good to be true. You can snag the Pixel Buds Pro 2 for only $160, and every Pixel user should consider it.

• Prime Day 2026 ends TONIGHT: see the full list of deals

✅ Recommended if: you want small and comfortable earbuds without a stem; you have a Google Pixel phone and want companion earbuds; you want incredible wireless audio under $200.

❌ Skip this deal if: you need physical on-earbud buttons (the Pixel Buds Pro 2 use swipe gestures); you're on a budget and would rather get the Pixel Buds 2a (also on-sale for Prime Day)

Most wireless earbuds on the market today offer great sound, and many bundle exclusive software features you only get with a matching phone. That's why the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 go great with, say, a Pixel 10 Pro. I've used the Pixel Buds Pro 2, and there's one thing that makes them stand out among the competition.

It's their comfort. While many earbuds are chunky or feature long stems, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are minuscule by comparison. They are 27% smaller than the original Pixel Buds Pro, and they're also 24% lighter. Better yet, they have an included stabilizer that keeps the Pixel Buds Pro 2 locked in place.

Google did something clever to let you know when you've found the perfect fit: the "G" logo on the Pixel Buds Pro 2 will be upright when they're twisted in place. I have AirPods and Galaxy Buds slip out of my ears all the time, and that's never happened with the Pixel Buds Pro 2.

At their $160 sale price, these earbuds are priced like a base-model pair, with the specs of a flagship. They have a custom Tensor A1 audio processor to handle sound and active noise-cancelation. They can also do spatial audio and multi-device switching, connecting with Google Find Hub for tracking.

I don't think you'll find a better pair of wireless earbuds at this price point — but this deal won't last forever. Prime Day ends today, so move fast.

All Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon tablets from $50
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo

What you need to know

• Some Netflix users are now being asked to add a unique email address to each Netflix profile instead of relying on the account owner's email.
• Individual emails enable separate sign-in verification, account recovery, and profile management while preserving personalized recommendations.
• While the feature adds convenience, some believe it's laying the groundwork for even tighter control over shared accounts in the future.

Netflix is still tinkering with the streaming guidelines. If you thought the 2023 password-sharing crackdown was the ultimate challenge, prepare for a new twist: the company is now apparently testing a mandatory change that turns your shared household account into a bundle of individual logins.

According to several Reddit posts, Netflix is starting to push some users to add a unique email address to each Netflix profile, instead of just using the primary account’s email (via Android Authority). Typically, one email address and one password control the account, while up to five profiles let different family members keep separate watchlists, recommendations, and viewing histories. If a person needs a verification code or wants to recover access, it all goes through the account owner’s inbox.

That seems to be changing now, as some subscribers are being prompted to add an email address directly to their profile. The message says doing so will give you “easier sign-in access,” account recovery options, personalized recommendations, and other features to come.

Each profile gets more independence

When an email is linked, each profile can receive its sign-in verification codes and access recovery information without needing to depend on the primary account holder. The change also provides each profile a little more freedom. You can control some profile settings for individual users but still get personalized recommendations based on viewing history. However, not everyone believes that the change is solely for convenience.

The update comes just a few years after Netflix launched its password-sharing crackdown and the idea of a Netflix Household, which restricts account access to people living under the same roof but provides paid Extra Member slots in supported markets. Netflix has since rolled out several tools designed to simplify user splitting, such as Profile Transfer, which lets subscribers move their viewing history, recommendations, saved games, and watchlists to a separate account when they leave a shared subscription.

That history has some users thinking that profile-specific email addresses could eventually make it easier for Netflix to distinguish between individual users or move them into separate accounts down the road.

Currently, the update appears to be slowly rolling out, rather than being deployed to everyone at once. If it ever gets to your account, adding an email to your profile may make it easier to sign in, especially in larger households. But considering Netflix’s recent history of tightening account controls, it’s worth monitoring if this is just another convenience feature or the beginning of the next evolution of account management for the company.

If you've seen Toy Story 5 (or just the trailer), you know the basic synopsis. All the toys have been binned in favor of a nasty brainrot tablet, and it's all up to the toys to fix the parents' mistake. This Prime Day, I'd love to encourage all the parents out there to opt for a Kindle Colorsoft Kids edition e-reader instead of a tablet, and you'll save nearly $100 in the process.

Tablets certainly have their place, and there's nothing wrong with owning one, but it's pretty clear that too many kids spend way too much time vegging out on their devices. Lots of people have made the switch to less stimulating, less addictive devices, or have started scheduling time to unplug from their devices for the good of everyone in the room, and grabbing an e-reader instead of a tablet will help your kids do the same.

This one even includes 12 months of Amazon Kids+, Amazon's excellent books subscription service that includes thousands of curated, age-appropriate books for kids 3-12 years old. Once that year is up, it's just $5.99 per month to continue the service, which is cheaper than buying even one book a month!

• Prime Day 2026 is LIVE June 23-26: see the full list of deals

✅Recommended if: You're looking to get your kids into reading, making it more convenient to find great books, or want a good alternative to overstimulating tablets.

❌Skip this deal if: You've got an older kid. Buy this $85 Kindle, instead.

A Colorsoft Kindle is a particularly excellent choice for kids because it allows them to read more than just novels and text-heavy books, as an adult might read. You can grab books from Amazon's immense library, or stick with the Amazon Kids+ service I mentioned above, and that covers everything from comics to more picture-heavy books (that still include plenty of text to read).

Since this is a kids' edition Kindle, it's built to withstand the careless nature kids have with devices. It's waterproof, so they can take it in the bath or on the beach, and the warm backlight is totally flicker-free, so you don't have to worry about nasty tablet displays that use PWM dimming and are probably ruining your kids' eyes.

Plus, Amazon has a whole parental controls dashboard, so you can be sure your kids aren't straying off into uncharted waters and reading books they shouldn't be. Grab this deal, and feel good about a wholesome parenting win!

More Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon Fire tablets from $50
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99

You've got only 12 hours left to shop some of the best Prime Day deals, and I was curious to know what the top-most clicked items Android users have been buying were. So I found them and compiled a list for you. These products range from chargers to storage devices to phones, wearables, and even a huge TV.

They are clearly popular because they have been flying off the shelves, and you guys have been buying them. So if you're having a bit of FOMO and need to know what to buy, check out one of these nine products that are highly recommended... by YOU!

• Prime Day ends TONIGHT: see the full list of deals

Amazon has officially confirmed that Prime Day 2026 will be begin on June 23rd and run through June 26th. This means that you have four full days to take advantage of the members-only sale event.

Do I need to be a Prime member to shop during Amazon Prime Day?

Although select discounts may be available to the general public, the vast majority of deals during Prime Day are exclusive to Amazon Prime members. Haven't joined yet? Sign up for Amazon's 30-day free trial to enjoy all of the benefits of a Prime membership without paying a cent. The cost of a membership is $14.99 per month once the trial period is up, but you can cancel at any time with zero hassle.

More Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon Fire tablets from $50
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99

Prime Day is nearing an end, but there are still plenty of great Android phone deals hanging around if you know where to look. That said, there's one product category that hasn't received enough attention during the sale: small phones. 

As you probably noticed, Android phones have been getting bigger and bigger in recent years. That's cool if you're into that kind of thing, but there is a growing population of users who would prefer something compact and powerful over a giant display that you can barely use with one hand. Fortunately, there are plenty of options available if you prefer small phones, and many of them are on sale today. 

Since it's ending tonight at midnight PST, I'll start by showcasing Prime Day deals — but if you missed Amazon's sale, don't forget that Best Buy and Walmart are also running their own rival sale events. The picks below range from no-frills budget phones to clamshell devices, so without further ado, let's dive right in. 

What is considered a small phone?

Nowadays, small phones are considered any device with a screen that's less than 6.4 inches. Considering how many modern Android phones are 6.7-inch or larger, the category is smaller than you might think. 

What time does Prime Day end?

Prime Day 2026 is set to formally end at 11:59pm PST. That means you only have a few more hours to take advantage of the best Prime Day deals until they're gone for good (or until Amazon decides to launch another sale event later this year). 

More Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon Fire tablets from $50
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99

Prices are going up all over the place, and even Apple isn't immune to the RAM crisis. The company just raised prices of products like the latest 11-inch iPad Air, which now starts at $749 (a $150 price increase). However, you can still get a good tablet deal if you know where to look, like this Prime Day discount on the Galaxy Tab S10 FE.

When the Galaxy Tab S10 FE launched last year, it had a retail price starting at $499. That recently went up due to the RAM crisis, but the starting price only increased by $50 to $549, which is much smaller than the iPad Air's $150 price jump. Now, you can get the Galaxy Tab S10 FE for just $334, saving you $215 or more than the price increases of both tablets combined! That's also cheaper than last year's 11-inch iPad Air, which has been discounted to $479.

✅Recommended if: You need a functional Android tablet with stylus support that you can use for school, work, or for entertainment purposes.

❌Skip this deal if: You want flagship performance on a tablet or rely on full desktop applications that you can't get on Android.

The iPad Air 11-inch may be tempting, but the Galaxy Tab S10 FE is not only cheaper, but it's roughly the same size, maybe just a little bigger, and slightly heavier. Still, you get the full Android experience, which looks and works great on a tablet, and you still get built-in AI features like Circle to Search and Gemini.

You also get a sharp and smooth 10.9-inch 90Hz display and a large 8,000mAh battery that should last you through the day. And with 45W charging, you won't have to wait too long to get going.

The best part is that, unlike the iPad Air, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE comes with a stylus pen that attaches magnetically to the back of the device. It's incredibly handy, and the tablet can clean up your handwritten notes with ease, which is great if you're a student. And if you need extra utility, you can get a separate keyboard case, which Samsung is currently selling at a discount as well, turning this tablet into basically a full-blown laptop.

What you need to know

• Google is reportedly rolling out its first update for the Fitbit Air to Android and iOS users late this week.
• The company didn't state much aside from "bug fixes" in its patch notes, drumming up hope that many early Fitbit Air issues are getting fixed.
• Shortly after the device launched, Google highlighted its commitment to fix issues, such as those for its automatic workout detection, and more for the Health app.

The Google Fitbit Air is the latest device on consumers' minds for its screen-less appeal, like Whoop. The wearable is getting its first software patch in June, which is not as detailed as we would like.

Late this week, Google started rolling out an update to the Fitbit Air, its first since its launch in late May. The folks at 9to5Google spotted the update, noting it's slowly rolling out to Android devices as v67.20001.253.2. The post adds that the update isn't as widespread yet, meaning most Androids are likely still waiting for the patch to arrive. When it does, Google's kept its changelog pretty light.

The publication says the company only lists "bug fixes and general improvements" as the core of this first patch. While Google hasn't highlighted much, there's a lot it's been working on behind-the-scenes. The Fitbit Air and the updated (rebranded) Google Health app debuted as a duo. However, early impressions of the Health app left users feeling like it was a bit unfinished.

Android Central's Sanuj Bhatia reported on this, highlighting several missing features from the Health app. The Fitbit Air wasn't excluded from scrutiny, either, but Google has come forward with a commitment to fixing both sides.

Light as air

Shortly after everything debuted, Google brought attention to its faults and errors in the Health app and the Fitbit Air. The app was receiving fixes for workout tracking and sleep scores. It also rolled out fixes for the app's connectivity with the Fitbit Air. What's more, the company said users would soon get an option to customize the Health dashboards and rearrange their metrics.

Google claims that it's working on better automatic workout detection, as well as "inconsistencies" with workout data. The only issue is that, if Google had fixed these glaring Fitbit issues, surely it would've been highlighted in this week's patch. That's not to say it's not worked these improvements into its new update, though. We'll have to wait and see the overall user sentiments after the majority receive it.

Early Fitbit Air users were struggling with the device since a Health update wasn't available after pre-orders. That's since been patched (or, at least, should've been), seeing as we're late in June now.

Google just released the Home Speaker, its first smart speaker in half a decade. It's a small device designed with Gemini at the core, but it's not very impressive as a speaker. A single, tiny full-range driver is responsible for all the sound. Luckily, if you want a smart speaker with high-quality audio chops, you can get the Amazon Echo Studio instead for just $75 more than the Home Speaker during Prime Day.

Amazon's Echo Studio is an impressive smart speaker. It has large audio drivers with Dolby Atmos support, an integrated mesh Wi-Fi extender, and complete Alexa support. This device really does it all, and the Echo Studio justifies its price tag. It's an easier sell for Prime Day, as you can get the Echo Studio for only $175, saving 20%.

• Prime Day 2026 ends TONIGHT: see the full list of deals

✅ Recommended if: you need a smart speaker with sound that can fill your living room; you want Dolby Atmos and spatial audio support; you value a smart home controller with a built-in mesh Wi-Fi extender.

❌ Skip this deal if: you don't have a lot of Amazon Echo or Matter accessories; you want Gemini or Siri instead of Alexa.

Too many smart speakers skimp on sound quality, but the Echo Studio doesn't make that mistake. This speaker includes three full-range drivers and a 3.75-inch high-excursion woofer. There's software support for lossless audio, spatial audio, and Dolby Atmos. Everything you'd need from a living room or home theater speaker is here. You can even pair two of them together to create a stereo set for room-filling sound.

The Echo Studio uses four microphones to ensure it picks up your voice, even when music is playing. Alexa is the voice assistant, and you can subscribe to get the upgraded Alexa Plus version.

Another neat Echo Studio feature is the built-in Wi-Fi mesh extender. You need an Eero router to use it, but if you have one, the Echo Studio can add up to 1,000 square feet of extra coverage for up to 10 connected devices. It also has Zigbee, Matter, and Thread support, so the Echo Studio can be the centerpiece of your smart home.

The Google Home Speaker's sound quality is somewhat disappointing, and if you're looking for something better, the Amazon Echo Studio is a great alternative. For only $175 until time runs out, you can't beat this smart speaker's feature set.

All Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon tablets from $50
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo

As a tall person, long flights suck if I don't have a good book or device to distract me. After a particularly uncomfortable overseas flight last fall, I decided to invest in two devices that have completely transformed my travel experience: a pair of noise cancelling headphones, and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A11 Plus. The former blocks out any unwanted noise from fellow travelers, while the latter does literally everything else. 

I bought the Samsung Galaxy Tab A11 Plus because it was affordable without skimping on essential features. I paid around $250 for it, but now that Amazon Prime Day is slashing a whopping 46% off the tablet, I kind of wish I waited.

If you're a regular traveler and you need a device to help entertain you on those long flights or road trips, don't make the same mistake that I did: grab the Galaxy Tab A11 Plus while it's just $160. That's the cheapest that the already-affordable Android tablet has ever been, no strings attached - just be sure to pick it up before Prime Day ends. 

• Prime Day ends TONIGHT: see the full list of last-minute deals

Currently selling for just over $160 during Prime Day, the Galaxy Tab A11 Plus comes with a lovely 11-inch 90Hz display that looks good in any light, a generous 7,040mAh battery that charges up quick, and a capable MediaTek MT8775 processor that handles most tasks with ease. You even get a few premium extras that you wouldn't expect at this price point, such as a quad speaker system, expandable storage up to 1TB, and seven years of guaranteed software support.

To be sure, the Galaxy Tab A11 Plus isn't powerful enough to be a laptop replacement, and you shouldn't expect to do any serious gaming or heavy file management on this one. But if you value bang for the buck and you need a device for simple streaming, casual gaming, or surfing the web, then the Galaxy Tab A11 Plus is a truly remarkable device. At retail price, this tablet was a good value. At $160? It's a verified steal. 

More Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon Fire tablets from $50
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99

Need a place to keep your phone on your desk while you work? Why not get a stand that wirelessly charges it as well? This magnetic stand from Anker supports 15W Qi2 and MagSafe wireless charging, so you get to recharge your phone without ever plugging it in. And thanks to this final day Prime Day deal, you can score a sweet 20% discount on the Anker MagGo 15W Qi2 Wireless Charger Stand.

Magnets are really great on stands or mounts because you don't need to mess around with clamps, arms, and all that nonsense. And now that magnetic Qi2.2 is catching on in the Android space, iPhone users aren't the only ones who can enjoy the perks of MagSafe products.

• Prime Day June 23-26: see the full list of deals

✅Recommended if: You need a wireless charging stand that is magnetic, adjustable at multiple angles, and supports 15W speeds.

❌Skip this deal if: You want a stand that comes with another charging pad on the base. If that's the case, I recommend getting the slightly pricier Anker MagGo 2-in-1 15W Qi2 Wireless Charger Stand instead, which is 30% off right now.

The Anker MagGo 15W Qi2 Wireless Charger Stand has really powerful magnets, so you can even use the charger with a slim MagSafe or Qi2 case on. Anker promises a speedy 15W wireless charging speed nonetheless.

Since you can rotate your phone a full 360 degrees, you can easily mount it in landscape or portrait orientations. It also tilts, to the point that you can make the mount completely flat, like an elevated pad facing upwards, to charge non-magnetic accessories like earbuds.

The Anker MagGo 15W Qi2 Wireless Charger Stand uses Anker's dependable ActiveShield 2.0 technology to intelligently monitor and manage the temperature of the charging stand. Anker says it measures the device temperature up to 3,000,000 times per day and has built-in protections to help guard against voltage spikes, overcurrent, and overheating.

To add even more reassurance, Anker includes a 24-month warranty. The only thing missing here is a wall charger, but you can use any of your USB-C chargers lying around at home that you use to charge your phone.

If you would like to purchase a dedicated charging brick to go with the stand, Anker's fantastic little Nano Pro 20W charger is just $11.99 on Amazon.

No one likes bad Wi-Fi connections. In fact, the only thing I hate more than slow Wi-Fi is spending money on networking gear. I get it — there are a million things you'd rather spend your money on before Prime Day runs out than a new router. But if you're tired of buffering, connectivity issues, and slow speeds, that's exactly what you should buy.

After years of using the router provided by my ISP, I upgraded to the Google Nest Wi-Fi Pro. I had tons of Android and Google Home or Nest devices, so buying a router with the smarts to tie the entire ecosystem together made sense. Now, you can get the Nest Wi-Fi Pro for just $85, saving nearly $115 compared to the usual retail price. It's a no-brainer if you need a Wi-Fi 6E router and are invested in the Android or Google ecosystems.

• Prime Day 2026 ends TONIGHT: see the full list of deals

✅ Recommended if: you need a reliable mesh Wi-Fi system; you want Wi-Fi 6E speeds; you have a Google Home or Nest ecosystem and want your router to fit in.

❌ Skip this deal if: you have internet speeds faster than 1Gbps from your ISP; you need a router with more Ethernet jacks.

There's a lot to like about the Google Nest Wi-Fi Pro, starting with its simplicity. It's just an orb-shaped, plastic Wi-Fi 6E router with a power cord and two Ethernet jacks. One is used for the Ethernet cable coming from your modem, and the other can be used to connect other devices to your network. You can even hook up an unmanaged Ethernet switch to add ports to your Nest Wi-Fi Pro.

The subtle design and stylish colorways allow you to place the Nest Wi-Fi Pro anywhere in your home. You manage it through the Google Home app, just like your other Nest devices. They all work together nicely. For instance, I can ask my Nest Hub display to run a speed test for my Nest Wi-Fi Pro, and see the results on the screen.

Google uses software optimization to help your Nest devices run better on networks powered by Nest Wi-Fi Pro. For example, it says that you can get a "stronger live connection to your Nest Doorbell and faster 4K streaming on Chromecast with Google TV." I personally use a Nest Doorbell Battery and two Nest Cam Indoor cameras in my home, and they all run great thanks to the Nest Wi-Fi Pro router inside.

The best thing I can say about the Nest Wi-Fi Pro is that after upgrading to it, I haven't had to think about my Wi-Fi. It just works, and when there's an issue, it lets me know before my ISP can. If you struggle with Wi-Fi issues too, this is the $85 fix you need for Prime Day.

All Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon tablets from $50
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo

Amazon's biggest sale of the year ends at midnight tonight, which means you only have a few hours to take advantage of the best Fire TV deals this side of Black Friday. Amazon's Fire-powered smart TVs range from no-frills 32-inchers to premium 75-inch Ember models, and Prime Day is dropping nearly all of the best models to record low prices.

For starters, our top pick for the best overall Amazon Fire TV is the 4-Series Ember model, and I was happy to see that that particular set is chilling with a 39% discount during Amazon's sale. Of course, that's far from the only discounted TV available today, so keep reading for all of my favorite picks. Most of my recs are from Amazon's own line of smart TVs, but I'll also include some Fire-based streaming devices and a few models from other companies that utilize the Fire platform.

Don't forget that the vast majority of deals listed below are exclusive to Prime members. Haven't signed up yet? Amazon is offering a 30-day free trial so you don't have to add yet another subscription to your list of monthly bills. Simply sign up today, do some Prime Day shopping, and cancel your account before the month is up with zero penalty. 

• Prime Day ends TONIGHT: see the full list of last-minute deals

What time does Prime Day end?

Amazon Prime Day is set to end at 11:59pm PT tonight, June 26th. Did you miss all of the festivities? Fear not! Best Buy and Walmart are running rival sale events that will last through Sunday night, and unlike Amazon's sale, they don't require a membership. 

Amazon Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon Fire tablets from $50
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99

There are plenty of reasons to grab a new pair of earbuds. Whether yours are just getting old or you accidentally dropped one down a sewer drain (ask me how I know), Prime Day is one of the best ways to grab a new pair for cheap, and there's no better deal than this $19.99 CMF Buds 2a deal!

If you haven't tried Nothing's CMF buds before, get ready to be impressed with how good earbuds can be for this price. We've been praising this brand's buds since 2024, and Nothing goes above and beyond delivering a simply "good" experience, despite the price.

The Buds 2 series has several entries, so I've narrowed it down to three options for you to choose today: the entry-level Buds 2a, the mid-range Buds 2, and the more premium-style Buds 2 Pro.

• Prime Day 2026 is LIVE June 23-26: see the full list of deals

✅Recommended if: You're looking for a quality pair of active noise-cancelling (ANC) earbuds for a ridiculously low price.

❌Skip this deal if: You're an audiophile who needs high-res audio quality. These are great, but they're no $500 Bose headphones. Also, keep in mind that ll three of these are water-resistant (IP54 or IP55), which means they're just fine for rain and sweat, but not for getting submerged.

The cheaper Buds 2a and Buds 2 offer identical case designs with a rotating "fidget wheel" that includes spots to attach a lanyard to. This case will charge your buds fast. I'm talking 5-10 minutes of charge for hours of use. It's pretty wild!

Upgrading to the Buds 2 Pro will turn that wheel into a bona fide volume adjustment wheel, so you can easily adjust music volume in your pocket by using the wheel. It's one of those little charming traits you'll delight in using every time. Plus, it doubles as a customizable button that you can assign several functions to in the CMF app.

As you might expect, the Buds 2 Pro will deliver the best audio quality of the three on sale today, so choose wisely depending on how much you care about top-quality audio. But don't wait too long, because this sale ends when the clock strikes midnight on Friday, June 26!

More Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon Fire tablets from $50
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99

As our reviewer Nick Sutrich put it, the Fitbit Ace LTE redefines what I thought a smartwatch for kids could be. It is one of the most fun pieces of modern tech for children, almost making me wish my grown-up Pixel Watch was this fun! The UI is very colorful and full of cute characters, exciting animations, and dynamic game-based prompts, tools, and activities.

Google did an outstanding job with the Fitbit Ace LTE, equipping it with bare necessities like health and fitness tracking, GPS tracking, LTE connectivity, and quick charging, as well as some incredibly exciting extras.

For more than half off during Prime Day, this Fitbit Ace LTE deal is only good until the end of the day today. So if your child has been begging you for a cool new smartwatch, you better run to buy it at this bottom-of-the-barrel price.

• Prime Day June 23-26: see the full list of deals

✅Recommended if: You want a premium-grade smartwatch with fitness and tracking features especially designed to engage kids.

❌Skip this deal if: You want a kids' smartwatch with sleep tracking.

The Fitbit Ace LTE is the perfect starter "smartphone" for children. It gives them access to important features like calls, texts, and GPS tracking, but at the same time, it also limits their access to the internet in a key way: it doesn't have social media or internet browsers.

This mix of crucial features and restricted access is what makes the Google Fitbit Ace a fantastic smartwatch for children and one of the best ways to start them out on phones and internet access.

Your children can learn how to manage money and how to stay fit in a fun, gamified way using the Fitbit Ace. The watch has "Daily Quests" for healthier living, a point-based activity system, and six games preloaded onto the watch that require them to move about and engage in physical activity.

What I love is that Google regularly drops new updates for the Fitbit Ace, with new games added seasonally, as well as features like "Family Chat" and "School Time". Children can even have virtual pets within the watch called Eejies. Here's how Nick Sutrich, our reviewer, described Eejies:

"Eejies feel a bit like a cross between Tamagotchi and Animal Crossing. Daily activity will grant rewards in the form of outfits and furniture for their Eejie's rooms, and new watchbands from Fitbit unlock exclusive outfits that match the bands. It's an incredible experience that's unlike any other smartwatch on the market, and it's made just for kids!"

Sutrich's kid adored the Fitbit Ace LTE so much, he went on to say that it has become their favorite smartwatch. At 51% off, this is an epic deal for a really well built kids' smartwatch.

Gaming handhelds have become surprisingly expensive. Lenovo just raised the price of the Legion Go 2, while other devices, including the Nintendo Switch 2 and ASUS ROG Ally X, cost hundreds of dollars, making getting into portable gaming pretty expensive.

That's exactly why this Prime Day deal caught my attention. Amazon has dropped the R36MAX Retro Handheld Game Console from $100 to just $50, and there's another $10 coupon on top, bringing the final price down to only $40.

For anyone who's been thinking about buying a retro handheld, I honestly think this might be one of the best times to do it.

• Prime Day ends TONIGHT: see the full list of deals

✅Recommended if: you want an inexpensive handheld packed with retro games, something for flights and travel, or a device you can simply pick up and play without worrying about downloads or subscriptions.

❌Skip this deal if: you're looking for modern AAA gaming, want to stream PC games, or need something that can compete with a Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch 2.

The best part about the R36MAX is that it comes with a huge library of retro games already loaded onto its 64GB storage. You don't need to create an account or download games onto it. There are plenty of games already pre-installed on the device.

The hardware isn't bad either, especially for the price. You get a quad-core processor that's more than capable of handling most retro 2D games, along with a 4-inch IPS display with 720 x 720 resolution. It also comes with dual analog sticks, proper shoulder buttons, built-in speakers, and USB-C charging, which is more than I'd expect from a $40 handheld.

Battery life also looks pretty solid. The R36MAX packs a 4,000mAh battery, with the company claiming up to six hours of continuous gameplay on a single charge. That's enough for most flights. It even comes with a carry case in the box, making the deal feel even better.

Of course, this isn't going to replace your Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck, nor is it trying to. But if you've been curious about retro handheld gaming or simply want an inexpensive way to replay old classics, this is probably one of the cheapest and easiest ways to get started.

More Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon Fire tablets from $50
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99

If I were to start running from scratch, there’s only one watch I would get to help me track my progress.

Oh, wait, I have started running, haha, and I did end up getting a watch that is actually the greatest invention ever; the Garmin Forerunner 970. And lucky for you, it’s on sale right now for Prime Day.

All color variants were 749.99, but now they're 649.99 and are selling out fast. If you were thinking of getting one of the best watches to train for a marathon, then this is the watch you need to get.

• Prime Day ends TONIGHT: see the full list of deals

But let me backtrack, about a month ago, I decided on the crazy idea of running my first half-marathon, and who knows, maybe by the end of my training, it will become a full marathon. But running isn’t a joke. It’s hard, even if I’ve been working out my whole life.

I did what anyone did: I went online and did a whole bunch of research, and you know where that landed me? Confused, overwhelmed, and right back where I started, not knowing how to start my training.

What helped me was reading what Android Central has written about Garmin. I learned that while other watches can track pace and distance and monitor heart rate, one watch delivered the ultimate performance. It’s why I got the Garmin Forerunner 970.

And from the fitness test we did, “it’s the running watch you buy when you don’t want compromises.”

The watch has many features that are great for runners who aren’t just running as a hobby but want to track every specific detail of their training.

I will add that if the watch is a bit out of your budget, then you can also get the Forerunner 570, which is also on sale. While it is much less premium and lacks some of the features that the 970 has, it is still a stellar device. And I think the Forerunner 570 is a great watch for those considering taking up running as a hobby but who still want to track progress, might consider running a marathon, and want a few more features than a simple smartwatch.

All color variants of the Forerunner 570 are on sale on Amazon for $449.99, down from $549.99.

Do I need to be a Prime member to shop during Amazon Prime Day?

Although select discounts may be available to the general public, the vast majority of deals during Prime Day are exclusive to Amazon Prime members. Haven't joined yet? Sign up for Amazon's 30-day free trial to enjoy all of the benefits of a Prime membership without paying a cent. The cost of a membership is $14.99 per month once the trial period is up, but you can cancel at any time with zero hassle.

More Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon Fire tablets from $50
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99

What you need to know

• OnePlus may bring back the full smartphone experience by including a 45W charger and a clear silicone case in the N6 box.
• The bundled charger matches the phone's 8,000mAh battery and 45W fast charging, so buyers won't need to purchase a compatible adapter separately.
• The leaked unboxing confirms the mint colorway already teased by OnePlus, with a black variant also expected at launch.

OnePlus looks poised to bring back a small convenience many smartphone brands have ditched. Just days before the official launch of the OnePlus N6, a leaked unboxing has offered a glimpse of what customers will find inside the retail box, and it's shaping up to be more generous than what you'll find with many flagship phones today.

The images, shared by tipster Abhishek Yadav on X, show the complete retail bundle alongside the handset itself (via Android Authority). The OnePlus N6 will come with a 45W SuperVOOC power adapter, a USB-C charging cable, a clear silicone protective case, documentation, and a SIM ejector tool, according to the post. That’s notable at a time when many manufacturers have dispensed with charging bricks in the box altogether, often leaving customers to reuse an older charger or buy a new one separately.

The charger included also meets specifications OnePlus has already confirmed. The company says the N6 is powered by a massive 8,000mAh battery with support for 45W wired fast charging, so consumers won’t have to hunt for a compatible adapter on day one.

The leaked photos don’t hold many surprises on the phone’s design, as OnePlus has already shown it off ahead of launch. The device shown in the unboxing matches the mint color finish that the company teased earlier, and official promotional material also hints at a black color option.

Don't be fooled by the camera bump

One thing to check out is the rear camera module. At first glance it seems to have three cameras, but that doesn’t mean the phone has a triple-camera setup. So far, OnePlus has officially announced only a 50MP main rear camera and an 8MP front-facing camera. The extra cutouts could be used to house decorative elements or auxiliary sensors rather than the cameras.

Earlier leaks have also helped clarify the rest of the hardware, in addition to the official announcements. The OnePlus N6 is rumored to sport a 1,570 x 720 display, a MediaTek Dimensity 6100 Plus (MT6835) chipset, 6GB of RAM, and Android 16 at launch. OnePlus has yet to confirm those specs, but they align with the phone's status as an affordable entry-level device.

Pricing is expected to be sub Rs 20,000 (roughly $212), which will surely keep the N6 in the budget segment. OnePlus has already announced that the phone will be launched in India on June 30, but the company has not confirmed whether it will launch in other markets, including the U.S.

Android Central's Take

I’m glad OnePlus is fighting the industry’s tendency to strip essentials out of the box. A charger and a basic case aren’t premium extras; they’re things most people actually need on day one. If this leak holds, the OnePlus N6 will save buyers a little money and a trip to the accessories aisle. That's more than I can say for plenty of brands that sell you a $1,000 phone and then expect applause for letting you buy the charger separately.

Android phones are exceptionally capable these days, but they are also more deeply connected to everyday life. Banking, shopping, messaging, travel bookings, work accounts and even smart home controls now live inside the same device people carry everywhere.

All this integration has changed the nature of Android security threats and moved risks beyond the category of suspicious pop-ups or obviously malicious downloads.

Fake parcel delivery texts arrive through SMS, phishing links spread through messaging apps, and harmless-looking apps can quietly request access to photos, microphones, contacts or location data without users fully realising what they’re agreeing to.

At the same time, Android remains one of the most flexible mobile platforms available, which is part of its appeal. The ability to sideload apps, customise devices and install software outside traditional app stores gives users more freedom, but it can also create additional opportunities for bad actors to exploit.

That’s why mobile security in 2026 increasingly focuses more on reducing exposure in the background before problems escalate, which is exactly where Bitdefender Mobile Security for Android can help you.

TL;DR

Bitdefender Mobile Security for Android focuses on the risks Android users increasingly face every day, including malicious apps, phishing links, risky permissions, and unsafe public Wi-Fi networks. Its protection tools work across apps rather than just in browsers, with background scanning helping to reduce exposure without constantly interrupting normal phone use.

Android threats no longer live inside the browser

Many modern Android threats now appear inside everyday apps rather than through traditional desktop-style malware attacks.

Phishing attempts increasingly arrive through WhatsApp messages, Instagram DMs, Telegram chats and fake delivery texts designed to look legitimate at first glance. In some cases, users may never even open a web browser before exposing personal information.

Fake Android app updates have also become more convincing, with some imitating banking apps, streaming platforms or productivity tools closely enough to fool users into downloading malicious software or entering login credentials into cloned interfaces.

Sideloading remains another area where Android users need to stay alert. Installing APKs outside official storefronts can sometimes provide access to useful apps unavailable elsewhere, but unofficial downloads may also contain hidden malware, spyware, or aggressive advertising software that runs silently in the background.

This is where modern mobile security increasingly shifts towards prevention rather than reaction. Instead of waiting for a device to become obviously compromised, Bitdefender Mobile Security for Android proactively identifies suspicious activity, risky downloads and malicious links before they cause wider problems.

What are risky Android permissions — and why do they matter?

App permissions control what software can access on an Android device, including microphones, cameras, contacts, files and location data. The problem is that many users grant permissions automatically without questioning why an app needs them in the first place.

A photo-editing app requesting permanent location access or a flashlight app asking to read contacts may not sound too risky, but permissions can potentially expose far more personal information than you think.

Android has significantly improved permission transparency in recent years, with clearer controls and better visibility into what apps access behind the scenes. That said, permission requests have become so common that many people automatically tap “Allow,” creating opportunities for malicious actors to quietly collect unnecessary data over time.

Bitdefender’s Mobile Security for Android can help users identify suspicious behaviour patterns without requiring deep technical knowledge or overwhelming them, and by simplifying decision-making while keeping people in control of their devices.

Web protection now needs to work across apps

The way people use the internet on Android has changed dramatically over the past few years. Many users now spend more time inside apps than traditional web browsers, which means phishing protection can no longer focus solely on browser-based threats.

Malicious links are increasingly spreading through messaging platforms, social media apps, QR codes, and SMS conversations. A fake delivery notification, concert ticket update or password reset request can appear convincing enough to encourage users to click before questioning its legitimacy.

This is one reason why cross-app web protection has become increasingly important for Android security platforms.

A dedicated solution for your mobile phone, such as Bitdefender Mobile Security for Android or a Bitdefender multi-platform security solution, can detect suspicious links across multiple apps and services, reducing exposure wherever a potentially harmful link appears.

Background protection matters because modern phishing attempts often rely on speed and distraction rather than sophisticated hacking techniques.

Android security works best when it stays out of the way

The best mobile security tools are often the ones users barely notice day to day. Constant warnings, intrusive pop-ups and complicated settings menus can quickly lead people to disable protections altogether, particularly on personal devices used for work, travel and entertainment throughout the day.

That’s why many modern Android security platforms now prioritise quieter background monitoring designed to reduce friction during normal usage. Background scanning, malicious app detection, and automated web protection enable security tools to operate continuously without forcing you to constantly manage alerts.

This is especially beneficial for families or households with several Android devices, like shared tablets and family phones, where not all users may be able to recognise risky download suggestions or suspicious links.

Fortunately, Bitdefender's system can manage this automatically, operating in the background without requiring users to surrender control over their privacy settings and permissions.

Why public Wi-Fi still creates privacy risks

While public Wi-Fi remains convenient, it’s also a security risk for mobile users. Airports, cafés, hotels and train stations all rely on shared wireless networks, yet users often have limited visibility into how secure those connections actually are.

In some situations, attackers may attempt to intercept unsecured traffic, impersonate legitimate networks, or redirect users to malicious login pages designed to steal credentials or payment details.

Mobile devices are particularly exposed because they frequently connect automatically to previously used networks, sometimes without users realising it.

For Android users who regularly work remotely or travel with sensitive personal information stored on their devices, Bitdefender's secure browsing remains an important way to reduce exposure on unfamiliar networks.

Does Android still need antivirus software?

Android is considerably safer than it was a decade ago, thanks to stronger built-in protections, stricter app store policies and improved permission management. That said, modern mobile threats have evolved alongside the platform itself.

Rather than focusing solely on traditional “viruses,” many attacks now target phishing, account theft, malicious links, fake apps, and data-harvesting techniques that rely heavily on user behaviour rather than technical exploits alone.

As Android devices increasingly replace laptops for banking, shopping, communication and work, the amount of sensitive information stored on phones continues to grow.

That’s why modern mobile security tools increasingly focus on broader privacy and exposure reduction rather than simply scanning devices for malware signatures.

• Explore how Bitdefender security solutions can help protect your devices, identity and privacy — all in one place.

I love reading books, and my favorite way to crack open a new one isn't by turning physical pages; it's by powering on an e-reader. That's because e-readers like this on-sale $85 Kindle are lighter and thinner than any book, making it a joy to hold and read for hours at a time.

Amazon makes a ton of Kindles, but this particular model is the most modest-sized of all and comes in a lovely soft-touch construction that's easy to hold. Plus, it's the lightest Kindle ever and is lighter than even the smallest phones on the market today, despite having a paperback-sized 6-inch screen.

The $85 deal is for the ad-supported version, but don't be fooled by that description. Ads generally come in the form of book recommendations and only appear on the lock screen. Amazon doesn't give you obnoxious pop-ups or on-screen ads while reading. If any ads bother you, the ad-free version of this Kindle is just $20 more.

• Prime Day 2026 is LIVE June 23-26: see the full list of deals

✅Recommended if: You want an unbelievably light, distraction-free e-reader with a bright backlight and near-perfect construction.

❌Skip this deal if: You want an e-reader with a warmer backlight, one with waterproofing, or one that runs more apps than just the Kindle library.

This one comes in two colors, black and matcha. I'd like to have a word with Amazon's design team, as this is absolutely not a matcha color. Rather, it's more like seafoam green, which still looks amazing in hand, but it's not a rich verdant green like matcha tea is.

While we're speaking of matcha, it wouldn't hurt to grab this 16oz matcha tin for $20. I bought one last Prime Day, and it took me nearly an entire year to use up. It's the perfect way to make a great latte while reading a good book on your new Kindle!

Why choose a Kindle over other e-readers?

Most e-readers these days are powered by Android and let you download any Android app on them (like this excellent $157 Prime Day deal). That's amazing for book selection and whatever else you want to do on your e-reader, but it also opens the gates for lots of distractions while you're trying to read.

Kindles are a more basic product, only offering access to Kindle books and Audible audiobooks. That's all in Amazon's ecosystem, of course, but it also means you won't be seeing text messages, emails, or getting bothered by notifications while enjoying your book.

Black & white e-readers are also still the best for book reading, as they are substantially crisper than color E Ink. That, combined with a backlight you can completely disable, and the paper-like reflectivity of E Ink, makes this a perfect reading companion for your summer and beyond.

More Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon Fire tablets from $50
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99

What you need to know

• Samsung's Galaxy S27 Pro has allegedly appeared in a GSMA database listing alongside the other three models.
• The listing directly mentions the phone by name with a model number that's uniquely its own.
• Previous rumors claim Samsung wants to expand the Galaxy S27 series with a fourth model, and it could feature a 6.4-inch display with "Ultra-like" features.

Rumors have been drumming up what we might see from Samsung's Galaxy S27 series for months. Now there's a report that says one alleged device could be real.

The eagle eyes of OVRPlus claim that the GSMA database now (allegedly) lists a new Galaxy S model that we've seen rumored: the Galaxy S27 Pro (via SamMobile). The publication states the device was listed with model number SM-S957B/DS. What's more, the listing details the manufacturer, which is Samsung, and the device's "market name" as "Galaxy S27 Pro."

Usually, listings from GSMA bear weight, but keep in mind that nothing's confirmed until Samsung says so.

The publication kept searching and found that the database listing contains model numbers and names for the other Galaxy S27 series phones. The company has posted listings for the base Galaxy S27, S27 Plus, and S27 Ultra. These three phones were expected, as they've become commonplace for Samsung's flagship series.

Pro on the way?

The latest leak surrounding the Galaxy S27 Pro came from a South Korean report that said it could bring "Ultra-like" features. The report got things going by stating Samsung was looking to expand its Galaxy S series next year with one additional model: the S27 Pro. While rumors suggest it could offer an experience that's closer to the Ultra, the Pro wouldn't feature an S Pen.

What's more, Samsung could give the S27 Pro a Privacy Display. This wouldn't be the first time we've seen a fourth model injected into the Galaxy S line. My colleague Sanuj Bhatia reminded us all of the Galaxy S25 Edge, which didn't perform as well. Whether the S27 Pro is simply an experiment or not remains to be seen. On the other hand, specification rumors surfaced for the S27 Pro, stating it could offer a 6.4-inch display.

A screen like this would place it between a base Galaxy S model and a Galaxy S Plus, if we're going by Samsung's history. The Pro could also grab the Ultra's main and ultrawide cameras; however, the difference could be in its telephoto.

Android Central's Take

A Galaxy S27 Pro would shake things up for sure. I think the display size, from what these rumors have said, would make it interesting, too. The Pro wouldn't be as big as the Ultra, but would carry features like it. I can see this phone grabbing the attention of people who love the Ultra's features, but don't enjoy holding such a big phone all day everyday.

When Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Fold 7 last year, it pushed the foldable even further into premium territory with a price close to $2,000. But thanks to Amazon's Prime Day sale, that price is no longer as hard to justify, with Samsung's flagship foldable now discounted by more than $500.

Right now, you can grab the Galaxy Z Fold 7 for just $1,470 in the U.S., a massive 27% discount from its original $2,000 price. When we reviewed the Galaxy Z Fold 7, we said it was an excellent foldable but difficult to recommend at full price. We also suggested waiting for a big sale, and that sale has finally arrived.

• Prime Day is back June 23-26: see the full list of deals

✅Recommended if: you want a thin and light foldable, a cover display that feels like a regular smartphone, flagship performance, an excellent OLED display, and Samsung's Galaxy AI features.

❌Skip this deal if: you want the biggest battery, ultra-fast charging, or need stylus support on a foldable.

The timing also makes this deal particularly interesting. Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy Z Fold 8 next month at Unpacked, but current rumors suggest it won't be a massive upgrade over the Fold 7. Instead, Samsung appears to be focusing most of its attention on a new, wider foldable designed to compete with Apple's rumored foldable iPhone.

That's exactly why this Galaxy Z Fold 7 deal is so compelling. You're essentially getting what will still be one of Samsung's best foldables for well over $500 less than its launch price, without giving up much compared to what's expected from the Z Fold 8.

Samsung made some meaningful changes with the Galaxy Z Fold 7, making it thinner and lighter than previous generations while also widening the cover display so it feels much closer to using a regular smartphone. It's one of the biggest reasons I'd still recommend it today, because you get the convenience of a normal phone that unfolds into a proper tablet when you need it.

Sure, it doesn't support a stylus anymore, but you still get Samsung's Galaxy AI features, one of the fastest chipsets available on Android in Snapdragon 8 Elite, and a polished foldable software experience.

If you thought the Galaxy Z Fold 7 was simply too expensive at launch, this Prime Day deal finally makes it feel like the value it should have been all along.

More Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon Fire tablets from $50
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99

A lot of the recent innovations in power banks have been around Qi 2 charging tech. There's a decent amount of choice if you need a good power bank, and I use the Baseus Picogo, which just got a discount and is down to $28 right now.

The Picogo is a 10,000mAh power bank, and it has a sleek design with powerful magnets that let you attach it to your iPhone and Pixel without any issues. I used this model with my Pixel 10 Pro XL and iPhone 17 Pro, and after a year of use, I didn't see any issues whatsoever.

✅Recommended if: You want a Qi 2 MagSafe power bank that's lightweight and reliable in daily use. The Picogo power bank has a 10,000mAh battery, Qi 2 with 15W charging, and a USB-C port that hits 22.5W when you need to plug in.

❌Skip this deal if: You need Qi 2.2 with 25W charging. In that case, get the Baseus Picogo AM52, which is now $52.

There's a lot to like with the Picogo power bank. The 10,000mAh battery is enough to charge a phone fully, and I really like the design; the metal chassis makes it durable, and the Qi 2 magnets are strong — they attached to my iPhone and Pixel without any problems.

With Qi 2 connectivity, you get 15W charging, and while it's on the slower side, it is adequate while traveling as the power bank stays connected to the phone. This is a big advantage over regular power banks, and the size and weight of the Picogo gives it an edge over its rivals.

There's a dedicated USB-C port that goes up to 22.5W, and this is useful if you need to plug in a secondary device to the power bank. Note that while the power bank has a 10,000mAh battery, it doesn't mean you'll be able to charge your phone twice over. Because of charging efficiency and the inherent energy that's lost while charging your phone, you'll get close to 5,500mAh of actual usage power out of the Picogo, and that is in line with other power banks in the industry.

If you need Qi 2.2 with the full 25W charging, you'll want to get the Picogo AM52. It has the same design and the same 10,000mAh battery, and the magnets are the same as well. The biggest difference is that it's able to deliver a 25W charge consistently, and I found that to be a decent enough differentiator when I need to charge my phone. But because of the newer standard, the AM52 costs a lot more — you'll be shelling out $52 to get your hands on the power bank.

Honestly, the regular Picogo should be more than adequate for most, and the best part is that it is now available for under $30, making it a good overall option.

In between summer travel and beach parties, I'm gonna be spending a lot of time relaxing in the comfort of my own home. I love listening to music, and since I've been meaning to upgrade my setup after moving into a new space, something as cool as the new Sony PS-LX3BT Wireless Bluetooth Turntable seems to fit the bill! It's the perfect mix of old-school and new, with a classic yet modern turntable design, and right now it's at its lowest price for Prime Day, making it the perfect opportunity to buy one.

The Sony PS-LX3BT Wireless Bluetooth Turntable was launched just this year and normally retails for $398, which is a bit above my price range (for most things). At $150 off, you're now paying just under $250 for this rather impressive turntable, which feels like quite a steal.

✅Recommended if: You want a modern turntable with Bluetooth out capabilities as well as support for wired audio connections.

❌Skip this deal if: You don't have a vinyl collection nor plan to build one up.

I've been eyeing turntables for a few years now, and have even started buying vinyl records... just in case.

One of the biggest reasons I want this particular model is that it supports Bluetooth output. For some reason, many turntables only support Bluetooth in, where you can stream music to the player from your phone, but that kinda defeats the purpose of even having a record player. Having Bluetooth out means I can connect the Sony PS-LX3BT Wireless Bluetooth Turntable to my Bluetooth speakers, though it also supports wired audio with a built-in cable and even has a switchable phono EQ.

The turntable features automatic playback, and the tonearm can raise, lower, and return to its resting position on its own. It also supports 33⅓ and 45 rpm speeds, so just about all your vinyl records should play just fine.

But of course, I'll also want a new speaker to go with it, and that's where the Marshall Stanmore III comes in, featuring big, booming sound, plenty of connection options, and a classy design that will fit any home. And whatd'ya know; it's also on sale!

As someone who lives in India, I know a thing (or ten) about intense heat. This summer is proving to be particularly hot, going up to 107 degrees F (42 degrees Celsius) in my city. Other parts of the world are also experiencing heatwaves, and if you're going out on vacation or just need a way to stay cool while outdoors, there's a product for you.

Accessory brand Torras makes wearable air conditioners, and the Coolify Cyber Fold does a great job controlling your microclimate — the immediate vicinity around you. It's designed to cool up to 50 degrees F and provides cool airflow of 3m/s, and you know what? It actually works. I tested it for the last two months, and even on days when it was 104 degrees out (40 deg C), it made a legitimate difference. The Cyber Fold is the costliest model in the Coolify range, and it's now down to $226. If you need an affordable alternative, the Coolify 2S Pro is a good option at $161, and the Coolify Air is just $89 right now.

✅Recommended if: You need an easy way to stay cool outdoors. The Cyber Fold uses innovative cooling tech that immediately makes a difference, and it's effective even in extreme heat.

❌Skip this deal if: You want something that isn't conspicuous. You will get plenty of attention while wearing this.

The Coolify Cyber Fold has much better build quality than other wearable ACs, and it uses Peltier cooling tech in conjunction with fans to ensure you stay cool outdoors. There are eight vents around the product that blow air, and you get decent coverage around your face and neck.

Obviously, the design means it will stand out when you're wearing it in public — there's no getting around that. But I will admit that it isn't as bulky or unwieldy as it looks, and I didn't notice the heft after a day or two of regular use. The best part about the Cyber Fold is that it's effective even on days where it's over 100 degrees F, and the cooling pads around your neck make a huge difference.

The built-in battery doesn't quite last all day, but it's good enough for a few hours of use on full blast. You can eke out better battery life by switching to efficient cooling, and unless it's over 100 degrees outside, you won't need to crank up the cooling all the way.

It is a niche product, but it's one that made a decent amount of difference in the summer months, and if you're interested in trying out a wearable AC, the Cyber Fold is the one I'd recommend — get it while it's still down to $226.

If you're using an older TV or have a model where the built-in interface is being laggy, you'll want to use a dedicated streaming stick. There are plenty of great models in this category, and Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K Select continues to dominate for two reasons: it's reliable, and much more affordable than other models. That affordability is getting even better for Prime Day, as the Fire TV Stick 4K Select is now down to just $17, a huge 55% discount.

The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is an even better choice if you want HDR and Dolby Vision, and that model is discounted by 50% and is now selling for $24. Also, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max has better connectivity and storage, and if that's something you need, it is now down to $34. As someone who uses the Shield TV Pro regularly — which still costs $199 — it's ridiculous that Amazon is discounting its best-selling streamers to this extent, and if you need to use one of these, the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is the best choice.

• Prime Day is LIVE June 23-26: see the full list of deals

✅Recommended if: You need a reliable way to stream your TV shows and movies. All Fire TV Stick 4K models have a fluid interface with no lag, and if you're getting the Plus or Max, you get Dolby Vision.

❌Skip this deal if: You need much more power. The Fire TV Stick 4K should be good enough for most users, but if you need additional power, look at the Shield TV or Shield TV Pro.

The Fire TV Stick 4K Select is a great option to consider, and it doesn't really miss out on much. Other than Dolby Atmos audio and Dolby Vision, you get all the same features as the other models, and as the name suggests, you get 4K resolution.

As good as it is, the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus hits the sweet spot, and this model has both Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision in addition to HDR10+ and all the features of the Select. Honestly, this is the one to buy if you just need a reliable TV streamer with all the extras — you even get GeForce Now integration, which is missing on the Select.

Regardless of whichever model you buy, you're getting a reliable streamer, and with prices starting as low as $17, now is the best time to do so.

More Prime Day 2026 — quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon tablets from $50
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo

Public USB charging ports are convenient, but they're not always something you should rely on, especially at airports. That's exactly why this Baseus Prime Day deal caught my attention. Amazon has knocked 29% off the Baseus PicoGo AM52 MagSafe Power Bank, bringing it down from $80 to just $57.

At its original $80 price, the PicoGo AM52 felt a little too expensive for a power bank. But at $57, it's much easier to recommend. And that's not just because it supports MagSafe or packs a 10,000mAh battery, it's because it solves a few annoyances that most other power banks simply ignore.

• Prime Day is back June 23-26: see the full list of deals

✅Recommended if: you want a power bank with a built-in USB-C cable, MagSafe support, a slim design, and a 10,000mAh battery.

❌Skip this deal if: you need a much larger battery capacity or you're simply looking for the cheapest power bank possible.

The timing of this deal is actually pretty good. Last year, the TSA warned travelers about the risks of juice jacking at public USB charging stations. Whether you worry about that or not, charging from an airport USB port also means you're stuck sitting next to it while your phone charges.

That's exactly where the PicoGo AM52 makes sense. What originally launched as a premium $80 accessory is now much easier to justify at $57.

What really sets this power bank apart is the built-in USB-C cable. You don't have to remember to pack an extra cable every time you travel. On top of that, it's fully MagSafe compatible, so you can snap it directly onto the back of an iPhone or Pixel 10 series device.

If you're using a MagSafe-compatible case with a Galaxy S26, it'll work there too. And when you need faster charging, just plug in the built-in cable, which supports up to 45W output, plenty for most smartphones.

The PicoGo AM52 also includes an additional USB-C port if you want to use your own cable or charge another device. There are a few other nice touches as well, including a small charging status display and a premium metal construction that makes it feel much more expensive than many plastic power banks.

At $57, it's really hard to find faults in the PicoGo AM52 portable charger. If you've been looking for a travel-friendly power bank that already has everything built in, this is probably one of the better Prime Day deals you'll find.

More Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon Fire tablets from $50
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99

Some of us like ot travel and explore during the summer, while others just prefer to relax and take it easy. I've already highlighted some enticing Prime Day deals for essential travel accessories, but what about for those of you staying home? Well, Amazon has just the thing for readers with this deal on the 16GB Kindle.

This model launched in 2024, but it's currently the latest base Kindle model available. Originally $110, this 23% discount brings it down to $85 and includes three months of Kindle Unlimited. However, keep in mind that this price still comes with lock-screen ads, which will set you back $104 (down from $129) to get rid of.

• Prime Day returns June 23-26: see the full list of deals

✅Recommended if: You love to read but don't own a lot of physical books or want an easy way to take your favorite books with you on the go.

❌Skip this deal if: You want a larger e-reader with more than 16GB of storage and with support for color.

I reviewed the 2022 Kindle model, and it turned me into a believer in e-readers, thanks to its compact size, very readable display, and long battery life. However, a few things annoyed me, such as the choppiness of the animations, and Amazon says the 2024 model has faster page turns, which hopefully addresses my complaint.

Otherwise, the 16GB of storage can hold thousands of books, which you can download from the Kindle store or upload to the device. And the display is plenty bright and easy on the eyes, making it a great alternative to a physical book.

The Kindle also lasts for up to six weeks per charge, so you don't have to worry about the battery dying while you're on your little staycation. But if it does, be ready to sit around while it charges, as it can take up to 2 hours at 9W. Honestly, it's a small price to pay when the battery lasts that long.

Kindles are great, but I prefer using Android-based e-readers to get outside of the Amazon walled garden and install the apps I love to use. The Bigme B6 Color is the perfect-sized Android-powered e-reader, and it's my favorite way to read books at any time of day or night. It's also on sale for under $160 during Prime Day, making it the lowest price on record to date.

One of the things I really love about Android-powered e-readers is that you can still install the Kindle app — so you don't miss out on your existing Kindle library — plus other great reading apps like Google Play Books, Kobo, and even the library app Libby, among others.

That gives you full access to all the books in the world and more ways to get books for cheaper than Amazon might offer. You can even install any other great Android app you know and love, from games to video apps, YouTube, Instagram, and whatever else strikes your fancy.

• Prime Day 2026 is LIVE June 23-26: see the full list of deals

✅Recommended if: You're looking for an e-reader that's bigger than a phone but smaller than a tablet, or you want an e-reader that can run all your favorite Android apps.

❌Skip this deal if: You are planning to read manga on this. A 6-inch screen is a tad too small to enjoy detailed illustrations.

Bigme and Boox are my two favorite companies making Kindle alternatives, and it's because both companies build e-readers with cutting-edge displays and Android under the hood. The Bigme B6 is the perfect size to hold for as long as you want, avoiding the pitfall of larger e-readers that get fatiguing to hold after a while.

Bigme offers both color and black & white models, which are great for different reasons. Black & White E Ink is still unmatched in clarity, but you can see for yourself in this comparison I put together last year. In short, Black & White models are best for reading books, while color E Ink is great for just about anything else.

And while the cheapest Bigme B6 today is the model with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, you might want to consider spending an extra $18 or so to upgrade to double the RAM and storage if you're planning to install a bunch of apps on your reader.

More Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon Fire tablets from $50
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99

I think the thing I freak out about most while traveling is not having enough charge on my devices, especially on long-haul flights. Even though most flights have some kind of charging port, I still feel like I need the right portable battery-saving devices to keep things fully charged.

Incoming Anker, literally the only brand I trust with my life for keeping my things always charged. When I was introduced to the brand, I was literally shocked by how powerful its products are and how sleek its designs are.

But picking the right Anker charger, cable, or even powerbank can be overwhelming. I've curated 11 of the best Anker products, all on sale right now for Amazon Prime Day.

• Prime Day returns June 23-26: see the full list of deals

Amazon has officially confirmed that Prime Day 2026 will be begin on June 23rd and run through June 26th. This means that you have four full days to take advantage of the members-only sale event.

Do I need to be a Prime member to shop during Amazon Prime Day?

Although select discounts may be available to the general public, the vast majority of deals during Prime Day are exclusive to Amazon Prime members. Haven't joined yet? Sign up for Amazon's 30-day free trial to enjoy all of the benefits of a Prime membership without paying a cent. The cost of a membership is $14.99 per month once the trial period is up, but you can cancel at any time with zero hassle.

More Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon Fire tablets from $50
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99

What you need to know

• Samsung detailed its Galaxy A27 5G in its launch ahead of its July 14 availability for $349 in the U.S.
• The device's main highlight is its revamped display, which offers a punch-hole camera and much thinner bezels than the A26.
• Samsung also switches to Qualcomm's Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 SoC, but retains its 5,000mAh battery.

Sending us into the end of the week is Samsung's latest mid-range phone launch that looks much more appealing this time around.

The Korean OEM launched its next-generation budget phone, the Galaxy A27. The phone begins at $349 and will be available in the U.S. on July 14. While Samsung continues to place its suite of Galaxy AI features into this phone for budget-conscious consumers, the main highlight is the A27 5G's display. Samsung says it's integrated "more screen" onto this A-series phone. After the A26 5G, this was needed.

Consumers will find a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED screen with up to 120Hz refresh rate. However, Samsung introduced a punch-hole (12MP) selfie camera, which you'd see on its flagship models. While there's now more available screen toward the top-middle of the A27 5G, Samsung also reduced its bordering bezels. The company states this change "adds screen space and removes distractions to keep content front and center."

At a slim 7.8mm in thickness, the company intends to offer a more favorable mid-range this summer. On the back, users will find a 50MP ultra-wide, a 50MP OIS (optical image stabilization) wide, and a 2MP macro camera.

Trying to be "awesome"

Looking inward, the Galaxy A27 5G features Qualcomm's mid-range Snapdragon 6 Gen 3. Performance is the phone's focal point. Samsung says this chip facilitates "more responsive" app switching and multitasking in the A27. More importantly, it delivers a graphical boost to the phone for "smoother" gaming sessions. The phone is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery and 25W fast charging support.

Elsewhere, the A27 5G offers a wide selection of Galaxy AI features we've become accustomed to in other phones. Object Eraser for clearing blemishes from your captures, as well as Voice Transcription, find their way onto the device. Google's Circle to Search and Gemini are featured for easy lookup and AI assistance. What's more, users will have the choice to swap Gemini for Perplexity if they prefer. Let's also not forget about Samsung's Bixby, which is a third option for users looking to utilize artificial assistance.

The A27 features quite the downgrade in water/dust resistance, dropping to IP64, instead of retaining the A26's IP67.

For its support, Samsung says the A27 5G receives six generations of Android OS (One UI) upgrades and six years of security updates.

The A27 5G launches July 14 for $349 in the U.S. in black for its 6/128GB (RAM/storage) option.

Prime Day is a great time to stock up on gifts for the second half of the year. And if you've been looking for a useful tech gift under $30, you may not need to look any further. Anker's 45W Smart Display Charger is currently 35% off, bringing it down to just $26.

With more smartphone brands ditching chargers from the box, a compact fast charger is already a practical gift. But Anker has added a few thoughtful touches that make this one stand out from the usual wall adapter.

• Prime Day is back June 23-26: see the full list of deals

✅Recommended if: you want to see real-time charging speeds, like the idea of a built-in display, or need a travel-friendly charger with a foldable plug design.

❌Skip this deal if: you need more than 45W charging or want a charger with multiple USB-C ports.

When we first saw this charger at CES 2026, it immediately stood out because of its design. The plug folds through 180 degrees, making it much easier to fit into awkward wall outlets or tight spaces. It's a small design feature, but one that makes it especially handy for frequent travelers.

The other standout feature is the built-in LCD display. Instead of just being another plain charger, it shows the real-time power your device is drawing while also displaying a small animated character that gives it a bit of personality. It's a surprisingly fun little touch that makes the charger feel more premium than its price suggests.

Thankfully, it's not just about looks. The charger supports up to 45W fast charging, which is more than enough for iPhones and most Android phones sold in the U.S. It can also recognize different iPhone models, including the iPhone 15, 16, and 17 series, and adjust charging accordingly.

The only real downside is that it includes just a single USB-C port. Personally, though, I'd rather have one port capable of delivering the full 45W than two ports splitting that power between multiple devices.

Right now, the blue version is available at 35% off on Amazon. If you'd rather match the charger to your phone or just prefer a different color, Anker is offering the same discount across the other color options on its own website as well.

More Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon Fire tablets from $50
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is an incredible phone with one very big problem — its price. With a starting retail tag of $1,299.99, the device was simply out of reach for a lot of people at launch, which means many were waiting for Prime Day to see if an Amazon discount could lessen the blow. 

Thankfully, Prime Day didn't disappoint, and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is currently chilling with a whopping 29% discount through June 26th. That price drop puts the 256GB configuration at $919.99, which is well below the previously held lowest price ever recorded.

Still, 900 bucks isn't exactly small change, so many folks are wondering: is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra worth the price yet? It's not an easy question to answer, so let's break it all down. 

• Prime Day is LIVE June 23-26: see the full list of deals

✅Recommended if: you want a powerful Samsung phone with a large display, built-in stylus, and top-tier Snapdragon performance; you're a Samsung enthusiast who simply can't miss the latest and greatest creations from the OEM.

❌Skip this deal if: you don't necessarily need the most powerful smartphone on the market; you can get a better Galaxy S26 deal through your wireless carrier; you need the best camera tech in your smartphones.

It's no surprise that the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is one of the most powerful Android phones ever built. It's basically Samsung's everything-but-the-kitchen-sink phone, sporting the latest Snapdragon processor, unbelievable charging speeds, and a gorgeous 6.9-inch AMOLED display. The phone also comes packed with new features like Privacy Display, plus you get all of the latest AI-boosted software tricks and 12GB of RAM as standard.

But the question here isn't whether or not the Galaxy S26 Ultra is a good phone; the question is if it's worth the $919.99 price tag during Prime Day. After all, it does has some flaws. The camera hardware is a bit underwhelming, for instance, and the Ultra's slim frame means that the battery size isn't much of an upgrade over its predecessor. 

Indeed, with regular day to day use, it's unlikely that you'll notice a difference in performance between the Galaxy S26 Ultra and say, the base model Galaxy S26 (currently just $669.99 during Prime Day) or even the Google Pixel 10 (discounted to $684 today). 

If you're a Samsung enthusiast who's had your eye on the Galaxy S26 Ultra for a while, then by all means jump on this deal while you have the chance. After all, it's unlikely that we'll see an unlocked S26 Ultra deal this good again until the Fall sales kick off in October. But if you just want a great phone deal this Prime Day, there are plenty of other Samsung deals that won't cost you over $900 out the door. The choice is yours. 

More Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon Fire tablets from $50
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99

Your phone overheating is more likely to happen with the unforgiving summer heatwaves happening of late. Overheating not only slows down your phone, causing lags, but it can also potentially cause your phone's lithium ion battery to catch fire or explode in extreme scenarios.

Beat the heat and prevent thermal throttling issues on your smartphone with the right cooling accessories. Something as simple as a cooling fan or a thermal case can prevent your phone from having a meltdown — literally.

Thanks to Prime Day, you can save a lot of money on summer essentials like these phone coolers. Don't waste time making up your mind, though, because these deals end tomorrow!

• Prime Day returns June 23-26: see the full list of deals

Black Shark FunCooler 5

Black Shark used to be Xiaomi's gaming sub-brand. I have reviewed many of their gaming phones and accessories before and found they have incredibly good value for money. The brand's phone coolers in particular are insanely good at what they do, freezing down boiling temperatures in seconds.

The Black Shark FunCooler 5 has a cooling fan, RGB lights, and really strong 12N magnets, so you can attach it to the back of your phone magnetically. Any MagSafe, Pixelsnap, or magnetic Qi2 device should be able to use it natively. You can also use a magnetic adapter ring to make it work for non-magnetic phones.

PHOOZY Apollo Thermal Phone Case

If you watch Shark Tank, you might have spotted the PHOOZY Apollo Thermal Phone Case on the show. This clever contraption is a thermal phone case that reflects light, deflecting heat and insulating the internals. This keeps your phone nice and cool while sealing the heat outside.

The PHOOZY Apollo Thermal Phone Case features military-grade water resistance, so it's the ideal companion for beach visits and poolside hangouts. You can choose between Gold and Silver colors, and there are two sizes: medium and large.

TORRAS PolarCircle Qi2 Wireless Charger

When looking to eliminate heating issues on your phone, why not get an accessory that does multiple things at once? The TORRAS PolarCircle Qi2 Wireless Charger is a 15W Qi2 wireless charger that not only cools your device using a fan, but it also recharges it wirelessly.

There's even a stand built into the back of the TORRAS PolarCircle Qi2 Wireless Charger which has a sturdy rotating a ring-like shape. And since the cooling accessory is powered by USB-C, you don't need to worry about charging it or buying a separate cable for it.

Whether it's for the FIFA World Cup or vacation, plenty of people are traveling this summer. But if you're new to international travel, one thing to keep in mind is keeping your tech powered up, and that means remembering to pack the essentials. That includes charging bricks, adapters (because different places use different plugs!), cables, and more. Sounds like a lot, but Prime Day helps ease the stress on your wallet.

I'm going to be traveling soon, and my charging stache needs a big upgrade. Fortunately, Anker has just about everything anyone could need when traveling abroad, and all of it is on sale right now for Prime Day. I've already highlighted one portable power bank that I recommend for just about any time you leave the house, but here are some additional charging accessories that I'm putting in my cart.

• Prime Day returns June 23-26: see the full list of deals

What you need to know

• Nothing revealed what its Phone 4b will look like ahead of its July 7 launch, and it will rock a "unibody" design with a clear camera bump.
• The phone features two vertical camera lenses and the Phone 4a's Glyph Bar LED system.
• Nothing's co-founder, Akis Evangelidis, recently discussed the Phone 4b, stating it will feature its own distinct voice, while potentially sitting below the a-series.

Throw away your sketchbooks. Nothing revealed the design of its upcoming Phone 4b in full before launch, and it's taking a new approach.

Nothing appears to be pushing the envelope with its next device, the Phone 4b. On X, the company fully revealed the phone's design ahead of its July 7 launch. The video shows an illustrator "designing" the phone, placing its camera lenses, volume buttons, power button, and SIM tray. The back of the Phone 4b is turning heads, as a community post states it features a "unibody design."

What would be the "clear camera bump" is pretty flush to the phone's back panel. The camera lenses rise off the bump a tad, but Nothing has kept those specifications under wraps. An LED flash and another sensor are set beside that (horizontally) in a pill-shaped container. Nothing also draws attention to the Glyph Bar, which we've seen debut on the Phone 4a. The company says this design approach was done to facilitate "a minimal rear design that feels distinctly Nothing and smooth in your hands."

The video on X gives us a good look at the phone's screen, too. The UI is distinctly Nothing OS, of course, but its bezels are a talking point. They seem rather thick. A user on X noticed this, too, but points out another aspect: a rather large chin (via Gizmodo). There could be more to this, and we'd have to look at what the company's co-founder said a few days ago.

Phone 4b in progress...

Earlier this week, Nothing posted an image straight out of a blueprint or a sketchbook. The company said it "accidentally" designed a new phone, and that seems to ring true after this reveal. Nothing clearly tried to merge certain aspects of its Phone 4a and 4a Pro to make a phone that still keeps its own identity. However,, the company's co-founder, Akis Evangelidis, discussed the true intentions of the Phone 4b.

According to Evangelidis, the Phone 4b is a "continuation of our naming system." The phone is intended to stand on its own, while using lessons learned from the a-series. What's more, it looks like this phone could sit below (price-wise) the Phone 4a and other a-series devices. Evangelidis says the a-series is a "premium line" beneath the main flagship Nothing phones. This could be why the Phone 4b's bezels seem thick. How that sways public opinion is up to the public.

The phone is set to debut on July 7, where we'll undoubtedly learn everything we need to.

Android Central's Take

The Phone 4b has a simpler design compared to the Phone 4a and 4a Pro—especially the 4a Pro. It seems like Nothing is trying to nail a lower price point with this phone. Maybe that's why it's made the choices it has with its design. I think the simple design looks clean. Again, it's different than other devices and what Nothing's done before. What I will say is I don't think this phone's going to be a beast for games. If we're talking lower priced, something under the a-series... well.

When smartwatches are brought up, the Google Pixel Watch is the first topic of conversation. It shouldn't be, because Samsung's Galaxy Watch 8 is the all-around best Wear OS smartwatch around. I reviewed it last year, and spent my own money on one. The selling point for me was its size — it's only 8.6mm thick and sits comfortably on my wrist.

That meant I could take it more places and wear it more consistently, using the extra data to power my workouts and get better sleep. The price is surprisingly the best part. You can get a Galaxy Watch 8 for just $218 during Prime Day, down from the usual $350 sticker price.

That's about what I paid for my Galaxy Watch 8 at launch, and I had to trade in another smartwatch to get that price. You can get it with no strings attached.

• Prime Day 2026 is LIVE June 23-26: see the full list of deals

✅ Recommended if: You use Samsung Galaxy devices and need a Wear OS smartwatch; you need a thin and lightweight watch for fitness and health monitoring; you want longtime Wear OS update support.

❌ Skip this deal if: You need a smartwatch with the longest battery life; you want to wait for the Galaxy Watch 9, even though it'll cost much more.

I've tested many smartwatches, and I learned one thing along the way: the best smartwatch is the one you'll actually wear. Every other smartwatch felt too thick for me to wear for sleep tracking, and even some strenuous workouts. When I took them off, I missed out on data. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8's slim profile makes it ideal for your vacation getaways, summer workouts, or nightly sleep tracking.

It runs Wear OS 6 out of the box, and it's guaranteed to get four years of software updates. So, you can buy this watch for 38% off and it'll be updated to Wear OS 7 in a few months' time. A capable chip, Samsung's Exynos W1000, powers the entire experience.

On the inside, a Samsung BioActive sensor capable of handling optical and electrical heart-rate sensing monitors your underlying health metrics. There are also BIA and temperature sensors that help give you a complete picture of your health.

My one gripe with the Galaxy Watch 8 is that you need to charge it daily, but a quick recharge while showering should be all it takes. Aside from that, this is a current-gen smartwatch that'll stay up to date for years to come available for just over $200. I've used one for nearly a year, and I can't recommend it enough.

All Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon tablets from $50
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo

Looking to get a smartwatch just to mirror notifications to your wrist, measure daily activity, and monitor vitals? There's no reason to shell out hundreds of dollars towards a Wear OS smartwatch; there are dozens of great budget smartwatches that do a lot of the same tasks for a lot less cash.

My favorite is the CMF Watch 3 Pro. The Nothing-owned sub-brand is doing incredible things with its products lately, and the Watch 3 Pro has all the things you need in a smartwatch: it's stylish, has a bright AMOLED panel, tracks 130 workouts, and you'll only need to charge it once a week. In short, if you need a full-fledged smartwatch in under $100, this is the only one to get — and it's selling for just $61 as part of Prime Day.

✅Recommended if: You need the best smartwatch under $100.

❌Skip this deal if: You want Wear OS. Honestly, I don't see the utility of Wear OS when you need to shell out at least thrice as much to get a decent smartwatch.

I don't have any negatives to point out with the CMF Watch 3 Pro. I used the smartwatch when it launched, and it has a stylish design that belies its price tag. You even get good color options, and that just adds to its uniqueness.

The best part is that it runs RTOS, a lightweight OS that does a good job with the basics: mirroring notifications, monitoring activity, and so on. You don't get Spotify integration or Google Wallet, but if you just want a good-looking smartwatch that excels at the essentials, the Watch 3 Pro is more than good enough.

I also like that the smartwatch lasts over a week on average, and this is a huge plus point over my Pixel Watch 4. On the whole, I think the Watch 3 Pro is the best sub-$100 smartwatch available today, and it's selling for just $61 as part of Prime Day.

When I was a kid, there was nothing I enjoyed more than playing my GameBoy on road trips or (covertly) under the covers after lights out. Nowadays, we take portable gaming technology for granted, but if you ever get the itch to revisit those memories from childhood, there's an entire market of incredible retro gaming devices to explore. What's more, the vast majority of these devices are on sale during Prime Day, and I've dropped a selection of my favorite offers into this guide.

The picks below range from traditional Android phone controllers with retro designs to all-in-one emulator machines and throwback consoles. I'll even throw in a few discounted arcade machines, just for kicks.

Just keep in mind that the vast majority of offers below will only be available to Prime members. Haven't signed up yet? Amazon is offering a 30-day free trial that lets you shop Prime Day deals without paying a cent. The big sale ends at midnight on June 26th, however, so don't wait too long if something catches your eye!

• Prime Day is LIVE June 23-26: see the full list of deals

What time does Prime Day end?

Amazon Prime Day is scheduled to wrap up on Friday, June 26th at 11:59pm PT, but that doesn't mean that some deals won't sell out before the sale ends. If you missed the main event (or your desired item is out of stock), check Walmart and Best Buy before you throw in the towel. Both of those retailers are running major sale events through Sunday night.

More Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon Fire tablets from $50
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99

The journey toward an actual release date for Grand Theft Auto VI has been arduous, to say the least. After 13 long years, pre-orders are finally live for the massive open-world game for PS5 and Xbox Series X players. After placing your order for the game, why not make some extra preparations to make the experience that much more special? With the help of some smart RGB lights on the back of your TV, you can transform your gameplay into a more immersive experience.

Since it's Prime Day until tomorrow, there are hundreds of deals on tech products of all kinds, including smart RGB lights. I prefer Govee and SwitchBot above all other brands because you get ambient audio sync modes, plenty of customizability options, and affordable pricing for high-grade RGBIC light strips. Most importantly, both brands' light strips are compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Home without the need for any hub.

These smart TV light strips are half off for Prime Day, so now is the best time to get your living room GTA 6 ready. Once they're all set up, it'll be the gameplay of a lifetime!

• Prime Day returns June 23-26: see the full list of deals

Govee TV LED Backlight

The Govee TV LED Backlight comes in two sizes, a 12.5ft options for 55–65 inch TVs and a 15ft option for 70–80 inch TVs. These RGBIC smart LED lights stick to the back of your TV to create mesmerizing showcase of colorful lights.

Depending on the mode you choose, the dynamic lights react to the sounds around you, creating a truly immersive viewing experience. With GTA VI playing on your TV, the glowing lights shifting with the sound of your gameplay will truly look awesome.

Since these lights have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support, you can either customize and adjust their brightness and color modes via the smartphone app or through voice controls. You even get segmented control over the light strip. The Govee lights support both Alexa and Google Assistant.

SwitchBot LED Strip Light

SwitchBot offers an even wider compatibility with smart home ecosystems. You can connect the SwitchBot LED Strip Light to Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home, and IFTTT. This five-meter-long strip, or roughly 16-foot-long strip, is more expensive than the Govee option, but it is also more versatile and much longer.

The SwitchBot LED Strip Light 5M can display 16 million colors and deliver up to 1200 Lumens with tunable color temperature from 2700K–6500K. It also has music sync modes. This strip glues onto the back of your TV and creates a bright halo behind it. You can customize your light presets or choose from one of the 26 preset scenes within the app, and you get segmented control on these lights too.

The bonus perk with the SwitchBot LED Strip Light 5M is that it is Matter-enabled. You can create smart home automations and incorporate this strip light into it, for example by creating a smart gaming routine involving your smart TV, smart speaker, and maybe even smart AC. Get the room cool, groovy, and ready to game in with one voice command. You could even create a specific smart home routine just for playing GTA VI!

It's not often that you think about how your VR headset's facepad can be annoying. I've used 3rd party face pads on my Meta Quest headsets for years, and all of them use a velcro backing to connect to the headset, which I've always thought was pretty convenient until AMVR came along and totally changed my paradigm. Now that the company's latest face pad is 20% off for Prime Day, you can also take part in this small revelation for a fraction of the usual price.

The magic in AMVR's FC4M face pad design is a simple set of magnetic connection points that seamlessly snap to the included facial interface. You might think this is a ridiculous notion, but consider how much magnets inside of phone cases (or phones) have changed how we use phone cases and mounts, and you'll quickly realize that magnets are a truly game-changing feature.

If the description doesn't do it for you, maybe this video will help illustrate the difference:

✅Recommended if: You're sick of sweaty face pads or trying to align annoying velcro pads, annoyed with fogged lenses while playing, or wear glasses while playing.

❌Skip this deal if: You have a Quest 3S. This ONLY works with a Meta Quest 3.

Yeah, as you saw in the video above, I removed and reapplied the magnetic face pad twice (and could probably do it a third time) before finishing the velcro one once. This may not seem like a big deal to you until you have to change out face pads, something I find myself doing often since I share my VR headset with others in my house (and my son's sweaty friends).

Velcro pads have always been great, but they require you to perfectly line up all the corners and edges, causing the pad to be uneven and guaranteeing some kind of annoyance. The magnetic interface does away with all of that, and you can even one-handedly remove and reattach a new face pad with zero effort.

Aside from the magnets, the FC4M also features AMVR's brilliant venting design that keeps lens fog at bay, and even includes the company's trademark glasses spacer adjustment knobs. That's perfect for anyone who uses glasses, or if you're passing the headset to someone who uses glasses, as you just have to turn the knob on the side to adjust the space between the headset and the face pad. No more scratched lenses, no more hassle, and a lower price? Now that's a no-brainer Prime Day deal!

More Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon Fire tablets from $50
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99

Grand Theft Auto 6 is finally available for preorder, and this launch just so happens to coincide with Amazon's Prime Day sale event. This timing means that GTA fans are flocking to buy the best smart TVs for gaming while the discounts are hot, and I'm here to make the decision process easier.

The 65-inch Samsung Class OLED S90F — a smart TV that our friends at TechRadar called the "best overall TV for gaming" — is now a whopping $1,300 off during Amazon Prime Day, knocking the price of the set down to a much more approachable $1,197.99.

Amazon's TV deal is also offering free delivery and unboxing in the room of your choice, and unlike most Prime Day deals, you don't need to be a Prime member to enjoy the savings. You even get one free month of Xbox Game Pass with the purchase.

The S90F delivers incredibly detailed images with some of the best contrast on the market, while the TV's AI-powered "neural processor" ensures that all of your content is upscaled to the best possible quality in real time. The Samsung TV also boasts some hardware features that gamers love, such as four HDMI 2.1 ports, a consistent 120Hz refresh rate, and features like Motion Xcelerator 144Hz and FreeSync Premium Pro.

All of these features combined ensure that your images always look smooth, detailed, and tear-free, which will be essential when you're cruising down the highway or watching the sun set over Leonida in GTA VI.

So what's the catch? Well, even with Dolby Atmos, the audio on the Samsung OLED TV isn't exactly mind-blowing, so I'd recommend investing in a soundbar or something before you fire up Rockstar's upcoming title. Additionally, even with this $1,300 discount, the S90F is still pretty expensive, so it might be worth looking at some of the best Android TVs or Fire TVs if this price tag makes you wince.

But with that being said, if you want one of the best gaming TVs on the market at a massive discount, then grab this deal before Prime Day wraps up on June 26th.

More Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon Fire tablets from $50
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99