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Android Authority
31 minutes ago
- Android Authority
What really happens when your phone runs out of RAM?
Robert Triggs / Android Authority These days, high-end smartphones and even more affordable models ship with about as much RAM as a modern mid-range PC. And why shouldn't they? We use our phones for various tasks, from flicking through countless apps to playing the latest high-end games. They all need RAM, and increasingly more of it, especially when it comes to chatting with a large language model or using AI to spruce up our media. Can your phone even run out of RAM these days? It sounds unlikely, but I put it to the test. Do you use your phone's RAM management features? 0 votes Yes NaN % No NaN % I didn't know it had any NaN % It doesn't have any NaN % In theory, it is possible to run out of RAM; if you throw enough sufficiently large applications at your OS all at once, it's technically possible to hit that limit. But what happens in those instances? Well, logic says those apps would be forced to close, they could hang, or the entire OS could become unresponsive. But that's very unlikely to happen, and I tested this out to prove it. How Android takes care of your RAM Robert Triggs / Android Authority To keep Android running smoothly and responsive, the OS has a couple of tricks before it starts killing apps you might want to get back to quickly. The first is compressing apps already in RAM using zRAM. zRAM is basically a compressed block of data that lives inside your RAM. It grows and shrinks dynamically, compressing memory pages to save space and decompressing them when needed. App memory that isn't needed is seamlessly pushed and pulled to zRAM even before your phone starts running low on memory. All Android devices use zRAM, with OEMs able to tune how large this compressed pool can grow to balance performance and responsiveness. The catch is that zRAM still uses real RAM, so compressing lots of stuff doesn't always free as much memory as you might expect. zRAM compression is Android's chief tool to keep apps alive for when you need them. If zRAM fills up, Android tries a couple more things: the kernel's swap process (kswapd) will try to flush out memory that can be reloaded from storage, as this can be quickly recalled when required. Failing that, it can kick additional pages out of zRAM or, if available, push memory to a swap file on your phone's storage. However, the use of physical swap storage isn't part of stock Android. Custom ROMs and some OEM 'virtual RAM' implementations have dabbled in swap file use, but this is the exception and not the rule. If all that is exhausted, idle applications are ended to make room for active processes. However, exactly how phones handle this process varies by device manufacturer. Samsung RAM Plus vs Xiaomi Memory extension Robert Triggs / Android Authority I recently had the pleasure of using the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra with 12GB RAM on board, which gave me the perfect opportunity to test out how Samsung's RAM Plus management system works in the real world. I also have the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, which boasts 'Memory extension' technology to augment your phone with additional memory. My first question was: Does RAM Plus rely on traditional zRAM or actual swap space? This is a key distinction, partly because Samsung published a 2023 research paper on an 'Adaptive Swap' idea that leverages both fast zRAM space and slower swap responsiveness to try to obtain the best of both. Samsung's RAM Plus settings menu also states it 'uses your phone's storage space to provide virtual memory,' which certainly hints at swap use, even if it isn't explicitly mentioned. Every phone uses zRAM and some use swap space too. But not the S25 Ultra. However, adjusting RAM Plus settings on the Galaxy S25 Ultra shows no changes in flash storage partitions or mention of swap spaces via adb shell commands like /proc/partitions or df -h. This strongly indicates RAM Plus only affects the zRAM target size, not on-storage swap. This doesn't mean no Samsung phones use swap, but the Galaxy S25 Ultra doesn't. By contrast, adjusting Xiaomi 15 Ultra's 'Memory extension' option sees a decrease of free space in the /data and /storage/emulated directories (which are the same thing, just referenced differently). While I can't track down exactly where this extra storage is being used without root access, the changes on reboot exactly match the amount requested by memory extension. At the same time, the total zRAM pool remains set at 16 GB regardless of the setting. Robert Triggs / Android Authority Why have a toggle at all? Returning to Samsung, changing the RAM Plus setting only adjusts the target amount of compressed swap memory (i.e. how much data the system tries to keep compressed in zRAM) rather than the raw size of the zRAM block device. As more data is compressed, zRAM uses more real RAM, which depends on the compression ratio, which varies with what's being compressed and the algorithm used. A higher RAM Plus setting (e.g., 8GB) means more apps stay alive in the background, but with potential slowdowns due to extra compression. A lower setting (e.g., 3GB) prioritizes speed at the cost of app retention. On the S25 Ultra, Samsung doesn't let you go below a 3GB zRAM target, even if you disable RAM Plus, which makes sense with 12GB physical RAM since zRAM probably won't use more than 1GB anyway. However, this might not be the case for all of Samsung's phones, especially budget models that have less RAM. Samsung RAM Plus lets you optimize RAM use between app retention or extra responsiveness. But if RAM Plus is just a variation on RAM use, why even bother giving the user control over it in the first place? Well, there's a slight but sometimes tangible difference. In short, the option exists so you can choose whether your device should favor background app retention (bigger zRAM) or just‑in‑time responsiveness (smaller zRAM) — all with a simple slider instead of digging into kernel parameters. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra has very different behavior; the handset always targets up to 16GB of memory to compress, but the amount stored in zRAM is backed by additional swap space to avoid killing apps in extreme use cases. Unfortunately, I'm unable to track exactly when compressed memory is kicked over to flash storage, but I imagine it'll be only once a set amount of RAM has been taken up. With 16GB of RAM onboard, it'll probably be quite challenging to kick the phone into using swap space. The drawback is that compressing and decompressing from storage is slower than RAM, even with today's fast UFS storage. What happens when you run out of RAM? Joe Maring / Android Authority To see how this all works under pressure, I stress-tested both phones by gradually loading them up with apps and watching what happened to RAM and zRAM usage. Finally, I overloaded the web browser to consume 8GB of RAM. It's worth noting that flash swap and zRAM are considered 'SwapTotal' for Android's RAM management, which means that it's impossible to see precisely when or how much swap space phones like the Xiaomi use (at least not without rooting the phone). The results are pretty much in line with what you'd expect. Running a few small applications comes nowhere near stressing the Galaxy S25 Ultra's hefty 12GB RAM, and Xiaomi's 16GB doesn't break a sweat. zRAM use is light and flits in and out of real-time compression of some background tasks, but we're talking tens of MB. There's certainly no need for swap space here. While in this state, switching to and from apps is seamless, with no delay and no data loss. Compression quickly kicks in, ensuring that the OS remains responsive when RAM is tight. It's only once we have several games and apps running at once that free RAM drops below 4GB and RAM management starts to ramp up. It varies depending on the workload, but zRAM use can hit high MBs and even a GB or more. Even so, games don't have to reload completely, but I was kicked out of one or two active sessions, and web pages had to be refreshed. Still, I experienced nothing approaching a major system slowdown, even with multiple games loaded up. As we've said before, 12GB is absolutely plenty of RAM. Outside of cutting-edge, niche AI workloads, I suppose. Robert Triggs / Android Authority Android's default RAM management is very robust, then. I had to artificially bring things to a close with a 4GB web page to force anything approaching a mass culling of applications. Even then, One UI stayed snappy, and so did Xiaomi's HyperOS. However, most larger applications had closed at this point, forcing me to reload them from scratch to start them up again. It's basically impossible to run out of RAM, as it's managed dynamically. When you do hit the RAM wall, Android simply starts closing idle apps. And thanks to zRAM (and swap, if used), that wall is far off in most real-world cases. But most importantly, it's almost impossible to approach this point in regular use, thanks to zRAM compression. Phones that use additional swap space fare even better in terms of keeping apps open, but don't feel quite as responsive as zRAM-only implementations. Not that I could notice on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, but that's probably an indication that 16GB is simply overkill for even a huge number of mobile applications. One final note: swap doesn't replace zRAM — it complements it. You won't wear down your flash memory constantly writing to physical storage by enabling it; it just adds minor wear over time. What's perhaps a bit more noticeable is that bringing back distant background apps from storage is slightly slower than decompressing from RAM, but at least you don't have to load them up again. With RAM capacities continuing to rise and Android's memory tricks becoming ever smarter, swap space might never be essential. Still, it can be a helpful tool for budget or AI-heavy devices.
Android Authority
an hour ago
- Android Authority
I've tested countless fitness trackers and this is the best one you can get for under $50
Xiaomi Smart Band 10 The Xiaomi Smart Band 10 doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it makes meaningful upgrades where it counts, including added training tools and a slightly larger display. For budget-conscious buyers who want reliable tracking, a polished aesthetic, and up to 21 days of battery life, it's a no-brainer. I've long tipped my hat to Xiaomi's Smart Band line (a.k.a. Mi Band in some regions), which nearly always punches above its weight. The latest device, the Xiaomi Smart Band 10, continues the reign as a leader in the budget fitness tracker space. The latest model also doubles down on style, adding polish to performance, and nudges the band even further into smartwatch-lite territory, all without messing with its core formula or pushing up the price tag. It's not a revolutionary update, but with a global price tag of $49, it has definitely left me wondering about the exorbitant prices of other popular devices. A familiar look with welcome refinement Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority Affordability doesn't translate to a cheap aesthetic. Instead, the Smart Band lineup features a consistent design language: unobtrusive build, pill-shaped tracker, colorful display. This year, Xiaomi upgrades the experience with a noticeable display bump, measuring in at 1.72 inches, thanks to trimmed bezels that are now symmetrical all the way around the AMOLED screen. It's sharp (326 PPI), bright (up to 1,500 nits), and as attractive as many of my top smartwatch displays. I found it big enough to read notifications at a glance and clue into my workout stats, but not so large that it loses its identity as a band-style tracker (rather than a watch). One of the quickest ways to personalize any wearable is with a watch face, and here Xiaomi delivers more than 200 options ranging from classic to downright fun. I couldn't love the dynamic Pet series more, as represented by the adorable otter trying to burst out of the screen in the image above. For the childish among us (me), the display is also the perfect size to dive into simple but fun mini-games built into some of the brand's newest picks. I got a shameful amount of entertainment out of the Fighter watch face that lets you test the strength of your punch, like some kind of virtual carnival game. Between the excessive watch face designs, the metal and ceramic frame options, and eleven different band styles, including a pearl-chain pendant, it's also clear Xiaomi is all-in on the fashion-forward fitness tracking angle. I tested the white ceramic build and found it very sleek. It also rinsed off easily after a dusty trail run, which eased my fears about white holding up. I also really like the alternative magnetic band Xiaomi sent me, with subtle texture, elevated metal lugs, and a very comfortable fit. The Xiaomi Smart Band 10 leans into the fashion-forward angle, with a ceramic option and a wide range of band materials. The included fluororubber band is comfortable as well, but lining up the pin and hole closure isn't seamless one-handed and it's more sporty than upscale. There are plenty of other new band styles as well, ranging from leather to a pastel colorblocked one that's giving Eras Tour, and a chain necklace for wearing the tracker around your neck. I've yet to get behind the necklace form-factor, and the product imagery reminds me of Hermione Granger's Time-Turner, but the concept is unique for anyone who prefers a naked wrist (scandalous). Consistent capabilities Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority As I've come to expect from this lineup, the Smart Band outperforms its price point. I can't say there are a surprising number of fitness features, because the company consistently delivers a robust suite, but it's still impressive year after year. In addition to basic activity tracking, the Smart Band 10 supports over 150 workout modes (matching the 9 Pro), with auto-detection for six, plus on-wrist running courses (or walking) which offer real-time pace and effort feedback. The Xiaomi Smart Band 10 builds on the success of its predecessors with even more workout modes, plus enhanced training tools. They're not Garmin-level guided sessions, but they're helpful for casual runners who want a bit more structure, and the Advanced Interval Run got me plenty sweaty. Meanwhile, metrics like VO₂ max, recovery time, and training state help contextualize users' activity and fitness. For those who prefer clocking water-based laps rather than track ones, swim tracking received a notable upgrade with Xiaomi claiming up to 96% lap count accuracy. For the first time, the tracker also offers heart rate broadcasting. I paired mine with a compatible cycling app, and it transmitted my live heart rate just like a chest strap would. That's niche, perhaps, but useful for anyone training with intensity zones who's already invested in using a favorite app or piece of exercise equipment. To that end, heart rate tracking on the Xiaomi Band 10 is decent, especially for such an affordable device. I tested the device against the Polar H10 chest strap, and it kept up fairly well, recording nearly identical average heart rates and staying within 5-8 beats (plenty good enough for basic activity tracking). However, when I worked out with the magnetic band, the fit wasn't as tight, and accuracy did seem to falter as a result. As you can see in the map above, there were a few times the Smart Band struggled to keep up with my chest strap, especially at peaks in my interval workout. Unfortunately, we're still left without built-in GPS. Unfortunately, there's still no onboard GPS tracking on the device, which holds it back compared to something like the Fitbit Charge line. Despite my hopes and dreams, Xiaomi seems to be saving outdoor workout tracking for its Pro models, so runners and cyclists might want to peek at the 10's siblings before committing. Serious athletes aren't likely to shop this device anyway, but built-in GPS would make it a more powerful option. With that said, it's also roughly a third of the cost of Fitbit's Charge 6, and leaving off GPS may be one way it retains such an approachable price tag. Brains and battery Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority The Smart Band 10 packs in a thoughtful mix of features that, once again, make it feel more capable than its price tag might suggest. It offers all the basic tools I'd want on my wrist including alarms, calendar, weather, timers, and a flashlight, plus music and camera controls. It works with both Android phones and iPhones via the Mi Fitness app. On my Pixel 9, syncing was fast and reliable, but the experience is best if you're already in the Xiaomi ecosystem. With support for the Xiaomi Smart Hub, you can use the band to control compatible smart home devices right from your wrist. With the exception of NFC support, the Xiaomi Smart Band 10 offers a good range of basic smart features. Even outside the Xiaomi bubble, though, the device still delivers a polished experience. Notifications, calls, and calendar alerts land instantly, and wrist-based music controls are helpful during a workout or grocery run. When I didn't want distractions, I used the silent mode toggle and custom vibration patterns. My personal favorite is the 'Good Day' alarm option, because who doesn't want to start with a good day? I had hoped this would be the year NFC support finally made its way to the global model, but no luck. The longer digital payments exist and gain popularity, the more of a knock it seems for a device to not have it available. Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority What I absolutely love about the Xiaomi Smart Band line is the battery life. Compared to my usual go-to devices, the extended use between charges feels like a luxury. Despite the larger, brighter display and added features, the Smart Band 10 still offers up to 21 days on a typical charge, or about 9 days with the Always-on Display enabled. Charging is quick too, thanks to the magnetic charger that tops off the 233mAh battery in under an hour. Battery longevity has always been a Mi Band hallmark, and Xiaomi clearly isn't ready to compromise on that front. Xiaomi Smart Band 10 review verdict: Is it worth it? Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority While the Smart Band 10 isn't a dramatic leap forward, it continues to refine what Xiaomi already does well, offering a more polished take on a familiar formula. At roughly $50, it is a very impressive little tracker. But, should you buy one? If you're coming from a Mi Band 7 or earlier, the answer is a confident yes. You'll get a more premium display, smarter health data, and a real boost in design and versatility. For existing Mi Band 9 users, it depends. If you care about heart rate broadcasting and swim tracking, it might be worth the upgrade. For everyone else, especially first-time wearable buyers, the Xiaomi Smart Band 10 is easily the best budget fitness band available. It doesn't try to be a full-blown smartwatch, but it nails the basics with style and longevity that even pricier options struggle to match. Xiaomi Smart Band 10 MSRP: $49.90 Reliable, affordable fitness tracking. The Xiaomi Smart Band 10 fitness tracker adds training tools and a slightly larger display. For budget-conscious buyers who want reliable tracking, a polished aesthetic, and up to 21 days of battery life, it's a great pick. See price at XiaomiSee price at Giztop Positives Incredible value for the price Incredible value for the price Larger, more vibrant display Larger, more vibrant display Loaded feature set Loaded feature set Fantastic 21-day battery life Cons Still missing NFC support globally Still missing NFC support globally Heart rate accuracy can vary by fit Heart rate accuracy can vary by fit No built-in GPS
Android Authority
2 hours ago
- Android Authority
I instantly improved Samsung Gallery's search using its hidden menu, and you can too
Andy Walker / Android Authority Samsung devices are nothing if not goldmines for treasure hunters, particularly those dealing in hidden menus. Just glossing through Good Lock and its myriad modules indicates how customizable One UI is. However, not every new feature requires an external download. Often, these options are hidden within the stock skin — you need to know where to look. Do you use Samsung Gallery as your default gallery app? 0 votes Yes, it's my default gallery app on my Samsung phone. NaN % I don't own a Samsung phone, but I wish I could use it on my device. NaN % No, I use another gallery app on my Samsung phone. NaN % No, I wouldn't use it even if it was available for other Android devices. NaN % While you likely would've heard about the secret Wi-Fi menu lurking deep within your Samsung phone's settings, there's another concealed menu list for those who rely on Samsung Gallery daily. The Gallery Labs menu offers several additional features for the default image viewer. There are toggles upon toggles here, but one in particular made its search function more accessible. Let me explain. How to activate the hidden Samsung Gallery Labs menu Before I detail the specific Gallery Labs menu item, you'll need to enable the menu itself. While accessing a hidden menu in a system app may sound spooky, there isn't much to it. Here's how to activate it: Open Samsung Gallery. Tap the three-line Menu button at the bottom right of the screen. Select Settings. Next, scroll down to About Gallery. Tap on it. Now, tap the version number below the large Gallery headline repeatedly. After several taps, you should see a Gallery Labs activated caption at the bottom of the page. To access the Gallery Labs menu, head back to the Settings menu and scroll down to the bottom of the list. Tap on it to enter the menu. Now, for the best Gallery Labs setting Andy Walker / Android Authority I never quite understood why Samsung positioned the Gallery app's search icon right at the top of the screen. When using larger, heavier devices like the Galaxy S24 FE, it's so inconvenient to access that I seldom use it. This means manually trawling through thousands of images. However, a setting in Gallery Labs corrects this. Under the One UI 7.x menu subheading, toggle on Add search tab. You will need to exit and reenter the app for the change to take effect, but once you do, you'll see a search icon now moved to the bottom tab bar. Now, instead of requiring a second hand or risking dropping my device with a one-handed stretch, I can simply divert my thumb a few millimeters, tap the search icon, and quickly initiate a search. The screenshots below offer a visual explanation of what the toggle does. The default layout (Search tab disabled). The Search tab enabled through Gallery Labs.. See it? It's a subtle change, but it transforms the search icon from an item that's too far to reach to one that's far more readily accessible. What else can I change in the Gallery Labs menu? Andy Walker / Android Authority This isn't the only thing you can tweak within the Gallery Labs menu. Although it may be the only One UI 7. x-related toggle, features added for older versions are also available. A few other Gallery Labs menu highlights include: Album entry-locks: If you don't want to stow images away in Samsung's Secure Folder, you can use this feature to prohibit access to them. As Samsung explains, 'Once an album is locked, its contents are not shown on the pictures and album tab.' To lock an album, select it, tap the menu button, and select Lock album. If you don't want to stow images away in Samsung's Secure Folder, you can use this feature to prohibit access to them. As Samsung explains, 'Once an album is locked, its contents are not shown on the pictures and album tab.' To lock an album, select it, tap the menu button, and select Lock album. Show EXIF in details: Want to see more specific details about your JPEG images? Toggle this setting, and you can view them all. Notably, considering that Samsung appears to add new features on a per-One UI version basis, we can expect more goodies to populate with the arrival of One UI 8. For now, play around with various settings to build your optimal Gallery experience.
Android Authority
2 hours ago
- Android Authority
The ANBERNIC RG Slide is the Xperia Play I wish I had 15 years ago
ANBERNIC RG Slide The RG Slide is one of the most unique devices ANBERNIC has ever made, and it offers the right mix of nostalgic fun and solid performance to be a compelling choice for retro emulation. While many people are nostalgic for flip phones, sliders are the way to go for me. Sure, I had a basic flip phone in the early 2000s, but I didn't really get excited about phones until I got my first sliding phone with a full QWERTY keyboard in 2006. That satisfying THWOMP made me feel like I was a secret agent every time I texted my mom to pick up some more Mountain Dew and Cheetos. But when the PSP Go and Xperia Play brought that form factor to gaming, I just didn't get it. At that time, I didn't want to overlap my gaming devices with my phone. I still don't, but that's the unfortunate world we now live in. So when the ANBERNIC RG Slide was announced, I was skeptical. Clamshells like the Retroid Flip 2 had me hungry for more unique form factors in the retro gaming handheld world, but can this slider overcome my past prejudices? After unboxing the device and sliding it open, that familiar THWOMP immediately had me hooked. The RG Slide might not be perfect, but it's excited me about the future of handhelds in a way that few devices have in the past year. Big slide energy Nick Fernandez / Android Authority Apart from the slick sliding mechanism, the first thing that stands out about the RG Slide is its size. It is incredibly chunky. The 4:3 aspect ratio, 4.7-inch screen, and rounded design make it look like a phone from two decades ago, but the thickness reminds me of even older handhelds from the 90s — the kind that ate through AA batteries like I went through Mountain Dew. Once I got over the initial shock, I found that the size actually worked in its favor. Once I got used to the bulk, it was surprisingly comfortable to hold, and the thickness allows for inset capacitive sticks with a nice range of motion. The controls in general are fantastic, with a soft D-pad and quiet buttons. The triggers are very clicky, and the small power and volume buttons are discreetly tucked away on the side. Nick Fernandez / Android Authority There are two extra buttons, and they're found on either side of the screen. These are great for emulation hotkeys, and they make it so that I never really needed to touch the screen. That alone made it feel more like a gaming console and less like an Android phone. The screen itself is beautiful. The 120Hz refresh rate is certainly overkill for a device like this, but the colors and brightness are perfect. It's not an OLED panel, but I would have no complaints if Anbernic and other companies continued to use this screen on more devices in the future. However, it's pretty exposed on the outside of the device, so I'd definitely recommend using the included screen protector. The bright and speedy screen is a highlight of the ANBERNIC RG Slide. Taking another page from the book of older smartphones, it also has stereo speakers on either side of the screen. They sound great, and the placement means you'll never cover them with your palms. They actually make the RG Slide a solid media viewing device, especially for older, non-16:9 content. If I have one complaint about the design, it's that the screen is ever so slightly off center. It's not noticeable when the slider is open and you're playing games, but it is noticeable when playing touchscreen games. More on that in a moment. Sliding into high gear Nick Fernandez / Android Authority I was initially disappointed by the Unisoc T820 chipset on the RG Slide, since it felt like a device this unique should have something more powerful. The T820 has been used on many Anbernic devices in the past, though, and it's a solid performer for everything up to and including some PS2. Just don't expect to enjoy frontier Switch or PS3 emulation. I ran the device through our standard suite of benchmarks to get a general idea of what we're talking about. There's only one configuration available, with 128GB of storage and 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM. You can increase that storage with a microSD card, and ANBERNIC sells the device with the option to include a 128GB or 256GB card, loaded with games of questionable legality. Check out the results of our tests above, pitted against two Retroid devices on either side of the RG Slide in terms of price. The Pocket Flip 2 has an aging, but capable Snapdragon 865 SoC, and the Pocket Classic has the new handheld-focused Snapdragon G1 Gen 2. Results are mixed, with the RG Slide falling somewhere in between the two Retroid devices in most tests. The newer G1 Gen 2 shows impressive performance for how cheap it is, but the Unisoc T820 still blows it away in GPU performance. Personally, I would love to see a follow-up to the RG Slide incorporate the mid-range Snapdragon G2 Gen 2 chip that's set to power the next Retroid flagship. ANBERNIC has never used a Snapdragon chipset in any handheld, though, so that may never come to fruition. The T820 chipset is reliable, but it's starting to show its limitations. In terms of actual emulation, the RG Slide handled everything I wanted it to. Retro systems obviously ran great, and the 4:3 screen is perfect for PS1, N64, and more. Unfortunately, 16:9 systems like the PSP feature pretty heavy letterboxing. Ironically, I wouldn't recommend snagging this PSP Go-shaped device to play PSP games. GameCube and PS2 are also playable, but you'll have to make some compromises. I couldn't get all games to play at full framerates, let alone upscaled. Without upscaling, PS2 games play at 640 x 480, which is half of the native resolution of the RG Slide's 1280 x 960 IPS panel, and it looks pretty muddy on the 4.7-inch display. It's playable, but it's far from ideal. Nick Fernandez / Android Authority As a sidenote, I abandoned my beloved ES DE frontend for the sake of this review, sticking to ANBERNIC's homegrown RG launcher. It took a little work to get it to recognize the games in my microSD card, but once it was set up, it was surprisingly great. The console comes with many emulators pre-installed (although I ended up swapping some for more updated versions), and you can select which emulator to launch right in the launcher settings. There's a toggle in the notification shade to change the default launcher, so you can play your games without ever seeing an app icon. With everything configured properly, the RG Slide becomes a bonafide gaming console rather than an Android phone pretender. There's even an option to lock and unlock the device with the sliding mechanism, which is indescribably cool. Mobile-first games in portrait also play well on the RG Slide. Native Android games don't show up in this menu, but they're also great on this device. I typically only play controller-compatible Android games on these gaming handhelds, but on this device, I also enjoyed portrait touchscreen games. It looks and works just like a chunky phone when the slider is closed, so it didn't feel awkward to play mobile-first games like Monument Valley, Clash Royale, or Subway Surfers. As mentioned above, the off-center screen is glaringly noticeable when holding the device vertically. The last note here is battery life, and for the most part, the 5,000mAh cell goes the distance. Depending on the settings and systems I was emulating, I got anywhere from five to 12 hours of battery life. The downside is the charging speeds, which top off at 10W. In my testing, it took roughly two hours to fully charge, so don't expect a quick top-off between matches. ANBERNIC RG Slide review verdict: Is it worth it? Nick Fernandez / Android Authority While the RG Slide is a fascinating device, it's also fairly expensive. It starts at $189.99 for just the console, which puts it in a strange place in terms of value. The middling chipset and mixed PS2 emulation make it a hard sell at that price, but it makes up for it with a design that's a cut above the competition. That's a relatively new position for ANBERNIC. The brand isn't exactly known for innovation, but rather for incremental improvements on existing designs and ideas. The RG Slide might be the device to turn that reputation on its head. The RG Slide is completely unique, which is unusual for ANBERNIC. If you are looking for more performance, you'll have to look at a different form factor. The Retroid Flip 2 ($229 at Manufacturer site) is one option, and it offers quite a bit more performance for PS2 emulation, but it also costs quite a bit more, starting at $229 before shipping and taxes. Otherwise, you're looking at more standard vertical or horizontal handhelds, which frankly don't hit the same as the RG Slide. If you have any nostalgia for sliding devices like the Xperia Play or PSP Go, this device might scratch that itch. Of course, you would also wait for ANBERNIC to do its thing and iterate on this device. If it were just a smidge smaller and a hair more powerful, it would be an absolute slam dunk. ANBERNIC RG Slide Unique sliding design • Beautiful screen • Solid retro performance MSRP: $189.99 A worthy spiritual successor to the Xperia Play. A sliding gaming handheld like we haven't seen in decades. See price at Manufacturer site Positives Unique sliding design Unique sliding design Beautiful screen Beautiful screen Solid retro performance Solid retro performance Good for touchscreen games Cons Middling PS2 performance Middling PS2 performance Chunky Chunky Off-center screen
Android Authority
3 hours ago
- Android Authority
I turned off all AI features on my Pixel phone — and instantly regretted it
Robert Triggs / Android Authority I had this realization — epiphany of sorts — that while we've become more conscious of generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini, we often use AI much more than we actively perceive. Every app you touch on your phone has some kind of smarts and automation baked in. It's constantly learning from your patterns and improving in the background. That nudged me to experiment with becoming more intentional about these AI additions and disable them for a cleaner look and feel. No smart suggestions I mindlessly use, no Assistant to speak to, and no on-device smarts. All turned off. I enthusiastically planned to do this for a week, but I soon realized I was being too optimistic. What sounded like a solid digital detox plan turned into a quiet reckoning: my phone is a well-oiled system with subtle automations I don't think I can live without anymore. How smart do you like your smartphone to be? 0 votes I like my phone as basic as possible NaN % I like to balance — smart where needed NaN % Give me all the AI, everywhere NaN % This is the most digitally impaired I've felt Andy Walker / Android Authority I imagined turning off smart features across all my main apps would feel like going back to the good-old Nokia bar phone days. Nostalgia made that seem enticing — something I thought I'd actually want — but practically, it was far from rosy. The most frustrated I got during my time off AI was with Gboard. Without swipe typing, predictive text, and autocorrect — the very features we all love to meme about — my entire phone felt broken. The number and variety of misspellings I could come up with made me question my self-worth as a writer. And fixing each one of them made me a painfully slow typist. Group chats would often move on from a topic by the time I'd finished typing my take — total Internet Explorer–style late blooming. In Google Photos, edits became much more manual. While I enjoy playing with contrast and tone and whatnot myself, I really missed the one-tap fixes that helped with lighting and gave me a quick, clean version to share on Instagram or at least build on. More importantly, I couldn't use any of the smart editing features you get a Pixel for — Magic Editor, Photo Unblur, Best Take. Without them, it was like going back to the cave days of modern tech (2010, I mean). Ryan Haines / Android Authority Oh, and I had to completely disable Gemini/Google Assistant. I honestly felt like Joaquin Phoenix in Her, sorely missing his AI companion. I couldn't ask it to control smart home devices or help with Android Auto — everything became manual. I had to now type out my reminders, and changing music in the car turned into a dangerously distracting chore. That's when I noticed how often I absentmindedly said 'Ok Google' while walking around the house. I guess we've all been in the Her era all along without even realizing it. Quality Inferiority of life Andy Walker / Android Authority Beyond the big-ticket features I lost, I found myself stumbling without all the little ones, too. Without Pixel's Live Captions, I couldn't watch videos in noisy places and ended up saving them for later — not to consume more intentionally, but out of frustration. Gmail and Google Messages no longer suggested quick replies or helped finish my sentences. I had to type out full messages and emails like it was 2015. I noticed how often I absentmindedly said 'Ok Google' while walking around the house. I guess we've all been in the Her era all along without even noticing it. Maps stopped telling me when to leave home based on traffic, and it didn't remember my parking spot either. Once, I forgot where I'd parked because I didn't save the location manually. Google Photos stopped resurfacing old memories during the day — no surprise moments with friends, family, or random mountain dogs I clicked a decade ago. Not getting to see dog photos randomly is the lowest kind of inferiority in life. The good side of un-intelligification Ryan Whitwam / Android Authority Besides sparing me time to coin my own words, the lack of AI on my phone did help in a few ways. You must've already guessed the first one — battery life benefits. I couldn't track it rigorously since I had limited time with this setup, but the gains were in the 10–15% range, which was noticeably better than usual. More importantly, the phone just felt quieter. No unnecessary alerts, no screen lighting up every half hour with nudges I didn't need. It felt more analog — like a tool I controlled, not something that subconsciously controlled me. I picked it up when I needed to, not because I was tempted to see what was waiting for me. But was it enough to keep me on this routine? You already know the answer to this, too. I want all the AI magic back — right now Stephen Schenck / Android Authority That was me last weekend, soon after I started the experiment. The lack of AI smarts was annoying at first, then it got frustrating enough to slow down my regular day. Simple things took twice the time, especially without Gboard's assistive typing. And that's when it hit me that AI isn't just Gemini or the ChatGPT app. It's ambient. It works in the background, often silently, making tiny decisions and smoothing over rough edges without drawing attention to itself. Quiet enough to fade in the background — until you turn it all off. AI is ambient. It works in the background, often silently, making tiny decisions and smoothing over rough edges without drawing attention to itself. Hopefully, this little try-out gives you a good idea of why it's not worth trying for yourself. Convenience is the point of AI, and I'm all for it. Like I said, I lasted far fewer days than I'd planned. I remembered the exact sequence in which I turned everything off and flicked it all back on just as quickly. I want Photos to clean up distracting objects in my shots. I want the Assistant to find my playlist while I'm driving. And I absolutely cannot live without Gboard's smarts. So yes, I'm back to using my smart-phone the way it was meant to be — smartly.
