It's no secret that storage devices are getting more and more expensive, which has led some users to switch to NAS for all of their file management needs. NAS servers haven't been quite as affected by the 2026 memory shortage as other devices, which means you can still find some pretty exceptional deals if you know where to look.
UGREEN is a rising star in the NAS space, and unlike popular models from brands like TerraMaster and Synology, UGREEN's NAS servers for home tend to get discounted on a fairly regular basis. Case in point: at this very moment, Amazon is slashing prices on a bunch of the brand's best devices, making now a perfect time to invest in one of these versatile storage solutions.
We called the UGREEN DH4300 Plus the "best starter NAS for most people", and it isn't hard to see why. This device is easy to set up and use, with a ton of handy software features, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, and up to 32TB of capacity for each of the four bays (128TB total).
You also get 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM, plenty of ports including HDMI, and some AI-boosted software tricks straight out of the box. The DH4300 might be the last storage device you ever need to buy, and it's currently 15% off at Amazon. View Deal
Redmagic's Astra gaming tablet was a revelation last year; OLED-toting Android tablets are vanishingly rare, and it was great to see a sensibly-sized tablet with a gorgeous OLED panel, high-end hardware, and great battery life. I used the Astra more than any other Android tablet over the course of the last 12 months, so when Redmagic said it was coming out with a new model, I was obviously interested.
What you need to know is that the Astra 2 isn't a wholesale refresh; it instead makes a few tweaks to the original design, and introduces liquid cooling. There's also a slightly bigger battery and Qualcomm's latest silicon, and outside of that, it is fundamentally unchanged — and that is a good thing.
The Astra 2 starts at $749/€699/£599 for the 12GB/256GB model, which is a modest $50 increase from last year. There's also a 16GB/512GB model that costs $849/€799/£679, and there's no 1TB variant this year. As always, Redmagic is incentivizing the launch with deals, and these will go live starting mid-August, with general sale slated for the end of August. If you're eyeing this tablet, my suggestion would be to get it at launch — Redmagic sold the Astra for as low as $499 last year, and you can get a decent deal if you buy as soon as it's available.
The OLED panel is the clear star of the show; the 9.06-inch panel has a resolution of 2,400 x 1,504, and it has exquisite colors and contrast levels. Overall brightness is unchanged from last year, but it didn't prove to be a problem at all — I was able to use the tablet outdoors without any issues. There's 185Hz refresh as well, but you don't see that in gaming; that said, most games go up to 120Hz, which is great to see.
The size of the Astra 2 makes it particularly well-suited to read comics or books, and that's what I did. It's just the right size to comfortably hold while sitting in the couch, and there's a dedicated reading mode that switches the panel to monochrome — if you want to read e-books on the device. Of course, this is a gaming tablet, and it excels in that regard. The smaller size makes it ideal to slot into a mobile controller like the GameSir G8 Plus, and that's predominantly how I played games on the tablet.
The Astra 2 retains a bold design - and you get LED lighting
Like last year, Redmagic went with an all-metal design, and it looks great. It just feels good to hold and use, and the sizing is just right; it isn't as huge as my iPad Pro M4, but it still has a decent-sized panel. The rounded edges make it comfortable, and while it has chunky bezels, they are uniform. The front camera is nestled into the bezel, so you get a panel that doesn't need any cutouts — which is a welcome change.
One of my favorite things about the Astra 2 is the flat design; the camera sits entirely flush with the body of the tablet — just like the Pixel 10a — and it feels wonderful. Thankfully, it doesn't slide off a table like the Redmagic 11 Pro, and that's down to the matte texture at the rear. It is on the heavier side at 363g, but it never gets uncomfortable to hold. The tablet retains IP54 ingress protection, and while it isn't good enough for a dunk in the pool, it withstands splashes of water.
Redmagic prides itself on bold designs, and the Astra 2 delivers in this area. It has a rectangular insert that houses LED lighting, and it immediately shows off the tablet's gaming credentials. This section houses the biggest upgrade this year: a liquid cooling system similar to that of the Redmagic 11 Pro. You can see the coolant moving through the connectors, and it isn't just for aesthetics — it makes a genuine difference while gaming.
The tablet gets stereo sound, and it's decent enough if you're just playing casual games. I like that there are two USB-C ports; one is located at the bottom, and the other is mounted on the left side, making it convenient to charge the tablet when you're gaming.
On that note, Redmagic went with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, which is the fastest mobile silicon you can get at the moment. It's evident that Redmagic tuned the tablet to deliver reliable framerates, and it excels at sustained gaming — no other Android tablet comes close. It held up particularly well in thermal stress tests, and while there was some heating, the liquid cooling system did an admirable job.
So if you're looking to play marathon gaming sessions on a tablet, this is the one to get. I'm using the 16GB/512GB edition of the tablet, and I'd suggest getting this model over the base 256GB variant; it's easy to run out of storage these days, and you need the additional headroom if you're planning on using it as a gaming tablet. The only feature missing is cellular connectivity; that was the case last year as well, and it's evident this isn't a priority.
Alongside the hardware, you get plenty of software tools to optimize your games. Game Space is an overlay that includes an fps counter, and it has a ton of settings that allow you to make the most out of any game. I also like the side-mounted USB-C port as it lets me connect video glasses — like the Rokid Max 2 — to the tablet. The Astra 2 gets USB-C Alt Mode, so you can easily connect it to an external monitor, TV, or smart glasses.
The software itself is pretty clean, and you get Android 16 out of the box. There isn't much in the way of overt styling (which is good to see), and the interface itself is fluid and optimized to take full advantage of the high-end internals. You get a decent amount of customizability as well, and there's the obligatory AI features, which are easy to ignore. There is a lot of bloatware, but it can be uninstalled with relative ease. Redmagic is doing a better job with updates, and while it guarantees five years of updates, it's unclear if that includes platform updates.
Battery life is reliable; the 8,300mAh battery is good enough for marathon gaming sessions or watching an entire TV series. And when you need to plug it in, the Astra 2 uses 75W charging and takes just over 50 minutes to charge fully. You don't get a charger in the box, so you will need to buy a USB PD charger if you don't have one.
The best part about the Astra 2 is the OLED panel, and Redmagic thankfully didn't change it this year. The smaller size of the tablet combined with the caliber of the hardware makes it a delightful choice for everyday use and intensive gaming, and if you need a new Android tablet, you'll love what the Astra 2 has to offer.
Google has officially confirmed that the 2026 Made by Google event will be held on August 12th in London, which means we're likely just weeks away from the launch of the Pixel 11 lineup.
While many folks can hardly wait for the new phones to drop, the arrival of a new generation has led some Android users to wonder if now is a good time to pick up last year's model, the Google Pixel 10.
While Pixel 10 deals have become more common in recent months, the answer may not be as cut-and-dry as you think. Should you buy the Pixel 10 today or wait for the new generation to launch? Let's discuss.
What we know
(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
The Google Pixel 11 lineup is expected to be announced on August 12th at 6pm EST during the 2026 Made by Google event. According to the latest rumors, the flagship lineup is going to include four phones: the base model Pixel 11, the Pixel 11 Pro, the Pixel 11 Pro XL, and the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold.
Unfortunately, Google hasn't been exempt from the memory shortage that has been impacting tech prices this year, which means most of the phones will be seeing a $100 price increase in 2026. Here are the new prices for each phone, according to the latest leaks and rumors:
Google Pixel 11: $899 / €999
Google Pixel 11 Pro: $1,099 / €1,199
Google Pixel 11 Pro XL: $1,299 / €1,399
Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold: $1,899/ €1,999
(Prices displayed are for the 256GB starting configuration. Google is reportedly ditching the 128GB of base storage this year.)
Those prices are pretty daunting in this day and age, and it doesn't help that the Pixel 11 series isn't expected to be a dramatic upgrade from its predecessor, according to the latest reports. You get the new Tensor G6 processor, yes, plus the rumored LED light array that is expected to border the phones' camera bar (which is admittedly quite cool).
Aside from that, however, the upgrades appear to be largely iterative, which returns us to our original questions: is it worth skipping the Google Pixel 11 and grabbing last year's Pixel 10 instead? If so, will the Google Pixel 10 get cheaper once the new generation launches, or should I buy it today?
Is the Google Pixel 10 about to get cheaper?
(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
While some Android phones do get permanent price drops when a new generation launches, it's just as likely that the Google Pixel 10 will be completely sold out by the time the 2026 phones hit store shelves next month. Think about it this way: when was the last time you saw a great deal on a Google Pixel 9 that wasn't refurbished?
This is because retailers generally try to make room for new devices prior to their launch, which means they will often discount last year's model right before its successor arrives. In other words, if you want to buy the Google Pixel 10, now is a good time to do it.
Fortunately, there are plenty of active Google Pixel 10 deals that could make the 2024 flagships dirt cheap (or even free) if you play your cards right. Stock is already running low, however, so don't wait too long if a particular offer catches your eye.
If you do miss these last-minute Pixel 10 offers, don't worry too much: the launch of the Google Pixel 11 series is sure to come with some incredible preorder deals in tow, and I'll be covering all of those promotions as they go live.
Whichever generation you choose, you can rest easy knowing you're getting a great Android phone with a sophisticated design, versatile cameras, and all of the latest AI-boosted software tricks straight out of the box.
Add a line with any of T-Mobile's standard unlimited plans and the carrier will give you enough promo credits to make the Google Pixel 10 completely free, no trade-in required. The Indigo variant is already out of stock, but there appear to be plenty of Obsidian phones still available. View Deal
Add a line with Verizon's Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, or Unlimited Ultimate plans and you'll get $1,000 in promo credits over 36 months. That's enough to make the powerful Google Pixel 10 Pro completely free! View Deal
Motorola debuted the Edge 70 Max overseas with a 6.8-inch Quad HD Plus (2K) display and a smooth glass back.
Bigger moves were made elsewhere, as the Edge 70 Max features a huge 7,100mAh battery and fully integrated Qi2.2 wireless charging.
The phone is available in India for ₹59,999 (~$622), and there's no word yet on a U.S. release.
Motorola is expanding its latest phone series overseas in 2026. Its Max model is walking an interesting line that's putting all eyes on Moto.
Motorola debuted the newest entry to its 70 series: the Edge 70 Max. The company states this phone delivers "strong performance and power" over previous iterations. Immediately, the Edge 70 Max features a 6.8-inch Quad HD Plus (2K) display. Motorola states it has included "Extreme AMOLED" tech, which helps produce "enhanced contrast so that blacks are truly black and colors pop..." With 7,000nits of peak brightness, the Moto Edge 70 Max boasts a smooth 144Hz refresh rate.
What catches our eyes about the Edge 70 Max more are the upgrades Motorola has given it. Its press release states the phone offers a huge 7,100mAh battery with 90W wired charging. A battery like this would keep users in the game longer; however, Motorola integrated 25W Qi2.2 wireless charging, too. What's more, Motorola has placed Qi2 magnets inside the phone, meaning users won't need anything extra (other than the charger) to charge wirelessly.
Let's be real, Samsung has yet to build Qi2 magnets into its Galaxy phones.
Elsewhere, the Moto Edge 70 Max delivers a 50MP main sensor that's been Pantone SkinTone validated. The company says this "assures the camera captures results representing the vast spectrum of human skin tones." An 8MP ultrawide plus macro lens and a 32MP selfie lens round out its camera.
The design of the Edge 70 Max's back panel also leaps forward. The phone features an all-glass back, bringing about a cleaner (and slipperier) experience.
Max means power
MotorolaMotorola
On the power front, the Moto Edge 70 Max is equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 SoC. While this is a one-year-old chip, Qualcomm designed it to bring flagship-quality power to affordable phones. The chip targeted users who want to game on affordable devices, while also bringing AI and device performance up to par. The SD 8 Gen 5 is built on a 3nm process with Qualcomm's strong Oryon CPU cores.
Motorola says this chipset facilitates a 36% boost in CPU performance, an 11% increase for its GPU, and a 46% boost in NPU (AI-related performance). The phone offers 8GB and 12GB of RAM paired with 256GB of internal storage.
GSMArena spotted that the Moto Edge 70 Max has been announced for India. It seems like this is the only market to have received this announcement. The phone will be available on July 20 for ₹59,999 (~$622), and consumers can grab the phone in Dark Shadow, Aqua Gray, and Ice Melt. There's no word yet about a U.S. launch.
Android Central's Take
I need to remind everyone of something: in the U.S., in Q1 2026, Motorola was the only phone maker that made serious headway in a struggling market. Motorola jumped 18%, and I think it's because the company's been making some incredible moves. I saw comments from my colleagues Derrek Lee and Nicholas Sutrich when the Edge 70 Max debuted. I completely agree with them: this is interesting, especially coming from Motorola. Its foldables are already interesting to me, now a phone has caught my attention for the first time in a while.
The IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook has a 360-degree rotating hinge and a Full HD touchscreen, making it easy to use in multiple configurations, including as a standard laptop. The device also lets users flip the hinge all the way to lay it flat like a tablet, or to stand it upright for use in a tent-like shape.
Buyers like this model for its utility, and it's a little cheaper than the upgraded 5i model, which is one of the best Chromebooks for students on the market, in our opinion. All that to say, $350 for a 2-in-1 Chromebook is a pretty decent price, as long as you don't mind having a slightly bulky device with large bezels.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3i is a solid 2-in-1 laptop option, especially at just $350. Normally priced at $580, this model is a durable, 12-inch tablet and laptop device with a 360-degree hinge, making it a competitive pick at Amazon's current discount level.View Deal
✅Recommended if: you need a durable 2-in-1 Chromebook with a responsive touchscreen, and a 360-degree rotating hinge; you like having a device with a long-lasting battery that you know will last through marathon use sessions; you prefer a user-friendly netbook-style operating system, or you've liked other Chrome OS devices you've owned in the past.
❌Skip this deal if: you're looking for a laptop with a sleek, lightweight design that's easy to transport and looks super modern; you need a device with industry-leading performance speeds; you don't need a 2-in-1 laptop and would rather go with a more traditional tablet or computer.
Lenovo says the 3i Flex Chromebook will get users up to 10 hours of battery life per charge, and it also comes with 128GB of storage, a microSD card reader for added storage, an HDMI port, two USB-C ports, and a USB-A port. The display measures 12.2 inches and features an IPS touchscreen, along with a front-facing, 720p camera.
It's backed by the cloud-based Chrome OS, and while performance isn't flawless, it's still plenty quick for most casual users, students, and professionals in need of a touchscreen laptop.
The Google Pixel 10 series includes three flagship phones — the base model Pixel 10, the Pixel 10 Pro, and the large Pixel 10 Pro XL. Regardless of which device you choose, there are plenty of deals that could make these AI-boosted Android phones dirt cheap (or even free) if you play your cards right, and I've dropped a selection of this month's best offers below.
The deals on display for July 2026 range from simple no-strings discounts to incredible trade-in opportunities and carrier promotions. Didn't find anything today? Check back later to see what's new: with the launch of the Pixel 11 lineup just around the corner, deals on last year's model are certain to get even more impressive in the coming weeks. So what are we waiting for? Let's jump right in.
New Mint Mobile deal alert! Purchase the Google Pixel 10 alongside one year of the Unlimited plan and the carrier will give you $650 off the phone AND 50% off the wireless. That's a full year of T-Mobile-powered talk, text, and data with a powerful flagship phone for a single payment of just $329.View Deal
Add a line with "most plans" at T-Mobile and you'll get enough promo credits to make the base model Google Pixel 10 completely free! Eligible data plans range from T-Mo's budget Better Value plan to the comprehensive Experience Beyond plan. View Deal
Buy the 128GB Pixel 10 unlocked from Amazon and you'll score a straight $200 off your purchase, no strings attached. You can also score up to $590 of additional credit (in the form of an Amazon gift card) when you trade in an old or broken phone. View Deal
Add a line with any unlimited plan at AT&T and the carrier will drop the price of the Google Pixel 10 down to just $10.99 per month, no trade-in required!View Deal
Add a line with Boost Mobile's Unlimited Premium plan and the popular MVNO carrier will give you $500 off the Google Pixel 10, no trade-in requiredView Deal
Add a line with the Experience Beyond plan and T-Mobile will give you $999 in promo credits over 24 months, making the powerful Google Pixel 10 Pro completely free. If you don't need all of the bells and whistles included in the Experience Beyond plan, you can also add a line with most plans to score $800 off the phone. View Deal
Add a line with Verizon's Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, or Unlimited Ultimate plan and you'll get enough promo credits to make the excellent Pixel 10 Pro completely free. There's also some trade-in credit up for grabs if you'd rather go that route. View Deal
Buy the Google Pixel 10 Pro (128GB) from Amazon today and you'll receive a straight 30% off your purchase. Just keep in mind that this discount is only available for the Obsidian variant of the phone. View Deal
Add a line with an eligible unlimited plan and AT&T will give you a free Pixel 10 Pro when you trade in ANY Google phone, regardless of age or condition. View Deal
Add a line with the Unlimited Plan and Boost Mobile will carve $600 off the price of the Google Pixel 10 Pro, knocking the phone down to just $399.99 (plus the price of the wireless).View Deal
Similar to the other deals on this list, you can score $1,000 off the Pixel 10 Pro XL when you add a line with the Experience Beyond plan on T-Mobile's site. Alternatively, you can save $800 with most plans through the carrier.View Deal
Add a line with Verizon's comprehensive Unlimited Ultimate plan and you'll get $1,019.99 in promo credits over 36 months, knocking the price of the Pixel 10 Pro XL down to just $5 per month. View Deal
Buy the super-sized Pixel 10 Pro XL from Amazon and you'll score a straight $250 off your purchase, depending on the color and storage configuration. According to the retailer, stock appears to be low, so don't wait too long if you're interested.View Deal
Add a line with an eligible unlimited plan and AT&T will give you up to $1,249.99 in promo credits when you send in an old or broken device on the carrier's website. View Deal
Just like Amazon, Best Buy is shaving a nice $250 off the unlocked Google Pixel 10 Pro XL for a limited time, knocking the price of the 256GB phone down to $949. View Deal
New and existing Boost Mobile customers who add line with the Unlimited Premium plan will get $700 off the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL, no trade-in required. View Deal
FAQ
(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
When does the Google Pixel 11 come out?
Although we don't know much for certain, recent leaks and rumors about the Google Pixel 11 series have left very little to the imagination. That said, Google has officially announced that the next Made by Google event will be held on August 12th at 6pm EST, which means we're likely to get our first look at the Pixel 11 lineup on that date.
How much does the Google Pixel 10 cost?
The Google Pixel 10 starts at $799 for the 128GB version, while the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL start at $999 (128GB) and $1,199 (256GB), respectively. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the base model Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro both kept the same starting price as their Pixel 9 counterparts, which feels somewhat unusual in a time of widespread price increases on tech. The Pixel 10 Pro XL, on the other hand, did receive a $100 price hike while removing the 128GB storage option.
If you want something affordable, it's also worth mentioning that the Google Pixel 10a is an option for budget-minded consumers, retailing for just $499. There's also the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, which is a premium foldable phone that starts at a hefty $1,799.
Which Google Pixel 10 should I buy?
It depends on what you're looking for in a smartphone. All three devices in the flagship lineup will give you ultra-efficient performance with powerful cameras and a bunch of fun AI features, but that doesn't mean that all three of the devices are made equal.
Starting at $799, the Google Pixel 10 will give you the perfect entry-level experience, with a 6.3-inch OLED display, 12GB of RAM, and a long-lasting 4,970mAh battery. If you need a bit more power, you can upgrade to the Pixel 10 Pro and receive 16GB of RAM, better camera tech, and up to 1TB of storage. The Pixel 10 Pro XL is very similar to the standard Pixel 10 Pro, you just get a larger 6.8-inch Super Actua OLED display with a considerable boost in battery size.
No matter which Google Pixel 10 model you choose, all three devices boast the Tensor G5 chipset with a ton of AI-boosted software features and seven years of software support guaranteed. Check the table below for some more granular info on the flagship series.
Most DACs largely look the same and don't really stand out in anything other than their tonal characteristics. That's why I enjoy using the Fiio K17 and K19; these DACs don't look like a regular black box, and the styling makes them look great on a desk.
The Muse 300 is now aiming to do the same, but this desktop DAC is taking things to a new level: it has a 5-inch panel, three distinct sound modes, a built-in OS, and a unique UI. Muse HiFi is a recent entrant in this category, and the brand has released six DACs until now. The Muse 300 is its most ambitious effort yet, and it's now being crowdsourced for $379, a $60 discount from its eventual retail price of $439.
Obviously, design plays a big part here, so let's start there. The Muse 300 is a sizeable chunk of metal, and there's nothing subtle about the angular design — it's meant to stand out. It doesn't look like a DAC at all, and that's because you just have the 5-inch panel and a control knob up front; the 6.3mm and 4.4mm connectors are located to the right. I prefer this design as it lets me plug in a headset and not have the cable jutting out the front, and it looks cleaner on my desk.
The control wheel has built-in lighting, and it has excellent tactility. Honestly, the design and build quality make the Muse 300 feel like a high-end DAC, and it holds its own against the likes of the K19, which costs four times as much.
A big selling point for the Muse 300 is the OS, and it enables three distinct audio modes: Balanced, Tube Amplifier, and ACG. The Balanced mode has a neutral soundstage — similar to most DACs — and the Tube Amplifier mode switches to a warm profile that's great for casual listening. The ACG is a unique addition that leads to a bright sound with fast transients, and it's the one I'd suggest if you're gaming.
What's unique about the Muse 300 is that it has dedicated physical circuits with each mode instead of just relying on EQ, and it makes a noticeable difference. I tested the DAC with the Meze 99 Classics v2, Audeze LCD-S20, and the MM-500.
The Balanced mode is the one I used for analytical testing, and the Muse 300 proved its worth by delivering a clean sound with great dynamics. It allowed the MM-500 to shine, but it's the Tube Amplifier that I enjoyed using the most — it just has a warmth and liveliness to the sound that just makes listening to music that much more enjoyable, and it made me want to get a dedicated tube amp. You don't quite get the same amount of definition in this mode, but it is the one that I enjoyed using the most.
The Muse 300 features ESS' ES9039 Ultra DAC chip alongside a Qualcomm QCC3095 Bluetooth 5.4 modem. It does 32-bit/384kHz PCM decoding alongside DSD256, has a 129dB SNR and low distortion of 0.0006% THD+N.
The built-in amp delivers 1.1W of power at 32 ohms via 6.3mm, and 2.2W of power at 32 ohms over the balanced 4.4mm connector. There's good connectivity at the rear, with the DAC offering USB, Bluetooth, optical, and coaxial, in addition to XLR and RCA line out. The only annoyance is that the Muse 300 uses USB-B instead of a standard USB-C port. You'll need an external 12V/5A power brick to drive the DAC, and it's bundled in the box.
The 5-inch IPS panel has a resolution of 854 x 480, and it's driven by Muse OS. The OS lives on a 32-bit MCU, and is designed exclusively for audio playback and user interface. There's a lot to like in the UI, and while it is barebones, it doesn't have any lag, and you get all the usual settings. It doesn't have any additional features — like the ability to install apps — so you will need to use one of the inputs to play music.
After a month of use, the Muse 300 proved to be a revelation. It has the design and build quality of a high-end DAC, and it's clear that Muse HiFi paid a lot of attention to the tuning of the sound with each mode. The idea of Muse OS is interesting in its own right, and I want to see how it evolves over the years. The DAC has enough power to drive demanding headsets, and on the whole, it's a great all-round choice in the sub-$500 category — I didn't think I would enjoy using the DAC as much as I did.
