One of the biggest battery drainers for any smartphone is the always-on display. Companies regularly tell you that this display setting only drains about 1% to 2% an hour, but let's be honest -- it's always way more. It may be nice to glance at your phone while it sits on a table to check the time, but it's probably not worth sacrificing battery life.
With numerous Google Pixel models available, you may be wondering if now is the best time to upgrade and switch to a new phone. Perhaps a better question to ask is how you can optimize your current device to make it last longer. Like any Pixel phone, the best features often aren't enabled by default. I've tested generations of Google Pixel phones, and to achieve the best user experience, you almost always have to do some digging and research.
While the Galaxy S26 lineup that's about to launch next month is rumored to be feature Exynos and Qualcomm chips earlier reports suggested Samsung might be ready to move to its own silicon for the following generation. Now however prominent Weibo tipster Digital Chat Station claims the Galaxy S27 Ultra will maintain the current tradition of running only a Snapdragon chipset.
Thanks to the way Google's for years now been deconstructing Android and pulling OS-level pieces out of the operating system itself - so they exist as regular ol' apps and can consequently be updated quickly, frequently, and in a way that reaches everyone instantly, regardless of what phone or carrier they're using - even Android phones from eight years ago get updates numerous times a year that are all virtually equivalent to an entire iOS operating system rollout.