Axel Metz

Axel Metz

Phones Editor

Axel is TechRadar's Phones Editor, reporting on everything from the latest Apple developments to newest AI breakthroughs as part of the site's Mobile Computing vertical. Working out of the brand’s London office, he is a versatile, NCTJ-accredited journalist with a keen interest in the applications of technology beyond the desktop, and has bylines in various publications including Total Film, ShortList, Esquire, and FourFourTwo.

After graduating from the University of Warwick with a degree in English Literature, Axel spent time as a freelance writer before joining TechRadar as part of its inaugural digital training scheme. His role sees him keeping a close eye on the latest trends in the worlds of mobile technology and digital culture, and his coverage extends from news reporting and analysis to in-depth interviews and opinion.

Away from the keyboard, Axel can be found working his way through a lengthy watchlist of films and counting down the days until Chelsea's next managerial change. Want to get in touch? You can contact Axel over email (linked above) or through Twitter.

Articles by: Axel Metz

Man holding the iPhone Air in portrait
I'm not joking: the iPhone Air is the best-value phone purchase you can make this Prime Day — for two very different reasons

By Axel Metz Published

If it’s on sale, there are two big reasons why the iPhone Air is the best-value phone purchase you can make this Prime Day.

A child using an orange iPhone 17 Pro
Apple’s new Child Safety features ‘don't get to where the harm is happening,’ online safety expert says — pushing responsibility to iPhone app developers poses a ‘huge risk’ to kids despite ‘genuine progress’

By Axel Metz Published

We spoke to SafeToNet CEO Richard Pursey about where Big Tech companies like Apple are still falling short when it comes to child safety.

Sonos speakers, Tim Cook, and the new Commodore flip phone
ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech news stories, from Commodore flip-phone nostalgia to Tim Cook's Apple price-hike warning

By Hamish Hector Published

The week's 7 biggest tech news stories, featuring Commodore, Apple, Microsoft and more, for June 20, 2026.

The iPhone Air being held in the hand
Apple just future-proofed the iPhone Air in a way that only the iPhone 17 Pro can match

By Axel Metz Published

At WWDC 2026, Apple gave us one more reason to buy the iPhone Air — and it’s got nothing to do with design or price.

The Mobile Service interface in iOS 26
Do you pay for more mobile data than you actually use? The reason is psychological, says mobile data expert — here’s how to check your own data usage on iPhone or Android, and save money in the process

By Axel Metz Published

We speak to an expert about why underusing your mobile data allowance is often ‘psychological’ and how to save money on your monthly plan.

The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air being held in-between the AFM Core Advanced logo
Only 3 iPhones can access the best version of Siri AI — here’s which features are exclusive to Apple's 'most powerful on-device model', AFM Core Advanced, and whether you should care about them

By Axel Metz Published

We explain which iPhones can access the best version of Siri AI and the significance of Apple's AFM Core Advanced model.

3 Comments
Tim Cook waving alongside an image of the WWDC 2026 logo
Apple WWDC 2026 as it happened: Siri AI, iOS 27, macOS Golden Gate, and everything announced at Apple Park

By Axel Metz last updated

The opening keynote to WWDC 2026 has been and gone — here's a roundup of the key announcements.

2 Comments
Google CEO alongside the Google I/O logo alongside a man in smart glasses
Google I/O 2026 as it happened — Gemini Spark, Samsung XR glasses, and everything else announced at Google's giant software showcase

By Axel Metz last updated

Google I/O 2026 kicked off with a jam-packed opening keynote — here are all the key announcements.

Fairphone CEO Raymond van Eck
Exclusive: Fairphone CEO teases ‘two new products’ that will ‘really push the envelope’ for sustainable tech — could we be about to see the first Fairtablet?

By Axel Metz Published

Fairphone CEO Raymond van Eck has teased ‘two new products’ in an exclusive statement to TechRadar, one of which will likely be a new smartphone.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 alongside a silhouette of the rumored iPhone Ultra
‘We are welcoming others to join this category, which we created’: Samsung has already told us how it feels about the rumored iPhone Ultra — and the Galaxy Z Fold-maker clearly doesn’t fear Apple’s long-awaited foldable debut

By Axel Metz Published

In an interview with Bloomberg, Samsung's head of mobile shared his thoughts on Apple's imminent entry into the foldable market.

2 Comments
A selection of the best phones in a cardboard box
I tested 7 top flagship phones from Apple, Samsung, Google, and more — here's which models I recommend for every type of user

By Axel Metz Published

All of the biggest tech brands have released their flagship phones for the 2025/26 season — here are our favorites for every type of user.

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The Gemini logo next to a Leica camera being held in the hand
‘Most likely, you won’t see it on a Leica M camera’: Leica hints that generative AI tools like Gemini Omni are at odds with its photography heritage, but says they ‘make perfect sense’ for phones like the Xiaomi 17T Pro

By Axel Metz Published

At a roundtable attended by TechRadar, Leica shared its thoughts on the relationship between photography and generative AI.

A red flower alongside the Xiaomi 17T Pro
‘Nothing in its class comes close’: the Xiaomi 17T Pro is being called ‘the telephoto master’, but how does its 5x zoom perform in reality? I took over 500 photos to find out

By Axel Metz Published

The Xiaomi 17T Pro has launched with a Leica-tuned 5x telephoto camera, and I went to Vienna to put this zoom lens to the test.

Edward Kenway leaping next to the Sony Collexion headphones and the WWDC 2026 invite.
ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech news stories from Google's Search overhaul to Sony's priciest wireless headphones ever

By Hamish Hector Published

The week's top stories from Apple, Sony, Ubisoft, Nvidia and more for May 23, 2026.

The Android robot next to an iPhone and Insta360 GO 3S Retro
ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from Android 17's showcase to Claude cracking a $400,000 crypto wallet

By Hamish Hector Published

The week's 7 biggest tech stories from Android, Apple, Insta360 and more.

The iPhone 17 with a red x through it
iPhone 18 rumored release schedule explained — why there (probably) won’t be an iPhone 18 this year, and when to expect the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone Air 2, and more

By Axel Metz Published

Apple is reportedly planning to split its iPhone 18 lineup into two separate launch events — here's why that makes sense.

The Create My Widget Android interface on a yellow background
Google’s new Create My Widget tool is ‘the first step in generative UI’ — and as an iPhone user, I’m not sure how iOS 27 can compete with Android 17

By Axel Metz Published

Google has announced a swath of new Android 17 features, one of which is an AI-powered widget builder.

The SKG G7 Pro Fold neck massager being held in the hand
This foldable, futuristic neck massager will heat your aching muscles and talk to you while it does so — yes, really

By Axel Metz Published

If you're prone to neck pain, the SKG G7 Pro Fold massager could be for you.

A woman using the reMarkable Paper Pure tablet
‘Paper slows us down; it gives us room to think like humans’: reMarkable’s R&D team on ‘protecting the human advantage’ in the workplace and why now is the right time for its affordable Paper Pure tablet

By Axel Metz Published

We speak to reMarkable’s R&D team about its new affordable tablet, the reMarkable Paper Pure, and its place in the increasingly AI-driven workplace.

The iPhone Air being held in the hand
Can we please talk about the iPhone Air's controversial Light Gold color?

By Axel Metz Published

Some iPhone Air owners are complaining about the subtlety of Apple's new Light Gold color — and I can understand their frustration.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra camera
Samsung Galaxy users reminded to check that their flashlights ‘aren't left on unintentionally’ following viral TikTok video

By Axel Metz Published

The LED flash module in Samsung's Galaxy phones is so strong, TikTokers have discovered that it can burn holes through thin plastic.

The iPhone 17 Pro alongside the Honor 600 Pro, both being held in the hand
Honor knows its new 600 Pro has ‘familiar premium aesthetics’ — but it beats the iPhone 17 Pro in two key ways

By Axel Metz Published

The Honor 600 Pro’s design inspirations are obvious, but this new mid-ranger takes on the competition with aplomb.

A production line worker handling a partially-built smartphone in their hand
Fairphone CEO says there is ‘no financial excuse’ for smartphone manufacturers to pay their workers less than a living wage, as the sustainable electronics manufacturer shares its 2025 Impact Report

By Axel Metz Published

We spoke with Fairphone executive Monique Lempers about the need for fairer labor standards in the smartphone industry.

The Honor Magic V5 on a pink background
Best Honor phones: the top Honor handsets you should consider

By Axel Metz last updated

Updated Our roundup of the best Honor phones includes models for every budget, from the Honor Magic V5 to the Honor 400 Lite.

The iPhone 17 Pro being held in the hand next to the iPhone Air
iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone Air: a choice between head and heart

By Axel Metz Published

I've spent months testing the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air — here's which one you should buy.

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