Articles by 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

The Nothing Phone (4a) Pro, Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, and Google Pixel 10a

I’ve tested almost every phone released this year — here are my 5 favorite models of 2026 so far, including a top pick that isn't made by Samsung or Apple

By Axel Metz Published 5 July 26

We're halfway through 2026, so I've rounded up my favorite phones of the year so far.

The top of a Dyson HushJet Mini Cool fan next to a hand holding the Oppo Find X9 Ultra, next to two hands holding a Sony A7R VI

The best tech of 2026 so far — the 21 finest gadgets we've tested this year

By Mark Wilson Published 4 July 26

TechRadar has spent days testing 639 products across phones, TVs, laptops, cameras, smartwatches and more in 2026. These are the best ones we've reviewed so far this year.

2 Comments

A photo of a man on a bench edited with Clean Up in iOS 27

I tried Clean Up in the iOS 27 developer beta, and Apple's AI-powered image editing tool is finally worth using — but there's a big caveat

By Axel Metz Published 3 July 26

I put an early version of Clean Up in iOS 27 to the test against its iOS 26 equivalent, and the results surprised me.

The Apple iPad 11-inch (2025) on a green background

The best cheap tablets: top picks from Apple, Amazon and more, for people on a budget

By Axel Metz Last updated 2 July 26

Updated Our expert guide on the best cheap tablets features affordable models from Apple, OnePlus, Amazon and more, which you can buy today.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max on a blue background

The best iPhone: we've tried and tested all the Apple smartphones

By Roland Moore-Colyer Last updated 1 July 26

Updated We've tested and ranked the best iPhones, from the supersized iPhone 17 Pro Max to the budget-friendly iPhone 16e.

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 23 June 26

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.

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 20 June 26

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 20 June 26

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

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

By Axel Metz Published 18 June 26

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.

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 16 June 26

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

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 10 June 26

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

3 Comments

Apple WWDC 2026 as it happened: Siri AI, iOS 27, macOS Golden Gate, and everything announced at Apple Park

By Axel Metz Last updated 8 June 26

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

2 Comments

iOS 27 and Siri AI compatibility explained — confirmed device requirements for Apple's new software updates

By Axel Metz Published 8 June 26

Apple has confirmed the iPhones and iPads that will support iOS 27, Siri AI, and iPadOS 27.

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 8 June 26

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

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 5 June 26

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 3 June 26

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 2 June 26

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.

3 Comments

‘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 30 May 26

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

The best iPad: we've tried and tested top Apple tablets you can get right now

By Roland Moore-Colyer Last updated 29 May 26

Updated We've tested and ranked the best iPads that you can buy today, from the big-screened iPad Pro to the college-friendly iPad Air.

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 28 May 26

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 23 May 26

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 16 May 26

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

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 15 May 26

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 12 May 26

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

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 6 May 26

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.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
View Archive

Axel Metz

Useful links