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 iPhone 18 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra being held in the hand

iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: which should you choose?

By James Rogerson

We compare the key specs and features of the iPhone 18 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra to help you decide which is right for you.

Side-by-side sunset photos taken on the iPhone 18 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

I compared the iPhone 18 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra cameras in Hawaii — and both phones showed their true colors

By Axel Metz

I tested the cameras on the iPhone 18 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra in Hawaii, and was surprised by their radically different approaches to color.

4 Comments

The Xiaomi 18 Pro being held in the hand

I got hands-on with the Xiaomi 18 Pro — it looks like an iPhone 18 Pro, but with an extra screen and a potentially Samsung-beating Privacy Display

By Axel Metz

At Snapdragon Summit 2026, I got a closer look at the dual-screen Xiaomi 18 Pro.

The Bose Ultra Open earbuds alongside key art for the Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2

‘This isn’t about putting a chatbot in your ear’: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 platform will use AI to make your next earbuds sound better than ever — and its use in ‘camera buds’ won’t be far behind

By Axel Metz

The new Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 chipset could herald the age of camera-equipped earbuds, but Qualcomm promises ‘this isn’t about putting a chatbot in your ear’.

The Motorola Signature 27 on a yellow background

The Motorola Signature 27 is ‘the most advanced smartphone Motorola has ever created’ — and it’s powered by the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipset

By Axel Metz

Motorola has announced its most powerful phone ever, the Signature 27, at Snapdragon Summit 2026.

Qualcomm unveils the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 for next-gen Android phones — here’s how (and why) the two chipsets differ, and which phones will be supported

By Axel Metz

We explain how Qualcomm’s two new flagship chipsets differ and which upcoming Android phones might use them.

I spoke to Apple’s new VP of Hardware Engineering about why he's ‘especially proud’ of the iPhone Duo’s hinge durability and the reliability of Ceramic Shield 2: ‘When I see someone put a screen protector on their iPhone, it makes my skin crawl’

By Axel Metz

Ahead of the iPhone 18 Pro's official launch, we sat down with Apple’s new VP of Hardware Engineering, Tom Marieb, to discuss the durability credentials of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo.

2 Comments

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

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

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

By Roland Moore-Colyer

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.

The Siri AI bubble displayed on an iPhone 17 Pro screen

Which iPhones support iOS 27 and Siri AI? Apple's complex compatibility list explained

By Axel Metz

iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and Siri AI are available now — here's which devices are supported by each software package.

Link and Epona next to a Beam Ultra soundbar and iPhone 18 Pro.

ICYMI: the 7 biggest tech stories of the week, from Apple's iPhone Duo debut to Sonos' best compact speaker yet

By Hamish Hector

We're looking back over the last week to pick out the most important stories published on TechRadar.

The iPhone 18 Pro alongside the iPhone Duo on a yellow background

Thinking of buying an iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone Duo for a lower price overseas? Here are 5 things to consider before you do — and why I'd still recommend buying locally

By Axel Metz

Before you buy the iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone Duo for a lower price overseas, there are several things you should be aware of.

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

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

Apple Event 2026 recap — foldable iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, AirPods 5, Watch Ultra 4, and more

By Axel Metz

Apple's ‘Surprise and Shine’ event saw the foldable iPhone Duo, the iPhone 18 Pro, new AirPods, and more unveiled.

The Xiaomi 18 Fold being held in the hand

We tried Xiaomi’s thunder-stealing iPhone Ultra rival — here’s what the Xiaomi 18 Fold could tell us about Apple’s rumored foldable

By Axel Metz

The Xiaomi 18 Fold is the latest in a growing line of shorter, wider foldables — here are our first impressions of the device.

The best Android tablets 2026: top laptop replacements and affordable all-rounders

By Axel Metz

Updated We've selected the best Android tablets for work, play, and more, based on our extensive hands-on experience.

The Poco F9 Ultra being held in the hand on a yellow background

‘Having the latest chipset will cost a lot more’: Poco gets real about the ‘pressure’ of rising memory costs as it launches the F9 Ultra with an unchanged chipset

By Axel Metz

In a briefing for the Poco F9 Ultra, Xiaomi sub-brand Poco explained why its new flagship phone doesn’t come with a chipset upgrade.

I’ve spent a month with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, and this video-friendly phone has turned me into a foldable believer

By Axel Metz

It's the one-month anniversary of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 — here are my thoughts on the device so far.

The Honor Robot phone being held in the hand

‘We don't even know all the use cases yet’: Honor and ARRI explain why the Robot Phone's ‘extremely high’ processing power makes it such a ‘revolutionary’ device

By Axel Metz

In an interview with TechRadar, Honor explained why it developed a custom imaging chip to sit alongside the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in the Robot Phone.

I spent two hours with the Honor Robot Phone, and this ridiculous, remarkable device made me feel like a kid again

By Axel Metz

TechRadar got hands-on with the Honor Robot Phone in China — here are our first impressions of this weird and wonderful device.

ICYMI split image of Bose headphones, the GTA VI box art and Kojima holding a CD-player

ICYMI: here's the week's 7 biggest tech news stories from our Z Fold 8 Ultra review to GTA 6's Netflix partnership

By Hamish Hector

The week's biggest tech news stories from Samsung, Google, GTA, Netflix and more for August 7, 2026.

‘A football playground built for you and your friends’: The Grounds in FC 27 is EA’s answer to NBA 2K’s The City — and it could be just what the franchise needs

By Axel Metz

EA Sports has officially confirmed its new open-world mode, The Grounds, in FC 27.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra screen comparison

Samsung claims the Galaxy Z Fold 8's wider shape is ‘the new standard for viewing content’ — but is it really better than the Z Fold 8 Ultra? I tested Netflix, YouTube, and Instagram on both phones to find out

By Axel Metz

I compared the video-watching experience on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra to find out which is best.

6 Comments

The iPhone 7 and iPhone Air being held in the hand, next to a man's face

How far has iPhone photography come in 10 years? I compared the iPhone 7 and iPhone Air — and the results speak for themselves

By Axel Metz

I took the iPhone 7 and iPhone Air on a photo walk to see how far Apple's photography hardware has come in 10 years.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 on a wooden table

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra vs Galaxy Z Fold 8: which foldable should you choose?

By James Rogerson

Does the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra live up to its name, or is the smaller model a better choice? We highlight their key differences.

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