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

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.

3 Comments
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.

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 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.

The Motorola Edge 60 Fusion on a red backround
The best Motorola phones: top Edge, Razr, and G models

By Axel Metz last updated

Updated Our roundup of the best Motorola phones features models for every budget and use case.

The iPhone Air lying on a stone surface
‘Apple will grit its teeth and push through’ — new report suggests the iPhone Air 2 isn’t dead, and I sincerely hope it’s true

By Axel Metz Published

Apple will reportedly release the iPhone Air 2 ‘no matter how badly it sells,' and while I don't necessarily believe it, I hope it's true.

3 Comments
A man in the Atacama Desert staring into the night sky
I went stargazing in the Atacama Desert and used a hidden iOS 26 feature to capture the night sky — here’s how to take similar photos on your iPhone

By Axel Metz Published

iOS 26 features a hidden boost for your iPhone’s Night Mode, so I went to the Atacama Desert to try it out — here are the results.

2 Comments
Tim Cook presenting at a recent Apple launch
‘You can’t spread your energy like peanut butter’: Tim Cook shares rare insight into Apple’s ‘ruthless’ approach to new ideas — and it says a lot about what to expect (or not) from the company moving forward

By Axel Metz Published

In a new interview, Tim Cook shared a rare insight into the way he deals with new ideas at Apple.

Samsung Galaxy A57
I spent a morning with the Samsung Galaxy A57, and I'll be amazed if this isn't one of the best cheap phones of 2026

By Axel Metz Published

The Galaxy A57 is the latest entry in Samsung's increasingly impressive mid-range lineup – here are my first impressions of the new device.

The Scapade AirPack on a man in the desert
I took this Find My-enabled backpack to 7 different countries, and I’ll never go back to tech-free travel gear

By Axel Metz Published

The Scapade AirPack is a Find My-enabled backpack for tech-loving travelers — here's how it fared on a real-world adventure.

A man holding the iPhone Air in landscape
iPhone Air at 6 months — here’s what I love, what I hate, and why it’s ‘the most conflicted I’ve ever been about a phone’

By Axel Metz Published

Apple's iPhone Air has been out for six months — here's everything I've come to love and hate about the device in that time.

4 Comments
The iPhone 17 Pro in the Selfix selfie case
This wild iPhone 17 Pro case features a touchscreen for 48MP selfies

By Axel Metz Published

The latest offering from Kickstarter case brand Dockcase is an iPhone 17 Pro case with a rear touchscreen.

Liquid Glass interface on an orange background
Liquid Glass ‘isn’t going anywhere’ in iOS 27 — but there’s good news for its readability

By Axel Metz Published

Apple will reportedly focus on performance and stability in iOS 27, but Liquid Glass could get an important customization tweak.

The MacBook Neo and iPhone 17e
I love the MacBook Neo and its wild colors — but Apple missed a big trick with the iPhone 17e

By Axel Metz Published

Apple ripped up the budget rulebook with the MacBook Neo, but I think it missed a trick in the color department.

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