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

Can we please talk about the iPhone Air's controversial Light Gold color?

By Axel Metz published 28 April 26

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

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

By Axel Metz published 27 April 26

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

The OnePlus 15 being held in the hand on a red background

Best OnePlus phones: the top flagship, budget, and foldable models ranked

By Axel Metz last updated 23 April 26

Updated Our ranking of the best OnePlus phones includes the OnePlus 15, OnePlus Nord 5, and OnePlus Open.

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 22 April 26

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 22 April 26

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

Best Honor phones: the top Honor handsets you should consider

By Axel Metz last updated 20 April 26

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 20 April 26

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 14 April 26

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

Best Xiaomi phones: top Xiaomi, Poco mobiles tried and tested

By Roland Moore-Colyer last updated 10 April 26

Updated Our roundup of the best Xiaomi phones features models for every budget, from the Xiaomi 17 to the Poco X8 Pro Max.

‘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 10 April 26

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 8 April 26

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

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 8 April 26

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

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

By Roland Moore-Colyer last updated 2 April 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.

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 2 April 26

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

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 25 March 26

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 21 March 26

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 19 March 26

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 17 March 26

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 16 March 26

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

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

By Axel Metz published 13 March 26

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

A pink iPhone 17e next to a green iPhone 17

iPhone 17e vs iPhone 17: which entry-level Apple phone is best for you?

By Axel Metz published 10 March 26

The iPhone 17e and iPhone 17 both offer impressive value for money, but they're intended for different types of users.

Foldable iPhone: latest rumors, news and everything we know so far

By Axel Metz last updated 6 January 26

Updated It may be some time before we see a foldable iPhone from Apple, but here's all we've heard about what might come.

CES 2025 live: all the latest news from the world's biggest tech show

By Mark Wilson last updated 5 January 26

CES 2025 is now well underway and we're live at the show – here's all of the latest tech news.

Composite image; Samsung Galaxy S25, iPhone 17, and Google Pixel 10

Bigger batteries, better AI, and more: here’s what the TechRadar team wants to see from smartphones in 2026

By Jamie Richards published 29 December 25

Here’s what our resident tech-heads are hoping for in the world of smartphones next year.

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