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

I’ve played EA Sports FC 26, and I’m ashamed to say it’s not the gameplay that’s got me excited

By Axel Metz published 16 August 25

It's an uncomfortable truth that the appeal of annual sports games doesn't come from their gameplay changes.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro next to the Pixel 10 Pro

The Google Pixel 9 Pro was our Phone of the Year in 2024, but I can't see the Pixel 10 Pro repeating the feat in 2025 – here’s why

By Axel Metz published 12 August 25

Google's 2024 flagship has raised the expectation bar for its imminent successor, the Google Pixel 10 Pro.

An official image of a phone believed to be the Pixel 10 Pro

I'm a serial iPhone buyer, but the Google Pixel 10 Pro in Moonstone will test my loyalty to Apple

By Axel Metz published 11 August 25

Google's Pixel 10 Pro design is tempting me away from the iPhone 17 Pro.

Best Xiaomi phones 2025: top Xiaomi, Poco, and Redmi devices ranked

By Axel Metz last updated 7 August 25

Updated Our roundup of the best Xiaomi phones features models for every budget, from the Xiaomi 15 Ultra to the Xiaomi Poco X7 Pro.

Huawei’s new MatePad has got me thinking: where are all the good cheap tablets?

By Axel Metz published 31 July 25

Huawei has teased its new MatePad 11.5 tablet, and it's got me thinking about the state of affordable tablets in 2025.

This human skin-like phone case is the most disgusting accessory I’ve ever seen – but it comes with an important message

By Axel Metz published 26 July 25

O2 has teamed up with The British Skin Foundation on the Skincase, a phone case that's designed to look, feel, and react to the sun like human skin.

In EA Sports FC 26, EA is finally addressing my biggest FC gameplay gripe

By Axel Metz published 22 July 25

EA Sports has shared its first gameplay deep-dive into FC 26, and it spotlights an entirely new gameplay preset.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 next to the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7

9 things we learned from Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked July 2025 event

By Mark Wilson published 9 July 25

Samsung's second Galaxy Unpacked of 2025 event is over, and we were treated to a feast of new foldables and wearables. Here are all the big headlines.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 in Blue Shadow and Coral

I went hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7, and it matches the Motorola Razr Ultra in one key area

By Axel Metz published 9 July 25

Samsung has seemingly innovated in all the right places with the Galaxy Z Flip 7, which boasts a big, beautiful cover display and a host of meaningful longevity upgrades.

The Nothing Phone 3 being held in the hand

‘We're not just chasing whatever competitors are doing’: Nothing’s AI chief explains why the Phone 3 uses the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, not the 8 Elite

By Axel Metz published 6 July 25

Nothing’s AI lead, Sélim Benayat, has explained how the Phone 3 will deliver a flagship-level experience without the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset.

‘Our relationship with phones has grown unhealthy’: Nothing’s AI chief explains how the Nothing Phone 3 will ‘help you be more human’

By Axel Metz published 5 July 25

Nothing’s AI lead, Sélim Benayat, explains in an interview with TechRadar how the Phone 3 will “help you be more human.”

The Xbox Series X Digital next to the new Dyson Airwrap and Nothing Headphone (1)

ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from Spotify's suspected AI band to Nothing's first over-ear headphones

By Hamish Hector published 5 July 25

Here's the biggest tech news stories from Dyson, Xbox, Dyson, Nothing and more for July 5, 2025.

I went hands-on with the Nothing Phone 3, and it might just be the most interesting phone of the year – here's why

By Axel Metz published 1 July 25

Nothing has officially revealed its new Phone 3 flagship, and it might just be the most interesting phone of the year.

Ready for a cheap tablet upgrade? I’d still recommend the base iPad over (literally) anything else right now – here's why

By Axel Metz published 26 June 25

A new cheap tablet contender is coming soon, but I can’t see it displacing Apple’s base iPad as my go-to recommendation.

The Fairphone 6 looks like a modular iPhone – and I think that's a very smart move

By Axel Metz published 25 June 25

The newly announced Fairphone 6 is the most conventional-looking Fairphone product yet, but I think that's a good thing.

Translate via the Action button on the iPhone 16 Pro

This overlooked iPhone feature helped me level up my Duolingo learning – here's how

By Axel Metz published 24 June 25

Two years into learning Spanish, and the Action button on my iPhone 16 Pro has become crucial to my language learning routine.

Nothing Phone 2 review back angled table - white balanced

Nothing confirms its flagship Phone 3 won't have a flagship chipset, but I don't think that matters – here's why

By Axel Metz published 17 June 25

Nothing has confirmed that the upcoming Nothing Phone 3 won't use the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, but I don't think that's a problem.

OnePlus ditched metal on the new Nord 5 because its buyers 'prefer styles that are brief, simple, and elegant'

By Axel Metz published 17 June 25

In an exclusive interview with TechRadar, OnePlus explained why it's decided to change the design of its upcoming Nord 5 smartphone.

New OnePlus products on a blue background

Exclusive: OnePlus reveals the OnePlus Nord 5 series, OnePlus Buds 4, OnePlus Pad Lite, and a new OnePlus Watch

By Axel Metz published 16 June 25

In an exclusive interview with TechRadar, OnePlus has revealed the names and specs of five upcoming OnePlus products.

Liquid Glass interface on an orange background

Ooh, shiny! I hate myself for being so excited about Liquid Glass in iOS 26

By Axel Metz published 11 June 25

Apple may have fallen behind in the AI race, but at WWDC 2025 it proved that it can still pull some stylish software out of the hat when it needs to.

WWDC 2025 as it happened: all the iOS 26, MacOS Tahoe, and iPadOS news, with live video from Apple Park

By Philip Berne last updated 10 June 25

Apple's big WWDC 2025 show kicked off today – here's everything that was announced, from iOS 26 to macOS 26 and more.

visionOS 26 Personas, Liquid Glass on iOS 26 on an iPhone, and macOS 26 Tahoe

15 things we learned at the Apple WWDC 2025 keynote

By Marc McLaren published 9 June 25

Apple's WWDC 2025 was packed with big software announcements. Here are the key details you need in your brain.

iOS 26 is official – here are the 5 biggest new features coming to your iPhone

By Axel Metz published 9 June 25

iOS 26 has a new name, a new look, and a wealth of new features. Here are five of the biggest and best.

I used Visual Intelligence every day for a week, and it (almost) changed my mind about Apple Intelligence as a whole

By Axel Metz published 8 June 25

Apple’s Google Lens-like AI tool is a worthy addition to the best iPhones, but the rest of Apple Intelligence needs to improve quickly.

iOS 18: new features, compatible devices, and everything you need to know

By Axel Metz last updated 3 June 25

Updated iOS 18 is now available to download. Here’s everything you need to know about Apple's latest iPhone update.

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