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

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 Published

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.

The Honor Robot phone being held in the hand

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

By Axel Metz Published

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 Published

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

The Grounds in EA Sports FC 27

‘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 Published

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 Published

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

5 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 Published

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 Published

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.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 being held in the hand

Watch: AirDrop via Quick Share on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 works like a dream

By Axel Metz Published

Want to send files between an iPhone and a Samsung Galaxy phone? AirDrop via Quick Share now works seamlessly.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 in the hand

I went hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, and this passport-shaped oddity has revived my interest in foldable phones

By Axel Metz Published

Prefer watching Netflix to taking photos? I tried the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, and it might just be the best phone for streaming video.

Best iPads hero image

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

By Roland Moore-Colyer Last updated

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.

Xiaomi 17 Ultra hands on back angled

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

By Roland Moore-Colyer Last updated

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

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

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

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

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 Samsung Galaxy A56 on a red background

The best cheap phones: top budget mobiles in the UK

By Axel Metz Last updated

Updated We've tested and ranked the best cheap phones from Apple, Samsung, Google, and more.

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

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

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

The iPhone 17 on a purple background

The best phones: top smartphones in the UK right now

By Axel Metz Last updated

Updated We've tested and ranked the best phones available in the UK, from the iPhone 17 to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.

The Scapade AirPack resting on a marble table

Need a new work bag? The anti-theft Scapade AirPack is the safest rucksack I’ve ever owned — and it’s on sale now

By Axel Metz Published

The Find My-enabled Scapade AirPack is like a security vault for your laptop — and it’s on sale now for under £100.

The Logitech Wave Keys and Logitech Lift on a wooden desk

I switched to Logitech’s ergonomic keyboard and mouse to minimize wrist strain, and I won’t ever go back to conventional desk accessories

By Axel Metz Published

Wrist pain while working? Logitech’s ergonomic keyboard and mouse helped alleviate my suffering — and both products are on sale now.

The iPad Air next to TechRadar's Prime Day logo

The iPad Air is my favorite Apple tablet, but it just got more expensive — this Prime Day deal may be your last chance to grab it for less, and it’s already selling out

By Axel Metz Published

Apple has officially raised the price of the iPad Air, meaning Amazon's Prime Day deals on that very product are more popular than ever.

The reMarkable Paper Pure floating in the air

The discontinued reMarkable 2 is selling fast on Amazon, but should you buy the new Paper Pure instead? Here’s how the two writing tablets compare, according to the man who designed them

By Axel Metz Published

The six-year-old reMarkable 2 is the top-selling writing tablet this Prime Day — here’s how it differs from the new reMarkable Paper Pure.

The iPad Pro M5 resting on a marble table

Buying an iPad this Prime Day? Don't spend money before you're sure which model you need — here are my recommendations for students, streamers, and more

By Axel Metz Published

We round up the best Prime Day iPad deals and highlight the right model for every use case.

The Google Pixel 10 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro and Galaxy S25 Ultra lying on a wooden table

29 phones to avoid buying this Prime Day for the exact same reason — and which models to consider instead

By Axel Metz Published

Several phones are set to lose software support soon — here are 29 models to avoid buying this Prime Day, and which to consider instead.

Man holding the iPhone Air in portrait

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

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.

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