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 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 28 July 26

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 25 July 26

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 24 July 26

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

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 22 July 26

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 Xiaomi phones: top Xiaomi, Poco mobiles tried and tested

By Roland Moore-Colyer Last updated 17 July 26

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 5 July 26

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 4 July 26

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 3 July 26

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 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 26 June 26

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 25 June 26

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

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 25 June 26

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 24 June 26

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 24 June 26

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 24 June 26

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

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 23 June 26

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.

Apple’s new Child Safety features ‘don't get to where the harm is happening,’ online safety expert says — pushing responsibility to iPhone app developers poses a ‘huge risk’ to kids despite ‘genuine progress’

By Axel Metz Published 20 June 26

We spoke to SafeToNet CEO Richard Pursey about where Big Tech companies like Apple are still falling short when it comes to child safety.

Sonos speakers, Tim Cook, and the new Commodore flip phone

ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech news stories, from Commodore flip-phone nostalgia to Tim Cook's Apple price-hike warning

By Hamish Hector Published 20 June 26

The week's 7 biggest tech news stories, featuring Commodore, Apple, Microsoft and more, for June 20, 2026.

Apple just future-proofed the iPhone Air in a way that only the iPhone 17 Pro can match

By Axel Metz Published 18 June 26

At WWDC 2026, Apple gave us one more reason to buy the iPhone Air — and it’s got nothing to do with design or price.

Do you pay for more mobile data than you actually use? The reason is psychological, says mobile data expert — here’s how to check your own data usage on iPhone or Android, and save money in the process

By Axel Metz Published 16 June 26

We speak to an expert about why underusing your mobile data allowance is often ‘psychological’ and how to save money on your monthly plan.

Only 3 iPhones can access the best version of Siri AI — here’s which features are exclusive to Apple's 'most powerful on-device model', AFM Core Advanced, and whether you should care about them

By Axel Metz Published 10 June 26

We explain which iPhones can access the best version of Siri AI and the significance of Apple's AFM Core Advanced model.

3 Comments

Apple WWDC 2026 as it happened: Siri AI, iOS 27, macOS Golden Gate, and everything announced at Apple Park

By Axel Metz Last updated 8 June 26

The opening keynote to WWDC 2026 has been and gone — here's a roundup of the key announcements.

2 Comments

Google I/O 2026 as it happened — Gemini Spark, Samsung XR glasses, and everything else announced at Google's giant software showcase

By Axel Metz Last updated 8 June 26

Google I/O 2026 kicked off with a jam-packed opening keynote — here are all the key announcements.

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 5 June 26

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 3 June 26

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 2 June 26

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.

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