Axel Metz

Axel Metz

Phones Editor

Axel is TechRadar's UK-based 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, Esquire and FourFourTwo. After graduating from the University of Warwick with a degree in English Literature, Axel co-founded a startup media brand and 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

Holding the Huawei Mate XT in-hand

I thought the tri-folding Huawei Mate XT was a gimmick, but then I held it

By Axel Metz published

I went hands-on with the tri-folding Huawei Mate XT, and was blown away by the quality of its unconventional design.

Best cheap tablets hero

The best cheap tablets 2024: top budget devices from Apple, Amazon, and more

By Axel Metz last updated

Updated Our guide to the best cheap tablets features models from Apple, Samsung, Amazon, and more.

Best iPads hero image

The best iPad 2024: top Apple tablets to consider right now

By Axel Metz last updated

Updated Our guide to the best iPads features models for every budget and use case, from the student-friendly iPad Air to the supremely powerful iPad Pro.

The iPhone 16 Pro cameras on a pink background

The best iPhone 2024: which Apple smartphone reigns supreme?

By Axel Metz last updated

Updated We've tested and ranked the best iPhones available, from the iPhone 16 Pro Max to the iPhone SE (2022).

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus on a yellow background

Samsung Galaxy S25: latest news, rumors and everything we want to see

By James Rogerson last updated

Updated The Samsung Galaxy S25 line is fast approaching, and we've heard a lot about these phones.

Gi-hun stares at a Squid Game overseer in a club in Squid Game season 2

Squid Game season 2: release date, trailer, confirmed cast, plot synopsis, and everything else we know about the popular Netflix show's return

By Tom Power last updated

Updated Here's all you need to know about Squid Game season 2 before the wildly successful survival drama returns on Netflix.

iOS 18

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

By Axel Metz last updated

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

One UI 7 screenshot

Samsung One UI 7 beta: 5 new features you can try right now on your Galaxy S24

By Axel Metz published

Samsung has deployed the first One UI 7 beta for Galaxy S24 devices.

iPad Pro on a blue deals background

Black Friday iPad deals: the best deals on Pro, Air, and mini Apple tablets

By Axel Metz last updated

Black Friday is here, and with it some great discounts on Pro, Air, mini, and standard iPad models.

The Xiaomi 14 on a red background

Best Xiaomi phones 2024: top Mi, Redmi and Black Shark devices ranked

By Axel Metz last updated

Updated We've ranked the best Xiaomi phones for every budget and use case, including the Xiaomi Mix Flip and Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

The GoPro Hero 11 Black action camera sitting on a wooden platform

Hands on: GoPro Hero 11 Black

By Mark Wilson last updated

Not yet rated

The GoPro Hero 11 Black has a new sensor and 10-bit video. But is it a big enough upgrade from its cheaper predecessor?

Panasonic DP-UB820 4K Blu-ray player on a colourful background with the TechRadar logo

The best 4K Blu-ray players 2024: Ultra HD marvels chosen by our experts

By James Davidson last updated

Streaming services are popular, but there's no better way to watch movies than with the best 4K Blu-ray players.

Foldable iPhone concept image

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

By Axel Metz last updated

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.

Android 15 logo on a phone, in a hand

Android 15: latest news and everything you need to know

By James Rogerson, Axel Metz last updated

Updated Android 15 includes a lot of new features, and it's available now (at least on some phones).

iPhone SE 2022

iPhone SE 4: latest news, rumors and what we want to see

By James Rogerson, Axel Metz last updated

Updated The iPhone SE 4 is probably not coming for a long time, but we're already hearing about big potential changes.

Google Pixel 9 Pro

I’m a die-hard Apple fan, but even I’ll admit that the Google Pixel 9 Pro is the best-looking phone of the year

By Axel Metz published

The Google Pixel 9 Pro is TechRadar's Phone of the Year, and I think it's the best-looking phone of the year, too.

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus being held in the hand

This iPhone 17 display rumor is the biggest reason yet to skip the iPhone 16

By Axel Metz published

Apple is reportedly preparing to add a ProMotion display panel to the entire iPhone 17 lineup.

An iPhone showing the iOS 18 Messages via satellite feature

How to send satellite messages on iPhone

By Alex Blake, Axel Metz last updated

Apple’s Emergency SOS via Satellite and Messages via Satellite features could help you communicate in areas without a phone signal; here's how to use them.

Best OnePlus phones hero image on a pink background

Best OnePlus phones 2024: the top flagship, budget, and foldable models ranked

By Axel Metz last updated

Updated Our ranking of the best OnePlus phones includes the OnePlus 12, OnePlus Nord 4, and OnePlus Open.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and iPhone 14 Pro Max

Samsung's One UI 7 could feel as smooth as iOS 18, and this video proves it

By Axel Metz published

A supposedly leaked video shows smooth One UI 7 app-switching animations in action.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra from the back with S Pen mostly withdrawn

Goodbye Galaxy Ultra? Samsung is reportedly considering a new naming scheme for its best phones

By Axel Metz published

Reports suggest that Samsung could ditch the Ultra naming scheme with future Galaxy S series phones.

A phone screen showing a photo of a child on a beach being edited by Google's Magic Eraser feature

‘It’s not as simple as real image and fake image’: Qualcomm weighs in on AI photo editing debate

By Axel Metz published

Qualcomm executive Chris Patrick explained the company's stance on AI photo editing at Snapdragon Summit 2024.

Promotional imagery for the Snapdragon 8 Elite and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

‘Benchmarks aren’t everything’: Qualcomm explains the real-world differences between the Snapdragon 8 Elite and 8 Gen 3

By Axel Metz published

Qualcomm executives Chris Patrick and Shahin Farahani have elaborated on the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s real-world upgrades.

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra and Honor Magic 7 Pro, side by side

Xiaomi 15, Honor Magic 7, and more Android phones confirmed to feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite

By Axel Metz published

Several Android manufacturers have confirmed that their upcoming devices will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset.

Woman waving while on a video call

Did Qualcomm just kill the ring light? Future Android phones could let you add a virtual, moveable light source to video calls

By Axel Metz published

Qualcomm has debuted an AI-powered, real-time lighting tool in the Snapdragon 8 Elite at Snapdragon Summit 2024.

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