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Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority Google’s custom smartphone chips might not claim the performance crown, but one major benefit upside is that it can afford to use its latest Tensor G4 processor across its flagship Pixel 9 series and the new, affordable Pixel 9a. Of course, the budget model isn’t exactly alike; Google pairs it with just 8GB RAM, the packaging wrapping up the G4 appears to be cheaper, and the chip is paired with an older and less efficient modem. Still, the core parts of the Tensor G4 processor that crunches through apps, gaming, and image processor tasks remain fundamentally unchanged across Google’s latest phones. $499 for essentially the same performance as the $1,099 Pro XL sounds too good to be true, so is it? I benchmarked the Pixel 9a, 9, and 9 Pro XL to find out.

Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority Google’s custom smartphone chips might not claim the performance crown, but one major benefit upside is that it can afford to use its latest Tensor G4 processor across its flagship Pixel 9 series and the new, affordable Pixel 9a. Of course, the budget model isn’t exactly alike; Google pairs it with just 8GB RAM, the packaging wrapping up the G4 appears to be cheaper, and the chip is paired with an older and less efficient modem. Still, the core parts of the Tensor G4 processor that crunches through apps, gaming, and image processor tasks remain fundamentally unchanged across Google’s latest phones. $499 for essentially the same performance as the $1,099 Pro XL sounds too good to be true, so is it? I benchmarked the Pixel 9a, 9, and 9 Pro XL to find out.

Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority Google’s custom smartphone chips might not claim the performance crown, but one major benefit upside is that it can afford to use its latest Tensor G4 processor across its flagship Pixel 9 series and the new, affordable Pixel 9a. Of course, the budget model isn’t exactly alike; Google pairs it with just 8GB RAM, the packaging wrapping up the G4 appears to be cheaper, and the chip is paired with an older and less efficient modem. Still, the core parts of the Tensor G4 processor that crunches through apps, gaming, and image processor tasks remain fundamentally unchanged across Google’s latest phones. $499 for essentially the same performance as the $1,099 Pro XL sounds too good to be true, so is it? I benchmarked the Pixel 9a, 9, and 9 Pro XL to find out.

Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority Google’s custom smartphone chips might not claim the performance crown, but one major benefit upside is that it can afford to use its latest Tensor G4 processor across its flagship Pixel 9 series and the new, affordable Pixel 9a. Of course, the budget model isn’t exactly alike; Google pairs it with just 8GB RAM, the packaging wrapping up the G4 appears to be cheaper, and the chip is paired with an older and less efficient modem. Still, the core parts of the Tensor G4 processor that crunches through apps, gaming, and image processor tasks remain fundamentally unchanged across Google’s latest phones. $499 for essentially the same performance as the $1,099 Pro XL sounds too good to be true, so is it? I benchmarked the Pixel 9a, 9, and 9 Pro XL to find out.

Credit: Joe Hindy / Android Authority Samsung is testing “Installment Payments” for its Wallet app, a Buy Now, Pay Later feature that was previously called Instant Installment. Installment Payments in Samsung Wallet allows eligible users in specific US states to split purchases using select Visa and Mastercard credit cards. The early access program for the feature runs from April 28 to June 6, 2025. Samsung phone users have access to Samsung Wallet, a digital wallet that lets them store and manage payment cards, IDs, keys, and more. Earlier in the year, Samsung announced a Buy Now, Pay Later service called Instant Installment for Samsung Wallet, which aimed to simplify in-store purchases. Samsung is now enrolling users for a trial of Instant Installment (now called “Installment Payments”), but only for residents of certain states. Samsung is sending out emails to some of its customers in the US, inviting them to join the waitlist for an early access program for Samsung Wallet’s Installment Payments feature. Sammyguru received one such email for the waitlist. Eligible users will also see a banner for Installment Payments in the Samsung Wallet app.

Credit: Joe Hindy / Android Authority Samsung is testing “Installment Payments” for its Wallet app, a Buy Now, Pay Later feature that was previously called Instant Installment. Installment Payments in Samsung Wallet allows eligible users in specific US states to split purchases using select Visa and Mastercard credit cards. The early access program for the feature runs from April 28 to June 6, 2025. Samsung phone users have access to Samsung Wallet, a digital wallet that lets them store and manage payment cards, IDs, keys, and more. Earlier in the year, Samsung announced a Buy Now, Pay Later service called Instant Installment for Samsung Wallet, which aimed to simplify in-store purchases. Samsung is now enrolling users for a trial of Instant Installment (now called “Installment Payments”), but only for residents of certain states. Samsung is sending out emails to some of its customers in the US, inviting them to join the waitlist for an early access program for Samsung Wallet’s Installment Payments feature. Sammyguru received one such email for the waitlist. Eligible users will also see a banner for Installment Payments in the Samsung Wallet app.

Credit: Joe Hindy / Android Authority Samsung is testing “Installment Payments” for its Wallet app, a Buy Now, Pay Later feature that was previously called Instant Installment. Installment Payments in Samsung Wallet allows eligible users in specific US states to split purchases using select Visa and Mastercard credit cards. The early access program for the feature runs from April 28 to June 6, 2025. Samsung phone users have access to Samsung Wallet, a digital wallet that lets them store and manage payment cards, IDs, keys, and more. Earlier in the year, Samsung announced a Buy Now, Pay Later service called Instant Installment for Samsung Wallet, which aimed to simplify in-store purchases. Samsung is now enrolling users for a trial of Instant Installment (now called “Installment Payments”), but only for residents of certain states. Samsung is sending out emails to some of its customers in the US, inviting them to join the waitlist for an early access program for Samsung Wallet’s Installment Payments feature. Sammyguru received one such email for the waitlist. Eligible users will also see a banner for Installment Payments in the Samsung Wallet app.

Credit: Joe Hindy / Android Authority Samsung is testing “Installment Payments” for its Wallet app, a Buy Now, Pay Later feature that was previously called Instant Installment. Installment Payments in Samsung Wallet allows eligible users in specific US states to split purchases using select Visa and Mastercard credit cards. The early access program for the feature runs from April 28 to June 6, 2025. Samsung phone users have access to Samsung Wallet, a digital wallet that lets them store and manage payment cards, IDs, keys, and more. Earlier in the year, Samsung announced a Buy Now, Pay Later service called Instant Installment for Samsung Wallet, which aimed to simplify in-store purchases. Samsung is now enrolling users for a trial of Instant Installment (now called “Installment Payments”), but only for residents of certain states. Samsung is sending out emails to some of its customers in the US, inviting them to join the waitlist for an early access program for Samsung Wallet’s Installment Payments feature. Sammyguru received one such email for the waitlist. Eligible users will also see a banner for Installment Payments in the Samsung Wallet app.

I wholly understand why Google disallows some apps to run on Android Auto and why some developers resist including support on their apps. After all, having a built-in screen that displays videos or web pages on a car’s dashboard is just as distracting as using a phone while driving. But to say that Android Auto’s app talents aren’t fully realized isn’t an understatement. It appears that we may soon get game support on Android Auto, and Gemini support is looming large, too. However, I’d love to see a gaggle of great apps that support Google’s smart car dashboard. This is my Android Auto apps wishlist.

I wholly understand why Google disallows some apps to run on Android Auto and why some developers resist including support on their apps. After all, having a built-in screen that displays videos or web pages on a car’s dashboard is just as distracting as using a phone while driving. But to say that Android Auto’s app talents aren’t fully realized isn’t an understatement. It appears that we may soon get game support on Android Auto, and Gemini support is looming large, too. However, I’d love to see a gaggle of great apps that support Google’s smart car dashboard. This is my Android Auto apps wishlist.