Tag: Source: Androidcentral.com

I’m impressed with Stuffcool’s efforts in India; this brand has reliably provided quality charging accessories, and this trend continues into 2026 with the launch of the Nexi, a new charger designed for travelers that supports Qi 2 connectivity.

Over the past year, I’ve tried multiple Qi 2 travel chargers, and I have a preference for Satechi’s OnTheGo series and UGREEN’s remarkable MagFlow. However, if you’re located in India, there’s no question that the Stuffcool Nexi stands out as an excellent option, and at ₹5,999 ($63) on Amazon India, it is also quite affordable.

Let’s focus on the design first, as this is a key strength of Stuffcool lately. The Nexi features a sleek metal body that’s designed for longevity, and it’s compact when folded; this is one of its main selling points, and it proved very useful during a recent trip to Bangalore.

When fully opened, you can charge three devices simultaneously: a phone up to 25W through the Qi 2.2 charging pad, earbuds, and the <a data-analytics-id="inline-link" href="https://www.androidcentral.com/tag/apple" data-auto-tag-linker="true" data-url="https://www.androidcentral.com/tag/apple" data-hl-processed="none" data-mrf-recirculation="inline

I recently got my OnePlus 15 back from a colleague who was testing it out, and after the setup, I was shocked by the new Recents multitasking interface. It wasn’t just an obvious imitation of iOS, but it represented a poorer design than what OnePlus has utilized for many years. I yearned for the previous aesthetic, but I couldn’t locate it anywhere within the settings menu, even after searching for various terms I thought might apply.

It turns out that the option to revert to the “flat” appearance still exists, but for some inexplicable reason, it’s concealed. Many companies adopted the stacked tile design for Recents last year, which is a significant improvement over the dreadful stock Android Recents interface, but far inferior to OnePlus’s design, which I’ve consistently regarded as the finest multitasking UI available on any smartphone.

Restore the effective task switcher on any OnePlus device operating OxygenOS 16:

1. Access the Recents UI by tapping the Recents icon on your navigation bar or by swiping up on the home bar without lifting your finger from the display for a moment.

2. Press and hold the Close button.

3. Choose Flat from the options displayed at the top.

After some additional exploration, I discovered that this same settings menu can be accessed by pinching the home screen, selecting home screen settings, and then opting for Manage Apps at the bottom.

Regardless of the method, you accomplish the task; this setting restores the classic, lightning-fast OnePlus multitasking UI. If you wish to “lock” an application in memory, you can also achieve that from this interface. This will keep apps readily accessible in memory even if you’re multitasking heavily.

OnePlus’s traditional UI is superior

For some odd reason, 2025 was the year when most Android device manufacturers opted to implement a divided notification shade and abandon Google’s dreadful multitasking UI in favor of Apple’s better design. Yet, as is nearly always the case, a third alternative would have been a smarter choice to keep as the standard.

Indeed, the existing default classic OnePlus multitasking UI was the optimal decision, but OnePlus believed that mimicking Apple would be more appealing to those transitioning from an iPhone. If I were to give OnePlus any credit in this situation, it would be that Apple users are not typically recognized for altering <

For many years, Android smartphones have allowed users to select their desired navigation style. Choosing between gestures and buttons can significantly impact how you interact with your smartphone’s interface. Gesture navigation is the “more recent” approach compared to the three-button setup that characterized earlier Android devices, yet some individuals still favor the arguably more straightforward button navigation.

Which navigation style do you favor on your Android device?

3-button vs. gesture navigation

Upon initial phone setup, you are presented with the option to use either 3-button navigation or gesture navigation.

In 3-button navigation, the primary home button sits centrally and will consistently return you to your home screen when pressed, or activate Gemini with a long press. On one side is the back button, which simply returns you to the previous screen you were on, or allows you to dismiss your on-screen keyboard. Lastly, there’s the Recent Apps button, which may present itself as a square, a three-line symbol, or something similar, depending on the manufacturer. Tapping this button will display your currently open apps.

Numerous manufacturers even permit you to rearrange the order of the buttons.

With gesture navigation, the same functionalities exist; however, the buttons are absent and are instead replaced by a single bar at the bottom of the screen. To return home from an application, swipe up and quickly release, similar to flicking the app upward and away. To navigate back, swipe from either side edge of the screen, or swipe and hold to preview the upcoming screen (you can cancel the back gesture by moving your finger back toward the edge of the display).

Lastly, you can access the Recent Apps view by swiping up from the bottom of the screen and holding for a moment before releasing.

Android fully embraced gesture navigation after the launch of Android 10, alongside the rise in popularity of the iPhone X, which transformed Apple’s iPhone range by eliminating the physical button present in earlier versions. It may have appeared as a complex shift for some, but many adapted to it and still primarily use gesture navigation. One advantage of this style is that it offers a full-screen experience, as the bottom navigation buttons do not occupy space.

However, there are certainly those who appreciate the ease of the three-button style, as they spend less time inadvertently swiping out of an app or encountering unsuccessful attempts to perform a gesture. Certain individuals with specific motor disabilities may find gesture navigation challenging, though the same can apply to others with three-button navigation.

Of course, you can adjust this later in your phone’s settings, but as creatures of habit, we typically stick with what we are accustomed to. So, which navigation approach do you prefer? Leave us a comment and share your thoughts!

Apple is entering the midrange smartphone arena with the iPhone 17e, and this second-generation “iPhone e” version brings several significant enhancements. The device now has a starting point of 256GB storage, increased from 128GB, and sports a quicker Apple A19 processor. A critical feature has been addressed with the addition of MagSafe charging on the iPhone 17e at up to 15W. Overall, it’s a robust smartphone, despite a few compromises.

However, certain characteristics of the iPhone 17e may annoy Android users. It retains a notch, as opposed to a hole-punch or pill-shaped front-facing camera cutout, which significantly intrudes into the screen. Additionally, the display refresh rate is limited to 60Hz. There’s only a single rear camera, and while the 48MP sensor is quite competent, it cannot substitute for specialized ultrawide or telephoto lenses.

These are a few reasons that might deter you from fully embracing the iPhone 17e, even with its appealing $599 price tag. If you seek a more affordable option or simply crave more features, these four Android alternatives may provide better value or a more enhanced experience than the iPhone 17e.

Google Pixel 10a

No discussion about affordable Android phones can begin without mentioning the Google Pixel 10a. It sets the benchmark for value, with solid specifications, a straightforward design, and a lengthy software support commitment. The Pixel 10a may receive support for a longer period than the iPhone 17e since Apple generally promises five years of updates, whereas Google provides seven years of backing. Priced at $499, Google’s mid-range device is $100 less than the iPhone 17e.

The iPhone 17e excels over the Pixel 10a in several important aspects. It features the quicker Apple A19 processor, double the base storage, and MagSafe compatibility. Nevertheless, the Pixel 10a outshines the iPhone 17e in multiple ways, boasting a larger 6.3-inch display, a dual-camera array, a more substantial battery, and a perfectly flat back. Furthermore, not only is the screen bigger, but it also offers a 120Hz refresh rate and a considerably smaller camera cutout.

The comparison between iOS and Android often boils down to individual preference, but Google AI and Gemini have a clear edge over Apple Intelligence, giving the Pixel 10a an advantage over the iPhone 17e in this respect. At a price lower than the iPhone 17e, the Pixel 10a delivers much more of what truly counts in everyday smartphone use.

OnePlus 13R

The OnePlus 13R poses the strongest competition against the iPhone 17e in terms of performance. Both devices are priced identically at $599 and the OnePlus 13R holds its own just as well. It runs on a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor delivering flagship-level performance and is equipped with a massive 6,000mAh battery. If you desire the largest midrange display, the OnePlus 13R features a 6.78-inch AMOLED screen that supports 120Hz refresh rates.

The camera system outperforms that of the iPhone 17e significantly as well. It comprises a triple-camera rear setup that includes a 50MP Sony LYT-700 main camera, a 50MP Samsung JN5 telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom, and an 8MP Sony IMX355 wide-angle lens. While there are areas where the OnePlus 13R’s cameras could be enhanced — such as the optical zoom range and ultrawide capabilities — it is undeniably more versatile than the iPhone 17e’s solitary 48MP rear camera.

You may wonder why the OnePlus 15R hasn’t been mentioned, and the explanation is straightforward. It comes at a $100 premium over both the iPhone 17e and OnePlus 13R, while also featuring shortcomings such as the absence of a telephoto camera. Opting for the older and more affordable OnePlus 13R is a better choice.

Moto G Stylus 2025

The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G 2025 lacks the premium feel of some other models on this list, including the iPhone 17e.

I have been evaluating the Galaxy S26 Plus for just over a week, and this new Samsung flagship is loaded with enhanced AI features as part of One UI 8.5. Although there is much to appreciate about the software, one significant drawback has regrettably remained on Samsung’s latest models, and it pertains to Gemini.

One of my preferred shortcuts for accessing Gemini is the Swipe for Assistant, a gesture found on many Android devices, including Pixels, OnePlus, and Motorola smartphones. When it’s activated, a simple diagonal swipe from the bottom corner of the screen will cause Gemini to appear. It’s exceptionally handy, but for some unknown reason, Samsung eliminated this gesture from its phones at some point in recent years.

I’m uncertain as to why Samsung decided to remove it, and I’ve contacted Samsung for clarification on this issue, but I’ve yet to receive a response. That’s acceptable, however, as I’ve discovered a useful workaround that somewhat restores this feature using Samsung’s own tools.

Good Lock and One Hand Operation +

If you have a Samsung device, you may be aware or unaware of Good Lock, which is an application that allows you to add various plugins to personalize your phone. Each plugin concentrates on a different aspect of the UI, from the home screen to the Settings app and even the management of notifications. It’s a tremendously helpful Samsung app that enhances the software experience, and I highly suggest downloading it.