Technology

New Samsung tablets get an upgrade Apple’s iPad probably needs to copy

Published

3 years ago

July 30, 2023

There’s a new tablet in town with Samsung unveiling its new range of Tab S9 devices. These latest gadgets were revealed during the firm’s Unpacked showcase in Korea last week and they come with one new feature you won’t find on any of Apple’s iPads. Samsung has finally added an IP68 rating which basically means the Tab S9 can survive being plunged underwater or being used in the rain.

That could be a big selling point for anyone a little prone to accidents or who fancies using their new tablet whilst sitting beside the swimming pool or watching Netflix in the bath. IP68 helps protect against damage from dust and sand so this upgrade could make sure your new tablet survives a lot longer when taking it out on the road.

Along with that water resistance rating, the S9 range also gets a faster Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, improved cameras and a new S Pen in the box which is also now waterproof.

This mini stylus lets you scribble on the screen without using your finger and also offers improved ways to interact with a batch of new apps coming to the Tab S9.

GoodNote, LumaFusion and Clip Studio Paint all offer better productivity plus photo and video editing on the move.

Other things you’ll find on the tablets include long battery life, impressive AKG speakers and fast charging although you won’t find a power pack included in the packaging.

There are three models to choose from including a standard S9, S9+ and ultimate S9 Ultra.

Full details below

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9
SCREEN: 11-inch Dynamic AMOLED 120Hz
BATTERY: 8,400mAh
RAM/STORAGE: 8GB + 128GB
WEIGHT: 498g
PRICE: From £799

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+
SCREEN: 12.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 120Hz
BATTERY: 10,090mAh
RAM/STORAGE: 12GB + 256GB
WEIGHT: 581g
PRICE: From £999

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
SCREEN: 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 120Hz
BATTERY: 11,200mAh
RAM/STORAGE: 12GB + 128GB
WEIGHT: 732g
PRICE: From £1,199

These devices clearly aren’t cheap but Samsung is offering a pre-order deal which includes a keyboard case, worth £199, for free.

Speaking about the launch, James Kitto, VP Head of MX Division, Samsung UK and Ireland: “With the Galaxy Tab S9 Series, we’re giving our customers a powerful tablet the likes of which they will have never experienced before. Whether they are gaming, working from anywhere, or creating and editing content, we’ve taken the power and performance of our S Series smartphones, and applied it to a beautifully designed tablet that will give users the freedom to explore their creativity wherever they are.”

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Technology

Google makes folding phones more affordable but I still wouldn’t buy one

Published

21 hours ago

May 10, 2026

Desk Report

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold

The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is on sale. (Image: Google)

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Apple is rumoured to be debuting its first folding iPhone later this year, but Android phones have folded ever since the Galaxy Fold in 2019. Today, you can buy book-style and flip-style folding phones from Samsung, Honor, Oppo, Motorola and Google, with all of them sharing one thing in common: a sky high price.

That’s why it’s notable Google is currently offering £450 off its latest flagship folding phone, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, which is on sale for £1,299 down from £1,749. It’s the same price on Amazon.

That’s a sizable discount, but it still leaves you needing to fork out the equivalent of a month’s rent or, indeed, nearly three times as much as the cost of the Pixel 10a, which is also on sale for a comparatively modest £449.

It got me thinking about folding phones and how despite being around for seven years, they haven’t got a lot cheaper, and at £1,299, I probably wouldn’t buy the Pixel 10 Pro Fold if I needed a new phone, even if I had the budget.

I would likely opt to spend the same amount on a phone with a much better camera, such as the £1,299 Xiaomi 17 Ultra, or £799 on the regular Pixel 10, a phone that actually has very similar triple cameras as the pricier 10 Pro Fold. Despite the ‘Pro’ name, the cameras you get on the Fold aren’t as good as the ones on the normal Pixel 10 Pro.

I’ve tested the Pixel 10 Pro Fold since its release in October 2025, and it’s a very accomplished device, don’t get me wrong. But the camera compromise along with the design drawbacks still make this phone a hard sell at its discounted rate.

For one, carrying the Pixel 10 Pro Fold around in my jeans pocket means I never forget to put a belt on. At 258g it’s a bit of a paperweight, and at 10.88 thick when closed, it’s chunky for a pocketable device.

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold

Having a tablet in your pocket is undeniably useful. (Image: Google)

Much more svelte book-style foldables such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 (215g, 8.9mm) and Honor Magic V6 (219g, 8.8mm) prove the Pixel is lagging behind in 2026 when it comes to the ergonomics of a book-style folding phone.

The crease down the middle of the Pixel’s screen is also deep and obvious, and hard to ignore. Though it’s not available in the UK officially, the Oppo Find N6 has a virtually invisible crease, with a design that smooths out the screen so you don’t have a dip right in the middle.

One big thing that might sway me over to the 10 Pro Fold is the software. I love Google’s Pixel flavour of Android, and I miss it when I use other Android phones. For all Honor’s hardware prowess, its software is unpolished compared to Google’s, and though Samsung’s One UI is very slick, it’s currently stuffed with so much AI guff that I don’t want to use it.

Google’s software support is also great at seven years, which at least would guarantee I’d still be using the 10 Pro Fold till 2032 – if the folding screen didn’t break, that is.

Even at the sale price of £1,299, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold still makes too many compromises for me. That said, the rumoured folding iPhone is likely to push the £2,000 mark. We’ll have to wait and see if Apple is able to turn out a superior phone, and if Apple fanatics are willing to shell out.

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Technology

Watch out Samsung and LG, Sky just made its TVs look way more affordable

Published

21 hours ago

May 10, 2026

Desk Report

Sky is offering a very cheap alternative to TVs from the likes of Samsung and LG. Sky Glass Gen 2 and Sky Glass Air were both launched last year and offer full access to live and on-demand content via a simple broadband connection. That means there’s no fussy installation or annoying dish needed to be drilled into walls. These connected screens were already pretty tempting, but things have just got even more enticing for homes wanting to make the switch.

Sky has just announced a 20 percent price cut ahead of the upcoming World Cup, with things now starting from just £4.50 per month. That low cost is for the Sky Glass Air telly which features a 4K HDR screen with Dolby Audio. Those wanting the improved Glass Gen 2 with a pixel-packed 4K Quantum Dot screen and in-built Dolby Atmos soundbar will need to pay £11 per month.

SEE THE DEALS BELOW

Sky Glass Air
NOW £4.50
CONTRACT: 48 months
UPFRONT FEE: £20
SEE THE DEAL HERE

Sky Glass Gen 2
NOW £4.50
CONTRACT: 48 months
UPFRONT FEE: £20
SEE THE DEAL HERE

Now, before you get too excited, there is one big caveat. Those low prices do not include any premium content to watch. That has to be added on separately via additional bundles. For example, you can add the Sky Essential TV pack from £15 a month, which includes over 100 channels as well as Netflix and Discovery+.

Then there’s the Sky Ultimate TV Pack, which includes Sky channels, HBO Max, Disney+, Netflix and Hayu (coming in July) for £24 a month.

Basically, the more you add, the more you’ll pay. As a quick guide, a home buying Sky Glass Air and adding the Sky Ultimate TV Pack, along with Cinema and Sports access, will find they get a monthly bill of around £60 per month.

Other things to note are that all of Sky’s TVs come in different screen sizes, including 43, 55 and 65-inch. They can also be purchased without a contract, with things now starting from just £237.

As we mentioned earlier, Sky Glass is powered by the internet, so some fairly decent speeds are required for the best experience. Express.co.uk recommends homes have at least 50Mbps available.

Want to know more? Read our full Sky Glass Gen 2 review here. We have also tested Sky Glass Air, and a full review is available here.

If this all sounds like a lot of money. Don’t forget that there is now a cheaper option for those who want to stream TV. Freely now comes baked into TVs and offers the ability to watch over 50 channels without needing a subscription. Currys and Argos are selling Freely-powered tellies for just £109.

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Technology

Press one button on your Wi-Fi router to get instant free broadband speed boost

Published

22 hours ago

May 10, 2026

Desk Report

It may sound ludicrously simple, but anyone suffering from dismal broadband speeds might want to press the power button on the rear of their Wi-Fi router. Yes, the old trick of switching things off and back on again can work wonders, and it only takes a matter of minutes. This latest tip comes via Virgin Media, who recently posted an update about Wi-Fi issues and broadband speeds.

“In most cases, you can make a few quick adjustments to improve the WiFi speed on your device,” the telecoms firm said.

“A quick reboot can clear temporary issues, refresh the connection, and help resolve slow speeds or dropouts.”

Routers can become clogged with digital data, and resetting these devices can ensure they are back up to full speed again. Think of it a bit like a phone or laptop, when these gadgets start playing up, most people restart them to try and fix any gremlins, and routers are no different.

Just remember that a full reboot can take up to 5 minutes, so make sure no one in the home is waiting to make a video call to the office or is in the middle of an important download.

Restarting the router isn’t the only option if you aren’t getting decent download speeds. Other top tips include moving closer to router when wanting the best speeds.

“Walls, furniture, and distance can weaken your WiFi signal,” Virgin explained.

“Sitting closer to the router often results in a faster and more stable connection.”

Other things to try include updating the WiFi drivers on your PC as outdated software can cause performance problems or connection issues. Virgin says it’s also a good idea to close unnecessary apps and background downloads.

Finally, disconnect unused devices such as phones, tablets and smart TVs that can be competing for bandwidth.

“These small tweaks take just a few minutes but can make a real difference to speed, reliability, and overall performance,” Virgin added.

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