Julian Chokkattu
Former Mobile and Wearables Editor
Author/Co-Author of 1053 articles
Julian is the mobile and wearables editor at Digital Trends, covering smartphones, fitness trackers, smartwatches, and more. He began his career in journalism as the news editor of his college newspaper, and then worked at TechCrunch writing about startups. Julian has reviewed dozens of phones, tablets, and wearables for several years, and still isn't tired of it. He's traveled to select cities in the U.S. to test 5G, and he's seasoned at covering major events like Google I/O and Apple's WWDC. He's also an avid photographer.
Pixel 4 XL vs. iPhone 11 Pro vs. Note 10 Plus vs. OnePlus 7T: Camera shootout
The Google Pixel 4 is here with another winning camera, despite its battery woes, so how does it stack up to competitors like the iPhone 11 Pro, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus, and the OnePlus 7T? We took all four phones for a spin on a photo walk to find the best in this smartphone camera shootout.
Google’s Pixel 4 looks different. Here’s what the designers changed and why
Google's Pixel 4 looks different from previous Pixel phones. Digital Trends spoke with the phone's designers to talk about the changes. The classic two-tone look has disappeared, but it's replaced by a black band surrounding the phone, along with the Pixel square, which houses the new dual-camera system.
Google Shopping gets a price tracker and a new ‘Buy on Google’ guarantee
Google Shopping is getting a slew of new features to make the retail site a little more robust, including price tracking and a "Buy on Google" guarantee. The latter is an icon you'll see next to certain products, and it means you'll get 24/7 access to customer service, easy checkout, and free returns up to 90 days.
Here’s how the iPhone 11 Pro cameras stack up to last year’s iPhone XS
Thinking about upgrading from your iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max? The improvements in the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max are all about the camera, and this test showcases those changes. From a new ultra-wide-angle lens to Night mode, here's how the iPhone 11 Pro Max stacks up to the iPhone XS Max in this camera shootout.
iPhone 11 Pro Max review: Turning everything up to max
The iPhone 11 Pro Max is for big-screen enthusiasts, but it's also undeniably the best smartphone you can buy at the moment. It excels at almost everything, from incredible battery life and a fantastic screen to powerful performance and class-leading cameras. This is the iPhone to splurge on.
Apple iPhone 11 review: The iPhone for all
The iPhone 11 succeeds the iPhone XR, yet it's even more affordable at $699. Is it worth saving $300 by going for it over the iPhone 11 Pro and the iPhone 11 Pro Max? For most people, yes. The upgrades include a second ultra-wide-angle lens, Night mode for the camera, and slightly better battery life.
Samsung’s Galaxy Fold to launch in the ‘coming weeks,’ include Premier Service
Planning on buying a Galaxy Fold? Samsung is launching a Premier Service that offers 24/7 access to experts if you buy the foldable phone. Samsung recalled Galaxy Fold units in April after reviewers found issues with the hardware. It was a serious blow, but the phone's ready to make a second impression.
Nokia 7.2 review: Nokia aims high but misses the mark
HMD Global's latest phone in the U.S. is the Nokia 7.2, and not only does it look sophisticated, but it also has some killer camera specs. There's a 48-megapixel camera, along with a wide-angle and depth-sensing lens. But can it dethrone the Google Pixel 3a, which remains the best camera on a phone under $400?
Testing Sprint’s 5G speeds on the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G in New York City
The OnePlus 7 Pro 5G has landed in the U.S., and it's the cheapest 5G phone you can buy on Sprint's network. It joins the LG V50 ThinQ, Samsung Galaxy S10 5G, and HTC 5G Hub to be the fourth 5G device on Sprint. Coinciding with the launch is Sprint's latest wave of 5G cities including New York and L.A.
Here’s how fast the Note 10 Plus’ battery charges compared to the competition
Samsung has lagged behind in charging speed time for its phones for years. That's changing with its latest Galaxy Note 10 Plus. It comes with a 25W charger in the box and supports USB Power Delivery 3.0. Here's how it fares over popular phones like the iPhone XS Max, Pixel 3 XL, and OnePlus 7 Pro.
Motorola One Action hands-on review
Motorola’s latest phone is called the Motorola One Action, and it wants to end vertical videos once and for all. The unique action camera lets you film in portrait orientation, but you still get landscape video footage. Sadly, in the U.S. this phone won’t be a part of the Android One program.
Samsung said the new Galaxy Note 10 was made of stainless steel. It’s not
A Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10 Plus promotional video -- seen by almost 3 million people -- claimed the new phones have stainless steel frames, like Apple's flagship iPhones. The problem? They don't. Samsung has since replaced the video and has confirmed to Digital Trends the metal is aluminum.
Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10 Plus Review: Renaissance Phone
Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10 Plus is here, and it’s the biggest and best Samsung phone ever. Its key feature is its looks, as it has an attractive rear design, highlighted by the new Aura Glow color, but little else has changed. Read our Note 10 Plus review for our in-depth thoughts on Samsung's latest.
T-Mobile’s 5G network is blazing NYC’s lower east side. Here are our test results
T-Mobile’s 5G is finally live in the U.S., specifically in select areas of six major cities. While the only device you can use to access it costs $1,300, it won’t cost you anything more than the carrier’s existing unlimited plan. We took the Galaxy S10 5G out for a spin in New York City to test T-Mobile’s 5G download speeds.
iOS 13 hands-on review
iOS 13 is here -- at least, the public beta has landed. You can install it now on a supported iPhone. Check out our iOS 13 hands on as we dive into some of the biggest new features, from user interface changes and Dark mode to the new Photos app. If you do plan to install it, you should backup your data.
The stand-alone Palm is now available, but you don’t really need it
Palm, the reinvented company carrying the name of the brand we all know, has released a stand-alone version of its tiny Android-powered smartphone. That means you don't need another phone to use it with, and you don't need to pay for another data plan. But you'll still need to deal with poor battery life.
Apple Mac Pro and Pro Display XDR: First look
Apple has two new products it announced at WWDC 2019: The Mac Pro and the Pro Display XDR. Both cost thousands of dollars and aren't for you, but that doesn't mean you won't stop ogling them. The Mac Pro has insane levels of performance, once maxed out, and the display has peak brightness of 1,600 nits.
Verizon’s 5G is blazing fast on the Galaxy S10 5G, if you’re on the right block
The Samsung Galaxy S10 5G is finally here, so Digital Trends hit Chicago to test its capabilities on Verizon's 5G network. As with the Moto Z3 and Moto Mod, service is still limited, and there are a lot of caveats to get a perfect connection, but it's super fast. Here's what we found.
Android 10 review: A small but beneficial update
Android 10 is the latest version of Google’s Android mobile operating system, and it brings numerous important changes, from improved privacy settings to a dark theme. It follows Android 9 Pie, and there’s a lot to know about the new OS. Here are our impressions after using it for several months.
Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL review
The Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL are Google’s latest phones, and their key selling point is that they bring the same exact software and camera experience from the Pixel 3 and 3 XL to a much lower price point -- $399 and $479, respectively. You also get great performance and battery life.
At half the price, how does the Pixel 3a camera stack up to the Google Pixel 3?
Google's Pixel 3 is the reigning king of smartphone photography, particularly in the U.S., where the Huawei P30 Pro isn't available. But now you can get the same Pixel 3 camera experience at half the price with Google's latest phone, the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL. Here's how they stack up.
Here’s what Google’s Tiles on Wear OS look like, and how they work
Smartwatches are all about convenience and accessing the information you need, when you need it. Google's Wear OS is about to get a whole lot more convenient with a new interface that pulls in your calendar, fitness goals, and more. Called Tiles on Wear OS, it's being shown off at Google I/O 2019.
Samsung Galaxy Fold review: Wait for the next generation
Samsung's Galaxy Fold is the company's first foldable smartphone. It boasts two screens, six cameras, and a dual-cell battery. The phone was delayed due to display issues, but Samsung has fixed all its problems, and it's now available. Here's what it's like to use a foldable smartphone.
Verizon just flipped 5G live in Chicago, but finding it is like panning for gold
Verizon activated its first 5G network in the U.S. on April 3, a week ahead of schedule. We flew to Chicago to see what it’s like. Using the mid-range Motorola Moto Z3 from 2018 and the 5G Moto Mod, it’s still a high cost of entry to use 5G. So is it worth upgrading your phone, at least in 2019?
Apple’s next big event is minutes away: Here’s what you can expect
Apple's next big event takes place on March 25 in Cupertino, California. The company is expected to make services announcements, including its new streaming service. and possibly a new Apple TV streaming device. Follow our detailed guide to find out all you need to know.
Galaxy S10, S10 Plus, or S10e: Key settings you need to change
Samsung's Galaxy S10, S10 Plus, and S10e smartphones are now available. If you've set your phone up, we've rounded up a handful of key settings we think you should tweak or turn on -- from the WQHD+ resolution to a slightly more secure Face Unlock -- to get the most out of your new device.
Samsung Galaxy S10 5G hands-on review
The question of whether to buy a 5G phone in 2019 is complex. The Galaxy S10 5G will be one of the first 5G phones on all major carriers, but it’s also going to be among the most expensive in Samsung’s new Galaxy lineup. We break down what it’s like, and whether you should wait or buy into the next-gen network.
Sony Xperia 1 review: One for the fans
Sony’s Xperia 1 smartphone is svelte, tall, modern, and powerful. The 21:9 aspect ratio means you get a cinematic viewing experience. It’s too bad there are several other shortcomings, such as a lackluster camera, unimpressive battery life, and far too high of a price tag. Here’s our Xperia 1 review.
LG G8 ThinQ review
LG’s latest is the LG G8 ThinQ, and its marquee features are the weirdest we’ve seen on a smartphone in a long time. You can hover your hand over the phone’s selfie camera to make gestures to unlock and control it. While these features differentiate the phone, is it worth using? Find out in our LG G8 ThinQ review.