Month: October 2023

Why does my phone get so hot?If your phone is feeling unusually warm to the touch, or you’re seeing a temperature warning on the screen, don’t panic. Our smartphones work constantly, so they get overheated sometimes — but there are ways to fix this. Here are 5 ways to cool down your device so you can start using it again.

1 Protect your phone from the heatHave you ever gone to the beach or a BBQ, and picked up your phone only to find out it’s been locked for a few minutes? Exposure to high temperatures and sunlight is a key reason why phones get hot, so the first step is to get it out of that heat. Move your phone to a dry, cool place, like under your towel or inside an item of clothing that’s in the shade. Please don’t put your phone in the freezer — this will cause damage.

2 Separate your phone from other devicesIs your smartphone in a bag with multiple devices, like tablets or laptops?All modern devices release hot air to some extent, especially if there are apps running in the background and their batteries are working overtime. Try to store your smartphone in a different location, like your pocket, to help cool it down. Once you’re done dealing with an overheated phone, you could consider investing in dividers for your briefcase or tote bag to prevent this issue.

3 Take off your phone’s case, if it has onePhone cases protect your phone from chips, scratches and breaks, which is handy if you tend to drop your phone a lot or store it in bags with keys and other ridged objects. At the same time, cases can trap heat — the last thing you need if your phone is running hot. Remove the case until your phone cools down or the temperature warning disappears, and then it’ll be safe to put back on.

4 Fan your phoneJust like a fan gets air circulating through a room, it can be an easy way to cool down a smartphone. Hold your smartphone near a fan, or if you don’t have one, try fanning your phone with a piece of paper or book to mimic the effect. 

5 Exit apps and turn off the phoneIf you can still use your phone but it’s starting to feel warm, completely exit any apps you’re not using. In particular, focus on apps that drain the battery quickly, like YouTube, video games and social media. While you’re assessing your apps, it’s worth deleting any apps you never use from your phone. 
You could also try switching off your phone, and keeping it off until your phone returns to its normal temperature.

What causes phones to overheat?Now that your phone is back in business, let’s look at why devices overheat in the first place. Modern phone batteries emit heat regularly, so that’s normal. But phones usually overheat when the batteries are overworked, or there’s prolonged use of the phone in less-than-ideal conditions.

These are the most common reasons to help you answer the question: why is my phone so hot?
Exposure to heat. Like computers and other devices, smartphones have internal fans to keep them cool. However, these aren’t always sufficient, especially if the phone is sitting in high temperatures or direct sunlight for a long period of time. Ideally, you should keep your phone in an environment between 0 and 35 degrees Celsius. Any hotter, and you run the risk of overheating. In a nutshell? Don’t leave your phone on a sizzling hot car dashboard or deck chair in the middle of summer. 
Sudden shifts in temperature. On the flip side, steer clear of storing your phone in extremely cold or freezing locations as well. These kinds of changes in temperature introduce moisture to your phone, which can cause overheating as the internal components of your device move around . 

Poor charging environments. Does your Android or iPhone feel hot when charging? Connecting your phone to a power source, like a charger, can cause it to heat up more than usual. Try to charge your phone on a cool, hard and flat surface, and avoid placing it in an already-warm environment, like in between couch cushions under the covers of your bed.

Broken chargers. If there are wires sticking out of your charger’s cords, it’s time for an upgrade. We recommend purchasing a charger from the manufacturer who made your phone, like Apple or Samsung. Otherwise, choose a well-known brand that properly tests its chargers.
Too many apps running at once. Chances are, you toggle between email, text messages, social media, maps and a variety of other apps. Our smartphones have sophisticated central processing units (CPUs) that help to filter all this work, but they can get overworked sometimes. Plus, many apps run in the background, even if you’re not using them. If your iPhone is heating up, close your apps, starting with video streaming, gaming and other intense apps to see if that helps.

Outdated software or apps. Manufacturers constantly roll out patches to fix flaws, address complaints and speed up their programs for a better user experience. It’s important to accept all software updates as soon as they pop up, and to regularly update your apps to protect your smartphone from overheating as well as more serious problems, like hackers.

Malware. iPhones are less likely to fall victim to malware, and that’s simply because Apple doesn’t allow users to download non-iOS apps. Android has more flexibility, which means these devices are more prone to malware and viruses that can cause your phone to overheat. Antivirus software can protect your phone from harmful apps and notify you of any red flags. 

Safeguard your smartphone with ESET Mobile Securitydesigned for Androids, ESET Mobile Security offers a multilayered defense against a range of cyber threats, including ransomware and ransomware. The best mobile antivirus, it specifically prevents unauthorized users from gaining access to your networks and systems and blocks offensive and unsolicited content so you can safely use your favorite apps. You can install it on multiple smartphone Android devices under one shared license for ultimate peace of mind.

If you’ve been wondering, “Why is my phone hot?Why is my smartphone overheating? How do I get my device to cool down?” there’s no reason to panic. We have answers to your questions and tips to keep your phone cool.

Why Is My Phone Hot?If your phone is overheating, it maybe be from long hours of streaming, running too many apps at the same time, trying to use your phone with a bad signal, leaving it in direct sunlight or malware (Androids only). We explain further these common issues that cause a phone to overheat plus tips to prevent and/or fit it.
Where there’s energy, there’s heat. When you turn on your smartphone, billions of electrons shuttle around its computer circuits, enabling your device’s camera, apps, games, and calls to work. While these actions normally create heat, overheating can cause your cell phone to:

Seriously reduce performanceBattery degradationDecreased lifespan of the deviceMelt the central processing unit (CPU) in the mobile phoneIn a worst-case scenario, cause an explosionWatching videos or playing games for hoursStreaming movies or playing games for long periods of time taxes your phone’s CPU. If the phone is charging while you’re playing, it can become hot and damage the battery’s performance in the long run.

Running too many apps at onceIt doesn’t hurt to close the apps on your phone once you’re finished with it or when you’re not using them. Do you really need YouTube, Hinge, Candy Crush Saga, Instagram, Safari, Facebook and ESPN running simultaneously? The answer is no
Every open app running in the background taps into your phone’s processor, your phone’s memory (called RAM), and its battery. The more apps you have, the higher the energy demand. App updates often fix software bugs that can degrade your phone ‘sefficiency and performance, so be sure your apps are set to auto update or check for updates regularly.

Bugs and older software may cause apps to take in more energy to run smoothly (or, at all) and that alone can cause smartphones to overheat. Frequently updating your apps keeps them from overexerting your phone’s energy reserves.
Bad signalWe’ve all been there, suddenly we have no reception or spotty service, so we lift our phone aimlessly, waving it around in different directions as if that will magically improve our signal.
What’s really happening? Your smartphone is working overtime to find a signal, whether it be cellular, WiFi, or Bluetooth. If you’re in a location with a weak cellular signal or no WiFi, your phone puts in double duty by putting more energy into the mobile antenna.

Outdoor useIf your phone feels hot, you must think about any direct access to the sun. Did you place your phone on a sunny windowsill? In a hot car? On the concrete steps to your back porch?
You probably didn’t put it there on purpose but leaving your smartphone with direct exposure to sunlight can turn the metal and glass components into a mini oven, baking the delicate computer components inside.

If you’re outside with your smartphone, consider leaving it in a dark cooler place such as a pocket, backpack, or purse. If you’re somewhere like the beach, consider folding a corner of your towel and tucking your phone in there ( that also helps to avoid any saltwater or sand getting into your phone—you don’t want to compound one problem with a new one).

Malware or viruses (Androids only)Android devices are susceptible to an additional factor that iPhones are not— overheating due to exposure to malware or viruses. iPhones aren’t susceptible to malware because Apple doesn’t allow any non-Apple software on their devices.
An Android, however, can become infected with a virus that causes overheating. Android users should consider installing a reliable antivirus software program on their device. They check for possible malware could inflict damage to your phone. 

My Phone is Overheating—How Do I Cool Down My Phone?

If you find your smartphone starting to overheat, you can try to cool it down by removing the protective case, switching to low-power mode, or putting the phone in a shady area.
Smartphones are built with the dissipating heat in mind, but many protective cases will trap that heat and raise the overall temperature of the phone.
In the same way that you’ll throw off the covers in the middle of the night when your temperature is rising and you’re overheating in bed—ditching the phone case can help your smartphone cool down more easily.

Charge Your Phone on a Cool (Not Cold) SurfaceNever charge your phone overnight on a bed, blanket, or pillow! Heat must be able to escape the phone during the charging process and charging on a bed, blanket or pillow ends up trapping more heat. A nightstand is the best area for charging your phone bedside.
Leave Your Screen Brightness on LowDimming your screen’s brightness and immediately turning off GPS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi—even going into airplane mode—helps reduce the energy demands of your iPhone or Android device.
The more energy you use, the hotter your phone gets – it’s as simple as that. Not only do you get the added conserved energy, but you’re doing your eyes a favor by reducing the strain caused by staring at a bright light.

How Do I Prevent My Phone from Overheating?Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to keeping your phone from overheating. These simple tips go a long way toward prolonging the life of your phone and battery and prevent your phone overheating.
Use The Right ChargerLike the phones themselves, chargers are not created equally. You should never buy a used charger or one that’s not manufacturer-approved. Chargers and charging cables have different wattages, and many phone chargers are optimized for a specific brand.
Regularly Give Your Smart Phone a Good “House Cleaning”Close out apps you’re not using. Delete those you no longer use and, if needed, update those you want to keep. Adjust the settings on your phone to dim the screen.

Invest in Apps that Remove Junk or MalwareCleaner apps, such as Clean Master and Power Clean, remove junk files from your phone and identify apps that are hurting your phone and/or its battery’s performance. Consider downloading antivirus software to prevent unwanted malware from infecting your device and draining its power behind your back, which can result in extra power consumption and overheating if not diagnosed and addressed.

What is a Normal Amount of Heat to Come from My Smartphone?

Smartphones pack a huge amount of energy and computing power into a tiny package, and although the latest phones are built to withstand everyday situations and some temperature range, none are immune to overheating.
All of that said, if you’ve been using your phone for a long time, a little heat coming from your smartphone is perfectly normal.

The advancements in the smartphone technologies have given rise to more powerful devices resulting in more temperature generated. Your smartphone can overheat for various reasons ranging from basic usage to faulty components. Some smartphones have measures like cooling apps and metallic boy parts to curb overheating issues.

But even if your phone has those features — and especially if it doesn’t — excess heat can be a serious issue. Not only does it make the phone less comfortable to use, but it also can slow down the phone’s hardware or even damage it .
To avoid these complications we’ve compiled a list of things to do in case you find your phone overheating.

Power down the phoneWhen you notice your smartphone overheating, you should power it down and let it cool down for about 15 minutes. Let it cool off in a place far away from heat sources or sunlight. You should, however, take note of moisture or humidity conditions so that the phone doesn’t get damaged. Also, don’t put it into a freezer to cool it off faster — the big and rapid change in temperature can be bad for your hardware.

After 15 minutes have passed, you can power up the smartphone and use it again. You’ll notice that the temperature has dropped back to normal. If your phone’s temperature spikes again you can repeat the procedure. But this should give an indication of an underlying problem causing the overheating, which you will need to look into.
Limit background running applicationsEvery app you are using or have running in the background uses your phone’s hardware resources — loading your processor, RAM, consuming the battery charge. The apps that you aren’t actively using still can be very demanding while running in the background. And the more load your hardware has to handle — the more heat it generates.

So in order to reduce the workload of your phone, you need to keep an eye on how many apps it is running. Remember to turn off applications that you’re no longer using to not overload your CPU. A lot of apps nowadays auto- launch in the background when you turn on your phone, so you might need to check which of them you need active, and which should be stopped until needed. This might not only reduce the generated heat but also increase your battery life.

Avoid exposing your phoneLeaving your phone in direct sunlight is never a good idea, but especially if you have problems with overheating. Anything left in the sun for long will be heated by it, but since your working phone is already generating some heat on it’s own, it will have harder time cooling off. Also additional temperature from sunlight can take it over the threshold where it starts to strain your hardware.
So even though you might do it without thinking — just the phone where it’s more putting comfortable right now — you need to be mindful of this. On this note, avoid putting several running gadgets together if a few of them — or even just one — have issues with overheating. Doing so may lead to accumulating excess temperature
Updating applicationsApps are constantly updated, not only to change or improve their functionality but also to solve existing issues or bugs. A poorly optimized app can overload your hardware and bugs can lead to performance issues as well. Developers seek to root out and solve those issues, improving the performance and decreasing their demand. And as we mentioned earlier lesser load on hardware mean less generated heat.

Properly charge the smartphoneThis is an aspect well covered in the phone’s user manual which nobody reads through nowadays. As such, many phones are poorly charged leading to overheating, damaging sensitive internal components, and the battery. Therefore, we should go back to the user manuals for basic care of our phones. Properly charging the phone follows three guidelines which are:
Using the specified charger onlyCharging away from heat sourcesPartially charging during daylight and fully charge at night.Installing battery health softwareThere are several software and apps developed for monitoring and the health of your battery. These apps monitor the internal temperature of the battery and immediately report any abnormalities. Likewise, you can run the star-code battery check from your Android smartphone using the code *#*#4636#*#*.

Most of all, these apps let you know whether your battery is the culprit, and gives you the ability to decide your first line of action. If your phone still heats up and the battery monitor app indicates no error on the battery, then the issue is on another component.
ConclusionYour phone can overheat for any reason which are software and technical reasons. There are several methods of temperature issues on your smartphone. Some are simpler, others require more technical knowledge.

Of course, if none of the given advice works for you and the overheating continues to pose a serious issue, you might have defective hardware and have to repair or change it — but that part is better left to the professionals. Do you have advice for effectively managing smartphone emperature? Share it in the comments!

Here’s why smartphones overheat, and steps you can take to help cool things down.
Heat is your phone’s worst enemy. Modern smartphones house powerful processors and large-capacity batteries inside slim cases, which make overheating a real concern, even under normal operating conditions (looking at you, Galaxy Note 7 and maybe iPhone 15).

Whether it’s charging , sitting idle, or performing more active tasks, your phone has a safe internal temperature it needs to maintain, lest it end up shorting out, catching fire, or even exploding.

Sometimes, internal defects can lead to major problems, other times it’s the way we treat our phones that dictate how long they last. Whatever the reason, if your phone overheats, there are a few steps you can take to help cool things down and prevent it from happening again.

What Temperature Should My Phone Be?

While phones have CPUs like your computer, they do not have internal fans to keep temperatures down, largely because phones aren’t doing as labor-intensive tasks as PCs. Smartphone manufacturers recommend you keep your device between 32-95° Fahrenheit/0 to 35° Celsius when it’s charging, performing tasks, or sitting idle.
It may run hotter than that if you’ve been playing games, streaming video, or mirroring your screen for hours, or you’re synching a huge amount of data to the cloud, restoring from backup, or using graphics-intensive or augmented- reality apps or features, among other things.

Unfortunately, there is no easy way to check your device’s internal temperature. In the past, some phones displayed this information within the settings menu, but that is no longer the case. Instead, you may be able to find a third-party app that can give you a look at the internal goings-on of your phone.

How to Help an Overheating Phoneiphone overheating
Even if you don’t know the phone’s exact temperature, modern smartphones will help you out here by posting a warning on the screen if the device gets too hot. It may also shut down certain features in order to help cool things down. If you see a heat warning on your phone, there are a few steps you can take to get things cooled down and prevent any serious issue.

1. Remove Your Phone From the EnvironmentManufacturers advise users to keep their device in an environment that is between -4 and 113 degrees Fahrenheit. Any lower and the phone could seize up; any higher and you risk permanent damage. If your device is in a hot environment, move it immediately. This could mean removing it from a hot car, taking it out of direct sunlight, or keeping it away from any heat sources, such as a radiator.
It should go without saying, but don’t put it in the freezer. Sudden shifts in temperature can seriously damage the phone because the components inside your device expand when they heat up, so intense cold can add unwanted moisture to the phone.
Take note of where you place your phone while charging. Since connecting it to power will naturally increase the temperature of the device, keep your phone free of any clutter. Don’t charge it in bed, or bury it under pillows, blankets, papers , or books. Your phone should instead sit on a hard, flat surface as much as possible.

2. Reset or Turn Off the PhoneUnplug your phone if it’s charging. If you have a phone case on the device, remove it. You may also want to power the phone down and let it sit in a cool place for a bit. Unfortunately, this last part may be more complicated that you might expect. Modern smartphones have made it so the power button on your device can do more than simply control power.

How you turn off your iPhone or Android device differs depending on which model you own, though it usually involves some combination of pressing the Side button (or Home button) and volume buttons. iPhone owners can also go to Settings > General > Shut Down to shut things down.

3. Try a Different ChargerIf the device was just charging, check for any damage on the power cord. Is the cable melted or shredded to the point where you can see the internal wiring? If so, dispose of it safely and use one without damage.
Even if there’s nothing physically wrong with the charger, double-check that it’s from a reputable brand. Ideally, you’ll only charge your phone with the charger that comes in the box. Otherwise, make sure the charger was made by Apple or Samsung , or stick with a known brand, such as Anker.
Cheap alternatives from no-name companies sold online are not safe; the potential hazards are not worth the few bucks you might save. If you’re not sure what to look for, Apple has a whole page dedicated to identifying fake MFi chargers for Lightning -based iPhones.

4. Put Offending Apps to Sleepsleeping apps(Credit: Apple/PCMag)Your device’s CPU works hard to process games, augmented reality features, and even GPS navigation. If the phone is heating up while running one of these apps, force-close the program and give your device a break.
Even if you are not actively using an app, it can still be running in the background and putting pressure on the CPU. If you have an iPhone, open Settings and select the offending app from the menu. Disable Background App Refresh to stop the app from working in the background .

On a Samsung device, you can put apps to sleep under Settings > Battery and device care > Battery > Background usage limits. The option Put unused apps to sleep should be turned on by default; if not, turn it on. You can add misbehaving apps under Sleeping apps—those that only occasionally run in the background—and Deep sleeping apps—those that only run when you open them. Choose the category, tap the plus (+) icon, select the offending apps, and click Add to put them to sleep.
For a Pixel phone, you can go to Settings > Apps > App battery usage, then select the offending program and change its battery restriction to one of the following settings:
Unrestricted: Allows battery usage in the background without any restrictions. This will use more battery.

Optimized: Optimize battery usage based on your usage. This is the recommended setting for most apps since it only restricts what you don’t use.
Restricted: Restricted battery usage while open in the background. This may prevent certain services within in the app to stop working while not in use.
Your phone device may even notify you when a specific app is using too many resources and prompt you to put the app to sleep or uninstall it. Don’t ignore these types of warnings.

Most Samsung Galaxy models have a removable battery, a rarity for many smartphones today. This wikiHow guide will help you swap out the battery on your Galaxy.
Part1Removing the Battery
1Press and hold the Power button. Powering off the phone properly is essential in making sure that no data get corrupted in case you power it off while the CPU is writing data. To switch off the phone safely, press and hold the Power button on your device.This is typically located at the right side of the device for easy reach.The power menu should come up.

2Tap on the “Power Off” or “Shut Off” option. A loading screen should appear, which you must wait for so the phone shuts off properly.You will know that it has powered off when the device vibrates briefly and the screen turns off.

3Remove the back plate. The removable backplate protects the battery, as well as the SIM card and the microSD card inserted into your device. It can easily be pried off, but you must locate the groove that will enable you to use your fingernail to remove it.Typically located around the corners of your device, the groove will let you pull out the backplate with just a little force needed.

4Remove the battery. Once you remove the back plate, the battery, SIM, and microSD card will be exposed. Remove the battery by prying it out with your fingernail.The battery has a lip where you will be able to pull it out with ease.

Part2

1Get the new battery. Ensure that the battery you are using is rated for the device you are using it with and has been fully charged. It is highly recommended that you use original Samsung batteries on your Galaxy device.Image titled Change the Battery on a Samsung Galaxy Step 6

2Insert the new battery. Now that you have your battery, insert it into your device’s battery bay by inserting the side with the gold terminals first.Image titled Change the Battery on a Samsung

Galaxy Step 7
3Put the back plate on again.

Do this by pressing down on the sides of the back plate against your phone. You should hear an audible clicking, which means the latches have been secured.Image titled Change the Battery on a Samsung Galaxy Step 8

4Turn on yourphoneby holding the Power button. The phone should vibrate briefly, and boot into your home screen shortly.

Samsung’s Galaxy Tab has lithium-ion batteries that wear out over time and need replacement. Signs that your Galaxy Tab’s battery should be replaced include dramatically lower battery life and sudden shutdowns.

The battery in a Samsung Galaxy Tab can be easily removed with the help of special tools. You can purchase a battery replacement kit for your Samsung Galaxy Tab model online. This wikiHow article teaches you how to remove your Samsung Galaxy Tab battery.
Part1Removing the Battery From a Samsung Galaxy Tab
Image titled Take the Battery Out of a Samsung Galaxy Tablet Step 11Get the equipment needed. In order to remove the battery from a Samsung Galaxy Tab, you will need a plastic pry tool and a tiny screwdriver.

Some models require a tri-wing screwdriver. You can purchase all the tools you need, along with a replacement battery or you can just purchase a replacement battery kit that comes with all the tools. Be sure you get the correct battery or kit for your Samsung Galaxy Tab model.Make sure you purchase the correct kit for your Samsung Galaxy Tab model. The wrong kit may not have the right battery or tools.If you do not have a plastic pry tool, you can use any thin piece of plastic, such as a guitar pick, or a thin piece of plastic cut from a soda bottle.[1]Some types of Galaxy Tab, like the Tab-A, have non-removable batteries. If you have this type of tablet, you’ll need to take it to a Samsung authorized repair agent to get the battery replaced

Image titled Take the Battery Out of a Samsung Galaxy Tablet Step 22Turn off the Galaxy Tab. Press and hold the power button on the side of your Samsung Galaxy Tab unit to power off your device.
Image titled Take the Battery Out of a Samsung Galaxy Tablet Step 33Remove the two screw covers near the charging port (If present). Some Galaxy Tab 10 models have screws on both sides of the charging port. If your Galaxy Tab model has screws to the sides of the charging port, use a safety pin or sharp object to remove the screw covers, and then use a tri-wing screwdriver to remove the screws.If your Tab does not have screws, skip this step.

Image titled Take the Battery Out of a Samsung Galaxy Tablet Step 44Use the plastic pry tool to remove the back cover. Insert the plastic pry tool in between where the back cover attaches to the front. This is usually along the side edges of the device. On some models, the seam may be on the front of the screen. Go around the entire device while gently applying pressure to separate the front cover from the back.[3]Keep in mind that the clips that attach the back cover are easy to break, so go slowly and carefully. Be careful not to tear the microphone cable when you separate the front panel from the top left corner of the Galaxy Tab.
Image titled Take the Battery Out of a Samsung Galaxy Tablet Step 55Separate the back cover from the rest of the unit. Once all the clips are popped out, remove the back cover and set it aside.

Image titled Take the Battery Out of a Samsung Galaxy Tablet Step 66Remove the tape from the ribbon cables and battery. There may be tape covering the ribbon cable connectors and battery. Use the plastic pry tool to remove the tape and set it aside.Image titled Take the Battery Out of a Samsung Galaxy Tablet Step 77

Disconnect the ribbon cables covering the battery (if present). Many larger Samsung Galaxy Tab 10 models have 2 or 3 ribbon cables that go over the top of the battery. Use the plastic pry tool to pop the tab on the front of the connectors where the ribbon cables are attached. Then slide the ribbon cables out of the connectors. If no tab is present on the connectors, simply slide the ribbon cables out.If you don’t have a larger tablet with ribbon cables, skip this step.

Image titled Take the Battery Out of a Samsung Galaxy Tablet Step 88Remove the battery screws (if present). On some Galaxy Tab models, the battery may be screwed in place. Use a tiny Philips screwdriver to remove the screws on all sides of the battery.If you don’t have screws in your Tab, skip this step.Disconnect the battery from the board. There are 4 wires from the battery that are attached to a black clip connected to the mainboard. Place the plastic pry tool under the wires and apply upward pressure to disconnect the wire clip from the board.

Removing the Battery From a Samsung Galaxy Tab |Reassemble Your Samsung Galaxy Tab Samsung’s Galaxy Tab has lithium-ion batteries that wear out over time and need replacement. Signs that your Galaxy Tab’s battery should be replaced include dramatically lower battery life and sudden shutdowns.

The battery in a Samsung Galaxy Tab can be easily removed with the help of special tools. You can purchase a battery replacement kit for your Samsung Galaxy Tab model online. This wikiHow article teaches you how to remove your Samsung Galaxy Tab battery.

Things You Should KnowDepending on the model, your tablet may or may not have screws or ribbons. A quick check online will let you know what your specific model has.Don’t break the ribbon connecting the back of your tablet to your battery when you take the back panel off.Also avoid damaging the cables connecting the battery to your tablet’s mainboard.Some models of Galaxy Tab don’t have removable batteries. Check your user manual or do a search for your model to make sure.

Our comprehensive objective testing meets real-world considerations to crown the overall Best of Android: Mid-2020 winner.As an industry – and also as consumers – we often calculate the “best” as an obvious answer to a simple equation: more equals better More cameras, more RAM, more check marks on a specs sheet.

We flip flop between thinking the best is whatever’s most expensive and a similar product we somehow expect to be priced lower than it cost the manufacturer to make it.
Sometimes you get what you pay for – or more – and sometimes you overpay. Never has that been more evident than when a global pandemic coincides with the arrival of 5G silicon. These two factors, along with smartphones’ commodification, have conspired to push flagship prices even further northward.

As with many things, though, to get to the heart of the matter you have to dig a little deeper.
The best on paper isn’t much good if it all goes to pieces once it’s out of the box, and the most expensive thing isn’t necessarily the best. That’s why this year the raw data of Android Authority’s objective testing has been combined with real-world considerations that can and often do affect what’s really the best.
Read more: The best Android phones
How we decided and whyTo help us decide how objective performance fits in the grand scheme of things, we posed some additional questions to determine our overall Best of Android: Mid-2020 winner.

Is the product widely available through reputable channels? Can it be bought unlocked, through carriers, or both? Does the company have any meaningful customer service and support in place if something goes wrong? How likely are bugs to be fixed? Are there better- priced options available that do much the same thing or even more? What’s the build quality like? Are you guaranteed OS and security updates and how good, stable, and user-friendly is the software?

To calculate overall our winner, we combined the results of our objective testing with the admittedly complicated answers to the questions above. (If you’d like to see how the accumulated objective results played out, head to the bottom of this post) Once we combined the results of both objective and real-world considerations, we had enough data points to confidently crown the overall Best of Android: Mid-2020 winner.
Editor’s note: If you’re wondering why you don’t see your favorite phone here, remember that only major phones released in the first half of 2020 were included. Phones from late 2019 and those hitting shelves after June 30, 2020, were not eligible.
Best of Android: Mid-2020 Editor’s Choice winner – OnePlus 8 ProWhen all was said and done, we had a clear winner: the OnePlus 8 Pro.

Sometimes the Best of Android comes down to a photo finish, but not this year. OnePlus’ controversially more-expensive 2020 flagship posted a convincing lead, even over the phone in second place overall, the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus.
As in previous years, Samsung ranked well not necessarily by consistently winning anything outright but by ranking very highly across the board.
But OnePlus was equally consistent, offers a better value proposition, and claimed outright victory in both our display and performance categories. That’s a very hard act to follow. TheOnePlus 8 Proalso ranked very highly for software, design, and build quality (often only just ahead of the S20 series).

Sometimes it comes down to a photo finish, but not this year. The OnePlus 8 Pro won convincingly.The S20 Plus did outrank the OnePlus 8 Pro in some of our additional categories, however, including availability and brand reputation/customer support. With any luck, these shortcomings might help provide a roadmap for what OnePlus should address in the future.

(If you want to see the top results for each of the additional categories we considered in order to crown our overall winner, head to the bottom of this post. You can also revisit each of our objective category posts, linked at the very bottom, for more on the rankings within those categories.)
Related: How OnePlus prices have changed over the years
What it all meansOnePlus 8 Pro screen in handFor a company that got its start by throwing everything it could at a specs sheet while maintaining a low price, the OnePlus 8 Pro proves that the best phone is more than just the sum of its parts. While many of us initially balked at the higher price tag, it’s hard to say it wasn’t justified with a result like this.

OnePlus promised a flagship killer years ago but never truly delivered on that promise until now. The OnePlus 8 Pro may cost three times more than the OnePlus One, but it’s still significantly cheaper than the Galaxy S20 Plus and to our reckoning, represents the better choice right now.
OnePlus promised a flagship killer years ago but never truly delivered on that promise until now.The OnePlus 8 Pro taking out Best of Android: Mid-2020 is a legacy to OnePlus’ rise from underdog enthusiast brand to world-class mainstream manufacturer. Few would have seriously expected OnePlus to go toe-to-toe with Samsung and win in just six short years. Samsung may still dominate on a global scale, but OnePlus clearly has a winning strategy on its hands.

In case you missed it, check out our OnePlus 8 Pro reviewBecause no one ever agrees on everything – Oscar winners, Yanny/Laurel, the ending of The Sopranos, burgers vs. pizza – we’d love to hear what you think should’ve won or what other factors we should have considered. As smartphones evolve, so too must our evaluation of them, so your suggestions might just make it into the end-of-year awards.

But first, get ready to cast your vote for your favorite phone released in the first half of 2020 in our Best of Android: Mid-2020 Reader’s Choice voting.
Since the June 30 cut-off date for eligibility in Best of Android: Mid-2020, we’ve already got the Sony Xperia 1 II, the ASUS ROG Phone 3, Google Pixel 4a, OnePlus Nord, and new releases from OPPO and vivo on the horizon, not to mention the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and more. As always, our full-year Best ofAndroid awards are going to be hotly contested!