Category Archives: Blog

UPDATE: Jan. 18, 2024, 11:20 a.m. EST This story has been updated with the latest VPN deals and pricing.

Best VPN deals of the week at a glance:

---

Best roster of features

NordVPN Standard (2 years)

$3.39/month
(save $9.60/month)

Get Deal

---

Most globally diverse server network

ExpressVPN (1 year + 3 months)

$6.67/month
(save $6.28/month)

Get Deal

---

Best for privacy wonks

Proton VPN Plus (2 years)

$4.99/month
(save $5/month)

Get Deal

---

Best for streaming

CyberGhost VPN (2 years + 2 months)

$2.19/month
(save $10.80/month)

Get Deal

---

Best for VPN newbies

TunnelBear Unlimited (3 years)

$3.33/month
(save $6.66/month)

Get Deal

Using a virtual private network (or VPN) is an easy way to bypass geo-restrictions, protect company data while working remotely, and browse privately on public WiFi networks. Most providers’ plans cost anywhere from $2 to $13 per month, though many lure customers in with discounted introductory rates that skyrocket after your initial term. To help you lock in a plan that’ll fit your budget in the short and long run, we’re compiling a weekly roundup of the best deals on all the VPNs we’ve personally tested. Below, you can check out our top picks as of Jan. 18 — including one holiday offer that’s somehow still live.

NordVPN

Read Mashable’s review of NordVPN.

Power users shouldn’t think twice about signing up for NordVPN, an industry giant that bundles its highly customizable VPN service with advanced security features like Tor access, a dark web monitor, and malware protection. New users can snag a two-year Standard plan for just $3.39/month (billed $81.36 upfront) thanks to its lingering New Year’s deal, which takes 74% off its usual $12.99/month rate. (If you don’t see that discount reflected, try pulling up the NordVPN website in an incognito window.) The plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and renews annually at $8.29/month after your first term ends.

Optional add-ons include:

• Dedicated IP — $4.19/month

• Incogni data removal tool — $3.99/month

ExpressVPN

Read Mashable’s review of ExpressVPN.

ExpressVPN is a well-established VPN service with a globally diverse server network, a user-friendly app, a built-in tracker blocker, and a strong commitment to user privacy. Its monthly rate also hovers around the high end of the spectrum at $12.95, so we recommend opting for its 15-month plan at $6.67/month (billed $99.95 upfront) — that’s a 49% savings and covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Your subscription will convert to an $8.32/month annual plan after the first term is up.

Proton VPN

Read Mashable’s review of Proton VPN.

Proton VPN is another great pick for privacy wonks with open-source apps and ultra-transparent company policies. It offers a decent free plan, but we recommend its Plus tier for full access to its server network, streaming and P2P support, multi-hop, up to 10 simultaneous connections, and Tor access. While monthly subscriptions typically go for $9.99, you can save 50% and pay just $4.99/month (billed $119.76 upfront) by committing to a two-year plan; that’s a fixed rate that won’t increase after your first term if you decide to extend the subscription, which is pretty rare. A 30-day money-back guarantee applies here, too.

CyberGhost VPN

Read Mashable’s review of CyberGhost VPN.

CyberGhost lays claim to a massive network with special servers optimized for streaming, gaming, and P2P to help minimize lag. New customers can take advantage of its holiday deal and sign up for a 26-month plan at just $2.19/month (billed $56.94 upfront), saving 83% on its standard monthly fee of $12.99. The subscription will renew as a $4.75/month annual plan after your initial term is up, which still isn’t terrible — and like all of CyberGhost’s multi-year plans, it comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee plus free access to its ID Guard and Privacy Guard tools. If you don’t want to commit to anything just yet, you can try CyberGhost for free for up to a week, depending on the platform.

Optional add-ons include:

• Dedicated IP — $2.50/month $5/month (save 50%) for two years

TunnelBear

Read Mashable’s review of TunnelBear.

Our go-to recommendation for anyone who’s never used the technology before, TunnelBear is a simple, lightweight VPN with an intuitive (and adorable) interface. Though it’s incapable of unblocking international streaming sites, it should serve you well for basic web surfing. Pick its Unlimited plan over the free version for unlimited browsing and priority customer service, which costs $3.33/month (billed $120 upfront) when you enroll for three years — that’s 67% off its usual $9.99/month rate. Your plan renews at $4.99/month on a yearly plan after the first term. There’s no money-back guarantee, unfortunately, but refunds are offered on a case-by-case basis.

Private Internet Access (PIA)

Read Mashable’s review of PIA.

It’s nothing particularly special, but for users in search of a basic VPN with open-source apps, built-in ad blocking, and unlimited simultaneous connections, PIA is worth a look. You’ll pay only $2.19/month (billed $56.94 upfront) if you lock into a 26-month plan, saving 82% on its regular rate of $11.99/month; that does include a 30-day money-back guarantee. Your subscription will switch to an annual plan at $4.75/month after the initial term is over.

Optional add-ons include:

• Antivirus by PIA — $1.45/month $4.50/month (save 68%) for two years

• Dedicated IP — $2.50/month $5/month (save 50%) for two years

IPVanish

Read Mashable’s review of IPVanish.

Another middle-of-the-road pick, IPVanish makes up for a lack of advanced security features with a minimalist, straightforward app and support for unlimited simultaneous connections. You can get your first 27 months for $2.99/month (billed $80.75 upfront), which shaves 77% off its usual monthly rate of $12.99 and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. After that term is up, you’ll get bumped to $7.50/month on an annual plan.

Editor’s note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, Mashable’s publisher. Any IPVanish products or services featured on Mashable are covered independently by our team.

UPDATE: Jan. 11, 2024, 11:10 a.m. EST This story has been updated with the latest and greatest VPN deals.

Best VPN deals of the week at a glance:

---

Best roster of features

NordVPN Standard (2 years)

$3.39/month
(save $9.60/month)

Get Deal

---

Most globally diverse server network

ExpressVPN (1 year + 3 months)

$6.67/month
(save $6.28/month)

Get Deal

---

Best for privacy wonks

Proton VPN Plus (2 years)

$4.99/month
(save $5/month)

Get Deal

---

Best for streaming

CyberGhost VPN (2 years + 2 months)

$2.19/month
(save $10.80/month)

Get Deal

---

Best for VPN newbies

TunnelBear Unlimited (3 years)

$3.33/month
(save $6.66/month)

Get Deal

Using a virtual private network (or VPN) is an easy way to bypass geo-restrictions, protect company data while working remotely, and browse privately on public WiFi networks. Most providers’ plans cost anywhere from $2 to $13 per month, though many lure customers in with discounted introductory rates that skyrocket after your initial term. To help you lock in a plan that’ll fit your budget in the short and long run, we’re compiling a weekly roundup of the best deals on all the VPNs we’ve personally tested. Below, you can check out our top picks as of Jan. 11 — including several lingering holiday sales.

NordVPN

Read Mashable’s review of NordVPN.

Power users shouldn’t think twice about signing up for NordVPN, an industry giant that bundles its highly customizable VPN service with advanced security features like Tor access, a dark web monitor, and malware protection. New users can snag a two-year Standard plan for just $3.39/month (billed $81.36 upfront) thanks to its New Year’s deal, which takes 74% off its usual $12.99/month rate. The plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and renews annually at $8.29/month after your first term ends.

Optional add-ons include:

• Dedicated IP — $4.19/month

• Incogni data removal tool — $3.99/month

ExpressVPN

Read Mashable’s review of ExpressVPN.

ExpressVPN is a well-established VPN service with a globally diverse server network, a user-friendly app, a built-in tracker blocker, and a strong commitment to user privacy. Its monthly rate also hovers around the high end of the spectrum at $12.95, so we recommend opting for its 15-month plan at $6.67/month (billed $99.95 upfront) — that’s a 49% savings and covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Your subscription will convert to an $8.32/month annual plan after the first term is up.

Proton VPN

Read Mashable’s review of Proton VPN.

Proton VPN is another great pick for privacy wonks with open-source apps and ultra-transparent company policies. It offers a decent free plan, but we recommend its Plus tier for full access to its server network, streaming and P2P support, multi-hop, up to 10 simultaneous connections, and Tor access. While monthly subscriptions typically go for $9.99, you can save 50% and pay just $4.99/month (billed $119.76 upfront) by committing to a two-year plan; that’s a fixed rate that won’t increase after your first term if you decide to extend the subscription, which is pretty rare. A 30-day money-back guarantee applies here, too.

CyberGhost VPN

Read Mashable’s review of CyberGhost VPN.

CyberGhost lays claim to a massive network with special servers optimized for streaming, gaming, and P2P to help minimize lag. New customers can take advantage of its holiday deal and sign up for a 26-month plan at just $2.19/month (billed $56.94 upfront), saving 83% on its standard monthly fee of $12.99. The subscription will renew as a $4.75/month annual plan after your initial term is up, which still isn’t terrible — and like all of CyberGhost’s multi-year plans, it comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee plus free access to its ID Guard and Privacy Guard tools. If you don’t want to commit to anything just yet, you can try CyberGhost for free for up to a week, depending on the platform.

Optional add-ons include:

• Dedicated IP — $2.50/month $5/month (save 50%) for two years

TunnelBear

Read Mashable’s review of TunnelBear.

Our go-to recommendation for anyone who’s never used the technology before, TunnelBear is a simple, lightweight VPN with an intuitive (and adorable) interface. Though it’s incapable of unblocking international streaming sites, it should serve you well for basic web surfing. Pick its Unlimited plan over the free version for unlimited browsing and priority customer service, which costs $3.33/month (billed $120 upfront) when you enroll for three years — that’s 67% off its usual $9.99/month rate. Your plan renews at $4.99/month on a yearly plan after the first term. There’s no money-back guarantee, unfortunately, but refunds are offered on a case-by-case basis.

Private Internet Access (PIA)

Read Mashable’s review of PIA.

It’s nothing particularly special, but for users in search of a basic VPN with open-source apps, built-in ad blocking, and unlimited simultaneous connections, PIA is worth a look. You’ll pay only $2.19/month (billed $56.94 upfront) if you lock into a 26-month plan, saving 82% on its regular rate of $11.99/month; that does include a 30-day money-back guarantee. Your subscription will switch to an annual plan at $4.75/month after the initial term is over.

Optional add-ons include:

• Antivirus by PIA — $1.45/month $4.50/month (save 68%) for two years

• Dedicated IP — $2.50/month $5/month (save 50%) for two years

IPVanish

Read Mashable’s review of IPVanish.

Another middle-of-the-road pick, IPVanish makes up for a lack of advanced security features with a minimalist, straightforward app and support for unlimited simultaneous connections. You can get your first 27 months for $2.99/month (billed $80.75 upfront), which shaves 77% off its usual monthly rate of $12.99 and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. After that term is up, you’ll get bumped to $7.50/month on an annual plan.

Editor’s note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, Mashable’s publisher. Any IPVanish products or services featured on Mashable are covered independently by our team.

Preorders of the Samsung Galaxy S24 are underway with a release date set for Jan. 31. If you’re hoping to be one of the first to get the latest model in your hands, Amazon is offering free credits with preorders. Here are the best deals today if you’re in line for any of the three models of the Samsung Galaxy S24.

Quick links for pre-ordering at Amazon

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Amazon preorder deals on the Galaxy S24

Samsung Galaxy S24

$799.99
(get a $50 Amazon gift card)

Get Deal

---

Amazon preorder deals on the Galaxy S24+

Samsung Galaxy S24+

$999.99
(get a $150 Amazon gift card)

Get Deal

---

Amazon preorder deals on the Galaxy S24 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

$1,299.99
(get a $200 Amazon gift card)

Get Deal

Until Jan. 30, pre-order any of the new Samsung Galaxy S24 phones at Amazon and get an Amazon gift card to use on future purchases at Amazon (click the “redeem” box on the Amazon product page before you add it to your cart). The gift cards come via email with a promo code once the shipment is complete. The gift card amount varies depending on which phone you choose, ranging from a $50 Amazon gift card to $200.

The new Samsung Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra phones are set for a release date of Jan. 31.

Galaxy S24 Amazon preorder deal

With a display size of 6.2 inches, the Samsung Galaxy S24 comes in either 128GB capacity or 256GB, and the retailer has both storage sizes on sale for the same price of $799.99. A storage upgrade for free with a $50 Amazon gift card seems like a no-brainer if you’re shopping for the basic model of the new Samsung Galaxy S24. Make sure you click the “redeem” box on the Amazon product page before you add it to your cart.

Galaxy S24+ Amazon preorder deal

The Galaxy S24+ has a larger 6.7-inch screen and comes with either 256GB or 515GB of storage. Amazon is offering both storage versions for the same price of $999.99, which means you can get double the storage for no extra charge. Preorders of the Galaxy S24+ come with an Amazon gift card worth $150. Don’t forget to click the “redeem” box on the Amazon product page before you add it to your cart.

Galaxy S24 Ultra Amazon preorder deal

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, this line’s premium version, has a 6.8-inch screen and comes with a built-in S Pen so you can quickly take notes or sign documents. It’s available for preorder at Amazon for $1,299.99 in both the 256GB model and the 512GB model, so you might as well opt for the larger storage capacity. Preorders of the Galaxy S24 Ultra come with a $200 Amazon gift card. Be sure to click the “redeem” box on the Amazon product page before you add it to your cart.

TL;DR: Stream Egypt vs. Ghana for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Africa Cup of Nations delivers some absolutely incredible matchups, and for the group stage, it doesn’t get much bigger than Egypt vs. Ghana. And after Ghana’s opening game defeat, this is all or nothing for The Black Stars.

If you want to watch Egypt vs. Ghana for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Egypt vs. Ghana?

Egypt vs. Ghana kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT on Jan. 18. This fixture takes place at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

How to watch Egypt vs. Ghana for free

The match between Egypt and Ghana will be broadcast live on BBC Three, with coverage starting from 7:50 p.m. GMT on Jan. 18. You can also live stream this fixture for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These powerful tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can access BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Access BBC iPlayer to stream AFCON 2023 by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Steam Egypt vs. Ghana for free from anywhere in the world

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch Egypt vs. Ghana before recovering your investment.

BBC iPlayer is showing 10 games including both semi-finals and the final, so you could use this process to watch key AFCON fixtures for free from anywhere in the world.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 94 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to five simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch Egypt vs. Ghana for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $301.01: As of Jan. 18, the iRobot Roomba j5+ is just $498.98 at Amazon. That’s a savings of 38%.

No one likes to clean, right? Like, actually, seriously enjoys cleaning? It may be cathartic to tidy up here and there, but things like mopping and vacuuming can feel like such a hassle, especially if you’ve got other, more important things going on. Luckily, like many other tasks these days, you can use robotics to automate those tasks. And because we live in a glorious age where a robot vacuum can also do things like mop, you only need one device to do it all. That device is on sale right now.

As of Jan. 18, the self-emptying iRobot Roomba j5+ robot vacuum and mop is on sale for $498.98 at Amazon. That’s a discount of 38% and $301.01 off its normal price of $799.99. Alternatively, the iRobot Roomba Combo j5 is on sale for $299, which is a discount of 50% and $300 off its normal price of $599. This model lacks the ability to self-empty, but it’s still well worth the entry price.

The iRobot Roomba j5+ is a robot vacuum and mop that powers through dirt and debris hidden in your floors with a four-stage cleaning system. It also hoovers up pet hair with the greatest of ease, all without your input. It can even seek and destroy the dirtier areas in your home on its own, so you can go about getting other, more important things done. Then it’ll empty the bin on its own for up to 60 days, so you don’t have to.

You can also set it down and let it go to work mopping your floor when needed. All you need to do is swap out the vacuum’s combo bin to start using the mop instead. All this, and it can map its own path through your home, controlled via app if you need to do any customization. If you’re ready to leave all the cleaning to the robots, this is a great option to go with, especially since both variations are on sale.

Samsung’s newest smartphone, the S24 and the S24 Ultra, is packed with impressive tech like the company’s new Galaxy AI assistant and Circle to Search function.

The new models come in a handful of “gender neutral colors inspired by nature,” according to the brand, including an exclusive “Sandstone Orange” for the S24 — which looks suspiciously close to Pantone’s recently announced 2024 color of the year, Peach Fuzz.

But we don’t have time to quibble over the Sandstone since the real star is one delicious buttery hue that Samsung has given two different names to make my life harder: “amber yellow” for the S24 (a misnomer if I ever heard since the color contains not even a suggestion of amber) and “titanium yellow” for the Ultra.

Yellow at Spring/Summer 2024 Fashion Weeks: Two looks from Prabal Gurung in New York, Versace in Milan, Dennis Vasso in New York.
Credit: Mashable composite; George Chinsee/WWD via Getty Images, Pietro D’Aprano/Getty Images, Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

An untrained eye might write off the color — which we’ll call “titanium yellow” for clarity — as a run-of-the-mill gold. But the color has a more complicated provenance, namely the runways of global Fall Fashion Week 2023. This particular color was a favorite of the fashion houses that presented their Spring 2024 collections there (fashion brands show their collections at Fashion Week six months before the clothing is available for purchase), so it should come as no surprise that it also appears in our tech.

Yellow at Spring/Summer 2024 Fashion Weeks: Louis Vuitton in Paris, Sportmax in Milan, Loewe in Paris. Aubrey Plaza in Loewe at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on January 15, 2024 in Los Angeles.
Credit: Mashable composite; Estrop/Getty Images, Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images, Peter White/Getty Images, Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

The journey of titanium yellow from high-fashion darling to Samsung smartphone smacks a bit of Miranda Priestley’s diatribe on the origins of cerulean. People will be walking around talking on titanium yellow Samsung Ultras, blithely unaware, as Priestley puts it, that the fashion industry made sure it ended up in their palm.

New year, new phone.

Samsung just kicked off the year with its Samsung Unpacked event, which announced a new line of Samsung Galaxy phones, including the S24, S24+, and S24 Ultra. While all the phones look great, we assume most of you will be gunning for the most advanced and feature-packed model, the S24 Ultra.

Available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options, the S24 Ultra’s starting price lands at $1,299.99 (unlocked and without trade-in). It’s Samsung’s first smartphone with a titanium frame and features a gorgeous 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2x display. It has the best cameras of the bunch, including a 200 MP wide lens and a 50 MP telephoto lens. To sweeten the deal, Samsung threw in a 5,000 mAh battery. Other key features include Samsung Galaxy AI support and a performance boost to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. It should also be noted that the S24 Ultra is the only S24 phone that is compatible with the S Pen stylus.

Gamers are in for a treat with this one.
Credit: Samsung

Below, we’ve rounded up all the best Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra deals that you can find right now — and yes, each retailer is offering unique preorder perks, so be sure to read the fine print. Most of these listings are for unlocked phones that can be connected to a carrier of your choice later on, or you can choose one of the pre-connected carrier options on their respective product pages.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra preorders

For those fully integrated into the Samsung ecosystem, this is where you’ll want to pre-order. For a limited time, Samsung is offering free double storage upgrades, an instant $150 credit on your purchase, plus $50 of credit to use on future Samsung purchases. If you’re trading in an old phone, you can also get up to $750 in credit towards the new one.

Best Buy Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra preorders

If you’re going to be using your phone for cloud gaming, Best Buy has a great preorder deal for you. The retailer is offering a $150 Best Buy gift card to preorder purchasers and a free month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. You can get up to $750 of trade-in credit here as well.

Amazon Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra preorders

Avid Amazon shoppers might want to pick up their new Galaxy S24 Ultra here. For a limited time only, Amazon is offering a free storage upgrade to those who purchase the 512GB version, as well as a $200 Amazon gift card. As far as we can tell, Amazon isn’t offering trade-in credit at this time.

Verizon Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra preorder deals

If you’re set on Verizon as your carrier, they’re offering up to $1,000 off the S24 Ultra in trade-in credit, plus a free Samsung Galaxy Tab and Galaxy Watch for select plans. You’ll also get a free storage bump, and up to 25% off Samsung Galaxy accessories.

AT&T Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra preorder deals

AT&T customers can also enjoy up to $1,000 off their new Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra with an eligible trade-in.

T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra preorder deals

Yet another $1,000 trade-in credit for the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is available at T-Mobile.

Apple’s new iOS 17.3 is going to be released to the public next week and, as always, it will include plenty of features that folks are sure to love, hate, or completely miss out on — including Stolen Device Protection, collaborative Apple Music playlists, and a Unity Bloom wallpaper for your Lock Screen, according to Mac Rumors and TechCrunch.

When does iOS 17.3 drop?

We don’t have an exact date, but iOS 17.3 will likely come out on Tuesday, January 23, Forbes reported.

What are some iOS 17.3 features to know about?

Glad you asked! We’ve broken down some of the key new features below.

Stolen Device Protection

Stolen Device Protection is the most exciting of the updates, if you ask me, and, well, just about anyone else. As The Wall Street Journal reported last year, bad actors can watch you type in your passcode over your shoulder at, say, a bar or on the train. Then, when they steal your phone, it’s that much easier for them to open your device, snoop through your phone, turn off Find My, take full control of the device, and leave you phoneless, helpless, and so sad. Stolen Device Protection is an extra layer of security to help stop that from happening. 

When you have Stolen Device Protection turned on, Face ID or Touch ID authentication is required, meaning even if someone steals your phone and knows your passcode, they won’t be able to unlock it without your face or fingers. The feature also adds a one-hour security delay for particularly sensitive actions, like changing your Apple ID account password, unless you’re at a familiar location like your home. You can turn it on and off by navigating to settings, clicking Face ID & Passcode, and then choosing Stolen Device Protection.

Collaborative Apple Music playlists

Apple is also launching collaborative Apple Music playlists. This is far less exciting because it’s months behind Spotify and was initially promised for iOS 17, but was never delivered.

The feature lets Apple Music subscribers add multiple people to a playlist who can add, reorder, and remove songs. They can also leave emoji reactions next to playlist songs, which is pretty cute and is not a feature Spotify has. Look at that! Envy from a Spotify user! To use this feature, click on the person-shaped icon in a playlist, copy the link, and add people. If you want to approve every song that gets added, you have that power — and you can turn collaboration on and off whenever you want.

Unity Bloom wallpaper

The final new feature (that we know of) will be the Unity Bloom wallpaper for the iPhone and iPad and the watch face on the Apple Watch. It includes red, green, and yellow flowers that can actually bloom, “inspired by the resilience and beauty of the Black community,” Apple wrote.

A look at the best deals on older Samsung Galaxy phones now that the S24 is here

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Best Samsung Galaxy S23 FE deal

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE (128GB)

$499.99 at Amazon
(save $100)

Get Deal

---

Best Samsung Galaxy S23 deal

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (256GB, 8GB RAM)

$899.99 at Amazon
(save $100)

Get Deal

---

Best Samsung Galaxy Fold5 deal

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 (512GB)

$1,199.99 at Samsung
(save $720 with trade-in)

Get Deal

It has been *checks notes* one week since Samsung unveiled a load of consumer tech products like disappearing TVs, 8K projectors, and robotics (vacuum or otherwise) at CES 2024. But that wasn’t all of the new consumer tech stuff that Samsung has to offer this year — or even this month. Jan. 17 marks the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2024 event, where the highly-anticipated Samsung Galaxy S24 smartphone is the star.

The physical design of the new Galaxy S24 remains largely unchanged from the S23, but there are several spec upgrades that make this drop so large. While Mashable’s Stan Schroeder asserts that Apple is setting the standard for phones this year after years of living in Samsung’s shadow, three Galaxy S24 features stand out as iPhone 15 Pro Max beaters: 120 FPS video capture, a slightly better display, and AI (if you’re someone who cares about AI). The new Galaxy S24 starts at $799.99, the Galaxy S24+ starts at $999.99, and the Galaxy S24 Ultra starts at $1,299.99.

If you’re not one to pay full price for the latest iteration of a Galaxy — or if the free $150 or $200 gift cards many retailers are tacking onto Galaxy S24 preorders aren’t convincing enough — your options for upgrading are likely still better during Unpacked season. Older versions of tech devices often go on sale after their successors come out. Here, we’re tracking the best deals on previous-gen Samsung Galaxy phones live as Samsung makes room for the S24:

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE (128GB)

While the $100 discount on this FE model matches the $100 discount on an unlocked Galaxy 23 Ultra, the better deal lies in the context: The Galaxy S23 Ultra is $100 off $999.99 (10% off) while the Galaxy FE is $100 off $599.99 (17% off).

Even as the more basic version of Samsung’s flagship phone, the S23 FE is still a steal because it’s solid in the spec categories that count: its 8 Gen 1 chip (the same that powers the Galaxy S22 phones) is enough for most mobile gaming and more than enough for running many apps at once, its tri-camera system is crisp, and it’s both sturdy and stylish.

More Samsung Galaxy unlocked phone deals

Samsung Galaxy S23

• Samsung Galaxy S23 (128GB) and Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro bundle — $849.98 $1,029.98 (save $180)

• Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (256GB, 8GB RAM) — $899.99 $999.99 (save $100)

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip

• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 (256GB) — $799.99 $999.99 (save $200)

• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 (512GB) — $944.99 $1,199.99 (save $175)

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 (512GB) — $1,199.99 $1,919.99 (save $720 with trade-in)

Other 2023 Samsung Galaxy phones

• Samsung Galaxy A54 5G (128GB) — $399.99 $449.99 (save $50)

Samsung Galaxy book laptop deals

Though the Samsung Galaxy Book4 lineup was officially announced in December, it’s still only available in Korea as of Jan. 17. Samsung must have a reason to hold off on releasing it to a U.S audience, so for now, you have options to score a Galaxy Book3 on sale:

• Samsung Galaxy Book3 (Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $699.99 $999.99 (save $300)

• Samsung Galaxy Book3 (Intel Core i5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $849.99 $1,349.99 (save $500)

• Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro (Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $1,191.86 $1,799.99 (save $800 with trade in)

• Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro (Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,499.99 $1,899.99 (save $400)

UPDATE: Jan. 17, 2024, 4:10 p.m. EST This post has been updated with even more phone cases now available for the Samsung Galaxy S24 Series.

Our top picks for cases for the Samsung Galaxy S24 Series

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Best transparent case

Spigen Ultra Hybrid

$34.99 at Spigen

Shop now

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Best case already on sale

Incipio cru.

$42.49 at Verizon
(Save $6.50)

Get Deal

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Best fun case

OtterBox Symmetry Series Clear (limited edition)

$49.95 at OtterBox

Get Deal

Samsung’s Unpacked event on Wednesday, Jan. 17 has officially brought us the Samsung Galaxy S24 series, which received some interesting upgrades in the form of Galaxy AI.

If you’re in the market for this S24, S24+, or S24 Ultra, and you don’t want to rely solely on its titanium frame to protect this new tech, you’ll want to get a case ASAP that protects your phone and looks good too.

Though the S24 series isn’t available quite yet — it won’t be in-store and online until Wednesday, Jan. 31 — some phone cases have already dropped. (If you’re looking to lock in both your case and phone early, preorders are available now).

The S24, S24+, and S24 Ultra have starting prices of $799, $999, or $1,299 respectively, but you’ll be able to snag the phone cases for as low as $24.99, at the time of writing. We’ve rounded up selections so far from Incipio, Casetify, Otterbox, and more.

If you’re looking to save even more, you can also check out the best deals on S23 phones we can find (and as a bonus, there are already plenty of cases available for the previous gen).

Spigen Core Armor — $24.99

Available for: S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

Don’t need anything fancy? The Spigen Core Armor may be your case. It offers shock absorption, wireless charging, and is S pen compatible. It only comes in black, but the matte finish and grip mean it’s easy to hold and won’t get covered in fingerprints.

Incipio Duo — $34.99

Available for: S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

This case may only come in black, but the simple two-piece case gets the job done, protecting your S24 from drops of up to 12 feet thanks to Incipio’s Impact Strut technology. For a basic case that’s understated but gets the job done (without costing a ton) the Incipio Duo is a good bet.

Spigen Ultra Hybrid — $34.99

Available for: S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

If you want a run-of-the-mill transparent case with some options for different edge colors, the Spigen Ultra Hybrid is the way to go. The blue resin helps the case stay transparent for longer, while raised edges offer a little extra protection.

Incipio Forme — $44.99

Available for: S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

If you want your case to be protective without being boring, Incipio has the answer with their Forme case. Grab it for $44.99 on their website for the S24, S24+, and S24 Ultra.

OtterBox Symmetry Series Clear — $49.95

Available for: S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

OtterBox dropped a bunch of limited edition designs for Galaxy S24 cases. You can choose between dogs, daises, mushrooms, and more. And of course, it delivers OtterBox’s standard of protection.

Incipio cru. — $49.99

Available for: S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

The Incipio cru. is a new collection from the brand, aimed at those who like their smartphone to have a more elevated look. At the time of writing, the Incipio cru. was only available on Verizon’s website in brown leather and navy camo, but it is marked down $6.50, bringing it down to just $42.49 for the S24, S24+, and S24 Ultra.

Samsung Galaxy Smart View Wallet Case — $49.99

Available for: S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

As the name suggests, this phone case lets you take advantage of the Galaxy S24’s small screen view, and makes it easy to always remember your wallet when you remember your phone. Grab it for the Galaxy S24, S24+, and S24 Ultra.

Samsung Standing Grip Case — $59.99

Available for: S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

If you want to take full advantage of the (slightly) larger display on the S24 series, a case with a kickstand can help you do exactly that. Grab this standing grip case for the Galaxy S24, S24+, and S24 Ultra.

Casetify Impact Case for Galaxy S24 — $71.99

Available for: S24

It’s not cheap, but this Casetify case promises phone safety while letting one of the seven new S24 series colorways shine through. Casetify’s EcoShock design gives plenty — you guessed it — shock absorption, while the raised bezels provide even more protection.

Casetify Impact Case for Galaxy S24 Ultra — $71.99

Available for: S24 Ultra

Who says cases that put impact safety first have to be ugly? This Casetify option for the S24 Ultra lets some of the color from the phone peek through while adding a little interest with the design.