The Effect

2 days ago | theeffect.net | John C. Reilly

Samsung has officially announced the Galaxy Edge, a sleek new addition to its premium smartphone lineup that was first teased during January’s Unpacked event. The device also made an appearance in mock-up form at MWC 2025, and today we finally have the full details. The Galaxy Edge is designed to stand out with its ultra-slim profile, though it narrowly misses out on claiming the title of the world’s thinnest smartphone.

6 days ago | theeffect.net | John C. Reilly

If you’ve been keeping an eye on broadband developments lately, you’ve probably noticed a lot more buzz around Wi-Fi 7. What is Wi-Fi 7 though? I hear you ask. Wi-Fi 7 is the seventh generation of wireless technology, following Wi-Fi 6 (2019) and Wi-Fi 6E (2020). Its official standard, 802.11be, was developed by the IEEE and launched by the Wi-Fi Alliance in January 2024, alongside new routers, phones, and laptops bearing the Wi-Fi 7 certification.

1 week ago | theeffect.net | John C. Reilly

There are currently only a few Thunderbolt 5 docking stations available on the market. Anker has now entered the space with its first model, the Anker Prime TB5 Docking Station. It is designed to convert a compatible PC into a fully equipped desktop workstation via a single cable, supporting multiple displays and fast charging. Thunderbolt 5 connectivity has gradually been introduced across desktops, laptops and tablets over the past year, including the M4 MacBook Pro.

2 weeks ago | theeffect.net | John C. Reilly

If there’s one thing Nothing does well, it’s making noise in a crowded smartphone market — and the Nothing Phone (3a) is no exception. Aimed squarely at the sub-€400 crowd, this latest release continues the brand’s attempt to offer an alternative to the boring black slabs we’ve grown used to. I’ve been using the Phone (3a) for a few weeks now, and while it’s not perfect, it’s an interesting mix of clever software, solid performance, and eye-catching design. Here’s how it holds up in everyday use.

4 weeks ago | theeffect.net | John Reilly

Google’s Pixel A-series phones have built a solid reputation for delivering a flagship-like experience at a more affordable price, and the new Pixel 9a mostly follows that playbook. Priced at €559, it’s aiming to give you the core Pixel experience without the hefty cost of a Pro model. After a few weeks of daily use, here’s how it stacks up. The Pixel 9a sports a subtle redesign this year, ditching the familiar camera bar for a simpler, more traditional look.