David Phelan

David Phelan (Twitter) is an actor and tech writer (AVForums, Time Out, The Independent, Monocle, The Sunday Times, the Telegraph and the Daily Mail)

David is a freelance journalist who covers tech launches, events and news for AVForums as well as tech reviews.

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  • Tech

    27

    Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Smartphone Review

    by David Phelan
    Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Smartphone Review
    As new smartphone cycles feel like they arrive ever faster, how do manufacturers make the latest flagship models stand out from the crowd, and even their own legacy models? If you're Samsung, you take the best of what you've already got, buff it up with some titanium, add a dose of AI and release the flagship Galaxy S24 Ultra. Does the new recipe make a flavoursome difference?  
    9
  • Tech

    30

    Apple iPhone 15 Pro Review

    by David Phelan
    Apple iPhone 15 Pro Review
    If the iPhone 15 Pro Max is just a wee bit too big for your dainty digits and you wont miss the 5x zoom, then Apple's smaller iPhone 15 Pro version packs in just about everything else the flagship has to offer and at a lower price than last year's 14 equivalent. Sound ideal? We check if there are any downsides...  
    9
  • Tech

    22

    Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus Review

    by David Phelan
    Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus Review
    Apple's iPhone 15 and 15 Plus smartphones for 2023 feature last year's iPhone 14 Pro A16 Bionic chip, a debut 48MP camera, the introduction of Dynamic Island plus the long awaited move to USB-C connectivity... you might not like the new colours though.  
    8
  • Tech

    119

    Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max Review

    by David Phelan
    Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max Review
    With a classy move to Titanium, the new A17 Pro chip, a 5x telephoto lens included in the rear camera array and a shift to the convenience of USB-C, has Apple done enough to guarantee another flagship winner?  
    9
  • Tech

    93

    Apple unveils its iPhone 15 line-up plus Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches

    by David Phelan
    Apple unveils its iPhone 15 line-up plus Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches
    The new smartphones will be joined by the new Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, with iOS17 and WatchOS 10 upgrades and improved processing and functionality across the board.  
  • Tech

    24

    Nothing Phone (2) Review

    by David Phelan
    Nothing Phone (2) Review
    After making a splash last year with the Nothing Phone (1) can the second iteration of the device prove that Nothing really matters?  
    8
  • Tech

    36

    Apple MacBook Air 15 inch Review

    by David Phelan
    Apple MacBook Air 15 inch Review
    Having been through a couple of iterations of Apple's superlight and portable Air notebooks, we now finally see the introduction of what Apple says is the most popular screen size in a laptop. So is the arrival of the MacBook Air 15 inch long overdue? We take a look...  
    9
  • Tech

    29

    Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Smartphone Review

    by David Phelan
    Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Smartphone Review
    The new Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra features a whopping 200MP main camera, a switch to the same new processor across all territories and a best ever battery life. It's a flagship phone with a flagship price, so are these new improvements enough to warrant an upgrade?  
    9
  • Tech

    14

    Apple iPhone 14 Plus Review

    by David Phelan
    Apple iPhone 14 Plus Review
    The final piece of Apple's 2022 iPhone jigsaw ups the screen real estate of the standard iPhone 14, drops some of the camera and processing extras of the Pro and Pro Max handsets and keeps many of the range's new features for the year. Has the 'screen-battery-features-value' equation been balanced in the iPhone 14 Plus?  
    8
  • Tech

    16

    Sony Xperia 5 IV Smartphone Review

    by David Phelan
    Sony Xperia 5 IV Smartphone Review
    Sony's latest Xperia handset keeps a surprising number of features from its flagship sibling and sports impressive display and camera capabilities, even at this premium level. While not cheap, has Sony managed to squeeze in a decent balance of features and value?  
    9
  • Tech

    9

    Apple iPhone 14 Review

    by David Phelan
    Apple iPhone 14 Review
    It may be missing a few of the big gun features found on the latest Pro and Pro Max handsets but Apple's standard iPhone 14 still has a handy basket of goodies that make it tremendously appealing. Has it got enough to keep it ahead of the iPhone 13, which has just had a price drop, though?  
    8
  • Tech

    131

    Apple iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max Review

    by David Phelan
    Apple iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max Review
    Keeping a similar design to its immediate predecessor and meting out the usual processor and camera improvements, Apple has instead focussed on new user interface features and invites you to... Dynamic Island.  
    9
  • Tech

    39

    Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 Review

    by David Phelan
    Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 Review
    Samsung reckons folding phones are the future, so has it addressed some of the shortcomings in the first couple of Z Flip iterations such as under-powered cameras, processors and battery as it tempts users to binge the hinge? Let's take a look...  
    8
  • Tech

    21

    Nothing Phone (1) Review

    by David Phelan
    Nothing Phone (1) Review
    The Nothing Phone (1) is the first smartphone from former OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei's new company. Overly complicated nomenclature aside, there's a handful of features which aim to put the joy back into Android devices and it's out of the gate with an attractive asking price too.  
    8
  • Tech

    47

    Google Pixel 6a Smartphone Review

    by David Phelan
    Google Pixel 6a Smartphone Review
    Google follows last year's Tensor chip debutants, the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, with the Pixel 6a smartphone, a more affordable handset which also sports the company's impressive processor. Inevitably a few feature compromises have been made but will that actually affect your overall experience?  
    8
  • Tech

    18

    Apple MacBook Air (2022) Review

    by David Phelan
    Apple MacBook Air (2022) Review
    Only the second major overhaul since the Air's introduction, the 2022 version features the latest M2 processor, a lot more screen plus an improved camera and speakers. Does this all warrant the price bump though?  
    9
  • Tech

    33

    Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Review

    by David Phelan
    Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Review
    The Galaxy S22 Ultra's big talking point will be the inclusion of the S Pen as it takes on the 'productivity' mantle of Samsung's retired Note series. How does it fare in the other important areas though?  
    9
  • Tech

    14

    Apple iPad Air 5th Generation Review

    by David Phelan
    Apple iPad Air 5th Generation Review
    Keeping things pretty much the same on the outside, it's the internals that get a boost in two specific areas, narrowing the gap between the latest iPad Air and the more expensive iPad Pro 11-inch.  
    9
  • Tech

    46

    Apple iPhone SE (2022) Review

    by David Phelan
    Apple iPhone SE (2022) Review
    Only Apple has the chutzpah to take a midrange phone and bung its latest screamingly fast processor in it. Add in 5G plus improved battery and camera performance and you may well end up with something that smaller hands and pockets are crying out for.  
    8
  • Tech

    2

    Apple iPad mini 6th Gen Versus iPad 9th Gen Review

    by David Phelan
    Apple iPad mini 6th Gen Versus iPad 9th Gen Review
    With plenty of shared technology between the two, we put Apple's 2021 iterations of its iPad tablets through their paces to determine whether the small and speedy iPad mini is a better prospect than the larger iPad 9th Gen which lacks some features but is still great value.  
    9
  • Tech

    226

    Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro Review

    by David Phelan
    Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro Review
    For its latest Pixel 6 and flagship Pixel 6 Pro smartphones, Google has introduced its own, years in the developing, Tensor chip which optimises the way hardware and software work together. Does this Apple-style proprietary processor deliver the goods?  
    9
  • Tech

    109

    Apple Watch Series 7 Review

    by David Phelan
    Apple Watch Series 7 Review
    Apple's seventh iteration of its Watch is only the second time it's undergone a design change and the bigger, brighter display hides some modest improvements under the hood such as faster charging and a new dust proof rating, as well as plenty of colour, face and strap options.  
    9
  • Tech

    189

    Apple iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max Review

    by David Phelan
    Apple iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max Review
    Apple's iPhone range for 2021 includes the high-end iPhone 13 Pro and flagship iPhone 13 Pro Max which share most of the latest features, differing only in screen and battery size.  
    9
  • Tech

    224

    Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Review

    by David Phelan
    Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Review
    The flagship iPhone 12 Pro Max features the series' best cameras and biggest screen. Does this put it ahead of the competition as well as its stablemates?  
    9
  • Tech

    113

    Apple iPhone 12 Pro Review

    by David Phelan
    Apple iPhone 12 Pro Review
    The iPhone 12 Pro takes the iPhone 12 series staples of 5G connectivity, an OLED display, A14 Bionic chip, Ceramic Shield protection, MagSafe accessories and Dolby Vision recording and adds an extra camera and depth sensing LiDAR scanner. Does this make the already good even better?  
    9
  • Tech

    83

    Apple iPhone 12 Review

    by David Phelan
    Apple iPhone 12 Review
    The iPhone 12 range is Apple's first to feature 5G connectivity and there's also a move from LCD to OLED displays. Throw in a brand new 5nm A14 Bionic chip, Ceramic Shield protection, MagSafe compatible accessories and the ability to record video in Dolby Vision and the price rise over last year might just be seen as acceptable.  
    9
  • Tech

    77

    Apple iPhone SE Review

    by David Phelan
    Apple iPhone SE Review
    This phone is the very definition of déjà vu. At a glance it’s nearly identical to the iPhone 8, released in September 2017. But inside, though much of the hardware is the same, it’s powered by the latest iPhone chip, the A13 Bionic, also found in the current flagship phones. Despite the price rise, it is arguably the most affordable, and certainly best-value, iPhone yet.  
    8
  • Tech

    73

    Apple iPad Pro (11in and 12.9in) Review

    by David Phelan
    Apple iPad Pro (11in and 12.9in) Review
    It’s the highest-specced tablet from Apple, available in two screen sizes: 11in and 12.9in. The 12.9in model is in its fourth-generation, having gone through three major redesigns, and the 11in version is on its second go-round. Is either of them worthy?  
    9
  • Tech

    49

    Huawei P40 Pro Review

    by David Phelan
    Huawei P40 Pro Review
    The P40 Pro offers a new design, four cameras, a screen which slopes down in four directions and other new features. Does it miss Google Mobile Services though?  
    8
  • Tech

    21

    Samsung Galaxy Z Flip Review

    by David Phelan
    Samsung Galaxy Z Flip Review
    From the outside, the Galaxy Z Flip is a small folding phone, and it looks great. It’ll fit into a small pocket, and then fold out impressively to be as big as most other smartphones. So, is Samsung's second recent attempt at a folding phone worth your while?  
    8
  • Tech

    68

    Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G Review

    by David Phelan
    Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G Review
    For the first time ever, Samsung has opted to change the number of its latest Galaxy release by not one but ten. So last year’s Galaxy S10 is followed by the new S20. You didn’t miss a decade, but Samsung is suggesting a huge step forward.  
    8
  • Tech

    36

    Huawei Mate 30 Pro Review

    by David Phelan
    Huawei Mate 30 Pro Review
    A casualty of political maneuvering, can Huawei’s Mate 30 Pro make up for its lack of crucial Google apps with appealing features in other areas?  
    7
  • Tech

    51

    Apple iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max Review

    by David Phelan
    Apple iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max Review
    We take a look at the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max to see if the upgrade is really worth the outlay. So does it warrant your attention?  
    9
  • Tech

    74

    Apple iPhone 11 Review

    by David Phelan
    Apple iPhone 11 Review
    The combination of snazzy colours, business-like camera square and sparse detailing looks classy and appealing. We take a look at the new iPhone 11.  
    8
  • Tech

    14

    Sony Xperia 1 Review

    by David Phelan
    Sony Xperia 1 Review
    Sony's 2019 flagship serves up a 4K HDR OLED display in a 21:9 design and adds a side mounted fingerprint sensor and versatile camera setup for both stills and video. Does the screen set it apart from the pack?  
    9
  • Tech

    21

    Nokia 9 PureView Review

    by David Phelan
    Nokia 9 PureView Review
    This is one of the most attractive and elegant phones yet from Nokia and a software update has fixed the fingerprint sensor issues reported elsewhere.  
    8
  • Tech

    56

    Huawei P30 Pro Review

    by David Phelan
    Huawei P30 Pro Review
    Let’s be clear, I haven’t seen a phone that comes close to what this camera can do. Huawei’s smart move of involving Leica in its photographic endeavours is a part of that.  
    9
  • Tech

    83

    Samsung Galaxy S10+ Review

    by David Phelan
    Samsung Galaxy S10+ Review
    Samsung's latest smartphone is likely to be a big seller that is powerful, has a great screen and superb features. So does it live up to the hype?  
    9
  • Tech

    11

    Editor's Choice Awards - Best Smartphones 2018

    by David Phelan
    Editor's Choice Awards - Best Smartphones 2018
    There is a smartphone for everyone, and we pick the best in 2018 for different uses and budgets.  
  • Tech

    6

    Huawei Mate 20 Pro vs OnePlus 6T Smartphone Comparison Review

    by David Phelan
    Huawei Mate 20 Pro vs OnePlus 6T Smartphone Comparison Review
    We compare two brilliant, flagship smartphones arriving towards the end of 2018.  

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