Senior Staff Writer

Alex Chen

Alex has covered telecom, smartphones, and business communications for eight years. Before DeltaThree, he tested gear for a carrier trade publication and ran the wireless desk at a consumer tech site. He pays his own phone bill.

Articles by Alex

79 articles

Premium USB-C cables coiled neatly on a dark surface

New

Telecom Accessories

The best USB-C cables in 2026

Cheap USB-C cables fail in ways that damage your phone. The good ones cost more but last years. Here are the picks we trust.

June 12, 2026

Modern living room with multiple connected smart home devices

New

Home & Business Internet

The best internet for a smart home in 2026

Smart homes can run 30-100 connected devices. The internet plan and Wi-Fi router matter more than people think.

June 9, 2026

Person on a video call at a home office with headset

New

VoIP ServicesBusiness

The best VoIP for remote teams in 2026

Remote teams have different VoIP needs than office-based teams. Here are the picks that handle calling, video, and async communication well across locations and time zones.

June 9, 2026

Foldable smartphone partially opened with dramatic lighting

New

Phone Devices & Reviews

The best foldable phones in 2026

Foldable phones are no longer beta hardware. The 2026 lineup delivers on the promise. Here are the picks worth their premium price.

June 2, 2026

Compact smartphone held in one hand demonstrating size

New

Phone Devices & Reviews

The best small phones in 2026

Phones have gotten too big. If you want something that fits in a regular pocket and works one-handed, here are the actual picks - because most "small" phone lists still suggest 6-inch devices.

May 30, 2026

Wi-Fi extender plugged into wall outlet in a home

New

Telecom AccessoriesBusiness

The best Wi-Fi extenders in 2026 (and when to skip them)

A $40 Wi-Fi extender solves a real problem when used correctly. Most people buy them when they actually need a mesh router.

May 26, 2026

Smartphone mounted in car dashboard mount

New

Telecom Accessories

The best car phone mounts in 2026

A good car phone mount holds your phone securely without blocking your view or vents. After testing 14 mounts across daily commutes, here are the picks worth buying.

May 23, 2026

Premium wireless earbuds in a charging case

New

Telecom Accessories

The best AirPods alternatives for iPhone users

AirPods Pro 2 are the obvious default for iPhone users. Several alternatives match or beat them in specific ways. Here are the picks worth considering.

May 21, 2026

New

Cell Plans & MVNOs

The best unlimited cell phone plans in 2026

Most unlimited plans are not actually unlimited. We tested the major options on real data caps, deprioritization thresholds, and hidden fees. Here are the ones that hold up.

May 20, 2026

College student using a smartphone on a campus quad

Cell Plans & MVNOs

The best phone plans for college students in 2026

College students fit a specific phone plan profile: high data usage, frequent campus Wi-Fi, budget pressure. Here are the plans that work for that profile.

May 19, 2026

Smartphone on a glowing wireless charging pad

Telecom Accessories

The best wireless chargers in 2026

Wireless chargers have gotten faster, more efficient, and meaningfully better designed. Here are the picks for desk, bedside, and travel.

May 15, 2026

Healthcare professional using a smartphone at a medical office desk

VoIP ServicesBusiness

The best HIPAA-compliant VoIP for healthcare in 2026

Healthcare practices using VoIP need HIPAA-compliant configuration and a signed BAA. Most major VoIP providers offer this. Here are the actual differences.

May 12, 2026

Home & Business Internet

How much internet speed do you actually need?

ISPs want you to think you need a gigabit connection. Most households do not. Here is how to calculate what you actually need.

May 10, 2026

Passport, SIM cards, and smartphone arranged for travel

Cell Plans & MVNOsBusiness

The best phone plans for frequent travelers in 2026

Plans that work seamlessly across countries without per-day fees or surprise charges - tested across 12 destinations.

May 8, 2026

Internet bill calculator and smartphone on kitchen table

Home & Business Internet

How to lower your internet bill: tested negotiation tactics

Internet bills go up quietly every year. Most people pay it. With ten minutes on the phone, most customers can save $20-50/month.

May 4, 2026

Budget smartphones under on a clean surface

Phone Devices & Reviews

The best budget phones under $300 in 2026

We tested the best phones under $300 in 2026. The good news: the mid-range has improved significantly. The honest news: you are still giving something up.

April 28, 2026

Laptop showing internet speed test gauge on clean desk

Home & Business Internet

How to test your internet speed (and what the results mean)

Free speed tests take 30 seconds and tell you whether you are getting what you pay for. Here is how to test correctly and what the numbers actually mean.

April 26, 2026

Glowing fiber optic cables with light pulses traveling through them

Home & Business Internet

What is fiber internet? A plain-English guide

Fiber-optic internet uses light to transmit data through glass cables. Here is what that means for your actual internet speeds, reliability, and price.

April 26, 2026

Old corded landline phone next to modern smartphone on dark wood

VoIP Services

VoIP vs. landline: should you keep your home phone?

Around 35% of US homes still have a landline. For most, it is a $30-50/month bill paying for one or two phone calls per week.

April 22, 2026

Multiple smartphone cases arranged on a dark surface

Telecom Accessories

The best phone cases of 2026

After drop-testing 23 phone cases from a counter height, a chest height, and a six-foot height, here are the ones we would actually buy.

April 19, 2026

Smartphone with glass screen protector being applied

Telecom Accessories

The best screen protectors for iPhone and Android in 2026

Modern phones use scratch-resistant glass that arguably does not need a screen protector. But replacement screens cost $279-$379, so the math still favors a $20 protector.

April 15, 2026

Glowing globe with light trails connecting continents

VoIP ServicesBusiness

The best VoIP services for international calling

Calling internationally over a regular cellular plan is expensive. VoIP services drop the cost dramatically. Here are the picks for personal and business use.

April 14, 2026

Business professional on a phone call at a modern office desk

VoIP ServicesBusiness

8x8 review: enterprise VoIP that works for SMBs

8x8 is the enterprise VoIP option that small businesses overlook. After three months of testing, here is when it actually makes sense.

April 12, 2026

Gaming setup with RGB lighting in a dark room

Home & Business Internet

The best internet plans for gaming in 2026

Internet for gaming is about latency, not download speed. Here are the providers that consistently deliver low ping and what to look for in your local options.

April 8, 2026

Multiple smartphones arranged in a row on light surface

Phone Devices & Reviews

How to choose a smartphone: a buyer's guide for 2026

Most phone-buying advice starts with specs. That is the wrong place to start. Here is the order of decisions that actually matter.

April 4, 2026

Smartphone with a glowing full-battery indicator on screen

Phone Devices & Reviews

The best phones for battery life in 2026

After two months of standardized battery testing across nine phones, here are the picks that actually last a full day - and the ones that last two.

April 2, 2026

Rural farmhouse with satellite dish at golden hour

Home & Business InternetBusiness

The best rural internet options in 2026

Rural internet has improved more in the past three years than the previous two decades. Here are the actual options for addresses without traditional ISP service.

March 30, 2026

Laptop tethered to a smartphone hotspot in a cafe

Cell Plans & MVNOsBusiness

The best phone plans with mobile hotspot in 2026

Most unlimited plans include limited hotspot data. If you regularly tether your laptop, the amount of high-speed hotspot included matters more than total data.

March 25, 2026

Premium webcam mounted on a monitor in a home office

Telecom AccessoriesBusiness

The best webcams for video calls in 2026

Built-in laptop webcams are still mostly bad. For anyone doing serious video calls, an external webcam transforms how you look on calls. Here are the picks.

March 25, 2026

Close-up of multiple phone camera lenses with dramatic lighting

Phone Devices & Reviews

The best camera phones in 2026

After shooting 4,000+ photos across nine phones in identical conditions, here are the picks that actually deliver the best photos in 2026.

March 19, 2026

Smartphone mounted on a tripod with cityscape background

Telecom Accessories

The best phone tripods and stands in 2026

A phone tripod that fails during a recording session ruins more than the shot. After testing 11 options, here are the ones that actually hold up.

March 19, 2026

Modern IP desk phone in a corporate office setting

Telecom AccessoriesBusiness

The best IP desk phones for VoIP systems

Not every business needs desk phones. But for teams that take a high volume of calls, the right hardware makes a real difference in daily comfort.

March 17, 2026

Modern living room with large TV streaming content

Home & Business Internet

The best internet plans for streaming 4K and 8K

Most people overestimate how much internet they need for streaming. Here is the actual math and the plans that handle it without overspending.

March 12, 2026

Powerline adapter and Wi-Fi extender plugged in side by side

Home & Business Internet

Powerline adapters vs Wi-Fi extenders: which fixes dead zones?

Both solve the "Wi-Fi doesn't reach the basement" problem. They work differently and have different trade-offs.

March 8, 2026

IP desk phone and laptop on a modern office desk

VoIP ServicesBusiness

How to set up VoIP for a small business: complete guide

Setting up VoIP for a small business takes 2-4 hours and saves $200-500/month compared to traditional phone systems. Here is the step-by-step.

March 5, 2026

iPhone and Android phone side by side comparison

Phone Devices & Reviews

iPhone vs. Android: which should you buy in 2026?

The iPhone vs. Android decision has gotten more nuanced. Here is how to choose based on what actually matters in 2026, not what mattered five years ago.

March 4, 2026

Desk phone and laptop in a professional office setting

VoIP ServicesBusiness

Vonage Business review: solid VoIP, dated experience

Vonage Business is functional and reliable but feels like a generation behind newer competitors. Here is when it still makes sense.

February 26, 2026

Smartphone screen showing strong signal bars

Cell Plans & MVNOs

Cricket Wireless review: AT&T coverage at prepaid pricing

Cricket Wireless runs on AT&T's network at lower prices than AT&T charges directly. Here is the trade-off after three months of testing.

February 25, 2026

Physical SIM card next to a smartphone with digital SIM overlay

Phone Devices & Reviews

eSIM vs physical SIM: which should you use?

eSIM replaced physical SIM cards on all iPhones sold in the US. Most Android flagships now support both. Here is what the difference actually means.

February 19, 2026

Passport and smartphone on dark wood surface

Cell Plans & MVNOsBusiness

The best international phone plans for frequent travelers

International roaming charges from US carriers can be brutal. Here are the plans and strategies that make your phone work abroad without the bill shock.

February 18, 2026

3D data streams and speedometer gauges on dark background

Home & Business Internet

What is Mbps? Internet speeds explained

Mbps stands for megabits per second. Here is what it actually measures and how to translate it into things you care about.

February 12, 2026

VoIP Services

The best VoIP services for home use in 2026

Most VoIP coverage assumes you are a business. For home users who want to replace a landline at a fraction of the cost, here are the picks worth considering.

February 10, 2026

Prepaid SIM card and smartphone on light wood surface

Cell Plans & MVNOs

The best prepaid phone plans in 2026

Prepaid plans now cover 30% of US wireless subscribers because they deliver the same coverage at lower prices. Here are the picks worth considering.

February 4, 2026

Portable mobile hotspot device on a travel desk with laptop

Telecom AccessoriesBusiness

The best portable Wi-Fi hotspots in 2026

A portable hotspot delivers Wi-Fi to your laptop, tablet, or other devices from any location with cellular service. Here are the picks for travelers, remote workers, and backup connectivity.

January 30, 2026

3D network diagram showing phones connecting through the cloud

VoIP ServicesBusiness

SIP trunking explained: when small businesses need it

SIP trunking comes up in VoIP conversations and confuses everyone who is not a network engineer. Here is what it actually is and when it matters.

January 29, 2026

Young teen using a smartphone in a sunlit room

Phone Devices & Reviews

The best phones for kids and tweens in 2026

Getting your kid their first phone is less about specs and more about controls, durability, and matching the phone to their actual maturity. Here is how to choose.

January 28, 2026

3D visualization of 5G cellular signal waves from a tower

Cell Plans & MVNOs

5G explained: do you actually need it?

5G is now standard on most cell plans, but the difference from 4G LTE varies enormously by where you live and what kind of 5G is available.

January 22, 2026

Cell Plans & MVNOs

The best phone plans for military and veterans in 2026

Active military, veterans, and military families qualify for genuine discounts of $10-30 per line. Here are the plans worth the verification step.

January 15, 2026

Senior man talking on a smartphone outdoors

Cell Plans & MVNOs

The best prepaid phone plans for seniors

The best plans for seniors are the ones built around how seniors actually use phones: more calling, less data, reliable support. Here are the picks.

January 12, 2026

Refurbished smartphone in pristine condition with packaging

Phone Devices & Reviews

The best refurbished phones in 2026: where to buy and what to avoid

A refurbished iPhone 14 Pro at $529 is a better deal than most new $500 phones. Here is how to buy a refurbished phone safely.

January 9, 2026

Sleek business-grade router on contemporary office desk

Home & Business InternetBusiness

The best business internet for small business in 2026

Business internet costs more than residential service and delivers two things you can directly measure: uptime guarantees and faster support response.

December 22, 2025

Premium portable Bluetooth speaker with dramatic lighting

Telecom Accessories

The best Bluetooth speakers in 2026

Bluetooth speakers have settled into clear categories. Here are the picks for shower, beach, dinner party, and travel use.

December 15, 2025

VoIP ServicesBusiness

Google Voice for Business review: what you actually get for $10 a month

Google Voice for Google Workspace is the cheapest full VoIP option available. It is also the most limited. Here is who it is actually right for.

December 9, 2025

Cell Plans & MVNOs

The cheapest cell phone plans in 2026

The cheapest US cell plan is now $5/month for talk and text. Here are the rock-bottom plans worth considering, and where the savings stop being worth it.

December 8, 2025

Couple using smartphones together in a comfortable home setting

Cell Plans & MVNOs

The best two-line cell phone plans for couples and small households

Two-line plans hit a price-vs-features sweet spot that single lines and four-line family plans both miss. Here are the best two-line picks.

November 25, 2025

VoIP ServicesBusiness

Ooma Office review: the small business VoIP that gets out of your way

We tested Ooma Office as a primary business phone system for two months. It is one of the few VoIP systems that does not assume you want to become a phone system administrator.

November 18, 2025

Professional woman working at a home office

Home & Business InternetBusiness

The best internet plans for working from home

The internet requirements for remote work are different from the requirements for streaming. Upload speed, latency, and reliability matter more than download speed. Here is what to look for.

November 4, 2025

Power bank and USB-C cables on white marble

Telecom Accessories

The best portable chargers for phones in 2025

We drained and recharged 11 portable chargers to find the ones that hold what they claim, charge quickly, and survive daily carry.

October 28, 2025

Family using smartphones together at home

Cell Plans & MVNOs

The best family phone plans in 2025

Adding lines to a family plan can cut your per-line cost by more than half. Here are the plans that give the most for four or more lines.

October 14, 2025

Home & Business Internet

Low-income internet programs and free Wi-Fi options

Federal and state programs cover most or all of the cost of home internet for qualifying households. Here is what is available, who qualifies, and how to apply.

October 7, 2025

iPhone 17 and iPhone 16 side by side comparison

Phone Devices & Reviews

iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 16: should you upgrade?

The iPhone 17 brings real upgrades over the 16. Whether you should buy one depends entirely on which iPhone you have now.

October 1, 2025

Home Wi-Fi router with glowing LED lights

Home & Business Internet

Xfinity vs. AT&T Fiber vs. Verizon Fios: a direct comparison

These three providers cover more US addresses than anyone else. Here is where each one wins - and where each one falls short.

September 22, 2025

3D visualization of VoIP costs and connections

VoIP ServicesBusiness

What business VoIP actually costs: a small business breakdown

The advertised per-user price is almost never what a small business actually pays for VoIP. Here is how to read the real numbers before signing a contract.

September 10, 2025

Business professional checking smartphone in modern office

Cell Plans & MVNOsBusiness

The best business cell phone plans for small business

Business cell plans cost more than consumer plans for a reason. Sometimes. Here is when the upgrade is worth it for small business.

September 4, 2025

Starlink-style satellite dish on a rooftop at dusk

Home & Business InternetBusiness

Starlink internet review: who it works for and who should skip it

Starlink has changed rural internet. It has also changed what people expect from cable and fiber. After six months of testing, here is who should buy and who should not.

August 19, 2025

Senior woman using a smartphone outdoors

Phone Devices & Reviews

The best smartphones for seniors

The best phone for a senior is not necessarily the simplest one. After testing with older adults across a range of comfort levels with technology, our top pick is the iPhone 16 - and we explain exactly why.

August 12, 2025

Person on a video call at a clean home office desk

VoIP ServicesBusiness

Zoom Phone review: the VoIP system from the video call company

Zoom Phone is the most underrated business VoIP system available. After three months of testing, here is who should consider it.

August 5, 2025

Premium wireless business headset on dark surface

Telecom AccessoriesBusiness

The best wireless headsets for business calls

We tested seven wireless business headsets over a year of daily use, four to six hours of calls per day. Here are the ones worth buying.

July 22, 2025

T-Mobile 5G home internet gateway on a window ledge

Home & Business Internet

T-Mobile Home Internet review: the 5G option that changed our expectations

We tested T-Mobile Home Internet at four addresses over four months. Speeds varied more than we expected. So did how little that ended up mattering for most use cases.

July 18, 2025

SIM cards and smartphone on dark slate surface

Cell Plans & MVNOs

Google Fi vs. Visible vs. US Mobile: which MVNO is worth it?

We spent a year using all three as primary lines. Here is what each MVNO is actually good for - and where each one falls short.

June 14, 2025

3D visualization of a mesh Wi-Fi network

Telecom AccessoriesBusiness

The best mesh Wi-Fi routers for VoIP and video calls

A bad router is the most common cause of dropped VoIP calls and choppy video. Here are the routers that handle voice and video traffic reliably.

June 3, 2025

3D cross-section of fiber optic and coaxial cables

Home & Business Internet

Fiber vs. cable vs. 5G home internet: which should you get?

The technology behind your internet connection affects speed consistency, upload performance, and reliability in ways the marketing does not explain clearly. Here is the plain-English version.

May 27, 2025

Three carrier SIM cards arranged on a dark surface

Cell Plans & MVNOsBusiness

T-Mobile vs. Verizon vs. AT&T: which big carrier is right for you?

All three carriers run good networks. The right choice depends almost entirely on where you use your phone most.

May 8, 2025

Cellular signal booster device mounted on a wall

Telecom AccessoriesBusiness

The best cell signal boosters for home and office

We tested five signal boosters in buildings with documented dead zones. One caution before you buy: if you have no outdoor signal at all, a booster will not help.

April 30, 2025

Fiber optic cables with dramatic light trails

Home & Business Internet

The best home internet providers in 2026

After testing speeds, customer service, and pricing transparency at six major ISPs, we found that fiber beats cable on every metric that matters - when you can get it.

April 12, 2025

AI transcription visualization on a smartphone screen

VoIP ServicesBusiness

Dialpad review: the VoIP system built around call intelligence

Dialpad transcribes and summarizes every call in real time. After two months of testing, we found that this feature actually changes how you use a phone system.

March 30, 2025

Premium flagship smartphones displayed in dramatic studio lighting

Phone Devices & Reviews

The best smartphones of 2025

After testing 14 phones over four months, we found that the best smartphone for most people is still the iPhone 16 Pro - but the Android competition has genuinely closed the gap.

March 15, 2025

Business phone and laptop on an office desk

VoIP ServicesBusiness

RingCentral vs. Nextiva: which business VoIP system is better?

We set up accounts on both and ran them through real business use cases for six weeks. RingCentral has more integrations. Nextiva has better support and steadier call quality. Here is how to decide.

February 8, 2025

Cell Plans & MVNOs

Mint Mobile review: a genuinely cheap carrier that mostly delivers

Mint Mobile charges $15 to $30 a month for an unlimited plan, depending on how you count it. We used it as a primary line for three months.

January 22, 2025

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