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Google's new Pixel 10a lacks novelty, but for a budget phone, that's not such a bad thing.

The Android maker's $500 handset walks the same road that its predecessors have for several years now: It's a slightly downgraded version of last year's Pixel 10.

So, what's new this time around? Besides the lower price and slightly downgraded specs, the camera array is now completely flush with the rest of the phone, eliminating the camera bump entirely (take notes, Samsung and Apple). The end result is a phone that's a lot like the more expensive Pixel 10 and still $100 less than the new budget iPhone 17e Apple just announced.

The Pixel 10a may not be a conversation starter, but not every phone needs to be one, and it's a good smartphone nonetheless.

At launch, you can buy the Google Pixel 10a at Amazon and choose from either a free $100 gift card or a free pair of the Pixel Buds 2a.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Google Pixel 10a (128 GB) $499 at Amazon
$599 Save $100 Get $100 Amazon Gift Card with Purchase Get Deal SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S26 vs. Google Pixel 10: Comparing specs, prices Google Pixel 10a: Specs Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Without wasting too much time, here's what you can expect specs-wise from the Pixel 10a:

• 6.3-inch display with 1080x2424 resolution and 60-120Hz adaptive refresh rate

• Up to 3,000 nits peak brightness

• Google Tensor G4 processor

• 5,100mAh battery

• 8GB RAM

• 128/256GB storage

The two most important points of comparison here are going to be the Pixel 9a and Pixel 10. Let's start with the former. The display size and specs are nearly identical, though the new Pixel 10a sports 3,000 nits of peak brightness, making it the brightest A-series Pixel phone to date. Google kept the processor and battery size the same, and didn't mess with RAM or storage, either. You're not getting less with Pixel 10a than you got with Pixel 9a, but you're not really getting much more, either.

Perhaps more crucially, the Pixel 10a is very similar specs-wise to the Pixel 10, a phone that starts at $800. The display is basically identical, the storage options are too, and the battery cell is actually slightly bigger in Pixel 10a than Pixel 10.

The main things Google cut to get the price down to $500 are the RAM (Pixel 10 has 12GB) and the processor. Pixel 10a uses the comparatively old Tensor G4 chip rather than the Tensor G5 introduced with the Pixel 10 lineup last year. This is a little strange and a departure from how Google usually handles the A-series phones, but it doesn't actually affect practical, daily use much.

Finally, there's also one notable camera downgrade from Pixel 10 to 10a, but we'll get to that later.

Google Pixel 10a: Design No more camera bump. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Pixel 10a comes in four colors: Lavender, Berry, Fog, and Obsidian. Our review unit is the Lavender model, and I think it looks lovely. That said, for once, the colors aren't the most interesting part of the redesign.

Last year, with the Pixel 9a, Google removed the iconic horizontal camera bar that adorns regular Pixel phones, in favor of something much less visible and intrusive. Pixel 10a maintains the same basic look, but the camera has been sanded down even more, so it's completely flush with the backside of the device.

Yes, unlike most other modern smartphones, you can lay the Pixel 10a down on its back on a flat surface and there will be no wobble whatsoever. Your expensive Samsung Galaxy or iPhone 17 could never.

It's not a huge change, but it's welcome, nonetheless. I was at first opposed to making Pixel A-series phones look different, but thanks to this alteration, I think I now prefer the way they look over the big boy phones.

For what it's worth, Google also slimmed down the bezels, which is always nice. The new phone also uses Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, as opposed to Gorilla Glass 3 on Pixel 9a. It should be more durable now, but frankly, I'm not going to do a bunch of violent drop tests with a review unit phone to find out. That's what JerryRigEverything is for.

Google Pixel 10a: Software Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

This is really the only somewhat sketchy part of the Pixel 10a. Remember earlier when I mentioned that Google didn't bring forward the Tensor 5 chipset from last year? It turns out this decision had some consequences in terms of which flashy AI features are and aren't available on Pixel 10a.

Put simply, this phone does not have complete AI parity with the Pixel 10. Perhaps the biggest missing feature is Magic Cue, a context-dependent assistant that brings up relevant information based on what's happening on your screen. On Pixel 10, if someone texted you to ask about an event in your calendar, Magic Cue would automatically surface the calendar entry for your convenience. That will not happen on Pixel 10a, because Magic Cue just isn't available here.

Credit: Google

The same goes for Daily Hub, a Pixel 10 feature that would act as a, well, hub for news, sports information, and YouTube videos based on your personal interests. To be fair, though, this may not be a chipset problem; Google removed Daily Hub from Pixel 10 to iron out some kinks, and as of January, it's still not back. Automatic voice translation in phone calls is also missing, which is unfortunate because that was probably the best AI feature of the bunch last year.

While the Pixel 10a can't fully replicate the Pixel 10's AI portfolio, it does bring forward Camera Coach, an AI feature from the Pixel 10 that uses AI to assist amateur photographers in finding the best shot composition for whatever photo they're taking. That's kind of it, though. The other noteworthy AI features, like Best Take (which can combine several shots to produce a perfect take), Circle to Search, and Gemini support, were already present in the Pixel 9a and don't seem to work any differently here.

Google Pixel 10a: Performance and battery life Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

For as much as it kinda stinks that Google maintained the older Tensor G4 chip from a software availability perspective, it doesn't affect day-to-day performance that much. Apps load quickly, everything works smoothly, and generally speaking, I can't think of anything performance-wise that went horribly wrong in my time with the Pixel 10a. I can't provide Geekbench benchmarking metrics because that app isn't compatible with the Pixel 10a at the time of writing, but trust me, the phone works fine.

Bringing along the newer Tensor G5 processor might have potentially helped with battery life, though. The battery life on Pixel 10a isn't bad by any means, but it isn't noticeably better than Pixel 9a, either. The cell size is the same, and Google still rates it for about 30 hours of usage, which you can easily get as long as you don't do too much YouTubing or other battery-intensive activities. My charges lasted closer to 24 hours, which is acceptable for a $500 phone but not remarkable.

The good news is that Pixel 10a now supports 30W fast wired charging and 10W wireless charging, so if you have compatible adapters or chargers, you won't need to wait too long for the Pixel 10a to fill up on juice. I wish Google had improved the battery more, but giving users more charging options is nice, at any rate.

Google Pixel 10a: Cameras Credit: Google

Aside from Camera Coach, Google doesn't seem to have added any fun new photography features to Pixel 10a. The camera specs themselves are also identical to Pixel 9a:

• 48MP wide

• 13MP ultra-wide

• 13MP selfie

One major thing that's missing from the Pixel 10a is a third telephoto lens. That was one of the biggest and best additions to the Pixel 10 family last year, and it's not included here, presumably to keep costs down. Still, the digital zoom does a decent enough job by itself.

No zoom. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable Max zoom. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

While the camera setup here isn't any better than Pixel 9a, it's also not any worse. Colors pop and images look sharp, as you can see in the photographs I took while testing the Pixel 10a.

Feeling blue? Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Last year, Google brought Macro Focus to Pixel 9a, enabling up-close shots of tiny objects. It's still here, and it still works fine.

Macro-licious. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

And Night Sight continues to do its thing, enabling nice shots of things taken in the dark.

Spring hasn't sprung yet in New York. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable Google Pixel 10a: Final thoughts

The Google Pixel 10a is a perfectly usable phone that doesn't cost too much money. That's really all you can say about it; these mid-range spin-off phones seem to get less and less interesting every year.

Its cameras are fine, but they're not any different from the Pixel 9a. The same goes for the processor and most of the software. It is really disappointing that Google couldn't give the Pixel 10a more AI software parity with Pixel 10, though. This really feels like a slightly more souped-up Pixel 9a with a flatter backside and some nice charging options.

Hopefully, Google can make the Pixel 11a a little more wow-worthy next year.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel 10a (128 GB) $499 at Amazon
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Google Pixel 10a (128 GB) $499 at Amazon
$599 Save $100 Get $100 Amazon Gift Card with Purchase Get Deal

Apple's budget laptop, the MacBook Neo, is here. There has been lots of hype around Apple's cheapest ever MacBook and its price point starting at $599. At that price range, it finally puts Apple's MacBook line into financial reach for many potential users who just couldn't see themselves spending $1,000 or more for a laptop.

While $599 is a pretty affordable deal for a MacBook, knocking off another $100 would really give the budget PC laptop market some stiff competition. And, that's exactly what Apple has done with its education pricing.

If you go to Apple's Education Store for students and education professionals, Apple is selling the base MacBook Neo which comes with 256GB of storage for a discounted price of $499. If you want to double the storage to 512GB and add Touch ID, then the education price is only $599 or the exact same price as the 256GB base model without the education discount.

SEE ALSO: Apple's MacBook Neo comes in citrus yellow and blush pink. The internet has thoughts.

This is the real killer deal that makes the MacBook Neo a real problem for Windows laptop manufacturers. In fact, looking at Apple's MacBook Neo announcement, it is the only new product the company announced where Apple mentions the $499 education pricing in its announcement and not just in its pricing bullet points.

A $599 MacBook is certainly cheap, but a sub-$500 one, even just psychologically puts it within reach for way more potential buyers.

Credit: Mashable

At $499, Apple opens the door for a whole new user base of students and other first-time Mac owners who aren't necessarily in creative industries or art schools and don't require a super powerful laptop to handle 3D modeling, video editing, or graphic design work.

SEE ALSO: How to preorder the 2026 Apple Studio Display, including the mini-LED Studio Display XDR

There's also that not-so-secret "loophole" that many will undoubtedly take advantage of when buying the MacBook Neo: Apple does not check or verify whether consumers are eligible for the education discount. Technically, anyone can order the $499 MacBook Neo in Apple's Education Store.

By mentioning that $499 education pricing in their announcement though, maybe Apple doesn't even mind in exchange for taking over the budget laptop market with the MacBook Neo, the company's most affordable MacBook yet.

SAVE 57%: As of March 4, the Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 robot vacuum-mop is on sale for $299.99, down from $699.99, at Amazon. That's a 57% discount or $400 in savings.

Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 robot vacuum-mop $299.99 at Amazon
$699.99 Save $400   Get Deal at Amazon

If you're sick of vacuuming and mopping your floors but refuse to pay $1,000 to have a robot do it for you, it’s time to look past Roomba (they filed for bankruptcy for a reason!). Shark makes some of the best hybrid vacuums on the market, and one of our favorite models is currently on sale for less than $300.

As of March 4, the Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 robot vacuum-mop is on sale for $299.99, down from $699.99, at Amazon. That's a 57% discount or $400 in savings. Plus, if you happen to get approved for an Amazon Business Prime Card, you can knock another $125 off the total.

SEE ALSO: Review: I can't believe how much I loved the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 robot vacuum

Our vacuum expert, Leah Stodart, tested this exact model and named it the "Best Budget Shark Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo," mostly because it actually mops. While most budget hybrids just drag a wet rag across your floor, the Matrix Plus uses sonic mopping that scrubs 100 times per minute to lift dried stains.

"In my testing, I watched the Matrix Plus 2-in-1 successfully clear crumbs near the kitchen counter, kitty litter in my bathroom, and minor drops on hardwood or tile several times — messes that similarly-priced Roombas I tested couldn't conquer in one pass," Stodart writes.

It also features a self-cleaning brushroll that won't get tangled with pet hair, and a bagless, self-emptying base that holds up to 60 days of dirt.

For years, Apple laptops have lived in a world of tasteful restraint: silver, space gray, maybe the occasional muted gold Apple calls starlight. Functional, sleek, and, depending on who you ask, a little boring.

So when Apple unveiled the new MacBook Neo, a lighter, more budget-friendly addition to its laptop lineup, it wasn't just the $599 price tag that caught people's attention. It was the colors.

Do you want a yellow laptop? Apple is banking on it.

SEE ALSO: How to preorder the $599 MacBook Neo, Apple's new budget MacBook

The Neo arrives in four shades (blush, indigo, silver, and citrus), turning a category long dominated by neutral tones into something closer to a personality statement. Online, many viewers immediately seized on the shift, celebrating the return of brighter, more playful hardware — even if the yellow-hued citrus option left some people a little divided.

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Mashable's tech editor Timothy Beck Werth saw the colors in person at Apple's launch event in New York City. The blush model reads as an extremely subtle pink, he said, while the citrus version is much brighter in person and "really pops."

According to Werth, the citrus color "looks really good in person." Credit: Mashable via Timothy Beck Werth The blush MacBook Neo is less bubblegum and more barely-there. Credit: Mashable via Timothy Beck Werth This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

The excitement around the Neo's colors also taps into a broader shift in consumer tech. In an era when phones, laptops, and earbuds increasingly look the same, color has become one of the few ways companies can inject personality into otherwise standardized devices.

SEE ALSO: MacBook Neo: Great price, but you need to take a close look at those specs

Apple, notably, used to excel at this. The company's late-'90s and early-2000s lineup — from the candy-colored iMac G3 to the translucent iBook — treated computers less like office equipment and more like personal objects. With the Neo's playful palette and lower price point, the strategy feels familiar: Make the laptop feel approachable, expressive, and especially appealing to students.

The internet doesn't just want faster chips or longer battery life. Sometimes it just wants a laptop that looks fun on a desk.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

SAVE $20: As of March 4, get the DJI Mic Mini (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) for $79 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $99. That's a discount of 20% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Mic Mini (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) $79 at Amazon
$99 Save $20   Get Deal

Whether you're an aspiring creator or just want better audio for what you're already making, the DJI Mic Mini is a fantastic pick when it comes to microphones. This tiny model can already be seen all over the likes of TikTok, and for good reason: it's affordable, reliable, and high-quality. And if you don't have one just yet, now's the time to buy.

As of March 4, get the DJI Mic Mini (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) for $79 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $99. That's $20 off and a discount of 20%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: Beginners can capture 360° video footage in 4K with this DJI Mini 5 Pro drone — and it’s on sale right now

This bundle comes with everything you need to start recording better audio while staying as minimal with the tech as possible. It comes with the DJI Mic Mini receiver, two transmitters, a charging cable, phone adapter, four windscreens, two magnetic clips, and a case to keep it all in.

The charging case nets you up to 48 hours of recording time, and you can use it with a variety of other tech you've probably already got, like one of DJI's cameras. That gives you a complete content creation setup. But most importantly, you save a ton on pricier equipment that might not even be able to match what DJI has achieved here.

If you're ready to add a new mic to your tech arsenal that's already well-loved in the content creator sphere, this is the one to get, especially while it's still discounted.

GET 1 MONTH FREE: Through March 10, Taco Bell rewards members can get one free month of Peacock Select. That's $7.99 in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Select free for one month with Taco Bell rewards (save $7.99) Learn More

I don't know about you, but any chance I have to score a streaming service for free in 2026, I'm taking. If you haven't redeemed a Peacock streaming deal in the last year, you can score a free month through a rewards program you may already be a part of: Taco Bell.

Taco Bell's annual Live Más Live event kicks off March 10 and will be streaming only on Peacock. Thus, your favorite fast food chain is offering free one-month subscriptions to Peacock Select ($7.99 value) to new subscribers leading up to the event. The limited time offer is available through March 10 or when the supply of codes is depleted, and you'll have to redeem the code by March 17 or else it will no longer work. In other words, take advantage of this deal sooner rather than later.

Credit: Peacock / Taco Bell

Taped live from the Hollywood Palladium, Live Más Live returns for its third year of shenanigans. It's essentially a Hollywood-inspired variety show featuring guest appearances, original music, comedic bits, fan moments, and more to reveal the Taco Bell menu innovations for the year. Vince Staples will host the one-night special on March 10 and special guests will include Ariana Madix, Benson Boone, Doja Cat, Fernando Mendoza, and more.

Head to the Taco Bell app and sign up for the rewards program to claim your free Peacock subscription. Once claimed, you'll receive an email with a unique redemption code to use on the Peacock website or app when you sign up.

Peacock's Select tier typically costs $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year and unlocks access to the streamer's ad-supported TV library (minus Peacock Originals). Once your free month is up, you'll automatically be charged full price unless you cancel.

SAVE $200 + GET A FREE $200 GIFT CARD: Pre-order the new Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra from Amazon and get a free $200 Amazon gift card. Plus, Amazon is offering a free storage upgrade, making the 512GB version cost $1,299 — the same price as the 256GB model.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung / Amazon Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (512GB) $1,299 at Amazon
$1,499 Save $200 Get a free $200 Amazon gift card Get Deal

Ready to upgrade your phone? If you prefer Android devices, Samsung is launching new models shortly. Last week at Samsung Unpacked, the brand announced the Galaxy S26 Ultra. If you're in need of a new phone, now might be a perfect time thanks to pre-order deals. Check out this great offer today from Amazon.

As of March 4, pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra from Amazon come with a free $200 Amazon gift card and a free storage upgrade. In total, you'll be paying $1,299 for the 512GB version, which is the list price for the 256GB model. That's a $200 discount compared to the normal $1,499 price for the 512GB model.

Something for free in this economy? Yes, please. How about two free things? Amazon is treating us to not only a free storage upgrade with this Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra deal, but they're also throwing in a free $200 gift card.

SEE ALSO: Apple announces new Studio Display and Studio Display XDR — preorders now live

The new Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra isn't massively different compared to the S25 Ultra, but it does come with some fresh updates. Maybe the biggest and most exciting is the Privacy Display. "Advertised as a world first, the S26 Ultra's Privacy display reduces its screen's viewing angle so that curious bystanders will have a harder time seeing which part of Heated Rivalry you're rewatching," wrote Mashable Assistant Editor Amanda Yeo in her review.

If you've been considering an upgrade for your Android phone, today's deal at Amazon makes for a convincing case to make the move to the new Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. For the price of the 256GB model, you'll get the 512GB version and score a free $200 Amazon gift card. It's a win-win.

SAVE 35%: As of March 4, the Apple AirTag (1st Gen) four-pack is on sale for $64, down from $99, at Amazon. That's a 35% discount, or $35 in savings.

Apple AirTag (1st Gen) $64 at Amazon
$99 Save $35   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Walmart Get Deal at Best Buy

I actually use Apple AirTags to keep tabs on my dogs when I'm visiting my mom's house, but they're just as handy for tracking your keys, wallet, luggage, or backpack. If you've been waiting for a price drop to buy a few, Amazon's got a four-pack on sale for $64 right now.

SEE ALSO: How to preorder the $599 MacBook Neo, Apple's new budget MacBook

As of March 4, the Apple AirTag (1st Gen) four-pack is on sale for $64 (just $1.01 away from its record-low price), down from $99, at Amazon. That's around $16 per tracker, which is a pretty good deal for some peace of mind.

AirTags are super easy to use — they feature a simple one-tap setup that connects them to your iPhone or iPad. From there, you can track your items alongside your other Apple devices in the Find My app. They feature a built-in speaker so you can play a sound to locate items lost in the couch cushions, and select iPhone models can even use Precision Finding with Ultra Wideband technology to lead you right to your nearby tag. They also have an IP67 water- and dust-resistant rating and use a standard, easily replaceable CR2032 coin cell battery, so you won't have to throw them away when they eventually die.

SAVE $500: As of March 4, get the 55-inch Samsung S90F OLED 4K Smart TV for $1,097.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,597.99. That's a discount of 31% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 55-inch Samsung S90F OLED 4K Smart TV $1,097.99 at Amazon
$1,597.99 Save $500   Get Deal

Ready for a bigger and better TV? These days, you don't have to spend an arm and a leg to get a decent model. In fact, you can get some excellent displays for less, as evidenced by this Samsung deal. We're heading into spring, so if your spring cleaning plans include doing some tech swapping, this discounted TV might very well become a staple of your living room since you can get it for significantly less right now.

As of March 4, get the 55-inch Samsung S90F OLED 4K Smart TV for $1,097.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,597.99. That's $500 off and a discount of 31%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: Best TVs under $500: Low-budget, high-quality TVs in every size

This 55-inch OLED 4K TV is all about serving up a great picture, powered by the brand's most advanced 4K AI processor. It uses 128 neural networks to give you a picture that's improved by AI, wth better sound and an optimized 4K experience. It can upscale everything you watch to make sure you get the best picture possible.

With intelligently upscaled picture that comes in HDR-like quality, you get deeper dark hues, brighter colors, and sharper details. It also gives gamers plenty to be happy about with smoother motion, reduced tearing, and higher speeds for VRR gaming at 4K 144Hz.

There's a lot to love about this TV, whether you're a casual watcher or you want something a little more advanced as the showpiece of your living room. But if you want to get it for this little cash, you'll have to jump on it before the sale ends.

PREORDER NOW: Today is your last chance to preorder Pokémon Pokopia for the Nintendo Switch 2 before its March 5 release, and you can get a free canvas tote at Best Buy or an in-game gift at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Pokémon Pokémon Pokopia $69.99 at Best Buy
  Pre-order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Pokémon Pokémon Pokopia $69.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here

The highly anticipated Pokémon Pokopia officially launches tomorrow for the Nintendo Switch 2, which means today is your last chance to score a preorder bonus. Whether you want a physical freebie or an exclusive in-game perk, you have two options for grabbing the game before release day.

SEE ALSO: 'Pokémon Pokopia' is 'Minecraft' for Pokémon, and fans will lose hundreds of hours to it

As of March 4, you can preorder Pokémon Pokopia for $69.99 at both Best Buy and Amazon. Here are the deets:

• Best Buy ($69.99): Preordering here gets you a free canvas tote bag to carry around your real-world items. This is only valid while in-stock supplies last and excludes prior purchases.

• Amazon ($69.99): Preordering here scores you an exclusive in-game gift. More importantly, it qualifies for Amazon's Pre-order Price Guarantee — if the price drops before the end of release day, you automatically pay the lowest amount. (Just keep in mind this promotion expires tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT, and the game must be listed as "sold by Amazon.com").

As for the game itself, our own Tech Reporter Alex Perry recently went hands-on and called it the "best Pokémon spin-off I've ever played." Perry describes Pokopia as a mashup of Minecraft, Animal Crossing, and Stardew Valley. You play as a human-like Ditto tasked with rebuilding ruined settlements using the abilities of the Pokémon you befriend. The amount of mechanical depth is genuinely impressive — you can dig out creeks, power an entire town with utility poles, or just focus on becoming roommates with a Scyther (something Perry says he did at the "earliest opportunity, because Scyther is cool as hell.")

SAVE $600: As of March 4, Amazon has the Bluetti Elite 400 portable power station on sale for $1,298.98. That's 32% off its list price of $1,899 and its lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti Elite 400 portable power station $1,298.98 at Amazon
$1,899 Save $600.02   Get Deal

Between off-grid adventures and unexpected power outages, portable power stations have become must-have gadgets. But they're definitely not cheap. So any chance you have to sweeten the deal, we recommend jumping on. For instance, Amazon has one of Bluetti's most premium power stations on sale for $600 off right now — its best price on record.

As of March 4, you can invest in the Bluetti Elite 400 portable power station for $1,298.98 at Amazon instead of dropping the usual $1,899. That's 32% in savings and the cheapest this particular model has ever been, according to our favorite price-tracking tool.

While the Elite 400 is technically considered "portable," thanks to its telescopic handle and wheels, it weighs over 80 pounds. So it's more like toting around a hefty suitcase. But there's a reason for that bulk; this baby is hella powerful. It has a 3840Wh capacity and 2600W output (3900W surge power), so it can reliably keep everything from a refrigerator to power tools to coffee makers up and running. It packs nine versatile ports, including four AC outlets, two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, and a DC port.

You can bring the Bluetti Elite 400 back up to a full charge in just 2.5 hours using a regular outlet. If you're living off-grid, a solar panel or car port can also give you a power boost.

It may not be the most portable amongst power stations, but the Bluetti Elite 400 packs a huge punch. And at $600 off, it's a pretty stellar value.

SAVE UP TO $60: Walmart has the new iPad Air with M4 chip available to pre-order for up to $60 less than retail price. The 11-inch model with 128GB is available to pre-order for $559, down from the standard price of $599. The 11-inch model with 512GB is storage is selling for $839, down from the list price of $899.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad M4 (WiFi) from $549 Pre-order Here

Mashable's favorite iPad just got better. It used to come with the M3 chip, but the latest version (finally) comes with the zippy M4 chip, and we're thrilled. Pre-orders are live for the new Apple tablet and if you're interested, Walmart is likely your best retailer. Check out this deal on offer today.

As of March 4, Walmart is offering a preorder deal on the new iPad Air M4 that shaves between $40 and $60 off the list price. The 11-inch iPad Air M4 with 128GB of storage is sitting at $559, down from the list price of $599. That's a savings of $40. You can also save with the 128GB 13-inch version, which is at Walmart for $749, marked down from the standard price at Apple of $799.

We're not asking questions, but somehow, Walmart is offering deals on preorders for the brand new iPad Air. These sale prices aren't actually listed as discounted prices, so we're suspicious about these deals sticking around for long. Our advice would be to click "buy" as soon as possible if you're hoping to snag a sale price while pre-ordering a new iPad Air M4.

SEE ALSO: The iPad Air is finally getting the M4 chip: Preorder now

"With the M4 chip and $599 price tag, the new iPad Air is an exceptional value," writes Mashable Shopping Reporter Samantha Mangino. The upgrade from the M3 to the M4 chip means we can expect the new model of the iPad Air to come with zippier performance and processing. That'll be especially nice if you like to pair your iPad with a Magic Keyboard to use it as a laptop.

Apple lists the new iPad Air as being available on Wednesday, March 11. Preorders from Walmart currently indicate a delivery date of March 11, too. That means pre-ordering from Walmart will not only score you a sale price, you also won't have to take a trip to the Apple store.

Before this deal disappears, secure your new M4 iPad Air from Walmart. Both the 11-inch and 13-inch model are on sale, and you'll save in every storage size available.

Preorder the Apple MacBook Neo: Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $599 Pre-Order Here Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $699 Pre-Order Here

Apple finally announced its long-rumored budget MacBook today, and it's called the MacBook Neo. Its starts at just $599, or $500 less than the latest 13-inch MacBook Air, and preorders are now open. Education buyers save $100 by ordering it directly through the Apple Store.

The MacBook Neo will begin shipping on March 11 alongside a slew of other new devices, including new iPhone 17e, M4 iPad Air, M5 MacBook Airs, M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pros, and Studio Displays. Apple announced them earlier this week, and their preorders also start today.

We're still waiting to get our hands on a MacBook Neo for testing, but in the meantime, let's take a closer look at its specs. They were heavily leaked ahead of time, so if you've kept up with the rumors, most of what you're about to read will sound very familiar.

Meet the MacBook Neo The MacBook Neo comes in (left to right) blush, indigo, citrus, and silver finishes. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

The MacBook Neo is technically Apple's first dedicated budget laptop. It informally succeeds the M1 MacBook Air, which Apple sold through Walmart for around $699 from March 2024 to early this year. But instead of an M-series chip, the MacBook Neo runs on the A18 Pro chip, the same processor inside the iPhone 16 Pro. This is the first time Apple's ever put an iPhone chip inside a laptop.

The MacBook Neo has a 13-inch Liquid Retina display with a 60Hz refresh rate and 500 nits of brightness chassis. It's configurable with 256GB of storage or 512GB of storage and Touch ID; both options have 8GB of memory.

The MacBook Neo includes WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 6, two USB-C ports, a MagSafe charging port, and a headphone jack. Its aluminum chassis comes in four colors: silver, indigo, blush, and citrus.

Apple's MacBook Neo is the sort of device that's sure to cause ripples in the market: An elegant, colorful laptop with a surprisingly low starting price for Apple standards: $599 ($499 for educators and students).

Before you splurge, however, you need to take a close look at MacBook Neo's specs.

For example, MacBook Neo runs on Apple's A18 Pro chip, the chip powering Apple's iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, which came out in 2024. Not only that, it's running a slightly less powerful version of said chip, with one less GPU core (five vs. six).

A phone chip inside a computer, you may ask, what kind of travesty is this? Well, it's easy to forget just how powerful Apple's mobile chip are; just consider that Apple's current iPad is running on an even older A16 Pro chip. You definitely shouldn't expect M-chip level performance, though.

Touch ID is optional. Credit: Apple

The amount of storage memory is reasonable for the price; 256GB for starters and 512GB if you pay a hundred bucks extra. But the amount of RAM you get in the MacBook Neo is fixed at 8GB; no upgrades are available.

Oh, and if you haven't noticed, Touch ID is optional; you need to pay $100 extra to get it.

SEE ALSO: Apple announces new Studio Display and Studio Display XDR — preorders now live

The caveat here, of course, is that the MacBook Neo only just launched, and we don't know how it performs in the real world. We don't know how well it'll run demanding software such as Logic Pro or Final Cut Pro, for example, or whether it can handle graphically intensive games at high resolutions. Apple is extremely good at optimizing software to run on its own hardware, so the results might be surprising, but if you're the kind of user that simply has to have more RAM, you might have to step up and get a MacBook Air.

On the flip side, some of the MacBook Neo's specs are really good for the price. This includes the 13-inch LED display with a 2,408x1,506 pixel resolution, and two USB-C ports, one of which supports connecting a 4K external display while running the device's own display at the same time.

As for the 36.5-watt-hour battery that provides up to 11 hours of wireless browsing and up to 16 hours of video streaming, it's also a pretty big step down from the 13-inch MacBook Air, which comes with a 53.8-watt-hour battery.

SEE ALSO: Apple just announced the new M4 iPad Air, coming March 4 for $599

We'll have to spend some more time with the MacBook Neo to give it a full verdict. It's a lot cheaper than other Apple MacBook computers (MacBook Air starts at $1,099), but also very different in many regards. It'll take some testing to see how well, and for how long, it can handle demanding tasks.

The budget MacBook is here. Today, Apple announced the all-new MacBook Neo during "special Apple experiences" in New York, London, and Shanghai. The 13-inch laptop comes in four fun colors and starts at just $599 (or $499 for students), making it $500 cheaper than the MacBook Air. It tees up fierce competition for Chromebooks and entry-level Windows laptops — a new frontier for Apple.

Preorders for the MacBook Neo opened Wednesday, March 4 ahead of its formal launch on March 11. The new iPhone 17e, M4 iPad Air, M5 MacBook Airs, upgraded MacBook Pros, and Studio Displays, which Apple unveiled earlier this week, are also now up for preorder. The company is reportedly anticipating high demand for this wave of new devices.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $599 at Apple.com
  Pre-order Here

The MacBook Neo marks Apple's first dedicated entry in the low-cost laptop space. It replaces the M1 MacBook Air that Apple started selling through Walmart for $699 in March 2024, then eventually discounted to $649. That model has been out of stock in new condition since early 2026, fueling reports of the MacBook Neo's arrival.

Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

Speaking of: The MacBook Neo's announcement comes after months of spec leaks and rumors, which were pretty much spot-on. Here's everything we know about it so far.

MacBook Neo specs Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

The MacBook Neo has an aluminum design and runs on an A18 Pro chip, the same processor powering the iPhone 16 Pro. (It's the first MacBook with an iPhone chip.) In a press release, Apple said it "can fly through everyday tasks, from browsing the web and streaming content, to editing photos, exploring creative hobbies, or using AI capabilities across apps." The company claimed it's 50 percent faster in everyday tasks and up to three times faster running local AI workloads compared to bestselling Windows laptops with the latest Intel Core Ultra 5 chip.

Here's a closer look at the MacBook Neo's spec sheet. It's only available in two configurations: one with 256GB of storage, and another with 512GB of storage and Touch ID.

• Processor: A18 Pro chip with 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU

• Memory: 8GB RAM

• Storage: 256GB to 512GB SSD

• Display: 13-inch 2,408 x 1,506 Liquid Retina display with 500 nits of brightness, 60Hz refresh rate, and an anti-reflective coating

• Battery life: Up to 16 hours

• Webcam: 1080p camera

• Ports: Two USB-C ports and a headphone jack

• Connectivity: Wi6E and Bluetooth 6

• Audio: Dual side speakers with Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio support

• Keyboard: Magic Keyboard with optional Touch ID

• Colors: Silver, indigo, blush, and citrus

• Weight: 2.7 pounds

Mashable tech editor Timothy Beck Werth is on the ground at Apple's "special experience" in New York, where Apple is showcasing the MacBook Neo for the first time. Stay tuned for his initial hands-on impressions.

TL;DR: Live stream India vs. England in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free on ICC.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The stage is set for the 2026 T20 World Cup final. India face off against England for the last place in that showpiece event. We're expecting an incredibly tense and exciting contest between two talented sides.

India strolled through the initial group stage but lost out to South Africa in the Super 8. England were beaten by West Indies in the group stage but topped their Super 8 group that included New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. It's difficult to predict the winner from this semi-final matchup. India perhaps have the edge, and playing in front of a passionate home support at the Wankhede Stadium can only help.

If you want to watch India vs. England in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is India vs. England?

India vs. England in the 2026 T20 World Cup starts at 8:30 a.m. ET on March 5. This game takes place at the Wankhede Stadium.

How to watch India vs. England for free

India vs. England in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup is available to live stream for free on ICC.TV.

This free live stream on ICC.TV is only available in select regions (see full list of territories here), but anyone can live stream the T20 Cricket World Cup for free with a VPN. These helpful tools can hide your IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with free access. This simple process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can live stream on ICC.TV from anywhere in the world.

Live stream India vs. England in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup for free 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 a location with access

4. Visit ICC.TV

5. Watch the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

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 obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch every game from the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for ICC.TV?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ICC.TV, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• 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 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Watch the 2026 T20 World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Preorders of Magic: The Gathering Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Draft Night are $86.99 at Amazon ahead of the March 6, 2026 release.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Draft Night $86.99 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $33 Get Deal

If you’ve been eyeing Wizards’ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover but didn’t want to commit to a full trading card booster box buy-in, this is the perfect time to jump on a preorder before it releases this week. As of March 4, Amazon has cut the Magic: The Gathering Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Draft Night box to $86.99, down from the $119.99 list price.

Amazon’s listing also notes the "pre-order price guarantee," so if it dips again before launch on March 6, you’ll get the lowest price.

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Not only is this price only eight cents above the TCGplayer market price, it's also the lowest price we've ever seen on Amazon — as confirmed by price tracker camelcamelcamel. 

This is a self-contained kit for a Pick-Two Draft for four players, which keeps things moving faster than a traditional draft and works especially well for kitchen-table nights where you want the fun part (building and battling) to start sooner.

Here is everything you get in the Magic: The Gathering Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Draft Night: 

• 12 TMNT Play Boosters (14 cards each), with typical Play Booster collation that can include 1–5 rares or higher, plus a guaranteed traditional foil of any rarity in each booster

• 1 TMNT Collector Booster (15 cards) as the winner’s crown — featuring multiple foils and 5 cards rare or higher, with a borderless signature Kevin Eastman headliner card showing up in under 1% of boosters

• 90 land cards, so your group isn’t scrounging through deck boxes before the first pick

If you want to pull even more rare cards from TMNT’s MTG expansion, you can also buy the Magic: The Gathering Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Collector Booster Box under market price at Walmart. Alternatively, the MTG Final Fantasy three-pack is now $7 off.

SAVE OVER $15: As of March 4, the Lego Super Mario Piranha Plant (71426) is down to $41.99 at Amazon. That's $18 off its list price of $59.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Super Mario Piranha Plant (71426) $41.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $18   Get Deal

Mario Day — otherwise known as MAR10 Day, since it lands on March 10 — is coming up, and Amazon already has some nice discounts for Nintendo fans to make a move on. The Lego Super Mario Piranha Plant set (71426) is one that caught our eye at the retailer, as it's currently on sale for $41.99.

The Lego Super Mario Piranha Plant set usually etails for $59.99, so this deal gives you a chance to grab it for $18 less. If you're an adult Lego fan, this 540-piece set looks like a fantastic project to piece together, especially ahead of Mario Day.

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The Lego Super Mario Piranha Plant set comes together to create the Piranha Plant in a green pipe, complete with two coins. The plant's head, mouth, stalk, and leaves are all posable, which makes for fun detailing once you put it on display. And even though the box says it's recommended for those ages 18 and over, a younger fan that's interested can tackle this set with help.

Don't miss out on this great chance to save on the Lego Super Mario Piranha Plant set (71426) at Amazon. Alternatively, if you're wondering what new releases Lego has dropped so far this year, have a look at our breakdown of the best new Lego sets.

Despite all the hubbub about dating app fatigue, new apps still pop up to compete with the household names. In order to duke it out with the likes of Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge, these startups must try something new — even if it's technically not. 

One example is the dating app Cerca, which is about to turn a year old. Taking its name from the Spanish word for "near," Cerca aims to connect mutual friends. At a time when the major apps are trying to increase shareholder value and shove in AI features, focusing on human connection is a novel idea. (Almost.)

SEE ALSO: The 11 best dating apps for women who want real connections in 2026 What is Cerca?

Cerca is a dating app you might not have heard of yet, but it's already gotten the media treatment, from college newspapers to the New York Times. Launched in March 2025, according to an article in Business Insider, Cerca seeks to combine mutual friends with privacy.

The tagline? "Date Mutuals, Not Strangers." 

But what's old is new again on Cerca. The "friends of friends" tactic was originally what Hinge was built on. Back in 2014, founder Justin McLeod (who recently left Hinge to start an AI dating service, Overtone), told Bloomberg, "We're introducing you to people through your friends like you would in real life when you go to house parties and dinners and weddings and the kind of places that you forge great relationships."

SEE ALSO: App fatigue is real. I tested the best dating apps of 2026 to find the ones that really work.

While Hinge eventually moved away from this model, this ethos makes sense for a new app. People are increasingly frustrated with major apps. If you scroll the dating side of TikTok, you'll see users quick to bemoan "The Apps" to their selfie camera. Last year, several daters expressed this sentiment, telling Mashable they wanted to meet potential partners in person. 

Meanwhile, major apps are rapidly implementing AI-based features. In the last year alone, Hinge has introduced Convo Starters, Tinder's AI personas, and Bumble announced AI-driven Profile Guidance and AI Photo Feedback features last week. 

It's not all AI, though, and it seems at least Tinder has picked up on the "mutual friends" angle. Tinder's latest CEO, Spencer Rascoff, said last year he wanted to move away from its hookup reputation to attract Gen Z users. Soon after, Tinder introduced Double Date, a feature to swipe with your friend.

How Cerca works

Cerca works differently from Tinder and other apps, however. According to its website, you first create your profile and sync your contacts. (Your contacts aren't notified that you're joining yet another dating app, thankfully.) Then, Circa only surfaces matches with a first or second-degree connection — aka, friends of friends. 

You're then free to "like" profiles, but the likes remain anonymous until both people have liked each other. As is written on Cerca's website, "We prioritize trust and safety — that's why we only pair you with mutuals. No unsolicited messages or catfishing. Because when it comes to dating, you deserve privacy, context, and confidence in who you're talking to."

As of this publication, Cerca has an average of 4.4 out of 5 rating on Apple's App Store, based on 1,300 ratings. It touts 170,000 singles — a far cry from Tinder's 50 million monthly users, but if you're sick of the biggest dating apps in the game yet don't want to totally throw your luck to bars and clubs, there are newer apps like Cerca. 

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Mini Tin Display Unit (10 Mini Tins) is down to about $234 at Walmart, undercutting Amazon’s $261.95 listing by roughly $28 for the same 10-tin display.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution: Ascended Heroes Mini Tin Display (10 Units) $233.95 at Amazon
  Shop Now

The Ascended Heroes Mini Tins have been seeing some of the wildest pricing since the Pokémon TCG expansion came out, but the latest pricing at Walmart has made it so you’re saving money when buying more. As of March 4, display units of 10 Pokémon TCG Ascended Heroes Mini Tins are now available at Walmart for $233.95, a notable dip from the $261.95 price on Amazon. 

Each tin contains two Ascended Heroes booster packs, a sticker sheet, and an art card — with five different art cards to collect and combine. Ascended Heroes is also the latest in the trading card game’s Mega Evolution-era lineup, leaning hard into big-name Pokémon Mega Evolution card — including Mega Dragonite ex, a set stuffed with Trainer’s Pokémon, and Stellar Tera Pokémon ex cards.

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Although Amazon’s new $261.95 price comes after a price cut (25% off from $349.99), Walmart is giving you the best value for money compared to buying Mini Tins individually. Ascended Heroes Mini Tins will cost you between $32 and $50 on Amazon. At $233.95 for 10, Walmart’s listing means you’re paying the equivalent of $23.39 per Mini Tin — hitting the market price for each version on TCGplayer.

Pokémon TCG: Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Boxes are still available at Amazon for under $117. What's more, Perfect Order Booster Bundles are available to preorder for a new low price of $43.13 at Amazon.