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Tom’s Hardware launched its official app on 14 October 2026. The free Android and iOS app brings the publication’s news, reviews, product information and Bench performance comparisons to phones and tablets, with optional Premium access for unlimited Bench use and additional long-form coverage.
What the Tom’s Hardware app includes
The app is a mobile hub for Tom’s Hardware’s three decades of technology coverage. It is optimized for both smartphones and tablets and combines reading tools with access to the publisher’s benchmark database.
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- Smart search: Search across thousands of Tom’s Hardware articles.
- Personalized feed: Follow the technology subjects that interest you and receive a tailored stream.
- Push notifications: Get alerts for breaking technology news.
- Bookmarks: Save articles for later reading.
- Bench: Compare lab-tested CPU, GPU, SSD and laptop results, alongside product specifications and pricing information.
Tom’s Hardware says Bench contains tens of thousands of benchmark data points. Those results are presented as comparisons rather than as a generic news feed, making the app useful when you are researching a component or laptop as well as when you are catching up on headlines.
Availability and device support
The app is free to download on Android and iOS. It is designed for phones and tablets, so the same service can be used on a handset while traveling or on a larger display for reading charts, reviews and comparison pages.
#1 Best Overall
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
| Platform | Availability | Documented requirement | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android | Free app | The launch information does not state a minimum Android version. | Phones and tablets running Android |
| iPhone and iPad | Free app | iOS 15.1 or later, according to the official App Store listing | Apple phones and tablets |
If your Apple device cannot install the app, check that it is running iOS or iPadOS 15.1 or newer. Android owners should check the compatibility notice in the Google Play listing for their specific device because the published launch details do not give a minimum operating-system version.
How Bench works in the app
Bench is Tom’s Hardware’s benchmark analyzer. It organizes internal lab-tested results for CPUs, GPUs, SSDs and laptops so readers can compare products instead of relying only on narrative reviews. Product pages also show specifications and pricing information, putting performance context and basic buying information in one place.
Rank #2
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
Free users receive limited Bench access. The limit applies to use of the analyzer, not to downloading the app itself. Tom’s Hardware Premium removes that Bench-use limit and is intended for readers who make frequent comparisons.
Free access versus Tom’s Hardware Premium
| Feature | Free app access | Tom’s Hardware Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Download and core app | Free on Android and iOS | Includes the same app experience |
| News and article discovery | Personalized feed, search, notifications and bookmarks | Personalized feed, search, notifications and bookmarks |
| Bench comparisons | Limited use | Unlimited use |
| Premium editorial coverage | Not included as a Premium benefit | Longer-form news, analysis, testing and features |
Premium is most relevant if you repeatedly compare parts or want the additional long-form reporting. For occasional reading, the free app still provides the core feed, search, alerts and saved-article tools.
Rank #3
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Who should install it
Readers who follow breaking hardware news
Push notifications and a personalized feed reduce the need to check the site manually. You can choose the subjects you care about and keep alerts on for major developments.
People researching a PC upgrade
Bench comparisons cover the processor, graphics card or SSD you are considering, while product pages add specifications and pricing details. The database is particularly useful when several products appear similar on paper.
Rank #4
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Readers who move between devices
Because the app supports both smartphones and tablets, it can serve as a compact reading app on a phone and a more comfortable research interface on a larger screen. Bookmarks are useful for collecting reviews or comparisons before a purchase.
What the launch does not establish
Tom’s Hardware has not published app-download, user-growth, retention or rating figures with the launch announcement. There is also no published Android minimum-version requirement in the launch information. Those details should not be inferred from the app’s availability alone.
Best Value
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- ACTIVATION Promotion: Includes 1500 min, 1500 texts & 1500 MB Data + add more as you need it
- CAMERA SYSTEM: 50MP Quad Pixel camera. Capture sharper, more vibrant photos day or night with 4x the light sensitivity.
- PERFORMANCE: Blazing-fast Qualcomm performance. Get the speed you need for great entertainment with a Snapdragon 680 processor and 4GB of RAM.
- 64GB built-in storage. Get plenty of room for photos, movies, songs, and apps. Made for US
Tom’s Hardware’s launch statement
Paul Alcorn, Editor-in-Chief of Tom’s Hardware, described the release this way: “The official Tom’s Hardware app is live now, available for free on Android and iOS devices, bringing all of our content to your pocket in a clean, responsive application that is optimized for smartphones and tablets.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an official Tom’s Hardware app?
Yes. Tom’s Hardware announced its official Android and iOS app on 14 October 2026.
Does the app work on iPhone and iPad?
Yes. The App Store listing supports iOS 15.1 or later, and the app is optimized for smartphones and tablets.
What is Tom’s Hardware Bench?
Bench is the publisher’s analyzer for comparing internal lab-tested CPU, GPU, SSD and laptop results, with product specifications and pricing information.
Is Tom’s Hardware Premium required to use the app?
No. The app and its core reading features are free. Premium is required for unlimited Bench use and provides additional long-form news, analysis, testing and features.
Quick Recap
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