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Tom’s Hardware launched its official app on 14 October 2026, giving Android and iOS users a free way to read the publisher’s technology coverage, follow breaking news, save articles and compare hardware benchmarks. The app is built for phones and tablets and includes access to Bench, Tom’s Hardware’s analyzer for lab-tested CPUs, GPUs, SSDs and laptops.
What the Tom’s Hardware app includes
The app brings more than 30 years of Tom’s Hardware technology reporting into a mobile interface. Its core tools are designed for readers who want both daily coverage and practical hardware research in one place.
- Technology news and reviews: Read the publisher’s latest reporting, reviews and analysis on a phone or tablet.
- Smart search: Search across thousands of Tom’s Hardware articles instead of browsing separate sections.
- Push notifications: Receive alerts for breaking technology news. Notification delivery depends on the permissions enabled on your device.
- Personalized feeds: Select interests so the app can emphasize the subjects you follow.
- Bookmarks: Save articles for later reading.
- Bench: Compare internal lab-tested results for CPUs, GPUs, SSDs and laptops, alongside product specifications and pricing information.
Where to download it
Android phones and tablets
The app is available as a free download for compatible Android smartphones and tablets. The launch announcement does not specify a minimum Android version, so check the app’s current Google Play listing for device and operating-system requirements before installing.
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The official Apple App Store listing names iOS 15.1 or later as the requirement. That covers compatible iPhones and iPads running that version or a newer one. The interface is optimized for both smartphone and tablet screen sizes.
#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.
Before installing
- Use the official Google Play or Apple App Store listing rather than an APK or an unofficial download site.
- Allow notifications only if breaking-news alerts are useful to you; you can change the permission later in your device settings.
- Sign in or create the account required for any personalization, bookmarks or Premium features shown in the app.
How Bench works in the app
Bench is Tom’s Hardware’s benchmark analyzer. Its database contains tens of thousands of benchmark data points from the publisher’s internal lab testing. In the app, readers can use those results to compare processors, graphics cards, solid-state drives and laptops.
A Bench comparison is more useful than a headline specification when you are deciding between products: it lets you view tested performance together with the product’s stated specifications and pricing information. Results remain Tom’s Hardware’s lab data, not a guarantee of performance in every system. Differences in software, cooling, power limits, drivers and configuration can change real-world outcomes.
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.
What free users can do
The launch materials describe limited free Bench access. The exact number of free comparisons or the applicable usage window is not specified, so the app’s current account screen is the definitive place to see your allowance.
What Premium changes
Tom’s Hardware Premium unlocks unlimited Bench use. Premium also includes longer-form news, analysis, testing and feature content, making it the relevant option for readers who use the comparison database frequently or want access beyond the free content.
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.
Free app versus Premium access
| Capability | Free app | Tom’s Hardware Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Download and basic app access | Yes, on Android and iOS | Yes |
| News, reviews and articles | Available content, with some Premium material restricted | Includes longer-form news, analysis, testing and features |
| Search, personalized feed and bookmarks | Included | Included |
| Bench comparisons | Limited access | Unlimited use |
| Bench categories | CPUs, GPUs, SSDs and laptops | CPUs, GPUs, SSDs and laptops |
The launch announcement does not publish a Premium price in the available information. Check the subscription screen in the app or the current official subscription page for regional pricing and billing terms.
Which device is the app best suited to?
Choose a phone for alerts and quick reading
A smartphone is the practical choice if you mainly want push notifications, short reading sessions, article search and a bookmark list you can use anywhere.
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
Choose a tablet for comparisons and longer articles
A tablet’s larger display is better suited to reading long reviews, viewing specification details and keeping multiple Bench results visible. Tom’s Hardware says the app is optimized for tablets, but no independent performance or usability testing has been published.
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What the launch does not establish
Tom’s Hardware has not published download totals, user-growth figures, retention data or an official app-rating statistic for this launch. Those figures should not be inferred from the app’s availability. The announcement also does not establish a minimum Android version, a fixed free-Bench quota, or a universal Premium price; those details can vary by store, account and region.
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
Is the app worth installing?
Install it if you already read Tom’s Hardware and want one place for breaking-news alerts, saved articles, personalized coverage and hardware comparisons. The free download provides the basic reading and discovery tools, while Premium is aimed at readers who need unlimited Bench queries or regularly use the publisher’s extended analysis and testing content. Readers who only visit occasionally can start with the free tier and decide whether the Bench limit affects their usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an official Tom’s Hardware app?
Yes. Tom’s Hardware announced its official app on 14 October 2026. It is free to download on Android and iOS.
Does the app work on iPhone and iPad?
Yes. The Apple App Store listing requires iOS 15.1 or later, and the app is optimized for smartphones and tablets.
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What is Tom’s Hardware Bench?
Bench is a benchmark analyzer using Tom’s Hardware internal lab-tested data for CPUs, GPUs, SSDs and laptops, with comparison views, specifications and pricing information.
Is Tom’s Hardware Premium required?
No. The app has a free tier with limited Bench access. Premium adds unlimited Bench use plus longer-form news, analysis, testing and feature content.
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