Technology

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Photographers are spoiled for choice these days when it comes to third-party lenses, with Sigma, Tamron, Samyang and others making superb alternatives to costlier proprietary optics from the likes of Sony, Canon, Nikon and Fujifilm. However, there's another name rightly earning renown in 2024: Viltrox.

The Chinese manufacturer of photography and filmmaking gear has been releasing excellent quality lenses for a few years – including, most recently, autofocus lenses for popular lens mounts – for what is almost always at least half the price of proprietary equivalents, and for the most part with no obvious compromises.

I've been shooting with the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 for Nikon Z-mount for over a year – it costs exactly half the price of Nikon's own 85mm f/1.8, and I can barely tell the difference between photos from the two lenses.

Viltrox's stock is only set to rise with the launch of its latest lens, the Viltrox AF 135mm F1.8 LAB. It's the first of Viltrox's premium 'LAB' series of autofocus lenses, and if the response online from reviewers is anything to go by, it's near perfection.

Currently it's only available in the Sony E-mount for Sony mirrorless cameras, including the full-frame Sony A7R V; but the 135mm F1.8 LAB looks incredible, and it's half the price of Sony's superb FE 135mm F1.8 GM – and at the time of writing it's on sale for $764.15 at Amazon the US – that's 24% off.

(Image credit: Viltrox)

• Buy the Viltrox AF 135mm F1.8 LAB – was $999 now $764.15 at Amazon (US)

As someone who's particularly keen on but priced out of this type of lens – the five-star rated Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena was one of my favorite Nikon lenses of 2024 but it costs $2,499.95 / £2,649 / AU$4,249 – Viltrox's new lens has certainly grabbed my attention – I'm assuming that like other Viltrox lenses it'll be made available for other systems in due course, including Nikon Z-mount. Furthermore, there could be more LAB lenses to come – leaked pictures of a 35mm F1.2 LAB for Sony were shared by Sony Alpha Rumors this week.

Is it time to take Viltrox seriously? And should the likes of Sigma and Samyang be worried?

Optically impressive, hampered by one practical hindrance

We're yet to complete our review of the Viltrox AF 135mm F1.8 LAB lens, but the general response to it online from those that have used it has been extremely positive. Regarding optical quality, Viltrox itself has published the lens's MTF charts – lab tests that indicate a lens's sharpness and contrast from the center of the frame to the edges – and they show that in this area it's a virtually flawless lens whatever aperture you use it at, even wide open at f/1.8.

Bokeh also appears impressive (see below) – and that's vital for a telephoto prime lens with a fast aperture like this, as it's ideal for portrait photography (though I also love the compression you get with this focal length for landscape photography). Autofocus performance is supposedly quiet and reliably quick too, so there's no real compromise there, although it looks like there is minor focus breathing, which might count this lens out for serious filmmakers.

(Image credit: Viltrox)

What filmmakers will like, however, is the aperture ring, which can be set to either smooth or clicked operation. There are no aperture or focus distance markings on the exterior of the lens, with this information instead found on the neat digital display. This display is also customizable, meaning you can import any image you like as a welcome screen through the Viltrox app – for me that's a fun party trick. The app connectivity also enables easy firmware updates.

The 135mm F1.8 is built to a very high standard, with a magnesium-alloy construction and advanced weather sealing. However, the gargantuan build of the lens could be a dealbreaker – it weighs in at 43.6oz / 1,235g, and for reference Sony's 135mm lens weighs much less, just 33.6oz / 950g. The extra weight of the Viltrox lens is unlikely to make too much of a difference if you're shooting with a chunkier camera like a Nikon Z8, while it appears to pair well with the Sony A7R V (see below), but it's a front-heavy mismatch with skinnier models like the Sony A7C R.

The Viltrox AF 135mm F1.8 attached to a Sony A7R V (Image credit: Viltrox)

Weight aside, Viltrox has made many photographers – and likely rival brands – sit up and take note. Its LAB series could be the beginning of something special, and a range of lenses that cost-conscious photographers who also value quality will increasingly be drawn to.

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• Security pros are hefting multiple devices to work, increasing stress
• Notification spam is also overwhelming employees
• All-in-one devices could help reduce strain and stress on employees

The modern office environment is heavily dependent on technology with an average professional juggling three devices daily, including laptops, tablets, headphones, and even multiple phones. While this tech plays an essential role in enhancing productivity, the sheer volume of gadgets is creating stress and anxiety for many.

At its recent HONOR Magic V3 launch event, the company released a study which reveals the growing mental load faced by professionals due to their reliance on multiple devices.

To mitigate these challenges, there is a need for a more streamlined and less burdensome way for professionals to stay connected and productive.

Tech overload keeps rising

Surveying 8,000 office workers across Europe the study reveals the apparent challenges of managing multiple devices, as the issue of tech overload extends beyond the mental strain.

Many professionals are also grappling with the physical burden of transporting multiple devices to and from the office, and as return-to-office mandates increase across the continent, professionals are spending more time commuting.

On average, workers carry three tech devices or accessories in their bags, collectively weighing an average of 4.1 kg - the equivalent of carrying an air fryer to work. The physical toll of transporting such a load is causing concern, with 12% of workers worried about the negative impact on their health.

For those who rely on tech for hybrid working, the load is even greater. 67% of respondents said they carry more tech to accommodate their flexible working schedules, adding to the strain both physically and mentally.

While one in three professionals recognized the importance of these devices in improving their work, they also reported feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of technology. One quarter (25%) of respondents admitted they struggle with the number of notifications they receive across their devices, with one in seven receiving more than 30 notifications a day.

Managing the constant influx of notifications from multiple devices can be mentally draining, adding to the burden of keeping track of an increasing number of gadgets, with 65% of those surveyed saying they often lose track of their devices, leading to frustration and stress.

A simple way out of this situation is the use of simpler technologies, possibly an all-in-one device that could streamline their daily tech needs. One in five respondents said they wished they could rely on a single device to perform all essential functions, reducing the need for a multitude of gadgets. Over half (52%) of respondents expressed a willingness to pay a premium for a device that could replace several others.

Many workers are starting to see foldable phones as a potential solution to this problem, with one in six saying that a foldable phone would make their lives easier. These devices offer the promise of combining the functionality of a smartphone and tablet in one, catering to professionals who want fewer, more versatile gadgets.

The study also revealed that 1 in 4 office workers would feel lost without their gadgets, with 15% going so far as to say that their life revolves around technology. For these individuals, getting rid of tech altogether is not an option, even if managing multiple devices is stressful.

“The research shows that professionals are weighed down - both literally and figuratively - by their devices," noted Tony Ran, President of HONOR EU.

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Ever since I moved from Android to iPhone at the end of 2021, I’ve struggled to find a way back. Logic tells me that the best Android phones have superior hardware to iPhones in general, having got to 120Hz displays sooner than Apple’s phones and offering bigger batteries and more cameras; looking at you, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

I also find iPhones to be terribly dull; brilliant but boring, especially with their incremental upgrades and seemingly slow approach to adopting generative AI.

Yet despite this, and how I often carry around an Android phone as a backup, my main phone has been an iPhone for several years. This is simply down to ease of compatibility with numerous software tools and platforms and the still unbeatable ecosystem Apple offers.

However, that could change if a specific Samsung Galaxy S25 rumor has any weight behind it. A benchmark supposedly pertaining to the rumored Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has indicated that it could come with the power to blow away the mighty iPhone 16 Pro Max; a device I’m using as my main smartphone right now.

Benchmarks tend to mean naff all to me, as I’m more interested in real-world performance. And in all my experience using a variety of phones, I’ve never found an Android handset that’s been slow. That being said, I do find the power of the recent Pro iPhones, specifically the iPhone 15 Pro Max and aforementioned 16 Pro Max, with their Pro variants of the Apple’s A-series chips, to be very fast.

With the former, you can actually run proper console games, like Death Standing and Assassin’s Creed Mirage, albeit with limited frame rates, but the power of the A18 Pro in the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max brings more gaming grunt to bear, so much so we gave the iPhone 16 Pro Max the gaming phone award in the 2024 TechRadar Choice Awards. So, all that power does mean Apple’s latest flagship phone has my attention.

But if the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra could bring even more power to the smartphone arena, it could be the next phone to try and tempt me away from the house that Steve Jobs built.

Go, go power Samsung

The Galaxy S24 Ultra is powerful, but it's no iPhone (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

In the current smartphone climate, more power tends to translate to better scope for running artificial intelligence tools and features on-device. But I’ve yet to fully embrace this new wave of AI, so my interest is in mobile gaming.

Samsung’s Galaxy S-series has long offered good performance for mobile games, including some of the more demanding ones. But despite this, I feel Galaxy phones, and other flagship Android phones, haven’t had the scope to run proper console ports of Xbox or PlayStation games.

But if the Galaxy S25 Ultra can offer A18 Pro-beating power, that could change. Notably, I could see Samsung leaning on its previous partnerships with Microsoft to bring Xbox games that will run natively on next-generation Galaxy phones.

You might scoff at that and point me to Xbox Cloud Gaming as the means to play the best Xbox Series X games without needing powerful hardware. And while that’s true, and I’m a big advocate of cloud-powered gaming, the latency, reliability and lack of robust super-fast internet connections in the UK – especially in my pokey London apartment – make cloud gaming a reality that’s currently out of reach.

So, the idea of being able to run Xbox games on a phone without the need for an internet connection is an idea I still find very palatable. And one that could tear me away from an iPhone.

Of course, if you’ve been reading my phone thoughts over the past few years, I’ve long held out for a super-powerful Samsung Galaxy, especially when a partnership with AMD was touted, but my hopes were constantly dashed. Equally, I still hold out some hope that things could change, and come early 2025, Samsung may come out of the gate swinging at Apple and beyond, delivering a phone, or series of phones, that see me consign my iPhone to the role of secondary smartphone.

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• Apple's Self Service Repair scheme launched in 2021
• Parts for the iPhone 16 models are now available
• Only attempt repairs if you're sure you can carry them out

For a few years now, Apple has offered a Self Service Repair scheme, which means you can source official parts direct from the company and save some money by carrying out repairs yourself – and the iPhone 16 series is now supported.

The iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max went on sale in September, and as MacRumors has spotted, you can now get parts for the phones through the Apple Self Service Repair Store.

You can order both the parts and the tools needed to fit them in the US, the UK, and numerous European countries. The Apple Self Service Repair scheme isn't currently available in Australia, however.

The parts available include displays, cameras, batteries, and speakers, and these are all genuine Apple products. The tools on offer, like nylon probes and adhesive cutters, will be familiar to anyone who's ever seen a phone teardown.

To self repair, or not to self repair

Apple announced the service in 2021 (Image credit: Apple)

Apple's move to make its devices repairable by users themselves, with official Apple parts, has definitely been a positive step: it's usually cheaper than a professional repair, and means phones and laptops can be used for longer too.

However, these repairs can be quite complex – you need to be sure you know what you're doing, otherwise you run the risk of causing further damage. Have a look at the repair manuals on the Apple website (like the one for the iPhone 16) for full instructions.

Many people are going to find it more convenient, if a little bit more expensive, to get Apple or an authorized repair service to do the job instead. However, it's definitely good to have the option of carrying out a self repair.

Since the launch of the self repair service, Apple has continued to expand the number of devices covered, and you can go all the way back to the iPhone 12 series which was launched back in October 2020.

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• Arcane's showrunners have explained why a big 'CaitVi' incident was delayed until season 2
• The moment felt like a better fit for season 2's story
• The show's animated team couldn't have done it justice in season 1, either

Full spoilers immediately follow for Arcane season 2 episode 3.

The creators of Arcane have opened up on why season 2's third episode was the perfect place to finally give fans a big moment they've waited years for: an official Caitlyn and Vi kiss.

In an exclusive chat with TechRadar, which took place before Arcane season 2 premiered on Netflix yesterday (November 9), Alex Yee and Christian Linke explained the reasons behind holding back that crowd-pleasing moment until season 2 act 1's final chapter.

The pair's smooch has, as I mentioned, been a long time coming. Ever since Caitlyn and Vi – or, as Arcane's fandom affectionately dubbed them, 'CaitVi' – met in season 1 episode 4, viewers have been convinced they have feelings for each other. There was plenty of evidence to suggest this throughout one of the best Netflix shows' first season, too, especially as the Piltovan enforcer and Zaunite brawler grew closer with each installment.

Open your eyes. Arcane Season 2 Act I is NOW PLAYING. pic.twitter.com/JEHkitnhNONovember 9, 2024

Unfortunately, due to more explosive story beats, 'CaitVi' fans were left hanging about the pair's 'will they, won't they' dynamic. Indeed, with no resolution forthcoming by the end of season 1, and its sequel season taking three years to land on the world's best streaming service, audiences have endured a long wait for this moment.

At long last, though, it's happened. This season's third episode, titled 'Finally Got The Name Right', sees the pair let their guard down and confirm their attraction to one another. And that long-awaited kiss will be celebrated by Arcane's global fanbase. Even so, why did Yee and Linke wait until this chapter to give the people what they want? Expectedly, it all boils down to the story that the pair and Arcane's wider writing team wanted to tell.

Oh my god it's finally happening! Everyone stay calm! (Image credit: Netflix)

"They've both just lost something at the start of season 2," Linke said, alluding to the fact that Caitlyn's mom was one of the councilors revealed to have perished in Arcane season 2's premiere and that Vi's estranged sister Jinx was the culprit. "I think they're both very afraid of change, too, and they have that moment in episode 3 where they're still holding onto those things that have slipped away from them because they're starting to tread down this dark path [of seeking revenge on Jinx].

"In the wake of what Caitlyn's lost, Vi can sense there's a fragile trust in this relationship they have, and there's this moment coming up where they'll both have to decide how they're going to be when they're staring down the barrel when they find and fight Jinx. It's a fragile moment, the calm before the storm, and they're both thinking 'this may be the last moment we're going to have together.'"

I think they're both very afraid of change

Christian Linke, Arcane co-creator

"In that moment, Vi is making a big commitment to Caitlyn by choosing her over Jinx," Yee added. "And I think that's ultimately why Caitlyn takes the lead [in instigating the kiss].

"It feels wrong not to give a shout-out to [lead writer] Amanda [Overton] at this point. The relationship between Caitlyn and Vi is something that fans have carried for a very long time, and we knew it was something we wanted to bring to fruition. Amanda really championed that cause and a lot of the specific mechanics of that dynamic she had a huge part in."

'It wouldn't have been possible from a technical standpoint'

Caitlyn and Vi could've kissed in season 1, but I'm glad they didn't (Image credit: Netflix/Riot Games/Fortiche)

The decision to delay Caitlyn and Vi's first kiss wasn't only determined by Arcane's storytellers, though. Linke also revealed that Fortiche Production, the animation studio that brought Riot Games and Netflix's first League of Legends (LoL) adaptation to life in such gorgeous detail, wasn't confident it had the talent or technology to do justice to such a beautifully delicate scene if it had been included last season.

"Interesting tidbit: I actually spoke to Bart [Barthelemy Maunoury], our animation director, about the kiss last week," Linke said. "He was asked the same question and he later told me if we'd written that last season, the animation team wouldn't have been able to do it well because they weren't technically capable yet.

"So, he thanked us for not doing that!" Linke jokingly added. "He said 'I don't think we would've done a good job. We couldn't have done it in season one', so it was interesting to hear that it wouldn't have been possible from a technical standpoint, even if we'd have wanted to do it."

I've got more to share from my exclusive chat with Yee and Linke, but you'll have to wait until season 2 act 2 arrives on November 16 to read more. In the meantime, check out more of my coverage of Arcane's second and final season below. Alternatively, read my Arcane season 2 review for more teases about its next three episodes, or my Arcane season 2 act 1 ending explained piece for answers to your biggest queries after the first three entries.

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