Reviews

Moana 2 is not the follow-up we expected, as it was originally meant to be a Disney Plus show and instead arrived as a feature film. I must admit it was lovely seeing it on the big screen, especially during a gloomy December evening in London, but I can't help but imagine what a full series would've looked like.

Personally, I rather like the idea of an entire series dedicated to Hei Hei, a la Forky Asks a Question which centers on the much-loved toy fork character from Toy Story 4. An eight-episode series about a stupid chicken is right up my street.

I did have high hopes going into this movie, and I am happy to say that most of my expectations were met. Such bright and beautiful visuals are always a welcome treat. For example, I am fascinated by how well they seem to animate water. With this in mind, I would encourage you to see this on a big screen or at least have a great at-home setup for maximum immersion, as it's easy to find yourself swept away to the island of Motunui and what lies beyond.

Three years later...

(Image credit: Disney)

Moana 2 picks up three years after the first movie, where Moana is still fully connected to the ocean she adores so much. When she receives an unexpected call from her ancestors, she assembles a crew as a wayfinder where she hopes to track down the hidden island of Motufetu, reconnecting the people of the ocean once again.

As ever, she is enthusiastic about the mission, perilous as it may be, and would have been quite happy going off and doing it all by herself. She is encouraged to form a crew instead, and this merry band of misfits is thoroughly entertaining to watch. So much so, I think it will be worth rewatching when it arrives on Disney Plus.

The four-person crew is made up of Moana, Moni (Hualālai Chung), who is a superfan of the demigod Maui, Loto (Rose Matafeo), who is an engineer of sorts, and Kele (David Fane), a farmer who is grumpy and not massively thrilled to be recruited. This mismatch of personalities is excellent fun, resulting in some expected chaos, especially when you throw in Hei Hei and Pua. They say to never work with animals for a reason, right?

I really loved Moana's crew and all the performances. Still, one that stood out to me the most was Moana's little sister Simea (Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda), who stole the show despite her limited screen time thanks to her feisty, lovable personality. If Moana 3 does happen, I'd certainly like to see more of her!

Exploring familiar shores

(Image credit: Disney Plus)

Along the way, they do locate Maui, of course, because Moana simply would not be complete without Dwayne Johnson's cocky, reckless demigod figure. When Moni finally meets Maui, there are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.

While the plot of Moana 2 is centered around finding a new, long-lost island, it's quite ironic that many of the beats feel similar to what we've seen before. This is a journey we have undertaken as viewers, but I didn't mind following along for a second time!

Going on a voyage with Moana is always wonderful, I adore the songs, the atmosphere, everything about it. Even though we didn't quite reach the memorable heights of "You're Welcome", I have had some of the songs stuck in my head this week, especially "What Could Be Better Than This?", so it's not like any of the songs were complete duds.

While predictable in places, there is plenty of action, especially when it comes to the third act, where I did actually start crying, the mark of any good Disney movie, in my opinion. If I'm not sobbing into my popcorn, I do find myself kind of disappointed. There is also more than room for a follow-up movie, and I sincerely hope it happens.

Just give me more Hei Hei next time, please, I really do love him!

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Xiaomi Mix Flip: Two-minute review

You might not realize it, but Xiaomi's gotten pretty good at making foldables. Although not every entry has launched internationally, the company is now on its fourth generation of Mix Fold. Despite playing in this space since 2021, one thing Xiaomi has never attempted is a clamshell. Until now.

The Xiaomi Mix Flip made its international debut alongside the Xiaomi 14T and Xiaomi 14T Pro, with relatively modest fanfare, but that doesn't detract from what looks to be a capable competitor to the Motorola Razrs and Galaxy Z Flips of the world, not to mention an impressive first foray into what is a new form factor for the company.

The Mix Flip nails the fundamentals, with an expansive 4.01-inch cover display and a killer main display that work beautifully in concert. Performance is top-tier, however, the phone's form factor hinders prolonged performance, from a thermal perspective.

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

A large battery ensures all-day use, in spite of those demanding screens, while fast 67W wired charging can refill the phone in less than an hour. The company wasn't able to squeeze in wireless charging, or IP68 certified protection against dust or water, for that matter.

Xiaomi's famed image processing holds up what is, underneath, modest camera hardware. Add in Leica's involvement and you've got arguably the best clamshell camera phone currently on the market, though there is room to improve, in terms of detail and clarity.

As I've seen with other Xiaomi phones, it's Xiaomi's software that lets the Mix Flip down. HyperOS is leaner than its predecessor, MIUI, but the end result still plays host to occasionally confusing and restrictive user experience paradigms, paired with app bloat and too many baked-in ads. A shame, especially for a phone at this price.

Offering only one storage and memory configuration might seem restrictive, but Xiaomi chose wisely from a value perspective (12GB RAM + 512GB storage), relative to the likes of Samsung and Motorola. That said, unlike those big-name rivals, and despite an international launch, you won't be able to get your hands on the Mix Flip natively in the US and Australia.

Xiaomi Mix Flip review: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

• Priced at £1,099 / €1,300
• On sale from September 26, 2024
• Limited international availability compared to rivals

The Mix Flip went on sale internationally on September 26, alongside the aforementioned Xiaomi 14T series. That was a couple of months after its initial debut in China.

Despite launching at a higher starting price compared to its most prominent rivals – the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Motorola Razr Plus 2024/Razr 50 Ultra – the Mix Flip with 12GB RAM / 512GB storage might be a better value than Samsung's latest clamshell.

Although you can pick up a Z Flip 6 for around £50 less in the UK, at £1,049 you get half the storage, in comparison to the Mix Flip. And, if you're looking at like for like, the 512GB Flip 6 actually clocks in at £50 more than Xiaomi's offering, which likely isn't a coincidence on Xiaomi's part.

Motorola's latest entry is £100 more affordable, but that can be explained, in part, by its use of a modest Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset and its shorter OS update roadmap.

Despite being a global release, Xiaomi's smartphone presence doesn't extend to markets like the US or Australia. That means it remains out of reach for those in such regions looking for alternatives to the likes of Motorola or Samsung.

• Value score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi Mix Flip review: Specs Xiaomi Mix Flip review: Design

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

• Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
• Functional hinge between 45° and 120°
• No IP-certified dust or water resistance

Xiaomi didn't simply translate the existing design language already established by its long-running Mix Fold line, when deciding on a look for its first clamshell foldable. Instead, the Mix Flip has an aesthetic all its own.

It's distinct from its most obvious rivals, with pillowed glass and a body that – although thicker than Moto's or Sammy's latest clamshells – still makes for a pleasingly slim and comfortable handset to wield in the pocket or hand.

That lightly textured glass on the back works in contrast to the polished metal frame and glossy outer screen of the Mix Flip, to great effect. Its incredibly neat 'dual-link' hinge, meanwhile, reveals an additional microphone when the phone is closed; highlighting a design optimized for functionality, without having to fully open up. I had a blast taking calls and making contactless payments, without ever having to open up the Mix Flip.

Hinge feel: good, volume rocker placement: less so (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Speaking of opening, the Mix Flip's all-important hinge offers up a really nice feel when folding or unfolding, while its construction also allows for easy placement anywhere between 45° and 120°; ideal for watching content without a stand or taking snaps without a tripod.

That said, after testing the phone for a few weeks, I did notice the most subtle lateral shift in the hinge when grabbing the phone out of my pocket. Although a near-imperceptible wiggle that could only be felt and not obviously observed, it isn't something I've run into since the early clamshell days of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3. I've seen no talk of this defect elsewhere, so it's likely unique to my review unit, but I'd be remiss if I didn't mention it.

A couple of other notable quirks include the phone's middling button placement, which leaves the volume rocker awkwardly high up the phone's right edge when unfolded, as well as a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, though it admittedly works quickly and was reliable during my review.

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Unlike notable competitors, Xiaomi hasn't sought certification for ingress protection (IP) against dust or water with the Mix Flip, so while it boasts the company's tough Shield Glass (also branded as Dragon Crystal Glass) across its outer display (the main screen relies on UTG or ultra-thin glass, in order to remain flexible) and comes bundled with a color-matched case, the phone doesn't appear to sport any additional protection, beyond some pleasingly-tight tolerances, when it comes to keeping dust or water out of that all-important hinge.

On the subject of color, Chinese buyers have the choice of four finishes, including a fabric-backed variant and silver model, while the Mix Flip's international dressings fall to only a black option or a purple number (pictured), with textured glass that suffers from less grip but offers a nice contrast to the glossy glass of the outer display.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi Mix Flip review: Display

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

• Consistent viewing experience across inner and outer screens
• Sharper display than rivals
• AOD support on both screens

Despite being a new form factor for Xiaomi, it's clear that the Mix Flip isn't your basic first-gen foldable, by any means. That's perhaps most evident with the near edge-to-edge outer display, which wraps around the phone's dual main cameras: more Moto Razr than Galaxy Z Flip in its execution.

As is often the case with Xiaomi's high-end handsets, you're treated to a killer viewing experience, but here the company has also ensured that it's consistent across both the internal and outer screen, which isn't always the case with this form factor, based on other devices I've reviewed.

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Whether you're looking at the near-square 4.01-inch outer screen or the expansive 6.86-inch 21.4:9 main display, you're treated to a pleasingly crisp 460ppi (pixels per inch) and the same adaptive 1 to 120Hz refresh rate, made possible by the use of LTPO AMOLED tech.

Xiaomi teamed up with fellow Chinese electronics giant TCL to develop the C8 Plus displays used by the Mix Flip, and they deliver solid viewing angles, and great color depth and contrast.

The AOD is available across both screens (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

They offer consistently superb visibility, with a quoted panel-wide max brightness of 1,600nits and a peak brightness of 3,000nits (the Z Flip 6 peaks at 2,600nits), while the main display also has 2,160Hz PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) dimming, to help prevent eye strain in low light (the outer screen relies on more conventional DC dimming).

To top it off, the phone's display settings serve up heaps of control over things like color balance, app-specific dark mode behavior, and access to the always-on display, which functions across both screens, making the Mix Flip a great nightstand clock too.

• Display score: 5 / 5

Xiaomi Mix Flip review: Software

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

• 4 years of OS & 5 years security updates
• Launches with HyperOS 1.0 atop Android 14
• To many ads within Xiaomi apps and experiences

At the time of writing, Chinese Mix Flips are already making the move to HyperOS 2.0, but it'll be a little while longer for international units, which come running HyperOS 1.0 atop Android 14, out the box.

With Xiaomi's shift from MIUI to HyperOS – which coincided with the launch of the Xiaomi 14 series near the beginning of 2024 – the company had the chance to rework the approach taken by its mobile user experience.

While there's no denying that HyperOS takes up significantly less of your device's storage relative to the previous MIUI, the experience feels decidedly familiar and is fast falling foul of bad user design practices that are either too rigid to be helpful, or prioritize monetization over quality. That's particularly damaging on a phone that costs four figures.

Examples include the absence of access to native Android features – like Automatic Brightness and Extra Dim – within the phone's quick settings, without the use of third-party apps that resurface such controls. More egregious, though, are the growing number of ads within native Xiaomi experiences.

I wish Game Bird would fly away (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

App Mall, the Theme Store and Game Center all repeatedly fired unwanted notifications to purchasable assets or apps that I had no interest in, while the useful Game Turbo overlay (which grants quick access to performance management controls when gaming) has now been capped by the addition of Game Bird, which serves up game trailers for poor quality, ad-riddled mobile games; the sort you often see as in-app ads or online.

It's not all naming and shaming, though. Tons of native customization, supported by an active Theme Store, filled with user-made submissions, makes for endless and effortless personalization. iPhone users, in particular, will appreciate the way HyperOS lays out its home screen apps, notifications and quick settings.

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

You'd think the unique aspect ratio of the Mix Flip's outer display might have posed a challenge for the HyperOS team, but the implementation they actually came up with is pretty brilliant.

While about a sixth of the panel is occupied by the phone's main cameras, the rest of the display is divided up into two sections. When unlocked, the small portion next to the cameras plays host to a dedicated widget, which you can swipe through to view the weather, various clock styles, recent apps used and more.

Apps are nicely formatted on the Mix Flip's outer screen (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Not unlike Oppo's Find N3 Flip, the remainder of the display works out to about a 16:9 aspect ratio, meaning apps scale far more naturally, compared to the squat, square screen real estate offered up by most of the other best foldable clamshell phones.

As such, the outer screen experience is really nice and natural to use, with great continuity, if you want to switch to the main screen mid-app, by opening the phone up. Typing is understandably cramped but not impossible and Xiaomi cites support for over 100 apps, which in testing included key experiences like Instagram, Spotify, YouTube, TikTok and Google Maps.

Barely any apps offer additional functionality when the phone is half open (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

If you want to color outside the lines with that cover display, however, there's very little the Mix Flip lets you do. Unlike Motorola's Razrs – which let you try most apps out on the cover display, even if they don't format well, the Mix Flip is more locked down.

There's a one-click tool to enable this feature, but it only works on the Chinese variant of the Mix Flip, while some have managed to rename APK files to trick the Mix Flip into thinking it's running an already-whitelisted app, but neither solution is exactly accessible to international users.

AI Expand uses on-device processing, which is more secure but takes longer and is less reliable than cloud-based processing (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

HyperOS also heralds the introduction of AI into Xiaomi's user experience in a meaningful way. The phone's on-device photo editing tool set – including AI Expand (which lets you crop outwards on an photo, filling in the gaps created around the edges) – is one of my favorite additions.

The Mix Flip's AI repertoire also includes object removal, speech-to-text transcription when using the native Recorder app, translation, formatting and summarization within the Notes app, and Google's own Circle to Search functionality.

Performance is on-par with the status quo, in terms of feature diversity and reliability. All the Mix Flip's AI functionality works as advertised, but seldom will a feature deliver a 100% accurate result first try. Something Xiaomi is, no doubt, working to improve across its devices, by improving the quality of its on-device and cloud-based AI models.

• Software score: 3.5 / 5

Xiaomi Mix Flip review: Camera

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

• 50MP main and 2x external cameras
• 32MP front-facing camera
• Up to 8K at 24fps video recording

Xiaomi is responsible for some of the best camera phones on the market, but the clamshell form factor poses some unique challenges to maintaining a compact design while still including large camera sensors able to deliver a noteworthy photographic experience.

The company's expertise and image processing are what grant the Mix Flip probably the best cameras of any clamshell foldable I've seen, even if they remain hamstrung by the same limitations as this phone's rivals.

The two cameras on the phone's exterior each clock in at 50MP a piece, then use pixel binning to spit out 12.5MP stills, as well as 8K video recording at 24fps.

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1x zoom

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2x zoom

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4x zoom

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20x zoom

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Portrait mode at 2x

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Portrait mode at 1x

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Macro shooting at 1x

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Macro shooting at 2x

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Selfie (front camera)

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Portrait mode selfie (front camera) w/ Beautification (on by default)

The Mix Flip is fronted by Xiaomi's Light Fusion 800 sensor (a tweaked OV50E sensor, called the OVX8000). Measuring 0.64-inches, it's a fraction bigger than the main sensor on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6. This sensor crops up in Poco F6 Pro too: a phone that costs half as much and doesn't place much emphasis on photography.

In spite of what looks like middling camera hardware, the Mix Flip delivers a pretty well-rounded photographic experience. Color and contrast are the system's best assets; with punchy shots that – unlike the latest iPhones and Pixels – don't suffer from heavy-handed HDR processing that tries to eliminate shadows and flatten everything.

Xiaomi's long-standing partnership with Leica persists on the Mix Flip, with the familiar ability to shoot in Leica Vibrant (my preference) or Leica authentic digital film stocks, along with a set of Leica-approved filters that can be applied at or after capture. Still, the sensors' limitations make me question whether the Mix Flip is worthy of toting the Leica name.

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

A lack of detail and sharpness are what hold the Mix Flip's cameras back from the true top snappers of the moment, but even so, you can still take great shots with this phone. That's made all the better by the ability to snap selfies with the external cameras, using the outer screen as a viewfinder.

The form factor also allows the phone to stand up hands- and tripod-free and, like the Galaxy Z Flip series, the phone can also be held half open when shooting video, like an old-school camcorder, which genuinely with grip and stability.

• Camera score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi Mix Flip review: Performance

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

• 4nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset
• 12GB LPDDR5X RAM + Memory Extension up to 8GB
• Sole 512GB UFS 4.0 storage option

Like the cameras, the unique convenience of the Mix Flip's form factor is a double-edged sword when it comes to performance.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, paired to 12GB of RAM, delivers true flagship-class performance, which ensures split-screen or floating window multitasking is fast and fuss-free, and app load times are consistently brief.

Benchmarks place the Mix Flip on par with the brand's current best, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, while high-end games, like Zenless Zone Zero default to 'high' graphical settings.

That said, I wouldn't readily recommend the Mix Flip as a go-to gaming phone. While it can run the latest mobile games with high frame rates and excellent graphical fidelity, the cramped innards makes cooling tricky and sustained performance (like long gaming sessions) are the fastest way to see the phone throttle back to keep heat under control.

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

In everyday use, however, you're unlikely to run into any sort of major performance ceilings for quite some time, with the chip helped by a heap of fast and power efficient LPDDR5X RAM.

Although not expandable, 512GB of internal storage is more than likely to satiate most users. In China, Xiaomi offers versions of the Mix Flip with 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage, however, I don't think international audiences will be too cut up about the single variant on offer.

• Performance score: 4.5 / 5

Xiaomi Mix Flip review: Battery

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

• 4,780mAh battery
• 67W wired charging
• No wireless charging

Despite all of this talk of size limitations, one piece of hardware that Xiaomi hasn't gone small on is the phone's battery. In the clamshell foldable market, the Mix Flip's capacious 4,780mAh cell is second only to the fractionally-larger 4,800mAh battery inside the Honor Magic Flip V, which released earlier in 2024.

As for real-world use, screen-on time is respectable enough to get most users through a day, at around 6.5 to 7 hours. While I was expecting it to last a little longer, considering the size of the battery, the more demanding display setup is likely what balances longevity against rivals with smaller power packs, like the 4,000mAh offering inside the Z Flip 6.

Thankfully, Xiaomi has paired it with characteristically snappy 67W wired charging, and using the in-box power adapter, I was able to refill the Mix Flip to full under an hour (55 minutes), with two-thirds of the battery topped back up after just 30 minutes.

The only other caveat is that the Mix Flip forgoes wireless charging of any kind; a small hit to the phone's convenience.

• Battery score: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Xiaomi Mix Flip? Buy it if...

You want a clamshell foldable with killer displays
The outer screen is intuitive and attractive, while the main display is well sized for enjoying media, without compromsing this foldable's portability.

You want the best cameras on a clamshell foldable
While Xiaomi makes better camera phones, in the clamshell foldable space, the Mix Flip's Leica-bolstered snappers are among the best.

Don't buy it if...

You're accident prone
Foldables are more fragile than standard candy bar phones, but the absence of any certified water or dust protection means you need to be extra careful around water with the Mix Flip.

You need a fast-charging foldable
If you're in the market for a foldable like the Mix Flip, convenience is likely important to you. As such, all-day battery and respectably quick fast-charging are notable inclusions here.

Xiaomi Mix Flip review: Also consider

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
It should come as no surprise that Samsung's latest Z Flip is the one to beat. A similar price and performance are balanced by fractionally weaker cameras, but superior software support and wider global availability.

Motorla Razr Plus 2024 / Razr 50 Ultra
Another good-looking clamshell foldable, the latest and greatest Razr offers a more flexible outer screen experience, cleaner software, a lower asking price and wider global availability. It comes with weaker performance and cameras, though.

How I tested the Xiaomi Mix Flip

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

• Review test period = Three weeks
• Testing included = Everyday usage, web browsing, social media browsing, video streaming, gaming, photography
• Tools used = Geekbench 6, Geekbench ML, native Android stats

I lived with the Xiaomi Mix Flip as my main device, using it in the day to day for the duration of the review period for everything from social media and gaming, to contactless payments and navigation, when out and about.

I made sure to trial all of the HyperOS and Mix Flip-specific features, and used it in scenarios comparable to situations in which I've put previous clamshell foldables, like Z Flips and Razrs.

I used a standard run of industry-used benchmarking apps to help assess CPU and GPU performance, while also timing battery drain under specific use cases (an hour of HDR video streaming at 50% brightness, for example), along with Android's native screen-on time metrics and timed recharge testing at 15-minute intervals, until full, using the provided 67W in-box charger.

As a reviewer with 13 years experience, and having reviewed previous Xiaomi phones as well as numerous foldables, I felt confident assessing and scoring the Xiaomi Mix Flip, relative to other clamshell foldables on the market, and in the context of the wider smartphone market.

Read more about how we test

First tested November 2024

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3: one-minute review

The Steelseries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 is a premium gaming keyboard with analog switches, designed to provide the most accurate and tweakable gaming experience possible.

It certainly looks the part: its understated appearance doesn’t scream gaming prowess, but when you peer further, the quality is evident from every angle.

The chassis is relatively thick but not as weighty as you might expect, and it feels solid and expertly put together, easily among the best gaming keyboards around. The same is true of the wrist pad and the stock double-shot PBT keycaps, which have a slight but smooth texture that’s satisfying to touch.

The inbuilt Smart Screen sits in the top right corner, and can be used to select profiles, change the global actuation point and toggle Rapid Trigger. It can also be customized to display information pertaining to your system or popular games and apps. You can even upload your own images and GIFs too.

Further customizations can be made via Steelseries peripheral software, GG. Here, you can tinker with the actuation points further, on a global or key-by-key basis. You can also set functions to trigger on press or release, and add two binds to a single key, with each triggered at different actuation points of your choosing.

It’s a shame, though, that GG provides no visual feedback when making such adjustments, and there’s no option to emulate the joysticks or triggers of a controller, as can be done on some other analog keyboards, such as the Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro.

However, the gaming performance of the Apex Pro makes up for this omission. The switches are extremely responsive yet offer enough feedback to make hitting actuation points easy. The relatively compact layout also makes the bottom row accessible, as does the sloped nature of these keys. All keycaps are also nicely indented, making for secure presses. The only gripe I have is with the short, flat wrist rest, which caused my palm to hang off the edge when in the WASD position.

I didn’t find the Apex Pro to be as amenable for typing. However, I generally prefer shallow keycaps to glide around on, so those who prefer thicker keycaps may have no issue here.

The Apex Pro is expensive, costing the same as the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro, another analog offering. But with the high price tag comes supreme build quality and performance, and although it misses out on a few analog tweaks, it’s still well worth your consideration.

(Image credit: Future) SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 review: price and availability

• $219 / £209 (about AU$336)
• Available now in black
• Same price as Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Tenkeyless

The Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 costs $219 / £209 (about AU$336) and is available now. It comes in one colorway, black. It also includes a wrist rest and a keycap puller, with Steelseries selling replacement keycaps on its website.

Unsurprisingly, it’s less expensive than the wireless variant, which costs $269 – but as well as ditching the wires, that model offers multiple connectivity modes, meaning you can easily switch it between multiple devices.

The Apex Pro is certainly towards the top end of the wired gaming keyboard market. It’s the same price as the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Tenkeyless, for instance, which uses Hall-effect analog technology as well. That board can also be tweaked using Razer Synapse, the brand’s excellent, feature-packed peripheral software.

If you’re after a more budget-friendly analog keyboard, then the Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro is a possible contender. Unlike the Apex Pro, it offers controller emulation, although its switches aren’t as precise as we would’ve liked for this purpose. Even though it has its issues, it’s still one to consider.

Value: 3 / 5

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 review: specs

(Image credit: Future) SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 review: design and features

• Superlative build quality
• Useful inbuilt screen
• Some analog tweaks missing

The Apex Pro is a fairly imposing slab, with a thick yet sleek chassis, and its muted looks belie its gaming intentions; the RGB lighting is about the only giveaway in this regard.

The build quality is where the Apex Pro really stands out, though. It’s quite weighty, although not as heavy as you might expect, but every material and joint is exquisite. There’s also a handy compartment underneath housing the keycap puller, with a rubber flap to close it that works well.

The double-shot PBT keycaps feel premium to the touch, with a slight yet smooth texture. The overall layout is reasonably compact, but I didn’t have any issues with mispresses.

The Apex Pro also features Steelseries’ own modifier key, called the Meta key. This allows you to perform various shortcuts, such as adjusting the actuation point and selecting profile slots.

Such alterations can also be made via the Smart Screen. This uses a black and white OLED display, with navigation controlled via a scroll wheel and a small button below – both of which are just as well engineered as the rest of the Apex Pro.

You can set the global actuation point from anywhere between 0.1mm and 4mm, and toggle Rapid Trigger. The Smart Screen can also be used to display certain system information, including workloads for the CPU, GPU and RAM, which is very useful. In-game information can be displayed too, with many popular games having their own default layouts, including those for Counter-Strike 2, Minecraft, and League of Legends. You can even upload your own images and GIFs to display.

(Image credit: Future)

Further actuation settings can be adjusted in SteelSeris’ GG software. You can change the actuation of individual keys, and set keys to trigger on press or release. There’s also a dual actuation mode, letting you bind two functions to a single key, each triggered at certain actuation points of your choosing.

Other rebinding options include those for common shortcuts, media playback and system-level functions, although there aren’t as many on the latter front as some other peripheral tools offer. You can also customize the information the Smart Screen displays with a pleasing amount of depth and detail, selecting the timings for when certain information is displayed and what triggers it.

In Counter-Strike 2, for example, you can view your health, as well as your K/D ratio at the end of each round. As well as games, some apps are also integrated, such as Discord, which can display messages.

Overall, GG is easy to navigate and responsive. One aspect that is disappointing, though, is the lack of visual feedback when adjusting settings, which would’ve been useful when setting actuation points to see how your inputs actually translate in real time.

Design & features: 4 / 5

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 review: performance

• Excellent keycaps and switches
• Actuation points easy to hit
• Wrist rest issues

Put simply, the Apex Pro is a joy to use. The damping of the switches is superb, feeling incredibly satisfying to use while still being snappy enough for fast movements. The indentations of the keycaps also makes them secure and easy to use, and the bottom row is easy to hit with your thumb and little fingers, thanks to the slope of these keys and the aforementioned compact layout.

Hitting certain actuation points is also much easier than I’ve experienced with other analog keyboards, as there’s enough feedback to get a good feel as to how far down you’ve pressed. Rapid trigger also works brilliantly, letting you make those twitchy movements even quicker, by dynamically raising the actuation point when repeated presses are registered.

(Image credit: Future)

My chief nag from an ergonomic standpoint, though, is with the wrist rest. Given the aforementioned thickness of the Apex Pro’s chassis, I found the rest was definitely needed. However, since it’s quite short and provides very little slope, I found that the edge of my palm would hang awkwardly off the end when in the WASD position.

Also, when it comes to typing, I didn’t find the Apex Pro to be easiest to use. However, I should say that I mostly prefer shallow, laptop-style keyboards, as I find them easier to glide around on, which the stock keycaps on the Apex Pro are not particularly conducive to. But if you’re someone who prefers thicker keycaps for typing, then you’ll likely not have an issue here.

Performance: 4.5 / 5

Should I buy the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3? Buy it if…

You want precise analog control
The analog switches are a dream, providing plenty of feedback for accurate actuation-point hitting.

You want the best gaming performance
Aside from that analog control, the switches are snappy when needs be, so there’s no gaming situation that catches it out.

Don’t buy it if…

You want to use it with multiple devices
Since there’s only a wired connection, you can’t easily hotswap between multiple devices, as you can with the wireless variant.

You want to emulate a controller
Despite the analog switches, you can’t emulate controller joysticks or triggers (not natively anyway).

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 review: also consider

Razer Huntsman V2 Analog
If you have your heart set on an analog keyboard, then the Razer Huntsman V2 Analog is a worthy choice (it’s our pick as the best gaming keyboard around, after all). With its excellent performance and myriad of customization options courtesy of Razer Synapse, you can’t go far wrong with this board. And since the release of version 3, the V2 can be found for a good price. Read our Razer Huntsman V2 Analog review.

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3
For $50 more, you can get the wireless version of the Apex Pro TKL, which helps to eliminate the clutter from your desk, and allows you to do some sofa gaming too. And since it features Bluetooth and wired options in addition to the 2.4GHz dongle, you can use it with multiple devices and switch between them with ease.

How I tested the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3

• Tested for several days
• Used for gaming, work, and general use
• Over 10 years of PC gaming experience

I tested the Apex Pro for several days and used it to game, work, and browse. I used both with and without the included wrist rest.

I played games such as Counter-Strike 2, which is a great test for a keyboard’s responsiveness and accuracy. I also made sure to try out as many features as possible, and tinker with as many settings as I could using the GG software.

I have been PC gaming for over a decade, and I have used plenty of keyboards during that time. I have also reviewed a number of keyboards with varying price tags, sizes, and switch types.

• First reviewed November 2024
• Read more about how we test

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds: Two-minute review

Bose clearly likes the name 'QuietComfort Earbuds', because this is the third pair of earbuds to which the brand assigned the name – and that's not even counting suffixes! To clear up confusion, we've slapped the '2024' on the end up in the headline and our section headers. Got it? Good.

Following on from 2020's Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, 2022's Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 and 2023's Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, these could be called 'Gen 3' or simply '3', but Bose has decided to simplify things but dropping the descriptor entirely. For all intents and purposes, then, these are the new QCE (until newer ones come out).

It's no wonder that audio powerhouse Bose loves this name, though, because it's a very literal description of the two principal selling points of its earbuds. When you wear them, things are quiet (because of the Active Noise Cancellation) and comfortable (because of the design).

First up, the ANC: Bose's earbuds have noise cancellation that beats out anything else I've tried at this price – and many earbuds that cost much more. It completely eradicates all but the most incessant and loud background noises, and its Aware mode is fantastically smart in isolating and amplifying voices while hiding other sounds.

I was surprised by just how dramatic the two modes were. On a stormy day, on Aware mode, I could hear someone talking to me perfectly but didn't hear a peep from the trees which were almost blown at a 90-degree angle. Turn on full Quiet mode and I couldn't even tell if someone was talking to me.

Onto 'comfort', then. Again the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds knock it out of the park, with a snug and sturdy fit. Bose has brought back its stability bands from previous models, but has redesigned them to look slightly less like velociraptor talons – these ridges ensure the buds stick firmly in your ear. During testing, I was constantly surprised by just how secure the earbuds felt; in fact near the end I did an 8km run and never did the earbuds come close to falling out.

But the name isn't all, and the Bose have a few other tricks up their sleeve: they sound great, the battery life is surprisingly good, the app has plenty of features and the price is pretty low all things considered.

A few minor annoyances detract from the experience of using the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, but not by much. I found the case a little too big, and it really bulged out of my pocket. Plus, the buds support the SBC and AAC codecs for music streaming, but audiophiles will miss the likes of aptX, FLAC and WMA.

My personal biggest gripe, though, was that the earbuds' voice controls were far too sensitive, to the point that other people nearby me would accidentally control my earbuds when saying words similar to the voice commands. This was easily remedied by me turning the feature off, but it's a shame for there to be a feature that I can't use.

These issues aside, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are some of the best mid-range buds you can buy for the price, and might even sway you into spending your hard-earned cash here, instead of on something plenty more expensive but not that much better.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2024 review: Price and release date

(Image credit: Future)

• Unveiled in October 2024
• Sells for $179 / £179 (roughly AU$270)

Bose announced the QuietComfort Earbuds in October 2024, following the biannual release schedule of the other two earbuds of the same name.

You can buy the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds for $179 / £179 (roughly AU$270, though I couldn’t find them on sale in Australia). This price puts them as more affordable alternatives to the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, which sell for $299 / £299 / AU$449.

Ignoring the premium alternatives, the ‘standard’ QuietComforts’ price places them in the mid-range earbuds sector – you can’t call them 'cheap' but they’re certainly not expensive either, bringing some top-end features to a lower price point. Importantly, they're about $/£100 cheaper than their two namesakes.

It’s a surprisingly scarce market segment compared with other gadget types' mid-ranges but the JBL Live Beam 3, Creative Aurvana Ace 2 and Sony LinkBuds Fit are some of the few options at that same rough price area.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2024 review: Specs Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2024 review: Features

(Image credit: Future)

• Fantastic ANC
• 5-band equalizer with presets
• Overexcitable voice controls

To make the most of the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, you need to use the bespoke Bose QCE headphones app – not any of the other Bose apps on your chosen app repository – and I’d strongly recommend you download it because it’s your ticket to most of the headphones’ features.

Let's deal with the first half of the QuietComfort name. Bose knocks the 'quiet' bit out of the park – it’s almost like the company names its products based on its fantastic noise cancellation. The QCE use a similar Active Noise Cancellation tech to Bose’s other products, many of which we rate as the best ANC earbuds. In fact, the company’s website implies, but doesn’t go so far as to explicitly say, that it’s exactly the same tech.

Either way the ANC is fantastic, drowning out sounds which I thought would be impervious to the best ANC-ing; no more chatty office spaces, rattling of train carriage or roar of wind in trees. I also found the earbuds’ Aware mode more accurate than many companies’ equivalents – this cancels most background noises but isolates and amplifies certain noises like oncoming traffic or people talking nearby.

The app also has an equalizer – it mostly offers you presets but there’s a custom mode that lets you adjust low, low-mid, mid, high-mid and high sounds to your taste. It’s not quite as in-depth as many earbud EQs but I’d say it’s the most complex you can make an EQ like this while making it usable by non-audiophiles.

(Image credit: Future)

Other features enabled by the app include multi-point pairing, the ability to change the touch control functions, a way to set up the earbuds to be remote camera triggers for your phone, a low-latency gaming mode, a battery prediction feature – which was really useful, so much so, I wish there were a way to find it that wasn’t buried in menus! – and voice control.

If you’ve read the introduction, you’ll know that I had an issue with this latter feature. It’s intended to let you use voice commands to control the buds hands-free (rejecting or accepting calls, playing or pausing music, skipping tracks, changing the volume, adjusting the ANC and so on) but it was far, far too sensitive. When I tested the buds in my office or in public, people around me would (accidentally, I presume) trigger these voice functions, and I kept finding my music stopping, or getting louder. It's really annoying. The only way to stop this happening, I found, was to turn off voice commands.

At some point, the QCE are getting a feature from their Ultra sibling: Bose Immersive Audio is on its way, though it wasn’t on the buds as of this review. This feature is basically Bose’s own version of Spatial Audio, so movies, games and sometimes music sound like they're coming from all around you. However the buds miss another feature of the Ultra, CustomTune technology which scans your ears to deliver sound mixed for you, a sign of the lower price.

Bose predicts the battery life of the buds to be 8.5 hours with the case getting you an extra 31.5 hours (or 2.5 charges). In my testing, the buds actually hit nine hours with ANC on, so presumably they'd last even longer with it turned off. I presumed 8.5 hours would be ANC off, with an ANC on figure of around six hours, and was very pleasantly surprised.

• Features score: 4.5/5

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2024 review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Comfortable and secure fit in-ear
• IPX4 rated against sweat and showers
• Chunky case

Given this section is about design, it's time to deal withe the second half of the QuietComfort name.

Each bud weighs 8.5g, and they’re bigger than some other earbuds I’ve used but the center of mass is towards the ears so they don’t wobble when you’re walking. They felt secure and comfortable to wear, even for long period of time, and I never felt any worry about them falling out.

Helping the security of fit is the fact that each earbud has a ‘stability band’, a protruding rubber ridge which helps ensure that the bud is wedged into your ear. There are multiple sizes of this in the case, as well as different ear tip options, and I imagine most people would be able to use these to find a fit as stable as mine.

(Image credit: Future)

Further helping the 'comfort' descriptor are the buds' incredibly easy-to-use buttons, which you can activate with just a tap of the flat part of the body.

Unlike many other earbuds, you don’t need to push the buds so far into your ear that they hit skull, nor do they require a finger manoeuvre so complex that you need to be double jointed. However, the sensitive button did pick up accidental touches quite a bit, especially when I was was putting the buds in my ear.

The buds are IPX4 resistant, which Bose says they repel sweat and ‘water’, albeit the latter is more likely to be splashes instead of immersion.

A small gripe I have with the new QuietComfort Earbuds is that the case is a fair bit bigger than most other true wireless cases I’ve tested. It’s not exactly football-sized but its 3.2 x 8.9 cm x 5.1 cm body made it feel like a rock in my pocket.

The case also feels like a questionable element as the buds audibly rattle around in it. I don’t think they could ever sustain damage from this wiggle room but it makes you question whether or not there’s a lot of empty space there…

• Design score: 3.5/5

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2024 review: Sound quality

(Image credit: Future)

• Warm and energetic audio
• Wide sound stage
• Not all codecs supported

Though Bose hasn’t added a word into its earbuds’ name for sound quality, prospective buyers will be happy to know the QuietComfort Earbuds don’t cost you a premium price.

The QCE have a crackling warm tone, with rich and meaty bass, though not to the extent that these will only cater to bass-heads. I’ve used earbuds that turn the bass up to 11 to the detriment of everything else, but these buds are more nuanced. Mid tones remain energetic and excitable and for the most part, treble did too, although in certain songs I did find the vocals missed some sparkle that other earbuds could provide.

The QuietComforts go nice and loud too – not ear-blisteringly loud when you crank it to the max, but I never found myself going near to the max volume in everyday use.

My favorite aspect of the buds’ audio, though, was a much more dramatic sound stage than many other buds I’ve tested. You can hear the different instruments spread around you like dishes at a tapas restaurant, and if you close your eyes you feel like you could point to where each one is. In fact, I’d say these Bose provide perhaps the best sound stage of any earbuds that don’t support top-end audio codecs.

Oh yeah, about that – support for some fancier codecs and features are missing, which ensures the Bose Earbuds Ultra still maintain some relevance, but if you listen to your music on Spotify you might not even mind.

• Sound quality: 4/5

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2024 review: Value

(Image credit: Future)

• Rare earbuds that justify the price
• Bose's best value-for-money proposition

I previously referred to the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds as some of the best non-premium in-ears. Though this is true, in that they’re definitely cheaper than the top-end buds you can find on the market, they’re still pricier than loads of other options out there.

If you want to save money, you can find earbuds with pretty good fit or ANC or sound quality for about half the price of the QCE. They won’t do the job quite as well as these buds, but they’ll save you money.

But if you want features as advanced as the QuietComfort offer, you’d be hard-pressed to find a rival as capable on all fronts and costs any less.

I'd add that, being cheaper than previous QCEs and the Ultras, these are arguably the best-value earbuds Bose has put out recently.

• Value: 4/5

Should I buy the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2024? Buy them if…

You need quality noise cancellation
If you work somewhere noisy or hate hearing annoying sounds on your commute, the QuietComfort Earbuds' ANC will be a blessing.

You have trouble finding well-fitting earbuds
Sometimes, it can be really hard to find earbuds that fit you well. Not so much with the QCE, which come with multiple ear tips as well as stability loops for a secure fit.

Don’t buy them if…

You're buying them for the voice controls
The Achilles' Heel of the Bose QCE is the voice controls, which are far too sensitive. If that's the reason you're buying, I'd advise looking away.

You want to listen on high-res codecs
With the Bose QCE only supporting SBC and AAC codecs, people who want high-quality sound from top-tier apps will be disappointed..

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2024 review: Also consider

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
A year after going on sale, these Ultra earbuds have reduced to nearly as low as the new buds. They have some extra features and a slightly different design.

See our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds review

JBL Live Beam 3
This same-priced alternative have a cool case screen, a great battery life and pretty good audio, even if the QuietComfort win for quietness and comfort.

See our full JBL Live Beam 3 review

How I tested the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2024

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested for two weeks
• Tested at home, in the office and on trips

The testing period for this Bose QuietComfort Earbuds review lasted two weeks, not counting time spent reviewing. I used them alongside my Android smartphone with many different music and video streaming apps, and also games.

The Bose got to enjoy a few different environments over those two weeks including my home, my office, various trips to the local neighborhood and gym, bus and train trips and even a run at one point.

I've been testing gadgets for TechRadar for nearly six years now, including audio products for much of that time, and that includes some of the earbuds I compared the Bose to earlier.

• First reviewed in November 2024

• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

Samsung HW-Q800D: Two-minute review

The Samsung HW-Q800D is a mid-priced soundbar, carrying a list price of $999 / £749 / AU$1,099, but don’t be fooled: you won’t get middle-of-the-road quality. In fact, this is a truly excellent 5.1.2 channel Dolby Atmos soundbar, which boasts crisp vocals, rumbling bass and engrossing expansiveness. If you’re looking to unleash truly cinematic sound into your living space, look no further than the Samsung HW-Q800D.

The Samsung HW-Q800D is a soundbar and subwoofer combo – rear speakers are available, but must be purchased separately. But despite the absence of rear channels, this soundbar still asserts a striking spatial impression. That’s in part thanks to fantastic Dolby Atmos and DTS:X effects, both of which are bolstered by upfiring speakers. When watching movies, the positioning of on-screen characters and objects is mapped beautifully by the Samsung HW-Q800D. Atmos helps to create plenty of width and verticality, so you can be enveloped in the action at all times. Overall audio quality is top-drawer too, with super-clear voices, punchy deep bass and detailed musical performance all rolled into one.

On top of that, the Samsung HW-Q800D has a feature-set that is well up to par with many of the best soundbars. For instance, there’s SpaceFit Sound Pro, which uses the soundbar’s built-in mic to tailor audio to fit your room’s acoustics. But there’s also Samsung Q-Symphony, which can integrate your recent Samsung TV’s speakers with the soundbar output for an even more expansive sonic experience.

That’s not to mention a bunch of other options, such as wireless Dolby Atmos with compatible Samsung TVs, Game Mode Pro and Voice Assistant compatibility. But these features may, to some, seem extremely familiar. And that’s because all of them were available with this soundbar’s predecessor, the Samsung HW-Q800C. This 2023 release offers almost the exact same user experience, just without non-region-locked Chromecast compatibility, and with upgraded Bluetooth connectivity (Bluetooth 5.2). So really, the Samsung HW-Q800D is a slight refinement of an already great product – so owners of the HW-Q800C need not upgrade.

For a lot of gamers, the HW-Q800D will be a wonderful companion. You get a specialized game mode which optimizes surround sound for in-game action and 4K HDR passthrough. However, there’s no 4K 120Hz HDMI passthrough – meaning you don’t get the ultimate next-gen gaming experience via the HW-Q800D. That’s a shame, when Sony's mid-range Bravia Theater Bar 8 offers this.

But this isn’t a game-breaking omission. And there were none of those, in my view. Apart from a slight issue with subwoofer pairing, which I swiftly overcame, I had a blast during my time testing the Samsung HW-Q800D. The only other aspect some may feel unsatisfied with is its design. That’s because the soundbar has quite an angular, chunky design, rather than a sleek, curved look you’d see with the Sonos Arc Ultra, for instance. However, I personally felt that the soundbar’s high build quality and durable build made up for what is a solid-looking, but perhaps not stunning appearance.

Overall, the Samsung HW-Q800D is a beautiful-sounding, immersion-inducing soundbar system with a very fair price tag. If you have the cash – along with a desire for rear speaker channels – you may actually find that the slightly more premium Samsung HW-Q990D is better for you. And if you already have the Samsung HW-Q800C, the small incremental improvements aren’t worth an upgrade. But for anyone else, this is a soundbar that I can wholeheartedly recommend. Awesome Atmos, incredible movie or music performance, and a fountain of features – you can’t ask for much more.

Samsung HW-Q800D review: Price & release date

• List price of $999 / £749 / AU$1,099
• But regularly available for considerably less
• Launched in July 2024

The Samsung HW-Q800D is the South Korean company’s mid-range soundbar offering for 2024. It has a list price of $999 / £749 / AU$1,099 – by no means cheap, but not all too expensive given the inclusion of a highly competent subwoofer.

But good news – even if it only released this year, you’re probably not going to have to pay quite so much for the HW-Q800D. I’ve already seen it listed for $699 / £699 on Samsung’s US and UK site, making for a very tidy saving on a shiny new soundbar – and there seem to be further discounts around during sales events.

(Image credit: Future) Samsung HW-Q800D review: Specs Samsung HW-Q800D review: Features

• 5.1.2 channel system with 360W total power output
• Effective Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
• 4K HDMI passthrough, but not at 120Hz

The Samsung HW-Q800D is a true 5.1.2 channel system. Firstly, it has five channels on the main soundbar: one in the center; two more on the front, on either side of the center; and two on each end of the bar. Alongside that, it has two upfiring speakers on the top of the soundbar and a dedicated subwoofer.

This configuration helps to deliver fantastically immersive audio – something only improved by Dolby Atmos and DTS:X functionality. When watching movies, I found Atmos to be very effective – you get incredible width from audio output, which follows on-screen action very competently. The upfiring speaker drivers also add impressive verticality for movies and TV shows – but I’ll go into more depth on that in the next section.

If you want even more expansive sound, you can add the Samsung SWA-9500S rear speakers, but extra spend may not be necessary for a surround sound boost. That’s because you can harness the power of your TV – well, if it’s a select Samsung model from 2022-2024 – with Q-Symphony. This feature allows your HW-Q800D to work in tandem with your TV’s inbuilt speakers for even more of a three dimensional output.

Q-Symphony, of course, is a Samsung TV-exclusive – as is another feature, dubbed Wireless Dolby Atmos. Again, you need a compatible Samsung TV released after 2022 to use this, but it enables "pinpoint" delivery of sound effects wirelessly without HDMI. It’s worth noting, however, this will be compressed, unlike the Atmos TrueHD available with one of the best 4K Blu-ray players and a wired connection. If you only ever stream movies, though, it won't make a difference.

Perhaps my favorite feature that this soundbar offers though is SpaceFit Surround Pro. This harnesses the soundbar’s inbuilt mic, which listens to your room’s acoustics and optimizes sound for your space. SpaceFit Surround Pro is automatically on, so you get spatial audio that’s fine-tuned to you from the get-go. The effects of this are excellent and I found that no matter where I sat in my small-medium-sized living room, I was able to experience immersive sound without fail.

Not to exhaust you, reader, but there’s so much more. Some highlights include sound modes, which include: Standard; Adaptive; Surround; and Game. Adaptive uses AI in order to assess the on-screen action and deliver tailored audio depending on content. I found this mode to be particularly pleasing when watching news channels – with impressive vocal clarity on offer. And vocal clarity is improved further thanks to Active Voice Amplifier, or AVA. AVA identifies background noise in your environment and calibrates audio in a way that emphasizes vocal clarity – ideal if someone’s vacuuming in the room across, for instance.

I want to focus on Gaming, though. One sound setting, Game Mode Pro, adjusts audio output to offer a more three-dimensional soundstage, so you can get a better sense for where in-game sound effects are coming from. When playing Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on PlayStation 5, I got a great spatial impression, especially during combat, which helped me to ascertain the movement, actions, and whereabouts of my foes. Samsung TVs with Game Hub support are also able to switch the soundbar to Game Mode Pro automatically, which is a neat addition.

Unfortunately for gamers, however, the HW-Q800D leaves out one very handy feature. I’m talking, of course, about 4K 120Hz HDMI passthrough. Sure, you get 4K HDR 60Hz passthrough here and that’s going to be enough for a lot of people, but if you want full next-gen capabilities, this won’t cut it.

This speaks to something more generally – as strong as this soundbar's feature-set is, almost everything that’s here was already present in the HW-Q800C. The only ‘major’ additions are non-region-locked, built-in Chromecast and an upgraded Bluetooth version (5.2). That’s it. Does that take-away from the HW-Q800D’s feature quality? No, it truly is exhaustive and brimming with options. But what it does mean is that there’s pretty much no reason to upgrade if you already have last year’s model.

• Features score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future) Samsung HW-Q800D: Audio performance

• Crisp vocal clarity and booming bass
• Great for movies and music alike
• Fantastic Dolby Atmos effects

This soundbar serves up a mighty sonic performance thanks to its 11 speakers and total power output of 360W. And you really feel that power at all times, whether watching movies or even just listening to music – with the included sub providing some serious low-end boom.

For instance, I tried watching Top Gun: Maverick and the sound of jet engines firing up was deep, imposing and room-filling. Low-frequency audio was never thin or lethargic either – I found it to be pleasingly deep and responsive when jets soared through the skies, which added serious impact to combat-filled action scenes.

Similarly, I found bass to be excellent when listening to music. The drum machine in Black Eye by Allie X is intended to be strikingly deep and the HW-Q800D does a phenomenal job of replicating that. The dynamism of the song’s bass connecting up to the lower mid range was also captured beautifully – so if you’re into bass-heavy bangers, this soundbar will likely cut it for you.

Sticking with music, I found Standard mode was perfectly up to the task, although Dynamic worked nicely too. Beyond bass, things are equally awesome. I tuned into Clair de Lune by Kamasi Washington and felt that organ in the background had a subtle yet super clear sound profile, with the sporadic piano playing also occupying a well-defined sonic pocket and the trumpet sounding pleasantly forward. On top of that, percussion was clean, rhythmic and tinniness free, tying up a non-grating, highly enjoyable listen. As you’d hope, there’s well-defined separation on offer from the HW-Q800D with a wide, nuanced soundstage that kept me listening for hours.

But let’s move onto arguably the most crucial aspect – spatial audio performance. This soundbar supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, but I was mainly viewing content with the former. And Atmos effects are brilliant here. When watching The Boy and the Heron, the trajectory of the heron’s flight was very well mapped and during the tension-filled opening, the roar of flames and sound of the protagonist – Mahito – running were traced and fed back to me accurately and impactfully. In a fire-consumed area, both the width from the soundbar’s side speakers and verticality from its upfiring ones played into the frightening, heart-racing atmosphere of the opening scene, so you can have no doubts about the immersive nature of Atmos here.

The only real negative in terms of audio presentation is that you’re not getting rear speakers from the off. That lack of rear staging may feel a little unbalanced for some – but you can purchase SWA-9500S rear speakers separately and pair them if you want to boost expansiveness further. For me, sitting in a small-medium-sized room, however, I felt highly satisfied with the soundbar and sub combo alone.

More generally, the sound quality on offer from the HW-Q800D is amazing. I tuned into live news and found that vocal clarity was very good, especially in Adaptive mode – there was no tinniness or distortion to be found, even at high volumes. I also found instrumental and vocal separation to be top-notch when playing Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on PS5. Near a ranch, I could hear the sound of Chocobos walking, wind flowing, soft strings playing and characters speaking – but all of it was easily discernible and expertly weighted. I briefly flicked back to my TV speakers and the quality difference was astonishing – the HW-Q800D really can transform your listening, viewing and gaming experiences.

Overall, the HW-Q800D is just more of the same from its predecessor – but that’s a highly positive thing. You’re getting deep, immersive audio, ultra-crisp vocals and tasty Atmos effects to boot. Given you’re not actually paying top-of-the-range price, performance isn’t going to come a whole lot better – especially if you have the cash to add those rear speakers into the mix.

• Sound quality score: 5/5

(Image credit: Future) Samsung HW-Q800D review: Design

• Strong build quality
• Though slightly chunky and angular
• Metallic grilled finish is attractive

This isn’t the largest soundbar and sub combo ever, but it’s definitely on the hefty side of things. The soundbar itself is pointed, angular and fairly chunky – in fact I had to place it on a shelf below my TV as it was too big for my usual setup. However, if you have a decently wide and long TV unit, you shouldn’t have too much trouble fitting it in.

For some, the aforementioned angular, slightly chunky look might be a bit of a turn-off. And I’d certainly argue it’s not the most elegant or pleasing to the eye. What its aesthetic does say to me, though, is that you’re getting a sturdy, durable, high-quality bar – and it’s certainly all three of these things.

Similarly, the included woofer is quite a tall, broad beast. It’s got a felt-covered driver on its side, as well as a vent on its reverse side and looks pretty clean overall. Both the sub and main soundbar have the same color code as their predecessor – a slightly grayish matte black that in my view, is classy-looking and suits its more chunky appearance to a tee.

• Design score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future) Samsung HW-Q800D review: Setup & usability

• Easy to control in-app
• Neat, simple-to-use remote
• Personally experienced an issue with sub pairing

OK, one slight gripe I had with the Samsung HW-Q800D was related to the setup process. After hooking up the soundbar and sub to power outlets, I strapped in and got ready to listen… but I instantly noticed something. A distinct lack of low-end punch. I soon discovered, however, that this was due to the subwoofer failing to sync up with the soundbar out of the box. Happily, a simple unplug and replug was enough here – meaning this was a pretty small issue overall. Nonetheless, this was a setback and although most are unlikely to encounter this, it was slightly frustrating for me.

Otherwise, though, the Samsung HW-Q800D was straightforward to setup. I connected it to my TV using HDMI eARC, meaning I could use my typical TV remote to alter volume – a super-handy feature. There’s also an included wall bracket if you need that for a mounted setup.

This soundbar is very easy to use, too. I used the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE to download the Samsung SmartThings app, which is well laid-out and simple to use if you want to adjust soundbar settings. You can also change surround sound, tone, volume and channel level settings with the included remote, which is diminutive, sleek and super responsive.

The soundbar itself also has controls, if you need them. It has an inbuilt mic which can be used to activate Amazon Alexa or Google voice assistants – and there’s a button to activate or deactivate this on top of the bar. Alongside that, there’s also a volume up and down button – both of which are well-sized and again, very responsive.

• Setup & usability: 4/5

(Image credit: Future) Samsung HW-Q800D review: Value

• Outstanding performance for the price
• Additional rear speakers don’t come cheap
• Upgrades on predecessor extremely minimal

For the price you pay, the Samsung HW-Q800D offers incredible performance for movies and music alike. If you want detailed, expansive and super-clear audio, you get all of that, so even if it's still quite the investment to spend approximately $699/£699/AU$1,099, you’re certainly getting your money’s worth.

Having said that, it’s not all good news in the value category. Now, if you decide that you do want to add rear speakers to the base offering, you’re going to have to cough up more. Specifically, the Samsung SWA-9500S rear speakers cost around $199/£199/AU$349, making the overall cost here quite hefty. Of course, this is merely an option, but it’s worth bearing in mind if you want the full package.

Something I am more critical of, however, is the real lack of improvements over 2023’s already incredible Samsung HW-Q800C. Other than some small incremental additions, this is almost the same product, so it’s not worth upgrading to and if the last-gen model is available for less, you’re getting almost equal amount of bang for less buck. So, even if it's excellent for its class, the lack of improvement is a slight dampener here.

• Value score: 4/5

Should I buy the Samsung HW-Q800D? Buy it if...

You want cinematic sound, powered by Atmos
The Samsung HW-Q800D offers punchy, immersive sound with ‘true’ Atmos, DTS:X and fantastic vocal clarity. You’re getting the full package here – that is, unless you want rear speakers from the off.

You’ve got a modern Samsung TV
If you have a selected Samsung TV released between since 2022, you’ll be able to access Samsung Q-Symphony and Wireless Dolby Atmos. Q-Symphony puts your soundbar to work alongside your TV speakers’ audio, whereas Wireless Dolby Atmos supplies “pinpoint” sound effects, taking the 3D audio experience to the next level.

Don't buy it if...

You need 4K 120Hz HDMI passthrough
For gamers that want the most premium sonic performance when playing, this soundbar might not quite cut it. That’s because – like its predecessor – it doesn’t offer 4K 120Hz HDMI passthrough. You might have to splash a bit more cash if you’re craving that from your soundbar.

You’re on a tight budget
If you want a truly cinematic listening experience but find this soundbar a touch expensive, worry not, reader – there are some great options out there. For example, the Hisense AX5125H plates up quality, powerful audio with Atmos and DTS:X, and it’s often available for around half of this Samsung soundbar system.

Samsung HW-Q800D: Also consider

Sonos Arc
OK, so the Sonos Arc may be a standalone soundbar, but if you want a top-drawer all-in-one option, it’s incredibly hard to beat. With strong speech clarity, great Atmos effects and brilliant performance across both music and movies, it’s sure to impress most listeners. If you’re sold on Sonos but want to add more units for true surround sound, you can purchase them separately, although things could get quite pricey if you decide to take that route. Read our full Sonos Arc review.

Hisense AX5125H
If you want truly incredible value for money, it doesn’t get much better than the Hisense AX5125H. This 5.1.2 channel system comes with a soundbar, sub and rear speakers but also delivers both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X sound. It doesn’t skimp on quality either, offering immersive Atmos, punchy bass and clear vocals. We’ve often spotted the AX5125H available for as little as $299 / £349 (around AU$449), so if you want surround sound at a considerably cut price, this could be the best option for you. Read our full Hisense AX5125H review.

How I tested the Samsung HW-Q800D

• Tested over a week
• Integrated the soundbar into my usual setup
• Used while watching movies, streaming music over Bluetooth, and gaming

When testing the Samsung HW-Q800D, I had it hooked up to my Hisense U7K TV via HDMI eARC. I also connected to the soundbar using the Samsung SmartThings app on the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, which allowed me to alter settings and play music over Bluetooth.

The soundbar was placed on a shelf below my TV in a small-to-medium-sized room, with the subwoofer positioned beside my TV unit. I tested only the included soundbar and subwoofer, without any add-ons.

I tried viewing, playing and listening to a wide variety of content during my testing time – which spanned over a week-long period. I watched a number of movies and TV shows, played games on my PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch and listened to music on Tidal with the Bluetooth connectivity option. I tuned into the TechRadar testing playlist when assessing the quality of music on the HW-Q800D – which includes songs from a wide variety of genres.

• Read more about how we test
• First reviewed: November 2024

Rank Math is gaining traction as one of the best WordPress SEO plugins, offering a robust suite of features aimed at improving website visibility and performance.

Launched by MyThemeShop, Rank Math has quickly become popular among bloggers, marketers, and website developers who seek a comprehensive SEO tool that's both powerful and user-friendly. The plugin excels in areas like keyword tracking, Google Analytics integration, and AI-driven content optimization, making it a formidable player in SEO.

However, it's worth noting that while the plugin is mostly praised for its expansive features and ease of use, some users may find the lack of live chat support and the premium plan's cost a bit of a downside. Nevertheless, Rank Math remains a compelling choice for those serious about elevating their SEO game.

Rank Math: Plans and pricing

(Image credit: Rank Math)

Rank Math's pricing structure is designed for a range of users, from individual bloggers to large agencies. The free version is packed with features, making it a great choice for many users who prefer not to spend money.

For those looking for more advanced options, Rank Math offers three premium plans. The Pro plan costs $4.92 per month and is perfect for individual users and small businesses, providing features like unlimited personal websites and keyword tracking. The Business plan, priced at $20.99 per month, is for larger teams and includes extras like client website support and more keyword tracking. Finally, the Agency plan at $49.99 per month is tailored for high-volume users with extensive client and keyword needs.

With its wide range of features, Rank Math provides excellent value. The combination of free and premium plans means that users at all levels can take advantage of its powerful SEO tools without overspending.

Rank Math: Features

Rank Math offers several key features that appeal to both new and experienced SEO professionals. It goes beyond typical plugins by providing tools that help improve website performance easily.

Easy setup wizard

Rank Math’s intuitive setup wizard simplifies the installation process, making it incredibly user-friendly. With just a few clicks, users can efficiently configure their SEO settings, link their social media profiles, and seamlessly connect various Google services. This ensures that their site is not only optimized right from the start but also positioned for success in search engine rankings, allowing users to focus on creating great content instead of getting bogged down in technical details.

(Image credit: Rank Math)

AI assistant

The AI assistant integrated into Rank Math is a game-changer for users looking to craft SEO-friendly content. By suggesting relevant keywords and phrases tailored to their specific niche and audience, AI empowers content creators to optimize their posts effectively. This helps improve their chances of ranking higher in search engine results, making it significantly easier for them to connect with their target audience and drive organic traffic to their websites.

(Image credit: Rank Math)

SEO analytics

Rank Math enhances the user experience by integrating Google Search Console directly into the WordPress dashboard. This feature provides comprehensive SEO analytics, allowing users to monitor crucial metrics such as keyword rankings, sitemap status, and indexing issues without the need to toggle between different platforms. By streamlining this process, Rank Math makes it simpler for users to stay informed about their site's performance and make data-driven decisions to boost their SEO efforts.

Advanced schema generator

The Advanced Schema Generator in Rank Math is designed to simplify the process of adding structured data to posts and pages. Users can choose from a wide variety of schema types — such as articles, local businesses, products, and more — which enhances content visibility in search engine results. By implementing structured data, users can improve their chances of achieving rich snippets, ultimately increasing click-through rates and attracting more visitors to their sites.

Google Analytics integration

With built-in integration for Google Analytics 4, Rank Math offers users the ability to track important website metrics directly from their WordPress dashboard. This powerful feature provides valuable insights into user behavior, traffic sources, and overall site performance. By leveraging this data, users can make informed decisions to enhance their site's functionality and optimize their content strategy, ensuring continued growth and success in the competitive online landscape.

Rank Math: Setup

Setting up Rank Math is quite simple, thanks to its guided setup wizard. New users are welcomed with an easy-to-use interface that guides them through the installation step-by-step. The wizard automatically identifies your site's settings, suggests the best configurations, and helps connect your social and webmaster profiles. This ensures a smooth integration that meets your website's needs right from the beginning.

The user interface is clean and organized, making essential information and tools easy to find. Rank Math's dashboard displays important SEO metrics and actionable insights beside your posts, which simplifies content optimization as you write. For those who are new to SEO, the plugin offers plenty of resources, including detailed documentation and video tutorials, to help users understand each feature and setting.

While the setup process is user-friendly, beginners may feel a bit overwhelmed by the numerous options at first. However, Rank Math provides clear explanations and recommendations that help ease this learning curve, allowing users to take full advantage of the plugin without much trouble.

Rank Math: Customer support

(Image credit: Rank Math)

Rank Math provides several customer support options, with assistance levels varying by user plan. Free users can access extensive documentation, FAQs, and community forums, which are helpful for troubleshooting common issues. There's also an active Facebook group where users can get advice from peers and Rank Math staff.

Premium users receive priority support via email, leading to quicker responses for more complex questions. While this tiered system works well for many, some users wish for live chat support, which is not currently offered. Nonetheless, Rank Math's support team is generally well-regarded for being responsive and willing to help users resolve their issues efficiently.

Overall, Rank Math offers a solid support experience with ample resources to help users make the most of the plugin. However, adding a live chat option could improve customer satisfaction and provide a more comprehensive support solution.

Rank Math: Final verdict

Rank Math is a powerful SEO plugin for WordPress that provides a wide range of features to boost website performance. Its easy-to-use interface and advanced functions make it a great option for both beginners and professionals who want to improve their SEO efforts.

While the plugin has many strengths, it does have a couple of drawbacks, like the absence of live chat support and the potential complexity of some features for new users. However, these issues are minor compared to the overall advantages Rank Math offers.

In short, Rank Math is an excellent choice for anyone wanting to enhance their website's search engine ranking. Its affordability, functionality, and user-friendly design make it especially suitable for bloggers, businesses, and agencies looking to stay competitive online.

Mixbook photo book review

There's a huge variety of options for online printed photo books available on the market with different price points, finishes, and formats, so it can be tricky to choose which one will garner the best results. Mixbook is a well-known brand specializing in customizable printed gifts. They offer a range of different photo books in themes such as weddings, holidays, school yearbooks, and more; plus the option to create one from scratch, which is what I attempted for this review.

The list price of a 12 x 12 inch blank canvas photo book is $88 / £66.99 for a 20-page spread hardcover book, and additional pages can be added for $3 / £1.99 per page. There are often offers on the Mixbook site, so it’s worth holding out if the price isn’t discounted. When we purchased this sample book, there was a promotional offer that brought the 20-page 12 x 12 inch hardcover book down to $57.25 / £48.55.

(Image credit: Future)

I evaluated the Mixbook Studio editor thoroughly to see how well it performed when creating various different layouts and when using different elements. Creating photo books using the existing layouts was effortless, but Mixbook Studio lacked some simple features when it came to creating my own.

The interface of the Mixbook site was attractive and user-friendly, if a little clunky when navigating between tabs or customizing elements. There were editing tools available in the toolbar on the left, viewing, sharing, and purchasing buttons on the top bar, and easy-to-navigate page spreads on the right-hand side of the page.

(Image credit: Future)

On occasion, I needed to use some workarounds when positioning elements on the page, and the lack of a center line between the pages made life a little more difficult, but overall it was a nice system to use. I found a variety of preset layouts available in the toolbar, where I found a vast array of design options, from full-page spreads to overlapping collage-style arrangements.

Adding a background color was simple and there were plenty of ways for me to select a color. I had the option of using colors from an existing palette, a color slider, a color picker, or by entering a hex code. Plus, there was also a range of textured backgrounds available. The option was available to flip the background image or alter the opacity using a slider.

(Image credit: Future)

I wanted to see how easy it was to add blocks of color to the pages and found it to be a little more complicated than expected. The best way to achieve this was to add one of the square stickers to the page and drag it to the required size. It was unfortunate that the Mixbook Studio doesn’t give any specific dimensions for photo or sticker sizes, but this is unlikely to prove an issue for most.

My main niggle with this process was that the stickers defaulted to having a white border and a shadow, which took a fair few clicks through different tabs to remove. This was easy to get around though, fortunately, by simply copying and pasting one that I’d already edited. Another thing that I found curious was the lack of alignment between a sticker with a photo, and vice versa. This meant I had to arrange the elements by eye, which got a bit tiresome after a while.

(Image credit: Future)

The page spread navigation bar made it easy to, duplicate, delete, or drag and rearrange pages. The duplication function made it effortlessly easy to reuse page layouts and simply switch photos out. I simply needed to drag from the photos tab in the toolbar, and the replacement image populated the existing space before I moved it into the correct position within the frame.

Under the text icon, I found all the settings I expected, like alignment and changing text into bold or italic, plus there were some caption ideas, too. There was a dropdown list for the fonts, but unfortunately, it didn’t allow me to begin typing the font name in to save me from scrolling through them all. It was also frustrating that the font sizes weren’t standardized, so if I wanted 64pt text, for example, it would appear to be one size in one font, but totally different in another.

(Image credit: Future)

I have to admit I was really not a fan of the zoom function on Mixbook Studio. Zoom was controlled by basic plus and minus buttons at the top of the page, and instead of being able to pan around once I zoomed in, I needed to drag the page within the preview box that appeared below the zoom tool, which proved a faff when I was trying to check a lot of details on a page. The pop-up toolbars for images, stickers, and text boxes proved obstructive on occasion. They are static at the bottom of the element selected, which made alignment tricky at times.

The preview button at the top of the page allowed me to check the finished item before proceeding to the ordering stage. When I did, a brightly colored pop-up banner at the top of the order page highlighted that there was an error in the book. This was simply a blank page that I’d colored pink at the beginning of the book, so was not an issue; however, it’s good to know this feature is here to flag errors before proceeding.

(Image credit: Future)

I had mixed feelings about the finished article. The print and matt finish on the hardback covers were vivid and looked nice. There was some very minor fuzziness around the lettering, and the cover image overlapped onto the spine slightly, but these were within the margins I’d expect from a printed item.

One unfortunate and avoidable mistake was the clamp marks on some of the pages from the assembly process. These were only visible in the light on paler pages, but clearly visible on the dark full-coverage photo pages, which ruined the finish. There were also clear dents from handling on many of the pages indicating that they weren’t handled with care during the creation process; these indentations distracted from the images and were disappointing to see when I was expecting the pages to be in pristine condition as the book was brand new.

(Image credit: Future)

Aside from the regrettable markings that resulted from the manufacturing process, the finished book looked nice for the cost. These types of services perhaps aren’t suitable for those who want high-quality prints, but for those of us who just want to gather memories in one place, this Mixbook photo book is perfectly adequate. When taking advantage of a discount, the price is rather good for a large, vividly printed hardback book. Just be prepared to check for marks before gifting one, and order in advance if you can in case a replacement is needed. If you’d like to explore alternative photo book suppliers we’ve collated a selection of our favorites in our best photo books guide.

Should I buy the Mixbook photo book? Buy it if…

You want family and friends to purchase their own
Within the Mixbook Studio, there’s a handy share button that enables you to share a preview of your book, invite others to make edits, and enable them to purchase one for themselves.

You want a simple-to-use interface
With the included layout templates, it’s incredibly easy to get a photo book set up by simply adding your photos into the Mixbook Studio and dragging and dropping them into place.

You don’t want to fork out lots of money
Photo books are rarely cheap due to their customized nature, but with regular discounts and sales, you get a pretty good deal from a Mixbook photo book.

Don't buy it if…

You want a premium finish
As mentioned, my sample featured some marks from the manufacturing process, which spoiled the magic a little. This may not be something that occurs in all orders, but it's something to bear in mind when choosing between services.

You want high-quality prints
This is not the photo book to use for your photography portfolio. For wedding photos or holiday snaps, it’ll be perfectly fine, but you can’t expect top-notch picture quality.

You want to get into the specifics
The Mixbook Studio is a great interface to use when utilizing the existing layout templates, but if you want create elements at an exact size, design an unusual layout, or use standardized text sizes, this is not the service for you.

Mixbook photo book review: also consider

Artifact Uprising
If you’re looking for a more premium finish, then Artifact Uprising is worth your consideration. These photo books are naturally more expensive, but you get fantastic quality and a special finish for the price. This service would make the perfect choice if you want to create a keepsake gift, and, what's more, they offer lovely add-ons such as walnut storage boxes too.

Cewe
Offering great design software, plus a Creator Assistant to help you get your photo book up to scratch, Cewe makes the creation process straightforward and delivers quality finished articles, too. We’re a fan of Cewe because they’re committed to taking a sustainable approach, claiming to be 100% climate-neutral with a net-zero carbon footprint.

How I tested the Mixbook photo book

• I created a photo book from scratch to recreate our TechRadar photo book
• I explored the Mixbook Studio, testing the different features and tools
• I ordered a photo book and assessed the quality of the finished product

I spent time testing out the different features in Mixbook Studio, seeing how easy their pre-made elements were to use, and the different elements they included for free. I also investigated other services providing photo books to compare prices and features.

I started with a blank canvas and used the tools available to recreate our TechRadar photo book. Recreating an existing design is important so that we can assess how capable the different services are when faced with different requirements.

I ordered my completed photo book and evaluated the finished product, paying close attention to quality, print finish, alignment, and made notes of any imperfections.

• First reviewed: November 2024
• Read more about how we test

Manba One: one-minute review

(Image credit: Future)

The Manba One is a wireless controller with an inbuilt screen for accessing the various tweaks available to tailor the gaming experience to your preferences.

Its design mimics the Xbox Wireless Controller, although the white variant features a removable transparent front cover that reveals some of the inner workings – which, along with the RGB lighting on either side, helps to make the Manba One more distinctive.

However, the relatively short grips caused me some discomfort, mainly due to the sharp angle at which they tail off towards the triggers. Those with smaller hands may be fine (although mine aren’t even that big), but I prefer the grip designs of popular controllers, such as the aforementioned Xbox controller and PlayStation’s DualSense.

The overall build quality is good: the face buttons are more akin to mouse clicks, but pleasingly tactile all the same, while the D-pad is more damped and operates smoothly. However, the rear 'M' buttons are too small and thin to be convenient, and all too easy to mispress. The bumpers are also a little awkward to reach given their thickness, and the triggers are quite short and less indented than those on some of the best PC controllers.

Worst of all, though, is that the left stick – on my unit at least – can stick in an elevated position, in turn causing it to get stuck in certain directions when using it, which is a serious problem. Thankfully, this issue was resolved easily by pressing the stick back into place, but it’s a design fault that needs to be addressed, if indeed it affects all units.

Since there’s no software for the Manba One, all adjustments are made via its onboard display, and thankfully the interface is clear and easy to use. From here, you can rebind buttons, activate turbo mode, and assign the four remappable M buttons to a series of button presses. You can also adjust trigger travel, as well as the deadzone and curve for the joysticks. Four profile slots are available to save your configurations, including one dedicated to Switch controls.

In practice, the Manba One performs well, on both PC and the Nintendo Switch. The buttons are snappy and easy to use, although the triggers don’t offer the most feedback, since their travel is quite short. However, the ability to lock the travel is a welcome addition, and proves very useful for shooters when you want to perform quick taps.

The joysticks are also precise and smooth, and the curve options do make a difference. I found that the High Performance curve, for instance, was especially useful for racing games, as it allowed for both precise micro-adjustments and full-lock steering quickly.

Given its asking price, the Manba One represents good value considering its features and performance. The official Xbox Wireless Controller is cheaper, but barebones in comparison, and it doesn’t even come with a rechargeable battery. If you’re after similar levels of customization, then you’ll usually have to part with a lot more cash. The Manba One, therefore, is a worthy choice for those after a precise, tweakable controller.

Manba One review: Price and availability

• $69.99 (about £54 / AU$105)
• Available now in Black and White colorways
• Good price compared to the competition

The Manba One costs $69.99 (about £54 / AU$105) and is available now. It comes in two colorways, black and white, the latter of which features a transparent front cover. The joysticks are replaceable, with a taller pair included in the box. Also included is a dock for wireless charging.

It’s more expensive than the Xbox Wireless Controller, one of the best PC controllers around and a popular choice for many PC players, but not by much. It has more features than this pad, including a built-in display, four programmable rear buttons, and numerous other tweaks and customizations. However, unlike the Xbox Wireless Controller, the Manba One has no 3.5mm headphone jack.

Compared to more feature-laden controllers, the Manba One looks like a veritable bargain. The Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra, for example – our pick as the best PC controller for those with cash to splash – is considerably more expensive. However, this gamepad is more advanced, featuring mechanical buttons and the headset audio control.

The Manba One matches it for joystick hardware, though, as both pads use Hall effect technology – but the thumbsticks themselves can’t be switched out on the Stealth Ultra, as they can on the Manba One. Also, as mentioned in our Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra review, we weren’t fans of its companion software.

Manba One review: specs

(Image credit: Future) Manba One review: design and features

• Inbuilt screen
• Snappy, tactile buttons
• Some comfort issues

The Manba One adopts a rather classic controller design, with a similar shape and layout to Xbox controllers, but with a slightly more angular, aggressive appearance. There’s also some customizable RGB lighting on the sides to liven up proceedings, as well as some subtle gray accents on the white variant.

This colorway also features a transparent front cover, letting you see the exoskeleton lurking beneath, which fades to silver towards the bottom. The rear of the pad is lightly textured on the grips, but there’s no additional padding as some of the best PC controllers and best Xbox controllers feature.

The grips themselves are also quite short and curve abruptly towards the triggers. As a result, I didn’t find the Manba One as comfortable to hold as more popular controllers, such as the Xbox controller and PlayStation’s DualSense. However, those with smaller hands may have no issue.

Compared to those other controllers, the face buttons on the Manba One are less damped as well, feeling and sounding more like mouse buttons, but satisfying to use nonetheless. The D-pad, though, feels more cushioned and is smooth to operate. The sticks are average in size and feature a soft rubber material on top, offering just enough grip. A taller pair of sticks are included in the box and are easy to replace.

The triggers are another point of departure for the Manba One. They’re quite short with shallow indentations, and offer less travel and resistance than you might expect. However, the stroke lock is a clever addition, as it reduces travel considerably to allow for rapid firing.

Another welcome feature is their dotted texture, which does help with grip. This can also be found on the bumpers, although it’s a shame these are bulky with an awkward shape, as it makes them uncomfortable to use for long periods. Thankfully, the same can’t be said about the home buttons: these are positioned right at the bottom of the controller, below the D-pad and right analog stick. This keeps them out of the way, yet they’re still easy to access when needed.

The build quality of the Manba One is hard to fault – in most places. The screen is prone to micro-scratches all too easily, but more worrying is an issue I experienced on my test unit: the left analog stick managed to get stuck in a raised position, and in this state, it would in turn catch in certain directions when operating it – a cardinal sin for any joystick. Thankfully, this was a one-off problem, and simply pushing the stick back down into its original, intended seat was enough to prevent it reoccurring. However, it’s still a fault worth noting.

The included charging station matches the simple yet sleek design of the controller itself, into which the Manba One fits like a glove. It also features a compartment underneath to store the sizable Bluetooth dongle.

There’s no external software app for the Manba One on either PC or mobile: every adjustment and tweak is made via a menu displayed on its screen. There are options to rebind buttons and toggle turbo mode, as well as assign the four back M buttons to a series of up to 20 buttons in a row.

You can also adjust the deadzone for the analog sticks, as well the curve. There are four options to choose from on this front, ranging from a default, linear curve to a High Performance option, which Manba claims is ideal for racing and shooting games.

There are four profile slots to store your setups, including one dedicated to Switch controls, but unfortunately, you can’t rename them. There are also tools for testing buttons and calibrating the joysticks, triggers, and motion control (for the gyroscope when playing certain Switch games). You can set the vibration strength too, with four levels to choose from, or turn it off completely.

(Image credit: Future) Manba One review: performance

• Snappy and responsive
• Useful adjustments
• Triggers lack feel

Gaming with the Manba One is mostly an enjoyable experience. The sticks offer smooth and precise movements, while the buttons are responsive and tactile. However, the triggers fail to offer the best feedback, as their travel is too short to offer the kind of finely graded control you want from analog inputs. The underneath M buttons are also hard to use in the heat of the moment, given their small size and awkward position; you can’t use a more flat-fingered approach, as you can with a more traditional, paddle-like designs.

Personally, I’ve always preferred D-pads with separate buttons for each direction, rather than the integrated design on the Manba One, as I find they give me more control and precision in games where such inputs are crucial. I needn’t have worried, though. When playing Tekken 8, for instance, where D-pad inputs are complex, I had little issue hitting the directions I wanted to hit. That circular shape also helps to roll seamlessly between multiple directions, yet each is still easy to actuate individually without accidentally triggering adjacent directions, which can happen on D-pads with a singular component.

The various tweaks available on the Manba One also made a difference. Using the High Performance curve for racing games, for instance, was a marked improvement. When playing Assetto Corsa, it offered much better car control, as I could make minute steering corrections and drastic changes of direction equally well, depending on how far I moved the stick.

This same curve is also recommended for shooters, although I found that the default, linear curve offered less sensitive and more precise looking and aiming. The locks on the back that shorten the trigger length also work for enabling rapid shooting.

One of the great advantages of the display is the ability to adjust settings on the fly. Accessing the menu mid-game works well for the most part, although having to hold the home button for three seconds to activate it is a little inconvenient; I wish it were a little quicker.

It’s a shame also that the M buttons can’t be programmed as modifiers; to toggle the curve of the analog sticks, for instance, which would be useful for situations requiring momentary decreases in sensitivity, such as aiming, acting like a sniper button on a mouse. I found the M buttons all too easy to trigger too, especially when using the D-pad or face buttons intensely, as I naturally tightened my grip on the back of the controller.

In addition to PC, I also used the Manba One with a Nintendo Switch, connecting via Bluetooth without needing the included dongle. Like the best Nintendo Switch controllers, connecting the Manba One to the console is easy, and it worked flawlessly.

The battery life of the Manba One is claimed to be about 10 hours or more, and this was roughly in line with what I experienced, although it was hard to get an accurate measurement of battery levels, since no percentage is given on the inbuilt screen. Charging via the included dock takes about four and a half hours according to Manba, and again this proved relatively accurate.

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Manba One? Buy it if...

You want solid performance
The buttons are mostly great to use, and the Hall effect joysticks offer precise movements and different curves to choose from.

You want tweakable inputs
There are plenty of adjustments you can make on the Manba One, plus the display means you can make them on the fly.

Don't buy it if...

You want the most comfortable pad
Personally, I found the contours of the Manba One didn’t fit my hand as neatly as I would’ve liked, and the rear M buttons can get in the way.

You want console play
Although it’s compatible with the Switch, PS5 and Xbox gaming are out of the picture here.

Also consider...

If the Manba One isn't doing it for you, here's a couple of other controllers we recommend

Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller
As the best PC controller and best Xbox controller, the official Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller is hard to beat for unadulterated gaming. There’s no fancy features to be found here, but it nails the basics: it’s comfortable, practical, versatile and performs very well. It’s also reasonably priced, although a few missteps, such as no rechargeable battery as standard, go against it.

Read our Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller review

Victrix Pro BFG
If you want modularity, then the Victrix Pro BFG is hard to beat. Not only is it compatible with PC, it’s also one of the best PS5 controllers you can buy, thanks to its multiple face buttons, joystick, and D-pad upgrades – including a module designed for fighting games. There’s four reprogrammable back paddles as well. It will set you back, though.

Read our Victrix Pro BFG review

How I tested the Manba One

• Tested for several days
• Played a variety of genres on PC and Switch
• 25+ years gaming experience

I tested the Manba One for several days. During that time, I used it to play a variety of titles, including shooters, racing simulators and fighting games, in order to test every aspect of the controller. These included Black Mesa, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater - Master Collection Version, Assetto Corsa, and Tekken 8. I tested the Manba One on PCs – both Windows 10 and 11 – and the Nintendo Switch.

I also made sure to use and tweak every available feature and setting on the Manba One via the built-in display. I also tried out the included replaceable joysticks and the wireless charging dock.

I have been gaming for over 25 years across numerous platforms, all the way from the NES and other Nintendo consoles to most generations of PlayStation and PC. During that time I have used a number of controllers, from official devices to third-party ones. I’ve also tested many other gaming peripherals, including mice and keyboards.

• Read more about how we test
• First reviewed November 2024

Alice Camera: one-minute review

As someone who proudly runs a YouTube channel named “All The Gear, No Idea”, I'm always on the lookout for tech that promises to simplify the art of photography. Enter the Alice Camera: a camera body with Micro Four Thirds sensor and lens mount, powered by a Snapdragon chip, and that uses your smartphone as its viewfinder, all controlled through an app. Not a camera as we know it – something smarter.

A UK-based start-up brought this bold idea to life, and as one of the first 100 backers, I've spent three (very long) years waiting to see if it could live up to the hype. Spoiler alert: it's been quite the ride.

The experience has been a mix of awe, impatience and ultimately, satisfaction. The Alice Camera is a deceptively simple concept: it pairs the processing power of a smartphone (a Qualcomm Snapdragon with 8-core CPU to be exact) with the optical performance of a proper camera like the Lumix G9 II. This setup provides access to a wide range of affordable and lightweight lenses, while making the notoriously cumbersome menus of traditional cameras a thing of the past.

For anyone who’s wrestled with the cryptic menus and camera settings on a Panasonic Lumix or Sony, this camera is a breath of fresh air. The interface is as intuitive as using your phone’s camera app, with the added benefit of real-time sharing of your shots. Refreshingly, Alice Camera's software is open source, meaning if you're smart enough, you can build extra features and settings, unlike the leading brands like Canon and Sony that maintain all the control.

Admittedly, the Alice Camera is facing some production delays - something I’ve experienced firsthand, having waited three years for mine. But as frustrating as the wait might be, I can assure you it’s worth it. For those still waiting for their camera, stay patient. The Alice Camera offers a unique blend of convenience, innovation, and quality that makes it stand out in a crowded market.

If you put the Alice Camera in the right hands, it can deliver professional-grade results that you simply wouldn’t achieve with one of the best camera phones alone. Personally, I believe it’s worth every penny. I took some sample shots with the Leica SL3, which is one of the best professional cameras available, with a 180mm lens and then used the Alice Camera with an equivalent Leica 90mm on it to achieve the same focal length. I couldn’t really tell the difference unless I went pixel-peeping, and who really does that on social media anyway?

As someone who usually fumbles with new tech, I’m completely sold on this one. Delays receiving the product aside, I'd have no hesitation recommending the Alice Camera to any photographer.

(Image credit: Rashid Ahmad) Alice Camera: price and availability

• $845 / £1,026 at time of writing
• Pre-orders for batch 4 at time of writing
• Prices could be different depending on which batch of backers you're in

The Alice Camera isn’t cheap, but I think any criticisms that I've read about its price are a bit unfair. You have to bear in mind that this is a small company that doesn’t have the economies of scale of a larger traditional camera manufacturer. They are not Sony. They cant sell TV’s to make up the losses they could incur on a camera division. It’s $850 / £1,000 approx for the camera itself, and some argue that when paired with a high-end smartphone, you’re looking at a total of over $1,800 / £2,000. But here’s the thing: most of us already own a smartphone, so it's really only the cost of the camera and lens you're looking at. And for that outlay, you get the ability to instantly share and livestream high-quality smartphone-beating photos and videos. You really cannot factor in the cost of your smartphone. And if you really must do that, then buy an old iPhone 12 and it’s still compatible – at best that will cost you another $400 / £500.

Alice Camera: specs Alice Camera: Design

• Premium metal body that is lightweight and with an ergonomic handle
• Secure phone grip that fits smartphones as small as the iPhone mini all the way to an iPhone 16 Pro max
• Simplified user interface and user experience making setup easy

(Image credit: Rashid Ahmad)

Unboxing the Alice Camera felt like discovering a hidden gem. The sleek, lightweight design is deceptive - it feels premium, despite its featherlight build. The metal finish adds a level of robustness that’s reassuring. Inside the box, you’ll find a unique identifier that links the Wi-Fi on your phone to the camera, essential for pairing them up. The camera strap and build quality only add to the premium feel. However, what stands out most is the sensor: a micro four thirds unit that’s significantly bigger than anything you’d find on a standard smartphone. This offers more professional and realistic looking background separation, not the digitally created artificial bokeh that phones create.

Setting up the Alice Camera is as easy as it gets. You attach your phone via the extremely secure clamps (in my case, an iPhone 15 Pro Max) and pair the camera through the Alice Camera app, which is available for both iOS or Android. Once connected, you’re ready to shoot in seconds. The app has an intuitive user interface and experience. As a user you’re able to toggle between basic or advanced settings where you’re able to control everything from shutter speed to white balance, tint, colour enhancements and dynamic range.

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(Image credit: Rashid Ahmad)

Alice Camera uses a Micro Four Thirds lens mount – the same used by OM System cameras such as the OM-5 and Panasonic Cameras including the Lumix G9 II – and you can use a whole variety of lenses for this system. When you put the Alice Camera into manual focus mode a digital rangefinder graphic appears and offers a more tactile experience than I expected. That said, using manual focus can be tricky, particularly outdoors where the phone’s screen contrast struggles to differentiate between the subject and background. I found this especially frustrating when trying to focus on finer details. The shots looked great at first glance, but once zoomed in, the lack of precision became apparent - though that may have more to do with the budget Olympus (OM System) lens I was using. Autofocus is rolling out in the next few weeks and I cant wait!

(Image credit: Rashid Ahmad) Alice Camera: Performance

• Qualcomm Snapdragon and Google AI chip for running computational photography on device
• 11MP photos, while not the highest, are perfectly suitable for everyday photography and social media
• 4K 30fps and 2k 60fps video captures high-quality video footage, ideal for content creators and vloggers

(Image credit: Rashid Ahmad)

Despite the occasional hiccup with manual focusing, I’ve managed to capture some stunning images by my standards. A particular highlight was photographing my friend Hannah using a Leica 90mm lens. The smooth resistance in the focus wheel made manual focusing far more satisfying than the cheaper alternatives, and the final images were sharp and full of character. I own a couple of Leicas and I’ve gotta say, in my incapable hands, I could seldom tell the difference in shots! In the right hands, gear really can make all the difference, but Greg Williams could take better shots with this than I could with a Hasselblad!

As for video, one complaint I’ve seen online is that the Alice Camera isn’t suitable for vlogging. Honestly, I’m not sure where that criticism comes from - vlogging with the Alice Camera is perfectly feasible. Using a wider lens like the Panasonic Lumix 9mm or a 12-60mm would cover most use cases. Yes, my 25mm lens was too tight, but no one would vlog with an equivalent of 50mm.

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(Image credit: Rashid Ahmad)

When you take a photos, the JPEGs are immediately sent to your smartphone’s camera roll, which means they’re ready to share instantly. Also because of Alice Camera’s AI-driven computational photography software pipeline my photos look great straight out of camera with very little editing. These JPEGs are 3MB in size so they don’t eat up too much storage on your phone.

The team behind the Alice Camera say that the software is open source, which in theory gives it unmatched potential for customization, with their own plans to add autofocus in the near future, in addition to the ways others can enhance the user experience. I find that extremely exciting.

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(Image credit: Rashid Ahmad) Should you buy the Alice Camera?

(Image credit: Rashid Ahmad) Buy it if...

You’re fed up of complicated camera menus and workflows

Alice Camera is a breeze to use. If you’re someone graduating from a smartphone to a mirrorless camera for the first time then this would be very intuitive compared to the complex camera menus of traditional cameras.

You want an affordable fun camera

Alice Camera attaches to your smartphone and is frankly very fun to use. You have immediate access to your files. If you’re happy to let the camera take control you can, but you can also get fine-grained control.

You want to be part of the next wave of innovation

In my view Alice Camera is pushing the boundaries of mirrorless-and-smartphone integration. If you want to take part in that journey then join the ride!

Don't buy it if...

Megapixels matters most to you

Alice Camera doesn’t offer the highest megapixels available so if this is important to you then consider this before purchasing.

You prefer traditional buttons and dials

Alice Camera has a minimalistic design. There are only two buttons - a shutter button and an on/off button, not a single dial to speak of.

You work in wet or rainy environments

One thing to highlight is that the camera is not technically weather sealed. Although I have used it outside with some mild drizzle and it did not affect its performance, this is not the camera for the Amazon.

How I tested the Alice Camera

• Used as primary camera for over a month
• Paired with a variety of lenses
• Photos shot in RAW & JPEG

I bought two Alice Cameras and used them as my primary cameras for over one month. I've taken it on early morning photo walks, portrait photo environments, and used it mostly for stills but sometimes in video scenarios. It's able to handle moving subjects, although I did struggle a bit with manual focusing. I avoided using the camera in heavy rain or difficult conditions but I did feel comfortable using it in cold and drizzly rain.

I paired the camera with the Lumix 25mm f/1.7 and the Leica 90mm f/2 APO-Summicron (via an adapter, the M-mount and MFT). The resolution for all the images was 11MP. I took all photos in RAW format. Shooting mostly with wide apertures I was able to get a nice blurry background but for some landscape photos I stopped down the aperture.

• First reviewed November 2024

SwannBuddy4K: two-minute review

Founded in Melbourne in the 1980s, Australian company Swann may not be a household name. However, it does have an excellent reputation across the security industry thanks to a wide range of smart indoor and outdoor security cameras. We’ve reviewed many of them here at TechRadar, and though they they’re not always the most stylish, they tend to be some of the most reliable on the market – solidly built with intuitive software and offering decent performance (see our guide to the best home security cameras for our top recommendations).

The Swann 4K Video Doorbell appears to be no exception. Visually it’s quite similar to the Yale Smart Video Doorbell we reviewed recently. That’s to say it’s chunkier than some of the doorbells out there, but feels well made.

Setup is reasonably straightforward. Once the doorbell fully charged using the USB-C charging port, simply download the app to your smartphone. Then, using the QR code on the back of the device, you can pair the device with your Wi-Fi network (compatible only with 2.4GHz wireless networks, not 5GHz).

Alternatively, for those who don’t want to have to remove the device for charging every few weeks, and who have a bit of DIY skill, it’s possible to connect the Swann to an AC (mains) power supply using the terminals supplied. However, we didn’t test this out, preferring to use the device’s rechargeable battery instead.

One problem we faced was with the mounting bracket which the video doorbell slots into. Because it is made of metal, it’s slightly little less flexible to install on the architrave of a Victorian door - ie. the wooden mouldings of the frame – than if it’s made out of plastic. It’s also quite fiddly screwing the anti-tamper screw in at the bottom of the doorbell – useful if you want to prevent people from stealing the device from your front door!

(Image credit: Chris Price)

Certainly, when it comes to features, the SwannBuddy 4K ticks most of the boxes. Probably the most useful of all is the built in MicroSD storage. A 32GB card is provided with the doorbell as standard, but it will support up to 128GB. This means you don’t have to pay an expensive monthly subscription to store video clips as you do with other models (although a subscription plan is available if you want it).

Less useful, but much more likely to grab headlines, is SwannShield. Described somewhat prosaically as an ‘AI-driven voice assistant’ by the manufacturer, it’s really little more than a set of pre-recorded messages at present, though it’s still in beta mode.

Basically, when someone presses the video doorbell at your property, a screen appears on your phone with a series of options underneath the video image. These include ‘push to talk’ so you can talk to the person at the door and a ‘voice prompts’ option that brings up various pre-recorded voice messages.

(Image credit: Chris Price)

As soon as someone presses the doorbell, a ring can be heard from the speaker at the bottom of the video doorbell as well as the small, standalone battery-powered chime provided. Designed to be placed in the room where you are most likely to hear the doorbell, this features several melodies including one of a cuckoo clock and another of a dog barking menacingly (great for deterring intruders.)

Of course, the video doorbell is much more than a device for talking to people at the door. It can also be used as a standard security camera, recording footage as soon as the motion detection sensor is triggered. Capable of distinguishing between different types of movement (person, pet, car, package etc), it’s possible to store videos by type – particularly handy if you want to find out when a parcel was left on the doorstep. Alternatively, you can store videos in chronological order on the built-in MicroSD card.

SwannBuddy4K: subscription plans

Includes 60 days cloud recording, priority support, 36-month extended warranty, device insurance, exclusive offers. Costs £3.99 a month/£39.99 a year

SwannBuddy4K: price and availability

• How much does it cost? $199 / £169 / AU$299
• When is it available? Available since March 2024 (with SwannShield since October 2024)
• Where is it available? US / UK / Australia

When you consider everything that video doorbells offer in terms of functionality, they really aren’t that expensive. Currently available online for around £129 (but with a recommended price of £169), the SwannBuddy is a little more pricey than some of its competitors, including the Yale Smart Video Doorbell (about £99).

However, a huge advantage is that, although you can sign up to a subscription package for £3.99 a month or £39.99 a year should you wish (see details above), it’s not necessary in order to use the camera fully.

Instead, on the back of the video doorbell behind a plastic panel lies a MicroSD card slot with a 32GB card fitted for storing your recordings (the SwannBuddy supports up to 128Gb). Another benefit is that a doorbell chime is included as standard whereas sometimes these are sold separately - though it’s worth noting the battery powered chime isn’t the best.

• Value score: 4/5

SwannBuddy4K: design

• Sturdy well-built model
• Metal mounting bracket
• IP65 water resistance

Made in China, the Swannbuddy 4K is very similar in looks to other video doorbells we’ve tested. Water resistant (IP65 rating), it’s certainly quite a sturdy unit – solid in the hand and measuring around 14cm long, 5.5cm wide and nearly 3cm thick.

At the top of the device is the camera while underneath are the microphone and night detection sensor. In the middle is the doorbell button itself which lights up different colours according to its mode (for example, solid blue during charging and red when recording footage). Underneath the doorbell button is the passive infrared (PIR) sensor which detects movement and a speaker button which enables the user to hear the doorbell when pressed. Behind a rubber cover on the back of the unit lies the MicroSD card slot, set/reset buttons and the USB-C charging port. Alternatively, it can be hard wired into the AC mains.

(Image credit: Chris Price)

Swann recommends mounting around ‘chest height’ – between 1.2m and 1.6m high. Provided is a small metal mounting bracket which the doorbell slots into. However, this isn’t great if you are trying to install at a slight angle on the architrave of a door because it doesn’t provide enough flexibility. And while the double-sided sticky tape provided may be an alternative option, it’s not really ideal for a device of this size (it also removes the paintwork).

To help stop the doorbell from being stolen, an anti-tamper screw connects the bottom of the bracket to the video doorbell itself. However, we found this slightly difficult to insert when the camera was mounted on the door frame and had to move the device to a flat surface instead.

• Design score: 3.5/5

(Image credit: Chris Price) SwannBuddy4K: performance

• 4K ultra high-definition resolution
• Two-way audio
• SwannShield voice prompts

Like most Swann models we’ve reviewed, the SwannBuddy 4K doesn’t disappoint. Thanks to clear, intuitive instructions complete with voice commands, pairing the device with your home’s Wi-Fi is simple (though it only supports 2.4GHz networks). The software on the app is straightforward too with well laid out menus.

Various options are provided to help you customise the video doorbell, including a detection setting which allows you to exclude certain parts of the camera’s view from being recorded. That’s useful, especially if you live on a busy road and don’t want to record passers-by or cars going past. Adjustable sensitivity settings and recording schedules are also provided to limit unnecessary recording time.

(Image credit: Chris Price)

At first, I thought the video quality of the SwannBuddy 4K was extremely poor, until I realised the device had defaulted to low quality mode. However, in high quality 4K the image is excellent even when recording at night. Unlike traditional security cameras which tend to offer more landscape images, video doorbells are obviously much more portrait in orientation. That said, the viewing angle is still a respectable 165 degrees, more than adequate for most set-ups.

As soon as someone presses the doorbell, a push notification is sent to your smartphone telling you the front doorbell is ringing. Once you answer, it then ‘wakes up the camera’ in a matter of seconds so you can see who is at your door. Included are various options including ‘push to talk’ which enables you to speak directly to whoever’s at the door. Alternatively, the SwannShield feature allows you to play pre-recorded messages to your visitors.

(Image credit: Chris Price)

To set this up you can choose from one of three demeanours (polite, interested or disinterested) with various pre-recorded messages available, all delivered in a slightly scary Australian accent. There’s even one telling the person to leave your property as the police are on their way! And if that doesn’t do the job there’s always the siren button to scare them off. It all feels a little unwelcoming and probably not entirely suitable for most interactions.

• Performance score: 4/5

Should you buy the SwannBuddy4K? Buy it if

You want pre-recorded voice messages

This video doorbell offers several pre-recorded voice messages to play to those who come to your door.

You don’t want to pay for a monthly plan

The Swann 4K video doorbell is one of the few to feature local storage (up to 128GB).

Don't buy it if

You want to install at an angle

The device’s smallish metal bracket and fiddly anti-tamper screw are tricky to install on the architrave of a front door.

You are on a limited budget

Although it’s not expensive by any means, there are cheaper video doorbells out there to choose from

SwannBuddy4K: also consider

Ring Spotlight Cam Pro (battery)

Available in black or white, this outdoor security camera from Amazon-owned Ring boasts two 3000°K spotlights. You can also buy a mains-powered version as well as a separate solar panel.

Read our full review of Ring Spotlight Cam Pro

Yale Smart Video Doorbell and Chime

A solidly-built camera from a well-respected name in the security industry. We particularly like the fittings provided with the camera for easy installation, and the doorbell’s clear images.

Read our full review of the Yale Video Doorbell

How I tested the SwannBuddy4K

• I used the SwannBuddy 4K for three weeks
• I set it up myself using the fittings supplied by the manufacturer
• The video doorbell was installed in two places on my front door

I set up the SwannBuddy 4K in two locations on my front door. Firstly, on the door frame itself and then on the side of the porch covering an existing analogue door entry system. During testing many people came to the door, although I only used the pre-recorded voice messages with people I knew.

On one occasion a friend who came round was quite shocked by the response of the SwannShield feature when I deliberately played a message telling him (in an assertive Aussie accent) to ‘leave my property’ before sounding the siren loudly. But he later saw the funny side when I explained it was an experiment for a product test!

After two weeks on the front door, I brought the video doorbell indoors to test it as a security camera in my home office. During this time, I noted that despite being very responsive to movement and recording plenty of footage, it still had nearly 50% charge left on the battery after three weeks.

Read more about how TechRadar tests products.

Majority Naga 60 Soundbar: Two-minute review

The Majority Naga 60 is an enigma. This relatively small $64.95 soundbar offers a significant upgrade over the built-in speakers on most TVs while costing the equivalent of a dinner at a semi-cheap restaurant. I would consider it among the best soundbars for the price. It does have more than the low price going for it, however, as its sound quality is solid and benefits from basic 3D audio processing and a built-in subwoofer.

That low price tag also makes it easier to ignore that the Majority Naga 60 tends to not perform all that well when close to its max volume. It also makes it easy to live with the fact that there’s no HDMI passthrough – something I don’t expect in cheaper soundbars anyway.

Overall, the Majority Naga 60 is an impressive addition for anyone looking to upgrade their TV sound without going the full home theater system route. It’s never going to measure up to something like the LG S95TR soundbar, for instance, but it’s not supposed to. If your bedroom TV sound is a bit dull and you want to bring some life to your next viewing of NCIS, or want something a little better for the TV in your one-bedroom apartment, you’ll find its low, around-$60 price more than worth it.

On the surface, the Majority Naga 60 looks like a normal soundbar. It’s got an all-black colorway with a metal grille covering the front half and top of the body. At first glance, there’s nothing remarkable about its design outside of the outward-pointing tweeters on either end.

Those tweeters provide the soundbar’s limited 3D audio effect. Two 2.25-inch drivers provide the majority of the sound and there are also two upward-facing 2.5-inch drivers and an internal 2.5-inch subwoofer.

Regarding ports, there’s not a whole lot going on. There’s no HDMI passthrough, but at least there’s HDMI ARC and optical digital for connection to a TV, plus a 3.5mm aux input, USB-A, and a subwoofer output. Bluetooth wireless connectivity is also on hand.

For controls, there are four buttons on top for power, input, and volume up and down. The remote is much more involved, as it also can toggle 3D audio on and off, as well as select between four different EQ modes. You can boost or cut the bass and treble, and there are also some play, forward, and rewind controls that work to control playback of a TV or other device over the HDMI ARC connection.

Lastly, before we move on to how the Majority Naga 60 sounds, I do want to mention there’s a very basic LED indicator visible through the metal grill to show changes to volume, input, and other settings.

The Majority Naga 60 comes with a full package of accessories including an HDMI cable and wall-mount hardware (Image credit: Future)

While all of that is important, what’s even more important in a soundbar is its sound quality. I should first mention that there is plenty of volume on tap on the Naga 60, which is rated at 120 watts. Second, it does sound good for the most part, but the audio gets distorted and blown out when close to maximum volume. You’re not going to get a full home theater experience here, especially if you’re boosting the bass.

Otherwise, the Naga 60’s sound is a noticeable step up from most TV speakers. It’s not audiophile quality, but the highs are fairly defined and clear, and the mid-range has plenty of body to it. Bass is somewhat limited since there’s such a small driver acting as a subwoofer. The specified frequency range is 30 - 20kHz, so you do get some bass, but it’s not very deep.

When testing, I was quite impressed when listening to music. I didn’t get any rumble with hip hop or EDM, but there was still plenty of punch. Just about all genres seemed to fare well. You’ll only be disappointed if you want big bass or audiophile quality – remember, this is a $60 soundbar, so keep those expectations in line.

With TV and movies, dialogue was front and center and plenty clear, and soundtrack effects were just as present. However, since this is an all-in-one 2.1-channel soundbar, the audio can get a bit cluttered and lose some definition when there’s a lot of action. For example, scenes in The Beekeeper and My Spy The Eternal City tended to overwhelm the soundbar (and don’t shame me for not pulling up Blood Simple).

Since the Naga 60 is compact, its soundstage isn’t all that wide – another probable factor in the cramped audio during busy scenes in action movies. Of course, this is where its 3D sound comes in. There’s only 3D sound on and off, not to mention that it’s the most basic spatial audio (there’s no Dolby Atmos processing or anything like that), but it does add a bit of depth to the proceedings. So, it’s a setting I happily leave on most of the time.

The Naga 60's top surface control buttons (Image credit: Future) Majority Naga 60 Soundbar review: Price & release date

• Price $64.95
• Date first available: December 2023

While Majority Audio also sells soundbars in the UK, the Naga 60 is currently only available in the US. It is ridiculously cheap, coming in at $64.95, but frequently on sale for as low as $49.95. Of course, it’s not perfect as I’ve discussed above, but it’s a competent soundbar, especially for a smaller TV and viewing space.

One of my go-to recommendations for cheap soundbars has been the Roku Streambar, which retails for $130. It’s even smaller than the Naga 60 and comes with the Roku interface built-in, making it a great value even when it’s still double the price of the Majority Naga 60.

Cheap soundbars are typically more flawed than the Majority Naga 60. The Saiyin DS6305 goes for $59.99 in the US with a subwoofer, which is certainly cheaper, especially taking the inclusion of the subwoofer into account. Yet, its build quality leaves a lot more to be desired, and doesn’t have 3D audio processing.

Ports include HDMI ARC, optical digital and 3.5 analog audio inputs and a subwoofer output (Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Majority Naga 60 Soundbar? Buy it if...

You’re on a budget: It’s tough to get this kind of sound quality in this price range. If you’re on a very limited budget, this is probably your best bet.

You want a good amount of volume: It doesn’t compare to expensive soundbars, but make no mistake, it sounds good with plenty of volume on tap.

Don't buy it if...

You want HDMI passthrough: Yes, the Majority Naga 60 does have HDMI ARC, but there’s no HDMI passthrough here – a small but unfortunate omission.

You want an immersive soundstage: While the 3D audio does make things sound more expansive, you’re just not going to get a wide soundstage with a soundbar of this size.

Majority Naga 60 Soundbar: Also consider

Roku Streambar
The Roku Streambar has surprisingly loud and clear sound for such a small soundbar. Add in its built-in Roku interface and Bluetooth connectivity, along with a very reasonable price, and it’s a great option for smaller setups. Just don’t expect any kind of spatial audio or strong bass.

Read our full Roku Streambar review

Saiyin DS6305
The main thing the Saiyin DS6305 has going for it is an incredible price. It also has a good amount of power. It also offers some rumble – something most cheap soundbars don’t have – thanks to the inclusion of a subwoofer. The build quality does leave something to be desired, not to mention there’s no HDMI connectivity.

Read our full Saiyin DS6305 review

(Image credit: Future) How I tested the Majority Naga 60 Soundbar

• Listened with it for one week
• Tested with TV, movies, and music

I listened with the Majority Naga 60 Soundbar regularly for a week. I used it with TV and movies, along with plenty of music. I tested it with and without its 3D audio feature to see how much it affected the sound.

After spending some time with it, it’s clear that the Majority Naga 60 is ideal for those on a budget with a smaller setup as it sounds surprisingly good for the price. The sound quality and soundstage, however, won’t quite fit the needs of those looking for a fuller home theater audio experience.

I’ve tested a lot of tech gear over the years from laptops to keyboards and speakers, and so have been able to use my expertise towards giving an honest and fair opinion, not to mention a critical eye, to any product I test.

First reviewed November 2024

Read more about how we test

Thrustmaster Heart: one-minute review

The Thrustmaster Heart is being positioned by the Oregon-based hardware specialist as an entry-level, performance-focused controller for Xbox consoles and PC. But ‘entry-level’ is more of a half-truth. It’s certainly very simple and straightforward but comes in at a rather lofty price tag that betrays that description somewhat.

That’s not to say the Thrustmaster Heart isn’t necessarily a controller you should avoid; there’s really a lot to like about it. From its comfortable Hall effect thumbsticks and tactile buttons to that lovely juxtaposed aesthetic dividing black and white colors with a strip of LED lighting, it could be one of the best PC controllers or best Xbox controllers for you if you’re looking for a simple gamepad that’s a cut above the standard Xbox Wireless Controller.

On the other hand, the Thrustmaster Heart doesn’t do a whole lot to justify its price. Cheaper controllers from competing brands like GameSir and Turtle Beach have the Heart beaten on features, and the complete lack of a wireless connectivity option is genuinely quite baffling at this price point - as it is with the brand’s even more expensive eSwap range.

That being said, the things the Heart does well, it does very well. It’s an impressively responsive controller that (aside from the disappointingly spongy feel of the triggers) provides rapid actuation. The face buttons and mechanical d-pad both feel fantastic, and the Hall effect sticks are exceptionally well-designed and comfortable to rest your thumbs on.

All in all, the Thrustmaster Heart is a very solid controller, but not an absolute must when other products are offering more at significantly lower prices.

(Image credit: Future) Thrustmaster Heart: price and availability

• Retails at $99.99 / £89.99
• Available from October 2024
• Fairly pricey given its relative lack of features

The Thrustmaster Heart is available to buy now for $99.99 / £89.99. It’s purchasable at Thrustmaster’s own website, as well as Best Buy, Amazon US, and Amazon UK. It appears that it currently is not available for purchase in Australia, though.

On the overall price spectrum, the Thrustmaster Heart finds itself in a pretty awkward spot. It’s not a premium product, but certainly not budget-friendly by any means. And when you consider that other PC controllers like the GameSir Tarantula Pro are doing more for less at $69.99 / £69.99, the Thrustmaster Heart becomes a tough sell.

That said, if Thrustmaster is a go-to brand for you, then the Heart is one of its cheaper options available. Especially when you factor in the likes of the Thrustmaster eSwap X2 and its $169.99 / £169.99 sticker price. The eSwap controllers also don’t ship with Hall effect controls; you’ll need to buy a separate module for that. In that regard, the Thrustmaster Heart provides decent value over its premium siblings.

Thrustmaster Heart: specs

(Image credit: Future) Thrustmaster Heart: design and features

• Incredibly pleasing in the aesthetics department
• Convenient on-board multifunction options
• ThrustmapperX software is simple, convenient, and available on console and PC

On the design front, the Thrustmaster Heart really impresses. I’m a huge fan of the divided black-and-white look, separated down the middle by a strip of LED lighting. That strip tapers off to the left about halfway up, giving the controller’s aesthetic a stylish uneven split.

I don’t particularly care for the Thrustmaster and ‘H.E.A.R.T.’ (which stands for Hall Effect AccuRate Technology) logos plastered onto either side of the controller, but they don’t overpower the overall design here. The controller is then accentuated with some lovely textured grips that offer a comfortable fit in your hands. That said, the Heart is an extremely light controller, which lends it a hollow feel.

Otherwise, you’re getting a fairly standard Xbox Wireless Controller-esque layout with some key differences. Flanking the Menu and Share buttons are two unique buttons. One of these is a multifunction button used to switch profiles and adjust LED color and brightness. The other is a mapping button used to assign the two rear remappable buttons. The bottom of the controller has a 3.5mm headphone jack and a mic mute button which is a welcome addition.

The Thrustmaster Heart lacks any on-board trigger lock settings. However, trigger travel time as well as stick sensitivity can be adjusted in the ThrustmapperX software which can be downloaded for free on PC and Xbox consoles. You can also set individual profiles here which you can swap between with that aforementioned profile button.

(Image credit: Future) Thrustmaster Heart: performance

• Overall pin-sharp responsiveness
• D-pad, face buttons, and sticks all feel fantastic
• Triggers are a letdown with a bit of a spongy feel

While I’ve had some issues with the Thrustmaster Heart’s feature set and price point, few such frustrations exist with its overall performance. Thrustmaster has nailed what it sets out to do here, offering a sublime play experience with some of the best feeling Hall effect thumbsticks in the business. The amount of concavity on each stick feels just right, and there’s not even a pinch of stiffness to be found. If you’re looking for a controller with immensely precise stick movement, then the Thrustmaster Heart is it.

That same high level of quality applies to the mechanical buttons and satisfyingly tactile d-pad. The latter is quite simple in its design, but extremely effective thanks to its clicky and speedy feedback. The buttons and bumpers are similar here, with lightning-quick travel time that again will be a boon to players after utmost precision.

It’s a slight shame that the triggers are the weakest aspect of the performance package. They’re fully analog which isn’t a problem in and of itself. It’s more in how they feel - in this case, they’re a touch on the loose side, lacking that feeling of precision shared by other elements of the play experience. I think the lack of trigger locks (especially at this price) compounds this issue; it would’ve been great to have them for the option to switch to instant, digital trigger input which also would offset that overly spongy feel.

It’s also a shame that there’s no option for wireless connectivity with the Thrustmaster Heart. Like the Thrustmaster eSwap X2 - an otherwise excellent controller - the Heart is strictly wired via USB Type-C connectivity. Obviously, this is in line with the objective of peak responsiveness, but when even cheap pads like the 8BitDo Ultimate C Bluetooth controller are offering wireless connectivity for less, I don’t see any real reason why Thrustmaster can’t either.

(Image credit: Future) Should you buy the Thrustmaster Heart controller? Buy it if...

You’re a multiplayer gamer after peak performance
It’s a joy to play online with the Thrustmaster Heart thanks to its high responsiveness and lightning-fast actuation. Titles like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and PUBG Battlegrounds really shine with the Heart because of this.View Deal

You enjoy tactile button feedback
The Thrustmaster Heart’s d-pad and buttons simply feel excellent to press due to their mechanical nature, offering satisfyingly clicky and responsive feedback that’s seriously tough to beat.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You’re on a budget
The Thrustmaster Heart is very expensive for what you’re getting. It provides a great play experience, but its lack of features and no wireless connectivity hurt its value proposition.View Deal

You like controllers with lots of extra features
If you enjoy features like trigger locks, multiple remappable buttons, and so on, then you’ll want to look elsewhere. Even cheaper gamepads like the GameSir Tarantula Pro seriously excel in this regard. The Heart also lacks the modular design of the eSwap range, so I’d consider that one if you’re after something more customizable.View Deal

Also consider...

If the Thrustmaster Heart isn’t quite what you’re looking for, you should also consider these other two excellent controller options.

GameSir Tarantula Pro
With a symmetrical thumbstick layout, Hall effect, tons of remappable buttons, great build quality, and a nifty button layout-switch feature, the Tarantula Pro is the full PC controller package. And it’s cheaper than the Thrustmaster Heart.

Read our full GameSir Tarantula Pro reviewView Deal

Thrustmaster eSwap X2
Thrustmaster’s premium modular controller is absolutely fantastic, and superbly accessible thanks to its swappable module layout. It is pricey, but a brilliant option for those who like to tinker with their overall controller layout in an accessible manner while retaining premium features.

Read our full Thrustmaster eSwap X2 reviewView Deal

(Image credit: Future) How I tested the Thrustmaster Heart

• Tested for one week
• Platforms tested: Xbox Series X, PC
• Played a mixture of single-player and multiplayer titles

I tested the Thrustmaster Heart controller over the course of a week across Xbox Series X and PC. On console, I played a wide variety of multiplayer games including Fortnite and PUBG Battlegrounds, finding that the controller’s pinpoint responsiveness is a perfect fit for intense multiplayer environments. Over on PC, I extensively played games like Final Fantasy 14 Online, Slitterhead, and Ys Origin to get a feel for the controller’s sublime Hall effect sticks.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed November 2024

Keychron Q6 Max: Two-minute review

(Image credit: Future)

The Keychron Q6 Max is a premium mechanical keyboard that doesn’t come cheap. But nor should it, considering how many high-quality features Keychron has managed to cram into it. You’ll pay a pretty penny, but this is a board that will give you years of typing satisfaction.

From the rock-solid aluminum construction and ear-pleasing acoustics to the superb typing feel and hot-swappable switches, this is a keyboard made for those who want the best. Its large size isn’t for everyone, but chances are you’ll love it.

While there are a few drawbacks – aside from the price, its software quirks and phenomenal weight are worth considering – they’re not enough to do any serious damage to our final assessment. This is one of the best mechanical keyboards you can buy right now.

Keychron Q6 Max: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $219 / £193 / $349 AUD
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available globally

The Keychron Q6 Max costs $219 (£193 or $349 AUD). It’s undoubtedly expensive, but this is an unashamedly premium board. You can buy it from Keychron’s website, Amazon, and other third-party retailers.

Keychron Q6 Max: Design

(Image credit: Future)

Let’s get straight into the first thing you’ll notice about the Keychron Q6 Max upon unboxing it: this thing is built like an absolute tank. Its chassis is made from heavy, dense aluminum, weighing in at 4.85lbs (2.2kg) on my scales. It’s far too heavy to sling around in a backpack, and I’m honestly not sure if it would be more accurate to characterize it as a keyboard or an offensive weapon. All that weight isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though, as it feels incredibly well made and is a far cry from the cheap plastic builds of more affordable keyboards.

Its quality is felt in other ways. The keycaps are made of double-shot PBT plastic, which gives them a subtle texture and means that the legends will never rub off. They come in an absolutely gorgeous off-white and navy blue “Carbon Black” design with teal highlights on the Esc and Enter keys (there’s a creamy gray alternative color scheme, but I only have eyes for Carbon Black). It looks even better with the south-facing RGB enabled, which comes with 22 different lighting styles.

This is a full-size keyboard, which means there’s a numpad and four macro keys on the right-hand side. This is ideal if you work with data or just like having the numbers close to your mouse hand, but it can get in the way, especially during gaming.

(Image credit: Future)

Nestled at the end of the function key row is a control knob. By default, turning it adjusts your computer’s volume and pressing it in mutes or unmutes your sound. Its function can be adjusted using Keychron’s Launcher web app, which I’ll come back to in the Performance section.

Around the back are two switches: one to flip between Bluetooth, wired or 2.4GHz connectivity, and another to change from Windows to macOS keyboard layouts (there are also Windows and macOS-specific keycaps in the box). These switches are quite stiff, and the former is particularly problematic because it’s very difficult to find the middle (wired) position. They would also be easier to access if they were on the side of the keyboard, as is the case with some of Keychron’s other products.

There aren’t many other things to criticize about the design, but a wrist rest would be a welcome addition (you can purchase a Keychron wrist rest separately, but none come included with the Q6 Max). You also can’t adjust the height of the board, and I had to wedge a thin book underneath to get it to the height I’m used to. With its current weight, perhaps it’s no surprise that the Q6 Max lacks height-adjustable feet or stands.

Keychron Q6 Max: Performance Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Future)

One of the most important aspects of any keyboard is the way it feels to type on, and the Q6 Max is excellent in this regard. My review unit shipped with Gateron Jupiter Brown switches, which provide a tactile bump without being loud and clicky. They feel brilliant to type on all day long. I also didn’t find any issues with key ghosting in my testing.

As for gaming, the Q6 Max performs pretty well here too. The Jupiter Brown switches are fast enough in FPS games for all but the most hardcore of pro gamers, while remaining comfortable during long sessions. The main issue, though, is the numpad, which can get in the way of your mouse from time to time.

The Q6 Max has hot-swappable switches that can be quickly and easily replaced thanks to the included keycap/switch puller. My review unit came with a set of tactile Gateron Jupiter Banana switches as well as the Browns, and they feel firmer to the touch and require a little more force to press. They also produce a very slightly deeper, more “thocky” sound. Keychron says the Q6 Max will work with almost any 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches on the market, giving you a great deal of flexibility and customization.

(Image credit: Future)

Aside from feel, how does the keyboard perform acoustically? Well, the good news is that the Q6 Max sounds fantastic in use. Keychron has built in a double-gasket mount and stuffed the board with acoustic foam, and the result is a soft, clacky acoustic profile that is satisfying to the ear without driving your coworkers mad.

Keychron has a Launcher web app that taps into the board’s QMK compatibility and is used to adjust backlighting, create macros, change key bindings, and more. It requires the keyboard to be in wired mode and only works in Chromium based browsers like Chrome and Edge, which is less than ideal. You can also use the VIA web app to perform many of the same tasks. While these web apps are powerful and straightforward, they feel like a half-baked solution compared to a dedicated desktop app.

For instance, these web apps can’t display the keyboard’s battery life, so you have to look elsewhere for that. You’ll find it on the system Bluetooth settings page in Windows and macOS, or by pressing Fn+B, which lights up the numbers one to zero to indicate battery level (each key represents 10%). Having to open a different app to find out your battery status feels sub-optimal, although the keyboard shortcut is a neat trick.

Should you buy the Keychron Q6 Max? Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Future) Buy the Keychron Q6 Max if…

Quality is all-important to you

Everything from the keycaps to the internal structure screams premium quality, and you’re rewarded with a brilliant all-round package.View Deal

You’re a fan of customizable keyboards

With QMK/VIA compatibility and hot-swappable switches, there’s a lot of room to make this device your own.View Deal

You appreciate keyboard acoustics

Keychron has worked hard to ensure that using this keyboard doesn’t just feel great – it sounds excellent too.View Deal

Don’t buy it if…

You travel a lot

This keyboard is big, heavy, and simply isn’t built for travel.View Deal

You need height adjustment

With no height-adjustable feet or stands, you’ll be relying on DIY solutions to raise the keyboard’s typing angle.View Deal

You frequently switch connectivity methods and operating systems

The switches on the back of the Keychron Q6 Max are very stiff and a little awkward to reach.View Deal

Keychron Q6 Max: Also consider

Razer Pro Type Ultra

Razer is best known for its gaming peripherals, but this keyboard is aimed squarely at typists. There’s a lot to love about it, from its responsive switches to its long-lived battery. It offers plenty of value for the price, too.
Read our full Razer Pro Type Ultra reviewView Deal

Das Keyboard 6 Professional

With a supreme typing experience and premium touches everywhere you look, this board is tailor made for professional users. It’s wired only, but that just means you don’t have to worry about the backlighting draining your battery.
Read our full Das Keyboard 6 Professional reviewView Deal

How I tested the Keychron Q6 Max

I spent a week with the Q6 Max, using it as my daily driver for everything from writing articles to playing games. I changed out its switches to see how easy the process was, and tested Keychron’s web app and QMK/VIA functionality.

First reviewed November 2024

Roomba Combo Essential: two-minute review

The Roomba Combo Essential is a basic, budget robot vacuum that's designed to be effective, yet simple to use. iRobot bills it as a good choice for recent graduates, new homeowners, or anyone unfamiliar with the world of robot cleaners, while also being a worthy replacement for the Roomba 600 Series – an ultra-popular budget range that launched in 2012 and which is no longer available to buy. I put it the Combo Essential to the test, and while I've found that it can't begin to compete with the very best robot vacuums on the market, it compares pretty well to today's best cheap robovacs.

It arrives with a list price of just $274.99 / £269 / AU$499, but the current Black Friday deals mean it can be picked up for much less. Regardless, even for its listed price, the Roomba Combo feels well made and good quality, and for cleaning performance it's solid, too. The bot tackled light vacuum cleaning without issue, and when bumped up to Max suction mode it cleared both small and large debris tests pretty effectively. Even more impressive was the mopping facility – which proved more efficient than other, far pricier robovacs I've tested.

When it comes to customization options, you're limited: essentially, you can pick from three suction levels and three water levels; choose either a vacuum-only or combination vac-mop run; and opt for either a spot clean or a whole-home clean. More advanced alternatives will let you clean a room or area, and auto-adjust suction when moving from hard floor to carpet, for example. The lack of No-Go Zone option means you'll also need to manually block off any soft flooring areas when running a combination vac-mop run, or you better believe it will attempt to mop those carpets for you.

Mapping, too, is basic – I'd politely describe the general behavior as "erratic". You're also limited in what you can achieve remotely. You can pause or resume cleaning; but the app doesn't offer a return to dock option, for example, in the even the bot ends up doing something that it shouldn't during a cleaning run – and based on my experience, this could happen. This does mean that it's probably best to avoid setting the Roomba Combo off on a clean unsupervised, which is a little annoying since most folk are likely to prefer to have their robovac complete duties while they're out of the house, for minimal disruption.

Note, too, that there's no option to add an auto-empty dock, which will result in an irritating amount of manual emptying if you have pets or a large, high-traffic household. However, for small homes, emptying is perfectly manageable and the tiny, charge-only dock is actually a benefit. (Note: the newer, similar Roomba Combo 2 Essential does have an auto-empty dock).

Despite having had a somewhat frustrating time testing this spirited little robovac, I'd still actually recommend it to some people. If you have a small home and just want to do whole-home cleans once or twice a week, the Roomba Combo will perform just fine. The small dock won't get in your way, and if you're happy to manually empty it every couple of weeks, then it could be a major time- and effort-saver for very little outlay. That's the short version; read on for my full Roomba Combo Essential review.

(Image credit: Future) Roomba Combo Essential review: price & availability

• List price: $274.99 / £269 / AU$499
• Launch date: April 2024
• Available: US / UK

The Roomba Combo Essential robot is widely available around the world. It comes with a list price of $274.99 in the US, £269 in the UK and AU$499 in Australia, but I've already seen it discounted heavily – at time of writing, the Black Friday robot vacuum sales are in full swing, bringing the price down closer to $150 / £150.

Even at the list price it's in the budget bracket, and performance is roughly what I'd expect at that price. You don't get the extensive features and hands-off dock functionality of pricier bots, but build quality is good, and there are some thoughtful design features. As a basic model it offers decent value for money, especially if you can snag a discount.

• Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Roomba Combo Essential specs Roomba Combo Essential review: design

• Combination vacuum and mop with a low-profile design
• Basic charge dock; no self-empty features
• Single bristle roller rather than iRobot's usual dual rubber rollers

The Combo Essential is a combination model, which it offers vacuuming and mopping capabilities. Many (pricier) robovacs have a raised central puck to house a camera; because the Combo Essential comes without, it has a relatively shallow profile, enabling it to clean under low furniture without issue.

There are three physical buttons on the bot itself: a Clean button (with power icon) to start, pause and resume cleaning tasks; a Home button to send the Roomba Combo back to its dock; and a Spot Clean button for tackling small, targeted mess. On other robovacs I've tested, these have been superfluous; but on the Roomba Combo Essential, I did find myself having to use them fairly regularly (more on that in the Performance section).

Flip the bot over, and you'll find a V-shaped bristle brush. It's described as "multi-surface", so presumably built for use on both hard floors and carpet. This is the only Roomba to not feature iRobot's patented dual rubber rollers. These rubbery rollers are excellent at pulling hair and debris from carpets, so I was interested to see how this alternative design compared. There's the usual triple-pronged edge brush, designed for tackling dirt at the edges of rooms.

This is the only Roomba to have a single bristle brushroll rather than two rubbery ones (Image credit: Future)

Annoyingly, iRobot refuses to release its suction stats, arguing that other design elements also play a part in the overall effectiveness of a robovac's dirt pick-up. While that is true, a figure in Pa does provide an easy point of comparison when sussing out your various options.

What I do know the Roomba Combo offers the same "standard" cleaning offered by the majority of other Roombas (bar those right at the top of the range), and that it has 18x more suction power than the Roomba 600, which perhaps isn't surprising given that series launched in 2012. You can select from three different suction levels in the app.

This section houses the filter, dust bin and water tank, plus a handy cleaning brush and hair-cutting tool (Image credit: Future)

Housed at the back of the robot is a removable section that includes both the dust cup with filter and the water reservoir. This is very well designed, with a brush/slicer tool clipped in, for clearing any stuck debris from the bin, and removing tangled hair from the brushroll. The inlet for the water reservoir is found beneath the rubber stopper bearing a water droplet icon.

The D-shaped mop pad clips on and off (Image credit: Future)

The mop is a D-shaped microfiber pad. These are pretty common (even on far pricier models), although I tend to find dual, spinning mop pads do a better job of scrubbing. Some budget models simply drag a wet wipe across the floor, so the Roomba Combo's offering is at least a big step up from that approach. In fact, I was pretty impressed with this model's mopping capabilities, but I'll get into that in more detail below.

The mop pad is fed from the small onboard water tank, and there are three water level options, which you set manually. This robot can vacuum and mop simultaneously, thus taking care of your hard floor cleaning in a single pass, although I probably wouldn't recommend doing this.

Some more affordable Roombas, such as the Combo j5, require you to manually swap over the whole back plate when you want to change from vacuuming to mopping. Here, the tank stays in place; but if you want to send the bot on a vacuum-only run (or avoid damp carpets), you'll need to remove the mop pad. It clips on easily, on top of where the bin and water tank sit.

The dock is very compact (Image credit: Future)

The dock is a minimalist unit that simply charges the bot. In fact, it's teeny-tiny compared to other robovacs I've come across. Most pricier Roombas have the option of adding a more advanced base (sold as "Plus / +" versions) – the simplest of these just empties the bot's small dust cup into a larger one in the dock, while the most advanced options can also refill the water tank and wash/dry the mop pads.

There are no alternative dock options here, so you'll have to take care of all that maintenance manually. For people like me who have a small home, that's a worthwhile compromise not to have a bulky dock cluttering up the space. However, if you have a large home with lots of people traffic, or pets, it's probably worth choosing an option that can be used with a self-empty dock, to save you the hassle of constant manual emptying.

One minor complaint is that I found the cable a little short (41in / 105cm long). That, together with the requirement that the dock sit on a hard floor and have half a meter of clear space either side and 1.2 meters in front (this is pretty normal for a robovac dock) meant I had to get an extension lead out. There is a cable tidy at the back of the dock to prevent the bot becoming tangled in any spare cable on its travels.

The Combo Essential came with clear setup instructions (Image credit: Future)

Setup was straightforward, simply involving removal from the packaging, snapping on the side brush and mop pad, plugging in the dock and charging. There are clear instructions in a booklet, plus a QR code to download the app, and a further one to link the bot to your app. This app then walks you through the final stages of getting ready to clean, before (in my case) launching a software update.

Since the Combo Essential works on a 2.4GHz network, the official advice is that you'll need to make sure both the bot and your phone are also on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi during setup. After that, you can switch back to 5GHz, if you have it. However, I thought I'd try setting up my bot without changing the settings on my Wi-Fi and it managed just fine.

This is a more basic model, so don't expect a long list of smart features. It's powered by iRobot OS, promises up to two hours of cleaning on a single charge. It can be controlled via the iRobot Home app or with your voice, provided you have an Alexa-, Siri-, or Google Assistant-enabled device.

• Design score: 4 out of 5

Roomba Combo Essential review: performance

• Decent vacuuming, surprisingly good mopping
• Erratic behavior
• Requires more manual involvement than most

Having set up and charged the Roomba Combo Essential, I set it off on a whole-home vacuum of my one-bedroom flat. This did not go very smoothly. On the first run, the bot bumped its way around a bit before finally becoming stuck in a cycle cleaning back and forth in front of my fireplace (there were zero obstacles preventing it from leaving the area).

After around 25 minutes or so completing this same short route, I decided to send it back to dock to try again. There was no option to send it back to the dock via the app, so I had to press the button on the machine itself. On its way to the dock, it took a detour into my bathroom for the first time, and simply stopped there – again, for no apparent reason. A second attempt at a full-flat clean yielded slightly better results, but still far from perfect.

The bot's first (center) and second (right) attempts at mapping my apartment (Image credit: iRobot / Future)

After the initial mapping process was as complete as I could hope for, I started with our standard vacuuming tests: a sprinkling of oats and (separately) blitzed up biscuit crumbs, sprinkled on the floor, to see how the robotic would cope with fine and chunky debris.

I started on carpet, using the Spot Clean function and the medium vacuuming setting. The Roomba Combo Essential flicked around a fair bit of debris, but sucked up most of the spillage on the first go. I then bumped up the settings to maximum suction, and ran the test again, after which there were only a few remnants remaining.

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Before embarking on the vacuuming test on carpet (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 4

During the first pass (Image credit: Future)Image 3 of 4

Results after the first pass, on medium suction (Image credit: Future)Image 4 of 4

After a second spot clean pass, in maximum suction mode (note the spiral pattern in the carpet) (Image credit: Future)

On hard floors the bot's performance was a little better. Still a fair bit of flicking mess around, but medium mode was enough to pull up most of the debris on the first pass.

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Before the suction test on hard floor (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

After a single pass on hard floor, medium suction mode (Image credit: Future)

In fact, the issue on hard floor wasn't so much with suction but navigation. On carpet, the Roomba Combo made its way out from where I had placed it in a neat outward spiral shape, thus gathering most of the debris on its travels. However, on my lino floor, for seemingly no reason, it decided to adopt an arc-based route. As a result, it was tricky to get it to even pass over the debris.

Since there's no auto-empty, you'll need to manually empty the onboard dustbin. This mechanism is straightforward, and feels well designed, with chunky clips to detach the bin. If you're cleaning a relatively small home (and don't have pets), this isn't too much hassle.

When you want to mop, you'll need to attach the mop plate onto the bot. This is simply a case of clicking it into place. iRobot suggests dampening the mop pad before attaching it, for best mopping results. You'll also need to fill up the onboard water tank before you launch any "combo" job. If you try to launch a vacuum-only task, it will helpfully inform you that the mop pad is attached.

iRobot suggests removing rugs before launching a combo run, and you'll also need to physically block off any areas where you don't want the bot to venture with its mop. I don't have a door between my (lino) kitchen and (carpeted) lounge, so I had to create a physical barrier before each combo run.

(Image credit: Future)

I had low expectations for the Roomba Combo Essential's mopping skills, but I was pleasantly surprised. Again, navigation was erratic, but I could see from the damp stripes on my floor that it was doing an efficient job – in fact, better than some far pricier robot vacuums I've tested.

My only real complaint was that it really tried hard to escape into my carpeted lounge – if you don't have doors you can close, you'll need to be prepared to put some sturdy barriers in place.

I also tested to see how well the Roomba Combo Essential coped with sticky mess (tomato ketchup) and liquid mess (apple juice). It sucked up the juice with no issues, and smeared the ketchup about a bit; but ultimately, after a couple of passes, the robot vacuum had cleared it.

Having said that, I wouldn't actually recommend using a robovac on spillages such as ketchup, because the condiment will get on the wheels and track around the house. Here, it ended up on the tracker wheel, which isn't removable and thus proved a pain to clean.

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Spillages before the test (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 3

During the mopping test (Image credit: Future)Image 3 of 3

After a single pass (Image credit: Future)

This robovac vacuums and mops at the same time, but I'd actually recommend running over surfaces in vacuum-only mode first. I did my combo run while there were still remnants of the vacuuming test on the floor, and it ended up in a disgusting gunk in the dust bin.

In general, it's worth stating that no robot vacuum will do as good a job of mopping as a manual mop option. They're really just for light cleaning, and for this, I found the Roomba Combo Essential more than adequate.

After each combo run, you're advised to empty the water tank of any unused water, while also rinsing the mop pad and leaving it to dry. Since there's no spare pad included, you'll need to make sure you have time to do this (spares are available to buy via iRobot, alongside other replacement parts). It's machine-washable for occasional deeper cleaning.

• Performance score: 3.5 out of 5

Roomba Combo Essential review: app

• Well designed, but limited options
• Can't do some basic things remotely
• Compatible with popular voice assistants

iRobot's companion app is well designed and intuitive. It offers only basic customization / control options: essentially, you can choose from three vacuum and three mopping modes, and you can choose to vacuum-only or combo vac-and-mop. Pricier models offer far more control over what they clean and how they do it.

After a task is complete, the app will provide a time summary of recently completed tasks and an outline of its journey. You'll need to figure out where the bot has and hasn't been from just a shape – there's no labelling of rooms here. That's expected at this price point, but I do struggle to understand why iRobot has opted an almost impossible to see yellow/green color for said maps.

(Image credit: iRobot / Future)

There are limits to what you can achieve remotely. You can start and pause cleaning, but there's no return to dock button. As such, if you need to cut a job short for whatever reason, you'll need to find the bot and press the button on top. For spot cleans, you'll need to manually pick up the bot and take it to the bit that needs cleaning, then press the Spot Clean button.

You can't instruct the bot to clean just one room, and because no-go zones aren't an option, if you want to stop it from going somewhere, you'll need to physically restrain in (using doors).

(Image credit: iRobot / Future)

There is a Clean While I’m Away automation option, where the bot will automatically start cleaning when you leave the house – although, personally, I wouldn't leave this bot to clean unsupervised. Finally, the app offers suggested schedules based on previous jobs.

• App score: 3 out of 5

Roomba Combo Essential review: alternatives

Within the "cheap Roomba" remit, there are a few options. If you want to see what you could get if you shelled out a little more, my Roomba range guide should help.

Roomba Vac Essential

In some countries, including North America, there's a vacuum-only model called the Roomba Vac Essential. This is very similar to the Combo Essential, but without any of the mopping capabilities. However, it isn't available direct from iRobot and can be hard to find elsewhere now, too.

Combo 2 Essential

In October 2024, iRobot added the Roomba Combo 2 Essential robot + AutoEmpty dock. The big difference compared to the original Essential is that it has an auto-empty dock, which will be a big benefit for those dealing with high levels of dirt or hair. It also apparently has "2x the cleaning power of the original Essential series". No specifics are given on this, but note that it's not "twice the suction power", so I'm thinking probably design tweaks. It also has an improved bumper design, and the ability to recharge and resume during cleaning missions. In short, a better choice for bigger homes and higher dirt levels.

Should you buy the iRobot Roomba Combo Essential? Buy it if...

You have a small home
This vacuum has a dinky dock that won't clutter up your space. And if you're dealing with relatively low amounts of dust, it isn't much hassle to manually empty the bin.

You're on a budget
This model is very wallet-friendly, and even more so if you can snag a deal. It delivers decent value for money, too.

You want mopping capabilities
The mop here is surprisingly good for the price. The caveat is that you'll need to be able to close off the areas you don't want mopping, because you can't set no-mop zones.

Don't buy it if...

You want a hands-off option
Basic navigation and limited in-app control mean you'll need to manually intervene to the point it probably isn't a good idea to leave this bot to clean unsupervised. Not to mention you'll need to take care of all maintenance yourself, including adding and removing the mop pad when swapping from vacuuming to vac-mopping.

You have pets or a large home
The small onboard bin and absence of self-empty dock option mean this isn't a good choice for anyone dealing with lots of dust or debris. If that's you, the Combo 2 Essential will be a better choice, as that one has a self-empty dock.

You want full control over your clean

This model is best suited to basic, whole-home cleans. For precise control – for example, the ability to send the bot to clean a specific room – you'll need to shell out a little more for a more advanced model.View Deal

How I tested the Romba Combo Essential

• I used it for a week as my regular vacuum
• I ran specific vacuuming and mopping tests
• I tested the app and any special features

For this Roomba Combo Essential review, I used this model as my main vacuum for a week. I ran the standard TechRadar suction and mopping tests, seeing how well it coped with fine debris (cookie crumbs), larger debris (oats), wet spillages (juice) and sticky spillages (dried tomato ketchup). I also noted how well it coped with my collarbone-length hair on its travels. I tested the spot clean function, mapping, and general usability.

Read more about how we test robot vacuum cleaners.

First reviewed November 2024

Oppo Find X8 Pro: Two-minute review

The Oppo Find X8 Pro is built on truly excellent hardware. It sports a sleek premium design, a luxurious 6.78-inch display, and the best mobile camera system I’ve ever used. Its snappy performance and innovative UI animations also make it one of the smoothest-feeling phones on the market, and this combination of great hardware and slick software is reflected in the Find X8 Pro's high (but arguably competitive) retail price.

However, the Find X8 Pro has clearly taken one or two (or ten) design cues from the iPhone 16 Pro, and at several points during this review, I found myself asking how much originality counts for. In many ways, the Find X8 Pro blazes past its inspiration, with smoother software, more powerful cameras, and – to my eye – a more interesting design. But Oppo can only take so much credit for a phone so substantially built on another phone maker’s ideas.

Philosophizing aside, the Oppo Find X8 Pro is full to the brim with impressive tech. Its display is sharp, colorful, and immersive, and at 6.78 inches is about as large as I’d want a phone screen to get. The back of the phone is where the real magic happens, though – the quad-camera system on the Oppo Find X8 Pro is truly class-leading, with four 50MP snappers at various levels of optical magnification.

Internally, the phone is just as solid, with a MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chipset and 16GB of RAM. The Find X8 Pro handled everything I threw at it with aplomb. I felt like I was gliding through the ColorOS 15 Android wrapper in day-to-day tasks, and no game or app seemed to vex the system at all. This software experience is unfortunately marred by a large amount of bloatware.

Overall, whether the Find X8 Pro is for you comes down to how much you care about originality. People who want an iPhone will always get an iPhone, and because of that, I'm drawn to the idea that Oppo isn't so much chasing Apple customers as it is interpreting Apple features, which might even be a boost for those who prefer Android to iOS. However you feel about that debate, though, this is a great Android phone loaded with top-flight features; with a specs sheet like this, perhaps an identity crisis is forgivable.

@techradar

♬ original sound - TechRadar Oppo Find X8 Pro review: Price and availability

• Costs £1,049, available in one configuration
• Not available in the US

The Oppo Find X8 Pro costs £1,049 in the UK. It comes in two colors – Pearl White or Space Black – and ships with a non-configurable 512GB of storage and 16GB of RAM. As with all Oppo phones, it's very unlikely that the Find X8 Pro will launch in the US, though the upcoming OnePlus 13 could offer similar (if not identical) specs.

At this price, the Oppo Find X8 Pro is directly challenging premium flagships like the iPhone 16 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, both of which start at £999. Matching these established brands on price is a bold move from Oppo – Chinese manufacturers have traditionally sought to undercut Western competitors on price to compensate for weaker reputation. The Find X8 Pro is full of premium hardware, however, so the value is definitely there.

Oppo Find X8 Pro review: Specs Oppo Find X8 Pro review: Design

(Image credit: Future / Jamie Richards)

• Comes in two colors – Pearl White and Space Black
• Rounded frame with new Quick Button – a shutter button for the camera app
• Rounded quad-camera housing

The Oppo Find X8 Pro is a strikingly beautiful device. The unit I tested came in Pearl White, which casts a unique pearlescent pattern on each individual handset (there's also a muted Space Black option). It’s subtle in all but the most direct light, which for me strikes the perfect balance between understated and fascinating. Both color options are rated at both IP68 and IP69 for water resistance against both immersion and jets.

The Find X8 Pro is otherwise simple-looking, but keeps things feeling premium with well-chosen materials and attention to detail. The phone is weighty, at 215 grams, but doesn’t feel overly heavy. The camera housing on the Pearl White model is made of polished metal, rather than the glass found on premium OnePlus models, and I have to say, I’m a fan. It gives an industrial contrast to the artsy rear cover and everything on the rear panel a pleasant muted sheen.

The front panel hosts a 6.78-inch screen, curved slightly on each edge. The selfie camera is a reasonably inconspicuous punch-hole design that serves as the midpoint of the software-only Dynamic Cloud – which is, as it sounds, very similar in form and function to Apple’s Dynamic Island.

Ergonomically, the Find X8 finds a nice balance between the ultra-thin curved phones of five or so years ago and the blocky flagships of today. It feels great to hold, but is a little slippery. The phone also seems plenty durable, with weighty buttons and aluminum rails, and comes with a screen protector pre-installed.

On the topic of buttons, the new Quick Button can be found on the lower right-hand side of the frame. The Quick Button is a camera button in all but name, and currently only supports functions and shortcuts directly related to the camera. It’s a nice addition to have and sits flatter than the iPhone’s Camera Control, feeling overall less obtrusive as a result.

Design score: 4 / 5

Oppo Find X8 Pro review: Display

(Image credit: Future / Jamie Richards)

• 1264 x 2780 resolution (19.8:9 aspect ratio)
• 120Hz refresh rate
• Ludicrous peak brightness of 4500 nits

The display on the Oppo Find X8 Pro is a sharp 1264 x 2780 panel with a 120Hz refresh rate that works in tandem with Oppo’s new animation technology to offer a truly fluid experience. At 6.78 inches, this is as large as I’d want a phone screen to be, and this size lends itself to dual senses of openness and immersion.

The display on the Find X8 Pro isn’t the highest resolution on the market, but it’s certainly enough to make images and video look razor-sharp. There’s plenty of color, and though I’ve definitely seen panels with richer contrast, the Find X8 is well beyond serviceable. The large size and overall sharpness of this panel lends itself well to all types of games, from the landscape shoot-em-up Call of Duty Mobile to charming vertical RPGs like Mousebusters.

The Find X8 Pro’s screen can reach a respectable 800 nits of brightness in typical use, with an absolute maximum of 4500 nits. That is ludicrously bright and far past the realm of actual usefulness. I found the phone to be reasonably bright in normal use, though colors can appear slightly blown out at the higher end of the brightness slider. I never found myself struggling to read the display outside, though the auto-brightness can sometimes make the screen a little too dim indoors.

Display score: 4 / 5

Oppo Find X8 Pro review: Software

(Image credit: Future / Jamie Richards)

• Android 15 with ColorOS 15
• Unacceptable amount of bloatware
• Google Gemini-powered AI

ColorOS 15 is one of the smoothest experiences I’ve had with a smartphone operating system, neck-and-neck with OxygenOS 15 – which adds up, considering they’re basically the same thing. AI is provided courtesy of Google Gemini, with support for Circle to Search, writing tools, document summarization, voice memo transcription, and photo editing tools.

Oppo has imbued ColorOS with some of the highest quality animations I've ever seen on a mobile OS. This translates into exceptionally smooth navigation, and in combination with Oppo’s other fantastic UI animations, depth of field effects, and other visual tricks, gives the operating system a playful sense of elasticity and responsiveness I’ve seen nowhere else in the smartphone market, bar maybe the iPhone.

That leads us to an unavoidable fact about ColorOS 15 – the liberal inspiration it's taken from iOS. Everything from the default wallpapers to the way the date and time sit on the lock screen to the layout of the settings app feels like an echo of the iPhone. The Dynamic Cloud, while useful, is barely distinct from the iPhone's Dynamic Island, and the Quick Settings tab is almost a one-for-one recreation of the iOS 18 control center. Oppo is clearly well-versed in making fantastic software that runs like it's being chased, but it’d be nice to see more of the company’s own personality come through.

Another unfortunate mark on an otherwise exceptionally fast software experience is the absolutely unacceptable amount of bloatware the phone ships with; a ridiculous inclusion on a device of this price that regrettably tarnished my first impressions of the phone. I also couldn't get Google Wallet to enable contactless payments – unrelated, but important.

Software score: 3 / 5

Oppo Find X8 Pro review: Cameras

(Image credit: Future / Jamie Richards)

• 50MP wide camera
• 50MP ultra-wide camera
• 50MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom
• 50MP telephoto with 6x optical zoom

The camera system on the Oppo Find X8 Pro is absolutely superb. This is a robust, flexible, and staggeringly powerful camera setup that excels in most situations, particularly with its optical zoom and night photography. While there are a wealth of modes, features, and shooting options built into the Find X8’s camera app, the phone is truly brilliant at offering a fast and reliable point and shoot experience – I never had to consciously consider choosing night mode, or portrait mode, as the default photo tab worked so well. The new Quick Button – a shutter button in all but name – elevates this phone to something closer to a traditional digital camera, and the hardware is certainly there.

Each of the four cameras affixed to the Oppo Find X8 Pro has a 50MP sensor, ensuring consistent quality across its wide optical zoom range. You get an ultra-wide camera, main wide camera, 3x telephoto, and 6x telephoto. All of these cameras feel like powerful tools rather than tacked-on gimmicks, and despite my noted disdain for ultra-wide snappers I must say that this is the best one I’ve come across. Zooming in to the telephoto cameras feels like a natural extension of the main camera, and some excellent software trickery means the transition between lenses when zooming in and out is rarely noticeable.

The Find X8 Pro's optical zoom range of 6x is close to class-leading at this point, now that Samsung no longer fits its phones with 10x lenses. The Find X8 also offers a ludicrous digital zoom range of 120x, which is impressive up to about 40x and then serviceable up to 60x. Past that point, you’re relying on post-processing or an optional AI Telephoto Zoom mode to fill in the gaps and sharpen the blurry original image. The AI zoom isn't great at details, but can guess the outline of shapes and text with decent accuracy.

The camera system’s post-processing is very active overall – some people will prefer a less edited look, but I think it adds a nice amount of color depth, contrast, and sharpness, which directly opposes the brightened style favored by the iPhone and Galaxy flagships. As for video, the phone shoots in 4k at 60fps with the ability to shoot in slow-motion at up to 480fps in 720p.

And, of course, there’s a new way to control the camera system on the Find X8 Pro. The Quick Button appears in the same position and does some of the same things as the iPhone’s Camera Control – it’s seemingly a haptic-sensitive button that supports swiping touch gestures. The Quick Button only does a few things, though – a double press opens the camera app, wherein a single press takes a photo, a long press either takes a burst of photos or a video, and swiping back and forth in landscape mode zooms in and out.

Sure, this isn’t as deep a feature set as Apple’s version, but I still found the Quick Button to be massively effective in reducing the time from thought to photo. The only complaints I have are that the scroll-to-zoom can be a little ‘sticky’ sometimes or occasionally just not work, and that there’s no half-press-to-focus function (Oppo missed an open goal with that one).

Camera score: 4.5 / 5

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(Image credit: Future / Jamie Richards) Oppo Find X8 Pro review: Performance

(Image credit: Future / Jamie Richards)

• MediaTek Dimensity 9400
• GPU: Immortalis G-925
• 16GB of RAM

Day-to-day, the Find X8 Pro performs admirably, powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chipset. I encountered no slowdown at all in general usage, and found I could swiftly switch between apps and games with no fuss from the hardware.

The phone also performs well across its array of AI tools, with reasonably fast load times and no real lag or slowdown. The Quick Button lives up to its name in accessing the camera app, which opens near-enough instantly from anywhere in the OS.

The Find X8 Pro comes equipped with 16GB of RAM, a generous allotment that means the phone has plenty of headroom for multitasking and AI. The phone's combination of strong internal specs and a large display also makes it a capable gaming machine, and I had no issues booting up games like Atom RPG or Call of Duty Mobile for sessions on the go, with little noticeable warming.

To put it simply, the Oppo Find X8 Pro just feels efficient. I didn’t notice anything putting more strain on the battery, and the phone seems happy to sustain a variety of concurrent processes. The phone excels in shaving milliseconds off of the hundred-a-day tasks: switching apps, opening files, installing software, and so on. This all adds up and makes using the Oppo Find X8 a fluid and satisfying experience.

Oppo Find X8 Pro review: Battery

(Image credit: Future / Jamie Richards)

• 5,910mAh battery
• 80W wired charging
• 50W wireless charging

The Oppo Find X8 Pro sports an all-day battery life, with power to spare. The 5,910mAh silicon-carbon battery gives the Find X8 Pro exceptional longevity. It handles busy days of mixed use with no issue, and doesn’t seem to drain too drastically during gaming sessions or when playing back longer videos.

The real magic comes when it’s time to plug in the Find X8 Pro to recharge – the phone doesn't only come with a charger, which is itself a major win in today’s market, but an 80W charger using Oppo’s own SuperVOOC technology. What that means in practice is blisteringly fast charging speeds and more flexibility for battery top-ups. I almost never saw the Oppo Find X8 Pro run out of battery, as even a cursory 5-minute charge could net me an extra 10% or so of battery life. The phone also supports 50W wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging.

When I tested the charging speed of the Oppo Find X8 Pro, I found that the phone reached 50% charge in about 20 minutes and 100% in around 45 minutes. I started the test, as despite my best efforts I couldn't get the phone to completely run out in a reasonable amount of time.

Standby times are also exceptional, and the phone will do everything in its power to prevent this with warnings at 20%, 10%, 5%, and 2%, before launching into Super Power Saving mode at 1%, limiting your usage to just six apps.

Battery score: 5 / 5

Should you buy the Oppo Find X8 Pro? Buy it if...

You want the best cameras

The Oppo Find X8 Pro has a simply fantastic camera system that rivals any of our present choices for the best camera phones. The new Quick Button adds even more control.

You want a truly premium design

The Find X8 Pro makes some bold choices with its design, but ultimately feels as luxurious as it does aesthetically fresh. It hits a home run with its ergonomics and is clearly built to last.

You want a beautiful display

The Find X8 Pro comes equipped with a beautiful and immersive 6.78-inch display that rarely looks anything less than great. It's large enough to be a serious contender for watching TV shows and movies on, too.

You want impressive battery life

The Oppo Find X8 Pro lasts a full day of mixed use with energy to spare, with a huge 5,910mAh cell that simply refuses to run all the way down. Charging is absolutely rapid, too.

Don't buy it if...

You're on a budget

The Find X8 Pro offers a lot of high-quality hardware, but you'll certainly pay for it. Chinese phone makers can no longer be relied on to undercut Western brands at the top end of their lineups, and Oppo has proved no different.

You value originality

The Oppo Find X8 Pro does some things better than the iPhone 16 Pro, but it's fairly obvious that the phone was designed with some serious Apple inspiration. If you're someone who likes to reward originality, you might want to look elsewhere.

Oppo Find X8 Pro review: Also consider

iPhone 16 Pro Max

The real thing, as it were. Those who want an iPhone probably won't be swayed by the Find X8 Pro, but nevertheless it's worth considering paying a little extra to scratch the Apple itch if it's one you find yourself stuck with.

Read our iPhone 16 Pro Max review

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus takes the premium design, exceptional cameras, and powerful AI tools of the base-model S24 and puts them into a larger frame, with a bigger display and even better battery life. If you want a large Android phone from a more recognizable brand, this is one to consider.

Read our Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus review

iPhone 16

If you're more intrigued by the Find X8 Pro's Quick Button than anything else, it could be worth taking a look at the iPhone 16. Sure, it's got a humbler specs sheet than Oppo's new flagship, but the Camera Control is far more powerful than the Find X8 Pro's shutter button. It helps that it's a fair bit cheaper, too.

Read our iPhone 16 review

How I tested the Oppo Find X8 Pro

My testing of the Oppo Find X8 Pro included several specifically chosen test scenarios as well as more general day-to-day usage over the course of about one week. The model tested came in the Pearl White color option and came with 512GB of storage.

I used the Oppo Find X8 Pro as my everyday smartphone for about a week to test it, using it to chat with friends and family, scroll through websites and social media, watch videos, listen to music, and play games. I went out to test all four of the phone’s cameras in a variety of conditions. I then considered the performance and value proposition of the Find X8 Pro using my knowledge of the smartphone market and journalistic training.

For more on our smartphone test process, be sure to check out our guide to how we test phones for review.

Lomo’Instant Wide Glass: One-minute review

Lomography has released an updated version of its popular Lomo’Instant Wide camera, with a new glass lens replacing the previous plastic one. The Lomo’Instant Wide remains one of the few and best instant cameras on the market that makes use of Instax Wide format film, but many Lomo fans will be glad that Lomography has listened to customer demand in launching the Lomo’Instant Wide Glass model. It's a direct rival to Fujifilm's Instax Wide 400 camera, which has also been given a modern upgrade and fresh design, (but which doesn't offer as much creative control).

The Lomo’Instant Wide Glass is being marketed as the sharpest instant camera on earth, and as a long-time fan of instant cameras, I was very eager to test this claim. Lomography sent me an early prototype of the Lomo’Instant Wide Glass for this review, and I've been hugely impressed.

(Image credit: Beth Nicholls)

Lomography has made only very minor design tweaks with the new model, and it's easy to see why – if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I love the retro suitcase-style design of the camera, though it's a shame that it still has the offset viewfinder, which has been a bugbear since the original Lomo’Instant Wide was first released in 2015. This can cause issues with framing your subject, though the viewfinder parallax markers do help.

In short, this camera takes beautiful and sharp photos with the 90mm glass lens (35mm equivalent) when focused correctly. It allows for creative shooting with a multiple-exposure mode, flash control, exposure tweaking, and bulb settings, while accessories like the splitzer and colored gels add to the instant fun. The remote-shutter lens cap is genius (just be careful not to accidentally trigger it), and the camera can be used in a studio setting too with external flash thanks to the PC sync port and tripod mount.

Lomo’Instant Wide Glass: Price and availability

The Lomo’Instant Wide Glass is available for $279 / £249 / AU$299, which I think is a very reasonable price given the image quality it produces and its gorgeous design – I'd buy this camera purely for it to sit on my camera shelf.

It's more expensive than Fujifilm's recent Instax Wide 400 model ($149.99 / £129.99 / AU$229.99), but isn't quite as premium-priced as other wide-format glass competitors like the Polaroid I-2 ($599 / £599 / AU$1,099), which uses i-Type film, or even the Mint InstantKon RF70 (approx $900 / £999 / AU$1,200), which has been considered for some time as the GOAT of instant cameras (sorry).

Anyone who's looking to buy an instant camera should know that film costs are still quite high, and you aren't guaranteed the same quality that you get with one of the best cameras for photography, or even from using a camera phone in most cases. Instant photography should be more about experimentation and having fun, rather than outright image quality. That said, Instax Wide film is one of the more affordable formats, and it's also very accessible and easy to source for most people.

Lomo’Instant Wide Glass: specs Lomo’Instant Wide Glass: design

• Lots of manual controls
• The built-in flash can be on/off
• Viewfinder is a bit of a mess

The design of the Lomo’Instant Wide Glass is one of my favorite things about it. I've seen some pretty ugly instant cameras come to market in the last few years, *cough, Instax Wide 400*, but I love the retro-style design of this Lomo, and the glass lens makes it look much more premium than its predecessor.

It's easy to see why Lomography hasn't changed much in the way of design from the Lomo’Instant Wide to the new Wide Glass model. Although, I did question why the selfie mirror has disappeared from the front of the camera with this latest model. I asked Lomography for some clarification, and a spokesperson told me: "We developed this camera more for professional, studio use in mind and less so for selfie shooting, which is why we didn't feel the need for this feature in this instance."

It's a fair point, and the camera does admittedly look much smarter without it. I managed to still take a selfie with this camera despite the lack of a selfie mirror, which you can see in the sample images section, and I'll talk more about how I captured it in the performance section below too.

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In terms of build quality, the Lomo’Instant Wide Glass does have a fair bit of weight to it, and it feels incredibly sturdy and premium thanks to the metal lens barrel and glass element. There are two buttons on the back of the camera, one for toggling the flash and the other for multiple-exposure mode, plus a switch for selecting the level of exposure compensation and a dial at the bottom for selecting modes.

I think it's great that the flash can be turned on and off, although be aware that it's always-on by default when you turn on the camera, so if you don't need it remember to turn it off once you're ready to shoot. There are two LED lights above the flash button, one to let you know when the flash is charged (it will light green or blue) and another to tell you it's on.

The shutter button is the striped rectangular button on the front of the camera, and I love that it not only looks cool but has a nice clicky feel to it. The viewfinder is a bit of a mess, though. I often had to triple-check that what I could see through the viewfinder actually lined up with the direction in which the lens was pointing. Inside the viewfinder there are close-up frames to help you compensate for parallax and get a more accurately composed shot, but you still need to keep an eye on this.

(Image credit: Beth Nicholls)

The only real gripe I had with the design in terms of handling was the lack of grip, and the width of the camera, which made it hard to carry around at times (Lomography doesn't include a camera strap accessory with this camera, and I didn't have a spare). I understand that instant cameras, and especially wide-format ones, tend to be on the large side, and this is something that can't really be helped.

I found it slightly annoying that the print counter on the back of the Lomo’Instant Wide Glass counts up from 1 to 10 once a new film had been loaded, and that when it shows 10 that means you have one print left to shoot. I'm used to instant cameras counting down from 10, so this took some getting used to.

However, I really like that Lomography included another little window on the back of the camera for you to see the yellow stripe on the film cartridge, as a quick way to tell if film is loaded. Not many film cameras I've used have this, and it's a nice touch.

Lomo’Instant Wide Glass: Performance

• Can capture super-sharp shots
• Selfies and portrait shots are tricky (use a tape measure)
• Remote shutter-control lens cap

Testing the Lomo’Instant Wide Glass was my first experience of using a Lomography camera, and it took me some serious trial and error to get used to the zone-focusing modes for close-up shots. There are four zones – 0.3 m, 0.6m, 1-2m, and infinity – and you can switch between these by twisting the lens. The original Wide’s closest focus zone is 0.6m. I've used manual instant cameras before, like the Instax Mini 99, and had no issues. So I'm not sure why this particular Lomo camera was so tricky to shoot with – maybe it's just me.

I ended up wasting a ton of film during the testing process with the Lomo’Instant Wide Glass, but I learnt plenty. Pro tip: take a tape measure with you on shoots if you want to gauge the exact distance from the lens to your subject, and measure from the film eject slot, and not from the front of the lens.

Lomography says it plans to release an official camera strap with distance markers soon, to help with assessing the distance for zone-focusing, and this will be available from the Lomography online shop (it's not available at the time of writing).

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Speaking of accessories, the Lomo’Instant Wide Glass comes with possibly the coolest camera accessory I've ever used: a remote shutter-control lens cap. You just need to put in 1 x CR2025 (3V) battery, and you can click one side of the lens cap to act as a remote shutter, while the other side offers an additional button with a timer feature. It works really well, although you do need to be relatively close to the camera for it to pick up the signal, as I found when using it to take a selfie in 0.6m mode.

The Lomo also comes with colored gel filters to place over the flash, as well as a splitzer lens attachment for more control over multiple exposures. I wasn't sent these extra accessories with the prototype camera, only the lens cap, so I didn't get to test them unfortunately. I would have loved to use the splitzer for creating multiple exposures, which came out beautifully in most cases using the Lomo’Instant Wide Glass, and this kind of creativity paired with the unknown element of instant analogue photography gets very addictive.

(Image credit: Beth Nicholls)

The mode dial on the back of the camera has options for A (automatic), B (bulb), f/22 (for manually setting exposure – the prototype I was sent has an f/6 marking but just ignore this), and 1/30 (shutter speed) which is primarily useful for shooting in the studio or when using a tripod. I stuck with using 'A' a lot of the time, and switched to 1/6 (f/22) whenever I wanted a super-sharp shot.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time testing the Lomo’Instant Wide Glass, although I didn't manage to get a single clear macro image, despite many many attempts. With that said, for every blurry and out-of-focus macro shot I got a perfectly crisp landscape shot, so maybe this balances out.

I also found that the prints produced exhibited a lot of vignetting, even when the exposure compensation was set to zero. A bit of research has told me that this tends to be a common theme with Lomography cameras, and it's considered one of those love-it or hate-it aspects of instant photography. Not every print came out like this, and in a lot of cases it occurred when I didn't use flash, so perhaps this contributed to it.

Lomo’Instant Wide Glass: Sample images

You'll be able to see from the sample images below just how many tries it took for me to get a clear image of my dog surrounded by autumn leaves. What I thought would be within the 0.6m zone was actually sharper using the 1-2m mode – it was all very confusing. This is not an easy-focusing point-and-shoot instant camera like some others I've used, and you'll really need to work at it to get the focus right.

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(Image credit: Lomo’Instant Wide Glass review) Should I buy the Lomo’Instant Wide Glass? Buy it if...

You love wider prints
The Lomo’Instant Wide Glass uses Instax Wide film, which is double the size of credit card-sized Instax Mini prints. If you're serious about showing off your photos there’s nothing like shooting on wider-format film for the maximum amount of detail in your images.

You care about quality
Instant cameras aren't typically known for being sharpshooters, but the Lomo’Instant Wide Glass changes things with a glass lens, and the option for pairing with an external off-camera flash for studio-quality prints.

You're looking for a speedy turnaround time and love the retro vibes
Instant cameras aren't for everyone, but those who appreciate the artistry and nostalgia behind analogue photography will love the gimmick of having an image appear before your eyes, as opposed to shooting with a film camera where developing can take weeks (and is more expensive than ever).

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(Image credit: Lomo’Instant Wide Glass review) Don't buy it if...

You're big into macro photography
I had a difficult time using this camera for close-up shots, and while this doesn't necessarily mean that you will too, instant cameras in general aren't typically used for macro shooting, and can be extremely fiddly to master, with zone-focusing and extra lens attachments to work with.

You hate spending money on film
Instant cameras are an investment. If you want to keep shooting with your camera, then expect to spend a fair amount on film costs (and accidentally waste a few shots), and ensure that you're stocked up. Instax film, and camera film in general, can be very expensive, but it's worth it if you ask me.

You want an easy point-and-shoot
Unlike some instant cameras on the market, the Lomo’Instant Wide Glass is aimed at more advanced users and is much more complicated to use than your standard point-and-shoot cameras. This is great if you're willing to learn and master the controls, but not if you want something quick and easy.

How I tested the Lomo’Instant Wide Glass:

(Image credit: Beth Nicholls)

• I used five packs of Instax Wide film (50 shots), including one pack of the black-edition Instax Wide film (10 shots)
• I shot with the camera in a variety of indoor and outdoor locations, and in cloudy, overcast, and sunny weather conditions
• I experimented with self-portraits, landscape shots, multiple exposures, and closer subjects (which I didn't have much luck with).

I used the new Lomo’Instant Wide Glass instant camera for a few weeks, and I fell in love with it pretty quickly (it was hard to give it back) after putting in so much time and effort to get to grips with it. This involved learning how to master the focusing zones by shooting the same subject using different focus points, using a tape measure to accurately measure distances, and physically moving both myself and the subject to determine what worked at which distances.

I put the Lomo’Instant Wide Glass through its paces in most areas and settings, excluding studio use (I sadly didn't have access to one). I tested the performance of this camera by venturing around my home city of Bath in the UK to capture landscape images, and shot portraits and still lifes, using my dog and house plants as my primary test subjects. I got an all-around feel for the camera's handling and user-friendliness too, with the biggest pain point being the viewfinder.

First reviewed November 2024

This review first appeared in issue 359 of PC Pro.

I Drive Business is a great cloud backup solution for SMBs concerned about hidden costs as its subscriptions are based only on cloud capacity. Available in a wide range of flexible plans, you can start small and scale up as and when you need to.

Prices start at only £56 per year for 250GB, rising to £838 for 5TB, with options to go up to 50TB and beyond. It has even more appeal as all plans include unlimited workstation and server support so you can secure Windows, macOS and Linux desktops, iOS and Android mobiles, Windows Server, Hyper-V and VMware hosts, and business apps such as Exchange, SQL Server, SharePoint and Oracle.

Features keep on coming as IDrive’s hybrid backups can secure data to local drives or network shares, apps are provided for protecting Qnap and Synology NAS appliances, and it offers disk image backups, cloning and continuous data protection (CDP). Cloud file syncing between IDrive computers is also included, and subscriptions enable an equal amount of sync space.

The desktop app can protect all popular business apps and systems (Image credit: Future)

The only optional features are cloud-to-cloud (C2C) backup services for Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. These are managed from a dedicated portal, with the MS365 component costing £16 per user per year to secure OneDrive, Exchange, SharePoint and Teams accounts.

Client deployment is simple: you send email invitations from the portal, which provide links for users to create backup accounts, select AES-256 encryption and download the desktop app. Businesses with remote workers will find a lot to like here as the price includes unlimited users, and admins can remotely access their desktop app, create or edit backup jobs, set schedules and run restore tasks.

The client opens with a default backup set for common files and documents. We modified file and folder sources by adding or deleting them in the Backup pane and scheduled tasks for regular intervals. Files and folders can be easily restored using the local agent or web portal, and IDrive provides ransomware protection by retaining up to 30 file versions.

To secure our VMware ESXi virtual machines (VMs), we provided the IP address and credentials of our vCenter host and selected VMs from the list presented. Jobs default to running hybrid local and cloud backups and, for the former, IDrive can use a storage location on the system running the app or a mapped drive.

The same procedures apply for securing local SQL Server databases, while Exchange Server and Hyper-V VM backups need the desktop app installed directly on the hosts. When restoring data to any of these hosts, IDrive requires access to the local backup folder and, if it isn’t available, you can copy the relevant files back from cloud storage using the client or web portal.

Remote users can be managed from the web portal (Image credit: Future)

The Microsoft 365 protection service is just as easy to use; once we’d authorised access to our account, it immediately started full backups for the four suite components and all users. The dedicated portal can be accessed directly from the main IDrive web console or desktop app and provides an overview of all activities and protected items.

You can’t control the schedule as IDrive automatically runs incremental backups three times a day, but you can run extra manual backups for selected users and teams whenever you want. The portal’s recovery panel is easy to use, and we had no problems finding and restoring items such as emails for Outlook users, OneDrive files and Teams documents.

IDrive Business is a top cloud backup choice for SMBs that want to protect on-premises systems and remote workers. Platform and business app support is outstanding, it’s easy to use and the simple capacity-based subscriptions are incredibly good value.

We also ranked the best cloud CRM software.

This review first appeared in issue 359 of PC Pro.

The first sign of any product’s quality comes when you unpack it from its box, especially when it’s honed to hit a budget. Does it feel too light, look too plasticky? Have corners been cut that make it horrible to use? In short, does it feel cheap?

So it was with an inward sigh of relief that I started assembling the HP All-in-One 27. Finished in all white, it looks classy, while the stand not only includes 100mm of height adjustment but a felt-covered base. That may sound trivial, but it shows the attention to detail often lacking in budget laptops and PCs.

HP has also taken account of this machine’s environmental impact, using 40% post-consumer recycled plastic, 10% recycled metal and even using “recycled” coffee grounds as speckles in the plastic. Sadly, that isn’t reflected in any kind of smell.

The stand includes 100mm of height adjustment (Image credit: Future)

Another nice touch is the 1080p camera built into the top bezel. You slide this up when needed – I kept it up as it’s great for face recognition – and down if you’re worried about privacy. It isn’t the world’s finest webcam, capturing a grainy image with such a wide angle that I had to lean in close to fill the frame, but at least the mic works well.

A basic wireless keyboard and mouse set come in the box. The keyboard’s plastic keys have the same cushioning as a park bench, and it’s so light that it will be pushed out of position by an extra vigorous keypress. But it includes useful function keys, particularly the brightness up/down for the screen: I looked in vain for other physical controls for the display, or software control in the various HP utilities. The mouse is a simple two-button affair, unless you count the clickable scroll wheel, and both it and the keyboard connect to the PC via the same USB dongle.

This leaves three USB-A ports free, with a solitary USB-C port keeping it company. Aside from one USB-A 2 port, all these are limited to USB 3.2 Gen 1’s 5Gbits/sec transfers, which is unnecessarily mean. Especially when the supplied SSD offers only 512GB of storage. While you can theoretically get inside this device to replace the drive, as well as the 16GB of RAM (supplied via two 8GB DDR4 SODIMMs), you’ll need time, patience and skill.

The 1080p camera built into the top bezel is a nice touch (Image credit: Future)

HP sticks to Wi-Fi 6 rather than 6E, but it’s always nice to see a physical Ethernet port (gigabit, not 2.5GbE), and there’s a bonus in the form of an HDMI 1.2 output. This spec is getting on for 20 years old, which is reflected in the fact that the highest-resolution screen you can connect at 60Hz is 1,920 x 1,080. Still, if you have a 1080p screen knocking around it could be useful.

I could be critical of the HP’s 27in panel, as it’s a non-touch 1080p unit with a pixel density of 82ppi. Not great, but at typical viewing distances I was never irritated by a lack of sharpness. It helps that colors are a strong point: it covers 95% of the sRGB space with good accuracy – its average Delta E is 0.68 – while a peak brightness of 275cd/m2 is fine for use indoors.

The HP All-in-One is a surprisingly strong choice for films, too, with a pair of beefy 2W speakers that handle explosive scenes and music equally well. Not to the point of audiophilic delight, perhaps, but enough that you can listen to Spotify while working. Their only weakness is lack of volume, but there’s enough oomph to fill a study.

Some might criticize this PC’s power, too, as it includes a relatively timid Core i7-1355U. That’s now been usurped by Intel’s Core 7 processor 150U, but this would only give you a minor speed bump; they share the same basic design of two P-cores and eight E-cores, but the 150U’s peak frequency is higher (5.4GHz vs 5GHz). Besides, this machine is extremely nippy; you’ll only wish you had a more powerful CPU, such as the Ryzen 9 in the Geekom A8 opposite, is if you max out the cores when coding or editing.

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HP relies on the Iris Xe graphics built into the processor, and that means any modern game is out of bounds. To make Shadow of the Tomb Raider playable I dropped to 720p resolution and Lowest settings for an average of 37fps; at 1080p, it was a shaky 23fps.

But this machine isn’t designed for games, and despite its year-old processor and elephant’s graveyard of old standards – HDMI 1.2, really? – I ended up enjoying my time with the HP All-in-One 27. Would I have liked it more if the screen was 1440p, the keyboard less Lego-like and there was a shade more power inside? Yes, undoubtedly. At this price, however, I’m willing to overlook such flaws. It offers quality where it counts – the design, the build quality, the screen, the speakers – and £799 is extremely competitive.

We also rated the best budget phones.

Apple EarPods USB-C: Two-minute review

Reader, I want you to cast your mind back to the 2010s, maybe even the noughties – I’m sure many of you will have fond memories of plugging your wired Apple earbuds into your iPod, or perhaps even an early-gen iPhone. And my mind was cast back to this exact period as soon as I got my hands on the Apple EarPods USB-C. These wired earbuds may not fit your iPod anymore, but they’ll work with almost any modern handset – Apple or not – thanks to their USB-C connector. But do these buds merely open a window to the past, or do they craft a strong sonic experience in their own right?

Well, to find out, let’s start with sound quality. Perhaps unsurprisingly, you’re not going to get next-level performance from the Apple EarPods USB-C; after all, they only cost $19 / £19 / AU$29. But for the most part, they do still offer adequate audio. I rarely felt that treble was too grating or that overall sound was tinny – an issue that a lot of cheap competitors are guilty of. On top of that, you get a decent helping of bass – even if it’s not ultra-clear or able to stretch to extreme depths. Given these also support Apple lossless audio, at a glance they seem decent for general audio quality – but let’s drill into the details.

I tried listening to Young Blood by The Naked and Famous and quickly identified one key issue. The electric guitar that blares throughout the track is meant to have a well-defined position in the mix – in the lower-mid range, separated from the bass – to uphold the track’s powerful, full-sounding profile. However, it really didn't sound all too distinct, coming through slightly muddied with sounds in the low-end – an issue that you won’t experience with some of the best wired earbuds.

And speaking of that low-end, you’re not going to be blown away with incredibly clear quality. For instance, I played Ma quale idea by Pino D'Angiò and the iconic, funky bassline was uncharacteristically muddy. This muddiness almost smothered D'Angiò’s smooth, deep vocals, cluttering the soundstage. Despite that, actual bass levels are respectable – you get a solid amount of low-end weight for some super-cheap wired buds, even if clarity isn’t top-drawer. You won’t get tasty sub-bass though. I tried listening to The Boys Are Back In Town by Yung Gravy and although sub-bass was audible, it lacked its imposing, ground-shaking boom.

The lack of bite was also apparent with treble elements in Rains again by Solji and the vocalist’s high notes – despite avoiding the abrasiveness some cheap buds inflict – failed to reach their grandiose, showstopping potential, sounding slightly dulled and restrained.

Something that I feel diminishes the listening experience significantly is actually nothing to do with audio quality, though. That’s right: I’m talking about the fit of the Apple EarPods USB-C. These earbuds don’t have eartips, so you don’t get a proper seal with them. This looser fit means that sound isn’t perfectly concentrated and the buds will sometimes feel as if they’re falling out of your ears. This can be quite frustrating when you’re on the move; I found myself readjusting to get a more snug feel a little too often for my liking. It is worth noting, though, that some may find wearing buds with eartips for extended periods uncomfortable – so your impression of the fit itself will vary depending on personal preference.

A less debatable flaw of the relatively loose fit of the EarPods is that it allows a lot of external noise to seep through. Again, the lack of eartips removes what is typically a passive protective layer, so I often heard colleagues talking in my office or cars zooming by while on walks. If shutting out the wider world is a top priority, I’d simply recommend not grabbing these – there are better wired options for noise isolation, like the SoundMagic E80D or cheap wireless buds with active noise cancellation, like the Earfun Air Pro 3.

But on a positive note, these are a very elegant pair of wired buds – in fact, a lot of budget competitors can’t even come close in the style department. They are a fair bit heavier than a lot of competitors at 1.1oz / 30g, but they never felt heavy in-ear or irritating to wear for longer listening sessions. The drivers are encased in the classic white glossy housing that Apple fans will be well accustomed to. The wire is also slim, rounded and not too bad of an offender when it comes to cable noise – which is still noticeable, but not overwhelming. The USB-C connector here is also pleasingly compact and never got in the way when I was holding my phone.

Finally, the included controller is sleek and well-sized, though it did sit a little closely to my cheek – if it was slightly further down the wire it would be perfect. It includes volume and play/pause controls for music and taking phone calls, as well as a mic. And in terms of quality, the mic is pretty standard. Vocals were decently clear on a voice recording and phone call, although there is some noticeable static in the background – something that’s typical for cheap and even some less cheap buds.

So, at the end of it all, where do I stand on the Apple EarPods USB-C. Did they provide a fun, nostalgic ride for me? Sure, they still have the token Apple charm, sleek looks and minimalist design, and the wired look is aesthetically pleasing, in my view. But did they impress me in terms of audio quality? Well, not quite. The soundstage is a tad messy, with instruments often failing to find a defined pocket to play in. But having said that, there’s not too much tinniness or unpleasantly aggressive treble sounds that you get with a lot of cheap wired buds. Overall, then, the Apple EarPods USB-C are pretty solid given their low price – that is if you can deal with their lack of ear tips.

(Image credit: Future) Apple EarPods USB-C review: Price and release date

• $19 / £19 / AU$29
• Launched in 2023

The Apple EarPods USB-C released in 2023 and are the tech giant’s debut in the wired USB-C world. One of the most attractive things about these buds is their super-low price. They’re available for just $19 / £19 / AU$29 – that’s in-line, or cheaper than a lot of competitors. You can only get them in one color, White, but that was no issue in my book, given the glossy, bright look suits them to a tee.

Apple EarPods USB-C review: Specs

(Image credit: Future) Should you buy the Apple EarPods USB-C? Buy them if...

You love the way Apple products look
If you typically like the white, glossy look of Apple’s peripherals, you’ll surely be a big fan of these buds – well, design-wise at least. If your top priority is style, these hit the right notes, thanks to a diminutive connector, sleek curved buds and a slim wire.

You’re on a tight budget
These buds subvert the preconception that many have of Apple products – they’re not expensive at all. At just $19 / £19 / AU$29, they’re ideal if you’re working with a limited budget.

Don't buy them if...

You’re an audiophile
If top-drawer audio quality is what you’re after, keep looking. I didn’t find these buds to produce grating, nasty sound, but I didn’t feel that they offered well-defined, separated or dynamic audio either. They’re just decent sound-wise – fine for cheap buds, but not good enough for the keenest of listeners.

You want decent noise isolation
Because of their shape and design, the Apple EarPods USB-C won’t keep sound out effectively whatsoever. If you want passive noise isolation, you’re better off choosing some buds with ear tips in order to form a sound-repelling seal.

Apple EarPods USB-C review: Also consider

Skullcandy Set USB-C
The Skullycandy Set USB-C offer a sleek, curved design, excellent color options and IPX4 waterproofing, making them a worthy budget pick. Audio isn’t going to wow and the controller lacks volume controls, but if you just want some stylish, cheap buds, that likely won’t be a real dealbreaker. Read our full Skullcandy Set USB-C review.

SoundMAGIC E80D
If you want to take a step-up on the Apple EarPods audio quality-wise, the SoundMagic E80D could be the perfect fit. They’re a fair bit more than Apple’s buds, but for less than $50/£40/AU$70, you still get detailed, balanced audio – partially thanks to a built-in DAC. You also get solid noise isolation and a comfortable fit. Sure, the controller is a little fiddly, but otherwise these are a great pair of wired earbuds. Read our full SoundMAGIC E80D review.

Apple EarPods USB-C review: How I tested

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• Tested for one week
• Used in the office, at home and while on walks
• Listened using both Apple Music and Tidal

I tested the Apple EarPods USB-C over the course of one week. I used them while using Apple Music on the iPhone 16 as well as with Tidal on the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. I also played tunes on Spotify and watched video content via YouTube. I tested the EarPods USB-C in the office, at home and while out on walks near busy roads.

When listening to music I played tracks from the TechRadar testing playlist, which contains songs spanning a variety of genres – though I also spent hours blasting bangers from my personal library. When appropriate, I compared these buds to the similarly priced Skullcandy Set USB-C, in order to better assess audio quality, comfort and elements of design.

• First reviewed: November 2024
• Read more about how we test

Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI: two-minute review

Smartphone stabilizers, which use a self-levelling gimbal to keep a mounted phone movement’s smooth, steady and shake-free while it captures video, have become an essential part of many content creators’ toolkits. As a result, there are now dozens of options for anyone who wants to transform their smartphone into a cut-price Steadicam – and Zhiyun has as much experience in this sector as any of its rival manufacturers.

The Smooth 5S AI is Zhiyun’s current flagship mobile stabilizer, putting it in direct competition with models like the Insta360 Flow Pro and DJI Osmo Mobile 6. As its name suggests, it’s an upgraded version of the Smooth 5, sporting a very similar design but incorporating a few improvements – most notably an AI-powered tracking module that I think represents its most appealing selling point.

I’ll get into why shortly, but in terms of general design I found the Smooth 5S AI to be pretty impressive. Constructed of lightweight but sturdy black plastic, it sports a professional look that suggests it’s built for serious creative work. The handle is textured to aid grip and I was pleased by the way the control layout puts a remarkable number of buttons and dials within easy, comfortable reach when it was in my hand. While a tripod attachment allows the gimbal to stand on a flat surface, there’s no extension rod to increase its length (something you get with many rival stabilizers), which makes it less useful for self-shooting vlog recording.

When not in use, the Smooth 5S AI’s gimbal arm can be locked in place. Part of me wishes it folded down as well as the Insta360 Flow Pro and DJI OM 6 (which are both verging on pocket-size when not in use) but Zhiyun would doubtless argue that the Smooth 5S AI’s larger, more complex gimbal offers a greater range of movement and stability than these competitors’ equivalents (NB: Zhiyun also offers a smaller folding stabilizer, the Cinepeer CQ5, for those that require something more portable than the Smooth 5S AI).

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To use the stabilizer, your phone is placed within the ‘jaws’ of a gripping mechanism; the hold is secure, but mounting and dismounting is much quicker and easier with the magnetic clamp method used by the DJI and Insta360 stabilizers. The Smooth 5S AI’s clamp can hold phones up to 10mm thick and 300g in weight and can be manually rotated 90º to switch between capturing portrait and landscape content. Some balancing is required on the gimbal’s roll axis arm once your phone is in place, to improve stabilization performance, but it takes only a few seconds.

When the gimbal is powered on, it’ll automatically self-balance, holding the phone level with the horizon; it’ll also connect to the phone via Bluetooth, provided it’s already been paired before. If you feel the levelling is slightly off, you can manually adjust it using the ZY Cami companion app (more on this later) or ask the app to recalibrate things automatically. I found that I did need to manually adjust to get it satisfactorily level, but once set up properly I didn’t need to touch it again.

Stabilization works very well – to a point. The 3-axis gimbal succeeded in keeping my iPhone 13 level and followed my movements smoothly, but if I tilted the handle more than around 40 degrees in either direction the gimbal would abruptly give up, and the phone would tilt too. This isn’t too much of an issue as long as you’re aware of it, but I was expecting a little more robustness in the stabilization.

There are several stabilization modes to choose from. I generally found Pan Follow, which follows your movements while preventing the phone from tilting up and down, to be the most useful for standard vlog or b-roll content, but other users might enjoy the more dramatic movements offered by the Point Of View or Vortex modes.

Gimbal movement can also be adjust manually using the on-board thumbstick control, while tapping the trigger on the front of the handle twice resets it to its standard position; tapping it three times flips the phone around to face the opposite direction. Other controls of note include an on/off button for the useful front-facing LED fill light and a chunky wheel which can be used to adjust camera zoom and gimbal tilt.

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The app-agnostic tracking is what really sets the Smooth 5S AI aside from its competitors. Thanks to a small magnetic ‘AI’ module with a built-in camera, which sits on the clamp and can be faced either towards or away from the user, the gimbal is able to track human faces when using any app. Some rival models, like the DJI OM 6, will only track people when using their own companion app, while the Insta360 Flow Pro’s DockKit-enabled tracking means it can track while using the native iPhone camera app (and many third-party apps), but the Smooth 5S AI’s tracking is hardware-based, which means it’ll work with any phone or camera app around.

That’s great for anyone who’d rather use third-party apps, of course, but I’d caution that the tracking is noticeably smoother and more responsive when using the ZY Cami app than it is when using with the AI module. With the latter, the gimbal movements are jerkier and more delayed, which does take the shine off the AI module somewhat (interestingly, the same is true of the Insta360 Flow Pro’s DockKit tracking versus its companion app tracking).

The AI module supports gesture controls: make the ‘OK’ sign to start tracking (a green light indicates that it’s locked onto you), hold up your palm to stop tracking and use the ‘victory’ sign to start and stop recording. These all worked well, in my experience.

The ZY Cami app can be used for capturing video and photos, offering several special shooting modes like panorama, dolly zoom and slow motion. It also allows you to adjust image quality, add beauty filters, adjust gimbal settings, share content via social media and more. I found it to be a decent enough camera app, and using it isn’t a huge disadvantage over, say, the iPhone’s built-in camera app.

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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Finally, a quick word about battery life. It’s impressive, with Zhiyun claiming seven hours of use with the AI tracker and fill light on – and my real-world testing suggests that figure is accurate. You can also use the Smooth 5S AI as a power bank, using a second USB-C port on the gimbal arm to top up your phone’s battery while it’s mounted.

While I find the simpler and more compact likes of the Insta360 Flow Pro and DJI Osmo Mobile 6 more appealing on the usability and portability fronts, the Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI is undoubtedly an impressive alternative with solid stabilization and, via its AI tracking module, better built-in subject tracking than either of its rivals.

Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI: price and availability

The Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI costs $249 / £169 / AU$309 and is available now. Do look out for cut prices, as we do see this gimbal on sale from time to time. You can see the live prices in the links above.

Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI: specs Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI: Also consider

Insta360 Flow Pro
Insta360’s compact foldable gimbal feels like the pick of the current mobile stabilizer bunch. With excellent battery life, a handy power bank function and the ability to subject track when using third-party iPhone apps (or the native iPhone camera), it’s an impressive all-rounder – and cheaper than the Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI.

Read our Insta360 Flow Pro review

DJI Osmo Mobile 6
While only able to track subjects when using its Mimo companion app, the OM 6 offers a more ergonomically pleasing and slicker user experience than both the Smooth 5S AI and the Insta360 Flow Pro; it just feels better in the hand and smoother with its movements. Its 6.5-hour battery life isn’t quite as long as either, however.

Read our DJI Osmo Mobile 6 review

Should I buy the Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen) Buy it if...

You need a stabilizer that’ll track with any app
Some stabilizers only track with certain camera apps. Not this one: its AI module allows it to keep you centred in the frame no matter what app you’re using to film yourself.

You need a fill light built-in
The integrated LED light makes filming in dark conditions possible without the need to add additional light modules (although these are sold separately if you want things even brighter).

Don't buy it if...

You need an ultra-portable stabilizer
While it does lock up for storage, the Smooth 5S AI doesn’t fold over to an almost pocketable size. You’ll need a fairly large amount of bag space to transport it.

You’re a vlogger who wants to walk and film
With no extension rod inside the handle, it’s harder to film yourself while walking and holding the Smooth 5S AI than with some other mobile stabilizers. Vloggers beware.

How I tested the Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI

• One week of use
• Tested with iPhone 13
• Used for B-roll and vlogs

I used the Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI in and around my home for a week, using it to record footage both on the move and with it sat on a desktop using its tripod. I tested it with my Apple iPhone 13 and a variety of camera apps including Zhiyun’s own ZY Cami and the native iPhone camera app, and used the phone’s front and rear cameras to record b-roll and vlog-style videos.

First reviewed November 2024