Technology
- Dell Takes Aim at the MacBook Neo With Its $599 XPS 13 Laptop
- Nintendo Music Update Adds Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Web Support
- 4K vs. HD: Every TV Resolution Explained, From 720p to 8K and Beyond
- iOS 26.5.1 for iPhone 17 and iPhone Air Fixes Low-Battery Charging Problem
- Nvidia, SLB, Amazon, and Meta are the top companies adopting AI, but that doesn't mean they're seeing the benefits
Custom Search
News
- Trump signs AI safety order seeking voluntary review of new models
- 5 ways to reduce everyday exposure to 'forever chemicals'
- Trump appoints housing official as acting director of national intelligence
- Doctors checked Biden just after Trump debate as Jill Biden feared he had a stroke
- How Ebola kills -- and what it takes to stop it
TechRadar Reviews
Reviews
- I've spent a month testing the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft, and it's everything I've ever wanted in a Kindle, minus the affordable price
- ‘Clears a room of cooking smells in minutes’ — I reviewed Coway’s air purifier for larger rooms and was wowed by how quickly and quietly it sensed and snuffed out impurities and odors
- GreenRoad fleet management review
- Samsara fleet tracking review
- I watched Amazon's new sci-fi fantasy movie Masters of the Universe — and it's the unrelentingly fun popcorn movie that I had expected recent Star Wars movie The Mandalorian and Grogu to be
New forum topics
According to my six-year-old, the Ordo Squishmallows Sonic Kids Battery Toothbrush is a big success — and it's more eco- and wallet-friendly than many other kids' brushes out there
Ordo Squishmallows Sonic Kids: Two-minute review
The Sonic Kids Battery Toothbrush is Ordo's entry-level electric toothbrush designed for children aged 4+. My six-year-old daughter and I tested the Squishmallows-branded model, but there is also a Wicked version for a slightly older demographic. If you prefer rechargeable toothbrushes, then Ordo sells an almost identical model but with an internal battery and a charging stand.
The design of the toothbrush is unashamedly targeted at young children. This begins with the fun and playful Squishmallows branding alongside bright and bold colors, but it also extends to the free-flowing and curvy shape. My child loved having her own age-appropriate toothbrush, and when I told her that she had to go back to her regular 'boring' toothbrush, she was genuinely disappointed.
One of the standout features of the toothbrush is that the heads are replaceable. Unlike the best electric toothbrushes aimed at adults, in which replaceable heads are almost a given, this is far from guaranteed with children's toothbrushes. Some electric toothbrushes aimed at children, such as Colgate's Kids Battery Toothbrushes and others from the likes of Oral-B, will only last a few months before the bristles lose their strength and the whole device is consigned to landfill.
Replaceable heads, just like an adult's brush, sets the Ordo apart and will help to ensure the longevity of the toothbrush as a whole.
(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)Despite the replacement heads which Ordo will recycle for you, free of charge, the toothbrush itself doesn't score particularly highly from a sustainability point of view. It's constructed of almost 100% plastic and is powered by a single AA battery, which lasts 60 days.
The toothbrush produces 18,000 pulses/vibrations per minute, which offers reasonable performance in terms of bacteria and plaque removal. Older children will benefit from a more vigorous clean, but the Ordo delivers just about enough for children aged around four or five.
My child's regular toothbrush has an oscillating head, and so the sonic motion of the Ordo took a little getting used to. She also found that the vibrations ran right through the handle, causing an uncomfortable feeling in her hand. Sonic versus oscillating is a long-standing debate, and if you're wondering which to go for, our sonic vs rotating toothbrushes guide is worth a look.
(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)This Ordo toothbrush doesn't feature any additional modes beyond vibrating, and there are no timers in sight, not even a two-minute one. This was an issue for my daughter, who had no idea whether she had reached the magic two minutes and so relied on me to help her estimate that. The lack of 30-second pacing timers is unsurprising at this price point but would have been nice to have.
The features on offer and the performance delivered make the Ordo Sonic Kids Toothbrush a strong contender for a place amongst the best electric toothbrushes. If Ordo could integrate a two-minute timer and improve its sustainability credentials, then we'd have a five-star performer on our hands.
Ordo Squishmallows Sonic Kids: SpecificationsComponent
Value
Battery life
60 days
Sonic vibrations
18,000 pulses/vibrations per minute
Charging stand
No. Powered by a single AA Battery
Timer
No
Noise
Decibel level not published
Settings
1
(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)Ordo Squishmallows Sonic Kids: Price and availability- $14.99 US / £12.50 UK / $24.99 AUS
- 2-pack of replacement heads: $9.99 US / £8.99 UK / $15 AUS
- Reasonably priced toothbrush but expensive replacement heads
The Ordo Squishmallows Sonic Kids battery toothbrush is reasonably priced given its build quality and replacement head capability. In the box are the toothbrush handle, two heads, and an AA battery.
Each head will last around three months, which means the upfront cost will provide six months' worth of toothbrushing. A 2-pack of replacement heads is almost as expensive as the toothbrush itself, so you'll need to factor this ongoing cost into your buying decision.
If your child is into characters such as Barbie, Batman, Minions, or Pokémon, then Colgate is the alternative brand to go for. They are usually around half the price compared to the Ordo, but the head isn't replaceable. That means once the bristles wear down, you throw the whole plastic handle away, making Ordo much more eco-friendly and cost-effective in the long run.
- Value score: 4/5
Category
Comment
Score
Value
Reasonably priced toothbrush but the cost of replacement heads adds up.
4/5
Design
Cute and attractive and will appeal to 3-7-year-olds.
4.5/5
Features
The lack of a two-minute timer and oscillating movement let the toothbrush down.
4/5
Total
A solid vibrating toothbrush with a cute aesthetic.
4/5
(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)Ordo Squishmallows Sonic Kids: Should I buy?Buy it if...You want an entry-level electric toothbrush
The Ordo lacks high-end features such as oscillating movement and a two-minute timer, but it is priced accordingly.
You want a cute toothbrush with replaceable heads
Most character-themed battery toothbrushes have fixed heads and are considered disposable. The Ordo, on the other hand, has replacement heads for greater longevity.
Your child has sensory sensitivities
At 18,000 vibrations per minute, this brush provides a mild, gentle hum that is perfect for children who find the toothbrushing experience overwhelming.
Don't buy if if...You want an oscillating head action
If you want a superior cleaning action, then the vibrating movement of the Ordo can't compare to oscillating alternatives.
You want a toothbrush with a charging stand
The Ordo operates with a single removable AA battery rather than an internal battery with a charging stand.
Your child needs a timer
The toothbrush won't alert your child at 30-second intervals, which means they might find it difficult to know when to move from the bottom teeth to the top teeth.
Also considerColgate Kids Battery Toothbrush
These child-themed battery toothbrushes feature small, vibrating heads and extra-soft bristles designed for kids aged 3 and up. It's worth considering that the heads are non-replaceable, which makes the whole toothbrush redundant when the bristles are past their best.
Ordo Cam Squishmallows Sonic Kids Electric Toothbrush
A more feature-rich toothbrush for children with multiple cleaning modes, 32,000 pulsations per minute, and a two-minute timer. It comes with a charger to recharge the internal battery.
How I testedMy six-year-old daughter used the Ordo Squishmallows Sonic Kids toothbrush for one month. Her normal toothbrush is an Oral-B PRO Junior Electric with an oscillating head, although she has experience of a manual toothbrush as well. Her familiarity of both of these meant she was able to compare the Ordo to both ends of the spectrum of what's available for children.
First reviewed: May 2026
Categories: Reviews
'Doubtless the best noise-cancelling iPhone headphones on the planet': I tested AirPods Max 2 and they really are that good — here's why
Apple AirPods Max 2: Two-minute review
I haven't always been an AirPods fangirl. In fact, in May 2021, when the company unveiled Apple Music Lossless and Hi-Res Lossless for free, as part of your Apple Music subscription, I may have come down quite hard on Apple's musical headgear — and for some time after that. Why? Because it took four more years for the Cupertino giant to work out how to get its Lossless music standard into its own flagship headphones.
Another thing that's taken Apple a very long time? Unveiling a second-generation update to said headphones. It's been five years and three months between iterations, a vast expanse of time in any area of technology, but an epoch in Bluetooth audio and among the best noise-cancelling headphones.
A happy by-product of the fact above is that it makes my delay in filing this review seem minuscule in comparison (I had a spell in hospital, but it did mean I could test the ANC in a key user-case scenario!). However, I mention the timeline mostly as a way to emphasise that based on looks alone, you'd be forgiven for thinking Apple hadn't used that huge stretch wisely. The ear cup design, webbed headband, driver array and yes, even the 'headphone bra' semi-case haven't been tweaked whatsoever for AirPods Max 2.
Did Apple simply not have the R&D budget, or did its engineers double down on their 2020 design as still being the best possible shape, construction, driver size and material for a set of cans? And why, given the glowing star-rating at the top of this review, am I still being so negative?
The answer to all of these questions is this: if you're using an iPhone 15 Pro (aka, the oldest iPhone that is still able to support Apple Intelligence) or later as a source device, AirPods Max 2 are some of the most formidable, featured and fantastic shut-the-world-out headphones I've ever tested — and I've been doing this full-time since 2019. They're doubtless the best noise-cancelling iPhone headphones on the planet.
Design-wise, there's no perceivable difference — it's all under the hoodFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureThat's enough on what Apple hasn't done with AirPods Max 2; let's talk about what has been updated. The big upgrade is the inclusion of Apple's newer H2 chip, over the H1 in the originals. Given that this is the same in-house Apple audio processor that made its debut in the September 2022 AirPods Pro 2 (and also takes the wheel in the AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 3, and original 2023-launch Apple Vision Pro), it might not seem like much of a headline grabber. But in AirPods Max it does a lot of heavy lifting.
The H2 chips — yes, you actually get one in each ear cup — add a plethora of new features, including Adaptive Audio (the Transparency mode can adjust itself to block some unnecessary sounds, and there's an optional slider to tweak just how 'adaptive' you want it to get), Conversation Awareness (so the over-ears can automatically lower the volume of your music and filter external sounds should you start talking to someone, then put everything back again once you stop yapping), plus Loud Sound Reduction and Personalized Volume to help protect your hearing but keep the sonic profile how you like it.
There's also Live Translation, which I enjoyed using here much more than on AirPods Pro 3, because it's so much easier to access via a long press of AirPods Max's on-ear Listening Mode button. The new Voice Isolation software also improves your call quality when it's loud or windy around you — and thanks to some extra processing power afforded by that H2 chip, you get much better voice capture from the headphones' three mics for voice pickup (two are shared with the ANC system, and one is an additional dedicated microphone) in the nine-mic total.
Elsewhere, Head Gestures let you nod to accept a call or check a message, shake your head to dismiss a message or decline a call, or nod to Siri silently. Also, the new Camera Remote feature means you can now take snaps on your iPhone camera using AirPods Max 2's Digital Crown.
And I left the best for last: Apple claims that the active noise cancellation is "up to 1.5x more effective than the previous generation" and when Tim Cook's behemoth states such a thing, I sit up and take notice. The noise-nixing here is next-level — and I mean near-silent, calming, cocooning and enveloping. It's like stillness as a backdrop to your music. If that's what you need, buy these headphones.
Any negatives? Two. The battery life is unchanged at 20 hours (which is easy to beat even much further down the headphone food chain), and there's still no support for wireless hi-res codecs. You can get Lossless-quality audio, but you have to use the bundled USB-C cable (or buy a USB-C to 3.5mm one, which Apple sells separately) introduced to the original AirPods Max via a software update in March 2025.
Does any of that last paragraph matter? For me, given the crispness, clarity, impact, fun, separation and sheer musicality available here, no. And I rarely say that hi-res codecs or stamina don't matter.
(Image credit: Future)Apple AirPods Max 2 review: Price and release date- Unveiled on March 16, 2026 (available for pre-order as of March 25, 2026)
- Priced $549 / £499 / AU$999
- Available in 'Midnight' (black), 'Starlight' (white), Purple, Blue and Orange
There's been a curious trend in Apple's pricing of late. The inaugural AirPods Max arrived in December 2020 with an asking price of $549 / £549 / AU$899, so, with the second-generation update priced at $549 / £499 / AU$999, Apple is keeping the US MSRP the same, giving the UK a price cut and charging The Land Down Under a little more.
The thing is, this is not a one-off. Both the first-generation AirPods Pro and the follow-up AirPods Pro 2 were priced at $249 / £249 / AU$399 when they landed, so when AirPods Pro 3 arrived with a $249 price tag, it came as no surprise to US fans. However, those newest buds were priced a little lower than before in the UK, at £219, and — at AU$429 — a little bit more in Australia. For Apple's flagship earbuds, £30 cheaper in the UK yet AU$30 more expensive in Australia felt a bit harsh.
Here, there's a £50 saving to be had if you live in Blighty, but a AU$100 increase to pay if you reside in Oz. I'm sorry. I could suggest it's down to Australian Goods and Services Taxes (GST), relative incomes, International shipping costs, or perhaps a more bijou consumer base, but all of that would be pure speculation. I just cannot make that make sense to you.
Anyway, what of direct competition at this not-insignificant level? AirPods Max 2's chief rivals are perhaps most pressingly the five-star Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), which hit shelves at slightly more affordable $449 / £449 / AU$699 price points, or the also five-star Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2, which cost a fair bit more, at $799 / £629 / AU$1,299. Oh, and let's not forget the excellent Sony WH-1000XM6, which sell for $449 / £399 / AU$699.
But there's no shortage of competition at this level and – given options such as the inexpensive 4.5-star Nothing Headphone (a) with its remote camera function – at a few levels down from it too…
(Image credit: Future)Apple AirPods Max 2 review: SpecsDrivers
Apple-designed dynamic driver with new 'custom high dynamic range amplifier'
Active noise cancellation
Yes
Battery life
Up to 20 hours (with ANC enabled)
5 mins of charging nets 1.5 hours of listening
Weight
386.2g
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.3 (H2 chip)
Waterproofing
Not rated
(Image credit: Future)Apple AirPods Max 2 review: Features- Live Translation is enjoyable and useful
- Adaptive Audio is good; ANC is excellent
- Conversation Awareness is a game-changer
I've touched on a lot of great new features, so it might be worth mentioning an Apple headline grabber you won't get: heart-rate monitoring. It is available in both the flagship AirPods Pro 3 and Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, yet despite the arsenal of sensors nestled in AirPods Max 2 (an optical sensor, position sensor, accelerometer and case-detect sensor in each ear cup, plus a gyroscope in the left cup), there's no PPG infrared light sensor to measure light absorption in your blood. And because of this, Apple isn't funnelling you quite so readily towards its free Fitness app with its over-ears, or offering you a virtual trainer, however you feel about that…
You also don't get Apple's Hearing Test or Hearing Aid suite of features; the only toggles to preserve your hearing health here are Loud Sound Reduction (switch it on and provided you're listening in either Transparency or Adaptive modes, the headphones will actively reduce your exposure to loud environmental sounds) and Personalized Volume, to readily adjust the loudness of your media in response to your surroundings, but they both work well.
Now, back to what you do get, and top of the list for me personally must be Live Translation. Why? Because it can be accessed with a surreptitious long press of the listening mode button (ie. the flush pill-shaped button located on the right ear cup that isn't the digital crown). I found this a much more reliable way to start Live Translation than squeezing both stems of my AirPods Pro 3. Quick accessibility is key with these kinds of life-hack features, and on a recent trip to Girona (the Catalonian city near Barcelona where Season 6 of Game of Thrones was filmed), I found it genuinely useful, rather than a novelty to play with. Now, Girona is a Catalan-speaking city, and Catalan isn't yet one of Apple's supported Live Translation languages, but I heard a lot of Spanish too — and I also have a long-suffering life partner who speaks both languages. You can see snippets of our conversation below.
Apple AppleI've said before that this is an Apple offering you need to spend a bit of time setting up — ideally before your romantic city break — because there's a fair bit of red tape you'll need to cut through. You'll also need an iPhone 15 Pro or later running iOS 26 or later, Apple Intelligence turned on, the Translate app downloaded (and the language modules you want downloaded), plus the latest AirPods Firmware version.
I also customized the iPhone Action button on my iPhone 15 Pro Max to start Live Translation, because in the moment it can be easier to tap your phone rather than your headphones, and it's all about speed of deployment with Live Translation. Once that's done, audible English responses are piped in as your helper answers your questions, with a transcription of the information they're giving you (and your questions translated) also appearing on your iPhone's screen. OK, perhaps your helpful human will find the fact that you're not taking off your headphones to talk to them a little rude, but it works beautifully and with very little lag.
Now to the other new features and claimed upticks in performance, all of which can be found, controlled, toggled and customized with a tap of the AirPods Max bubble near the top of the settings tab, or by swiping down from the top-right of your screen, to get the Control Center. Your listening modes include Off, Transparency (which works and without making music tinny, but there's no slider), Adaptive (which does have a slider, to allow more or less noise into your cans, albeit dynamically and in response to noises the headphones pick up around you) or Noise Cancellation (no slider, but it's excellent).
For me, the right way to go about this in most situations is to deploy both Noise Cancellation and the Conversation Awareness toggle, a little further down in that menu. This means that, by default, you're not being bothered, but when you speak up, music is automatically lowered and external noises are piped in as you need them. It's not that Adaptive Audio is bad, because it's not; I simply found that when using the Adaptive Audio profile I'd keep setting the slider right down to allow for fewer distractions, but if you don't have the luxury of blocking out the world in your working day, Adaptive will serve you well.
If you take just one thing away from this review, let it be that the noise-cancelling power in AirPods Max 2 really is 1.5 times better than before. It's fabulous; almost wickedly good at inhaling the noise from your ears, but without the vacuum effect I often find nauseating in rival cans (the few that offer ANC anywhere near this good, anyway).
Call handling is excellent; callers said my voice was remarkably clear, even on a windy UK seafront in Dorset. Gesture Control is also good provided you're relatively animated with your nods or head shakes, and the Camera Remote feature is a neat way to make photo capture easier on your iPhone. As with Conversation Awareness, it just makes for a simpler life when it comes to wearing headphones.
- Features score: 4.5 / 5
- Expansive, layered music aided by supreme ANC and Spatial Audio
- Vocals emotive and textured
- Could be a bit punchier, but a big improvement on the originals
I've spent enough time on how good the noise cancellation is, right? OK, so let's move on to the joys of head-tracked Spatial Audio. It's not a new feature with this iteration, but it is so beautifully implemented here you'll find yourself whipping them off to check there's no mini speaker under your chin or squirrelled away at the back of the room. Better than the original AirPods Max? Yes. It's likely due to the new amplifier under the hood plus the processing power of the H2 chipset, but it's cleaner all round — and I did listen in direct comparison.
My favorite home cinema setup is now an iPad and the AirPods Max 2 with head-tracked Spatial Audio engaged. If you're not so sure, try watching the opening scene of Alfonso Cuarón’s 2013 movie Gravity (it's a known test these days, but still). See?
When listening to music, you can expect an expansive, meticulously unfurled soundstage with a noise floor so low that bass frequencies rumble, snap and boom in so much space it's almost a crime. Fontaines D.C.'s I Love You is brooding through the intro and able to celebrate the juicy depth of Grian Chatten's vocals as well as I've heard in any wireless headphones. My Chatten playlist continues with The Score. Its textured acoustic guitar intro brushes each of my ears in turn before expanding yet further to let the vocal drop centrally. Add the USB-C cable to listen in Lossless on Apple Music and it's even better.
Timing, too, is exceptional. I dare you to stream Bad Bunny's Tití Me Preguntó and sit still. It's raucous, defiant, joyous and, in these headphones, it's why I love music.
For crisp leading edges of notes and an extra ounce of detail (again, we come to that 'integrated hi-fi versus fun' debate), you'll get just a little more insight and honesty from the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2, but those headphones are pricier and for me, AirPods Pro 2's Spatial Audio knocks B&W's True Immersion solution clean out the water, with the latter coming off veiled and almost muffled in direct comparison.
Ask yourself this: do you want your music to feel emotional, zealous and fun — a more V-shaped presentation where upper mids (ie. vocals) and feels through the bass dart betwixt each ear? Or do you want a faithful, neutral stereo performance that leaves nothing out of the mix? Your answer is important because if you pick the first option, you own an iPhone and you can afford these headphones, I know you won't be disappointed.
- Sound quality: 5 / 5
- A new 'custom high dynamic range amplifier' is the only physical update
- …but for me, they're still the most comfortable headphones around
- Could do with an audio handoff option — and better stamina
As I've already mentioned and pictured, AirPods Max 2's appearance and indeed innards (save for a new chip and amplification module) remain largely unchanged. If you hoped Apple would completely overhaul the design, you'll doubtless feel wronged. But I maintain that the headband here is the most comfortable I've ever worn, and the metallic yokes are the most reliable and silent. I wear headphones almost constantly, but I also suffer from migraines, so a headband digging into the crown of my head doesn't help the pain in my noggin one bit. No such issue here, ever, and for me that's priceless. What I'm saying is, I think Apple found the fix here and I wouldn't want them to try again and alter it.
The ear cups are quite wide and extremely long, but they aren't especially deep, unlike the audiophile-grade options I've tried that felt like long lenses strapped across my head. An IP rating would be a plus, as would an actual case rather than the headphone bra Apple has stuck with (see the new Sony 1000X The Collexion for a novel idea that still actually protects your expensive headphones, Apple), but the build quality is resoundingly premium. All the more reason to want to protect it…
My main gripe here concerns the battery life. At 20 hours (albeit with ANC deployed), Apple is being left behind. We recently knocked the Sony 1000X for a lack of stamina, even with 24 hours in ANC mode, but you'll get 30 hours from the B&W Px8 S2 with noise cancellation on. And these options aren't class leaders — Cambridge's Melomania P100 (a fantastic set of cans) will go for 60 hours with ANC on.
And I have one other bugbear. In AirPods Pro 3, I suggested a dedicated iOS app might be necessary now, because of the additional Hearing Health suite (hearing tests, hearing aid functionality and virtual trainer perks), heart-rate monitor, and the fact that on-ear controls on an earbud are more fiddly than they are on an ear cup. Here, I think the in-iPhone solution suffices, but I'd like an audio handoff feature that works with Apple Music.
To be clear, I don't mean a cross-device feature to resume playback on another Apple device when I walk through the door, as pioneered by Bowers & Wilkins between its wireless headphones and wireless speakers (not too many of us still use HomePods or HomePod minis, I imagine), or true multipoint connectivity — if you're using the same Apple ID, your AirPods Max 2 will happily dart between your iPhone, Mac or iPad using its own Automatic Device Switching solution. No, I simply want to be able to seamlessly switch from streaming Apple Music on my iPhone to streaming Apple Music on my MacBook. I want to pause a song on my phone, sit at my MacBook Pro, open the Music app, and continue listening to the same track, or playlist. It's odd that this still isn't happening — but this is a review about AirPods Max 2, not the Apple Music user experience.
- Design score: 4.5 / 5
- The best ANC over-ears for iPhone owners
- Some might think Apple should've tried harder though…
Here's the issue: people buy with their eyes first, then their wallets. And in one sense, there's nothing new to see here — buy the newest AirPods Max and few people will be able to tell if you just bought the older, heavily discounted set or the brand new H2-toting pair. My Orange review sample is one of the new Max 2-only colorways, but with so many bright finishes available (and oddly, none of them correspond with Apple's latest MacBook Neo colorways), it's hard to keep tabs on what's new and what's not.
It's unfortunate, because having tested them for over two months now, I can tell you that AirPods Max 2 are much better sonically than the originals. The ANC is as good as Apple claims it is, and they boast a greatly improved user experience to boot. But you'd never be able to tell that by looking at them, and when the model they look just like came out in late 2020, that could present a problem in terms of perceived value.
- Value: 4 / 5
Excellent sound and ANC; lacklustre stamina
Features 4.5 Sound Quality 5 Design 4.5 Battery Life 3 Noise Cancellation 5 Value 4 Overall 4.5 01.534.56 Group 1 Data ProductFeatures ()Sound Quality ()Design ()Battery Life ()Noise Cancellation ()Value ()Overall () AirPods Max 24.554.53544.5 window.iFrameResizer = { heightCalculationMethod: 'taggedElement' }; (function() { /* Global animation function for slideshow re-use */ window.fvAnimateCharts = function(chartWrapper) { if (!chartWrapper) return; function animateBars(chartElement) { if (!chartElement) return; var bars = chartElement.querySelectorAll('.fv-bar, .fv-stacked-segment'); bars.forEach(function(bar, index) { /* Reset to 0 first to ensure animation triggers */ bar.style.setProperty('width', '0%', 'important'); bar.style.setProperty('transition', 'none', 'important'); var targetWidth = bar.dataset.targetWidth; if (targetWidth === undefined) return; /* Force reflow */ void bar.offsetWidth; var targetMargin = bar.dataset.targetMargin; var baseMargin = bar.dataset.baseMargin; if (baseMargin !== undefined) { bar.style.setProperty('margin-left', baseMargin + '%', 'important'); } setTimeout(function() { var marginTransition = baseMargin !== undefined ? ', margin-left 0.8s ease-out' : ''; bar.style.setProperty('transition', 'opacity 0.2s ease, width 0.8s ease-out' + marginTransition, 'important'); bar.style.setProperty('width', targetWidth + '%', 'important'); if (targetMargin !== undefined && baseMargin !== undefined) { bar.style.setProperty('margin-left', targetMargin + '%', 'important'); } }, index * 50 + 50); /* Reduced initial delay */ }); } function animateLineChart(chartElement) { if (!chartElement) return; var lineSvg = chartElement.querySelector('svg'); if (!lineSvg) return; var paths = lineSvg.querySelectorAll('.riv-line-path'); paths.forEach(function(p, i) { if (typeof p.getTotalLength === 'function') { var len = p.getTotalLength(); p.style.transition = 'none'; p.style.strokeDasharray = len; p.style.strokeDashoffset = len; p.getBoundingClientRect(); setTimeout(function() { p.style.transition = 'stroke-dashoffset 1s ease-out ' + (i * 0.1) + 's, stroke-width 0.2s, opacity 0.2s'; p.style.strokeDashoffset = '0'; }, 100); } }); var dots = lineSvg.querySelectorAll('.riv-dot'); dots.forEach(function(dot, i) { dot.style.opacity = '0'; setTimeout(function() { dot.style.transition = 'opacity 0.3s ease'; dot.style.opacity = '1'; }, 500 + i * 10); }); } /* Execute */ var charts = chartWrapper.querySelectorAll('.fv-chart-item'); charts.forEach(function(chart) { /* If in carousel/dropdown mode, hidden charts are display:none. */ /* We only animate what is visible. */ if (window.getComputedStyle(chart).display === 'none') return; var chartType = chart.dataset.chartType; if (chartType === 'Line') { animateLineChart(chart); } else if (chartType !== 'Pie') { animateBars(chart); } }); }; function initialize(uniqueId, isSlideshow) { var root = document.getElementById(uniqueId); /* In slideshow mode, 'root' will be null because the container has '-slideshow' suffix. */ /* We handle that logic below. */ if (!root && !isSlideshow) return; /* Setup internal interactions (Carousel/Dropdown/LineChart) for a specific chart wrapper */ function setupWrapper(chartWrapper) { if (!chartWrapper) return; /* Responsive mobile view handling */ function checkMobileView() { var width = chartWrapper.getBoundingClientRect().width; var isMobileDevice = window.screen && Math.min(window.screen.width, window.screen.height) <= 599; var isMobile; if (width === 0) { /* Fallback for when width isn't available yet (e.g., hidden tab) */ isMobile = isMobileDevice || window.matchMedia('(max-width: 599px)').matches; } else { /* Mobile if container is small OR if it's a physical mobile device (overriding fixed-width iframes) */ isMobile = isMobileDevice || width < 600; } if (isMobile) { chartWrapper.classList.add('mobile-view'); } else { chartWrapper.classList.remove('mobile-view'); } } /* Initial check */ checkMobileView(); if (typeof ResizeObserver !== 'undefined') { var ro = new ResizeObserver(function() { checkMobileView(); }); ro.observe(chartWrapper); } /* Always add window resize listener as a reliable fallback for DevTools and edge cases */ window.addEventListener('resize', checkMobileView); /* Labels on top handler */ var labelsOnTop = chartWrapper.dataset.barLabelsOnTop === 'true'; if (labelsOnTop) { /* If there are multiple charts and we're not in a carousel/dropdown, we might have mixed types. */ /* But typically, labels-on-top is a global setting. We'll apply it initially, */ /* and showInternalChart will toggle it if needed. */ var charts = chartWrapper.querySelectorAll('.fv-chart-item'); var hasVisibleBarChart = false; charts.forEach(function(c) { if (window.getComputedStyle(c).display !== 'none') { var cType = c.dataset.chartType; if (cType === 'Bar' || cType === 'Stacked Bar' || cType === 'Versus') { hasVisibleBarChart = true; } } }); if (hasVisibleBarChart) { chartWrapper.classList.add('labels-on-top'); } else { chartWrapper.classList.remove('labels-on-top'); } } else { chartWrapper.classList.remove('labels-on-top'); } /* Legend interactions */ chartWrapper.querySelectorAll('.riv-line-legend').forEach(function(legend) { var chartId = legend.dataset.chart; var chart = chartWrapper.querySelector('[id="' + chartId + '"]'); if (!chart) return; var lines = chart.querySelectorAll('.riv-line-path'); var dots = chart.querySelectorAll('.riv-dot'); var legendItems = legend.querySelectorAll('.riv-legend-item'); legendItems.forEach(function(item) { var productName = item.dataset.product; var safeProductName = productName.replace(/"/g, '\"'); var line = chart.querySelector('.riv-line-path[data-product="' + safeProductName + '"]'); var productDots = chart.querySelectorAll('.riv-dot[data-product="' + safeProductName + '"]'); if (line && !line.dataset.origStroke) { line.dataset.origStroke = line.getAttribute('stroke-width') || '2'; } var highlight = function() { if (legend.querySelector('.isolated')) return; lines.forEach(function(l) { l.style.opacity = '0.2'; l.setAttribute('stroke-width', l.dataset.origStroke); }); dots.forEach(function(d) { d.style.opacity = '0.2'; }); legendItems.forEach(function(i) { i.style.opacity = '0.3'; i.style.transition = 'opacity 0.2s'; }); if (line) { line.style.opacity = '1'; line.setAttribute('stroke-width', '4'); } productDots.forEach(function(d) { d.style.opacity = '1'; }); item.style.opacity = '1'; }; var clearHighlight = function() { if (legend.querySelector('.isolated')) return; lines.forEach(function(l) { l.style.opacity = '1'; l.setAttribute('stroke-width', l.dataset.origStroke); }); dots.forEach(function(d) { d.style.opacity = '1'; }); legendItems.forEach(function(i) { i.style.opacity = '1'; }); }; var toggleIsolate = function() { var isIsolated = item.classList.contains('isolated'); legendItems.forEach(function(i) { i.classList.remove('isolated'); }); if (isIsolated) { lines.forEach(function(l) { l.style.opacity = '1'; l.setAttribute('stroke-width', l.dataset.origStroke); }); dots.forEach(function(d) { d.style.opacity = '1'; }); legendItems.forEach(function(i) { i.style.opacity = '1'; }); } else { item.classList.add('isolated'); lines.forEach(function(l) { l.style.opacity = '0.2'; l.setAttribute('stroke-width', l.dataset.origStroke); }); dots.forEach(function(d) { d.style.opacity = '0.2'; }); legendItems.forEach(function(i) { i.style.opacity = '0.3'; i.style.transition = 'opacity 0.2s'; }); if (line) { line.style.opacity = '1'; line.setAttribute('stroke-width', '4'); } productDots.forEach(function(d) { d.style.opacity = '1'; }); item.style.opacity = '1'; } }; item.addEventListener('mouseenter', highlight); item.addEventListener('focus', highlight); item.addEventListener('mouseleave', clearHighlight); item.addEventListener('blur', clearHighlight); item.addEventListener('click', toggleIsolate); if (line) { line.style.cursor = 'pointer'; line.addEventListener('mouseenter', highlight); line.addEventListener('mouseleave', clearHighlight); line.addEventListener('click', toggleIsolate); } }); }); /* Versus Chart Logic */ var versusCharts = chartWrapper.querySelectorAll('.fv-versus-chart'); versusCharts.forEach(function(vc) { var dataJson = vc.getAttribute('data-versus-data'); var leftColor = vc.getAttribute('data-left-color') || '#E53935'; var rightColor = vc.getAttribute('data-right-color') || '#FFB300'; if (!dataJson) return; var versusData = JSON.parse(dataJson); var leftSelect = vc.querySelector('.fv-select-left'); var rightSelect = vc.querySelector('.fv-select-right'); var rows = vc.querySelectorAll('.fv-versus-row'); function updateVersusChart() { var leftProduct = leftSelect.value; var rightProduct = rightSelect.value; leftSelect.style.color = leftColor; leftSelect.style.borderColor = leftColor; rightSelect.style.color = rightColor; rightSelect.style.borderColor = rightColor; rows.forEach(function(row) { var index = parseInt(row.getAttribute('data-index')); var data = versusData[index]; if (!data) return; var leftVal = data.productData[leftProduct] ? data.productData[leftProduct].value : undefined; var rightVal = data.productData[rightProduct] ? data.productData[rightProduct].value : undefined; var leftIsNum = typeof leftVal === 'number'; var rightIsNum = typeof rightVal === 'number'; var leftNum = leftIsNum ? leftVal : 0; var rightNum = rightIsNum ? rightVal : 0; var maxVal = Math.max(leftNum, rightNum, 0.0001); var leftWidth = leftIsNum ? (leftNum / maxVal) * 95 : 0; var rightWidth = rightIsNum ? (rightNum / maxVal) * 85 : 0; var winner = null; var pctDiffStr = null; if (leftIsNum && rightIsNum) { if (leftNum > rightNum) { winner = 'left'; if (rightNum > 0) { var diff = Math.round(((leftNum - rightNum) / rightNum) * 100); pctDiffStr = '+' + diff.toLocaleString() + '%'; } } else if (rightNum > leftNum) { winner = 'right'; if (leftNum > 0) { var diff = Math.round(((rightNum - leftNum) / leftNum) * 100); pctDiffStr = '+' + diff.toLocaleString() + '%'; } } } var leftDisplay = data.productData[leftProduct] && data.productData[leftProduct].displayValue !== undefined ? data.productData[leftProduct].displayValue : (leftIsNum ? leftNum.toLocaleString() : (leftVal !== undefined ? leftVal : '-')); var rightDisplay = data.productData[rightProduct] && data.productData[rightProduct].displayValue !== undefined ? data.productData[rightProduct].displayValue : (rightIsNum ? rightNum.toLocaleString() : (rightVal !== undefined ? rightVal : '-')); var unit = (data.productData[leftProduct] && data.productData[leftProduct].unit) || (data.productData[rightProduct] && data.productData[rightProduct].unit) || ''; var leftTextStr = leftDisplay; var rightTextStr = rightDisplay; var leftBar = row.querySelector('.fv-versus-bar-left'); var rightBar = row.querySelector('.fv-versus-bar-right'); var leftText = row.querySelector('.fv-inside-left'); var rightText = row.querySelector('.fv-inside-right'); var labelText = row.querySelector('.fv-versus-label span'); var leftWrapper = row.querySelector('.fv-versus-bar-left-wrapper'); var rightWrapper = row.querySelector('.fv-versus-bar-right-wrapper'); var existingPctDiffs = row.querySelectorAll('.fv-versus-pct-diff'); existingPctDiffs.forEach(function(el) { el.remove(); }); if (winner === 'left' && pctDiffStr) { var pctSpan = document.createElement('span'); pctSpan.className = 'fv-versus-pct-diff'; pctSpan.style.color = 'rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9)'; pctSpan.textContent = pctDiffStr; if (leftBar) leftBar.insertBefore(pctSpan, leftBar.firstChild); } else if (winner === 'right' && pctDiffStr) { var pctSpan = document.createElement('span'); pctSpan.className = 'fv-versus-pct-diff'; pctSpan.style.color = 'rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9)'; pctSpan.textContent = pctDiffStr; if (rightBar) rightBar.appendChild(pctSpan); } if (leftBar) { leftBar.style.backgroundColor = leftColor; leftBar.dataset.targetWidth = leftWidth; leftBar.style.setProperty('--target-width', leftWidth + '%'); leftBar.style.width = leftWidth + '%'; } if (rightBar) { rightBar.style.backgroundColor = rightColor; rightBar.dataset.targetWidth = rightWidth; rightBar.style.setProperty('--target-width', rightWidth + '%'); rightBar.style.width = rightWidth + '%'; } if (leftText) { leftText.innerHTML = leftTextStr; } if (rightText) { rightText.innerHTML = rightTextStr; } if (labelText) { labelText.textContent = data.attribute + (unit ? ' (' + unit + ')' : ''); } }); } if (leftSelect) leftSelect.addEventListener('change', updateVersusChart); if (rightSelect) rightSelect.addEventListener('change', updateVersusChart); }); /* Carousel & Dropdown Logic */ var charts = chartWrapper.querySelectorAll('.fv-chart-item'); var dropdown = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-dropdown-title'); var prevBtn = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-carousel-nav-btn.prev'); var nextBtn = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-carousel-nav-btn.next'); var carouselTitle = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-carousel-title-controls .fv-benchmark-title'); var counter = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-carousel-counter'); /* Text Elements */ var subheadEl = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-chart-subhead'); var captionEl = chartWrapper.querySelector('.rv-chart-caption'); var footerContentEl = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-footer-content'); var bottomBarEl = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-bottom-bar'); var logoEl = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-logo'); if (charts.length > 1 && (dropdown || prevBtn)) { var currentChartIndex = 0; var titles = []; if (dropdown) { titles = Array.from(dropdown.options).map(function(o) { return o.text; }); } else { charts.forEach(function(c) { titles.push(c.getAttribute('data-title') || ''); }); } function showInternalChart(index) { if (index < 0) index = charts.length - 1; if (index >= charts.length) index = 0; currentChartIndex = index; charts.forEach(function(c, i) { c.style.display = i === index ? 'block' : 'none'; if (i === index) { var cType = c.dataset.chartType; if (cType === 'Line') { /* Line chart animations if needed */ } else if (cType !== 'Pie') { window.fvAnimateCharts(chartWrapper); } /* Update labels-on-top based on current chart type */ var labelsOnTop = chartWrapper.dataset.barLabelsOnTop === 'true'; if (labelsOnTop && (cType === 'Bar' || cType === 'Stacked Bar' || cType === 'Versus')) { chartWrapper.classList.add('labels-on-top'); } else { chartWrapper.classList.remove('labels-on-top'); } } }); if (dropdown) dropdown.value = index; if (carouselTitle && titles[index]) carouselTitle.textContent = titles[index]; if (counter) counter.textContent = (index + 1) + ' of ' + charts.length; /* Update Subhead and Caption */ var activeChart = charts[index]; if (activeChart) { var newSubhead = activeChart.getAttribute('data-subhead'); var newCaption = activeChart.getAttribute('data-caption'); var currentChartType = activeChart.getAttribute('data-chart-type'); var hideGlobalCaption = currentChartType === 'Countdown' || currentChartType === 'Image Comparison' || currentChartType === 'Shop the Collection'; if (subheadEl) subheadEl.textContent = newSubhead || ''; if (captionEl) captionEl.textContent = newCaption || ''; if (footerContentEl) { if (newCaption && newCaption.trim().length > 0 && !hideGlobalCaption) { footerContentEl.style.display = 'block'; if (bottomBarEl) bottomBarEl.style.display = 'flex'; } else { footerContentEl.style.display = 'none'; if (bottomBarEl && !logoEl) { bottomBarEl.style.display = 'none'; } } } } } if (dropdown) dropdown.addEventListener('change', function(e) { showInternalChart(parseInt(e.target.value)); }); if (prevBtn) prevBtn.addEventListener('click', function() { showInternalChart(currentChartIndex - 1); }); if (nextBtn) nextBtn.addEventListener('click', function() { showInternalChart(currentChartIndex + 1); }); } /* Image Comparison Logic */ var imageCompareWrappers = chartWrapper.querySelectorAll('.fv-image-compare-wrapper'); imageCompareWrappers.forEach(function(wrapper) { var inner = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-inner') || wrapper; var slider = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-slider'); var fgImage = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-fg'); var bgImage = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-bg'); var labelLeft = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-label-left'); var labelRight = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-label-right'); var isDragging = false; /* Zoom state */ var scale = 1; var panX = 0; var panY = 0; var isPanning = false; var hasPanned = false; var lastClientX = 0; var lastClientY = 0; var initialDistance = null; var lastCenterX = null; var lastCenterY = null; function updateTransform() { if (wrapper.classList.contains('fv-image-compare-fullscreen')) { inner.style.setProperty('transform', 'translate(' + panX + 'px, ' + panY + 'px) scale(' + scale + ')', 'important'); } else { inner.style.removeProperty('transform'); scale = 1; panX = 0; panY = 0; } } function constrainPan() { var rect = wrapper.getBoundingClientRect(); /* Max pan depends on how much the image is scaled beyond the wrapper */ var maxPanX = Math.max(0, (rect.width * scale - rect.width) / 2); var maxPanY = Math.max(0, (rect.height * scale - rect.height) / 2); panX = Math.max(-maxPanX, Math.min(panX, maxPanX)); panY = Math.max(-maxPanY, Math.min(panY, maxPanY)); } wrapper.addEventListener('wheel', function(e) { if (!wrapper.classList.contains('fv-image-compare-fullscreen')) return; e.preventDefault(); var zoomSensitivity = 0.005; var zoomFactor = Math.exp(-e.deltaY * zoomSensitivity); var newScale = Math.max(1, Math.min(scale * zoomFactor, 5)); if (newScale === scale) return; var rect = wrapper.getBoundingClientRect(); var mouseX = e.clientX - rect.left - rect.width / 2; var mouseY = e.clientY - rect.top - rect.height / 2; var ratio = newScale / scale; panX = mouseX - (mouseX - panX) * ratio; panY = mouseY - (mouseY - panY) * ratio; scale = newScale; constrainPan(); updateTransform(); }, { passive: false }); wrapper.addEventListener('mousedown', function(e) { if (!wrapper.classList.contains('fv-image-compare-fullscreen') || scale <= 1) return; if (e.target.closest('.fv-image-compare-slider') || e.target.closest('button')) return; isPanning = true; hasPanned = false; lastClientX = e.clientX; lastClientY = e.clientY; }); window.addEventListener('mousemove', function(e) { if (!isPanning) return; var dx = e.clientX - lastClientX; var dy = e.clientY - lastClientY; if (Math.abs(dx) > 2 || Math.abs(dy) > 2) { hasPanned = true; } lastClientX = e.clientX; lastClientY = e.clientY; panX += dx; panY += dy; constrainPan(); updateTransform(); }); window.addEventListener('mouseup', function() { isPanning = false; }); wrapper.addEventListener('touchstart', function(e) { if (!wrapper.classList.contains('fv-image-compare-fullscreen')) return; if (e.touches.length === 2) { e.preventDefault(); var dx = e.touches[0].clientX - e.touches[1].clientX; var dy = e.touches[0].clientY - e.touches[1].clientY; initialDistance = Math.sqrt(dx * dx + dy * dy); var rect = wrapper.getBoundingClientRect(); lastCenterX = (e.touches[0].clientX + e.touches[1].clientX) / 2 - rect.left - rect.width / 2; lastCenterY = (e.touches[0].clientY + e.touches[1].clientY) / 2 - rect.top - rect.height / 2; hasPanned = true; /* Prevent click after pinch */ } else if (e.touches.length === 1 && scale > 1) { if (e.target.closest('.fv-image-compare-slider') || e.target.closest('button')) return; isPanning = true; hasPanned = false; lastClientX = e.touches[0].clientX; lastClientY = e.touches[0].clientY; } }, { passive: false }); wrapper.addEventListener('touchmove', function(e) { if (!wrapper.classList.contains('fv-image-compare-fullscreen')) return; if (e.touches.length === 2 && initialDistance !== null) { e.preventDefault(); var dx = e.touches[0].clientX - e.touches[1].clientX; var dy = e.touches[0].clientY - e.touches[1].clientY; var distance = Math.sqrt(dx * dx + dy * dy); if (initialDistance > 0) { var zoomFactor = distance / initialDistance; var newScale = Math.max(1, Math.min(scale * zoomFactor, 5)); var rect = wrapper.getBoundingClientRect(); var centerX = (e.touches[0].clientX + e.touches[1].clientX) / 2 - rect.left - rect.width / 2; var centerY = (e.touches[0].clientY + e.touches[1].clientY) / 2 - rect.top - rect.height / 2; var ratio = newScale / scale; panX = centerX - (centerX - panX) * ratio; panY = centerY - (centerY - panY) * ratio; if (lastCenterX !== null && lastCenterY !== null) { panX += (centerX - lastCenterX); panY += (centerY - lastCenterY); } scale = newScale; lastCenterX = centerX; lastCenterY = centerY; constrainPan(); updateTransform(); } initialDistance = distance; } else if (e.touches.length === 1 && isPanning) { e.preventDefault(); var dx = e.touches[0].clientX - lastClientX; var dy = e.touches[0].clientY - lastClientY; if (Math.abs(dx) > 2 || Math.abs(dy) > 2) { hasPanned = true; } lastClientX = e.touches[0].clientX; lastClientY = e.touches[0].clientY; panX += dx; panY += dy; constrainPan(); updateTransform(); } }, { passive: false }); wrapper.addEventListener('touchend', function(e) { if (e.touches.length < 2) { initialDistance = null; } if (e.touches.length === 0) { isPanning = false; } }); function handleMove(clientX) { var rect = inner.getBoundingClientRect(); var x = Math.max(0, Math.min(clientX - rect.left, rect.width)); var percent = Math.max(0, Math.min((x / rect.width) * 100, 100)); if (slider) slider.style.setProperty('left', percent + '%', 'important'); if (fgImage) fgImage.style.setProperty('clip-path', 'polygon(0 0, ' + percent + '% 0, ' + percent + '% 100%, 0 100%)', 'important'); if (labelLeft) { if (percent < 10) { labelLeft.style.setProperty('opacity', '0', 'important'); } else { labelLeft.style.setProperty('opacity', '1', 'important'); } } if (labelRight) { if (percent > 90) { labelRight.style.setProperty('opacity', '0', 'important'); } else { labelRight.style.setProperty('opacity', '1', 'important'); } } } function onMouseMove(e) { if (!isDragging) return; handleMove(e.clientX); } function onTouchMove(e) { if (!isDragging) return; e.preventDefault(); handleMove(e.touches[0].clientX); } function stopDragging() { isDragging = false; window.removeEventListener('mousemove', onMouseMove); window.removeEventListener('mouseup', stopDragging); window.removeEventListener('touchmove', onTouchMove); window.removeEventListener('touchend', stopDragging); } if (slider) { var startDrag = function(clientX) { isDragging = true; handleMove(clientX); window.addEventListener('mousemove', onMouseMove); window.addEventListener('mouseup', stopDragging); }; var startTouchDrag = function(clientX) { isDragging = true; handleMove(clientX); window.addEventListener('touchmove', onTouchMove, { passive: false }); window.addEventListener('touchend', stopDragging); }; slider.addEventListener('mousedown', function(e) { e.preventDefault(); startDrag(e.clientX); }); slider.addEventListener('touchstart', function(e) { e.preventDefault(); startTouchDrag(e.touches[0].clientX); }, { passive: false }); } /* Expand/Close Logic */ var expandBtn = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-expand-btn'); var closeBtn = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-close-btn'); if (expandBtn) { if (window !== window.parent) { expandBtn.style.display = 'none'; } else { expandBtn.addEventListener('click', function(e) { /* e.preventDefault(); // Removed to allow text selection */ e.stopPropagation(); wrapper.classList.add('fv-image-compare-fullscreen'); document.body.style.overflow = 'hidden'; /* Load high-res images if available */ if (fgImage && fgImage.dataset.highresSrc) { fgImage.src = fgImage.dataset.highresSrc; fgImage.removeAttribute('srcset'); fgImage.removeAttribute('sizes'); } if (bgImage && bgImage.dataset.highresSrc) { bgImage.src = bgImage.dataset.highresSrc; bgImage.removeAttribute('srcset'); bgImage.removeAttribute('sizes'); } }); } } if (closeBtn) { closeBtn.addEventListener('click', function(e) { /* e.preventDefault(); // Removed to allow text selection */ e.stopPropagation(); wrapper.classList.remove('fv-image-compare-fullscreen'); document.body.style.overflow = ''; updateTransform(); }); } /* Close on Escape */ document.addEventListener('keydown', function(e) { if (e.key === 'Escape' && wrapper.classList.contains('fv-image-compare-fullscreen')) { wrapper.classList.remove('fv-image-compare-fullscreen'); document.body.style.overflow = ''; updateTransform(); } }); }); /* Shop The Look Hotspots */ var hotspots = chartWrapper.querySelectorAll('.fv-stl-hotspot-btn'); var allProductsModal = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-stl-all-products-modal'); var shopAllBtn = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-stl-shop-all-btn'); var allProductsList = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-stl-all-products-list'); var stlContainer = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-stl-container'); function closeAllModals() { if (allProductsModal) { allProductsModal.classList.remove('is-active'); /* Remove highlights */ var items = allProductsModal.querySelectorAll('.fv-stl-all-products-item'); items.forEach(function(item) { item.classList.remove('is-highlighted'); }); /* Remove min-height after transition */ if (stlContainer) { setTimeout(function() { if (!allProductsModal.classList.contains('is-active')) { stlContainer.style.minHeight = ''; if ('parentIFrame' in window) { window.parentIFrame.size(); } } }, 300); } } hotspots.forEach(function(btn) { btn.setAttribute('aria-expanded', 'false'); }); if ('parentIFrame' in window) { window.parentIFrame.size(); } } hotspots.forEach(function(btn) { btn.addEventListener('click', function(e) { e.stopPropagation(); var hotspotId = btn.getAttribute('data-hotspot-id'); var isExpanded = btn.getAttribute('aria-expanded') === 'true'; closeAllModals(); if (!isExpanded && allProductsModal) { btn.setAttribute('aria-expanded', 'true'); allProductsModal.classList.add('is-active'); /* Ensure container is tall enough */ var container = btn.closest('.fv-stl-container'); if (container && container.offsetHeight < 450) { container.style.minHeight = '450px'; } /* Highlight and scroll to item */ var targetItem = allProductsModal.querySelector('.fv-stl-all-products-item[data-product-id="' + hotspotId + '"]'); if (targetItem) { targetItem.classList.add('is-highlighted'); setTimeout(function() { targetItem.scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth', block: 'center' }); }, 100); } if ('parentIFrame' in window) { window.parentIFrame.size(); } } }); }); /* Shop All button */ if (shopAllBtn && allProductsModal) { shopAllBtn.addEventListener('click', function(e) { e.stopPropagation(); closeAllModals(); allProductsModal.classList.add('is-active'); /* Ensure container is tall enough */ var container = shopAllBtn.closest('.fv-stl-container'); if (container && container.offsetHeight < 450) { container.style.minHeight = '450px'; } if ('parentIFrame' in window) { window.parentIFrame.size(); } }); } /* Close button in all products modal */ if (allProductsModal) { var closeAllBtn = allProductsModal.querySelector('.fv-stl-all-products-close'); if (closeAllBtn) { closeAllBtn.addEventListener('click', function(e) { e.stopPropagation(); closeAllModals(); }); } } /* Close modals when clicking outside */ chartWrapper.addEventListener('click', function(e) { /* Only close if clicking on the wrapper or container, not inside a modal content */ if (!e.target.closest('.fv-stl-all-products-content')) { closeAllModals(); } }); if (allProductsModal) { allProductsModal.addEventListener('click', function(e) { if (!e.target.closest('.fv-stl-all-products-content')) { closeAllModals(); } }); } /* Image Annotation Logic */ var iaNodes = chartWrapper.querySelectorAll('.fv-ia-node-button'); var iaWrapper = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-ia-wrapper'); var originalCaption = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-original-caption') || captionEl; var dynamicCaption = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-ia-dynamic-caption'); var exploreBtn = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-ia-explore-btn'); var currentIaIndex = -1; function closeAllIANodes() { iaNodes.forEach(function(btn) { btn.classList.remove('is-active'); }); if (originalCaption) originalCaption.style.display = 'block'; if (dynamicCaption) dynamicCaption.style.display = 'none'; } function resetExploreBtn() { currentIaIndex = -1; if (exploreBtn) { var exploreSpan = exploreBtn.querySelector('span'); if (exploreSpan) exploreSpan.textContent = 'Explore'; } } iaNodes.forEach(function(btn, index) { btn.addEventListener('click', function(e) { e.stopPropagation(); var isActive = btn.classList.contains('is-active'); closeAllIANodes(); if (!isActive) { currentIaIndex = index; if (exploreBtn) { var exploreSpan = exploreBtn.querySelector('span'); if (exploreSpan) exploreSpan.textContent = 'Next'; } btn.classList.add('is-active'); if (dynamicCaption) { var title = btn.getAttribute('data-title') || ''; var desc = btn.getAttribute('data-desc') || ''; dynamicCaption.innerHTML = ''; var strongTag = document.createElement('strong'); strongTag.textContent = title; dynamicCaption.appendChild(strongTag); if (desc) { dynamicCaption.appendChild(document.createTextNode(' - ' + desc)); } if (originalCaption) originalCaption.style.display = 'none'; dynamicCaption.style.display = 'block'; if (footerContentEl) footerContentEl.style.display = 'block'; } } else { resetExploreBtn(); } }); }); if (exploreBtn) { exploreBtn.addEventListener('click', function(e) { e.stopPropagation(); if (iaNodes.length === 0) return; var nextIndex = currentIaIndex + 1; if (nextIndex >= iaNodes.length) { closeAllIANodes(); resetExploreBtn(); } else { currentIaIndex = nextIndex; var targetBtn = iaNodes[currentIaIndex]; if (targetBtn) { if(targetBtn.classList.contains('is-active')) { targetBtn.click(); } targetBtn.click(); } } }); } if (iaWrapper) { iaWrapper.addEventListener('click', function(e) { if (!e.target.closest('.fv-ia-node-button') && !e.target.closest('.fv-ia-explore-btn')) { closeAllIANodes(); resetExploreBtn(); } }); } /* Initial Animation */ window.fvAnimateCharts(chartWrapper); /* Countdown Logic */ var countdownContainer = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-countdown-container'); if (countdownContainer) { var targetDateAttr = countdownContainer.getAttribute('data-target-date'); if (targetDateAttr) { var targetDate = new Date(targetDateAttr); var primaryColor = countdownContainer.getAttribute('data-primary-color') || '#f97316'; var subheadColor = countdownContainer.getAttribute('data-subhead-color') || '#ffffff'; var pad = function(n) { return (n < 10 ? '0' : '') + n; }; var updateCountdown = function() { var difference = +targetDate - +new Date(); var d = 0, h = 0, m = 0, s = 0; if (difference > 0) { d = Math.floor(difference / (1000 * 60 * 60 * 24)); h = Math.floor((difference / (1000 * 60 * 60)) % 24); m = Math.floor((difference / 1000 / 60) % 60); s = Math.floor((difference / 1000) % 60); } var daysEl = countdownContainer.querySelector('[data-time="days"]'); var hoursEl = countdownContainer.querySelector('[data-time="hours"]'); var minsEl = countdownContainer.querySelector('[data-time="minutes"]'); var secsEl = countdownContainer.querySelector('[data-time="seconds"]'); if (daysEl) daysEl.textContent = d; if (hoursEl) hoursEl.textContent = pad(h); if (minsEl) minsEl.textContent = pad(m); if (secsEl) secsEl.textContent = pad(s); }; updateCountdown(); setInterval(updateCountdown, 1000); } } } if (false) { var slideshowContainer = document.getElementById(uniqueId + '-slideshow'); if (slideshowContainer) { var slides = slideshowContainer.querySelectorAll('.fv-slide'); slides.forEach(function(slide) { setupWrapper(slide.querySelector('.fv-chart-wrapper')); }); } } else { setupWrapper(root); } } if (document.readyState === 'loading') { document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() { initialize('fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4', false); }); } else { initialize('fv-chart-1780067391081-6swb3ztn4', false); } })();Attributes
Notes
Rating
Features
AirPods Max 2 are finally full of 2026 tech; you love to see it — just not hearing tests
4.5/5
Sound quality
Excellent ANC and head-tracked Spatial Audio with bags of space in the mix
5/5
Design
There's very little to see here until you get to the H2 chip and new amp — but if it ain't broke…
4.5/5
Value
There is value here, you just can't really see it (because they look just like a set from 2020)
4/5
Buy them if…You want to be held in a bubble of silence
If you want that and (ideally) you own an iPhone, these are the cans for you. Very little penetrates the silence here.
You travel a lot (and you don't speak the language)
Live Translation is well integrated here and for the first time I found it very useful, rather than a fun gimmick to use with my Spanish-speaking other half.
You value head-tracked Spatial Audio
This is especially true if you watch movies on the fly, but even if you just like Apple Music's Spatial Audio offering with head tracking, this is the flagship Gold Standard of the format.
You need proper stamina for long-haul flights
AirPods Max 2's battery life is not great — and by 'not great' I mean that any recent rival of note can beat the quoted battery life by at least four hours (and often by a lot more).
You own an Android phone
It probably goes without saying, but for this money (and for the number of features that melt away if you never bought into Apple's ecosystem), you'll be better served with a Sony, Technics, Bose, Cambridge or Bowers & Wilkins product.
You want LDAC or aptX Adaptive
No dice here, friend. That will come as no surprise to dyed-in-the-wool Apple fans, but if you want hifalutin wireless codecs for higher-resolution audio over Bluetooth, you'll need to look to Bowers & Wilkins or even Sennheiser — which, at the time of writing, has just announced its new Momentum 5 Wireless.
Apple AirPods Max 2
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Sony WH-1000XM6
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
Drivers
'Apple-designed dynamic driver'
Not stated officially
30mm dynamic
40mm dynamic full-range carbon cone
Active noise cancellation
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Battery life
Up to 20 hours (ANC on); 5 mins of charging = 1.5 hours of listening
30 hours (ANC on)
30 hours (ANC on)
30 hours (ANC on)
Weight
386.2g
250g
254g
310g
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.3 (H2 chip); USB-C audio
Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Adaptive, USB-C audio
Bluetooth 5.3, 3.5mm, LDAC
Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless
Sony WH-1000XM6
If you’re after something a little bit cheaper that performs really well in every department without ever quite dominating it, the Sony WH-1000XM6 are excellent all-rounders with better battery life and LDAC support (ie. good for Sony handsets or Samsung Galaxy S-Series phones).
Read our full Sony WH-1000XM6 review
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Like the Sony cans above, you get an extra 10 hours of battery life over the Apple option, with ANC deployed. And what a great noise-cancelling performance it is! You also get Bose's Immersive Audio profiles, which we really enjoyed.
Read more in our Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) review
View Deal
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
Want a truly premium-feeling set of over-ears? These are gorgeous, and the detailed, neutral sound is sensational — although you do pay for that. That being said, the onboard spatial audio solution is easily beaten by AirPods Max 2…
See if they're a better fit for you in our Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 review
- Tested for two months
- Tested on a trip to Girona, a hospital stay, coastal walks, and at my desk
- Used an Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and MacBook Pro with Apple Music, plus downloaded Flac files on my FiiO hi-res music player
I used AirPods Max 2 for two months while compiling this review. Why so long? Because I had to have shoulder surgery after accepting them for review, so my testing involved listening to podcasts and music post-op from my hospital bed, with ANC on to distract me from my immediate surroundings, then plenty of streamed movies during my recovery (and to distract me from painful rehab exercises).
I listened at home, on a quick pre-op trip to Girona (which is where AirPods Max 2's Live Translation really came into its own) and on blustery Dorset coastal walks, and let me tell you, they kept me sane while navigating my early recovery away from my desk.
I've been testing audio products full-time since 2019, first as a staff writer at TechRadar's sister publication What Hi-Fi? (locked in our hi-fi testing facility for two years, I was), then as senior writer at TechRadar and, since early 2024, audio editor.
My background as a professional dancer means I'm always interested in moving to good-quality music even with a non-functioning shoulder. I never stop listening for precision, clarity, faithful timing, insight and good old-fashioned fun in recorded audio. And when said shoulder's fully better, I'm going to be back to throwing shapes while testing too. You just wait…
- First reviewed May 2026
- Read TechRadar's review guarantee
- Learn more specifically about how we test earbuds at TechRadar
Categories: Reviews
The Razer Viper V4 Pro took me back to basics, and you know what? Maybe that's all a gaming mouse should be
Razer Viper V4 Pro: Two-minute review(Image credit: Future)
Razer is a good brand for PC gaming hardware, but I have noticed a tendency over the years to make its generational hardware upgrades... iterative might be the kind way to put it, but if I were feeling uncharitable, I might call them rudimentary – improving something, but sometimes not to a sufficient degree that an entirely new product release feels worthwhile.
I feared this might be the case with the Razer Viper V4 Pro. That wouldn't have been a disaster by any means; we gave the previous Viper V3 Pro a four-star score when we reviewed it back in 2024, which is perfectly respectable. But when I saw the V4 Pro for the first time, my first thought was that it didn't look any different from the V3 Pro whatsoever, and my heart sank.
Once I got my hands on the new model, though, I was pleased to be proven wrong. Despite looking virtually identical to the previous model, the Viper V4 Pro has undergone extensive improvements where it counts – on the inside.
For starters, Razer has managed to shave off another five grams from the already-low package weight, bringing this mouse down to a staggeringly lightweight 49g. The battery life has been almost doubled, and the buttons (and scroll wheel) have been updated with new optical switches, which provide better durability without compromising on tactile feedback.
The sensor has been upgraded, too, with the Viper V4 Pro packing Razer's third-generation Focus Pro 50K optical sensor. 50,000 DPI is far more than 99% of people will ever need, but it helps cement this as a peripheral for serious, hardcore competitive gamers. The 8K polling rate (returning from the V3 Pro) also aligns with this; the average gamer won't need it, but for pros, it's a must-have.
Really, it's genuinely difficult for me to find anything I don't like about this mouse. It's comfortable in the hand and feels supremely responsive even in high-stakes virtual shootouts. The lack of a left-handed version is a shame (although I imagine many of my fellow southpaws have adapted to life in a right-handed world and use their mouse on the right out of habit), and it's admittedly pretty expensive, but these feel like minor issues – bugs on the windshield of an extremely nice car. From my time with it, I'm very confident in saying that the Razer Viper V4 Pro deserves a place among the best gaming mice on the market.
Razer Viper V4 Pro: Price & availability- How much does it cost? $159.99 / £159.99 / AU$279.95
- When is it available? Available now
- Where can you get it? Available globally
Anyone familiar with Razer's hardware will be aware of the 'gamer tax' on the brand's products, but even taking Razer's often-steep pricing, this is one very expensive mouse.
At $159.99 / £159.99 / AU$279.95, it's very slightly cheaper than the Razer Deathadder V4 Pro, which we featured in our list of the best mice, and is fundamentally very similar to the Viper V4 Pro beyond its right-handed grip shape.
Don't get me wrong: this is an extremely high-quality mouse, but there's no getting around the fact that it'll simply be out of reach for many PC gamers at this price point. It's arguably also quite feature-light for such an expensive mouse; some potential buyers might feel shortchanged here, especially if they're looking for a mouse with more customization options.
Razer Viper V4 Pro: Design- Incredibly lightweight design
- Sturdy, tactile optical switches
- No version for left-handed users
Compared to the Logitech G502 Lightspeed I use daily for work and gaming, the Razer Viper V4 Pro feels like I'm holding nothing at all (nothing at all...)
Seriously, I almost can't believe the Viper V4 Pro even weighs the 49g listed on the spec sheet; this thing is phenomenally lightweight, to the point where I actually busted out the kitchen scales to make sure I wasn't going crazy. Sure enough, it weighed exactly the listed 49g.
It's also just a generally very comfortable mouse to use. The exterior casing is almost entirely symmetrical and lacks a thumbrest, which would generally mean that it's best suited for claw and fingertip mouse grippers, but as someone who tends to shift between claw and palm grip styles, I can attest that the latter feels comfortable with the Viper V4 Pro as well. As I noted further up in this review, despite the mostly symmetrical design, the Viper only comes in one right-handed model, so lefties are out of luck.
(Image credit: Future)The buttons and scroll wheel have a pleasing amount of tactile feedback, updated to shiny new optical switches underneath the matte plastic buttons. They feel robust, with the main two mouse buttons rated for 100 million clicks, though I would note that they have a fairly loud 'click' to them – something to bear in mind if you prefer a quieter mouse.
The underside of the mouse features only the sensor, a DPI/power button, and two wide PTFE feet that offer a good amount of smoothness on a variety of surfaces (more on that down in the performance section). I'm personally not a huge fan of DPI buttons being inaccessible during use, but it's unlikely to bother the majority of users.
Overall, it's a pleasingly straightforward design; considering that the Razer name is sometimes considered synonymous with bright RGB lighting, I like how stripped-back and purpose-built the Viper V4 Pro feels.
In fact, the only LEDs to be found here are a single white power indicator above the scroll wheel, and three RGB LEDs on the wireless dongle – which rather helpfully display the mouse's connection status, battery life, and polling rate mode via color-coding.
This dongle was recently redesigned from a rather blocky shape to a far more aesthetically pleasing mini dome with the Razer logo emblazoned on the top, and it connects to your PC via an included USB-C to USB-A cable. This cable can also be used to charge the mouse itself or connect it for fully wired play, but there's no Bluetooth support here, so laptop gamers with limited ports should bear that in mind.
Razer Viper V4 Pro: Performance- Snappy, satisfying performance in shooters
- Razer Synapse is better than ever
- 8K polling rate is probably unnecessary for most PC gamers
Simply put, this is one hell of a gaming mouse for first-person shooters. I used the Viper V4 Pro to play Valorant, Marathon, Overwatch, and Counter-Strike 2 – and while I'm not sure if it actually made me better at clicking heads, I certainly felt like it was a better fit for fast-paced, twitchy shooting than my usual Logitech G502 Lightspeed Wireless.
Razer was kind enough to send me some mouse mats to test the Viper V4 Pro on, and I found that it offered a good amount of glide on practically any surface. From the moderate friction of the Razer Gigantus V2 Pro (featured in the photography for this review) to the silky-smooth tempered glass Atlas Pro mat, the Viper felt swift and easy to use regardless of surface. In fact (sorry Razer), I'd even say that you barely need a fancy mouse mat for this mouse; it worked perfectly even just on the bare wooden surface of my desk.
The Razer Synapse app has come a long way – no longer the annoying bloatware I used to heckle in every Razer product review, but now a sleeker and more effective (and, importantly, less intrusive) piece of tweaking software. Even better, it's now available as a web app, letting you tweak settings in your browser without needing to download the main app itself.
(Image credit: Future)There isn't a vast amount of customization options here, which is unsurprising given the minimalist nature of the Viper V4 Pro, but the options you do get come with a great amount of granularity. Most importantly, the mouse sensitivity can be adjusted right down to 1-DPI increments to get you the exact right amount, and you can also adjust the sensor's tracking angle to ensure that the mouse input from fast horizontal movements stays level, which I actually did find helped with landing repeated shots on strafing targets. As you'd expect from a premium gaming mouse, you can also set up macros, but you'll need to download the full-fat version of Synapse for that.
One feature that didn't actually help at all was the 8,000Hz polling rate mode. This feature is becoming increasingly common as a selling point for both mice and keyboards, but I remain dubious; in my recent review of the Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K gaming keyboard, I called it a gimmick – and I stand by that assessment.
See, an 8K polling rate helps minimize input latency from your peripherals (the standard is usually 1K, which the Viper V4 Pro is set to by default unless you turn on the 8K mode in Razer Synapse), which is undeniably a good thing, but 1K polling is frankly already good enough for the vast majority of users in the vast majority of use cases. The average gamer likely won't even notice the difference – I feel like there was a very slight, almost imperceptible increase in reactivity, but not enough to actually make me hit my shots more consistently.
(Image credit: Future)Still, I won't knock the Viper V4 Pro down a point for this, because it's something every gaming mouse manufacturer is also doing, and because this is a mouse marketed towards esports gamers. I'm sure the Valorant and League of Legends masters Razer quotes on its website actually can tell the difference in a high-stakes tournament match, I'm just too much of a filthy casual to really reap the benefits. It also doesn't make me any better at Slay the Spire 2. Seriously, the Waterfall Giant can sod off.
One nifty feature that I did appreciate was an adaptive polling mode, which can be toggled on with Synapse (though it's not yet available in the web app version). This switches on the 8K polling rate for gaming, but automatically returns to 1K mode for other activities on your PC, which helps preserve the battery life of the mouse. And on that topic: the battery life is great. Razer advertises up to 180 hours, almost double the 95-hour battery of the last-gen Viper V3 Pro, and I can confirm that I didn't need to charge the mouse even once during the week I spent testing it.
Should you buy the Razer Viper V4 Pro?Razer Viper V4 Pro: ScorecardValue
Unsurprisingly for a Razer product, the Viper V4 Pro isn't cheap – but the great build quality and performance are worth it.
4/5
Design
The Razer Viper V4 Pro keeps the same clean, minimalist external design as the previous model, but with a lot of worthwhile internal improvements.
4.5/5
Performance
Sure, the 8K polling rate is probably overkill for the average gamer, but there's no denying that this mouse feels fantastic for fast-paced online games.
5/5
Average rating
This might actually be one of the best gaming mice Razer has ever made: no fancy features, just pure precision and performance.
4.5/5
Buy the Razer Viper V4 Pro if…Battery life is important to you
The battery life on the Viper V4 Pro is best-in-class, and the LED battery indicator on the wireless dongle is a smart little inclusion.View Deal
You prefer a lightweight mouse
At just 49g, this is one of the lightest gaming mice on the market. Well, one of the lightest ones I'd actually recommend buying, anyway.View Deal
You want a mouse for competitive shooters
In one sentence: this mouse was made for clicking on heads.View Deal
Don’t buy it if…You want lots of features
The Viper V4 Pro is geared towards minimalist efficiency, making it a poor choice for MMO gamers who want lots of buttons to map.View Deal
You’re on a tight budget
Yes, there are pricier mice out there, but this is still a very expensive peripheral aimed at hardcore PC gamers.View Deal
You’re left-handed
There’s only one orientation available here, and it's for right-handed users. Sorry to my fellow lefties.View Deal
Razer Viper V4 Pro: Also considerAsus ROG Harpe Ace Mini
Another super-compact, super-lightweight gaming mouse with a minimalist design that focuses on raw performance over features, the Harpe Ace Mini from Asus weighs exactly the same as the Viper V4 Pro (49g) but is slightly smaller and squeezes in a tiny bit of RGB lighting on the scroll wheel. Read our full Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini review.View Deal
Razer Deathadder V4 Pro
Basically the same mouse, but a bit heavier and with a less symmetrical body that favors palm grippers more. Like the Viper V4 Pro, the latest Razer Deathadder packs an updated sensor and new optical switches, making it another great choice for esports gamers. Read our full Razer Deathadder V4 Pro reviewView Deal
How I tested the Razer Viper V4 ProAs is standard for my mouse reviews, I swapped out my ever-reliable Logitech G502 Lightspeed for the Razer Viper V4 Pro for one week, using it for both my day-to-day tasks and gaming during my off hours.
I downloaded the Razer Synapse app and spent a while tweaking the mouse settings to my liking, then dived straight into my current addiction (Marathon, which truly does not deserve the hate it's been getting online). I also played a selection of other games, mostly online shooters like Valorant and Apex Legends, plus a spot of solo RPG gaming in the rather excellent Esoteric Ebb.
First reviewed May 2026
Categories: Reviews
LincPlus LincStation E1 NAS review: An impressive 2+2 bay NAS — but the LincOS still feels like it's in development
LincPlus LincStation E1: 30-second review
In this review, I’ve taken a look at a Pre-Launch model of the LincStation E1, and the hardware impresses right away, especially given the price. Inside is a 2+2 storage layout, dual-band Wi-Fi, and 4K HDMI output, and the feature set and newly developed LincOS are aimed at the entry-level.
The LincStation E1 hardware features a compact chassis, which, despite being entry-level, is exceptionally well finished and designed. The drive installation is quick, with a combination of two SATA bays and two M.2 NVMe slots accessed through a plate on the bottom of the drive.
In the early stages of the review, it was obvious that LincOS was in the early stages of development with limited features; however, with the latest update, the true potential of the NAS started to develop with an uplift in local performance and the ability to start setting up the personal cloud storage, although it still failed at the login.
The initial setup can be done completely using the mobile app, or on the PC, you can use the desktop client. On a Mac, however, the web interface is currently limited. Again, a firmware update during the review period resolved the most significant remote access issues, which is reassuring, but if accessing through the mobile or desktop App locally and then switching to remote, the software is still glitchy.
For a Windows-first-time NAS user who wants private local cloud storage, file backup, and remote access, it might not be the absolute best NAS device I've tested, but I found the E1 is a great choice given its price, especially once the software issues have been resolved. For Mac users who need frequent remote access, I would wait until the LincOS issues have been resolved.
LincPlus LincStation E1: Price and availability(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)- How much does it cost? TBA
- When is it out? Pre-Order
- Where can you get it? Directly from Kickstarter
At present, the LincStation E1 is part of a Kickstarter campaign. If you're interested in taking a closer look and getting involved, head over to the Kickstarter page.
However, I am seeing it on Amazon.com for $219, with a very long shipping time.
Although you can't buy it, you can check out all the details at the official LincPlus site here.
- Value: 4/5
CPU: Rockchip RK3568, quad-core Cortex-A55, up to 2.0GHz
RAM: 4GB DDR4
Internal flash: 64GB eMMC ROM
SATA bays: 2 × 3.5-inch/2.5-inch SATA
NVMe slots: 2 × M.2 NVMe
Network: 1 × Gigabit Ethernet (GbE); dual-band Wi-Fi
Video output: 1 × HDMI
USB: Included
Fan: Single fan; Silent / Auto / Full Speed modes
OS: LincOS
Dimensions: 218.5 × 88 × 140mm
Weight: 907g
The first impression of the LincStation E1 is instantly better than many other entry-level NAS systems; it feels solid and well-built, even before the drives are installed.
When it comes to size, the compact chassis measures in at 218.5 × 88 × 140mm and weighs just 907g empty; this weight will obviously increase depending on the drive you install. This size and weight make it nice and compact, so it will easily sit on a shelf or behind a monitor without taking up too much space. During this test, it sat on the office sideboard next to the printers.
Getting started, the first step is installing the drives, which is easy enough; LincStation has provided clear instructions. The two SATA bays use tool-free trays, so essentially you just slide the drive in, then click the tray back into place, with the process taking less than a minute per drive.
The two M.2 NVMe slots are accessed via a small hatch on the base, which requires a screwdriver but is still quick to use. Slot the M.2 drive in, screw down the retaining bolt, close the hatch, and the storage configuration is done. Boot it up and run the initial setup from there; thankfully, it's all guided.
On the front of the box is a small array of status LEDs; while these are minimal, they’re enough to indicate the drives' health and when they’re being accessed. These LEDs flicker to indicate drive and network activity, and the power button shifts from orange to white when the system is running.
This is an entry-level machine, so there’s no detailed status feedback beyond that, no per-drive health indicators or detailed network throughput LEDs; essentially, anything beyond basic activity, you need to access the software interface.
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Inside, a single cooling fan keeps everything cool in three selectable modes. These modes are selected through the software and offer Silent, Auto, and Full Speed. By default, the E1 is set to Silent, and throughout most of the test, the Auto mode was used without issue.
In Silent mode, the unit sits quietly, with occasional noise from the discs as they spin up. The only time you hear the NAS is when it’s under load, and the fan kicks in. Again, it is quiet and not really distracting, unlike other drives of this type.
Networking and connectivity are a little disappointing, with a single Gigabit Ethernet port. While this specification is standard for this level of NAS, I would have expected a more up-to-date 2.5GbE, especially given the inclusion of the two M.2 NVMe drives, which can be installed and will far exceed 1Gbps.
The built-in dual-band Wi-Fi is the more interesting addition and must be enabled in the settings before use, as I found it was switched off by default. This allows the E1 to be positioned anywhere in a home or studio without needing a cable run to the router, which will be a real benefit for many new to NAS.
- Design: 4 / 5
The LincStation E1 is a NAS designed for those looking to take their first steps with Network Attached Storage, and, from that angle, the potential of this small box and all its features make it a very interesting option.
It’s worth highlighting now that the feature set is entry-level, with the box and OS designed to do all the heavy lifting, so all you, as the user, have to do after the initial setup is use it to back up, store, and access your files. There’s a little more to it, with the usual range of Apps that can run directly, so it can be used as a media server. What really differentiates this from others, aside from the 2+2 storage option, is that it can be set up to provide remote access.
This means that once you’ve configured and set things up, you can use it as your very own cloud storage, and you can grant others access, or at least that’s the idea.
This whole NAS utilises LincOS, LincPlus's proprietary operating system, and I couldn’t help but notice how early this seems in the development cycle, with some features inaccessible and others simply not working, though firmware updates progressively offered more access and stability.
Initial setup on macOS was not possible via a desktop client; however, using the iOS setup for the LincStation was possible with my device, which handled the first connection and basic configuration. Once the drive is on the network, browser-based access is available, but the web interface in its current state is limited in the features; again, updates unlocked more as the review progressed.
The full LincOS experience, including reliable remote access, cloud-sharing configuration, and the complete administrative feature set, seemed to require a Windows machine, so I opted for the New Asus PX13 2026.
On this Windows 11 machine, accessing the NAS through the client app, once the drive was configured and set up as a RAID 0 pool, the system was easy to use, and file management and sharing features worked flawlessly across the local network. The interface e has more than a few quirks, with the Apps acting more like filters, but still, it shows potential. On macOS, the experience is more restricted, and on iOS, the remote access features in particular proved temperamental throughout the test.
Remote access via LincAccess is positioned as not requiring manual port forwarding, and in principle, this works. In practice, the test unit did not have reliable remote access until a firmware update was applied mid-review. After that update, remote access worked on Windows and, to a lesser degree, on Android. While iOS worked, the connection wasn’t reliable for remote browsing. The main issue was Password rejection: the correct credentials were rejected for no apparent reason.
Remote access is probably the key feature, but at present, unless you’re Windows-based, the reliability just isn’t there through the software.
Looking at the local options and the Smart Album, which automatically sorts uploaded files by type, photos, videos, documents, music and gives those files to you in browsable categories on the left sidebar of the interface. This actually works well and is one of the more finished-feeling features of LincOS.
As I’ve seen on other NAS systems, there will be AI-powered photo tagging with face and scene recognition, but again, these are listed as a planned feature, but, at present, aren’t featured. What does work, however, is that uploaded images are recognised as image files and sorted accordingly. This is about as basic as you get, but at present, there’s no deeper AI categorisation.
The 4K HDMI output is a nice addition, and to be honest, it is common on NAS devices at this level, which don’t generally include it. Connecting the E1 directly to a 4K monitor via HDMI enables playback of video files stored on the NAS without needing a streaming device or a PC.
If you’re thinking of running a video or music stream in the office, this is a perfect NAS for a media and file server. What I liked about the connection design is that it works alongside Wi-Fi connectivity, enabling the E1 to be positioned behind a monitor and connected to both the display and the network without a cable running to a network hub.
The local account system works well, and you can set up different users if you work in a small office. This means their data is on the drive, but can only be accessed by them.
Essentially, all data stays on the device and the local network, but if you need to share files locally, it’s easy enough to invite others. What marks this NAS out is that you can also set up remote access, a feature you only usually see on more expensive systems. The trade-off is that setting up remote access requires more manual involvement than plug-and-play cloud NAS alternatives, and in the current state of LincOS, that process is hit-or-miss.
- Features: 3 / 5 (*As reviewed - may change once features are available)
Getting started with the LincStation E1 is, as I said earlier in the review, straightforward, and anyone new to NAS shouldn’t find anything from the hardware and storage installation to the setup with the App exceptionally easy.
The only real issue comes later with connecting to the local cloud from a remote location, but as I discovered through the review, LincOS is evolving, and while many features have been unlocked, the OS feels far from a final release.
However, while the OS feels like an early beta, with many features as yet unreleased, it does show potential, and when used as a basic NAS on a local network for storing and retrieving files, backing up documents and image libraries, and making shared folders accessible across connected machines and mobile devices, the performance was pretty decent.
If this is your first NAS, the ease of use will definitely appeal, and in any home office or small studio, the E1 essentially does what it is designed to do: it stores your files, keeps them accessible, and requires little to no additional input.
If you’re already using a NAS, the hardware design and potential features will also make this appealing, especially the headline personal cloud option. That may warrant an additional mention in an update to this review, as this still doesn’t appear to be working even with the latest update.
Another point for anyone who already owns a NAS is that it only features a 1 Gby network connection, so while you can add ultrafast storage, with that connection type, the access speeds will be limited.
In real-world testing with this stick, I saw about 80-115 MB/s for reads over a wired network, and image and video file transfers were noticeably slower than on my 2.5 GB-equipped NAS.
Again, the fact that there are two M.2 NVMe slots is great and shows an embrace of the latest storage technology; however, any benefit beyond size is offset by the connection speed.
During the test, I used two Lexar PCIe 3.0 M.2 drives, configured as fast storage tiers alongside the SATA drives. Again, while the internal speed is there, the network limits its use.
Another feature I particularly liked was the Wireless connection, which is switched off by default. Switching it on is done through the App, and once activated, you can disconnect the NAS from the wired network, freeing you to place it anywhere you want rather than needing to find a spot near the router or hub.
Wifi performance is lower than wired and with slower transfer rates; however, if you’re working on a small scale, just having that can be easily achieved by all machines in the house or building, is incredibly useful.
While network-attached storage potential is the main focus, another feature that will appeal is 4K video playback via the HDMI output. This works for most standard video file formats through the onboard My Videos App. Unlike other NAS systems, there’s no way to install media servers such as PLEX through the interface.
Inside the NAS is an RK3568 ARM processor, which is essentially entry-level and ideal for file storage and handling small network tasks.
In the test, the processor's power was insufficient for video decoding or other demanding processes, such as running a web server.
However, there are some good built-in feature apps, such as Smart Album photo, that help you filter through your images. Again, this takes time to run through the indexing process, so it's fine for small businesses, but at a scale, you may get tired of the wait.
With several thousand images, the initial indexing process is slow enough that I would suggest starting it and returning later rather than expecting quick results. The system remains usable during indexing, but responsiveness in the LincOS interface can become a little slow.
LincOS system during normal use is fast enough on Windows and other platforms, and typing in the IP on the LAN will enable you to access the Web UI, which again offers plenty of options, but as yet, many just don’t feel complete and act as filters to stored content rather than an app in the traditional sense.
At present, the hardware for this product is solid and perfectly pitched at the entry level; however, the LincOS, while it shows potential, isn’t ready and most disappointing is the lead feature, the personal cloud, just doesn’t work.
- Performance: 3 / 5
The LincStation E1, as an entry-level NAS, works well, and if that were all it were, it would be a great investment for any home or small office new to NAS systems. The fact that it has a 2+2 storage layout, SATA and SSD, dual-band Wi-Fi, 4K HDMI output, and a really compact design, paired with decent build quality, initially shows lots of promise for a box at this price.
Even with the somewhat still-in-development OS, the box works well locally, enabling you to store and access files across a local network, and the built-in apps offer a little more so that you can quickly find and view your content.
However, while this box has so much potential, the OS isn’t finished, and the main feature that would make this a five-star product just didn’t work, though a firmware update will inevitably fix it soon. The private cloud storage and file backup on a box at this price is exciting and will make this a very useful product. But at present, while the box is designed to do that, that feature is unreliable and just doesn’t work.
Then you have the UI, which is slightly different across systems, but again, that consistency seems to improve with each update. So hopefully by the time this NAS finally hits the shelves, it will reach the full potential that it promises.
At the moment, given the price, it’s a decent enough local-area NAS, and once remote access works reliably, it will be fantastic.
The wired network connection is a performance limiter, but again, this is designed to be entry-level, easy to use, and affordable.
Should I buy the LincPlus LincStation E1?Value
Decent and well-balanced hardware at an entry-level price, but the software still needs development.
4/5
Design
Compact, well-designed box with a better finish than the price suggests.
4/5
Features
Decent hardware feature, aside from the slower choice for the ethernet port, and let down by an unfinished OS. This result will change once all is accessable
3/5
Performance
Fine for basic NAS tasks, network speed limits the full potential of the NVMe storage, and remote connection just doesn’t work at present
3/5
Overall
Interesting hardware in need of software development; worth watching closely
3/5
Buy it if...You’re new to NAS
If the E1 is your first NAS and your primary machine is Windows, LincOS delivers decent performance for file backup, shared storage, and, in the future, basic private cloud access.
You want private cloud storage.
Not available yet, but when it is, this will make it one of the cheapest solutions for privately sharing files, without paying subscriptions.
Don't buy it if...You primarily use a Mac or iOS.
Mac support is limited in the current LincOS release, remote access from iOS is unavailable, and full feature access requires a Windows machine.
You need polished, stable software.
LincOS is a first-generation platform with glitches. If you want something out of the box and ready to go, this will offer the basics, but you’ll need to wait for that stability.
For more network-attached storage, we've rounded up the best NAS hard drives.
Categories: Reviews
'There's nothing else like it on the water' — the HoverAir Aqua drone is practically a must-buy for solo watersports fans
HoverAir Aqua: One-minute review
The HoverAir Aqua is a drone unlike anything else on the market right now, and for once that's not marketing hyperbole. Manufacturer Zero Zero Robotics has built the world's first truly waterproof self-flying camera — one that can take off from and land on the surface of the water and follow you through waves and spray that would destroy most consumer drones. If you're a solo watersports enthusiast who's ever wished you could capture good quality aerial footage of yourself without hiring a drone operator, the Aqua is literally the only game in town.
That monopoly on novelty is both the Aqua's greatest strength, but also the lens through which you need to evaluate it. Because while the concept itself is undeniably thrilling, my real-world testing revealed a product that feels very much like a v1.0: innovative and impressive in the right conditions, but rough around the edges in ways that its steep asking price makes harder to forgive.
The Aqua is the first waterproof consumer camera drone, and an impressive feat of design. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)Perhaps the most important thing to understand before buying is how the Aqua's tracking works. Unlike DJI drones that use computer vision to lock onto and frame a subject, the Aqua tracks the Lighthouse, a wearable device you strap to your arm. While this is an eminently sensible solution for an environment where reflections, spray and constantly moving surfaces would confound visual tracking, it has real consequences for your footage: in Orbit mode, for instance, I found my head was consistently cropped out of frame, because the drone is circling the Lighthouse, not me.
There are other niggles too. My review sample suffered from persistent Lighthouse connection drops — reconnecting almost immediately each time, but loudly announcing every single event via an intrusive, irritating voice alert. And one of my best video clips was ruined by a water droplet on the supposedly hydrophobic lens, which feels like a major concern for a drone built around water compatibility.
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)It's also worth noting that the Aqua's maintenance demands are higher than any non-aquatic drone I've tested: after saltwater sessions, you'll be rinsing, patting dry and checking battery compartments as soon as you get home.
That being said, take it out on a calm sea on a bright morning with your paddleboard, and it does something no other drone can do. For the right user — the solo surfer, kayaker or SUP rider who wants hands-free aerial footage without risking a wrecked drone — the Aqua is really the only viable option on the market.
HoverAir Aqua: Price and release date- Launched globally on May 28 2026 — except in US
- Priced from $1,299 / £1,129 / AU$1,999
- Fly More Combo available online only
The HoverAir Aqua has had a long road to market, being initially teased in August 2025 ahead of a successful Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign. Nearly a year on, it's now available globally — except in the United States, where it's apparently falling foul of the same regulatory issues that have kept DJI's recent launches off the shelves. So while I've been given US pricing, it's not yet available in buy in the States.
Three bundles are available at launch. The Standard Combo ($1,299 / £1,129 / AU$1,999) covers the basics: the Aqua itself with one battery, a USB-C cable, the Lighthouse wearable with armband, a repair kit, and a single waterproof battery bag. The Basic Combo ($1,399 / £1,219 / AU$2,199) adds a second waterproof bag, an extra smart battery, and a charging hub. Step up to the Fly More Combo ($1,499 / £1,299 / AU$2,986, online only) and you get two additional smart batteries, three waterproof battery bags, a maintenance kit, and the charging hub — the most complete package for anyone planning longer sessions on the water.
@techradar ♬ original sound - TechRadarGiven that the Aqua's 23-minute battery life is on the shorter side for a drone at this price point, those extra batteries in the higher-tier bundles are well worth considering. A single charge isn't going to last a through even a modest paddle session, so building a battery collection from day one makes sense.
At $1,299 / £1,129 / AU$1,999 for the entry-level bundle, the Aqua is a significant investment. It's substantially more expensive than the HoverAir X1 Pro and well above most entry-level drones from DJI. Zero Zero Robotics is clearly pitching this as a premium, specialized product for water sports enthusiasts rather than a mass-market flyer, and the pricing reflects that.
- Price score: 3.5/5
Camera:
12MP 1/1.28-inch CMOS sensor
Video resolution:
4K, 2.7K (vertical only), 1080p
Frame rates:
100, 60, 50, 48, 30, 25, 24fps
Flight modes:
15+ specialized modes
Beacon range:
Up to 1km
Wind resistance:
Level 7 (up to 33 knots / 38mph)
Waterproof rating:
IP67
Storage:
128GB internal (no microSD slot)
Battery:
2013mAh, up to 23 minutes flight time
Charger type:
USB-C / charging hub
Weight:
249g / 8.8oz (approx.)
Dimensions:
202 x 206 x 64mm
HoverAir Aqua: Design and build quality- Non-foldable quadcopter body weighing 249g
- Striking hot orange finish
- No carrying case included in any bundle
The Aqua cuts a distinctive figure on the beach. Where most consumer drones play it safe with black, grey or white, HoverAir has gone for a vivid hot orange color finish. The color makes the drone easy to spot both in the air and on the water, as well as conjuring up images of life jackets and buoys. It feels entirely appropriate for a water-focused drone.
While folding drones dominate the market, the Aqua is a rigid, non-foldable quadcopter — a deliberate decision by HoverAir to preserve structural integrity and waterproofing. At 202 x 206 x 64mm and 249g, it's lightweight and compact but certainly not pocketable; the non-folding body means it takes up noticeably more bag space than a DJI Lito or Mini would.
Which brings me to the Aqua's most glaring accessory omission: there's no carrying case or pouch included with any of the three bundles. The higher-tier combos include waterproof bags for the batteries, but nothing to protect the drone itself. That leaves the lens and propellers exposed to whatever else is rattling around in your backpack. For a drone pitched at outdoor adventurers, I felt this was a pretty major oversight.
The drone works best when paired with the Lighthouse beacon unit, which can attach to the user's arm.Future | Sam KieldsenThe Lighthouse has some basic controls on board, but generally acts as a beacon for the drone to autonomously follow.Future | Sam KieldsenDrones and water don't usually mix, but the Aqua is happiest when floating.Future | Sam KieldsenAt under 250g with a 0 class rating, it can be flown close to people and buildings too.Future | Sam KieldsenWith minimal clearance between the propellers and the underside of the body, the Aqua needs either a flat, hard surface or a dedicated landing pad for land-based launches — I'd strongly recommend picking one up if you ever plan to use it away from the water. You can hand-launch and catch it in the air instead, which is what I did throughout testing, but that's not something I would necessarily recommend to anyone new to drones.
On the front of the drone sits a 1.6-inch AMOLED screen, which lets you switch flight modes and review settings without reaching for your phone. In bright sunlight it's big and bright enough to be legible, and when you're balanced on a paddleboard in the middle of the sea, not having to fumble with a smartphone is a welcome convenience. The Lighthouse wearable is similarly straightforward: a chunky, rubberized device designed to be worn and forgotten while you focus on whatever you're riding.
As mentioned above, the Aqua's maintenance demands are quite extensive. After flying in salt water, the drone needs a thorough rinse in fresh water and a careful pat-down with a clean cloth before its next flight. The battery compartment features a color-coded indicator strip that flags the presence of any moisture before you insert a battery, which is a clever touch, but you'll also need to remember to fully dry your hands before swapping cells on the water. So, owning the Aqua comes with an ongoing upkeep commitment that goes well beyond what you'd expect from a conventional drone.
- Design score: 4/5
- Up to 23 minutes of battery life
- Tracks using Lighthouse unit rather than camera
- No object avoidance tech
The most important thing to understand about how the Aqua flies is also the thing that most sets it apart from conventional follow-me drones. Rather than using computer vision to identify and frame a human subject — the approach DJI takes with its excellent ActiveTrack tech — the Aqua locks onto the Lighthouse wearable.
In a watery environment, where reflective surfaces, spray and constant movement would make visual tracking unreliable, this makes sound engineering sense. In practice, however, it produces some frustrating results. During an Orbit flight — where the drone circles you at a set distance — my head was consistently cropped out of frame, because the drone is orbiting the Lighthouse on my arm rather than centering me as a subject. Anyone who cares about precise, well-composed shots should know that the Aqua will keep you in the frame most of the time, but it won't always frame you the way a human operator would.
So planning your shots is key – and because you can adjust tracking distance and height, you should be able to get the angles and framing you're looking for. It might just take a couple of attempts.
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)That said, the SUP mode I tested (designed specifically for stand-up paddleboarding) performed very well. With a calm sea, minimal wind and good visibility during a rare UK May heatwave, the Aqua tracked my position reliably and kept pace with me comfortably. The drone can theoretically fly as close as 50cm above the waves, and in calm water it did so confidently.
I'd be keen to test it in choppier conditions, where the claimed Level 7 wind resistance and wave-skimming abilities might face a stiffer challenge, but those aren't the conditions I had available. For now, consider the flight performance assessment here a fair-weather one.
One highlight that absolutely does deliver as promised is the turtle flip: should the Aqua end up upside down on the water, it can right itself and take off again without any intervention. I tested this, and it works exactly as advertised. A small thing perhaps, but a reassuring one.
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)Less reassuring was the persistent connection instability between the drone and the Lighthouse. On every single flight I conducted, the two devices repeatedly lost and immediately re-established their link. Each dropout triggers an audible robotic voice announcement — both for the disconnect and the reconnect — which quickly becomes maddening. Whether this is a hardware defect specific to my review sample or a wider software issue remains to be seen, but it's something HoverAir will need to address urgently. A drone that narrates its own technical difficulties every few minutes is not a relaxing filming companion.
The Aqua offers three control methods beyond the automated flight modes. The Lighthouse itself handles single-button launches and returns; the HoverAir app provides touchscreen manual control, though with a short effective range and imprecise joystick inputs that make smooth maneuvers difficult; and HOVERAir's Beacon twin-stick controller offers what could well be the most satisfying manual flying experience of the three — but without one, I wasn't able to test it during this review.
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)Battery life came in slightly under the claimed 23 minutes during real-world use, which is par for the course with drone manufacturers' quoted figures. The more meaningful battery consideration is simply having enough of them: 23 minutes goes quickly when you're mid-session, and the Fly More Combo's three-battery setup feels sensible.
It's also worth noting that, like all HoverAir drones, the Aqua uses ShadowTrack positioning rather than active obstacle avoidance — meaning it won't autonomously fly around objects in its path. On open water that's rarely going to be an issue, but it's worth bearing in mind if you plan to fly it on narrower waterways or on land. Thankfully, the sturdiness of the design and the protected propellers means that minor, lowish speed collisions with trees or fences shouldn't result in a wrecked drone.
- Flight performance score: 4/5
- 1/1.28-inch CMOS sensor offering 4K up to 100fps
- H-Log (10-bit) support for post-production grading
- Hydrophobic lens
Let's start with the elephant (or should that be whale?) in the room. The Aqua's lens is treated with a hydrophobic coating designed to repel water droplets, which seems to me a vital feature for a drone that launches directly off the surface of the sea. During my testing, a single water droplet on said lens ruined several minutes of otherwise usable footage. For a drone whose entire identity is built around being in and around water, a wet lens is inevitable. This issue alone has the potential to leave users seriously frustrated — even if, as with me, it only happens the one time.
When the lens is clear, the results are encouraging. With a maximum bitrate of 160Mbps (double that of the DJI Neo 2) the Aqua produces clean, detailed 4K footage in good lighting conditions. There are two main shooting options to choose between: the default color profile delivers vibrant, punchy footage at up to 60fps, and is perfectly usable straight out of the drone; the flat H-Log profile, which tops out at 30fps, gives you more latitude in post-production. I graded some H-Log footage and was able to dial back the slightly over-saturated tendencies of the default color science to arrive at something more true-to-life and cinematic. For anyone planning to edit their water sports footage seriously, shooting H-Log is probably the way to go.
The hardware has its limits, though. The 1/1.28-inch sensor, f/2.55 aperture and single-axis mechanical gimbal mean the Aqua can't compete with the best camera drones on pure image quality — the DJI Air 3S, for instance, produces far superior footage, and costs less.
But that comparison only tells part of the story: the Air 3S would not survive the conditions the Aqua was built for. Judged purely as a water-capable camera, the Aqua has no rivals. Judged as a camera drone in general, it sits firmly in the average tier for its price bracket. The 2x digital zoom is soft, as it tends to be on small sensors, and low-light performance isn't a strong suit given the narrow aperture.
Stills come in at 12MPwith HDR support, plus the ability to shoot in RAW DNG, and are competent if unspectacular — serviceable for social media use, but not the Aqua's primary selling point.
- Image and video quality score: 4/5
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Price
Expensive for its tracking and camera performance.
3.5/5
Design
A robust aquatic design let down by the lack of an included carrying case.
4/5
Features and flight
The Lighthouse tracking system is an ingenious solution to the challenges of flying over water.
4/5
Image and video quality
Solid 4K footage with useful H-Log support, but a water droplet on the supposedly hydrophobic lens ruined one of my best clips.
4/5
Should I buy the HoverAir Aqua?Buy it if...You're a solo watersports enthusiast
If you surf, SUP, kayak, wakeboard or foil and you've ever wanted aerial footage of yourself without a dedicated camera operator, the Aqua is the only drone that can safely go where you go.
You already own a conventional drone
The Aqua makes the most sense as a specialist companion to a regular land-based flyer rather than as your only drone. Pair it with a DJI Lito X1 or Mini 5 Pro and you have a capable all-conditions setup.
You want a general-purpose drone
On land, the Aqua is a below-average performer for its price. The DJI Lito X1 delivers better image quality for a fraction of the cost, and handles everyday aerial photography and videography far more capably.
Precise framing matters to you
The Aqua tracks the Lighthouse wearable, not you as a subject. If you need a drone that keeps you centered in the frame the way a human camera operator would, the Aqua isn't the best choice.
DJI Air 3S
If your priority is camera performance rather than water compatibility, the Air 3S is where to look. It costs a similar amount to the Aqua's Standard Combo yet delivers near-professional image and video quality that the Aqua simply can't match. For anyone who primarily shoots over land, the Air 3S is the stronger all-round investment. Just don't expect it to survive a touchdown on the surface of the sea.
Read our in-depth DJI Air 3S review
DJI Neo 2
The Neo 2 is the closest thing in concept to the Aqua among conventional drones — a compact, lightweight selfie-style flyer that tracks and films you autonomously without needing a controller. It's considerably smaller and lighter than the Aqua, and a fraction of the price, making it the obvious starting point for anyone drawn to hands-free aerial filming. Just don't take it into the water...
Read our in-depth DJI Neo 2 review
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)How I tested the HoverAir Aqua- Tested during SUP session and from dry land
- I tested various control methods and flight modes
- I captured both videos and photos
I was provided with a review sample of the Aqua well ahead of its global launch, which gave me time to test it over several sessions on the UK coast, mainly in hot, sunny conditions that were ideal for getting out on the water, if not entirely representative of the rougher seas and stronger winds that the Aqua may face in the hands of real-world buyers.
My primary test was a SUP session at the beach, during which I flew the Aqua using the SUP automated flight mode and assessed its tracking performance, framing and reliability in a real watersports context. I also flew it over dry land to evaluate its capabilities as a general-purpose drone. I tested the app-based manual controls, though I wasn't able to assess the Beacon twin-stick controller during the review period.
On the camera side, I captured footage using both the default color profile and the flat H-Log setting, grading the latter in post-production using DaVinci Resolve. I also ran through the Aqua's post-flight maintenance routine — including a fresh water rinse and dry-down after saltwater use — to evaluate the ownership demands of an aquatic drone.
- First reviewed: May 2026
- Read more about how we test
Categories: Reviews
‘One of the best in its price range’ — the Xiaomi 17T Pro improves on an already excellent sub-flagship formula
Xiaomi 17T Pro: Two-minute review
It has only been about seven months since the Xiaomi 15T Pro launched, and already, its successor has landed. The 15T Pro was my favorite better-than-mid-range-but-not-quite-flagship phone of 2025, so I had high hopes for this newer model.
On the surface, though, it would seem that not much has changed. The Xiaomi 17T Pro has a very familiar look, and it shares a lot of specifications with last year's model, too.
So, what's new? The 17T Pro boasts a significantly larger battery (it's now 7,000mAh, up from 5,500mAh on the 15T Pro), and it charges more quickly (it can be juiced up at 100W with a wire and 50W wirelessly). It also has a newer and faster processor inside, and comes in some lovely new colors.
Otherwise, it's a very familiar phone, with the same screen specs, the same camera hardware, and similar software features to its predecessor. That's not a bad thing; it just means the Xiaomi 17T Pro is not particularly exciting, especially if you already invested in the 15T Pro.
(Image credit: Future)Despite the lack of hardware changes, the camera system still stands out as one of the most accomplished in this price bracket. The Leica-backed color science is as impressive as ever, and there are more pro-level features than you'll find in similarly-priced phones, like the ability to shoot in 4K 60fps with Log.
Just like last year, though, the ultra-wide camera fails to impress. It has a much lower resolution than the other cameras, and it lacks autofocus, which limits its usefulness.
As for the performance, I have no complaints. This 17T Pro has a proper flagship-grade chip inside, and it's excellent for productivity and gaming alike. The experience is enhanced by some strong haptic motors, a lovely screen, and very decent speakers.
The battery tends to last me just under a day and a half on a charge. It's very easy to live with, but with such a high-capacity cell inside, I was expecting more. Perhaps we'll see improvements as updates roll out. On the plus side, it charges very quickly, either wired or wirelessly.
The Xiaomi 17T Pro is very easy to recommend overall. It might not be a revolutionary update, and 15T Pro owners shouldn't rush out to buy one, but this phone still stands out as one of the best in its price range (which, following a price increase, is now firmly at the top of the mid-range spectrum). The cameras are among the best you'll find on any non-flagship phone, the performance is hard to fault, and it looks and feels premium throughout.
Xiaomi 17T Pro: Price and availability(Image credit: Future)- 256GB model costs £799
- 512GB and 1TB versions also available
- Not available in the US or Australia
The Xiaomi 17T Pro starts at £799 in the UK. That's for the model with 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM, though 512GB and 1TB variants are also available, costing £849 and £999, respectively. The phone isn't available in the US or Australia at the time of writing.
Frustratingly, those prices represent substantial increases on the Xiaomi 15T Pro, which started at £649 only six months ago. Increases seem to be plaguing all phone manufacturers at the moment — the similarly-specced Honor 600 Pro costs an eye-watering £899.99, which also marks a £200 increase over its predecessor — and a £799 price tag puts the Xiaomi 17T Pro at the sharp end of the mid-range spectrum (it's probably better described as an entry-level flagship).
Thankfully, Xiaomi's T-series phones often come with enticing bundle deals or early discounts, so we're expecting to see the same here, but details haven't surfaced yet.
The 17T Pro also stands out among its similarly priced rivals through its super-sized battery and 5X telephoto camera, which neither the Honor 600 Pro nor Vivo X300 FE match.
- Value score: 4 / 5
Here’s a look at the Xiaomi 17T Pro’s key specs:
Xiaomi 17T Pro
Dimensions:
162.2 x 77.5 x 8.25mm
Weight:
219g
OS:
Hyper OS 3, based on Android 16
Display:
6.9-inch OLED, 144Hz
Resolution:
1280 x 2772 pixels
Chipset:
MediaTek Dimensity 9500
RAM:
12GB
Storage:
256GB / 512GB / 1TB
Battery:
7,000mAh
Rear cameras:
50MP (f/1.7) main, 12MP (f/2.2) ultra-wide, 50MP 5x telephoto (f/3)
Front camera:
32MP (f/2.2)
Xiaomi 17T Pro review: Design(Image credit: Future)- Aluminum frame and glass-fibre rear
- Black, Violet, Deep Blue options
- IP68 dust and water-resistant
The Xiaomi 17T Pro looks almost identical to last year's 15T Pro. The only notable change with the design is that the bevelled edge around the camera module has been removed. The camera bump appears smaller on the newer model, but in reality, the thickness is about the same.
That said, we do get some new colors to choose from. The 17T Pro is available in Black, Violet, or Deep Blue, and I have the latter in for testing. The colors are a bit livelier this time around, and I'm all for it. The blue model reminds me of the Galaxy Z Fold 7; it's a very similar shade. I loved it on that phone, and I love it here, too.
It's a pretty large phone, around the same size as an iPhone 17 Pro Max, and it feels very premium. The sides are made from aluminum, and the rear looks and feels like glass, but it's actually a reinforced plastic and glass-fibre panel.
The rear doesn't smudge easily, so it's easy to keep it looking nice, and you also get a matte black TPU case included in the box.
It has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, matching last year's model, so you needn't worry about using it in the rain or at the beach. The screen is covered with Corning Gorilla Glass, which should do a decent job of warding off scratches, and there's a basic plastic screen protector installed as standard.
- Design score: 4 / 5
- 6.9-inch 144Hz OLED display
- 3,840Hz PWM dimming
- 3,500 nits peak brightness
The Xiaomi 17T Pro has a large, fully flat screen with slim symmetrical bezels on all sides. The specs match the previous model, but the 15T Pro already had a great screen, so that's not a bad thing.
It has a blisteringly fast 144Hz refresh rate, but applications that will actually utilize such speeds are few and far between. Still, it's super smooth, and it'll dynamically switch down to 60 or 30Hz to conserve battery life.
The phone also supports DC dimming. This means you shouldn't see any flicker, even while using low brightness levels. I'm not sensitive to flicker, so I'd be lying if I said I could tell the difference, but it's supposed to be easier on your eyes.
It's also a very bright panel, and I never had trouble seeing it outdoors, even in direct sunlight. Xiaomi says it can output 3,500 nits at peak, but these measurements should always be taken with a grain of salt.
Regardless, the 17T Pro's display is more than bright enough for most people's needs. And perhaps more importantly, it can dim as low as 1 nit, perfect for late-night scrolling sessions
Otherwise, the screen delivers exactly what you'd expect from a high-end OLED panel. The black levels are impeccable, the colors are vivid, and HDR content looks superb on this screen.
- Display score: 5 / 5
- 50MP main (f/1.7)
- 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2)
- 50MP 5x telephoto (f/3)
- 32MP selfie camera (f/2.45)
Last year, I felt that the Xiaomi 15T Pro had the most impressive cameras in the upper mid-range/sub-flagship category. The new model comes with the exact same set of snappers, so while I would have loved to see some hardware innovation, these lenses were already ahead of the pack.
The main camera has a sizable 1/1.3-inch sensor, roughly matching the main sensor of the iPhone 17 Pro. You also get an impressive 5x telephoto with OIS and the ability to focus from just 30cm away.
What's less impressive is the ultra-wide camera. It only has a 12MP resolution, a relatively tiny 1/3.06-inch sensor, and it's fixed focus, so you can't use it for close-ups.
The ultra-wide gave me some uninspiring results, and it's pretty useless in low-light conditions, but if you stick to the main and telephoto cameras, you can expect some great shots.
(Image credit: Future)The 17T Pro benefits from Xiaomi's partnership with Leica, just like its flagship phones. This means you get the same excellent picture profiles and lens simulations as the much more costly Xiaomi 17 Ultra.
There's also a new addition to the roster called Leica Live Moment, which is similar to Apple's Live Photos feature, but comes complete with the Leica color science you know and love.
The feature works across all of the rear lenses, and it works in Portrait mode, too. Just like Apple's version, it captures a second or so of video before you press the shutter, and you can extract different frames to use as your photo, or share it as a short looping video. The main difference is that you can use all of the excellent Leica-backed picture styles and some unique watermarks to make your live photos stand out from the crowd.
Around the front, you'll find a 32MP punch-hole selfie camera. Again, this shares the same specs as the previous generation. It provides decent results, but unlike Xiaomi's mainline flagships, this selfie camera doesn't have autofocus — so group shots won't always look as sharp as they could.
(Image credit: Future)Overall, it's a pretty versatile setup, and the standout is the telephoto. The reach of the 5x lens sets it apart from the competition and provides some lovely compression when used for close-ups. I'd recommend turning off automatic lens switching in the settings if you want to do so, as it has a tendency to jump to the main camera sooner than it needs to.
Xiaomi's default image tuning has very appealing color reproduction, and the slightly higher level of contrast makes images pop. If you're not feeling the default flavor, though, that's no issue, as there are loads of styles to choose from, and they can all be customized in Pro mode.
The Xiaomi 17T Pro is equally impressive for video shooting. It supports Xiaomi's excellent Log profile at up to 4K 60fps, and you can even shoot 4K 120fps on the main lens, albeit without much stabilization.
- Cameras score: 4 / 5
- MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset
- 12GB RAM
- 512GB / 1TB storage
The Xiaomi 17T Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 SoC, the same flagship chipset that we've seen in phones like the Oppo Find X9 Pro and Vivo X300 Pro. It comes with 12GB of RAM and either 512GB or 1TB of storage. I have the 512GB version.
Having used the Oppo Find X9 Pro as my main phone for several months, I'm already very familiar with the capabilities of this chip. It's super powerful, and while Qualcomm's latest might have the edge in certain games, the Dimensity 9500 is never going to hold you back.
The phone feels speedy, no matter what you ask of it. I've been sinking some hours into Neverness to Everness, the latest graphically demanding gatcha game that makes even the most expensive phones on the market sweat. While it struggled at the highest settings, the Xiaomi 17T Pro had no trouble running it at 60fps on the 'balanced' preset, which still looks stunning.
The frame of the phone gets pretty toasty after a while, but that's just the cooling system doing its job, and I didn't notice much of a performance hit. If you use the included case, it'll keep your fingers comfortable, and of course, it's even better with a clamp-on controller like the GameSir X5 Lite.
It's also worth mentioning the haptics, as they also enhance the gaming experience. The vibration motors in this phone are stronger than most and are able to provide very precise feedback, which is great for typing.
The speakers are also very impressive. They can get pretty loud, produce detailed highs, and have better bass response than most phone speakers in this price range.
- Performance score: 5 / 5
- Hyper OS 3, based on Android 16
- iOS-inspired design
- 5 years of updates, 6 years of security patches
The Xiaomi 17T Pro runs Hyper OS 3, Xiaomi's custom software built on top of Android 16. I haven't noticed any major changes with this release; it's essentially the same experience that I had with Xiaomi's recent flagships and the latest Poco devices.
The difference here, compared to Xiaomi's pricier phones, is that there's a bit of bloatware to clean up when you first set it up. It's nothing major — just a handful of random preinstalled apps — but having to remove them detracts from an otherwise premium experience.
Aside from that, I have no real complaints about the software experience. Hyper OS 3 has been consistently smooth and responsive, and it's easy to customize the look if you don't like the default vibes.
As we've seen with most Chinese Android skins lately, there's some Apple influence to the styling. Xiaomi has its own version of Dynamic Island, and some of the lock screen options look quite iPhone-like, with oversized clocks and depth effects. Most importantly, though, they look good and work well.
Xiaomi is promising five generations of updates and six years of security patches for European customers. It's a decent showing, if slightly behind the commitments offered by Samsung and Google. This means the 17T Pro should get the latest version of Android until at least 2031.
- Software score: 4 / 5
- 6,330mAh silicon-carbon battery
- 100W wired charging
- 50W wireless charging
The Xiaomi 17T Pro has the largest battery of any Xiaomi phone to date, besting the brand's mainline flagships with a whopping 7,000 mAh capacity.
With such a large cell on board, I had high hopes for the battery life, but the reality was a little underwhelming. Don't get me wrong, the battery life is very good — it always gets me through the day, and usually through a second morning. But I was expecting a little more.
To be fair, though, I received the phone well before the launch, and it was running pre-release software. There's every chance the battery life will improve further as the software becomes more optimized.
In any case, charging the 17T Pro is barely a hassle. It supports up to 100W speeds with a wire, and the powerful wall adapter comes included in the box. I found it was enough to take the phone from fully dead to well over 50% charged in half an hour, which is impressive considering the capacious battery pack.
The wireless charging speeds are impressive, too. The Xiaomi 17T Pro can be juiced up at up to 50W with Xiaomi's official wireless charger, but don't expect those speeds with any old charging pad; everything I had to hand topped out at a measly 15W.
- Battery score: 4 / 5
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Value
The 17T Pro is not an outright bargain, and it costs substantially more than its predecessor. But it's in line with the competition, and boasts more impressive overall specifications.
4 / 5
Design
The Xiaomi 17T Pro looks and feels premium, and it comes in some very fetching colours — but it's basically the same as the old one.
4 / 5
Display
The display is large, crisp, and bright with plenty of eye-care features.
5 / 5
Cameras
The main and telephoto cameras are excellent, but the ultra-wide could be improved.
4 / 5
Performance
The Xiaomi 17T Pro will handle just about anything you can throw at it. The haptics and speakers are very good, too.
5 / 5
Software
Xiaomi's Hyper OS is feature-packed and smooth, but a bit of bloatware sours an otherwise premium experience.
4 / 5
Battery
The 17T Pro packs a massive 7,000mAh battery that charges very quickly. I expected it to last longer, though, so perhaps more software optimization is required.
4 / 5
Buy it if...You want an excellent camera phone at an affordable price
The Xiaomi 17T Pro has a lot of the same camera features as the brand's more expensive flagship phones, but it won't hurt your wallet quite so much.
You're looking for speedy performance and solid battery life
With a full-fledged flagship SoC and a mammoth 7,000mAh battery on board, the Xiaomi 17T Pro offers a great experience for gaming and productivity.
Don't buy it if...You already have the Xiaomi 15T Pro
There aren't too many changes from last year's model, so if you already have that phone, this won't feel like much of an upgrade.
You love ultra-wide photos
While the cameras on the Xiaomi 17T Pro are impressive overall, the ultra-wide is much weaker than the other lenses, especially at night.
Xiaomi 17T Pro review: Also considerThe Xiaomi 17T Pro is a great sub-flagship option, but it's important to look at the competition, too. Here are a couple of competitors that are worth checking out.
Honor 600 Pro
Honor's recently released 600 Pro is a similarly priced phone with a focus on cameras and gaming performance. It offers autofocus on the ultra-wide camera, but the Xiaomi has better video capabilities and a nicer telephoto camera.
Read our full Honor 600 Pro review
Vivo X300 FE
Vivo's latest sub-flagship is another strong contender. It also has excellent cameras, but it's not quite as powerful, and the ultra-wide camera is even worse. Limited global availability may limit its appeal, too (note that we haven't yet reviewed this device).
Xiaomi 17T Pro
Honor 600 Pro
Vivo X300 FE
Price:
TBA
£899
€999
Display:
6.83-inch OLED
6.57-inch OLED
6.3-inch OLED
Cameras:
50MP main; 12MP ultra-wide; 50MP telephoto
200MP main; 12MP ultra-wide; 50MP telephoto
50MP main; 8MP ultra-wide; 50MP telephoto
Processor:
MediaTek Dimensity 9500
Snapdragon 8 Elite
Snapdragon 8 Gen 5
Battery:
7,000mAh
6,400mAh
6,500mAh
How I tested the Xiaomi 17- Review test period: One week
- Testing included: Everyday use, including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
- Tools used: Geekbench 6, 3DMark, native Android stats
I popped my SIM into the Xiaomi 17T Pro and used it as my main phone for just over a week. I used it as I would use any other phone, taking lots of photos and videos, gaming, messaging, working, streaming video, and navigating with Google Maps.
I also compared the experience of playing graphically demanding games like Neverness to Everness to my experience on other Android flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Oppo Find X9 Ultra. I ran plenty of benchmarks on the phone, including 3DMark and Geekbench, to confirm my performance findings.
I assessed the battery performance based on my real-world usage, and charging times were measured using the included wall adapter and USB-C cable.
First tested May 2026
Categories: Reviews
Oscal Pilot 6 review: A durable design and added extras make this a serious contender in the rugged phone market
OSCAL Pilot 6: 30-second review
The Oscal Pilot 6 is a rugged Android phone designed for anyone working outdoors who needs a phone that can withstand far more than a standard commercial model. The design is rugged and, whilst it’s slightly larger than a standard phone, its plastic reinforced casing keeps it from being overly large, and it will just about slip into a pocket.
The bulk and weight, while more than your average consumer phone, is still less than many other larger rugged smartphones. Still, it’s nicely designed with the usual industrial design aesthetic synonymous with rugged smartphones. It’s comfortable to hold and use, and when it comes to that ruggedness, it offers IP68/IP69 and MIL-STD-810H ratings, highlighting that it can withstand significant abuse.
What makes this phone stand out against many of the other rugged smartphones is that it not only features all the usual camera specifications, including a massive 108-million-pixel camera, but also a thermal camera, which makes it great for trade, and a large 10,000mAh battery, which ensures that it can last for days in between charging. This battery can also be wirelessly charged at 15W and supports reverse charging for topping up other devices.
When used to navigate productivity apps, the handset's speed is okay, just held back a little by the MediaTek Helio G100, which is really a mid-range CPU, backed again by a mid-range Mali-G57 MC2 GPU. So, whilst it’s usable for updating documents and browsing the internet, it’s not the fastest on the market. What is nice, though, is that it’s all fronted by a 6.78-inch 120Hz screen, which is perfectly viewable in all conditions.
Also, what I really liked was that it has a built-in 98dB speaker that produces relatively decent audio quality. If you’re working on-site and want to listen to music, then this could be the perfect option.
For the consumer market, this phone is a little large for the general user. However, in trade, engineering, and surveying, the features, build quality, and size make it one of the best rugged phones I've tested. It’s just a little bit of a shame that it’s limited to 4G.
OSCAL Pilot 6: Price and availability- How much does it cost? £330/$294
- When is it out? Now
- Where can you get it? Directly from Oscal or Amazon
At present, the Pilot 6 is available on Blackview's fficial website, with the 12GB/256GB model priced at $558.99 / £319. But keep an eye on the website as the price does change.
- Value: 4/5
CPU: MediaTek Helio G100, octa-core, up to 2.2GHz
Graphics: Mali-G57
RAM: 12GB LPDDR4X, expandable virtually up to 36GB
Storage: 256GB UFS 2.1, microSD/TF expansion up to 2TB
Ports: USB-C
Connectivity: 4G, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/Beidou/QZSS
Audio: 4.5W 98dB Smart-PA BOX speaker, USB-C earphone support
Camera: 108MP Samsung ISOCELL HM6 rear, 50MP Samsung ISOCELL JN1 front, 160×120 thermal camera
Size: 182.8 × 82 × 18.1mm; 410.8g
OS Installed: DokeOS 5.0 based on Android 16
Accessories: Manual, USB cable, SIM ejector pin, and lanyard
As I removed the Pilot 6 from the packaging, it was unmistakably a rugged smartphone with the usual industrial design, with credentials, including IP68, IP69K, and MIL-STD-810H. Sure enough, in the hand it feels good and rugged, and whilst it’s larger than most consumer-model smartphones, it’s not overly cumbersome, and it’s easy enough to handle, measuring 182.8 x 82 x 18.1mm and weighing 410.8g.
Whilst the size and weight do make it a little bit more bulky than a consumer phone, such as an iPhone, it’s still not overly large. If you do need to put it in a jacket or pocket, then whilst it’s going to be relatively bulky, it’s possible.
Checking through some of the build materials, it does look like OSCAL has really put a lot of thought into the rugged design, with an Al-Ti alloy used for the metal frame bracket, aluminium side strips, and the shockproof plastic base, which thankfully stays in one piece if dropped from a height.
It’s also good to see that the large 6.78-inch screen uses Gorilla Glass 5, and throughout the test, it withstood being dropped and submerged in water with no damage other than a little grime on the body, which was easily wiped away.
That screen offers a decent brightness of 750 nits, which makes it more than viewable in almost all sunny conditions, and throughout the test, which was conducted in the late spring in the UK, that brightness was made it easy to read documents and website content easily enough.
Alongside the impressive 108-million-pixel camera, which is backed by a Samsung sensor, is an infrared camera that enables you to pick up heat signatures, which will be especially of interest to anybody working in trades. This feature, along with the torch that sits at the top of the handset, is activated through dedicated apps that are all pre-installed.
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)The torch offers 93 lumens of brightness, and being mounted at the top of the handset rather than the back makes it very easy to use. There’s no ability to focus it, so whilst it’s relatively bright and great for looking into crevices, it isn’t a replacement for a standard flashlight that has a focused beam.
Another feature I liked was the 98dB speaker on the back, which you can see clearly on the phone. This produces very loud audio, which is great for listening to music whilst you’re busy at work.
And ensuring it runs all day, even if you can’t charge up, there’s that huge 10,000mAh battery, which charges relatively quickly but has more than enough capacity to last all day without a charge.
- Design: 3.5 / 5
The Oscal Pilot 6 is packed with features, with the main headline being the 160 x 120 thermal imaging camera that can detect heat signatures between -15°C and 550°C. Whilst that resolution might not seem that great, when it comes to detecting everything from wildlife hiding in the bushes if you’re out shooting photographs to detecting where piping and wiring might be if you work in the trade, a thermal camera like this on your smartphone can be a real use.
The camera is activated through the thermal app, with a 25Hz frame rate that provides a relatively smooth live view, and it offers under 50 mK thermal sensitivity alongside measurement and reporting tools, giving you a complete suite in this one relatively small mobile phone.
Alongside the headline thermal camera is a 108-million-pixel HM6 main camera, capable of capturing high-resolution images perfect for surveys and site visits, as well as for video conferencing. There’s a 50-million-pixel Samsung JN1 front camera that also offers decent resolution and frame rate.
The mobile phone is powered by a 10,000 mAh battery. This offers plenty of usage time and features 27W fast charging, 15W wireless charging, and 10W reverse charging, if you need to top up other devices.
Interestingly, another main feature of the smartphone is the 98dB loudspeaker, which is visible on the back of the phone near the camera array, and it is perfectly good for listening to music on-site. As long as you’re not too bothered about high-fidelity music, it is perfectly good, but where it really comes into its own is through speakerphone calls, because that speaker makes it far easier to hear if there’s a group of you on a conference call, utilising the phone.
When it comes to rugged credentials, they’re pretty impressive, with IP68 and IP69K ratings alongside MIL-STD-810H, meaning it can survive being underwater for a period of time, as well as being dropped and generally not looked after quite as carefully as you would with a standard consumer-level mobile phone.
When it comes to connectivity, this phone is only 4G; however, it offers NFC, Wi-Fi 802.11, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, and Bluetooth 5.2. When it comes to network connectivity, whilst it doesn’t offer 5G, it is backwards-compatible with 2G and 3G.
Inside, powering the smartphone is a MediaTek octa-core Helio G100, 6nm, up to 2.2GHz, paired with a Mali-G57 MC2 GPU and 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 2.1 ROM. Whilst built-in storage is quite limited, as is the RAM, the RAM can be expanded to 36GB using virtual RAM, and, with a TF card or microSD card, you can expand the internal storage up to a huge 2TB.
The 6.78-inch 2.4K 120Hz screen is nice and bright, reaching 750 nits. That 1080 x 2460 resolution lets you see plenty on the screen, so if you do need to update documents, it’s a good resolution and brightness for doing so, even out in the field.
Checking through the specifications and features, it is quite obvious that this phone has been designed primarily for field use, by trade and industry, rather than consumer phone users. Still, with those loudspeakers, which, used in moderation, are pretty good, and with that large bright screen and decent resolution, it is equally good for watching back media and taking pictures if needed.
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)- Features: 4.5 / 5
The first thing you notice about the phone compared to my phone is its size and bulk. Whilst it is smaller than many rugged smartphones, it is considerably bigger than a standard iPhone, in my case, an iPhone 15 Pro. Still, it is of a decent size, and you can easily hold it in one hand with no issue.
It’s not as bulky and cumbersome as some rugged smartphones, so if you do want to use it as an everyday phone, then it is a good size. Likewise, the bulk is bigger than most consumer-level smartphones, mainly due to the reinforcement that makes it rugged, and whilst it will fit into a jacket or trouser pocket, it is worth considering that it is that much larger than a standard phone.
For everyday use, making calls, even though it is restricted to 4G connectivity, that connectivity is good and strong, and actually, in many situations, was better than my iPhone 15 Pro when it came to making standard calls. Obviously, the internet connectivity wasn’t as good, limited by that 4G connection.
As I’ve seen with other Oscal and Blackview phones, the Android 16 version that is used on the device is DokeOS 5.0, a slightly customised version for this brand of phone, and to be honest, it works exceptionally well for most uses, including many bespoke apps that enable a lot of functionality, including the torch, thermal camera and that speaker system. Alongside the custom apps, you also have all the usual Android applications, so if you want to download Google Docs, it's already installed on the phone.
Once you get up and running, accessing my standard applications, say Google Chrome for browsing and Google Docs, the phone can handle that quite well, and that larger-resolution screen enables everything to fit on quite nicely. This is quite an upgrade from many of the standard HD phones on the market, and whilst limited by the 4G connectivity, that screen resolution is absolutely ideal, giving plenty of real estate when you do need to edit or read documents.
The screen speed is also relatively good, although not quite as responsive as some other rugged smartphones. What I did note in the feature set is that there is a glove mode, so if you’re wearing gloves for work and still need to use that connectivity, you can activate it and still use the phone. This can be really handy both at work and when you’re out cycling and need to use a phone without removing your gloves.
In use, switching between apps, the phone was more than able to handle it, and whilst there were a few slight pauses, the overall workflow was quite smooth. What impressed me was the camera app; whilst it isn’t fully featured, it does offer a pro mode and plenty of flexibility over the images you take. That image quality, whilst not high-end, is also pretty good, and if you want to use it for something other than taking detailed site photos, then it’s actually far better than I had anticipated.
On the phone, there are a variety of apps, including AI Chat, AI Video, AI Photos and AI Music. All of these are pre-installed but require you to sign up for relatively expensive subscription plans. Likewise, some of the other applications that are pre-installed offer wallpaper options, but there’s advertising always integrated that wants to take you over to Temu, and there were several occasions when, for no reason whatsoever, an advert for a game would suddenly pop up on the screen, which I found incredibly annoying.
As the initial review went on, I actually went through and deleted a huge volume of the pre-installed apps, just because I kept getting notifications about products and Temu, or about games I didn't want to play when I was least expecting them.
One of the app options that was quite good was AI Photo, which lets you use a bit for free before you need to pay. You can enhance several pictures for free before any cost is involved, and I would’ve preferred a non-AI app pre-installed that let me play around with some images, rather than almost every single option on this phone trying to get me into some other subscription model.
Once I had settled all the apps on the phone and gone through and deleted a lot of them, the phone itself was actually pretty good, very much aimed at the mid-range, with a Helio G100 being perfectly good for all of the standard Android apps, navigation, messaging, watching media and quite a lot of other work apps, even able to download CapCut and utilise that to edit short video clips without any issue.
I also really like the headline features. The thermal imaging camera is really good and easy to use, and whilst the resolution is pretty low, with all the different colour overlays that you can use, it’s really good for spotting animals and creatures hiding in the bushes, and if you do want to detect pipes and electronics that are hidden behind walls and plaster, then it’s perfectly possible to do that as well. More of a guide than anything else, but it’s nice to have that feature built into the phone.
The small torch on the top of the phone was also good. Whilst it isn’t focused, the brightness is sufficient to be able to look inside cavities or the back of cupboards to discover things in the same way that you would with a standard flashlight. It’s a bit of a shame that it’s not focusable, but the brightness is there and is pretty decent.
The battery life is also superb, and it’s only after this first week of testing that I realised I still hadn’t charged the phone and just how good having such a large battery is. Essentially, you just keep the phone in your bag on standby, and you know that it’s going to be there, ready to go when you need it.
Overall, as a business phone, the Pilot 6 is a great option. It is slightly larger than a consumer-level phone, with a thermal camera, a high-resolution main camera, and that torch, and it all comes together with the ability to make calls, making it a useful addition for anyone working out in the field.
- Performance: 3.5 / 5
The Oscal Pilot 6 is a great smartphone option for anyone working in industry or trade. The thermal camera and high-resolution main camera let you detect piping, wiring, and other heat-related objects that other cameras can’t, and, as it’s built into a smartphone, it is a good, quick indicator for on-site visits.
Backing up the thermal camera is a very decent 108-million-pixel main camera, which is good for taking detailed site images that are first-rate in tone and, compared with some other high-resolution cameras, maintain quality. I was just impressed with the overall tone, detail and clarity this small camera was able to produce.
The torch is a nice addition, but it’s not the best smartphone torch I’ve seen. The fact that it is mounted at the top of the smartphone does make it a little more useful and versatile, but with no ability to focus and, to be honest, limited brightness, it’s great for looking in cupboards and other things that are close. But if you’re thinking of using it as a flashlight, then its power just isn’t quite up to it.
As a slightly left-field feature, the speakers are actually pretty decent. If you’re on a conference call with people on site, this phone is well-suited to that use, and you can hear things above the ambient sounds of a building site, which could be exceptionally useful.
But then you come onto some of the downsides of this phone, and primarily that is the fact that many of the apps require a subscription or take you to some advertising randomly when you least expect it, and after a day of testing, I decided to sit down and delete all of the apps on the phone that would automatically take me elsewhere.
Once the OS was cleaned, it’s a relatively decent system, and DokeOS, as ever, is nice and stable and proved fast enough, even with a 4G network connection.
The CPU and GPU are mid-range. Whilst they’re good for productivity, they’re not ideal for multimedia editing or gaming. Still, if you want to do a bit of light gaming or multimedia editing, to be honest, most phones are powerful enough these days.
By the end of the test, it was clear that if you’re working in the trade or industry and looking for a rugged, thermal-cameras smartphone, this is a great option. If you’re into outdoor activities, then whilst this is a good mid-range phone, it probably won’t fully meet your needs. Whilst that camera is good, there are better options out there.
Should I buy the OSCAL Pilot 6?Value
Great value for a phone, with high-resolution and thermal cameras in one relatively compact unit.
4/5
Design
Usual tough, rugged design with industrial aesthetics that enable this phone to stand up to more than most.
3.5/5
Features
A very decent set of features for a smartphone, with the added interest of that thermal camera.
4/5
Performance
Very capable mid-range smartphone, just limited by 4G connectivity and slightly intrusive apps.
3.5/5
Overall
With the apps cleaned, this is a decent rugged smartphone that can withstand more than most and offers decent performance.
4/5
Buy it if...Need thermal vision
If you need a phone with a built-in thermal imaging camera, this is a great option, backed by a high-resolution main camera for detailed site images.
Work away often
That 10,000mAh battery just kept going, needing just one charge per week despite heavy testing, making it good not only for trade but also for camping or as a backup phone for emergencies.
Want slim comfort
While a smartphone might be appealing, at just over 400g and considerably larger than a consumer-level model, it can be more cumbersome to carry daily.
Need 5G speeds
It’s surprising that there are still phones without 5G connectivity, but for its use, 4G is more than adequate. If you do need a faster connection, 5G rugged smartphones are available.
For more durable devices, we've tested the best rugged tablets and the best rugged laptops.
Categories: Reviews
I tested the flagship Samsung HW-Q990H Dolby Atmos soundbar, and while it sticks to the formula of its predecessors, it still sets the bar for soundbars in 2026
Samsung HW-Q990H review: Two minute review
The Samsung HW-Q990H continues the high standard set by its predecessors, which are reliably among the best soundbars on the market, delivering a full, multi-box Dolby Atmos experience for one of the most competitive prices around. While it doesn’t offer that many changes from its predecessor, it’s still a fantastic system.
An 11.1.4 channel soundbar system, the Q990H is packed with superb sound-enhancing features such as SpaceFit Sound Pro and Q-Symphony, which add more layers to its already excellent sound. Sound Elevation (where sound is raised to the height of the TV itself) is one of two new features introduced, and while I didn’t use it for much of my testing, it could be useful depending on your circumstances.
It supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X enhanced audio formats, and there’s even support for 4K 120Hz and VRR passthrough in the soundbar’s two HDMI 2.1 In ports — perfect for those who don’t own one of the best gaming TVs.
The Q990H’s performance is phenomenal. It delivers an immersive, powerful sound with bass that’s both meaty and controlled, aided by the returning small-sized, dual-driver subwoofer introduced in last year's Q990F. Sound mapping is accurate, with details placed precisely to the correct channels and connected with the action on screen. Speech is consistently clear, and Dolby Atmos effects are re-created faithfully with real clarity. While it doesn’t innovate much on last year’s Samsung HW-Q990F, it’s still a superb soundbar.
Design-wise, the Q990H benefits from the compact subwoofer, which is easy to position while still delivering excellent sound. While the soundbar itself feels sturdy and has a nice color to it, the actual grated design doesn’t feel as premium as 2024’s Samsung Q990D, and the alphanumeric display isn’t always the easiest to read, but is a welcome feature. It would be nice to see Samsung mix up the design of the flagship model in future.
The Q990H is incredibly easy to set up and use. Actual installation took a few minutes, and I used the SmartThings app to control EQ and other features, never running into any issues. There is a supplied remote for those who don’t want to use the app, but I suggest you give the app a try.
The Q990H is a premium soundbar system, and while it delivers the performance to back up its asking price of $1,999 / £1,599 / AU$1,999, there aren’t a great many changes over its predecessor the Q990F. The latter is available for $1,599 / £999 / AU$1,599 at the time of writing, so it's the better option in my view. Once it disappears though, the Q990H is a more than worthy successor.
Samsung HW-Q990H review: Price and release date(Image credit: Future)- Release date: May 2026
- Price: $1,999 / £1,599 / AU$1,999
The Samsung HW-Q990F is the flagship model in Samsung’s 2026 soundbar lineup. It sits above the Samsung HW-900H, HW-Q800H and the HW-QS90H, the latter of which is a follow-up to the Samsung QS700F from 2025.
The HW-Q990H’s launch prices are pretty consistent with its predecessor, the HW-Q990F, from last year. The Q990H is launching for £100 cheaper in the UK and AU$100 cheaper in Australia, however.
Samsung HW-Q990H review: SpecsDimensions (W x H x D)
Soundbar: 1232 x 70.8 x 138mm (48.5 x 2.8 x 5.4 inches); Subwoofer: 249 x 251.8 x 249mm (9.8 x 10.0 x 9.8 inches); Rear speaker: 129.5 x 201.3 x140.4mm (5.1 x 8.0 x 5.5 inches)
Speaker channels
11.1.4
Connections:
1x HDMI out (with eARC), 2x HDMI 2.1 in, optical digital audio, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Dolby Atmos/DTS:X
Yes/Yes
Sub included
Yes
Rear speakers included
Yes
Features
Q Symphony, SpaceFit Sound Pro, Adaptive Sound, Sound Elevation, Auto Volume, Game Mode Pro, Tap Sound, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, HDMI 2.1 120Hz pass-through, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision pass-through, wireless Dolby Atmos
Samsung HW-Q990H review: FeaturesThe Q990H has two HDMI In ports, both of which support 4K 120Hz passthrough for gaming (Image credit: Future)- 11.1.4 channel soundbar system
- Dolby Atmos and DTS-X support
- HDMI 2.1 input ports rated for 4K 120Hz gaming
The Q990H doesn’t bring many new features to the table compared to last year’s Q990F, but that’s not a bad thing, as that soundbar's features were pretty impressive. The Q990H is an 11.1.4 channel soundbar system comprising four units: a main soundbar, a subwoofer (the same compact unit introduced with the Q990F), and two rear speakers. It has the same 23-speaker layout as the Q990F.
In terms of audio support, the Q990H supports Dolby Atmos and DTS: X sound formats, and there’s support for Eclipsa Audio, Samsung and Google’s joint foray into the 3D sound world. Wireless Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are also supported.
Connections are the same as last year, with an HDMI eARC port for connection to your chosen display, as well as two HDMI In ports. Both are HDMI 2.1 and rated for 4K 120Hz gaming, and both support HDR10+ HDR. There's also Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity for music streaming.
The Q990H introduces two new sound features. Sound Elevation is designed to direct the sound towards the screen itself in order to create a more natural listening experience, while Auto Volume aims to reduce sudden spikes in volume when changing channels or content.
Returning sound-enhancing features include SpaceFit Sound Pro, which optimizes the sound profile to suit the environment you’re in; Adaptive Sound, which analyzes the content being played and adjusts it in real time; and Active Voice Amplifier Pro, which analyzes voices within a scene and optimizes them. The Q990H also supports Q-Symphony, which enables a compatible connected Samsung TV’s speakers to be employed to enhance the audio further.
There are a number of night-mode listening features as well, such as Private Audio, which directs the sound to the rear speakers, and Moderate Bass, which mutes the subwoofer and directs the bass to come from the soundbar itself.
The Q900H can be controlled by the SmartThings app, where adjustments to the EQ and sound levels for each channel can be made. You can also choose from the soundbar’s four listening modes here: Standard, Surround, AI and Game. The aforementioned sound enhancements can also be controlled via the app.
- Features score: 5 / 5
- Detailed expansive sound
- Powerful, controlled bass
- Great Atmos reproduction
Of the Q990H’s four sound presets (Standard, Surround, Game and AI) I chose Surround, as I felt it gave the most consistently immersive sound. I also used the SpaceFit Sound Pro setting to calibrate the soundbar to our testing lab, and this created a more immersive sound profile.
The Q990H’s sound placement and mapping are superb. Watching the Death Star attack run from Star Wars: A New Hope, the whir of the X-Wing’s engines came from the rear speakers, laser fire came from all around, and the flight paths of the various TIE fighters and X-Wings was accurately placed, making me feel like I was in the cockpit.
Watching The Batman, as Penguin fired a spray of bullets towards Catwoman, the sound travelled from the front to the rear channels, following the direction of the action on screen. In the chase sequence itself, the swerving of tires and blaring car horns travelled across the soundbar, again mapped perfectly.
The compact subwoofer first introduced in last year’s Q990F returns here, and I was reminded of how good it was. Despite its smaller stature, the Q990H’s subwoofer packs a mighty punch. As the Batmobile’s engine fires up in The Batman, the subwoofer delivered an almighty rumble that filled the room, accurately delivering the roar and the crunching gear changes during the driving sequences. Crucially however, the bass never got ahead of itself, as the subwoofer demonstrated excellent control, with the same gear changes delivered with great detail.
Speaking of detail, the Q990H delivers it in spades. During the Darkstar test flight in Top Gun: Maverick, subtle sound effects, such as the wind passing through the jet’s outer panels and the tightening of Maverick’s gloves are all well balanced with the bass of the jet engine and the loud beeps of the various displays.
The Q990H benefits from four height channels, meaning Atmos effects are reproduced accurately. As Maverick flies over Admiral Kane in Top Gun: Maverick, the sound of the Darkstar’s flight path went over my head, delivering an expansive sound. The same was true as TIE Fighters flew overhead in Star Wars, with height channels precisely following their iconic howling sound.
The Q990H's subwoofer delivers powerful, controlled bass: perfect for capturing the roar of the Batmobile's engine in The Batman (pictured) (Image credit: Warner Bros. / Future )Throughout my testing, the Q990H’s front channels delivered crystal-clear speech, even in complicated scenes such as the Batmobile chase, accurately delivering the Penguin’s frantic shouts over the loud explosions and impacts.
As I tested the Q990H with the Samsung S95F, one of 2025’s best OLED TVs, I tried out the Q-Symphony setting. This added extra volume and more power to the front channels by using the S95F’s speakers, giving everything extra punch. If you don’t own a Samsung TV, fear not — this Q990H still sounds fantastic without Q-Symphony.
I tried out the new Sound Elevation feature, and while it did move the height of the sound effectively, it wasn’t necessary for my viewing. This could be a useful feature for those who wall-mount the soundbar, but I’d recommend giving it a try to see if it fits your environment.
The Q990H is also a solid soundbar for music. Listening to a Dolby Atmos version of Bad Bunny’s BAILE INoLVIDABLE, the Q990H delivered tightly controlled low-end from the track’s heavy bass synths and drums later in the song. The piano sounded detailed, and Bunny’s varied vocals were delivered accurately. High notes had plenty of brightness without sounding overbearing, and the horn section sounded punchy and detailed.
Switching to a heavier track, Dir En Grey’s Un Deux, the Q990H did a great job delivering the pounding guitars, crunching drums and Kyo’s soaring vocals, capturing the wide production of the track with its big soundstage. While other soundbars, such as the Sonos Arc Ultra, are better for music overall, the Q990H is still great.
- Performance score: 5 / 5
- Return of the brilliant compact subwoofer
- Sturdy build quality
- Design becoming familiar
The Q990H is almost identical in appearance to last year’s Q990F, which in turn felt like a cheapened design of the 2024 Samsung HW-Q990D. While the Q990H does have a sturdy, weighty build that feels premium, my criticisms of last year’s design remain.
The highlight is once again the compact subwoofer design. The dual-driver unit is weighty, but has a much more visually appealing cubed design. Due to its more compact size, it’s much easier to conceal than most subwoofers. The main soundbar measures 1232 x 70.8 x 138mm (48.5 x 2.8 x 5.4 inches), which was the exact width of the 55-inch Samsung S95F OLED TV I tested the soundbar with. It’s quite a deep soundbar however, so you may need to consider this when placing it.
The actual look and materials of the Q990H are the main issue. While the metallic grille that’s been used for years remains, the cheaper-looking grated design introduced in the Q990F is still here, and it doesn’t look as appealing as older models. The same is true of the rear speakers, which don’t feel or look as premium.
The alphanumeric display included can still be a challenge to a read, but it’s still welcome. While the Q990H’s overall design is fine, Samsung could stand to learn from other multi-box units, such as the JBL 1300Mk2.
- Design score: 4 / 5
- Easy, hassle-free setup
- SmartThings app for control as well as remote
- Wireless connection between soundbar and other units
As I’ve found with the last few iterations of Samsung’s flagship soundbar, the Q990H was a breeze to set up. I simply connected the main soundbar to the TV via HDMI eARC, and then paired the subwoofer and rear speakers by holding down a button. At one point during my testing I had to disconnect and re-connect the same units due to a brief Wi-Fi issue, and this again took a matter of minutes.
The Q990H can be controlled by the supplied remote or the SmartThings app. I opted for the latter, and it allowed me to easily make adjustments to the EQ and sound levels as I saw fit, with said changes happening almost instantaneously. It’s worth trying out the app, but the Q990H also sounds great out of the box.
One quick note: Samsung advertises its new Samsung Sound app as the new control, though at the time of writing it doesn’t offer the full compatibility or support all the features of SmartThings, so you’re best sticking with the latter for now.
- Setup & usability score: 4.5 / 5
- Great flagship performance and features
- Still a premium price
- Only minor upgrades over predecessor
The Q990H is undoubtedly at the premium end of the soundbar market. Priced at $1,999 / £1,599 / AU$1,999, it’s pricier than a lot of all-in-one options such as the Sonos Arc Ultra and Marshall Heston 120, as well as more budget surround sound models from the likes of JBL, Hisense and Ultimea.
Major rivals such as the JBL 1300MK2 are also available for less, with the 1300MK2 priced at $1,699 / £999 in the US and UK (it’s pricier in Australia at $AU2,299). That said, the 1300MK2 did launch several months ago, so its prices have had time to drop.
Still, the Q990H is a flagship soundbar that delivers phenomenal audio quality and comes with a ton of useful features, most prominently its HDMI 2.1 ports for gaming. Compared to said multi-box rivals, it’s also pretty fairly priced.
There is the small matter, however, of the Q990H’s predecessor, the Q990F, still being available. While the Q990H offers a couple of upgrades, the Q990F is still a fantastic soundbar in its own right, and at $1,599 / £999 / AU$1,599 it’s the better option right now. Once it disappears, though, the Q990H will make a worthy successor — and we’ll have hopefully seen some discounts by then.
- Value score: 4 / 5
Section
Notes
Score
Features
Great list of sound enhancing features, WI-Fi and Hi-res audio for music and 4K 120Hz for gaming
5 / 5
Performance
Detailed, powerful sound with faithful and accurate Dolby Atmos reproduction
5 / 5
Design
Compact subwoofer returns and feel sturdy, but design feels familiar and could do with a refresh
4 / 5
Setup & usability
Easy setup and usage with easier supplied remote or SmartThings app
4.5 / 5
Value
A premium experience with a price to match. Few upgrades over predecessor
4 / 5
Buy it if...You want the full Dolby Atmos experience at home
The Q990H delivers a powerful, refined and immersive sound experience with authentic Dolby Atmos, bringing the cinema to your home
You want a soundbar to cover all the bases
With Hi-res audio support, Dolby Atmos and DTS: X and 4K 120Hz for gaming, the Q990H really does cover all the bases.
You want a compact but powerful subwoofer
Some subwoofers prioritise design over sound and vice versa. The Q990H's subwoofer does both: it's small enough to hide but without compromising on sound.
You're on a budget
The Q990H is a fantastic soundbar, but it comes with a premium price tag. There are cheaper Atmos soundbars available.
You want an easy-to-read front display
The Q990H design hasn't been updated for a while, and the LED front display is still tricky to read.
You own the Samsung HW-Q990F
The Q990H introduces a couple of new features and refinements, but it's not dissimilar to last year's Q990F. View Deal
Samsung HW-Q990F
Samsung HW-Q990F
JBL Bar 1300MK2
Sonos Arc Ultra
Price (May 2026)
$1,999 / £1,599 / AU$1,999
$1,599 / £999 / AU$1,599
$1,699 / £999 / AU$2,299
Dimensions
Soundbar: 1232 x 70.8 x 138mm (48.5 x 2.8 x 5.4 inches); Subwoofer: 249 x 251.8 x 249mm (9.8 x 10.0 x 9.8 inches); Rear speaker: 129.5 x 201.3 x140.4mm (5.1 x 8.0 x 5.5 inches)
Soundbar: 1232 x 70.8 x 138mm (48.5 x 2.8 x 5.4 inches); Subwoofer: 249 x 251.8 x 249mm (9.8 x 10.0 x 9.8 inches); Rear speaker: 129.5 x 201.3 x140.4mm (5.1 x 8.0 x 5.5 inches)
Soundbar: 40.6 x 2.3 x 5.4 inches / 1030 x 58 x 136mm; subwoofer: 12.4 x 10.9 x 10.8 inches / 315 x 277 x 275mm; surround speakers: 8 x 2.3 x 5.4 inches / 202 x 58 x 136mm
2.95 x 46.38 x 4.35 inches (75 x 1178 x 110.6mm)
Speaker channels
11.1.4
11.1.4
11.1.4
9.1.4
Connections
Two HDMI 2.1 input, One HDMI output, optical output, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Two HDMI 2.1 input, One HDMI output, optical output, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
1x HDMI eARC, 3x HDMI in, digital optical, USB (playback US-only), Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3 (surround speakers use 5.4)
1x HDMI with eARC, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Dolby Atmos/DTS:X
Yes/Yes
Yes/Yes
Yes / Yes
Yes/No
Sub included
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Rear speakers included
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Samsung HW-Q990F (2025)
The Samsung HW-Q990F is the Q990H's predecessor, and was Samsung's first flagship model to use the compact subwoofer featured on the Q990H. It delivers very similar performance and features to the Q990H, and is currently cheaper. This is your best bet until the Q990H's prices start dropping.
Read our full Samsung HW-Q990F review
JBL 1300Mk2
The JBL 1300Mk2 is an 11.1.4 channel Dolby Atmos system, the same as the Q990H. Its rear speakers are detachable from the front soundbar for easy storage, making it a neater system than the Q990H. While it is cheaper, it's lacking the 4K 120Hz passthrough the Q990H has, so if you want gaming features, the Q990H is your better option.
Read our full JBL 1300Mk2View Deal
Sonos Arc Ultra
The Sonos Arc Ultra is an all-in-one Dolby Atmos soundbar that delivers great performance. It's better for music than the Q990H, but the Q990H has rear speakers and a subwoofer included as standard, whereas the Arc Ultra's are optional. If you want the best value, the Q990H is my pick.
Read our full Sonos Arc Ultra review
How I tested the Samsung HW-Q990H- Tested with the Samsung S95F OLED TV
- Tested using different sources
- Dolby Atmos, 5.1 surround and stereo sound tested
I tested the Samsung HW-Q990H with the Samsung S95F OLED TV, which allowed me to test out the Q-Symphony feature, which employs the Samsung S95F's speakers in conjunction with the soundbar.
To test the Q990H soundbar, I used reference Dolby Atmos scenes that I also use to test TV speakers, namely The Batman and Top Gun: Maverick on 4K Blu-ray, and Star Wars: A New Hope for 4K streaming.
I used the Samsung SmartThings app to test out its sound features, including SpaceFit Sound Pro and Sound Elevation, as well as testing out its different sound presets.
I also tested the Samsung HW-Q990H's music capabilities using Dolby Atmos tracks such as Bad Bunny's BAILLE INoLVIDABLE, as well as stereo tracks such as Dir En Grey's Un Deux.
- First reviewed: May 2026
- Read more about how we test
Categories: Reviews
Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro review: A slim, powerful Apple Watch alternative
Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro review: Specifications
Component
Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro
Price
£249.99
Dimension
44.5 x 40.8 x 9.5mm
Weight
30.4g without strap
Case/bezel
Titanium
Display
1.92-inch AMOLED, 489 x 408px
GPS
Dual-band L1 + L5, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS
Battery life
Up to 10 days
Connection
Bluetooth
Water resistance
Yes, 5ATM
Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro: One minute review(Image credit: Amanda Westberg)The Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro looks quite similar to an Apple Watch Ultra 3, only slimmer, and I get the feeling that’s very much the idea. The same raised bump on the titanium shell protects the digital crown, and houses an additional side button. It’s the same shape as the Ultra 3, the screen is bright and colorful, and as you can see from the TikTok video embedded below in which I compare the two, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s an Apple Watch at first glance.
However, just because Huawei’s stealing Apple’s lunch a little in the design stakes, that doesn’t mean this just a cheaper knockoff. Huawei has been making quality wearables with accurate metrics for ages now, and the Fit 5 Pro is another absolute win in my book.
It’s light and comfortable to wear, with the wide screen and slim design ensuring it sits flush and close to the wrist, like the Garmin Venu X1, making it perfect for more comfortable exercise, and not weighty or cumbersome to wear during sleep tracking. The tough ‘aerospace-grade’ titanium-alloy shell is a great get at this price, with the closest-priced Apple product, the Apple Watch SE 3, using aluminum, plastic and nylon. The whole aerospace thing is a bit of a gimmick, but titanium makes the whole package feel much more premium and stylish, and it looks as good as it feels.
The Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro battery is claimed to last up to 10 days in smartwatch mode, but with near-constant wear, multiple GPS workouts, and with the always-on display turned off, I got around six days during my testing. The LTPO AMOLED display is powerful, and nearly two inches wide with an adaptive 1-60hz refresh rate. In layman’s terms, it’s bright, smooth and powerful, and in such a thin smartwatch it’s a real battery sucker. Nevertheless, six days is still triple the usage I get from the Apple Watch Ultra 3 on a single charge, even though the latter is triple the price.
Like Apple, Huawei relies on its own walled-garden ecosystem, as a result of being a Chinese company and operating behind the ‘great firewall of China’, preventing its integration with apps like Google Maps, Spotify and others from major US tech companies, although it supports some select integrations like Strava and Komoot via the Huawei Health app. The AppGallery must be accessed from your phone’s internet browser and the apps downloaded from there, with no Play Store or App Store integration.
The Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro uses Chinese apps for its core functions, like Petal Maps for navigation instead of Google or Apple Maps, so to sync with your phone you’ll also start needing to use Petal as your primary map app. Lately, Huawei has been using the UK-based Curve digital wallet — this is good news, as it’s a feature that’s long eluded Huawei watches outside of China.
However, if you’re an Android or Apple user, your Google and Apple wallets don’t automatically work with your watch, although this is slightly less of a dealbreaker, as Garmin also uses a proprietary wallet system. WhatsApp can only be interacted with via notifications, not a dedicated WhatsApp interface. These pain points are not necessarily a dealbreaker for everyone, but it does make shelling out for the Fit 5 Pro in favour of the best Apple Watches or best Android watches that bit harder to swallow.
There are a bunch of interesting wellness features on the watch. Much was made at launch of the ‘mini-workouts’ feature, and there are 30 in total, for which you follow a cute panda avatar in stretching or light aerobic exercises lasting up to a couple of minutes, many of which you can do at your desk. These are targeted at specific body parts, used to correct posture or stretch your neck, spine, legs, or even face.
(Image credit: Future)The Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro is built for fitness tracking, and it’s strong in this field. On a 5K test route around Paris, the Fit 5 Pro cleaved closely to the top-tier Garmin Fenix 8 Pro in terms of distance, pace and heart rate measurements, with just 1bpm between the different ‘average heart rate’ measurements. Having tested the Fenix 8 Pro against a Polar H10 heart rate monitor and being satisfied with its accuracy, I feel good about Huawei’s metrics here when compared to the Fenix 8 Pro, especially for its low price. I also tested it against the new Google Fitbit Air fitness tracker, which again recorded just a 1bpm difference in my average heart rate. Unfortunately, my Polar H10 heart rate monitor malfunctioned during testing, but I’ll update this review if any scores differentiate from a new device.
The Fit 5 Pro packs dual-band L1+L5 GPS, which supposedly means it’s more accurate when you’re among tall buildings. When I tested its GPS credentials against the Garmin, there was 30 meters between the estimations of the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro and Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro; the Fenix 8 Pro thought I’d run 5.04km, while Huawei calculated 5.01km. A total of 30/5000+ meters is to me a reasonable statistical difference, as it’s a less than a 1% margin of error, and perfectly fine for most amateur athletes. Huawei’s TruSleep sleep-tracking and TruSense heart rate algorithms are industry standard, and there are more sports modes to choose from than you could ever need. It’s a strong fitness tracking choice.
The Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro offers good battery life, accurate tracking, and lots of nifty features — and those who want Apple Watch Ultra aesthetics and performance at a budget price are going to love it. But if you want a smartwatch that can handle apps, calls, notifications, directions and other convenience features, be prepared to jump through a few extra hoops thanks to Huawei’s walled garden.
Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro review: Price and availability- £249.99 in the UK
- AU$249.99 in Australia
- Not available in the US
The Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro costs £249.99 in the UK and AU$299 in Australia. It’s unavailable in the US due to the ongoing ban on Huawei consumer electronics.
It’s very well- priced considering it’s packed with features and packs a durable, premium build, as watches with titanium bezels and sapphire glass usually tend to retail for a lot more.
If that’s still too dear for you, the Huawei Watch Fit 5 (aka the non-Pro version) starts at £159.99 in the UK from Huawei’s website, and around AU$225 in Australia at third-party outlets. Rather than titanium alloy, its case is made of softer recycled aluminum, and its design is more akin to an Apple Watch SE rather than the Ultra series.
@techradar ♬ original sound - TechRadar Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro review: Scorecard(Image credit: Future)Category
Comment
Score
Value
A really great price for this watch.
5/5
Design
It’s a great-looking and feeling watch, and the Huawei HarmonyOS software is intuitive.
4.5/5
Features
The lack of third-party app support is always a blow, but lots of sport stuff and (finally!) a digital wallet.
3/5
Performance
Fast, accurate tracking compared to the top-flight Fenix 8 Pro. Good battery life and an easy all-day wear.
4.5/5
Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro review: Should I buy?Buy it if...You’re on a budget
For the price of an Apple Watch SE 3, you get a far more hard-wearing and powerful fitness tool.
You’re an athlete
Love multi-discipline sports? Bounce between the gym and the pavement? You’ll love this watch.
You need a digital wallet
Huawei’s Curve Pay integration means you can stop for coffee after your run, even without a phone to hand.
Don't buy it if...You need third-party apps
Want Spotify, WhatsApp, TrainingPeaks and other such integrations on-watch? Huawei’s limited AppGallery will make life more difficult for you.
You’re using an iPhone
Even though the Fit 5 Pro has a ton of great features, it’s hard to recommend for iPhone users — Apple makes setting up and using its watches absolutely seamless, and Huawei makes life harder by operating on a separate ecosystem.
Also consider...Apple Watch Series 11
If you're on Apple, any of the Apple Watches should be a serious wearable consideration, but the middle-of-the-road Series 11 strikes a balance between premium and affordable.
Read our Apple Watch Series 11 review
Garmin Vivoactive 6
A powerful, affordable Garmin watch with serious staying power and loads of training credentials. If you don't mind the plastic body, this is a winner.
Read our Garmin Vivoactive 6 review
How I testedI wore the Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro for around a week, draining the battery, sleeping with it on, and using it for exercise. I tested the micro-workouts feature, used the Emotional Wellbeing tools, and took the watch swimming, walking and running. To test its running metrics I compared it against the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro smartwatch, Google Fitbit Air fitness tracker and Polar H10 heart rate monitor, wearing multiple devices on runs.
Categories: Reviews
Backrooms review: A24's liminal horror is the perfect adaptation of the creepypasta, and die-hard fans will adore it
Backrooms is A24's new horror movie and one that I had been excited about for a long time. As someone who is obsessed with Kane Parsons' Backrooms YouTube series, I was intrigued to see how it would translate on the big screen. We had the chance to talk about Parsons' "fairly simple" story in an interview.
For me, it worked perfectly, but I do think it's important to acknowledge that I have been a fan of the very idea of Backrooms for a long time, which is why I stand behind my 5-star review. There are a few things that may be frustrating to newcomers, which I'll reference throughout.
First off, we need to talk about the sets. Backrooms is nothing without its iconic, empty, yellow location, and it was so exciting seeing it on this scale. It felt so vast and terrifying even in the early stages of exploration. But our introduction to them is my favorite part of the movie.
The movie wastes no time in throwing us straight in there with some grainy, shaky found footage. I firmly believe that this opening scene will go down in history with other horror greats, because it is the most anxiety-inducing few minutes as we follow a person trying to outrun a mysterious creature.
It's the instability of the found footage camera that makes this so tense. It whips around rapidly, makes jarring movements, and is a nightmare for anyone with motion sickness. Complete with shaky images, great sound design, and bizarre sets, this is an opener that sets the tone of the movie.
And then, it quietens down considerably. Backrooms turns into a slow burn after its tense opening sequence, something that may disappoint fans after it immediately gave us heart palpitations. But this gives us time to introduce us to Clark (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and his therapist, Dr Mary Kline (Renate Reinsve), the movie's excellent central characters. There's also another stellar performance from Creep's Mark Duplass, in a role I won't spoil for you.
We learn about Clark's difficult past, especially with his ex-wife. As a furniture store owner and failed architect, his job perfectly mirrors the strange Backrooms he finds himself in, after he clips through a wall in his store and ends up surrounded by yellow walls and ominous buzzing from the lights above. At first, he finds it fascinating and attempts to map the place out so he can show Mary.
Unfortunately, Mary is skeptical when he shows up to his next session with a crudely drawn map. Clark insists he'll bring back proof, enlisting two of his employees to go into the Backrooms with him with a video camera, giving us enough time to brace ourselves for more creepy found footage.
Indeed, any scenes involving the shaky handheld camera are by far the scariest. I was glad that Backrooms leaned into that grainy, low-quality footage that makes these liminal spaces feel ten times worse. On the flip side, though, I was relieved the movie doesn't entirely rely on found footage, as that may have been too jarring.
This is the movie that long-time fans have been waiting for. It's a beautiful, eerie expansion on Parson's already impressive lore. Much praise has been given to him for his use of the 3D modelling software Blender, and he gets to showcase those talents here. He is currently A24's youngest director, too, but it certainly never feels amateurish.
Backrooms has some well-orchestrated jumps, but if you're expecting loads of them, it won't happen here. Much of the dread and horror comes from the camera either creeping towards something or moving around erratically, both of which are very effective.
The movie also stays true to A24's brand of creepy, slow burns. It works very well here, in my opinion, but there may not be enough to hold the attention of non-Backrooms enthusiasts. In my eyes, though, it was everything I could have hoped for and more.
Categories: Reviews
Chuwi AuBox X 256V mini PC review: A microcosm of where small PC designs are heading under the current price pressures
Chuwi AuBox X 256V: 30-second review
Chuwi has crammed Intel's Lunar Lake platform into one of the smallest and most affordable packages, close in size to the original Intel NUC. The Intel 200 series processor is a serious proposition for anyone chasing efficient local AI compute, a punchy compact desktop replacement, or a whisper-quiet home server.
The 115 TOPS headline figure is not marketing fluff either. With the NPU, GPU, and CPU all pulling together, this machine genuinely handles Copilot+ workloads and lighter local LLM inference without breaking a sweat.
The price is the real story, though. At around $829 direct for the model with the Core Ultra 7 256V silicon, this is slightly more costly than a similar 1TB configuration from GMKtec while maintaining a similar physical footprint. Build quality is impressively high, and it comes with USB 4.0 ports, dual 2.5GbE LAN and dual monitor outputs.
The downsides of this design are that the 16GB of memory is not upgradable, the small size of the system doesn’t allow for a silent cooling system, and using the second USB4 port requires a docking station.
However, most high-end mini systems are transitioning to surface-mounted memory, and there aren’t many other options powerful enough for local LLMs.
Overall, if this system had been launched only a few months ago, it would have been cheaper and probably offered a 32GB option. But its price and specifications increasingly look like the new norm, and by definition, that’s a retrograde step from the systems that came out a year ago.
At a lower price, this might have been featured in our best mini PC guide, but that argument gets less compelling above $800.
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Chuwi AuBox X 256V: Price and availability- How much does it cost? $829/£612.87
- When is it out? Available now
- Where can you get it? Currently, this machine can be obtained directly from Chuwi
Considering the specification, the price of the AuBox X 256V seems reasonable, but hardly a bargain - it's available direct from Chuwi here.
We’ve seen Intel 200 Series systems costing over $1000 on several occasions, so finding this one with the Core Ultra 7 256V chip directly from the makers for $829 is a small revelation.
The UK price is £612.87, and based on the current exchange rate, it is a little more expensive than in the USA. Euro pricing is €707.58, which is probably the most costly option.
At the time of writing, Chuwi has yet to release this hardware via online resellers, but they sell many products via Amazon, so its appearance on that channel is only a matter of time, I suspect.
For those wanting the same system style but at a lower price, Chuwi has a Core Ultra 5 225V model, just called the Chuwi AuBox X, that sells for $699/£516.76/€596.62. That design comes with the same 16GB of memory, but only 512GB of storage.
These are the only SKUs, and the maximum memory is only 16GB in either case.
The only competitor using the same processor series in a mini PC form factor is GMKtec NucBox K13, which is priced at $719.99 for a machine with the Core Ultra 7 256V and 1TB of storage. If you are willing to work with a 512GB drive, that price can be $669.99.
That makes the Chuwi AuBox X 256V seem overpriced, but there are subtle differences between these designs that might make the Chuwi system worth the extra money.
I suspect the price difference we are seeing is largely due to the dramatic increases in memory and storage costs that are affecting products currently in production. It may be that GMKtec finished making the K13 before these price hikes occurred, allowing them to undercut Chuwi in this instance.
What I don’t have a reason for is why only these two makers have built systems around this mobile silicon, because it seems well-suited to mini PC use.
- Value: 3.5 / 5
Model:
AuBox 256V
CPU:
Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, 8C/8T, P-core up to 4.8GHz, E-core up to 3.7GHz, 12MB cache
Architecture:
Lunar Lake (Series 2), TSMC N3B process
TDP:
8-37W (configurable)
iGPU:
Intel Arc 140V, 8 Xe2 cores, up to 1.95GHz, XeSS / XeSS3 support
NPU:
Intel AI Boost NPU4, 47 TOPS, OpenVINO / DirectML / ONNX / WebNN
Total AI TOPS:
115 TOPS (INT8)
Memory:
16GB LPDDR5X 8533 MT/s, on-package (soldered)
Storage:
1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD ZHITAI Ti600
Storage expansion:
2x M.2 2280 (up to 1x PCIe 5.0 + 1x PCIe 4.0)
Display outputs:
HDMI 2.1 FRL (8K@60Hz / 4K@120Hz), HDMI 2.1 TMDS (4K@60Hz), DP 1.4 via USB-C (4K@120Hz), USB4 (4K@144Hz)
Max resolution:
8K@60Hz
eGPU:
Yes, via USB4 (40Gbps)
USB
1x USB4 40Gbps (PD + DP), 4x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1x USB 2.0
Network
2.5GbE RJ45 (Intel), Wi-Fi 6E (up to 2.4Gbps), Bluetooth 5.3
Audio
3.5mm combo jack
Power
100W 20V / 5A USB-C
OS
Windows 11 Pro, multi-language
Dimensions
128.4 x 128.4 x 40.5mm
Weight
580g
Colour
Black
VESA mount
Yes, VESA 100
Chuwi AuBox X 256V: Design
- Mostly metal Mini PC
- USB ports on front and back
- Easy internal access
Mini PCs are not exactly celebrated for bold industrial design, and the AuBox X is no exception. Chuwi has kept things understated. The chassis is a compact black square measuring 128.4 x 128.4 x 40.5mm. That is smaller than the GMKtec NucBox K13, which runs to 186mm in length. The AuBox X is genuinely pocket-sized in the way that very few desktop-class machines manage.
At 580g, it is light enough to mount behind a monitor with the supplied VESA bracket, or it can happily live on the desktop, being so small.
Build quality is the area where Chuwi's budget DNA tends to show itself. The brand has a long history in the affordable tablet and laptop space, and its finish tolerances are better than some might expect.
While it isn’t engineered like an Asus NUC, it’s not cheap and plastic either.
The issue with a NUC this small was always going to be thermal design, and it is a genuine talking point here. Chuwi promises whisper-quiet operation, and the Core Ultra 7 256V is well suited to that ambition. With a configurable TDP range of 8 to 37W, the chip can run extremely cool under light loads.
However, when the processing load kicks in, the fan volume becomes much more noticeable. I noticed this on my desk, but if the system were behind a monitor, I suspect it would be much less apparent.
The port layout is generous, given the limited space on the front and back. Up front, you get two USB-A ports for everyday peripherals, plus one USB4 and the audio jack. On the back is the other USB4 port, but it is used by the external PSU to power the device.
Because of that choice, you will need a docking station to use both USB4 ports.
This might be a worthwhile purchase because each of the USB4 ports is rated at 40 Gbps, enabling them to support external SSDs, DisplayPort video, power delivery, and eGPU enclosures.
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)One especially useful feature is that the two M.2 NVMe slots are both 2280-sized, enabling this machine to take the least expensive storage in the most common form factor. By default, one of these slots is already occupied with a 512GB module, and that is connected thermally to the metal case with a silicon thermal pad.
On the rear are four USB-A ports, with three being USB 3.2 Gen 2 and one being USB 2.0.
As it has a total of four Gen 2 ports, that means one on the front is, by definition, a Gen 1 port, although Chuwi failed to label any of the USB ports, and I deduced that by testing them all.
Curiously, all the other ports are labelled, including the dual HDMI and DP and 2.5GbE LAN port on the back. But as the makers used black lettering on a dark grey case, it's not like they are easily readable.
Networking is handled by a 2.5GbE Intel port alongside Wi-Fi 6E. At this price, 2.5GbE is expected, and I was a little surprised that we didn’t get two LAN ports. Users planning to use the AuBox X 256V as a home server or NAS companion will appreciate the faster wired throughput. You could easily add another 5GbE or even 10GbE LAN port using an adapter with a USB4 port.
Internal access is straightforward, requiring only four screws to get inside. Once open, you can access the two PCIe M.2 slots. According to the specification, one of these is Gen4 and the other is Gen5, but it isn’t clearly labelled whether the faster port is SSD1 or SSD2.
I suspect the Gen5 one is SSD1, but I don’t have a Gen5 drive to test that assertion. The default Gen 4 drive was inserted into SSD2 on the review hardware.
My only reservations about using a Gen5 drive in this system, and a larger-capacity Gen4 mechanism, are that no thermal pads are included to transfer heat from the drives to the case, and as a result, there might be a tendency for them to overheat.
- Design: 4 / 5
- Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
- 16GB of LPDDR5X
- Local AI platform
,The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V is a Lunar Lake chip. Lunar Lake is Intel's second-generation Core Ultra platform, built on TSMC's 3nm N3B process. It is a genuine SoC design, meaning the CPU cores, iGPU, NPU, and memory all live on the same package. That architecture brings real efficiency gains, but it also brings a fixed memory ceiling. The 256V ships with 16GB LPDDR5X running at 8533 MT/s and there is no way to add more.
The chip packs 8 cores across two architectures. Four Lion Cove P-cores handle the heavy lifting, boosting to 4.8GHz. The remaining four Skymont E-cores top out at 3.7GHz and handle background tasks. In PassMark testing, the 256V scores around 19,500 in multi-core, which puts it ahead of the previous-generation Core Ultra 155U and competitive with AMD's Ryzen 7 8840HS despite drawing significantly less power.
Chuwi quotes the PassMark multi-core score as 19,547 on their product page. That puts it ahead of the Core Ultra 5 226V (Chuwi's own lower configuration) and the Ryzen 7 7840HS. It trails dedicated gaming and workstation chips, as you would expect from a 37W-maximum mobile platform.
The integrated Intel Arc 140V is the graphics story here. This is an Xe2 architecture iGPU with 8 compute units running at up to 1.95GHz. Chuwi positions performance as close to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050, which is a stretch, but the Arc 140V is genuinely the best integrated graphics Intel has shipped.
It supports hardware ray tracing, XeSS upscaling, and XeSS3 Multi Frame Generation. For light gaming at 1080p on medium settings, it is a credible option. For serious gaming, the USB4 port opens the door to an external GPU, which transforms the proposition entirely.
The 16GB LPDDR5X is soldered onto the package. That is the nature of Lunar Lake. There is nothing Chuwi could have done differently. For most everyday tasks and Copilot+ AI workloads, 16GB is workable. For serious local LLM inference, particularly with larger quantised models above 7B parameters, the memory ceiling will bite.
A 7B model in Q4 quantisation sits around 4-5GB. A 13B model in the same format pushes past 8GB. Running either alongside Windows and supporting applications starts to feel cramped.
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Storage is more flexible. The stock 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD gives ample room for the OS, applications, and a reasonable model library. The dual M.2 2280 slots are the important feature. One supports PCIe 5.0, which is genuinely forward-looking in a machine at this price. Users who want to load larger model libraries or run fast storage for video editing will appreciate the room to expand.
The headline AI figure is 115 TOPS combined. That breaks down to 47 TOPS from the dedicated NPU4, 64 TOPS from the Arc 140V GPU, and a small contribution from the CPU. The NPU4 supports OpenVINO, DirectML, ONNX Runtime, and WebNN. That breadth of framework support matters when you want to run models built for different ecosystems without converting them first.
The 47 TOPS NPU comfortably clears Microsoft's 40 TOPS threshold for Copilot+ certification. That means Recall, Cocreator, Click to Do, and real-time Live Captions all run natively on local hardware rather than bouncing to the cloud. For privacy-conscious users, that is a meaningful difference.
Chuwi specifically calls out OpenClaw support on the product page, which is a local AI agent framework for automation and scripting. It does not come pre-installed, but the hardware is fully capable of running it.
But, a short warning before doing that. OpenClaw isn’t classic AI; it’s an Agent, and therefore, to do clever things, it needs to use an AI to help it decide what to do with its problems. Using it with free AI services is extremely challenging, and even with paid-for AI services, it is possible to incur significant cost overruns given how many tokens OpenClaw can chew through.
- Features: 4 / 5
Mini PC
Chuwi AuBox X
GMKtec K13
CPU
Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
Cores/Threads
8C 8T
8C 8T
RAM
16GB LPDDR5X 8533
16GB LPDDR5
SSD
1TB ZHITAI Ti600
1TB Huawei eKitStor Xtreme 200E
Graphics
Intel Arc Graphics 140V
Intel Arc Graphics 140V
3DMark
WildLife
28538
22653
FireStrike
8456
7364
TimeSpy
4012
3413
S.Nomad
2809
1914
Cine24
Single
122
116
Multi
633
508
Ratio
5.17
4.39
GeekBench 6
Single
2796
2731
Multi
10566
9429
OpenCL
30397
25982
Vulkan
34962
26274
CrystalDisk
Read MB/s
6941
7132
Write MB/s
4900
6338
PCMark 10
Office
8657
7781
WEI
Score
8.8
8.6
The only system I could reasonably compare this to is the GMKtec K13, since they use the same underlying platform.
And, it was soon apparent that the one in the Chuwi AuBox X 256V has been tweaked to deliver more than its brother in the GMKtec K13. I should state that I no longer have the K13, and it may be that GMKtec released later firmware that would level this playing field.
On paper, the Core Ultra 7 256V is an impressive mobile chip that comfortably handles everyday productivity workloads. Office applications, browser-based tools, video calling, and light code compilation all run without hesitation. The P-cores deliver strong single-threaded performance for tasks that do not parallelise well.
Where the chip feels its mobile origins is under extended operations with sustained load. The 37W power cap means the machine eventually throttles when pushed hard for long periods. This is not unusual for Lunar Lake in any chassis, but it is worth testing thoroughly with the loan unit, particularly given Chuwi's compact cooling solution.
This is where the Chuwi AuBox X 256V earns a separate conversation. The mini PC market has split into two camps. There are machines built around AMD Strix Halo APUs with up to 128GB of unified memory, purpose-built for serious local LLM inference.
Then there is everything else. The AuBox X 256V sits in the second camp, which is marginally less impressive, but it sits there with more credibility than most.
The 16GB memory ceiling is the critical limitation. Running a 7B model in Q4_K_M quantisation via Ollama or LM Studio is perfectly manageable and produces usable inference speeds. The GPU can handle the computation while the NPU assists with preprocessing and tokenisation, conveniently.
I’ve not started including AI benchmarks yet, but it is clearly something we will be looking to add, since people are making purchasing decisions based on AI performance.
The picture changes if you factor in the USB4 port. Connecting an eGPU enclosure with 16GB or more of discrete VRAM immediately removes the memory constraint for GPU-side inference. An RTX 4060 Ti 16GB in an external enclosure, for example, turns the AuBox X 256V into a genuinely capable local AI server at a fraction of the cost of a dedicated workstation. That is not a common use case, but it is possible, and this hardware supports it natively.
For Copilot+ workloads, the story is straightforward. Windows Recall, Cocreator, and Live Captions all run on the NPU and iGPU without touching the cloud. The 47 TOPS NPU handles the classification and inference tasks that these features rely on. In practice, that means image recognition, real-time transcription, and on-screen summarisation all work locally, with the privacy benefits that implies.
Speech recognition and lightweight embedding models are well within reach. If you are running a local assistant, a RAG pipeline over a personal document library, or a code completion backend via Continue or Tabby, the AuBox X 256V has enough horsepower to make it feel responsive. It will not replace a machine with an RTX 4090 or 5090 for anything serious, but for a small home server running background AI tasks, it punches well above its price point.
- Performance: 4 / 5
It’s been a while since I’ve seen a computer that was so well designed, was built around an excellent platform and had the potential to deliver such a good user experience.
It is a shame, therefore, that Chuwi then took such a solid foundation and let one extremely poor choice take away some of its shine.
Clearly, the person who said that 16GB of memory was plenty had no idea of the implications of that choice, or it was an entirely price-driven decision, where the cost of a 32GB or larger model was considered unworkable.
There is a potential workaround to the memory limits for AI users that involves adding an external GPU using USB4. But that’s an even greater expense to justify, and there are other Intel systems, like the Beelink GTi Ultra Series, that support an external GPU via an exposed PCIe slot.
These do cost a little more, starting at around $869 and requiring a PCIe dock that adds $179, but connecting a graphics card directly rather than via USB4 offers significant benefits. And, those systems come with 32GB of RAM onboard.
In its efforts to capture those with AI interests at the asking price, the Chuwi AuBox X 256V has a relatively narrow use case in that one area. But for more general use, it’s a punchy system that delivers enough performance to compete with traditional desktop systems.
Should you buy a Chuwi AuBox X 256V?Value
More expensive than the CMKtec K13
3.5 / 5
Design
A small system that uses USB4 for power
4 / 5
Features
Powerful 200 series CPU, Arc GPU and Intel NPU, but only 16GB of RAM
4 / 5
Performance
Up to 25% quicker than the K13
4 / 5
Overall
A neat system that should have cost less or had more RAM options
4 / 5
Buy it if...You want power in a small package
This is an excellent choice if you want a compact, quiet desktop that handles everyday tasks and Copilot+ AI features without any cloud dependency. But this system is also ideal for a mini server, hardware firewall and a dozen other tasks.
You are dipping your toes into AI
For those experimenting with local LLMs at 7B to 13B parameter scales and want a capable, low-cost starting point, this system ticks those boxes.
You need more than 16GB of RAM
As the memory in this system cannot be replaced, the 16GB of memory you get out of the box is as much as it will ever have. Whether for LLMs, video editing, or heavy virtualisation, the stock RAM is soldered and permanent, which might not fit with larger models. Any plan to run 30B+ parameter LLM models without an eGPU is made impractical with this memory amount.
You need a discrete GPU
If you want an external discrete GPU, then a machine with a PCIe slot, or OCuLink, and an OCuLink box would be a better choice. While it is possible to use USB4 for an eGPU, it doesn’t have the bandwidth that direct PCI Express or OCuLink offers.
GMKtec NucBox K13
A very similar design to the AuBox is built around the same platform, but slightly cheaper. It has a larger enclosure and a 5GbE LAN port. However, it has also been limited to 16GB of RAM with no memory upgrades being possible.
Check out our GMKtec NucBox K13 review
Minisforum UM790 Pro
A powerful AMD system using a Ryzen 9-class processor, supported by the Radeon 780M GPU. Targeted towards creatives and gamers, the expandable memory and dual M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSDs allow you to boost performance according to your requirements, with the standard version already delivering remarkable capabilities.
Check out our Minisforum UM790 Pro review
For more professional hardware, we've reviewed the best business computers.
Categories: Reviews
Keurig's K-Mini Mate is a no-frills compact coffee maker that packs a serious flavor punch
Keurig K-Mini Mate: one-minute review
Keurig’s range of coffee makers is among the most popular available in the U.S., rivalling the likes of Nespresso and Ninja. Released in 2025, the Keurig K-Mini Mate is the brand’s smallest brewer to date, measuring just nine inches tall and four inches wide, with a modern matte design that’s available in four different colours.
While this coffee maker is the most compact in Keurig’s range, it still offers the same quality we’ve come to expect from the brand, delivering bold, flavorsome single-serve brews between 6oz and 12oz. The machine itself is effortless to use: you simply top up the water reservoir to your desired brew size, insert the K-Cup pod, and press the brew button.
(Image credit: Future)We found the brewing process for a 12-oz cup took around 1 minute 40 seconds from start to finish, including heating time. Likewise, cleaning the machine requires minimal effort, with its removable parts straightforward to remove, handwash, and re-insert — there’s even a light to indicate when the brewer needs descaling.
Considering the K-Mini Mate’s $89.99 price tag, it offers exceptional value for your money, while its size makes it the perfect coffee-making companion for smaller spaces such as offices, dorm rooms, and kitchens with limited counter space.
(Image credit: Future)Our only gripes with this brewer are that there is some splashback during the brewing process and some drippage afterwards, but these are more quirks to be aware of than major issues. A slightly more frustrating practical issue is that the 12oz water reservoir needs to be refilled with fresh water after each use.
However, overall, considering the quality of the K-Mini Mate’s design and performance, it offers exceptional value for its $89.99 price tag. Its size and reliability make it the perfect coffee-making companion for smaller spaces such as offices, dorm rooms, and kitchens with limited counter space.
Keurig K-Mini Mate: price and availability- $89.99 from Keurig
- Regular discounts drop price to between $59.99 and $79.99
- Available at third-party retailers, including Target and Walmart
- Not available in the UK or Australia
Initially available exclusively at Target for $79.99, the Keurig K-Mini Mate is now available from third-party retailers and Keurig directly for between $79.99 and $89.99 (depending on whether a discount is available). However, Target regularly discounts the coffee maker even further, with the price dropping as low as $59.99. Unfortunately, the K-Mini Mate is not currently available in the U.K or Australia.
For that price tag, you’re getting excellent value for money. While this brewer may not offer the wealth of features some of the best coffee makers do, it is considerably more affordable than other top compact coffee makers, such as the De'Longhi Dedica Duo ($299.95 / £279.99) or the Philips Baristina ($449.99 / £299.99 / AU$599).
If you’re after a no-frills capsule (K-Cup pod) machine that won’t break the bank, you can’t go wrong with the K-Mini Mate, though if you want a larger water reservoir and a few more features — while sticking with the Keurig brand — and don’t mind spending a bit more, it’s worth considering the K-Mini Mate Plus ($109.99) or the K-Crema ($219.99). Keurig’s range of products, including the K-Mini Mate, is not currently available in the UK or Australia unless imported.
While the K-Mini Mate is technically a capsule coffee maker, it only uses K-Cup pods, Keurig’s own brand of capsules, which can be purchased directly from its website or third-party retailers like Amazon, with subscription services also available. A box of 24 pods from Keurig costs around $20 (with free delivery available for orders over $35), which works out around 80 cents a pod. However, bigger discounts are available on bigger boxes.
The variety of K-Cup brands and beverage options is pretty impressive, with pods available from Starbucks, Dunkin’, Green Mountain, McDonald's, and more. What’s more, at the time of writing, those who register their new machine with Keurig receive 50% off their next beverage order (valid for up to five boxes of K-Cup pods (conditions apply).
Keurig also offers optional recycling and composting service called K-Cycle, whereby you can purchase a K-Cup pod recovery bin ($139.95 for a small five-pack and $189.95 for a large five-pack), fill it with your used K-Cups, and return it to the company. Keurig then converts 75% of the pod’s weight into compost and 25% into recycled product.
- Value score: 5/5
Type
Single-serve coffee maker
Color
Black, Red Rocks, Glamping Green, Pink Sands
Capsules
K-Cup pods
Brew pressure
Two options: Classic or Pressure
Brew sizes
6oz, 8oz, 10oz, 12oz
Water reservoir capacity
12oz
Special features
Energy saver auto off function, high altitude setting, descale indicator, travel mug friendly
Smart control?
No
Dimensions (H x W x D)
9.1 x 3.9 x 10.9 inches / 23.1 x 9.9 x 27.7cm
Dishwasher safe?
No
Keurig K-Mini Mate: design- Compact and lightweight
- Four matte colors available
- Easy to clean
- Some drips and splashback
- Water reservoir needs refilled after each use
The Keurig K-Mini mate is the brand’s smallest brewer to date, measuring just 9.1 x 3.9 x 10.9 inches (H x W x D). As such, it’s ideal for those with limited kitchen counter space or for those looking for a coffee maker for a smaller space, like a home office. The design is sleek and modern, with four matte colours available: Black, Glamping Green, Pink Sands, and Red Rocks — all of which retail for approximately the same price.
At the top of this slim coffee maker is a simple control panel, featuring a brew button (indicated by the Keurig ‘K’ logo) and a descale indicator light that turns on when your machine needs descaling. The top of the machine lifts open to reveal a removable K-Cup pod holder at the bottom and a single sharp needle at the top that punctures the K-Cup. At the front of the coffee maker, near the bottom, is a slot for the removable drip tray, which can be removed entirely to accommodate travel mugs.
(Image credit: Future)At the back of the machine is a removable 12oz single-cup water reservoir, with markers for 6oz, 8oz, 10oz, and 12oz. With no specific modes for different cup sizes, before making your beverage, simply fill the water reservoir to the line corresponding to the brew size you want. However, note that the water must be refilled with fresh water after each use due to its smaller capacity.
While the K-Mini Mate isn’t dishwasher-compatible, its removable parts can be easily handwashed, and its body wiped down with a cloth. Just be careful when wiping near the needle inside the machine, as it's extremely sharp. Likewise, there’s a smaller, less noticeable needle inside the K-Cup holder that you should be extra cautious with when hand-washing
(Image credit: Future)Our only grievances with the K-Mini Mate’s design (which are our only main issues with the machine overall) were some splashback during the brewing process and a little bit of drippage after the process had finished. These are more frustrating quirks than deal breakers, but they’re worth being aware of if you have children in the house.
- Design score: 4.5/5
- Rich, flavorsome brews
- Brews 12oz cups in around one minute 40 seconds
- Effortless to use
- Not overly loud
Brewing a beverage with the Keurig K-Mate Mini is extremely straightforward. In fact, it’s one of the most accessible coffee makers we’ve ever used. The process simply requires you to fill the water reservoir to your desired capacity, open the top of the machine, insert your K-Cup pod, close the machine, and press the ‘K’ brew button. That’s it.
(Image credit: Future)We conducted our testing with KPod Italian Decaffeinated pods (medium roast) and found the results impressive. Each brewed coffee was sufficiently hot, without being scalding, and packed with bold, rich flavor. 12oz coffees (the maximum size available) took around one minute and 40 seconds to brew from start to finish, including heating time, with the average sound level during operation registering between 63 and 65 decibels, about the volume of a conversation in a busy cafe, with most of that volume coming from the sound of the coffee hitting the liquid already in the cup.
FutureFutureFutureFutureDuring our first test, we used what we thought was a sufficiently sized mug for a 12oz coffee (judging primarily by eye), but in actuality, it was probably a 10oz, which meant the 12oz brew filled it right up to the rim. In future testing, we made sure to use a larger mug size that allowed for the brew and the addition of milk. Our advice, then, is to choose a mug that is around two ounces larger than the brew you plan to make, especially if you plan to add syrups or milk to your beverage.
- Performance score: 5/5
Attribute
Notes
Score
Value
This compact brewer offers excellent value for money, considering it offers a high quality of performance and design for less than $100.
5/5
Design
Keurig's smallest coffee maker is compact, modern, and available in four colours. It's perfect for smaller spaces, but brews can splash back during operation and the machine drips a bit following use.
4.5/5
Performance
The K-Mini Mate delivers the quality performance we'd expect from a Keurig coffee machine, delivering bold brews in under two minutes with ease.
5/5
Buy it ifYou need a coffee maker for a small space
The K-Mini Mate is a compact coffee maker, measuring 9.1 x 3.9 x 10.9 inches (H x W x D). As such, it's an ideal brewer for those with limited kitchen space or for smaller spaces, like dorm rooms or home offices.
You want a high-quality coffee maker for under $100
Finding a quality coffee maker for under $100 can sometimes be a feat, but at $89.99, the Keurig K-Mini Mate is definitely worth considering. It may not have the bells and whistles of other brewers, but it delivers high-quality results and performance. Plus, regular discounts — especially at Target — can see the price dropping to between $59.99 and $79.99.
You want cafe-quality coffee at home
The K-Crema uses K-Cup pods, and the variety of pods available is pretty impressive. Due to Keurig’s many partnerships, beverage pods are available from brands, including Dunkin’, Lipton, Starbucks, McDonald’s, Tim Hortons, Twinings, and more, allowing you to enjoy coffee shop drinks from the comfort of your home — while saving some cash.
Don't buy it ifYou want a lot of modes and features
The K-Mini Mate is a no-frills single-use coffee maker. While its water reservoir offers various brew sizes and its Keurig’s K-Cup range includes a variety of beverages, the machine has no specific brewing modes and few special features. While this makes it straightforward to use, it may make it less suited to those who want extra bells and whistles, like milk frothing.
You don't want to refill the water reservoir after each use
Due to its 12oz capacity, the K-Mini Mate’s water reservoir needs to be refilled with fresh water after every brew. This could be frustrating for those who plan to use the machine to make multiple beverages in succession. If that’s you, then we recommend checking out the K-Mini mate Plus, which offers the same quality but with a larger water reservoir.
You don't want to be tied to using K-Cup pods
While Keurig offers a wide range of K-Cups, you may not want to be tied to using the beverage pods, or brands, that are available. If you prefer alternative third-party coffee capsules or are moving from another coffee maker brand, like Nespresso, and hope to continue using the same pods, this may not be the coffee maker for you.View Deal
Keurig K-Mini Mate: also considerIf you're not sure whether the Keurig K-Mini Mate is the right coffee maker for you, here are two other options for you to consider.
Lavazza A Moda Mio Smeg
This stylish capsule coffee maker brews an exceptional espresso using Lavazza's A Moda Mio capsules, which are a lot more affordable than some other brands. The downside is that they're not as easily recyclable as Nespresso capsules or K-Cups.View Deal
Philips Baristina
If you want a coffee maker that's small and easy to use, but you don't want to be tied into using a certain type of capsule, the Baristina is the machine for you. It makes using fresh beans just as easy as pods, without the waste.
Read our full Philips Baristina reviewView Deal
Categories: Reviews
Seagate IronWolf 8TB review: There are good reasons that Seagate is still selling this internal NAS drive, but none are its price
There are bound to be many people reading this review and wondering why something that should have been covered a decade ago has resurfaced on our site.
And, it is true that Seagate launched the IronWolf 8TB model in 2016, hardware that is hardly considered current in 2026.
But this review isn’t covering the mechanism that Seagate launched then, the ST8000VN0022, thankfully. Instead, it is the one that came after that in 2019, the ST8000VN004.
For complete transparency, they released a newer option, the ST8000VN002, in 2021, but during my review, I’ll explain the differences and why you might want one over the other.
OK, I accept that this model has been around for 8 years, almost, but we’re exceptionally busy here at Tech Radar Pro, and we get to things eventually.
The fundamentals of the 8TB IronWolf have been remarkably stable across the past decade. Every generation has used CMR recording, which matters. IronWolf drives feature CMR technology and AgileArray firmware, ensuring smooth RAID performance, reduced vibration, and efficient power management. The 180TB per year workload rating, the RV sensors, the three-year warranty, and the bundled Rescue Data Recovery Services have all persisted as defining features of the consumer tier.
The EHA (European Hardware Awards) named the Seagate IronWolf portfolio Best Hard Drive for 2025, which suggests the brand has maintained its reputation well.
However, there is one significant blot on this landscape, and that’s the price increases that this drive, and others have experienced in the past six months.
An IronWolf 8TB costs about 95% more than it did in 2025, depending on the region it is sourced from, and prices still show an upward trend. Admittedly, this isn’t as bad as the price increases we’ve seen in memory and SSDs, where some items have quadrupled in cost, but it’s a shock to a market that expected cost reductions over time.
Is it the right time to buy Seagate IronWolf drives? That depends on how flexible you are about timescales, and if you believe that the AI crash is just around the corner or that the price pad today will be a fraction of where it might end up going. Whichever side of that line you fall, there was probably a better time that has since passed.
Seagate IronWolf 8TB NAS drive: PriceYou can’t get the ST8000VN004 on the Seagate site, but the company still makes it, and it can be found on Amazon (and other online retailers) for $299.99 on Amazon.com, or £283.94 on Amazon.co.uk. The price across the rest of Europe is €317 via Amazon.
To put that in perspective, in October of 2025, the same drive would cost you £145 in the UK, making it 95% more expensive in just a few months.
But Seagate’s competitors have pulled the same rug up under their customers, with the Western Digital 8TB WD Red Plus being $314.99, and the Toshiba N300 8TB NAS is close to $400.
The only cheap alternative I’ve seen is from a brand called MDD or MaxDigitalData, which sells an 8TB drive for $238.95, but I have no experience with this brand.
Excluding that option, Seagate is the cheapest option for 8TB 7200rpm NAS drives.
However, if we break down the current Seagate IronWolf drives, there is an important trend that we need to understand. As a side note, I’ve not included one of the 10TB models, since these don’t seem to be readily available at this time. All these prices are from Amazon, but you might get a better deal elsewhere.
Type
Capacity
Model
Dollar Cost
Per TB
IronWolf
4TB
ST4000VN006
$169.99
$42.50
8TB
ST8000VN004
$299.99
$37.50
10TB
ST10000VN0008
$399.00
$39.90
12TB
ST12000VN0008
$410.87
$34.24
14TB
ST14000VN0008
$541.75
$38.70
16TB
ST16000VN001
$579.99
$36.25
18TB
ST18000VN000
$744.45
$41.36
IronWolf Pro
4TB
ST4000NT001
$259.00
$64.75
8TB
ST8000NT001
$319.99
$40.00
12TB
ST12000NT001
$459.99
$38.33
16TB
ST16000NT001
$579.99
$36.25
20TB
ST20000NT001
$719.99
$36.00
24TB
ST24000NT002
$859.99
$35.83
28TB
ST28000NT000
$1,019.99
$36.43
32TB
ST32000NT000
$1,159.99
$36.25
As you can see, based on cost per TB, the most expensive IronWolf or IronWolf Pro are the 4TB capacities, and the sweet spot is the 12TB IronWolf. The 8TB IronWolf isn’t a bargain, but it's cheaper than the IronWolf Pro 8TB. Counterintuitively, the larger the drives get, up to 24TB, the cost goes down per TB.
Where things get weird is with the larger IronWolf models, as they approach their 18TB zenith. Due to poor availability, the 16TB IronWolf costs the same as the 16TB IronWolf Pro, and the 18TB model is actually more expensive.
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Seagate IronWolf 8TB NAS drive: DesignAs a reviewer of hard drives for at least the past thirty years or more, one of the critical selling points that makers often highlighted was the number of platters and heads.
And some brands still detail this in their product overviews, but Seagate does not.
Part of this coyness is down to the maker wanting to change the number of platters in existing product lines without generating a user backlash.
However, as storage technology has advanced, which allows for greater data density on each platter, the makers can reduce cost (and increase profit) by reducing the number of platters but retaining the same total drive capacity.
Curiously, the 8TB IronWolf is a classic example of this in action.
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)The first version in 2016, the ST8000VN0022, had six platters and twelve heads, at roughly 1.33TB per platter. Then came the ST8000VN004 that replaced it, which I believe had five platters and ten heads, which works out to 1.6TB per platter.
And finally, in 2021, the ST8000VN002 arrived, and it is suspected that it has just four platters, making each 2TB.
Note that the N004 is a 7200 rpm drive, whereas the more recent N002 is a 5400 rpm unit. They both use CMR recording technology, have the same 256MB of cache, and have a 3-year warranty. But the N004 uses 7.8W of power in operation, where the N002 uses less than half of that at 3.4W.
The faster rotation speed does translate into some extra transfer speed, 210MB/s versus 202MB/s, but even in an array with up to eight disks, that extra performance still doesn’t justify the extra power consumption for a system running 24/7. And, since power generally turns into heat, a system using the N002 drives might run cooler, too.
Seagate IronWolf 8TB NAS drive: Understanding the price hikes(Image credit: Seagate)As I mentioned at the start of this review, prices for all hard drives, not just NAS-specific ones, have increased in the past six months. Why is that?
- AI Data Centre Demands
- Supply Constraints
- Component Shortages
- Production priorities
Clearly, the biggest impact is being felt on those drives and drive types that are used in an AI data centre. Which is slightly odd, because while many companies have laid out ambitious plans to build massive gigawatt-consuming AI facilities, the number of these that have actually been built, or even broken ground, is remarkably small.
So, where did all the hard drives from the channel go? Mostly into warehousing, where they’re being held for the companies with the big plans. Some have gone into data archival solutions created by major cloud suppliers, expecting a huge increase in demand, but most are sitting waiting for AI to call them to action. For the drive makers, the idea that all this pre-sold stock might suddenly end up back in the channel if the AI bubble bursts must be a truly terrifying one.
While it doesn’t impact the 8TB model covered here, drives above this one, 10TB and up, are impacted by shortages in helium supply, which is necessary for high-capacity drives, and has hampered production output.
What has exacerbated the situation is that, wishing to cash in on the AI boom, drive makers have focused more heavily on the larger capacities, all of which need helium to work.
Prior to the AI era, there was a general transition underway from physical hard drives to SSDs. But since SSDs are now stupidly expensive, that has propelled system builders back towards the humble HDD, increasing demand.
Reacting to this, drive makers have focused on data centre, enterprise, and high-capacity consumer drives (IronWolf/EXOS), which are being prioritised, leading to shortages of general consumer models. And, in the context of the wider market, drives like the IronWolf 8TB are considered both business and consumer, further increasing demand for them.
In short, this is a perfect commercial storm in which market forces are aggressively driving prices, and the outlook is uncertain.
If it's ever been the right time to shop around, then this is it. Or, wait out the storm and hope that the AI bubble bursts and releases lots of stock into the market, forcing prices down.
For anyone working on a major NAS or server deployment in the near future, this news is not positive.
Seagate IronWolf 8TB NAS drive: Final verdict(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)The IronWolf ST8000VN004 is a mature, well-understood drive at this point. The core technology is not new, but that is not necessarily a weakness. CMR reliability at 8TB is proven, the compatibility list with NAS vendors is extensive, and Seagate's IHM integration is now embedded across most major platforms, including Synology and QNAP.
For home users or small businesses, the IronWolf 8TB is an option, but its 12TB brother offers better value. If you specifically want 8TB drives, then use the 5400rpm ST8000VN002 instead. It’s technically a little slower, but it has half the power consumption, impacting the cost of ownership.
But there might be better alternatives with higher-capacity drives, where the overall spend on drives isn’t substantially different.
Let’s imagine we have a six-bay NAS, and the plan is to use RAID 5 with a hot-swap drive ready to handle any failure. Using 8TB drives that would give 24TB of usable space and would cost approximately $1800 in drive expenditure.
Switching to 12TB drives, getting 24TB of usable capacity under RAID 5 requires only three drives, and even with a hot spare available, you have two free bays and a total outlay of $1644. And, some additional savings could be made on the NAS, getting a four-bay model.
There is an argument that an array with five active drives will perform better than one with three, and it will. But many NAS use SSDs for caching, and unless you use 10GbE networking, the roughly 630MB/s that the 12TB drives can shift won’t seem slower than the 1000MB/s that the 8TB could transfer.
Internally, there might be a difference in transfers, but to LAN-connected users, the performance benefit of having more drives in the array isn’t apparent. There is also good logic that the more drives you have, the greater the statistical chance that one of them will fail, though smaller drives also lead to a faster rebuild in the event of a drive failure.
So would I buy the 8TB IronWolf? Neither model has a compelling argument at these price points. There is a better argument for the 12TB, or the Pro 12TB.
My concern is that because people are spending company money in many cases, they’ll just pay what drive makers are asking, encouraging them to make even fewer drives, forcing prices even higher. Eventually, the businesses currently reaping massive profits (like Samsung and Micron) will cook their golden goose completely, if they haven't already
For more top performers, we've tested out the best NAS drives you can get.
Categories: Reviews
Acer ProDesigner PE160WUT review: A high-res, high-refresh OLED portable monitor let down by its anti-glare display
Portable monitors tend to have two problems. They're usually low quality displays and also low resolution. Give it up, therefore, for the new Acer PE160WUT. It's a 16-inch portable monitor with not only 2.8K native resolution, but also OLED panel technology.
That's a pretty good start, but add 120 Hz refresh and touchscreen functionality into the mix and this compact display is a seriously appealing proposition. It promises an external monitor solution that's at least as good, if not better, than the built-in display of most premium laptops.
There's also the tantalising prospect, albeit without official support, of adding touchscreen functionality for Apple MacBook laptops. Apple, of course, doesn't do touchscreen MacBooks. And it's all wrapped up in a fairly slick, slim-bezel chassis that's surprisingly light.
As with the entries in our guide to the best portable monitors, the Acer PE160WUT should also be widely compatible with most modern PC laptops. It connects via USB-C primarily, though it does have HDMI fall-back connectivity, too.
Just note that this is not a battery-powered display. It takes power via USB-C, so when you are away from mains power it will be drawing energy from your laptop's battery.
Acer ProDesigner PE160WUT: Design and featuresFutureFutureFuture- Compact and light
- 2.8K OLED display
- No integrated battery
Panel size: 16-inch
Panel type: OLED
Resolution: 2,880 x 1,800
Brightness: 350 nits
Contrast: 1M:1
Pixel response: 1ms
Refresh rate: 120Hz
Color coverage: 100% DCI-P3
HDR: HDR10
VESA: 75mm x 75mm
Connectivity: HDMI 2.1 x1, 2x USB-C
Imagine detaching the display from a 16-inch laptop and you'll get a pretty good idea of the look and feel of the Acer PE160WUT. Just like a lot of laptops, it has slim bezels on three sides of its display, plus a slightly larger chin.
For the most part, it's about as thin as a laptop lid, too. The exception is a thicker section on the bottom third on the rear of the chassis. This houses the electronics, connectivity and hinged kickstand.
The latter allows the Acer PE160WUT to sit pretty comfortably on any flat, firm surface, though it's less useful for, say, propping the display up on your laptop. All told, this portable monitor comes in at just 0.65kg, making it conspicuously light and pretty portable. If you're already carrying a laptop and power supply, this extra monitor is a pretty plausible addition in pure portability terms.
Of course, a big part of the reason why it's so light is the lack of a built-in battery. The display is powered via USB-C and designed to take that directly from a laptop. If that's a boon for portability, it's not so great for battery life away from the mains.
Of course, the main attraction is the 16-inch OLED display. With a native resolution of 2,880 by 1,800 pixels, it offers a pixel density of around 212 DPI. That's a little lower than the 224 DPI of a MacBook Air or 254 DPI of a MacBook Pro. But it's still pretty decent.
What no MacBook can offer, of course, is OLED panel technology or, indeed, touchscreen tech. That's a combination several PC notebooks include, of course. But by any reasonable metric, this is a highly specified portable display.
Acer ProDesigner PE160WUT: PerformanceFutureFutureFutureFuture- Bright and vivid OLED panel
- Smooth 120 Hz refresh
- Not quite as crisp as you'd hope
The 2.8K native resolution, 120 Hz refresh and OLED panel tech set up some pretty lofty expectations. The Acer PE160WUT doesn't quite nail all of them.
There's a lot to like, starting with the punchiness and vividness of the OLED panel. With a rating of 350 nits full screen, it gets plenty bright enough. But to that it adds OLED's usual advantages of perfect per-pixel lighting and outstanding pixel response speed.
This isn't a gaming panel, but the 120 Hz refresh makes it feel very slick and responsive, too. Those aspects are a real treat. Even LCD panels with full-array local dimming can't come close to matching the lighting precision of OLED.
However, there are some limitations, too. For starters, the brightness isn't adjustable in the otherwise nicely calibrated sRGB or Adobe RGB presets, which is a pity. You might want to ramp it up in some ambient light conditions and the default user mode isn't terribly well calibrated.
Short of DIY calibration, a work around is to run the panel in HDR mode, in which setting SDR content is actually well calibrated. But that brings us to two further snags. First, the HDR performance is underwhelming.
Acer doesn't provide detailed specs, but it very much looks like HDR brightness is capped at the panel's 350 nit full-screen brightness, or thereabouts. What's more, running in HDR mode consumes additional power. And power consumption is a definite issue with this monitor, which again does not have its own integrated battery and takes power over USB-C, typically from a laptop.
By way of example, with this OLED panel connected to an Apple MacBook Air with both the MacBook's screen and this panel set to half brightness, the combination consumed 10% of the MacBook's battery in just 15 minutes.
And the MacBook running on its own? 15 minutes of comparable running eats up 2% of battery life. In other words, there's a heavy battery life penalty of using this display. And that's in SDR mode. HDR would be even worse.
Speaking of connecting a MacBook, the touchscreen functionality only has limited, clunky support to the extent that it's not really usable. Meanwhile, the highest properly DPI-scaled resolution is 1,400 by 900 pixels, which is a little low for a 16-inch panel. It will run at the full 2,880 by 1,800 native, of course, but at that setting fonts and icons are absolutely tiny. For the record, in Windows the touch functionality works pretty well, aided by the nippy 120 Hz refresh.
But the biggest issue is the screen's anti-glare coating. It's matte and quite coarse with some distinctly visible sparkle. It definitely detracts from the crispness and precision of the display. Fonts and text, for instance, look a little soft and blurry as a consequence. It's not a total deal breaker, but this little OLED panel deserves a much better anti-glare coating.
Acer ProDesigner PE160WUT: Final verdictFutureFutureFutureThere's a lot to like about the Acer ProDesigner PE160WUT. It's certainly novel to have an OLED panel in a portable monitor like this. The 2.8K resolution and 120 Hz refresh are likewise exactly what you'd want to see. Too many portable monitors are low resolution and low refresh.
It's also very compact and lightweight. At just 0.65kg, it really is plausible to chuck this thing in your bag with whatever laptop you have. And in terms of image quality, there are plenty of pros. The Acer ProDesigner PE160WUT is pretty punchy, with great colours and generally very good calibration.
OK, the HDR performance disappoints. But for colours and contrast, this display will beat most laptop panels. Add in the touchscreen functionality and you have a compelling proposition, albeit the touchscreen feature really only works well on PC laptops, rather than Apple MacBooks.
The one real issue, then, is the screen's coarse anti-glare coating. It definitely compromises the precision of the image quality and detracts from what is otherwise a very sweet little portable OLED panel. It's also worth bearing in mind that the lack of an integrated battery means that your laptop's battery will take a hammering when using this display away from the mains.
All that said, the Acer ProDesigner PE160WUT retains plenty of appeal. Even with the overly coarse anti-glare coating, it's still one of the best portable monitors we've seen.
FutureFutureFutureFutureFor more displays, we've reviewed the best business monitors and the best 5K and 8K monitors.
Categories: Reviews
Bosgame P4 Ultra review: Nothing here convinces me that AMD Zen 3 is sufficiently exciting for the current mini PC market
BOSGAME P4 Ultra: 30-second review
Mini PCs have never been more crowded. Every few months, a new batch of compact desktops arrives from Chinese brands promising big performance in a small chassis, and the Bosgame P4 Ultra is the latest to land on the desk for evaluation. It slots into the brand's Effizen series, which targets productivity and everyday computing rather than serious gaming.
The headline here is the AMD Ryzen 7 7730U. It is an 8-core, 16-thread processor based on Zen 3 architecture, clocked up to 4.5GHz, and paired with Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics. That combination is capable, but it is worth being honest from the start: the 7730U is a Barcelo Refresh part, which means it is architecturally identical to the 5825U from 2021. Bosgame has dressed it in a new product number, but the silicon is not new.
What is new, or at least appealing, is the package. The P4 Ultra ships either with Windows 11 or Ubuntu 24.04 LTS pre-installed, making it one of the more accessible Linux mini PCs on the market. It also brings dual 2.5GbE LAN ports, Wi-Fi 6E, and triple 4K display output, all wrapped in a compact chassis with a VESA mount in the box.
The asking price is around $420 from online retailers, which puts it up against stiff competition from Beelink, GMKtec, and even other BOSGAME models.
This isn’t an expensive mini PC system, but it's also not the cheapest given the modest specifications.
As with most of the hardware this brand makes, the P4 Ultra is a well-executed solution that would work for general office computing, but it lacks the performance required by creatives and developers.
And, due mostly to the age of its platform, this isn’t a system we’ll be including as one of our best mini PC entries.
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)BOSGAME P4 Ultra: Price and availability- How much does it cost? From $420/£440/€510
- When is it out? Available now
- Where can you get it? Direct from online retailers
At the time of writing, the P4 Ultra doesn’t appear to be listed on the Bosgame website in the Effizen Series mini PCs collection. Hopefully, this will change.
However, if you search for the “P4 Ultra”, you can find a landing page for a Linux version of this machine with Ubuntu installed on it.
The UK asking price for that machine is £379, which seems most reasonable.
Those wanting Windows 11 preinstalled on the same hardware, as there is only one 16GB/1 TB SKU, need to look for this machine from online retailers.
On Amazon.com, it can be found for $419.98, in the UK it is £439, and across Europe it's €509. Given the spec, that looks like an attractive proposition.
One problem for Bosgame is that for almost exactly the same price, GMKtec is selling the M6 Ultra, and that has a better Ryzen 7640HS processor and 16GB of DDR5 RAM.
And another is the Beelink SER 5 MAX, which, for $458.99, offers the AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS CPU, 24GB of DDR5 memory, and a 500GB SSD.
But even Bosgame undercut itself with the P3 Mix, a system they sell for less than $400, that uses the Ryzen 7640HS (up to 5.0 GHz), has 16GB DDR5, and a 512GB PCIe SSD, all in an identical case to the P4 Ultra.
Based on these alternatives, the P4 Ultra should have been closer to $375.
- Value: 3 / 5
Item
Spec
CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 7730U (8C/16T, up to 4.5GHz)
GPU
AMD Radeon Graphics Vega 8 (8 cores, up to 2000MHz)
NPU
None
RAM
16GB DDR4 3200MHz dual-channel (2x SODIMM slots, up to 64GB)
Storage
1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 x4
M.2 Expansion
1x additional M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x4 (up to 8 TB per slot; 16 TB total)
Display Outputs
1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USBC
Front Ports
2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 3.5mm audio, power button
Rear Ports
2x USB 2.0 Type-A, 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort, 2x 2.5 GbE RJ-45, DC power
Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, 2xl 2.5GbE LAN
OS
Windows 11 Pro (pre-installed); Linux supported
Dimensions
107 x 111 x 56 mm
Weight
Approx. 0.65 kg
Included Accessories
30W USB-C PD adaptor, VESA mount bracket, HDMI cable, power brick, manual
BOSGAME P4 Ultra: Design- Familiar chassis
- Limited port selection
- Complicated internal access
The P4 Ultra follows the now-familiar NUC-inspired layout: a rectangular aluminium-and-plastic chassis small enough to sit beside a monitor, mount behind one via VESA, or tuck out of sight entirely. The case features precision laser-faceted metal vents along the sides and rounded corners, giving it a reasonably contemporary appearance.
The front panel carries the power button, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, a USB-C port, and a 3.5mm audio jack. There are no ports on the sides, on the back, you will find the two 2.5GbE RJ45 ports, a further two USB 2.0 ports, a single HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.4, and the DC power input. The layout is logical and functional, though the USB 2.0 ports feel like a cost-cutting measure on an otherwise reasonably specified machine.
That all the better USB ports are on the front is somewhat annoying, and I’ve noticed a few resellers claiming that the USB-C port is USB4, when it isn’t. It is USB 3.2 Gen 2, as are the other USB ports on the front. But it does support video mode, which increases the potential monitor count to three with the HDMI and DP.
Cooling is handled by an active fan system. BOSGAME describes the design as quiet, and at the 15W default TDP, that is credible, though sustained loads will prompt audible fan activity. However, my review machine was delivered in 35W performance mode, which made it slightly noisier. Selection of the Quiet (15W), Balanced (25W) and Performance (35W is via the BIOS. It would be nice if this were changeable in Windows.
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)One especially useful feature is that the two M.2 NVMe slots are both 2280-sized, enabling this machine to take the least expensive storage in the most common form factor. By default, one of these slots is already occupied with a 512GB module, and that is connected thermally to the metal case with a silicon thermal pad.
On the rear are four USB-A ports, with three being USB 3.2 Gen 2 and one being USB 2.0.
What I wasn’t keen on was access to the internal memory and storage, which seemed initially easy, and then got progressively more complicated.
Removing the underside is straightforward enough, four screws, and it comes away easily.
However, once inside, there is an additional fan bracket layer, with three screws of two different sizes. The two longer screws aren’t easy to see or access, and they’re even more fun to put back if you don’t have a magnetic screwdriver.
When you do get this layer out, and there is a ribbon cable carrying power to its fan that you need to be careful of, you can then access the memory and storage.
The good news here is that everything is upgradable, and there is a second M.2 2280 slot, and the bad news is that both M.2 slots are only PCIe 3.0. The M.2 slots do at least have a thermal pad to pull heat away from them, although as they’re not PCIe 4.0 spec they are unlikely to overheat.
The chassis in this design is almost identical to that used in a number of other Bosgame products, and it doesn’t stray far from the original NUC concept. I just wish the designers hadn’t put so many hurdles in the way of anyone wanting to add more memory or storage.
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)- Design: 3.5 / 5
- AMD Ryzen 7 7730U
- Vega 8 GPU
- 16 GB DDR4
- Lacks an NPU
The Ryzen 7 7730U is the centrepiece, and it deserves some context. AMD launched it in late 2022 as part of the Barcelo Refresh line-up. Zen 3 is a proven architecture that delivered a genuine generational leap when it debuted in 2020, and it remains a competent foundation for office and productivity work in 2025. But it sits behind Zen 4 (the 7040 series) and the newer Zen 5 parts in both IPC and integrated graphics performance.
That graphics point matters here. The Vega 8 GPU inside the 7730U has 512 shaders running at up to 2000MHz. It is adequate for 4K video playback, light photo editing, and casual games, but it trails the RDNA 3 graphics in Zen 4 mobile processors by a meaningful margin. For comparison, the Ryzen 7 7840HS found in the higher-spec BOSGAME P3 carries RDNA 3 with considerably better graphics performance.
Memory is 16GB of DDR4 at 3200MHz in a dual-channel configuration, which is the right setup for integrated graphics. Single-channel DDR4 cuts available graphics bandwidth roughly in half, so the dual-channel arrangement here is a sensible default. The SODIMM slots support up to 64GB of memory.
The issue is that many similarly priced systems use DDR5, and its bandwidth boost improves both CPU and GPU performance; in particular, graphics performance is enhanced because the integrated GPU shares the main memory.
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Storage is a 1TB M.2 NVMe drive running on a PCIe 3.0 x4 interface. This is not Gen 4, and sequential read speeds will be capped accordingly, but for day-to-day computing, it is more than fast enough. A second M.2 2280 slot sits unoccupied, which makes life remarkably simple when you wish to clone the original drive to one with a larger capacity.
Connectivity is a genuine highlight of this design, making it potentially useful as a hardware firewall. Dual 2.5GbE ports open up small office routing, NAS aggregation, and network isolation use cases that single-port machines cannot touch. Wi-Fi 6E covers all three bands, including the congestion-free 6GHz spectrum, and Bluetooth 5.2 handles peripherals cleanly.
How you feel about the hardware in this machine comes down to two aspects. And those are how much you use graphics and what types of processing you intend to do.
The CPU and GPU are both outdated, overtaken by new DDR5 designs that offer more performance and greater power efficiency. There is no dedicated NPU for AI work, so this machine is only suitable for general office tasks and not for software development.
It might have a use as an embedded signage system, but it will need ventilation.
- Features: 4 / 5
Mini PC
Bosgame P4 Ultra
GMKtec NucBox K16
CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 7730U
AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS
Cores/Threads
8C 16T
8C 16T
RAM
16GB DDR4 (2x8GB)
32GB LPDDR5 (2x16GB)
SSD
1TB SSD
1TB TWSC TE3420F1TO NVMe
Graphics
Radeon 680M
Radeon 680M
3DMark
WildLife
4961
10320
FireStrike
2368
4508
TimeSpy
1001
1813
S.Nomad
843
1634
Cine24
Single
86
84
Multi
538
595
Ratio
6.23
7.08
GeekBench 6
Single
1965
1957
Multi
6124
7170
OpenCL
13511
24105
Vulkan
11940
22401
CrystalDisk
Read MB/s
3735
3549
Write MB/s
3285
2649
PCMark 10
Office
6257
6785
WEI
Score
6.7
8.1
Some readers will probably think I’m being unfair for comparing the $420 Bosgame P4 Ultra to the $590 GMKtec K16. Yes, the K16 is $170 more, but then look at what a Zen 3+ processor, DDR5 memory, and the Radeon 680 GPU deliver. Almost across the board, the K16 is twice as fast, for only 40% more money. And, if they had the same amount of memory, the cost difference would be less significant.
There are two takeaways from these benchmark results, the first being that anyone who wants to complete their demanding tasks more quickly should invest in a better mini PC that uses DDR5. The other is that for office work, the P4 Ultra is fine.
My view is that systems like this are always being repurposed, because they’re easy to move and reconfigure. What makes one mini PC better than another can often come down to flexibility. The performance envelope of the K16 is much greater than that of the P4 Ultra, making it inherently more flexible and suitable for a wider range of jobs.
If you are convinced that the system you want will only ever do a job for which it is suited, then buying the P4 Ultra might make sense. But if you think that a year from now you might be forced to buy something better, then perhaps it's worth considering that now.
The Bosgame P4 Ultra isn’t a great performer, but what it achieves might be good enough for some customers.
- Performance: 3 / 5
The Bosgame P4 Ultra is a competent compact mini PC that does most things adequately and two things rather well. The dual 2.5GbE networking and the option for a ready-to-run Ubuntu installation are genuine differentiators in a market where most machines ship with Windows and a single Gigabit port.
The honest caveat is the processor. The Ryzen 7 7730U is Zen 3 under a new badge. It is not slow, but it is not modern either. Anyone comparing it against Zen 4 machines at a similar price point will find those alternatives offer better integrated graphics and more up-to-date architecture. The PCIe 3.0 SSD is a similar observation: functional, but not state-of-the-art.
At the right price, those trade-offs are acceptable. The P4 Ultra earns its keep as a quiet, power-efficient desktop for document work, browsing, media playback, and lightweight server duties. Push it harder than that, and you will want to consider the Bosgame P3 Mix or one of the Beelink alternatives with a Hawk Point processor.
Should you buy a BOSGAME P4 Ultra?Value
Premium price for a Zen 3+ platform
3 / 5
Design
Awkward internals and limited USB ports
3.5 / 5
Features
Dual 2.5 GbE, but an old platform rebranded
3.5 / 5
Performance
Outclassed by DDR5 systems
3 / 5
Overall
A limited use mini PC
3.5 / 5
Buy it if...You want pre-installed Linux
If you want a capable, compact Linux desktop without building one yourself. The Ubuntu 24.04 LTS pre-installed model means you can be productive within minutes of unboxing. But this hardware will also run Windows 11.
You like upgrades
The second M.2 slot, 2.5-inch bay, and two SODIMM slots give plenty of room to expand. Although this makes for some flexibility, the CPU and memory model aren't cutting-edge.
You need graphics power
This isn't the best integrated graphics available. The Vega 8 GPU in the 7730U is three generations behind RDNA 3, and the performance gap in gaming and GPU compute tasks is real.
You need USB4 or Thunderbolt
Some disappointment will result if you buy this mini PC and need USB4 or Thunderbolt support for high-speed peripherals or an external GPU. These aren't technologies you can add later.
GMKtec NucBox M7 Ultra
Built on the excellent AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U with Zen 3+ architecture and a Radeon 680M GPU, the M7 Ultra Plus offers a more modern platform at a comparable price point. It costs $40 more but gains a more powerful integrated GPU and NPU support.
Check out my GMKtec NucBox M7 Ultra review
Geekom A6
Using the AMD Ryzen 7 6800H platform, the higher specified option costs about $180 more than the P4 Ultra. But for the extra money, you get a Zen 3+ processor, Radeon 680M GPU, 16GB of DDR5 memory, a 512GB SSD and USB 4. The only downside to this design is that the second M.2 slot is only 2242 size.
Check out our Geekom A6 review
For more professional hardware, we've reviewed the best business computers.
Categories: Reviews
Camp Snap’s upgraded screen-free retro compact camera hits the right notes, and I love how affordable it is
Camp Snap CS-Pro: two-minute review
Forget your high-resolution mirrorless camera, your beautiful full-frame sensors — 2026 is the year of the cheap compact camera! Retro-styled, ultra-affordable cameras are back in a big way, following greatly exaggerated rumors of their death at the hands of the smartphone.
The original Camp Snap, released in 2023, was one of the big beneficiaries of this trend. A digital compact costing around $59 / £65, its USP was a feature that it didn't have – a screen. By removing the LCD, the camera evoked the feeling of shooting with an old film disposable — you literally could not see the images you'd taken until you downloaded them onto your computer, just as you couldn't see your images from a disposable until they came back from the development lab.
The Camp Snap CS-Pro, or Camp Snap Pro, is an upgrade of the original, adding a few improvements and gaining a refreshing visual makeover that calls to mind premium compacts like the Fujifilm X100VI. The core concept hasn't changed, though; it's still a screen-free digital compact camera, with a small sensor that's going to produce images that are almost certainly less detailed and high-quality than the ones produced by your phone. But if you're looking for top-notch quality, you are very much missing the point.
The guts of the camera are built around a 1/3.06-inch sensor with 16MP of resolution — double the pixel count of the 8MP original Camp Snap. This sensor is paired with a fixed-focus lens with an equivalent focal length of 22.5mm — nice and wide to fit plenty in the scene — and a fixed aperture of f/2.2. Just as with the original Camp Snap, there's nothing in the way of settings controls; you point, you shoot.
Well, not quite nothing. The CS-Pro adds a dial to its top plate, which provides access to a number of filmic looks. As well as the Standard (STD) look, you also have VTG-1 and VTG-2 ('VTG' meaning 'vintage'), which are stylized color filters that give your image a distinct and decidedly retro-style look. VTG-1 provides an overall warm tone, while VTG-2 pumps up blues and yellows for a hyper-saturated look (think Kodak Ultramax film). Finally, you have the monochrome 'B&W' dial.
(Image credit: Jon Stapley)So, it's not a reinvention of the Camp Snap wheel. Far from it. Having used the CS-Pro on a few photographic excursions over the past few weeks, I can safely say that if the original Camp Snap wasn't your cup of tea, the CS-Pro won't be either. The resolution upgrade adds a bit of detail and definition, but the small 1/3.06-inch sensor still limits its dynamic range and ability to handle contrasting light situations. It's going to get blown out of the water by even your smartphone, never mind a compact with a proper-sized sensor like the 1-inch chip in the new Panasonic Lumix TZ300 / ZS300.
But again, quality isn't the point. The Camp Snap was a knockabout hit of nostalgic fun for a generation raised on disposable film cameras and cheap digital compacts, and the CS-Pro is all those things too. Once again, the screen-free design serves to create a relaxed shooting experience, and adds a sense of anticipation that recalls the good old days of waiting for your film to come back from the chemist. And if some of your shots turn out to be a bit crap (and they will) — who cares? It's all part of the fun.
I'm glad that Camp Snap didn't let success go to its head and come out with too expensive a camera. By keeping its price to two figures, the CS-Pro sits firmly in the realm of fun, a camera so simple that a child can use it, but with enough retro charm and style to appeal to adults.
(Image credit: Jon Stapley)Camp Snap CS-Pro: price and availabilityThe CS-Pro is available from Camp Snap's website. Its initial launch price is $99 / £90 (around AU$180), but discounts are frequent — in the UK, at time of writing, it's currently sitting at £68. This is a little more expensive than the original Camp Snap, but not by much – Camp Snap are clearly aware that affordability is a big part of their camera's USP and aren't messing with it. This was the main mistake I felt the firm made with its Super 8-aping CS-8 video camera — at a starting price of $199 / £152, it was just a bit too expensive for a low-quality camera whose main attraction was its novelty factor.
Even with the slight uptick in price, the CS-Pro is one of the most affordable options in the retro-styled digital compact arena. It's cheaper than the more complex and sophisticated RewindPix, which offers a huge range of film-style filters via its app-based digital darkroom.
Camp Snap CS-Pro: design- Styled after popular premium compacts like the Fujifilm X100
- All-plastic build, lightweight and doesn't feel too robust
- Point-and-shoot operation, with dial for selectable retro filters
As mentioned, the Camp Snap CS-Pro looks at first glance a lot like a premium retro compact in the Fujifilm X100 series, with its black body and silver trim. However, if you were to actually hold both cameras side by side, this illusion would fall apart very quickly. Fujifilm's cameras are gorgeous, all-metal things, their build reflecting their four-figure price tags. The CS-Pro, meanwhile, consists of nothing but plastic and more plastic. It feels cheap, because it is cheap, and doesn't even pull the RewindPix's trick of adding internal metal weights for a bit of extra heft.
Interface-wise, on the top plate you have just the shutter button and the dial with the selectable film filters, the latter of which also functions as the on/off switch. On the rear you have a simple LCD panel that provides a running shot counter — useful if you're a forgetful sort and aren't sure when you last offloaded your pictures.
Beside the screen, you may notice two rows of small holes — amusingly, these are actually for a speaker, which plays recorded stock sounds when the camera is turned off and on and when the shutter is fired. These tinny, generic 'clunks' sound like they were downloaded from a website with a name like 'freemidisoundfx.com', and for all I know they probably were. Unnecessary, but harmless — and you can turn them off.
In the bottom corner is a row of four LEDs which serve as battery indicators — and I must say, I've been shooting with the Camp Snap for weeks without charging it once, and my battery level is still very healthy. Camp Snap rates the battery to 500 shots, and I believe it.
Jon StapleyJon StapleyJon StapleyJon StapleyJon StapleyJon StapleyJon StapleyJon StapleyJon StapleyIn the top-left corner is the optical viewfinder. It's a tiny thing — a far cry from the big, lovely viewfinder on the RewindPix — and the fact that it's both above and to the left of the lens means what you see through it bears only a passing resemblance to what your captured image is going to look like.
On the front, beside the viewfinder, there's a flash. One of the common complaints about the original Camp Snap was the rather weak-beer effort of its piddly LED flash, and the manufacturer has compensated in spades by throwing in a powerful Xenon flash. I'll talk more about this in the next section, but for now it's worth noting that a switch on the front allows you to toggle it between 'Off', 'Auto' and 'Forced'.
Also, surprisingly, the lens on the front has a 37mm filter thread, meaning you can attach protective UV filters, NDs, polarisers or special-effects filters if you have them in the corresponding size. I'm going to be honest — I think the crossover between 'Camp Snap buyers' and 'lens-based filter enjoyers' is vanishingly small, and I find it hard to imagine many people using this feature. But I'm not complaining.
(Image credit: Jon Stapley)There are lugs for a strap, but no strap is included in the package — no pouch or case either, though Camp Snap did at least find room to pack in a USB-C cable for charging. The port is located on the bottom of the camera, along with a screw thread for mounting on a tripod, and a screwed-on panel that houses the built-in 4GB micro SD card, which you can unscrew to access directly if needed.
Camp Snap CS-Pro: performance- Images are bright and punchy, but fine detail is lacking, and it can't handle high lighting contrast
- While fixed-focus lens makes operation easy, it can be creatively limiting, and there's no close-up ability
- Xenon flash is ludicrously overpowered — you can thankfully stick with the sensible 'Auto' setting
I'll say it straight out — I find my images from the CS-Pro to be very likeable. Are they high-quality? Absolutely not. They do not stand up to close scrutiny on a pixel level, and I would not make prints from them. But in good light, the CS-Pro produces images with bright, punchy colors — vivid blue skies, pleasant greens, and rich, golden sun.
The wide lens allows you to reliably fit plenty into the frame. Running a few shots helps you get used to finding the sweet spot of distance from your subject — being too close gets you a blurry mess. As a rule, if you're trying to capture an image of a specific object, animal or person, you want at least a meter's distance. Close-ups are a no-no, and you're not going to get creative effects like shallow depth of field.
The extra megapixels on the sensor has definitely improved matters compared to the original Camp Snap, with landscape-style images in particular looking much better thanks to greater detail for delineating distant subjects. However, the small size of the sensor means that dynamic range is still an Achilles' heel. Contrasty light situations are pretty much a no-go – you're all but guaranteed to get blown-out white highlights, or murky impenetrable shadows, or if you're really up against it, both. There's just a physical limit to the kinds of shooting situations the CS-Pro can handle.
However, one thing that can help matters here is the filter dial. Giving your images a retro glow with VTG-1 or VTG-2 can be a handy way to make a blown-out highlight look like an artistic choice, rather than a technological limitation. Indeed, I am generally a fan of the filter dial, even if I do think offering just three options other than the Standard look is rather tight-fisted.
Filter: STDJon StapleyFilter: VTG-1Jon StapleyFilter: VTG-2Jon StapleyFilter: B&WJon StapleyVTG-1 is lovely and warm — great for sunny evenings. I can see it getting a lot of use in pub gardens and the like. VTG-2 is bright and saturated, giving your images just a bit more zing; like Kodak Ultramax, I'd take it to a day at the beach. And the B&W filter delivers a nice level of tonal contrast for moody monochrome, ideal for days when the weather is overcast and uninspiring. Dull light makes Camp Snap images very dull indeed, and the B&W filter is an excellent way to get around this.
Filter: STDJon StapleyFilter: STDJon StapleyFilter: VTG1Jon StapleyFilter: STDJon StapleyFilter: VTG1Jon StapleyFilter: STDJon StapleyFilter: STDJon StapleyFilter: B&WJon StapleyFilter: STDJon StapleyFilter: STDJon StapleyFilter: VTG1Jon StapleyFilter: STDJon StapleyFilter: VTG1Jon StapleyFilter: VTG2Jon StapleyFilter: STDJon StapleyFilter: STDJon StapleyFilter: STDJon StapleyFilter: VTG2Jon StapleyFilter: STDJon StapleyAs mentioned, a few more filters would have been nice by default — though there is a library of community-made filters to explore, as well as the option to create your own, so that does have the potential to extend the camera's lease on life. Camp Snap also sells its own downloadable add-on packs of filters, which goes some way to explain why there are so few to begin with.
I was excited by the idea of the Xenon flash, but having tested it out, I feel that a hammer is being used to crack a nut here. It is an incredibly powerful unit, much more powerful than the CS-Pro needs, frankly, and every time I have set it to the full-power 'Forced' mode, I have ended up with a blown-out, overexposed mess of an image. Thankfully, the 'Auto' mode does much better, providing balanced exposures that illuminate the subject well.
Flash off.Jon StapleyFlash set to Auto.Jon StapleyFlash set to Forced. You see the issue.Jon StapleyAgain, flash set to Forced. I just wanted a nice picture of my spider-plant, man.Jon StapleyIt also merits mentioning that the shooting experience of the CS-Pro is nice and brisk. One of the common complaints about the original Camp Snap was that it had some truly deleterious shutter lag. This has been corrected for the CS-Pro thanks to an upgraded processor. While there's no burst mode per se, I was able to fire off successive shots at a rate of about 1 per second — the only feature that fell behind, amusingly, was the artificial free-midi-download shutter-release noise. And I can live with that.
Should I buy the Camp Snap CS-Pro? (Image credit: Jon Stapley)Buy it if...You want a break from your screens.
Having no LCD for monitoring or playing back your shots keeps you living in the moment — an analog-like experience without the difficulty and expense.
You want an affordable, lightweight compact camera
Incredibly light and commendably cheap, the CS-Pro is a camera you can take everywhere without a worry.
The first Camp Snap was just too low-quality for you.
Operability improvements and a resolution upgrade make this a markedly better shooting experience.
You want creative versatility
You can't change your settings, you can't focus the lens — despite the 'Pro' moniker, this is a point-and-shoot.
You want a tough camera that can handle a knock
It's not weatherproof at all, and I wouldn't rate that all-plastic body to stand up to much punishment.
- I received a loan unit of the Camp Snap CS-Pro for testing
- I have taken it out on a number of photo excursions in London and on a short rural mini-break
- I’ve shot in variable light conditions throughout April and May, with a mixture of bright and overcast weather
So far, I've used the Camp Snap CS-Pro to capture more than 100 images, over a period of several weeks, during which time I took it on several days out in London as well as on a countryside mini-break in Gloucestershire, UK. The weather was quite variable during my time with the camera, though predominantly bright and sunny. I used the CS-Pro indoors and outdoors, and aimed to capture a broad range of subjects and situations.
First reviewed May 2026
Categories: Reviews
007 First Light delivers a blockbuster Bond origin story packed with spycraft, stealth and explosive action set pieces
It was somewhere between sprinting to capture a flag, evading instructors and shooting moving targets in a Maltese training course during my playthrough of 007 First Light that I realized IO Interactive has managed to make a third person shooter game that truly feels like you’re playing a James Bond in a movie.
Review infoPlatform reviewed: PS5 Pro
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2
Release date: May 27, 2026, (Nintendo Switch 2 TBC)
The sequence plays out like a classic training montage straight out of a Rocky film, quickly switching you from one exercise to the next. One minute you’re learning hand-to-hand combat mechanics like parrying and throwing your opponent into walls, the next you’re driving around a historical fort looking to set a new record for your fastest lap.
That blockbuster energy runs throughout this reboot, which introduces players to a younger version of the spy before he became 007. Meeting Bond as a fresh-faced, 26-year-old Royal Navy air crewman means there’s no Daniel Craig or Pierce Brosnan shadow hanging over him, making this an original take that shows him still learning when to follow orders and when to improvise.
The heart of the matter While it's been done before, this training montage sequence is the most creatively put together I've ever seen. (Image credit: IO Interactive)After washing up on an Icelandic shore as the lone survivor of a helicopter crash, Bond quickly finds himself on an M16 mission without any security clearance or training.
Relying solely on quick reflexes and some Montenegrin he picked up during past travels, it doesn’t take long before he’s recruited into M16 and thrown into a conspiracy involving rogue agents, buried secrets and, as is now a permanent plot device of various action movies of the 21st century (think Minority Report crossed with Mission Impossible — The Final Reckoning), dangerous experimental technology.
Patrick Gibson’s version of Bond is cocky, impulsive and occasionally "a bit of a b***end", as Moneypenny, voiced by Kiera Lester, puts it at one poin. I can't say I don't agree with her, either, after hearing all those repetitive smart ass quips about how enemies take their tea while you lob cups and saucers at them during tense combat sequences — it's more eye-roll inducing than funny.
Often the immaturity works in the game’s favour, though, as this is Bond before the polished charm and cold professionalism fully set in. After all, Bond is more than just a generic run-and-gun action hero — and this is where IO Interactive’s expertise in stealth action games comes in.
Much of the game revolves around learning new ways to stealthily approach situations, from disguising yourself as valet to infiltrate a world chess championship competition to pickpocketing an invitation to get into an exclusive gala in Kensington.
These more open world sections of the game allow for the most experimentation outside of the cutscenes and platforming that features throughout the game, creating an undeniable rhythm.
Missions often begin back at M16 with a briefing from Moneypenny before sending Bond downstairs to the brilliant Q (who’s voiced by Alastair Mackenzie) to field test some new gadgets. From there, you’re deployed into luxury hotels, hostile compounds, crowded marketplaces and snowy mountains, where you almost always manage to devise a cunning escape worthy of an IMAX screen.
A matter of considerable delicacyEvery Bond needs a villain, or two... or three... (Image credit: IO Interactive)Let’s get one thing out of the way, the stealth sandbox gameplay isn’t quite as open-ended or realistic as IO Interactive's Hitman series. Instead, it’s more of a stripped back version of the studio's gaming DNA.
The core suite of mechanics are here, though, letting you quietly infiltrate guarded areas in several different ways by either bluffing out of conversations or creating distractions to reach your objective unnoticed.
Just don’t expect the same unforgiving realism, where if you look or do something suspicious you’ll immediately trigger the NPCs to be cautious of you, stopping you from progressing and making you restart the level. 007 First Light is much more forgiving — even letting you take down enemies in the same room without others reacting (more on this later).
That’s not say that you don’t have the same varied gameplay, though. The standout mission for me was in Mauritania, where Bond infiltrates a dusty shipping graveyard settlement built around the wreckage of a giant cargo ship in the Sahara Desert. In order to enter a criminal auction, you first need to raise enough money through underground brawls, shooting contests and other side activities scattered around a dense marketplace.
It’s one of the missions where the game fully embraces player freedom, and it feels closest to IO Interactive’s work with Hitman as you don't have to complete every side mission available to progress to the next section, making the level varied enough for multiple playthroughs on different difficulties.
Best bitMy favorite part of 007 First Light was an unassuming moment during an action sequence where I was battling mercenaries while trying to escape a building. After flanking two hostile henchmen, I swiftly shot a red fuel canister clearing the path ahead of me to escape with a confidence that only a truly lethal secret agent could have.
In true Bond fashion, gadgets also play a big role. From hacking electronics to disabling lights with your Omega watch, there's a variety of spy tools that you can access through a gadget wheel reminiscent of Batman: Arkham. These mechanics are crucial to the stealth sections of the game, allowing you to create distractions and progress through locked down buildings.
Punctuating every stealth mission are enormous set pieces very clearly inspired by Naughty Dog's Uncharted series of adventure games that see you evading a sniper's fire while running across rooftops, jumping onto airplanes and car chases that feel ripped straight from a Bond finale. There's even that signature platforming and few puzzles thrown in for good measure.
Against the odds Please let me drive the Aston Martin Valhalla more next time, IO Interactive. (Image credit: IO Interactive)At times, though, the game's cinematic action pieces can break that sense of immersion with bugs pre-emptively triggering a cutscene that suddenly repositions Bond to a place he was otherwise nowhere near a moment ago. During one sequence, the game forced Bond onto a mobile staircase because a cutscene had been triggered, despite me being in the middle of a shootout on the other side of the tarmac.
The stealth areas occasionally interrupted the realism, too. For instance, when I was given a 'license to kill', which is the game's shoot-em-up mode, I would abandon stealth entirely to fight my way through, bashing enemies into nearby walls and tables, only for nearby NPCs to seemingly ignore the chaos unfolding in the room they're closely guarding.
While I can fully appreciate the certain restrictions IO Interactive has made to make you play the game in a certain way, I can't help but feel slightly cheated by the driving mechanic. It felt tacked on because of the spy franchise's iconic vehicles and not nearly as dynamic as it could've been — this might very well all be stemming from my frustrations around not being able to drive the Aston Martin Valhalla more than two-feet though, so take it with a pinch of salt as I had been excited to get behind the wheel ever since catching a glimpse of it in M16 headquarters.
Thankfully, these frustrations rarely outweigh the sheer expansiveness of what IO Interactive has created here. 007First Light brings to life what makes Bond so thrilling beyond the explosions, weaving together a multi-layered espionage plot, sophisticated spy toys and stunning locations that you don't want to leave.
While it's stealth gameplay isn't quite as polished as Hitman and its cinematic pacing occasionally cuts through the spell, it's easy to see past. IO Interactive has delivered the most immersive Bond game in years.
Should I play 007 First Light? I can still hear Sampha's '(No One Knows Me) Like The Piano' since finishing 007 First Light. (Image credit: IO Interactive)Play it if...You love big campaigns
Expect cinematic action sequences similar to Uncharted threading together a linear narrative that's as multilayered as a Bond movie. View Deal
You want to feel like Bond
Forget drinking martinis, 007 First Light lets you experience nearly every facet of what being Bond entails with a hyper-competence you can dream of. View Deal
You love 007's spycraft
Similar to Batman: Arkham's gadget mechanics, 007 First Light brings to life a variety of classic 007 spy tools from the movies.
You're expecting the exact same gameplay as Hitman
IO Interactive has stripped back some of the stealth sandbox mastery from Hitman to create a more streamlined tactical experience.
You can't stand a lot of cutscenes
007 First Light blurs the line of playing a game and watching a movie, with lengthy set pieces that you won't want to skip.
007 First Light has most of the usual controls and accessibility features you'd find on a AAA game, including subtitles, adjustable difficulty settings, which you can change anytime throughout, tutorials, as well as motion and sensitivity controls.
Because the game is so linear, you don't have a map to help guide you through the more sandbox-style levels but that doesn't matter too much as it allows for experimentation to occur.
How I reviewed 007 First LightAlright then, let's see if there's another way I can raise $100,000. (Image credit: IO Interactive)I played 007 First Light for just under 20 hours on a PlayStation 5 Pro hooked up to a Sky Glass TV and Sonos sound system made up of two speakers, a soundbar and subwoofer.
I completed the story during that time, and even replayed a couple of sections to test out the variations that could occur depending on the way I played the game. However, I did not unlock everything, so I'm sure there's plenty more worth exploring.
Categories: Reviews
Geekom A9 Max mini PC (2026) review: The latest update to the powerful AI mini PC is a desktop-class computer with workstation-level performance
GEEKOM A9 Max 2026: 30-second review
The Geekom A9 Max is one of a growing number of premium AI-enhanced mini PCs, perfectly at home as a powerful office machine for content creation or development, especially for low to mid-level AI applications. Inside is a powerful Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 CPU, and this is coupled with a more standard 890M integrated GPU and NPU to handle all graphics and AI processing.
Removing the small machine from the box, the quality is instantly apparent, with a mainly metal case aside from the black plastic back panel. It’s also good to see a decent amount of venting to keep it cool, even under substantial load.
What I instantly liked about the box was that while it arrives with just 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, it’s perfectly possible to upgrade the machine to 128GB RAM and 8TB storage, and you can even give it a graphics boost by attaching an eGPU. Essentially, this brings the machine close to rivalling many desktops, but at a much smaller size; although the size of the eGPU does have to be taken into account.
The machine also features plenty of connection options, including USB4, for that eGPU or ultra-fast storage, there’s also HDMI 2.1, decent dual 2.5GbE, and Wi-Fi 7. As a photographer and videographer, it's nice to see an SD 4.0 card reader on the side. I'm increasingly using CFexpress Type B and Type A, but since those cards are still quite rare in the mainstream, an SD card reader is still the best option here.
In day-to-day tasks running Windows 11 Pro, this machine is extremely quick, with the full Microsoft Office suite opening and running without issue with the standard configuration. As I moved on, I started using CapCut and installed the Adobe Creative Suite just to see if it could run Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and a few other advanced applications. Again, it handled 4K video edits without issue with footage from the Canon EOS R5C and quickly enhanced a batch of images shot on the Sony A7 IV in Lightroom. This small machine handled the load with ease.
Through the test I was impressed with the potential power and put this to the test with a video edit. That edit for a 4K production grew in length, and while the machine was able to handle the processing, I could hear the machine being pushed to its limits, and an extra 32GB of RAM would have just helped it over the line for video editing. Still, this performance was impressive. While I did start to see a slowdown in the timeline render times, ultimately, for such a small machine and at this price, this performance is impressive.
One of the big features of this machine is the AI potential. Sure enough, Copilot runs exceptionally well, integrated with Microsoft and Adobe applications, but with a machine like this and with that Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 CPU, which offers up to 86 TOPS of AI performance, with an extra 55 TOPS in the NPU, I was really interested to see how well it would run a local LLM.
Considering the size and the position, I was able to install Qwen 7B, which seemed to run relatively well, I did consider 14B but hit some issues on getting that running. You can tell that Qwen is running on a local machine, and with 32GB of RAM and that limited power from the GPU, there is a slight slowdown.
But it's still impressive, with the chatbot features working well and enabling you to integrate relatively basic tasks, although, at present, that limitation is more down to my knowledge of programming with a local LLM rather than probable potential of what's available here.
I couldn't help feeling that a little more RAM and possibly connecting to an eGPU would have just sped things up a bit, but having this run completely offline does start to show the potential.
Finishing off the test, I wanted just to see how well it would run some of the larger games, including Cyberpunk 2077 and Hogwarts Legacy, and in both cases, the Radeon 890M GPU proved why it's such a popular choice, offering smooth gameplay at HD resolution with mid effects and graphics quality. Again, with the potential to connect an eGPU and boost the RAM, if you do want to use this as a gaming machine, the potential is absolutely here.
While powerful mini PCs have been around for a while, the GEEKOM A9 Max 2026 Edition really shows just how far they've come. This machine really does rival a desktop, and whilst it does get warm under load, it manages to see it through without any notable thermal throttling.
If you are editing video or using any other application or process that really puts a load on the CPU and GPU, those fans are going to kick in. If you like a quiet working environment, this might not be the machine for you.
However, there's no doubting its power and potential, and with a little bit more RAM and connected to an eGPU, this small machine is definitely able to rival many machines far larger, although with those additions, the price is pretty much on a par, and the benefit all comes down to the space you save from the small-form-factor machine. With that in mind, it's likely to feature in our guide to the best mini PCs.
GEEKOM A9 Max 2026: Price and availability- How much does it cost? £1599 / $1799
- When is it out? Now
- Where can you get it? Directly from GEEKOM
The Geekom A9 Max 2026 Edition is widely available, with the base HX370 configuration starting at $1399 from Geekom's US site and £1299 from Geekom UK.
The mini PC is also available from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.
TechRadar Pro readers can save an extra 8% via Geekom or Amazon when using the code TRA9MAX26.
Note: In the US, to get the discount on the HX470 model, use code TRA9AMZUS.
- Value: 4/5
CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470
Graphics: AMD Radeon 890M
RAM: 32GB DDR5, expandable up to 128GB.
Storage: 2TB SSD; supports 1 × M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 NVMe and 1 × M.2 2230 PCIe 4.0 NVMe, up to 8TB total.
Front Ports: Power button, 3.5mm headset jack, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, including one always-on port.
Rear Ports: DC input, 2 × HDMI 2.1, 2 × USB4 Type-C, 2 × 2.5GbE RJ45, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, USB 2.0 Type-A, Kensington lock.
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, dual 2.5GbE LAN.
Audio: HDA codec, 3.5mm front headset jack.
Camera: None.
Size: 135 × 132 × 46.9mm.
OS Installed: Windows 11 Pro
The Geekom A9 Max 2026 Edition is right at the top of the mini PC market, with a premium build and price tag to match. The top and sides are made with a full reinforced metal chassis, which has been made to stand up to 200kg of pressure, essentially meaning that in the studio or office, it will just look like a premium PC, but if, for some reason, you use it in the field, it should be robust enough to withstand a good knock or two.
When it comes to size it measures 135 × 132 × 46.9mm. While the build is premium and the machine is on the larger side of the mini PC form factor, it still features the usual VESA mount options at the back, making it easy to mount behind your monitor.
Around the body of the machine there’s a good amount of ports and with the premium focus, high-speed networking is a priority, featuring dual 2.5GbE LAN ports, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth version 5.4.
Alongside all the usual ports, which I come to in a minute, there are two additional slots. The first is an SD card reader, which will appeal to many creators but is increasingly appealing to office workers who also need to shoot video and take images in their day-to-day tasks. There's also a Kensington lock slot if you do need to make sure the mini PC is secure.
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)When it comes to port layout, there's a good number of ports, though it is a bit of a shame there's no USB-C on the front. Instead, you have three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports and one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A that is marked as always on. There's also a standard 3.5mm headphone jack and the power button. Switching round the back, you've obviously got the DC power in.
This is an 18V standard plug and HDMI 2.1, a USB Type-C that supports DP Alt Mode and PD-in, which is handy if you're using this out in the field. Then there are 2 × 2.5 GbE RJ45 LAN ports, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, a USB 2.0 Type-A port, a USB Type-C DP Alt Mode port, and another HDMI 2.1 port, so a really good selection of ports. It's great to see you've got two USB4 ports at the back, enabling both ultra-fast storage and an eGPU if you need to boost graphics performance.
With those two HDMI and two USB4 ports, if you do want to run a 4x4K display setup or a single 8K monitor, this is perfectly possible with that port selection.
- Design: 4.5 / 5
Inside are the mechanics of the machine, with the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470, 12 cores, 24 threads, up to 5.2GHz boost, and up to 86 TOPS overall AI performance at the heart, along with an integrated Radeon 890M GPU with 16 graphics cores and RDNA 3.5 architecture, and an NPU. This is supported by 32GB DDR5 RAM, upgradable to 128GB, and 8TB NVMe SSD modules.
Like most mini PCs, it comes pre-installed with Windows 11 Pro. When the machine arrives, all you need to do is run the final installation steps to register accounts and customise a few settings to your needs.
A first look at the specifications shows is a quite meagre allocation of RAM and storage: just 32GB of DDR5 RAM and 2TB of M.2 NVMe SSD storage, both of which can be upgraded, but in a machine of this price I would have hoped for a little more.
The RAM, can be upgraded to 128GB with two 64GB modules, providing dual-channel memory and making it ideal for AI models and other applications that require ample RAM. Then, for storage, you have one M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 ×4 NVMe SSD slot and an additional M.2 2230 PCIe 4.0 NVMe, each supporting up to 4TB, so you can boost the internal capacity to a relatively decent 8TB.
It is worth noting that while this machine comes pre-loaded with Windows 11 Pro, you can install Linux or another operating system of your choice; it is perfectly compatible. If you just want to run it as an AI box on Windows 11 Pro, it makes a perfect platform for development.
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)- Features: 4.5 / 5 (Will change once features are available)
When it comes to day-to-day use, I really felt this machine is at the top of the premium mini PC market, and being powered by the Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 ensures that, when running Windows 11 Pro, everything runs well.
As I started out with Microsoft Office, firstly to write this review but also for a few other tasks, both in Excel and PowerPoint, the machine ran beautifully, smoothly switching between apps as I needed, and handling images with ease with no slowdown or issue. Essentially, this machine is more than powerful enough for any office application and for some pretty heavy-duty lifting in each of the individual apps, which, to be honest, these days is expected.
Whilst checking through the benchmark test results, I was a little bit surprised to see that it only scored a Windows Experience score of 8.1, but what was more reflective was the PCMark score of 8090, showing that, for day-to-day tasks, this machine is absolutely ideally suited.
As I started increasing the pressure on the system, I switched to Lightroom Classic and CapCut, both relatively lightweight applications. Starting with Lightroom Classic and creating a large catalogue containing over 800 images shot on the Sony A7 IV, both JPEG and raw, the machine had absolutely no issue handling the task, and whilst the internal hard drive is only 2TB, the CrystalDiskMark read and write scores of 6190MB per second for read and 5524MB per second for write were more than adequate to quickly render thumbnails and enable speedy adjustments.
Later on, through the test, as I was transferring video files from the Canon EOS R5C, that speed of transfer was really apparent, although that 2TB internal SSD was a bit of an issue, so I installed another 1TB drive just to boost that internal storage for the video editing test.
Aside from the internal SSD being exceptionally quick, what was noticeable was just how fast applications loaded; both Photoshop and Premiere Pro were relatively quick, taking under 10 seconds from double-clicking the application icon to being ready to start work. Likewise, when importing files into Premiere Pro, the media thumbnails rendered nicely and quickly as the timeline progressed or was scrubbed through.
For the most part, the video editing was handled well, and in Premiere Pro, I was able to cut several hours of footage into a five-minute video. However, since the total video file size exceeded 2TB of internal storage, I attached an external SSD via the USB4 port to handle the additional capacity. Here, the USB4 speed was absolutely spot-on for video production, enabling me to work with files on external drives as if they were on the fast internal drive.
During editing, it was apparent there's only 32GB of RAM in the system, and I would definitely think of upgrading to at least 64GB, if not the full 128GB, if I were going to use this for video editing. However, for images processed in Photoshop and Lightroom, that 32GB is actually perfectly adequate, and I'd only really upgrade to 64GB just to give myself a little extra headroom.
If you're just using Lightroom Classic and CapCut, for instance, then that 32GB and 2TB SSD will more than likely suffice. If you're pushing things a little further and using something like a Sony A7 or another high-end mirrorless camera, I’d definitely look at either an external storage solution or upgrading the internal capacity and RAM. However, it's reassuring to know that the CPU and GPU can handle most people's creative needs.
But what's good to know is that because it has USB4, if you do need to push the graphics potential further and you're working on longer productions, say over 15 minutes, then you can attach an external eGPU through that USB4 port, which will give you far more potential.
One of the key features here is the built-in NPU and AI potential of the Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 CPU, which is supported by the lesser 890M GPU. In both Photoshop and Premiere Pro, utilising the AI features such as timeline expands and generative fill, and utilising local resources rather than cloud, the machine was actually able to cope with that AI processing exceptionally well, taking a few seconds to expand timelines and about 10 seconds to generatively fill when cropped on a rotation.
Of course, a popular choice for the built-in AI hardware is so that you can run a local LLM. If you're just looking to start experimentation with localised models such as Qwen 2.5 7B, which I found was a good fit for this 32GB version, then this is a great place to start. You can essentially set up your own localised chatbot that doesn't need to rely on a cloud connection to work, but more interestingly, you can start to use it to develop your own AI applications.
At a base level, you can get the LLM to help you create a website, write code for you, and I was interested to see if it could create a static HTML site. It could be updated by connecting to GitHub and Cloud Pages. What's interesting here is that there was some tweaking, even though I hadn't fully automated the process. The LLM, which was running locally, was able to use a local web server to develop and run the application, and as I worked on the project, I realised it was more my own personal knowledge of the system rather than the abilities of the machine that was the limitation of what I was developing.
However, the upshot is that the AI potential runs locally; it takes a bit of fiddling to set up, as ever. Once running, it gives you a real good insight into this machine’s potential. Once again, as with creative applications, I would definitely upgrade the RAM to handle that AI process and probably attach a GPU just to give it a boost. At present, whilst that 890M GPU is a good standard, it is starting to look a little dated, given the full potential of how we're using our machines.
Checking out the scores in 3DMark and Geekbench, it was interesting to see the GPU score in Geekbench. The GPU came out at 34,145, not a bad result for an integrated GPU and more than enough for playing many games at HD resolution.
Sure enough, when loading Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, I was able to enjoy some pretty smooth gameplay. In some of the games I played, both Indiana Jones and Cyberpunk 2077, the official GPU specifications are actually higher than what is on offer here. However, the gameplay is still exceptionally well handled thanks to that CPU's power.
Benchmark resultsCrystalDiskMark Read: 6190.03
CrystalDiskMark Write: 5524.9
Geekbench CPU Multi: 12069
Geekbench CPU Single: 2922
Geekbench GPU: 34145
PCMark Overall: 8090
Cinebench CPU Multi: 4668
Cinebench CPU Single: 495
Fire Strike Overall: 5141
Fire Strike Graphics: 5544
Fire Strike Physics: 30903
Fire Strike Combined: 1839
Time Spy Overall: 2424
Time Spy Graphics: 2149
Time Spy CPU: 8906
Wild Life Overall: 12516
Steel Nomad Overall: 2165
Windows Experience Overall: 8.1
Getting back to work, this time loading DaVinci Resolve to do some colour grading, it was interesting to see how well the machine handled quite intensive grading on video footage before exporting. You can once again see a bit of lag due to the 32GB of RAM, but ultimately, it's impressive for a machine of this size, and if a GPU were connected, this would definitely rival far larger workstation PCs.
Again, when running Blender, I had to create some 3D models for an upcoming 3D print to test the machine. It was more than capable of handling quite sophisticated modelling requirements, and I was impressed with just how easy it was to work within the application compared with what I'm used to on my MacBook Pro M1 Max, which has for years been my chosen option for utilising Blender. Again, there's no doubt that a bit of an eGPU boost would have been appreciated, but this machine is more than useful right out of the box.
At the end of the test, it's obvious why this is a premium mini PC and not just because of the cost. The design is exceptionally well thought out, simple and functional, rather than going for some sleek, stylish design. What impressed me was that, even under load, when the fans kick in, the noise stays at a reasonable level and the machine stays cool. There's no thermal throttling, or at least no notable thermal throttling through the test, especially when using the video editors, which is usually where you can start to see a real slowdown in the timeline as it builds in length.
Whilst I'm relatively new to using these small machines for LLM models, I am slowly getting to grips with running similar systems on network-attached storage. It's great to see the speed boost I'm getting from these mini PCs. At present, the processing speed of that LLM model is far faster on this A9 Max 2026 Edition than I've seen on most other options.
So, overall, from productivity to creativity to running your own localised LLM, at present, the Geekom A9 Max seems like an exceptionally good option.
- Performance: 4.5 / 5
By the end of this test, there's no doubt that the price reflects the specifications and performance of this mini PC, and it's a great choice if you're a heavy-process Windows user and you just want a small box that sits on your desk behind your monitor rather than a full-blown desktop workstation.
It’s worth pointing out that if you want to see this machine's full potential, connect it to an eGPU, boost the RAM and internal storage, but still, the 32GB, 2TB version that I'm looking at in this review is exceptionally powerful and, for creative use, was able to plough through video editing and image enhancement without issue.
What impressed me most was the localised potential of AI. Being able to download and install a local language model and use it both for chat and for a few more advanced creative options was good to see, as it showed just how well these local language models work and how stable they can be in your own offline environment.
Running a local LLM isn't quite as straightforward as most of the applications, and the download and install process does take a little bit of working out, especially when you want to start connecting it to external resources. But this machine and its processing speed do make that a little easier, and the potential, if you are looking for a local AI development machine, is exceptionally good.
Of course, the reason you go for a mini PC over a full desktop is that it saves a lot of space and is often a lot cheaper. However, here, whilst the size of the mini PC is compact, once you connect an eGPU and external SSD, and upgrade the RAM and internal storage, the pricing really does sit directly alongside a standard workstation, so it's really only if you are strapped for space that you probably want to go for the fully specced-out option.
But then it’s ultra-portable, so if you're working in the field for video or image production and you need a really powerful machine to take with you, not just a laptop, then this is a superb solution, and plenty of connectivity options on both the front and back make it extremely flexible. I do wish, however, that it had at least one USB-C port on the front, not just tucked away at the back.
The network connection was also pretty good at 2.5 GbE, and with your options, it's easy to connect directly to a NAS box as well as the network, which gives you plenty of user options.
If you're looking for workstation performance in a compact box, then the GEEKOM A9 Max 2026 Edition is a superb option. It's small, fast and has loads of potential, not just for Windows productivity but also for creative and local LLM use.
Whilst there's no doubting the performance of this machine, the price does make me think you are paying a premium for its small size, and for most people who have enough space for a workstation, that's probably going to be a cheaper option. However, if you're strapped for space in your office or workshop, or you need a machine that's fully portable and extremely powerful, then this is a great solution.
If you really want to push this model to the max, max out the capacity and RAM, and attach a decent eGPU, there's no doubt the GEEKOM A9 Max 2026 Edition will match most mid-level workstations without issue.
Should I buy the GEEKOM A9 Max 2026?Value
Premium build with a good selection of ports, but it is exceptionally expensive for a mini PC
4/5
Design
I love the understated design. It fits easily on your desktop, and with the VESA mount, can be discreetly positioned
4.5/5
Features
A huge range of features for a mini PC and, best of all, plenty of upgrade potential
4.5/5
Performance
Incredibly fast and perfect for most user workloads, especially if you're looking for AI development or creative use
4.5/5
Overall
Powerful mini PC that rivals the performance of many workstations, but does come with a price premium
4.5/5
Buy it if...Need compact power
If you need the power of a workstation in a compact, potentially portable form, this is an ideal option.
Use many displays
If you need a mini PC connected to multiple displays, the dual HDMI and USB4 ports let you connect up to 4 4K displays directly from the back of this small machine.
Don't buy it if...Need a gaming GPU
While you can play games at those lower resolutions and enjoy perfectly smooth performance, if you want the full immersive gaming experience, you'll also need to consider an eGPU, as the Radeon 890M is good but does have its limits.
Only browse casually
For many users, the power and speed of this machine will probably be overkill, and whilst it is nice to know that you've got all that power in the background, there are plenty of cheaper options out there.
For more productivity machines, we've tested the best business computers.
Categories: Reviews
I gamed with MSI's new 4K QD-OLED monitor and it was the eye-popping HDR experience I've been waiting for
MSI MPG 322UR QD-OLED X24: One-minute review
Exactly two years ago, MSI rolled out its debut 4K OLED gaming monitor. Now here we are with the new MSI MPG 322UR QD-OLED X24, one of the first gaming monitors to get Samsung's newly upgraded 4K QD-OLED panel tech.
Superficially, of course, this 32-inch 4K gaming monitor is a dead ringer for its direct predecessors from MSI, most obviously the MSI MPG 321URX. It sports exactly the same chassis design, for instance, and a mostly similar feature set. But that new QD-OLED panel makes this a rather different proposition.
The resolution and refresh rate actually remain the same. So, that's 3,840 by 2,160 pixels and 240Hz maximum refresh, the latter being plenty for a 4K display. You're not going to be able to drive it beyond that speed in most games. The response times are carried over, too, which is just fine given we're talking about a lightning-quick rating of 0.03ms.
So, what exactly is different? The first hint that you've got Samsung's latest five-layer Tandem QD-OLED tech is in the full-screen brightness rating. That's up from 250 nits for previous 32-inch 4K QD-OLEDs to 300 nits. And while the peak HDR brightness remains pegged at 1,000 nits, the VESA DisplayHDR certification has been bumped up from True Black 400 to True Black 500, indicating more HDR punch.
All of that is enabled by a new third-gen emissive OLED material which Samsung also says is twice as durable as before. That's important because it means this new QD-OLED should be even more resistant to burn-in, a potential if unlikely problem that's also covered by the three-year warranty.
(Image credit: Future)Another feature of the new panel is a revised surface material that reduces the purple tint in bright ambient light that all QD-OLEDs have thus far exhibited. MSI calls it Dark Armor Film and while it doesn't entirely eradicate the issue, black levels and perceived contrast are definitely improved.
However, there is one new-gen QD-OLED feature missing from this revised 32-inch 4K panel. The true RGB-stripe subpixel structure, as seen in another MSI monitor we reviewed recently, the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36, isn't included here. On paper, RGB-stripe is desirable for precision rendering, especially fonts. In practice, this 32-inch 4K monitor has sufficient pixel density to make that a pretty moot point. It's very crisp and precise.
Whatever, the overall result of the upgrades is, if anything, more impressive than the incremental spec improvements imply. This is a gorgeous, vibrant monitor. Importantly, it's much richer and subjectively punchier than similar monitors based on LG's competing WOLED panel tech.
Full-screen SDR brightness is likewise now strong enough for almost all realistic use cases. But the real showbiz stuff is HDR gaming. The combination of 4K pixel density with the speed, contrast, lighting precision and outright pop of Samsung's latest QD-OLED tech, all heightened by the glossy screen coating, is downright fabulous.
Long story short, this new 4K QD-OLED panel really is approaching something akin to the perfect 2D display technology. There are still a few detail weaknesses. But overall, this 4K MSI beauty absolutely wallops any similar LCD display. It's not even close.
MSI MPG 322UR QD-OLED X24: Price & availability- How much does it cost? $1,099 / £999 / AU$1,799
- When is it available? Available now
- Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia
At $1,099, the new MSI MPG 322UR X24 is a touch more expensive than MSI's first 32-inch 4K QD-OLED monitor at launch two years ago. But you do get a much improved panel.
It's also a fair bit cheaper than the likes of the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM Gen3, which uses exactly the same Samsung-sourced new-gen QD-OLED panel, but goes for about $1,299.
Of course, this is still a pretty expensive display. That's the reality with OLED technology right now. You have to pay a hefty premium versus LCD-based monitors of the same size and resolution. However, it's worth noting that there's a good chance that MSI will launch a slightly de-featured but cheaper-still variant of this monitor in the near future.
- Value: 3 / 5
Screen size
32-inch
Resolution
3840 x 2160
Panel technology
Samsung QD-OLED
Refresh rate
240Hz
Response time
0.03ms
HDR
DisplayHDR 500 True Black
Brightness
300 nits full screen, 1,000 nits peak HDR
Connectivity
HDMI 2.1 x2, DisplayPort 2.1a, USB-C with 98W PD, 2x USB-A hub
MSI MPG 322UR QD-OLED X24: Design- Familiar looks
- Good connectivity
- Reassuring warranty cover
In terms of styling, little has changed with the new MSI MPG 322UR X24. It looks just like the MSI MPG 321URX did back at launch two years ago.
It's not the most striking monitor design. But it's pretty well built and slick enough thanks to slim bezels and a low-key, all-black design ethic. You also get a good range of adjustment, including tilt, height, swivel, rotate and pivot, albeit the latter doesn't go all the way round into portrait mode.
As for connectivity, that includes a pair of HDMI 2.1 sockets, DisplayPort 2.1, a USB-C interface with 98 watts of power delivery and a two-port USB-A hub. The USB-C connectivity means you can share this monitor between, say, a gaming desktop and a work laptop with particular ease and minimal cable clutter.
(Image credit: Future)Burn-in, of course, remains somewhat of a worry with OLED display technology, even if several third party long-term tests have shown that it's not a major problem with Samsung's QD-OLED tech. So, it's good to see that MSI has included several burn-in compensating features such as pixel shifting. You also get burn-in cover as part of MSI's three-year warranty. At minimum, you needn't have any concerns during the warranty period.
Finally, fans of glossy screen coatings will be pleased to learn that the MSI MPG 322UR X24 comes so equipped. It certainly heightens the visual impact of QD-OLED panel technology, even if that comes at the cost of increased reflectivity. In short, glossy screen coatings are a preference thing, they have pros and cons.
(Image credit: Future)- Design: 4 / 5
- Fantastic new QD-OLED panel
- Stupendous HDR experience
- Full-screen brightness now "good enough"
Samsung's first effort at a 32-inch 4K QD-OLED panel for PC gaming monitors was pretty stellar but had a few arguable issues, including somewhat limited full-screen brightness and a purple tint that was visible in bright ambient light.
The MSI MPG 322UR X24 upgrades that experience with a new generation of QD-OLED technology that directly addresses those shortcomings. And it really is closing in on QD-OLED perfection.
First up, there's the overall vibrancy and punch. The full-screen SDR experience is now surely good enough for the vast majority of use cases and preferences. It's worth noting that the full-screen experience is, if anything, subjectively better than the official 300 nit rating implies.
The panel contrast still suffers a little in really bright ambient light. (Image credit: Future)That's because, unlike LG's competing WOLED tech which relies on additional white subpixels to achieve its peak brightness rating, Samsung QD-OLED panels are pure RGB tech. Long story short, QD-OLED panels have better colour brightness and this MSI monitor has some serious SDR zing as a consequence.
Of course, where it really delivers is with HDR content and games. It really is hard to overstate how much better this monitor is than any LCD-based panel, even one with full-array local dimming, when it comes to the HDR experience. This new QD-OLED panel takes the usual advantage of OLED panel tech, which is perfect per-pixel lighting, and adds even more punch and sizzle. It's spectacular.
For this monitor, MSI has also implemented its EOTF boost mode technology. It's designed to combine the best aspects of both the VESA HDR 400 calibrated mode with the HDR Peak 1000 nits mode and give the highest brightness and image detail for both darker and brighter HDR gaming scenes. In short, it does just that and means you can use EOTF boost mode for all HDR content and be confident you're getting a good experience.
Of course, along with all that goodness specific to the latest QD-OLED tech, you're also getting the razor-sharp image detail and pixel density of 4K on a 32-inch panel. It's an incredible combination, and the overall result is genuinely spectacular.
So, is it perfect? Not quite. The new panel film does indeed reduce the purple tint of QD-OLED technology in bright light. But it doesn't entirely remove it. Apart from that, well, you really are into nit-picking territory. The panel's color temperature remains just a touch warm. And the concerns I mentioned around burn-in will remain in the context of really long term use. But this monitor truly is the art of QD-OLED panel tech very nearly perfected.
- Performance: 4.5 / 5
Value
At $1,099, the MSI MPG 322UR QD-OLED X24 isn't exactly cheap. But then, what 4k 32-inch OLED gaming monitor is? At least this new MSI has Samsung's latest and most impressive 4K QD-OLED tech.
3.5 / 5
Design
MSI hasn't changed much, design-wise, versus the previous model. But that's mostly a good thing and includes excellent connectivity.
4 / 5
Performance
The new-gen Samsung QD-OLED panel is a zinger. It's punchier, the purple tint problem is reduced and all the usual 4K OLED goodness remains.
5 / 5
Final score
This is not a cheap monitor. But it is as close to a flawless 4K OLED experience as you can currently get.
4.5 / 5
Buy the MSI MPG 322UR QD-OLED X24 if...You want the ultimate 4K OLED experience
The MSI MPG 322UR QD-OLED X24 packs Samsung's new-gen 4K QD-OLED panel and it's definitely closing in on perfection.
You want a true HDR experience
Forget every LCD monitor, ever. This is the way HDR is meant to be experienced.
You're into multi-tasking
While this is a fairly large 32-inch display, there's no doubting ultrawide monitors do multi-tasking better.
You want a real bargain
OLED monitors are generally expensive. The new-gen QD-OLED panel in this one adds a further premium.
- Originally reviewed in May 2026
Categories: Reviews
Sihoo Doro C300 Pro V2 review: A robust ergonomic office chair with more features than you probably know what to do with
The Sihoo Doro C300 Pro V2 aims to keep the premium chair styling of some of Sihoo’s other chairs while also being a bit more wallet-friendly. Not everyone has north of $1,000 to drop on an ergonomic chair, and for those who do, they likely don’t want to spend it on just any chair; they want to make sure it’s a good value.
That’s where the C300 Pro V2 comes in. This chair obviously reminds me a lot of the other Sihoo Doro chairs I have tested. But it also reminds me of the Hinomi line of chairs, with a thousand areas to adjust to make it comfortable.
Sihoo Doro C300 Pro V2: Unboxing and First Impressions(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )My unboxing experience for the Sihoo Doro C300 Pro V2 was unique in a few ways. First of all, I had to have two delivered. My first model had a damaged wheel, but when flagging to Sihoo, they sent me a second chair.
Once I got the second chair, I had just assembled one of the fastest and easiest chairs (of the ones I had to actually assemble, some come fully assembled), so my tolerance for building is slightly tweaked. That being said, assembly took a full 30 minutes, with about 8 minutes just for unboxing everything. Sihoo has always been a company with many pieces, and they ensure that every piece is properly packaged individually, resulting in a lot of material to remove from the individual elements before assembly.
While assembling, I noticed that the letters on the included diagram did not match anything on the pieces, but instead matched the diagram. I then had to refer to the diagram to confirm which screw type to use, for example. Also, I was slightly frustrated and slowed down by having to use the included hand tool instead of my Hoto Tools screwdriver.
Once built, the chair feels high-quality, the materials seem likely to last, and there’s no squeaking or creaking. So now the question remains, is the build time worth the comfort of the chair? I think it’s worth consideration.
Sihoo Doro C300 Pro V2: Design & Build Quality(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )The Sihoo Doro C300 Pro V2 is mostly a sleek, elegant white mesh, with a PU-coated armrest and a rigid frame. The chair itself is quite comfortable, all while looking very modern and clean. It’s not your average office chair, nor your average cheap Amazon home office seat. Nay, this is a high-brow, powerful-feeling office chair that feels like it belongs in NASA, not in a home office.
While using this chair, I haven’t noticed any wobble or shake, and I haven't had any concerns about base stability, rolling wheels, or leaning back. While this may not be the look that everyone wants, the comfort is hard to deny. I remember the first round of Sihoo Doro chairs that I tested. I was genuinely impressed by how comfortable the spaceship-like chair felt, even on long days.
The mesh seating provides a good balance of support and comfort. The seat doesn't feel like a hammock, which is always a good sign for more expensive chairs. In general, there aren’t any spots that feel cheap or plasticky. Which could be a bit shocking. Not because Sihoo has a bad rap, but because this chair has a ton of moving parts, and that many moving parts could easily result in squeaks, loose tolerances between parts, and so on. But again, what is fantastic is that this has not been the case with the C300 Pro V2 yet.
Another thing to note is that this is a massive chair. I’ve tested a lot of chairs, and some just feel robust, some feel quaint. This chair feels beyond robust. It feels like the difference between a RAM 1500 and a base Ford F-150, or an iPad Pro 13-inch with a Magic Keyboard vs an iPad Air with a thin folio.
Some of the chairs that I have recently tested and am currently testing, along with the C300 Pro V2, are significantly narrower and less… intense… for lack of a better term. Next to a smaller desk, say a 24-inch or even a 48-inch desk, this chair will look massive. But if you have a larger desk, perhaps in the 60-inch range or beyond, this chair will probably fit right in, depending, of course, on some other variables too.
Sihoo Doro C300 Pro V2: In use(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )I’ve had this chair back for about a week and a half after getting the replacement unit. So far, after several hours a day using this, I haven’t had any discomfort. It took me a little while to dial the chair in; with so many adjustable options, I kept wanting to make sure every setting was dialed in.
Personally, I see the benefit of the multi-functional armrests for some, but since I am not a gamer, I just keep them in the same general spot. But if you want to use this as an after-hours gaming chair or relaxation chair, too, you’ll be set.
The lumbar support is nice, and I do feel a good amount of support in my upper back when seated, too, though it doesn’t hit me at 6’1” exactly where I wish it did. But if you’re a tad shorter, it would probably be perfect for your lower back.
One thing I absolutely love on chairs like this, though, is the breathable mesh. I’ll say it time and time again: I run warm, so sitting in some of these very soft, non-mesh chairs I have, as comfortable as they are, I feel like I am sweating within a few minutes. With the mesh on the C300 Pro V2, though, I feel like my body can breathe even for long working sessions.
I’ve used this chair for intense writing sessions, leaning back a bit during virtual internal meetings with my team, more alert and focused in client meetings, and while working on project management and other tasks. Unless I am 100% locked in, which does happen pretty frequently, I am fairly fidgety. My leg is bouncing, my feet are moving, and I find myself twisting a little in my chair, even. So far, with all my movements, I haven't heard a creak or a squeak.
Sihoo Doro C300 Pro V2: Final verdict(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )At the end of the day, this is a spectacular chair when you sit in it. The hesitations come with the build time, the complexity, and the design language, but primarily because it’s a distinct chair. It doesn't blend in and takes up a lot of space. So, if you’re the kind of person who likes that, this may be a dream come true, but if not, then this may not be the chair for you, and that’s okay.
However, if you do want a more robust chair, if you have the space for it, and you want a chair that you can fiddle with to make fit your every possible position of work play rest and everything in-between, then this may just be exactly what you are looking for.
Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // FutureFor more top-performers, we've tested the best office chairs.
Categories: Reviews
Pages
Custom Search