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Lepow TriScreen Pro review: This 27in 4K monitor with dual detachable 16in side screens is a space-saver for your desk

Sat, 04/18/2026 - 08:15

Lepow TriScreen Pro: 30-second review

The Lepow TriScreen Pro arrives as several parts: the main 27-inch display with two 16-inch panels that can be attached to the side in either landscape or portrait orientation, the stand and some cables. The assembly takes a good ten minutes and can be a little fiddly, despite the quality of all the CNC aluminium, which gives it a premium feel.

The main 27-inch display is impressive, with a thin metal bezel, a matte anti-glare finish, and a build quality that will look great in any office, home, or even design studio.

Where this monitor differs from all others is the modular 16-inch panels, which can be connected to the main monitor via Transformer connectors. Not only do these connectors enable the attachment of the additional panels, but they also contain the power and data connectors, so once clicked into place, there’s no need for any additional connections.

To start the test, I set up the monitors with my MacBook Pro, and thankfully, the instruction manual was reasonably clear; it soon became apparent there would be no hope of figuring out the setup without it.

Essentially, a USB-C cable carries all the required data, or you can use an HDMI cable and a secondary USB connection for the data. You’ll also need to download and install the USBDisplay app, which can take some time to find.

Once the software is installed, things can start to get a little tricky, as USBDisplay requires Screen and System Audio Recording permissions in the Mac Settings> Privacy and Security options. If these permissions have not been granted, the side panels won’t work.

Once you work this out, as it isn’t obvious in the manual, it all makes sense. On PC, the process is closer to plug and play; in both cases, once the software is in place, it gives you the additional options that include adjusting the monitor's orientation so you can mount them landscape or portrait.

After I’d got through the initial configuration process and everything was running across all three screens, the usefulness of this setup became apparent.

When it comes to display quality, the main 27-inch 4K display is bright, sharp, and colour-accurate enough for content creation and social media work, with 98% DCI-P3 coverage that makes it well-suited to anyone working with video and online imagery. The side panels at 1920×1200 are not color-critical displays, so for email, terminal windows, chat applications, and reference material, that’s where they’re really become useful.

The connector mechanism that links the side panels to the main display is clever, but it’s also the design's weak point. During the review, one of the side panel connectors wouldn’t clip correctly at first, leaving a very slight tilt that took plenty of fiddling to resolve.

However, once fully clipped in, everything felt solid, and tilt and articulation work well, with both side panels mirroring the angle of the main display as a single unit.

While there are a few rough edges with the product, the concept is sound. After a month of using it as my main display, it doesn’t quite match my studio panels for quality, but the price and the amount of desk space it saves make it definitely worth consideration.

Lepow TriScreen Pro: Price and availability

How much does it cost? From approximately $1059
When is it out? Available now
Where can you get it? Directly from Lepow official store

The Lepow TriScreen Pro is available direct from the Lepow website, where it's priced at $1059.

The system includes the 27-inch main display, two 16-inch side panels with proprietary connectors, an HDMI cable, a USB-C cable, a power supply, and a carry case.

Value: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Lepow TriScreen Pro: Specs

27-inch Main Display

Resolution: 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD)
Panel: IPS, 10-bit colour
Refresh rate: 60Hz
Colour gamut: 98% DCI-P3 / 100% sRGB
Brightness: 500 nits
Factory calibration: ΔE <2
Viewing angle: 178°
Finish: Anti-glare, CNC aluminium chassis
Speakers: Built-in stereo
VESA: 100 x 100mm

Dual 16-inch Side Displays

Resolution: 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA)
Aspect ratio: 16:10
Panel: IPS
Refresh rate: 60Hz
Brightness: 350 nits
Colour gamut: 100% sRGB
Viewing angle: 178°
Weight: 0.75kg per panel
Connection: Proprietary clip connector to main display

Lepow TriScreen Pro: Design

The TriScreen Pro's CNC aluminium chassis looks great and marks it out against many of the plastic-bodied monitors on the market; however, a close look shows that the CNC design is simple, and maybe doesn’t have the close attention to design detail that I’ve seen on many high-end displays.

That said, the main 27-inch display still feels solid and has a slim metal bezel, a matte anti-glare surface, and a solid base with decent height adjustment and tilt, enabling good flexibility in positioning the screen.

On the back of the monitor are the buttons for the on-screen display’s menu access. This menu is functional but basic in appearance; however, that also makes it straightforward to navigate for brightness and colour adjustments and some more advanced options.

As a standalone 27-inch monitor, it’s a well-made solution and nicely finished, but it’s the modular expansion that makes this monitor somewhat unique. Connectors on the back enable you to attach the two 16-inch side panels. It’s actually possible to mount even more monitors using these connectors if you feel the need.

The connectors feature a dual-mechanism system, magnetic for initial alignment, followed by more robust physical clips that properly secure the connection. In practice, the magnetic element makes it easy to position a panel quickly, but the clip mechanism requires a firm press and careful checking.

The first panel I mounted crashed to the desk surface, leading me to check the connection more closely as the test progressed. I will say, the panel itself was absolutely fine despite the small drop.

The right-hand panel, which was the one that didn’t clip correctly, took time and effort to clip in correctly, and for a while, I left it with a slight tilt, eventually using a bit of force to ensure it was all properly seated. When you first set up these displays, it's worth spending time to check everything is secure, and don’t assume the magnetic connection and click of the clasp has done the job; a second check and wiggle of the connection seems to be needed.

Once assembled and properly clipped, the side panels articulate nicely; they can be drawn inward for a more immersive configuration or pushed back for a wider spread, and they hold position well.

Tilt adjustment on the main display moves all three screens as one unit, which works well. What really stood out to me is that despite there being three monitors, the overall footprint on the desk is kept to a minimum, one stand rather than three, and it’s all good and solid.

The connection ports are all around the rear of the 27-inch display and include HDMI, USB-C, and DisplayPort inputs alongside the power input. When it comes to the 16-inch side panels, they each draw their signal and power through those connectors interfaced with the main display. You can then connect to the machine using a single USB-C cable or an HDMI and USB-C cable, which is required to carry data. In this review, I’ve used HDMI and a USB connection.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Once assembled and properly clipped, the side panels articulate nicely; they can be drawn inward for a more immersive configuration or pushed back for a wider spread, and they hold position well.

You can then connect to the machine using a single USB-C cable or an HDMI and USB-C cable, which is required to carry data. In this review, I’ve used HDMI and a USB connection.

Design: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Lepow TriScreen Pro: Features

Unlike most displays that only feature a single monitor, here there are three, the 27-inch and then the two 16-inch. There’s also the stand and the connectors, which all need assembly.

The features of the main 27-inch display are about average for a monitor at this price, and there is a premium for the metal build and innovative design. When it comes to the main panel, it’s 4K with a resolution of 3840×2160 using an IPS panel with 10-bit color, 98% DCI-P3 and 100% sRGB coverage, and ΔE <2 factory calibration.

This specification is mid-range and makes it a great option for content creators, social media producers, and general office use. If you’re looking for a display for critical colour work that requires Adobe RGB, then this monitor won’t come up to spec.

It’s worth noting if you’re a professional photographer or videographer, as you’ll need a monitor with a wider color space. That said, for online content, social media, and video work, the P3 coverage is more than sufficient.

The brightness at 500 nits and 1000 nit HDR figure gives you a good amount of flexibility and should be bright enough for most locations and uses.

Alongside the visuals, the monitor also features built-in stereo speakers, which are designed for web conferencing and calls.

Finally, coming onto the two 16-inch side panels, these are identical and feature the contacts to connect to the main monitor. Each is rated at 100% sRGB with no DCI-P3 claim, which just highlights that the main monitor is for the main work, and the two side monitors are for productivity, reading email, media, etc.

These monitors are 1920×1200 with a 16:10 aspect ratio, and can be mounted either landscape or portrait, which means you can adapt them to your use, which makes them a good choice for email, browsing the internet and through this test, terminal sessions.

While on a PC, there is some plug-and-play functionality; on the Mac, the USBDisplay software needs to be installed before you start. This software enables the Mac to recognise the displays and seems to be an extremely lightweight application that essentially sits in the menu bar on Mac. You only need to open it if you need to change the orientation of one the side monitors.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Features: 4 / 5

Lepow TriScreen Pro: PerformanceBenchmark scores

Spyder X2 Calibration Results

27-inch Main Display

Gamut: 5.0/5
Tone Response: 3.0/5
White Point: 4.5/5 | Measured 6600–6700K
Contrast: 5.0/5 | Peak 1740:1 at 25% brightness
Luminance Uniformity: 4.5/5
Colour Uniformity: 4.0/5
Colour Accuracy: 4.0/5
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Peak brightness (measured): 353.7 nits at 100%

16-inch Side Panel

Gamut: 5.0/5
Tone Response: 4.5/5
White Point: 2.5/5 | Measured 7200–7500K
Contrast: 5.0/5 | Peak 1700:1 at 25% brightness
Luminance Uniformity: 2.5/5
Colour Uniformity: 4.5/5
Colour Accuracy: 3.5/5
Overall Rating: 4.0/5
Peak brightness (measured): 333.2 nits at 100%

Throughout the test, I had several mini PCs land on my desk, so it seemed this monitor would be a perfect option for these small machines. Alongside the variety of Mini PC’s, I also used my MacBook Pro and a Windows desktop PC, and in all cases the TriScreen Pro provides a solid performance once set up.

The first thing that I noted about the monitor was that it isn’t simple plug and play on the Mac to a greater degree than the PC; software is required to make it work properly, and without that installation, the two side monitors won’t work at all.

Thankfully, the manual is pretty good, or at least better than many that I have come across recently and getting the monitors set up was relatively straightforward, especially on the PC.

On the Mac, however, the process was a little more challenging, as I had to locate the software download I needed, and the official website had very little in the way of support materials or direct links to what I needed; thankfully, the manual gives you just enough to complete the process .

Once the software was installed and I’d gone through the initial permissions and authorisations needed to work on the Mac, both monitors flickered to life, and I was able to use the Mac OS to configure the screens in a way that I wanted.

After a bit of adjustment, the monitor layout I decided on was to have the main 27-inch display, mirroring the MacBook screen, the left panel showing email, and the right panel showing a terminal window for ongoing development. This configuration just makes seeing everything without having to flick through the screen much easier; all the apps and windows that I would usually flick between are all open.

Through the test, the 27-inch display was used as the main display, and this proved to be a decent option for the content creation and social media work. The colour and tone looked great, and I liked the matte finish of the screen.

However, when the monitor arrived, the screen did look a touch too warm, and popping into the settings, I was quickly able to adjust this to cool the colours and get a more natural-looking display.

To make sure the screen quality was as good as it could be, I then used the Spyder X2 Ultra calibration tool to calibrate the monitor before running tests.

The Display Analysis confirmed a high score for the 27-inch monitor, with Gamut and Contrast both scoring 5.0/5, Luminance Uniformity at 4.5/5, and Colour Accuracy at 4.0/5.

The lower Tone Response at 3.0/5 was a bit of a surprise with the monitor set to a gamma of 2.2 by default, while this is not obviously apparent in everyday visual use, it’s something worth noting.

I was also surprised when the peak brightness result came in at 353.7 nits at 100%, which is well below the claimed 500 nits. However, as you should never use the monitor at 100% especially in a studio environment, the brightness for the intents of this review is fine.

Alongside the 27-inch monitor, there are the two 16-inch panels that use those specialist connectors to clip into the side of the unit. These monitors are of a much lower specification; still, despite being limited to a 1080p resolution, the results for Gamut and Contrast both scored a full 5.0/5.

One point I initially noted about the smaller monitors was that their colour temperature was notably different out of the box. Measuring the white point for the 16-inch shower, a value of 7200–7500K, while it read 6600–6700K on the main display.

This difference is notable, and again, once the Spyder calibration was run across all three panels, it brought them far closer in appearance. If you’re working in a colour-sensitive environment, calibrating before use is definitely a good idea.

Essentially, if you’re looking to use this monitor in office use, the difference in colour temperature between the monitors can be adjusted using the brightness settings through the OSD.

As ever, where these additional displays come into real use is when editing. Using Final Cut Pro X on the main display while having Adobe Podcast on one of the small screens processing audio, while an email was displayed on the other small display, really did help to save time.

It was good to see that even with the additional monitors attached, there didn’t appear to be any dropped frames or lag. I was also pleased to see that the USBDisplay app ran quietly in the background with no prompts or anything to distract during use.

On one occasion during the test, I had the MacBook screen open as a fourth display alongside the three TriScreen panels, and was impressed, as this is well beyond the typical MacBook Pro display output limit, which really highlights just how effective the USBDisplay approach is.

Switching between Mac and PC required minimal reconfiguration; all that was needed was for the HDMI cable to be moved to the PC, the USB-C reconnected, and the software was installed if not already.

On PC, the setup was far more straightforward than the initial Mac configuration, but once set up and permissions granted, there was little to split the use between the two operating systems.

Performance: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Lepow TriScreen Pro: Final verdict

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Lepow TriScreen Pro is a great idea and very innovative. While I initially had a few issues with the connection and the Mac setup was a little convoluted, the end result worked incredibly well.

After a month of daily use, I have warmed to the design, especially the amount of space it saves with the two smaller monitors around the large 27-inch.

and4K main display is great fneral office use and social content creation, being well-built, colour-accurate, and comfortable to use, with those three screens enabling you to see all your applications open at once.

The initial setup process on Mac does need to be better documented, as some steps, such as the software download, are included but not explained. Then there’s the side panel connector mechanism, which is again a great innovation but just feels like it needs a little more refinement to ensure consistent, solid clipping the first time.

The white point difference between the main display and side panels before calibration is an issue. If you’re using these for creative work, however, this is easy to calibrate if you have the likes of the DataColor Spyder X.

I was also surprised to see that the monitor even at 100% brightness didn’t come close to the expected brightness, however in practice in the studio office where the monitor brightness was set at around 50%this wasn’t an issue.

At $1,059, the TriScreen Pro is a decent purchase, especially considering it replaces three separate monitors with one unit and gives you back a decent amount of desk space in the process.

Should I buy the Lepow TriScreen Pro?

Value

Three screens for $1,059 with a full aluminium build, making it neater than buying three equivalent separate monitors.

Design

CNC aluminium chassis and matte finish look premium. The connector mechanism, however, needs more refinement.

Features

27-inch 4K at 98% DCI-P3 is well specified for the office and content creation, and the design of the side panel mounting is innovative.

Performance

Main display measures 4.5/5 overall from Spyder. While there is a white point mismatch with the side panels, it’s easy enough to resolve

Overall

A well-built triple-screen system that uses a unique setup that cuts down on cables and desk space.

Buy it if...

You need three screens in minimal space.

The TriScreen Pro manages space better than three separate monitors and keeps all three displays as one integrated unit.

You're a content creator.

The 27-inch 4K display at 98% DCI-P3 is well-suited to online video and image content work, and the side panels are a definite asset.

Don't buy it if...

You need total color accuracy.

The side panels are 100% sRGB only, with no Adobe RGB or DCI-P3 specification.

You want a gaming monitor.

The 60Hz refresh rate across all three panels and the size differential between the 27-inch centre and 16-inch sides make this best for productivity and creative work.

For more picks, see our guides to the best business monitors and the best portable monitors.

Categories: Reviews

I was one of the first to test Sony's latest Inzone headset, and it sets a new standard for open-back gaming audio

Sat, 04/18/2026 - 07:00

Sony Inzone H6 Air: two-minute review

True to its name, the new Sony Inzone H6 Air wired gaming headset is incredibly lightweight. Coming in at just 7oz / 199g (and only slightly more with the detachable cardioid microphone attached), it’s among the lightest gaming headsets on the market.

This isn’t just impressive on the spec sheet either; when paired with the wonderfully soft earcups, it easily creates one of the most comfortable headsets I’ve tested. You can wear the Sony Inzone H6 Air for hours at a time with minimal fatigue. In fact, it’s easy to forget that you’re even wearing it at all.

Sony hasn’t made many compromises to achieve that impressively slight weight either. The overall design is very similar to the equally superb Sony Inzone H9 2, albeit with numerous holes in the aluminum outer earcup shells to create an open back. Under the hood, the Sony Inzone H6 Air packs the same drivers as Sony’s open-back MDR-MV1 studio monitor headphones, which is known for excellent sound. Studio monitor headphones are generally quite flat, but the drivers have been specifically adapted for gaming with enhanced bass.

The sound is far from unbalanced, though, and I’d argue that the default profile is pretty much perfect for almost all uses. The open-back design creates a lovely, wide soundstage that adds a real depth to gaming audio. Every time I fired a weapon in a match of Battlefield Redsec, the soft clink of spent bullet casings was impressively life-like and sounded just like it existed in a real 3D space.

FutureFutureFuture

The Inzone H6 Air is still good for music listening and more general use, too, as the bass isn’t overly strong in its default configuration. Jumping into the compatible Inzone Hub software lets you customize the equalizer (EQ) profiles and save them to the included USB-C audio box for use across console platforms.

Although I stuck with the default settings for the most part (finding them to be by far the most balanced), the ‘RPG/Adventure’ profile (designed in collaboration with the PlayStation Studios team) is a highlight — enabling an immersive spatial effect that’s perfect for getting lost in vast virtual worlds.

Sadly, this is pretty much the only reason to touch the software, as the few other features it offers aren’t particularly compelling. The aggressive bass boost mode is frankly unlistenable, while the dedicated first-person shooter (FPS) settings seem a tad unnecessary when the strong directional sound already gives you a decent advantage in competitive settings. The software’s dedicated 360 spatial mode is also highly unpleasant, creating an unconvincing surround effect at the cost of rendering all sound incredibly tinny and weak.

These software shortcomings are only minor gripes, though. At the end of the day, you’re still getting absolutely amazing audio right out of the box.

Sony Inzone H6 Air review: price & availability

$199 / £175 / around AU$330
Mid-range price for high-end components
Strong value proposition

The Sony Inzone H6 Air is priced at $199 / £175 / around AU$330, putting it in the mid-range market segment. It is slightly more expensive than the Turtle Beach Atlas Air — another open-back model designed for gaming, which costs $179.99 / £159.99 / AU$299 but lacks the premium materials of the Sony headset.

Sharing its studio-grade drivers with the MDR-MV1, the Sony Inzone H6 Air also has significantly stronger audio chops. Better still, Sony’s Inzone offering is roughly half the price of its MDR-MV1, making for a strong value proposition.

Sony Inzone H6 Air review: specs

Price

$199 / £175 / around AU$330

Weight

7oz / 199g

Compatibility

PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Mobile

Connection type

Wired (3.5mm / USB Type-C)

Battery life

N/A

Features

Detachable cardioid mic, spatial sound

Software

Inzone Hub

Sony Inzone H6 Air review: design and features

Similar design to the Sony Inzone H9 2
Intuitive controls
Premium materials

There’s a tendency for particularly lightweight products to feel cheap, but that’s far from the case with the Sony Inzone H6 Air. Its design is similar to the sleek and stylish Sony Inzone H9 2, maintaining the same overall shape and a winning headband that offers a good level of adjustment. The main difference between the two is the perforated shells on the outside of the H6 Air’s earcups, which are constructed from a premium, sturdy-feeling aluminum.

These holes are what make the H6 Air an open-back headset and allow for a much wider, more natural-feeling soundstage than closed-back designs. There are some caveats inherent with all open-back models, though, namely the tendency for background noise to seep through. Sound also leaks out of the headset through these holes, so it’s not a design you’ll want to wear in a public setting.

The on-board controls are very basic but highly intuitive, with everything located on the left earcup. There’s a big clicky microphone mute button (with a distinct bumpy texture that makes it easy to find without looking), volume dial, 3.5mm audio input, and a 3.5mm port for the detachable cardioid microphone. My headset came with the volume dial cranked down all the way to mute, so don’t panic if your model doesn’t make any sound when you first plug it in — fiddle around with it for a moment and set it to your desired level.

The headset comes bundled with a USB-C audio box — a little dongle that can save any settings you create in the Inzone Hub software and allow you to bring them over to your console or phone. It seems to be the same audio box included with the Inzone E9 in-ear gaming headphones, which offer similar functionality.

(Image credit: Future)Sony Inzone H6 Air review: performance

Pristine audio
Ideal for gaming and audio listening
Background noise can be an issue

Unlike most gaming headsets, the Sony Inzone H6 Air has quite a neutral sound profile. There is some level of punchy bass, but unlike some gaming models, it’s never overpowering.

Clarity and directionality seem to have been the goal for Sony here, and the Inzone H6 Air excels on both fronts. This is most obvious when listening to music, as the impressively wide soundstage allows for excellent instrument separation.

In a gaming context, every individual sound effect is clearly defined, even in moments of intense action. Dropping into a match of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 on the hectic Nuketown 2025 map, I was pleased to find that enemy footsteps were easy to track despite an abundance of gunfire, explosions, and other loud audio cues.

The same was true in a few matches of Battlefield Redsec, where the clean, crisp sound gave me a newfound appreciation for the game’s high-fidelity weapon effects.

(Image credit: Future)

It’s not just great for FPS titles, either; the Sony Inzone H6 Air excels at a wide variety of genres. Modern open-world role-playing games (RPGs) are a particular treat, especially ones that already benefit from strong sound design.

Wandering 16th-century Japan in Assassin’s Creed Shadows showcased this well; the game’s strong atmosphere was elevated by perfectly reproduced details like the faint trickle of running water from nearby rivers and the subtle rustlings of trees in the wind. Enabling the ‘RPG/Adventure’ profile in the Inzone Hub software kicks all of this into overdrive, adding an extra layer of directionality to the sound.

The included microphone is great too. It won’t replace a premium standalone model, but it captures your voice and does a decent job of drowning out background noise. You still won’t want to use this headset in loud environments, though, as it lets in a lot of background sound.

You can hear your own voice clearly while chatting with friends, keyboard taps, and any passing sirens. This is an inevitable trade-off in any open-back model. I think the sound quality on offer more than makes up for it here, but it will make the Sony Inzone H6 Air a poor choice for some.

If you need strong noise cancellation, consider the Sony Inzone H9 2 (which boasts some effective ANC) instead.

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Sony Inzone H6 Air?Buy it if…

You want an incredibly comfortable headset
The Sony Inzone H6 Air is incredibly lightweight, weighing just 7oz / 199g. It’s very comfortable to wear as a result, and is ideal for even the longest gaming sessions.

You’re after studio-quality drivers for less
Powered by the same drivers as the significantly pricier MDR-MV1 studio monitor headphones, the Sony Inzone H6 Air gives you high-quality audio at a reasonable cost.

Don’t buy it if…

You play near others or in loud settings
The open-back design means sound can easily get in or out. Consider alternatives if you play near others or in environments with lots of background noise.

Sony Inzone H6 Air review: also consider

Here are two other great headsets to consider alongside the Sony Inzone H6 Air.

Sony Inzone H6 Air

Turtle Beach Atlas Air

Sony Inzone H9 2

Price

$199 / £175 / around AU$330

$179.99 / £159.99 / AU$299

$348.00 / £299.00 / around AU$489

Weight

7oz / 199g

10.6oz / 301g

9.2oz / 260g

Compatibility

PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Mobile

PlayStation, PC, Nintendo Switch, Mobile

PC, PS4/PS5, Xbox Series X/S (wired only), iOS/Android, Switch, Switch 2, Steam Deck

Connection type

Wired (3.5mm / USB Type-C)

Wireless 2.4GHz / Bluetooth 5.2 / Wired

2.4 GHz Wireless, Bluetooth, USB Wired, 3.5mm Analog

Battery life

N/A

50 hours

30 hours

Features

Detachable cardioid mic, spatial sound

Flip to mute high-bandwidth mic, floating ear cups, 40mm drivers

Detachable mic

Software

Inzone Hub

Swarm II app

Inzone Hub

Turtle Beach Atlas Air
This open-back model from Turtle Beach is weaker than the Inzone H6 Air on an audio front, but makes up for it with a lower price tag and wireless connectivity.

For more information, check out our full Turtle Beach Atlas Air review

Sony Inzone H9 2
If you’re willing to spend a little more, you can pick up the superb Sony Inzone H9 2 gaming headphones instead. They sound great and boast desirable features like ANC, but are heavier and have less directional sound.

For more information, check out our full Sony Inzone H9 2 review.

How I tested the Sony Inzone H6 Air

Used for over a week
Tested with a wide range of games
Compared to other gaming headsets

I tested the Sony Inzone H6 Air ahead of its official reveal, going hands-on with a unit for more than a week. During that time, I used it extensively for work (that meant plenty of meetings), play, and music listening.

I tried the headset with a wide range of games from a variety of genres, including racing in Forza Horizon 5 and Need for Speed Unbound, FPS with Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Battlefield Redsec, and RPG in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

Although the majority of my time spent with the headset was on PC, I also used it with my PlayStation 5, mobile phone, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch 2 to assess its compatibility.

Astell & Kern's off-shoot brand just dropped some of the best budget audiophile earbuds of the year — and you won't believe how cheap they are

Sat, 04/18/2026 - 04:30

Activo Scoop review

The Activo Scoop in-ear monitors are designed to be as smooth as a pebble, in just about every way possible. Physically, they’re light, rounded, and sculpted. Sonically, Astell & Kern’s sub-brand Activo has attempted to craft IEMs with “smooth resonance,” and supply a sound that’s as natural and “gentle” as possible.

If we’re talking about design, I’d argue that Activo has just about nailed the audio-equipped pebble. The Scoop IEMs are sleek, have a polished feel and with an attractive white finish. They are a little bit chunky in the ear, and the attached cable is on the thick side, but I found the IEMs to be pretty comfortable for longer listening sessions, and I never had to deal with over-zealous cable noise or any connectivity issues.

But I want to focus more on the Scoop’s sound, and how well it adheres to the pebble theme. As you’d expect from a pair of IEMs, the overall sound profile is fairly balanced, and the Scoop are largely focused on an “organic” presentation that steers clear of harshness, according to Activo. But how good do they really sound? And can they really compete with some of the best wired earbuds on the market?

Well, I’m pleased to report that they’re pretty strong performers, especially given their budget-friendly pricing. Their five-driver setup — which features one 8mm dynamic, two 6mm dynamic, and two balanced armature drivers — supplies clean, articulate sound, with subtle detailing and a genuinely impressive soundstage.

In This Is All I Have for You by Makoto Matsushita, I was struck by the Scoop’s revealing sound. In the introduction, rhythm guitar was beautifully balanced in the mix, almost occupying its own unique pocket. However, it never sounded incoherent with other instruments in the mix — it danced beautifully alongside rapid and responsive percussion and full-sounding, funky bass.

Even after vocals entered the fray, the Scoop maintained a disciplined and balanced approach. And as subtle strings and percussive elements reared their heads, the Scoop ensured that they were clear, but never over-emphasized.

When I compared the Scoop against my trusty Sennheiser IE 200, I found that the former had less of a ‘warm’ sound profile, opting for more of an agile and snappy bass response. Sure, that may be a bit less exciting for some listeners, but for professional users — or those who simply prefer a more neutral sound — that could be a positive.

All in all, I did feel as if the Scoop took a more natural approach than the IE 200, although I did realize that they went a bit more aggressive on the highs.

In Entertainer by Ruze, higher-pitched percussion sounded more forward in the Scoop. That’s not to say that treble sounds were tinny or harsh — but they were noticeably more subdued using Sennheiser’s in-ears. In other tracks, like Tale of Two Cities by Darren Rahn, claps in the build-up again sounded pretty eager on the Scoop, and I do think that some may prefer how the IE 200 stayed their hand up top.

To be clear, I did still enjoy the Scoop’s expressive treble overall, and although I think some may prefer a bit more emphasis in the low-end for casual listening, I commend their rich, detailed sound. You get capable and solid instrument separation, with just about every part of the frequency range celebrated and with room to express itself, as well as controlled audio, even at higher volumes.

(Image credit: Future)

Beyond their admirable audio, the Activo Scoop supply quite a few positives. The most obvious is their broad selection of connectivity options: 3.5mm, 4.4mm, and USB-C. If you want to switch from 3.5mm to USB-C, for instance, all you have to do is unscrew the 3.5mm connector, plug the USB-C alternative in, twist that on…and hey presto — you’re away.

Having so much variety makes the Scoop ideal for using while mixing or mastering in a professional setting, or using on your modern smartphone for casual listening sessions. There’s no in-line controller, which is pretty common for IEMs, but otherwise they’re very well-equipped.

For instance, you get a bunch of different-sized eartips, and picking the right size will be crucial. A perfect seal won’t only deliver optimal audio quality, but it will improve passive noise isolation — crucial for blocking out pesky external sounds in your environment.

I went for the medium size as usual, and getting a comfortable feel was fairly straightforward. I found the foam eartips to be a little fiddly, although they did work very nicely — especially when it came to noise isolation. The clear silicone alternative was my go-to, however, both for ease-of-use and for its clear look, which was a better match for the white IEMs, visually speaking.

It would also be remiss of me not to mention the included case, which is very similar to that of the Activo Volcano. It offers plenty of room for your IEMs, different connectors, and eartips, it’s fairly compact, and it only boosts the Scoop’s value-for-money score.

Speaking of value, I have to say, the Activo Scoop are priced very generously indeed. They come in at $99 / £99 (about AU$140), and they feel worth every penny. With well-refined audio, wide compatibility, good passive noise isolation, high build quality, and even a case thrown in, it’s hard to knock these IEMs, value-wise. The buds themselves are even detachable, meaning you can add your own cable if you’d prefer, making them a versatile option.

Downsides? OK, I do find the Scoop quite chunky in-ear, and their bulky cable and connectors can’t compare to the diminutive Sennheiser IE line. And yes, you would be able to get IEMs with a bit more space for vocals and even better detail at a higher price point. On a personal note, I’d probably prefer the slightly bassier and sexier Meze Audio Alba, but they’re about $60 / £40 (about AU$100) more than Activo’s IEMs, making the latter a seriously tempting proposition.

All in all, the Activo Scoop are a great pair of in-ear monitors that — in spite of their low price — don’t skimp on quality. Their versatile connectivity and natural sound signature makes them a swell choice for both personal and professional use, they offer solid customizability, and they’re pretty comfortable to boot.

They’re not the most compact, and those with smaller ears may be better off with a model like the Sennheiser IE 200. Sennheiser’s rival IEMs also produce a bassier sound, with more subdued treble, which fans of certain genres may prefer. In the end, though, the Scoop seem like an improvement on Activo’s previous lower-priced effort, the Volcano, and I can’t help but admire their sonic and physical fidelity to the humble, water-sculpted pebble.

(Image credit: Future)Activo Scoop review: price & release date

Priced at $99 / £99 (about AU$140)
Released in March 2026

In March 2026, Astell & Kern revealed that the Activo Scoop were coming to the UK market. They are typically priced at £99, placing them heavily on the budget end of the spectrum. The Scoop will cost $99 when they’re available in the US, which we're told is a certainty, although we’re not aware of a specific release date just yet.

Activo Scoop review: specs

Drivers

1x 8mm dynamic, 2x 6mm dynamic, 2x balanced armature

Weight

5g (per bud)

Frequency range

20Hz-20kHz

Connectivity

3.5mm; 4.4mm; USB-C

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Activo Scoop?

Attribute

Notes

Score

Features

Detachable cables, multiple connectivity options, solid passive noise isolation, no in-line controller.

4.5/5

Performance

Natural sounding IEMs with impressive detail and soundstage, bass not seismic, but well controlled and agile.

4/5

Design

Well-finished and built to a high standard, but pretty chunky driver housings with a bulky cable.

3.5/5

Value

Fantastic low price for the features and sound quality they deliver.

4.5/5

Buy them if…

You want audiophile quality at an affordable price
If you want to take the step into audiophile-grade sound, then the Activo Scoop are a strong entry-level option. They offer plenty of attention to detail across the frequency range, and nail the natural sound signature they set out to provide.

You need IEMs for casual and analytical purposes
The Activo Scoop come with three different connectors: 3.5mm, 4.4mm, and USB-C. That means you can easily hook them up to a laptop, some decks, your phone…you name it. That makes them ideal for all kinds of devices, and all kinds of listening.

Don’t buy them if…

You want imposing bass
The Scoop’s sound signature is intended to be gentle and organic, meaning that deep dark bass doesn’t sound particularly imposing. Their approach to the low-end is more centered around agility and cleanliness, which results in brilliantly responsive, but less forward-sounding bass.

You’ve got smaller-sized ears
For me, the Activo Scoop felt a tad chunky in ear, something I also found when using the Activo Volcano. Those with smaller ears will probably experience this to a stronger degree, but don’t worry, the options listed below are top alternatives, and still come in at a modest price-point.

Activo Scoop review: also consider

Activo Scoop

Sennheiser IE 200

Meze Audio Alba

Price

$99 / £99 (about AU$140)

$149.95 / £129.99 / AU$239.95

$159 / £139 / AU$239

Drivers

1x 8mm dynamic, 2x 6mm dynamic, 2x balanced armature

7mm dynamic

10.8mm dynamic

Weight

5g (per bud)

4g (per bud)

14g (with cable)

Frequency range

20Hz-20kHz

6Hz-20kHz

15Hz-25kHz

Connectivity

3.5mm; 4.4mm; USB-C

3.5mm

3.5mm; USB-C

Sennheiser IE 200
I’m a big fan of the Sennheiser IE 200, which are affordable, lightweight, and stylish. Sonically, they’re arguably the Yin to the Activo Scoop’s Yang. After all, they have a deeper, darker sound, with warm bass and more subdued highs — a contrast to the more agile, light bass of the Scoop, which also opt for a more forward presentation up top. They still sound spectacular, though, and in spite of their singular 3.5mm connectivity option, I’d still recommend them highly. Read our full Sennheiser IE 200 review.

Meze Audio Alba
The Meze Audio Alba are some of my favorite budget IEMs thanks to their stunning looks, awesome audio quality, and incredibly comfortable in-ear feel. If you want a little more bass, then these are a great choice. Sure, they have a relatively neutral tuning, but their slight bump in the low-end is tasteful and engaging. They’re slightly pricier than Activo’s buds, but their looks alone feel worth the increase, in my view. Read our full Meze Audio Alba review.

How I tested the Activo Scoop

(Image credit: Future)

Test over the course of several weeks
Mainly tested using Tidal
Tried using various connectivity modes

I tested the Actio Scoop IEMs over the course of multiple weeks, and used their various connectivity methods along the way — predominantly listening via 3.5mm with my Windows laptop and USB-C alongside the Nothing Phone 4(a).

When listening to music, I started — as usual — with the TechRadar testing playlist, which includes tracks from a wide variety of genres. However, I also listened to tunes from my personal library. For the most part, I used Tidal to stream music, however I also dipped into Spotify from time to time.

In the past, I’ve tested the Activo Volcano, so I had clear expectations in mind for Activo’s budget friendly IEMs, but I’ve also tested other budget models from the likes of Meze, and have tested more premium monitors like the Sennheiser IE 600 and Shure Aonic 3.

Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
First reviewed: April 2026

Categories: Reviews

I would ditch all my headphones in favor of these brilliant open earbuds' stacked feature set, were it not for one flaw...

Sat, 04/18/2026 - 04:30

Shokz OpenFit Pro: Two-minute review

Shokz knows its way around a pair of open earbuds. At the time of writing, the brand has three entries in our best open earbuds with good reason — it is one of the few companies out there dedicated to the fitness headphone/bone conduction market.

With the OpenFit Pro, though, Shokz seems to be courting new customers. Whereas the OpenRun Pro 2, clip-on OpenDots One and our market leader the OpenFit 2+ were targeted at a sports-specific market where audio accompaniment of any kind saves us from the monotony of a freezing early-morning January run or a rain-lashed cycle commute, the OpenFit Pro are different.

Sure, they're still tailor-made for runners, cyclists and general sporty types — including tennis, in my case — but the OpenFit Pro are pushing the barriers of what open earbuds can be for dyed-in-the-wool audiophiles. Want Dolby Atmos with head-tracking tehcnology? They've got it. Want customizable EQ profiles, in addition to the five provided by the Shokz app? They've got them. Want support accessories for an even more secure fit? Yep, them too.

Even want active noise cancellation? OK, they've not quite got that — these are still open earbuds, after all — but they do have what Shokz calls 'noise reduction', courtesy of a synchronized dual-diaphragm driver and triple-mic system with the Shokz ear-adaptive algorithm. This is incredibly rare in open earbuds and the results are mightily impressive. Sure, they can't block out everything in the way a pair of in-ears with active noise cancellation can, but in 'noise reduction mode' they do a damn good job if you need to keep regular life at bay and concentrate.

With Bass Boost selected from one of the five EQ presets, they deliver a punchy, nuanced sound that is impressively clear and detailed. The Dolby Atmos with head tracking is a welcome addition, especially in an office environment when turning your head from side to side to speak to colleagues, and delivers responsive sound to the ear that is closest to the source device.

Design-wise, the carry case is small enough to fit into your pocket, battery life is superb-to-relentless and the comfort akin to wearing air. On more than one occasion, I'd forgotten I was wearing them. While exercising, I never felt like they would slip, let alone fall out, especially after I fitted the rubber o-ring for extra stability.

The Shokz OpenFit Pro, then, are audiophile-friendly open earbuds that fully warrant their place in the best we've tested. They may be a little on the expensive side compared to the competition, but when you consider the aural additions these feature that almost no other open ears possess, they're worth it.

Open earbuds used to be the sole preserve of runners or cyclists who wanted to listen to background music without getting mown down by traffic. Not any more.

Shokz OpenFit Pro review: Specifications

Component

Value

Water resistant

IP55

Battery life

12 hours (earbuds, noise reduction disabled), 50 hours (total)

Bluetooth type

Bluetooth 6.1

Weight

12.3g per earbud

Driver

Ultra large 11 × 20-mm synchronized dual-diaphragm

Shokz OpenFit Pro review: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future / Andy Murray)

Released January 2026
Priced at $249.95 / £219 / AU$399

The Shokz OpenFit Pro launched at CES in January 2026 and went on sale immediately. You can pick up the OpenFit Pro for $249.95 / £219 / AU$399 RRP, though there are some discounts available already via some retailers.

That makes them a fairly hefty chunk more expensive than our class-leading Shokz OpenFit 2+ ($179.95 / £169 / AU$350), but still (just about) cheaper than the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds at launch. So the big questions are what bang do you get for your extra buck(s), and are they worth the expense?

In order: lots, and yes.

Shokz OpenFit Pro review: Features

(Image credit: Future / Andy Murray)

12-hour battery life, 50 hours with case
Noise reduction, not cancellation, is excellent
Bluetooth 6.1; IP55 for water- and dust-resistance

The biggest criticism usually laid at any open earbuds' door is their lack of versatility. Sure, they're great if you want to listen to something while working out — that's why a sporty type, like me, is doing this review while TechRadar's brilliant audio editor Becky Scarrott, who did the initial experiential, is indisposed with a frozen shoulder — but you would want something much punchier and full-blooded for everyday listening. They're a second pair, nothing more.

The Shokz OpenFit Pro want to be more, and we'll come on to that, but first let's deal with their fitness side. I hate anything jammed into my earhole, so their open-ear design is perfect for me, and allowing external ambient sounds through is essential for the running and cycling I mostly did while wearing them during a month-long stint working at the recent 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

While cycling, your ears are your mirrors and the balance between listening to Only God Knows by Young Fathers and hearing traffic behind me was about perfect. When running, especially the 3.5km between hotel and office at the Winter Olympics, I could at all times hear the maniacal Milanese drivers who would otherwise have mown me down without a second's thought had I been too zoned in on Fontaines D.C.'s Romance LP.

Connection, that includes multi-point pairing, was never a problem thanks to the Shokz' uber-stable Bluetooth 6.1 technology and nor was getting extra sweaty with their IP55 rating good for water and dust resistance.

In my (windowless) office in Milan, I also used the OpenFit Pro to transcribe athlete flash quotes and take reliably crystal-clear calls from reporters despite the high-pressure, higher-noise newsroom environment surrounding me. The same was true when calling my fiancée — your aforementioned Techradar audio editor, no less — from a packed pizzeria and an evening watching figure skating from opposite ends of the arena (it's a long story).

(Image credit: Future / Andy Murray)

The battery life is more than above average and borders on the relentless. Shokz promise 12 hours of listening from a single charge, plus another 50 hours from the slimline and lightweight case, which I found to be about bang on. On a couple of occasions I ran into the office with only the earbuds, used them regularly to listen to and transcribe interviews on a 10-hour shift and ran back to the hotel. They lasted all day and even got me back into the office the following morning (this time with the charging case in my back pocket).

In a bit of rush? No problem, 10 minutes of fast charging will give you four hours' listening. Wireless charging is also an option, albeit at a slower pace. Sure these figures come down a bit when you turn on 'noise reduction' mode — six hours from a charge, another 24 from the case — but we're still talking about listening periods firmly in the 'every day' territory.

Time to talk about why you'd want to. That 'noise reduction' mode really is excellent for a pair of open earbuds. It's basically impossible for the Shokz to have ANC but the noise reduction technology, helped by the brand's SuperBoost technology, ear adaptive algorithm and synchronized dual-diaphragm driver, does a great job of blocking out more of the world.

The companion Shokz app is also a boon. It's home to five EQ presets, plus two options to create your own sound profiles, and is also the destination to turn on 'noise reduction' (touch control toggles are also available), Dolby Atmos and head tracking technology. You can also customize those multi-point connections and use the very useful 'Find My Earbuds' function.

The overall impression is very positive. Sure, closed earbuds have a bigger feature set in general — but the fact that all this exists in a set of open earbuds, is pretty impressive indeed.

Features score: 5 / 5

Shokz OpenFit Pro review: Sound quality

(Image credit: Future / Andy Murray)

Noise reduction excellent for open-ear design
Dolby Atmos and head-tracking technology
Treble can overwhelm

The difference in price between the Shokz OpenFit Pro and the vast majority of their competitors can be explained in how they sound, or at least, how they try to sound. Remember, at a price touching $250, Shokz are going after an audiophile market here.

For the most part, they succeed. The detail at the low end — especially with EQ preset Bass Boost turned on in the Shokz app — is impressively dynamic, and weighty enough to almost make you forget that these are open earbuds. Wet Leg's Chaise Longue loses none of its lustrous early bass power thanks to that synchronized dual-diaphragm driver, while Age of Consent by New Order enhances the propulsive force of Peter Hook's four-string.

If treble is your bag, you're also in luck, but you've really got to love it. Treble Boost brings forward guitars and vocals — only accentuated further if you switch on the Vocal setting in the app – which sound at their best for semi-spoken word songs like Go! by Public Service Broadcasting but for my money it's to the detriment of the overall sound profile.

Bass gets lost and the treble overwhelms to the point it sounds a little tinny, rendering a song as good as The Concept by Teenage Fanclub almost unlistenable — so much Norman Blake and Raymond McGinley rhythm guitar and almost no Gerard Love woozy bass.

(Image credit: Future / Andy Murray)

You can also create your own EQ in the app, which, though a little fiddly, does do a good job in establishing a Goldilocks setting just for you. In the end, though, I listened almost exclusively in Bass Boost mode and felt all the happier for having done so.

The OpenFit Pro's aforementioned noise reduction mode does as good a job as can be expected from a set of open earbuds. Helped by a triple-mic system (up from two in the OpenFit 2), Shokz's ear-adaptive algorithm can predict external noise and delivers a solid reduction in what you hear. In the app, you can also select how much noise reduction you actually want with a toggle, although I didn't notice much difference. You will, though, have to crank up the volume to a Spinal Tap 11 if you want to block out the world around you — in doing so, I had a notification on my phone telling me I had "exceeded the recommended limit for audio exposure" over the previous seven days. This has never happened to me before.

I tended to use noise reduction only when in an office environment and needed to focus — I'm not the biggest fan of ANC in general and found the noise reduction here too manufactured to the point of slight nausea — but it's easy to turn on and off with either the buds themselves or using the Shokz app. On my flight home, it also made an appreciable difference to both aircraft and wailing baby noise, albeit nothing compared with my Cambridge Audio Melomania P100s, which combine an over-ear seal with ANC.

Elsewhere, the combination of Dolby Atmos and head-tracked spatial audio is a winner. It upscales TV on the Radio's Wolf Like Me without sounding too muddy, while listening again to Tidal's Dolby Atmos version of Wet Leg's Chaise Longue was a transformative experience. With both Dolby Atmos and head-tracking switched on, the bass-heavy intro is punchier, with extra clarity, and you feel 'in the mix' much more throughout.

When a breathy 'what?' halfway through the first verse appeared from apparently behind my right ear, I genuinely turned around, certain a prank was being played on me by a sleep-deprived Olympics colleague. Only when the same happened moments later in my left ear, having turned my head, was I finally assuaged that it was vocalist Rhian Teasdale with some Dolby Atmos help. You might think it's a gimmick, but it genuinely felt like she was in the room.

Sound quality score: 4.5/5

Shokz OpenFit Pro review: Design

(Image credit: Future / Andy Murray)

Super-comfortable and endlessly tactile
Portable charging case
Sound leakage at upper volume a problem

The best thing to be said about the OpenFit Pro's design is that on numerous occasions after pausing a track to deal with a work enquiry, I simply forgot I was wearing them. They really are that comfortable, especially over long periods. They sit snugly around your ear, too, with a handy demonstration from the Shokz app of how to fit them if you're a luddite like me.

Weighing 12.3g, each bud may be a little heavier than our current open-ear market leaders the OpenFit 2+ (9.4g) but, typical of the Shokz oeuvre, the OpenFit Pro's general silicone stylings are supremely tactile. The driver housing is made from an 'aerospace-grade aluminium PMI dome cap' which adds security and a well-positioned nub that sits perfectly to direct sound straight into the ear. It's the same with the charging case, which feels premium and is small enough to fit in your pocket — whether jeans or even running shorts, as I found.

Thanks to the OpenFit Pro, for the first time in my 30 years' playing competitive tennis (yes, my name really is Andy Murray), I listened to music during match training. How your opponent hits the ball is your biggest clue to their shot — its pace, its spin and even its trajectory — and despite listening to Queens of the Stone Age banger The Lost Art Of Keeping A Secret, while warming up I could still hear and track the ball in the way I always have. I wouldn't wear the Shokz for anything more than a 15-minute warm up — my addled brain can only cope with doing so many things at once — but they brought a new way of interacting with a sport I love.

Unlike running and cycling's repetitive movements, tennis' reactive twisting and turning really gave the OpenFit Pro a stability workout to stay on my ears. And they managed it. In tougher rallies, I found my right earbud feeling slightly unstable, but attaching the supplied ultra-soft silicone o-rings to the inside of earpiece sorted that in a heartbeat. I always wear a baseball cap when playing tennis, as well as a helmet while cycling, and neither interfered with the Shokz sitting snugly around my ears.

I regularly put on and took off jumpers, T-shirts and sportswear without having to take out the buds. As if to prove a point, I just put on a hoodie while writing this sentence. The fit really is excellent. The buds, that is. The hoodie has probably seen better days.

Evidence of how easily-bendable the hook is. (Image credit: Future / Andy Murray)

Whether in white or the review sample black I tested, the OpenFit Pro look sleek, smart and unobtrusive — numerous colleagues in Milan were surprised when asking me a question and I'd respond by either taking off the Shokz or using the buds' touch controls to pause.

Those touch controls are great, by the way. Each bud has an easily accessible nub, which does everything. One quick press on either bud for pause, and answer and end call; double click for skip track; triple click for previous track; a quick press followed by a continuous hold does volume up (right) and down (left); and press and hold to toggle noise reduction. These are all customizable in the Shokz app, too. Listening to Fontaines D.C.'s Starburster over and over with that triple click saw me through a couple of 3.5km PBs.

Only in one design area does the OpenFit Pro suffer, and it's one familiar to any regular open earbuds wearer. Despite the clever noise reduction mode, to really block out the world around you'll need to crank the volume, making sound leakage a problem. At 50% volume in a silent room it's barely audible, but start to push things further to drown out external stimuli and it's immediately obvious.

On the morning commute this shouldn't be a problem if you don't want your neighbor to know you're getting your groove on to Chappell Roan's Pink Pony Club, but while my fiancée was watching TV, she could hear my dirty secret from across the room when I tried to drown out her weekend Homes Under the Hammer catchup. Nor does the 'Private' EQ setting particularly help – there's only a negligible improvement for your companion and the bass suffers significantly for you. I wouldn't bother.

Design score: 4.5/5

Shokz OpenFit Pro review: Value

(Image credit: Future / Andy Murray)

In the general scheme of things, the Shokz OpenFit Pro aren't that expensive, it's just that for nearly $250 they come in at the north end of the open earbud market, albeit not quite as pricy as the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds. With noise reduction, Dolby Atmos and head-tracking technology, though, Shokz seem to be targeting these as the only buds you need in your listening arsenal.

So, are they worth it? In audio terms, absolutely. You quite simply won't find a better-sounding set of open earbuds with this feature set, and as sturdy a battery life. I wouldn't necessarily throw out your regular over-ears or ANC in-ears just yet, though. There are times when you need to zone in and hear nothing of the outside world.

That being said, as a pair of sports-specific open earbuds, I don't think you'll find better.

Value score: 4.5/5

Shokz OpenFit Pro review: scorecard

UGreen NASync iDX6011 Pro NAS review: An AI-powered NAS combines workstation-class hardware with genuinely useful local AI

Fri, 04/17/2026 - 16:15

UGREEN NASync iDX6011 Pro: 30-second review

The UGreen NASync iDX6011 Pro is substantial, measuring in at 349 x 260 x 212mm, it sits closer to an ITX PC case than anything you would ordinarily describe as a NAS, and lifting it out of the packaging highlights that this is a serious piece of kit that’s impressive design makes you want to keep it out on show rather than hidden away.

Once positioned in a prominent place in the office, the matte grey aluminium chassis and rounded edges give it a premium, stylish look that departs from the larger rack-mount aesthetics of more industrial NAS hardware. The design and aesthetics are perfect for any design or photo Studio space.

Getting started with the iDX6011 is as straightforward as the other UGreen NAS systems that I’ve looked at. Essentially, each of the six front bays is secured by a flathead key lock, which once pressed, releases so the tray can slide out. You then drop in a 3.5-inch hard drive all without the need for a single screw, then slide it back, and lock. The whole process takes under 30 seconds per drive.

For this review, I installed four 4TB Western Digital drives, configured in RAID 5 via the guided UGOS Pro setup, for a total of 12TB of usable storage, with one drive's capacity matched to the RAID 5 configuration. I used the two M.2 NVMe slots for caching and installed two 1TB sticks.

On the front of the machine is a small vertical 3.7-inch touch LCD that lets you flick through a few stats and information from the system. This is genuinely helpful and interesting, especially as you start to delve into the local AI to monitor resource usage.

One of the uses of this screen came into play during the initial setup, where I was able to quickly see the NAS IP address. It’s only a small thing, but genuinely helpful. The screen also provides a quick glance at CPU, GPU, NPU, RAM, storage, and network load without opening a browser.

Through the initial part of the test, I put the standard NAS functions to the test, and setting up storage for local and shared use worked well. I especially liked that I could use it as a local Dropbox to share files with clients without paying for an external service. I was also able to set up a local media server, although apps such as Plex aren’t currently in the main library, so you can either use JellyFin or Theatre, or use Docker or SSH through the terminal to install and set up.

This is where this machine comes into its own. Through UGOS, it has given you plenty to get started, but if you want more, it seems to support an incredible amount of customisation.

The main focus is on the local LLM options. By default, you have UIiya, which provides a chat interface you can use to perform basic tasks, such as finding documents and photos. What stands out here is that it runs locally with no online connection needed.

As I delved deeper into using AI on the system, I soon ran into limitations with the onboard AI. It’s good, but not as involved as I wanted. However, connecting to the ChatGPT API and to the paid cloud service enhanced the AI tool set to the point that it wasn’t just useful, but could sort through and catalogue a huge volume of images and videos. This not just makes it useful, but completely invaluable, ploughing through mundane tasks at a relatively fast pace.

The AI potential, alongside the standard NAS options, instantly makes this a valuable asset to any studio or business working with multiple files that need to be organised. It enables human commands and a little AI connection to go well beyond any machine I have used to date.

UGREEN NASync iDX6011 Pro Price & availability

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

How much does it cost? $1559
When is it out? Now
Where can you get it? Available May

The UGreen NASync iDX6011 Pro is currently available on Kickstarter here and on the UGreen website where it had an early-bird price of $1,559. The pre-order deposit page here has, unfortunately, sold out. The standard retail pricing has not yet been confirmed.

Shipping for the iDX6011 begins May 2026 and will launch with a three-year warranty and five years of security updates. It’s also worth considering that the drives are sold separately.

Value: 5 / 5

UGREEN NASync iDX6011 Pro: Design

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Specifications

CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 255H
AI compute: 96 TOPS
RAM: 64GB LPDDR5X
System SSD: 128GB
Drive bays: 6x SATA HDD/SSD bays up to 196TB
M.2 slots: 2x M.2 NVMe
Expansion: PCIe Gen4 x8 slot, OCuLink port
Networking: Dual 10GbE LAN
Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbps), USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps), SD 4.0 card reader
Display output: HDMI 8K
Front display: 3.7-inch touch LCD
RAID support: RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, JBOD, Basic
OS: UGOS Pro
AI platform: Uliya (on-device LLM), supports Llama, Mirai, DeepSeek, Qwen; cloud API via OpenAI / Claude
Dimensions: 349 x 260 x 212mm

The iDX6011 Pro is a relatively large NAS unit that requires a good amount of space, not only for the NAS itself but also to enable plenty of airflow around the back. If you have limited space, then the size and, for that matter, weight might well be an issue.

If you’re considering putting it on a shelf, the 10kg weight of my review unit loaded with four drives might give you an idea of the scale, and at 35 x 26 x 21.5cm, you’ll need some pretty substantial shelving to take the load.

Size aside, this is a stunning-looking piece of kit, so a prominent spot, if only for purely aesthetic reasons, is well worth it. Once positioned, its matte grey aluminium chassis, rounded edges, and numbered front panel with that vertical touch screen all add to the unique look, far removed from the usual utilitarian look of traditional high-capacity NAS hardware.

The six front drive bays across the front are numbered, and in this review, I filled four of them with 4TB WD Red drives, which are an additional purchase. Each drive tray is secured in place with a push-release mechanism, secured by a flathead key lock, making the drive trays completely tool-free. Getting a drive in and out takes under 30 seconds, and the mechanism feels solid.

Alongside the drive bays and the screen, the front also features two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a USB-A and an SD card reader.

The SATA SSDs do require screws, and the M.2 NVMe slots require heatsinks, while the SSDs aren't supplied, everything else is. The NVMe slots are accessible via the right side panel, which uses a hex-key fastener; a driver is included.

The rear of the machine includes three USB-A ports (one 3.2 and two 2.0), dual 10GbE LAN, HDMI 8K, OCuLink, PCIe Gen4 x8, and the power input. The back also features a magnetic dust mesh filter that covers the main fan grille. This simply pulls free to clean when needed, and it's a feature I’m increasingly seeing on NAS systems. Essentially, for a device expected to run 24/7 in a studio environment, keeping dust under control is crucial, so anything that makes cleaning easier is definitely welcome.

One issue with many NAS systems is noise; however, here it is well controlled by a hydraulic rear fan that runs at 29–34 dB. During testing, including sustained transfers and AI processing tasks, the machine remained noticeably quieter than most NAS units at this capacity.

There is of course, the usual hard drive activity sounds, clicks and soft whirs as drives spin up and seek data, but the overall noise is more than acceptable for open studio use.

Design: 4 / 5

UGREEN NASync iDX6011 Pro: Features

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The hardware specification of the iDX6011 Pro reads more like a mini PC than a NAS. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H brings 16 cores, 16 threads, a 5.1GHz boost clock, and 96 TOPS of combined AI compute from the CPU, integrated Arc GPU, and NPU.

That processing power is paired with 64GB of LPDDR5X RAM, soldered and non-upgradeable, though 64GB is more than sufficient for any workload this machine is realistically expected to run. Through the test, it proved capable of handling multiple simultaneous large-file transfers, AI indexing, transcription, and network file serving without significant slowdown.

As a six SATA bay NAS there’s plenty of flexibility when it comes to how you configure the storage capacity, in this review I filled four of the six bays, but maxed out this system will support hard drives or SSDs up to a theoretical 196TB, that includes two M.2 NVMe slots that are able to add fast caching or dedicated SSD volumes.

On top of the removable storage, there's also a separate 128GB system SSD used for the UGOS Pro, Uliya, and system apps, which are kept separate from user data. When it comes to how you configure the installed storage, you can choose RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, or 10, and the system guides you through the initial configuration.

Through the bulk of the test, I had the NAS connected to the wired network, which enabled fast transfer over the dual 10GbE networking ports. I also tested the system over the wireless network to check for any compatibility issues.

What I noted during the test was consistent speed throughout, with fast transfers, and the dual Thunderbolt 4 ports that can provide a theoretical transfer rate of 40Gbps, which also proved handy for direct-attached transfers from portable SSDs and Memory cards.

Roughly 10GB of data transferred via Thunderbolt 4 in around 10 minutes for 572 files, averaging approximately 300MB/s. This made offloading a shoot's worth of CFexpress cards to storage a relatively quick option and enabled me to access and share the contents easily without needing to rely on a paid-for service. This alone makes this a valuable investment, with the cost of my WeTransfer subscription topping over £200 a year.

The traditional NAS functions and features are well integrated, and the UGOS is slowly developing into a solid platform. However, it’s the AI platform centred around Uliya, UGREEN's own on-device assistant, that really starts to make this NAS interesting and something totally different to anything else on the market.

Out of the box, it runs UGREEN's own lightweight language model, and additional models, Llama 3.1 8B, Mirai 7B, DeepSeek 7B/8B, can be installed through the AI Console app or via Terminal, which through the use of the NAS I came to rely on to get the most out of the system and not just for the AI features.

The full use of some features or models did require Terminal setup and cloud API keys for the Cloud-enabled features; however, these were all relatively easy to sort out. Support for connecting to cloud APIs, such as OpenAI GPT-4/5 and Claude, is available through a paid API key.

Once connected, you get away from the unique offline AI feature, and the full potential of this machine starts to unlock. The difference between available offline/local and cloud-dependent functions is significant, and I’ll go into this more in the AI and Performance sections.

One of the biggest features of the offline AI abilities is the Voice Memos feature. This isn’t installed by default and needs to be installed from the App section. The Voice Memos app, along with the relevant transcription model, enables on-device audio transcription, summarisation, and mind-mapping.

To test this out, I loaded a 17-minute, 22-second audio file, which was transcribed locally in approximately 2 minutes, with speaker identification, a summary, and a mind map generated without the file leaving the machine or utilising any online service. If you have any type of interview- or meeting-heavy work, client review transcription, or meeting minutes, this feature makes this box incredibly valuable again.

AI is the big feature of the iDX6011 Pro, and it works on several levels that you can get started with right out of the box. Essentially, this NAS has been designed with privacy-first features for the AI assistant, meaning that it’s 100% local to the machine and doesn’t rely on any type of connection to a cloud service.

This means that if you have it on an isolated network, you’re still able to use the AI features to help you organise files, recognise photos, and conduct searches of your drive's content using natural language. You can also use the chatbot to help answer questions about your data.

In practice, some features run locally, and the Uylia does contain an impressive amount of information, even if the knowledge is limited to a cut-off date in June 2024. While most AI features are directly available in the UGOS, others require a Terminal window to get the full experience, and if you want the really advanced interaction, then a paid cloud API is required.

Through the test, I found a huge number of the features worked well locally. Uliya's chat function is a decent offline assistant for general questions. Through the test, it answered photography technique questions with surprising accuracy, generated formatted spreadsheet templates that could be copied into Excel or Google Sheets, and provided useful reference information at a speed that, whilst slower than a cloud equivalent, was still.

For a general-purpose knowledge tool running entirely on-device, it is honestly impressive at its weight class.

Voice transcription, once downloaded and installed, proved to be one of the most impressive features, processing a 17-minute audio file to produce a full transcript with speaker identification, a summary, and a mind map. Essentially, if you have any workflow that involves client interviews, meeting recordings, or video content requiring transcripts, this feature is instantly of interest and requires no API, no subscription, and no data leaving the building.

Photo recognition and file organisation are where the gap between what I expected and what was possible was most apparent. The photo indexing works, but requires re-indexing after new uploads to reliably recognise content, and even then, I found it a little hit-and-miss.

Training the model on specific individuals by adding five to ten sample images of a person improves face recognition to a usable standard. Semantic search for documents worked well for labelled files, but was less effective at finding content within documents.

However, these basic features are already covered by other NAS systems, and I was really looking for something altogether more ambitious. Essentially, sorting out years of image files into an organised filing system. This would require physically moving and sorting thousands of files into date-and-subject folders, processing an entire drive's image library with accurate recognition, and generating contact sheets.

To do this, I needed more power than the onboard language model could provide, so I connected to a cloud API via a Terminal SSH session. Once GPT-5 was connected via the OpenAI API, the machine became a genuinely impressive combination of fast local hardware and cloud intelligence, able to sort, tag, rename, and organise files at a scale and speed that were not achievable with Uliya alone.

There is an issue with this workflow; it requires familiarity with SSH, careful pre-planning of exactly what you want the system to do, and ongoing API costs, which get away from the out-of-the-box solution. But knowing it’s there and usable adds another level to this box.

Features: 4 / 5

UGREEN NASync iDX6011 Pro: Performance

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

As a pure NAS, the iDX6011 Pro performs incredibly well and offers everything you would expect, including storage and apps. In my review sample, I installed four 4TB Western Digital drives in RAID 5 configuration and dual M.2 NVMe SSDs configured as cache, then connected the machine to the wired network and made it accessible through the Wi-Fi router.

Connection speeds on both connections were fast and essentially stable, and through the UGOS, you can easily monitor activity as files cross from one device to another.

The ease of use of the NAS is apparent from the outset: the drives slot into place tool-free, and once powered on, the UGOS guides you through the RAID setup.

Essentially, after inserting the drives and powering on, a QR code on the touch display opens the browser setup, which then guides you through drive detection, RAID selection, and storage pool creation in an easy-to-understand sequence.

For this test, I opted for RAID 5, which gave 12TB of usable capacity from the 16TB of drives installed. I also added two M.2 SSDs as cache, which were allocated via the UGOS Storage Centre. Using SSDs as cache noticeably improves small-file transfer performance, and since I’m using this for website code and images, allocating space on the SSDs for caching makes sense.

The UGOS Pro operating system is well-designed, and having used it in the past, it’s good to see it evolving and becoming increasingly polished. Although the pre-production software I was using had a few stability issues during the review, most were easily fixed.

An example is the Universal Search feature, which disappeared from the desktop app after one update, although it remained available through the browser login. Then Uliya, the AI chatbot, stopped responding altogether after a Terminal session that involved installing and uninstalling multiple language models in succession. Reinstalling the Uylia model seemed to fix the issue.

Quite often if there was an issue, almost always after an SSH session, a full reboot resolved the problem. It’s also worth noting that these problems occurred in an environment where the system was being pushed much harder than most users would. For most standard NAS use, file serving, backup, and media streaming, as was carried out during the later stages of the test, the NAS provided solid performance.

One of the features that I initially thought was more of a gimmick than anything was the front touch display; however, it provides a useful real-time performance view. Watching CPU, NPU, and RAM utilisation during AI transcription and file transfer just gives you feedback on how the hardware is working through the tasks. The display also came in handy during setup, showing the device's IP address without requiring access to the router's admin panel.

Cooling for the NAS seemed well controlled, and while you can hear the fans kick in under sustained load and with AI processing, the machine ran warm but never too hot. The fan noise increased slightly during intensive AI tasks, but it was never overly distracting.

In the initial part of the test, I used the NAS as a straight-out-of-the-box solution, ran the setup, and allocated storage, both local and shared. I then offloaded a CFexpress Type B card from a studio shoot using the Thunderbolt 4 port on the front, and this was all easy enough.

Using the UGOS interface to make the transfer from the CFExpress to the NAS. I then set the new folder to be shared and was able to send it to a colleague for review without using a third-party service such as WeTransfer.

I then copied additional material from a portable SSD, and again the transfers averaged around 300MB/s for a mixed file set of 572 items across approximately 10GB. This was fast enough that backing up a full shoot's card set and moving footage to a working drive felt relatively quick, if not as fast as a direct-attached drive.

What I liked about all stages of using the iDX6011 Pro is that the UGOS Pro operating system offers an easy-to-use user interface, and this ease of use is apparent from the outset.

Through the UGOS, I was then able to use the onboard AI, Uylia, to check the files and the contents of other data I had copied to the NAS. Even after connecting the image files to the Photos App and ensuring everything was properly indexed, the quality of the AI search and file integration through the chatbot was slightly limited. Essentially, it felt more like a chatbot than a true AI assistant at this level.

That said, there are tasks that are genuinely useful, and as I trained the photo model to recognise vehicles, places, and people, it did become progressively more useful. This is a feature that feels like it is still developing, and tighter integration is still required.

Where the onboard AI really comes into its own is with the voice memo app, which can transcribe audio. This worked completely offline and proved to be incredibly accurate and detailed. Not only does it transcribe, but it can also summarise. The initial transcription is quick: 17 minutes of audio takes around 2 minutes to transcribe, while the summaries and mind maps take a bit longer.

The onboard AI is genuinely useful, but still feels limited in its approach and application. However, the potential really comes through when you connect to a cloud model. This does require an API and incurs costs, but the potential is huge.

Once I had connected, I created a “To Process” folder on the NAS, and then a “Photo-Processed” and “Videos-Processed folder”. I then dropped in several GB of images into the “To Process” folder, and the NAS scanned the entire folder of nearly 10,000 images, organised them by date and a descriptor, and provided a contact sheet for each.

To get this to work, I first set up the API, which was straightforward using ChatGPT, then connected via SSH in Terminal on the Mac and gave the machine commands to do exactly what I wanted. This wasn’t a straightforward process, and there was quite a bit of back and forth with the commands, but eventually it worked and with great effect.

This really highlighted just how powerful this machine could be with the right level of skill.

What’s more, the LLMs that I was using were relatively small due to the resources available. However, with an eGPU connected via the OCuLink port, the potential of this processing will open up even further.

As a standalone six-bay NAS, the iDX6011 Pro is an impressive piece of kit, but once you start incorporating the Ai, both offline and online, the potential of this NAS is huge.

Performance: 4.5 / 5

UGREEN NASync iDX6011 Pro: Final verdict

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The UGreen NASync iDX6011 Pro is a major advancement for this level of NAS, and at the price is just about affordable for small to medium-sized businesses and studios. The hardware is impressive, and I haven’t seen anything anywhere near as powerful in a NAS before. The fact that it features a Core Ultra 7, 64GB of RAM, dual 10GbE, dual Thunderbolt 4, six drive bays, and on-device AI is impressive at every level.

If you’re a creative professional or small studio that needs fast, private, high-capacity storage with the processing power to do more than just hold files, this machine is exceptional, with loads of as-yet untapped potential.

The integrated AI is useful in some areas, such as voice transcription, document summarisation, and general knowledge queries, and the fact that it runs offline is also impressive and can be useful depending on your business.

For more advanced automation and file organisation, I found I needed to connect to a more powerful cloud API’s, and to do so, some familiarity with SSH is required, which is quite technical.

That may change as UGOS Pro advances, and the fact that it already has some automated feature Apps, such as image recognition and voice transcription, means there’s plenty of scope for the future.

If you’re a photographer or videographer who wants fast local storage, offline AI transcription, and the option to connect to more powerful AI models, the iDX6011 Pro is a great option. For anyone expecting a plug-and-play AI assistant out of the box, it’s good but nowhere near as fast or as good as some online models.

Should I buy a UGREEN NASync iDX6011 Pro?

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Value

Workstation hardware at a NAS price, great value for the specification, worth highlighting that AI features are still developing.

4.5

Design

aluminium case, excellent build quality, touch display, and dust filter all add to a stunning design

Features

Dual 10GbE, dual Thunderbolt 4, six bays, OCuLink, PCIe expansion, voice transcription, and a local LLM, a unique feature set.

4.5

Performance

Fast transfers, capable AI processing offline, and a RAID setup process that any level of user is able to navigate.

4.5

Overall

A unique NAS with an AI platform that works offline and has huge potential as the platform develops

4.5

Buy it if...

You need fast storage with AI potential.

Fast transfers, private local storage, and impressive offline voice transcription make this a great choice for photographers and videographers .

You are comfortable with Terminal.

If SSH sessions and cloud API setup don't faze you, the iDX6011 Pro has an incredible amount of potential.

Don't buy it if...

You expect an out-of-the-box AI

The AI chat interface isn't the autonomous file manager it promises yet; Terminal and a cloud API are still needed for the best results.

Kickstarter risk concerns you.

The hardware feels finished; however, I sense the software is still developing. At $1,559 on Kickstarter, that is a huge initial commitment.

For more storage solutions, we've tested the best NAS devices.

Categories: Reviews

'A blast from the past': The Maxell Wireless Cassette Player is a magic carpet ride of audio nostalgia

Fri, 04/17/2026 - 15:30

If you want to get looks, clip a Maxell Wireless Cassette player to your backpack and watch the astonishment roll in. My coffee guy could barely contain himself: ''Wow, classic! Boy!" I walked away with coffee, a bagel, and a smile on my face.

At the office, a small crowd gathered around to examine it. All men in their 30s, 40s, or 50s, they recognized the iconic shape and buttons. "What a blast from the past," smiled one. Another pointed and asked incredulously, "It works with Bluetooth?" Yes, I told them, it does, though there's more to that story.

I spotted the "Remix" Maxell Wireless Cassette Player a few weeks back and, though I quickly discovered we'd written about it (or a Maxell very much like it), I wondered if we'd tried it out.

Its appearance on Amazon is part of an ongoing trend: analog, retro gear. Gen Z, in particular, is cozying up to film cameras, physical books, vinyl records, and record players — actually record players that connect via Bluetooth to some very nice speakers.

So, I'm not surprised that this Bluetooth-ready cassette machine exists, but unlike the resurgence of vinyl, I didn't think that cassette manufacturing was similarly on the rise.

I was wrong. One report claimed that cassette tape production surged 400% between 2015 and 2023.

But the truth is, I never see cassettes in the wild. Sometimes I see a guy trying to hand me a CD mix in Manhattan, but even that's rare. There are, though, by some estimates, 30 billion cassette tapes in circulation, and even if just a fraction of them are still with consumers, I bet people are itching for a chance to listen to them again. The Maxell model is not alone, by the way. There's also, among others, this very retro-looking Bluetooth Miko model.

When I decided to buy one of the $99 players from Amazon, I quickly discovered that they're in demand: a 5-to-6 week wait was predicted.

By the time it did show up, I'd all but forgotten about it.

Price and availability

The Maxell Wireless Cassette Player launched in February 2026 and costs $99.99. It is not currently available in the UK.

Specs

Maxell Wireless Cassette Player

Dimensions

6.5 x 1.7 x 5.8 inches

Weight

210 grams

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.4, wired

Battery

8 hours wireless
11 hours wirelss

Ports

USB-C (charge), 3.5mm headphone jack

Design and setupLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / Future

Despite being designed for media made 40 years ago, the Maxell player has a pleasing modern look, with a mostly white, composite body and a band of silver/gray running around the edge that leads you to the simple gray buttons (Fast-forward, Rewind, Play, and Stop) and to the, volumne wheel, ports and tiny Bluetooth button on the side. It's a less fussy design than you'll find on the pricier, $160 player from GenZ (talk about an on-the-nose brand name)

There's also a large clip on the back so you can slip the player on your belt or backpack. I tried both, though settled on the backpack — more on that in a bit.

The face of it has the classic capsule-shaped cutout so you can see your tape and maybe a little bit of the album name. There's a small lip on the right side that you use to flip open the cover so you can slip in a tape. I tried opening the player by putting two fingers on the lip side and my thumb on the other. That was a mistake. It flips open easily with just one finger tip.

Because the entire face of the Maxell Wireless Cassette Player is the cassette door, you can't seat it on its base when you want to load a cassette — the bottom edge will get stuck or make the whole thing tip over. It's not a big deal, but I do wonder if there was a better way to make that cover.

As with virtually all cassette players made over the last 50 years, the cassett slips in top first and with the exposed tape facing up.

Connecting and playing

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

I was not a mix-tape guy, but I used to have a small collection of audio cassettes that I played in my old Hyundai's built-in cassette player. Since that car was gone, I had to go searching for my old box of tapes. I found it under a layer of dust, but the cassettes were in relatively good condition.

I had an old Carly Simon album, the original Broadway production of Chess cast album, some personal recordings of my CBS News Radio appearances (hear me talk about how Internet Explorer 4 might finally overtake Netscape!), and The Traveling Wilburys. You might not know that band name, but back in 1988, they were one of the original super groups, comprising Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, and George Harrison. I loved that album.

I slipped in that last tape and then plugged in a pair of wired headphones (just to see if the thing worked). It does not ship with headphones or a charging adapter, but you do get a USB-C charging cable.

There's also no power switch or button. Instead, if you hit any of the three main buttons and it just starts, winding, rewinding, or playing. I pressed play, which was quite satisfying, I must admit, and heard the quartet's instantly identifiable sound coming through my headset.

Bluetooth connectivity turned out to be somewhat more challenging.

Making the connection

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

Directions for Bluetooth connectivity are relatively spare, and it's in moments like this that you realize just how spoiled we are by ever-present screens.

The only indication of the player looking for and establishing a Bluetooth connection is a tiny blue light. It flashes in search mode and stays on when the connection is established.

My goal was to connect the Maxell Wireless Cassette Player to my Apple AirPods Pro 3. The Maxell manual instructs you to put your Bluetooth device in pairing mode and then press and hold the Bluetooth button on the player to put it in pairing mode. That's it. They should find each other.

They did not.

No matter what I tried, I could not get the AirPods Pro connected. At one point, though, I thought I heard a sound from my TV in the next room. After 30 minutes of trying, I walked into the living room and turned on my LG C5 OLED TV. Then I placed the Maxell cassette player in front of it and hit play.

Yep, it had connected to my TV.

On the bright side, I could hear the music, but I also didn't plan to take my TV with me.

Take 2

,The next day I took the Maxell player with me to work and, while sitting on the train, I was able to successfully connect to the AirPods Pro. My guess is there was just too much Bluetooth crosstalk in my house.

Maxell claims that after the first connection, the headphones should automatically connect to the Maxell Player. Sometimes that was true, but not consistently.

For my walk to work, I put the Maxell Wireless Cassette Player on my belt. Unfortunately, it could not connect to my AirPods. So I moved it up to a backpack strap that put it inches from my head.

Bingo.

It worked, and I listened to clear, rich audio with great highs, excellent mids, and good-enough lows. The connection, though, was not always solid. It literally broke if I turned my head the wrong way. Even so, I enjoyed the experience and the reactions.

Battery life

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

Maxell rates the player for 11 hours of playback wired and 8 hours using Bluetooth. I unboxed it and started using it, and have yet to charge the player. Again, though, the lack of a screen means I have no idea how much juice is left

Listening to cassette tapes is not just analog; it's a serial experience. Songs are lined up sequentially on tape. You can't jump around or see either what you're playing or what's coming up. Oh, and if you want to hear the rest of the album, you must remove the tape, turn it over, and slip it back into the player.

Mostly, I didn't mind this. I also don't care about the lack of recording capabilities. I don't plan on creating new cassette tapes. Though it was fun rediscovering tapes I last played when I was in my 30s, hearing my youthful, recorded voice opining on the state of the browser wars, and the young voices of my now adult children. None of that would've been possible without the $99 Maxell Wireless Cassette Player, and it's worth it just for that.

First reviewed April 2026

Categories: Reviews

Hbada X7 Smart review: Excuse me, but since when do office chairs heat, massage, and cool you at the touch of a button?

Fri, 04/17/2026 - 11:38

The Hbada X7 Smart made an entrance from the moment the box hit my front step. It’s big. And by big, I mean massive.

I’ve reviewed probably coming up on almost 100 office chairs in my time and in that time, very few if any have come a box so large. But while some chairs feel big when you sit in them, but look average. This one is large in feel and looks, giving the term “robust” a very real example.

Assembly was fairly straightforward, nevertheless, though even with the hefty nature of the beast, my hands were a bit too large to comfortably connect one cable head, though that may have been due to missing a note to connect it earlier on in assembly.

Now, it's absolutely packed with features - that's the main selling-point here, coming loaded with massaging, heating, and cooling functions. And in the main, they work very well. But what really stops it from appearing in our guide to the best office chairs is the build quality, which feels rickety at times.

HBADA X7 Smart Ergonomic Chair: Unboxing and First Impressions

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

After taking about 15 minutes to assemble the chair from cutting the box open to sitting back and reclining, I got everything plugged in, and then I kicked back to learn the controls.

Most chairs have a combination of levers and dials; the X7 Smart not only has those, but also gizmos and gadgets to go along with its whosits and whatsits. The controller is attached to the bottom-left seat of the chair via a cable and looks and feels a bit like an old iPod Classic.

Once I got over that brief bout of nostalgia, I got to work by plugging in my chair and setting the lumbar right where I wanted it, checking the heat and ventilation, and testing the massaging function.

My first massage was impressive, it’s not just a vibration, but an actual apparatus moving around the muscles in my lower back. Sure, there’s a pattern, but that’s to be expected. I cranked this up to full power and sat back, enjoying the relief in my lower back that I had not felt in quite some time.

Every time after that, I’d choose medium or high power pretty much every time. Letting that chair dig into my lumbar and offer sweet relief from my days.

The cooling and heating worked wonderfully as well. My wife and son would actually fight over who got to sit in this chair when we were all hanging out as a family.

HBADA X7 Smart Ergonomic Chair: Price and Availability

The Hbada X7 Smart is available direct from Hbada in the US here for $1227 (discounted from $1509 at the time of review). From the UK website here, it's £1299 (also on sale down from £1509).

The chair is also available from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk for a similar price.

Now, that price putting it into premium chair level, similar to the likes of Steelcase and Herman Miller chairs. And while I'm not convinced the build quality is comparable, it's certainly got a lot of features here, including a built-in leg rest that often comes as an optional extra from some chair-makers.

These chairs come with a 5-year warranty and a 30-day money-back return policy if you decide this chair isn’t for you. And, for some, that may be the case. It’s a pretty massive chair, but if you have the space and don’t mind the spaceship look, the comfort you get from this seat is impressive.

HBADA X7 Smart Ergonomic Chair: Design & Build Quality

As I say, this office chair is one big beast, with a broad seat and look that wouldn't feel out of place aboard a spaceship in a sci-fi movie.

Where it falls apart (not literally), is the build quality. The main part of the chair feels robust, yet there are elements that feel a bit rickety. The leg rest could be a little more stable, though it’s definitely nowhere near the worst I have seen. The headrest feels cheap and like I might break it when adjusting.

The controller, while nostalgic, feels dated. But, the chair itself, the mesh seat and backrest, the armrests, the massager, heater, and ventilation/cooler are all spectacular. So, a mixed bag overall.

HBADA X7 Smart Ergonomic Chair: In use

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

As I mentioned above, this chair has become a firm favorite of my 7-year-old son, who has a taste for the bougier chairs, as well as my (at the time) very, very, very pregnant wife.

When you sit back in this chair, you can pull out the wired iPod Classic-looking controller and choose an automatic mode, which I rarely use, or manually set a power level and a temperature. I’d pretty frequently choose to cool it, since I run warm, but my co-testers loved cranking the heat on this thing. If cooling, a faint blue light would shine through the lumbar, and if heating, a faint red light would shine through the lumbar.

Day-to-day use, this chair is pretty cumbersome. It’s large, can be hard to move, and feels more like an entire monolith rather than just a chair. Other chairs with heating and cooling elements I have tried have been smaller or more sophisticated, though they were not nearly as built-in as this.

Perhaps the cumbersome nature is simply part of the give-and-take of a chair like this. Regardless, if you’ve got the space and the desire for a chair that is far more than just a place to hold you upright while working, then the HBADA X7 Smart Ergonomic Chair is worth the research and consideration.

HBADA X7 Smart Ergonomic Chair: Final verdict

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The Hbada X7 is one of the most over-the-top office chairs that I have ever tested. It's designed to be.

It's meant to be comfy, feature-packed, and loaded with goodies. The cooling is fantastic, the heating is great, the massaging actually feels good, and the leg rest helps you enjoy it that much more.

I wish the build quality of elements like the footrest and headrest were stronger - while everything else is a delight, this is the sort of issue that makes it difficult to easily justify the higher cost.

Still, overall the chair is very comfortable (just ask my son), and if you can get over the massive size of the chair, there's not much else like this climate-controlled massaging throne on the market.

Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future

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Categories: Reviews

I tested Jackery's super-compact portable power station — and the Explorer 240D is ready for on-the-go adventures with a built-in cable that's more than just a cable

Fri, 04/17/2026 - 10:16

I feel like there are more power stations than ever these days. Currently, I've become very interested in some of the smaller form factors and what they can offer. While I'm still trying to understand the differences in technicality between a power bank and a power station when they come to this size, I do know that the Jackery 240D has actually really impressed me with its ability and how easy it fits into my workflow, though it's not perfect.

In short, it is a small capacity portable power station with simple, helpful ports, no AC plug, a tiny little screen, and a built-in cable/handle hybrid, making it more useful. Jackery rightfully has promoted this cable as being the flagship feature of this power station, and they are correct in doing so.

The small size of the Explorer 240D may make it not perfect for everybody. For most people looking for a higher capacity units, our guide to the best portable power stations offers a little more in that regard.

However, for those who need a compact, ultra-portable solution - I'm thinking photographers, videographers, day-trippers, campers, and professionals on a business trip - then it's going to tick a lot of boxes.

Jackery Explorer 240D: Price & availability

The Jackery Explorer 240D is available from Jackery in the US for $209 - coming as a standalone unit or as part of a bundle with other accessories.

It's also available from Walmart for $150 at the time of review.

Unfortunately, I'm struggling to find it outside the US right now.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Jackery Explorer 240D: Unboxing and First Impressions

Unboxing the Jackery Explorer 240D is a pretty straightforward process. In the box is simply the power station itself, the braided cable/handle, and some documentation.

The cable and handle is about a 1m / 3ft cable that connects via locking connectors to either side of the power station.

The port offering is great for a small unit like this; however, I would note it pretty quickly that there was no AC port. There are some units in this size category that do have an AC port, though only one, which gives them a leg up in some scenarios.

I would assume that most people who need a power station around this size don't necessarily need an AC port, as USB-C is growing in popularity and availability.

The cable / handle is surprisingly good. It feels like a quality braided cable. The ports feel good plugging into any of my devices, and the attaching mechanism feels sturdy enough that I am not worried about it when I am carrying the power station around via the cable handle hybrid.

Last, while there is shoulder strap available, I would probably just continue to throw this in a backpack if I am carrying this with me somewhere due to its smaller size.

Jackery Explorer 240D: Design & Build Quality

The Jackery Explorer 240D is compact and easy to carry with the built-in handle or with a shoulder strap. It's also incredibly easy to be able to throw into a backpack or the back of a vehicle, if desired. I've even thrown this in the side saddle of my Lectric XPedition 2.0 a couple times for some power on those longer bike rides just in case.

The screen adds a simple display to help with basic information on battery capacity and run time.

As most compact power stations do at this size, all of the ports are on the front of the device, meaning that there is really easy access if you place it somewhere or have it tucked on the side of a bag.

What's super nice about this kind of power station is that, since it is so easy to carry and yet has enough capacity and output, this could be your one device that you bring with you if all you need to power is a tablet, a phone, a computer, or something like that and nothing bigger.

For example, if I were to be going on a quick camping trip. There's a pretty good chance that this would be the only power station I would need to bring. It's just enough power to recharge my phone a couple times in case of emergencies. Pair this with a simple portable solar panel (like the one I have that has a simple USB-C out), and you have unlimited power for the essentials.

Jackery Explorer 240D: In use

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

I've been using this power station around the house for the last couple of months for miscellaneous things. I've also used it during a few power outages that we have had during the storm season in the Midwest.

During that time, the only things that I've needed to grab a different power station for are scenarios where I need to power a bigger device or when I need to power those odd devices that still require only an AC outlet.

For example, when blowing up an air mattress that has a built-in pump that requires an AC outlet, I couldn't use this Jackery Explorer 240D power station and I had to reach for something else. Outside of those scenarios, though, this has been a phenomenal device. Especially since I don't have to also then keep track of cables, which seems like such a small thing on paper but actually makes a huge difference in day-to-day usage.

This is the kind of power station that makes me really thankful that almost all of my devices are moved over to USB-C now. Because of that universal cable standard, there is no longer a need for cable roulette.

Jackery Explorer 240D: Final verdict

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

I won’t lie to you — the Jackery Explorer 240D is not a perfect power station; however, it is fairly fantastic for those who need just a small, slightly larger-than-standard battery bank but smaller than the average power station.

For those who need something just in between a simple power bank and a full-sized portable power station, the Jackery Explorer 240D proved to be a pretty phenomenal intermediary.

If you're looking to add just a little bit of power for peace of mind on the camping trip, or if you want something to have in the back of your car in case of emergencies, especially perhaps during those winter months or long travels, then the Jackery 240D is a great option.

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Categories: Reviews

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra SFF Gen 2 review: A massive workstation smashed inside a mini PC

Fri, 04/17/2026 - 05:20

The Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra SFF Gen 2 is a spectacular compact powerhouse of a PC.

Specs-wise, it packs in an Intel Core Ultra 9, an Nvidia RTX 4000 SFF ADA Generation GPU with 20GB, 64GB RAM, up to 4TB SSD, a wide range of ports, and a massive 330W power supply.

For my testing model, I have an Intel Core 9 285, the Nvidia RTX 4000 SFF ADA Generation GPU with 20GB, 2x 32GB of DDR5, and a 1TB SSD. It’s definitely not the most built-out, but it absolutely gets the job done.

The one key thing that is hard about all this power crammed into a small space, though, is that the fans to keep everything cool are insanely loud under load.

When it comes to complex professional workloads, it's one of the best mini PCs around - although it's incredibly expensive and the fan noise under load are loud.

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra SFF Gen 2: Price and availability

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The ThinkStation P3 Ultra SFF Gen 2 is available direct from Lenovo US, Lenovo UK, and a broad range of online retailers.

It comes in a range of configurations, with the base model costing $1,399, but once you upgrade it, you can easily exceed $4,000.

Keep in mind, you could get similar hardware in a standard desktop tower, but you’re paying more for the compact space-saving footprint of this chassis.

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra SFF Gen 2: Unboxing and First Impressions

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra SFF Gen 2 includes everything you’ll need to get up and running, except the display. Lenovo even sends a basic keyboard and mouse in the box, if you’re in desperate need — though I’d strongly suggest picking up a better one.

I chose not to hook up the antennae as I was going with a wired connection, and I didn’t need the keyboard and mouse that came with the computer since I have plenty lying around.

During boot-up, while benchmarking, and while running heavy programs, the fans on this computer whirred to an impressive decibel level, though it still handled quite a bit of power.

Setup was fairly easy outside of that, just plug in, get your mouse and keyboard set up, and then log in. As an IT Pro, you could get this done in minutes, prepping it to help your team.

Lenovo has done a phenomenal job of incorporating spectacular ports on the front and back of this machine, designed for real power and real use.

Yes, there isn’t Thunderbolt, but there are two 20Gbps USB-C ports that can still be great for transferring files, just maybe not consistent 6k footage (though this machine isn’t really meant to be a primary heavy video workflow machine)

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra SFF Gen 2: Design & Build Quality

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The ThinkStation P3 Ultra feels like Lenovo’s answer to the (in)famous Mac Studio. It’s compact, but not the most compact, a slightly thicker version of the also well-known Mac mini, or in the Lenovo world, the P3 Tiny.

The P3 Ultra has a 3.9L footprint and can be propped upright or vertically, or set horizontally and fit under a monitor, mount, or similar. Either way, make sure that the fans you see have plenty of clearance and room to breathe.

The team at Lenovo did a great job with the port layout on the P3 Ultra, placing the plug-and-forget ports on the back for easy cable management and a clean desktop. The front of the machine has quick ports for file transfer, a well-spaced split of ports for different needs, and all are compatible with thicker USB-A plugs.

Outside of design, the build quality is good and up to what I expect from Lenovo these days. Sharp corners, well-laid out, quality materials that should last for a long time, even with heavy, everyday, high-power use. Some machines are built to handle “perfect conditions,” and others are meant to withstand “real conditions” that everyday machines withstand.

Lenovo definitely favors the real-world conditions side, building machines designed to withstand the everyday grind and strain that always-on or relied-upon machines endure.

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra SFF Gen 2: In use

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The ThinkStation P3 Ultra has been an impressive machine through and through. It’s been able to handle even intense workloads thrown at it, it’s benchmarked well, and in the most important sense, it hasn’t had any issues day to day.

I’ve run my full workload on this machine, pushing a 52-inch 6K display at full resolution, and it hasn’t even stuttered. While not everyone will be running that massive of a monitor, it’s great to know the P3 Ultra can deliver impressive graphics performance, especially for a business machine, not a graphics or media machine.

This desktop is a phenomenal option for CAD users, 3D rendering machines, and those handling large LLMs or large coding projects. It’s great for data admins who need to have a thousand tabs open at once, and it can handle those with 40GB of Chrome eating up their memory because they never close tabs.

Continuing the real-world usability, the ports are great. So far, I haven’t had to reach around or hope for another set of ports. Everything I’ve needed at setup was on the back, and everything I’ve needed since then have been on the front of the unit.

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Categories: Reviews

Lenovo ThinkCentre Neo 50q QC mini PC review: A simple and spectacular business machine that lacks the power for heavy workloads

Fri, 04/17/2026 - 04:41

There are a lot of business professional computers out there right now. I’ve got several that I’m actively testing right now on my desk, even. But most of those are designed for power, for maximum output, or for computational prowess.

For some, a several-thousand-dollar powerhouse is not what they need. For admins, front desk workers, data entry, or those who simply help manage calendars and email via a web browser, they don’t need a big machine, they just need something that can boot up quickly, operate reliably, and get the job done.

That’s where the land of mini or compact PCs comes in. Smaller units that can plug into any monitor size, hide away, and work as needed. That’s exactly what a good chunk of the professional workforce needs.

These machines need ports and basic functionality more than they need enough power to break records. Further, the front ports make plugging in drives, adapters, or other devices super easy, while the back ports are fantastic for plug-and-play peripherals.

For me, the price is slightly too high for what you get. Compare what's on offer here to a mini PC like the Geekom A8 Max (review here) and you see a wide gulf.

For that reason, it's never going to top our list of the best mini PCs we've tested. But if you’re a classic business professional who doesn’t need to max out their machine, this may be a great option to consider for office and home office use.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Lenovo ThinkCentre Neo 50q QC: Unboxing and First Impressions

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

Right off the bat, this is a spectacular representation of a compact machine. It’s great, not sacrificing too much for its compact size, balancing portability and real-world usability with the right workplace demand.

The fact that within the box, Lenovo have sent a mounting bracket as one of the only accessories in the box shows the focus on having this machine tucked away in a convenient or more aesthetic position, depending on the user.

The bracket makes it very easy to VESA mount, mount under a desk, behind a monitor on a wall, or something similar. That right there shows quite a bit of what you’d need to know about this unit before deciding whether to purchase.

We’ll go further into it later on in the review, but TLDR: it’s a solid machine that can fit just about anywhere, as long as your computing needs won’t outpace what it has onboard.

Lenovo ThinkCentre Neo 50q QC: Design & Build Quality

I’ve mentioned the smaller size, but perhaps this is the right time to go into the port offering. It has most of the ports on the back, with only a headphone, USB-C, and a USB-A on the front.

On the back, with all the ports, there are two DisplayPorts (on this model), an HDMI, a power port (sadly not USB-C), four USB-A ports, Ethernet, and an antenna port for adding a Wi-Fi antenna if desired. For most scenarios that this is designed to run in, I’d suggest hard-lining the internet, but that’s just one man’s opinion.

One thing to note is that there are not a lot of USB-C ports on this machine, even though it’s 2026 and USB-C is pretty common. I genuinely believe it’s because Lenovo knows its target. They aren’t trying to market to those who are brimming with the newest technology with this device; they care more about reaching the people and companies

Lenovo ThinkCentre Neo 50q QC: In use

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The Lenovo ThinkCentre Neo 50q QC is a spectacular “behind-the-scenes admin machine” providing usability, ports you actually want, and easy setup. One of the great things about a monitor like this is the ability to connect any monitor you so choose.

For me, right now, I have rotated this machine around a few monitors during my testing.

The current monitor I have it on is the Dell 52-inch monster that was just released (review coming soon), but I have also used this mini PC on some BenQ monitors, some portable monitors, and others. It’s worked well on all of them, though pushing the 52-inch 6K beast at 100% scaling (small and sharp) was a bit much for this guy, so I had to scale it a little bit. But that’s understandable and was not a shock.

Using this machine as a kiosk, a front desk, or a basic always-on machine is exactly what it’s meant for. It works quickly and reliably, and it’s got enough ports not to need adapters. What else could you want for your basic office uses?

Because I wanted to simulate an office setup I have seen, I hooked this PC up to dual 1080p Dell monitors, and it worked great. Even going up to dual 4K still ran fine.

Another great option for this kind of setup is hot desking. Some companies need to have machines that can be used by multiple people via a network login or a guest login. This machine is great for that due to the abundance of ports, smaller profile requiring less desk space (or none if mounted), and good balance of power and price.

Lenovo ThinkCentre Neo 50q QC: Final verdict

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

In a world where everyone is boasting about the most advanced "this-or-that" machines, the ThinkCentre Neo 50qc QC is quietly puttering along as the machine most businesses would actually be interested in, not just flabbergasted by in a demo.

It’s got a great balance of power, price, and ports, making it a serious contender for a basic business machine.

To be frank, on paper, the specs won’t impress. This desktop PC isn't some advanced supercomputer that will power through every task. Despite that, the price is relatively high when compared to other Windows 11 mini PCs we've reviewed, and I wouldn't blame some for looking elsewhere to get a little more power for the same (or slightly less) cost.

Beyond that, though, this is a solidly built mini PC from a well-known brand that's well-specced for day-to-day business use, and it's difficult to find many faults if you know what you're getting into.

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Categories: Reviews

Eureka Ergonomic Opal standing desk review: Beautiful, stylish, and solid — but I can't ignore the mediocre storage

Thu, 04/16/2026 - 12:01

The Eureka Ergonomic Opal Executive Desk is the kind of desk you’d see in movies. It’s the desk that the professional whose life is put together has in their beautifully aesthetic office.

It’s got a great look. Rounded edges to make it feel like a design statement, not just another slab of wood in the center of an office. This standing desk isn’t just a height-adjustable surface to put things on, but it’s a statement. And, with that, there are some cons to match the pros. But, if your focus for your workspace is curvature and perhaps soft, inviting tones, then this may just be your dream desk. I know several people who would absolutely adore this desk.

Much like other Eureka Ergonomic products I have tested over the years, the Opal is designed first. Even if it weren’t for the design focus and sketched out diagram on their website, I’d be able to tell that this desk was designed by looking first, and that has a lot of positives with it.

Beautifully, to the eye, in photos, in meetings, and in video, this desk looks great. There are just a few practical things that I feel are missing.

Eureka Ergonomic Opal Executive Desk: Price and availability

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The Opal Executive Office Desk is available from $1999 from the Eureka Ergonomic website.

The model I have is the height-adjustable variant, though for those who may not need or want the height adjustment, there is an option for a cheaper Opal model that lacks the standing desk functionality.

You can choose between three finish options: the Black Birth with Wood Veneer (reviewed here); the Cream with Sintered Stone and Birch Wood Veneer; and the Cream with Birch Wood Veneer.

All options ship in about 4 boxes and weigh nearly 300 lbs, so be prepared.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Eureka Ergonomic Opal Executive Desk: Unboxing and First Impressions

The Opal was delivered in four massive boxes, totaling a weight of nearly 300 lbs. It’s hefty, and it will take a bit to unbox, but it’s not terrible. The hardest part is the desktop box which weighs around 90 lbs on it’s own. I carried it on my own, and immediately regretted it, so if you can, or are just smarter than me, have a buddy help you out.

As most companies do, Eureka Ergonomic makes sure to send the assembly tools required, though I still prefer to use my Hoto Electric screwdriver to safely speed up the assembly process. But you can do as you prefer.

Right off the bat, I was blown away with the unique shape of the desktop. It has a very elegant and elevated design, making my studio space feel not good enough almost for this level of design.

The oval desktop is not something that I have had before, so that was new for me, but the rounded edges added to a level of sophistication that my square-edged desks cannot match. The fluted cabinet design with beautiful trim feel very exquisite as well, but once opening them, they were a bit smaller than I expected since they have the standing desk legs within them.

While this is still fine and functional, if these are your only storage solution, you may be a bit disappointed. But, if this is more for the looks than having robust storage capacity, then you’ll probably be okay.

One thing I noticed right away is that there is no real good way to manage cables. This desk is pretty clearly designed for a laptop, iPad, or an all-in-one, but not a multi-monitor setup or one with a lot of gadgets.

That’s probably on purpose, as this desk is pretty clearly designed for the looks and vibes, not robust productivity, but nevertheless, I thought it would be worth sharing.

Eureka Ergonomic Opal Executive Desk: Design & Build Quality

The desktop is made out of a manufactured wood core and a solid wood veneer, making it a bit cheaper and lighter yet still having a premium look. It’s not a solid wood desktop, so if you want to drill into it to mount something, I’d be careful. But, for pretty much anything else, it’s solid. The weight capacity is still around 220lbs, so enough to hold whatever you need, but not enough to climb on it.

The wood cabinets look better than I expected them to be, honestly. I expected them to be cheaply done, but in true Eureka Ergonomic fashion, they actually look quite sharp. They are manufactured wood cabinets that are painted, but the fluting, the molding trim, and the hardware all make this look elevated (no pun intended).

I do wish that the legs took up less of the cabinets, though I don’t exactly know how this would work in practice. At least, not without affecting the overall shape and design of the desk, which is clearly the focus of this particular desk.

Eureka Ergonomic Opal Executive Desk: In use

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

My team and I have had this in our fleet of desks for a little while now, and so far, this desk has performed quite well.

Yes, it’s not going to be our most built-out desk with all the bells and whistles, but it is a beautiful desk that can stand on its own, not needing accessories to make it look finished. And that’s saying something. It's designed to be paired with the Eureka Ergonomic Serene office chair, continuing the curved and elegant look.

I mentioned it briefly in an earlier section, but this desk is pretty clearly designed for simplistic beauty. It’s for a laptop, maybe a tablet, and that’s about it. Minimalist simplicity at its core, and that’s a beautiful thing to have.

If you need a few accessories to get your job done, you can tuck them in the small drawer under the desk or in the cabinets, but this desk isn’t supposed to hold everything you could ever need for any role; it’s meant to feel serene (again, no pun intended), it’s meant to feel refreshing.

Eureka Ergonomic Opal Executive Desk: Final verdict

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

It’s clear what the goal of the Eureka Ergonomic Opal Executive Standing Desk is, besides having a very clear and long name, it’s meant for simplicity.

For those looking for a more traditional standing desk, this won't fit the bill. While it's got all the core features you'd expect, it's a large, executive-style desk that's beautifully focused on form over functionality.

Ultimately, this is a showstopper desk. It’s meant for an executive workstation that has minimal gear, an open desk, and an open mind. Like the company's other office furniture, this is all about design. It’s meant to be in the center of a room, as a showcase piece.

For more office furniture essentials, see our guides to the best standing desks and the best office chairs we've tested.

Categories: Reviews

Secretlab Magnus Evo standing desk review: Streamlined and refined but unmistakably Secretlab in spirit

Thu, 04/16/2026 - 11:21

Secretlab Magnus Evo: Price and availability

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

Secretlab is behind some of our top-rated office furniture for hybrid gaming and working in the home office.

So, I was keen to see how the company's Magnus Evo stacks up in comparison to the magisterial Magnus Pro. This is a more home office-focused desk that's a lot cheaper, but with a more simplified design and feature-set.

While it's unlikely to top the list of the best standing desks we've tested, it might be the ideal alternative to the Magnus Pro for gamers or professionals looking for a stealthy all-black set-up.

As ever with Secretlab products, it's widely available direct from the company in the US (here), the UK (here), and Australia (here). At the time of review, it's on sale for $699 / £599 / AU$849, coming in two different sizes, and two different add-on packages.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Secretlab Magnus Evo: Unboxing and First Impressions

My first impression of this desk was one of relief and excitement, as I saw that, even though this is the entry-level or budget version of the Secretlab line-up, it still has an integrated power and height controller.

That’s a feature that is very 'Secretlab'. I was expecting it to skimp on some of these feature offerings due to price. But nope, here they are.

Speaking of the legs, I loved seeing just how tightly packed the Secretlab desk was. It shows that they care about not just packaging, but also using space well, which is showcased in their integrated controller as well, utilizing the desk thickness as a way to hide the module for controlling the height.

Unlike other desks, this one came in one box, as a cohesive system, not a set of legs and a hunk of desk like most companies.

Further, even with the addition of the extension pieces, this desk still feels sleek and high-end, making the price tag feel a bit more justified.

The last thing that stood out right away is the controller itself. You don’t often see a controller with colored lights, but the subtle color on the up and down buttons adds a refined pop that is very welcome.

Secretlab Magnus Evo: Design & Build Quality

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The main standout features of the Secretlab desk lineup are the cable management tray and compartment, the built-in controller, and the in-leg power. Those are three pretty standout features that are just as prevalent in this cheaper model. Plus, thanks to the magnetic elements and the extra width, this desk has enough room for those who love accessories or having ample space on their desk.

The cable management tray is still one of the best on the market. While companies like Grovemade have moved their cable management to an entirely new system below, creating art in and of itself.

Secretlab has nearly perfected the “hiding in plain sight” style, turning the last few inches of the desk's depth into a flip-up with cable management below. Again, utilizing their space in ways that other companies do not, or have not figured out, just like their integrated controller.

It becomes even more functional when you add in the in-leg power element. Now, that power port that runs through the leg, another way of utilizing space better, outputs right at the edge of this drop zone, giving you a simple place to run all your cables.

This, plus the slit in the desk to still pull cables out, you need to turn chaos to calm, transitioning the messiest zone of most desks to the most feature-packed and functional.

Secretlab Magnus Evo: In use

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Specs

Height Range: 28.3-46.2 inches
Max Load: 265lbs
Warranty: 5-year electronics

Day to day, the Magnus Evo is great. I’ve tried a handful of different setups, ranging from super simple to quite complex with this desk, and it’s handled them all.

It’s sleek enough to be able to look good without having to get dressed up but also is featured enough to not look lacking for a fully built out desk setup. It’s no secret that I not only have had, but actively have a lot of desks.

Some are simple, with just a laptop. Some have a monitor and a docking station, and some would take me hours to disassemble fully if needed simply because of how complex they are. The Secretlab Magnus Evo is the kind of desk that could be either, it could be a simple laptop desk or a complex workstation ready to take on the world.

The cable management tray in the back is just as good as I expected it to be, having used the previous variations of the Magnus Pro standing desk. Honestly, other than the solid desktop, there aren’t many differences.

This cable tray can fit those beefy power bricks that never seem to be in the right place, and are annoying to start with, it can also fit the excess cable length, a dock or accessory you need but don’t want to see, and so on, all with a single power out, running down the integrated power line through the leg and then out. No cables dangling. No spaghetti mess of cables on top of desk. Just clarity. Simple, clarity.

When I wanted to add a few monitors, I could add them with Secretlab's mounts, allowing the monitors to sit within the desk in a unique way, latching onto the inside of the crevasse that is created between the main part of the desk and the back part that can open up.

Secretlab Magnus Evo: Final verdict

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The Secretlab Magnus Evo is a fantastic option for those who want a modern feeling, feature-packed, standing workspace, but don’t want it to cost as much as those normally do.

I found the Magnus Evo to be a great option if you want to get into the sit-stand desk space without the full cost while only sparing a few elements of the “full” experience you'd find with the heavyweight Magnus Pro.

The only question you have to ask yourself is if those few changes are worth the cost.

For most, they probably aren’t. And that makes the Secretlab Magnus Evo even more intoxicatingly enticing — for it’s sleek look, feature set, organization and the pricetag.

For more office furniture essentials, see our guide to the best office chairs we've tested.

Categories: Reviews

D-Link Aquila Pro AI R95: high-speed Wi-Fi 7 at a competitive price

Thu, 04/16/2026 - 10:02

D-Link Aquila Pro AI R95: One-minute review

Most routers are fairly boring black boxes that just sit in a corner and occasionally flash a few lights at you.

However, D-Link has decided to go its own way with its new R95, which is part of the company’s Aquila Pro AI range (yes, AI has even got into routers now). The router’s sweeping curves look more like the wings of an aquatic manta ray than a conventional router.

It’s not clear if that design has any practical function, but it certainly looks interesting, and the use of tri-band Wi-Fi 7 ensures that the R95 will really make your wireless network fly at top speed. It also provides good support for older computers and mobile devices that may not have Wi-Fi 7.

(Image credit: Future)D-Link Aquila Pro AI R95 review: Price & release date

How much does it cost? $254.99/£180 (around AU$355)
When is it available? Now
Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK

Wi-Fi 7 routers are still fairly expensive, but the R95 is competitively priced for a high-end Wi-Fi 7 router, costing $254.99/£180, which compares well with high-end rivals such as the Acer Predator T7.

Unfortunately, Wi-Fi 7 products still tend to take a while to reach Australia, and the R95 isn’t currently available in that region, although the US price translates to approximately AU$355.

D-Link Aquila Pro AI R95 review: Specs

Wi-Fi:

Tri-band Wi-Fi 7 (2.4GHz, 5.0GHz, 6.0GHz)

Wi-Fi Speed:

9.5Gbps

Ports:

1x 2.5Gb Ethernet (WAN), 3x Gigabit Ethernet (LAN)

Dimensions:

220 x 238 x 207mm

Weight:

0.94kg

D-Link Aquila Pro AI R95 review: Features

Eye-catching design
Well-designed app
Dual-network support

The external design of the R95 is certainly its most obvious feature, with gracefully curved ‘wings’ that look nothing like any conventional router that we’ve seen recently. The real headline feature, though, is the router’s performance, boasting tri-band Wi-Fi 7 that uses the 2.4GHz, 5.0GHz and 6.0GHz bands to provide a total speed of 9.5Gbps (strictly speaking, it’s actually 9,334Mbps, but manufacturers always like to round these numbers up).

It devotes two of its four antennae exclusively to the high-speed 6.0GHz band in order to provide maximum performance for computers and mobile devices that support Wi-Fi 7, while the other two antennae handle the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands for older devices. Its wired connectivity is right up to date as well, with a 2.5Gb Ethernet port available for high-speed broadband services, and three more 2.5Gb ports for connecting devices, such as a PC, games console or smart-TV, that will benefit from a lag-free wired connection.

The Aquila app works well too, allowing you to quickly scan a QR code in order to connect to the R95’s new network. It then gives you the option of simply keeping the default name and password for the R95 network, or changing the name and password for extra security.

(Image credit: Future)

And, in order to provide the best performance for different types of devices, the Aquila app creates two separate networks, with the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands combined into a single network for older computers, while the 6.0GHz band creates a separate network for newer devices that do support Wi-Fi 7.

You also have the option of creating a guest network that provides only limited access for visitors and guests, and a separate IoT network (Internet of Things) for smart lights, security cameras, and other smart devices. The R95 also supports the Matter standard for controlling smart home devices, and can be used to create a mesh network when used with other Asus routers or range extenders.

Our only complaint is that the parental controls within the app are fairly basic. The app does allow you to create a schedule to limit Internet access for the devices used by your children, but its web filtering options require you to manually enter the web address for any unsuitable sites that you want to block. It doesn’t provide the preset filters that are available with some of its rivals, which automatically block different categories of unsuitable material, such as ‘violent’, ‘adult’ or ‘gambling’.

Features: 4.5/5

D-Link Aquila Pro AI R95 review: Performance

Tri-band Wi-Fi 7
2.5Gb Ethernet ports
Dedicated 6.0GHz network

Benchmarks

Ookla Speed Test – 2.4GHz/5.0GHz (download/upload)

Within 5ft, no obstructions: 150Mbps/150Mbps

Within 30ft, three partition walls: 150Mbps/150Mbps

20GB Steam Download – 2.4GHz/5.0GHz

Within 5ft, no obstructions: 150Mbps

Within 30ft, three partition walls: 150Mbps

Ookla Speed Test – 6.0GHz (download/upload)

Within 5ft, no obstructions: 150Mbps/150Mbps

Within 30ft, three partition walls: 150Mbps/150Mbps

20GB Steam Download - 6.0GHz

Within 5ft, no obstructions: 150Mbps

Within 30ft, three partition walls: 150Mbps

My old office router is crying out for an upgrade, as it only supports the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands that are available with Wi-Fi 5 and 6. It can provide decent performance for devices that are nearby, but struggles to reach an office at the back of the building, where I have to use PowerLine adaptors to provide a more reliable wired connection.

The office broadband runs at 150Mbps, but the 2.4GHz band of the old router can only manage a speed of around 70Mbps for nearby devices for both Steam downloads and the Ookla Speedtest. The 5.0GHz band works better, giving a full 150Mbps for devices that are nearby but, as mentioned, the router’s Wi-Fi signal isn’t strong enough to reach all the way to that back office.

The R95 eliminated my Wi-Fi problems with no trouble at all. Even its slower network, using the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands, immediately hit the full 150Mbps for nearby devices for both Steam and Ookla. More importantly, it reaches right into the back office as well, and achieves full speed in both tests. It did take a few seconds for Steam downloads in that office to ramp up from 130Mbps to 150Mbps, but the R95 was then able to maintain that speed consistently.

(Image credit: Future)

Given the strong performance of that 2.4GHz/5.0GHz network, I wasn’t surprised to find that the faster 6.0GHz network hit the ground running, immediately hitting 150Mbps for both Steam and Ookla, and maintaining full speed throughout my tests.

There are less expensive routers that only provide dual-band Wi-Fi 7 – omitting the high-speed 6.0GHz band – and these can be a good option for people who own older computers and mobile devices that don’t need the full speed of Wi-Fi 7. But if you have a gaming PC or other devices that do support Wi-Fi 7, then the D-Link R95 provides excellent performance at a competitive price.

Performance: 5

Should I buy the D-Link Aquila Pro AI R95?

Attribute

Notes

Score

Features

The parental controls could be better, but the R95 provides versatile connectivity and a well-designed app to help you get started.

4.5/5

Performance

A speed of 9.5Gbps will be more than fast enough for most users, and we like the dual-network options that cater to a wide range of computers and mobile devices.

5/5

Value

There are less expensive Wi-Fi 7 routers, but the R95 provides high-end performance at a mid-range price.

5/5

Buy it if…

You need speed
With a top speed of 9.5Gbps, and a dedicated 6.0GHz network, the R95 is more than fast enough for gaming and streaming 4K video.View Deal

You still have older devices
Along with that high-performance 6.0GHz network, the R95 also creates a second network using the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands for older computers and mobile devices.View Deal

Don’t buy it if…

You don’t need Wi-Fi 7
Many people are still using older devices that only support Wi-Fi 5 or 6, so you don’t need to buy an expensive router with Wi-Fi 7 just yet.View Deal

You’re on a budget
The R95 is competitively priced, but few of us really need that sort of high-end performance. There are many more affordable options if you’re on a limited budget.View Deal

Also consider

D-Link Aquila Pro AI R95

Netgear Nighthawk RS100

Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98

Price (as reviewed)

$254.99/£180.00

$129.99/£129.99/AU$259.00

$749.99 / £699.99 / AU$1,499

Wi-Fi

Tri-band Wi-Fi 7

dual-band Wi-Fi 7

quad-band Wi-Fi 7

Wi-Fi Speed

9.5Gbps

3.6Gbps

24.4Gbps

Connectivity

1x 2.5Gb Ethernet (WAN), 3x Gigabit Ethernet (LAN)

1x 2.5Gb Ethernet (WAN), 4x Gigabit Ethernet (LAN)

1x 10Gb Ethernet (WAN/LAN), 1x 2.5Gb Ethernet (WAN/LAN), 1x 10Gb Ethernet (LAN), 3x 2.5Gb Ethernet (LAN), 1x USB-A (3.0), 1x USB-A (2.0)

Processor

Not Specified

quad-core 2.0GHz

quad-core 2.6GHz

Memory

Not Specified

1GB RAM

2GB RAM

Storage

Not Specified

512MB Flash

256MB Flash

Dimensions

220 x 238 x 207mm

184 x 66 122mm

350 x 350 x 221mm

Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98
If money is no object then the GT-BE98 from Asus is the no-compromise option. It provides quad-band Wi-Fi 7 with a blistering speed of 24.4Gbps and even 10Gbps Ethernet for you Internet connection.

Read our full Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 review View Deal

Netgear RS100
There are several affordable Wi-Fi 7 routers that keep their price down by omitting the 6.0GHz band, but Netgear’s RS100 still provides very respectable dual-band performance running at 3.6Gbps for little more than $100.

Read our full Netgear RS100 review View Deal

Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
First reviewed: April 2026

Categories: Reviews

I wasn’t driven mad by the puzzles in Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss, but some frustrating decisions and technical hiccups almost ruined this clever cosmic horror puzzler

Thu, 04/16/2026 - 03:00

Although I’ve watched countless pieces of media or played dozens of video games and board games that draw on the Cthulhu mythos and the works of HP Lovecraft, I was suddenly struck by one question I don’t think I’ve ever properly considered while writing this review of Big Bad Wolf’s solid investigation puzzler, Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss. What does Cthulhu want?

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Release date: April 16, 2026

As I’m trawling through audio logs, video diaries, and messages left by a research crew and its billionaire funder in an abandoned underwater facility and an otherworldly city, I witness how they all succumb to the call of the Great Old One and become fixated on bringing about his/its/their return.

And while by the end I’d solved some mysteries and smugly puzzled out how to keep Cthulhu slumbering, I still didn’t know what the big tentacle-faced beast got out of it all apart from a few mindless, raving fans.

Can I be your number one fan?

(Image credit: Big Bad Wolf / Nacon)

I guess you could argue that’s the whole point. Cthulhu is supposed to be a being beyond our comprehension, from a place with impossible geography, so I should just take the win and be happy I was able to stop him from awakening before being subsumed into the fandom.

But while some things may never be understood, Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss is all about solving what you can. As an occult investigator, Noah, you use tech and your wits to explore the grotesque and fascinating environments of a flooded bayou to the sunken city of R’lyeh. It’s a game of scanning for clues, absorbing the relevant information, making connections, and figuring out how it will help you stop Cthulhu.

What that ultimately means is that this is a game with a lot of reading, a lot of listening, and a lot of work outside the game, shuffling the facts around inside your brain as you piece it all together. Fortunately, it’s never interrupted by the threat of a monster attack or an enemy stalking you throughout the area like a Soma or Amnesia. Some wrong moves or wayward exploration will result in death, but it’s easy to avoid this if you’re paying attention.

(Image credit: Big Bad Wolf / Nacon)

To help visualise all of your clues, you do get given a mind map of sorts that allows you to move clues around and draw connections where you think they are relevant, but most of the time, the game will prompt you on the important questions that need answering to progress.

Added to that is an energy system that allows you to analyze clues and items, to better understand what they are and how they can be useful to your investigation. And while this is supposedly a limited resource, each area is full of the fungus that you can use to recharge it (yep, Noah basically powers up like Mario), so I just ended up scanning everything when I had the chance. Because of that, the whole system feels superfluous.

The same goes for the upgrades and augments you can find or earn from special tablets or shrines dotted around each area. You can only equip a limited number based on your maximum capacity, but when all they offer are small bonuses, such as an increase in your scanner range or a chance to restore energy when analyzing clues, the decision of what to equip doesn’t matter all that much.

Fortunately, you can still investigate and puzzle solve fully while both the energy and augment systems just exist in the background without requiring you to engage with them. I can only assume they must have been added to make Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss feel more gamey, but I don’t think they add anything of value.

Jarvis, activate 'see everything' mode

One aspect you will be engaging with a lot is the sonar built into your AI companion, Key. Using the frequencies you gain from analyzing clues, you can set and search for nearby items that match the frequency. This becomes a loop for part of the game’s puzzle-solving.

(Image credit: Big Bad Wolf / Nacon)

For example, a component made of a specific alloy might be missing from a piece of equipment, so you can scan the surrounding area for alloys that match that frequency to find it. Relatively straightforward, then, but the game does expand on this idea a handful of times by making certain key frequencies harder to find or requiring you to combine frequencies to find more specific items and secrets.

Best bit

(Image credit: Big Bad Wolf / Nacon)

There’s little else quite so satisfying as connecting the dots between various pieces of seemingly unrelated information and working out exactly what you need to do to progress. Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss has several moments like this, and when you get deep into a puzzle that comes together in one intricate and elegant solution, you feel like a genius.

I liked it enough as an idea, but as with all of these special vision types in games (I'm looking at you, Arkham detective mode), I ended up simply cycling through what I thought was a relevant frequency and spamming it in each new location to be sure I wasn’t missing any clues.

That’s not to say the game’s puzzles are bad. I did enjoy investigating a lot, with many solutions requiring you to take in all of the information given to you. There are moments where you feel like you are uncovering the secrets of an ancient civilization, learning how to use their bizarre technology, or piecing together the lives and relationships of the original research team as they descended into madness.

What’s also interesting is that chapters give you two possible solutions to the main puzzle: one that pushes you more towards the corrupting influence of Cthulhu, and another (often slightly more elaborate) that lessens the Great Old One’s control over you and the world. It’s a neat idea that rewards you for following a different path than the obvious one and encourages you to fully consider all the clues presented to you.

A sacrifice I am willing to make

(Image credit: Big Bad Wolf / Nacon)

The choices you make can affect the state of the world, characters, and your final ending, so I really appreciate a usually very linear puzzle game offering up some more freeform elements that give you more influence over the story — and a chance to try alternate paths if you feel stuck on one route or are keen for a second playthrough.

I doubt I’ll be diving in again, though, as I feel happy with everything I got out of Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss on the first go. It has some rough edges, namely an inconsistent autosave, which meant I had to repeat some steps when loading my game on a few occasions. There are also fussy item manipulation mechanics and some ideas that aren’t fully realised.

However, its core investigation gameplay is strong, and the atmosphere is suitably sinister, so I’m sure anyone who enjoys a puzzle game with a dash of cosmic horror will come away satisfied enough — especially for a budget release.

Should you play Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss?

(Image credit: Big Bad Wolf / Nacon)Play it if…

You want a good investigation and puzzle game
The majority of puzzles in Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss are well-designed and fun to solve, while the investigation gameplay feels detailed and rewarding.

You enjoy cosmic horror
Naturally, the game is steeped in the lore and atmosphere you would expect from a work set in the Cthulhu mythos, and Big Bad Wolf nails this overall tone.

Don’t play it if…

You want a survival horror experience
While the game does feature some threats and has a generally spooky atmosphere, you are free to explore and investigate in peace without worrying about monster attacks or jump scares.

You get frustrated with jank and fiddly mechanics
Some elements of navigation and a few very specific puzzle mechanics don’t fully work as intended or are frustrating to deal with, and while some bugs may be ironed out over time, the rough edges are annoying.

You might need to dip out at any moment
Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss uses an autosave feature that only seems to trigger under specific circumstances, so if you need to quit the game at a moment’s notice without triggering one of these conditions, you may risk losing some progress.

Accessibility

Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss has two difficulty modes: Investigation and Exploration. The first is the standard experience, while the second allows you to ask your AI companion for hints and shows the clues available in each location. You can also set a custom option to tweak how much corruption affects you and how energy is used.

Elsewhere, there are three color blind modes for green, red, and blue color blindness, the option to make subtitles clearer, disable head movement to ease motion sickness, and fully rebind all controls.

How I reviewed Cronos: The New Dawn

I played Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss for around 8 hours on a PlayStation 5 Pro on a Samsung S90C OLED TV and Samsung HW-Q930C soundbar while using a DualSense Wireless Controller.

I played the whole game in Performance mode and still experienced a few technical hitches and moments of slowdown, so I wouldn’t risk Quality mode without a major patch.

In my time playing, I completed the game once and saw one of the possible endings, although I did have to replay an early chapter three times due to an autosave issue, which should now be fixed in the full release. However, I did still find the autosave unreliable, and that probably bumped up my total playtime by at least an hour.

First reviewed April 2026.

Categories: Reviews

My pre-teen son tested the Garmin Bounce 2 to see if it's really the top smartwatch for kids

Thu, 04/16/2026 - 02:00

Garmin Bounce 2: One minute review

Most of the best smartwatches are designed for adults, but every so often a smartwatch brand will release a dedicated offering for children. There’s the Fitbit Ace LTE and the Xplora X6Play, but the newest kid on the block is the Garmin Bounce 2. With calling, text messaging, real-time location tracking features, and some fun games, the Bounce 2 is a device that keeps kids connected without needing a smartphone.

Designed for 6-12 year olds, the Bounce 2 is fun, cool and colorful. It boasts a bright 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen that delivers clear graphics and vibrant colors, elevating the smartwatch experience beyond that of most kids' smartwatches.

The Bounce 2 also includes a range of child-friendly features, such as activity tracking and games, although my son’s interest in the watch began to wane after a couple of months. He would still wear it if we asked him to, but he has ceased ‘pestering’ me to let him wear it. Beyond connectivity that is primarily for parents' peace of mind, the watch doesn’t include a huge amount to keep the child glued to it.

If you’d like a smartwatch with more features at a similar price, then the Apple Watch SE 3 is our recommended option. With a full set of features, including health tracking and a robust ecosystem, the Watch SE 3 offers much more longevity. This watch can be set up under a family plan which enables parents to control access and functionality and ensures the child is only able to access appropriate content for their age.

But if you’re looking for a locked-down smartwatch for your pre-teen, then it doesn’t get much better than the Bounce 2. It’s easy to set up, enjoyable to use, and has onboard GPS. To help with testing, I enlisted my ten-year-old son. Much of this review features his observations and opinions.

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)Garmin Bounce 2: Specifications

Component

Garmin Bounce 2

Price

$299 USD / £259 UK / $479 AUS

Dimensions

43 x 43 x 12.4 mm

Weight

26.5g without strap

Case/bezel

Fiber-reinforced polymer

Display

1.2-inch AMOLED Screen

GPS

Multi-GNSS

Battery life

Up to 2 days

Connection

Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi, LTE (with subscription)

Water resistance

5 ATM

Garmin Bounce 2: Price and availability

$299 USD / £259 UK / $479 AUS
Additional subscription required for access to all features
The Apple Watch SE 3 offers more features at a similar price

At $299 USD / £259 UK / AUD$479, the Garmin Bounce 2 is at the pricey end of smartwatches for kids. It ships in Slate Grey, Light Purple, and Turquoise colorways.

It is priced similarly to the Apple Watch SE 3, which offers more features but is much more distracting for a younger child. It also doesn't have the same functionality for chore management.

As well as the upfront hardware cost, the Bounce 2 requires an LTE subscription for access to two-way calling, messaging, and tracking. This costs $9.99 / £9.99 / AUD per month or $99 / £99 / AUD$17 per year, with the plan being managed through the Garmin Jr. app.

Value score 3.5/5

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)Garmin Bounce 2: Design

Simple, kid-friendly and not too flashy
A small but responsive AMOLED touchscreen
Comfortable fit with silicon strap

The Bounce 2 is a basic smartwatch with a kid-friendly design. It’s nothing revolutionary, but my son wore the watch with pride and thought it looked like a fashionable accessory. Constructed of a fiber-reinforced polymer and at just over 40g with the strap, the Bounce 2 is light enough for all-day wear, even on the small wrist of a child. The silicone strap also has the benefit of being sweat resistant and easy to clean. It fits wrists between 115-180 mm.

From a parent’s point of view, one of the best things about the design is that it doesn’t particularly stand out. It’s therefore unlikely to attract any unwanted attention that could cause problems for your child.

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)

The 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen with a resolution of 390×390 pixels delivers clear graphics and vibrant colors. Swipes and taps are accurately detected, and the interface responds quickly and as expected. The screen is also chemically strengthened, which is ideal, as my child wasn't the most careful with it! The downside to this, is that the screen seriously drains the battery with my son having to charge the watch most nights.

Other features include physical buttons and a 5ATM water resistance rating that enables the watch to withstand water from splashes, showers, and pool trips. It also has a proprietary charger rather than USB-C, which is far from ideal if your child is prone to losing cables!

Design Score: 4/5

Garmin Bounce 2: Features

Location tracking and geofencing
Two-way calling and messaging
Basic activity tracking and chore management

With an LTE subscription, parents can view their child's real-time location via the Garmin Jr. app. The child can also manually ping their location to their approved contacts if they’re in an emergency situation. My son loved pinging his location when he arrived at a friend’s house, and even though it wouldn’t constitute an emergency, I appreciated receiving the update.

The GPS hardware can also be used to geofence areas so that parents receive notifications when their child enters or leaves a designated area. This is ideal for the journeys that your child will most commonly make, such as between school and home.

The first Bounce smartwatch was limited to voice and text messages. The second iteration builds on this by including a built-in speaker and microphone for conducting phone calls with parent-approved contacts. For messages, the watch now supports voice-to-text transcription and a full QWERTY keyboard. My son took great pleasure in texting me funny jokes as well as humorous emojis and sound clips.

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)

The Bounce 2 includes a range of sports profiles, including running, walking, cycling, and more niche activities such as racket sports and even motor sports. Children can unlock games by meeting daily activity goals, which acts as a motivation towards fitness.

Another feature for rewarding behavior is the chore tracking feature, which enables parents to assign chores and virtual coins through the app, which kids can redeem for agreed-upon rewards. These rewards might be screen time, a chocolate treat, or a new toy or game.

As the Bounce 2 is primarily a communication and safety tool, there's no heart rate sensor for health tracking, something that my son was rather disappointed about.

Features Score: 4/5

Garmin Bounce 2: Performance

Mixed results for GPS signal
Fun and engaging games
Very short battery life

We experienced variable results with the GPS signal, with a significant tail-off in signal within rural areas. Despite being able to successfully access signals in dense urban areas, the same wasn’t true when we were out in the country. There were a number of times when I couldn’t determine the location of my son, and even though it was never an emergency, it didn’t fill me with much confidence.

The GPS and LTE connectivity are always on, which means the battery drains very quickly. The advertised two-day battery life is definitely the maximum, with real-world experience being just over a day. My son said, “I didn’t like having to keep on top of charging and would have liked it to last at least a full school week.”

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)

He spent a lot of time playing the simple games, with his favorite being the Tamagotchi-style digital pet that you have to keep alive. “I was surprised how much I found myself caring about the little thing.” In reality, I think the appeal was in the challenge of keeping it alive. Either way, they’re pretty addictive in the short term, but he lost interest after a few weeks.

The day-to-day operation of the smartwatch was considered smooth and enjoyable. “I loved using the voice commands to set an alarm or check the weather, although it was a little frustrating having to speak specific commands.” For example, "Tell me the weather” didn’t work, but "Show me the weather” did. Some AI help here would certainly improve the user experience.

Performance score: 3.5/5

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)Garmin Bounce 2: Scorecard

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is a well-designed foldable that still feels too expensive for what it is

Wed, 04/15/2026 - 12:56

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE: One-minute review

Samsung's budget flip phone is basically a repackaged Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, which, on the face of it, isn't necessarily a bad thing. After all, in the smartphone world, the specs of last year's flagship often become those of this year's midrange phone. But the key issue is that Samsung didn't learn anything from the Z Flip 6’s shortcomings, and has failed to advance the Z Flip 7 FE in several areas, which sours the experience somewhat.

The perfectly decent chassis, cover screen, and inner screen are all cribbed straight from the Z Flip 6, but so, unfortunately, is the software experience. The biggest reason to use a flip phone is to use that cover screen as much as possible. It's novel, and it helps conserve your battery. But Samsung puts up roadblock after roadblock to prevent you from actually doing that, which can, at times, become maddening.

The rest of the software is evolving nicely. Samsung's One UI 8.0 moves closer to a vanilla Android experience with a few useful touches here and there. The AI features on board work very well, including photographic AI and Gemini on the cover screen, which is fun to use.

(Image credit: Adam Doud / Future)

The cameras are the same as the cameras on the Galaxy Z Flip 7, which is a bonus. Camera performance is quite good for an FE phone, although at night, the cameras can struggle to keep moving subjects sharp, and can overexpose bright light sources. Overall, though, this is a pretty capable shooter, especially when you use the main camera for your selfies.

Performance and battery life both fall into the okay-but-not-great category — again, consistent with the FE experience. With light to medium usage, you can get through a full day on a charge, though again, the software affects your ability to use the cover screen to its fullest, and thus conserve battery.

The bottom line here is that if you can score a good deal on this phone, it's worth picking up — the starting price is just a bit too high to be comfortable with. Samsung has a good history of support for its foldables, so that's a big plus here, and if you're looking for a pocketable phone with a sturdy build, decent battery life, and a good set of cameras, this one should be on your radar.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE review: Price and availability

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

Starts at $899 / £849 / AU$1,499
Available in black or white

Samsung is trying to make its foldable lineup more accessible to more people, which is a laudable goal, but it's priced the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE too high, both for what it offers and compared to its competition. $899 / £849 / AU$1,499 is cheaper than the flagship Z Flip 7, but it feels like this price is designed to allow Samsung to advertise "Look! We have a foldable phone for this low price!" without expecting anyone to actually buy it.

$899 / £849 / AU$1,499 is an unusual price for a phone these days, slotting right in between the starting price of the Google Pixel 10, iPhone 17, and Samsung's own Galaxy S25, and the higher starting price of the Pro models of the same phones.

The Z Flip 7 FE’s closest competitor is the Moto Razr 2025 (or Razr 60 as it's known outside the US). This phone undercuts the Z Flip 7 FE by $200 in the US, and by AU$300 in Australia, but it's only £10 less expensive in the UK. Overall, then, the price of the Z Flip 7 FE only feels close to correct in the UK, while it leaves something to be desired elsewhere.

The Z Flip 7 FE is available in either black or white. For my money, I prefer the black colorway, which is the more understated of the two; if you like to stand out more, white is the way to go.

Samsung Z Flip 7 FE pricing

Storage

US price

UK price

AU price

128GB

$899

£849

AU$1,499

256GB

$959

£909

AU$TBD

Value score: 3 / 5

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE review: Specs

(Image credit: Adam Doud / Future)

The overall specs of this phone are in line with its theoretical value proposition — it’s cheaper than the flagship, so therefore "midrange." In practice, though, 128GB is no longer enough for someone spending almost three figures on a smartphone, regardless of its market position. And foldables, in general, are still seen as premium products, even if this is the lesser of Samsung’s foldable lineup; mid-range specs may not cut it for many buyers.

Most of the specs on offer here are what you might expect from a lesser phone, which is understandable, although you do get the same cameras as on the flagship Galaxy Z Flip 7, which is great. The Exynos 2400 in particular stands out as a 2024-era processor — there’s no ‘for Galaxy’ version of a Snapdragon chipset to speak of here, in any region. That's fair enough, since this is an FE unit, but it still rankles a bit.

Meanwhile, 8GB of RAM is far from future-proof. Again, though, since this is an FE model, some compromises can be expected, and in terms of day-to-day performance, you'd be hard-pressed to notice a difference between this phone and the Galaxy Z Flip 7, which has 12GB.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE

Dimensions

165.1 x 71.9 x 6.9mm unfolded; 85.1 x 71.9 x 14.9mm folded

Weight

187g

Internal screen

6.7-inch Super AMOLED

Resolution:

1,080 x 2,640

Refresh rate:

60Hz

Peak Brightness:

2,600 nits

Chipset:

Samsung Exynos 2400

RAM:

8GB

Storage:

128GB / 256GB

OS:

Android 16

Main cameras:

50MP main; 12MP ultra-wide

Selfie camera:

10 MP

Battery:

4,000mAh

Charging:

25W

Colors:

Black, White

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE review: Design

(Image credit: Adam Doud / Future)

Solid build quality
Looks almost exactly like the Galaxy Z Flip 6

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE has more in common with the Z Flip 6 than with the Z Flip 7. Most notably, the phone has the same chassis, smaller cover screen, and battery as 2024’s flagship. I only mention that because it enables a lot of supply line efficiency, allowing for the phone to be less expensive. The design is superb; the Z Flip 7 FE feels solid, with little flex in the hinge. I personally like Samsung's industrial, squared-edge design language, though that is certainly subjective, and others may prefer the softer curves of the Motorola Razr family.

The cover screen is plenty big, but it's hampered by Samsung's software design, which puts a roadblock in the way of using any app on it; we'll discuss that more in a bit. Plus, the reverse-notch design isn't ideal for app usage — unless it's a Samsung-approved app, in which case the app is optimized for the notch. Motorola's rectangular design is a lot friendlier to external screen usage.

I rarely use cases with foldables, and after about two weeks of use and some ill-advised (and accidental) placing of two phones in the same pocket on a number of occasions, the back Gorilla Glass Victus in particular has noticeable scuffs. That’s not great, but it was more down to carelessness on my part than a design issue.

Speaking of the rear glass, early on in my review period, when I wasn't paying too close attention to it, I would press the power button and be surprised when the back of the phone didn't turn on. The front of the phone and the back look nearly identical when the screen is off, except for the two camera modules. Yes, that should be obvious, but something I like about Motorola’s flip phones is the materials and colorways they use; it’s very obvious when you’re not looking at the screen. Presumably, the white colorway would assuage this issue a bit, but I much prefer vibrant colors as opposed to black and white, even for ‘midrange’ phones.

Design score: 4 / 5

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE review: Display

(Image credit: Adam Doud / Future)

Very bright external and internal displays
Beware the low refresh rate on the cover display

Let's get the elephant in the room out of the way first — the Z Flip 7 FE’s cover screen only refreshes at 60Hz. Now, put your torches and pitchforks away — the inner screen gets the full 120Hz treatment. Personally, I’ve never been able to see the difference between the two refresh rates, while others will swear that this is an absolute deal-breaker; if that's you, get the Z Flip 7 and enjoy it!

As mentioned, the inner display is the same as the one on the Z Flip 6, and it's beautiful, with brilliant depth and color reproduction, and a crease that’s barely noticeable. Samsung's hinge mechanism is incredibly refined by this point, so the only time you'll see the crease is when you’re looking at it from an off-axis, and even then it's not a big deal.

Both screens can hit up to 2,600 nits of brightness, which is more than enough to see in bright sunlight. The screen can also go very dim when you're in a dark room, but if you tweak the phone's brightness up even a hair above minimum, it gets brighter in a hurry; a little more nuance in that respect would be appreciated.

But overall, both of these displays are excellent — Samsung is good at making displays after all.

Display score: 4 / 5

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE review: Software

(Image credit: Adam Doud / Future)

No DeX Mode
AI features are impressive for the most part

Samsung's OneUI has been getting progressively better over the years, and One UI 8.0 finally gives you the option to get rid of Samsung's side-scrolling app launcher, and the settings menus are also more refined than in previous versions.

One feature that’s missing is Samsung's DeX mode, which gives you a desktop-like interface when you connect an external screen. Samsung says the Z Flip 7’s Exynos 2500 chipset is powerful enough to work with Dex, which implies that the Z Flip 7 FE’s previous-gen chipset isn’t. But as we pointed out in our Z Flip 7 review, the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE with the Exynos 2400e chipset (which has less power than the 2400) can run DeX, so the feature’s absence here is perplexing.

The Z Flip 7 FE has all the same AI features as the rest of Samsung's lineup. My personal favorite is ‘Sketch to image’, which can produce AI images that are remarkably realistic from the most terrible sketches I can scrawl. Another notable addition is the ability to interact with Google Gemini via the cover screen, which is handy for quick questions on the go or even full conversations with Gemini Live.

Speaking of the cover screen, you can run apps on it, and Samsung made doing so slightly easier than before. In the past, you had to download Good Lock and then activate Multistar — neither of which sounds like an app you would use to do anything related to a lock screen. Now, Samsung puts a Multistar button in settings, which cuts down on a couple of steps. It's better, but only just. You can add the apps you want to the cover screen, which is nice, but the process is still too laborious for any but the nerdiest nerds.

Plus, Samsung limits what can happen on that cover screen. It's quite common for the Z Flip 7 FE to prompt you to open the phone to continue with what you’re trying to do, which defeats the purpose of using the cover screen at all. It can be quite maddening.

Software score: 3 / 5

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE review: Cameras

(Image credit: Adam Doud / Future)

Cameras are pretty good for the price
However, photos look a lot better on the phone screen than on a computer monitor

Overall, the camera on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is very good, as long as you're not planning on blowing up any photos beyond social media size. This is another one of those cases where photos look great on a phone screen, but when you zoom in, they get blocky. As with any phone camera, performance will be determined largely by how good the lighting is. If you're outside on a sunny day, photos will look great; if you're in a dark theatre watching a comedy performance, which was one of the environments in which I tested the cameras, very much less so.

Notably, in that scenario, the camera tended to overexpose performers who were under a spotlight. I also tested the iPhone 17 Pro and the OnePlus 15 in the same conditions, and they both performed much better, adjusting the exposure on the fly and producing less noisy photos; but of course, neither of those other phones folds in half.

Generally, in low-light outside environments, the phone performs better than most. Moving subjects can look a little soft, but not as bad as in images from some other flagships I have tested. Video stability when using the main camera at night was also better than expected in my testing.

The Z Flip 7 FE’s Portrait mode is also very good, with the software doing a decent job of picking out stray hairs on my head and separating them from the blurred background. Macro shots also look decent, although the depth of field is a little too shallow for my taste.

One of the key benefits of a foldable phone is the ability to use the main camera for your selfies, with the phone acting as its own tripod. With the Z Flip 7 FE, you can use a simple hand gesture to start a 3-second countdown to grab selfies, and in my experience, this worked every time.

I'd be pretty comfortable using the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE as my one and only camera phone. There are certainly better camera phones out there, especially from Chinese manufacturers, but I can't say I have any really obvious concerns or disqualifiers about the Z Flip 7 FE’s photographic capabilities. All in all, this is a pretty good camera for Instagram-worthy shots.

Camera score: 4 / 5

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE review: Camera samplesAdam Doud / FutureAdam Doud / FutureAdam Doud / FutureAdam Doud / FutureAdam Doud / Future

(Image credit: Adam Doud / Future)Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE review: Performance

(Image credit: Adam Doud / Future)

The Exynos 2400 chipset handles everyday tasks well
But don't expect Snapdragon 8 Elite-level power

Overall, I'm a Snapdragon fan, so I wasn't super thrilled to learn that the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE runs on an Exynos 2400 processor — historically, Exynos chipsets have struggled to keep up with Qualcomm's equivalent Snapdragon chipsets. However, the Z Flip 7 FE performed admirably during almost all tasks I put it through.

I'm not a heavy gamer, but I tested the phone’s performance chops by playing Asphalt: Legends, checking for heat issues or even dropped frames, and I didn't experience either. I also ran two apps simultaneously in split-screen mode, and again, there was no performance lag.

On Geekbench, the Z Flip 7 FE returned single-core and multi-core scores of 1,554 and 6,128, respectively, putting it on par with the Samsung Galaxy S23 and S24. However, while both of those are still respectable phones, the Exynos 2400 won't stand up against the chips found in the latest flagships.

The Z Flip 7 FE is an FE model, after all, and given its price point and market position, its performance is perfectly acceptable. But don't buy this phone thinking it'll be able to handle high-res video editing or extended (i.e., multi-hour) gaming sessions. For that, you’ll want one of the best phones or best gaming phones.

Performance score: 4 / 5

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE review: Battery

(Image credit: Adam Doud / Future)

Battery life is just ok
Charging speed is just acceptable — charge it overnight when possible

The battery life on the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE isn't bad given the phone’s positioning as a midrange device, but that's only really true if you commit to using the cover screen as much as possible. Unfortunately, as discussed, that isn't possible a lot of the time.

On most days, working from home and connected to Wi-Fi, I could comfortably get through the day on a full charge. On some days with particularly light use, I even hit the sack with around 30% left in the tank. However, on occasions when I went out and used the camera heavily, it was a different story. On those days, I often had to plug in the Z Flip 7 FE and top it up at least once to keep me going until bedtime.

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is limited to 25W charging. That's not terribly slow in itself, but compared to phones made by Chinese manufacturers, it’s downright glacial. Plus, unlike those Chinese manufacturers, Samsung doesn’t include a charger in the box.

Battery score: 3 / 5

Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE?

(Image credit: Adam Doud / Future)Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE scorecard

Value

This phone is the cheapest Samsung foldable you can buy, but it's priced a tad too high.

3/5

Design

The phone is very solid and sturdy. The color choices are boring.

4/5

Display

Very nice, bright displays inside and out. The cover screen only refreshes at up to 60Hz, though.

4/5

Software

The cover screen is not optimized, and at times it's annoying to use. The AI features are cool, though.

3/5

Cameras

The cameras match those on the Flip 7. Shot results are surprisingly good, particularly in low-light.

4/5

Performance

Exynos is not ideal. No major issues, but this chipset is not future-proof.

4/5

Battery

The battery is small and slow to charge. You'll get through a day with medium usage, but only just. Carry a battery pack.

3/5

Buy it if...

You're on a budget
If you want a Samsung foldable, but you don't have or want to spend a three-figure sum on a phone.

You want a small phone that's easy to use
The primary reason to want a flip phone is to keep it small whenever possible. Drop it into a breast pocket, and it's good to go.

You find it at a good discount
Discounts on the Z Flip 7 FE are frequent; try not to pay full price, if you can avoid doing so.

Don't buy it if...

You want great cameras
The cameras on the Z Flip 7 FE are surprisingly good, but I wouldn't put them in the "great" category.

You work or are frequently outdoors
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE has an IP48 water and dust resistance rating, which means it can survive the rain, but probably not a trip to the beach.

You're a gamer
The phone's Exynos 2400 processor is fine for most tasks, but you may run into issues if you plan on gaming for long periods.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE review: Also consider

Motorola Razr 2025
If you're considering the Samsung Galaxy Flip 7 FE, its closest competitor is the Moto Razr, which has worse cameras, but offers a better software experience.

Samsung Galaxy Flip 7
If you're already willing to spend $899 / £849 / AU$1,499, another 20% will get you a better phone, including better colorways and additional features.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE

Motorola Razr 2025

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7

Price:

$899 / £849 / AU$1,499

$699 / £799 / AU$1,199

$1,099 / £1,049 / AU$1,799

Chipset:

Exynos 2400

MediaTek Dimensity 7400X

Exynos 2500

Cameras:

50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP selfie

50MP main, 13MP ultra-wide, 32MP selfie

Battery:

4,000mAh

4,300mAh

4,500mAh

How I tested the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE

To test this phone, I used an unlocked review sample provided by AT&T on T-Mobile's network using my personal eSIM for around two weeks. During that time, I used the phone as I normally would, largely for communications and web surfing. Communications includes five email accounts, three Slack accounts, numerous Telegram messages, plus LinkedIn, Threads, Instagram, and other social media accounts.

Why you can trust TechRadar

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I tested the phone's cameras predominantly at night, shooting challenging scenes like walking while shooting video, in theaters, restaurants, bars, and other low-light areas where people frequently take selfies and shoot photos and videos. I also used the phone to shoot and lightly edit some short videos for Instagram.

During a typical day, I'll check my phone hundreds of times — it's a problem; I get it. I had the phone paired with my Google Pixel 4 smartwatch and used it while connected to Wi-Fi when I was home. I played games frequently throughout the day and watched social media videos on the device.

The Z Flip 7 FE also accompanied me on a trip to New York City for an overnight visit, which was a challenging day for the phone's battery as I took a lot of photos, shot video, and used the device as a Wi-Fi hotspot on several occasions.

Categories: Reviews

Margo's Got Money Troubles review — Apple TV's new comedy series is addictive and surprisingly heartfelt

Wed, 04/15/2026 - 12:00

Apple TV's new eight-part series Margo's Got Money Troubles is now streaming, and its three-episode premiere makes it an ideal binge watch.

There's plenty of reasons why you should, too. Elle Fanning leads an all-star cast, where she plays the titular role, who ends up unexpectedly pregnant after having an affair with her married English professor. With a baby on the way, she finds herself desperate for money.

It's a difficult situation, of course, but David E. Kelley's comedy drama handles it all with the right mix of humor and heart. Margo is supported by her estranged father, Jinx (Nick Offerman), a former pro-wrestler, and mother, Shyanne (Michelle Pfeiffer), a former Hooters waitress, with plenty of dysfunctional dynamics going on here.

Notably, Margo's decision to sleep with her married professor mirrors her mother's own, as she had a one-night stand with Jinx, who was also married at the time. The series doesn't shy away from Shyanne's disappointment that her daughter made the same mistakes as her, and there are plenty of heartfelt moments surrounding that.

Pfeiffer is brilliant as a concerned, frustrated mother whose immediate reaction to her daughter's pregnancy is to open a beer and go on a rant about what a stupid decision she thought the affair was. The first episode's heart-to-heart between Pfeiffer and Fanning is one of the best and most important scenes.

Nick Offerman's performance as Jinx is one of the standouts for me, too. He's known for his comedic work on Parks & Recreation and more serious takes on HBO Max's The Last of Us, and here he gets the chance to do both as a recovering addict and absentee father whose career as a pro wrestler is long gone. He's flawed, but does have good intentions.

Jinx goes on to be an unexpected asset for Margo as she joins OnlyFans, creating adult content to help her earn more money for herself and her baby, whom she decides to keep after a tearful hospital appointment where she gets to hear the heartbeat for the first time.

It never gets too serious though, and Margo's Got Money Troubles is the perfect weekly comedy series to devour throughout April and May, with great pacing and short runtimes of 35–42 minutes per episode.

Apple TV has impressed me a lot lately, especially with its original shows, and this one is no exception. On the surface, it might seem like yet another comedy, but it does a deep dive into some difficult themes and handles them well.

You may have apprehensions about how sex work and unexpected pregnancies are portrayed here, but, again, it comes across as far more nuanced than you might think based on a few of the promotional images. There are some interesting conversations between characters throughout, and there's quite an eclectic mix of personalities to strike that balance.

This isn't the usual kind of show I review, and I was initially drawn in by the cast, but I've come away from Margo's Got Money Troubles feeling very good about it. I'm already hoping it'll come back for season 2.

Categories: Reviews

'The ultimate funny clip generator' — Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is the perfect Nintendo Switch game for the social media age

Wed, 04/15/2026 - 07:00

The best way to describe life simulator Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is like a bizarre cross between The Sims and reality TV show Big Brother, but even that would be doing its special brand of weirdness a disservice. There’s simply nothing else quite like this strange Nintendo Switch exclusive, which sees you creating bombastic Mii characters, dropping them into a virtual island, and sitting back to watch as increasingly bizarre events occur.

Review info

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2
Available on: Nintendo Switch
Release date: April 16, 2026

Thanks to its frankly staggering degree of character customization, which lets you create a digital representation of everyone from your real-life friend group to celebrities and even your favorite gaming characters, the whole thing seems tailor-made for generating viral social media clips, and it’s clear that the Japanese gaming giant is already on to a winner in this regard. With just a demo available to the public, my social media feeds have been filled with hilarious encounters — all elevated by the series' trademark charmingly robotic text-to-speech voices.

If you enjoyed the demo or seeing the countless popular posts, then you’ll love the full game. It’s more of the same with everything dialled up to eleven — letting you unleash up to 70 characters rather than the demo’s three, and with hundreds more items and objects to discover. There are some misses, mostly for those expecting a transformative upgrade on Nintendo Switch 2, but Living the Dream is otherwise a raucous time.

Mini Mii

(Image credit: Nintendo)

The most important thing to know is that this is quite a hands-off game and clearly meant to be toyed with in short bursts over an extended period rather than ravenously consumed in just one sitting.

The experience opens by guiding you through the creation of your first few characters and outlining the basics of the in-depth character creator. Crafting Miis is a clear highlight, as Living the Dream offers the most expansive system for making them yet.

The possibilities are practically endless, with tens of face types, hair styles, eyebrows, eyes, noses, mouths, and so on. Beyond the impressive range of options, seemingly minor additions such as the option to select a separate front and back hairstyle and the addition of ears (a first for Miis) make it easier than ever to capture your desired look.

I set about creating as many members of the TechRadar team as possible, including everyone from my boss, Rob Dwiar, and Senior Entertainment Writer Lucy Buglass to our iconic Editor at Large, Lance Ulanoff, and never struggled to nail the look.

More elaborate Miis are possible through the face paint system. It turns your Mii’s face into a blank canvas, which you can draw on freely to add everything from little details, such as make-up and scars, to entire new faces based on your wildest dreams.

(Image credit: Nintendo)

The only limit here is your artistic skill, and, luckily, if you’re completely hopeless at drawing like me, you’ll be able to take advantage of some pre-set stamps of common shapes, faces, and a few food items.

Although it is an option, you don’t ever have to start from scratch either. You can clone an existing Mii and then tweak it to your liking (a tool I used to create a tiny Baby Lance) or follow a series of question-style prompts that run through the most important visual traits. The latter is particularly fun and surprisingly effective — giving you a great, near-perfect base that you can then fine-tune to perfection.

No matter your chosen method of creation, the final stage is always inputting some biographical information, including a little personality quiz that assigns your character one of a handful of distinct types to inform their behaviour. This doesn’t seem too impactful in the grand scheme of things, though I did occasionally note some differences in how my easy-going, optimistic Miis and confident leaders, for example, would react in different situations.

If you can dream it

(Image credit: Nintendo)

From there, you’re let loose on your island, a customizable tropical paradise that serves as the home of your Miis. Viewed from a birds-eye perspective, they all wander around chatting with each other throughout the day, occasionally retreating into their little houses for the odd rest.

Best bit

(Image credit: Nintendo)

If creating your own Miis wasn’t enough, the island itself can be customized extensively with a vast selection of props and almost complete freedom over its layout. I particularly enjoy plopping down objects like vending machines and swings, which have their own special animations and possible interactions to discover.

Like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the game syncs with real-world time, so you’re likely to see something different depending on when you choose to log on. Miis will also remark on how much time you’ve spent in the game recently; leave for more than a few days, and they’ll miss you dearly.

Sometimes Miis will require some direct interaction, waving up at the sky to offer the chance to play some basic minigames like a quiz that has you guessing obscured objects via their shadows. They’re a bit repetitive, but thankfully totally optional and do have some decent rewards in the random items available if you win. You’ll also see plenty of little thought bubbles, which you can click with the on-screen cursor to chat to the Mii or trigger an animated scene.

They’ll sometimes ask for advice or guidance as well, which gives you another route to customizing their behavior.

Completing tasks for your Miis often grants some cash and glowing yellow liquid happiness, raising their individual happiness level. Increasing happiness unlocks new traits and the option to give them objects to play with, distinct walking animations, new catchphrases to spout, and more. On top of this, Miis have a hunger level to manage. They won’t die if you starve them or anything — but dispensing good food regularly is a sure-fire way to farm a lot of happiness easily.

(Image credit: Nintendo)

You’ll want to keep on top of this, as it all pools into an overall island happiness level. This is the main metric of your progress through the game, and as you raise happiness, a handful of unique buildings are unlocked. This includes a clothes shop to outfit your Miis and a workshop that lets you create your very own objects using an extensive digital canvas.

It does get to a point where it feels like you’ve seen most of what the game has to offer, but it still finds odd new ways to surprise you. There are loads of possible Mii interactions: they can form relationships, make lifelong enemies, move in together, and much more. Events can even happen off-screen, too, leading to some rather amusing instances where I logged in to find Miis had radically altered their own appearances with new hairstyles, or started a feud with a former friend.

The lack of Nintendo Switch 2-specific features is undeniably a shame, though. For some reason, Nintendo has opted to release Living the Dream solely for the original Switch, rather than also offer a dedicated Switch 2 version. It is playable through backwards and benefits from slightly shinier visuals, but the lack of support for features like Joy-Con 2 mouse control is noticeable and seems like a huge missed opportunity given the number of mechanics that involve drawing.

Even those on the original Switch will notice that touch-screen support is also quite limited. You can tap icons in the character creator or drag your fingers across the screen to stroke a Miis head, but that’s basically it — a shame when pressing different options on on-screen pop-ups could easily be accomplished with a quick tap in handheld mode.

Should I play Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream?Play it if...

You’re a creative type
If you love customizing characters and the world they live in, then you’ll absolutely devour the practically limitless possibilities offered to you in Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream.

You love the viral clips
If you’ve been seeing the many online clips of this game or its demo and want to make your own, then it certainly won’t disappoint. This is nothing short of the ultimate funny clip generator.

Don't play it if...

You want hands-on life simulation
Tomodachi Life is all about watching your characters live their lives rather than directly controlling them. If you want more hands-on life simulation, try looking at The Sims and its spinoffs instead.

Accessibility features

Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream does not have a dedicated accessibility menu and, like other Nintendo-developed games, has very few settings.

Your only real options are to invert the X-axis of the camera and tweak the levels of individual sounds. Dialogue in the game is conveyed predominantly through text, though you cannot customize its appearance in any way.

How I reviewed Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream

I played more than 15 hours of Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream on Nintendo Switch 2, predominantly in handheld mode using the Joy-Con 2 controllers and relying on the system’s integrated speakers for sound.

During my time with the game, I created countless Mii characters and experienced as much of it as possible, comparing it with the previous entry, Tomodachi Life on Nintendo 3DS, and other life simulation games like The Sims 4.

First reviewed March 2026

Categories: Reviews

I’ve been using the Acer Predator Orion 7000 to play the latest titles and it’s one of the best gaming PCs you can buy right now

Wed, 04/15/2026 - 06:28

ACER PREDATOR ORION 7000: TWO-MINUTE REVIEW

This is a larger-than-life PC with a price tag to match. Its 67-liter chassis, RGB fans, and bicep-testing weight give it a premium look and feel that is sure to turn heads. This also gives it a huge amount of room to circulate cold air and, thanks to the liquid-cooled radiator, the unlocked Intel CPU has enough headroom for extra performance without jet-like fan noise.

In our testing, the combination of the Nvidia RTX 5080 and Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF worked in tandem to handle everything we could throw at it: Cyberpunk 2077 looked completely movie-like with no framerate bottlenecks, while Crimson Desert’s megabudget effects were astonishing.

Likewise, it handled 4K video editing in Premiere Pro and complicated motion tracking in After Effects without slowdowns. If you’re looking for something for both work and play (depending on your job), this could well be a perfect fit.

A nice touch is the hot-swap NVME bay on top of the machine, which means you can expand the storage without opening up the case. But when you do feel the need to upgrade, there are a couple of unoccupied RAM slots ready and waiting.

(Image credit: Future)

It’s costly, but that is an inevitability in hardware at the moment. However, it’s one of the best ways to get an eye-boggling 4K gaming experience out of the box.

ACER PREDATOR ORION 7000: PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

How much does it cost? Starts at £3,299 (UK), $4,999 (US), $6,999 (AU)
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the UK, US, and Australia

Our review build retails at £3,299, but it stretches all the way up to a £5,299 version with an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, 32GB RTX 5090, 64 GB DDR5 RAM, and a 4TB SSD — which is starting to get into 8K gaming territory.

As well as the components, you’re also paying for a decent chassis. Acer has made the Orion 7000 feel cohesive while inviting upgrades — and although you might not need them for a little while, those extra RAM and SSD slots will come in handy when prices finally tumble in the year 2176.

The closest comparison that we’ve reviewed recently is the Corsair One i500, which packs similar liquid-cooled componentry and gaming performance into a wood-finished case. The Orion 7000 is a more conventional design, screaming for attention, while Corsair’s One i500 issues a more sophisticated invitation.

While there are lots of models available in the UK via Acer itself and Currys, in other countries the choice is more limited. In the USA, you can only get the Predator Orion 7000 direct from Acer for $4,999 – but this build packs an Ultra 9 285K processor and 64GB DDR5 RAM. In Australia, the RAM is pared back to 32GB and the price pumped up to $6,999 AU.

Value: 4 / 5

ACER PREDATOR ORION 7000: SPECS

I tested the new Asus Zenbook and I can’t think of a better 16-inch laptop for travelling with — but there are certain tasks I can’t recommend it for

Wed, 04/15/2026 - 05:23

Asus Zenbook A16: Two-minute review

The Asus Zenbook A16 is a large laptop that aims to shoehorn premium performance into a portable package. It certainly achieves the latter; I was impressed by just how light and thin the unit really is, especially when you consider its 16-inch diagonal. It’s much easier to carry around than many of its rivals.

What’s more, it looks good. The beige colorway of my review unit was a refreshing change to the dour shades of many laptops, while the mottled pattern on the lid adds further interest, making it one of the best laptop choices if you’re after a unique design.

The Ceraluminium material might have a ridiculous name, but its build is anything but. While it’s incredibly light, it’s also quite solid. Meanwhile, the lid offers plenty of stability while still being easy to open and close. The bezel around the display isn’t quite so premium, but thankfully it’s very minimal, which helps to maximize screen space as much as possible.

Another impressive aspect of the Zenbook A16’s design is the variety of physical connectivity options. Despite that slender chassis, you get three USB ports (two Type-C and one Type-A), an HDMI port, a combo audio jack, and a full-size SD card reader.

(Image credit: Future)

This generous selection puts other similarly thin laptops to shame, although I was mildly disappointed to see nearly every port loaded on one side. Not splitting the USB-C ports across both sides is an especially aggravating decision, considering both can be used for charging and connecting to external monitors.

The Zenbook A16 is a capable general-purpose machine. It makes light work of basic productivity and entertainment tasks, including 4K streaming. However, it falls down somewhat when gaming. It can’t handle AAA titles all that well, performing worse than other laptops with similar integrated graphics.

Some heat can be felt towards the back and left side of the base, but this is far from troubling. The fans also produce a noticeable sound, but mercifully this isn’t as disruptive as some other examples.

The display is the highlight of the Zenbook A16, though. The crystal-clear 3K resolution is ideal for screen size, while the OLED technology ensures a deep contrast and a vibrant color palette. It also has plenty of brightness, which helps to prevent pesky reflections from ruining the viewing experience.

Thanks to the light actuation and spacing of the keys, the keyboard is easy to use. There’s also a little more travel and dampening to presses than is typical for a laptop keyboard, which only adds to the tactility and feedback. It’s a shame, though, that there’s no number pad and few navigation keys.

On the other hand, the touchpad of the Zenbook A16 is more practical. Its large surface area makes navigation easier, while the useful side gestures are convenient and functional. There were only a few occasions when I accidentally triggered them (and cursor movement) when typing, which is a much better hit rate than I’ve experienced with other large touchpads.

Battery life is impressive, too. The Zenbook A16 lasted a full 24 hours in our movie playback test, which is considerably longer than comparable models. For perspective, the 16-inch Samsung Galaxy Book6 Pro I tested only managed 14 hours in the same test.

However, it can’t match the Samsung for performance and sheer design quality, despite being about the same price. This means that unless you prize portability above all else, the Zenbook A16 mightn’t offer the best value compared to some stellar rivals.

Asus Zenbook A16 review: Specs

Base

Review

Price

TBC

$1,699.99 / £2,099.99 (Aus TBC)

CPU

Snapdragon X (X1-26-100) (up to 2.97GHz, 8 cores)

Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme (X2E-94-100) (up to 4.7GHz, 18 Cores)

GPU

Qualcomm Adreno (integrated)

RAM

32GB LPDDR5X

48GB LPDDR5X

Storage

1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD

Display

WUXGA (1920 x 1200) OLED, 16:10, 60Hz

3K (2880 x 1800) OLED, 16:10, 120Hz

Ports and Connectivity

2x USB-C (4.0 Gen 3 with support for display / power delivery, 40Gbps) 1x USB-A (3.2 Gen 2), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack, 1x SD 4.0 card reader; Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Battery

70Wh

Dimensions

13.9 x 9.5 x 0.7 inches (354 x 242 x 17mm)

Weight

2.4lbs (1.1kg)

2.9lbs (1.3kg)

Asus Zenbook A16 review: Price & availability

(Image credit: Future)

$1,699.99 / £2,099.99 for top model
TBC in Australia
Some rivals offer better value

The Asus Zenbook A16 is available from April 7th in two guises: both get Snapdragon CPUs, but one is the X1-26-100 with 8 cores and the other the X2E-94-100 with 18 cores. The models also have different RAM sizes (32GB and 48GB) and display resolutions (2880 x 1800 at 120Hz and 1920 x 1200 at 60Hz). Both come in two colorways: gray and beige.

The top model costs $1,699.99 (and £2,099.99 in the UK), while the pricing for the base model is yet to be confirmed. This is also the case for the pricing and availability of both models in Australia.

This is undeniably an expensive laptop. It’s similarly priced to the Samsung Galaxy Book6 Pro, which is about as premium as they come. Graphical performance is also superior to that of the Zenbook A16, handling AAA games much better. It’s nowhere near as light, though.

If you need even more graphical power but want to keep that 16-inch form factor, the Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 10 is a better alternative. Granted, its performance doesn’t match up to the very best gaming laptops, but the mere fact that it has a dedicated GPU — and a powerful one at that — means it can handle demanding titles, as well as video editing and other creative duties, far better than any machine without one.

Asus Zenbook A16 review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

Very light and thin
Interesting Ceraluminum construction
Generous port selection

There are a few aspects of the Asus Zenbook A16’s design that made me sit up and take notice. The first was my review unit’s beige finish, which is a breath of fresh air in a world of monochromes (although it should be said that a gray model is also available).

The second is the Ceraluminum construction, which looks and feels softer and more inviting than the hard and sterile materials of other laptops. I also appreciated the mottled finish of the lid, which looks more like paper and adds an interesting aesthetic element.

However, the standout aspect of the Zenbook A16 is its incredible lightness. When coupled with its ultra-thin chassis, this must be one of the most portable 16-inch devices out there. The soft, rounded sides of the base make it more comfortable to pick up and hold, too.

(Image credit: Future)

Despite its featherweight construction, build quality is also good. The base feels reasonably solid, while the hinge for the lid provides smooth and easy adjustments, as well as sufficient stability once set in place. The screen bezel is a little disappointing: although it’s very thin, the material quality is a step down. It isn’t flush or integrated into the screen, either, as it is on the best MacBooks, but this is a minor quibble.

There’s an admirable number of ports on the Zenbook A16. There are two USB-C ports, both of which employ the USB 4 standard, supporting both charging and external monitor connections. It’s a shame that they’re both on the left; it would’ve been more practical if they were split across both sides, to improve amenability for varying setups.

Also on the left are the combo audio jack and an HDMI jack, which means this side is somewhat overcrowded; by contrast, the right only gets a single USB-A port and an SD card reader. Still, it’s hard to complain when there’s this much variety at all; similarly large and thin laptops can’t compete.

Asus Zenbook A16 review: Performance

(Image credit: Future)

Great general performance
Lacks graphical pedigree
Sharp and bright display

Asus Zenbook A16 benchmarks

3DMark: Night Raid: 34,017; Fire Strike: 6,672; Steel Nomad: 646; Solar Bay: 12,960; Solar Bay Unlimited: 12,549; Solar Bay Extreme: 1,352; Solar Bay Extreme Unlimited: 1,303
Geekbench 6.5: Multicore: 15,075; Single-core: 3,779
Cinebench R23: Multi Core: 9,370; Cinebench R24: Single Core: 89; Multi Core: 452
Crossmark: Overall: 1,840; Productivity: 1,652; Creativity: 2,132; Responsiveness: 1,634
Passmark Overall: 5,613.1; CPU: 16,825.4; 2D Graphics: 567.6; 3D Graphics: 4,243.7; Memory: 3,559.5; Disk: 46,745.8
BlackMagicDisk: Read: 4,832MB/s; Write: 4,330MB/s
HandBrake 4K to 1080p: 86fps
Total War: Warhammer III: 1080p, Medium: 53fps
Total War: Warhammer III: 1800p, Ultra: 15fps
Battery Life (TechRadar movie test): 24 hours and 5 minutes

The general performance of the Zenbook A16 is respectable. The Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme chip in my review unit handled typical everyday workloads well, such as light productivity and entertainment. It also streamed 4K content without issue, and the copious 48GB of RAM certainly helped with multitasking, too.

Graphical performance was disappointing, though. It failed to complete Puget Bench’s Adobe Premiere benchmark, due to an effect failing to render in time — an error I’ve experienced with other laptops lacking dedicated graphics, although some such models did complete the test successfully.

Also, it didn’t run Cyberpunk 2077 in a playable state with the Ray Tracing: Low preset selected. This isn’t too surprising given the aforementioned integrated graphics, but I have tested laptops with similar solutions that did manage to run the game at the same settings more smoothly.

Adjusting the allocation of the shared memory to favor graphics tasks helped somewhat, but not by much — and certainly not by enough to justify the considerable increase in heat and fan volume.

I found the sweet spot between performance and visual fidelity was achieved on the Zenbook A16 by switching to the Ultra preset (which disables Ray Tracing), lowering the resolution to 1080p, and enabling Frame Generation.

During such intensive workloads, some heat can be felt at the top of the keyboard and the left-hand side of the base. In fact, this can even occur when the Zenbook A16 is under moderate loads, but fortunately the temperatures are far from worrisome or uncomfortable. Fan noise can be heard in such cases as well, but this is muted to a greater extent than on some other laptops, and is therefore less distracting.

(Image credit: Future)

Perhaps the highest-performing aspect of the Zenbook A16 is its display. The 3K resolution is sufficiently sharp for a display this large, while the 120Hz refresh rate provides plenty of smoothness. And since it uses OLED technology, contrast is deep and colors are vibrant. The screen is shinier than many I’ve seen, which does mean reflections can make themselves known, but thankfully the high brightness levels stop them from dominating the image entirely.

I found the keyboard great for typing with. The generous spacing and lightness of the keys makes fast and accurate inputs a cinch, while their extra dampening and travel over those of other laptops imparts more satisfying feedback. I always feel it’s a shame, though, when a 16-inch laptop misses out on a number pad. There aren’t any navigation keys, either, save from a Delete / Insert key.

Thankfully, the touchpad on the Zenbook A16 is more practical. It stretches from almost the very bottom of the base to the bottom of the keyboard, providing a large area that makes for easy navigation. It also has an incredibly smooth surface, which only makes it more enjoyable to use.

And while it’s also wide, it’s narrow enough to prevent the palms of your thumbs from resting on it constantly. Even when mine did, there were only a few occasions when this contact triggered cursor movement or the side controls for volume and brightness — which, incidentally, function very well.

There are other slider controls on the touchpad besides these: gesturing along the top edge allows you to scrub back and forth on video and audio content, while swiping diagonally from the top-right corner launches ScreenXpert, Asus’ tool for managing app windows and multiple displays. Despite the usefulness of these Smart Gestures (as they’re called), it’s a shame that none of them can be customized.

Asus Zenbook A16 review: Battery life

(Image credit: Future)

Outlasts rivals by a wide margin
Still not the best of the best, though

The battery life of the Zenbook A16 is very impressive. When I ran a movie on a continuous loop, it managed to last just over 24 hours. This makes it much more enduring than other large laptops, such as the Samsung Galaxy Book6 Pro and MacBook Air 15-inch, both of which lasted half as long in the same test.

However, there are laptops that can do even better: the HP OmniBook 7 14-inch, for instance, managed 26 hours, again in the same test, while the MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ managed over 30 hours. So while the Zenbook A16’s endurance is certainly remarkable, it’s not the absolute best in the broader laptop market.

Should I buy the Asus Zenbook A16?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

Hugely expensive, and the fact is other similarly priced rivals are better overall.

3.5 / 5

Design

The Ceraluminium construction is incredibly light, although it’s perhaps not quite as premium as others. There are a pleasing number of ports, too.

4 / 5

Performance

For workaday use, the Zenbook A16 is very good, and its excellent display showcases content brilliantly. Graphical performance leaves a lot to be desired, though.

4 / 5

Battery Life

Among the best for a large laptop, outlasting rivals by a long way. However, it can’t match the very best laptops.

4.5 / 5

Total

The super light design and excellent display are big plus points for the Zenbook A16, but the middling graphical performance and high price hamper its value compared to the alternatives.

4 / 5

Buy it if…

You want something large but light
I haven't come across a lighter 16-inch laptop. Coupled with its ultra-thin design, the Zenbook A16 is a great travel companion.

You want a great display
Large, bright, sharp, and vibrant — everything you could want from a display, although it’s a little too reflective at times.

Don't buy it if…

You want graphical power
Creatives and gamers will be disappointed — it’s even worse than other laptops with integrated graphics.

You’re on a budget
The Zenbook A16 is certainly expensive, and there are better performers with a more premium design for a similar price.

Asus Zenbook A16 review: Also consider

Samsung Galaxy Book6 Pro
For something more premium, consider the Galaxy Book6 Pro. Its metal body is a cut above the Zenbook A16’s, and feels more sturdy as a result. Performance is also excellent, outdoing the Zenbook A16 on graphical tasks, even though it likewise has no dedicated GPU. It’s very expensive, though. Read our full Samsung Galaxy Book6 Pro review.

Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 10
The Legion 7i has the advantage of a dedicated GPU, which means it eats up graphics-intensive tasks, such as video editing and gaming. It’s not the absolute best in class on the latter front, but it’s certainly capable enough for many players. What’s more, it has an even more premium design than the Zenbook A16. Read our full Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 10 review.

How I tested the Asus Zenbook A16

(Image credit: Future)

Tested for several days
Used for numerous tasks
Plenty of laptop reviewing experience

I tested the Asus Zenbook A16 for several days, during which time I used it for general browsing, light productivity, streaming content, and gaming.

I also ran our series of benchmark tests, designed to assess all aspects of performance. I also ran a movie on a continuous loop to test the battery life.

I’ve reviewed a large number of laptops previously, across a broad range of price points, form factors, and use cases.

First reviewed: April 2026
Read more about how we test

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