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Updated: 1 hour 28 min ago

Oukitel WP500 Ultra review: A flagship rugged phone with a unique thermal camera — but also an inflated price

Fri, 06/19/2026 - 08:20

Outkitel WP500 Ultra: 30-second review

Oukitel has plenty of mid-tier phones, but it’s always interesting to see what it comes up with for a flagship release.

The WP500 Ultra brings a 640 x 512 thermal camera, a hardware privacy kill switch, and a Dimensity 8300 chipset into a single package. Most of those things aren’t gimmicks and are potentially useful to the right buyer.

This design packs a punchy SoC with a good GPU and NPU in the package, plenty of RAM, tons of storage, and a decent camera cluster. But at the asking price of nearly $700, you might reasonably expect that, and possibly more than the 10000mAh of battery.

But the headline feature here is the AI thermal imaging solution using Smart ClearTherm and SceneSync Fusion. This produces remarkably detailed thermal images and video.

For those professionals who want a rugged worksite phone that does most things, the Oukitel WP500 Ultra ticks plenty of boxes. But the asking price still seems a little on the high side for a company that makes some excellent $200 rugged phones.

The only thing stopping this from being one of the best rugged phones we’ve tested this year is the price.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Outkitel WP500 Ultra: price and availability

How much does it cost? $700/£522/€604
When is it out? Available now
Where can you get it? Direct from the maker or via an online retailer

The Oukitel WP500 Ultra launched with an MSRP of $1,099.99. Direct from Oukitel, the ‘Early Bird’ price is $699.99 in the USA, £521.77 in the UK and €603.86 for those in Europe.

I do hope those lower prices stick a little, because north of $1,000 seems excessive even with these specifications.

At this price, the hardware package is genuinely strong. A Dimensity 8300, 1TB of storage, and a 640 x 512 thermal camera at under $700 would have been exceptional by 2024 standards. And, in the middle of 2026, the price point remains an important factor.

The caveat is that the specialist features inflate the cost relative to buyers who do not need them. A user who wants only a fast, durable, rugged phone can spend less and get a comparable daily-use experience. The WP500 Ultra makes the most sense for buyers who will actively use the thermal camera and the special privacy switch.

To a certain degree, Oukitel is competing with itself for rugged phones with thermal cameras, since they also have the WP61 Ultra. That design costs about $30 less and has double the battery capacity, but that comes with a weight and size penalty.

A phone with thermal vision is the AGM G3 Pro, which sells for the same price, but has less storage, a less powerful SoC and a lower thermal resolution.

If you just want thermal vision and don’t care about the resolution of the sensor, Blackview still makes the BL9000 Pro, which can be found for as little as $550.

Overall, the Oukitel WP500 is offering a better platform than the majority of competing options, but matching their price isn't easy.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Value score: 4/5

Outkitel WP500 Ultra: Specs

Item

Spec

CPU:

MediaTek Dimensity 8300

GPU:

ARM Mali-G615 MC6

NPU:

MediaTek NPU 580

RAM:

12GB LPDDR5

Storage:

1TB

Screen:

6.78" IPS TFT 550 nits

Resolution:

1080 x 2460 FHD+

SIM:

2x Nano SIM

Weight:

414.3g

Dimensions:

177.2 x 82.6 x 22.9mm

Rugged Spec:

IP68 IP69K dust/water resistant (immerse up to 1.5m for 30 min), MIL-STD-810H Certification

Rear cameras:

108MP Samsung S5KHM6 + Samsung 8MP S5K4H8 Night Vision/Mix + Thermal AI sensor

Front camera:

32MP Sony IMX616

Networking:

WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3

OS:

Android 16

Battery:

10,000 mAh battery (Max 33W charge wired, 7.5W Reverse)

Colours:

Orange, Black

Outkitel WP500 Ultra: Design

Chunky rugged phone
Anti leaking technology
No SDCard slot

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

There is no pretending the WP500 Ultra is anything other than an industrial tool. It is big, heavy, and it is built to take punishment. At 414.3g and nearly 23mm thick, this is a device that earns its keep rather than lives in your pocket unnoticed.

The chassis is reinforced polymer with rubberised grips along the sides and corner armour that looks like it means business. It does. The thermal camera module dominates the rear panel. It is the largest single element on the back of the device and leaves nobody in any doubt about what this phone does for a living. Unless they mistake it for a speaker.

Oukitel has covered all the certification bases. IP68 handles immersion to 1.5 metres. IP69K adds resistance to high-pressure water jets at close range. MIL-STD-810H extends protection to extreme temperatures, shock, vibration, and altitude. That is the full rugged stack. Nothing has been left out.

The screen is covered by Corning Gorilla Glass 5 at 1.1mm. That is a sensible, honest choice. The privacy kill switch sits alongside the standard power and volume controls on the chassis. Its position matters. It needs to be reachable with gloves on, and Oukitel appears to have thought about that.

However, the phone comes with a bumper that left this reviewer entirely confused. In other Oukitel phones I’ve seen recently, a soft TPU bumper was included, but this is a hard, rigid plastic that is as likely to transmit any shock it receives to the phone as it is to protect it.

There is another issue with this bumper that I’ll discuss in the camera section, which might encourage many to dump it.

Where Oukitel haven’t wandered off the rugged phone highway is with the button layout, which has all the usual suspects located where you might reasonably expect them.

The one exception to this model is an extra button that Oukitel amusingly labelled as the “Anti leakage button” and also as ‘the one click encryption button’, or even ‘Privacy kill Switch’, depending on where in their documentation you look.

So what does it actually do, you might reasonably wonder? According to Oukitel, “A single slide instantly disables cameras, microphones, and GPS, preventing photos, videos, audio, and location data from being captured. Ideal for sensitive meetings, confidential work, and situations where privacy matters most.”

My immediate reaction is that it’s a feature someone involved in a criminal enterprise might like, but it makes almost no sense in a business context. Because if you are your worst security threat, and record conversations and take pictures in sensitive meetings, then you’re probably not going to click this button to stop yourself, are you?

And if the phone is doing all these things on its own because it’s been compromised by malware, then that’s probably disabled the button anyway.

Oukitel promises peace of mind with this feature, but presumably only if you don’t think about it.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Other aspects of this design seem better considered, especially the screen.

The 6.78-inch panel runs at 1080 x 2460 with a 120Hz refresh rate. Those numbers sit comfortably alongside mainstream mid-range phones. That is exactly where you want a rugged display to be in 2026. Peak brightness comes in at 550 nits. It is adequate for most conditions, but in direct sunlight, it will test it severely.

As for the rest of this design, there are a few things that look a little rushed or that ended up entirely omitted. On the rushed side are holes for a lanyard, where one isn’t included in the box. And missing in action are a headphone jack and a MicroSD card slot.

What’s truly odd about the MicroSD card situation is that on Oukitel’s specification, it mentions storage expansion being a 2TB TF card. But unless I’m being remarkably dumb, there is no place for this to go. The SIM card tray is incredibly small and only carries two Nano SIMs back-to-back. If this phone does take a memory card, I’m interested to know where it goes.

Those points aside, the design of this phone isn’t terrible, but a few things, like the misplaced features and issues with the bumper, do hint that it might have been brought to market at such a pace that didn’t allow these details to be ironed out.

Design score: 3.5/5

Outkitel WP500 Ultra: Hardware

MediaTek Dimensity 8300
1TB of storage
10000 mAh battery

The Dimensity 8300 is the right chip for a phone at this price. It is built on TSMC's 4nm process, uses Armv9 CPU cores, and pairs with the Mali G615 GPU. Benchmarks from other devices using the same chip place it ahead of the Snapdragon 778G and close to the older Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in sustained loads. This is not a mid-range chip in a rugged case. It is a proper performance part.

Previous Oukitel flagships relied on the Helio G99 or Dimensity 7050. Both chips did their jobs. Neither came close to the 8300. The step up here is real, and it shows in everyday use.

I’ve yet to test a device using the new 9000 series chips, which can use 10667 MHz RAM, but until those become more common, chips like the Dimensity 8300 are a solid choice for both compute and graphics.

The 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM is the honest figure to focus on. Some listings inflate RAM numbers by using virtual memory expansion, which uses storage space rather than physical chips.

Oukitel are one of these, putting 36GB in big letters on the box, and then in a much smaller font 12+24GB below. Yes, you can map 24GB of storage as if it were memory, and with 1TB, you have plenty to spare, but it doesn’t mean this phone has 36GB.

Anyway, 12GB physical is a good number for this category, and it will handle multitasking and demanding applications without complaint.

The 1TB of internal storage is where the WP500 Ultra genuinely pulls ahead. That capacity rivals that of a budget laptop and gives field professionals ample room for thermal imaging, 4K video, and documentation without worrying about running out of space for some time.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Unless weight is a big priority, a 10,000mAh battery is expected at this level. What changes the runtime picture compared with older rugged phones is the chipset. The Dimensity 8300 is a 4nm part, and it is noticeably more efficient than the 6nm and 7nm designs it replaces. That efficiency advantage compounds across a full working day, allowing the WP500 Ultra to perform more and extend its running time significantly.

The 45W wired charging is acceptable, and better than some 33W options we’ve seen elsewhere. Filling a 10,000mAh cell from flat at 45W takes close to two hours and fifteen minutes. Some competitors at this price point have moved to 66W and above, but even with 45W, you can get the battery half full in around thirty-five minutes from flat.

Sadly, there is no wireless charging, and Oukitel could reasonably have done better here given the asking price.

The quoted video playback time is 15 hours, and the standby is a whopping 1754 hours, or just over 73 days.

Some will wonder why it doesn’t have a 20000mAh battery, but that would have elevated the weight closer to 600g, and 414g is enough without making it entirely impractical to carry.

Hardware score: 4/5

Outkitel WP500 Ultra: Cameras

108MP, 8MP and thermal on the rear
32MP on the front
Four cameras in total

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The Outkitel WP500 Ultra has four cameras:

Rear camera: 108MP Samsung ISOCELL S5KHM6, Samsung 8MP S5K4H8, Thermal AI sensor
Front camera: 32MP Sony IMX616

This camera arrangement can be confusing, especially from the Android 16 OS perspective.

If you ask the phone how many camera sensors it has, it will tell you it has five, not four, but it's obvious, examining the cluster, that there are three cameras on the rear, and another on the front.

The confusion comes with the 8MP S5K4H8, because the phone thinks it has two of these, where in reality it has one pulling double duty. Normally, it is a night vision sensor that uses infrared to illuminate the darkness and capture images.

But it also provides a source for the thermal camera to mix into its data to improve the detail and context of its thermal image captures.

This is where the WP500 Ultra makes its case. A 640 x 512 thermal camera is the highest resolution sensor currently found in a rugged smartphone. The AGM G3 Pro sits at 512 x 384. The Blackview BL9000 Pro manages 160 x 120. Oukitel leads the segment on this single metric, and the gap is not small.

Resolution tells part of the story. NETD tells the rest. The WP500 Ultra claims a figure below 50 millikelvin. NETD measures thermal sensitivity. A lower value means the sensor can resolve finer temperature differences, which produces more useful images in real conditions. The stated accuracy of plus or minus 2 degrees Celsius is standard for sensors in this class.

Two AI processing layers sit on top of the raw sensor output. Smart ClearTherm handles image enhancement. SceneSync Fusion attempts real-time scene interpretation and object classification.

The problem here is that I’ve no idea what the actual sensor is, because Oukitel haven’t divulged that. And, it might be that what I’m seeing is 320 x 256 thermal data that is then AI processed with the 8MP data from the S5K4H8. That said, however these results are achieved, it looks remarkably good in my examples.

The practical applications are genuine. Electricians finding overheating components, surveyors checking insulation continuity, security professionals detecting heat signatures, and maintenance engineers spotting failing machinery before it breaks are all realistic use cases for this technology.

If you want to take ordinary pictures, the 108MP Samsung ISOCELL S5KHM6 is a stalwart, delivering great colour-balanced images that are sharp and have a great dynamic range even without HDR turned on.

However, it was when I was taking night vision images that I ran into some issues, specifically in relation to the hard plastic bumper.

It appears that the IR lights used to illuminate scenes interact with the bumper, causing it to emit or refract light back into the Samsung 8MP S5K4H8. This causes odd reflections and smears that can clearly be seen. In one of my example images is a printer, and there is one of these aberrations crossing over it. Once I removed the bumper, these went away, and the images had significantly more contrast.

This is clearly a problem Oukitel overlooked, and those who use the night vision mode will need to ditch the bumper and find something else.

To finish on a high note, Oukitel used some of the asking price to cover Widevine L1 certification. That means Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ deliver full-resolution content rather than a downgraded stream. For professionals on extended deployments who want something decent to watch in the evening, it is a useful detail.

Outkitel WP500 Ultra Camera samplesMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark Pickavance

Camera score: 4/5

Outkitel WP500 Ultra: Performance

4nm SoC
High-tier performance

Phone

Oukitel WP500 Ultra

Oukitel WP210

SoC

MediaTek Dimensity 8300

Mediatek Dimensity 8200

GPU

Mali-G615 MC6

Mali-G610 MC6

NPU

MediaTek NPU 580

Memory

12GB/1TB

12GB/512GB

Weight

414.3g

311g

Battery

10000

8800

Geekbench

Single

1239

1246

Multi

3525

3968

OpenCL

7196

4310

Vulkan

8171

4736

PCMark

3.0 Score

15219

13970

Battery

22h 37m (19%)

22h 44m

Charge 30

Passmark

Score

18554

16455

CPU

8748

8490

3DMark

Slingshot OGL

Maxed Out

Slingshot Ex. OGL

Maxed Out

Slingshot Ex. Vulkan

Maxed Out

Wildlife

7958

6023

Nomad Lite

953

625

Initially, I was going to compare the WP500 Ultra with another phone that had thermal credentials, but my tests don’t cover that aspect, so I went with a different approach.

From the same brand, the WP210 has similar specifications but a smaller battery and no thermal camera. The smaller battery sheds 25% of the weight, though the Dimensity 8200 isn’t far from what its 8300 brother offers at computing tasks.

Where the 8300 excels is with its GPU, which, in a few tests, was 70% quicker at OpenGL and Vulkan. But deep diving into the data I captured when I tested these phones, the GPU improvements mostly come from the memory model each phone deploys.

On the WP210, the average memory latency was 42.5 ns, and database operations were 55,8 KOps per second, whereas on the WP500 Ultra, those numbers were only 32.7ns latency and 228 KOps per second. Those memory enhancements, coupled with the 4th Gen Valhall architecture improvements in the Mali-G615 MC6, explain why the 8300 is that much better at graphics than the 8200.

While the battery life looks similar, as I recall, the WP210 was completely exhausted at 22 hours and 44 minutes, whereas the WP500 Ultra still had 19% capacity left. That implies another 4 or more hours of runtime to completely empty the battery.

A slightly sobering point is that you can get the WP210 direct from Oukitel for $449.99/£295.99, making it substantially cheaper than the WP500 Ultra. It comes down to whether you need the thermal camera or the extra performance if you wish to invest another $250 in the WP500 Ultra.

Performance score: 4/5

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Outkitel WP500 Ultra: Final verdict

The Oukitel WP500 Ultra is a phone with a clear identity. It knows exactly who it is built for, and it does not try to be something else. The thermal camera resolution leads the segment, and the hardware kill switch is a unique feature in consumer smartphones.

The Dimensity 8300 and 1TB storage give it a performance foundation that most rugged phones cannot match.

The price is the problem. At $699.99, the WP500 Ultra faces serious competition from the AGM G3 Pro. Both offer compelling alternatives for buyers who do not need a hardware privacy disconnect. Oukitel wins on specialisation. It loses on the value aspect for the general buyer.

For professionals who regularly work with thermal imaging, operate in environments where hardware privacy controls are not optional, and need a rugged phone that can keep up with serious workloads, the WP500 Ultra earns its price. For everyone else, the AGM G3 Pro is the smarter spend.

One thing needs resolving before any enterprise buyer commits. Oukitel must confirm its software update policy. Seven years is the benchmark. Anything less at this price needs to be disclosed clearly and reflected in the final recommendation.

That said, no other phone matches 640 x 512 thermal resolution at this cost. The Dimensity 8300 is genuinely fast, and the 1TB of storage is exceptional. For professionals who will use those tools every day, these features might justify the outlay. For everyone else, there might be cheaper alternatives elsewhere.

Should I buy a Outkitel WP500 Ultra?Oukitel WP66 Score Card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

Not a cheap phone, but the thermal vision system justifies some of the cost.

4/5

Design

Not a radical departure, but there are some missing features.

3.5/5

Hardware

Powerful SoC, 1TB of storage and 10000mAh of battery

4/5

Camera

Impressive thermal AI camera and 108MP main sensor

4/5

Performance

Decent performance and efficient use of the battery

4/5

Overall

Great features, an annoying bumper, but the price is too high

4/5

Buy it if...

You need thermal imaging
This is the highest thermal resolution available on a smartphone, though some of this might be AI-enhanced from lower-resolution data. But it's good for thermal work, unless you need a macro for electronics work.

You can make sense of the privacy kill switch
Not leaking critical information from private meetings is something many in business would find an important feature. However, the button doesn’t stop anyone else from doing it around you, so it might not have the impact you want.

Don't buy it if...

You travel light
For some, a phone weighing more than 400g is a practical dealbreaker, and the size of this one won’t allow it to fit in a trouser pocket.

You need a MicroSD/TF card
While the WP500 Ultra does have 1TB of internal storage, you can’t expand this with a memory card like most other rugged smartphones. If you use these cards to capture images and video and then store them, you will need to come up with a different approach.

Also Consider

Ulefone Armor Mini 20 Pro
Another practical, rugged design with an inbuilt camping light, night vision camera and about 60% of the battery capacity of the WP500 Ultra. It’s cheap, but conversely, the cameras aren’t as good, and the SoC isn’t as powerful. For those needing a cheap, tough phone, the Ulefone Armour Mini 20 Pro might be a good choice as it's easily pocketable.

Read our Ulefone Armor Mini 20 Pro reviewView Deal

AGM G3 Pro
A slightly lower-spec phone that uses the Dimensity 7300 platform and has a 512 x 384-resolution thermal camera. However, the trade down in hardware knocks about $70 off the cost of the WP500 Ultra, and it weighs less, too.

Check out my full AGM G3 Pro review

For more ruggedized devices, we've reviewed the best rugged tablets, the best rugged laptops, and the best rugged hard drives

Categories: Reviews

‘Clean your air without spending a fortune’: I discover that this Coway air purifier’s tremendous filtering is well worth its low price — as long as you don’t mind its lack of smarts

Fri, 06/19/2026 - 04:25

Coway Airmega 100: one-minute review

The Coway Airmega 100 is a small, cylindrical air purifier. It's designed for rooms up to around 63 square meters, packing an impressive Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of 244 cubic meters per hour and a three-stage filtration system (pre-filter, True HEPA and deodorization filter).

Design-wise, it's a compact white cylinder that's light enough to carry one-handed and small enough to sit on a desk or tuck into a corner. The touch controls on top are simple and intuitive, with an air-quality indicator ring that shifts color based on what it detects.

Performance is where this purifier really shines, though. It's remarkably quiet even for one of the best air purifiers, especially in sleep mode where it drops to just 20 dB, and the auto mode does a good job of ramping up when it detects something in the air. There was also a noticeable reduction in surface dust after a few days of running it, and cooking smells triggered the sensor quickly. While it won’t eradicate stronger smells completely as a purifier with pellet-based carbon filters would, it still performs brilliantly when it comes to everyday dust, pollen and pet dander.

As you’d expect, there are some downsides, though, such as a lack of any Wi-Fi connectivity or app control. A quick look at the Amazon reviews will highlight a number of reports of replacement filters being hard to source in the UK, and while build quality is perfectly fine, it does feel a bit budget in places. Nevertheless, at around £110 / $84 on sale, it represents exceptional bang for your buck.

(Image credit: Future)Coway Airmega 100 review: Specs

Category

Specification

Price

$129.99 / £99.99

Dimensions

8.7 x 15.6 x 8.7 inches / 220 x 395 x 220m

Weight

6.6 lbs / 3.0kg

Room coverage

810 sq ft / 75 sq m

Fan speeds

4 stages (Sleep, 1, 2, 3)

Oscillation

Filtration

3-stage True HEPA filtration

Filters

Inseparable 3-in-1 filter (Vacuumable Pre-Filter, True HEPA Filter, Deodorization Filter)

Stated filter replacement cycle

Up to 12 months

Controls

On-device touch controls (Auto mode, Fan speed, Timer, Light, Filter reset)

Additional features

Real-time PM2.5 particle sensor, 3-color LED air quality indicator, 360-degree air intake, soothing night light, timer (1, 2, 4, 8 hours)

(Image credit: Future)Coway Airmega 100 review: Price and release date

Available now
List price: £109.99 / $83.99 / AU$199

The Coway Airmega 100 is available to buy now in the UK, US and Australia. It sits at the affordable end of the air purifier market, and even at its full UK RRP of £149.99 / $129.99 / AU$199, it undercuts most comparable models from Philips, Blueair and Levoit, and it's a fraction of what you'd pay for anything from Dyson. At the time of writing, the unit can be picked up direct from Coway for a sale price of $83.99 / £109.99.

Replacement filters cost a very reasonable £27.99 / $39.99 / AU$59, especially compared to the £69.99 you'll pay for the larger Airmega 350's filters. Coway says they should last around 12 months, though in dustier environments you may need to swap them more often.

One thing to flag: a few buyers have reported difficulty finding genuine replacement filters on Coway's UK site, with stock appearing to come and go. Filters are available on Amazon, but some buyers have reported sketchy availability from Coway’s official web store, so it's worth keeping an eye on this if you're planning to keep this long-term.

Running costs are minimal too. With a 25W motor, you're looking at pennies per day even if you leave it running around the clock.

Value score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Coway Airmega 100 review: Design

Compact and minimal, fits anywhere
Touch controls are simple and intuitive
Feels a little cheap, and there are no carry handles

The Airmega 100 is essentially a small, white cylinder measuring just 8.66 inches / 220mm across and about 15.75 inches / 400mm tall. This compact size means it can easily sit on a bedside table, a desk, or the floor in a corner and, at 6.61 pounds / 3kg, it's light enough to pick up and move around to put wherever you need it with ease. The minimal white finish might leave a bit to be desired, but it’s nice enough and will blend in with pretty much any room without drawing attention to itself.

As for the touch panel on top, this is a straightforward design that makes it super easy to navigate, sporting haptic buttons for fan speed, sleep mode, timer, light on/off and a control panel lock. Wrapping around the 360-degree fan grille is an air quality indicator ring that changes color from blue (clean) through green and yellow to red (polluted), giving you a quick visual check on air quality status without needing to press anything. I found the whole thing easy to get to grips with, no manual needed.

(Image credit: Future)

If I had to pull out a negative, I’d say build quality is where the Airmega 100 lets itself down a bit. It looks nice enough from a distance, but up close the plastic feels a bit on the cheap side. It's not flimsy or poorly made; it just doesn't have that reassuring heft you get from pricier models. There are also no carry handles, which is a minor gripe given how light it is, but still feels like something Coway could have added without much effort.

Air is drawn in through inlets at the bottom and expelled upwards through the top grilles, so, like its bigger sibling the Airmega 350, don't expect it to double up as a fan. This device is for cleaning air, not cooling you down.

Design score: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Coway Airmega 100 review: Features and performance

Impressively quiet, especially in sleep mode
Auto mode reacts quickly to changes in air quality
Carbon filter won't tackle strong cooking smells

For such a compact air purifier at such a low price, the Airmega 100 performs surprisingly well. The three-stage filter (pre-filter, True HEPA and deodorization) does a top job of capturing dust, pollen and pet dander, and I noticed a genuine drop in surface dust after just a few days of running it in my open-plan living and dining room.

The auto mode is the standout feature here, though. With a built-in PM2.5 sensor, it’s able to monitor air quality in real time and adjust fan speed accordingly. Start cooking, spray some deodorant or disturb some dust, and the ring will shift color before the fan kicks in. Then, once the air clears, it’ll settle back down. It's properly hands-off, and works really well.

Noise levels are also excellent. In sleep mode, the Airmega 100 drops to a claimed 20 dB, and I can confirm it's near-silent. I ran it overnight in the same room and totally forgot it was there. Even on its highest speed, it's not what I'd call loud, topping out at around 52 dB — that's roughly dishwasher territory, so for a bedroom or home office it's ideal.

FutureFutureFuture

The one area where the filtration falls a bit short is when it comes to strong odors. The deodorization filter uses a carbon-coated fiber rather than the pellet-based activated carbon you'll find in pricier models. While it handles light smells and general stuffiness fine, don't expect it to neutralize strong cooking smells or smoke from a burnt pan. For everyday dust, allergens and general air quality improvement, though, it's perfectly capable.

As with its older brother, the Coway Airmega 350, there's no Wi-Fi connectivity, app nor smart-home integration on the Airmega 100. This means you can't check air quality stats remotely or control it from your phone. That's not ideal, although — unlike on the pricier models — it doesn’t feel as much of a missing feature here. Still, it still feels like something Coway should be thinking about, as a basic app showing air quality trends and filter life isn’t exactly a cutting edge feature these days.

Nevertheless, the purifier’s timer options (you can choose between one, two, four or eight hours) and the control panel lock are both pretty useful additions. And there's a mood-light feature that provides a soft glow for bedroom use, which is a nice touch.

Features & performance score: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Coway Airmega 100?

You want a quiet, compact purifier for a bedroom or office
The Airmega 100 is one of the quietest small purifiers around, and it's small enough to go practically anywhere.

You're on a budget
At around £110 / $84 on sale, with cheap filters and minimal running costs, it's really good value.

You have allergies or pets
ECARF-certified and ozone-free, with solid HEPA filtration for dust, pollen and dander.

Don't buy it if…

You need to tackle strong odors
The carbon filter is fine for light smells, but won't cut it for serious cooking or smoke.

You want smart features
There’s no app, no Wi-Fi, and no voice control, so if remote access matters to you, look elsewhere.

You're worried about long-term filter availability
Some UK buyers have reported difficulty sourcing genuine replacements, which is worth keeping in mind.

Coway Airmega 100 review: Also consider

Category

Coway Airmega 100

Coway Airmega 350

Levoit Core 300S

Price

$129.99 / £99.99

$329.00 / £259.99

$149.99 / £127.48

Dimensions

8.7 x 15.6 x 8.7 inches / 220 x 395 x 220 mm

12 x 23 x 12 inches / 305 x 590 x 305mm

8.7 x 14.2 x 8.7 inches / 220 x 360 x 220mm

Weight

6.6 lbs / 3.0 kg

17.19 lbs / 7.8 kg

5.95 lbs / 2.7 kg

Room coverage

810 sq ft / 75 sq m

2,640 sq ft / 245 sq m

1,051 sq ft / 98 sq m

Fan speeds

4 stages (Sleep, 1, 2, 3)

5 stages (Sleep, 1, 2, 3, Turbo)

4 stages (Sleep, 1, 2, 3)

Oscillation

Filtration

3-stage True HEPA

3-stage HyperVortex True HEPA

3-stage True HEPA

Filters

3-in-1 integrated filter (Pre-Filter, True HEPA, Deodorization)

3-in-1 custom side-load filter (Pre-filter, True HEPA, Activated Carbon)

3-in-1 cylindrical filter (Pre-filter, True HEPA, High-Efficiency Carbon)

Stated filter replacement cycle

Up to 12 months

6 to 8 months

Controls

On-device touch controls

On-device touch controls, VeSync App, Voice control (Alexa/Google Assistant)

Additional features

Real-time PM2.5 particle sensor, 3-color LED indicator, 360° air intake, night light, timer

Real-time particle sensor (up to PM10), 4-color LED indicator, Eco mode, Mute mode, Light sensor, Control lock, side-loading filter hatch

AirSight Plus laser particle sensor, 4-color LED indicator ring, Auto mode, VeSync app scheduling, voice control, display lock, sleep mode

Coway Airmega 350
If you need to cover a much larger space, Coway's own 350 offers significantly more power and coverage. It shares the same lack of smart connectivity, but the filtration performance is top notch. Read our full Coway Airmega 350 review here.

Levoit Core 300S
A popular compact alternative that has a similar RRP to the Airmega 100. It also boasts built in Wi-Fi and Alexa support, filling the smart features gap the Coway lacks. Read our full Levoit Core 300S review here.

(Image credit: Future)How I tested the Coway Airmega 100

I used the Coway Airmega 100 for several weeks across different spaces in my home, from my home office to open plan living room and dining area. I tested all fan speeds and modes, monitored the sensor's reaction to cooking, dust and general household air, and assessed the build quality, noise levels, filter access and overall usability throughout.

First reviewed: May 2026
Read more about how we test

Categories: Reviews

Kensington SD5010T5 EQ review: This Mac mini-sized dock isn't cheap, but it’s a fully featured Thunderbolt 5 docking station that doesn’t take up much desk space

Fri, 06/19/2026 - 01:10

Kensington SD5010T5 EQ: 30-second review

The Kensington SD5010T5 EQ is a 13-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 docking station announced in May 2026. It sits at the entry end of Kensington's growing TB5 line-up and is designed to bring next-generation connectivity to a broader audience without the price tag of the flagship EQ Pro.

The key design choice here is straightforward. Kensington trades two of the three downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports found on the SD5000T5 for a pair of built-in HDMI 2.1 outputs. That is a significant swap.

Windows users gain the convenience of plugging monitors in directly, but Mac users with Apple-only displays lose access to the full TB5 daisy-chain capability offered by some of the alternatives.

What remains is still competitive, but it’s a Windows-centric choice.

Another PC-friendly inclusion is that the dock delivers 140W power delivery with KonstantCharge, meaning peripherals continue charging even when the laptop is absent. There are two USB-C Gen 2 ports that the SD5000T5 lacked, three USB-A ports across two speed grades, SD 4.0 and microSD 4.0 card readers, 2.5Gbps Ethernet, and a 3.5mm combo audio jack.

That spec pitches to Windows-based creatives who want to connect their laptop to multiple monitors and peripherals while recharging.

The issue with Kensington-branded equipment is always the asking price, and the SD5010T5 EQ is at the premium price end of the small TB5 dock offerings. That said, it’s a highly capable device, and on the cusp of being the best laptop docks for Thunderbolt 5 right now.

Kensington SD5010T5 EQ: Price & availability

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

How much does it cost? $300/£330
When is it out? Available now in the USA
Where can you get it? Direct from Kensington or via an online retailer

The Kensington SD5010T5 EQ Thunderbolt 5 Triple 4K Docking Station is currently available through Kensington's official site and selected retail partners.

Launched at an MSRP of $349.99 / £329.99, it falls squarely within the premium pricing tier commanded by next-generation multi-display docks. The actual retail price is $299.99 on Amazon.com in the US, but it has yet to appear on European Amazon locations.

On the UK Kensington website, you are directed to ask for ‘business pricing’, hinting that Kensington want to keep this product decidedly B2B in some regions.

This investment positions it alongside competitor offerings like the Cable Matters Thunderbolt 5 Dock, yet it undercuts hyper-premium alternatives by choosing a tightly curated 13-in-1 layout over expansive, multi-device enterprise chassis. For business fleets, it's a standard three-year limited warranty and unified hardware SKU offer tangible IT cost-reduction benefits during long-term workspace standardisation rollouts.

However, the recent Ugreen Maxidok 10-in-1 offers very similar specifications, equivalent build quality, and better availability than the SD5010T5, but it sells for $50 less.

Also cheaper is the StarTech Thunderbolt 5 Dock, which sells for around $283 on Amazon, and bears an uncanny resemblance to the Kensington product. The same spec, ports, and layout hint that one or both of these products are rebrands or derivatives.

Therefore, with this pricing, Kensington is hoping that its customer base is more trusting of its brand than Ugreen, or that the deals its B2B channel pathway can offer counter those comparisons.

What I should say is that, compared to a few Kensington docks I might mention, the SD5010T5 seems to be on the right side of affordable. But that doesn’t make it a bargain.

Value: 4 / 5

Kensington SD5010T5 EQ: Specs

Feature

Specification

Model

SD5010T5 EQ (K35210EU)

Compatibility

Thunderbolt 5, Thunderbolt 4, USB4 (Windows 11 23H2+, macOS 14.5)

Total Ports

Thunderbolt 5 (upstream)

1x TB5 host port (80Gbps / 120Gbps Bandwidth Boost)

Thunderbolt 5 (downstream)

1x TB5 ports

USB-A ports

3x USB-A 3.2 Gen2 (1x 10Gbps, 2x 5Gbps)

USB-C ports

2 x USB-C Gen2 10Gbps (1 x 30W, 1 x 7.5W)

Video

2x HDMI 2.1 (+ 1xTB5 ports with adapters)

Display Output (Windows / TB5)

Triple 4K @ 144Hz, or Dual 8K @ 60Hz

Display Output (macOS M4/M5 base, M-Pro/Max)

Dual 4K @ 60Hz via HDMI, or 4K + 6K via HDMI + TB5

Power Delivery

Up to 140W on upstream

Power Use

4.5W each on USB-A ports, 30W on 1x USB-C, 7.5W on 1x USB-C, 15W on TB5 downstream

Storage Slot

N/A

Card Readers

SD 4.0 + microSD 4.0

Network

1x 2.5GbE Ethernet

Audio

1 x 3.5mm Combo Microphone & Headphone Port (front)

Security

Kensington lock slot (cable lock sold separately, (K65020EU or K65021WW))

Thermal

Passive cooling

Construction

Aluminium

Weight

780g

Size

140 x 140 x 40mm

Warranty

3 years

Kensington SD5010T5 EQ: Design

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Mac mini-sized
Plenty of ports
Only one TB5 downstream port

In terms of physical construction, Kensington has delivered an exceptionally solid, industrial-grade brick. The shell is sculpted from 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) aluminium, featuring a striking milled exterior with structural ridging across its top surface that serves dual purposes: heat dissipation and minimalist styling.

Capped with sleek black impact-resistant composite faces on the front and rear, this unit sits anchored heavily on the desktop. It is a substantial, reassuringly weighted device designed to remain planted even when thick, stiff high-bandwidth cables are plugged into its rear ports.

While this is a guess on my part, I think the target audience here was undoubtedly Apple Mac Mini owners. The size is about 13mm larger, front and side, than the current Mac Mini, and therefore it would easily fit on top of the SD5010T5. I could test that assertion if I owned one, but I never have.

On this dock, the Port layout follows a logical workflow separation, though they show distinct philosophy differences from lower-tier hubs. The front face hosts immediate-access operational IO: an informative status LED, one high-speed 10Gbps USB-A port providing 7.5W of charging, a 3.5mm audio combo jack, and twin high-performance SD and MicroSD 4.0 card readers.

Wisely, the primary high-power upstream Thunderbolt 5 connection is routed safely away to the rear panel alongside the downstream expansion tree.

This layout successfully pushes trailing host cables out of sight, maximising usable desk space. The rear array includes two native HDMI 2.1 ports, a 2.5GbE LAN interface, two standard legacy USB-A ports, and two Thunderbolt 5 receptacles, one each for uplink and downlink.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Unlike competing consumer-grade products, the dock includes integrated dual security-lock slots for Kensington cables, along with an optional zero-footprint vertical-mounting bracket array tailored specifically for dense corporate desks.

The issue the port selection immediately raises is how committed is this dock to TB5. Since you can only connect a single downstream device, that doesn’t naturally translate into more direct ways to exploit its maximum performance potential.

Unsurprisingly, the Kensington Security Slot is present, as it is across the EQ range. A zero-footprint mounting bracket is also available as an optional accessory (K34050WW), allowing the dock to be hidden beneath a desk. That is a thoughtful addition for hot-desking environments where visibility and access are priorities.

Build quality across the Kensington EQ family has been consistently praised. The three-year limited warranty reflects confidence in that construction.

Design: 4 / 5

Kensington SD5010T5 EQ: Features

TB5 Bandwidth
Triple monitors
140W charging

The core proposition of the SD5010T5 EQ centres entirely on the transformative potential of Intel's Thunderbolt 5 standard. By doubling the bi-directional throughput of Thunderbolt 4 to a baseline of 80Gbps, it eliminates the strict interface constraints of yesteryear. Or, that’s the theory.

For complex multi-monitor tasks, its asymmetric Bandwidth Boost mechanism dynamically flexes to deliver up to 120Gbps of pure display pipeline throughput. This immense pipeline allows a Windows 11 host to comfortably drive a spectacular three 4K monitors at 144Hz or dual 8K displays at 60Hz simultaneously over native HDMI and downstream ports without sub-sampling artefacts or compression stutter.

For macOS workflows, the docking station provides comprehensive native support, although it is constrained by Apple's architectural variations across its silicon tiers. Base M4/M5 MacBooks can confidently extend to dual 4K monitors at 60Hz via the direct dual HDMI outputs, while advanced configurations equipped with M5 Pro or M5 Max silicon can completely maximise productivity by driving a full triple-display array.

That said, for numerous reasons, I suspect that Apple fans are more likely to gravitate toward a dock with TB5 daisy-chaining as a priority than toward this layout, which has only one downlink port.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Beyond data and video, power delivery is a standout highlight. Operating under the advanced USB-C Power Delivery 3.1 architecture, the dock outputs a massive 140W over its single upstream link. That’s plenty of power to rapidly fast-charge a high-end 16-inch workstation laptop under maximum computational loads, assuming nothing else is sucking power from the dock.

I’ll talk more about this later, but a 140W output uses most of the PSU's capacity, leading to potential deficits elsewhere.

Kensington has integrated its clever KonstantCharge engineering, which guarantees that downstream accessories and smartphones connected to the designated charging ports continue to receive stable power even when the host laptop is entirely uncoupled from the desk. Which is useful.

Power management on this dock is one of its strengths, but conversely, if you do use three monitors, you won’t have any downstream Thunderbolt ports to connect a TB5 external SSD or an adapter to run 10GbE Ethernet.

Features: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Kensington SD5010T5 EQ: Performance

80Gbps upstream bandwidth
TB5 Bandwidth Boost for video
Power seems an issue

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

In synthetic testing and real-world deployment, the SD5010T5 EQ runs at the absolute peak of peripheral capabilities, provided you are feeding it from a native Thunderbolt 5 silicon host. Interfacing with next-generation external storage configurations reveals blistering cross-device speeds, easily saturating high-end NVMe drive enclosures well beyond old Thunderbolt 4 thresholds.

The built-in SD and MicroSD 4.0 readers operate natively on the UHS-II bus, consistently sustaining benchmarked file transfer rates up to 312MBps. This easily outpaces the built-in card readers integrated into premium notebooks, making it a highly valued asset for digital content creators, photographers, and video editors handling raw 8K video timelines.

Networking performance is similarly robust. Upgrading from standard 1GbE to an integrated 2.5Gbps RJ45 Ethernet port allows the dock to mesh perfectly with modern high-speed corporate network infrastructures, accelerating large local network backups and NAS file transfers.

However, early testing uncovers a clear hardware limitation regarding the dock's 180W external power supply unit. While 140W is reliably allocated to feed the host laptop over the upstream cable, that leaves a slim 40W headroom to run the internal hub logic, the high-power 2.5GbE controller, and all remaining downstream ports.

When a user populates the 30W fast-charging USB-C port while simultaneously running a 15W downstream Thunderbolt accessory and drawing power from the front legacy USB-A line, the power envelope hits an absolute wall, which might lead to minor wattage throttling on the uplink or brief accessory disconnection cycles under full load.

It’s hard to say how much extra power the PSU needed to negate this possible pitfall, but some smaller docks, like the Ugreen Maxidok 10-in-1, have roughly 60W to work with above the laptop charging requirements. And, I did also notice that the Maxidok 17-to-1 promises 140W laptop charging, but has a 240W PSU.

But conversely, the Plugable TBT-UDT3 has the same 180W PSU and 140W output as the SD5010T5 EQ, but doesn’t include a 30W-enabled USB 3.2 port.

It may be that Kensington thinks that much headroom is unnecessary for the majority of customers, but evidently, other dock makers see things differently.

Overall, the SD5010T5 EQ delivers the sort of experience that encourages those who have the choice of a laptop or Mini PC with TB5 to side with that technology. For those with TB4 or USB4, there is no practical advantage to this over cheaper docks.

Performance: 4 / 5

Kensington SD5010T5 EQ: Final verdict

(Image credit: Kensington Technologies)

There is plenty to like here, if you can ignore Kensington’s temptation to make things more expensive than it can easily justify.

However, if you intend to attach three monitors to a dock, then the ports on this one are well organised, unless you use DisplayPort and not HDMI. That could save you additional expense on adapters that other docks require implicitly.

The flip side of those design choices is that there is only one TB5 downlink, so those who designed this device assumed the buyers wouldn’t have more than one TB5 high-performance peripheral. While that might not seem crazy now, in a few years' time, TB5 or USB4v2 external SSDs might be the norm, creating a bottleneck with this arrangement

In this respect, the SD5010T5 EQ makes a guess about the future: while Thunderbolt 5 is an excellent technology for connecting a dock, it's too expensive for external storage that isn’t premium-priced. If you agree with that prediction, the SD5010T5 EQ is likely a good fit for you. If you think differently, that faster external drives are going to dominate in the near future, a dock with more TB5 ports would probably be a better choice.

As a product in the broader Thunderbolt 5 docking market, the SD5010T5 fills a specific gap. Entry-level TB5 docks with built-in video outputs and strong USB-C provision are not yet common. If the pricing were more competitive, this dock would be easy to recommend to the right buyer.

Kensington SD5010T5 EQ: Report card

Value

High-quality product but a premium price

4 / 5

Design

Nice engineering and plenty of ports

4 / 5

Features

Works with TB5, TB4 and USB4, and the native HDMI ports avoid the need for adapters.

4 / 5

Performance

Native TB5 video and dual HDMI, but no DisplayLink, The 180W PSU gets stretched thin if every port is used.

4 / 5

Overall

The price and only a single TB5 downlink stop this device from being a go-to choice.

4 / 5

Should I buy a Kensington SD5010T5 EQ?

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Buy it if...

You have Thunderbolt 5
If you have the right ports, you can extract levels of performance from this dock that TB4 and USB4 could only dream. And it can also handle dual 8K video, should you have the monitors to connect to. However, the enormous architectural benefits and 120Gbps video boost require a proper next-gen host to be fully realized.

You demand multi-display native HDMI setups
The inclusion of dual native HDMI ports significantly streamlines multi-monitor cable management without relying on adapters. And, not needing those might save the difference between this and something cheaper.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You are running a Thunderbolt 4 or legacy USB4 laptop
This dock won’t work with TB3, it requires TB4, TB5 or USB4. But while fully backwards compatible with TB4 and USB4, you will pay a massive early-adopter premium for speed capabilities you cannot access.

You need a native DisplayPort
Those aiming to route displays solely via traditional DisplayPort connectors will find this dock heavily prioritising HDMI. You can get a Thunderbolt to DisplayPort adapter, but that’s an extra cost, and you can only use one.

Also consider

Kensington SD5000T5 EQ
More of a hub than a dock, but overall, it is a well-specified dock for those planning to head down the TB5 rabbit hole. However, the lack of machines with this port and peripherals to connect does make it largely overkill at this point. But cheaper than the SD7100T5 EQ Pro.

Check out our Kensington SD5000T5 EQ reviewView Deal

Ugreen Maxidok 10-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station
A similarly sized dock that went a different path with the display and Thunderbolt downlinks, making it probably more suitable for Mac users. I wasn’t a fan of a permanently attached uplink cable, but the rest of this device is excellent. And, it's also $50 less than the Kensington SD5010T5 EQ.

Check out my full Ugreen Maxidok 10-in-1 review

Categories: Reviews

I tested the Circular Ring 2 and wanted to love it, but the software got in the way

Thu, 06/18/2026 - 21:00

Circular Ring 2: One minute review

The Circular Ring 2 is an ambitious smart ring. On paper, it has almost everything you need. Alongside standard health, recovery and sleep tracking, it offers features you won't find on many rivals, including electrocardiogram (ECG) readings and atrial fibrillation (AFib) detection. Circular is also promising blood pressure and blood glucose trend monitoring in future updates.

At first glance, it feels like a genuine challenger to the likes of Oura, RingConn and Samsung. The ring itself looks good, feels lightweight on the finger and comes with a charging case, which is a welcome upgrade over the previous Circular model. Battery life is solid too, lasting around six days during my testing.

But unfortunately, the day-to-day experience doesn't live up to that impressive spec sheet.

(Image credit: Future / Becca Caddy)

The biggest issue is the software. Smart rings don't have screens, which means the app is incredibly important. That's where the Circular Ring 2 struggles the most.

Syncing regularly took several minutes, occasionally failed altogether and often required multiple attempts. Several times I opened the app to check my data, waited for it to sync, gave up and closed it again.

The app itself feels cluttered and unintuitive. Health data is scattered across multiple screens, navigation can be confusing and the language often feels strangely robotic.

One morning, for example, I was told my sleep was "Incorrect" and the next my wellness summary informed me: "Your sleep was correct. Your energy seems low. Your body and mind are unbalanced." Rather than helping me understand my health, experiences like this often left me more confused.

Some of the ring's most exciting features also failed to impress. ECG and AFib monitoring never fully worked during my testing, while promised blood pressure and glucose tracking features have yet to arrive.

What makes all of this especially frustrating is that when I revisited my Circular Ring Slim review from back in 2024, I found many of the same complaints. The hardware has definitely improved, but the software experience still feels a step behind the competition.

The Circular Ring 2 isn't a bad smart ring. It has a good design, respectable battery life and an ambitious feature set. But in a market increasingly dominated by the best smart rings from polished competitors like Oura, RingConn and Samsung, ambition alone isn't enough. Right now, Circular still feels like a company with great ideas struggling to execute them.

Circular Ring 2: Specifications

Component

Circular Ring 2

Price

£280 (black), £360 (silver), £440 (rose gold, gold) / $349, $449, $549 / AU$497, AU$639, AU$782

Dimensions

2.55mm thick, 7.8mm wide

Weight

Finish

Black, silver, rose gold, gold

Sizes

6 to 14

Material

Titanium body, hypoallergenic interior with a PVD coating

Battery life

Up to 8 days (power mode); 5 days (performance mode)

Sensors

ECG, PPG, temp sensor, 3x accelerometer

Connection

Bluetooth

Water resistance

Fully waterproof (rating not specified)

(Image credit: Future / Becca Caddy)Circular Ring 2: Price and availability

Pricing starts at £280 / $349 / AU$497
Rolled out after a Kickstarter release in late 2025 / early 2026
No subscription needed, but premium features expected soon

Rather than arriving as a traditional retail release, the Circular Ring 2 began life as a Kickstarter project in 2025 before gradually rolling out to customers through late 2025 and into 2026.

Pricing starts at £280 / $349 / AU$497 for the black version, rising to £360 / $449 / AU$639 for the silver model I tested. The gold and rose gold finishes sit at the top of the range at £440 / $549 / AU$782.

At first glance, the Circular Ring 2 looks competitively priced. One of its biggest selling points is that it doesn't require a mandatory subscription to access core features, unlike the Oura Ring 4, which starts at £349 / $349 / AU$534 and also requires an additional monthly membership fee of £5.99 / $5.99

However, the picture becomes a little more complicated when you look closer. Circular is already promoting upcoming premium features, including blood pressure and blood glucose trend monitoring, which aren't available but are expected soon. The company says these features will either require a subscription or can be unlocked using Circular Coins, which are earned through regular use, but details remain limited and pricing has yet to be confirmed.

Looking across the wider smart ring market, the Circular Ring 2 sits in a crowded middle ground. It's cheaper than the Samsung Galaxy Ring, which starts at £399 / $399 / AU$699, but more expensive than the RingConn Gen 2 at £299 / $299 / AU$460. There are also budget-focused options now, like the Amazfit Helio Ring, which costs significantly less at £149.90 / $149.99 / AU$269.

The problem isn't necessarily the asking price here but more that the performance doesn't justify it. While the Circular Ring 2 undercuts some of the biggest names in the category, like Oura, Samsung and RingConn, they all currently offer a more polished experience. That makes the Circular Ring 2 difficult to view as good value, even before any future premium features are brought into the equation.

Value score: 2.5/5

(Image credit: Future / Becca Caddy)Circular Ring 2: Design

Lightweight, slim design
Silver color doesn’t scratch
Nice new charging case included

I liked the design of the Circular Ring 2. The fit was very comfortable throughout testing, even when I was sleeping, and at just 2g it felt light on my finger. The silver finish also looks fairly premium.

Circular offers a wide range of sizes here, from 6 to 14, which beats most rivals. I tested a size 8 on my left index finger, which matched the recommendation from Circular's new digital AI sizing tool.

While the company still offers a traditional sizing kit as well, it's nice to see a less wasteful digital alternative that actually proved accurate in my case. Especially considering you’ll need to pay an extra £5 / $5 for Circular's traditional sizing kit.

The Circular Ring 2 has softer, more rounded edges than rivals like the RingConn Gen 2 or previous Circular Ring Slim. Whether that's a positive or negative will come down to personal preference, but it does make the ring feel slightly chunkier than some competitors despite it being one of the slimmest choices available at 2.5mm thick. A small circular logo on the outer edge makes it easy to get the right way round so that the sensors are where they need to be.

I tested the silver model, which I'd recommend over the black version. Black smart rings tend to show scratches more easily, and that was one of the big problems on the previous Circular Ring Slim. After two weeks of wear, my ring had picked up a few minor scuffs but was in good condition overall.

Another welcome improvement here is the charging case. Unlike the Circular Ring Slim, which relied on a charging cable and small plinth, the Ring 2 ships with a compact clamshell charging case that's easy to carry and use.

Overall, the ring's design is one of the Circular Ring 2's biggest strengths. The company has clearly refined the hardware. Unfortunately, as we'll see later, the software hasn't evolved at the same pace.

Design Score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future / Becca Caddy)Circular Ring 2: Features

Lots of features
ECG and AFib
Glucose and blood pressure readings on the way

The Circular Ring 2 has an ambitious set of features. Alongside standard health, sleep and activity tracking, it measures metrics like heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), skin temperature and breathing rate.

There are also women's health features designed to track hormonal shifts and fertility, plus stress monitoring, guided breathing exercises, medication reminders and an AI assistant called Kira.

The headline features are ECG measurements and AFib detection, both of which are rare in smart rings. Circular is also promising blood pressure and blood glucose trend monitoring in future updates, though neither feature was available during testing and both will sit behind a premium-ish model when they arrive. Blood pressure is not easy to measure with LED-based optical heart rate sensors, without an inflatable cuff for calibration: it will be interesting to see what form the blood pressure feature eventually takes, and whether it will be accurate.

On paper, it's an impressive package that rivals, and in some cases actually exceeds, what you'll find from bigger names in this space.

Features Score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future / Becca Caddy)Circular Ring 2: Performance

Disappointing app
Slow to sync and update
Battery life is improved

The Circular Ring 2 made a good first impression. Basic metrics like steps, heart rate and sleep tracking all seemed reasonable during the first few days of testing. But the longer I wore it, the more problems started to emerge.

The biggest issue is the app. Smart rings don't have screens, which means if you think about it, the app effectively is the product, much like a Whoop band. That's where the Circular Ring 2 falls behind rivals.

Syncing is frustratingly slow. Pulling data from the ring often took several minutes and occasionally failed altogether, forcing me to try again. That might sound like a small complaint, but it adds unnecessary friction. Several times I found myself opening the app, waiting for data to sync, then simply closing it again. If I owned this ring long-term, I suspect I'd eventually stop checking the app altogether.

The app itself feels cluttered and unintuitive. Health insights, scores, charts and features are scattered across multiple screens, while the home page is filled with circles, cards and widgets competing for attention. Even as someone who tests wearables for a living, I often found it harder than it should be to locate specific information.

The language doesn't help either. As mentioned above, the app kept telling me my sleep was “Incorrect”, or my body was "unbalanced", which left me confused rather than enlightened.

The AI assistant, Kira, wasn't much better, largely repackaging existing data in a confusing format with tiny fonts and a huge chunk of text with generic recommendations, like "stay hydrated". Some of the ring's most exciting features also failed to deliver. ECG and AFib monitoring never fully worked during my testing, repeatedly getting stuck on a loading screen.

Sleep tracking was generally accurate when I followed a conventional sleep schedule, but it struggled with fragmented sleep and occasionally recorded inaccurate sleep times. On several occasions I woke up for a few hours before going back to sleep, only for the ring to record the entire period as one continuous sleep session.

Workout tracking isn’t what smart rings do best. But here it still feels like an afterthought. Sports Sessions are hidden away, must be started manually and there's no automatic workout detection, unlike competitors like the Oura Ring 4 and Samsung Galaxy Ring. I also experienced a handful of smaller bugs, including random disconnections and occasional time zone changes despite not travelling anywhere.

Battery life is one area where the Circular Ring 2 performs well. Circular promises up to five days in Performance Mode and I managed six days during testing. That's competitive with most major rivals and a significant improvement over the Circular Ring Slim.

Overall, the Circular Ring 2 feels like a smart ring with excellent ideas but inconsistent execution. Yes, the hardware is good, the feature list is impressive and the battery life is solid. But the software experience remains frustratingly rough around the edges, and in an increasingly competitive smart ring market, that's difficult to overlook.

Performance score: 2.5/5

(Image credit: Future / Becca Caddy)Circular Ring 2: Scorecard

I tested the Camp Snap 2, and the follow-up to the viral screen-free compact camera is slimmer, quicker and more creative, and still deliciously cheap

Thu, 06/18/2026 - 10:15

Camp Snap 2: two-minute review

From a simple idea, Camp Snap is building an empire. The concept of an ultra-cheap point-and-shoot digital camera with no screen — meaning you can’t see the photos you take until you download them after the fact — proved to be a massive hit, and the original Camp Snap camera has since been joined by the video-focused Camp Snap CS-8, and the upgraded CS-Pro, which doubles the resolution from 8MP to 16MP. And now, we have the Camp Snap 2.

The makers are clearly keen not to mess with success, because the Camp Snap 2 keeps the feel and concept of the original camera very much intact. This new model keeps an 8MP sensor, and it once again has no screen, just a small panel with a running shot counter, a fixed-focus lens, and an LED flash. So, you might ask, what actually is new?

A few things, but the most significant is the new ‘Filters’ button, which allows you to select from a series of vintage-style looks for your images. This was an idea already explored on the CS-Pro, but the Camp Snap 2 ups the ante with six filters rather than the Pro’s somewhat paltry four. While you have to invest some time into learning which filter is which and what they look like (since you can’t check your images mid-shoot), this makes the Camp Snap 2 a more varied and versatile camera to use than the original, adding greater scope for creativity.

This is an important addition, given that there's little room for creativity elsewhere — the lens is fixed-focus and there’s no settings control. Furthermore, the Camp Snap 2 adds a tripod mount, a 33.5mm filter thread on the lens and lugs to attach a strap (though one isn’t supplied). These additions combine to make the Snap 2 feel a bit more like a proper camera than the original ever did. Its image quality is still no great shakes, but the Camp Snap 2 offers more scope and variety without sacrificing its identity as a camera that basically anyone can use — like the original, it’s very kid-friendly.

(Image credit: Jon Stapley)

I’ve taken the Camp Snap 2 everywhere with me for a couple of weeks, and I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. The newly slimmed-down body makes it easy to slip into a pocket and pull out for quick grab shots here and there, and with no screen, you can’t spend time fussing over them after the fact.

Normally, when a successor camera is this iterative and minor an upgrade, we reviewers tend to say things like 'If you already own the original, save your money.’ But this is a bit of a different situation. Because the Camp Snap 2 is so cheap, I’d say that if you already own, like and use the original Camp Snap — hell yeah, you might as well upgrade. The filter button adds depth and variety, and one of the most irritating features of the previous model — the shutter lag — has mostly been dealt with.

I’d also go so far as to say that for many users, this is probably a better buy than the more expensive CS-Pro. You get a more pocketable camera for a lower price, and for the types of people who are shooting with Camp Snaps, I don’t think an extra 8MP of resolution is all that useful, particularly when the sensor is not especially larger. The main reason you might prefer the Pro is that its filters are more dramatic and distinctive, though there are fewer of them.

So, if you like the original Camp Snap, and like the sound of the Camp Snap 2 — yes, I feel comfortable recommending you buy it too. At this price, why not?

(Image credit: Jon Stapley)Camp Snap 2: price and availability

Camp Snap hasn't got carried away with its success, and the Camp Snap 2 is still very attractively priced indeed, launching at $69.95 / £53 (around AU$130). This is at about the same level as the original Camp Snap, and comes in way less the CS-Pro, which goes for $99 / £90 (around AU$180).

Snap 2 is currently available from the Camp Snap website, and I expect before long it’ll also make its way to major retailers, the way the original Camp Snap has.

Frankly, this pricing is perfect. For a fun, knockabout digital camera that doesn’t offer much in the way of image quality and is all about the ultra-simple point-and-shoot vibes, nobody should be paying more than this. It’s a camera that pretty much anyone can instantly pick up and use, at a price that lots of people can afford.

Camp Snap 2: design

Even slimmer and lighter than the original, just 3.8z / 108g
All-plastic build with LED flash and fixed-focus lens
Point-and-shoot operation, but adds button to switch filters

The original Camp Snap was already slim, but the Camp Snap 2 is even slimmer — around 15% slimmer according to the manufacturers. It is genuinely pocketable in a way that not all cameras that make ‘pocketable’ claims actually are, and at 3.8oz / 108g it’s a true featherweight. The body is all-plastic, of course, but the front has a nice textured surface for a bit of extra grip, and there’s an indentation on the rear panel for your right thumb to rest. On the sides there are lugs for attaching a strap, though no strap is supplied with the camera.

On the top you have just a single button: the shutter. This is of course a point-and-shoot, so you won’t be fiddling with settings dials. On the front you have the LED flash and the fixed wide-angle lens — and, a new addition, a 30.5mm filter thread on the lens. Though this was on the CS-Pro, it wasn’t on the original Camp Snap, and it allows you to attach screw-on filters to imbue your images with specific effects — as one reader suggested, a good fit for the Camp Snap would be a mist filter to enhance the lo-fi, retro feel of images. Camp Snap has also not-so-subtly hinted that Camp Snap-branded filters will be coming in the future.

At the rear you have the simple screen, which displays a shot-counter and lets you know which filter you currently have selected. As well as the aforementioned thumb groove, you also have the power switch, which doubles as a flash toggle, and the tinny speaker that plays the stock ‘shutter release’ sound effect. The viewfinder is a perfectly serviceable optical type — if you’ve ever used an old-school disposable, it’ll be familiar. It’s nothing special but it does the job.

Jon StapleyJon StapleyJon StapleyJon StapleyJon StapleyJon StapleyJon StapleyJon StapleyJon Stapley

To the right of the screen, there’s the new filter select button. Pressing this button allows you to cycle through the filter selection. It can also be held down for ten seconds to activate ‘Camp Lock’ — which locks the button to make the camera more useable for children (negating a scenario in which they accidentally take all their pictures in black and white). Hold down for ten more seconds to unlock. Also, while testing this, I inadvertently discovered that tapping the filter button twice in quick succession will cause the camera to take two photos. Not sure why, but there you go.

At first it seems like the Camp Snap 2 doesn’t have a battery indicator like the four LEDs on the CS-Pro. In fact, it does, but you could be forgiven for not noticing it. When you boot up the camera, the screen will briefly display a number between 0 and 100, before reverting to your current shot counter. This is, I believe, a percentage-based battery indicator. It’s not exactly advertised, and easy to miss given that your shot counter will likely be a quite similar number, but it is there.

(Image credit: Jon Stapley)

Color-wise, the Camp Snap 2 is available in a selection of standard shades — green, black, white, yellow and brown. However, it can also be bought in a selection of rather stylish translucent ‘jelly’ colorways, evoking the early-millennium trend for translucent tech. I’ll admit that I think these versions are pretty cool, and my partner (who isn’t into cameras) independently showed me them on Instagram because she liked the look of them. I suspect they’ll be very popular.

Camp Snap 2: performance

Image quality is a bit scuzzy, but it's part of the lo-fi charm
Operation is very easy, and the shutter lag from the original has been dealt with
New filters add creative options, but aren't as striking or distinctive as those on the CS-Pro

As mentioned, the Camp Snap 2 uses the same sensor as the original, so raw image quality is identical. You still get 8MP images with limited dynamic range. Blown-out highlights are a fairly common sight, as are muddy and indistinct shadows. In the latter situation, the LED flash can be helpful, though it’s nowhere near as powerful as a proper Xenon flash (which the CS-Pro has).

The new filter dial really does add some welcome creative depth. You have six options — first there’s the Standard (S) look, which produces naturalistic but warm colors. Then you have Vintage 1 to 3 (V1, V2, V3). V1 ups the saturation and has a slight purple tint; V2 is almost identical to Standard, but slightly cooler; V3 has a distinctly sunny yellow cast.

Next, there’s the black & white mode (BW), which delivers decent contrast for striking monochrome. And lastly there’s the interestingly named Analog (A). I was expecting this to be covered in artificial film grain, something that Camp Snap experimented with on the CS8. But in fact, it’s the warmest look of the bunch, with muted colors and a slight magenta cast, and it proved to be my favorite.

Standard (S)Jon StapleyVintage 1 (V1)Jon StapleyVintage 2 (V2)Jon StapleyVintage 3 (V3)Jon StapleyBlack & white (BW)Jon StapleyAnalog (A)Jon Stapley

I was surprised by how subtle the filters were, especially coming off the back of the CS-Pro, in which they are very striking. Someone looking for a dramatic image effect might come away a little disappointed; V2 in particular is so similar to Standard that I questioned the point of having it. I think in practicality, most users will probably just figure out which is their favorite and stick with it, occasionally switching to BW when the moment calls. I can't exactly picture myself agonizing over whether this pub garden sunset deserves V2 or V3.

Filter: SJon StapleyFilter: SJon StapleyFilter: SJon StapleyFilter: SJon StapleyFilter: SJon StapleyFilter: SJon StapleyFilter: V1Jon StapleyFilter: V2 Jon StapleyFilter: V3Jon StapleyFilter: BWJon StapleyFilter: AJon StapleyFilter: AJon StapleyFilter: S, with flash. It's not flattering, but it works.Jeremy LowenFilter: I don't know, I'd had a few beers.Jon StapleyFilter: AJon StapleyFilter: AJon Stapley

One oft-criticized aspect of the original Camp Snap was its shutter lag — the appreciable delay between the user pressing the shutter button and the photo actually being taken. This was significantly improved in the CS-Pro, with a more powerful processor, and in the Camp Snap 2 it seems to have been somewhat improved.

However, I would note that the lag seems to be mostly confined to the cosmetics — the shot counter and the shutter release sound effect. On a few occasions, I pressed the shutter and then heard the MIDI ‘clunk’ half a second after moving the camera away, and chastised myself for missing a shot through impatience. But later, when I reviewed the image, I seemed to have gotten away with it. And I can live with the sound effect being slow if I still have the shot in the bag.

It’s also worth noting that the Camp Snap 2 has a new feature called QuickDraw. After a period of inactivity, the camera sleeps to save power, but you can press the shutter button while it’s in this state, and it will wake and quickly take a picture. Note that I said ‘quickly’, not ‘instantly’ — it does take a moment to bestir itself. I’ve seen a few comments online complaining about shutter lag, and I actually think this is probably what they’re referring to. When the camera was awake, I experienced no real shutter lag issues.

Should I buy the Camp Snap 2?

(Image credit: Jon Stapley)Buy it if...

You want a camera to take everywhere
Slimmer than ever, the new Camp Snap 2 is genuinely a pocketable camera, so light it’s easy to always have on you.

You want a screen-free experience
Camp Snap’s key selling point, the lack of a rear screen, makes it great for those who want a more immersive, analog-style shooting experience.

You want a bit more creative versatility
While it’s still a point-and-shoot, the new filter selection, tripod mount and filter thread all make the Camp Snap 2 a more versatile camera than its predecessor.

Don't buy it if...

You want an image quality upgrade
The Camp Snap 2 uses the same small 8MP sensor as the original.

You want a fast, responsive camera for action
While the shutter lag has been improved, you still wouldn’t exactly call the Camp Snap 2 a speedster — there’s no burst mode.

How I tested the Camp Snap 2

(Image credit: Jon Stapley)

I received a loan unit of the Camp Snap 2 for testing
I have taken it out on a number of photo excursions, as well as to a sporting event and to a concert
I’ve shot in variable light conditions throughout June, though with mostly very bright and sunny weather

I received a review sample of the Camp Snap 2 from the manufacturers, and had it in my pocket and about my person for a couple of weeks. I took it on excursions around London, as well as on trips south to Bradford-on-Avon, Frome and Bath, during which time I used it to capture more than 100 photos using all of the filters, in a range of weather and lighting conditions.

First reviewed June 2026

Categories: Reviews

I tested UGreen’s magnetic wireless power bank with an integrated cable, and it feels like the ultimate on-the-go charging solution — but it’s gonna cost you

Thu, 06/18/2026 - 10:07

UGreen MagFlow Magnetic Wireless Power Bank 10000mAh Qi2 25W review

The absurdly lengthily named UGreen MagFlow Magnetic Wireless Power Bank 10000mAh Qi2 25W is the sort of gadget that makes everyday life feel that little bit easier.

It’s a power bank that features three key components: a wireless charging pad, an integrated USB-C cable, and an additional USB-C port. These can be used individually or simultaneously, making it easy to juice up multiple devices at once, or even charge the power bank while bringing your phone back to life.

No matter which of these three components you’re using, the UGreen Qi2 25W power bank assures steady performance — a base requirement for any model rivaling the best wireless chargers and best power banks. For instance, the 5,000mAh Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra projected that it would take about 2 hours and 58 minutes to charge with this power bank, and I found that figure to be spot on. In addition, fast-charging worked well with the integrated cable and extra USB-C port, whether I was juicing up the Nothing Phone (4a) or recharging the power bank itself, with 30W charging available here.

Luckily, this model also supports a wide range of charging standards, including PD 3.0, Qi2 25W, QC 4.0, PPS, and more, meaning its well-equipped to serve a gigantic range of devices from a variety of brands, including Apple gear, Android phones, and a whole host of others.

Of course, this model has a 10,000mAh capacity battery, which should be fine for charging a phone and a pair of the best wireless earbuds, for instance, but you’ll still need to recharge the power bank fairly regularly. If you want a device that’s better suited to more power hungry devices, or one that can juice up your phone multiple times on a single charge, then it may be worth looking at a bulkier alternative like the Anker 737 140W.

One of the benefits of the UGreen Qi2 25W’s more modest capacity, though, is that it's incredibly compact. This model can easily slide in your pocket, and when it's magnetized to your phone, it doesn’t feel clunky or uncomfortable to hold. Its highly portable design makes it the ideal device to take when you're journeying by train or plane, or whenever you’re out and about, especially given it's just 0.6lbs / 254g in weight.

As is the case with most UGreen chargers, this model is also rammed with tech designed to prioritize safety. UGreen says the Qi2 25W has “13-layer protection,” with features like high-temperature shielding, short circuit prevention, and overcharging protection.

I never experienced any technical faults with my unit during testing, and although my charger and phone did feel a little hot after a full charge, this wasn’t to a dangerous degree — and this is understandable given the power bank’s slim build.

(Image credit: Future)

One final thing that impressed me with the UGreen Qi2 25W, was its build quality. This model is beautifully constructed, with a textured silicone and metallic finish, a range of attractive color options, and a “military grade” integrated cable, which UGreen claims to have survived a 10,000+ bends test. There’s also a nifty display on-board, which makes it easy to know when your power bank is close to being fully charged.

So, is the UGreen Qi2 25W worth buying? On performance alone, I’d say yes. Although there’s one more thing we have to consider: price. And this device doesn’t come cheap. It has a typical asking price of $89.99 / £79.99 / AU$99.99, which is quite a bit for a power bank with a 10,000mAh capacity and 30W wired charging capabilities.

However, it’s worth noting that an all-in-one combination of Qi2 wireless charging, an integrated cable, and a display is always going to come at a premium. There’s also an extra USB-C cable included in the box, and again, the build quality here is excellent. What’s more, you can grab this model on sale quite regularly. When writing this review, I spotted it on sale for less than $60 / £55 / AU$80, and at that price, I think this wireless charger-power bank hybrid is well worth considering.

(Image credit: Future)UGreen MagFlow Magnetic Wireless Power Bank 10000mAh Qi2 25W review: price & specs

Price

$89.99 / £79.99 / AU$99.99

Capacity

10,000mAh

Total wattage

25W

Number of ports

1 (excluding 1x built-in USB-C cable)

Port type(s)

USB-C

Wireless charging

Qi2, MagSafe

Weight

0.6lbs / 254g

Dimensions

0.8 x 2.8 x 4.3 inches / 21 x 70 x 110mm

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the UGreen MagFlow Magnetic Wireless Power Bank 10000mAh Qi2 25W?Buy it if…

You want a compact all-in-one charging solution
With 25W wireless charging, an integrated cable, and an extra USB-C port, it really does feel like this model is the ideal all-in-one charging solution. You can even recharge the power bank and juice up your phone simultaneously, which makes this an incredibly convenient tool to have in your arsenal.

You’re yet to upgrade from a 15W wireless charging
Until last year, 15W wireless chargers were the standard, so a lot of consumers are yet to take the step up to a model that supports 25W. So, if your device is capable of 25W wireless charging, but you’re still stuck with an old 15W model, this UGreen power bank is sure to give you a significant performance boost.

Don’t buy it if…

If you don’t really need wireless charging
If you don’t need wireless charging, but just want a compact power bank to take out and about, then I’d suggest skipping this and going for something cheaper. I regularly use the Anker Nano Power Bank 10K 45W Built-In Retractable USB-C Cable, which is much cheaper in markets like the US and UK, but is incredibly reliable.

If you need to charge power-hungry devices
The UGreen Qi2 25W is great for juicing up the best phones, wireless earbuds, and smaller electronic devices, but if you need something capable of charging laptops or more power-hungry handsets, then this model’s 10,000mAh capacity and max 30W charging won’t be enough for you. Instead, I’d recommend a power bank like the Anker 87W 20,000mAh Power Bank.

UGreen MagFlow Magnetic Wireless Power Bank 10000mAh Qi2 25W review: also consider

Anker Nano Power Bank 10K 45W Built-In Retractable USB-C Cable
If you don’t mind skipping on the wireless charging aspect to save a bit of cash, then this Anker power bank could be ideal for you. It has the same capacity as this UGreen model, but can charge a little faster with a 45W max power output. It has an integrated cable for practical on-the-go charging, but also features an extra USB-C and USB-A port if you’re looking to juice up multiple devices simultaneously. Its neat display and ultra-compact form only help to establish it as one of the best small power banks around. Read my full Anker Nano Power Bank 10K 45W Built-In Retractable USB-C Cable review.

Categories: Reviews

I watched the first four episodes of House of the Dragon season 3 — and I can't shake this burning feeling that the Game of Thrones spin-off should be better than it is by now

Thu, 06/18/2026 - 09:30

Light spoilers follow for House of the Dragon season 3 episodes 1 to 4.

House of the Dragon has a reputation to rebuild after its somewhat divisive second season. At watching its first four episodes, I suggested that House of the Dragon season 2 was the popular show at its "volatile, merciless, and masterful best". However, its latter chapters drew fierce fan criticism for spinning the show's narrative wheels, and a distinct lack of high-stakes, fiery action.

The high-fantasy series' latest installment, then, has the chance to set things right; and, after sitting through House of the Dragon season 3's first four entries, it goes a long way to making amends for its sluggish forebear, even if this season itself isn't beyond reproach.

Fire and ash

Alyn (left) and Corlys (right) prepare for The Battle of the Gullet, aka this season's first major set-piece (Image credit: HBO)

Just as its predecessor did after season 1's bombshell ending, House of the Dragon 3 seamlessly transitions from House of the Dragon's season 2 finale by immediately picking up where that episode left off.

Amid multiple plot threads left dangling by season 2 episode 8, this season opens with the one that saw Queen Dowager Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) and Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) secretly make a deal that would allow Rhaenyra to fly to King's Landing, and finally claim the Iron Throne with little to no resistance. In return, Rhaenyra would grant Alicent and her daughter Halaena (Phia Saban) safe passage out of Westeros' capital city.

House of the Dragon has certainly improved across the board but, maddeningly, still has its limitations

As the saying goes, though, the best-laid plans often go awry — and this one certainly does, in dramatic, action-packed, and ultimately fatal fashion.

Indeed, with season 2 seeing Rhaenyra instruct Ser Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) to form a blockade of King's Landing's ports to starve out the Hightowers, one of the latter's allies in House Lannister convinces the Triarchy — an Essosi naval military alliance — to align themselves with Team Green to destroy said blockade. Thus, the much-anticipated Battle of the Gullet begins.

The Battle of the Gullet is visually impressive, but ultimately left me wanting more (Image credit: HBO)

Considering how much this sea-based conflict has been hyped up by the cast and crew pre-release, I was expecting a devastating, multi-stage set-piece to rival those of Game of Thrones' best action-heavy standalone episodes, such as 'The Watchers on the Wall' or 'The Battle of the Bastards'.

Color me disappointed, then, that this titanic clash only flaunted across the final 25 minutes of House of the Dragon 3's premiere.

The Battle of the Gullet isn't worthy of a spot in Thrones' best battles pantheon

That's not to say it's terrible. The Battle of the Gullet is a brutal and nerve-fraying showdown between Corlys and Triarchy commander Sharako Lohar's (Abigail Thorn) forces, and the ruinous events that occur create irreversible shockwaves that ripple out and impact every subplot and major story strand.

Nevertheless, it's not as hard-hitting as conflicts that occur in the aforementioned Thrones episodes, nor does it fully capture the unrelenting pace or futile struggle of the White Walkers' attack section of the main show's fan-favorite 'Hardhome' installment. That's partly down to this season's first major action sequence being intercut with other scenes, which disrupt its flow and dampen its explosive impact.

Sharako Lohar leads the Triarchy during The Battle of the Bullet (Image credit: Ollie Upton/HBO)

The Battle of the Gullet was supposed to bookend last season, but was withheld for this season's opener due to budget and time constraints. However, despite having a longer runway, and more money to do justice to this hugely significant conflict, it's not worthy of a spot in Thrones' best battles pantheon.

It's not the only action-based criticism that season 3 arguably deserves. Like the HBO Max TV series' sophomore outing, this season's first half disappointingly opts to only show us the final moments of Daemon Targaryen's (Matt Smith) ongoing crusade in the Riverlands, rather than a full battle. If House of the Dragon wants to overcome accusations of being an action-light show, it seriously needs to step things up in season 3's latter half.

Seize the throne

Rhaenyra will aim to become Westeros' new monarch in season 3 (Image credit: HBO)

Thankfully, House of the Dragon 3 succeeds in other areas, including its depiction of Rhaenyra's emotional and psychological unraveling.

Few other actors could deliver the kind of powerhouse performance and emotional gravitas that D'Arcy does

Given the sheer number of traumatic events she's tolerated, few viewers will be surprised by this development. Unfortunately for Rhaenyra, more heartache awaits, and one such moment early in season 3 episode 2 left me in little doubt, if any remained, that few other actors could deliver the kind of powerhouse performance and emotional gravitas that D'Arcy does in this show.

D'Arcy continues to fire on all cylinders in a breath-taking seasonal display of acting prowess (Image credit: HBO Max)

That opinion has only been further strengthened by how D'Arcy handles a grief-stricken and rage-filled Rhaenyra's not-so-subtle evolution into something of a mad queen, too. This season's third episode, an action-free, one-woman character study that might be my favorite House of the Dragon episode in a long time (which, given my earlier-outlined criticism, is something of an irony), tangibly cranks up the pressure on Rhaenyra in ways I won't spoil here, and lays the foundations for what I expect will be a full-blown breakdown in the near future.

In that regard, Rhaenyra's descent into madness will be less abrupt and abrasive than of Daenarys' similar heel-turn in the final season of House of the Dragon's parent show. Nonetheless, as much as I like her as a character, I can't wait to see how her volatile decision-making and handling of those loyal to her will come back to haunt Westeros' would-be monarch.

Enemy at the gates

Alicent (left) and Aemond (right) continue to have differences of opinion (Image credit: HBO)

This isn't simply the Rhaenyra show, though. Many other individuals — new and old alike — help to season House of the Dragon 3 with the prerequisite amount of melodramatic spice, and ensure there's plenty more delicious political scheming, and familial backstabbing and betrayals, to gorge yourself on. Suffice to say, then, there are more than enough twists and turns to keep you engaged amid the perpetual cycle of one-upmanship, and inter- and intra-familial machinations.

Smith continues to deliver a devilishly delightful display as the unpredictable and power-hunger Daemon

Of the myriad character arcs and storylines that comprise season 3, many fans may be most satisfied to hear that more tasty scenes between leading ladies Alicent and Rhaenyra await. Elsewhere, the screen-commanding Smith continues to deliver a devilishly delightful display as the unpredictable and power-hunger Daemon, whose cruelty, arrogance, and self-serving actions are, like Rhaenyra, sure to come back to bite him.

It's events surrounding Aegon Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) and Larys Strong (Matthew Needham), though, that — Rhaenyra's impending crash out notwithstanding — I've found to be this season's most intriguing subplot.

With last season's finale seeing the latter convince Westeros' physically and emotionally scarred monarch to abdicate the throne and flee King's Landing, the pair's meandering and dangerous journey isn't novel in its approach and execution. After all, we've seen similar storylines involving characters like Tyrion and Arya in the main show.

Larys (left) and Aegon's (right) subplot is one of this season's most interesting (Image credit: HBO)

Nonetheless, by virtue of the deeply humbling quest it forces the egocentric Aegon to go on, it's yet another example of the Thrones-Verse doing what it does best; that being, making you feel sorry for characters you've actively or subconsciously detested.

Aemond and Criston Cole are the biggest casualties of the show's ever-expanding ensemble

Speaking of unlikeable individuals, the debut of the nefarious Ormond Hightower (James Norton) is the most noteworthy of this season's new additions.

A calculating, cunning, and smarmy tactician, Norton, who commands the most screentime of this season's newcomers, imbues Alicent's cousin with an striking obnoxiousness that'll immediately — and continue to — bother you throughout this season, especially once he lays out his daring masterplan in full. I for one can't wait to see if he spectacularly fails or somehow succeeds.

James Norton is fantastic as the antagonistic Ormund Hightower (Image credit: HBO)

With so many characters vying for time in front of the camera, it's inevitable that some will be relegated to the sidelines.

As of season 3's midpoint, Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) and Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) are the biggest casualties of the show's ever-expanding ensemble. Sure, the pair are handed moments to shine, but viewers hoping to see plenty of them in this season's first half should temper their expectations accordingly. Here's hoping they have more to do in the chapters ahead, especially if House of the Dragon 3 belatedly dials things up on the action front.

My verdict

After the fan outcry to last season's anticlimactic ending, plus the critical and commercial success that fellow Thrones offshoot A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms enjoyed earlier this year, House of the Dragon season 3 needed to step up big time — and, in some ways, it does.

As an overall package, it's certainly improved across the board but, maddeningly, still has its limitations. If this season's second half addresses its biggest issues — for starters, giving us plenty more tentpole action — then I foresee many viewers re-evaluating their overall opinion of this show. Season 2 promised plenty but largely failed to deliver on the destructive Targaryen civil war, otherwise known as the Dance of the Dragons, and I really hope that we're not sat here in a few months' time saying the same things about its follow-up.

House of the Dragon season 3 launches on Sunday, June 20 (North and South America) and Monday, June 21 (UK and everywhere else).

Categories: Reviews

Harlan Coben's I Will Find You is easily the weakest in Netflix's hit whodunnit franchise to date — not helped by a dreadfully huge change to the crime drama format

Thu, 06/18/2026 - 02:01

I'm turning into something of a Harlan Coben fangirl. Much like a stalker in one of his compelling crime stories, wherever I go is somewhere he already seems to be.

Looking at his TV track record since 2020 alone, this is hardly a surprise. Coben has had 10 of his stories adapted for Netflix in this time alone, with a further two — including one completely original script — on Prime Video. He's truly the King of Crime both on page and screen, and frankly, I bow to his majesty.

I Will Find You is our tenth Netflix adaptation in this list, and the moment I saw it would be joining the streamer this month, I was locked in with a laser focus. However, now that I've streamed all eight episodes, the lasting effect is more lukewarm than boiling hot.

Perhaps I'm spoiled for choice. I'm used to crime dramas that truly melt the mind, and both Lazarus and Run Away (two Coben shows that have been released in the last year) have done exactly that. I've been left with my head spinning, my eyes rolling and my jaw on the floor, even when they weren't absolutely perfect.

This time around, I've metaphorically shrugged my shoulders. I Will Find You is largely solid, and everything there is to critique isn't exactly world-destroying. But when we've been solving crime at such lofty heights, the comedown effect feels ridiculously devastating.

Harlan Coben's I Will Find You is the plain bread equivalent of Netflix crime drama

So, what's the story? Without giving too much away, we follow David Burroughs (Sam Worthington), who is serving a life sentence for the murder of his son, Matthew. When his ex-sister-in-law, disgraced journalist Rachel (Britt Lower), finds evidence that Matthew might still be alive, the race is on to prove David's innocence and find his son.

Whipped into a tight paragraph, that all sounds incredibly exciting... and for the most part, I Will Find You hits the brief. Worthington plays it Kiefer Sutherland-in-24-style as David, hotfooting it out of prison like his life depends on it (and it does).

There's a beautiful cat-and-mouse chase between David and the FBI from episode 2 onwards, both trying to outfox the other by almost nailing what the other is thinking — except one key detail is always catastrophically wrong. This type of rollercoaster storytelling is where the series is at its strongest, and that's all thanks to Mr. Coben himself.

Obviously, this is why we're tuning in. We've watched and read enough to know that Coben is a master of his craft, turning even the most mundane of moments into something truly thrilling. The problem, however, is just how much mundanity he's working with... even though that's basically his own fault.

Unless bodies are being hacked into pieces, a curveball the size of the Empire State Building is dropped into the storyline, or our characters betray each other on an epic scale, we've all consumed so many crime dramas that most of the nuts and bolts would be considered boring.

With such a linear storyline, I Will Find You wholeheartedly falls into this trap. We can guess what will happen to David, Matthew, and, frankly, who did it, which isn't as impressive as Coben's biggest mind-melters.

I Will Find You is the first American Harlan Coben adaptation on Netflix — and I hate that

(Image credit: Netflix)

I Will Find You hasn't helped its predictability problem by making a Columbo-shaped error with its casting announcement. Back in the days of 1980s crime-solving shows like it and Murder, She Wrote, the guest with the most star power would always be booked as the killer.

Fans eventually caught on, and it became so obvious that shows had to completely change their casting strategy. I'm not going to tell you which cast member this is aimed at, but one of I Will Find You's biggest-billed and most-promoted stars is also suspiciously absent from most of the drama. I wonder why that could be?

Then there's the final kicker, which will be an absolute gut-punch to anybody watching across the pond in the UK who has also co-opted Coben as an honorary Brit. I Will Find You marks the first adaptation for Netflix that is based in the US rather than the UK, with accents to match. This has happened once before in Prime Video's Shelter, but Netflix has been committed to using stalwart British actors since Cobenmania caught on.

After spending the first 10 minutes in disbelief, shouting "Wait, this is American?!" at my TV, I realized that I Will Find You had lots of bits of its grittiness and bite by being set on the East Coast. Apologies if this offends our American friends — I've just seen too many iterations of Law & Order, 9-1-1 and Blue Bloods for me to think that fictional crime in the Big Apple is anything other than cheesy.

Maybe I'm just being pedantic, but that's what happens when a streaming service gives you a never-ending wealth of content to gorge on. I Will Find You isn't the Harlan Coben I will return to or even remember after this week, but it did the job it needed to while I was watching.

Categories: Reviews

Oukitel WP66 review: An extremely rugged phone that doesn't punish you for choosing durability

Thu, 06/18/2026 - 01:10

Oukitel WP66: 30-second review

.Oukitel seems to have a particular strategy in the rugged phone market that involves launching lots of products, presumably on the assumption that a percentage of them will find favour with some customers.

The WP66 is at the end of a long list of recent phones, which includes devices I’ve covered, like the WP61 Plus, WP60 and WP30 Pro. Typically, these devices are affordable, rugged designs which avoid the latest SoC technology but often have some core features that make them attractive.

On paper, the WP66 isn’t much of a step away from its WP61 Plus predecessor, using the same MediaTek Dimensity 7025 SoC, identical memory and storage sizes, However, the WP66 has roughly half the battery capacity, and that makes it much easier to use as a daily driver.

With this level of practicality baked in, this is probably Oukitel's most design-aware rugged phone yet. It trades brute bulk for a slimmer profile and adds a neat 1.81-inch secondary display that does real work. The 11,000mAh battery is the headline number, and it delivers genuinely exceptional runtime. The Dimensity 7025 is capable enough for daily tasks, but it is not a performance chip.

Camera quality is fine in good light and ordinary in other conditions. At under $450 from the makers, this is a competitive proposition for anyone who needs genuine ruggedness without the usual aesthetic punishment.

It’s mostly the SoC that stops this from being one of the best rugged phones we’ve seen this year.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Oukitel WP66: price and availability

How much does it cost? $450/£337/€390
When is it out? Available now
Where can you get it? Direct from the maker or via an online retailer

Oukitel is one of those phone makers that likes to discount its phones at launch and sets a huge MSRP that the device is never sold at. Doing that in Europe isn’t legal, but it's something Chinese phone makers don’t appear concerned about.

It's available in the US via Oukitel's official site, where the MSRP for the WP66 is $639.99 - but at the time of review, it's down to $450. On Oukitel's UK site, it retailss for £474.99, while currently being discounted to £287.99.

Considering the specifications and features of this phone, the price seems competitive enough, but how they came up with the MSRP values is a mystery.

The phone most likely to be compared is the Doogee S200, as it also has a rear display. The Doogee phone typically sells for $360/£285/€328 via AliExpress. But the processor in it is less powerful, it has half the storage and can’t do 4K video. However, it has twice the battery capacity if you need longer runtime.

Given the recent price increases for both RAM and storage, the Oukitel WP66 is probably priced right, but maybe in the next six months, it needs to get a little cheaper to cope with phones with more concurrent technology being released into the busy mid-tier market.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Value score: 4/5

Oukitel WP66: Specs

Item

Spec

CPU:

MediaTek Dimensity 7025 (Octa-core, up to 2.5GHz)

GPU:

IMG BXM-8-256 (PowerVR IMG GPU)

NPU:

MediaTek NPU 550

RAM:

12GB

Storage:

512GB

Screen:

6.6" IPS TFT 750 nits and 1.8” rear screen

Resolution:

1080 x 2408 (FHD+)

SIM:

2x Nano SIM, or 1x Nano +TF

Weight:

365g

Dimensions:

172.2 x 81.0 x 15.8mm

Rugged Spec:

IP68 IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min), MIL-STD-810H Certification

Rear cameras:

108MP Samsung S5KHM6 (f/1.9, no OIS) + 2MP GalaxyCore GC02M1 macro

Front camera:

32MP Sony IMX616

Networking:

WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3

OS:

Android 15

Battery:

11,000 mAh battery (Max 33W charge wired, 7.5W Reverse)

Colours:

Orange, Black

Oukitel WP66: Design

Slim for a rugged phone
No wireless charging
Rear display

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The WP66 that Oukitel sent was the orange model, and I think this version looks much more interesting than the one with a black colour scheme.

One oddity I noticed almost immediately is that on the rear of the case is a GT logo, and this also appears on the maker's webpage. But this phone isn’t the WP66 GT; it's just the WP66, which suggests a change of plan in the naming scheme before launch.

Another chin-scratcher is that this phone has holes in the bottom-right corner for a lanyard, but there isn’t one in the box. It also comes with a TPU bumper that has a slot for the same purpose.

I’m glad about the bumper, because if it weren’t attached, the camera cluster would be excessively prominent, with each of the three elements sticking out at least 2mm. The included bumper guaranteed that this phone doesn’t have wireless charging, and to confirm that, I removed it and tested for wireless functionality. That’s a shame, because below the camera and rear display, the underside of the WP66 is extremely flat.

What I liked was that WP66 bucks the rugged phone aesthetic in a meaningful way. Most rugged devices lean into aggressive styling: heavy frames, pronounced corner armour, and military-surplus colour palettes. The WP66 is comparatively restrained. The Orange colourway is vibrant rather than utilitarian, and the Black variant suits a professional context.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

At 15.8mm thick, this is slim territory for a phone carrying an 11,000mAh battery. The trade-off is visible: the bezels around the main display are wider than a mainstream consumer phone would accept in 2026. The screen-to-body ratio sits at roughly 75%. For a rugged device, that is acceptable. For anyone accustomed to modern frameless designs, it might feel dated.

The secondary display on the rear panel is the most distinctive design element. It sits cleanly within the casing and gives the phone a dual-screen character that most rivals lack entirely.

Oukitel has packed the rear display with functionality, showing you a calendar, battery status, messages, and a million other things. My only issue with it is that by the time you’ve scrolled through all the functions to find the one you want, you could have easily turned the phone over and gone directly to that information three or four times over.

The button layout is by-the-numbers, and the designer has resisted the temptation to add extra buttons when they’re not specifically required. The right side has the power button with integrated fingerprint reader and volume controls, and the left has a single user-definable button and the SIM card slot. The card slot supports a MicroSD card and a Nano SIM, or you can forgo the MicroSD card and use a second Nano SIM. As this phone comes with 512GB of storage, not having a MicroSD card isn’t that limiting.

Overall, for a business user who might want a rugged phone for site visits or other outdoor work, the WP66 is pleasantly restrained, and it's not so big and heavy that it couldn’t be used as a daily driver.

Design score: 4/5

Oukitel WP66: Hardware

MediaTek Dimensity 7025
512GB of storage
11000 mAh battery

In other reviews, I’ve talked about the current MediaTek strategy that involves taking older technology and rebranding it with relatively small changes to make it look current.

What they can’t paper over is that the Dimensity 7025 is a 6nm SoC, because its origins are the Dimensity 930, an SoC that first appeared in 2022.

Oukitel used this in the WP300, WP60 and WP55 Pro, so this will be the fourth design to use the same platform.

My view of this silicon is that the CPU is workable, but the PowerVR IMG BXM-8-256 GPU is a poor GPU that struggles with the OpenGL and Vulkan APIs.

What challenges the GPU in this phone design is that the display is 1080 by 2408 pixels, whereas in the WP60, as an example, it only had a 720 x 1560 pixel screen.

If you like to game or use more demanding 3D titles, this probably isn’t the platform for you, but for everyday use, it works well enough to navigate Android.

What many people might consider a high point of this design is the 512GB of storage, which is enough when combined with the 12GB of RAM to handle plenty of applications and the data that comes with them. This SoC doesn’t have an NPU; instead, it has an APU, which is the CPU and GPU merged to perform a similar function. Thankfully, most AI done from phones is cloud-based anyway.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

One interesting change from its predecessor is that the battery is now rated at 11,000mAh, where the WP58 Pro and WP60 had 10,000mAh. That’s not a huge increase, but it might take you 10% further depending on how you use it.

While the makers did source a larger-capacity battery, they didn’t find one that charged any faster or delivered more power to other phones.

It’s got the same 33W wired charge and 7.5W reverse-charging specs as the 10000mAh devices, which translates to a full recharge from flat in under two hours.

Like most of the Oukitel designs I’ve seen in the past two years, the WP66 doesn’t represent cutting-edge technology. It’s assembled from a collection of parts that are chosen based entirely on price, and that create an ensemble of functions that can attract customers at the right cost.

Oukitel aren’t the only Chinese rugged phone maker using the same approach or with a selection of middle-of-the-road devices that use older technology, but there aren’t any huge surprises here for those willing to do their research about this brand.

Hardware score: 3.5/5

Oukitel WP66: Cameras

108MP and 2MP on the rear
32MP on the front
Three cameras in total

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The Oukitel WP66 has three cameras:

Rear camera: 108MP Samsung ISOCELL S5KHM6, Macro 2MP GalaxyCore GC02M1
Front camera: 32MP GalaxyCore GC32E1

This is a similar camera arrangement to the WP61 Plus, with the primary sensor being the excellent Samsung S5KHM6, supported by a less-than-epic 2MP macro camera from GalaxyCore. What’s missing, and was on the WP61 Plus, is a night vision sensor.

The primary sensor can produce some top-notch results in bright lighting, ideally outdoors, but it's not as impressive when there is less light. But the worst aspect of this design is the 2MP macro camera, a camera that produces results from the dawn of cameras on phones.

It’s grainy, difficult to get the optimal focus and often not worth the effort.

What’s also crushingly disappointing is that even with a 108MP sensor and 512GB of storage to handle some big recordings, this phone doesn’t offer 4K video. The best it can manage is 2K video at 30fps, which, considering the capabilities of the ISOCELL S5KHM6, is pitiful.

Also, like all the Oukitel phones I’ve tried recently, this phone doesn’t support Widevine L1, so streaming services are often reduced to 480p resolution.

You can take good pictures with this phone, but it takes more effort than it should.

Oukitel WP66 Camera samplesMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark Pickavance

Camera score: 3.5/5

Oukitel WP66: Performance

6nm SoC
Mid-tier performance

Phone

Oukitel WP66

Oukitel WP61 Plus

SoC

MediaTek Dimensity 7025

GPU

IMG BXM-8-256

NPU

MediaTek's APU 780

Memory

12GB/512GB

Weight

365g

656g

Battery

11000

20000

Geekbench

Single

897

959

Multi

2296

2362

OpenCL

156

failed

Vulkan

137

failed

PCMark

3.0 Score

10912

13080

Battery

27h 27m (20%)

32h 7m + 25%

Charge 30

Passmark

Score

6691

6620

CPU

5391

5284

3DMark

Slingshot OGL

3592

3741

Slingshot Ex. OGL

2549

3738

Slingshot Ex. Vulkan

2490

2614

Wildlife

1447

Failed

Nomad Lite

131

Failed

Even if initially, this looks like a pointless comparison, since both phones use the same SoC, there is some interesting data in these tests to examine. For most benchmarks, the difference between the two is within the standard deviation.

But it’s interesting to note that now running Android 16, the WP66 can run Wildlife and Nomad Lite, where the WP61 Plus, which was also running the same OS, could not. The obvious conclusion is that the WP61 Plus launched with some issues that may have been resolved, or that UL has tweaked 3DMark to make it more forgiving.

This isn’t to say that the WP66 runs either of the benchmarks well, but at least it pops out a number. It also succeeds on GeekBench for OpenGL and Vulkan, where it previously failed on the WP61 Plus, but the numbers are still horrible. The IMG BXM-8-256 isn’t a GPU anyone would want if they got a choice.

What I found most fascinating about these results was the battery performance, with the WP61 Plus running longer than the WP66. That’s not much of a revelation given the relative battery capacities, but it is worth noting that the WP61 Plus lasts only 17% longer despite having nearly twice the battery capacity.

This makes little sense, since they use a practically identical platform, and if I still had the WP61 Plus, I’d be curious to see what it was when running that used up the battery. It would be guesswork to pin this on any aspect of that phone, but it does suggest that the WP66 may be in a better place at launch than its predecessor.

Looking at these numbers overall, neither of these phones is ideal for gaming or VR, since the GPU can’t offer the range of features that more modern silicon can.

Battery life is decent, but everything else is bordering on an entry-level performance envelope.

Performance score: 3.5/5

(Image credit: Oukitel)Oukitel WP66: Final verdict

The Oukitel WP66 is the rugged phone that does not punish you for choosing durability. The slim profile, the secondary display, and the extraordinary battery life form a compelling package. The Dimensity 7025 processor is an honest mid-range device that does support 5G, but isn’t a gaming platform.

The camera is capable in daylight and ordinary in poor light. The 33W charging rate is the one frustrating limitation in an otherwise well-considered design. At the launch price of $450, this is one of the more interesting propositions in the mid-market rugged segment.

With Oukitel having so many phones in the WP series, the company's shotgun approach aims to make a handset that’s perfect for most customers. The WP66 is aimed at those who want a rugged phone without impractical size or weight. It manages that, and it even shows off a little with its rear-facing display.

I’m just not convinced that with such relatively old technology on the SoC, there is much longevity to be had. There are similarly priced rugged phones with better cameras and newer silicon for those who can spot them. The WP66 has a platform on its fourth outing for Oukitel, and that might be one or two bites of that cherry more than the Dimensity 7025 deserves.

Should I buy a Oukitel WP66?Oukitel WP66 Score Card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

No an excessive price for the spec

4/5

Design

Slim for a rugged phone; secondary display is a standout touch

4/5

Hardware

The fourth time Oukitel used this SoC

3.5/5

Camera

Good 108MP primary camera sensor, poor Macro, but only 2K video

3.5/5

Performance

Dimensity 7025 handles daily use; not a gaming chip

3.5/5

Overall

Other than the rear display, a bit forgetable

3.5/5

Buy it if...

You need a phone for outdoors
The water and dust resistance on the Oukitel WP66 is enough to handle submersion and drops. And, its not too large to fit in a pocket, or too heavy to carry.

You carry lots of data or apps
With 512GB of storage and 16GB of RAM, this phone is ideal for those who like to carry data and install numerous apps. And, if you give up a SIM card slot, you can add a MicroSD card for even more space.

Don't buy it if...

You need the best video
The sensors on this phone aren't bad, but they're not exploited fully by the phone. With a 108MP sensor, video capture is capped at only 2K resolution. If you record video, you will want a design that can capture 4K.

You use demanding apps
Hardcore gamers and VR users will find the GPU in the WP66 is underpowered. There isn’t any way to fix this with 2022 SoC technology under the skin.

Also Consider

Blackview Oscal Tank 1
An inexpensive phone with a 20000 mAh. But in this case, it comes with a superior SoC platform and a better camera cluster. Therefore, you get 4K video recording on both rear and front sensors, and you also get an SoC that supports 5G comms.

Read my full Blackview Oscal Tank 1 reviewView Deal

RugOne Xever 7 Pro
A RugOne design with swappable battery technology, but smaller batteries. The one critical advantage of this design is its thermal imaging camera. However, it costs more than the WP66, because of that feature.

Read my RugOne Xever 7 Pro review

For more ruggedized devices, we've reviewed the best rugged tablets, the best rugged laptops, and the best rugged hard drives

Categories: Reviews

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny Gen 2 review: A mini PC workstation for those who need pro-grade performance in a pint-sized package

Wed, 06/17/2026 - 14:05

Lenovo continues to dominate the professional desktop marketplace. I see Lenovo everywhere in my day to day professional careers. They have a firm grasp on the market and a good reason for that is that they seem to keep putting out reliable heavy hitters release after release.

Sure there are others that are also killing it, but when it comes to the trust that those who have the power to purchase business bulk, Lenovo is pretty high up on that list for many.

The P3 Tiny Gen 2 is just another example of a fantastic offering for those who need just a basic PC for workstations, server access, front desks, and TVs. If you need a professional computer to run something, but nothing too big, then check out the P3 Tiny Gen 2. On paper, in no way is it the best mini PC we've tested on paper. But this workstation depends on a very clear set of business use-cases, so it may be the best for your scenario.

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny Gen 2: Price and availability

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The Lenovo P3 Tiny Gen 2 is available direct from Lenovo's regional sites, including Lenovo US and Lenovo UK. The base price starts at $999 (and £2385 in the UK), with the highest end crossing $4000.

You can also buy it through third-party vendors like Amazon, Best Buy, and other reputable local retailers.

In true Lenovo fashion, you can choose your adventure here, opting for a more baseline model that's cheaper and easier for entry and easier for mass purchases. Or you can spec it out and get a more prominent and more powerful build-out. The choice is yours.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny Gen 2: Unboxing and First Impressions

I've unboxed so many Lenovo desktops at this point that they all are blending together. However, this one is pretty straightforward and fairly consistent with all the others. Inside of the unassuming brown box is the computer itself, some brackets, a small power brick, and all the documentation that you need.

Right off the bat, this immediately looks like a pretty business professional desktop that could fit in pretty much any workspace. It could be on the desk of an executive. It can be on the desk of a front desk receptionist or it could be in a server rack, tucked away and never to be seen again. Lenovo has made this computer so versatile that it could even be mounted behind a TV, and you wouldn't feel like you're wasting any power since you can choose the internal components so easily.

It is worth noting that there is an inline power brick to the power cable, meaning that it's not just your outlet to IEC, like some monitors and desktops use these days, but there is a brick in line that converts the IEC jack to a smaller power plug. If you're planning on tucking this on a desk or underneath a monitor shelf, or tucking it away in a server rack, this may not be a big deal if there are easy spots to be able to tuck cables.

If you were mounting this or putting this behind a TV, or having this out in the open, it's worth noting that you're going to have to find a spot to be able to place that power brick, or mount it if you are mounting as well. Again, it's not the end of the world, but it is worth noting because power bricks can be frustrating at times to mount due to their heat generation, size, and weight.

The last thing I'll mention in this section is the ports. In true Lenovo fashion, these ports are exactly what business users need in their workspace today. There's a good span of USB, USB-A, DisplayPort, and network jacks. They are all in good positions to be able to be utilized as needed in an actual workday, not just in a pretty photo shoot or in a nice spec sheet. Some manufacturers care more about looks, but Lenovo very clearly cares more about usability and creating helpful experiences for their users.

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny Gen 2: Design & Build Quality

As briefly mentioned above, this desktop could easily stand upright on your desk, or it could become something that mounts underneath your desk, hiding away completely and staying completely out of the way. If you do choose to mount it, there are mounting options directly from Lenovo or an absurd number of third-party options as well.

It will allow you to mount this behind a monitor, under a desk, in a rack, or in other locations as well. If you do choose to have this on your desktop, Lenovo makes a nice little stand to help make sure that it stands upright, taking up even less footprint than before.

Throughout my testing in daily use, there were some moments when the fan kicked up louder than I expected. I really only noticed it when my office was otherwise silent. The fan isn't obnoxious by any means, but you do hear it if the environment is quiet enough.

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny Gen 2: In use

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

In day-to-day use, it's pretty clear that the P3 Tiny, in name and in stature, is designed to be hidden away and take up as little space as possible. There was a season when you wanted a setup like this, you would use an all-in-one.

However, I believe Lenovo has understood that allowing business users specifically to be able to utilize whatever display they want with a smaller PC that can be hidden away is a better move long term, especially because if you needed to, you could run multi-monitor on a machine like this. By multi-monitor, of course I don't mean running two 55-inch 5K monitors, but more like two business displays utilizing the DisplayPort and the HDMI out.

I was able to run this on my 52-inch 6K monitor at high resolution without any issue, no lag, but I did hear the fan kick on when running on a smaller monitor at 4K or even 5K. I didn't hear the fan as much, and it still ran just as smoothly.

I will note that the proprietary power table is a tad annoying, but only really in the moment if you need to replace it, or if you are replacing a different computer with this computer, you'll need to run this proprietary cable instead of just an IEC cable. Further, the separation of the DisplayPort and HDMI, I thought, was worth noting. There's a USB-A in between those two ports, which is something I don't usually see. Usually, the DisplayPort and HDMI ports are right next to each other.

In base units, there are a bunch of punch-out ports available on the back of the machine. In the more build-out units, those punch-out ports, of course, become actual ports, which could vary between other VGA, DisplayPort, HDMI, or USB-C ports, more gigabit Ethernet ports, or even more USB-A ports if desired.

All around, this is a phenomenal device to be able to tuck away and hide or have out on your desk, taking up minimal space, especially in a simplistic business use case. Of course, I wouldn't use this probably for anything creative or on the go, but if you need a plug-it-in-and-let-it-work productivity machine, this could be it.

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny Gen 2: Final verdict

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

Lenovo continues the impressive nature of the P3 Tiny that we saw about a year ago. While I still wish that in 2026 there are a few more Thunderbolt ports, I do think for most business use cases this is a really good option, as there are still a lot of devices that use the now more legacy style USB-A port.

If you're looking for a small set-it-and-forget-it desktop machine for your employees or for your own office, this is definitely one worth considering.

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

For more productivity machines, we've tested the best business computers.

Categories: Reviews

The Kodak WPZ2 is less than half the price of Tough TG-7 — even still, should you buy it? I tested the cheap waterproof camera on vacation, and here’s my verdict

Wed, 06/17/2026 - 05:30

Kodak PixPro WPZ2: One-minute review

The Kodak PixPro WPZ2 is a budget waterproof camera aimed squarely at adventurers who want to take their photography somewhere a smartphone or regular point-and-shoot can’t follow.

It costs a fraction of what you’d pay for a premium rugged compact like the OM System Tough TG-7, and the trade-offs are exactly what you’d expect at this price: a fairly basic feature set, modest image quality and 1080p/30fps video recording that feels pretty old-school in 2026. But after spending some time with it at my local beach, I found plenty to like.

For one, it certainly looks the part. The WPZ2’s yellow-and-black color scheme, chunky G-Shock-esque lens barrel and prominent rivet-like screws on the front give it an appropriately ruggedized aesthetic. It’s also smaller than it looks, and I managed to squeeze it into my jeans pocket, protruding lens barrel and all.

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Build quality feels solid, and the double-locking battery and card compartment is a reassuring design choice that should prevent any accidental pop-opens while you’re underwater. I tested it in saltwater rock pools and have no reason to doubt Kodak’s 15m waterproofing claim. There was no lens fogging when transitioning between underwater and above-water shooting, either. One note of caution: the front element doesn’t appear to be noticeably hydrophobic, so water droplets will cling on after submersion. My advice? Pack a microfiber cloth or two.

There are some usability niggles, though. The rear screen is small and dim – even at maximum brightness I found it difficult to gauge exposure or compose shots with any confidence. The zoom rocker requires a very firm press to register, which is understandable given the waterproofing demands, but isn’t much fun with wet hands. And getting a microSD card in and out of its deeply-recessed slot in the battery chamber is really fiddly, to the extent anyone with larger fingers is going to struggle.

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Image quality is in line with what the specs would lead you to expect: JPEGs that lack saturation, contrast and dynamic range, with some over-sharpening and noticeable corner softness. That said, the macro mode produced some impressively sharp results in my testing, with good central detail and pleasing colors.

The 4x optical zoom is a useful range to have, but engage the digital zoom beyond the optical and quality falls straight off a cliff. Low-light shooting is another weak point, though the built-in flash does keep the camera functional after dark.

Video maxes out at 1080p/30fps, which feels like a big limitation in this day and age. My underwater rock pool footage looked fine for casual use, but above-water clips suffered from the same flatness and over-processing that characterizes the still shots.

Battery life is one of the more pleasant surprises. The CIPA-rated 200 shots held up well in real-world use, and USB-C recharging felt reassuringly quick. For a day’s casual shooting, you’re unlikely to run dry.

Oh, and a small bonus if you’re a music fan: the five-note power-on chime is an uncanny dead ringer for the opening of Prince’s “Diamonds and Pearls.” Not a reason to buy, obviously, but I enjoyed it every single time.

The WPZ2 certainly won’t trouble the OM System TG-7 or Ricoh WG-8 in a straight image quality fight. But as an affordable way to get a camera into the water without worrying too much about the consequences, it fits the brief well.

Kodak PixPro WPZ2: Price and availability

Priced at around $189 / £149 / AU$279
Available in three color finishes

The Kodak PixPro WPZ2 is available now, priced at $189 / £149 / AU$279, though you may find it slightly cheaper (or pricier) depending on where and when you look. It comes in three colorways (yellow, red and blue) and is widely available through major retailers including Amazon, Best Buy and B&H Photo in the US, and their international equivalents.

As well as the camera and a single battery, the box includes a wrist strap and USB-A to USB-C charging cable. Note that a microSD card is not included, and with only 8MB of space on the camera's internal memory, you'll need one.

At this price it sits well below the premium rugged compact options on the market. The OM System Tough TG-7 commands around $400, so the WPZ2 undercuts it by a significant margin. The more relevant question is whether you’d be better served by choosing a similarly-priced action camera instead — and that probably depends on whether you're primarily shooting photos or video.

Kodak PixPro WPZ2: specsLeica SL3-P specs

Type:

Compact camera

Sensor:

16.35MP 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS

Lens:

4x optical zoom, 27–108mm, f/2–f/6.6

Video:

Up to 1080p/30fps

Screen:

2.7-inch LCD

Waterproofing:

IP67 rating (up to 15m/49ft)

Shockproofing

Up to 2m/6ft drop distance

Storage

8MB internal + microSD card slot (up to 32GB)

Dimensions:

103.2 x 66.7 x 52.4mm / 4.06 x 2.62 x 2.06in

Weight:

176g / 6.21oz

Kodak PixPro WPZ2: design

IP67-rated rugged build
176g weight and pocketable size

Pick up the WPZ2 and the first thing that strikes you is how proudly it wears its ruggedness on its sleeve. Where most compact cameras at least try to look sleek, this one leans into the industrial; the visible screws on the faceplate, the thick black grip and the chunky lens housing all read less “camera” and more “piece of heavy equipment.”

The Caterpillar digger-style yellow-and-black colorway I tested reinforces that impression, but red and blue options are available if you’d prefer something that looks a little less like it came straight off the construction site.

Despite its bulk-suggesting aesthetics, the WPZ2 is actually very small and manageable in the hand. It slipped into my jeans pocket without much protest, which is more than you’d expect from something that looks so burly. At 176g / 6.2oz it’s light enough that you’ll almost forget it’s there between shots, too.

The double-locking mechanism on the battery and card compartment is one of the smarter design decisions here. It takes a deliberate two-step action to open, which inspires confidence that it’s not going anywhere mid-dunk. Less impressive is the microSD slot itself, which sits so deep within that compartment that swapping cards becomes a two-handed exercise in patience. Larger fingers will find it particularly trying.

On the back, the controls are straightforward enough. This is very much a point-and-shoot in its operational philosophy, with no pretensions toward manual control complexity.

The main frustration is the rear LCD, which is both small and insufficiently bright; even cranked to maximum, it struggles in daylight conditions, making exposure assessment and framing more of an educated guess than a precise exercise. The zoom rocker, necessarily stiff to maintain its watertight seal, demands a firmer press than feels natural, which is something I noticed most acutely when my hands were wet.

Kodak PixPro WPZ2: Performance

Camera performs best in good lighting
No raw shooting option and video limited to 1080p
4x optical zoom

The WPZ2’s natural habitat is somewhere sunny, shallow and wet, and that’s precisely where it performs best. My rock pool testing on a bright day returned some pleasing results, particularly in macro mode, where the camera locked on with decent accuracy (if not much speed) and rendered the finer details of shells, barnacles and seaweed with more sharpness and color fidelity than I was expecting at this price point. Keep the light on your side and you’ll come away with shots you’re happy to share.

Step outside those ideal conditions, though, and the limitations become harder to overlook. The JPEGs have a processed, over-sharpened quality to them, and what the camera gains in apparent edge definition it loses in natural color rendition; images tend toward the flat and undersaturated rather than the vivid. Dynamic range is modest, so high-contrast scenes (bright sky against dark water, for instance) will test it. Corner sharpness drops off noticeably, too, which is worth bearing in mind if you’re framing wide shots.

The 4x optical zoom covers a useful range for a camera of this type, but treat the digital zoom as decorative – image quality deteriorates the moment you engage it, and by the time you reach the maximum combined 24x, you’re looking at something closer to an impressionist painting than a photograph.

Low-light shooting is perhaps the WPZ2’s most significant imaging weakness. Without a flash, the results are soft and noisy, and the camera gives you no shutter speed readout when shooting manually, which makes managing camera shake largely a matter of luck. The flash rescues things for indoor and after-dark shots, but don’t expect miracles.

In good lighting, the camera can produce some quite impressive results. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Video maxes out at 1080p/30fps, a spec that would have felt reasonable a few years ago but stands out as a limitation today, when even mid-range smartphones routinely shoot 4K at 60fps. My underwater footage of the rock pools was perfectly watchable for casual use, but the above-water clips exhibited the same flatness and over-processing that characterises the stills. There’s no optical stabilization either, only digital, so handheld video isn't particularly smooth.

Battery life is one of the more pleasant surprises. The CIPA-rated 200 shots held up well in real-world use, and USB-C charging felt reassuringly quick. For a day’s casual shooting, you’re unlikely to run dry.

Should you buy the Kodak PixPro WPZ2?Buy it if...

You want an affordable camera that can get wet
The WPZ2 is a fraction of the price of premium waterproof compacts. For rock pooling, snorkeling or kayaking on a budget, it fits the bill.

You need a dedicated camera for water adventures
Most smartphones aren’t waterproof to any meaningful depth. The WPZ2 fills that gap without requiring a bulky housing.

Don't buy it if...

You're precious about image quality
Flat, over-sharpened JPEGs and no raw support mean the WPZ2 struggles to flatter its subjects. Spend more on an OM System Tough TG-7 if image quality is a priority.

You shoot a lot of video
A 1080p/30fps ceiling is unusual. An entry-level GoPro or Insta360 will serve you considerably better for similar money.

Also consider

OM System Tough TG-7

The TG-7 is the go-to waterproof compact for most people, and for good reason. It matches the WPZ2’s 15m waterproofing while adding dust, crush and freeze resistance, plus a 4K video capability and a wide range of shooting modes that make it a considerably more versatile tool. Image quality from its 12MP sensor can’t compete with a modern smartphone, but it outclasses the Kodak in virtually every other respect. You’ll pay roughly twice the price, but the step up in capability is commensurate.

Read our in-depth OM System Tough TG-7

DJI Osmo Action 6

If video is your priority, the Osmo Action 6 is the smarter buy over the WPZ2. Its 1/1.1-inch sensor delivers superb footage in both bright conditions and the kind of low-light environments where the WPZ2 struggles, and it goes deeper thanks to 20m waterproofing. Factor in 4K/120p video, dual OLED screens, strong battery life and an expanding modular accessory system, and you’re looking at a truly pro-capable action camera. It’s a step up in price, but a significant step up in performance.

Read our in-depth DJI Osmo Action 6 review

How I tested the Kodak PixPro WPZ2

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Test sample purchased from Amazon UK
Tested in and outdoors on English coast
All images and videos shot at highest quality settings

TechRadar purchased the Kodak PixPro WPZ2 from Amazon UK for my testing purposes.

I tested the camera over several days, using it primarily at a local beach where I shot stills and video in and around saltwater rock pools. This gave me a real-world sense of its waterproofing credentials, image quality in both macro and wider shooting scenarios, and general handling in wet conditions. I also tested it indoors and in lower-light situations to assess flash performance and the limits of its low-light capability.

All sample images and video were shot using the camera’s highest quality settings.

First reviewed June 2026

Categories: Reviews

I watched Toy Story 5 in Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision — and the new Pixar movie is a few Lightyears away from the Disney film series' best entries

Tue, 06/16/2026 - 11:00

Light spoilers follow for Toy Story 5.

Toy Story is the franchise that Disney refuses to let go of. That's no surprise, given that the immensely popular movie series has raked in billions of dollars globally since late 1995. However, Toy Story 3 delivered a perfect end to Woody and company's individual and collective stories, so the entertainment giant's commitment to churning out money-spinning but superfluous sequels, such as Toy Story 4, suggests the proverbial cow is being milked for all it's worth.

Toy Story 5 does little to move the needle in that regard. Sure, it's a fun, thematically timely, and ultimately feel-good family-friendly flick that bears all the classic hallmarks of a Pixar movie. But it's also a far-too-familiar re-tread of its predecessors, and will leave some questioning whether it needed to be made.

Toys meet tech

Toy Story 5 introduces Bonnie's toys, including Bullseye (left) and Jessie (center), to Lilypad (right) (Image credit: Disney Pixar)

Set a few years after its forebear, Toy Story 5 reunites us with Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack), and the gang as they face another existential threat: technology.

When their owner Bonnie is given a state-of-the-art electronic tablet named Lilypad (Greta Lee) by her parents, the now-eight-year-old becomes obsessed with her frog-like handheld computer, leaving Jessie — who succeeded Woody as the leader of Bonnie's room after his departure at the end of Toy Story 4 — and Bonnie's myriad other toys fearing for their futures.

Toy Story 5... worryingly signals it's simply going to hang its cowboy hat on replaying the franchise's greatest hits

Jessie is arguably the most worried of the group, too. Bonnie's unflinching fixation with her new high-tech toy causes Jessie's deep-seated abandonment issues to resurface, forcing her to take drastic measures that set this film's entire narrative in motion.

If that sounds familiar, it's because it's an eerily similar storytelling approach to Toy Story 1, which sees Woody fearing he's about to be replaced by Buzz. This is one of numerous narrative rehashes in Toy Story 5 that'll evoke a sense of déjà vu and, initially at least, worryingly signals that the film is simply going to hang its cowboy hat on replaying the franchise's greatest hits.

Darn tootin'! It's high time that Jessie (right) was the star of a Toy Story movie (Image credit: Disney Pixar)

Thankfully, the long-overdue but welcome sight of Jessie taking the reins and being its toy-based protagonist, even if it's just for this film, re-energizes the movie series' traditional formula.

Buzz and Woody are nothing more than Toy Story 5's comic relief

Director Andrew Stanton told me he never planned to make JessieToy Story 5's lead star, but I'm glad he ultimately decided to do so.

Whether it's Jessie's unrelenting and understandably self-preserving quest to reclaim Bonnie's affection in the present, or Toy Story 5's flashback sequences that elaborate on her past — a subject that was only touched upon in Toy Story 2 — putting Jessie front and center of this movie adds a narrative zip to proceedings that sets it apart from the series' other installments.

Woody and Buzz have roles to play in Toy Story 5, but they're definitely not its lead stars (Image credit: Disney Pixar)

Inevitably, further examining the emotionally tormented Jessie's backstory, and how it impacts her present-day actions, shifts the focus away from Woody and Buzz.

Sure, the pair are as involved as ever, but their roles are of the main supporting variety, rather than traditional co-starring ones. In fact, save for Buzz's increasingly important role from Toy Story 5's midpoint onwards, I'd say he and Woody are nothing more than this flick's comic relief, especially where the latter's elder-statesman position is concerned. I'd wager that some fans, then, might be disappointed by the lesser roles the iconic duo inhabit this time around.

Band of Buzzers

Toy Story 5 takes a leaf out of Toy Story 2's book with the inclusion of another gang of Buzz Lightyears (Image credit: Disney Pixar)

Original Buzz isn't the only Lightyear that audiences will see in Toy Story 5. In yet another recycled plot thread — this time, from Toy Story 2 — a squad of Buzzes (ones installed with cutting-edge technology) take center stage in a subplot that, for large parts of Toy Story 5, is wholly unnecessary.

Okay, like O.G. Buzz, their importance to the story grows as it progresses, and I'll admit that this side story's examination of modern tech navigating an unpredictable world, rather than the modern world grappling with new and unpredictable tech, is somewhat novel in its approach. Even so, I didn't appreciate the constant check-ins with this squad when the film's runtime would have been better served elsewhere.

The progression and eventual resolution of Lilypad's arc happens too quickly for my liking

One example of where that time could have been better spent is with Lilypad.

Positioned as an antagonistic figure rather than an archetypal villain, she's not underutilized by any means. However, major spoilers notwithstanding, the progression and eventual resolution of her arc happens too quickly for my liking, which makes her role and character development feel slightly undercooked.

Jessie meets Smarty Pants (left), Atlas (center), and Snappy (right) after becoming separated from Bonnie (Image credit: Disney Pixar)

The same can be said of the three other tech-based toys — Smarty Pants (Conan O'Brien), a potty-training device, Atlas (Craig Robinson), a hippo GPS handset, and Snappy (Shelby Rabara), a toy camera — that we meet.

I wish we'd seen more of the beautiful and dreamy pastel chalk art style used to depict Bonnie's imagination

All three have vital albeit by-design parts to play following their introductions midway through the plot, which is also around the time that Toy Story 5 starts to telegraph its semblance of a story twist and narrative endgame.

As with Lilypad, though, Pixar's latest feature breezes through these meet-and-greets to maintain its narrative momentum, albeit at the cost of fully examining their pasts with the franchise's newest human character Blaze (Mykal-Michelle Harris), and how their experiences fundamentally shift Jessie's perspective on her relationship with Bonnie.

Speaking of Bonnie, I wish we'd seen more of the beautiful and dreamy pastel chalk-art style used to depict her imagination.

First glimpsed in Toy Story 5's official trailer, it adds some much-needed visual flair to the movie — and the franchise, for that matter — that helps it stand out from its four siblings. It's an art-form I'd like to see carried into future Toy Story offerings, too; but I suppose that will depend on how old Bonnie will be when Toy Story 6 is inevitably released, and/or if Woody, Buzz, and Jessie are the leads of the next Toy Story adventure.

My verdict

Toy Story 5 is a fairly enjoyable and typically tear-jerking Pixar flick that, from storytelling, visual, and topical viewpoints, does what it needs to in order to entertain the masses, and reminds us of the true value of human connection, especially among kids, in the digital age.

However, like Toy Story 4 and another recently-released Disney movie in The Mandalorian and Grogu, aka the latest Star Wars film to land in theaters, it left me wanting more.

That's not to say it's a bad movie — as the 3-star rating at the top of this review indicates, I thought it was pretty good. Five movies into this franchise, though, I think Toy Story films — and, really, all future Pixar projects — need to do more than simply relying on high-quality visuals and checking the 'emotional resonance' box. Sure, that's fine for a movie that's aimed squarely at kids and families; but for those of us who've grown up on and continue to watch Toy Story films, something more is needed. Otherwise, just like the tidied-away toys that inhabit the films, it might be best to leave the Toy Story franchise in storage.

Categories: Reviews

ACT! CRM review 2026

Tue, 06/16/2026 - 10:07

ACT! CRM, launched in 1987, is one of the oldest names in customer relationship management. It offers tools for small and medium businesses to manage customers, sales, and marketing. Interestingly, ACT! provides cloud and on-premises options, catering to both productivity- and security-focused businesses.

In my review, I found ACT! CRM to be a lot more than just a CRM platform. Like a few other small business platforms, it includes features for automating sales, marketing, and customer service. It also gives a complete view of customer interactions, helping businesses track data, manage sales, and run targeted campaigns.

Flexibility is a key advantage of ACT!. The platform allows rigorous customization to fit specific business needs. Its adaptability, along with its solid reputation, makes this a top choice for small and medium-sized businesses.

ACT! CRM core capabilities

(Image credit: ACT! CRM )

ACT! CRM has a long-standing reputation as a leading contact management tool. Its records are very detailed, allowing users to store information like notes, documents, and interaction history in one place.

Lead management is strong, helping users track potential sales from initial contact to closure. The customizable sales process allows businesses to align stages with their unique sales methods, benefiting companies with specific workflows. A visual sales pipeline view helps users project revenue, adjust strategies, and prioritize efforts. Contextually relevant metrics provide quick insights into pipeline health, aiding sales managers in making informed decisions.

For sales forecasting, ACT! has solid functionality, though it may lack the depth of some enterprise CRMs. Users can create forecasts based on opportunity data, closure probability, and historical performance. This suffices for most small to medium businesses, though more complex needs may find it limiting.

Reporting has improved significantly. ACT! Insight offers interactive dashboards for individual, team, and business performance metrics. The range of over 50 pre-configured reports covers sales, marketing, and business health KPIs. Users can also create custom reports, providing deeper data insights.

ACT! also offers a companion app for iOS and Android. The app provides access to key contact details, activities, and some dashboard metrics on the go. While it lacks full desktop functionality, it covers essential needs for field sales and remote work.

Beyond the usual CRM features, ACT! offers tools for creating and managing email marketing campaigns, including a template editor and response tracking. Useful for small businesses looking to streamline operations.

Custom tables also allow users to manage industry-specific data alongside standard CRM information. ACT! also syncs with popular platforms like Microsoft Outlook, Google products, and social media channels like LinkedIn and Facebook, creating a seamless workflow.

But while ACT! has a solid core, some users may find the interface less modern compared to newer CRM solutions. Its software has evolved from its contact management roots, but some legacy aspects remain. Still, it's a good platform with strong customization features that could serve niche and security-focused small businesses well.

How easy is ACT! CRM to use?

When it comes to ease of use, ACT! CRM offers a mixed experience. Its interface is functional but feels somewhat outdated compared to modern CRMs. When I first logged in, I had to slowly adjust to the information-dense layout, which can be overwhelming for new users.

A dashboard displays various widgets with crucial information like daily tasks, open opportunities, and sales pipelines. Navigation is handled through a left sidebar that lists all CRM features, providing quick access to different modules.

However, the top menu adds to the interface's overall complexity. It took me around 30-60 minutes to become comfortable with the layout and navigation, which aligns with feedback from other users about the software's learning curve.

ACT! offers robust customization options, allowing users to tailor the software to their specific business needs. Its flexibility is a significant advantage for businesses with unique workflows. However, making these customizations isn't always intuitive and requires technical know-how.

Accessibility features are present but not particularly advanced. ACT! offers basic screen reader compatibility and keyboard navigation but lacks sophisticated accessibility options found in newer CRMs.

On the positive side, ACT! provides comprehensive onboarding and training resources. It includes helpful tutorial videos, a knowledge base, and webinars to assist new users in getting up to speed. The "Welcome Links" on the dashboard, which provide quick access to uploading, importing, and learning about the CRM, and was a nice touch.

Available for both iOS and Android devices, the mobile app offers a more streamlined and user-friendly interface compared to the desktop version. I found adding new opportunities or contacts to be much more intuitive on the mobile app, even if it's more limited in functionality.

Overall, ACT! CRM’s ease of use is hampered by an outdated interface and a sometimes overwhelming amount of information. For businesses willing to invest the time in training and setup, however, it can be a powerful tool.

ACT! CRM integrations

(Image credit: ACT! CRM )

ACT! CRM offers a powerful set of integration capabilities, balancing between pre-built integrations and the flexibility to create custom ones.

The ACT! Marketplace serves as the central hub for the integrations, offering a wide array of pre-built connectors categorized by function, such as sales and marketing, business productivity, social media, ecommerce, back office, and customer service.

I particularly appreciated the seamless integration with Microsoft Office suite, including Outlook, which allows for effortless synchronization of emails, contacts, and calendar events. For users of Google Workspace, ACT! also offers solid integrations with Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Contacts.

ACT! also supports Zapier, a no-code automation platform that lets you build custom integrations without technical knowledge. This opens up lots of possibilities for connecting ACT! with hundreds of other web applications. During my testing, I was able to create several Zaps (automated workflows) that connected ACT! with tools like Slack for notifications and Trello for project management.

For more advanced users and developers, ACT! provides a comprehensive API. API documentation is well-structured and easily accessible through the ACT! developer portal. It follows REST principles and uses JSON for data exchange, making it relatively easy for developers to create custom integrations or extend the functionality of ACT!.

ACT! also offers a feature called Web API, which allows for more direct integration with web-based applications. This can be particularly useful for businesses with custom web applications or those looking to embed ACT! functionality into their existing web platforms. While powerful, I found that leveraging the Web API requires more technical expertise compared to using pre-built integrations or Zapier.

In terms of data syncing performance, ACT! generally performs well. During my tests, most integrations maintained near real-time synchronization with minimal latency. However, I did notice occasional delays with some third-party integrations, particularly during peak usage times.

How good is ACT! CRM support?

ACT! CRM provides a multi-faceted approach to customer support, offering users various channels to seek assistance. During my evaluation, I found that the quality and accessibility of support resources were generally good, although there were some areas where improvements could be made.

Phone support is available during standard business hours. Response times are reasonable with an average wait time of about 5-10 minutes. Support representatives are knowledgeable about the product. However, it's worth noting that phone support is only available to customers on higher-tier plans, which may be a drawback for smaller businesses.

All users have access to email support. Simple queries are typically answered within 24 hours, while more complex issues sometimes took up to two days for a response. The quality of the email responses is generally good, with clear explanations and step-by-step instructions.

Something that ACT! falls short in is the lack of live chat support. Many users prefer the immediacy of chat for quick questions or troubleshooting, especially when most competitors offer robust chat support options.

ACT! makes up for this somewhat with its extensive self-service resources. Its knowledge base is comprehensive and well-organized, covering a wide range of topics from basic setup to advanced features. I found the search function to be particularly useful, quickly surfacing relevant articles based on keywords. It also includes a good selection of video tutorials.

ACT! CRM's community forum is another valuable resource for users. It's active and well-moderated, with both company staff and experienced users contributing to discussions. ACT! also offers regular webinars and training sessions, which serve as both educational resources and indirect support channels.

In terms of resolution times for support tickets, my experience and research suggests that the company performs adequately but not exceptionally. Simple issues are often resolved within 1-2 business days, but more complex problems can take longer, sometimes up to a week.

User testimonials regarding ACT!'s support quality are mixed. Many users praise the knowledge and helpfulness of the support staff, particularly for phone support. However, some users express frustration with longer wait times for email support and the occasional need to escalate issues to get them resolved.

ACT! CRM pricing and plans

Plan

Advantage Standard

Premium Desktop

Advantage Professional

Advantage Ultimate

Price

$30/user/month

$39/user/month

$45/user/month

$60th/user/mon

Best For

Small businesses needing cloud-based CRM with basic marketing features

Businesses preferring on-premises CRM solution with advanced customization

Organizations requiring both cloud and desktop access with data synchronization

Growing small-to-medium businesses (SMBs) and power-users who want an all-in-one front-office ecosystem

Features

Comprehensive contact management

Basic marketing automation

Cloud-based accessibility

Advanced customization options

Robust offline capabilities

On-premises data control

Cloud and desktop access

Data synchronization

Combined cloud-desktop benefits

Drops all caps on custom tables/enhanced support, unlocks full marketing automation, a customer portal, and 50,000 email sends/month.

Limitations

Limited advanced marketing features without addons

Requires IT resources for maintenance and updates

Higher cost may not justify benefits for all users

Interface still suffers from legacy clutter. Lacks real-time human chat support

Recently, Act! has modernized its software distribution by structuring its core offerings into the Act! Advantage suite. Rather than forcing a choice between basic cloud access or entirely self-hosted deployments, the vendor now scales its cloud features across three structured tiers, while maintaining a standalone desktop tier for legacy organizations.

The entry point remains the Advantage Standard plan (formerly known as Premium Cloud) and is priced at $30 per user, per month (when billed annually). This tier provides complete browser-based CRM functionality paired with foundational email marketing capped at 2,500 messages per month. It offers highly competitive value for small businesses that require structural contact mapping, mobile pipeline accessibility, and automated updates without the technical overhead of an on-premises deployment.

For teams looking for modern workflows, Act! can offer the Advantage Professional tier for $45 per user, per month. This tier injects native generative AI tools - including an AI Writing Assistant and automated AI history summaries - directly into the environment, while expanding email marketing thresholds to 25,000 monthly sends and adding native project management.

At the top of ACT!'s cloud offerings resides the Advantage Ultimate tier ($60/user/month), which functions as a comprehensive, no-compromise package. It drops external upcharges by natively including custom industry data tables, an interactive online customer portal, and advanced marketing automation limits of 50,000 email sends per month.

For organizations bound by strict data localization or internal compliance rules, Act! maintains its self-hosted Premium Desktop environment for $39 per user, per month. It is important to note that the convenient local-to-cloud data redundancy mentioned in legacy reviews is no longer bundled as a unique tier; instead, Desktop Sync functionality is treated as a flexible $10/month per-user add-on that can be attached to any standard cloud subscription.

A potential drawback I noticed is the lack of a free plan. Many competing CRM solutions offer a basic free tier, which can be beneficial for very small businesses or for those wanting to test the system extensively before committing. ACT! does provide a 14-day free trial, which is sufficient for a basic evaluation of the software, but it may not be enough time for a thorough assessment in a real business environment.

How we tested ACT! CRM

At TechRadar Pro, our CRM testing is based on extensive, hands-on evaluation. To accurately analyze Act! CRM's legacy desktop capabilities, modern cloud environments, and updated marketing automation tiers, our enterprise software analysts put the platform through a practical testing process designed to simulate real-world operations in small-to-midmarket sales teams.

Given the platform's focus on automated intelligence pipelines, we dedicated a specific evaluation block to Act!’s native AI Writing Assistant and automated history tools available on the higher-tier cloud plans. We evaluated the system's accuracy when analyzing long timelines of contact notes, checking how concisely the AI could summarize years of interaction histories into actionable context for a sales rep. We also tested the writing assistant's natural tone variability by auto-generating targeted prospecting emails directly inside the CRM workspace.

ACT! CRM review: Final verdict

ACT! is a feature-rich incumbent that has successfully adapted to the changing CRM landscape over its long history. Its comprehensive contact management, powerful sales tools, and integrated marketing features make it a compelling choice for small to medium-sized businesses looking for an all-in-one CRM.

Act! remains a reliable, feature-rich workhorse for small to medium-sized businesses that need a unified sales and marketing platform. Its defining strength is deployment flexibility—offering both modern cloud subscriptions and rare, on-premises desktop installations. This makes it an ideal fit for data-heavy teams or companies in highly regulated sectors with strict compliance and security needs.

The software's strength lies in its flexibility, offering both cloud-based and on-premises deployment options. This, combined with extensive customization capabilities, allows businesses to tailor the platform to their specific needs. However, the software is starting to show its age. The legacy interface and a steeper learning curve can feel restrictive compared to modern, instantly intuitive alternatives. Still, it's a great choice for businesses in regulated industries with complex data security needs.

Categories: Reviews

SugarAI CRM review 2026

Tue, 06/16/2026 - 07:41

As a customer relationship management tool, SugarAI has history on its side. Recently rebranding from SugarCRM, the tool was originally launched in 2004 as an open-source customer relationship management platform. It has since evolved into a full-fledged commercial suite, with tools for sales, marketing, and customer service. But what really sets it apart is the amount of flexibility it offers, making it one of the best CRM platforms on the market.

As you might expect, SugarAI features powerful AI tools, like predictive analytics, which provide valuable insights into customer behavior and sales forecasting. Combined with its user-friendly interface, this makes SugarAI an attractive option for businesses that prize accessibility and automation.

Regular updates, including SugarAI's Precision Selling overhaul, show the company's commitment to innovation, but the learning curve can be steep for new users. The platform also features an unconventional and unstructured pricing system, which can prove intimidating to small businesses.

At TechRadar Pro, our business software experts look past the legacy label to find the operational truth. To review SugarAI, we conducted a 40-hour deep dive into the Sugar Sell and Sugar Market ecosystems. We didn't just test the basic lead-tracking features; we spent time building custom Dashlets, testing the SugarPredict AI with complex B2B datasets, and evaluating the platform’s new Focus Drawers to see if they truly reduce the tab fatigue common in older CRM systems.

Our reviews are 100% independent. We never accept payment for product rankings, ensuring that our verdict on SugarAI’s high cost-of-entry and its powerful, "time-aware" data engine is based strictly on how it serves the needs of a scaling enterprise in 2026.

SugarAI core capabilities

SugarAI is feature rich and integrates AI into some of its most important tools (Image credit: SugarAI)

SugarAI's centralized database allows users to access and update contact details, interaction history, and account-specific data, enabling a complete view of customer relationships. It lets users track and nurture leads through various stages of the sales funnel, with customizable lead scoring. You also have tools for tracking deal progress, assigning probabilities, and forecasting potential revenue.

A sales pipeline offers visual representations of the sales process, allowing sales managers to quickly assess the health of their sales funnel and identify bottlenecks. I liked how the drag-and-drop functionality was implemented, making it easy to update deal status.

For forecasting, SugarAI uses historical data and current information to help reps fulfill their quotas. I found the AI-powered forecasting tools to be flexible, allowing users to create projections based on various criteria such as product lines, territories, or individual sales reps. This is a valuable feature for businesses looking to make more data-driven decisions.

The system offers a wide range of pre-built reports and dashboards, covering key metrics across sales, marketing, and customer service. I also had the ability to create custom reports and visualizations without extensive technical knowledge. This has got even more detailed with the CRM's recent Sankey diagrams, which allow you to see exactly where deals are dropping off and which marketing channels are providing the most fluid path to a sale. Additional analytics tools also provide extra insights into customer behavior, sales performance, and overall business health.

SugarAI offers a mobile app for both iOS and Android devices, allowing users to access and update data on the go. I found the mobile interface to be intuitive and responsive, offering most of the core functionalities available in the desktop version.

SugarAI also excels in its marketing automation capabilities. The platform offers tools for creating and managing marketing campaigns, tracking their performance, and nurturing leads through automated workflows. I was particularly impressed by the email marketing features, which allow for personalized, targeted communications based on customer data and behavior. With SugarPredict 2.0, the CRM moves beyond simple scoring and can now autonomously enrich contact records. For instance, if you enter a name and a company, SugarAI now searches social and public data to populate the profile and apply tags based on their current buyer intent signals.

AI-generated recommendations can now be provided that expire after 30 days. These aren't just scores, but act as specific instructions for users. And another recent update is Explainable AI. Every prediction now includes a "Why" tab, detailing exactly which data points (ERP orders, email sentiment, or web activity) led to the AI's conclusion. This ensures that the AI features included in the platform are less of a black box.

Apart from sales, the system supports customer-facing teams by including case management tools, allowing support teams to track and resolve customer issues efficiently. There's even a knowledge base feature, enabling businesses to create and maintain a repository of helpful information for both customers and internal teams.

For collaboration, activity streams provide real-time updates on customer interactions and internal communications, ensuring that all team members are on the same page. I imagine this would be particularly useful for fostering cross-functional collaboration and maintaining a consistent customer experience across touchpoints.

SugarAI offers extensive options for tailoring the CRM to specific business needs, from custom fields and modules to workflow automation. Additionally, SugarAI's open API architecture allows for seamless integration with a wide range of third-party applications, enhancing its adaptability to different business ecosystems.

How easy is SugarAI to use?

SugarAI provides a rich set of features, but new users must navigate a learning curve. The UI is functional yet feels outdated compared to modern CRM systems. The layout is logical, featuring a left-side navigation bar for quick access to modules like Accounts, Contacts, and Opportunities. However, the numerous options can be overwhelming for new users.

You can adjust the interface to meet your needs, rearranging fields, creating custom modules, and designing dashboards. While the flexibility is useful, it also makes the initial setup more time-consuming. Without careful planning, the system can become cluttered. A small but powerful recent UI addition to the platform is the "Last Interaction" field. Now, across all modules, a new column shows the exact date and context of your last engagement (email, call, or meeting) at a glance, allowing for instant prioritization of neglected leads.

Accessibility features exist but could be improved. The platform includes keyboard shortcuts, which assist users with mobility issues. However, screen reader compatibility and color contrast options need enhancement for users with visual impairments. Text resizing and color adjustments are available but lack the smoothness seen in some modern applications.

SugarAI offers a mobile app for iOS and Android, enabling users to access and update CRM data on the go. However, the mobile interface lacks some depth and customization found in the desktop version, limiting users who depend on mobile access.

The company provides various learning options, including documentation, video tutorials, webinars, and instructor-led sessions. Sugar University offers structured learning paths for different roles and skill levels. Despite these resources, the system's complexity means new users may need weeks to become fully proficient, especially if customizing the platform for their organization.

The global search function is powerful, allowing me to find information quickly across modules. However, search results can be overwhelming due to the volume of data. Advanced filtering options help, but mastering them adds to the learning curve.

SugarAI's reporting and analytics tools are robust but can be complicated for beginners. Creating custom reports and dashboards requires a solid understanding of the system's data structure. While pre-built reports exist, tailoring them often needs extra training or support. I also liked the system's workflow automation capabilities. But setting up workflows can be complex and may need extra effort.

Overall, SugarAI's ease of use varies. Organizations willing to invest time in setup, customization, and training can find it powerful and flexible. However, those seeking a simple, out-of-the-box solution may face challenges due to the platform's complexity. New users should prepare for a steeper learning curve compared to simpler CRM solutions.

SugarAI integrations

Integrations help you expand your CRMs ability to support your business (Image credit: SugarAI integrations)

SugarAI excels in integration, connecting easily with other business tools. It offers many pre-built links, ideal for quick setups. These include Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, DocuSign, and Slack. This allows users to blend SugarAI into their workflows with minimal setup.

I appreciate the support for iPaaS vendors like Zapier and Make. It really expands connectivity, especially for custom needs or niche applications. Even non-technical users can create complex workflows, boosting productivity and data consistency.

For advanced needs, SugarAI offers a REST API. Developers can create custom links and extend functionality. The documentation is thorough, with guides, samples, and references. However, using it requires technical skills and programming knowledge.

SugarAI handles data syncing well, keeping information consistent across systems. It even offers a choice between real-time or scheduled syncs, which is missing from most CRMs. Still, it's best to monitor the process when exchanging large volumes of data.

The platform simplifies integration management by combining external connectors into a central interface. It offers insights into the status, history, and issues of integrations. Data mapping tools help align fields, reducing errors.

How good is SugarAI's support?

SugarAI provides a well-rounded approach to customer support, offering various channels for assistance. Its online support portal acts as the main hub for service interactions. Users can submit and track support cases, access documentation, and connect with the SugarAI community.

But the support system has a tiered structure with different subscription levels. All customers have access to basic support, while higher-tier subscribers enjoy quicker response times and extra channels.

Email support is available to all customers, with response times varying by issue severity and subscription level. Typically, responses for non-critical issues range from a few hours to one business day. However, for urgent matters, the support team often prioritizes responses, sometimes providing initial feedback within an hour.

SugarAI's self-service resources are extensive. The knowledge base covers a wide array of topics, from basic functions to advanced customization. The documentation is well-organized and regularly updated, making it useful for troubleshooting or learning about new features. Additionally, SugarAI offers video tutorials and webinars for visual guidance on various platform aspects.

The community forum is another valuable support resource. Users can connect with peers, share best practices, and sometimes receive help from company staff. While community support can vary, I found the SugarAI forum to be active and helpful.

Enterprise and Ultimate edition customers can access 24/7 phone support for urgent issues, a major benefit for businesses across different time zones. For those needing even more hands-on assistance, SugarAI provides professional services and training options, including implementation support, custom development, and online or in-person training sessions.

However, the live chat functionality could definitely stand to improve. During testing, I found that live chat support was often unavailable and wait times were usually much longer than anticipated.

Still, user feedback regarding the platform's support quality is mostly positive, with many customers praising the knowledge and responsiveness of the support team. However, experiences can differ, with some users reporting delays in resolving more complex issues.

SugarAI pricing and plans

Plan

Standard

Advanced

Premier

Price

$59/user/month

$85/user/month

$135/user/month

Best for

Small to medium-sized businesses needing basic CRM functionalities

Mid-sized businesses requiring advanced features and customization

Large enterprises with complex CRM needs and high-volume sales

Key features

Basic lead management; Sales automation; Standard reporting

Advanced workflow automation; AI-powered analytics; Customizable dashboards

Guided selling; Advanced forecasting; Enterprise-level support

Limitations

Limited to 15 users maximum; No SugarPredict AI; add-on required for mail sync

Requires minimum of 15 users; Native mail sync limited to 25 seats out of the box

Requires minimum of 15; High entry threshold for smaller corporate teams users

SugarAI (formerly SugarCRM) approaches cloud deployment through specialized operational focus blocks: Sugar Sell for sales teams, Sugar Serve for customer service, and Sugar Market for marketing automation.

For core sales operations, Sugar Sell comes with three cloud tiers: Standard ($59/user/month), Advanced ($85/user/month), and Premier ($135/user/month), all accompanied by mandatory 12-month annual contracts. The most significant financial hurdle for prospective buyers is the platform's strict onboarding minimums. Unlike legacy CRMs that let solo entrepreneurs purchase standalone seats, SugarAI enforces a rigid 15-user seat minimum across its core lineup. This brings the true structural entry price to $10,620/year for Standard and $15,300/year for Advanced, pricing out micro-startups and positioning the platform squarely as an intentional mid-market option.

Feature sets broaden as you'd expect across SugarAI's pricing tiers, but critical capabilities are reserved for premium plans. For example, moving from Standard to Advanced activates native email and calendar integrations alongside the proprietary SugarPredict AI framework - a necessity for automated lead prioritization and predictive scoring. Upgrading to Premier doubles file and data management storage caps while introducing advanced enterprise components like geo-mapping for field territories, native LinkedIn Sales Navigator pipelines, and multi-scenario forecasting models.

Regarding discounts, SugarAI does not publicly promote standard discount programs. However, my research suggests that enterprise-level customers can often negotiate better rates. Bundling multiple Sugar products, such as combining Sugar Sell with Sugar Serve, might also yield cost savings, although specific details are not readily available.

In comparison to other CRM providers, SugarAI's pricing falls within the mid-range. It tends to be pricier than basic CRM solutions such as Less Annoying CRM, but it can be more cost-effective than some enterprise-level competitors. Also, a recent study by Nucleus Research suggests that SugarAI users might reduce their total cost of ownership by up to 32% compared to Salesforce.

How to pick

SugarAI is no longer a one-size-fits-all tool. It has evolved into a high-performance engine for companies with complex, data-heavy sales cycles. To decide if it fits your business needs, it's important to consider a few factors, including your internal resources and the tools you already employ.

If you have a dedicated CRM administrator or an IT team that loves to tinker, SugarAI is a dream. Its open-standard architecture allows for deeper customization than HubSpot or Pipedrive. However, if you are a small team looking for a plug-and-play solution, the platform’s steep learning curve and mandatory demo-led onboarding may feel like an unnecessary hurdle.

Also, think carefully whether you need an everything-in-one tool. If your sales team is tired of switching between five different apps to see a customer’s journey, SugarAI's recently added Focus Drawers and Sugar Connect (which embeds the CRM directly into Outlook or Gmail) are top-tier. If you are already happy with your existing marketing and service tools, you may find SugarAI's integrated suites redundant.

As a new addition, the CRM's Focus Drawers now feature multi-tabbing. A sales rep can open a lead, click into a related quote, and then click into a support ticket - all within a single drawer that slides over the main screen. This has effectively eliminated the need for 20+ open browser tabs, streamlining the sales process.

How we test

Our testing methodology ensures that every review is grounded in the reality of modern business operations. We measure UI Efficiency by counting the number of clicks and screen refreshes required to complete a standard sales task, such as qualifying a lead and scheduling a follow-up. As such, we specifically tested SugarAI's Focus Drawers to see if they successfully keep users on a single dashboard.

We also tested SugarAI's 180+ ERP integrations. We simulated a Sales-to-Finance handoff, pushing a closed deal into a mock ERP system to check for data latency and syncing errors. And we got to grips with SugarAI's mobile app in real-world scenarios, testing its Geo-Mapping for field sales reps and its ability to log voice notes and meetings while offline.

Finally, no review is complete without examining cost. However, we look beyond the sticker price to calculate the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) over 24 months, including the cost of required user minimums and the Premier Support tiers often necessary for enterprise features.

SugarAI review: Final verdict

SugarAI has successfully shed its legacy constraints to become a top-level, highly proactive CRM for complex B2B sales cycles. By weaving automated generative AI and real-time market signals directly into existing pipeline maps, it effectively guides reps on which accounts to target and what specific actions to execute next. For deep transactional industries like manufacturing and wholesale distribution - especially those needing tight, localized integrations with underlying back-office ERP environments - it stands out as an indispensable revenue engine.

Even so, capitalizing on SugarAI's predictive power requires clear institutional scale and a significant upfront budget. The interface remains functional rather than beautiful, lacking the sleek, approachable visual flow found in modern platforms like HubSpot or Monday.com. Combined with its rigid 15-user onboarding seat minimum, the system’s steep initialization costs and technical layout make it entirely unsuited for lean startups or smaller organizations that simply want a lightweight, plug-and-play sales tracker.

SugarAI FAQWhat are some of the key features of SugarAI?

Many of the core features of SugarAI are those that users would expect of a leading CRM. These include ome of the most important features of SugarAI include sales automation to help streamline the sales process by automating repetitive tasks, tracking customer interactions, managing leads, and providing a visual representation of the sales pipeline.

The platform provides tools for managing support tickets, tracking cases, and monitoring service level agreements (SLAs). It also includes a knowledge base and self-service portal for customers.

In terms of customization and flexibility, SugarAI also stands out. Users can tailor the platform to their specific needs by creating custom fields and modules, modifying layouts, and automating workflows with SugarBPM - the business process management (BPM) feature of the platform. The system also leverages AI to provide predictive analytics, such as lead scoring and sales forecasting, giving businesses valuable insights into customer behavior and sales trends.

Is SugarAI open-source?

SugarAI originally began as an open-source solution, which allowed for extensive customization and a strong community. While the company has moved away from a completely open-source model, its heritage still influences its flexibility and API-driven architecture.

How does SugarAI handle data security and compliance?

SugarAI prioritizes data security and compliance with features like role-based access controls, end-to-end encryption, and compliance with regulations like GDPR. They also have a bug bounty program to encourage the reporting of security vulnerabilities.

Is there a mobile app for SugarAI?

Yes, SugarAI offers a mobile app that allows users to access their CRM data and perform key tasks from their mobile devices. The app is available for download on both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Key features of the SugarAI mobile app include remote and offline access, GPS and location mapping, real-time updates, and customizable dashboards.

Categories: Reviews

Creatio CRM Review 2026

Tue, 06/16/2026 - 06:03

Creatio is a comprehensive CRM platform that aims to streamline sales, marketing, and service processes for businesses of all sizes. I found its no-code approach to workflow automation and customization really interesting.

The platform is divided into three main modules - Sales, Marketing, and Service - each offering a robust set of features. From lead management and opportunity tracking to multichannel marketing campaigns to customer support ticketing, Creatio covers a wide range of CRM functionalities. However, this breadth of capabilities comes at a price, both in terms of cost and complexity.

Its extensive customization options, while beneficial, can be overwhelming for those seeking a more straightforward CRM. But if you like the idea of building your own no-code CRM by rigorously customizing different aspects of the application, all without resorting to actual coding, this might be a great option.

Creatio CRM core capabilities

As a CRM, Creatio allows users to create detailed customer profiles with a 360-degree view of each contact, including communication history, associated deals, and relevant documents. But the real standout here is its no-code nature, which allows users to customize the platform and create new applications without extensive programming knowledge.

Creatio consolidates information from various touchpoints, providing a complete picture of customer interactions across sales, marketing, and service departments. The platform provides tools to capture leads from multiple sources and guide them through a customizable sales funnel.

I appreciated the ability to set up automated lead scoring rules, which help prioritize prospects based on their likelihood to convert. As leads progress, Creatio allows sales teams to track potential deals, associate them with specific accounts, and manage all related activities in one place.

Creatio CRM uses your historical data and current pipeline information to generate accurate sales predictions. I was impressed by the AI-driven forecasting capabilities, which analyze patterns and trends to provide more precise estimates.

It also offers a wide range of pre-built reports and dashboards covering various aspects of sales, marketing, and customer service performance. That said, where the platform really shines is the drag-and-drop report builder, which lets you customize reports to an uncanny degree.

Apart from the no-code CRM, Creatio has a few things that make it stand apart from most competitors. It offers tools for creating and managing multi-channel marketing campaigns, case management tools, a knowledge base for self-service, and even a visual process designer to automate complex business processes across departments.

There’s a wide range of pre-built connectors to integrate with popular third-party applications, plus custom integration support through an open API.

For employees in the field, Creatio’s mobile app provides access to key CRM functions on the go, including contact management, opportunity tracking, and activity logging. I appreciated the offline mode, which allows users to continue working even without an internet connection, with data syncing once connectivity is restored.

How easy is Creatio to use?

(Image credit: Creatio)

Creatio CRM combines powerful features with a user-friendly design, making it a great choice for businesses. While its many capabilities can feel a bit overwhelming at first, I found the interface welcoming and modern, following the latest design trends.

Navigating the platform is easy, thanks to a clear layout and a navigation bar at the top that gives quick access to sections like Sales, Marketing, and Service. Users can customize their home dashboard, arranging widgets and data visuals based on what matters most to them.

Creatio embraces a no-code approach, making it simple to adjust layouts and fields, or even create new sections in the CRM without needing programming skills. The drag-and-drop interface designer is a fantastic tool, allowing users to quickly tailor the CRM to fit their needs. However, those who prefer simpler systems might feel a bit lost with so many options.

Data entry is typically smooth, with smart features that help fill in fields and detect duplicates to keep information accurate. However, during busy times, I did notice some slight delays in data updates, which could be frustrating for users working with urgent tasks.

Creatio has made impressive strides in accessibility, yet there is still room for growth. The platform supports keyboard navigation and has some screen reader compatibility, but certain dynamic elements might be tricky for users who rely on assistive technologies. The overall color contrast is good, which helps with readability, but some areas could use a little more work to fully meet WCAG Guidelines.

The Creatio Academy is a fantastic resource, offering many e-learning courses that cover everything from basic navigation to advanced customization techniques. I particularly enjoyed the guided learning programs. They provide interactive, instructor-led training sessions that focus on practical tasks, which can be very helpful for users eager to master the platform's more complex features.

In general, Creatio works by guiding users through predefined workflows that can be tailored to fit specific business processes. This helps ensure consistency across sales, marketing, and service operations in an organization. However, it may require adjustment for users used to a more flexible way of working.

Integrations

Creatio CRM stands out with its impressive integration capabilities, showcasing its dedication to creating a connected ecosystem for businesses. From my experience, Creatio makes it easy for both technical and non-technical users to navigate its integration features.

The Creatio Marketplace is a treasure trove, offering over 700 ready-to-use add-ons, connectors, and templates. Its range of options helps businesses quickly link Creatio with popular tools and platforms, without extensive development work. I found the setup for these pre-built integrations simple, often just requiring a few quick configuration steps.

Creatio also supports popular iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) vendors. The Zapier connector available in the Marketplace, for example, makes it easy for users to sync contacts, leads, and other important data across many applications.

For those with more advanced integration needs, Creatio offers a powerful API based on the OData protocol. It allows developers full access to Creatio's data model. But while the API provides great flexibility, new developers may find it a bit challenging to understand Creatio's data structure at first. API documentation is thorough, but adding more real-world examples could really help with practical implementation.

Beyond just data synchronization, Creatio's no-code approach empowers users to build complex, automated workflows across different systems. For example, I successfully set up a process that automatically creates a new contact in Creatio when a lead comes in from a marketing tool, and then triggers a follow-up task in a project management app.

Overall, my experience with data synchronization in Creatio has been mostly positive, with real-time updates working well most of the time. Still, I did notice some occasional delays during busy periods, which businesses with high-volume and time-sensitive data might want to keep in mind.

For larger enterprises, Creatio also provides specialized integration options. A great example is the Snowflake Integration for Creatio available in the Marketplace, which helps businesses connect their Creatio instance with Snowflake data warehouses.

Customer support

Creatio CRM has a strong customer support system across various channels. During my time with the platform, I found that it offers phone, email, as well as live chat support. Phone support is available during business hours. But email and chat are accessible 24/7. Chat responses are quick, often within minutes.

The support quality is generally high. Representatives seem to know the platform well, too. They offer step-by-step instructions that help solve even the most complex issues easily. However, response times can slow down during busy periods, which raises concerns for busy teams.

Creatio also has a well-organized self-service knowledge base. It includes articles, videos, and guides on various topics. The search function is particularly useful. Additionally, there’s an active user forum for peer support. That said, official responses in the forum can be slow.

Another key feature is Creatio Academy, offering free courses and certifications. It's beneficial for both new and experienced users, with courses structured around practical exercises. I liked how each course is part of a larger learning program, making it easy to follow along.

But, Creatio could improve by adding more region-specific support. While it supports multiple languages, time zone differences can make live support hard to access. Overall, however, Creatio's support is robust and effective. It combines live support, self-service resources, and training courses well. Despite some areas for improvement, the support quality is a major strength.

Creatio CRM pricing and plans

Plan

Growth

Enterprise

Unlimited

Price

From $40 /user/month

From $70 - $75 /user/month

Custom Quote Only

Best For

Small to medium-sized businesses looking to automate basic workflows

Corporate and enterprise clients with more complex automation requirements

Large enterprises needing advanced features and unlimited resources

Features

No-code UI designer / 1 GB storage per user / Basic workflow automation

Unlimited workflow runs / Custom branding options / Advanced automation tools

Unlimited database storage / Custom domain name / No-code Magic offer

Limitations

Limited storage and workflow capabilities may restrict scalability for larger organizations

May be overkill for small businesses with simple CRM needs

High cost may not be justifiable for businesses not utilizing all advanced features

Navigating Creatio’s pricing means looking past standard per-user SaaS marketing and understanding its multi-layered architecture. Creatio charges a two-part composable fee: a base platform license (the no-code application layer) paired with your specific operational application module (such as Sales, Marketing, or Service, which typically adds an incremental $15/user/month). This updates the true public starting rates to $40/user/month for the Growth tier and $70 to $75/user/month for the Enterprise package.

The most critical criterion for prospective buyers to bear in mind is the fact that Creatio has a minimum initialization spend of $10,000 per year for all new accounts. This means that despite the accessible per-user framing of the Growth tier, the system is explicitly priced out of range for micro-teams and instead serves as a baseline launchpad for mid-market environments that can deploy across dozens of seats simultaneously.

The entry-level Growth tier safely enables no-code interface creation and basic script modifications, capping database storage at 1 GB per user. Upgrading to Enterprise lifts execution caps, unlocks custom system branding, activates single sign-on (SSO/LDAP) credentials, and brings extended 365-day security audit logs online for highly regulated environments.

It's also worth noting that Creatio’s structural philosophy shifts at the Enterprise tier. Rather than continuing to scale seat pricing in a way that limits corporate deployment, the Unlimited tier removes per-user licensing entirely. It is a custom-quoted corporate framework engineered specifically to support human workforce collaboration alongside autonomous AI agents, granting unlimited application deployment, unrestricted database storage, and complete access to the Creatio AI Studio ecosystem.

How we tested Creatio

At TechRadar Pro, our enterprise software reviews are based upon rigorous, practical evaluation rather than a passive breakdown of vendor feature lists. To truly evaluate Creatio’s no-code capabilities and automated framework, our business software analysts subjected the platform to a demanding testing regimen designed to simulate deployment across a multi-department enterprise.

Given the widespread adoption of AI-driven workflows, we dedicated an intensive testing phase to the platform's native Creatio AI Studio. Instead of testing generic prompt generation, we evaluated the platform's machine learning accuracy by feeding it historical transaction data to generate automated sales projections and predictive lead scores.

We also audited the operational boundary limits of their lifetime AI token allocation models, evaluating how efficiently the system routes autonomous tasks and manages generative text responses for incoming customer queries before requiring a business to buy extra token packages. You can find out more regarding our CRM testing process here.

Creatio review: Final verdict

Creatio is a fantastic CRM for mid-market and enterprise organizations that want to build custom, highly automated CRM systems without writing a single line of code. By combining sales, marketing, and customer service modules with an advanced AI Studio within a single composable platform, it eliminates the need for fragmented third-party software. For larger teams aiming to maximize their visual workflow designers and custom AI agents, it offers unmatched operational flexibility.

However, this sophisticated architecture demands significant technical discipline and capital. Between its multi-layered, composable pricing model and a strict $10,000 minimum annual contract requirement, Creatio is explicitly priced out of reach for small businesses. If your team lacks the internal resources to navigate a steep initialization phase or simply needs a lightweight, out-of-the-box pipeline manager, Creatio’s massive feature ecosystem will feel like expensive overkill.

Categories: Reviews

The latest 2026 Razer Blade 18 is a monster of a gaming laptop that annihilates the competition – if you can afford the price of admission

Tue, 06/16/2026 - 04:35

Razer Blade 18 (2026): Two-minute review

Another year, another Razer Blade laptop lineup. At this point, these reviews have become something of a foregone conclusion for me; if there are three things I can reliably expect from each new Blade release, it's great gaming performance, a sleek and robust design, and a sky-high price tag.

Sure enough, the latest Blade 18 (2026) delivers on all three fronts – but I can't just say 'yep, buy it if you can afford it'. This new Blade is superior to its predecessors in several ways, and it's quite possibly the best large-screen gaming laptop (or portable workstation) you can buy right now.

Having seen the dawn of Nvidia RTX 5000 GPUs in Razer's laptops when I reviewed the Razer Blade 16 (2025) last year, I had some idea of what to expect in terms of performance. The new Blade 18 did not disappoint in this regard, delivering top-notch gaming quality across everything I tested.

(Image credit: Future)

Those games look better than ever on the new display as well, since this Blade doesn't eschew 4K display options as the 16-inch model does. That's not all I have to say about the screen, though. This Blade has an ace up its sleeve; a dual-mode display that can be switched between UHD+ 240Hz and FHD+ 440Hz modes.

I'll dig more into the specifics of this later, but it's a feature that will appeal specifically to esports-oriented gamers. In the upper echelons of competitive gaming, resolution takes a back seat to framerate in terms of importance, so being able to nearly double the maximum refresh rate of your screen at the cost of locking your resolution to 1200p becomes a very attractive tradeoff.

Still, even if you're not a hardcore esports gamer, there's little doubt that the Razer Blade 18 is worthy of standing among the best gaming laptops on the market right now. The updated design and premium build quality of the CNC-milled metal chassis, combined with the powerful gaming and creative performance (and great functionality for AI workloads, if you're so inclined), make this an easy winner – just as long as you can afford the steep price of the higher-spec configurations.

Razer Blade 18 (2026) review: Price & availability

(Image credit: Future)

Starts from $3,499.99 / £3,299.99 (around AU$4,870)
Available now in the US and UK
No Australian release yet

Yeah, it's pretty bloody expensive. Just the starting configuration of the Razer Blade 18 will set you back a hefty $3,499.99 / £3,299.99 (around AU$4,870), though even the base specs are fairly impressive: an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU, 32GB of RAM (no wonder it's so pricey, with RAM prices spiralling out of control due to AI datacenter demand), and a 1TB SSD.

You can also get RTX 5080 and 5090 models, with my review configuration sporting the latter GPU along with an upgraded Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus CPU and double the SSD storage.

The absolute top-spec model, which also bumps the RAM up to 128GB, will cost you an eye-watering $6,999.99 - and this configuration is only available in the US, with UK models topping out at 64GB and no availability whatsoever in Australia – sorry to our readers on the other side of the globe, but you're stuck with the Blade 14 and 16 unless you want to spend extra to import the 18-inch model.

Razer Blade 18 (2026) review: Specs

Base spec

Review spec

Max spec

Price

$3,499.99 / £3,299.99 (around AU$4,870)

$5,399.99 / £4,799.99 (around AU$7,510)

$6,999.99 (around £5,200 / AU$9,735

CPU

Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX

Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus

Graphics

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU

RAM

32GB DDR5

128GB DDR5

Display

18-inch Dual UHD+ 240Hz / FHD+ 440Hz

Storage

1TB NVMe SSD PCIe Gen4

2TB NVMe SSD PCIe Gen4

Ports and Connectivity

3x USB-A (3.2 Gen2), 1x USB-C (Thunderbolt 5), 1x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x SD card reader, 1x RJ-45 Ethernet, 1x 3.5mm combo audio; Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Battery

99Whr

Weight

7.06lbs / 3.20kg

Dimensions

1.1 x 15.7 x 10.8 inches / 28.7 x 40.0 x 27.5 cm

Razer Blade 18 (2026) review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

Thin for a large gaming laptop, but heavy
Premium precision-milled aluminum chassis
Plenty of ports

Long gone are the days when Razer couldn't resist the urge to cram RGB lighting into every nook and cranny of a product. Like its most recent predecessors, the 2026 Blade 18 is a clean, minimalist piece of hardware, with a pleasingly large keyboard and a chassis crafted from a single block of tempered aluminum.

As you might expect, the large display and all-metal body mean that the Blade 18 is rather heavy, weighing more than 3 kilograms. It's not exactly a device you'd want to regularly take with you on the go, but I will note that it's surprisingly slender for such a powerhouse laptop, measuring barely more than an inch thick with the lid closed.

(Image credit: Future)

The wide touchpad and well-spaced, comfortable backlit keyboard are excellent, making longer typing or gaming sessions very comfortable – though of course, I used a USB mouse for gaming. No, I'm not one of those terrifying Valorant players who only use the touchpad.

Speaking of plugging in peripherals, there's a fine selection of physical ports here, with the 18-inch Blade giving you three USB-As and two USB-Cs (one of which is a high-speed Thunderbolt 5 port) as well as an HDMI port, RJ-45 Ethernet, and an SD card reader – great for professional creatives who work with cameras. With regard to wireless connectivity, you get Bluetooth 5.4 and high-speed Wi-Fi 7.

The webcam is also surprisingly decent, capable of capturing 1440p video at 30Hz, which comfortably outdoes any webcam you'll find on the average office laptop. Considering that the webcam is frequently an afterthought on gaming laptops, this was nice to see. It features an IR camera for Windows Hello logins, and a physical privacy shutter (the latter of which should frankly be a feature on every webcam in this day and age).

As is usually the case for modern gaming laptops, there's not much in the way of upgradability here, but you can add in more storage if you're so inclined. There are two PCIe M.2 slots, one of which is occupied by the existing SSD, and the system supports up to 8TB of additonal storage per slot, meaning you can have up to 16TB of storage – assuming you have very deep pockets, given the current price of SSDs.

(Image credit: Future)

Now, let's discuss this display. In its default mode, it's a particularly nice 4K (3840 x 2400p) panel with a 240Hz refresh rate, 3ms response time, and an impressive 600 nits of maximum brightness. It's also Calman verified for color accuracy, with a 100% DCI-P3 gamut, meaning that games look bright and vibrant, and pro-level photo or video editing is a very realistic proposition.

But if you swap it into high refresh rate mode, the maximum resolution drops to FHD+ (1920 x 1200p) and the refresh rate leaps to a blindingly fast 440Hz. It's geared towards hardcore esports players who want their framerates to be as high as possible, for games like Counter-Strike 2 and Valorant where every millisecond matters.

Now, I'll be honest here; the beefy gaming performance of my RTX 5090-equipped review unit meant that I was comfortably getting high framerates at native UHD+ resolution, so I never really felt the need to use the 440Hz mode. I accept that I'm not the target audience for a feature like this (yes, I kind of suck at Valorant), but I'm not in a small crowd there. The majority of PC gamers won't really be able to eke any significant benefit from the high refresh rate mode, and switching to it is a bit of a fiddly process too: you have to use Razer's Synapse software to change the display mode, then restart the whole laptop.

This might seem like a bit of an unfair criticism, but I have to assume that including this dual-mode display functionality added to the overall cost of the Razer Blade 18, and considering that most users won't need or use it, it's a bit difficult to justify its presence here. It's certainly a neat feature that isn't offered by Razer's competitors, though, so I can't knock Razer too much for it.

Razer Blade 18 (2026) review: Performance

(Image credit: Future)

Silky-smooth AAA gaming
Powerful creative performance
Gets a bit hot under load

Razer Blade 18 (2026) benchmarks

3DMark: Night Raid: 92,118; Fire Strike: 40,643; Steel Nomad: 6,433; Speed Way: 6,522; Solar Bay: 118,863
Geekbench 6: Multicore: 20,376; Single-core: 3,212
Cinebench R24: Single Core: 141; Multi Core: 2,071
Crossmark: Overall: 2,340; Productivity: 2,168; Creativity: 2,767; Responsiveness: 1,905
Passmark Overall: 15,304; CPU: 63,824; 2D Graphics: 1,048; 3D Graphics: 30,935; Memory: 3,882; Disk: 45,916
BlackMagicDisk: Read: 4,832MB/s; Write: 3,390MB/s
HandBrake 4K to 1080p: 125.6fps
Civilization VII: (Max resolution, AMD FSR 3, High): 156fps; (1080p, High): 231fps
Shadow of the Tomb Raider: (Max resolution, Highest, Balanced upscaling): 177fps; (1080p, Highest, SMAA x4): 218fps
Total War: Warhammer III: Mirrors of Madness (1080p, Ultra): 187fps; (Max Resolution, Ultra): 65fps
Cyberpunk 2077: (Max resolution, Ultra, Balanced upscaling): 69fps; (1080p, Ray Tracing: Ultra, Balanced upscaling): 118fps; (1080p, Ultra): 162fps
Marvel Rivals: (Max resolution, Balanced upscaling, Ultra): 72fps; (1200p, Low): 184fps
Battery Life (TechRadar movie test): 8 hours and 21 minutes

Unsurprisingly, the RTX 5090 and Core Ultra 290HX Plus in my Razer Blade 18 review unit absolutely chewed through our selection benchmarking tests, as well as everything else I threw at it.

Razer has long been the brand of 'performance at any cost', and this laptop is no exception to that rule. In 4K gaming benchmarks, it delivered solid performance further boosted by Nvidia's DLSS upscaling, but I didn't need to turn on the still-controversial frame-generation features to ensure a high and stable FPS.

(Image credit: Future)

In terms of gaming performance, I was comfortably getting a stable 60+ frames per second at 4K resolution with maximum graphical settings in almost every game I tested, both within our usual suite of benchmarking games and in a handful of other titles I played during my general testing process, which included Marathon and Alan Wake 2. The fans got a little noisy in the process, but I've heard far worse from other gaming laptops, and

The notable exception here was Total War: Warhammer III, which is historically more reliant on the CPU than the GPU; it appears that the 2nd-gen Intel Core Ultra processor inside the Razer Blade 18 still struggled a little with the 4K Ultra preset here, though I would note that it still managed to maintain an average above 60 FPS at maximum graphical settings, and it's also very power efficient (more on that in the next section).

The only other part of my game testing that gave me pause was a relatively low average at 4K Ultra settings in Marvel Rivals. Although the game ran stably, my average FPS sat at a little over 70 in the built-in benchmark – yet in actual matches, I found that the FPS counter very rarely dropped below 100, so I'm a little unclear on what caused this. Driver and OS updates, multiple tweaks to the in-game and display settings, and even running the game via an external 4K monitor did not seem to remedy this. I won't mark the Blade 18 down for this, though, as it appeared to be an anomaly with Rivals rather than the laptop itself.

(Image credit: Future)

Turn on Nvidia's frame-gen tech, and you'll see those numbers skyrocket across almost every game I tested. I was getting 40% stable gains on average with 2x mode across four different games, with no noticeable impact on visual fidelity.

3x and 4x modes push the framerate higher, but do start to degrade the visual quality of gameplay; I found that 4x mode was prone to tearing and artifacting in all games tested except Alan Wake 2, to the point where it wasn't worth the trade-off in improved framerate.

Outside of gaming benchmarks, the Blade 18 excelled in virtually every area; 2D and 3D rendering, productivity workloads, transfer speeds, single- and multi-core CPU workloads... you name it, this laptop can power through it. For users who want a gaming laptop that can also pull double duty for high-end professional creative or scientific workloads, this Blade has got the goods.

Razer Blade 18 (2026) review: Battery life

(Image credit: Future)

Fantastic for a gaming laptop
Outlasts many rivals
Bundled charger is proprietary, not USB-C

I'll make no bones about this: for a high-powered gaming laptop, the battery life on the Razer Blade 18 is nothing short of phenomenal.

The average gaming laptop tends to peter out before the 6-hour mark in regular use, with powerful internal components that draw a lot of juice; if you're actively gaming on it, you'll usually be lucky to get more than two hours of play time before needing to seek out a wall socket.

But the Blade 18 mustered an impressive amount of longevity in my testing, reaching nearly eight and a half hours of continuous video playback and more than three and a half hours of continuous gaming in Marathon – a distinctly superior showing to the vast majority of gaming laptops we test at TechRadar, and is most likely down to the excellent power efficiency of the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus processor.

The only downside I can possibly pick out here is that you need to use the bundled proprietary adapter for power delivery, and it's a pretty chunky brick that hurts the laptop's portability. But considering that it's already a great big 18-inch slab of machined aluminum, you shouldn't be buying the Blade 18 if you want a super-portable gaming laptop anyway!

Should I buy the Razer Blade 18 (2026)?Razer Blade 18 (2026): Scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

Undeniably very expensive, but you're getting a tremendous amount of bang for your buck wrapped in a sleek, well-designed chassis.

4 / 5

Design

Not the most portable due to its large size and weight, but offers best-in-class build quality, a great screen, a comfortable keyboard, and lots of physical ports.

5 / 5

Performance

Stellar performance across gaming, creative, and productivity workloads. This Blade can handle anything you throw at it.

5 / 5

Battery life

Seriously impressive for a gaming laptop, with enough battery life to get through a full workday of basic tasks or multiple hours of gaming between charges.

4.5 / 5

Total Score

The Blade 18 is as premium as gaming laptops get, a powerhouse perfect for hardcore gamers – or creatives pros who like to game on the side.

4.5 / 5

Buy the Razer Blade 18 (2026) if…

You want the best of the best
Simply put, the high-spec configurations of the Blade 18 make it one of the most powerful gaming laptops on the market.

You want a great screen
The 18-inch UHD+ display on the Blade 18 makes games look like a true feast for the eyes, with great color reproduction and a 440Hz FHD+ mode for hardcore esports gamers.

Don't buy it if…

You want something portable
Although it's impressively slim for such a powerful laptop, the Razer Blade 18 is large and heavy, and the AC power adapter brick is also very weighty.

You’re on a budget
Unsurprisingly given its premium specs and build quality, the Blade 18 costs a pretty penny and then some.View Deal

Razer Blade 18 (2026) review: Also consider

MSI Stealth A16 AI+
A similarly powerful but somewhat more compact gaming laptop, the Stealth A16 AI+ packs the same selection of RTX 5000 GPUs as the Blade 18, but trades out an Intel CPU for the latest AMD Ryzen fare instead. Read our full MSI Stealth A16 AI+ review.

Asus V16
If you were reading this review from a more aspirational standpoint and want something that delivers good gaming performance without the eye-watering price tag of the Blade 16, the V16 from Asus is a very solid wallet-friendly pick. Read our full Asus V16 review.

How I tested the Razer Blade 18 (2026)

(Image credit: Future)

Tested for one work week
Used for gaming and other tasks
8+ years of experience reviewing dozens of laptops

I swapped out my usual desktop workstation rig for the Razer Blade 18 for five days (one work week), during which I used it for all my usual activities. This included day-to-day work in the Google software suite, online research, playing videos, and of course a lot of after-hours gaming.

In terms of the games tested, I ran out entire synthetic and gaming benchmark lineup (listed in the 'performance' section of this review, as well as playing some other games that are in my current rotation: Marathon, Warframe, Alan Wake 2, Borderlands 4, and of course my current addition Slay the Spire 2 (though let's be honest, that last one isn't exactly a performance stress-test).

I've been a PC gamer since my tender pre-teen years, starting out on my dad's boxy beige home office desktop, and I've been a professional tech journalist reviewing all kinds of laptops and PC tech for nearly a decade now, starting out at Maximum PC magazine before making the jump to digital journalism and joining the TechRadar team. I've personally reviewed more than seventy laptops, so you can trust that my knowledge and experience give you reliable insights into the quality of the products I write about.

First reviewed: June 2026
Read more about how we test

Categories: Reviews

'They carve out a special and useful niche': I tested OneOdio's new wireless headphones for music pros and DJs — despite some big issues, that low-latency wireless transmitter means I'll use them every day

Mon, 06/15/2026 - 20:00

OneOdio Studio Max 2: Two-minute review

Despite the number in the name, I’ve taken to considering the OneOdio Studio Max 2 to be more like a ‘pro’ version of the originals rather than a completely new pair of headphones. I’ve been testing them for several weeks, and the experience doesn’t feel hugely changed (even though the price is).

The originals upon which they are based were released in early 2025, and after I finished my review, I found myself using them daily. They’re always plugged into my guitar amp or keyboard for when I want to do some music practice; a few select features made them uniquely handy for making music.

The OneOdio Studio Max 2 are, mostly, a very similar proposition. They’re not designed for audiophiles so much as DJs, studio musicians and other music-makers — but they have enough of a consumer-friendly bent that they’re not just for the studio. If you’re an amateur musician or music producer, and want cans for the task in hand but also for general use, you’re the target audience.

Like their predecessors, I wouldn’t strongly recommend these for general use, though. They’re big and chunky, so I felt self-conscious wearing them in public, and the fit was unreliable, so they shook when I was walking. On top of that, the audio quality is pretty poor, and you won’t get noise cancellation. There’s a reason the old pair stayed tethered to my instruments.

That sounds like a deluge of criticism, and an odd one given the score above, but the Studio Max justify themselves with their tools for professionals or music creators.

These puppies connect to other devices in four ways: there’s both a 3.5mm jack and a 6.35mm one, so you’ve got more cable versatility than most other cans. Of course, you’ve got Bluetooth, but there’s also an audio transmitter included in the box that can connect to any analog source.

With the transmitter, you can get 9ms latency between the headphones and audio source. This is OneOdio’s pitch for why they’re great DJ headphones — with no transmission delay, you won't miss your bass-dropping cue. OneOdio isn't the only brand to offer this feature, but crucially, its headphones are the cheapest to do so.

Upgrades to this transmitter also form the main upgrades over the original Studio Max. The latency has been halved from 20ms and the bitrate has been increased, but the transmission distance has been halved to 10m. Given that the price has increased, though, it might not be a tempting upgrade for many buyers of the original.

For music producers or performers, the foldable form factor is appreciated, as is the massive 120-hour battery life over Bluetooth (and the battery life when using the transmitter has been doubled to 50 hours in this model). I can see it being particularly useful for touring musicians for this reason, who can’t charge regularly — although IEMs will still rule supreme for that.

More so than most headphones I test, the OneOdio Studio Max 2 are situational, and niche. I wouldn’t recommend them to people on the market for the best headphones for general use, nor would I suggest professionals buy them over specially-designed studio kit.

But there’s a small overlap in the Venn Diagram between those groups, in which the cans may find appreciative buyers. That's included me, as a dedicated user of the original model — but check the price of the original OneOdio Studio Max 1 before you buy, though, because if it gets price drops, it might be the better-value buy.

OneOdio Studio Max 2 review: Price and release date

(Image credit: Future)

Released in May 2026
They sell for $189 / £179 (about AU$360)
Come with carry case as well as cables and transmitter

The OneOdio Studio Max 2 were unveiled on May 11, 2026 — that’s a year and three months on from the release of their predecessors.

The official price of the Studio Max 2 is $189 / £179 (about AU$360, but they don’t seem to have enjoyed an Australian release at the time of writing).

In the box you get the headphones, transmitter, various cables (loads of cables) and a handy carry case. It’s the complete package, and I’ve never felt the need to root around in my drawers for other wires.

For context, the original Studio Max released for $169 / £135 / AU$275, so there’s been a price hike here, which varies quite a bit by region.

OneOdio Studio Max 2 review: Specs

Drivers

45mm

Active noise cancellation

Battery life

120 hours

Weight

353g

Connectivity

Bluetooth 6.0, 3.5mm, 6.35mm, 2.4Ghz transmitter

Frequency response

20Hz to 40kHz

Waterproofing

OneOdio Studio Max 2 review: Features

(Image credit: Future)

No noise cancellation, and basic phone app
Massive 120-hour battery over Bluetooth
Many connection options including low-latency transmitter

Let’s address the elephant in the room, or lack thereof: there are some features missing here, which some music listeners might miss. There’s no active noise cancellation, for example, and the app is quite barebones. It has three EQ presets (normal, monitoring and bass), and a 10-band custom mode, as well as a few extras such as wear reminders, volume limiters, and a way to pan the sound to the left or right ear cup only.

What you do get is pretty rocking though. Take the battery life: 120 hours equates to five straight days of music playback. No, not five hours. Five days. That figure matches the original pair, and I can’t name another option which lasts that long.

Another key feature is the range of connection options. Naturally, you can connect them via their 3.5mm port, or the 6.35mm jack so they can connect to professional audio kit easily. The Studio Max 2 support Bluetooth 6.0, allowing for more reliable wireless connection than the old pair.

But perhaps the key selling point here is the transmitter, which comes included in the box. Using OneOdio’s RapidWill+ 3.0 technology, this transmitter lets you cut the response time between your source and the Studio Max 2 to just 9ms. It uses 2.4GHz connectivity, and all you need to do is plug it into your output device, and your headphones can pick it up.

All the cables you need are included in the box, so it's a plug-and-play style situation. The transmitter needs to be charged via USB-C, and lasts for 50 hours per charge.

Features score: 4 / 5

OneOdio Studio Max 2 review: Sound quality

(Image credit: Future)

Uses 45mm drivers
Music is muffled and tinny
EQ doesn't help fix things

OneOdio has used a 45mm driver in each Studio Max 2 cup, and the headphones are certified for Hi-Res Audio and Hi-Res Audio Wireless, with LDAC compatibility too. Unfortunately it's not quite the recipe for success it would appear to be on first glance.

The Max 2 sound muddy and muffled, with rumbly and ill-defined bass stomping over over lines of a song. Any semblance of a soundstage is forgotten, instead presenting your music as one amorphous sonic boulder.

Glorious by The Hoosiers is presented like a confused mush of synths, and the bass in Charlie Mars' She Ain't Coming Back veers between drowning out everything else, and being inaudible.

They also offer a sound that's tinnier than anything else at this price point, with noticeably compressed hi-hats and distorted guitars that really shouldn't be distorted. I'd usually cite a song here as an example, but you can basically insert any song that has instruments here.

Usually I'd turn to an equalizer to try to fix problems like this, but you've got three options: the default, a Bass Mode (that's not going to fix the problem), a custom EQ and Monitoring Mode. Those latter two both gave music a crunchier feel, so I stayed far away.

It's worth noting that criticism I levelled here, I also put against the Studio Max 1. As far as I can tell, the sound hasn't changed much.

Sound quality: 2.5 / 5

OneOdio Studio Max 2 review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

Industrial look
Rotatable cups and foldable arms
Plenty of ports and dials

Don’t buy the Studio Max 2 if you’re looking for svelte, lightweight or fashionable over-ear headphones. They’re bulky and large, with a design that’s quite industrial. You’ve seen the pictures, you know what they look like, and I felt self-conscious wearing them outside the house.

The cups and headband are pretty soft, yet they weren't too comfy to wear, perhaps because of their 353g weight. At least they're good at at catering for different shapes of head, thanks to how versatile they are: the cups rotate around different angles. This also makes them easily-foldable for bags, and handy to form for review pictures.

However, and likely as a natural side-effect of the size, they didn't stick in place reliably. If I was walking, they'd sway a tiny bit, and I imagine they'll wobble if you're an active DJ enjoying your own set.

Adorning each Studio Max 2 cup is a range of buttons and ports. The left cup has a 6.35mm port, while on the right you're getting volume up, volume down and power buttons, a 3.5mm jack, a slider to toggle between Bluetooth and ultra-low latency, and a USB-C port for charging too.

Two things to point out that images don't convey. Firstly, these things creak quite a bit; I'm used to this being a symptom of cheap plastic used in the design, but it doesn't feel like the case here. I think the many moving parts are to blame. Secondly, the back of the cups are grooved to resemble vinyl records; a neat touch, but if my previous pair are any indication, they can be huge dust magnets.

Design score: 3 / 5

OneOdio Studio Max 2 review: Value

(Image credit: Future)

Too expensive to be consumer cans
Value for money if you need transmitter

If you’re looking at the OneOdio Studio Max 2 as consumer-friendly headphones, it’s hard to argue that they offer you good value for money. There are great cans for music fans at a third of the price — from OneOdio itself, as well as other brands.

That’s also true if you’re looking for general studio headphones, for that matter.

What you’re paying for is the transmitter, to allow for low-latency wireless music from any source, including instruments. If you need a gadget like it, the Studio Max 2 undercuts its rivals — if not, then these aren’t the cans for you.

Value: 3.5 / 5

Should I buy the OneOdio Studio Max 2?Cleer Arc 5 score card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

The app may be barebones, but the fantastic battery life and useful connection modes are a winner.

4 / 5

Sound quality

Don't buy them if you want good-sounding headphones.

2.5 / 5

Design

It's not a look that'll appeal to many, and it's not very comfy, but at least it's versatile.

3 / 5

Value

The affordable transmitter makes these good value (if that's a feature you need).

3.5 / 5

Buy them if…

You need low wireless latency
If you need headphones that connect wirelessly with minimum delay, there are few rivals, and none this cheap.

You can't charge frequently
That 120-hour battery life is hard to beat, and these things will keeping going for literal days at a time.

You need 6.35mm connection
How many headphones offer a 6.35mm port? Very few, that's how many, yet it's still useful in some music production situations.

Don’t buy them if…

You want music that sounds good
Just want cans to connect to your phone and play music? These aren't the ones.

You want something lightweight
These cans are heavy, and you can really feel them on your head. I can see some people finding them uncomfortable to wear.

OneOdio Studio Max 2 review: Also considerOther headphone brands with DJ transmitters

OneOdio Studio Max 2

AIAIAI TMA-2

AlphaTheta HDJ-F10

Drivers

45mm

40mm

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Battery life (ANC on)

120 hours

40 hours

30 hours

Weight

353g

217g

356g

Connectivity

Bluetooth 6.0

Bluetooth 5.3

Bluetooth 5.2

Waterproofing

AlphaTheta HDJ-F10
The AlphaTheta HDJ-F10 are a real premium alternative to the OneOdio, costing roughly twice as much, but they dramatically reduce latency and sound pretty good.

AIAIAI TMA-2 Wireless
These cans are much more lightweight than the alternatives, perfect if you want something easier to wear. They're pricier than the OneOdio, but not the AlphaTheta — here's our full AIAIAI TMA-2 Studio Wireless+ review.

How I tested the OneOdio Studio Max 2

Tested for one month
Tested alongside PC, guitar amp, synth, smartphone
Used all connection options

I used the OneOdio Studio Max 2 for roughly a month before writing this review.

During the testing process, they were connected to a wide variety of devices including my guitar amp, my keyboard, my PC and my smartphone. Across this board, I used every connection option possible.

Mostly, the testing was done for music playback, but I also used it for a variety of other tasks including audio mixing, video editing, playing my own music and, for one weekend, audio recording alongside a field recorder and boom mic.

I've been reviewing gadgets for TechRadar since early 2019, and in that time have tested plenty of audio products including the original Studio Max 1 (the number is in the name, I've not added it!).

First reviewed in May 2026

Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

Categories: Reviews

I've tested the Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro for six weeks, and it's a powerful, premium Garmin alternative — albeit a lumpy and uncomfortable one

Mon, 06/15/2026 - 16:00

Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro: One minute review

Three years after the release of the Cheetah Pro smartwatch, Amazfit has finally released its successor, the aptly named Cheetah 2 Pro. Designed for serious road runners who rely on structured training plans, the smartwatch is a solid offering that competes admirably with the best running watches on the market right now. It doesn't hit the dizzying heights of Garmin's top-range alternatives, but Amazfit has definitely closed the gap. The Cheetah 2 Pro has a bigger sibling, the Cheetah 2 Ultra, which is slightly larger, more expensive and comes with trail running profiles with gradient and terrain features not present here.

The high price tag for a watch without trail features will put a lot of people off, especially considering Amazfit is still an unknown brand to many and a budget brand to those in the know. On closer inspection, the cost is mostly justified. The bright 1.32-inch AMOLED display is super-sharp and covered with scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass.

The display is housed in a high-end grade 5 titanium alloy case, which looks and feels premium, but the 15.6 mm thickness and large sensor bump make the watch uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time.

The Cheetah 2 Pro includes an impressive set of features, including structured training plans and AI-driven adaptive workouts. It also tracks comprehensive health data, including 24/7 heart rate, blood oxygen, and skin temperature, all making it possible to generate a daily "Readiness Score" for monitoring fatigue. The watch reaches a high level of accuracy across most tested metrics.

As you’d expect for a watch at this price, the Cheetah 2 Pro boasts offline color maps and navigation tools such as automatic rerouting and point-to-point route planning. It’s an extensive set of features, but the implementation is lacking finesse. Due to limited hardware, panning and zooming maps is laggy.

When it comes to running smartwatches, Amazfit is closing the gap on Garmin, but they’ve still got a long way to go, especially when it comes to dedicated running tools.

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro: Specifications

Component

Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro

Price

$499.99 USD / £449.90 UK / $729 AUS

Dimensions

48mm wide, 15.6mm thick (inc. heart sensor)

Weight

45.6g without strap

Case/bezel

Titanium case, plastic bezel

Display

1.32-inch AMOLED Screen, 466 x 466 px resolution

GPS

Dual-band, 6 satellite systems

Battery life

Up to 10 days of heavy use, or 20 days typical

Connection

Bluetooth, BLE 5.3, Wi-Fi 2.4GHz

Water resistance

5 ATM

Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro: Price and availability

$499.99 USD / £449.90 UK / $729 AUS
More affordable than the Garmin Forerunner 970
Impressive set of features for the price

The Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro costs $499.99 USD / £449.90 UK, which represents a significant 50% increase over the price of the original Cheetah Pro. Amazfit justifies this huge jump by offering high-end hardware, including a titanium bezel, sapphire crystal lens, and up to 20 days of battery life.

Its position in the market is as a budget-friendly alternative to Garmin's flagship elite tier, specifically the Garmin Forerunner 970. While both watches boast premium titanium bezels and crisp AMOLED screens, the more expensive Garmin boasts superior features, especially when it comes to offline maps and ECG functionality.

Value score 4/5

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro: Design

Premium materials and a bright AMOLED display
Touchscreen interface and physical buttons
Overly chunky design

The Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro boasts a gorgeous premium grade-5 titanium alloy case finished off with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass. The 1.32-inch AMOLED display is brilliantly sharp, with an impressive 3,000 nits of peak brightness which guarantees clarity even on sunny days.

If you were wondering why the watch costs so much, the material make-up and AMOLED display are two of the reasons. Compared to the cheap, plastic feel of a lot of sports trackers, the Cheetah 2 Pro is a high-end piece of hardware, only let down by the bundled silicone strap, which feels like an ill-considered afterthought.

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)

Alongside the touchscreen interface, the watch features a four-button layout with tactile aluminum buttons. The presence of physical buttons proved valuable, in my experience, especially when using the watch with sweaty hands or in the rain.

As much as I love the design of the Cheetah 2 Pro, it's let down by its over-large 15.6mm thickness. It absolutely dwarfed my wife's smaller wrist, and due to the size and weight I found it uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time. If Amazfit could work out a way to reduce the thickness of the underside sensor bump, then a lot of these problems would go away.

Design Score: 4/5

Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro: Features

Excellent structured training, especially with Zepp Flow AI
Offline maps and turn-by-turn navigation
An extensive set of sensors

At the heart of the Cheetah 2 Pro are the structured training plans and purpose-driven workouts. It's like having your own personal running coach or using a platform such as Runna, but without the ongoing cost. There are workouts and plans for half marathons, full marathons, and Fartlek runs, and every session helps extend endurance, build strength, and ensure appropriate recovery, all done via Zepp Coach AI.

In addition to dedicated training plans, the Cheetah 2 Pro boasts an extensive set of navigation features which help keep you on track, however hard you're pushing. I was pleased to see the presence of offline maps and turn guidance, and it's even possible to import courses so you can confidently navigate through routes you're not familiar with. Beyond this, the watch includes automatic rerouting, points of interest search, and point-to-point route planning.

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)

The upgraded optical sensors comprise 5 photodiodes and 2 LEDs, providing continuous 24/7 monitoring for heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, and stress levels. All of these sensors, and more, feed the data so the watch can provide a daily Readiness Score for evaluating training fatigue and overall status. Additional environmental sensors include a skin temperature sensor, barometric altimeter, gyroscope, accelerometer, and geomagnetic compass.

In comparison to the Forerunner 970, the Cheetah comes up short in most areas. The Garmin features a more comprehensive set of tools, including its localized crowd-sourced popularity routing database, granular analytics, and ECG functionality. If you want the very best, Garmin is still the brand to turn to.

Features Score: 4/5

Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro: Performance

Spot on GPS and heart rate performance
Excellent map functionality but a little laggy
Top-level activity tracking and health monitoring

Serious runners require accurate on-board GPS, and the Cheetah 2 Pro provides exactly that. Courtesy of its advanced positioning systems, the watch is able to deliver accurate tracking and pacing even when the signal appears to weaken. I compared it with the same route run with my accuracy benchmark, the Garmin Tactix 8, and the Huawei Watch Ultimate 2. It tracked these runs to within one or two per cent accuracy and was able to cope with varying surroundings, including high-rise buildings and forests.

Map functionality is extensive enough for most runners, although the subjective experience wasn’t perfect. Any amount of panning and zooming resulted in a stutter, and if I were cycling, the map wouldn’t update particularly smoothly. These problems are not game-changers, but if you’re after the smoothest map interactions, then the Cheetah 2 Pro doesn’t have the hardware to deliver that.

The Cheetah 2 Pro is a solid running coach on the wrist. It is able to provide specific metrics such as ground contact time, stride length, and cadence. The ability to track in real-time my VO2 Max level and running power is super-helpful to know if I am doing well (or not, as the case may be).

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)

An extensive set of health metrics is available, including heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, heart rate variability (HRV), respiration rate, lactate threshold, VO2, and more. The heart rate was an exact match to a dedicated heart rate monitor band. The heart rate zone feature is a nice addition for knowing when you’re building endurance, improving speed, or pushing too hard.

Amazfit positions the watch as a long-distance runner's dream, and that requires outstanding battery performance with every feature and setting turned on. They claim up to 31 hours with accurate GPS mode enabled, which is more than enough to perform a long-distance run, assuming it doesn't span multiple days. When you're using the watch in between trainings, you can expect up to 20 days of battery life with typical use.

The Cheetah 2 Pro is much more than a running watch, though. Its general smartwatch features are comparable with the very best from Apple, Google, and Samsung. You can make and receive Bluetooth calls, read and reply to texts, and utilize Zepp Pay for NFC contactless payments. All in, it’s a very useful watch for day-to-day living.

Performance score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro: Scorecard

Bitrix24 CRM review

Mon, 06/15/2026 - 07:59

Bitrix24 is a comprehensive customer relationship management platform that goes beyond traditional CRM functionalities. It offers an extensive suite of tools for managing customer interactions, project collaboration, and internal communication.

At its core, Bitrix24 provides robust lead and deal management capabilities, making it one of the best CRM platforms on the market - but it doesn't stop there. The platform integrates project management features, time tracking, document handling, and even website building tools.

The platform offers a generous free tier alongside paid plans, making it an attractive option for businesses of various sizes. However, this wide-ranging functionality comes with a trade-off — a steeper learning curve compared to more streamlined options.

Bitrix24 core capabilties

(Image credit: Bitrix24)

Despite being an all-in-one platform, Bitrix24 offers a robust collection of core CRM capabilities. I was able to create and organize detailed profiles for both individual contacts and company accounts, complete with customizable fields to capture specific information relevant to my hypothetical business needs.

I could also effortlessly track prospects from initial contact through the entire sales process. The system allowed me to assign leads to team members, set follow-up tasks, and monitor the progress of each opportunity through customizable sales pipelines.

For sales forecasting, the visual pipeline view provided an intuitive representation of deals at various stages, allowing for quick assessment of the sales funnel. I found the ability to drag and drop deals between stages particularly useful for keeping the pipeline up to date. The forecasting tools, while not as advanced as dedicated forecasting software, offered solid projections based on historical data.

The platform offers a wide array of pre-built reports covering various aspects of sales performance, lead sources, and team productivity. I was able to generate custom reports with relative ease, though some of the more advanced reporting features were reserved for higher-tier plans. The visual representation of data through charts and graphs made it simple to glean insights at a glance, which would be invaluable for quick decision-making in a real-world scenario.

While testing Bitrix24’s mobile app, I found that it offered most of the core CRM functionalities available on the desktop version. I could access contact information, update deals, and even use the built-in communication tools while on the go. The app's interface, while not as polished as some standalone mobile CRMs, was functional and responsive.

I particularly liked Bitrix24's integration of communication tools directly within the CRM. The platform includes features like internal chat, video calls, and a social intranet, which could significantly streamline team collaboration. Any internal conversations about leads or deals can happen right alongside the relevant CRM data, making collaboration more secure and user-friendly.

Being an advanced platform, Bitrix24 offers a range of tools to streamline repetitive tasks. The system allows for the creation of custom workflows and triggers, which can automate actions like assigning tasks, sending emails, or updating deal stages based on specific criteria. While powerful, I did find that setting up complex automations required a bit of a learning curve.

The platform also includes features that extend beyond traditional CRM boundaries, such as project management tools, time tracking, and even some features to rival the best website builder platforms. While this comprehensive approach could be advantageous for businesses looking to consolidate a software stack, it also means higher costs that won’t be feasible for those looking for a standalone CRM.

How easy is Bitrix24 CRM to use?

Logging into Bitrix24, I quickly realized that ease of use is a complex topic for this platform. While the customization options are extensive, this flexibility comes at the cost of initial complexity. For starters, Bitrix24’s dashboard presents a wealth of information, which can be daunting for new users. I found myself spending considerable time navigating through various menus and submenus to locate specific functions.

Personalizing the workspace required a deeper understanding of the system's structure, which might not be immediately intuitive for all users. The ability to create custom fields, workflows, and even modify the layout is powerful, but it also contributes to a steeper learning curve.

Still, Bitrix24's approach to user interface design has evolved over time. Recent updates have made strides in improving usability, with a more streamlined layout and clearer iconography. Despite these improvements, I found that the platform's all-in-one nature sometimes leads to a cluttered feel, with features from different modules intersecting in ways that can be confusing for newcomers.

Thankfully, there’s a wealth of self-service resources available for new users. During my research, I discovered an extensive library of video tutorials on the platform’s YouTube channel, as well as detailed online training courses specifically designed for administrators. These resources are comprehensive and cover a wide range of topics, from basic navigation to advanced feature utilization. Bitrix24 also offers weekly webinars that dive into different aspects of the platform, providing detailed use cases.

Ultimately, compared to some of its competitors, Bitrix24's learning curve is way steeper. Platforms like Freshworks, for instance, are noted for their user-friendly interfaces and ease of use. While this is partly explained by the wealth of features and customization choices available, the fact remains that there are competitors who do all of this while still retaining their intuitiveness, like Insightly.

Bitrix24 integrations

(Image credit: Bitrix24)

When it comes to integrations, I was impressed by the variety of options available in the Bitrix24 Marketplace. With over 300 apps in the catalog, including integrations with well-known services like Quickbooks, Google Sheets, PayPal, RingCentral, WhatsApp, and Miro, businesses can easily connect existing tools with the CRM.

For businesses looking to migrate data from other platforms, Bitrix24 also offers a range of migration apps for popular services like Jira, Asana, Trello, Zapier, Zoho, and Pipedrive. During CRM testing, I found these migration tools to be intuitive and efficient, allowing for a smooth transition without significant data loss or disruption.

Then there’s the Bitrix24 REST API, which allows developers to integrate the platform with external systems, import and export data, and even create custom widgets. It provides businesses with the flexibility to tailor the CRM to specific needs by ensuring smooth data synchronization with other tools in the software stack.

Bitrix24's commitment to integration extends beyond pre-built apps and API access. The platform also provides comprehensive documentation and resources for developers looking to create custom integrations. The detailed REST API guide, complete with examples and guidelines, empowers businesses to develop tailored solutions that address their unique requirements.

Moreover, Bitrix24 offers a range of low-code tools that allow users to solve specific problems without relying solely on the REST API. This approach democratizes integration capabilities, enabling even non-technical users to connect and automate processes involving other applications.

How good is Bitrix24 CRM customer support?

(Image credit: Bitrix24)

Looking into Bitrix24's customer support, I encountered a mixed bag of experiences and resources. The platform offers several support channels, but the level of assistance and response times varied depending on the plan and the complexity of the issue at hand.

Free accounts are limited to self-support resources such as product manuals, helpdesk articles, video tutorials, and free webinars. While these resources can be helpful for getting started and troubleshooting basic issues, they may not suffice for more complex or account-specific problems. But this is not unusual, since most platforms reserve live support options for paid customers only.

For paid users, Bitrix24 offers live support through chat and email. Chat support is usually responsive with average wait times of around 5-10 minutes. Support representatives are generally knowledgeable and helpful, although there are instances where more complex issues require escalation to higher-tier support agents, resulting in longer resolution times.

Email support, on the other hand, has slower response times. It often takes up to 24-48 hours to receive an initial response, which could be frustrating for users facing time-sensitive issues. However, once engaged, the email support team provides detailed and thorough assistance, often including step-by-step instructions and screenshots.

Beyond the live support options, the platform offers an extensive knowledge base with articles covering a wide range of topics, from basic setup and configuration to advanced customization and integrations. The articles are well-organized and searchable, making it easy to find relevant information quickly.

In addition to the knowledge base, Bitrix24 provides a comprehensive library of video tutorials and webinars. These resources offer visual guidance on various aspects of the platform, making it easier for users to learn and adopt the system. The webinars, in particular, are a valuable resource, as they provide live demonstrations and Q&A sessions with Bitrix24 experts.

Yet, some users on sites like G2 and Trustpilot have reported mixed experiences with Bitrix24's customer support. In online reviews, a few users expressed frustration with the support team's response times and the quality of assistance provided. Some felt that the support representatives were more focused on providing formal replies rather than solving problems, leaving customers to figure things out on their own.

It's also worth noting that Bitrix24 does not provide phone support as a standard channel. For users who prefer to discuss issues over the phone, this could be a drawback. However, the platform does offer a callback feature, where users can request a phone call from the support team at a scheduled time.

Bitrix24 CRM pricing and plans

Plan

Free

Basic

Standard

Professional

Price

$0/month

$61/month

$124/month

$249/month+

Best for

Startups and small teams

Small businesses and sales teams

Advanced sales and process automation

Features

Up to 12 users; 5 GB storage; Basic CRM

Up to 5 users; 24 GB storage; CRM with invoicing

Up to 50 users; 100 GB storage; Expanded CRM tools

Up to 100 users; 1024 GB storage; Full CRM suite

Limitations

Limited CRM and storage

User and storage limits

User and some feature limits

Higher price point

Bitrix24 may just be one of the most flexible and affordable options in the CRM market. What immediately caught my attention was the platform's unique approach to pricing – instead of charging per user, it offers a flat fee for each plan with a base number of users, with the option to add more as you scale. This allows businesses to scale a user base without incurring as much expense.

Bitrix24 offers one of the best free CRM plans on the market with unlimited users and no time restrictions. It includes essential CRM features, task management, and document management capabilities, providing a solid foundation for businesses to get started with the platform - making it one of the best CRMs for start ups. While certain advanced features and paid support options aren’t available, it’s still a great option for those looking for an extended trial period.

For organizations requiring more advanced features, Bitrix24 offers four paid plans: Basic, Standard, Professional, and Enterprise. These plans range from $61/month for 5 users to $499+/month, with scaling levels of storage space and feature sets. What I found particularly impressive was the value Bitrix24 offers relative to its price. Compared to other CRM providers that charge per user, Bitrix24's flat-fee model can lead to significant cost savings for businesses with larger teams.

For all new users, Bitrix24 offers a 15-day free trial for the Professional plan. This trial allows businesses to test the platform's full range of features before committing to a paid subscription. During my experience with the trial, I found it to be a valuable way to explore Bitrix24's capabilities and determine if it was the right fit for my needs.

It's worth noting that while Bitrix24's pricing is generally straightforward, there are some limitations to keep in mind. For example, the free plan, while generous in terms of user count, does have restrictions on storage space and certain advanced features. Additionally, some features, such as the telephony functionality, require a separate payment. But overall, I found Bitrix24's pricing model to be one of its strongest selling points.

How we tested bitrix24

At TechRadar Pro, we go beyond marketing hype and basic product specifications. To provide an authentic, hands-on evaluation of Bitrix24, our B2B software experts put the platform through a structured testing methodology designed to simulate real-world business environments. Whenever we're testing CRM software, we examine the same criteria: core capabilities, ease of use, integrations, customer support, value for money, and the company trajectory.

Because modern platforms are moving heavily toward automated operations, our testing process includes a rigorous evaluation of Bitrix24’s native CoPilot AI infrastructure. We didn't just test basic text transformations; we evaluated the tool's accuracy when auto-summarizing raw audio transcripts from phone calls, tested its natural tone when prompting AI email drafts, and evaluated its predictive logic when analyzing historical pipeline velocity to assign conversion scores to open leads.

Bitrix24 CRM review: Summary

Bitrix24 particularly excels in its core functionality, offering a comprehensive suite of features that cater to the needs of any business looking for a CRM. The platform's extensive customization options and powerful automation tools enable users to streamline workflows and adapt the system to unique requirements, while its flat-rate, organization-wide pricing structure makes it a great cost-saver for larger teams. However, its wealth of features does come with a learning curve, which may be steeper for users unfamiliar with all-in-one business management platforms.

While it is perfect for growing organizations that have dedicated technical administrators to configure its extensive feature set, smaller teams looking for a simple, out-of-the-box pipeline tool will find its cluttered interface more overwhelming than intuitive. Overall, I’d say this is a powerful and versatile platform that offers a compelling blend of features, flexibility, and affordability. However, for users looking for a simple solution with great support, Bitrix24 may not be it.

Categories: Reviews

With the second-gen Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus, the head-to-toe doorbell finally goes 2K

Sun, 06/14/2026 - 14:00

Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus (2nd Gen): two-minute review

A video doorbell is a parcel monitor, a deterrent, and a low-key surveillance node pointed at your own front step, and Ring has spent the better part of a decade making that proposition feel normal.

The second-generation Battery Doorbell Plus is the company sharpening its best idea: taking the head-to-toe doorbell and giving it the resolution it always deserved.

Where ordinary doorbells frame a visitor's torso and chin and little else, the Plus shows a tall, square 1:1 field of view — 140 degrees in both directions — that takes in the person, the doorstep and whatever's been left on it.

This generation shoots in 2K Retinal resolution (1920 x 1920) with HDR, so you can identify a courier, read a label and confirm whether the parcel is on your step or your neighbour's — and a 6x Enhanced Zoom lets you pinch in without the image collapsing. It's the spec that separates a useful doorbell from a novelty, and the upgrade that justifies picking the Plus over Ring's cheaper Battery Doorbell.

(Image credit: Future)

Night performance has been rethought, too. Rather than dropping straight to grey mush after dark, the Plus uses true-color low-light sight to hold onto colour in dim conditions, only switching to adaptive black-and-white night vision once it's dark.

Two-way talk with noise cancellation does the doorstep-conversation job cleanly. The other quality-of-life change is the Quick Release Battery Pack: instead of unmounting the whole unit to charge, you pop out the battery, recharge it and slot it back.

Installation takes under 30 minutes, connecting to Wi-Fi through the app and mounting with the supplied tools, then lining it up so the head-to-toe view actually reaches the floor. No hub required. If there's a grumble, it's a small one: in 2026, a $179.99 / £149.99 / AU$249 doorbell still charges over Micro-USB rather than USB-C, so you'll be hunting for the right cable.

(Image credit: Future)

On the upside, it runs dual-band Wi-Fi 6, so a 2K stream holds up better than Ring's older 2.4GHz-only doorbells, with Ring recommending a 10Mbps upload to keep it smooth.

Then there's the Ring tax, in two senses. Financially, person alerts, package alerts and saved recordings all live behind a Ring subscription; without one, the doorbell is reduced to real-time alerts and live view, which rather undersells a 2K camera.

Philosophically, buying Ring means accepting its history of police-data partnerships and the broader unease about Amazon-owned cameras pointed at public pavements. None of that is new, and none of it stops the hardware being good, but a review that ignored it wouldn't be doing its job.

Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus (2nd Gen): price & availability

List price: $179.99 / £149.99 / AU$249
Announced March 2026
Available in the UK, US, and Australia

Sitting in the upper-middle of Ring's range of video doorbells, the Plus costs more than the $99.99 / £79.99 / $149 standard Battery Doorbell and less than the $249.99 / £219.99 / AU$399 Battery Doorbell Pro, which steps up to Retinal 4K and 3D motion detection.

With a list price of $179.99 / £149.99 / AU$249, the Battery Video Doorbell Plus isn't an impulse buy, but Ring discounts aggressively and its doorbells routinely sell well under list, so few people pay full price for long.

You should also factor the subscription into the lifetime cost. Plans start affordably for a single device and climb for multi-device households. Although the doorbell functions without a subscription, the experience is hollow: you'll be notified that something happened without being able to review what. Treat the subscription as part of the purchase, not an optional extra, and the value equation looks honest.

Value score: 4/5

Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus (2nd Gen): subscription plans

Features such as instant notifications, Live View and Two-Way Talk are available out of the box and for free on all Ring devices. A Ring subscription (branded Ring Protect) allows you to review, save and share your videos.

With a Ring subscription, starting from $4.99 / £4.99 / AU$4.95 per month per device, you can store unlimited Ring footage in the cloud for up to 180 days, to rewatch, download to your own device or share with friends and family. Person and package alerts also require a subscription.

You get a 30-day trial subscription when you first set up your Ring device. Video storage defaults to 30 days, with the option to extend it to up to 180 days.

Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus (2nd Gen): specs

Type

Battery-powered video doorbell

Resolution

2K Retinal (1920 x 1920) HDR

Zoom

6x Enhanced Zoom (digital)

View

Head-to-toe, 1:1 aspect ratio

Field of view

140 degrees horizontal x 140 degrees vertical

Night vision

True-colour low-light sight; adaptive black-and-white in darkness

Audio

Two-way talk with noise cancellation

Motion detection

Customizable Motion Zones

Power

Quick release battery pack (rechargeable, removable); Micro-USB charging cable included; hardwire for trickle charge (8–24VAC); solar compatible

Connectivity

Wi-Fi 6, dual-band; 10Mbps upload recommended

Smart detection

Person and package alerts (Ring subscription required)

Storage

Cloud; defaults to 30 days, extendable to 180 days with subscription

Smart home

Amazon Alexa

Weather resistance

IP55

Finish

Nickel Silver (UK/US/Aus); Polished Night Navy, Polished Mocha, Polished Sandstone (US only)

Dimensions

6.6 x 2.1 x 1.4 inches. / 16.73 x 5.35 x 3.6cm

Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus (2nd Gen): design

Well-built
Quick-release battery
Hub-free wireless install

I’ve never been the biggest fan of Ring’s bulky designs, but the second-gen Plus is a bit more suitably restrained: a slim, rounded slab that won't embarrass a period porch or a new-build alike.

Build quality is reassuring, and the button has a satisfying press, though for UK and Australian customers it only comes in a single Nickel Silver finish, so there's no matching it to your door furniture the way some rivals allow.

(Image credit: Future)

The most practical design feature is the Quick Release Battery Pack. On older Ring doorbells, recharging meant unscrewing and removing the whole device — exactly the sort of faff that leads to a flat battery and a fortnight of excuses. Here you release the battery alone, charge it and reinsert it, with the doorbell staying put.

Buy a spare — the standard pack or the new Quick Release Ultra Battery Pack — and downtime drops to seconds. If a permanent supply suits you better, it hardwires to existing doorbell wiring for continuous trickle charging.

FutureFuture

Setup follows Ring's well-worn path through the app, and crucially needs no separate hub or bridge. The only thing to get right is the angle: head-to-toe view only delivers its full benefit if you mount the doorbell so the frame reaches the doorstep, so it's worth spending a minute on placement rather than slapping it up at eye level out of habit.

Design score: 4/5

Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus (2nd Gen): performance

2K Retinal head-to-toe view
True-colour low-light
Subscription gates smartest features

Fitted to a typical front door, the Plus does the important things well, and the move to 2K makes the difference obvious. The higher resolution and tall, square frame capture a visitor from hairline to doormat, so you see the face and the parcel in one shot.

The 6x Enhanced Zoom lets you crop in on a label or a face without the picture completely falling apart. Motion alerts arrived promptly during testing, live view loaded quickly, and two-way talk was clear enough to hold a proper exchange with a courier rather than barking over each other.

FutureFuture

It might split opinion, but Ring uses AI-powered features to identify and announce who is at your door. Instead of generic motion alerts, I received AI prompts such as “A person is walking in the room with a vacuum cleaner”. I loved it, my cleaner hated it, and well, I guess that’s the point.

After dark, true-color low-light sight holds onto color under external lighting, so a late-night clip is worth reviewing; only in near-total darkness does it fall back to adaptive black-and-white.

FutureFutureFuture

It’s worth noting that I tested this sample on an internal front door, but one with intermittent infrared communal lighting at night, so the low-light functionality became incredibly useful when the lights cut out. Being battery-powered and available with Ring’s additional adhesive stick-on mounting kit makes it suitable for rental properties, too.

Connectivity is more of a quiet improvement: dual-band Wi-Fi 6 gives the 2K stream more headroom than Ring's older 2.4GHz-only doorbells, with Ring recommending a 10Mbps upload speed to keep things smooth.

FutureFutureFutureFutureFuture

The performance ceiling, though, is set by the subscription. Person and package alerts — the difference between 'motion detected' and 'a parcel has arrived' — require a Ring plan, as does the ability to go back and watch what you missed, with recordings held up to 180 days.

Without a plan, the doorbell still rings and still streams live, but it stops short of the intelligence its hardware is clearly capable of. As a generational upgrade, it's a real one: 2K Retinal, HDR, sharper zoom and better low-light all land, so first-gen Plus owners have a genuine reason to look, even if a working 1536p unit is still perfectly serviceable.

Performance score: 4/5

Should you buy the Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus (2nd Gen)Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus (2nd Gen) score card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

Strong, sharper hardware at a fair price, but the subscription is effectively mandatory for the full experience.

4/5

Design

Tidy and well-made, with a quick-release battery that improves daily life, though it comes in a single finish outside of the US.

4/5

Performance

Sharp 2K Retinal head-to-toe video with capable low-light sight, with the smartest alerts behind a paywall.

4/5

Buy it if

You want to see parcels and people in one frame

Head-to-toe view is the feature, now in 2K, and it's the most practical thing a doorbell can offer.

You're tired of recharging hassle

The quick-release battery pack and an optional spare all but eliminate doorbell downtime.

You already use Amazon smart home devices

If you have an Echo Show on the kitchen counter, this slots straight in and answers when you ask.

Don't buy it if

You won't pay for a subscription

Without a Ring plan, you lose package and person alerts and recorded footage, which guts the proposition.

You're uneasy about Ring's track record

If Amazon-owned doorbells and their data and policing history give you pause, a Matter-friendly rival may sit easier.

You need the absolute best image

If you want Retinal 4K and 3D motion detection, the £219.99 (about $290 / AU$420) Battery Doorbell Pro is the one to stretch for.

Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus (2nd Gen): also consider

If you're not sure whether the new Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus is the right option for you, here are two other doorbells to think about.

Ring Battery Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)

At £79.99 (about $110 / AU$150), the Pro's cheaper sibling now also shoots Retinal 2K with a head-to-toe view; drop to it if you want the Ring experience for less and can live with a built-in, non-removable battery and simpler colour night vision.

Google Nest Doorbell (battery)

The obvious non-Ring alternative, with on-device intelligence and a little free event history, if you'd rather not commit to Ring's ecosystem.

How I tested the Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus (2nd Gen)

Tested at a domestic front door
Assessed video, head-to-toe framing, zoom, night vision and audio
Trialled the subscription experience

I used the doorbell outside to assess image quality, but mainly mounted the doorbell on an internal front door and used it as my main entry camera, paying particular attention to whether the head-to-toe view and the new 2K sensor delivered on the promise of capturing parcels and people together.

I checked live-view responsiveness, pushed the 6x zoom on faces and labels, held two-way conversations with visitors, and reviewed low-light and night clips after dark.

I've reported on Ring's privacy considerations because they're a material part of the buying decision, not a footnote.

For more details, see how we test, rate, and review products at TechRadar.

First reviewed June 2026

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With the second-gen Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus, the head-to-toe doorbell finally goes 2K

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