TechRadar Reviews

The MSI Claw, announced back at CES 2024, was a PC gaming handheld that had a lot of hype built up around it (myself included), and it didn't have the most auspicious launch earlier this year. Beset by performance issues that could rightly be laid at Intel's feet (Meteor Lake has been rather meh), I wouldn't blame anyone for looking at the MSI Claw 8 AI+ with a good bit of side eye and skepticism.

I also wouldn't blame folks if they gave me some as well, since I was definitely excited for the Claw's release, only to be just as disappointed as everyone else when the handheld finally shipped out. 

So, I won't ask you to take my excitement for the new MSI Claw 8 AI+ without a heap of salt, but having spent more than half an hour taking the Claw 8 AI+ for a spin at IFA 2024 this weekend, I'm going to ask that you bear with me. I've seen what these new Lunar Lake chips are capable of, and I really do think that Intel and MSI have ironed out what was wrong with the original Claw and are set to deliver a very impressive gaming handheld that will easily challenge the Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally X, and Lenovo Legion Go in an increasingly competitive market.

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

That's not to say there won't be issues with this handheld, sadly. Intel's graphics drivers for its Intel Arc GPUs simply lack the legacy support for older games that Nvidia and AMD graphics drivers do, and they always will, as many older studios aren't even around anymore to help Intel work out the bugs in DX10 games and earlier.

If what you're after is playing the classics from the mid-2000s and early 2010s, an AMD-powered handheld is going to do that better. But if what you're looking for is a chance to play the latest PC games on the go, the Claw 8 AI+ may be the gaming handheld to beat in 2025.

A huge part of that is Lunar Lake. Rebuilt from the ground up in a way that Meteor Lake really wasn't, Intel Lunar Lake promises significantly improved performance over previous Intel chips while using substantially less power in the process. This translates directly into better battery life for when you're on a flight, on the road, or just chilling on the couch and you don't want to be married to a wall outlet.

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

In terms of gaming performance, I've seen the same Intel Core Ultra 7 chip that'll ship in the Claw 8 AI+ average nearly 70 fps in Cyberpunk 2077 on medium settings at 1080p and it looked fantastic, and it'll look even better on the smaller 8-inch screen which significantly ups the pixel density over a 14-inch ultrabook.

Plus, with an 80WHr battery packed inside, it'll almost certainly get some of the longest battery life of any gaming handheld on the market. Of course, we aren't talking more than an extra hour or two, but there's a huge difference between playing GTA IV for two hours on a flight and stretching things out to four hours (assuming the Claw 8 AI+ can effectively run this particular DX9 title).

The final specs for the Claw 8 AI+ aren't final yet, though it will come with an Intel Core Ultra 7 200-series chip in either 16GB or 32GB of memory. Whether a Core Ultra 5 or Core Ultra 9 configuration is in the cards isn't known yet, and as such, there's not much we can say about pricing at this time. But an MSI rep did tell me that MSI is targeting a January 2025 launch window, so we're bound to hear a lot more about the MSI Claw 8 AI+ in the weeks and months ahead.

MSI Claw 8 AI+: Design

The MSI Claw 8 AI+ has been redesigned somewhat from the original Claw, especially in terms of its aesthetics. Gone is the boring all-black chassis of the first-gen Claw, as there is now a matte silvery-copper panel around the controls that nicely accents the otherwise black plastic chassis.

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

MSI wasn't able to provide a full spec sheet for the Claw 8 AI+, so I can't tell if there is anything new about the ports on the new Claw other than the addition of a second USB-C port. This will likely be a Thunderbolt 4 port, but I didn't have an opportunity to confirm that.

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

The back of the Claw 8 AI+ looks pretty much the same as the original Claw, featuring two programmable macro buttons and an air intake for the cooling system.

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

One very welcome change though is the revamped MSI Center, which is accessible from the touch of a button and features as close to a modern console interface as I've seen on any handheld other than the Steam Deck. It will even change the background to reflect the game that you're highlighting.

Windows 11 is still a terrible platform for PC gaming handhelds, so getting the MSI Center software right will be critical, and MSI is still tweaking the interface to improve it ahead of launch. Even as it is today, however, it's a much better experience than you'll find in other handhelds.

MSI Claw 8 AI+: Performance

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

I didn't get to really push the Claw 8 AI+ to its limits during my time with the device since MSI is still fine-tuning the power profile for the chip, but I got a chance to play some Hi-Fi Rush and Sonic the Hedgehog to see how the device handled.

True, these are not the most demanding games around, but even in the early production state my Claw was in, the two games looked fantastic and played without issue, consistently getting very high frame rates. 

MSI Claw 8 AI+: Price & availability

The spec sheet for the MSI Claw 8 AI+ isn't finalized yet, so there's no way to price this system out, either from MSI or my own estimates based on the hardware profile.

As for availability, MSI is targeting a January 2025 launch for the Claw, but that's not an official release date, so it might slip a bit deeper into 2025. We'll hopefully know more about that soon as we get closer to the holiday season.

MSI Claw 8 AI+: Final thoughts

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

It's too soon to tell how the MSI Claw 8 AI+ will perform, much less whether it will be a success, but there's no question that this is a very different experience than I've had with the first-generation model.

Everything I've seen from Lunar Lake makes me optimistic though, and the improvements that MSI has made to the Claw's design are also stand-out arguments in this second-generation Claw's favor.

We won't know for certain until we get an actual production unit in hand to benchmark and review, but given what I've seen so far, I can definitely say that I am very eager to see what this gaming handheld is capable of in a few months time.

Mind map software helps you in many ways, from determining a creative path in piece of collaborative art to formulating IT security policy. The uses of this visualization practice are almost infinite, but mind mapping has an enemy: time. Often, the spark of inspiration can extinguish before it reaches your pen, which is why mind mapping apps have become increasingly popular over the past 20 years.

Relying on fast typing and keyboard shortcuts – no slow mouse input is required here – mind map software has evolved considerably, and is now increasingly embracing AI. One such example is GitMind, a Chinese mind mapping tool with desktop and cloud versions and a heavy reliance on AI.

Dividing its workspace into “planets” for online collaboration, GitMind aims to help you focus on “collective wisdom.” To find out if it does, we’ve assessed the software, looking at its price, features, ease of use, customer support, and how it measures up against competing tools.

(Image credit: Future) GitMind: Plans and pricing

GitMind is available with a trio of pricing options.

First, the free trial. This affords 10 files, 1 “planet,” and 30 credits for AI. You also get access to a basic chat model, and can export images in a standard resolution.

With the annual subscription ($69, which works out at $5.75 a month), file creation is unlimited, you get 5 planets, 2000 credits, and an advanced chat model. GitMind chat plugins are also available, and image exports can be enjoyed in HD format.

A monthly subscription of $19 a month is also available. This has the same features as the annual sub, but you only get 300 credits. This works out as more over the course of the year (3600) of course, but the price is far higher.

If you find the basic subscription options aren’t enough, GitMind also offers add-ons. 

For $9 you can get 300 credits (£0.03/credit) which can be used on the AI mind map, AI summary, and GitMind chats. You can also use these credits to unlock premium themes and backgrounds for your mind maps. 1000 credits costs $25.99 (0.026/credit), while 5000 credits is $99.95 ($0.02/credit). Each of these offers a greater use of AI benefits.

Because credit transactions are complicated and differ for every usage, spend some time in the GitMind pricing page to get an idea of how credits can be used.

Note that while it might seem that credit add-ons are useful for the free plan, you can’t buy them without a subscription.

(Image credit: Future) GitMind: Features

The key draw of GitMind is that it is an AI-powered mind mapping tool. Along with the cloud app, you can download GitMind to run on Windows, Mac, iPhone and iPad, and Android. Because the software is cloud-based, your planet and files can be accessed from any device that you’re signed in through. You can sign up using Google, Apple, Facebook, or your own email address.

GitMind’s AI tools include an AI chat feature, a personal assistant that is designed to get you started with your next mind map. There is the AI art generator tool, to create images from text prompts, and the one-liner mind map which lets you specify a mind map with a single line description.

You can also use GitMind to summarize any file on your PC as a mind map. This is particularly useful with text documents.

All of these features – and a few others – are intended to work together to enable connections and ideation, resulting in what GitMind calls the “metaverse of ideas.”

Beyond mind maps, GitMind also supports the development of flowcharts and whiteboards. While similar and often used in related ways, these are distinct types of diagram. Some mind mapping tools are focused purely on the core diagramming type, so it’s good to see additional options in GitMind.

(Image credit: Future) GitMind: Ease of use

Most importantly, GitMind is easy to use. It relies on the established keyboard shortcuts of Tab, Enter, and Backspace to aid the easy creation of nodes on your mind map. The selection of built-in templates are stylish, and the work area itself looks good, feels modern, and is big enough to use – almost enough space to call it a planet!

The key feature of GitMind, the AI creation tool, is perhaps the most adept of all the generative AI mind map tools we’ve looked at. Not only is it fast and efficient, it also gives some good feedback for your prompt. It can create an original mind map within 10 seconds, which can of course save a lot of time.

Initial testing of GitMind was performed using a Google account. While the sign up process for this is naturally more streamlined, we found that it didn’t have any free trial AI credits. Instead, we had to use a different private email account to access free AI credits. It’s possible that GitMind is deprioritising Gmail – our chat with the AI chatbot support (see below) broached the topic of credits, and the help on offer didn’t really solve the issue.

One thing to note: the website itself, beyond the cloud app, is a bit of a mess. Items in the top menu change and switch from screen to screen, which can lead to some confusion. 

(Image credit: Future) GitMind: Customer support

If you run into trouble using GitMind, a few options are open to you. A repository of help guides are available, which are pretty detailed. GitMind support can be reached via email, or you can use the live chat interface, which appears to be AI-controlled.

In attempting to contact the support team using the chat interface, we found the response slow. Further, the answer to the question (“Hello, can you tell me how long GitMind has been running?”) could not be given. 

(According to WhoIs, the URL was registered in 2017). 

It isn’t a stretch to imagine that the live chat has a heavy AI element to it, given the nature of the software. However, first impressions count, and this exposure to the live support didn’t leave a good one.

(Image credit: Future) GitMind: The competition

A multitude of mind mapping apps – cloud and desktop – are currently available. How does GitMind sit in comparison?

Straight comparisons with tools without AI are unfair. Consequently, I have selected a pair of mind mapping tools with AI enhancements included as an option to weigh up against GitMind.

A strong competitor in this regard is EdrawMind, from Edrawsoft. This is a cross-platform app with a one-line AI mind map suggestion tool. EdrawMind is cheaper than GitMind, and doesn’t require you to buy credits if your subscription “runs out” of AI uses – it simply doesn’t run out.

Meanwhile, Xmind is one of the best mind mapping tools around, but while it has an AI feature, our evaluation of that tool determined that it wasn’t as good as EdrawMind’s, or GitMind’s.

(Image credit: Future) GitMind: Final verdict

GitMind is easy to use, and offers all of the features you would expect from a modern mind mapping tool. The generative AI feature is great for saving time, and can both help you get started with ideation or just produce the mind map for you. 

Price-wise, GitMind is competitive, but the customer service response could be better. The AI tool is good, but if you run out of credits things can get expensive, and this isn’t a problem with competing AI-equipped mind maps like Edrawmind.

We've listed the best mockup software.

Hands-on iPhone 16 Pro review: Two-minute preview

Running from the Apple Keynote to the expansive demo room right behind it, I was confronted by long tables of new products, including iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max phones on pedestals (as they should be), and hoards of excited media and analysts who crowded so tightly around the products that I could scarcely get close enough to sniff them.

Lucky for me, many Apple representatives were milling about who would almost surreptitiously remove the gleaming handsets from their pockets and then just as casually walk you through features. 

That was how I finally got close to the iPhone 16 Pro, a now 6.3-inch iOS 18 device that is slightly larger than the iPhone 15 Pro while offering noticeably more screen real estate. Apple managed this trick by shrinking the bezel so it's just a thin dark line surrounding the Super Retina XDR display. Apparently, Apple figured out how to reroute some of the screen traces from the edges to underneath the display, which made the razor-thin bezel possible.

As they handed me the phone, I noticed its Black Titanium body felt just as solid and smooth as before. It felt familiar because the design was largely unchanged from the last iPhone. The one noticeable and significant difference is the new Camera Control. This tactile/haptic combo button, which adorns the full iPhone 16 lineup, is kind of the star of the new iPhone show.

Stuffed full of technology, the button lives below the power button and is used initially to open the camera app. A lighter press activates the haptic response access controls, and a double press accesses a deeper set of camera controls. 

After that, you can swipe up and down on the bottom to select different photography features. After a quick training, I could use it to access the different lenses, set exposure, and change the depth of field. There's a visual cue on the screen to help you keep track of all the touch, tap, and gesture-based camera changes.

Eventually, virtually any app that uses the camera could access the Camera Control button. Snapchat is already doing so.

This button might just change how you use your iPhone, and I think people will like it.

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

There is another big and significant change in the iPhone 16 Pro. Again, it has parity on the zoom front with its big brother, the now 6.9-inch iPhone 16 Pro Max.

While the iPhone 15 Po offered just a 3x optical zoom, the iPhone 16 Pro has the same 5x tetra prism zoom as the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Other camera changes include a 48MP ultra-wide and a faster shutter speed on the 48MP main camera. I saw some of these photographic skills in action when I took a few sample photos, but I didn't gather enough evidence to draw any useful conclusions. 

Demos I saw elsewhere of the 4K 120fps show some impressive video skills. I have yet to see or try out the Cinematic Slo-Mo, but it looks like a great tool for pro videographers.

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

The new A18 Pro CPU powers the iPhone 16 Pro, a mobile processor with more power than most consumers need, but I suspect pro users will appreciate it. It'll also support all those promised Apple Intelligence features. The news here, though, is that the iPhone 16 Pro will not ship with Apple Intelligence. Apple has promised to ship an iOS 18 update next month that will support it.

The good news is that I did see some Apple Intelligence features in action. Photo Cleanup works smoothly to identify photographic detritus and expertly remove it with a tap or erase gesture. 

Writing tools are hidden but appear to have a lot of depth and are ready to not just clean up your writing but almost do your writing for you...if that's your thing.

Siri got a literal glow-up and now turns on the entire iPhone 16 Pro screen when activated. It was hard to use her in the crowded room but I do love the look of it.

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

While I didn't spend a lot of time with the phone, the initial operation appeared snappy. A18 Pro has all the power you need for virtually any task and more. Console-level gaming is now a thing on the iPhone. Even at 6.3 inches, the screen might be a bit small for some AAA games, but it can certainly handle the action. Part of that is due to the new heat management system that makes the iPhone more efficient for longer at peak operation.

I think it'll be a challenge to over-tax this smartphone.

Even with all that power and new AI features, Apple said during the keynote that we should expect longer battery life, and by longer, I mean you might be able to measure it in hours. That's an exciting prospect.

It's a shame that this iPhone 16 Pro will start with half the storage of the iPhone 16 Pro Max: 128GB vs. 256GG. 128GB is nothing to sneeze at, but if you're shooting a lot of 4K video, you might wish for that extra 128GB.

A better and bigger screen, improved cameras, including 5x zoom, that new Camera Control button, and so much power could make this one of the best iPhones Apple has ever made. Will it be the best smartphone? That's a question I can't answer until I test it.

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff) Hands-on iPhone 16 Pro review: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

• Starts at $999 / £999 / AU$1,849
• Pre-orders open on September 13, and the phone ships from September 20

The iPhone 16 Pro was announced at Apple's 'It's Glowtime' event on Monday, September 9. iPhone 16 preorders will begin on Friday, September 9, and the new phone will hit store shelves on Friday, September 20.

The iPhone 16 Pro starts at $999 / £999 / AU$1,799 for the model with 128GB of storage, with storage options rising to 1TB. For reference, that's the same starting price as the iPhone 15 Pro.

Full iPhone 16 Pro pricing is as follows:

Hands-on iPhone 16 Pro review: Specs

Below, you'll find a roundup of the iPhone 16 Pro's key specs.

Hands-on Apple Watch Series 10 review: Two-minute preview

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

Going into Apple’s September 9, 2024, “It’s Glowtime.” event, I wouldn’t have blamed you for potentially dismissing the rumored Apple Watch Series 10. I heard it would get a larger display, a new health feature, and a thinner build. On paper, that doesn’t do much, but I’ll admit I underestimated it.

Maybe, I should have checked the calendar as today (Sept. 9) marks the tenth anniversary of the Apple Watch, and while the Series 10 casts a familiar look, it’s all in the details.

Ten generations in, it’s clear Apple’s sticking with this rounded square design, and they’re working on perfecting it – or, as my colleague Lance Ulanoff put it, Apple’s well-polishing the Apple.

To sum it up, the Series 10 does indeed resemble the Series 9, but it’s way thinner – Apple shaved off a whole 1-millimeter, which is a lot for something on your wrist – and packed in a way larger display. In fact, the 46-millimeter display is even bigger than the Apple Watch Ultra 2, and while that sounds like a behemoth, it’s not. The smartwatch didn’t feel massive at all on my wrist and looked rather elegant, especially in the Jet Black aluminum finish, which brings me so much joy as someone who waited for hours to get an iPhone 7 Plus in that same shade.

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

The screen here is the star, though, and it’s not just bigger for sheer numbers' sake. In Calculator, you can more easily hit buttons, and when viewing photos, you can pick out more details. Better yet, when reading text in an email or a news article, the screen's large enough to fit an additional line of text.

That’s super functional, but the display is also more visible, so you can make out what is on the display for off-axis viewing, even at extreme angles. Think of this as the second half of what Apple was aiming to do with the Series 7 that curved down the edges.

To accomplish the Apple Watch Series 10 has a “Wide Angle OLED” display with an LTPO-3 panel underneath. In practice, it’s a wicked bright (up to 2,000 nits) screen that offers crisp, vibrant details and can get down to a super low 1Hz refresh rate. Watch and timepiece: fans will appreciate just how good the ticking secondhands look on various watch faces.

You’d likely expect this from an Apple Watch, but the screen on the Series 10, seemingly a pretty simple upgrade, steals the show here and makes a much bigger impact or impression after you see it in real life. The 44-millimeter to 46-millimeter doesn’t sound massive, but it makes me want to ditch my Apple Watch Ultra. Of course, if you don't want the larger Apple Watch, you still get the thinner build and more expansive display with the smaller, 42-millimeter Series 10.

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

Second, while Apple is still promising the same 18 hours of battery life, they offer an enhancement in the charging realm. I’d call this battery adjacent, as it can let you stretch the life of the Series 10 with a simple charge. It still ships with the fast-charging USB-C Apple Watch puck that’s been in the box since the Series 7, but thanks to a new coil on the Series 10 it can hit 80% in just 30 minutes. That should make a big impact, and you can still get 8-hours of use in just 8 minutes.

That alone might sway you to wear the Apple Watch Series 10 overnight for sleep tracking, but Apple’s also adding a new health feature. Sleep Apnea detection will arrive on Series 10 the Ultra 2, and Series 9 once the FDA clears it. Essentially, it’s using the accelerometer and a custom algorithm to detect if you potentially have it, and if it detects it, you’ll get an alert in the Apple Health app. It doesn’t need to measure blood oxygen or employ other sessions, and Apple’s only rolling out this feature after extensive testing to root its process in science.

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

These three stand out as the most impressive feats Apple pulled off for the Series 10, which debuted on the tenth anniversary of the Apple Watch. Inside, it’s powered by the S10 SIP, which performs similarly to the S9 (in the Series 9 and Ultra 2). Still, because the Series 10 is thinner, Apple had to engineer the inside, so it’s much flatter than the previous one.

Apple also redesigned the speaker, which is now larger and shaved off 1-millimeter of the Digital Crown on the inside. The red circle on the Digital Crown, which noted LTE connectivity, is gone, and the rear panel of the Apple Watch is now metal, matching the rest, which makes it seem like the Series 10 is one hull.

I had my skepticism going in, but I cannot wait to spend more time with the Apple Watch Series 10 and put it through its paces. Though, as I write this after a long, lengthy day at Apple Park, my mind keeps returning to the screen. It’s much more expansive, but it’s not overly large and doesn’t have an extensive bezel around the screen like the Ultra. It’s minimalist, classy, and still feels like an Apple Watch at its core. 

If you're already sold, the Apple Watch Series 10 is up for order now, starting at $399 / £TBC / AU$649 and will begin shipping on September 20, 2024.

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Hands-on iPhone 16 review: Two-minute preview

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

Apple's iPhone 16 is officially official, and returning are fun, vibrant colors, a redesigned camera bump on the rear, and a slew of new buttons. I'm on the ground in Cupertino, CA, and as Tim Cook closed out the "It's Glowtime." keynote, I dashed out of the Steve Jobs Theater and headed straight towards the iPhone 16.

First, the colors are fantastic and best described simply as fun, at least for most shades. Ultra Marine (a mix of blues, but don't call it blue), Pink, and Teal all come together to freshen up the iPhone palette and look delightful. I think Pro users will be a little upset with the vibrant shades here, though. You could say Black and White here resembles the more neutral shades that the Pros get.

Regardless of shade, it's most prominent on the back and is also the canvas for the redesigned main camera bump that sits vertically. It contains a 48-megapixel primary lens and a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens, and the new orientation will allow this iPhone to capture spatial video for playback on the Vision Pro. 

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

The physical changes live on the sides, though – the Action Button has trickled down to the standard iPhones and lives above the volume rocker. I see it as a welcome addition, and much like the new customization features of iOS 18, it is a customizable button on your iPhone. You can be like me and use it to unlock your car, play a specific version of "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen, make a custom Shortcut to trigger, or pick from presets like turning on the flashlight or opening up the camera.

Though, I don't know why you would set it to camera, considering the iPhone 16 has an all-new "Camera Control" button on the left. It's in the perfect position, as when you're holding the iPhone 16 horizontally, it's on the top right, which mirrors the design of nearly any camera. You can click it once to open the camera and again to take the shot, but it's a button filled with technology. You can swipe left or right to zoom in or out, and a slightly lighter press-in lets you jump between shooting modes and other effects. It's really cool, and I cannot wait to spend more time with it.

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

Aside from these changes, though, the iPhone 16 really resembles the iPhone 15 quite a bit. Thanks to an aluminum build, it still feels solid in the hand, but it won't weigh you down. To the untrained eye, the front is nearly all display, at 6.1 inches, and the OLED is still vibrant and crisp with details. It's still just 60Hz, so there is no buttery smooth refresh rate, but I imagine most folks will be split. If you have a phone with a 120Hz screen, it's best to steer clear, but if you haven't experienced it, I don't think you'll mind it all.

Plus, the Dynamic Island is on top, so you can use the Live Activities galore. During my brief hands-on time, the iPhone 16 felt snappy for opening applications, playing around with the new buttons, and even attempting a few games. There is also a new chip under the hood – yes, an entirely new one instead of Apple trickling the Pro's one down – and it's the Apple A18 chip, which can handle a lot. It will be plenty for daily tasks and will be ready to help you make the most of Apple Intelligence when those features arrive.

To address the proverbial elephant in the room, the iPhone 16 will come out of the box with iOS 18, meaning that no Apple Intelligence features will be available out of the box. The first of those features, Writing Tools and Photo Cleanup will arrive with iOS 18.1 in October.

That about sums up my first impressions of the iPhone 16 – it's a powerful smartphone that should be zippy with some extra buttons in a similar, familiar build. I suspect the experience will be a lot like the iPhone 15, but I'm also curious to see how it steps things up, especially compared to earlier iPhones. At the minimum, these are way more colorful, which is something to celebrate.

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol) Hands-on iPhone 16 review: Price and availability

• Starts at $799 / £799 / AU$1,399
• Pre-orders open on September 13, and shipping begins on September 20

The iPhone 16 was announced at Apple's 'It's Glowtime' event on Monday, September 9. iPhone 16 preorders will begin on Friday, September 9, and the new phone will hit store shelves on Friday, September 20.

The iPhone 16 starts at $799 / £799 / AU$1,399 for the model with 128GB of storage, with that price rising to $899 / £899 / AU$1,599 for the model with 256GB of storage and $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,949 for the model with 512GB of storage. 

Full iPhone 16 pricing can be found below.

Hands-on iPhone 16 review: Specs

Below, you'll find a roundup of the iPhone 16's key specs.

Hands-on iPhone 16 Pro Max review: Two-minute preview

At a glance, the iPhone 16 Pro Max doesn't look or feel much different from what preceded it, and perhaps that's to be expected. The competitive game of smartphones is now one of inches. The question is, can the small or even invisible changes add up to something big?

In the early going with the iPhone 16 Pro Max, I'd say the answer is yes.

Design-wise, it's a doppelganger for the iPhone 15 Pro Max...except it isn't. As soon as I held a sleek Titanium Black one, I was struck by the screen. It's still Super Retina XDR, but somehow, it seems much larger. Where the iPhone 15 Pro Max offered a 6.7-inch display, this one is 6.9 inches. That is Apple's largest iPhone display ever. Thankfully, Apple did not do this by simply making the whole device larger (it is a bit larger but more or less a wash-on weight difference). One way Apple gained so much visible screen real estate was by shrinking the black bezel surrounding it way down. I suspect that someday, that bezel will disappear altogether.

A bigger screen does make everything seem bigger, brighter, and better. But it's not just that.

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There is one other truly noticeable physical difference between the old and new iPhones. The iPhone 16 Pro Max (actually the whole line of iPhone 16 phones) has the new Camera Control.

This button is a bigger deal than I imagined, and I'm almost embarrassed to say that I already like it quite a bit.

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

Covered in sapphire, the roughly half-inch long button sits on the phone's left side a couple of inches down from the power/sleep/Siri button. It's recessed (which is important, and I'll explain why in a bit) and is both a physical button and a haptic one. 

A hard press gives instant access to the iPhone 16 Pro Max camera. That's a nice trick, but, of course, you could program the Action Button to do so, too. However, when I pressed lightly on Camera Control, I felt a little haptic vibration and then could sweep up and down on the button to quickly switch between the phone's cameras. If I lightly pressed twice, I gained access to deeper image controls. 

Using the Camera Control, however, was not initially obvious. I was pressing too hard and then not hard enough. It took me about 20 seconds to figure it out.

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

I could use Camera Control to switch zoom, depth of field, and image styles. Oh, and you're not blindly guessing which settings the Camera Control enables. Every time I used it, a little black cutout appeared on the screen right next to the button to show me every setting and control. 

Yes, if you hold the phone in landscape mode, it begins to feel like you're using a traditional camera...with one caveat. The feature that would let me light press to lock focus and long press to shoot is not yet enabled. I can, though, always full press to complete taking a photo.

I even saw how Snapchat is already using Camera Control to control images simply and send photos to friends with the press of a button.

Camera Control seems like a slight misnomer. The button will also be used to enable Vision Intelligence, which lets you point the phone at an object and press the button to get a description. It's like Circle to Search without the circle or, I guess, Google.

As I noted above, the button is recessed, and I found that it's quite hard to trigger it accidentally. That's a good thing.

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(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

The other big changes are in software and silicon. Inside the iPhone 16 Pro Max is the new A18 Pro. This is the apex Apple silicon mobile chip, a 3nm CPU that has more power for the Pro phones. It should also provide enough power to game to your heart's content. The iPhone 15 Pro Max was a pretty decent little gaming console, so I would expect no less from this bigger and better-equipped beast. I'll know more when I finally test the phone.

You won't need to play a game to experience this power, though. Like the A18 found in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, the A18 Pro has all the juice you need for the Apple Intelligence.

In my brief experience with the iPhone 16 Pro Max, this is not full-boat Apple Intelligence. When the iPhone ships next week, it won't have any Apple intelligence, but an iOS update should roll out next month and then Apple will slowly seed the rest of Apple Intelligence into these iOS 18-running iPhone 16 handsets over the coming months.

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

Here's what I did quickly try the demo iPhone 16 Pro Max phones running a later version of iOS 18:

I brought up some photos and navigated to the new Clean Up tool. I found photos that Apple had taken and some that others in the demo room added to the phone. In one, I used my finger to paint over offending objects and watched as they disappeared. I didn't make it easy for the phone, and sometimes there was only a partial deletion. When I used a canned photo with a distinct person in the background, Apple Intelligence Clean Up automatically found and highlighted them. I tapped the screen, and they disappeared. It was as if they were never there.

I tried the Writing tools, which I still think are sort of hidden, in Notes. There were many offers to change the text to be more professional, more concise, or a total rewrite. This is not a feature I am likely to use, but I suspect some will think it a godsend.

Siri has an all-new look, and she now makes the iPhone 16 Pro Max screen glow when you summon her. The effect is beautiful on the big-screen phone. It was a loud room, so Siri only caught part of my request. I think I asked for her to show me a photo of where I am, but she only heard "where I am" and quickly brought up my location.

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

While I took a few pictures, I can't offer anything definitive about the cameras. What I will say is that there is good news in this updated camera array. Now we have two 48MP cameras, one on the main Fusion camera and another on the new ultrawide. There's also still the 12MP 5x tetraprism lens. The main camera is reportedly faster than ever, with virtually no shutter lag. Between that and the updated image pipeline, I expect photography on this big phone to be better than ever.

I have not tried out the new Cinematic Slow Motion, which looks insanely cool, nor did I get a chance to try the studio-grade mics. I did see the latter in action and was impressed by how the In-frame setting could cut away any sound not coming from whatever was in the frame. I also thought the studio quality, which left in the background noises but emphasized the main subjects' sounds, was quite good.

The new 4k 120fps-capable camera looks like it will transform how people take dramatic videos. I like that there's a new speed control that will allow for easier stepping up and down of playback speed (half or quarter speed).

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

My takeaway from all these new photo and video tools is that this may be the ultimate pro videographer phone option. Apple, by the way, shot its entire Glowtime video presentation on an iPhone, and it's no wonder. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is a powerful device with some serious skills.

Apple is promising better battery life on all the iPhone 16 models, but the gains may be especially great on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Its much larger battery, coupled with the efficient A18 Pro and more battery management, might add hours to the battery life, but I won't know for sure until I test it.

Finally, there's the look of this phone. As I mentioned above, I got to touch the Titanium Black. It is a gorgeous device, and I really can't understand why you would want any other color. But if you're so inclined, it's available in White, Natural, and new Desert Titanium (think sand but shinier).

Is this the best iPhone Apple has ever made? Possibly, It'll certainly claim a spot near the top of our best iPhone list and maybe even best smartphones. I'll offer my definitive take when I finish my full review.

Hands-on iPhone 16 Pro Max review: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

• Starts at $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,149
• Pre-orders open on September 13, shipping from September 20

The iPhone 16 Pro Max was announced at Apple's 'It's Glowtime' event on Monday, September 9. iPhone 16 preorders will begin on Friday, September 9, and the new phone will hit store shelves on Friday, September 20.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,149 for the model with 256GB of storage, with that price rising to $1,599 / £1,599 / AU$2,849 for the model with 1TB of storage. For context, those are the same starting and maximum prices as the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Full iPhone 16 Pro Max pricing is as follows:

Hands-on iPhone 16 Pro Max review: Specs

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

Below, you'll find a roundup of the iPhone 16 Pro Max's key specs.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PC
Available on: PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC (Xbox version coming in 2025)
Release date: September 12, 2024 

The fact that Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics exists is a miracle - a veritable glitch in the timeline. After both companies seemingly burned its bridges after Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite’s disastrous reception, any kind of comeback for the Versus series became one of gaming’s white whales.

And yet here we are in 2024, with a brand new collection that makes seven Capcom-developed Marvel games available to play once again on modern consoles and PC. Sure, Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes is handily the standout title here, but the other six games (some of which have never received console ports before) are plenty worth checking out for casual and curious players.

Those expecting a content-rich experience won’t find it here, though. These are your bread-and-butter arcade ports and thus lack any additions brought to various other console ports over the years. However, with casual and ranked online play support alongside in-depth training modes and music and image galleries, there’s plenty to enjoy if you want to pick up one of these fighting games for regular play.

Reality stone

(Image credit: Capcom)

Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics includes seven arcade titles, and they are as follows: 

• X-Men: Children of the Atom (1994)
• Marvel Super Heroes (1996)
• X-Men vs. Street Fighter (1996)
• Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter (1997)
• Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes (1998)
• Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (2000)
• The Punisher (1993)

The collection is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 (and on PS5 via backwards compatibility) and PC. The initial omission of an Xbox announcement was puzzling to some, but Capcom has since confirmed it’ll be coming to Xbox One (and therefore Xbox Series X and Series S via backwards compatibility) sometime in 2025.

You might have noticed that one of the games in this collection isn’t like the others. The Punisher is a two-player beat ‘em up and released at a time when Capcom was arguably the king of the subgenre, launching around the same time as the Final Fight series, Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom, and the legendary Alien vs. Predator. The Punisher beat ‘em up may not be as fondly remembered as other Capcom greats, but it’s well worth a playthrough or two here, especially if you can grab a buddy for a co-op session. 

Best bit

(Image credit: Capcom)

Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes is the crown jewel of this collection. This 3-vs-3 team fighter features a colossal 56-character roster shared between iconic Marvel and Capcom representation. It’s not the most balanced fighter out there with a very clear set of top-tier (and low-tier) characters, but there’s so much fun to be had in its assist system that lets you tag in fighters for massive combo potential. 

Then you have the run of fighting games from 1994’s X-Men: Children of the Atom to 1998’s Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes. While Marvel vs. Capcom 2 may be the culmination of these games that came before it, I’d implore you not to write them off as novel curios here - especially as they offer plenty in terms of gorgeous visuals and compelling gameplay systems.

Marvel Super Heroes, for example, turns the iconic Infinity Gems into a gameplay mechanic. They drop into a match as collectible items and offer various buffs upon activation, such as increasing movement speed or adding projectiles to your attacks. Some characters also synergize with certain gems, offering unique abilities like Psylocke’s ninjitsu or temporary invincibility for Juggernaut.

The first Marvel vs. Capcom game is also incredibly good fun. It’s got one of the more unique ‘pre-Marvel 2’ character rosters, featuring the likes of War Machine and Venom on the Marvel side, and Jin Saotome (Cyberbots: Fullmetal Madness) and Strider Hiryu (Strider) among the Capcom picks. Presentation-wise, MvC 1 is phenomenal and showcases jaw-dropping team attacks that change depending on your chosen team of two. 

Getting jazzy

(Image credit: Capcom)

The centerpiece of the collection is unarguably Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes. As one of the most well-documented and highly-requested fighting games to receive the port treatment, very little can be said about it that hasn’t been already. While it was infamously looked down on at the time of release by seasoned fighting game players, it’s since grown to become one of the most beloved games in the community for a number of reasons.

MvC 2 might be a favorite among fighting game pros, but it always had extremely strong casual appeal. It was the ultimate ‘who would win in a fight’ game years before guest characters were commonplace in the genre - and with its 3-vs-3 tag team setup and massive 56-character roster, there are countless opportunities for team synergy and dazzling combos.

Now, it is worth noting that MvC 2 is infamously, comically unbalanced. As mentioned earlier, there is a very clear set of top-tier characters that handily outclass the rest of the roster. At the highest level of play, it’s extremely common to run into teams featuring Cable, Sentinel, Magneto, or Storm largely thanks to their strong full-screen abilities. And as the game is true to its arcade version without any kind of balance changes, it’s something you’re bound to run into if you jump into online ranked play.

By no means is this a dealbreaker; I anticipate that a whole new audience of casual fans - be they modern Marvel heads or Capcom fanatics - will be mixing and matching their favorite characters on either side of the roster. Hopefully, this’ll lead to a thriving online scene for MvC 2 that hasn’t been seen since its now-delisted Xbox Live Arcade port. 

Night at the museum

(Image credit: Capcom)

Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a fantastic way to play these seven titles on modern hardware, but it’s also a great work of game preservation in itself. Each game has its own gallery of concept art, much of which has never been disclosed by Capcom before. It’s a fascinating trip down memory lane and provides superb insight into each game’s design. Full soundtracks are also available to listen to, which is always a nice bonus.

Other welcome extras include a range of display filters, side banners (though I prefer to play with these turned off), the choice to play English or Japanese versions of each game, and the ability to toggle the selection of secret characters. Furthermore, difficulty settings and the option to set one-button specials are perfect for casual players who just want to jump in for some solo arcade mode fun.

Lastly, each game features an authentic marquee card that’s accessible from the collection’s pause menu. These will give you insight into each character’s special moves as well as how to activate unique game mechanics. Full move lists and a brand new training mode can also be accessed if you really want to get stuck in and learn your favorite characters inside and out.

Accessibility

Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is light on dedicated accessibility features, but what’s here is welcome. An option for one-button specials is a highlight, removing the need for relatively complex button inputs. Controls are also fully remappable for each title, and a variety of display options lets you choose a filter and aspect ratio of your preference. The Versus games in particular are known for bombastic on-screen visuals effects, so a setting to make the more intense effects less so could’ve been a benefit to players sensitive to visuals such as this.

Should you play Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics? Play it if...

You want to know what all the fuss is about
Capcom’s Versus games are highly regarded, but it’s been impossible to play them on a readily available collection until now. If you’re a Marvel and/or Capcom fan who’s always been interested in checking out these landmark titles, this is an exceptional collection for you. 

You want to pick up a new fighting game
There are six fighting games here that are going to draw in entirely new audiences for the first time in years. If you’re interested in learning a new fighting game with classic sensibilities, then this collection comes highly recommended.

You love diving into the history of games
The collection’s various galleries are packed with concept art and development tidbits that are utterly fascinating to peruse.

Don't play it if...

You’re after something more modern and balanced
These are older games that weren’t overly concerned with balance. If the idea of incredibly cheap team compositions or broken mechanics are irksome to you, then you might want to give this collection a miss.

How I reviewed Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics

I played Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics on PC for around 10 hours. That included arcade mode playthroughs of all titles, a full run of The Punisher beat ‘em up game, and a good bit of time perusing gallery mode and some time in training mode, too. I primarily used the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro controller for gameplay and the Razer BlackShark V2 X to enjoy the collection’s robust audio and soundtracks.

First reviewed September 2024

Zetexa is a relatively new eSIM provider founded in 2022 by Krishna Murthy, who has 38 years of experience in telecommunications. In spite of being new, Zetexa has caught the eye of travelers with its value-packed unlimited data plans in 170 countries and 5 regions.

We like that it offers various plans for various durations for each destination – 1, 5, 7, 12, 15, 30, 90, and 180 days. This is, in fact, a lot more than some of the more popular names in the industry. The eSIM is pretty easy to install, too – just scan a QR code and follow the prompts.

However, there aren’t many troubleshooting guides or FAQs on the website yet, but we can absolutely expect that to change very soon. Plus, there's only an online form to connect with the customer support team, meaning you may not find any quick resolution in case you run into a technical problem.

Zetexa: Plans and pricing

Zetexa offers some of the best unlimited data plans around with 4G and  5G connectivity for various validities: 1, 7, 15 days, and so on. Needless to say, the prices depend on the location, with the cheapest destinations being the Americas and Europe. 

A real highlight of the service is that for each destination, you get around 15-18 plan options to choose from – one of the highest in the entire eSIM industry. 

We also found plans for 5, 12, and 15 days, which you don’t get with other providers. Plus, there are a lot of options for 30- and 90-day plans as well. Let’s look at some popular Zetexa plans.

What's more, Zetexa also offers a 1-day 100 MB trial pack for all of its regional plans. So, let’s say you’re in Europe and are looking for an eSIM provider; you can get Zetexa’s trial plan for just $1.20 (this price depends on your location) to test out its speed and connectivity. 

If you're satisfied with the service, you can go ahead and purchase one of its many longer-term Europe plans. Other eSIM providers usually do not provide this option, meaning you may end up wasting your money if their connection speed and service aren’t up to the mark.

However, no provider is perfect, and Zetexa’s downside is that it only offers 5 regional plans – plus there are no global plans as yet, either, which may be a serious letdown for some travelers.

These are the best eSIM for international travel in 2024.

Zetexa: Features

Let’s now look at some of the best features you get with Zetexa. 

Unlimited plans

No surprises for the number one spot here, as one of the best things about Zetexa is its unlimited plans. Even better, these plans are flexible and are available for various durations (1, 5, 7, 10, 12, and 15 days) and geographical regions (Asia, Europe, etc.), as well as for specific countries. 

The prices depend on your location. For example, a 7-day Europe unlimited plan costs $21.30, whereas a 7-day USA plan costs just $12.10. This makes Zetexa ideal for short international trips, where you do not want to be constantly worried about how much data you've got left. 

With modern 4G and 5G speeds, you can end up using your limited data (1 GB, for example) in a span of just 1-2 days. However, with unlimited plans, you’ll always have an active internet connection to assist you while you're out and about.

It's also worth noting that Zetexa’s fair usage policy (FUP) applies to all its plans with unlimited data. So, you get 1 GB of data per day at your network’s speed after which the speed is throttled to 32 kbps. The speed is admittedly not too impressive, but it's still a win-win situation since you’d rather prefer having internet at slower speeds than not having internet at all in a foreign country. 

No eKYC Required

You don't need KYC (Know Your Customer) verification to activate and use a Zetexa eSIM. This means that you can get your account up and running within just minutes after you’ve purchased your data plan. 

However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. For example, Indian citizens need to provide their password and VISA details. Also, if you’re traveling to the UAE, Israel, Maldives, Poland, or South Korea, you will need to do eKYC.

Zetexa: Installation

Installing a Zetexa eSIM is very straightforward and the steps are more or less the same for both iOS and Android. Once you purchase a data plan from the website, you’ll receive a QR code. Next, follow these steps to install the eSIM on your device: 

Make sure to assign calls and SMS to the primary SIM on your device – because Zetexa is a data-only eSIM provider. 

Zetexa: Support

(Image credit: Zetexa)

Although Zetexa on its website claims to offer 24/7 customer support, we only found an online form you can fill out to connect to their team. You’ll then have to wait for the support agents to email you back with solutions, which can be a time-consuming process. Plus, in case the conversation stretches to a handful of emails, it's going to take a fair while before you finally find a viable solution. 

Now, other eSIM providers like Ubigi and KnowRoaming also offer only an online form for support. However, they also have extensive knowledgebases, with in-depth troubleshooting guides and FAQs on their websites, which solve most customer queries. 

However, all that we found on Zetexa’s knowledgebase was an installation guide. The only positive explanation to this is that the platform is still new, so we can surely expect more helpful guides in the near future.

Zetexa: Final verdict

The bottom line is that Zetexa is a good eSIM, especially if you’re looking for unlimited data plans. It offers data plans in 170+ destinations and 5 regions. Plus, there are a lot of subscription options to choose from – from 1-day to 180-day plans. 

The prices are pretty affordable, too, especially in the US and Europe. One of the highlights is that you get a 1-day trial plan for every single region, so you can test Zetexa’s speed and connection before you commit to a long-term plan. The eSIM installs easily with just a QR code, which is what we've come to expect from the best of the lot.

However, you don’t get any global plans with Zetexa. Plus, there are no troubleshooting guides or knowledge documents on the website, either, and you can reach out to the support agents only through an online form.

Zetexa: FAQs What plans do Zetexa eSIM offer?

Zetexa offers a lot of plans that together cover 170+ destinations and a few specific regions, too. Plans range from 1 day to 180 days, and you get more than 15 plan options for each country. Zetexa is also well known for its unlimited data plans – something you don’t get with the majority of eSIM providers. These plans are available for shorter durations, such as 1, 5, 10, 12, and 15 days. However, Zetexa does not offer any global plans as of now. 

Is Zetexa eSIM easy to install?

Yes, Zetexa is one of the easiest eSIMs to install. First, you have to buy a data plan from its website, after which you’ll receive a QR code. Then, just scan this code on your Android or iOS device and follow the instructions. At the end of the installation process, switch on data roaming on your device and make sure that you use your primary SIM for calls and SMS since Zetexa is a data-only eSIM. 

KnowRoaming has been a well-known name in the telecom industry since 2013 when it launched the groundbreaking Global SIM Sticker. With its eSIM, KnowRoaming offers cost-effective and reliable connections in more than 200 places around the world. 

You get excellent shorter duration plans, and its 7- and 15-day plans offer fantastic value for money. Plus, there are some good regional plans, top, covering destinations like Asia, Europe, East Africa, Oceania, Latin America, etc. The eSIM itself is pretty easy to install and use, and all you’ve to do is scan a QR code and follow the prompts. 

However, the lack of voice calling and SMS, as well as more expensive 30-day plans than competitors like Ubigi, mean that KnowRoaming isn't perfect. Keep reading this in-depth KnowRoaming review to find out everything about its cost, coverage, setup process, and customer support so that you can ultimately decide if it's the right choice for your next international trip.

KnowRoaming: Plans and pricing

KnowRoaming offers several value-for-money one-time plans starting at just $4. You can choose from plans with various validities – 7, 10, 15, 30, 60, or 180 days, depending on your destination. Here’s a quick look at some of the best KnowRoaming eSIM deals. 

While the plans do seem affordable as far as the short duration is concerned, they quickly turn expensive as you increase the number of days. For example, a 30-day USA plan with 10 GB of data will cost you $25.50. With Airhub, however, you can get 15 GB of data for just $11.90. 

Plus, we didn’t find any monthly or annual plans with KnowRoaming. So, if you travel frequently or are a digital nomad, KnowRoaming is undoubtedly an expensive pick. What's more, there are no 1-day plans, either.

However, a positive feature that stood out for me is its  25% discount on all purchases for Visa cardholders. Even better, this offer can be used six times per cardholder per year. 

Plus, you’ll also get a complimentary KnowRoaming 3GB global package valid in over 150 countries. The plan will be activated when you first use it outside your home country and will remain active for a continuous period of 21 days thereon.

These are the best eSIM for international travel in 2024.

KnowRoaming: Features

KnowRoaming boasts a short-but-likeable list of eSIM features that cover all the important bases.

Regional plans

KnowRoaming offers some really good regional plans costing as low as $4.50. For instance, I was delighted to find plans for regions like East Africa, West Africa, Latin America, and Oceania – popular regions that not many eSIMs cover. 

These plans come in handy when you’re visiting more than one country in a short span (say, 15 or 30 days). However, it’s always advisable to check the countries included in a regional pack before purchasing it.

Tethering

You can use the KnowRoaming eSIM to share data with your travel partner if your device supports a hotspot. This way, only one of you will need to install the eSIM when you're out and about. At the same time, though, it's worth noting that data may run out quickly if several users use it simultaneously.

KnowRoaming: Installation

KnowRoaming can be installed on iOS, Android, and Pixel phones – that's comprehensive coverage and includes just about every mobile device. There are well-detailed PDF documents on the website’s Support page that'll guide you through a step-by-step installation process. 

Here’s a quick overview of how you can install the KnowRoaming eSIM on your device:

• First, you’ll need to purchase a data plan from the website. Next, you’ll receive a QR code on your email.
• Scan the QR code and follow the prompts that pop up on your screen until the setup is complete.
• Upon reaching your destination, alter your device's mobile data settings so that it's using the eSIM and activate data roaming on your device. Once this is done, you’re all set to use your new eSIM.

We recommend that you install the eSIM before your departure since you’ll need a stable internet connection for it. You can then turn off your eSIM until you reach your destination. In case you're wondering, your subscription will only be activated when you use your eSIM in the destination country.

If you’re installing the eSIM on an Android device, head over to your Access Point Names (APN) settings and see to it that the option that says APN: globaldata (i.e., no capital letters or spaces) is selected. If not, you can add the APN manually.

KnowRoaming: Support

(Image credit: KnowRoaming)

If you face any issues while using a KnowRoaming eSIM, you can fill out the online form on its website to reach out to its customer support. If you do not get a satisfactory resolution, there’s even a WhatsApp number you can send your query to.

Besides this, we found a lot of FAQs on the website’s Support page with answers on installation, troubleshooting, and general queries. However, the knowledgebase isn’t as extensive as some other providers, such as Ubigi. 

There might be some questions that aren’t answered in the FAQs and your only solution then would be filling out the form, as mentioned above, which is admittedly a slow process – an email ticketing system, phone support, or live chat would have been so much better.

KnowRoaming: Final verdict

Overall, KnowRoaming is undoubtedly a good eSIM, especially if you like traveling for shorter durations (7 or 15 days). There are several affordable plans to choose from, plus you get an excellent selection of regional plans, too, that cover a handful of not-so-popular tourist destinations, like East Africa, West Africa, and Oceania. Put together, KnowRoaming offers eSIM connections in over 200 destinations, meaning it can easily support most people’s travel plans.

However, a significant downside to KnowRoaming is that its plans for longer durations (30 days or more) are more expensive than competitors like Ubigi and Airhub – and it doesn't offer any monthly plans, either. 

Customer support is quite decent, and your options include an online contact form and a WhatsApp number. However, there’s no email or phone support, and the FAQ section isn’t as comprehensive as some of the others.

KnowRoaming: FAQs What plans do I get with KnowRoaming?

KnowRoaming offers various one-time plans for 7, 15, 30, 60, and 180 days starting at just $4. These are available for several regions, including Asia, Europe, and Africa, as well as other not-so-popular regions such as East Africa, West Africa, Latin America, and Oceania. However, you do not get 1-day or monthly plans with KnowRoaming. 

When should I install the KnowRoaming eSIM?

We recommend installing the KnowRoaming eSIM before you leave for your destination. This is because the installation process requires a stable internet connection, which you may not get once you land at your destination – unless you find a free public Wi-Fi. Also, installing the eSIM prior to leaving would mean that you’ll only have to enable mobile data on your eSIM to start using your purchased plan upon reaching. 

How to install the KnowRoaming eSIM?

To install a KnowRoaming eSIM, you’ll first need to purchase a data plan from its website, after which you'll receive a QR code on your email. Scan this code on the device you want to install the eSIM in and follow the instructions via the prompts that you're shown.

When you reach your destination, turn on mobile data on the eSIM and enable data roaming. Additionally, make sure that you do not accidentally switch off calls and/or SMS on your primary SIM card – since KnowRoaming is a data-only eSIM.

If you’re looking for an effective malware-hunting companion, Avast Free Antivirus might not sound very promising. It’s the most basic product in the Avast range, a cut-down version of its free Avast One Essential security suite with most of the privacy tools stripped out; you’ll surely need more than that, won’t you?

Well, maybe not. AV-Comparatives is an independent lab that regularly runs in-depth tests of all the best antivirus software. Most vendors submit their full-featured paid security suites to be sure they get good results, but Avast sends this edition, Avast Free Antivirus. That shows huge confidence, but it’s easy to see why: this app, its most basic free version, regularly wipes the floor with almost all the paid competition.

Protection rates aren’t the only factor in choosing an antivirus, but they’re a very good start. Keep reading and we’ll dig into the detail, run our own tests, and find out more about whether Avast Free Antivirus could be the right malware hunter for you.

Avast Software Updater is a rare bonus feature. (Image credit: Future) Avast Free Antivirus: Features

Avast Free Antivirus can’t quite match the likes of Avira Free Security in the length of its feature list, but there’s a very good reason for that: it’s focused almost entirely on core antivirus functionality, and doesn’t waste your time with bonus extras you may never use.

Avast Free doesn’t have a VPN or a password manager, for instance, unlike Avira Free Security. But Avira’s free VPN is horribly limited, with a 500MB data limit a month and no ability to change location, and although its password works, it’s extremely basic and no match for market leaders like Dashlane.

Avast Free does have a few bonus tools. The Network Inspector checks your network for vulnerabilities and finds all its connected devices; the Software Updater looks out for missing security patches, and Avast's Ransomware Shield prevents untrusted apps from modifying files. 

Where Avast Free wins out, though, is with its core protection engines. It has full system-wide web protection to block phishing and other malicious websites, for instance; Avira doesn’t include full web protection in the free edition (the best you can do is install extensions for specific browsers.)

(Image credit: Future) Avast Free Antivirus: Getting Started

If you’re the type of person who runs an app installer and accepts every default setting, then Avast Free Antivirus could cause you a problem. It also installs Avast Secure Browser and sets it as your default browser unless you notice the warning (in suspiciously tiny print) and clear the checkboxes. We’ve no problem with a provider offering extras like this, but they shouldn’t be installed unless you specifically select them.

The Avast Free Antivirus app looks great. The screens are a subdued gray and white, but they’re brought to life with eye-catching splashes of green and orange. Icons are large, and you’re never left wondering what they mean because they all have a text caption. And with animations everywhere - panels moving in from the left, highlights fading up and down as you move the mouse cursor over them - the app feels more like a polished modern website than the usual dull static Windows app.

(Image credit: Future)

There are neat usability touches everywhere. Many free apps don’t highlight which functions you can use and which you can’t, so you’re regularly choosing an option and getting a ‘CAN’T DO THAT UNLESS YOU PAY!!’ screen. Avast makes it instantly clear with an icon at the top right of each button: a padlock means you can’t use it, a down arrow means you can use it but there’s something to install first, and no icon means it’s all yours. 

The first time you click any option Avast displays a clear explanation of what it does. (Image credit: Future)

When you click any option for the first time, Avast displays a help page quickly and clearly explaining what the feature does and how to use it. It’s another neat touch which avoids confusion and helps you feel at home right away.

Avast Free Antivirus delivers better protection than most paid products. (Image credit: Future) Avast Free Antivirus: Protection

We track the performance of all the top antivirus apps as reported by independent testing labs including AV-Comparatives, AV-Test, MRG Effitas and SE Labs. Most providers submit their full-featured paid versions for testing, but Avast sends its free edition, which shows a lot of confidence in its power.

That confidence seems fully justified, too. We keep an aggregate score of antivirus performance across nine major tests, and currently Avast Free Antivirus is equal first with Bitdefender and McAfee. (ESET, F-Secure and Norton are equal fourth, and Avira follows in seventh place.)

Avast Free Antivirus automatically blocks access to dangerous websites. (Image credit: Future)

Lab results are important, but we’re always keen to run further tests of our own. We began by attempting to access 50 of the latest phishing URLs, as collected by experts at OpenPhish. Avast did a good job, blocking 86% immediately. Bitdefender Antivirus Free was relatively disappointing at 64%. Avira Security Free scored a little better in recent tests with a 90% protection rate, but that was with a browser extension only. Avast Free wins overall because it has system-wide browsing protection which protects every browser and app on your device.

We switched to our malware test, and tried to download some very dangerous files from 50 brand new links. Avast Free did an excellent job, blocking 94% of threats either at the URL level, or when the files hit our hard drive. That couldn’t match Bitdefender Antivirus Free, which blocked 100% of our test threats, but was just ahead of Avira Free’s 90%.

These results can vary significantly depending on the files and links we use, but, on balance, we think they match the independent lab reports: Avast and Bitdefender Free are too closely matched to call, and Avira is just a fraction behind.

Scans are accurate, but are always trying to sell you an upgrade. (Image credit: Future) Avast Free Antivirus: Comprehensive Antivirus

Avast Free Antivirus automatically monitors your device to detect malicious files as they appear, but if you want to run a manual check, it has more scan types than anyone else, even paid products.

The Smart Scan runs a quick antivirus scan in under a minute, for instance, and also looks for poorly configured system settings which might compromise your security. Bitdefender’s Vulnerability Scan tries to do something similar, but we found Avast spotted more relevant issues and gave better advice.

The catch? Smart Scan also checks for a bunch of performance and other issues which can’t be fixed with the free version, and repeatedly prompts you to upgrade to fix them all (it took us an extra four clicks to get rid of the upselling attempts and return to the dashboard.) It’s a little annoying, and more pushy than most of the competition, but no surprise: you’re getting leading-edge antivirus for free, of course Avast is going to try to sell you an upgrade. 

Quick scan not enough? Avast can even run from bootable USB keys. (Image credit: Future)

If you’re looking for something more thorough, the Full System Scan checks your entire device for threats. This can take a very time, perhaps hours, but Avast Scans are faster the second time around.

That’s good, but it’s only the beginning. Avast Free can also run custom scans of whatever files, folders or drives you need, either from the app or the Explorer right-click menu. A Boot-Time scan can remove stealthy threats by checking your system before Windows loads. If that doesn’t work, Avast Free can even create a bootable USB key to scan your device without Windows running, helping catch stealthy threats that you couldn’t remove otherwise. Bitdefender Antivirus Free isn’t nearly as generous, leaving its own Rescue Environment and all but the most essential scan types for paying customers only.

While everyone likes free extras, we much prefer the Avast Free focus on its core antivirus protection. You probably don’t need a horribly limited VPN, but we’ll bet you do need comprehensive malware protection, and that’s where Avast Free Antivirus excels.

Avast Free antivirus: Final verdict

Most top free antivirus apps leave out at least some key features to try and persuade you to upgrade (Avira Free leaves out web protection, Bitdefender Free drops most of its advanced scap types), but not Avast Free Antivirus. It has all the real-time and web filtering technologies you need, and they block more malware than just about anyone else.

If you’re looking for more functionality, though, don’t rule out Avast One Essential. It has the same excellent protection, and includes extras like a free VPN. (Sure, it’s a very limited VPN - no kill switch, can’t change location - but with 5GB of free data a week, it might work for basic browsing.)

We've listed the best cloud antivirus.

Two-minute review

The Doro Hemma is a beginner-friendly video doorbell that can transform that knock on the door into something you can respond to, wherever you are. It comes packed with both an adhesive sticker and a wall mount that can be screwed beside your front door, and you can have it up and running within 10 minutes.

The doorbell also comes with a USB-C cable for recharging it, which is necessary after about 10 days of use. The 1080P camera resolution is clear, and it can detect movement, letting you know thanks to notifications sent to your device. The camera also has night vision, so you can have a clear feed when someone visits at night.

After testing the Hemma doorbell for several weeks, I’ve found it to be a great option for those just getting started with using smart home devices. The Doro Hemma app, available to download for free from Apple's App Store and Google’s Play Store, is very straightforward and makes the main features of the doorbell easily accessible in seconds. The Doro Hemma Chime, which can plug into any UK power socket, can ring loudly to alert you that someone has arrived while you're at home.

The Doro Hemma app is available for iOS and Android, and makes it easy to set up and operate your doorbell (Image credit: Future)

However, there are a few drawbacks. The doorbell detects any movement. This can be a hassle if you live in an apartment block and people walk past your door frequently, so be prepared for a bunch of notifications to alert you if 'movement' is enabled. Additionally, the lack of support for HomeKit, Apple’s smart home framework, is disappointing. This means you can’t check someone at the door while managing your smart lights or Apple TV in the Home app, nor can you use Siri to view the video feed.

That said, Doro’s Hemma Doorbell is still a great entry-level device if you’re new to smart home appliances, especially for £150 (about $200/AU$300) with no monthly subscription fee. Combine that with an easy-to-use app that lets you respond to someone at the door at any time, anywhere, the Hemma is an easy contender to be featured in our guide to the best video doorbells.

The Doro Hemma can be attached to your doorframe with an adhesive strip if you don't want to drill holes (Image credit: Future) Doro Hemma Doorbell: price and availability

• List price: £150 (about $200 / AU$300)

The Doro Hemma Doorbell is available for £150 on Doro's UK website, which is a fair price for what it offers, and about average for a battery-operated video doorbell. Inside the box, you'll find the doorbell, a plug to amplify the bell chime, an adhesive to stick the doorbell to a wall, a mount if you prefer to screw it to a wall, and an instruction manual. 

There are no extra accessories for the Hemma Doorbell - it’s a straightforward smart home appliance that focuses on one job to respond to those knocking on your front door - but that's what makes this doorbell so appealing. There's also no monthly subscription fee to access its full features, unlike many other video doorbells.

The Doro Hemma isn't available outside the UK at the time of writing.

• Value score: 4.5/5

Doro Hemma Doorbell: specs

The bottom cover releases to reveal the USB-C charging port, but doesn't detach completely so it can't get lost (Image credit: Future) Doro Hemma Doorbell review: Design

• Easy to set up
• Great app to check video footage
• Rechargeable battery 

The Doro Hemma is a video doorbell and nothing more. It's designed for people who don’t own a variety of smart home products, and don't necessarily choose to keep up to date with the latest smartphones. Instead, Doro has made a doorbell that simply shows you who's at the door through a video feed and respond accordingly. 

The Hemma Doorbell delivers on that with a clear HD camera and a responsive button that produces a clear chime and a flashing green light when pressed. Its white casing may clash with certain doors, but perhaps that’s the point. This doorbell must be seen, otherwise visitors may end up knocking on the door, wondering why no one is answering.

The battery isn’t removable, so expect to charge the Hemma Doorbell through its USB-C port about once every 10 days. Thankfully, you’ll get a helpful notification sent to your device that it needs charging, so it won't run our of juice unexpectedly.

You'll receive a notification when someone rings the Doro Hemma doorbell (Image credit: Future)

The Doro Hemma app, available on Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store, is well made for someone who doesn’t use their smartphone often. Its clean layout means that every option and toggle is a press away, as well as offering the ability to watch the live video feed from the doorbell at any time. A couple of features stand out, safety-wise. The 'Assist' function can divert the video feed to a friend or relative, so they can answer the stranger at the door if needed. There's also a 'Siren' button in the app that will generate a loud noise from the doorbell, alerting anyone nearby if you feel unsafe.

Overall, the Hemma app is intuitively designed that empowers the most inexperienced tech user, enabling them to manage a video feed or call someone for help if needed.

• Design score: 4.5

Doro Hemma Doorbell: performance

• Good wireless connectivity
• Virtually no delay when speaking with visitors via mobile app
• Motion detection slightly too sensitive

Once the Doro Hemma Doorbell is installed near your front door and set up using the instructions in the mobile app, it’s time to put it through its paces.

As long as there’s an active internet connection, you can reach the doorbell through the Hemma app on an iPhone, iPad, or Android phone to glance at the video feed. During testing the feed always displayed perfectly, whether I was using a Wi-Fi network or mobile data. I could easily see the outside of my apartment while listening to anything in the area if I wanted to, without any issues.

When someone presses the doorbell button, a chime will play thanks to the plug that will be nearby, and your phone will receive a notification that someone is at the door. The chime is loud and hard to miss, and if you’re away from home, pressing on the notification will open the Hemma app lets you respond to the person at the door by speaking to them.

The delay on the video feed was minimal - it was similar to having a chat through FaceTime or Google Meet. The audio was impressively clear too, whether I used my iPhone's speaker or wireless earbuds, making it easy to speak with visitors.

There's minimal delay on the video feed, which makes it easy to hold a conversation with visitors through the app when you're away from home (Image credit: Future)

However, I recommend switching off the motion detection feature. I found it to be very sensitive, sending constant notifications to my iPhone whenever something went by my front door. Whether it was someone who lives in an apartment adjacent to me, or kids running by, the notifications would pile up. If you don't live in a detached house, consider deactivating it.

Overall, Doro’s Hemma Doorbell is a straightforward product that does its job well, especially for those new to smart home appliances. The doorbell easily alerts users that someone is at the door via a great app, as well as the great quality of the video and audio that it provides.

• Performance score: 4/5 

Should you buy the Doro Hemma Doorbell? Buy it if... Don't buy it if... Also consider

We’ve got lots of tips on how to buy a video doorbell, but the best comparisons are below.  

Doro Hemma Doorbell not for you? Try out one of these alternatives...

Doro Hemma Doorbell review: How I tested

• I tested the Doro Hemma Doorbell for several weeks, using the Hemma app on my iPhone 15 Pro Max and Pixel 4a handsets.

I attached the Doro Hemma Doorbell to the side of my front door with the supplied adhesive with the ‘detect movement’ setting enabled to make sure it worked. After a while, I turned it off once it was proven to be the case.

I used the Hemma app to open the video feed on a Wi-Fi, public Wi-Fi, and 5G Cellular connection to test the quality of the feed. I also tested the audio when family knocked on to see how clear my wife and I sounded across the different internet connections.

The video was captured thanks to the storage in the Doro Hemma Doorbell and replayed on my iPhone and Apple TV to see how it looked.

First reviewed September 2024

Lenovo Yoga Book 9i: Two-minute review

The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i solves a problem for that small subset of users always frustrated with the limited amount of screen most laptops offer. And while using an external monitor is the easiest and most mainstream way to solve that problem, you’re either dealing with one that stays at home, or is an extra item to carry with you as is the case with the best portable monitors.

The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i then is probably among the best laptops for those who want to be able to compose an email or article without having to switch over to a different window to look something up. It’s also great for anyone looking to do some light photo editing that feels restricted on a regular notebook.

Though it’s among the best Ultrabooks, in my estimation at least, it’s not the most powerful. Since it utilizes integrated graphics, it’s not quite there for those hoping to also edit videos on the road. And that’s a pity considering the price tag that this comes with, but that’s also the price you pay for having two gorgeous screens, a chic aesthetic, and a bunch of accessories that can turn this laptop into a pseudo-desktop experience.

Basically, this laptop is a fantastic computer experience that some will absolutely love and most will find to be too much computer. For me, it’s just about perfect.

Lenovo Yoga Book 9i: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

•  How much does it cost? Starting at $1,980 / £1,965 / AU$4,499 
•  When is it available? Available now 
•  Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK and Australia 

In short, the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i is expensive. Yes, you’re paying for not one, but two OLED touchscreens with high resolutions, as well as the unique form factor. There’s also been plenty of care put into its design and aesthetics, not to mention that it comes with a Bluetooth keyboard, mouse, and stylus along with a keyboard carrying case that turns into a stand.

But, its under-the-hood specs are not that of a $2,000 / £2,000 computer, so it does feel overpriced, even if OLED panels are going to increase the price of any computer that they come with. At least, the upgrades are fairly benign as going from 16GB of RAM to 32GB is $57 difference and going from a 512GB to a 1TB SSD is just $30.

Of course, if you’re in the UK, you have to accept both upgrades in tandem, but it’s only a £55 difference. If you’re in Australia, you’re unfortunately limited to the most basic model.

Currently, there’s really only one laptop to compare the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i to (discounting its previous iteration that’s basically the same thing with a slightly weaker processor and different port selection). That laptop is the ASUS Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED. It starts at basically the same price point – $1,999.99 / £1,999.99 (about AU$3,134.28) – but has a slightly different approach to the whole two-screen setup, where one is smaller than the other and you can’t switch between a landscape and portrait mode like you can with the Yoga Book 9i. If you want to a deeper dive between the two models, we did put the Asus Zenbook Pro Duo and the Yoga Book 9i’s previous version in a head-to-head comparison. 

•  Value: 4 / 5

Lenovo Yoga Book 9i: Specs

The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i is fairly limited in upgrades. There’s just one CPU, the Intel Core Ultra 7 155U, as well as its integrated graphics on offer. The only real customizations or upgrades available are with the RAM and SSD, where you can choose between 16 or 32GB and 512GB or 1TB, respectively. 

Lenovo Yoga Book 9i: Design

•  Gorgeous inside and out
•  Comes with bluetooth keyboard, mouse, and stylus
•  Limited amount of ports

The Yoga Book 9i can be used in landscape mode (pictured) or portrait mode. (Image credit: Future / James Holland)

Whether opened or closed, the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i is gorgeous. Its metallic Tidal Teal colorway covers not only the outer shell of the laptop itself, but the Bluetooth keyboard, mouse, and stylus that come with. The whole setup is almost as pretty as its two bright, vibrant OLED screens, connected by a thin panel housing the dual two-watt speakers.

Speaking of, those panels are touch-sensitive. This allows you to interact with it digitally (as in your fingers), with the stylus, or to place it in “laptop mode” so that the lower screen sits where a keyboard would typically sit. This way, you don’t have to carry all the extras with you if you don’t. You would just use a particular eight-finger tap gesture to pull up a virtual keyboard.

To go along with the touchscreens, this is essentially a 2-in-1 notebook, so you can flip into tablet mode, which disengages one of the screens, or place it in tent mode, etc. However, I prefer using the stand, which doubles as the keyboard cover and carrying case to prop up the two screens. You can use the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i in either landscape mode, where one screen sits atop the other, or in portrait mode, where they’re side-by-side. I prefer the former, though I can see the latter being very useful to programmers or anyone needing to see two different windows next to each other.

Yoga Book 9i in portrait mode (Image credit: Future / James Holland)

It’s a unique experience, really only hampered by its price. And while I’ve heard of some having issues with the previous generation when in laptop mode, because programs would pop up in front of the virtual keyboard, I have not had that happen to me.

Laptop mode really only falls short insofar that using a virtual keyboard kind of stinks. There’s no tactile feedback and you’re probably going to have to look at it to know where all the keys are. At least it pulls up a virtual trackpad as well.

The Bluetooth accessories, however, are a pleasure to use. The keyboard is compact and clips on to the stand magnetically to stay stable. And though it’s tiny, its keys are not, so I never felt cramped typing on it. It’s not going to match up with the best mechanical keyboards, but it’s good enough to type up this article.

The mouse is fairly minimalist, but works as needed, not to mention feels fairly accurate. It also has the added benefit of being able to wirelessly connect to two devices, so you can use it with other laptops or computers if you like.

While I’m not a big stylus user, it was nice to the touch – they all have that textured aluminum feel - and seemed responsive during use.

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

The port selection here is a little bit of a letdown, especially considering that the previous iteration had a decent amount of variety. This version of the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i falls squarely into the MacBook Air-style less is more camp with its three Thunderbolt 4 ports. There’s not even a headphone jack.

As far as physical controls go, there are just two – a power button and a privacy shutter button, the latter of which I appreciate being included.

•  Design: 4.5 / 5

Lenovo Yoga Book 9i: Performance

•  Great for day-to-day tasks, not so much for demanding ones 
•  Two equally visually stunning screens
•  Surprisingly good sound for a laptop

Lenovo Yoga Book 9i: Benchmarks

Here's how the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i performed in our suite of benchmark tests:

3DMark: Fire Strike: 4921; Time Spy: 2208; Night Raid: 18128

GeekBench 6.2.2: 2317 (single-core); 8887 (multi-core)

25GB File Copy: 16.37

Handbrake 1.6.1: 9:23

CrossMark: Overall: 1361 Productivity: 1386 Creativity: 1391 Responsiveness: 1206

Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Gathering Storm (1080p): 19.421 fps

Web Surfing (Battery Informant): 7:38:10

When it comes to the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i’s performance, it’s quite excellent for day-to-day tasks, powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H and 16 or 32GB of RAM. I was able to have multiple tabs open at once, including having streaming video playing at the same time as I was doing work. 

But, since it just has integrated Intel Arc graphics, it can’t do a whole lot of heavy lifting. If you think of this laptop as a unique Ultrabook with extra screen real estate, that’s not really an issue. If you want to do demanding tasks, such as video editing, you’re not really going to do it.

While you can certainly take a look at our benchmarks to confirm this, I did a little testing with video games. I found out that this laptop even struggles with older titles. Consider the fact that it manages under 20 fps in Sid Meier's Civilization VI.

Now, no one looking at this computer is going to think "gaming laptop," but it’s just a good way to test how much power this laptop has. If you do photo editing, you’ll be fine as long as you’re not converting or editing batch files. If you want to do video editing, this is probably not the way to go.

And that’s a shame because the two 13.3-inch OLED screens look so good. Not only does it have color coverage of 191.2% sRGB and 135.4% DCI-P3 through testing (Lenovo actually rates it 100% DCI-P3), but it has an incredibly accurate screen with a Delta E < 0.27 (the closer to zero the better).

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

The screens also have a VESA-certified DisplayHDR True Black 500 rating, so the contrasts in shadows really pop out. Both screens are pretty bright at 400 nits. If you want superlatives, the two panels look gorgeous, with an eye-poppingly wide range of colors.

Surprisingly, the sound quality is pretty good for a laptop. No, it’s not going to compete with external speakers, but typically laptop speakers sound hollow and like they’re coming from a small, thin box (because they are). Here, the sound is actually fairly full, just missing some low end.

If you’re considering this laptop for work and do a lot of video conferencing, know that the webcam is pretty sharp, though not the smoothest with a 1440p resolution at 30Hz.

Lastly, like every laptop these days, you have some AI functionality such as Copilot built in. The AI elements that anyone will notice are more of a Windows thing, and is still somewhat half-baked, so don’t use that for too much consideration when looking at this laptop.

•  Performance: 4.5 / 5 

Lenovo Yoga Book 9i: Battery life

•  Decent but not great battery life
•  Slight drop in battery life going from laptop mode to dual-screen 

When one thinks of Ultrabooks these days, long battery life is usually a given. However, with the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i, you can’t quite expect to get 13 or 14 hours of use on a single charge. And if you think about it, it’s not surprising given that it’s powering two screens. On top of that, in my (anecdotal) experience, OLED panels seem to require a little more juice.

Still, the seven and a half hours that it can reach up to in laptop mode is pretty decent when keeping that in mind. The battery life drops down to six hours and 45 minutes in two screen mode, which is surprisingly minimal. You need to remember, however, that the second screen is still on and in use in this mode, though it’s usually just showing the virtual keyboard instead of something more active or vibrant.

•  Battery life: 4 / 5 

Should I buy the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i?

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)  Buy it if…

You want gorgeous screens

Two OLED screens are better than one, and the Lenovo  Yoga Book 9i proves it. Plus, the extra screen real estate might be a game changer for certain people who need to have multiple tabs open at once.

You need extra screen real estate

You could get an external, portable monitor to pair with your laptop, but that’s cumbersome. With this laptop, you have two 13.3-inch screens that you can use in multiple modes.

You want something shiny

Let’s be honest, most of us want a device that looks good. If you’re willing to splurge, this laptop is an eye-catcher. No doubt, it will be for others if you pull this out at a cafe.

 Don’t buy it if… 

You don’t want to spend two grand

If you’re not willing to splurge or need to stretch your cash, this is not the laptop for you. A lot of what you’re paying for is the unique layout and two OLED panels.

You don’t want to deal with extra devices

While you can use the Yoga Book 9i in laptop mode, it really comes alive with all its accessories. However, if you want to travel light and not worry about keeping track of them all, get a more traditional means of computing conveyance.

Also Consider

If our Lenovo Yoga Book 9i review has you considering other options, here are two laptops to consider... 

ASUS Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED

The ASUS Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED takes a slightly different approach to the whole two-screen thing. If you want a laptop without the need of carrying a mouse, keyboard, stylus, and stand, this might be the way to go. Unfortunately, it’s just as pricey.

Read our full  ASUS Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED review 

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3)

If that second screen is a nice addition but not that important, the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) might be a better way to go. It has excellent performance with a long battery life, and is a great looking laptop that’s incredibly lightweight.

Read our full Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) review 

How I tested the LenovoYoga Book 9i

•  Tested for three weeks
•  Used it for work, gaming, and streaming
•  Used it in different modes 

I used the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i for three weeks in a number of different ways. I broke it out it for work, including typing up this review (along with the requisite online research). I used it to stream video. I even did some light gaming, mainly running such as Poirot: The London Cases and Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst (which it basically couldn’t run). I used the different modes to see how the experience would change, played around with the HDR, and took the webcam for a whirl.

After spending time with the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i, it’s clear that this is perfect for those who want extra screen real estate without dealing with an external, portable monitor or those who want something a little different, whether as a status symbol or just something that offers a different experience.

I’ve spent the last few years reviewing tech gear for gaming and otherwise, where I’ve gotten a feel for what to look for and how to put a piece of kit through its paces to see whether it’s worth the recommendation.

 

•  First reviewed August 2024

Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer two-minute review

The Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer is a petite styler that performs surprisingly well considering its small size. In my hunt for the best hair dryer, I've yet to come across a compact styler that truly delivers full power and perfect performance, but the Dreame Pocket comes tantalizingly close. 

Despite weighing just 10.5oz / 300g and measuring a tiny 1.97 x 5.71 x 7.91in /  5 x 14.5 x 20.1cm, it has all the power and versatility of a full-sized styler. Its high-speed motor operates at 110,000 RPM and generates a powerful airflow of 70 m/s, all while keeping noise levels below 80dB. It provides five modes to suit different hair types and needs, ranging from Cold, Warm and Hot to the Instant Cold Air cool shot, and Hot & Cold Cycling mode designed to reduce potential heat damage. It comes with two attachments: the Unfrizz nozzle for sleek, straight hair, and the Curling nozzle for creating curls or waves.

In my tests, it took 3 minutes and 45 seconds on average to rough dry my long, thin hair using the dryer's Warm mode, on Low speed. This dropped to just 2 minutes and 35 seconds on Warm mode at High speed. The drying time increased slightly to 4 minutes and 5 seconds, on average, when using the Cycling Mode on High speed but the improvement in hair quality was worth this small time sacrifice. 

(Image credit: Future)

And all this is before we even get to the fact the Dreame Pocker dryer is foldable. This not only only means it can be easily stored inside its Dreame-branded storage bag ready for travelling, but it also allows you to adjust how the dryer is used. For example, when the dryer is in the "7" shape, it can be used on its own, or with the Unfrizz nozzle attached. You can then extend the barrel up into a "1" shape before attaching the Curling nozzle and turning the dryer into a curling wand. This hinged design additionally allows you to change the angle of the barrel mid-style, to help you dry hard-to-reach areas and bring a high-level of precision and control. 

The dryer isn't perfect, though. The performance of the Curling nozzle lets it down, and the attachments themselves are so clunky that they detract from the effort that has been made to pack a whole load of power into such a compact shape. That doesn't mean the Dreame Pocket isn't a good investment. Whether you need a quick touch-up on the go, or a full styling session at home, this hair dryer delivers professional results in a compact package. Just don't expect miracles.

Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer review: price & availability

• List price: $159.99
• Available: US/EU

The $159.99 / €159 Dreame Pocket hair dryer is the latest launch in Dreame's growing hair care range, joining the $99 / €79 Dreame Gleam, and $129 / €129 Dreame Glory.

It's sold in the US as well as in a select number of countries in continental Europe from the Dreame website, and Amazon. The folding dryer is available in a Titanium Gold color and ships with two attachments – the Unfrizz Nozzle, and Curling Nozzle – as standard.

Its price and power puts the Pocket dryer in the mid-range bracket, sandwiched between the likes of the $129 T3 Featherweight and the $149.99 BaByliss Pro Portofino. Its folding design and compact, lightweight shape also position it in the travel dryer category, where its rivals include the $139 Drybar Baby Buttercup and the $199 GHD Flight+, while the attachments even draw comparisons with the Shark FlexStyle and even the Dyson Airwrap. 

As a result, the Dreame Pocket stands largely in a category of its own and this enhances its value for money and versatility. It's not cheap but these features go a long way towards justifying its price tag.

• Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5

Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer specs Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer review: design

• 3-in-1 folding design
• 5 modes and 2 airflow speeds
• Curling and Unfrizz attachments
• Comes with storage bag

The first thing I noticed about the Dreame Pocket hair dryer, other than just how light and compact it is at 10oz / 300g, was its folding design. Other foldable dryers tend to mask or disguise the folding mechanism. Dreame instead makes a feature of it by not only designing the hinge in chrome, while the rest of the dryer is a brushed gold color, but also in showing almost the full hinge itself. 

(Image credit: Future)

The mechanism is incredibly smooth and the barrel locks securely into place, whether you're using it as a standard dryer, in the so-called "7" shape; extending the barrel upwards into a "1" shape with the Curling nozzle attached; or when you're folding it in half, into an "N" shape, ready to pack into a bag. The Pocket dryer measures 1.97 × 5.71 × 7.91in / 5 × 14 × 20.1cm. 

(Image credit: Future)

On the rear of the cylindrical barrel is a curved filter, and there are just two controls on the dryer's handle – the Airflow switch, and a Mode selection button. This buttons are used to control Pocket's two airflow speeds, Low and High, and its five temperature modes:

• Cold 
• Warm
• Hot
• Instant Cold Air Mode 
• Hot & Cold Cycling Mode

The Cold, Warm and Hot modes are relatively self-explanatory. The Instant Cold Air mode is effectively a Cool Shot that allows you to blast your hair with cold air instantly, without having to re-cycle through the modes to reach the dedicated Cold setting. As the name suggests, the Hot and Cold Cycling Mode then cycles between hot and cold air as you style your hair, in a bid to reduce potential heat damage. I first used this feature on the BaByliss Air Wand and while it increases the styling time slightly, it makes a noticeable difference to the finish and feel of your hair. 

(Image credit: Future)

It's easy to see at a glance which mode you're using on the Dreame Pocket, thanks to color-coded LEDs on the Mode selection button. A solid blue light represents Cold mode. Press the button again and you'll see a solid orange light which represents Warm mode. A solid red light represents Hot mode, and the lights will repeatedly flash between red and blue on the Cycling Mode. To enable the Instant Cold Air mode, just press and hold the button until the light turns blue. Note that once you stop pressing and holding the button, the dryer will return to whichever mode was previously selected. 

The hair dryer comes with two attachments, designed to create and set a range of straight, wavy and curly styles, and which both lock in to place on the Pocket's barrel using magnets. The Curling Nozzle looks almost identical to the curling wand attachment on the Shark FlexStyle, and it uses the same coanda effect found on both the FlexStyle and Dyson Airwrap to pull the hair and wrap it around the barrel. This dries the hair and sets it into a curl or wave, depending on how tight you wrap the hair, and how long you hold it in place. 

(Image credit: Future)

Dreame's Unfrizz Nozzle reminds me of the Flyaway attachment found on the Dyson Supersonic. It uses the Coanda effect to draw the hair towards the attachment, before using the so-called Bernoulli effect to reduce frizz and flyaways. The Bernoulli effect means that the faster the air, the lower the pressure. When used on the Pocket dryer, this effect helps calm flyaway hairs, causing them to lie flat. 

Both attachments are large compared to the compact dryer, and look almost out of place when attached. The Curling nozzle alone is the same height as the entire dryer and this detracts slightly from the travel-friendly nature of the whole setup. To put this into perspective, the dryer ships with a small Dreame-branded, waterproof storage bag which is only just big enough to store the dryer and its 5ft / 1.5m cord. You need to do some clever packing in order to get the zip to do up with the attachments inside, and even then, it's tight.

To truly appeal to all hair types, I would have liked to see the Dreame Pocket ship with a diffuser, but this is a minor point. Also, the Pocket is not dual voltage, unlike the GHD Flight+, which may limit its usability in regions with different electrical standards.

• Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer review: performance

• 1000-watt motor
• High-speed motor operates at 110,000RPM 
• 79dB average noise

There is very often a trade-off in power and performance when you buy a travel hair dryer, or even a compact dryer for that fact. This is not the case with the Dreame Pocket. I was amazed – and I don't use that word lightly – with how well this dryer performed on my longer, fine hair. 

The airflow speed, even on Low, does a fantastic job of drying the hair quickly without blasting it into submission. Despite the small barrel and grille, the hair dryer manages to cover a large amount of hair as it dries, and being able to grip the handle completely provides a high level of precision and control, as does the fact you can subtly alter the angle of the barrel to direct the airflow. I had worried that the location of the buttons would cause me to knock them mid-style by accident, but this wasn't the case. They're perfectly positioned to be able to apply enough pressure to change the mode, without ever getting in the way. 

(Image credit: Future)

In my tests, it took 3 minutes and 45 seconds on average to rough dry my hair using the Warm mode, on Low speed. This dropped to just 2 minutes and 35 seconds on Warm mode at High speed. The drying time increased slightly to 4 minutes and 5 seconds, on average, when using the Cycling Mode on High speed. 

I experimented with all of the various combinations of airflow speeds versus modes and the best results I achieved were using the Pocket Dryer on Cycling mode at High speed. The smooth and sleek finish it creates is worth the slightly longer drying times, plus after four weeks of use, my hair felt and looked healthier. Adding the Unfrizz nozzle to the mix then further enhanced just how smooth and healthy my hair looked. This nozzle takes a little getting used to as you run it along the shaft of the hair but it makes a noticeable difference. It also helps bring second-day and even bed-hair under control. 

(Image credit: Future)

I had less success with the Curling nozzle, however. I've never rated the Airwrap all that highly because I find its curling wands to be poor, and I had the same issue with the Pocket dryer. To get the best results, your hair can't be too dry or too wet and getting this balance right is an art in itself. The Pocket's Curling nozzle does a better job, in my opinion, of pulling the hair into place than the Dyson, but it's still too unwieldy and temperamental for my liking. I get much quicker, better, long-lasting results with my curling tong. I also found the weight distribution to be a little unbalanced when using the Pocket in the "1" shape and this added to my frustrations. This is a major flaw in an otherwise fantastic dryer. 

(Image credit: Future)

On the plus side, the magnets do a great job of keeping the attachments locked in place when you need them to, while allowing you to swap the nozzles in and out easily and safely while styling. And the final positive feature of note on the Pocket dryer is how quiet it is. There is little difference, noise-wise, between the Low and High speed settings with both averaging just 79dB during my review period. It is easy to have a conversation, or hear your music or TV while using this dryer.  

• Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer? Buy it if… Don’t buy it if…. How I tested the Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer

I used the Dreame Pocket as my go-to styler over the course of four weeks at home and during a weekend trip away. I used it most mornings as a replacement for my usual hair dryer – the Revlon One Step – to dry and style my long, thin hair. For travel testing, I packed the dryer in its storage bag and included it in my carry-on luggage for a weekend trip. 

To thoroughly test the dryer, I experimented with the full range of speed and temperature combinations, and nozzles. I paid close attention to the dryer’s features, how fast and effectively each of the modes and attachments worked, and how easy it was to use. I measured the decibel levels of the dryer on Low and High speeds throughout the testing period to achieve an average noise score. 

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July 2024

Nvidia GeForce Now: Two-minute review

GeForce Now (GFN) is a monster cloud game streaming service. With three distinct payment tiers – each providing access to gaming rigs of differing power levels and over 1,800 top games to play through them – it's one of the most comprehensive cloud gaming services around. It's not without its downfalls, and it may be better suited to a specific kind of gamer, but there's a lot to like about GeForce Now. Not least the ability to play games in all their Ray Traced glory on an RTX 4080 equivalent rig, from wherever you have good internet access.

One big draw for GFN users is the option of a free tier, and even a reasonably priced day pass should the mood strike you on your day off. In fact, there's a great deal of choice for GFN users depending on what you're willing to spend. Spend nothing and there's going to be a couple of big caveats. For one thing, Nvidia reserves the right to sell free tier users' data (including your IP address) to its partners. Aside from that little nugget, GeForce Now's free tier offers only one-hour-long sessions with ads between them, which means depending on the game you're playing and the server popularity, you could be waiting in a queue for a while each time you're booted to the lobby.

Still, as long as you can find a machine that meets the low-as-anything system requirements (and you can see the text) you're good to go either in a browser or with the GeForce Now app. I've been playing Doom: Eternal and Dishonored 2 on my Samsung Galaxy A15 from home, which while a little awkward with the small UI, is super convenient. The bottom line here is, yeah, GFN is portable as heck.

Of course, your experience on any tier is going to depend on how stable your internet connection is. And while most normal coffee shops might pose an issue, you'll be hard-pressed to find an internet cafe today that doesn't provide the minimum 25Mbps needed for 1080p gaming at 60fps. Gaming on IOS or Android is even easier provided you play games with a resizable UI, since dropping to 720p requires just 15Mbps internet speeds. That said, I would recommend using an Ethernet cable whatever device you're using, especially if you're going to attempt any kind of competitive gaming, because you just don't know when the Wi-Fi will drop out.

Working with 70Mbps for most of my time playing over Wi-Fi, I did see a bit of a packet loss spike when my partner started downloading movies. Otherwise, I had no major issues playing in 4K at 120fps without an Ethernet cable.

That was with the Ultimate Tier, which gives exclusive access to Nvidia's RTX 4080 servers. And while the top tier of GeForce now is a little more expensive than its main contender Amazon Luna, Nvidia has done the honorable thing in keeping the Ultimate tier down at the same price as it would have been to play with an RTX 3080. And as far as hardware goes, Amazon can't contend with GeForce Now. Its Tesla T4 GPU servers sit closer to the RTX 2080 Super in terms of real-world performance, which means missing out on a whole two generations of gaming advancement.

GeForce now remains one of the most convenient, reliable, and straightforward game streaming services considering the reasonable system and internet speed requirements, and simple, fairly priced payment tiers. 4K streaming at 120fps is the cherry on the cake.

(Image credit: Nvidia) Nvidia GeForce Now: Price and availability

• Free Tier isn't actually that bad 
• $9.99 / £9.99 per month for Priority, or Ultimate tier for $19.99 / £19.99 
• Day passes are a little expensive 

GeForce Now is the same price across the board for US and UK users and is available in loads of other countries across the globe with differing tier options. For the UK and US, you can choose from Free, Priority, and Ultimate tiers which are limited to one-, 6-, or 8-hour sessions, respectively, with increasing server priority and hardware specs at the higher end.

Nvidia's choice to opt for a straight-up three-tier subscription means there's no confusion over what you're paying for. You can't add extra bundled channels for Ubisoft, Retro, or Family games like Amazon Luna allows, but it's simple and easy to understand. The ability to purchase each game individually on your platform of choice through GFN means you won't lose access to your games, too. 

As long as you already have bursting Epic, Xbox, Ubisoft, and Steam libraries, and no high-powered gaming rig to play them, GeForce Now Ultimate is well worth the fee. That's especially true considering it's the same price as the RTX 3080 tier was previously. If you already have a middling gaming rig and don't go out much, it's probably not worth the price of a subscription just to add a few fps and some RTX capabilities to your games.

The fact you can jump in and try out GeForce Now for free is a great option, though, if you've already spent your cash on a new game.

There's also the option of both Priority and Ultimate day passes – 24 hours of gaming for £3.99/£3.99 or £7.99/$7.99. Compared to the monthly price, these are a little pricey for just 24 hours of game time. 

Nvidia GeForce Now: Specs

(Image credit: Nvidia) Nvidia GeForce Now: Features and interface

• Clunky UI with a controller
• Easy to drop in and out of games that would eat up storage
• Server timeout means queuing & reloading mods 

No matter your platform, the Amazon Luna interface is simple and easy to navigate. It shares a lot in common with video streaming services, as each game is presented through a panel where you can then view a trailer or further details. When you’ve found a game that you want to try, you simply hit the prominent “Play now” button and wait a few moments for it to begin. Some titles take a little longer than others to start, but I found that I could get into most games in under twenty seconds which is an impressive result.

When you’re in-game, you can hit a shortcut to open a basic overlay that displays the option to quit or begin live streaming via Twitch. In addition to capturing your gameplay, the Twitch streaming option supports external microphones and webcams giving you everything that you need to capture your reactions. Multiplayer games also allow you to start a Luna Couch session. This gives you a short code that you can share with your friends, allowing them to quickly jump into your game without the need for their own subscription. It’s a fantastic feature and one that I found worked surprisingly well, even while playing with friends with less reliable internet connections.

Games can be played using touch-screen controls, a compatible controller such as an Xbox Wireless Controller, or a keyboard and mouse if you’re on PC. You also have the option to use your phone as a wireless controller via the Luna Controller app in a pinch, though the lack of physical inputs and cumbersome layout make this a little more trouble than it's worth.

If you're struggling to find games to play, the Luna home screen lets you sort games by a variety of criteria, including different genres and age ratings. You can save your favorites to the ‘Playlist’ tab, making for a simple way to keep track of any longer games that you might want to dip in and out of.

(Image credit: Nvidia) Nvidia GeForce Now: Game library

• Heaps of online multiplayer games
• Not so many retro games
• Mod lovers beware the free tier 

For GeForce Now players, there are more than 1,800 games to choose from at the time of writing. Sure, there are going to be a few games in your library that aren't supported, but your average gamer will find most of their favorites up there. In particular, there are a lot of competitive online games compared to other streaming services.

Against Xbox Game Pass, the number of games available is tenfold for GFN players, and while GeForce Now doesn't give access to as many retro games or versatile bundle options as something like Amazon Luna, it lets you make the most of the hardware it offers through a vast and relevant library. 

There are even a good deal of strategy games for those who, like me, aren't big into role-playing games (RPGs) and online battle royale games, though you'll likely want to avoid getting the free tier if you rely on lots of mods. You'll need to redownload your mod library every session, so the fact-free tier is limited to an hour could see you downloading your game's entire mod library once per hour. It makes the free tier far less appealing for us sandboxers.

Should I use GeForce Now?  Use it if…

You want access to a high-spec rig for less
GeForce Now is a brilliant budget alternative if you can't afford the upfront cost to build your own RTX 4080-powered gaming PC.

 Don’t use it if…

You play games with heaps of mods
Timeout and you'll have to spend a while reinstalling your mods list onto the virtual machine. This happens each time your session restarts and it can be painful if you're in it for the convenience. Vanilla gamers won't have to worry. 

Also consider...

Still not sure that you're desperate for 4K gaming at 120fps? Here’s how GeForce Now compares to two other cloud game streaming services. 

Amazon Luna
Amazon Luna is one of the best alternatives if you're not big on current, competitive multiplayer titles. There's more retro games to pick from, and more package options so you can customise your experience. It doesn't allow for 4K gaming, however, and is available in far fewer countries.

For more information, check out our full Amazon Luna review.

Xbox Cloud Gaming
While the Xbox Cloud Gaming library is nowhere near as vast, there are loads of great deals for members. EA Play membership is included with the Ultimate version and it's a little cheaper for us UK folks at the high end. Although it doesn't come with 4K 120fps capability it's also one to consider for those switching between PC and Xbox a lot.

For more information, check out our full Xbox Cloud Gaming review.

How I tested GeForce Now

• Played a few hours a day of Baldur's Gate 3, Hellblade, and Ark Survival: Evolved over 186 Mbps Ethernet on a low-spec laptop
• Went wireless with the Nvidia Shield and laptop to check the stability over 70Mb/s 5GHz Wi-Fi
• Tested packet loss while downloading movies 

Taking GeForce Now out and about to places with different internet speeds was important to get a sense of its portability and reliability when lots of strangers were also there flicking through TikTok. I also tested it around the house on a few different devices, from the Nvidia Shield to a low-spec laptop with no dedicated graphics card, and even my Samsung Galaxy A15.

I made sure to check how downloading large files over the same Wi-Fi router would affect it, and whether it was stable when moving around the house, checking my internet speeds in each room over 5GHz Wi-Fi. I also tested over Ethernet connection on both my crap work laptop and my own RTX 3060 PC to see if it was worth adding the Ultimate tier to improve visuals.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed August 2024

Hidizs S8 Pro Robin: Two-minute review

The idea of taking the crucial business of digital-to-analogue conversion duties away from your smartphone (which has plenty of other stuff to be getting on with) and doing it properly using a dedicated USB dongle is not a new one – our guide to the best portable and desktop DACs is proof. And the idea of making the price of this USB dongle as aggressive as possible is not especially new, either. But Chinese specialist Hidizs thinks that with the S8 Pro Robin, it has perfected the balance between ‘price’ and ‘performance’. 

Certainly this little device looks more expensive than it is, both on paper and in the palm. Specification that includes a balanced architecture DAC arrangement from Cirrus Logic, proper hi-res audio 32bit/384kHz and DSD256 compatibility, and balanced and unbalanced outputs all bode well, as do low weight, tidy dimensions and build quality that makes good use of glass and aluminium.

And up to a point, the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin makes good on its promises. The sound it delivers via a pair of Sennheiser IE900 IEMs when compared to that handed over by an Android smartphone and an Apple laptop is altogether bigger, more detailed, better organised and more dynamic. Where all of these things are concerned, it’s an unarguable step forward.

It doesn’t take long to reveal one or two shortcomings, though. The S8 Pro Robin is no fan of the sort of squashed MP3 files that are Spotify’s stock in trade – it makes the compression they have undergone obvious, and compared to the work it does when given something of 16bit/44.1kHz resolution or above to deal with, they sound rather flat and undemonstrative.

And no matter the quality of the digital audio file you ask the Hidizs to deal with, it renders the top of the frequency range thin and hard. Treble sounds are edgy and splashy, and only get edgier and splashier the louder you listen. This skewing of the frequency range makes the S8 Pro Robin sound rather lopsided, and its top-end characteristics are tiring.

(Image credit: Future) Hidizs S8 Pro Robin review: Price and release date

• Released in May 2024
• Priced $79 / £59 / AU$119

The Hidizs S8 Pro Robin USB DAC/headphone amp is available now, having hit shelves (in most regions, at least) in May 2024, and in the United Kingdom it sells for £59. In the United States it goes for $79, while in Australia it costs AU$119.

This is not a lot of money for a USB DAC/headphone amp, it hardly needs saying – our favourites from the likes of Astell & Kern and Helm Audio cost well into three figures. But then again, a bargain is only a bargain if it’s fit for purpose… 

Hidizs S8 Pro Robin review: Features

• 32bit Cirrus Logic DACs 
• 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs 
• Supports up to 32bit/384kHz and DSD256 resolutions

Yes, the S8 Pro Robin is small and affordable. But that hasn’t prevented Hidizs from including quite a number of highlights where features are concerned.

For example, the S8 Pro Robin is compatible with pretty much any operating system – attach it to a source of music using the USB-C slot on the bottom and it can play nicely with Windows, every Apple OS, Android and Harmony. And at the opposite end of its little chassis there are both 3.5mm and 4.4mm output sockets - so headphones with balanced or unbalanced terminations can be connected.

It’s in between, though, that the real action is. The Hidizs uses balanced DAC architecture via a couple of 32bit Cirrus Logic CS43131 chipsets, and this allows it to support PCM up to 32bit/384kHz resolution and DSD256. Which means it has its Hi-Res Audio certification and the badge to prove it. 

Six digital filters offer a small degree of input into the eventual sound of the S8 Pro Robin – these can be accessed by simultaneously pressing the ‘volume up’ and ‘volume down’ buttons on the side of the chassis. The indicator light on the glass front panel briefly flashes in one of six different colours to let you know which particular filter you’ve selected, before it reverts to a colour that indicates the type and size of digital audio file you’re listening to. 

Features score: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Future) Hidizs S8 Pro Robin review: Design

• Aluminium frame
• 58 x 23 x 11mm (HxWxD) 
• 17g

Hidizs has done the sensible thing, and made the S8 Pro Robin as small and light as realistically possible. At just 17g you won’t even notice it in your pocket, and at 58 x 23 x 11mm (HxWxD) it’s about as unobtrusive as these things ever get.

It’s nicely built and finished, too. The frame is aluminium, and the front and back panels are of glass - it’s quite a tactile little thing. On the front there’s an illuminated company logo, and on one side three little control buttons. The bigger button in the centre is ‘play/pause’, and it has a volume control on either side. Press both ‘volume up’ and ‘volume down’ together and you can cycle through your filter options. 

Design score: 5 / 5  

(Image credit: Future) Hidizs S8 Pro Robin review: Sound quality

• Enough power to drive even quite tricky headphones 
• Open and detailed presentation 
• Insubstantial top end can get tiring

The most important job the S8 Pro Robin has to do is make your headphones (and we truly hope you've chosen something from our best wired earbuds or best wired headphones buying guides here) sound better than when they’re plugged directly into your laptop or smartphone – and it can most certainly do this. Plugged into an Apple MacBook Pro or a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra at one end and a pair of Sennheiser IE600 at the other, the difference the Hidizs can make to your experience is significant.

A 16bit/44.1kHz FLAC file of Mary Lattimore’s We Wave From Our Boats sounds fuller, more open and quite a lot more detailed in every department. There’s greater heft to low frequencies, a more spacious rendering of the midrange and a whole lot more bite and attack at the top of the frequency range (which, as I’ll get to, is not an entirely positive trait). Dynamic headroom is improved, soundstaging is more convincing, and there’s greater positivity to the way rhythms are expressed.

Move upwards in resolution from there and all of these positives continue to apply. Go in the other direction, though, with a listen to a 320kbps MP3 file of Idles’ Never Fight a Man with a Perm and the S8 Pro Robin can’t hide its dissatisfaction. Its dynamic response is underwhelming, and the overall presentation is, when compared to what it’s capable of with bigger files, flat and undemonstrative. To say that it doesn’t sound like much of an improvement on the unassisted sound of the source players tells you all you need to know.

Still, it’s simple enough to avoid this just by avoiding listening to horribly compressed content from Spotify’s free tier. What’s impossible to avoid is the hard, unyielding nature of the Hidizs’ high-frequency reproduction. The character of the treble sound is at odds with the rest of the frequency range, and the thin, insubstantial top end is tiring and ultimately not especially pleasant to listen to. And don’t, whatever you do, turn the volume up too far – the relentless nature of the high-end reproduction here is just compounded by loudness.

And it’s also worth noting that this top-end unpleasantness is exacerbated by the majority of the filter options that are available here. In fact, there’s only one filter (called ‘deem phasis filter’ on the Hidizs website – I suspect it’s actually a de-emphasis filter, and its corresponding colour on the fascia is blue) that gets anywhere close to calming the DAC’s treble response – and consequently that’s the one I selected when conducting this test.      

Sound quality score: 3 / 5 

(Image credit: Future) Hidizs S8 Pro Robin review: Value

In some ways, the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin represents unarguable value. For not very much money at all, it can turn your smartphone or laptop into a much more viable source of music, and as such is a gift for your wireless headphones. 

Sonically, though, it’s not quite the finished article – and anyone who’s especially sensitive to high-frequency sound is unlikely to enjoy the way it goes about things. All of which means it probably only offers middling value for money.

Value score: 3 / 5

(Image credit: Future) Should you buy Hidizs S8 Pro Robin? Buy it if... Don't buy it if... Hidizs S8 Pro Robin review: Also consider How I tested the Hidizs S8 Pro Robin

• With an Apple laptop and a Samsung smartphone
• With content from Spotify and Tidal
• Connected to Sennheiser IE600 headphones via the balanced output

As a process, there’s really not much to describe here. For the best part of a week I listened to the S8 Pro Robin while it was connected to either an Apple MacBook Pro or a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra using the USB-C input – Sennheiser IE600 wired in-ear headphones were connected to the 4.4mm balanced output. And then I listened to a variety of music, of a variety of genre and a variety of file types and sizes, from the Spotify and Tidal apps loaded on to both devices.  

• Read more about how we test

First reviewed September 2024

Two-minute review

EZVIZ’s EP3x Pro Doorbell is a smart device that allows you to view and respond to those knocking at your front door at any time. This doorbell has two cameras - one at a 2K resolution to see the person at the door, and another at 1080P that’s angled to display any parcels on your doorstep. The video from these cameras is super clear, especially at night. The doorbell also emits a bright light when it’s dark, providing a colorful night vision video, allowing you to see who was at your front door while you were fast asleep.

Granted, the EP3x Pro looks like a bigger, chunkier cousin of the Ring Video Doorbell Pro, but when you start looking at what EZVIZ’s doorbell offers, you can forgive the bigger size. First off, it’s battery powered, which lasted around four weeks during our tests. You can recharge the doorbell via a USB-C port, but it also comes with a solar charger that you can place beside it to keep it charged. This also means that you can place the doorbell anywhere you want, without having to worry about connecting it to a power cable.

The built-in 32GB storage is another standout feature, allowing the doorbell to record video straight away without a subscription. It’s a breath of fresh air compared to many of the best video doorbells, which often lock cloud services and exclusive features such as recording behind a paywall. It's a welcome approach, especially for users who may be buying a smart doorbell for the first time.

The EZVIZ app guides you through the process of installing the doorbell, and we had it running within minutes (Image credit: Future)

Throughout our time with the EP3x Pro, we used the EZVIZ app, available on both Apple’s App Store and Google's Play Store. The app was required for setting up the smart doorbell, which was a seamless affair. We had it up and running within minutes. The app provides a guided tour of its features, as well as how to maintain the doorbell with software updates and manage the video and audio settings.

One feature worth mentioning is the record list, which lets you play back video clips showing anyone who knocked at your door over the last 30 days. This can be very handy if you need to check on a missed delivery.

The EP3x Pro has two cameras, one of which is angled down to record packages left by your door (Image credit: Future) EZVIZ EP3x Pro: price and availability

• List price: $149.99 / £129.99 (about AU$220)

You can buy EZVIZ’s EP3x Pro Doorbell from Amazon, or direct from EZVIZ. It’s a great price for what this doorbell offers: dual cameras, night vision, great battery life, 32GB internal storage, and the ability to save video clips without a subscription.

The EP3x Pro is a particularly good option if you’re looking for a video doorbell that doesn’t need to be connected to the mains in order to work. Its price tag of $149.99 / £129.99 (about AU$220) and lack of membership fee mean it's also one of the more affordable battery-operated options around.

• Value score: 5/5

EZVIZ EP3x Pro: specs

The doorbell can be charged using its USB-C port (Image credit: Future) EZVIZ EP3x Pro review: design

• Dual-lens cameras to get a good view of the person and the package
• Battery can be recharged via USB-C or solar charger
• Very easy to install

The EZVIZ’s EP3x Pro has a minimalist design that reflects its main purpose: to show you who’s knocking on your door, and let you see packages on your porch.

The dual-lens cameras are very useful when you’re away from home to see who’s visited with a delivery, no matter if it was during the day or the night. Thanks to the EP3x Pro's bright light, visibility was never an issue during my tests.

I also appreciated the solar power attachment, which saves you the hassle of having to charge the EP3x Pro when it’s low on power. Some people may think it's an ugly thing to have beside their front door, but it’s a very useful one.

Installing the EP3x Pro is very straightforward, thanks to the supplied adhesive and mount. Combine that with the very handy dual-lens cameras and you’ve got a smart doorbell that will be a fixture outside any home for years to come.

• Design score: 4.5/5

EZVIZ EP3x Pro review: performance

Setting up the EP3x Pro is easy enough, from charging the doorbell via USB-C to mounting it near your front door. The EZVIZ app gives you a helpful step-by-step guide to what the doorbell is capable of, with annotated pictures that describe every button and function in detail to prevent you from pressing the wrong setting.

You can use the EZVIZ app to see up to six months of video clips, thanks to the 32GB of storage that’s built into the EP3x Pro. It’s a welcome addition, as many smart doorbells usually require you to buy a microSD card as well as a monthly subscription to use similar features.

The EZVIZ app sends you notifications when the doorbell detects motion, and allows you to review videos captured by its two cameras (Image credit: Future)

When the doorbell detects motion, it will send a notification to your phone that you can tap to open the app and play any video that the EP3x Pro has captured. It’s a useful feature, and we were able to respond to visitors in real time. However, notifications were sometimes delayed, meaning that we missed someone who had pressed the doorbell. We experienced this when connected to a public Wi-Fi network or 5G, so we suspect this is a bug that EZVIZ should look into.

The built-in battery with the supplied solar attachment is a standout feature. Unlike many other doorbells, which have to be connected to the mains, you can have the EP3x Pro run on solar power without having to worry about it, especially if there are power cuts.

Overall, the EP3x Pro is a fantastic smart doorbell that doesn't require a monthly subscription. Once you’ve bought it, you can take advantage of everything it offers. From that alone, it’s a smart doorbell that’s worth considering.

• Performance score: 4.5/5

The EZVIZ EP3x Pro has a clean, minimalist design (Image credit: Future) Should you buy the EZVIZ EP3x Pro? Buy it if... Don't buy it if... Also consider

We’ve got lots of tips on how to buy a video doorbell, but the best comparisons are below.  

Do you think EZVIZ's EP3x Pro isn't for you? Try out one of these alternatives instead...

EZVIZ’s EP3x Pro review: How I tested

• I tested the EZVIZ’s EP3x Pro for several weeks, using the EZVIZ app on my iPhone 15 Pro Max on Wi-Fi and cellular connections

I attached the EZVIZ’s EP3x Pro beside my front door with the supplied adhesive. I enabled ‘Intelligent Detection’ to allow the doorbell to spot anyone outside my apartment, so it could send me a notification to my phone if it did.

I used the EZVIZ app to view the video feed on a Wi-Fi, public Wi-Fi, and 5G Cellular connection through my iPhone 15 Pro Max in order to test the quality of the feed. I also tried out the audio when family knocked on to see how clear my wife, son, and I sounded across the different internet connections.

Video was captured thanks to the 32GB built-in storage of the EP3x Pro Doorbell, which was Replayed on my iPhone and Apple TV to see how well it looked.

First reviewed September 2024

Morel Biggie: Two-minute review

The Morel Biggie is the smaller sibling of Morel’s Högtalare (Swedish for speaker) – and is ironically named, given its compact size. But don’t let that fool you, because sonically it packs a punch.

It oozes class thanks to its superb engineering, evident from the perfectly planned surfaces on every side. It’s hard to imagine it looking out of place in any home, especially given the myriad colorways available. But home is where you’ll want to keep the Biggie, because even though Morel describes it as a portable speaker, it’s still too big and heavy to be carried around easily.

True to form, the Biggie’s feature set is similarly spartan, even for a Bluetooth-only speaker. One for our best Bluetooth speakers buying guide? Well, there’s no app to control or alter its settings, which is a pretty big omission and one the bulk of the competition (even at much lower price-points) does offer in 2024. There are five buttons for operation, but the only additional interface feature is the battery level indicator. And this is poorly implemented, requiring you to hold both volume buttons to reveal the level via the LEDs of all five buttons, which is far from precise.

As for audio features, the biggie (sorry) is Auracast compatibility, which allows you to join Auracast audio streams, designed for broadcasting to an unlimited number of playback devices. You can also use two Biggies in unison for stereo playback, although I was unable to test this feature as I was only given one unit to review.

The Biggie makes a strong impression on first listen, bellowing out the bass notes and creating a sense of space that rivals some of the best Bluetooth speakers out there. Mids and highs are mostly clear and detailed, but there are too many occasions when that low-end dominates the sonic space, masking the subtleties of other frequencies.

Morel’s dynamic EQ also fails to achieve its goal of optimizing the listening experience depending on volume, and the lack of hi-res codec support means there’s no way to improve the audio further.

Battery life is also average, and during my tests it failed to live up to its claimed 20 hours, ending up closer to 16. Fast charging is available, though, which means going from empty to full takes just two hours and only 20 minutes to get four hours of playback.

As for price, the Biggie is undeniably costly, and it seems most of your money is going towards the superlative build quality. The lack of features could be forgiven if the sound was truly exceptional, but it fails to deliver on that front too.

If it’s features you’re after, Sonos’s range of speakers, including the Sonos Roam 2 and Sonos Era 100, offer a ton of options and customizations plus wi-fi support, and cost less than the Biggie. If you want a standout sonic performer, the Audio Pro C20 is one of the best in that department.

(Image credit: Future) Morel Biggie review: Price & release date

• $299 / £299 / $AU499
• Multiple colorways
• Available worldwide

The Morel Biggie is available now for $299 / £299 / $AU499. It comes in several colorways, ranging from monotones and oak to shades of blue, green, and red. The faux leather strap is either black or brown, depending on the colorway.

It sits towards the higher end of the market, making it more expensive than the Sonos Era 100, our current pick as the best wireless speaker. It is considerably cheaper than the Era 300, though, which is slightly bigger than the Biggie, and features Dolby Atmos support plus multi-room audio using your home wi-fi network, among other technologies.

There are also cheaper alternatives that offer better portability, such as the Sonos Roam 2, our number one pick overall for Bluetooth speakers, and the B&O Beosound A1 Gen 2, which we think is the best for sound quality.

Morel Biggie review: specs

(Image credit: Future) Morel Biggie review: Features

• Bluetooth and 3.5mm AUX playback
• Stereo playback possible
• No app

In terms of functionality, the Biggie is about as simple as wireless speakers get. There are only five buttons on the Biggie: one for power, two for volume, one for pairing, and one for switching between wired or wireless connections. On the back is a single USB-C port for charging the speaker, which can also be used for charging a phone (although this didn’t work with my Google Pixel 7a). The port doesn’t allow for wired playback, though – there’s a 3.5mm AUX input for that.

There’s also very little in the way of audio enhancements, with no support for Dolby Atmos, Spatial Audio, and hi-res codecs like aptX. It is Auracast compatible, which lets you join audio broadcasts that can potentially reach an unlimited number of playback devices. You can use two units together in stereo, but as I only had one test unit, I couldn’t try this out.

There’s only one way to use the Biggie wirelessly and that’s via Bluetooth. While it paired instantly with a FiiO M11S music player, it struggled to connect to my Pixel 7a. It remained stuck in pairing on the first attempt, and on the second it paired but failed to establish a connection, with the Biggie’s pairing button flashing interminably. After pressing the mode select button twice it connected successfully. Of course, minor glitches like this can occur when pairing devices, but I’ve never had an issue pairing the latest audio devices with my phone before, and it’s a blemish on a speaker of this price.

To check the battery level, you have to hold both volume buttons for two seconds. The lights of all five buttons indicate the battery's remaining charge, making for an imprecise measurement – and since there’s no app, it’s the only option. Again, it’s an oversight on a modern-day premium wireless speaker to have no mobile app of any kind.

(Image credit: Future)

There are other issues with the battery indicator too. When I tried checking the level on a full charge, all five buttons flashed very quickly and faintly, which seemed like a glitch of some kind. Also, when holding the two volume buttons together they’re obscured, so when the battery is between 21-40% or 10-20% – which is when only the volume buttons will light – you can’t see the readout until you’ve taken your fingers away. Suffice to say, it’s not the most elegant solution – ironic given it’s designed to preserve the Biggie’s minimalist design.

Morel claims the battery will last up to 20 hours, which is reasonable for a wireless speaker. Things didn’t get off to a good start during my tests, though: after only one hour of continuous playback, it dropped to four lights, indicating a level of between 61-80% (I believe it was closer to the latter figure).

However, for the next five and a half hours of playback, it remained at this level before dropping to about 60%, so thankfully the battery’s rate of depletion didn’t follow its initial trajectory. Extrapolating beyond this figure, though, the Biggie still falls short of its purported lifespan: realistically, it’s closer to 16 hours.

• Features score: 2/5

(Image credit: Future) Morel Biggie review: Sound quality

• Full and rich sound
• Excessive boom
• No hi-res codec support

Given the compact size of the Biggie, the bass sounds are surprisingly full and powerful, with plenty of punch. Highs are crisp and mids are clear for the most part. What’s most impressive is the sense of space the Biggie imparts, doing an admirable job of rendering the kind of experience you’d expect from a much larger speaker.

However, the Biggie is all too prone to excessive amounts of boom, even with the volume low; the so-called dynamic EQ fails to keep the sound in check at all levels as is claimed, and it’s unable to rein in mild distortion at higher levels. The speaker is definitely best experienced at a distance, but even then, that boominess all too often masks the finer details, especially in classical and other string-heavy music.

It’s also a shame that a speaker aiming for the premium end of the market only supports lossy SBC and ACC codecs, losing out on the higher fidelity offered by LDAC, aptX (which the larger Högtalare supports), and others. Using a wired connection via the 3.5mm AUX input doesn’t improve matters either, sounding near-identical to its wireless counterpart.

The volume controls don’t offer enough increments, with the lowest possible setting still too loud and boomy for more discreet listening. They also frequently clash with the volume controls on playback devices, with one overriding the other. A dedicated app could’ve kept volume levels consistent between speaker and source. It could’ve also offered an adjustable EQ for those who like to dial in their preferred settings.

• Sound quality score: 3/5

Morel Biggie review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Brilliant build quality
• Ultra-minimalist
• Weight compromises portability

It’s clear the Biggie is going for the sleek, ultra-minimalist look, with a hint of tradition courtesy of the large faux leather handle – which, together with the strap locks, serves to imitate a pair of headphones, a design choice I have to believe was intentional.

The overall engineering of the Biggie is impeccable, even down to the included USB-C cable. Every edge and fixture is solid and seamless, although the fitting of the back panel in my test model wasn’t quite perfect. Still, it was more than acceptable and barely a cause for complaint.

Every side of the Biggie is completely flat, making it easy to fit anywhere in your home. The four rubber feet are thick and sturdy, keeping the Biggie firmly planted. However, despite Morel claiming it to be a portable speaker, it’s too cumbersome and heavy to take on your travels. Really, this is an indoor speaker meant to be kept in place.

The aforementioned strap can be removed if you want to streamline the Biggie even more, simply by unscrewing the side clamps. There’s an optional wall mount available from Morel, should you wish to declutter your space even more.

The magnetic cloth grill is incredibly slick and, again, feels engineered to the highest standards. A small yet sturdy leather tab can be used to pull the panel off, although it's a little surplus to requirements, more of a style accessory than anything else. The fit and finish of the panel are faultless, and it's an incredibly elegant solution to masking the buttons that sit behind, invisible until the LEDs shine through once powered on.

But despite the quality of the grill, I do worry that the thin cloth will degrade after repeated button presses through it. After only a few days with the Biggie, I began to notice a crease running up the cloth from repeated compressions against the large button panel.

Another issue is that you can’t see the power button when it’s off. Muscle memory will take hold quite quickly, but it’s still a quirky design choice to hide it from view completely and illustrates just how committed Morel is to the Biggie’s minimal aesthetic.

True to the rest of the speaker, the Biggie’s buttons are solid yet light to the touch, with a pleasing clack to the presses. Their fit isn’t quite as perfect as other aspects of the Biggie’s overall construction, but I’m nitpicking here; they’re certainly up to the standards you would expect from a speaker of this price.

• Design score: 3.5/5

Morel Biggie review: Value

At $299 / £299 / AU$499, there’s no denying the Biggie is an expensive wireless speaker. It’s more expensive than the Sonos Era 100, our number one pick for the best wireless speaker, which has more features and the brand’s unique ability to create a network of speakers for a complete home setup.

If you’re looking for a more portable experience, then our current pick for the best Bluetooth speaker, the Sonos Roam 2, is cheaper than the Biggie and fits in your luggage nicely thanks to its pill-like shape. It also has an IP67 waterproof rating, making it ideal for travel. Overall, it’s a more versatile performer than the Biggie.

Other similarly premium speakers include the Bose SoundLink Max, which is sturdy and portable but $100 more than the Biggie. Being a hardy, go-anywhere speaker, though, it’s also got an IP67 rating, and a battery life that actually lasts the 20 hours it claims, according to our tests.

Should I buy the Morel Biggie?

(Image credit: Future) Buy it if...

You adore minimalism
If you want zero fuss in your speaker, then look no further than the Biggie. It’s as clean as they come and fits in virtually any space in any home.

You want a sense of space
For such a small unit, the Biggie impresses with its all-encompassing soundscapes. The low-end response is also powerful.

Don't buy it if...

You want the best sound
The Biggie gets boomy all too easily, and the lack of any hi-res codec support is a real shame on a speaker this premium.

You want plenty of features
There are no extras on the Biggie: you get Bluetooth and wired playback, and a few buttons for control. There’s no app or settings to adjust.

You want portability
Despite what Morel says, you’ll struggle to carry the Biggie around comfortably. There are plenty of Bluetooth speakers out there that are much better suited for this purpose.

Morel Biggie review: Also consider

Sonos Era 100
The Sonos Era 100 is at the top of our wireless speaker list for a reason – and that is stellar sound that’s improved even over its sibling, the Sonos One, including better bass tones and a wider broadcast for optimal listening across a larger area. It also undercuts the Biggie on price.
Find out more in our Sonos Era 100 review

Tribit Stormbox Micro 2
If you’re after something more budget-friendly, the Tribit is one of the best Bluetooth speakers around. The sound quality belies its tiny size and it comes packed with features, including a power bank function, a built-in strap that can fit on your bike, and a microphone.
Read our full Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 review

How I tested the Morel Biggie

I tested the Morel Biggie for about a week and tried it with a variety of playback sources, including my phone, a laptop and a music player. I tested both its Bluetooth and wired capabilities.

I mainly listened to music via Tidal, a streaming service that allows for hi-res playback, although this wasn’t applicable in the Biggie’s case, reverting to the SBC/ AAC formats instead. I used TechRadar’s specialized playlist, designed to put audio devices through their paces with a comprehensive mix of genres and sonic styles, ranging from pop and electronic dance, to jazz and classical across multiple eras.

I tested the battery by letting the Biggie run continuously for six hours and took readings about every hour. Since there’s no volume readout, I can’t say exactly what levels I had set but suffice to say, I would describe my sessions as being comfortably loud.

First reviewed: September 2024

PlayStation Pulse Elite: Two-minute review

The PlayStation Pulse Elite is the next official headset from Sony for the PS5, offering a more premium wireless audio companion for the current-gen console.

The new features and tech inside the Elite, its superb audio quality, depth, and detail, and its ease and speed of connectivity across the PS5 and PlayStation Portal connectivity mean it’s an easy recommendation to make and gives many of the best PS5 headsets a run for their money.  

Like its gaming earbud brethren, the PlayStation Pulse Explore earbuds, there are some hugely enticing selling points with the Pulse Elite headset. The first is the inclusion of planar magnetic drivers to provide stellar gaming audio, and the second is the PlayStation Link connectivity compatibility. Both are excellent features and make for a compelling gaming headset package for those looking to upgrade their audio game, make a jump up from 2020’s Pulse 3D headset, and certainly those that are enjoying the PlayStation Portal too.

The planar magnetic drivers provide some of the best audio I’ve experienced on PS5. All the way up the sound spectrum, from booming bass, to rich middles and pitch-perfect highs, and in all game genres and scenarios the audio absolutely sings. 

The Elite’s PlayStation Link connectivity is a feature that’ll be attractive to some - though it admittedly does remain somewhat niche right now. However, what it does mean is that the Elite is a perfect companion for the PlayStation Portal and will connect directly to it wirelessly via Sony’s new proprietary wireless connection, PlayStation Link; a huge bonus given there are only two devices that offer this (officially) - the other being the Pulse Explore buds.

It’s not all roses though as I personally find the design and build strangely shaped and of a bulbous form when it's on your head. Plus the set is a bit heavy compared to its direct competition. Even though you won’t see this bulbous shape when you’re wearing it, you’re reminded of it by anyone you live with, as well as the overall weight of the headset.

The mic isn’t a world-beater but it’s still wonderfully clear and crisp and has a very tidy retractable design that means it disappears into the headset when you don’t need it. The same plus point on design impacts the controls too, all of which are neatly and intuitively positioned for interaction.

Overall, if you’re looking for a PS5 headset upgrade or something to buy that’ll service your gaming on the console and on PlayStation Portal then the Pulse Elite is easy to recommend.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar) PlayStation Pulse Elite: Price and availability

• List price: $149.99 / £129.99 / AU$239.95
• Faces stiff competition at this price point
• Widely available in most regions

Launching in February of 2024, the price point of the PlayStation Pulse Elite is about right for what it offers - a premium official PS5 headset with more than its predecessor, the Pulse 3D. However, it does still face extremely stiff competition, particularly from third-party brands such as SteelSeries and Turtle Beach. 

Facing direct competition from the former’s Arctis Nova 5 (priced at the same point) and the Arctis Nova 7P (a little bit more expensive) means the Elite is in a crowded room. The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX and slightly cheaper Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX also provide direct matchups.

As I say, however, with the Elite offering a superior experience compared to the other official model, the Pulse 3D, the pricing feels about right - especially with those planar magnetic drivers, which are usually reserved for super-premium headsets like the Audeze Maxwell.

The Elite will also benefit hugely from any price cuts or sales - if it ever drops to the $100 / £100 mark - therefore almost the same level as a Pulse 3D - then the proposition becomes a no-brainer for PS5 owners.

PlayStation Pulse Elite: Specs

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar) PlayStation Pulse Elite: Design and features

• Bulbous design won’t be for everyone
• Great connectivity to PlayStation Portal as well as PS5
• Neat retractable mic and button set

The Pulse Elite shares the same design aesthetic and language as the PS5 family of consoles and accessories. Sweeping white curves and contrasting black elements work together once again to make for a striking design that’s easy on the eye and very slick. It’s a solid and pleasing evolution of the Pulse 3D design and looks immediately like a worthy successor.

Overall the shape and design of the headset do mean it’s much bulkier in mass and weight than its predecessor. When wearing it on your head the Elite has a distinctly bulbous appearance which is not flattering, to say the least. While you may not see it yourself, it’s enough for me to make it noteworthy and bring it to attention. You’re also reminded of that design when examining its weight. Coming in at 12.2oz / 347g, it’s nearly two ounces (almost 60 grams) heavier than the Pulse 3D and weightier than the likes of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 too (9.5oz / 266g).

Completing the minor qualms I have with the design is a tiny note about the leatherette material on the cups. I noticed it slides around (against the harder plastic underneath) under your fingers when you hold the cups which is slightly disconcerting and detracts from the premium feel of a headset that costs comfortably north of $100 / £100 - though ultimately makes no impact on use or experience.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

However, beyond these issues, the headset’s build is robust and can survive a bump, while it’s also flexible enough to find the right fit to wear for hours.

The buttons and onboard controls are also a success. The retractable mic is housed in one of the wireless gaming headset’s ‘arms’ (the narrow white plastic parts which the cups are attached too) - the slightly longer one on the left-hand side - and features slick textures in the form of the PlayStation face button shapes to give it grip. It’s also got a visible-but-not-distracting LED and a mute button. On the right-hand headset arm, there’s a dual-purpose power and PlayStation Link connection button, volume controls, and the USB-C and 3.5mm audio jack ports. The underside of the top headband also has a charging port that can connect to the included wall-mountable charging dock which is a welcome feature to have thrown in.

While it’s made for PS5 and PlayStation Portal (via PlayStation Link) it can be taken to PC too with the use of another Link dongle (or the same, if you don’t mind unplugging it and replugging the dongle in all the time) which makes it very convenient when moving between the two platforms. Note that an extra dongle would require another purchase of $20 / £20 from PS Direct or a go-to online retailer. The headset’s Bluetooth connectivity is a good bonus too for pairing with mobile devices, and there’s also an audio jack connection to make it truly multiplatform if you don’t mind being tethered.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar) PlayStation Pulse Elite: Performance

• Stupendous audio from brilliant planar magnetic drivers
• Neat and tidy, and crystal clear retractable mic
• Solid battery life and reliable quick charge function

Cutting to it, the Pulse Elite is a brilliant-sounding PS5 headset, and produces some of the best audio I’ve experienced on the console. There was much hype and chatter about the inclusion of planar magnetic drivers in an official PS5 gaming headset, and the move is something that has paid off in spades. 

The smallest environmental details in Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl - a game rightly praised for its audio work - were beautifully and hauntingly conveyed to me. Meanwhile, the comic book-like sounds in Assassin’s Creed Chronicles were crisp and punchy; and the bombastic soundscapes of sci-fi adventure Star Wars Outlaws and power fantasy bullet-fest Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 were out of this world. 

Of course, neodymium drivers from brands like SteelSeries, Razer, and Turtle Beach sound spectacular too, especially with tuning via each set’s dedicated apps, but there’s something extra rich and detailed about the planar magnetic ones in the Pulse Elite which always had me coming back for more.

In terms of multiplayer, and the microphone, I was treated to similar joys in Ghost Recon Breakpoint and Saints Row with weapon noises, voices, and vehicle roars sounding beautiful while my voice easily carried over them to my teammates. On that note, the mic is very solid but unspectacular - it won’t blow your teammates away or have you recording podcasts with it, but it’s easily clear enough for flawless communications, even in the busiest of Diablo 4 encounters.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

In terms of comfort and use, the Pulse Elite shines brightly too. On the latter, being an official set has its advantages, and using it with the PS5 and Portal is easy, seamless, and so intuitive. Everything from changing EQ settings on the PS5 to connecting to the Portal via PlayStation Link is super easy. Even using the mic is easy given those aforementioned grips ensuring you hold it a particular way, away from the mute button.

Comfort-wise, I did notice my ears getting a bit warm in the Elite’s cups in the hotter weather recently, but otherwise, I never had to take off the headset due to ear or headache and could keep it on all day happily.

The battery life of the Pulse Elite won’t win any prizes, but its quoted 30 hours is a decent and very welcome improvement on the Pulse 3D that’ll easily have you covered. From a full charge on day one of my testing, I easily reached the 30-hour mark and had juice to spare. The quick charging feature is a welcome addition too and can get you back up and running in minutes - I experienced more than two hours of juice when charging the headset for just 10 minutes to test Sony’s quoted numbers.

All in all, the Pulse Elite is a very capable and attractive headset for PS5 users (or prospective PS5 Pro owners) - and especially those who also use the PlayStation Portal. If you’re after the latest in gaming headset driver tech and something to cover those two devices the Elite is a great fit. It’s simply a superbly easy, convenient, and excellent PS5 headset to use on both the console itself and the handheld Portal, and combining that with some of the best audio available on the market is a truly winning combination.

How I tested the PlayStation Pulse Elite headset Buy it if...

You want some of the best drivers for audio in gaming going
The planar magnetic drivers in the Pulse Elite headset are the real deal: the headset has given me some of the finest PS5 gaming audio I’ve ever listened to. The audio is rich, super detailed, and just a joy at every turn. If you want the best or latest in gaming audio drivers, then the Pulse Elite is right up there.

You want something that’s a perfect PlayStation Portal companion
If you’re embracing the PS5 remote play device and want a headset that’s perfect for it, having been designed with it in mind - and one that will be a brilliant PS5 headset too - then the Pulse Elite is a no-brainer. 

You want a headset that’s tuned and designed to be integrated into the PS5
If you like official, then this is the best official PS5 headset available today, and its integration into the PS5 family is a worthy point of attraction - out of ease and convenience but also audio-wise, as the headset can make the most of the Tempest 3D audio capabilities in the machine, as well as the built-in EQ settings now on the PS5.

Don't buy it if...

You need true multiplatform connectivity
For this price, you can now get truly multiplatform wireless gaming headsets, like the Arctis Nova 5 from SteelSeries, that will cover you across all the major consoles. If you need this type of connectivity then the Elite won’t scratch that itch.

You need a lightweight, sleek gaming headset
The Pulse Elite has quite a bulbous design which isn’t that appealing aesthetically, and is also on the heavier side of the gaming headset spectrum so might be one to avoid if those are sticking points for you.

You don’t play on PlayStation Portal
While we love the direct connection to Sony’s remote play device the Elite offers, and its performance just on PS5, if you don’t have the Portal and can remove this feature from your list of needs then the rest of the PS5 headset market opens up to you.

Also consider...

If you’re still not entirely sold on the PlayStation Pulse Elite then check out these two excellent similar products for comparison and consideration.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless
You might not get the Portal compatibility with the Nova 5 headset but you get compatibility with almost everything else, particularly with the 5X version. This is a superb one-and-done wireless gaming headset that augments all of SteelSeries’ excellence with a new companion app with hundreds of game audio presets to choose from on the fly.

For more information, check out our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless review.

Sony PlayStation Pulse 3D Wireless headset
The  Pulse 3D headset that launched in 2020 alongside the PS5 offers a more streamlined option to the Elite. If you’re not fussed about PlayStation Link or planar magnetic drivers, then it’s still a brilliant wireless PS5 headset that offers great comfort, awesome audio, and reliable mics - for less money.

For more information, check out our full Sony PlayStation Pulse 3D Wireless headset review.

How I tested the PlayStation Pulse Explore earbuds

• Tested for around two months
• Compared it directly to other headsets and earbuds
• Tested across game types and compatible devices

I’ve used the Pulse Elite headset for a couple of months now, and have learned to live with it as my daily driver for gaming and work purposes. 

For gaming, I have embraced it as a single-player companion and have put it through many game types including the first Stalker game, a full playthrough of Assassin's Creed Chronicles, my full review playthrough of Star Wars Outlaws, and some parts of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. It was in these games that I also tested the headset directly with the PlayStation Portal. I also used it online with friends playing Ghost Recon Breakpoint, Diablo 4 and the Saints Row reboot.

Elsewhere I used the headset for work regularly, both in meetings and calls, and music listening throughout the day. I also tested the Bluetooth functionality with my phone and listening to music and have been able to compare it to other headsets in my setup such as the Pulse Explore earbuds, SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X, and the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July to September 2024.

Anker Soundcore Space One Pro: Two-minute review

The Anker Soundcore Space One Pro are the most expensive headphones Anker has ever released. Sure, they're still a lot cheaper than the likes of the Sony WH-1000XM5, but it does pile on a bit of pressure for these headphones to deliver, especially considering top-rated headphones like the Sennheiser Accentum Plus come in at nearly the same price. Happily, though, the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro are a great-sounding pair of wireless headphones that kept me listening for hours on end, day in, day out.

Thanks to LDAC codec compatibility, you’re getting hi-res audio, which helps the Soundcore Space One Pro to deliver rich, well-weighted all-round sound. If you appreciate some depth, these will likely pique your interest, thanks to the impressively weighty bass and sub-bass on offer. More generally, audio is to a high standard – it's not always as sharp as it could be or as clean-sounding as some top-of-the-range headphones, but it'll satisfy the vast majority of listeners.

Thanks to the Soundcore app, you can also find the perfect sound for you. There are classic EQ settings, which include a huge array of presets and a custom option too. But what’s really exciting is the HearID setting which assesses your personal tastes and hearing capabilities to suggest the perfect calibration – something that even some of the best headphones don’t offer. Not only that, but there’s a Dolby Audio mode available for those looking for a more expansive soundstage when watching movies or TV shows on the go.

More broadly, you’re getting a strong feature-set here. There’s Easy Chat for having conversations without needing to pause your tunes, multi-point connectivity and adjustable active noise cancellation settings. Speaking of ANC, you’re getting cancellation that’s a cut above some of the best cheap headphones. Some high-pitched sounds will still creep through, even when listening at higher volumes, but overall, you’re not going to get too distracted by the outside world when using the Space One Pro.

You’ll also be able to listen pretty much unbroken thanks to two key factors: battery life and comfort. Firstly, you’re getting plenty of playtime with the Space One Pro, which can go for 40 hours with ANC on and 60 hours with ANC off – although beware, with hi-res audio switched on, this number will be significantly cut. In terms of comfort, it really doesn’t get much better. Wearing the Space One Pro is never grating, even after listening for multiple hours consecutively – a fantastic plus given a lot of over-ear headphones fall at this hurdle.

It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, though. One of the Space One Pro’s biggest flaws for me is their looks. Although when folded they’re ultra-compact, in use they appear chunky and a little bit disappointing quality-wise – especially the button controls. This might not be a deal breaker for many, but Soundcore has increased its asking price for these headphones. Don’t get me wrong, these are good quality cans, but with this amount of cash, there are some outstanding alternatives from the likes of Sony and Sennheiser available to you – are the Space One Pro better than these? I’m not too sure.

Still, they sound great and you’ll happily keep playing your favorite tracks for hours on end. The main issue is the strength of the competition. For example, in our Sennheiser Accentum Plus review, we gave these similarly priced headphones 4.5 stars, thanks to their impeccable sound quality – although their fit isn’t suited to every head. Some people may find the Soundcore more comfortable, and prefer them for that reason, but most people will probably want to go for the better sound quality.

Anker Soundcore Space One Pro review: Price & release date

• $199.99 / £149.99 (about AU$300)
• Launched on September 5 2024 in UK/US
• Launching in Australia in October 2024

With the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro headphones, the brand has ventured into slightly more premium territory. These cans will set you back $199.99 / £149.99 (about AU$300) – that puts them in the same ballpark as the Sennheiser Accentum Plus, which retail for $‌179.95 / £169.99 / AU$299, and the Sony ULT Wear, which go for $199.99 / £149 / AU$348.

It’s a significant price jump on the classic Soundcore Space One, which were just $99 / £99 at launch. Of course, the newer model is more compact, has more mics and higher-quality audio, but that’s still a big jump considering the Space One still has ANC, a very similar battery life and hi-res audio capabilities.

(Image credit: Future) Anker Soundcore Space One Pro review: Specs

(Image credit: Future) Anker Soundcore Space One Pro review: Features

• Solid active noise cancellation
• Hi-res audio capability
• Feature-rich companion app

Something I love about the Space One Pro is that they boast a pretty expansive feature-set. You get the classic options you’d expect from modern wireless headphones, including multi-point connectivity and EQ settings, but there’s a good amount more to uncover.

One of my favorite features was Easy Chat, which lowers the music volume playing and makes voices clearer. This was incredibly useful in an office setting, especially when I had to respond to questions or chat with colleagues briefly, making for a seamless transition from listening to talking. You can easily adjust the time it takes for music to fade back in after using Easy Chat in the Soundcore app, with 5, 10 and 15 second wait times available, although I found the default 5 was ideal. Sensitivity here was just right too; for instance, the sound of typing wouldn’t set off Easy Chat, making for a near-flawless user experience. You will have to resist singing along to the music, though…

Another neat little feature is Safe Volume. When I listen to music, I like to listen at loud volumes – maybe a bit too loud sometimes. However, the Soundcore app has a decibel reading meter that displays whether your volume level is normal, acceptable (ie, a bit on the loud side but probably okay), or too high. This is useful for keeping yourself in check, and you can set a high volume limit too, if you want to be on the cautious side, or to keep kids' hearing safe if you give the headphones to them.

As I mentioned, there are classic EQ settings here, including a bunch of neat presets for various genres and the option to make a totally custom sound. However, one of the coolest settings available is HearID Sound, which assesses your hearing capabilities at various frequencies and asks you to pick your preferred sound through a small handful of multi-choice questions to find your perfect sound. This worked fantastically well and gave me some added depth in the bass department, a little bit of additional height in the treble, with a dip in the mid-range – a calibration that suited my taste very nicely.

One more feature that enables you to customize sound is Dolby Audio. This is useful if you want a more immersive, expansive sound from your headphones, but is likely better suited towards people watching videos. I found that this did add a bit of width to the soundstage, but I rarely used it when listening to tunes. When you are blasting your favorite songs, though, you can activate the LDAC audio codec (compatible with most Android phones), which delivers richer, more detailed hi-res audio – something I kept turned on throughout most of the testing process.

(Image credit: Future)

Another part of the Space One Pro that’s decently customizable is ANC. You can toggle on Wind Noise Reduction when out and about and switch between full, normal, and transparent levels of noise cancellation. But how is the ANC itself? Pretty good actually.

In a café, I could still hear a conversation on my table with music at half volume, but at a more realistic listening level of 65-70%, I could barely hear any words at all. When listening to more mellow classical music, however, sounds like plates being placed down crept through sometimes, even at high volumes.

At around 60% with Wind Noise Reduction on, traffic was barely audible, although some higher pitched noises did seep through from time to time. Similarly, when using a hairdryer, the screech-like noise it emitted was still audible when listening to a bass-heavy track.

With the lower-frequency tones of a microwave, I heard almost nothing at 50-55% volume, although this didn’t surprise me a lot as the Space One Pro seemed to be very competent at blocking out lower-frequency sounds, as is common with the best noise cancelling headphones.

I compared this to the more budget 1More Sonoflow and Sony WH-CH720N in the same environments, and the Space One Pro were a clear upgrade over them both.

To top everything off, the Space One Pro have a very respectable battery life of 40 hours with ANC on and 60 hours with ANC off. This is, of course, reduced if you’re using hi-res audio. When testing battery life with ANC on, I found the 40-hour claim to be accurate.

Sure, there are some headphones out there, such as the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100, that can go for up to 60 hours with ANC on, but they’re about $80 / £80 more expensive. And this battery life is 10 hours longer with ANC on (and 20 hours with ANC off) than the considerably pricier Sony WH-1000XM5. So, all in all, it's fair to say the Space One Pro are a top choice if longevity matters a lot to you.

• Features score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future) Anker Soundcore Space One Pro review: Sound quality

• Full-sounding hi-res audio
• Satisfying bass
• Audio isn’t perfectly sharp

Overall, we were pretty positive about the original Anker Soundcore Space One’s audio, particularly because of its ability to offer strong bass, clear vocals and LDAC support. Thankfully, all of this holds true for the Pro model, which more generally delivers great audio quality.

Let’s start with bass: if like me you’re someone that appreciates lots of depth, these are gonna hit the spot. Sub-bass in Backseat Freestyle by Kendrick Lamar was perfectly weighted, never feeling overly dominant in the mix – a lot of cheaper headphones struggle to handle this level of depth, but not the Space One Pro. When listening to Black Eye by Allie X, the dynamism of the bass connecting up to the mid-range was impressive too, although the kick of the drum machine was slightly lethargic.

Mid-range sounds come through clearly and with solid levels of detail. When comparing these to the cheaper Sony WH-CH720N, the Space One Pro achieved a fuller sound, helping to expose a few more sonic intricacies. This is, of course, helped further if you activate the LDAC codec for hi-res audio.

Like the ‘non-Pro’ edition, these produce a pleasingly wide soundstage experience, which is ideal for atmospheric tracks like Rains again by Solji. This track sounded a little bit constrained with the CH720N, but when using the Space One Pro, the intro’s rain sound effects were natural and quieter vocal segments were more controlled. The soft vocals maintained their intended levels of delicacy too and highs often sounded sweet when using these headphones. From time to time, vocals could be a little harsh at top volumes, something I discovered when listening to the opening of SICKO MODE by Travis Scott, but this wasn’t too common.

All in all, I found the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro to be very good in the audio department. They’re not going to deliver the incredible accuracy, intricate detail and flawlessly clean audio that super-premium competitors can offer, but for some headphones below the $200 / £150 / AU$300 mark they perform well. Bass is the star of the show here, but there’s excellent customizability if you’re more of an avid podcast fan looking for an emphasis on clear vocals, for example.

• Sound quality score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future) Anker Soundcore Space One Pro review: Design

• Ultra-compact foldable design
• May be a little chunky looking for some
• Super comfortable fit

When I first unboxed the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro, I got more of an earmuff than headphone vibe. Initially, I was struck by how chunky they were – even the headband is pretty thick and padded. Don’t get me wrong: the Space One Pro aren’t horrible looking, but I don’t think there’s gonna be a rush to hang them in the Louvre.

Even in terms of build quality, I wasn’t massively impressed. That’s mainly because the buttons and silver detail on the headphones look and feel a bit cheap. I did, however, quite like the Cream White color that these cans came in, though a Jet Black alternative is also available.

It’s not all about the looks, of course, and thankfully these headphones are incredibly comfortable. Every day I’ve tested the Space One Pro, I’ve used them for at least five hours and have not once felt a smidge of discomfort, so if coziness is the number one thing for you, these are absolutely perfect.

Another smart aspect of these headphones is their compact nature. Thanks to what Anker calls a FlexiCurve Structure, these can halve in size when fully folded, perfect if you’re a bit limited for space in your backpack or tote bag.

A case is available for them (added free for initial order, but that may not be the case if you buy in the future) that's also waterproof, unlike the headphones themselves, which don’t have a dust or waterproof rating.

Something these do lack is touch controls – which may be pleasing to some, but I would’ve personally appreciated them. Instead, you’re stuck with plain old button controls and unfortunately they’re a bit lacking. I already mentioned they’re not the prettiest, but I also found the volume controls to be quite unresponsive and I had to hold down the power button for quite a while to switch the headphones on or off. You can customize which button controls do a little bit in the Soundcore app, but options are pretty limited.

Overall, I don’t love the Space One Pro’s button controls and I’m not an enthusiast when it comes to their looks either. However, what I can’t deny is that they’re massively comfortable and super-compact, making them totally user-friendly. Fashionistas – you’re probably best served elsewhere I’m afraid, but otherwise I’d urge you not to rule these out on looks alone.

• Design score: 3.5/5

(Image credit: Future) Anker Soundcore Space One Pro review: Value

• Anker’s most expensive headphones ever
• Stack up to similarly-priced competitors on features and sound
• Still a tad too costly at launch

I’ll be real, reader, I’m conflicted here. I’ve really enjoyed my time with the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro; they’re a great-sounding, ultra-comfortable pair of wireless headphones that have kept me listening for hours on end. But there’s a massive amount of competition in this price range from some of the most well-respected tech companies in the game.

For example, the aforementioned Sennheiser Accentum Plus offer confident, punchy sound, a longer battery life and a more attractive design for a similar price. And the Sony ULT Wear are also super comfortable and offer the LDAC codec – although in our Sony ULT Wear review we had a mixed response to its bass-boosting ULT button. Good options abound at this price point, making any one choice harder to justify.

And there are often bargains available on more premium options: for instance, the legendary Sony WH-1000XM4 are regularly available at a similar price to these these headphones, and they are going to offer almost everything you get here, but with even better audio and a classic design. However, it is worth noting that this only applies to when the Sonys have their price cut, and the Space One Pro will inevitably also see strong discounts, probably as soon as Black Friday, shortly after launch.

What I’m more confident in stating, though, is that these outperform the stronger budget wireless headphones, such as the Sony WH-CH720N and 1More Sonoflow, both of which we’ve spoken about highly on numerous occasions. These have considerably better ANC, audio quality and features. So, although I wouldn’t expect these to be listed at a way lower price, I think these will be extremely attractive on sale, when they’re closer to the $150 / £120 mark.

• Value score: 3.5/5

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro? Buy them if…

Comfort is a priority for you
A lot of over-ear headphones tend to get uncomfortable after a while, but not these. The Anker Soundcore Space One Pro are a delight to wear, even for hours on end, thanks to their soft ear cushions and well-padded headband. Say goodbye to headphone fatigue, and hello to hours of back-to-back bangers.

You want highly customizable audio
If you have specific tastes when it comes to audio, these headphones are a good pick. That’s mainly because of the HearID feature, which provides a custom EQ configuration suited to your ears. There’s also Dolby Audio for a more expansive sound and LDAC compatibility for hi-res output.

Don’t buy them if…

You’re on a budget
These aren’t ultra-premium headphones or anything, but they’re not the most affordable cans out there either. If you’re on a budget there are so many fantastic cheap options out there for under $100 / £100 / AU$200, check out our guide to the best cheap headphones for some recommendations.

Style is your main concern
Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion, but I think many will agree with me here – the Space One Pro aren’t the most attractive cans out there. If you want some sleeker headphones, the likes of Sony and Bose have plenty of excellent options that avoid the chunky look that Anker has adopted here.

(Image credit: Future) Anker Soundcore Space One Pro review: Also consider

Sennheiser Accentum Plus
The Sennheiser Accentum Plus are a fantastic pair of mid-range over-ear headphones. They offer beautiful sound quality, a clean design, decent ANC and an epic battery life. And once you factor in their price, which is scarcely any higher than the Space One Pro, they become a very attractive option indeed – as you can see from the fact we granted them 4.5 stars in our Sennheiser Accentum Plus review.

Sony WH-CH720N
I’ve owned these headphones myself for about one year and can say they’re very good if you want a cheaper option than the Space One Pro. Sure, they don’t support LDAC or produce a super-expansive audio overall, but you still get a nicely balanced sound with solid detail. Not only that, but they have awesome battery life, 360 Reality Audio support, competent ANC and a lightweight design. Given they’ve gone on sale for less than $90 / £80 in the past, they’re an incredible option if you’re working with a tighter budget. Read our full Sony WH-CH720N review.

Anker Soundcore Space One Pro review: How I tested

• Tested for one week
• Used in the office, in a café and while on walks
• Predominantly tested using Tidal on Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4

I tested the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro over the course of a week. During this time, I took to a number of environments including a café, built-up roads, the office and my apartment. I typically connected the headphones to Tidal on my Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 with the LDAC codec active in order to access the best quality audio. I also tested the headphones with the FiiO M11S hi-res music player, my Windows laptop, and an iPhone 13 Pro. When listening to music, I went through the TechRadar testing playlist, which includes tracks from a number of genres, before expanding to a wider music selection. When appropriate, I also compared the Soundcore Space One Pro directly to the Sony WH-CH720N and 1More Sonoflow.

First reviewed: September 2024
Read more about how we test

We've got another PC gaming handheld on the market to take on the venerable Steam Deck: the Acer Nitro Blaze 7, and it looks like it might be a very strong contender against the current handheld champ, the Asus ROG Ally X.

The Blaze 7's specs are pretty solid. In terms of hardware, it is sandwiched below the ROG Ally X but definitely above the ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and well above what the Steam Deck can offer.

This includes a 7-inch 1080p IPS touchscreen with a variable refresh rate up to 144Hz, up to 2TB PCIe SSD storage, and 16GB LPDDR5x memory running at 7500MT/s.

The real star here, though, is the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS SoC powering the whole thing. This is a slight step up from the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme SoC found in the ROG Ally, Legion Go, and ROG Ally X, though only really in terms of its AI performance. 

While the core counts in the CPU and GPU are the same, as are their speeds, you do get a dedicated NPU in the Ryzen 7 8840HS that should help offload some AI tasks. How much this helps with AMD Radeon Super Resolution (AMD's hardware-based upscaler) remains to be seen, though.

Acer Nitro Blaze 7: Design

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Design-wise, if one thing is immediately noticeable about the Blaze 7, it's that it feels a bit bulkier than the recently released ROG Ally X. However, it is nearly identical in terms of dimensions and is even a little bit lighter. Part of that comes from the ridged hand grips on the back of sides of the device, which felt a bit deeper than on other handhelds I've used recently. The spec sheet on the Blaze 7 isn't exactly clear on whether that difference is real or just my imagination.

The chassis is black plastic with white and red accents around the device, something I haven't seen on other devices. If nothing else, people around you will know you're playing on a Blaze 7 rather than some other gaming handheld.

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Regarding ports, you get a lot here, including two USB4 ports, one on the top and one on the bottom, which will definitely make this thing easier to dock. Furthermore,  since the bottom port is Thunderbolt 4, it will support video output and power delivery.

The battery, meanwhile, is a substantial 50WHr, meaning you should be able to get solid gaming time in before you need to plug it in.

One noticeable component that is missing is any of the back macro buttons you get on the ROG Ally. Personally, I never use those on the ROG Ally X unless my ADHD-addled brain gets fidgity, as even a video game beamed right at my face from my hands isn't enough to keep the restlessness away.

The rest of the buttons are the standard dual-stick, control pad, and ABXY buttons, as well as two triggers and two bumpers along the top of the device. You also get a power button with a built-in fingerprint reader, volume buttons, a view button, a menu button, a dedicated Acer Game Space button, a mode switch button, an Acer quick menu button, and (my favorite) a pop-up keyboard button. 

Acer Game Space, meanwhile, is an all-in-one solution for managing your game library across different apps and storefronts that works reasonably well. It does remind you, though, just how terrible Windows 11 is as a platform for these kinds of handhelds.

Also of note is the heat vent along the top of the device. While playing Shadow of the Tomb Raider on the Blaze 7, that area of the device did get noticeably hot. This isn't unexpected — after all, energy = heat — and it wasn't something I noticed when holding the device as intended. I only felt the heat when my hand accidentally touched the vent (and the heatsink fins therein), so just something to keep in mind.

Acer Nitro Blaze 7: Performance

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

So I didn't get to run any benchmarks on the device, unfortunately, but Acer did conveniently have Shadow of the Tomb Raider running on the device I got some time with, and they enabled AMD's framerate tool to show the FPS on the device as you played it.

There were a couple of stutters here and there, but nothing you wouldn't get on any other device like this. On the whole, though, the Blaze 7 consistently got around or above 60FPS at 1080p with medium settings with FSR tuned to performance mode.

On a seven-inch screen, these settings looked fantastic, and the frame rate was very consistent unless you walked around an area with very complex geometry (and not really the temples so much, as you'd think, but more the people in the village seemed to be the worst offender).

We'll have to do a lot more testing to see how the device fares against the competition, but in my time with it, the Acer Nitro Blaze 7 looks like a very solid performer vis a vis its competition.

Acer Nitro Blaze 7: Price & availability

Unfortunately, we know nothing about the price or release date of the Nitro Blaze 7 at this time, though pricing and availability will surely be coming in the next few weeks.

That said, we can definitely expect it to be cheaper than the ROG Ally X since that handheld has 8GB more RAM than the Nitro Blaze 7, and memory right now is very expensive. Since the ROG Ally X sells for $799.99 / £799 / AU$1,599, the Nitro Blaze 7 needs to come in well below that to be competitive, so somewhere around $700 / £700 / AU$1450.

Any higher than that, and you're better off getting the ROG Ally X for the extra RAM.

Acer Nitro Blaze 7: Final thoughts

From what I've seen, the Acer Nitro Blaze 7 doesn't do anything especially well. It looks to be a fairly competent gaming handheld when it eventually goes on sale, but it's not without its charms.

I won't lie; the built-in keyboard button is something every handheld needs. Games that require keyboard input for names and other information really don't handle a virtual keyboard well and often never give you the option to use one. You're forced to try to escape to the desktop to bring in a keyboard from there, which can be a huge hassle in the middle of gaming.

The Ryzen 7 8840HS processor is also a solid improvement since it will bring some NPU power to bear, and hopefully, AMD RSR and other AI functions can properly leverage it.

All that is still an open question though, but I am excited to see what the Acer Nitro Blaze 7 can really do once we get a unit in for a more proper review.